Lent begins on Ash Wednesday February 17
Mass will be celebrated on Ash Wednesday at 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.
Ashes will be distributed at both Masses
WEEKLY LENTEN OPPORTUNITIES
DAILY MASS
8:00 a.m.
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday
Confessions for Lent
Saturdays 3:15 p.m.
(as regularly scheduled)
Devotions for Lent
Communal Rosary at 7:35 a.m. before
Daily Masses
Stations of the Cross will be celebrated on
Fridays at 1:30 p.m.
FAST AND ABSTINENCE AND OTHER ACTS OF
PENANCE FOR LENT—2021
The Bishops of the United States prescribe, as minimal obligation, that all persons who are fourteen years of age and older are bound to abstain from eating meat on Ash Wednesday, February 17, 202, on all the Fridays of Lent and Good Friday (with the exception of Friday, March 19th, The Solemnity of St. Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary). Further, all persons eighteen years of age and older, up to and including their fifty-ninth birthday, are bound to fast by limiting themselves to a single full meal on Ash Wednesday and on Good Friday, while the other two meals on those days are to be light.
All the faithful are encouraged, when possible, to participate at Mass and to receive the Holy Eucharist daily, to celebrate frequently the Sacrament of Penance, to undertake spiritual reading, especially the study of the Sacred Scriptures, and to participate in parish Lenten devotions as well as Lenten education programs. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is especially recommended.
All are encouraged to participate in Operation Rice Bowl, which has aided countless hungry persons here in the Archdiocese as well as throughout our nation and our world.
Pre-Baptism Class
The next Pre-Baptism class will be held on Thursday, February 18, 2021 at 7:00 PM in the Rectory Meeting Room. This class is mandatory for both parents who have not attended a class within the last two years.
Pre-Registration is required. Please call Joan at 610-872-6192 to register for the class. A date for Baptism can be scheduled after attending this class.
Catholic Charities Appeal—2021
Giving Hope To All
The Catholic Charities Appeal is a time for our Parish to come together to extend our love, generosity and concern to those who need it most. Your support will provide education, food, shelter, and medical assistance. For those who have not yet contributed to the Appeal, we ask that you prayerfully consider showing your support to this great call for Action. Families and individuals impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic need our help now more than ever. Taking care of those in need is one of the most important things we can do as Catholics, and it is important that together, we, as a community, reach the needed $12.5 million goal. Our parish goal is $44,471.00. For more information, please visit catholiccharitiesappeal.org
Man Up Philly—2021 Virtual Conference
Saturday, March 6, 2021
Man Up Philly 2021 invites the men of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia to the 13th Annual Men’s Spirituality Conference. The Man Up Philly volunteer team has made the decision to change the format to a Virtual Event out of an abundance of caution given the COVID-19 status.
We want to bring this great day to you to help all of us focus on our faith and reliance on Our Lord. The virtual conference will be available via a webcast and tickets will be available for a reduced cot of $10. We encourage all men—fathers, sons, brothers, friends—to join us for an inspiring day of faith and fellowship. Become the man God is calling you to be! Rediscover the power and meaning of your faith. For more information and to register, visit MANUPPHILLY.COM
Dear Parishioners,
Great news! Archbishop Pérez has announced that parishes of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia will be able to resume public Masses the weekend of June 6 and 7. We at Our Lady of Charity look forward to welcoming you back! Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus as we make our way back to the in person celebration of the Mass.
While our county remains in the Yellow Phase of statewide reopening, all of us need to do our part to make sure that our return to Mass is a peaceful and safe experience for all. Please take the time to read the instructions below. We ask everyone to follow these guidelines when attending Mass during this period:
GENERAL POINTS
The obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation continues to be lifted during the Yellow Phase. You are not required to attend Mass at this time.
Please stay home if you are sick.
Please stay home if you are at higher risk of severe illness with COVID19. If you are uncertain about your risk status, please consult your doctor and also the CDC Guidelines at the link below.
Click here to read the CDC Guidelines for those at higher risk: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/people-at-higher-risk.html
Mass will continue to be available via live-stream.
Please check the Archdiocesan Website for a list of the Masses that are Live Streamed. You may view Mass on Channel 6 on Sundays at 5:30 AM or on EWTN television (go to ewtn.com)
MASS SCHEDULE
While in the Yellow Phase of State Wide Reopening, Mass Schedule is:
Saturday Vigil – 4:00 PM
Sunday Mass – 9:00 AM
(Please note: This is the only Mass on Sunday)
Confessions will be on Saturday from 3:15 to 3:45 PM
Daily Mass will be at 8 AM on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.
Please follow directions for seating at Daily Masses
BEFORE COMING TO MASS
Please wash your hands for 20 seconds using soap and water.
Before entering the Church, please put on a face mask or cloth covering. Exceptions to this are “children younger than 2 years old, anyone who has trouble breathing or is unconscious, and anyone who is incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the cloth face covering without assistance” (CDC Guidelines).
Please do not come to Mass if you are sick or are at higher risk for severe illness with COVID19 (see above).
Missalettes will not be in the pews during this period. You are welcome to bring your own missal/readings with you.
ENTERING THE CHURCH
We would ask that you please enter the Church through the main front doors, the Handicap Ramp or the side door between the Rectory and the Church.
Hand sanitizers will be available at the Church entrances. Please use the hand sanitizer upon entering and exiting the Church.
SEATING
When taking your seat, please honor all posted signs about where you may sit. Every third pew will be open to ensure proper social distancing.
Members of the same household may sit together as normal. Please place 6 feet between your household and members of a different household.
DURING MASS
There will be no singing at Mass until we enter the Green Phase.
The Collection will be taken up at the usual time.
There will be no Presentation Of Gifts during the Yellow Phase.
There will be no Sign of Peace during Mass during the Yellow Phase.
The Precious Blood will not be distributed during Mass during the Yellow Phase.
There should be no holding of hands during the Our Father even among Family members.
RECEPTION OF HOLY COMMUNION
Please go to Communion in a single line.
Please maintain social distancing in the Communion line. Please keep several pews between yourself and the person in front of you while in line and when returning to your pew.
During the Yellow Phase, the faithful are asked to receive Holy Communion in the hand.
After receiving the Host, please move to the side and remove your mask for the consumption of the Host.
EXITING THE CHURCH
At the conclusion of Mass, please exit the Church using the doors closest to the Altar or the Handicap Ramp and proceed directly to your car. Please do not congregate for any reason.
Please take a parish bulletin home with you. They will be available by the doors.
Please leave your mask on until you exit the Church.
OUR COMMITMENT TO YOU
Our Lady of Charity will follow the guidelines from the CDC for sanitation as we resume public Masses.
To view the CDC guidelines, visit: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/php/faith-based.html
The Church will be sanitized after every Liturgical Celebration for your safety.
We pray that the Lord continues to keep you safe during this Pandemic.
God Bless You.
Father James Lyons
and the Staff of Our Lady of Charity