RESTORING PUBLIC CELEBRATION OF MASS and the Sacrament of Reconciliation

REVISED DECEMBER 11, 2020

Pope Francis is urging everyone to pray the Rosary every day during the month of May, for an end to the Covid-19 pandemic. He has offered several prayers to help us: https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-04/letter-on-the-month-of-may-full-text.html
 

• Liturgical Press: Give Us This Day
• Magnificat: English | Spanish
• Bayard: Living with Christ
• The Word Among Us: English | Spanish
• GIA Publications 
  Augustine Institute: Free Subscriptions of FORMED for 40 days
• Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (for parents)
• RENEW International 
• Loyola Press 
• Oregon Catholic Press 
• Liturgy Training Publications (LTP)
• Our Sunday Visitor 
• Sadlier 
• RCL Benziger 
• Pflaum: Resources for Families 
• Catechist.com Resources 
• My Catholic Faith Delivered

Find more resources from Association of Catholic Publishers members.

Free Resources from the United States Conference of Cathoic Bishops

• Continuity of Learning and Community Plan for Parents and Student
• The Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy During the COVID-19 Pandemic
• Educational Resources and Ongoing Discipleship Formation
• Ideas and Recommendations for Families with Children who have Diverse Learning Needs
• Daily Readings: English | Spanish
• Daily Readings Audio
• Video Reflection
• Tips on Livestreaming the Mass
• Mass in Time of Pandemic | en español

Free Resources from Others

• 7 Resources to Help Bring the Faith Home

Wednesday, June 2, 2021

Sunday Mass obligation dispensation to be lifted for Catholics in the Diocese of Wilmington

The Most Reverend W. Francis Malooly, Bishop Emeritus and Apostolic Administrator of the Catholic Diocese of Wilmington, has lifted the dispensation, thereby reinstating the Sunday and Holy Day Mass obligation for Catholics in the Diocese of Wilmington, effective June 26, 2021. The announcement was made today as part of a joint statement from the bishops of the Province of Baltimore and the Archdiocese of Washington. 

Read the Statement below (Posted online at CDOW.org/coronavirus/)

STATEMENT OF THE BISHOPS OF THE PROVINCE OF BALTIMORE AND THE ARCHDIOCESE OF WASHINGTON

Lifting the General Dispensation from the Obligation to Attend Mass

We, the Catholic Bishops of the Province of Baltimore and the Archdiocese of Washington, give thanks to Almighty God for the progress our country has made in curbing the coronavirus pandemic. The average number of new cases of COVID-19 continues to decline due to the observance of safety protocols and the increase of the availability of the vaccine. At this time, many places in our region are enjoying a return to some sense of normalcy.

Therefore, we are lifting the dispensation of the Sunday and Holy Days Mass obligation in the Archdiocese of Baltimore, the Archdiocese of Washington, and the Dioceses of Arlington, Richmond, Wheeling-Charleston, and Wilmington and reinstating that obligation beginning on Saturday, June 26, 2021 and Sunday, June 27, 2021. We welcome and encourage the Faithful to return to full in-person participation of the Sunday Eucharist, the source and summit of our Catholic faith (cf. Code of Canon Law, canon 1246-1247 and Catechism of the Catholic Church, n. 2180).

This obligation does not apply to those who are ill; those who have reason to believe that they were recently exposed to the coronavirus, another serious or contagious illness; those who are confined to their home, a hospital, or nursing facility; or those with serious underlying health conditions. One should consult his or her local pastor if questions arise about the obligation to attend Mass (Canon 1245 and the Catechism of the Catholic Church n. 2181).

Safety protocols and other liturgical directives in each diocese remain in effect until modified or revoked by the respective Diocesan Bishop.

Let us continue to be united in prayer for one another and for an end to the global pandemic.

Effective Monday, May 24, 2021
Re: Parish Mask Guidlines... The latest guidance from the CDC and the Diocese of Wilmington states: Fully vaccinated people can resume activities without wearing a mask or physically distancing, except where required by federal and state laws or institutional regulations. Fully vaccinated means: 2 weeks after their second dose in a 2-dose series, such as the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or 2 weeks after a single-dose vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine. All those who are not vaccinated must continue to follow previous mask guidance in order to comply with state law. Some parishioners may be uneasy about these new guidelines. Therefore, there are designated, roped-off seatings in the church where social distancing and masks are required. 

Effective Friday, May 21, 2021
Governor John Carney and Delaware health officials announced changes to the state's COVID-19 restrictions.

