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
Baptism of the Lord January 12, 2025
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 732-780-2666.
- Parish-wide email sent to email address that is on file.
- Notification on website: www.stmarycoltsneck.org
Feast: Baptism of the Lord
Saturday, January 11th 4:00 pm Mass in Church
Saturday, January 12th 8:00 am, 10:00 am, & 12:00 pm Mass
Mass Intentions for:
Saturday January 11 2025 - Sunday January 19 2025
Saturday, January 11- 4PM
Collette Flynn * Hugh & Phyllis Murphy
Mary Resko * Mary Kopko
Marge Eastman * Barbara & Joe Verga
Sunday, January 12 - 8AM
Mary Louise Gibbons * John &Molly Aiello
Barbara Swan Critchley * Kevin Florence Swan & Family
Marilyn Perez * The Asprocolas Family
10AM
Pro Populo
Raymond Monahan * Capardi Family
Joan Brando * Marguerite & Joe Amato
12PM
Robert A. & Mary Joan McNamara * The McNamara Family
Domenica Musicaro * Richard & Maria Gerbino
John & Ginny Kelly * Their Children
Monday, January 13 - 9AM - Chapel
Gracinda Batista * Marie M. Nogueira
Tuesday, January 14– 9AM
Diane Aromando * Carol Donahue
John G. Stuz * Jane Slattery
Wednesday, January 15 - 9AM
Gerard Boyle * Aiello Family
GROTTO CANDLES
The Grotto Candles are available for your prayer intentions. Offering is $3.00 per candle
Thursday, January 16- 9AM - Chapel
S SGT Stephen J. & Eleanor Coleman * Carol Donahue
Jack Duffy * Jim Schatzle & Family
Friday, January 17 – 9AM - Chapel
Clive Lay * Lynn Migliorino & Anthony Roberts
George Benjamin * Casey
Saturday, January 18- 4PM
Beloved parents, Peter & Marion Di Sciullo, & Aunt Vera
Kaney * Di Sciullo family
Peggy DeVito * Michele Telesca
Sergio Dos Santos & Antonio Ferreira * Dos Santos Family
Sunday January 19 –8AM
Michael McGreevy * John & Molly Aiello
John Terselic * The Evankow Family
10AM
Lois Palladino * Regina Castronuova
Kathleen Bligh * The Burtone Family
Kathleen Amatel * The Cook Family
12PM
Pro Populo
Thomas David Jacobson * Mark & Nancy Duffy
Antoinetta Salvatore Lardieri * Lardieri Family
Please remember in your prayers those who have recently died. Vincent Guastamacchia
Kathleen Amatel
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 January 12 January 18
READINGS FOR THE WEEK:
THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD
Is 42:1-4, 6-7/Acts 10:34-38/Lk 3:15-16, 21-22
MONDAY January 13
Heb 1:1-6/Mk 1:14-20
[
TUESDAY January 14
Heb 2:5-12/Mk 1:21-28
WEDNESDAY January 15
Heb 2:14-18/Mk 1:29-39
THURSDAY January 16
Heb 3:7-14/Mk 1:40-45
FRIDAY January 17
Heb 4:1-5, 11/Mk 2:1-12
SATURDAY January 18
Heb 4:12-16/Mk 2:13-17 FOR DEEPER REFLECTION:
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
Question for Children: What are some things you can do to please God?
Question for Youth: "With you I am well pleased." What are you doing right now that is pleasing to God? How does it feel to live that way?
Question for Adults: Name a time when you felt your actions were pleasing to God.
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 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 some areas of the world where the Epiphany is always celebrated on January 6 (and not transferred to a Sunday) there sometimes 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. Those who attend weekday Masses during Christmastime will also notice that the readings do not follow a sequential order, rather they are chosen for the celebration of the particular day.
The Baptism of the Lord also causes some confusion. It is simultaneously 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 Feast of the Baptism is important as it marks the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry. 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.
St. Raymond of Peñafort, Priest, 1175-1275
Raymond was born at Villafranca de Benadis, near Barcelona, in 1175 to the noble family of Peñafort, related to the kings of Aragon. A very bright boy, he received the best education available and, at the age of twenty, was professor of philosophy at the Cathedral School of Barcelona.
