Up-to-date info on coronavirus within the State of DE: de.gov/coronavirus

Up-to-date info on coronavirus within the State of DE: de.gov/coronavirus

News Updates from State of DE

• 1/8/21:  Mass for the Baptism of the Lord will be live streamed at 4:30pm on Saturday and available on our YouTube Channel after it streams.  The worship aid & 1/10/21 bulletin for this weekend are also available online. 

• 1/5/21:  The Parish Update Survey will close on Monday, January 11th at the end of business day.  If your family has yet to fill it out, please do so within the next few days.  

• 1/4/21:  Blessing kits will be given out at Mass this weekend.  Each kit will include a piece of blessed chalk and a home blessing so you will be able to chalk your door & bless your home. There will also be blessed hay from our Christmas creche. If unable to make it to Mass, we will make the kits available in the parish office next week.

• 1/4/21:  Tax Letters - Due to the Christmas holiday & the office being closed, we are still processing offertory from December. Once completed, the 2020 tax donation letters will be sent via email on Jan. 15th to those parishioners that have requested for annual statements to be sent each year. After Jan. 15th, if you would like a 2020 tax donation letter please email Stephanie Casey or call the parish office. You may also request to have tax donation letters automatically emailed each year.

• 12/31/20:  Mass for the Solemnity of Mary, will be held Friday Jan. 1st at 8:30am.  Reminder, we will have Adoration & Confession on the 1st Saturday, Jan. 2nd, after 8:30am daily mass. Come spend some quiet time with Our Lord.  Confessions will be in a pew socially distanced with a mask from 9-9:45AM.

• 12/26/20:  Mass for the Feast of the Holy Family will be live streamed at 4:30pm on Saturday and available on our YouTube Channel after it streams.  The worship aid & 12/27/20 bulletin for this weekend are also available online. 

• 12/25/20:  Merry Christmas from St. Mary Magdalen Parish.  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord - Luke 2:11.  View pictures of St. Mary Magdalen Parish this Christmas.

• 12/22/20:  Christmas Eve 4PM Mass & Christmas Eve 8PM Mass will be live streamed and available on our YouTube Channel after it streams.  The 8PM live stream will go live at 7:45PM to highlight the pre-mass Schola program.  The 4PM, 6PM & 10:30AM worship aid, the 8PM worship aid & the Christmas bulletin are also available online.  View the Diocesan Christmas live-stream list & a Christmas message from Bishop Malooly. 

• 12/21/20: Christmas Eve & Day Updates -  It is important to understand that reservations are required for all Christmas Eve & Day Masses.  Registrations are full, so if you do not have a reservation, please do not come to Mass. 
  • For those without reservation, we will live stream the 4PM & 8PM Mass. 
  • For those with reservations, please be aware:
  • Doors will open 1 hour before Mass.
  • Ushers will check you off the roster prior to letting you go to your seats.
  • There will be no assigned seating, but we ask that larger pews are used for larger parties (5+).  Smaller groups should sit in smaller pews.
  • At this point we are unable to adjust reservations to add more people.  You will only be able to bring in the number you initially gave us. 
  • The 8PM is the full traditional “midnight” Mass.
  • There will be a pre-mass program offered by the St. Mary Magdalen Schola beginning at 7:45 pm on Christmas Eve.  This smaller choir will be wearing the appropriate singing masks.  
  • Blessed hay from the creche will be in baskets at both exits for you to take.
  • If you would like to take pictures, we ask that you exit church after communion and come back in through the front doors for pictures.
  • We appreciate you following our normal COVID guidelines for the safety of all in attendance and wish you a Merry Christmas.

• 12/17/20:  Mass for the 4th Sunday of Advent will be live streamed at 4:30pm on Saturday and available on our YouTube Channel after it streams.  The worship aid & 12/20/20 bulletin for this weekend are also available online.  Use our Prayer at the Advent Wreath when lighting your advent candle(s) each week.  

• 12/15/20: Pictures from our Bambinelli Blessing & the Angel Tree Gifts

• 12/14/20:  Christmas Reservation Update:  Reservations links for all Christmas Eve & Day Masses are closed, registrations are full.  No more Masses will be added.  Please take a moment to listen to this message from Bishop Malooly about Christmas.  To be placed on the waitlist, email your specific Mass request (Eve: 4pm, 6pm, 8pm, or Day: 10:30am) to Stephanie Casey. 

• 12/14/20:  Thank you to everyone that donated angel gifts and/or angel gift cards to help give Christmas to 25 families at Saint Paul’s Outreach Center. Gifts were dropped off this morning for families to begin picking up. 

• 12/13/20:  Angel tree gifts were due today at the 10:30 AM mass. Those who still have yet to turn in their gift have 1 last opportunity to turn them in, today from 3 to 4 PM in church while the gifts are sorted by families. Any gifts not submitted today, the responsibility will be put on the gift giver to deliver them to Saint Paul’s Outreach Center.

