Holy Spirit Roman Catholic Church

318 Newark-Pompton Turnpike

Pequannock, NJ 07440

Rev. David Monteleone Pastor

My dear parishioners:

One of the values of reading history is to benefit both from the good and the bad that happened. If we do not we are certainly doomed to repeat the mistakes made in the past. We have so much good to build on from the knowledge that has been handed on to us.

Technologically we have advances that people even less than a century ago could never have dreamed of. Last Tuesday as I was praying the breviary there was this passage from the prophet Ezekiel where God said to him: “The sins of the house of Israel are great beyond measure; the land is filled with bloodshed, the city with lawlessness. They think that the Lord has forsaken the land, that he does not see them. I, however, will not look upon them with pity, nor show any mercy. I will bring down their conduct upon their heads.” It was not God who abandoned His people, it was the people who turned away from Him. Is that not happening now with the violence, anger, hatred, and divisions we have in our nation at this point?

Who or what fuels anger and division? Where do we get our information? In our technological society, we have 24 hours of news and commentary every day of the year. We look to support ourselves by watching CNN, Fox, or any of the other channels that not only tell us what we want to hear, but even more get us angry and tense inside. Which channel will bring peace personally and with one another? The answer is as true today as it was at the time of Ezekiel who prophesied between 593 and 573 years before the birth of Jesus. Our only hope for peace is from the author of life and peace, God Himself. And we have the fullness of His revelation and truth in Jesus Christ. We call Him our Savior, Redeemer, God, brother, and friend. Do we really believe that? The only way to come to believe is to pray every day and come to Mass every week, giving Him our full and undivided attention when we do so. Prayer and Mass open our minds and hearts to God and His love for us. No country has flourished for 2,000 years as the Church has. Yes, we have had some terrible times as clergy and laity. The recent scandal of abuse by priests is so sad. But in spite of the sins committed, God still loves us and is there for us every moment of our lives. The prayer I say at night from the breviary simply makes that clear: ”Protect us, Lord, as we stay awake; watch over us as we sleep, That awake, we may keep watch with Christ, and asleep, rest in His peace.” God loves us every moment of our lives. He is the source of all life.

The Ten Commandments have kept Israel as a people for more than 3,000 years. As we read the Old Testament we see their ups and downs. Every time they turned away from God and disregarded any of the Ten Commandments they fell apart. Read the Old Testament and see. It is there for our benefit and help. No one but God has what we need - Himself as the Way, the Truth, and the Life in Jesus. He is the one who shows us the way to get beyond killing each other literally through murder, violence, vicious anger, abortion, and neglect. Dare we take the Ten Commandments to heart personally and communally?

Let us have hope in God and hope in each other. May we continue to pray for each other during these challenging times and not lose focus on what really counts; our relationship with God and each other.

Fr. David

“In the Spirit” Volume 5, No. 5

September/October 2020

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HOLY SPIRIT PARISH MISSION STATEMENT

We the people of Holy Spirit Parish are a worshipping

community, called by God, and empowered by the

Holy Spirit, sharing joyfully the Good News of

Jesus Christ’s message of love and salvation.

We offer prayer, fellowship, hospitality, service and

outreach with all who seek a relationship with Christ.

PREPARATION FOR FIRST EUCHARIST IS A TWO-YEAR PROCESS

If you have a child, or know someone who has a child who entered first grade in September, now is the time to register for Religious Formation. Our program this fall is at home. It is not an on-line program. Parents will be invited to safely pick up materials for their student, complete weekly assignments at their own convenience, and check in regularly with their catechist .

Registration forms can be found on our website (holyspiritparishnj.org) or you may email the office and a form will be sent.

If you have any questions, please leave a message at 973-696-1234 ext 8 or send an email to sbuholyspirit@yahoo.com.

