Dear Parishioners: As New York State experiences a surge in COVID cases and hospitalizations, today Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced new restrictions that will go into effect on Friday, November 13th, at 10PM. The new restrictions include: Bars, restaurants, and any establishment with a state liquor license will be required to close in-person service from 10PM to 5AM daily. Restaurants can continue to provide food-only pick-up or delivery after 10PM, but will not be permitted to serve alcohol to go. Gyms and fitness centers must close daily from 10PM to 5AM. Indoor and outdoor gatherings at private residences must be limited to no more than 10 people. According to the Governor’s office, local governments will be responsible for enforcing these new restrictions. While I urge you to remain calm, it is important to remember that the pandemic is not over yet – our communities must stay vigilant and continue to take the necessary precautions to keep flattening the curve. This includes wearing a mask outside of your home, maintaining six feet apart from others, frequently washing your hands, staying home if you are sick, and following New York State travel and quarantine guidelines. I also encourage you to keep utilizing the free COVID diagnostic and antibody testing sites in District 34. St. Helena will become a COVID-19 Self-testing Site from November 30-December 12. Test and Trace staff will be onsite and will assist you in using self-swab testing kits. These tests are less invasive and more comfortable, and self swab tests provide results within 48 hours. The tests are commercially available but provided free of charge through the city and will be a great resource for St. Helena parishioners as well as Parkchester residents.

Back in September, Loving The Bronx installed a community refrigerator filled with free food for the taking in the Parkchester area of the borough thanks to the generosity of Brewski’s Bar and Grill who purchased a brand new double glass door commercial refrigerator for the effort. Located inside Circle Green Farms deli and grocery at 80 Hugh Grant Circle, the refrigerator is accessible to anyone in need, no questions asked (all is asked that one be mindful that there are others in need as well) and is available 7 days a week between 7AM and 7PM.

