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Synod

Mass-Obligation-Restored-Release

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Bishop-Letter-Sunday-Obligation-Reinstated-Final

The Latest Mass (also on our Facebook or our “Masses” page).

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March 20, 2020

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10

My dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

During the past several weeks, we have quickly seen the coronavirus/COVID-19 grow from an overseas threat to one that is now a present reality for all of us. I wish to reassure you that during the past week, our Parish and the Diocese have responded promptly to this ever changing situation by implementing the recommendations from our public health professionals in order to prevent the spread of this virus. This week, Bishop Gainer announced that, out of great concern for the faithful, he is temporarily suspending all daily and weekend public Masses in the Diocese and is asking parishes to close their buildings.

Please understand these requests are for your safety, the safety of your fellow Parishioners, the safety of those at-risk family members living at home with our Parishioners, the safety of our Parish Staff, and yes, the safety of your Pastor. In no way are we removing God. On the contrary, we are greatly increasing our online presence and are providing a range of resources for your continued spiritual growth. As your Pastor, please be assured of my continued prayers for you, your families, my brother priests and deacons, our religious, and all those affected by this virus. These rapidly changing circumstance may lead some to experience feelings of panic, fear, worry, and doubt. As we read in Isaiah, our Lord tells us to not fear for He is always with us and will uphold us during times of trouble.

I pray that all of us will first face these times with prayer, asking for our Lord’s healing for the sick, protection for those caring for the ill, and for His comforting hands on those who are fearful. Next, although the doors to our Parish are closed, we should continue to find ways to live our faith and to also find strength through the Word of God. A livestream Mass may be found at https://video.ewtn.com/daily-mass Even if you are able to watch a live-streamed Mass, I highly encourage you as a family to use the Sunday Prayer at Home resource that is available on our website.

The mission of Saint Richard will continue during these times. But in order to continue our work, we need your support. I ask you to pray for our Parish, our Diocese and our Country. I also ask for your continued financial support. Without your gifts, our Parish will struggle to continue our most basic functions. I know these times are challenging, but I humbly ask for your continued financial support so that we may continue our vital functions. Gifts can be made by mailing your check to the Parish.

Thank you for your continued support. May God keep you safe, continue to bless you and your families, and keep us all in His loving care.

Faithfully yours in Christ,
Reverend Stephen D. Weitzel Saint Richard Church

Sunday Prayer at Home
Spiritual Communion

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SUNDAY MASS SCHEDULE
Saturday Vigil – 4:00 p.m.
Sunday Morning – 8:00 and 10:30 a.m.

SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION
Saturday – 3:00 p.m. to 3:45 p.m.

WEEKDAY MASS SCHEDULE
Monday through Friday – 9:00 a.m.
Second Friday of the month: Mass at Pleasant View at 10 a.m.

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DIRECTIONS – 201 Adele Avenue Manheim, PA  17545   PH – (717) 665-2465

There’s plenty of parking!

 

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Our Time & Talent Serve the Lord.

You can call the parish office for further details about how to serve the Lord through these various ministries:

• • Caring Community
  • Altar Servers
  • Ushers
  • Funeral Luncheons
  • Maintenance Finance Committee
  • Lectors
  • Eucharistic Ministers
  • Knights of Columbus
  • Money Counters
  • Religious  Education Adult Faith Formation RCIA
  • Music Ministry
  • Social Outreach Services
  • Pastoral Council

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CCD (Grades 1 – 8)

Elementary Education (1st – 8th Grade)

We want to include all children and provide appropriate accommodations and supports so that all children may grow in the faith according to their individual abilities.

To register your child/children in Religious Education:

• Complete registration form.  Complete Special Needs Registration information if required.
• Students registering for the first time at St. Richard Church must provide a copy of Baptism and First Eucharist certificates as appropriate if not received at St. Richard Church.
• Enclose the total amount due (see registration fees).  If you are able, please consider a donation to the scholarship fund to assist families unable to pay full registration fees.
• Complete the volunteer opportunities form.
• Submit registration packet completed in its entirety to Director of Religious Education.

Registration Fee
Registration fee is $50 per child not to exceed $150 per family.   This includes all textbooks and supplies.  This does not include registration for any retreats or transportation to or from any special events.

