St. Columba Parish

     * Turn on your TV For Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday Masses - tune into WPIX Channel 11 at 10:00am. 

     * Computer users, for daily Masses and all Sunday Masses, logon to:
                        https://www.saintpatrickscathederal.org/live

     * Lets keep in touch - "Friend Me" on Facebook (John Bonnici)  You are all in my daily prayers and with God's help we will all get through these tragic times together.  Our Prayers Will Be Heard !!!
     In Christ, Your Pastor, Fr, John Bonnici
 




LETTER FROM FR. JOHN RE THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC

                                                  Church of Saint Columba
                      29 High Street, Chester, New York 10918, 845-469-2108

1. All public Masses are cancelled.  This includes Sunday and weekday Masses.  A private Mass is being celebrated honoring the intention offered each day.  The obligation to keep the Lord’s day holy can be fulfilled by maintaining a prayerful attitude and through personal and family prayer.  The faithful are urged to watch the celebration of the Eucharist on TV as well.  Masses will be celebrated in St. Patrick’s Catherdral, and will be available on many cable systems via the Catholic Faith Network and its website at www.saintpatrickscathedral.org/live and broadcast on radio on the Catholic Channel of Sirius XM (Channel 129).
2. The Church will remain open for private prayer.
3. In lieu of a Funeral Mass during this time, prayers at the burial can take place now and with a Memorial Mass celebrated at a later date.
4. Pastoral visits to nursing homes and private residences are suspended until further notice.
5. Baptisms, First Penance, First Holy Communion and Confirmation are all postponed until further notice.
6. Confessions are available at the Parish Office by appointment only.
7. Religious Education programs and Faith First pre-school are suspended until further notice.  On a weekly basis, grades K-5 will receive their Gospel Weekly via e-mail.  Grades 6-8 will receive work from the catechists via e-mail.

     As history has taught, people in need are sometimes forgotten in the midst of a crisis.  If you or anyone you know is in need of assistance with things like food shopping or pharmacy pickups, please let us know so we can reach out to volunteers willing to help at this time.
 
     The current pandemic and consequent closures are putting enormous financial strain on all of us.  Your parish is no exception.  The absence of your weekly offering will make it almost impossible to pay out monthly expenses.  I ask everyone to do what they can to help us by continuing to contribute your offerings at this critical time.  You can enroll in WeShare (online giving) by clicking on the maroon banner located on the far right of your screen on the parish web-site at www.stcolumbachester.com   You are also invited to mail your donation envelopes to the parish office.  Any help you can give at this unprecedented time is both necessary and appreciated.
 
     Unexpected events impacting our daily life can create anxiety, fear, depression and even panic.  Fortunately for us who are believers there is always hope.  I encourage all of you to join me in bringing all our concerns to prayer.
 
     According to Saint Mark’s Gospel (4:35-41), the Apostles experienced great fear in the midst of a storm at sea.  Anticipating the worst, each disciple begins to panic while Jesus is asleep in the boat.  Our Lord is not concerned.  Instead, Jesus embraces the fear, anxiety and panic of those He loves and calms the storm.  Our Lord, with the loving help of His Mother, is ready to help each and everyone of us during this time.  Let us pray for each other.  Let us remember the sick and those who care for them, asking the Lord and our Blessed Mother to protect us all from harm.  Please pray for me and be assured of my prayers for you during these trying times.  I am grateful to all of you for your faith and continued support.  I am thankful to our parish staff for their dedication and willingness to serve the needs of our parish community.  We are truly all in this together.  Let us never forget that all things are possible with God.
 
In Christ,
 
Father John Bonnici,
Pastor