VINELAND (May 2, 2005) – Bishop Joseph A. Galante, D.D., J.C.D., will celebrate the Fifth Annual Green Mass for farmers and farm workers on:
The annual blessing of the fields will be held 2:00 p.m. when bishop. The annual blessing is to ensure a bountiful harvest at the end of the growing season. Parishioners who wish to have their fields blessed can register by calling the parish office at 856-691-7526. Annually, the Green Mass is celebrated to meet the spiritual needs of farmers and laborers in rural areas of Atlantic, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, and Salem counties.
“The Mass is a way of recognizing the importance of the farming community to the entire region and gives evidence of our commitment to the spiritual needs of farmers and farm workers,” said Father Peter Saporito, pastor of St. Padre Pio parish which is itself surrounded by fields and farmhouses. The Mass will be celebrated in English and in Spanish, Father Saporito said. More than 500 attend the Mass each year.