Dear Parishioners and Friends,

This weekend, Trinity Sunday, we shall have again our “in-car/ Parking lot” Mass at 9.30am. Mass will be livestreamed. So, I encourage you to bring your devices and join us through the YouTube live-stream. Please click on the link to join.
( https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHYfsolDzqvHG5RUQGNa9fw/featured)  

On this newsletter please find prayer aids, homily and the Sunday readings. 
I am also happy to send you our safety directives as we reopen our church for indoor sacramental celebrations that Bishop David O'Connell has announced last week. Our weekday Masses will begin this June 8th at 8AM in the big church (not in the chapel). For the weekend Masses, we will have two Masses to begin with at 9:30AM and 12.30PM this June 14th in order to allow enough time for sanitation in between schedules. 
COVID 19 is still a virulent contagious virus communicated between people.  Everyone should remain conscious and alert that risks to either contract or spread the disease remain possible at any gathering of people, indoors or outdoors.  The risk is considered by public health experts to be especially significant indoors at prolonged, sedentary gatherings where coughing, sneezing and even talking/singing could easily communicate the coronavirus. 
The Catholic faithful, however, need the Eucharist for their spiritual health and well-being.  It is an essential part of Catholic life and we cannot continue to do without the Eucharist and other sacraments indefinitely.  The COVID 19 pandemic introduced temporary yet necessary sacrifices into our lives as Catholics.  You, Christ’s faithful, have carried the accompanying spiritual burdens heroically. Your clergy have shared those burdens too, deprived as we have been of the opportunity to exercise many of the pastoral and liturgical ministries for which we have been ordained.  It has been our common goal during this pandemic to minister as best we could in the hope that the gradual restoration of full Catholic life would occur as soon as possible.  
Balancing the physical, public health precautions deemed necessary with the spiritual good of the faithful, Bishop David O’Connell decided to resume limited opportunities for the faithful to return to their parish churches, while maintaining the necessary, required public health precautions present in the CDC Guidelines, as the Diocese gradually and safely moves toward the full restoration of Catholic spiritual and sacramental life.  
Here at St. Ann's, we shall observe the following Guidelines for safe resumption of limited “in church” Sacramental Celebrations: 
THE SACRAMENT OF THE EUCHARIST
1. The dispensation from Sunday/Holy Day Mass obligation remains in effect until Monday, September 7 (unless otherwise announced).  
2. The celebration of limited “in church” public weekend Masses, with no more than 25% occupancy following social distancing guidelines, will begin on Sunday June 14, the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ.
3. Weekday “in church” public Masses --- with no more than 25 persons attending --- may begin on Monday, June 8, 2020.  
4. Those who are hesitant or fearful because of COVID 19 concerns as well as those with a COVID 19 diagnosis or symptoms, those who may be asymptomatic carriers, those not feeling well, those with underlying health conditions or those in a high-risk category should stay home and avoid any public gathering.
5. Temporary Mass schedules at this time:  Sundays: 9.30am & 12.30pm. Masses will be added as needed and will be announced.
6. For everyone’s safety: Mask is a must and it should be worn at all times. Please use hand sanitizers when coming in and going out of the church. Hand sanitizers are located at entrances.
7. A single entrance to the church should be utilized to monitor the number of people attending.  All doors can be used for exiting church. For an orderly exit, dismissal will be directed by our ushers, pew by pew.
8. Livestreaming of 9.30am Mass(not the 12.300m) shall continue. Thanks to Michael Diao for his time, talent and lending us his gadget.
9. Group devotional observances, including Children’s Liturgy of the Word and parish social gatherings are suspended until further notice.
10. No public gatherings or greetings before or after Masses, at church entrances/exits or on parish property are permitted.
11. All missals, hymnals, printed materials, pamphlets, etc., will not be used. They have all been removed.
12. Sanitation of church before and after each Mass, using approved methods is mandatory. If you are using your own wipes, please dispose of them properly (not in the missalette pockets please).
13. Holy Water fonts or receptacles are to remain empty.
14. Restrooms are provided; they are sanitized regularly.
15. A cantor may sing behind a clear screen when in front of the assembly.  Choirs are not to be used.  Congregational singing is discouraged to prevent any possible spread of COVID 19.  
16. The usual presentation of offertory gifts and physical contact of any kind at the sign of peace is suspended.
17. Communion is restricted to the Sacred Host only and no chalice may be offered or shared.  Communion in the hand is strongly preferred. Communion ministers must wear mask. Sanitizing spray must be available next to the minister.
18. There will be no communion line. Ministers will bring communion to you, passing in between pews.
19. Priests will not receive or gather the faithful after the Mass.
20. Those uncomfortable attending the Mass indoors may follow the live-streamed Mass in their cars at the parking lot.
21. In case of overflow and not everyone may be seated, the community room and the chapel will be available for streaming.

THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM
1. The celebration of Baptism within Mass is suspended.  
2. Baptisms outside of Mass are to be celebrated one family at a time.
3. Baptisms will be scheduled any day except Sunday.
4. The number attending should adhere to social distance guidelines with a maximum of 25 persons.
5. Masks are to be worn by all present.
6. Only parents or godparents may hold the infant during the ceremonies.
7. Sanitizer should be used when there is any physical contact before, during or after Baptism
8. Fresh baptismal water is to be blessed, used and disposed of after each celebration.  An implement should be utilized to pour the water in the act of baptizing.  Pouring the water by hands alone is prohibited.
9. The signing of the cross and anointings should be done with a cotton ball or “Q-tip which should be burned or buried afterward.  
10. Group photographs in church after the Baptism is limited.
11. The celebrant will not receive or make physical contact with the faithful after the baptism; families should exit church immediately after Baptism in an orderly manner.

THE SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY
1. Only the marriage ceremony (not Mass) may be celebrated in church until further notice.
2. Number of persons in church should be limited to 25; live-streamed ceremonies may also be offered.
3. All present must wear masks (except bride and groom).
4. Social distancing is to be observed throughout the celebration.
5. Worship aids or other booklets, hymnals, papers and programs are not to be distributed/used in church.
6. Greeting at the doors is prohibited.
7. Celebrant will stand at least six feet from the couple, e.g. on the other side of altar.
8. Wedding rings should be held by the groom only.
9. The sign of peace and any physical contact between participants, except the bride and groom, is prohibited.
10. The inclusion of particular or ethnic customs that might jeopardize social distancing should be discouraged but may be determined by the celebrant.
11. Any receiving line is prohibited; participants should exit the church immediately after the ceremony.
12. Group photographs in church after the ceremony are limited.
CATHOLIC FUNERALS IN CHURCH
1. All directives for the celebration of the public “in Church” Masses are to be observed. Social distancing is to be maintained at all times and masks are to be worn
2. Number of persons present should follow directives for public “in Church” Masses, preferably 25.
3. The use of the pall is suspended
4. Live-streaming of the Mass is permitted
5. Eulogy is omitted
6. For the committal, the number of persons in attendance should follow NJ State regulations for cemeteries and physical contact with those in attendance is prohibited
7. Memorial Masses may now be scheduled for those who lost family members during the quarantine. 
SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION 
1. Confession/Reconciliation will begin on June 13 from 4pm-5pm at the inside garden that is located outside of the chapel.
2. Only one person is allowed inside the garden. Next penitent has to wait outside or in car until after the person gets out of the garden

There is so much to remember in these new guidelines. So, let us all be patient and practice kindness and charity.

God loves you!