Welcome to Good Shepherd Parish Hopelawn, New Jersey 08861

Transcription

1 Welcome to Good Shepherd Parish Hopelawn, New Jersey MISSION STATEMENT We are called by Jesus as a community of faith to love God and love one another by our acts of worship, fellowship and stewardship. March 29, 2015 The Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Church (1904) 625 Florida Grove Rd., Hopelawn Rev. Michael G. Krull Rev. John Morley Deacon Sam Costantino Deacon Edward Rodes Deacon Albert Coppola Maria C. Arcelay Mary M. Larsen Wayne Behr Holy Spirit Church (1944) 580 Hazel Ave., Perth Amboy Pastor In Residence/Chaplain, Raritan Bay Medical Center R.C.I.A. Parish Secretary/Catechetical Leader Religious Education Secretary/Cemetery Coordinator Director of Liturgical Music MASS SCHEDULE THE PARISH CENTER Parish and Cemetery Offices Saturday Vigil Mass Sunday Masses: Daily Mass Holy Days Confessions: Novenas: 625 Florida Grove Rd., Hopelawn Phone: Fax: Website: Goodshepherd20@verizon.net Office Open Monday-Friday 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM Evenings by Appointment Only Closed Weekends and Federal Holidays 4:30 PM at Most Holy Rosary Church 8:00 AM at Holy Spirit Church 10:00 AM at Most Holy Rosary Church 12:00 Noon at Holy Spirit Church Monday, Wednesday and Friday 8:00 AM at Most Holy Rosary Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday 8:00 AM at Holy Spirit As Announced Saturday Afternoon 3:30-4:00 PM at Most Holy Rosary Miraculous Medal and St. Jude Novena Saturday morning following 8:00 AM Mass at Holy Spirit St. Anthony Novena Wednesday morning after 8:00 AM Mass at Most Holy Rosary PERTH AMBOY CATHOLIC SCHOOLS Holy Spirit Primary School, Sr. Beverly Policastro S.C. (732) St. Stephen Upper School, Sr. Rebecca Piatek CSSF (732) BLESSED SACRAMENT ORATORY Located in the Parish Center Open for Private Prayer during office hours

2 Sacramental Preparation Baptism: is celebrated on the first Sunday of the month at 1:00 PM at Most Holy Rosary Church, and at 9:00 AM on the third Sunday of the month at Holy Spirit. The preparation process should begin at least three months before the planned date of the Baptism. A Baptism Preparation Class is required for parents (godparents may attend if they wish). This class is offered on the fourth Sunday of each month at 9:00 AM at Holy Spirit Church. Please call the parish office to register. The date of the baptism is scheduled after attending the class. Parish membership and active worship is required for two months prior to preparation. Haven t Received Your Sacrament on Schedule? Families of children in grades three and up who have been baptized but have not yet received any formal religious education, as well as those who have not been baptized, should contact the Parish Office for information on how to proceed. Initiation of Adults and Older Children: This is an extended formation process for unbaptized or uncatechized adults or baptized Christians of other faith traditions who wish to become members of the Catholic Church, as well as for unbaptized or uncatechized school-aged children. Please contact the parish office for more information. Initiation is celebrated at the Easter Vigil after a formation period of one or two years. Adult Confirmation: This is a program for persons over the age of 18 who have received the Sacraments of Baptism and First Eucharist, but who never completed their initiation with the Sacrament of Confirmation. The program is a week program, with Confirmation being celebrated on the Solemnity of Pentecost. Please call the parish office for more details. Matrimony: Couples wishing to marry in Good Shepherd parish are required to make initial arrangements at least one year in advance. Four sessions with the priest or deacon, as well as Pre-Cana or Engaged Encounter take place during this year. Parish registration and active worship for at least two months are required before a date may be scheduled. Anointing of the Sick: Anyone who is seriously ill or unable to come to church for a length of time should contact the parish office to arrange for the Anointing of the Sick. Eucharistic Ministers bring Holy Communion to homebound parishioners every Sunday, and one of the priests will visit on the First Friday of each month. Please call the parish office to make arrangements. The Diocese of Metuchen provides Catholic