Msgr. O Neill, Fr. Joseph, Fr. John, the Sisters, and the parish staff wish all of you a MONDAY, April 6, 2015 7:00 AM Miriam & Norman Jorgensen, r/o Family 8:45 AM Gerard McDonald, r/o Tumblety Family TUESDAY, April 7, 2015 7:00 AM Pura & Angel Salgado, r/o Maria 8:45 AM Martin Kearney, r/o Shaughnessy Family WEDNESDAY, April 8, 2015 7:00 AM Anna Rivers, r/o Yuill Family 8:45 AM Angelo Bonavitacola, r/o Family THURSDAY, April 9, 2015 7:00 AM Sadie Connors, r/o Daughter 8:45 AM Martin Kearney, r/o Rose Bonando FRIDAY, April 10, 2015 7:00 AM Gregory Yarick, r/o Maurice Napolitano & Cecelia Rodrigues 8:45 AM Eddie Tortorella, r/o Mom SATURDAY, April 11, 2015 8:00 AM Edward DeRosa, r/o Family 5:00 PM Teresa Cotroneo, r/o Family 7:00 PM Anthony LaCava, r/o Mary Migacz SUNDAY, April 12, 2015 7:00 AM Living and Deceased Members of our Parish 9:00 AM Joseph McQuade, r/o Family 10:45 AM Frank Tanzi, r/o Family 12:15 PM Michelle Cerami, r/o Cerami Family Remember and pray for the sick of the parish, those who are hospitalized, and their caregivers: Heather Marie Olivo, James Feeney, Debra Fontenelli, Helen Slusark, Jimmy Souza, Rose Kirk, Vincent Taliercio, George Wittmann, Joan Sztybel, Joanne Villanueva, Danny Sheldon, Joy Stamato, Antoinette Falgares, Veronica Blessing, Lonny Perryman, Barbara Paul, Richard Lubas, Karen Holda, Dot Mirande, Ricky Hyland, Louise Speranza, Lou & Marie Santillo, Jean Stalevicz, Angie & Carmen Shiveti, Patrick Frame, Donna Brightman, Paul Senczakiewicz, 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. Let us pray for our recently departed brothers and sisters, Jennifer Westerman, Michael Cintron, Florence Doherty, Anne Cooney and reward them a place in heaven and eternal rest. The Bread and Wine have been offered in loving memory of Michael Hanley from Tom & Linda Dunbar and Marie Palumbo From Partyka Family The Sanctuary Light Has Been Donated in loving memory of Bob Botti From The Dunbar Family Next Baptismal class will be April 21st, 2015 Please call the Rectory to register. GOD S PLAN FOR GIVING Collection for the weekend of 3/29/15 was $16,663.75 May God bless you for your generosity. PARISH BREAKFAST Everyone is invited to our monthly SJV parish breakfast in the school cafeteria after the 9 AM Mass next Sunday. Come see old friends and make new ones! Our host this month is the Knights of Columbus. Join us on Easter Sunday April 5th for our annual "Parish Easter Egg Hunt" following the 9:00 am mass. All children are invited to join us at Mary's Island where the hunt will begin. Bags will be provided and "Easter Eggs" will be filled with all kinds of "Goodies". All are welcome!!!
