Mass Intentions Week of December 2, 2018 First Sunday of Advent Masses for the Week Monday December 3, 2018 7 PM Mass Association organizations. For more information, please call Natalie at 732-425-8727. Mass Association December 3, 2018 Tuesday December 4, 2018 8 AM Robert J. Weezorak, Sr. Wednesday December 5, 2018 8 AM LaCarol Hill, Sr. Susan Oliver Tom Pfeifer Lynnie Liberty New Enrollment Alvaro Castro Joseph Testa Michael Minervini Thursday December 6, 2018 8 AM Frank Puccio Friday December 7, 2018 8 AM Communion Service 7 PM Thomas Donnelly Saturday December 8, 2018 8 AM Parishioners 4 PM Thomas McCreary Sunday December 9, 2018 Second Sunday of Advent 8 AM Cristituta Bejer 10 AM Our Parishioners 12 PM Ross and Ken Booker Weekly Collection / Food Certificates Last Weekend s Regular Collection: $9,448 Weekend of 11-18-18 Regular Collection: $9,863 Food certificates purchased last week: $1,100 St. Mary s profit for 2018 / 2019 to date: $844 We wish to thank everyone who supports our Parish! Special thanks to those who remember us even when they are away. We could not possibly meet our financial obligations and make necessary repairs without your regular and generous participation in the temporal side of our community life. If you do not receive weekly offering envelopes, please contact the Parish Office. Helping Hands All are cordially invited to join us in St. Pat s Hall on Saturdays, December 8 and 22, from 5:30 8 p.m., to help those in need by cutting coupons (for food, baby, pet, health/beauty items only, please) for the men and women overseas, decorating occasion cards and crocheting/knitting/looming scarves, baby blankets and lap blankets. Some of whom we serve are the patients/residents of JFK Hospital and the Veterans Home in Edison, the Venetian Care Center, the homeless and Pro-Life Special Mention Edward Conroy Anna Kriss Madeline Carrion Margaret Oakley Georgette V. Claffy Joann Venezia Elaine Nilsen Margaret and James Fogarty James M. Fogarty Francis Doran, Jr. Anastacia Halliday Matthew A. Kurtz Rosemary Kurtz Sarah Bloodgood Joseph and Elizabeth Quinlan Thomas White George and Catherine Conlon George Conlon, Jr. Thomas Conlon The Intentions of Michael Gross Wine and Hosts The Wine and Hosts Used at all Masses This Weekend Have Been Donated in Loving Memory of Lynnie Liberty From: Stephen and Natalie Laikowski Flowers on Altar The Flowers on the Altar this Weekend Have Been Donated in Loving Memory of George Spiecker From: His Loving Family Remember Our Deceased Katherine Hyer Helen Poweski This Saturday, December 8, is a Holy Day of Obligation for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The vigil Mass is Friday evening at 7 p.m., and Mass on Saturday will be at 8 a.m. www.saintmarysa.org Page 1 of 5
you immediately. Flower Offering Envelopes There are flower offering envelopes in the pews for your use in remembering your loved ones this Christmas season. Please return them in the collection basket or at the rectory no later than the weekend of December 22/23. Please clearly print all information. Thank you. New Facebook Page Religious Education Program The St. Mary Religious Education Program now has a Facebook page. Please like our page at Saint Mary, South Amboy Religious Education. 24 Hour Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament Begins This Sunday, December 2, at 7 p.m. December 7 (Friday) Christmas Season Schedule Vigil Mass for Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary 7 p.m. Saint Mary s will be having a 24-hour Exposition and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in the Church from 7 p.m. this Sunday, December 2, until 7 p.m. on Monday, December 3. Please note: the main church doors will lock at 8 p.m. on Sunday evening. If you plan to arrive after 8 p.m., please use the church s side entrance doors. Join us and spend a little time in thanksgiving for all the Lord has given us. December 8 (Saturday) December 22 (Saturday) December 24 (Monday) Mass for Immaculate Conception Holy Day of Obligation 8 a.m. Penance Service 11 a.m. Christmas Vigil Masses 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. Family Walk to Bethlehem Next Sunday, December 9, at 2 p.m. The first annual Family Walk to Bethlehem will be held next Sunday, December 9, at 2 p.m., at the South Amboy Knights of Columbus (308 Fourth Street). Stops along the way include Christ Episcopal Church, Everlasting Strength Ministry, The First Presbyterian Church, St. Mary s, Sacred Heart and then we return to the Knights of Columbus for light refreshments. Scripture readings, homilies