P M S M S : P R E P (PREP): L" M#:

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45 Anderson Street; Raritan, NJ 08869 Tel. (908) 725-1008 Fax (908) 707-1915 St. Ann School: 29 Second Avenue; Raritan, NJ 08869 Tel. (908) 725-7787 Fax (908) 541-9335 St.

(908) 725-2256 M S : Daily: Monday-Friday: 7:00am and 7:00pm Saturday: 9:00am Weekend: Saturday Vigil: 4:00pm Sunday: 7:30am, 9:00am, 10:30am, and 12 Noon Holy Days: Under Upcoming Events or within

1 45 Anderson Street; Raritan, NJ Tel. (908) Fax (908) St. Ann School: 29 Second Avenue; Raritan, NJ Tel. (908) Fax (908) St. Ann Convent: 29 Second Avenue; Raritan, NJ Tel. (908) M S : Daily: Monday-Friday: 7:00am and 7:00pm Saturday: 9:00am Weekend: Saturday Vigil: 4:00pm Sunday: 7:30am, 9:00am, 10:30am, and 12 Noon Holy Days: Under Upcoming Events or within the church bulletin C: Saturday: 9:30am-10:00am & 3:00-3:45pm P R: Any new family who has moved into the parish, or adult children 18 and over, are invited to register at our parish after any Sunday Mass or visit the rectory 8am to 4pm Monday through Friday. Also, please notify us if you move. S. A S R - Pre-K to 8th grade: Our dedicated and experienced faculty are committed to providing a quality education focused on Faith, Family and Community. Call us at for more information, to visit our school or to register your child(ren). P R E P (PREP): Grades 1-8: Monday: 6:15pm to 7:30pm Grades 1-7: Thursday: 6:15pm to 7:30pm Special Needs PREP: Grades 1-8: Tuesday: 6pm- For more information and Registration packet, please call Sr. Phyllis in the rectory. E G: St. Ann s offers parishioners the opportunity to make Online Church contributions! Log onto then scroll down, and click on St. Ann Parish Online Donation System. You will be connected to a secure site where you may enter your information. Thank you for your continued support! R.C.I.A.: We welcome all individuals who wish to become members of the Catholic Church as well as baptized Catholics who never received their First Communion or Confirmation and are interested in becoming full participants in the Catholic faith to contact Rev. Msgr. Michael J. Corona, PA, KCHS, Pastor Rev. John J. Werner, Parochial Vicar Deacon John R. Pacifico, Permanent Deacon Deacon Conrad Paulus, Permanent Deacon Deacon Roy Rabinowitz, Permanent Deacon Sr. Dolores Toscano, M.P.F., Superior / Pastoral Associate Sr. Mary Klersey, M.P.F., Principal Sr. Phyllis Vella, M.P.F., Director of Religious Education info@stannparish.com P M S Inspired by the Holy Spirit, we the Catholic Parish of St. Ann embrace all as family & continue Christ's mission by exemplifying the love of God & neighbor as stewards of God's gifts to us. M: The common policy of marriage requires that arrangements be made at least One Year before the date of marriage and before any social plans are made. Bride or Groom must be a parishioner. Please do not make any arrangements until you have met with the pastor, Msgr. Corona, and the wedding date has been approved. B: First Sunday of the month at the Noon Mass, as well as the second, third and fourth Sunday at 1:30pm. Instruction for new parents takes place on the second Saturday of the month at 10am. Arrangements are made with the rectory. S G : Must be 18 years old, registered as an adult and be confirmed in the Catholic Church. If you are married, your marriage must be recognized by the church. This is especially important if you wish to be a sponsor for Confirmation or a Godparent for Baptism. It takes 6 months of attending Mass to be eligible for both of these privileges. L" M#: Lazarus Ministry contacts and helps families of deceased parishioners. Providing greeters at funeral liturgies, preparing meals and house sitting are several ways parishioners assist families. Also, a Mass of Remembrance is held every November for those deceased that year. M# S$: Parishioners who are homebound are visited on the first Friday of each month by our Deacons & Religious. If you know of a parishioner that is seriously ill or hospitalized, please call the rectory. L$ F($: Please join us on Facebook. Our Church Facebook page includes important information concerning activities and special dates. Please LIKE US at The Catholic Church of St. Ann-Raritan, NJ. THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD JANUARY 3, 2016

