New Beginnings

Today, our own Nick Petrillo left for Baltimore to begin his studies at St. Mary's Seminary and University in Baltimore.  I'm sure that he'd appreciate hearing from parishioners.  Good luck Nick!

Getting ready for Real Faith TV

Next Tuesday, August 14th, I'll be travelling over to Bordentown, NJ to help celebrate Mass on the last day of filming for RFTV.  I've been doing this for about 12 years now.  It's always been a fun event for me, being with the young people who film and produce this award-winning TV show.  It's traditionally been a very "informal" Mass, but always a special time to celebrate with these fine young people.
This year Bishop O'Connell will be the main celebrant and preacher.  I'll just be the sacristan and concelebrate in the background as we celebrate the vigil of the Assumption of Mary, the Patroness of our diocese.  I hope and pray that this Mass will be inspiring for our young people who are involved in this wonderful evangelization ministry. 

Summer Religious Education program

Next week, August 6, we begin our second session of our Summer Religious Education program.  The program will run from 9:30 a.m. till 12:30 p.m. each weekday for the next two weeks.  Thanks to the efforts of so many parishioners who donate their time and talent, this is a very successful program. 

Commissioning of ILEM candidates

Tonight, at St. Rose Parish in Freehold, we had the commissioning of the 6 recent graduates of our ILEM program.  ILEM stands for Institute for Lay Ecclesial Ministry.  The ceremony was conducted in the context of an Evening Prayer Service....the Vespers of the Liturgy of the Hours.  The musical leadership, choir, cantor and instrumentalists were outstanding.  The whole service reminded me of the celebration of Sunday Vespers with the choirs out at Notre Dame U. 
I did, however, note some "flubs" in the service.  I was not pleased that the priests of the diocese were invited to wear cassock and surplice to "join in the procession of clergy" for the Evening Prayer.  Theologically speaking, this was to be a celebration of lay ministry.  And so I ask a simple question:  "Why set the clerics apart from the lay faithful at a celebration in which all have legitimate parts?"    They are not concelebrating, so I ask the question: Why do the priests have to vest in cassock and surplice to attend Evening Prayer?

Looking for answers!