November 8, 2020 Dear Parishioners, The COVID-19 pandemic has reshaped life as we know it. Many of us are staying home, avoiding people on the street and changing daily habits, like going to school or work, in ways we never imagined. While we are changing old behaviors, there are new routines we need to continue to maintain. First and foremost is the habit of wearing a mask or face covering whenever we are in a public space such as in church. Thanks to the tireless efforts of scientists everywhere, we have compressed years of research on the COVID-19 virus into months. This has led to a rapid evolution of policies and recommendations, and here are some of the things we’ve learned: Masks and face coverings can prevent the wearer from transmitting the COVID-19 virus to others and may provide some protection to the wearer. Multiple studies have shown that face coverings can contain droplets expelled from the wearer, which are responsible for the majority of transmission of the virus. This 'source control' approach reflects a shift in thinking from a 'medical' perspective (will it protect the wearer?) to a 'public health' perspective (will it help reduce community transmission and risk for everyone?). Many people with COVID-19 are unaware they are carrying the virus. It is estimated that 40 percent of those with COVID-19 are asymptomatic but potentially able to transmit the virus to others and we cannot identify many people who are silently transmitting the virus in their community except through frequent testing. We are currently in the process of establishing St. Helena as a self-testing site, and we will be giving you further information about that soon. Wearing a universal mask use can significantly reduce virus transmission in the community by preventing anyone, including those who are unwittingly carrying the virus, from transmitting it to others. Masks worn by significant portions of the population, coupled with other safety measures, do result in substantial reductions in case numbers and deaths. Covering your nose may be just as important as covering your mouth when it comes to protecting yourself from the novel coronavirus. Researchers at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill mapped locations in the respiratory tract to see where COVID-19 most likely infiltrates the body and found the cells that line the nose were significantly more likely to become infected and spread virus than the throat or lungs, and part of the reason you could be more likely to get infected through the nose is because COVID-19 infects cells with tiny hairs on them called cilia, which usually helps protect from pathogens. Last Monday, the Cleveland Clinic warned people about wearing gloves reporting that while wearing Gloves properly can give some protection, they do not give you immunity nor permission to touch everything within reach either. Any germs that might be on your gloves can be transferred to all other surfaces and items you touch," the physician cautioned. COVID is not a contact infection and "This is why it’s counterproductive to wear gloves, yet continue to rummage through your purse or text on your phone while in the store. ”Masks are not perfect barriers to transmission either, but they don’t need to be perfect if they aren’t used alone. Universal mask use should be accompanied by other public health measures such as physical distancing, testing, contact tracing and restrictions on large gatherings. We are currently still at a 50 person maximum with social distancing for meetings and social gatherings. These measures aren’t perfect either, but when many imperfect measures are combined at a community level, they can be very effective at slowing transmission and reducing infections. Wearing a mask isn’t a restriction of our freedom. Rather, it helps us to regain freedom by reducing virus transmission in a community and making every interaction safer. Freedom for people to go to church or to work, attend school, interact with others, and most importantly freedom from illness and fear. We very much appreciate your cooperation as we strive to make St. Helena a safe environment. As you may have heard, the diocese is now allowing us to celebrate Mass up to a church capacity of one-third while keeping social distancing. To accommodate this increased capacity, we have rearranged the seating restrictions so each side will allow for singles, couples, or families with up to seven people in a pew. Please remember to silence or mute your cell phones while you are in church and please remember that one of the changes that we have made is that we begin the line for Holy Communion from the back of the church, with the ushers guiding people to the line at the proper time. We highly encourage you to receive Holy Communion in the hand. We very much appreciate the work of the ushers and greeters, and we appreciate your cooperation with them. However, we are in dire need of more ushers and greeters and especially cleaners to cover all of the Masses. If you could volunteer in this ministry once or twice a month, it would be greatly appreciated. We also appreciate those who are helping us to live-stream our Masses and activities so that all parishioners will have an opportunity to share and engage in them. We are all concerned about the gradual increase in coronavirus being recorded in some sections of the city and in neighboring states, and we very much appreciate the sacrifices that everyone is making to help keep us all safe during these uncertain times. St. Helena contains members across the entire spectrum of vulnerability to this virus — people with compromised immune systems, older folks, youngsters, health care workers, and people frequenting hospitals, to name a few. In responding to COVID-19 specifically, we must ask ourselves who among us is the most vulnerable and how can we act in the best interest of those people? This is why we seek to inform you of current conditions and why we have instituted additional spiritual devotions and activities, live-streaming, and a food pantry, and soon a self-testing site. Thank you for all that you do for St. Helena, and together we shall continue to be an essential spiritual and community center during these difficult times. Peace. Fr. David Pastor

On November 2, All Souls Day, we pray for the Holy Souls in Purgatory who are being purified before entering Heaven. The celebration of a special day began in some monasteries in the 6th century, and by the 10th century spread to dioceses, becoming fixed in some places to November 2nd, the day after All Saints Day. This date was adopted in Rome in the 13th century. Plenary or full indulgences traditionally obtained during the first week of November for the souls of the faithful in purgatory can now be gained throughout the entire month of November, the Vatican said. Also, those who are ill or homebound and would not be able to physically visit a church or cemetery in the prescribed timeframe still will be able to receive a plenary indulgence when meeting certain conditions, the Apostolic Penitentiary, a Vatican tribunal that deals with matters of conscience, said in a notice released Oct. 23. The tribunal also asked that priests be particularly generous throughout November in offering the sacrament of reconciliation and in administering Communion to those who are infirm. The new provisions were made after many bishops asked for guidance as to how the faithful could perform the works required for receiving a plenary indulgence given the ongoing pandemic and restrictions in many parts of the world limiting the number of people who can gather in one place. Traditionally, the faithful could receive a full indulgence each day from Nov. 1 to Nov. 8 when they visited a cemetery to pray for the departed and fulfilled other conditions, and especially when they went to a church or an oratory to pray on Nov. 2, All Souls’ Day. The Vatican decided to extend the time one can receive a full indulgence to include the whole month of November, he said. Typically, only a partial indulgence is granted after the first week of November. The full indulgence traditionally offered Nov. 2 for those who visit a church or an oratory and recite the Our Father and the Creed can this year also be gained any day in November. Those who cannot leave their homes or residence for “serious reasons,” which includes government restrictions during a pandemic, he said, also can receive a plenary indulgence after reciting specific prayers for the deceased or reflecting on a Gospel reading designated for Masses of the dead before an image of Jesus or the Blessed Virgin Mary, or by performing a work of mercy. In all cases, one also must fulfill the normal requirements set by the church for all plenary indulgences, which demonstrate a resolve to turn away from sin and convert to God. Those conditions include: having a spirit detached from sin; going to confession as soon as possible; receiving the Eucharist as soon as possible; praying for the pope’s intentions; and being united spiritually with all the faithful. The church teaches that prayer, particularly the Mass, and sacrifices may be offered on behalf of the souls in purgatory. The feast of All Souls differs from the Nov. 1 feast of All Saints precisely because it offers prayers for the eternal peace and heavenly rest of all those who died in a state of grace, but not totally purified. The Catechism of the Catholic Church says, “All who die in God’s grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death, they undergo purification so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven.”

