Bishop of the Diocese of Trenton: Most Reverend David M. O’Connell, C.M.
Bishop of the Diocese of Trenton: Most Reverend David M. O’Connell, C. M.
Pastor: Reverend Fr. Jeffrey E. Lee
Pastor: Reverend Fr. Jeffrey E. Lee
Pastor Emeritus: Reverend Fr. William J. Bausch
Pastor Emeritus: Reverend Fr. William J. Bausch
Parish Trustees: Annette Raynor & Roger Zurro
Parish Trustees: Annette Raynor & Roger Zurro
OCTOBER 5, 2025
TWENTY-SEVENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
PARISH OFFICE HOURS
Mondays: 9 AM to 2 PM
Tuesdays: 2:30 PM to 7: 30 PM
Wednesdays: 9 AM to 2 PM
Thursdays: 9 AM to 2 PM
Fridays: Closed
Saturdays: Closed
Sundays: First Sunday of the month, 9 AM to 1 PM
Open Sunday, 10/5, 9 AM to 1PM
PARISH PHOTO DIRECTORY
LIMITED SPACES AVAILABLE1 Click here to book your free Family Photo Session!
Friday, October 3: 2PM-8:30PM Saturday, October 4: 10AM-4PM Inside the Spiritual Center (Details on p. 7)
MASS SCHEDULE & INTENTIONS
Saturday, October 4, 2025 - Sunday, October 12, 2025
Saturday, October 4
4 PM
Ralph & Rose De Biase * Diane Carnevale
John Gatti * Mary Kopko
Fay Lentine * Jack & Rorie Coppola
Sunday, October 5
8 AM
Helen & John Sionas * Eileen & Michael Stivala, Jr.
Michael Dore * Alice Ganley & Family
Brian Leidy * Carly & Chris York
10 AM
Kenneth Reinhardt * John & Dawn
Sergio Dos Santos * Dos Santos Family
Carl Simone * Maureen Valenziano
12 Noon
Pro Populo
Robert A. & Mary Joan McNamara * The McNamara Family
Tome Mestric * Nick & Christine Hroncic
Monday, October 6
9 AM Chapel
Dee Dorrian * The Dorrian Family
Carl Simone * Dot & Tom Tanguay
Tuesday, October 7
9 AM Chapel
Pat Kane * Diane Carnevale
Loving Family Members * Janet Munger
MASS INTENTIONS & SANCTUARY LAMPS
Consider requesting a Mass Intentions or Sanctuary Lamp for all occasions (birthdays, anniversaries, sickness, etc.) for a loved one, deceased or living.
Click below to submit request online now for 2025 dates:
Request a Sanctuary Lamp ($25 stipend)
Request a Mass Intention ($10 stipend)
Requests may also be submitted in person at the Parish Office during operating hours.
Wednesday, October 8 9 AM Chapel
Carl Simone * Elizabeth Oakes
Intentions of Katherine Bernardini * Katherine Bernardini
Thursday, October 9 9 AM Chapel
Loving Family Members * Janet Munger
Intentions of Katherine Bernardini * Katherine Bernardini
Friday, October 10 9 AM Chapel
Mildred Rapacciuolo * Rorie & Jack Coppola
Carl Simone * Jack & Rorie Coppola
Saturday, October 11 4 PM
Pro Populo
Rachel Verga * Barbara & Joe Verga
George J. Rimmele * Barbara Saake
Sunday, October 12 8 AM
Maureen Grealis * Phyllis & Hugh Murphy
Antoinette Tommolino * Barbara Byrne
Lillian Burry * Alice Ganley & Family
10 AM
Frances Farrow * Farrow Family
Susan Duenas * Rita & Michael Duenas
Angela Duenas * Michael Duenas
12 Noon
Ryan Stevens * Karen & Scott Stevens
Edward Cody * Carol Ward
Please pray for the following members of our parish community who are ill:
To add or remove a family member from the sick list, please e-mail ONLY to: parishbulletin@stmaryscoltsneck.org. Names will be removed from the list after 3 months.
Be sure to keep us updated on your loved one’s health. 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.
