Annual Stewardship Report: Fiscal year 1 July 2015-30 June 2016/Calendar year 2015

The Parish of Saint Mary A Catholic Community Proclaiming the Greatness of God in our Time

Annual Report of Stewardship Fiscal Year July 1, 2015 - June 30th, 2016

Calendar Year 2015

His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a little, I will set you over much; enter into the joy of your master.’ Matthew 25:23

In this Report:

One Phalanx Road Colts Neck, NJ 07722 stmaryscoltsneck.org

The Community at Service

2

Worship & Evangelization

3

Charitable Appeals

8

Music Ministry

9

Facilities

10

Fiscal Overview

13

Sacramental Statistics

17

Community Building & Communications

21

Faith Formation & Life Long Learning

25

The Community at Service Reverend Fr. Jeffrey E. Lee, MDiv, MA, ThM Fifth Pastor

Jesus gives us a living tangible witness to help us through our journey of life.

Gathered with the Apostles for the Last Supper, Jesus presides in charity by washing the feet of his closest followers. This washing was more than the customary prescribed by the law. This washing was a witness to loving service, an example that His followers would struggle to embrace. Service is the most basic aspect for us as Roman Catholics. Service shapes our spiritual lives and guides our pastoral visioning. Service reminds us that the mission of the Church is not entrusted to the few but the many. Each of us is called to share our time, talent and treasure generously and prudently.

“As I have done . . .

So You must do!”

John 13:15

His Holiness, Pope Francis reminds us that we have not created the Church, God has created the Church and continues to call us forth to sustain the church. It is God's Grace that penetrates the darkness of sin and indifference to shine forth as hope for those who might have become alienated or cynical.

This Jubilee Year of Mercy has been called to help us re-focus our efforts of service as disciples of Jesus Christ. The Year of Mercy has not been proclaimed so that a culture of anything goes might rise up. This Year of Mercy has been proclaimed so that we might carefully discern our mission in the world, stripping away the excesses that have blurred our vision. This Year of Mercy has been a time to put aside the temptations of religious anarchy in order to strengthen the bonds of communion that are essential for the Church to fulfill its mission.

Jesus washed the feet of the Apostles. Then in the greatest act he gave the Eucharist, His Body and Blood, to forever bind them together in the ultimate act of selfless love. The Eucharist remains the greatest act of our faith.

Everything else that we are or do as a community of faith must flow from our experience of Christ in the Eucharist and lead us back to Christ in the Eucharist.

I invite you to carefully read the following pages. It is our way of being transparent to you our parishioners and stakeholders. There are areas of strengthened resolve and progress and other areas where continued improvement is needed. I am very grateful to our Parish Staff for their commitment above and beyond the requirements of their "job". I am equally grateful to the many, many volunteers and those who generously serve in the ministries that help us bring Christ to others. To our faithful parishioners and stakeholders who enable us to move forward in our service to others… I say THANK YOU! Peace.

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Worship & Evangelization Deacon Vincent Rinaldi Pastoral Associate

In Paul’s letter to the Hebrews we are reminded that it was by faith Abraham obeyed the Lord and went forth. (Heb 11:8). As we move forward by faith, we must at times check that we are indeed on that path and have not gone astray.

The past year has been one of stability, giving us the opportunity to review changes made in past and make adjustments as necessary, not for the sake of change, but, rather for the glory of God and the needs of the people.

Continued Growth I am pleased to report for the second year in a row, an increase in weekly Mass attendance at St. Mary Parish as validated by our “October Count.” Equally important is the result of our new parishioner initiatives which has given rise to an increase in incoming younger families.

And he said to them, “Go into all the world and

proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.”

Mark 16:15

Sunday and Daily Worship remains at the very heart of our Church and each of us is called to serve to the best of our abilities to give praise to Almighty God. It is important for each of us to consider if we have answered “our call” and if we are giving God all that we can. We are certainly encouraged by the increase in Mass attendance and the increased participation of our children. We are also grateful for the definitive increase in Obligatory, Solemnities, Feast Days and Civic Holidays that fall on a weekday. Yet, attendance is only one facet, we seek to grow and thrive as a living community of the faithful. To do this, we must look to participate actively and not just observe. Our Mass and our whole Parish is a reflection of the members who belong. We seek to create the environment where all our parishioners participate and each of us benefits from the many talents of our members.

Continue to Tell Us Parishioner feedback remains important, assisting us in the decision making process and our ability to assess whether recent changes are effective or if they need further adjustment. By listening carefully and implementing your suggestions, we offer a Liturgy that is welcoming, inspirational and supportive of our faith. As a matter of fact, the first question asked of anyone interested in joining our parish from outside parish boundaries is whether they have worshipped with us before committing. An affirmative answer, in almost all cases is the very reason why they wish to join, it is in the quality and the reverence of our Liturgy along with programs offered for our young families, such as Liturgy of the Word dismissal for those between the ages of 4-12.

Page 3

The Parish of Saint Mary VOLUNTEERS Masses per Weekend:

4 from May-September 5 from October-May* *subject to Standard Time vs.

Daylight Savings Time Altar Servers: 14 experienced 7 potential new servers Fall Campaign targeted for Third Graders Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion: 78 in total (no change from prior year) Readers: 27 in total (no change from prior year) Ushers: 29 in total (down from 37 prior year)

Men’s Morning Office As we continue to build the patrimonial needs of the parish, memorials of liturgical items still continues with the addition of four (4) new sets of vestments, while not at the rapid rate of previous years, the need for these items still exists.

In terms of patrimony and dÊcor, we continue to be good stewards in utilizing all that has been entrusted to us in past, as well as newly acquired items. When spotting an item not seen before, people often ask if it’s new and are surprised to learn it had been donated in past and has sat in storage in some cases over 20 years, items such as artwork, sacred vessels, vestments, and yes, even a monstrance.

We are blessed to have a Patrimony Committee consisting of three (3) dedicated volunteers who weigh in on the decision making process in regards to colors, vestments, vessels, and artwork. A Floral Committee consisting of two (2) lead volunteers a many others decorate the Church Sanctuary and Lenten Chapel for Seasons of Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter, Pentecost, and Confirmation.

Greeters: 14 in total (no change from prior year)

In the interest of brevity, here is a recap of other Liturgical Ministries who assist at four (4), or when applicable five (5) Weekend Masses:

If you have an interest in learning more about any of these ministries please do not hesitate to contact us through the office, phone call, or email.

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion: seventy-eight (78) in total, no change from last year.

We welcome your many talents.

Altar Servers: currently fourteen (14) experienced Altar Servers, seven (7) potential new servers, up three (3) in total, with a Fall campaign targeted at grade three (3) in plan.

Readers: Twenty-seven (27) in total, no change.

Ushers: Twenty-nine (29) in total, down from 37 prior year. As dedicated as they are, additional help is needed especially for special liturgies such as Advent & Lent Penance & Reconciliation Services, Confirmation, First Holy Communion Masses, and the Easter and Christmas Masses.

Greeters: Fourteen (14) in total, no change.

As you look at these numbers, they may seem to be many however they all fall short of the needs of the parish. One must also take into consideration that for many, many years, each ministry has been and continues to be staffed by many of the same dedicated people, for which we are grateful and blessed.

Page 4

Worship & Evangelization

Facilities cont.

This has unintentionally led to a stagnation in growth because we have become overly comfortable relying upon the same people volunteering. This trend may not be clearly visible in the numbers because while the number might be the same as last year - the actual volunteers are not the same: some have died, some have moved, and those who have replaced them are the new parishioners joining the parish. As you read this ask yourself not “IF I can help” but “WHERE I can help”.

As for other ‘behind the scenes’ ministries, we have only one (1) person laundering and ironing the linens used at Mass. We are in great need of a designated sacristan, as we currently rely on a few volunteers who help from time to time.

Sacraments Last year twelve (12) couples were prepared for marriage, (11) weddings were celebrated at the parish with the twelfth (12th) being a Convalidation, taking place in Italy. We have one (1) volunteer who assists at both the rehearsal and at the Nuptial Mass/ Nuptial Ceremony.

