Parish plans events to honor its patron

As Pope Francis recognizes the sainthood of Teresa of Calcutta this Sunday in Rome, her parish namesake in South Jersey will commemorate and honor the life and work of one of the most influential church figures of the past century.

Collingswood’s Blessed (soon to be renamed Saint) Teresa of Calcutta Parish was established on Oct. 6, 2010, resulting from the merger of the parishes of Saint John in Collingswood, and Holy Saviour in Westmont.

During the merger process, the Core Team submitted four names for the merged parish to Bishop Joseph Galante, who chose Blessed Teresa of Calcutta.

Calling the last few days and weeks “overwhelming and happy,” Father John Bohrer, administrator of Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, said there is an energy and buzz in the parish community.

The community, and the programs his parish will be offering in the coming weeks and months, are “a reflection of Blessed Teresa’s mission” to serve all.

Upcoming events at the parish include:

Saturday, Sept. 10

Mother Teresa Day of Service

Day of community service, beginning with a 9 a.m. Mass and Saint John Church, followed by service opportunities at various off-site locations from 10:30 a.m.- 3 p.m. (The Day of Service is also being held at the Parish of Saint Monica, Atlantic City.) For more info, visit www.camdendiocese.org/motherteresa

Monday, Sept. 26 – Wednesday, Sept. 28

Three-Day Parish Mission: “Saint Teresa of Calcutta, Woman of Mercy”

Saint John Church, 7 p.m.

Presenter: Father Vince Fortunato, a Capuchin Franciscan Friar. He has served his community for 20 years in Formation Ministry and for six years as Provincial Minister.

Sunday, Oct. 2         

Mass of Thanksgiving for Canonization of Teresa of Calcutta, with Bishop Dennis Sullivan

Saint John Church, 11 a.m.

Luncheon in Good Shepherd School after Mass; reservations required

Saturday, Oct. 22

Liturgy Workshop: The Eucharist- Food and Drink for the Works of Mercy

Good Shepherd School Cafeteria, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Presenter: Father Richard Fragomeni, Professor of Liturgy and Preaching at Chicago’s Catholic Theological Union. His current work is in the field of word and sacrament: the intersection of symbolic activity and language as it creates insights into the Christian proclamation of grace. He also serves as the rector of The Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii, an Italian-American spiritual center in Chicago’s historic Little Italy. With Brother Michael O’Neill McGrath, O.S.F.S., he is the author of both “Blessed Art Thou Mother, Lady, Mystic, Queen,” and “At the Name of Jesus: The Way, The Truth, The Life.”

Sunday, Oct. 30

All Saints Afternoon: An Intergenerational Gathering

Good Shepherd Cafeteria, Noon – 2:30 p.m.

Lunch and activities

Call parish office to register

Sunday, Nov. 13

Organ Concert and Vespers in Honor of Saint Teresa

Saint John Church, 4 p.m.

Featuring Organist Sandor Kadar and Soloist Kate Chmelko

For more information or to register for these events, call 858-0298 or email cmcnichol@blessedteresanj.org