Bishop of the Diocese of Trenton: Most Reverend David M. O’Connell, C.M.
Bishop of the Diocese of Trenton: Most Reverend David M. O’Connell, C. M.
Pastor: Reverend Fr. Jeffrey E. Lee
Pastor: Reverend Fr. Jeffrey E. Lee
Pastor Emeritus: Reverend Fr. William J. Bausch
Pastor Emeritus: Reverend Fr. William J. Bausch
Parish Trustees: Annette Raynor & Roger Zurro
Parish Trustees: Annette Raynor & Roger Zurro
DECEMBER 14, 2025
THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT
THE NATIVITY OF THE LORD MASS SCHEDULE
Wednesday, December 24
CHRISTMAS EVE
3 PM ~ 4:30 PM ~ 10 PM
Thursday, December 25
CHRISTMAS DAY 11 AM
ABBREVIATED MASS SCHEDULE
FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT
Saturday, December 20 4 PM
Sunday, December 21 10 AM
MASS SCHEDULE & INTENTIONS
Saturday, December 13, 2025 - Sunday, December 21, 2025
Saturday, December 13
4 PM
Sharon Sturchio * Diane Carnevale
Corcoran & Petolino Families * Francine & Joseph Corcoran
Bill O'Doherty, Florence & William O'Sullivan * Freda 'Doherty
Sunday, December 14
8 AM
Pro Populo
Helen & John Sionas * Eileen & Michael Stivala, Jr.
Antoinette Tommolino * Pernice Family
10 AM
James & Carolyn Shamy * Susanna Shamy
Philomena Iacono * Barbara & Joe Verga
Carl Simone * Susan Monaco
12 Noon
Chas & Nancy DiLorenzo * Sessa Family
Loving Family Members * Janet Munger
Kathleen Amatel & Cindy Amatel * Carla & Peter Hussy
Monday, December 15
9 AM Chapel
Reverend Ronald J. Cioffi * Reverend Fr. Jeffrey E. Lee, Staff & Parishioners
William Thomas DeHaven, Jr. * Herold Garcia family
Tuesday, December 16
9 AM Chapel
Wilfreda Poscablo * Drs. Gener and Elvira Dapul
Philomena Iacono * Barbara & Joe Verga
Wednesday, December 17
9 AM Chapel
Clive T. Lay * Fran Lay
Mario Bertolozzi
Saturday, December 20
4 PM
Helen DeCerce * Diane Carnevale
Oscar Fiedler * Susan and James Gobat
Florence Luzzi * Rich Luzzi
Sunday, December 21
10 AM
Pro Populo
DeStefano/Albruno Families * Franceschetti Family
Joseph and Marilyn Hagner * Joseph and Barbara Hagner
MASS INTENTIONS & SANCTUARY
Intention ($10 stipend)
Requests may also be submitted in person at the Parish Office during operating hours.
LIFELONG CATECHESIS: Week of December 14 to December 20
READINGS FOR THE WEEK
Sunday, December 14
Isaiah 35:1-6a, 10 / James 5:7-10 / Matthew 11:2-11
Monday, December 15
Numbers 24:2-7,15-17a / Matthew 21:23-27
Tuesday, December 16
Zephaniah 3:1-2, 9-13 / Matthew 21:28-32
Wednesday, December 17
Genesis 40:2,8-10/ Matthew 1:1-17
Thursday, December 18
Jeremiah 23:5-8 / Matthew 1:18-25
Friday, December 19
Judges 13:2-7, 24-25a / Luke 1:5-25
Saturday, December 20
Isaiah 7:10-14 / Luke 1:26-38
Please pray for our Military & First Responders
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.
AMT Colton Boag, USCG
Col. John Anthony Coppola, US Army
TSgt Stephen Witherow, USAF
LCpl Edward Zarzecki, USMC
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
FOR DEEPER REFLECTION
God’s kingdom is at hand
Question for Children:
Beyond toys and other things, what do you hope will happen in your family this Christmas?
Question for Youth:
What are the greatest challenges you face as a young person today in terms of allowing Christ to be your teacher and following him?
Question for Adults:
Name the one thing in your life which you must “move out of the way” in order to make more room for Christ – a grudge, a possession, a memory, hurt, or feeling.
Please pray for the following members of our parish community who are ill:
Joe Brando Lori Lettieri
Edward Habrack
Father William Bausch
To add or remove a family member from the sick list, please email parishbulletin@stmaryscoltsneck.org Names will be removed from the list after 3 months. Be sure to keep us updated on your loved one’s health. Thank you for keeping our Parish informed.
