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It is with great joy that our parish community welcomes back Father John Gordon who will lead our Lenten Parish Mission, Return to the Lord.  Father John presented a memorable Lenten Parish Mission into our community in 2019, to this day parishioners will often quote Father John from this Mission.

It is with great joy that our parish community welcomes back Father John Gordon who will lead our Lenten Parish Mission, Return to the Lord.  Father John presented a memorable Lenten Parish Mission into our community in 2019, to this day parishioners will often quote Father John from this Mission. 

Pope Francis announced the Sixteenth Ordinary Synod of Bishops, which will take place in 2023 in Rome. His theme for the Synod is for a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, and Mission.

After much discussion, it has been decided that the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, scheduled for this Saturday, March 12th, has been postponed due to the impending storm that will bring up to ½ inch of rain and snow, while having the temperature drop into the freezing range, and wind gusts of up to 40 miles per hour. 

The Holy Season of Lent sets before us three penitential practices – Prayer, Almsgiving, and Fasting – to help prepare us spiritually for the Paschal mystery of the resurrection of our Lord on Easter Sunday.

The Inaugural Saint Mary Parish & School St. Patrick’s Day Parade will be held from Saturday, March 12, 2022. It will be a time when the community can come together to celebrate a NEW tradition—another family day of fun and festivities in our town. As Saint Patrick is well known as the Patron Saint of Ireland, he is also credited with expanding literacy which is why Saint Mary Church and School are spearheading this event.

This week begins the Holy Season of Lent as we gather on Ash Wednesday.  Our parish theme for this holy season is “Return to the Lord.”  Lent is a wonderful time of spiritual cleansing and renewal. 

Have you noticed more young families with their children attending Mass each week? I certainly have, and I could not be happier. I want to honor all our families, especially those with young children who may struggle with the little ones sitting through Mass. It is a joy for our parish community to have children with us each week at Holy Mass. Jesus said: "Let the children come to Me."

Today the Church celebrates World Marriage Sunday in tribute to husbands and wives as the foundation of the family, the basic unit of society.  When we think of marriage, words like love, faithfulness, trust, sacrifice, forgiveness, perseverance, along with many other values come to mind.

This weekend our parish bulletin has begun to be printed on glossy paper to look more like a magazine.  The weekly bulletin includes not only information on the many upcoming events at our parish but reflects a parish that is alive and focused on advancing the Kingdom of God here in Middletown, New Jersey.

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

Next Sunday begins a very special time on our campus – the celebration of Catholic Schools Week. It's an annual event where our parish and school community celebrate the great gift of Catholic education. 

For the last three months, we have been asking young families to “star” in short “We Love St. Mary’s” videos our parish has produced and are running on our social media platforms.

On Thursday, January 6, 2022, the New Jersey Legislature advanced S49/A6260, legislation similar to the proposed S3030/A4848 “Reproductive Freedom Act.” This new legislation would codify in state law the right to abortion through all nine months of pregnancy.

Today's Solemnity of the Baptism of the Lord marks the end of the Christmas Season. I thank God for the amazing Advent and Christmas seasons we experienced here at Saint Mary's. I rejoice to see so many of our parishioners, families, friends, and neighbors "Come Home for Christmas at St. Mary's."

Christmas is one of the most important days of the Church year, second only to Easter itself. It is the feast of the incarnation, the feast of God becoming flesh (the Latin "in carne" means "enfleshment").

During the month of November, the Church calls us to remember the souls of the faithful departed. This Sunday at the noon Mass, our parish community welcomes family members who have lost loved ones this past year to our Mass of Remembrance

The Diocese of Trenton will inaugurate the opening of the Sixteenth Ordinary Synod of Bishops on a local level Oct. 17 during a 3 p.m. Mass in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, 151 N. Warren St., Trenton.

Last week I had the joy of baptizing two babies, Mackenzie and Jamison (they are cousins) of parents that I had the blessing of witnessing their weddings. With October being the month of Respect Life, it was beautiful to see these young families open to the gift of life. Congratulations to Nick & Kelly Mazza and Ryan and Holly Martin and their families.

Each year the Church in the United States celebrates October as Respect Life Month, and today (October 3), we celebrate Respect Life Sunday. This is a time we can use to deepen our understanding of why, as Catholics, we "Respect Life" and what that looks like day-to-day.