

A Catholic Community Proclaiming the Greatness of God in our Time
OnePhalanxRoad,ColtsNeck,NJ07722
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
Parish Trustees: Annette Raynor & Roger Zurro
Reminder, Office Hours are 2:00 PM to 7:30 PM every Tuesday and 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM every Monday, Wednesday, & Thursday. NO Friday’s or Saturday’s. Also, one Sunday a month from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. This month is Sunday, April 7.
Mass Intentions for:
Saturday, March 23, 2024 - Sunday, March 31, 2024
Saturday, March 23 - 4PM
Pro Populo
Beatrice Slattery *Jane Slattery
Veronica Grabowski *The Grabowski Family
Sunday, March 24 - 8AM
Edward Coyle *Alice Ganley
Ettie Doonan *Hugh & Phyllis Murphy
Andrew and Jane Poklemba *Megan Holtz
10AM
John and Catherine Pancetti
*Richard and Victoria Krauss
Alicia Abriam *Drs. Gener and Elvira Dapul
Helen O'Doherty *Freda
12PM
Herbert Schwarz *Barbara Corio
Larry Duffy *Jim Schatzle & Family
Dr. Severino Ambrosio *The Gruenling Family
Monday, March 25 - 9AM
Joseph W. Ciento *Mr. and Mrs. Victor Becker
Lorraine and Carlos Martins *Susan Wilbert and Family
Tuesday, March 26 - 9AM
Mary Jane Murray *Richard and Maria Gerbino
Joseph Ruggiero *Ruggiero Family
Wednesday, March 27 - 9AM
Fr. Jeffrey E. Lee *Int of Staff and Parishioners
Carl Endlicher *Bob Endlicher
Thursday, March 28 - 7PM
Holy Thursday: Mass of the Lord's Supper
Pro Populo
Friday, March 29 - 12PM - No Intentions
Commemoration of our Lord’s Passion of the Lord 3PM
Outdoor Stations
Saturday, March 30 - 9AM - No Intentions
Morning Prayer
7PM
Paschal Vigil
Pro Populo
Sunday, March 31 - 8AM
Pro Populo
10AM
Pro Populo
12PM
Pro Populo
Mass Intention Requests
Requests can be made in person by stopping at the parish office, or online HERE. Suggested stipend is $10.
Pleaseprayforthefollowingmembersofourparishcommunitywhoareill:
Jack Coppola
~
Bill Donahue
~
Kaitlin Donahue Nagle
~
Lori Lettieri
Lauren vinci
~
Elizabeth DeStefano
~ TOM JACOBSON
~
Dawn Reinhardt
Gloria Ziemienski
~ Jeff McBride
~
Owen Shoemaker
~
Ginny Hamlin
Gerard Thompson
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Melissa Love
~
Fran Raleigh
Toaddorremoveafamilymemberfromthesicklistpleasee-mailONLY parishbulletin@stmaryscoltsneck.org Please,also,keepusupdatedonyourlovedone’shealth. Nameswillberemovedfromthelistafter3months.ThankyouforkeepingourParishinformed.
“Most glorious King, blessed are You Who continuously comes to us, leading the way to Heaven. Hosanna in the highest! As I begin this most Holy Week, commemorating Your gift of salvation, I pray that this commemoration will also be a real and transforming participation in Your life, death, and resurrection. Thank You for redeeming us, dear Lord. Please open my heart to receive Your grace fully.
Jesus, I trust in You, Amen,” (My Catholic Life! Inc.).
Lifelong Catechesis - Week of March 24 to March 30
24 Sunday: Palm Sunday
Mk 11:1-10 or Jn 12:12-16 /Is 50:4-7/
Phil 2:6-11/Mk 14:1 15:47 or 15:1-39
25 Monday: Is 42:1-7/Jn 12:1-11
26 Tuesday: Is 49:1-6/Jn 13:21-33, 36-38 [Saint Joseph]
27 Wednesday: Is 50:4-9a/Mt 26:14-25
28 Thursday: Chrism Mass: Is 61:1-3a, 6a, 8b9/Rv 1:5-8/Lk 4:16-21
Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper: Ex 12:1-8, 11-14/1 Cor 11:23-26/Jn 13:1-15
29 Friday: Is 52:13 53:12/Heb 4:14-16; 5:7-9/ Jn 18:1 19:42
30 Saturday: Easter Vigil: Gn 1:1-2:2/1:1, 26-31a
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.
