SIXTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME FEBRUARY 15, 2015

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1 The Bread and Wine have been offered in loving memory of Robert Buettel from Mom MONDAY, February 16, 2015 President s Day Holiday 9:00 AM Elaine Dampinto, r/o M/M Robert Anderson TUESDAY, February 17, :00 AM Kathleen Husosky, r/o Trish and Paul Murphy 8:45 AM Beatrice Ryan, r/o M/M Connie O Donnell WEDNESDAY, February 18, 2015 Ash Wednesday 7:00 AM Maureen Corrigan, r/o Family 8:45 AM Martin Kearney, r/o Al & Tommi Cipas 7:00 PM James Lynch, r/o Louise White THURSDAY, February 19, :00 AM Celia Lugo, r/o Maureen & Egger Lugo 8:45 AM Kathy Husosky, r/o Travis & Jaime Sellers FRIDAY, February 20, :00 AM Frank Wukovits, r/o John & Diana Urbanik 8:45 AM Chester Banasiak, r/o Irene & Maryann Bardys 7:00 PM Stations of the Cross SATURDAY, February 21, :00 AM Stephen Jones-Hesketh (2 nd Anniv.), r/o Carol Scheuermann 5:00 PM Wladyslaw & Czeslawa Perlowski and Jan and Helena Basara, r/o Children and Grandchildren 7:00 PM Anne Ammiano, r/o D Alessandro Family SUNDAY, February 22, :00 AM Living and Deceased Members of our Parish 9:00 AM Betty Donnelly, r/o SJV Altar Rosary Society 10:45 AM Louis Zamarra, r/o Sister Alba 12:15 PM Stefania Meccariello Sestito, r/o Renata & Elizabeth Remember and pray for the sick of the parish, those who are hospitalized, and their caregivers: Joan Sztybel, Joanne Villanueva, Danny Sheldon, Joy Stamato, Antoinette Falgares, Veronica Blessing, Lonny Perryman, Barbara Paul, Richard Lubas, Karen Holda, Dot Mirande, Joanne Streck, Ricky Hyland, Louise Speranza, Lou & Marie Santillo, Jean Stalevicz, Angie Shiveti, Patrick Frame, Donna Brightman, Paul Senczakiewicz, Olivia Sawyer, Lisa Auerbach, Danny Lattanzio, Linda Carroll, Nicole Giambrone, Patricia Hennessy, Carolyn Kearney, Josh Estenes, Frank Jazikoff, Sr., Anna Sielska, Baby Tyler Bishop, Neil Scheve, Phil Chiera, Eric LeGrande, Bethany Ciccarelli, and please remember our service men and women in your prayers. The Sanctuary Light Has Been Donated in loving memory of Paul Buettel from Wife Next Baptismal class will be February 25th, 2015 Please call the Rectory to register. GOD S PLAN FOR GIVING Collection for the weekend of 2/8/15 was $13, May God bless you for your generosity. THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT The annual drive to support our diocesan newspaper, The Catholic Spirit, is taking place during the month of February, Catholic Press Month. The Catholic Spirit is now beginning its 20 th successful year of publishing and has a special role to play in your life as a practicing Catholic. The Catholic Spirit s mission is to bring its readers Closer to the Church, closer to faith communities and closer to Christ. Please support their good work by using the envelope in your collection packet. Any amount you contribute will show your support for the paper s ministry and will be greatly appreciated. SPECIAL COLLECTION NEXT WEEKEND Bishop Bootkoski has asked in the letter enclosed in this week s bulletin that the parishioners of St John Vianney do whatever they can to help ease the plight of our brothers and sisters in the Middle East. Whatever you do to the least of these, you do to me. (Matthew 25:45) THE RECTORY WILL BE CLOSED MONDAY FEBRUARY 16 TH FOR PRESIDENT S DAY Let us pray for our recently departed brothers and sisters, Diane Dougherty and reward them a place in heaven and eternal rest. ALTAR ROSARY COUNTER We now have Lent/Easter items and books for adults and children.

