March 31 Update

March 31 Update

Dear Parishioners,

 Never in my life did I ever think that we would not be able to celebrate Holy Week or Easter Masses and services, yet here we are.  In so many ways it seems surreal, yet it is very real.

            With the extension of the federal social distancing rules and the continuation of the state and diocesan decrees and orders, there will be no public Masses offered through at least April 30.  This includes all of the Masses, services, and activities we usually have during Holy Week.  If this timeframe should change, I will let you know as soon as possible.

            The Churches will remain open on Saturdays from 12 Noon until 6 p.m. and on Sundays from 8 a.m. until 12 Noon for personal, private prayer.   In addition, Saint Mary Church will be open from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. every day (including weekends) for prayer.

            Palms for Palm Sunday will be blessed at a private Mass on Saturday afternoon and then will be distributed to the three parish churches.  They will be placed at the back entrance of each Church so people can come and offer a prayer and take a palm or two home with them. 

There will also be a basket, box, or cart available for food donations to the local food pantry.

            Weekly or monthly financial contributions to the parishes should be mailed to the tri-parish offices at St. Mary Church, 34 North Main Street, Jewett City, CT 06351.  If you do not want to mail your donations, you may also put them through the mail slot in the front door of Saint Mary Rectory.  While a lot of things have stopped or changed, two things that have not are bills and expenses.  Those things, as you know, keep going. 

            During the time of the suspension of public Masses, the Sacrament of Reconciliation will continue to be available on Saturdays at 12 Noon at Saints Thomas & Anne Church in Voluntown, Saturdays at 2 p.m. at Saint Mary Church in Jewett City, and Sundays at 11:30 a.m. at Saint Catherine Church in Preston.

In light of the suspension of public Masses, everyone has the option of watching Mass on television.  Each day, Mass is broadcast by the Archdiocese of Hartford’s Office of Radio & Television (ORTV). The television Mass is broadcast seven days a week. Please check local listings for times and stations.  The Mass from ORTV can also be found streaming live at 10:00 a.m. seven days a week on http://www.ortv.org/streaming/streaming.htm.  EWTN television also broadcasts daily Masses.  Links to additional streamed Masses can be found on the Diocesan website www.norwichdiocese.org/coronavirus. This website will continue to be updated.

In addition, Mass can be heard from the Cathedral of St. Patrick in Norwich on Sunday mornings at 9 a.m. on radio station WICH AM 1310.

            Office hours have been adjusted.  The Office is closed to the public; however, work is still being done.  When possible, personnel are working from home.  When that is not possible, personnel come into the Office to work but that is on a limited basis and does not always occur during regular business hours.  If you need to contact the Office please do so, but please know that your calls or messages may not be returned right away.   

            The world is certainly very different from what it was a few short weeks ago.  While there are changes and adjustments we have to make, God will guide us through it.  Father Tom and I continue to pray for you and offer private Masses for you and for your intentions.

 Sincerely,

 Fr. Ted Tumicki

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