March 5, 2023 - The Second Sunday of Lent

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

Second Sunday of Lent

March 5, 2023

Mass Intentions for:

Saturday, March 4th - Sunday, March 12th, 2023

For * Requested by

Saturday, March 04 – 4 PM Church

James Resko * Jon and Mary Kopko

Gisela Jakubowski * Barbara Saake

Ruth I. Fiedler * Susan and James Gobat

Sunday, March 05 - Church

8 AM John Brenner * Eileen and Michael Stivala

10 AM Pro Populo

Gaye O’Reilly * Hugh and Phyllis Murphy

Robert Cassano * Linda Cassano

12 PM V. James Spiniello * Ginny and Bill La Morte

Special Intention * Bob Amling

Robert A. and Mary Joan McNamara * McNamara Family

Monday, March 06 – 9AM Chapel

Anthony Rapacciulo * Jack and Rorie Coppola

Genoveva Domantay * Drs. Gener and Elvira Dapul

Tuesday, March 07 – 9 AM Chapel

Peter Griffin * Mary Ellen Griffin

Wednesday, March 08 – 9 AM Chapel

Ryan McKenna * Anne and Tom Bean

Thursday, March 09 – 9 AM Chapel

Carlos Martins * Lorraine Martins

Friday, March 10 – 9 AM Chapel

Florence Helmacy * Jane Slattery

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

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

MichaelBarker

JaniceBasilice

FrBillBausch

EileenBeckley

BrendaCaronna

ChristenChellis

LynetteColaco-Desouza

BlakeConley

JackCoppola

ElizabethDeStefano

FrankDonahue

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 5th - March 11th

READINGS FOR THE WEEK

5 Sunday: Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time Gn 12:1-4a / 2 Tm 1:8b-10 / Mt 17:1-9

6 Monday: Dn 9:4b-10 / Lk 6:36-38

7 Tuesday: Is 1:10, 16-20 / Mt 23:1-12

8 Wednesday: Jer 18:18-20 / Mt 20:17-28

9 Thursday: Jer 17:5-10 / Lk 16:19-31

10 Friday: Gn37:3-4,12-13a,17b-28a/Mt21:33-43,45-46

11 Saturday: Mi 7:14-15, 18-20 / Lk 15:1-3, 11-32

Please remember in your prayers those who have recently died.

Kathleen Walsh

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.

FOR DEEPER REFLECTION:

Question for Children: Share about a time when you felt especially close to God or Jesus.

Question for Youth: Have you ever had a “mountain top” experience where you felt exceptionally close to God? How was your life changed by that experience?

Question for Adults: Perhaps this reading calls us, not to cling to the familiar, but to leave the comforts of the parish and reach out to the world around us. In your neighborhood or community, who is waiting to hear the Good News?

The Sanctuary Lamp this week is burning for: Church: Kathleen Walsh

Baptismal Preparation Session

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

SUNDAY, APRIL 2, 2023 at 1PM

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

Stations of the Cross

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

The Way of the Cross has its roots in the early centuries of the Church as pilgrims would walk the Via Dolorosa (the way of sorrows) in Jerusalem, tracing the route Jesus would have taken from his trial to his crucifixion. During the 15th and 16th centuries, Franciscans in Europe began to build outdoor shrines to duplicate the experience found in the Holy Land.

While the number of stations has varied widely (as few and 7 and as many as 30) the tradition of saying prayers and chanting at each station has continued through the centuries, and eventually the 14 stations we know today came into fashion. There were still variations, and in response to this, Pope Saint John Paul II instituted the Scriptural Way of the Cross in 1991 as a means of unifying (at the very least) the events which each station depicted.

Some communities pray a 15th station, depicting the resurrection, but this is contrary to the underlying message of the stations especially during Lent, which is to meditate on the suffering of Christ and his sacrifice for our sins.

In the Roman Catholic Church, the devotion may be conducted personally by the faithful, making their way from one station to another and saying the prayers, or by having an officiating celebrant move from cross to cross while the faithful make the responses.

