Bishop O'Connell's Church Reopening Announcement
The Bishop is extending permission for in-church Masses to be celebrated beginning on Monday, June 8. There are many restrictions in place regarding how many people can attend each Mass and on the requirement for attending, receiving Communion, etc. 

St. Benedict Church is open for Mass beginning Monday, June 8th.

• MASS SCHEDULE: 
  • 5pm Saturday Masses in Church and Gym
  • 8am Sunday Mass in Church only
  • 11am Sunday Mass in Church only

• The Saturday 9am Daily Mass continues to be temporarily suspended.

Important Note:
The Bishop has continued the dispensation from the Sunday Mass obligation during this phase of opening. We will also continue our live-streaming of the Sunday 8am Mass for those who cannot attend.

Please be aware of the following updates:
1)Parishioners over the age of 70 are encouraged to attend the 5pm Vigil Mass in the Gym on the weekend. Over 70 are also welcome to attend Mass during the week. 

2)We are no longer taking seating reservations for the weekend Masses (Saturday 5pm Masses in Church and Gym, and Sunday 8am and 11am Masses in Church). If this changes, we will post the ticket links. Ticketing is free and available through the parish website. Click under the Home tab.

3)Daily Mass allowance is now 100 persons, we are no longer taking reservations in light of this increase.

4)Mass in the Gym is limited to an estimated 75 individuals. We will admit only single individuals or at most a couple there; Mass in the church is the preference for families sitting together with some singles and couples scattered about.

5)Parking for weekend Masses is in the front lot only and entrance and egress are through the main church doors only. For daily Mass, entrance and egress are through the door to the Hall of Saints (#6) only.

6)Absolutely no admittance without a mask, and the mask must be worn throughout the Mass except for the priest and deacon.

7)No ministers including altar servers, lectors, or EM’s are being used at this time. All ministry at all Masses is done by the priest, the deacon, and the acolyte.

Confessions are available Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings following the 9:00 a.m. Mass in the plaza in front of the church at the tent. Please wear a mask and be careful to keep a safe distance from other parishioners and the priest. In case of rain there will be no Confession that day.

Please check our website regularly as directives from the Bishop and the Governor come fast and furious.

Hall of Saints to Open 5/13

LINK TO EMAIL
St. Benedict Church Hall of Saints (Daily Chapel)
OPEN MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY
STARTING WEDNESDAY, MAY 13, 2020
HOURS: 10 AM – 4 PM

• Park in the rear parking lot of the church.
• Access to the Hall of Saints is through Door 6 only, located at the back of the church.
• Inside the Hall of Saints, there will be 10 seats available. If fully occupied, we ask that you kindly wait outside in your car until a seat becomes available.
• Wear your masks and observe social distancing at all times.
• Please observe silence to respect others who are praying.
• Candles will be available for purchase. Please refrain from touching any surfaces including the statues in the Hall of Saints. 
• The main church is NOT open and there is no access. The Perpetual Adoration Chapel will also remain closed at this time. (Please use the marked door inside the Hall of Saints for emergency purposes only.)
• The restroom will not be open.

For your comfort and safety, the Hall of Saints will be disinfected daily for safety and hygienic purposes. There will be hand sanitizer available in the hallway and inside the Hall of Saints as well.

We thank you for your understanding and cooperation at this time.

1- Dispose yourself properly before beginning.
2- Remove distractions.
3- Pray the Act of Spiritual Communion.
4- Say the Prayer Amid an Epidemic.

Click image above to view.

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.

CLICK TO Download Audio PRAYER
WITH FATHER GARRY.

A Prayer Amid an Epidemic
By Kerry Weber

Jesus Christ, you traveled through towns and villages “curing every disease and illness.” At your command, the sick were made well. Come to our aid now, in the midst of the global spread of the coronavirus, that we may experience your healing love.

Heal those who are sick with the virus. May they regain their strength and health through quality medical care.

Heal us from our fear, which prevents nations from working together and neighbors from helping one another.

Heal us from our pride, which can make us claim invulnerability to a disease that knows no borders.

Jesus Christ, healer of all, stay by our side in this time of uncertainty and sorrow.

Be with those who have died from the virus. May they be at rest with you in your eternal peace.

Be with the families of those who are sick or have died. As they worry and grieve, defend them from illness and despair. May they know your peace.

Be with the doctors, nurses, researchers and all medical professionals who seek to heal and help those affected and who put themselves at risk in the process. May they know your protection and peace.

Be with the leaders of all nations. Give them the foresight to act with charity and true concern for the well-being of the people they are meant to serve. Give them the wisdom to invest in long-term solutions that will help prepare for or prevent future outbreaks. May they know your peace, as they work together to achieve it on earth.

Whether we are home or abroad, surrounded by many people suffering from this illness or only a few, Jesus Christ, stay with us as we endure and mourn, persist and prepare. In place of our anxiety, give us your peace.

Jesus Christ, heal us.

America Magazine

St. Benedict Church plays daily at 3 PM via the Bell System followed by "A Prayer Amid the Epidemic" in the Parish Parking Lot/Church Plaza.

Click to Read How To Pray the
Chaplet of Divine Mercy

Click link below to listen:

Listen to Chaplet of Divine Mercy

PRAYER INTENTIONS AND DEVOTIONAL CANDLES

You can add your prayer intentions to the petition book in the Narthex, light devotional candles inside of the St. Benedict Church daily chapel on M-W-F during open hours, or email your special prayer intentions to our email address at prayerwall@stbenedictnj.org and we will add them to the petition book.