AMT Colton Boag, USCG
~
LCpl Devon Francis Chrzan, USMC
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Col. John Anthony Coppola, US Army
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TSgt Stephen Witherow, USAF
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LCpl Edward Zarzecki, USMC
Question for Children: Name one thing that you will do each day this week to remind you that Jesus died and rose to new life for you.
Question for Youth: We hear the story of Jesus’ death each year. What did you hear differently this year? How has your faith changed in the past year?
Question for Adults: Identify and share one way that you personally "die in Christ."
Lt. Col. Douglas Coppola, US Army
Lt. Mary Herman, USN
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SN Christian Houlihan, USN
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LT. Jason Joseph Howe, USN
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SPC Michael John Mento, US Army
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LTJG Matthew Motola, USN
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LCpl Bradley O’Ree, USMC
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SPC Nicholas Poskonka, US Army
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Captain Richard Savo, US Army
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1st Lt. Adam Sjoholm, US Army
~
Captain Ryan Tanguay, US Army
This week the Sanctuary Lamp burns for…
AgnesandNickPellicone & Requested by: Pellicone Family
StellaandAgrippinoCulosi
Sanctuary Lamp
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. Request online HERE.
Andrew J. Macirowski - Pastoral Coordinator for Worship & Music / Principal Organist
Worship@stmaryscoltsneck.org Music@stmaryscoltsneck.org
The Commemoration of the Lord’s Triumphal Entry in Jerusalem, commonly known as Palm Sunday or Passion Sunday recounts Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, the Last Supper, his trial and crucifixion. We carry palm branches as a remembrance of people doing the same when Jesus rode into Jerusalem. Palms in ancient times, specifically date palms in the Holy Land, are majestic trees, growing anywhere from 15 to 50 feet tall, their height and dense branches granting them a symbol that had become synonymous with royalty.
Palm fronds have been blessed and distributed on this day since about the 9th century. Some follow the custom of making a cross out of palms to be displayed in the home throughout Holy Week and the Easter Season. As the palms are blessed, they cannot be thrown away; they must be buried or burned. It is customary for churches to collect palms from the previous year and use them in the creation of Ashes for Ash Wednesday, or to be burned in the Easter Fire.
Create a free account:
https://formed.org/signup
Vincent Ferrer, Priest, 1350-1419
The son of a Scottish nobleman and his Spanish wife, Vincent was born in 1350 in Valencia, Spain. He entered the Dominican order at the age of eighteen and was sent to Barcelona to continue his studies. By the age of twenty, Vincent was teaching philosophy at Lérida. He would, over time, teach and preach over much of Europe, gathering a vast number of followers.
Vincent lived at a difficult time in history; many disasters, natural and man-made, afflicted both the world and the Catholic Church. The 100 Year War, started before his birth, would continue through his life. In 1348, the black plague, a scourge that would kill about a third of the population, had reached Europe, famines were a recurring problem, and laxity of many Catholics and the antipopes threatened to tear the Catholic Church apart.
Throughout the history of the Church, there have been claimants to the papacy who lacked legitimacy. Vincent was a supporter of two of these antipopes in the 14th Century as were several saints on both sides of the argument. Briefly, the papacy had been moved from Rome to Avignon in the early 14th Century. In 1377, it returned to Rome. Upon the death of Pope Gregory XI about a year later, Pope Urban VI was elected, the first Italian pope after a series of - Read More HERE.
Thursday, 28 7PM
March 24, 2024
Ministry Schedule: Easter Sunday March 30 & 31
Altar Server Cantor Reader 1 Reader 2 EMHC/Ashes
Jonathan Stubbs, Anthony Gruenling & Alex Gruenling CHOIR Richard Gerbino Julia Cullen
Friday, 29 12PM 3 SERVERS NEEDED CHOIR
Jennifer Stubbs Annette Raynor
Saturday, 30 7PM 3 SERVERS NEEDED CHOIR 3 READERS NEEDED
Sunday, 31 8AM 1 SERVER NEEDED Carly York
Angela Kinlin & Jennifer Stubbs
Charles Young Kevin Swan
OH - Mike LaCava
TH - Linda Dickinson-Pancila
TH - Gina Schute
ALT - Roseanne LaCava
OH - Linda Dickinson-Pancila
TH - Gina Schute
TH - Jane Slattery
ALT - Mary Aiello
OH - Tom Kinlin
TH - Linda Dickinson-Pancila
TH - Marsha Grigoli
ALT - NEEDED
OH - Rosanne LaCava
TH - Mary Aiello
TH - Jane Slattery
ALT - Mike LaCava
OH - Sue Fitzpatrick
Sunday, 31 10AM 1 SERVER NEEDED Carly York
Julia Cullen Steve Rumsby
Sunday, 31 12PM 2 SERVERS NEEDED CHOIR
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.