SAINT OF THE WEEK
Barbara, Virgin and Martyr, Fourth Century
There is some doubt that the virgin, Barbara, ever existed. Nevertheless, she was one of the most popular saints in the middle ages.
The story of Barbara is that she was the daughter of a pagan official in the time of the Emperor Maximian. The girl was so beautiful that her father built a tower for her to live in to isolate her from the world. Many princes came to woo her, but she resisted her father’s efforts to have her marry one of them, choosing instead to dedicate her life to Christ.
Andrew
WORSHIP & MUSIC
J. Macirowski - Pastoral Coordinator for Worship & Music / Principal Organist Worship@StMarysColtsNeck.org • Music@StMarysColtsNeck.org
The Third Sunday of Advent
The Third Sunday of Advent, Gaudete Sunday, is so named from the first word of the introit (entrance antiphon) from the propers for the Mass that day: Gaudete in Domino semper: iterum dico, gaudete: modestia vestra nota sit omnibus hominibus: Dominus prope est.
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice. Indeed, the Lord is near.
(Reminder: the propers are the texts that are proper to each Mass. The introit, also known as the entrance antiphon, is the text that is proper to be sung at the start of Mass.)
The Gospel readings in particular shift both in tone from those of the first two Sundays of the season, as well as back in time, to early in the narratives where John the Baptist proclaims Christ as the Messiah. Next week, on the Fourth Sunday of Advent, the recounting of the Annunciation is heard.
The vestments for the day are rose-colored, symbolizing the joy and anticipation of the incarnation at Christmastime. Only on this day and the 4th Sunday of Lent are these vestments worn. The third candle of the Advent wreath, also rose-colored, is lit.
The Oplatek Christmas wafers are available on the credenzas nears the entrance of the church this weekend and next.
On the Fourth Sunday of Advent, we invite parishioners to bring their infant Jesus figures from their home nativity sets to Mass for a blessing.
Blessing of the Infant Jesus
Saturday, December 20: 4 PM Mass
Sunday, December 21: 10 AM Mass
All are invited to bring your Infant Jesus from your home Nativity for a special Christmas blessing. As we draw near to the mystery of Christ’s birth, we are reminded that Jesus desires to be welcomed into our homes and hearts.
THE SEASON OF ADVENT SCHEDULE
December 14th
Saturday, 12/20
4 PM
Sunday, 12/21
10 AM
MINISTRY SCHEDULE
Saturday, December 20 & Sunday, December 21
Altar Server Cantor Reader 1 Reader 2
Jonathan Stubbs
Chloe Cullen
Tesya Yaninas
Carly York
Charles Young
Mary Ellen Griffin
Carly York Matt Yaninas
Julia Cullen
Tom Kinlin, Organ Host
Tom Nathanson, Tabernacle Host
Nick Turkovic, Tabernacle Host
Liz Turkovic, Alternate
Maureen Geiger, Organ Host
Dawn Burtone, Tabernacle Host
Steve Stanley, Tabernacle Host
Joseph Burtone, Alternate
SOLMENITY: THE NATIVITY OF THE LORD
Wednesday, December 24
CHRISTMAS EVE
PARISH OF SAINT MARY
Masses at 3 PM , 4:30 PM & 10 PM (Choral Prelude at 9:30 PM)
PARISH OF SAINT CATHARINE
Masses at 4 PM , 6 PM & 10 PM
HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY & JOSEPH
MASS SCHEDULE
Saturday, December 27: 4 PM
Thursday, December 25
CHRISTMAS DAY
PARISH OF SAINT MARY Mass at 11 AM
PARISH OF SAINT CATHARINE Masses at 10 AM & 12 Noon
MARY, MOTHER OF GOD
Sunday, December 28: 10 AM EPIPHANY OF THE LORD MASS SCHEDULE Saturday, January 3: 4 PM Sunday, January 4: 10 AM
MASS SCHEDULE
PARISH OF SAINT MARY
Wednesday, 12/ 31: 4 PM
Thursday, 1/ 1: 12 Noon
PARISH OF ST. CATHARINE
Wednesday, 12/ 31: 5 PM Thursday, 1/ 1: 9 AM
FAITH FORMATION
Julia Cullen — Pastoral Coordinator of Faith Formation / Religious Education
A big thank you to out first two RE families who participated in our “Advent Welcome” the first two Sundays of Advent. Please join us this Sunday at the 10 AM mass, by arriving no later than 9:50 AM, to participate in the third Sunday Advent Welcome.
