SAINT MARY S PARISH Sixth Sunday of Ordinary Time February 11, 2018 Last Sunday, we were joined by some of our parish families to help prepare lunch boxes for Toni's Kitchen in Montclair. Toni's Kitchen is a soup kitchen that serves deeply nutritious, homemade meals four days a week to anywhere from 65-85 guests per meal. For our Family Gathering, we prepared a boxed lunch for the guests to take with them after they finished their meal at Toni's Kitchen. Our children and parents made turkey sandwiches and packed them with snacks and a drink in boxes that they decorated. When Anthony Armando dropped the boxes off, he was greeted with a warm welcome. The staff was so grateful for the sandwiches and really impressed with the artwork and care that went into each one of the lunch boxes. Thank you to everyone who took part in this event. With Lent starting this week, hopefully we can all look for ways to serve those in need. Check out Toni's Kitchen's website (http://tk.slechurch.org) and look at all the good work they do. They are always in need of donations and volunteers. Two of our young people packing up a lunch box for Toni's Kitchen (top). Putting together a turkey and Swiss sandwich (left).
Weekly Mass Schedule Weekday Masses are held in the Parish Center Chapel Saturday, February 10 5:30 PM Frank Smith (2 nd Anniversary) Sunday, February 11 7:30 AM Lucy Carrione 9:00 AM Dong Tran 10:30 AM Ariston Augustin 12:00 PM Chinh Nguyen Monday, February 12 12:10 PM Chester G. Kulp Jr. Tuesday, February 13 7:30 AM Edward Watts 12:10 PM Genevieve Mackin Wednesday, February 14 7:30 AM Phillip Neri 12:10 PM Alfonse Rossi 3:30 PM Service with Ashes 7:00 PM Robert Freitag Thursday, February 15 7:30 AM William Rich (9 th Anniversary) 12:10 PM Cletus T. Joyce Friday, February 16 12:10 PM Michelle Intiso Saturday, February 17 5:30 PM Jean Mantz Sunday, February 18 7:30 AM Krystyna Obrycka 9:00 AM Robert Franks 10:30 AM Richard Ridings 12:00 PM Servant of God Mary Grace Bellotti Hosts for each Mass have been donated by The Rosary Society Sanctuary Lamp dedicated in Memory of Pane Family Chapel Lamp dedicated in Memory of Nicholas Baneky Blessed Mother Lamps donated in Memory of Andrew Blaskewicz Alter Wine for each Mass have been donated in memory of The People of the Parish by the Knights of Columbus Holy Father's Prayer Intention Say "No" to Corruption That those who have material, political or spiritual power may resist any lure of corruption. Looking for singers Our adult choir and children's choir (grades 3-8) are looking for singers to join us for lent. High school students are invited to sing in our brand new treble choir which will be singing at the Good Friday Stations of the Cross. Mass Schedule for Ash Wednesday. Masses at 7:30 a.m. 12:10 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. There will also be a service at 3:00 p.m. all Masses and the Service will be held in the Church. Fish Fry Save the Date Feb 14 th Ash Wednesday Fish Fry Tickets on sale *******Please Note Change******* The Divine Mercy Novena will take place in the Chapel at 11:45 am before the 12:10 pm Mass The Novena will no longer take place on Friday evenings 2019 Mass Book Opening The 2019 Mass Book will open on Sunday February 25 th You will be able to book Mass on that day in the Parish Center Conference Room from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Please use front door on St. Mary s Place to enter. All other doors will be locked 656 Page 2
Sharing God s Blessings Annual Appeal This year's appeal, Sharing God's Blessings is a perfect opportunity for us to reflect on God s generosity to us and to share the blessings we have been given with those around us. This year, our Parish goal is $50.613. This year's Annual Appeal continues to support many worthwhile ministries throughout the Archdiocese. We are often reminded by our Holy Father Pope Francis and sacred scripture that to love one another, we must share the blessings which God has provided to us, We are called to share what is granted to us by God and return it to Him, so that not one of our brothers and sisters goes without; without the gifts of faith, without essential human needs, or without a personal relationship with Our Lord. The Annual Appeal provides the poor with food, shelter and clothing; makes religious education, spiritual guidance and CYO programs available for the young; insures the future leadership of the Church with seminarian education and training; and most important, brings Christ's Good News to the people of the Archdiocese. Thousands of people in the four counties served by the Archdiocese of Newark are assisted each year through various programs and ministries funded by the Appeal. Please be sure to watch this year's Annual Appeal video online at www.rcan.org/sharing to see firsthand the impact that YOUR gift makes. To learn more about the ministries of the Archdiocese of Newark, please visit www.rcan.org/sharing or Facebook at 'Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Newark or tweet at @NwkArchdiocese! Appeal brochures are available in the pews and in the back of the Church. Thank you for your generosity! 656 Page 3
