Be On Time For Mass and Don’t Leave Early
Please make every effort to arrive at least five minutes before the beginning of Mass. If you are not able to be present in time to be seated for the readings from the Word of God, then it might be better to plan to attend the next or earlier available Mass on that day.
If we rush in just in time for Communion, then we will not have truly experienced the transforming sacrifice of Jesus. We will not have been completely nourished by the Lord’s Word and his Body. If we who love Him had been there on the day He died, would we have been late?
Please do not leave the Church before the Celebrant (priest). The Mass ends officially when the priest leaves the Church. Even then, it is usually advised you sit or kneel in silent prayer of thanksgiving or simply gaze at Jesus in the Tabernacle, smile at Him and just be joyful.
God loves you!
Statement of the New Jersey Bishops
Reinstating the General Obligation to Attend Mass
The Pastor's Pen
Be Generous
07-03-2022Fr. Matthew R. Paratore, S.T.L., J.C.L.Dear Friend,
A Catholic Magazine carried a story about four young men, Catholic College students, who were renting a house together.
One Saturday morning someone knocked on their door. And when they opened it, there stood this bedraggled-looking old man. His eyes were kind of marbleized, and he had a silvery stub of whiskers on his face. His clothes were ragged and torn. His shoes did not match. In fact, they were both for the same foot. And he carried a wicker basket full of unappealing vegetables that he was trying to sell. The boys felt sorry for him and bought some of his vegetables just to help him out.
READ MOREEveryday Stewardship - Recognize God in Your Ordinary Moments
“He said to them, ‘The harvest is abundant, but the laborers are few...’” (Luke 10:2)
07-03-2022As Catholics, we are all called to serve. Each of us has been given “charisms” otherwise known as gifts from the Holy Spirit to help build God’s Church. Our charisms can only be used for good. We know that we are using them in the right ministry when we are filled with joy and we want to share stories about our charitable works. Discern how God is calling you to Stewardship using your charisms. Say “yes” to what God is calling you to do and then do it! Share your joy and invite others to do the same.
READ MORESunday Mass & Holy Day Obligation
It is both a precept of the Church and Church law that Catholics must worship God on Sunday and Holy Days of Obligation by participating in the Holy Mass. This follows from the fact that in the Mass it is Christ Himself who worships the Father, joining our worship to His. In no other way is it possible to adequately give thanks (eucharistia) to God for the blessings of creation, redemption and our sanctification than by uniting our offerings to that of Jesus Christ Himself.