• All capacity restrictions will be lifted inside houses of worship. Facilities will be able to use as much capacity as social distancing requirements will allow, Now, at 3 Feet.

• Masks will still be required indoors to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

During this unprecedented time, please know that we are seeing to the safety and health of all, while keeping within our limitations of time and space. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation. Thank you to everyone who is making this possible. Out of an abundance of care for you and the wellbeing of our Priests and volunteers at Mass, we will continue to follow the guidelines set forth by the government and the Catholic Diocese of Wilmington.  

St. John the Beloved Parish offers daily mass at 8:00 a.m., Monday through Saturday. 
Sunday Mass is celebrated at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday and 7:30, 9:30, 11:30 a.m., and 5:00 p.m. on Sunday. Please check your temperature before arrival. Those who show symptoms of a virus are asked to stay home. 

A dispensation from Sunday obligation is given for the vulnerable and those still uncomfortable to be in public at this time. During this time our parish will continue to provide a video of our Sunday Mass on our website and YouTube channel, Youtube.com/c/StJohnTheBelovedParish.

The present format at St. John the Beloved Church is as follows:

• All members of the assembly and ministers are required to sanitize their hands upon entering the church.  

• Properly worn face masks, covering both the mouth and nose, are required of all the assembly. ONLY Toddlers are exempt. 

• The faithful are asked to sit 3-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.  

• Receiving Communion in the hand is preferred.  

• No other gatherings are permitted in the church. Scheduled weddings, funerals, and baptisms with social distancing and attendance limitations in effect.

• The church will be 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.

Reconciliation is available on Saturdays from 4:00 to 4:45 p.m. in the sacristies. Masks are required.
 
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament Fridays, after 8:00 a.m. Mass, through 10:00 a.m. We will continue this devotion on Fridays when most mornings are available.  We ask that the faithful keep a vigil at this time.  It is a wonderful opportunity for private prayer for our many needs. 

FUNERALS
As we move forward slowly and cautiously, funerals will be celebrated with the same restrictions as Sunday Mass (mask use, physical distancing, sanitizing, attendance limitations, etc.) and mindful of reducing gathering and the time spent in the church. In accordance with the Catholic Diocese of Wilmington Covid-19 guidelines for funerals, we can not offer visitations in the Church, or processions at this time.

For those who attend the Masses we are offering, please drop your envelope/collection in the baskets, 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. A big Thank you and God Bless You to everyone who helps coordinate and facilitates the present Mass process. Our ushering and cleaning and cooperation all around are deeply appreciated. If you are able, assistance is needed after every Mass currently held at St. John the Beloved Church.

Other church activities such as choir practice, lecturing, ushering, cantoring, etc. remain suspended for the present. If you have questions, please contact the Facilities Management Office at kduffy@sjbde.org.

To reschedule a canceled event, please use the MIDAS reservation system by going to sjbde.org. Click on the "ABOUT" tab. Click on "Facilities & Maintenance" in the drop-down box and follow the directions there.

Click here to pray the Coronavirus Novena. While we face the coronavirus pandemic, let us turn to the face of God in prayer and ask for His healing, His help, and His protection. Let us also turn to and ask for the intercession of our Most Blessed Mother Mary, our hope in times of crises and of all the saints.

As we face this unprecedented time of economic instability and a global public health crisis, it is easy to feel overwhelmed and can lead to feelings of anxiety and depression. You do not have to face the fear of unemployment, safety for yourself and your family, on your own. You can access real help through Catholic Charities’ Behavioral Health Services, which is currently accepting new clients.

How do you begin? Phone the Catholic Charities office — Wilmington, Dover, Georgetown, or Eastern Shore — closest to your home. Speak to the Counseling Services intake support staff. The intake worker will conduct a brief, confidential phone interview so you can describe your problem and ask questions. During the phone interview, we will gather the necessary information so we can begin your admission to the program. We are able to accept most third-party insurances, as well as Medicaid and Medicare. If you do not have insurance, we have a sliding fee scale to make counseling affordable. Currently, all services are provided remotely, and safely, via video-link.

We also welcome calls if you have questions or concerns about a family member. Sometimes the person who needs help the most is the most reluctant to make that first call. It can be helpful to reach out and have your questions about cost, counselor availability, and treatment expectations, answered in advance, so when the potential client calls to make an appointment, it is an easier call for that person to make.

For additional information and to find your closest office, please visit our website at www.cdow.org/charities and click on “Behavioral Health Services” from the “Programs” drop-down box at the top of the page.