Sacred Heart Parish, Lafayette Avenue in Palmerton, continues to offer its regular weekend Mass schedule following all Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and diocesan directives during the green phase of COVID-19. As we welcome more worshippers returning to Mass, we ask that you continue to call the Rectory Office each week, informing the staff of which Mass you will attend and the number of worshippers with you.

Seating capacity currently continues to be limited to 160 worshippers at each Mass. Wearing a facial mask and safe distancing is required of all. The 9:30 a.m. Sunday Mass continues to be livestreamed on Facebook for those who are not able to join us in person.

The Sacrament of Confession is offered by appointment only. Please call the rectory office at 610-826-2335 to schedule a time. All other parish and diocesan news can be found on the parish webpage at: www.shcpalmerton.org.

The Because We Are Catholic Diocesan Campaign continues. Sacred Heart Parish has contributed over $13,000. Also, the parish first fundraiser of the new fiscal year is “The Labor Day” Good Works Raffle, and parishioners are asked to sell or buy the tickets sent to their home. Additional tickets are available at the rectory.

This weekend we celebrate the 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time and the Scripture readings remind us in the midst of our trials and tribulations, such as we experience with COVID-19, the Lord calms our frightened hearts through His abiding presence and extends His hand to save us.

A special offering at all weekend Masses will be taken to support the work of our African missionaries as part of the annual mission appeal.

On Aug. 14, we will celebrate the Vigil of Our Lady’s Assumption at 5 p.m. Since the Holy Day overlaps with the regular Sunday schedule, there will be only one Liturgy for the Assumption.

Father Bill continues to ask for prayers, through the intercession of Father Walter Ciszek, whose cause is under study for possible canonization, that God will bless us with a cure for COVID-19 and restore the physical, spiritual, emotional and financial health to our global family.