October 15, 2023 - 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time

The parish of saint Mary A Catholic Community Proclaiming the Greatness of God in our Time One Phalanx Road, Colts Neck, NJ 07722 Phone: 732-780-2666 Fax: 732-780-0394 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

28th Sunday in Ordinary Time October 15, 2023 NEW TO COLTS NECK? Join Saint Mary Parish!

We welcome you and invite you to register as parishioners of St Mary!

Please find our registration guidelines in our Website under About Us/New Parishioners.

Worship schedule inside. Refer to website for more detailed information www.stmaryscoltsneck.org

www.stmaryscoltsneck.org

October 15, 2023

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Mass Intentions for: Saturday, October 14 - Sunday, October 22 - 2023

Saturday, October 14 – 4 PM Church Rachel Verga * Verga Family Beatrice Slattery * Jane Slattery Cindi Westendorf * Jim Schatzle and Family Sunday, October 15 – Church 8 AM Pro Populo Matthew Aiello * Jane Slattery Joseph Andrew and Charlotte Velba * Adele and Joe Velba 10 AM Angela Duenas * Rita and Michael Duenas Vincenza and William Andrews * Carmel and Peter Vickers John D. Zumbo * Providence Zumbo 12 PM Baden Pinney * Drs. Gener and Elvira Dapul Owen Greenan * Phyllis and Hugh Murphy Juan Gutierrez * Jim Dolan

Monday, October 16 – 9 AM Chapel Nerio Dapul * Drs. Gener and Elvira Dapul Branca and Richter Families * Francine and Joseph Corcoran Tuesday, October 17 – 9 AM Chapel Albert Herman * Diane Carnevale

Sanctuary Lamp Church: Kevin A. Clemenza & Todd Mai

Requested by Mom and Dad Consider offering a Sanctuary Lamp that burns in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament in our Church or Chapel in memory of a deceased loved one or in honor of a living person (for birthdays, anniversaries, sickness, etc.). One intention is accepted per week (Sunday to Saturday) for the Lamp. Requests can be made online HERE for the remainder of 2023 and for 2024. Available lamps are displayed in GREEN at the beginning of each week on Sundays. Requests for Sanctuary Lamp can also be made at the Parish Office during regular business hours.

The suggested donation is $25.

Wednesday, October 18 -9 AM Chapel Ed McLeod * His Family Thursday, October 19 – 9 AM Chapel Mary Lou Lowry * Richard and Maria Gerbino Friday, October 20 -9 AM Chapel Helen Potash * Lorraine Lee Saturday, October 21 – 4 PM Church Paul Saake * Barbara Saake Kathleen Walsh * Jeanne and Matt Cerbone Suzanne Schlesinger * Joann and Robert Buhler Sunday, October 22 – Church 8 AM Neil Slattery * Jean and Chet Galloway Joseph Martinho * Aunt Lena Martinho Patrick D. Ammiano * Jane Slattery 10 AM Pro Populo Frank Donahue * Ginny Hamlin James Bochicchio * John and Sandy Ernst 12 PM Richard Gerbino * Richard and Maria Gerbino Lawrence Duffy * John and Molly Aiello George Cipriano * Eleanor Sfraga

Mass Intention Requests Our 2024 Mass Book is now open for intention requests throughout the year for daily and Sunday Masses. Requests can be made online HERE. You can navigate through the calendar and find dates that are available for intentions in GREEN. If you prefer, you can fill out a request form in paper by printing THIS DOCUMENT. Please return the form along with payment for intentions offered to the parish office. The Mass Intention stipend is $10.00 and has been set by the NJ Bishops in the Province of

Newark.

www.stmaryscoltsneck.org

October 15, 2023

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Lifelong Catechesis - Week of October 15 to October 21 READINGS FOR THE WEEK:

FOR DEEPER REFLECTION:

15 Sunday: TWENTY-SEVENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME Is 25:6-10a/Phil 4:12-14,19-20/Mt 22:1-14 or 22:1-10

Question for Children: Why is it important for you to do what Jesus asks of you?

16 Monday: Rom 1:1-7/Lk 11:29-32 [St. Hedwig & St. Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque]

Question for Youth: Each week we are invited to participate in Mass. When you are at Mass, how well do you really participate? How could you be more present in heart, mind, and spirit?

