Sunday Parish Mass: 11:00 AM

 

Parish Update

May 5, 2021

St. Nunzio Sulprizio, Priest (1817 – 1836)

Dear Parishioners,

Today’s update arrives on the Memorial of a little-known saint, canonized by Pope Francis in 2018.  St. Nunzio was a young man who confronted the sufferings of life with gentleness and patience.  His father died when he was only 3 years old.  When his mother remarried, Nunzio was neglected by his stepfather who considered him a burden.  After the death of his mother died Nunzio was sent to live with his grandmother and then with uncle who exploited him, putting Nunzio to work as a blacksmith. He treated him with great cruelty and physically abused him.  Nunzio found refuge in his prayer before the Tabernacle.  Contracting gangrene in one leg, he was forced to walk with a cane the rest of his young life.  He often visited the sick who were impressed by his great piety.  Nunzio died of bone cancer at the age of 19.  He is the patron saint of the disabled, blacksmiths and laborers. 
 

Pastoral Staff Changes

Among the changes in priestly assignments Bishop O’Connell has made this year, he has included changes for our own parish effective, July 1, 2021.

Fr. Jean Felicien who has been with us since his ordination in 2014 and who will attain a Licentiate in Canon Law from the Catholic University of America on May 15th, has been assigned as parochial vicar of the parishes of Hopewell Valley, Pennington and to service in the Diocesan Tribunal.

Fr. Pierre Joseph, who has served our parish for the past three years, will return to the Archdiocese of Miami which graciously “lent” him to us for a three-year term.  

Fr. Pierre Alabre’ who served our parish in the past, returns to our diocese after his ministry in the Diocese of West Palm Beach.  He has been appointed our parochial vicar.  

Fr. Gowen and I are not affected by this year’s changes.  

Please keep our priests in prayer in this time of transition. In the name of all, I thank Fr. Jean and Fr. Joseph for sharing their unique gifts with us. They have been very good and most generous shepherds to be sure!  As pastor, I am very sorry to see them leave us, but I know that the Lord has great things in store for his faithful servants!  As they venture to another corner of the Lord’s vineyard, may many others know the goodness and graces with which we have be blessed through them. We look forward to the return of Fr. Alabre’ and wish him a fruitful and happy ministry.
   

Expanded Mass & Confession Schedule

We are pleased to announce that in May, two Masses will return to our schedule in addition to those already scheduled:, as well as additional confession times at OLS.
 
Additions or reductions in the Mass schedule are subject to attendance.

We hope that the 8:00 AM Sunday Mass at OLS will "return" in the near future.

Note that the 9:00 AM weekday and Saturday morning Mass remain at OLS, as do the confessions after the 9:00 AM Mass.

Transfer of Solemnity of Ascension

This year, the Solemnity of the Lord’s Ascension will be observed on Sunday, May 16 rather than the traditional Thursday. Thus, Thursday, May 16 is not a holy day of obligation this year.  We shall celebrate the Ascension on the following Sunday.

Easter Collection Report

Heartfelt thanks to all who contributed so generously to our Easter Collection. After the Christmas Appeal, it is the most important of the year. Below is a report on its income and disbursements:

Total:                          $ 66,687.00                 [2020 Easter Collection:  $ 51,623 ]
                                    An increase of  29.18 %/.

Disbursements:        Plaster Repairs/Painting OLS Church      $    5,132.
                                    Lighting OLS parking lots/buildings             1,700.
                                    Sanctuary Railings at St. Anthony                 12,000.
                                    Boiler Repairs at St. Anthony                           5,516.
                                    LED Lighting at St. Anthony                            3,695.
                                    Office Computers [2]                                         2,257.
                                    Total:                                                              $  30,300.

Balance:                     $36,387  kept in reserve for capital expenditures
 

Religious Education 2021-22 Registration Underway

Parents of public or private school students are encouraged to register their child for either our “Virtual Summer Intensive Program” to take place from Monday to Friday,  9:00 am to 12:00 pm from June 21 through July 2 OR the “Regular” Sunday or Wednesday program, September through May. Information has been emailed to families and is also available online: www.ols-sa.org.

Signs of Life on the Church Campuses!

Mass-goers will certainly notice lawn signs promoting the dignity of human life. They have been placed on our campuses through the generosity of our parish Respect Life group. They are reminders of our parish’s commitment to be unwaveringly PRO LIFE!

Bringing Your Marriage "Into" the Church

If you were married by a civil official or a non-Catholic minister, I invite you to contact our office to “convalidate” your marriage in the Catholic Church. As a  civilly married couple, you have already made a commitment to one another. There are many reasons couples marry “outside” the Church,  but I encourage you to take your marriage to the next level by inviting you to receive the graces that flow from the Sacrament of Marriage. Our priests and deacons will be delighted to guide you on this path.




May your week be blessed! Thanks for your continued prayers and support!
 

Msgr. Gervasio
 

Dear Parishioners,

Today, our nation honors the vocation of motherhood and I hasten to add my voice to the chorus of thanks and praise for all mothers! How mothers accomplish all they do, is amazing. One of the TV “Golden Girls” said, “It’s not easy being a mother. If it were easy, fathers would do it.” A mother’s influence on our lives goes farther than we imagine. Sooner or later we all quote our mothers!

Let us honor them today and every day for their love and devotion. Let us commend to the Lord’s love and mercy those mothers who have gone before us to the House of the Lord. From heaven, may they always accompany us on the journey of life.

Happy Mother's Day!

With affection,
Msgr. Gervasio

 

---

Chè Pawasyen-m yo,

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.
 

Gaudium Magnum! 
The OLS Elevator Is Back!!!

The OLS church elevator has passed State inspection and is approved for use!   Thank you for your patience and understanding through this process. 

The total cost of this modernization project was $ 82,542 (includes $3,742 for required security system).  We are grateful that this expense was covered by the generous bequest in the will of Ida Koerner.  Let us commend Ida to the love and mercy of the Lord.