By Jennifer Mauro | Associate Editor

In a call to peace and to encourage hope in an uncertain world, St. Robert Bellarmine Parish, Freehold, in coordination with the Knights of Columbus, is inviting all to participate in a week of prayer.

For the week beginning July 17, each of the parish’s daily and weekend Masses will conclude with a novena in which the Prayer of St. Francis is prayed. On July 25, there will be a full day of Eucharistic Adoration, concluding with a special Mass for Peace & Hope.

“We hope to pray for everybody affected by violence,” said Msgr. Sam Sirianni, pastor of St. Robert Bellarmine Parish. “Police, first responders, minorities, civic leaders, communities and even the political discourse in our society, which has a way of making people very angry.”

He said the parish was approached by Knights of Columbus members who thought a novena would be a helpful way to address the increasing violence in the United States and abroad.

“It’s a prayer for a peaceful heart,” he said. “Peace has to begin within ourselves so we don’t respond with anger, bitterness or fear,” he said.  

“I realize that one novena will not end the violence and fear that is overwhelming us today,” he said. “But it’s a beginning to spread the word that true peace begins within, and then we will have the courage and the perseverance to work for peace around us.”

Masses are held weekdays in the chapel at 7 and 9 a.m., Monday-Friday; 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Saturday, and 8:30, 10 and 11:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Sunday.

On July 25, Eucharistic Adoration will be from 9:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., with the Mass for Peace & Hope beginning at 7:30 p.m.

For more information, visit http://strobert.com/ or call 732-462-7429. The church is located at 61 Georgia Road, Freehold.