RARITAN BOROUGH — Standing before an overflow crowd at St. Joseph Church Jan. 28, a beaming Steven J. Bolton took an important step on his faith journey when he was ordained a deacon in the Raritan Congregation of the Oratory of St. Philip Neri.
As a former pastor of three parishes, I know first hand that change is inevitable. Each time I was transferred, I stepped into the shoes of the pastor before me, yet I did not always walk in those shoes. I had my own and I made my own path. As a result, this change from one pastor to another results in the parish having to adapt. Some parishioners liked the changes I made and told me so. Others did not and told the bishop. Still others were willing to give me time and see what the end result of these changes would be. It was my experience that, with time and patience, both the parish and I adjusted to each other, and I would like to think that I left each parish better than how I found it.
METUCHEN — The diocese honored 41 high school students who live as disciples of Christ setting a positive example for other youth. Nominated for the St. Timothy Award, the honorees hailed from 27 parishes and high schools.
As contagious as COVID-19 has been over the past three years, the spread of social polarization seems more pervasive. Political discourse, the media, relations with family members, friends, and colleagues, and even the Church have not been spared from the toxic qualities of hardened, opposing positions.
April 22, 6 p.m. -- As part of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish’s 100th Anniversary Celebration, a Speakeasy will be presented at Our Lady of Lourdes, 390 County Road 523, Whitehouse Station. Nancy Colleti and Judy Palmer will perform popular songs from the 20th century.