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Location
Our parish is located at:
90 Third St. (New Dorp, S.I.)
Staten Island, NY 10306
Ph. (718) 351-1093,(718) 351 - 1372
Fax: (718) 351-1784
website: olqpchurch.org
email: olqpchurch@verizon.net
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Life Teen Blog
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In this era of the Internet and social media, we’re able to stay connected with our brothers and sisters all over the world. We may be in different locations, but we’re all connected under one body...
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Our Lady of Fatima Pilgrim Statue
3 Photos
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Corpus Christi
14 Photos
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Confirmation 2019
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New Altar Servers
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Pastor's Desk...
Dear Parish Family,
As we enter into a week made “holy” forever by the self surrendering love of Jesus - for us all.
We begin the holiest week of our Church year in very different circumstances than ever before. We are unable to gather in church for the celebration of Palm Sunday and the sacred days of the Triduum. We cannot take blessed palms home as a sign of our devotion. Changes are all around us. These are proving to be challenging times for our communities. Social distancing, working from home, people we know getting sick, restrictions on travel, weddings, funerals and even Sunday Mass, have us feeling a little lost, alone and distant. These feelings have left each one of us desiring communion with God and with others. St. Augustine said, “Our heart is restless until it rests in you O Lord.” So, we continue seeking out how to live in this challenging reality that affects our relationship with God, with those we live with, with our neighbors, and with our world.
So no matter what we experience this week, we can let it become a “holy” week, letting it all be touched by the graces of this week. From the humble, yet triumphant, entry into Jerusalem, to our standing together at the foot of his cross, this can be a week which helps us bring all of the elements of our lives, all our experiences of sin and death, into the font of his redeeming, liberating death resurrection.
Even if we can't celebrate these days liturgically, we can reflect upon the symbols and rituals, and let the prayers of the liturgies draw us in. All, that we might know the depth of the love being offered us, and power of the gift of life won for us.
PARTICIPATE IN MASS REMOTELY Not being together as a church is hard, even painful. For some, it might even be impossible to remember a weekend that didn't include Mass. But here we are. So as a Church, we are going to lean into God's promise and make the best of this. We are going to claim the promise that He is with us, He will never fail us. And even in the midst of this, He desires to grow us and our capacity to know and love Jesus Christ.
Meaningful Ways to Celebrate Holy Week at Home
Below are simple and meaningful ways to draw closely to Jesus in His Passion and Death—all while staying at home.
Set a Schedule
Since we have already spent multiple weeks at home—and the days can run together—it is important to set Holy Week apart so that it feels special. Create a schedule for the week. Designate times for: Prayer,Spiritual reading,Simple meals, Rest and recreation, including time outside Work (i.e. bigger projects Monday-Wednesday; only necessary work during the Triduum)
Pray with Scripture
Pray and reflect upon the daily Psalms and Gospel readings. This is a beautiful way to follow Jesus from Palm Sunday through His Passion on Good Friday. Magnificat’s online magazine is free right now. It includes all the daily Mass readings, plus morning and evening prayers.
Here are some simple guidelines for praying with Scripture:
-Spend 5-10 minutes settling down. Notice your cares and concerns. Jot down a few feeling words.
-Invite God to approach you. Notice His presence, and enter into it.
-Read the daily Scripture passage slowly several times.
-Highlight words or phrases that stand out to you.
-Notice what rises in your heart: thoughts, emotions, memories, hopes, fears, or dreams. Offer them to God.
-Listen for His response, through Scripture or a stirring in your heart.
-At the conclusion of your prayer time, thank God for this time together. Journal your experience, if you so desire.
Turn Down the Noise
During Holy Week, limit secular music, social media, and news programs.
Instead, enjoy sacred music, such as Lent at Ephesus by the Benedictines of Mary Queen of Apostles.
Grow in Your Faith
Holy Week is a wonderful time for spiritual growth. Do something each day to enhance your faith.
Read a chapter from a spiritual book.
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PALM SUNDAY
HOLY WEEK SERVICES1. The Mass on Palm Sunday, April 5 will not be open to the public. Masses celebrated by the priest in ‘private’ may not in any way include parishioners. NB: Please see the recent updates from the archdiocese of New York
2. Reconciliation Monday, April 6 is an occasion of great blessing at the beginning of Holy Week. Sadly, we will not be participating this year. Priests may be available for individual confessions throughout the remainder of the Lenten season and during this period of crisis. This may take place in a more open area than the confessional. The use of the grill is to be encouraged.
3. The Mass of the Chrism, April 7 will not be celebrated. His Eminence will transfer this to a weekday in June, perhaps on the solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus (June 19) or of the apostles, Peter and Paul (June 29). Doing so would all priests to be present at the Mass to renew their promises in solidarity with each other after this difficult period. For now, continue to use the Holy Oils from last year. If you need more, contact my office and we will direct you where you may obtain them.
4. The Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday, April 9, the Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion on Good Friday, April 10, the Easter Vigil of the Lord’s Resurrection on April 11 and Easter Sunday, April 12 will not be celebrated publicly. Masses celebrated by the priest in ‘private’ may not in any way include parishioners.
5. All Masses from St. Patrick’s Cathedral with no congregation are being live streamed. Refer to the web sites www.catholicfaithnetwork.org, or www.saintpatrickscathedral.org/live
CONFIRMATION AND FIRST HOLY COMMUNION Both of these sacraments will be postponed until further notice. -
Latest Updates from Archdiocese of
New YorkSince New York is at the epicenter of this health crisis, allow us to restate what has already been announced:
• Mindful of everyone’s health, and for the sake of uniformity, palms are not to be distributed to the faithful at this time. They may be blessed at a later date using the form of blessing outside of Mass. Do not place palms outside church for people to come and pick up. We will announce the date of distribution as time goes on.
• The Mass of the Chrism will be celebrated in June, either on the Feast of the Sacred Heart or Ss. Peter and Paul, depending on circumstances at that time. The Holy Oils will be distributed when we have the Mass. Until then, continue to use the oils blessed last year. We have an ample supply at the cathedral.
• The laws of fast and abstinence are in effect for Good Friday. There has been no dispensation given. The norms on fasting are obligatory from age 18 until age 59. The norms concerning abstinence from meat and poultry are binding upon members of the Latin Catholic Church from age 14 onwards).
• The collection for the Holy Land, which normally takes place during the Good Friday Liturgy, is being transferred to a later date in August or September.