17 Tuesday: Rom 1:16-25/Lk 11:37-41 18 Wednesday: 2 Tm 4:10-17b/Lk 10:1-9 [St. Luke, Evangelist]

Question for Adults: Using Jesus’ parable as your starting point, describe in your own words who will be welcome and why they will be welcome, at the eternal banquet of God.

19 Thursday: Rom 3:21-30/Lk 11:47-54 [Saints John de Brébeuf and Isaac Jogues] 20 Friday: Rom 4:1-8/Lk 12:1-7 21 Saturday: Rom 4:13, 16-18/Lk 12:8-12

SCAM ALERT Please, be made aware of recent spam activity via email and phone.

The Parish of St. Mary, their staff and their volunteers will NOT reach out to you with solicitation or unusual requests. Kindly, report those communications as spam and delete them. Reach out to the Parish Office at (732) 780-2666 with any questions.

Please pray for the following members of our parish community who are ill: John BARONE

Bill Donahue

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Ludwig Mendola ~

Fr. Bill Bausch

Kekoa Xael

Kevin O’Shea

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Francis Patrick Albano

Kaitlin Donahue Nagle

Lauren vinci

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Jack Coppola

Owen Shoemaker

To add or remove a family member from the sick list please e-mail ONLY parishbulletin@stmaryscoltsneck.org. Please, also, keep us updated on your loved one’s health. Names will be removed from the list after 3 months. Thank you for keeping our Parish informed.

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 ~ 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

www.stmaryscoltsneck.org

Worship & Music

October 15, 2023

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

Our parish is having a ministry fair!

Liturgical ministries are the backbone of our corporate worship, allowing for a smooth and prayerful worship experience. All play some part in facilitating our participation in the Sacred Liturgy. In the investing and giving of our TIME, we allow the community as a whole to better function in the celebrating of the Eucharist and other rites of the Church.

In a few weeks, we hold a ministry fair in the narthex of the Church. Mark your calendars for: November 4th, following the 4pm Mass November 5th, following the 8am and 10am Masses

Your fellow parishioners will be on hand to speak about their various ministries and to answer any questions you may have. Serving in a ministry is one of the best ways to fulfill your stewardship of time, as every little bit benefits the larger community in great ways!

To find out more about our various liturgical ministries, please visit THIS LINK, and be sure to attend the fair to ask some questions of our current volunteers and discern which ministry is right for you!

Margaret Mary Alacoque, Religious, 1647-1690 The widespread devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus celebrated in the Church today can be directly attributed to Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque. In a period of time when religious devotion in France was, at best, cool, this unlikely saint was charged by Jesus with strengthening the love of God in the people.

Born the fifth of seven children to the family of an official in Burgundy, Margaret was a good child, but, like most saints, had no extraordinarily angelic traits as a young girl. At the age of four, she took a vow of chastity, but later said that she had no idea of the meaning of either a vow or chastity. When she was about eight, her father died and Margaret was sent to school in a convent run by the Poor Clare nuns. It was at this time that she began to be attracted to Read More HERE.

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 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

www.stmaryscoltsneck.org

October 15, 2023

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Ministry Schedule: 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time October 21 & 22 Altar Server

Saturday 4PM

Sunday 8AM

2 SERVERS NEEDED

1 SERVER NEEDED

Sunday 10AM

George Barasky & Jacob Barasky

Sunday 12PM

Jonathan Stubbs & Jack Schatzle

Cantor

Marybeth Jacobson

Bridget Farrow

CHOIR

Carly York

Reader 1

Reader 2

NEEDED

Joseph Ventura

Barbara Schaflin

Charles Young

New Parishioner Orientation Sunday, November 5, 2023, at 11 AM at Madonna Hall 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

Please remember in your prayers those who have recently died.

Rocco Ferranti Robert A. DiFalco Mass of Remembrance - October 29, 2023 Preceding the 12 PM Mass our Parish will remember in a special way those who had a funeral Mass at Saint Mary during the past year as well as any relative you may wish to remember. This Mass is an opportunity for us to assist those who grieve the death of a loved one. If you wish the name of a loved one who has died during this past year read out at this Mass, please complete the form below and submit it to the office or complete online HERE.

