Priests continue innovative shepherding during COVID
May 5, 2020 at 4:51 p.m.
Frequent Facebook updates, links to diocesan and Vatican virtual events, social media and website pastoral encouragement, and prayer are the new order of the day.
For example, in an attempt to fill the empty Princeton church, Msgr. Joseph N. Rosie, pastor of St. Paul Parish, asked parishioners to email photos of themselves to Father Carlo Calisin, parochial vicar, so they could be printed and displayed on the church pews. Msgr. Rosie also reaches out weekly via Constant Contact email to keep parishioners informed, including reflections on the Sunday readings.
Then there is Father Oscar Sumanga, pastor of St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Hightstown, who said that free COVID-19 testing will take place in the church parking lot every Friday beginning May 8. This effort is a partnership between the parish and Hightstown Police Department, led by police chief Frank Gendron.
Msgr. Kenard Tuzeneu, pastor of St. Mary Parish, Barnegat, posts weekly letters and check-in videos to the parish website – reminders of which are sent out in Flocknote text and email messages. Prayer intentions are also collected online and placed in a basket that is visible during the parish’s livestream Sunday Masses.
In Spring Lake, Father Damian McElroy also frequently uses Flocknote to communicate with parishioners. He shares information from the parish and beyond, including how there is a need for frozen meals in fellow Cohort parish St. Rose, Belmar.
Related Stories
Friday, December 05, 2025
E-Editions
Events
Frequent Facebook updates, links to diocesan and Vatican virtual events, social media and website pastoral encouragement, and prayer are the new order of the day.
For example, in an attempt to fill the empty Princeton church, Msgr. Joseph N. Rosie, pastor of St. Paul Parish, asked parishioners to email photos of themselves to Father Carlo Calisin, parochial vicar, so they could be printed and displayed on the church pews. Msgr. Rosie also reaches out weekly via Constant Contact email to keep parishioners informed, including reflections on the Sunday readings.
Then there is Father Oscar Sumanga, pastor of St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Hightstown, who said that free COVID-19 testing will take place in the church parking lot every Friday beginning May 8. This effort is a partnership between the parish and Hightstown Police Department, led by police chief Frank Gendron.
Msgr. Kenard Tuzeneu, pastor of St. Mary Parish, Barnegat, posts weekly letters and check-in videos to the parish website – reminders of which are sent out in Flocknote text and email messages. Prayer intentions are also collected online and placed in a basket that is visible during the parish’s livestream Sunday Masses.
In Spring Lake, Father Damian McElroy also frequently uses Flocknote to communicate with parishioners. He shares information from the parish and beyond, including how there is a need for frozen meals in fellow Cohort parish St. Rose, Belmar.