December 4, 2022 - Second Sunday of Advent

Mass Intentions for:

Saturday, December 3rd Sunday December 11th

For * Requested by

Saturday,December3 4PMChurch

SharonSturchio*BarbaraSaake MargaretClime*JimSchatzleandFamily CrisantaDapul*Drs.GenerandElviraDapul

Sunday,December4–Church

8AM HelenandJohnSionas*EileenandMichaelStivala JeanBrock*EdBrock ArthurFemenella*JaneSlattery

10AM HansMoeller*DawnandJohnReinhardt

JosephineKopcha*SessaFamily SpecialIntention*RobertAmling

12PM ProPopulo

RobertA.&MaryJoanMcNamara*McNamaraFamily RosariaPati*RichardandMariaGerbino

Monday,December5–9AMChapel

MickeyGasparine*GinnyandBillLaMorte NeilSlattery*PatBalbo

Tuesday,December6 9AMChapel DeannaZoog*LorraineLee IntentionofAlistairHall*CarlyYork

Wednesday,December7

9AMChapel

PearlHarborRemembranceDay*CarolandFrankDonahue

KatherineMikoloski*TomandAngelaKinlin 7PM–Church(Vigil)

CarolinePenczak*HenryZiobro VincenzaAmantia*LorraineLeeandFamily

Thursday,December8–9AMChapel

AnthonyCarnevale*DianeCarnevale ErnestineHaycook*DotandTomTanguay

Friday,December9–9AMChapel CorcoranandPetolinoFamilies*Francine&JosephCorcoran CarlosMartins*LorraineMartins

Saturday,December10-Church

4PM ProPopulo

SharonSturchio*DianeCarnevale BillO’Doherty*FredaO’Doherty

Sunday,December11 Church

8AM DeceasedMembersDeStefano/AlbrunoFamilies

*Mr.andMrs.M.Franceschetti

RobertArcoleo*EdBrock NeilSlattery*JayandJoyceFlynn

10AM AngelisaCunniff*FugaroFamily SpecialIntention*RobertAmling MargaretDedalis*MarthaMaryGuild

12PM

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 emailtheParishOffice.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

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

CeciliaFriedman*Children,Grandchildren&GreatGrandchildren

LT. Jason Joseph Howe, USN SPC Michael John Mento, US Army

TSgt Stephen Witherow, USAF LCpl Edward Zarzecki, USMC

FOR DEEPER REFLECTION:

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.

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.

Our Promise to Protect The Diocese of Trenton is committed to the initiatives outlined in the U.S. Bishops’ Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People and to its own policies and guidelines in regard to the reporting and investigation of sexual abuse allegations involving minors. If you have been sexually abused as a minor by a member of the clergy or anyone representing the Catholic Church, or if you know of someone who was, you can report that abuse through the diocesan ABUSE HOTLINE: 1 888 296 2965 or via e mail at abuseline@dioceseoftrenton.org. The Diocese of Trenton reports any allegations of sexual abuse to the appropriate law enforcement agencies. Anyone with an allegation is also encouraged to provide that information to local law enforcement authorities.

Child Protection Efforts

Worship & Music

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

Worship@stmaryscoltsneck.org Music@stmaryscoltsneck.org

ADVENT HAPPENINGS

Much is planned at our parish during this season of Advent. Please make note of all the following important dates and events.

December 4, 3PM - Advent Penance and Reconciliation, including first penance for religious education students.

December 7, 7PM / December 8, 9AM Mass for The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, held in the church.

December 10, 4PM Mass 3rd Sunday of Advent (Gaudate Sunday). “Light Up A Memory” tree lighting follows Mass.

December 10, 7:30PM - The Shrewsbury Chorale presents “A Winter’s Night: Songs of the Season”, a concert in the Church. Tickets are

available at www.shrewsburychorale.org or at the door. Light refreshments will follow.

December 17, 18 - Oplatek, the Polish Christmas wafers, will be available in the Church for the taking.

December 18, 10AM Mass The Blessing of the Infants will occur at the 10am Mass. All are invited to bring their infant Jesus from their homes, which will then be blessed at Mass. More information on this custom and prayers to be said when returning home will be in next week’s bulletin.

December 18, 4PM “Music and Meditation”, a evening of classical music, carols, and scripture readings presented by Dr. Carly York, Mr. Andrew Macirowski and Mrs. Adrienne Foutz. A free will offering will benefit the parish music program. A light reception will follow.

Saint of the Week: Juan Diego, Farmer, 1474 1548

Juan Diego was a poor Aztec Indian and devout Christian who lived in the Mexican village of Tolpetlac. Juan and his wife were childless and, after she died, his only companion was an old uncle who had raised him.

Juan had little want for anything but the few vegetables which grew on his small farm.

