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Pastor Weekly Message For Jan 30, 2022
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January 30, 2022Jesus Is Lord!
Dear: Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
On the cover of the bulletin this weekend is a wonderful quote from Mother Teresa: “How can there be too many children? That is like saying there are too many flowers.” The Saint is acknowledging the beauty of children; just look at the joy on the face of the child on the cover of the bulletin. At Saint Mary’s we are amazingly blessed to have so many young families in our parish community with so many beautiful children. It is so important to see this blessing among our parish community and acknowledge God’s goodness to us.
On the day parents come to the church to have their child baptized, they are asked a series of questions and are instructed with these words before the baby is baptized: “Dear Parents and Godparents…. For your part, you must strive to bring him/her up in the faith, so that this divine life may be preserved from the contagion of sin and may grow in him/her day by day.” The promises that parents make (are so important and challenging) can only be achieved through the Grace of God and with the support of the Church, the Body of Christ. We assure the parents at the baptism, that as a parish community, we are here to support them in their role as parents, and the Baptismal Rite reminds them are the first teachers of the faith.
One of the ways we support our families at Saint Mary’s is by providing the opportunity of a Catholic school education for their children. We are so proud of the accomplishments of Saint Mary School in our 69-year history. Here, the mission and ministry of Saint Mary School assists parents as first teachers. When children are enrolled in Saint Mary School, they are enrolled into a family. Our students are welcomed into a loving, safe, caring, Catholic environment where the entire community of parents, teachers, students, and parishioners are committed to the Christ-centered spiritual, academic, and personal formation of each child. Saint Mary School is here to assist parents in forming children into “young saints” and smart ones! This is our mission.
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t is my sincere prayer that all of our parish families take advantage of Saint Mary School. Our school operates from preschool to eighth grade and currently has over 500 students enrolled. As pastor, I want to “partner” with all of our parents to ensure that every child has an opportunity to attend our parish school. Every parent wants the best for their child and every child in our parish deserves the best educational and spiritual opportunity that is offered at Saint Mary School.
I would like to invite parents of preschool to eighth grade students to attend the Saint Mary School Open House that will be held today from 1:00 p.m.to 3:00 p.m. If you cannot make it to the Open House, please contact our principal Mr. Craig Palmer at 732-671-0129 to discuss the amazing opportunity that is available for your child at Saint Mary School. Again, I want to “partner” with our parents to ensure all that the children of the parish have the opportunity and blessing to experience Saint Mary School.
Have a blessed week!
In Jesus and Mary,
Father Jeff Kegley
Pastor