priests to serve at all local hospitals. Holy Orders: If you are interested in learning more about the priesthood or religious life, contact the Vocations Office of the Diocese of Metuchen at ,ext or by at vocations@diometuchen.org or visit Parish Registration: We welcome you to the Good Shepherd Parish Community! Please register at the Parish Office as soon as you are able to do so, and the staff will be more than happy to inform you about our parish and the opportunities we offer. Parish registration is required for religious education, celebration of all Sacraments and certification as a sponsor for Baptism and Confirmation. Regular Sunday worship with us indicates a practicing Catholic, not just parish registration. An assurance of family practice and raising children in the faith they seek is necessary for the sacraments of initiation and certification of sponsorship. Please notify the parish office of any changes in phone number, address, address or when leaving the parish. 2 Good Shepherd Parish Monthly Operating Income & Expense - February 2015* Collection Income** $ 19, Other Income*** $ 10, Total Income $ 30, Expenses**** $ 49, Month's Income/(Deficit) $ (19,263.34) Year-to-Date (Jul '14 - Feb '15) Income/(Deficit) $ (31,955.32) Outstanding Diocesan Debt $ 192, * - Reflects recurring income & expense items. Does not include Cemetery, Capital Campaign or sale of HS rectory activity. ** - Does not include Diocesan/Second collections which are offset by expenses *** - Includes $6,149 for the 50/50 raffle **** - Includes $12,261 for snow removal Collection Report Week of 3/22/15 Weekly TBA Restoration & Repairs TBA If you are interested in purchasing: Bread & Wine, Sanctuary Candle In Honor of/memory of please contact the Parish Office (732) The following dates are available for one or more at Holy Spirit & Most Holy Rosary for the Month of March. ORGANIZATIONS NAME DAY TIME Family Prayer Group (HS) 1st Friday 6:30PM Girl Scouts (HS) 1st & 3rd Thursday 4:30 PM Holy Name Society (MHR) 2nd Thursday 7:00PM Ladies Guild (MHR) 2nd Tuesday 7:00 PM Rosary Altar Society (HS) 1st Sunday 9:00 AM Seniors (HS) Tuesdays 12:30 PM Seniors (MHR) 1st & 3rd Wed. 12:30 PM Youth Ministries (HS) 3rd Friday 7:00PM If you are interested in any of our above organizations/ministries, please contact the Parish Office for more information. MINISTRIES NAME CONTACT PHONE Chairperson-Finance Council Marty Joyce Music Ministry Parish Office Pro Life Lala Vadala Religious Education Maria C. Arcelay Ushers (MHR) Bill Mauro

3 A NOTE FROM OUR PASTOR: Spiritual warp speed, attained This is the week above all other weeks. Holy Week is THE central most important week of the entire Church Year. The liturgies are different. The entrance rite at today s Mass begins with the blessing of palm branches, the proclamation of the Gospel, and the Great Procession, accompanied to a hymn written 1,200 years ago just for this procession. On Holy Thursday, as Mass ends, there is no final blessing it does not come until the end of the Easter Vigil Mass on Holy Saturday evening. This is the most significant and hallowed time of the Church Year. It is a spiritual journey in which we all re-live, liturgically, the events of the last week of Jesus life. Therefore, it is an anamnesis a representing of these events. It s not an historical reenactment, like reading the Declaration of Independence on the Fourth of July. These events of our faith come alive, take place once again in the liturgies of Holy Week so that we may enter into them mystically and may be given deeper insights into their meaning. Therefore, I call ALL members and friends of this parish to a diligent, disciplined and prayerful observance of this Holy Week, 2015 in its entirety. Many people have asked me over the years, Father what should I attend? What is most important? They are ALL important! Each liturgy of this week has its own uniqueness, its own flavor, that to miss one diminishes the experience of the others, and diminishes the whole of Holy Week for you. Remember that the Church considers the Triduum of Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday as ONE liturgy, spread over three days. So plan on spending a LOT of time here this week. Let there be no halftime Christians during these sacred days. Give yourself, devote yourself, and let God change you. It s a week that I thoroughly