Bishop Serratelli made a pastoral visit to St. Rose of Lima Parish in East Hanover and named Father Maciej Kranc as pastor of the parish during the vigil Mass marking the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time on Oct. 12. Father Kranc had served at St. Rose of Lima as parochial vicar before being named administrator earlier this year.

Bishop Serratelli made a pastoral visit to Our Lady of Pompei Parish in Paterson Oct. 13, where he served as main celebrant and homilist of the 10:30 a.m. Mass for the 28th Sunday of Ordinary Time. After Mass, he blessed a new prayer garden behind the church, which encourages people to “pray for an end to abortion, for women in crisis, for the healing of men who lost fatherhood and for women who are suffering trauma,” according to Father Frank Agresti, pastor. At the garden’s center is a statue of Our Lady Help of Christians with the Christ Child.

Two years ago on World Mission Sunday, Pope Francis called for Extraor­dinary Missionary Month to be observed during October to foster greater awareness on those evangelized throughout the world because of the sacrifices made by missionaries. “This missionary mandate touches us personally: I am a mission, always; you are a mission, always; every baptized man and woman is a mission. People in love never stand still: they are drawn out of themselves; they are attracted and attract others in turn; they give themselves to others and build relationships that are life-giving,” he said. “As far as God’s love is concerned, no one is useless or insignificant. Each of us is a mission to the world, for each of us is the fruit of God’s love.”