January 8, 2023 - Solemnity of the Epiphany

Mass Intentions for:

Saturday, January 7th - Sunday, January 15th

For * Requested by

Saturday, January 07 - 4 PM Church

Rev. Fr. Raymond Griffin * Rev. Fr. Jeffrey E. Lee, Staff & Parishioners

Margie Eastman * Verga Family Charlotte Clime Schatzle * Jim Schatzle and Family

Sunday, January 08 – Church

8 AM Pro Populo Berenice Reiss Sheerin * Jane Slattery Rose Aiello * Aiello Family

10 AM Intentions of Sue Kelly and Family * Wagner Family Klara Mirkovich * Maria and Severino Salamon

12 PM Bridget Cuccia * Sena Family Eleanor and Patrick Walsh * Maureen Beyer Tom and Bob Walsh and Rose Lunz * Maureen Beyer

Monday, January 09 – 9 AM Chapel

Carlos Martins * Lorraine Martins

Tuesday, January 10 - 9 AM Chapel

Dr. Ruby Poscablo Lim * Drs. Elvira and Gener Dapul PVT Charles H. Haber, Jr. * Carol and Frank Donahue

Wednesday, January 11 – 9 AM Chapel

Wilfreda Poscablo * Drs. Gener and Elvira Dapul Paulette Buda * Irene Sessa

Thursday, January 12 – 9 AM Chapel

Raymond Monahan * Capardi Family Noreen Burkis * Valeria Burkis

Friday, January 13 - 9 AM Chapel

Donna Tapp * Jean and Chet Galloway

Saturday, January 14 – 4 PM Church Mary Resko * Jon and Mary Kopko Mr. and Mrs. Colantuono * Catherine Love Sergio Dos Santos and Antonio Ferreira * Dos Santos Family

Sunday, January 15 - Church

8 AM Richard Stivala * Michael and Eileen Stivala Gerard Boyle * Aiello Family William Nolan * Joyce Flynn

10 AM Lois Palladino * John Palladino and Family Susan Duenas * Rita and Michael Duenas

12 PM Pro Populo

Antoinetta Lardieri * Rosetta Lardieri Viola and John Barlotta * Vazzana Family

Please pray for the following members of our parish family who are ill:

KathleenAmatel

MichaelBarker

JaniceBasilice

FrBillBausch

EileenBeckley

BrendaCaronna

ChristenChellis

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 e-mailtheParishOffice.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

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

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 TSgt Stephen Witherow, USAF LCpl Edward Zarzecki, USMC

Please pray for those in our RCIA who are preparing to come into full Communion with the Catholic Church this Easter:

Gianna Innucci

Miranda Mason

Dianna Weber

Shawn Woodward

READINGS FOR THE WEEK

8 Sunday: Solemnity of the Epiphany

Is 60:1-6 / Eph 3:2-3a, 5-6 / Mt 2:1-12

9 Monday: Is 42:1-4, 6-7 / Mt 3:13-17 10 Tuesday: Heb 2:5-12 / Mk 1:21-28 11 Wednesday: Heb 2:14-18 / Mk 1:29-39 12 Thursday: Heb 3:7-14 / Mk 1:40-45 13 Friday: Heb 4:1-16 / Mk 2:1-12 14 Saturday: Heb 4:12-16 / Mk 2:13-17

FOR DEEPER REFLECTION:

Question for Children: In your life, who helps you to see Jesus in other people such as a classmate or a friend?

Question for Youth: Life can sometimes be rough: losing your home, moving, feeling fear or danger. How do you experience God being and staying with you in such times?

Question for Adults: How this past week did you demonstrate God’s love at home and at work?

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.

Attendance is mandatory for those wishing to become parishioners at the Parish of St. Mary. Please contact the Parish Office if you wish to attend 732-780-2666

Mass Intention Requests

Requests can be made in person by stopping at the parish office, or online HERE.

The suggested stipend is $10.

Please remember in your prayers those who have recently died.

Worship & Music

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 technically 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 all 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 then spend time in travel after the holiday, coming together on the 12th day to exchange gifts. Today, some churches hold Little Christmas events, especially those with a grammar school community.

