Usually, I write on Monday and Friday.  I'm writing a couple days early because of the following event:

     Our bishop invites all of us to join him for a Mass for Life this Friday, January 20th, at 11 AM.  I'll be concelebrating the Mass at St. Robert's, 61 Georgia Road, Freehold.  The video above is the link for the livestreaming.

     The lunch and seminar following the Mass for Life is already full.  Dr. Charles Camosy is the keynote speaker.  He'll be talking about Bringing the Church Together to Build a Culture of Life.  I'll report to you next Monday.  A cleaned up recording will be available about a week later.

     Rachel Hendricks coordinates respect life ministries in the Diocese of Trenton.  As chaplain for Ocean County, I meet with her and the other chaplains quarterly.  Recently, she has been on radio and a podcast.

     I would normally attend the March for Life in Washington, D.C., on Friday, but I can't be in two places at once.  You can view coverage on EWTN or visit March for Life.  You could also obtain a plenary indulgence.  See here.

     Sister Andre Randon, aged 118, has departed this life.  Read about it here.  Let's pray for the repose of her soul.

     The USCCB is sponsoring a novena in which we'll pray to protect human life.  Sign-up here.

     Normally, we'd pray for the legal protection of unborn children on January 22nd.  But this year, it's moved to Monday, January 23rd.  I'll use the prayers in the back of the Roman Missal at the 8 AM Mass.

     Our music director, Holly Hartline, is moving north five hours after January 31st.  One of the reasons is that we don't have enough snow here in New Jersey.  As a result, we need a new music director.  I have reached out to three people recommended by Holly.  I'm open to more recommendations.

     Let's pray for each other's intentions.  Here are a few to get us started:

1)  For the repose of the soul of Sr. Andre Randon.

2)  For a successful and safe move for Holly and her family.

3)  That we find a good music director.

4)  For greater respect for all human life from conception through natural death.

5)  For all of us that we would grow in knowledge, wisdom, and love regarding respect for human life.

God love you,

Fr. Jim