NewYork-Presbyterian has partnered with the Northern Manhattan Improvement Corporation (NMIC), a local CBO that provides free services to residents of Upper Manhattan and the Bronx, to provide a call center for our local community residents to answer questions and schedule COVID-19 vaccine appointments into The Armory in Washington Heights. Who can get vaccinated? We are currently able to vaccinate those eligible individuals age 60 and over who live in the five boroughs of New York City. Vaccination appointments preferred. If you are eligible due to your age, you must provide proof of age and address. We are also currently able to vaccinate eligible individuals age 18 and over with comorbidities and underlying medical conditions who live in the five boroughs of New York City. Vaccination appointments are required. New York State has listed the medical conditions that are eligible. You can find the list here. New York State and New York City require that you must sign a form onsite at The Armory attesting that you have a medical condition that makes you eligible to be vaccinated, but you will not need other documentation of your medical condition.
SPECIAL COVID SELF-TEST AT ST. HELENA March 22-24 Beginning tomorrow, March 22, self-testers will now include a Resource Navigator (RNav) who will offer additional resources and tote bags containing cloth masks, hand sanitizer, children’s books, and/or phones for positive cases or known contacts. This special service is specific to St. Helena’s as we are located in a high-needs zip code, and the city wants to ensure our community is being supported. Anna, our RNav, will join the self-testing team from Monday, March 22nd through Wednesday, March 24th.
You and all constituents of New York's 14th Congressional District are invited to join a virtual town hall, on Tuesday, February 9, at 6:30pm. The town hall will discuss the COVID-19 vaccine and local distribution efforts. Representatives from the City and the State will participate, and questions from the audience will be taken To send a question ahead of time, please email [email protected] or call 718-662-5970 with your name, neighborhood and question. Spanish translation will be available and CART open captions can be accessed at https://bc.typewell.com/kbjknbna.
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo has announced that he is granting localities the flexibility to add restaurant workers, taxi drivers, and developmentally disabled facilities to the Phase 1B vaccine prioritization group. Following this announcement, New York City and Westchester County have updated their vaccine eligibility based on the new State guidelines, to add restaurant and delivery workers, TLC-licensed taxi drivers, and facilities for the developmentally disabled. The Governor and Mayor Bill de Blasio also announced that the mass vaccination site at Yankee Stadium will begin administering COVID-19 vaccinations to eligible Bronx residents on Friday, February 5th. The site is established through a partnership between New York State, New York City, the New York Yankees, SOMOS Community Care and the New York National Guard. The Yankee Stadium site will operate from 8AM to 8PM, seven days a week. Vaccinations are by appointment only and are reserved for Bronx residents who meet New York's 1a and 1b vaccine eligibility requirements only. Eligible Bronx residents can make their appointment by visiting Somosvaccinations.com or by calling 1-833-SomosNY. Individuals who schedule appointments for Yankee Stadium are also required to bring proof of residency in the Bronx with them to the appointment. To prove Bronx residency, an individual must show: One of the following: State or government-issued ID; Statement from landlord; Current rent receipt or lease; Mortgage records. OR Two of the following: Statement from another person; Current mail; School records. Additionally, the Governor announced that the federal supply to the states will increase to 20% for the next three weeks, up from the initial 16% bump. Private pharmacies in the state who are charged with prioritizing the 65-plus population will now receive an additional 10%, or about 30,000 doses, directly from the federal government to supplement the doses allocated to them by the State. To determine your eligibility, access a list of nearby providers, and schedule your vaccination appointment, use New York State's 'Am I Eligible " app. New Yorkers can also call the New York State Vaccination Hotline at 1-833-NYS-4VAX (1-833-697-4829). Prior to receiving your scheduled vaccination, you must complete the New York State COVID-19 Vaccine Form.
Where can I make an appointment for the COVID-19 vaccine and access the most up to date information? You can visit the City’s website for the latest information on the COVID-19 vaccine. Once eligible, you will be able to make a vaccine appointment at many locations throughout the city using the NYC Vaccine Finder or by calling 1-877-VAX-4NYC.
