The following parishes, schools and organizations in the Diocese of Trenton have announced these upcoming events:
Burlington County
Mary, Mother of the Church Parish Bereavement Ministry, Bordentown, will host a six-session “Grieving the Death of a Loved One” April 10 through May 22. Sessions will meet every Wednesday from 2 to 3:30 p.m. in St. Mary School, 45 Crosswicks St., Bordentown. Topics include “The Search for Acceptance: Beginning the Journey,” April 10; “Bumps Along the Way: The Emotional Journey,” April 17; “Is This the Right Road? Adjusting to the Journey,” April 24; “The Search for Meaning: The Spiritual Journey,” May 1; “The Search for Connectedness: The Continuing Journey,” May 8. To attend, contact the rectory at 609-298-0261; email: bereavement@mmotcp.org and a bereavement facilitator will return the message. Non-parishioners are welcome to attend.
Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish, Moorestown, will host a six-week presentation for married couples April 16, 23, 30, May 7, 21 and 28. Participants must register by calling the parish office for limited seating. The book: “Falling In Love … Finding God: Marriage and the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola,” may be purchased on Amazon at $9 for Kindle version or $16 for paperback. Father Jim Grogan, parish pastor, will facilitate the presentation. The parish is located at 42 W. Main St.
Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish, Hainesport, will host an American Red Cross blood drive April 27 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the parish center, 1603 Marne Highway. Sign-ups will be held April 13-14 and April 20-21.
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, Maple Shade, will host an American Red Cross blood drive April 25 from 2 to 7 p.m. in Nolan Hall, 236 E. Main St. To register, call 800-733-2767 or visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter KOCMS.
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Council, Knights of Columbus, Maple Shade, will host a spaghetti dinner April 19 from 5 to 7 p.m. in Nolan Hall, 236 E. Main St. Tickets at $15 per person or $5 for children ages 8 to 12, may be purchased at the door. Children under age 8 are admitted free.
Sacred Heart Parish, Riverton, will host a bake sale April 13-14 after all Masses. Volunteers are also needed to provide baked goods and to assist with selling. For more information, contact Bridget at 856-829-0090, ext. 118.
St. Joseph Council, Knights of Columbus (Palmyra-Riverton) is offering scholarship money to students accepted to Holy Cross Preparatory Academy, Delran, in the fall of 2024. Applicants are open to graduating eighth grade students and students who had not previously applied. Scholarship money will be awarded to a limited number of applicants based on their responses to two essay questions, “What does your faith mean to you?” and “Why do you want to continue your education at a Catholic high school?” Applications must include; student name and signature; parent name and signature; home address; telephone number; email address; student’s parish; student’s current school; a list of the student’s extracurricular activities. Essays and complete application should be emailed to zks0007@verizon.net by June 1.
St. Mary of the Lakes Parish Youth Group, Y.E.S., Medford, is participating in Operation Yellow Ribbon by collecting items for military personnel serving overseas. Donations of any or all of the following items may be brought to the parking lot or street entrance by April 5 protein/energy bars, protein powder, liquid or powder drink mixes, pouches of tuna fish or chicken (not canned), chewing gum/candy, potato chips in cylinder, trail mix/dried fruit, beef jerky, breakfast bars, baby powder and wipes, toothbrush/paste, saline eye drops, Chapstick, tissues, hand sanitizer, sunscreen (lotion only), ground coffee/tea bags, deodorant (stick only), shampoo/conditioner, bath soap, body lotion, shower sponges/loofahs, cotton swabs, feminine hygiene items.
Mercer County
St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Hightstown, will host a health fair April 14 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Screenings will be available for vision, glucose, blood pressure and cancer. Opportunities to ask questions to physicians and learn about community and social services will be available. Health providers in attendance include RWJ Health Institution for Prevention; Department HS Commission for the Blind; United Way of Greater Mercer County; Penn Medicine; Capital Health; Rutgers Cancer Institute; West Windsor Health Department; Trenton Health Team; Greater Mercer TMA; Peritt Labs; Department of Children and Families Pediatrics Department, and Rise. The parish is located at 156 Maxwell Ave.
