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
FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT DECEMBER 1, 2024
His Excellency, The Most Reverend David M. O’Connell, CM, Bishop of the Diocese of Trenton will be the Principal Celebrant and Homilist, Saturday, 30 November at 4:00pm. We begin the Liturgical Season of Advent that weekend. His Excellency visits parishes throughout the year and has chosen to visit and pray with us. I invite all those who are able to come and greet Bishop O’Connell as we begin the Advent Season. That is Thanksgiving weekend and we will observe an abbreviated Mass schedule: Saturday, 4:00pm & Sunday, 10:00am. Come, Lord Jesus, Come!
Thanksgiving Weekend Abbreviated Mass Schedule
Saturday, November 30, 4:00 PM Mass
Sunday, December 1, 10:00 AM Mass
Mass Intentions for:
Saturday November 30 2024 - Sunday December 8 2024
Saturday, November 30– 4PM
Pro Populo
Catherine Howard * The Morin Family
Peggy Caponegro * Carol Ward
Sunday, December 1–10AM
Lawrence Patrick Dickinson * Dickinson-Pancila Family
Robert A. & Mary Joan McNamara * The McNamara
Family
Edith and Richard Gold * Arlene Garito
Monday, December 2 - 9AM
Darryl Turkaly * Barbara Saake
Lorraine and Carlos Martins * Susan Wilbert
Tuesday, December 3 - 9AM
Margaret Clime * Jim Schatzle & Family
Crisanta Dapul * Drs. Gener and Elvira Dapul
Wednesday, December 4 - 9AM
Lawrence Patrick Dickinson * Dickinson-Pancila Family
Madonna and Jesus * Marianna Zanobi
Thursday, December 5- 9AM
Special Intention
GROTTO CANDLES
The Grotto Candles are available for your prayer intentions. Offering is $3.00 per candle
Friday, December 6– 9AM
Charles Fontana * Jim and Denise Lenzo
Saturday, December 7- 4PM
Anthony Carnevale * Diane Carnevale
Sharon Sturchio * Barbara Saake
Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day * Carol Donahue
Sunday December 8 –8AM
Pro Populo
Marion Staub * Marianne Carlisle Joseph "Bud"
Mcilvaine * Carly York 10AM
Ginny Hamlin * Nancy and Harry Bauer
John Cammarano * Maria and John Doherty
Lillian D’Allegro * Linda/ William Stagliano
12PM
Special Intention * Bob Amling
Rosaria and Salvatore Pati * Richard and Maria Gerbino
Maria Milone * Pellicone Family
Sanctuary Lamp
Church: Kathleen Amatel
Requested by: Nancy and Steve Walton
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 December 1 December 7
READINGS FOR THE WEEK:
FIRST Sunday of Advent
Jer 33:14-16/1 Thes 3:12 4:2/Lk 21:25-28, 34-36
MONDAY December 2
Is 2:1-5/Mt 8:5-11
TUESDAY December 3
Is 11:1-10/Lk 10:21-24
WEDNESDAY December 4
Is 25:6-10a/Mt 15:29-37
THURSDAY December 5
Is 26:1-6/Mt 7:21, 24-27
FRIDAY December 6
Is 29:17-24/Mt 9:27-31
SATURDAY December 7
Is 30:19-21, 23-26/Mt 9:35 10:1, 5a, 6-8
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 helps you to grow in your faith? Who helps you?
Question for Youth: Advent is the Church season when we prepare for Christ’s birth at Christmas. What is one thing you can do to prepare yourself spiritually for Christmas?
Question for Adults: Paul exhorts us to “make greater progress” in our spiritual lives. What one step could you take to make greater progress in your own 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:
Lori Lettieri
Jack Coppola
Kaitlin Donahue Nagle
Lauren vinci
Dawn Reinhardt
Gerard Thompson
Rose walch
Joyce daniel
Robert a . monaco, md
Jeff McBride
Owen Shoemaker
Peter Vickers
Toaddorremoveafamilymemberfromthesicklistpleasee-mailONLY parishbulletin@stmaryscoltsneck.org. Please,also,keepusupdatedonyourlovedone’shealth. Nameswillberemovedfromthelistafter3months.ThankyouforkeepingourParishinformed.
