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As previously discussed, we are hoping to expand the presentation of Icons in the Hall of the Saints. Perhaps a brief understanding of the meaning of an icon as such is in order. To the contemporary reader an “icon” is a shortcut on your computer or smartphone that enables you to access a program or an app. This is, sadly, an unfortunate usurpation of a word that has been used in the church from the very beginning, appearing even in the New Testament. The word “icon” is derived from the Greek word for an image. Saint Paul tells us that “Jesus is the icon of the Father.”

This is Vocation Awareness Week. As I mentioned in a prior missive, it is a good time to reflect on the meaning and role of our own “religious vocations” – be it married, preparing for marriage, deacon, or priest. It is also time to reflect on how we encourage and strengthen the vocations of others. We will engage in our annual Adopt-a-Seminarian appeal this weekend. Read more.

Next week – November 4-10, is National Vocation Awareness Week. Parishioner Roe Abbato will speak to the parish regarding the Adopt-a-Seminarian initiative that began with her inspiration through the Faith Formation Committee. This is a great way to support the men who are presently studying for our diocese. Read more.

We are quickly approaching the busiest time of the year – and I thought we were busy already! Read more.

With Bay Shore Hospital and several long and short-term treatment facilities in our parish, there are many parishioners who are medical professionals. The work that they do – whether they be physicians, nurses, technicians, or aides – is invaluable in our society. Read more.

October is pro-life month. During this very challenging time in our country and our church, it is always essential for us to get back to the very essence of who we are: human persons, created in the image and likeness of God, called to a personal relationship with him, and called to eternal life. Read more.

People are often looking for Holy Water to take to their homes for a variety of reasons. Getting water out of the Baptismal Font is not always a good option as it drips water all over the place. Through the generosity of a parishioner we have purchased a more traditional Holy Water dispenser (one with a tap) to make it easier. It is located in the Hall of Saints near the Crucifix. Read more.

What an amazing carnival weekend! The new venue on the campus worked out very well. While a few minor kinks emerged, they were easily adjusted and some further fine-tuning will make next year even better. We set all kinds of records this past weekend, and we couldn’t be happier. I would like to thank the hundreds of volunteers who worked on every level, and the thousands who came out and enjoyed the weekend. Read more.

This is carnival weekend. It is early in the week as I write this and the weather looks very uncertain at this point. We are praying for those who appear to be in harm’s way as Florence bears down on the Carolina’s and Virginia. We will respond through special collections as called for by the diocese and Catholic Relief Services. Hopefully we can all enjoy some of the carnival this weekend. Read more.

September is off to a good start, with a lot of comings and goings. We welcomed 407 students to SBS this past week and, while there were some sad faces that summer was ever, the warmth and enthusiasm of the students, teachers, aides, and staff certainly made-up for it. Read more.

Here we are at Labor Day weekend. When we get here it always seems that summer has gone by too quickly. Granted the weather this past summer was not spectacular, especially on the weekends, I hope you found it to be at least relaxing to spend time away from work and school, and with family and friends. It has been a very busy summer here, and I am excited about the prospects of the fall season. Read more.

How can it not be with a deep sense of profound sadness that we were subjected to the horror and tragedy of the report in Pennsylvania exposing multi-decades of sex abuse and systemic cover-up of said abuse by bishops, priests, deacons, and other church personnel. While all of those named were already out of ministerial service, some for over forty years, it does not diminish the sense of anger, shame, and disappointment that we all feel. In this case it is more of the truth of the adage that the cover-up is worse than the crime. Read more.

Pope Francis has sent a letter to the People of God on August 20, 2018, in the wake of the findings of the Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report. Here is the Vatican-provided text. "Letter of His Holiness Pope Francis to the People of God." Click on the title above to read.

In the world of church ministry there are some, but frankly not many, great career opportunities that come along. Most of ministry involves either parish work in religious education, or youth ministry, or faith formation or perhaps coordinating various ministries within the parish. There are chaplain and pastoral counseling positions in hospitals, colleges and schools, and many end up teaching – as I did – in Catholic high schools or colleges. The salaries aren’t always great, and usually the demands for advanced degrees can make the balance difficult to justify either the education or the workload. The primary focus always has to be the passion for sharing the faith. Before that, of course, one must be passionate about living the faith. As the business of running or conducting ministry takes over one’s life, burnout is a consistent problem. Read more.

This week is the beginning of the mass exodus of college students. We had our college blessing a couple of weeks ago, if anyone missed that and would like to receive a blessing before heading off, please present yourself to either Father JM or myself after Mass or at the parish office during the week. Read more.

Have we hit the dog days of summer yet? Coming off of two unsettled weeks of weather it looks like the next heat wave is ahead. That’s a good way to kick off the traditional vacation month. Here is to hoping that everyone has a chance to enjoy some downtime over the next few weeks. Read more.

This past week we had the last week of the Summer Religious Education Academy. This summer 393 students will have attended religious education classes for the year. Although the bulk of the hard work is already done, they are still required to attend family days throughout the year. Read more.

I guess the summer has gone by more quickly than I thought as this is the last weekend that seminarian, Chris Ziegler, is with us. He has had, I hope, a busy and good summer, he has felt welcomed and, importantly, has learned a great deal from his involvement here. This week he is on retreat with the rest of the seminarians of our diocese at the Loyola House of Retreats in Morristown. Please remember to pray for all of them as they continue their discernment towards ordination.

The summer season is well underway and each of us has settled into the routines that we enjoy this time of the year. For some that might mean an extended vacation, for others an opportunity to get to the shore, and for others the many outdoor activities that living here affords. Whatever your routine, some element of fun and relaxation are, hopefully, a part of the mix. Read more.

Happy Feast Day! Although the actual feast is Wednesday (11th) we are celebrating it here today as we have the right to transfer the feast of our patron to the preceding or closest Sunday. I know we have not done this in years past, but our liturgical committee felt that since we could we should. It is good way to learn more about and appreciate the intercession of our patron. Read more.