Dear Our Lady of Sorrows Parishioner,

In this time of covid-19 crisis your parish wants to be a source of support and spiritual strength to you. One step toward this goal is this newsletter.

Please tell your friends about this Newsletter and share anyway you can by email, Facebook, word of mouth, etc. Let them know it can be viewed on the parish website: www.olosmonroe.com .

We hope you find this newsletter helpful. It is full of information, links, and some documents which you can download.

May God walk with you and your loved ones during these difficult days.

- Fr. Paul

June 5, 2020

At least until the end of June, the Mass schedule will be:

9:00 am - Mondays, Tuesdays, & Fridays

4:30 pm - Saturdays

10:00 am - Sundays

Please read the letter in the link below before coming to the church for important safety information.

You can download the letter here: LINK 

The dispensation from Sunday Mass obligation is still in effect,
so you can attend Mass any day of the week if you wish to do so.

Please continue to check our website for the latest updates: www.olosmonroe.com

-------------------------------

Homily for The Most Holy Trinity, Sunday, June 7, 2020

Deacon Jack Schaefer: HOMILY  

 -------------------------------

Watch Mass LIVE this coming weekend June 6 & 7 from Our Lady of Sorrows via Live Streaming at the parish website. Go to the parish website and follow the link on the main page: www.olosmonroe.com .  When the event has ended, the link will take you to a recorded version. 

Our Lady of Sorrows Pentecost Worship Aide: LINK   

Here is a Guide to the Mass, including the Creed and other Mass parts: LINK 

Alternatively, you can view Mass at St. Peter in Chains Cathedral at the times listed below at this link: LINK

Mondays - Fridays at 7:00 am & Saturdays at 11:30 am
Sundays will remain at 11:00 am

Tune in to Catholic Programming anytime with EWTN on TV or Online at this: LINK. 

-----------------------------------

Prayer for Vocations: LINK 

-----------------------------------

The Parish Bulletin is still being published weekly and is available at the Parish Website: LINK

NOTE: Some of the information in the weekly bulletin may be incorrect as a result of changes made after the bulletin goes to press each Monday, but the parish website will continue to have the latest information: www.olosmonroe.com

-------------------------------

Summer Lunch Program 2020

Our Lady of Sorrows will again participate in a community effort with several local churches to provide lunches for children living in Rochester Hills Mobile Home Park throughout the summer.

Due to Covid-19, the need is greater than ever. At the same time, we want to protect our parishioners who may not feel comfortable shopping at a grocery store or coming to church to drop off groceries. We still need your help. Our goal is to provide 130 lunches per day for 5 days for 2 weeks. That is 1,300 lunches. We are asking for monetary donations so we can bulk order the food items for the lunches.

Donations can be made to: Our Lady of Sorrows and should be in a separate envelope from other contributions and clearly marked: “Summer Lunch Program.”

You may mail your checks to Our Lady of Sorrows, drop them off in the office, or drop them in the collection box (which we will use instead of passing the basket.)

Please make your donation by June 20th. Thank you for your support of this program!

----------------------

Note from the Business Manager

The parish staff have been busy preparing to welcome parishioners back to church. Of course, we have a limited capacity for “thinking of everything” but know that we have been working to reopen the church and worship with parishioners in our chairs.

Speaking of chairs, you will notice that many are gone (for now) so that we can maintain some physical distance. Having chairs instead of pews is facilitating a reorganization of the space to hopefully make things work well and conform to the guidelines the Archdiocese and health officials have given for slowing the spread of COVID-19. Our preparation has not stopped with re-arranging furniture. Cleaning and planning for the ongoing need for sanitizing is going to be a continuing effort moving forward in a way we never imagined.