& Music
Andrew J. Macirowski - Pastoral Coordinator for Worship & Music / Principal Organist Worship@stmaryscoltsneck.org Music@stmaryscoltsneck.org Worship
The Two Comings of Christ
The Season of Advent
Advent is a time of preparation. Most people think of it as a time to prepare for the coming of Christ at Christmas; and while this is true, it is also a time to prepare for his coming at the end of time. Many of the Advent readings and hymns we sing during Advent and Christmastime allude to the two comings of Christ.
One of the hymns that is often sung during Advent, The King Shall Come When Morning Dawns. In the same hymn, the author speaks of the birth of Christ, but also of the return:
Not, as of old, a little child
To suffer and to die,
But crowned with glory like the sun
That lights the morning sky.
Another hymn, Savior of the Nations Come, speaks of the destiny of the Christ to lead those who have passed and believe in him to eternal glory:
From the Father forth he came and returneth to the same, captive leading death and hell
high the song of triumph swell!
This is also a time of year when special attention is paid to the Blessed Virgin Mary, with the Solemnity of the Immaculate conception on December 8, (this year observed on December 9 - check the bulletin and advent mailer for Mass times) The Feast of our Lady of Guadalupe on December 12, and on the Octave of Christmas, the Solemnity of Theotokos, Mary the Mother of God.
It is important during this time of preparation to not only prepare our hearts for the coming of the infant Jesus, the Son of Mary and Word Incarnate, but also the Redeemer, King of Kings for all eternity. Take some extra time for prayer, read the daily reflection books that have been gifted to our parishioners (perhaps even as a family), go to confession. There will also be a short recital of Advent music on December 1 at 2pm in the church, which has been programmed as another way to center one’s self for the season.
St. Catherine Labouré, Religious, 1806-1876
Zoe Labouré was born on May 2, 1806 to a farm family near the village of Saint-Rémy de Provence in southern France. She was the ninth of eleven children. Raised with a strong faith, early on she felt a calling to the religious life.
Zoe’s mother died when the girl was eight years old. The story is told that following her mother’s funeral, Zoe went into her bedroom, picked up a statue of the Blessed Mother and said, "Now, dear Lady, you are to be my mother."
After her mother’s death, Zoe was sent to Paris to live with an aunt, but, when an older sister entered the convent of the Daughters of Charity about a year later, she returned to her home to tend to the house and her younger siblings. Taking on these duties at such a young age meant that Zoe had almost no education and never learned to read or write. Read More HERE
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 a separate environment to engage in the Liturgy of the Word at a level more appropriate to the children’s understanding.
Ministry Schedule: Second Sunday of Advent December 7 & 8
Saturday, 7 4 PM NOT FILLED NOT FILLED
Marybeth Jacobson
Angela Kinlin
Sunday, 8 8 AM
Sunday, 8 10 AM
Sunday, 8 12 PM
Jack Main NOT FILLED
Chloe Cullin NOT FILLED
Carly York
Carly York
Jack Schatzle NOT FILLED Cantor/ Choir
FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT
Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen (LectionaryPage.net)
The Tree of Love
has few days left before gifts are due! Join in on the holiday spirit before it is too late. Tags name children's toys and gifts for nursing home residents. As in the past, please take a tag from the tree, fulfill the request ($25 value) and return the gift with the tag attached, no later than December 1
Thank you for your generosity towards those in need.