EMHC

Paul Tonacci

OH - Monica Barr TH - Louise Habrack TH - Elvira Dapul ALT - Susan Murphy

Annette Raynor

OH - Cindy Ventura TH - Maureen Staub TH - Michael Staub ALT - Lisa Aldridge

Rita Duenas

OH - Linda Dickinson-Pancilla TH - Steve Stanley TH - Dawn Reinhardt ALT - Gregory Calderaro LWD– Jennifer Garcia

Jennifer Stubbs

OH - Patricia Gesner TH - Irene Weller TH - Emily Santangelo ALT - Lee Gesner All Souls Remembrance

For the month of November It is the Church’s custom to reserve the month of November for the remembrance of all the faithful departed. Please use your All Souls envelope to write the names of those loved ones you would like to remember and kindly drop it in the collection boxes anytime beginning in October. The envelopes will be wrapped and placed near the tabernacle, and an intention will be added to the prayer of the faithful in the Masses celebrated on All Souls Day and during the month of November. Online givers can also send in their All Souls remembrance thru our online giving system at GIVE ONLINE HERE Thank you for preserving our Catholic traditions and honoring those who have gone before us.

You are then asked to come to the table in the Gathering Space before Mass to receive a candle to be brought to the altar when the name is called.

Name of Deceased: ___________________________ Requester Name: _____________________________ Relationship to Deceased: ____________________ Email: _________________________________________ Phone Number: ________________________________

www.stmaryscoltsneck.org

October 15, 2023

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Julia Cullen - Pastoral Coordinator of Faith Formation / Religion Education

Faith Formation

ReligiousEd@stmaryscoltsneck.org 732-780-2666 X 309

Confirmation rehearsal is this weekend for our 9th graders, we are praying for our Confirmandi as they prepare to receive their sacrament.

We will also celebrate another First Holy Communion this Sunday and pray for these young children as they receive Christ for the very first time in the Eucharist. We are still accepting RSVP’s and Volunteers for our next INTERGENERATIONAL, Halloween Halls, please sign up below so we can plan for a great community building event!

There will be NO Religious Ed class on Halloween, 10/31. The Fall class schedule for grades 1-6 is linked below.

Faith Formation Calendar 15 October 2023 First Holy Communion Rehearsal for 10/22 communion.

12 PM Mass 15 October 2023 10 AM Mass First Holy Communion 20 October 2023 Sacrament of Confirmation

2 December 2023 3:00PM to 3:45PM Nativity Play Rehearsal In Madonna Hall 3 December 2023 9:00AM Decorate Rotunda 3 December 2023 12:00PM 2nd Graders Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation Retreat/ rehearsal in the Church

22 October 2023 12 PM Mass First Holy Communion

9 December 2023 Nativity Play Rehearsal 3:00 - 3:45 PM in Madonna Hall

28 October 2023 4 PM Mass Halloween Halls *No classes on Halloween Day 10/31*

10 December 2023 Advent, Penance and Reconciliation *Mandatory for Grade 2*

18 November 2023 9 AM - 1 PM Fall Clean-Up

12 December 2023 Sponsor-a-Family wrapping party for 7th and 8th Graders

Our Intergenerational Event: IMPORTANT RELIGIOUS ED LINKS [2023 - 2024] • Fall RE Schedule • •

2023 - 2024 RE Calendar Parent - Student Handbook

• •

Intergenerational List Intergenerational Digital Recording Sheet

•

Current Service Hours

Come to the 4:00 PM Mass in costume.

Afterwards there will be trick-or-treating.

Date: October 28, 2023 RSVP by clicking HERE. Service hours available for the event,

HERE.

Calling all actors and singers!!!

We will be performing the Nativity Play this December during the RE Christmas Party! There will be two rehearsals, and one dress rehearsal. You must attend all three. Please sign up using the QR code or by clicking HERE to be apart of the production. Please also be advised that all students in grades 1-8 will be invited to the Christmas party and the RSVP will be posted in December.

www.stmaryscoltsneck.org

October 15, 2023

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Rose Farrow - Coordinator of Faith Formation / Youth & Adult Catechesis

YouthRE@stmaryscoltsneck.org 732-780-2666 X 310 Confirmation practice will take place Saturday, October 14 beginning with the 4:00 PM Mass.

All Confirmandi and either a parent or the sponsor should be in attendance.

If you did not pick up your Sacramental gift envelope at the retreat they will be available for you on a table in the back of the church.