Forty-eight (48) infants were baptized, with one (1) long-time dedicated volunteer assisting at each.

We had twenty-four (24) anointings.

In regards to new parishioners living outside of parish boundaries (defined as Colts Neck), they are required to meet with Michele McCue and myself on a one-on-one basis prior to registering. This gives us the opportunity to query that their intentions in joining are sincere and that they will attend Mass and consider volunteering in some capacity. It also gives us the opportunity to meet and welcome people and understand their needs as well as the opportunity to stress the importance of sharing their time, talent, and treasure. Those meetings totaled twenty (20) families. We have begun the practice of a 6 month follow up to ensure they have kept their word, and I am happy to report that almost every family has!

In terms of clergy, Saint Mary Parish has only one (1) priest/pastor in residence and two (2) permanent deacons, one (1) of which who is retired still assisting, faculties renewed annually by the Bishop.

Continuing education, which includes Annual

(cont.)

Convocations and directed retreats, workshops, as well as spiritual and homiletic resources, are provided for by the parish within the guidelines set forth by the Office of Clergy/ Diocese of Trenton.

Although we have only one (1) priest in residence, we are blessed to have two (2) priests who consistently assist on weekends, and two (2) others who assist on week days. We maintain a good relationship with many others who come to help at Advent/Lent Parish Penance & Reconciliation Services which require the help of as many as sixteen (16) priest confessors in total.

All visiting clergy (priests and deacons) wishing to minister at the parish in any capacity such as at weddings, funerals, baptisms, and Mass, as well as give ‘talks’ or mission representation, are required, as prescribed by the five Diocese of the State of New Jersey, to submit in advance Testimonials of Suitability signed by their Bishop/Provincial and addressed to our Bishop for his approval that they are in good standing and this is strictly enforced.

Technology We have become more dependent upon better technology to assist in efficiently serving the needs of the parish.

For example, voice messages are automatically emailed upon receipt, giving us the option of responding quickly in the event of a real emergency. Phone calls coming in through the designated Emergency Line are automatically redirected to a cell phone. Access to and sharing of Sacramental and Clergy schedules with electronic devices continues to assist in planning of Sunday/ Solemnity Worship as well as weddings, baptisms, and funerals. The use of this rapid technology has assisted in twenty-one (22) people quickly receiving the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick, an increase of one (1), as well the planning of funerals, to be discussed later on.

Ministries Women’s Morning Office, which meet on Friday mornings, remains steady with seventeen (17) members in total, overseen by one (1) volunteer coordinator.

Men’s Morning Office, which meets on Thursday

Page 5

Worship & Evangelization

Facilities cont.

(cont.)

mornings, has increased by three (3) members to thirty (33) members and two (2) volunteer coordinators.

the forgotten members of society. Due to security changes at the NJ State Prison, Women’s Ministry are unable to visit as before.

Saturday Men’s Prayer Group meet the second (2nd) Saturday of the month for prayer, fellowship, and faith sharing with a topic and speaker selected in advance.

Overseen by one (1) facilitator, attendance varies from ten (10) to twenty (20) per session.

Saint Mary’s, through outreach efforts has aided countless families through distribution of about 145 Thanksgiving Baskets/Turkeys plus an additional 57 bags of food items.

Last year our Ministry of Care, fifteen (15) volunteers in total, brought Eucharist to fifteen (15) who are homebound, an increase of five (5) from last year.

In addition they continue to visit Hospitals and assisted living facilities such as Brandywine, Care One, Monmouth Crossing and Madison Rehabilitation, bringing Eucharist, as well as ministry of prayer and presence.

Our Lazarus Ministry consists of two (2) leaders who meet with families to help in planning their loved ones’ wake and funeral liturgies and another thirteen (13) who assist in other capacities at the Funeral Mass. During the past year, thirty-seven (37) funerals took place at the parish, an increase of four (4), and one (1) Memorial Service. They also assist in the planning and staffing of the Annual Mass of Remembrance held on or about All Souls Day. Ministry of Consolation is there to assist those grieving after the funeral is over and family and friends have gone back to their daily routine. Last year they assisted twenty-four (24) people in total over two nine-week sessions. There are three (3) dedicated and trained facilitators with a fourth (4th) available for one-on-one counseling.

Singles Journey, a ministry dedicated to those over the age of forty (40) who are divorced, widowed, or never married has assisted twelve (12) people in total in their ministry of sharing and caring for those who are single due to life’s circumstances, overseen by four (4) facilitators.

Saint Mary’s Men’s Prison Ministry consists of four (4) members who continue their Friday visits to the NJ State Prison in Trenton as Christ teaches, ministering to the spiritual needs of up to eighty (80) prisoners bringing Eucharist, religious materials, spiritual counsel, ‘presence’ and hope to

Through the Advent Tree of Love and the efforts of twelve (12) volunteers, over 800 Christmas gifts were distributed to Mercy Center, Project Paul, John L Montgomery Care Center, Mother of Mercy RE Program, Golden Age Boarding Home and SMCN Social Concerns.

Through the efforts of twenty-four (24) volunteers, Sponsor-a-Family, has assisted sixty-six (66) families and eight (8) foster children with Aslan Youth Ministries in Red Bank as well as The Center in Asbury Park, The Highpoint School, Saint Mary's community, and the Family Resource Associates Weekly food collections, not weighed at present,

“God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”

John 4:24

has more than doubled since the addition of the bin in the gathering space. Once filled, it is emptied and contents delivered to two (2) locations on an alternate basis, Mercy Center and Freehold Open Door.

Project Backpack, run by three (3) volunteers and in conjunction five (5) other local Houses of Worship, netted a grand total of 215 backpacks, filled with

Page 6

“Holy Year of Mercy”

Facilities cont.

In response to Pope's call, Bishop O'Connell designates the Parish of St Mary as one of 13 pilgrim churches in the Diocese of Trenton On April 11, 2015, our Holy Father, Pope Francis, issued a bull of indiction, designating Dec. 8, 2015 - Nov. 20, 2016 as a Jubilee Year, a "Holy Year of Mercy" throughout the Catholic Church. In his announcement, Pope Francis wrote that "in every local church, at the cathedral - the mother church of the faithful in any particular area - or, alternatively, at the co-cathedral or another church of special significance, a Door of Mercy will be opened for the duration of the Holy Year. At the discretion of the local ordinary, a similar door may be opened at any shrine frequented by large groups of pilgrims, since visits to these holy sites are so often grace -filled moments as people discover a path to conversion."

At Saint Mary Parish, the two outside center doors to the church have been designated for this purpose. They will be locked on December 8th and will be re-opened at the 12noon Mass on Sunday December 13th, Gaudete Sunday. The doors, as well as portions of the gathering space, will be decorated appropriately and include the necessary informational signage, as well as the Coat of Arms of Pope Francis and Bishop O'Connell.

The "Holy Doors of Mercy" shall be opened Dec. 13, 2015 through Nov. 20, 2016. All Catholics of the Diocese of Trenton who visit one of these churches and its Holy Door of Mercy on pilgrimage and who fulfill the conditions ordinarily attached to an indulgence (remission of temporal punishment for sins already forgiven, see canon 992) shall, with the proper intention and disposition, receive the plenary Jubilee Indulgence available during the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy.

“Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you.”

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Charitable Appeals: Renewing Our Commitment to the Poor & Needy The categories listed below are funded primarily through Parish Tithing of net proceeds from: Fundraising Efforts, The Christmas & Easter Collections, Restricted Gifts‌with additional funding provided from the Sunday Stewardship Offerings to offset needed revenue.

$43,251

Direct Support

Double from last year

Food Collections Adopt a Family (Sponsor and Adopt Combined)

Tree of Love

66 Families & 8 Foster Children $20,000+

(800+ gifts @ $25.00 per)

Direct Charitable Appeals

$7,475

Non-Diocesan Collections

$14,500

By providing adequate meeting space, The Parish of Saint Mary generously hosts a number of community based self-help, occupational therapy, social service, ecumenical prayer and personal enrichment programs. This would not be possible without the generous sacrificial stewardship of our parishioners to maintain our physical facilities.

