12th Sunday in Ordinary Time - Year A
Sunday June 21, 2020
12TH SUNDAY OT
The Lord has delivered the life of the needy from the hands
of evildoers. (Jeremiah 20)
The free gifts is not like the trespass. (Romans 5)
Do not fear those who kill the body. (Matthew 10)
In the Gospels, Christ
reveals a God who loves us
and cares for us and every
“strand” of creation.
Sometimes we are called to
be the vehicles of God’s
love for those desperate to
realize that presence in their
lives; sometimes we are the
recipients of such blessings of forgiveness and
compassion. The providence of God who has “counted . . .
all the hairs of your head” manifests itself in the love of
family, the comfort of friends, the support of church and
community.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus calls us beyond our fears and
insecurities; he invites us to embrace a spirit of joy and
possibility beyond our comfort zone. Three times in today’s
Gospel, Jesus tells his disciples not to be afraid, that we have
nothing to fear before God who has proven his love and
acceptance of us unreservedly. Christ calls us in to embrace
a vision of hope that is the opposite of fear — hope that
matches our uncertainty of the unknown with the certainty of
the love of God; hope that can only be found and embraced
once we reach beyond our own fears to confront the fears
and heal the hurts of others; hope that the Good Fridays of
our lives will be transformed into Easter completeness.
We “disown” Jesus, not only by what we do, but by what
we fail to do. We “deny” Jesus by our silence in the face of
injustice, our protecting our own interests at the expense of
the common good, our failure to respond to Christ calling us
in the cries of the poor, the abused, the desperate and the
lost.
MASS INTENTIONS & SANCTUARY LAMP
To schedule a new Mass intention or to book the Sanctuary
Lamp for your loved ones, please contact the office via
phone or email and your call will be returned. There are still
many openings available for this year.
BULLETIN ADVERTISING
There are several opening for the advertising page. If you
are interested in advertising your business, call the office.
A FATHERS DAY PRAYER
Heavenly Father, you entrusted your Son, Jesus, the child of
Mary, to the care of Joseph, an earthly father.
Bless all fathers as they care for their families.
Give them strength and wisdom, tenderness and patience;
support them in the work they have to do,
protecting those who look to them,
as we look to You for love and salvation,
through Jesus Christ our rock and defender,
in union with the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever.
St. Joseph, Pray for all our Fathers. Amen
This week, the Sanctuary Lamp burns in
memory of:
+ Rainer Brandel
The Sanctuary Lamp burns to remind us of Christ’s
presence in the Blessed Sacrament of the altar.
If you wish to sponsor the sanctuary lamp for one
week, the stipend is $35.00
Mass Intentions
June 23 - June 28, 2020
As we gather, let us remember and pray for . . .
rd
Tues. ~ ………………………………………. June 23
9:00 am + Matteo Mancini
(by the Family)
Wed. ~ …Nativity of St. John the Baptist.... June 24th
9:00 am In honour of San Antonio
(by Ranucci Family)
Thurs. ~ ……………………….……...………. June 25th
9:00 am Intn’s of Helen & Gino Francavilla
65th Anniversary (by Jean Barlow)
Fri. ~ ……………………………………….. June 26th
9:00 am + Stephen Damp
(by the Zuzek family)
Sat. ~ ……………………………………….. June 27th
5:00 pm For the People of St. Helen Church
Sun. ~ …………………………………………. June 28th
9:00 am Intn’s of Nick & Linda Bruch
- Annviersary (by Kath Bruch)
11:00 am + Cathy MacNiven
(by Yvonne MacNiven & Family
MASSES RESUME - WE NEED YOUR HELP
After three long months of the church being closed, we
really don’t know what to expect in terms of attendance.
This may mean that we could potentially be short of
hospitality ministers. Because of the diminished capacity for
attendance, screening, and direction for seating, we really
need several hospitality ministers at each Mass in order to
ensure the process is smooth. Extra cleaners are needed as
well for the cleaning crew. Please let Rachel or the office
know if you are willing to help. These roles will be vital to
the successful and safe return of our community to the
Church.
Please arrive early since seating will be on a first come
first seated basis to our capacity. Please wear a mask.
Last year, we had one Mass on Sundays for July and
August. In view of the current situation, we will continue to
have both Masses on Sunday until we know what attendance
will be like and possibly revisit that decision if need be.
To receive the weekly bulletin via email, make your re-
quest by emailing us at
office@sthelenscatholic.ca or check out our
website @ www.sthelenscatholic.ca
 Advertise your
business or service
in this space.
For more info email:
office@sthelenscatholic.ca

