For your Mass migration to the shore

AS FAR as Father Bill Vandegrift can tell, Philly's Catholics become more soulful and devout when they cross the causeways.

His evidence: Not only are Jersey Shore churches mobbed for Sunday Masses (his church, St. Thomas the Apostle in Brigantine, gets 2,000-plus on any given summer weekend), but weekday Masses and rosary devotions also draw flocks of shorebirds.

Vandegrift, a Cardinal Dougherty grad (class of '62), attributes the big Sunday numbers to good upbringing. "I think it's the old Philadelphia training. People know they have this obligation," he said. "I'm amazed at the amount of people who are on vacation that practice their faith."

He thinks visitors put in the extra, non-obligatory devotions because they're at leisure to work on their souls, along with their tans. "When you're on vacation, you're relaxing," he said. "You can spend more time on spiritual things."

Being oceanside - Saint Tom's is less than 100 feet from the beach - doesn't hurt. "It's a great place to meditate," he said.

Below are summer 2014 Sunday and Saturday-night Mass times for Catholic churches (and a couple high schools) on the barrier islands from Brigantine south to Cape May.

The Diocese of Camden and the Catholic Star Herald compiled the info and kindly shared it with Daily News readers. The Star Herald publishes an expanded schedule that additionally lists weekday Masses, confession times and rosary devotions - and includes mainland shore towns like Marmora.

You can find the weekly Star Herald in churches, or call 856-583-6142 to subscribe. We'll keep our own version online at phillydailynews.com through Labor Day.