UPDATED COVID-19 PROCEDURES FOR THURSDAY DAILY MASSES WHEN 
SAINT JOSEPH SCHOOL STUDENTS ARE PRESENT

Effective October 14, 2021, students and adults are required to wear a mask in Church at the Thursday
9:00 AM Mass when the Saint Joseph School students are with us.
 
This is in keeping with the state-wide masking mandate for schools.
 
Instead of cancelling this Mass and moving it from the Church to the school gym (where only the faculty and students would be allowed to attend), and because we normally have only one priest at the parish on Thursdays, it has been decided that all who attend are to cooperate with this policy, for the safety of our students and those who might be at risk of contracting COVID-19.
 
For those who would find it difficult to wear a mask, we will continue to livestream the Mass, for you to attend from home.  We will also allow attendees without masks to participate in the Mass in the narthex, and Holy Communion will be brought to you during the Mass.
 
Again, the policy will be in effect starting Thursday, October 14, 2021.  Masks will be available in the narthex for those who need one.  Masks are required only when Saint Joseph School students are in attendance.    Thank you for your cooperation.
 
 

SAINT JOSEPH PARISH PLANS FOR THE YELLOW PHASE REOPENING OF OUR CHURCH
We are so excited to say, “Welcome Back!”  We have been busy planning for your return to celebrate the Sacred Mass together with you in person!  We have new social distancing and health safety measures in place in our church.  We understand that not all our parishioners will be able to rejoin us in person and we will continue to offer our live-streaming Masses.  Bishop Gainer’s dispensation from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass is still in force. 
 
THE SAFETY OF ALL IS THE HIGHEST PRIORITY.  If you have any symptoms of COVID-19, are ill in any way, have a fever or are one of the most vulnerable groups, etc., please stay home. 
 
We have one more weekend until we are able to make our Church available for public Mass.  This will occur on May 30/31, the Feast of Pentecost! Until then, the Church will remain closed.
Here is the schedule as we make this transition:
CONFESSIONS
Drive Thru Confessions resume Saturday, May 23 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM.  Our Knights of Columbus, in yellow safety vests, will be guiding you in and out of the campus parking lot.  Confessions following this procedure will be offered every Saturday at this time for the foreseeable future.
SUNDAY MASSES
Because of the need to sanitize the Church after each Mass, and the directive that we can have no more than 1/3 capacity in the Church, our Yellow Phase Public Mass Schedule will be as follows:
SATURDAY VIGIL - 4:00 PM
SUNDAY - 7:30 AM, 10:00 AM, 12:30 PM
Additional precautions for this phase: while on campus, you must wear a mask and keep it on at all times, with the exception of while receiving Holy Communion. Only the front center doors to the Church will be available for entrance.  Hand sanitizer will be available at the entrance. An usher will show you where to sit once you arrive for Mass.  This is to ensure social distancing is maintained and to seat as many people as possible.  Seating is available on a first come, first serve basis.  We will livestream each Mass from the choir loft.  The audio portion is reported to be good, even though the picture is from a distance, at least temporarily (more on that below).   If you arrive for Mass and there is no seating available and you have the capability, please view the Mass on Facebook from your car or outside the Church, keeping social distancing in mind. You will be afforded to opportunity to receive the Eucharist after Mass is completed. 
DISTRIBUTION OF HOLY COMMUNION
A major change in the ritual, per diocesan policy during a pandemic, is that Holy Communion will be distributed once Mass has ended.  Social distancing is of utmost importance at all times, but particularly when proceeding to receive Holy Communion. The ushers and floor markings will assist with this process.  Once you receive Holy Communion you will exit the Church immediately.  You are urged to make your thanksgiving on the way to, and inside, your car.  The reason for this is to give our sanitization crew sufficient time to prepare the Church for the next Mass. If anyone is attending Mass outside the Church (i.e. via Facebook), the priests will distribute Holy Communion at a location outside the Church as soon as distribution is concluded within the building.  More information on this will be available soon.
SUNDAY LIVE STREAM MASS will be Saturday evening at 6:00 PM from Brindle Hall with ASL interpretation.
DAILY MASS WILL CONTINUE TO BE LIVESTREAM ONLY
As we move further into the summer, this is subject to change once our sanitization efforts are able to cover weekday Masses.
NEW CAMERA EQUIPMENT FOR LIVESTREAM
Thanks to a number of very generous donors, we have purchased equipment to upgrade our ability to livestream a better quality picture from the Church. The equipment is on order and will be installed and ready for use as soon as possible. Until then, we will continue to use the means that we have as described above.
 
PARISH CAMPUS REMAINS CLOSED TO ANY PUBLIC MEETINGS OR GATHERINGS UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.
 
PLEASE CONTINUE TO KEEP THE CLERGY AND STAFF IN YOUR PRAYERS AS WE WORK TO ENACT ALL NECESSARY SAFETY ASPECTS IN ORDER TO RESUME PUBLIC MASSES. 
 
Keep an eye out on our website and social media for additional information!
 
 

As we continue to face the ongoing effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles and president of the USCCB has invited all United States bishops to join him and the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops on May 1 (this Friday) in renewing the consecrations of the two nations to the care of our Blessed Mother.
 
