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Bishop O’Connell is pleased to share with you his video message encouraging all parishioners to get vaccinated and about a Catholic Charities initiative to assist parishes. While this is not a requirement, getting vaccinated is an act of charity. We are aware that many in the Latino, Hispanic and Black communities have had trouble getting access to the vaccine - even though they have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. Catholic Charities is now working to fix those inequities by:
- Helping people in our parishes pre-register for and get vaccines.
- Conducting COVID-19 Testing
- Building a community health worker workforce with community colleges.
- And encouraging people to join the “COVID Community Corps” as volunteers to help others access the vaccine.
Please follow up with Catholic Charities for additional information.
Video Link in English: https://youtu.be/mpysAvApoK0
Catholic Charities COVID-19 Vaccinations Flyer
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DIOCESE OF TRENTON
701 LAWRENCEVILLE ROAD
POST OFFICE BOX 5147
TRENTON, NEW JERSEY 08638-0147
OFFICE OF THE BISHOP
February 12, 2021
Thanksgiving to pastors whose parishes have reached or surpassed their goal for the 2020 Annual Catholic Appeal
Dear Fathers,
Please express my deepest gratitude and congratulations to your parishioners for the tremendous support of the past year’s Annual Catholic Appeal. Given all the challenges we have and continue to face, their outstanding generosity is a source of awe to me. Of course, this effort, as all successful initiatives we undertake in the Diocese, is but a reflection of good, committed leadership. For that, I thank you. Stay safe, healthy and well. God’s blessings!
Fraternally yours in the Lord,
Most Reverend David M. O’Connell, C.M., J.C.D.
Bishop of Trenton
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| If you would like a year-end tax statement for 2020, please email your request to taxstatements@sienachurch.org. In your email request, please include your name, envelope number and the mailing address. Requests are completed once a week and answered in the order received. Please call the Parish Office with any questions. |
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Welcome "New Knights of Columbus Members" Joe Lanza, Perry Vigglano and Deacon Dan Sakowski. We are so grateful to have you join our Council and participate in our charitable work for the Parish and Community. Our Council continues its positive growth thanks to our wonderful Parishioners. Interested in joining? Go to the Ministry Page on this Web Site, “click” on Knights of Columbus, “click” on Join the Knights of Columbus and follow the directions. First year dues are free to all new members joining before June 30, 2021.
Join the Knights of Columbus
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Moral Guidance Regarding Vaccines for Covid
https://trentonmonitor.com/Content/Default/Coronavirus/Article/Pope-Bishop-advocate-for-COVID-19-vaccine-as-moral-choice/-3/298/24667
https://trentonmonitor.com/Content/Default/Coronavirus/Article/Is-it-morally-permissible-to-take-the-COVID-19-vaccine-/-3/298/24354
https://trentonmonitor.com/Content/Default/Coronavirus/Article/Moral-guidance-regarding-vaccines-and-COVID-19-/-3/298/24397
https://trentonmonitor.com/Content/Default/Coronavirus/Article/Bishops-Getting-COVID-19-vaccine-is-act-of-charity-supports-the-common-good/-3/298/24495
https://trentonmonitor.com/Content/Default/Coronavirus/Article/Vatican-Without-alternatives-current-COVID-19-vaccines-are-morally-acceptable/-3/298/24541
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 The Parish Office is open by appointment only Monday through Thursday from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm, Sunday 9:00 am to 12:45 pm. Please Ring the Bell on the Outer Door. Closed Friday, Saturday.
We are following direction from the Diocese of Trenton regarding the re-opening of the Parish Office. The following guidelines will be required for all persons before entering the parish office:
Temperature Check
Complete a simple screening questionnaire
Wear a Face Covering
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FROM BISHOP DAVID M. O'CONNELL: Given all current public health and safety reports the Dispensation from the Obligation to attend Mass has been extended UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. The faithful are encouraged to attend Sunday Mass in their Parishes whenever possible or to participate in outdoor or live-streamed masses offered online until the dispensation ceases in order "to keep holy, the Lord's Day."
Please continue to remember one another in prayer, especially the sick, the departed and all those providing care for them at this time.