Advertise your
business or service
in this space.
For more info email:
office@sthelenscatholic.ca

Advertise your
business or service
in this space.
For more info email:
office@sthelenscatholic.ca
 DONATIONS DURING COVID-19
1. Pre-Authorized giving (monthly automatic withdrawal): contact the office

2. E-transfer: use our business email address with your

bank: donations@sthelenscatholic.ca
If you would like to use this convenient method through your bank, please follow these
instructions (some banks charge a fee):
Go online and log into your bank account. Select Interac e-transfer and select a
recipient – the first time you will have to add recipient by putting in
donations@sthelenscatholic.ca (after the first time it will then stay on your list of
recipients). Input amount to send and complete the transaction. Note in the memo area
what your donation is for; Sunday Offertory (SO), Facility Maintenance (FM) and
Building Fund (BF). (Please include your ID# in the memo - contact the office if you
do not have a parish ID.)
Example - SO $20 One transaction can be made for all three if you wish. Such a
notation could look like this: SO $xx, FM $xx, BF $xx. If your transaction does not
work the first time, please try the next day as the Diocese can only receive a set amount
of donations in a 24-hour period. If you have any questions, please email or call the
office.

3. Regular mail: send your weekly offertory envelope or cheque payable to St. Helen
Church to:
St. Helen Church
4106 Mountain St.
Beamsville, ON L0R 1B7

4. Drop off: This option is not encouraged during the COVID 19 pandemic.
If absolutely necessary, you may drop off your envelope by calling the office to arrange a
time.

5. Credit card or Paypal (Canada Helps link): https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/49448

https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/119109791RR0006-st-helens-parish/
(tax receipt is issued by Canada Helps, they retain a nominal percentage as fee)

COVID 19 pandemic
Thank you for considering the financial needs of our parish during the COVID 19 pandemic. We
understand and appreciate that financial pressure on families is different today than it was even a
few months ago. We are also carefully managing the expenses at the parish and are deeply
grateful for any help you can provide. Thank you and be assured of our continued prayers and
best wishes.
 DIOCESE OF ST. CATHARINES
P.O. Box 875
St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada
L2R 6Z4
________________________________________________________________________________________________

THE CHANCERY
905-684-0154
Fax: 905-684-2185

GUIDELINES ON THE RE-OPENING OF CHURCHES

June 13, 2020

We are still in the midst of a pandemic, and our primary concern must be for the life and health of
the whole community. We must continue to pray for the people in our community and our world,
as we begin to move forward and heal from the devastation of this pandemic.

Material Requirements

Wooden pews need to be wiped carefully, with an approved disinfecting solution, and dried
promptly. For other areas and surfaces, disinfectant cleaning products should have 70% alcohol to
kill the coronavirus. These products are readily available at grocery and department stores.

Directional signage/tape is to be placed on the doors/floors. Use one entrance door, fully
accessible. One exit only, except in case of emergency. (NB, it is against the fire code to block
emergency exits.)

Remove all hymn books, prayer books and reading material from the church. No printed bulletins
at this time.

Post signs on the doors of the church regarding Mass times, Reconciliation, times for private prayer
and adoration, and the screening protocols that are in place. The same information should be posted
on your website and Facebook pages, and on your outgoing phone message.

Remove kneelers from the front. At this time, it is strongly recommended that communion is by
hand.

Place hand sanitizer, preferably touchless, at entrance doors. (NB, parishes should have enough
supply of PPE to remain open for the next weeks, not only for their first Mass with a congregation
present.)

Place garbage containers at entrance/exit doors. Empty after each Mass.

Assess need/practicality of having an overflow area in the parish hall for Mass to be livestreamed.