There are several published versions of the way of the cross, and we have some available in the chapel on the side altar for your use during Lent. We have also published the times for communal stations of the cross at our cohort parish of Saint Catharine in Holmdel. While the stations may be prayed at any time, Friday is considered the penitential day and when they are prayed most often, especially the Fridays of Lent.

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: Third Sunday of Lent

Saturday, March 11th - Sunday, March 12th

Altar Server Cantor Reader 1 Reader 2 EMHC

Alexander Lennon Sophia Lennon Carly York Kathy Maher Charles Young

Sunday 8AM

Server Needed Server Needed Carly York Rita Duenas Anthony Bongiorno

Sunday 10AM Gabriella Penczak Carly York Reader Needed Mary Ellen Griffin

Sunday 12PM

Jonathan Stubbs Gonzalo Sevillano

Carly York with choir Richard Gerbino T Mullin

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

Organ Host - Emily Santangelo

Tabernacle Host - Louise Habrack

Tabernacle Host - Susan Murphy

Alternate - Irene Weller

Organ Host - Mary Aiello

Tabernacle Host - Mike LaCava

Tabernacle Host - Rosanne LaCava

Alternate - Marsha Grigoli

Organ Host - Maureen Geiger

Tabernacle Host - Dawn Reinhardt

(swap requested)

Tabernacle Host - Heidi Lohn

Alternate - Linda Dickinson-Pancila

Organ Host - Patricia Gesner

Tabernacle Host - Minister Needed

Tabernacle Host - Minister Needed

Alternate - Monica Barr

Lenten Holy Hours & Stations of the Cross

Lenten Holy Hours

March 8 - 7PM - St Catharine

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 3, 10, 17, 31

Julia CullenPastoral Coordinator of Faith Formation / Religion Education

ReligiousEd@stmaryscoltsneck.org

732-780-2666 X 309

As we continue prayerfully during this time of Lent, we invite all 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. Summer registration is still open for the month of July-the August session is closed as it is at capacity. We thank all RE families for taking advantage of early registration. Please check out our new and improved website!

Rose FarrowCoordinator of Faith Formation / Youth & Adult Catechesis

YouthRE@stmaryscoltsneck.org

732-780-2666 X 310

Faith Formation Calendar

5 & 6 March 2023

Confirmation Prep Class

19 & 20 March 2023

Confirmation Prep Class

26 March 2023

Lenten Penance and Reconciliation 3pm

MANDATORY FOR ALL 7th & 8th graders

2 April 2023

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

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.

SOCCER AND A BROKEN RESERVOIR

In the Dry Corridor of Honduras, climate change causes persistent drought, making farming nearly impossible. With support from Catholic Relief Services, Rony, a farmer, repaired an old reservoir and installed a new irrigation system to improve his harvests. Now Rony can send his son to a soccer academy to pursue his dream of becoming a professional player. How can you work like Rony to support others’ needs and dreams? 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.

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults

Congratulations to Miranda Mason, Diana Weber and Shawn Woodward who participated in the Diocese of Trenton Rite of Election at the co-cathedral of St. Robert Bellarmine.

Please keep them and our candidate for Confirmation Gianna Innucci, in your prayers as they enter into their final stages of preparation to enter into full communion with the Catholic Church at the Solemn Easter Vigil.

For more information read The Monitor article and visit the picture gallery at: https://trentonmonitor.com/Content/News/ Local-Coverage/Article/ProspectiveCatholics-take-next-step-in-their-journey-offaith-/4/22/33233

My Dear Parishioners:

Today we celebrate the Second Sunday of Lent. Former astronauts commented about how the excitement of going into space dwarfed the fear of danger, but the fear was there nonetheless. This is the risk of venturing forth. Jesus commands the disciples to “Rise, and do not be afraid.” The journey of discipleship has its dangers (temptations/ridicule) but we still venture forth on the journey to eternal glory. We trust in God’s guidance (given through Law, prophets, teachings of Jesus, gospel living modeled by others) and surrender ourselves into God’s hands. All we need do is listen. Listening to God can come through the readings and homily on Sunday. It can come through our own practice of taking some time every day to read God’s word in Scripture. It might come through the guidance we seek in spiritual direction. There are many ways God makes known the divine will for us. Listening means all these things but, most importantly, it means that we keep our eyes focused on the vision of Jesus transfigured and know that God, in great love and divine mercy, intends that we share in that same glory. We cannot lose sight of Jesus himself.