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 ST. CATHERINE OF SIENA PARISH REOPENING PROTOCOLS
Limited Public Celebration of the Mass and Sacraments in Church
The dispensation from Sunday/Holy Day Mass obligation remains in effect (see above).
MASS TIMES
- Saturday 4:30 P.M.
- Sunday 8:00 A.M.
- Sunday 10:00 A.M.
- Sunday 11:30 A.M.
- Weekday Mass held in the Church 9:00 A.M. Monday – Friday. Closed Wednesday.
Chapel will remain closed until further notice
CAPACITY
- For now, Masses will be limited to 1/3 occupancy. For St. Catherine of Siena Church that equates to 85 persons. Our parish hall will be utilized as overflow space able to accommodate 85 persons, the 1/3 occupancy limit.
- The Church will be open 30 minutes prior to the start of Mass. Please note, seating is on a first come, first served basis. Please arrive early as the doors will be locked once Mass begins.
- Following the directives of Bishop O’Connell, weekday Mass will be limited to 50 persons attending.
BEFORE YOU ARRIVE
- Out of respect for others, face masks (ages 2 and older) are required.
- Bring your own hand sanitizer that can be used before receiving Holy Communion.
- To request a low-gluten host, please call the parish office at 732-938-5375, Opt. 1, with minimum of 24 hours’ notice. Please leave your full name, and the Mass time you will attend on the message.
- Bathrooms are available but we encourage you “to go” before coming to Church.
ARRIVAL
- Please use the two center doors when entering the Church.
- Please use the hand sanitizer provided as you enter the Church.
- The holy water fonts remain empty. Enter Church by making the sign of the cross.
- No public gatherings or greetings (handshakes, hugs, etc.) at Church entrances and Church property are permitted.
- Social distancing (6ft) is required between households.
- With social distancing, parish personnel will bring you to your pew.
Families will sit together. Others will be seated with social distance between them.
No reserved seating or changing of seats.
- Every other pew will be marked closed and left empty.
- Please leave the kneelers down.
- The Church will be seated to fill the open pews from the front to back.
Remaining in the narthex will not be permitted.
LITURGY
- Masses will be conducted with reduced lay ministers.
- We will have music within the weekend Mass however, congregational singing is suspended and as stated in the Bishop’s directives, there will be no choir at this time.
- All missals, hymnals, printed materials, pamphlets, prayer books will be removed from the Church.
- Please keep your face mask on for the duration of Mass.
- There is to be no physical contact during the Sign of Peace or holding of hands during the Lord’s Prayer.
- The usual presentation of offertory gifts will be suspended. Baskets for your offertory gifts will not be passed. You will be able to place your offering in the offering box and baskets located in the narthex as you enter/exit the Church. We strongly encourage signing-up on our website for online giving through WeShare. Please call the parish office for more information.
DISTRIBUTION OF HOLY COMMUNION
- We seek to make your experience of receiving Holy Communion reverent and peaceful.
- We all want to feel safe, please utilize hand sanitizer brought from home before you receive.
- Distribution of Holy Communion will be done after the final blessing from the Narthex. Ushers will assist the faithful by leading the communicants pew by pew starting from the back of the Church.
- Holy Communion is to be received in the hand.
- Please keep your face mask on until you receive, lower to consume the Eucharist, and then re-mask.
- The Precious Blood will not be offered to the congregation.
- Holy Communion to a family member of the same household who is ill or homebound will be provided. Please bring your pyx (a container for the consecrated host). We can provide instructions on how to bring Holy Communion to a family member who cannot come to Church on Sunday. Please call or email the parish office with your request with a minimum of 24 hours’ notice.
DEPARTURE
- Private prayer is not available after Mass to allow the Church to be cleaned.
- All exit doors via the narthex of the Church will be utilized.
- Your offertory gift can be placed in the collection box and baskets as you leave the Church. Thank you for your generosity.
- Clergy will not shake hands after Mass.
- No public gatherings or greetings (handshakes, hugs, etc.) at Church entrances and Church property are permitted.
