Bulletin for January 10, 2021 – The Baptism of the Lord

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 Trustees: Bill LaMorte Irene Weller Worship schedule inside.

Refer to website for more detailed information www.stmaryscoltsneck.org Deacon: John Wedemeyer

January 10, 2021

Baptism of the Lord

I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.

- Mark 1:8

www.stmaryscoltsneck.org

January 10, 2021

Mass Intentions for the Week of January 9 - January 17 For * Requested by Saturday, January 9 – 4 PM Church Mary Resko * Jon and Mary Kopko Daniel Mazzeo * Rorie and Jack Coppola Cynthia Woolford * Connie Weighell, Carol Heh & Margaret O’Hare Sunday, January 10 – Church Baptism of the Lord 8 AM Pro Populo Jamie Buffalino * Victor, Mary Ann & Victoria Becker Mary and Michael Stivala Sr. * Eileen and Michael Stivala 10 AM Helen Ostrander * Gisele & Kenneth Coffey Christine Shrewsbury * Her Family Special Intention * Arlene Garito 12 PM Theresia Kopp * Debbie & Bob Dowd & Family Sergio Dos Santos & Antonio Ferreira * Dos Santos Family William Gurkas * Rosalyn Gurkas Monday, January 11 – 9 AM Chapel Abel Bocanegra * Rorie and Jack Coppola Wilfreda Poscablo * Drs. Gener and Elvira Dapul Tuesday, January 12 – 9 AM Chapel Daniel J. Mazzeo * Martha Mary Guild Arturo Redondo * Tom and Angela Kinlin Wednesday, January 13 – 9 AM Chapel Noreen Cacchione * Neal & Susan Brunner & Family Tom Kelly * Angela and Tom Kinlin Thursday, January 14 – 9 AM Chapel Larry Sullivan * Erin Sullivan Friday, January 15 – 9 AM Chapel Souls in Purgatory * Mary Soyka Abbate Saturday, January 16 – 4 PM Church Jack Duffy * Jim Schatzle and Family Bernadette Shine * Diane Carnevale Lauren Chomko * Cindy and Joe Iannelli

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Please pray for the following members of our parish family who are ill: Marcela Abril Kathleen Amatel Fr Bill Bausch Eileen Beckley Janice Basilice Christen Chellis Bob Cicero Blake Conley John DeSimone Kaitlin Donahue Nagle Joann Feliciti James Fiedler Cynthia Fiedler Emily Gioacchini Edward Habrack Tom Hudak

Anton Kopp Bridget Korn Lori Lettieri Donna Lodi Ludwig Mendola Leonidas Mavrookas Mary Joan McNamara Walter Moeller Kevin O’Shea Stanley Rembisz Paola Richmond Owen Shoemaker Victoria Slater Gerard P. Thompson Seneida Tomasetti Lauren Vinci

To add a family member to the sick list for 8 weeks, please call or e-mail the Parish Office. Thank you! 732-780-2666 or parishbulletin@stmaryscoltsneck.org

Mass Intention Request ONLINE Available through the link below is an online form to request Mass Intentions for the remainder of the 2021 calendar. https://bit.ly/3dbHyip

GROTTO CANDLES

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Sunday, January 17 –Church 2 Sunday in Ordinary Time 8 AM Donald Behm * Neil and Jane Slattery David Horner * Angelo & Marsha Grigoli and Family Jean Brock * Ed Brock 10 AM Pro Populo Helen Ostrander * Susan and Emily S SGT Stephen J. and Eleanor Coleman * Carol and Frank Donahue 12 PM Domenica Musicaro * Richard & Maria Gerbino Susan Duenas * Michael and Rita Duenas Cindy Boyle * John and Susan Murphy Baptism after the 10 am Brooks Joseph Catlaw

The Grotto Candles are available for your prayer intentions.

Offering is $3.00 per candle.

www.stmaryscoltsneck.org

January 10, 2021

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 SN Colton Boag, USCG LCpl Devon Francis Chrzan, USMC Lt. Col. John Anthony Coppola, US Army Major Douglas Coppola, US Army Lt. Mary Herman, USN SN Christian Houlihan, USN Ensign Jason Joseph Howe, USN SPC Michael John Mento, US Army PFC Nicholas Poskonka, US Army Captain Richard Savo, US Army 1st Lt. Adam Sjoholm, US Army 1st Lt. Ryan Tanguay, US Army TSgt Stephen Witherow, USAF LCpl Edward Zarzecki, USMC

3 Lifelong Catechesis Week January 11 - January 17 READINGS FOR THE WEEK

11 Mon 12 Tue 13 Wed 14 Thu 15 Fri

Heb 1:1-6/Mk 1:14-20 Heb 2:5-12/Mk 1:21-28 Heb 2:14-18/Mk 1:29-39 Heb 3:7-14/Mk 1:40-45 Heb 4:1-5, 11/Mk 2:1-12

Sunday, January 17th Second Sunday in Ordinary Time 1 Sm 3:3b-10, 19/1 Cor 6:13c-15a, 17-20/Jn 1:35-42 Questions for Deeper Reflection Question for Children: What can you do this week to show that you are a follower of Jesus?

