6/28/20 Message from Father Owen

Dear Parishioners,
 
It was a pleasure to have Bishop Serratelli come and preside at mass last Sunday.  Our bishop has been a good friend to me these past 17 years.  During my transition time at St. Luke, he and his staff were incredibly helpful with all the paperwork that goes with selling one rectory, buying another and procuring a loan.  He was thrilled to see the tabernacle in the center of the Sanctuary and delighted by the warm welcome and standing ovation our parishioners gave him.  We had a lovely lunch afterwards in the rectory.  He was very pleased with how the rectory turned out and was happy to hear of all the generous kind people who made this rectory possible.  Our beloved bishop retires this coming Wednesday.  We wish him grace and blessings as our Bishop Emeritus.  Bishop Elect Kevin Sweeney will be consecrated as bishop and installed at our Cathedral on Wednesday.  Let us pray for our bishop elect as he begins to shepherd our diocese. 
 
Fr. Alex is presently in Texas for the ordination of a good friend, Fr. Zack.  He returns to Long Valley on Tuesday afternoon and begins his assignment as parochial vicar at Notre Dame church, Cedar Knolls.  We thank Fr. Alex for all his hard work here and look forward to seeing him here at his country home from time to time. 
 
Last weekend was an extremely joyful and busy weekend.  I celebrated the sacrament of Confirmation with four groups of young adults at the following masses:
 

• Friday, the 19^th  - 6:00 p.m. in the outdoor chapel
• Saturday, the 20^th – 10:00 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. – outdoors 1:00 p.m. - indoors
• This weekend - Friday, June 26^th – 6:00 p.m. outdoors

 
I will celebrate the last groups of confirmations on Sunday, July 26 ^th and Sunday, August 2 ^nd at the 11:30 a.m. masses.
 
This Saturday, June 27 ^th, I celebrated the sacrament of First Holy Communions at the following masses:
 

• 10:00 a.m. - outdoors
• 1:00 p.m. - indoors
• 6:00 p.m. – outdoors

 
I will complete the First Holy Communions on Saturday, August 29 ^th at 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon. 
Please keep our 10 ^th graders and 2 ^nd graders in prayer during this special time.  I am very proud of them and look forward to seeing them frequently in church. 
 
This Sunday, at the 11:30 a.m. mass, it is my pleasure to initiate eight adults into our Catholic church and to confirm one wonderful 10 ^th Grader.  I am happy to celebrate:
 

• The sacrament of Baptism, First Holy Communion and Confirmation for Jessica and Danielle;
• Bringing into the Catholic church through Profession of Faith, Holy Eucharist and Confirmation David and Lynne;
• The sacrament of First Holy Eucharist and Confirmation for Kaylin, Chip and Stephanie I.;
• The sacrament of Confirmation for Stephanie A.; 
• The sacrament of Confirmation for Sean, our wonderful 10^th grader who is an usher at the Sunday, 6 p.m. mass. 

 
It is a day of great joy!  Please keep Sean and our eight R.C.I.A. candidates and now fully instituted candidates of whom I am so very proud in prayer.
 
Fr. Owen