December 18, 2022 - Fourth Sunday of Advent

Mass Intentions for:

Saturday, December 17th - Sunday December 25th For * Requested by

Saturday,December17–4PMChurch

IntentionsofLeonidasMavrookas*SuzanneSchlesinger

JosephLentineJr.*RorieandJackCoppola JamesSpiniello*GinnyandBillLaMorte

Sunday,December18–Church

10AM ProPopulo

FlorenceandWilliamO’Sullivan*FredaO’Doherty RayReddington*SusanandKenDavis

Monday,December19–9AMChapel

MichaelMoscarello*ThomasandBethAnnReardon

Tuesday,December20–9AMChapel

SpecialIntention*RobertAmling JamesF.Dwyer,Jr.*DwyerFamily

Wednesday,December21–9AMChapel

AngelinePersiani*LorraineLee SilaandJosephMyers*JeanneKolakowski

Thursday,December22–9AMChapel ClaraRomeo*LorraineLee

Friday,December23–9AMChapel

GerardCarneySr*BrownFamily BenFalsetti*JohnandDarleneLee

Saturday,December24—3PM,5PM,10PMChurch Living&DeceasedParishionersandBenefactorsofourparish

Sunday,December25 9AM,11AMChurch Living&DeceasedParishionersandBenefactorsofourparish

The Mass Book for 2023

is now open for intention requests throughout the year. You can download this form, fill it out and submit it to the parish office with your payment or visit online to make your requests online paying by credit card/ bank account. The suggested stipend is $10 per intention.

Please pray for the following members of our parish family who are ill:

KathleenAmatel

MichaelBarker

JaniceBasilice

FrBillBausch

EileenBeckley

BrendaCaronnaChristen Chellis

LynetteColaco-Desouza

BlakeConley

JackCoppola

KaitlinDonahueNagle

SharonEvangellista

JoannFeliciti

CynthiaFiedler

JamesFiedler

EmilyGioacchini

TomHudak

ElizabethLindHuseby

BridgetKorn

BobLind

LoriLettieri

DonnaLodi

LudwigMendola

KevinO’Shea

OwenShoemaker

VictoriaSlater

GerardP.Thompson

LaurenVinci

LeonJankowski

ElizabethDeStefano LouSchmitt

Toaddafamilymembertothesicklistfor8weeks, pleasecallor e-mailtheParishOffice.Thank you! 732-780-2666 or parishbulletin@stmaryscoltsneck.org

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

LCpl Devon Francis Chrzan, USMC

Lt. Col. John Anthony Coppola, US Army 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

Ensign 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 TSgt Stephen Witherow, USAF LCpl Edward Zarzecki, USMC

Lifelong Catechesis - Week of

READINGS FOR THE WEEK

18 Sunday: Second Sunday of Advent Is 7:10-14 / Rom 1:1-7 / Mt 1:18-24 19 Monday: JGS 13:2-7, 24-25A / LK 1:5-25 20 Tuesday: Is 7:10-14 / Lk 1:26-38 21 Wednesday: SG 2:8-14 / LK 1:39-45 22 Thursday: 1 Sm 1:24-28 / Lk 1:46-56 23 Friday: Mal 3:1-4, 23-24 / Lk 1:57-66 24 Saturday: 2 Sm 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16 /Lk 1:67-79

FOR DEEPER REFLECTION:

Question for Children: When you pray, how do you hear God’s voice in response?

Question for Youth: God speaks to us in our intuitions and imagination, as he did to Joseph in this dream. What is your experience of hearing God speak in this way? What is God asking of you?

Question for Adults: What experiences do you have of God “speaking to you” and directing your life and work? How does God speak to you in prayer?

SANCTUARY LAMPS 2023

Consider donating the sanctuary lamp that burns in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament in the Church or Chapel in honor of a living or deceased loved one.

One intention is accepted per week (Sunday - Saturday) for the Lamp. The suggested donation is $25. Request online HERE.

