Important letter from Fr. Tom – September 13, 2020

Dear Parishioners,

Let me begin by reassuring everyone that Fr. Rafal is doing fine. He appreciates every- one’s prayers and concern for him. He continues to be quarantined and will be re-tested this week. Pray that he is covid-19 negative so he can resume his priestly ministry among us.

In the meantime, I want to thank the priests who have been helping with Masses – Fr. Jerzy Bres from St. Catherine of Siena; Fr. Cody Bobick of St. Anne, Garden City; Fr. Lukasz Kubiak of the Diocese of Brook- lyn; Fr. Nelson Marquez, who served here last year as a deacon; Fr. Garrett Long from Chaminade High School, who is a native son of OLV parish; Fr. Fred Marano of the Diocese of Brooklyn; and Bishop Andrzej, our Vicar who is always available to help us as needed. Other priests have also offered to help. I am grateful for their fraternal support!

Rectory Office

The rectory office will remain closed until Monday, Sept. 21st. All rectory business, including Mass cards, can be done via email. Please just contact me at tfusco@olvfpny.org and I will get back to you quickly.

Covid-19 Procedural changes

The Diocese of Rockville Centre is now permitting the distribution of Holy Communion at the usual time of the Mass. The priest may leave his chasuble on, but should still wear a mask and sanitize his hands prior to the distribution of Holy Communion.

However, given our unique circumstances here at OLV, I have decided to delay making those changes until Monday, Sept. 21st – assuming everything stays calm. So for this weekend and next we will continue to distribute Holy Communion after the Mass has been concluded.

Congratulations First Communicants!

This Saturday, and the next two Satur- days in September, we will be celebrating the First Communions that were originally scheduled for last May.

Congratulations to our Third Graders – and thank you to their families for their patience and cooperation!

I pray that the longing to receive Holy Communion that these children have experienced these past few months, will create in them a life-long appreciation for the gift of the Eucharist!
Rosary Altar SocietyThe Rosary Altar Society has rescheduled its Installation of Officers and New Members until next Sunday, Sept. 20th after the 9:00 am Mass.

Blood Drive

The Keith Fairben Memorial Blood Drive took place at OLV on Friday, Aug. 28th. Blood Services gave us a goal of 50 units. By the generosity of our community we significantly exceeded that by collecting 182 units. Regretfully, we had to turn people away due to the staff being overwhelmed with donors. Since each unit can benefit 3 people, 546 people will benefit from these donations.

The next Blood Drive at OLV is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 12th.

Thank you for your continued generosity to the parish weekly collection. In addition to what is collected on the weekend, many people have mailed in their envelopes or dropped them off at the rectory. Thank you!

Praised be the name of Jesus Christ now and forever!
Fr. Tom