Church of the Ascension

The Spirit of Christ’s resurrection dwells in us giving us life and, by accepting Jesus’ yoke of humility, we can find rest. Jesus is the humble King who brings peace to the nations as prophesied by Zechariah.
 
Please join Father Daniel Kearney in celebrating Mass for the 14^th Sunday in Ordinary Time. 

AVAILABLE AT 5:00 PM ON JULY 4TH
  
To pray for a spiritual Communion, please click on the link for that prayer.
 
Prayer for Spiritual Communion - https://archny.org/acts-of-spiritual-communion/

El Espíritu de resurrección de Cristo mora en nosotros dándonos vida y, al aceptar el yugo de humildad de Jesús, podemos encontrar descanso. Jesús es el Rey humilde que trae paz a las naciones como lo profetizó Zacarías.
 
Únase al Padre Daniel Kearney en línea en la celebración de la Misa por el 14º domingo del Tiempo Ordinario.

AVAILABLE AT 5:00 PM ON JULY 4TH
 
Para pedirle al Señor una comunión espiritual haga clic en el enlace de esa oración.

Oración para comunión espiritual - https://es.aleteia.org/2018/09/29/no-puedes-recibir-la-comunion-mira-como-hacer-una-comunion-espiritual/

Dear Parishioners and Friends of Ascension,

If you've seen any of the youtube masses you will see that there are no choirs or groups of musicians in close proximity to each other. Going forward we will have only a Cantor at the English masses. She/he will wear a mask at all times when she/he is not singing and will lead from the chancel area of the church at the lectern. The organist will obviously be playing from the loft, and occasionally the piano which is located in the transept well over 6 feet from anyone in the congregation. He will be masked as well.

We are all hearing much scientific information lately regarding the spread of Covid through droplets and aerosols. Professor Kimberly Prather, PhD, Distinguished Chair in Atmospheric Chemistry at UC San Diego, this past week gave the most updated findings I've read or heard. "Droplets are produced when you cough or sneeze. They travel from your mouth or nose and eventually land on the ground or another nearby surface. A 6-foot distance seems to be safe; (you will find our pews are marked with orange tape so that seated worshippers are 6 feet apart). Aerosols, on the other hand, are much tinier and are produced when you simply speak (or sing). They are buoyant and do not fall to the ground; rather, they linger and fill the room AND they can come from people who do not even express Covid symptoms."

Singing is always at the top of the list of group activities to be avoided. Unfortunately, singing is central to worship and we cannot have a choir until a vaccine is discovered and distributed widely. In the pews you can sing from behind your mask. Reminder: ALL PERSONS MUST WEAR MASKS UPON ENTRY TO THE CHURCH. THE MASKS REMAIN ON THE FACE UNTIL YOU DEPART. Obviously, at the moment when you receive the Body of Christ you will adjust your mask accordingly.

I am no PhD in science, but since I am in charge of producing the sung portions of our liturgies, Fr. Kearney had asked me to express these items and concerns to you in simple terms.

Note: At the Spanish masses, the Walkirios (normally a dozen in number) will be dividing their group into several singer/instrumentalist duos for each mass. The two musicians will be safely distanced. You have also seen this already happening on our youtube masses. We remain patient and optimistic as we await the medical field to develop a vaccine.

Faithfully yours,
Preston
Music Director

Queridos Feligreses y Amigos de Ascención,

Si has visto alguna de las misas de YouTube, verás que no hay coros o grupos de músicos muy cerca uno del otro. En el futuro solo tendremos un Cantor en las misas en inglés. Ella / él usará una máscara en todo momento cuando no esté cantando y conducirá desde el área del presbiterio de la iglesia en el atril. El organista obviamente tocará desde el desván, y ocasionalmente el piano que se encuentra en el crucero a más de 6 pies de cualquiera en la congregación. Él estará con su máscara también.

Todos estamos escuchando mucha información científica últimamente sobre la propagación de Covid a través de gotas y aerosoles. La profesora Kimberly Prather, PhD, Cátedra Distinguida en Química Atmosférica en la Universidad de California en San Diego, dio la semana pasada los hallazgos más actualizados que he leído y escuchado. "Las gotas se producen cuando tose o estornuda. Viajan desde su boca o nariz y finalmente aterrizan en el suelo u otra superficie cercana. Una distancia de 6 pies parece segura; (encontrará que nuestras bancas están marcadas con cinta naranja así que que los adoradores sentados están a 6 pies de distancia). Los aerosoles, por otro lado, son mucho más pequeños y se producen cuando simplemente hablas (o cantas). Son boyantes y no caen al suelo; más bien, permanecen y llenan la habitación Y pueden provenir de personas que ni siquiera expresan síntomas de Covid".

