Bulletin for January 3, 2021 – The Epiphany 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 3, 2021

Epiphany of the Lord

Your light has come!

Isaiah 60:1-6

An Abbreviated Mass schedule will be observed for the Holy Family and Epiphany weekends.

Epiphany of the Lord Saturday, January 2 - 4:00 pm Sunday, January 3 - 10:00 am Baptism of the Lord Saturday, January 9- 4:00 pm Sunday, January 10 - 8:00 am, 10:00 am 12:00 pm

www.stmaryscoltsneck.org

January 3, 2021

Mass Intentions for the Week of January 2 - January 10 For * Requested by Saturday, January 2 – 4 PM Church Pro Populo Intentions of Leonidas Mavrookas* Suzanne Schlesinger Helen Ostrander * Weighell Family Sunday, January 3 – Church The Epiphany of the Lord 10 AM Salvatore Castro * Castro Family Robert A. McNamara * McNamara Family DeStefano/Albruno Families * Mr. and Mrs. Franceschetti Monday, January 4 – 9 AM Chapel Dan Lawrence * Diane Carnevale Special Intention * Suzanne Schlesinger Tuesday, January 5 – 9 AM Chapel Salvatore Castro * Lucille Castro Wednesday, January 6 – 9 AM Chapel Andrij Rudko * Paolo and Eric DiNapoli and Family Thursday, January 7 – 9 AM Chapel Rev. Fr. Raymond Griffin * Rev. Fr. Jeffrey E. Lee, Staff and Parishioners Charlotte Clime Schatzle * Jim Schatzle and Family Friday, January 8 – 9 AM Chapel Guisseppina Susino * Aiossa Family 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 and 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

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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 The Grotto Candles are available for your prayer intentions.

Offering is $3.00 per candle.

The Parish Office will be closed for New Years Wednesday, Dec. 31.

Reopen on Sunday, Jan. 3 at 9 am.

www.stmaryscoltsneck.org

January 3, 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 4 - January 10 READINGS FOR THE WEEK

4 Mon 5 Tue 6 Wed 7 Thu 8 Fri

1 Jn 3:22—4:6/Mt 4:12-17, 23-25 1 Jn 4:7-10/Mk 6:34-44 1 Jn 4:11-18/Mk 6:45-52 1 Jn 4:19—5:4/Lk 4:14-22a 1 Jn 5:5-13/Lk 5:12-16

Sunday, January 10th Baptism of the Lord Is 55:1-11/1 Jn 5:1-9/Mk 1:7-11 Questions for Deeper Reflection Question for Children: Why does Baptism make you special?

Question for Youth: You were baptized as a member of the Christian community. What does it mean to you to belong to this community? How is it a support in your life?

Question for Adults: What meaning does your Baptism have for your everyday life?

- 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.

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

Rest in Peace Please remember in your prayers, those who have recently died.

Nicholas Cappelleri

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

www.stmaryscoltsneck.org

January 3, 2021

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

The Epiphany of The Lord Although this holy day falls on January 6, (the 12th day of Christmas), the date on which the Epiphany is celebrated changes annually, as it is always transferred to a Sunday celebration. The purpose of the day is to commemorate the theophany of the Christ, the revelation of his coming in holiness to the peoples of the world, as represented by the magi, who travelled far to meet the infant Jesus.

In some Eastern European countries, clergy would travel throughout the villages blessing homes on this day, commemorating the visit of the magi to the temporary home of the Holy Family. This tradition has carried over to some parts of the world, with the blessing of homes taking place between the Epiphany and Candlemas (February 2nd).

The custom of Little Christmas is observed in some parts of the world as well. Families who would need to travel considerable distances to be with loved ones would place the focus of the Christmas holiday on attending Mass at their local churches and travel after the holiday, coming together on the 12th day to exchange gifts. Today, some churches hold Little Christmas events, some organizations hold “winter parties� for their employees around this time other than around Christmas.

