PARISH STAFF PARISH OFFICE · The first “Christmas in Middletown at St. Mary’s” event will be...
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Transcript of PARISH STAFF PARISH OFFICE · The first “Christmas in Middletown at St. Mary’s” event will be...
PARISH STAFF
Pastor Reverend Jeffrey J. Kegley
Parochial Vicar Reverend Richard Osborn
Parochial Vicar Reverend Jordan McConway O.P.
Deacons Charles J. Smith, Carlo Squicciarini
Martin K. McMahon
Business Manager Hank Pekarsky ext. 232
Sacristan/Altar Server Coordinator Mrs. Laney Wilkens
Parish Trustees Mr. Kenneth Ginsky
John (Jack) Kurkemelis
Faith Formation: Mrs. Peggy Dunne ext. 240 [email protected]
St. Vincent DePaul Society Assistance 732-671-4062
Director of Music Malena Towers ext. 239
Youth & Young Adult Ministry John Watchorn & Cassandra Abbud
HR/Finance Administrator Mrs. Sharon Crossnohere ext. 223
Bulletin Editor Jessica Parks [email protected]
RCIA - [email protected]
Usher Coordinators George Rahey - [email protected]
Brian Dolan - [email protected]
Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration ext. 241
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MASS SCHEDULE
Mon. - Thur. 8:15 am (SMC)
Mon. - Thur. 12 pm (SMC)
Friday 8:30 am (MMGC)
Friday 12:00 pm (SMC)
Saturday 8:15 am (SMC) & 5:00 pm (MMGC)
Sunday 7:30 am, 9:00 am, 10:30 am 12:00 pm
5:00 pm Life Teen Mass (MMGC)
MMGC - Mary Mother of God Church
SMC - Saint Mary Chapel
COMMUNION SERVICE
Mon. -Fri. 6:30 am St. Mary Chapel
RECONCILIATION/CONFESSIONS Saturday 1:00 to 2:00 pm (MMGC)
Thursday 3:30 to 4:30 pm (MMGC)
SACRAMENT of BAPTISM The First & Third Sundays 1:30 pm (MMGC)
BAPTISM PREP CLASS 2nd Thur.7:00 pm in the Bulman Center
call ext. 221 to register
SACRAMENT of MARRIAGE ext. 222
STEWARDSHIP (Collections) 11/17/19 & 11/18/19
Weekly Offering $19,515.00 (includes Loose Cash/Checks & Envelopes)
Candle $771.77 Children’s Envelopes $323.00 Ave Maria $1,754.00 Online Giving $4,291.85 (includes all donation options)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Pastor’s Notes p. 2
Pope’s Notes p. 3
Upcoming Events p. 5, 6, 7, 8
Monthly Memorial p. 9
St. Mary School p. 13, 14
Mass Intentions & Prayer list p. 15, 16
St. Mary School Principal
Mr. Craig Palmer - [email protected]
St. Mary School Vice Principal
Mr. Dennis Poracky - [email protected]
ST. MARY SCHOOL 538 Church Street
Middletown, NJ 07748 732-671-0129
PARISH OFFICE
19 Cherry Tree Farm Road Middletown, NJ 07748
732-671-0071 Fax 732-671-6125
OFFICE HOURS
Mon-Fri 9 am - 7:30 pm Sat. & Sun. 9 am-12 pm
(Closed 1 pm - 3 pm on Wednesday)
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Jesus is Lord!
Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus!
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
About a year ago, I participated in a “church webinar” that focused on using the Advent and Christmas Seasons as an evangelistic outreach for the parish. There were such great ideas discussed during this webinar. One suggestion is to publicize all your Christmas activities on social media and newspapers as an invitation to the whole town (not just parishioners) to join us in celebrating the “coming of the Messiah.” So, we have started promoting “Christmas in Middletown at Saint Mary’s” on social media, newspapers, blogs and parish bulletin; listing the many events and activities at Saint Mary’s in December that helps prepare for the celebration of Christmas.
This has been very exciting, as many people have already responded so positively on social media to these events. I want to encourage you to go to the parish social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram and Twitter) and share these events on your own social media pages. Join us in inviting people to all the “Christmas in Middletown at Saint Mary’s” events. This month is a great month in our work of evangelization! Let us share the blessings of Saint Mary’s with all of Middletown (and beyond!)
Since we will have thousands of visitors to our Church over the next couple of weeks, another point made during the webinar is to make everyone feel “welcome.” For this to happen we need to assemble a team of “greeters” for our Christmas Masses and events. I have again asked Terri Matsen to help gather parishioners who would like to serve as greeters. If you would like to serve as a greeter, please email Terri at [email protected].