Speak with a Priest

contact Fr Mike Walsh by phone 732 780 2666 x205 or email frmike.walsh@stmaryscoltsneck.org

Organ Host Susan Murphy Tabernacle Host Louise Habrack Tabernacle Host Irene Weller Alternate Emily Santangelo

Organ Host Mike LaCava Tabernacle Host Justine Buzzetta Tabernacle Host Lisa Aldridge Alternate Rosanna LaCava

Organ Host Sue Fitzpatrick Tabernacle Host Dawn Reinhardt Tabernacle Host Linda Dickinson Pancila Alternate Greg Penczak

Organ Host Patricia Gesner Tabernacle Host Ron Gabbard Tabernacle Host Lee Gesner Alternate Monica Barr

Liturgy of the

Dismissal

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

Guide us on the path of peace. Luke 1:79

Advent Penance and Reconciliation is this Sunday at 3pm. We invite all RE families to receive this sacrament and pray for our second graders as they receive for the very first time. Please RSVP for the Christmas tree lighting, the RE Christmas party and decorating the Rotunda. See page 7 Please join us on the 4th Sunday of Advent, 18 December, at the 10am mass for the Blessing of the Infant Jesus. Details on page 7 We are now collecting the MITE boxes for grades 1-6 for our Advent community service project. Drop off at the office window during office hours. More info on page 7

4 December 2022 Advent Penance and Reconciliation 3pm sharp-First P&R and their families highly recommended for 7th and 8th graders

8 December 2022 Decorating the Narthex 6pm

10 December 2022 Christmas Tree Lighting Beginning at 4pm mass 11 & 12 December 2022 Confirmation Prep Classes

14 December 2022 Sponsor a Family Wrapping 6:30pm

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 RE 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.

Light up a Memory, begins at 4pm mass, Saturday, 10 December 2022.

RSVP HERE

The carol lyrics will be emailed out to each child to be printed out and brought to mass

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 9:00 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)

Quo vadis . . .

Today we celebrate the Second Sunday of Advent. Some success John was: he diverted attention from himself to Jesus and ended up beheaded for his efforts! Proclaimed repentance, prepared for Jesus, died this is the pattern of John’s life. Actually, it’s the pattern of Jesus’ life, too: proclaimed, prepared the way to the Father, died. Further, it’s the pattern of our own paschal mystery living: proclaim the gospel of repentance, prepare for Christ’s second coming, and die to ourselves. Our being baptized “with the Holy Spirit” enables us to do the work of God, for in baptism our lives are grafted onto Christ. In baptism we become heralds, like John, of Christ’s redeeming presence in our world. By our Christian living (blamelessly and with righteousness) we proclaim how we prepare for Christ’s second coming. But even more: being baptized in the Spirit makes us members of Christ’s very body. We not only point to Christ, but we also make present the Christ who dwells in us!

The Liturgical Season of Advent has two distinct parts: the first focuses on the Second Coming of Christ and our preparation for that event whenever it should come; the second, is preparing ourselves for the birth of Jesus more than two millennia ago. It is in this way that we are not called to merely look back at the historical birth of Jesus of Nazareth; but also to be mindful of how that historical event has shaped human history calling us to be heralds of the Kingdom of God, now and in the life to come. With all of the hype surrounding this time of the year, it is important that we not lose this spiritual dimension or interior call to conversion. The images of Advent are among the most powerful and inviting as any throughout the Church’s Liturgical Year. So, as we shop, cook, bake, clean, wrap, decorate…do it with gratitude for the blessings that we have, remember those who might be struggling, keep an eye fixed on our call to personal conversion as we ready for Christ to Come Again!

Many thanks to all those who participated in the Annual Fall Clean up. I am told that there were 80 or so persons who participated throughout the day. We collected the most leaves to be placed curbside. Consider our parish for your end of year charitable gift. Hanks to Edwin, Adria and their team. The Thanksgiving Food Drive was a HUGE success. We met all of our targets thanks to your generosity. Thanks to Jeanne Kolakowski, Rose Farrow and Roger Zurro for coordinating this herculean effort. All of the 750+ tags from the Tree of Love have been claimed. Please remember to return them asap so that the proper gifts may be directed to the specified agency for distribution. Thanks to Stephen and Deb

Stanley for their continued oversight of this charitable act.

Join us this Sunday Afternoon for our Parish Advent Penance & Reconciliation Service at 3pm in our parish church building. It is THE moment for us to approach this Sacrament of God’s Mercy & Healing. We have invited thirteen (13) priests for your convenience. Please make this a priority for you, your children and family members. Invite a friend or family member who may feel alienated or marginalized from the church. This is a great way for us to be prepared for the celebration of the Coming of Christ at Christmas.

Next weekend is Gaudete Sunday. We will light up the Memory Tree at/following the Saturday Evening 4pm Mass. Many thanks to those who oversee this opportunity for our community to pray for all those who have gone before us. This year on the Fourth Sunday of Advent which is 18 December we invite all those who would like to participate in the Blessing of the Infant Jesus. Please bring the image of the Infant Jesus in a small basket and place it in the Church for the 10:00am mass. During the mass there will be a blessing of each image. This is yet another way for us to connect our communal worship with our prayer and customs of the domestic church of the home.

