In previous liturgical calendars, the Christmas season would last for forty days - from Christmas Day on December 25th until the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord in the Temple on February 2nd. This year, one of our lead Christmas decorators, Vicky Roque, suggested that we elevate the nativity scene so that it could be seen throughout the church. Truman Tan built a stand-alone shelf to make that possible. After seeing it, our Deacon Rich Maxwell, who made the house for that scene and had set it up for many years, said what a wonderful idea it was to elevate it. Being able to see the scene helped to draw us over there and to pray. When the Christmas season ended on the Feast of John the Baptist on Jan 11th, I did a quick survey to see if anyone felt the same as me in wanting to keep the nativity scene up for a longer period of time. We did and so the scene remained. It was a GIFT to spend more time praying before the infant. This morning, a parishioner texted me a video about the Infant of Prague. This is the same statue as the Santo Nino, just under a different title. As we know, we have that statue in our church year-round, with his beautiful clothing changing with the liturgical seasons. It encourages me that we can continue to kneel before the infant Jesus, our Savior, and place our faith and trust in Him.
Recent Parish Happenings
GreekFest
This weekend, several parishioners made it over to the GreekFest at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church. Last year, I had the joy of spontaneously attending with a parishioner couple I had married. And while there we ran into some of the school families. It was so fun that I started doing marriage preparation meetings at some of the local festivals. The Lebanese Festival in August (Our Lady Star of the East Maronite Church in Pleasantville), the Padre Pio Festival in September (Padre Pio Parish in Vineland), and now the Winter GreekFest (there is also a summer one too in June). When I walked in with the couple, I immediately saw another school family. Then walking into the gym, we saw two other parish families. Then another parishioner walked in as we were eating. We were also able to meet Fr George Liacopulos, who has been there since 1995, and his wife and son. At the end, we received a brief church tour from volunteers Rich and Linda, who I have had the pleasure meet and tour with three times now, learning more about the Eastern Christian Traditions. I warmly recommend a visit some time both for the delicious food and edifying faith.
ROOT
This past weekend, our ROOT families learned about the Holy Spirit. One practical take-away for me was when one woman shared that she prays to the Holy Spirit when she is having trouble opening a pickle jar and that after she prays, she is usually able to open it on the first turn. How many "pickle jars" do we have in our lives where we could apply this? Another striking part of the night was the testimony from Truman Tan who is pictured above. After speaking to us about the three voices that we hear (the devil's which either discourages us or fills us with pride, our own which tells us what our body or "flesh" wants leading to selfishness, and the voice of the Holy Spirit who tells us what the best thing is to do), Truman humbly shared what God has been doing in him the last four years, taking him from a new retiree who wanted to "do whatever he wanted" to being more active in his faith and wanting to serve God. He said that the Holy Spirit has helped him not to worry. That he used to worry about his future, having enough money, his children's future... many things. He says that now he entrusts those things to God, that worry is a sign of lack of faith, and that we are to trust him.
Recent School Happenings
Celebrating Vocations
God calls each of us to serve in unique ways—through religious life, professional work, and daily acts of faith and service. Today, we honored the many vocations that strengthen our community and our Church, rooted in faith and a commitment to the common good.
We were grateful for all our guest speakers who visited with our students today to share their calling:
• Mr. Peter Eschbach, SVdP parishioner, shared about his alma mater, the United States Military Academy at West Point
• Mr. Scott Grayson, SVdPRS parent, spoke about his role as a Sports Anchor for FOX 29• Mrs. Ashley Milen, SVdPRS parent, discussed her work as a Veterinary Technician
• Mr. Walkens Moise, SVdPRS parent, shared his vocation as a Deacon
• Mr. Jesse Sooy, SVdPRS parent, spoke about his career as an Air Traffic Controller with the FAA
• Fr. March, SVdP Church, also stopped in to speak with our students
During National Catholic Schools Week, we pray for all who answer God’s call and serve with purpose, compassion, and love.
We were grateful for all our guest speakers who visited with our students today to share their calling:
• Mr. Peter Eschbach, SVdP parishioner, shared about his alma mater, the United States Military Academy at West Point
• Mr. Scott Grayson, SVdPRS parent, spoke about his role as a Sports Anchor for FOX 29• Mrs. Ashley Milen, SVdPRS parent, discussed her work as a Veterinary Technician
• Mr. Walkens Moise, SVdPRS parent, shared his vocation as a Deacon
• Mr. Jesse Sooy, SVdPRS parent, spoke about his career as an Air Traffic Controller with the FAA
• Fr. March, SVdP Church, also stopped in to speak with our students
During National Catholic Schools Week, we pray for all who answer God’s call and serve with purpose, compassion, and love.
