May 14, 2023 - Sixth Sunday of Easter

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

Sixth Sunday of Easter

Parish Office Hours

M I W I TH 9 am – 2 pm

Tuesday 2 pm -7:30 pm

Sunday June 4 9 am – 1 pm

Office closed Friday & Saturday and all other Sundays in May

Mass Intentions for:

Saturday, May 13th - Sunday, May 21st, 2023

For * Requested by

Saturday, May 13 – 4 PM Church

Bridget Egan * Carol Ward and Family

Albert Pishioneri * Larry and Felicia Battaglia

Sergio Dos Santos and Jose Moreira * Dos Santos Family

Sunday, May 14 –Church

8 AM Helen Sionas and Mary Stivala * Eileen and Michael Stivala

DeStefano/Albruno Families * Mr. and Mrs. Franceschetti

Barbara Badaracco * Jeanmarie L. Badaracco

10 AM MaryAnn Barone * Cynthia Barone-Mazzola

Joan and Charles Fiumefreddo * Lewicki Family

Remo and Maria Blaffard * Catherine Rennhack

12 PM Pro Populo

Antonina Ficarra * Cappelleri Family

Betty Reuter * Reuter Family

Monday, May 15 – 9 AM Chapel

Isabel Amling * Bob Amling

Tuesday, May 16 – 9 AM Chapel

Eleanore Salvo * Mr. and Mrs. R. Longobardi

Renato Poscablo * Drs. Gener and Elvira Dapul

Wednesday, May 17 – 9 AM Chapel

Adeline Wierzbicki * Irene Sessa

Anthony Garito * Arlene Garito and Family

Thursday, May 18 -9 AM Chapel

Frank Donahue * Angela and Tom Kinlin

Noreen Burkis * Valeria Burkis

Friday, May 19 – 9 AM Chapel

Helen Sumer * Orrico Family

Saturday, May 20 – 4 PM Church

Pro Populo

Walter Lacy * Gioacchini Family

John and Veronica Grabowski * Grabowski Family

Sunday, May 21 – Church

8 AM Emily Maida * Mr. and Mrs. M. Franceschetti

Kathleen Walsh * Annemarie and Frank Delle Donne

Dolores Gorka * Raymond and Nancy Czarnecki

10 AM Intention of Olivia Felibrico and John Estrella * Felibrico

Family

Patricia McKown * Don and Janet Johnston

Jean Sperandeo * Brown Family

12 PM Richard Gerbino * Richard and Maria Gerbino

Margaret Dedalis * Catherine Quackenbush

Gerald Aldi * St. Mary Parish Choir

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

KathleenAmatel

ValerieBarcheski

MichaelBarker

JaniceBasilice

FrBillBausch

EileenBeckley

BrendaCaronna

ChristenChellis

LynetteColaco-Desouza

BlakeConley

JackCoppola

ElizabethDeStefano

BillDonahue

KaitlinDonahueNagle

SharonEvangellista

JoannFeliciti

CynthiaFiedler

JamesFiedler

EmilyGioacchini

JasonGreenberg

EdwardHabrack

TomHudak

ElizabethLindHuseby

LeonJankowski

BridgetKorn

BobLind

LoriLettieri

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 May 14th to May 20th

READINGS FOR THE WEEK

14 Sunday: Sixth Sunday of Easter

Acts 8:5-8, 14-17 / 1 Pt 3:15-18 / Jn 14:15-21

15 Monday: Acts 16:11-15 / Jn 15:26 16:4a

16 Tuesday: Acts 16:22-34 / Jn 16:5-11

17 Wednesday: Acts 17:15, 22 18:1 / Jn 16:12-15

18 Thursday: Acts 18:1-8 / Jn 16:16-20

19 Friday: Acts 18:9-18 / Jn 16:20-23

20 Saturday: Acts 18:23-28 / Jn 16:23b-28

FOR DEEPER REFLECTION:

Question for Children: Jesus promises to be our friend forever. How do friends treat each other?

Question for Youth: Jesus promised us that the Holy Spirit (the Advocate) would remain with us always. When have you experienced the Spirit?

