church of st. ephrem...sr. ann martha ondreicka, o.p., director of the spirituality center mrs. lisa...

Church of St. Ephrem 929 Bay Ridge Parkway ⬧ Brooklyn, New York 11228

www.stephremparish-brooklyn.org stephrembklyn stephremparish-brooklyn

Parish Staff

Very Rev. Robert B. Adamo, V. F., KCHS, Pastor Rev. Msgr. Peter V. Kain, Pastor Emeritus Rev. Anthony S. Chanan, Parochial Vicar Mr. Robert Cote, Youth Minister Mrs. Michele James, Business Manager Rev. Msgr. Theophilus Joseph, Parochial Vicar Sr. Mary Ann Ambrose, C.S.J., Director of Faith Formation Mr. Thomas Marchesiello, Director of Music/Liturgy Deacon Kevin McLaughlin, Permanent Deacon Mr. Craig Mercado, Academy Principal Sr. Ann Martha Ondreicka, O.P., Director of the Spirituality Center Mrs. Lisa Pinsky, Parish Secretary Deacon Anthony Stucchio, Permanent Deacon

December 6, 2020 Second Sunday of Advent

Faith Formation Office Third Floor of Academy 718-745-7486 [email protected]

Online registration for Faith Formation Class through

the Parish Website

St. Ephrem Catholic Academy 924 74th Street, Brooklyn, New York 11228 ⧫718-833-1440 ⧫ www.stephremcatholicacademy.org

Our Mission Statement

We, the parish family of St. Ephrem, baptized into the life of Jesus Christ and nourished by the Word and the Eucharist, strive to be a welcoming and responsive Roman Catholic faith community. Together we are committed to put our faith into action by:

Responding to the spiritual and physical needs of the community through service and charity. Reaching out to those who are searching for a faith community, including the young and those seeking to

re-kindle their relationship with God. Reaching out to all without distinction. Passing on our faith and traditions through teaching by word and example. Connecting to where people are on their faith journey. Actively participating in the worship, sacrament

and devotional life of the church.

Schedule of Masses Saturday Vigil 5:00 PM Sunday 8:00 AM, 10:00 AM, 12 Noon and 5:00 PM Weekdays Monday through Friday 7:00 AM & 8:45 AM Saturday 8:45 AM

Rectory Office Hours Monday—Thursday: 9:00 AM—12 Noon 1:00 PM—5:00 PM Friday: 9:00 AM— 12 Noon 1:00 PM—4:00 PM Saturday No Office Hours Sunday No Office Hours

Parish Registration All are welcomed and invited to register at the Parish Office and participate in our parish.

Devotions Miraculous Medal Novena, Mondays following the 8:45 AM Mass Recitation of the Rosary at 8:15 AM before weekly morning Mass. Divine Mercy Chaplet every Friday following the 8:45 AM Mass First Friday Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament following the 8:45 AM Mass and Benediction at 12:30 PM.

Baptism Parents should call the rectory to make an appointment. Please note that there are no baptisms during the season of Lent.

Marriage The Sacrament of Marriage requires a time of serious spiritual preparation. Couples should make arrangements for their marriage at least six months before the date of the wedding by making an appointment with a priest or deacon. Please log on to www.pre-cana.org for complete information about marriage preparation in the Diocese.

Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession) Saturday 3:30 –4:30 PM. By appointment for all other times.

Anointing of the Sick/Communion To make arrangements for communion to be brought to any parishioner who is seriously ill or confined to the house, or if they wish to receive the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. To see a particular Staff Member, please call for an appointment.

Spirituality Center 935 Bay Ridge Parkway

718-921-9518

Rectory Office 929 Bay Ridge Parkway

718-833-1010

Fax 718-921-5232

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‘Sister Edyth’

Sister,

Teacher,

Friend -

Who lived a life that was

Simple,

Prayerful and

Compassionate.

Second Sunday of Advent

“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!”

