Bulletin for October 27, 2019

Bishop of the Diocese of Trenton: Most Reverend David M. O’Connell, C. M. Pastor: Reverend Fr. Jeffrey E. Lee

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

Pastor Emeritus: Reverend Fr. William J. Bausch Deacon: John Wedemeyer

Trustees: Bill LaMorte Irene Weller Parish Office hours Sunday 9 am – 12 noon Mon. & Tues. 8:45 am – 7:30 pm Wed. & Thurs. 8:45 am – 6:00 pm No office hours on Fri or Sat.

Parish Membership: New parishioners are welcome to register at the office at any time.

New Parishioner Orientation (quarterly) - will be held November 10, 11 am Contact Parish Office at parishoffice@stmaryscoltsneck.org Registration is required.

Sacraments: Eucharist Detailed Mass times listed on page 2 Penance & Reconciliation Saturday 4 pm or by appointment.

Marriage Contact the Parish Office one year in advance for information & guidelines.

Baptism Next Baptismal Class TBA Contact the Parish Office for information & required paperwork three months in advance. There are no Baptisms during Advent or Lent, please plan accordingly.

All Saints Day HOLY DAY OF OBLIGATION Masses held in the Church st VIGIL Mass at 7 pm - October 31 st Daily Mass at 9 am - November 1 Saturday, Mass 9 am November 2nd

Visit our Website: www.stmaryscoltsneck.org

All Souls Day

www.stmaryscoltsneck.org

October 27, 2019

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Mass Intentions for the Week October 26 - November 3 Saturday, October 26 – 4 PM Church Blessed Virgin Mary Steven Parkes * Parkes Family Intentions of Leonidas Mavrookas * Suzanne Schlesinger William Gurkas * Jean Gurkas Sunday, October 27 – Church Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time 8 AM Annibale Cappeleri * Cappeleri Family Doug Roberts * Sean and Denise Devaney and Family Annette Brittain * Linda and William Stagliano 10 AM

Pro Populo Salvatore Sgroi * Elia and Claude Gallello Damiano and Sergio Caputo * Rose Mary Viggiani

12 PM

Lori Romer * Fredda Family Mary D. Coppola * Sharon Burlew Sally Roarty * Peg Roarty and Family

Baptism after the 12 noon Mass Grayson Corey Chesler Celina Church Monday, October 28 – 9 AM Chapel Ss. Simon and Jude Irene Baron * Barbara Saake Pauline Madzin * Treasure and Al Herman Tuesday, October 29 – 9 AM Chapel Linda Hanlon * Hamlin Family Peter J. Levantino * Nick and JoAnn Pellicone Wednesday, October 30 – 9 AM Chapel Catherine Jane Kazunas * Neil and Jane Slattery Deceased members of the Ambrosio Family * Gruenling Family

Next week November 3rd Daylight SavingsTime ends, turn the clocks back 1 hour PRAY for Military & First Responders SN Colton Boag, USCG LCpl Devon Francis Chrzan, USMC Chief Blake Conley, USN Lt. Col. John Anthony Coppola, US Army Major Douglas Coppola, US Army Lt. Mary Herman, USN SN Christian Houlihan, USN Ensign Jason Joseph Howe, USN SPC Michael John Mento, US Army Pvt Nicholas Poskonka US Army Captain Richard Savo, US Army 1st Lt. Adam Sjoholm, US Army 1st Lt. Ryan Tanguay, US Army SSgt Stephen Witherow, USAF LCpl Edward Zarzecki ,USMC

Thursday, October 31 9 AM Chapel Dee Dorrian * Bernard Dorrian 7 PM All Saints Vigil – Church Antonio Milano * Lorraine Lee Nicholas J. Bonamo * Edwin and Renee Friday, November 1 – 9 AM Church All Saints Anthony Garito * Arlene and Family Special Intentions * Suzanne Schlesinger Saturday, November 2 Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls Day) 9 AM Church Jean Noto * Reardon Family Doreen Evelyn Hood * Laura Sheehy 1:30 PM - Wedding 4 PM Church William Gurkas * Roz Gurkas Special Intentions * Suzanne Schlesinger Salvatore Castro * Coleen and Dave Weissman Sunday, November 3 – Church Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time 8 AM Lloyd Petillo * Diane Carnevale Salvatore Sgroi * Eileen and Michael Stivala June Teeple * Diana and Ed Piotrowski 10 AM