CONFIRMATION PREP
December 14:
Next Virtual session
December 16: Next On-Campus session
13 December 2025
Light Up a Memory & Christmas Tree Lighting Begins at 4PM Mass in the Church Click to register
20 December 2025
Blessing of the Infant Jesus At 4PM Mass in the Church
RE Christmas Party/Nativity Play 5PM, Madonna Hall Click to RSVP to Party Click to Join the Nativity Play
21 December 2025
Blessing of the Infant Jesus At 10AM Mass in the Church
22 December 2025 through 1 January 2026 Christmas Break No Religious Education Classes
RELIGIOUS ED LINKS & RESOURCES
RE Calendar
RE Handbook
Intergenerational List/ Descriptions
Intergenerational Recording Sheet
Confirmation Prep Schedule
Fall RE Schedule
Advent Family Welcome
Please arrive to 10 AM Sunday Mass no later than 9:50 am to participate before mass each Sunday of Advent!
Come and share in the joy of the season as we prepare our hearts to celebrate the coming of Christ! All are welcome!
The two-fold character of Advent calls us to prepare for the remembering of the Word made Flesh at Christmas and directs us to wait with alertness for Jesus’ second coming.Activity of the Week!
Choose one of the following activities as a way to further reflect on the Sunday readings:
Prepare for Christmas by talking together about family members who have been influential in your lives. Go through the family album and point out pictures of people who are good role models of Christian living. Tell their stories to your family. Discuss which of them has brought the light of Christ into your lives this year.
Take an amaryllis bulb to an older relative, friend, homebound person, or a nursing home resident. Visit the person often during the Advent and Christmas season, and together watch the plant grow and bloom for Christmas. You and the flower will both be signs of God’s reign of love in our midst.
Christmas carols, Advent wreaths, Christmas trees, Mass, and ginger cookies— Whether they are family or Church customs, the many traditions associated with the Advent and Christmas seasons make these special times of the year for us.
One of these ancient traditions is the O Antiphons: seven responses, or antiphons, that are sung or recited to introduce the canticle of Mary (the Magnificat) at evening prayer from December 17 to December 23, the octave before Christmas. These antiphons are based on Isaiah’s prophecies and refer to the different ancient titles given to the Messiah:
O Sapientia (O Wisdom) See Isaiah 11:2–3; 28:29.
O Adonai (O Lord) See Isaiah 11:4–5; 33:22.
O Radix Jesse (O Root of Jesse) See Isaiah 1:1; 11:10.
O Clavis David (O Key of David) See Isaiah 9:6; 22:22.
O Oriens (O Rising Sun) See Isaiah 9:1.
O Rex Gentium (O King of the Nations) See Isaiah 9:5; 2:4.
O Emmanuel (God with us) See Isaiah 7:14. Make the O Antiphons come alive at home with your family. Bringing the o Antiphons Alive for your Children
ADVENT FAMILY PRAYER
Dear God, thank you for giving us these four weeks to prepare to celebrate the birth of your Son. We are so thankful for all the people that help us along this path we’re traveling to welcome Jesus. God, bless our family and prepare our home and hearts to welcome your Son, Jesus Christ, into the world. Amen.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 13
All are invited to the joyous tree lighting ceremony beginning at 4 PM Mass!
SUBMIT YOUR OWN PHOTO!
Photo sessions are complete but it’s not too late to be included in the Parish of Saint Mary Photo Directory! You may submit your own family photo!
Email it to J.cullen@stmaryscoltsneck.org with your family name and email address you would like listed in the directory. (Note there is a $20 fee to include your own photo; please drop off an envelope labeled with your family name at the front office during office hours.)
The Parish of Saint Mary PARISH PHOTO DIRECTORY
Quo vadis...
My Dear Parishioners: Today we celebrate the Third Sunday of Advent. This particular Sunday is also known as Gaudete Sunday. Gaudete is a Latin word that can be translated as we rejoice. It’s easy and comfortable to recognize Christ in the expected places and ways. When we enter the peace of a church, for example, we expect to find God. When we sit and pray in our homes, we expect to find God and have our prayers answered. All this is good. However, living the paschal mystery means that we take up the mission of Christ ourselves, that we ourselves are to be Christ for others. Especially during these final days before Christmas when everyone is so busy we can forget that our mission is like John’s: to testify to the light. We do this by how we respond to those around us: take time to listen to the one hurting, visit those who might be forgotten, do with a little less ourselves so others might have more, take time to pray, remember to give thanks, offer a helping hand, reorganize our priorities, praise the God in others.