Building Strong School-Community Connections
This morning, we celebrated our community through hospitality and friendship as we welcomed members of the Hamilton Township Police Department, the Township of Hamilton Rescue Squad, and Atlantic County Clerk Joseph Giralo to our school.
Our guests enjoyed a tour of the building led by two of our 8th Grade Student Ambassadors, visited classrooms, and spent time with our students, who were excited to share smiles, stories, and school pride. We were grateful to offer refreshments and a warm thank-you to the people who serve and support our community each and every day.
This visit kicked off the last day of our Catholic Schools Week festivities — the start of a very full and joy-filled day! Strong schools and strong communities go hand in hand, and today was a beautiful reminder of that.
Our guests enjoyed a tour of the building led by two of our 8th Grade Student Ambassadors, visited classrooms, and spent time with our students, who were excited to share smiles, stories, and school pride. We were grateful to offer refreshments and a warm thank-you to the people who serve and support our community each and every day.
This visit kicked off the last day of our Catholic Schools Week festivities — the start of a very full and joy-filled day! Strong schools and strong communities go hand in hand, and today was a beautiful reminder of that.
Diocese Recent Happenings
A Message from the Bishop
There are many voices in our lives. Which are we called to listen to? God's. That's not always easy to do. Especially if it is in an area where we feel strong or weak. For instance, the readings this weekend tell us to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, give shelter to the homeless, and do away with negative speech. Those can been difficult things for me to hear because I know I have room to grow in those areas and it sounds like it may take time, energy, resources or ability I don't feel like I have. Come Holy Spirit and help, right?!?! Or in an area I am strong. I like scrambled eggs that aren't overly dry. I so strongly prefer that that it is difficult for me to understand others who prefer them to be dry. (weird right) Believe it or not, I had a conversation in seminary with the rector about this topic - and quickly learned what "God's voice" would have to say about my inflexible opinion on this. ANYWAY. I encourage ALL OF US during these difficult and divisive times to pray "COME HOLY SPIRIT" and show us WHICH VOICES to listen to or not. As Catholics, we look to the voices of Sacred Scripture, Sacred Tradition (especially the saints), and the Magisterium (the pope in union with the bishops). We particularly look to our own bishop, the shepherd of our local church, for his guidance. I encourage you to read his letter and to ask the Holy Spirit to help you to hear what God might be saying through him. For the Scripture says, "God has not given us a spirit of fear" and it also says that the fruits of the Spirit are "love, joy, [and] peace." Come Holy Spirit and lead us to the peace that comes from listening to God's voice and doing His will.
World Day of Consecrated Life
We mentioned earlier that Feb 2nd is the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple, the day his life was consecrated to God. One amazing vocation is that of a religious priest (like Fr Tony who is an Augustinian), brother, or sister (like the Sisters of St Joseph who served our school for so long or CFR Sisters in Atlantic City). Those in this vocation take vows of poverty (not owning anything), chastity (celibacy), and obedience (obeying their superior). They give their lives completely to God. They are a sign to us of what is to come in eternity, where there will no longer be marriage, but where those who enter will be united to Christ as in a marriage bond. We thank all the religious who have modeled a life for us which makes us want to spend eternity with Christ.
Parishioner Pick: Chris Longo
Hello. My name is Christopher Longo.
For most of my life, I was an on-again, off-again Catholic. My wife, Kristina, was baptized Presbyterian but never actively practiced her faith. During the pandemic, after watching The series The Chosen, Kristina felt a strong calling to return to church once everything reopened.
We began attending the 8:00 a.m. Mass regularly, and our faith—both as a married couple and as a family—began to grow exponentially. Kristina felt called to homeschool our four children in the Catholic faith, and watching that faith take root in our home has been one of the greatest blessings of my life. Our three older boys now serve as altar servers and actively participate in the parish youth group, and this year our almost seven-year-old daughter will be receiving her First Holy Communion. Seeing our children grow in their love for Christ and His Church has strengthened my own faith in ways I never expected.
In January of 2023, I was asked to become a Knight, and from that moment on, my life has felt like a whirlwind, in the best possible way. As our involvement in the Knights of Columbus has grown, Kristina and I have been blessed to serve together by hosting the annual Knights of Columbus Dinner Dance each March. Being able to serve the parish and the Knights as a married couple has been both a joy and a gift to our marriage.
The arrival of Father March at our parish has been a tremendous blessing in my faith journey. From the beginning, he made me feel genuinely welcome, and Saint Vincent de Paul quickly became more than just a church—it became a second home. The relationships we have formed with so many wonderful families have deeply enriched our lives.
In March of 2024, Kristina and I had our marriage convalidated, and one week later, she received the rest of her sacraments at the Easter Vigil. Witnessing her spiritual journey has been an incredible blessing and has inspired me to become a better Catholic, husband, and father. I also joined the men’s group That Man Is You, which meets on Saturday mornings and continues to challenge and strengthen me in my vocation.
