Our parish priests will be away for the annual diocesan convocation from Tuesday, October 13, through Thursday, October 15. This is a special time for our priests to gather in prayer, fellowship, and reflection on their priestly life and pastoral ministry. This year, we are especially blessed to be joined by our new bishop, the Most Rev. Michael Saporito. Please note that daily Mass will not be celebrated Tuesday through Thursday, October 13–15. Our deacons will preside at the Rite of the Distribution of the Most Holy Eucharist Outside of Mass at 8:00 am in the Chapel each day. Daily Mass will resume on Friday, October 16, as usual. Please keep our Bishop-Elect and priests in your prayers during this special week.

I am pleased to share the news we received this morning that our Holy Father has appointed Bishop Michael Saporito, an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Newark, as Bishop of Metuchen. A news conference will be held at our pastoral center this morning at 11 am with Bishop-Elect Saporito present to announce the appointment. Please keep our new bishop in your prayers as he begins the ministry of shepherding the Church of Metuchen.

We have been blessed with many people coming and making use of the Sacrament of Reconciliation on Saturday afternoons. This a sign of spiritual fruitfulness in the parish. However, the current schedule of 3:30 pm-4:30 pm no longer affords people enough time for confession since long lines often await them. Nor does it give adequate time for the priest who is celebrating the 5:00 pm Mass to prepare, when he is often not leaving the confessional until 4:45 or even later.