Any questions, please contact Deb Stanley (732) 591-0257 or DebStan2@aol.com
Charles Young
Joe Ventura
Annette Raynor
Barbara Schaflin
Mary Ellen Griffin
OH - Elvira Dapul MD
TH - Liz Turkovic
TH - Nick Turkovic
ALT - Emily Santangelo
OH - Marsha Grigoli
TH - Michael Staub
TH - Maureen Staub
ALT - Cindy Ventura
OH -Linda Dickinson– Pancila
TH - NOT FILLED
TH - Maureen Geiger
ALT - Carol Donahue
OH –Tom Nathanson
TH - Dawn Reinhardt
TH - Irene Weller
ALT - Ron Gabbard
Baptismal Preparation Session
St Mary Parish is offering our next Baptismal Preparation Session on: SUNDAY, December 8, 2024
Pre-registrationisrequired aweekinadvance.
ContactUs
Parish Office Hours
Mondays, Wednesdays & Thursdays 9:00 am to 2:00 pm Tuesdays 2:00 pm to 7:30 pm. The Parish Office is closed Fridays and Saturdays.
The Parish Office will also be open Sunday December 8, 9am - 1pm
Any questions, please call the office at (732)-780-2666.
Faith Formation
Julia Cullen - Pastoral Coordinator of Faith Formation / Religion Ed
ReligiousEd@stmaryscoltsneck.org 732-780-2666 X 309
Religious Education Calendar
Grades1to8
1 December 2024
Decorate Rotunda INTERGENERATIONAL
Following 10 AM mass grades 5 and up only SIGN UPS ARE FILLED
1 December 2024
Advent Wreath Making INTERGENERATIONAL
Beginning at 12 PM mass limited space available SIGN UP LINK
1, 3 December 2024
Confirmation Prep Class
7 December 2024
Nativity Play Rehearsal
2:30 PM to 3:45 PM Madonna Hall
8 December 2024
Penance and Reconciliation Retreat/Rehearsal
Beginning at 12 PM mass, following in the church 2nd grade only
14 December 2024
Nativity Play Rehearsal
2:30 PM to 3:30 PM Madonna Hall
14 December 2024
Light Up a Memory INTERGENERATIONAL
4 PM mass in the church Christmas carols and tree lighting SIGN UP HERE
15 December 2024
Penance and Reconciliation INTERGENERATIONAL
3 PM in the chapel Grades 1-8
IMPORTANT RELIGIOUS ED 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
• Intergenenerational Recording link
As we celebrate the 1st Sunday of Advent, we joyfully welcome families to our Advent Wreath Making INTERGENERATIONAL on Sunday, 1 December 2024 at 11 AM in Madonna Hall. This is an RSVP event only, as we have purchased materials.
Our Nativity play rehearsals begin next Saturday, 7 December at 2:30 PM in Madonna Hall. and we also look forward to hosting our retreat/rehearsal for our 2nd graders who are preparing for their First Penance & Reconciliation beginning at the 12 PM mass on Sunday, 8 December 2024.
Penance and Reconciliation
15 December 2024 – 3 PM Grade 1 - 8
We encourage all Religious Education families to participate in the Sacrament on 15 December 2024 at 3 PM in the Chapel. Attendance will be taken upon entering the Narthex for all grades. Please be reminded that 7th graders are asked to pick up their Chosen book needed for class at the P&R service.
Pleases watch the following link on how to make an Examination of Conscious
To prepare for your confession, it is important to reflect on your sins prior to receiving P&R. Two helpful links to assist your reflection: Exam of Conscious for teens Exam of Conscious for kids
SERVICE HOUR OPPORTUNITIES
Confirmation Prep– 7 & 8 grade VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Please print out your service log as it is due the end of 8th grade, in preparation for Confirmation.
• We are in need of a few more RE families willing to Sponsor a Family for Christmas. If you are interested in this great cause, please call the RE office to sign up and for more details service hours will be rewarded for participation
• Summer RE assistant teacher: Virtual or on-campus; look for sign-ups in 2025. more Christian service opportunities listed on website
My Dear Parishioners:
Quo vadis...
