Welcome to Church of the Holy Spirit!
36 Gould Street, Verona, NJ 07044 • Phone: (973) 239-2850
Via Venmo:
Holy Spirit Verona @Jerry-Racioppi-2 [6663] 
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The red door on an Episcopal (Anglican) Church is traditionally a sign of welcome. Come through the door, and you'll discover that we are a multi-generational, family-centered church.
Our congregation worships together, supports each other in times of trouble, celebrates together, and does God’s work in the world. We are open, welcoming, and inclusive. We invite you to join us! |
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Worship Schedule
Sunday Mornings
8am Quiet Eucharist - Also available via Zoom. 9am Choir Rehearsal (September - June) 10am Choral Eucharist and Sunday School (September - June) - Also available via Zoom and Facebook. Email our office for the Zoom logon passcode information. |
What's happening?
Prayer Shawl Ministry Next Meets on Wednesday, January 14 and Wednesday, January 28
For the month of January, our Prayer Shawl Ministry will gather to meditate and knit on Wednesday, January 14 and Wednesday, January 28 in our Fellowship Room at 1pm. This is a spiritual practice that benefits the practitioner and those gifted with these sacred mantles. This ministry is nondenominational and open to anyone who is seeking to step away from their daily stresses with an alternative form of meditation. Our dedicated knitters have made shawls, blankets for Baptisms, hats/scarfs for our Food Pantry, prayer patches for Memorial Day and so much more. Please email Rev. Katherine for additional information.
Next Vestry (lay leaders) Meeting is Wednesday, January 14 at 7:30pm
The Vestry typically meets on the second Wednesday of the month, and does so via Zoom unless otherwise indicated. For the month of January, we will gather on the second Wednesday of January -- January 14 at 7:30pm via Zoom to pray together, discuss the business of the church and enjoy each others' company. All relevant materials will be emailed to members several days before the meeting by Ms. Patti Walsh, Churchwarden.
Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. - Sunday, January 18
On Sunday, January 18, 2026 at both the 8am and 10am services we will celebrate the life and legacy of The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. We will listen to a portion of his August 28, 1963 "I Have A Dream Speech" during both Eucharists. Be inspired by this faithful man who fought hard for civil rights, and is a true saint of our time.
Next Food Pantry Distribution Day is Saturday, January 24
For the month of January, we will open our Food Pantry on Saturday, January 24, the fourth Saturday of the month. The Pantry will accept Essex County residents only (ID required) as shoppers in the lower level from 9 to 11am. Shoppers will remain in their vehicles with a limited number being invited inside at a time. Home deliveries are still available for Verona/Cedar Grove residents who are unable to visit Pantry; contact our Church Office for arrangements.
The first shift of volunteers is from 8:15-9:45am and the second shift is from 9:45-11:15am. The Food Pantry is typically open the 4th Saturday of every month from 9-11am. For more information see: http://holyspiritverona.org/food-pantry.
The first shift of volunteers is from 8:15-9:45am and the second shift is from 9:45-11:15am. The Food Pantry is typically open the 4th Saturday of every month from 9-11am. For more information see: http://holyspiritverona.org/food-pantry.
Centering Prayer Group - Saturday, January 24 from 1 to 2:30pm
Our monthly prayer group gathers to check-in, share Lexio Divina (divine reading) of a piece of Scripture and then practice Centering Prayer. The next gathering will be on Saturday, January 24 at 1pm.
If you have any questions, contact Reverend Katherine or Father Jerry.
If you have any questions, contact Reverend Katherine or Father Jerry.
Holy Spirit Celebrates Religious Life Sunday - January 25, 2026
The General Convention of The Episcopal Church approved resolution 2022-B004, “Foundation of Religious Life Sunday,” to be held each year on the 3rd Sunday of Epiphany. This Sunday focuses efforts to tell all Episcopalians that residential monastic and dispersed Christian communities exist, who we are, and how to connect with us.
