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
March 16, 2025
Parish Office Hours
Mondays, Wednesdays & Thursdays 9:00 am to 2:00 pm Tuesdays 2:00 pm to 7:30 pm.
The Parish Office is closed Fridays and Saturdays. The Parish Office will also be open Sunday April 6, 9am - 1pm
Any questions, please call the office at (732)-780-2666.
Mass Intentions for:
Saturday March 15 2025 - Sunday March 23 2025
Saturday, March 15 - 4PM
Gloria McGrath * Rich Luzzi
Veronica Grabowski * Janet Munger
Christopher Costello * Susan and Robert Monaco
Sunday, March 16- 8AM
Daniel P. McGarry Jr. * Farrow Family
Joseph Nogueira * Marie Nogueira
Helen & John Sionas * Eileen & Michael Stivala, Jr.
10AM
Robert Zoltowski * Til and Kathy Dallavalle
Barbara Critchley * Deirdre, Michela & Isabella O'Doherty
William ODoherty * Florence & Kevin Swan & Family
12PM
Pro Populo
Giuseppe Valenti * Tagliavia Family
Nancy Vida * Denise Adams
Monday, March 17 - 9AM - Chapel
The Intentions of Monica Egan * Rosa McGarry
Barbara Leach * The Cullen Family
Tuesday, March 18– 9AM - Chapel
Loving Family Members * Janet Munger
Please remember in your prayers those who have recently died
Robert Monaco
Rev. Father Ronald Cioffi
Wednesday, March 19 - 9AM - Chapel
Loving Family Members * Janet Munger
Thursday, March 20 - 9AM - Chapel
James Barron * Mary & Bill Klein
Friday, March 21 – 9AM - Chapel
Beatrice M. Slattery * Jane Slattery
Intentions of Sheryl Fredda * Matthew and Jeanne Cerbone
Saturday, March 22 -- 4PM
Pro Populo
PVT Charles H. Haber, Jr. * Carol Donahue
Frank Saake * Barbara Saake
Sunday March 23 – 8AM
DeStefano/Albruno Families * Franceschetti Family 10AM
Stanley Szczepanski * John & Dawn
George DePalma * Pat DePalma
Joseph Puzo * Susan & Robert Monaco 12PM
Veronica Grabowski * The Grabowski Family
Angelo & Antoinette Lucarelli * Richard & Maria Gerbino
Mimi Pellicano * Gabbard family
Even the great saints need God’s forgiveness and grace. Peter, like the rest of us, turned away from Jesus for a time.
Peter, as Scripture tells us, was a son of John and the brother of Andrew. He was a native of Bethsaida, a small village near Lake Tiberias. With his father and brother, Peter, at that time called Simon, worked as a fisherman on Lake Genesareth.
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 March 16 March 22
READINGS FOR THE WEEK:
Second Sunday of Lent March 16
Gn 15:5-12, 17-18/Phil 3:17 4:1 or 3:20 4:1/Lk 9:28b-36
MONDAY March 17
Dn 9:4b-10/Lk 6:36-38
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TUESDAY March 18
Is 1:10, 16-20/Mt 23:1-12
WEDNESDAY March 19
2 Sm 7:4-5a, 12-14a, 16/Rom 4:13, 16-18, 22/Mt 1:16, 18-21, 24a or Lk 2:41-51a
THURSDAY March 20
Jer 17:5-10/Lk 16:19-31
FRIDAY March 21
Gn 37:3-4, 12-13a, 17b-28a/Mt 21:33-43, 45-46
SATURDAY March 22
Mi 7:14-15, 18-20/Lk 15:1-3, 11-32
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 invites you to be close to him, to see him with clear eyes. What is Jesus like as a friend?
Question for Youth: What do you most want God to help you with?
Question for Adults: Sometimes we can see Christ with clear eyes, as the disciples did on that mountain. Share about such a time in your own life
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
Rose walch
Joyce daniel
Edward Habrack
Jeff McBride
Owen Shoemaker
Peter Vickers
Debby Tanico
Linda Codispoti
Toaddorremoveafamilymemberfromthesicklistpleasee-mailONLY parishbulletin@stmaryscoltsneck.org. Please,also,keepusupdatedonyourlovedone’shealth. Nameswillberemovedfromthelistafter3months.ThankyouforkeepingourParishinformed.
