RCIA: Why do you believe in Jesus Christ?

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On November 6, 2022, Irene will be accepted as a Catechumen. Returning baptized Christian candidates, Jennifer, Brianna, Maureen, and Alissa will be formally welcomed by our parish. Please keep them in your prayers. They walk their own Road to Emmaus toward Easter and Pentecost.

For the next 20 Sundays, we will pursue formation in the faith in Jesus Christ.

When someone asks, “why do you believe in Jesus Christ?” the answer may be a little longer and not be as definitive as, “do you believe in Jesus Christ?” This question gets a clear and resounding “Yes!”. The former question may not have one all-inclusive answer. It may be several reasons or several dozen reasons.

St. John Henry Newman compared our faith to the strength of a good rope. A rope of good quality and strength is made of many small threads or twine. Each small thread is wound with other small threads to form a strand. In turn, the strands are wound together to form a rope.

Like rope, our reason for belief is not dependent on one thread and not made of all equally strong threads. Some break in normal use and wear and tear. Some give way in shock or in great hardship. But a strong rope has many threads making many strong strands. Rope is flexible. It can be tied in a knot! But can also be untied and return to its normal shape. We know that life will test our faith, every fiber of it (or every thread).

Life tests our faith, like a good rope. We must strengthen each strand. Prayer, corporal works of mercy, and seeking understanding, all build strong threads. Our catechumen and candidates are building strong ropes. Pray for them.

STA Home & School Association Grave Blanket Sale

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The holidays are quickly approaching, and the Home & School Association is having a grave blanket sale.

Order forms and payment are due by FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4TH. No orders will be accepted after this date.

Go to the school website and click on the "STA Buy Now". Please write your confirmation number on your order form. Please submit completed order forms with confirmation number to the school office.

PLEASE DO NOT SEND CASH OR CHECK TO THE SCHOOL.

All items will be available for pick-up on Tuesday, November 22nd between 2:30p to 6pm

Any questions, please email the Home & School Association at homeschool@staschoolnj.org.

Order form

Sign up your child to perform in our annual Pageant!

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All parish youth are invited to participate in our annual Pageant!

The pageant is open to children ages three and up. The children act out the Nativity story and sing at least two well-known Christmas hymns while in costume.

All are welcome!

The pageant will be held in the church on Saturday, December 17th at 6:30pm (6:00pm call time). The rehearsal will be on Thursday, December 15th at 6:00pm. Rehearsal attendance is required to participate. Costume assistance is available.

Please email Dr. Patricio Molina, Music Director at patricio.molina@stachurchbloomfield.org and indicate your child’s full name and age to sign up!

Submit your feedback NOW on our STA Parish!

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The Pastoral Council invites all parishioners to Come and Be Heard.

We are seeking feedback on our parish from October 19th through December 1st via Google form. Click the button below to be taken to the form.

Please note that the form is to be used by STA Parishioners only. If you have not yet registered as a parishioner, please visit our Parish Registration page, or contact the Parish Center at (973) 338-9190.

Please do not email us your responses. To ensure confidentiality and integrity, all digital responses should be submitted via the Google form.

Parishioners will be asked to respond to three questions:

  • What do you like about our parish?

  • What would you like to see improved upon in the parish?

  • What is your hope for the future of the parish?

submit feedback on our parish here

RCIA 10/23 "Come follow me"

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On Sunday October 23, we conclude four weeks of introducing the Church. Introducing the Church by how sees herself, not how social media and pop culture see her.

We have enjoyed 4 parts of the Catholicism series created by Bishop Robert Barron. Hearing the mission of Jesus Christ without secular commentary is a moving experience. It cannot help but touch us emotionally, spiritually, and intellectually. The Good News of Jesus Christ spoken clearly without doubts and in faith moves us deeply. It moves us to act.

An analogy of the walk to faith, is to find yourself unexpectedly on a large ship in the ocean. After the initial shock, you ask yourself basic and practical questions. Where am I? How did I get here? Where am I going? Why am I here? These are not only spontaneous questions in your dream, but they are also profound questions in each person’s life. 

When we ask these questions, we are motivated to get answers. In fact, we ask questions with premise that we expect that there are answers. We will accept only the truth. It is surprising to us to find that it is not we who start this search for truth, but that Jesus initiated it first. In St. John’s Gospel, Jesus reassures his disciples that it was not them who found him by chance, but it was he that sought them out.

“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide; so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.” (John 15:16).

When we ask, “ Where am I? Why am I here?” The answer is, we are where we are meant to be and that Jesus is seeking us and is calling us, “Come follow me.”

-Frank Miller, RCIA Director

rcia@stachurchbloomfield.org