My Dear Parish Family,

   I begin this letter with a hearty thank you to all who worked so hard last weekend to ensure that all things planned would be carried out smoothly.  To our Hispanic ministries, congratulations as more than 500 people were welcomed to retreat on Saturday and another 100 plus on Sunday. Another thank you to our religious education department for their work on Sunday’s workshop in SJGS. Blessings on our Rosary Altar Society and the more than 100 members at Sunday’s meeting. And a great big special thank you goes out to our annual summer picnic committee who responded to the weather and brought the fun and food of the picnic inside for over 400 folks. Thank you to Deacon Gerry and the Where’s Judy band for their great music and entertainment.  All these things are a sign of the strength and life of our parish.

   This week, That Man is You (TMIY) has begun its new season for men of faith on Saturday mornings and The Bible Timeline –The Story of Salvation began its journey with over 300 of our parishioners signed up for the adventure. Autumn is showing itself to be an exciting time.

   Fathers Neiser, Bridges and I joined all the priests of the Trenton Diocese for our yearly convocation called by our Bishop David O’Connell.  During our time away we had a chance to mourn our recently deceased priests and celebrate their passing from this life into the arms of our loving God. We also took the opportunity to share with one another news of our parishes and what’s happening with our schools and parishioners. It was a real time of blessing. Please continue to pray for your priests and for more young men to answer the call God places in their heart to serve His Church as priest.

   And finally, God bless you all and (not in Latin this week) let us pray for one another.

Fr. Scott Shaffer