Loss of a Child Mass on May 1st

Dear Parishioners,

The passing away of a child leaves families in pain navigating grief's life-long journey. A myriad of unspeakable emotions assail broken hearts every minute of every day bringing each mother, father, each family individual to its knees. Along the way, we gather courage and strength to continue the journey. Our respite lies in the healing Holy Mass brings.

In the spirit of focusing on bereaved families in need of peace through healing, the Archdiocesan H.O.P.E. Group (Helping Other Parents Endure) calls upon you to reach out to families who have experienced the horrific loss of a child by sharing the information as noted in this email. We also remember all lost babies, nameless, yet mourned to this day. Through butterfly kisses and gentle kicks, signs of life in the womb, they are a part of us and hold a reverential place in the hearts of our families.

St. Thomas will be hosting the Family Mass for Child Loss on Thursday, May 1st, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. This Mass is sponsored by the Archdiocese of Newark. It has been noted in our bulletin. During the Mass, there will be a reading-of-names, a very powerful moment remembering and memorializing our lost children. Please ask families to submit the child's name to the Archdiocese's Office of Family Life, John Kalinowski, at (973) 497-4327 or call the St. Thomas Parish Center at (973) 338-9190. Following Mass, light refreshments will be served in the St. Peter's Room of the Parish Center.

I am deeply grateful to Father Fama for throwing the doors wide open of our beautiful church, the St. Thomas Administrators, the entire Parish Center Staff, to John Mothier and Damien, to Patricio, Ms. Osondu (our resident flautist), to Jen Benke, and to the community within St. Thomas and surrounding St. Thomas, people who have acceded to my every request so that families may gather strength and courage to continue their journey and find peace through healing along the way.

Thank you and the members of your ministries - thank you so much for helping us to reach out to these families. Please understand our grief path centers around " ... a time to heal." We humbly welcome ALL of you to come together at this Family Mass for Child Loss. Come pray with us and for us.

With gratitude and hope,

Hedi Kovacs

On behalf of the H.O.P.E. Ministry

and on behalf of the St. Thomas Bereavement Ministry