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 7, 2025
SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT
PENANCE & RECONCILIATION
Sunday, December 7
3:00 PM: First Penance & Families
3:05 PM: Last name A-H
3:15 PM: Last name I-P
3:25 PM: Last name Q-Z
MASS SCHEDULE MONDAY, December 8
The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary 12 Noon Parish of Saint Mary
9 AM & 7:30 PM Parish of St. Catharine
MASS SCHEDULE & INTENTIONS
Saturday, December 6, 2025 - Sunday, December 14, 2025
Saturday, December 6
4 PM
Sharon Sturchio * Barbara Saake
Intentions of Loving Family Members * Janet Munger
Carl Simon * Jeanne & Matthew Cerbone
Sunday, December 7
8 AM
Carl Zumbo * Providence Zumbo
Joseph "Bud" Mcilvaine * Carly & Chris York
Pro Populo
10 AM
Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day * Carol Donahue
Hans Moeller * John & Dawn
Noreen Burkis * Valeria Burkis
12 Noon
Robert A. & Mary Joan McNamara *
The McNamara Family
Rosaria & Salvatore Pati * Richard & Maria Gerbino
Josephine & Vincent Valentino Sr. * Nancy Valentino
Monday, December 8
12 Noon
Anthony Carnevale * Diane Carnevale
Donata Cannarozzi * Family
Intentions of Loving Family Members * Janet Munger
MASS INTENTIONS & SANCTUARY LAMPS
Click below to submit request online:
Request a Sanctuary Lamp ($25 stipend)
Request a Mass Intention ($10 stipend)
Requests may also be submitted in person at the Parish Office during operating hours.
Tuesday, December 9
9 AM Chapel
Loving Family Members * Janet Munger
Wednesday, December 10
9 AM Chapel
Joseph J. Corcoran * Francine & Joseph Corcoran
Joseph "Bud" Mcilvaine * Carly & Chris York
Saturday, December 13
4 PM
Sharon Sturchio * Diane Carnevale
Corcoran & Petolino Families * Francine & Joseph Corcoran
Bill O'Doherty, Florence & William O'Sullivan * Freda O'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
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 e-mail 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.
LIFELONG CATECHESIS:
Week of December 7 to December 13
READINGS FOR THE WEEK
Sunday, December 7
Isaiah 11:1-10 / Romans 15:4-9 / Matthew 3:1 12
Monday, December 8
Genesis 3:9-15, 20 /Ephesians 1:3-6, 11-12
Tuesday, December 9
Isaiah 40:1-11 / Matthew 18:12-14
Wednesday, December 10
Isaiah 40:25-31 / Matthew 11:28-30
Thursday, December 11
Isaiah 41:13-20/ Matthew 11:11-15
Friday, December 12
Zechariah 2:14-17 / Luke 1:26-38
Saturday, December 13
Sirach 48:1-4, 9-11 / Matthew 17:9a, 10-13
FOR DEEPER REFLECTION
God’s kingdom is at hand
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
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.
Juan Diego, Farmer, 1474
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. On Saturdays and Sundays, he would start out before dawn for a larger village a few miles away where the Franciscan priest would say Mass for him and the other peasants who came from nearby villages.
En route to Mass on the Sunday following the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, (December 8), Juan followed his usual route which took him over Tepeyac Hill. As he approached the top of this hill, Juan heard beautiful music and, the sounds of birds, although on this cold, wintry day, there were no birds around. Juan then heard a voice calling him by name. When he looked up, Juan saw a beautiful lady wearing a sky-blue veil and a dress the color of roses. Juan recognized at once that this was Mary, the Mother of God. Read more...