Please make all checks payable to St. Richard Catholic Church.

If your family would like to be considered for a scholarship, please contact the Director of Religious Education.

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The following is a memorandum from:

James F. Gontis Director, Office of Evangelization and Catechesis

As we are looking forward to being in-person for another catechetical year, and as Covid-19 and its variants continue to present challenges, the guidance from federal, state and local authorities varies and is ever-changing. Therefore, in order to avoid confusion, the Office for Evangelization and Catechesis, is providing, below, instruction for parishes that are holding in-person instruction for the 2021-2022 catechetical/academic year. This plan aims to keep the protection and safety of our parish children foremost by mitigating exposure to the Covid-19 virus.

1. Acknowledgment Form: Each student must have this signed and dated by each student’s parent(s)/guardian(s) and on file at each parish. If a parent/guardian refuses to sign the Acknowledgment Form, the family may be offered a home-based catechetical plan.
2. Masks: All adults, teens and children are to be masked before and during an in-person instruction session and at dismissal until safely outdoors.
A. A face mask, covering the mouth and nose, must be worn by all students, teachers, staff and visitors, regardless of vaccination status, when inside our Catholic schools.
B. Face masks are not required when:
o Wearing a mask would cause a medical condition or exacerbate an existing one, including respiratory issues, mental health conditions or a disability.
* In these cases, a face shield is recommended to be worn.
o Engaging in an activity that cannot be performed while masked, like eating and drinking or playing a musical instrument.
o Participating in athletic practices or events, whether indoor or outdoor.
o The individual is under two (2) years of age.
3. Social Distancing: Desks or seating must be at least three feet apart.
4. Classroom or Instructional space:
*Environment: Keep well ventilated to the greatest extent possible to circulate fresh air.
*Seating Charts: Important for Covid-19 tracing if someone tests positive and was present at Parish Religious Education class or Parish Youth Ministry session.
*Shared School classrooms: Do not change the desk or other furniture set up.
5. Educational and Hygienic Supplies: The parish or families should provide hand sanitizer and tissues; educational materials such as crayons, markers, paper products, etc. should not be shared.
6. Cleaning and Sanitizing Shared Space: Rooms, bathrooms, high traffic areas and any shared space is to be cleaned and sanitized after each Parish Religious Education or Youth Ministry session. For guidance, go to: www.cdc.gov/coronavirus
7. Monitoring Student Health: Parents/guardians should monitor their child’s health and not send a sick child to the Religious Education class or Youth Ministry session.
8. Tracing and Reporting: If a student or an adult volunteer tests positive for Covid-19 or a variant, immediately contact the local County/City Department of Health for guidance.
9. Diocese of Harrisburg Catholic Schools Plan: For further guidance, please refer to the Diocese of Harrisburg’s Catholic Schools Re-Opening Plan Framework 2021-2022 for
elements that may pertain to Parish Religious Education or Youth Ministry, see link below:
21-22 Diocesan Reopening Plan version 2 (hbgdiocese.org).

Some Links of Note

Diocese of Harrisburg
http://www.hbgdiocese.org/

Diocesan Religion Curriculum
http://www.hbgdiocese.org/catholic-schools/religion-curriculum/

Diocesan Safe Environment Program
https://www.youthprotectionhbg.com/youth-protection-policy/

Diocesan Online Training
http://www.hbgdiocese.org/safeyouth/youth-protection-on-line-training/

Codes of Conduct
https://www.hbgdiocese.org/safeyouth/youth-protection-codes-of-conduct/

Forms

Covid-19 Parish Employees and Volunteers of Parish Religious Education and or Parish Youth Ministry Programs Acknowledgment Form (pdf)

Covid-19 Education Youth Ministry Parent Acknowledgment Form (pdf)

Reopening Guidelines (pdf)

Master Schedule of Documents (docx) – DOWNLOAD

Religious Education Registration Form (pdf)

Special Needs Registration Form (pdf)

Sponsor Certificate (docx) – DOWNLOAD

Patron Saint Report Guidelines (docx) – DOWNLOAD

Service Hours Forms (docx) – DOWNLOAD

Confirmation Q and A (pdf)

Letter to the Bishop (docx) – DOWNLOAD

Baptism Verification St. Richard (pdf)