St. Elizabeth & St. Brigid Parish

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem\

Cardinal Pizzaballa published a new statement in which he urged prayers for peace and said that stability in the Holy Land requires giving a ‘secure national perspective to the Palestinian people.’

Dear Brothers and Sisters, may the Lord give you peace!

     The whole world views this Holy Land of ours as a place that is a constant cause of wars and divisions. That is precisely why it was good that a few days ago, the whole world joined us with a day of prayer and fasting for peace. It was a beautiful view of the Holy Land and an important moment of unity with our Church. And that view is still there. Next October 27th, the Pope has called for a second day of prayer and fasting, so that our intercession may continue. It will be a day that we will celebrate with conviction. It is perhaps the main thing we Christians can do at this time: pray, do penance, intercede. For this, we thank the Holy Father from the bottom of our hearts.

     In all this uproar where the deafening noise of the bombs is mixed with the many voices of sorrow and the many conflicting feelings, I feel the need to share with you a word that has its origin in the Gospel of Jesus. That is the starting point which we set out from, and return to, time and time again: a word from the Gospel to help us live this tragic moment by uniting our feelings with those of Jesus.
     Looking to Jesus, of course, does not mean feeling exempt from the duty to speak, to denounce, to call out, as well as to console and encourage. As we heard in last Sunday’s Gospel, it is necessary to render
 “to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.” (Matt. 22:21).
Looking to God, we therefore want, first of all, to render to Caesar what is his.
     My conscience and moral duty require me to state clearly that what happened on October 7th in southern Israel is in no way permissible and we cannot but condemn it. There is no reason for such an atrocity. Yes, we have a duty to state this and to denounce it. The use of violence is not compatible with the Gospel, and it does not lead to peace. The life of every human person has equal dignity before God, who created us all in His image.
     The same conscience, however, with a great burden on my heart, leads me to state with equal clarity today that this new cycle of violence has brought to Gaza over five thousand deaths, including many women and children, tens of thousands of wounded, neighborhoods razed to the ground, lack of medicine, lack of water and of basic necessities for over two million people. These are tragedies that cannot be understood and which we have a duty to denounce and condemn unreservedly. The continuous heavy bombardment that has been pounding Gaza for days will only cause more death and destruction and will only increase hatred and resentment. It will not solve any problem, but rather create new ones. It is time to stop this war, this senseless violence.
It is only by ending decades of occupation and its tragic consequences, as well as giving a clear and secure national perspective to the Palestinian people that a serious peace process can begin. Unless this problem is solved at its root, there will never be the stability we all hope for. The tragedy of these days must lead us all, religious, political, civil society, international community, to a more serious commitment in this regard than what has been done so far. This is the only way to avoid other tragedies like the one we are experiencing now. We owe it to the many victims of these days and to those of years past. We do not have the right to leave this task to others.
    Yet, I cannot live this extremely painful time without looking upward, without looking to Christ, without the faith that enlightens my view and yours on what we are experiencing, without turning our thoughts to God. We need a Word to accompany us, to comfort and encourage us. We need it like the air we breathe.
“I have told you this so that you might have peace in me. In the world you will have tribulations, but take courage, I have conquered the world.” (Jn. 16:33).
     We find ourselves on the eve of Jesus’ Passion. He addresses these words to His disciples, who will shortly be tossed about, as if in a storm, before His death. They will panic, scatter and flee, like sheep without a shepherd.
    Yet, this last word of Jesus is an encouragement. He does not say that He shall win, but that He has already won. Even in the turmoil to come, the disciples will be able to have peace. This is not a matter of theoretical irenic peace, nor of resignation to the fact that the world is evil, and we can do nothing to change it. Instead it is about having the assurance that precisely within all this evil, Jesus has already won. Despite the evil ravaging the world, Jesus has achieved a victory, and established a new reality, a new order, which after the resurrection will be assumed by the disciples who were reborn in the Spirit.
     It was on the cross that Jesus won: not with weapons, not with political power, not by great means, nor by imposing himself. The peace He speaks of has nothing to do with victory over others. He won the world by loving it. It is true that a new reality and a new order begin on the cross. The order and the reality of the one who gives his life out of love. With the Resurrection and the gift of the Spirit, that reality and that order belong to His disciples. To us. God’s answer to the question of why the righteous suffer, is not an explanation, but a Presence. It is Christ on the cross.
    It is on this that we stake our faith today. Jesus in that verse rightly speaks of courage. Such peace, such love, require great courage.
     To have the courage of love and peace here, today, means not allowing hatred, revenge, anger and pain to occupy all the space of our hearts, of our speech, of our thinking. It means making a personal commitment to justice, being able to affirm and denounce the painful truth of injustice and evil that surrounds us, without letting it pollute our relationships. It means being committed, being convinced that it is still worthwhile to do all we can for peace, justice, equality and reconciliation. Our speech must not be about death and closed doors. On the contrary, our words must be creative, lifegiving, they must give perspective and open horizons.
     It takes courage to be able to demand justice without spreading hatred. It takes courage to ask for mercy, to reject oppression, to promote equality without demanding uniformity, while remaining free. It takes courage today, even in our diocese and our communities, to maintain unity, to feel united to one another, even in the diversity of our opinions, sensitivities and visions.
    I want, and we want, to be part of this new order inaugurated by Christ. We want to ask God for that courage. We want to be victorious over the world, taking upon ourselves that same Cross, which is also ours, made of pain and love, of truth and fear, of injustice and gift, of cries and forgiveness.
     I pray for us all, and in particular for the small community of Gaza, which is suffering most of all. In particular, our thoughts go out to the 18 brothers and sisters who perished recently, and to their families whom we know personally. Their pain is great, and yet with every passing day, I realize that they are at peace. They are scared, shaken, upset, but with peace in their hearts. We are all with them, in prayer and concrete solidarity, thanking them for their beautiful witness.
     Finally, let us pray for all innocent victims. The suffering of the innocent before God has a precious and redemptive value because it is united with the redemptive suffering of Christ. May their suffering bring peace ever closer!
     We are approaching the solemnity of the Queen of Palestine, the patroness of our diocese. The shrine was erected during another time of war, and was chosen as a special place to pray for peace. In these days we will once again reconsecrate our Church and our land to the Queen of Palestine! I ask all churches around the world to join the Holy Father and to join us in prayer, and in the search for justice and peace.
     We will not be able to gather all together this year, because the situation does not allow it. But I am sure that the whole diocese will be united on that day in prayer and in solidarity for peace, not worldly peace, but the peace which Christ gives us.