WORSHIP & MUSIC
Andrew J. Macirowski - Pastoral Coordinator for Worship
The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary commemorates the unique purity of the Virgin Mary, affirming that she was conceived in the womb of her mother, Saint Anne, without the stain of original sin and was therefore predestined to bear the Son of God. Although the conviction that Mary was free from sin had been held since the Middle Ages by both theologians and the faithful, it was not formally defined until 1854. In that year, Pope Pius IX, through his papal bull Ineffabilis Deus, declared with the authority of papal infallibility that Mary was indeed conceived without original sin, thereby establishing this teaching as a dogma of the Catholic Church:
“We declare, pronounce, and define that the doctrine which holds that the most Blessed Virgin Mary, in the first instance of her conception, by a singular grace and privilege granted by Almighty God, in view of the merits of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the human race, was preserved free from all stain of original sin, is a doctrine revealed by God and therefore to be believed firmly and constantly by all the faithful.”
Celebrated on December 8, this solemnity is the patronal feast of the United States and a Holy Day of Obligation. Occurring during the season of Advent, it provides a brief departure from the season’s penitential and preparatory tone. The Gloria ordinarily omitted on the Sundays of Advent is sung, and the liturgical music often emphasizes Marian themes, particularly those related to the Annunciation, which is recalled in the Gospel of the day. When the solemnity falls on a Sunday, its celebration is transferred to December 9.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT CLICK TO WATCH
Blessing of the Infant Jesus
Saturday, December 20, 4pm mass Sunday, December 21, 10am 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.
Saturday, 12/13
4 PM
Sunday, 12/14
8 AM
Sunday, 12/14
10 AM
Sunday, 12/14 12 Noon
MINISTRY SCHEDULE
Saturday, December 13 & Sunday, December 14 Altar Server Cantor Reader 1
Jonathan Stubbs
Grace Collins Choir
Jack Main
Joseph Brando
Reagan Royal Chloe Cullen
Jacob Barasky NOT FILLED
Carly York
Jennifer Stubbs
Mary Ellen Griffin
Charles Young Joe Ventura
Susan Murphy, Organ Host
Monica Barr, Tabernacle Host
Emily Santangelo, Tabernacle Host
Tom Nathanson, Alternate
Mike LaCava, Organ Host
Cindy Ventura, Tabernacle Host
Joyce Flynn, Tabernacle Host
Rosanne LaCava, Alternate
Linda Dickinson-Pancila, Organ Host
Marybeth Jacobson
Rita Duenas
Barbara Schaflin
Carly York NOT FILLED
Jennifer Stubbs
Michal Kalisz, Tabernacle Host
Richard Gerbino, Tabernacle Host
Maureen Geiger, Alternate
Ron Gabbard, Organ Host
Dolores Lembo, Tabernacle Host
Lee Gesner, Tabernacle Host
Patricia Gesner, Alternate
THE SEASON OF ADVENT SCHEDULE
Penance & Reconciliation: Sunday, December 7th 3:00 pm: First Penance & Families 3:05 pm: Last name A-H 3:15 pm: Last name I-P 3:25 pm: Last name Q-Z
FAITH FORMATION
Julia Cullen — Pastoral Coordinator of Faith Formation / Religious Education
This weekend we receive God’s grace in the Sacrament of Penance & Reconciliation on Sunday at 3 PM. All RE families should sign-in using the QR code in the narthex. Nativity Play, Light up a Memory and the RE Christmas party all have links in in the calendar for participation. All are encouraged to bring in your infant Jesus from your home nativity to be blessed at both the Saturday, 20 December, 4pm and Sunday, 21 December ,10 AM masses. What a great tradition to add to the coming of Christ!
CONFIRMATION PREP
December 7: Penance & Reconciliation
December 14: Next Virtual session
December 16: Next On-Campus session
Looking for service hours?
Sponsor a Family Email Roger.Zurro@gmail.com
7 December 2025
Advent Penance & Reconciliation All RE Students Use QR code to sign in
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
Advent Family Welcome
Intergenerational List/ Descriptions
Intergenerational
Confirmation Prep Schedule Fall
Please arrive to 10 AM Sunday Mass no later than 9:50 am to participate before mass each Sunday of Advent: 11/30 ~ 12/7 ~ 12/14 ~ 12/21
Come and share in the joy of the season as we prepare our hearts to celebrate the coming of Christ! All are welcome!
