Sacred Heart Parish, Lafayette Avenue, Palmerton, celebrates weekend Mass at 5 p.m. on Saturday and 9:30 a.m. Sunday, following all Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Allentown Diocesan directives. All worshippers for weekend Mass are asked to call the rectory office at 610-826-2335 indicating the Mass time and how many will be attending. Daily Mass, Monday through Friday, is celebrated at noon. The church remains open after daily Mass until 3 p.m. for private prayer.

Sunday 9:30 a.m. Mass is livestreamed on Facebook for all who are unable to join us in person.

Seating capacity continues to be limited to 160 worshippers at each Mass. Wearing a facial mask and safe distancing is required. The sacrament of Confession is offered by appointment only. Please call the rectory office to schedule. All other parish and diocesan news can be found at www.shcpalmerton.org.

This Sunday is the first Sunday of Lent. The Readings remind us of his covenant the Lord made never to destroy the earth by floodwaters and that the waters of Baptism bring salvation. The readings tell us how Jesus was tempted for 40 days in the desert and then begins his public ministry. During Lent the Gloria and Alleluias are omitted to show the penitential nature of Lent, and all church decorations will be kept at a minimum.

Rite of Christian Initiation class continues on Monday at 1 p.m. in the parish center. Stations of the Cross will be celebrated at 1:15 p.m. by St. John Neumann students.

Wednesday at 7 p.m. Parish Stations will be celebrated. The Stations commemorate the last few hours of Jesus’ earthly life.

The parish is participating in Operation Rice Bowl as our Lenten charity. A recent Lenten pastoral letter, including the various schedules and activities for Lent, Holy Week and Easter, was sent to all registered families. If you did not receive this mailing or have questions on upcoming events, please call the rectory during our office hours of 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

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