PASTOR'S PAGE
Very Reverend John D. Byrnes, JV, JCL
Dear Parish Family,
Come Holy Spirit! As we celebrate Pentecost Sunday, the Birthday of the Church, let us give thanks for
the continued presence of the Holy Spirit loving and guiding us. THE REOPENING CONTINUES…THE RESTRICTION OF “ONLY 25 PEOPLE IN CHURCH” HAS BEEN LIFTED! Beginning the Weekend of June 13-14 ALL ARE PERMITTED TO RETURN TO our SUNDAY MASSES. We MUST keep social distancing….and keep each other healthy….and get creative. Here is our plan for the next few weeks!
DISTRIBUTION OF HOLY COMMUNION SCHEDULE FOR 2 WEEKS - Holy Communion will be distributed at the usual times of our parish Masses, outside in the EASTER VIGIL TENT (prepared by our parish Knights of Columbus) at the Basilica/rectory entrance. Please keep the standard 6 feet distance as you come to receive Holy Communion.
WEEKDAYS (June 1,2,3,5) and (June 8,9,10,12)
7:30 AM (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday) 8:45 AM (Friday)
WEEKEND June 6-7
4:00 PM (Saturday evening) 8:00 AM, 10:00 AM, 7:00 PM (Sunday)
Participate in SUNDAY MASS on FACEBOOK or our parish website basilicasm-loretto.org (on demand, any time after 4 PM Saturdays) or the television diocesan Sunday Mass on WATM ABC 23 from St. John’s Cathedral, Johnstown in preparation for receiving HOLY COMMUNION.
PUBLIC MASS RETURNS JUNE 13-14 on the Feast of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ!
RETURN TO PUBLIC MASS SCHEDULE FOR SUMMER 2020
WEEKEND Mass 4:00 PM (Saturday evening in Basilica) 8:00 AM (Sunday in Basilica)
NO 10:00AM MASS DURING THE SUMMER 7:00 PM (Sunday evening at the Shrine)
WEEKDAY Mass 7:30 AM (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday) 8:45 AM (Friday)
Please use common sense. Keep distance utilizing pews. Wear a mask if possible. Holy Communion will be offered after Mass if a person is uncomfortable being in church or if the church becomes unsafe /
overcrowded.
BEAUTIFUL FLOWERS OF SUMMER – Great care has been taken to prepare our Parish Grounds and the Shrine for the Summer of 2020. Thank you to Lucy Mock and her son for the annual flowers at the Shrine, Monica and Steve Hogue for the perennial flower rock beds/short walls. Michele Poorman for the Gallitzin Tomb flowers/entrance flowers and Beck’s Lawn Care & Landscape Services for the donation of mulch at the Shrine! Many parishioners and visitors will enjoy your work all summer!!
CONFESSIONS/RECONCILIATION SCHEDULE- Confessions will be offered Saturdays at 11:30 AM, Wednesdays at 6:00 PM and Fridays at 9:15 AM for the next few weeks as we reopen. Confessions will be offered near the portrait of the Servant of God, Fr. Demetrius Gallitzin near the handicapped entrance of the Basilica. Please enter the Basilica through the “school side” entrance and observe the standard six-foot physical distancing while waiting. Signs will guide you. There is a “temporary” physical barrier between the penitent and priest. I am getting a proper portable wooden screen and plexiglass screen (for face-to face confessions) soon.
The BASILICA IS OPEN - each day until 7 PM for prayer before the Blessed Sacrament. Those who come to Mass or church for personal prayer need to recognize the risk of possible unintended exposure to the coronavirus and refrain if they are sick or at a greater risk of susceptibility to COVID-19.
1)Those who come for Mass must wear masks or face shields, unless you have a medical reason to not wear a mask. Physical distancing of at least 6 feet between non-household members must be observed.
3) Cleaner/disinfectant will be available. Please wipe down any surfaces that you touch, both before and after the visit. Hand Sanitizer is available at the entrances of the Basilica.
4) Restrooms will be disinfected and cleaned regularly, but obviously not after each use, due to our Basilica only having part-time janitorial staff. Please use common sense.
5) I will permit devotional candles at the Shrines of St. Therese and Our Lady of Loretto to be lit. Please use the tissues provided to hold the wooden wick and discard the tissue after lighting the candle. You may mail any donations.
The rectory office will remain closed to the public until further notice. Please email skrug@dioceseaj.org or call 472-8551 during this time.
THANK YOU TO ALL WHO HAVE BEEN SO FAITHFUL WITH CONTRIBUTIONS! During this pandemic, the financial support of our Basilica Parish is very important, as we must continue to pay our bills. With many people released from work, families may not be able to sustain their current level of giving.