Assess parish Sunday Mass schedules. Try to accommodate as many parishioners as possible,
being mindful that the church needs to be cleaned and disinfected before each Mass.

CATHOLIC CENTRE: 3400 Merrittville Highway, Thorold, Ontario

www.saintcd.com email: chancery@saintcd.com
Church washrooms are to be restricted to use only when absolutely necessary. No more than one
person/family (living at the same address) at a time should use the washroom. Notices to this effect
are to be posted outside the washroom. Handwashing signs are also to be placed in the washroom.
Any washroom that is soiled must be closed pending cleaning with disinfectant.

Between Sunday Masses, only the tops and arms of pews need to be disinfected. Full cleaning and
disinfecting of the church, including pews and kneelers, should be done at least weekly.

Weather permitting, doors are to remain open, with at least one usher attending.

No fans directed at congregants.

Recruit Ushers/Volunteers

o In larger parishes, pastors should assign a person or person to oversee the volunteers
(janitorial crew and ushers) to ensure that the guidelines are being followed, capacity is
monitored, and that the necessary sanitizing and cleaning is done before every Mass or
other gathering. In smaller parishes, this role could be assumed by the pastor.

o A special janitorial crew to ensure the church is thoroughly cleaned before each opening
of the Church. The COVID-19 virus can live on surfaces for 72 hours; if church openings
are scheduled more than 72 hours apart, regular cleaning is required; thorough disinfecting
is recommended, but not required.

o Ushers
• One outside, if needed:
to monitor capacity,
to pre-screen (optional: did you take your temperature, otherwise please return
home),
to direct people to proper entrance door.

• One at the inside entrance (door propped open) to oversee all ushers, and liaise
with the pastor, welcome parishioners.

• One or two to escort to pews (every third pew only) and ensure safe traffic flow,
physical distancing before and during Mass/Communion time. Those who attend
with a personal mobility device should be placed in a designated area to allow a
two-meter (six foot) space between each person.

• One or two to oversee the church facility (pews clean/disinfected, washroom

cleaned, holy water fonts empty/covered, sanitizer available, nothing left in pews,
security of collection basket near the exit).

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KEY POINTS FOR THE CELEBRATION OF MASS

Ensure that physical distancing is maintained in the sacristy and in the sanctuary. The priest
celebrating Mass is not to use a mask and gloves. It is recommended that people assisting at the
altar wear masks, but it is not mandatory. Volunteers including janitorial crew and ushers who
assist at Masses must wear face masks and disposable gloves; if necessary, these are to be provided
by the parish.

There should only be one lector for each Mass who reads from the Lectionary. The pastor/deacon
should read from the Book of the Gospels.

The use of extraordinary ministers of Communion is not encouraged at this time. The number of
altar servers should also be limited.

For the congregation, the Pastor/lector should make announcements before Mass, noting some
temporary changes including:

• No procession into the church, rather from the sacristy.

• No congregational singing. It is the Pastor’s discretion whether to have a choir (with
physical distancing), as this would encourage congregational singing.
• No sign of peace.
• Parishioners are to remain in their pews until ushered out for communion, exiting. Ushers
will direct traffic flow. Each Pastor must determine how to organize this in his particular
parish church, so that physical distancing is maintained as much as possible.
• There will be no collection/presentation of gifts. Collection baskets are to be provided near
the exit door.
• Reception of Communion by hand is strongly recommended. Communicants are instructed
to remove their masks while the person ahead of them is receiving Holy Communion. After
the priest says, “The Body of Christ” and the communicant responds “Amen” (at a distance
of two meters), the communicant then approaches the priest to receive communion.
• After Mass, parishioners are asked to exit quietly, maintaining physical distancing. Do not
congregate at the doors of the church or in the parking lot.

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For the priest celebrant:

• Parishes should not use the large host that is broken into pieces and placed in the ciboria.
The priest should consume his own smaller host without sharing it with others.

• Ciboria should be covered and if there is no lid, a pall may be placed over the ciborium. If
this is not possible, then an additional corporal with the ciboria, should be placed on the
altar away from the celebrant.

• Only the celebrant of the Mass should drink from the chalice. If there is concelebration,
then there should be intinction from separate chalice(s).

