Plans for Public Masses
“Public” Masses Resume this weekend June 27th & 28th
Please note that Sunday obligation is still waived, we are only at 25% capacity,
there are no restrooms available at any of the three worship sites, before, during or after Mass.
Masks are required upon entering the building and are to be worn until you exit the building.
Please arrive 30-45 minutes before Mass begins but not earlier, you will be counted while in your car, and checked in, meaning you will have to provide us with names, phone numbers, emails and answer questions.
You will be shown where to park and enter through one door and wait to be escorted to a seat.
If you are vulnerable, or not feeling well please do not come to Mass

BATHROOMS WILL NOT BE OPEN

 Doors will close 5 minutes before Mass begins or when we are filled to capacity.
Please be patient and understanding with our volunteers and the protocols we have been given to follow.

4:30pm Mass at Our Lady of Knock Shrine
9:00am Mass at St. John the Baptist
11:00am Mass at Sacred Heart

Sacred Heart of Jesus – Have Mercy on Us!
Our Lady of Knock – Intercede for Us!
St. John the Baptist – Pray for Us!
​
**** SCAM ALERT **** **** SCAM ALERT **** **** SCAM ALERT ****
Please be advised that there is a text/email request going around purporting to be from me, Fr. Steve (identifying themselves as Rev. Steve Matthews). In it the person asks for emergency financial assistance for some people affected by the corona virus. Please know that this is NOT from me.


The scam asks for you to purchase $300 or so in gift cards (iTunes, but could be other types of cards). They then ask that the account information be texted/emailed back to them. Please do NOT respond or follow any of the instructions. Please know that this is NOT from me.

You may want to contact the authorities, but please know that I have not and will not ask for money via a text message or email that requires you to get gift cards and send the card/pin information.

Thank you for your cooperation and please pass this information to any one who may not have access to our website.

This post/warning/email IS from me, Fr. Steve, Pastor of our one faith community with three worship sites.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, Have Mercy on Us!
Our Lady of Knock, Intercede for Us!
St. John the Baptist, Pray for Us!
If you click on the highlighted links (those in green) you will open files for those prayers.
National Day of Prayer and Blessing of Nursing Homes in Greene County video 
Mass and Prayers for the underemployed and unemployed on the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker (May 1).
Mass and Prayers in Time of Pandemic (April 22) for all who are affected by the pandemic.
Prayers for Mary from Pope Francis
Consecration of Mary to the United States
 
Feast of Pentecost - Next weekend we'll celebrate the Solemnity of Pentecost, which ends the great season of Easter!  May I suggest that you have a candle ready to light when you join our online mass that day. 
 
Special Memorial Day Mass, Monday May 25, 2020. Please join us at 11 am on Facebook (or later in the day on YouTube) to join in thanking God for all those who have died in service to our country.
​Tips for Attending and Participating in our Online and Virtual Mass
Before Mass starts, please place yourself in the presence of God - still yourself as you would if you were in church.
 If at all possible, do the gestures (sit, stand and kneel).
 Follow the readings. You can find them online at USCCB. 
 Say the responses/sing along whenever possible.
Make a spiritual communion.
“My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy
Sacrament of the altar. I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into 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 
As soon as mass is over, do not rush on to the next "thing." 
Sit for a moment and pray that we can be united in Eucharist soon.
After mass, send (or post on social media) the link to the mass to others and invite them to watch and pray with us!
 Then call, text, email (post of social media) the gift of peace with others.

At this time our offices are closed. You may reach us by email.
If you are leaving food for the Greenville School District, please place the food in the church library. If you are leaving food for the Food Pantry, please place it is the baskets in church. Do not leave at the office, no one is there to take it.
Please send donations by mail (no cash please) or use our E-Giving option.

Click to see LETTER OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS TO THE MONTH OF MAY 2020
Covid-19: A Prayer of Solidarity
For all who have contracted coronavirus,     
We pray for care and healing. For those who are particularly vulnerable,     
We pray for safety and protection. For all who experience fear or anxiety,     
We pray for peace of mind and spirit.
For affected families who are facing difficult decisions between food on the table or public safety,     
We pray for policies that recognize their plight. For those who do not have adequate health insurance,     
We pray that no family will face financial burdens alone. For those who are afraid to access care due to immigration status,     
We pray for recognition of the God-given dignity of all. For our brothers and sisters around the world,   
We pray for shared solidarity. For public officials and decisionmakers,     
We pray for wisdom and guidance. Father, during this time may your Church be a sign of hope, comfort and love to all.     
Grant peace.     
Grant comfort.     
Grant healing.     
Be with us, Lord. Amen.
 BULLETIN UPLOAD DATES
All bulletin announcements for regularly published bulletins are due by Monday 9:00AM, no later.

All Announcements for the May 31 Bulletin are due no later than May 21 by 9AM
The Diocese of Albany urges all victims to report any instance of sexual abuse against a minor by a member of the clergy, its employees, or volunteers, to law enforcement, as well as to the diocese’s Victim Assistance Coordinator.  If you feel speaking with Fr. Steve could help, please contact him at either parish office (contact information on the front cover of this bulletin).   To read Bishop Scharfenberger's letter regarding the Child Victim's Act please visit our parish websites or https://www.rcda.org/CVA
 
​St. (Mother) Teresa of Calcutta (1910 - 1997)
The following version is credited to her and
entitled "Do it anyway" counsel: 
People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered. 
Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. 
Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends
and some genuine enemies.  
Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you. 
Be honest and sincere anyway. 
What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight. 
Create anyway. 
If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous. 
Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, will often be forgotten. 
Do good anyway. 
         Give the best you have, and it will never be enough. Give your best anyway. 
In the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.