NOTE
- Here at St. Catherine of Siena Parish, we aim to reopen slowly, re-evaluate, and make changes based upon guidance from our Bishop and public health officials.
- Reminder, weekday Mass will be observed with the same requirements but will be limited to 50 persons attending.
- For those who are not feeling well, those with underlying health conditions or in a high-risk category, one should stay at home and avoid any public gathering. We strongly encourage you to watch or participate in the Mass remotely.
- The Church will be open for private prayer with no more than 25 persons attending, Monday through Thursday, 11:00 A.M. – 2:00 P.M.
- First Friday, Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament is held after the 9:00 A.M weekday Mass until 10:30 A.M.
- Our Monday Novena of the Miraculous Medal is to be done privately.
- The sanitation of the Church before and after Mass is a top priority. Cleaning frequently touched surfaces, in the Church, sanctuary, narthex and bathrooms will be sanitized between services. For the sake of all persons, please try to minimize hand contact with surfaces in the building.
- Group devotional observances and parish social ministry gatherings are suspended until further notice.
SACRAMENTS
THE SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION
- As has been the case throughout the pandemic, confession continues to be available as needed. Our regular schedule of confessions at 3:30 P.M. – 4:00 P.M on Saturday’s are canceled until further notice. Please contact the parish office for an appointment.
- Please note, confessionals will not be used.
- All arrangements for confessions must safeguard the health of both priest and penitent, respecting the dignity and confidentiality of the Sacrament.
- Masks must be worn by priest and penitent.
- General absolution is not permitted in the Diocese of Trenton, unless explicitly permitted by the Bishop according to the norms of Canon Law.
THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM
Any Catholic families who have recently celebrated the birth of a child or who otherwise have an unbaptized child and would like to seek baptism for them under the directives set forth by Bishop O’Connell are encouraged to contact the parish office to make arrangements in advance.
- St. Catherine of Siena Parish will celebrate the Sacrament of Baptism every Sunday at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, special request.
- The celebration of baptism within Mass is suspended.
- The number attending will adhere to social distance guidelines with a maximum of 50 persons attending.
- Masks are to be worn by all present.
- Only parents or godparents may hold the infant during the ceremonies.
- Sanitizer should be used when there is any physical contact before, during or after baptism.
- Group photographs in Church after the baptism are not permitted.
- No public gatherings or greetings (handshakes, hugs, etc.) at Church entrances and Church property are permitted.
- The celebrant will not receive or make physical contact with the faithful after the baptism; families should exit Church immediately after baptism in an orderly manner.
THE SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY
Following the directives of Bishop O’Connell, only the marriage ceremony (not Mass) may be celebrated in Church until further notice. Please contact the Pastor for details.
CATHOLIC FUNERALS IN CHURCH
All funeral arrangements will be made following the directives of Bishop O’Connell. Please contact the parish office for arrangements.
THE SACRAMENT OF THE ANOINTING OF THE SICK
To schedule an anointing, please call the pastor’s office at 732-938-5375, Opt. 7.
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Welcome to St. Catherine's
The Parish Community of Saint Catherine of Siena welcomes you with great delight and pleasure. Everyone, as well as your families, are joyfully invited to be among us at the celebration of Sunday Liturgies and to be actively involved in the faith-filled activities of the Parish. Come, see and experience the parish life our ministries and services offer to all, leading us to fulfill the Gospel Truth and Values. Full of hope and gladness, may you realize and find that our website is helpful and informative.
Rev. Angelito I. Anarcon
Pastor
Mission Statement
With eyes firmly fixed on the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the community of St. Catherine of Siena Parish gathers to celebrate the Eucharist and worship God with joy and commitment. We welcome and reach out to those within our parish family and those beyond this community as we spread the Good News by offering hospitality, spirituality, ongoing faith formation, and support for those to whom we minister.
Prayer to St. Catherine of Siena
Father, in meditating on the sufferings of your Son and in serving Your Church, St. Catherine was filled with the fervor of Your love. By her prayers may we share in the mystery of Christ’s death and rejoice in the revelation of His glory.
St. Catherine of Siena Pray for Us
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