2 Dear Sisters and Brothers, Happy New Year! THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD JANUARY 3, 2016 In many European countries, Three Kings Day is considered by most people to be more important than Christmas and many children wait until that day to open their presents. For instance, Madrid and other Spanish cities celebrate with three kings riding camels through the streets, laden with sweets and presents for children. The Madrid event, which sees the streets lined with tens of thousands of people, is broadcast on national television and is one of the most watched programmes of the year. Viewers can see children scrambling to pick up the sweets thrown out to them by the kings. In households across Spain, families leave out food and drink to refresh the kings, as well as water for their camels and one shoe for each person in the house. According to the tradition, they come from the east on their camels to visit the houses of all the children and, much like Santa Claus with his reindeer, they visit everyone in one night. There is a tradition of burning fires---epiphany fires---to light the way of the three kings. The following day, those children who have been well behaved throughout the year will find that the food has been eaten and that a small gift has been left in their shoe. How well do we know the Epiphany story? How many of us think of a Christmas-card image of three kings, wearing crowns and riding camels, following a star towards a stable in the distance? In fact, the Gospel simply describes them as wise men and doesn t specify that there were three or that they arrived on camels. There are thought to be three because there were three gifts for baby Jesus. The tradition that the magi were kings dates from around the sixth century; so, too, the names of Melchior, Caspar and Balthasar. St. Matthew s description of the wise men as coming from the east probably referred to Babylon (Iraq) or Persia (Iran). Babylon had a tradition of astronomy and the means to study the stars. Yet some of the earliest images of the magi in churches show them in Persian dress. The gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh had symbolic meaning. Gold meant kingship and power. Frankincense, a highly fragrant gum burned in worship to God, symbolised holiness and righteousness. Myrrh, an embalming spice, meant death, foreshadowing the execution of Jesus. But the greatest significance of the story is that it highlights that non- Jewish people from across the world recognised Jesus as king soon after his birth. The wise men were the first to reveal Jesus to a wider world as the incarnate Christ, and in popular Epiphany celebrations they often represent the African, Asiatic and European peoples---there s a tradition that each of the kings represents a different continent: Europe (Melchior), Asia (Caspar) and Africa (Balthasar). St. Matthew hints at the eventual spread of the Gospel beyond the Jewish people. Indeed the presence of the star suggests that the baby Jesus is revealed to the whole of creation. Today s joyful celebration reminds us that for God there are no foreigners, no outsiders. The wise men teach us that Jesus came for all peoples, of all nations, of all races. The call today is to live our lives in such a way that in our words to people and about people, and in our actions, we will never behave in any way except as caring brothers or sisters. It is also a time to focus on healing the divisions of prejudice and bigotry that we all too often create between God s children. We are in a season of peace, and perhaps we can reflect on the causes of conflict and wars and try to address them. On January 1 st, World Peace Day, we were invited by our Church to be peacemakers in the world. At the Epiphany the light of a star guided the wise men to the birthplace of Jesus; and we see how all creation is responding to the new life brought by the appearance of Jesus. Perhaps, too, we could reflect on making peace with all God s creation. Epiphanies are transforming events, and the feast of the Epiphany allows us to see and be changed in all our relationships. The Epiphany invites us to reflection on the consequences of the life of Jesus for our discipleship on behalf of humanity and the entire created order. In your charity, pray for the sick and the lonely visit them if you can. Please remember to pray for all who have wandered from the Faith and all who have died. Also, pray for the souls of the faithful departed of our Parish family. May God always be pleased with us! Monsignor Michael OUR SCRIPTURE LESSONS REMIND US: that the Epiphany in Spain is a naonal celebraon with street parades; that the Genle kings were the first to reveal Jesus to a wider world as the incarnate Christ; and that Epiphany is a me to cross boundaries and build peace. It is a me to reflect on our discipleship on behalf of humanity and the enre creaon.

