Dear Parishioners, On behalf of Aslan Youth Ministries and myself, thanks to everyone—parishioners and CCD classes— who participated in the annual Sponsor-A-Family program this year. From donating to sponsoring to delivering, this program would not be successful without all of your help. This year we sponsored 34 families, another wonderful outpouring of love and kindness on your part. In a world that is still reeling from Covid, in which many families are struggling financially, you put the needs of these families before your own, making sure they had presents under the tree and food on their table. You have brought peace and joy to their lives through your love and support. Thank you very, very much. Wishing all of you a happy, peaceful, and hopeful new year.
Advertisement
Blessings, Kathy Maher Dina Willis
Standing Together for Life - Mass/Speaker Event in Freehold
On Friday Jan. 20, 2023, the faithful of
the Diocese of Trenton will come together in prayer and solidarity to proclaim the sanctity of all human life.
All are invited to a Mass for Life celebrated by Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., in St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral, 61 Georgia Rd., Freehold, beginning at 11 a.m. Mass will be livestreamed on Youtube.com/trentondiocese
The Mass will be followed by a luncheon and speaker seminar in the Co-Cathedral’s Dentici Hall. Author and speaker Dr. Charles Camosy will be our keynote speaker. His talk and conversations that follow are intended to help us build a Culture of Life in this post-Roe world by working together as one church and stepping out of the politics and divisions that often separate us. Advanced registration to attend the luncheon and seminar is required by Jan. 10, 2023. Registration and information can be found here: dioceseoftrenton.org/ standing-together-for-life
Quo vadis . . .
My Dear Parishioners:
This year the Feast of the Holy Family was transferred to Friday, 30 December since it was superseded by the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God observed Sunday, 1 January 2023. This gospel for the Feast of the Holy Family relates the other three of Joseph’s dream recorded in Matthew’s gospel; the first we met on the Fourth Sunday of Advent. These dreams continue the revelation-response motif begun on Christmas Day. This is the interface of our own modern families and the Holy Family: as they did, we too all face challenges in responding to God faithfully and obediently. The holiness of a family is not dependent upon perfection or an easy road. As Mary and Joseph showed us, holiness is dependent upon faithfulness and obedience to God’s messages. Whether we are a traditional family or a single-parent family, whether we have biological or adopted or foster children or no children, whether we live in an expensive home or a subsidized rental unit makes no difference for living as a holy family. What does make a difference is hearing God’s messages and doing God’s will. Revelationresponse made the holy Family holy; it makes our families holy, too. This is paschal mystery living: responding to both hardships (dying) and God’s wonderful gifts of graces (rising) in fidelity and obedience. Trust in God’s ways.
This coming Sunday, 1 January, is the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God which is the Octave (8th) Day of Christmas. This Solemnity is a wonderful opportunity for us to gather in prayer as we begin a new civic calendar year. We entrust our hopes and anxieties to the maternal care of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Please consult the bulletin for special mass times and other particulars. We will begin celebrating DAILY MASS in the CHAPEL Monday, 2 JANUARY. Many thanks to all those who sent greetings, gifts, culinary delights and prayerful wishes to the Parish House for the Christmas Season. Your warmth and generosity are overwhelming. You truly make our Parish a vibrant community where faith is nurtured.
Many thanks to all those who have served to make our parish community ready for these Advent-Christmas-Epiphany Liturgies. Our staff is here to guide and support the many parishioners in caring for our parish community and making things happen. Let us be mindful of the many gifts we have been given and the call for us to be a gift to one another especially in sharing our faith. Don’t forget to keep the tree and decorations up for a while. The Season of Christmas (Liturgically) continues until the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord (this year observed Monday, 9 January 2023). If you have not already made your Christmas Gift to our parish on Christmas Day, please do so this week so that we can prepare a report for you to review. Thanks for all that you do! Have a great week. Let us pray for one another. Merry Christmas! Happy New Year!
