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

• 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.