St. David the King Parish, 1 New Village Rd., Princeton Junction, will host a four-week bereavement series beginning April 9. The series will offer an overview of loss and grief. Each session will address how to slowly integrate the loss one has experienced and the grief that comes with it. sessions will meet Tuesday evenings April 9, 16, 23 and 30 from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m. Registration is limited. No pre-work or reading is required. For details visit stdavidtheking.com/bereavement or leave a message at 609-785-1118 (Google Voice.)
St. David the King Parish, 1 New Village Rd., Princeton Junction, will serve as the site for a concert presented by the Koinonia Catholic Academy Choir April 14 at 1 p.m.
The Catholic Community of Hopewell Valley will host a community-wide diaper drive April 13-21 to benefit the Columbiette’s Program for Young Mothers; Homefront’s Annual Diaper Challenge, and Early Childhood Programs. Donations may be brought to the rectory porch at St. Alphonsus Parish, 54 E. Prospect St., Hopewell; St. Geroge Church, 1370 River Rd., Titusville, during Mass times only, and the coat closet in St. James Parish, 115 E. Delaware Ave., Pennington.
The Catholic Community of Hopewell Valley will present season four of The Chosen. On Friday evenings, the presentations will be held in St. Alponsus Parish Hall, 54 E. Prospect St., Hopewell, starting at 6:30 p.m. on the following Fridays: April 19, 26, May 3, 10. A pizza dinner will be provided. The series will be offered in St. George Church, 1370 River Rd., Titusville, at 1 p.m. on April 17, 24, May 1, 8. In St. James Parish, 115 E. Delaware Ave., the presentations will be held at 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. on the following Tuesdays: April 16, 23, 30 and May 7.
Monmouth County
Francis House of Prayer, 84 Walnford Rd., Allentown, will host a retreat: “Unceasing Prayer: The Way of the Pilgrim,” Apri. 16 form 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Presenter is Sister of St. Joseph Marcy Springer, retreat house director. Fee is $30 if attending in-person and includes lunch or $25 for online participants. To register, call 609-877-0509 or visit fhop.org.
Francis House of Prayer, 84 Walnford Rd., Allentown, will host an in-person Earth Day retreat April 22 from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Donation is $20. To register, call call 609-877-0509 or visit fhop.org.
Holy Family Parish, Hazlet, will host “Biblical Walk with Our Blessed Mother Mary, a video presentation featuring Dr. Edward Sri. Evening sessions will be held on Monday evenings at 7 p.m. in Memorial Hall on the following dates: April 15, 22, 20, May 6, 13, 20 and June 3. Morning sessions will be held at 9:30 a.m. on the following dates: April 16, 23, 30, May 7, 14, 21 and June 4. To register, call 732-673-1893.
Holy Innocents Parish, Neptune, has scheduled its spring Bible Study on The Prophets. Sessions will meet March 6, 13, 20, April 3, 10, 17, 24, May 1, 8, 15 and, if needed, May 22. No session on May 27. Participants are to purchase materials directly from Ascension Press at https://ascensionpress.com/collections/prophets-messengers-of-gods-mercy. The hard copy of The Prophets workbook is $27.95. In addition, the online access option is $6.95 that includes the digital workbook and the weekly video to review at home. Persons in need of assistance with registration can contact Kim DiBiase at biblehollyinnocents@gmail.com. Otherwise registration forms may be found online by clicking here. Once forms are completed, they must be submitted t the parish office or given directly to Kim DiBiase.
Rev. Joseph J. Donnelly Council, Knights of Columbus, Atlantic Highlands, will host a “Sinatra Night and Comedy Show” April 20 in the Charles Hesse Parish Center, 55 South Ave., Atlantic Highlands. Admission is 5:30 p.m. Dinner will be served from 6 to 9 p.m. general admission is $40 and includes buffet dinner, dessert, soft beverages, entertainment. To attend, call 862-368-0801 or complete slip from parish bulletin https://www.jppc.net/onlinebulletins/599template.pdf and mail to 180 Navesink Ave., Highlands, N.J 07732. Make checks payable to K of C #11660.
