Four weeks after a 5 p.m. Spanish Mass Sunday evenings was added at St. Agnes Church, the mass continues to be well attended and growing in numbers as more learn about the newest addition to the religious observances and prayers in the Our Lady of Perpetual Help St Agnes parish.
The Rev. Thomas Mallavarapu, who was named by Bishop O’Connell to be parochial vicar at the church in June, assisting the pastor, the Rev. Jarlath Quinn, came to Monmouth County from Our Lady of Fatima parish in Perth Amboy, a predominantly Spanish parish. When Father Thomas saw the Spanish population in the Bayshore area and learned they would like to have mass said in Spanish, he began the additional mass every Sunday evening.
With dozens of people attending the mass and growing as word spreads of the mass being said in Spanish, it is a family affair for most. Parents come with young children. all well-behaved and attentive throughout the mass. The parish has the weekly missals available with the mass in Spanish, making it easy for anyone to follow the readings.
For The Durazo family, the family attending mass together also means adjusting schedules for some employees. The couple are the owners of the popular Emilio’s Restaurant on Center Avenue, and while Emilio and his brother are the main chefs in the restaurant, which is open seven days a week for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, Emilio has his brother take an added portion of his night shift so he is able to attend the mass. Emilio serves both as an acolyte at the mass, and occasionally as a lector. The couple’s three daughters also attend the mass regularly, with Isabella and Maria frequently taking up the collection. This week, Isabella also served as lector along with her father for the two readings at the mass.
Father Thomas encourages everyone to participate actively in the mass, an invitation that drew Nelson, a Spanish speaking singer, to lead singing prayers and hymns throughout the mass recently. Following mass, parishioners meet with the priest before leaving for the evening to thank him for the added feature in the parish.
There were several other services and masses offered in both churches in the parish throughout November, with special masses said for the deceased. At a recent special mass at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Father Quinn noted the mass was offered especially for all those who had died during the year, and invited family members to bring photographs to place on the altar during mass. Father also read the names of more than 60 parishioners who had died during 2024 and welcomed visitors who wanted to share stories of their deceased family member or friend.
The Rev. Joseph Donnelly Council of the Knights of Columbus also had a special mass recently, honoring members of the Knights Council who had died during the year and inviting their family members to the mass and refreshments and conversation following the evening church service.
This month, with the December 8 Feast of the Immaculate Conception, a Holy Day throughout the world, falling on a Sunday, a day devoted to the Lord, Father announced there will be three Masses on Monday, December 9 to honor the Mother of God. Those masses will be at 7 a.m. and noon at St. Agnes Church, and 7 p.m. at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church.
The Christmas Nativity Pageant will be performed by students in the CCD program on Saturday, December 7 at St. Agnes Church at 4:45 p.m. CCD instructor Mary McKelvey also noted she is also offering the opportunity for sponsors to underwrite the cost of a child to attend religious education. Those interested in donating to that program can contact her at reled@olphstagnes.org.
The St. Agnes Thrift Shop on South Avenue is open Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 3 pm and Saturdays, December 14 and December 28 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Donations can also be accepted at the Thrift Shop during those hours.
There are Gift Giving trees in both churches for those who want to make donations to help others in need. At OLPH, colorful tags hung on a Christmas tree near the altar of the church cite the name of a child or senior and some suggestions for gifts for that person. Unwrapped gifts should then be brought to church no later than December 18.
At St. Agnes Church, donors can give gift cards from any local or online stores to enable families to make purchase themselves. The tree with a container nearby to accept gift cards is inside the church in the front entrance. Those cards must be donated no later than December 8.
The trees in each church are sponsored by the St. Vincent de Paul Society which also invites anyone who knows of needy families to call 732-291-0272, ext. 113, and leave a name and phone number so a Society member can return the call.
There will be a Christmas Fest Saturday, December 14, from 3 to 8 p.m. at the Charles J Hesse Parish Center on South Avenue
Wonderful that Spanish language masses being offered