Faith Formation Schedule Sunday Classes Tuesday Classes Confirmation February 11, 25 February 13, 27 February 15 No Class Feb. 18 No Class Feb. 20 Confirmation Retreat Feb.10-11 First Holy Communion Parent Meeting: Wednesday, February 28 at 7pm New Year, New Ways of Learning for Grades 6, 7, & 8 It is the goal of our Religious Education program to introduce our children and their parents to a life giving relationship with Jesus and provide them with the opportunities to experience His love, peace, and joy. We hope that the catechesis that goes on in each classroom allows our students to better understand and experience God's love and mercy in new ways. As the second half of the school year kicks off, the 6th, 7th, and 8th Grade students will deepen their knowledge of Jesus through a new set of programs in their classes. Grade 6 will be learning more God and his love for his people as they learn salvation history through the scripture focused Encounter Bible Study program from Ascension Press. Grade 7 will focus on the life of Jesus through the Gospel of Mark in T3: They Kingdom Come Bible Study from Ascension Press. Grade 8 will be looking at how they are called into a relationship with the God who created them and loves them and calls them to live out that love. Using the Chosen series, also from Ascension Press, they will focus on the core elements of our Catholic faith. We hope that these DVD based lessons will challenge the students to think about who they are, how they are called to live as disciples of Christ and how they play a role in God's kingdom. If you would like to get a glimpse of the programs that we are using, head over to www.stmarysnutleyccd.blogspot.com and check out what our students will be learning about this year! 2018 Lenten Regulations The days of both Fast and Abstinence during the season of Lent are Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. If possible the fast on Good Friday should be continued until the Easter Vigil (on Holy Saturday night) as the paschal fast fast to honor the suffering and death of the Lord Jesus. On a day of Fast, only one full meal and two smaller meals (if added together the smaller meals may not exceed the main meal in quantity) are permitted. On a day of Abstinence, no meat may be eaten. Those between the ages of 18 and 59 are obliged to fast. Those who have reached the age of 14 are obliged by the law of abstinence. All other Fridays in Lent are days of abstinence. The obligation to observe the laws of Fast and Abstinence 'substantially or as a whole is a serious obligation. The Fridays outside of Lent are designated as days of penance, but each individual may substitute for the traditional abstinence from meat some other practice of voluntary self-denial as penance. The Paschal Precept (or Easter duty, the obligation of receiving Communion at least once a year) is to be completed between the 1st Sunday of Lent, February 11 th and the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, April 1 st. 656 Page 4
When the darkness overwhelms me...lord, stand by me. Being healing, being cured and changing one s perspective. part 2 Last week s weeks readings (Job s lament ation and the healing of Peter s mother-in-law) prompted me to think about healing and being cured. Here are two conclusions:. As the Son, God knows suffering first hand. As Father, God knows what it s like to suffer when someone we love suffers.. While God may not cure every illness, God s desire to heal is ever-present. Today s readings cent er on a specific illness: leprosy. I don t know about you, but I m reminded of one of those forms we are asked to fill out at the doctor s office. I quickly scribble an x in the box under the heading not applicable and move to the next malady. I am reminded of the book I just read. Wonder is the story of Austin, a boy with a face so deformed he lives separate from other children. Austin is home-schooled and chooses to wear an astronaut s helmet whenever he goes outside. The difference between Austin and the leper in today s reading is that instead of Austin screaming unclean to warn others, others scream to keep him at what