Our Advent Christmas Epiphany mailing should have been received by all of our parishioners. Included is the quad fold; a letter; and your family’s 2022 Christmas Collection Envelope. Please be deliberate as you prepare your Christmas Gift List insuring that your parish is included among those special gifts that you will make. Wrap your Christmas Collection Gift in the envelope provided for you. Consider our parish for your end of year charitable gift. For end of the year charitable giving opportunities, please consult your financial advisors or Pastoral Associate Edwin Sevillano of our staff. As always, I thank you for all that you do in helping us to be church together.

Remember that there is an abbreviated Mass Schedule for the Fourth Sunday of Advent (17/18 December). Also, additional parking is available along the access roads…please park perpendicular to the road. Car pool as best you are able to assist us. Parking in front of the church on the grass is not permitted since the soil is not prepared for the weight of vehicles. Have a great week. Let us remember one another in prayer. Happy Sunday. Peace. Father Jeff

My Dear Parishioners:

Temporal

Sharing Our Treasure

November

27, 2022 Solemnity of Our Lord

A. Sevillano

TemporalAdmin@stmaryscoltsneck.org

This weekend December 3 4 is our monthly Building & Mortgage Reduction second collection. Our payment is $7,966.26. Please be generous.

"Cure the sick, raise the death, cleanse lepers, drive out demons. Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give." MT 10:8

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

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

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!

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.

Our 2021 Stewardship Report

has been e-mailed to our parishioners.

If you did not receive it, please contact the Parish Office at communications@stmaryscoltsneck.org to make sure we have your updated and valid e-mail address. Read the report here

Thankyouforyourcontinuedsupport!

Edwin

Martha Mary Guild's Christmas Party

Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022 will be a special day of fun and entertainment for the Martha Mary Guild. Christmas will be celebrated early, not only with special treats, but also in keeping with the true spirit of Christmas, Birthright will benefit from the many baby gifts that generous members supply every year.

Meredith Geneve, a member with a beautiful voice, will lead the group in the singing of Christmas carols and other holiday songs. All women of the parish and

Christmas Sponsor-AFamily

Purchase gifts for a family. You select the size of the family you wish to sponsor (2 6 people). Several families or a group of people can sponsor a larger family. Gifts per person are usually a value of $50 and based on a list of needed items prepared by the family.

This program adopts families from Aslan Youth Ministries. The goal is to sponsor families in need at Christmas. If you, your family, your neighbors, coworkers, or friends would like to sponsor a family in need this year, please contact: Kathy Maher wamaher2@aol.com

A Sensory Friendly Mass is designed for all families with children or adults on the autism spectrum or with sensory sensitivities, or other disabilities. This is a regular Sunday Mass, with a flexible environment. After the Mass we will join for a small Christmas Party. We invite all who are interested as a participating family or volunteer to attend our Advent Mass!

December18, 2022 - 3:00pm

Co-Cathedral of St. Robert Bellarmine 61 Georgia Road , Freehold, NJ 07728 Please RSVP to: NorMonHIS@gmail.com

The Tree of Love Please return the gift with tag attached no later than December 5th. Thank you for your generosity towards those in need. Any questions, please contact Deb Stanley (732) 591-0257 or DebStan2@aol.com

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

Please join us for this very special event. The joyous tree lighting ceremony, with music by our Children’s Choir at the 4:00 pm Mass on Saturday, December 10, 2022

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 registration, directions and for our other offerings!

All programs will be offered online and in person unless otherwise indicated.

DIVINE GENEROSITY

THE NEVER-ENDING STORY

Tuesday, December 6 9:30 AM 1:00 PM

Today’s feast of St. Nicholas is the perfect moment to contemplate our human response to divine generosity. Since time immemorial, ordinary women and men have mirrored the love of our Creator through the manner of their lives. Join us as we become acquainted with some everyday people whose stories will be both encouraging and challenging to us. Donation: $25, includes lunch. Zoom $20

FULL OF GRACE

Thursday, December 8 9:30 AM Noon

Celebrate the gift of our Blessed Mother today! Let’s walk in her footsteps as we deepen our relationship to Jesus through Mary. We will pray in a contemplative way with Scriptures related to Mary and the Joyful Mysteries. Scenes from the movie, Mary of Nazareth will be used for individual and group reflection. Then, we will conclude by praying “The Angelus.” Donation: $20

O COME, O COME, EMMANUEL

Tuesday, December 13 9:30 AM 1:00 PM

This Advent Day of reflection will focus on Jesus, Emmanuel, the name which means “God with us.” We will explore what it means for us personally that Jesus is Emmanuel, God with us, as well as how we can be God with us (Emmanuel) for others. Join us in delving into a meaningful way to be God’s loving presence through seven active listening skills. Let Emmanuel touch your heart in a special way that will help you to prepare for His coming during this Advent season. Donation: $30, includes lunch; Zoom $20