love, from the first procession today to the last note of the last hymn on Easter Sunday. A few years back, one of my altar servers, observing me this week said, Father Mike, you look like you re having fun. That s because I am! I hope and pray it will be the same for all of you this Holy Week! Attention All Altar Servers: Mandatory Rehearsals for the Holy Week Liturgies are as follows: Holy Thursday: 6:00 PM; Good Friday, 2:00 PM; Holy Saturday, 1:00 PM. Those scheduled for Easter Sunday Masses should be in church and vested at least 20 minutes before Mass begins. If you are NOT scheduled to serve, we can always use the extra help. Please come to the Sacristy 20 minutes before Mass begins. Bells, Bells, Bells: At the Holy Thursday and Holy Saturday Masses, during the singing of the Glory to God, all the bells of the church are rung. This is especially dramatic on Holy Saturday. So we re inviting you to bring a bell and ring a bell on those Masses. It doesn t have to be big I m sure that somewhere you may have a glass bell (or two) that were favors at a wedding reception, or an old school bell. Whatever it is bring it, and ring it! Morning Prayer: As there are no morning Masses on Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday, we will again pray Morning Prayer at 8:00 AM. On Holy Thursday, we will be at Holy Spirit, on Good Friday and Holy Saturday at Most Holy Rosary. If you haven t joined us for this in previous years, please do so this year. Holy Thursday Eucharistic Adoration will take place from the end of the Mass at Most Holy Rosary until 10:30pm. At 10:30 PM, we will have the moving service of Tenebrae, chanted by the men of the choir. If you ve never been to this service, make this the year you join us. Good Friday Stations of the Cross will be at 7:00PM at Most Holy Rosary. We will be using a beautiful (and sometimes tear-jerking) version that looks at each Station from the view of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Tomb of Christ will be set up and open after Morning Prayer until the end of the Stations of the Cross. Holy Saturday Blessing of the Food will take place at 12:00 Noon SHARP at Holy Spirit. Two last notes: Incense Alert: Please note that incense will be used at the Masses of Holy Thursday and the Easter Vigil, and probably at the Masses on Easter Sunday. Schedule Change: Please remember that there are NO Confessions on Holy Saturday, and that there is NO 4:30 PM Mass at Most Holy Rosary on Holy Saturday. Despite this friendly reminder, there are always a few people who show up for it, every year. Have a great and uplifting Holy Week, Fr. Mike For the month of March pray for those who need the support of this community of faith: Mary Murray, Anna Gironda, Andrea Costantino, Greg Rohrbacher, Nellie Padilla, Filbert Maez, Sueann Tarantino, Irene Caso, Janet Anne Dwyer, Shirley Barbieri, David Utter, Catherine Suhay, Carmen Collura, Baby Seraphina, Chuck F., Lillian Estok, Valerie Breyta, Tom Bromirski, Lynn Munoz, Carol Magyar, JoAnn Magyar, Dorothy Maez, Rose Morley, Maryann Petrick, Mike & Kate Adda, Chris Hankerson, William Narvaez, Christopher Paone, Judy Smegelski, William Sienko, Baby Christopher Hernandez, Dan Alvarez, Telofski Family, Elsie Vega, Arnold Jasper, Connie & Vince Montuoro, Drew Horvat, Alexander Simon, Chris Johnson, Nicole Honkisz, Esidore Maey, Nancy Weber, John Zur, Mary Martini, Robert Durso, Barbara White, Ria Orsini, Baby Zachary, Natalie Ulrich. Christian Nunez, Carolyn Tarantino, Gene Jacob, Danny Parker, Bill Karvalis, Sr. Hortensia Diaz, Joey Nemeth, Baby Jael Maldonado, Jerry Disilverstro, Dee Ziemba, Robert (Bob) Pincelli, Nicholas Folfa, Diane Petro Duncan, Tom Kenjon, Heather Gondek, Rosemary Kelesi, Stephen Pry, Carol George, Paul Halek, Nancy Milochik, Rose Celecki, Braden Cruz, Baby M, Ashelyn Polonia, Carmen Titolo, Patricia Kupst, Joann Zamelio, Megan Ortega, Rigoberto Diffoet, Dan & Kathy Balinski & Michael Estok, Jr. If you would like to add or remove a name to this list, please call or the Parish office at : Goodshepherd20@verizon.net. Please keep in mind that we pray for all the sick every day in the general intercessions of the Mass. 3 Please note that our Sick list has unfortunately been growing. Names may be placed on our list for a four-week period and will be removed unless a call is received to request a continuation.

