March 24, 2020

The Holy Father Calls us to Prayer and Imparts his Apostolic Blessing Urbi et Orbi

The Holy Father, Pope Francis, has invited all of the Christian faithful to take part in two opportunities that will strengthen human solidarity as we implore God's deliverance from this hour of difficulty. On March 25th, the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord, the Holy Father has invited all Christians to pray the Our Father as we, in the words of the Holy Father, "prepare to celebrate the victory of the risen Christ." And on March 27th, the Holy Father will impart his Urbi et Orbi blessing to the city and the world. 
 
In communion with our Holy Father, I ask all parishes and religious houses to observe the extraordinary March 27th Urbi et Orbi blessing by the Holy Father, in this way, to the degree possible:

At 1:00 in the afternoon, 6:00 in the evening Rome time when the Holy Father will be praying in Saint Peter's Basilica, ring the bells of your church or chapel, or participate in a virtual ringing of bells through your social media platform. I invite all the faithful to recite an Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be at this time as they join the Holy Father via television or the internet on the Vatican YouTube channel. When the Holy Father imparts the blessing, those who intend to make a sacramental confession, receive Holy Communion, and offer a prayer for the Holy Father, as soon as that is possible again, will receive a Plenary Indulgence.

Please publicize these special opportunities for prayer to the best of your ability and know that I am always united with you in prayer as I bring you and the needs of your communities to the Lord at the altar. 
 
With a prayer for the Lord's blessing, and invoking the powerful intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Consolation, upon you and your communities, I am

   
 Most Reverend Arthur J. Serratelli, S.T.D., S.S.L., D.D.
 Bishop of Paterson   

March 20, 2020 My dear friends in Christ, We are living through an historic time. It can either shake our spirit or strengthen our resolve. I encourage you to find solace in our Catholic faith that we hold so dear. While the public celebration of Mass is currently unavailable at our parishes, it is more important than ever to keep our faith in the forefront of our lives. Please visit our diocesan website at www.patersondiocese.org/coronavirus for some good and helpful information. It includes a video message from me, a spiritual communion prayer and various options for viewing Mass on-line. During these coming weeks, as we continue to stay close to home, I have asked diocesan staff to reach out to you by email on my behalf to keep you informed about our diocesan response to the coronavirus outbreak and to update you as needed. In the meantime, please be assured of my prayers for you and your loved ones. I ask you to pray for me, your pastor and your parish community during this difficult time for our nation, our world and our Church. May Mary the Immaculate Conception, Patroness of the United States, bestow her blessings on our country and unite us so that we may emerge from this challenge strengthened in our faith and enriched as a community of believers.

Faithfully yours in Christ,        Most Reverend Arthur J. Serratelli, S.T.D., S.S.L., D.D.  Bishop of Paterson

March 19, 2020 - Additional Health and Safety Measures

By Mandate of the Bishop

As events and civil guidelines continue to unfold the following Health and Safety Measures are effective immediately.

Deferral of Baptism

Until further notice all baptisms administered by the ordinary minister of the sacrament within the parish setting are deferred except in case of urgent necessity. Should an urgent necessity arise, the faithful should contact a priest immediately.

Funeral Rites

Because of the impossibility of limiting large gatherings of family and friends for a Funeral Mass, all Funeral Masses are to be discontinued until further notice. The Rite of Committal as established in the Order of Christian Funerals may be used for a graveside service with no more than 8 members of the immediate family present. All are to keep the recommended social distance. The priest is to offer a private Mass for the repose of the soul of the departed. A public Memorial Mass can be arranged for a later date when restrictions on the gathering of large crowds have been lifted.

______________________________________________
Most Reverend Arthur J. Serratelli, S.T.D., S.S.L., D.D.
Bishop of Paterson
  
_______________________________
Reverend Stephen T. Prisk
Ecclesiastical Notary

Updated MArch 19, 2020

Health and Safety Measures for Pastoral Life
in the Diocese of Paterson

Effective Immediately

By Mandate of the Bishop

As the cases of coronavirus increase exponentially, it is a moral imperative for all people to do what is humanly possible to prevent the spread of the illness. Large gatherings of people have rapidly become a grave health risk. Therefore, I am making the following provisions for the Diocese of Paterson, effective immediately.

