2032 WESTFIELD AVENUE SCOTCH PLAINS, NJ 07076 PHONE: 908.322.5192 WWW.STBARTHOLOMEWCHURCH.ORG

SUNDAY, MAY 31, 2020

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Reflection by Father John Paladino

ENTECOST

Sometimes when things are falling apart, they may actually be falling into place.

PMany of us who grew up in the northern half of the United States are familiar with the old saying about the third month of the year: “If March comes in like a lion, it will go out like a lamb.” Such wisdom from the Farmers’ Almanac might provide for a good (albeit tired) conversation starter, but it will also almost always fail in predicting the way in which one of the most unpredict-able months will play out weather-wise.

It is now nearly June, and while March is long gone, the weather in many parts of the world is still very unpredictable. In many coastal areas of the southern and eastern United States it’s the beginning of hurricane season, a time to begin to prepare for the destructive winds and rains that storms could potentially bring. Summer also brings the threat of severe thunder-storms and deadly tornados. All of these meteorological realities involve wind—not a gentle breeze that gives life, but a destructive force that can kill, rattle sensibilities, and shatter dreams.

We have just heard two very different accounts of what the Spirit is like, In Luke’s account in the Acts of Apostles, the Spirit descended upon the place where everyone was gathered like a lion—the sky opens, and a powerful

wind fills the entire house. And then fire—well, tongues like fire—come out of the sky and descend upon every-one. In John’s account, however, the Spirit comes in like a lamb, the gentle breath of Jesus.

Whether a cooling breeze or mighty, gale-force winds, the Spirit, like the weather patterns we tend to ascribe to the third person of the Trinity, startles us and invites change.

The disciples gathered in the Upper Room of John’s account had locked themselves in, paralyzed by fear. Je-sus comes to them in their distress, paying no heed to doors or locks, offering them peace. And upon offering them the gifts of the Holy Spirit—the gifts of peace, forgiveness, comfort, doors unlocked and opened—he calls upon the disciples to open the door and share the same gifts with the world in his name.

Once the sky was opened in the Holy City of Jerusalem, those gathered “from every nation under heaven” were startled, not only by what they heard but also what they understood. Today we are reminded of another gift of the Spirit, the gift of understanding and common ground, which in our increasingly divided world sur-prises us. We who come from a variety of origins and perspectives are given the gift of common ground, if we choose to seek it out to bring about the common good.

God, through the Holy Spirit, moves us—nudging ever so slightly, or shaking us to our core when we need it most. And by all accounts all of us could use a bit of shaking right now. We need to be shaken out of our comfortable perspectives, like our wealth and our inability to see the poverty that surrounds us, the racism that not only rests in hearts but is built into every structure in our society, the fear of otherness that prevents the beauty of beloved community.

The Spirit shakes, causing us to hear and understand each other, especially the perspectives we actively or passively choose not to listen to or comprehend.

Jesus greets us in the comfort of our locked rooms, where we hide from the realities of our wounded lives and broken world, and he offers us peace. In that peace we are given the courage to unlock doors and meet the world outside. We receive the Holy Spirit, which allows us to forgive ourselves and show others how to do the same, in the name of a liberating God.

Whether the Spirit comes to us as a lion or a lamb, what comes next, like the weather, is unpredictable. Our in-vitation is to welcome the Spirit and to be open to the ways in which we can and will be changed—and through us, how the world can be transformed.

Liturgical Life, Community Outreach, Messages to our Parishioner

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SUNDAY MORNING GRADES 1-4WHOLE FAMILY CATECHESIS GRADES 3-6

INCLUSIVE FAITH FORMATION

FOR MORE INFO CONTACT CONNIE BORUCHreligioused@stbartholomewchurch.org

908.322.2359As we look forward to the 2020-2021 school year with hope and joy, the Religious Ed Office has been emailing registra-tion forms to all families who would be returning/entering in the fall. If you have not received your registration form, please contact our office at religioused@stbartholomew-church.org. Religious Ed Families, please also continue to keep an eye out for our emails containing ideas and links to activities and videos. May the light of God’s love in Jesus’ Resurrection bring us all hope and peace.

Cardinal Tobin, Archbishop of Newark

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Help us to Help Others Together We Can

FOR MORE INFO CONTACT JENNIFER RYANjryan@stbartholomewchurch.org

FOR MORE INFO CONTACT ELAINE COUPEstbcommunityoutreach@gmail.com

ANGELS ON THE FRONTLINE

OPERATION SENIORS

We are still collecting homemade angels so that we can show those that are on the frontline that we appreciate their hard work. We hang the angels in the front yard of someone who is nominated by you with a big sign that says "You have been Angel'd". Please continue to make angels and put them in the basket in front of the rectory. If you would like to nominate someone, email Elaine Coupe. We will continue as long as we have angels to share!