As we continue our journey through this Season of Lent consider participating in daily mass in our parish. This is an awesome way to deepen our prayer life and get to know other parishioners. Remember in your prayer those who are preparing for the Sacraments of Initiation this year. This is a special time of grace for all of those who are discerning full communion with the Roman

Catholic Church within our particular parish. In the coming weeks we will be inviting parishioners to take on various roles in the celebrations of Holy Week, The Paschal Triduum and Easter. Please be generous in responding yes to these invitations. Our community prayer is the responsibility of all of us. We are so blessed to be a community that is welcoming and prayerful. Let us continue to build upon these aspects of our life together so that we might continue to welcome new members as well as those who are returning to our community.

We will host several opportunities in the Church for parishioners and guests to come and spend some time before the Most Blessed Sacrament. I am grateful to all those who helped to prepare the day, those who served as guardians throughout the day and all who participated. It is a beautiful custom of our Catholic Church to enrich our spiritual lives. We are hosting these Holy Hours in cooperation with Saint Catherine, Holmdel.

Thank you for your feedback and comments as we kick off the 2023 Annual Catholic Appeal. It is so very important that each of us participates as our means allow. It is one of the ways we can support His Excellency, The Most Reverend Bishop of Trenton as he guides us in our journey of faith. Please make your pledge/gift this week so that our parish can demonstrate our solidarity with the Bishop. Have a great week. Let us remember one another in prayer. Happy Sunday. Peace.

Father Jeff

Temporal Admin., Stewardship & Outreach

Sharing Our Treasure

February 26, 2023 – First Sunday of Lent

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

"

'Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 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, in prison and you visited me.' "

Mt 25:34-36

Included in this weekend’s offertory will be our monthly Building & Mortgage Collection. Our monthly mortgage payment is $7,966.26. Please be generous.

THANK YOU for the Sacrificial Stewardship Offerings as we support the ministries, programs and facilities of our parish. May God Bless you for the sacrifices that you make.

Should you require our assistance setting up your new account, please call the parish office at 732-780-2666.

You can also download the ConnectNow Giving App for Android or iOS

Thank you for your continuous support!

The 2023 Annual Catholic Appeal is well under-way. Thank you to those parishioners who have already made their gift to the 2023 Annual Appeal.

Will you join your fellow parishioners in supporting this effort that strengthens many important programs and ministries across the Diocese of Trenton? Our goal, $75,000, can only be achieved through YOUR generosity!

If you have not yet made a gift, there will be pledge forms available in the back of church, or you can visit 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.

Your gift will truly make a difference. Thank you for your prayers and support.

Spring Clean Up

Saturday April 1, 2023, 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 Link

For more info email, TemporalAdmin@stmaryscoltsneck.org

NewParishioner Orientation

Sunday,May7,2023 11:00AMatMadonnaHall

Attendance is mandatory for those wishing to become parishioners at the Parish of St. Mary. Please contact the Parish Office if you wish to attend 732-780-2666

Admission tickets are $40 (discounts for seniors and students) and can be purchased HERE

Are you looking for a safe, loving, educational and nurturing environment where your child will get the attention and care that they deserve?

Join our family today! Flexible schedule for children 2 and up. Small class sizes. Research based curriculum. Call 732-780-0135 today for more information

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

St. Joseph By the Sea Retreat Center

400 NJ-35, South Mantoloking, NJ 08738

CURRENT BROCHURE CAN BE FOUND ON OUR WEBSITE – www.sjbsea.org

March16,2023-HONORINGST.JOSEPHTHE WORKER

In honor of our patron St. Joseph, the staff cordially invites you to join us at Liturgy as we celebrate this special day. We will pray for peace and healing for ourselves and for our world. Please call to register by March 13. SPACE WILL BE LIMITED TO 40 PEOPLE. Refreshments and Blessed Bread after the program. Arrival: 10:30 a.m. - (Mass: 11:00 a.m.) /Departure: 1:00 p.m.

