We will have 8 AM daily Masses on Thanksgiving and Friday, November 27th.  The office will be closed both days.  We normally keep the church closed when the office is closed.  That means the church will be closed from 2-4 both days, and there won't be a holy hour on Friday either.  It'll be a time that immediate families can enjoy time together as they connect by phone or virtually with extended families.

     Today, our bishop used the word bizarre.  He asked us priests to remind everyone to receive Holy Communion properly.  In some parishes, some people have not consumed the host.  Rather, they walked away with it.  I haven't seen that here at St. John's in a long time.  When it has happened, it's usually at funerals when we get people who have no idea what's going on and don't understand the instructions I give.

     Yesterday, I received two strange e-mails from Deacon Anthony's nephew in Italy.  He said that he would come to America and slap my face.  Even though he apologized, I will be alerting the Lakehurst police.

     I find that the pandemic and social unrest have raised tensions among many people.  Some are behaving rather strangely.

     I am alerting you because I'm trying to be transparent with respect to Deacon Anthony's case.  I sure hope I don't have to write to you again about it - except perhaps when there's an outcome.

     To my very pleasant surprise, the new outdoor speakers sound great.  I haven't tested the FM transmitter yet.  We're broadcasting to the parking lot on FM 91.5.  Next week, Tom will do a little tweaking to improve the sound even more.

     Due to strange behavior during the pandemic and the general lowering in quality of eulogies, we no longer permit any kind of eulogy or words of remembrance on campus at any time before, during, or after a funeral Mass.  To my horror, speakers have revealed their own mortal sins or the mortal sins of the deceased.  If someone wants to speak about the deceased, they could do that at the viewing or luncheon.  I recommend saying only good things about the deceased.

     At St. John's, we are privileged to offer families the celebration of a funeral Mass.  During funeral Masses, we worship God and pray for the deceased as well as the consolation of those grieving.  We do not offer those things that are better done at viewings, burials, or luncheons.

     Because of the pandemic we ask every household to stay six feet apart while entering, praying in church, and leaving.  Wear masks.  Don't socialize.  Enter into the sacred mysteries, pray, and let God love you.

 
     When you sign-up for Formed, sign up as a parishioner.  To find our parish, just type in "Lakehurst".  We're second on the list after the naval base.

God love you,

Fr. Jim