The parish of saint Mary

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

Parish Trustees: Annette Raynor & Roger Zurro

Third Sunday of Lent

Tuesday 2 pm -7:30 pm

Sunday April 2 9 am – 1 pm

Office closed Friday & Saturday and all other Sundays in March

March 12, 2023

Daylight Saving Time begins this Sunday, March 12, 2023 at 2:00 A.M. On Saturday night, clocks are set forward one hour (i.e., losing one hour) to “spring forward.”

Please remember to set your clocks forward one hour on Saturday March 11 before going to bed.

Mass Intentions for:

Saturday, March 11th - Sunday, March 19th, 2023

For * Requested by

Saturday, March 11 – 4 PM Church

Lynn Gioacchini * Gioacchini Family

Jean Barbara Petrovcin * Laura and Tom Tiefenthaler

Joao A. Nascimento * Rorie and Jack Coppola

Sunday, March 12 – Church

8 AM Kellli Leon * Jane Slattery

10 AM Sergio Dos Santos and Emilia Clemente * Dos Santos Family

Scott A. Johnston * Don and Janet Johnston

Joaquin Duenas * Rita and Michael Duenas

12 PM Pro Populo

Barbara Velsini * Eng Family

Nancy Vida * Denise Adams

Monday, March 13 – 9 AM Chapel

Luis Cubina * Danielle DeDonno

Edmondo R. Binaco * Theresa Binaco

Tuesday, March 14 - 9 AM Chapel

Steven Parkes * Parkes Family

Wednesday, March 15 – 9 AM Chapel

Lina Zermane * Gerard Monroy

Bart Calender * Gerard Monroy

Thursday, March 16 – 9 AM Chapel

Joseph Nogueira * Marie Nogueira

Daniel P. McGarry, Jr. * Farrow Family

Friday, March 17 – 9 AM Chapel

Bill O’Doherty * Kevin and Florence Swan

Esperanza Felibrico * Felibrico Family

Saturday, March 18 – 4 PM Church

Pro Populo

Bobby Ward * Helene and Bob Lind

Dr. James Moreland * Susan and James Gobat

Sunday, March 19 – Church

8 AM Neil Slattery * Francine and Joe Corcoran

Helen and John Sionas * Eileen and Michael Stivala

DeStefano/Albruno Families * Mr. and Mrs. M. Franceschetti

10 AM Joe Howe * Marilyn and Carl Simone

John O’Hearn * Barbara Squillare

Michael Seaman * Michele and Frank Bilotti

12 PM Antoinette Lucarelli * Richard and Maria Gerbino

Isabel Amling * Bob Amling

Louis Sliazis * Michelle and Tim Gross

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

Gianna Innucci Diana Weber

Miranda Mason Shawn Woodward

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

KathleenAmatel

ValerieBarcheski

MichaelBarker

JaniceBasilice

FrBillBausch

EileenBeckley

BrendaCaronna

ChristenChellis

LynetteColaco-Desouza

BlakeConley

JackCoppola

ElizabethDeStefano

KaitlinDonahueNagle

SharonEvangellista

JoannFeliciti

CynthiaFiedler

JamesFiedler

EmilyGioacchini

JasonGreenberg

EdwardHabrack

TomHudak

ElizabethLindHuseby

LeonJankowski

BridgetKorn

BobLind

LoriLettieri

DonnaLodi

LudwigMendola

KevinO’Shea

LouSchmitt

OwenShoemaker

VictoriaSlater

GerardP.Thompson

LaurenVinci

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

Lifelong Catechesis - Week of March 12th - March 18th

Readings For The Week

12 Sunday: Third Sunday of Lent

Ex 17: 3-7/ Rom 5: 1-2. 5-8/ Jn 4: 5-42

13 Monday: 2 Kgs 5: 1-15b / Lk 4: 24-30

14 Tuesday: Dn 3: 25. 34-43 / Mt 18: 21-35

15 Wednesday: Dt 4:1. 5-9 / Mt 5: 17-19

16 Thursday: Jer 7: 23-28 / Lk 11: 14-23

17 Friday: Hos 14: 2-10 / Mk 12: 28-34

18 Saturday: Hos 6: 1-6 / Lk 18: 9-14

FOR DEEPER REFLECTION:

Question for Children: How do you experience Jesus helping and loving you?