• 12/10/20:  Mass for the 3rd Sunday of Advent will be live streamed at 4:30pm on Saturday and available on our YouTube Channel after it streams.  The worship aid & 12/13/20 bulletin for this weekend are also available online.  Use our Prayer at the Advent Wreath when lighting your advent candle(s) each week.  

• 12/10/20:  Reminders for this weekend

1. Angel Tree gifts - due  this Sunday by 10:30am Mass, delivered Monday.
2. Angel Tree gift sorting - we still need help sorting gifts Sunday from 3-4:30pm.  Sign up if you can help.
3. Bambinelli Blessing - Join us after 10:30AM Mass this Sunday for a Bambinelli Blessing on the rectory lawn; please register for this event.  Following the blessing, we will offer self serve photos with Santa and Grab & Go munchkins, hot cocoa & coffee.  We will also have a sock drive for the homeless.
4. Messge from Bishop Malooly - Please take a moment to listen to this message from Bishop Malooly about Christmas.

• 12/9/20:  This year, SMM has our very own "traveling St Nicholas statue" that will travel throughout our community spreading a little joy. "Traveling Nicholas" made his appearance at someone's home this past weekend and will travel from family to family until December 24/25.  Pictures of his adventure on our Facebook page. 

• 12/9/20:  Christmas Reservation Update:  Reservations links for all Christmas Eve & Day Masses are closed, registrations are full.  No more Masses will be added.  To be placed on the waitlist for Christmas Eve or Day Masses email your specific Mass request (4pm, 6pm, 8pm, or 10:30am) to Stephanie Casey. 

• 12/8/20:  Reminder that Angel Gifts are due by this Sunday, wrapped with the Angel Gift tag attached. Gifts can be dropped off at the Parish Office this Thursday 12/10 from 9am-3pm, if you are unable to drop off this weekend. Gift drop off to St. Paul's Outreach Center is Monday morning, so be sure to drop off your gift on time.

• 12/7/20 - Several Updates for today:

1. Christmas Reservations: Christmas reservation links went live today:  4PM & 6PM Masses are filled, spots are still available for 8PM & 10:30am.  
2. Changes to Bambinelli:  We had originally scheduled a Bambinelli Fest, but with the new COVID guidelines, felt it safest to just do the blessing with activities that can be done in a grab & go fashion.  Money from those that previously registered has been refunded.  Join us after 10:30AM Mass 12/13 for a Bambinelli Blessing on the rectory lawn; you must register for this event.  Following the blessing, we will offer self serve photos with Santa and Grab & Go munchkins, hot cocoa & coffee.  We will also have a sock drive for the homeless.
3. Angel Gift Card donation slots have all been filled.  Thank you!
4. Angel Gifts Due & Gift Sorting Help:  Angel Gifts are due back to the main vestibule by 12/13, wrapped, with the angel used as the gift tag.  Next Sunday afternoon we will be sorting and prepping the gifts for delivery. If there are any students who need hours or adults who just want to volunteer we will need some help to make it light work.  Sign up today.
5. Help us decorate the trees out infront of church on 12/9 from 3-4pm.  We are in need of 4 families, 1 family per tree, to decorate.  All items will be proivded.  Sign up today.

• 12/6/20:  Christmas Eve & Day reservation links go live tomorrow, 12/7 at 9am.

• 12/6/20:  Thank you all so much for your generosity!  The remainder of our Angel Gift Tags have been claimed as of the last mass this weekend, as well as all our Christmas dinner donations for inner-city families!  Please return wrapped gifts (with the angel as the gift tag) next weekend 12/13 to the main vestibule. If looking for other ways to bless others this Christmas we still have Angel gift card donations for St. Paul's families available.   

• 12/4/20:  We have over 70 Angel Gift Tags that still need to be claimed in the main vestibule at church, as well as online Angel Gift Card Donations which provide Christmas presents to 25 families in need at St. Paul's Outreach Center.  Gift are due to main vestibule on Dec. 13th.

• 12/4/20: Mass for the 2nd Sunday of Advent will be live streamed at 4:30pm on Saturday and available on our YouTube Channel after it streams.  The worship aid & 12/6/20 bulletin for this weekend are also available online.  Use our Prayer at the Advent Wreath when lighting your advent candle(s) each week.  

• 12/3/20: Help a needy family have a Christmas Dinner, info & to donate online.

• 11/30/20:  We have 2 new updates to our COVID guidelines.  First, we have imposed a mask policy for Lectors:  any reading from the ambo will now require masks.  Second, we submitted a plan to the Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) on Nov. 22nd seeking permission for 150 people at Mass (due to Gov. Carney’s updated guidelines limiting houses of worship to 30% of capacity, up to 100 people, effective Nov. 23rd).  Our plan to have 150 people in Mass was approved by the DPH, with the following modifications to our guidelines:  we must implement the wearing of gloves when distributing communion.  These changes will go into effect on 12/5/20.  Eucharistic ministers will now have gloves made available to them that they must put on after they themselves receive communion & then sanitize.  