Thank you and we look forward to the rewarding experience of partnering with you in the faith formation of your child. Please remember with special prayers the 29 children of Holy Spirit Parish who will receive their first Eucharist at three Mass celebrations on Saturday, September 26. First Eucharist had been postponed from May due to the pandemic and temporary closure of our churches.

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HOLY SPIRIT PARISH WELCOMED BISHOP KEVIN SWEENEY ON

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13

Special thanks to Mary Lou Weinberg and Rita Ann Gilfedder for their work in “polishing” the sanctuary, and selecting and placing the floral arrangements to ensure that our church looked its very best for our new Bishop’s first visit here.

Shown left prior to the beginning of Mass are Fr.

Jared Brogan, in residence at Holy Spirit; Bishop

Kevin J. Sweeney; Fr. David Monteleone, Pastor,

and Deacon Michael Scruggs.

Bishop Kevin Sweeney made a pastoral visit to Holy Spirit Church on Sunday, September 13, and celebrated Mass for the 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time. The pastoral visit had originally been scheduled for Sunday, May 31, which was Pentecost Sunday, and the feast day of Holy Spirit Church. When public Masses were suspended beginning in March due to the pandemic, the Bishop’s Mass was rescheduled.

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“Brothers and sisters: None of us lives for oneself, and no

one dies for oneself. For if we live, we live for the Lord, and if we die, we die for the Lord; so then, whether we live or die, we

are the Lord’s. For this is why Christ died and

came to life, that he might be Lord of both the

dead and the living.”

Romans 14:7-9

“I give you a new commandment”,

says the Lord: “love one another as I have

loved you.”

John 13:34

The Lord is kind and merciful, slow

to anger, and rich in compassion.

“Bless the LORD, O my soul;

and all my being,

bless his holy name.

Bless the LORD, O my soul,

and forget not all his benefits.”

Psalm 1-3:1-2

Thank you to Kathy Washington and to “The Beacon”

for the photographs of the Bishop’s Mass.

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What is Operation Christmas Child? Operation Christmas Child is a program in which individuals, families, churches, schools, and other groups fill shoeboxes with school supplies, hygiene items, fun toys, and notes of love and encouragement. The shoeboxes are delivered to one of 4500 drop off locations in all 50 States and Puerto Rico, where they will be checked, registered, and sent to countries where children are in great need. For additional information, please see https://www.samaritanspurse.org/operation-christmas-child/fact-sheet-occ/.

Need is Greater than Ever! The COVID-19 global pandemic has disrupted everyday life for millions of people around the world. Boys and girls around the world need to know that God loves them and has not forgotten them during this time of fear and uncertainty. Children need great joy now more than ever. Most of all, they need the hope found only in knowing Jesus and knowing the love all of us can show through our careful selection of small gifts.

What to Pack Please bring your gift or gifts to Holy Spirit Church during the collection period. At the end of the collection, the gifts will be divided into separate shoeboxes for children of a specific age group and gender, and then prepared for delivery to one of the drop off locations in northern New Jersey.

Remember: THINK SMALL. Everything has to fit in a shoebox. Each shoe box should contain one “WOW” item, like a small stuffed animal, a small doll, a ball, a car, an article of clothing, a drawstring bag, a small musical instrument like a harmonica or wooden/plastic “flute”—something that would immediately catch a child’s attention. The box will then be filled to (almost) overflowing with small toys, hygiene items, and school supplies—crayons, pencils, pencil sharpener, markers, paper….

What NOT to Pack We cannot include candy; toothpaste; used or damaged items; war-related items such as toy guns, knives, or military figures; chocolate or food; seeds; fruit rolls or other fruit snacks; drink mixes (powdered or liquid); liquids or lotions; medications or vitamins; breakable items such as snow globes or glass containers; aerosol cans.

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Christmas Angel Trees

Through the annual coordination work of Anne

and Mike Tizio, Holy Spirit parishioners

participate in “angel tree” charitable giving by

donating gifts, gift cards or cash to help

families in need from Holy Spirit Parish and

School; clients of Straight and Narrow; and

clients of Catholic Family and Community

Services.