AMT Colton Boag, USCG
Col. John Anthony Coppola, US Army
TSgt Stephen Witherow, USAF
LCpl Edward Zarzecki, USMC
Lt. Col. Douglas Coppola, US Army
Lt. Mary Herman, USN
SN Christian Houlihan, USN
LT. Jason Joseph Howe, USN
SPC Michael John Mento, US Army
LTJG Matthew Motola, USN
LCpl Bradley O’Ree, USMC
SPC Nicholas Poskonka, US Army
Captain Richard Savo, US Army
1st Lt. Adam Sjoholm, US Army
Captain Ryan Tanguay, US Army
Week of October 5 to 11
FOR DEEPER REFLECTION
Faith is the anchor and force of life
Question for Children:
Jesus teaches us that our faith is is powerful and with it, we can do great things. We can forgive, love, and share with others. Which of these do you do most often?
Question for Youth:
The Gospel tells us even a little bit of faith is enough to make amazing things happen. How are you keeping your faith alive and growing? What good things happen in your life because of your faith?
Question for Adults:
Being “in Christ” means living as Christ teaches. What signs do you see in your life of generosity, forgiveness, hospitality, or any other of Jesus’ teachings?
The Parish of Saint Mary 2026 MASS INTENTION BOOK
Opens Sunday, October 5 at 9 AM
Two Ways to Schedule: 1.) Online (click here)
2. In person at the Parish Office using a paper form. Received requests will be timestamped when received. Click to download form.
Every effort will be made to satisfy all requests, but the intention availability for a date you are requesting may be filled and you will be asked to choose an alternate date. Members of the Mass Book team do not have the authority to make exceptions. Availability is first-come, first served.
WORSHIP & MUSIC
Andrew J. Macirowski - Pastoral Coordinator for Worship & Music / Principal Organist
Saint Francis of Assisi is one of the most beloved Catholic saints, best known as the patron of animals and ecology. Each year on his feast day, October 4th, countless churches around the world hold the Blessing of the Animals, celebrating his deep love for all of creation.
What many don’t realize, however, is that Francis’s early life looked nothing like the humble, holy man he later became. Born into wealth as the son of a prosperous cloth merchant, Francis grew up surrounded by privilege. He enjoyed the pleasures of youth spending freely, hosting parties, and showing little concern for the spiritual life. By all appearances, he was far from the saint he would one day be.
That all changed around the age of 25. After experiencing a powerful dream in which God spoke to him, and later hearing the voice of Christ while praying in the crumbling chapel of San Damiano, Francis underwent a dramatic conversion. Renouncing both his father and the family business, he embraced a life of radical poverty. Though never ordained, he preached with passion about repentance, love of neighbor, simplicity, and peace. His message drew others, and together they sought recognition from the Church. With Pope Innocent III’s approval, the Franciscan Order was born, which still thrives to this day.
Near the end of his life, Francis experienced something extraordinary. While on a 40-day retreat in prayer, he saw a vision of an angel and received the stigmata the wounds of Christ’s Passion making him the first known saint to bear them.
Francis’s legacy lives on not only through his spiritual teachings but also through his love for the natural world and his care for the poor. He is credited with creating the very first Nativity scene, using live animals and a simple feeding trough to help worshippers grasp the humility of Christ’s birth.
Only two years after his death, Pope Gregory IX canonized him. Centuries later, Pope Saint John Paul II would officially declare him the patron saint of ecology an enduring recognition of his message of harmony, simplicity, and reverence for God’s creation.
Saturday, 10/11
4 PM
Sunday, 10/12
8 AM
Sunday, 10/13
10 AM
Sunday, 10/14
12 Noon
Liturgy
MINISTRY SCHEDULE
Saturday, October 11 & Sunday, October 12
Jonathan Stubbs
Grace Collins
Jack Main
Joseph Brando
Chloe Cullen
Bridget Farrow
Jennifer Stubbs
Mary Ellen Griffin
Bridget Farrow NOT FILLED
Reagan Royal Choir
Jack Schatzle
Jacob Barasky
of
Steve Rumbsy
Carly York Richard Gerbino
Joe Ventura
Kevin Swan
Charles Young
the Word Dismissal for Children Ages 4 to 12
This is the practice of having children, ages 4-12, leave the Sunday assembly during the Liturgy of the Word (readings) and gather in the chapel to engage in the Liturgy of the Word at a level more appropriate to the children’s understanding.
