The parish of saint Mary
A Catholic Community Proclaiming the Greatness of God in our Time OnePhalanxRoad,ColtsNeck,NJ07722
Phone:732-780-2666 Fax:732-780-0394
Bishop of the Diocese of Trenton: Most Reverend David M. O’Connell, C. M.
Pastor: Reverend Fr. Jeffrey E. Lee
Pastor Emeritus: Reverend Fr. William J. Bausch
Parish Trustees: Annette Raynor & Roger Zurro
April 20, 2025
His Excellency, The Most Reverend David M. O’Connell, CM, Bishop of the Diocese of Trenton will be the Principal Celebrant and Homilist on Easter Sunday, 20 April at 12:00 noon. His Excellency visits parishes throughout the year and has chosen to visit and pray with us on Easter. I invite all those who are able to come and greet Bishop O’Connell on this joyous occasion.
BISHOP O’CONNELL TO VISIT ST MARY
Mass Intentions for:
Saturday April 19 2025 - Sunday April 27 2025
Saturday, April 19 - Holy Saturday
9AM - Morning Prayer
7:30PM Pro populo (Paschal Vigil)
Sunday, April 20 - Easter
8AM - Pro Populo
10AM - Pro Populo
12PM - Pro Populo
Monday, April 21- 9AM - Chapel
Julianne Longobardi * Mr. & Mrs. Raymond Longobardi
Loving Family Members * Janet Munger
Tuesday, April 22– 9AM - Chapel
No intentions for this Mass
Wednesday, April 23 - 9AM - Chapel
Fr. Ron Cioffi * Carly & Chris York Intentions for Filomena DePierro * Fredda Family
Thursday, April 24 - 9AM - Chapel
Mary Jo Towne * George Towne
Robert Monaco MD * Muriel & Ken Rogers
Friday, April 25– 9AM - Chapel
Cindy Boyle * Aiello Family
Bob Monaco * Jane Slattery
Saturday, April 26 - 4PM
Pro Populo
John M. Grabowski, Sr. * The Grabowski Family
Robert O'Brien * Barbara Saake
Sunday April 27 – 8AM
DeStefano/Albruno Families * Franceschetti Family
Mary & Michael Stivala, Sr. * Eileen & Michael Stivala, Jr.
Ciro Ficarra * Linda & William Stagliano
10AM
Frank J. Donahue * Carol Donahue
Ronald Brier * Turkovic Family
Frank Oswald * Linda & William Stagliano
12PM
Grace & Joe Nathanson * Nancy & Tom Nathanson
Loving Family Members * Janet Munger
Mary Jo Towne * George Towne
Easter Sunday
Julie Billiart, Virgin and Religious, 1751-1816
Mary Rose Julie Billiart was born at Cuvilly, in northern France, to the family of a farmermerchant on April 8, 1751. This saint was exceptionally gifted. Though she had little education, Julie, as a child of seven, had memorized the catechism and was teaching the other children of her village about its lessons.
Recognizing the extraordinary holiness of this young girl, her pastor allowed Julie to receive her First Holy Communion and be confirmed at the age of nine. (These sacraments were reserved to adults at this time in the Church.) At the age of fourteen, Julie took a private vow of chastity and dedicated her life to teaching the poor. Read More HERE
MASS INTENTIONS AND SANCTUARY LAMPS (MEMORIALS)
Mass intentions for all occasions (birthdays, anniversaries, sickness, etc.)
for the deceased or living can be requested online HERE Please scroll down to the preferred date and time, whether daily Mass or weekend Mass. Intentions are available from the next couple of weeks until December 2025. The stipend per mass intention is $10
Consider requesting a Sanctuary Lamp in memory of a deceased person or in honor of a living individual. Sanctuary lamps burn permanently in the Church and Chapel. Requests can be made for a week, starting Sunday and ending the following Saturday. The stipend per sanctuary lamp is $25. Requests can be made online HERE
Mass intentions and sanctuary lamps can also be requested in person at the Parish office during business hours.
