Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time August 19, 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 19, 2018 7:20 Jack McGuire..........Family TUESDAY...St. Pius X, pope 7:20 Adelaide Flaherty... Jane & George Colaio WEDNESDAY... Queenship of Blessed Virgin Mary 7:20 Robert B. Moore... Moore Family 12:00 Celebrant s Intention THURSDAY 7:20 Julie Burela Latchney... Jane & George Colaio Celebrant's Intention Events for this coming Week 8AM Lenny Weg... Ornstein Family 4PM Frances & David Lisk... Lisk Family SUNDAY 7:30 For the People of the Parish 9:00 Lenny Weg... Deacon Chuck & Denise Daye 10:30 Susan Megill-Hall... Tremper & McGill Families 12:00 Frank Ciranni...Mr. & Mrs. Rich Hamilton 5:00 Thomas Hyland... Risicato Family Sanctuary Candle Week of August 19, 2018 In memory of John Gogol...Wife & sons Chapel Candles- Week of August 19, 2018 For All Sinners (Peccatori).Scotto Family See our website www.stveronica.com Sacrificial Offering Update Readings for the Week of August 19, 2018 Sunday: Prv 9:1-6; Eph 5:15-20; Jn 6:51-58 Monday: Ez 24:15-24; Mt 19:16-22 Tuesday: Ez 28:1-10; Mt 19:23-30 Wednesday: Ez 34:1-11; Mt 20:1-16 Thursday: Ez 36:23-28; Mt 22:1-14 Friday: Rv 21:9b-14; Jn 1:45-51 Saturday: Ez 43:1-7; Mt 23:1-12 Sunday: Jos 24:1-2a, 15-17, 18b; Eph 5:21-32; Jn 6:60-69
Pastor s Notes Last Wednesday we observed the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin into Heaven, both body and soul. There are no relics of Mary to be found. The Assumption is one of those important mysteries of our faith because it gives us hope of rising again after our own death. While this dogma did not settle the issue of whether Mary died or did not die, I favor the position that she did die because she wanted to imitate her son s death. If we take this position, Mary had to experience her own resurrection. This theological possibility gives us more hope for our resurrection. One of the most interesting aspects of this mystery is its background. The Assumption was not just a pious idea concocted by high powered theologians. It was more of a demand from the faithful. Over the course of the hundred years before it became a doctrine of the Church, eight million laymen wrote to the popes requesting it. This week we celebrate a number of Saints (Sts. John Eudes, Bernard and Pius X) who helped us to understand Mariology, the study of Mary in more detail. This octave ends with the Queenship of Mary. I am always thankful that I was not present when Jesus said, The bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world. I think I would have walked away with the others. Fortunately, I learned about the Last Supper before I really gave much thought to this passage. The great gift of the Eucharist, in its sacramental form, is the true reality of the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. When we consume both or either the Body and Blood of Christ, Jesus is incorporated into our physical body and our soul. May we always receive it worthily. Our Lady of Fatima lamented that so many people end up in hell for not receiving our Lord free of personal mortal sin. Many people subscribe to the myth that they can have their mortal sins forgiven without sacramental confession. Many people claim erroneously that missing Mass on a Sunday for no good reason is not a mortal sin. Many mere human beings simply do not want to repent of their sins the way Jesus told us in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The sin against the Holy Spirit is the only sin that cannot be forgiven. It is not that God cannot forgive sins, but many people think they can change God s teachings on their own to make their lives easier. I am deeply grateful to the volunteers who are keeping up our lawns. Perhaps you might want to help them. Thanks also to the electricians who volunteered to change the lights in the church and gym. Thanks also to those who are keeping their pledge payments to the Faith to Move Mountains campaign. We just received a rebate of over $20,000. The church air conditioner fund is now at $84,497.00. We had to put off the changing of the church boilers for another year. The companies, who were going to remove our asbestos issues, would not guarantee finishing the job before the children come back to school. I did not want to risk delaying the opening of our school or the CCD program. We will try to get the 20 day notice to finish right after the 8th grade Confirmation retreats so that they can have both July and August to do the two week project. I was hoping that these companies would have had the heart to show some deference to the 700 children that we serve in our education programs, but the dollar rules. The project was going to cost us $75,000. I am exploring a $50,000 upgrade for the heating and cooling system in the gym. This may be a $50,000 project. It will also serve as a backup in the event that the