2015 Annual Catholic Appeal

Parish Goal:

$71,276.00

Pledged:

$73,165.38

Amount Collected:

$71,789.74

Number of Gifts: Avg. Gift:

301 $238.50

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Music Ministry Lauren Walters Music Minister

Over the course of the last year, we have yet again increased the amount of choral Masses on the schedule, totaling over 40 appearances. All major church events and sacraments had choral representation. The cantoring program continues to grow with three new cantors in the training program. The Marian Handbell choir has gained membership, as has the Magnificat (Adult) Choir.

Additionally, the Religious Education Summer Intensives Intro to Music segments led to new members joining the Caritas Youth Schola and piqued the interests of children and parents alike.

During the Summer Religious Education Intensives, children have learned the principal instruments for the Mass, the order and parts of the Mass, called the Ordinary, and have even learned the chant Ave Maria. Imagine 50 children singing together one of the oldest pieces of sacred music all together…it is quite stirring!

“Sing praises to God, sing praises;

Sing praises to our King, sing praises.”

Psalm 47:6

Additionally, the Caritas Youth Schola has learned the basics of good vocal techniques, sight reading skills, and several sacred chants including the In Paradisum, Regina Coeli, Christus Vincit, Pange Lingua to name a few. They have also sung with the Magnificat Choir, Marian Handbells, and other outside instrumentalists, increasing their exposure to sacred music and collaborative efforts.

Each choir has studied church music across the centuries: from Gregorian chants of the early church to Renaissance and Classical Motets, Taize chants, as well as contemporary contributions by our organist, Andrew Macirowski. All have been incorporated into the Mass throughout the year for the appropriate occasion.

The Marian Handbells successfully prepared pieces that broadened the scope of techniques used by the group, requiring greater technical difficulty and attention to detail. The Magnificat Choir not only added to their repertoire and the repertoire of the parish, but prepared several difficult pieces with the help of the Adult Schola, such as Lauridsen’s O Magnum Mysterium and the Mass of the Shepherds for Christmas and the entire chanted Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ According to John for Good Friday, as well as the vocally accompanied Easter Vigil Exsultet. We have also contracted with outside musicians to bring the highest quality standard of Catholic worship to Mass. From brass to strings, the addition of the instrumentation adds to the beauty and dignity of Mass, as well as everyone’s church experience.

In addition to the seasonal worship aids created, we have also begun comprising materials for our very own hymnal and missal, to hopefully be in use by Advent 2016. This lengthy and extensive project commenced September 2015 and hopes to be completed by November 2016.

Page 9

Facilities Report Joseph Noble Pastoral Coordinator

This past fiscal year saw the facilities segment of the parish put the finishing touches on some projects and add new and exciting ones to this constant evolving fragment of our parish community. We are now much more assertive to our approach on maintaining our buildings and grounds then we ever have been previously. Below is a glance of the projects that have been completed or are “in process:” Parish Offices Last year was the first full year that we were in our newly relocated parish offices. With the relocation, came a change of our parish office work schedule and hours of operation. These changes, which were a direct result of the parish wide listening sessions, have worked out extremely well. It has enabled our parishioners, especially those that work outside of the home, to have access to the parish office as late as 7:30 pm, Monday through Thursday and from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm on Sunday mornings. We have now begun to beautify our walls with many of the different pieces of art that we have acquired throughout the years. As you frequent many of the rooms we have, take note of these various pieces as many of them are truly remarkable.

Church & Parish Hall During our Lenten season, we chose to decorate our parish church with the donated hand carved wooden crucifix hung on the reredos of the sanctuary. The image of the Risen Christ was appropriately returned for the Easter Season. This past year we were able to reap the rewards of having our Nana wall available to us for the entire year. This has given us a great deal of flexibility and increased our seating capacity greatly which is especially needed during Christmas, Easter, First Communions and Confirmations. We have installed a sound system in the parish hall. It had been on the “to do” list for a couple of years. Our original

intention was to upgrade the church system and use some of the components to begin to build the system for the parish hall. However, last year the system in the church was “fried” during a severe storm. We had been using “on loan equipment” since that time.

We had to go back to the plan and revaluate. And so, we have installed a sound system where there was none in the parish hall. We have additionally installed a new powered microphone at the pulpit and at the cantor stand in the church. This is a short term solution to some of our sound feed issues. We will further evaluate in months to come.

Grotto & Prayer Garden Work continued on the renovation of the Grotto and Prayer Garden until its completion in August, 2015. Our parish welcomed His Excellency, The Most Reverend Bishop of Trenton for the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, patroness of our Diocese of Trenton. Bishop O’Connell celebrated Mass on Friday, August 14th at 7:00 pm.

Afterwards, Bishop O’Connell and hundreds of parishioners and friends processed to the Grotto and Prayer Garden so that this newly renovated place of prayer and solitude might be blessed by His Excellency. This certainly was a milestone in the history of the parish. The flag pole, given by the Boy Scouts in honor of our founding pastor Father Raymond Griffin, has been relocated to the prayer garden and repaired in honor of all veterans who have served in defense of our country and freedom.

The work of renovating the Grotto and expanding the Prayer garden was made possible through a generous Charitable Bequest in loving memory of Catherine “Kitty” Pancetti. This was made possible through the efforts of her husband and our parishioner John A. Pancetti. Throughout the years, John and Kitty have supported our parish along the

Page 10

Facilities

(cont.)

Our parish welcomed His Excellency, The Most Reverend Bishop of Trenton for the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, patroness of our Diocese of Trenton. Bishop O’Connell celebrated Mass on Friday, August 14th at 7:00 pm.

Blessing of our New Grotto in the Memory of “Kitty” Pancetta by Bishop O’Connell

way and continue to help us care for our parish facilities. The design which we see is the work of Nicholas Ginther of DW Smith in Farmingdale; General Contractor has been our parishioner John Kling; the donor memorial sculpture was created by parishioner Drew Weber; Legal Counsel in establishing the Charitable Bequest was offered by parishioner John Aiello; additional site engineering provided by parishioner AJ Garrito. Each of these professionals has made this work possible so that the grotto and prayer garden can be a safe, accessible place of solitude and for personal

every age group, for the awesome care of our parish grounds. So many have been present during both our annual Spring and Fall clean ups. Parish maintenance efforts involving parishioners included mum plantings in the Fall and Summer plantings in the urns and baskets in front of the church by Lisa Ortenzio, exterior annual plantings with the childcare center children in spring, the creation of the Door of Mercy in collaboration with the Sewing Ministry and several parish cleanup efforts. Thirty five + youth and adults came together throughout the year to help with interior parish Clean-up/Maintenance efforts. The group cleaned all of the stained wood doors, the wood of the pews, the chairs and the sills in both the church and the chapel. Also throughout the year,

prayer. May these efforts continue to inspire generations to come.

Care of Grounds Our parish campus encompasses 25 acres of property. This amount of land at times can be difficult to properly maintain. That is why we call upon our parishioners to volunteer their time and talents and to come to our aid. We want to acknowledge all those parishioners, representing

adults/teens vacuumed pews in the church, washed windows and doors and helped to take care of the plants in the church, hall and offices.

Two exterior outdoor clean-up efforts were held in conjunction with the community building

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Facilities

Facilities cont. (cont.) committee and youth ministry: Eighty-three volunteers signed up to participate in a Fall clean-up which was held on Saturday, November 14 from 11am-3pm to aid in the removal of fallen leaves and branches before the winter months. Low branches were also cut back and removed from the property lines. A Spring Clean-up was held Saturday, April 16 from 9am-1pm to clean up debris deposited on the parish grounds over the winter. Seventy-one adult/ youth participants accomplished much work on the North, East and West property lines. Thank you to Troop 290 Boy Scouts who helped out at each clean-up and their parents who cooked and served the hotdogs at the Spring clean-up.

The Garden Club met on Wednesdays at 5pm throughout the summer to begin the work of weeding, restoring and beautifying the Butterfly garden, in need of much love and care, which is in full view of the Chapel and is enjoyed by daily Mass attendees. During the Fall and Spring clean-ups many of the trees and bush were cut back to allow more sunlight and rain water to reach the plantings. Under the direction of volunteers Tom Kinlin and Fred Sorrentino, a few of the large rocks were removed and relocated to allow for new plantings in the Spring.