Angel trees will be hung on the first weekend

of Advent, which this year is November 29/30.

Thanks to the Scruggs/Lodato Family for modeling “the new normal” at Holy Spirit Church.

NEED EXISTS…… NOW MORE THAN EVER

STATUS OF ONGOING SACRISTY RENOVATION PROJECT BY A 2018 HOLY SPIRIT SCHOOL GRADUATE

Watch for additional announcements as

decisions are made regarding the annual coat

collection and other Christmas–season

events.

David Braen is a Life Scout of Troop 159 in Hewitt, NJ and graduate of Holy Spirit School, Class of 2018. David is working towards his Eagle Project, and has chosen to benefit Holy Spirit Church “in gratitude for the outstanding education I received at Holy Spirit School”. David needs to complete a project that benefits the community in order to achieve the rank of Eagle. He is raising funds to renovate the sacristy and beautify the grounds surrounding the parish. David’s project consists of retiling the sacristy floor, painting walls and cabinets, replacing drawer handles, replacing the countertop, and hanging new window treatments. Outdoors, David plans to purchase new benches to replace those that are missing. If you are able to help David with the cost of his planned renovations, please visit his GoFundMe page at https://www.gofundme.com/f/holy-spirit-church-sacristy-renovation-and-grounds. If you prefer to donate by check, please contact the parish office at (973) 696-1234 for the best way to get the funds to David.

Sacristy floor work in progress

THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 8

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Holy Spirit School is open for in-person instruction five days per week in full compliance with all State and Diocesan Mandates. Additionally, protocols implemented meet or exceed all CDC guidelines. Principal Sr. Marie Antonelli credits school parents; a dedicated “above and beyond the call of duty” teaching and administrative staff; various task force and committee members; Holy Spirit parishioners, and other friends of Holy Spirit School for the ability of the school to open on schedule and with protective measures in place. Sr. Marie commented, ‘We have been preparing for months for our re-opening, and ask that you keep us in your prayers as we begin the new school year. Each classroom has been prepared and the much-needed new supplies have been purchased. Our staff has begun a new way of teaching, and our students a new way of learning whether in person or remotely (by family choice). We will endeavor to bring some “normalcy” to their lives.” In planning for the re-opening, and in meeting the challenges and opportunities of each day, the safety and health of the faculty, staff and students is the top priority of Holy Spirit School.

GENERAL PROTOCOLS*

(1) Parent Screening done at home.

(2) Four entrances used each morning to enable social

distancing.

(3) Students are temperature-screened upon entering

the building.

(4) Desks are distanced, with a protective barrier

installed on each individual desk.

(5) Students’ belongings are kept separate, with

backpacks, lunchboxes and jackets being kept in a

closed plastic bin next to each student’s desk.

(6) Mask are worn at all times in the classroom. Daily

outdoor breaks and recess allow for mask-free time.

(7) Supplies will not be shared.

(8) Each classroom has a disinfecting station for

required sanitizing of hands when entering or

exiting the classroom.

(9) Hallways and stairways are marked for one-way

movement.

(10) Procedures are being implemented for a rigid

schedule of “fogging”, sanitizing surfaces, door

knobs, railings, etc.

(11) Air conditioning units run continuously throughout

the day. Air is filtered through the unit. Windows

and doors will be opened to enable circulation of

fresh air.

(12) Restrooms will be limited occupancy, and water

fountains are closed.

(13) Visitors are no permitted to enter the building due to

COVID restrictions at this time.

*This does not constitute an exhaustive list of

protocols. Additional procedures are in place for

drop off, pick up, latch key, distancing both indoors

and out, etc.

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EXERCISING RESPONSIBLE PRECAUTIONS, BUT SO HAPPY TO BE BACK!!!

