St. Aedan’s: The Saint Peter’s College Church was officially welcomed into partnership with Saint Peter’s College during a special Mass and community gathering on Sunday, August 21. The Most Reverend Thomas A. Donato, D.D., celebrated Mass, leading approximately 600 people in prayer and rejoicing at this historic moment. Appropriately, the Gospel proclamation happened to contain the Apostle Peter’s confession of Jesus Christ’s divinity and the description of Peter as the rock of the Christian church. Bishop Donato reminded worshippers of how the St. Aedan’s church was built upon the rock of the local community, and he welcomes the inclusion of Saint Peter’s College as a chance to continue the mission with renewed strength.
“This partnership is a wonderful way to further the Jesuit mission and identity of Saint Peter’s College and share our resources and faith community with St. Aedan’s,” commented Eileen Poiani, Ph.D., special assistant to the president at Saint Peter’s College. “We look forward to joining together for many liturgical celebrations in the coming years, and enabling our students to learn from the deep traditions and spirituality of St. Aedan’s.”
A barbecue in the courtyard followed the Mass, and allowed members of the College community and members of St. Aedan’s parish to connect and celebrate with one another. More than 300 worshippers stayed to partake in this joyful reception.
All of the St. Aedan’s campus, including the church, convent, rectory, school and adjacent parking lots, will be incorporated into the Saint Peter’s College campus. The College church will stimulate the faith life of the College, further elevating the campus vitality as a Jesuit institution. It will also provide an opportunity for faculty, students, staff and administrators to engage in programs and practices, which lead to a lifelong commitment to service. Saint Peter’s will continue to offer Masses for the community on Saturday evenings and Sunday mornings and will carry on parish traditions such as baptisms, weddings, sacramental preparation and the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA). In addition, the College has plans for community gatherings such as special musical performances, festivals and liturgical events.