2 CATHOLIC SCHOOL TUITION ASSISTANCE APPLICATIONS FOR NOW AVAILABLE Applications for financial aid through the Diocese of Metuchen Assistance Program are now available at all diocesan elementary and secondary schools. Completed applications must be mailed to Private School Aid Service, postmarked no later than 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 Assistance. UPCOMING PILGRIMAGES IN 2015 St. John Vianney presents 2 pilgrimages hosted by Father Joseph Kubiak: May 22-MAY 31 POLAND October 7-17 GREECE AND TURKEY Call Fr. Joe at There will be a meeting on Feb. 15 th at 1:30 in the church for any one interested. SOCIETY OF ST. VINCENT de PAUL The January Poor Box contained $2, We wish to thank all our contributors for their on-going support and generosity. Annual ULTRA BREAKFAST & (tricky tray) Basket Raffle. SJV Pro Life Committee is sponsoring its Annual Ultra Breakfast & Tricky Tray Basket Raffle on Sunday, March 1 in the church cafeteria from 8-11am (Raffle call Full breakfast menu plus omelets to order. Tickets are $8.00 for adults, which includes a chance for a door prize; and $4.00 for children 12 years old and under. This year includes a special raffle for a Cruiser Bicycle. Come join us for a great morning!! For tickets/info call or Sue@ THANK YOU Thanks to our parishioners. The Souper Bowl Food Drive was a huge success. We collected more than 350 cans of soup to deliver to the St. James Food Pantry. Thank you for your generosity. St. John Vianney School News Congratulations to Lina Giammalva, winner of Calendar Raffle #3! School will be closed on Monday, February 16, for Presidents Day. Re-registration packets for our current students have been sent home. Please complete all the forms and return them to school by March 6, along with the registration fee. We must have the forms back by March 6 in order to get the textbook and busing forms to the proper districts by their deadlines. If you have any questions, please call the school office. On Tuesday, February 17, we will hold our annual Mission Mardi Gras. Forms were sent home last week for the students to purchase tickets. We have a wonderful assortment of prizes this year, including a TV, 2 bikes, an afghan, gift cards, and many other items. Wednesday, February 18, is Ash Wednesday. The students will be attending Mass at 10 AM and receiving their ashes. Parents, we ask your assistance in making sure your child/children follow the school dress code as outlined in our Calendar/Handbook. Boys in grades 1-8 must wear a belt with their pants, and their shirts must be tucked into the pants. Girls kilts/jumpers should come to the top of their knees, and cosmetics are not permitted. Sneakers are to be worn only with the gym uniform from November through Pre-School News School will be closed on Monday, February 16, in observance of Presidents Day. Openings are available for our three and four year old programs for the school year. You can obtain more information by calling the school office at SJV Cheerleading News On February 7th, the Varsity and JV teams competed in the 13th Annual Bears Invitational Cheer Competition held at David Brearly High School. Teams from all over the area attended and with fierce competition...varsity took home third place while JV took home first place!!! We are so proud of these girls who continue to improve every week and rock the mat!!! Who are we? S J V!!! On Saturday, February 14th, all of our cheerleaders (Varsity, JV & Biddy) will be competing at St. Mary's New Monmouth. On Sunday, February 22nd, all of our cheerleaders (Varsity, JV & Biddy) will be competing at Christ the King. Please come out and show your support - these wonderful young ladies represent our parish and school!!!

3 YOUTH MINISTRY Youth Group Living Stations of the Cross practice continues this Sunday February 15th from 6:45pm to 9:00 pm in the Church at St. Cecelia's. New members are still welcome! Don't forget the Palisade Climb Adventure date is Saturday February 21st! Once again we will meet at SJV at 8:15am and caravan up to the mall. Copies of the 2015 Youth Ministry calendar and Permission slip forms for the 2015 National Catholic Youth Conference are available anytime by contacting John Cook. Can you Help our Teens? This November is the National Catholic Youth Conference, (NCYC) Our youth group along with Twenty three thousand catholic students from all fifty states will be attending. Our students are seeking donations to help lower the cost of this life changing conference. If you would like to help, simply make a check out to SJV youth ministry (in any amount), and mail it C/O John Cook, youth minister, to 420 Inman Avenue, Colonia, NJ All checks will be placed in an account to lower the general cost of the experience for everyone. Thank you for all of the support you have offered the youth ministry program since 1996, and for your consideration. Need more information? Great! Please contact John Cook at jcook@sjvs.net or call the office at (732) Calendar updates can also be found on John Cook's facebook page dedicated to youth ministry. Parents and teens are invited to join the page! Parents--Want to get on the group text blast for youth group reminders? Simply me your name and cell number to be added to the list! I look forward to seeing you soon!! Young Adult Group Greetings and Blessings Young Adults!! We are always seeking volunteers for the Living Stations of the Cross communal prayer experience! Come get reacquainted with your faith in a fun and meaningful environment. Meet us at St. Cecelia Church on Sunday February 15th at 6:45pm for more information and ask for John Cook. See you there! PRO LIFE Our next meeting will be February 24 th. Maternity donations can be dropped in the crib in the foyer of the church. Both new and gently used items are accepted. Please continue to remember the children and families who are helped with your donations. If you have larger items, please call Carolyn at to arrange for pickup. Thank you for your continued generosity. The Ultra Breakfast is coming March 1. If you have large, empty baskets, we can use them. Any new, unused gift items are also appreciated for our "tricky tray" raffle. Didn't quite like that Christmas present? Consider "re-gifting" to us. Questions? Call BUS TRIP TO ATLANTIC CITY/RESORTS CASINO KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS LADIES AUXILIARY #6571 SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22 Bus leaves SJV parking lot at 11:30 AM. Donation $24.00, receive back $25.00 For tickets call: Enza at or Mary at WHY DO CATHOLICS DO THAT? Why do we get ashes on our foreheads on Ash Wednesday? To ancient Jews, wearing sackcloth and sitting in ashes demonstrated repentance and humility, and acted as a penance. Thus, the early Church adopted the practice of wearing ashes at the start of Lent to show repentance, too. But, as he places the ashes on our foreheads the priest says, Remember man that you are dust and unto dust you shall return, to remind us that our time on earth will pass away but our life in Heaven will last forever.

