Some powerful Members of Congress want taxpayer dollars to pay for abortion for poor women. To offer a woman a government-funded abortion, but not the resources she needs to care for her child, is not “choice” but coercion. Government money would be better spent supporting women in crisis pregnancies and struggling new mothers than paying to end the lives of their children. Tell Congress to save the Hyde amendment: https://bit.ly/no-taxpayer-abortion-action.
Pope Francis has called for a global prayer marathon for the entire month of May, praying for the end to the pandemic. The Archdiocese of Atlanta is joining in this effort by sharing a rosary from a different community every evening from May 1-31 at 6 p.m. on our Vimeo and on our social media channels. We invite you to join us in this prayer.
April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month
Join us throughout the month, as we continue to pray for the healing of victims of abuse.
The archbishop’s Holy Week statement on racism
Stations of the Cross (Spanish)
Live Stations of the Cross by Messengers of Christ (Mensajeros de Cristo)
Click on the link below for the Station of the Cross Prayer (from the USCCB webpage)
Archbishop Hartmayer offeres statement on Atlanta shootings
Vatican modifies distribution of ashes for Ash Wednesday
Vatican modifies distribution of ashes for Ash Wednesday – Vatican News
The Congregation for Divine Worship releases a note laying out the procedures priests around the world are to follow for the distribution of ashes at the start of Lent.
By Vatican News
The health situation caused by Covid-19 continues to forces changes on daily life, which are also reflected in the Church’s sphere.
Ahead of the beginning of Lent, on Wednesday, 17 February, the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments has published a note detailing how Catholic priests are to distribute ashes.
Instructions
After blessing the ashes and sprinkling them with holy water in silence, the priest addresses those present, reciting once the formula found in the Roman Missal: “Repent, and believe in the Gospel” or “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return”.
At that point, the note continues, the priest “cleanses his hands, puts on a face mask, and distributes ashes to those who come to him or, if appropriate, he goes to those who are standing in their places.”
He then sprinkles the ashes on each person’s head “without saying anything.”
From Archbishop Gregory Hartmayer to community of Gainesville
Let us join Archbishop Gregory in prayer for all those affected by last week’s tragic accident. And if you know anyone in need, please let us know. May God grant peace to all involved.
Communion Reception
My hands are a manger for the Eucharist.
My dear brothers and sisters of John Paul II Mission. As most of you know by now, I was recently tested positive for the COVID-19 virus. This Sunday I complete the minimum of ten-days quarantine, but due to some symptoms persisting and getting worse I have elected to continue quarantine for additional time.
At this parish, it has been custom to receive Communion in the tongue or the hand, at the discretion of the communicant. For the seven months, since coming to Gainesville I have honored that desire for our communicates. However, since we have had a surge in cases and I myself have contracted the virus, despite using precautions, I am mandating immediately that all those who receive Communion at St. John Paul II receive in the hand until such time as the current pandemic has passed.
John Paul II tells us that just as the paralytic extended his hands to receive the saving power of Jesus, so we extend our hands in order to receive the precious Body of Christ for its healing power. The proper way to receive in the hand is to place one hand in another and extend towards the minister of communion. Once you receive the host, please communicate with one hand or the other and replace your mask.
I know this may disappoint some people, but for the safety and protection of our clergy, extraordinary ministers and all those who receive, we find this necessary at this time. THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS!
May we pray together as we receive the Lord’s Body in our hands that we see our hands as the manger of the Body of Christ.
Fr. Mark
Free- COVID-19 Testing – Saturday, Feb. 6th
Free COVID-19 Testing @ St. John Paul II Catholic Mission Saturday, Feb. 6th from 9:30am to 3:30pm. Registration required: Text “Covid” to 888-204-5903