Matthew 3: 1-12

Dear Parishioners:

Today’s gospel form Mark begins with John the Baptist, “clothed in camel’s hair,” inviting the people of the Jordan countryside to a baptism of repentance. In so doing, he fulfills Isaiah’s prophecy of the “one who cries out in the desert: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord,’” This preparation, which John invites us to, seems to be inside our hearts. By acknowledging our failings and downfalls, we are washed clean by the grace of God and prepared for the animating fire of the Holy Spirit.

John does not deliver his message in a temple or anywhere else in Jerusalem, but on the banks of the Jordan River. At this busy crossing place, so significant in the history of Israel’s journey into the Promised Land, John urges the people to cross over into God’s forgiveness through the waters of a ritual baptism of repentance. John the Baptist invites us, of our baptism and our examination of consciousness about our fidelity to the Christ into whom we are baptized. With the large crowds and the high point of John’s popularity, he speaks directly to the people to point them away from himself to the stronger One who is coming, and declares that he is unworthy even to be a slave who would bend down and untie the sandals on the feet of this Coming One. John resists the temptation of successful ministries: “He must increase, and I must decrease” (John 3:30). May Jesus be the One who shines from our hearts.

Day after day, as surely as the waves break on the shore, our lives must be directed to heaven, and yet we must also be involved in the rush and business of our daily life. The former is almost certainly the more difficult during these weeks. But it can be done if we opt to deliberately turn off the TV, to unplug our ears from iPods or mobile phones and turn to a few moments of silent reflection about the hopes and promises of Advent. If we plug our listening into some quiet reading of Scripture, perhaps a reread of the Sunday readings, if we sieze a few moments of prayerful awareness of the presence of God in our traveling companions along daily life.

During this Advent, this time of waiting, may we be renewed as we, “Prepare the way of the Lord.”

As we gather Saturday, December 5th for our Annual Christmas Tree Lighting, following the 5:00 pm Vigil Mass, may the lights from the Christmas trees that illuminate our parish, also fill our hearts with the Light of Christ to shine from each of us, especially during this time.

In the Good Shepherd,

The Parish Family of St. Ephrem

and the

Sisters of Saint Joseph

are saddened to announce

the death of

Sister Edyth Therese Fitzsimmons, CSJ

January 19, 1931—November 30, 2020

May she rest in peace.

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Spiritual Communion Prayer

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 in 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.

About the author: Archdiocese of New York

Did You Know? Spiritual Communion

It has long been a Catholic understanding that when circumstances prevent one from receiving Holy Communion, it is possible to make an Act of Spiritual Communion, which is a source of grace. Spiritual Communion is an ardent desire to receive Jesus in the Most Holy Sacrament and lovingly embrace him at a time or in circumstances when one cannot receive Him in sacramental Communion. The most common reason for making an Act of Spiritual Communion is when a person cannot attend Mass. Acts of Spiritual Communion increase our desire to receive sacramental Communion and help us avoid the sins that would make us unable to receive Holy Communion worthily.

Saturday, December 5th

8:45 AM Millicent Patterson

5:00 PM Giovanna (Geri) McHugh Eugene Sylvester Domenick Bergamini Deceased Members of the Bergamini & Tozzi Families For the Intentions of Carmela DeFrancesco Sr. Patricia Maris Tully, CSJ

Sunday, December 6th

8:00 AM Peter Amentas 10:00 AM Maria Gorizia 12 Noon John Kalish 5:00 PM For the People of St. Ephrem Parish

Monday, December 7th

7:00 AM Michele Lepore 8:45 AM John Carr 7:00 PM Vigil Anna Striano

Tuesday, December 8th

7:00 AM Valerie F. Patterson 8:45 AM Dr. Antonio Rinaldi 11:00 AM Anthony Saggese

