April 2, 2020

 Dear Parishioners,

             Let me take this time to share with you how it saddens me I am not able to share the Sacraments with you. The cancellation of public Masses has been most challenging for all of us. I encourage you to join in spiritual communion through the streamed masses. There are helpful websites and information listed below.             

            To those stricken with coronavirus, out of work due to the virus, and to all those who are affected by this virus please know you are in our prayers. I would like to thank all those who are putting their own lives at risk to help others. Stay safe, stay well, and stay home if possible.

               Please know how very grateful we are to keep receiving your offertory, whether by online giving through our parish website or by your envelopes that can be mailed to our parish office. I understand this is a difficult time financially for many people and your first obligation is to care for your family.

             Please reach out (in a safe way) to your fellow parishioners (by computer or by phone).  Now you know why you have (I hope) your parish Directories (photos & phone numbers)!  I am worried about how many parishioners feel left alone because we cannot reach them.  Not just the seniors, but also the “computer-less-savvy” (like me).  I met a parishioner last week and they admitted never using the website???

            The parish office remains CLOSED. If you need to reach us you can leave a message at the office, as we are still monitoring the phones 24/7, or you can email us [email protected]. We will get back to you as soon as possible.

           Please say a prayer for the repose of Father Hilary John Rodgers, our first Diocesan Priest to die of the virus on April 1^st. Fr. Rodgers was ordained with our Fr. John and Fr. Bill Cocco back in 2004.  Also, please keep Fr. Lawler in your prayers!

 Until next time, God’s Blessings,

 Fr. Jennings, Pastor                                                                                                                                                 

The Little Sisters of the Poor Jeanne Jugan Residence in Newark serves 66 low-income elderly residents in three levels of care, including intermediate care/skilled, residential rest and independent apartments. There are 11 Little Sisters of the Poor and 123 staff members at the Residence. They have has been hit especially hard during the coronavirus pandemic with four reported deaths. Those wishing to help the Sisters and the residents, can make an online donation at littlesistersofthepoor....

Holy Week

Fr. Jennings, Fr. John, and Fr. Solomon will be con-celebrating the Triduum together via live streaming on Facebook (stmarystarof thesea/holysavioroceancitymd) at Holy Savior.

Holy Thursday, April 9 @ 4:30 pm, Good Friday, April [email protected] 3 pm, Easter Vigil, April [email protected] 8 pm

Fr. Jennings and Fr. John will be celebrating private Masses on Easter Sunday. Fr. Solomon will be live streaming on facebook Easter Sunday @ 10 am.

Distribution of Palm

In light of the increasing restrictions going into effect in the State of Maryland and for the State of Delaware, the distribution of palm is not to take place in any form. We will distribute them after restrictions are lifted.

Diocese Holy Week Schedule

The following will be live-streamed at www.YouTube.com/DioceseOfWilm, from the Cathedral of Saint Peter in Wilmington. Bishop Malooly will preside., 

Palm Sunday, Saturday, April 4 @ 4 pm, Holy Thursday, April 9 @ 4 pm, Good Friday, April 10 @ 3  Easter Vigil, Saturday, April 11 @ 8 pm,  Easter Sunday, April 12, TBD.

Sunday Radio Mass is available on Relevant Radio 640 at 10:00 a.m. Relevant Radio 640 is also the home of Catholic Forum each Saturday morning at 11:00 and reaches all of Delaware and Maryland's Eastern Shore. Also, WGMD FM-92.7 will be airing Mass on Palm Sunday, April 5 and Easter Sunday, April 12. WGMD is heard in all of Sussex County, and in the contiguous areas of neighboring counties. 

Listed are some helpful websites:

• Bishop Robert Barron is posting his daily Mass online at wordonfire.org/daily-m...
• Saint Patrick's Cathedral in New York is live streaming their daily Mass at saintpatrickscathedral... 
• EWTN lives streams their daily Mass each weekday at 8:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., and 7:00 p.m. at ewtn.com/tv/watch-live...
• USCCB has some items that might be of internist at  usccb.org/about/commun... and catholiccurrent.org/co... 
• www.cdow.org/coronavirus

Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Seaford, every day, Father Giuliano posts a video with a reflection on the day‘s readings. He will also live Facetime the Sunday mass at 10:00 a.m. each week. These are found on their Facebook page: facebook.com/OLLSeafor...).