Dear OLP Family,

Today we begin Advent - our yearly pilgrimage through the events of our history of salvation starting with the preparation for the birthday celebration of Jesus and ending with the reflection on his glorious “second coming” as judge at the end of the world. Advent means coming.

Dear OLP Family,

We are in the Thanksgiving Week. Is Thanksgiving a religious holiday or a secular celebration? Although the secularism of our present culture may have turned the focus more to indulging in food, fun, games, and family gathering, we must not forget the history and the religious significance of this quintessential American holiday.

Dear OLP Family,

Did you hear the recent debate about Mother Mary in Catholic and non-Catholic circles all over the world? It is based on a doctrinal note that the Vatican issued on November 4, 2025, titled Mater populi fidelis (The Mother of the Faithful People). This note offered positive guidance for Marian devotion while cautioning against expressions that might be misunderstood.

Dear OLP Family,

Why is the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica celebrated today? Because, this anniversary is ranked as a 'Feast' unlike the 'Memorial' of other Roman churches (St. Mary Major, St. Peter’s Basilica and St. Paul Outside the Wall). The dedication of a church is a feast for all its parishioners. St. John Lateran is, in a sense, the parish church of all Catholics, for it is the pope's parish, the cathedral church of the Bishop of Rome.

Dear OLP Family,

We are entering the month of November that reminds us so much about death and life after death. Today being All Soul’s Day, we pray for all the departed souls. Our 12 noon service is a special Memorial Mass during which those who passed away this year are remembered and prayed for. We welcome, in a special way, the families and friends grieving the loss of a dear one this year. Reading their names reminds us that they are still part of our life.

Dear OLP Family,

Next weekend is important for us for various reasons. Friday is Halloween. Saturday is the Feast of All Saints. Sunday is All Souls Day.

First in this list is Halloween which some consider as a negative holiday, because it’s been turned into a commercial driven candy fest, which obviously isn’t healthy for our children (or for us parents who raid the candy bag!)

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.

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:

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.

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.

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.

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.