Baptismal Preparation Session

St Mary Parish is offering our next Baptismal Preparation Session on: TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 2022 at 6:00 PM Pre-registrationisrequired aweekinadvance. Contact Us Sacrament of Baptism Couples wishing to baptize their children must be registered parishioners of St Mary Parish. Please contact the Parish Office at 732-780-2666 x329 at least 3 months in advance of the desired date for baptism. More information can be read HERE

@stmaryscoltsneck.org domain.

Worship & Music

Andrew J. Macirowski - Pastoral Coordinator for Worship & Music / Principal Organist

Worship@stmaryscoltsneck.org Music@stmaryscoltsneck.org

OPLATEK

The Oplatek, or Christmas Wafer, is a thin piece of unleavened bread, similar to that of the Eucharistic bread offered at the sacrifice of Mass. Oplatki are not transubstantiated, blessed or sanctified by clergy, which makes them acceptable for transport as you would any other food item.

Originally a Polish tradition dating back to the 10th century, the oplatek is a symbol of the unity of family, and the upholding of the family as a pillar of society.

WORSHIP AIDS

As we gather together to celebrate this Christmas liturgies, all are invited to make use of the following worship aids so that all may fully participate at Mass. The links below will take you to PDFs that are optimized for viewing on tablet or for printing. If you plan on using a smartphone, e-reader, or other device with a smaller screen, please utilize the QR codes in the narthex on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, which will take you to mobile-optimized versions.

The Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord (12/24 - 3pm, 5pm, 12/25 - 9am, 11am)

The Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord (Solemn Mass at Night 12/24 - 9:30pm)

Saint of the Week: Lucy, Virgin and Martyr, Fourth Century

Lucy is an early saint whose name has proved to be very popular over the centuries. Her name is mentioned in the canon of the Mass and many places throughout the world have been named after her. What is known about Lucy is that she lived in Sicily in the early fourth century, the daughter of noble and wealthy parents. Read more HERE.

Speak with a Priest

Struggling with a life event and in need of spiritual assistance?

Want to celebrate the Sacrament of Penance outside the normal Confession times?

Trying to find your way back to engagement with the Church?

Discerning vocation?

Looking to complete your Sacraments of Initiation and wish to chat about the journey? St Mary is offering the opportunity for parishioners to chat with a priest who is only indirectly engaged with the parish. If interested please contact Fr Mike Walsh by phone 732-780-2666 x205 or email frmike.walsh@stmaryscoltsneck.org

Saturday

3PM

Jonathan Stubbs Jimmy Schatzle Jack Schatzle Server Needed

Marybeth Jacobson Jennifer Stubbs Annette Raynor

Organ Host - Monica Barr Tabernacle Host - Susan Murphy Tabernacle Host - Heide Lohn Gathering Space 1 - Gina Shute Gathering Space 2 - Louise Habrack Alternate - Dawn Reinhardt

Saturday

5PM

Server Needed Server Needed Server Needed Server Needed

Saturday

10PM

Server Needed Server Needed Server Needed Server Needed

Sunday 9AM

Bridget Farrow Anthony Bongiorno Kevin Swan

Organ Host - Minister Needed Tabernacle Host - Minister Needed Tabernacle Host - Minister Needed Gathering Space 1 - Minister Needed Alternate - Minister Needed

Sunday 11AM

Server Needed Server Needed

Server Needed Server Needed Server Needed Server Needed

Choir Barabra Schaflin Kathy Maher

Organ Host - Minister Needed Tabernacle Host - Patricia Gesner Tabernacle Host - Martha Cowles Alternate - Minister Needed

Carly York Barabra Schaflin Minister Needed

Organ Host - Rosanne LaCava Tabernacle Host - Marsha Grigoli Tabernacle Host - Joseph Flanagan Alternate - Mike LaCava