• It is recommended that the celebrant of the Mass purify his hands prior to and after
distributing communion. This can be done by using the lavabo bowl filled with warm soapy
water rather than hand sanitizer. This water could then be poured down the sacrarium or
outside into the ground after Mass.

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OTHER RITES CELEBRATED IN THE CHURCH

Since these rites take place in the church, the requirements for preparing the space, physical distancing,
the use of music and procedures for liturgical ministers as they apply to the particular rite are to be
observed.

Baptism

The baptism of infants and young children are celebrated in the usual manner. In order to respect physical
distancing and limit the number of participants, it is recommended that baptisms not be celebrated during
Mass at this time. Nor are they to be celebrated communally, i.e., with several families at a time. With the
exception of maintaining physical distancing among family and friends, and the priest or deacon sanitizing
his hands before and after the pouring of water and anointing, the Sacrament of Baptism is celebrated in
the usual manner according to the Rite of Baptism. The water in the font is to be replaced after each baptism.

Christian Initiation of Adults

The Christian Initiation of Adults (including children of catechetical age) is celebrated during Mass, since
the rite includes the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and the Eucharist. The Reception into Full
Communion is also to be celebrated during Mass. It is recommended that these rites not take place at this
time during the Sunday Mass.

Marriage

Marriages may be celebrated in the church with up to 30% capacity. The norms for physical distancing
pertain to all present with the exception of the bride and groom.

Reconciliation

Confessionals and Reconciliation Chapels

Most confessionals and reconciliation chapels are too small to ensure physical distancing. A larger room
elsewhere in the parish complex should be used. A portable kneeler with a screen may be used by the
penitent who wishes to remain anonymous, provided the penitent wears a mask. Disposable gloves are also
recommended; otherwise, the penitent should sanitize hands upon entering and again upon leaving the
room. If a confessional is used, an impermeable screen is to be placed between the penitent and priest. The
screen is to be cleaned between each confession.

Funerals

Funeral Masses and Memorial Masses may be celebrated in the church with up to 30% capacity. Outdoor
funeral services are limited to 50 attendees. Priests and deacons will collaborate with Funeral Home staff
to take all the necessary precautions to ensure the health and safety of all who participate.

First Communion and Confirmation

The scheduling of First Communion and Confirmation for children is the responsibility of the local parish
and the bishop’s office. The norms for celebrating Sunday Mass apply to these celebrations.

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CHURCH REOPENING: INFORMATION FOR PARISHIONERS

We look forward to welcoming our Catholic community home again!

Please contact your parish for information about their reopening schedule which will vary across
the 44 parishes in the Diocese of St. Catharines. Church opening schedules will depend on each
parish’s readiness, including having a team of cleaners and other volunteers, and availability of
sanitizing and other PPE.

Since COVID-19 is still a public health threat, Catholics are dispensed from their obligation to
attend Sunday Mass.

Many parishes will continue to livestream Masses and other liturgical celebrations.

Churches may be open to a maximum capacity of 30%.

Funerals and weddings in churches may be celebrated to a maximum capacity of 30%. Outdoor
funeral services are limited to 50 attendees.

Please take appropriate precautions including taking your temperature before leaving home to
attend Mass, ensuring proper hygiene especially hand washing. If you have any symptoms that
might be COVID-19 related, or if you have been in contact with someone suffering from possible
or confirmed COVID-19 symptoms, please remain at home and contact your doctor/public health.

Screening and public health protocols are in place. It is strongly recommended that parishioners
over the age of three wear a mask when attending any church service. BYOM.

There will be no Children’s Liturgy of the Word at this time. Crying rooms will be closed.

We are taking precautions to protect the health and safety of everyone who comes into our
churches. However, there can be no guarantee of complete protection from infection. There can be
risks of contracting viral infection in large gatherings of people.

If you develop COVID-19 symptoms in the days following your attendance at Mass, please
phone/email the parish office, in addition to contacting your doctor/public health.

Parish offices remain closed to the public at this time. Parish ministries, meetings and activities
are still on hold.

Please address any questions or concerns to your parish, or you may direct them to the Diocesan
Catholic Centre at diocese@saintcd.com.