Become a Poll Worker or Interpreter. Earn up to $2800 for working all Election Days. For more info, call 866-868-3692 or visit nyc.electiondayworker.com

The annual All Souls Day Mass at St. Raymond's Cemetery will take place at 11AM on Mon., Nov. 2 at Our Lady of Hope Crypts on Lafayette Ave. Seats are limited so come early and wear a mask.

A new statewide app alerts you if you were within six feet of a person who tested positive. The app is called “COVID Alert NY”and can be downloaded from the APP Store, and this is how it works. Once a person tests positive, they are given a code by the Health Department to punch into the app, providing an anonymous alert to other devices that have been within six feet of the person’s own smartphone for over ten minutes. To activate, go to the Linux Foundation and get the code.

Due to the COVID-19, this will be our largest fundraiser of 2020. Eight cash prizes. $1,000 grand prize. Tickets are available in the rectory at $3 each, 2 for $5, 5 for $10, and 10 for $20.

Fr. Andrew is looking for computers to send to a Piarist School in the Cameroon. If you have a computer that you are no longer using, or you know of a place with a surplus inventory, please call Fr. Andrew at 718-892-3232.

Mental Health, Equity and Resilience is a 60-minute informational virtual presentation on potential mental health impacts, relevant coping skills, and available resources. This session will cover topics such as grief, trauma, coping, and resilience in addition to mental health tips. To register, go to: https://bronx_covidconvo.timetap.com

New York City provides FREE Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) etching. Etching the VIN onto your vehicle's glass deters theft and makes it easier to trace the vehicle if it is stolen. To request VIN etching, contact Officer Yessell Medina at 917-536-6972 or email: yessell.medina@NYPD.org.

WHAT ARE YOUR SAFETY CONCERNS? One of our St. Helena Eagle Scout candidates, Pedroy Proctor, is asking for your help for his Eagle Scout Project on safety. He would like to know: “What are your greatest safety concerns where you live?” Please write down your concerns and either Email them to dariff@hotmail.com or bring them to the St. Helena rectory. Or, you may telephone the rectory at 718-892-3232. Pedroy will collect the data and present a report at the August 31 43rd Poiice Precinct Sector E Build a Block Meeting, which will take place in front of the St. Helena Green Building at 7PM. Pedroy will also have a safety table there with information about various types and aspects of safety. Please let your friends and neighbors know about the community meeting. They can listen to information from the police on topics such as COVID 19 and the status of the men’s homeless shelter scheduled to open on Westchester Avenue and can inform them of issues of concern to themselves or the community. Everyone is invited to attend this important meeting. Refreshments will be served.

Catholic churches across the country have been open for up to four months since shelter-in-place orders were lifted. With approximately 17,000 parishes in America typically holding three or more weekend masses - and a greater number of daily masses - for the last 14 or more weeks - over one million public masses have been celebrated following guidelines to prevent the spread of the virus: in sum, follow the three W’s - watch your distance, wear your mask, and wash your hands.  The Good News: for Catholic churches following these guidelines, no outbreaks of COVID-19 have been linked to church attendance, even though we have examples - some described below - of asymptomatic, unknowingly infected individuals attending mass and other parish functions. Their attendance could have led to an outbreak if appropriate precautions were not followed, yet in each case, we found no evidence of viral transmission.