Wednesday, December 9th

7:00 AM Mary & Joseph Patterson 8:45 AM Emilia Diaz

Thursday, December 10th

7:00 AM Millicent Patterson 8:45 AM Thomas & Julia Costanza

Friday, December 11th 7:00 AM Valerie F. Patterson 8:45 AM Sr. Patricia Maris Tully, CSJ

Saturday, December 12th

8:45 AM Tina Sieni

5:00 PM Anna Striano Sarah & Daniel Ferrara Susan Burgess Legia Angelina Prezioso Maria Aranguren Joseph & Mary Patterson

Sunday, December 13th

8:00 AM Aida Offitto 10:00 AM Roseanne Roberti 12 Noon Graffagnino & Savarese Families 5:00 PM For the People of St. Ephrem Parish

Mass Intentions for the week of December 6, 2020

Our regular Mass Schedule has resumed with a Limited Capacity of 50% at each Mass. A Reservation to attend is necessary through our parish website or by calling the Rectory Office.

The 8:45 AM Mass, the Saturday 5:00 PM Mass and the Sunday, 10:00 AM Mass are being live streamed through our parish website. Please share and join us!

The Eucharist is essential for us: it is Christ who wishes to enter our lives

and fill us with his grace.

The Eucharist, although it is the fullness of sacramental life,

is not a prize for the perfect but a powerful medicine and nourishment for the weak.

Pope Francis

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Requests may be made by email or by dropping off your requests in the mail slot of

Rectory ONLY!

718.833.1010 or [email protected] Due to COVID-19 No In Person Requests

Thank You for Understanding

[email protected] or Calling the Rectory Office

Monday to Thursday 9:00 AM to 12 Noon & 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM

Friday’s 9:00 AM to 12 Noon

You can make your Mass Intention Offering through our website:

www.stephremparish-brooklyn.org

Go to “Ways to Give” tab and then click “We Share” - scroll to find appropriate category

or by mail to the Rectory Office.

St. Ephrem Parish Goal $109,682.00

Number of Donors 156

Amount Pledged $81,445.00

Paid to Date $79,167.50

How will our Parish Benefit?

St. Ephrem Parish Goal is: $109,682.00

You may notice that our parish goal has been reduced. This is a result that our weekly collections have gone down due to less attendance at weekly Masses. Once we exceed our goal, then we will receive 100% of all funds raised above goal. Last year we received back $12,159.00

Thank You!

WE ARE THE CHURCH, TOGETHER!

November 29, 2020 123 Envelopes $3,035.00

We Share (Online Giving) 50 Families $1,406.00

Mass Attendance 338

823 Families Registered and Receive Envelopes

If you are able to send in your weekly donation or enroll

in the secure online donation through our

Parish website it would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you for those who mailed

in your donation or signed up for online giving!

To learn more about ways to give, visit our parish

website at: www.stephremparish-brooklyn.org

Thank you for your generosity

to St. Ephrem Parish!

You can honor or remember a loved one by

requesting a Mass intention, Bread & Wine,

Altar Candles, Sanctuary Lamp,

Flowers for The Tabernacle Altar,

Blessed Mother Altar and Holy Family Altar. Please contact the rectory if interested.

Memorials

Thank You for your Generosity!

Saint Ephrem, pray for us!

St. Ephrem Centennial Campaign Our Church, Our Prayers, Our Legacy

As of October 28, 2020

Parish Goal $1.25 Million

Number of Donors 238

Amount Pledged $1,364,042.64

Paid to Date $625,152.62

Percent of Goal 108%

Altar Candles & Sanctuary Lamp

In Loving Memory of

Neil Delgado

Requested by Mr. & Mrs. Alphonse Gallo

Bread and Wine

In Loving Memory of:

Dr. Nicholas & Nancy Parise

Requested by Al & Lorraine Marciano & Family

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwiWqtG6y5rfAhVvmeAKHfjHCrgQjRx6BAgBEAU&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.zieglers.com%2Fblessed-sacrament-first-communion-plaque-chalice-host-bread-wheat-grapes%2Freligious-ar

