LIVING THROUGH A PANDEMIC

The Outbreak of COVID-19

The year 2020 had a rather tranquil beginning and many parish activities were planned as usual. Little did we expect that a virus emanating from Asia would disrupt the entire world. Shortly after Ash Wednesday, the news of COVID-19 broke and this set into motion a plethora of government and diocesan directives to safeguard public health. At the outset, public gatherings, including church services were greatly curtailed. Bishop O’Connell established a COVID-19 task force of pastors, chaired by Monsignor Gervasio to provide guidance on the protocols to be followed in parishes, especially at the liturgical level. The wearing of masks and social distancing became the norm.

The Bishops of New Jersey issued a dispensation from the obligation to assist at Mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation. Still on March 29 it was decided to close all diocesan churches, schools, programs, offices, and agencies. Parish gatherings were suspended. The celebration of the Sacraments was postponed, and Masses would be celebrated privately but live streamed from most parishes. This “shutdown” remained in effect until June 14, the Solemnity of Corpus Christi when public celebration of Masses and sacraments could resume under limited conditions. In our parish, the celebration of First Holy Communion, First Penance and Confirmation were deferred to Autumn but with strict limits on attendance, in accord with state mandates. Throughout this period, parishioners were kept informed by notices on the website which included the weekly bulletin. Monsignor Gervasio also implemented a weekly parish update that was distributed through our parish email listing.

Venturing into a Virtual World

This disconcerting period introduced our parish to the world of the virtual. Live streaming the Mass was new territory for us, but with the help of some tech-savvy parishioners and Fr. Jean, we were able to add that feature, so that parishioners would be able to virtually attend their own parish Mass.

Since meetings could not be held “in person,” virtual meetings, school and Religious Education classes were held via virtual platforms such as ZOOM. As vaccines were quickly developed, parishioners were encouraged to be tested and vaccinated. Our parish continued to be supported financially by our parishioners through donating by mail, personal delivery, and on-line giving. The parish was also greatly helped by two federal government grants that were applied to the salaries and benefits of school and church employees.

Bishop O’Connell Visits our School

Just days before civic and parish life was shutdown due to COVID-19, Bishop David O’Connell visited our school. He was celebrant and homilist of First Friday Mass on March 6 after which he visited each classroom and spoke to the teachers and students.

Lenten Work of Love and Other Appeals

Despite the pandemic restrictions and the closure of our churches, parishioners responded generously to our Lenten Work of Love to benefit the African Missions conducted by the Religious Teachers Filippini. We were pleased to send the Sisters a gift of $10,000. Parishioners also supported quite generously the annual appeals for Clothing and Housewares, Food Drives, and the Christmas Adopt a Family project.

A Quiet Anniversary

The pandemic caused our parish’s 15th anniversary of foundation on July 1 to pass quietly without fanfare!
 

A Co-Patron for Our School

On November 6, with the approval of Bishop O’Connell, the newly beatified, Carlo Acutis was named a co-patron of our school. A devout teenager when he died, Blessed Carlo appeals especially to the young for his avid interest in sports and computer technology. He was instrumental in bringing his own parents back to the practice of their faith and used his computer skills to promote devotion to the Blessed Sacrament. His image was blessed at a School Mass on November 6th which was prominently displayed in the school’s main corridor. Our students were asked to research his life and works and were also provided with a specially designed prayer card.

The Year of St. Joseph

On December 8, the Holy Father, Pope Francis inaugurated a “Year of St. Joseph” in order to promote devotion to this Guardian of the Redeemer. He asked the faithful to reflect on the saint’s role in salvation history and to confidently turn to him in need, especially during the pandemic. Our parish instituted a weekly votive lamp to burn continually before his image in both churches. The bulletin and website offered brief weekly reflections on Saint Joseph.