St. Mary of Ostrabrama Church 30 Jackson Street, South River, NJ 08882

Phone: 732-254-2220 Fax: 732-651-8182

Website: www.stmarysr.org Facebook.com/stmarysr

PARISH MISSION STATEMENT Saint Mary of Ostrabrama Parish, a Roman

Catholic Community, embraces the teachings of Jesus Christ by fostering our rich traditions and serving the needs of others. Through worship,

sacrament and prayer, all are invited to join with us as we continue to inspire and strengthen

our parish family.

JANUARY 10, 2021 BAPTISM OF THE LORD

PARISH STAFF:

Rev. Michael J. Gromadzki Pastor

Thomas F. Dominiecki Deacon Emeritus

Mark Hennicke Deacon

Mrs. Anna Gawel, Parish Secretary Mrs. Rosemary Eckert, P.C.L., Faith Formation Ms. Christine B. Coabey, Cemetery Coordinator

PARISH CONTACT INFORMATION

PARISH OFFICE: CEMETERY OFFICE: ostrabrama@stmarysr.org cemetery@stmarysr.org

PARISH RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAM: prep@stmarysr.org

MASS SCHEDULE:

Sunday: 8:30 AM, 10:30 AM (Children’s Liturgy), 12:00 N (Polish)

Saturday: Vigil Mass 4:00 PM

Mon., Tues., Wed., Fri.: 8:00 AM / Thurs: 6:30 PM {Weekday Masses are in the Chapel except for Holy Days}

Holy Days of Obligation: 8:00 AM, 12:15 PM, 7:00 PM

ROSARY: Prayed before daily Mass & before

4:00 PM Vigil & 8:30 AM Sunday Mass.

MIRACULOUS MEDAL NOVENA: Every Monday following the 8:00 AM Mass.

DIVINE MERCY CHAPLET: Prayed following all weekday Masses.

CONFESSIONS: Saturdays 11:00 AM-12:00 Noon or by appointment.

PARISH OFFICE HOURS: Monday - Thursday: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Friday - Closed

CEMETERY OFFICE HOURS: Monday - Thursday: By Appointment only

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OFFICE IS CLOSED ON ALL HOLY DAYS & HOLIDAYS

Shop-Rite Certificates

Everyone needs to shop for groceries & prescriptions. The certificates program is a means for St. Mary’s to earn five

cents on every dollar spent at Shop-Rite without any additional cost to shoppers. Certificates are available at the Parish Office on Monday through Thursday between 9 AM and 4 PM.

PARISH REGISTRATION: All parishioners should be registered. Parishioners over the age of 18 should register independently of their parents. It is necessary to be a registered parishioner for at least 3 months in order for us to provide testimonial letters. Kindly notify the Parish Office of any changes. BAPTISMS: Second Saturday of the month at 1 PM. Please call the Parish Office to make arrangements prior to making social plans. Parents & godparents must attend instructions on the first Sunday of the month after 10:30 AM Mass in the Msgr. Wujek Room or Chapel. MARRIAGES: Must be registered, practicing and contributing parishioner. Arrangements should be made at least one year in advance, prior to making social plans. SICK CALLS: Arrangements for communion calls to the sick can be made by calling the Parish Office. Please notify the Parish Office when a parishioner is in the hospital. For emergencies, call anytime. PARISH RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAM (PREP): Instruction in the Catholic Faith for children in grades 1-8. Classes are held from September to April on Monday afternoons from 4:30 - 5:45 PM. Please contact the Parish Office for further information. RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS (RCIA): A process of prayer, study, & spiritual formation which prepares unbaptized adults & adults baptized outside the Catholic Church to be in full communion.. Any adult 18 years of age or older who desires becoming a Catholic should call the Parish Office.

Good Morning God,

You are ushering in another day untouched and freshly new, so here I come to ask you God if you’ll renew me too?

Forgive the many errors, that I made yesterday, and let me try again dear God, to walk closer in Thy way.

But Father, I am well aware I can’t make it on my own. So take my hand and hold it tight for I can’t walk alone.

“Thank you” to our beloved Parishioners who have been and are donating cleaning wipes, disinfectants, paper towels and masks. Also, “Thank you” to all Parishioners who continue to volunteer to stay after each Mass to disinfect the pews, railings and door knobs.

May Jesus +Bless+ all of you for your holy sacrifice.

Fr. Michael G.

BAPTISM OF THE LORD

“And a voice came from the heavens, ‘You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.’”