Worship & Music
Andrew J. Macirowski - Pastoral Coordinator for Worship & Music / Principal Organist
Worship@stmaryscoltsneck.org Music@stmaryscoltsneck.org
Mass with communal anointing of the March 30th at 10am. Those who wish to receive the sacrament must register by March 26th. Call the office to schedule.
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.
Saturday, 22 4 PM
Ministry Schedule: Third Sunday of Lent Saturday, March 22 & Sunday, Sunday 23
Alex Gruenling Anthony Gruenling
Carly York
Michele Gruenling
Charles Young
Sunday, 23 8 AM
Jack Main NOT FILLED
Bridgett Farrow
Annette Raynor Rita Duenas
OH - Liz Turkovic
TH - Jane Slattery
TH - Irene Weller
ALT - Nick Turkovic
OH - Marsha Grigoli
TH - Joseph Flanagan
TH - Richard Gerbino
ALT– Gina Shute
OH - Maureen Geiger
Sunday, 23 10 AM
Olivia Linquito Tesya Yaninas
Sunday, 23 12 PM
Jonathan Stubbs NOT FILLED
Carly York
Matt Yaninas Kevin Swan
Choir/ Cantor NOT FILLED
Jennifer Stubbs
TH – Steve Stanley
TH - Richard Gerbino
ALT–Dawn Reinhardt
OH - Tom Nathanson
TH - Patricia Gesner
TH - Richard Gerbino
ALT– Lee Gesner (Sub Req)
Second Sunday of Lent
O God, whose glory it is always to have mercy: Be gracious to all who have gone astray from your ways, and bring them again with penitent hearts and steadfast faith to embrace and hold fast the unchangeable truth of your Word, Jesus Christ your Son; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (LectionaryPage.net)
Baptismal Preparation Session
St Mary Parish is offering our next Baptismal Preparation Session on:
Tuesday, April 1, 2025 @6:30 PM
Pre-registrationisrequired aweekin advance. Contact Us
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(March5)andGoodFriday(April18). AllotherFridaysofLent(March7throughApril11)aredaysofabstinence(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.
Faith Formation
Julia Cullen - Pastoral Coordinator of Faith Formation / Religion Ed
ReligiousEd@stmaryscoltsneck.org 732-780-2666 X 309
Thanks to the over 100 children who attended the ASH WEDNESDAYINT. It was a beautiful way to begin this season of Lent.
We invite you to join us for Palm Sunday-Palm Weaving. sign-up with the link on the RE calendar
Easter Egg Hunt RSVP SIGN-UP-HERE Students & Parent Volunteer LINK for the Easter Egg Hunt
Summer RE Registration/Re-Registration 25/26
July VIRTUAL & August ON CAMPUS CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Confirmation Prep – 1 & 2
CP-1 (7th grade): Bible projects are due by 4 May 2025
CP-2 (8th grade): Confirmation Paperwork is due by 5/4 which includes: Saint Report, Magazine articles to be completed with approved sponsor and final service hour log. Confirmation Interviews will take place on 4 May 2025. seemoreinfoonthebottomofthispg.
SERVICE HOUR opportunities
Summer RE assistant/volunteer: July Virtual or August on-campus– SIGN UP HERE
Fill Easter Eggs for Easter Egg Hunt SIGN UP HERE
Blessing Bag Pack Day: 3 May 2025, 9AM
Spring Clean-Up:12 April 2025 See page 9
Religious Education Calendar
18 March 2025
RE Class #25 - Grades 1-6, Virtual/On Campus
23, 25 March 2025
CP – 1 & 2 Virtual, On Campus – Class
25 March 2025
RE Class #26 - Grades 1-6, Virtual/On Campus
1 April 2025
RE Class #27 - Grades 1-6, Virtual/On Campus
6 April 2025
Lenten Penance & Reconciliation, 3pm Chapel
CP-1&2, Mandatory, attendance will be taken
8 April 2025
RE Last Class #27 - Grades 1-6, Virtual/On Campus
12 April 2025 Spring Clean-Up INT sign-up on page 8
13 April 2025
Palm Sunday Palm Weaving -11am, SIGN-UP HERE
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
Sunday, 4 May 2025
Please, report to the Spiritual Center at your assigned time based on last name. ALL Confirmation paperwork is due at this time. 3:00 pm A-C 3:20 pm D-K 3:40 pm L-N 4:00 pm O-S 4:15 pm T-Z
Please support the Confirmation Prep Spring Service Project
Gathering Items now until – May 3, 2025
Blessing Bag Outreach is dedicated to showing compassion and humanitarianism towards those in need. Committed to aiding the homeless and educating the public. Help us exceed last year’s 300+ completed Blessing Bags.