This act of consecration or entrustment is meant to be a reminder to the faithful of the Blessed Mother’s witness to the Gospel and to ask for her intercession before her Son on behalf of those in need.
 
The reconsecration will be at 3 p.m. (EDT) on Friday, May 1. Bishop Ronald Gainer invites all clergy and the faithful to join him by sharing in this experience. Liturgical guides are attached in both English and Spanish to assist those who wish to participate.
 
The reconsecration will be live streamed on the USCCB website (www.usccb.org/consecration) and social media channels, and the Archdiocese of Los Angeles’ website (lacatholics.org/consecration).

Renewal of Consecration in English

Renewal of Consecration in Spanish

O Mary,
you always shine on our path
as a sign of salvation and of hope.
We entrust ourselves to you,
Health of the Sick,
who at the cross took part in Jesus' pain,
keeping your faith firm.
You, Salvation of the Roman People,
know what we need,
and we are sure you will provide
so that, as in Cana of Galilee,
we may return to joy and to feasting
after this time of trial.
Help us, Mother of Divine Love,
to conform to the will of the Father
and to do as we are told by Jesus,
who has taken upon himself
our sufferings
and carried our sorrows
to lead us, through the cross,
to the joy of the resurrection. Amen.
Under your protection, we seek refuge,
Holy Mother of God.
Do not disdain the entreaties of we,
who are in trial,
but deliver us from every danger,
O glorious and blessed Virgin. Amen.
 
 

Unemployment Benefits–It is recommended you apply online for fastest results and processing.
 
SNAP Benefits/Food Stamps–Help Line:1-800-692-7462

Central Pennsylvania Food Bank–3908 Corey Road, Harrisburg, PA 17109; 717-564-1700

Utility Assistance-If you are struggling to pay your utility bills, contact your service provider right away. Many utility service providers offer emergency assistance programs at this time. Low Income Home

Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)–1-866-452-6152

Health Care/Medical Assistance–1-866-550-4355 (may not be available at this time); County Assistance offices across the state are closed.

2-1-1 United Way–Call “2-1-1”

PA Coronavirus Health Website

CAIU Remote Learning Resources for Parents

Helping Children Cope With Changes Resulting From COVID-19

New Hope Ministies – 717-766-7333

A MESSAGE FROM YOUR PARISH PRIESTS (March 31, 2020)
As we are well aware, during the past several weeks, we have quickly seen the spread of the COVID-19 virus.  Our parish and our Diocese have responded promptly to this ever changing situation by implementing the recommendations from public health professionals.  These are actions for our safety, even though it is difficult for all of us not to be able carry out our everyday routines, especially on the weekends, when we gather in Church for the most special prayer that we have, the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. 
Although the doors to our Parish are closed, we want you to know that our Parish is still very much alive and functioning.  We are reaching out to you in various ways, through FaceBook, the parish website, MyParishApp, livestreaming and videotaping Masses and other devotions, as well as frequent video messages.
We have a number of staff and volunteers reaching out to our elderly and homebound, via telephone and email. 
Here is some of the activity that has been happening with this outreach:

• There are 74 volunteers assisting at this time with our phone / email outreach.
• We have had a number of requests for bulletins, various inquiries about on-line giving and where to send collection envelopes, requests for prayer and notification of hospital admission, address changes.
• All those who have been contacted have expressed their appreciation for these outreach efforts.  We have so many wonderful parishioners who want to be of service.

 
Unfortunately, there are some news reports of scam phone calls these days.  Be assured that no volunteer from our parish is calling you about your finances.  We are simply reaching out, and in a special way to our elderly parishioners who may not have family in the area, just to see how you are doing.
 
We keep you in our prayers every day.  Now, even though our obligation to attend Mass has been dispensed, we are not dispensed from keeping holy the Sabbath.  One way to do this is to be with us in spirit during our online Masses, and to make a Spiritual Communion after the Priest has received Holy Communion.
As you know, the Mission of Saint Joseph Parish is to foster the presence of Christ, as did Saint Joseph, and to grow disciples for the Lord Jesus.
Our Mission will continue to the best of our ability during these times. But in order to continue our work, we need your continued support. We ask you first and foremost for your spiritual support.  Please pray for our Parish, our Diocese and our Country.  We also ask for your continued financial support, within your current capability to do so.  Without your gifts, our Parish will struggle to continue our most basic functions.  Yes, these times are challenging, and we are humbled and most grateful as you continue your financial support to our wonderful Parish so that we may continue our vital Mission.
Gifts can be made by mailing your check to the Parish, or through using WeShare online giving.  If you haven’t already signed up for online giving, or you would like to increase your offering, please check our website, send an email, or leave a message for our financial manager, Dave Maceiko, (717-766-9433 ext. 106) or any of us at the parish office.  We are most grateful for your continued support at this most difficult time in the life of the Church.
Thank you for your continued support of Saint Joseph’s.  May God keep all us safe and healthy, so that we can all continue to carry out our Mission as a family of faith.
 
God bless you!   Father Rozman and Father Sahd