Thank you to all who participated!
PRAYER TO CONCLUDE THE PROCESSION OF TORCHES 2025
Heavenly Father, We come before You at the close of this blessed procession of torches, united with other parishes of the Diocese of Trenton, carrying the light of faith that has guided our steps.
Through the intercession of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mother of the Americas, we thank You for the gift of her presence among us. She is our star of evangelization, our comfort in trials, and our mother who draws us ever closer to Your Son, Jesus Christ.
Lord, bless every parish that has joined in this pilgrimage of light. May the torches we carried be a symbol of the fire of Your love burning in our hearts, and may that flame never be extinguished.
Grant that, inspired by Our Lady’s tenderness and courage, we may continue to walk together as one family of faith defending life, serving the poor, and proclaiming the Gospel with joy.
We entrust our diocese, our parish, our families, and our communities to the loving care of Our Lady of Guadalupe. May she wrap us in her mantle, protect us from harm, and lead us always to Christ.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us
The Parish of Saint Mary PARISH PHOTO DIRECTORY
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.)
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 13
All are invited to the joyous tree lighting ceremony beginning at 4 PM Mass
The Martha Mary Guild
Annual Christmas Party! Wednesday, December 10
On Wednesday, December 10, the Martha Mary Guild will host their annual Christmas party, with wonderful entertainment by the Red Bank Quartet, (pictured above) which is a charter member of the Chorus of Atlantic group. They have performed at the Monmouth County Fair, the Blind Citizens Association and Longstreet Farm, as well as many parties for other organizations. We cordially invite all ladies of our parish and our cohort parishes. You don't have to be a member. Come and check us out!
We will say the rosary at 11:30 AM followed by BYOL (Bring Your Own Lunch). Special desserts will be provided by our members and coffee and tea will be ready for you to enjoy.
Kindly bring an offering of baby clothes, diapers, wipes and other baby items to donate to Birthright, as we do every December.
Monthly Meetings
Second Wednesday from 11:30 AM to 2 PM
Quo vadis...
My Dear Parishioners: 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, 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!
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 7 December for our Parish Advent Penance & Reconciliation. We begin 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. Mass for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary will be 12:00 Noon at Saint Mary parish church; 9:00am and 7:30pm at Saint Catharine, Holmdel parish church.
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 20/21 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 4:00pm or 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 quadfold; a letter; and your family’s 2025 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 (20/21 December). Also, additional parking is available along the access roads… please park perpendicular to the road. Car pool is best if 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
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!
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
Consider AYear-End Gift to the Parish of Saint Mary
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 Walnford Road • Allentown, NJ 08501 www.FHOP.org * 609-877-0509 * FHOP@verizon.net
PERSONAL RETREAT DAY: Wednesday, December 10 9:30 AM – 2:30 PM
Take a day away from the busyness of your life to rest a while in the Lord and experience God’s presence. Come to Francis House for silence, personal prayer, and optional spiritual direction. The day begins and ends with a brief prayer together. Please bring your lunch. Donation: $10; $40 with spiritual direction.
THE CHRISTMAS STORY – THE CHOSEN Wednesday, December 17 9:30 AM – 1:00 PM
(In Person only) It is so familiar, ever ancient, ever new! We will view the Christmas episode, share its message, spend some time in prayer and enjoy a fabulous lunch. What a great Advent morning as we grow in appreciation of the gift of Christ’s coming into our lives. Donation: $25, lunch included
THE END OF THE YEAR RETREAT Wednesday, December 31 9:30 AM – 2:00 PM
Since God gives us life and time and is Lord over all, it seems appropriate to end the year in prayer. Francis House offers time, space and quiet for naming the graces of 2025 and expressing gratitude to God. The day will focus on our goals, hopes and desires for 2026.
