Pastor Weekly Message For May 16, 2021

Jesus is Lord!

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

On Tuesday, May 18^th, I will be celebrating my 25^th anniversary of ordination to the priesthood. It has been a great blessing to have spent most of my priesthood here at Saint Mary’s. When I first responded to the Lord’s call to this wonderful gift of priesthood, I made a promise to Him that I would be a priest that will do the work of renewal in the Church. 25 years later, the work of renewal in the Church is still my heart’s desire and needed not only in the Church, but all parts of our society.

The work of Renewal is challenging, but exciting! It’s living out the Great Commission Jesus gave his disciples when he ascended into heaven: Go make disciples. The challenge is teaching the faithful what is means to be a disciple of Jesus and what he expects from his disciples. That is why I am grateful to Bishop David O’Connell, for his generous welcome in  establishing a satellite campus of Encounter Ministries – School of Ministry here at Saint Mary, Mother of God Church. The satellite campus will be known as Encounter Ministries of New Jersey (EMNJ.)

Encounter Ministries exists to train and disciple Catholics to demonstrate the power and love of God in their sphere of influence through the gifts of the Holy Spirit. This past year, Jim Tortorici, who will serve as director of EMNJ, along with Craig Palmer, Patrick Mullen, Francine Mautone, Drew Pillar, and myself have been enrolled with Encounter Ministries – School of Ministry to prepare for the opening of the School of Ministry on our campus this Fall.

As a preview to this exciting ministry, this coming Friday and Saturday, Pentecost weekend, May 21^st and 22^nd, we are blessed to host the Encounter Ministries -School of Healing.

The Encounter Ministry School of Healing is a two-day conference to teach, impart and activate Catholics to be more effective ministers of Jesus’ healing in the world! Conference participants can expect an atmosphere of Spirit-filled worship in the Presence of God, Holy Mass, inspiring and transforming keynote speakers, Eucharistic Adoration, a Healing Service, Fellowship and many opportunities for prayer ministry and growth in the Gifts of the Holy Spirit.

The conference is blessed to have two of the most sought-after dynamic keynote speakers, Patrick Reis, Executive Director of Encounter Ministries and Ryan Mahle, Encounter Ministries’ Director of Satellite Campuses, and the President of Encounter Ministries of Southwest Ohio. You can view their full bio’s at www.encounterministries.us.

The suggested donation for the Conference is $50.00 a person. To register for the Conference please visit www.DOTCCR.org  or call the parish office at 732-671-0071, ext. 221. Space is limited.
I am encouraging all St. Mary’s parishioners to please. register as soon as possible. This is going to be a very blessed Conference. If you cannot attend the Conference, please join us for the Healing Service that begins at 7:00pm on Saturday, May 22^nd. I pray you can attend.

In Jesus and Mary,
Father Jeff Kegley Pastor

Ps. Because of the busy schedule of parish activities in these coming months, I am looking to celebrate my Silver Jubilee in fall, stay tune. In the meantime, please remember me in your prayers and be assured you are in mine.