Dear Parishioner,

I want to get this letter out to you so that I can let you know about what we are doing here at St. Mary’s during this time of social distancing because of the Coronavirus. As you know, our Bishop has suspended all Masses, services and large social events in all parishes throughout our 14-county diocese, so we are not offering public Mass until further notice. Moreover, Faith Formation classes and all social events that had been scheduled here have been cancelled.

God-willing, these actions– along with our following governmental guidelines – will help lessen the risk of further contamination. My prayer and hope is like yours – that God spare us and countless fellow citizens from the ravages of this disease. I am enclosing a prayer-card for you to pray for the containment of this virus. Try to pray it everyday so that the threat that this virus poses will be mitigated.

Here are a few things you should be aware of at this time: 

+ Our parish church is open during the day for private prayer. Please sit far from others who may also be in the church for meditation and prayer. We are trying to disinfect the church daily. 

+ I will be celebrating private daily Mass every day in the Rectory or at my family home. These Masses are not open to the public. These private Masses will be for the Mass intentions that were scheduled for public celebration on weekdays in the church, so I want to insure those who have scheduled a Mass for a deceased loved one that your intention is being fulfilled. 

+ Funerals will continue to take place when needed. The only restrictions is that they be attended by immediate family only. 

+ Our weekly bulletin will be online. Copies of the weekly bulletin will also be placed in the church if you want to pick one up on Sundays or during the week. 

+ Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament will continue to take place from 1:00 PM to 9:00 PM every Wednesday in the church. Again, if you attend, please sit as far away from others as is possible. 

+ We want to keep our parish Food Pantry open on Fridays. Of course, the procedure for distributing food will have to be altered. Since many people may be in more critical need of food, it is important that we reach out to them during this time. What will likely happen is that bags of food will be given out at the meeting room door so that no one comes in close proximity to one another. No doubt, additional volunteers may be needed to help. We also need continued food donations during this time. Drop them off at church. 

+ If you know of any shut-in or anyone at-risk who needs assistance with picking up prescriptions or groceries during this time, please call Maria Polidore who is coordinating this outreach at 518-260-7919. 

+ Starting Saturday, March 28, we’ll be offering the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession) in our church parking lot. We’re calling this:

Parking Lot Confessions From 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM Saturdays, beginning March 28. You’ll be able to stay in your car and drive up to a pop-up tent where I will be. There you can make your confession and receive absolution. Cars will line up and be held back to insure confidentiality. One car at a time will come forward to the tent.

Our parish office hours will be altered as follows: Monday and Thursday – 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

+ There will be no further booking of daily Mass intentions until restrictions are lifted. We ask visitors to remain on the porch at the front door of the rectory when speaking to the secretary or those covering for her.

+ Visitations to the homebound have also been suspended. However, a priest is allowed to enter the hospital for Last Rites. Once again, I urge family members not to wait until the last minute to call for these Sacraments.

+ I anticipate that Palm Sunday, Holy Week and Easter Masses and services will not take place as usual. We’ll keep you updated about them. Keep abreast of diocesan directives and St. Mary’s changes by going to: www.rcda.org (the diocese) www.stmarysglensfalls.org (our website) --

+ We will remain a family during this stressful time. Lucky to have common faith in Christ and in the Church He founded, we are strengthened by his grace and favor. We’ll continue to be sensitive to those who find this time most difficult, being sure that our Christian charity will not be undermined by this virus.

Father Tom Morrette, Pastor