The first “Christmas in Middletown at St. Mary’s” event will be the Music Ministry’s presentation of Lessons and Carols next Sunday at 7:00 p.m. in Saint Mary Chapel. Lessons and Carols is the story of God’s plan for the salvation of mankind as revealed in His Word. That story begins with the Genesis account of the fall of Adam and Eve and concludes with the Word made flesh in the first chapter of John. Each reading (Lesson) is followed by one or more carols, allowing for further meditation on the text. You will leave a Lessons and Carols service veritably drenched in Biblical language. With the Saint Mary’s Adult and Children Choirs and the Saint Mary School Singers, it will be a blessed night for the entire family as we prepare our hearts for Christmas.
So, as we begin this Holy Season of Advent, the church calls all her people to look with great anticipation toward the coming of Jesus Christ. Let us prepare our hearts by welcoming Jesus into our lives as we begin each day. Let us ask him to open our eyes to enable us to see how close he is to us and how precious we are to him. Every day we can know the joy of waiting the Master’s return. Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus!
In Jesus and Mary,
Father Jeff Kegley Pastor
Ps. This Friday, December 6th, is the First Friday Healing Mass. If you know someone that needs to experience the love, mercy and healing of Jesus, please invite them to join us at the Healing Mass. God bless+
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(Vatican Radio) At his General Audience on Wednesday, Pope Francis began a new series of catechesis on “Christian Hope”. In our times, which seem so dark, the Pope said we often feel “lost in the face of the wickedness and the violence that surround us.” We may even feel “discouraged, because we feel powerless, and it seems the darkness might never end.” But we should never give up hope, he continued, “because God, with His love, journeys with us, He does not leave us alone, and the Lord Jesus has overcome evil, and opened up the path of life.” It is important to reflect on hope during this season of Advent, when we prepare for the coming of Christ at Christmas. Pope Francis based his reflection primarily on a passage from Isaiah, in which God tells the prophet, first, to console his people, and then to “make straight the path of the Lord.” This prophetic message was addressed to the people of Israel when they were living the tragedy of the exile in Babylon, when they had been taken out of their own land and deprived of their freedom and dignity, and even their trust in God. But the call of the prophet, the Pope said, “opens their hearts anew to faith.” It is precisely in the desert that they hear his call, it is precisely there that a new journey “can be made in order to return not only to their homeland, but to God.” This passage, Pope Francis continued, was the starting point for the preaching of John the Baptist, “a voice crying out in the desert, prepare the way of the Lord.” In Jesus time, the Israelites were once again living a kind of exile, living as strangers in their own land because of the oppression of the Romans. But it was not the powerful who made history, the Pope continued; rather, history is the story of what God has done together with his little ones, people like Zechariah and Elizabeth, Mary, and the shepherds, the simple, humble people who gathered around Jesus at his birth. “These are the little ones,” Pope Francis said, made great by their faith,” the little ones who know that they must keep hope alive. “Let us allow ourselves, then,” the Pope concluded, “to teach hope, to faithfully await the coming of the Lord, and whatever desert we might have in our life will become a flowering garden.”
Pope Francis: In Advent, it is important to reflect
on hope
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Christmas in Middletown at Saint Mary’s
Sunday, December 8th
Christmas Bazaar and Breakfast with Santa - St. Mary School – 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Sponsored by Saint Mary School PTA, day includes: Photos with Santa, Vendors, Homemade Holiday Décor, Food, Gifts and Stocking Stuffers, Saint Mary School Singers Caroling, Bake Sale, Wreaths and Garland. Call Saint Mary
School for more information 732-671-0129.
Lessons and Carols at 7:00 p.m. in St. Mary Chapel
Lessons and Carols is the story of God’s plan for the salvation of mankind as revealed in His Word. That story begins with the Genesis account of the fall of Adam and Eve and concludes with the Word made flesh in the first chapter of John. Each reading (Lesson) is followed by one or more carols, allowing for further meditation on the text. You will
leave a Lessons and Carols service veritably drenched in Biblical language. With the Saint Mary’s Adult and Children Choirs and the Saint Mary School Singers, it will be a blessed night for the entire family as we prepare our hearts for
Christmas.
Wednesday, December 11th - Advent Penance Service at 7:00 p.m. Come experience the Love, Mercy and Healing of Jesus in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Priests from the Bayshore Cohort will be available for Confessions.
Sunday, December 15th
The Blessing of the Bambinelli (Baby Jesus) The Blessing of the Bambinelli is a Roman tradition, celebrated by the Pope each year on the third Sunday of Advent.
This is a new tradition at St. Mary’s. Children bring the Baby Jesus (Bambinelli, in Italian) from the family nativity scene forward for a blessing.