Cantar siempre está en la parte superior de la lista de actividades grupales que se deben evitar. Desafortunadamente, el canto es fundamental para la adoración y no podemos tener un coro hasta que se descubra y distribuya ampliamente una vacuna. Actualmente, el canto congregacional no se recomienda. Recordatorio: TODAS LAS PERSONAS DEBEN USAR MÁSCARAS AL ENTRAR A LA IGLESIA. LAS MÁSCARAS PERMANECEN EN LA CARA HASTA QUE USTED SALGA. Obviamente, en el momento en que reciba el Cuerpo de Cristo, ajustará su máscara en consecuencia.

No soy doctor en ciencias, pero como estoy a cargo de producir las partes cantadas de nuestras liturgias, el P. Kearney me había pedido que le expresara estos artículos y preocupaciones en términos simples.

Nota: En las misas en español, los Walkirios (normalmente una docena en número) dividirán su grupo en varios dúos de cantantes / instrumentistas para cada misa. Los dos músicos serán distanciados de forma segura. También has visto que esto ya está sucediendo en nuestras misas de youtube. Seguimos siendo pacientes y optimistas mientras esperamos que el campo médico pueda desarrollar una vacuna.

Fielmente agradecido,
Preston
Director de música

• SATURDAY:4:00 PM to 5:00 PM Bi-Lingual

Rev. Daniel S. Kearney  
Pastor

Rev. Raymond Rafferty  
In Residence

Rev. Daniel Le Blanc  
In Residence

Rev. Msgr. Thomas Shelley
Sunday

Mr. Nelson Falcon
Parish Deacon

             Michael Elmore            Sacristan

PRECAUTIONS FOR ALL
AS RECOMMENDED BY
HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS/PROFESSIONALS

Wear a mask.

Sanitize your hands as frequently as possible -- prefereably with soap and water or hand sanitizer.

Keep a safe social distance of 6 feet from those around you to prevent the spread of germs.

If you are not feeling well, please stay at home.  

Reduce the risk of exposure to the elderly and those with existing immune issues.

Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

Cough or sneeze into your elbow (not your hand) and cover your mouth when your cough or sneeze with a tissue then throw the tissue in the trash.

PRECAUCIONES PARA TODOS

Usar una máscara.

Lavarse las manos con agua y jabón con mucha frecuencia. 

Mantenga una distancia social segura de quienes lo rodean para evitar la propagación de gérmenes.

Quédese en casa si no se siente bien. ¡Dios lo entenderá!  No es ningun pecado para no asistir la misa si está enfermo o por razones serias. 

Reduzca el riesgo de exposición para los ancianos y las personas con problemas inmunes existentes. Exhorte a sus vecinos a tomar precauciones y cuidarse también.

No deben tocar sus ojos, su nariz ni su boca con las manos sin lavarse las manos primero.

Tosa o estornude en su codo en vez de su mano, o cubra su tos o estornudo con un pañuelo desechable y luego bótalo en la basura.

Ascension Instructional Return to Mass Video (English)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFg0YM7ZOzE

Abriendo La Iglesia de la Ascencion de Nuevo (Español)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upj-Ig0rCL4

1. NYCWell for mental health care (offered in 200 different languages) 

Call 1-888-NYC-WELL or 1-800-621-4673.

Text ‘well’ to 65173 or go to nyc.gov/nycwell for more information. 

2. ThriveNYC mental health programs are available online and/or virtually a. To learn more follow the link https://thrivenyc.cityofnewyork.us/ 

3. Please see hyperlinks for new COVID-19 guides, including: 

Is It Anxiety, a Panic Attack, or COVID-19? b. Grief and Loss During the COVID-19 Outbreak c. COVID-19: Staying Connected With Friends and Family 

4. Centralized COVID19 resources 

‘Text ‘COVID’ or ‘COVIDESP’ (for Spanish) to 692692 to sign up for alerts b. Follow the conversation on Twitter at #AskMyMayor c. nyc.gov/coronavirus d. https://access.nyc.gov/coronavirus-covid-19-updates/ e. https://www1.nyc.gov/site/helpnownyc/get-help/individuals.page 

5. NYC Meal Delivery Assistance for those who cannot access food 
https://cv19engagementportal.cityofnewyork.us/#/display/5e7555117ad6750216160409 

Free meals are available to every New Yorker at over 400 locations 

Text ‘NYC FOOD’ or ‘NYC COMIDA’ to 877-877 for more. b. Free halal meals are also available at these sites. 

