Dear Friends, A hundred thousand welcomes! We will be starting Mass back up on May 30th and 31st. These sure are difficult and trying times. Things will be a little different for a while. So what if I can’t sit in my usual place? That’s ok , I am back home. Please follow the directions of the ushers. Everyone MUST wear a mask and keep a safe distance. Please DO NOT gather in groups before or after Mass. Weather permitting, mass will be outdoors. For the time being, confessions will be heard one half hour before all Masses with the exception of Saturday. Saturday will be the usual time from 3-3:45. There can be no kiss of peace for the time being. Use the “My Parish” app for the Mass prayers and readings. To download this app go to https://myparishapp.com/download/. You will see the download for Apple or Google Play. When you open the app it will prompt you to search for your parish. For Holy Communion, please put your hands together like a cup and the minister will drop the Eucharist into your hand. Please move towards the side doors, remove your mask and consume the Eucharist. Please LEAVE the church, DO NOT go back to your place. Please remember that our bishop has extended the obligation from Mass for those at risk. NO GUILT. Until you feel safe please follow Mass on TV. Fr. Mike
Because of the closure of churches since March, there have been no parish council meetings. Therefore, the following information is being announced to all through the on-line bulletin. A number of people are leaving the council as their terms have expired or they are not able to continue. Thanks and appreciation to Joe Ryan, our Vice Chairperson, Cheryl Furtek, Betty Kirby, Jack Laviolette, Pat Keegan, Anna Stack and John Quallen. Your service was great and we wish you the best in all ways and always.The Council will reconvene in September/October at a date to be announced. Elections will take place and meetings will be scheduled every other month for 2020/2021. Once this occurs an updated roster of members will be published. At this time all present and past members are encouraged to be safe and healthy during this pandemic. Prayers are with everyone.
A big thank you to the teachers and parents for making our school year so successful! Another big thank you to all the students for your dedication to our program! We hope that you have a wonderful, healthy and safe summer. We look forward to seeing everyone soon! Students will be receiving information regarding next year's schedules with registration forms after August 1st. Please watch for CCD information on our website and in the bulletin. Thank you!
At this time we cannot make home visits or nursing home or hospital visits, but I can speak with your loved ones on the phone. Call in advance so we can make arrangements. I have had several blessed occasions to be able to pray and offer a blessings to some of our parishioners who have gone to God.
You may have realized by now that our First Holy Communion celebration has been postponed. It will be celebrated early in the Fall. Our Confirmation ceremony for the four Pittsfield Parishes is coming up in October. Please remember all our CCD students in your prayers. Our RCIA candidates will receive their sacrament as soon as we return to normal.
The COVID-19 outbreak has changed the way we live our lives and the way in which we live our faith. It’s a hard thing for a priest to be separated from his people. I love saying my daily Mass but it is not the same. Each day I try to place a short prayer on my Facebook page and on our parish website: www.stjoepittsfield.com. Some of our parishes are streaming Masses. Fr. Chris Malatesta celebrates Mass on Saturday at 4 and Sun at 10. Channel 1301.
During this beautiful Easter season our parishes peal our bells announcing the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It’s a joyful sound ringing throughout the city and the Diocese. We also ring our bells to honor the doctors, nurses and first responders. Keep them also in your prayers.
The Sacrifice of the Mass is offered daily. All of your booked Masses have been said as well as the weekly Mass that I am obligated to say for you. We do have Mass openings for the rest of the year. Call the rectory if you would like to book a Mass intention.
Two movable containers of live flowers per lot will be allowed from Mother’s Day May 10thuntil Labor Day September 7th. Artificial decorations, shepherd hooks, solar lights, statues, glass containers and containers with prongs are not allowed. The planting of flowers, trees and shrubs is not allowed.Existing trees and shrubs must be trimmed and maintained by lot owners or they will be removed.Decorations are not allowed at the mausoleum. Nothing may be glued, mounted, taped or in anyway affixed to a crypt or niche front, name plaque or any part of the walls.Anything so mounted will be removed and disposed of immediately. Cemetery gates will be open from 8 AM to 8 PM beginning May 10th