St. John the Beloved Parish

Church and School 

At this time, the ban on social contact continues to be enforced and will run into our High Holy Days. Locally, professionals feel we have not yet peaked with the ramifications of Covid-19.  Globally, our Holy Father, Pope Francis, has given unprecedented directions for the Universal Church to celebrate Easter.  With social distancing predicated, we will have to be creative in uniting ourselves in this holiest time of the year.

Palm Sunday, April 5, is the beginning of Holy Week. Bishop Malooly, with the advise and restrictions from Delaware and Maryland, has delayed the distribution of Palm until the current ban is lifted. There will be no distribution of palm at St. John the Beloved Parish this Palm Sunday weekend. Click here for more. 


To abide by social distancing, take advantage of the many wonderful spiritual exercises available on television (EWTN) and websites available with Bishop Robert Barron, The Catholic Diocese of Wilmington and St. John the Beloved Parish. There are links that will connect you with the Diocesan Holy Week Liturgies, from the Cathedral of St. Peter in Wilmington, for the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday, Passion of the Lord on Good Friday and the Easter Vigil, late on Holy Saturday evening. 

Our parish will video Mass for Palm Sunday and Easter Morning.  Make a Spiritual Communion when you listen and participate reverently in these Masses.  This is the act of unifying yourself with the Eucharistic Lord, like:  

“My Jesus, I believe that you’re present in the Holy Sacrament. I love You above all else, and I desire You in my soul. As long as I can’t receive You sacramentally, at least enter spiritually into my soul.”

Our parish will video Tenabrae, which is the service of “shadows” or “darkness” for Holy Week, precisely Holy Thursday and Good Friday.  Dating back to the Middle Ages, through the praying of psalms, hymns and sacred readings, this 12 part service recreates the emotional aspects of Our Lord being abandoned by His twelve Apostles and led into His Passion.  Left in darkness, alone, is the Light of Christ which is escorted out to His death.  

Since the sacrament of Penance or Confession is on hold, until the social ban is lifted, privately examine your conscience and make a good confession of sin followed by a sincere Act of Contrition: 

“O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins because of thy just punishments, but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, who art all good and deserving of all my love.  I firmly resolve with the help of Thy grace, to sin no more and to avoid the near occasion of sin. Amen.”  

Hopefully the ban will be lifted in time for the faithful to make their Easter Duty, which is making a worthy confession and making a worthy Communion during the Easter Season. Easter Season ends on Trinity Sunday, June 7^th this year.  Please visit SJBDE.org/Easter for a list resources to aid in your home celebrations during the Holy Week, links to online mass and more.

• Bishop Robert Barron is posting Daily Mass online at www.wordonfire.org/daily-mass/

• Saint Patrick's Cathedral, NY, is live streaming Mass daily at saintpatrickscathedral.org/live 

• EWTN lives streams their daily Mass every weekday at 8:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., and 7:00 p.m. online at EWTN.com/tv/watch-live

Spiritual Communion Prayer:
 

“Gracious and loving God, we understand that you call us to be stewards of your abundance. Help us to always use your gifts wisely and teach us to share them generously.”

We are thankful for all the generous gifts that you provide to our parish. While you cannot be with us at Mass on Sunday, please consider contributing via our secure online giving program via ParishSOFT. This is a convenient and safe way to make a one-time, or recurring donation. Click here learn more. SIGN UP TODAY!