A Christmas Mass planned at Kingsway Regional Middle School will mark the first time the three parishes that make up the St. Clare of Assisi parish have worshipped together.
SWEDESBORO -- A Christmas Mass planned at Kingsway Regional Middle School will mark the first time the three parishes that make up the St. Clare of Assisi parish have worshipped together.
St. Clare of Assisi formed in 2010 through the merger of St. John's in Paulsboro, St. Joseph's in Swedesboro and St. Michael's in Gibbstown.
Since then, the combined parish has continued worshipping at the separate sites in the three former parish communities it serves.
"We are still on our way to becoming one parish, in one church, on one campus," said Father Dave Grover, pastor of St. Clare of Assisi parish. "This is a major challenge in need of a long-range plan but it will be so wonderful to have the entire congregation from all three heritage parishes together this Christmas."
Because of space restrictions, the combined parish had not been able to gather in one place to worship together until now.
They will worship together in the middle school gymnasium for five services over the Christmas holiday.
Christmas Mass at Kingsway will include Christmas Eve services at 4 p.m, 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Christmas Day Masses will be celebrated at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.
Matt Gray may be reached at mgray@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MattGraySJT. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.