We at Holy Spirit Verona will hear from both Rev. Katherine and Father Jerry as a part of the sermon and they will connect Sundays readings to their experiences of religious life.
For more information, visit https://www.religiouslifesunday.net/.
We at Holy Spirit Verona will hear from both Rev. Katherine and Father Jerry as a part of the sermon and they will connect Sundays readings to their experiences of religious life.
For more information, visit https://www.religiouslifesunday.net/.
Next Children's Eucharist is Sunday, January 25 at 10am
We will host another of our Children's Eucharist on Sunday, January 25 at 10am with our Sunday School students assisting Father Jerry at the altar (he needs a lot of help, you know). The 10am Service is sure to be VERY interactive with Father Jerry asking our students questions before the start of the Eucharistic Prayer. It is great fun for children and those young at heart!
Be sure to join us in-person OR via Zoom to participate, pray and probably laugh.
Be sure to join us in-person OR via Zoom to participate, pray and probably laugh.
Youth Confirmation Class - Sunday, January 25 at 3pm
Our youth Confirmation students will gather with Father Jerry and Mrs. Cynthia Holland in the Fellowship Room on Sunday, January 25 from 3 to 4:30pm to prepare for their Spring 2026 Confirmation. For further information, speak with Father Jerry. To learn more about Confirmation in the Diocese of Newark, click here.
Feast of the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple - Sunday, February 1
We will celebrate The Feast of The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple on Sunday, February 1 at both the 8am and the 10am services. The roles of the prophets Simeon (think Nunc dimittis in Evening Prayer) and Anna are emphasized on this day. A female prophet? YES! Her name is Anna, and she was an 84-year old widow when Jesus was brought to the temple as an infant. #wisewoman #candlemas #nuncdimittis
Both Anna and Simeon, who exclaimed, "my eyes have seen Your salvation," recognized that this baby would be redemption of the world. This is an important milestone in the story of Jesus' life.
The stained glass image here is from Church of the Redeemer Morristown.
Both Anna and Simeon, who exclaimed, "my eyes have seen Your salvation," recognized that this baby would be redemption of the world. This is an important milestone in the story of Jesus' life.
The stained glass image here is from Church of the Redeemer Morristown.
UNICO Verona Hosts Sunday Gravy Dinner in Our Basement - February 1 at 1pm
The Verona Chapter of UNICO National will be hosting another traditional Italian Sunday "Gravy" Dinner on Sunday, February 1 from 1 to 4pm. Tickets are $45, and $15 for children 12 and under.
A complete meal with antipasto, Sunday gravy, pasta and dessert will be served. Bring your own wine/beverage. If you wish to attend, speak with their Chaplain Father Jerry or email [email protected].
For more information visit the UNICO Verona website. All proceeds go to Verona UNICO scholarships and charities, plus a portion of the proceeds typically benefits Church of the Holy Spirit.
A complete meal with antipasto, Sunday gravy, pasta and dessert will be served. Bring your own wine/beverage. If you wish to attend, speak with their Chaplain Father Jerry or email [email protected].
For more information visit the UNICO Verona website. All proceeds go to Verona UNICO scholarships and charities, plus a portion of the proceeds typically benefits Church of the Holy Spirit.
Heavenly Finds Thrift Shop Next Saturday Open Day is February 7
Our Thrift Shop, located at 90 E. Mt. Pleasant Avenue in Livingston is open most Tuesdays from 10am to 2pm. Once a month the Shop opens on a Saturday from 10am to 1pm -- for February the date will be Saturday, February 7. Pass by and check out their great deals! If you would like to learn more about the Heavenly Finds Thrift Shop visit heavenlyfinds.org.
