Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time August 5, 2018 Pastoral Staff Pastor Father Vincent T. Euk Parochial Vicar Fr. John Chang Weekend Assistant Fr. Bill O Brien Deacons Tom Cechulski, Sr. Charles R. Daye, Jr. John Franey Gino (Louis) Esposito School Principal Sister Cherree Power, C.R. Religious Education Sr. Ann Norton, D.R.E. Linda Clayton Business Manager Deacon Gino Esposito Director of Music Emer O Mahony Youth Ministry Coordinator Sister Ann Norton Phone Contacts Rectory 732-363-4200 Convent 732-364-2361 School 732-364-4130 Religious Education 732-364-4137 Rectory Fax 732-370-3891 Rectory Office Hours: M-F 9:00-4:30 PM Second & Fourth Saturday 9AM 12:30 PM Baptisms: Every 2nd and 4th Sunday of each month,. Weekend Masses: Saturdays: 4:00 PM Sundays: 7:30, 9:00, 10:30, 12 noon, 5PM Daily Masses: Mon-Fri 7:20 AM & 12 Noon, Sat: 8AM Holy Days: As announced in the bulletin. Healing Mass every first Friday at 7:30PM Sacrament of Reconciliation Saturdays from 3:00 to 3:45PM and before each Sunday Mass
Mass Intentions for this Week August 5, 2018 7:20 Joseph Morgese....Jillian Reiff TUESDAY 7:20 Rex Griswold... Roemer Family WEDNESDAY... St. Dominic, pr. 7:20 Philip Montfort... Family 12:00 Celebrant s Intention THURSDAY 7:20 Int. of Mark Burke..Family Celebrant's Intention Events for this coming Week 8AM Kristin Galary... Stephen Reiff 4PM Alva Lawder... Karen & Tracy SUNDAY 7:30 Frances Hedderman...Phyllis Luhn & Family 9:00 Vivian Morris... Rita Marquis 10:30 Helen Sudol... Mary & Joseph Rizzo 12:00 Catherine & Charles Weber....Susan & Vinny Lucante 5:00 For the People of the Parish Sanctuary Candle Week of August 5, 2018 Intentions of the Altar Cleaning Ministry Chapel Candles- Week of August 5, 2018 Intentions of the Events Committee See our website www.stveronica.com Sacrificial Offering Update Readings for the Week of August 5, 2018 Sunday: Ex 16:2-4, 12-15; Eph 4:17, 20-24; Jn 6:24-35 Monday: Dn 7:9-10, 13-14; 2 Pt 1:16-19; Mk 9:2-10 Tuesday: Jer 30:1-2, 12-15, 18-22; Mt 14:22-36 Wednesday: Jer 31:1-7; Mt 15:21-28 Thursday: Jer 31:31-34; Mt 16:13-23 Friday: 2 Cor 9:6-10; Jn 12:24-26 Saturday: Hb 1:12-2:4; Mt 17:14-20 Sunday: 1 Kgs 19:4-8; Eph 4:30-5:2; Jn 6:41-51
Deacon s Thoughts Food from Heaven How would we react if all of a sudden food started falling from the sky? Most likely we would run for cover and be thinking that something bad was happening. The only time that I have actually seen food being airborne was in my house as a kid, if we didn t eat what was put in front of us most likely we would be wearing it. But kidding aside, isn t it wonderful to hear and be reminded that God provides for the needs of his people? The Israelites are complaining because they are in the desert and have little or no food and are fearful of starving to death. But our generous God responds to their complaints, who He just freed from slavery, by providing them with rations of quail and manna. He gives them as much as they need. This is not only a response of God s love for His people but a reminder of hope. He has freed them from slavery and now provides the nourishment they need to carry on. This is an invitation to trust in Him to provide every necessity they need each and every day. This is a reminder that Jesus is the bread of life come down from heaven, to answer our needs. He is the one who fulfills every necessity, every day, because He is the food that endures for enteral life. Do you think that we have anything in common with the Israelites in today s first reading? No matter how our lives are, what we may possess, or where we may live, we all face deserts in our lives. Difficult times when we seem to be lost or facing impossible challenges. The Lord is simply reminding us that we need to rely on the Bread of Life that will provide the nourishment and strength we need. The bread of life that is everlasting. The bread that will feed our souls and eventually bring us to eternal life. Partaking of the Eucharist, this gifted sacrament of love, forms and transforms us to live