Sacred Heart Parish, Lafayette Avenue, Palmerton, celebrates weekend Mass at 5 p.m. on Saturday and 9:30 a.m. Sunday, following all Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Allentown Diocesan directives. All worshippers for weekend Mass are asked to call the rectory office at: 610-826-2335 indicating the Mass time and how many will be attending. Daily Mass, Monday through Friday, is celebrated at noon. The church remains open after daily Mass until 3 p.m. for private prayer. Sunday 9:30 a.m. Mass is livestreamed on Facebook for all who are unable to join us in person.

Seating capacity continues to be limited to 160 worshippers at each Mass. Wearing a facial mask and safe distancing is required. The sacrament of Confession is offered by appointment only. Please call the rectory office to schedule. All other parish and diocesan news can be found at www.shcpalmerton.org.

This weekend we celebrate the Second Sunday of Advent and the Scripture readings encourage us to make a clear path for the Lord’s coming by being servants of justice, truth and peace.

This coming week we will celebrate the Immaculate Conception, a Holy Day of Obligation and the Patronal Feast of America. Vigil Mass will be at 7 p.m. on Dec. 7 and the Feast Day Mass will be celebrated at noon on Dec. 8.

The Parish Charity for Advent is participating in the Giving Tree Program which will directly benefit the Schuylkill/Carbon Catholic Social Agency and Victims of Domestic Violence. Toy Drive sponsored by CACPAC ends Dec. 8 and gifts will be distributed to our needy families in our community.

Parishioners and friends planning to attend one of our Christmas Eve/Day Masses should call early to reserve seating which will be limited according to COVID directives. Father Bill’s Advent pastoral letter with Mass schedules is posted on the website.

Plan to join us for our special time of Confession Dec. 14 at 7 p.m. when 3 confessors will hear confessions during a holy hour. This will take the place of our traditional Penance Service.

Father Bill continues to ask for prayers through the intercession of Father Walter Ciszek that God will bless us with a cure for COVID-19 and restore the physical, spiritual, emotional and financial health to our global family.