984 Suburban Rd, Union, NJ 07083 908-687-3327

Holy Spirit Church parishoffice@holyspiritunion.org

Monday-Thursday: 9:00 am to 12:00 pm and 1 pm to 3 pm

The parish office is closed on National Holidays and Catholic Holy Days of Obligation.

What Catholics Believe About Lent:
Fasting, Ashes, and 40 Days Explained

STATIONS OF THE CROSS:

Every Friday during Lent
9:00 AM and 7:00 PM

Sunday Mass

Saturday: 5:30pm (For Sunday obligation)
Sunday: 8:00am, 10:00am, 12:00Noon and 7:00pm

Daily Mass

Monday - Saturday: 8:30am
Holy Days: As announced

Reconciliation

Monday - Friday: 8:00 am - 8:20 am
Saturday: 8:00 am - 8:20 am and 4:00 pm - 5:15 pm

Advent and Lent - Day of Confession - as announced

MESSAGE FROM THE PEW

A Message from the Pew - Does God Loves Me? “A Lenten Reflection”

Does God love you and me? Yes, but what does that really mean? It means that no matter our struggles, our sins, or doubts, He calls us to Himself, inviting us into His mercy, forgiveness, and new life.

The Sacrament of Reconciliation “Confessions” shows us this love in action. It is not about shame. It is an opportunity to lay our burdens at the feet of Jesus and experience His mercy. As Scripture tells us: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28

Through confession, we are freed from the weight of our sins and are renewed in God’s grace.

During Lent, attending the Stations of the Cross on Fridays here at Holy Spirit reveals God’s love. We follow Jesus along His path to Calvary, we see His suffering, His sacrifice, and His unwavering care for each of us. He knows our burdens and walks with us in our daily struggles. As Isaiah 53:4 reminds us: “Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted.”

Remember the Three P’s of God’s love which are Personal, Patient, and Powerful. The Sacrament of Reconciliation and the Stations of the Cross remind us that Jesus carries our burdens and calls us to follow Him with humble hearts.

Attending Church during this season matters. Here, we are nourished by Word and Sacrament, strengthened in community, and reminded of God’s endless love. Through Mass, confession, and the Stations of the Cross, we encounter His mercy, experience His grace, and grow closer to Him.

This Lent, let us accept His love, unburden our hearts, and allow God’s mercy to transform our lives as we prepare our hearts for Good Friday and the joy of Easter.

God Loves You and Me!

Joe Marateo

UPCOMING PARISH EVENTS

HOLY SPIRIT LENTEN PARISH RETREAT

ALL ARE INVITED to the one day Lenten Parish Retreat on March 7 (Saturday) at Holy Spirit Church located at 970 Suburban Rd., Union, NJ. It starts with the 8:30 a.m. daily Holy Mass and ends at 4:00 p.m. with Private Prayer, Confession, Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Benediction.

The theme of the retreat is “Living Out the Gospels in Our Daily Lives.” Our lives become a "mirror" reflecting Christ, so much so that people see Him in us, both in difficult and ordinary moments. This means choosing love over conflict, forgiveness over bitterness, and gratitude over complaint, even when it's hard, as shown in how we interact with family, strangers, and difficult circumstances.

The registration form is in the Bulletin. The fee for the retreat is $30. Breakfast and lunch will be served. Please fill in the form and drop it off at or mail it to the Holy Spirit Parish Office at 984 Suburban Rd., Union NJ, 07083, together with your check or you can put it in the Sunday collection basket.

First Friday

First Friday of the month to the Sacred Heart of Jesus at 9:00 am (after 8:30 am morning Mass)

First Saturday

First Saturday of the month to the Immaculate Heart of Mary at 9:00 am (after 8:30 am morning Mass)

Divine Mercy Chaplet

Divine Mercy Chaplet on the third Sunday of the month at 3:00 pm

Novena to BVM and St. Jude

Novena to Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Jude
September - June: Every Monday after 8:30 am Mass

Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help

Novena to to Our Lady of Perpetual Help on the Third Wednesday of the month at 9:00 am (after 8:30 am morning Mass)

Events

March
Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat
1	2	3	4	5	6	7
8	9	10	11	12	13	14
15	16	17	18	19	20	21
22	23	24	25	26	27	28
29	30	31

Mar 2 2026 9:00 am - Novena to the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Jude
Mar 6 2026 8:00 am - First Friday Devotion
Mar 7 2026 9:00 am - First Saturday Devotion

View all events »

Saint of the Day

Mar. 1 Second Sunday of Lent, Sunday

03/01/26 12:00 am

From the Gospel of the Second Sunday of Lent, Year A: While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud cast a shadow over them, then from the cloud came a voice that said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him." (Matt 17:5)

Feb. 28 Saturday of the First Week of Lent; Ember Saturday, Weekday

02/28/26 12:00 am

The Roman Martyrology commemorates St. Louise de Marillac (1591-1660). She was born in 1592, and married in 1613. When her husband died she made a vow of widowhood and devoted herself entirely to works of charity. St. Vincent de Paul, who became her spiritual director, gradually initiated her into his own charitable works for the poor and afflicted, and in 1639 they founded the Congregation of the Daughters of Charity to which St. Louise dedicated the rest of her life. She was canonized by Pope Pius XI on March 11, 1934.

Feb. 27 Friday of the First Week of Lent; Opt. Mem. of St. Gregory of Narek, Abbot & Doctor of the Church; Ember Friday, Weekday

02/27/26 12:00 am

Today is the Optional Memorial St. Gregory of Narek (950-1005). St Gregory of Narek, Doctor of the Church, Armenian monk, poet, mystical philosopher, theologian, writer and saint of the Armenian Apostolic Church and Catholic Church was born into a family of writers. Based in the monastery of Narek (Narekavank), he was "Armenia's first great poet" and as "the watchful angel in human form." His commemoration was added to the General Roman Calendar in 2021.