Today we celebrate the First Sunday of Advent. Vigilance for the many comings of Christ in our daily lives involves a dying to self. This means that our focus is not on our own wants and needs but on the Christ who chooses to be intimately present to us. Our prayer for strength might be that Jesus help us see his presence in the people around us. This is pretty easy (with a practical reminder to ourselves) when the other person is pleasant or cooperative or helpful. The dying happens when the other is cranky or not to our liking or threatening. How can we see Christ in the other when the other doesn’t conform to our image of Christ? This is the question “anxieties of daily life” raises. The dying comes in growing in our image of who Christ is! The dying comes in forming the habit of seeing Christ in all others because Christ came to redeem all. The rising comes in constant vigilance, for Christ comes in many ways.
I hope that your Thanksgiving observance was truly a family time to gather and give thanks for the many blessings we receive. Wow…what a great response for our Thanksgiving food drive…the bags of food and the turkeys surely made a difference in the lives of some needy families. Thanks so much for your generous sharing especially given the rising cost of food and supplies this year. This past week was filled with all kinds of activity in the parish office. Worship aids have been assembled for the new liturgical year, Christmas Schedules and other materials are being folded and assembled for mailing. Trees and other decorations will be assembled in the churches, parish house and other public areas in order to create a festive environment. This year we will be decorating the Sanctuary and Nave of the church building with trees and poinsettias; there will be trees in the Narthex/Gathering Area as part of the Christmas
Creche. None of these could have been possible without the assistance of scores of parishioners who graciously volunteer their time and talent. What a wonderful asset we have here in our parish in the person of our faithful volunteers. If you would be interested in volunteering periodically just let Andrew Macirowski or one of our parish staff persons know.
Please join us for the Annual Advent Penance & Reconciliation (Confessions) Sunday, 15 December 2024. Some of our parish families will present their children to us as they celebrate this awesome sacrament of God’s mercy for the very first time. I encourage all of our parishioner families to come and participate as one of the easy in which we prepare for the Solemnity of Christmas. The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary is observed 9 December 2024. This is the Patronal Solemnity of our Catholic Church in the USA. Consult other sections of the bulletin for the mass schedule both at St. Mary and St Catherine fir your convenience.
Many thanks to all those who have Chosen to Sponsor a Family this year. We can and do make a difference through our sacrifices. Also, the Tree of Love helps many agencies, ministries and organizations fulfill their mission. We have a great spirit of sharing…may God continue to reward our choices and sacrifices. Please remember that when you take a tag or sign up to provide something it is expected that you do so according to the established timeline. I know that seems foolish to mention…however, we are on the hook to provide these items. When they are not returned at the appropriate time they must be purchased by the parish or others. I ask your kindness in these matters. Have a great week. Let us remember one another in prayer.
Happy Sunday. Peace. Father Jeff
# Registered Parishioner Households 932 Sharing Our Treasure Nov, 24 –Solemnity Christ of Our King
"He said, 'I tell you truly, this poor widow put in more than all the rest; for others have all made offerings from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has offered her whole livelihood." Lk 21:3-4
Consider AYear-End Gift to St Mary Parish
As you begin year-end tax planning, take advantage of the charitable tax deduction for gifts made before December 31 and consider making a gift to St Mary Parish. Your gift to our parish can make a great difference to us and help you as well. Online Giving is a convenient way to make your gift to St Mary Parish. To create or update your St Mary Parish Online Giving account, visit https://giving.parishsoft.com/app/giving/smcn
If you choose to make a cash donation, please prepare your check and mail it so that your envelope is postmarked or received by the Parish Office by December 31 to qualify as a gift in the year 2024. Contributions received on January 1st or after will be treated as 2025 gifts. Thank you! Your generosity has been a blessing to St Mary Parish throughout this past year. Your continued support allows us to continue our ministries and mission to proclaim the Gospel in our time.
Our 2023 - 2024 Stewardship Report
Has been e-mailed to our parishioners. If you have not received it, please contact the Parish Office at communications@stmaryscoltsneck.org to make sure we have your updated and valid e-mail address. Thankyouforyourcontinuedsupport!
A. SevillanoTemporalAdmin@stmaryscoltsneck.org
Sign-in for our Online Giving system to make your parish offerings from your bank account or Credit Card!