The Jelly Bean Prayer Red is for the blood He gave. Green is for the grass He made. Yellow is for the sun so bright. Orange is for the edge of night. White is for the grace He gave. Blue is for the sins we made. Purple is for His hours of sorrow. Pink is for our new tomorrow. A bag full of jelly beans colorful and sweet, Is a prayer, is a promise, is a special treat. 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 732-574-0150 DEADLINE: APRIL 22ND St. John Vianney School News Happy Easter to all of our students and their families! School will be closed for Pre-K through Grade 8 from Monday, April 6, through Friday, April 10, for our Easter vacation. School will reopen on Monday, April 13. Openings are available for all grade levels for the 2015-2016 school year. If you would like more information or would like to register your child, please call the school office at 732-388-1662. ST. VINCENT de PAUL The Society of St. Vincent DePaul is collecting, new or gently used Communion dresses, suits and accessories for those less fortunate in our community. It is the perfect opportunity to donate those outfits your child has outgrown to make some other child s Communion day just as special. Please contact Barbara Morrisey 732-501-2195 or Donna Worosila 732-381-1584 to arrange for a pick up. Monetary donations are also welcome.. The Colonia 5K Race and Chris Jantas Fun Run will take place on Saturday, April 25, here at St. John s. The Fun Run starts at 8:30 AM, and the 5K starts at 9 AM. Applications for both events are available in the gathering area of the church and at the receptionist s desk in school. We need help on the day of the race at the registration table and out on the race course. If you could spare an hour or two to help us, please contact Jonathan Miskewicz at 732-770-6144 (Jonathanmiskewicz@yahoo.com) or Jeff Steward at 908-892-3496 (jeff.a.steward@gmail.com
SJV Cheerleading News On Saturday, March 28th, all three teams participated in the Holy Savior Academy cheer competition. Biddy took home Best Enthusiasm, JV took home 3rd place and Varsity took home 2nd place! Way to go girls!!! With that being said, our season has sadly come to an end already. The cheer board would like to thank the girls for their tireless dedication, teamwork and spirit that made this season so fantastic! To the coaches...thank you SO much for your time, patience, motivation and amazing talent that allowed these young ladies to compete fiercely and proudly represent not only our school, but our parish. To the parents...without you and your cooperation and support to get the girls to every practice and competition on time and to sit in the stands every week and show your pride and spirit, the girls, the coaches and the board thank you from the bottom of our hearts!!! See you next season everyone and remember...who are we? S J V!!! YOUTH MINISTRY Youth Group A deep heart felt thanks for all those who assisted in our Living Stations of the Cross communal prayer experience. My hope is that the Holy Spirit touched your hearts to bring you closer to Jesus. So what is next? The office of youth Ministry is accepting permission slips for the Spring Retreat Weekend! NEWS! The Spring Retreat Weekend has changed location (Due to construction on the challenge course at AYRC). Our new location is the Center for Faithjustice, which housed both the fall and winter retreats. This will be an amazing weekend, so get your permission slips in as soon as possible! You can drop them off at our next meeting which is next Sunday, April 12th in Trailer D from 7:00 to 8:30pm. See you soon!! Now that the snow is melting and spring finally will arrive, it is time for the annual Colonia Spring Cleanup initiated by Charlie Shaughnessy 26 years ago. On Saturday, April 11, volunteers will meet at 9 AM at the Charlie Shaughnessy Park, near the corner of Inman and Amherst to clean up our parks and pubic spaces. Please bring gloves, a rake, and/or shovel. For further information contact Brenda Velasco at 732-388-6823. St. John Vianney Social Justice Ministry News Our parish is participating this year in Operation Rice Bowl, sponsored by the Diocesan Catholic Relief Services. Please return your rice bowl box at the back of the church on Easter Sunday masses. PRO LIFE Our next meeting will be April 28th. 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 732-381-0499 to arrange for pickup. Thank you for your continued generosity. Birthright: US 1-800-550-4900 The National Life Center Inc. 1-800-848-LOVE (5683) Also, if you are pregnant and the diagnosis is poor, Pieta Ministry can help. 732-548-0100 X 225 or pietamoms@aol.com Post Abortion Healing: 1-877-877-4300 or www.hopeafterabortion.com 2014 Bishop s Annual Appeal Life-Changing Faith Today we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. We have sung wonderful hymns that speak of our praise, adoration and joy! By your generosity to the Bishop s Annual Appeal you preach the Easter message every day. Thank you.
