Saint Patrick's 

Bishop LaValley opened a dialogue with his priests about the steps we must take to re-open our churches for public worship.  Bishop LaValley has been meeting with public health officials, medical professionals and others to formulate a plan to safely reopen our churches.  Bishop LaValley wants us to become aware of the changes we will have to make to once public worship is allowed.  These changes will require the understanding and cooperation of us all.  These changes include:        

• Our churches will have to undergo intensive cleaning and sanitizing to reduce the spread of the virus.
• At the outset, only a certain number of people will be able to physically go to Mass.  This is largely determined by the size of the church and the requirements of social distancing.
• All parishioners will wear face coverings while in church to protect themselves and others.
• There will be no holy water in fonts to reduce the risk of infection.
• No offertory processions.
• No passing of the collection basket.  The basket will be placed in a fixed location and parishioners will be asked to drop their contributions into the basket as they enter or leave the church.
• The distribution of Communion will be different.
• No worship aids will be available for use, such as missalettes and hymns.   This will reduce the risk of spreading the virus.
• There will be no choirs in the early phases of our return to public worship.
• There will be no congregating in the church, on the steps or at the doors of the church so we can maintain social distancing.
• Bishop LaValley will extend the dispensation for Sunday Mass until further notice. 

Bishop LaValley has asked his priests to seek ways to implement these changes and to take all necessary steps to assure that we proceed in a way that prevents a resurgence of the virus.  Each parish will prepare a specific plan that will incorporate these new features of our Mass experience.  These changes are temporary, and the guidelines will change as we make progress against the Coronavirus.  Let us pray to St. Joseph for guidance and strength so that when we are allowed to resume public worship we will be prepared.  For more information, including a message from Bishop LaValley about these planning efforts, visit www.rcdony.org/covid-19

The success of the Catholic Charities Mother’s Day Appeal relies on the generosity of our parishioners. The Appeal is a critical component of Catholic Charities’ operating budget.
 
With the extended pandemic restrictions in New York State, prudence dictates the in-pew Mother’s Day Appeal unwise. Therefore, the 2020 Catholic Charities Mother’s Day Appeal has been moved to Father’s Day, June 21, 2020 in the hopes we will be able to gather for Mass by that time. This information will be distributed via the North Country Catholic and the diocesan website.
 
Please know that parishioners can still make online pledges on www.cathcharities.org. It is unclear whether a mass mailing, the third prong of the normal Appeal, will occur since the businesses used to assemble the mailing are closed.

Many thanks to all who have made an their Easter Flower donation.    We will include the list of  Easter Memorial Donations in our bulletin when we publish one again.  As always, we are very grateful for all of the support our parishioners through this difficult time.  We will use the funds received to purchase flowers for the church once we resume our Masses.

As per directives from our Bishop Terry R. LaValley, all Masses in the Diocese of Ogdensburg have been suspended until further notice (see Diocesan information regarding COVID-19 at www.rcdony.org/covid-19).  All Christian Formation classes are also cancelled until further notice.

1.    Please note that for anyone wishing to go to Confession, please call St. Patrick’s Rectory (518-297-7361) or St. Mary’s Rectory (518-298-8244) to set up an appointment.

2.    The doors to the church will be open daily from 8:00AM to 4:00PM, if anyone wishes to visit.   

3.    St. Patrick’s Festival has been cancelled.  Once we resume Masses, we will set up a date and time when we will hold the Main Raffle Ticket draw. 

4.    Our office will still be open, but please call first to make sure someone is there.  

5.    We sincerely thank our parishioners who mail or drop off their weekly envelopes.  As many of you understand, our parish expenses and obligations do not stop, so it is very helpful to be able to rely on your continued support even while you cannot personally attend Mass here.  You may also use the Poor Box in the church (located in the upstairs church lobby past the right side swinging doors) to drop off your envelopes.

Many thanks for your continued support.  May everyone stay safe and healthy!

ST. PATRICK’S FOOD SHELF ... will be open by appointment only.  Please call Pat Carey at 518-420-4957.

Now that Catholics are spending unprecedented amounts of time at home, how can we continue to stay spiritually engaged and even grow during this time?
 
1.Build a home altar or shrine. Setting aside a sacred space in your home encourages your family to pray. Candles, a crucifix, a Bible, holy water, and your favorite sacred icons and images can all be placed around a small table to uplift the soul to God.
 
2. Participate in the Mass. While Mass may be suspended in many places, Catholics can still participate in the Holy Mass via livestream and worship as if they are actually there. See our diocesan website for Masses that are televised or available over the internet.
 
3. Pray a daily family Rosary. Set aside 20 to 30 minutes each day to gather around your home altar as a family and to pray the Most Holy Rosary for a swift end to the pandemic, for all those afflicted, for all healthcare workers, for the souls of the faithful departed, and any intentions you and your family may have.
 
4. Gain a plenary indulgence every day of COVID-19. The Church grants a plenary indulgence to all those who are suffering from the coronavirus, to healthcare workers who are treating those affected, and to all the lay faithful. In order to obtain the plenary indulgence, Catholics must have the will to fulfill the usual conditions as soon as possible and do one of the following spiritual acts:
 
For those suffering from the coronavirus & healthcare workers treating them:
· Attend Mass (even if this is only possible through video streaming – see list on diocesan website).
· Pray the Rosary.
· Pray the Stations of the Cross. (video of Bishop LaValley leading the stations is available on our website)
· If Mass, Rosary, or Stations of the Cross is not possible, pray the Apostles’ Creed, an Our Father, and a Hail Mary.
 
For the rest of the lay faithful:
 
· Visit the Blessed Sacrament.
· Read the Bible for at least half an hour.
· Pray the Rosary.
· Pray the Stations of the Cross. (video available on diocesan website)
· Pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy.
 
The spiritual act must be offered for the following intentions: the end of the pandemic, relief for those afflicted, and eternal salvation for those whom the Lord has called to himself.
 
5. Study God’s Word. Start a virtual small group, continue your existing small group via video chat, or study Scripture on your own with The Great Adventure Catholic Bible. By studying God’s Word and pondering it in our hearts, we will grow in our faith and fall in love with Scripture.

Christian Formation ...   Christian Formation Classes are cancelled for the rest of the school year.

FIRST RECONCILIATION ... No date set at this time.
CONFIRMATION ... No date set at this time.
FIRST COMMUNION ... No date set at this time.

Please note that any Sanctuary Lamp (S.L), Blessed Mary (B.M.) or St. Joseph (S.J.) Candles are still being lit at St. Patrick’s.  The requests are listed here:

May 3 - B.M. - Kay Cavanagh by her Family

May 10 -  S.L. - Edna Barcomb by her Family
B.M. - Kay Cavanagh by her Family

May 17 - S.L. - Simonne & Roger Dessureault by their Family
B.M. - 22nd Anniversary of Cyril Manor by wife Carol & Family

May 24 - B.M. - Kay Cavanagh by her Family

May 31 - S.L. - Lillian Connelly by her FamilY
B.M. - Kay Cavanagh by her Family

June 7 - S.L. - Jackie Ducharme by Sue LaDuke
B.M. - Stephan Vander Kraats by his Family

For your information, any Masses that have already been scheduled here at St. Patrick's are being said on those respective dates by Fr.Duc Nguyen at his private Mass.  Masses are still available if you would like one said on a specific date.  Please call the Rectory at 518-297-7361 if you would  like to request one.

Please note that Camp Guggenheim for Summer 2020 has been cancelled.