Dear Parishioners,

In today’s bulletin, I have some news about our deacons, our future deacon and priests of the Diocese of Trenton.

The bad news is that Deacon Bob Cerefice has retired. After many long years of service, he has decided to step down due to health issues. Deacon Bob is a lawyer, a francophile, a convert, a voracious reader and has enlightened us with many homilies over the years. His service will be missed. But, he will still be attending mass at our parish. So, if you see him at Mass, please thank him for his service to this parish.

Also, I would like to thank Deacon John Klincewicz who just had his 35th anniversary as a deacon. Deacon John has been incredibly helpful in planning liturgies, organizing the servers, teaching baptism classes (along with Deacon Bob), and teaching in the Rites of Christian Initiation for Adults classes. So, be sure to thank him for his years of service as well.

Furthermore, we have a candidate for the diaconate studying for our parish named Chris Ellis. He is a lawyer himself and a father of 3 young children. Chris has been teaching in our Religious Education program for several years now and wants to be in service to Church as a deacon. You may have seen him serve some of our Sunday Masses. Please pray for him as he makes his final preparations to be ordained in November.

I am very happy to have good, helpful and orthodox deacons serving in our parish, and I thank them all for their service.

Also, Patrick Meehan is entering the seminary this year to study to become a priest. Patrick is a prayerful, dedicated and helpful young man who you may have seen serving as sacristan, an altar server, or bringing communion to the sick. The Church rejoices for any man who wants to give his life to the Church so that others may receive the sacraments, and to teach what the faith holds. So, we thank Patrick for beginning this process. Patrick has a very long road ahead of him and it will take him at least 7 years in order to be ordained. So, please keep him in your prayers.

Last but not least, the Diocese of Trenton has ordained a new priest this past week named Alan Bridges. Alan is already a great and faithful priest and will be serving in St. Joseph, Toms River. Please pray for him as well.

Today is Pentecost where the Holy Spirit inspires the disciples to go forth and make disciples of all nations. The Holy Spirit is still at work in the Church as can be seen in these men that He has called.

God Bless!

Fr. Carter