A MESSAGE FROM THE PASTOR
May 2020
Dear Parishioner:
As you have been reading in my bulletin letters these past weeks, the Corona Virus pandemic has been high in our consciousness, sadly because we have had several parishioners succumb to it. We will miss them and ask God to give them eternal rest.
Schools and libraries are closed; non-essential businesses have been shuttered and life as we knew it has been drastically changed. Even churches have been forced to curtail our liturgies because of the fear of spreading the virus in large gatherings, such as Masses.
I imagine that, to you, I am belaboring the obvious, but I say this because it will put into proper context what I am about to say. Many businesses, small, medium and large are hurting financially because, by being closed, they have no revenues coming in. Mortgages and rent are not being paid and employees are not receiving their salaries – all things which hurt.
I fully understand the financial burdens that you, as homeowners or renters, are facing. Utility bills have to be paid; health insurance and other premiums are coming due. As responsible citizens you understand and feel the need to pay these obligations.
I think it is no surprise when I tell you that, as a parish with buildings, we face similar financial demands. I sincerely thank all of you who have been thinking about these and have been assisting your parish to conduct its business by keeping up with your weekly donations even though there are no public services. But the bills keep coming and I need your help now more than ever for this parish to stay afloat, as they say.
Added to this is the fact that the pandemic has forced us to cancel our big fundraiser of the year, the parish carnival. The proceeds from this event go a long way to aid us in keeping up with our financial obligations. Not this year, unfortunately.
For all these reasons I reluctantly have to come to you to ask you to increase your monetary donations to the parish as much as you can to help us to keep doing the work we have been commissioned to by the Archdiocese of New York and by the sacred trust you have given us as parishioners. I cannot tell you how much you should or can give. Only you know that. But I do ask you to turn within yourself to determine what you can do to help your parish financially. I will be eternally grateful for whatever help you can give.
I am not going to tread upon your valuable time any further. I will simply say that I will be praying earnestly for you to make the decisions that will most benefit your parish. I thank you and ask God to bless you abundantly for your past generosity and I sincerely believe you will be there for your parish once again.
Yours in Christ,
Rev. Joseph A. Emmanuel
Pastor
BOTH DAILY AND WEEKEND MASSES CANCELED IN ARCHDIOCESE OF NEW YORK UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE
There will be no adoration at St. Joan of Arc on Thursdays until further notice
The chapel in the St. Joan of Arc rectory will be open for private prayer every day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
THE RECTORY OFFICE IS CLOSED
FR. EMMANUEL CAN BE REACHED AT 845-351-5284
Office Hours – CLOSED Until Further Notice
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday 10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (and by appointment)
Office is closed on Tuesdays
Office located in
St. Joan of Arc Rectory
32 Eagle Valley Rd
Sloatsburg, NY 10974
845-753-5239
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