News - October 2021 RSS Feed

Our campus has been busy over the past two weeks with the presence of public servants offering information programs to the youngest students in our school, from pre-K-3 through second grade. The Holmdel Police Department sent a cruiser and other vehicles to show to the students, while discussing safety and protection skills with them. They also visited with students and offered them tips on how to remain safe and vigilant during Halloween festivities. The EMS and Fire Department also sent vehicles and offered the students an opportunity to learn about fire safety and the work that they all do to keep us safe. We are grateful to these dedicated public servants who take the time to come here and offer instruction and be a friendly face to the children. It is important that they learn to put their trust in public servants and to see them as safe and friendly if they should ever be in need. We are grateful for all of the assistance we receive from the local police, fire and EMS squads, and especially to the Holmdel Police who are so often present on our property, insuring the safety of our property and the people who pass through here each day. Read more.

We are approaching now the last week of October and the liturgical year is quickly coming to a close, as Advent looms quick on the horizon. We are grateful for the many of you who responded with generosity in enrolling for the various ministries of the parish at our Ministry Fair. If you missed the opportunity and are still interested, please make contact with the parish office. We are still especially in need of Ministers of Holy Communion to serve the nursing homes in our area. We would also like to be able to open the food pantry more than just three hours on a Wednesday. If you have any time to volunteer please let us know. Over the past year we have done some significant remodeling of the pantry so that both volunteers and clients feel safe given the protocols for the pandemic. Read more.

This weekend marks two particularly poignant moments in the life of the church. One of them is an historical reflection on a past experience with on-going importance for us, and the other is the genesis of a process yet to unfold. Read more.

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. Read more.

Last weekend we had a very positive and exciting beginning to the faith formation year with the families of our Summer Academy students and our eighth grade Confirmation candidates. Thank you to the host of volunteers, our staff, and all of the families that make the commitment to the growth-in-faith of the students in our parish. May the Lord bless all of us with his bounteous love. Read more.