Amid our preparations, we were delivered another “project” that we had not planned on…. With the recent days of heavy rains, we discovered that the church basement (where the PSR classrooms are located) was taking on water. In my time at Our Lady of Sorrows, this has not happened. It was a bit defeating but could have been way worse. We were very fortunate that this was discovered very quickly. Though there was water pretty much in every classroom, in the storage rooms, furnace room and bathrooms, it was only about an inch deep. Making phone calls right away to the insurance agent and Archdiocese quickly put me in touch with a restoration company, who sent someone over within about 20 minutes. A few hours later, the restoration had begun. Though it is a big project, it’s one being handled by experts, allowing the parish staff to continue our preparations. Thank you, Jesus!

It warms our hearts to hear from parishioners eager to return and eager to help! Thank you to all who have mailed in contributions & given electronically during this time with no public Masses. Your generosity is appreciated and vital. To all of those who are unable to give we are praying for you, as we are for all of those who have been affected by this pandemic.

If you are able, you can mail your offering envelopes in to the parish office or any contributions you would normally be putting into the collection basket at Mass. Mail them to:

Our Lady of Sorrows
330 Lebanon Street
Monroe, OH 45050

Sunday Masses from Our Lady of Sorrows are available for viewing via Live Streaming on our website: www.olosmonroe.com . Our staff is continuing to take care of parish business, pay bills, maintain our facilities, communicate with parishioners through available channels, and do all we can to maintain the vitality of our parish and to provide the pastoral care our parishioners need.

We are blessed by the continued financial support of many of our parishioners who have mailed in checks or chosen to give by electronic contribution.

If you are interested in setting up electronic giving, this is how it works: Once a month, on the 5th of every month, funds can be transferred from your bank account electronically. Simply download the form below and mail it in to the Parish office. You will need to enclose a cancelled check for verification of routing numbers. (IMPORTANT: When submitting routing numbers on the form, be sure that you copy them from a CHECK and NOT a Deposit Slip. They are different numbers.

Here is the link for the electronic giving form: LINK 

Finally, you can also have checks sent automatically from your bank to the parish on a regular basis. Contact your bank for details.

We look forward to coming together with our parish family again soon. Thank you for your prayers and support and be assured of our prayers for all of you.  

- Ava Bertsch

----------------------------------------

A Note from the Director of Religious Education

During these unusual circumstances, parents, we remind you that you are the first and best Catechists to your children.  Passing the Faith along is your primary duty and responsibility.  This is what you promised the Church when you had your child baptized.  We are here to help and support you in your time of need.  Please contact Chris Baumgardner at: cd3.baum@gmail.com .

Here is the Gospel for this coming Sunday, June 7, The Most Holy Trinity.  There is a family prayer service on this page and reflection questions for children youth, and adults: LINK  

Two other sites that have kid-friendly Gospel activities are: LINK and LINK

Watch Mass live-streamed from St. Peter in Chains Cathedral daily. Monday - Friday 7:00 AM, Saturday 11:30 AM, and Sunday at 11:00 AM. This is a great way for the lay faithful to unite in solidarity with one another in an act of spiritual communion. While the Sunday obligation has been lifted for now, attending Mass is still important! You can find links for this at: catholiccincinnati.org or stpeterinchainscathedral.org or THIS LINK.    

Another site to try is this one: LINK .  Using this site might allow you to visit a Church that you wouldn’t otherwise and take a church tour!    

If you are looking for a way to keep children engaged during online Mass, have them use this resource to take a “scavenger hunt”: LINK

Sign up for a FORMED account at: FORMED.org. Both parishioners from Our Lady of Sorrows and Holy Name of Jesus can access this. 2nd grade sacrament parents should watch the Presence series.   Remember, too, that FORMED isn’t just for adults! There’s series for teens and lots of programming for children as well.

FORMED is an online platform that can enhance your knowledge about many facets of our faith. Here's some tips in accessing FORMED. Please let us know if you have any questions. Best of all, it's FREE for you to use.

Already have a FORMED Account?
1. Visit FORMED.org
2. Click Sign In
3. Enter your email
4. Click the link in the email you will receive
You’re in! No more passwords!

