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05/28/2023 Father Owen's Bulletin Message
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Dear Parishioners,
A week ago last Wednesday, as you were aware, we had our first Rosary Society meeting. I was thrilled that forty-five people came and yes, some of them were men. We began as I gave a talk on Mary, the mother of the church and different people led a decade of the rosary. I then installed our new Leadership Team; President is Karen, Vice President is Barbara, Secretary is Pat, Treasurer is Carol and our Spiritual Director is Steve. After the installation, we made our way to the Marian Room where the ladies had made a delicious assortment of sandwiches and desserts. Our group then discussed objectives for the Rosary Society. We talked about prayer experiences, about helping poor children in Paterson and about leisure time trips to visit the Basilica in Newark, to see shows and to travel to Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. If anybody has any ideas or would like to be a part of this, please contact Karen Hannon at [email protected].
Last Friday, our Young Adult ministry had a very enjoyable evening at the firepit. It is great to see so many young adults gather for prayer and socialization, making new friends and again, beginning to process where the Lord will lead them in this group. A big thanks to Jeff DiLollo who chairs this group.
As you are aware, Bishop Kevin came to preside at our recent Confirmation Liturgy. The Mass was beautiful and a big thanks to Maureen, our catechists, Len, Dan, and our youth choir. Bishop confirmed fifty 10th graders. We hope and pray that these young people who have just received the Holy Spirit will be strong and faithful Catholics always.
Summer has finally arrived, and Maureen is spending a well-deserved break with her son in California. She is actually babysitting her three grandchildren. As I always say, we are blessed to have Maureen as our DRE and she is much more than our DRE, she is my advisor in all things parish. Everybody on staff loves Maureen and cherishes the gift she brings to our parish with charity and love. Upon Maureen’s return, we will sit down and process how the year went and together with the other staff members plan for the new academic year in September. To that point, we will be looking for catechists and assistant catechists. If you feel called to teach our children in CCD or the Confirmation process, please contact Maureen or me directly. We would be delighted to welcome you and give you the necessary tools for this most rewarding ministry.
During these weeks of May, our young people will graduate or have already graduated college or high school. We hold them in prayer these exciting days and wish them well in their new endeavors. Many of our ministries will pause for the summer and many lucky people will head to the shore. The coming months will be a time to plan and to thank God for the academic year completed and for new beginnings.
I think it is fair to say that every parent’s nightmare is to be told of the untimely passing of their child. Our dear parishioner, Vinnie, recently received the news that his 29-year-old son, Tripp died in a car accident. I never had the pleasure of meeting Tripp, but I am told by all that he was an energetic, faith-filled and engaging young man. This Sunday, we will have Tripp’s wake in the church between 1-5 pm. On Monday, Memorial Day, Fr. Mike and I will concelebrate his Mass of Resurrection. We place this young man in the arms of Jesus and seek strength for Vinnie, his wife Elaine, Tripp’s mother, Lee, his siblings, and his family. We pray for courage and strength as they strive to deal with this tragic loss.
On this Memorial Day weekend, we give God thanks for our Armed Forces; those who have died, those who are aged, those who are ill and those who are presently serving. May God protect them as they protect the many.
Happy Memorial Day. God Bless America!
Fr. Owen