Lifelong Catechesis - Week of April 20 April 26
READINGS FOR THE WEEK:
Easter Sunday April 20
THE RESURRECTION OF THE LORD
Acts 10:34a, 37-43/Col 3:1-4 or 1 Cor 5:6b-8/Jn 20:1-9 or, at an afternoon or evening Mass, Lk 24:13-35
Monday April 21
Acts 2:14, 22-33/Mt 28:8-15
TuesdayApril 22
Acts 2:36-41/Jn 20:11-18
Wednesday April 23
Acts 3:1-10/Lk 24:13-35
Thursday April 24
Acts 3:11-26/Lk 24:35-48
Friday April 25
Acts 4:13-21/Mk 16:9-15
Saturday April 26
Acts 4:13-21/Mk 16:9-15
Almighty and eternal God, those who take refuge in you will be glad and forever will shout for joy. Protect these soldiers as they discharge their duties. Protect them with the shield of your strength and keep them safe from all evil and harm. May the power of your love enable them to return home in safety, that with all who love them, they may ever praise you for your loving care. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Pray for Military & First Responders
AMT Colton Boag, USCG
Col. John Anthony Coppola, US Army
TSgt Stephen Witherow, USAF
LCpl Edward Zarzecki, USMC
FOR DEEPER REFLECTION:
Question for Children: What is good and new in your life?
Question for Youth: Resurrection reminds us that what looks bad can lead to something good. What has resurrected, or gone from bad to good, in your life over the past year?
Question for Adults: In what way have you risen from "deadness" in your life?
Life Long Catechesis
Lt. Col. Douglas Coppola, US Army
~
Lt. Mary Herman, USN
~ SN Christian Houlihan, USN
~
LT. Jason Joseph Howe, USN
SPC Michael John Mento, US Army
LTJG Matthew Motola, USN ~ LCpl Bradley O’Ree, USMC
SPC Nicholas Poskonka, US Army ~
Captain Richard Savo, US Army
1st Lt. Adam Sjoholm, US Army
Captain Ryan Tanguay, US Army
Pleaseprayforthefollowingmembersofourparishcommunitywhoareill:
Ann Romano
Jack Coppola
Kaitlin Donahue Nagle
Nancy Niven
David Niven
Lorraine & Alan Smith
Lori Lettieri
Lauren vinci
Dawn Reinhardt
Helen Prill
PATTY Kamertz
Rose walch
Joyce daniel
Edward Habrack
Jeff McBride
Owen Shoemaker
Peter Vickers
Debby Tanico
Toaddorremoveafamilymemberfromthesicklistpleasee-mailONLY parishbulletin@stmaryscoltsneck.org. Please,also,keepusupdatedonyourlovedone’shealth. Nameswillberemovedfromthelistafter3months.ThankyouforkeepingourParishinformed.
Andrew J. Macirowski - Pastoral Coordinator for Worship & Music / Principal Organist Worship@stmaryscoltsneck.org Music@stmaryscoltsneck.org Worship & Music
Easter Flowers
There are several reasons why the church is decorated with flowers and other plants during the various times of the year. During Lent, you probably noticed a lack of any floral arrangement whatsoever. This helps to mark the solemness of that penitential season. Yet, beginning with the celebration of Easter the Easter Vigil and for the entirety of the Easter Season, spring-time flowers are used to decorate as a symbol of God’s creation.
Lillies, in particular, play a particular role in the arrangements. The trumpet-shaped bloom harkens to the text from the Exsultet, “sound the mighty trumpet of salvation”, and from the letters to the Corinthians, “the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised”. The white color symbolizes purity, hope, and peace. The natural fact the bulb-based plants such as lilies and daffodils tend to bloom around Easter time can also be thought of as a sign of resurrection.
As the season carries on towards Pentecost, the arrangements change. During the 7 weeks of Easter, some of the blooms die off, and are removed from display. Some are replaced with newer plants of different varieties. As Pentecost draws near, blooms of yellow, orange, and red are placed in the sanctuary area, symbolizing the fire of the Holy Spirit. All of these different and additional arrangements are either donated by parishioners, offerings from families who celebrate a wedding or funeral in the church, or sourced from local farms, greenhouses, etc.