and Christmas carols will take place along the route. Dress in fashions of old or Christmas attire. For more information, please call Pat at 732-727-2768 or Elaine at 732-721-7251. Sacrament of the Sick Please Do Not Wait Until the Last Moment to Call If you are in the hospital, and time is pressing, please know that each hospital has a Roman Catholic priest assigned as their chaplain. The hospital chaplain will be able to anoint December 25 (Tuesday) December 31 (Monday) January 1 (Tuesday) Christmas Day Masses 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. Vigil Mass for Mary, the Holy Mother of God 7 p.m. Mass for Mary, the Holy Mother of God 8 a.m. Each Monday during Advent, we will have Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament in the church beginning at 3 p.m. Mass will follow immediately afterwards at 7 p.m. (Dates: December 10 and 17). Please see this weekend s bulletin for information on our special 24-hour Adoration taking place on December 2/3. Thank You! Youth Group Bake Sale The Youth Group would like to thank the many parishioners who supported our most recent bake sale. We would like to especially thank all of the www.saintmarysa.org Page 2 of 5
talented bakers who provided us with many tasty pastries which resulted in a complete sell-out. Venetian Care Christmas Tree Gifts Due by Sunday, December 16 There is a Christmas tree in the vestibule of the church for anyone interested in helping to make the holidays a little brighter for the residents of the Venetian Care Center. Please remove a tag from the tree and return the gift with the tag attached no later than Sunday, December 16, so that all gifts will be ready in time for the residents party. Please do not wrap gifts. You may use gift bags. For any gift questions, please call Venetian Care at 732-721-8200. Help Wanted A full-time cleaning staff position is available at Bishop Ahr High School in Edison. Evening hours with competitive pay and benefits. If interested, please contact John Karabin, 732-549-1108, ext. 609, or email jkarabin@bgahs.org. Lighting Hearts on Fire Diocesan Marian Consecration Preparation Year Bishop Checchio has announced his plan to consecrate the Diocese of Metuchen to Our Lady of Guadalupe in 2019. There will be a year-long preparation process launching December 12th, the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, with Evening Prayer at the Cathedral of St. Francis in Metuchen at 7:30 p.m. All of the faithful are invited to attend. Our Lady of Guadalupe is the Patroness of the Americas and was also given the title, The Star of the New Evangelization, by St. John Paul II. The purpose of this consecration is to invoke her aid for our diocese so that we can be spiritually renewed and equipped to live out our call to evangelize more faithfully. For more info: www.lightingheartsonfire.com. Televised Masses Are you homebound or not able to come to Mass? Below is a schedule of some televised Masses. Masses Time Channel Sunday 5:30 a.m. Channel 5 Sunday 9 a.m. Channel 10 Daily and Sunday 8 a.m. / 12 p.m. Channel 68 Daily (from St. Agnes 8:30 a.m. Channel 137 Cathedral) EWTN Various Channel 135 Rosary and Litany Daily 7:30 a.m. Channel 68 Brunch with Santa Sunday, December 16, from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. The South Amboy Knights of Columbus Council #426 is hosting a Brunch with Santa on Sunday, December 16, from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. Get pictures of Santa Claus with the children. The cost is $10 for adults, $3 for children aged 2-12 and children under 2 attend for free. For more information, please call 732-721-2025. Annual Holiday Movie, The Star This Sunday, December 2, at 2 p.m. The South Amboy Knights of Columbus Council #426 will be showing their annual holiday movie, The Star, this Sunday, December 2, at the Council Home (308 Fourth Street) in South Amboy. The Star tells the story of how a small but brave donkey and his animal friends become the unsung heroes of the first Christmas. Doors open at noon and the movie will start at 2 p.m. Items (hot dogs, French fries, chicken nuggets) from a dollar menu will be available for purchase before the movie. Sunday Cash Raffle Winner Congratulations to the lucky ticket holders who won our last two drawings! November 18 winning ticket #013 November 25 -- winning ticket #190. Music at Saint Mary s Handel s Messiah Concert Music at Saint Mary s presents; Handel s Messiah - a Music at Saint Mary s Advent- Christmas tradition! Come and experience George Frederik Handel s timeless oratorio, featuring the Saint Mary Chamber Orchestra, four amazing soloists, and the Saint Mary Choral Society under the direction of Christopher M.C. Deibert. The warm glow of soft candlelight will illuminate Saint Mary s Victorian-Gothic architecture for the performance. Saturday, December 15, at 7:30 p.m. Free admission ($15 donation suggested). For questions call MASM @ 732-857-0202. www.saintmarysa.org Page 3 of 5