they believe to be a safe distance. When he finally goes to school (in fifth grade) the children invent a game called "plague" to describe what might happen if they accidentally touch him. Have you felt isolated, excluded, silenced or marginalized? Is there a part of your life that you want to cover in shame or pride? Don t worry, these are rhetorical questions. I m not asking you to check any boxes and hand this in. For t he second week in a row we are singing St and By Me #633. A line buried at the end of t he 2nd verse resonates with me. It is also the title of today s article. As followers of Jesus we are called to be the healing power of Christ that reaches out to the suffering. Consider t he words of Pope Francis: If this leper broke the law, Jesus did likewise by touching the man and cleansing him of the disease. The Lord s example t eaches us not t o be afraid; to reach out and touch the poor and t he needy in our midst. We are planning a brainstorming and organizational meeting of the social concerns ministry. This could be the beginning of a wonderful Lenten practice. E-mail me to be kept in the loop. Peace, 656 Page 5
St. Mary s Church is served by: Rev. Richard Berbary, Pastor Rev. Thomas Nicastro, Parochial Vicar Ron Ronacher, Deacon Anthony G. Armando, DRE/Youth Minister, 973-235-1100 armandoa@stmarysnutley.org Bruce Mauro, Music Director, b.mauro1@yahoo.com Patrick Perrone, Trustee Anne Scheidel, Trustee Mass Schedule Sundays 5:30 (Sat. evening) 7:30, 9:00, 10:30, 12:00 Weekdays Masses in Parish Center Chapel 7:30 (Tuesday Thursday), 12:10 (Monday - Friday), Holy Days 7:30 AM, 12:10 PM, 7:00 PM National Holidays 9:00 AM Parish Business Hours Parish Center: M-F, 9-4 Church Vestibule: Sat. 3-7 PM Sun. 9 AM-1 PM Phone Number: 973-235-1100 Confessions Saturdays, 4:30 to 5:15 or by appointment Novenas Miraculous Medal: Mon., 12:00 PM before Mass Our Lady of Perpetual Help: Weds., 7:00 PM in chapel Devotion to the Divine Mercy: Fri., 7:00 PM in chapel First Friday Novena: 1 st Friday of Month, 7:00 PM in the Chapel RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) Adults who wish to receive Baptism, First Communion or Confirmation should contact the Parish Center. Baptisms Baptisms are the third Sunday of each month, at 1:30 PM. Please call at least a month in advance to make arrangements. Baptismal prep classes will now be held on Saturday, the week before Baptisms (the second Saturday of the month), at 1:00 PM in the Parish Center Parish Membership Parishioners should register and should inform the Parish Center when moving from the parish. A Time of War and Peace We pray that our troops serving our country may be protected by the Holy Spirit. A Time to Heal For all those who are sick or suffering, especially Lloyd Monterosa. A Time to Die For all those who have been called into Eternal Life, especially John Gibbons Jr. and Ralph Vacula A Time to be Born For all those who have join our community through the Sacrament of Baptism, especially Lucas Xavier Benefield, and Vivian Annalise Benefield Readings for the Week of February 11, 2018 Monday: Jas 1:1-11; Ps 119:67, 68, 71, 72, 75, 76; Mk 8:11-13 Tuesday: Jas 1:12-18; Ps 94:12-13a, 14-15, 18-19; Mk 8:14-21 Wednesday: Jl 2:12-18; Ps 51:3-4, 5-6ab, 12-13, 14 and 17; 2 Cor 5:20 6:2; Mt 6:1-6, 16-18 Thursday: Dt 30:15-20; Ps 1:1-2, 3, 4 and 6; Lk 9:22-25 Friday: Is 58:1-9a; Ps 51:3-4, 5-6ab, 18-19; Mt 9:14-15 Saturday: Is 58:9b-14; Ps 86:1-2, 3-4, 5-6; Lk 5:27-32 Sunday: Gn 9:8-15; Ps 25:4-5, 6-7, 8-9; 1 Pt 3:18-22; Mk 1:12-15 Parish Collections February 4 th $10,856.00 Thank you for your generosity JPPC This Week s Music 5:30, 9:00/10:30 and 12:00 NOON Prelude How Can I Keep From Singing 442 Gathering Our God is Here 305 Offertory Stand By Me 633 Eucharistic Prayer Mass of Renewal 867 / 868 / 871 / 872 Communion One Love Released 340 Halleluya, We Sing Your Praises (10:30) Recessional Alleluia, Sing to Jesus 732 BINGO Tuesday Evenings with the Early Bird Game starting at 7:15 PM in Msgr. Walsh Hall Good Shepherd Academy (973-667-2049; www.gsanutley.org) Our Catholic grade school sponsored by the Archdiocese of Newark Religious Vocations If you think you may have a vocation, speak to one of our priests, or call the Archdiocesan Vocations Office (973-497-4366). Care of the Sick Communion will be brought to any parishioner confined to home, upon request; those who are seriously ill, or weak from the burden of years, should request the Anointing of the Sick. Urgent calls will be attended immediately. Marriage Contact a priest to make arrangements. The Bishops have directed that the normal preparation time is a year or more. 656 Page 6