Annual Parish Meeting and Potluck Meal - Sunday, February 8
Our Annual Meeting will once again be held on Super Bowl Sunday -- February 8, 2026 -- this year. Father Jerry and the Churchwardens hope you will participate from 11am to 12:30pm in our lower-level. We will have a shortened Ante-Communion service at 10am, and then talk about the business of the Church -- hear committee reports, updates on events and discuss plans for 2026 and beyond. Also, another amazing Holy Spirit Potluck is planned, so, bring a dish to share. Sunday School Teachers will have an activity planned (after food of course) during the Annual Meeting to allow parents to consider attending.
All ministry/committee heads should email their typed reports to our Office Administrator, Catherine Tamasik by Monday, January 26 in order for it to be included in the distributed report.
All ministry/committee heads should email their typed reports to our Office Administrator, Catherine Tamasik by Monday, January 26 in order for it to be included in the distributed report.
Second Friday Fundraiser - Doors Open at 6pm on Friday, February 13
Holy Spirit Verona will host another Friday BINGO Fundraiser on Friday, February 13 at 7pm - our usual second Friday of the month. Doors open and BINGO cards go on sale at 6pm; the first number is called at 7pm. $20 to play 10 Games, which includes $5 Admission and 6 cards per game. Snacks and beverages will be available for purchase, and you are welcome to bring your own food. No alcohol is allowed and you must be 18 years old to play BINGO.
Additional set of sheets may be purchased for $15 and extra sheets for our cover-all game (Game #10) can be purchased for $5. It's a fun nigh out: you'll laugh, you'll dance, you'll have fun!
Additional set of sheets may be purchased for $15 and extra sheets for our cover-all game (Game #10) can be purchased for $5. It's a fun nigh out: you'll laugh, you'll dance, you'll have fun!
Holy Baptism of a Child - Sunday, February 15 at 10am
On Sunday, February 15, 2025 at 10am we will celebrate the Holy Baptism of the first child of Kristen and Dan Ravenda. The service will be in-person and available via Zoom using our regular Sunday Virch information. If you do not already have the passcode, email Father Jerry.
Our Annual Pancake Supper - Tuesday, February 17, 2025 starting at 6pm
Yes, the tradition continues. Pancakes for dinner on the night before Ash Wednesday.
The Mike Carlucci Memorial Pancake Supper will be held on Tuesday, February 17 from 6 to 7:30pm.
The event is open to all and is once again being named after a long-time parishioner who was the pancake-making chef at this event for years and passed away in September 2022. In addition, in his time at Holy Spirit, Mike was a Sunday School Teacher, he preached on several Sundays during worship, was on Vestry, mowed the lawn, volunteered in our Food Pantry, shopped for inventory for the Food Pantry, and the list goes on and on
The cost for the event is $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 6-12; under age six is free. You may pay at the door or pre-pay on our website or via Venmo: Holy Spirit Verona @Jerry-Racioppi-2 [6663]. Feel free to bring a box of pancake mix or bottle of syrup for our Food Pantry. For more information email [email protected].
The Mike Carlucci Memorial Pancake Supper will be held on Tuesday, February 17 from 6 to 7:30pm.
The event is open to all and is once again being named after a long-time parishioner who was the pancake-making chef at this event for years and passed away in September 2022. In addition, in his time at Holy Spirit, Mike was a Sunday School Teacher, he preached on several Sundays during worship, was on Vestry, mowed the lawn, volunteered in our Food Pantry, shopped for inventory for the Food Pantry, and the list goes on and on
The cost for the event is $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 6-12; under age six is free. You may pay at the door or pre-pay on our website or via Venmo: Holy Spirit Verona @Jerry-Racioppi-2 [6663]. Feel free to bring a box of pancake mix or bottle of syrup for our Food Pantry. For more information email [email protected].
Ash Wednesday Services and Ashes To Go - Wednesday, February 18
On Ash Wednesday, February 17 we will offer the following services:
Unable to attend one of our Ash Wednesday Services? Stop by Gould Street (between our parking lot and HB Whitehorne Middle School) to receive ashes to begin your Lenten journey. "Ashes To Go" will be available from 7:30-9am and 2-3:30pm. The Church of the Holy Spirit Verona will once again join other Episcopal Churches in taking worship to the streets. For more information see: ashestogo.org.
