December 24, 2023 - 4th Sunday of Advent

The parish of saint Mary A Catholic Community Proclaiming the Greatness of God in our Time One Phalanx Road, Colts Neck, NJ 07722 Phone: 732-780-2666 Fax: 732-780-0394 parishoffice@stmaryscoltsneck.org

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

4TH Sunday of Advent - December 24, 2023

Abbreviated Mass Schedule 4th Sunday of Advent Saturday, December 23 at 4:00 pm Mass Sunday, December 24 at 10:00 am Mass Solemnity of Christmas Sunday, December 24 at 3:00 pm, 4:30 pm, and 10:00 pm Masses Monday, December 25 at 11:00 am Mass Reminder, Office Hours are 2:00 PM to 7:30 PM every Tuesday and 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM Mon., Wed., & Thurs., NO Friday’s or Saturday’s. Also, one Sunday a month from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Next month will be Sunday, January 7.

www.stmaryscoltsneck.org

December 24, 2023

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Mass Intentions for: Saturday, December 23 - Sunday, December 31 - 2023 Saturday, December 23 - 4 PM Church Gerard Carney Sr. * Brown Family Marie Cantelmo * Majewski Family Douglas Billek * Tom and Angela Kinlin Sunday, December 24 – 10 AM Pro Populo Helen and John Sionas * Eileen and Michael Stivala Jack Brennan * Freda O’Doherty 3 PM Pro Populo 4:30 PM Pro Populo 10 PM Pro Populo Monday, December 25 - 11 AM Church Pro Populo Tuesday, December 26 - 9 AM Church Sergio Dos Santos * Dos Santos Family

Wednesday, December 27 – 9 AM Church Nicholas Cappelleri * Cappelleri Family Juan A. Gutierrez * Buckman Family Thursday, December 28 – 9 AM Church Joseph Nogueira * Marie Nogueira Friday, December 29 – 9 AM Church Michael Capardi * Capardi Family Saturday, December 30 – 4 PM Church Pro Populo Joe Verga * Verga Family Lauren Harrington * Grieco Family Sunday, December 31 – 10 AM Florence and William O’Sullivan * Freda O’Doherty John Dunn * Margaret Zipp 4 PM Maria Pellicone * Mom and Dad

Mass Intention Requests

Wednesday, December 27 – 9 AM Church Nicholas Cappelleri * Cappelleri Family Juan A. Gutierrez * Buckman Family

Requests can be made in person by stopping at the parish office, or online HERE.

Please pray for the following members of our parish community who are ill: Fr. Bill Bausch ~ Ludwig Mendola ~ Jack Coppola ~ Bill Donahue

Kekoa Xael ~ Kaitlin Donahue Nagle ~ Lori Lettieri ~ Francis Patrick Albano

Kevin O’Shea ~ Lauren vinci Elizabeth DeStefano ~ TOM JACOBSON

Ted ZiEmienski ~ Dawn Reinhardt ~ Gloria Ziemienski ~ Ted Ziemienski

To add or remove a family member from the sick list please e-mail ONLY parishbulletin@stmaryscoltsneck.org. Please, also, keep us updated on your loved one’s health.

Names will be removed from the list after 3 months. Thank you for keeping our Parish informed.

Thank you to those who have already responded to our increased offertory program, "Hope Does Not Disappoint."

It is still not over, as our goal through this initiative is 100% participation from our parish community!

Others have not yet submitted the Commitment Card, so please take a few moments to respond by taking the steps below.

“Hope Does Not Disappoint” Increased Offertory Program

•Read the brochure •Submit your Commitment Card online •Update online giving

www.stmaryscoltsneck.org

December 24, 2023

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Lifelong Catechesis - Week of December 24 to December 30

READINGS FOR THE WEEK:

FOR DEEPER REFLECTION:

24 Sunday: 4th Sunday of Advent 2 Sm 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16/Rom 16:25-27/Lk 1:26-38 25 Monday: The Nativity of the Lord Vigil: Is 62:1-5/Acts 13:16-17, 22-25/Mt 1:1-25 or 1:18-25 Night: Is 9:1-6/Ti 2:11-14/Lk 2:1-14 Dawn: Is 62:11-12/Ti 3:4-7/Lk 2:15-20 Day: Is 52:7-10/Heb 1:1-6/Jn 1:1-18 or 1:1-5, 9-14 26 Tuesday: Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59/Mt 10:17-22 27 Wednesday: 1 Jn 1:1-4/Jn 20:1a, 2-8 [Saint John, Apostle] 28 Thursday: 1 Jn 1:5—2:2/Mt 2:13-18 [The Holy Innocents] 29 Friday:1 Jn 2:3-11/Lk 2:22-35 30 Saturday:1 Jn 2:12-17/Lk 2:36-40 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.