We have been contacting our seniors to check in and to let them know we are thinking about them. The calls were met with thanks and appreciation. At this time, we are offering to mail the bulletin to any of our seniors that are interested. All you have to do is contact the rectory to get on the list! The good news is our seniors are doing great, and are well cared for by their families and neighbors! We even had a Senior ZOOM meeting this week! If you are a senior and would like to join our Friday ZOOM meetings at 10am just contact Elaine for the information.

Youth Group is winding down for the year. Like everything else, the YG program has spent the last couple of months in a very different format. The themed weekday texts have offered prompts to think about things outside of one's own surroundings, do something for other people, laugh, re-member fond YG memories and continue to explore our faith. The texts and gather-ings have, in some ways, been even more inclusive than our personal gatherings, reminding our alumni that they are not alone and that they are still part of the St. Bartholomew Church YG Family. As a high school or early college student, they have more in common during this pandemic than anybody else can try to imagine. Our YG Family has always tried to remind the students that God is always walking be-side them, footprints in the sand, they will never be alone. Over the next couple of weeks, we will be honoring our graduates and welcoming our newest members as they prepare to enter into their high school years.

A VERY SPECIAL THANK YOUThank you to all who made Angels for our front line workers, to all who made cards for patients in Hospice, to all who made cakes for the Hospice families, to all who donate food to our pantry, (it has helped many families and organizations in need each week), to all who contact us each day asking how they can help. It is during this time of darkness, that the light of Christ shines. There is nothing that can stop the love we share with eachother. Thank you for continuing the mission by help-ing those around you.

PANTRY NEEDSPlease keep your donations coming by placing them in the basket in front of the rectory. We specifically need large sized diapers (4 and 5), rice, chick peas, toilet paper/paper towels and gift cards to food stores. Your donation goes a long way to helping those that are struggling.

CARDS OF HOPEWe are still collecting cards for our guests at Center for Hope Hospice. All you have to do is write out an inspiring card or make one! Fill it with words of hope and love. We can let our most vul-nerable know that we pray for them and continue to care for them.

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BAPTISMS

A TIME TO HEAL PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR SICK.

Edilberto Agaton Jr. Victoria Armstrong Helen Campbell Tami Eddy Palmiro Ferraro Deacon Bob GurskeEmma Lara Baby Olivia MaryPeter Morgan Paul Pettit Richard Rosko Kenneth & Maureen Vincent

RECONCILIATIONThe Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession)

is celebrated every Saturday at 4pm.

Please Note:For privacy reasons and HIPAA regulations, names may only be added by members of the immediate family after theyhave received permission of the one who is ill or injured.

WEDDING

Baptisms are celebrated throughout the month on Saturdays and Sundays. First-time parents are required to attend a

Baptismal Preparation Class, held the last Sunday of each month at 1:30pm. Registration in advance is required.

Please call 908.322.5192.

Archdiocesan policy requires that arrangements be made with a parish priest or deacon as soon as

the engagement is announced.

In the event of serious illness or hospitalization, the rectory should be notified. Visits to the sick and shut-ins are made by

the priests, deacons and ministers of the Eucharist. It is not necessary for someone to be “gravely ill” to receive the

Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick.

Sunday, May 317:30am Agnes Azzara req. by the Redwood Rd Friends Leo Krahel req. by Frank & Martha Marino9:00am Christian Scannell req. by Parents Sally Hobbs req. by the Fazzino Family10:30amRobert Langon req. by Mari & Monk McDevitt Dolores Dino Walker req. by Chris & Paul MilanNoon Anne Bardolf req. by Richie & Dana Kuchar Maria Marsari req. by Madeline & Carmine Malgieri Monday, June 16:30am Hugh Gallagher req. by the Thomas Family 8:30am Christopher Ferkenhoff req. by SBA Faculty & StaffTuesday, June 26:30am Catherine Kellett req. by her Loving Family 8:30am William Coupe req. by Bob & JoanneWednesday, June 3 6:30am People of the Parish8:30am John Iovino req. by his Loving FamilyThursday, June 4 6:30am People of the Parish8:30am Yvette Esperanza req. by Fran ValentineFriday, June 56:30am People of the Parish8:30am Leo Salise Fudalan req. by Sr. Maureen Himchak & ASLFSaturday, June 68:30am Mr. & Mrs. George Moran req. by Mr. & Mrs. John Kovalcik5:00pm Filomena Iasello req. by her Children Laurie Prusik req. by Pat Kane Edward G. Witkowski req. by the Gtera FamilySunday, June 77:30am Dan Bardolf req. by Linda & Larry Juelis James Riccardo req. by Andrea Baglien Pat Hook Glaydura req. by UC Class of 19669:00am Hana Hludzik req. by Michael & Sue Otchy Mary S. Ryan req. by the Vignola Family Antionette Perrucci req. by Peter & Maria DiNizo10:30amJean Burke req. by Loving Family Joseph & Georgette Magrino req. by daughter, Cathy Nicola DiFrancesco req. by Josephine IarussiNoon Nancy Iosca req. by Margherita Lamorte Patrice Zaremba req. by Kathy & Tim Laspe Robert Farina req. by Loving Wife, Mary

