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 30, 2025
Spring Clean Up
Saturday April 12, 2025, 9 AM to 1 PM
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
Sunday, 6 April 2025 Lenten Penance and Reconciliation
3:00 pm Last name A-H 3:10 pm Last name I-P 3:20 pm Last name Q-Z
There will be twelve Priest Confessors for your convenience.
A Guided Examination of Conscience Printable Examination of Conscience and How to make a good confession
Saturday, March 29 - 4PM
Mass Intentions for:
Saturday March 29 2025 - Sunday April 6 2025
Intentions of Fr. Jeffrey E. Lee * Staff & Parishioners
Robert O'Brien * Mary & Bill Klein
Joan Brando * Angela and Tom Kinlin
Sunday, March 30 - 8AM
Pro Populo
Dorothy Hagar * Anne-Marie & Ed Matthews
10AM
Salvatore DiFazio * Burtone Family
John Palladino * Regina Castronuova
Intentions of Jamie McKeogh * Beth Walsh
12PM
Severino Ambrosio * The Gruenling Family
Kenneth Meyer * Paola DiNapoli
Giuseppe Catalano & Gaetano Tagliavia * Tagliavia Family
Monday, March 31- 9AM - Chapel
Edward McLeod * Una McLeod Ryan
Andrew Stevens * Karen & Scott Stevens
Tuesday, April 1– 9AM - Chapel
Intentions of Mike & Veronica Axelson
Virginia Braun * Ann Marie Dayton
Wednesday, April 2 - 9AM - Chapel
Francisca Dapul * Drs. Gener & Elvira Dapul
Fr. Ron Cioffi * Tom & Angela Kinlin
Please remember in your prayers those who have recently died. John A. Schroeder
Susan Donnelly Carmel Vickers
Thursday, April 3 - 9AM - Chapel
Renato Poscablo * Drs. Gener & Elvira Dapul
Robert Monaco MD * Diane Carneval
Friday, April 4– 9AM - Chapel
Gerard Thompson * Ginny & Bill LaMorte
Peter Griffin * Mary Ellen Griffin
Saturday, April 5 4PM
George C. Rimmele * Barbara Saake
Lucille Comons * Susan & James Gobat
Christopher Costello * Freda O'Doherty
Sunday April 6 – 8AM
Bill and Helen Huntley * Wendy Huntley
Richard Brundage * Wendy Huntley
Robert Monaco MD * Joyce & Jay Flynn
10AM -
Pro Populo
Barbara Swan Critchley * Tom & Angela Kinlin
Bruno Betro * Linda & William Stagliano
12PM
Robert A. & Mary Joan McNamara* The McNamara Family
Intentions of Marco Buzzard * Family
Kitty Kenny * Florence & Kevin Swan
Joseph, Husband of Mary, First Century
Most of our reliable information on Joseph is contained in the first two chapters of the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. Here we find that Joseph was of royal descent from David, that his family came from Bethlehem in Judea, and that Joseph, who was a builder, had moved from Bethlehem to Nazareth in Galilee. Joseph was engaged to Mary. Upon learning that she was pregnant, he resolved to divorce her. Described in Matthew as a righteous man, Joseph did not want to expose Mary to public disgrace; therefore, he intended to dismiss her quietly. An angel appeared to Joseph in a dream to tell him, "do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit." (Mt 1:20). 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 30 April 5
READINGS FOR THE WEEK:
Fourth Sunday of Lent March 30
Jos 5:9a, 10-12/2 Cor 5:17-21/Lk 15:1-3, 11-32
MONDAY March 31
Is 65:17-21/Jn 4:43-54
TUESDAY April 1
Ez 47:1-9, 12/Jn 5:1-16
WEDNESDAY April 2
Is 49:8-15/Jn 5:17-30
THURSDAY April 3
Ex 32:7-14/Jn 5:31-47
FRIDAY April 4
Wis 2:1a, 12-22/Jn 7:1-2, 10, 25-30
SATURDAY April 5
Jer 11:18-20/Jn 7:40-53
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: Who is the one person you most need to say, “I’m sorry” to in your family?