• 11/30/20:  Bring your Bambinelli (Jesus from your Manger) to the 10:30am Mass 12/13 for a special blessing that mirrors the one Pope Francis does in Rome. We will also host a BambinelliFest after mass on the rectory lawn. You must pre-register for this event so we can ensure a safe # of participants. Also, calling all artists and artisans, we will have 6 bazaar tables spots available. Apply today! 

• 11/27/20: Mass for the 1st Sunday of Advent will be live streamed at 4:30pm on Saturday and available on our YouTube Channel after it streams.  The worship aid & 11/29/20 bulletin for this weekend are also available online.  Use our Prayer at the Advent Wreath when lighting your advent candle(s) each week.  3 big events this weekend: 

1. Christingle kits (candle, orange, gum drops, etc.) will be given to children at all masses this weekend.  Learn how to put yours together by watching our Christingle Tutorial video.  
2. Angel Gift Tags will be available online and in the main vestibule starting this weekend.
3. Advent Grab and Go bags ordered in advance will be available for pick up on the rectory lawn on Sunday from 9-11am.  We will have a few extra available to purchase day of.  Watch our Advent Wreath Tutorial video.

• 11/23/20:  Thanksgiving Day Mass will be live streamed at 10am, Nov. 23rd; Thanksgiving Day Mass worship aid. 

• 11/23/20: Thank you to everyone that donated turkey vouchers and or Thanksgiving Baskets to the families at St. Paul’s Community Center. They were delivered this morning for families to start picking up today for their thanksgiving dinner.  Reminder to those that rregistered for Thanksgiving Day Mass, it will be held 11/26 at 10am.

• 11/21/20:  Friday, Governor Carney issued a 3rd revision to Omnibus COVID-19 emergency order:  Houses of worship are limited to 30% of capacity, up to 100 people, effective Nov. 23rd.  We will be submitting a plan to the Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) seeking permission for additional capacity.  This plan will need approval from DPH first to have more than 100 people in church.  

• 11/19/20: We will be pushing the opening of Christmas Reservations from Nov. 30th to Dec. 7th due to the new restrictions.  Thank you for your patience as we work through implementing these guideline changes.

• 11/17/20:  Governor Carney announced additional COVID-19 restrictions today that services in houses of worship will be allowed a max of 50 people effective Monday, 11/23/20.  Parish Staff are meeting tomorrow morning to discuss how these additional COVID-19 restrictions will affect upcoming masses, Thanksgiving & Christmas Masses.  Please be patient as we work through these guidelines.  More info to come.

• 11/16/20:  All of our Thanksgiving Baskets & Turkey Vouchers have been claimed!  Thank you so much for your generosity.  All Thanksgiving baskets are due back to the parish office by this Friday, Nov. 20th. 

• 11/16/20:  All of our Thanksgiving Baskets & Turkey Vouchers have been claimed!  Thank you so much for your generosity.  All Thanksgiving baskets are due back to the parish office by this Friday, Nov. 20th. 

• 11/12/20:  Mass for the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time will be live streamed at 4:30pm on Saturday and available on our YouTube Channel after it streams.  The worship aid & 11/15/20 bulletin for this weekend are also available online. 

• 11/12/20:  We have 3 Thanksgiving food baskets left to be claimed.  This is a great way to give back.  Our food basket program benefits St. Paul's Community Center.  If interested, register for a basket today.   

• 11/10/20:  If you are in need of service hours or would like to volunteer at the parish we now have a SignUp Genius for our Youth Volunteer Opportunities.  As more opportunities become available the list will be updated as well.  Check it often!

• 11/6/20:  Mass for the 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time will be live streamed at 4:30pm on Saturday and available on our YouTube Channel after it streams.  The worship aid & 11/8/20 bulletin for this weekend are also available online

• 11/6/20:  Reminder we will have Adoration & Confession every 1st Saturday beginning this Saturday Nov. 7th after 8:30am daily mass.  Confession from 9-9:45am and Adoration until 10:30am.  Come spend some quiet time with Our Lord.

• 11/3/20:  By now you should have received the letter from Father Kirk in the mail about our Parish Update Survey. Please help us gather updated parishioner contact information by filling out the parish survey today! Preferably online.

• 10/30/20:  This Sunday 11/1 we will hold our annual Memorial Vespers (live streamed); an afternoon prayer service in remembrance of those parishioners listed in our Book of the Dead from Oct. 2019 - Sept. 2020.  We have also added an All Souls Day Mass on Monday 11/2 at 8:30am for all the deceased members of our parish.  Come join us as we remember those we have lost.

• 10/30/20:  Mass for the Solemnity of All Saints will be live streamed at 4:30pm on Saturday and available on our YouTube Channel after it streams.  The worship aid & 11/1/20 bulletin for this weekend are also available online. 

• 10/29/20: Our Trunk or Treat will be held this Saturday 10/31 from 1-3PM.  Additional information and a map of the parking lot can be found on our Trunk or Treat Flyer.  Reminder, ONLY those who registered in advance are able to attend this event, as we were limited to the number of people per the state guidelines.