“Easter
Duty”
The Catholic Church requires of us as baptized Catholics to observe the following:
The obligation, the privilege really, of receiving the Eucharist at least once a year often called “Easter duty” --- for those in the state of grace should still be fulfilled during the period from the First Sunday of Lent, March 9, 2025 to Trinity Sunday, June 15, 2025. However, the Church’s law does permit this precept to be fulfilled at another time during the year when there is a just cause.
Liturgy of the Word Dismissal
This is the practice of having children, ages 4-12, leave the Sunday assembly during the Liturgy of the Word (readings) and gather in the chapel to engage in the Liturgy of the Word at a level more appropriate to the children’s understanding.
Ministry Schedule: Second Sunday of Easter Saturday April 26 & Sunday April 27
Saturday, 26 4 PM Alex Gruenling Anthony Gruenling
Marybeth Jacobson
Michele Gruenling
Charles Young
Sunday, 27 8 AM
Joseph Barasky Jacob Barasky Carly York
Annette Raynor Joe Ventura
Sunday, 27 10 AM Regan Royal Tesya Yaninas Carly York Matt Yaninas
Mary Ellen Griffin
OH - Jane Slattery - Sub Req
TH - Susan Murphy
TH - Elvira Dapul MD - Sub Req
ALT - Louise Habrack
OH - Joyce Flynn
TH - Roseann LaCava
TH - Mike LaCava
ALT– Cindy Ventura
OH - Steve Stanley
TH – Linda Dickinson - Pancila
TH - NOT FILLED
ALT – Sue Fitzpatrick
OH - Patricia Gesner
Sunday, 27 12 PM
Jack Schatzle Jack Main Choir/ Cantor NOT FILLED
Easter Sunday
O God, who for our redemption gave your only-begotten Son to the death of the cross, and by his glorious resurrection delivered us from the power of our enemy: Grant us so to die daily to sin, that we may evermore live with him in the joy of his resurrection; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen (LectionaryPage.net)
Richard Gerbino
TH - Irene Weller
TH - Dawn Reinhardt
ALT– Lee Gesner
Baptismal Preparation Session
St Mary Parish is offering our next Baptismal Preparation Session on: Tuesday, April 29, 2025 @ 6:30 PM Pre-registrationisrequired aweekin advance. ContactUs
Lenten Regulations - Guidelines of the Universal Church
The Catholic Church in the United States requires of us as baptized Catholics to observe the following: Thedaysoffast(onlyonefullmealper day)andabstinence(nomeat)areAshWednesday(March5)andGoodFriday(April18).
AllotherFridaysofLent(March7throughApril11)aredaysofabstinence(nomeat).
Fast consume only one full meal. Water may be taken throughout the day
Abstinence– consume no meat; this obligation prohibits the eating of meat but not eggs, milk products or condiments of any kind, even though made from animal fat.
Baptized Catholics between the ages of 18 and 59 are obliged to fast and those from the age of 14 are also obliged to abstain Those who are automatically dispensed from fast and abstinence regulations outside the age limits noted above include: the physically or mentally ill, especially individuals suffering from chronic illnesses such as diabetes. Also included in the dispensation are women who are pregnant or nursing. In all cases, common sense should prevail and ill persons should not further jeopardize their health by fasting Allareencouragedtoembracethesepracticesaspartofourspiritualjourney.
Faith Formation
Julia Cullen - Pastoral Coordinator of Faith Formation / Religion Ed ReligiousEd@stmaryscoltsneck.org 732-780-2666 X 309
Religious Education Fall Program- 25/26 Registration/Reregistration LINK to register
Service hours & Volunteer Opportunities 7th, 8th, HS and up...
