Returning to Public Worship and Sacramental Celebrations
The following ten guidelines are based on the Archdiocesan Faith Forward directives for returning to public worship and sacramental celebrations.
1) Presuming that we will be able to reopen this summer, our parish Masses will be celebrated in the air-conditioned lower church. When entering the one available main church door entrance for weekend Masses, everyone is required to wear a facemask. An usher/parish greeter will seat individuals and households to assigned pews designated for families of 4, couples, and individuals. One will not have the option of choosing where to sit.
2) To comply with the 25% permitted building occupancy, the lower church will be able to seat 125 people. If that number is exceeded, the upper church will be opened to accommodate another 175 people with assigned pew seating by the celebration of an additional Mass at that time. The total number for a parish weekend Mass will be 300, if both the lower and upper church need to be used.
3) The priest will offer a simple Mass celebration that excludes music, singing, liturgical ministers, opening and offertory processions, greeting of peace and the option to receive the Precious Blood from the chalice.
4) Holy Communion will be distributed at the conclusion of Mass outside the church doors following social distance guidelines of keeping 6 feet apart from one another. Hand sanitizers will be available prior to receiving Holy Communion which is to be received in the hand; gloves are not permitted to be worn when receiving Holy Communion. One’s facemask should be lowered at the time for Holy Communion reception which is to be received only in the open hand for the protection of all rather than on the tongue to eliminate the possibility of saliva contact and germ transmission.
5) Since it will not be possible to regularly clean the washrooms after each Mass, they will not be available for use.
6) Social gathering with others outside the church and the physical greeting of one another after Mass will not be possible.
7) Holy water will not be available.
8) The obligation to attend Sunday Mass will remain suspended until further notice.
9) Those who are older than 65 years of age or who have underlying health conditions are urged not come to church for Mass. The option for watching livestream or televised Masses is encouraged.
10) Those who are feeling sick with a high fever, cough, chills, muscle aches, sore throat or have loss the sense of taste and smell should not enter the church.
Unfortunately, our liturgical celebrations will need to take on a more impersonal tone in this time of transition as we work through the reopening process. Your understanding and cooperation will be greatly appreciated.
Prayer to the Virgin Mary for Protection
O Mary, you shine continuously on our journey
as a sign of salvation and hope.
We entrust ourselves to you, Health of the Sick.
At the foot of the Cross you participated in Jesus’ pain,
with steadfast faith.
You, Our Lady of New York, know what we need.
We are certain that you will provide, so that,
as you did at Cana of Galilee,
joy and feasting might return after this moment of trial.
Help us, Mother of Divine Love,
to conform ourselves to the Father’s will
and to do what Jesus tells us:
He who took our sufferings upon Himself,
and bore our sorrows to bring us,
through the Cross, to the joy of the Resurrection.
Amen.
Do not despise our pleas – we who are put to the test – </span
and deliver us from every danger, O glorious and blessed Virgin.
Amen.
The 2020 Cardinal’s Annual Stewardship Appeal has begun. “Teach-Serve-Sanctify” is this year’s theme. Our parish goal is $60,500. Over the coming weeks, please prayerfully consider making a pledge/gift. Your generous support promotes the health and vitality of the Archdiocese of New York through the various charitable, pastoral and outreach works assisted by the Cardinal’s Annual Stewardship Appeal.
Blessing and dedication of the Saint Oscar Romero Statue with Bishop Josu Iriondo.
Sunday, March 24, 2019
With thanks to Greg Shemitz from Catholic News Service who provided the photos.
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Devotional Store
Annual Alumni Irish Breakfast 2019
Students of St. John School 2019
Summer Bible Program
Summer with the Saints – Mass on July 13, 2018
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The parish and religious education offices have relocated to the
St. John-Visitation Parish Pastoral Center
La parroquia y las oficinas de educacion religiosa se han trasladado
El Centro Pastoral de la Parroquia San Juan-Visitacion
St. John-Visitation Parish Pastoral Center
El Centro Pastoral de la Parroquia San Juan-Visitacion
275 West 230th Street
| Monday/Lunes | 9:00 am-12:00 noon; 1:00-4:00 pm |
| Tuesday/Martes | 9:00 am-12:00 noon; 1:00-4:00pm; 6:00-9:00pm |
| Wednesday/Miercoles | 9:00 am-12:00 noon; 1:00-4:00 pm; 6:00-9:00pm |
| Thursday/Jueves | 9:00 am-12:00 noon; 1:00-7:00 pm; 6:00-9:00pm |
| Friday/Viernes | 9:00 am-12:00 noon; 1:00-4:00pm; 6:00-9:00pm |
| Saturday/Sabado | 10:00 am – 5:00 pm |
| Sunday/Domingo | 9:00 am – 3:00 pm |
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With thanks to Greg Shemitz, our photographer.