The following is a list of requested donations and the Religious Education breakdown:
Men’s socks & travel size lotion (8th grade)
Travel size deodorant and disposable razors (7th grade)
Small (8oz.) water bottles (6th grade)
Travel size shampoo (5th grade)
Travel size toothpaste(4th grade)
Toothbrushes (3rd grade)
Snack bars/breakfast bars (2nd grade)
Soap/travel size body wash (1st grade)
All donations can be dropped off in the rear of MADONNA HALL. Please do not leave any donations in the Narthex of the church prior to Easter celebrations. There is an Amazon Wish List for your convenience. If you choose to purchase from the Amazon wish list the items will be delivered directly to the parish by choosing Blessing Bags Gift Registry Address. If you are bringing your donations to the parish there will be an area set up in the rear of Madonna Hall for Blessing Bags. The dollar store, bulk stores (Costco, Sam’s, BJ’s) and Walmart are great places to find many of the items off the list in bulk or travel sized.
Deadline is 8:30 am, May 3,2025.
Thank you for your generosity. “Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward them for what they have done.” Proverbs 19:17
We are looking for teachers for our Summer and Fall Religious Education Program! Paid positions are available for certified teachers who are alive in their faith.
Kindly, contact the RE office for more details ReligiousEd@stmaryscoltsneck.org
Pastoral Care
Rosemarie Farrow - Pastoral Coordinator of Pastoral Care & Outreach
R.Farrow@stmaryscoltsneck.org
732-780-2666 x 310
Set The World On Fire
YouareinvitedtoSt.CatharineChurchforaspecialonenightmissiontalk.
Join for an empowering talk by Dan Palmieri of JMJ Missions, as he sharesessentialtipsonhowwecanreigniteourfaithinourera.
When:
Thursday,March20,7:00pm
Where:
St.Catharine 108MiddletownRoad,Holmdel
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 are 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
Anointing of the Sick vs. Last Rites
Anointing of the Sick and Last Rites are distinct sacraments with different purposes. The Anointing of the Sick is for spiritual and physical healing of the ill, offering forgiveness and healing through prayer and anointing with blessed oil. It is for anyone seriously ill, prior to surgery, or elderly (CCC 1514), and there’s no need to wait until death is imminent. It is a liturgical and communal celebration and can be received multiple times (CCC 1515).
Last Rites, on the other hand, are the prayers and sacraments given to someone nearing death, often including the Eucharist as Viaticum (food for the journey) (CCC 1524). It may or may not include the Anointing of the Sick.
As Pope Francis recently prayed, “The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick grant the Lord’s strength to those who receive it and to their loved ones, and that it may become for everyone an ever more visible sign of compassion and hope” (Pope Francis, 2025).
Parish of Saint Catharine
Lenten Holy Hours & Stations of the Cross
Lenten Holy Hours
March 12 - 7:00 PM
April 3 - RE Families Focused - 6:30 PM
Stations of the Cross
March 7 - 7:30 PM
March 14 - led by Re, 6:30 PM
March 21 - 7:30 PM
March 28 - 7:30 PM
April 4 - 7:30 PM
April 11 - Living Stations by St. Catharine’s Youth Ministry - 7:30 PM
Mission Talk
March 20 - 7:00 PM
Spring Clean Up
CRS RICE BOWLS
SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT
CRS Rice Bowl is celebrating 50 years of helping Catholic faith communities bring Lent to life and encounter God through our global family. During the 40 days of Lent, let us journey together through CRS Rice Bowl to meet people in Nigeria, Guatemala and Bangladesh who are rising above the challenges of hunger and malnutrition DONATE HERE Visit
Quo vadis...