On Confirmation Day 10/20: Candidates should report to Madonna Hall at 3:15 PM. · Confirmandi dress code should be modest, neat, dress casual. Everyone should be able to sit, walk, and bow comfortably without threat to their modesty. Hair should be worn off the face. · There will be chairs set up for guest seating.

Seats available at a first come, first serve basis. ·

The order form for Confirmandi photos can be printed HERE.

Calling ALL High School Students!!

(Grades 9-12) Are you interested in Catholic Youth Ministry? Come to our cohort Parish: St. Catharine's Church in Holmdel and join with their teen Youth Group for a Community Service Meeting, and see what it is all about. Community Service hours will be awarded. Registration AND filling out the registration form is required!

Click HERE to register and open form.

All teens must have all registration forms filled out. Note - No registration Fee. Must bring registration forms to meeting.

Are you curious or thinking of becoming Catholic?

We are here and ready to share the richness of our faith with you. If you’ve been looking everywhere for answers, and still haven’t found them, we invite you to find out what the Catholic Church offers.

RCIA is a comprehensive process, in which the Church supports and encourages the spiritual journeys of: • •

those who are unbaptized and seeking to become Catholic. those who are baptized, Catholic or in another Christian denomination, who wish to complete their Sacraments of Initiation (First Eucharist and Confirmation).

We are here to meet you wherever you are on your faith journey! Come join us with our Cohort Parish of St. Catharine's for an interest meeting on: October 22, 2023 at The Church of St. Catharine; 108 Middletown Road . Holmdel, NJ 07733; Meet in the Narthex Following the 10:00AM Mass.

Sensory Friendly Mass and All-Saints Day Party October 29 at 2:00 PM, Our Lady of Fatima Parish will be at St. Joseph's Church on 376 Maple Place, Keyport, NJ 07735.

Feel free to bring a symbol of your favorite Saint, or even wear a costume!

[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 together for crafts and refreshments.]

www.stmaryscoltsneck.org

October 15, 2023

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Sight and Sound Event “How Great is Our God.”

Eucharistic Revival Team Meeting Monday, 30 October 2023, 7PM In the Chapel meeting room.

All are welcome!

Tuesday, November 28, 2023 at the Parish of St. Mary in Colts Neck, come and be amazed! This event is sponsored by the Cohort Parishes of St. Mary and St. Catharine.

7PM to 8PM in the Theatre.

Stay Tuned-More Details to follow.

SMALL GROUP STUDY for the Eucharistic Revival Have you heard? Starting November 3, the first session in the “Jesus and the Eucharist” study series will begin! Throughout this 7– week series we will explore the kergymatic proclamation at the root of our Eucharistic faith and what this means for our lives today. Join us as we explore the riches of Eucharistic theology!“

SIGN UP HERE

Check this page of the bulletin each week to find out about upcoming meetings and events for the Eucharist Revival. Parish events will also be posted on our Facebook page.

Join the Movement!

“Behold Him” A Charismatic Conference At St. Mary, Mother of God Church in Middletown Friday, October 27, 7PM - 9PM Saturday, October 28, 9AM - 9PM Speakers are:

Lord Jesus, We worship You in the Blessed Sacrament.

Bless our work of reviving a true and lasting devotion to You in the Sacrament of Your Body and Blood.

Help us bring others to perceive with the eyes of faith, Your Real Prescence in the Holy Eucharist.

Enlighten the minds of Your people and set our hearts on fire with love for You, O Jesus. Fill us with the desire to receive You often in Holy Communion.

Amen.

To find more information about the movement, click HERE. - OR Learn more about the History of the Movement, HERE.

www.stmaryscoltsneck.org

October 15, 2023

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Quo vadis for October 15. . .

My Dear Parishioners: My Dear Parishioners: Today we celebrate the Twenty-Eighth Sunday n Ordinary Time. God’s invitation to us to share in God’s life, to come to God’s banquet table, is remarkable in several ways.

For one thing, it points to the intimate relationship God wishes to have with us. For another thing, it is not an invitation issued only once. Even when we refuse the invitation (sin, or don’t come with the proper wedding garment), God continues to invite us. This is the good news of the gospel: God always invites and is patient with us. The obvious banquet to which we are continually invited is the Eucharistic table. Our acceptance of God’s invitation is more than getting ourselves there—it is also a matter of participating, of giving ourselves over to God’s desire to deepen the divine relationship with us. Will we come?