4 Music Ministry News Adult Choir We are now beginning to practice music for Lent!! This group is open to all adults as well as high school students!! The Adult Choir sings most Sundays at the 9:00 Am mass and occasionally at the 10:45 Am mass. Our next rehearsal will be on Wednesday February 25 th from 7:30 to 9:00 pm in the church. New members are always welcome and encouraged to attend! Children s Choir The children s choir usually sings on the second Sunday of the month at the 9:00 am mass and the forth Sunday of the month at the 10:45 am mass. Our next rehearsal will be on Tuesday February 24 th from 4:00 to 5:00 pm in the church. We welcome ALL children in the parish from second grade and up to join our group!!! Folk Group The folk group can be found playing and singing generally at 12:15 Pm mass each Sunday. Rehearsals are held on Sundays at 11:00 Am in the meeting room in the church foyer. The group is always looking for additional singers as well as instrumentalists. The folk group is under the direction of Ms. Jennie Esposito. Teenage Group On the fourth Sunday of each month our high school students are invited to sing and play for the 12:15 Pm mass. ALL high school students are invited to either sing play an instrument or do both! This group is also under the direction of Ms. Jennie Esposito. Please feel free to see Jennie after the 12:15 mass on Sundays for more information on either the folk or the teenage group. For more information on any of our musical groups please call (908) or Jamie at jframeiii@yahoo.com. 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 days of fast and abstinence are Ash Wednesday and 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. 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. May all our Lenten prayers, fasting and works of mercy prepare us to celebrate the Resurrection of Our Lord with renewed minds and hearts. +Most Rev. Paul G. Bootkoski, Bishop of Metuchen

5 DIOCESE OF METUCHEN OFFICE OF THE BISHOP Lent 2015 My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, In his homilies and public addresses, Pope Francis often speaks of the importance of forgiveness in our lives as Catholic Christians. In his very first Angelus back in March 2013, the pope told the crowd gathered in St. Peter s Square, The Lord never tires of forgiving. It is we who tire of asking for forgiveness. Jesus likes us to tell him even our worst sins, he said, and that even then, He forgets; he has a special ability to forget. The pope echoed these sentiments recently during a Mass at the Santa Marta residence, adding that confession is not a judgment but a meeting with God who forgives all our sins, without exception. It s about going to meet with our Father who pardons us, who forgives us and who rejoices, he said, because what matters for God is for us to meet with him. We know that Lent is a time to pray, fast and give alms. Throughout our 40-day Lenten journey, we are called also to reflect on our Baptismal promises and our call to live a life that is holy and pleasing to Our Lord a life that mirrors His example. It s a time for us to think about ways to be more merciful to others, including forgiving those who have hurt us. In our humanity, the act of forgiving often can be challenging but, nonetheless, it is something we should strive toward with constancy. During a recent meeting with Vatican employees, Pope Francis encouraged those present to Heal wounds of the heart with the oil of forgiveness, forgiving those who have hurt us and medicating the wounds we have caused others. When we acknowledge our sins when we are truly sorry and ask for God s pardon through the Sacrament of Reconciliation, we are able to experience an intimate encounter with a loving, merciful and compassionate Father, who offers us His unconditional forgiveness. Pope Francis reminds us again and again that we are to have complete confidence in this teaching, saying, There is no sin which He won t pardon. He forgives everything. As Disciples of Christ, this is to be our model approach. In reciting the Lord s Prayer, we proclaim: Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who have trespassed against us. Every act of forgiveness offers us a chance for a new beginning, a chance to unload our burdens, and a chance to grow closer in our relationships. It is a way for us to draw nearer to God, Our Father, who invites us to experience a true sense of peace and comfort that comes only through sincere Reconciliation and who rejoices when we extend that same oil of forgiveness to our brothers and sisters in His Kingdom on Earth. The peace of Christ be with you this Lent! Sincerely in the Lord, Most Reverend Paul G. Bootkoski Bishop of Metuchen