With sincere prayers for all,

+Pierbattista Card. Pizzaballa. Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem

Neither Monsignor Puleo nor the parish will ever request assistance in the form of gift cards or other charitable requests via e-mail or text messages. There are a number of fraudulent emails and texts being sent requesting such assistance with the name “Puleo” in the gmail address. Should you receive such emails-texts or have any questions about this, please contact the parish office at 908-2341265. Do not respond to such emails/texts.

FAMILY CORNER

Recently one of our parishioners, Rachel Campos-Duffy (co-host of Fox & Friends), explained that she and her husband Sean, created a Family Mission Statement for their wonderful family. She gave me permission to publish it in our bulletin and on our website.

May the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary  and St. Joseph guide and protect your family!

God Bless

Monsignor Puleo 

Catholic Family Mission Statement from Rachel and Sean Duffy
Our family exists to love and serve God and each other.  We believe that each member of our family was especially chosen to be here and we promise to treat each other and ourselves as “gifts from God” to this family.
Every day, we will strive to:

1. Practice our Catholic faith & traditions
2. Express our love for each other in words, deeds, & affection
3. Spend quality & quantity time together in prayer, play, & family meals
4. Have honest, open and good communication
5. Forgive one another often
6. Do our part to create/maintain a warm, inviting, clean home
7. Laugh often, especially at ourselves
8. Encourage & support each other’s talents & dreams
9. Put my family relationships ahead of distractions from social media & mobile devices
10. Not tease my siblings  

Stay with me, Lord, for it is necessary to have You present so that I do not forget You.
You know how easily I abandon You.

Stay with me Lord, because I am weak,
and I need Your strength,
so that I may not fall so often.

Stay with me Lord, for You are my life,
and without You, I am without fervor.

Stay with me Lord, for You are my light,
and without you, I am in darkness.

Stay with me Lord, to show me Your will.

Stay with me Lord, so that I hear Your voice and follow You.

Stay with me Lord, for I desire to love you very much,
and always be in Your Company.

Stay with me Lord, if You wish me to be faithful to You.

Stay with me Lord, for as poor as my soul is,
I want it to be a place of consolation for You, a nest of Love.

Stay with me, Jesus, for it is getting late,
and the day is coming to a close,
and life passes, death, judgment, eternity approach.
It is necessary to renew my strength,
so that I will not stop along the way and for that,
I need You.
It is getting late and death approaches.
I fear the darkness, the temptations, the dryness, the cross, the sorrows. O how I need You, my Jesus, in this night of exile.

Stay with me tonight, Jesus, in life with all its dangers,
I need You.
Let me recognize You as Your disciples did at the breaking of bread,
so that the Eucharistic Communion
be the light which disperses the darkness,
the force which sustains me,
the unique joy of my heart.

Stay with me Lord, because at the hour of my death,
I want to remain united to you,
if not by Communion, at least by grace and love.

Stay with me Jesus, I do not ask for divine consolation
because I do not merit it, but the gift of Your presence,
oh yes, I ask this of You.