During this month of October we continue our journey as disciples of the Lord accompanied by Our Lady of the Rosary. Let us continue to recover this beautiful prayer tradition to help us re-focus ourselves and to give thanks and praise to God. Let us also pray for an increased awareness of and respect for human life from conception through natural death. This is one of the great moral challenges of our time as church. It requires us to set aside bias and to join together to promote laws and policies that support the very dignity of the human person. I am encouraged by many of our young people. They have great interest in this part of the Christian Moral Life. I hope that their energy continues to transform our society.

This year during the month of October The Ordinary Synod of Bishops is convened by the Holy Father in Rome. The focus is on Synodality. The primary participants are a selection of bishops from throughout the world. There are lay persons, theologians and ecumenical representatives also partici-

pating Let us pray for the continued outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon this process and the participants. We have published the prayer for the synod in the parish bulletin for your use at home. I was reminded last week that we had not published this prayer even though we have been praying it at most parish meetings for a year or so.

Let us welcome another group of candidates for First Holy Communion this weekend. We welcome their families and friends here to celebrate this milestone with them. Last weekend several visitors offered some very positive comments to me about our parish campus, the church and especially the celebration of the mass. This is a credit to all of you who support the mission and ministries of our parish.

Preparations are underway for our annual Halloween Halls; the Thanksgiving Food Drive; Fall Clean up of our parish campus; the return of the Pancake Breakfast. These community building activities help link parishioners together as we provide for the needs of others and care for our environment. Please consult the bulletin for details on how you might become involved.

It is that time of year when we are preparing for one of our greatest privileges as Americans…that is the privilege to cast our vote. Election day is a few weeks away. Take the time to learn about the issues and the candidates. Should you be away, apply for an absentee ballot to add your vote to the tally.

Don’t allow yourself to become indifferent about voting. Talk to your children about what it means to have the freedom to vote. Have a great week.

Let us remember one another in prayer. Happy Sunday. Peace.

Father Jeff

www.stmaryscoltsneck.org

October 15, 2023

Temporal Admin., Stewardship & Outreach

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Edwin A. Sevillano TemporalAdmin@stmaryscoltsneck.org

Sharing Our Treasure October 8, 2023 – Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

Weekly Sacrificial Stewardship

$21,943

Envelope Contributions

$13,611

Electronic/Online Contributions

$7,621

Loose Contributions

$711 325 $65.33

# Registered Parishioner Households

975

“For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” Lk 11,10.

scan code 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 ConnectNow Giving App for Android or iOS. Thank you for your continuous support!

As of October 8, 2023 Goal: Pledged: % of goal: # donors: Average gift: Paid to date:

$75,000 $85,742.50 114% 225 $333.63 $83,917.50

THANK YOU for all of your efforts in supporting the Annual Catholic Appeal! Please continue to make your pledge payments so that our parish can receive the maximum rebate.

Tickets are being sold through November 17th at the parish office.

The proceeds of which will benefit New Jersey Right to Life, the state’s oldest and largest pro-life organization, dedicated to protecting all human life from conception to natural death.

Tickets are available UNTIL November 5th for $10 each in the Parish Office.

The prizes this year are: 1st Prize—2024 Volvo XC40 AWD SUV 2nd Prize—$1,000 ShopRite Gift Card 3rd Prize—$750 ShopRite Gift Card 4th Prize - $500 ShopRite Gift Card Please show your support for LIFE by buying a raffle ticket.

The cost is $10.00 per ticket.

www.stmaryscoltsneck.org

October 15, 2023

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A message from Bishop O’Connell “As is so often the case, our sisters and brothers in need in our own country and throughout the world depend upon our love and generosity, prompted by our Catholic faith, and turn to

us for help in times of crisis. Such is now the case in Israel. I offer some ways to respond...

We ask that on Tuesday, October 17, the feast of St. Ignatius of Antioch, everyone hold a day of fasting, abstinence, and prayer. Let us organize prayer times with Eucharistic adoration and with the recitation of the Rosary to Our Blessed Virgin Mary. … This is the way we all come together despite everything, and unite collectively in prayer, to deliver to God the Father our thirst for peace, justice, and reconciliation. The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, has also made this request on behalf of the bishops in Israel.”

“Second, respond in charity to the extent that you are willing and able to Catholic Relief Services,” HERE. To donate to Gaza specifically, click HERE.