Martha Cowles, Organ Host
Jane Slattery, Tabernacle Host
Michal Kalisz, Tabernacle Host
Monica Barr, Alternate
Marsha Grigoli, Organ Host
Joyce Flynn, Tabernacle Host
Mary Aiello, Tabernacle Host
Cindy Ventura Alternate
Steve Stanley, Organ Host
Liz Turkovic, Tabernacle Host
Nick Turkovic, Tabernacle Host
Carol Donahue, Alternate
Dolores Lembo, Organ Host
Lee Gesner, Tabernacle Host
Patricia Gesner, Tabernacle Host
Tom Nathanson, Alternate
FAITH FORMATION
Julia Cullen — Pastoral Coordinator of Faith Formation / Religious Education
"There is an appointed time for everything, and a time for every affair under the heavens " (Ecc 3:1)
As we begin the month of October, we also begin celebrating the Sacraments of First Holy Communion and Confirmation with our young parishioners. Please pray for these 85 children as their journey of faith continues. We celebrate our first group for First Holy Communion this weekend at the 10 AM Mass.
5 October 2025
First Holy Communion 10 AM Mass in Church
5 October 2025
First Holy Communion Noon Mass in Church
11 October 2025 Confirmation For Confirmandi & Parent/Sponsor 4 PM in Church
12 October 2025
First Holy Communion 10 AM Mass in Church
Rehearsal— 10/19 First Holy Communion Noon Mass in Churc
17 October 2025
Confirmation 4 PM in Church
19 October 2025
First Holy Communion Starts at Noon Mass in Church
25 October 2025
‘Hallow’een Halls Starts at 4 PM Mass in Church
‘HALLOW’EEN HALLS
October 25th
Begins at 4 PM Mass ~ Continues in Madonna Hall
Bring a carved / decorated pumpkin with the ‘Hallow’ theme to Madonna Hall before Mass for our Jack-o-lantern Contest!
RSVP NOW!
Be sure to wear your costume and get ready for some trick-ortreating!
Let us know you will attend by clicking the link below!
Click here to RSVP!
About Our Theme
Table Decorators Wanted!
You may have noticed the name of our traditional Halloween Halls event is a little bit different this year. We have named it ‘Hallow’een Halls: Find Peace in God’s Prayer as an invitation to download the Hallow mobile app! Learn more about the Hallow app by clicking the icon on the right!
We would love to have you participate in this great event! You would be responsible for: decorating your assigned space or table providing treats for the trick or treaters attending the area for the entire duration of the trick or treating portion cleaning your space and leaving it the way you found it Sign up to decorate a table!
Our Parish Photo Directory won’t be complete without YOU! Schedule your appointment now for your FREE photo session! All participating families will receive a free 8x10 portrait.
URGENT! VOLUNTEERS WANTED! THE BARN FOR THE POOREST OF THE POOR
Location: Delicious Orchards
Volunteers must be at least 13 years old, Arrive at the back platform of Delicious Orchards no EARLIER than 5:30PM Tuesday through Sunday (Closed on Monday)
Volunteers are particularly needed on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings each week.Our truck arrives usually before 6:00PM. Help our driver to unload empty crates.
Students are not allowed on the back of the loading dock until a representative from the Barn arrives.
Wear shoes which provide adequate support. No flip-flops allowed.
• Parents should not drop off their children and leave. The ending time is variable and you must be present when the work ends.
• Upon completion of loading and cleanup, present your sheet listing the date, time & place to our driver or other representative for signature.
• Be sure to follow any direction our driver or representative will give you. If you have any questions, you can contact us at BarnForThePoor@gmail.com For more information see Barn for the Poor
Women’s Spiritual Group
Meets Tuesday mornings at 11 a.m. Room 11
Second Wednesday from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Click here to join Questions? Email
My Dear Parishioners:
Quo vadis...
Today we celebrate the Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time. When we think of people of great faith, we often mention people like Ghandi or Mother Teresa. These were great religious leaders who obviously had great faith and accomplished great things. We make a mistake, however, if we identify faith only with great things. Jesus reminds us in this gospel that our everyday actions, performed in loving service, are expressions of our faith. The faith-filled person puts in an honest day’s work. That person is gracious to those with whom he or she comes in contact. That person is ready to reach out and help another, even beyond one’s own work load. The faith-filled person sees Jesus in the other and responds to the situation with Jesus’ love and care. Faith is faithfulness in action.