• 10/27/20: We will be doing our Thanksgiving Basket Program which benefits St. Paul's Community Center and our Turkey Vouchers again this year.  We will also offer an Advent Wreath Grab & Go kit to purchase, as well sets of Advent Candles only if you need them for your home.  For more information visit the sign up links. 

• 10/25/20:  NEW MASS ADDITION - On All Souls Day Monday, Nov. 2nd we will hold a special daily mass at 8:30am for all of the deceased members of the parish.

• 10/23/20:  Mass for the 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time will be live streamed at 4:30pm on Saturday and available on our YouTube Channel after it streams.  The worship aid & 10/25/20 bulletin for this weekend are also available online. 

• 10/21/20:  Gospel of John Class on Nov. 8th 3-5pm via Zoom.  This adult faith formation class will be taught by SMM School Principal Patrick Tiernan.  To find out more about this class and how to register visit our Adult Formation Page.

• 10/14/20:  Confirmation 2020 - We are excited to have 70 students receiving the sacrament of Confirmation this weekend.  Please keep these students in your intentions and continue to support them on their faith journey.  All Confirmations will be lived streamed.  Links to live streams:  Oct. 17th at 10am, Oct. 17th at 12pm, Oct. 17th 2pm, Oct. 18th at 12pm, & Oct. 18th at 2pm.

• 10/14/20:  Mass for the 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time will be live streamed at 4:30pm on Saturday and available on our YouTube Channel after it streams.  The worship aid & 10/18/20 bulletin for this weekend are also available online. 

• 10/8/20:  Mass for the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time will be live streamed at 4:30pm on Saturday and available on our YouTube Channel after it streams.  The worship aid & 10/11/20 bulletin for this weekend are also available online.  The parish office will be closed Monday 10/12/20 for Columbus Day.

• 10/7/20:  Please take a moment to read the Letter from Father Kirk that updates you on several matters.  This letter is being emailed to parishioners this morning, posted on our Facebook page and will be included in this weekend's bulletin.

• 10/5/20:  Adoration & Confession: 1st Saturday of each month starting in November.  All are welcome to join us on Saturday November 7th after 8:30am daily mass for Adoration and confession.  Confessions will take place from 9 - 9:45am in a pew socially distanced with masks.  Adoration will go until 10:30am. 

• 10/2/20:  Trunk or Treat, Saturday Oct. 31st from 1-3pm.  SMM will be holding a socially responsible Trunk or Treat on Oct. 31st from 1-3pm in our parking lot. You must pre-register for this event so we can ensure a safe number of participants. We will be limiting registration to 50 cars (max 6 participants per car). The cost is $5; pay online when registering. More information & guidelines on the registration.

• 10/2/20:  Mass for the 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time will be available at 4:30pm & on our YouTube Channel.  The worship aid & 10/4/20 bulletin for this weekend are also available online. 

• 10/1/20:  Thanksgiving Day Mass, Thursday Nov. 26th at 10am.  Sign up required this year.  We will holld Mass onThanksgiving morning at 10am and are asking you to sign up this year & let us know how many people are coming and if you would like a loaf of blessed bread for your Thanksgiving table.  Register today!

• 9/24/20:  New procedure for receiving communion & communion distribution: Communion will continue to be at the end of mass. We ask that you remain in your seat until an usher dismisses your pew for communion. Those sitting in the larger center pews, proceed to communion as usual up the center aisle once dismissed. NEW PROCEDURE for those in outlining pews: After distributing communion to the center aisle, the Eucharistic Ministers will move to the outlining areas for distribution. Once dismissed by an usher, you will GO UP YOUR AISLE to receive communion, then depart. The arrows on the floor have been updated to reflect this change. If receiving on the tongue you must go to the end of the communion line.  (Our communion procedures have been changing and we apologize if this has caused confusion. Based on the most up to date information, we are doing our best to make decisions that reflect the safest procedures. To ensure we are well ventilated, the top windows will remain open and our newest communion procedure listed below helps to lower the flow of movement between people. Reminder, the cry room / training room remains unavailable due to the lack of ventilation. Please do not sit or stand in this area.)

• 9/18/20:  Mass for the 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time will be live-streamed at 4:30pm on our YouTube Channel & available to view after.  The worship aid for this weekend & 9/20/20 bulletin are also available online.

• 9/11/20:  Mass for the 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time will be live-streamed at 4:30pm on our YouTube Channel & available to view after.  The worship aid for this weekend & 9/13/20 bulletin is available online.

• 9/10/20:  We will be live-streaming the Opening SMM School Mass at 10AM this Friday 9/11 for our A week students & Monday 9/14 for our B week students.

• 9/9/10:  Please read the "Call to Informed Participation in the Political Process" from Bishop Malooly which also includes the Litany of St. Thomas More.

• 9/4/20:  Mass for the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time will be live-streamed at 4:30pm on our YouTube Channel & availabe to view after.  The worship aid for this weekend & 9/6/20 bulletin is available online.