~ www.prayerfulcreations.com ~ the weather is poor, please do NOT risk your safety to come to Mass. How to Report Sexual Abuse If you were sexually abused by a member of the clergy or anyone representing the Catholic Church, or you know of someone who was, you are encouraged to report that abuse to law enforcement and/or by contacting the Diocesan Response Officer at (908) 930-4558 (24 hours/7 days a week). For more information on how to report abuse, visit our diocesan website: https://diometuchen.org/report-asuspected-abuse St. Mary s Senior Citizens Christmas Luncheon This Monday, December 3, the St. Mary s Senior Citizens Club members will have their Christmas celebration lunch at Camillo s restaurant at 12 p.m. Gift certificates will be sold at this luncheon; please have cash or a check with you if you would like to make a purchase. Please help support your Parish! Cards available are: ShopRite - $25, $50 and $100 denominations. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament Saint Mary s will be having Exposition and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in the Church from 3 7 p.m. on Mondays, December 10 and 17. Please see this weekend s bulletin for information on our special 24-hour Adoration taking place on December 2/3. Come and spend a little time in thanksgiving for all the Lord has given us. If you are available for one hour, please consider signing up to be with Our Lord during this time. It is truly an honor to be part of this special ministry. Please contact Rita at (732) 588-5272 to sign-up or if you have questions. For Your Safety This Winter Weekday Masses and Inclement Weather After much thought and careful consideration, we have decided that it is best to follow the South Amboy public schools schedule for inclement weather in the winter. If the schools are closed due to snow or ice, then that day s Mass will be cancelled and the parish office will also be closed. Pasta Fundraiser Friday, January 25 South Amboy Columbiettes will hold their annual pasta fundraiser on Friday, January 25, at the K of C Columbian Club (308 Fourth Street) in South Amboy, before the Open-Mic activities. Proceeds will benefit the food banks at St. Mary s and Sacred Heart Churches in South Amboy. Saint Mary Food Pantry Christmas Pantry Items Needed The Saint Mary Food Pantry is asking for your help with donations for Christmas. Here is a list of food items that are needed: pie crust, pie filling, yams, stuffing, turkey breast, gravy, tea and coffee. No cranberry sauce, please. All donations are greatly appreciated! Please place all items in a bag and leave in the back of the church before or after Masses. Thank you! A special thank you to all who donated to our Thanksgiving Pantry! Dad - Daughter Date Night Friday, February 8, from 7-10 p.m. Dads, Uncles, Granddads, Step- Dads the South Amboy - Sayreville Rotary is hosting their 14 th annual Dad - Daughter Date Night On Friday, February 8, from 7-10 p.m., at the VFW Hall on Jernee Mill Road in Sayreville. The cost is $60 per couple ($25 each additional special girl) if payment is received by January 18. Please make checks payable to the South Amboy-Sayreville Rotary and mail with registration form to: PO Box 3001, South Amboy, NJ, 08879. If paying at the door (space permitting), the cost will be an extra $10 cash. Portraits will be available for purchase at the event and there will also be raffles and gifts. Preschoolers are welcome this event is open to all! For more information and registration, please call 732-721-0400 or email greg@customfinancial.org. For weekend Masses, Marriage Encounter Weekend please check our website or Facebook page before heading January 25-27 out to see if Mass has been cancelled (and spread the word The next Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend will be to those who may not have access to a computer). Most held January 25-27. Early registration is advisable as space importantly, whether it is a weekday or weekend Mass if is limited. Call 732-904-9636 for registration and www.saintmarysa.org Page 4 of 5
information. For more information visit: www.aweekendforyourmarriage.org. www.saintmarysa.org Page 5 of 5