OUR LADY OF VICTORY
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GATE OF HEAVEN
Bishop Bambera’s Message for the Appeal Online Commitment Weekend
Dear Parishioners, this weekend is Appeal Online Commitment Weekend.
Helping to support our Diocesan and parish ministries depends on all of us doing what we can.
Even small gifts, collectively, can make a huge impact.
Please click on https://app.mobilecause.com/vf/2020APPEAL to find our parish team page and prayerfully consider how you can help.
Can we get this done by 11:59 p.m. Sunday? We think so! THANK YOU!”
Reminders for the Week of November 30-December 6:
Monday, November 30:
7pm Mass at Gate of Heaven
(Rosary & Novena Prayers begin at 6:30pm)
Tuesday, December 1:
5-7pm Eucharistic Adoration at GOH
6pm Flame of Love Devotions at OLV
7pm Mass at Our Lady of Victory
Wednesday, December 2:
9am Mass at Gate of Heaven
6pm Flame of Love Devotions at GOH
Friday, December 4:
8:30am First Friday Adoration at OLV
9am Mass at Our Lady of Victory
1pm-3pm First Friday Adoration at GOH
Saturday, December 5:
2-3:30pm Confessions at Our Lady of Victory
(Enter through Cry Room Door)
4pm Mass at Our Lady of Victory
5pm Mass at Gate of Heaven
Sunday, December 6: Second Sunday of Advent
8:00am Livestream of Mass on Gate of Heaven Our Lady of Victory Facebook Page
9:30am Mass at Gate of Heaven
10:30am Mass at Our Lady of Victory
12:00 Noon Distribution of Holy Communion in Gate of Heaven Parking Lot
2020 Diocesan Annual Appeal
“Bound Together in Hope”
Words from the Pastor
As Pastor, I want to assure all our parishioners that the person who attended Mass on August 22nd and then tested positive for COVID, is doing well. We, as a parish, are also doing well. I am thankful to God for this!
As a Parish, I think and feel that we have been doing a great job at providing a safe environment at Masses. We have a sanitizing procedure that is followed after each and every Mass is completed. Regarding the August 22nd Confirmation Mass, one of the CCD instructors texted me: “I felt safer at Mass (today) than anywhere else since March. We were all taking care of one another because of our brotherhood in Christ.” We were also blessed with a fantastic professional cleaning crew that came in and sanitized Gate of Heaven after we determined that there was a problem that weekend.
I would like to suggest that we all be people of prayer, and not let anxiety bring us to worry. As people of God, we want to be clear-headed in all that we do and think about—listening to the Holy Spirit that wants to strengthen and guide us. May we let the Holy Spirit into our lives, just as the young adults did that Saturday afternoon at Confirmation. Amidst the challenging times in which we currently live, God is with us, providing us love, hope, and strength in so many ways—directly for us, and also through others. May we be that source of God’s providence in other’s lives, in all that we say and do.
Father Daniel Toomey
Pastor
Any One of Us
Any one of us, could decide one day to attend a Mass to praise and worship our Lord the way the Apostles taught us.
Any one of us, could have been at the Mass on August 22, 2020 at 1 pm at Gate of Heaven Church.
Any one of us, after following all the CDC guidelines for a safe and healthy Mass, could go home at the end of the day… to our own home… and receive a phone call from a friend.
Any one of us, at any time, could hear from a friend; and hear them tell us that they are COVID positive. At that moment, any one of us could realize that you were with that friend a few days ago.
Any one of us, could have to muster the courage to be honest and call the pastor to inform him that you were at Mass that day and now must be tested to see if you have COVID 19.
Any one of us, could have to wait a day or two, or more, to find out the results of the test; knowing that the results might affect the emotional and physical lives of many others.
Any one of us, could receive a negative test result and be able to go back to life as usual…with that anxiety as a wound…maybe having a sense of empathy that you did not have before.
