October 22, 2023 - 29th 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

29th Sunday in Ordinary Time - October 22, 2023

Solemnity of All Saints Mass Schedule

[The Parish of Saint Mary & Church of Saint Catharine]

Our Church: Tuesday, October 31, 4:00 PM Mass Wednesday, November 1, 12:00 PM Mass Church of St. Catharine, Holmdel: Wednesday, November 1, 9:00 AM & 7:30 PM Mass 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 Reminder, Office Hours are 2:00 PM to 7:30 PM every Tuesday and 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM Mon.,Wed., & Thurs.

www.stmaryscoltsneck.org

October 22, 2023

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Mass Intentions for: Saturday, October 21 - Sunday, October 29 - 2023 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 Monday, October 23 – 9 AM Chapel Kay Simone * Marilyn and Carl Simone Tuesday, October 24 – 9 AM Chapel Albert Herman * Barbara Brown Wednesday, October 25 – 9 AM Chapel Elizabeth Joyce * Joyce Family Linda Damen * Janet and Scott Cinfio and Family 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. ‘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 color-coded 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.

Thursday, October 26 – 9 AM Chapel Steven Parkes * Parkes Family Gerald Olcsvary * Angela and Tom Kinlin Friday, October 27 – 9 AM Chapel Theodoor Damen * Janet and Scott Cinfio and Family Saturday, October 28 – 4 PM Church Jean Petrovcin * Rose Farrow Stanley Drusdow * Donna and Frank Sikorskas Cathy Kidney-Bremner * Jeanne Kolakowski Sunday, October 29 – Church 8 AM Father Xavier * Eileen and Michael Stivala Daniel Velba * Adele and Joe Velba 10 AM Pasquale DiMascio * Buza, Gonis and Longo Families Juan Gutierrez * Keleigh Family Frances Cammarano * Maria and John Doherty 12 PM Pro Populo Barbra Graham-Sbrilli * Susanna Shamy Rose Coppolino * Rich and Maria Gerbino 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.

Sanctuary Lamp 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 on our websites calendar. Requests for a Sanctuary Lamp can also be made at the Parish Office. The suggested donation is $25.

www.stmaryscoltsneck.org

October 22, 2023

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Lifelong Catechesis - Week of October 22 to October 28 READINGS FOR THE WEEK:

FOR DEEPER REFLECTION:

22 Sunday: TWENTY-EIGHTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME Is 45:1, 4-6/1 Thes 1:1-5b/Mt 22:15-21

Question for Children: In your young life, who has helped you know Jesus as a friend?

23 Monday: Is 45:1, 4-6/1 Thes 1:1-5b/Mt 22:15-21 [St. John of Capistrano] 24 Tuesday: Rom 5:12, 15b, 17-19, 20b-21/Lk 12:35-38 25 Wednesday: Rom 6:12-18/Lk 12:39-48 26 Thursday: Rom 6:19-23/Lk 12:49-53

Question for Youth: We are supposed to give to God the things that are God’s. What in your life is dedicated to God? How to you keep those things sacred?

Question for Adults: If you were to write a thank you note to someone or to a group who has helped you grow in faith, to whom would you write and what would you say?

27 Friday: Rom 7:18-25a/Lk 12:54-59 28 Saturday: Eph 2:19-22/Lk 6:12-16 [Saint’s Simone & Jude, Apostles]

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

Bill Donahue

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Francis Patrick Albano ~

Fr. Bill Bausch

Kekoa Xael

Kevin O’Shea

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Ludwig Mendola

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 22, 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!

Luke, Evangelist, First Century Luke is the author of the third Gospel and of the Acts of the Apostles. He was the only Gentile Christian among the four Evangelists and his Gospel, written in Greek, was unquestionably written for Gentile Christians. Tradition has him as a Greek-born, from Antioch. Saint Paul called Luke "our beloved physician" (Col 4:14) and Luke was known to have traveled with Paul on his second and third missionary expeditions in Greece and Rome.

He also accompanied Paul on the dangerous journey to Rome, where Paul wrote, "only Luke is with me" (2 Tim 4:11).During Paul's imprisonment in Caesarea around the years 61 to 63, Luke probably did his research on the life of Christ and had the opportunity to interview people who had known Jesus. The Acts of the Apostles, the story of the growth of the Church under the- Read More HERE.

