Saint Patrick's 

As we are not able to have any fundraising activities, such as our craft show, bake sale, festival, etc., we have decided to try to sell tickets for our 20-Week Club.  Our plan is to try to sell all 200 tickets by the end of the year and begin the drawings in January 2021. We are asking all our families to consider purchasing a ticket or selling tickets to their family and friends.  The cost is only $20 per ticket.  There are eighteen $50 prizes, one $100 prize and two $500 prizes.  There are only 200 tickets to be sold and you may win more than once.  Tickets will be available at both St. Patrick’s Masses as well as at the Rectory. Please show your support for St. Patrick’s by helping to sell all 200 tickets!

As Bishop LaValley said in his letter of July 14, 2020:  “... My sisters and brothers, now is the time to come back to Mass. Now is the time for healthy adults and children to re-engage with your parish family. We are a Eucharistic people. Of course, we need to observe all the guidelines that have been issued. We don’t want to risk setting back the progress we have made.” 

As more people are returning to Mass, please be aware of the following: Did you use the hand sanitizer provided at the church entrance?  Are you wearing your mask?  Are you sitting where the pew is marked with masking tape?  In order to keep our social distancing, you should be sitting where the masking tape is in front of you - either in the middle of the pew or at either end.  If you wish to sit together as a couple, please sit in the side pews.  If you are a family of three or more, you may sit together, but the pew in front of you and behind you needs to be empty.  We ask that you listen to the volunteers who are there to assist in the seating as they are just doing what we have been told to ensure that our church stays open.  Please keep in mind that, as the numbers increase, it will be necessary for the assigned seats to be enforced so that the required social distancing is maintained.  We hope everyone will understand and comply with the rules that are necessary so that we can remain safe and healthy.
                        
RECEPTION OF HOLY COMMUNION .... Holy Communion is now taking place during Mass and not at the end. Please come to Communion using the main aisle. Parishioners should alternate exiting their pews from side to side and forming a single line in the middle of the aisle while maintaining 6 feet social distancing.  Once the center pews are empty, those in the side pews may cross to the middle aisle as well.  When arriving at the front, please go to the priest or Eucharistic Minister who is on the side where you were sitting so that you can easily return to your pew.

1.  Daily Masses are as follows:
      St. Patrick's: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday at 9:00AM
      St. Mary's:  Thursday, Friday at 9:00AM (no Mass on                                 Saturday at 9:00AM.

2. Church is open the following hours:

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday:
 8:00AM to 4:00PM
Thursday & Friday: Not open so church can be sanitized
for weekend Mass
Saturday: 2:45PM to 5:00PM
Sunday: 9:15AM to 11:00AM
 

