Because of the COVID-19 Pandemic, and the need for social distancing in the Church, there will be, as those of you who havecome to Mass on the weekends can attest, very limited seating for the four Christmas Masses. For example, while the Church normally can seat 750, we will be able to accommodate only 150. To put it another way, our normal 4:30 Christmas Mass, using both the Church and the Parish Center, we would normally have had approximately 1800 individuals attending that one Mass.
Please Note: The Church doors will only be opened approximately 15 minutes before the start of the scheduled Masses. Once the Church has been filled, we will be unable to accommodate any more individuals, and reluctantly and regretfully, the doors will have to be closed.
Because of the limited seating, and our concern over the potential spread of the Covid-19 virus, we are streaming all of our Masses on Christmas Eve (4:30 PM & 7:00 PM) and Christmas Day (9:00 AM & 11:00 AM). The Masses can be watched on our web site at: www.stelizabethsetonchurch.org
Holy Communion will be distributed on Christmas Eve from 5:45 PM to 6:15 PM and 8:15 PM to 8:45 PM for those who watch the live stream Masses at 4:30 or 7:00 PM.
Holy Communion will be distributed on Christmas Day from 12:15 PM to 12:45 PM for those who watch the live stream Masses at 9:00 am or 11:00 AM.
I wish to express my sincerest thanks and gratitude to all who gave Gift Cards and cash in place of our normal Christmas Giving Tree Project. Over $ 13,000 in gift cards and $ 2,000 in cash was received and distributed to inner city schools and deserving families in Manchester.
In addition, the food bins located at the rear entrance of the Church have continued to be filled to the brim week after week. The St. Raphael Food Pantry has been indeed most grateful for your kindness and generosity.
Copies of the Sunday “Heritage Missal” are available at the entrance of the Church for anyone to take home so as to follow the Sunday streamed Masses. Also, you will find copies of the 2021 Parish Calendar and, if you do not receive it in the mail from the parish, the latest edition of the Diocesan Magazine, Parable.
And finally, last, but not least, on behalf of our Parish Staff and myself personally, may you all have a Most Blessed and Merry Christmas! Be assured you and yours are being remembered at all my Masses at Christmas. Be safe, be well, and God bless...