Suspension of Public Masses 

All public Masses are hereby suspended in the Diocese of Paterson until further notice. Since the Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life, all priests of the Diocese of Paterson must celebrate Mass privately for the good of all of the Christian faithful entrusted to their care and for all people during this critical time. Priests should celebrate this private Mass even if another priest or deacon cannot be with them to assist.  Priests are reminded of the obligation to offer Mass for the intentions of those who have made an offering for the Mass.
             
We take to heart the admonition of Saint Paul: "Rejoice in hope, endure in afflictions, persevere in prayer."  (Romans 12:12). This would be a time to encourage families to pray the Rosary at home, and to make the grace before meals a time for fathers and mothers, and all families, to center their homes on prayer and reliance upon God’s mercy.

Suspension of Welcome Home to Healing Confessions, Lenten Penance Services

The Welcome Home to Healing initiative of Monday night confessions is suspended. Any scheduled Penance Services or Penitential Liturgies are suspended. Any gatherings of the faithful for private devotions such as the Stations of the Cross are also suspended. Our churches are to remain open to the faithful for private prayer. Please note that praying in large clusters or groups of people is prohibited. You must observe the government curfews.

Adoration and Private Prayer

 Parishes are encouraged to expose the Blessed Sacrament for at least three hours each day so that the faithful may come and pray and unite themselves in spiritual communion with the Lord. The hours for Exposition and Adoration should be posted. Priests should administer the Sacrament of Penance or the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick to the Christian faithful who legitimately request those sacraments.

Suspension of the Sacrament of Confirmation

The celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation is hereby suspended in the Diocese of Paterson. Confirmation retreats should be deferred. As developments continue to unfold, we will assess the situation. When it is prudent, we will make the necessary arrangements for the celebration of the Sacrament.

First Penance and First Holy Communion

Since the celebrations of First Penance and First Holy Communion bring together large groups of people, both celebrations are to be deferred in all parishes until further notice.

Weddings

The celebration of weddings is left to the discretion of the local pastor. The pastor must take into account the ongoing guidance from civil authorities regarding the acceptable size of crowds in public spaces. Every effort to guide couples with pastoral sensitivity must be made. Should questions arise, please contact the Office of the Vicar General.

Deferral of Baptism (updated March 19, 2020)

Until further notice all baptisms administered by the ordinary minister of the sacrament within the parish setting are deferred except in case of urgent necessity. Should an urgent necessity arise, the faithful should contact a priest immediately.

Funeral Rites (updated March 19, 2020)

Because of the impossibility of limiting large gatherings of family and friends for a Funeral Mass, all Funeral Masses are to be discontinued until further notice. The Rite of Committal as established in the Order of Christian Funerals may be used for a graveside service with no more than 8 members of the immediate family present. All are to keep the recommended social distance. The priest is to offer a private Mass for the repose of the soul of the departed. A public Memorial Mass can be arranged for a later date when restrictions on the gathering of large crowds have been lifted.

Holy Week and the Sacred Triduum

Any decision in terms of Holy Week, the Chrism Mass, the Sacred Triduum, and Easter will be made as we monitor the situation. Parishes will be advised in due time.

Thank you for your cooperation and all necessary steps you take in order to minimize the spread of the coronavirus.  We pray for the healing gifts of the Holy Spirit to descend upon all people during this critical period. In this time of trial, we depend on the mercy and goodness of God to protect us.

Therefore, I urge all to join in fervent prayer, especially by praying the rosary. Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother, may the Lord, in his mercy, deliver us from this present danger.

• All to the contrary notwithstanding.
• Given at the Chancery of the Diocese of Paterson, this 16th day of March, 2020

Bishop Serratelli's article

Physician-Assisted Suicide and the Descent to Hades

On March 25, 2019, both the New Jersey Senate and Assembly passed the Aid in Dying for the Terminally Ill Act. This means that, just as in California, Colorado, Hawaii, Montana, Oregon, Vermont, Washington, and Washington, D.C., physicians can now help someone kill themselves. Legally! Doctors now become dealers in death.  So contrary to the Hippocratic Oath that states “I will use treatment to help the sick according to my ability and judgment, but never with a view to injury and wrong-doing. Neither will I administer a poison to anybody when asked to do so, nor will I suggest such a course.”

Read more..

Statement by the Catholic Bishops of New Jersey on What the Catholic Church has done and continues to do to Protect Children