• 9/1/20:  Our SMM School students start back to school today & tomorrow with a hybrid program. Please keep our students & all those heading back to school in your prayers as they begin this new school year. Please also pray for teachers, staff, and all those educating & helping students throughout the day.

• 9/1/20:  The Parish Office will open to the public starting Thursday, September 10th with office hours of Monday & Thursday 9AM - 3PM.  A mask is required when entering the parish office.   We will also be opening the 2021 Mass Intention book on September 10th after daily mass.  Limit 5 intentions per person.   

• 8/30/20:  Mass for the 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time is available on our YouTube Channel.  The worship aid for this weekend & 8/30/20 bulletin is available online, printed bulletin in church as well. We apologize for the partial stream of mass that was posted Saturday as we encountered technical difficulties.   

• 8/22/20:  Mass for the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time will be available on our YouTube Channel at 4:30pm.  The worship aid for this weekend & 8/23/20 bulletin is available online, printed bulletin in church as well.   

• 8/19/20:  Please see the updated message below from Father Kirk in regards to CYM Fall sports:  "After further consideration and consultation and after a close examination of the CDOW CYM Fall Sports Safety Rules & Procedures, I hav decided to allow SMM to participate in the CYM Fall Sports Program. - Father Kirk"  CYM Fall sports will begin on August 31st.  ONly outdoor sports will be offered.  Volleyball will be moved to the Spring, and Softball will be offered in teh Fall, along with Soccer and Cross Country. 

• 8/17/20: The parish office will be open to the public starting September 10th with office hours of Monday & Thursday 9AM-3PM.  A mask is required upon entering the office.  We will also be opening the 2021 Mass Intention book on September 10th, more info to come in this weekend's bulletin.

• 8/13/20:  Mass for the 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time will be live-streamed at 4:30pm on our YouTube Channel & availabe to view after.  The 8/16/20 bulletin for is available online, printed bulletin in church as well.  There will be no music this weekend, no worship aid.

• 8/9/20:  Congratulations to Howard Eck & Justin Pollio, our candidates for permanent diaconate, as they were installed in the ministry of acolyte yesterday!  See pictures of both of them in the article from the Dialog.

• 8/6/20:  Mass for the 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time will be live-streamed on our YouTube Channel Saturday at 4:30m.  The 8/9/20 bulletin and worship aid for this weekend are available online; printed bulletin in church as well.

• 7/30/20:  Phase 2 beigns this Saturday, August 1st, with more mass offerings.  Mass for the 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time will be live streamed on our YouTube Channel Saturday at 4:30pm.  The 8/2/20 bulletin & worship aid for this weekend are available online; printed bulletins in church as well.

• 7/24/20:  Mass for the 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time will be available on our YouTube Channel Saturday at 5pm.  The 7/26/20 bulletin and worship aid for this weekend are available online only at this time.

• 7/21/20:  July 22nd, is the Feast Day of St. Mary Magdalen.  In 2016, recognizing St. Mary Magdalen’s role as the first to witness Christ's resurrection and as a "true and authentic evangelizer," Pope Francis raised the July 22 memorial of St. Mary Magdalen to a feast on the church's liturgical calendar.  We pray to her: St. Mary Magdalen, who by conversion became the beloved of Jesus, thank you for your witness that Jesus forgives through the miracle of love. You, who already possesses eternal happiness in His glorious presence, please intercede for me, so that someday I may share in the same everlasting joy. Amen.

• 7/14/20:  Phase 2 beginning Saturday, August 1st.  After consulting with several groups & individuals, SMM Parish will begin Phase 2 on Saturday August 1st which will include the addition of more daily masses as well as more weekend masses (including time changes).  Note the time change from 10am to 10:30am on Sunday.
•  

  Phase 2	Starting Saturday August 1st
  Daily Mass	8:30am Tuesday  8:30am Wednesday  8:30am Thursday  8:30am 1st Friday  8:30am Saturday
  Weekend Mass	4:30pm Saturday  8:30am Sunday  10:30am Sunday

       
• 7/3/20:  Please note the new configuration when coming to church. The caution tape has been taken down, and there are now signs on pews indicating which ones are closed for social distancing. If you see a pew with a sign that says “pew closed” please do not sit there. You may sit on either side of the pews that are open. There is blue tape in the middle of open pews indicating what 6 feet of social distancing looks like.  Your family can cross the blue tape line as long as the next person(s) outside of your family are 6 feet apart.  (Example, a family of three people can sit on the right side of the pew and a couple could sit on the left side of the pew as long as you ensure there are 6 feet between the two parties.)  Ushers on hand to assist.  

• 7/17/20:  Mass for the 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time will be available on our YouTube Channel Saturday at 5pm.  The 7/19/20 bulletin and worship aid for this weekend is available online only at this time.

• 7/10/20:  Mass for the 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time will be available on our YouTube Channel Saturday at 5pm.  The 7/12/20 bulletin and worship aid for this weekend is available online.