Frank J. Viggiani * Rose Mary Viggiani Maria DeGrassi * Ariana Vig Anna Obeirne * Carl and Joan Raso

12 PM

Pro Populo Robert A. McNamara * McNamara Family Benedetto and Saveria Squatrito * Gerbino Family

Baptism after the 12 noon Mass Ryan Paul Gaglio

Welcome to the newest members of our Saint Mary Parish family who were Baptized recently: Haven Marie Dillon Bianca Nicole Cerrato

October 27, 2019

Liturgical, Music & Worship Ministries Contact: Andrew J. Macirowski Worship@stmaryscoltsneck.org Music@stmaryscoltsneck.org Principal Cantor Contact: David Maliakel Adult Faith Formation & Religious Education Contact: Dr. Jim Bridges FaithFormation@stmaryscoltsneck.org ReligiousEd@stmaryscoltsneck.org Temporal Administration, Stewardship & Outreach Contact: Edwin A. Sevillano TemporalAdmin@stmaryscoltsneck.org

Sanctuary Lamps Consider donating the sanctuary lamp that burns in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament in the Church or Christ Chapel.

These intentions are on a weekly basis starting with the Sunday.

The suggested donation for Sanctuary Lamp is $25.

Upcoming availability Church: 12/29 - 1/4 Christ Chapel: 11/3 - 11/9, 11/10 - 11/16, 11/ 17 - 11/23, 11/24 11/30, 12/1 - 12/7, 12/15 - 12/21, 12/22 - 12/28 CHRIST CHAPEL Al Bevacqua Marie and Joseph Merante CHURCH Dee Dorrian Bernard Dorrian

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

732-780-2666 or parishbulletin@stmaryscoltsneck.org

Parish Office: 732-780-2666 parishoffice@stmaryscoltsneck.org Bulletin Deadline: Electronic format by 12 noon Thursday of the prior week (10 days before). parishbulletin@stmaryscoltsneck.org Bulletin Editor: Catherine Love

To add a family member to the sick list for 8 weeks, please call or e-mail the Parish Office. Thank you!

www.stmaryscoltsneck.org

Kathleen Amatel Fr Bill Bausch Eileen Beckley Susan Condon Logan Dayton John DeStefano Kaitlin Donahue Nagle Tom Fadale James Fiedler Emily Gioacchini Edward Habrack Tom Hudak Theresia Kopp Bridget Korn Lori Lettieri Donna Lodi Leonidas Mavrookas Donna McInerney Mary Joan McNamara Stanley Rembisz Paola Richmond Owen Shoemaker Christine Shrewsbury Dering Sprague Seneida Tomasetti Lauren Vinci

Lifelong Catechesis Week Oct. 28 - Nov. 3 Monday: Tuesday: Wednesday: Thursday: Friday:

Readings for the Week Eph 2:19-22; Lk 6:12-16 Rom 8:18-25; Lk 13:18-21 Rom 8:26-30; Lk 13:22-30 Rom 8:31b-39; Lk 13:31-35 Rv 7:2-4, 9-14; 1 Jn 3:1-3;Mt 5:1-12a

Sunday, November 3- 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time Wis 11:22 -- 12:2; 2 Thes 1:11 -- 2:2; Lk 19:1-10 Questions for Deeper Reflections: Question for Children: Jesus showed that he loved Zacchaeus by having supper with him. How does Jesus show his love for you?

Question for Youth: Jesus saw Zaccheaus as he was – mistakes and all. What masks, if any, do you hide behind so others won't see who you really are? Who do you trust to see your true self?

Question for Adults: Why do you suppose Jesus was so kind to Zacchaeus? What lesson do you draw from this reading regarding those who are considered "public sinners" today?-Lifelong Catechesis

www.stmaryscoltsneck.org

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

Spotlight on Ministry: Sacristans A sacristan (sometimes known as a sexton) is a person who maintains the sacristy (the room where the vessels, vestments, books, and other item for Mass are stored) and is entrusted with the proper setup, arrangement, cleanup, and order of all of these items to ensure that everything is prepared for Mass, each and every time.

Pretty much everything you see in the sanctuary has been prepared by a sacristan.

Candles - the number of candle sticks and which ones are used is determined by the season or occasion.

Altar cloth - Color determined by season or occasion.