Stay with me Lord, for it is You alone I look for,
Your Love, Your Grace, Your Will, Your Heart,
Your Spirit, because I love You
and ask no other reward but to love You more and more.

With a firm love, I will love You with all my heart
while on earth and continue to love You
perfectly during all eternity.
Amen.
 

We’ve adopted a new and improved way of communicating that will make it much simpler for you to get the information you want from us! It’s powered by a service called Flocknote. Like sending a "note" to your "flock". 
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Pregnant and parenting moms in need are in our parishes and our neighborhoods. As Pope Francis reminds us, our parishes need to be “islands of mercy in the midst of a sea of indifference.” Everyone in the parish community should know where to refer a pregnant woman in need.

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The 25th anniversary of Evangelium vitae gave us a wonderful opportunity to begin to assess, expand, and communicate resources to pregnant moms and families in need. Parishes are invited, through the support of their bishop and pastor, to join this nationwide effort entitled, Walking with Moms in Need.

For More Information click below:

Walking With Moms In Need

Dearest Lord Jesus, our Divine Physician,
fill your servant(s) _____________with your healing presence
as they do their part to fight this horrifying disease within them.
Shine your healing power into their bodies, hearts and souls.
 
With humility, as they seek your comfort and mercy,
allow the best of who they are as your followers,
to remain steadfast for the sake of their families, friends
and others they have yet to meet.
 
With the help of your Holy Spirit,
remove all cancerous invaders
that have overrun their bodies; your temple.
Replace all deadly, cancer cells with good, wholesome cells.
 
Aided by the powerful intercession of your heavenly helpers,
Our Lady, Queen of Peace, Saint John Paul II and Blessed Michael McGivney, keep them faithful in the hope —
that “whatever you ask from the Father He will give it to you”
(John 15:23).
 
In Jesus Name,
Amen.
 
© Reverend John G. Hillier
    November 4, 2021
 
 

Lord God of peace, hear our prayer!
We have tried so many times and over so many years 
   to resolve our conflicts by our own powers
   and by the force of our arms.
How many moments of hostility and darkness have we                 experienced?
How much blood has been shed?
How many lives have been shattered?
How many hopes have been buried?
But our efforts have been in vain.

Now, Lord, come to our aid! 
Grant us peace, teach us peace; 
    guide our steps in the way of peace. 
Open our eyes and our hearts, 
    and give us the courage to say: "Never again war!"; 
"With war everything is lost". 
Instill in our hearts the courage to take concrete steps to
  achieve peace.

Lord, God of Abraham, God of the Prophets, God of Love, 
   you created us and you call us to live as brothers and sisters. 
Give us the strength daily to be instruments of peace; 
   enable us to see everyone who crosses our path as our
   brother or sister.
Make us sensitive to the plea of our citizens 
   who entreat us to turn our weapons of war into implements of     peace, 
  our trepidation into confident trust, 
  and our quarreling into forgiveness.
Keep alive within us the flame of hope, 
  so that with patience and perseverance 
  we may opt for dialogue and reconciliation. 
In this way may peace triumph at last, 
  and may the words "division", "hatred" and "war" 
  be banished from the heart of every man and woman. 

Lord, defuse the violence of our tongues and our hands. 
Renew our hearts and minds, 
  so that the word which always brings us together will be 
  "brother", 
   and our way of life will always be that of: Shalom, Peace,   
   Salaam!
 Amen.

O Lord our God, look down with mercy on the Ukrainian people. Protect and save them from the unjust aggressors who seek to subdue them. Grant them steadfast trust in your mercy and protection. 

O Mother of God, who gave us your miraculous icon at Zarvanytsia, intercede for the Ukrainian people, who run to the shelter of your mercy in their times of need. 

O Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Grant peace and protection to the people of Ukraine. Give them strength and courage to defend what is good, right, and holy. Keep them safe from harm and provide for all their needs, both temporal and spiritual. 

Hear our prayers, O Lord, and deliver us from distress, for You are merciful and compassionate and love mankind. To You we give glory: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and ever. Amen.
 

WITH CHRIST …
Post Pandemic Prayer

Good and gracious Father, 
send your Holy Spirit into our hearts  
that we may resume our lives  
following the tragedies that beset our nation. 
 
Help us to embrace your truth:  
 
... that with Christ there is peace even in war;  
without Christ there is war even in peace.  
 
... that with Christ the poor are rich;  
without Christ the rich are poor.  
 
... that with Christ adversity is sweet;  
without Christ prosperity is bitter.  
 
... that with Christ the ignorant are wise;  
without Christ the wise are fools.  
 
... that with Christ we commit ourselves  
to the journey that leads to our Heavenly Father,  
who gives us true peace.  
 
Amen 
Reverend John G. Hillier 
© June 11, 2021 
 

Food Drive is held in the first weekend of the month 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.