The parish of saint Mary
A Catholic Community Proclaiming the Greatness of God in our Time
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
June 1, 2025
SUMMER OFFICE HOURS
The Parish Office will be open Monday through Thursday from 9 AM to 2 PM through August 29,2025. The office will also continue to open one Sunday a month from 9 AM to 1 PM.
Thank you for your cooperation
Mass Intentions for:
Saturday May 31 2025 - Sunday June 8 2025
Saturday, May 31
5PM
Harold J. Fiedler * Susan and James Gobat
Joseph Puzo * Jane Slattery
Robert Monaco MD by Jack & Rory Coppola
Sunday, June 1 - 8AM
Pro Populo
Gloria Ziemienski * Eileen & Michael Stivala, Jr.
Eleanore Dore * Alice Ganley
10AM
Michael Capardi * Capardi Family
Pasqual & Donata Cannarozzi * Family
Cynthia Amatel * Dorothy Cook
12PM
Robert A. & Mary Joan McNamara * The McNamara Family Intention's of Loving Family Members * Janet Munger
Margaret A. Zampetti * Edwin Sevillano
Monday, June 2 - 9AM - Chapel
Teodulo Poscablo * Drs. Gener & Elvira Dapul Intentions of Marianne Dickey * Linda Fredda
Tuesday, June 3 – 9AM - Chapel
Cecila Pieroni * Maureen Valenziano
Intentions of Filomena DePierro * Fredda Family
Wednesday, June 4 - 9AM - Chapel
Gertrude Brier * Turkovic Family
Joseph Paris * Patrick & Jaylynn Slattery
Thursday, June 5 - 9AM - Chapel
Margaret Miller * Susan Miller
Friday, June 6 – 9AM - Chapel
D DAY Remembrance * Carol Donahue
Saturday, June 7 - 5PM
Loretta Saake by Barbara Saake
Christopher Costello by Jane Slattery
Robert Monaco MD by Jeanne and Matthew Cerbone
Sunday June 8– 8AM
Owsen Doonan * Phyllis & Hugh Murphy
Santiago Tapia * Rita Duenas
10AM
Pro Populo
Salvatore Rapaglia * Joseph, Dawn & Abigail Burtone
Frances Teeple * The Quigley Family
12PM
Deceased members of the Mustillo Family * The Gruenling Family
Mario Grillo * The Favieri & Cutrupi Family
Loving Family Members * Janet Munger
Brendan, Abbot, c. 484-577
Brendan is a very popular Irish saint about whom little is known outside of legend. He was probably born near Tralee in Kerry, Ireland. When he was six, he was sent to a monastic school in Tuam for his education. He was ordained in 512 by Bishop St. Erc.
Brendan founded many monasteries in Ireland. The most famous of these, Clonfort, was a center of missionary activity for many centuries. Some three thousand monks lived, worked, studied, and prayed there under his direction.
Brendan made many missionary journeys by small sailing boat (a curragh) around Ireland and to England, Scotland and Wales, but his most famous journey, lasting from five to seven years, was to the Land of Promise. His epic manuscript on this adventure, Navigatio Sancti Brendani Abbatis, was translated into many languages and was a best seller in Europe in the Middle Ages.
Read More HERE
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 June 1 June 7
READINGS FOR THE WEEK:
Ascension of the Lord June 1
Acts 1:1-11/Eph 1:17-23 or Heb 9:24-28; 10:19-23/Lk 24:46-53
Monday June 2
Acts 19:1-8/Jn 16:29-33
Tuesday June 3
Acts 20:17-27/Jn 17:1-11a
Wednesday June 4
Acts 20:28-38/Jn 17:11b-19
Thursday June 5
Acts 22:30; 23:6-11/Jn 17:20-26
Friday June 6
Acts 25:13b-21/Jn 21:15-19
Saturday June 7
Acts 28:16-20, 30-31/Jn 21:20-25
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
FOR DEEPER REFLECTION:
Question for Children: Jesus tells us He is always with us. Name a time this past week when you knew that God was with you in a special way.
Question for Youth: Jesus prayed for his disciples, that others might believe in him through their words. How are you spreading your belief in Jesus through your words and actions? Do others know who Jesus is by knowing you?
Question for Adults: Jesus invites us to be one with God. Name a moment when you were one with God this past week.
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:
Ann Romano
Jack Coppola
Kaitlin Donahue Nagle
Nancy Niven
David Niven
Lorraine & Alan Smith
Lori Lettieri
Lauren vinci
Dawn Reinhardt
Helen Prill
PATTY Kamertz
Rose walch
Joyce daniel
Edward Habrack
Jeff McBride
Owen Shoemaker
Peter Vickers
Debby Tanico
Toaddorremoveafamilymemberfromthesicklistpleasee-mailONLY parishbulletin@stmaryscoltsneck.org. Please,also,keepusupdatedonyourlovedone’shealth. Nameswillberemovedfromthelistafter3months.ThankyouforkeepingourParishinformed.
