Masses closed, no confirmations: A message from Morristown’s Assumption Parish

Morristown's Church of the Assumption. Photo courtesy of the Morris County Freeholders
Morristown's Church of the Assumption. Photo courtesy of the Morris County Freeholders
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Following guidelines from Bishop Arthur Serratelli of the Archdiocese of Paterson, Monsignor John Hart on Monday announced cancellation of masses and postponements of confirmations and first communions at Assumption Church in Morristown.

The Catholic parish on Maple Avenue is endeavoring to set up live streaming of weekend services during the coronavirus pandemic.

Here are more details.

From Monsignor John Hart, pastor of Assumption Church:

Dear Assumption Parishioners,
We are all concerned about the Coronavirus and want to do everything in our ability to keep all our family members as safe as possible.  We are especially concerned about our elderly and infirm and all who are vulnerable. Please see the Health and Safety Measures for the Diocese of Paterson prepared by Bishop Serratelli which are effective immediately.
For Assumption Parish this means:
  • All public Masses  weekend and weekday are suspended.
  • Monday night Confessions are cancelled.
  • Our Tuesday night Mass series is cancelled.
  • The communal praying of the Stations of the Cross is suspended.
  • Adoration and the St. Joseph movie night scheduled for March 21 is cancelled.
  • Our Parish Mission scheduled for March 23-26 has been cancelled.
  • All other parish group meetings, including Monday Morning, Wednesday evening and Thursday Morning  bible studies, and all Choir practices are cancelled until further notice.
Father Luke and I will celebrate Mass privately for all of our Parishioners and their families during this critical time.  We will also be offering these private Masses for the intentions of those who have scheduled masses for their loved ones.

Our church will be unlocked and open from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. for private prayer Monday through Friday, Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Please use the side door on the rectory side of the Church.

We are installing a live streaming function on our church camera system, with the intention to live stream the Vigil Mass at 5:30 on Saturday evenings, and the 8:30 a.m.Mass on Sundays.  We are not set up at this time, but will let you know when this becomes available.
Father Luke and I are available for private confessions and the Sacrament of the Anointing of the sick.  We are available to speak with you; please call the office with questions for us, at 973-539-2141.  I am at extension# 15 and Father  Luke’s extension is # 14. Please visit our website for up-to-date information from the Diocese.
The Pastoral Staff of Assumption stands ready to assist you and the members of our community during this pandemic.  I strongly encourage our families to  pray the rosary together and pray frequently at home.
The Prayer of our Holy Father below, which we recited at Mass this past weekend, as well as the Litany of Saint Joseph  linked here, can easily be prayed at home.
In Christ’s Peace,
Father John
O Mary,
you always shine on our path
as a sign of salvation and of hope.
We entrust ourselves to you, Health of the Sick, who at the cross took part in Jesus’ pain, keeping your faith firm.
You, Salvation of the Roman People,
know what we need, and we are sure you will provide so that, as in Cana of Galilee, we may return to joy and to feasting after this time of trial.
Help us, Mother of Divine Love,
to conform to the will of the Father
and to do as we are told by Jesus,
who has taken upon himself our sufferings and carried our sorrows
to lead us, through the cross,
to the joy of the resurrection. Amen.
Under your protection, we seek refuge, Holy Mother of God. Do not disdain the entreaties of we who are in trial, but deliver us from every danger, O glorious and blessed Virgin.

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