Dear Parishioners,

I hope everyone is having a wonderful beginning of summer. Normally around this time, the work of the parish calms down. However, this July is proving to be very eventful and I would like to share with you some of the things that are happening in the parish this month.

First, this is Fr. Michael DeSaye’s first weekend at the parish. Please welcome him as he begins his ministry in the hospital and our parish. Fr. Michael will be the new Chaplain of Jersey Shore University Medical Center. So, I am sure you will see him there as well.

Second, I would like to tell you about all the construction on the campus. We are currently doing a lot of work in the rectory to make it ready for the parish offices to be moved there. After that, we need to fix some necessary brick work in the school. Then, we will be working on filling the pot holes in the parking lot, lining it and lighting it. So, overall, I’m really looking forward to see how all of these changes progress.

Third, I would like to thank the staff for all the hard work they have been putting in making sure the school is ready for new occupants and preparing the rectory for the new priest. So many people have been working hard to throw out what is unneeded and preserve what we would like to keep. After many years, both the rectory and school have acquired a lot of clutter and sorting through it has been a long but necessary process.

Lastly, I would like to update you about College Achieve Charter School. I did not want to address this earlier because I was waiting to see how the issues with the township would resolve. However, it turns out that whether or not the township allows for the charter school to open on time, they are committed to keep the lease and pay the rent whether or not they move in by September. They are doing this because they do not want to lose the space and greatly value the use of the school building. I will keep you updated on this evolving situation as I receive information. College Achieve Charter School is also holding a summer program in our building as well.

God bless!

Father Carter