Please watch your mailbox for a letter from Bishop Checchio coming to you this week announcing the 2024 Bishop’s Annual Appeal. Our parish can share in a successful Appeal by earning a rebate of 50% of the amount collected over goal.

Through your support of the Bishop’s Annual Appeal, you help those in our diocese whose needs are the greatest—the poor, the homeless, and those struggling with illness or grief. Among other needed pastoral ministries, your gift also supports the formation of seminarians and many other vital services. The many pastoral, educational and charitable ministries of the Diocese of Metuchen
would not be possible without a generous contribution from every household. Please be as generous as your means allow.

1. The days of both fast and abstinence are Ash Wednesday (February 14) and Good Friday (March 29).
2. The other Fridays of Lent (Feb. 16 and 23, Mar. 1, 8, 15, and 22) are days of abstinence.
3. Fasting in the Roman Catholic tradition means to limit oneself to one full meal with two smaller meals which together do not equal the size of your full meal.  The obligation of fasting applies only to Catholics between the ages of 18 and 59.
4. Abstinence in the Roman Catholic tradition means to abstain from eating meat (beef, chicken, pork, turkey, etc.).  The obligation of abstinence applies to all Catholics who have reached the age of 14.

Note: This year, be aware that Ash Wednesday falls on February 14 (also Valentine’s Day).  The obligation to fast does remain in effect, so it is suggested that those who are planning a special dinner make that their one main meal of the day.

“At the 10th National Eucharistic Congress, our Catholic family will gather to experience profound, personal renewal through the power of Christ’s love. Like a new Pentecost, this transformation will flow out from Indianapolis to bring revival in our communities as the Church returns to her first love—the source and summit of our faith”