Annual Christmas Tree Lighting and Parish Open House – 6:00 p.m. Enjoy the Caroling by the Saint Mary Music Ministry and the Saint Mary School Singers.
Visit the animals in our Live Nativity hosted by our Life Teen Youth Ministry and anticipate the arrival of Santa Claus escorted by the Middletown Township Fire Department. This is an event for the entire family. Light re-
freshments will be served. All are invited. Bring a friend.
The St. Mary School outside Christmas Decorations & Lights Display
Drive thru the Campus of Saint Mary’s and see Saint Mary School decorated for Christmas like you never seen before. Another new tradition at St. Mary’s. Come help judge the best decorate classroom.
December 24th Christmas Eve
Christmas Mass at 4:00 p.m. (Church and Memorial Hall), 6:00 p.m. and Midnight
Christmas Cantata St. Mary Choir and Orchestra, under the musical direction of Malena Towers, will present a Christmas Cantata at 11:00 p.m. prior to the Solemn Midnight Christmas Mass. This too will be a beautiful new tradition here at Saint
Mary’s to celebrate the birth of our Savior.
December 25th – Christmas Day Christmas Mass at 7:30 a.m., 9:00 a.m., 10:30 a.m., and 12 Noon
Christmas Dinner – Saint Mary School – 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
No one should be alone on Christmas Day. All are invited to join our parish family for Christmas Dinner on Christmas day. There will be Christmas Caroling and lots of love and fellowship to celebrate the Birth of our newborn King! If you would like to join us,
or know someone who can join us, please RSVP by December 18th at our parish office at 732-671-0071, ext. 221.
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The Blessing of the Bambinelli is a
Roman tradition, celebrated by the
Pope each year on the third Sunday
of Advent. This is a new tradition we
bring to St. Mary’s. Families present
the Baby Jesus (Bambinelli, in
Italian) from their family nativity
scene for a blessing at Holy Mass. All
Families are invited to participate in
the blessing of the Bambinelli.
JESUS HEALS! Come experience the HEALING
power of JESUS CHRIST!
As Jesus passed by, two blind men followed
him, crying out, "Son of David, have pity on
us!" When he entered the house, the blind
men approached him and Jesus said to them,
"Do you believe that I can do this?" "Yes,
Lord," they said to him. Then he touched
their eyes and said, "Let it be done for you
according to your faith." And their eyes
were opened. – Matthew 9:27-30
Christmas in Middletown at St. Mary's
The Parish Community of Saint Mary, Mother of God Church cordially invites you and your family to the Annual Christmas Tree Lighting and Open House. Enjoy the Caroling by the Saint Mary Music Ministry and the Saint Mary School Singers.
Visit the animals in our Live Nativity hosted by our Life Teen Youth Ministry and anticipate the arrival of Santa Claus escorted by the Middletown Township Fire Department. This is an event for the entire family. Light refreshments will be served. All are invited. Bring a friend.
No one should be alone on Christmas Day. On behalf of our parish community of Saint Mary, Mother of God Church, I would like to invite everyone to join our parish family for Christmas Dinner on Christmas day. There will be Christmas Caroling and lots of love and fellowship to celebrate the Birth of our newborn King! If you would like to join us, or know someone who can join us, please RSVP by December 18th at our parish office at 732-671-0071, ext. 221. I look forward to sharing Christmas dinner with you.
Merry Christmas, Father Jeff Kegley Pastor
Events at St. Mary, Mother of God
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BLESSING FOR EXPECTANT PARENTS
Sunday, December 8 Following the 12:00 noon Mass
Couples will meet by the statue of our Blessed Mother following Mass
If you plan to attend, please call the parish office, 732-671-0071 ext. 221 and leave your
name for Deacon Marty.
You need not be a parishioner to attend this ceremony.
Registration for Radiant Joy is now
closed. Classes are full.
THURSDAY
December 12 7:00pm-8:00pm
St. Mary's Chapel
Divine Mercy
Exposition of the
Blessed Sacrament,
Benediction,
Chaplet &
Veneration of
St. Faustina’s Relic
Lessons and Carols is the story of God’s plan for the salvation of mankind as revealed in His Word. That story begins with the Genesis account of the fall of Adam and Eve and concludes with the Word made flesh in the first chapter of John. Each reading (Lesson) is followed by one or more carols, allowing for further meditation on the text.
You will leave a Lessons and Carols service veritably drenched in Biblical language. With the Saint Mary, Mother of God Church – Adult and Children Choirs and the Saint Mary School Singers, it will be a blessed night for the entire family as we prepare our hearts for Christmas.
Make A Joyful Noise To The Lord. The Saint Mary, Mother of God Church Music Ministry is inviting you to join our Adult Choir, the Adult Contemporary Music Band, and the Children's Choir. Our goal is to reach 100 voices for our
amazing Christmas Cantata.
