Guidelines for Attending Mass

Coming Back to Mass at St. Mary’s Church

Updated Guidelines for Attending Mass
Given the reinstatement by the Bishops of NJ of the obligation to attend Sunday Mass (as of June 5/6), the following directives have been issued from the Archdiocese of Newark:
  • If you are full vaccinated, you do not need to wear a mask in the Church. Any vaccinated person preferring to wear a mask should feel free to do so.
  • Anyone not fully vaccinated should wear a mask and continue to practice social distancing.
  • The Sign of Peace should be offered but continue to be made without physical contact.
  • Communicants will continue to receive Communion in the hand. If not fully vaccinated, they lower their masks to consume the host, then replace their masks. The chalice is still prohibited for the assembly.
  • Churches and parish facilities may return to 100 per cent capacity with no social distancing for both indoor and outdoor services and activities, as of June 4, 2021.
Update on Live Streaming of Mass
With the general obligation to attend Mass reinstated (see statement below), St. Mary’s will stop live streaming Mass after June 5th. We encourage and invite you to join us back in Church each Sunday to be nourished by the Word and Eucharist. If you are sick, been exposed to COVID-19, or are unable to attend Mass for any of the reasons stated below in the Statement of the New Jersey Bishops, you can view the Mass online or on television:
Mass on Catholic Faith Network: https://www.catholicfaithnetwork.org/masses
Mass on EWTN (cable television): https://www.ewtn.com/tv/channel-finder
Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Newark can be viewed on their Facebook Page or YouTube Channel.

Spiritual Communion Prayer –  Making A Spiritual Communion

My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.
I love you above all things and I desire to receive you in my soul.
Since I cannot at this moment receive you sacramentally,
Come at least spiritually into my heart.
I embrace you as if you were already there
And unite myself wholly to you.
Never permit me to be separated from you. Amen.


Pope’s Prayer to Mary During Coronavirus Pandemic

O Mary,
you always shine on our path
as a sign of salvation and of hope.
We entrust ourselves to you, Health of the Sick,
who at the cross took part in Jesus’ pain, keeping your faith firm.
You, Salvation of the Roman People,
know what we need,
and we are sure you will provide
so that, as in Cana of Galilee,
we may return to joy and to feasting
after this time of trial.
Help us, Mother of Divine Love,
to conform to the will of the Father
and to do as we are told by Jesus,
who has taken upon himself our sufferings
and carried our sorrows
to lead us, through the cross,
to the joy of the resurrection. Amen.

Under your protection, we seek refuge, Holy Mother of God. Do not disdain the entreaties of we who are in trial, but deliver us from every danger, O glorious and blessed Virgin.

 

Prayer to Our Lady of Guadalupe

Holy Virgin of Guadalupe, Queen of the Angels and Mother of the Americas.
We fly to you today as your beloved children.
We ask you to intercede for us with your Son, as you did at the wedding in Cana.

Pray for us, loving Mother,
and gain for our nation and world,
and for all our families and loved ones,
the protection of your holy angels,
that we may be spared the worst of this illness.

For those already afflicted,
we ask you to obtain the grace of healing and deliverance.
Hear the cries of those who are vulnerable and fearful,
wipe away their tears and help them to trust.

In this time of trial and testing,
teach all of us in the Church to love one another and to be patient and kind.
Help us to bring the peace of Jesus to our land and to our hearts.

We come to you with confidence,
knowing that you truly are our compassionate mother,
health of the sick and cause of our joy.

Shelter us under the mantle of your protection,
keep us in the embrace of your arms,
help us always to know the love of your Son, Jesus. Amen.