Question for Children: If you were to tell someone one thing about Jesus’ mother, Mary, what would you say?

Question for Youth: Gabriel's greeting to Mary was, "Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you." This is God's greeting to each of us – he loves us just as we are. What are some of your personal strengths that God rejoices in?

Question for Adults: Name one area of your life where God has surprised you with love, abilities, or even a pregnancy. How is God’s Spirit upon you in this dimension of life?

Lt. Col. Douglas Coppola, US Army ~

Lt. Mary Herman, USN ~

SN Christian Houlihan, USN ~

LT. Jason Joseph Howe, USN ~

Pray for Military & First Responders

___________________________________________________

AMT Colton Boag, USCG ~ LCpl Devon Francis Chrzan, USMC ~ Col. John Anthony Coppola, US Army ~ TSgt Stephen Witherow, USAF ~ LCpl Edward Zarzecki, USMC

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

This week the Sanctuary Lamp burns for...

S SGT Stephen J. Coleman Requested by: Carol and Frank Donahue

Sanctuary Lamp 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.

www.stmaryscoltsneck.org

Worship & Music

December 24, 2023

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

Music@stmaryscoltsneck.org

As we gather together to celebrate the Christmas liturgies, all are invited to make use of the following worship aids so that all may fully participate at Mass. There are separate links below depending on whether you have a large-screen device (tablet, e-reader, etc) or a small-screen device (smartphone, compact reader, etc). Additionally, QR codes may be scanned in the narthex that will load the mobile-optimized versions.

The Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord (12/24 - 3 PM, 4:30 PM, 12/25 - 11 AM) Tablet or Print Version Mobile-Optimized Version The Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord (Solemn Mass at Night 12/24 - 9:30 PM) Tablet or Print Version Mobile-Optimized Version Please also take some time to acknowledge our volunteers who help to make our Christmas celebrations special, memorable, and above all, prayerful. Our altar servers, extraordinary ministers of holy communion, ushers, and choir members have all helped in preparing these liturgies. A special word of thanks to those on our art and environment committee who have spear-headed the beautiful decorations this year.

May the peace of Christ dwell in your hearts, not only at Christmas, but throughout the year.

Trending: The First Noel The Story of the Nativity: The Truth of Christmas Advent

Family Night: Christmas Eve | Catholic All Year At Home w/Kendra T. Nicholas: The Boy Who Became Santa The Juggler of Notre Dame

Music: Glory to the New Born King: Traditional Christmas Carol O Holy Night - Christmas with the Annie Moses Band Log in to FORMED with St. Mary by clicking HERE!

Emily, Virgin, c. 550 St. Emily, known in her time as Emiliana, came from a family which included two popes and several saints. Pope St. Felix II was her grandfather (his wife died before he became a priest). His daughter, St. Silvia, was the mother of Emily and her older sister, St. Tharsilla, and the grandmother of Pope St. Gregory the Great through her son, Gordianus, a Roman senator.

Emily, together with her sister, Tharsilla, was able to live a monastic life without ever leaving the house of her brother. Encouraging each other by prayer and discussion, the two were joined for a time by a third sister, Gordiana. This sister found the austere life too rigid and left to marry her guardian. But Emily and Tharsilla found great peace and love in their lives and kept their - Read more HERE.

www.stmaryscoltsneck.org

December 24, 2023

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Ministry Schedule: Holy Family of Jesus, Mary & Joseph December 30 & 31 Cantor

Altar Server

Saturday, 30 4PM

Sunday, 31 10AM

Sunday, 31 4PM

Alexander Lennon & Sophia Lennon

2 SERVERS NEEDED

CHOIR

Carly York

2 SERVERS NEEDED

CHOIR

Reader 1

Reader 2

Jennifer Stubbs

Mary Ellen Griffin

OH - Susan Murphy TH - Louise Habrack TH - Irene Weller ALT - Emily Santangelo

Carl Simone

OH - Linda Dickinson-Pancilla TH - Winifred O’Doherty TH - Steve Stanley ALT - Amy Orrico LWD - NEEDED

NEEDED

OH - NEEDED TH - NEEDED TH - NEEDED ALT - NEEDED

Steve Rumsby

NEEDED

EMHC

“On this day of joy, we are all called to contemplate the Child Jesus, who gives hope once again to every person on the face of the earth. By his grace, let us with our voices and our actions give witness to solidarity and peace.