(Mark 1:11)

Through our baptism, we too, are daughters and sons of God. We are disciples of Jesus. As true disciples we are called to actively participate in our Catholic faith, not just be mere bystanders. This means working in collaboration with the Holy Spirit and discerning how we are being asked to use our gifts. Using our gifts for the benefit of others and not just for our own interests and comfort.

Children's Sunday Mass is postponed until further notice.

DUPLICATE SACRAMENTAL CERTIFICATES or past family information will incur a $15.00 Dollar Processing Fee. This Fee must be paid in advance prior to providing the requested information from our Parish Office.

A special thank you to our parishioners who gave so generously in the Christmas collection. Your love for St. Mary’s Parish helps us continue with the many projects to keep our church the ”Jewel of South River”.

May Jesus, Mary and Joseph +BLESS+ you and your family.

Fr. Michael G.

MASS INTENTIONS WINE & HOSTS

{Available ~ $50 for one week}

CANDLE INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK

Sanctuary Candle ~ Church +Mark Krempecki

Req. by: Krempecki Family

Blessed Mother’s Altar Candles +Dorris Saunders

Req. by: Son, Tom Saunders

Sacred Heart Altar Candles Intentions of Living & Deceased

Holy Name Members

Candle for St. Joseph {Available ~ $10 for one candle for one week}

Candle For St. Anthony In honor of the year of St. Joseph

Req. by: Kovacs Family

Our Lady of Ostrabrama Candles +Kazimierz Siatkowski & Tadeusz Siatkowski

Req. by: Córka i Siostra, Urszula

Sanctuary Candle ~ Chapel {Available ~ $25 for one candle for one week}

Divine Mercy Candles ~ Chapel {Available ~ $25 for two candles for one week}

St. Anne’s Altar ~ Chapel {Available ~ $25 for two candles for one week}

La Pieta Grotto Candles +Edward Mack, III

Req. by: Elizabeth & Family

Please contact the Parish Office to make arrangements to donate candles or wine & hosts

in honor of a loved one.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR MEMORIALS

In addition to Mass intentions, St. Mary’s offers a variety of

options to remember your loved ones or special occasions. All of the following are available throughout the year. The names and/or intentions will be printed in the bulletin for that week. Please contact the Parish Office for details and availability.

Altar Flowers: Available weekly for specific areas in the church & chapel except Lent & Advent

Wine & Hosts: Available for Masses for one week Candle Intentions: Available weekly for specific

areas in the church & chapel Memorial Room Candles: Available monthly Memorial Room Plaques: Various sizes available Tree of Life: Leaves still available

BAPTISM OF THE LORD

SATURDAY, (SOBOTA), JANUARY 9 Weekday 4:00 PM +Anna & John Adamusik Req. by: Son, Joe

SUNDAY (NIEDZIELA), JANUARY 10 Baptism of the Lord

8:30 AM Intentions of Holy Name

10:30AM Pro Populo/For the People of the Parish

12N Polish +Dominik Stasik Req. by: Family

MONDAY (PONIEDZIAŁEK), JANUARY 11 Weekday 8:00 AM +Fr. Joseph Fu Req. by: Domingos Ho Family

TUESDAY (WTOREK), JANUARY 12 Weekday

8:00 AM+Arthur Skwiat Req. by: John, Sharon & Joseph Darmofalski

WEDNESDAY (ŚRODA), JANUARY 13 St. Hilary, Bishop & Doctor of the Church 8:00 AM +Edwin Roginski Req. by: Regina Osowski

THURSDAY (CZWARTEK), JANUARY 14 Weekday 6:30PM +Brian Tylor Req. by: Cosentino Family

FRIDAY (PIĄTEK), JANUARY 15 Weekday 8:30 AM +Kyle Hennicke Req. by: Bernice & Don McSorley

SATURDAY, (SOBOTA), JANUARY 16 Weekday 4:00 PM +Robert & Madeline Barglowski Req. by: Christine & Joe

SUNDAY (NIEDZIELA), JANUARY 17

8:30 AM +John Connolly Req. by: Wife, Cynthia Wilk

10:30AM +Jozefa Miazga Req. by: Piotr & Marta Miazga & Family

12N Polish Pro Populo/For the People of the Parish

PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE WHO HAVE

RECENTLY DIED:

+Glenn Patrick Barnhart

May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace.

REMEMBER ST. MARY’S IN YOUR WILL

God will never be outdone in generosity. Please remember

St. Mary’s Parish in your Will & Testament!

The repairs you are witnessing in our Beautiful Church are the results of donations and remembrances in our Parishioners’ Last Will & Testaments. Thank you & Bóg Zapłać for your generosity!!!

GOD’S PLAN FOR GIVING . . .