in this world and prepares us for the next world to come. In order to do this we must no longer be our old self, as we hear in the second reading of Ephesians, but to seek Jesus, trust Him and relay on Him when we are in the desert and need anything. After all He is the one sent from heaven to bring life to the world and to help us through our desert of life. As we start off a new week, let s pray that we recognize Jesus as the true Bread from Heaven, come to nourish, strengthen, guide us and provide us with His loving self in the sacrament of the Eucharist, learning to trust him a little more. Deacon Gino Scripture Meditation Is there anything in this life that can truly satisfy our deepest hunger and longing? Many sought Jesus out because he offered them something no one else could give - bread from heaven from the very hand of God himself. When Jesus had performed the miracle of multiplying five loaves of bread and two fish to provide a refreshing and satisfying meal for more than 5000 people (see John 6:1-15), they wanted to make him their king - no doubt because they wanted more. When Jesus withdrew from the crowd and quietly returned to Capernaum to be with his twelve disciples, they ran to seek him there (John 6:24-25). Jesus met them with a probing question - are you looking for physical food that perishes or food that gives eternal life? Jesus offers us the bread of heaven which produces spiritual life in us Do you hunger for the bread of life? The Jews had always regarded the manna in the wilderness as the bread of God (Psalm 78:24, Exodus 16:15). There was a strong Rabbinic belief that when the Messiah came he would give manna from heaven. This was the supreme work of Moses. Now the Jewish leaders were demanding that Jesus produce manna from heaven as proof to his claim to be the Messiah. Jesus responds by telling them that it was not Moses who gave the manna, but God. And the manna given to Moses and the people was not the real bread from heaven, but only a symbol of the bread to come. Jesus makes the claim which only God can make: I am the bread of life. The bread which Jesus offers is none other than the very life of God. This is the true bread which can truly satisfy the hunger in our hearts. The manna from heaven prefigured the superabundance of the unique bread of the Eucharist or Lord's Supper which Jesus gave to his disciples on the eve of his sacrifice. The manna in the wilderness sustained the Israelites on their journey to the Promised Land. It could not produce eternal life for the Israelites. Only Jesus can satisfy our deepest hunger for everlasting truth, life and love Jesus' question to the crowd, and to each one of us as well, echoes the words of the prophet Isaiah: "Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy" (Isaiah 55:2)? There are two fundamental types of hunger - physical and spiritual. Only the Lord Jesus can satisfy the deepest hunger in our heart - the hunger for everlasting truth, life, and love. Jesus alone can satisfy our hunger for truth - because in him alone is the Truth which is found in God. Jesus alone can satisfy our hunger for life - because he alone can give us abundant life - the supernatural life of God which transforms us now and lasts forever. Jesus alone can satisfy our deepest hunger for love - the love of God that knows no end, that never fails nor forsakes us, that outlasts sin and death. Jesus alone can satisfy the eternal hunger of our heart, mind, and spirit. Doing the works of God Jesus spoke about the works of God and what we must do to be doing the works of God, namely to believe in God's Son whom he has sent into the world. The Lord Jesus offers a new relationship with God which issues in a new kind of life - a life of sacrificial love, selfless service, and the forgiveness of others which corresponds to God's mercy, goodness and loving kindness; a life of holiness, purity, and truth which corresponds to God's holiness; and a life of obedience and trust which corresponds to God's offer of abundant life, peace, and happiness.