St. Benedict Food Pantry, Holmdel, is in need of donations of the following items: diapers (all sizes especially 5 and 6), baby food (stages 2/3), baby wipes, children’s cereal and snacks, coffee and tea, juice for adults and children, soup, bar soap, shampoo and conditioner, toothpaste, toothbrushes and mouthwash, laundry detergent, dish detergent, paper products – toilet tissue, paper towels.
St. Jerome School PTA, West Long Branch, will host its 43rd annual gift auction and fashion show April 20 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in St. George Greek Orthodox Church, 1033 West Park Ave., Ocean Township. Tickets are $60 per person and includes buffet lunch, gift auction and eighth grade fashion show. An option to attend the gift auction only from 10 to 11:30 is also available. All guests must be over age 21. To sign up, visit signupgenius.com/go/sjs2024.
St. Joseph Parish, 91 Stillhouse Rd., Millstone, will host “Stations of the Resurrection” April 19 at 7 p.m.
St. Michael Parish, Long Branch, will host a Bible study on the Book of Exodus on Thursdays from April 18 to May 23 in the lower church. Morning session will run from 9 to 10:30 a.m. and evening session will be from 7 to 8:30 p.m. To reserve a seat and obtain a study guide, call 732-222-3164. The church is located at 800 Ocean Ave.
St. Rose High School and St. Rose Grammar School, Belmar, will hold a spring clothing drive April 13 from 8 to 10 a.m. Accepted items include: clothing, shoes, accessories, soft household goods, small toys, stuffed animals and blankets. Unacceptable items include sports equipment, board games, pots and pans, electronics, glass, large toys, VCR tapes or baby equipment. Items may be dropped off at St. Rose Red Brick parking lot. All money raised will benefit both schools. For more information, email: lchiodo@gmail.com.
St. Rose Parish, Belmar, will host a new eight-session Scripture study on the Gospel of St. John Feb. 28-April 24. Sessions will meet on Wednesdays from 9:45 to 11:30 a.m. in the parish center, 603 Seventh Ave. (Participants should enter through Eighth Ave. parking lot.) There will be no class March 27. Coffee will be available at 9:30. Registration/book cost is $25. Participants may attend in-person or online. Contact is Mercy Sister Donna D’Alia, 732-681-0512, ext. 419 or srdonna@strosebelmar.com.
St. Teresa of Calcutta Parish Women’s Bible Study, Bradley Beach, will host “A Biblical Walk with the Blessed Mother” on Tuesdays from March 26 to May 14. Sessions will be held at 9:30 to 11 a.m. in O’Hara Hall of Ascension Church, 501 Brinley Ave. The sessions include 30-minute video followed by discussion. The workbook is $24.95 or for Online Access at $5.95 and includes video access and online workbook and may be purchased at Ascension Press. To register, contact Janice Cuttingham, 732-539-9915 or janicecuttingham@aol.com.
St. Thomas More Parish, Manalapan, will offer a seven-week Bible study on “The Prophets: Messenger of God’s Mercy: April 9-May 21. Sessions will meet on Tuesday evenings at 7 p.m. in Petri Hall. Msgr. Peter Kochery, parochial vicar, will facilitate the study. Fee is $40. To register, call 732-277-5560 or email: fmg4@aol.com.
The Society of St. Cecilia in St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Red Bank, will present “From Darkness to Light, The Music of Ola Gjelo” April 19 at 7:30 p.m. in the church located at 124 Chestnut St. The combined choirs of the Red Bank Oratory and the Diocesan Festival Choir withi the Orchestra of St. Cecilia, under the direction of Shawn Mack, will perform. A freewill offering will be taken. For more information, call 732-747-0813 or visit stanthonysofredbank.net.