Question for Youth: Is it difficult for you to say “I’m sorry” when you hurt another or get off track in your own life? Why or
Question for Adults: How have you or your family welcomed a family member who has been distant and/or absent from you?
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
Owen Shoemaker
Peter Vickers
Debby Tanico
Linda Codispoti
Jeff McBride
Toaddorremoveafamilymemberfromthesicklistpleasee-mailONLY parishbulletin@stmaryscoltsneck.org. Please,also,keepusupdatedonyourlovedone’shealth. Nameswillberemovedfromthelistafter3months.ThankyouforkeepingourParishinformed.
Andrew J. Macirowski - Pastoral Coordinator for Worship & Music / Principal Organist Worship@stmaryscoltsneck.org Music@stmaryscoltsneck.org Worship & Music
The entrance antiphon is one of the propers of the Mass, that is the text that changes each day in accord with the liturgical calendar, and in the hierarchy of the liturgy, one of the parts that should be sung each day.
The 4th Sunday of Lent, also known as Laetare Sunday gets its name from the first few words of the Entrance Antiphon for the day.
The full translated text reads: Rejoice, Jerusalem, and all who love her. Be joyful, all who were in mourning; exult and be satisfied at her consoling breast.
The readings for the day take a more hopeful turn as we are now 21 days from the celebration of Easter. In Year A, the Gospel of Jesus curing the man born blind is proclaimed. In Year B, the famous John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. In Year C, the story of the prodigal son is heard.
Some differences from the rest of the Lenten season: The clergy wear Rose-colored vestments, not unlike Gaudate Sunday, the day of rejoicing during the Advent season. The organ may be used as a solo instrument, a departure from its otherwise restricted use during the season of Lent. Flowers may be temporarily used in church decorations. The sense of being able to rejoice with the hope of the resurrection can be reassuring for some and the Church gives us this day for that reason. With the 5th Sunday of Lent, a more somber tone returns as we enter Passiontide, Palm Sunday with the commemoration of the Lord’s entry into Jerusalem, the Last Supper and the crucifixion, followed by Holy Week and the Sacred Paschal Triduum.
“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, 5 4 PM
Ministry Schedule: Fifth Sunday of Lent Saturday, April 5 & Sunday, April 6
Joseph Brando Jacob Barasky
Sunday, 6 8 AM Jack Main NOT FILLED
Carly York Mary Ellen Griffin Charles Young
Carly York Kevin Swan Rita Duenas
OH - Susan Murphy
TH - Louise Habrack
TH - Richard Gerbino
ALT - Elvira Dapul MD
OH - Michael Staub
TH - Maureen Staub
TH - Marsha Grigoli
ALT– Justine Buzzetta
OH - NOT FILLED
Sunday, 6 10 AM NOT FILLED Tesya Yaninas
Carly York Steve Rumsby Matt Yaninas
Sunday, 6 12 PM NOT FILLED NOT FILLED
Fourth Sunday of Lent
Carly York NOT FILLED Jennifer Stubbs
Gracious Father, whose blessed Son Jesus Christ came down from heaven to be the true bread which gives life to the world: Evermore give us this bread, that he may live in us, and we in him; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (LectionaryPage.net)
TH – Maureen Geiger
TH - Steve Stanley
ALT – NOT FILLED
OH - Lee Gesner
TH - Patricia Gesner
TH - Richard Gerbino
ALT– Dawn Reinhardt
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
Religious Education Fall Program- 25/26
Registration/Reregistration opens on 1 April 2025 at 12 noon
See page 7 for more details
Lenten Penance& Reconciliation is on Sunday, 6 April 2025 at 3pm in the chapel. All RE students are asked to use the QR code in the narthex to sign in. This is a requirement for all Confirmation Prep students. To ensure short wait times, we have broken down time slots by last name. please see front cover
The lottery for First Holy Communion ’25 day/time will take place on 3 May 2025 beginning at the 4pm mass, remain in church.