Summer RE assistant/volunteer: July Virtual or August on-campus– SIGN UP
Fill Easter Eggs for Easter Egg Hunt SIGN UP
Blessing Bag Pack Day: 3 May 2025, 9AM
Spring Clean-Up:12 April 2025 See front cover
Palm Sunday passing out books–12,13 April, sign up
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION LINKS
2024 - 2025
• 2024 - 2025 RE Calendar grades 1-8
• 24/25 Fall RE Calendar grades 1-6
• Parent - Student 24/25 Handbook
• Intergenerational List
• Intergenerational Recording link
Religious Education Calendar
17, 18,19 April 2025
Holy Week masses-Intergenerational
Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Stations, Easter Vigil
27 April 2025
Easter Egg Hunt-Intergenerational beginning at the 12pm mass, SIGN-UP
Students & Parent Volunteer LINK for the Easter Egg Hunt
3 May 2025
• Blessing Bag Outreach - 9am packing (CP only)
• May Day Crowing- 3pm craft Madonna Hall, followed by 4pm mass in the church
• FHC Lottery - following 4pm mass (2nd gr. only)
4 May 2025
• 7th gr Bible Project display 1pm, Madonna Hall
• 8th gr Confirmation Interviews 3pm, Spiritual Center
CP-2
Confirmation Interviews
Sunday, 4 May 2025
Please, report to the Spiritual Center at your assigned time based on last name. ALL Confirmation paperwork is due at this time. 3:00 pm A-C 3:20 pm D-K 3:40 pm L-N 4:00 pm O-S 4:15 pm T-Z
We are pleased to announce the celebration of the Sacrament of
Confirmation
Date: Friday,17October2025
Time: 4:00pmsharp
Celebrant:
ReverendFr.JefferyE.Lee
PleasekeeptheConfirmandiinyourprayers
We are pleased to announce the celebration of the Sacrament of First Holy Communion
Date: Sunday,5October2025
Time: 10:00am
Date: Sunday,12October2025 Time: 10:00am
Date: Sunday,19October2025 Time: 12:00pm
Celebrant:
ReverendFr.JefferyE.Lee
Please support the Confirmation Prep Spring Service Project
Gathering Items now until – May 3, 2025
Blessing Bag Outreach is dedicated to showing compassion and humanitarianism towards those in need. Committed to aiding the homeless and educating the public. Help us exceed last year’s 300+ completed Blessing Bags.
The following is a list of requested donations and the Religious Education breakdown:
Men’s socks & travel size lotion (8th grade)
Travel size deodorant and disposable razors (7th grade)
Small (8oz.) water bottles (6th grade)
Travel size shampoo (5th grade)
Travel size toothpaste(4th grade)
Toothbrushes (3rd grade)
Snack bars/breakfast bars (2nd grade)
Soap/travel size body wash (1st grade)
All donations can be dropped off in the rear of MADONNA HALL. Please do not leave any donations in the Narthex of the church prior to Easter celebrations. There is an Amazon Wish List for your convenience. If you choose to purchase from the Amazon wish list the items will be delivered directly to the parish by choosing Blessing Bags Gift Registry Address. If you are bringing your donations to the parish there will be an area set up in the rear of Madonna Hall for Blessing Bags. The dollar store, bulk stores (Costco, Sam’s, BJ’s) and Walmart are great places to find many of the items off the list in bulk or travel sized. Deadline is 8:00 am, May 3,2025.
Pastoral Care
Rosemarie Farrow - Pastoral Coordinator of Pastoral Care & Outreach
R.Farrow@stmaryscoltsneck.org 732-780-2666 x 310
Blessed Carlo Acutis: Canonization
The Pope will canonize Blessed Acutis April 27, during the Jubilee for Adolescents in Rome April 25-27.
Carlo was declared “blessed” in 2020 after the Vatican recognized a miraculous healing through Acutis’ intercession a child in Brazil who recovered in a “scientifically inexplainable” manner. Last year, the church paved his way to sainthood by attributing to him a second miracle — the complete healing of a Costa Rican student in Italy from major head trauma in a bicycle accident after her mother prayed at Acutis’ tomb.