Liturgical books - The Roman Missal, lectionary, book of the Gospels, ritual books or binders for priests and concelebrants, all with ribbons or other markers set in place for the celebration at hand.

Vessels - Paten, chalices; what material and how many is determined by season or occasion.

Linens - The largest being the altar cloth, others include purificatory and hand towels used during the communion rite. * The laundering of liturgical linens is often a ministry in and of itself, especially in a larger parish such as ours with both species of Holy Communion offered at 8 or more Masses per week.

Vestments - For clergy, color and style determined by the season or occasion. Robes, albs, or cassocks for altar servers are also in this category.

Incense - When called for in the instructions for a particular Mass or ritual; in our parish, the aromatic blend changes seasonally.

Holy water or other sacramental items - such as ashes, palms, holy oils, etc. as prescribed.

In our parish, the sacristan for the main church is yours truly, while we have a small team of sacristans who assist with those duties for weekday Mass in the Christ Chapel. We are always looking for new members for the team, especially for Sundays and for laundry. If you feel called to this important ministry, please do not hesitate to contact me.

ALL SOULS Remembrance - Please submit requests by Oct 30.

By the request of some parishioners, we are including an All Souls envelope in our quarterly package. 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 basket anytime beginning 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

https://bit.ly/2PpGOP0 Thank you for preserving our Catholic traditions and honoring those who have gone before us.

www.stmaryscoltsneck.org

October 27, 2019

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Worship Ministry Schedule: All Saints Day, All Souls Day & November 2 - November 3 Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time Altar Server Thursday, 7:00 PM All Saints (anticipatory)

NOT FILLED NOT FILLED NOT FILLED

EMs of Holy Communion Amy Orrico - Center Cup Susan Murphy - Organ Host Suzanne Schlesinger - Center Host Linda Dickinson-Pancila - Tabernacle Host

Reader 1 Bruno Savo

Reader 2 NOT FILLED

Jane Slattery - Center Host Linda Dickinson-Pancila - Tabernacle

Friday, 9:00 AM

Cantor

LWD

Usher

Magnificat Choir

N/A

NOT FILLED

David Maliakel

N/A

NOT FILLED

Magnificat Choir

N/A

NOT FILLED

All Saints Saturday, 9:00 AM Commemorat ion of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls)

Saturday, 4:00 PM (Church)

Sunday, 8:00 AM (Church)

Sunday, 10:00 AM (Church)

Sunday, 12:00 PM (Church)

Daniel Cowles Alexander Lennon Sophia Lennon

Gail Cargiulo - Center Cup Martha Cowles - Organ Host Donna Sikorskas - Center Host Suzanne Schlesinger - Tabernacle Host Helene Lind - Organ Cup Frank Baker - Tabernacle Cup Rosemarie Estephan - Pres Cup

Carl Simone

John McCrae

Marybeth Jacobson

Maria Greenstein

John Grabowski Jim Davis Bob Lind Frank Sikorskas NOT FILLED NOT FILLED

Anthony Buzzetta Michael Buzzetta NOT FILLED

Gina Shute - Center Cup Lisa Aldridge - Organ Host Steve Stanley - Center Host Michael Stivala - Tabernacle Host Joyce Flynn - Organ Cup Justine Buzzetta - Tabernacle Cup Jane Slattery - Pres Cup

Rita Duenas

Annette Raynor

Colleen Swain

N/A

George Watts James Pifer Jim Boliver NOT FILLED NOT FILLED

Gabriella Penczak Valeska Yaninas Alessandra Zilinski

Gregory Calderaro - Center Cup Winifred O'Doherty - Organ Host Maureen Geiger - Center Host Dolores Addler - Tabernacle Host Dawn Reinhardt - Organ Cup Barbara Schaflin - Tabernacle Cup Mary Aiello - Pres Cup

Stanley Drusdow

Julia Cullen

David Maliakel

Fernando Pinguelo

Leigh Gavinelli John Orrico Greg Penczak Jack Zumba Charlie Gavinelli Allan Ryan Jaime Steiner

NOT FILLED NOT FILLED NOT FILLED

Irene Weller - Center Cup Patricia Gesner - Organ Host Ann Byrnes - Center Host Patricia Balbo - Tabernacle Host Ron Gabbard - Organ Cup Susan Murphy - Tabernacle Cup Lee Gesner - Pres Cup

Alicia Mendez

Dan Mazzeo

David Maliakel

Melissa Widmeier (sub req.)