(Presenters: Staff) Donation

March 24-26, 2023 – FOOTSTEPS IN THE GARDEN

Do you ever wonder what God is doing and has done in your life even without your help? In scripture, God says, “You will be like a watered garden.” (Is 58:11-12) The blooms in the garden of life take root in the silence. Although the garden needs tending and harvesting, often in our busyness, we miss the beauty that comes on its own and the footsteps of the One who scatters seeds of hope. This weekend offers you time to explore the gardens of your life. Eucharistic Liturgy included. No Supper on Friday. Arrival: 5:00-6:00 p.m./Departure: 1:00 p.m.

(Presenter: Ellen Murphy, AS, CSD) Cost: $375.

April 21-23, 2023 RESTORE AND RENEW

Relax and renew at the beautiful St. Joseph by the Sea retreat house at the Jersey shore. The weekend is the ideal getaway from a busy life. The program consists of daily gentle Asana practice, mediation, walks on the beach, fellowship and breath work. You will leave refreshed and better prepared to share your best self with your family and community. Massage therapy will be available. Eucharistic Liturgy included. No Supper on Friday. Arrival: 5:00-6:00 p.m./Departure: 10:30 a.m. (Presenter: Avita Kennedy, RYT) Cost: $350

Offerings at Francis House of Prayer

Trenton Diocesan Spiritual Center and Retreat House

84 Walnford Road

Allentown, NJ 08501

609-877-0509 or FHOP@verizon.net

Please check www.FHOP.org for registration, directions and for our other offerings!

STATIONS OF THE CROSS

Friday, March 10 9:30 AM – Noon

The Stations of the Cross never stop revealing Christ’s story to us! Today, let us consider how those very same Stations also reveal our stories! Let Christ be your companion as you consider the challenge and the grace of your own cross. Outdoor Stations.

Donation: Love Offering

REVIVED BY THE EUCHARIST

Wednesday, March 15 9:30 AM – 2:00 PM

During the Eucharistic Revival we want to be “revived” by the Eucharist. Join Fr. Bill Lago for a presentation on a few ways to refocus our intentionality in receiving the Eucharist. Sharing from insights by Raniero Cantalamessa, we will reflect on several ways to approach a renewed and revived appreciation of the mystery of the Mass and the august privilege of taking part in sharing in the Body of Christ. The day will include silent reflection and conversation along with lunch and conclude with a celebration of the Mass. Led by Fr. Bill Lago; Donation: $35, Zoom $25.

ENCOUNTER THE WISDOM OF CELTIC SPIRITUALITY

Friday, March 17 9:30 AM – 2:00 PM

At the heart of all Celtic spirituality is the experience of encounter! Nature, music, dance, family, friends and prayer itself opens a door which welcomes us to an encounter with the Divine Love of God. Come, join us as we proclaim to all of life, CéadMíle Fáilte! Donation: $30, includes lunch; Zoom $25

May 5-7, 2023 –

WELLNESS WEEKEND FOR WOMEN

Come away to the quiet and serenity of the ocean and renew yourself in body, mind and spirit. Eucharistic Liturgy included. Massage and spiritual direction will be available. No Supper on Friday. Arrival: 5:00-6:00 pm/ Departure: 1:00 pm (Presenter: Janice Santanello, M. Th., CLEM, CSG, CPC) Cost: $375.

7-DAY SILENT DIRECTED RETREATS

Begins 7:00 PM – Ends 10:00 AM March 24 – 31 Liturgy, spiritual direction and optional contemplative prayer periods are included. Please register early. These fill quickly. Donation: $600; $100 nonrefundable deposit.