Holy Spirit Roman Catholic Church

984 Suburban Rd, Union, NJ 07083 908-687-3327

Holy Spirit Church parishoffice@holyspiritunion.org

Monday-Thursday: 9:00 am to 12:00 pm and 1 pm to 3 pm

The parish office is closed on National Holidays and Catholic Holy Days of Obligation.

Sunday Mass

Saturday: 5:30pm (For Sunday obligation)
Sunday: 8:00am, 10:00am, 12:00Noon and 7:00pm

Daily Mass

Monday - Saturday: 8:30am
Holy Days: As announced

Reconciliation

Monday - Friday: 8:00 am - 8:20 am
Saturday: 8:00 am - 8:20 am and 4:00 pm - 5:15 pm

Advent and Lent - Day of Confession - as announced

MESSAGE FROM THE PEW

Message from the Pew

Christmas is not simply about Santa Claus, Christmas cards or presents under the tree, but about the greatest gift of all, the birth of Jesus Christ, our Savior.

As we celebrate His arrival this holy season, let our hearts be filled with gratitude and hope.

The recent Father Alphonse Orchestra Christmas Concert brought a renewed spirit to Holy Spirit Church. Through the beautiful music, heartfelt opera

performances, and shared fellowship, we were reminded that Christmas is more than a single day. It is a celebration of God’s love made present among us. As Luke 2:10–11 says, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people” and that joy was clearly felt throughout our church.

As we reflect on Christ’s birth, we also remember the journey of the Three Wise Men, who traveled far, guided by the star to honor the newborn King. Their faith and devotion inspire us to seek Christ in our own lives.

So when you attend one of our Christmas Masses, rejoice in the promise of His birth. For a child is born to us, a son is given to us… and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God” (Isaiah 9:6).

I wish that this Christmas fills your home with peace, your heart with joy, your faith with strength, and your family with the comfort of God’s presence throughout the season and the year ahead.

Merry Christmas to All.

Joe Marateo

Christmas 2025 Holiday Schedule

THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION
OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

MONDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2025
HOLY DAY OF OBLIGATION

8:30 AM - Morning Mass
12:00 PM - Noon Mass
7:00 PM - Evening Mass

CHRISTMAS CONCERT

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2025 at 7:30 PM

Holy Spirit Church is excited to present once again the amazing Father Alphonse Orchestra of St. Peter By the Sea Christmas Concert.

OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2025

7:00 PM - Solemn Mass

ADVENT DAY OF CONFESSION

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2025, FROM 1 PM to 5 PM

Advent is a time for us to reflect on our relationship with God and to prepare ourselves for the birth of Christ.
That makes it an ideal time to participate in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

SIMBANG GABI

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2025

8:00 PM - Solemn Mass

FOURTH WEEK OF ADVENT

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2025

8:30 AM - Morning Mass

CHRISTMAS VIGIL

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2025

4:30 PM - Vigil Christmas Mass
11:30 PM - Holy Spirit Choir Concert
12:00 AM - Midnight Christmas Mass

CHRISTMAS DAY

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2025

8:00 AM - Christmas Day Mass
10:00 AM - Christmas Day Mass
12:00 PM - Christmas Day Mass

THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS,
MARY AND JOSEPH

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2025

8:30 AM - Weekday Morning Mass
5:30 PM - The Holy Family Vigil Mass

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2025

8:00 AM - The Holy Family Mass
10:00 AM - The Holy Family Mass
12:00 PM - The Holy Family Mass
7:00 PM - The Holy Family Mass

SOLEMNITY OF MARY,
THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2025,
NEW YEAR'S EVE

8:30 AM - Weekday Morning Mass
5:30 PM - Mass of Thanksgiving

SOLEMNITY OF MARY,
THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD

THURSDAY, JANUARY 1, 2026

8:00 AM - BVM Mother of God Mass
10:00 AM - BVM Mother of God Mass
12:00 PM - BVM Mother of God Mass

UPCOMING PARISH EVENTS

For admission tickets,
please click here.

With great enthusiasm, we are thrilled to announce our annual Tricky Tray event, set for Sunday, February 15, 2026. This event has grown into a cherished tradition within our parish, serving as a vital source of funding for our programs and food bank. Thanks to your generous support, we raised over $40,000.00 and collected over 1,500 pounds of food last year.