More info at http://schools.nyc.gov/ramadanmeals 

To access SNAP (food stamps) 

Go to https://www1.nyc.gov/site/hra/help/snap-online-shopping.page 

NYC COVID-19 Pet Hotline 1-877-204-8821, 8 – 8 pm, seven days a week. 9. NYC-Care for low-cost and no-cost health care services 

If you can’t get insurance, get an NYC Health + Hospitals member’s card. b. Beyond providing critical services, including for emergencies, get: a doctor, affordable medications, help during emergencies, and more 

Call 646-692-2273 (excellent customer service in 250+ languages) 

10. Citywide testing sites for people most at risk 

Open to 1199 workers, health care workers, and residents over 65 b. Call 1-888-OneMED1 or go to onemedical.com & use code NYCCARE30 

11. Geriatric mental health and other senior programs 

1-212-AGING-NYC (212-244-6469) 

12. On March 27th, U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that COVID19 health treatment would NOT be considered under the Public Charge rule (https://www.uscis.gov/greencard/public-charge) a. It will not impact your ability to apply for a green card or citizenship 

13. DACA recipients needing help filing or paying for renewals 

Call ActionNYC at 1-800-354-0365 

14. Contact the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs for any other questions 

Call 212-788-7654 (9 am to 5 pm, Monday – Friday) b. Email AskMOIA@cityhall.nyc.gov 

15. NYC domestic violence hotline & borough family justice centers for domestic violence 

General domestic violence hotline:1-800-621-4673 

Family justice center Brooklyn: 718-250-5113 ii. Family justice center Bronx: 718-508-1220 iii. Family justice center Manhattan: 212-602-2800 iv. Family justice center Queens: 718-575-4545 

Family justice center Staten Island: 718-697-4300 

16. Benefits for those out of work OR have had their hours cut. If you recently lost your job or had your hours cut, you're likely eligible for unemployment benefits.

Follow the link for more. https://access.nyc.gov/faq-for-pandemic-unemployment-benefits/ c. And for more information https://on.nyc.gov/2XSLFLj 

17. NYC Taxi is hiring licensed TLC drivers to deliver food to New Yorkers 

Pay is $15/hour, plus mileage and toll reimbursement. b. Sign up at http://nyc.gov/deliverytlc 18. For more information about public school remote learning, activities for students, and technical support a. Go to schools.nyc.gov/LearnAtHome 

19. New webpage full of resources for those people with disabilities 

Visit: https://www1.nyc.gov/site/mopd/resources/covid-19-resources-for-people-with- disabilities

20. Get free financial counseling – secure and confidential a. Book an appointment at http://nyc.gov/TalkMoney 

21. FREE WeSpeakNYC weekly online language classes. Practice your English, make new friends, and learn about services for immigrant residents during the COVID19 outbreak. Sign up at http://wespeaknyc.cityofnewyork.us/wsnyc-online-classes/ 

22. Services for NYC Housing Authority (NYCHA) residents a. Go to http://on.nyc.gov/nycha-covid-19-resources b. Free face coverings, gloves, and sanitizer c. Free door-to-door meal distribution for seniors d. Regular check-in phone calls for seniors & vulnerable residents. e. Thousands of free tablets being delivered to seniors. 

23. Student loan debt tips during COVID-19 

https://www1.nyc.gov/site/dca/consumers/Student-Loan-Debt-Tips-During- COVID19.

24. Freelancers in NYC facing nonpayment issues can file a complaint 

Learn more: https://on.nyc.gov/34hE22g 

https://www.wsj.com/articles/pandemic-deepens-catholic-churchs-financial-crunch-from-vatican-to-parishes-11587736691?mod=searchresults&page=1&pos=1

FULL TEXT BELOW:

Pandemic Deepens Catholic Church’s Financial Crunch,
From Vatican to Parishes

As coronavirus closes doors, Church loses revenue sources and priests turn to online giving

By Francis X. Rocca | Photographs by Diana Zeyneb Alhindawi for The Wall Street Journal
Updated April 24, 2020 1008 am ET

ROME—The coronavirus pandemic has dealt a blow to the Catholic Church’s finances, threatening its extensive charitable activities and leading bishops and parish priests to slash expenses and seek funds elsewhere.

The impact of the pandemic, which has pulled the global economy into a likely recession, has been felt at the highest levels of the church. The Vatican has temporarily lost its largest single source of income, the Vatican Museums, since their closure last month. The museums typically receive more than six million visitors each year, yielding revenue of some €40 million ($43 million).

“The principal problem for the Catholic Church is that it is asset rich but liquidity poor,” said

The Rev. Anthony Stoeppel, who teaches church finance at St. Patrick’s Seminary and University in Menlo Park, California. “The pope could in theory sell St. Peter’s Basilica but unless he does so he doesn’t have that money.”

Robin Klueber organized the food pantry at the Church of the Ascension on Thursday. Donations have enabled the pantry to provide for the needy twice as often.

The Vatican also normally earns between €40 million and €50 million in rents on real estate properties, mostly in Rome, but those are also likely to diminish during a recession expected to last well beyond the reopening of the Italian economy, now slowly under way. The Vatican has said it would consider requests for reductions in rent payments from tenants suffering hardship.

