PARISH ANNOUNCEMENTS
AND BULLETINS
"THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME"
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UPDATED DIRECTIVES DURING THE COVIDˆ19 PANDEMIC
Effective May 25, 2021
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Given the reinstatement by the Bishops of NJ of the obligation to attend Sunday Mass and the lessening of restrictions from the state, the following is provided as an immediate update to the May 4 directives.
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Effective May 28, masks will no longer be required for fully vaccinated persons. If not fully vaccinated, persons are strongly encouraged to follow CDC guidance and wear a face mask in public settings. Masks are still required on public transit and in health care settings, prisons, child-care facilities and schools, among other places. People will no longer be required to socially distance indoors or outdoors, (May 28), although unvaccinated persons should continue to maintain a safe distance from others.
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Effective June 4, all indoor gathering limits will be removed.
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Although these directives represent a reduction of pandemic restrictions, the local pastors/administrators/chaplains can impose stricter regulations as needed. These may include wearing masks, social distancing, and signing in for Mass or activities. These directives apply to all indoor and outdoor events.
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Mass Attendance
Cardinal Tobin and the Bishops of New Jersey are reinstating the obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation effective June 5/6, the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. To read the official statement, please visit: https://www.rcan.org/
Parishioners should be made aware of the reinstatement of the obligation.
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Updated Directives
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Churches and parish facilities may return to 100 per cent capacity with no social distancing for both indoor and outdoor services and activities, as of June 4, 2021.
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Parishioners should be informed that if they are vaccinated, they are no longer required to wear a mask. It is not required for parishioners to show proof of vaccination.Anyone not fully vaccinated should wear a mask.
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Any vaccinated person preferring to wear a mask should feel free to do so.
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Churches and meeting spaces should continue to be sanitized after each liturgy, event or meeting.
For more safety information: https://nj.gov/governor/news/news/562021/approved/20210503b.shtml
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LENTEN REGULATIONS
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The days of both Fast and Abstinence during Lent are Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. If possible, the fast on Good Friday is continued until the Easter Vigil (on Holy Saturday night) as the “paschal fast” to honor the suffering and death of the Lord Jesus, and to prepare ourselves to share more fully and to celebrate more readily His Resurrection. The other Fridays of Lent are days of Abstinence. On a day of Fast, only one (1) full meal is permitted, and two (2) smaller meals, which, if added together, would not exceed the main meal in quantity. Those between the ages of 18 and 59 are obliged to fast. On a day of Abstinence, no meat may be eaten. Those who have reached the age of 14 are obliged by the law of abstinence.
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The obligation to observe the laws of Fast and Abstinence “substantially”, or as a whole, is a serious obligation.
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The Fridays of the year, outside of Lent, are designated as days of penance, but each individual may substitute for the traditional abstinence from meat some other practice of voluntary self-denial as penance.
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The time for fulfilling the Paschal Precept (Easter Duty*) extends from the First Sunday of Lent, February 22 to The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, May 31, 2026.
*Canon 920, §1. All the faithful, after they have been initiated into the Most Holy Eucharist, are bound by the obligation of receiving Communion at least once a year.
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Our parish is now registered with https://smile.amazon.com The AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the purchase price from your eligible smile.amazon.com purchases. Tens of millions of products are eligible for donations. You will see eligible products marked “Eligible for AmazonSmile donation” on their smile.amazon.com product detail pages. Recurring Subscribe & Save purchases and subscription renewals are not currently eligible to generate donations. Remember, only purchases made at smile.amazon.com, (not www.amazon.com or the mobile app,) generate AmazonSmile donations. Select St. Theresa of the Child Jesus Parish as the supporting organization.​
ADORATION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT
Monday 7:30pm-9:00pm (church)
Wednesday 7:30pm-9:00pm (church)
Friday 7:30am-5:30pm (chapel)
7:30pm-9:00pm (church)
PARISH RELIGIOUS OBSERVANCES
Almighty and eternal God, you have so exalted the unbreakable bond of marriage that it has become a sacramental sign of your Son’s union with the Church as his spouse. Look with favor on these couples who you have united in marriage, as they ask for your help and the protection of the Virgin Mary. We pray that in good times and in bad they will grow in love for each other; that they will resolve to be of one heart in the bond of peace. Lord, in their struggles let them rejoice that you are near to help them; in their needs let them know that you are there to rescue them; in their joys let them see that you are the source and completion of every happiness. We ask this through Christ our Lord,
Amen.
