Bishop spends fifth Sunday of Lent with St. Peter Parish community
April 4, 2022 at 5:14 p.m.
Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., continued his parish Lenten visits April 3 to celebrate the 10:30 a.m. Mass in St. Peter Church in Point Pleasant Beach. Joining him at the altar were Conventual Franciscan Friars, Father Pedro DeOliveira, pastor, and Father Marek Stybor, parochial vicar, along with Deacon George Forshay.
Despite the cold and misty day, a sense of hopeful anticipation for Holy Week and Easter resonated among those who gathered in the nearly full church. “It’s hard to believe that we are already at the fifth Sunday of Lent with Palm Sunday only a week away,” the Bishop said as he greeted parishioners. He added, “I love this beautiful church, and I often stop by to make a visit to the Blessed Sacrament and pray here when I am at my house in Point Pleasant throughout the year. It always lifts my spirits!”
Bishop O’Connell has regularly celebrated Masses in various parishes of the Diocese during the seasons of Advent and Lent. “Although I visit so many of our churches during the year for Confirmations and special parish occasions,” the Bishop explained, “I always love to celebrate the Eucharist with the faithful at other times.”
In his homily, Bishop O’Connell preached about the Gospel story from John for the fifth Sunday of Lent when “the scribes and pharisees interrupt Jesus’ teaching to bring forward ‘a woman caught in the very act of adultery.’” Jesus knew the Jewish law, the Bishop noted, “which required that the woman be stoned to death. But, without denying her sin, Jesus refused to condemn her, challenging the accusing crowd, ‘let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.’ One by one the crowd dispersed.
“What a powerful moment in all the Gospels! Jesus offers her not condemnation or harsh judgment but forgiveness that comes from faith. We are all sinners. The law is important for the Christian community but mercy makes the law complete and perfect. This lesson offers us something profound to think about as Lent draws to a close,” Bishop O’Connell stated.
Photo Gallery: Bishop's Mass in St. Peter Parish, Point Pleasant Beach
After Holy Communion, “Father Pedro” thanked the Bishop for his visit as he spoke enthusiastically of the role of bishops as “Shepherds and Successors of the Apostles” in today’s world.
With the beautiful music of the organist and choir heard in the background, the faithful greeted the Bishop as they exited the church. “We are so grateful for your visit with us,” one family expressed as the parents and children shook the Bishop’s hand.
Following Mass, “Father Pedro” and the Franciscan Friars who serve the parish welcomed the Bishop and his master of ceremonies, Father Carlo Calisin, along with some parishioners to the Friary for lunch and conversation.
Related Stories
Monday, October 21, 2024
E-Editions
Events
Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., continued his parish Lenten visits April 3 to celebrate the 10:30 a.m. Mass in St. Peter Church in Point Pleasant Beach. Joining him at the altar were Conventual Franciscan Friars, Father Pedro DeOliveira, pastor, and Father Marek Stybor, parochial vicar, along with Deacon George Forshay.
Despite the cold and misty day, a sense of hopeful anticipation for Holy Week and Easter resonated among those who gathered in the nearly full church. “It’s hard to believe that we are already at the fifth Sunday of Lent with Palm Sunday only a week away,” the Bishop said as he greeted parishioners. He added, “I love this beautiful church, and I often stop by to make a visit to the Blessed Sacrament and pray here when I am at my house in Point Pleasant throughout the year. It always lifts my spirits!”
Bishop O’Connell has regularly celebrated Masses in various parishes of the Diocese during the seasons of Advent and Lent. “Although I visit so many of our churches during the year for Confirmations and special parish occasions,” the Bishop explained, “I always love to celebrate the Eucharist with the faithful at other times.”
In his homily, Bishop O’Connell preached about the Gospel story from John for the fifth Sunday of Lent when “the scribes and pharisees interrupt Jesus’ teaching to bring forward ‘a woman caught in the very act of adultery.’” Jesus knew the Jewish law, the Bishop noted, “which required that the woman be stoned to death. But, without denying her sin, Jesus refused to condemn her, challenging the accusing crowd, ‘let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.’ One by one the crowd dispersed.
“What a powerful moment in all the Gospels! Jesus offers her not condemnation or harsh judgment but forgiveness that comes from faith. We are all sinners. The law is important for the Christian community but mercy makes the law complete and perfect. This lesson offers us something profound to think about as Lent draws to a close,” Bishop O’Connell stated.
Photo Gallery: Bishop's Mass in St. Peter Parish, Point Pleasant Beach
After Holy Communion, “Father Pedro” thanked the Bishop for his visit as he spoke enthusiastically of the role of bishops as “Shepherds and Successors of the Apostles” in today’s world.
With the beautiful music of the organist and choir heard in the background, the faithful greeted the Bishop as they exited the church. “We are so grateful for your visit with us,” one family expressed as the parents and children shook the Bishop’s hand.
Following Mass, “Father Pedro” and the Franciscan Friars who serve the parish welcomed the Bishop and his master of ceremonies, Father Carlo Calisin, along with some parishioners to the Friary for lunch and conversation.