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

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!

www.stmaryscoltsneck.org

October 22, 2023

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Ministry Schedule: 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time October 28 & 29 Altar Server

Saturday 4PM

Alex Gruenling & Anthony Gruenling

Sunday 8AM

Alexander Lennon & Sophia Lennon

Sunday 10AM

Gabrielle Penczak & Alessandra Zilinski

Sunday 12PM

Jack Schatzle & RJ Vaina

Cantor

Reader 1

Jennifer Stubbs

CHOIR

Bridget Farrow

Carly York

Rita Duenas

Steve Rumsby

CHOIR

Dolores Lembo

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. 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: ________________________________

Reader 2

EMHC

Michele Gruenling

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

Kevin Swan

OH - Marsha Grigoli TH - Joseph Flanagan TH - Gina Schute ALT - Joyce Flynn

Mary Ellen Griffin

OH - Dawn Reinhardt TH - Amy Orrico TH - Carol Donahue ALT - Gregory Calderaro LWD– Melissa Widmeier

Richard Gerbino

OH - Lee Gesner TH - Irene Weller TH - Patricia Gesner ALT - James Dolan

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.

www.stmaryscoltsneck.org

October 22, 2023

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Julia Cullen - Pastoral Coordinator of Faith Formation / Religion Education

Faith Formation

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

We celebrate and pray for our Confirmandi as they receive the Sacrament of Confirmation this Friday. Sunday, marks our final First Holy Communion of the year. It has been a very special month watching as these young parishioners received Jesus for the very first time.

Our next INTERGENERATIONALS, Halloween Halls is next weekend 10/28 at 4:00 PM Mass. Please RSVP today! Service hour opportunities also available for 7th grade and up. Your help is greatly appreciated.

For all RE families, we are in need of more altar servers. 3rd graders and up welcome.

Stop by our Liturgical Fair on 4 & 5 November after all masses to get more info.

Faith Formation Calendar 28 October 2023 10 November 2023 Thanksgiving Baskets Collection 28 October 2023 4 PM Mass Halloween Halls *No classes on Halloween Day 10/31* 29,30 October 2023 Confirmation Prep Class.

5,6 November 2023 Confirmation Prep Class 18 November 2023 9 AM - 1 PM Fall Clean-Up 19,20 November 2023 Confirmation Prep Class 2 December 2023 3:00PM to 3:45PM Nativity Play Rehearsal in MH

IMPORTANT RELIGIOUS ED LINKS [2023 - 2024] •

Parent - Student Handbook

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Intergenerational List Intergenerational Digital Recording Sheet

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

10 December 2023 Advent, Penance and Reconciliation *Mandatory for Grade 2* 12 December 2023 Sponsor-a-Family wrapping party for 7th and 8th Graders

Our Intergenerational Event:

Fall RE Schedule

2023 - 2024 RE Calendar

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3 December 2023 9:00AM Intergenerational Decorate Rotunda

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.

www.stmaryscoltsneck.org

October 22, 2023

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

YouthRE@stmaryscoltsneck.org 732-780-2666 X 310

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 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.

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.

Attention Grades 7&8!

Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities for Youth & Families: December 12 Sponsor-A-Family Shopping Sponsor-A-Family Wrapping Sponsor-A-Family Delivery

SIGN UPS COMING SOON Advent Preparation

As we prepare our own hearts for the days of Christ Coming, we must prepare one another too.

Volunteer to hand out Advent books in celebration and worship of Jesus Christ. Just click, HERE.

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.

www.stmaryscoltsneck.org

October 22, 2023

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

All are welcome!

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

It’s not too late to Join the Movement!

Don’t miss out on “Eucharistic Moments with Bishop M. O’Connell.”

This new opportunity to learn from the holy men and women about the Eucharist is now available online via radio or video series. Tune in every Thursday at 10:00 AM for the next 20 weeks! Spanish versions will also be posted. Visit domesticchurchmedia.org for radio station information -orYouTube.com/trentondiocese for new videos.

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 22, 2023

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Quo vadis for October 22. . .

My Dear Parishioners: Today we celebrate the Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time.

Income taxes are automatically deducted from salaries; we are barely conscious of it. Our service of God, however, is not exacted from us but is freely and consciously given. Our “obligation” to God is really the selfgiving that freely and consciously flows from our sense of God’s prior goodness to us. One aspect, then, of growing in our self-offering is growing in our awareness of God’s goodness to us. We might begin by taking a few moments each morning, afternoon, and evening to stop whatever we are doing and ask ourselves how we are experiencing God’s blessings.

Eventually this practice can grow into a pervading awareness of God’s presence and goodness to us. Last week we celebrated the Sacrament of Confirmation. It is a real milestone for these young people, their parents, sponsors and families. It is a time when they can now discern what being a full member of our church truly means.

I encourage them to consider taking their place in our parish community by serving in a liturgical ministry or an outreach ministry.

Many already assist with our various religious education opportunities. Let us pray for them as they discern their role in the church and our parish. This is our final weekend celebrating First Holy Communions. We welcome all to our parish and pray for these young people, their parents and families. I take this opportunity to thank Mrs. Julia Cullen and her team for their great care of and service to our parish families. May God continue to bless our

parish community with strong faith and a deep and abiding devotion to Jesus Christ in the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist. See you at mass. Preparations continue for the Halloween Halls next Saturday at and following the 4:00pm Mass. This is a great opportunity for children to enter into the experience of Halloween in a safe and nurturing environment. Come and be a part of this great tradition. The annual Mass of remembrance is scheduled for 12:00 noon next Sunday.