My Dear Parishioners:
Today we celebrate the Second Sunday of Lent. Baptism is our covenant with the Lord. Rather than animal offerings and “smoking fire pot and flaming torch” (first reading), the sign of our covenant with God is water, Chrism, white garment, and lighted candle. Luke’s allusions to Jesus’ death in Jerusalem prompt an allusion to our being plunged into Jesus’ dying and rising in the baptismal waters. We are invited this Sunday to see our baptism in light of the transfiguration. Baptism isn’t simply a ritual we perform, but a covenant with God that we live out the rest of our lives. During Lent as we walk with the elect through their final preparation for baptism we, too, prepare to renew our covenant with God at Easter. This means that we not only already share in God’s life and look forward to that day when we will share eternal glory with God, but we also embrace the suffering and death. Let’s face it: constant dying to self gets tiresome! This Sunday we are given a glimpse of glory to help ease away the discouragement of a lifetime of self-emptying. This tells us something about how we might keep Sundays. If each Sunday is a day of rest, a time to be good to ourselves, to do something special that is uplifting, to enter into a moment of glory, we would be better fortified to continue dying to self.
As we continue our journey through the Season of Lent please avail yourself to the daily reflections in the “Lenten Black Books”. Daily Mass is another way to observe Lent by receiving Holy Communion more frequently. The chapel is open daily for those who wish to pray the Way of the Cross privately. Preparations are well underway for Holy Week, The Triduum and The Easter Season. I am
encouraged by the new faces who are joining our parish and participating in Sunday Mass. Stewardship is about sharing…especially our time and talent. When we share our time and talent in service to others we reap tremendous results as we build our community of faith. Many of our volunteers and lay leaders comment how much activity there is during the week. Our parish continues to provide for the needs of many and we strive to improve our communication and the opportunities that we provide for our parishioners to come to the parish office. So, don’t be shy…get involved. Many thanks to all of our parish volunteers for sharing your Time & Talent. You are GREAT!
There was wonderful participation for Ash Wednesday. Thank you for taking the time to have ashes imposed as a visible sign of the call to conversion. How awesome it was that so many brought with them food for the poor and needy. Our parish continues to grow in awareness of and response to those who are suffering.
I encourage you to participate in the 2025 Annual Catholic Appeal this week. To those who have already made their gift THANK YOU. It is an easy process. You may do so online or by completing a pledge card and mailing to the specified address. Every gift helps make a difference.
Happy Saint Patrick’s Day to all those who honor their Irish Heritage by honoring this great missionary of Christianity. Have a great week. Let us remember one another in prayer. Happy Sunday. Peace. Father Jeff
Temporal Admin., Stewardship & Outreach
Sharing Our Treasure Sunday, March 9 First Sunday of Lent
# Registered Parishioner Households 930
Ash Wednesday Collection $2,099
" 'For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me'." Mt 25:35-37
Annual Catholic Appeal 2025 St Mary’s goal is $79,000
InvestinginOurChurch’sFuture
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!
Please remember the Parish of Saint Mary in your will..
By naming St. Mary in your will or trust, you will provide a lasting gift that will greatly help St. Mary and our parishioners. Thank you for your consideration
The 2025 Annual Catholic Appeal nurtures the faith of our young people through vital campus ministries and youth programs. By contributing, you help young Catholics grow in spiritual understanding, leadership, and community engagement. Your gift supports: Campus ministry outreach youth faith formation Young adult spiritual development
Empower the next generation of Catholic leaders.
Give Online Here, giveaca.org.
Did you know that our parish has a Prayer Shawl Ministry?
A group of women meet every third Wednesday of the month at 10 a.m. in room 11 to knit or crochet for the sick of the parish, nursing home residents, Birthright, the homeless and Veterans groups. We welcome new members and also accept donations of yarn.
To join the ministry, or for more information, please call:
Kathy Adleman at 732-946-8631
St Ann's Keansburg St Patrick's Day 50/50 is on sale now $20 a ticket! The winner will be picked at the end of the Keansburg's St. Pat's parade on Saturday, March 29th @ 3pm. No need to be present to win. Please call Eileen St. Ann's Rectory @ 732-787-0315 for your tickets.
April 11th- We need your help!
St Ann’s will be running our Annual Gift Auction to benefit the Senior Center. We can't keep the center open without your help. For many this is the only place they can go to socialize, enjoy time out of their homes and enjoy some activities. The Senior Center is solely supported by St Ann's Church. Can you help? We need donations. Gift cards, new unused items to raffle off. The best are prizes ranging in $25 to $50. All donations are tax deductible. The other way you can help is by grabbing some friends and attending the event.
A package for the event is $65 and includes small, medium and large prizes tickets. To reserve a table, you need 8 people. Please help us in the only fundraiser to support our seniors.
Call Denise for tickets. 732 801 4190 or Eileen @ 732-787-0315
