FAQs
How Do I Get My Name on the Prayer List?
There are two prayer lists one may be on. One is printed in the bulletin and can be arranged by calling the Parish Office and making the request for your name to be published in the "Please Pray For" section of the bulletin. You can be placed on the other list by calling Millie Yayac at 732-928-3733. Your intentions will be prayed for daily by parishioners when on this list.
How Do I Join the Parish?
To join the parish, one must fill out a registration form. There are a number of ways to obtain one.
You may:
- Come to the parish office in person (Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM) and fill one out on the spot, or take one home and return it at a later date.
- Ask for a registration form at Sunday Mass. We always keep copies in the usher's room, and anyone who is volunteering will be happy to assist you.
- Have one mailed to you by calling the parish office.
To return a registration form you may:
- Mail it to us at Saint Aloysius Church, P.O. Box 1285, 935 Bennetts Mills Road, Jackson, New Jersey, 08527.
- Bring it to the office in person.
- Put it in the collection basket at Mass.
When you register in person, you should be given a Welcome Letter, a Parish Information Booklet, and any other information you may need about the parish. If you did not register in person but would like copies of these items, please call the parish office and we will send them to you.
We have Welcome Gatherings for new parishioners quarterly. After registering for the parish you should receive a postcard in the mail inviting you to a Welcome Gathering. If you don't receive one of these postcards but would like to attend, please do so! All are encouraged and welcome to attend! For more information about Welcome Gatherings, please call Jen at the parish office.
How Do I Become Catholic?
RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) is the process by which non-Catholics or Catholics who are not fully initiated into the Catholic faith become full members of our faith and our Church.
Family members of Catholics who would like to understand the belief of their family members are also welcome to "Come and See" what the Catholic Church is all about.
Informal inquiry sessions are held every Tuesday at 7:00 PM in the parish offices.
For more information click here or call Jen at the parish office 732-370-0500
How Do I Arrange A Communion Call?
If you or a loved one is permanently or temporarily homebound or cannot get out to Church for some other serious reason, arrangements may be made to have an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion (EM) bring Communion to your home. A short visit, prayer and Communion will be offered. Homebound parishioners may make arrangement to have their Confession heard through the visiting EM or by calling the parish office. A priest will come and hear your confession upon your request.
Godparent/Sponsor Certificate
To request a Godparent/Certificate, please contact the parish office. Below are the requirements for sponsorship according to Canon Law:
- Parents of the one to be baptized cannot be the godparent
- One godparent must be a Catholic, eligible to receive a Sponsor Certificate (one who is an active, registered member of their parish, in a marriage recognized by the Church, Confirmed in the Catholic Church, at least sixteen years of age)
- Each Catholic godparent must provide a Sponsor Certificate to the Parish Office at least two weeks prior to the scheduled date of your child's Baptism. If this is not done, your Baptism will be postponed to the next available date
- Non-Catholic Christians may be Christian witnesses, as long as an eligible Catholic godparent is also present. A letter from their Church saying that they are registered there must be furnished.
- If there are two godparents, one must be male and one female. If there is only one, they can be either
How Do I Return to the Church?
There are many different reasons why one might leave: a hurt experienced in or by the Church or one of it's members, changing family situations that made Mass difficult or uncomfortable, changes in the Church that didn't make sense to you, moving from one community to another and never really feeling at home.
Whatever your reason for leaving, we are so happy that you are considering coming home again! We welcome you, and will do our best to assist you in making a comfortable transition.
If you left and did not convert to another religion, all that is necessary for returning to participation at Mass is a sincere Confession (Saturdays 4:00-4:45 PM, or by appointment).
If you left and did convert to another religion, there may be a little more involved. Please contact the parish office for more information. If you want to come back but have unresolved issues or feelings, we have a program called Catholics Retuning Home (CRH) which is designed to minister to people in your situation. It is a six session program (you only have to come to as many as you want) run by parishioners who have, themselves, left the Church and come back. You will find a listening ear, empathy, a chance to begin feeling reconciled with the Church.
For Catholics Returning home please contact Bill Bellamacina at 732-833-4287 or bbells12@optonline.net, or Peggy at 732-928-8950.
How Do I Learn More About Parish Groups?
Here, at St. Aloysius, we have many different groups that serve many different needs. There are four great ways to find out about these groups:
- Obtain a parish information booklet by contacting the parish office.
- Speak with someone in the parish office (732-370-0500), or any staff member about what we have to offer.
- Read the bulletin to see what the groups are up to.
- Speak to an active parishioner - they are a wonderful resource and can offer first hand experience on what the groups are like.
We offer everything from faith sharing and prayer groups, to enrichment programs, support groups, opportunities to serve the community and many other programs to deepen your faith journey. If you do not see a group here that you think should be, let us know. We are very happy to work with parishioners to get new ministries and groups active. Most of our parish groups were started because a parishioner came forward and said they felt a need for it in our parish. Chances are, if you can tell us where your heart has leanings, we can suggest a group for you.
How Do I Learn More About My Faith?
St. Aloysius Church, the surrounding parishes and our Diocese all offer terrific programs, retreats, and classes for the formation and enrichment of people of all ages. At St. Aloysius we routinely have:
- Men's and Women's Retreats (on and off campus)
- Faith sharing groups
- Bible Study
- Workshops
- Missions
- Evening Reflections
Please call the Parish Office or see the Church bulletin for more details. For additional information on what other parishes and the Diocesan offices are providing, please check out bulletin or take a look at the Diocesan website: www.dioceseoftrenton.org.
How Do I Get Information on Lay Vocations?
There are many opportunities to serve the Church as a single or married person. Many people feel called to service within the Church on a professional level but are not sure where they fit in.
Consider the following:
- Lay Ecclesial Ministry (such as DRE, Pastoral Associate, Pastoral Care, Chaplaincy)
- Vowed Religious Life ( such as a Brother or Sister)
- Missionary Service
If you would like more information on any of these areas, please call Sr. Eileen at the Parish Office at 732-370-0500, ext. 206. For information on Lay Ecclesial Ministry in our Diocese, visit http://www.dioceseoftrenton.org/spiritual/layecclesialministry.asp.
How Do I Advertise My Business In the Bulletin?
It is not the policy of St. Aloysius to advertise for businesses in our regular announcements. If you would like to rent a section on the advertisement page, please contact John Patrick Publishing Company (jppc.net)and the phone number is: 800-333-3166.