Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary

March 25, 2020

The Archdiocese of Newark’s Coronavirus Task Force continues to monitor the
ongoing pandemic situation and to aggregate guiding information from federal,
state and local officials. Based on the latest information shared publicly, the
following are the new directives issued by Cardinal Tobin for the Archdiocese of
Newark and a reminder of his prior directives still in effect.
NEW DIRECTIVES effective March 25, 2020:
  Wakes and funerals must be postponed until further notice. There are no exceptions
to this, regardless of the size of the group. Burials may take place with only the
priest.
  All baptisms must be postponed until further notice with the exception of an
extreme emergency.
  All weddings are postponed until further notice.
  The Sacrament of Reconciliation is suspended until further notice with the exception
of an extreme emergency.
  All churches and adoration chapels must be closed and locked until further notice.
  Private prayer in any parish building must be discontinued until further notice.
  Parish offices must be closed until further notice. Employees who provide essential
services should be limited and on staggered schedules.
  Pastors should see that the Blessed Sacrament is renewed in tabernacles regularly
from celebrations of private Masses.

CORONAVIRUS UPDATE
Beginning Wednesday, March 18, 2020, and until further notice, public celebration of both Sunday Mass and daily Mass is suspended. This decision comes after exhaustive discussion and with an especially heavy heart. It is crucial that you comply with this directive to protect the faithful as well as your own health. Public celebration of the Sacraments and other public forms of worship are suspended until further notice. This includes, but is not limited to previously scheduled Confirmations, celebrations of First Communion, penitential services, Communion services, and Liturgies of the Word. The following exceptions are permitted:

• Funerals, burial services, and previously scheduled weddings are permitted, however, attendance must be limited to a maximum of 10 participants, including the celebrant. The celebrant should consider carefully with the next of kin or wedding couple who will attend. Celebrants should also remind families that the same limitations are being applied across all relevant Archdiocesan institutions, including Catholic cemeteries.
• The Anointing of the Sick and Reconciliation will remain available, as needed. The celebrant should take every prudent precaution where indicated, such as use of gowns, masks and gloves.
• A priest may use a cotton-tipped swab or cotton ball as an instrument to anoint the sick person (cf. can. 1000 52). The priest dips the cotton swab in the Oil for the Sick.

Parishes are encouraged to expose the Blessed Sacrament for the faithful.                  Clergy should continue to remind the faithful to maintain a prudent distance from one another.
Information and guidance for the Chrism Mass and Paschal Triduum will be provided in a future communication.