All Masses at Immaculate Conception are closed to the public as per Bishop Checchio.

We will remain closed as per Executive Order from Gov. Phil Murphy-March 21, 2020

Private Masses will be celebrated by Msgr. Brennan, Fr. Joe and Fr. Paul for the announced intentions that are listed in our bulletin.

The following Masses will be live-streamed: 
Monday - Saturday 8:00 a.m..

Stations of the Cross will be livesteamed on Fridays of Lent at 3PM.  On Good Froday April 10th Stations will be at 7PM. The Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary will be livestreamed on Mondays of Lent at 2PM.
 

There are no confessions until further notice.

If you are homebound, or know someone homebound and in need of assistance, please reach out to Jeanine Cavanagh at JCavanagh@icsomerville.org or call our Parish Center at (908) 725-1112.  We have ministries in our Parish ready to assist.  All calls will be funneled to Social Ministry so that we can be there in this time of need. 
 
We encourage all parishioners to continue to assist our local agencies such at Samaritan Homeless Interim Program, SHIP with donations and other needs for those who are homeless and working poor.  They can be reached at (908) 393-9545.
 

I invite you to sit back, start clicking your mouse and enjoy your time exploring our website which connects you to a mine of relevant and timely information about our parish, our schools, and our Catholic faith.

Yours in Christ,
Msgr. Seamus F. Brennan
Pastor

ALL Public Masses in the diocese of Metuchen are temporarily suspended starting March 18^th and may resume no earlier than April 3^rd.  Please see the attached Directives from Bishop Checchio dated March 16^th :
 
                                                                                 March 16, 2020
 
Directives issued by the Most Rev. James F. Checchio, Bishop of Metuchen, in response to the coronavirus pandemic
 
Our Lord is with us through this all.  As the coronavirus pandemic evolves, we must remember that Our Lord sacrificed Himself for us, and He does not abandon us in our need.
Lent reminds us of this and draws us closer to Him through our own sacrificial practices.  We did not know what sacrifices this Lent would bring as we began Lent this year.  We pray that the joys of Easter will likewise be heightened for us too!
The Catholic faithful of the Diocese—priests, religious and lay faithful—are advised to keep informed and updated regarding the progress of the coronavirus pandemic during this global, national and state emergency.  We will continue to monitor the situation and continue to communicate with you.  As the situation evolves, more resources and updates will continue to be posted on our diocesan website:  www.diometuchen.org/coronavirus ; and on our diocesan social media pages: @diocesemetuchen.
I continue to ask that you avoid crowded areas, maintain good hygiene practices, keep appropriate distances outside the home and if feeling sick, stay home.  I ask the all the faithful remember the elderly and other persons at risk in their families and communities, and reach out to them by phone to see if help is needed.
Out of concern for the safety and health of our local community, I have asked that the following directives be implemented no later than March 18, 2020:
 
Temporary Suspension of Public Masses
All public Masses throughout the Diocese of Metuchen will be temporarily suspended beginning no later than March 18 and resume no earlier than April 3, 2020, when the situation will be re-evaluated as circumstances unfold.  Priests should advise the faithful of this change at their Masses on March 17th as we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day Masses and invoke his assistance.  Despite the suspension of public Masses, a private Mass will be celebrated daily at 7am in the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi and can be viewed at that time on their website: www.stfranciscathedral.org.  Televised or online celebrations of the Mass and other religious programming are available for use of the faithful on several television channels. [EWTN broadcasts mass].
If possible, priests are encouraged to livestream their Masses online.  If one chooses to do so, please contact the Office of Communications so that this might be communicated to the entire diocese.  The Office of Communications may be reached at (732) 529-7936 or communications@diometuchen.org.
Since the Eucharist is the source and summit of Christian life, all priests of the Diocese of Metuchen must celebrate Mass privately for the good of all the Christian faithful entrusted to their care and for all people during this critical time.  Priests should celebrate this private Mass even if another priest or deacon cannot be with them to assist.  Priests are reminded of the obligation to offer Mass for the intentions of those who have made an offering for the Mass.  Weekday and other Masses can still be celebrated to fulfill intentions but, the faithful should not be present.
Remember the words of Jesus to the Twelve as they were tossed on the waves of an uncertain sea, “It is I.  Do not be afraid” (John 6:20).  The Lord is faithful and always calls on us to trust.  With such a situation, we are called to more prayer, as are all of the faithful.