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O Mary, our Immaculate Mother, On your feast day I come to you, And I come not alone: I bring with me all those with whom your

Son entrusted to in this city of Rome and in the entire world. That you may bless them and preserve them from harm. I bring to you, Mother, children, Especially those who are alone, abandoned, And for this reason are tricked and exploited. I bring to you, Mother, families, Who carry forward life and society With their daily and hidden efforts; In a special way the families who struggle the most For their many internal and external problems. I bring to you, Mother, all workers, both men and women, And I entrust to you especially those who, out of need, Are forced to work in an unworthy profession And those who have lost work or are unable to find it. We are in need of your immaculate gaze, To rediscover the ability to look upon persons and things With respect and awareness, Without egotistical or hypocritical interests. We are in need of your immaculate heart, to love freely,

Without secondary aims but seeking the good of the other, With simplicity and sincerity, renouncing masks and tricks. We are in need of your immaculate hands, To caress with tenderness, To touch the flesh of Jesus In our poor, sick, or despised brethren, To raise up those who have fallen and support those who waver. We are in need of your immaculate feet, To go toward those who know not how to make the first step, To walk on the paths of those who are lost, To find those who feel alone. We thank you, O Mother, because in showing yourself to us You free us of all stain of sin; You remind us that what comes first is the grace of God, The love of Jesus Christ who gave his life for us, The strength of the Holy Spirit which renews all things. Let us not give in to discouragement, But, trusting in your constant help, Let us engage ourselves fully in renewal of self, Of this city and of the entire world. Pray for us, Holy Mother of God!

“It is the beautiful task of Advent to awaken in all of us memories of goodness and thus to open doors of hope.”

Pope Benedict XVI

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Sunday, November 29th through Wednesday, December 2nd with Fr. Joseph Laramie, SJ

Regional Director of the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network (USA & Canada)

http://popesprayerusa.net/2020/11/17/2020- advent-retreat-heart-fr-joe-laramie/

Video is posted each day on the above site.

Virtual

Advent Retreat with S. Ann Ondreicka

Tuesday Afternoons at

1:00 p.m.

December 8th and 15th

A Season of Gracious Gifts

Session 1 - God’s Never Ending Presence

Session 2 - Expectant Waiting

Session 3 - Unquenchable Hope

We will gather virtually with Google Meet.

Contact S. Ann

before Tuesday, November 24th to Register via

email: [email protected]

or call: 718.921.9518

This Advent, try 25 days of

Ignatian Spirituality. The Jesuit

Conference wants to give you an

"Ignatian spiritual gift" each day

of Advent. You can sign up to receive

your daily gifts here: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/EKWTWxc

Opportunities for Prayer and Reflection During Advent

Advent Resources for Prayer & Reflection

http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/

CollaborativeMinistry/Advent/

On this site you will find audio visual resources for

retreats and days of reflection, family prayer and

activities as well as Praying Advent with Pope Francis.

http://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/

liturgical-year/advent/index.cfm

Here you will find an interactive family calendar along

with readings of the day, traditions and prayer.

https://www.ignatianspirituality.com/advent and

https://www.loyolapress.com/our-catholic-faith/

liturgical-year/advent

These two websites are filled with reflections on

scripture, art and retreat opportunities for all members

of the family.

Family Advent Calendar

from Sadlier

Use the activities on this four week calendar as a family to make Advent

2020 a very special time of prayer.

https://.hubspotusercontent40.net/

hubfs/95641/00_Redesign_2019/Religion_2019/03_Rel_Downloads/

Rel_Download_PDFs/REL_DL_Advent%20Calendar_2020.pdf

https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/EKWTWxc?fbclid=IwAR2aGWoT7VvOJJy_HpttIwRf_aQbT0M1u0zpsOizyQ6G8gYNd3YV9e8NAV4

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Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception

of the Blessed Virgin Mary

A Holy Day of Obligation

Mass will be offered:

Vigil: Wednesday, December 7th

at 7:00 PM

Thursday, December 8th

7:00 AM, 8:45 AM & 11:00 AM

The Rectory Will be Closed.

