Pastor Weekly Message For March 20, 2022

Jesus Is Lord!

Dear: Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

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.  Father John is an exceptional preacher, and our community is blessed to have him again for another inspirational parish mission.  Father John is the Director of the Office of Evangelization for the Archdiocese of Newark and a great friend of St. Mary’s.  The mission will be held in Mary, Mother of God Church from Monday to Wednesday at 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm.   This is a special week for our parish during this season of Lent.  The mission is for the entire family, so please make the time to join our parish family for this mission.   Again, let us welcome Father John Gordon.

The monthly Healing Mass will be celebrated this First Friday, April 1st at 7:00 pm following the Stations of the Cross.  Miracles are happening at the Healing Mass.  Jesus is healing His people.  One miraculous testimony from last month’s Mass was a woman who “stood in” and interceded for a friend with a brain tumor.  Days later she was informed as her friend was preparing for surgery the doctors could not find a tumor.  My brothers and sisters – JESUS HEALS!

Assisting with the Healing Mass and Healing Service this Friday will be the students from the Encounter School of Ministry – New Jersey Campus.  The Encounter School of Ministry is located here at Saint Mary Parish. Designed and established from the heart of Encounter Ministries, this school draws from the richness of our Catholic heritage as we seek to teach, equip, and activate disciples to demonstrate the love of God through the power of the Holy Spirit in their spheres of influence. In conformity with the teachings and traditions of the Catholic Church, we offer students a dynamic 2-year training program designed to take you to the next level in your ministry.   Come to the Healing Mass and meet our amazing students.

Please pray for good weather for the Inaugural Saint Patrick’s Day Parade that has been rescheduled for this Saturday, April 2nd at 1:00 pm.  All parishioners are invited to march behind Saint Mary’s Banner in the parade. The parade begins at Bayview School on Leonardville Road and will march towards Saint Mary’s and conclude on our campus to continue our Saint Patrick’s Day celebration with many vendors, food, fun and fellowship and lots of Irish music.  It’s going to be a “grand” day.   

In the bulletin this week is our Easter schedule.  Please share with your friends and family, especially those who are still not attending “in-person” Masses. We have added two parking lot Masses for Easter morning.

Have a blessed week and see you at the Mission!

In Jesus and Mary,
Father Jeff Kegley
Pastor