Any one of us, could receive a positive test result and have to again muster the courage to face the world and be honest and upright…knowing people might be upset…but knowing you will be taking care of people by being honest. Any of one us, could have to call the pastor and tell him, knowing that he must take care of his flock. You feel guilty because you know it will be difficult for him.
Any one of us, could have to bear the scars of people’s self-righteous, insensitive anger and judgements…trying to convince yourself that you did not do any of this to hurt anyone…trying to realize that something happened to you that you had no control over…you did everything right the way you should, yet you hear blame from everyone…
Any one of us could be YOU.
Please be kind and caring with your remarks, your assumptions, your presumptions, your projections and your opinions.
May we all be in prayer and conscientious about all our words and thoughts.
Father Daniel Toomey
Pastor
A Message of Gratitude for the Fatima Devotions
THANK YOU to all those who made the Fatima Devotions possible during this most difficult year. Father Toomey found new ways of bringing the Devotions into your homes through some very talented and dedicated people. Father McGahagan was always available to fill in for Father Toomey. God bless our priests.
Our streaming crew, Paul Ciaccia, Bob Manganiello, Chris Carr, and Mike Tomalis were devoted to getting the devotions out to the public through some very technical expertise.
Helen provided the beautiful music and coordinated every little detail. Renee provided quality control and was always willing to help.
My husband, Terry, and my sisters, Shala and Mary Jo, helped to recite all of the devotions.
Yes, the Church was not filled with people, but not deserted. We were physically separated, but spiritually united as a Church with Mary, in an intense way, with a heart full of faith and trust.
God bless all of the people who watched the Fatima Devotions and to those responsible for making it happen.
Our Lady of Fatima, pray for us!
Martha Herron
UPDATED MASS SCHEDULE
BEGINNING OCTOBER 1, 2020
Dear Parishioner, October 1, 2020
As many of you know, since the moment we were permitted, we have been ensuring that public Masses have been available to all members of our Back Mountain Catholic Community. Since July, we have had a complete schedule of Masses throughout the week. There have been weekday Masses both in the morning and evening at each Church. There have been public Masses at both churches every Saturday and Sunday for over 12 weeks now. We also have also been providing a live-streamed Mass every Sunday morning. To provide for those who are unable to return to public Mass, we have been distributing Holy Eucharist in the parking lot every Sunday for all who desire to receive the Blessed Sacrament. This practice is something very few churches have been providing.
Overall, there is a wide range of opportunities for the parishioners of Gate of Heaven and Our Lady of Victory to experience the Holy Mass and Holy Eucharist. We hope you recognize these opportunities and are using them in whatever capacity suits your situation at this time.
As the seasons change, and taking into consideration all that we are offering you, we will be making some slight changes. We will no longer need to identify private prayer times for each church. The churches will now be open to the public as they were in the same manner prior to the shut down in March.
Our Parish Offices will no longer be closed to the public. However, for the safety of our staff, we ask that you continue to use the telephone to coordinate your needs as much as possible as you have done during the past few months. Some of the staff may still be working from home, so please be patient and cognizant of their need for safety.
Outdoor Confessions on Saturday afternoons, between 2 – 3:30 pm, will now be moved indoors. Please enter through the ‘sacristy door’ for Gate of Heaven and the ‘cry room door’ for Our Lady of Victory.
The entrance and exits for public Masses will continue to be limited and directed by ushers and signs. Capacity is no longer based on percentage, but will be based solely on social distancing. Reservations will NO longer be required for any of our Masses. Sanitization of the church after the service will still take place.
The Distribution of Holy Communion in the Gate of Heaven Parking lot will change its start time to Noon and move into the upper, larger lot. This is a necessity due to the start of our Religious Education program. Please follow directional signs and staff instructions as you approach.
Thank you all for your continued support and prayers for our parishes.
Please see the other side for a summary of times and changes.