Rite of Acceptance and of Welcome

Sunday, December 6th at 12 Noon Mass

Today we celebrate one of the Rites of the RCIA. Those preparing for the Easter Sacraments will be with us. Signing each with the cross, we commit to accompany them on the journey of faith in prayer.

6th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting

Please join us for our Christmas Tree Lighting

Saturday, December 5th, 2020 5:00 PM Mass

Followed by the Lighting of Christmas Trees

Masks and Social Distancing Required

Advent - Parish News and Events

Wednesday, December 9th at 3:30 p.m.

Providing NO CITY RESTRICTIONS!

Children’s Faith

Formation

Will Gather in Church

for Advent Lesson

and Prayer

Dismissal at 4:30 pm

“Let us allow ourselves to be guided by [Mary this

Advent], she who is mother, a mamma and knows

how to guide us. Let us allow ourselves to be

guided by her during this season of active waiting and

watchfulness.” Pope Francis

Reconciliation Monday

December 21, 2020

Save the Date

Schedule to be

Announced

A Blessing for Your Nativity Baby Jesus

You are invited to bring the baby Jesus from your

home Nativity scene to church for a special blessing

that will be given at each of the Masses after

Communion on December 13th. So in this way, your

Nativity and home will be blessed

for the Holy Season of Christmas.

“She wrapped him in swaddling clothes

and laid him in a manger,

because there was no room

for them in the inn.”

Luke 2:7

Confirmation 2021

Virtual Hybrid Retreat Begins!

December 6th at 11:00 a.m.

All students will receive Google Meet

Link via the Sadlier Connect Portal

https://sadlierconnect.com/@PAR112287486

Username: firstnamelastname

Password: 123456 (Unless you already changed it.)

“At this Christmas when Christ comes, will He find a warm heart? Mark this season of Advent loving and serving the others

with God’s own love and concern.” Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta

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A Walk Through Our Website Menu www.stephremparish-brooklyn.org

1. Main Menu (I’m New and Giving will bring you directly to another page. Notice the arrow indicating drop boxes with additional options. 2. Drop Box Menus

A.

B.

C.

D.

Everything that was available on our previous site is here on our new site.

Most items in the drop box will lead you directly to a page with info for the topic or may even contain a form for you to complete and submit.

In some cases, a topic in the sub menu may open to a page with other choices.

See A

Religious Education

Faith Formation News

Registration

Faith Formation Calendar

Parish News/Announcements

These appear on the left side of the Home Page of our website. Currently there are four listed. Simply click on the one you want. This will bring you to the page with information and links pertaining to the particular announcement. Visit the Site and Explore!

Virtual Giving Tree News!

Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! Your generosity is amazing and beyond words. There is still time to participate in this annual tradition for Hour Children and HeartShare.

Visit our website and click on announcement on left side of the Home Page for details.

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St. Ephrem Parish Faith Formation News!

Proximate Preparation

for Eucharist and Confirmation

Mandated by Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio in 2007,

Proximate Preparation is required for both sacraments

and in all parishes. St. Ephrem has been doing this

via their Sunday Program for Confirmation and the

Saturday gatherings for First Holy Communion.

All families registered in our parish who anticipate

their children will receive the Sacrament of Eucharist

in the spring of 2021 or Confirmation in the fall of

2021 at St. Ephrem Church must attend our

Proximate Preparation Program. This would include

children of our parish currently attending Saint

Ephrem Catholic Academy, other Catholic or Private

Schools and/or our Children’s Faith Formation

Program.

Children who worship in other parishes who are

attending Saint Ephrem Catholic Academy and wish

to receive the Sacraments of Initiation at St. Ephrem

will need a letter from their pastor granting them

permission to receive the Sacraments of Initiation at

St. Ephrem Church.

