Now you can join the Holy Name Society even if your parish does not have an active chapter locally.
Membership in the society, which promotes devotion and reverence to the Holy Name of God and Jesus, is free. It is open to all Catholic men and women over the age of 18.
Being a member of the Holy Name Society is an excellent way to become more involved in the Catholic faith through worship and fellowship.
The Holy Name Society recently inducted three new members: José Morales and Andrew Azan III, both of Sacred Heart Parish, Bethlehem, and Debra Ebeley of Sacred Heart Parish, Palmerton.
“Those active in the Holy Name Society perform Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy as a way to live out their faith,” said Eugenio Meléndez, President of the “Diocesan Union,” which represents all Holy Name Societies in the Diocese of Allentown.
“There is no better time for the faithful to join and promote the Holy Name Society,” Bishop Alfred Schlert said, “particularly during this time of coarseness in our political discourse and in our society in general.”
Founded in 1247, the Holy Name Society is the popular name for the Confraternity of the Most Holy Names of God and Jesus. Father Paul Rothermel serves as spiritual director.
Members of the Holy Name Society attend Mass as a group every second Sunday, then may have a fellowship activity afterward.
“Many wonderful things are going to happen through the Holy Name Societies at parishes in the Diocese,” Melendez said. “I call on the faithful to join in without hesitation to be part in the calling that God and our Lord Jesus Christ has for you.”
Melendez noted that the Holy Name Society is in the early planning stages of a Holy Name Society Mass, to be celebrated by Bishop Schlert, at 11 a.m. Nov. 5 at the Cathedral of St. Catharine of Siena in Allentown.
The Mass will be followed by a luncheon. All are invited, including those who may be interested in Holy Name Society membership.
Anyone who wants more information or who is interesting in joining the Holy Name Society may contact Meléndez at Capt.Mel@verizon.net.
In the photo above:
Left to right: Eugenio Meléndez, President; new members José Morales, Sacred Heart Parish, Bethlehem, Debra Ebeley, Sacred Heart Parish, Palmerton, and Andrew Azan III, Sacred Heart Parish, Bethlehem; Father Paul Rothermel, spiritual director; and Alex Dezubay, Sacred Heart Parish, Bethlehem.