Dear Parish Family,
 
I pray that this letter finds you and your families healthy and well.
 
I am writing to share updates regarding the impact – physical, educational, social, mental and spiritual -- of the Coronavirus (Covid-19) on the St. John’s community. As you certainly know, this is a very fluid situation fraught with uncertainty and stress.
 
First and foremost, I want to assure you that the safety and health of our parish, school and community families are always our paramount concern.
 
St. John Chrysostom Parish and Mother of Providence Regional Catholic School are following – and often anticipating – all directives from local, state and federal authorities and from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia regarding health, safety and maintenance practices and the appropriate prevention and management measures to keep our communities safe.
 
To that end:
 
 
  • Archbishop Nelson Perez has indefinitely suspended the obligation to attend Sunday Mass. Please see his statement here. Please note: This does not mean that Masses are canceled. To the contrary: For now, and unless directed otherwise, St. John Chrysostom will maintain its regular Mass schedule: 8 am Tuesday through Friday; 4 pm Saturday; and 8, 9:30 and 11:30 am Sunday. Confessions are still being heard at 3:15 to 3:45 pm Saturdays in church.

  • The Archdiocese has closed all Catholic schools and all Parish Religious Education Programs (PREP) through Friday, March 27. Please see the full announcement here. Therefore, St. John’s PREP will not meet March 22 (March 15 was a previously scheduled day off).
 
  • Following Archdiocesan directives, all parish social events, CYO activity and ministry meetings are cancelled through March 27. Events past this date will be evaluated in the weeks ahead.

On the other hand, please know that:
 
  • All funerals, baptisms and weddings remain on schedule at this time.

  • Sr. Maria McCoy’s morning retreat on praying “The Examen,” scheduled for 10 to 11:30 am tomorrow (Saturday, March 14), will be held as scheduled in church.
 
  • The Stations of the Cross, scheduled for 6 pm Tuesdays in church, are still being held.
 
  • The Parish House remains open on our regular schedule (9-5 weekdays and 10:40 am to 1 pm Sundays), and we are here to serve you. To minimize unnecessary personal contact, please email our staff or call us at (610) 874-3418 for assistance whenever possible.
 
Let me add a personal note. I recognize the extreme strain that the virus and its massive disruptions are inflicting on our families and community. People are understandably fearful and stressed.
 
However, as we continue to exercise the utmost preventive care to prevent the spread of illness, let us recognize that we remain one human family, all God’s children, and will get through this only by working together in a supportive spirit.
 
So I ask you to join me in following all health directives; reaching out by phone or social media to those who are isolated; continuing to remember those in chronic need; and praying for the health of those afflicted, for the safety of our health-care workers, and for an end to this pandemic.
 
In Christ,

Fr. Ed Hallinan
Pastor