Question for Youth: Andrew seemed to know immediately that he should follow Jesus. Do you have that same sense of confidence in your faith in Jesus? What helps? What makes it hard?

Question for Adults: In what ways do you experience being called by Jesus? What does he want you to do?

- Lifelong Catechesis

If there is a family member you wish to be placed on the list, please contact the Parish Bulletin at 732780-2666 or parishbulletin@stmaryscoltsneck.org.

EMERGENCY CLOSING INFORMATION In the event that the Parish Office is closed and Religious Education classes or Masses must be cancelled due to inclement weather, loss of power, etc., we will attempt to keep you informed as follows: Updated outgoing announcements on our main

telephone line Parish-wide email sent to all families whose email address is on file Notification on website stmaryscoltsneck.org Thank you, Parish Staff

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

The suggested donation is $25.

ONLINE https://bit.ly/37RKz5p Intentions are available in the Church & Chapel in January & February 2021

www.stmaryscoltsneck.org

January 10, 2021

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

The Baptism of the Lord A “time jump” is a plot device used in many modern movies and television programs. One episode or movie in a series may take place several days, months, or years after the previous one. Sometimes this even occurs within a single episode or movie. But this is nothing new - many older novels such as Victor Hugo’s Les Misérables span many decades in their story telling.

And - we experience a similar effect in our Sunday Gospel readings during the Christmas Season.

We begin with the Nativity of the Lord, and the recounting of Jesus’ birth. The Sunday after Christmas is the Holy Family, where we jump to Jesus as an older child, staying behind in Jerusalem. One week after Christmas, the visitation of the shepherds is proclaimed on the Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God. In years where there occurs a second Sunday between Christmas and Epiphany, we jump back to the gospel proclaimed on Christmas Day: “The word became flesh and dwelt among us”. On the Epiphany, we have the visit of the magi from the east, and the Baptism of the Lord jumps 30 years to Jesus’ baptism by John in the Jordan River.

A very interesting timeline to consider. Some are confused by it all, but we shouldn’t be. The story of our salvation takes some detours, but the result remains the same.

The Baptism of the Lord also causes some confusion. It is at the same time the end of the Christmas Season and the beginning of Ordinary Time. We sing Christmas Carols, but also recount a time in the life of Jesus when he was 30 years old. The Joy of Christmas remains but we also are prepared to start numbering our days again as we get closer to the season of Lent.

As it says in the Gospel of John, “Do not let your hearts be troubled”. Keep Christ alive in your in hearts at Christmas and all the year long.

www.stmaryscoltsneck.org

January 10, 2021

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Worship Schedule: January 16 - January 17: Second Sunday in Ordinary Time Altar Server

EMHC

Reader 1

Reader 2

Cantor

Usher

Saturday, 4:00 PM (Church)

Mark Hines William Hines NOT FILLED

Susan Murphy - Organ Host NOT FILLED - Tabernacle Host NOT FILLED - Alt

Bruno Savo

T Mullin

David Maliakel

NOT FILLED NOT FILLED

Jack Schatzle Jimmy Schatzle NOT FILLED

Michael Stivala - Alt

Kevin Swan

Sunday, 8:00 AM (Church)

Anthony Bongiorno

David Maliakel

NOT FILLED NOT FILLED

Sunday, 10:00 AM (Church)

Gabriella Penczak Tesya Yaninas Valeska Yaninas

Gregory Calderaro - Organ Host Heide Lohn - Tabernacle Host Joseph Merante - Alt

Matt Yaninas

Barbara Schaflin

David Maliakel

Greg Penczak NOT FILLED

Sunday, 12:00 PM (Church)

NOT FILLED NOT FILLED

NOT FILLED - Alt

Richard Gerbino

Charles Young

Diane Dragone

NOT FILLED NOT FILLED

EXPECTATIONS AS WE GATHER FOR MASS Please arrive earlier than usual to search for seating that observes social distancing.  Masks, Hand Sanitizer, and Social/Physical distancing are required.  There can be no physical collection of Stewardship Offerings; A designated box(es) will be placed in the

Narthex/Gathering Space for the placement of envelopes or offerings. Thank you for your generosity.  Missals, Missalettes, Bulletins, and other papers have been removed.  Holy Water has been drained from all locations.  Parish Clergy will distribute Holy Communion; we ask all coming forth to observe distancing front to back and side to side.  Remove mask (and gloves) as you approach the Eucharist; put mask back in place as you return to your pew  Volunteers are greatly needed to wipe down the wood of the pews after all Masses (weekend and weekday). We will have a cleaning crew take care of the floors, bathrooms, etc, but need this little bit of additional help. Please contact Andrew if you are able.

