Dear Friends,

I pray you are all well and staying healthy in the midst of this pandemic.

As many of you know, I am currently out of state on a silent retreat, but I need to write you this evening to share an important announcement that I learned will be made public tomorrow (Wednesday).

In communion and collaboration with the Diocese of Paterson, the superiors of SOLT have decided to return the care of St. Mary’s parish back to the diocese at the end of June. As a community we have served St. Mary’s for the past 6 years, and it is with tremendous gratitude toward God, our Blessed Mother, and Bishop Serratelli that we have had the honor and privilege to serve the wonderful and faithful people of St. Mary’s!

Tomorrow morning, the Diocese of Paterson will announce the new pastoral assignments for the upcoming year. Included in those assignments will be the announcement that Father Lemmuel Camacho will be appointed the new Pastor of St. Mary’s Parish, effective June 29, 2020. Father Camacho currently serves as the Parochial Vicar of Corpus Christi Parish in Chatham Township.

I truly wish I could be with you at this moment and share this announcement in the usual manner at the end of Sunday Mass. Obviously due to so many unusual circumstances beyond our control, it is not possible to be present with you, but I felt it necessary to be the first to inform you of tomorrow’s announcement.

As disciples of Christ, we are challenged in moments like this to renew our faith in God and entrust ourselves evermore fully to the Lord, His providential care, and the intercession of our Blessed Mother. It is in this spirit that I confidently entrust all of you to the loving and merciful care of Jesus and Mary, and ask their blessings upon you as we journey through Holy Week to Easter Sunday.

God bless you and your loved ones, and I look forward to seeing you soon,

Fr. Derek