Cause to Action: “Since early morning of October 7th, hostilities in the Holy Land have been ongoing. Thousands have been killed and even more have been wounded. The United Nations has reported that over 330,000 Internally Displaced People are sheltering in 44 UN-run schools, public places and with family members. The intense violence engulfing the Holy Land has affected families on all sides, but by far the greatest suffering is in Gaza, where the overwhelming destruction has already left many thousands homeless in one of the poorest and most crowded corners of the world,” Catholic Relief Services 2023).

Prayer Shawl Ministry

The crisp Fall air has crept up on us this September, and leaves are beginning to coat the grounds... Which means we will be joining together soon in fellowship for our Fall-Clean Up on Saturday, November 18!

Clean up will begin at 9:00 AM and go on until 1:00 PM. Those attending will meet on the campus grounds. Don’t forget to sign-up HERE!

The Prayer Shawl Ministry will meet in Room 11 at 10 AM on October 18. We welcome new members who knit or crochet or would like to learn. We also accept donations of yarn. Come join us!

Upcoming Bible Study..

‘Unlocking the Mystery of the Bible’ From ‘The Great Adventure Series,’

by Ascension Press

The readings will commence on October 25 and end December 13 of this year 2023. Each of the 8 sessions will take place from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM.

December 17, 2023 Gaudete Sunday To volunteer for the preparation of our Pancake Breakfast as a committee member or to volunteer the same day of the event, please click HERE. There are many opportunities for parishioners of all ages.

‘Unlocking the Mystery of the Bible’ aims to deconstruct the 14 narratives in the Bible and properly convey the story from Adam and Eve to Christ and the Church. It also comes with a colorcoded Timeline Chart that separates significant people, places, and events in Scripture.

Come join us and understand how you further fit into God’s plan.

To register, click HERE.

www.stmaryscoltsneck.org

October 15, 2023

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Respect Life Month Events 40 Days for Life - Sept. 27-November 5 Prayer, fasting and peaceful vigils will take place at 69 E. Newman Springs Rd. in Shrewsbury, NJ 07702 Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

St, Anthony of Padua Parish Baby Shower for Birthright There will be a baby shower collection at the Oct. 14 & 15 Masses on 156 Maxwell Ave. in Hightstown, NJ. Mass is at 4:00 PM Saturday and 9:00 AM, 10:30 AM, and 12:00 Noon on Sunday. For more information contact Tom McGeachen at tjmcgeachnj@hotmail.com

St. Gabriel Parish Public Square Rosary On October 14 at the 12:00 Noon Mass a Rosary for Life will be held at the Church on 100 N. Main St. On October 22 at the 11:00 AM Mass a speaker from Good Counsel Homes will be presenting, and there are a couple of displays throughout the month as well. For more information contact Elizabeth Normandia at lizn79@aol.com.

Mary’s Child Pro-Life Ministry Champion for Life Awards Dinner A 5:00 PM reception followed by a 6:00 PM dinner at the Spring Lake Manor at 415 Hwy. 71, Spring Lake Heights.

This year’s honoree will be Deacon Rich Weber of St. Rose Parish. Cost is $70 for an adult dinner and $35 for a child’s dinner. Contact Cynthia Wagner at (732) 718-0876 for more information.

St. Joseph, St. Justin the Martyr and St. Luke Spiritual Adoption Program The parishes in Toms River are hosting a spiritual adoption program and a workshop on living wills and advanced directives that you won’t want to miss.

For more information contact Al Kozikowski at alkozikowski@aol.com.

SURVIVING THE HOLIDAYS DIVORCED AND SEPARATED St. Leo the Great Parish is pleased to announce that it is offering a “Surviving the Holidays” Seminar in November and December this year that will be offered for anyone that is divorced and/or separated. Thursday, November 16, 2023 and Thursday, December 14th, 2023 from 7:00 – 9:00 PM at 50 Hurleys Lane in Lincroft you can attend one or both seminars.

Please know that these Seminars have been offered since 2014 and they have helped many people. We are laypeople that have been through divorce, and we have found this program helpful to us. If interested or if you need any more information to decide if you want to attend, please email Michele Coppola Wilson at healfromdivorcetoday@gmail.com. We would be happy to answer any of your questions. We hope you can join us!“We don’t ask people if they are Catholic, we only ask if they need to be healed”Anonymous

www.stmaryscoltsneck.org

October 15, 2023

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Radical Solidarity 2023 Respect Life Reflection In the Gospel of John, shortly before he is to suffer his Passion, Jesus proclaims to his disciples: “I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another” (Jn 13:34). And it is love for one another that Jesus says will be the identifying characteristic of his disciples.

