Saint Patrick's 

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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:

July 5 - S.L. - Anne Ballman Bashaw by her Family
B.M. - Kay Cavanagh by her 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

ST. PATRICK’S CEMETERY ... Flowers may be planted in front of monuments, preferably protected by paving stones, not to exceed 15 inches from  the front of the monument foundation.  (These paving stones can be placed in a straight or curved fashion, but must not exceed the 15 inches allowed).  Perennials will be permitted on lots, but their height may not be more than 15 inches and they must be within the 15-inch boundary in front of the foundation.  As we have said in the past and continue to reiterate, artificial flowers may be placed on the monuments only and are not permitted in the ground. Artificial flowers are considered “on the monument” if they are in an appropriate (durable) pot that touches the monument or are of a size that can be placed on the monument foundation.  Artificial flowers placed in the ground are an insurance liability and also a hazard for those moving and working in the cemetery.  If they are placed in the ground, they will be removed. Also, please do not place any glass containers on the lots as they may break and cause damage to cemetery equipment and personnel.
    
ST. JOSEPH’S CEMETERY  ... Flowers, flags, etc. will be permitted on the ground only on Memorial Day and must be removed by the third day after the holiday.  The rest of the year they will be permitted only on the monuments and out of the way for mowing of the grass.  No permanent flowers are to be planted.