Mary, Mother of God Church, Hillsborough NJ

Fr. Sean Broderick, who has been appointed as Administrator to our parish for the next three years, could wish for nothing better than to be associated with this reflection on the thoughts of Msgr. Liam Minogue (Pastor for 14 years) which he shared with all of us in his last Homily.

Msgr. Liam was at peace with himself at the end of his life. He said that was in large part due to the tremendous outpouring of love and concern that was shown to him by the members of this, his parish, for which he will be eternally greatful. He wanted to speak to us to bring closure for himself as well as for us, his parishoners. After his funeral, he said he would return to his home land of Ireland to be buried. He told us how happy his life has been doing God's work, and how glad he was to have chosen a career in the priesthood. His closing and most important wish was that he could personally go up to every teenager in the parish, put his hands on their shoulders, and say "Consider a life in service to God."

We cannot capture here all the wonderful things that have been said about Msgr. Liam at his funeral Mass. We thank Msgr. Liam for all the love he has shown to us and for making our church a wonderful place to come every week.

Our Parish Mission Statement:

We, as members of Mary, Mother of God Parish, are a people of faith united to the Roman Catholic Church in union with the Diocese of Metuchen. As Catholics we strive to help each other grow in our knowledge and love of Christ.

We are a sacramental people, committed to fusing the principles espoused by the Second Vatican Council with the traditional values of our faith community.

We are no longer a small intimate community of people who know one another readily. If we are to be united by warm and personal relationships, the most significant means of accomplishing that community is through faithful participation in the Eucharist. We must also find new ways to reach out to welcome an ever growing, ever changing membership. We must make a constant effort to let each person know their importance in God's eyes in our church and local parish community. We must find ways to reach out in active service to one another in our parish community and in our local community.

Aware of our limitations, we call upon Mary, Mother of God, as Patroness of our Parish Community, to guide us in attaining the goals of our mission statement.

Goal I:

YOUTH - To provide opportunities that will foster in our youth their responsibility to become productive leaders within the Christian Community.

Goal II:

EVANGELIZATION - Nurture and encourage in our parishoners an appreciation of the mandate from Jesus "to go teach all nations."

Goal III:

EDUCATION - To encourage and support all members of our parish to be enthusiastic and knowledgeable witnesses of their faith.

Goal IV:

SPIRITUAL ENRICHMENT - Deepen and strengthen the spiritual life within our Parish Community.

Goal V:

SOCIAL CONCERNS - To respond to the teachings of Christ toward our brothers and sisters in need, and through the social teachings of the Church which maintain the human dignity of all.

Goal VI:

RIGHT TO LIFE - To fulfill our responsibilities as Catholics to protect the sanctity of life of all human beings - BORN AND UNBORN.