Our Lady Queen of Peace (OLQP) Parish in Branchville on June 24 and 25 commemorated the solemnities of two saints: St. John the Baptist, patron of the Paterson Diocese, and the parish’s patron, Our Lady Queen of Peace.
Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney visited OLQP for the Our Lady Queen of Peace observance on June 25, presiding over a 5 p.m. outdoor Mass. Father Philip-Michael Tangorra, OLQP’s pastor; Father Wayne Varga, pastor of St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Sandyston and St. James the Greater Parish in Montague; Father Ruben Castillo, chaplain of the Sussex County Hispanic Mission, Father Jayke Parinas, parochial vicar of St. Pius X Parish in Montville; and Vocationist Father Michael Onyekwere, a chaplain at Newton Medical Center, concelebrated the Mass with Bishop Sweeney. Deacon John Mihalko of Assumption Parish in Morristown assisted with the liturgy.
The all-day Our Lady Queen of Peace observances started at OLQP on June 25 at 3 a.m. with a Mass of Deliverance to promote harmony. The day continued with morning prayer and the rosary, Divine Chaplets of Mercy, opportunities for confession, a Medjugorje/Queen of Peace talk, a barbeque and festivities, and an 8 p.m. closing prayer. The day also included a children’s program with breakfast, a rosary, a Marian activity, and a Medjugorje/Queen of Peace talk.
On the previous day, June 24, OLQP held celebrations for St. John’s solemnity, which started at 8 a.m. with an exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. The day included a peace and joy for life talk, a Chaplet of Divine Mercy, opportunities for confession, family adoration hour, a Mass for Life, a pro-life speaker, and an 8 p.m. closing rosary. A children’s program included lunch and a peace and joy for life talk.
“It was a huge success. There were many blessings and healings,” Father Tangorra said.
BEACON PHOTOS | JOE GIGLI