The Rev. Augusto Zampini, a member of the pope’s task force on the coronavirus, told reporters on Thursday that the Vatican was tapping emergency financial reserves during the crisis and that some senior officials had offered to take pay cuts to ease the financial pressure.

The economic downturn aggravates a dire situation for the Vatican. Pope Francis urged officials last year to address the Holy See’s gaping budget deficit. The bulk of the pope’s world-wide annual charity collection wasn’t going to the poor but being used to plug the deficit, The Wall Street Journal discovered.

In response to the current shortfall, the Vatican has cut costs through various measures, including a freeze on hiring and promotions, a ban on most overtime work, the cancellation of conferences and the suspension of business travel, according to Vatican officials. Pay cuts or layoffs of the Vatican’s approximately 5,000 employees aren’t on the table, the officials said.

The congregation at the Church of the Ascension includes many elderly people with low incomes, making the switch to online giving dificult. Longtime congregant Roberto Rodan prays there daily.

The Vatican regularly receives financial assistance from bishops in rich countries, particularly in the U.S., Germany and Italy, the three top sources of an annual gift from bishops that regularly yields more than €20 million. But church institutions and donors in those countries have also been hit by the current crisis.

In Germany, the Catholic Church’s medical and social service operations make it one of the country’s largest employers, funded largely by a government-collected church tax that brought in more than €6.6 billion in 2018. The current economic crisis will reduce those payments by a large though still unknown amount, said Matthias Kopp, a spokesman for the German Bishops Conference, in part because church taxes aren’t paid on state-backed furlough payments.

In Italy, the Catholic Church’s principal source of funding is a small percentage of income-tax payments that taxpayers can designate for charity. Almost 80% choose the Catholic Church, providing it with more than €1.1 billion last year. Almost €220 million of this money, most of it earlier slated for church construction and maintenance, is now being dedicated to pandemic- related relief, said Stefano Proietti, a spokesman for the Italian bishops conference.

The suspension of Masses in Germany and Italy has in effect cut off weekly collections—a leading source of funding for parishes, which in both countries are responsible for many of their own expenses. Few are equipped to receive donations online.

By contrast, almost 90% of the 17,000 Catholic parishes in the U.S. have some method of accepting online giving, according to a 2019 survey by I Give Catholic, an online platform. But that survey also found that 50% of parishes receive less than 10% of their annual donations online.

U.S. Catholic parishes in recent years have raised more than $5 billion a year through weekly collections from their members, according to Mark Gray of the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate at Georgetown University.

Since all dioceses in the U.S. suspended public Masses last month, parishes have rushed to add an online-donations feature or promote it to their members.

“We’ve seen double and triple activity in demand” since late March, said Jim Weigert of Our Sunday Visitor in Huntington, Indiana, which provides payment systems for Catholic parishes across the country. “It’s supercharged the adoption level...from optional, nice-to-have to something you absolutely have to have.”

About 80 of the 195 Catholic dioceses in the U.S., for the most part in rural areas, aren’t self- supporting financially and frequently lack the infrastructure for online contributions, said Kerry Robinson of the Leadership Roundtable, which promotes the adoption of best practices of management and finance in the Catholic Church.

Ms. Robinson said her group has been working with I Give Catholic to channel donations to such dioceses in response to the pandemic. The initiative has raised more than $50,000 since it was launched last month, she said.

Father Kearney, at the Church of the Ascension, said a Small Business Administration loan enabled his parish to retain employees.

Even in New York City, the prevalence of such practices varies by neighborhood. The Rev. Daniel Kearney, pastor of the Church of the Ascension in Morningside Heights, whose congregation includes many elderly people with low incomes, said fewer than 90 of the more than 1,000 parishioners who attend Sunday Mass give online.

Across the Archdiocese of New York, total weekly donations have gone down by half, representing a decline of about $1 million a week, according archdiocesan spokesman Joseph Zwilling. Other dioceses and parishes across the country have placed employees on furlough since the start of the coronavirus emergency.

The Archdiocese of Los Angeles has experienced a drop of more than 40% in weekly giving, or approximately $2 million, according to the archdiocese’s vicar general, Msgr. Albert Bahhuth.

Cardinal Timothy Dolan warned Catholics in New York last month that the archdiocese might have to cut wages temporarily, but that option isn’t yet under active consideration, Mr. Zwilling said.

Father Kearney said that his parish qualified for a Small Business Administration loan under the Payroll Protection Program, for which faith-based entities are eligible, and has thus been able to retain its two full-time and several part-time employees. As many as 15% of U.S. Catholic parishes have been able to maintain their pre-pandemic income thanks to the PPP, said Ms. Robinson.