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 front cover
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
309
Religious Education Calendar
31 March 2025
Summer RE registration/reregistration closes CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
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 - INT 11am, SIGN-UP HERE
27 April 2025
Easter Egg Hunt-beginning at the 12pm mass, RSVP SIGN-UP-HERE
Students & Parent Volunteer LINK for the Easter Egg Hunt
CP-2
Confirmation Interviews
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
EARLY Fall Registration/Re-Registration opens on:
Tuesday, 1 April 2025 at 12 PM and closes on 30 April 2025
For your convenience, the link to register can be found on our website homepage and on the RE page in the digital bulletin. Early Registration/Re-Registration is reserved for fully registered parishioners who have completed new parishioner orientation. Stewardship of time, talent and treasure, which includes regular mass attendance, participation in parish life and being signed up for regular on-line giving, all encompass a bona fide parishioner. Once these requirements are met, class placement begins until capacity is reached. You will receive an email confirmation of your child’s class placement once registration and processing is complete.
Fall 2025 program options are as follows: Runs September 2025-May 2026
First Holy Communion Prep- 1 (FHC- 1) Tuesday’s 4:50 PM-6:00 PM - on campus (OC)
First Holy Communion Prep- 2 (FHC- 2) Tuesday’s 4:50 PM-6:00 PM - on campus (OC)
Continuing Faith-A (CF- A) Tuesday’s 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM weekly, virtual
Continuing Faith-B (CF- B) Tuesday’s 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM weekly, virtual
Continuing Faith-C (CF- C) Tuesday’s 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM weekly, virtual
Continuing Faith-D (CF- D) Tuesday’s 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM weekly, virtual
Confirmation Prep -1 (CP-1) Bi-monthly Sun. 5PM - 6:30 PM, virtual or Tues. 4:15 PM - 5:45 PM OC
Confirmation Prep -2 (CP-2) Bi-monthly Sun. 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM, virtual or Tues. 4:15 PM - 5:45 PM OC
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 8:00 am, May 3,2025.
Pastoral Care
Rosemarie Farrow - Pastoral Coordinator of Pastoral Care & Outreach
R.Farrow@stmaryscoltsneck.org
732-780-2666 x 310
Parish of Saint Catharine
Lenten Holy Hours & Stations of the Cross
Lenten Holy Hours
April 3 - RE Families Focused - 6:30 PM
Stations of the Cross
March 28 - 7:30 PM
April 4 - 7:30 PM
April 11 - Living Stations by St. Catharine’s Youth Ministry - 7:30 PM
CRS RICE BOWLS
FOURTH 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
and
hope
Quo vadis...
Quo vadis…
My Dear Parishioners: Today we celebrate the Fourth Sunday of Lent known as Laetare Sunday. Our human tendency is to think we can make a go of life on our own. If we are happy to settle for minimums, some of us can muddle through life reasonably happy. This parable reminds us that God offers us much more. If we choose to die to self (“coming to [our] senses”) and return to God, we are greeted with forgiveness and feasting. However, our heavenly Father’s Feast isn’t a matter of welcoming us back as the sons and daughters we were, but actually transforms us into more perfect sons and daughters sharing in divine life. Our feasting is on much more than a fattened calf; the Feast to which we are invited is nothing less than the Body and Blood of the Son. Repentance is the way we pass from death to life. Repentance is the way we pass from Ash Wednesday ashes to Easter feasting. We wear rose vestments this weekend to remind us that our Lenten journey continues to make progress toward Easter. The next few weeks are known as passiontide. The focus of the readings shifts from the Lenten imagery of the desert to one of betrayal, sacrifice, and redemption.
Next Sunday we will celebrate God’s Mercy in the Sacrament of Penance & Reconciliation (confession). See bulletin for arrival times to minimize wait times. We will have 12 priests for individual confessions. Please make time for you and your family to participate. Please consult other sections of this bulletin for more details.
As preparations continue to be made for our Holy Week, Triduum and Easter celebrations, please get involved. It takes many to help prepare these liturgies. You should be receiving your Holy Week/Triduum/Easter Worship Schedule in the
mail. Please place it in a convenient place for easy reference. Plan to participate in the many opportunities for worship and prayer that are offered here in our parish community. Why not invite a family member or friend who might feel marginalized from the church to join with you during Holy Week 2025? Thanks to our parish staff and the many volunteers who have prepared, photocopied, folded, collated, stamped and sealed the materials for this mailing.
