St. Elizabeth & St. Brigid Parish

Prayer for All Human Life
God of infinite love,
  open wide our hearts and minds,
  that we might be worthy advocates
  for the voiceless and vulnerable.
Give us the courage of will
  to remain vigilant to the unborn,
  the generosity of heart
  …to offer support to the sick,
  the constant desire
  …to be present to the elderly,
  the abundance of love
  …to be committed to the disabled,
  the perseverance to seek and find
  the lost and forgotten.
Lord and Giver of life,
  in your love and mercy,
  keep us safe in your care
  as we strive to serve you.
May we always keep before us
  the challenge to recognize
  the face of Jesus
  in all those we meet.
Through Christ Our Lord,
Amen

© Reverend John G. Hillier
 

My dear friends in Jesus Christ,

Almost 1/2 century ago, 49 years to be exact, the Supreme Court's 1973 Roe v. Wade decision legalized abortion in the United States by a 7-2 decision. More than 62 million people are no longer on the face of the earth due to this outrageous pro-death decision.

Over the years, however, there have been glimmers of light. For example, one year ago TRUTH made it possible for South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem to introduce a bill to ban abortions based on Down Syndrome diagnoses on babies in the womb. Coupled with this, TRUTH invaded the hearts and minds of other politicians in as many as 41 US cities in states across Texas, Ohio and Nebraska where sanctuary cites exist for unborn babies, the most innocent and vulnerable among us. We pray that such innovative ideas will continue to protect our young.

Isn't it true that two cousins; the saintly women, Elizabeth and Mary, met in the hill country somewhere in Judah to celebrate each other’s babies they were carrying, Elizabeth’s baby being about 6 months older? Both children had a huge impact on our civilization for over 2000 years. Our long awaited Messiah, Savior of the World, was one of these children and the other was His promoter, John, the one who prepared His way.

Both John and Jesus, as well as their mothers, Elizabeth and Mary, continue to inspire individuals and groups down to our own day. We need their intercession now more than ever before. Our task as followers of Jesus Christ is certainly to pray for more pro-life safety zones. Why? Because, closer to home in our own State of New Jersey, we learn of terrible things happening. This past week (Monday, January 11, 2022) EVIL entered our state when Governor Phil Murphy signed a bill whereby abortions will be allowed up to the day of delivery (all 9 months of pregnancy)! Out-of-state women are also welcomed to have their abortions in New Jersey. No word can adequately describe this act but one: EVIL. Why would supposedly intelligent, civilized people who follow science and reason, not to mention revealed religion, be unable to recognize a human child in and outside its mother’s womb? This is all the more puzzling in the age of sonograms and sophisticated medical equipment.

SO we have much to pray for, the greatest of which is a culture that will be transformed from a culture of death to a culture of life. In the words of Pope Francis: “It is not ‘progressive’ to try to resolve problems by eliminating a human life.”
This summarizes the entire reason I have asked for your generous prayers these past weeks when I was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. It is not because I am fearful of death. I presided over thousands of funerals since I was ordained to the priesthood, comforted thousands more who lost loved ones and, for most of my life, contemplated my place in eternity with Christ my Savior.

My motivation in asking for your prayers that I might be healed and all cancer cells within my body be replaced with good, normal cells, is the same motivation in asking for the prayers for the children in the womb… because God’s gift of human life is worth it. Our lives are worth living to their natural end. If God’s Holy Spirit is willing to give me more time on earth as His priest, it would be selfish for me to surrender just because I have a heavy cross to bear coupled with inconveniences and moments of humiliation.

“Whatever it takes” should be our motto. Whatever it takes to live Christ’s life should be our goal …. for the child in the womb, for the mom and dad who cooperated with God in creating the miracle of a new human life and for the woman or man, young or old, laity or priest who seeks to complete their precious life on earth through the kind prayers of others and the intercession of our friends in heaven.

In Christ Jesus Our Lord,
Reverend Monsignor Edward C. Puleo
 

Please be aware that neither Monsingor Puleo nor the parish will solicit assistance in the form of gift cards or other charitable requests via e-mail.  There are a number of e-mails being sent asking for assistance.  Should you have any questions, please contact the parish office at 908-234-1265 before acting on these requests.

Monsignor Puleo

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Year of Saint Joseph Prayer

Dear Saint Joseph,
guardian of the Holy Family,
watch over our human family.
With Mary, our heavenly Mother,
keep us safe in God’s care.

Although divided and distracted,
by many ungodly preoccupations,
including the destruction of precious human life,
we seek a path that leads back to God.

Glorious son of David and just son of God,
protect us as you once protected Mary and Jesus.
Inspire us in ways that will help us
overcome our transgressions.

Rekindle in the souls and arouse in the minds
of all who have turned away from God,
the joy of loving and serving Him;
as you did most perfectly as husband and father
for Mary and Jesus.

As you cooperated with God’s grace
and lived your life virtuously,
enable us to follow your example,
giving of ourselves to God and neighbor,
all the days of our lives.

We ask this through Christ Jesus Our Lord,
Amen.

Imprimatur:           
Most Reverend James F. Checchio, JCD, MBA
Nihil Obstat:         
Reverend John G. Hillier, Ph.D
22 January, 2021
 

At this time, due to the observance of public safety protocols and the increase in the availability of vaccines, we have begun a return to some sense of normalcy in various sectors of our society.

Therefore, we the Catholic Bishops of New Jersey, are lifting the dispensation of the Sunday and Holy Days Mass obligation beginning on Saturday, June 5, 2021, and Sunday, June 6, 2021, Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ.

We welcome the Christian faithful to return to the regular participation in the Sunday Eucharist, the source and summit of our Catholic faith (cf. Code of Canon Law canon 1247 and Catechism of the Catholic Church, n. 2180).

This obligation does not apply to those who are ill; those who have reason to believe that they were recently exposed to the coronavirus or another serious or contagious illness; those who are confined to their home, a hospital, or nursing facility; or those with serious underlying health conditions. One should consult the local pastor if questions arise about the obligation to attend Mass (canon 87).

Finally, safety protocols (such as wearing masks, social distancing, etc.) and liturgical directives (communion in the hand, communion under one species, etc.) in each New Jersey Diocese remains in place until modified or revoked by the respective Diocesan Bishop.

Given on May 20, 2021, the memorial of St. Bernardine of Siena.

Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R. Archbishop, Archdiocese of Newark
Most Reverend David M. O’Connell, C.M. Bishop, Diocese of Trenton
Most Reverend Dennis J. Sullivan Bishop, Diocese of Camden Most Reverend Kevin J. Sweeney Bishop, Diocese of Paterson Most Reverend James F. Checchio Bishop, Diocese of Metuchen Most Reverend Kurt Burnette Bishop, Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Passaic Most Reverend Yousif B. Habash Bishop, Our Lady of Deliverance Syriac

Food Drive December 4-5 2021
Benefiting the Somerset County Food Network Food Pantry
Canned and Non Perishable items needed.  Monetary donations accepted.
 

Jesus reminds us that there is no greater live than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends; if we do so our joy will be complete. Have you ever considered giving yourself to the service of your sisters and brothers as a priest or religious? If so, call the Vocations Office @ (732) 562-2453 or e-mail us at vocations@diometuchen.org. Or you can visit our website at www.diometuchen.org/vocations. Turn your life over to the Lord today.
 

 © Reverend John G. Hillier,  March 10, 2020