Question for Youth: Jesus revealed himself to an outcast of society. How can you be “living water” to the outcasts of your school? Society? The world?

Question for Adults: When you are tempted to try to satisfy your “thirst for meaning” through some other means, what keeps you coming back to the living water of intimacy with Christ? Through what means do you experience Christ’s power in your life: Sacraments? Scripture? Prayer? Others?

The Sanctuary Lamp this week is burning for:

Church: Isabel Amling RequestedbyAmlingFamily

Mass Intention Requests

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

The suggested stipend is $10.

Grotto Candles

The Grotto Candles are available for your prayer intentions.

Offering is $3.00 per candle.

Baptismal Preparation Session

St Mary Parish is offering our next Baptismal Preparation Session on:

SUNDAY, APRIL 2, 2023 at 1 PM

Pre-registrationisrequiredaweekinadvance. 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.

Worship & Music

St Patrick

Andrew J. Macirowski - Pastoral Coordinator for Worship & Music / Principal Organist

Worship@stmaryscoltsneck.org Music@stmaryscoltsneck.org

The Memorial of Saint Patrick, Bishop, patron saint of Ireland is an optional memorial celebrated on March 17th. He is largely credited with the conversion of Ireland to Catholicism. Having been born a Roman citizen in the late 4th century in what is now modern day Great Britain (Britain was part of the Roman Empire at the time), he was captured by the Irish in his teen years and forced into slavery. He escaped several years later, and returned home.

Having received a vision, he entered the priesthood and was ordained, and returned to Ireland as a missionary, to fulfill what he had seen in his vision, to walk among the Irish. He eventually became a bishop, and was responsible for the conversion of thousands, notably including many women who then professed to become nuns.

Saint Patrick’s Breastplate is a well-known poem, often used as a prayer: "Christ be within me, Christ behind me, Christ before me, Christ beside me, Christ to win me,

Christ to comfort and restore me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ inquired, Christ in danger, Christ in hearts of all that love me, Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.”

Of additional note: as the memorial falls on a Friday this year, the bishops of New Jersey have granted a dispensation from the obligation to abstain from meat on this day. One should substitute another day during the week.

Lenten Regulations - Guidelines of the Universal Church

The Catholic Church in the United States requires of us as baptized Catholics to observe the following: Thedaysoffast(onlyonefullmealperday)andabstinence(nomeat)areAshWednesday(February 22)andGoodFriday(April7).AllotherFridaysofLent(March3throughMarch31)aredaysof abstinence(nomeat).

Fast consume only one full meal. Water may be taken throughout the day

Abstinence– consume no meat; this obligation prohibits the eating of meat but not eggs, milk products or condiments of any kind, even though made from animal fat.

Baptized Catholics between the ages of 18 and 59 are obliged to fast and those from the age of 14 are also obliged to abstain

Those who are automatically dispensed from fast and abstinence regulations outside the age limits noted above include: the physically or mentally ill, especially individuals suffering from chronic illnesses such as diabetes. Also included in the dispensation are women who are pregnant or nursing. In all cases, common sense should prevail and ill persons should not further jeopardize their health by fasting

Allareencouragedtoembracethesepracticesaspartofourspiritualjourney.

