ASCENSION THURSDAY
This Thursday is Ascension Thursday. It is always a
Holy Day of Obligation but not this year due to the pandemic. You are
still welcome to pray with us at Livestream Mass. Father Michael will
Livestream on Wednesday at 5:30 pm and Father Connolly will Livestream on
Thursday at 8:30 am.
LIVESTREAM IN OUR FUTURE
We will need to Livestream for months. Even when the pandemic
is over, we want to be able to Livestream one Sunday Mass each weekend for our
homebound parishioners. We also want the ability to Livestream and record First
Communion, Confirmation, Graduation, etc. We are working together with Mike
Miner (who does all the TV work for the Town of East Fishkill) and Cecilia
Mastrorilli (a key member of our Social Media Group) to design a permanent system. We
will keep you posted.
RESUME MASS?
We are trying to prepare for the day when Mass returns.
Realistically, with social distancing norms, we will not be able to have more
than 175 people (25%) in the church at a time. We will also need time between
Masses to clean and disinfect. The best solution for us is to have weekend outdoor
Masses when the weather cooperates. We have ordered a tent for the front of the
church. The outdoor speakers will be upgraded. Please remember that there will
be no obligation to attend Mass for a while, particularly for those over 65 or
having any health issues. Because of this, we will encourage parishioners to
attend ANY Mass weekdays or weekends. This will take the pressure off weekends.
It is also anticipated that we will be unable to use lectors, extraordinary ministers
of holy communion or altar servers for the next months. There will likely be no
singing because it can project particles into the air much further than
speaking. Soon, our Archdiocese will issue norms that we must follow. Then, our
planning can become more detailed.
RESPECT LIFE: END OF LIFE DECISIONS
During this time of pandemic, many people are making
end-of-life decisions and need support. The Respect Life Office, in
collaboration with the Public Policy Office, has been working to educate people
on the dangers of the “living will” which pressure patients to forgo treatment.
Especially while our healthcare system is overwhelmed, we must guard against
these documents which can lead to subtle forms of euthanasia. The best way to
prepare for end-of-life decisions is to designate a health care proxy. A health
care proxy form and other helpful information can be found on our website. https://lifeofficenyc.org/care-and-prepare
SCHOOLS: CONNECTING ON HOME-BASED LEARNING
Director of Communications and Public Relations for the Catholic
Schools in the Archdiocese of New York, T.J. McCormack, chats with the Recine
family about the transition to home-based learning amid the coronavirus
pandemic. The family has two students in Dutchess Catholic schools: Our Lady of
Lourdes High School and St. Denis – St. Columba School.
VIRTUAL RETREAT BY CYFM
FEATURING SISTER MARIE
Treat yourself to an hour of insight, prayer, and reflection
from the comfort of your own home! Wednesday, May 27 at 8:00 PM CYFM Connect
Virtual Retreats Features Sr. Marie Pappas, CR. Her topic: Praying
Our Life: Encountering Jesus in the Absence of the Sacraments speaks to hearts
that hunger to connect amid a pandemic lockdown.
Participate through computer or phone. For new registrants obtain a Zoom link at: https://bit.ly/CYFMVirtual or Access through Facebook Live (@CYFMGarrison).
Participate through computer or phone. For new registrants obtain a Zoom link at: https://bit.ly/CYFMVirtual or Access through Facebook Live (@CYFMGarrison).