We welcome families of those who have died in the past 12 months. This is intended to assist them in the grieving process as we celebrate the Eucharist together. As we conclude the month of October, The Solemnity of All Saints is observed 1 November. We will continue the practice of sharing a coordinated Mass schedule with our Co-hort Parish of Saint Catherine, Holmdel.

Further information is available in the e-bulletin. The 2022 Stewardship Newsletter has been emailed to all registered households and posted on our parish website. Please take time to read it as we present information to you our parishioner stakeholders. Our Parish Liturgical Ministry Fair will be held in the Narthex/Gathering Space 4 & 5 November.

Please prayerfully discern your participation in our Liturgical Ministries. The faithful celebration of the liturgy is the responsibility of the many and not just a few. Thank you for your prayerful consideration. Have a great week. Let us remember one another in prayer.

Happy Sunday. Peace.

Father Jeff

www.stmaryscoltsneck.org

October 22, 2023

Temporal Admin., Stewardship & Outreach

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Edwin A. Sevillano TemporalAdmin@stmaryscoltsneck.org

Sharing Our Treasure October 15, 2023 – Twenty-Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Weekly Sacrificial Stewardship

$17,259

Envelope Contributions

$9,218

Electronic/Online Contributions

$7,109

Loose Contributions

$932 309 $52.84

# Registered Parishioner Households

975

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.

Included in this weekend´s offertory will be the appeal for World Mission Sunday. Please be generous.

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

“I have learned the secret of being well fed and of going hungry, of living in abundance and of being in need. I can do all things in Him who strengthens me,” Phil, 4:13.

You can also download the ConnectNow Giving App for Android or iOS. Thank you for your continuous support!

Please remember in your prayers those who have recently died.

As of October 15, 2023 Goal: Pledged: % of goal: # donors: Average gift: Paid to date:

Lorraine Martins Gloria Capeci

$75,000 $86,317.50 %113 228 $331.99 $84,602.50

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.

In light of the pervading crisis in Gaza, Our Holy Father Pope Francis has invited all Catholics and other people of faith throughout the world to a day of prayer, fasting and penance for peace on Friday, October 27, 2023.

www.stmaryscoltsneck.org

October 22, 2023

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Martha Mary Guild's October Meeting Was Enjoyed by All Wednesday, October 11, was a special meeting for the Martha Mary Guild, at which time Fr. Anthony Carotenuto presided at a lovely ceremony to induct our new members, Jennifer Giocchini and Anne Marie Matthews (pictured below). This was followed by an enjoyable virtual presentation featuring Jamie Novak, author of Keep This Toss That. Jamie was a popular guest a few years ago and her Zoom meeting was just as good - with great suggestions for decluttering our homes, which produced many hearty laughs. Once again, our members' generosity abounded with the collection of hats, gloves and scarves for Tim McCloone's Holiday Express.

Light Up A Memory

The Light Up A Memory ceremony will take place after the 4:00 PM Mass on Saturday, December 16.

It is that time to decide who you would like to remember on our Parish's beautiful "Memory Tree"! A donation of $10.00 per light will honor a loved one (living or deceased), and the lights will shine until the Christmas season is over on Epiphany.

It is so touching to hear the children of our Religious Ed. Program each year singing hymns with the congregation during the lighting ceremony. There will be a special Memory Book on display in the Church Gathering Space, where all the names will be inscribed. Each $10 donation also entitles the donor to get a card to send to the family of the deceased or to the honoree. Cards can be picked up at the parish office. The deadline to submit THIS FORM is Monday December 4.

Thank you for participating in this wonderful parish tradition.

Thanksgiving

Baskets Collection “Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” John 3:65 Every year, Saint Mary Parish parishioners generously provide donations for Thanksgiving Baskets for over 200 families who are in need in the Monmouth County area.

Stuffing Gravy Green Beans (Canned) Corn (Canned) Canned Yams,

Potatoes or Rice Macaroni & Cheese Canned Fruit Cranberry Sauce Coffee or Tea Bags

Corn Muffin Mix Pie Crust Mix & Pie Filling OR Cake Mix & Frosting

Please bring your donation to the Cry Room off the Church Narthex from October 28 – November 10 Food sort will be Saturday, November 11, 8:30 AM

Please purchase items to feed a family of four The Parish of Saint Mary provides turkeys along with the non-perishable food. We ask for monetary donations towards the purchase of turkeys HERE -or- please make a check payable to “Parish of Saint Mary” and put Thanksgiving Food Drive in the memo section.

HELP US EXCEED LAST YEAR’S DONATIONS OF 300 BAGS OF GROCERIES AND 180 TURKEYS TO GREATER SERVE THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE.

www.stmaryscoltsneck.org

October 22, 2023

12 Radical Solidarity 2023 Respect Life Reflection

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.

Mary’s Child Pro-Life Ministry Champion for Life Awards Dinner Oct. 29, 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.

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.

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.”

www.stmaryscoltsneck.org

October 22, 2023

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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.