- Holy Eucharist at noon (12pm) in our Historic Chapel; in-person or online (using Sunday's Zoom logon).
- Sunday School Meet-Up at 3:30pm in our Fellowship Hall -- we'll also burn the palms from last year!
- Evening Prayer at 7pm in our Historic Chapel; in-person or online (using Sunday's Zoom logon).
Unable to attend one of our Ash Wednesday Services? Stop by Gould Street (between our parking lot and HB Whitehorne Middle School) to receive ashes to begin your Lenten journey. "Ashes To Go" will be available from 7:30-9am and 2-3:30pm. The Church of the Holy Spirit Verona will once again join other Episcopal Churches in taking worship to the streets. For more information see: ashestogo.org.
Commission New Vestry Members & Leaders - Sunday, February 22
On Sunday, February 22, during the 10am worship services, we will install the newly elected Vestry Members who were nominated and approved at the February 23 (rescheduled from February 9) Annual Meeting. We are thankful to ________, Sunovia Scudder, ____________, ____________ and Jane Eliasof for saying YES to this call to leadership on Vestry.
TIME TO SPRING AHEAD on Sunday, March 9... Don't Forget!
Don't forget to turn you clocks AHEAD ONE HOUR before you go to sleep on Saturday, March 8... otherwise you will be LATE for Church (which would be absolutely terrible).
"Here Come The Sun" Solar Panel Capital Campaign
In the Spring of 2022, Holy Spirit Verona joined other churches in the Diocese of Newark in an agreement with Performance Solar of Richmond, Virginia. Through this agreement, 20% of the cost of the solar panels AND roof replacement was paid by Performance Solar.
Our roof was replaced prior to the solar installation as it had been determined that our previous roof was over twenty years old. Both the roof replacement AND the solar panel installation were completed by Azimuth Renewable Energy (azimuthrenew.com) of Manasquan, New Jersey.
The solar panel and roof work have been financed through a 20-year loan with the Diocese at 4.75% interest rate. Our hope with this Capital Campaign is the lower the principal on the loan of which was approximately $67,000 for solar panels and $36,000 for the roof. There are different levels to donate: Mercury - $1,000, Venus - $500, Mars - $400, Jupiter - $200.
Each of these will give you the ability to “name” a particular solar panel in honor or memory of someone OR perhaps a particular group (Spiritual Enrichment Group, Prayer Shawl Ministry, etc.). A memorial frame will be hung in the Fellowship Hall with all the dedications.
Visit the e-payment portion of our website, pay via Venmo, send a check, whatever works best for you. If you have any questions, please email [email protected]. Thank you for helping us make our own energy and make a difference in our environment.
Our roof was replaced prior to the solar installation as it had been determined that our previous roof was over twenty years old. Both the roof replacement AND the solar panel installation were completed by Azimuth Renewable Energy (azimuthrenew.com) of Manasquan, New Jersey.
The solar panel and roof work have been financed through a 20-year loan with the Diocese at 4.75% interest rate. Our hope with this Capital Campaign is the lower the principal on the loan of which was approximately $67,000 for solar panels and $36,000 for the roof. There are different levels to donate: Mercury - $1,000, Venus - $500, Mars - $400, Jupiter - $200.
Each of these will give you the ability to “name” a particular solar panel in honor or memory of someone OR perhaps a particular group (Spiritual Enrichment Group, Prayer Shawl Ministry, etc.). A memorial frame will be hung in the Fellowship Hall with all the dedications.
Visit the e-payment portion of our website, pay via Venmo, send a check, whatever works best for you. If you have any questions, please email [email protected]. Thank you for helping us make our own energy and make a difference in our environment.
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