We officially embarked on the Jubilee Year of Hope this past weekend. While included as part of all our Sunday liturgies, the 6:00 PM Mass on Sunday, December 29th, celebrated by Bishop Elias, Auxiliary Bishop of Newark and Regional Bishop of Union County, was the official Opening Mass of the Jubilee Year.
The theme of the Jubilee year is “Hope,” which Bishop Elias beautifully captured in his homily.
Saint Helen has been honored as being named by the Archbishop as one of the four Pilgrimage Churches of the Jubilee Year here in the Archdiocese of Newark.
Pilgrims of Hope, all of us in the Archdiocese, will be able to make pilgrimage to our Church and participate and receive the special graces of the Jubilee Year.
Please visit our website and review all the information regarding the Jubilee Year and our designation as a Pilgrimage Church of the Jubilee.
As the Jubilee begins, I know you will all extend the warm “Saint Helen” welcome to those pilgrims who will be visiting our church over the next 12 months.
This new year is a time to not only welcome visitors to our parish, but also to open our hearts to all those whom the Lord will bring to us and maybe even those we may have “counted out” of our lives over the past year.
Let us make genuine connections both within and outside our parish and family community. Think about the new relationships we want to and can have with our fellow pilgrims. Let us take special time during this Jubilee Year to be with each other and the Lord in new and grace filled ways.
I also want to invite all of you to Westfield’s 38th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Interfaith Commemorative Service.
Organized by the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Association of Westfield and rotating around the different congregations of Westfield, it will be held on Monday, January 20, 2025, at 2:00 PM here at Saint Helen.
The last time it was held here at Saint Helen was many years ago. The traditional march will begin at the MLK Monument at 1:00. After the march, all will gather here at Saint Helen for 2:00 PM. After the Service, there will also be a light reception following the Service. You are all most warmly invited to participate.
How special that it is celebrated here at Saint Helen as the Jubilee Year of Hope begins and as a Pilgrim Church.
We need your help in offering a warm welcome to our guests. More information is available at MLKWestfield.org
God Bless You All,
Msgr. Tom