Merry Christmas to all!”

Pope Francis, Christmas 2016 See page 8 for the Christmas Mass schedule.

The purpose of the Missionary Childhood Association is to encourage all children to be aware of the needs of children living in mission ADVENT Mite Boxes 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, 2024. Thank you in advance for your generosity & commitment.

Missionary Childhood Association

The annual Advent Letter with Christmas Giving envelope & quad-fold was mailed to all Parishioners recently. Please contact us via email - HERE if you did not receive one.

4th Sunday of Advent Prayer…

Heavenly Father, The whole meaning of Christmas can be explained in one four-letter word…LOVE. You sent your gift of pure love to us that first Christmas. Love descended from heaven to be born of a virgin.

Love lay in the scratchy hay of a manger in a meager barn in Bethlehem.

All of your love, God, was robed in swaddling clothes.

This final week of Advent, help us to reflect on the magnitude of love that was made in Jesus.

Amen. (prayer by: ibelieve.com, Nov. 10, 2023)

www.stmaryscoltsneck.org Faith Formation

December 24, 2023

Julia Cullen - Pastoral Coordinator of Faith Formation / Religion Education

RE CALENDAR: i 23,24 December, 2023 Blessing of the Infant Jesus Saturday, 4:00 PM Mass in the Church Sunday, 10AM Mass in the Church SIGN UP HERE 6 January, 2024 Confirmation Prep Retreat 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM in MH *Mandatory for grades 7 &8*

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ReligiousEd@stmaryscoltsneck.org 732-780-2666 X 309

Christmas to all! We were so blessed to celebrate with our Religious Education family at our annual Christmas Party (see pg. 7) this past week. Thanks to all those who donated and volunteered to help out. And a special thank you to the cast of the Nativity Play, as they performed a stage reading! Bringing the scripture to life for these young families is truly a Christmas blessing! As a reminder, next week is Christmas break, all RE classes resume the first week in January.

21, 22 January, 2024 Confirmation Prep Class 14 February, 2024 Ash Wednesday i Fishers of Men Food Drive in Church 17 March, 2024 i Lenten Penance & Reconciliation Service 28 March, 2024 i Holy Thursday in the Church Mass of the Lord’s Supper 7:00 PM 29 March, 2024 i Good Friday in the Church Commemoration: the Lord’s Passion 12 noon Outdoor Stations of the Cross 3:00 PM 30 March, 2024 i Morning Prayer & Blessing of Food 9:00 AM in the Church i Easter Vigil in the Church March 29 - April 5, 2024 *EASTER BREAK*

i = Intergenerational Grades 1-6 S = Service Project Grades 7 & 8

IMPORTANT RELIGIOUS ED LINKS [2023 - 2024] •Fall RE Schedule •2023 - 2024 RE Calendar •Parent - Student Handbook •Intergenerational List •Intergenerational Digital

Recording Sheet •Current Service Hours “Blessing of the Infant Jesus” 12/23 4:00 PM Mass & 12/24 10:00 AM Mass

Bring your baby Jesus from home and place Him in a small basket or decorative container, and once at the church, place him on the sanctuary to be blessed during Mass. At the conclusion of Mass, do not forget to take your blessed baby Jesus home along with the prayer to say together as a family once back home.

www.stmaryscoltsneck.org

December 24, 2023

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Are you curious or thinking of becoming Catholic?

We are here and ready to share the richness of our faith with you. If you’ve been looking everywhere for answers, and still haven’t found them, we invite you to find out what the Catholic Church offers.

RCIA is a comprehensive process, in which the Church supports and encourages the spiritual journeys of: • those who are unbaptized and seeking to become Catholic.

• those who are baptized, Catholic or in another Christian denomination, who wish to complete their Sacraments of Initiation (First Eucharist and Confirmation).

Contact Rose Farrow, Coordinator of Faith Formation at YouthRE@stmaryscoltsneck.org for more information.

8th Grader’s Preparing for Confirmation!

As the Advent and Christmas season are upon us, families and friends have more opportunity to spend quality time together. Now is a great time, if you haven't already, to begin working on your six conversations with your sponsor. You can find the Faith to Faith magazine with the materials handed out at orientation. Magazine and confirmation paperwork are due by April 28. Sponsor certificates are currently being accepted by the parish office. See our website for more Information HERE. *Sponsors should go to the parish in which they are registered and request a Certificate of eligibility to be a sponsor.