Rehearsals are as follows: Children's Choir -Thursdays at 5:00 pm, Adult Contemporary-
Wednesdays at 6:00 pm, Adult Choir - Thursdays at 7:00 pm. All levels of musicians are also needed. If interested please contact
our Music Director, Malena Towers at: [email protected] or call the
Parish Office (732) 671 -0071 ext. 239.
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Women's Discipleship Meeting
Monday, December 2 from 7:30-9 PM in the Bulman Center. Each week we celebrate our
faith through music, prayer, scripture, discussion and the friendship of wonderful,
God-centered women.
All women are welcome. Please bring your Bible.
Visit our Eucharistic Lord - Open 24/7 Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration Chapel Call for your hour - 732-671-0071– X221
“Could you not watch one hour
with Me?”
Mark 14:37
December 9 at 7:00 PM in the Bulman Center
ROSARY ALTAR SOCIETY
Saint Mary’s Army of Bakers
We need your delicious baked goods for Lessons and Carols Sunday December 8, 2019. Please leave your wonderful desserts in the hospitality kitchen on Saturday or Sunday.
The Christmas Tree Lighting is Sunday December 15 at 6:15 pm. Your scrumptious desserts will make this Christmas season joyful. Please leave your desserts in the hospitality kitchen on December 14 or 15.
Thank you for sharing your talents and for helping our Hospitality Ministry. God Bless you during this Christmas Season, Sue and Jackie
Sunday 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Sunday 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Sunday 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Monday 1:00 AM to 2:00 AM
Monday 6:00 AM to 7:00 AM
Monday 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Tuesday 1:00 AM to 2:00 AM
Tuesday 2:00 AM to 3:00 AM
Tuesday 3:00 AM to 4:00 AM
Tuesday 4:00 AM to 5:00 AM
Tuesday 5:00 AM to 6:00 AM
Wenesday 12:00 AM to 1:00 AM
Wenesday 2:00 AM to 3:00 AM
Wednesday 5:00 AM to 6:00 AM
Wednesday 11:00 PM to 12:00 PM
Thursday 3:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Thursday 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM
Thursday 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Friday 1:00 AM to 2:00 AM
Friday 3:00 AM to 4:00 AM
Friday 4:00 AM to 5:00 AM
Friday 10:00 PM to 11:00 PM
Saturday 3:00 AM to 4:00 AM
Saturday 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Saturday 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Saturday 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Saturday 11:00 PM to 12:00 AM
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The following loved ones have been enrolled in the St. Mary Monthly Memorial Mass Society
and will share in a special Mass celebrated on The First Sunday of each month at the 9:00 a.m. Mass
Catherine Calamanco r/o Kenneth O'Brien Luca Iacono r/o The Imbro Family
Catherine Calamanco r/o Lynn, Tom, Greg & Maria Daly Luca Iacono r/o The Panetta Family
Catherine Calamanco r/o The Somers Family Paul Kane r/o Edward Healy
Gertrude Cammareri r/o Carolyn Terhune Paul Kane r/o Kevin Healy
Gertrude Cammareri r/o Christopher Terhune Diane Kologi r/o Candace, Willy, Douglas & Family
Gertrude Cammareri r/o Jeanne Merker Diane Kologi r/o Evelyn Schade
Gertrude Cammareri r/o The Healy Family & Rob Diane Kologi r/o Kathleen & Faith Conroy
Jane Clark r/o Barbara Bacmeister Diane Kologi r/o Michael Hicks
Norah Considine Moore r/o Frank Kelly Diane Kologi r/o The Campo Family
Taylor Ruane Delepine r/o Nana, Maureen Delepine & Family Robert Lamanna r/o The Sitty Family
Anthony Eterginoso r/o Cathy & Dave Dillon Carol LoPresti r/o The Casey Family
Katherine Farrell r/o The Gibney Family Patrick Luongo r/o Mr. & Mrs. Anthony Cella
Katherine Farrell r/o The Pre-Shool Staff Owen Lynch r/o Anthony Family
Katherine Farrell r/o Tom & Marge Dooley Patricia Mary Mackey r/o Liza Patterson
Daniel Foley r/o Parson Family Nanci McCarthy r/o The Nadolny Family
Cecilia Gadenz r/o The Hale Family Ida Miele r/o Rich & Fran Urbealis
Michael Giancaspro r/o The Sansevere Family Ida Miele r/o The Molicki Family
John Gilligan r/o Stephen & Mary Kelleher Lynn Neuwirth r/o The Gibney Family
Edward Golding r/o Bernadette Dean Helen Anne Owings r/o Lisa Gentile & Family
Edward Golding r/o Christine Herring Edward "Eddie Spaghetti" Pepsin r/o Lourdes & Bing Cheo
Edward Golding r/o Eileen Lesch Theresa Perpinan r/o Susan & Joseph Peruti
Edward Golding r/o Emilio & Eileen Portelli Rosalyn Perpinan r/o Susan & Joseph Peruti