• 7/7/20:  Updated Mass times starting July 14th.  Beginning next Tuesday, we will be having daily mass on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday and moving the time of those masses back to 8:30AM.  Our weekend mass will continue to be 10AM Sunday. 

• 7/4/20:  Mass for the 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time is now avaiable online, along with the worship aid & this weekend's bulletin.

• 6/27/20:  First Communions will be live streamed on our YouTube Channel today at 10am, 1pm and 4pm; Sunday at 1pm & 4pm.  Mass for the 13th Sunday in ordinary time will be available at 5pm & the 6/28/20 bulletin is now available online.  Photos from our First Holy Communions are also available online.

• 6/26/20:  First Communions - Anyone wanting to tune into our live stream of our First Holy Communions this weekend, our first one is today at 4PM.  Please click on our YouTube Channel at the time of the mass to see.

• 6/19/20:  Mass for the 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time is now available online and Mass will be held at SMM on Sunday at 10AM.  The 6/21/20 bulletin is available online.  Also, the Diocese of Wilmington salutes Christ's earthly guardian and a model for all fathers, with a video of images of Saint Joseph from the churches of the Catholic Diocese of Wilmington. Saint Joseph, pray for us.  Happy Fathers' Day!

• 6/16/20:  Bishop Malooly has joined the other bishops who serve Maryland in a joint statement on racial justice titled, "Building Bridges of Understanding and Hope."  It was published on June 15, 2020 by the Maryland Catholic Conference. You can read it here https://www.mdcatholic.org/racial_justice_letter

• 6/15/20:  Please read the Letter from Father Kirk 6/14/20 addressing SMM Parish, parish offertory and finances, & racism in America.

• 6/13/20: Mass for the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ, Corpus Christi will be available today at 5PM, with reflection given by diaconate candidate Justin Pollio.  The 6/14/20 bulletin is available online.

• 6/9/20:  Message from Father Kirk:  I am looking for a few individuals who would be willing to launder and iron our altar linens.  (These are the linens used by the priest while celebrating Mass – corporals, purificators, and finger towels.)  The process involves presoaking, washing, and hand ironing.  You will be provided with specific instructions on how they are to be folded and ironed.  My hope is that with several people they can share the responsibility and only have to take a “turn” every few weeks.  If you have interest, please contact me at 302-652-6800 Ext 112 or smmkirk@smmchurch.org or  stephanie.casey@smmchurch.org or ext. 145.  

• 6/7/20:  The Link to the SMMS 8th Grade Graduation Parade will go Live today, June 7th at noon & the SMMS 8th grade Graduation will be made available online at 4pm & the SMMS 8th grade graduation slide show available at 4:30pm.

• 6/6/20:  The June 7th bulletin is now available online, our special graduation issue, and online mass for Trinity Sunday this weekend will be available today at 5pm. 

• 6/5/20:  Eucharistic Minister (EM) Training Video is now available online.  Please remember in Phase 1, EM's are now scheduled in advance.

• 6/5/20:  SMM School's 8th grade Baccalaureate Mass is available online. 

• 6/3/20: As we prepare to open our doors tomorrow for our 1st daily Mass at 10am, a few reminders: please familiarize yourself with the reopening guidelines & watch the instructional video prior to coming. There will be no worship aids for daily masses, but you can bring your own missal or visit our website on your mobile device for the link to today's readings from the USCCB. See you tomorrow!

• 5/31/20:  Parishioners reopening instructional video is now available online.  This video will assist parishioners with returning to mass.  We ask anyone planning to attend mass to please view this video and follow our reopening guidelines.

• 5/30/20:  Pentecost Sunday Mass is now available online.

• 5/29/20:  Reopening schedule announced:  1st daily mass will be June 4th at 10AM & 1st weekend mass will be June 7th at 10AM.  As SMM reopens, Phase 1, we will offer 2 daily masses per week (T & TH) and one weekend mass (Sunday).  Our approach is to have a safe and gradual opening, giving time between masses to learn and make changes as needed, ensuring the best practices are utilized. 

• 5/27/20:  Daily Mass for 5/27/20 offered for Fran & Kay Reilly's 70th Wedding Anniversary is available online.  Interview with the couple is posted after the Mass.

• 5/22/20:  Mass for the Ascension of the Lord / 7th Sunday of Easter  is now available online, along with the bulletin for the weekend of May 24th. 

• 5/21/20:  A letter from Father Kirk addressing heading back to church is now available online and will also be mailed to all parishioners.  The letter addresses general information, celebration of the Eucharist, directives for the distribution of and instructions for those receiving Holy Communion. Please keep checking our website for the most up to date information as it is available.  

• 5/19/20:  Father Kirk is pleased to announce the newly formed SMM Parish Reopening Task Force.  The task force members are as follows:  Stephanie Casey, Bill Dowdell, Howard Eck, Garvan McDaniel, Megan McGlinchey, and Melissa Calvanico-Pollio.  They have been charged with creating guidelines for the reopening of SMM Church and the resumption of Masses.  Father Kirk expects their work to be completed as quickly as possible however please be aware that this will still take some time.  Bishop Malooly will be issuing directives for reopening in the very near future.  We will issues updates as they become available.  Keep praying.  Stay patient.