OUR SPIRITUAL LIFE Please Pray for Our Sick Divine Mercy Prayers Today Look into My Heart and see there the love and mercy which I have for humankind, and especially for sinners. Look and enter into My Passion. (Diary of St. Faustina) Please join us, Sunday August 5th at 1:30PM in the church to pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet. Bishop s Anniversary Blessings All couples celebrating their 1st, 25th or 50+ wedding anniversary during the 2018 calendar year are invited to gather with family and friends to share the Eucharist, renew your sacred wedding vows, and receive Bishop O Connell s Episcopal Blessing. Mass and blessing will be held on Sunday, October 7th at 3PM at CoCathedral of St. Robert Bellarmine in Freehold. Please come to St. Veronica s rectory to fill out a form by August 31st. Rosary & Procession for Mother Mary's Birthday Please join us for a Rosary & Procession on Saturday, Sept 8, 2018 at 5:15 PM, after the 4 PM Mass, for the feast of our Lady's Nativity. We will say the Rosary and have a procession from the Church to Mother Mary's grotto by the rectory. Fellowship to follow in the cafeteria. All are welcome to bring flowers for the procession and a food /snack item to share. Bring the whole family! For questions, please contact the Legion of Mary: Irma Bennett (732) 363-8386 or via email: Mary Anne M. at godis4life@optonline.net. Italian Festival Italian Feast of the Assumption at The Church of Epiphany, 615 Thiele Road, Brick. 18th Annual Italian Festival which has something for everyone. August 16th - 19th from 5pm-10pm. Free Parking, Entertainment, Food Court, Beer & Wine Garden, Arcade, Rides, Vendors, Mary's Prayer Garden, and much more! Stop by the Feast and bring your family and friends! Thursday night is wristband night. For $18, ride the rides all night
Goal- 200,000.00 Donations (Current) 81,782.00 Balance: 118,218.00 As of May 5, 2018, there will be a second collection on each Sunday that there is no Diocesan collection. This special second collection will be earmarked for our needed air conditioning system in the Church. We will continue this campaign until we reach our goal and we will keep you advised of our project status. Meanwhile, we thank all those who have made donations and for your continued support of our parish. Catholic Charities Annual Backpack and School Supplies Drive Adoration Chapel " There are many ways of gaining heaven but the safest, easiest and shortest way is through the Holy Eucharist. St Pius X. Registered adorers insure our commitment to keep the chapel open 24/7. Give Him time and He will give Himself to you. Hours Most Needed, but you can name your hour also: Sunday : 5PM Monday: 4AM, 1PM (most urgent), 7PM Thursday: 2AM, 3AM Friday: 11AM Saturday: 5AM, 10AM, 1PM, 3PM, 7PM URGENT: HELP NEEDED SATURDAYS. 5 UNCOVERED HOURS WHERE CHAPEL MAY HAVE TO BE LOCKED. Contact Debbie drev514@aol.com or leave message 732-367- 7750. St. Veronica s Parish Dinner Dance Come join us for a night of fun, dancing and good food Nov. 10 at 6 PM Tickets are ONLY 20.00 per adult. We will also have our annual Mega 50/50 Cash Raffle drawing at the dinner. Buy 5 Mega 50/50 tickets and receive 2 free dinner tickets. Don t miss it come join us, all are invited. OUR NEEDS Pantry Tuna, canned chicken, spam, juice, gravy Caregiver Needed for Hire Parishioner in need of a caregiver for her elderly father from 10PM to 6AM. MUST speak Spanish. Please call Betty at 732-942-9481 or 732-598-3190. Mega 50/50 Raffle Tickets are now on sale at the rectory. Drawing will be held on November 10, 2018, at 6:00PM during dinner/dance gathering in St. Veronica Gym, 4215 Hwy 9, Howell, NJ 07731. Cost: $40 per ticket. Religious Education The Religious Education Office is open Monday-Thursday from 10AM-4:30PM. If you have not registered your child for CCD for the 2018-2019 school year, please come into the Religious Ed Office or call 732-364-4137. Parish Information Parish Census-Every family in the parish should be properly registered. You may do so at the rectory office during the week or on the 2nd and 4th Saturday mornings of the month. RCIA Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults, for those inquiring about the Catholic faith and practice, or for adult Catholics who have not received all of their Sacraments. For more info, please call Sr. Ann at 732-364-4137 Marriages Prep Please call to make arrangements at least one year in advance. 732-363-4200 Baptism Baptisms are held on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of each month at 1:30PM. Parents are required to be registered parishioners. Please call 732-363-4200 to make arrangements.