Question for Adults: Which one of the promises in today’s Gospel gives you the most hope?

The Sanctuary Lamp this week are burning for:

Church: Agnes Pellicone

Requested by Pellicone Family

Chapel: Stella Culosi

Requested by Pellicone Family

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.

Mass Intention Requests

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

The suggested stipend is $10.

HELP THE SPONSOR A FAMILY PROGRAM!

The Sponsor-A-Family program sponsors families in need at Christmas by providing food and presents. This wonderful program has sponsored hundreds of families in the surrounding communities for more than 20 years. We are in need of volunteers to get involved. If you are interested, please contact Kathy Maher at wamaher2@aol.com

Baptismal Preparation Session

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

SUNDAY, JUNE 4, 2023 at 1 PM

Pre-registrationisrequiredaweekinadvance. ContactUs

Sacrament of Baptism Couples wishing to baptize their children must be registered parishioners of St Mary Parish. Please contact the Parish Office at 732-780-2666 x329 at least 3 months in advance of the desired date for baptism. More information can be read HERE

Worship & Music

The Ascension of the Lord

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

Worship@stmaryscoltsneck.org

Music@stmaryscoltsneck.org

The Solemnity of the Ascension, traditionally celebrated 40 days after Easter, is as such to make symmetry with the 40 days of Lent that precede the Sacred Paschal Triduum. The Solemnity of Pentecost, which occurs on the 50th day after Easter, allows for a novena (9 days of prayer) to be observed between the two celebrations.

At least, that is what we are used to. In the United States, the ecclesiastical provinces of Boston, Hartford, New York, Newark, Omaha, and Philadelphia observe Ascension Thursday as a Holy Day of Obligation. This includes: Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey*, Nebraska, and Pennsylvania. In all other US provinces, the Solemnity is transferred to and replaces the 7th Sunday of Easter. While this may allow a greater convenience to the faithful, especially in those areas of the country where priests are at an even greater shortage and parishes are many miles apart, the symbolism of the numbers falls to the wayside, as do the readings for the 7th Sunday of Easter.

*Last year, 2022, the Archdiocese of Newark permanently transferred the Ascension to the 7th Sunday of Easter, thus we will observe this Solemnity next weekend.

This solemnity commemorates Jesus’ ascension into heaven, an important tenet of our Catholic Christian faith, professed in both the Apostle’s Creed and the Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed. The Ascension event is a key component of our understanding of the post-Easter narratives and the concept of the holy trinity. This event is the return of the Son to the Father which precedes the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles 10 days later. Another key theological aspect ties into the resurrection - Jesus was resurrected by the will of the Father and through the Father’s power, but Jesus ascends by his own will and power, the final earthly manifestation of his might and glory.

Saint of the Week:

Justin, Martyr, c. 100-165

Justin, a layman, was the first great apologist of Christianity and a number of his lengthy writings remain with us today. Born of Greco-Roman parents, Justin received the best liberal education available in his day. He studied rhetoric, history, poetry, and was especially interested in philosophy. But none of the philosophers whom he studied seemed to have exactly what he was looking for.

One day, as Justin was walking near the seashore pondering one of Plato’s maxims, he found himself being followed by a venerable looking old man. This stranger aroused Justin’s interest by telling him of a philosophy more virtuous and satisfying than any he had studied to that time.

Read more HERE.

“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, February 26, 2023 to Trinity Sunday, June 4, 2023. However, the Church’s law does permit this precept to be fulfilled at another time during the year when there is a just cause.

Saturday 4PM

Ministry Schedule: Ascension of the Lord May 20 & 21

Altar Server Cantor Reader 1 Reader 2 EMHC

Alex Gruenling Anthony Gruenling

Carly York Charles Young Paul Tonacci

Sunday 8AM Jack Main Carly York Kevin Swan Anthony Bongiorno

OH-Irene Weller

TH-Louise Habrack

TH-Martha Vowles

ALT-Susan Murphy

OH-Joseph Flanagan

TH-Jane Slattery

TH-Roseanne LaCava

ALT-Joyce Flynn

OH-Linda Dickinson-Pancila (sub req)

Sunday 10AM Gabriella Penczak Carly York READER NEEDED READER NEEDED

Sunday 12PM

Jonathan Stubbs Gonzalo Sevillano

Carly York & Choir T Mullin Jennifer Stubbs

Speak with a Priest

 Struggling with a life event and in need of spiritual assistance?

