Christmas During the Pandemic

With the understanding that the dispensation from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass will continue through Christmas and into the New Year, the following guidelines are provided to St. Ambrose Parishioners for your consideration in celebrating Christmas 2020. The current dispensation from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass applies to the celebration of Christmas and New Year’s Day. Realizing that there is no easy answer that will solve the challenge for Christmas gatherings this year, sorry to say, nothing about Christmas will be normal. In light of the dispensation the number of people who might attend Mass for Christmas this year is unknown. The circumstances of the pandemic will definitely affect attendance. The Christmas Mass schedule at St. Ambrose and St. Joseph is as follows:

• Christmas Eve Masses — Dec. 24
      5:00 p.m. @ St. Joseph 10:00 p.m. @ St. Ambrose
• Christmas Day Masses — Dec. 25
      9:00 a.m. @ St. Joseph 11:00 a.m. @ St. Ambrose

This year, please consider coming Christmas day or the weekend after to help maintain a safe environment. Keep focused on the essential: celebrating the Nativity of the Lord in a safe, joyful and reverent manner. Thank you for your understanding in following the safety precautions for the upcoming Christmas season. In the midst of these unusual circumstances, may your celebration of Christmas be joyful and spirit-filled. God Bless You and Be safe!

New Year’s Mass Schedule

Masses for New Year’s will be on Thursday, Dec. 31, at 5:00 p.m. (SJ) and Friday, Jan. 1, at 10:00 a.m. (SA). Begin the new year in prayer as we ask God’s blessing and peace upon our families and within our world.

Save the Date!

The 2021 Women’s Spiritual Renewal Team is happy to invite you to the Seventh Annual Heat & Eat Carry Out Italian Night Dinner, on Saturday, Jan. 30, 2021 between 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Your choice of Lasagna: traditional meat; vegetarian spinach alfredo or gluten free eggplant; dinner includes salad, bread and a cookie dessert. Single size $12.00; family size dinner (feeds 5) $50.00. Tickets also sold for a gift card and basket raffle. Pick up at the St. Ambrose Church Hall (curbside), tickets sold at the door, masks required for pick-up. For more information call Melani at 330-357-6377.

50/50 Raffle

Different groups of the Parish Family of St. Ambrose are sponsoring a monthly 50/50 drawing. This 50/50 raffle replaces the Christmas Cash this year. Tickets are $1 each, or 6 tickets for $5 and will be sold after Mass (or contact the rectory). The drawing will be held on the last day of the month and the prize is 1/2 of all donations received. Raffle benefits the St. Ambrose Women’s Spiritual Renewal Team for the month of December.

Are You Registered?

To avoid problems or misunderstandings, especially when planning baptisms, marriages, etc., be sure that you are registered and active. To register, call the rectory at 330-527- 4105. One way to show you are active means to use your weekly contribution envelopes. That way, the computer will not deactivate you.

Dispensation To Attend Mass Continues

In light of the current health circumstance, the temporary dispensation from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass for all Catholic faithful within the Diocese of Youngstown especially for those who are sick, or at high risk of becoming sick remains. Anyone who is symptomatic or who has been exposed to another with the virus within 14 days should not attend Mass in accordance with national, state and local health directives.

Face Masks

Although the Diocesan Directives and Guidelines do not mandate the wearing of masks while attending Mass, it is strongly encouraged that everyone please try to do so (unless you have a condition that prevents you from wearing a mask).

Safe Environment Protocols

As we continue our efforts to continue to provide a safe environment for worship you are kindly reminded of the following:

When finding your seat for Mass, please move into the center of the row so that others can fill in the same row without having to pass by.

Remember to keep a safe-distance between you and the person in front of you when coming forward for Holy Communion.

Please remove your face covering before receiving Holy Communion to ensure proper reverence and avoid the possibility of dropping the host.

Thank you for your continued cooperation and patience! Together help us maintain a safe environment for all attending.

Spiritual Communion via Televised or On-Line Mass

The Act of Spiritual Communion is made when circumstances prevent one from receiving Holy Communion at Mass. The way to make an Act of Spiritual Communion is listed below and can be adapted based upon personal and family needs:

1. Gather with others in your household and begin a time of prayer with the sign of the cross.
2. Watch Mass on television or on-line, or if unable, take time to read and reflect upon the readings from Sunday Mass. Scripture readings can be found at www.usccb.org. A schedule of televised Mass is available at www.doy.org under Media tab.
3. Share prayer intentions quietly or aloud.
4. Pray the Lord’s Prayer.
5. Offer a prayer for healing, strength, or forgiveness or any prayer available during the coronavirus pandemic. If viewing Mass, offer a prayer during the normal time of Communion.
6. Close with the sign of the cross.

Prayer For Spiritual Communion
My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the
Most Holy Sacrament.
I love you above all things and I desire
to receive you in my soul.
Since I cannot at this moment receive
you sacramentally,
come at least spiritually into my heart.
I embrace you as if you were already there
and unite myself wholly to you.
Never permit me to be separated from you.
Amen.