Edward Golding r/o Joan Capriotti Anthony Perrotta Sr. r/o Dan & Anna Buchsbaum
Edward Golding r/o Karen & Jim Walker & Family Christine Sinsheimer r/o Dorrie Ruane & Family
Edward Golding r/o Karen Zupancic & Staff William Spellman r/o Lourdes Cheo
Edward Golding r/o Lynn Daly & Family Marie M. Thompson r/o Tricia & Ralph Levy
Edward Golding r/o Mary Pat & Brian Harrington Ralph A. Troisi Sr. r/o Family
Edward Golding r/o Mr. & Mrs. Charles Gannon Robert V. Waldron r/o John & Robin Moore
Edward Golding r/o The Molicki Family John Valentino r/o Steve & Mary Kelleher
Edward Golding r/o The Pfirrman Family Charles Voorhees r/o Sue & John Elliott
Minerva Gonzalez r/o Liza Patterson Alfred Wood r/o Sue Crowe
Jack Graessle r/o Lisa Serronico Michael N. Wyman r/o Kathy & Don Cunningham
Luca Frank Iacono r/o Debi Blackey & Maria Oliveira Michael N. Wyman r/o Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Lehocky
Luca Frank Iacono r/o The Hertzog Family Michael Wyman r/o Stephen & Mary Kelleher
Luca Iacono r/o Marie Moulder Michael Wyman r/o The Foley Family
Luca Iacono r/o Sue & Tony Katz
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St. Mary Church Christmas Care 2019 Dearest Lord
Thank You for the poor You have placed in my midst. Their presence is a blessing to my soul.
I am honoring to help them in small ways. I desire to do more. Their fragile lives, coupled with their great faith, are an inspiration and mystery to me.
Their prayers inspire compassion. Bless all that have less than I do and instill within me the spirit of sharing. Let gratitude and giving be my banners, and may all the glory be Yours.
May justice and mercy have places of honor within my being and may my hands work to relieve suffering wherever I find it.
And may all I do, be in Your Holy Name. Amen
Dear Fellow Parishioners:
Can you help??? Once again, we are asking for help to lighten the burden many people
face this Christmas season. There are a couple of opportunities for you to consider. Gift
cards to Shop Rite ($10 denominations) to be shared among the people we serve.
Donate personal care products. These products will be distributed to the needy
individuals the Sisters serve in Asbury Park and those living in local motels & boarding
houses. PLEASE ONLY NEW, UNOPENED items. No pharmaceutical items, please.
Please keep the Shop Rite food certificates separate from the personal items. Items can be brought in a GIFT BAG or Staples box and will be collected after all the Masses the weekend of Dec 14/15 in the Narthex.
Please have in each Gift bag or box:
We are only accepting the above items and Shop Rite Cards for Christmas
due to limited space on the trucks.
God Bless Your Generous Hearts. Blessed, Holy Christmas !
Kathy Plath [email protected]
•Toothpaste/Toothbrush •soap •body lotion •Shampoo •conditioner •Shaving cream
•Disposable razors, •Deodorant (men and/or ladies) •Tube Socks (men and/or ladies) •Hats •Gloves •Scarves
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RIGHT TO LIFE
“Restrain your voice from weeping and your eyes from tears”… declares the Lord… “There is hope for your future.”… Jer 31:16–17
A woman writes of her abortion, “it was gruesome. I looked over and could see body parts floating in a sea of blood. I was ten weeks
pregnant. The canister was right next to my head. I screamed and the nurse covered it. It changed my life forever. I could never look at
children after that, without crying.”
Prayer: Lord, send repentance and forgiveness to all who have had abortions. Hear their cries and fill them with new hope.
St. Mary Chapel, Leonardville Rd, Middletown
Lower room back entrance
Refreshments 7:00pm ~ Meeting 7:45 - 9:30pm
Open to Catholic women age 18 and up.
In unity and charity, join us to help make a difference in
the Church and our local community! Active since 1954!
Find us on facebook.com/CDA1684/
Visit our December 11 meeting to celebrate the Christmas season with our members! CDA members and families will attend the 10:30 Mass together on Sunday, December 8.
CDA Schedule Wednesdays
2019 - 2020
Nov 13 Mar 11
Dec 11 Apr 8
Jan 8 May 13
Feb 12 June 10
Call Janet Bilotta 732-671-6446
for membership information
Court Fulgens Corona #1684 Catholic Daughters of the Americas
We would like to thank Raymond and Maryellen Castellano for their generous donation for the purchase of the Mary statue that will be displayed by Saint Mary Chapel.
