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| Life at Our Lady of Providence Parish | |||
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Fr. Virella pauses before Mass to talk with
the RCIA youth choir
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Our Lady of Providence communion ministers
receive their commission
from Fr. Virella |
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The women of the parish express their creativity
through embroidery.
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On Mothers Day, each mother received a blessing
and flowers.
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| Our Lady of Providence Parish in
Neptune, New Jersey, served by the SVD since 1981, encompasses
a predominantly Hispanic community which for the most part is
composed of recent immigrants from Central and South America.
Although the leadership of the parish continues to be primarily
ethnically Puerto Rican, a large number of the people who attend
the crowded services have emigrated from Mexico in the past
seven or eight years.
The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) has been a great blessing in the parish in the continuing formation of many young adults. In most cases they become strong and vibrant members of the parish. Spiritual formation is the primary focus of the parish. As pastor, Fr. Virella guides the spiritual formation of the parishioners encourages them to receive the sacraments. Couples with civil marriages who participate in the RCIA program are prepared for sacramental marriage. The parish houses Our Lady of Providence clinic, a free health care service for the working poor who have no insurance. Many of our parishioners are served by the clinic. All doctors, nurses and technicians give pro bono service. The clinic is open on Tuesday and Thursday evenings in a trailer on our church property. Our parish chapter of the Legion of Mary meets every Thursday morning. Legionares visit Hispanics in the local hospital. A Sister of Mercy helped the women start an embroidery class through which they express their creativity. Between twenty and thirty parishioners nurture their faith by participating faithfully in a weekly prayer circle. Various prayer days and days of recollection are observed throughout the year. CCD classes are held every Saturday for the spiritual formation of our youth. We look forward to welcoming ever more members as we continue to grow both in faith and in numbers. |
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