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!
As of November 25 2024 Goal: $75,000
THANK YOU ! For all your efforts in supporting the Annual Catholic Appeal! Please continue to make your pledge payments so that our parish can receive the maximum rebate. If you haven't made a pledge yet please go to www.dioceseoftrenton.org/catholicappeal to send your gift electronically. Make sure to select St. Mary Catholic Church, Colts Neck in the Parish Affiliation box so we can receive credit for your gift.
Thank you for your prayers and support
“Light Up a Memory”
Preparations for the "Memory Tree" lighting this year have already started. A $10.00 contribution signifies a light in memory of a deceased loved one, or in honor of a living person. His/her name will be inscribed in a special "Memory Book", which will be on display in the Church Narthex.
Each $10.00 also entitles the donor to a Remembrance cards available in the Church Office during regular office hours for those who want to pick them up.
The deadline for submissions is December 2, 2024.
Submissions after deadline are included in the addendum of the Memory Book.
Participants are also invited to the joyous tree lighting ceremony, at the 4:00 pm Mass on Saturday, December 14, 2024.
Please follow link HERE to sponsor a light.
A Special December Meeting for The Martha Guild
All women of the parish and our cohort parishes are cordially invited to the Martha Mary Guild's Christmas Program. Last year, we had such a good time with our own Pastoral Coordinator for Worship and Music, Andrew Macirowski, that we invited him to return. Andrew will once again lead us in a variety of Christmas songs, both religious and popular, while he plays the piano.
After that, two of our Board members, Jennifer Gioacchini and Anne Marie Matthews, will guide us in making a special holiday item. All materials will be supplied by the Guild.
Join us at 11:30 a.m. for the rosary in the "old chapel". Bring your lunch for noontime and feast on a wonderful variety of "goodies", which will be donated by generous members of the Guild. Coffee, tea and bottled water will also be provided.
Members will be bringing baby items for Birthright, as we do every December. Birthright has requested that knitted and crocheted blankets have no large spaces that baby fingers can get caught in. We are so grateful for how our members always contribute to our "Special Collections" and wanted you to know that we won't be collecting again until Spring.
Offerings at Francis House of Prayer Trenton Diocesan Spiritual Center and Retreat House 84 Walnford Road • Allentown, NJ 08501 609-877-0509 or FHOP@verizon.net
Please check www.FHOP.org for dates, registration, directions and for our other offerings! All programs will be offered online and in-person unless otherwise indicated.
IN-PERSON ONLY IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE
Tuesday, December 10 9:30 AM – 1:00 PM
The old familiar It’s a Wonderful Life, is ever ancient, ever new! What does the story say to me now? We will view the film, share its Christmas message, and enjoy a fabulous lunch. What a great Advent morning as we grow in appreciation of the gift of our lives. This will be fun and remarkably impactful for your Advent Season. Donation: $25, lunch included.
BE BORN IN ME
MAKE MY HEART YOUR BETHLEHEM
Monday, December 16 9:30 AM – 1:00 PM
This retreat morning will allow you the time and space to celebrate Christmas spiritually. Spending this time with God makes a huge difference in the final days before Christmas, as you continue your preparation for the feast and will enhance your entire Christmas Season. “I’ll hold you in the beginning, you will hold me in the end. Every moment in the middle, make my heart your Bethlehem. Be Born in Me.” (Battistelli) Donation: $25, lunch included. Zoom: $20
THE END OF THE YEAR RETREAT
Tuesday, December 31 9:30 AM – 2:00 PM
Since God gives us life and time and is Lord over all, it seems appropriate to end the year in prayer. Francis House offers time, space and quiet for naming the graces of 2024 and expressing gratitude to God. The day will focus on our goals, hopes and desires for 2025. We reverently say farewell to 2024 and cordially welcome 2025 as a gift from God. Please bring your lunch. Donation: Love Offering
Fall Clean
THANK YOU ! to all the volunteers who helped us with our Fall Grounds Clean Up!!
