Parish Response to Ongoing Pandemic Concerns
Recently, several parishes in our Archdiocese (Holy Innocents, Pleasantville; St. Frances de Chantal, Bronx; St. Peter’s-St. Mary’s, Haverstraw) along with Our Lady Victory Parish, Floral Park, NY issued notices about coronavirus cases involving clergy and parish staff members, the need for parishioners to quarantine, self-monitor, get tested and the suspension of sacramental celebrations serve as a clear reminder that we are still in the midst of the pandemic and the importance of being vigilant in following the CDC, state, city, and Archdiocesan health guidelines. Since returning to public worship and sacramental celebrations on June 24th, our parish has been implementing directives and adhering to the guidelines that many of us find difficult and inconvenient; this is the present reality that we face.
As the Fall season begins, the following set of guidelines will remain in effect to ensure the health and well-being of those who attend Mass and come to our church:
1) Weekend Parish Masses will continue to be celebrated in the lower church.
2) Masks/facial coverings need to be worn properly in the church and during Mass.
3) 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 to choose where to sit.
4) Social distancing of 6 feet apart from one another (except for same household members) is to be observed for seating in the church.
5) The church entrance door will be closed when the lower church has reached the 33% maximum seating capacity of 174 or when the Gospel is being proclaimed, whichever occurs first.
6) The need for utilizing two lecterns (one for the priest and the other for the lector) with restricted usage pertains to concerns about possible air borne germ transmission.
7) No one is permitted to enter the sacristy except clergy and designated parish staff.
8) Holy Communion will be distributed outdoors following the conclusion of Mass.
9) Both priests and communicants are to sanitize their hands prior to the reception of Holy Communion. The placement of the hand sanitizers at the church doors and the reception of Holy Communion outside the church in an open-air setting following the 6-feet social distancing regulation is both practical and an expeditious way to distribute Holy Communion, which is to be received in the open hand, not on the tongue.
10) On Sundays, the church entrance will open 30 minutes prior to the scheduled Mass time to
allow the mandated thorough cleaning of the church pews, seats, and liturgical areas
following the celebration of the previous Mass.
11) Washrooms will remain unavailable due to restrictive cleaning and sanitizing guidelines presently in effect that do not make it possible
for parish maintenance staff to fulfill them.
12) Since the manner of coronavirus transmission is unknown and to limit the possibility of transmission, it is advisable for only the priest to handle the liturgical items used during the
celebration of the Mass (the set up and clean up with sacred vessels, microphones, Lectionary, Roman Missal, cruets, chalice, ciboria, tabernacle key, etc.).
13) Those who have been designated as greeters/ushers to seat people when they come to church for Mass wear gloves when using the collection baskets and distributing parish bulletins.
14) No prayer groups or other in-person group meetings will be able to be held at this time; social gatherings and congregating outside after Mass are to be discouraged First Friday Eucharistic Adoration will be suspended until further notice.
15) Those who feel sick in any way (e.g. oral temperature higher than 99.5℉, cough, chills, muscle aches, headache, sore throat, loss of taste or smell) should not enter the church. Prudent personal discretion in this regard is advised.
Unfortunately, our parish life and liturgical celebrations have needed to change in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Your cooperation and understanding are very much needed and greatly appreciated as we continue to weather the uncertainty of the pandemic. Something is better than nothing.
Fr. Michael Kerrigan
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.