Dear Brothers and Sisters of St. Peter's, We would like to inform you that beginning on September 5, a new Sunday Mass schedule will begin. The new times will be: 8:00 am 10:00 am 12:00 pm 6:00 pm Please note the Saturday 5:00 pm remains the same. The last live-streamed Mass will take place on Sunday, August 29 at 10:30 am. With a prayer, Fr. Jay

As you might remember, it has now been over two years since Fr. Doug Haefner, the former pastor of St. Matthias Parish in Somerset, first came to me with his admission of diverting parish funds for his own personal use, which he had hoped to repay. Upon the long-awaited conclusion of the Somerset County Prosecutor's investigation and forensic audit, I write to share with you that Fr. Haefner pleaded guilty today to one count of second degree theft.

This past Tuesday, the Church celebrated the liturgical memorial of St. Mary Magdalene, the Apostle to the Apostles. St. Thomas Aquinas gave her that title because she was the first to encounter Christ after His resurrection and proclaimed to the Apostles what they, in turn, would proclaim to the world - salvation and new life in Christ, crucified and risen from the dead!

Friends, I have several important updates to share with you. However, this particular announcement stands on its own.

As I noted in the video, under the current executive orders of the Governor, and the guidelines issued by the Diocese of Metuchen, places of worship may resume their weekend worship schedules beginning Friday, June 12.

Yesterday during our live-stream of Sunday Mass, I announced our plan for the phased reopening of the church for Sunday Mass. From what I understand, the transmission was a little spotty during the announcement so I am sending you the substance of what I said and have posted it on Facebook as well.

I hope this correspondence finds you are yours healthy and in good spirits. We have just celebrated the Solemnity of Pentecost, bringing the Easter Season to an end.

This Friday, May 1, 2020, the Bishops of both the United States and Canada will together seek Our Lady's intervention in the current pandemic by invoking Her intercession under Her title of "Mother of the Church".

Scholars aren’t sure where Emmaus was located. There are no less than four sites in Israel that claim to be the site of the New Testament town of “Emmaus”. But where Emmaus was is not really important, nor should it be.

Below you will find a letter from Christine Salimbene, Esq, Chairperson of our parish finance council. It is written on behalf of the council to inform you of our current financial condition.

Tomorrow is the Second Sunday of Easter, also known as the Divine Mercy Sunday. Mass will be live-streamed as usual at 11AM. However, I'm inviting you to join us 15 minutes earlier, at 10:45AM, to pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy before Mass. In case you don't know how to pray the chaplet, I'm attaching a guide to help you. All you need is your Rosary and the attached prayer guide.

Among the more graced moments of my life was the gift of celebrating the Eucharist in the Holy Sepulcher, the tomb of Jesus.

I hope you and yours remain healthy and strong, both in body and soul, through these days of both trial and grace.

"We worship your cross, O Lord, and we praise and glorify your holy resurrection; for the wood of the cross has brought joy to the whole world." - Good Friday Antiphon

I hope you and your families are well and persevering through the social isolation, which has become our new normal for the foreseeable future.

"The light shines in the darkness..." Jn. 1:5

Yesterday, the Holy Father imparted the papal Urbi et Orbi blessing to the city of Rome and to the world. It was an extraordinary event. The Holy Father's message to the church and to the world was also extraordinary.

We received a communication last evening from Bishop Checchio in which we were informed that the public celebration of the liturgies of Holy Week (Palm Sunday and the Paschal Triduum, which includes Easter Sunday) will not take place in the Diocese of Metuchen this year.

We have been alerted once again that many parishioners of the Diocese have been targeted by fraudsters and it’s not just happening in New Jersey.