Daily Rosary

We welcome all to join us after each 9:00 AM Daily Mass to pray the rosary. We especially need prayer during these troubling times!

Our second reading this weekend, from the First Letter of John, has this imposing line: “Those who say, ‘I know him,’ but do not keep his commandments are liars, and the truth is not in them.”

Each of us know the Commandments; perhaps we can’t recite them in order, but I would venture that if asked in a conversation, each Catholic in our parish would be able to paraphrase what these commands from God to the earliest Jewish community. Sometimes those Commands will sound very formal, or perhaps from a 3rd or 4th grader, they would be paraphrased in child-like language.

Regardless of how we order the Commandments, Saint John’s Letter this week is very clear: if we do not keep these Commands, then we are not acting as God wants us to act. What does that mean to you and I in regard to our actions looking like we are lying about our faithfulness, or our denial of the truth that comes from God?

That is, in fact, the important question of the week: if my actions do not reflect God’s Commandments, then what am I doing to chance my actions?

Elsewhere in Matthew’s Gospel, we read in Chapter 5 where Jesus says, “Let your ‘yes’ mean ‘yes,’ and your ‘no” mean ‘no.’” Then our lives will reflect the truth as John has indicated, and this should be demonstrated with the actions of our lives. Our Gospel from Saint Luke this week has a powerful line, too: “Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.” This is the grace we have received through the Sacrament of Confirmation; don’t let that grace go unused, but recognize that Jesus opens up our minds so that we won’t be liars, so that we will understand His teaching, and so that we can profess and demonstrate the Truth with our lives. May we each do that in this season, reflecting the Light of Christ and the Paschal Mystery in our words and actions.

PS: I hope that all married couples are praying about whether the Ignatian Marriage Reflection we are offering might be for you! The program starts this Tuesday evening at 7 PM in our Crypt Chapel, and the details to pre-register are found on page 3 of the bulletin and also below this letter. Learning to pray together and uniquely as a couple is a key to an Extraordinary Marriage.

- Father Jim

To learn more about the 2024 Annual Catholic Appeal and to donate online, please click here.

Hospice Care Information

On Sunday, October 16th, OLGC offered an information program on Hospice Care and Spirituality at the end of our lives. We had a good turnout of about 35-40 parishioners in attendance. For those who may have missed the information session, below are links to the documents which were shared with the attendees.

Please always remember: if your loved one needs the Sacrament of the Sick, do not hesitate to call us at (856) 425-0181, our parish Emergency Number, and Father Jim or Father Jack will respond immediately to your request.

Advance Directives for Healthcare

USCCB: The witness of the good samaritan

Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services

Faith at Home

These links provides you with the latest one-page resource for families, Faith At Home; it connects to the theme of the upcoming Sunday Liturgy. This resource is updated each week and can be found on the diocesan webpage at www.dioceseoftrenton.org/faith-at-home and en Español at www.dioceseoftrenton.org/fe-en-casa.

May God continue to bless us and keep us close to Him.

Please support the Society of St. Vincent de Paul so that together we can help local families in need. Those needing help should call the SVDP helpline at 856-291-7313.

Local food pantries include:

Live Civilly: St. Matthew's Church, 318 Chester Ave.

First Baptist Church, 19 West Main St., Moorestown

Bethel AME, 512 N. Church St., Moorestown

SVDP also has Thinking of You cards available. A gift can be given to the poor in the name of someone special at your

request. You will be remembered in the prayers and works of the Moorestown Vincentians. We are so very grateful for your

generous ongoing donations.

Respect Life Homily

Deacon Tom Kolon shared a wonderful and informative Catholic perspective on Respect Life, encompassing current events and statistics that spanned from end of life through the very beginning in the womb. You can re-watch his homily on the live streaming or may click here for a written copy to share.

Our Promise to Protect

The Diocese of Trenton is committed to the initiatives outlined in the U.S. Bishops’ Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People in regard to the reporting and investigation of sexual abuse allegations involving minors. The Diocese has in place a Victim’s Assistance Coordinator, who is available to obtain support for your needs and help you make a formal complaint of abuse.

If you have been sexually abused as a minor by a member of the clergy or anyone representing the Catholic Church, or if you know someone who was, you can report that abuse through the diocesan Abuse Hotline: 1-888-296-2965 or via email at abuseline@dioceseoftrenton.org.

The Diocese encourages anyone with an allegation to also report that abuse to their local law enforcement agency. The Diocese reports all allegations received to the appropriate county prosecutor’s office.