St. John the Beloved Parish

Church and School 

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in reopening our Church for Mass. These past months have been difficult for many reasons, but necessary to keep the COVID-19 pandemic at bay. Pope Francis expressed his joy in seeing many of the faithful return to St. Peter’s Basilica for Mass and his blessing, but he advised them to keep the precautions because the pandemic is still prevalent in parts of the world. We too are asked to follow basic guidelines from the state and diocese. For this reason and out of an abundance of care for your safety and the wellbeing of our Priests and volunteers at Mass, our present format in St. John the Beloved Church is as follows:

• Those over 60 and vulnerable are asked to remain homebound until the restrictions are lifted.  Our parish is continuing the videoed Sunday Mass found at our website.

• A dispensation from Sunday obligation is given for the vulnerable and those still uncomfortable to be in public at this time.

• Those who show symptoms of a virus are asked to stay home.  Please check your temperature before arrival.

• St. John the Beloved offers, for now, the daily Mass at 8:00 a.m. from Monday to Saturday.  

• Sunday Masses are presently on our normal schedule at 5:00 p.m. Saturday; 7:30, 9:30, and 11:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on Sunday.  

• All members of the assembly and ministers are required to sanitize their hands upon entering the church.  Facial masks are required of all the assembly.  Toddlers are exempt. 

• The faithful are asked to sit 6 feet apart from each other.  Members of the same household may sit together.  Designated markings on the pew show the allowed seating arrangement.  Please follow the instructions of the host usher.

• The ministries of those who serve at Mass are postponed for now.  

• Holy Communion is offered at the end of Mass to comply with the directives of separated and orderly dismissal.  Receiving Communion in the hand is preferred because the danger of touching the mouth is more probable and will require a thorough disinfecting.  

• No gatherings are allowed in the church.

• The church is open from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. on weekdays and Saturday for Mass and private prayer.  The disinfecting of the church has to take place afterward.

• The departure of the faithful after Sunday Masses is needed after Communion for the disinfecting of the church between Masses. The lavatories will remain closed due to the unavailability of disinfecting those areas after each use.

• Reconciliation is available on Saturdays from 4 to 4:45 p.m. in the sacristies. Masks are required.

For those who can attend the Masses we are offering, please drop your envelope/collection in the baskets that will be available in the recessional line after Masses, or click here to donate online. For those who remain at home, please mail your offertory to St. John the Beloved Church, 907 Milltown Rd. Wilmington, DE  19808.  Your contributions are needed to keep our parish intact. 

Our appreciation goes to everyone who is contributing one way or another. Also, a big Thank You and God Bless! To everyone who helps coordinate and facilitates the present Mass process.  Your ushering and cleaning and cooperation all around are deeply appreciated.  For more information regarding our parish open/closed status, click here.    

Take advantage of the many wonderful spiritual exercises available on television and websites:

• Holy Mass at St. John the Beloved  www.youtube.com/channel/SJBDE
• Livestream Saint Patrick's Cathedral, NY, Daily Mass at saintpatrickscathedral.org/live   
• EWTN Daily Mass is live-streamed every weekday at 8:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., and 7:00 p.m.
• Join Bishop Malooly for Mass via Livestream, 9:30 a.m. on Sunday at YouTube.com/DioceseofWilm. 

Make a Spiritual Communion when you listen and participate reverently in Mass online and televised. This is the act of unifying yourself with the Eucharistic Lord, like: 

“My Jesus, I believe that you represent 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.” 

St. John the Beloved Permanent Diaconate Candidate, Steve Oldiges, explains his journey to becoming a Permanent Deacon in this brief video. In the Catholic Church, a deacon is an ordained member of the clergy and they can be married. Are you being called to the priesthood or religious life? To learn more visit CDOW.org/catholic-diocese-of-wilmington-offices-and-ministries/vocations. 

“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!