Worship & Music
The Ascension of the Lord
Andrew J. Macirowski - Pastoral Coordinator for Worship & Music / Principal Organist Worship@stmaryscoltsneck.org Music@stmaryscoltsneck.org
The Solemnity of the Ascension, traditionally celebrated 40 days after Easter, is as such to make symmetry with the 40 days of Lent that precede the Sacred Paschal Triduum. The Solemnity of Pentecost, which occurs on the 50th day after Easter, allows for a novena (9 days of prayer) to be observed between the two celebrations.
In the United States, the ecclesiastical provinces of Boston, Hartford, New York, Omaha, and Philadelphia observe Ascension Thursday as a Holy Day of Obligation. This includes: Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York,, Nebraska, and Pennsylvania. In all other US provinces, the Solemnity is transferred to and replaces the 7th Sunday of Easter. While this may allow a greater convenience to the faithful, especially in those areas of the country where priests are at an even greater shortage and parishes are many miles apart, the symbolism of the numbers falls to the wayside, as do the readings for the 7th Sunday of Easter.
* In 2022, the Archdiocese of Newark permanently transferred the Ascension to the 7th Sunday of Easter, thus we will observe this Solemnity this weekend. *
This solemnity commemorates Jesus’ ascension into heaven, an important tenet of our Catholic Christian faith, professed in both the Apostle’s Creed and the Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed. The Ascension event is a key component of our understanding of the post-Easter narratives and the concept of the holy trinity. This event is the return of the Son to the Father which precedes the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles 10 days later. Another key theological aspect ties into the resurrection - Jesus was resurrected by the will of the Father and through the Father’s power, but Jesus ascends by his own will and power, the final earthly manifestation of his might and glory, until he comes again.
“Easter Duty”
The Catholic Church requires of us as baptized Catholics to observe the following:
The obligation, the privilege really, of receiving the Eucharist at least once a year --- often called “Easter duty” for those in the state of grace should still be fulfilled during the period from the First Sunday of Lent, March 9, 2025 to Trinity Sunday, June 15, 2025. However, the Church’s law does permit this precept to be fulfilled at another time during the year when there is a just cause.
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 the chapel to engage in the Liturgy of the Word at a level more appropriate to the children’s understanding.
Saturday, 7 5PM
Ministry Schedule: Pentecost Sunday Saturday June 7 & Sunday June 8
Jonathan Stubbs (Sub Req) NOT FILLED Cantor/ Choir Jennifer Stubbs
Mary Ellen Griffin
Sunday, 8 8 AM
George Barasky Joseph Barasky Carly York Joe Ventura
Annette Raynor
OH - Elvira Dapul MD
TH - Emily Santangelo
TH - Richard Gerbino
ALT - Monica Barr
OH - Marsha Grigoli
TH - Maureen Staub
TH - Joyce Flynn
ALT - Michael Staub
OH - Carol Donahue
Sunday, 8 10 AM
Suzanne Duarte RJ Vaina Carly York Barbara Schaflin Steve Rumsby
Sunday, 8 12 PM
Jack Schatzle Jack Main Bridget Farrow Charles Young Richard Gerbino
Our Promise to Protect
The Diocese of Trenton is committed to the initiatives outlined in the U.S. Bishops’ Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People and to its own policies and guidelines in regard to the reporting and investigation of sexual abuse allegations involving minors. If you have been sexually abused as a minor by a member of the clergy or anyone representing the Catholic Church, or if you know of someone who was, you can report that abuse through the diocesan ABUSE HOTLINE: 1-888-296-2965 or via e-mail at abuseline@dioceseoftrenton.org. The Diocese of Trenton reports any allegations of sexual abuse to the appropriate law enforcement agencies. Anyone with an allegation is also encouraged to provide that information to local law enforcement authorities. Child Protection Efforts
TH – Sue Fitpatrick
TH - Fran Vaina
ALT – NOT FILLED
OH - Ron Gabbard
TH – Liz Turkovic
TH - Nick Turkovic
ALT – Dawn Reinhardt
Baptismal Preparation Session
St Mary Parish is offering our next Baptismal Preparation Session on: Tuesday, June 3, 2025 @ 6:30 PM Pre-registrationisrequired aweekin advance. ContactUs
Please remember in your prayers those who have recently died. Anna Pancila
Solemnity Ascension of the Lord
O God, the King of glory, you have exalted your only Son Jesus Christ with great triumph to your kingdom in heaven: Do not leave us comfortless, but send us your Holy Spirit to strengthen us, and exalt us to that place where our Savior Christ has gone before; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen. (LectionaryPage.net)
