In the Parishes
Mount Holly parish feast day commemorated with prayer vigil for peace BY MARY STADNYK Associate Editor
T
here were two reasons why Ann Putnam wanted to participate in the June 24 prayer vigil for peace in Sacred Heart Church, Mount Holly. Between the war in Ukraine, the civil unrest in other parts of the world and hearing news reports of gun violence occurring almost daily, Putnam said she wanted to join fellow parishioners for something that “would connect us in prayer and as a faith community.” It was also important for her 10-year-old twins, Nathan and Zofia, to attend the prayer service, she said, “because they want to see an end to all the violence” and they know that prayer can help to make that happen. “Tonight is important because we’re praying for all people who lost family members to violence,” Nathan said. “Along with praying for them, we are remembering them,” he said. The evening prayer vigil, held in the form of a Vespers service, was part of the parish’s commemoration of the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus which the Universal Church celebrated that day. Over the past months, “we have shared sorrow over the many injustices occurring throughout the world – an unprovoked war in Ukraine; tragic mass shootings in markets,
THE DIOCESE OF TRENTON is committed to the initiatives outlined in the U.S. Bishops’ Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People and to its own policies and guidelines in regard to the reporting and investigation of sexual abuse allegations involving minors. If you have been sexually abused as a minor by a member of the clergy or anyone representing the Catholic Church, or if you know of someone who was, you can report that abuse through the diocesan
ABUSE HOTLINE: 1-888-296-2965
or via e-mail at abuseline@dioceseoftrenton.org. The Diocese of Trenton reports any allegations of sexual abuse to the appropriate law enforcement agencies. Anyone with an allegation is also encouraged to provide that information to local law enforcement authorities. 48 THE MONITOR MAGAZINE
July 2022
Ann Putnam, center, and her two children, Nathan and Zofia, join in singing a hymn during the prayer vigil for peace. Mary Stadnyk photo schools and neighborhoods; attacks on places of worship during services, and inexplicable violence toward relief workers and medical personnel assisting in areas devastated by drought, famine and civil wars,” said Teresa S. Redder, a parish music ministry member who helped to organize the event. “Sometimes, we hear people say, ‘Where is God in all of this?’ “The answer is God is with us and waiting to be loved. … We witness to God through our faith, hope and love,” she said. Upon entering the church, participants saw the lit Paschal candle in front of the sanctuary next to an image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The prayer vigil was led by a mix of parishioners – adults, teenagers and children -- who proclaimed various Scripture Readings and read excerpts of spiritual reflections from Pope Francis during the pandemic and the Jubilee of Mercy, as well as from St. Teresa of Kolkata. Voices were raised in a medley of hymns offering hope and healing through the love of Christ. Parishioner Dar MacDonald said she didn’t know what to expect when she first heard about the prayer service, but “when I saw there would be singing and reading, I knew I wanted to be part of it. “The world is filled with so much violence, hatred and despair,” MacDonald continued. “Anything we as Christians can do to promote peace, is what we need to do.”
