Pastor Weekly Message

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Jesus is Lord!

EDGE, the Life Teen middle school youth ministry program will kick off on Tuesday, October 15th. EDGE provides a safe fun place for youth to find solid Catholic community, to get answers to their questions about faith, and, most importantly, to experience Jesus in a profound and personal way. Over the years working with EDGE, I have found that many teens attend EDGE because they were encouraged to do so by their parents or grandparent. So I would like to make a “shout out” to all our parents and grandparents, please invite and encourage all middle school age teens in your family to attend the “Kick-Off” on Tuesday at 7:15 pm.

Both Life Teen and EDGE are always in need of volunteers to help out with various ministries and activities. For example, every Sunday we provide dinner for our teens after the Life Teen Mass. Parishioners have generously been providing these meals. It would be a big help if additional parishioners would be able to provide a meal for one of the Sundays. There are so many ways you can help with our dynamic youth ministry program. Please contact Cassandra Abbud at the parish office to inquire on how you can help.

As I mentioned last week, the New Jersey Catholic Charismatic Conference – “Arise!” (Is. 60:1) will be hosted here at Saint Mary, Mother of God Church, on October 25 & 26, 2019. The conference is blessed to have the most sought after keynote speaker in the Catholic Church, Dr. Mary Healy. Dr. Healy is chair of the Theological Commission of CHARIS (Charismatic Renewal International Service) in Rome. She serves the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian unity as a member of the Pentecostal-Catholic International Dialogue. In 2014 Pope Francis appointed her as one of the first three women ever to serve on the Pontifical Biblical Commission.

Leading the Workshops at the Conference is Paul Martini, an Associate Evangelist with Global Awakening, who travels the world extensively training, teaching and imparting the gifts of the Holy Spirit. He has ministered in 35 nations and has preached on 5 different continents. Throughout his travels, he has seen blind eyes restored, deaf ears opened, and the crippled walk through the healing power of the Holy Spirit.

As Chairman of this State Conference and Liaison to Bishop O’Connell for the Charismatic Renewal in the Diocese of Trenton, I appreciate your prayers and support for the Arise Conference. Pope Francis has directed leaders of the Renewal to bring this “current of Grace” and “renewal in the Spirit” to the whole Church. I humbly ask for your help in this mission and I personally want to invite all our parishioners to attend this Conference.

The Arise Conference is for the entire family, that means the entire Church! There is a children’s ministry to assist our young families and teen track that will be led by St. Mary LIFE TEEN. I want to personally invite you and your family to attend the Arise Conference. Be part of the movement to renew the Church. The suggested donation for the Conference is $40.00. To register visit www.DOTCCR.org or call the parish office at 732-671-0071, ext. 221. If you have any questions about the Conference, please give me a call. I sincerely hope you can join us. "Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.” (Is.60:1)

Have a blessed week!

In Jesus and Mary,

Father Jeff Kegley, Pastor