Healing After Abortion: Do you know someone who is carrying the grief of a past abortion? There is always hope. The pain and sorrow of abortion does not need to endure for a lifetime. A “Day of Prayer and Healing” offers the opportunity to experience the love and mercy of God and to respond to His invitation to begin the journey of healing the wound of abortion. For upcoming dates, locations, and confidential registration, or just to talk to a Sister, please call the Sisters of Life at (866)-575-0075 (toll free) or reach us by email at hopeandhealing@sistersoflife.org. Sanación después del aborto. ¿Conoces a alguien que lleve el sufrimiento del aborto? Siempre hay esperanza. El dolor y la pena del aborto no necesitanperdurar para toda la vida. Un “Día de Oración y Sanación” ofrece la oportunidad para experimentar el amor y la misericordia de Dios y para responder a Su invitación de empezar el camino de sanar la herida del aborto. Para las próximas fechas, ubicaciones y registro confidencial, favor de comunicarse con Hna.Benedicta de Las Hermanas de la Vida al (866)-575-0075 o hopeandhealing@sistersoflife.org, o llamar a Rosemary – (646) 552-8093.

Registration for Religious Education is now underway. Fr. Richard will register students after every Mass this weekend, August 22-23, in the back of the church. Students have THREE options: in person, virtual, or homeschooled. For more information, call Fr. Richard at 718-892-3232. El registro para la Educación Religiosa está en marcha. El Padre Richard inscribirá a los estudiantes después de cada misa este fin de semana, 22 y 23 de agosto, en la parte de atrás de la iglesia. Los estudiantes tienen TRES opciones: en persona, virtual o en casa. Para más información, llame al Padre Richard al 718-892-3232.

The Office of Young Adult Outreach is pleased to share the following upcoming event: CatholicNYC Monthly Rosary Wednesday, August 26, 7-8 p.m. William Tecumseh Sherman Statue, Central Park Corner of West 59th Street and 5th Avenue In honor of the Office's Year of the Rosary, we will now host a monthly Rosary! Join us for a summertime walk through Central Park with other young adults in a loving gesture towards Our Lady. We'll meet at the William Tecumseh Sherman Statue at 7 p.m. and then walk through the park (weather permitting!). For questions, email Kaitlyn.Colgan@archny.org.

Every ten years, we must fill out a census form. Every state receives money from the federal government that funds such things as: Infrastructure Public education Special education programs Pell grants Medicaid and Medicare Section 8 WIC and SNAP Unemployment insurance Supportive housing for the elderly Community development Wildlife preservation Public housing, etc. If you have ever felt that our state needed more funding for any of the above items, then you MUST complete and return your census form. Regardless of your citizenship status or age, every resident counts. A form would have been already mailed directly to your household. For easier processing, it can now be done via the Internet. To fill out a form online, please visit www.my2020census.gov.

Some new relief was extended to renters this week. The COVID Rental Assistance Program will provide direct aid to New York tenants who lost income due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This program is funded through the federal CARES Act. You can apply at https://hcr.ny.gov/RRP.  On Monday, New York City will enter Phase 4 of reopening - though indoor activity at malls, restaurants or cultural institutions will not be permitted. Read more about Phase 4 at https://forward.ny.gov/phase-four-industries.

Most of the time being negative is considered a bad thing, but in this particular case, I am happy to report that all four priests here at St. Helena and the four brothers had the COVID-19 test, and our test results all came back NEGATIVE.

Today is a double-header. We have the usual St. Helena Monday Miraculous Medal Novena COMBINED with the special Sacred Heart Novena Day Six, both on Monday, June 15 at NOON. You can join by Telephone at: 646-558-8656. or join by ZOOM at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8292669493?pwd=QURkS2JoOUVNanJUbnF0VXBaU0pHdz09 or go to www.Zoom.us; Meeting ID: 829 266 9493; Password: 444555.