Faith Formation Julia Cullen - Pastoral Coordinator of Faith Formation / Religion Ed ReligiousEd@stmaryscoltsneck.org
732-780-2666
X 309
Religious Education Fall Program
Fall Program runs Sept. ’25-May ‘26
For all children in elementary RE & Confirmation Prep
Registration/Reregistration LINK
Registration closes on 31 May 2025
Late Fees Will Apply
SAVE THE DATE
Summer Orientations are next Month: June 22 or June 29 check the calendar for details
“From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the Lord is to be praised.” (Psalm 118:24)
Confirmation Reminders
-Confirmation Retreat : 14 September 2025, beginning at 10am mass and following in Madonna Hall. Mandatory for all Confirmandi and Sponsors
-Confirmation Rehearsal : 11 October 2025, 4pm mass followed by rehearsal in the church
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION LINKS
2024 - 2025
• Parent - Student 24/25 Handbook
• Intergenerational List
• Intergenerational Recording link
Religious Education Calendar
22 June 2025
Summer Intensive Orientation Beginning at 12pm mass, Following in the chapel (FHC- 1 & 2, CF- A, B, C & D)
29 June 2025
Summer Intensive Orientation Beginning at 10am mass, Following in the church (FHC- 1 & 2, CF- A, B, C & D)
Confirmation Prep
• Please have your child keep both their Youth Bible & Chosen book in a safe place. Both are needed next year in CP-2. This will ensure not having to purchase another set of books.
• Bible projects have been evaluated and are ready for pick-up. The creativity and hard work were evident! Thanks to all students and families.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIE FOR SERVICE HRS:
7 June, 5pm mass & 8 June, 8am, 10am, 12pm Passing out books on Pentecost SIGN UP LINK HERE
Pastoral Care
Rosemarie Farrow - Pastoral Coordinator of Pastoral Care & Outreach
R.Farrow@stmaryscoltsneck.org 732-780-2666 x 310
YOUTH MINISTRY OPPORTUNITY
For ALL 8th – 12th Graders
Please join for….
Coffee & Donuts
Sunday, 8 June 2025 - after 10:00am mass
This is a great opportunity to meet fellow parishioners and catch up with those whom you already know.
Let’s take advantage of this time and share a special moment with your Saint Mary family! Please contact the parish office to join the hospitality team
Join Our Baptism Welcome Team
Help welcome new families as we celebrate the gift of baptism at St. Mary’s! As a Baptism Minister of Welcome, you’ll be a warm, friendly presence for those bringing their children into the Catholic Church. Want to learn more? Come see us at Coffee & Donut Sunday!
High School Graduates
As a parish community we recognize the need to support graduates in staying connected to the Catholic Church after they graduate.
With more than 80% of high school students leaving their faith in college, we need a way to connect graduates to the next step in their faith journey.
Our parish has partnered with Newman Connection. Newman Connection connects graduating high school students to the Catholic campus ministry of their chosen college (whether it is a Catholic college or not). Connect directly with Newman Ministries HERE
The Barn For the Poorest of the Poor 49 Kanes Lane, Middletown, NJ 07748
- Distributes food to the missionaries of charity (Mother Teresa’s order) & the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal in NJ & NY
- Needs drivers to drive once a month to NJ & NY locations
It's Planning Time for the Martha Mary Guild Clothing Sale
The annual Sale will be Sept. 4 - Sept. 7, but right now, during Spring cleaning time, is the perfect opportunity to set aside clean, usable men's, women's and children's clothes, shoes and accessories. (No household items, please!) Collection days will be Aug. 17 - Sept. 3 in Madonna Hall. Many helping hands are needed to sort and arrange the clothes. This is a great chance for Confirmation candidates to fulfill their Community Service. We welcome you!
Please email MarthaMaryGuild@gmail.com with the days and times you'll be available. We thank you, and remember, you will not only be doing a wonderful kindness, but you will also have fun!
Call Gerry Duffy at 973-418-5683 or send an email to BARNFORTHEPOOR@GMAIL.COM
Our own Dr. Carly York was recently interviewed by Victoria Sechrist of This Is The Day show on Catholic TV. She talked about when she began singing as a young child and her faith journey of conversion to Catholicism. She also discussed how her college and graduate degrees in music expanded her knowledge and love of Gregorian Chant. Victoria and the This the Day team celebrated the release of Carly’s Album, Deus Ibi Est.