Thank you Tom for the beautiful annual/perennial plantings that were added when the weather warmed. The color palette was spectacular.

The blizzard of 2016 dropped 25 inches of snow on us and was coupled with tremendous winds that left us with nearly insurmountable snow drifts. Although this was a very costly clean up, we must be grateful that the damage was minimal here in Colts Neck.

Catholic Child Care Center The center continues to move forward on the plan to develop its attendance. The primary reason for this expansion of our parish formational and educational program is to evangelize families with young children by providing a caring, faith based

environment for their children.

The program is for children ages 2.5 – 6 years.

There are several attendance options available. The program is curriculum based and is fully certified.

Future Generation administers the childcare program with our parish resourcing the program’s religious and liturgical formation component.

Currently, we are working on constructing an outdoor play area for the children to enjoy. For now, a temporary fence has been delivered and constructed to designate a temporary outdoor play area. This will remain until the permanent area is completed in the not too distant future.

Additional Updates We are continuing our energy saving initiatives.

Nearly all of the light switches have been converted to sensor types. This eliminates the mistake of leaving them on after meetings which has proved to be a recurring problem. We have purchased new thermostats to update many of our archaic ones.

The new ones will have WIFI capability which should continue to reduce our electricity usage.

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Fiscal Overview Year Ending June 30th, 2016 Susan Lambert, CPA Fiscal year July 1, 2015 through June 30, 2016 resulted in a surplus of revenue over expenses of $85,450 but was lower than previous year.

Highlights of the year’s financial results are: 

Although total offertory revenue increased from last year, Sunday Stewardship remained the same.



Golf outing was a success and brought in an additional $8,000 from previous year.



Building and Ground maintenance expense resulted in an increase of $52,000 over previous year.



Diocesan assessment and property/liability insurance increased $16,000.



Furthermore we paid back $155,766 of past due obligations.

Parish Revenues

Parish Expenses

The overall financial condition is as follows: Financials are prepared on the accrual method and therefore expenses are recorded when occurred and not when paid. After taking into account the principal mortgage payments of $74,675 and the capital additions of $55,733 the overall deficit was ($44,958).  Vendor payables, diocesan payables, and catholic school support payables were decreased and projected to be paid in full by end of calendar year 2018.  Amboy Bank mortgage loan was paid off with the proceeds from a new loan of $350,000 reducing the interest rate from 4% to 3% . The principal loan payments of this new loan brought the loan balance to $311,816.  Capital additions included sound system upgrade to parish hall and start-up costs for Day Care. 

Going forward for June 30, 2017 a deficit of $29,816 is anticipated.

In response to this, the following actions should be considered:  Increase Sunday Stewardship giving.  Expand the use of online giving to steady revenues especially when families are out of town.  Consider bequests or legacy gifts to provide for the future.  Continue to address physical facility maintenance and care of grounds.

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Statement of Financial Operations July 1st, 2015 - June 30th, 2016

*

Page 14

Statement of Financial Operations July 1st, 2015 - June 30th, 2016

*

* Carried over from page 14

Page 15

Calendar Year 2015 Stewardship Offering All Funds: Sunday, Mortgage Christmas & Easter Offertory Amount

# of Households

Total

$25,000 to

4

$62,578.00

$10,000 to

73

$286,564.00

$2,500 to 1,000.01 224 $1,000 to 400.01 235 $400 to 100.01 325 $100 - to .01 348 $0.00 715 Total Households 1,924 Checks and Loose CASH Total Annual Offering

$337,533.00 $153,765.00 $72,358.61 $17,418.45 $0.00 $930,217 $74,734 $1,004,951

Annual Offering By Amount 800

715

700 600 500 400

325

300

224

348

235

200 73

100 4 0

$25,000 to $10,000 to $2,500 to 10,000.01 2,500.01 1,000.01

$1,000 to 400.01

$400 to 100.01

$100 - to .01

$0.00

Calendar Year 2015 Average Weekly Stewardship Excluding Christmas & Easter: Inclusive of on-line and envelope contributions

# of Hous eholds

Average Weekly Offering Amount 900 800 700 600 500 400 300 200 100 0

857 661

8

42

56

115

86

99

Offertory Amount

# of Households

$135.00 to $100.01 $100.00 to $50.01 $50.00 to $30.01 $30.00 to $20.01 $20.00 to $15.01 $15.00 to $10.01 $10.00 to $.01 $0.00

8 42 56 115 86 99 661 857

On-line & Envelope Checks and Loose CASH Total CY2015 Weekly Weekly Average ( )

Total

$1,117.90 $2,806.63 $2,197.57 $2,825.63 $1,518.08 $1,214.08 $2,070.88 $0.00 $702,124 $61,542 $763,666 $14,974

Page 16

Sacramental Statistics

Facilities cont.

Calendar Year: 1 January 2015 through 31 December 2015

Baptisms Last Name Alicea Barnett Bellomo Berardi Bergin Berke Bodak Brennan Brown Brusca Buscemi Buscemi Ciniglia DeMatteo Eastman Fedina Fixter Gaglio Giuffrida Glazier Glazier

First & Middle Callie Lin Kaitlyn Rose Giuliana Jaclyn Matteo Massi Justin Lawrence Paige Isabella Sophia E. Madelyn Marie Griffin Robert Victoria Ashley Mia Regina Haley Marie Katelyn Marie Alexander James Jackson Liam Jake Anthony Clara Mae Michael Paul, Jr. Jayda Lynn Madison Abigail Josephine Emma Elizabeth

Last Name Habib Herberger Kapner Koempel Kraszewski Krazewski Lack LaRocca Lennan Linquito Lugones Mahjouri Marsh McAlpine Molinelli Montana Musarra Nicholson Panassidi Penczak Pires

First Holy Communions Last Name Aderton Agliata Allegro Anzevino Apolito Astuto Bacile Bellisario Bellomo Bodak Brown Brush Brush Bulger Burns Cammarata Campitiello Carroll Chollick Coffey

First Name Jonathan Vincent Michael Isabella Laila Raquel Dane Justin James Maria Sophia Julianna Kaylie Ryan Gabriella Ava Francesca Gerardo Lilly Katherine Ryan

Last Name Cremona DiFoglio Dipilato Domanski Duddy Esposito Fazzolari Feiler Fitzhenry Flyn Gagliardo Galski Garcia Gershon Hawthorne Hayden Hennessey Hoarle Hoeker Jordan

First & Middle Jacob Paul Aiden Adam Matthew Benjamin Hannah Lynn Bode Anthony Write Borden Alina Rose Jack Theodore James Brian Olivia Marie James Justin Christian Mani Michael Anthony Emma Elizabeth Dominic Luca Ray Viana Rosa Caia Serafina John Edward Gabriella Charlotte Elizabeth

First Name Gabriel Eva Joseph Sienna Nolan Janelle Catherine Cameron Ciara Michael Maxx Braeden Eva Mary Samuel Blake Nicholas Ryan Michael Madison Emma

Last Name Kenyon Kohm Kolakowski Lavery Manhire Marretta Massimino Medvin Moore Morfino Mundy O’Connor Parisi Pastor Pellecchia Penczak Pisano Radic Radic Ruiz

Last Name Rykojc Savage Soi Statile Strouse Tobia Toolan Toolan Woodward

First Name Julia Jake Claire Jason Marisa Madeline Ava Mattea Kyle Gabriella Charlotte Natalie Alexandra Olivia Lia Gabriellal Tessa Alex Christian Lily Bella

First & Middle Matthew Peter Julianna Catherine John-Paul Alan Natalie Ann Gavin Joseph Kyra Suzanne Olympia Ward Brian James II Kelyn Kean

Last Name Sager Santulli Santulli Satter Satter Spiwak Steiniger Thompson Tierney Tormey Tsompanidis Valesi Vela Velba Ward Widmeier Woodford Yaninas Zorn