This year, due to the way the Church and civic calendars align, the Baptism of the Lord does not occur one week following Epiphany; rather, it occurs on Monday January 9th and Ordinary Time begins on Tuesday the 10th.

Saint of the Week: Agnes, Virgin and Martyr, c. 291-304

As is the case with many of the early saints, much of what we know about Agnes is based on legend. What is generally agreed upon is that Agnes was a young girl when she died (thirteen years of age according to St. Ambrose and St. Augustine). She was a very beautiful girl and of a wealthy Roman family. Read more HERE.

Speak with a Priest

Struggling with a life event and in need of spiritual assistance?

Want to celebrate the Sacrament of Penance outside the normal Confession times?

Trying to find your way back to engagement with the Church?

Discerning vocation?

Looking to complete your Sacraments of Initiation and wish to chat about the journey? St Mary is offering the opportunity for parishioners to chat with a priest who is only indirectly engaged with the parish.

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

Worship

Schedule: Second Sunday in Ordinary Time Saturday, January 14th - Sunday, January 15th

Organ Host - Louise Habrack

Tabernacle Host - Emily Santangelo Tabernacle Host - Irene Weller

Alternate - Martha Cowles Sunday 8AM

Server Needed Server Needed Carly York Annette Raynor Kevin Swan

Organ Host - Marsha Grigoli Tabernacle Host - Justine Buzzetta Tabernacle Host - Joseph Flanagan

Alternate - Jane Slattery

Organ Host - Steve Stanley Tabernacle Host - Sue Fitzpatrick Tabernacle Host - Maureen Geiger

- Gregory Calderaro

Organ Host - Lee Gesner Tabernacle Host - Monica Barr Tabernacle Host - Patricia Gesner Alternate - Minister Needed

Baptismal Preparation Session

St Mary Parish is offering our next Baptismal Preparation Session on: SUNDAY, FEBRARY 5, 2023 at 1:00 PM

Pre-registrationisrequired aweekinadvance. ContactUs

Sacrament of Baptism Couples wishing to baptize their children must be registered parishioners of St Mary Parish. Please contact the Parish Office at 732-780-2666 x329 at least 3 months in advance of the desired date for baptism. More information can be read HERE

Liturgy of the Word Dismissal

This is the practice of having the 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.

Altar Server Cantor Reader 1 Reader 2 EMHC Saturday

Zarraga

Mendez

Julia CullenPastoral Coordinator of Faith Formation / Religion Education ReligiousEd@stmaryscoltsneck.org 732-780-2666 X 309

Rose FarrowCoordinator of Faith Formation / Youth & Adult Catechesis YouthRE@stmaryscoltsneck.org 732-780-2666 X 310

We welcome back all of our Religious Education students beginning the week of January 8, 2023. We hope you all had both a restful and meaningful Christmas vacation. We wish you all a Happy 2023 filled with Gods blessings. We are officially at the half way point for our Re Fall program. Be sure to check in with your catechists with any attendance questions, as all students are only allotted a certain amount of excused absences. All students in the fall & summer programs must also complete their intergenerational/service hour requirements for the 22/23 school year.

Summer Religious Education Early Registration/ Re-Registration opens on 1 February 2023 for the 23/24 RE program. Please mark your calendars as it is a first come, first serve and classes will be closed when 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 8, 2023.

Thank you in advance for your generosity & commitment.

CALLING ALL CERTIFIED SCHOOL TEACHERS

Do you have a desire to grow and share the faith? Are you interested in making a difference to a child or teen?

Become a ‘Catechist’ will make all the difference here at the parish. As disciples we are called to share the Good News and create new disciples. Training and Support is Provided! God doesn’t always call the qualified. He qualifies the called! Are you being called?

You are invited to “The Art of Catechesis.” Click here to register This 6-hour course provides the support and encouragement, as well as the skills and tools a Catechist needs to pass on the faith. Join us to learn about this ministry!