Saturday 4PM

Ministry Schedule: Fourth Sunday of Lent

Saturday, March 18th - Sunday, March 19th

Sunday 8AM Servers Needed Carly York

OH Susan Murphy

TH Louise

TH Minister Needed

ALT Irene Weller

OH-Joseph Flanagan

TH—Michael Staub

TH Maureen Staub

ALT Justine Buzzetta

Carly York with Choir

Larissa Yaninas Danek Yaninas Carl Simone Barbara Schaflin

OH Sue Fitzpatrick

TH Winifred O’Doherty

TH Heide Lohn

ALT Minister Needed

OH Patricia Gesner

Carly York

Sunday 12PM Richard Gerbino Mary Ellen Griffin

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

TH Monica Barr

ALT Emily Santangelo

Lenten

Confessions,

Holy Hours & Stations of the Cross

Lenten Holy Hours

March 15 - 7PM - St Mary

March 22 - 7PM - St Mary

March 29 - 7PM - St Catharine

Stations of the Cross, St. Catharine

Friday evenings at 7:30 pm

March 10, 17, 31

Confessions

Sunday, March 26, 3:00 PM - St Mary

Thursday, March 30, 7:00 PM St Catharine

Wednesday, April 5, 7:00 PM St Gabriel

Julia CullenPastoral Coordinator of Faith Formation / Religion Education

ReligiousEd@stmaryscoltsneck.org

732-780-2666 X 309

We invite all of our RE families to our Lenten Penance & Reconciliation service on the 26th of March at 3pm. All 7th & 8th graders are required to attend; all others are welcome and encouraged to join. Resources for making a good confession: https://stmaryscoltsneck.org/penance-andreconciliation-preparation

Summer registration remains open until the end of March. Early Fall Registration opens on 1 April 2023. Mark your calendars as classes reach capacity fast.

SAVE THE DATE:

The Lottery to determine the day for all families with children making their First Holy Communion this fall is on Saturday, 6 May 2023 at 4pm in Madonna Hall.

Rose FarrowCoordinator of Faith Formation / Youth & Adult Catechesis

YouthRE@stmaryscoltsneck.org

732-780-2666 X 310

19 & 20 March 2023

Confirmation Prep Class

26 March 2023

Lenten Penance and Reconciliation 3pm MANDATORY for ALL 7th & 8th graders

1 April 2023

Spring Clean-up 9am to 1pm

INTERGENERATIONAL

2 April 2023

Palm Sunday Weaving

INTERGENERATIONAL beginning at the 10am mass, continuing in Madonna Hall

The week of 9 April 2023

Easter Break-NO RE CLASSES

Religious Education Parent & Student Volunteer Sign-ups:

Lenten Penance & Reconciliation (day of volunteers) LINK

Easter Egg Hunt (set up crew, volunteer at event, clean up crew) LINK

7th and 8th Grade Service Hour Sign-ups: Easter Egg Hunt LINK

Summer Intensive (July Virtual or August on Campus) LINK

Summer Intensive Religious Education Early Registration/ Re-Registration IS OPEN for incoming Grades 1-6

July 17-28 Virtual program 9am to 12pm

August 7-18 On Campus program 8:30am to 12:30pm

Classes are first come, first serve. Classes will be closed when capacity is met.

Register Here for the summer intensive program. Link can also be found on the website homepage.

From Farming To Fishing

Raul and Rhodora were coconut farmers in their town in the Philippines, but it took a lot of work before they made money. They participated in a Catholic Relief Services program that helped them build their own fishpond to raise and sell fish. The fish provide nutritious food for their family and more accessible income, enabling Raul and Rhodora’s granddaughters to attend school. What changes have you made in your professional, personal or spiritual life that have benefited others?

Visit crsricebowl.org to learn more. Please collect your offerings during Lent in the Rice Bowl provided. At the conclusion of Lent count the total offering, write a check to St Mary Parish for the total amount indicating CRS Rice Bowl in the memo line and drop it in the offerings box by April 16. Alternatively you can make a donation online at https://goo.gl/VFak28. Thank you for supporting Catholic Relief Services.

8th grade Confirmation Sponsor

Certificates are being collected in the parish office. All Confirmation paperwork is due by April 30.

