29th Sunday in Ordinary Time

10-19-2025Weekly ReflectionFr. Abraham Orapankal, Pastor

Dear OLP Family,

Last Sunday I was officially installed as your Pastor by our Bishop Checchio. I was very happy to see so many of you, parishioners of OLP, and many parishioners from my two previous parishes – St. John Neumann in Califon and St. Matthias in Somerset. I am truly grateful to all the different ministers who made it a nice celebration in the church; and thanks to our wonderful staff and the Columbiettes who did the set up and serving at the reception.

READ MORE

Hearty Welcome to Bishop Checchio to Our Parish

10-12-2025Weekly ReflectionFr. Abraham Orapankal, Pastor

Dear OLP Family,

I am very happy to welcome Bishop James Checchio to our community today, as he comes to install me as the Pastor of Our Lady of Peace Parish during the 10 AM Mass. Although I had already begun my new assignment here as your Pastor on August 1st, we celebrate this Rite of Installation liturgically today not only to ask God’s blessings on me for my ministry as your shepherd, but also because it reminds all of us of an essential part of being a disciple:

READ MORE

27th Sunday in Ordinary Time

10-05-2025Weekly ReflectionFr. Abraham Orapankal, Pastor

Dear OLP Family,

As you know, I was away for a pilgrimage and am very happy to be back to our parish. I wish to thank the priests who helped us with Masses in my absence - Fr. Sean Winters, Fr. Ken Kolibas, Fr. Justin Akkara - and in a special way Fr. Sebastian Kaithakkal who is our resident priest helping us in many ways.

We were 60 pilgrims in this trip to Poland, Czech Republic and Italy with Fr. Antony from Phillipsburg and myself as chaplains.

READ MORE

25th Sunday in Ordinary Time

09-21-2025Weekly ReflectionFr. Abraham Orapankal, Pastor

Dear OLP Family,

I am out for a Pilgrimage to Poland, Czech Republic, and Italy. I will be back on 28th September evening. I will resume my weekly column on my return, but before leaving, I had prepared the spiritual enrichment that you can read in these pages. I will be keeping all of you in my thoughts and prayers, especially as I pass through the Jubilee Holy Doors in Rome. Please pray for me and the rest of the pilgrims too.

The Exaltation of the Cross

09-14-2025Weekly ReflectionFr. Abraham Orapankal, Pastor

Dear OLP Family,

Today is the 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time, but we are celebrating the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. Why? When a Feast of the Lord falls on a Sunday, it replaces the Sunday in Ordinary Time. Examples: The Presentation of the Lord, The Transfiguration of the Lord or The Exaltation of the Holy Cross.

READ MORE

23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

09-07-2025Weekly ReflectionFr. Abraham Orapankal, Pastor

Dear OLP Family,

I wish to share with you brief reflections on three matters:

One: Today is the canonization of Carlo Acutis by Pope Leo XIV. This first millennial saint in the Catholic Church lived only for 15 years as he died of leukemia in 2006. Carlo’s childhood was typical of his generation: loved Pokémon and played PlayStation, wore Nike and played tennis; enjoyed hiking with friends.

READ MORE