SAUSE by The Sause family WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2016 7am SALVATORE AND ROSALIA RUSSO by Caterina Fusca MR. AND MRS.

by Jim and RoseMarie ELISABETTA GIANNI by children and grandchildren SATURDAY, JANUARY 9, 2016 9am ROBERT VOLK by family 4pm FILIPPO AND ANNA DIBETTA by Angelo and Catherine Viscariello SUNDAY,

NAPOLITANO by Victor Nazario and JoAnn Liptak 12 noon PEOPLE OF THE PARISH OUR MILITARY Let Us Remember...In our prayers, the men and women serving in our Nation s Armed Forces.

3 THE CATHOLIC CHURCH OF ST. ANN, RARITAN MASS INTENTIONS MONDAY, JANUARY 4, am DOROTHY LEINENBACH by Terry Brown FRANK SACINO by Terry and Jim DeMuro TUESDAY, JANUARY 5, am GEORGE DALSON by Mary Anne Zarillo ROBERT SAUSE by The Sause family WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 6, am SALVATORE AND ROSALIA RUSSO by Caterina Fusca MR. AND MRS. GIUSSEPPE GRASSO by Pina and family THURSDAY, JANUARY 7, am THERESA DEMURO by Mr. & Mrs. Daniel McNulty & family ANTONIO AULETTA by Antoinette Gianni FRIDAY, JANUARY 8, am HENRY CONDO, JR. by Jim and RoseMarie ELISABETTA GIANNI by children and grandchildren SATURDAY, JANUARY 9, am ROBERT VOLK by family 4pm FILIPPO AND ANNA DIBETTA by Angelo and Catherine Viscariello SUNDAY, JANUARY 10, :30am SUSANNE HASKOOR by Bob and Pat Ronca 9am DOMENICO NATALE by wife, Emilia Natale 10:30am JOSEPH OCHAB AND JOSEPH P. NAPOLITANO by Victor Nazario and JoAnn Liptak 12 noon PEOPLE OF THE PARISH OUR MILITARY Let Us Remember...In our prayers, the men and women serving in our Nation s Armed Forces. May God bless them & keep them safe. Major Michael A. De Cicco; U.S. Army Victor Dulay, Jr.; U.S. Marine Corps L Cpl Matthew John; U.S. Marine Corps PFC Gavin John; U.S. Marine Corps CW4 Michael Lopez, Jr. PFC Vincenzo Mattei; U.S. Army Major Michael Morella; U.S. Army Sgt Dan Neville; U.S. Marine Corps This Week of January 3-9, 2016 WE REMEMBER AND HONOR ALTAR CANDLE ROBERT SAUSE Requested by The Sause family SPC Keith Ressa; U.S. Army PFC Daniel J. Salvo; U.S. Marine Corps Corp Jonathan Schultes; US Marine Corps Major Louis P. Simon; U.S. MarineCorps PFC Jerome C. Sunga; U.S. Army Jack Vara; U.S. Marine Corps Sgt Janet Wyka; U.S. Army Pray for the souls of those who have given their lives in service to our country. (Please