First Name Brielle John John Morgan Morgan Benjamin Alexis Matthew Cooper Brady Stephanos Derek Camila Charlotte John Mollie Sophia Danek Chloe Page 17

Sacramental Statistics Calendar Year: 1 January 2015 - 31 December 2015

Confirmations Last Name Andreyko

First Name Brandon

Last Name First Name DeMizio Nicholas

Antico

Gianna

DeSaye

Mikayla

Aufiero Baker Ballingall Barba Barilka Basile Belforti

Brandon Arthur Parker Alyssa Zachary Isabella Ryan

Divino Doherty Domanski Eschert Esposito Farrow Favilla

Madelyn Patrick Kaila Sarah Marissa Bridget Michael

Boliver

Michael

Fitzhenry

Isabella

Bongiorno

Sarah

Fricano

Salvatore

Brisco Broglia Bujnowski Cafiero Calderaro Casucci Christopher Ciasulli Clarke Cleary Colaco Coppola D'Angelo DeLuca

Terence Jenna Lauren Matthew Michael Ashley Hannah Robert Megan Robert Alison Rafael Amanda Michael

Geraghty Gibson Gibson Greenstein Grizzaffi Hroncic Huntley Huys Isso Jordan Kaminski Kastell Kelly Kidd

Katherine Catherine Eva Kelly Christina Brian William Madeline Dean Walter John William Jack Nicholas

Last Name First Name Kiechlin Helen Kryzaneka Anna s LaGrasta Olivia Lavery Amanda Lazzsaro Randall Lind Isabella Lyons Jason Maher Lindsey Marchese James McGuines Patrick s McNamar Robert a McNeill Emily Mikula Kristi Moldaver Daniel Mondella Stephanie Naranjo Shirley Nelson James Neustater Michael Noble Michael O'Brien Maggie O'Mahony James Ortenzio Kathryn Pariente Isabella Pariente Paloma Pastor Luke

Last Name Pecoraro

First Name Isabella

Petrosino

Darren

Powell James Renda Alyssa Rizzuto-Flancbaum Zen Rocco Christopher Ross Delaney Salvo Jonathan Salvo Sabrina Savino

Victoria

Schauer Simmons Singer Sobal Strumeier Swidryk Taylor Thomas Thompson Trigani Whalen Yaninas Zita

Gemma Cristalla Jennifer Vincent Jaden John Anastasia Kaitlin Philip Mackenzie Elizabeth Valeska Tomas

Page 18

Sacramental Statistics Calendar Year: 1 January 2015 through 31 December 2015

Funerals Last Name Clifford Colletti Corley Crescente Finelli Gardner Gavinelli Grubb

First (M) Eugenia Mary T. Eleanor Antonio Leonard Hallie Giuseppe Frances

Last Name Hagner Higgins Homan LaMarca Lambert LaSalle Latrenta Madden

First (M) Joseph John J Margaret P. Antonina Barbara Varga Christopher Dorothy Thomas

Last Name March Mousmovles Neilson Nichols O'Shea Pereira Salvo Sanzari

First (M) Annette Harry John Joseph Barbara Olga Isabel Vincent Delfina

Last Name Schatzle Segal Sheehan Staudt Valenziano Vasta

First (M) Susan Helen M. John Roberta Philip Thomas

Marriages Groom Full Name

Bride Full Name

Groom Full Name

Battaglia, Michael

Delisi, Gina Marie

Migliori, Mark Anthony

Bradach, Bradford W. Weber, Alexia Anne DalFonzo, Anthony M Jeanneret, Danielle A. Geneve, Craig J. Casciano, Mary M Giunco, John Albert III Christian, Carolyn Marie LaMorte, Christopher Lindemann, Quinn Baptisms 52

Mullins, Shawn Michael Roe, Stephen Daniel Salvati, Salvatore Wilk, Alexander Joseph

Bride Full Name Oviedo, Natasha Theresa Jakubowski, Jennifer McCue, Catherine Helen Plenzo, Alexandra Leonhardt, Elizabeth Ann

Confirmations

99

Infants

52

Children

99

RCIA Adult

0

RCIA Adult

0

First Holy Communions

79

Marriages

Children

77

Funerals

RCIA Adult

2

Anointing of the Sick

Calendar Year Sacrament al Compariso n Over the Years

1975

11 30 24

1985 1995 2010 2015

Baptism

24

22

50

48

52

First Eucharist

50

39

66

117

77

Confirmation

48

66

35

81

99

Marriage

19

18

19

20

11

Anointing of the Sick

5

18

21

5

24 Page 19

Stewardship: Benefits of Online Giving & Tithing

Facilities cont.

Why consider the convenience of on-line giving:      

    

Convenient, simple and secure alternative to the weekly church envelopes or cash giving No need for writing checks Option to remain anonymous Financial planning allows you to align your paychecks with your parish offertory schedule Support parish even if you are unable to attend Mass Contribution amount is easily adjusted Automatic deductions from bank account/credit card Take advantage of programs such as airline mileage or cash bonuses with credit card option Make your parish a priority in budgeting - Avoid compromising your good intentions by the pressure of expenses and billing cycles Benefit to Parish: Giving arrives on a designated day, in a designated amount, and is available for immediate use while simplifying bookkeeping and budgeting efforts.

Offertory Cards can be provided to each online giving family if desired to be placed in the Offertory collection basket each weekend. Cards are recycled each weekend.

Sign up for Online Giving today:

http://www.stmarycoltsneck.com/index.php/about-us/online-giving Seek the Right Path God first and foremost wants us. He loved us before we were born. What He wants most of all, is our time. This begins with prayer. We must give our time to God in prayer, and listen to what God wants of us. Secondly, He expects us to use our talents for the good of others and our parish. He expects us to actively participate in parish life with our many gifts. Finally, we are challenged to put our treasure in His hands, and be generous with the gifts God has given us.

Giving Guidelines for Prayerful Reflection Of all the ways we are asked to be generous, giving from our treasure - giving money - can sometimes be the most challenging. God understands this.

He calls us to tithe for this reason. Giving money to charity will do much good, but the most good it will do is free us from our attachment to money.

This frees us to serve God and draw closer to Him. Tithing challenges us to see the difference between what we need and what we want. This is important for our spiritual well being.

Tithing means giving 10% from our gross wages or income. We strive to give 5% to our parish, and 5% to the needs of the greater Church and world – other charities. Giving freely is an important tool to develop in our journey to draw closer to Christ. For most, it takes time to reach a full tithe.

Weekly Income $500 $700 $800 $900 $1,000 $1,200 $1,500 $2,000 $3,000

Challenge Giving 15% 12% 10% 75 60 50 105 84 70 120 96 80 135 108 90 150 120 100 180 144 120 225 180 150 300 240 200 450 360 300

Discipleship Giving 9% 8% 7% 45 40 35 63 56 49 72 64 56 81 72 63 90 80 70 108 96 84 135 120 105 180 160 140 270 240 210

6% 30 42 48 54 60 72 90 120 180

Growth Giving 5% 4% 25 20 35 28 40 32 45 36 50 40 60 48 75 60 100 80 150 120

Entry Level Giving 3% 2% 1% 15 10 5 21 14 7 24 16 8 27 18 9 30 20 10 36 24 12 45 30 15 60 40 20 90 60 30 Page 20

Community Building & Communications Linda Dickinson-Pancila, MA Pastoral Coordinator

“So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.”

Galatians 6:10

FY July 2015- June 2016 was another notable year in both the communication and community building cores with increased efficiency, steady progress and many volunteers stepping up to assist in all aspects of these departments. As I become more entrenched in the “behind the scenes” functionality of parish life as well as participating in the kick off of the two diocesan campaigns, I realize that the work at hand is exceedingly more crucial to the future of the Catholic Church and the existence of our parish. This has become evident in part due to the parish’s part in the Faith in Our Future self-evaluation, planning and visioning initiative which will collaborate, link or merge parishes and also due to the ever changing dynamic in our parish, catholic households and in society in general. Secondly, understanding and accepting that many Catholics are not practicing the faith and many may not recognize why attending Mass or having a relationship with God is important in their lives makes it difficult to pinpoint a starting point in making a difference and creating change. Thirdly, the staff changes at the parish over the past year caused the intermingling of responsibilities and areas of oversight. Due to this dynamic, the grave need and reliance on volunteers in the parish supporting all areas of parish life increased greatly.