4 Minister Schedule LECTOR Thursday, April 2nd 7:00PM (MHR) Linda Cruz 8:00PM (MHR) Mary DeSimone & Mary Silverio Sunday, April 5th 8:00AM (HS) Rose Lund 10:00AM (MHR) Pauline White 12:00PM (HS) Maria C. Arcelay EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS Thursday, April 2nd 7:00PM (MHR) J. Blockus & M. Ross 8:00PM (MHR) M. Joyce & M. Schendorf Sunday, April 5th 8:00AM (HS) D. Cherubini, L. Loso & C. Mik 10:00AM (MHR) G. Conrady, M. Harper, N. Soltren & L. White 12:00PM (HS) P. Hardish, Mildred & Rudy Morales ALTAR SERVERS Thursday, April 2nd 7:00PM (MHR) E. Cag, L. DeJesus, Abigail & Jordan Gulyas & S. Hilvert Friday, April 3rd 3:00PM (HS) L. Duane, Jacob & Tyler Gonzales 8:00PM (MHR) E. Cag, Adrian & Jazmin Genao, Abigail & Jordan Gulyas, R. Schendorf Sunday, April 5th 8:00AM (HS) M. Lamourt, I. Marrero & M. Yactayo 10:00AM (MHR) Javier & Diego DeJesus, J. Jurado & J. Sierra 12:00PM (HS) J. Arcelay, M. Miranda & J. Polanco MASS INTENTIONS March 30 : Monday of Holy Week 8:00AM (MHR) Audrey Martin Behr Req the Family March 31 : Tuesday of Holy Week 8:00AM (HS) Santo Gianfranceso Req his wife Maria and daughters April 1 : Wednesday of Holy Week 8:00AM (MHR) 7:00PM (MHR) 3:00PM (HS) Perpetual Mass Association April 2 : Holy Thursday Living & Deceased Priests of the Parish April 3 : Friday, The Passion of the Lord Liturgy of the Lord s Passion and Death April 4 : Saturday The Great Vigil of Easter 8:00PM (MHR) Intentions of Good Shepherd Parishioners April 5 : Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord 8:00AM (HS) Intentions of Good Shepherd Parishioners 10:00AM (MHR) Intentions of Good Shepherd Parishioners 12:00PM (HS) Intentions of Good Shepherd Parishioners PRAY FOR HER Please pray that our deceased loved one, Veronica Matey may know the joy and peace of eternal life. Pray that her family may be comforted. Please respect the Sacred Silence For the Week of March 28th - April 3rd SANCTUARY CANDLE Happy 90th Birthday (MHR) Mary C. Breef Req children BREAD AND WINE In Memory of (HS) Daniel Rodes Req Dee & Ron Ziemba (MHR) Santo Giangrancesco Req his Wife & daughters Confession Schedule There are NO Confessions on Following Easter we resume our regular schedule Every Saturday 3:30pm to 4pm - Most Holy Rosary 4 Holy Week SCHEDULE Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday 8:00am Masses HOLY THURSDAY, APRIL 2ND 8:00am Morning Prayer (HS) 7:00pm Mass of the Lord s Supper Followed by Adoration (MHR) 10:30pm The Office of Tenebrae (MHR) GOOD FRIDAY, APRIL 3RD 8:00am Morning Prayer (MHR) 3:00pm Liturgy of the Lord s Passion & Death (HS) 7:00pm Mary s Way of the Cross (MHR) HOLY SATURDAY, APRIL 4TH 8:00am Morning Prayer (MHR) 12pm Noon Blessing of the Food (HS) 8:00pm The Great Vigil of Easter (MHR) EASTER SUNDAY, APRIL 5TH 8:00am (HS) 10:00am (MHR) 12:00pm (HS)

5 TRIPS Please join us!! Sands - Bethlehem Pennsylvania Bus leaves 10am on Thursday, April 23rd, Cost $ 30.00, you get $20.00 in play, $5.00 in food. Please con tact Connie or Ronnie West Side Story - Westchester Broadway Theatre, Elmsford, NY Bus leaves at 9:30am on Thursday, May 14th. Dinner, Show & Transportation included. $90.00 per person. Please contact Don or Mary Harper ORGANIZATIONS Everyone is invited! New members are welcome! Holy Spirit Seniors: Every Tuesday at 12:30pm Meetings are held at the Holy Spirit Church Hall. Most Holy Rosary Seniors: No Meeting Wednesday, April 1st, 12:30pm. Meetings are held at Msgr. Gambino Hall twice a month. Girl Scouts: Thursday, April 2nd, 4pm. Meetings are held at Holy Spirit Church Hall, twice a month. Holy Name: Thursday, April 9th, 7pm at Msgr. Gambino Hall. Meetings are held on the second Thursday of every month. Rosary Altar Society: Sunday, April 12th, Following 8am Mass in the Holy Spirit Hall. Youth Group: Friday, April 17th, 7:00pm Meetings are