advise the Parish Office if your family member s military status or rank has changed, or if a name should be included on our list.) Pat Adamo David Alves Sandra AY Patrick Bliss Yolanda Bontempo Michael Brennan Chester Butkiewicz Joanmarie Carlone Anna Carra Albert Charles Bruno Cirianni Mark Cusati Harold D Alessio Michele D Angelo Angela DeFina Joseph De Lucia Mary Ann De Maio Ann Descoteau Raymond Descoteau Maria M. Desiderio Lydia DiGiuseppantonio Catherine (Trina)DuMont Leah E. Sage Escalante Mike Faccone Carmela (Millie) Fasano Mary & Richard Felice Mike Fogorty Susan Foti Maria Fusca Teresa Galaini Anthony Gambino Madison Gara Elizabeth Gecik Eleanor Giraldi Rosemary Gonzales Harold Grasso Leonard Grasso, Sr. Ruth Gulick Melanie Heim James Holmes Doris Kelco Joseph Kowalski Bernadette Laggini Barbara Langon Anthony Luzminda Eric M. MaryAnn Mangiaracina Frank Marrone Rosalie Marrone Giovanna Martini Louis Mattei Pauline Mengak Jack Merwin Nancy Natale Nicoletta N. Margaret O Donnell Olga Orlando Dottie Pacifico Frances Peebles PRAYER LIST John Peiffer Carol Pepere-Occhiato Frank Ratkowski Angie Romano Loni Rose Cosette Ruh Marianne San Filippo Sanbeda Santos Phyllis Serafin Raffaela Simonetti Mary Shallanberger Cathy Stinziano Frank & Lucille Sudano Immaculata Suriano Dolores Talamini Eva Terlizzi Tommarie Tibaldi Anthony Tomaro Gianna Torgrimsen Anthony Tracchio Carolyn Trepiccio Louis Troisi, Sr. Marie Vale Maria Varvaro Richard Vetack Vincent Viscariello Carmella Vitale Emily Vokes Angela White Ron Wyka Antonia Y. Lisa Yoder the Gentiles are co-heirs, members of the same body, and co-partners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the Gospel. (Ephesians 3:6) Today we celebrate that Christ came to all of us, not just the Hebrews. He made us all one body with Him. We were all given different gifts; we all have different yet equally valuable roles to play in the Body of Christ. Ask God how He wants you to use your gifts so that we may all be one in this Year of Mercy. READINGS FOR WEEK OF JANUARY 3, 2016 Sunday: Is 60:1-6; Eph 3:2-3a, 5-6; Mt 2:1-12 Monday: 1 Jn 3:22 4:6; Mt 4:12-17, Tuesday: 1 Jn 4:7-10; Mk 6:34-44 Wednesday: 1 Jn 4:11-18; Mk 6:45-52 Thursday: 1 Jn 4:19 5:4; Lk 4:14-22a Friday: 1 Jn 5:5-13; Lk 5:12-16 Saturday: 1 Jn 5:14-21; Jn 3:22-30

THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD JANUARY 3, 2016 SUNDAY, JANUARY 3, 2016 E L M: 7:30am + 9am + 10:30am + 12N Food Drive 2nd Collec.

6:16-7:30pm: PREP classes (s) TUESDAY, JANUARY 5, 2016 D0 M: 7am & School Resumes 6-: Special Needs PREP (s) 7-8:45pm: RCIA mee$ng (sl) 7:30pm: Columbie6es mee$ng (cmr) 7:30pm: Social Ministry mee$ng

& 6:15-7:30pm: PREP classes (s) 8-9pm: Santo Nino Novena (Day 1) (cmr) FRIDAY, JANUARY 8, 2016 D0 M: 7am & 8-9pm: Santo Nino Novena (Day 2) (cmr) SATURDAY, JANUARY 9, 2016 C: 9:30am & 3pm D0 3: 9am

4 THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD JANUARY 3, 2016 SUNDAY, JANUARY 3, 2016 E L M: 7:30am + 9am + 10:30am + 12N Food Drive 2nd Collec.on: Diocesan Assessment all Masses 9am Mass: Altar Society Corporate Communion 10-11am: Rosarian mee$ng (cmr) 10:30am Mass: Baby s First Christmas : Bingo (sc) MONDAY, JANUARY 4, 2016 D0 M: 7am & 6:16-7:30pm: PREP classes (s) TUESDAY, JANUARY 5, 2016 D0 M: 7am & School Resumes 6-: Special Needs PREP (s) 7-8:45pm: RCIA mee$ng (sl) 7:30pm: Columbie6es mee$ng (cmr) 7:30pm: Social Ministry mee$ng (rcr) 7:30pm: BINGO (sc) WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2016 D0 M: 7am & 12:30pm: School Dismissal 4:30-5:30pm: First Reconcilia$on prac$ce (c) 5-8:30pm: choir Prac$ce (cl) THURSDAY, JANUARY 7, 2016 D0 M: 7am & 6:15-7:30pm: PREP classes (s) 8-9pm: Santo Nino Novena (Day 1) (cmr) FRIDAY, JANUARY 8, 2016 D0 M: 7am & 8-9pm: Santo Nino Novena (Day 2) (cmr) SATURDAY, JANUARY 9, 2016 C: 9:30am & 3pm D0 3: 9am ++++ Vigil Mass: 4 pm 9am-6pm: CYM Basketball Games (sg) 10am: First Reconcilia$on (c) 2nd Collec.on: Together in Charity at 4pm Mass MINISTRY SCHEDULE SATURDAY, JANUARY 9, 2016 A S: Julia Harvis, Jamie Mallinson & Grace Max- 4pm ton R : Rick Stevens EucharisEc Ministers: Michael Florczak & Cathy Stevens SUNDAY, JANUARY 10, :30am A S: Peter DeSans and Joey Sause R : Rob Sause E M: Chrisne Esposito & Carmine Iovine 9am A S: Sal Wiecenski, Joseph & Tanner Gorky R : Stephanie Kedziora E M: Jim and Jane Fidacaro 10:30am A S: Tyler Gee, Brendan and Danny McNulty R : Sr. Mary Klersey EucharisEc Ministers: Harold and Jackie D Alessio 12 noon A S: Morgan Hill, Kevin Sawtell & Damian Bar- THE FEAST OF THE EPIPHANY January 6 This marks the end of the 12 days of Christmas and celebrates the visit of the Wise Men to the baby Jesus. These men, often called Kings or Magi, brought valuable gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to honour the baby. The gift of gold was the gift people usually gave to their King. By giving gold they were recognizing Jesus as their King. The second gift, frankincense, is a white gum from a tree which when hardened will burn giving off a fragrant smell. It was burnt as an offering to God during worship, used as a medicine and a perfume. The third gift, myrrh, also a gum from thorny tree was used for healing wounds because it is antiseptic, soothes redness and relieves pain. Epiphany is the day when all Christmas decorations need to be taken down otherwise it is said to bring bad luck. CHURCH CALENDARS 2016 Liturgical Calendars are available in the church lobby (while supplies last) Our appreciation to Bongiovi Funeral Home for providing our calendars. The day before the Epiphany is the twelfth day of Christmas and is sometimes called Twelfth Night. In the Church calendar the Epiphany season lasts until Shrove Tuesday.

THE CATHOLIC CHURCH OF ST. ANN, RARITAN St. Ann Parish is in need of a Rectory Cook to work 4 days a week to prepare evening meals.

WINE TASTING RAFFLES MARDI GRAS MADNESS Stop by the school or rectory to enter into a drawing, held at our Wine Tasting on February 6.

need not be present. All proceeds go to support St. Ann School Technology Upgrades.

Ann School Cafeteria; 29 Second Ave; Raritan, NJ Saturday, February 6, 2016 7-10pm WINE TASTING Menu Appetizers ~~ Salads Jambalaya ~~ Shrimp Etoufee

.. Mardi Gras Soiree of Wine & Food $50/pp advance purchase by 2/1/2016 ~~ $60/pp after 2/2/2016 (St.

Tickets: call our school at 908-725- 7787. Questions email Cindy Haddad at cindy.haddad@icloud.

Mary Byzantine Catholic Church; Hillsborough to Celebrate THE BLESSING OF THE RARITAN RIVER At the scenic NEVIUS STREET BRIDGE in Raritan Sunday,

This service will be celebrated in conjunction with the Feast of the Theophany, the commemoration of the Baptism of Jesus by St.

com/biz/nevius-street-bridge-raritan KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS MONTHLY BREAKFAST Looking for a good place for breakfast?

