Berlin, NJ – Mater Ecclesiae’s 10th anniversary events, Masses

My good friend Fr. Robert Pasley of Mater Ecclesiae parish in Berlin, NJ dropped me a line with the following, which I am happy to share.

On October 13, 2000, during the Great Jubilee of our Blessed Lord’s birth, on the 82nd Anniversary of the last apparition of our Lady at Fatima, on the feast of Saint Edward the Confessor, and 7 years before Pope Benedict’s Motu Proprio, Summorum Pontificum, which freed the Traditional Latin Mass and Sacraments throughout the entire world, the first Diocesan owned and staffed Traditional Rite parish, Mater Ecclesiae, was founded.

On October, 13, 2010 we begin our 10th Anniversary Jubilee. We will initiate our year long celebration with an Orchestral High Mass at 11:00AM, Sunday, October 17. The Mass selection is the Little Organ Mass of Franz Joseph Haydn. This Mass will be followed by a potluck dinner open to all. Fr Pasley will share a brief history of Mater Ecclesiae and then the day will conclude with Solemn Vespers at 2:30PM.

There will be a Choral High Mass on the Feast of Christ the King, Sunday, October 31,  at 11:00AM; a Choral High Mass on the feast of All Saints, November 1, at 7:30PM,  and a Requiem Mass on All Souls Day, November 2, at 7:30 PM. The All Souls Mass will have a special dedication for the 50 people who have been buried from Mater Ecclesiae in the last 10 years.

Many more celebrations are planned and notification will be sent out to all. Some might ask, “Why all this fuss for only 10 years?’ We rejoice because the last 10 years have been a daily miracle. At the time it was founded this place should never have existed. There have been many challenges to our existence throughout the ten years and yet we have overcome them. Mater Ecclesiae has grown and continues to grow. We have 3 young men studying for the priesthood, one young lady in the Traditional Carmel in the Diocese of Harrisburg, many people have returned to the practice of the faith. Most people who long for the Traditional Mass could not dream of having what we have at Mater Ecclesiae. We also feel that we have a definite place in Pope Benedict’s plan to restore the Church through restoration of the Sacred Liturgy. [Do I hear an “Amen!”?] Mater Ecclesiae is a blessed place. Our Blessed Lady has watched over us and protected us every step of the way. May our Lady be praised! May God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit be praised!

Please join us as we rejoice in the wonderful gift of Mater Ecclesiae Mission.