The Church’s entire social doctrine is guided by the fundamental principle that every human life has innate dignity and incomparable value: “Every human being is the object of God’s infinite tenderness, and he himself is present in their lives.” As disciples of Christ, we are called to make a sacrificial gift of ourselves for the sake of our neighbor, for “to love someone is to desire that person's good and to take effective steps to secure it.”

Fulfilling Christ’s command to love one another takes shape in our practice of solidarity. Solidarity is the means by which we put our love for others into action, making the good of others our own. Solidarity “is not a feeling of vague compassion or shallow distress at the misfortunes of so many people… On the contrary, it is a firm and persevering determination to commit oneself to the common good…to the good of all and of each individual, because we are all really responsible for all.”

In reaction to the overturning of Roe v. Wade, some areas of the country now protect the child in the womb, while others are doing all they can to increase access to abortion. At this critical moment, we have been entrusted with new opportunities and new responsibilities to build a civilization of authentic love.

Our culture claims to offer women so-called “choice,” but ultimately abandons mothers to make tragic and painful decisions alone. We must lead the way in showing the alternative: “In firmly rejecting ‘pro-choice’ it is necessary to become courageously ‘pro woman,’ promoting a choice that is truly in favor of women. …

The only honest stance, in these cases, is that of radical solidarity with the woman. It is not right to leave her alone.”

It is finally here!!!

The 2023 New Jersey Catholic Charismatic Conference will be held on Friday and Saturday, October 27 and 28 at Saint Mary, Mother of God Church in Middletown, NJ. The theme of the Conference is “Behold Him!” in celebration with the National Eucharistic Revival.

Register HERE today.

YOU are invited, however, you are encouraged to also invite your friends and family to the Conference, since the Bishop’s Congress for the National Eucharistic Revival has the “Invite One Back” initiative. They ask that you invite someone from your inner-circle who has not associated themselves with or stayed involved with the Church to join you at the New Jersey Charismatic Conference.

In addition, the Diocese asks that we please remember to include the Conference in our daily prayers.

www.stmaryscoltsneck.org

October 15, 2023

A WALK IN THEIR SHOES 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM Sunday, November 5, Ocean’s Harbor House is hosting their 3rd annual walk to build awareness for children and families experiencing homelessness. The 2-Mile walk will be held on Asbury Park’s Boardwalk and costs $20 per walker. T-shirts and prizes will be available to all participants.

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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!

MASS IS BORING (Thank God!!!!!)

Tuesday, October 17, 9:30 AM – 1:00 PM Using Timothy O’Malley’s book: Bored Again Catholic, How the Mass Could Save Your Life, S. Kathy will offer reflections on every part of the Mass, discovering how we can learn to pray the liturgy better as well as offering a sketch of what Eucharistic life looks like. Led by S. Kathy Burton.

Donation: $25, includes materials and lunch.

Zoom: $20 DREAMS, ALL YOUR DREAMS ARE TRUE! Wednesday, November 1, 9:30 AM – 2:00 PM It has been said that dreams are God’s forgotten language. Learn to listen to your dreams and understand God’s message within them. Like God, your dreams speak the truth. Bring a dream along if you can remember!

Led by S. Marcy.

Donation: $30, lunch included. Zoom: $25 BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO MOURN Thursday, November 2, 9:30 AM – 1:00 PM Come, bring a picture, tell your story, let us comfort one another on this feast of All Souls. We ask God for the grace of peace, acceptance and strength as we come together for this morning retreat.

Liturgy at 11 AM. Led by S. Marcy. Lunch included.

Donation: Love Offering.

THE ABUNDANCE OF GOD’S LOVE Monday, November 13 12:30 – 3:30 PM If you have ever heard the song, Count Your Blessings, then you know the lyrics encourage us to count our blessings, so we can fall asleep. Today’s program encourages you to count your blessings, so you can be fully awake, to the God whose love for you never ends and whose blessings allow you to know the tenderness of God’s Divine Providence. Led by S. Marie.

Donation: $20