Every Sunday at the 10:00AM mass.
Carl Simone T Mullin
TH - Amy Orrico
TH - Gregory Calderaro
ALT - Carol Donahue
OH - Lee Gesner
TH - Emily Santangelo
TH - Irene Weller
ALT - Patricia Gesner
The Grotto Candles are available for your prayer intentions. Offering is $3.00 per candle.
Become more involved at The Parish of Saint Mary! Pleaseconsider becoming anAltarServer
You can contact Andrew Macirowski at worship@stmaryscoltsneck.org to let us know you are interested!
Faith Formation
Julia Cullen - Pastoral Coordinator of Faith Formation / Religion Education
i = Intergenerational Grades 1-6
S = Service Project Grades 7 & 8
24 March, 2024
i Palm Sunday Palm Weaving 11:00 AM MH, followed by 12 PM Mass. Sign up HERE
28 March, 2024
i Holy Thursday
Mass of the Lord’s Supper 7:00 PM church
29 March, 2024
i Good Friday
Passion of the Lord 12 PM church Outdoor Stations of the Cross 3:00 PM
30 March, 2024
Morning Prayer & Blessing of Food Chapel, 9:00 AM
i Easter Vigil, Church, 7:00 PM
6 April, 2024
i Spring Clean-up
See page 11 to sign-up
7 April, 2024
i Annual Easter Egg Hunt
Beginning at 12 PM mass, following in MH
8 April 2024
Parenting Courageously
Mandatory Parent Meet for Confirm. Prep MH, 7:30PM
13 April 2024
Service Project for Confirmation Prep
Mandatory for 7th & 8th Grade Court Yard, 9:00AM
14 April 2024
Happiest Middle Schoolers
Mandatory Confirmation Prep Talk Church, 10:00AM
*Easter Break 29 March - 5 April*
ReligiousEd@stmaryscoltsneck.org
732-780-2666 X 309
Join us this Sunday, 24 March at 11:00AM in Madonna Hall to learn how to Palm Weave. followedby 12:00PM mass. All are invited to this event as we begin Holy Week...continuing with Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Stations of the Cross and Easter Vigil-all INTERGENERATIONALS, we hope to see all RE families for this very sacred week.
If you haven't already, please sign-up to attend the Easter Egg Hunt on 7 April, 2024. Many thanks to all who signed up to volunteer and bring baked goods, your generosity is greatly appreciated. Religious Ed Registration/Re-Registration for the 24/25 Fall program opens on 1 April 2024 at 12:30PM. This is for RE students in grades 1-8. Link can be found on the parish website. Please, also attend the Blessing of Easter Baskets on Holy Saturday, March 30 in the chapel. Morning prayer is at 9:00AM.
“In many Eastern European countries, it’s a tradition to have a basket of food blessed on Holy Saturday. This Catholic ritual has been cherished for centuries among many families. It has now been adopted by people of all ethnic backgrounds who enjoy this richly symbolic custom. The roots of this tradition date back to the early 12th century history of-” (The Catholic Witness).
https://shorturl.at/jkqtU
April 13, 2024
Blessing bag Brigade 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 378 completed Blessing Bags.
The following is a list of requested donations and the RE breakdown:
Men’s socks (8th grade)
Travel size deodorant (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)
Travel size lotion
Disposable Razors
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 here 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 8:30AM, April 13,2024.
“Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward them for what they have done.” Proverbs 19:17
Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion, March 23/24:
Saturday Penance & Reconciliation 3 pm
Masses: Sat 4 pm, Sunday 8 am , 10 am , 12 pm
Monday, March 25- 9:00 am Mass - Chapel
Chrism Mass- St. Robert Bellarmine
Co-Cathedral 7:30 pm
Tuesday, March 26- 9:00 am Mass - Chapel
Wednesday, March 27 -9:00 am Mass - Chapel
Holy Thursday March 28 -NO 9:00 AM Mass
7:00pm Mass-Church
10:00pm Adoration of Blessed Sacrament-Chapel
Good Friday March 29
Commemoration of the Lord’s Passion
12:00 pm in the Church
Outdoor Stations of the Cross-3:00 pm
Holy Saturday March 30
9:00 am Prayer Service/ Blessing of Food - Chapel NO Penance & Rec on Holy Saturday
Solemn Vigil of the Lord’s Resurrection
Saturday, March 30, 7:00 pm Vigil
* no 4:00 pm Mass or Confessions*
Easter Sunday of the Lord’s Resurrection
Sunday, March 31, 2024
8:00am, 10:00am, 12:00pm Masses
Weekday Masses of the Octave
Monday, April 1 to Friday, April 5 9:00am-Chapel
Second Sunday of Easter
Saturday April 7-4:00pm Mass
Sunday, April 8-8am, 10am, 12pm Masses
Eucharistic Adoration &Easter Egg Hunt, following 12pm Mass
Quo vadis for March 24. . .
My Dear Parishioners:
Today we celebrate Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion and Death. The essence of discipleship is that we don’t simply receive the fruit of Jesus’ suffering and death; the essence of discipleship is that we carry his cross. Disciples go wherever the Master goes. Coming to understand who Jesus is, his mission, and how that relates to us his disciples is no easy task; it takes a lifetime. Like Jesus, to be faithful followers by taking up our cross means we will feel this to the depths of our humanity: we will suffer, we will lose heart, we will cry out to God to take life’s miserable lot away from us. But also like Jesus we have divine life which gives us the strength to carry our cross. It is divine life pulsing within us which we first receive at our baptism that raises up our humanity enabling us to be faithful disciples carrying our crosses.
Welcome to all those who join our parish community for Palm Sunday of Our Lord’s Passion & Death. We welcome His Excellency, The Most Reverend Bishop oif Trenton to our parish to celebrate the Sunday 12:00noon mass. Palm Sunday begins Holy Week. Please consult the electronic parish bulletin or the quadfold mailer that was sent to all of our registered parishioners for your convenience. This week the Chrism Mass will be celebrated by His Excellency, The Most Reverend Bishop of the Diocese of Trenton on Monday at 7:30pm at the Co-Cathedral of Saint Robert Bellarmine, Freehold. One of the great traditions in our parish community is our care for the celebration of the liturgy. The celebration of the Triduum (3 Days: Holy Thursday-Good Friday-Easter Vigil) is an opportunity for us to reflect on the mysteries of our faith and to celebrate them with dignity and reverence. This year we will continue the Eucharistic Procession from the
Main Church to the Chapel on Holy Thursday Evening. With candles and flowers and music we will transfer the Eucharistic presence of Our Lord to the Chapel during the Triduum. Public Adoration is available on Thursday Evening until 10:00pm and on Friday morning with private adoration until the Service of the Lord’s Passion at 12:00 noon in the Church. This is THE Liturgy of Good Friday. The Outdoor Stations of the Cross is prayed at 3:00pm. We will pray morning prayer in our Chapel on Saturday. Remember to bring with you your special baked goods, meats and Easter Baskets on Saturday at 9am and we will bless them during morning prayer. There will be no 4:00pm Mass on Holy Saturday as prescribed by Universal Liturgical Law. The Easter Vigil will be celebrated at 7:00pm. Plan on participating in these beautiful and prayerful liturgies. These are busy days. Much collaboration is required in order to celebrate the Sacred Liturgy in a prayerful and dignified manner. In advance I thank all those who so generously share their time and talent to make our parish community the welcoming, prayerful and reverent community we continue to become.
Our Easter Egg Hunt this year is scheduled for Sunday, 7 April 2024, the octave day of Easter beginningatthe12:00noon massandfollowing. Our thoughts are that there are so many activities leading up to Easter Sunday, why not try during the octave. This is a great opportunity for Children and Families to enjoy this event and reflect on the gift of new life we are promised in the Resurrection of Christ. Have a great week. Let us pray for one another and for those who are to be received into the Church next weekend. Happy Sunday. Peace.
Father Jeff
Sharing Our Treasure March 17, 2024 –Fifth Sunday of Lent
Includedinthisweekend’soffertorywillbethe collectionfortheHolyLand(GoodFriday)appeal. Pleasebegenerous.
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"I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die." Jn 11:25-26
It is so wonderful that we are blessed with many parishioner families & visitors to our parish during this sacred season. Please be reminded that all staff, ministry volunteers & choir members should park head-in on the grass around the parish campus. Visitors are invited to do the same for additional parking especially during Palm Sunday and/or Easter day Masses.Pleaseseepage8forMasstimes.