Thank you, Father Jeff, Pastor Hank Pekarsky, Business Manager
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State of Our Parish - Adopting a Pew
St. Mary’s parish has a rich tradition of providing many programs and services to the parishioners and community. We are
fortunate to have a beautiful campus that houses two schools, two preschools, a chapel and church. A campus of this size
requires constant upkeep, and has been evident over the past two years, sometimes emergency repairs. We are currently
building a first-floor bathroom to meet the needs of our elderly and handicapped parishioners that cannot navigate the
stairs to the basement facility. Our Mary Mother of God Church was not without its own issues. We recently replaced all
the lights in the Church and in the outside parking lot that had gone dark. Upon inspection, we were informed that one of
the heating units will require replacement very soon. There are also water leaks in the Church, and the parking lot is in
desperate need of repair.
Our weekly collections are not sufficient to cover these expenses nor were they used to pay for completed repairs. We are
offering parishioners an opportunity to ADOPT a PEW to pay for these extraordinary repairs. The pew will be in either
Mary, Mother of God Church or in the Chapel. You will have the option of choosing the pew and its location. The cost is
$1,000. You may pay by installments and upon completion of the payment plan, the plate will be mounted on both ends of
the pew. Thank you for your generosity. God Bless You, Hank Pekarsky - Business Manager
Please consider this opportunity to honor your loved ones while preserving the beauty of our Parish.
In Memory of or Dedicated to:___________________________________________________________________
Donated by:_________________________________________________________________________________
Phone #___________________________________ E-mail____________________________________________
Amount Enclosed: ________________________________Balance due:__________________________________
We would like to thank our parishioners that have adopted a pew.
In Memory of: Frank and Helen Whitley Donated by: The Whitley Family
In Memory of: The Deceased Members of the Dionisio & Cristi Families Donated by: Dionisio Family
In Memory of: The Lindner Family Donated by Michael Lindner
In Memory of: Judy and Bill Michalski Donated by: Billy, Denise & Michael
Dedicated to: The Clayton and O’Neill Families Donated by: Pat Clayton
In Memory of: Frank W. Kakol, Jr. Donated by: Wife, Rose Marie Kakol and Children
Dedicated to: The Flynn and Klingman Families Donated by: Caren and Charles Flynn
In Memory of: The Berrio Family Donated by: James & Kathleen Gotay
In Memory of: The Mungenast and Herlihy Families Donated by: Joe and Laurie Herlihy
In Memory of: The Deceased Members of the Cannon & Tyner Families
In Memory of: Maryann Shinsec and Daniel Kierce Donated by: Stephen Schinsec and Carleen Kierce
In Memory of: Deceased Members of the Hesse Family Donated by: MariAnne Hesse
In Memory of: Ida Miele Donated by: John A. Miele Jr.
In Memory of: Arnold and Della Mastellone Donated by: Della and Jim Policastro
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Well I hope everyone had a wonderful and blessed Thanksgiving! God knows, we all have so much to be
grateful for when we truly look at our lives honestly and openly. It is totally correct and appropriate that
we take time to give thanks to God, not only at Thanksgiving, but every day of the year. And just when you
think that all the leftovers are gone and you can begin to lose some of the Thanksgiving weight, here
comes another holiday season!
You all know the season I’m speaking of………the one that is the reason for so many New Year’s
resolutions……...that’s right, it’s Advent! I bet you all thought I was going to say Christmas, didn’t you?
Well, it’s that too. But I really want to focus on Advent and the proper approach to this liturgical season.
The Catholic Resource Education Center defines Advent in this way. “The liturgical season of Advent marks
the time of spiritual preparation by the faithful before Christmas. Advent begins on the Sunday closest to
the Feast of St. Andrew the Apostle (November 30th). It spans four Sundays and four weeks of preparation,
although the last week of Advent is usually truncated because of when Christmas falls”. (For instance, this
year, the fourth Sunday of Advent is obviously on Sunday, and then that evening is Christmas Eve.) And
yes, the season is about giving and receiving gifts. But it truly is a chance to prepare for the greatest gift of
all in the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Here at Saint Mary School, we will embrace all the season has to offer, but front and center in our daily
interactions, thoughts and prayers will be the impending celebration of the birth of Christ more than 2,000
years ago. It is also an opportunity for families to embrace and teach the traditions of Advent such as the
significance of the Advent Wreath and, believe it or not, the candy cane. Attend mass every week, as a
family, as the weekly scripture readings lead us through the Christmas story to the joy of Christmas
morning. It is possible to relive your own childhood memories of Christmas through your children while
you keep family traditions alive and create new ones that your children will share with their own families
someday. The hardest thing to avoid is getting overwhelmed by the busyness of the season and miss out
on the many blessings that come with it.
