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Some thoughts from Fr. Mike Dear Friends, One thing that the Gospels reveal is that many of the people Jesus preached to were country folk, close to the earth and aware of the passing of seasons. In the Gospel for today, Jesus compares the people of God to a field where wheat and weeds grow side by side until the harvest. Only then are the two separated into that which is useful and that which is unneeded. Of course, Jesus is using this imagery as a metaphor for people. In our world good and bad people mix like weeds growing among the wheat. This prompts a question asked by many upright, but impatient believers: Why does God allow evil to continue to be present among those who are good? It is understandable that people want to see evil rooted out immediately. When we are drawn to such thoughts we have to remember some important facts about our faith. First, every human heart contains a mixture of good and evil. We are all sinners. We do not have faith because we are perfect we have faith because we need God. Life is far more complicated than drawing lines between saints and sinners. The Church is not an exclusive community for saints it is a community of sinners. The patience and tolerance extended by God to our own personal sinful actions must be shown to those whose faults are evident to us. There would be no purpose to church if we were all perfect. Second, while we may like God to at least eliminate some of the most heinous sins, perhaps we spend too much time trying to categorize sins into degrees of sinfulness. In fact, sin is sin. From spreading what we may deem as trivial gossip to taking what doesn t belong to us, it is all sin and it damages our relationship with God. Fortunately, God is merciful toward us. God wants to give us what we need to help us be stronger and live the life that will free us from those things that cause guilt or harm. We have the opportunity for forgiveness and we have the opportunity for nourishment through God s gifts in the Sacraments. So yes, weeds grow with the wheat. Weeds will never turn into wheat. But thankfully, because God is loving, kind and merciful, sinners, including us, do have the possibility of becoming saints. Peace and prayers, Fr. Mike Mass Schedule + Readings Saturday July - 22 St Mary Magdalene (Ex 12:37-42 Jn 20:1-2, 11-18) 5:00pm Anna Morin r/b Her Family Sunday July- 23 16 th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Wis 12:13, 16-19 Rom 8:26-27 Mt 13:24-43 or 13:24-30) 9:00am 11:00am John Romeo r/b Carmelo & Joann Corsaro Virginia Dougherty r/b M/M Michael Hogan Monday July-24 St Sharbel Makhluf (Ex 14:5-18 Mt 12:38-42) 9:00am Trudy Olivero r/b Her Family Tuesday July -25 St James (2 Cor 4:7-15 Mt 20:20-28) 9:00am Nick Costagliola r/b Dr & Mrs Scott Palmer Wednesday July -26 St Joachim St Anne (Ex 16:1-5, 9-15 Mt 13:1-9) 9:00am Thursday Friday 9:00am Stanley Kurpiewski r/b Michael & Roberta Angermiller July- 27 Weekday (Ex 12:1-2, 9-11, 16-20b Mt 13:10-17) July - 28 Weekday (Ex 20:1-17 Mt 13:18-23) No Mass Special Healing Intentions of Carol Collins r/b Frances DeRosa Saturday July- 29 St Martha (Ex 24:3-8 Mt 13:24-30) 5:00pm Special Healing Intentions of Ron Canella r/b Monday Small Christian Community Sunday July -30 17 th Sunday in Ordinary Time (1 Kgs 3:5, 7-12 Rom 8:28-30 Mt 13:44-52 or 13:44-46) 9:00am Nick Costagliola r/b Dave & sue Cerulo 11:00am Nancy Miceli r/b The Meyer Family Sanctuary Candle this week Special Healing Intentions of Theresa Munyak r/b Frances DeRosa To dedicate a Sanctuary Candle in memory of or for the intention of a loved one, Please call the office @ 732-792-2270. The donation is $10.00. Prayer Chain Contacts: Patty Hileman 732-446-7651 Mary Costagliola 732-446-4255 Please Keep in your prayers: The sick and the lonely, the safe return of our service men & women and for vocations to the priesthood and religious life. p3-604
STEWARDSHIP CORNER Cultivate the seeds of the Word of God in your heart and you will discover a bountiful harvest. STEWARDSHIP OF TREASURE REPORT July 16 th - $5,308.00 Debt Reduction - $155.00 Thank you for your generosity and may God bless you for your support! CHOCOLATE FEAST POTLUCK Our Lenten journey took us through the movie Chocolat. Those who attended the study have asked that we re-create the chocolate feast. If you didn t attend the Lenten study but love chocolate, you are welcome to join us for a Chocolate Feast Potluck Supper on August 12 at 6:00 pm (right after 5:00pm Mass). Just sign up for what you would like to bring and join us for the festivities. Food items should include chocolate whenever possible!!! Questions? Contact Carol at the parish office (732) 792-2270. Sign-up sheets can be found on the table in the vestibule. SCHOOL SUPPLIES COLLECTION Our parish will be collecting children's school supplies from July 23 until August 6. All donations will benefit the United Way of Monmouth County's "Stuff the Bus" collection drive. Needed are: NEW backpacks, colored pencils, composition notebooks, construction paper, crayons, erasers, folders, glue sticks, pencils, pencil sharpeners, rulers, safety scissors, spiral notebooks, and washable markers. Speciallymarked collection boxes will be located in the upper and lower parts of the church - the weekends of July 30/31 through August 13/14. It's never too early to