Tuesdays–Sundays through February 28, 2021 11 a.m.–4 p.m. We are excited to welcome you back to the Garden with complimentary tickets for Bronx Residents. The distribution of tickets is on a first-requested, first-served basis. Enjoy the perfect escape to our 250 acres. Explore the winding trails of our old-growth forest, and relax near a sparkling natural waterfall in the Bronx River. Experience the tapestry of flowers and foliage in the Perennial Garden, and tour the Native Plant Garden’s scenic promenade and meadow. Explore what’s beautiful now, dig deeper into our collections with mobile guides and audio tours, and embark on an adventure with our family activity guide. All of this is here and waiting for you. Plan your visit today. Advance Tickets Are Required for Admission Online: nybg.org/bronxneighbors2020 Mail: Send a self-addresed (must be a Bronx address), stamped envelope with the number of tickets requested (4 maximum) by February 12 to: The New York Botanical Garden Attn: Community Relations 2900 Southern Boulevard Bronx, NY 10458-5126 Ticket requests will be fulfilled in the order they are received; please indicate the date you would like to visit. Voucher valid for Garden Pass admission only, which includes access to the outdoor gardens and collections; does not include access to the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, exhibitions, or special events. Proof of Bronx residency is required. The parking fee is not included. For more information, call 718.817.8117 or e-mail [email protected]
St. Helena's from 1pm-6:30pm in the church then St. Patrick’s Cathedral from 6:30pm-8:30pm Join us for the Prayer Vigil for Life at St. Helena's Catholic Church and St. Patrick’s Cathedral on the 48th anniversary of Roe v. Wade. The day will begin at 1pm at St. Helena's with a Holy Hour at 1pm which includes the Rosary and prayers for life followed by Adoration until 6:30pm. The event continues at St. Patrick's Cathedral with a 6:30pm Holy Hour with music by the Sisters of Life. At 7:30pm, His Eminence, Cardinal Dolan will celebrate the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass as we pray that all life may be protected, especially the vulnerable unborn. Please reserve your spot at the Cathedral: adnyrespectlife.eventbrite.com
VIRTUAL HOMEOWNERS AND RENTERS BENEFIT WEBINAR on Monday, December 14 at 3PM. Limited capacity. Register at https://bit.ly/benefits121420 Learn how to lower your property taxes or freeze your rent. Learn about DOF benefit programs for renters, home, condo, and co-op owners. Learn how to submit your questions to DOF online. For more info, contact [email protected]
Grace to you, and peace, as we, like the Samaritan leper, who had more struggles than joys, give thanks to God with the hope of a better tomorrow. As you know, late last night, the United States Supreme Court issued an emergency writ of injunction in a case brought by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn against New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo, in which the diocese alleged that the COVID-19 restrictions on church attendance in red and orange zones violate the diocese’s fundamental right to the free exercise of religion protected by the United States Constitution. The Supreme Court decision blocks the implementation of capacity restrictions in red and orange zones because they treat houses of worship differently than other institutions and businesses in New York. The decision will remain in effect until the court can hear the case in full after briefing and oral argument. While the injunction addresses the dispute of the Diocese of Brooklyn, its practical impact is to void these state-imposed capacity restrictions on houses of worship in the red and orange zones across the state. 2 Effective immediately, the attendance restriction for our churches will remain at 50% of maximum capacity regardless of whether the parish is located in a red, orange, or yellow zone, or in no zone, as always subject to the two-meter physical distancing guideline. If there are any changes to these limitations arising from future state-imposed restrictions or by a final determination of the Diocese of Brooklyn case, we will inform you immediately. We are grateful to the United States Supreme Court for recognizing and protecting our right to the free exercise of religion enshrined in the United States Constitution. Again, a blessed Thanksgiving.
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.
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.”
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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