To make our Tricky Tray event another resounding success, we are seeking support from generous individuals and organizations like yours. Your contribution would be invaluable in helping us achieve our fundraising goal.

Here's how you can help: Image preview
Gifts-in-Kind: We welcome donations of goods or services that can be included in our Tricky Tray auction.

Amazon Gift List: QR code provided to make selecting Tricky Tray Donations even easier.

Monetary Donation: Your financial support in the form of a monetary donation would be greatly appreciated. Any amount, whether big or small, will contribute to the success of our event. To make a donation or inquire about sponsorship opportunities, please feel free to contact me at parishoffice@holyspiritunion.org or 908-687-3327.

We are also happy to arrange for the pickup of physical donations if needed.

We sincerely hope you can join us in this noble endeavor to support the Holy Spirit Catholic Church in our 60^th year.

Your generosity will not only help us maintain our beloved church but also strengthen the bonds within our community.

WE ARE HIS WITNESSES

The Archdiocese of Newark is launching a new pastoral initiative, We Are His Witnesses, to inspire all Catholics to embrace their baptismal call as missionary disciples who share Christ’s love, truth, and hope with the world. To deepen your understanding and join this journey of faith, please continue reading.

https://rcan.org/we-are-his-witnesses/

A Letter to the Faithful from Cardinal Tobin

We Are His Witnesses is a pastoral initiative launched by Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., Archbishop of Newark, on Pentecost in June 2025. It invites all of us to walk together on a journey called We Are His Witnesses—a path of pastoral conversion inspired by the Word of God, rooted in Pope Francis’s Evangelii Gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel). This initiative invites the entire Church to reimagine parish life, mission, and ministry in response to a changing world.

Click here to read the full letter. [English] [Spanish] [Korean]

First Friday

First Friday of the month to the Sacred Heart of Jesus at 9:00 am (after 8:30 am morning Mass)

First Saturday

First Saturday of the month to the Immaculate Heart of Mary at 9:00 am (after 8:30 am morning Mass)

Divine Mercy Chaplet

Divine Mercy Chaplet on the third Sunday of the month at 3:00 pm

Novena to BVM and St. Jude

Novena to Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Jude
September - June: Every Monday after 8:30 am Mass

Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help

Novena to to Our Lady of Perpetual Help on the Third Wednesday of the month at 9:00 am (after 8:30 am morning Mass)

Baptism

The Sacrament of Baptism is normally celebrated on the second Sunday of each month. A Preparation Program is required for first-time parents. New parents should register for the Baptism as soon as possible after the child’s birth by contacting the Parish Office. Please, Click here for the Baptismal Registration Form.

For information on who can be a sponsor (godparent) of the baptized child, please, click here.

For Archdiocesan Sacrament Guidelines on Order of Baptism of Children, please, click here.

Events

December
Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat
	1	2	3	4	5	6
7	8	9	10	11	12	13
14	15	16	17	18	19	20
21	22	23	24	25	26	27
28	29	30	31

Dec 20 2025 4:00 pm - Reconciliation
Dec 20 2025 6:45 pm - Charismatic Prayer Gatherings
Dec 21 2025 3:00 pm - Divine Mercy Chaplet

View all events »

Saint of the Day

Dec. 17 December 17, O Wisdom (O Sapientia); Ember Wednesday, Weekday

12/17/25 12:00 am

December 17 marks the beginning of the O Antiphons, the seven jewels of our liturgy, dating back to the fourth century, one for each day until Christmas Eve. These antiphons address Christ with seven magnificent Messianic titles, based on the Old Testament prophecies and types of Christ. The Church in these following Golden Nights travels through the centuries recalling the longing for the Redeemer. Today begins with O Wisdom (O Sapientia).

Dec. 16 Tuesday of the Third Week of Advent, Weekday

12/16/25 12:00 am

We are the blind offspring of the children of pitiful Eve

Dec. 15 Monday of the Third Week of Advent, Weekday

12/15/25 12:00 am

The Roman Martyrology commemorates St. Virginia Centurione Bracelli (1587-1651) is celebrated in Italy. She was born in Genoa, Italy and entered into an arranged marriage at the age of 15. She bore two daughters and was widowed at the young age of 20. She refused another marriage and took up a vow of chastity. She devoted the rest of her life to helping the needy and the sick and died in 1651, aged 64. She was canonized by Pope John Paul II on May 18, 2003.