In addition, children of our parish who attend other

private or Catholic Schools are encouraged to ‘come

home’ to receive the Sacraments of Initiation at St.

Ephrem Church.

Children in both Faith Formation and Saint

Ephrem Catholic Academy will be receiving a

Parish Affiliation Form to be completed by the

pastor of the Church where they worship. The form

requires both the pastor’s signature and parish seal.

What is your parish? The two ways to ‘declare’

your parish are the following: by your address—

every Catholic household belongs to a parish; where

you consistently choose to worship each Sunday.

As always, it is the expectation that all are attending

mass regularly. Remember these are the Sacraments

of Initiation, initiation into the worshipping

community.

For further information or clarification, please

contact S. Mary Ann.

Children’s Faith Formation

Children’s Faith Formation Registration

Thank you to all who have already registered for our

Parish Children’s Faith Formation (Religious

Education) Program.

Registration at:


Visit the parish website as soon as possible. In the

menu click on ‘Religious Education.’ Then click on

the drop box, ‘Religious Education Registration.’

Complete the form and click submit. That’s it!

Fees can also be paid via the parish website. Go to

Ways to Give on the home page of the site.

Faith Formation Outdoor Office Hours

Tuesdays and Thursdays

2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

74th Street to the left of the main School Entrance.

Children’s Faith Formation Schedule

December

2 Virtual Class with Catechist

9 Children Gather (Church) 3:30 p.m.


January





Are You Willing to Help

‘Plant the Seeds of Faith?’

We are in need of a volunteer

catechist for Grade 1 beginning

January 6th. Currently classes are virtual and meet

for 20 minutes each Wednesday. Please contact:

S. Mary Ann—[email protected]

https://www.sadlier.com/religion/ciu-experience

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Justice Notes

FAITH BOOK

2nd Sunday of Advent (B) December 6, 2020

Isaiah 40: 1-5, 9-11; Psalm 85; 2 Peter 3: 8-14; Mark 1: 1-8 by Jude Siciliano, OP

From today’s Isaiah reading:

In the desert prepare the way of the Lord! Make straight in the wasteland a highway for our God.

Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill shall be made low.

Reflection:

Advent invites us to clean up our act and straighten things up. It is not a time to bargain or convince God to act on our behalf. God is already well disposed towards us and will help us "Prepare the way of the Lord."

So we ask ourselves:

•What valleys and empty places in my life need filling in?

•What mountains and obstacles to God need leveling?

•What rough edges need smoothing?

Justice shall walk before the Lord, and prepare the way of his steps.

--Psalm 85:14

Is there something that you can do in your family, community, or workplace to actively bring forth God’s kingdom of justice and peace? We have now entered the week of preparation in Advent so it is a good time to think about the above question. After all, if the Lord is going to come, we should aspire to make smooth the path with works of justice and peace.

In his visit to the Congress of the United States on 9/24/2015, Pope Francis challenges us, "We are asked to summon the courage and the intelligence to resolve today’s many geopolitical and economic crises. Even in the developed world, the effects of unjust structures and actions are all too apparent. Our efforts must aim at restoring hope, righting wrongs, maintaining commitments, and thus promoting the well-being of individuals and of peoples. We must move forward together, as one, in a renewed spirit of fraternity and solidarity, cooperating generously for the common good." Working to promote the common good is something that every one of us can do in our own corner of the world.

What exactly does the Church mean by "common good?" The Catechism, following Pope John XXIII in Mater et Magistra and Vatican II, defines the common good as: "the sum total of social conditions which allow people, either as groups or as individuals, to reach their fulfillment more fully and more easily" (CCC 1906). Notice that the definition doesn’t say a particular group of people but rather, encompasses all people. Do you know of people in our society that have been deprived of the common good? What work of justice and peace could you do to help them? Why? Because everyone has responsibility for the common good as an embodiment of charity and justice.

