Bishop of the Diocese of Trenton: Most Reverend David M. O’Connell, C.M.
Bishop of the Diocese of Trenton: Most Reverend David M. O’Connell, C. M.
Pastor: Reverend Fr. Jeffrey E. Lee
Pastor: Reverend Fr. Jeffrey E. Lee
Pastor Emeritus: Reverend Fr. William J. Bausch
Pastor Emeritus: Reverend Fr. William J. Bausch
Parish Trustees: Annette Raynor & Roger Zurro
Parish Trustees: Linda Dickinson-Pancila & Tom Nathanson
3,
May Crowning
Saturday, May 2, 2026
4pm mass, followed by crowning of Mary
“Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you.”
Luke 1:28
MASS SCHEDULE & INTENTIONS
Saturday, May 2, 2026 - Sunday, May 10, 2026
Saturday, May 2
9 AM at Saint Catharine, Holmdel
4 PM
Paul Saake * Barbara Saake
Nicholas Cappelleri * Cappelleri Family
Emily Maida and Family * Franceschetti Family
Sunday, May 3
8 AM
Living & Deceased Parishioners & Parish Benefactors
Paul Saake * The Gioacchini Family
Carol Ann Kohler * Jane Slattery
10 AM
Sergio Dos Santos and Jose Moreira * Dos Santos Family
Doris F. Ciesielski * Susan and James Gobat
Paul and Mary Hanas * Laura Sheehy
12 Noon
Andrew Lotano * Chet and Eva Parkes
Modestino Lucarelli * Joann and Robert Buhler
Carol Bodichio * Vincenza Camarco
Monday, May 4
9 AM
Vincent J. Petolino * Francine and Joseph Corcoran
Paul Banco Sr. * The Rudko Family
Tuesday, May 5
9 AM
Intentions of Loving Family Members * Janet Munger
Church Sanctuary Lamps
Wednesday, May 6
9 AM
Guy Suarez *Diane Carnevale
Intentions of George Lowe and Adam Lowe *Lisa Lowe
Thursday, May 7
9 AM at Saint Catharine, Holmdel
Friday, May 8
9 AM at Saint Catharine, Holmdel
Saturday May 9
9 AM at Saint Catharine, Holmdel
4 PM
Marge Eastman *Barbara and Joe Verga
Rachel Verga *Barbara and Joe Verga
Mr. and Mrs. F. Fusco *Franceschetti Family
Sunday May 10
8 AM
Antonina Ficarra * Cappelleri Family
DeStefano/Albruno Families *Franceschetti Family
Peter Caronna *Theresa and Vinny Rago
10 AM
Living & Deceased Parishioners & Parish Benefactors
Maria Blaffard and Philomena Iacono *Catherine
Gloria J. Ziemienski by Susan Gobat
12 PM
Maria and Camillo Gerbino *Richard and Maria Gerbino
Loving Family Members *Janet Munger
Emilia Chavez *Barbara Saake
Please pray for the following members of our parish community who are ill:
Rev. Msgr. Michael J. Walsh
Kathy Weber
His Loving Family
Jack Coppola
Fr. William Bausch
Joe Brando
Lori Lettieri
Edward Habrack
Mario Geneve
request it at the parish office or accessing our online system HERE
To add or remove a family member from the sick list, please email parishbulletin@stmaryscoltsneck.org. Names will be removed from the list after 3 months. Thank for keeping us updated on your loved one’s health.
LIFELONG CATECHESIS:
READINGS FOR THE WEEK
Sunday, May 3—5th Sunday of Easter
Acts 6:1-7/1 Pt 2:4-9/Jn 14:1-12
Monday, May 4
Acts 14:5-18/Jn 14:21-26
Tuesday, May 5
Acts 14:19-28/Jn 14:27-31a
Wednesday, May 6
Acts 15:1-6/Jn 15:1-8
Thursday, May 7
Acts 15:7-21/Jn 15:9-11
Friday, May 8
Acts 15:22-31/Jn 15:12-17
Saturday, May 9
white Acts 16:1-10/Jn 15:18-21
Week of May 3 to May 10
FOR DEEPER REFLECTION
Jesus, our cornerstone.
Question for Children: some ways that you can act like Jesus would if he were in your situation?
Please pray for our Military & First Responders
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
Col. John Anthony Coppola, US Army
TSgt Stephen Witherow, USAF
LCpl Edward Zarzecki, USMC
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
Question for Youth: Jesus is way, the truth, the life” and he asks us to do as he does. How do you try to follow Jesus’ way?
Question for Adults: How are the promises of this Gospel passage made real in your own life? How do you experience yourself doing greater works than even Jesus did?
