Dear Parishioners,

Hope you are well.  Parish life continues in the COVID time and I am encouraged to notice the increase in Mass attendance with each passing week.  Still, I do miss seeing so many others who remain at home.  Let us keep our prayer strong for an end to this pandemic and for all those who are suffering its effects.   Here are a few October updates on our parish life:

RESPECT LIFE MONTH—A SAD BEGINNING 

In my last “update” I mentioned that October is the Month of the Holy Rosary.  In more recent years, it is also known as “Respect Life Month.”  It is a time to highlight the vital need to speak for those who have no voice—the unborn; a time to speak for the most vulnerable in our society—the elderly and terminally ill.  Yet, on October 8, in the first days of this month to uphold the sanctity of life at every stage,  New Jersey State legislators have proposed a “Reproductive Freedom Act”  that seeks to protect and expand access to reproductive health care—e.g.. birth control and pregnancy related “care” which includes abortion.    The Bishops of our State urge all Catholics and people of good will to reject this proposed legislative initiative and to contact our state legislators to vigorously express opposition to its passage.

PRAY OUR BISHOP’S “NOVENA FOR OUR NATION”

Bishop O’Connell invites everyone to pray a novena for our nation from October 26 through November 3. It is published on the Monitor website and our own parish website. Let us come to Election Day with a renewed love of our country, and an informed conscience as we prepare to cast our vote.

ELEVATOR…A CALL FOR PATIENCE

The modernization/refurbishment of the elevator is underway. Parts must be custom made and other parts are on order. Thank you for your patience and understanding. I am praying that the project will be completed very soon…. Christmas is coming! Those who need assistance of an elevator to come to Mass are asked to go to Saint Anthony’s.

CHRISTIMAS PLANNING

It is hard to believe that plans are already being made for our Christmas. The fluid nature of the pandemic has made planning unwieldly. I have consulted with the priests, deacons, pastoral and finance councils on devising a schedule of Masses. COVID protocols will most likely remain in effect which will limit our capacity at each Mass. For this reason, Bishop O’Connell has decreed that the dispensation from the obligation to attend Mass will remain in effect. In terms of a Mass schedule, we are inclined to increase the number of Masses offered, especially on Christmas Eve. More about this in later updates…

WELCOME!  CELEBRATION OF THE SACRAMENTS OF INITIATION

On Sunday, October 11 at the 9:30 am Mass, I had the joy of receiving into the Church, Cory McNallan and Daniel Dascoli.  At the same Mass they were confirmed and received their First Holy Communion. During the liturgy, four baptized Catholics completed their Sacraments of Initiation (Holy Eucharist and Confirmation):  Juan Martinez, Jason Schafer, Calogero Messina, and Yanderi Reyes. We congratulate them as they encounter the Lord through the holy Sacraments….and we thank them for their patience—since this celebration was to be part of our Solemn Easter Vigil in March. Thanks to our dedicated RCIA team for their prayer and guidance!

SCHOOL UPDATE

Thanks to Mrs. Tuohy and our dedicated faculty and staff, our school year is progressing well.  Parents too, have been so very cooperative in doing all that is possible to safeguard the health of children. A good number of students who began the year with virtual learning have opted for the “in person” class experience. A survey will be taken this week to offer parents an opportunity to offer their views and opinions on the how school life has gone thus far.  

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION UPDATE

Like many neighboring parishes, our program is entirely virtual, and Mrs. Francis is pleased with the active interest our parents have taken in catechesis. A few of the requirements  of our sacramental programs are being adapted owing to our changed circumstances.   

THANK YOU!

In closing, I want to offer my thanks to all who are mindful of the needs of the parish by their financial support. Your weekly or monthly giving at Mass, through the mail, online giving, or drop off at the rectory or office is greatly appreciated.  

May Our Lady of the Rosary watch over our parish family and intercede for you!

Msgr. Gervasio
 

The month of October is flying by and preparations are being made for Christmastide and a return to our fuller Mass schedule. Determining exactly how to devise a Christmas Mass Schedule is rather cumbersome in light of this COVID time. The Bishop has granted permission that Christmas Eve Masses in our parishes may begin as early as 2:00 p.m. It is something to be given serious consideration. I have consulted with our pastoral council and other parish leaders for their input. In light of COVID, how many Masses should be scheduled and if scheduled, will people attend? Should we require registration etc. Whatever the case, we shall try to devise a schedule that is practical.

Once established, the times, places, and protocols will be widely published, and I hope you will help spread the word! Your help would be greatly appreciated.

The Diocese of Trenton is committed to the norms of the U.S. Bishop’s Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People in regard to the reporting and investigation of sexual abuse allegations involving minors.  If you have been sexually abused as a minor by anyone representing the Catholic Church, or if you know of someone who was, you can report that abuse through the diocesan Hotline: 1-888-296-2965 or via e-mail at abuseline@dioceseoftrenton.org.  Such allegations are reported to the appropriate law enforcement agencies.

The scammers are at it again! If you receive an email message like the one below

Let me know if you are not occupied at the moment, I need you to do me a favor real quick. Email me back immediately you receive this message.

(or anything similar), purportedly from Monsignor Gervasio, Fr. Joseph (or any other OLS-SA staff member), please do not respond to it. Instead, report it to the Hamilton Township police.

Please visit www.ols-sa.org/news/warning for more information.
 

The elevator at Our Lady of Sorrows Church is temporarily out of order, leaving no handicapped-accessible entrance there, until the repair company can obtain parts.

In the meantime, the elevator is working at St. Anthony Church, so those needing handicap access can attend Sunday Mass there at 4:00 PM on Saturday, or 9:30 AM on Sunday. The 11:00 Mass will continue to be held at Our Lady of Sorrows Church, as well as the daily Masses at 9:00, but the church will not be accessible to those who cannot go up and down stairs.We will let you know as soon as the elevator is repaired!