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
Holy Family of Jesus Mary and Joseph DECEMBER 29, 2024
The Parish office will be closed on Tuesday December 31st and Wednesday January 1st in Observance of New Year’s Day and will reopen Thursday January 2 at 9am
Abbreviated Mass Schedule
Saturday - 4pm & Sunday - 10am 28/29 December 4/5 January
Mary Mother of God
12/31 - 4pm Parish of St Mary 5pm Parish of St Catharine
1/1 - 9am Parish of St Catharine 12pm Parish of St Mary
Mass Intentions for:
Saturday December 28 2024 - Sunday January 5 2024
Saturday, December 28- 4PM
Pro Populo
Joe Verga * Verga Family
Jon Kopko * Mary Kopko
Sunday, December 29 - 10AM
Florence & William O'Sullivan * Freda O'Doherty
Deceased Members of the Walsh Family * Maureen Beyer
Rose Lunz * Maureen Beyer
Monday, December 30 - 9AM - Chapel
Michael Capardi * Capardi Family
Edward J. Mireider * The Burtone Family
Tuesday, December 31– 4PM
Maria Pellicone * Mom and Dad
Joseph Bozzo * Kelly Family
Wednesday, January 1 - 12PM
Loving Family Members * Janet Munger
Michael Costa * The Farrow Family
Thursday, January 2- 9AM - Chapel
Joan Brando * Angela and Tom Kinlin
Friday, January 3 – 9AM - Chapel
Loving Family Members * Janet Munger
Saturday, January 4- 4PM
Carl Fortunato * Rose Fortunato & Family
Alice Hnat * Rorie & Jack Coppola
Wilfreda Poscablo * Drs. Gener & Elvira Dapul
Sunday January 5 –10AM
Michael Capardi * Capardi Family
Louis Sliazis * His Family
Kenneth & Mildred DeVaney * Their Children
Sanctuary Lamp
Church: Michael Capardi
Requested by: The Capardi Family
Chapel : Jon Kopko
Requested by: Mary Kopko
GROTTO CANDLES
The Grotto Candles are available for your prayer intentions. Offering is $3.00 per candle.
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 29 January 4
READINGS FOR THE WEEK:
Holy Family of Jesus Mary and Joseph
Sir 3:2-6, 12-14/Col 3:12-21 or 3:12-17/Lk 2:41-52 or, in Year C, 1 Sm 1:20-22, 24-28/1 Jn 3:1-2, 21-24/Lk 2:41-52
MONDAY December 30
1 Jn 2:12-17/Lk 2:36-40
[ TUESDAY December 31
1 Jn 2:18-21/Jn 1:1-18
WEDNESDAY January 1
Nm 6:22-27/Gal 4:4-7/Lk 2:16-21
THURSDAY January 2
1 Jn 2:22-28/Jn 1:19-28
FRIDAY January 3
1 Jn 2:29 3:6/Jn 1:29-34
SATURDAY January 4
1 Jn 3:7-10/Jn 1:35-42
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: Why is it important to obey our parents? Why is it important to obey God?
Question for Youth: Jesus was obedient to his parents, even though he was the Son of God. Why is obedience so important? Is it something you struggle with?
Question for Adults: How are you, too, called to our Father’s house?
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:
Jack Coppola
Kaitlin Donahue Nagle
Nancy Niven
David Niven
Lori Lettieri
Lauren vinci
Dawn Reinhardt
Helen Prill
Gerard Thompson
Rose walch
Joyce daniel
Robert a . monaco, md
Jeff McBride
Owen Shoemaker
Peter Vickers
Debby Tanico
Toaddorremoveafamilymemberfromthesicklistpleasee-mailONLY parishbulletin@stmaryscoltsneck.org. Please,also,keepusupdatedonyourlovedone’shealth. Nameswillberemovedfromthelistafter3months.ThankyouforkeepingourParishinformed.
Andrew J. Macirowski - Pastoral Coordinator for Worship & Music / Principal Organist Worship@stmaryscoltsneck.org Music@stmaryscoltsneck.org Worship & Music
The Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God
Mary has an important role to play in the Incarnation of the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity. She consents to God’s invitation conveyed by the angel (Luke 1:26-38). Elizabeth proclaims: “Most blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb.And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” (Luke 1:42-43). Mary’s role as mother of God places her in a unique position in God’s redemptive plan.
Without naming Mary, Paul asserts that “God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law” (Galatians 4:4). Paul’s further statement that “God sent the spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying out ‘Abba, Father!’” helps us realize that Mary is mother to all the brothers and sisters of Jesus. The precise title “Mother of God” goes back at least to the third or fourth century. In the Greek form Theotokos (God-bearer), it became the touchstone of the Church’s teaching about the Incarnation. The Council of Ephesus in 431 insisted that the holy Fathers were right in calling the holy virgin Theotokos. Centuries later, the father of the Second Vatican Council codified Mary’s role in the Church, and in Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, Lumen Gentium, refer to Mary as “Mother of God” 12 times.