An interest in law prompted Raymond to move to Bologna in 1210 where he completed his doctoral degrees in both civil and canon law. Occupying a chair in canon law at the university in Bologna for a few years, Raymond became interested in the Dominican order which was drawing a number of his brighter students and fellow professors into their ranks. Returning to Barcelona in 1219, Raymond had the opportunity to meet St. Dominic. Also in this year, Raymond was appointed archdeacon of Barcelona by the bishop.
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: January 18 & 19
Saturday , 18 4 PM NOT FILLED NOT FILLED
Carly York Charles Young Paul Tonacci
Sunday, 19 8 AM NOT FILLED NOT FILLED
Carly York
Kevin Swan
Annette Raynor
OH - Monica Barr
TH - Susan Murphy
TH - Jane Slattery
ALT - Elvira Dapul MD
Sunday, 19 10 AM
RJ Vaina NOT FILLED
Diane Dragone
Barbara Schaflin
Mary Ellen Griffin
OH - Gina Shute
TH - Michael Staub
TH - Maureen Staub
ALT– Justine Buzzetta
Sunday,19 12 PM
Jack Schatzle NOT FILLED
Mary Beth Jacobson NOT FILLED
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.
Richard Gerbino
OH - Tom Nathanson
TH - Fran Vaina
TH - Steve Stanley
ALT– Dawn Reinhardt
OH - NOT FILLED
TH - Irene Weller
TH - Ron Gabbard
ALT– Dee Lembo
Baptism of the Lord
Father in heaven, who at the baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan proclaimed him your beloved Son and anointed him with the Holy Spirit: Grant that all who are baptized into his Name may keep the covenant they have made, and boldly confess him as Lord and Savior; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen. (LectionaryPage.net)
Baptismal Preparation Session
St Mary Parish is offering our next Baptismal Preparation Session on: SUNDAY, February 2, 2025
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
Religious Education has officially started back again after hopefully a restful break. All students in grades 1-6 should be completing their 6 intergenerationals, as they are due on 15 May 2025. Attending Liturgy of the Word Dismissal on Sundays at the 10am mass does count as a “liturgical” INT. As for Confirmation Prep, students should be completing their service hours as well as all work that is due at the end of the year. CP students will be attending their retreat on
23 February 2025 beginning at the 12 PM mass.
Information will be coming home soon with more retreat details.
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
• Intergenerational Recording link
Religious Education Calendar
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
2,4 February 2025
Confirmation Prep classes
23 February 2025
Confirmation Prep Student Retreat (7&8 grade) Begins with 12 PM mass and continues in Madonna Hall
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 Religious Education office for details.
• Summer RE assistant teacher: Virtual or on-campus; sign-link will open mid January.
more Christian service opportunities listed on website
Pastoral Care
Rosemarie Farrow - Pastoral Coordinator of Pastoral Care & Outreach
R.Farrow@stmaryscoltsneck.org 732-780-2666 x 310
Valentine’s Day Community Service Project 2025
Once again, residents of Monmouth County will have the opportunity to provide Valentine’s Day cards, notes, letters, and special treats for our military members at Earle Naval Base, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Air Force Base along with Veteran facilities in New Jersey.
Cards may be handmade or purchased but should include a handwritten sentiment acknowledging the love and appreciation for their military service to our country. 10 cards with a treat will equal one service hour. Each group of cards and treats should be bundled in a Ziploc type bag and handed in to the parish office to obtain a service hour letter.
Service hour letter must be picked up at the time of Valentine drop off. Here are some examples of sentiments students can write inside the cards.
• “Happy Valentine’s Day to a true patriot”
• “Happy Valentine’s Day to a real hero”
• “The commitment you’ve made means so much and is so appreciated.”
• “Thank you for your service to our country and its citizens.”
• “Sincere thanks for the big sacrifices you’ve made for our nation.”
• “You deserve thanks every day for your service.” “You made the choice to defend our country, and you deserve our deepest gratitude.”