Returning to Saint Vincent de Paul has truly been life-changing, and I am deeply grateful for how God has been working in our lives through this parish community.
For most of my life, I was an on-again, off-again Catholic. My wife, Kristina, was baptized Presbyterian but never actively practiced her faith. During the pandemic, after watching The series The Chosen, Kristina felt a strong calling to return to church once everything reopened.
We began attending the 8:00 a.m. Mass regularly, and our faith—both as a married couple and as a family—began to grow exponentially. Kristina felt called to homeschool our four children in the Catholic faith, and watching that faith take root in our home has been one of the greatest blessings of my life. Our three older boys now serve as altar servers and actively participate in the parish youth group, and this year our almost seven-year-old daughter will be receiving her First Holy Communion. Seeing our children grow in their love for Christ and His Church has strengthened my own faith in ways I never expected.
In January of 2023, I was asked to become a Knight, and from that moment on, my life has felt like a whirlwind, in the best possible way. As our involvement in the Knights of Columbus has grown, Kristina and I have been blessed to serve together by hosting the annual Knights of Columbus Dinner Dance each March. Being able to serve the parish and the Knights as a married couple has been both a joy and a gift to our marriage.
The arrival of Father March at our parish has been a tremendous blessing in my faith journey. From the beginning, he made me feel genuinely welcome, and Saint Vincent de Paul quickly became more than just a church—it became a second home. The relationships we have formed with so many wonderful families have deeply enriched our lives.
In March of 2024, Kristina and I had our marriage convalidated, and one week later, she received the rest of her sacraments at the Easter Vigil. Witnessing her spiritual journey has been an incredible blessing and has inspired me to become a better Catholic, husband, and father. I also joined the men’s group That Man Is You, which meets on Saturday mornings and continues to challenge and strengthen me in my vocation.
Returning to Saint Vincent de Paul has truly been life-changing, and I am deeply grateful for how God has been working in our lives through this parish community.
I nominate Scott Grayson for parishioner pick.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Grief Support Ministry
This begins tonight at 6pm. It runs for 6 weeks. You are MOST WELCOME!
First Saturday Reflection Day with Bishop Williams in AC
These days are BEAUTIFUL. Like a mini-retreat on a Saturday morning. Looking for peace? Looking for calm? Looking for a taste of heaven praying alongside of these sisters? Want to pray with the Bishop and hear him speak (he is excellent)? If so, I encourage you to consider going.
ESWA
It sounds like there may still be time to help make or order tamales if you want a great way to help the poor!!
Discernment Group
In November, Bishop Williams asked all of us to pray and consider any young men we might know who we think would make a good priest and submit their names to him. He wrote them a letter and invited them to an event in late November, an Eagles Watch Party. Now, those men (AND ANY OTHERS WHO ARE INTERESTED) are all being invited to a discernment group at various locations throughout the diocese where they can learn more about the priestly vocation in order to have a better understanding of it and the direction God might be calling them. It is one hour per night for 6 weeks. The group for this area will be hosted hear at St Vincent de Paul Parish by Fr Ricardo Lozano and Fr March. We invite you to come hear about the life and joy of being a priest and get answers to your questions alongside of others who surely have similar ones. We had our first week this week - it was GREAT! Would love for anyone to spend time with Fr Ricardo - a holy priest.
Catholic Women in Business
I believe an old parishioner of mine helped to start this. She is wonderful - I encourage any ladies this applies to to consider going.
Santo Nino
This is going to be GOOD! Please plan to bring your Santo Nino or Infant of Prague statue with you and be part of the opening procession! Can't wait!!
Bible Study
Another SOLID Bible Study coming to SVDP Parish courtesy of the St Paul Center. Come enjoy!
Dinner Dance
This is SO FUN. Highly recommend to anyone - couples and singles of all ages. We had a GREAT time last year.
Holy Spirit Gala
Behind the Scenes
Parishioners generously helping priests
Electrician stopping by
This is Steve Light. Steve works for Calvi - our electricians. He is the one who got us a huge generator to power the festival FOR FREE. (He also arranged for manning of the generator throughout the day and said how moved he was to be a part of it and see so many volunteers working together.) He stopped by the other day to check in as we prepare to fix the lighting in the sanctuary, vestibule, walkways and parking lot. Due to his connections, it looks like we will be provided several lifts FOR FREE as well - what a blessing Steve is to SVDP Parish!
Stuffing envelopes
We thank Faith, Linda, Yolanda and Beverly for stuffing envelopes for the school annual fund mailing. (It takes about three days!) THANK YOU SO MUCH LADIES!!!!!