To create a new FORMED account:
1. Visit FORMED.org
2. Click Sign-Up
3. Select “I Belong to a Parish or Organization”
4. Find “Our Lady of Sorrows” *
Enter your email and you’re in!

Please note that these instructions are for both Our Lady of Sorrows parishioners and Holy Name of Jesus parishioners as well.

Hold a family rosary session each evening after dinner. Here's a good site to offer some ideas for little children who might become a little wiggly during the experience: LINK

Turn off the TV and listen to Sacred Heart Radio. If you have trouble tuning it in, you can download the app and stream it to your devices. SACRED HEART RADIO

We are accepting non-perishable food to donate to the Middletown Choice Market. Donations can be dropped off at the “Parish Office” door. If no one is in the office, please leave donations inside the doorway. It is unlocked until 9:00 PM each evening.

The activity director at Mt. Pleasant Nursing Home in Monroe is asking for letters and cards to be sent to residents who cannot receive visitors right now. Many of the residents at Mt. Pleasant are our parishioners.   Letters can be sent to:

Ohio Living Project Smiles
225 Britton Ln.
Monroe, OH 45050  

Please ”like” the Our Lady of Sorrows’ Facebook page as the staff post articles that are Faith related. You can look for us at “Our Lady of Sorrows Parish”.   

Consider honoring Mary this month by dropping off flowers to one of the two Marian statues at Our Lady of Sorrows.  They are both outside where you can easily “social distance” from one another.  This could also give you a chance to visit the outside grounds of Our Lady of Sorrows if you are missing our Church.  Know that the Our Lady of Sorrows' staff is missing YOU!

Looking for some good reading material for your children that could also spark their faith?  Check out these suggestions: LINK   

Please keep our PSR and MTCES students in your prayers who were to receive their sacraments of First Communion and Confirmation this Spring. Please know that we look forward to the day when we can celebrate with you! 

- Chris Baumgardner

-----------------------------------

Other Links and Resources

Information and Resources from the Archdiocese of Cincinnati: LINK

Spiritual Resources from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops: LINK

Daily Mass Readings from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops: LINK

Catholic Health Association: LINK

Vatican Website: LINK 

Resources for Economic Support: LINK

Volunteer Needs and Opportunities: LINK

Pentecost

May 29, 2020

At least until the end of June, the Mass schedule will be:

9:00 am - Mondays, Tuesdays, & Fridays

4:30 pm - Saturdays

10:00 am - Sundays

Please read the letter in the link below before coming to the church for important safety information.

You can download the letter here: LINK 

The dispensation from Sunday Mass obligation is still in effect,
so you can attend Mass any day of the week if you wish to do so.

Please continue to check our website for the latest updates: www.olosmonroe.com

-------------------------------

Homily for Pentecost, Sunday, May 31, 2020

Fr. Stephen Lattner: HOMILY  

 -------------------------------

Watch Mass LIVE this coming weekend May 30 & 31 from Our Lady of Sorrows via Live Streaming at the parish website. Go to the parish website and follow the link on the main page: www.olosmonroe.com .  When the event has ended, the link will take you to a recorded version. 

Our Lady of Sorrows Pentecost Worship Aide: LINK   

Here is a Guide to the Mass, including the Creed and other Mass parts: LINK 

Alternatively, you can view Mass at St. Peter in Chains Cathedral at the times listed below at this link: LINK

Mondays - Fridays at 7:00 am & Saturdays at 11:30 am
Sundays will remain at 11:00 am

Tune in to Catholic Programming anytime with EWTN on TV or Online at this: LINK. 

-----------------------------------

Prayer for Vocations: LINK 

-----------------------------------

The Parish Bulletin is still being published weekly and is available at the Parish Website: LINK

NOTE: Some of the information in the weekly bulletin may be incorrect as a result of changes made after the bulletin goes to press each Monday, but the parish website will continue to have the latest information: www.olosmonroe.com

-------------------------------

Summer Lunch Program 2020

Our Lady of Sorrows will again participate in a community effort with several local churches to provide lunches for children living in Rochester Hills Mobile Home Park throughout the summer.

