Saint Michael the Archangel

Roman Catholic Church

On Wednesday, May 19, the Archdiocese of New York issued guidelines for compliance with the lifting of Covid-related restrictions for the vaccinated on mask wearing and social distancing. In short, here’s what this means at Saint Michael’s:

• The church has two zones. In the pews, masks and social distancing (MSD) are no longer required. Only sit in this non-MSD zone if you are vaccinated against Covid-19. In the Meeting Room chairs, masks and six-foot social distancing (MSD) are still required. If you are sitting in the Meeting Room, you must wear a mask.
• For those unable to walk forward to receive Holy Communion and who wish to sit in an MSD zone, the chairs and wheelchair spaces next to the baptismal font are reserved for them. The front bank of pews remains reserved for those unable to walk forward to receive Communion.
• The priests and deacons will continue to wear masks in the vestibule, in procession, and to distribute Holy Communion. They will also continue to sanitize their hands before distributing Communion.
• The ushers will continue to wear masks out of respect for those who wish to maintain MSD protections.

Other protocols remain in place: we will have two lines for Communion at all Masses, Sunday and daily; the Sign of Peace must be exchanged from a distance; you must lower your mask before receiving Communion.

Even though many do not yet feel safe enough to come to Sunday Mass, it is still possible - and necessary - to support Saint Michael's. We have just established an account with an online giving program used throughout the Archdiocese of New York, called WeShare. You can use WeShare, in fact, to make your weekly tithe directly from a checking account or credit card.

The link is here: https://saintmichaels-cc.weshareonline.org/.

Instructions follow, here below:

It has long been a Catholic understanding that when circumstances prevent one from receiving Holy Communion, it is possible to make an Act of Spiritual Communion, which is a source of grace. Spiritual Communion is an ardent desire to receive Jesus in the Most Holy Sacrament and lovingly embrace him at a time or in circumstances when one cannot receive Him in sacramental Communion. The most common reason for making an Act of Spiritual Communion is when a person cannot attend Mass. Acts of Spiritual Communion increase our desire to receive sacramental Communion and help us avoid the sins that would make us unable to receive Holy Communion worthily.

Prayer for Spiritual Communion
My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.
I love you above all things and I desire to receive you in my soul.
Since I cannot at this moment receive you sacramentally,
Come at least spiritually into my heart.
I embrace you as if you were already there
And unite myself wholly to you. 
Never permit me to be separated from you.
Amen.