Watch the full interview here: https://youtu.be/ AR-bmtZ0eFs?si=MiGLV3WldVUTGi7Q
Visit Carly’s site at TheCatholicCantor.com
My Dear Parishioners:
Quo vadis...
This weekend we celebrate the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord. This solemnity plays between absence and presence. There is also an experience of the not yet of heaven and the already of resurrection. When we witness to our faith we are the present day disciples who make Jesus Christ present in our day as we wait or anticipate that which is to come in heaven. The Solemnity of the Ascension challenges us to look at this time to that of Christ in Glory. Therefore, absence and presence are more than Jesus’ ascending and the sending of the Paraclete. They remind us that our suffering and rising, our repenting and forgiving, preaching, witnessing and blessing carry us forward in this world. Hope in that which is to come is the hallmark of Christian Discipleship.
Most often when we think of living the paschal mystery we think in terms of the concrete selfsurrendering acts we undertake in order to live the dying and rising mystery of Christ. The gospel affords us an opportunity to reflect on a completely different kind of self-surrender that of giving ourselves over to God in the intimacy of prayer. Just as Jesus’ prayer reveals us as sharing in Jesus’ glory and unity with the Father, so will our own prayer reveal both our union with God and our union with each other. As Jesus was prompted in his prayer to look not to himself but to the well-being of his disciples, so does our prayer draw us out of ourselves toward God and concern for others. Thus, prayer itself is a kind of self-sacrificing surrender for others.
The month of June is dedicated to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. During the month we observe the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, The Solemnity of Corpus Christi, the Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist, the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, and the Solemnity of Saints Peter & Paul. Next weekend, the Solemnity of Pentecost which concludes the Easter Season, thus we will print a report of our 2025 Easter Collection. Please take time to review it carefully and remember those listed in your prayer. Your generous sharing enables us to continue our work of providing for the needs of our parishioners, maintaining our ministries and programs as well as evangelizing new members for our church community. THANK YOU!
This weekend Deacon Alan Bridges will be ordained to the Presbyteral Order in the priesthood of Jesus Christ to serve our diocese of Trenton. He has been assigned to The Parish of Saint Josph, Toms River. Next weekend is the Solemnity of Pentecost when we celebrate the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Apostles thus inaugurating the Church. May I suggest that you wear something RED to help us decorate our church building for our sacred worship. I will be present at the installation of Reverend Fr. Richard Osborne as the Pastor of the Parish of Saint Catherine Laboure, North Middletown. Let us pray for the parish and for Father Osborn.
Have a great week. Let us remember one another in prayer. Happy Sunday. Peace. Father Jeff
Sharing Our Treasure Sunday, May 25 Sixth Sunday of Easter
NEW BAPTISMAL FONT!
# Registered Parishioner Households 910
Consider this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each must do as already determined, without sadness or compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:6‐7
2025 EASTER Collection
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. Kindly return your Easter offering envelope or make your gift through our online giving system.
Several years ago, we announced a gift toward replacing the current baptismal font which has been unusable due to multiple leaks. The process has taken much longer than anticipated and after consultation with the parish Patrimony Committee and the Finance Council we are pleased to announce that the new baptismal font is scheduled to be installed during the month of August 2025. Since the existing baptismal font was installed without the proper footings we will need to cut the floor open to pour the footings to ensure the stability of the font. Additionally, we will need to cut the floor open to install new piping for the font. We appreciate your cooperation during this time of construction and repair. Please be advised that during this period of transition we will be able to celebrate Baptisms in the chapel, should requests be made for this time. Thanks for your patience as we continue to work in making our sacred worship space more beautiful and dignified.
We will provide you with a report of this collection at the conclusion of the Easter Season. Thank you and God Bless
https://flowcode.com/p/ z25W7Dti
GROTTO CANDLES
The Grotto Candles are available for your prayer intentions. Offering is $3.00 per candle
THANK YOU ! For all your efforts in supporting the Annual Catholic Appeal! Please continue to make your pledge payments so that our parish can receive the maximum rebate. If you haven't made a pledge yet please go to www.dioceseoftrenton.org/catholicappeal to send your gift electronically. Make sure to select St. Mary Catholic Church, Colts Neck in the Parish Affiliation box so we can receive credit for your gift. Thank you for your prayers and support
Join us for a powerful multi-generational rally with Bishop David O’Connell in the Diocese of Trenton, the heart of the Garden State! Saint Mary, Mother of God Church –Middletown, NJ. Saturday, June 7, 2025. Come and be renewed by the Holy Spirit as generations gather in unity, worship, and revival!
Dynamic worship | Spirit-filled talks | Garden State revival Register now: www.DOTCCR.org
Pentecost Rally – Garden Revival – 50 days from Easter