Cardinal’s Annual Stewardship Appeal
The ongoing situation surrounding COVID-19 (Coronavirus) has caused prudent cancellations and closings for many schools, offices, and public places through the city, state, and country, and although I understand that the financial circumstances of many of our families are uncertain. I invite you to view the message from Cardinal Dolan about the importance of this Appeal at https://cardinalsappeal.org/ and I humbly and thankfully invite you, to become an online giver at https://cardinalsappeal.org/donate.
Fr. Kevin V. Madigan, Pastor

Join us for a Zoom Meeting
Dr. James T. Como Presents
A Constellation of Christian Authors, Lest We Forget
Tuesday, June 2nd at 3:00pm
Join our meeting as Jim helps us explore the life and motivation of Walker Percy   Recommended reading is Percy's
Second Coming
To register please use the following link.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Parish Telephone Activities

Parish Book Club – Thursday at 3pm
Dial 712 770-5505, then enter Access Code 327632#
Something light and easy: Agatha Christie’s classic
The Murder of Roger Ackroyd
We meet with the conviction that art helps us to recognize truth. Discussion will be focused but open, and differences of opinion are welcome all within an atmosphere of fellowship
 
The Rosary – Tuesday at 5pm
Dial 712 775 7031, then enter Access Code 835570#
Led by Monsignor McCahill, to hear each other’s voices in unison for the first time in a long while and experience the powerful presence of our Lord together.

For additional parish updates you may also wish to visit the Parish Facebook Page
https://www.facebook.com/thomasmorechurch/  

Coronavirus Update

The Archdiocese will continue to monitor advisories from Catholic and other organizations and has developed the Faith Forward guidelines https://archny.org/faithforward/

to help us as we slowly move toward reopening.  In the meantime, all public Masses are canceled, until further notice, including both Sunday and weekday Masses.  Both the church of Our Lady of Good Counsel and the church of St. Thomas More are open daily from 9:00am to 3:00pm for private prayer. Upon reasonable request, confessions may be heard, preferably by “appointment” in either church.
 
When we finally begin to reopen the church, you will notice several differences.  The first and most obvious will be the seating limitations, the requirement to use a hand sanitizer when entering, the absence of holy water or water in the baptismal font, the need to maintain safe distancing and the need to wear a mask while in the church.  Next will be the absence of any books in the pews.  All of the music books will be removed and placed in storage (along with the STM pew cushions) and missalettes replaced with a single use (disposable) program with the Sunday Readings and Music.  You will also see members of our  parish maintenance staff engaged in a much more aggressive cleaning program before each Mass.  Finally, and most importantly, there will be no physical contact during the Sign of Peace, the Precious Blood will not be distributed and it is strongly recommended that each Communion recipient should receive the Host reverently in open hands for the protection of all.
 
Due to governmental protocols we will be allowed to seat only one quarter of the usual capacity.  Seating at STM will be limited to 80 people.  This should not be a problem during the summer, when attendance is historically much lower than usual.  It may be an issue at the noon Mass at STM, so it is suggested that one attend the 10:00 Mass to insure admittance.  If the Sunday 5:30 Mass at STM has reached capacity, those coming later will have to proceed to OLGC, which can accommodate more than 200.  Seating at OLGC should not be a problem.  It is our hope that these changes will do nothing to interfere with your participation in the Mass and will help us to move carefully and safely toward our goal of full reopening. We thank you in advance for your understanding and cooperation.

Message from Cardinal Dolan: Archdiocesan Response to COVID-19
March 24, 2020

English

Carta Pastoral del Cardenal

24 de Marzo del 2020

Español

Cardinal Dolan: Even during coronavirus crisis, ‘God is with us’
March 23, 2020

At a time of anxiety, Cardinal Timothy Dolan joins TODAY via Skype from his New York City home with a message of reassurance. He says that when he’s “tempted to some apprehension,” he turns to words from the Bible: “Fear is useless; what is needed is trust.” He says that our “faith is more radiant” to God when we maintain it despite being unable to attend religious services in person. 
https://www.today.com/video/cardinal-dolan-even-during-coronavirus-crisis-god-is-with-us-81093189686

 Statement from The Archdiocese of New
York on Corona Virus
English

Declaración de la Arquidiócesis de Nueva York
del virus de corona
Español

We still need your support
 
Because of the ongoing health emergency the Archdiocese of New York has directed us to cancel all Masses in our parish.  And although we support this decision to help keep our Parishioners, Clergy and Staff as healthy as possible, your support is still needed.
 
To support our church today we urge you to enroll in the We Share collection system.  It safe, simple and convenient and it gives you the option to contribute using a debit or credit card or your checking or savings account.
 
To enroll, use one of the following links:
Our Lady of Good Counsel - https://olgcstm.weshareonline.org/
St. Thomas More - https://thomasmorechurch.churchgiving.com/
set up an account, choose a payment option, and customize your donation plan.
 
If you have any questions regarding this collection system, please send an email to the We Share Customer Support Team at weshare@4lpi.com or call (800) 950-9952.
 
We thank you for your continuing support and generosity.
 
Fr. Kevin V. Madigan
Pastor
 
 
Todavía necesitamos tu apoyo
 
Debido a la emergencia de salud en curso, la Arquidiócesis de Nueva York nos ha ordenado cancelar todas las misas en nuestra parroquia. Y aunque apoyamos esta decisión de ayudar a mantener a nuestros feligreses, clérigos y más saludables posible, todavía se necesita su apoyo.
 
Para apoyar a nuestra iglesia hoy, le instamos a inscribirse en el sistema de recolección We Share. Es seguro, simple y conveniente y le brinda la opción de contribuir utilizando una tarjeta de débito o crédito o su cuenta corriente o de ahorros.
 
Para inscribirse, use uno de los siguientes enlaces:
Nuestra Señora del Buen Consejo - https://olgcstm.weshareonline.org/
Santo Tomás Más - https://thomasmorechurch.churchgiving.com/
configurar una cuenta, elegir una opción de pago y personalizar su plan de donación.
 
Si tiene alguna pregunta sobre este sistema de recolección, envíe un correo electrónico al Equipo de atención al cliente de We Share a weshare@4lpi.com o llame al (800) 950-9952.
 
Le agradecemos su continuo apoyo y generosidad.
 
El p. Kevin V. Madigan
Pastor

All Services and Programs

Suspended Until Further Notice 

HELP NEEDED FOR ALL MINISTRIES
Both of our Churches need your help.  Consider taking on one of these important roles as a Lector, Eucharistic Minister, Youth Altar Server or Adult / Youth Usher.

During this crisis when people need to heed the stay at home order, Caregiver Care is offering a series of on-line programs each day to help our seniors and those with dementia to keep their brains awake.

For the time of day of each class, please visit: http://caregivercare.org/onlineprograms/