The Omicron wave may have just crested here in Ocean County, NJ, and the USA.  Even hospitalizations have dipped a bit in NJ.  If we haven't crested, let's pray that we crest soon and see Omicron retreat.

     I see more people talking about shifting our focus from pandemic mode to endemic mode.  That is, we need to learn how to live with COVID-19 like we have with the flu.

     Tom, our maintenance manager, has been painting some walls in the church and church hall.  He noticed that the blue chairs have smudged the walls in the back of the wings.  I asked him to remove all the blue chairs from the wings.  It's another step in getting the church back to something like normal.  We'll still spread out in the church.  If we need more seating, we'll add blue chairs to the church hall.

     Unfortunately, our state and federal governments are embracing abortion even more strongly than before.  And that will contribute to plummeting morals.  We need to respond with good, true, beautiful, and loving action to fill in the abyss of moral darkness.

     Because of Omicron, I was going to skip the upcoming pro-life events.  However, my immune system is strong against COVID.  And if there's any priest in Ocean County who should attend, it's me.  Bishop O'Connell appointed me as the Respect Life Chaplain for Ocean County.  Now, I plan to participate.  For the upcoming events, visit:

     I plan to concelebrate the Respect Life Mass on Friday, January 14th, at 9:30 AM at St. Mary's Cathedral in Trenton.  The rector, Msgr. Roldan, is scheduled to be the main celebrant.

     The Respect Life Mass will finish in time so that we can attend the Rally for Life from 11 AM to 1 PM outside the State House Annex at 145 West State Street in Trenton.  The rally is sponsored by New Jersey Right to Life.

     The biggest rally for life is the March for Life in Washington, D.C.  This year, it will take place on Friday, January 21st.  It may be the last time we march for the overturning of Roe vs. Wade.  Many of us expect the Supreme Court to overturn it in June.

     I just spoke with Ellen Conaghan who is running the bus from St. Peter's in Point Pleasant.  There's plenty of room on the bus.  You can call her at 732-899-7322 or 732-322-1873.  The bus will depart from St. Peter's at 7 AM.  We may have a Mass at 6:30 AM.

     I've attended the March for Life around 17 times.  Being with so many pro-life people energizes us for the rest of the year.  Promoting greater respect for all human life from conception until natural death is like a marathon.  We have to pace ourselves as we work hard for the long haul.  At all times, God is in charge and eager to fill us with grace.

God love you,

Fr. Jim