St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church

LETTER OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS 
TO THE FAITHFUL FOR THE MONTH OF MAY 2020

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

The month of May is approaching, a time when the People of God express with particular intensity their love and devotion for the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is traditional in this month to pray the Rosary at home within the family. The restrictions of the pandemic have made us come to appreciate all the more this “family” aspect, also from a spiritual point of view.

For this reason, I want to encourage everyone to rediscover the beauty of praying the Rosary at home in the month of May. This can be done either as a group or individually; you can decide according to your own situations, making the most of both opportunities. The key to doing this is always simplicity, and it is easy also on the internet to find good models of prayers to follow.

I am also providing two prayers to Our Lady that you can recite at the end of the Rosary, and that I myself will pray in the month of May, in spiritual union with all of you. I include them with this letter so that they are available to everyone.

Dear brothers and sisters, contemplating the face of Christ with the heart of Mary our Mother will make us even more united as a spiritual family and will help us overcome this time of trial. I keep all of you in my prayers, especially those suffering most greatly, and I ask you, please, to pray for me. I thank you, and with great affection I send you my blessing.

Rome, Saint John Lateran, 25 April 2020
Feast of Saint Mark the Evangelist

Pope Francis

First Prayer to Our Lady
 

O Mary,
You shine continuously on our journey
as a sign of salvation and hope.
We entrust ourselves to you, Health of the Sick,
who, at the foot of the cross,
were united with Jesus’ suffering,
and persevered in your faith.

“Protectress of the Roman people”, 
you know our needs,
and we know that you will provide, 
so that, as at Cana in Galilee,
joy and celebration may return
after this time of trial.

Help us, Mother of Divine Love,
to conform ourselves to the will of the Father
and to do what Jesus tells us.
For he took upon himself our suffering,
and burdened himself with our sorrows
to bring us, through the cross,
to the joy of the Resurrection. 
Amen.

We fly to your protection,
O Holy Mother of God;
Do not despise our petitions
in our necessities,
but deliver us always
from every danger,
O Glorious and Blessed Virgin. 

The second Prayer
 

“We fly to your protection, O Holy Mother of God”.

In the present tragic situation, when the whole world is prey to suffering and anxiety, we fly to you, Mother of God and our Mother, and seek refuge under your protection.

Virgin Mary, turn your merciful eyes towards us amid this coronavirus pandemic. Comfort those who are distraught and mourn their loved ones who have died, and at times are buried in a way that grieves them deeply. Be close to those who are concerned for their loved ones who are sick and who, in order to prevent the spread of the disease, cannot be close to them. Fill with hope those who are troubled by the uncertainty of the future and the consequences for the economy and employment.

Mother of God and our Mother, pray for us to God, the Father of mercies, that this great suffering may end and that hope and peace may dawn anew. Plead with your divine Son, as you did at Cana, so that the families of the sick and the victims be comforted, and their hearts be opened to confidence and trust.

Protect those doctors, nurses, health workers and volunteers who are on the frontline of this emergency, and are risking their lives to save others. Support their heroic effort and grant them strength, generosity and continued health.

Be close to those who assist the sick night and day, and to priests who, in their pastoral concern and fidelity to the Gospel, are trying to help and support everyone.

Blessed Virgin, illumine the minds of men and women engaged in scientific research, that they may find effective solutions to overcome this virus.

Support national leaders, that with wisdom, solicitude and generosity they may come to the aid of those lacking the basic necessities of life and may devise social and economic solutions inspired by farsightedness and solidarity.

Mary Most Holy, stir our consciences, so that the enormous funds invested in developing and stockpiling arms will instead be spent on promoting effective research on how to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.

Beloved Mother, help us realize that we are all members of one great family and to recognize the bond that unites us, so that, in a spirit of fraternity and solidarity, we can help to alleviate countless situations of poverty and need. Make us strong in faith, persevering in service, constant in prayer.

Mary, Consolation of the afflicted, embrace all your children in distress and pray that God will stretch out his all-powerful hand and free us from this terrible pandemic, so that life can serenely resume its normal course.

To you, who shine on our journey as a sign of salvation and hope, do we entrust ourselves, O Clement, O Loving, O Sweet Virgin Mary. Amen.

All Masses and devotions have been cancelled until further notice. The church will be OPEN from 9am-7pm every day for private prayer. We encourage all who can to come pray before Our Lord in the Tabernacle for an end to this pestilence. There are prayer books in the vestibule with daily Mass readings. Please take and use. 
Only 10 people are allowed in church at one time.
Please keep a safe distance from one another. 

All Mass intentions that are being missed during this time will be rescheduled to a future date. 

We realize that times are challenging financially right now for many people. We would ask you to consider making your weekly donation, if possible, to the Church via the mail.  St. Mary's still has bills that need to be paid during this time also. St. Mary's Church, PO Box 189, Canaseraga, NY 14822

April 22, 2020: Sacramental Updates

The most recent mandate was for a "stay-at-home" measures to exist until at least 5/15/20 in New York State. This means that we cannot expect any Masses or Liturgical Celebration with a normal congregation before that time. Our Churches are permitted to remain open for private prayer at the discreation of the Pastor. The Pastor retains the right to limit or forbid such private prayer in his church should he deem it to be a safety or security liability.

• Masses: Nothing has changed since 3/20/20. NO public celebrations of Mass or Communion Services.
• Confessions: Only allowed in grave situations as well as the Anointing of the Sick.
• Baptisms: Should be delayed until a time when it is safe again for a congregation to assemble. In case of emergency or danger of death, the sacrament in basic style may take place.
• Weddings: Should be delayed or postponed if at all possible until it is premitted for a congregation to assemble. 
• Funerals: Should be delayed or postponed until it is permissable for a congregation to assemble.  ( see website for further details )
• First Reconcilliation and Communion: For parishes who had not been ablt to celebrate these sacraments...We recommend that this be postponed until safe to gather again as a community. 
• Confirmations:  These should be rescheduled until it is deemed safe to gather as a congregation again.                
•  
• Be aware that as conditions improve and when we might be permitted by government authority to once again gather as a congregation there may be some limits or restrictions on such gatherings. Our Diocesan authorities will pay close attention should any such restrictions be mandated and immediately communicate them to you. 

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- United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.