Parish Events
2007
Simbang Gabi Novena Mass
December 13, 2007

The Filipino-American Community of Monmouth County gathered on December 13th at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church for a special Novena Mass. Simbang Gabi is a Filipino tradition in the preparation for the birth of our Lord.


Fr. Francis Tam (Parochial Vicar at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church) with (left to right) Roberta Pandolfo, Mary Ann Kreger and Barbara Hardiman, who helped plan the evening's celebration.
St. Padre Pio Healing Mass
November 10, 2007
"Pray, pray to the Lord with me, because the
whole world needs prayer. And every day, when your heart especially
feels the loneliness of life, pray. Pray to the Lord, because even God
needs our prayers."
— St. Pio of Pietrelcina
On Saturday, November 10, 2007, a special healing mass was celebrated at OLPH in honor of St. Padre Pio.
Mardi
Gras Celebration
February 18, 2007
Our first-ever Mardi Gras was a parish success! The Parish Council put together an evening to remember that marked the traditional start of the Lenten season.
Father Bob got the festivities underway with an opening prayer, then it was on to a Cajun-style buffet of appetizers and entrées. The New Orleans Jazz Band kept spirits high and the dance floor was a spectacular sight.
A door prize basket stuffed with kitchenware and a Chef Emeril Lagasse signed cookbook, as well as his signature pots, went to one lucky winner.
The evening would not have been complete without
the official "King Cake" presentation (right). 
King Cakes are a confection made of braided pastry and cinnamon which is always iced in the Mardi Gras colors (purple for justice, green for faith, and gold for power). Hidden in each king cake is a tiny plastic baby; the person who finds the baby must buy the next king cake or host the next party.
Parishioner feedback was so positive that Mardi Gras just might become an annual event!
The New Orleans Jazz Band
Queen of the Mardi Gras