A Parish Rooted in the Pine Barrens Since 1778
Church of the Holy Eucharist sits along Medford Lakes Road in Tabernacle, New Jersey, in the wooded landscape of southern New Jersey's Pine Barrens. The parish traces its story back to a one-room church built in 1778 and counts its present-day church building, dedicated in September of 1986, as a tribute to generations of parishioners who gave of their time, talent, and treasure to build a place fit for worship. Today the parish lives out a simple mission under Father McClane's pastoral leadership: Follow Christ, Love All, and Grow Disciples.
Weekend Mass: Saturday Vigil and Two Sunday Masses
The weekend begins with a Saturday Vigil Mass at 5:00pm. Two Sunday Masses follow at 8:30am and 10:30am. The 8:30am Sunday Mass is broadcast live online, allowing homebound parishioners, those traveling, and anyone curious about the parish to participate from wherever they are. Visitors at any weekend Mass can stop by the Welcome Center afterward for a brief tour of the parish, and the Café offers fresh coffee and light refreshments after both Sunday Masses as a place to meet others from the faith community.
The parish intentionally designs its worship with vibrant liturgies, beautiful seasonal environments, exceptional messages, and inspiring contemporary liturgical music. In a practice called One Church One Message, the same homily is preached at every Mass in a given weekend so that adults across services hear an identical teaching, while children and students in formation programs study a parallel theme - allowing families to discuss the same ideas at home.
Daily Mass, Communion Service, and Holy Days
Daily Mass is celebrated at 9:00am on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday in the Daily Chapel. On Tuesdays a Communion Service is held at the same 9:00am hour. During Lent the Thursday morning Mass is moved to 7:00pm. On Holy Days, Mass is offered at 9:00am and 7:00pm. The parish notes that regularly scheduled services are subject to change, and the calendar of events is kept up to date with any adjustments.
Reconciliation, Adoration, and Quiet Prayer
The Sacrament of Reconciliation is offered on Saturdays from 3:30pm to 4:15pm in the atrium, with weekday appointments available by calling the parish office.
Eucharistic Adoration takes place every Wednesday in the Daily Chapel, beginning after the 9:00am Mass and continuing through the day until 4:00pm, when the community gathers for Benediction. On selected Wednesdays each month, the day of Adoration is extended through an evening Holy Hour from 7:00pm to 8:00pm, with prayer, scripture, music, and silence. The parish provides guidance on what to do during Adoration: genuflect on entering the chapel, silence cell phones, pray the Rosary, read the Bible, write in a prayer journal, or simply sit in the presence of Christ without needing to do anything at all.
For quieter forms of prayer, the Blessed Sacrament Chapel is open Monday through Friday during Parish Office Hours, 9:30am to 4:30pm. A weekly Novena is prayed each Monday after the 9:00am Daily Mass, beginning at about 9:30am.
LIFT: Family Faith Formation at the Heart of the Parish
Living in Faith Together, or LIFT, is the parish's signature faith formation program for children in grades 1 through 8. Once a month the whole family attends Mass together, then gathers in Hoffman Hall for a shared meal, an introduction to the session topic, and a blessing from Father McClane. Children in grades 1 to 8 leave Hoffman Hall with group leaders to work through chapter material from the Alive in Christ and Family Life textbooks, while adults remain for a presentation of their own. Christmas and Easter bring seasonal programs that the whole family enjoys together.
Faith formation continues at home through monthly assignments in each child's blue folder and through Passbook experiences that connect learning to parish life. Eight Passbook activities must be completed over the year, with at least one drawn from each of four categories: Catechetical, Prayer, Service, and Community. Tuition is set on a sliding scale per child, and no family is turned away for inability to pay.
Kidzone and Time Travelers: Programs for the Youngest
Two programs make Mass accessible to the youngest parishioners. Kidzone offers a worship and play environment for children ages 2 to 5 during the 10:30am Sunday Mass throughout the school year, and at every Mass on LIFT weekends. The program is led by adult and teen ministers with a secure check-in and pick-up procedure.
Time Travelers invites children ages 5 to 9 to experience the Liturgy of the Word at an age-appropriate level. Children join their families at Mass, are called forward just before Mass begins, and return to their parents after the homily for the remainder of Mass. The program runs September through May on non-LIFT weekends. Both programs are drop-in: no prior registration or payment is required.