A Community of Engagement: Last reporting, I challenged readers to ponder the thoughts, “the work at hand is up to each one of us… the work we achieve together can never be accomplished by one.” That was an invitation for each to consider how we (no matter age or ability, retired or full time, male or female) are called to give time, talent and resources to make a difference in our parish, in our community and in our world. I render this plea at each new parishioner orientation; the invitation for each of us joining the parish to discern how we are called to help out. To those who are involved in parish life, I invite to not only consider how your time and talent can benefit the church but also to compromise rather than insist on one’s own way, to stick around when times get tough rather than turn away or complain, to help make change happen rather than create conflict and turmoil and finally to build up rather than break down. A reminder that our parish and our diocese needs us; helps us to remain focused on the work at hand so that the parish and staff can serve you in your time of need as well as make available amazing programming, top notch communications, return phone calls and emails in a timely manner, maintain adequate and clean facilities, celebrate Mass 5 times a weekend, continue outreach to the needy, and provide various and enriching formation and community building programming for all ages throughout the year. Knowing that our common bond is that we are Roman Catholics and knowing that the one who unites us is Jesus Christ, helps us to recognize that we are never truly alone in the mission. We can come together in social cohesion as a driving force of interconnection with Jesus Christ as our center.

We are linked and dependent on each other whether we choose to be part of the

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Community Building & Communications (cont.)

Facilities cont.

community or not. I image with over 2000 registered families on roll what could be accomplished in this beautiful place of Saint Mary Parish, Colts Neck 07722 if each and every one of us contributed time, talent and treasure to the whole of the community benefiting all inside and outside the community.

Our Objectives Over the past two and a half years the objective has been to transform and grow both the Community Building and Communication Cores (inclusive of the parish office) initially by identifying what was working in all areas, pinpointing each areas gifts, where the strengths and weaknesses were rooted, and how the energy and the living presence flowed positively within each core. The next steps were to revive, renew and enliven the life and energy that was identified year one and work on growing each core while building trust, developing relationships, deepening the engagement of parishioners in the community while helping them identify the importance of taking ownership of their parish as stakeholders in the community. Only 2 ½ years in, this is still a work in progress and at each twist and turn it is important to reevaluate and define new goals to continue to reimage and build our parish as a community that is full of life, positive energy and the living presence of Jesus Christ. This year, we continued to discover who we are as parish by means of the self-evaluation portion of the Faith In Our Future initiative, identified what worked and didn’t work, outlined in what areas of parish life support was needed to help create a more sustainable and resilient parish, to more deeply define who we minister to and how we can better

meet the needs of those in the community and lastly

(and maybe most importantly) to identify our shared understandings, expectations and responsibilities as parish, friends and faith-filled believers so that we can continue to provide the awareness that The Parish of Saint Mary is that central place or safe haven in our lives where giving of time, talent and treasure flows naturally as we grow in faith and deepen our relationship with Jesus Christ.

A Special Thanks to our Parishioners and the awe-inspiring Results of their Volunteer Efforts Thank you to all who made the following programming possible: Nine Agape Sundays were held offering parishioners fellowship, ministry and hospitality. Thank you to chairs Jack, Rorie and Bob and dedicated volunteers Jacqueline, Ien, Paul and Diana, for your consistent efforts. At Agape the parish participated in a knotted blanket service project offered by Onoro Health.

The Parish Directory (finalized over the summer and distributed mid-November) came to a close.

Engaging 200+ participants, the Project CARE Program comprised of 16 programs/workshops/ lectures consisted of 39 sessions over the course of 7 weeks and culminated with a Thank you reception at the August Agape for all volunteers and participants. Five New Parishioner Orientation sessions welcomed 100+ new parishioner families to the parish. In July, close friends and parishioners of Father William Bausch, Pastor Emeritus, hosted a reception in celebration of his 60th anniversary as a priest. It was a beautiful occasion for all. In August, the core hosted a reception after the blessing of the renovated Grotto and Prayer Garden in the gathering space and on the patio in front of the

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Community Building & Communications (cont.)

Facilities cont.

church. A heartfelt acknowledgment to the Prayer Shawl Ministry and Sewing Circle for making and donating hundreds of knitted, crochet or sewn articles to organizations and individuals in need and for collaborating efforts with the Spiritual Adoption Ministry. Thank you to chairs Kathy Adleman and

Staub, Colleen Janiw, Diane Antico, Ginny Hamlin and community service volunteers for all their efforts in making the adult social tons of fun.

A Book Signing Reception and Presentation was held December 9 at the LaLima Residence in Colts Neck for Reverend Fr. Angelo Di Berardino, OSA. With most tickets sold electronically prior to the event via the parish website, The Advent Pancake Breakfast was better prepared for the 700+ pancake breakfasts that were served. Knowing in advance how many people are planning to attend helped the event run more smoothly. Thank you for the help of close to 100 volunteers and event chairs Jim and Sue Coleman for another wonderful Advent Tradition. Two Soup and Bread Friday evening events were held during Lent connected to the Way

Fall Dinner Kathe Flanagan for their direction and oversight and ministry members, too many to name, who made such selfless contributions to the community at large. Your work is tremendously appreciated by all who receive and are comforted by the hand-made items. Thank you to dedicated chair Lori Letteri for embracing the Spiritual Adoption Ministry.

Thank you to parishioner Barbara Schaflin for providing the fitness opportunity and the ministry of Tai Chi, a slow moving meditative exercise combining stress reduction and good posture with movement to improve health, to participants from the parish and community. Barbara is a certified Tai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevention instructor and member of the Tai Chi for Health Institute.

Parishioners came together for fun nights of baseball with friends and family at two Faith & Family Blue Claws Baseball Games (August 25, 2015 and June 14, 2016); both games were exciting and well attended. One of the goals of the Community Building Core is to provide more fitness opportunities in future programing both on and off campus.

The Fall Festival Pot Luck Dinner in November was a great way to begin the holiday season with homemade food and a fantastic DJ at a $5 ticket price and many thanks to committee chairs Maureen

Easter Egg Hunt of the Cross offering parishioners an opportunity to build friendships while sharing a light meal of homemade soups before praying Stations together.

The Catholic Social Singles group grew in membership to 80+ members from humble beginnings of 4 interested people with an idea.

Thank you Kim Leshick and Janet Anne Jurgielewicz who started the group, Barb Daisak for assisting and to Marissa Busacca who took over leadership in planning activities and staying in contact with membership. The goal to expand the group’s membership by offering a variety of monthly social activities linked to Masses and including outreach projects to all singles (widowed, divorced or never Page 23

Community Building & Communications (cont.)

Facilities cont.

married) was accomplished through great communications and attendance at monthly agape events throughout the year. Membership, open to other parishes in the Diocese, welcomed members from 15 parishes.

The community Building Core collaborated with facilitates in parish maintenance efforts. Please see the facilities report for more information on these efforts.

Total Youth Ministry was incorporated in planning this year by offering volunteer and leadership opportunities to youth as a way to engage them in parish life, provide service opportunities and involvement in parish events, ministries, outreach initiatives and parish office projects. This year youth of the parish chaired two events Halloween Halls and the Easter Egg Hunt and two outreach efforts Project BackPack and Souper Bowl Soup Can Collection. I am proud Community Service volunteers participated in every community building event throughout the year. The contribution of time, talent and treasure by our youth in the community is priceless! More opportunities will be available in the coming year.

Halloween Halls chaired by NHS leadership volunteer and parishioner Emma Tucker brought together close to 200 participants and volunteers (trick or treaters, room/table decorators, bakers and volunteers) for a parade, fun games, trick-or-treating, activities and refreshments at no cost to participants.