Sacraments, Prayers, Special Intentions & Mass Intentions

WELCOMED HOME BY GOD

Our sympathy and prayers are extended to the family ofKevin Duddy

Veronica KingNicola Novello

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord.

PARISH OFFICE

Rectory Directory, Available Services, This Week’s Calendar, Social Media & Stewardship of Treasure

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If you are an individual, a couple or a family that is experiencing difficulties, there are counseling services avail-able to you. All calls are confidential. Fees can be adjusted to one’s finan-cial situation. Please note, that no one will be turned away for an inability to pay. Counselors available to you:

Barbara Stumm-Gray, Ed.S. p: 908.232.0893

Joseph Ochs, LPC p: 732.221.6673

Dina Brue, LCSW p: 646.643.5345

Laura Otchy, MS, Ed.S. LPC p: 973.580.5930

COUNSELING SERVICESAVAILABLE

CONTACT US

Rectory/Parish Offices Phone: 908.322.5192 Fax: 908.322.2598

Email: contact@stbartholomewchurch.org

Website: www.stbartholomewchurch.org

Academy Office Phone: 908.322.4265

Fax: 908.322.7065Email: admissions@stbacademy.org

Website: www.stbacademy.org

MASS AVAILABLE ON TV!For the home bound Parishioner, tune in on Sundays at 10am to watch Mass. Comcast channel 34 or Verizon chan-nel 22.

Paul MilanPASTORAL ASSOCIATE for

DIVINE LITURGY and SACRED MUSICpmilan@stbartholomewchurch.org phone ext. 260

Patricia KremaPASTORAL ASSOCIATE for

DIVINE LITURGY and ADULT FAITH FORMATION pkrema@stbartholomewchurch.org phone ext. 126

Elaine CoupeDIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY OUTREACH

stbcommunityoutreach@gmail.com phone ext. 141

Jennifer RyanDIRECTOR OF YOUTH MINISTRY

jryan@stbartholomewchurch.org phone ext. 155

Jennifer MortaruloDIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS

jmortarulo@stbartholomewchurch.org phone ext. 130sbbulletin@verizon.net

Kathy KobliskaOFFICE MANAGER

kkobliska@stbartholomewchurch.org phone ext. 100

Cindy PitonzoBUSINESS MANAGER

cpitonzo@stbartholomewchurch.org phone ext. 129

David TrianoFACILITIES MANAGER

Paulette CoronatoJoseph Dillon

PARISH TRUSTEES

FOLLOW, LIKE & SHARE@stbartchurch

Connie BoruchPASTORAL ASSOCIATE for

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION and FORMATIONreligioused@stbartholomewchurch.org phone ext. 235

Teresa QuigleyDIRECTOR OF WHOLE FAMILY CATECHESIS

religioused@stbartholomewchurch.org phone ext. 235

Rectory Phone: 908.322.5192

Sandra CarrollSAFE ENVIRONMENT DIRECTORstbartpgc@gmail.com phone ext. 135

Religious Education Office Phone: 908.322.2359

E: religioused@stbartholomewchurch.org

Stewardship of Treasure May 24, 2020

Easter 2020 to date Total $58,452

To keep up with events, fundraisers, happenings of all kinds at the parish, follow us on Facebook!

Easter 2019 Total $63,775

Deficit ($5,323)

St. Bartholomew's has part-nered with Amazon Smile. Please remember that while you shop consider using smile.amazon.com. The Amazon Smile Foun-dation will donate 0.5% of the price of eligible pur-chases to our church. It's no additional cost to you! Choose St. Bartholomew Church via this link: https://smile.amazon.com and start shopping! Thank you for your support.

Envelope CollectionTotal $5,652

Faith Direct (on-line giving)Total $9,282

Total $14,934

Did you know that St. Bar-tholomew pays a small fee for all gifts made using credit cards? Faith Direct is now offering a way for families to give a little bit extra each month to offset these processing costs. We ask you to please prayer-fully consider adding 2.5% to the processing to off-set your regular tithing so that we can receive the full amount of your gifts each month. If you manage your giving online, you can log into your FD account and check the box on the page where you can update your payment info. You can also contact FD's customer service team to make the change for you. Thank you for your continued support.