Martha Mary Guild News

The Martha Mary Guild is hoping to bring back the popular Clothing Sale in September. However, much help is needed! Ladies of the parish, please consider giving an hour or two of your time to help sort (Aug.21-25 & 28-31) and sell (Sept. 7,8,9). Our youth (12 & older) are a tremendous help and can gain community service hours. Kindly contact the parish office before May 15. We can't do it without you!! Thank you.

P.S. One more caller is needed to notify ladies about upcoming meetings. Call Kathy at 732946-8631 or Ellen at 732-946-2671. Won't you please consider doing this!?!

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: 1888-296-2965 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

Saint of the Week:

Mark of Arethusa, Bishop, d. c. 365

Please remember in your prayers those who have recently died.

Francis (Frank) Donahue

The emperor Constantine ended the bloody persecution of Christians and declared Christianity to be the state religion. But persecution did not end with Constantine. Some years after his death, his half-brother, Julian, became emperor in 361. While initially raised as a Christian, Julian, as a young boy, came under the influence of a pagan philosopher. When he became emperor, Julian, who came to be known as Julian the Apostate, sought to re-impose paganism as the state religion. He issued several edicts stripping Christian churches of property and ordering all towns to re-establish pagan temples for worship.

Mark, the bishop of Arethusa (in present day Syria), had gained many converts to Christianity beginning in the reign of Constantine. Read more HERE.

My Dear Parishioners:

Today we celebrate the Third Sunday of Lent. Coming to know Jesus as the savior of the world requires a constant deepening of faith, a faith that comes from the “gift of God.” Our lives constantly play out the struggle to deepen our faith and get to know Jesus better; the journey of all disciples is to come to deeper belief. One way to deepen our faith and come to know Jesus better is by spending more time with him as a Friend. Lent is an opportune time to become more attentive to Jesus’ presence—especially in prayer—and encounter him as One who loves us. Another way is to enumerate the blessings God has already given us and remember that these truly are gifts from God. Yet another way to deepen our faith and come to know Jesus better is by coming to a deeper self-understanding of ourselves as body of Christ and make concrete efforts to act like Christ’s body. Something so simple as saying thank you or smiling at another who looks sad or depressed are simple acts, but they remind us of who we are: Christ for others.

Our Parish Lenten Penance & Reconciliation is scheduled for Sunday, 26 March at 3:00pm in our parish church. I am pleased to inform you that we have a number of priest confessors scheduled for your convenience. Please come with your family, children, neighbors & friends to receive the grace of this awesome sacrament of God’s Mercy. We are in the process of scheduling ministers for Holy Week, the Triduum & Easter Sunday. Please be open to serving our parish on these most days when the Sacred Liturgy calls us to reflect the great sacrifice of Christ for us.

We are in the early preparation stages for the July 2023 – June 2024 Master Calendar. Preparations for the 2023-2024 Financial Budget is beginning. Input for Capital Projects from the Staff and other Pastoral Committees are being considered by the Parish Team. It is essential that these Pastoral Leadership Groups assist in the process of forming the budget and prioritizing the capital projects each year. It is imperative that we move toward “Mission directed budgeting” and move away from “Budgeting the mission”. The Parish Trustees and Parish Finance Council along with the Pastor make the final determination for Staff Salary proposals with the Diocese of Trenton setting the standards for Clergy and Religious and compensation packages in the parish. Please continue to pray for and support all of those parishioners who generously share their time and talent to ensure good stewardship of our parish resources and a sense of shared ownership that is critical as we continue to move forward.

Progress continues to be made in our steady progression toward attaining our goal for the 2023 Annual Catholic Appeal. As we make progress toward our parish goal, it remains important that we continue to expand the number of participants in this important initiative. We need broad support in order to achieve our goal. May God bless you for your tremendous spirit of sharing. This coming week we will observe the Memorial of Saint Patrick. Join us for mass in the chapel. His Excellency, the Most Reverend Bishop of Trenton has extended a dispensation since the observance is on a Friday this year. (click here for link) Have a great week. Let us remember one another in prayer. Happy Sunday. Peace. Father Jeff