Dear Friends,

It was good to see many of you this past weekend; at the same time, I was proud of so many of you who used good judgment and stayed safe and hopefully viewed Mass on the website.

I want to thank our parish maintenance crew who did an excellent job sanitizing the church after each of the Masses.

Because of having to sanitize all surfaces after each use, we are "tweaking" some of the schedule just a bit.

Covid-19 Weekend Masses will remain the same.  Saturday - 4:00 PM and livestreaming on the website.  Sunday:  7:30 AM, 10:30 AM and 1:30 PM.

Daily Mass will be Monday through Friday, 7:30 AM in the Parish Church.

Beginning Wednesday, June 3, 2020

The Historic Church will now be open  Monday - Friday, 8:00 to 11:30am ONLY. 

Adoration on Sunday in the Historic Church will be 9:00 AM to Noon.

We are aware that some parishioners/volunteers/groups have keys to different areas of the property.  If you are one of those folks we ask that you please DO NOT ENTER any of the buildings other than during regular office hours and with someone in the office aware that you are entering.  The purpose of this is for sanitization and to keep everyone safe.

Thank you for understanding and have a Blessed week,

Msgr. Jim

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Dear Friends,
Welcome back!

We will be livestreaming Mass at 4:00 each Saturday on our Youtube channel.  If you miss it you can watch the recorded version.  Here's the link:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLaEAhGZpyDOp6mHyXVC8wg?preview

For your safety, your family's, your priests and community please do not come to Mass if: 

• You or your family members are ill
• You are concerned about your health
• You do not yet feel comfortable attending public gatherings
• The CDC recommends that people over 60 and people in vulnerable groups do not attend large gatherings at this time for their own safety

Keep in mind that Archbishop Lori has extended the dispensation from the obligation to attend Mass.

If you still plan to attend:

• Masks MUST be worn at all times.  (If anyone would like to donate masks that we can keep on hand in case someone forgets a mask that would be helpful.)
• The doors to the church will open 30 minutes prior to each Mass.
• Social Distancing must be observed.  Please follow the markings on the floor.
• All worship aids have been removed from the pews.
• There will be no congregational singing.
• The Sign of Peace will have no physical contact.
• No collection will be taken up at the Preparation of Gifts.  Offertory baskets will be in the back of the church.
• There will be two Communion Stations.  Directions will be given before Communion.
• Whether you are receiving Communion or not, you must leave the pew with everyone else and receive a blessing from the priest or deacon.  We do not want anyone climbing over other people in the pews.  Please practice social distancing while in line.  Follow the markings on the floor.
• Please follow the directions given for dismissal.  
• We're asking everyone to please leave immediately after you've been dismissed and not to linger in the narthex.  We need to sanitize the church for the next Mass.

 will have a table set up outside this weekend for you to return the baby bottles for Alpha's Glory and Birthright.

After 7:30 AM Mass Monday through Friday we ask that you exit immediately.  Our Maintenance staff needs to sanitize the church.  If you wish to pray the rosary the Historic Church is open.  

During the Covid-19 pandemic we are temporarily suspending First Friday confessions.

Here is the link for this weekends bulletin:  https://www.fataonline.com/bulletins/StIgnatiusHickory?preview 

Here is the link for families for Children's Liturgy of the Word (CLOW):  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ga6ORGYiBYA&t=1s

Thank you for your understanding!

God bless you!

Msgr. Jim
 

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READ PHASE ONE GUIDELINES FOR OPENING HERE

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READ PHASE TWO GUIDELINES HERE

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PLANS FOR REOPENING PARISHES

The Archdiocese of Baltimore has prepared a plan for reopening parishes when it is safe to do so. It will be undertaken in three stages. Watch the accompanying video for an update from Archbishop Lori and for information on what Masses will look like when they are offered in the second stage of reopening. 

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Dear Friends, 
 
Now that we are in Phase 1 of the reopening plans as directed by the Archdiocese of Baltimore here are a few updates:
 

• There are no Masses this weekend. 

 

• Mass will resume the weekend of May 30/31 with updated times.  I will send you the updated Mass times next week. 

 

• You must wear a face mask .

 

• Outdoor/Drive-up Confessions will resume, Saturday, May 16th and each Saturday thereafter from 2:00 - 3:00 PM.

 

• The parish office will be open for business beginning Monday, May 18th.  We ask that you please call and schedule an appointment before coming in.  We would like to limit visits to one person at a time for the safety of everyone.

 

• The Historic Church will be open for private prayer beginning Monday, May 18th, Monday through Friday 8:00 AM - 12:00PM and 1:00PM - 4:00 PM.  It will be closed from 12:00 - 1:00PM Monday through Friday.  You must wear a face mask.  Please remember social distancing - sit at least 6 feet away from others and only 10 visitors allowed at one time.  We ask that you limit your time to 30 minutes to open up space for others to enter.  Also, the museum and bathrooms will be closed.  Please plan accordingly.  A staff person will be in the Historic Church to sanitize/disinfect as soon as someone leaves.

 

• Adoration will resume on Sunday, May 31st and each Sunday thereafter from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM.  We ask that you stay for only 30-minute time slots.  You must wear a face mask.  Also, the museum and bathrooms will be closed.  Please plan accordingly.  A staff person will be in the Historic Church to sanitize/disinfect as soon as someone leaves.

