Thursday, March 12th, Archbishop Perez released the following statement:

“Effective immediately, and until further notice, in union with the Bishops of Pennsylvania, I have dispensed the faithful of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass.

Despite the suspension of the obligation to attend Sunday Mass, all regularly scheduled masses will remain open to the public for those who wish to attend.”

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St. Patrick’s Response to help prevent the spread of the virus:

In light of the Archbishop’s announcement and in an effort to keep everyone safe, I am choosing to err on the side of caution. Therefore, beginning Friday, March 13th, the following will be suspended at St. Patrick Parish until further notice:

However, this is a time when we need to turn to the Lord to ask His intervention and providence. Therefore, the church will remain open for:

• Personal prayer and visits each day until 6PM
• Tuesday through Friday, during the hours immediately after the 9AM Mass until 3PM the Blessed Sacrament will be exposed with simple reposition at 3PM (unless there is a funeral in the church at which time exposition will begin after the funeral)
• Monday Adoration will remain the same without evening prayer

The following precautions have also been implemented:

• Removal of music issue and missalettes from each pew
• Daily cleaning of the backs of the pew – after each Sunday Mass
• Doors to the main Church will remain open so that no one will need to touch door handles.

All these precautions are not to cause fear, but to ensure that you are cared for and kept safe here at St. Patrick Church.

Let us pray asking the Lord’s gentle care upon His people.
God Bless You,
Father Redcay

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Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition,
with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which
transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
(Philippians 4:6-7)