O Sacred Heart of Jesus, fountain of eternal life, Your Heart is a glowing furnace of Love. You are my refuge and my sanctuary.
-St. Gertrude the Great
Welcome to the Parish of St. Gertrude, where I hope you will find a home within our faith-filled parish family!
Located in the bucolic community of Bayville – where it’s not unknown to catch an occasional buck munching an early morning breakfast in our garden or owlets perching in their nest – St. Gert’s is a vibrant, generous, close-knit community of believers who pitch in when things need to be done. I am continually amazed at the goodness, dedication and cooperation of so many who make our parish thrive.
Our liturgical ministers – music ministry, lectors, ushers and altar servers – make our liturgies more meaningful and bring the Eucharist to those who can’t be here in person. Our Society of St. Vincent de Paul provides a food pantry and ongoing outreach assistance, while our Angels for Christmas – Giving Tree ministry never ceases to inspire me with the parish participation of gift giving. Our Rosary Guild, in addition to its spiritual formation side, raises funds through various sales and raffles and generously contributes the proceeds to the parish. And the Knights of Columbus provide a host of services, including sponsoring lifesaving blood drives (and pancake breakfasts) several times per year to address ongoing and emergency needs.
Of course I am grateful to our Faith Formation pastoral team, headed by Dr. Sheehan, who leads dedicated catechists in serving our children, as well as guiding adults into full initiation in the church. In addition, our CYO basketball program in our newly renovated Parish Center gymnasium is always active, serving youth most days of the week. Also housed in our beautiful Parish Center, our preschool serves Mommy and Me, and 2-, 3- and 4-year olds with our well-qualified staff in early learning education, led by Director Anna Nicoletta.
On the worship side, Parish offerings include: Daily celebration of the Eucharist, Eucharistic Adoration and Benediction offered on Wednesday afternoons throughout the year and also on Saturdays during Lent and Advent; twice yearly Mass of Healing for physical and spiritual wellbeing offered by Fr. Joseph; occasional films and lectures, and a Lenten Mission.
In June we celebrate our wonderful FUN and fundraiser of the year – the St. Anthony’s Feast on the beach. Please volunteer to assist at our booths or pitch in in some way -- it’s a nice evening out and it keeps the lights on!
As always, I thank God I can continue to serve as your pastor. The Parish offers so many ways to get involved. Click on Get Involved on our newly designed web page, check our weekly bulletin, both printed and digital, sign up for Instagram and Facebook for updates, and feel free to speak to me, Fr. Joseph or other lay ministers. But, most of all, come join us as we gather for Eucharist each week. Come set down your roots and belong to this extraordinary parish and village.
On behalf of Fr. Joseph and our staff, may the Lord Jesus and his Most Holy Mother shine their tender love and light on you always.
Msgr. Robert Morrissey
Pastor