Ocean County
St. Francis Community Center, Long Beach Island, will host a Family Health and Safety Fair April 25 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the gym, 4700 Long Beach Island Blvd., Brant Beach. Free continental breakfast and many free health screenings will be available. The event is co-sponsored by Long Beach Island Health Department and Hackensack Meridian Health Southern Ocean Medical. For more information, contact Michelle DiBella at midbella@stfrancislbi.org or call 609-494-8861, ext. 107.
St. Francis of Assisi Community Center Food Pantry, 4700 Long Beach Blvd., Long Beach Island, is open on Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to noon. The pantry is accepting donations of: pop tarts and cereal, cake mix and icing, chicken and beef broth, instant potatoes, jar pasta sauce, juice, canned chicken, canned fruit, cranberry sauce, canned corn, spinach, beets and yams, pancake mix and syrup, pudding, mayonnaise, mustard, ketchup, coffee (regular and instant).
St. John Parish Respect Life Committee, Lakehurst, is collecting a drive to benefit Birthright and Open Door pregnancy centers. Items needed include: powder, lotion, shampoo, baby soap, diaper rash cream, Vaseline, wipes, baby towels, wash cloths and size large diapers. Items may be brought to the carriage container in the church hall.
St. John the Apostle Council, Knights of Columbus, will host a pancake breakfast April 13 from 8 to 10 a.m. in the Manchester Applebees. Tickets are $12. For information, call 732-232-5030, 732-657-1620 or 732-284-9803
St. Joseph by the Sea Retreat House, South Mantoloking, will host a “Restore and Renew” retreat April 19 starting at 5 p.m. to April 21 at 10:30 a.m. the program consists of daily gentle yoga, meditation, and fellowship. Mass will be included. Presenter is Avita Kennedy. Cost is $375. Call 732-892-8494 to register.
St. Joseph by the Sea Retreat House 400 Route 35 North, South Mantoloking, will host a retreat April 26 starting at 6 p.m. and ending April 28 at 11 a.m. Theme is “Spending Time With Mary.” Presenter Ellen Murphy and Kathy Rivera, will lead participants to learn how to trust as the Blessed Mother did. Mass will be celebrated. Fee is $400. For information or to register, call 732-892-8494.
St. Justin the Martyr Holy Name Society, Toms River, will host a pancake breakfast after all Masses April 28 in the parish hall. On May 4, the society will host a spaghetti and meatball dinner following the 5 p.m. Mass
St. Mary Parish, Barnegat, will host a four-week study, “Eternal Rest: The Art of Dying Well” April 17, 24, May 1 and May 8 from 2 to 4 p.m. in Monsignor Reinbold Hall of St. Mary Church in Barnegat. Presented by Augustine Institute, the study is open to anyone who has grieved the loss of a loved one or has not and wants to learn more. A study guide will be available for purchase at $15.95. Make checks payable to St. Mary’s. To sign-up, contact the rectory in-person or call 609-698-5531. Limit is 40 participants. For more information, call 609-994-6011.
St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish, Toms River, will host its 39th anniversary dinner dance Aug. 18 from 2 to 6 p.m. Tickets are $30 and includes music, dancing, dinner by Luigi’s Italian Market and more. Tickets are available for purchase. Contact Marian Austin at 732-914-0300.
St. Pius X Parish, Forked River, is observing the parish phase of the Eucharistic Revival with the offering of Holy Hours on: Feb. 22, March 21, April 18 and May 23 from 7 to 8 p.m. in the church, 300 Lacey Rd.
St. Pius X Parish, Forked River, will present St. John the Apostle’s Gospel Bible Study March 5 to April 30. Sessions will meet on Tuesdays at 7 p.m. in the meeting room, 300 Lacey Rd. The DVD series will be presented by biblical scholar Timothy Gray and a group of college students involved in FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University Students). Participants should bring a Bible and notebook. Seating is limited. To register, call 609-693-5107.
St. Theresa Parish, Little Egg Harbor, will hold a blood drive April 19 from noon to 5 p.m. in the faith formation center, 450Radio Rd. Appointments are preferred. For more information, call 609-294-3844.
All parishes and schools are welcome to submit their events to
Monitor-News@dioceseoftrenton.org.