MUSIC MINISTRY NEWS Adult Choir Many thanks to all those in our Adult Choir for an amazing job enhancing our Holy Week services and liturgies! The Tenebrae service was beautiful, a special thank you to Peg VanKleef for a wonderful job cantoring during the Tenebrae! After a well deserved break from rehearsal this week and next, we will begin rehearsing for Confirmation on Wednesday Aril 22 nd from 7:30 to 9:00 pm in the church. 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. New members are always welcome and encouraged to attend! Children s Choir Happy Easter, and thanks to all those who are singing this Easter Sunday. Thanks also to all those who attended our extra long practice this past Tuesday. Don t forget about the Easter Egg Hunt after mass today, you are all welcome to join in the fun!! 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. We will soon be practicing for our parish May Crowning ceremony! Our next rehearsal will be on Tuesday April 21 st from 4:00 to 5:00 pm in the church. We will sing again Next Sunday April 12 th at the 9:00 am mass, with breakfast to follow in the school cafeteria! Keep in mind we will NOT have a practice this week!! Enjoy your Easter vacation!!! 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. Pleas For more information on any of our musical groups please call (908) 331-0471 or e-mail Jamie at jframeiii@yahoo.com. Again Happy Easter to ALL!!! KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS BLOOD DRIVE Come donate on April 12, Sunday, at the usual bloodmobile stationed outside Saint John Vianney Church. The hours of giving are from 8:00 AM - 1:30 PM. Thank you. The annual Citizens Handicapped Fundraiser for mentally challenged children will be held at front of SJV church after every Mass during the weekend of April 11 th and 12 th. There, but for the grace of God go I, so please give generously. Thank you. Any questions about either event can be directed to Lou Leiggi at 732-371-6237. LES MISERABLES Saint Joseph Theatre Company proudly presents the epic Tony award winning musical Les Miserables at St. Joseph High School (145 Plainfield Ave. Metuchen, NJ). Dates and ShowTime s are as follows: April 9-19, 2015 Thurs., Fri., & Sat. 7:30 PM Sat.18 th & Sun. 3 PM Tickets: $15./Students & Seniors $20. Adults Box Office: 732-549-7600 X 721
DEALING WITH DIVORCE? Someone in your family facing it? A self-help support group is being formed at the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi, Metuchen, for those who are in the early stages of a separation/divorce. The group will be meeting Thursday evenings for seven weeks. PLACE: Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi, Metuchen Solarium Parish Center, 45 Library Place, Metuchen DATE: April 16 TIME: 7:30 9:30 P.M. CONTACT PERSON: Vicki 732-548-3170 or Jo Flanigan 732-548-0100 x 225 There is no fee. Pre-registration is required. Mount St. Mary House of Prayer, Watchung, will offer the following programs. Registration required; call 908-753-2091 or e-mail: msmhope@msmhope.org ENNEAGRAM and PRAYER Learn about and experience a tool that opens you to understand yourself more fully, freeing you to be more authentic with God and others. Apr 15, 7-9 p.m. ($20-$30 As You Are Able). Presenter: Eileen P. Smith, RSM SPIRITUALITEA-A Tea Party for Ladies! Come join us for a luncheon and an inspirational talk. Apr 19, 1:00-3:00 p.m. ($40-$50 As You Are Able). Hostesses: Brigitte Pincelli and Mary Jo Kearns, RSM ST. FAUSTINA: THE SAINT OF DIVINE MERCY St. Faustina Kowalska, mystic and visionary, brought to a war-torn world the hopeful message of Divine Mercy. Come, be inspired by a Saint for our times. Apr 29, 7-9 p.m. ($20-$30 As You Are Able). Presenter: Mary Jo Kearns, RSM WALK-A-THON: May 2, 10 a.m. 12 noon followed by lunch Registration: $25; Call: 908-753-2091 A FRESH PERSPECTIVE ON THE SUNDAY READINGS HIS WORD TODAY by Rev. William J. Reilly Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord Very early when the sun had risen, on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb. They were saying to one another, Who will roll back the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb? When they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back; it was very large.he said to them, Do not be afraid! You seek Jesus of Nazareth, the crucified. He has been raised up, he is not here. Behold the place where they laid him. But go and tell the disciples and Peter There you will see him as he told you. What a wonderful discovery, an empty tomb. How important the witness of the young man, and the women. Imagine the conversation as they were walking to the tomb, grieving, feeling sad, and not ready to meet the young man. Like the disciples on the road to Emmaus, th ey walked and talked. The Jesus who had spent his ministry with them, is now not only deceased, but His body is missing. They had a right to be saddened and disappointed. The reassuring word of the young man still left them wondering. The message of Easter joy would gradually replace doubt, fear, bewilderment. That word is meant for us. We roll back the stone which blinds us to the person of Jesus. The deep joy which the Easter mystery generates is to raise us up. The full meaning of the Easter mystery is sometimes slow to move our hearts, yet it is the center of our faith, Jesus died to save us and lives to accompany us each and every day. Our faith tells us to go and tell others of the great victory Christ has won for us today. Others are seeking Jesus and we are the bearers of His good news.