Sincerely in Christ,
Fr. Daniel Toomey, Pastor GOH & OLV
We will continue with our Current Schedule:
Confession: Saturday 2 pm – 3:30 pm (Odd Months at GOH, Even Months at OLV)
Weekday Masses (No reservation required)
Monday, GOH: 7 pm
Tuesday, OLV: 7 pm
Wednesday, GOH: 9 am
Friday, OLV: 9 am
Weekend Masses (No reservation required)
Saturday: OLV: 4 pm
GOH:5 pm
Sunday: GOH: 9:30 am
OLV: 10:30 am
Distribution of Holy Communion (for any who desires to receive the Blessed Sacrament)
Sunday: GOH parking lot behind the school, Noon-12:30 pm
Live Streamed Mass on our Facebook Page (Gate of Heaven and Our Lady of Victory) with a link provided via our website
Sunday: 8 am
Bishop Bambera’s Message to the Faithful
July 1, 2020
Time Change for Distribution of Holy Communion from Gate of Heaven Parking Lot
We will still be live-streaming Masses on Sundays at 8am on our Facebook Page. You are welcome to receive Holy Communion after watching the live stream.
Everyone has the opportunity to receive Holy Communion in the Gate of Heaven parking lot at Noon on Sunday Mornings. Please note the start time change due to the commencement of Religious Education for the school year. Do not arrive early, as CCD will be dismissing students at 11:30am.
Please go to the parking area near Spring Street and receive instructions. Upon directions from the staff, you will leave your car and proceed to the spot where communion is distributed. Please wear a mask and social distance from people in other cars.
Confessions Every Saturday from 2 – 3:30
Starting in October, the Sacrament of Reconciliation will be moved indoors. Please enter through the Cry Room Door at OLV and the Sacristy Door at GOH. Confessions will be heard at Our Lady of Victory during the even months ( December) and at Gate of Heaven during the odd months (January).
A Note from the Pastor regarding the Parish Prayer Hour
At our Parish Prayer Hour, we pray for our parishioners and all that we do as a parish. The Parish is always in need of prayer, but now even more. Prayer allows us to open ourselves up to God’s action in our lives. Prayer is a time when we humbly approach our Lord and submit our lives, intentions and plan for his guidance, insights, strength and providence.
The Parish Prayer Hour rotates between Churches (odd months at GOH and even months at OLV) on the second Wednesday of each month at 6pm. It is open to the public and does not require a reservation. Please download, print, and bring with you the Prayer Packet below.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD
PARISH PRAYER PACKETS
Guidelines for Returning to Mass
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE MASSES ON FACEBOOK FROM GATE OF HEAVEN AND OUR LADY OF VICTORY
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE MASSES ON FACEBOOK FROM GATE OF HEAVEN AND OUR LADY OF VICTORYIn preparation for the live stream of the Holy Mass on Sunday
The following prayer is very important to help you enter into the communion part of the Mass…so as to experience a spiritual communion with the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament.
You may pray it when I am receiving the Body and Blood of Christ at the altar, just before I purify the vessels.
Act of 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 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
After Spiritually receiving the Graces of Holy Communion you may pray the following prayer
Anima Christi
Soul of Christ, sanctify me.
Body of Christ, save me.
Blood of Christ, inebriate me.
Water from the side of Christ, wash me.
Passion of Christ, strengthen me.
O Good Jesus, hear me.
Within your wounds hide me.
Permit me not to be separated from you.
From the wicked foe, defend me.
At the hour of my death, call me
and bid me come to you
That with your saints I may praise you
For ever and ever. Amen.
Please sign-up for Flocknote, our on-line parish community, so that you can receive messages from us. Go to GOHOLV.Flocknote.com and sign up. You will then be on the sign-in page and you may enter your ‘email’ and ‘cell phone number’ then click ‘next’ and select the groups from whom you would like updates. You may also elect to receive the bulletin electronically from the group titled ‘weekly bulletin’.
If you are attending Mass please be sure to provide a safe distance of 6 feet between yourself and other parishioners (family members excluded). Please do not come to Mass if you are sick. If you have allergies and appear to be sick, this yields the same concern – please stay home for the emotional sake of others.
Fr. Toomey
WORD
WORSHIP
COMMUNITY
SERVICE