In Pope Benedict’s words, "The more we strive to secure a common good corresponding to the real needs of our neighbors, the more effectively we love them. Every Christian is called to practice this charity, in a manner corresponding to his vocation and according to the degree of influence he wields in the pólis" (Caritas in Veritate, 7). Simply, as Christians, we are not called to judge but rather, to justice.

So, I ask once again, in this Advent week of preparation, is there something that you can do in your family, community, or workplace to actively bring forth God’s kingdom of justice and peace?

---Barbara Molinari Quinby, MPS, Director, Office of Human Life, Dignity, and Justice Ministries Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral, Raleigh, NC

Virtual Giving Tree News!

Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! Your gener-osity is amazing and beyond words. There is still time to participate in this annual tradition for Hour Children and HeartShare.

Visit our website and click on announcement on left side of the Home Page for details. The Wish List for each organization is updated daily. December 13th after the 5:00 p.m. Mass is last drop off of gifts.

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/120620.cfm

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St. Ephrem Church

929 Bay Ridge Parkway

Brooklyn, New York 11228

National Collection for Retirement Fund for Religious- December 12th & 13th

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COVID-19 Protocols Continue as of November 1, 2020

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Guidelines for Opened Churches for Liturgical Celebrations

Our Parish continues to follow the guidelines put forth from the State, City and Diocese

Church will remain open for Personal and Private Prayer Monday through Saturday until 2:00 PM.

Limited Capacity of 50% for Sunday Mass while still maintaining Social Distancing Saturday Vigil at 5:00 pm & Sunday at 8:00 am, 10:00 am, 12 Noon & 5:00 pm

Reservations to attend are necessary through our parish website (Mass Times Tab) or by calling the Rectory Office.

Church will remain open for Personal and Private Prayer on Sunday’s until 2PM.

“I give you a new commandment: Love one Another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another. This is how all will know that you are my disciples; if you love one another.”

John 13:34-35

The following directives are to be observed:

1. The elderly and all who are health-compromised MUST stay home.

2. If you are not feeling well or sick in any way, you MUST stay home.

3. If you could, please take your temperature at home and anything above 100 degrees - please stay home.

4. A face covering must be worn at all times while in Church.

5. Please clean your hands thoroughly either by water and soap or hand sanitizer.

6. Please maintain social distancing (6 feet apart).

7. Please sit in designated areas which are marked for your convenience, (families and households are

permitted to sit together).

8. There are no missals or worship aids available.

9. Please refrain from touching any statues and devotional objects.

10. And, please adhere to all directives by ushers/volunteers/staff.

11. There will be a single offering box by the Altar Rail, in which you can place your offering.

12. There will be no entrance or recessional processions.

Holy Communion It is strongly recommended that the faithful receive Holy Communion in the hand. This is for the safety of those receiving Holy Communion and of the minister of Holy Communion. Please open the palm of your hand so that the Host will be allowed to “fall” (reverently) into your hands to avoid any physical contact. Please disinfect hands before receiving Holy Communion. The communicant should come before the Minister of Communion with the mask on for the dialogue (“The Body of Christ, Amen.'') and then, moving to the side, lower the mask and consume the Eucharist and replace the mask.

Confessions The Sacrament of Reconciliation is offered on Saturday’s at 3:30 PM, by the Divine Mercy Chapel. The priest will be in the confessional and we ask that the penitent sit in the pew that is indicated. You MUST wear a face covering or mask and practice social distancing (6 Feet apart).

Mass will continue to be Live-Streamed through our website:


On March 13th Bishop DiMarzio dispensed the faithful of the

Diocese of Brooklyn from Sunday/Holy Day Mass obligation

until further notice.
http://www.stephremparish-brooklyn.org

church of st. ephrem...sr. ann martha ondreicka, o.p., director of the spirituality center mrs. lisa...

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