SIMBANG GABI IN MONMOUTH COUNTY 
BEGINS DECEMBER 15

Simbang Gabi is the Filipino custom of offering a nightly Mass each day for nine nights prior to Christmas Day to help the faithful prepare themselves for the festive, yet solemn, celebration of the birth of our Lord. The novena of Masses signifies the nine months our Lord was in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary, mother of God and our mother, too. This special novena is recognized by the universal Church as an authentic devotion to our Blessed Mother and has been prayed every year in the Philippines since the 1600s. In the Diocese of Trenton which covers four counties, every county has formed an organizing committee to ensure that all the faithful throughout the Diocese are given an opportunity to pray this novena.

In light of the current COVID-19 pandemic, Simbang Gabi in Monmouth County is not cancelled but will be very different this year from the way it had been celebrated in the previous years. All nine Masses are open to the public and will be celebrated in one host parish—St. Benedict Catholic Church in Holmdel—which can seat up to 170 people, following social distancing guidelines. No seat reservations are required. Those who choose to stay home can watch the livestreamed Simbang Gabi Mass on St. Benedict’s YouTube channel.

All Masses will be in English and will start at 7:00 p.m. from December 15 to December 23, except Saturday, Dec. 19, to allow some time for the sanitizing of the space inside St. Benedict’s church building after their usual 5 o’clock Saturday evening Mass. The Simbang Gabi Mass on Saturday, Dec. 19, will start at 7:30 p.m.

Prior to every Mass, the Rosary will be recited in the church and, if weather permits, the Sacrament of Confession will be celebrated outside the Adoration Chapel. No fellowship meal will take place after the Mass.
 

Celebration of Mass for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

CHRISTMAS EVE MASS TIMES
2 PM
4 PM
6 PM
8 PM

Additional Overflow Mass at
2 PM & 4 PM in the
Parish Hall

Christmas Day
8 AM 
10 AM 
11:30 AM

Additional Overflow Mass at
10 AM & 11:30 AM in the
Parish Hall

DOORS WILL OPEN 1/2 HOUR BEFORE
THE START OF EACH SCHEDULED MASS

Due to COVID-19 Protocols, the number of parishioners who attend Mass must be limited to 1/3 Capacity. Please note the following:

• Masks MUST be worn - no admittance without a mask
• Social Distance must be maintained by those who are not family/living in the same household.
• Hand Sanitizer MUST be used by everyone as they enter the Church and again as they leave

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 but not required to attend Sunday Mass in their Parishes whenever possible or to participate in outdoor or live-streamed Parish Masses offered online until the dispensation ceases in order “to keep holy, the Lord’s Day.”

Preparing for Christmas during COVID - Diocese of Trenton - Lawrenceville, NJ
 

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

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 held in pew. While wearing masks, the clergy will bring the Eucharist to you passing through the closed pews.
• Please remain kneeling. It is optional to stand to receive.
• 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

• After the final blessing, parishioners must remain in pew.
• Pews will be dismissed in an orderly fashion starting at the rear of the Church and then moving forward. Please exit when prompted.
• 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.
• Religious Education is closed over the summer.
• Registration for the 2020-2021 Religious Education Program will be held online, date to be determined.
• The rescheduling of the 2020 Spring Confirmation Ceremony and First Holy Communion Ceremony will be forthcoming.

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.

USCCB Bible Reflections

USCCB Prayers & Devotions

2020 Annual Catholic Appeal

HOW YOUR CONTRIBUTION TO THE ACA HELPS

Priests, Deacons, & Religious

• Finding & Forming Priests
• Retired Priests Care
• Support of Religious Women & Men

Community Outreach

• Families, Youth & Young Adult Ministries
• Catholic Social Services
• Pastoral Care
•  Outreach to the Poor & Vulnerable

Teaching the Faith

• Religious Education
• Catholic Schools
• RCIA
• Tuition Assistance
• Evangelization & Communication

CLICK HERE TO DONATE:

https://dioceseoftrenton.org/aca-donate-page

 

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Act of Spiritual Communion

My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.

Catholic Charities News -The economic impact of the pandemic has increased the number of  homeless families. Catholic Charities provides transitional housing, job skills and budgeting training to people in Monmouth county, who have lost their homes. For assistance call 732-922-0400.