With the approach of Election Day this Tuesday and the surrounding charged atmosphere during these uncertain times, it is easy to get caught up in the endless news cycle and the messaging of political pundits, not to mention the confusion that so much bad information has sewn among social media users.
Sgt. Jim Kelly of the Brick Township Police Department and liaison with the Brick Clergy Ministerium, after numerous discussions with township faith leaders, has developed a fact sheet that I would like to share with you:
- Elections are not controlled or overseen federally. Elections are administered by each individual state.
- New Jersey has a solid and reliable elections process in operation.
- Cybersecurity units on the state level have been intensely monitoring and securing our elections system since 2018.
- The Department of Homeland Security maintains districts throughout the country for purpose of efficiently planning and conducting security measures based on the different needs and situations for each region. The district under which our state falls has served and continues to serve as a great resource and partner in New Jersey’s efforts for a secure and reliable election here.
- All votes in N.J. will be counted so long as they’re submitted before the deadline, which is 8PM on November 3rd .
- As a people of faith, it is important to embrace that great virtue, patience. We must be patient to allow for the electoral districts to report their results. Because of an increase in mail-in voting, the counting will likely take a little longer than what we’re used to. So please avoid any early celebrations (or condemnations) on the results, and allow for the process to work at its own pace.
- The boards of Elections have added extra help and employees to facilitate the voting process. Election-process attorneys and judges are on standby throughout the whole country to handle any legal situations that might arise during elections. Please note that this is normal; it has just never been brought to our attention before as there hasn’t been such a potentially contentious election seen in our lifetimes. Rest assured, in New Jersey, all is well, and I feel I can even say that throughout the vast majority of the whole country the elections process can be trusted.
- Once the official results have been announced, please be willing to accept the outcome. In addition to being an important exercise of our representative democracy, this is one of the benefits of belonging to a faith community. Let us rely on our faith and on God to continually watch over us, and to accept the official results, for the sake of our community and our neighbors.
- Please continue to be loving and respectful to those with whom we disagree.
- Locally, we are not expecting any protests related to the election.
- Brick Township lacks a town center and a “Main Street” on which protesters can gather for an effective demonstration. There are shopping centers and parks, but the township is laid out in such a way that mitigates against major disruption due to civil unrest.
- Also, the majority of our residents are seniors and working class families. These two demographics are not likely to pour into the side streets of their retirement villages and neighborhoods in protest of the election results. So let any concerns you may have about such disturbing events be allayed.
- However, in the event there is an undesirable response to the elections, either during Election Day or in the days following, we are prepared, as always, and ready to serve our community by maintaining the peace and orderliness of this city.
I hope this message serves as an encouragement to all of you and your congregants that all ought to be well in New Jersey, and especially in Brick.
Sgt. James Kelly and the Brick Clergy Ministerium
N.B. You may vote by mail (the ballot must be postmarked by the deadline), by dropping off your signed ballot at your designated polling place or at a municipal ballot drop box (for details see https://patch.com/new-jersey/brick/s/h8stk/key-2020-voting-deadlines-in-new-jersey).
For Brick, here is a link to a YouTube video (starring Sgt. Kelly) explaining the use of the ballot drop boxes to vote: https://youtu.be/gZUwo4a0hBg
One nation, under God, with liberty and justice for all.
A review of our Mass and sacramental schedule for this weekend:
Saturday 10/31
Confessions
3-3:45PM in the Rectory Chapel
Masses
4PM - Mass WITH a congregation, in-church Communion during Mass (no outdoor Communion afterwards)
Sunday 11/1 - All Saints Day
9AM - Mass Live streamed WITH a congregation. Outdoor Communion will be available afterwards and radio reception available in the parking lot at 107.7FM
11AM - Mass WITH a congregation, in-church Communion during Mass (no outdoor Communion afterwards) PLEASE NOTE: While making a reservation is not required, we are encouraging people to do so; this way you can be assured of having a seat. We have noticed that in-church attendance is steadily increasing and, in anticipation that we may reach capacity at weekend Masses, we have prepared the Church Hall for social distancing and live-streaming the Mass from upstairs. When needed, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion will bring the Blessed Sacrament so that people in the Church Hall can receive Communion during Mass.
To access TAKE YOUR PLACE AT TABLE and/or to volunteer to help our Liturgical Environment Ministry in parking, seating or cleaning, please visit our parish website at www.visitationrcchurch.org/take-your-place-at-table
Those without Internet access (and please let your friends and neighbors know!) can call (732) 477-0075
Sunday 9AM Live-stream Mass
Not yet ready to return to the church building? WE UNDERSTAND and will continue to offer live streamed Mass on Sundays at 9AM with outdoor Communion available in the church parking lot. See this weekend's Mass on YouTube at
Parents: don't forget to visit the Diocese of Trenton's one-page resource for families, Faith At Home, updated each week at www.dioceseoftrenton.org/faith-at-home and en español at www.dioceseoftrenton.org/fe-en-casa.
This week's edition:
We continue to pray for an end to the virus, those who are infected and those who care for the sick. May God continue to bless us and keep us close to Him.