held at Holy Spirit Church Hall. Ladies Guild: Tuesday, April 14th, 7pm at Msgr. Gambino Hall. Meetings are held on the second Tuesday of every month. Deaf Ministries: Sunday, April 26th, 12:30-6:30pm Meetings are held monthly at Holy Spirit Hall. The Ladies Guild invites you to attend a seminar entitled Estate Planning.Who ME?? ; Tuesday, April 14, 2015 at 7:00pm Monsignor Gambino Auditorium Most Holy Rosary Church The seminar on Estate Planning will be presented by Roger N. Levine, a co-founder of the East Brunswick law firm of Levine & Furman, LLC. The seminar will focus on the importance of everyone having basic estate planning documents that include Living Trusts, Wills, Power of Attorneys, Living Wills, HIPAA disclosures, Basic NJ Estate Tax information and IRA planning. Please join us to find out how we can help protect assets we currently have and make proper estate planning choices for ourselves and our families as we look toward the years ahead. SAVE THE DATE The Good Shepherd Tricky Tray Sunday, October 25, 2015 We had a successful Tricky Tray last year due in most part to your generosity. In order to repeat that feat, we need your help! Donations of new, unused items in their original packaging can be dropped off at the Parish Office during regular business hours. Please note your name and approximate retail price on any donated items. Items needed include: small appliances (coffee makers, toasters, etc.), household items (sheets, towels, pots, pans, etc.); electronics (Kindles, Ipads, Ipods, phones, power tools, etc.). Gift certificates to local businesses, luggage, exercise equipment, barbeque grills and gardening items are also desired. NO clothing or shoes please. Any questions, please call Marie Acciani at or Chris Greges at Purgatorial Mass Society April 2015 Richard Morley Req Julia Possert & Gerry Piegdon Daniel Rodes Req Mary M. Larsen Michael Frontczak Req Chris & Donna Harbinski & Family Enrolled Society members will be listed in the Bulletin once a month. At every First Friday Morning Mass at Most Holy Rosary the names of those enrolled for the month will be placed on the Altar for one year. For the month of April only, it will be observed on Wednesday, April 1st. At the Salvation Army Wednesday, April 8th Food or monetary donations are appreciated. Please call Connie Hudanish at (732) Monday, April 13th The Confirmation Candidates deliver and serve food to the homeless. We could use your help with monetary donations or a simple meal. Please call Mildred at (732) Thank you in advance. A en on Ministers The April-June Minister Schedules are available in the Sacristy of each church. Please pick up your copy after mass. Thank you, the parish office TRAVEL CLUB New Show for 2015 Finding Neverland Sunday, June 14, 2015 at 3:00pm Cost : $ (Adult) (Deposit of $75.00 is required, Reservations will be taken until April 3rd) Please call Phyllis Edwards (732) or Marie Acciani (732) for reservations or information. Call as soon as possible as tickets are limited. Please return all Baskets THIS weekend March 28th-29th The Ladies Guild and Rosary Altar Society are proud sponsors of the Annual Easter Basket collection for the benefit of the children at Catholic Charities. We are asking our church community to help us ensure that these children have a Blessed Easter. Tags for boys and girls, ages 3, 4 and 5 are available at the back of each church and must be returned by March 29 th. Buy or make a basket of goodies. Wrap it, put the tag on the wrapped basket so that the name is visible and return it to the table in the rear of the church. It is important that you return the basket to the same location where you took the tag. If you have any questions, please call Chris Greges at We would like to thank you in advance for the continued generosity that you show to those in need.