• 5/19/20: Governor Carney's announcement 5/18/20 regarding church opening guidelines and the resumption of public worship services in DE: Please know the specific details of "when" and "how" masses in the Diocese of Wilmington will resume are still being determined.  

• 5/19/20:  In our June 7^th bulletin, we will be listing our graduates from SMM School (8^th grade) & our parish high school graduates.  Families with college graduates / info requested: we would also like to publish a list of parishioners that graduated from college as the Class of 2020.  If you are a parishioner & have a graduate from college this year, please send their name, college name, & major to Stephanie.Casey@smmchurch.org.  

• 5/16/20:  Mass for the 6th Sunday of Easter is now available online.

• 5/13/20:  Today at 10AM, Bishop Malooly will live-stream a School Mass for Catholic School Students and their families.  All are welcome to join.

• 5/10/20:  As we celebrate Mary during the month of May, and salute our earthly mothers on Mothers' Day, we present images of Our Lady from the churches of the Diocese of Wilmington video. We pray that one day soon we will be worshiping together again in our beautiful church buildings.

• 5/9/20:  Mass for the 5th Sunday of Easter is now available.  Prayers go out today to all the children that would have received their 1st Holy Communion this weekend.

• 5/8/20:  The 5/10/20 bulletin is now available online.        

• 5/7/20:  Memorial Mass Live Streamed Thursday 5/7/20 at 5PM.  We invite you to join us via live stream as Father Kirk will be offering a Memorial Mass to remember all those who have passed away during the time of quarantine. We will remembering the names that have already been brought forward by parishioners.  All are welcome.  

• 5/5/20:  Please read the Looking Ahead PDF provided by the diocese.  It should be helpful to the many people who are inquiring as to when we will open our churches and what to expect when we are back in our churches.  As you will see, there are still many realities to consider.     

• 5/3/20:  On this World Day of Prayer for Vocations, a vocation day message from Craig Kursinsky is now available.

• 5/2/20:  Our 4th Sunday of Easter Mass for this weekend is now available.  

• 5/2/20:  Prayers go out today to all the children that would have received their 1st Holy Communion this weekend.

• 5/1/30:  The Catholic Diocese of Wilmington invites all of us to join together in the 9 day Coronavirus Novena from May 2nd through May 10th.  All 9 days of the Novena, from Mr. John-Paul Deddens.  Listen to the excerpt from Catholic Forum airing this weekend where Father Kirk discusses the novena.  

• 4/30/20:  Watch the special video from Bishop Malooly regarding Friday's reconsecration of our country to Mary, Queen of the Church, and about the Diocese of Wilmington's Coronavirus Novena (Saturday, May 2nd to Sunday, May 10th).  All 9 days of the Novena. 

• 4/29/20:  Join Archbishop José H. Gomez, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and archbishop of Los Angeles, in renewing our consecration to Mary on Friday, May 1st at 3PM!  Livestream available on LA Catholics website & facebook.  This moment of unified prayer will give our Church the occasion to pray for Our Lady’s continued protection of the vulnerable, healing of the sick, and wisdom for those who work to cure COVID-19.  Worship aids available.

• 4/27/20:  Join us each week on facebook for the "Question of the Week."  This week we ask if you know someone who has passed away during this time & the family wasn’t able to have a funeral? If so, please place their name in the comments on facebook as we have created a virtual prayer chain to lift up in prayer all those listed.

• 4/24/20:  The 4/26/20 bulletin is now available online.  Bulletins during this time will be available online every other week and be shortened in size.   

• 4/25/20:  Our 3rd Sunday of Easter Mass for this weekend is now available online.

• 4/25/20:  Today's daily Mass available online for the Feast of St Mark the Evangelist.  Celebrant is Father Kirk Pastor. Howard Eck, diaconate candidate for the Diocese of Wilmington gives the reflection on the readings of the day.

• 4/24/20:  The 4/26/20 bulletin is now available online.  Bulletins during this time will be available online every other week and be shortened in size. 

• 4/21/20:  Thank you message from Father Kirk to all SMM teachers.

• 4/19/20:  Our latest video, Easter symbols for kids, is now available online. Have your children watch and join Father Kirk as he explains the symbols of Easter.      

• 4/18/20:  Our 2nd Sunday of Easter Mass / Divine Mercy Mass for this weekend will be made available online & posted at 5PM.

• 4/17/20:  In addition to our website for resources, we wanted to make you aware of a new page created on the diocesian website:  Resources in Times of Pandemic.  It is a clearinghouse for resources for:  prayer, spritual formation, resources for all (young adults, young people, children, parents & families, pastoral ministers), resources in Español, best practices and mental health.