St. Mary’s Parish is totally dependent upon the generosity of its parishioners for parish support. Our church support program is called “Sacrificial Giving”. Each individual parishioner or family is asked to consistently give “their fair share”, in support of their parish in a spirit of thanksgiving to God, to enable our parish church to carry out the mission and ministry of Jesus Christ. The envelopes provided for you are to be used as gift wrappers for each sacrificial gift you give to the Lord. Please be generous, since God is generous to us.

Christmas Collection - December 25, 2020

Christmas Collection $19,697.00 Building Fund $ 1,528.00 Sunday Collection - December 27, 2020

Weekly Collection $3,738.00 Building Fund $1,544.00

Mary Mother of God - January 1, 2021 Mary, Mother of God $2,300.00 Initial offering $ 634.00

Sunday Collection - January 3, 2021 Weekly Collection $3,396.00 Building Fund $1,565.00 Together in Charity $ 605.00

Even though you have the opportunity for on-line giving, we would like to remind you that you can continue to use your church envelopes at Mass. Or, they may be placed in the office door mail slot between the hours of 9:00 am and 4:00 pm.

Thank you & God Bless You! Bóg Zapłać ! REMEMBER THE SICK & HOMEBOUND, especially: Cindy Abreu-Maia, Mrs. Marlene Ahde, Nina Argresta, Jack Batchie, JoAnn Belko,

Christopher Chadwick, Patricia Brink, Virginia Brown, Cathy Christan, Claire Chmura, Lynette Cucco, Thomas DelGuercio, Mary Dzienkowski, Tom Fackovec, Evelyn Fafara, Penelope Fry, Sophie Galinski, John Ganser, Lorraine Gerenza, Matthew Giardelli, Maryann Goccia, Veronica Griscavage, Amelia Halmo, Barbara Hayes, Jean Hill, Eleanor Holz, Rose Johnson, Edward Jurewicz, Catheryn Kelly, Jason Klee, Anna Klich, Boguslaw Kmieciak, Sofia Koutsoupias, Marion Kovacs, Michael Lucas, Anthony Martino, Wanda Massaro, Paul Matyas, Dorothy McMahon, Irene Mendoker, Hannah Grace Michlik, Rozalia Milkowski, Kazia Naglik, Dennis O’Connor, Adela Ogrodnik, Shona Pietraczenko, Nicholas Piacenti, Anne Piersanti, Cecelia Polanski, Kevin Rasimowicz, C. Rasmussen, Walter Rice, Donald Rish, Sr. Rosangela, Sean Ryan, Steven Samuel, Gregory Sciscoe, Edward Strugala, Joe Szumski, Pauline Terelmes, Sylvia Thrasher, Maria Uzzo, Juan Velazquez, Helen Wanson, Arlene Watson, Claire Watson, Martha Sue Williams, Karolina Wojciechowski, Edward Wolanin, Jr., Kathryn Wolanin, Regis Wyluda, Barbara Zambrzicky, Henry Ziolkowski.

**Please patronize our advertisers** They make our bulletin possible.

Sunday, January 10 Holy Name recites Rosary 8am C.O.P.E. Collection

Monday, January 11 PREP Class - distance learning

Saturday, January 16 Confessions 11am Baptism 1pm

THIS WEEK AT A GLANCE . . .

REPORT OF 2020 CONTRIBUTIONS

If you are in need of a report for your 2020 contributions, please contact the Parish Office, or place this form in the collection basket, or send it to: St. Mary’s Church, 30 Jackson St., South River, NJ 08882. Please include a self-addressed stamped envelope to help the parish defray the cost of postage. Name ___________________________________ Address _________________________________ ________________________________________ Envelope # ____________________ Phone # _________________________________

C.O.P.E.

The Holy Name will be asking for donations for their C.O.P.E. Program after all Masses during weekend on

January 9/10 .

Please support this important program. Thank you!

FAITH FORMATION . . . IN OUR PARISH. . .

The PREP Program switched to distance learning until January 25th, 2021. Learning packets for students will be available for parent pick up on January 11th at the Parish Center from 5:30 PM- 6:00 PM.

Please be respectful to others and wear your mask during the Mass.

Thank you!

The 2021 Mass Book has been completed.

2021 Church Contribution Envelopes

Boxes of 2021 Church Contribution envelopes are available for pickup in the downstairs hallway of the Church. If you see a box for a relative or an elderly neighbor, please pick up the box for them. If you do not see your envelopes, please contact the parish Office.

Thank you and Bóg Zapłać for your continued financial support

of St. Mary’s Church.