James Dolan Joe Mancino Joseph Rinaldo William Starce NOT FILLED

Next weekend at all parishes across the Diocese of Trenton, we will be promoting vocations through a program, “Called by Name.” For now, pray about a young man ages 16-40 who you think would make a fine priest. Details next Sunday.

www.stmaryscoltsneck.org

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Quo vadis…

My Dear Parishioners: Today we celebrate the Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time.

In practice, probably most of us are like neither the Pharisee nor the tax collector. So both can teach us something. The Pharisee can teach us that religious practices are important, but not enough. They must always be performed in humility and with the goal of deepening our relationship with God. The tax collector can teach us that God does not offer salvation only to the perfect, but to those who acknowledge their sinfulness and cry out for God’s mercy. At the same time, some of us are so busy beating our breasts about our sinfulness that even this can be a form of pride. Like the tax collector, we must let God be God and receive the mercy offered.

Though sinners, God exalts those who are in right relationship. Rather than focus unduly on our own sinfulness, we need to turn to God and ask for mercy.

As we approach the month of November let us remember the All Saints and All Souls in our prayer. It is a time for us to critically reflect on the fact that we are all saints and sinners and in need of healing reconciliation.

Please consult another section of this bulletin for the All Saints Holy Day Mass Schedule.

We have scheduled 9 am Mass in the Church on Saturday, 2 November, for the Commemoration of All the Holy Souls.

November is also a time for us to exercise the privilege of voting. Please allow yourself to be inconvenienced enough to learn the issues and the positions of the various candidates.

Let us be mature about this privilege and vote according to our beliefs and our conscience.

Do not forget to set your clocks back, next week, Sunday, 3 November. Thanksgiving is soon upon us. Lots of preparations are underway for our parishioners to donate food to be distributed to the needy.

This weekend our parish welcomes families to the Annual Halloween Halls with the Saints & Superheroes Intergenerational Presentation.

Also we welcome families who have buried a loved one during the past twelve months. Our Lazarus Ministry and Bereavement Ministry offer tremendous Pastoral Care and Support to these families in the name of our community.

Many thanks to all those who generously share their time and talent in building the kingdom of God in our midst.

Recently our staff emailed the 2019 Stewardship Report for our parish. It contains information for the Calendar Year 2018 and the Fiscal Year 1 July 2018 – 30 June 2019. I am grateful to our staff members for compiling the information and commentary presented as well as the Finance and Pastoral Council Members for their input. The overall design presentation is the work of parishioner Annette Raynor.

This report is an important instrument of accountability by the staff to you the parishioners as stakeholders of our parish.

Please take the time to read it section by section. It is my hope that this report will further your understanding of how we serve the community as well as an invitation for all of our parishioners to consider greater involvement. Have a great week. Let us remember one another in prayer. Happy Sunday Peace. Father Jeff

www.stmaryscoltsneck.org

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Dr. Jim Bridges Pastoral Coordinator of Faith Formation and Religious Education FaithFormation@stmaryscoltsneck.org ReligiousEd@stmaryscoltsneck.org

Congratulations Confirmati! who received the Sacrament of Confirmation Friday, October 18, 2019 May you rely upon the Holy Spirit to guide you as you continue your Catholic-Christian journey within our community, your parish family. We look forward to your constant participation in the Eucharist and offer you our love, prayers, and support! The Parish of Saint Mary First Confirmation Last Benedetto Vincent Aiello Thomas Michael Annunziata Sofia Jeanne Barreiro Joseph Anthony Bartolomeo Gianna Catherine Bellomo Krishan Francis Bhatnagar Skyla Chiara Campisi Henry Peter Chollick Ella Francis Cingari Giavonna Anne Clemente Sophia Margaret Deitrich Anthony Christopher DeJohn Jack John D'Eletto Christina Elizabeth Dowd Jane Catherine Farrow Katie Katharine Finnegan Eoin Michael Fitzpatrick Alexandria Emily Foley Hayden James Friend Claudia Teresa Garcia Connor Andrew Garfield Ryan Joseph Gershon John John Gutierrez

