Weekly Letter from the Pastor

Today there is a second collection to support missionaries throughout the world. We do not seem to hear as much about the missionary work of the church, but most of the African, Asian, and even some Latin American countries, are still in the mission territory of the church. Father JM Patilla’s cousin, Monsignor Erwin José Aserios Balagapo, is the Undersecretary for the Dicastery for Evangelization, working in Rome. He is the immediate assistant to Cardinal Antonio Tagle. Their work is the oversight of the work of the missions, oversight of the seminaries, bishops, priests, and religious congregations who work in the missions. It is
daunting work, as the church is experiencing rapid growth, especially in Africa and Asia. Our contributions help these communities to do the basic work of the church, that we merely take for granted. 

On the local front, October is always a busy month in the Diocese of Trenton. This Sunday is the Marriage Anniversary Blessing Mass at the Co-Cathedral. This past Tuesday a representative group of students from the school attended the Catholic School’s Mass also at the Co-Cathedral. It is always a joy to be with the students from Catholic Schools throughout the diocese, their administrators, pastors, and of course, our bishop. 

I received an email last week from a parishioner with a particular liturgical question, which I wish to address here. The person asked why the altar server turns the Processional Crucifix to face the wall instead of the assembly. The liturgical norms foresee only one crucifix facing the assembly. As we have a prominent crucifix in the sanctuary behind the altar, a second crucifix facing the assembly is unnecessary and not recommended. Normally the processional crucifix is then placed out of view of the assembly in a side sanctuary or behind a wall. As this is not possible given the configuration of our sacred space, the choice is to turn the crucifix facing away from the assembly. I hope that helps.

This coming Friday we host the Color Run -- should be a good time for everyone involved. Also, please check the bulletin for details on the Trunk-or-Treat event as we observe Halloween in two weeks. 

I hope everyone has a blessed week ahead,
Father Garry