SAINT OF THE WEEK
Francisco and Jacinta, Children, d. 1919 and 1920
One has a tendency to think that, short of martyrdom, saints lived relatively long lives devoted to prayer and good works. Francisco and Jacinta Marto, ages 11 and 10 at their deaths, demonstrate to us that even young children ─ maybe especially young children ─ are very close to God and can also become saints.
Born in the early 20th Century in a small village near Fatima, Portugal, this brother and sister, like other peasant children of their time, were sent out into the fields to shepherd the flocks at an age when most children would be starting school. Since there was no school in their village, Francisco and his sister’s formal education was limited to the religious training provided by their parents and their aunt, Maria dos Santos. Joined by their cousin, Lucia dos Santos, the children found time to play and pray the Rosary together while attending to their duties as shepherds.
The lives of the children began to change in 1916 when, they tell us, they were visited by an angel on three occasions. READ MORE HERE
WORSHIP & MUSIC
Andrew J. Macirowski - Pastoral Coordinator for Worship & Music / Principal Organist Worship@StMarysColtsNeck.org • Music@StMarysColtsNeck.org
May Crowning
The month of May has long been dedicated in the Catholic tradition to the Blessed Virgin Mary, inviting the faithful into a renewed contemplation of her unique role in the mystery of salvation. In his 1965 encyclical Mense Maio, Pope Paul VI commended this month as a privileged time to intensify prayers for peace. Under the title Queen of Peace, Mary is invoked as a maternal intercessor who presents the petitions of the Church to her Son, Jesus Christ, fostering in the hearts of believers a deeper confidence in divine mercy and providence.
Among the most cherished expressions of Marian devotion during May is the crowning of an image of the Blessed Virgin Mary. In this rite, a crown often woven from flowers is placed upon a statue of Mary, symbolizing her queenship as Queen of Heaven and her dignity as Mother of God. Particularly in communities where ecclesial and domestic life are closely united, this ceremony frequently takes place on May 1. In other settings, it is observed on the Sunday nearest that date, often following the principal Mass of the day. Some parishes associate the crowning with Mother’s Day celebrations, reflecting the Church’s recognition of Mary as “Mother of all the living.”
The Church provides a prescribed rite for the Crowning of an Image of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which we faithfully observe. In our parish, the ceremony is held on the first Saturday of May, following the 4:00 p.m. Mass. The faithful process from the church while chanting the Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary, invoking her intercession under her many venerable titles Queen of Peace, Mother of Mercy, Seat of Wisdom, and others that express the richness of Marian theology and devotion. The priest or deacon then proclaims the appointed prayer, and the image is solemnly crowned as appropriate hymns are sung. The rite concludes with a prayer of blessing and the singing of the Regina Caeli, the Church’s Easter antiphon honoring the Mother of the Risen Lord.
Although personal devotions can often follow the ceremony, these are not formally prescribed within the rite itself. While the rosary is not typically prayed during the crowning, the faithful are warmly encouraged throughout the month of May to pray the rosary whether at home or in church in the presence of an image of the Blessed Mother, thereby extending the spirit of the celebration into daily life and prayer.
Baptisms 4/26/2026
Isabella Donofrio
Anthony Donofrio
Dominic Donofrio
Alessandra Caruso
Luca Petric
“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 22, 2026 to Trinity Sunday, May 31, 2026. 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, May 9
4:00 PM
Sunday,
May 10
8 AM
Sunday, May 10 10 AM
Sunday, May 10 12 Noon
MINISTRY SCHEDULE
Saturday, May 9& Sunday, May 10
Altar Server Cantor Reader 1 Reader 2 EMHC
Jonathan Stubbs
Anthony Gruenling (Sub Requested)
Jacob Barasky Server Needed
Chloe Cullen
RJ Vaina (Sub Requested)
Jacl Schatzle
Eva Tomasetti (Sub Requested)
Bridget Farrow
Jennifer Stubbs
Michele Gruenling (Sub Requested)
Carly York
Joe Ventura Rita LaCava
Carly York Julia Cullen
Carly York
Richard Gerbino
Fun and Games for the Martha Mary Guild meeting May
All women of the parish and our cohorts are welcome to join in the fun on May 13, the last Martha Mary meeting of the year. (Note: We will start working on the Clothing Sale in August.) We are going to "wrap it up" with a wonderful lunch for everyone from No Limits Cafe and we will enjoy a variety of games, with prizes! Rosary is at 11:30 a m , followed by a delicious lunch at noon. Then "Let the Games Begin"!!
Our generous members are asked to bring donations for the children (ages 5-13) of Kateri Day Camp at Collier. They need: one piece bathing suits, beach towels, pool toys, games, puzzles and books. Thank you in advance for your continual kindness.
Barbara Schaflin
OH-Elvira Dapul MD
TH-Louise Habrack
TH-Martha Cowles
ALT-Monica Barr
OH-Rosanne LaCava
TH-Cindy Ventura
TH-Gina Shute
ALT-Mike LaCava
OH-Linda Dickinson-Pancila
TH-Maureen Geiger
TH-Carol Donahue
ALT-Fran Vaina (Sub Requested)
OH-Dolores Lembo
Charles Young
TH-RonGabbard
TH-Michal Kalisz
ALT– Tom Nathanson (Sub Requested)
Memorial Day Weekend
Saturday, May 23
Mass at 4 PM
Sunday, May 24
Mass at 10 AM
GROTTO CANDLES
The Grotto Candles are available for your prayer intentions. Offering is $3.00 per candle
FAITH FORMATION
Julia Cullen — Pastoral Coordinator of Faith Formation / Religious Education
We have completed our elementary catechesis sessions for the 25/26 program year. We want to thank the RE families for participating, as well as the catechists for sharing their faith.
The link is live for our final INTERGENERATIONAL of the 25/26 RE program year, May Crowning. This Saturday, May 2, the INT begins at 3:30pm in Madonna Hall with a presentation and craft. This follows with 4pm mass and the Crowning of Mary directly following in the narthex. Please RSVP using the links on the RE calendar.
All INTERGENERATIONAL recording sheets are due May 8, 2026, for all children in elementary RE. Recording link can be found on the calendar.
Fall registration/reregistration is opened until May 30, 2026. This is for all Religious Education learners enrolling in both elementary RE and Confirmation Prep.
Click here to register
CP-2 Confirmation Interviews
Sunday, 3 May 2026
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-D
3:20 pm E-K
3:40 pm L-P
4:00 pm R-Z
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CALENDAR
2 May 2026
Blessing Bag Outreach 9:30 am—see page 7 for details
May Crowning
3 pm Madonna Hall INT Click to RSVP
First Holy Communion Lottery 4 PM mass- parent meeting follows in church
3 May 2026
Bible Project– CP-1, 1pm Confirmation Interviews-CP-2, 3pm see below for more details
8 May 2026
INTergenerational recording sheets due Use the following ling to record
Intergenerational Recording Sheet
30
May 2026
Fall Registration/ Reregistration closes
NCCL Parents & Family at the center of FAITH FORMATION
We have implemented six events this Religious Education year using the NCCL study parameters. Advent Welcome* Advent Wreath Making* Family Catechesis Day Fishers of Men Diaper Drive* Eater Egg Hunt* Grandparents Day Beginning year three of this project, we will keep you up to date and share what we learned in the coming weeks...
CONFIRMATION PREP
Session #16:
May 2, 2026-Spring Service Project
Blessing Bag Outreach, 9:30am on the sidewalk by the spiritual center. Event should conclude no later than 11am
Session #17:
May 3, 2026- Bible project presentation and group picture: 1pm in Madonna Hall; Confirmation Interviews begin at 3pm
SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES:
We are pleased to announce the celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation
We are pleased to announce the celebration of the Sacrament of First Holy Communion
Congratulations to our newly initiated who came into Full Communion with the Church at the Easter Vigil.
Being a registered and active member of a parish is an important part of living out our Catholic faith in community. The Parish of St. Mary considers someone an active member when they:
Attend Mass regularly
Participate in the life of the parish
Juniper Barasky
Rachelle Deyo
And financially support the parish as they are able. We also encourage adult children over the age of 25 to register separately as parishioners, even if they continue to live in the same household. This helps them take personal responsibility for their faith journey and stay connected to the life of the Church. Non-residents are encouraged to register in the parish where they reside or attend Mass regularly.
Kirsten Lawson
Lucianna Manza
Angelica Weber
If you're interested in becoming a registered member of our parish, or need help with the process, we’d love to assist you. Please visit our parish website for more information or contact the parish office, we're here to help! Main Phone Number 732-780-2666
The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) is the Church's process of welcoming newcomers into full communion with the Catholic Church. As you enter the Church, the parish community and the OCIA Program will walk with you on your journey of faith.
My Dear Parishioners:
Quo vadis...
Today we celebrate the Fifth Sunday of Easter. Jesus’ claim that he is the “way and the truth and the life” is a sweeping one that dares us to see Jesus as everything we need to come to the fullness of resurrection life ourselves. The “way” is not very appealing—dying to ourselves, self-emptying for the sake of others. The good news and truth is that we follow Jesus’ way in less dramatic, everyday ways. Our simple acts of reaching out to others, alleviating their own suffering or eliminating their need (whatever it might be) is how we follow Jesus’ way. How sensitive the early Christian community was to appoint more members to take care of the needy so that the ministry of the word would not suffer. This balance— paying attention to both worship and service—is Jesus’ way to eternal life.
Throughout this month of May we celebrate the Memorial of Saint Rita of Cascia, known as the “Pearl of Umbria” and patron saint of “the impossible”. I have prayed at the reliquary containing her remains and once was taken by the Mother Prioress to the area where the glass case was opened. My devotion has evolved through the years, especially in light of some of my journey as a priest. Later in the month is the Solemnity of the Ascension and later Pentecost which is observed this year on the weekend of Memorial Day. We will celebrate Mass on Memorial Day at 9am and invite all to come aprayforallthosewhosacrificed
their lives, those who are making the sacrifice and those who will sacrifice their lives for the freedom that we enjoy. There is also a parade and ceremony that is organized by our civic leaders in 07722. Why not come to mass and make your way to the township campus and participate in these activities?
We will gather for the Annual May Crowning following the Mass on Saturday, 2 May 2026 at and following the 4:00pm Mass. Please consider joining us for this traditional spiritual act entrusting our parish community to the loving embrace of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Seat of Wisdom.
An accounting of this year’s 2026 Easter Collection will soon be offered for your review. Many thanks to all those who have participated this year. If you have not made your Easter Gift this year, please do so as soon as possible. Thanks for all your generous and faithful stewardship to our parishcommunity.
I am having an enjoyable time away for some rest and re-creation. It is important to get away and slowdown in order to be more focusedand betterserve.
Have a great week. Let us remember one another in prayer. Peace. Father Jeff
TEMPORAL ADMINISTRATION & STEWARDSHIP
Edwin A. Sevillano— Pastoral Associate for Temporal Administration & Stewardship
Please Remember Our Parish this Easter Season
Our 2026 Easter Collection is a major annual collection to support our parish.Ithelps to fund capital projects as well as our regular operational expenses. If you haven’t madean Ester offering yet, kindly use theEaster envelopeyour received in themail and drop it in thecollection box as soon as you are able. Alternatively,you may make an offering electronically at our online giving system HERE
Offerings at Francis House of Prayer
Celebrating 100 years of retreat ministry in Long Branch, NJ
San Alfonso Retreat House 755 Ocean Avenue
Long Branch, New Jersey 07740
"COME TO THE WATER" RELAX & RENEW WEEK JULY 19 - 24
We invite you for a week of rest and renewal at San Alfonso.
Design your own schedule with time for quiet prayer, daily Mass, and various optional activities.
Note: This retreat is open to all; women and men, clergy, and religious sisters.
To Register, click HERE.
Trenton Diocesan Spiritual Center and Retreat House 84 Walnford Road • Allentown, NJ 08501 www.FHOP.org * 609-877-0509 * FHOP@verizon.net
PRACTICE PATIENCE….NOW!!! Friday, May 1 9:30 AM – 1:00 PM With the demands of everyday life, our many responsibilities and tendency to be overwhelmed by stress, we can find ourselves short on patience. If you would like to become a more patient person, (or if others would like you to be J) please come. Donation: $25, includes lunch. Zoom $20
THE WELCOMING PRAYER Monday, May 4 9:30 AM – 1:00 PM
What do you usually say when something goes wrong? I’ll bet it isn't “Welcome!” The Welcoming Prayer invites us to make a habit of welcoming each moment as it comes because there is some hidden gift within it from God. Does your reactive self need a little tender care so that you can respond more gently and peacefully for yourself and others? Your disquieted soul will find a new home in the peace of this prayer. Donation: $25, with lunch and materials; Zoom $20.
IN PERSON ONLY: PERSONAL RETREAT DAY Wednesday, May 13 9:30 AM – 2:30 PM
Come to Francis House for silence, personal prayer and optional spiritual direction. The day begins and ends with a brief prayer together. Please bring a bag lunch. Donation: $10; $40 with spiritual direction.
Save the Date Annual ~ Family Pilgrimage Day ~ Saturday, September 19, 2026 | 9AM - 3:30PM
This year the annual family day pilgrimage will be hosted by the Franciscan community, in the Diocese of Trenton at St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Long Beach Island (Southern Ocean County), New Jersey. It is the perfect place for families to enjoy quality time together. Truly a family-friendly pilgrimage offering a range of activities, and quality time together.
All are Welcome! We invite you to spend the day with us at St. Francis, Long Beach Island, NJ.
For more information please contact: Josue Arriola 609-403-7155
FULL Admission Ticket ($70):
Includes: Admission to Six Flags Great Adventure, Opening Ceremony, Mega meal food voucher (a drink, meal and a snack) to be used anywhere in the park, and Sunday Liturgy. FREE Parking Vouchers for your group (upon request) Must be requested by Wednesday, May 13th.
For Season Pass Holders:
Season Pass holders can enter the Park with their pass anytime during the event, including entering early for the Opening Presentation and joining us for Mass in the evening.
Important Dates:
May 13th 2026: LAST DAY to request a Free Parking Voucher to be mailed
May 15th 2026:
LAST DAY to Pre-order admission tickets and food vouchers. (you can walk up and purchase tickets the day of the event but it may take you longer to get into the park).
