• Chancery eNews - February 5, 2016    in this issue IRS Affordable Healthcare Act Reporting Catholic Schools at the State House CRS Lenten Resources St. Paul Inside the Walls Risk Management Vocation Office Decrease in Standard Mileage Rate Jubilee Year of Mercy

  _________________________________________________________________________   HEADS UP - 2015 IRS Affordable Healthcare Act Reporting Effective 2015, the IRS requires we send to each employee information regarding whether they have taken Diocesan medical coverage, declined it or were not eligible for coverage.  This is on a form called the 1095C.  (See blank sample here.)  Additionally, Paylocity will be sending this information to the IRS on behalf of the diocese.   We will be asking that each location review these forms in Paylocity within the next few weeks.  At that time, we will provide instructions for reviewing and making changes. ___________________________________________________________________________________   Catholic Schools Week at the State House On Thursday, February 4, 2016, six students representing the Academy of St. Francis, Totowa; St. Cecilia School, Rockaway; St. Gerard Majella School, Paterson; St. Patrick School, Chatham and St. Virgil Academy, Morris Plains will visit the New Jersey State House in Trenton.  These students participated in and were selected from a statewide Catholic schools poster contest.  The contest theme was "Why New Jersey Needs Catholic Schools".  Our students will take a guided tour of the State House and then attend a reception where each student will receive a certificate.   ___________________________________________________________________________________   CRS Resources Attached below are Weekly Lenten Resources.  Included in the first attachment are some online resources. Memo from Joe Duffy, Diocesan Director for Catholic Relief Services Reflections on Sunday Readings Prayer Intentions   If you have any questions, please contact Joe Duffy at 973-777-8818, ext. 278 or [email protected].    ___________________________________________________________________________________   St. Paul Inside the Walls - Save the Dates   Shrouded in Mystery - The Shroud of Turin, the purported burial cloth of Christ, is the most studied artifact in world history.  More than 100 years of medical, 50 years of scientific, and over 500,000 hours of research back up this claim.  Join Bill Wingard as he presents the history, medical, scientific, and theological facts of the Shroud of Turin and showcases his life-size replica of the Shroud. Madison, Wednesday, March 9 from 7:30-9:00 p.m.     Feminine, Faithful, Fearless - A conference for women, at any age and any stage of life, affirming who we are in Christ.   Madison, Saturday, April 9 from 9:00 a.m.-1:30 p.m.   Click here for a listing of many of the upcoming offerings at St. Paul Inside the Walls and its satellites. __________________________________________________________________________________   Risk Management   Votive Candles: Fire Danger - While aesthetically pleasing, small votive candles with open flames present a fire hazard of great concern for our churches.  The National Fire Protection Association reports that between 2007 and 2011, there were approximately 1,600 fires in churches, mosques and temples.     Recently, there was a minor fire by the votive candles at one of our parishes after a Mass. Fortunately, a volunteer fireman was present and made certain that the fire was extinguished, preventing the church from sustaining significant property damage.   Be cautious with lit candles - they present danger. A fire can spread quickly in a confined area near combustible materials.  Never leave a burning candle unattended.   Parishes are encouraged to use electric or battery operated votive candles, a safer alternative to the use of open flame votive candles.  The risk of fire will be significantly diminished.   __________________________________________________________________________________   Vocation Office NEXT Pizza Night with Bishop Pizza Night with Bishop will be held twice in the month of March:  Tuesday, March 1 at Morris Catholic High School and Thursday, March 17 at Pope John XXIII High School. Attached is a flyer.   Quo Vadis Days -  Attached is a flyer for the Discernment Retreat for young men ages 15-25 which will be held this year June 29 - July 1.   ___________________________________________________________________________________   Decrease in Standard Mileage Rate The IRS announced that effective January 1, 2016, the standard mileage rate used for calculating the deductible costs of operating an automobile decreased from 57.5 cents to 54 cents per mile.  __________________________________________________________________________________   Jubilee Year of Mercy - There are many planning materials available for the Jubilee Year of Mercy: St. Paul Inside the Walls (http://insidethewalls.org/the-year-of-mercy) has prepared an extensive explanation along with links to the various ideas and resources that can be used in the parishes. Our Sunday Visitor (www.osv.com) has a leaflet prepared with detailed explanations that can be distributed to parishioners. A Pastoral Planning Guide - The Medicine of Mercy by Bill Huebsch, available through 23rd Publications (Item No. WHWS206), incorporates outlines, steps and ideas for five important planning meetings plus many other resources timely for the whole year. ___________________________________________________________________________________