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From the Pastor
October 28, 2020
Sts. Simon and Jude, Apostles

Dear Parishioners:

As is obvious to everyone, a small and unseen virus has changed the world. Man, who has walked on the moon, and sailed through the heavens, has been humbled by a miniscule entity. Now more than ever, must we place our confidence and hope in the Good God and Our Blessed Mother. Our faith teaches us that God permits evil, only to draw from it greater good. It is the evil one himself, who sows confusion and doubt in the human soul.

Everything that was once so familiar in our lives is now so different. Even in the Church Herself things are different. The obligation to attend mass has been lifted or dispensed, and thus will be the case for the foreseeable future. Even our Christmas schedule will be different this year. On Christmas Eve, Masses will be at 2PM, 4PM, and 10PM. On Christmas Day, Masses will be at 9AM and 11AM. Sadly, we will not have orchestral music at Christmas which had been always donated by a generous parishioner. Our mitigated Sunday and weekday Mass schedule continues to be Mass on Saturday evening at 4PM and on Sunday at 8.30AM and 10.30AM. Confessions are heard each Saturday at 3PM.

This year we have been unable to hold our two annual fundraisers: the Golf Outing and Gala Casino Night. We depend on these fundraisers and I am always most grateful to all those who work in such a dedicated and selfless way to make them so successful. Without the fundraisers and with the Offertory collection being down, our parish finds itself in need of your generosity more than ever. Many give to different charities. Perhaps it is time to make our parish, where we receive the sacraments, baptize our children, marry our children, and bury our loved ones, our first charity. I am ever grateful for all your generosity to our Capital Campaign which has enabled us to restore the Church and continue our work on Monsignor Costa Hall.

The parish offices, including religious education – faith formation, will now be in Monsignor Costa hall (the lower hall). That is where we will go for all parish business. My office will be there as well as Deacon ray’s. Mrs. Louise Shannon’s office will be there as will our administrative assistant Mrs. Deb Cosentino. There will no longer be any offices in the Rectory; it will simply be the priests’ home. This will be convenient for everyone, in that all offices are in the same place and the parish staff will be in proximity to one another to better serve our people. It will also be safer for everyone.

May God bless you and may Mary keep you.

In Jesus and Mary,
Monsignor James F. Pereda