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We Believe
Rich Hundley photos
Body of Christ
On the day when the Universal Church marked the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Jesus, dioceses from around the United States officially launched the start of the three-year National Eucharistic Revival which has as its goal to reignite devotion to the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. In the Trenton Diocese, the Eucharistic Revival opened with a Mass and Eucharistic Procession in Corpus Christi Church, Willingboro, with Father Martin O’Reilly, episcopal vicar of Burlington County; pastor of Mary, Mother of the Church Parish, Bordentown, and co-chair of the Eucharistic Revival for the Diocese, serving as principal celebrant and homilist.
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1. Corpus Christi parishioners Arnie Dumont, left, Gladys Dumont, center, and George Craft extend the Sign of Peace during the Mass. 2. Parishioners pray during the Mass to mark the start of the Eucharistic Revival in the Diocese. 3. Father O’Reilly blesses a young child during the distribution of Holy Communion. 4. Following the Eucharistic Procession, Father Martin O’Reilly, left, Deacon Mike Hagan, center, and Father Stanley Lukaszewski, a weekend assistant in Corpus Christi Parish, kneel before the Blessed Sacrament.
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O Sacrament Most Holy
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Parishes across the Diocese of Trenton embraced the launch of the National Eucharistic Revival June 19 on the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ – Corpus Christi – with Eucharistic Processions. Accompanied by parishioners, parish clergy members gave public witness both outside and inside church buildings and around neighborhoods, displaying the Blessed Sacrament for all to see.
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O Sacrament Most Holy
1. In St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Hightstown, hundreds of parishioners participate in its annual Corpus Christi procession on parish grounds June 19 – the first one held since the beginning of the pandemic two years ago. “It was a wonderful way to initiate the first year of the National Eucharistic Revival,” said Joe Sbarra, who worked with Father Oscar Sumanga, pastor, in coordinating the procession. Courtesy photos 2. Father Jeffrey Kegley, pastor of St. Mary, Mother of God Parish, Middletown, holds the Blessed Sacrament up to be reverenced following the parish’s Eucharistic Procession June 19. 3. Members of the Our Lady of the Angels Knights of Columbus council hold the umbrellina for the Eucharistic Procession through the streets of Trenton June 19, with hundreds of parishioners and ministry groups joining in. 4. In Spring Lake, a public procession of the Blessed Sacrament takes place following an outdoor Mass celebrated at St. Catharine School. Father Damian McElroy, pastor of St. Catharine-St. Margaret Parish, led the procession from the school to St. Catharine Church for Benediction on the building’s front steps. He was joined by Father Gregg Abadilla and Deacon Paul Vitale, and scores of parish ministry groups. 5. Father Daniel F. Swift, pastor of St. Mary of the Lakes Parish, Medford, holds the Blessed Sacrament aloft in the monstrance to be incensed as part of the parish’s Corpus Christi Eucharistic Procession.
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On June 18, the day before the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, families from the Diocese’s four counties had the opportunity to gather for an outdoor day of fun and reflection, and to learn more about the three-year Eucharistic Revival created by the U.S. bishops in order to renew devotion to the Blessed Sacrament. In Turkey Swamp Park, Freehold, faithful came together for Mass celebrated by Father Martin O’Reilly, pastor of Mary, Mother of the Church Parish, Bordentown, who is co-chairing the Diocese’s participation in the Eucharistic Revival. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Adoration followed, as well as a picnic lunch, outdoor games and more. 2.
Renew your People, O Lord
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John Batkowski photos
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Renew your People, O Lord
1. Deacon Jorge Valente of St. Rose of Lima Parish, Freehold, and attendees of the June 18 outdoor Mass and family picnic in Turkey Swamp Park, Freehold, kneel in Adoration before the Blessed Sacrament. 2. Father Michael Hall, pastor of St. Gregory the Great Parish, Hamilton Square, and diocesan director of the Office of Worship, distributes Holy Communion to congregants during the outdoor Mass. 3. Altar servers lead the Eucharistic Procession of the Blessed Sacrament to its place of Adoration in the park setting following Mass. 4. During the outdoor Mass, congregants raise their right hands in blessing. 5. Families take time for a shared picnic meal following Mass. The afternoon celebration included games, face and rock painting and even a puppet show.