church air conditioners fail. Both this project and the asbestos removal will come from the sale of the Spiritual Center and rebates from Faith to Move Mountains. Fr. Euk Scripture Meditation "He who eats this bread will live forever" Why did Jesus offer himself as "food and drink"? The Jews were scandalized and the disciples were divided when Jesus said "unless you eat my flesh and drink my blood, you have no life in you." What a hard saying, unless you understand who Jesus is and why he calls himself the bread of life. The miracle of the multiplication of the loaves (John 6:3-13), when Jesus said the blessing, broke and distributed the loaves through his disciples to feed the multitude, is a sign that prefigured the superabundance of the unique bread of the Eucharist, or Lord's Supper. The Gospel of John has no account of the Last Supper meal (just the foot washing ceremony and Jesus' farewell discourse). Instead, John quotes extensively from Jesus' teaching on the bread of life. In the Old Covenant bread and wine were offered in a thanksgiving sacrifice as a sign of grateful acknowledgment to the Creator as the giver and sustainer of life. Melchizedek, who was both a priest and king (Genesis 14:18; Hebrews 7:1-4), offered a sacrifice of bread and wine. His offering prefigured the offering made by Jesus, our high priest and king (Hebrews 7:26; 9:11; 10:12). The remembrance of the manna in the wilderness recalled to the people of Israel that they live - not by earthly bread alone - but by the bread of the Word of God (Deuteronomy 8:3). Jesus made himself a perfect offering and sacrifice to God on our behalf At the last supper when Jesus blessed the cup of wine, he gave it to his disciples saying, "Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins"(matthew 26:28). Jesus was pointing to the sacrifice he was about to make on the cross, when he would shed his blood for us - thus pouring himself out and giving himself to us - as an atoning sacrifice for our sins and the sins of the world. His death on the cross fulfilled the sacrifice of the paschal (passover) lamb whose blood spared the Israelites from death in Egypt. Paul the Apostle tells us that "Christ, our paschal lamb, has been sacrificed" (1 Corinthians 5:7). Paul echoes the words of John the Baptist who called Jesus the "Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world" (John 1:29). Jesus made himself an offering and sacrifice, a gift that was truly pleasing to the Father. He "offered himself without blemish to God" (Hebrews 9:14) and "gave himself as a sacrifice to God" (Ephesians 5:2).
OUR SPIRITUAL LIFE Please Pray for Our Sick Thank You Dear Parishioners, A sincere thank you to all who participated in the Faith to Move Mountains Campaign. Our parish just received a rebate for $20,843.32 which gives us a grand total rebate amount of $129,289.29, which we will continue to apply to parish repairs and maintenance. I greatly appreciate your generosity, and these rebates are a helpful support to our parish. Sincerely in Christ, Fr. Euk 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. Brunch Bunch Thank you to everyone for your support and participation. Our monthly brunch will be returning on Sept. 16th after the Noon Mass and we look forward to seeing everyone again. Invite a friend to join you. 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 Co- Cathedral of St. Robert Bellarmine in Freehold. Please come to St. Veronica s rectory to fill out a form by August 31st. 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. Banns of Marriage Michael Kennedy & Amber Fahr September 29, 2018
Goal- 200,000.00 Donations (Current) 84,497.00 Balance: 115,503.00 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, spam, juice, gravy, toilet paper, napkins, paper plates, peanut butter, jelly Donated Oak Dining room set in perfect condition. Table, 6 chairs, hutch and 2 leaves that extend the table to 102. Please call Pat at 732-364-0369. Bible Lost A very precious, Spanish print, bible has gone missing from the chapel. It is green with blue lettering. Please drop it off to the rectory if you happen to find it. 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. Presentation of the Gifts (Offertory) Did you know that carrying the wine and bread (water) to the priest at Mass for the consecration is such an important participation and an honor to be part of the Eucharistic liturgy? Everyone should have an opportunity to participate and everyone can. There is no special skills required or permanent ministerial duty, yet it is a beautiful and significant part of the Mass performed by lay people. If you or your family would like to participate in bringing up the gifts (especially if the Mass is dedicated to a family member), please see the ushers 15 minutes before Mass or if you would like to schedule it in advance, please contact the rectory office at 732-363- 4200.