“IT’S MAY, IT’S MAY,” is a delightful song from the Broadway show “Camelot,” music by Frederick Loewe, lyrics by Jay Lerner. It celebrates the coming of Spring. I’ve been humming it as I notice that the month of May is a busy time for our parishes and our Diocese. Lots of things happening …
During May, children receive First Holy Communion, the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist; others receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. This May, I have celebrated the Sacrament of Confirmation in 16 parishes. These sacramental celebrations are joyful occasions that bring together in prayer families and parishioners for “special” moments of God’s grace in the lives of their children. The Sacrament of Confirmation strengthens the candidates by anointing them with the gift of the Holy Spirit; in the Sacrament of Holy Eucharist, they receive for the first time the Body and Blood of the Lord. These Sacraments are actions of the Lord in the lives of those who receive them, and the solemn celebrations during which they take place are prayerful Catholic experiences for all who are present.
On Saturday May 11, two of our seminarians were ordained transitional deacons – the final step on their journey to ordination as priests next year. Reverend Mr. Thomas Piro and Reverend Mr. Timothy Mulranen. As deacons, they have a sacramental role at the Altar, which includes assisting the priest at Mass, preaching the Word of God, celebrating Baptism and witnessing the exchange of vows at marriage. On Saturday May 18, the ordination of our newest diocesan priest, Father Ricardo Lozano, took place. On Pentecost Sunday, he offered his First Mass. Both of these Masses of Ordination were faith-filled and joyous celebrations that brought together huge crowds of the faithful from all over the Diocese and elsewhere. Please, pray that more young men will consider a vocation to the diocesan priesthood.
During May in many of our parishes and schools, the charming ritual that expresses so beautifully the love of our people for the Mother of God – the Crowning of the Blessed Mother – took place. Devotion to Mary, the Mother of God, leads to devotion to her Son, Jesus Christ. At the conclusion of the Mass to begin the annual convention of the New Jersey Knights of Columbus, there was a Crowning of Mary by First Communicants from Wildwood Catholic Academy. As I looked out at the congregation, I couldn’t help but notice tears in the eyes of some of the Knights and their wives as they sang the haunting hymn “Bring Flowers of the Rarest,” while the youngsters in their First Holy Communion outfits surrounded a statue of Mary and made an offering of flowers. It was a beautiful moment of Catholic ritual.
During May, our Diocese received with great joy Bishop Joseph Williams, a priest of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, Minnesota, appointed by the Holy Father as Coadjutor Bishop of Camden. A historic moment in the history of the Diocese of Camden. Bishop Williams will be our ninth bishop on March 17, 2025, when my resignation as the bishop of Camden takes effect. On May 21, a press conference was held to introduce the bishop. That day, he had an opportunity to meet diocesan staff, the chancery priests, the diocesan Consultors, the Deans and the retired priests at Sacred Heart Residence. On the morning of the 22nd, before he returned to Minneapolis, he visited Saint Margaret Regional School and spoke with the children and their teachers. It was such a happy occasion for the children and for him.
The Sacrament of Matrimony also fills up parish schedules during May. Rehearsals and then the wedding ceremonies. Such significant moments in the lives of the bride and groom and their families. Two become one, and as husband and wife, mirror the love of Jesus Christ for the Church.
“JUNE IS BUSTIN’ OUT ALL OVER.” A catchy and memorable tune from the Broadway show “Carousel,” music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein, celebrates the arrival of summer. As the calendar turns to June, I cannot stop humming that tune. June is also a busy month as I observe many activities on my schedule and that of our schools and parishes.
Graduations. I will speak at our five diocesan Catholic High School graduations celebrating the commencement of our graduates of the Class of 2024. Each of our grammar schools also will conduct a commencement exercise, as do the public schools in the different communities in our Diocese. Graduation represents achievement in a student’s life and for their parents as well. It is time for taking leave of the familiar and beginning something new. Baccalaureate Masses will be offered and Commencement Exercises will be conducted. Honors programs, awards and medals, ceremonies and scholarship announcements also take place. Congratulations to all in the Diocese who are graduating this June. God bless each one of you.
June on the Church calendar is dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. That iconic image of the human heart of Jesus exposed and pulsating with life. The Sacred Heart of Jesus is a heart that loves. The Sacred Heart of Jesus is a heart that forgives. The Sacred Heart of Jesus is a place of welcome, rest and comfort for us. This powerful devotion developed in the 19th century, and it attracted the Catholic faithful. Naturally, the image of the Sacred Heart speaks of God’s love and forgiveness made flesh in Jesus Christ for our salvation.
There are many popular devotions to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. This year, we observe the 125th anniversary of the Consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, which was given to the Church by Pope Leo XIII. He asked the faithful to honor the Heart of Jesus on the first Friday of each month and on the Feast of the Sacred Heart. That Feast is set annually on the Church calendar on the Friday following the Solemnity of Corpus Christi. This year, it will be on Friday, June 7. In many of our parishes, there will be hours of Adoration before the Blessed Sacrament and prayers offered to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Some parishes celebrate the Solemnity of Corpus Christi with outdoor processions with the Blessed Sacrament. Christ walks among His people. These processions are lovely events that focus on the real presence of the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament.
Once a tune gets into my head, I keep on humming. Now there are two: “It’s May, It’s May” and “June is Bustin’ Out All Over.” Tunes that remind me of the two very busy months, May and June, with such special events for us Catholics. Two months to grow in deeper love of the Lord and the Blessed Mother. Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us! Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us!
Most Reverend Dennis J. Sullivan, D.D.
Bishop of Camden