Certificate should have the parish's raised seal.*

www.stmaryscoltsneck.org

December 24, 2023

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Christmas Mass Schedule: Solemnity: The Nativity of the Lord (All Masses will be celebrated in the Church) Christmas Eve - Sunday, December 24th 3:00 pm Mass , 4:30 pm Mass, 10:00 pm Mass (9:30pm Choral Prelude) Christmas Day - Monday, December 25th 11:00 am Mass

9:00AM Daily Mass will be held in the Chapel for the Octave of Christmas December 26th - December 29th Feast: Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph Saturday, December 30th 4:00 pm Mass Sunday, December 31st 10:00 am Mass

Solemnity: Epiphany of the Lord

Solemnity: Mary, Mother of God Sunday, December 31st Parish of St. Mary 4:00 pm Mass

Monday, January 1st St. Catharine Parish, Holmdel 9:00 am Mass

Feast: Baptism of the Lord

Saturday, January 6th

Monday, January 8th 9:00 am Mass in Chapel

Sunday, January 7th

And a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.’”

(Matthew 3:13-17).

4:00 pm Mass

8:00 am, 10:00 am, & 12:00 pm Mass

www.stmaryscoltsneck.org

December 24, 2023

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Quo vadis for December 24. . .

My Dear Parishioners: One way is to plan to arrive 15 minutes or so Today we celebrate the Fourth Sunday of before the scheduled beginning of mass.

Advent. This mystery made known in Christ is We have added 300 or so more seats for your none other than our own participation in divine convenience. They will remain in the nave and life. We are first plunged into this life at our narthex of the church through the Octave. baptism, and through our faithful obedience (our yes to God’s will) we further the relentless action We experienced a power outage for two days last of God on our own behalf. Our lives must week. The campus was shut down since there declare that the Christmas mystery isn’t limited was no heat or lavatories. Future Generations to a day or season or even to a Person. could not open and the RE Christmas Play was The Christmas mystery includes our own share cancelled. I am grateful to Father Pat and the in the divine life and our taking up Christ’s Saint Catherine Parish, Holmdel for welcoming mission to proclaim the gospel of repentance us to celebrate a mass of Christian Burial in their and forgiveness. But remember: our yes is no parish church. Now we will assess what damage less demanding than Mary’s. Bearing Christ has we experienced regarding computers, its cost: dying to self.

But the fruit is thermostats, electronics etc…. I believe that this unimaginable: God is with us and within us. is the fourth time in 2023 that our part of 07722 experienced a significant power outage.

The Season of Advent is coming to a Logic would suggest that there may be some conclusion. Hopefully it has not been a wasted infrastructure problems that might be time. Preparation can be so important in every addressed…? Thanks again for your patience aspect of our lives. Coming to mass requires with us. preparation. Which one to attend? What to wear? What time to leave the house? All these On a more practical note…carpool with family, things help to prepare us for encountering the friends and neighbors whenever and wherever sacred in the Word, the Eucharist and in each possible for Christmas Mass. Remember to other. Thanks to all those who are preparing our scoot in the pew and welcome all those who church buildings for this Solemnity of Christmas wish to join with us in worship. A smile is so and the Liturgical Ministers who are sacrificing much more welcoming and inviting than a their time and talent so that our worship might miserable frown. Take the initiative to be an be the very best we can offer to God. The ambassador for our community to a visitor. response to our Advent Gift Giving was great.

Bring a friend with you or someone who feels alienated from the church. You can be an We are grateful for all the behind the scenes ambassador for Christ…just give it a try. See oversight that seamlessly provides for our you in Church! Have a great week. Let us communal prayer and a sense of welcome. remember one another in prayer. Happy Sunday.

Please review the contents of the e-bulletin Peace. carefully. There are special schedules for the Father Jeff Christmas Octave. Pease try as best you are able.

www.stmaryscoltsneck.org

December 24, 2023

Temporal Admin., Stewardship & Outreach

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Edwin A. Sevillano TemporalAdmin@stmaryscoltsneck.org

Sharing Our Treasure December 17, 2023 – 2nd Sunday of Advent

Weekly Sacrificial Stewardship

$18,768

Envelope Contributions

$10,688

Electronic/Online Contributions

$7,540

Loose Contributions

$539 338 $53.93

# Registered Parishioner Households

952

Next week is our monthly Building & Mortgage Reduction collection. Our mortgage payment is $7,926.66.

Please be generous.

