Amidst the viral outbreak of the Coronavirus (a.k.a. COVID-19), St. Damien Parish will be taking certain measures to ensure the safety and well-being of our parishioners and community. Here, you can find information and updates pertaining to what we’re doing to combat the spread of the virus.
What is Coronavirus?
Please read the CDC’s official definition.
Bishop Sullivan’s Response
Coronavirus: All Masses to Be Closed to the Public Until Further Notice
Which Churches Remain Open?
St. Frances Cabrini (2nd & Atlantic Ave.)
- Closed to the public until further notice. No activities or events will take place.
St. Augustine Church (13th & Wesley Ave.)
- Open to the public during Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Our Lady of Good Counsel (40th & Asbury Ave.)
- Closed to the public until further notice. No activities or events will take place.
Changes to Mass
As you are aware, Bishop Sullivan has already dispensed the faithful from the obligation to participate in Sunday Mass. In accord with the Governor’s directive to limit gatherings to no more than fifty people, Bishop Sullivan now directs that all public weekday and Sunday Masses be suspended beginning no later than Wednesday, March 18, 2020 and until further notice. Public weekday Masses are not to be held even if attendance is fewer than fifty since, generally speaking, it is the older faithful who are most vulnerable who usually attend.
Since the Eucharist is the source and summit of our Christian life, all priests at St. Damien Parish will celebrate Mass privately for the good of the Christian faithful entrusted to their care and in satisfaction of the intentions of those who have made an offering for Mass.
UPDATE: The Diocese of Camden has issued guidelines as to how we will be able to reopen our Masses to the public. Please read Fr. Michael Rush’s blog post on the matter linked here.
Live Streaming
St. Damien Parish is live streaming our weekly Masses without a congregation both Saturday evenings and Sunday mornings. You can tune in by visiting stdamienparish.com/mass. Please like our Facebook page for regular updates pertaining to new live streams.
Other Resources
For those of you looking for more ways to celebrate Mass while in lockdown, explore these resources.
- Watch Channel 6, WPVI TV – ABC Sunday mornings at 5:30 a.m. ET
- Watch The Sunday Mass on UPtv Sunday mornings at 6:30 a.m. ET
- Stream Daily TV Mass Every Sunday whenever is convenient for you
- Watch EWTN Sunday mornings at 8 a.m. ET (Comcast channel 15, DirecTV channel 370, DishTV channel 261-9417)
Penance
Confessions will be held from 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. and from 3 p.m. – 5 p.m. on Saturdays at St. Augustine Church (13th & Wesley Ave.).
Confirmation
Bishop Sullivan has confirmed that confirmation will not be held this year at St. Damien Parish or anywhere in the Diocese of Camden.
Anointing of the Sick
St. Damien Parish will continue to provide the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick and will proceed with due consideration to the precautions in place at an individual’s home, nursing home, or hospital. The celebration of the last Sacraments and Viaticum will also still be offered.
Baptisms
The celebration of the Sacrament of Baptism at St. Damien Parish will not be taking place until further notice.
Marriages
All marriages at St. Damien Parish planned for the months of March, April, and May of 2020 have been either canceled or postponed.
Funerals
Families of deceased loved ones will be reached out to by St. Damien Parish in hopes of postponing some funerals.
Adoration
The Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament will be offered Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at St. Augustine Church (13th & Wesley Ave.). Benediction will not be offered. We encourage those who attend to practice aggressive social distancing in an effort to protect others.
St. Damien Parish Religious Education
All Catholic Schools within the Diocese of Camden have been closed until further notice. Bishop Sullivan, along with Diocesan and Catholic Schools staff, will continue to monitor the situation closely in order to determine a potential re-opening date, likely in the fall. Students and families are encouraged to follow directives set by the New Jersey Department of Health and Human Services to slow the spread of COVID-19 and prevent further infection.
Collections
We are asking St. Damien Parish parishioners to mail their weekly donations to the Parish Office at the address below. We are also encouraging parishioners to sign up for electronic giving.
1337 Asbury Ave.
Ocean City, NJ 08226
Parish Office
The Parish Office will be closed to the public until further notice. We ask all visitors to handle any business over the phone in an effort to protect our staff, parishioners, and community. Please call us at (609) 399-0648. Thank you for your cooperation.
Events either canceled or postponed (Updating List)
- St. Damien Parish Religious Education: Suspended until further notice.
- Faith, Food, & Film: March 17, 2020 date has been canceled. March 24 and March 31 dates to be determined.
- VITALity Catholic Healthcare Services Presentation: Canceled (originally scheduled for March 21, 2020)
- Bishop Barron’s “The Mass”: Postponed until further notice (originally scheduled for March 16, 23, 30 and April 6, 13, 27).
- Lenten Evening w/ Sister Joelle: Canceled (originally scheduled for March 19, 2020)
- Chili Cook-Off w/ Sister Joelle: Canceled (originally scheduled for March 28, 2020)
- A Very Special Conversation with Fr. Mike Flynn: Canceled (originally scheduled for March 28, 2020)
- Knights of Columbus #2560 Ladies’ Luncheon: Canceled lunch dates for April 2020 and May 2020
- Apparition & Pilgrimage to Maranatha Spring & Shrine: Canceled (originally scheduled for April 18-20, 2020)