Carly York Richard Gerbino Julia Cullen

Organ Host - Minister Needed Tabernacle Host - Minister Needed Tabernacle Host - Minister Needed Gathering Space 1 - Minister Needed Alternate - Minister Needed

Liturgy of the Word Dismissal This is the practice of having the 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. Join us every Sunday at the 10am mass

Altar Server Cantor Reader 1 Reader 2 EMHC

Faith Formation

Julia Cullen -

Pastoral Coordinator of Faith Formation / Religion Education

ReligiousEd@stmaryscoltsneck.org 732-780-266 X 309

Rose FarrowCoordinator of Faith Formation / Youth & Adult Catechesis YouthRE@stmaryscoltsneck.org 732-780-2666 X 310

Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; the one who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.” John 8:12 This Sunday at the 10am mass will be the blessing of the Infant Jesus from your home Nativity. Please bring in a small basket to be placed on the sanctuary. 7th & 8th graders just completed their last class in 2022, grades 1-6 have one final class next week before the break on 12/20 at 5:15pm in Madonna Hall with a Christmas celebration. Please RSVP on page 7 We wish all of our RE families a blessed Christmas filled with Gods peace and love.

18 December 2022

Blessing of Infant Jesus 10am mass 20 December 2022 Christmas Party Tuesday 5:15-6:15pm all summer & fall students, gr. 1-6

Christmas break NO Religious Education Classes for 1-6 grade for two weeks Classes begin again the week of 8 January 2023

Missionary Childhood Association

ADVENTMiteBoxes

The purpose of the Missionary Childhood Association is to encourage all children to be aware of the needs of children living in mission dioceses through the world and support them both spiritually and sacrificially. Today it is in 110 countries and helps make Jesus known to children all over the world.

Please take a mite box home with you and have your child fill it with loose change throughout Advent. Once filled, please count the amount inside, write a check to St Mary Parish with “MCA” in the memo line and we as a parish will forward the full amount to the Mission Office. You can also make an offering online at https://bit.ly/3ETJPyT or scan the code. Please send in your offerings by January 8, 2023.

Thank you in advance for your generosity & commitment.

CALLING ALL CERTIFIED SCHOOL TEACHERS

Do you have a desire to grow and share the faith?

Are you interested in making a difference to a child or teen?

Become a ‘Catechist’ will make all the difference here at the parish. As disciples we are called to share the Good News and create new disciples. Training and Support is Provided! God doesn’t always call the qualified. He qualifies the called! Are you being called?

You are invited to “The Art of Catechesis.” Click here to register This 6-hour course provides the support and encouragement, as well as the skills and tools a Catechist needs to pass on the faith. Join us to learn about this ministry!

Instructor: Mary Mykityshyn, PCL

Location: Saint Gabriel Church, 100 N. Main Street, Marlboro 07746

Sessions: Wednesday evenings; 1/25, 2/1, 2/8 from 6:30-8:30pm

Click here to register

Questions: Michelle Angelo, Associate Director of Catechesis mangelo@dioceseoftrenton.org https://dioceseoftrenton.org/art-of-catechesis-1

Blessing of Infant Jesus, during the 10AM mass Sunday, December 18th

Bring the Baby Jesus from your home Nativity in a small basket for a special blessing at mass.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2022

5:15-6:15pm

Open to all 1st -6th graders from both the summer and fall program. Food, crafts, carols and a reading of the Christmas story R.S.V.P.

Sign-up to donate food and drinks

Christmas Mass Schedules:

Solemnity: The Nativity of the Lord (All Masses will be celebrated in the Church)

Christmas Eve - Saturday, December 24th 3:00 pm Mass , 5:00 pm Mass, 10:00 pm Mass (9:30pm Choral Prelude)

Christmas Day - Sunday, December 25th 9:00 am Mass, 11:00 am Mass

9:00AM Daily Mass will be held in the Church for the Octave of Christmas December 26th - December 30th

