The Church of Saint Denis

     As you have probably heard by now, I am going to be transferred to a new parish at the end of this month. I will be going to the parish that I grew up in, St. Peter’s in Monticello. I feel and believe that this is where God is calling me at this moment in my life and my priesthood.
     I know that this is sudden and comes as a shock. I only found out this past Tuesday that it was definite and only knew that it was a possibility about two weeks before that. A few people have correctly noted that my full 12 year term wasn’t up yet. That is true. However, as I just stated, I really feel that God is calling me there to do whatever I can for that community. I didn’t request a transfer but I did say that I would be willing to go if they needed me to. After all, isn’t that what all of us should do…seek out God’s will in our lives and do our best to follow it.
     Some people ask why priests have to move at all. Well, I would have never come here if I didn’t leave the parish that I was in before here and the one before that and the one before that. It is a part of our lives. As Jesus and the Apostles moved from one community to another, so do we. We all have different gifts to offer and after a time we need to move on to offer them somewhere else and someone will come in to offer the parish theirs.
     As I said at Mass this weekend, we will probably not be able to have a formal celebration of our time together due to the current restrictions, but one will be planned for some time in the fall and I will come back for that.
     I know that you will give Fr. Carrozza the same warm welcome and support that you have given to me these past nine years. Please pray for him as your new pastor and pray for me as I prepare for my new assignment.

Fr. Bob
 

Based on the most recent recommendations by the CDC and the State of NY we will change our procedures for Mass attendance as follows:
The original side of the church (facing the front of the altar) will have open seating with no social distancing and masks will not be required. You can sit here only if you are fully vaccinated (two weeks after your second shot). This section of the church will now come forward for communion since we will not have the empty rows to move through.
The new side of the church (facing the side of the altar) will continue with the current style of seating and reception of communion. It is for those who are either not fully vaccinated or who feel more comfortable wearing masks and keeping distant even though they have been vaccinated. Masks must be worn and distance maintained if you are in this section regardless of your status.
We will use the choir loft as needed. Whichever side fills up first will then go to the loft for overflow. Please note that, if you would like to sit in the “unmasked” section but it is full you will have to sit on the new side and wear a mask. Getting here early will help you to sit in your preferred section.
If you have children with you who are not vaccinated you will have to sit on the new side of the church.
We will not be checking your status but ask that you be honest and continue to cooperate in working with us as we begin to move forward.
We will, of course continue the cleaning and sanitizing of the church between Masses as we have been doing.
The offertory will continue as it has been, with the greeters walking up and down the side and center aisles but not passing the basket through.
Please remember that the sign of peace should be offered without contact to members outside of your family.
The use of hymnals, availability of holy water, bringing up of the offertory gifts and communion under both species are still be on hold until further notice.
Communion must be received on the hand. If you prefer to receive on your tongue you must wait until after Mass and see one of the priests or deacons.
We will continue to have a second Mass in the parish center, if needed, but expect that these new procedures will lessen that possibility. For now, masks and social distancing will be required in the parish center.
We thank you for your consideration and help as we begin to move toward a more normal celebration of Mass. 

 

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