Diocesan Mask Mandate for Worship Lifted
On February 9, 2022, New York State announced its mask mandate would be eliminated February 10, 2022 for many indoor settings.
Masks Optional for Worship
At this time, masks are now optional for all participants in liturgies held in Catholic churches and worship spaces located in the Diocese of Buffalo based on prevailing guidance from health officials and/or an individual’s doctor or other medical professional.
Masks may continue to be worn at the discretion of the individual. Out of pastoral concern, the safety of others should always be considered when making this choice.
Ministers of the Eucharist should continue to wear masks when distributing Communion for the protection of the vulnerable and those who may not be able to be vaccinated.
As a reminder, parishes in the diocese and affiliated ministries and groups are not authorized to screen for vaccinations.
Good hygiene, cleaning/disinfection of facilities, and prudent precautions still contribute to the common good and overall well-being of our communities.
Holy Water Fonts/Stoups
Holy Water may be reintroduced in fonts and stoups at the discretion of the parish. The water in the fonts should be changed regularly.
Click on this link: Bulletin-2-13-22 PLEASE READ THE BULLETIN FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION!
From Tuesday’s Buffalo News (copy link): https://buffalonews.com/news/local/facing-shortage-buffalo-diocese-plans-for-families-of-parishes-to-share-priests/article_50631d30-8810-11ec-8d9b-bbafcafe29d8.html
Remember your loved ones who have passed away, for birthdays or anniversaries, and for those who are ill. The Mass stipend is $15.00. Please contact the rectory during office hours to schedule your intentions.
Be sure to look at our prayer list in the bulletin…there are many people to pray for! Please remember to pray for those who you promised to, those who have no one to pray for them, and those requests that remain silent out of fear or embarrassment. Call the parish office during regular office hours to add or remove a name to our parish prayer list (893-0412). You can also arrange for a Mass by going to this link on our website: http://www.saintjohnkanty.com/mass-intentions/
everyone for your continued weekly support of our parish…it is truly appreciated!
Where did Valentine’s Day originate from?
The history of the holiday—and the story of its patron saint—is shrouded in mystery. We do know that February has long been celebrated as a month of romance, and that St. Valentine’s Day, as we know it today, contains vestiges of both Christian and ancient Roman tradition. But who was Saint Valentine, and how did he become associated with this ancient rite? he Catholic Church recognizes at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were martyred. One legend contends that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine’s actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death. Still others insist that it was Saint Valentine of Terni, a bishop, who was the true namesake of the holiday. He, too, was beheaded by Claudius II outside Rome. Other stories suggest that Valentine may have been killed for attempting to help Christians escape harsh Roman prisons, where they were often beaten and tortured. According to one legend, an imprisoned Valentine actually sent the first “valentine” greeting himself after he fell in love with a young girl—possibly his jailor’s daughter—who visited him during his confinement. Before his death, it is alleged that he wrote her a letter signed “From your Valentine,” an expression that is still in use today. Although the truth behind the Valentine legends is murky, the stories all emphasize his appeal as a sympathetic, heroic and—most importantly—romantic figure. By the Middle Ages, perhaps thanks to this reputation, Valentine would become one of the most popular saints in England and France.
HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEK!