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
May 4, 2025
24-25 May 2025- Memorial Day Weekend
Abbreviated Mass Schedule
Saturday 5:00pm; Sunday 10:00am
(No Sunday 8:00am or 12:00 noon masses this weekend)
The Parish Office will be closed Monday, May 26 in observance of Memorial Day. It will reopen Tuesday May 27 at 9:00 AM.
Saturday, May 3 - 4PM
Paul Saake * Barbara Saake
John Grabowski * Janet Munger
Mass Intentions for:
Saturday May 3 2025 - Sunday May 11 2025
Sergio Dos Santos & Jose Moreira * Dos Santos Family
Sunday, May 4 - 8AM
Pro Populo
Emily Maida * Franceschetti Family
Father Xavier * Eileen & Michael Stivala, Jr.
10AM
Tadeusz Pietras * Family, wife, sons, grandsons & daughter in law.
Rosemary Zera * Carol Condiracci
Florence and William O'Sullivan * Freda O'Doherty
12PM
Robert A. & Mary Joan McNamara * The McNamara Family
Maria and Camillo Gerbino * Richard & Maria Gerbino
Bob Walsh * Maureen Beyer
Monday, May 5- 9AM - Chapel
Robert Monaco MD * Freda O'Doherty
Intentions of Filomena DePierro * Fredda Family
Tuesday, May 6 – 9AM - Chapel
Guy Suarez * Diane Carnevale
John Henry Niederer, Jr. * Jean & Chet Galloway
Wednesday, May 7 - 9AM - Chapel
Loving Family Members * Janet Munger
Intentions of Ann Baker * Martha Mary Guild
Thursday, May 8- 9AM - Chapel
Daniel P. McGarry Jr. * Rosa Maria McGarry Carmel Vickers * Angela & Tom Kinlin
Friday, May 9 – 9AM - Chapel
Gloria J. Ziemienski * Susan Gobat
Mario Grillo * Camilla Grillo & Larney Family
Saturday, May 10 - 4PM
Marge Eastman * Barbara & Joe Verga
Rachel Verga * Barbara & Joe Verga
Paul Saake * The Gioacchini Family
Sunday May 11– 8AM
Virginia & Bill Endlicher * Bob Endlicher
DeStefano/Albruno Families * Franceschetti Family
Helen Sionas & Mary Stivala * Eileen & Michael Stivala, Jr.
10AM
Pro Populo
MaryAnn Barone * Cynthia Barone Mazzola
Denise Troxell * Zumba Family
12PM
Intentions of Marianna Zanobi * Marianna Zanobi
Carmel Vickers * Donna & Frank Sikorskas
John B. McCormack * Stacy Lynn McCormack
Elizabeth Ann Seton, Mother and Religious, 1774-1821
Our saint this week experienced the kindness and sympathy of others in her time of grief. In turn, she spent much of the remainder of her life caring for others.
Elizabeth Ann Bayley Seton was born in New York City on August 28, 1774, just two years before the Declaration of Independence was signed. She might truly be called a daughter of the American Revolution.
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 May 4 May 10
READINGS FOR THE WEEK:
Third Sunday of Easter May 4
Acts 5:27-32, 40b-41/Rv 5:11-14/Jn 21:1-19 or 21:1-14
Monday May 5
Acts 6:8-15/Jn 6:22-29
Tuesday May 6
Acts 7:51 8:1a/Jn 6:30-35
Wednesday May 7
Acts 8:1b-8/Jn 6:35-40
Thursday May 8
Acts 8:26-40/Jn 6:44-51
Friday May 9
Acts 9:1-20/Jn 6:52-59
Saturday May 10
Acts 9:31-42/Jn 6:60-69
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: Jesus asks Peter three times if Peter loves Jesus. What one thing can you do this week to show Jesus your love?
Question for Youth: Jesus asked Peter three times to “feed my sheep.” Who are you being called to help in your life right now?
Question for Adults: Christ continues to feed us as his disciples, even after his death and resurrection. How does the Eucharist feed your faith?
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:
Ann Romano
Jack Coppola
Kaitlin Donahue Nagle
Nancy Niven
David Niven
Lorraine & Alan Smith
Lori Lettieri
Lauren vinci
Dawn Reinhardt
Helen Prill
PATTY Kamertz
Rose walch
Joyce daniel
Edward Habrack
Jeff McBride
Owen Shoemaker
Peter Vickers
Debby Tanico
Toaddorremoveafamilymemberfromthesicklistpleasee-mailONLY parishbulletin@stmaryscoltsneck.org. Please,also,keepusupdatedonyourlovedone’shealth. Nameswillberemovedfromthelistafter3months.ThankyouforkeepingourParishinformed.
Worship & Music
May Crowning
Andrew J. Macirowski - Pastoral Coordinator for Worship & Music / Principal Organist Worship@stmaryscoltsneck.org Music@stmaryscoltsneck.org
The month of May is traditionally associated with the Blessed Virgin Mary. Pope Paul VI identified the month of May as a time to incorporate specific prayers for peace. And Mary, being Queen of Peace, brings these special prayers to her son, Jesus Christ.
The crowning of an image of Blessed Virgin Mary is a tradition in the Catholic Church, wherein a crown woven out of flowers is placed upon a statue of Mary to signify her role as Queen of Heaven and Mother of God. In small towns where church and home life are heavily intertwined, this practice always takes place on the 1st day of May. Other customs include the Sunday closest to this day, following the “high Mass” of the day, some keep this practice as part of Mother’s Day festivities, toward the middle of the month, as Mary is “mother of all the living”.
There is a prescribed rite for the Crowning of an Image of the Blessed Virgin Mary which we follow. In our parish - on the first Saturday of May, following the 4pm Mass, the faithful will depart the church while singing the Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary (wherein we pray for the intercession of the Blessed Mother, and call her by her many titles - Queen of Peace, Mother of Mercy, Seat of Wisdom, etc)
The priest or deacon proclaims a prescribed prayer and the image is crowned, while appropriate hymns are sung. The rite concludes with a prayer of blessing and the Regina Caeli.
Individual devotions often take place following the rite, but are not prescribed. Traditionally, the rosary is not prayed during this event, but it is encouraged that those who pray the rosary at home or at church do so in the presence of an image of the Blessed Mother during the month of May.
“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
Coffee and Donut info Day 18 May 2025
We are in need of more facilitators and invite all interested in learning more about joining this wonderful ministry.
Please join us on 18 May 2025 beginning at the 10am mass and following in the Spiritual Center. Please RSVP HERE to this casual question and answer session. Learn firsthand from facilitators what this ministry is all about and how to minister to children, ages 4-12, during the Liturgy of the Word where children engage at a level more appropriate to their understanding.
Saturday, 10 4 PM
Ministry Schedule: Fourth Sunday of Easter Saturday May 10 & Sunday May 11
Jonathan Stubbs NOT FILLED
Diane Dragone Jennifer Stubbs Angela Kinlin
Sunday, 11 8 AM
Joseph Barasky Jacob Barasky Carly York Rita Duenas Joe Ventura
Sunday, 11 10 AM NOT FILLED NOT FILLED Carly York Julia Cullen Steve Rumsby
OH - Monica Barr
TH - Emily Santangelo
TH - Irene Weller
ALT - Elvira Dapul MD
OH - Mary Aiello
TH - Cindy Ventura
TH - Dawn Reinhardt
ALT– Gina Shute
OH - Linda Dickinson - Pancila
TH – Richard Gerbino
TH - Fran Vaina
ALT – Carol Donahue
OH - Ron Gabbard
Sunday, 11 12 PM Jack Schatzle Jack Main Carly York Charles Young NOT FILLED
Third Sunday Of Easter
O God, whose blessed Son made himself known to his disciples in the breaking of bread: Open the eyes of our faith, that we may behold him in all his redeeming work; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
(LectionaryPage.net)
Speak with a Priest
Struggling with a life event and in need of spiritual assistance?
TH - Richard Gerbino
TH - Lee Gesner
ALT– Patricia Gesner
Baptismal Preparation Session
St Mary Parish is offering our next Baptismal Preparation Session on: Tuesday, April 27, 2025 @ 6:30 PM Pre-registrationisrequired aweekin advance. ContactUs
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 are 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
Faith Formation
Julia
Cullen - Pastoral Coordinator of Faith Formation / Religion Ed ReligiousEd@stmaryscoltsneck.org 732-780-2666 X 309
All are invited to THE BIBLE
PROJECT DISPLAY
On Sunday, 4 May,
beginning at 1pm in Madonna Hall. Come support our 7th graders & take a walk through the Old Testament, following Jesus’ genealogy...
Confirmation Prep-2 (7th gr), please be reminded to keep your CHOSEN book and BIBLE in a safe place as you will need them next year in CP-2.
Grades 1-6: There are only a few Intergenerationals left before the digital recording sheets are due…please be advised of the change of date for our Spring Movie day, correct date is on the calendar. use the link to sign-up
Religious Education Fall Program- 25/26
Registration/Reregistration LINK
Early Registration, at the discounted price, is now closed. Registration continues until 31 May.
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION LINKS
2024 - 2025
• Parent - Student 24/25 Handbook
• Intergenerational List
• Intergenerational Recording link
Religious Education Calendar
3 May 2025
• Blessing Bag Outreach - 9am packing (CP only)
• May Day Crowing- 3pm craft Madonna Hall, followed by 4pm mass in the church SIGN-UP
• FHC Lottery - following 4pm mass (2nd gr. only)
4 May 2025
• 7th gr Bible Project display 1pm, Madonna Hall
• 8th gr Confirmation Interviews 3pm, Spiritual Center
15 May 2025 Intergenerational digital recording sheet due Link in box below
18 May 2025
NOTICE CHANGE OF DATE
Spring Movie Day-Intergenerational Spiritual Center Theater following 12:00pm mass, SIGN-UP
22 June 2025
Summer Intensive Orientation Beginning at 12pm mass, Following in the church (FHC 1 & 2, CF-A, B, C & D)
29 June 2025
Summer Intensive Orientation Beginning at 10am mass, Following in the church (FHC 1 & 2, CF-A, B, C & D)
EASTER EGG HUNT PICTURES
CP-2 (grade 8)
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
CALLING ALL TEACHERS!!!
We are in need of a few more teachers inour Fall Religious Education program that runs September ‘25 –May ‘26.
Paid positions are available for certified teachers who are alive in their faith.
Kindly, contact the RE office for more details and to sign-up
Service hours & Volunteer Opportunities
7th, 8th, HS and up...
Summer RE assistant/volunteer: July Virtual or August on-campus SIGN UP
Blessing Bag Pack Day: 3 May 2025, 9AM Outside Madonna Hall weather permitting
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
Cardinals ask faithful to pray for their discernment for
new Pope
The College of Cardinals has requested that all Catholics pray for them, so that they may listen the Holy Spirit as they discern whom to choose as the next Pope.
By Vatican News
The Holy See released a declaration on Wednesday in which the Cardinals preparing for the upcoming conclave ask the faithful to pray for them.
“The College of Cardinals gathered in Rome, engaged in the General Congregations in preparation for the Conclave, wishes to invite the People of God to live this ecclesial moment as an event of grace and spiritual discernment, listening to the will of God,” read the statement. The Cardinals said they feel “the need to be supported by the prayers of all the faithful,” since they are aware of their responsibility in choosing the next Successor of Peter. Prayer, they added, “is the true force that in the Church promotes the unity of all the members of the one Body of Christ.”
“Faced with the enormity of the task ahead and the urgency of the present time,” said the Cardinals, “it is first of all necessary to make ourselves humble instruments of the infinite wisdom and providence of our Heavenly Father, in docility to the action of the Holy Spirit.” The Cardinals noted that the Holy Spirit is “the protagonist of the life of the People of God, the One to whom we must listen, accepting what He is saying to the Church.” “May the Blessed Virgin Mary accompany these prayers with her maternal intercession,” concluded the Cardinals’ declaration.
Here are more ways to pray for the conclave
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 dates, registration, directions and for our other offerings! All programs will be offered online and in-person unless otherwise indicated.
FINDING GOD – AND LETTING GOD FIND US IN LITERATURE
Tuesday, May 13 9:30 AM – 1:00 PM
It's Planning Time for the Martha Mary Guild Clothing Sale
The annual Sale will be Sept. 4 - Sept. 7, but right now, during Spring cleaning time, is the perfect opportunity to set aside clean, usable men's, women's and children's clothes, shoes and accessories. (No household items, please!) Collection days will be Aug. 17 - Sept. 3 in Madonna Hall. Many helping hands are needed to sort and arrange the clothes. This is a great chance for Confirmation candidates to fulfill their Community Service. We welcome you!
During our time together, we will reflect on the role of reading and the place of literature (what we read) as a space of encounter with the Divine. God attracts and courts us by what we love – music, art, nature, and the written text. We will consider the role of reading and the place of literature in the lives of some of the saints and Pope Francis’ frequent references to literary texts. There will be time for reflection and sharing. Consider bringing a literary text that has inspired, comforted or sustained you. S. Cecelia Cavanaugh, SSJ. Donation: $35, with lunch. Zoom $30.
IN-PERSON ONLY
PERSONAL RETREAT DAY
Wednesday, June 4 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 your lunch. Donation: $10; $40 with spiritual direction. IN-PERSON ONLY
5-DAY SILENT DIRECTED RETREAT
Begins 6:30 PM – Ends 10:00 AM June 15 – 20 Sunday to Friday
Daily Liturgy, spiritual direction and optional contemplative prayer periods are included. Donation: $500/$100 non-refundable deposit with registration. Full payment is required 3 weeks in advance of start date.
Please email MarthaMaryGuild@gmail.com with the days and times you'll be available. We thank you, and remember, you will not only be doing a wonderful kindness, but you will also have fun!
Martha Mary Guild's May Meeting
All women of the parish and our cohort parishes are invited to join us on Wednesday May 14 for an afternoon with Gilda Rogers, the director of the Thomas Fortune Cultural Center. She created an exhibit entitled "A Love Letter to Count Basie: from the Great Migration to the Harlem Renaissance" for the Center, and it is now on loan at the Red Bank Library. Gilda will share stories of her many years of experience in the "artistic world" of Red Bank. Join us in the "old chapel" at 11:30 a.m. for the rosary, followed by lunch in Madonna Hall, with dessert supplied by the Guild. Gilda will begin her presentation around 12:30 p.m.
It has become a tradition at the May meeting for the Guild's generous members to donate books, bathing suits, beach towels, games and pool toys for the Collier Kateri Summer Camp Program. Thank you for your kindness toward these underprivileged children, who truly enjoy their experience and these gifts every summer.
Quo vadis...
My Dear Parishioners: Today we celebrate the Third Sunday of Easter. Resurrected life has its demands but Jesus gives us all we need in terms of abundance and nourishment in order to meet those demands. The incredible thing about our God is that God provides us with all we need, beginning with offering us new life. Accepting the abundance that God offers means that by following Jesus we become Jesus’ resurrected presence, those who lead others to him. Every day we must take care that our actions announce God’s blessings at the same time that they speak of God’s goodness and care. Leading others to Jesus doesn’t mean doing big things; it means doing the little things well and so reflecting the Life in us.
During the Easter Season the Church joyfully celebrates the Sacraments in a very special way. Gathered in the glow of the paschal candle we baptize, confirm, offer holy communion & witness marriages. All of this is central to the life of any parish community. However, the priority of the community must be the faithful & reverent celebration of the Eucharist each Sunday. It is thi experience of the Lord in the holy communion, the scriptures proclaimed and preached & the gathering of the faithful that we are identified as catholics, nourished to be witnesses in the world and given our mission to go forth. Our parish catechetical ministry is central to advancing the mission which we receive from the Lord. We can only effectively go forth in mission if we possess a conscious longing to be one with the Lord Jesus in the Eucharist. Let us continue to pray for our clergy and lay leaders as we assist parents and families in passing on the faith. As we prepare others for the paschal sacraments may we be renewed with them in our understanding of what it means to be one in Christ Jesus the Lord.
Many thanks to all those who worked to provide the 2025 Easter Egg Hunt. It is always so great to see young people volunteering to take the lead in providing for events sponsored by our parish. I am grateful to many for heeding the invitation to car pool on Easter Sunday. I saw so many who did and it made a huge difference in our ability to welcome so many for the masses, especially the 10:00 and 12noon Easter Sunday Masses. Thank you.
I have been participating in a Jubilee Year 2025 Pilgrimage for Priests of the Diocese of Trenton. We
have our central location in Paris, France. From this base we travelled to various shrines through the countryside. While at the Basilica of Saint Therese of Lisieux I remembered in my prayer all those who are part of The Walking With Purpose Women’s Bible Study as Saint Therese is their patron. I was also given the privilege of being the principal celebrant and homilist at the Notre Dame Cathedral of Chartres Crypt Chapel for the Second Sunday of Easter. It has been something on my bucket list to visit this cathedral church. Check! I have included a photo for your viewing. I shall return in the coming week after some days of holiday.
Please make your contribution to the 2025 Easter Collection this week if you have not done so already. We need everyone to participate. May God continue to reward each of you for your generous sharing in order that the Church might continue to proclaim Christ Crucified, Died and Risen! Our parish May Crowning is quickly approaching. Consult another section of the e-bulletin for details. Have a great week. Let us remember one another in prayer. Happy Sunday. Peace. Father Jeff
Sharing Our Treasure Sunday, April 27 Divine Mercy Sunday
# Registered Parishioner Households 910
"One does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God." Mt 4:4b
Thank you for your Generosity in efforts to help support Catholic Home Missions
2025 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.
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!
We will provide you with a report of this collection at the conclusion of the Easter Season. Thank you and God Bless
https://flowcode.com/p/ z25W7Dti
NewParishioner Orientation Sunday,May42025,11:00AM atMadonnaHall
Attendance is mandatory for those wishing to become parishioners at the Parish of St. Mary. For more information click HERE
THANK YOU ! For all your efforts in supporting the Annual Catholic Appeal! Please continue to make your pledge payments so that our parish can receive the maximum rebate. If you haven't made a pledge yet please go to 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 prayers and support
Join us for a powerful multi-generational rally with Bishop David O’Connell in the Diocese of Trenton, the heart of the Garden State! Saint Mary, Mother of God Church –Middletown, NJ. Saturday, June 7, 2025. Come and be renewed by the Holy Spirit as generations gather in unity, worship, and revival!
Dynamic worship | Spirit-filled talks | Garden State revival Register now: www.DOTCCR.org
Pentecost Rally – Garden Revival – 50 days from Easter