News - May 2022 RSS Feed

Happy Memorial Day Weekend and welcome to the official start of the summer season. Coming through a rough winter for all of us, this is a most welcome time of the year. Of course, we are called in a special way this weekend to remember those who gave their lives in service to our country. Originally known as “Decoration Day” many people still visit the cemeteries and place flowers and other mementos there to honor their loved ones. Most specifically, however, veteran’s groups place American flags on the graves of our veterans. It is good for us to be ever mindful of those who have died in defense of our freedom, and others who have sacrificed their lives to secure the freedom of others throughout the world. We are especially cognizant of those who are now in harm's way in Eastern Europe, and we fervently pray that efforts to bring an expedient and peaceful end to the Ukrainian crisis will be fruitful. Read more.

As the usual rhythm of the liturgical year is ingrained in our hearts and lives we are all expecting to celebrate the Feast of the Ascension this Thursday (May 26th). However, as I mentioned in an earlier missive, the Catholic Bishops of New Jersey have voted to permanently transfer the holy day to the following Sunday. Therefore, this Thursday is not a holy day of obligation, but rather Thursday of the Sixth Sunday of Easter and the memorial of St. Philip Neri. While not a fan of the decision personally, we must continue to follow the liturgical norms of our place. Read more.

We have hit the midpoint of May and Memorial Day is quickly coming upon us. The school year is winding down and our students are ready to be graduated and to move on to their respective high schools. It is with much disappointment, but certainly not much surprise, that we learned this past week of the closing of Mater Dei High School at the end of the current school year. A staple in our community for some sixty years, the model on which they were operating was just not sustainable for the future. We do have some parishioners who are students there and our school office will be happy to assist anyone who is seeking admission to a different Catholic high school. Fortunately we are blessed to have many good Catholic high schools within the general vicinity of our parish. None of the forty students that we are graduating this year were enrolled there for the coming school year. Read more.

Happy Mother’s Day to all of the Mothers, Grandmothers, Surrogate Mothers, Godmothers, Aunts and women role models this weekend. Each and every one of you is an inspiration to your family, extended family, and those whom you serve and mentor throughout your life. Today, as we crown the Blessed Mother (at the conclusion of the 11:00 a.m. Mass) we not only honor Mary as our Mother, but we give thanks to God for all of the many blessings that our Mother’s have given to us throughout our lives. Regardless of how old we are, our Mothers remain a steady rock in our lives. While I was recuperating from surgery this past winter, my Mother spent a month here with me preparing meals, cleaning, and most importantly keeping me company. Read more.

Thank you for a blessed beginning to our Easter Season. As we enter week three of the season, and with the month of May upon us, you will note the celebration of First Holy Communion at many of the parish Masses. Today in a private ceremony the students from the school will receive First Holy Communion as well. In a sense the celebration of the Sacrament is a community celebration and should ideally take place at a regularly scheduled parish Mass. Next weekend we will observe the crowning of the Blessed Mother in commemoration of May as the Month of Mary. Of course, it is also Mother’s Day giving us all something else to celebrate as well. Read more.