Instructor: Mary Mykityshyn, PCL

Location: Saint Gabriel Church, 100 N. Main Street, Marlboro 07746

Sessions: Wednesday evenings; 1/25, 2/1, 2/8 from 6:30-8:30pm

Click here to register Questions: Michelle Angelo, Associate Director of Catechesis mangelo@dioceseoftrenton.org https://dioceseoftrenton.org/art-of-catechesis-1

Mass Schedule:

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

Feast: Baptism of the Lord

Monday, January 9th

9:00 am Mass (Chapel)

Standing Together for Life

- Mass/Speaker Event in Freehold

On Friday Jan. 20, 2023, the faithful of the Diocese of Trenton will come together in prayer and solidarity to proclaim the sanctity of all human life.

All are invited to a Mass for Life celebrated by Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., in St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral, 61 Georgia Rd., Freehold, beginning at 11 a.m. Mass will be livestreamed on Youtube.com/trentondiocese

The Mass will be followed by a luncheon and speaker seminar in the Co-Cathedral’s Dentici Hall. Author and speaker Dr. Charles Camosy will be our keynote speaker. His talk and conversations that follow are intended to help us build a Culture of Life in this post-Roe world by working together as one church and stepping out of the politics and divisions that often separate us. Advanced registration to attend the luncheon and seminar is required by Jan. 10, 2023. Registration and information can be found here: dioceseoftrenton.org/ standing-together-for-life

Quo vadis . . .

My Dear Parishioners:

Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Epiphany of our Lord. Christianity is a “show thee state” because we are to demonstrate to others our faith in action. Believing always plays itself out in living. Believing is expressed in the “showing” of our everyday living. The pattern of our own lives is that of the magi: seek, encounter, homage, selfgiving. An important lesson here for living is that authentic homage (i.e. worship) naturally leads to living in the Light. Worship, then, is more than what happens in church on Sunday. It is the light of our own selves that shines throughout our weekdays, witnessing to our own encounters with the Light. Our very living must proclaim “the praises of the Lord”. The Lord continues to be revealed even in our own time. Sometimes we are keenly aware of the Lord’s presence…sometimes we miss it altogether. We are called to reflect on this reality in our lives and how we make the Lord more present through our daily choices.

I am so very grateful to all who helped prepare our parish for the Christmas Season: those who cleaned, decorated, changed light bulbs, placed figurines in the crèche, shined brass appointments, practiced music, photocopied, folded and mailed letters, dropped off baked goods to the parish house, shared Christmas Cheer and generously supported our parish community with your Christmas Stewardship Offering. I learned of those things that worked so very well in service to our parishioners and those areas that need some improvement. All things in time as I continue to listen, observe, learn, consult and act. I am grateful for all that you do

and for the way in which our parish community prays together.

Let’s keep the Christmas Spirit alive in our homes and in our hearts as we continue to make our journey through this great season. This coming Monday, 9 January, is the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord which marks the conclusion of the Christmas Season Liturgically. May the infant child Jesus continue to inspire us and all people to become the very best we can become. If you have not made your 2022 Christmas Gift to our parish, please do so as soon as possible so that we can render an accounting to you.

As I write these thoughts our Church prayerfully remembers the life and ministry of His Holiness, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. We pray for the repose of his soul. Together, with Catholics throughout the world, we thank God for the gift of the Bishop of Rome, successor to Saint Peter, for the oversight that office exercises in service to the unity of the Church. Rest in Peace!

Last Friday our New Mayor and Township Committee Members took their respective oaths of office. Mrs. Fitzpatrick will be serving as Mayor for the calendar year 2023. Let us keep our public servants in our prayer. Have a great week. Let us remember one another in prayer. In the name of our Parish Staff I wish each and every one of you a very Happy, Healthy and Holy New Year 2023. Peace. Father Jeff

Temporal Admin., Stewardship & Outreach

Sharing Our Treasure

January 1, 2023 – Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God

Edwin A. SevillanoTemporalAdmin@stmaryscoltsneck.org

*OurChristmascollectionreportwillbepublishedafterthe conclusionoftheChristmasseason

“Forheshallrescuethepoorwhenhecriesout,and theafflictedwhenhehasnoonetohelphim.Heshall havepityforthelowlyandthepoor;thelivesofthe poorheshallsave."Ps72:12-13

THANK YOU for your generosity.

Building & Mortgage Collection $3,832 Our monthly mortgage payment is $7,966.25

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.