It truly is a time of wonder as we prepare for the birth of the Christ child. Enjoy the Advent Season by
taking advantage of all the Church has to offer. Attend mass weekly, pray as a family at home, give of
yourselves freely to others, share your happiness with those who’ve been through difficult times and let
the anticipation of the joy of Christmas morning be on our hearts and lips all the year ‘round!
Please check our website, Facebook page and the Church bulletin for updates and upcoming events that
you can enjoy with us. Please continue to pray for our school, its staff, students and families, and our
clergy as we strive to provide an education that is unapologetically Catholic, family centered, caring to
others and respectful to all.
Principal’s Message
God bless, Craig Palmer
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It’s great day to be a Saint!
The Saint Mary School Math Team got off to a great start in the first Continental Math League
contest of the school year. The eighth grade was led by Jane Kiernan, Precious Ogunsakin, and
Ava Ramos. The seventh grade was led by Katie Baldwin, Domenick Carofine, Cailin
Naughton, and Kasey Wilkens. All named students scored either 5 of 6 or 6 of 6 to qualify for
their certificates. The team showed improvement compared to last year’s first test, so
expectations for this year’s competitions have increased. Go Saints!!
It’s a GREAT day to be a SAINT!
SAINT MARY SCHOOL CALENDAR • 12/6/19 PTA Pizza Day • 12/6/19 Elementary Report Cards Mailed K-2/Grade 3-8 Available Online • 12/8/19 Christmas Bazaar/Breakfast with Santa 9:00 am - 4:00 pm at Saint Mary School • 12/13/19 12:05 pm Dismissal-School & Rectory Staff Luncheon • 12/13/19 PTA Christmas Movie Night • 12/20/19 Christmas Assembly 10:00 am Memorial Hall • 12/20/19 12:05 pm Dismissal-Christmas Recess Begins • 12/21/19-1/1/20 Christmas Break • 1/2/20 Classes Resume
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MASS INTENTIONS
Saturday - December 7, 2019
5:00 John “Jack” Dunphy r/o Family
5:00 Angela Sica r/o Dean & Francesca Graziano
Sunday - December 8, 2019
7:30 Anna Castellano r/o Irma Laush
9:00 James Monahan r/o The Gallagher Family
10:30 Patrick McGee r/o the Family
12:00 For the People of the Parish
5:00 Kimberly Benson r/o The Centrone Family
CANDLES SUNDAY TO SATURDAY DECEMBER 1st TO DECEMBER 7th
St. Mary Chapel Candle For Vocations to the Priesthood
Adoration Chapel Candles Special Intention r/o Chiara Minervini
Anna Spagnoletti r/o Mr. & Mrs. Paul Minervini
Mary, Mother of God Church Candle Deceased Members of the Parish
Sunday – December 1, 2019
7:30 Eileen Donohue r/o Steve & Debbie McCarthy
9:00 For those enrolled in Monthly Memorial Mass
10:30 For the People of the Parish
12:00 Thomas Ryan r/o Wife Linda
5:00 Arlene & Richard Suth r/o Their Family
Monday - December 2, 2019
8:15 Margaret Dicks r/o Daughter
8:15 Robert Sherrier r/o The Moller Family
12:00 Louis & Julia Napoli r/o Donald & Lillian Napoli
12:00 Regina Gaeta-Iovine r/o Oliva Geraldine
Tuesday - December 3, 2019
8:15 James Kennelty r/o Mom & Dad
8:15 Mildred Gannon r/o Tara & John Casey & Family
12:00 Michael Dillon r/o The Kaszuba Family
12:00 Nicholas Albano r/o The Albano Family
Wednesday - December 4, 2019
8:15 Dorothy Canfield r/o Jessie Davis
8:15 Philomena Hayes r/o Margarita Suarez-Cirigliano
12:00 Special Intentions of the Adam Miller family r/o
David & Gale Miller
12:00 Anna Bertone r/o The Murray Family
Thursday - December 5, 2019
8:15 Robert Higgins r/o Dorothy Kelly
8:15 Richard W. Conklin r/o Barbara Noble
12:00 Marie Smith r/o Deacon Charlie
12:00 Rosemarie Rescigno r/o Linda & Nick Fabiano
Friday - December 6, 2019
8:15 Arline Walter r/o Kathy O’Connor
8:15 Margaret Rossi r/o Mr. & Mrs. Ken Gilbertson
12:00 Karen McGrath r/o Husband, Ronald
12:00 Jennifer D’Alvia r/o a friend
Saturday - December 7, 2019
8:15 Mary & Lars Betten r/o Daughter
8:15 John Petito r/o Sansone Family
BORN TO ETERNAL LIFE
Luca Frank Iacono
SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT
Nocturnal Adoration
First Friday at
St. James Church, Red Bank
Dec. 6th, 10 pm to 11 pm
PRAY FOR THE SICK FOR OUR MILITARY
Lord, hold our troops, home and abroad, in Your loving
hands. Protect and bless them and their families, as
they protect us. Amen.
