Mass Obligation Dispensed in Sandy's Aftermath
Bishop announces special collection for hurricane victims next week.
Catholics within the Paterson Diocese in Morris, Sussex and Passaic counties are not obligated to attend Mass this weekend amid Superstorm Sandy restoration efforts and new gas restrictions for parts of the state, the diocese said.
Bishop Arthur J. Serratelli of the Diocese of Paterson announced Friday that all Catholics within the Paterson Diocese in Passaic, Morris and Sussex counties are automatically dispensed from the obligation to attend Mass this weekend if they are unable to come to church due to the aftermath of the storm.
Bishop Serratelli also has asked all parishes in the diocese to take up a special collection for victims of the storm at weekend Masses Nov. 10 and Nov. 11, according to a diocese news release.
Parishes also have been asked to collect food for diocesan Catholic Charities food pantries at Masses next weekend because the pantries were practically empty in the days after the storm, the news release said.
Peter James
7:37 am on Saturday, November 3, 2012
LOL- "one less thing" catholic church needs a friggin clue
Laura Giles
8:44 am on Saturday, November 3, 2012
To people who care it matters to them. Have some respect.
Whats a license plate?
8:02 am on Saturday, November 3, 2012
What a joke. Thanks bishop, you're a guy with a good handle on reality......
SH
9:14 am on Saturday, November 3, 2012
Many Catholics would try to get to church to fulfill their Sunday obligation unless the bishop granted a dispensation. This will conserve gas, reduce traffic, and free resources. Those who are suggesting the bishop should get a reality check should pull their head out of their ass.
John M.
9:25 am on Saturday, November 3, 2012
I guess it's Catholic Bashing season in spite of the hurricane.
C. Davis
10:25 am on Saturday, November 3, 2012
Exactly. The last acceptable form of bigotry. At least Mr. James had the courage to leave his name. Though I'm not sure I get his point. Maybe he misunderstands the bishop's role. Maybe he misunderstands Catholic's Sunday mass obligation. Or maybe he and the other commenter are just indulging in that great American pastime of bashing Catholics and the Catholic Church -- a pastime with a formidable and venerable history including (and pre-dating) the Klu Klux Klan. If such comments were made about any other social group, the response would be swift and merciless, full of (often feigned) righteous indignation at how a person could be so bigoted, ignorant and insensitive to others' beliefs and way of life. Not so with Catholics, who are clearly still fair game. Ironcically, Catholics welcome and embrace such calumnies against them (Matt. 5:11-12), and are commanded to pary for those who indulge in it. (Matt.5:44).
GW
3:32 pm on Saturday, November 3, 2012
Get off the cross, we need the wood.
Tryclyde
12:18 pm on Saturday, November 3, 2012
People who have to needlessly bash any religion obvious hate alot about themselves.
Eileen Stokes
12:29 pm on Saturday, November 3, 2012
Our Lady of the Mountain Catholic Church on Schooley's Mountain is the only Catholic church in Washington Township that will be holding mass services this weekend. St. Luke's and St. Mark's are still without power. Mass will be held this evening at 5 & 7. Tomorrow morning at 7:45, 9:15, 10:45 and 12:45. Sunday religious ed classes at OLM are cancelled. Monday confirmation classes are cancelled.
Peter James
2:03 pm on Saturday, November 3, 2012
They lost me at turning a blind eye to child molestation, sorry
Peter James
2:06 pm on Saturday, November 3, 2012
Nothing has killed more people in the world in the history of man than Religion and blind faith - not even the holocaust.
Mrothberg@live.com
5:17 pm on Saturday, November 3, 2012
"Nothing has killed more..." Oh, I don't know. I think Communist Russia and Nazi Germany did a pretty good job. Not to mention the Civil War, WWI, WWII, Vietnam War, etc. None of which had any direct relationship with "Religion" and "blind faith"
Peter James is another example of the dumb asses in the country who will say and believe anything regardless of the historical evidence to the contrary
DXJ
1:59 pm on Sunday, November 4, 2012
Another 65 million dead under the People's Republic of China. What religion was that?
The Mud Lady
5:37 pm on Saturday, November 3, 2012
It's not religion that kills, it's hate and ignorance in many cases.
What!? No alter boys on Sunday?
7:21 pm on Saturday, November 3, 2012
For the record I was raised catholic, so I am pretty sure after many years of being subjected to such a nonsensical waste of time, I get to render an opinion. It's pretty hilarious when some old man has to tell you what you can do with your Sunday morning.
Local Mom
2:25 pm on Sunday, November 4, 2012
If you do not follow the Catholic faith, then why do you care what the Bishop says and why comment on it. He is granting Peace to people, especially older people, who would feel obligated to go to church even though it is not in their best interest. I am Catholic, and I chose to go to church today for various reasons. Other people I know could not get there. The Bishop simply made them feel "ok" about it.