Saint Monica Parish

Religious Education News:
THANK YOU!!!! We are so happy and blessed by the way our Religious Education Program has developed.  We offer our heartfelt and sincere gratitude to our DRE Mrs. Amy Tomsak and all of our 20-21 Catechists.  They have all worked so diligently throughout the year to educate our children in the Faith; to bring them to a greater knowledge of and relationship with our God.  May God continue the good work He has begun in them!  Please pray and ask God if you too have a call to this ministry.  If you have a desire to join us, and would like to help in some way, please call our DRE Mrs. Amy Tomsak at 570-814-6332, contact Father Peter or call the Church Office.  We ask God's blessing on all involved in our Religious Education Program and for a safe and happy summer.

Offering Mass
1.) Offering Mass for a deceased loved one.
When we offer Mass for our deceased loved one, we are asking God to apply the graces of the Mass to that person’s soul, so that their time of purification can be brought quickly to completion and they can enter into the fullness of heaven. Just as we pray for each other and share each other's burdens now, the faithful on earth can offer prayers and sacrifices to help the departed souls undergoing purification. To have a Mass offered for the repose of the soul of a person who is not Catholic is more beneficial and comforting than any other sympathy card or bouquet of flowers. No better prayer could be offered than that of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. This is a truly loving and faith-filled thing to do; a beautiful expression of the communion of all believers in Christ – a communion that transcends time and space.
2.) A Mass can be offered for a person who is still living.
Though we often think of having a Mass said for those who have passed away, Masses can be offered for those who are still alive. The Mass may be said: "for the living and the dead, and other necessities." In other words, if you know someone who could benefit from the spiritual graces that come with having a Mass said on their behalf, there is no need to delay in doing so.
3.) You can have a Mass said in Thanksgiving or for a celebration.
Most people remember to have a Mass said for the death of a loved one and a few may think to have a Mass offered for a special intention or friend who is suffering, but rarely do we think of having a Mass offered for a celebration. Is there a better way to show our gratitude to God? Masses can be said for birthdays, anniversaries, in celebration of the reception of the sacraments, or for prayers that have been answered!
4.) Please consider having Masses said at Saint Monica Church.
It is easy to do so. To request a Mass, you may mail your request to the parish office or drop it in the mail slot at the rectory. You may also drop your request in the weekend offertory collection basket marked “Mass Intention.” Please include: 1) who the Mass is for, 2) who it is by, 3) along with your $10.00 stipend per Mass. You may request a date; if the date is taken, we will schedule your Mass to the nearest date open.
Don't miss out on these graces for yourself and those you love! Find a reason to have a Mass offered today.

2021 Mass Book is now open.  To reserve a Mass please send the name of who the Mass is for, who it is from, and your $10.00 per Mass stipend, to the Parish Office either by mail or drop into the weekend collection basket.  You may request a date if it is already taken your Mass will be on the closest date to the one requested. Please do not call or email a Mass request.  We cannot take requests over the phone or email.  Please do not come to the Office until the second wave of Covid 19 is over.  

Sanctuary Candle and Bread and Wine

Requesting the Sanctuary Candle or donating the Bread and Wine is a wonderful way to honor your loved one.  It may also be offered in honor of a special occasion, birthday, anniversary, special intention or in thanksgiving. 
The Sanctuary Candle burns for the entire week for $15.00.
Our Bread and Wine is donated for the entire month for $25.00.  
You may request the Bread and Wine or Sanctuary Candle by dropping your request in the weekend collection basket or by mail.  Include the name or occasion you are requsting, who it is by and your donation.  

Saturday Vigil Mass - 4:00PM
Sunday Morning Mass - 11:00AM
Monday Morning Mass - 8:00AM
Tuesday Morning Mass - 8:00AM
Wednesday Morning Mass - 8:00AM
Thursday - No Mass
Friday Morning Mass - 8:00AM
Confession
Saturday Afternoon - 2:30PM till 3:15PM
        (Please use the door near Sacristy)

New Mass Regulations
+  Individuals who are fully vaccinated from COVID19 are not required to wear masks while attending Mass or receiving Holy Communion. Fully vaccinated individuals are welcome to continue wearing masks at Mass if desired for personal protection and/or comfort.
+  Individuals who have not been fully vaccinated must continue to wear masks while attending Mass. Individuals who are not fully vaccinated must wear a mask while receiving Holy Communion but may briefly remove the mask in order to consume the Sacred Host.
+  Parishioners who have a pre existing medical condition or are taking medications that weaken the immune system, should talk to their healthcare provider to discuss their activities. They may need to continue wearing masks and taking precautions while attending Mass.
+  At no time should church leaders demand information about vaccination status (or any other protected health information), request vaccination cards be shown on admittance, or pressure attendees in any way to show proof of vaccination.
+  Pews no longer need to be marked for physical distancing. Parishes should remind the faithful to continue maximizing the use of space as much as possible.
+  The Sign of Peace is to be celebrated without physical contact between non
family members.
+  Deacons may exercise the full function of their ministry.
+  A  group of singers may be utilized by a parish at this time.
+  At the discretion of the pastor, Holy Water fonts may be refilled and utilized.
+  Hymnals and missalettes can be returned to the pews. At the discretion of the pastor, parishes can continue to utilize printed worship aids.
+  At the discretion of the pastor, offertory collections and the Presentation of the Gifts may resume in a more customary fashion. For collections, ushers are encouraged to use baskets.

Prayer of Spiritual Communion – My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Blessed Sacrament.  I love You above all things and I desire to receive You into my soul.  Since I cannot now 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.

Reconciliation – Confessions are heard in the Parish Hall on Saturday afternoons from 2:15PM till 3:15PM.   In order to maintain safe distancing and privacy we will have a temporary confessional in the Church Hall.  Only one person will be allowed in at a time.  All other doors will be locked.  One may enter through the door by the Sacristy and exit by way of the door and handicap ramp.  Please know that perfect contrition still holds true at this time and one should have the following to do so. 

•  A love of God above all else
•  A sincere desire for the forgiveness from sin
•  The resolution to go to confession as soon as  
possible when this health crisis subsides