Thank you for the feedback, comments and questions about the new baptismal/holy water font. This font was a gift donated by a bona fide family of our parish, that is, a gift over and above their regular annual stewardship. We are grateful to them and all who support our parish. I have been asked, “How do I know what the parish might need if I would like to make an extraordinary gift?” Simple! Ask me or Edwin Sevillano, and we will help you based on your interests and the needs of the parish. More to come.
During the month of October the Church celebrates the life and ministry of “il poverello,” the poor one of Assisi, Saint Francis. We offer the opportunity for families to bring their pets to our campus and have them blessed. October is also a time when the universal Church honors the Blessed
Virgin Mary, Our Lady of the Rosary. What a great time to rediscover the praying of the rosary in your prayer life. I will place some rosary beads that are from Jerusalem for use in the church or chapel prior to mass.
This month is also a time when the Church reflects on the sanctity of every human life from the womb to the tomb. We set our eyes on the image of the Virgin at Tepeyac, Our Lady of Guadalupe who is the patroness of America, North, Central and South. It is one of the very few images that we have of Mary pregnant with child.
Let us remember on our prayer those families who are preparing for the Sacraments of Confirmation and First Holy Communion during this month. May we continue to support these families in teaching our Catholic Faith to their children. We are receiving a number of requests to celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony here in our parish community. It is important to note the several of these couples are planning “destination weddings.” However, they are choosing to prepare for and celebrate the sacrament prior to the destination event. Any interested couples should contact the parish for details. The Common Policy for Marriage Preparation throughout the Catholic Dioceses in New Jersey recommend one year preparation. Please contact the church before contracting with the reception venue.
We will bless animals Saturday, 4 October, the memorial of Saint Francis of Assisi, at 2:45 PM on the front plaza of the church. Have a great week. Let us remember one another in prayer. Happy Sunday. Peace. Father Jeff
Co-Cathedral of St. Robert Bellarmine 61 Georgia Road, Freehold
The Missionary Image of Our Lady of Guadalupe will be displayed. This image is a digital image approved by the Catholic Church and has been associated with miraculous phenomena. Visit strobert.cc for more information.
OCTOBER 19
All couples celebrating their 1st, 25th or 50th (or more) anniversary of Catholic marriage
For more information, visit https://dioceseoftrenton.org/bishops-anniversary-blessing
Offerings at Francis House of Prayer
Trenton Diocesan Spiritual Center and Retreat House 84 Walnford Road • Allentown, NJ 08501 609-877-0509 or FHOP@verizon.net
Please check www.FHOP.org for dates, registration, directions and for our other offerings! All programs will be offered online and in-person unless otherwise indicated.
IN-PERSON ONLY
PRAYING WITH ICONS
BEHOLD THE BEAUTY OF THE LORD 2 Mondays October 6 & 13 9:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Iconographer Jack Pachuta will offer the first of these two morning retreats and familiarize us with the process of creating icons. In addition to praying with his icons we will pray with Henri Nouwen's, Behold the Beauty of the Lord, which offers us 4 famous icons to enjoy and pray with between the sessions. Donation: $75, lunches and book included.
EXAMEN: A SIMPLE LIFE-CHANGING PRAYER Tuesday, October 7 9:30 AM –1:00 PM
Examen is a daily prayer practice designed to help you notice and enjoy God's presence in your everyday life. As you grow in its daily practice you will begin to be aware of God's presence everywhere. If you would like to end every day with gratitude and hope, please come to this one-day presentation on Ignatian Examen. It's no exaggeration to say that Examen changes everything. Donation: $35 includes lunch/book. Zoom: $20
ZOOM ONLY
FINDING TIME FOR GOD- 8 Thursdays 7:30 – 8:30 PM
October 9 December 11 February 12 April 9
November 13 January 8 March 12 May 14
You would love to develop a closer relationship with God, but don’t know where to start? Using Eight Steps to Energize Your Faith by Joe Paprocki, we will identify easy ways to deepen your relationship with God without adding anything to your endless to-do list! Donation: $175
LORD, WHEN DID I SEE YOU? - Tuesday, October 14 9:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Using the parable of the separation of the sheep and the goats in Mt. 25 as a starting point - as well as many stories from life - we will explore the world, the church, and ourselves as we look for Jesus. We will sharpen our focus and truly SEE the Lord, so as to serve Him better, become the salt and light He wants us to be, and, in the process, become transformed. Donation: $25, includes lunch. Zoom: $20