think "school" - and to help kids and families who are having trouble meeting basic needs. Thanks, as always, for your wonderful generosity! * SUMMER FAITH ENRICHMENT PROGRAM MOVIE BIBLE STUDY Plan to join us for the final part of our Movie Bible Study Program. Our next Movie Bible Study will be on August 18 th from 10:00AM to 1:00PM. Movies are a powerful media expression of our time. These Bible studies will lead us to deeper thought and discussion about the issues and ideas embedded in film from a Christian perspective. MISSION APPEAL This year our Parish has been assigned the Visitation Hospital Foundation (VHF) as part of the Mission Cooperative. VHF was founded to provide competent and compassionate healthcare to the people of southwest Haiti and to empower them with resources to pursue their basic right to health and health education. Since Visitation Clinic opened in 2008, they have treated over 94,000 patient cases. The clinic has gained a reputation as a leading healthcare provider for the population. The Mission Appeal takes place this weekend, July 22/23 at each Mass. We welcome Fr. John Corbett who will tell us more about the work of Visitation Hospital Foundation. If you would like to support the work with a donation, there will be a second collection at each Mass. Please make checks payable to St. Joseph Church, we will send one check from the Parish. If you forgot about the second collection or did not know about it, you can send your donation to the parish office or put it in the offertory basket next weekend (be sure to put it in an envelope and mark it Mission Appeal). Thanks for your support. WELCOME As a Parish Community we joyfully welcome Mila Rose Maniglia Averie Rae Pellegrino Sydney Jade Torre who were welcomed into God s Family and the Church through the Sacrament of Baptism. Let us lift them up in prayer. p4-604
2017 GOLF OUTING Plan to join us for the 17 th Annual Golf Outing on Thursday, September 21 at Forsgate Country Club in Monroe, NJ. Registration forms are available in Church and on our parish website. Foursomes or individuals are welcome. Do you own a business and want to help out? Become a sponsor there are a variety of sponsorship opportunities available. Want to help out as a family? There are Family Sponsorships available as well. For more information, contact Dave (732) 781-6623 dcerulosr@gmail.com or Vince 732-303-0822 iuzzolino5@optonline.net. * FREEDOM TOWER TRIP Join us on October 12 for a trip to Freedom Tower in New York. We will travel by deluxe motor coach to New York, enjoy lunch at the famous Katz s Deli and then go to Freedom Tower to ride the elevator to 102 nd floor in 47 seconds. We will also have a tour of the area and learn about its development since 9-11. The cost for the trip is $110 per person. A $50 deposit is required to hold your seat. The balance is due by September 10. To reserve your seat, contact Rosalie at 732-490-5302. TRIP TO SEE PHILLIES VS. METS Join the Men's Guild and other members of the parish to see the Phillies vs the Mets at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia on Thursday August 10. Tickets are only $30 for field level seats (regularly priced $39) and include air conditioned bus transportation from St. Joseph's to and from the stadium. Only 50 seats are available and tickets are first come first served. Game time is 7:05. Buses will leave at 4:30pm and return after the game. For tickets contact Ken Tomkovich at kentomko@aol.com. BAPTISM PREPARATION SESSIONS Parents who will have a child baptized must attend a Baptism Preparation session. Sponsors (Godparents) are invited to attend. The next session will take place on Friday, August 4 th at 7:00PM. If you will be participating in the preparation session please contact the Parish Office to register.for questions about Baptismal Preparation please contact the Parish Office. RELIGIOUS EDUCATION REGISTRATION Registration for our Parish Religious Education Program is now taking place. Completed forms for returning students should be completed and returned as soon as possible. Registration forms for new students those entering 1 st grade or transferring from another Religious Education Program are now available in Church or in the Parish Office. The following applies to all registrations, new and returning students: Classes will be offered on Mondays and Tuesdays at 4:30 PM and 6:30 PM. Some classes on a particular day have already filled up. Please return the registration forms as soon as possible once a particular class has been filled, no more students will be added to that class. If a class is filled, students will be placed in a class/session that has space. FOOD COLLECTION Please remember that our food collections are held on the 1 st and 3 rd weekends of each month. The next food collection will be on August 5/6. Non-perishable food items, paper goods and toiletries are very much appreciated. Parishioners can bring frozen food contributions to the Millstone Community Center on any Tuesday morning between 10:00AM and 11:30AM at the door to the lower level on Stage Coach Rd. You may also contact Greg at 732 539 5042 to arrange pick up of frozen foods. Thanks for your generosity and support. p5-604
RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is a process where those who feel called to become members of the Catholic Church can discern God s call. The RCIA process is also for anyone who has not completed the Sacraments of initiation (Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation). If you would like more information about the RCIA please contact Carol Schulz at the Parish Office 732-792-2270 or email CSchulzStJoseph@optonline.net. BUS TRIP TO BLUE ARMY SHRINE The Legion of Mary is organizing a trip to the Blue Army Shrine in Washington DC on Friday, October 13 on the occasion of the 100 th Anniversary of the Appearance at Fatima. The cost for the bus trip is $28 per person. Payment is due by August 15. The bus will leave from St. Veronica Church in Howell at 6:00AM and from St. Rose Church in Freehold at 6:30AM. To make reservations or for more information contact Tresea at 732-462-5249 or Helen at 732-431-4811. STAY CONNECTED like us on Facebook at St. Joseph Catholic Church Millstone Twp, NJ, visit our website at www.stjosephmillstone.org, or follow us on twitter @frmikestjoseph. CATHOLIC ANNUAL APPEAL The 2017 Catholic Annual Appeal for the Diocese of Trenton has begun. The Catholic Annual Appeal is used by the Diocese to support the various work and ministry of the Diocese of Trenton. Our Parish Goal for the Annual Catholic Appeal is $39,500.00. If you would like to make a pledge/donation to the Diocese for the Annual Appeal, there are pledge cards on the table at the entrance of the Church. You can complete it and mail it to the Diocese or send it the parish Office. If you are including a check, please make checks payable to The Diocese of Trenton Annual Appeal. Thank you for your consideration and support. A convenient way to donate is through online Parish Giving. This is offered free of charge to you so that you may make donations by credit card or transfer from your checking account. Check it out at WWW.stjosephmillstone.org and click on Contribute/Donate then click on the link for Electronic Giving. You can then set up an account or choose a onetime donation without an account. If you have any questions about this, please feel free to contact the Parish Office. Calendar of Events July 22/23 MISSION APPEAL July 26 10:00AM Legion Of Mary July 31 Vacation Bible School Aug 1 Vacation Bible School Aug 2 Vacation Bible School Aug 3 Vacation Bible School Aug 4 Vacation Bible School 7:00pm Baptism Preparation Session Aug 6 Parish Food Collection Aug 10 Phillies vs Mets Trip Aug 12 6:00PM Chocolat Potluck Feast Aug 18 10:00AM Bible Study Sept 21 Parish Golf Outing Aug 20 Parish Food Collection Let us praise God in all we do. SHOP AT AMAZON - SUPPORT THE PARISH If you shop on Amazon, you can help support the parish by designating St. Joseph Church as the charity you wish to support. Eligible purchases will result in Amazon donating a portion to the parish. You do have to designate St. Joseph Church, Millstone Twp. as your charity. You also have to use the Amazon Smile site instead of the normal Amazon site. It is the same merchandise and account as Amazon but it allows you to be connected by the Amazon Smile Program. To check it out go to http://smile.amazon.com/ch/22-6103657 (a direct link) or go to our website and click the link. Thanks for your support! p6-604
PARISH INFORMATION Parish Office: 732-792-2270 Office Hours: Mon-Fri 9:30AM 2:30PM Mailing Address: 91 Stillhouse Road Millstone Twp, NJ 08510 WWW.STJOSEPHMILLSTONE.ORG PARISH STAFF Rev. Michael P. Lang Pastor frmikestjoseph@optonline.net Rob Folinus Permanent Deacon Robstjoseph@optonline.net Chris Chandonnet, Permanent Deacon Chrisstjoseph@optonline.net Carol Schulz, Pastoral Associate CSchulzstjoseph@optonline.net Jean Semanchick, Parish Secretary & Coordinator of Religious Education Jeanstjoseph@optonline.net Kristine Reide, Music Ministry Leader Kris0373@aol.com MASS TIMES Saturday Evening 5:00 PM Sunday Morning 9:00 AM & 11:00 AM Mon, Tues, Wed & Fri 9:00AM Holy Days: as listed in the bulletin Confessions: After the 5:00 PM Mass on Saturday or by appointment. BAPTISM The Sacrament of Baptism is normally celebrated on the 1 st and 3 rd Sunday of the month at 12:30 PM. Parents are asked to register for a Baptism Preparation Session prior to the Baptism. Baptisms must be scheduled in advance by calling the Parish Office. Sponsors must obtain Sponsor forms from their home parish Sponsors must be active practicing Catholics. The Sacrament of Baptism is not celebrated during the Season of Lent. Marriage Diocesan policy requires that arrangements for Marriage be made one (1) year in advance of the wedding. Refer any questions to the Pastor. Sick Calls Please contact the Parish Office when someone is seriously ill requiring a visit by a Priest. If someone is unable to attend Mass on a regular basis and would like to receive Communion please call the Parish Office Registration We are glad you are here and want you to feel like a full member of the parish. Registering as a parishioner helps us to know who you are and to stay in touch. Registration is required for sponsor forms. Sponsor Certificates This is a form required to be a Godparent or Sponsor for Confirmation. To receive a form, the following is required: -Be a registered, active (attends Mass) member of the parish (for at least 6 months); be at least 16 years of age; must have completed the Sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation; If married, have a valid marriage within the Church. 604