Feast Holy Family of Jesus

Mary and Joseph Friday, December 30th

9:00 am Mass

Solemnity: Epiphany of the Lord

Saturday, January 7th 4:00pm Mass Sunday, January 8th 8:00 am Mass 10:00 am Mass 12:00 pm Mass

Solemnity: Mary, Mother of God Saturday, December 31st 4:00 pm Mass Sunday, January 1st 10:00am Mass No 8am or 12 Noon Masses

Feast: Baptism of the Lord

Monday, January 9th 9:00 am Mass (Chapel)

My Dear Parishioners:

Today we celebrate the Fourth Sunday of Advent. This mystery made known in Christ is none other than our own participation in divine life. We are first plunged into this life at our baptism, and through our faithful obedience (our yes to God’s will) we further the relentless action of God on our own behalf. Our lives must declare that the Christmas mystery isn’t limited to a day or season or even to a Person. The Christmas mystery includes our own share in the divine life and our taking up Christ’s mission to proclaim the gospel of repentance and forgiveness. But remember: our yes is no less demanding than Mary’s. Bearing Christ has its cost: dying to self. But the fruit is unimaginable: God is with us and within us.

Congratulations to all those who worked on the Annual Light Up A Memory Mass. What an awesome turnout. It was very prayerful and all the special attention to detail was noticed. It was so nice to have the singing voices of the children. This weekend we are beginning a new custom for our parish… inviting parishioner families to bring the image of the infant Jesus from the nativity in their home to the 10:00am mass. We will bless these images as a way to connect our communal worship with prayer in the home.

Many thanks to all those who are helping us to prepare our facilities for the Christmas Season. Don’t be ashamed to wish one another “Merry Christmas”. While the word “holiday” is a derivative of “holy day” it is so much more festive when we acknowledge what we are celebrating. The Liturgical Season of Christmas continues through the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. I would encour-

age you to try to maintain your decorations and festive environment as long as possible, certainly until the Solemnity of the Epiphany of Our Lord. Thanks to all of our parish liturgical ministers for their willingness to “serve” at mass while balancing the obligations of family and guests. Ministry is a sacrifice that we all share together. Please support those who advertise on our parish bulletin and those who generously support our parish community through their sharing of Time & Talent.

The coming of Christ at Christmas reminds us of how much God loves us and how very blessed we are as members of the Roman Catholic Church and as members of our parish community. Please review the contents of the bulletin carefully. There are special schedules for the Christmas Octave. There will be pre-mass musical selections prepared by our parish choir preceding the 10pm mass Christmas Eve. Come a little early and enjoy the time of quiet and prayerful reflection as we give thanks for the great gift of Jesus the Lord in our lives. On a more practical note… carpool with family, friends and neighbors whenever and wherever possible for Christmas Mass. Remember to scoot in the pew and welcome all those who wish to join with us in worship. A smile is so much more welcoming and inviting than a miserable frown. Take the initiative to be an ambassador of Christ for our community to a visitor. See you in Church! We will observe an abbreviated mass schedule for the weekends of 17/18 December as well as 31 December/1 January this year. Please plan accordingly. Have a great week. Let us remember one another in prayer.

Happy Sunday. Peace. Father Jeff

Quo vadis . . .

Temporal Admin., Stewardship & Outreach

Sharing Our Treasure

December

11, 2022 – Third Sunday of Advent

A. SevillanoTemporalAdmin@stmaryscoltsneck.org

SUNDAY OFFICE HOURS

Due to personnel availability to cover our Sunday office hours, effective January 2023 the parish office will only open once per month on Sundays This limited Sunday schedule is being kept recognizing the need of some of our parishioners who are unable to come to the office during weekdays. Sunday office hours will continue to be monitored and adjusted in the future should it be needed. Please remember you can always request Mass intentions online at https:// bit.ly/3VX9egP

The Parish Office will be open on Sundays December 11 and 18. It will be closed December 25 and January 1 in observance of the Holy Days. Sunday hours for January 2023 will be on January 8 Thank you for your cooperation.

"Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have the good news proclaimed to them. And blessed is the one who takes no offense at me." Lk 7:22-23

THANK YOU for the Sacrificial Stewardship. Offerings as we support the ministries, programs and facilities of our parish. May God Bless you for the sacrifices that you make.

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 2021. Contributions received on January 1st or after will be treated as 2022 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.

2022 Christmas Collection:

Our Christmas mailer has been sent out to our parishioners a few weeks ago. When making your list of Christmas gifts this year, please remember your parish. Kindly use the Christmas offering envelope or make your gift through our online giving system at http://bit.ly/2Ec6vu5.

We will provide you with a report of this collection at the conclusion of the Christmas Season.

Thankyouforyourgenerosity!

2022 End of Year Contribution Statement

Statement of charitable contributions for calendar year 2022 will be available on or about January 17, 2023. Your personal statement can be downloaded from My Own Church portal. Please follow the instructions HERE to sign up for My Own Church and retrieve your statement. If you wish to receive a paper statement of your 2022 contributions, please provide a selfaddressed stamped envelope to the parish office by mail or drop it in the collection basket by January 31, 2023. Requests will be processed & mailed by the end of January. Please do not make your request by phone.

Edwin

I have always found the week before Christmas to be the busiest and most stressfulweekoftheholidays.It is the time that I finally get around to buying Christmas presents, and planning for big family Christmas meals. When my kids were younger, we also experienced a final “push” to finish the week strong before the long Christmas break. Maybe some of you are feeling that Christmas stress this year too? It is easy to forget the whole reason for the hustle and bustle of this season. That is why Andrew and I decided to offer this concert of Music and Meditation to our parish community this year. We will be performing some beloved classical pieces by Mozart and Bach, as well as traditional Advent and Christmas carols. We are also excited to lead participants in the ancient practice of Lectio Divina. This form of meditation is rooted in the scriptures, which lends the name to the practice of “divine reading”. Since the middle ages, this meditation has enabled people to read and meditate on a particular scripture passage, looking for the Holy Spirit to reveal personal insights through praying over the biblical reading. During our Music and Meditation event, we will have two periods of Lectio Divina meditation included in the program. More information about this prayer practice is available on the USCCB website. We hope many of you will join us for beautiful music and mediation thisSunday,December18,2022,at4PM.

“Light Up a Memory”

Many thanks to all of you who supported our 15th "Light Up a Memory". May God's blessings shine on each of you, as our lights sparkle on the tree and into 2023! We appreciated the beautiful voices of the choir during the Mass and at the "Lighting". Special thanks to Julia Cullen for leading the Religious Ed children, who added so much to the ceremony.

Parking head-in on the grass

It is so wonderful that we are blessed with many parishioner families & visitors to our parish during Christmas. 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 on:

Christmas EveSaturday, December 24th 3:00 pm Mass , 5:00 pm Mass, 10:00 pm Mass (9:30pm Choral Prelude)

Christmas DaySunday, December 25th

9:00 am Mass, 11:00 am Mass

Are you looking for a safe, loving, educational and nurturing environment where your child will get the attention and care that they deserve?

Join our family today!

Flexible schedule for children 2 and up. Small class sizes. Research based curriculum. Call 732-780-0135 today for more information

Freda O'Doherty, Molly Aiello and the Committee

Volunteer Crisis Hotline Training January 2023

The next (12-week) training class for telephone volunteers for CONTACT (24-hour crisis intervention hotline) will begin on Wednesday, January 18, 2023, once a week for 12 weeks, every Wednesday from 6:30 -9:30 P.M. In person training will be held at St. Luke’s Church, 1674 Old Freehold Rd., Toms River. CONTACT, a free and confidential service, has been assisting with the needs of individuals throughout the community since 1975, by providing a safe place for callers to talk about their problems with anonymity. Information and referrals are provided when requested. For additional training information, please call the CONTACT office – 732-240-6104.