"He has filled the hungry with good things and the rich he has sent away empty. " Lk 1:55

scan code 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 ConnectNow Giving App for Android or iOS. Thank you for your continuous support!

Consider A Year-End Gift to St Mary Parish

2023 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.

Thank you for your generosity!

As you begin yearend 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 2023.

Contributions received on January 1st or after will be treated as 2024 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.

www.stmaryscoltsneck.org

December 24, 2023

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2023 End of Year Contribution Statement

Statement of charitable contributions for calendar year 2023 will be available on or about January 16, 2024. 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 2023 contributions, please provide a self-addressed stamped envelope to the parish office by mail or drop it in the collection basket by January 31, 2024.

Requests will be processed & mailed by the end of January.

Please do not make your request by phone.

Baptismal Preparation Session St Mary Parish is offering our next Baptismal Preparation Session on:

SUNDAY, JANUARY 7, 2023 at 1 PM Pre-registration is required a week in advance.

Contact Us Sacrament of Baptism Parents 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.

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.

Paul’s letter to the Romans has been at the center of reflection, conversion, and controversy from the very beginning. Presented by Dr. Andrew Swafford and Jeff Cavins, Romans: The Gospel of Salvation provides an authentically Catholic way to understand this challenging epistle. Above all, it will help you enter into a more meaningful relationship with Christ.

Many Catholics fear Romans as a ‘Protestant’ Epistle of Paul, but in this lavishly illustrated and attractive study, Swafford and Cavins present Catholics with a study that is both profound yet accessible—based on the best contemporary scholarship and faithful to the Church’s tradition.

This series is 8 sessions , beginning January 16.

Sessions are Tuesday evenings 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM and Wednesday mornings 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM. To sign-up, click HERE. For additional information contact Barbara Schaflin at BarbaraSchaflin10@verizon.net

Grotto Candles The Grotto Candles are available for your prayer intentions.

Offering is $3.00 per candle.

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 during Christmas Eve and Christmas day Masses. Please see page 8 for Mass times.

www.stmaryscoltsneck.org

December 24, 2023

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Eucharistic Revival Monthly Homily

DECEMBER Catechetical Topic: “The Eucharist in Advent” Purpose: To identify and elaborate on Eucharistic themes that are in common with the purposes of the Advent Season and the Scripture readings of the day.

Click HERE for the Homily, featuring Father John Butler of St. Michael’s Church in Long Branch, NJ.

Our Next Eucharistic Revival Team Meeting is in January!!!

Keep checking the e-bulletin for the exact date, and to continue to grow in the Eucharist with our monthly homilies, upcoming events and prayer opportunities.

Check this page of the bulletin each week to find out about upcoming meetings and events for the Eucharist Revival. Parish events will also be posted on our Facebook page.

It’s not too late to Join the Movement!

NEW INFORMATION EVERY WEEK!!!

It is not too late to register!

“The First National Eucharistic Congress in 83 Years. This is a pivotal moment in both American history and the legacy of the Catholic Church. We are expecting tens of thousands of pilgrims—but space is limited. Jesus Christ will be there. Will you?

See schedule HERE.

Join in Praying.. for revival with the Spark Series—nine short daily reflections inviting you to open your heart to the renewal God desires.

Sign up HERE.

To find more information about the movement, click HERE.

www.stmaryscoltsneck.org

December 24, 2023

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

ZOOM ONLY OFF TO A PRAYERFUL START FOCUSING THE NEW YEAR Tuesday, January 2 7:00 – 8:00 PM Start out 2024 with an evening zoom retreat to set the direction for the year. “Well begun is half done,” they say, and establishing a direction is essential for the journey. Where am I going in 2024? What is the desire of my heart, and God’s as we begin this year together? Donation: $15, includes materials.

PERSONAL RETREAT DAY Wednesday, January 3 9:30 AM – 2:30 PM Take a day away from the busyness of your life.

Come to Francis House for silence, personal prayer and optional spiritual direction. The day begins and ends with a brief prayer together. Please bring a bag lunch. Donation: $10; $40 with spiritual direction.

St. Padre Pio Prayer Group of St. Ambrose Parish

Come join us in prayer as we celebrate mass together in honor of St Padre Pio by Celebrant Fr. Jack C. Grimes. Mass will be celebrated on Saturday January 20, 2023 at 9:00 AM, followed by veneration of a first class relic of St Padre Pio. St Ambrose Parish 83 Throckmorton Lane, Old Bridge NJ 08857 (732)679-5666.

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