6 R.C.I.A. YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO THE CELEBRATION AT THE EASTER VIGIL OF THE SACRAMENTS OF BAPTISM, CONFIRMATION AND EUCHARIST To Be Received By Krystyne Anderson, Christopher Valdez and Gianna Valdez AND THE RITE OF RECEPTION INTO THE FULL COMMUNION OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH of Katherine Duarte, Tobias Duarte, Alex Rodriguez, Diego Rodriquez TO BE CELEBRATED ON APRIL 4, :00 PM AT MOST HOLY ROSARY BECAUSE THE EASTER VIGIL MASS WILL INCLUDE THE ABOVE CELEBRATIONS, IT WILL BE LONGER THAN THE NORMAL SUNDAY LITURGY Support Perth Amboy Catholic Box Tops for Education has helped America s schools earn over $475 million since You can help Perth Amboy Catholic earn cash for the school by clipping Box Tops coupons from hundreds of participating products. Please place your collected coupon donations in the containers provided at each worship site. This is an on-going collection. PERTH AMBOY CATHOLIC SCHOOL AdvancED Accredited/NCA Open Enrollment Primary: Pre-k 3&4, K, 1,2,3 at Carlock & Brace Ave Upper: 4,5,6,7,8 at 500 State Street or Call for an appointment and a personal Tour! Hopelawn Youth Organization Baseball Registration Boys and Girls ages 4-17 Saturdays 11am-3pm at the Majestic Lanes Bowling Alley, 525 Route 9N, Hopelawn, NJ Cost for 1st child (4-12 yr. olds) $75 (13-17 yr. olds) $85 Additional Siblings $40 Season begins in April For more information please call Tony or Norberto RELIGIOUS EDUCATION NEWS: Our last regular session for the year will be held on Saturday, April 25th at 9am. Remember to get your Mass attendance sheets signed by a Priest, Deacon or Catechist. If you forget, take a bulletin and use that in its place. If you have any questions, please call us at the Parish Office. Sixth and Final Special Session April 18th at 9am Children registered in our program are required to attend all special sessions in preparation of Reconciliation, First Communion and Confirmation. Level 2 will meet at Perth Amboy Catholic Primary School, Level 8 will meet in the Holy Spirit Church basement at 9AM. If you have any questions please contact the Parish Office RCIA/Adult Confirma on Our Eleventh Session will be held on Tuesday, April 14th, 7pm, in the Parish Office We hope to see you then! Good Shepherd 2015 Confirmation Students Thank you for your Support. We hope you enjoyed their re-enactment of the Live Stations of the Cross Save the date Vacation Bible School Coming to the Good Shepherd Parish for one week during the summer! July 6th-July 10th (Monday-Friday) 9am 12pm More information to follow!!! Cardinal McCarrick/St. Mary's High School Presents their Annual Gift & Tea Auction Sunday April 26, 2015, 12 noon to 5pm Admission price $20.00 Coffee/Tea and Dessert included. Reserve a table for 10 and have a party at your table! Only 400 Tickets will be sold. For Ticket information call ext. 244 or visit our website wwwrritanbayprep.org. BISHOP GEORGE AHR HIGH SCHOOL One Tingley Lane, Edison, NJ SPRING OPEN HOUSE Monday, April 20, 2015 Program begins at 7pm Meet our faculty, Tour our facility, Hear about our technology, Learn about our Sports, Clubs and Organizations, Student Guides, Brochures available, Refreshments served. All are Welcome! Call , ext. 620 or visit us at bgahs.org.

