Holy Spirit Roman Catholic Church 318 Newark-Pompton Turnpike Pequannock, NJ 07440 Fr. David Monteleone Administrator In the Spirit Volume 2, No. 3 May, 2017 My dear parishioners, Happy Easter! May the peace of the risen Lord be with you and your families. After a long Lent and somber Holy Week, let us all rejoice with the Church that He is truly raised. Spring is now upon us and it is time to open the windows and let in fresh air. It is also a time for cleaning and seeing what damage winter might have done. You may have noticed that the front doors of the church have been refinished. New doors will also be installed at the other church entrances. This is being paid with the Partners in Faith rebate that the parish earned. There is also a new custom-made crucifix hanging above the tabernacle. This beautiful piece was made possible by a generous parishioner. I feel now there is a truly visible sign of Christ s great love for us made visible to all who enter our beautiful church. Be aware that you are all in my daily prayers and I am so very thankful for your support. Our increased giving campaign has been successful. I pray that it continues and we as a parish family continue the good works that help so many. Thank you for your support. Please know that if you ever want to speak to me privately, I am always available to you. Peace, Fr. David
A Blast From the Past... This photo was taken on April 6, 1980 Easter Sunday. Holy Spirit held its Sunrise Mass in Greenview Park. The four celebrants are (L to R): Fr. Frank Mullaney, Fr. Ted Lee, Fr. Eugene McQuaid, and Fr. Pat Rice. Deacon Michael Scruggs is the pianist. *Thanks to Rich Wisneski for sharing this photo on Facebook. A Look Ahead to the Month of May... May 6 Saturday 5PM Mass First Holy Communion May 7 Sunday 9AM Mass First Holy Communion 11AM Mass First Holy Communion May 14 Sunday All Masses Mothers Day Blessing May 14/21 Sunday All Masses Rosary Altar Society Baby Items Collection May 20/21 Sat./Sun. All Masses Building Our Parish Community After the 11:00AM Mass Anointing of the Sick May 24 Wednesday 7PM Mass Vigil of the Ascension of Our Lord May 25 Thursday 9AM, 7PM Mass Ascension of Our Lord May 29 Monday Memorial Day Parade Fellowship 2
Altar Server Appreciation Day The Bishop Navagh Columbiettes held their fourth annual Altar Server Appreciation Day at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Pequannock on Sunday, February 26. Thirty altar servers were honored from Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish in Pompton Plains, Holy Spirit Parish in Pequannock and St. Joseph Parish in Lincoln Park. The altar servers and their families took part in organized games and were served lunch and dessert. Each server received a certificate and a gift to thank them for their faithful service to their parishes. A Look Ahead to the Month of June... June 4 Sunday 11:00AM Mass Pentecost Sunday Holy Spirit Parish s 67th Birthday Celebration June 8 Thursday TBD Confirmation at Holy Spirit Church June 11 Sunday 4:00PM 8th Grade Baccalaureate Mass in church June 12 Monday 4:30PM 8th Grade Graduation Mass in church June 18 Sunday All Masses Fathers Day Blessing After the 11:00AM Mass Anointing of the Sick 3
Praying the Stations of the Cross at Holy Spirit Each Lenten season, different parish groups are invited to volunteer to lead this deeply spiritual prayer in which we walk with Christ through his passion and death on the cross. Stations of the Cross leaders this Lenten season included the Choir, the Knights of Columbus/Columbiettes, the Parish Council, the students of Holy Spirit School, and Deacons Mike and Gary. Left, members of the Knights of Columbus and Columbiettes lead the Stations of the Cross on Friday, March 31. Below: Students of Holy Spirit School are shown following their depiction of Christ s passion and death as they led the Stations of the Cross on Friday, March 24. 4
The Annual Chrism Mass The annual Diocesan Chrism Mass, with Bishop Serratelli as the main celebrant, was held on Monday, April 10 at St. Philip the Apostle Church in Clifton. At the Chrism Mass each year, the Bishop consecrates the Oil of Chrism and blesses the Oil of Catechumens and the Oil of the Sick. These holy oils are distributed to the parishes in the Diocese following the Mass, and are presented in the individual parishes at the Mass of the Lord s Supper on Holy Thursday. Fr. David was among the 177 priests who attended and concelebrated at the Chrism Mass. Rev. Mr. Gary Zack was among the 38 Deacons who assisted. Holy Spirit Parishioners Meredith Mascitello and Amelia (Scruggs) Lodato, as members of the Diocesan choir, participated in the liturgical music for the Mass. 5
Give Your Children the Gift of Faith In preparation for First Eucharist for the children in the Holy Spirit Religious Formation Program, Suzanne Unger, Director of Religious Education and Fr. David jointly conducted a meeting for the parents of the children who will be receiving First Eucharist in May. Fr. David addressed the parents with a warm welcome, followed by an informal presentation on the importance of faith formation within the family unit, and the importance and benefits of worshipping together as a family. + Children mimic the behavior of adults. It is important to worship together as a family. * + Holy Spirit is a small, but very vibrant parish, and it is a place where we truly are a family. + I encourage you to come to church to be part of the larger family here. + As Roman Catholics, we believe the Eucharist is not just a symbol. It is actually the body and blood of Christ that we receive. + Every time we attend Mass, we witness a miracle. + Worshipping together as a family can change our lives + Lives are busy, between jobs and taking care of a house, sports practice and ballet and cheer, but if you put things in perspective, starting with God, with worshipping together as a family, everything else falls into place. + Take an interest in your children s faith formation. Give your children the gift of faith. + Please know that you are in my prayers, you have my support and we here at Holy Spirit are here for you. + If you ever have any questions about religion or theology, please email me, tap me on the shoulder after Mass, make an appointment with me. I would be more than happy to sit down and discuss it with you. See You in September Sincere thank you to our parishioners and guests who joined us for our monthly Hospitality Sundays. The summer months are busy for all, so our Hospitality Sundays will be discontinued for the summer months. Our numbers have been growing! Please watch for our announcements and join us for coffee and conversation in September! Save the Date!! Holy Spirit Parish Breakfast Fundraiser Applebees 1200 Route 23 North Butler, NJ 07405 Saturday, September 9 8AM to 10AM $10 per person Additional information and ticket sales to follow 6
The Mass of the Lord s Supper Thanks to Tom Hill, Michael Gertler, and Emily, Patrick, Christopher and Luke Walsh for participating in the foot washing ritual at the Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord s Supper. Pictured above is the Oil of Chrism, which was consecrated, and the Oil of Catechumens and the Oil of the Sick, which were blessed by Bishop Serratelli at the Chrism Mass on Monday, April 10. 7
Lenten Soup Suppers Days of Our Lives Fish and Chips Dinner Hospitality Sunday Hospitality Sunday The Sunday 9AM Mass Parish website: holyspiritparishnj.org Also find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/ HolySpiritParishPequannock