We have been advised that socializing before or after the Mass inside or outside is to be discouraged; clergy are not permitted to greet parishioners before or after the Mass.

NOTE:  For those Catholic faithful that need to consider any possible health and safety risks involved with attending

Online Mass viewing continues with the newest weekend Mass becoming available on Saturdays after 4 pm The Parish of Saint Mary - You Tube Channel (https://bit.ly/2SkpRET) Worship aid for weekend Mass at https://tinyurl.com/y4xhvqz8

www.stmaryscoltsneck.org

January 10, 2021

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Dr. Jim Bridges Pastoral Coordinator of Faith Formation / Adult Catechesis FaithFormation@stmaryscoltsneck.org 732-780-2666 x 305

Julia Cullen Pastoral Coordinator of Elementary Religion Education - Grade 1 -6 ReligiousEd@stmaryscoltsneck.org 732-780-2666 X 309

Rose Farrow Coordinator of Faith Formation for Youth Catechesis & Service - Grade 7 & 8 YouthRE@stmaryscoltsneck.org 732-780-2666 X 310

Summer Intensive Registration will start February 2021 RE registrations & re-registrations will be processed through the My Own Church portal.

Offered in January 2021 at the Parish of Saint Mary 10 sessions Starting January 12/13, 2021 Tuesdays at 7:30 pm or Wednesdays at 10 am Remote access option available

Religious Education Families Have you heard about My Own Church?

Do you remember your login?

This online tool lets you update your family’s records on the web! It’s convenient. It’s secure.

It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3!

The My Own Church Button may be found on the parish website www.stmaryscoltsneck.org under the Parish Resources Block. Select The Parish of Saint Mary, Colts Neck from the dropdown menu (fourth from the bottom), and fill in the required information. Questions? See the help page link or call the parish office.

8th-12th grade invited YouthRE@stmaryscoltsneck.org

www.stmaryscoltsneck.org

January 10, 2021

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Quo vadis…

My Dear Parishioners: Today we celebrate the Feast of The Baptism of the Lord. It marks the universal church’s official conclusion to the Christmas Season. To be initiated into Christianity means to be initiated into living the paschal mystery. Each of the readings incorporates allusions to paschal mystery dying and rising: in the gospel, “the heavens being torn open” is the same language as is used at the crucifixion (cf. Mark 15:38: “The veil of the sanctuary was torn in two from top to bottom”); the first reading from Isaiah 55 is also one used at the Easter Vigil and speaks poetically and eloquently of the abundance God gives now and in everlasting life; the responsorial psalm speaks of God as savior; the second reading reminds us that Jesus “came through water and blood.”

The Christmas Season is about Theophany: God’s manifesting Self in the onlybegotten Son for our salvation. At his baptism Jesus took up his saving mission as the beloved Son. At our own baptisms we unite ourselves with Christ as his body (becoming God’s children) and commit ourselves to take up his same saving mission. Theophany and our identifying with it has its cost to us: transformation. We must let go of our ways and take up God’s ways; our self-sacrifice is so that abundance might be available for all (first reading). This is what daily baptismal/paschal mystery living is: thirsting for the waters that cause death to self and spending ourselves so that we and others might have an abundance of life—now and everlastingly.

The corona virus pandemic continues to challenge us as we prepare for Ash Wednesday, Lent, Holy Week, The Triduum, and Easter. Our preparations are being made; however, the key word is flexibility. We will adapt as needed based on the data and science available to us. The Sacrament of Confirmation will be conferred in the Fall as has been our custom. The Sacrament of First Holy Communion will also be celebrated in the Fall. Dates are yet to be determined. As soon as we are able to announce these dates for the Fall we will do so to assist parents and family members with their preparations.

Registration/Re-Registration for our Parish Religious Education for the 2021 -2022 Term will begin shortly. The Summer Sessions registration is scheduled to begin February 2021. While Fall RE programming will begin registration April 2021. More detailed information to follow in the coming weeks. Thank you for your cooperation.

Soon we will announce the total Stewardship Offerings for our 2020 Christmas Collection.

We are still receiving gifts. If you have not made your gift, please do so this coming week…if you have, thank you for your generous sharing. Many thanks to all those who shared baked goods and other foods with the parish staff and with me for the parish house. Most had names associated with them, others did not. I am thankful to all.