• 4/14/20:  Virtual Best Dressed Contest - Congrats to the following winning families chosen by Father Kirk: McNiff, Farrell, Hamill, Mieczkowski, Marley, Riegel, Zogheib & McHugh Family.  Your gift cards werew mailed to your home 4/27/20. Thank you to everyone that participated!  We loved seeing your families.

• 4/12/20:  Easter Message from Father Kirk available online.

• Parishes with live stream for Easter Sunday morning:  8AM Cathedral of Saint Peter, Wilmington, DE, 9AM Saint Elizabeth Parish, Wilmington, DE, 9AM Saint Ann, Bethany Beach, DE, 9:30AM Saint Mary of the Assumption, Hockessin, DE, 10:30AM (Latin Mass) St. Patrick, Wilmington, DE

• 4/12/20:  Our Easter Sunday Bulletin.  During this time of quarantine, bulletins will be available online every other week and be shortened in size.

• 4/11/20:  Saturday Easter Vigil - Part 1 & Easter Vigil Part II  - 8PM live stream, online after.  We experienced some technical difficulties during the stream, breaking it into two parts.  To those watching, thank you for your patience & understanding.

• 4/10/20:  Good Friday of the Lord's Passion was live streamed at 3PM, available online after that.   

• 4/9/20:  Holy Thursday Mass - The Lord's Supper is now available online. Thank you for your patience and understanding while we had technical difficulties. 

• 4/8/20:  Memorial Mass now available online. This mass is being offered for the repose of the souls of our beloved dead who have left us during the pandemic. 

• 4/5/20:  Father Kirk's video message for children available now online.  He explains the significant symbols of Holy Week and calls for the young people of the parish to join him in prayer.  

• 4/4/20:  A letter from Father Kirk was mailed to all parishioners and should be delivered this weekend.

• 4/4/20:  Mass for Palm Sunday now available online.  Please subscribe to our YouTube channel when viewing videos.  By obtaining 1,000 subscribers we will have the capability to live stream with better ease.    

• SMM Community: we want to see how you are keeping church alive in your homes.  Send pictures to Stephanie.casey@smmchurch.org and/or share them yourself on facebook using the hashtag  #smmchurchathome and we will feature them on our website & facebook page.   

• 4/3/20:  Thursday, 5th Week of Lent video, Father Norman Carroll reading the Gospel and Seminarian Craig Kursinsky giving a reflection

• 4/4/20:  A letter from Father Kirk was mailed to all parishioners and should be delivered this weekend.

• 4/4/20: Daily Mass is now available online.  During this mass, SMM's permanent diaconate candidate Justin Pollio gives a reflection on entering Holy Week.   

• 4/2/20:  It is with great sadness to inform you that Father Hilary Rodgers, former Associate Pastor at SMM, passed away.  Read the Dialog article.

• 4/1/20:  Updated Message from Bishop Malooly

• 4/1/20: Please watch the Urgent Personal Message from Father Kirk.  We have had parishioners ask how they can give during these times.  Information on ways to give today.

• 3/31/20:  SMM School's 3rd Grade Stations of the Cross available on online.

• 3/30/20: No Palm distribution announced.  Read the Dialog article.

• 3/28/20:  Mass for the 5th Sunday in Lent is now available online. Celebrant is the Most Reverand W. Francis Malooly, Bishop of Wilmington with concelebrant is Very Reverand James T. Kirk.  

• 3/27/20:  Stations of the Cross with Benediction with Father Kirk is now available online.  Please use our guide for adoration with children if watching as a family since the stations include adoration.

• 3/27/20:  Daily Mass with Father Kirk was added to our YouTube channel.  Father is saying daily masses, all intentions are begin fulfilled & we will be posting one a week online for people to view.  Previous masses on our YouTube channel.

• 3/25/20:  The Rosary with Father Kirk is now available online.  Start off your morning praying the rosary with intentions for the swift end to the Corona Virus.

• 3/18/20:  Video message from Father Kirk on our new YouTube channel

• 3/17/20:  Letter from Father Kirk to the Parish.  

• NEW! Online giving is now available on our website for offertory donations.  We appreciate your continued support during this time.  Offertory envelopes can be mailed to the parish office. 

• We ask that you use Pope Francis’ Prayer to Blessed Mary during the Coronavirus Pandemic in your daily prayer.

• Effective 3/15/20: Bishop Malooly, at the advice of government officials, and after consultation with medical professionals, has canceled all public Masses in the Diocese of Wilmington until further notice.  This effort is designed to help safeguard the public and prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus.  

• 3/15/20:  The diocesan Office of Communications set up https://cdow.org/coronavirus in order to keep the Catholic community up-to-date regarding the coronavirus.   

• 3/13/20:  All diocesan and parish Catholic schools and religious education programs are closed or canceled. As of now, schools are scheduled to reopen on Monday, May 18, 2020.  SMM Church Hall, School & Gym will be closed to any outside activities & all CYM Sports events have been cancelled until further notice.

• 3/13/20:  Eucharistic Ministers to the sick & homebound will not make any home or nursing home visits until further notice as a precautionary measure.