3.  For those who do no wish to come to Mass, you may continue to drop off your envelopes in the Poor Box inside the church, at the rectory or by mail.  We sincerely thank our parishioners who continue to support our parish.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
  Bishop LaValley has granted us permission to reopen our churches for public worship for congregations limited to 91 persons at St. Patrick’s upstairs and 45 persons downstairs in the Parish Hall AND 106 persons at St. Mary’s in the Church and 20 persons in the Parish Center. We rejoice that some of us can come together to worship God and receive the Eucharist that strengthens and unites us. It will be a challenge to limit attendance at Mass to these numbers, and we ask for your cooperation and patience as we begin our journey toward normal worship and practice. Right now, it is safer for those over 60 and those with underlying health issues to remain at home. I realize this is a sacrifice, but it is for your own safety. We will begin this reopening on Saturday, June 13th, at the 4:00 P.M. Anticipated Mass at both St. Mary’s and St. Patrick’s.
   We have developed a plan for the two parishes that will allow us to celebrate Mass and the Sacraments in a safe and responsible way. While we have “flattened the curve” of the coronavirus, there are still risks to all of us that require our attention and caution. Our parishes’ plan conforms to the requirements set forth in Bishop LaValley’s decree for reopening our churches for public worship. That decree and its requirements were drafted with the assistance of medical professionals and public health officials to assure that we are following the best practices for protecting our own health and the health of those around us. If all of us follow our parishes’ plan, we will be safe in gathering for our worship. Even if we are not showing symptoms, each of us should think of ourselves and everyone we meet as a potential carrier of the virus. If we adhere to the precautions set forth in our plan, the risks of infection are substantially reduced. Wearing our masks, washing our hands and
keeping our distance protects us and others.
   Our parishes’ plan is displayed at the entrance of our two churches and parish hall and center. It is also on our two websites (It can be found on this website under About - Plan for Public Worship and Reopening). Let me highlight some ways in which you can help us safely return to worship.
1. Bishop LaValley has continued his dispensation from attending Sunday Mass until further notice. The plan outlines some media places where you can watch or hear Mass while remaining at home. If you are remaining home and would like to have Holy Communion brought to your home, please call one of the two rectories.
2. If you are over 60 years of age, have underlying medical issues, are not feeling well, have a cough, a fever over 99.6, shortness of breath, loss of taste or smell, vomiting, sore throat, fatigue, unexplained muscle aches, headache or had contact with anyone who has COVID-19, please stay home for your well-being and that of others.
3. St. Patrick’s parishioners should enter the church at the front entrance only. They may leave using either entrance. St. Mary’s parishioners should enter the church at the front entrances only.. They may leave through the front entrances of the church and parish center.
4. Initially, the number of people able to physically attend Mass will be limited. Please respect these limits and do not enter church if the approved number has already been admitted to church, parish hall or parish center. We will post a sign on the doors when we have admitted the maximum number.
5. Wear a face covering while in church to protect you and others.
6. Please note that all seating will be assigned so as to maximize the seating capacity of the church/parish center/parish hall.
7. Please sanitize your hands as you enter and exit the church, parish hall or parish center. Sanitizer is provided at the doors of the churches, parish halls and parish center.
8. Please keep a safe social distance of at least 6 feet between you and others who are not part of your household. This means we cannot hold hands during the Our Father and there will be no exchange of peace.
9. Note that there will be no holy water in the fonts, no choir, no offertory procession, no bulletins, missalettes or hymnals.
10. Distribution of Holy Communion will be different. This will be explained at Mass and we ask for your cooperation. Keep at least six feet between you and others as you approach the Communion stations.
11. Holy Communion will be distributed under the form of bread only. We ask you to receive Holy Communion in the hand to reduce the risk of spreading the virus.
12. The collection basket will not be passed during Mass. Instead, a basket for your contribution will be placed near the entrances of the churches, parish hall and parish center.. Please drop your envelope or donation into the basket on your way in or out of church. Thank you in advance for your support of your parish.
13. The Presiding Priest and others will sanitize their hands before distributing Holy Communion. Parishioners will remove their masks prior to approaching the Communion station and will replace their masks after receiving.
14. On a regular basis we will clean our churches, parish hall and parish center, and disinfect them after every service.
15. Missalettes, song books and other common items will be removed from the pews. Parish bulletins can be found on the parish websites.
16. You will be asked to maintain appropriate social distancing as you leave church or parish hall. You are asked to return to your cars and return home to avoid congregating at the exits of the church, parish hall, and parish center, and in the parking lots or anywhere on church property.
17. Due to the limitations placed on the number who may attend Mass due to social distancing, we will celebrate weekend Masses at the following times until further notice: Saturday Afternoon Anticipated Sunday Mass at 4:00 P.M. in BOTH churches; Sunday Morning Mass at 8:00A.M. in St. Mary’s; Sunday Morning Mass at 10:00A.M. in St. Patrick’s Church AND DOWNSTAIRS in the Parish Hall. Confessions will be held in BOTH churches from 3:00 P.M. until 3:45 P.M. on Saturday.
   Our return to public worship will be a challenge. There will be challenges and frustrations. We are asked to behave in new ways to remain healthy. Social distancing, avoiding crowds, hand sanitizing, personal hygiene and wearing face masks are behaviors that will be with us or a while. How well we learn those behaviors will determine how successful we will be at returning to normal worship and keeping people healthy and safe. Please do your part. We will do ours! God bless you.
Sincerely yours in Christ, (Father) Clyde Lewis, Pastor

ST. PATRICK’S FOOD SHELF ... will be open on Wednesdays, 9:30 to 10:30AM or call Pat Carey at 518-420-4957 for an appointment.

CHRISTIAN FORMATION CLASSES ... will resume on November 8.  Classes will be as follows:

1st Grade                   St. Patrick’s Parish Hall, Sundays, 8:45                                          to 9:45AM (Sue Lefebvre)
2nd Grade                 St. Patrick’s Parish Center Hall, Sundays,                                      8:45 to 9:45AM (Sr. Jessy Xavier) 
3rd & 4th Grades     Home Instruction (Sr. Jessy Xavier)
5th & 6th Grades     St. Mary’s Parish Center, Sundays, 9:15                                         to 10:15AM (Karen Peets)
7th & 8th Grades     St. Mary’s Parish Center, Sundays, 6:30 to                                     8:00PM (Pat Gladd)
Confirmation           Start date still to be determined
                                  (Deacon Noel Hinerth)

All students are asked to wear masks.  Do not bring any toys or books.  All materials will be supplied.  We are also looking for anyone who is interested in assisting with these classes, either as an aide or parent-volunteer.  Please contact Sue Lefebvre for additional information (518-298-2485).return it to Sue Lefebvre at jslefebvre92@gmail.com so that plans can be made. 

NEW STUDENTS ... If you are new to the parish or have a child who is in First Grade, please contact the Rectory or Sue Lefebvre for more information on our Religious Education Program.