The celebration of the Season of Christmas continues for one more week until the Baptism of the Lord.

www.stmaryscoltsneck.org

January 3, 2021

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Worship Schedule: January 9 - January 10: The Baptism of the Lord Altar Server

EMHC

Reader 1

Reader 2

Cantor

Usher

Saturday, 4:00 PM (Church)

Alexander Lennon Sophia Lennon Altar Server Needed

Emily Santangelo - Organ Host Suzanne Schlesinger Tabernacle Host Louise Habrack - Alt

Bruno Savo

Charles Young

Cantor Needed

Usher Needed Usher Needed

Sunday, 8:00 AM (Church)

Ashley Austin Daniel Austin Altar Server Needed

Marsha Grigoli - Alt

Kevin Swan

Rita Duenas

Bridget Farrow

Usher Needed Usher Needed

Sunday, 10:00 AM (Church)

Gabriella Penczak Alessandra Zilinski Altar Server Needed

Helen DeCerce - Organ Host Edward Moskal - Tabernacle Host Barbara Moskal - Alt

Julia Cullen

Carl Simone

David Maliakel

Greg Penczak Usher Needed

Patricia Gesner - Alt

Sunday, 12:00 PM (Church)

Altar Server Needed Altar Server Needed Altar Server Needed

Richard Gerbino

Alicia Mendez

David Maliakel

James Dolan Joseph Rinaldo

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 a public gathering the weekend Mass will be available online.  Monday through Friday 9 am Daily Mass in the chapel in the Parish Hall - do not arrive prior to 8:30 AM

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

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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

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 The Way, the Truth, and the Life is a new and fresh look at Jesus—who he is, what he is really like, what he taught, and what he did for our salvation. This encounter with Christ will inspire and empower you to center your entire life on him as you come to know and love him in an ever-deeper and more intimate way.

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

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.

The work of the MCA supports MISSION churches in dioceses located in Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, Oceania and the Americas.

The funds raised by MCA members are directed towards health and nutrition programs, building and maintaining orphanages and secure homes for children in need, the building of schools, educational supplies, and catechesis and learning resources.

www.stmaryscoltsneck.org

January 3, 2021

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

Social Outreach Contributions The 7th and 8th grade Confirmation Prep classes of religious education has sponsored a family and made donations to the parish Social Outreach/ Charitable Appeals for Christmas. The approximate breakdown is as follows:  $350 of cash was used to purchase Visa and Shoprite gift cards for our assigned ASLAN ministry family  $150 of cash was used to purchase gifts for the family  An estimated $400-$500 worth of gift donations from the family’s wish list were made  An additional estimated $100 of food and stocking stuffer donations were made  $50 of remaining cash donations were made to Social Outreach/Charitable Appeals for CPC  $275 of Target gift card donations were made for CPC  One student ran a neighborhood toy drive and donated a dozen toys to Social Outreach

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

"Our lives resemble a search, a hunt for the Pearl of great price; and all our thoughts and actions must be geared toward the finding of the Treasure we seek."

- Mother Angelica

www.stmaryscoltsneck.org

January 3, 2021

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Quo vadis…

My Dear Parishioners: Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Epiphany of Our Lord. What does it mean for our everyday life to have the glory of the Lord shine upon us? What happens if we would lead our life as if the star stopped on us? The answer to these questions is most startling when we consider the gospel as a whole: what it means and what happens is that the only way to light and life is to die to self so that darkness can be overcome. Living the paschal mystery means that even in this joyous season the cross is not far away. Salvation means emptying oneself just as Jesus did—from his very birth. Salvation is manifested in our self-emptying. Life has its pits and its thorns. It also has its cherries and roses: the mystery of salvation has been revealed in Jesus. And continues to be revealed in us.

A new calendar year will begin soon. What will be the priorities in our lives? The search for balance is an on-going challenge for many of us.

Work-Play-Service-Family-Church-PrayerHealthy Eating-Exercise are but a few of the ingredients to wholesome spiritual living. We need to be conscious about our daily choices and how they move us forward or hold us back from becoming our very best self. Let’s not choose to let this important opportunity slip before us because of our indifference or maybe even our own stubbornness. All of this is undertaken within the parameters of our response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Good choices for ourselves and others.

In the name of our parish staff I would like to wish everyone a very Happy, Healthy, and Holy New Year. We have so many blessings in our lives, even during these challenging times, for which we are to be grateful. Cultivating an attitude of gratitude is one way in which we distinguish ourselves from others. The Eucharist is the place where we are reminded of the many and varied blessings in our lives. So let us be a people of gratitude not just at this time, but throughout the year. I realize this is very difficult with the restrictions that are to be observed.

However, we will emerge from this and I hope and pray stronger than ever, more faith-filled than ever, more other centered than ever. It is important that we stay the course in the coming months.