 
 

• We will again be able to have Funerals and Weddings with a limited number of attendees (10 person maximum, includes liturgical ministers).

 

• Baptisms are also now available.  Call Kelly Gibbons at the office to schedule a baptism with a limited number of attendees (10 person maximum, includes priest/deacon).

 

We have been praying for you and your family's health and safety.  We will continue to post our weekend Mass on the website Saturday's at 4:30 PM.  As soon as there are any updates/changes we'll pass them on to you!

God bless you,
 
Msgr. Jim

 

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THANK YOU FROM LITTLE SISTERS OF THE POOR:
 

Dear Msgr Jim and all our Friends at St. Ignatius,

 

With Mother Joseph Caroline and all the Little Sisters here at St. Martin’s, I want to say thank you for all the gifts you brought to us these past two Saturdays for our Residents.  It would be a “thank you” as big as the pile of food and supplies would be if we stacked everything all together! 

Your parish has always been so generous to us, and these two food/supplies drives were again marks of your desire to help your older, less fortunate brothers and sisters in need.  We were happy to help the men and women unload the trucks and vans – we were only sorry that we could not welcome them inside for a tour and some refreshments after their long drive and hard work.

All these items are most useful and will greatly diminish our expenses as we try to keep our Residents well and happy during the pandemic.  We’d also like to thank all the parishioners who have either sent monetary donations in the mail or online during these past weeks.

You are all remembered in our daily prayers and we ask God to bless you and keep you safe also during the pandemic.  Please pray for us also!
 

Gratefully, 

Sr. Lawrence Mary, l.s.p.

Little Sisters of the Poor

St. Martin's Home

601 Maiden Choice Lane

Baltimore, MD 21228

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  Archdiocese of Baltimore - Online Mass

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Divine Mercy Chaplet Sung by: Fr. Marc Lanoue

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Here is the latest video featuring a message from some of our priests and our bishops this Holy Week

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Here's a video message from the Archbishop to Candidates & Catechumens

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Here's a video message from the Archbishop to Confirmation Candidates

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The Catholic Review continues to be the best source for information about the Church's response to the COVID-19 crisis www.catholicreview.org

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The Way of the Cross A Prayer for Hope and Healing Amidst this Pandemic
The Way of the Cross is a widely practiced devotion, especially
during the season of Lent. Unfortunately, gathering for this devotion
in our parishes has been disrupted by the need for social distancing
during this pandemic

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Liturgy of the Hours  - Liturgical Training Publications - The Liturgy of the Hours is both the prayer of Christ and the prayer of the Church. It is prayed at set times of the day—morning, midday, evening, and night—and involves the praying of the psalms, short scripture passages, Gospel canticles, and intercessions.

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Online Mass Aid - click here

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All Confirmations and First Communions currently scheduled through the month of May are postponed and will be rescheduled at a later date.  The Archbishop recorded messages to those Confirmation candidates:  https://youtu.be/_zRMXxYoD0E

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First Communion candidates:  https://youtu.be/OX5BI73gioI
 

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Letter in bulletin of April 26, 2020:


 

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3-24-20 Easter Letter Follow-up from Msgr. Jim

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March 16 thru March 22 Covid 19 Updates and Cancellations from Msgr. Jim

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Archdiocese of Baltimore - Responding to the Coronavirus

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Archdiocese of Baltimore - Online Mass

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Archdiocese of Baltimore - At Home With Your Faith  To assist you in living your Catholic faith and growing closer to Christ in these challenging times.

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Tips for Prayerful Productivity - Stay at home Parent Edition

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Tips for Prayerful Productivity - Teleworking with Kids at Home Edition

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Tips for Prayerful Productivity - Teleworking Edition

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Baltimore's Catholic Radio - WVTO 92.7 FM

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www.teachingcatholickids.com

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https://reply.osv.com/covid-19  Sign up for Our Sunday Visitors Newsletter

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https://watch.formed.org/faith-at-home
Here are ways you can engage in your faith by utilizing FORMED.

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An Act of Spiritual Communion

My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.
I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul.
Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. 
I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You.
Never permit me to be separated from You.  Amen.
 

Prayer for a Pandemic

May we who are merely inconvenienced remember those whose lives are at stake.
May we who have no risk factors remember those most vulnerable.
May we who have the luxury of working from home remember those who must choose between preserving their health or making their rent.
May we who have the flexibility to care for our children when their schools close remember those who have not options.
May we who have to cancel our trips remember those that have no place to go.
May we who are losing our margin money in the tumult of the economic market remember those who have no margin at all.
May we who settle in for a quarantine at home remember those who have no home.
During this time when we cannot physically wrap our arms around each other, let us yet find ways to be the loving embrace of God to our neighbors.
 

Prayer to the Virgin Mary for Protection

O Mary, you shine continuously on our journey as a sign of salvation and hope.  We entrust ourselves to you, Health of the Sick.
At the foot of the Cross you participated in Jesus' pain, with steadfast faith.
You our Lady, know what we need.
We are certain that you will provide, so that, as you did at Cana of Galilee, joy and feasting might return after this moment of trial.
Help us, Mother of Divine Love,
to conform ourselves to the Father's will and to do what Jesus tells us:
He who took our sufferings upon Himself, and bore our sorrows to bring us,
through the Cross, to the joy of the Resurrection.  Amen.
We seek refuge under your protection, O Holy Mother of God.