Saint Patrick's 

Christian Formation ...   No decision has been made with regards to classes for the 20-21 school year.

CONFIRMATION 2020 ... October 3, 4:00PM,
                                            St. Mary's Church, Champlain

FIRST RECONCILIATION 2020 ... No date set at this time.

FIRST COMMUNION 2020 ... No date set at this time.

Do people need to continue wearing masks throughout the entire time they are in the church - especially when it is hot?  Wearing masks is essential.  All those who are not taking a speaking part during the liturgy are required to keep their masks on as long as they are able to.  If they are unable, they must refrain from moving about, singing, or projecting their voices in other ways.  This is in line with the intention of they NYS guidelines. 

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, Thursday:
 8:00AM to 4:00PM
Friday: Not open so church can be sanitized
for weekend Mass
Saturday: 2:45PM to 5:00PM
Sunday: 9:00AM 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.

If you have a complaint of suspected misconduct involving diocesan clergy, religious, employees or volunteers, contact Victims Assistance Coordinator, Terrianne Yanulavich, PH.D., LMHC, 5050 Route 374, Merrill, NY 12955; terrianneyanulavich@yahoo.com, (518-651-227 ~ days or 518-569-0612 ~ evenings); or Fr. Christopher Carrara, the Episcopal Vicar for Clergy; ccarrara@rcdony.org (315-393-2920, ext. 1340).  If you have a complaint of suspected sexual abuse or related misconduct by the bishops, contact the Catholic Bishop Abuse Reporting Service at 800-276-1562 or www.ReportBishopAbuse.org.

Unfortunately, the decision has been made to cancel our Antique & Classic Car Show which would have taken place this Sunday, August 16.  With all the regulations in place and limited numbers permitted, we do not feel that it is possible to have it. This also includes our Summer Craft Show that is held at the same time at the Car Show.  We look forward to having these two events again next year!

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:

August 2 - S.L. - Special Intention by Loyal Sterling
B.M. - Walter Connelly Sr. by his Family

August  9 - B.M. - Kay Cavanagh by her Family

August 16 - B.M. - Vicki Connelly by her Familu
S.J. - Albert Lefebvre by his 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, Joseph Bailey,
Pat Bracey, Eric Pristera-Polniaszek, Bob Dessureault, Diane Marks

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.