5 THE CATHOLIC CHURCH OF ST. ANN, RARITAN St. Ann Parish is in need of a Rectory Cook to work 4 days a week to prepare evening meals. If interested contact the Rectory at WINE TASTING RAFFLES MARDI GRAS MADNESS Stop by the school or rectory to enter into a drawing, held at our Wine Tasting on February 6. For a donation of $5 per ticket to win either a: 60 inch 4K Ultra HD Smart LED LCD TV ~~~~~~~~~~AND/OR~~~~~~~~~~~ 50/50 RAFFLE For either, winner need not be present. All proceeds go to support St. Ann School Technology Upgrades. For more info call (school) or (rectory). St. Ann s Wine Cellar St. Ann School Cafeteria; 29 Second Ave; Raritan, NJ Saturday, February 6, pm WINE TASTING Menu Appetizers ~~ Salads Jambalaya ~~ Shrimp Etoufee Penne Vodka ~~ Chicken Rollatini Eggplant Rollantini ~~ Sliced Brisket St. Ann s Community presents... Mardi Gras Soiree of Wine & Food $50/pp advance purchase by 2/1/2016 ~~ $60/pp after 2/2/2016 (St. Ann School families receive 50% cket price towards Fundraising Credit) **A bottle of Red, A bottle of White is what you ll receive if you reserve a Tickets: call our school at Questions Cindy Haddad at cindy.haddad@icloud.com TICKETS ARE NON-REFUNDABLE BLESSING OF THE RARITAN RIVER St. Mary Byzantine Catholic Church; Hillsborough to Celebrate THE BLESSING OF THE RARITAN RIVER At the scenic NEVIUS STREET BRIDGE in Raritan Sunday, January 10 at 12:30pm Fr. Cimbala extends a most cordial invitation to everyone to participate in this beautiful service. This service will be celebrated in conjunction with the Feast of the Theophany, the commemoration of the Baptism of Jesus by St. John the Baptist in the Jordan River. For a map & info visit: KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS MONTHLY BREAKFAST Looking for a good place for breakfast? Raritan Knights of Columbus ~~ JANUARY 10 ~~ 4-11am ~~ St. Ann s School cafeteria Adults: $8.00 ~~ Kids (5-14): $5.00 Kids (under 5): FREE Buy your 2016 Calendar Rafle tickets TODAY!! ~~~ Each $25 ticket gives you a chance to win at least $25 for 365 days, $100 on the last day of the month, or $500 at Christmas & Easter Days ~~~ ~THIS IS A TAX-DEDUCTION~ Can be purchased at the Rectory or School More info contact the Rectory or School: or BISHOP S ANNUAL APPEAL GRACE, MERCY & PEACE The 2015 Bishop s Annual Appeal continues until the end of the fiscal year, June 2016, so it s not too late to make a gift. Our goal is to have 100% participation. Please prayerfully consider supporting the appeal with a pledge or one-time gift as your means allow. Your support is greatly appreciated.

THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD JANUARY 3, 2016 RECONCILIATION & COMMUNION REMINDERS Dear Friends of St. Ann School, Happy New Year! We are anticipating an awesome 2016.

We are being introduced to a new religion curriculum. No need to worry, it is not that our religion has in any way changed.

Keeping in mind the theological, ethical, and faith development of children, the new focus moves from knowing about to experiencing the things of God, the Church, and in general our faith.

We strive to inform and form our students into disciples who are strong in faith, confident in themselves as children of God and passionate about using their gifts and talents to make a positive

Our encounter with Christ does not leave us the same. We are indeed a new creation.

May your days lead you to encounter Christ alive and well in our world. May your personal transformation bring you closer to God and His people.

