Relaxation of Covid Restrictions – Dispensation Lifted

05-30-2021Pastor's LetterFr. Arlindo Paul Da Silva

As we acknowledge the triune God on the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, we thank God for the many blessings He has bestowed upon us. May we always glorify the Father, Son and Holy Spirit by our lives of intense prayer, fidelity to the Gospel and charity to others.

As we slowly begin to return to some sense of normalcy with regard to the COVID-19 pandemic I would like to make you aware of the following:

  • Effective on the weekend of June 5/6, all able Catholics are obliged to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation. This is because the dispensation granted by the New Jersey Catholic Bishops during the pandemic is now being lifted. For more detailed information, please read the section in our bulletin related to this topic.
  • Also, beginning the weekend of May 29/30, all those who have been fully vaccinated, will no longer be required to wear masks while inside the church or any of our parish buildings. Please be aware that if you have not been vaccinated, as per the directives given by the state of New Jersey, you must continue to wear a mask.
  • Beginning Tuesday, June 1, our Parish Center will resume its former schedule of operation. This means the office will be open from Monday to Friday, 9am - 9pm and on Sunday from 9am - 1pm. Although the Parish Center will be open for parish activities, the Chapel will remain closed to the public until further notice.
  • Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration will continue to take place in the church. The Blessed Sacrament will be exposed 24/7 except when liturgies are celebrated during the week and Sunday 7am - 6pm. Live-stream Eucharistic Adoration from the chapel will continue to be available 24/7. See the link on our parish website www.olfparish.org
  • The distribution of Holy Communion will remain the same until further notice. Therefore, we ask that those who wish to receive directly on the tongue, please go only to the priest or deacon on the left (tabernacle) side of the church to receive Holy Communion.

We pray for the healing and comfort for all those who continue to be affected by COVID-19, especially in India and Brazil, and for peace in our country and throughout the world. Please also pray for our parish priests who are celebrating the anniversary of their priestly ordinations this weekend.

Reinstating the General Obligation to Attend Mass

Bishop James F. Checchio has announced that beginning Saturday, June 5, 2021 the dispensation of the Sunday and Holy Day Mass obligation is lifted. On the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body & Blood of Christ we welcome the Christian faithful to return to the regular participation in the Sunday Eucharist, the source and summit of our Catholic faith. This obligation does not apply to those who are ill; those who have reason to believe that they were recently exposed to the coronavirus or another serious or contagious illness; those who are confined to their home, a hospital, or nursing facility; or those with serious underlying health conditions. Safety protocols such as wearing masks, social distancing, etc. and liturgical directives such as communion in the hand, communion under one species, etc. remain in place.

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