 Want to celebrate the Sacrament of Penance outside the normal Confession times?

 Trying to find your way back to engagement with the Church?

 Discerning vocation?

 Looking to complete your Sacraments of Initiation and wish to chat about the journey?

St Mary is offering the opportunity for parishioners to chat with a priest who is only indirectly engaged with the parish. If interested please contact Fr Mike Walsh by phone 732-780-2666 x205 or email frmike.walsh@stmaryscoltsneck.org

TH-Winifred O’Doherty

TH-Heidi Lohn

ALT– Carol Donahue

OH-Cindy Venture (sub req)

TH-Elvira Dapul

TH-MINISTER NEEDED

ALT-Monica Barr

Welcome to the newest members of our Saint Mary Parish family

KallieRaeTobia BradyKevinBernard

SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM

Parents 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.

May Day Crowning of the Blessed Virgin Mary was a success We thank all who participated and volunteered to make it such a beautiful event.

I

Please email to Religious Education or drop off at the parish office. For your convenience, there is a link to a printable copy below.

Fall Religious Education

Registration/Re-Registration is opened for Grades 1-8 & closes on 31 May 2023

Registration continues through the month of May at the regular price

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

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: 1-888-296-2965 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

Get the best Catholic media at your fingertips! Learn and enjoy your faith at home and on the go, from any device. Create your free account on the FORMED app or at

Register Here

www.stmaryscoltsneck.formed.org

Parish Access Code: KQ4VQ3

The Parish of Saint Mary presents "Theology on Tap"

Featuring the Most Reverend David M. O'Connell, C.M., Bishop of Trenton

Join us for a special evening at Source Brewery in Colts Neck!

Tuesday June 13, 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM.

Adults 21 and older only. $20 per person which includes the first drink and a light fare. Non alcoholic beverages will also be available.

Limited capacity. Sign up today HERE!

SOURCE Farmhouse Brewery

300 Route 34 Colts Neck, NJ 07722

https://www.sourcebrewing.com/

Grotto Candles

The Grotto Candles are available for your prayer intentions.

Offering is $3.00 per candle.

FR. MIKE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF ORDINATION TO THE PRIESTHOOD

Saturday June 10, 2023

5 PM Mass

Save the date!

Join us to celebrate Fr Mike’s Golden Jubilee. Light refreshments served in the narthex/gathering space following the Mass.

MARTHA MARY GUILD CLOTHING SALE WE NEED YOU!

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

My Dear Parishioners:

Today we celebrate the Sixth Sunday of Easter. So much of resurrection belief rests in intimacy with Jesus and we know such intimacy is to characterize all of Christian life. Yet it’s difficult to keep things in perspective: so much of our life seems anything but connected to Jesus let alone his resurrection. Our sheer busyness hardly leaves us with a moment to catch our breath let alone be concerned about intimacy with Jesus! We have difficulty being intimate with those we love with whom we work and spend our lives; how in the world can we talk in any practical terms about intimacy with Jesus? Intimacy with Jesus doesn’t require that we pray all the time or that we are consciously aware of Jesus’ presence. Intimacy with Jesus is a simple matter of keeping his commandments—being gentle and reverent toward others, having a clear conscience, doing good (see second reading). For most of us we are already doing what we need to do to be good Christians; what more is needed is to recognize that these good actions are already receiving the intimacy Jesus offers. He makes all good possible.

The Solemnity of Pentecost is observed on the 50th Day of Easter. This Solemnity marks the completion of the New Covenant of the Almighty with the People of God in promising to remain with us always…untiltheendof theage. Theoutpouring of the Paraclete is in essence the birthing of the Church, enabling the

Apostles and their successors to continue the Mission of Christ by evangelizing and sacramentally initiating new members into the Body of Christ the Church. This Pentecost is observed Memorial Day Weekend this year. Make a point to go to church wherever you may find yourself.

The 2023 Easter Collection report will be published the weekend of the Solemnity of Pentecost. Those who have not made their gift to the 2023 Easter are encouraged to do so ASAP. Those who have made their gift, Thank You. We continue to make slow steady progress toward achieving our goal for the 2023 Annual Catholic Appeal Thank you for your generous sharing to support His Excellency, the Most Reverend Bishop of Trenton. Our rebate money is applied toward the continued replacement of all light fixtures throughout our parish campus… from fluorescent to LED…less energy used…no bulbs and ballasts…less maintenance required.

Enjoy these beautiful Spring Days. Remember all those who embrace the Vocation of Motherhood in your prayer. Thanks to all those who participated in the Annual May Crowning. It is a lovely custom honoring the Blessed Virgin Mary and entrusting our parish to her maternal care and intercession. Have a great week. Let us remember one another in prayer. Happy Sunday. Peace. Father Jeff

Quo vadis . . .

Temporal Admin., Stewardship & Outreach

Edwin A. SevillanoTemporalAdmin@stmaryscoltsneck.org

SUNDAY OFFICE HOURS

The Parish Office will continue to open one Sunday per month The next Sunday the Parish Office is open will be Sunday, June 4, 2023.

Please remember you can always request Mass intentions online at https://bit.ly/3VX9egP.

Thank you for your cooperation.

2023 EASTER Collection

We are grateful to all who contributed; if you have not yet participated, please do so this coming week so that we can offer a timely proper accounting to you.

Kindly return your Easter offering envelope or make your gift through our online giving system at

https://flowcode.com/p/z25W7Dti

We will provide you with a report of this collection at the conclusion of the Easter Season.

Thank you and God Bless.

As of May 8, 2023

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

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

Goal: $75,000

Pledged: $53,675

% of goal: 72%

# donors: 171

Average gift: $314

Paid to date: $49,525

If you have not yet made a gift, there are 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.

Thank you for your continuous support!

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

"As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and remain in his love." Jn 15:9-10

Included in next weekend’s offertory will be the appeal for Catholic Communications Campaign. Please be generous.

Memorial Day Weekend / PENTECOST SUNDAY

Abbreviated Mass Schedule

Saturday May 27 - 5 pm Mass (4 pm Penance and Reconciliation)

Sunday May 28 - 10 am Mass (No 8 AM or 12 noon)

Memorial Day Mass schedule

Monday May 29 9 am Mass (in the Chapel)

SATURDAY MASS

Saturday 27 May the Summer Mass schedule will begin with the Mass time at 5:00 pm through Labor Day weekend. The Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation (confessions) is at 4:00 PM

Study Theology at Georgian Court University!

All programs can be completed remotely. Master of Arts or a Graduate Certificate in Theology, with concentrations in Pastoral Ministry or Mercy Spirituality. Not sure? Take one or two classes on a non-matriculating basis to see if our programs are right for you. Generous financial aid available. New semester begins September 5, 2023. There is still time to apply. Contact department chair Johann M. Vento for more information: jvento@georgian.edu. We look forward to getting to know you and talking about your interest in studying theology.

All are welcome to a Sensory Friendly Mass!

A Sensory Friendly Mass is designed for all families with children or adults diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder or sensory sensitivities, or other disabilities. This is a regular Sunday Mass, with a flexible environment. After the Mass, we will join for a craft and refreshments.

We invite all who are interested as a participating family or volunteer to attend our Mass.

Sunday May 28, 2023---2:00pm

St Agnes Church

103 Center Ave

Atlantic Highlands, NJ 07716

Please RSVP to: NorMonHIS@gmail.com

The Parish of St. Mary

Spring Information Fair 2023 - St. John Vianney High School (sjvhs.com)

St Padre Pio Prayer Group of St Ambrose Parish

Come join us in prayer as we celebrate mass together in honor of St Padre Pio by Celebrant Fr. Jack C. Grimes. Mass will be celebrated on Saturday May 20, 2023 at 9:00 AM followed by veneration of a first class relic of St Padre Pio.