You may mail your envelope to PO BOX 10 Loretto PA 15940. You may drop your envelope in the SECURE MAIL SLOT at the BACK ENTRANCE PORCH (NOT FRONT OFFICE DOOR) by the outdoor statue of ST. THERESE! This is also a great time to set up On-Line Giving through our parish website. Thank you to those who have recently set up their on-line giving.
Please offer the following prayer each day…..
Prayer Against Coronavirus - Lord Jesus Christ, our Divine physician, we ask you to guard and protect us from Coronavirus COVID-19 and all serious illness. For all that have died from it, have mercy; for those that are ill now, bring healing. For those searching for a remedy, enlighten them; for medical caregivers helping the sick, strengthen and shield them. For those working to contain the spread, grant them success; for the afraid, grant peace. May your precious blood be our defense and salvation. By your grace, may you turn the evil of disease into moments of consolation and hope. May we always fear the contagion of sin more than any illness. We abandon ourselves to your infinite mercy. Amen by Pedro de la Cruz
Legion of Mary News - In this time of fasting from our togetherness, our appreciation of each other has certainly heightened. We are the Church, whether home bound or in our Basilica. Praying to our Blessed Mother will make us stronger in our faith and persevering in our service to our brothers and sisters, especially those who are aged and ill. The Legion of Mary members keep in touch by phone each week with many of those parishioners. For information if you are interested in joining our efforts by prayer and service, please call Mary 886-5489.
Our Lady of Loretto, pray for us.
PRAYER LIST: For all suffering from coronavirus, For all health care workers around the world, Joe Krug, Ruth Biter, Blake White, Dorothy Itell, Debbie Risban, Tonikay Metzgar, Chrissy Zernick, Fred Bradley, Cyril Itle, Kennedy Spaid, Sue Maul, Amanda Koenigsberg, Leona Noel, Joe Lysic, Barb Sherry, Harriet Stevens, Betty Pryce, Edna McConnell, The intentions of the Alumni Circle of Prayer, our Military, and the Sainthood Cause of our founding Pastor, the Rev. Demetrius Augustine Gallitzin
Our Deepest Sympathy Please remember in your prayers the family of Kenneth Clark who passed away recently. May God give his family the comfort and peace that they seek.
When you are unable to receive the Eucharist, I invite you to make this Spiritual Communion.
Fr. John David Byrnes, Rector
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.
LORETTO COMMUNITY
MAY DAYS has been postponed and moved to a new tentative weekend date of August 8th and 9th.
More information to come!
May 24, 2020 – SEVENTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
MASS INTENTIONS
Sunday, May 31 PENTECOST SUNDAY
PARISH WEBSITE basilicasm-loretto.org or FACEBOOK Sunday Mass available each Sat/Sun weekly online ON DEMAND
Television Mass ABC 23 WATM at 11:00 AM
Fr. Byrnes’ private Mass - People of the parish, Dan Biter (Bob & Thelma Biter)
Monday, June 1 The Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church
7:30 AM HOLY COMMUNION at tent Fr. Byrnes’ private Mass- Leonard Hogue (family)
Tuesday, June 2 Weekday
7:30 AM HOLY COMMUNION at tent Fr. Byrnes’ private Mass- Ben Fahr b.d. rem– (Sarah, Trevor & Austin)
Wednesday, June 3 St. Charles Lwanga and Companions, Martyrs
7:30 AM HOLY COMMUNION at tent Fr. Byrnes’ private Mass- Deceased Veterans
Thursday, June 4 Weekday
Fr. Byrnes’ private Mass- Leonard Hogue (family)
Friday, June 5 St. Boniface, Bishop and Martyr
8:45 AM HOLY COMMUNION at tent Fr. Byrnes’ private Mass – Richard Mishock (Karen & family)
Saturday, June 6 Weekday
4:00 PM HOLY COMMUNION at tent Fr. Byrnes’ private Mass- Arch & Katie Fox (family)
Sunday, June 7 THE MOST HOLY TRINITY
PARISH WEBSITE basilicasm-loretto.org or FACEBOOK Sunday Mass available each Sat/Sun weekly online ON DEMAND
Television Mass ABC 23 WATM at 11:00 AM
Fr. Byrnes’ private Mass – Joe & Suzette Spinner 40th Wedding Anniversary (family), Joey Wyland (Mag & Dave Weiland)
8:00 AM HOLY COMMUNION at tent 10:00 AM HOLY COMMUNION at tent 7:00 PM HOLY COMMUNION at tent
The Sanctuary Candle this week is lit for Lu Lessard (Mary Lessard)
Come Holy Spirit! As we celebrate Pentecost Sunday, the Birthday of the Church, let us give thanks for
the continued presence of the Holy Spirit loving and guiding us. THE REOPENING CONTINUES…THE RESTRICTION OF “ONLY 25 PEOPLE IN CHURCH” HAS BEEN LIFTED! Beginning the Weekend of June 13-14 ALL ARE PERMITTED TO RETURN TO our SUNDAY MASSES. We MUST keep social distancing….and keep each other healthy….and get creative. Here is our plan for the next few weeks!