6 THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD JANUARY 3, 2016 RECONCILIATION & COMMUNION REMINDERS Dear Friends of St. Ann School, Happy New Year! We are anticipating an awesome We begin anew with a teacher workshop on January 4, giving the children an extra vacation day. The teachers will be joining with teachers across the Diocese of Metuchen. We are being introduced to a new religion curriculum. No need to worry, it is not that our religion has in any way changed. Our faith is still built solidly on scripture, Catholic tradition, and the truths of our faith. The new curriculum shifts religion pedagogy to mystagogy. Keeping in mind the theological, ethical, and faith development of children, the new focus moves from knowing about to experiencing the things of God, the Church, and in general our faith. Our purpose is then to lead children to an encounter with Christ. The goal of our religion program is expressed beautiful in the Elementary Curriculum Guidelines provided to the teachers. We strive to inform and form our students into disciples who are strong in faith, confident in themselves as children of God and passionate about using their gifts and talents to make a positive difference in the world. The fruit of education based on reflection is more than just understanding. As Pope Benedict XVI instructed, mystagogy leads to transformation of the person. Our encounter with Christ does not leave us the same. We are indeed a new creation. Experience of Christ or the encounter with the divine lead to the subsequent transformation that is the crux of the new curriculum. And so may your new year be a mystagogical experience as well. May your days lead you to encounter Christ alive and well in our world. May your personal transformation bring you closer to God and His people. May you continue to integrate His peace and love into all of your words and actions. God bless you, Sr. Mary Klersey, MPF Principal St. Ann School Closed December 24, 2015-January 4, 2016 ~~REMINDER~~ Return to school on TUESDAY, JANUARY 5, 2016 PREP CLASSES RESUME JANUARY 4 & 7, 2016 S!"#$% &' R# &$ ()(%(&$ I$'& Wed., January 6: 4:30pm-5:30pm in Church **attend this practice together** Parents with their child(ren), who are preparing to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Saturday, January 9: 10:00am in Church Attendance for children accompanied by their Parents. children receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time. F(!3% C&""5$(&$ I$'& Wednesday, January 20: 6:30pm Cafeteria Parent Meeting General information and directions will be given for the celebrating of First Communion at the Catholic Church of St. Ann. Also during this time, families will be provided the opportunity to select from the available Sunday noon Mass schedule the date/time for the cele- YEAR OF MERCY PRAYER Lord Jesus Christ, you have taught us to be merciful like the heavenly Father, and have told us that whoever sees you sees Him. Show us your face and we will be saved. Your loving gaze freed Zacchaeus and Matthew from being enslaved by money; the adulteress and Magdalene from seeking happiness only in created things; made Peter weep after his betrayal, and assured Paradise to the repentant thief. Let us hear, as if addressed to each one of us, the words that you spoke to the Samaritan woman: If you knew the gift of God! You are the visible face of the invisible Father, of the God who manifests his power above all by forgiveness and mercy: let the Church be your visible face in the world, its Lord risen and glorified. You willed that your ministers would also be clothed in weakness in order that they may feel compassion for those in ignorance and error: let everyone who approaches them feel sought after, loved, and forgiven by God. Send your Spirit and consecrate every one of us with His anointing, so that the Jubilee of Mercy may be a year of grace from the Lord, and your Church, with renewed enthusiasm, may bring good news to the poor, proclaim liberty to captives and the oppressed, and restore sight to the blind. We ask this of you, Lord Jesus, through the intercession of Mary, Mother of Mercy; you who live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit for ever and ever. Amen. YEAR OF MERCY On April 11, 2015, Divine Mercy Sunday, Pope Francis officially announced the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy, set to begin on December 8, 2015 and conclude on November 20, 2016, with the publication of "Misericordiae Vultus" (The Face of Mercy). During this time, we are called to remember that God 'never tires of throwing open the doors of his heart' to us and that we, in turn, have a responsibility to be 'heralds of mercy' to others, especially through our practice of the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy (Misericordiae Vultus, nos. 25, 15).

P M S M S : P R E P (PREP): L" M#:

P M S M S : P R E P (PREP): L M#: 45 Anderson Street; Raritan, NJ 08869 Tel. (908) 725-1008 Fax (908) 707-1915 St. Ann School: 29 Second Avenue; Raritan, NJ 08869 Tel. (908) 725-7787 Fax (908) 541-9335 St. Ann Convent: 29 Second Avenue;