Due to Covid-19, the need is greater than ever. At the same time, we want to protect our parishioners who may not feel comfortable shopping at a grocery store or coming to church to drop off groceries. We still need your help. Our goal is to provide 130 lunches per day for 5 days for 2 weeks. That is 1,300 lunches. We are asking for monetary donations so we can bulk order the food items for the lunches.

Donations can be made to: Our Lady of Sorrows and should be in a separate envelope from other contributions and clearly marked: “Summer Lunch Program.”

You may mail your checks to Our Lady of Sorrows, drop them off in the office, or drop them in the collection box (which we will use instead of passing the basket.)

Please make your donation by June 20th. Thank you for your support of this program!

----------------------

Note from the Business Manager

The parish staff have been busy preparing to welcome parishioners back to church. As we get ready to open our doors, we are doing our best to think of everything. Of course, we have a limited capacity for “thinking of everything” but know that we are working to be ready to reopen the church and worship with parishioners in our chairs.

Speaking of chairs, you will notice that many are gone (for now) so that we can maintain some physical distance. Having chairs instead of pews is facilitating a reorganization of the space to hopefully make things work well and conform to the guidelines the Archdiocese and health officials have given for slowing the spread of COVID-19. Our preparation has not stopped with re-arranging furniture. Cleaning and planning for the ongoing need for sanitizing is going to be a continuing effort moving forward in a way we never imagined.

Amid our preparations, we were delivered another “project” that we had not planned on…. With the recent days of heavy rains, we discovered that the church basement (where the PSR classrooms are located) was taking on water. In my time at Our Lady of Sorrows, this has not happened. It was a bit defeating but could have been way worse. We were very fortunate that this was discovered very quickly. Though there was water pretty much in every classroom, in the storage rooms, furnace room and bathrooms, it was only about an inch deep. Making phone calls right away to the insurance agent and Archdiocese quickly put me in touch with a restoration company, who sent someone over within about 20 minutes. A few hours later, the restoration had begun. Though it is a big project, it’s one being handled by experts, allowing the parish staff to continue our preparations. Thank you, Jesus!

It warms our hearts to hear from parishioners eager to return and eager to help! Thank you to all who have mailed in contributions & given electronically during this time with no public Masses. Your generosity is appreciated and vital. To all of those who are unable to give we are praying for you, as we are for all of those who have been affected by this pandemic.

If you are able, you can mail your offering envelopes in to the parish office or any contributions you would normally be putting into the collection basket at Mass. Mail them to:

Our Lady of Sorrows
330 Lebanon Street
Monroe, OH 45050

Sunday Masses from Our Lady of Sorrows are available for viewing via Live Streaming on our website: www.olosmonroe.com . Our staff is continuing to take care of parish business, pay bills, maintain our facilities, communicate with parishioners through available channels, and do all we can to maintain the vitality of our parish and to provide the pastoral care our parishioners need.

We are blessed by the continued financial support of many of our parishioners who have mailed in checks or chosen to give by electronic contribution.

If you are interested in setting up electronic giving, this is how it works: Once a month, on the 5th of every month, funds can be transferred from your bank account electronically. Simply download the form below and mail it in to the Parish office. You will need to enclose a cancelled check for verification of routing numbers. (IMPORTANT: When submitting routing numbers on the form, be sure that you copy them from a CHECK and NOT a Deposit Slip. They are different numbers.

Here is the link for the electronic giving form: LINK 

Finally, you can also have checks sent automatically from your bank to the parish on a regular basis. Contact your bank for details.

We look forward to coming together with our parish family again soon. Thank you for your prayers and support and be assured of our prayers for all of you.  

- Ava Bertsch

----------------------------------------

A Note from the Director of Religious Education

During these unusual circumstances, parents, we remind you that you are the first and best Catechists to your children.  Passing the Faith along is your primary duty and responsibility.  This is what you promised the Church when you had your child baptized.  We are here to help and support you in your time of need.  Please contact Chris Baumgardner at: cd3.baum@gmail.com .