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Msgr. Eugene B. McQuaid became pastor of Holy Spirit Church in 1966. He faithfully served the people of God in Pequannock for twenty-eight years, until his retirement in June 1994. In recognition of his many accomplishments while in ministry at Holy Spirit and in thanksgiving for his total dedication to the support of the parish school, this annual golf outing is named in his honor. May God bless this event each year in honor of Msgr. McQuaid; who was a warm and kind priest and lover of this sport.

Each year the school is responsible for generating $200,000 through our fund raising efforts to keep up with general maintenance as well as ensuring that the classrooms provide an environment

that is conducive to learning.

This annual event provides an opportunity for our supporters to enjoy a day on the golf course with all those who share a common interest in Holy Spirit School.

Cost for an Individual golfer is $150, which includes lunch, on-course beverages, dinner, green fees, cart, contests, awards and a gift bag. Many sponsorship opportunities are available. Please check the school website under “Community”, then “Golf Outing”.

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“THANK YOU” TO OUR CHURCH COMMUNITY (AND BEYOND!)

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Holy Spirit School is grateful to a special group of caring friends, Dana LaForgia, Janel Corrado, and Lisa Darby, who put their love of neighbor into action by giving back to community with a generous donation for the new Holy Spirit school year! Sr. Marie Antonelli, Principal, thankfully accepts valuable gifts of 200 disposable masks, 65 face shields, and 30 gowns from these wonderful women who have chosen their way to demonstrate an appreciation for the Holy Spirit family!

Special “Thank you” to all of our caring friends from Holy Spirit Church and beyond who responded so generously to the extraordinary needs of the school due to the ongoing pandemic:

For those who bought or sold raffle tickets…..

We thank you!

For those who responded to our request for donations to help cover the additional cost of protective equipment, sanitizing supplies, etc.

We thank you!

For those who volunteered their time to help with the planning, moving furniture, measuring, taping, preparing signage, etc.

We thank you!

For those who offered a kind word, an expression of appreciation, a message of hope and support, a smile....

We thank you!

For those who prayed for our successful re-opening for in-person instruction.

We thank you!

For those who continue to keep us in your daily prayers, asking God’s help, protection and blessings for all who enter our school building.

We thank you!

May God Bless You, Our Caring Friends and Supporters

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FLOCK NOTE

AWAY FROM YOUR HOME PARISH ON THE WEEKEND?

Go to www.masstimes.org to find convenient Mass

times and schedules wherever you are traveling.

But….always remember to come back to

Holy Spirit !!

Check our websites regularly Holy Spirit Church www.holyspiritparishnj.org Holy Spirit School www.holyspiritschoolpequannock.org

Find us on Facebook Holy Spirit Church https://www.facebook.com/HolySpiritParishPequannock/ Holy Spirit School https://www.facebook.com/holyspiritpequannock/

Follow us on Instagram

FLOCK NOTE USEFUL LINKS AND REFERNCES

Holy Spirit Church recently converted to using “FlockNote”, which is the Diocesan standard for the most efficient and effective communication with parishioners. Flock Note provides for communication via email or text message, an optional feature which we plan to activate in the near future. If you have been receiving our parish emails, your email address was uploaded to the new email provider, so no action is needed on your part. Look for additional information in the near future about “opting in” for text messaging. If you are not receiving our parish emails or know someone who would like to be connected with our church community, please email kimrizzo@holyspiritparishnj.org.

Holy Spirit Church, Pequannock www.holyspiritparishnj.org Online Giving for Holy Spirit Church https://holyspiritparishnj.churchgiving.com/

Holy Spirit School, Pequannock https://holyspiritschoolpequannock.org/ The Religious Teachers Filippini https://www.filippiniusa.org/ St. Paul Inside the Walls: The Catholic Center for Evangelization at Bayley-Ellard https://www.insidethewalls.org/

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Daily Readings https://bible.usccb.org/daily-bible-reading

Diocese of Paterson https://www.patersondiocese.org/

The Vatican http://www.vatican.va/content/vatican/en.html