I have finished my tour of local parishes where I preached about the need to foster a culture of vocations to the priesthood and religious life, so I will be around this weekend. After giving the same basic homily at three to four Masses each weekend for three weekends in a row I am happy to be able to get back into a more normal routine. I have no idea how professional presenters and politicians, or even stand-up comedians can give the same speech or routine day in and day out. I know of course, that I will have to do it again. I will make this presentation here later this fall. Overall at the three parishes that Father Dayton and I visited these past three weeks (St. Joseph, Toms River; St. Dominic, Brick Town; and St. Thomas More, Manalapan/ Our Lady of Mercy, Englishtown) the vibe and our reception was very positive and encouraging. Let us continue our prayers for vocations (as well as prayers for our seminarians and priests) but also know that we have much work to do in this regard.
Speaking of vocations, the diocese has launched the initiative Called by Name, which we began in the fall of 2019, to promote vocations. Much of the impetus behind that sputtered quickly as we hit the lockdowns from the pandemic. Hopefully we can keep this going. With eleven seminarians in a diocese of 875,000 Catholics, we are lagging significantly. Likewise, many smaller dioceses are outpacing us significantly. This week I begin the high school tour for vocations as we will be at CBA on Wednesday. The other high schools in the area are slated for midwinter sessions. The vocation team for the diocese is comprised of: Fr. Jason Parzynski, director; Fr. Dan Swift director for the Riverside of the diocese assisted by Father Chris Colavito and Father J.M. Patilla; I serve as director for the Oceanside of the diocese assisted by Father Chris Dayton and Father Walter Quiceno. Carolyn Norbut is the administrative assistant for the office. Please make contact with any one of us if you are interested in pursuing the conversation about priesthood.
If all has gone well with Holmdel Township this week (as we are confident it should have) we should have moved our Pre-K-3 year old classes into their new home this Tuesday. It has been a longer road than we expected, but the facility looks great and has been nicely furnished. There are many people to thank for this effort, and we will make more news on this in the weeks to come. The rest of the school year is also off to a good start, and we are hoping to keep that positive energy flowing as we move forward.
Today at the Co-Cathedral is the anniversary blessing for couples married over twenty-five years and those completing their first year of marriage as well. There was also a Mass last weekend at the Cathedral in Trenton. Congratulations and blessings to all couples from our parish celebrating milestone anniversaries this year. Please remember that we will offer a blessing as well at a regularly scheduled Mass on or close to your anniversary. Please make contact with the parish office for details or to schedule a blessing.
As we are observing Pro-Life Month and the Month of the Holy Rosary, I am inviting everyone to be mindful of the pro-life and pro-abortion struggle playing itself out in our country. With pending Supreme Court cases and the actions of various state legislatures on both sides of the issue, this issue is only going to intensify and not be easily resolved. Through our efforts in social action as well as our steadfast prayer – especially of the Holy Rosary – we can make some head way through the conversion of hearts and the formation of one’s conscience and will in this regard.
May the Lord bless each of you with peace and mercy this week.
Fr. Garry