Dear brothers and sisters,

Well, it is spring already, even though it doesn’t feel like it. So many great things are happening. I would like to offer a sincere congratulations to our Confirmandi of Holy Innocents Parish. We celebrated the sacrament of Confirmation this week, and we are so proud of them. I would like to offer some unsolicited advice to our Confirmandi; don’t let your Confirmation be simply a graduation but allow the Holy Spirit to guide you to get more involved in the life of our parish. I would encourage you to think about becoming lectors at Mass and to keep on the lookout for the Youth Program that is in the planning stages. A special thank you to their parents and sponsors as well for supporting them in growing in the faith. Also, a special thank you to Sr. Bernadette and her catechists for preparing them so well.

Also, we had our first meeting with the parishes in our Cohort for the Faith In Our Future program. The Cohort Phase of the program has begun with our Parish Cohort partners at Ascension (Bradley Beach), Mother of Mercy (Asbury Park), and St. Anselm’s (Wayside) parishes. In order to strengthen and build our ministries in a concerted spirit and model of collaboration across our Cohort, we begin our focus on the following six (6) areas: •Creation of a Cohort matrix as a reference for our parishioners that lists components of Sacramental and Communal Life as well as Evangelization and Catechesis. •Collaboration, development, and expansion of Youth Programs involving sports, music, retreats, social events, and a Live Christ/Share Christ catechesis, to name a few. •RCIA assistance as needed and/or expansion across the Cohort. •Pre-Cana assistance as needed and/or expansion across the Cohort. •A spirit of “welcoming” of all socio-groups in line with Pope Francis’ recent announcements. •Priests/Deacons participating in Masses at Cohort churches. Continued progress and how parishioners can assist in these and other areas, will be shared in the next few weeks and months. I came away very hopeful from the progress we have already made.

Peace,

Fr. Mike