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:

October 18 - B.M. - Arnold Beal by his Family

October 25 - S.L. - In Loving Memory of Fern Wilder by Joan Seguin
B.M. - Walter Connelly Sr. by his Family
S.J. - Anne Bashaw by her Family

November 1 - B.M. - In Loving Memory of Dolly Letourneau
by Carol Manor & Family

Please let us know if any names can be added or removed:

Judy Rushford, Terry Hyde, Cassidy Spinner, Gary Burton, Rose Moore, Julie Lafountain, Diane Favreau, Bonnie Filion, Ed Sweeny,
James Lefebvre, Shirley Rap, Jackie Ducharme, 
 Eric Pristera-Polniaszek, Bob Dessureault, Diane Marks, Ken Dupere, Normand & Brenda Jolicoeur

If the pastor were not able to offer Holy Mass and no other priest were available to cover for the weekend, what would we do as a parish?

For the record, we are not hoping for this day.  Nor are we even expecting it. But we want to be ready just in case.  While Catholics normally have an obligation to attend Mass each Sunday, we all know there are extenuating circumstances (illness, care for a family member, essential work, not to mention blanket dispensations by the local Bishop in times of pandemic are some obvious examples).  Hopefully, barring these circumstances, Mass will be available.  In some cases, we must drive father than we are used to or go at a different time.  But in very extraordinary times when none of these options are a possibility, a SCAP can be offered.  Here at St. Patrick’s (and in most parishes across the Diocese) we have parishioners who have been trained to lead others in prayer.  In the next couple of weeks, we will share with you who would be offering these SCAPs and what they would look like.  But for now, it is important to know: If you can make it to Mass, there is no substitute for that.  If you cannot, it is still good to come together as the people of God and pray.  And that is where a SCAP can come in.

If the pastor is not able to offer Holy Mass and no other priest is available to cover for the weekend, what would we do as a parish? 

First of all, the Church, Bishop LaValley, and Fr.  Lewis all agree, this would be very extraordinary. How so? Here are 3 ways: 1. If a priest is available, he would offer Mass. Without the priest there is no Eucharist and without the Eucharist, there is no Church. So, if we can find a substitute priest, we will always happily receive him. 2. There should only be one SCAP per weekend. The guidelines are clear about that. So say something happened to the priest on Saturday afternoon, and no Mass was able to be offered at 4:00PM, we would hope that we could find a priest for the 10:00AM. If not, then a SCAP would be offered at 10:00AM. If you could make it back at 10:00AM (or to another local Mass) that would be ideal. If it would not be possible, that would be okay too—we all know that God does not ask us to do the impossible. 3. Holy Communion probably would not be distributed at a SCAP. As Catholics, we all know and love the reception of Holy Communion and we want to be able to receive. But it would be unusual to have enough of the Blessed Sacrament in the tabernacle for us to be able to distribute Communion. If for some reasons the number of people in church was low and we had sufficient number of Hosts in the tabernacle, then we would/could distribute. Again, we are not talking about the ideal circumstances. We just want to have a plan for the unexpected. Next week we will be talking about the who of SCAPs: who would participate, who would help, and most obviously who would lead the prayer.

If the pastor were not able to offer Holy Mass and no other priest were available to cover for the weekend, what would we do as a parish?
 
Over the last two weeks we covered the why and the what of SCAPs. We conclude this three-part series on Sunday Celebration in the Absence of a Priest by looking at the who. To help us do so Fr. Stitt, the Diocesan Director of Worship, shared this story: One Sunday when I was in high school back in Crown Point, the Deacon showed up for the 9:30 Mass. “Father isn’t available, and he has asked me to lead a prayer service (we’d now say a “Sunday Celebration in the Absence of a Priest”).” There was some confusion—“What will this be?” There was some excitement (at least on my part)—“This might be shorter!” But this announcement was also met with some decisive action. I remember the Perry family quietly getting up and excusing themselves. They knew that there was a Mass being offered just 10 miles away, and if they left then, they would make it in time. Years later Fr. Stitt asked Bishop LaValley: “Did the Perry Family do the right thing by leaving?” The Bishop’s response was an unequivocal “Yes.” If it is possible of us to make it to Mass, we should. The Perry family knew that it was both possible and practical for them to make it. For some there in the church in Crown Point so many years ago, it would not have been. So, if it were deemed impossible or impractical, a SCAP would have been a good thing to take part in. That is part of the who—whoever is unable to make it to Mass. The second half is “Who would lead the prayer.” Well, just as in Crown Point, an ordained Deacon would be the obvious first choice to lead a SCAP. So, if one of these would ever happen here in Rouses Point, Deacon Noel Hinerth would most likely lead it. If he were not available, our second choice would be Sr. Jessy Xavier. And if neither of them was available, Jack Dawson or Pat Gladd would step up. All three have been trained as to how to lead a SCAP, and while none of them is looking forward to doing so, they are ready if we need them to. Even though the Holy Mass will always get first dibs and they would not take any offense if people followed the example of the Perry family of Crown Point.