On Tuesday, July 21 ^st, the Pastoral Councils of both parishes met to get acquainted with one another and to begin planning for the future.  The councils agreed to serve as the “On Mission Committee” to coordinate the merging of our two parishes into one new parish.  Deb Dell, who serves as our Parish Life Coordinator will work with the committee to make sure that all of the necessary requirements are met and completed on a timely basis.  A separate page in the bulletin and our web page, has been established to help communicate our progress.
 
There has been a great number of calls and emails about establishing a “parking lot” mass which would allow those who would like to participate in mass but do not feel comfortable coming into the church.  In order for this to occur at one or both churches, the following personnel are needed:

• Stage crew: people to set-up and tear down the altar, ambo, sound equipment, sacred vessels, keyboard and a few chairs.
• Parking lot attendants who would facilitate the arrival and departure of cars for the mass as well as direct individuals at communion time.
• Ministers to serve in the roles of Lectors and Extra Ordinary Ministers of Holy Communion when a deacon is not available to assist the priest.

 

• We will also need to purchase a FM transmitter for people to tune in the mass from their cars.  Right now, these are as scarce as toilet paper!  Additionally, this option may not work at St. Thomas More parking lot because of the close proximity to the Port Authority Maintenance Garage and their radio transmissions.  If that is the case, we will have to use a PA system (which we have), but car engines will need to be turned off and windows rolled down.

 
If you are interested in assisting in this endeavor, please send an email to either Susie Levitt, our Facilities Director at [email protected] or to me at: [email protected].
 
 
 
Normally at this time of year, parishes across the diocese would be conducting church festivals and fairs. MoreFest would be a happy memory!  The rides, the games, the food—and those big, fluffy clouds of cotton candy. You put it into your mouth, and… GONE! into nothingness… leaving only a sugary taste on your tongue. 
 
What if the apostles had handed out big cones of cotton candy to the hungry people following Jesus in the gospel today?  After a few bites, they would still be starving—and VERY thirsty! The true meaning at the heart of this gospel is that God feeds us with real food for body and soul. There is not a need we can experience that God cannot fill. As Psalm 145 puts it, “The hand of the Lord feeds us; he answers all our needs.”
 
And yet—does it ever seem that God doesn’t fulfill our everyday needs all that easily? If God satisfies the desire of every living heart, how come we can still feel so unsatisfied? In the larger context, we see in the compassionate sharing of bread today a deeper eucharistic meaning. The thousands of people in the story today did not come for the meal.  They came to hear the amazing words of freedom from sin, to be healed, taught, and truly nourished.
 
The way Jesus feeds them is not just a flashy miracle; it means that Jesus can provide whatever is needed for our bodies and souls—no matter how little we have to build upon. Our thirst is a sign that we are seeking God. Isaiah had a vision of God being holy, just, righteous, and good; so he wrote:  “All you who are thirsty, come to the water!… Come, without paying and without cost, drink wine and milk!”
 
Have you ever let your spiritual thirst move you to take action by living a more charitable life?  If so, give thanks to God.  Let’s help each other grow up beyond cotton candy, and line up for the water of life!