Parishes in the Diocese of Trenton are honoring veterans with Masses, luncheons and special collections. Here is a sampling of the activities; check your parish bulletin for additional events.
Our Lady of the Pines Council, Knights of Columbus, will hold a Veterans Day prayer service Nov. 11 at 2 p.m. at the Service Monument located between St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, Whiting, and Manchester Memorial Home. All in the community are invited to attend the service.
St. Mary Parish, Barnegat, will observe Veterans Day Nov. 11. To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I, the bells of St. Mary Pines Church in Manahawkin will be rung as bell run g 100 years ago on the 11th month, on the 11 day, on the 11th hour as the guns of World War I became silent.
At the 11:30 a.m. Mass in St. Mary of the Pines Church, all veterans will be honored especially the 116,708 American military personnel who lose their lives in that conflict. One fallen soldier from New Jersey, after 100 years and through the efforts of the Knights of Columbus, will receive posthumously the Purple Heart as well as other military citations.
Pope John Paul II Regional School, Willingboro, will observe Veterans Day Nov. 11 during the 9:30 a.m. Mass in Corpus Christi Church, Willingboro. Students will lead the Entrance Procession and will also hand out prayer cards to all veterans after Mass.
St. Rose of Lima Parish, Belmar, invites veterans of all faiths to attend a Veterans’ Day Mass 10 a.m. Nov. 12 in the church located at 603 Seventh Ave., Belmar. “We have extended the invitation to neighboring parishes, military and veterans posts and lodges including the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars and their families,” said Msgr. Edward Arnister, St. Rose pastor.
The Miryam Ministry in St. Dominic Parish, Brick, will honor all veterans of the parish with a Nov. 18 Mass of Thanksgiving and healing at noon, followed by a luncheon in the community room at 250 Old Squan Road. Contact the rectory office at 732-840-1410.
Moorestown Council, Knights of Columbus, will host a Veterans Appreciation Night Nov. 20 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the cafeteria of Our Lady of Good Counsel School, Moorestown. The keynote honoree will be parishioner and Knight George Wood.
The Armed Forces Heritage Museum of Wrightstown recently completed a video as part of their Living History Project to preserve the military history of New Jersey. The video highlights Wood’s service as an anti-submarine pilot in World War II and will be shown at the Appreciation Night at 7:30. In addition to honoring Wood’s service, the Knights are honoring veterans from all conflicts. All military veterans of any age are invited to attend as well as family members of living and deceased veterans.
There is no fee to attend. To attend or learn more, contact Craig Oakum by phone or text at 570-590-3963 or email oakumc@comcast.net.