Middle School Ministry and HERO for Teens
Middle School Ministry gathers students in grades 5 to 7 once a month on Thursday evenings from 6:00pm to 8:00pm for snacks, interactive games, scripture reflection, and service projects. The ministry aims to bridge the gap between Time Travelers and the high school youth ministry.
HERO, or Holy Eucharist Reaching Out, is the parish's youth ministry for teens in grades 8 to 12. HERO meets every Wednesday from 6:30pm to 8:00pm, September through May, with dynamic youth leadership, Gospel-centered conversation, peer faith sharing, and a steady supply of snacks. Every meeting blends spiritual challenge with the kind of community that makes teens want to come back.
For teens who have not yet received the Sacraments of Initiation, Breakthrough begins with HERO at 6:30pm and continues after HERO ends, with guest speakers leading weekly discussions on the Catholic faith.
OCIA: Becoming Catholic at Any Age
Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA) is offered year round at Holy Eucharist, allowing adults to enter the inquiry phase at any time. Adults meet after the 8:30am Sunday Mass for an hour of reflection on the Sunday readings and their connection to Catholic teaching. The process prepares adults to celebrate Baptism (if needed), Confirmation, and First Eucharist. The OCIA team welcomes inquirers, whatever their background or how long they have been away from the Church.
OCIA for Children, open to children ages 8 to 13 who have not been baptized or were baptized in another faith, meets weekly from October through May. Children in the program also attend LIFT with their peers. OCIA for Teens is built into the HERO and Breakthrough schedule.
Sacramental Preparation Across the Parish
Holy Eucharist prepares parishioners for each of the seven sacraments. Parents are required to attend a monthly Baptism Preparation class, held on Friday evenings at 7:00pm, before their child's chosen baptism date. Godparents must be at least 16, practicing Catholics, fully initiated, and - if married - in a marriage recognized by the Church. Baptisms are celebrated during Mass or on certain Sunday afternoons around the baptismal font.
First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, and Confirmation preparation are offered for school-age children through LIFT and dedicated sacramental prep teams. Adults and older students preparing for these sacraments are welcomed through OCIA. The parish also assists couples preparing for Marriage, those facing the Anointing of the Sick, those discerning Holy Orders, and families planning Catholic funerals.
Small Groups: Where a Big Church Gets Small
Small Groups are a central expression of the parish's mission. Groups of 6 to 12 adults meet weekly - in person or via Zoom - to share faith, dig into Scripture, and support one another. Facilitators are not required to have a background in Scripture or theology; they simply keep the group on course. Each session follows a common book chosen by the parish, with weekly readings, background notes, reflection questions, and prayer prompts that participants can also engage at home.
The parish emphasizes that Small Groups are about member care and accountability. Members challenge one another to pray, to be authentic, and to commit to growing in faith in everyday life. New groups are formed whenever enough interest exists, and existing groups shift days or times as the seasons of life change.
St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry and Outreach
The parish's St. Vincent de Paul Society runs a Food Pantry out of the church at the Food Pantry entrance on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:00am to 12:00pm, by appointment. The pantry serves residents of Chatsworth, Shamong, Southampton, Tabernacle, and Vincentown. Current donation needs include pasta sauce, jelly, applesauce, diced tomatoes, instant mashed potatoes, and tuna fish. Donations are also welcomed at any time through the donation container outside the garage, which is checked daily.
Financial assistance is available through the SVDP Hotline at 609-268-0005. Callers leave a name, number, and short message about what they need, and a Society member returns the call within 24 hours. All assistance is confidential and stays within the ministry.
H.O.P.E. for Seniors
Holy Eucharist Outreach Program for Elders (H.O.P.E.) provides practical help for seniors, including transportation, companionship, and grocery shopping. The H.O.P.E. office is open Monday through Thursday from 9:30am to 11:00am, with assistance available at 609-268-1818.
Beyond H.O.P.E., a separate Seniors Ministry hosts monthly meetings, luncheons, and trips for fellowship and fun.
Adult Ministries and Faith-Sharing Communities
Actively Caring Through Sharing (ACTS) is a multi-generational women's ministry that meets on the third Tuesday of each month at 7:00pm in the Children of Terezin room. Activities include Thanksgiving pie baking for St. Vincent de Paul clients, a one-day women's retreat, electronic waste collections, an active prayer chain, book clubs, Bible studies, Bereavement Hospitality, and a Tear Drops prayer ministry for loved ones who have left the faith.