7 Rice Bowl Campaign Hungering for Seeds of Home We follow Jesus this week in our Lenten journey as he enters into Jerusalem, a community he knew well. CRS Rice Bowl asks us, too, to prayerfully enter into our own communities, to find those who are hungry and thirsty, who need our help. How does our Lenten journey motivate us to serve those we encounter in our daily lives? Thank you! Chrism Mass Monday, March 30, 2015, 7:30pm Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi, Metuchen Bishop Paul G. Bootkoski will celebrate the Chrism Mass with the Priests of the Diocese. At this Mass, the Bishop will bless the Holy Oils which each parish receives for the rites of anointing. Saint Ambrose [ ] began this custom we now call the Chrism Mass-in his Cathedral in Milan. These Holy Oils, which are used to sanctify the Faithful, have been channels of holiness for centuries! At the Mass all Priests make a Renewal of Commitment to Priestly Service, recommitting themselves to their Bishop and to their Ministry to God and His people. The Bishop and all Priests then ask the people for a pledge of their prayerful support. All are strongly encouraged to join in the ancient, grace-filled Chrism Mass. Breakfast Fundraiser Sponsored by Los Criollos at Applebee's Sunday, April 12th, 8am-10am Breakfast includes: eggs, sausage, pancakes, coffee, and juice. Tickets are $10. Walk-ins are welcome!! Please contact Norberto for tickets Catholic School Education Dinner Tuesday, April 14, 2015 The Hyatt Regency New Brunswick Cocktails 6 p.m. ~ Dinner 7 p.m. It s not too late to purchase tickets and join us for this celebration of Catholic schools at which Bishop Paul G. Bootkoski will be honored with the St. John Neumann Award. Proceeds from the event (which includes dinner, a Basket Social and 50/50 Raffle) go directly towards tuition assistance grants for deserving children attending diocesan Catholic schools each fall, helping parents make a Catholic school education possible. To register and pay by credit card, go to our secure website at fcedinner or call CATHOLIC SCHOOL TUITION ASSISTANCE APPLICATIONS FOR NOW AVAILABLE Applications for financial aid through the Diocese of Metuchen Tuition Assistance Program for the school year are now available at all diocesan elementary and secondary schools. Completed applications must be mailed to Private School Aid Service, postmarked no later than Deadline is this Tuesday, March 31, To obtain an application form, please contact the Principal or main office of the school where the student is registering. A printable version of the form, both English and Spanish, is also available on the diocesan website at TuitionAssistance. 7 LENTEN INSTRUCTIONS-2015 So that the Church of Metuchen may be spiritually one in a common observance of Lent, the following days of fast and abstinence are to be observed by all Catholics of the Diocese who enjoy the blessings of good health: 1. The day of fast and abstinence is Good Friday. 2. All other Fridays of Lent are days of abstinence. 3. From the Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper on Holy Thursday until the celebration of the Easter Vigil on the evening of Holy Saturday, the Easter fast should be observed so that, with uplifted and welcoming hearts, we may be ready to celebrate the joys of the Resurrection. This ancient tradition, intimately connected with the Rites of Holy Week and the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, is encouraged, especially in those places baptizing catechumens at the Easter Vigil. The obligation to fast applies only to Catholics between the ages of 18 and 59. To fast in the Catholic tradition means to limit oneself to one full meal during the day so as to experience hunger. The obligation of abstinence affects all Catholics who have reached the age of 14. Abstinence in the Catholic tradition means to abstain from meat and all meat products. The obligation of fast and abstinence, as a whole, is a serious obligation. While failure to observe any penitential day in itself may not be considered serious, the failure to observe any penitential days at all, or a substantial number of them without good cause, would be considered a grave matter. Those unable to abstain for a valid reason on any given Friday of Lent are asked to perform some other penitential act, or to abstain on another day. St. Anthony of Padua 19th Annual Easter Celebration Meal 436 Port Reading Ave. Port Reading, NJ A meal of ham, kelbasa, and all the trimmings will be available for your enjoyment on, to be picked up or delivered to your home. There is no charge for the meal. However a call is needed by Palm Sunday March 29th, by 3:00pm in order to plan properly. Please call , leave your name and we will contact you. Spreading the Word Pilate again said to them, Then what shall I do with the man whom you call the King of the Jews? And they cried out again, Crucify him. Mark 15:12-13 Jesus told us whatever you do for the least of my brothers, you do for me. Every day we are presented opportunities to help someone. Every day we have the opportunity to see the face of Jesus in others and be the face of Jesus to others. Pray for the courage to stand up for those in need of our help Bishop s Annual Appeal Life-Changing Faith The Office of Schools believes that the children are the Church of Tomorrow. It is our moral imperative to provide a strong foundation in both Catholic faith formation and academic excellence. Your gift to the Bishop s Annual Appeal is an investment in the future of our Church. Please consider making a gift today To date, the Development Department has received pledges totaling $22, and payments totaling $22, from 141 parishioners. This represents 93.2% of your $24, goal. Thank you for your efforts