Thirty-five more people joined us for Mass inside our church this past weekend.  I'll ask Tom and Matt to add even more chairs in the church hall so that the space between rows on the north side is two tiles instead of 2.5.

4 PM       194            1

6 PM         63

8 AM         93            1

10 AM      159           6

12 PM      191           2

     According to COVIDActNow.org, NJ's daily new case numbers are still dropping faster than any other state or territory.  We ranked 3rd on January 10th.  NJ now ranks 48th out of 52 states and territories reporting daily new cases.  Hospitalizations are dropping too, but we rank 8th.

     We have eight funerals scheduled between tomorrow and next Monday with two tomorrow, one on Wednesday, three on Friday, and two next Monday.  Please pray for all the deceased and their families.

     Over the years I've noticed declines in the numbers of funerals and the understanding of the purposes of a funeral Mass.  Recently, I've come to appreciate that the vast majority of people who attend funerals are not practicing Catholics.  In fact, they religiously adhere to other faiths such as woke-ism, political correctness, scientism, Marxism, or modernism.  Even practicing Catholics tend to underappreciate the stages of grief and the importance of funeral rites:  vigil, funeral Mass, and burial.

    During the vigil, family and friends console one another.  During the funeral Mass, we pray for the salvation of the person's soul and for our own consolation.  We continue these prayers as we travel to the cemetery for the burial.  After the burial, there is often a time to share fond memories of the deceased.

     I sometimes get asked about eulogies.  Our current policy at St. John's is that eulogies could be given at the viewing, the burial, or the repast.  No eulogies will be allowed inside the church at any time.  Most of the eulogies I have heard fit best at the viewing.  This policy changed a year ago after a couple of extremely evil experiences.  Other pastors have taken similar action after being burned badly.

     Our main goals for funerals at St. John's are to pray for the deceased and help the mourners draw closer to Jesus Christ.  We do not attempt to fulfill those needs that are best filled at the viewing, burial, or repast.  It's good to console one another at the viewing and repast.  At the burial, be mindful that your loved one will be raised from the dead at that very spot when Jesus returns in all His glory.  At the funeral Mass in the church, you don't have to be so active in doing things.  Rather, let God love you and your loved one.  Be immersed in God's merciful love.

     Would you like to learn more about NJ politics, especially regarding pro-life issues?  Join me at the event advertised below.  I found Marie Tasy and Jim King very helpful on January 14th in Trenton.  I look forward to seeing the president of the South Jersey Catholic Medical Guild.  A dozen years ago, I encouraged some doctors to start a chapter in the Diocese of Trenton.  That hasn't happened yet.  Maybe now is a good time.

God love you,

Fr. Jim