First Confirmation Last Jake Michael Hartman Benjamin Moses Hartman Isabella Faith Hayden Nicole Elizabeth Hoeker Ashley Bridgit Jordan Julie Francis Kelly Samantha Grace Lidondici Rebecca Colette Lopes Kaleigh Agnes Lukowitz Dominic Joseph Martinelli Alexander Joseph Marx Ella Catherine McVey Erianna Rose Milora Alaina Jacinta Montefusco Kallyn Patricia Moran Robert Peter Muscio Luis Francis Muscio Ilario Peter Nicoletta Hailey Theresa Pazmino Samantha Mary Magdalene Pazmino Kassidy Jane Petino Christian Marc Pinguelo Alexa Elizabeth Pitta

First Confirmation Last Ayden Dominic Purdy Adrianna Sophia Reganato Cassidy Josephine Relay Saverio Francis Xavier Renda Jack Joseph Rocco Elisabeth Agatha Rotondi Thomas Joseph SanFilippo Isabella Anne Santulli James Joseph Schatzle Abigail Elizabeth Sessa Mahalia Valentine Suarez Allison Chloe Tiefenthaler Gabriella Michael Tierney Jack Michael Tormey Joseph Nicholas Tuccillo Jacqueline Sebastian Tunney Brian Ralph Williams Donald Joseph Willis Max Paul Woodward Tesya Elizabeth Yaninas Vincent Francis Zaffarese Lauren Patricia Zeni

CONFIRMATI

www.stmaryscoltsneck.org

October 27, 2019

Sharing Our Treasure October 20, Twentieth-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time Weekly Sacrificial Stewardship

$ 19,015

Envelope Contributions

$ 12,138

Electronic/Online Contributions

$ 5,753

Loose Contributions

$ 1,124

Avg. Contribution per Household this week $ 47.33 # of Contributing Households # Registered Parishioner Households

378 1,101

Additionally, because of your contributions, we were able to send $2,500 collection for World Mission Sunday.

THANK YOU for the Sacrificial Stewardship Offerings as we support the ministries, programs and facilities of our parish. May God Bless you for the sacrifices that you make.

You can make a difference!

Simply shop at

smile.amazon.com/ch/22-1963114 and AmazonSmile donates to St. Mary Parish

Our 2019 Stewardship Report was e-mailed to our parishioners recently. If you did not get it, please contact the Parish Office at 732-780 -2666 to make sure we have a valid e-mail address for you. You can read the newsletter here

https://bit.ly/2M9YGKk If you rather read it in paper and do not have access to a printer, please stop by the office to pick up a printed copy.

Thank you for your continued support!

8 CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE PARISH OF SAINT MARY

$10,000

Estate of Josephine M. Clement to be applied toward the annual budget

Please remember The Parish of Saint Mary in your will.

ANNUAL CATHOLIC APPEAL 2019 UPDATE As of 21 October 2019 Parish goal: $75,000 Total raised: $42,920 Percentage of goal: 57% # of Pledges/gifts: 185 Average gift: $232 There’s time to pledge! Take an envelope from the credenzas in the church, complete and place in the Sunday collection basket, bring to the parish office or donate online by going to https://www.dioceseoftrenton.org/aca-donate-page

THANK YOU for your continued support!

Save the Date!

Parish Fall Clean-Up Saturday, November 23, 9 am-1 pm Join us to PICK UP leaves and branches from the parish grounds before the winter months.

Please bring rakes to the event. Adults with equipment to cut fallen branches on the ground are needed.

Two Hour Shifts & Community Service HOURS Available. Group Leaders Needed, National Honor Society leadership hours available.

For more information or to sign up contact: Edwin TemporalAdmin@stmaryscoltsneck.org

www.stmaryscoltsneck.org

October 27, 2019

“Light Up a Memory” Plans for the St. Mary Parish “Memory Tree” 12th Anniversary in December are already underway. A $10.00 donation signifies a light to honor all those we wish to remember during the Christmas season – both living and passed. His/her name will be inscribed in a special “Memory Book”, which will be on display in the Church Gathering Space. Each $10.00 also entitles the donor to a lovely card to send to the family of the deceased or to the honoree. The deadline for forms is Dec. 3, 2019. All contributions will benefit improvements at the Parish of St. Mary.

Participants are also invited to 4 pm Mass and the joyous tree lighting ceremony, with music by St. Mary’s choir and a special reception, with delicious refreshments in the Gathering Space, on Saturday, December 14, 2019.