Join Saint Mary Parish!
We welcome you and invite you to register as parishioners of St Mary! Please find our registration guidelines on our website under AboutUs/NewParishioners
Edwin A. SevillanoTemporalAdmin@stmaryscoltsneck.orgSign-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
The Holy Thursday collection is a one-time major collection allocated in support of the Poor & Needy.
Holy Thursday Collection envelopes can be found in the quarterly mailing packets.
Online givers - please make your donation in support of this cause at https://tinyurl.com/2wv5kyu5 or scan the QR code here >>
Thank you for your generosity!
Stewardship: Please Remember Our Parish this - Easter -
Our 2024 Easter Collection is a major annual collection to support our parish. It helps to fund capital projects as well as our regular operational expenses. Kindly use the Easter envelope your received in the mail for your offering and drop it in the collection box as you come to celebrate our Easter liturgies. Alternatively, you may make an offering electronically at our online giving system HERE.
Thank you for your generosity and HAPPY EASTER!
The Catholic Church in the United States requires of us as baptized Catholics to observe the following: Thedaysoffast(onlyonefullmealperday)and abstinence(nomeat)areAshWednesday (February14)andGoodFriday(March29). Allother FridaysofLent(February16throughMarch22)are daysofabstinence(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. Allareencouragedtoembracethesepracticesaspartof ourspiritualjourney.
Spring Clean Up
Saturday April 6, 2024, 9 AM to 1 PM
Join During this holy time, we are called to pause and pay closer attention to our relationship with God and our neighbors. Reflect on how the Lenten pillars of prayer, fasting and almsgiving can guide your journey and how the Eucharist helps us to live in solidarity with our sisters and brothers around the world.
DONATE HERE
This Week’s Story of Hope… INDONESIA. “Many of the country’s more than 17,000 islands are in the Ring of Fire, a region around the rim of the Pacific Ocean where volcanic eruptions and earthquakes are common.
To help her family and community become more resilient against natural disasters and have more reliable access to food, Evita participated in a Catholic Relief Services’ program. The group helps their community stay safe during emergencies like cyclones and earthquakes. They created a system to warn people to evacuate and identified evacuation routes, assembly points and resources they can use during a crisis. The group also maintains a community garden. They grow vegetables like beans, eggplant and water spinach to provide healthy food for their families” (www.crsricebowl.org).
Get your rakes and gloves ready…. Get together with friends, family and fellow parishioners to help clean-up the fallen leaves, branches and debris deposited on the parish grounds from the winter months.
Volunteer HERE
For more info email, TemporalAdmin@stmaryscoltsneck.org
We have our next meeting with the Eucharistic Revival Team on Tuesday, 26 March at 7:00PM in the Spiritual Center. We will be discussing the pilgrimage and how we will be participating as a parish. All are welcome! The more feedback, the better.
This summer, May 17 - July 16 join the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage. Local communities are gathering tinder in response to God’s invitation for renewal, calling on the Holy Spirit to bring the flame.
In keeping with this vision, the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage will accompany Jesus from city to city, lighting hearts on fire along the way. Use this interactive map to explore each of the four unique routes of the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage. Then register to attend the events happening near you!
Read more HERE.
To find more information about the movement, click HERE.
Click the banner to register or visit this link: https://dioceseoftrenton.org/blue-mass
Click the banner or Scan the QR code to register! CATHOLIC WOMEN OF ZION CHAPTER 1 at St. William the Abbot Church
YOU ARE INVITED TO CWOZ CHAPTER 1: The day consists of Mass, Adoration, Music by: Joyful Praise, speaker, sharing, networking and prayers for healing. This month’s speaker is: Janet Pfeiffer.
Janet invites us to join her as she shares: “Intentional Love”
Date: Saturday, April 6, 2024 9:00AM to 2:00PM Mass-9:00AM will be celebrated by: Fr. Thomas Maher
Place: St. William the Abbot Church 2740 Lakewood Allenwood Rd. Howell, NJ 07731
Admission: $25.00 includes Box lunchpay at the door
Come and bring a friend!
Reservations are necessary-must select a Box Lunch from Selections listed on CWOZ Website www.cwoz.org
You can also register by phone-please leave your phone number, spell your last name and selection of Box Lunch at (732) 475-7113
*no later than Tuesday, April 2*