St Ambrose Parish

83 Throckmorton Lane, Old Bridge NJ 08857 (732)679-5666

CATHOLIC WOMEN OF ZION CHAPTER I

Please bring a friend and join speaker Viola Lifrieri as she shares: “He Who Calls You is Faithful; He Will Surely Do It!”

1 Thessalonians 5:24

Date: Saturday, May 20, 2023 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Mass: 9:00 AM will be celebrated by Fr. Thomas Maher

Place: St. William the Abbot, 2740 Lakewood Allenwood Rd, Howell, NJ 07731

Admission: $20.00 includes Box Lunch - pay at the door

Reservations: ARE NECESSARY - must select a Box Lunch from selection 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, May 16th .

If you have any questions contact: Mary Ann Collett, MSW, MA, CLEM Co-founder/Director of Catholic Women of Zion cwoz@cwoz.org

Sacred Heart Revival

Do you want more peace in your family, blessings on your undertakings, and a more perfect faith life? Jesus is standing at the door and knocking. Open the door for Him! Join our nationwide campaign to invite the Sacred Heart of Jesus into your home, classroom, or business. Visit www.SacredHeartRevival.com for more information on the graces of the Sacred Heart and sign up today.

Holy Land Discovery Tour

September 1 - 8, 2023

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!

UNCEASING PRAYER THE WAY OF THE PILGRIM

Thursday, May 18 9:30 AM – 1:30 PM

CATHOLIC ITINERARY

Mass is included. The roots of your faith will come to life on this extraordinary journey through Israel. Starting from Tel Aviv, visit some of the main archaeological, historical, and biblical sites, and follow in the footsteps of Jesus as you learn more about His life and ministry. To stand in the very places where history unfolded is a true highlight as you visit important sites of the Gospel, such as Nazareth, the Sea of Galilee, Cana, the Mount of Beatitudes, the River Jordan valley, Bethlehem, and last, but not least, Jerusalem. This extraordinary Israel tour is designed for value-minded travelers. Hotels, Bus Transportation, Guides, Historians, 7 Breakfasts, 4 Dinners are included.

Land price starts at $1979 per person (based on double occupancy). An $850 deposit per person will hold your space. For more information and reservations, call Brian at Catholic Cruises and Tours: 1 (860) 399-1785.

SAVE THE DATE

Friday Evening and Saturday, October 20-21, 2023 Holy Innocents Church, Neptune, NJ

Please join us for a Retreat with Immaculee Ilibagiza, New York Times best-selling author of “Left to Tell” and Rwandan genocide survivor. Immaculee brings a message of forgiveness, healing and hope. She will share her witness to the life-saving power of faith and the Rosary.

More information to follow this summer.

Life is above all, a pilgrimage! Most of us find ourselves praying on the run, pleading for help as we move about from one urgent task to the next. During this retreat we will follow the advice of the pilgrim in the classic The Way of the Pilgrim whose mastery of the Jesus Prayer fulfilled his desire for unceasing prayer. I am hoping that this retreat experience will quench our thirst for prayer and help each of us on our lifelong pilgrimage to peace, healing, and union with God. Led by S. Marcy. Donation: $30, includes lunch. Zoom $25.

THE GIFT OF ASCENDING

Thursday, May 18 1:00 – 4:00 pm

“Men of Galilee, why are you standing there looking at the sky? This Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven will return in the same way as you have seen him going into heaven.”

On the day of the Ascension, angels advised the Apostles to not spend their time looking to the heavens to find Jesus! Do we need a similar reminder? Come, join our exploration, as we seek to find the presence of Jesus in Scripture, in nature, in silence, in life's events and in our own hearts. Led by Sister Marie

Donation: $20

Zoom Only

MARY, TEACH US TO PRAY

Tuesday, May 23 7:00 to 8:00 PM

No matter how hard it is for us to imagine that Jesus needed to learn how to pray, we know it is true! Might we all agree, her spirituality served him well! Do you ever feel you might need a prayer refresher? Let’s go to her together asking her to share with us the lessons she shared with her Divine Son. Led by Sister Marie. Donation: $15