Adoration and Prayer
Churches should remain open for prayer, private devotion and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.  Pastors are asked to consider Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament for a period of the time during the day.  Praying in large groups, however, should be avoided.  In all situations, participants should be encouraged to observe social distancing practices, recommending 3-6 feet of space between participants, for any event inside the church spaces. [At Immaculate Conception Church we will have Exposition and Adoration on Tuesdays from 9am-3pm and on Fridays from 9am-3pm IN THE MAIN CHURCH.]
 

Anointing of the Sick
The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick should remain available for true emergencies.  If a priest is called to a hospital, nursing home, or other healthcare institution, he must follow their protective protocols accordingly, especially concerning masks, garments, gloves, and or eye wear.  Priests who are called to the personal homes of sick must take precautions as necessary, such as waring latex gloves.
 
CONFESSION
Please see the attached letter from the Diocese regarding Penance.

First Penance, First Holy Communion and Confirmation
 First Penance, First Holy Communion and the Sacrament of Confirmation draws large crowds, these sacraments will be temporarily postponed in the Diocese of Metuchen until after Easter and will be rescheduled after that time. [At Immaculate Conception Church Confirmation which was scheduled for March 31^st has been postponed.  First Holy Communion is scheduled for May 2^nd.. is unlikely to occur due State regulations on large rowds.  We will keep this on the calendar but it is subject to change.]
 
 Temporary Closure of Catholic Schools and Religious Education Programs
All Catholic schools in the Diocese of Metuchen will remain closed as mandated by the State of New Jersey.  Our principals and faculty members have prepared extensive plans for remote learning.
All religious education programs are suspended with at-home work provided by the local parish leaders if possible.
 
Parish Offices
A pastor may decide to alter or limit his parish staff during this time, however the faithful will still have needs that may need to be addressed right away, so parishioners should easily be able to reach the Pastor.  The Church is not “closed”, even though Masses are suspended, classes being taught remotely, etc.  Other regular parish activities and previously scheduled events should be postponed or canceled at the Pastor’s discretion.  Meetings, social and prayer gatherings should follow the guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and mandates by the State of New Jersey, and if not needed, should be cancelled. [At Immaculate Conception Church all meetings, bible studies are cancelled until April 19^th.  The Parish Center will closed to walk ins until further notice.  Please know that you can reach us at anytime by calling 908 725 1112 or email cjanuse@icsomerville.org]
 
Continuation of Catholic Social and Charitable Outreach
Catholic social and charitable outreach programs and services in the Diocese of Metuchen should continue, but be adjusted as needed to meet directions mandated by the State of New Jersey.
 
Holy Week and Sacred Triduum
Any decisions in regard to the celebration of Holy Week, the Chrism Mass and the Sacred Triduum will be made as we monitor the situation.  Pastors and parishes will be notified in due time.
 
Call to Prayer
Since we cannot face this alone, we are entrusting this whole situation to our Blessed Mother, under her title of Our Lady of Guadalupe through her Son, to whom our diocese was recently consecrated, and encourage you to join us in praying this prayer:
Our Lady of Guadalupe, mother of God
and of the people of Metuchen you always shine on our path
as a sign of salvation and hope.
We rely on you, Health of the Sick,
you who, at the cross, united with Jesus’ pain,
keeping steadfast your faith.
You, Salvation of God’s people,
you know what we need
and we are sure that you will provide for us,
as at Cana of Galilee,
after the adversity of these days,
may joy and celebration return.
Help us, Mother of Divine Love,
to conform to the will of the Father
and to do what we are told by Jesus,
who has taken our suffering upon Himself
and has burdened Himself with our sorrows
to lead us through the cross, to the joy of resurrection.
Under your protection, Holy Mother of God,
Our Lady of Guadalupe, we seek refuge,
hear our prayer and intercede for us to the Father
so that we may be free from every danger,
Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us.
Amen.
Please note that this is a fluid situation.  We do not know how long restrictions imposed on New Jersey residents will be in effect.  Please be patient and look for regular updates from the Diocese of Metuchen.  For the latest up-to-date information and resources, please visit www.diometuchen.org/coronavirus.
En Español