In the weekly bulletin there is a report regarding our parish participation in the Adopt A Family program. We thank Kathy, those who assisted her and all who participated to provide for 37 families! This is such an awesome response as we continue to grow in our awareness of serving those in need. In the coming weeks we will provide you with an accounting of the 2020 Christmas Collection. If you have not made your gift to the Christmas Collection as of this time, please do so this coming week. Next weekend, 9/10 January 2021 is the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord which concludes the liturgical season of Christmas, our regular schedule of weekend Masses will return for your convenience. Have a great week. Let us remember one another in prayer. Happy New Year. Happy Sunday.

Peace. Father Jeff

www.stmaryscoltsneck.org

January 3, 2021

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

Sharing Our Treasure December 27 - Feast of Holy Family Weekly Sacrificial Stewardship

$ 13,015

Envelope Contributions

$ 8,131

Electronic/Online Contributions

$ 4,462

Loose Contributions

$

422

Avg. Contribution per Household this week $ 42.98 # of Contributing Households

293

# Registered Parishioner Households

992

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 selfaddressed 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.

Are you looking for a safe, loving, educational and nurturing environment where your child will get the attention and care that they deserve?

Give Future Generation a call!

Located at The Parish of Saint Mary 1 Phalanx Road, Colts Neck 732-780-0135 jessica@fgkids.org

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

PANTRY FOOD ITEMS Food is accepted weekly. Please place donations in the grey cart in the gathering space of the Church. Please, no expired items.

Thank you to all for your continued support in helping to feed others in the community.

MOST NEEDED LIST Razors, shaving cream Macaroni & Cheese Canned Vegetables Instant Mashed Potatoes Cooking Oil Ketchup, mustard, Mayo Bottled Water (all sizes) Cookies, Pretzels, Crackers Peanut Butter Salad Dressings Cake mixes, frosting Soups: Chicken, Beef Baby food & Formula Baby Diapers (size 4 & up) Feminine Care Products Soap, shampoo, toothpaste Adult incontinence (all kinds)

Cereal Instant Oatmeal Rice Juice Canned Puddings Jell-O Canned Fruit Canned Tuna Canned Salmon Raisins Healthy Snacks Tea Coffee Deodorant Sunscreen Body Lotion

www.stmaryscoltsneck.org

January 3, 2021

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Dear Amazing Sponsors, When I started the Sponsor-A-Family program for this year, I remember meeting with Aslan in the fall to go over the specifics. I also remember saying to them that, given the current state of the country with Covid, I really didn't know how many families we would be able to sponsor. I thought sponsors would be nervous to go into a store and shop, and I also thought families would be nervous to accept items that they hadn't bought themselves. I could not have been more wrong. In a time with so many innocent people losing their lives to Covid, political fighting, and endless debates over wearing masks, I had some very dark days when I thought, "Is there really any good in humanity?" And I truly believe that when I feel this overwhelming sadness, God puts something in my life to remind me that yes, there is still good in this crazy world, and that reminder is ALL OF YOU. While I know I say thank you whenever I am emailing you, I really can't adequately express my appreciation in an email. And so, let me tell you a little about all the wonderful people that make up Sponsor-A-Family.

Every year, I have a group of sponsors that I always count on to say to me, "Yes Kathy, you can count me in like you have done for so many years!"—they don't say the "like you have done for so many years," but I needed to add that. These wonderful people sponsor families every year—some of which have up to six or seven members. Some of these sponsors are family friends or neighbors who work together to sponsor multiple families, and some sponsor the same family year after year and know them so well that if I mess up on a bit of family information, they know it and gently correct me. And some sponsors may have a year where they are unable to sponsor, but sure enough, they are back to it the following year. One group sponsors in memory of a wonderful woman who passed away two years ago who sponsored every year. This year, I had 12 new sponsors of completely different backgrounds and groups, from the Martha Mary Guild, to a sorority, to a pregnant mom, to a brother and sister, to Ranney School, and the list goes on and on.

When I sent out the particulars on the program and asked if they were sure they wanted to sponsor, the answer was always "of course." Some sponsors just got their list last week and they are already done and delivered. To all the constant sponsors and to all the new sponsors that heard about this program from the St. Mary's bulletin or a friend, THANK YOU. You have shown me the best of humanity. This year we sponsored 37 FAMILIES, THE MOST EVER!!!! All of you realized the pain and sadness so many people are facing, and even if you were nervous to shop and deliver, you put a family in need before you. Again, thank you.

Thank you, my friends, for making this a beautiful Christmas for so many families in need, and for me. Wishing all of you and your families a blessed Christmas and a new year that is filled with hope, happiness, and love!

Warmest regards, Kathy