DISTRIBUTION OF HOLY COMMUNION SCHEDULE FOR 2 WEEKS - Holy Communion will be distributed at the usual times of our parish Masses, outside in the EASTER VIGIL TENT (prepared by our parish Knights of Columbus) at the Basilica/rectory entrance. Please keep the standard 6 feet distance as you come to receive Holy Communion.
WEEKDAYS (June 1,2,3,5) and (June 8,9,10,12)
7:30 AM (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday) 8:45 AM (Friday)
WEEKEND June 6-7
4:00 PM (Saturday evening) 8:00 AM, 10:00 AM, 7:00 PM (Sunday)
Participate in SUNDAY MASS on FACEBOOK or our parish website basilicasm-loretto.org (on demand, any time after 4 PM Saturdays) or the television diocesan Sunday Mass on WATM ABC 23 from St. John’s Cathedral, Johnstown in preparation for receiving HOLY COMMUNION.
PUBLIC MASS RETURNS JUNE 13-14 on the Feast of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ!
RETURN TO PUBLIC MASS SCHEDULE FOR SUMMER 2020
WEEKEND Mass 4:00 PM (Saturday evening in Basilica) 8:00 AM (Sunday in Basilica)
NO 10:00AM MASS DURING THE SUMMER 7:00 PM (Sunday evening at the Shrine)
WEEKDAY Mass 7:30 AM (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday) 8:45 AM (Friday)
Please use common sense. Keep distance utilizing pews. Wear a mask if possible. Holy Communion will be offered after Mass if a person is uncomfortable being in church or if the church becomes unsafe /
overcrowded.
BEAUTIFUL FLOWERS OF SUMMER – Great care has been taken to prepare our Parish Grounds and the Shrine for the Summer of 2020. Thank you to Lucy Mock and her son for the annual flowers at the Shrine, Monica and Steve Hogue for the perennial flower rock beds/short walls. Michele Poorman for the Gallitzin Tomb flowers/entrance flowers and Beck’s Lawn Care & Landscape Services for the donation of mulch at the Shrine! Many parishioners and visitors will enjoy your work all summer!!
CONFESSIONS/RECONCILIATION SCHEDULE- Confessions will be offered Saturdays at 11:30 AM, Wednesdays at 6:00 PM and Fridays at 9:15 AM for the next few weeks as we reopen. Confessions will be offered near the portrait of the Servant of God, Fr. Demetrius Gallitzin near the handicapped entrance of the Basilica. Please enter the Basilica through the “school side” entrance and observe the standard six-foot physical distancing while waiting. Signs will guide you. There is a “temporary” physical barrier between the penitent and priest. I am getting a proper portable wooden screen and plexiglass screen (for face-to face confessions) soon.
The BASILICA IS OPEN - each day until 7 PM for prayer before the Blessed Sacrament. Those who come to Mass or church for personal prayer need to recognize the risk of possible unintended exposure to the coronavirus and refrain if they are sick or at a greater risk of susceptibility to COVID-19.
1)Those who come for Mass must wear masks or face shields, unless you have a medical reason to not wear a mask. Physical distancing of at least 6 feet between non-household members must be observed.
3) Cleaner/disinfectant will be available. Please wipe down any surfaces that you touch, both before and after the visit. Hand Sanitizer is available at the entrances of the Basilica.
4) Restrooms will be disinfected and cleaned regularly, but obviously not after each use, due to our Basilica only having part-time janitorial staff. Please use common sense.
5) I will permit devotional candles at the Shrines of St. Therese and Our Lady of Loretto to be lit. Please use the tissues provided to hold the wooden wick and discard the tissue after lighting the candle. You may mail any donations.
The rectory office will remain closed to the public until further notice. Please email skrug@dioceseaj.org or call 472-8551 during this time.
THANK YOU TO ALL WHO HAVE BEEN SO FAITHFUL WITH CONTRIBUTIONS! During this pandemic, the financial support of our Basilica Parish is very important, as we must continue to pay our bills. With many people released from work, families may not be able to sustain their current level of giving.
