No buzzers. No lightening rounds. No need to “phone a friend” — and no prizes behind Door No. 3. Friends of Father Jhon Madrid on Facebook only need to read his daily posts on the social-networking website to play his quiz game, “Today’s Question.” He tests his audience’s knowledge of all things Catholic — from the saints and Church history to Scripture and the Sacraments.
Bishop Serratelli made a pastoral visit to Ss. Cyril and Methodius Parish in Clifton on Feb. 17 where he served as main celebrant and homilist of the Vigil Mass for the First Sunday in Lent. It also marked the Feast of the Seven Holy Founders of the Servite Order.
Bishop Serratelli celebrated Mass in the chapel of St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Paterson on Ash Wednesday morning Feb. 14. He distributed ashes to staff members of St. Joseph’s.
Bishop Serratelli helped lead 42 Catholics of the Diocese and beyond, including 20 priests and a deacon, on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land in Israel — often called the “Fifth Gospel” — Jan. 23 to 30. For eight days, they toured sites important to the history of ancient Israel in the Old Testament, such as the Western Wall and a recently discovered synagogue at Magdala, and of Jesus’ ministry in the New Testament, such as the Sea of Galilee, the Temple Mount and the Upper Room.
The community of St. Ann Parish in Parsippany welcomed Bishop Serratelli on Sunday, Feb. 18, as he served as main celebrant and homilist of the 10:30 a.m. Mass for the First Sunday of Lent. Concelebrating the Mass was Father David Pickens, St. Ann’s pastor.
Texting in church is never a good idea. But on Easter, it will be a great tool for parishes to use to reach out to the many Catholics filling the pews to overflowing for Mass that day. And parishes using Flocknote will be able to reach out to those in the pews so that they can stay connected with the parish going forward after Easter and throughout the year.
This Lent, some Catholics in the Diocese have decided to go beyond the tradition of “giving up” something — a bad habit or favorite activity or snack, such as chocolate. These local faithful have been participating Best Lent Ever: an online program by Dynamic Catholic that promises them a sweeter experience of preparing for Easter by helping to deepen their spirituality and to encourage them to become the best person — and Christian — possible. At least three parishes in the Diocese have been promoting Best Lent Ever, which bears the provocative tagline “Don’t Give Up Chocolate for Lent.”
The Diocese of Paterson welcomed 119 catechumens in the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Paterson where Bishop Serratelli formerly selected — or elected — them Feb. 18. The Rite of Election formally sets the catechumen on the path toward full Sacramental unity with the Church. These catechumens are now known as the elect.
As Lent began on Ash Wednesday, so did Catholic Relief Services’ (CRS) Rice Bowl, the agency’s flagship Lenten program now in its fifth decade — giving Catholics throughout the country an opportunity to help people in need around the world.
Bishop Serratelli celebrated Mass for the 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time Feb. 11 on the campus of William Paterson University (WPU) in the Jesus Christ Prince of Peace Chapel in Haledon.
Bishop Serratelli made a pastoral visit to Our Lady of Mercy Church here Feb. 10 where he was the principal celebrant and homilist of the 5:30 p.m. vigil Mass for the Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time.
Five months later, large portions of Texas and Louisiana continue to rebuild after Hurricane Harvey’s mighty winds and massive flooding on Aug. 26 caused more than $125 million of damage and killed 68 people. News of the untold suffering there touched the compassionate hearts of youth ministry members and Confirmation students at Our Lady of Consolation (OLC) Parish in Wayne and inspired them to collect a deluge of donations for the Shrine of the True Cross in Dickinson, Texas.
Catholics who minister to young people often get tempted to fill the schedule with “epic” entertainment-type experiences that they hope will get youths more excited about their faith. Instead, these ministers could help to animate the faith of their young people more effectively by drawing them to the excitement of developing a relationship with Christ through silence, mediation, prayer and the sacraments with the Eucharist at the center.
All churches in the Paterson Diocese will be open on Monday evenings from Feb. 19 to March 19 during Lent for all to experience God’s healing love and forgiveness in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Through the Diocese’s “Welcome Home to Healing” initiative, every church in Morris, Sussex and Passaic counties is inviting Catholics, especially those who have been away from the Church, to come home to receive forgiveness and healing in the Sacrament of Reconciliation during Lent.
A procedural vote on a Senate bill to ban abortions after 20 weeks failed Jan. 29 when the cloture motion, which would have prevented a filibuster on the bill, failed to get the required 60 votes to pass with a final vote of 51-46.
At St. Margaret Church in Morristown, the Honduran community came together to celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Suyapa Feb. 3 at a Mass Sunday evening that was celebrated by Bishop Serratelli.
Bishop Serratelli made a pastoral visit to St. Margaret of Scotland Parish in Morristown Feb. 3 where he celebrated the vigil Mass for the Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time. After the Mass, a blessing of the throats was held to mark the Feast of St. Blaise, which is celebrated on Feb. 3.
On Feb. 3, the Feast of St. Blaise, Bishop Serratelli made a pastoral visit to Our Lady of Consolation Church in Wayne where he celebrated Mass for the Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time.
When Friday night comes along and the weekend is here, most teenage girls have plans — a movie with friends, a date night, or just hanging at home with the family. But for teenage girls seeking something totally out of the box, some might be inclined to do something truly life-changing — like spending a Friday night with religious sisters to examine if they may have a calling to religious life.