January 21, 2022

No one is unwanted. God’s love embraces all.

Every human life is sacred. Every person is a child of God who possesses incomparable dignity and worth—no matter what his or her state in life or personal gifts and talents. Regardless of who we are; or what our background is; or the state of our physical, emotional or mental health; or our accomplishments; or our race, religion or cultural heritage; or our age; or our social status; every individual human being is precious in the sight of God and, therefore, should also be valuable in the eyes of his or her fellow human beings.

No one is unwanted. God’s love embraces all.

Think for a moment of the power of that statement. Can it really be true that God—who made the universe in all its vastness and complexity—knows and loves each and every one of us, including (or perhaps especially) those of us who have been rejected by parents, families, communities or society as a whole? 

Yes! God sees in us (all of us, every one of us) something that is worth more than we can possibly imagine—something that far exceeds silver or gold, power or prestige, fame or fortune. 

When Pope Francis formally began his ministry as bishop of Rome and as pope, he pledged to protect the dignity of each person and the beauty of creation, just as St. Joseph protected the Blessed Virgin Mary and her son, Jesus.

“To protect creation, to protect every man and every woman, to look upon them with tenderness and love is to open up a horizon of hope,” the Holy Father said. During his first World Day of Peace message, Pope Francis expressed it this way: “New ideologies, characterized by rampant individualism, egocentrism and materialistic consumerism, weaken social bonds, fueling that ‘throw away’ mentality which leads to contempt for, and the abandonment of, the weakest and those considered useless. ”

Despair is a consequence of the radical devaluation of the human person. Hope comes when human dignity is recognized and affirmed. 

Every human being is wanted by God because every single person has been given the gift of life. This gift is a share in God’s own being that is more precious than anything we can possibly imagine. Life itself is the treasure given to us by God to be nurtured and protected and shared generously with others. Nothing on Earth is more valuable than human life. That’s why deliberately taking a human life by murder, abortion, euthanasia, infanticide or any other means is such a grave sin. God alone gives life, and only he can take it back again.

No one is unwanted by God. That’s why we reverence all life, why we help the handicapped and care for the infirm and the elderly, why we encourage and assist women with unplanned pregnancies and why we speak out forcefully against all attempts to treat society’s unwanted human beings as somehow less valuable than they truly are in the sight of God. 

No one is unwanted in God’s family. We don’t always show it as clearly as we should, but all are welcome. All are valued. All are members of the Body of Christ. All life is sacred—especially those who feel unwanted or who have been rejected by the unjust, unloving and inhuman laws, policies and social practices of this and every other age.

Just last year, in his 2021 World Day of Peace message, Pope Francis said:

As Christians, we should always look to Our Lady, Star of the Sea and Mother of Hope. May we work together to advance towards a new horizon of love and peace, of fraternity and solidarity, of mutual support and acceptance. May we never yield to the temptation to disregard others, especially those in greatest need, and to look the other way; instead, may we strive daily, in concrete and practical ways, “to form a community composed of brothers and sisters who accept and care for one another”.

No one should ever have to wonder, “Does God really want me?” God wants everyone. That means he wants you and me, and every human being who has ever lived, and everyone who is yet to be conceived. 

“Therefore choose life, that you and your descendants may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying his voice, and cleaving to him; for that means life to you and length of days” (Dt 30: 19-20).

Sincerely yours in Christ the Redeemer,
Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R
Archbishop of Newark

Download our Adult Faith Formation Winter 2022 Offerings Flyer

Why come to the table? Jesus had a thing about tables. He loved them, and he sat with so many people sharing a meal, talking, and giving Himself to them. It is our heritage almost, to do the same! We gather here at “the best table in town” which provides the setting for the divine sacrifice and gift of the Eucharist. We come together in less formal ways to share a meal, a cup of coffee or a glass of wine and we celebrate milestones and revisit memories and share life together. At all of these tables, all of these sacred spaces, Jesus is with us.  

Join us this year as we explore what it means to Come to the Table.  Join us as we explore the ordinary sacred ritual of gathering around the table in our homes and together as a parish community. Join us for formation opportunities that invite us to come to the table of justice, peace, fellowship, joy and love. Let’s see how Jesus reveals Himself to us. He knew the graces of the table and used it as sacred space as He proclaimed His kingdom… and He wants us to do the same.

Join us from 9:30am-12:30pm in the Gathering Rooms.

Pre-registration is appreciated by emailing justiceandpeace@churchofpresentation.org

We look forward to seeing you!

Help us maintain the outside grounds of the church, i.e. by gardening, weeding etc. If you have your own garden tools, please bring them. We’ll meet in the parking lot adjacent to the playground at 8:00am on Tuesday mornings. Questions? Contact Michele Baron at MBaron@churchofpresentation.org

Facilitated by Debby Montone, RN, Certified Dementia Practitioner, & Certified Dementia Support Group Facilitator from the Greater NJ Alzheimer’s Association.

You will receive education and resources about Dementia and Alzheimer’s. Join us to learn coping methods, to understand the impact this disease may have on families, friends, and to share your journey.

Our Support Group will be virtual (for now) on the last Wednesday of each month from 6:30pm-8pm.

To receive the Zoom link, email Michele Baron at mbaron@churchofpresentation.org

We are naming the rooms in the new Ministry Center after some of our Saints or Biblical events. If you have an idea for us, we would like to hear it and why you like it. We will share the ideas with the parish and decide as we get closer to the opening. Please let us know your suggestions (by January 15 please) by clicking the following link:

https://forms.office.com/r/5tXb21bivA

Thank you for participating!