2022 Christmas Collection:

Thank you to all our parishioners who have made your Christmas offerings. We will publish a report of donations at the conclusion of the Christmas season. If you have not made an offering yet please do so using the Christmas offering envelope or make your gift by ACH or credit card through our online giving system at http:// bit.ly/2Ec6vu5. Thankyouforyourgenerosity!

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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.

2022 End of Year Contribution Statement

Statement of charitable contributions for calendar year 2022 will be available on or about January 17, 2023. 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 2022 contributions, please provide a self-addressed stamped envelope to the parish office by mail or drop it in the collection basket by January 31, 2023. Requests will be processed & mailed by the end of January. Please do not make your request by phone.

Martha Mary Guild Program for January

Our first program presentation for 2023 will be on Wednesday, January 11, with a guest from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI NJ), which celebrated its 20th Anniversary, regarding their Signature Program “InOurOwn Voice”. This powerful program aims to change attitudes, assumptions, and stereotypes about people living with mental health conditions. There will be a video presentation, and our guest speaker, Laavanya, will share her story. The value of having that personal experience shared directly by people living the challenges cannot be overstated.

All women of the parish and our Cohort parishes are invited to join us at 11:30 a.m. in the Spiritual Center for the praying of the rosary. BYOB (Bring Your Own Lunch), with refreshments supplied by the Guild, will be at noon in Madonna Hall. The program will commence around 12:30. Hopetoseeyouthere!

Volunteer Crisis Hotline Training January 2023

The next (12-week) training class for telephone volunteers for CONTACT (24-hour crisis intervention hotline) will begin on Wednesday, January 18, 2023, once a week for 12 weeks, every Wednesday from 6:30 -9:30 P.M. In person training will be held at St. Luke’s Church, 1674 Old Freehold Rd., Toms River. CONTACT, a free and confidential service, has been assisting with the needs of individuals throughout the community since 1975, by providing a safe place for callers to talk about their problems with anonymity. Information and referrals are provided when requested. For additional training information, please call the CONTACT office – 732-240-6104.

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

Join our family today!

Flexible schedule for children 2 and up. Small class sizes. Research based curriculum. Call 732-780-0135 today for more information

YOUNG ADULT RETREAT

February 10-12 2023

Marianist

Family Retreat Center

Cape May Point, NJ 08212

Come join other young adults (ages 22-35) married or single, to take a step back from our busy lives, This will be a time to examine your personal faith and your relationship with God, your family members and yourself. Our time will be filled with prayer experiences, peer group discussions, Eucharist and lots of fun! Cost $145 per person Register at: www.capemaymarianists.org or call 609-884-3829 Some financial aid is available

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!

PERSONAL RETREAT DAYS

Wednesday, January 11 & Friday, January 13 9:30 AM – 2:30 PM

Take a day away from the busyness of your life. Come to Francis House for silence, personal prayer, and optional spiritual direction. The day begins and ends with a brief prayer together. Please bring a bag lunch. Donation: $10; $40 with spiritual direction.

A CONTEMPLATIVE TELLING OF THE STORY

MARY & HER SON

4 Mondays 9:30 – 11:30 AM January 16 February 6 March 6 April 3 Enter the heart of Mary through the contemplative words of John Lynch’s spiritual classic, A Woman Wrapped in Silence. We will use the second half of this wonderful narrative to help us to go deeper into the humility and strength of the Blessed Mother and her love for her son and us all. Donation: $80

Offerings at The Upper Room Spiritual Center 3455 West Bangs Avenue, Building 2 Neptune, NJ 07753 e-mail: office@theupper-room.org Please check www.theupperroom.org

THE POWER OF YOUR STORY

5 Mondays 1:00 – 3:00 PM January 16 February 13 March 13 April 17 May 15

There is an axiom which states God loves us because God knows our story! The question is, do we? Using the wisdom of Ignatian Spirituality, as shared in Eric Clayton’s book, Cannonball Moments, give yourself the gift of delving ever more deeply into the heart of your spiritual story. Donation: $100

MELT THE FROZEN, WARM THE CHILL

Tuesday, January 17 9:30 AM – 1:00 PM Is your heart frozen with worry and your soul chilled by fear? This winter retreat day promises to help heal your worried heart and warm your chilly soul with the fire of God’s Divine Love. Donation: $25, includes lunch. Zoom: $20.