Blessed Carlo Acutis, who lived his life with deep faith, love for Jesus, and knack for technology, will be the first millennial saint. He’s a perfect example of how anyone, no matter your age, can be a saint! In his short life, he taught us how to use our everyday gifts like tech and social media to spread the love of Christ. He used his love for computers to create a website documenting Eucharistic miracles all around the world.
He teaches us that we can be saints in our own time. He shows us how we can live out our faith in the modern world, and how we can use what we love (even technology!) to bring people closer to Christ.
Learn more and honor Blessed Carlo’s legacy:
• Read the article from the Trenton Monitor, Modern Marvel of Sainthood: Diocesan Shrine honors Blessed Carlo Acutis, soon-to-be-saint HERE
• Watch the Carlo Acutis documentary on Formed HERE: TheBoyfromMilan:StoriesofCarlo Acutis
• Pray the Novena to Carlo Acutis: Let’s pray together and ask for his intercession!A printable version of the Novena is available for download HERE: Novena to Carlo Acutis
• Read the article from the Trenton Monitor, A Saint with a Song: Blessed Carlo Acutis Honored in Corpus Christi Single Video HERE
• Watch the music video for the single “Corpus Christi” HERE Be a Saint. Live with Purpose. Follow Carlo’s Example.
2025HolyWeekandEaster
Holy Thursday April 17 -NO 9:00 AM Mass
7 pm Mass of the Lord's Supper
Eucharistic Procession from the Church to the Chapel of Repose following Mass.
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament will continue in the Chapel of Repose until 10:00 pm.
Good Friday April 18
Commemoration of the Lord’s Passion - 12:00 pm in the Church
Outdoor Stations of the Cross-3:00 pm
Holy Saturday April 19
-9:00 am Prayer Service/ Blessing of Food - Chapel
NO Penance & Rec on Holy Saturday
Solemn Vigil of the Lord’s Resurrection
Saturday, April 19, 7:30 pm Vigil
* no 4:00 pm Mass or Confessions
Easter Sunday of the Lord’s Resurrection
Sunday, April 20, 2025
8:00am, 10:00am, 12:00pm Masses
HOLY THURSDAY BREAD
Thank you to the Grabowski Family for continuing the tradition of their father, John Grabowski, Sr. in providing bread for parishioners to take home on Holy Thursday.
CRS RICE BOWLS EASTER SUNDAY
CRS Rice Bowl is celebrating 50 years of helping Catholic faith communities bring Lent to life and encounter God through our global family. During the 40 days of Lent, let us journey together through CRS Rice Bowl to meet people in Nigeria, Guatemala and Bangladesh who are rising above the challenges of hunger and malnutrition.
Please make your CRS Rice Bowl offerings by Sunday April 27. Thank you for your support! DONATE HERE
Visit crsricebowl.org to learn more and read this weeks story of hope
My Dear Parishioners:
Quo vadis...
Today we celebrate the Solemnity of Easter. This is our High Holy Day! It is the Day of the Lord’s Resurrection. It is the fulfillment of God’s promise to us. Today is the day when we celebrate the triumph of Good over Evil, Life over Death, Light over Darkness, Hope over Cynicism. Today is the day when we renew our Baptismal Promises after having made the journey through Lent. We are an alleluia people called to live our faith with conviction, called to invite others to become part of the Body of Christ, called to be agents of reconciliation and healing. Easter is not only what we believe, but it is who we are…People of the Resurrection. The Easter Season extends for 50 Days until the Solemnity of Pentecost. Together let us joyfully proclaim our faith in Christ Jesus through word and in deed. Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
brated here in our parish during the Month of October. It is a wonderful reminder to all of us that faith is transmitted one from one generation to the next through the promptings of the Holy Spirit and the faithfulness of the worshipping community. Let us fully embrace this responsibility as we continue to re-establish a strong catechetical ministry deliberately rooted in the celebration of Sunday Eucharist as the center of our communal identity.