The Bereavement Ministry gathers on the first Monday of each month for prayer and conversation with bereavement ministers; anyone who has lost a loved one, recently or in past years, is welcome. The Marriage Ministry supports couples through worship, Liturgy, and marriage enrichment events that align with Catholic teaching on the domestic Church. The Respect Life Ministry increases awareness of respect for life issues through education, charitable endeavors, advocacy, and prayer. The Environmental Ministry, rooted in Pope Francis's Laudato Si', educates the parish and local community about stewardship of creation, engages in dialogue about environmental challenges, and acts through specific activities that benefit the environment. The Prayer Shawl Ministry creates knitted and crocheted shawls, lapghans, pocket prayer shawls, hats, and scarves for those in need of comfort. The Addictions Ministry, called Ithirst, accompanies those struggling with addiction and their families.
A Young Adult Ministry brings together adults ages 18 to 39 in Christ-centered community, helping one another apply gospel wisdom to everyday life. The parish also supports the Knights of Columbus Council #8733, which sponsors events throughout the year including parish movie nights and fundraisers.
Liturgical Ministries and the Music Program
The Music Ministry provides music for weekend liturgies, Holy Days, weddings, funerals, and other special occasions. Choirs for adults, teens, and children are joined by cantors and instrumentalists in support of the parish's worship.
Parishioners of all ages serve in liturgical roles. Altar Servers (at least in 5th grade and having received First Eucharist) assist the priest and deacon at Mass. Lectors proclaim the Word of God. Eucharistic Ministers assist with the distribution of Holy Communion and bring the sacrament to the homebound. Hosts greet, seat, and assist visitors at the worship space doors. Greeters welcome people before Mass. The Linen Ministry launders, irons, and folds the altar linens used each week in the parish's liturgies. Art and Environment ministers transform the worship space for each liturgical season. The Hall Monitor ministry supports parents during Time Travelers and Kidzone, while Tech and Audio ministers run the livestream and soundboard.
Funeral Ministry
The parish walks alongside families at the loss of a loved one. After contacting a funeral director, families meet with a funeral minister from Holy Eucharist to plan the liturgy. Printable and online forms are available for the Funeral Checklist, Funeral Music Selections, and Hoffman Hall Reception requests. Funerals may also be livestreamed through the parish's online platform.
The Building: Hoffman Hall and the Worship Spaces
The current church was dedicated in September of 1986 and anchors a campus that has served the parish for nearly forty years. Hoffman Hall, the parish hall, hosts LIFT sessions, funeral receptions, parish dinners, and a full schedule of ministry gatherings. A Welcome Center is staffed before and after weekend Masses for tours and information, and the Café offers a place to gather after the Sunday Masses. The Daily Chapel and the Blessed Sacrament Chapel offer dedicated spaces for weekday Mass, Adoration, and quiet prayer.
Stewardship and Giving
The parish mission is supported by the time, talent, and treasure of parishioners. Online giving through ParishSoft, texted gifts to 609-224-1774, in-person offerings at Mass, mailed contributions, and gifts of stock, IRA contributions, Qualified Charitable Distributions, and bequests are all accepted. Parish leadership and the Finance Council continually review revenues and expenses in collaboration with ministries and committees, and parishioners are invited to participate in Stakeholder Meetings that strengthen communication and parish involvement.
Diocese of Trenton and Faith in Our Future
Church of the Holy Eucharist is a parish of the Diocese of Trenton. Through the diocesan Faith in Our Future process, Holy Eucharist is part of Cohort 3 alongside St. Joan of Arc in Marlton, St. Mary of the Lakes in Medford, St. Isaac Jogues in Marlton, and St. John Neumann in Mt. Laurel. Under the Collaborative Model, the five parishes remain distinct with their own pastor, pastoral and finance councils, finances, census, and sacramental records, while working together on shared areas of ministry, programs, staffing, and resources.
The parish participates in the annual Diocesan Catholic Appeal, and the Diocese provides support through Catholic Charities of Trenton, which operates Burlington County programs for those needing food, housing, addiction, mental health, domestic violence, or immigration assistance.
Plan a Visit
Visitors are warmly welcomed. Before or after any weekend Mass, the Welcome Center offers a brief tour of the parish. Newcomers can complete a parish member registration form, request a welcome packet, and sign up for weekly email updates. The parish office can be reached at 609-268-8383 or hec@holyeucharist.org, with staff available Monday through Friday 9:30am to 4:30pm (closed for lunch 12:00pm-1:00pm, and closing at noon on Fridays during the summer). Weekly updates are also available by texting HEC to 84576.