Reminder: The Food Bank collection in our parish is the first weekend of the month. Non-perishable groceries may be dropped off in the bin outside the upstairs elevator. Supermarket gift cards are also graciously accepted.

PERFECT GIFT ...

Looking for the perfect gift for your spouse?

Why not give yourselves a Marriage Encounter Experience.

A Worldwide Marriage Encounter Experience gives you the time and tools to revitalize romance,

deepen communication, and nourish the spirituality in your marriage.

Join us from the comfort of your home via Zoom for eight evening sessions presented on Sunday & Wednesday evenings from January 20 to February 14.

Phone Tony & Linda Massimo 1-302-220-9833

for application and information. Visit us at:

www.wwme-delmar.org for more information.

CATHOLIC SCHOOL 2021-2022 TUITION ASSISTANCE

ONLINE APPLICATION PROCESS OPEN

Families interested in applying for tuition assistance to attend an eligible Diocese of Metuchen Elementary or High School may apply online now through FACTS Grant & Aid Assessment at https://online.factsmgt.com/aid. Online applications must be completed (including all required documentation) by no later than March 31, 2021. Applications are available in English and Spanish. Families that need assistance completing the online application or need access to a computer to apply should contact their school.

A very special „Thank You”

to St. Mary’s Seniors for their most generous

Christmas donation of $500.

May Our Lady of Ostrabrama bless you for your kind hearts and continued support of St. Mary’s Parish.

AROUND THE DIOCESE . . .

DIOCESAN EUCHARISTIC ADORATION

Eucharistic Adoration is now being held in the Chapel at the St. John Neumann Pastoral Center, 146 Meltars Lane, Piscataway. Adorers and intercessors are needed Monday through Friday, 9 to 11:45 a.m. Daily Mass is held at 11:45 a.m.

For information or to become an adorer, call Laura Riccardi, (609) 578-0841. To submit a prayer request, call (732) 765-6445 or email Adoration@diometuchen.org.

Goodsearch.com WWW.GOODSEARCH.COM and its companion GoodShop are simple ways to help St. Mary’s raise money. Goodsearch.com is an internet search engine that donates money to numerous causes whenever a registered user makes a search on the web. Goodsearch.com will donate one penny to St. Mary’s of Ostrabramaa (St. Mary of Ostrabrama is one of those registered causes.) To begin, a prospective user logs onto www.goodsearch.com . Step #1 - Click on the oblong icon that reads “GET STARTED” (white letters on a red oblong icon in the center/top of the main page.) Step #2 - The user types in the name of the cause they wish to support: “St. Mary of Ostrabrama.” Step #3 - Underneath the search bar, “St. Mary of Ostrabrama South River, NJ” will appear. The user clicks on “St. Mary of Ostrabrama South River, NJ”. Step #4 - The user fills out the sign-up information required in the drop-box. They will then be informed that an e-mail confirming their new account on Goodsearch.com will be sent to them. All they then need to do is answer that confirmation e-mail affirmatively and they will be ready to start earning money for St. Mary’s immediately. There is no cost of any kind to St. Mary’s or any registered user for searching on Goodsearch.com. The more people who use Goodsearch.com on behalf of St. Mary of Ostrabrama, the more money we will make. The possibilities are endless.

“Tree of Love” Memorial

A “Tree of Love” Memorial was created for our beloved deceased family members and parishioners. It is an everlasting tribute in their honor. The Memorial Room with the “Tree of Love” is a private area to spend time in prayer and remembrance of a deceased loved one. To have your loved one’s name or a family name as an everlasting remembrance of this beautiful “Tree of Love” Memorial, the following donations are requested according to plaque sizes available:

$1,500 Plaque 2” x 4” $1,000 Plaque 1 1/2” x 3 1/2” $ 500 Plaque 1” x 3”

Contributions for an engraved plaque can be made by anyone, for any deceased person or family at any time.

Call the Church office for a memorial request form and it will be mailed to you. Further information is listed in the brochure.

COUNSELING

Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Metuchen is offering Counseling and Wellness Services. If you or someone you know needs counseling or is impacted by addiction, we can help. Individual and family therapy for children and adults is available.

For an appointment, call (800) 655-9491.

ARE YOU SUFFERING AFTER AN ABORTION?

HELP IS AVAILABLE!

If you or someone you know is suffering after an abortion, confidential, non-judgmental help is available! Experience God’s merciful love and begin the journey of healing:

Call Project Rachel's local toll-free helpline number:

877-877-4300. or visit HopeAfterAbortion.org.

Spanish-speakers may visit:

EsperanzaPosaborto.org. Or call Sisters of Life at 866-575-0075 or email:

hopeandhealing@sistersoflife.org