Thanks again for your participation in the Advent gift-giving programs. Our Advent Penance & Reconciliation service was very prayerful, and this was noticed by our visiting Priest-Confessors. There continues to be a great need for food items each and every week. Please bring food with you whenever it is convenient for you. We will deliver the food items to those who carefully distribute it to the poor and needy in our midst. Your generous stewardship makes a difference in their lives. Let us never waver in our support for the poor and marginalized in our midst.
This weekend, we welcome those who join us for Mass as we light the memory tree in honor of our loved ones who have gone before us. Let us honor them by faithfully living our Catholic Faith as they lived it as an example for us. Now it is our turn to live it wisely and courageously as witnesses to children and one another. Thanks to all those who have volunteered their time and talent to offer the LUAM, especially Freda, Molly and their team.
Next weekend, the Fourth Sunday of Advent, there will be an abbreviated Sunday schedule. Please refer to the bulletin and/or the quadfold mailed to all of our registered parishioner families.
Next weekend, during the 4 PM and 10 AM masses, we invite you to bring the image of the infant Jesus (in a basket) from the nativity scene that is erected in your home. Place it in the specified place in the nave of our church building, and a blessing will be offered during the mass. May the image of the infant Jesus encourage us in our preparation for the Solemnity of the Incarnation of Christ this Christmas Season.
You should have received in the mail a copy of our 2025 Christmas Schedule of services. Please review it carefully, and plan your schedule accordingly. Make this an opportunity for you to invite members of your family to join with you in celebrating mass for Christmas. As you continue to make your Christmas list for this year, please remember to put our parish toward the top of that list so that we might continue to progress into the future providing for the needs and challenges that await us. As always, thank you for all that you do in order to make our parish a vibrant community of faith and service. Plan to arrive earlier than usual for Christmas Masses (especially the 3 PM and 4:30 PM.. Those wishing to avoid the rush and the crowds, especially if you children are older, might consider the 10 PM Christmas Eve mass. Please carpool whenever and wherever possible. Remember that we have “Colts Neck parking” on the grass…perpendicular to the outer road of the parking lot.
Please join me in wishing Msgr. Troiano a very Happy 80th Birthday. We are grateful to him for his priestly service as part of our clergy team. Let us wish him continued good health and peace as he begins a new decade. Let us remember one another in prayer. Have a great week. Happy Sunday. Peace. Father Jeff
TEMPORAL ADMINISTRATION & STEWARDSHIP
Edwin A. Sevillano— Pastoral Associate for Temporal Administration & Stewardship
TemporalAdmin@StMarysColtsNeck.org
Sign-up for Online Giving to make your parish offerings from your bank account or credit card! Click here to set up an online giving account!
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 ConnectNow Giving App for Android or iOS.
Thank you for your continuous support!
Consider AYear-End Gift to the Parish of Saint Mary
As Stewards of our Parish, we are called upon to take a step. We ask you to listen, review the brochure, pray about it and complete a Commitment Card or submit click to online
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.
Click here to create or update your St Mary Parish Online Giving account. 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 2025.
Contributions received on January 1st or after will be treated as 2026 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.
Offerings at Francis House of Prayer
Trenton Diocesan Spiritual Center and Retreat House 84 08501
www.FHOP.org
THE CHRISTMAS STORY
December 17
(In Person only)
view the Christmas episode, share its message, spend some time in prayer and enjoy a fabulous lunch. we grow in appreciation of the gift of Christ Donation: $25, lunch included
THE END OF THE YEAR RETREAT
ber 31
Since God gives us life and time and is Lord over all, it seems appropriate to end the year in prayer. quiet for naming the graces of 2025 and expressing gratitude to God. The day will focus on our goals, hopes and desires for 2026. reverently say farewell to 2025 and cordially welcome 2026 as a gift from God. Please bring your lunch.
GOD CANNOT FILL AN OCCUPIED SPACE! CLEANING UP & CLEANING OUT
Tuesday, January 6
Is it time to make a little more room for God in your life? Do you find yourself complaining, ing one of your desires for 2026?
