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Here are some photos from our very succesful Ministry Fair.

Diocesan Mission to Guatemala
Recently our own Deacon Gerry Sims, his son Luke, Msgr. Ray Cole, Mike Wojcik and others from our parish and diocese visited Guatemala. We have a "sister" diocese there, the Diocese of Santa Rosa, where we, the Diocese of Metuchen provide scholarships for the children to attend school. There is no free school system there. Each child must pay what for us is a nominal fee, but for these poor folks
 is most often an impossible goal.

Here the missionaries are welcomed by the Villagers of Santo Antonino.
Msgr. Ray Cole of St. Joseph Parish in Hillsborough
accepts flowers offered to him by the children.


Mike Wojcik, our parishioner and Director of Youth Ministry for the Diocese of Metuchen enjoys the company of these youngsters from the town of Las Carinas. As you can see, no matter where in the world
- "boys will be boys."


This area is where the water from the river is collected into "tubs" where the villagers gather for drinking water, to wash their clothes and also to bathe themselves.

Here is shown a typical kitchen in the homes of these villagers. With very little they are thrilled to welcome you to their homes and share whatever they have.

Deacon Gerry Sims and Luke Sims spent time planting
fruit trees in the village.

Here some of the youth of our diocese bring gifts and supplies to the townspeople. Their joy and gratitude was truly heart warming. This area  serves as their one room schoolhouse, which has no windows. There are openings all around to allow in some air.

Here is the river in Santo Antonio where the villagers water the animals, wash their clothes and gather drinking water to carry back to the town.

Msgr. Ray Cole and Luke Sims visit a school in another village. Msgr. Cole will be staying on in Gautemale for six months of missionary work! Let us always remember him in our prayers.


 After showing the visitors their kitchen,
this family poses outside of their home.

Mike Wocjik has a serious conversation with this young boy.

The Metuchen missionaries pose with Padre Raoul (in the grey clerical shirt) and with the Bishop of Santa Rose ( in white).


Finally, here is a picture of a beautiful little village girl. Only $25 a month will make it possible for her to attend school!

CAMP ST. BERNARD

It's easy to see by these photos, that Camp St. Bernard was a great success. Our young folks had a fun time while learning about God and His Saints!










Even St. Joseph, St. Anthony and St. Elizabeth of Hungary came by to share some of their wisdom!




Our Camp Counselors did a wonderful job. Their help was really appreciated.




Sister Christine, our Camp Director and Director of Catechetical Formation, takes a moment
to catch her breadth.


The children learned about Saints - Here they are learning about Kateri Tekawitta.



Music was fun and added to our daily Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and to our closing Mass on Friday.


A time for prayer before the
Most Holy Blessed Sacrament

Beloved Retreat
Here are some photos from our first parish "Beloved" Retreat which was recently help at the beautiful Quellan Retreat Center in Mendham, NJ.


The looks on the faces of both our retreatants and our team members and helpers are an indication
of the success of the retreat.


The long and the short of it (sorry, I couldn't resist) is that the retreat was a wonderful success!


Maureen and Jack Hurley and their son Patrick were instrumental in bringing the Beloved retreat to St. Bernard

Fr. Joe and Sister Nicholas share a happy moment.

St. Bernards` main entrance

Crucifix

Stained Glass 1

Stained Glass 2

Statue of Our Blessed Lady

St. Bernard in mausoleum in winter

Prayer Garden in St. Bernard Cemetery

 Parish Staff Retreat at Bethany Ridge
The staff has regularlt scheduled days of prayer, Eucharist, fellowship and just enjoying the beauty of nature at Bethany Ridge.
We look forward to the next time we will gather.

Sister Gloria and Billy chat in the "great room" at Bethany Ridge




Fr. Joe, Barbara Sanderman and Sister Christine on the
 sunny, back terrace at Bethany Ridge


Sister Gloria investigates a flower in the beautiful garden



Evelyn Mutek, "World`s Greatest Sacristan" shares a smile with Mary Lou Zarzycki of our Pre-School, Barbara Sanderman, our Director of Sacred Music, and Priscilla Weick of our Parish Pastoral Council.