Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., recently informed pastors of the Diocese of the appeal by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops to hold Holy Hours for Peace across the nation.
The Bishop will lead a Holy Hour for Peace with the parish and school community of St. Paul, Princeton, Feb. 12 at 9:30 a.m. in the church located at 218 Nassau Street.
In a message to be shared with Holy Hour participants in Princeton, Bishop O’Connell will address the intrinsic nature of peace in the person of Jesus Christ. Part of the Bishop’s message follows:
“…the Lord Jesus Christ in the center of our lives. He is the ‘heart’ of our Church and of our Catholic faith. Peace is ‘built in him and from him’ and, because of that, is ‘built in and from our hearts,” as a gift he gives and a gift he asks us to share.”
“The Eucharist is the Lord Jesus’ presence among us. He is here before us, with us, and within us. He invites us to receive his Body and Blood at Mass. He calls us to pray in church before the Tabernacle. And today, in this Holy Hour, we pray to the Lord Jesus, here present in the Eucharist, for peace: we pray for peace in our world, especially in troubled places where wars rage on taking lives; peace in our own country, especially in communities where there is unrest and conflict; peace in our cities; peace in our own hearts,” the Bishop’s message stated.
Following are parishes in the Diocese who are extending an invitation to all members of the Diocese to Holy Hours for Peace they have scheduled to date:
Mary, Mother of the Church Parish, Bordentown, will hold an Evening Prayer for Peace, “In Our Hearts, In Our Family, In Our World,” Feb. 11 from 7-8 p.m. in St. Mary Church,45 Crosswicks St., Bordentown. The Holy Hour will include a reflection by Father Martin O’Reilly, pastor.
Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish, Moorestown, will hold a “Night Watch: Holy Darkness for Peace” Feb. 13 from 7 p.m.-1 a.m. The event will begin with a Mass for Peace at 7 p.m. followed by recitation of the Rosary at 7:45, Eucharistic Adoration with music, reflections and intercessory prayer until 11:50 p.m. The Sacrament of Reconciliation will also be available. A closing Mass for Peace will be celebrated at midnight.
Our Lady of Sorrows-St. Anthony Parish, Hamilton, will hold a Holy Hour for Peace, Feb. 12 at 6:30 p.m. in Our Lady of Sorrows Church, 3816 E. State St., Ext., Hamilton.
St. Aloysius Parish, Jackson, will hold two Holy Hours for Peace on Feb. 5 from 6- 7 p.m. and Feb. 6 from 9-10 a.m. in the church, 935 Bennetts Mills Rd.
St. Ann Parish, Browns Mills, will hold a Holy Hour for Peace Feb. 6 starting at 9 a.m. to Feb. 7 at 8:55 a.m. at which time Mass will be celebrated in the Perpetual Adoration Chapel, 22 Trenton Rd.
St. Ann Parish, Lawrenceville, will offer prayers for peace during Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament to be held Feb. 12 from 2-4 p.m.
St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Hightstown, will hold a Holy Day for Peace Feb. 6 in the church, 156 Maxwell Ave. A Mass for Peace will be celebrated at 9 a.m. followed by exposition of the Blessed Sacrament from 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m. at which time a Liturgy of the Word and Benediction will be held.
St. Catharine Parish, Holmdel, will hold a Holy Hour for Peace March 25 at 6:30 p.m. in the church.
St. Denis Parish, Manasquan, will hold a Holy Hour for Peace Feb. 6 from noon-1 p.m. in the church, 90 Union Ave.
St. Isaac Jogues Parish, Marlton, will hold a Holy Hour for Peace Feb. 24 at 7 p.m. in the chapel that’s located in the church. The Sacrament of Reconciliation will be available.
St. Mary of the Lakes Parish, Medford, has Perpetual Adoration and invites anyone to visit and pray for peace. The Perpetual Adoration chapel is located in the church, 40 Jackson Rd.
St. Michael Parish, West End, will hold a Holy Hour for Peace Feb. 22 immediately following the end of the 10 a.m. Mass.
St. Veronica Parish, Howell, will hold First Friday devotions Feb. 6 from 12:30-5 p.m. with Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, recitation of the Rosary and Divine Mercy Chaplet. The intentions are for reconciliation and healing in the nation. St. Veronica Parish is located at 4219 Route 9 North, Howell.
Check back with TrentonMonitor.com for updates to this list and Monitor coverage of the Holy Hours in the coming weeks.