Bulletin & Events

Why the Pelican with Chicks is a symbol of the Eucharist?

02-16-2020Father Van Sloun

An image of a mother pelican with her chicks is carved into the capital on top of a pillar at the Cenacle, the upper room on Mount Zion in Jerusalem where tradition holds that Jesus shared the Last Supper with his apostles and instituted the Eucharist.

It is the only artwork in the entire room, and it is singularly appropriate because it is a symbol for Jesus and the Eucharist. Mother pelicans lay their eggs in a nest, and after the chicks hatch, the mothers leave the nest to hunt for food, return and feed the chicks. Many birds feed their young with worms. Pelicans usually live near the water, and their prey tend to be small fish, frog tadpoles, crayfish or salamanders.

Presidents Day Holiday

The Parish Offices will be closed on Mon, Feb 17 in observance of Presidents Day.

There will be no 7:00 am Mass.

Hope House Food Pantry

Thank you to all who so generously donate to our food pantry. This week the pantry is in need of the following items: Canned Fruit, Applesauce, Canned Meats & Stews, Mac & Cheese, Pancake Mix & Syrup, Feminine Products.

Please place items in the boxes located in the Narthex of the church. Please check dates on donations, we can not use any out of date products.

Lenten Crab Cake Sale

On Sale in the Narthex after all Masses Feb 8/9, Feb 15/16 and Feb 22/23.

They will be available for pick up in The Parish Center Feb 28 from 4:00pm to 6:00pm or Feb 29 from 4:30pm to 6:30pm.

Would you like to help us?

We will be purchasing a set of angels that will be placed in the new Adoration Chapel on either side of the Tabernacle.

If you would like to donate please call the Parish Office at 908-782-2922 ext. 1723.

Clases de Inglés

Feb 20, 2020: 7:00pm - 9:00pm (weekly)

La Iglesia de St. Magdalen brindará Clases de Inglés cada jueves, empezando el 16 de enero de 2020. Acompáñenos el día 16 en los salones del sótano de la iglesia.

Rosary Altar Society Meeting

Feb 20, 2020: 7:00pm

Join us for our next meeting in the Spiritual Formation Center.

Retrouvaille

Feb 21, 2020 - Feb 23, 2020

Retrouvaille is a Lifeline to Help Couple Heal and Renew their Marriages. The program consists of a weekend experience for married couples (no group discussions) with six follow-up sessions.

Young Adult Social

Feb 22, 2020: 6:00pm

Join us for our next social on Sat, Feb 22, meeting at 6:00pm in the back parking lot to carpool to Mini-Golf.

La Misa

Feb 23, 2020: 11:50am

Profundiza tu conocimiento de la Liturgia por medio de este curso del Obispo Robert Barron. Aprende como la Misa nos aleja del mundo caído y nos introduce al Reino de Los Cielos.

Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, Feb 26

Feb 26, 2020

Mass with distribution of ashes: 7:00am, 9:00am, 7:00pm, 8:30pm (Spanish)

Bulletin Downloads (PDF)

Liturgy Corner

How "active participation" can be something other than what you're thinking.

Hello, Katrina. My question for you is about actively participating at Mass. Is it still considered "participating" if I can't fully concentrate on the readings or the homily? My two daughters are 3 and 8 months and I'm usually pretty distracted with making sure they don't get too loud and fussy and disturb others around us. Some Sundays I completely miss all the readings and even the homily. I wonder if I should just wait until they're older to come to Mass so that I can concentrate and actually participate. Is it considered participating at Mass if I am barely mentally present?

Yes, you're still participating in the Mass! In fact, I would even argue that some "participation" starts the minute you wake up and make the decision to attend Mass. I remember the level of determination and will it required just to get out of the house with a small child, never mind the sheer Olympic feat required to even find a moment to shower, dress, and pack a diaper bag.