Have a great week. Let us remember one another in prayer. Happy Sunday. Peace. Father Jeff

www.stmaryscoltsneck.org

January 10, 2021

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Temporal Administration, Stewardship & Outreach Edwin A. Sevillano TemporalAdmin@stmaryscoltsneck.org

Sharing Our Treasure January 3, The Epiphany of the Lord Weekly Sacrificial Stewardship

$

22,981

Envelope Contributions

$

14,369

Electronic/Online Contributions

$

8,133

Loose Contributions

$

479

Avg. Contribution per Household this week $ 76.80 # of Contributing Households

293

# Registered Parishioner Households

992

2020 Christmas Collection: We will provide you with a report of this collection at the conclusion of the Christmas Season.

We are grateful to all who contributed; if you have not yet participated, please do so this coming week so that we can offer a timely proper accounting to you.

The direct link to Christmas Fund is http://bit.ly/2Ec6vu5

Building & Mortgage Reduction Fund $ 2,562 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.

End Of Year Contribution Statement If you wish to receive a statement of your 2020 contributions, please provide a self-addressed stamped envelope to the parish office by mail or drop it in the collection basket by January 31, 2021.

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

Please do not make your request by phone.

Alternatively a 2020 total contribution accounting may be retrieved from each family’s My Own Church Portal.

New to My Own Church? Follow registration instructions on page 7.

An official statement can also be sent by email. parishoffice@stmaryscoltsneck.org

GIFT CARD SCAM ALERT Please be aware of fraudulent emails or text messages claiming to be from a pastor or a representative of the archdiocese asking you to purchase gift cards to help the poor or sick. Such fraudulent activity should be reported to the State of New Jersey Cyber Crimes Unit at (609) 584-5051, ext.

5664, or online at www.njsp.org/division/ investigations/cyber-crimes.shtml Please note: Official electronic communications from the parish will always come from the @stmaryscoltsneck.org domain.

On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come.

-1 Cor. 16:2

www.stmaryscoltsneck.org

January 10, 2021

Special announcement for Catholic Married Couples!

In observance of World Marriage Day (Sunday, February 14, 2021) and National Marriage Week (February 7-14, 2021), the Diocese of Trenton has launched an exciting new web resource for Catholic married couples to enhance their marriage in three important ways: 1) Reconnect with Your Spouse, 2) Make Your Marriage Even Better, and 3) Serve Others in Your Marriage. Find all this and more at www.dioceseoftrenton.org/world-marriageday-for-couples - what every couple needs to make their marriage extraordinary! (Part of the BuildingStrongMarriages.org initiative of the Diocese of Trenton)

Diocesan-Wide Virtual Cana Rosary for Marriage (February 7 - February 13, 2021; 7 pm)

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www.stmaryscoltsneck.org

January 10, 2021

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Message from Bishop of Trenton David O’Connell As the new year begins, there are many issues in society that challenge our Catholic moral and social teachings. Opposition to abortion remains our “pre-eminent priority.” During the month of January when we acknowledge the 48th anniversary of the fateful Supreme Court Roe v. Wade decision, I invite the clergy and faithful of the Diocese of Trenton to join one another in a common prayerful response: (1) pray the rosary daily for the rest of the month for an end to abortion in our country; (2) pray the newly created “Novena to St. Joseph” to end abortion that will be published on our parish and diocesan websites each day, January 14 through 22; (3) pray and fast to end abortion on the actual anniversary date, January 22, as parishes celebrate Masses for the legal protection of the unborn. Since COVID precautions will restrict our usual participation in the annual March for Life in Washington on January 29, I will celebrate Mass online that day and many parishes will celebrate Masses in churches for all these intentions. As a Diocese, as parishes, let us pray for an end to abortion, for the legal protection of the unborn and in thanksgiving to God for the gift of human life.

Thank you. Bishop O’Connell

NOVENA TO ST. JOSEPH TO END ABORTION (January 14-22, 2021)

St. Joseph, Patron of the Universal Church and Guardian of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Child Jesus, the Son of God whom she carried in her Immaculate womb: intercede for us, we pray, that all recourse to abortion might cease in our nation and our world. As your cared for Mother and Child, care for all women who bear the gift of life in their womb. May no harm ever endanger them and may no choice ever threaten the blessing of human life that God has created within. Guard them with your loving protection, at every moment, until His will has been fulfilled. St. Joseph, spouse of Mary and foster father of the Lord, help us build a culture of life that yields a civilization of love among us.

Say the “Our Father,” the “Hail Mary” and the “Glory be” after the novena prayer.