March 16, 2020
 
Dear Parents and Guardians,
 
Due to the concerns of the Novel Coronavirus, this letter is to inform you that the Parish Staff of St. Bonaventure Church is working in partnership with the Office of Evangelization from the Diocese of Paterson as well as the New Jersey Department of Health to protect the well-being of all we serve in Ministry.
 
Please be assured that during Religious Formation Classes, we are taking every measure as we do daily to ensure that all hand surfaces have been cleaned and disinfected.  Also, we will continue to remind children of good hygiene practices while they are in our care during Religious Formation.
 
Currently, the plan to continue Religious Formation classes is to move to remote learning until further notice.  If you have been in contact with your child’s catechist and have been given the remote learning plans, please have your child complete the lessons assigned to them.  If you have not been in contact with your child’s catechist since we have implemented remote learning, please contact me via email, and I will put you in contact with the catechist to provide next steps.  If your child does not have the necessary materials to complete the assignments during this time, the assignments can be deferred until after we return to on-site classes.
 
Please note that the Sacraments of Confirmation, First Penance and First Holy Communion have been deferred by the guidance of Bishop Serratelli until further notice.  Once we receive notice from the Diocese of Paterson that the deferment has been lifted, we will advise you of when the Sacraments will be celebrated.
 
If you have any questions or concerns regarding this communication, please do not hesitate to contact me at 908-209-1437 or via email at [email protected].
 
Please be assured of our prayers for your families during this difficult time.
  
Sincerely,
 
Teresa Gallo-Tomcho
Director, Religious Formation