Thank you to all who decorated a room or table, helped run the event, and provided treats and

Annual Golf Outing & Summer Social at Eagle Oaks Golf and Country Club

Advent Pancake Breakfast refreshments for the event. The “Soup�er-Bowl can collection (collected a total of 474 pounds of food) and Project Backpack (filled 200+backpacks) once again made an extraordinary difference providing hundreds of items and meals to those in our community in need (many of the items collected are daily life needs not wants). Thank you to all who participated in the success of these collections especially Stephan Hawthorne, Katie Ciccarone and Aileen Rivell. The Easter Egg Hunt held the Sunday after Easter, April 3rd was an eggs-travagant event with well over 250 attendees enjoying faith-filled crafts, face painting & tattoos, live bunnies, a visit from the Easter Bunny, homemade refreshments and the Easter Egg Hunt (with 1800 filled eggs hidden on parish grounds and in buildings). Thank you to teen NHS leadership chairs Emily Gioacchini and Dylan Klein for all their planning and direction and the 45 adult and youth volunteers who helped run the event.

Three fundraising events were held during the fiscal year. The Super 50/50 2015 pulled in the Fall at the September Agape had increased proceeds due to additional ticket sales at the Colts Neck Fair and Rock Fest. Thank you to first time chairs Roland and Maria Nardini for a job well done and to all who participated in this essential parish fundraiser! The 7th Annual Golf Outing and Summer Social held at Eagle Oaks Golf and Country Club in early June reached new heights in fundraising as its best event ever raising needed funds to support the parish operating budget and outreach initiatives.

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Community Building & Communications (cont.)

Facilities cont.

Thank you to Bill Lenahan, Peter Griffin and Monica Barr who chaired the Golf Outing, Ad Journal and Summer Social dinner portions of the event.

Thirty+ volunteers were on hand to help with the planning and coordination of the event as well as the day’s registration and activities.

Much of the golfer registration was accomplished on line or with the cube.

Payment for the auction items was accomplished the evening of the event with the cube. Light up a Memory also transitioned electronically to offer the online purchase of lights in honor of living or deceased family members/friends. A peaceful tree lighting ceremony and reception followed Mass mid-December. Thank you, Molly Aiello, Freda O’Doherty and the devoted committee members for this annual opportunity to honor those we love.

Communications To keep parishioners up to date and to bring you the best and fastest communications, the parish continues to reach out to all registered Easter Egg Hunt 2016 parishioners in the following ways: Parish website www.stmaryscoltsneck.org Thank you to Catherine Love for her continued efforts to maintain the parish website and other parish communications. With information changing daily it can be difficult to be a few steps ahead. However, the goal of the communication Core is to continue to update and steam line the parish website and to make it more user friendly so that you can retrieve needed information easily and quickly.

Drop down boxes, page information, links, access point were updated. The Weekly printed bulletin is available at Mass each week. Much work goes into this weekly publication which many are not utilizing. The parish is now providing an Electronic bulletin which is available on the parish website as well as emailed weekly to all registered parishioners with valid email address on file. If you are not receiving an e-bulletin please update your email address with the parish office. The Monthly e-Newsletter Fr. Angelo book signing is emailed at the beginning of each month to provide parish families with most if

Page 25

Faith Formation & Life Long Learning Michele McCue, MA, Doctoral Candidate Pastoral Associate It is difficult to know where to begin in order to report the progress of such a multi-faceted ministry! What remains clear, however, is that none of the following programs and events would occur without the generous volunteerism of our parishioners. Thank you from the bottom of my heart; know you are truly appreciated and that you are needed for our programs to continue. So, please return and please bring a friend! The rewards of serving others are literally “out of this world!”

“Feed the hungry, and help those in trouble. Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the

darkness around you will be as bright as noon.”

Isaiah 58:10

Children’s Religious Education The following programs serve the faith formation needs of our parishioners from infancy through 12th grade as well as their families.

Baptism Ministry

Approximately once a month, a Baptism preparation class is offered for parents who are seeking this primary initiation sacrament for their children. The session is held in the Chapel and consists of ice breakers, the parents’ role undertaken through the presentation of a child for Baptism, a brief history and theology of the sacrament, and an opportunity for questions.

Another component of this ministry is coordinated by Donna Sikorskas. As usual, Donna has done a fabulous job with our post-Baptism program. Donna sends out mailings to our parish families who have had their children baptized here and she continues to do so every 6 months until the children are 3 years old. Donna also sends the children birthday cards!

We are continually adding members to our parish family; this church year we have added 43 children to the program. At the present time, we have 118 participants.

Jesus Mommy and Me For the third year, Elana Eng facilitated this playgroup for caregivers and their children, who range in age from infancy to preschool. Elana provides developmentally appropriate activities for the children while the adults have a chance to chat. Jesus, Mommy and Me was available the first and third Mondays of the month from September through May. Little Church

Once again, Lisa Colaco did a terrific job teaching Little Church to our “postdiaper” preschool set! Little Church was available September through June; a Christian preschool curriculum is taught under Lisa’s guidance and the assistance of her Mom and children: as well as parent “co-oppers.”

Future Generation Catholic Childcare Center at the Parish of Saint Mary

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Faith Formation & Life Long Learning Beginning in the fall of 2016, the Parish of Saint Mary has partnered with Future Generation to provide a Catholic Childcare Center on our campus for children ages 2-PreK. (5-10 for summer camp.)

The Center incorporates the High Scope Curriculum which is built around adult/child interaction, classroom arrangement, the daily classroom routine, and curriculum content/ assessment. The center has a convenient rolling admission policy so that families may register at any time throughout the year.

There is full time, part time, Parents Day Out, Emergency Care for registered families and Summer Camp alternatives.

Please call the center directly for more information.

(732-780-0135) The Future Generation Early Learner Center website: www.fgkids.org

Liturgy of the Word Dismissal- Ages 4-12 Our Liturgy of the Word dismissal program continued due to the commitment of many wonderful catechists: Maria Greenstein, Jennifer Garcia, Cathy Limeri, Maureen Beyer, Jennifer Stubbs, Fernando Pinquelo, Andrea Donner, Barbara, Steven and Haley Hawthorne, Kathy, Kathleen and Stephen Ciccarone. We offered LWD most every 10AM and 12 Noon Mass as well as 5PM on Saturday during Daylight savings time and 5PM during Standard Time. The catechist or older assistance proclaims the Gospel, discusses the Word, prays intercessory prayer, proclaims the Apostle’s Creed and ends with a Children’s Worship Aid activity.

Summer Intensive- Grades 1-6 We served 162 children in Grades 1-6 through our Summer Intensive Religious Education program during the Summer of 2015. This year, we opened enrollment to Grade 1 and 2 as additional sacramental preparation is available for our 2nd graders and their families throughout the year.

Once again, the program was a huge success due to the wonderful work of our professional teaching staff and the continuity afforded by a daily program.

Schoolhouse

Sacramental

Preparation-

(cont.)

Grades 1-2 Our Fall 2015 programs, which had all been initiated in 2014, ran smoothly this year. We continued with the “school house” or “drop off” model on Tuesdays (4: 30-5:45PM or 6-7:15PM) and Wednesdays (4:30-5:45PM) for Grades 1 and 2 as an alternative to the summer program. Each session began with prayer, the Gospel of the day, an explanation of the Word, and often a short catechetical piece. The classes ended with a review of what the children learned and prayer. Kudos to our wonderful catechists: Monica Barr, Tina Kazymirczuk, Trudy Matrisciani, Anthony Sciarrillo, Jennifer Schell, Jennifer Stubbs, and Maria Yaninas.

By the end of the year, the children were reciting their traditional Catholic prayers with gusto!

Sacramental Intergenerational

Children preparing for First Penance and Reconciliation and First Eucharist attended 5 intergenerational (parent/family experiences) events throughout the year. These events were planned and facilitated by Jennifer Schlameuss-Perry, who we unfortunately lost to a position in her home parish. Families selected from a list of spiritual and formational events, which occurred primarily during the Advent/Christmas/Epiphany or Lent/Easter/ Pentecost liturgical cycles.

Hats off to Monica Barr and Suzanne Schlesinger who assisted at First Eucharist practices and Masses.

Online Religious Education Intergenerational - Grades 3-6

and

For the third year, we offered the Faith and Life online program for our children in Grades 3-6.