You may mail your envelope to PO BOX 10 Loretto PA 15940. You may drop your envelope in the SECURE MAIL SLOT at the BACK ENTRANCE PORCH (NOT FRONT OFFICE DOOR) by the outdoor statue of ST. THERESE! This is also a great time to set up On-Line Giving through our parish website. Thank you to those who have recently set up their on-line giving.
Please offer the following prayer each day…..
Prayer Against Coronavirus - Lord Jesus Christ, our Divine physician, we ask you to guard and protect us from Coronavirus COVID-19 and all serious illness. For all that have died from it, have mercy; for those that are ill now, bring healing. For those searching for a remedy, enlighten them; for medical caregivers helping the sick, strengthen and shield them. For those working to contain the spread, grant them success; for the afraid, grant peace. May your precious blood be our defense and salvation. By your grace, may you turn the evil of disease into moments of consolation and hope. May we always fear the contagion of sin more than any illness. We abandon ourselves to your infinite mercy. Amen by Pedro de la Cruz
Legion of Mary News - In this time of fasting from our togetherness, our appreciation of each other has certainly heightened. We are the Church, whether home bound or in our Basilica. Praying to our Blessed Mother will make us stronger in our faith and persevering in our service to our brothers and sisters, especially those who are aged and ill. The Legion of Mary members keep in touch by phone each week with many of those parishioners. For information if you are interested in joining our efforts by prayer and service, please call Mary 886-5489.
Our Lady of Loretto, pray for us.
PRAYER LIST: For all suffering from coronavirus, For all health care workers around the world, Joe Krug, Ruth Biter, Blake White, Dorothy Itell, Debbie Risban, Tonikay Metzgar, Chrissy Zernick, Fred Bradley, Cyril Itle, Kennedy Spaid, Sue Maul, Amanda Koenigsberg, Leona Noel, Joe Lysic, Barb Sherry, Harriet Stevens, Betty Pryce, Edna McConnell, The intentions of the Alumni Circle of Prayer, our Military, and the Sainthood Cause of our founding Pastor, the Rev. Demetrius Augustine Gallitzin
Our Deepest Sympathy Please remember in your prayers the family of Kenneth Clark who passed away recently. May God give his family the comfort and peace that they seek.
When you are unable to receive the Eucharist, I invite you to make this Spiritual Communion.
Fr. John David Byrnes, Rector
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.
LORETTO COMMUNITY
MAY DAYS has been postponed and moved to a new tentative weekend date of August 8th and 9th.
More information to come!
May 24, 2020 – SEVENTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
MASS INTENTIONS
Sunday, May 31 PENTECOST SUNDAY
PARISH WEBSITE basilicasm-loretto.org or FACEBOOK Sunday Mass available each Sat/Sun weekly online ON DEMAND
Television Mass ABC 23 WATM at 11:00 AM
Fr. Byrnes’ private Mass - People of the parish, Dan Biter (Bob & Thelma Biter)
Monday, June 1 The Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church
7:30 AM HOLY COMMUNION at tent Fr. Byrnes’ private Mass- Leonard Hogue (family)
Tuesday, June 2 Weekday
7:30 AM HOLY COMMUNION at tent Fr. Byrnes’ private Mass- Ben Fahr b.d. rem– (Sarah, Trevor & Austin)
Wednesday, June 3 St. Charles Lwanga and Companions, Martyrs
7:30 AM HOLY COMMUNION at tent Fr. Byrnes’ private Mass- Deceased Veterans
Thursday, June 4 Weekday
Fr. Byrnes’ private Mass- Leonard Hogue (family)
Friday, June 5 St. Boniface, Bishop and Martyr
8:45 AM HOLY COMMUNION at tent Fr. Byrnes’ private Mass – Richard Mishock (Karen & family)
Saturday, June 6 Weekday
4:00 PM HOLY COMMUNION at tent Fr. Byrnes’ private Mass- Arch & Katie Fox (family)
Sunday, June 7 THE MOST HOLY TRINITY
PARISH WEBSITE basilicasm-loretto.org or FACEBOOK Sunday Mass available each Sat/Sun weekly online ON DEMAND
Television Mass ABC 23 WATM at 11:00 AM
Fr. Byrnes’ private Mass – Joe & Suzette Spinner 40th Wedding Anniversary (family), Joey Wyland (Mag & Dave Weiland)
8:00 AM HOLY COMMUNION at tent 10:00 AM HOLY COMMUNION at tent 7:00 PM HOLY COMMUNION at tent
The Sanctuary Candle this week is lit for Lu Lessard (Mary Lessard)