We welcome His Excellency, The Most Reverend David M. O’Connell, Bishop of Trenton who is celebrating the 12 Noon mass Easter Sunday. The Bishop will observe his 70th Birthday, Monday, 21 April. Ad multos annos!
We welcome to our parish church family members and friends of our parishioners. We also welcome former parishioners who are joining us for the celebration of the Eucharist. Many thanks to all those who have helped to prepare our church buildings and the liturgies for Holy Week, The Paschal Triduum and the Easter Season. These liturgies could not be celebrated in such a prayerful and inspiring way if it were not for the cooperation and faithful stewardship of scores of people staff and parishioners alike. That is the hallmark of our parish…sharing for the good of the community. Thank you one and all. During the Easter Season the universal Church focuses in a special way on the Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist. In the coming weeks we will resume the celebration of the Sacraments of Baptism and Holy Matrimony. First Communions and Confirmations are now normatively cele-
The 2025 Easter Collection is a major source of funding for our parish. We have advanced many projects here in our parish. Your financial support enables us to continue in this way. THANK YOU. Remember that Easter, like Christmas, is observed for eight days (an octave) each day from Sunday to Sunday. The Octave Day is also, more recently, designated as Divine Mercy Sunday. Enjoy your family and friends. Enjoy the special foods that are prepared. Enjoy the freedom to celebrate our faith. Enjoy the Salvation that has been offered to us from God through Jesus Christ. Our Parish Easter Egg Hunt will be held on the Octave Day of Easter. Consult the bulletin for more details. Have a great week! Let us remember one another in prayer. Buona Pasqua! Felices Pascuas! Happy Easter! Peace. Father Jeff
Sharing Our Treasure Sunday, April 13 Palm Sunday
Sign-in for our Online Giving system to make your parish offerings from your bank account or Credit Card!
# Registered Parishioner Households 910
Included in next weekend’s offertory will be the appeal for Catholic Home Missions. Please be generous.
"You who have no money, come, receive grain and eat; come, without paying and without cost, drink wine and milk! Why spend your money for what is not bread, your wages for what fails to satisfy? Heed me, and you shall eat well, you shall delight in rich fare." Isaiah 55:1-2
Parking head-in on the grass
It is so wonderful that we are blessed with many parishioner families & visitors to our parish during this sacred season. Please be reminded that all staff, ministry volunteers & choir members should park head-in on the grass around the parish campus. Visitors are invited to do the same for additional parking especially during Easter Masses. Please see page 9 for Mass times.
GROTTO CANDLES
The Grotto Candles are available for your prayer intentions. Offering is $3.00 per candle.
To set up an online giving account please visit https:// giving.parishsoft.com/smcn
Alternatively, just Text SUNDAY to (732)-889-7800 and follow the instructions to complete your offering. Should you require our assistance setting up your new account, please call the parish office at (732)-780-2666.
You can also download the Connect Now Giving App for Android or iOS.Thank you for your continuous support!
HOLY THURSDAY COLLECTION 2025
The Holy Thursday collection is a one-time annual collection allocated in support of the Poor & Needy.
If you have not made your offering yet please do so as soon as possible.
You may also send in your offering electronically at https:/tinyurl.com/2wv5kyu5 or scan the QR code here >>
Thank you for your generosity!
Stewardship: Please Remember Our Parish this - Easter -
Our 2025 Easter Collection is amajor annual collection tosupport ourparish. It helps tofund capital projects as well as our regular operational expenses. Kindly use the Easterenvelope your received in the mail for your offering and drop it in the collectionbox as you come to celebrate our Easter liturgies. Alternatively, you may make an offering electronically at our online giving systemHERE.
Thank you for your generosity and HAPPY EASTER!
CRY ROOM
Our church is blessed to have a space for families with small children they can use when attending mass. The purpose of this space is to be welcoming to young families attending masses and at the same time to reduce disturbance in the main nave during services.
Please feel free to use the Cry Room if your children are fussy or are easily distracted. Other parishioners without small children, please refrain from using the cry room and sit in the church pews instead.
Thank you all for your cooperation.
