To help facilitate communication, we have started a newsletter.  The first issue went out to the 8:30 and 11:30 Sunday Mass attendees and the CCD parents.  For anyone who missed it, the content is posted below.  Please also see the Editor's Note at the bottom.

St. Mary's News

As most of you are aware, we now have a new pastor, Fr. Edward Namiotka.  Fr. Romanowski has appealed his removal as pastor of St. Mary's*, but while the appeal is pending, Fr. Namiotka will be pastor.  Fr. Romanowski has chosen retirement over reassignment as a parochial vicar at St. Nicholas in Atlantic City.  If he wins his appeal, Fr. Romanowski will be reinstated as pastor of St. Mary's.  In the meantime, he will continue to reside at the rectory at least through the end of April and will assist Fr. Namiotka with the pastoral care of our parish.  We welcome Fr. Namiotka and continue to support Fr. Romanowski. 

Many people are wondering what this transition means for our efforts to save St. Mary's.  For the most part, we will continue on exactly as we have been.  Fr. Namiotka's appointment does not mean our church will close anytime soon, nor does it mean that our church will stay open for the duration of his six year term.  This will be explained in more detail at the Save St. Mary's Meeting on Monday, March 9^th at 6:30 pm.

Saving St. Mary's

What You Can Do To Help

1.        PRAY!  Say a quick Hail Mary, a whole rosary or a decade, offer a mass, visit St. Mary's, offer time before our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament, whatever you can do.

2.        STAY ACTIVE!  Try joining a parish group, participating in a devotion, become a lector, etc.  Our parish is active every day of the week, stop by anytime and encourage others to come to St. Mary's. 

3.        CONTRIBUTE!  It's important that St. Mary's be self-sufficient.  Please contribute generously to your church (the first collection) and also to Save St. Mary's.  

4.        WORK WITH ONE OF THE SAVE ST. MARY'S COMMITTEES!  We have several committees working to keep St. Mary's open.  Please join one of the following committees to help with the planning:  Prayer/Devotionals, Picketing/Rallies, Media, Letter Writing, Fundraising, Vigil Prep, Canon Law Appeal, Civil Litigation. 

5.        CONTINUE WRITING LETTERS AND RALLYING!

For more information, please attend our meeting on Monday, March 9^th at 6:30 pm or contact Leah Vassallo (692-0222) or Kevin Kelton (694-2748) for more information.  We will also provide more details in our next newsletter.

 * Editor's Note:  Since the publication of this newsletter, Fr. Romanowski has informed us that he has withdrawn his appeal.  We will present this latest change at tonight's meeting and in next week's newsletter.