As this solemnity falls at the beginning of the calendar year, there are also indulgences that may be earned by the faithful. Aplenary indulgence is earned for praying the Te Deum on the eve to give thanks to God for the previous year, or for praying the Veni Creator Spiritus on the day, asking the Spirit for guidance in the new year. For those who attend Mass at our parish, we will sing these prayers on their respective days during the Mass.
Feast of the Holy Family
John, Apostle and Evangelist, First Century
John and his brother, James, were the sons of Zebedee. Like his father and brother, John was a fisherman on Lake Gennesaret until, with James, he was called by Jesus to follow him. John was the youngest of the apostles. He and James were called "sons of thunder" by Jesus because of their volatile temperaments.
Many events in all of the gospels attest to the fact that John was among those apostles closest to Jesus. Perhaps the best known incident is at the Crucifixion, where Jesus placed his mother, Mary, in the care of John. And he, representing all of us, was commended to Mary as her son. 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: Mary Mother of God & The Epiphany of the Lord
Tuesday, 31 4 PM NOT FILLED NOT FILLED
Carly York
Angela Kinlin Julia Cullen
Wednesday, 1 12 PM NOT FILLED NOT FILLED
Bridget Farrow
Barbara Schaflin NOT FILLED
OH - Tom Kinlin
TH - Gina Shute
TH - Tom Nathanson
ALT - Donna Sikorskas
OH - NOT FILLED
TH - NOT FILLED
TH - Dee Lembo
ALT– NOT FILLED
OH - Elvira Dapul MD
Saturday,4 4 PM
George Barasky Jacob Barasky
Bridget Farrow
Jennifer Stubbs Paul Tonacci
Sunday,5 10 AM
Tesya Yaninas NOT FILLED
Choir/ Cantor Matt Yaninas Barbara Schaflin
TH - Louise Habrack
TH - Susan Murphy
ALT– Monica Barr
OH - Linda Dickinson Pancila
TH - Richard Gerbino
TH - Liz Turkovic
ALT– Greg Penczak
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 12, 2025.
Thank you in advance for your generosity & commitment.
Almighty God, you have poured upon us the new light of your incarnate Word: Grant that this light, enkindled in our hearts, may shine forth in our lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen (LectionaryPage.net)
Baptismal Preparation Session
St Mary Parish is offering our next Baptismal Preparation Session on: SUNDAY, January 5, 2024
Pre-registrationisrequired aweekin advance. Contact Us
Faith Formation
Julia Cullen - Pastoral Coordinator of Faith Formation / Religion Ed
ReligiousEd@stmaryscoltsneck.org 732-780-2666 X 309
Happy New Year to all as we approach 2025! To a year filled with blessings of every kind!
Religious Education resumes the week of January 5th for all grades, 1-8.
Summer RE Intensive EARLY registration/re-registration goes live on 2 February 2025 at 9 AM, mark your calendars!
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION LINKS
2024 - 2025
• 2024 - 2025 RE Calendar grades 1-8
• 24/25 Fall RE Calendar grades 1-6
• Parent - Student 24/25 Handbook
• Intergenerational List
• Intergenenerational Recording link
Religious Education Calendar
22 December 2024 - 31 January 2025
CRISTMAS BREAK - NO RE Classes
MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR
5, 7 January 2025
Confirmation Prep Class-Virtual/On Campus
7 January 2025
RE Class #15 - Grades 1-6, Virtual/On Campus
14 January 2025
RE Class #16 - Grades 1-6, Virtual/On Campus
21 January 2025
RE Class #17 - Grades 1-6, Virtual/On Campus
26, 28 January 2025
Confirmation Prep Class-Virtual/On Campus
28 January 2025
RE Class #18 - Grades 1-6, Virtual/On Campus
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.
• Tuesday Elementary RE class assistant or hall monitor. Contact RE office for details.
• Summer RE assistant teacher: Virtual or on-campus; look for sign-ups in 2025. more Christian service opportunities listed on website
Missionary Childhood Association
Religious Education will be participating in this program for our Christmas Service Project. Please Pickup your Mite Box in the Rotunda at your convenience. Seepage5formoredetails
Christmas Mass Schedules:
Feast: Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph
Saturday, December 28th 4:00 pm Mass
Sunday, December 29th 10:00 am Mass
Solemnity: Epiphany of the Lord
Saturday, January 4th 4:00 pm Mass
Sunday, January 5th 10:00 am
Solemnity: Mary, Mother of God
Tuesday, December 31st
ParishofSt.Mary 4:00 pm Mass
Wednesday, January 1st St.CatharineParish, Holmdel 9:00 am Mass
Feast: Baptism of the Lord
Saturday, January 11th 9:00 am Mass in Chapel
Saturday, January 12th 8:00 am, 10:00 am, & 12:00 pm Mass
9:00AM Daily Mass will be held in the Chapel for the Octave of Christmas December 26th - December 30th
My Dear Parishioners:
Quo vadis...