These children and their families were urged to participate at Mass, attend Liturgy of the Word dismissals, and attend 4 out of the 12 intergenerational events that were planned for them. These intergenerational sessions were facilitated by Jennifer Schlameuss-Perry and the themes were Saints, Advent, Lent, and Easter.

Thanks to Marianne Lane, our Religious education liaison in the parish office, follow-up of student/ family participation improved significantly this year.

Kim Leshick continues to be an amazingly generous

Page 27

Faith Formation & Life Long Learning volunteer for the RE Office, whose assistance has been such an asset throughout the years.

Confirmation Preparation- Grades 7 & 8 Our 7th and 8th grade youth ministry model program continued under the direction of Matthew Butler. The paradigm included prayer, ice-breakers, videos, discussion, and a catechetical piece. Matt resigned on May 1st in order to take a coaching position at CBA; we appreciated his enthusiasm and evangelizing efforts. Matt offered a variety of exercise opportunities throughout the year, which included kettle bell and Jiu Jitsu sessions. Thank you also to our 7th and 8th grade facilitators: Debra Boag, Lisa Brannan, Justine Buzzetta, Kara Casucci, Lisa Colaco, Martha Cowles, Kathleen DeGaetano, Linda Dickinson-Pancila, Diane Dragone, Ellen Farrell, Mary Greenspan, Marianna Hendricks, Wendy Huntley, Shelia Knox, Kari Mentonis, Traci Nodine, Aida Pereira-Ruggieri, Marilyn Piperno, Michael Santamaria, Donna Sysn, and Victoria Wilson. This was our first year conducting Confirmation interviews (Deacon Fred, Deacon Vinnie, and myself) and the children were generally very well prepared. It was a pleasure to meet them and get to know them more!

RCIA- Initiation Ministries for Children (please see under Adult Faith Formation)

Youth Ministry We (Linda Dickinson-Pancila and myself) are currently working on bringing a Total Youth Ministry Process to the Parish of Saint Mary. This will require a solid core of adults who will be willing to work with the youth of our parish on a variety of formational, social, and service activities. We will keep you posted; if you are interested in being part of the adult group, please let us know!

Adult Faith Formation Initiation Ministries- RCIA RCIA- 2015-16 was an exciting time for the Christian Initiation Ministry in our parish! First, Irene Weller became our new coordinator for the ministry; Irene brings a serene and indomitable spirit to the RCIA, which the catechumens and candidates

(cont.)

genuinely appreciate. Second, 9 (2 Adults and 7 Children) individuals celebrated the Rite of Acceptance and Welcoming during 10:00AM Mass on January 17, 2016. The witness of these catechumens and candidates was both profound and inspiring. Third, we are forming a team to minister to the children of initiation age. Maria Gerbino, Chuck Young, and Phil & Cathy Limeri have joined Amanda Ruppel, each taking a session per month to journey with our children who are preparing for full initiation or completion of initiation sacraments.

Confirmation Class- I have been working with individuals, high school age and older, who wish to complete their Christian initiation through the celebration of the sacrament of Confirmation. This year, 3 people completed the process.

Bible Studies

This past year, we offered through Ascension Press The Great Adventure Bible Studies, which featured videos by Jeff Cavins, an internationally known Bible scholar and lecturer. During the summer of 2015, we offered an 8 week Men’s Bible study, A Quick Journey Through the Bible, with 33 participants in attendance. In the fall of 2015, a 23 week Men’s Bible study The Bible Timeline: The Story of Salvation, which surveyed the entire Old Testament, was offered from September into March, with 24 men in attendance.

The studies were well received and, for the Summer 2016 course, the core team decided to welcome women into the process, and ran the new 8-week introductory course on Tuesday evenings and Wednesday mornings from May through June. This course, Unlocking the Mystery of the Bible served 29 women and men.

All of the Great Adventure Bible studies include an instructional video, group discussion, a study guide, and some homework; all sessions were found to be informative and enjoyable. The group is in the process of planning a short course on the Mass beginning in the Fall of 2016 and the group is hoping to engage some female facilitators for the session!

Thank you Phil, Dering, Deacon Fred, Chuck, and John for all of your

Page 28

Faith Formation & Life Long Learning

(cont.)

Martha Mary Guild This terrific group of dedicated women continued to host monthly meetings from September through May with excellent speakers and plenty of opportunity to socialize within a loving community. An especially intriguing variety of informative topics were presented this year including how the environment is impacting bees and honey making and a one-women act, which incisively demonstrated the humanness of Eleanor Roosevelt.

The MMG is also noted for its spirituality, which was particularly demonstrated during a retreat day with Sister Fran Lomeo, RGS at St. Joseph by the Sea in the Fall and a Lenten spirituality day with Sr. Trudy Ahern, SSJ. And, last but not least, MMG hosted their annual clothing sale, which raised significant funds for groups ministering to women and children.

Kudos to the MMG board for making the year so successful: Tracy Borut and Barbara Matuscak, coPresidents; Audrey Finan, Past President; Linda Hayne and Barbara Schaflin, Co-Vice Presidents; Sue Gobat, Past Vice President; Marilyn Simone, Treasurer; Jeanne Cerbone, Recording Secretary and Jane Davis, Corresponding Secretary. Thanks, also, to Committee Chairs: Kathy Adleman, Sue Coleman, Eleanor Crawford, Marge Delaney., Barbara Keefe, Mary Ellen Griffin, Carol Donahue, Anne Marie Dayton, Gail Hall, Elia Gallello, Treasure Herman, Linda Rossano, Ellen Balestiero and Kim Leschick.

MMG members keep Barbara Varga, membership cochair, in thought and prayer as Barbara died suddenly this past November; she is truly missed.

Koinonia/Spiritual Reading Group Koinonia or the Spiritual Reading Group met every Tuesday morning in room 14. Organized by Treasure Herman with semi-monthly visits by Sister Fran Lomeo, a Sister of the Good Shepherd, this group of approximately 15 wonderful women meet to discuss scripture and its application to their daily lives. The women meet weekly, throughout the year, and use Exploring the Word to extract relevancy from the scriptures.

Parish Mission

Sunday Evening Lecture Series For five Sundays in the Fall, Matt Butler arranged for a lecture series, which was held in the Helen Hayes Theater. The time was set as a matter of convenience for Confirmation parents who could drop-off their children and attend, however, all adults of the parish and their friends were invited.

Walking with Purpose- Catholic Bible Study for Women This year, under the loving guidance of Angela Kinlin and Molly Aiello, WWP provided an oasis along the personal faith journey paths of 62 women! Walking with Purpose is a national Catholic bible study that aims to bring women to a deeper personal relationship with Jesus. The program offers personal study and small group discussion that link everyday challenges with the solutions given through the teachings of Jesus and the Catholic Church. This 22week course began in October 2015 and concluded in May 2016 and was available on Thursday afternoons and evenings, with babysitting provided.

Advent and Lenten Faith Sharing Groups Groups were once again formed to meet during the 4 weeks of Advent and the 6 weeks of Lent in order to reflect upon the lectionary readings of those Sundays and apply them to daily life. Both groups had

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FAMILY LIFE PRAYER Gracious God You have created humanity through your Divine Love and You have ordered the family as the locus of this Love.

In these times, families are in need of your Divine Grace as we strive to live righteously in the center of much busyness and distraction.

We ask You to bless all parents as they struggle firstly to discern your will and then sustain them as they seek to travel along Your path of goodness and truth.

We ask that you pour forth the Light of Christ upon us as choices are many and deceptions abound; help us to discern Your will in our lives as we travel along the path of life.

Illumine us to Your ways of peace and joy through simplicity and, more importantly, through trust in you.

Expand our hearts so that we may prayerfully seek Your friendship each day and know that You are always with us as we strive to guide our children purposefully.

And most importantly, teach all families that You await us in the Eucharist and long for us to share richly in the fullness of Your Life as you strengthen us along the disciple’s journey.

We ask this through Jesus Christ, Our Lord.

AMEN!

Holy Mary, Seat of Wisdom……….PRAY FOR US! Page 30