Here is the Gospel for this coming Sunday, May 31, Pentecost.  There is a family prayer service on this page and reflection questions for children youth, and adults: LINK  

Two other sites that have kid-friendly Gospel activities are: LINK and LINK

Watch Mass live-streamed from St. Peter in Chains Cathedral daily. Monday - Friday 7:00 AM, Saturday 11:30 AM, and Sunday at 11:00 AM. This is a great way for the lay faithful to unite in solidarity with one another in an act of spiritual communion. While the Sunday obligation has been lifted for now, attending Mass is still important! You can find links for this at: catholiccincinnati.org or stpeterinchainscathedral.org or THIS LINK.    

Another site to try is this one: LINK .  Using this site might allow you to visit a Church that you wouldn’t otherwise and take a church tour!    

If you are looking for a way to keep children engaged during online Mass, have them use this resource to take a “scavenger hunt”: LINK

Sign up for a FORMED account at: FORMED.org. Both parishioners from Our Lady of Sorrows and Holy Name of Jesus can access this. 2nd grade sacrament parents should watch the Presence series.   Remember, too, that FORMED isn’t just for adults! There’s series for teens and lots of programming for children as well.

FORMED is an online platform that can enhance your knowledge about many facets of our faith. Here's some tips in accessing FORMED. Please let us know if you have any questions. Best of all, it's FREE for you to use.

Already have a FORMED Account?
1. Visit FORMED.org
2. Click Sign In
3. Enter your email
4. Click the link in the email you will receive
You’re in! No more passwords!

To create a new FORMED account:
1. Visit FORMED.org
2. Click Sign-Up
3. Select “I Belong to a Parish or Organization”
4. Find “Our Lady of Sorrows” *
Enter your email and you’re in!

Please note that these instructions are for both Our Lady of Sorrows parishioners and Holy Name of Jesus parishioners as well.

Hold a family rosary session each evening after dinner. Here's a good site to offer some ideas for little children who might become a little wiggly during the experience: LINK

Turn off the TV and listen to Sacred Heart Radio. If you have trouble tuning it in, you can download the app and stream it to your devices. SACRED HEART RADIO

We are accepting non-perishable food to donate to the Middletown Choice Market. Donations can be dropped off at the “Parish Office” door. If no one is in the office, please leave donations inside the doorway. It is unlocked until 9:00 PM each evening.

The activity director at Mt. Pleasant Nursing Home in Monroe is asking for letters and cards to be sent to residents who cannot receive visitors right now. Many of the residents at Mt. Pleasant are our parishioners.   Letters can be sent to:

Ohio Living Project Smiles
225 Britton Ln.
Monroe, OH 45050  

Please ”like” the Our Lady of Sorrows’ Facebook page as the staff post articles that are Faith related. You can look for us at “Our Lady of Sorrows Parish”.   

Consider honoring Mary this month by dropping off flowers to one of the two Marian statues at Our Lady of Sorrows.  They are both outside where you can easily “social distance” from one another.  This could also give you a chance to visit the outside grounds of Our Lady of Sorrows if you are missing our Church.  Know that the Our Lady of Sorrows' staff is missing YOU!

Looking for some good reading material for your children that could also spark their faith?  Check out these suggestions: LINK   

Please keep our PSR and MTCES students in your prayers who were to receive their sacraments of First Communion and Confirmation this Spring. Please know that we look forward to the day when we can celebrate with you! 

- Chris Baumgardner

-----------------------------------

Other Links and Resources

Information and Resources from the Archdiocese of Cincinnati: LINK

Spiritual Resources from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops: LINK

Daily Mass Readings from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops: LINK

Catholic Health Association: LINK

Vatican Website: LINK 

Resources for Economic Support: LINK

Volunteer Needs and Opportunities: LINK