Today we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. The familiarity of family can sometimes blind us to see the goodness in each other. This feast reminds us to open our eyes and be “astonished” at the goodness of each other rather than anxious about our own concerns. Families grow in strength when each person in the family— from parents to the smallest child and including anyone extended the hospitality of the family—is treated as one dedicated to God and, therefore, holy. This is challenging when sometimes all we can see is each other’s faults. It takes a great deal of self-emptying to get beyond the normal, everyday annoyances that are part of family life and see others as both gift and consecrated to God as we are. Mary and Joseph were not free from family struggles; after all, they lost Jesus on a trip! But they did not give up until they found him. Neither does God give up on us!
Many thanks to all those who have helped us prepare our parish church for the Solemnity of Christmas. Inside and outside all has been done with loving care and in good taste. Thanks to all of our Liturgical Ministers for the sacrifices that you have made and continue to make so that our parish worship might truly be a sacred action of the Christian Community. Some generously served more than one mass so that we could be properly staffed at all of the masses for the convenience of our parishioners and guests. These days are wonderful opportunities for families to gather and to tell stories, for visiting, and for dining (that is not just eating to nourish our bodies…but taking the opportunity to eat slowly and enjoy company and conversation together.) The liturgies during the Christmas Season
(25 December through the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord) are times of great grace and opportunities for reflection. I think of those who have gone before us and the sacrifices they have made for us.
I am truly grateful for all of the sacrifices we are making in order to provide for the needs of our community. A special thanks to all those who have made their 2024 Christmas Gift to our parish this year. This collection is a major source of income for our community each and every year, but more so this year as we continue the important work of ministry. I am grateful to you for your kind and generous sharing. If you have not, please do so this coming week. We will provide you with a report of this collection at the conclusion of the Christmas Season.
This weekend 28/29 December and 3/4 January we will observe the abbreviated Mass Schedule. I invite you to pray in a special way for those who are sick and homebound during this Christmas Season. They hold a special place in our community and our common prayer. Masses have been scheduled for New Years Eve and New Years Day (31 December at 4pm; 1 January at 12:00 Noon which is our regular Holy Day of obligation schedule). Please consult the bulletin and plan to participate as we honor the Blessed Virgin Mary on the Octave day of Christmas. We have a special mass schedule this weekend and next weekend. Please not the times and thank you for your cooperation.
May God continue to bless all of our families. Let us pray in a special way for all expectant families. Have a great week. Let us remember one another in prayer. Buona Domenica. Buon Natale, Feliz Navidad, Merry Christmas. Peace. Father Jeff
"And this will be a sign for you: You will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger." Lk 2:13
Next weekend is our monthly Building & Mortgage collection. Our payment is $7,966.26. Please be generous.
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.
Edwin 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!
2024 End of Year Contribution Statement
Statement of charitable contributions for calendar year 2024 will be available on or about January 17, 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 2024 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.
Many Thanks from the “Light up a Memory” Committee
Thank you, Fr. Jeff, for making the “Memory Mass” very special. Thank you, Edwin, for overseeing this wonderful yearly event. Thank you, choir, for the beautiful music. Thank you, Julia Cullen, for the lovely voices of your Religious Ed children. Thank you to everyone that participated in our memorable tradition of 17 years!
An Invitation to the Martha Mary Guild's January Meeting
The Martha Mary Guild invites Everyone to start off the New Year with a very important meeting on Wednesday, January 8, 2025. Tracy Nerney, Trauma Injury Prevention Coordinator from Jersey Shore University Medical Center, will present a program on "Fall Prevention". This is a very appropriate topic for all age groups, and we cordially extend our invitation to our Cohort parishes.
Join us at 11:30 a.m. in the old chapel for the rosary. BYOL (Bring Your Own Lunch) will be at noon, with refreshments and desserts supplied by the Guild. The program will begin at 12:45.
Our members have been so generous with our various collections all year, that we are taking a break for awhile. We will let you know when there is another collection. Looking forward to seeing you on the 8th!
Tracey Nerney
The Christmas octave: Continuing the celebration
SV News – For most people, the significance of events like Easter and Christmas cannot be absorbed in one day. It's like trying to comprehend the grandeur of the Grand Canyon in a brief visit or St. Peter's Basilica in one walk-through. It's not possible. We have to return.
So it is with the Nativity and the Passion of Christ. We need more time to comprehend that Resurrection morning, more time to understand the virgin birth and God coming down to earth as man. As a result, the Church gives us seven additional days to contemplate these divine mysteries. These extra days on the liturgical calendar, eight in total, are the octaves. Read more HERE
