Today we celebrate the Lord’s Day and observe the Feast of the Most Holy Trinity. Each year after the leave-taking of Easter the Western Church commemorates the theological feast of the Most Blessed Trinity. Our Christian faith teaches us that our God is ONE but has revealed Himself in Three Divine Persons; the Father, the Son Christ Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. Our God is a community of persons equal yet distinct. It is God who invites us into communion with Him so that we may share in His divine life now and more fully in eternity.
Community is a sign of unity. Our communion with God and with one another is consummated in our celebration of the Eucharist. When we gather each Sunday to commemorate the Lord’s Day at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass the community we form is an outward sign of the faith we share in the One God who has saved us in Christ Jesus His Only Begotten Son. Our desire to be one with God and with each other should be foremost in our lives. Weekly attendance at Sunday Liturgy is the indication of this unity.
Our parish community is the family of God and our church is the house we call HOME. Last month I had shared with you the two major projects which needed immediate attention namely, the repair of the Sacred Heart statue in front of the church and the front stairs of the rectory. I was very frank in my comments during the announcements and I am happy to say that it had paid off. The donations to the church renovation fund have increased substantially. As a result, the work on the rectory front steps has been completed and work on the statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus has begun. Donations for the statue have been received for its restoration. I would like to acknowledge the substantial donation we received from Christine Lombardi to complete the project. May the Lord Jesus richly bless her and her loved ones for the faith and love she has shown to the Church.
I continue to appeal to each and every one of you to be generous in your offerings to our parish. Sacred Heart is our spiritual home and we must take care of it. The upkeep of our church is our responsibility, Christians have done so since Pentecost (see Acts 4:32; 5:1-11). I know you love our church and that is why I am counting on YOU to be generous.
Our priests are the fathers who lovingly care for us each day. This week we will celebrate Father Marcin’s 5th anniversary of ordination on Monday morning at the 8 o’clock Mass followed by a breakfast at the Saint Francis Center in Denville. Father Marcin has been with me the longest and I am most grateful for all that he does for me and our two parishes.
Last but not least, May 23rd is the one year anniversary of ordination of Father Mateusz. He has not been with us as long a time but He is indeed a joy and a gift to our parish community. To both of our priests we wish them a very happy and blessed anniversary. May their service to us and the Diocese be long and filled with happiness!
I look forward to being with you all at next Sunday’s 12:15 Mass at which Father Slawek will celebrate his FIRST HOLY MASS. Following the liturgy everyone is invited to a reception which will take place in Hayes Hall. Your attendance will be a great support for the newly ordained and for the priesthood.