For more information, call the office at 732-7802666 or the co-chairs, Molly Aiello at 732-5986808 and Freda O’Doherty at 732-577-9541. All are invited to be a part of this lovely Christmas tradition. The “Memory” lights will twinkle until the feast of Epiphany (“Three Kings”) on January 6. Thank you for the continuous support of the community, which enables us to celebrate our 12th year!

Everyone is welcome to participate in this wonderful tribute to our loved ones.

https://bit.ly/2klIkmC

Got Halloween Candy?

Collection boxes are in the Gathering Space, Parish Hall & outside the Parish Office from 10/26 -11/17.

The candy will be used by Holiday Express for 20,000 gift bags to be distributed at events hosted this season.

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Thanksgiving Baskets Collection For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me…”

- Matthew 25:35 Every year, Saint Mary Parish parishioners generously provide donations for Thanksgiving Baskets for over 200 area families who are in need in the Monmouth County area.

Please purchase items to feed a family of four:    

Canned Fruit Dry Milk Stuffing Gravy

   

Cranberry Sauce Coffee or Tea Bags Green Beans Corn

 Canned Yams, Potatoes, or Rice  Pie Crust Mix/Pie Fill or Cake Mix/Frosting The Parish of Saint Mary provides turkeys along with the non-perishable food. Due to lack of freezer space we ask for monetary donations towards the purchase of turkeys. Therefore, in lieu of donating turkeys or gift cards, please make your check payable to “The Parish of Saint Mary” & put ‘Thanksgiving Food Drive’ in the memo section.

Your contribution will be used for turkeys or additional canned goods if needed.

Help us exceed last year's donations of 200 bags of groceries and 160 turkeys to greater serve the needs of the community at large.

Please bring your donations to the Parish Hall from November 2 - November 22, 2019 If you would like to volunteer to help shop, sort, pack or load please contact Rose Farrow at rmcfarrow@hotmail.com

www.stmaryscoltsneck.org

October 27, 2019

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Respect Life Reflection Christ Our Hope: In Every Season of Life From the time we are knit together in our mothers’ wombs until we take our final breaths, each moment of our lives is a gift from God. While every season of life brings its own challenges and trials, each season also gives us new opportunities to grow in our relationship with God.

“Hold fast to the hope that lies before us. This we have as an anchor of the soul, sure and firm.”

Hebrews 6:18-19

Today the gift of life is threatened in countless ways. Those who are most vulnerable, rather than receiving the protection they deserve, are all too often seen as a burden and as expendable. As new attacks on human life continue to emerge, we can be tempted to despair, but Christ instead offers us unfailing hope.

Hope is not false optimism or empty positivity. Christian hope is something much more profound and goes to the very depths of our identity as followers of Christ.

Hope is the virtue “by which we desire the kingdom of heaven and eternal life as our happiness, placing our trust in Christ's promises and relying not on our own strength, but on the help of the grace of the Holy Spirit” (CCC, 1817).

Like us, Christ entered the world through the womb of a woman. He willingly experienced the fullness of human suffering. He breathed his last on the Cross at Calvary in order that He might save us. Therefore, “God is the foundation of hope: not any god, but the God who has a human face and who has loved us to the end” (Spe salvi 31).

Christians know “they have a future: it is not that they know the details of what awaits them, but they know in general terms that their life will not end in emptiness” (SS 2).

For this reason, a woman experiencing a difficult pregnancy can find the strength to welcome her precious child into the world. A man facing a terminal diagnosis can see that the end of his earthly life is only the beginning of eternal life with Christ.

The Church teaches us that “the one who has hope lives differently” (SS 2). Christ’s promise of salvation does not mean that we will be spared from suffering. Rather, the promise of salvation ensures that even in the darkest moments of our lives, we will be given the strength to persevere. By virtue of this Christian hope, we can face any challenge or trial. When the seas of life swell and we are battered by the waves, hope allows us to remain anchored in the heart of God. May we hold fast to Christ our hope, from the beginning of life to its very end.

Looking for Committee members for the Advent Pancake Breakfast Tentatively scheduled for Sunday, Dec 15, 7:00 am to 12 noon Thank you to our parishioners who have volunteered to help!

Committee meeting at Saint Mary Monday, November 4 at 6 PM. We need help shopping, preparing & decorating the hall, coordinating the volunteers, & cleaning up.

Please contact the Parish Office Communications@stmaryscoltsneck.org