I have had the opportunity to personally greet Catholics who have moved into our community and are coming to mass with our parish community. It is important for each of us to be an ambassador of Christ inviting neighbors to come and be a part of our parish. Also, several have introduced themselves to me as residents of Colts Neck and parishioners of our parish who have lost the “habit” of coming to mass and bringing their children with them. Lent has been an opportunity for them to re-discover their Catholic Faith and the importance of keeping the Sunday Sabbath by receiving Holy Communion. Thank you for being such great ambassadors.
We continue to make progress toward our parish goal fir the ACA 2025. I encourage all to make their gift this coming week. To those who have already made a gift or pledge, Thank You! Together we will reach our goal.
His Excellency, The Most Reverend David M. O’Connell, CM, Bishop of Trenton will visit our parish community fir the Solemnity of Easter. The bishop will be the principal celebrant and homilist at the 12 noon mass on Easter Sunday, 20 April 2025. Come and greet Bishop O’Connell. Have a great week. Let us remember one another in prayer. Happy Sunday. Peace. Father Jeff
Included in this weeks offertory will be the collection of Catholic Relief Services please be generous
"I tell you the latter went home justified, not the former; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted." Lk 18:14
GROTTO CANDLES
The Grotto Candles are available for your prayer intentions. Offering is $3.00 per candle
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
2025 Annual Catholic Appeal Progress as of March 21st
Thank you to the 110 parishioners who have made their gift to the ACA! If you have not sent in your gift already, please do so today. Our parish will receive an extra 5% rebate if we make goal by July 31. Remember pledges can be paid until December. To donate, visit giveaca.org. Make sure to select St. Mary Church, Colts Neck in the Parish Affiliation box so our parish can receive credit for your gift. Thank you for your generosity! Give Online Here, giveaca.org.
Goal: $79,000.00
Pledged: $41,909.13 (53%)
Paid: $37,670.13 (48%)
Total Donors: 110
Average Gift: $340.72
CRY ROOM
Our church is blessed to have a space for families with small children they can use when attending mass. The purpose of this space is to be welcoming to young families attending masses and at the same time to reduce disturbance in the main nave during services.
Please feel free to use the Cry Room if your children are fussy or are easily distracted. Other parishioners without small children, please refrain from using the cry room and sit in the church pews instead.
Thank you all for your cooperation.
BISHOP O’CONNELL TO VISIT ST MARY
His Excellency, The Most Reverend David M. O’Connell, CM, Bishop of the Diocese of Trenton will be the Principal Celebrant and Homilist on Easter Sunday, 20 April at 12:00 noon. His Excellency visits parishes throughout the year and has chosen to visit and pray with us on Easter. I invite all those who are able to come and greet Bishop O’Connell on this joyous occasion.
An Invitation to the April Martha Mary Guild Meeting
All women of the parish and our cohorts are welcome to join us on Wednesday, April 9, for a special Spring-time event! Debbie LaGattuta, certified Master Gardener of Monmouth County, will present "Tips, Tricks and Secrets for Breathtaking and Healthy Container Gardens". She will explain how we can get the most out of containers this year. We will learn all about container selections, potting mixes, planting techniques, maintenance requirements and plant choices. We will also learn how to keep our container gardens healthy and looking fresh all season long. There will also be time for questions.
Join us at 11:30 a.m. for the rosary, BYOL (Bring Your Own Lunch) at noon, with desserts and refreshments supplied by the Guild. Debbie will begin at 12:30.
Our generous members are asked to contribute to Freehold Open Door, whose motto is "No one leaves empty handed". They serve 4000 families locally - not only with food, but they also help with rent, utilities and after school programs. They are in dire need of canned beans, soups, pasta and toilet paper. Any canned goods, baby wipes, tea bags, small bags of sugar and flour will be greatly appreciated.