Holy Door
“I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved” John 10:9 CrossingthethresholdoftheHolyDoorintothechurch isasymbolicpassingfromthisworldintothepresenceof God.
Elements of the Holy Year
Pilgrimage
“I am the way the truth and the life” John 14:6 Pilgrimageisanimageofdiscipleship.WeareonajourneywithChristtowardsHisKingdom. WearepilgrimsofHopeinsalvation.Apilgrimageisanactualjourneytovisitholyplaces, seekingtogrowinfaithandbecomeabetterChristian.Pilgrimageispartoftherichnessofour Catholichistory:AbrahamandMoses,theshepherdsandwisemen,thewomentotheempty tombofChrist.Weaimtomovefromsightseeingtopilgrimagebyincludingeducation, spirituality,andasenseofChristiancommunitytoourexcursions.
Read more about our local pilgrims
Quo vadis...
My Dear Parishioners:
Today we celebrate The Baptism of the Lord. These kind, merciful, and generous gifts of God are manifested to the world when we “live temperately, justly, and devoutly in this age” (second reading). Yes, the gift of divine identity and its attendant call to discipleship does make demands on us. Taking our baptism seriously means that the ritual moment is just the beginning of a lifetime of openness to God’s continuing grace “training” us to be faithful to who God has made us to be. Our share in divinity is a gift so gracious that the only response is dying to self. But in the dying is the hope of a share in eternal life because the One whose identity we share has already been raised from the dead. Living the paschal mystery means that while our life manifests dying for the sake of others we also manifest the hope that is sure because God’s ultimate gift to us is everlasting life, a promise already fulfilled.
As we conclude the Liturgical Season of Christmas, I would like to express my personal thanks for the many acts of kindness that were shown to me and our parish staff. The thoughtful greetings, the delicious baked treats, the generous gifts were truly overwhelming. Our clergy team are thankful for the gift cards and monetary offerings that have been shared with us. These personal gifts enable us to catch up
with personal expenses, support the charities we commit to, and to enjoy for time off and travel. Thank you. We have a wonderful community here and your efforts to maintain and even grow our community are an important part of evangelization. We will render to you an accounting of this year’s Christmas Collection very soon. We will continue to accept contributions to the 2024 Christmas Collection for those who have not made their gift at this time. A special word of thanks to the many parish volunteers who assisted and provided the decorations, cleaned and polished the vessels and appointments…many hands make light work. Our music ministry worked very hard to prepare for this season as they continue to expand the repertoire of polyphony and chant for our worship in the sacred liturgy. Also, a word of thanks to all of the Colts Neck Residents who decorated the outside of their homes during this Season of Advent & Christmas. The long dark nights are a perfect time for the festive lights adorning the homes of Christians in our civic community. THANK YOU!
This coming Monday we begin the Winter Ordinary Time liturgical season. We return to the green vestments, the chant mass propers until the Season of Lent begins toward the middle of March. Easter is the third week of April. Have a great week. Let us remember one another in prayer. Happy Sunday. Peace. Father Jeff
Temporal Admin., Stewardship & Outreach
Sharing Our Treasure Sunday, January 5– The Epiphany of the Lord
# Registered Parishioner Households
"They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. " Mt 2:11
Thank You for your Generosity.
Building & Mortgage Collection $6,648 Our monthly mortgage payment is $7,966.26
2024 Christmas Collection:
If you haven't made your Christmas offering to the 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.
Thankyoufor yourgenerosity!
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.
RETROUVAILLE: REDISCOVER THE LOVE IN YOUR MARRIAGE
Tens of thousands of couples have healed their marriages through Retrouvaille (pronounced Retro-vy). If you know anyone who could benefit from this program, please pass this on. Couples learn to build communication skills and to increase intimacy. It provides help for marriage problems, difficulties or crises. The next program will be held February 14 - 16, 2025 at the Family Life Center in Malvern, PA. For more information, or to register, visit www.HelpOurMarriage.org or call 215-766-3944 or 800-470-2230. All inquiries are strictly confidential.
