Dear Parishioners,

Archbishop Perez has announced that the obligation of the faithful to attend Sunday Mass has been reinstated effective August 15, 2021.

The Commonwealth of PA has lifted all building sanitation, distancing, and capacity restrictions. The CDC still advises those not fully vaccinated and those unvaccinated who are over the age of two to continue to wear a mask while indoors.

Mass Schedule

• We are operating under our normal weekend and daily Mass schedules.
• The church chapel is open for Sunday Mass with live video feed of Mass.
• The 8 AM Daily Mass will permanently remain in the main church.
• The sacristy will remain closed to the public. Only the clergy, lectors, and altar servers will be permitted in the sacristy at this time.
• The sacristy restroom will remain closed to the public.
• The 10 AM Sunday Mass will be permanently livestreamed moving forward for the benefit of our sick and homebound parishioners.

Confessions

• Tuesday evening confessions have been discontinued.
• Saturday confessions are conducted in the chapel from 4:00 – 4:45 PM.

Arriving for Mass

• All church entrances are open and accessible.
• The hand sanitizing dispensers will remain available at entrances of the church.

Wearing Masks

• Please note that the CDC guidelines on the use of face coverings and masks apply differently to those vaccinated and those unvaccinated.
• Those fully vaccinated are not required to wear masks/face coverings.
• Those not fully vaccinated and those unvaccinated who are over the age of two are strongly encouraged to continue to wear a mask/face covering.
• In the spirit of Christian Charity, we ask all parishioners to be respectful of a person’s choice to wear or not to wear a face covering.
• There will be no mandates for vaccination of the faithful by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia or St. Albert the Great Parish out of respect for individual conscience.

Seating

• In accord with CDC Guidelines we are now operating at 100% seating capacity.

The Celebration of Mass

• The offertory procession will resume at the usual time during Mass.
• The weekly collection will resume at the usual time during Mass.
• The Sign of Peace will continue to be suspended until further notice.

Reception of Holy Communion

• Distribution of the Precious Blood continues to be suspended.
• Holy Communion may now be received in the hand or on the tongue.
• Ministers of Holy Communion will continue to sanitize prior to the distribution of Holy Communion.

Sanitation

• Doors will continue to be sanitized by sacristans between Masses.

Should I Attend Mass?

While the Archbishop has reinstated the obligation to attend Mass for the faithful effective August 15, 2021, it is important to note that even when the obligation is restored, this obligation, as is always the case, does not apply to those who are seriously ill, have a serious health risk, as well as those who have serious anxiety about being a part of large groups at this time. Likewise, the obligation does not apply to those who care for those who cannot attend Mass in person (Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 2181). Those who are legitimately excused from Mass on Sundays and Holy Days are encouraged to spend time in prayer, meditating on the Death and Resurrection of the Lord, reading the Sacred Scriptures, and uniting themselves to Christ in his worship of the Father of us all. Those who are legitimately excused are also encouraged to view a broadcast of the Mass which is intended for those who cannot participate in person.

Final Word

Again, we are eagerly looking forward to your return to worship the Lord with us.

Saint Albert the Great, pray for us!

Our Lady of Perpetual Help, pray for us!

• Friday morning adoration in the rectory chapel remains suspended until further notice.
• The rectory chapel remains closed until further notice.

December 8 is the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, a holy day of obligation that celebrates Mary being conceived without sin. Check out this video by Fr. Mike Schmitz that explains the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception of Mary.

Mass Schedule for the Immaculate Conception

• 7 PM (Dec. 7)
• 6:30 AM (Dec. 8)
• 10 AM (Dec. 8)

Our annual Giving Trees are an opportunity for us to extend the mercy of Christ Jesus to those most in need – the poor, the neglected, the homeless, and the vulnerable. This work of mercy affords every parishioner with an opportunity to embrace their call to discipleship to be the hands, feet, and face of Christ to a world desperate for his love. On Thanksgiving, our Giving Trees will be in the gathering area of the church. As in previous years, we will assist Holy Family Home, the Pajama and Book Program, Birthright, Guiding Star Ministries, Rio Bravo Mission, St. Mary's Franciscan Shelter for Homeless Families, Cradles to Crayons, and our own parish outreach programs. Gifts MUST BE returned by December 19! We cannot accept gifts after this date as they are all delivered to the organizations on December 20. You may leave gifts under the tree when you come to Mass. Please do not wrap any gifts. Your generosity and willingness to allow God to use you as an instrument of his mercy and love are deeply appreciated!

Please see our YouTube page for a video of the recent blessing and dedication of the new Rosary Garden by Archbishop Nelson Perez. A gallery has been posted documenting the creation of the garden from start to finish. The gallery can be accessed here.

Archbishop Pérez has introduced a new Archdiocesan initiative, Nothing Compares to Being There. The purpose of this invitation is to help everyone recognize more profoundly the irreplaceable need to be in person for the celebration of Sunday Mass. Much ground work will be done over the course of the summer to prepare for this initiative at the parish and Archdiocesan level with an official kick-off slated for this September. Click here to read Archbishop Pérez's announcement.

Joseph’s People is a non-denominational and ecumenical non-profit group that serves unemployed and underemployed people. Since 1995, we have helped more than 5,000 people to recover from job loss. We have more than 1,800 members, with chapters in the Philadelphia area. We are run entirely by volunteers and have no paid staff. All meetings and events are FREE.

For additional details, please see the Joseph's People brochure.

The Catholic Charities Appeal brings hope where hope is needed most. From center city, to the suburbs, from the suburban communities to our most distressed communities, almost a million people each year receive hope through the Catholic Charities Appeal. When you support the Catholic Charities Appeal you are helping:

• Over 100 Catholic Social Services and Nutritional Development Services organizations and programs. Last year, 8.8 million meals were provided to those most in need.
• Over 100 students in the Schools of Special Education within the Archdiocese of Philadelphia receive tuition assistance and support.
• The 18 Programs and Offices that are providing Evangelization, Parish & Spiritual Life to our community.
• 158 Retired Priests who need care and support.
• 17 Mission Parishes in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia revitalize and sustain their parishes. This includes ministering to over 36,000 parishioners.

For more information or to make a donation visit the Catholic Charities Website.

St. Albert the Great parishioners have free access to this exciting website which provides the best programs, movies, audio talks, and eBooks on the Catholic faith. It offers amazing Faith Formation in an engaging style with the best Catholic teachers, authors, and speakers, on-demand 24/7. From prayer and formation, to family and children's movies, FORMED.org has it all in one place. Access your free subscription here! Then check out this week's selection of movies, audios, and formaton programs on FORMED.org.