Sgt. Tim Hayes, Special Ops.
LCpl. Robbie McCann, U.S. Marines,
Louis Adamo Army Reserve, U.S. Navy
Sgt. James A. Conklin
Staff Sgt. Michael J. Mangan, Marines
James Chinnici, Staff Sergeant Craig Kubolka II, Army Ranger,
7th Deployment to Middle East
Greg Charpek, U.S. Coast Guard,
H.M Ashley Thompson,
U.S. Navy, Col. Kevin Meisler, Army Reserve, Captain Iraq; LTJG Christopher Baum,
Jonathan Bagnato,
Andrew Leroy,
Ryan Trachman Marines,
Josh Pershing, U.S. Air Force, 3rd tour Iraq,
Master Gunnery Sgt. C.T. Gregoire, Marines, SFC Wesley Briggs, U.S. Army 2 tours
in Iraq, stationed in Egypt;
U.S. Marine Jonathan Alfano
Tanay Mahadik, AirForce, Deployed over seas
Week 3 Carlos M. Ospina
Janet Haley Lisa Torrez
Linda Scaglione Jack Andrews Jan Mosholt
Debbie Johnson Debbie Faaland
Mary Barbara Crowell John Chiarini
Week 4
Joan Buck Margaret Heap
June & Emil DeMarco Sunny Reid
Vincent Kazmierski Anna Lauricella
Manny Konstantinidis
FOR OUR CHILDREN Falyn Szuwalski Brianna Orlando Emily Calabro Arden McPhee
Alexandria Iscaro Addison Noelle Feirstein
Liam Joseph Kelly Amelie Courtney
John James Schultz, Jr
To include someone on the Prayer List call the Parish Office 732-671-0071 x221.
Week 1 Martha Stanislawczyk
Barbara McLeod Darleen Striker
Manny Konstantinidis Eugenina Kelly
Adriana Sanchez John Petersen Carol Natoli Joanne Silver
John Day Lorraine Lauricella
Bill Bellini Frank LaSasso
Week 2
Gene Brennan Tom Ashe
George Wilhelms Ryan Cook
Patrick Smith Deacon Charlie
Joan Cashes Mary Ellen Olszewski
Pat Brennan Cynythia Alvarez
Adam Senft June DeMarco
Bonnie Ruggiero Margaret “Rita” Golinski
Angie Herrera
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Union of Prayer
Each day now, more and more things appear to remind us that the beautiful season of Christmas is fast approaching - ads in the newspapers and magazines, a ton of catalogs that arrive in the mail, department stores begin decorating their windows, songs and Christmas carols on the radio, and Christmas specials on TV. Homes decorated with colorful lights, and Christmas cards begin appearing in the mail box. And let’s not forget, the bills that begin arriving, asking us to pay up, for the gifts that we bought for our loved ones. Christmas, a wonderful and beautiful
time of the year. But this wonderful and beautiful Christmas season is not wonderful and beautiful for everyone. For some, it is a sad and sorrowful time. Those who no longer enjoy good health and the vigor of life, those who may have lost a loved one during the year or may be struggling under the weight of a cross, especially the cross of loneliness; those who no longer have family and friends, or are alienated from family and friends who were once a part of their lives. In a word, those who feel they have no reason to have a song in their heart or joy in their homes. For all these children of God, the season of Christmas is the saddest and most difficult time of the year. Being a follower of Christ means we should have compassion and concern for everyone, especially those with heavy hearts. We celebrate a God who loves us so much that He became one of us, came to us humbly, as a small child. Let’s open the doors of the inn of our hearts to those who see no reason to be cheerful during this holy season, and bid them welcome. Let our warmth and love make them feel that this season is theirs, too. Why not single out a lonely old timer on your block and send him or her a Christmas card. It might be the only card they get! Maybe invite them to grace your table by joining your family for Christmas dinner. Drop a couple of bucks off at The Barn, so they can buy a gift or two for a needy family. Let these brothers and sisters in Christ feel that they are really a part of God’s family. Intention for the Month of December: That those who have wandered away from the Church, for what ever reason, will find their way back to Christ this Christmas.
A blessed and grace filled Christmas to all… Deacon Charlie
