Sacramentals update regarding Palm Sunday, Ash Wednesday, and Memorial of Saint Blaise

Following are guidelines for the Memorial of Saint Blaise blessing of throats, Ash Wednesday distribution of ashes, and the distribution of palms on Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion. They still require wearing masks and social distancing by presiders, ministers and recipients, as stated in all of our diocesan directives. Also included are updates on the use of Holy Water. READ THE UPDATE

Confirmation Sponsors during Pandemic

CONFIRMATION WORKSHOP

June 16, 2020

To Pastors, Administrators, and those who assist with the preparation and celebration of Confirmation:

In the Directives for Phase 3, under the section on Confirmation, it states:

Cardinal Tobin hereby grants delegation to all pastors/administrators to celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation for those baptized Catholic as infants or children whose confirmation was postponed due to the pandemic until December 31, 2020, only. Any pastor/administrator who wishes to confirm must take part in a virtual workshop offered by the Office of Divine Worship prior to celebrating Confirmation.

The online workshop is now ready for viewing. The workshop is presented in two parts: the links are provided below. Any pastor or administrator who is confirming must view both parts of the workshop before celebrating Confirmation. Other staff members, liturgical ministers and anyone who assists with Confirmation in the parish may also view the workshop.

When you go to each link, you will see below the window the words “WORSHIP OFFICE NEWARK.” Beneath it are links as well as the words SHOW MORE. Click on SHOW MORE to reveal all of the links. These items may be opened, printed, saved or shared as needed and will be referred to in the workshop.

At the end of Part II, there is a link to a “google document” which must be filled out and submitted by the pastor/administrator after completing both parts of the workshop. Only the pastor/administrator needs to submit a google doc.

Part One: https://youtu.be/6zh250pn0b4

Part Two: https://youtu.be/_qZhP0GByj4

Questions can be addressed to:

Office of Divine Worship 973.497.4345

Rev. Thomas Dente rev.thomas.dente@rcan.org

Rev. Thomas Dente 973.226.0979 (Notre Dame Parish, North Caldwell)

Thank you.

Adult Confirmations

From: Rev. Armand Mantia, Director of the RCIA

To: All Pastors, RCIA directors

RE: Confirmation of Adult Catholics (18+)

Date: June 17, 2020

In the Directives of the Re-Opening of Churches, the pages dedicated to the RCIA Process state:

“The delegation for pastors to confirm adult (18+) Catholics baptized as children is extended for two months after the resumption of public worship, even if this is beyond the end of the Easter Season.”

“For the year 2020 only, Cardinal Tobin hereby grants delegation to pastors to confirm adult baptized Catholics (18+) without recourse to the Regional Vicars during a Sunday (Saturday evening) celebration of the Eucharist.”

Please note that with the start of Phase III of the re-opening plan on Sunday, June 21, the clock is now ticking. This blanket delegation for pastors to confirm adult Catholics begins on Sunday and will expire on August 21, 2020. Any adult confirmations celebrated after this date will require new delegation directly from the Cardinal.

While it is not required when celebrating with adults, it is strongly suggested that the Pastor, RCIA Director and anyone responsible for the liturgy watch the You Tube workshop on the Celebration of Confirmation by a Priest presented by Fr. Dente. If you will eventually be celebrating Confirmation with your young people, viewing this workshop in its entirety is required, but it will also give valuable insight into some details with your adults.

Music at Mass During Phase 3.pdf

Mass for Various Needs and Occasions 'In Time of Pandemic'

The Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments has issued new texts for a Mass for Various Needs and Occasions "In Time of Pandemic". "This Mass can be celebrated, according to the rubrics given for Masses and Prayers for Various Needs and Occasions, on any day except Solemnities, the Sundays of Advent, Lent, and Easter, days within the Octave of Easter, the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls’ Day), Ash Wednesday and the days of Holy Week."