Forth Sunday of Lent March 11th, 2018 S. E H C 220 E B S L Mission Statement We, the community of St. Elizabeth empowered by the Holy Spirit, are the instrument that enables all, bound together in love and thanksgiving to realize that the Lord is our Savior. This is achieved through worship, the proclamation of the Word, mutual concern and service. Rectory 179 Hussa Street Phone.. 908-486-2514 Rectory Office Hours. Monday - Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 Emergency. 908-403-1513 Fax..908-486-1757 Religious Education... 908-486-2514 Parish Email... SEHPLinden@gmail.com Parish Website... http://www.sainteonline.org Pastor Rev. Edgardo P. Jocson Parochial Vicar Rev. Joemarie Parcon Permanent Deacon Deacon John Bejgrowicz (Retired) Music Director Raymond Bassford Executive Assistant Debbie Mastroeni CCD Coordinator Eva Tripodi Trustees Ann J. Ferguson Edward A. Esposito Eucharist Saturday Evenings... 4:00 pm Sundays 8:00, 10:00 am & 12:00 noon Weekdays... 8:00 am & 12:05 pm Saturdays... 12:05 pm only First Friday...11:00 am Holy Hour Holidays... 9:00 am only Ministry to the Sick Reconciliaon Monday Saturday After the Noon Mass Saturday 3:00 3:45 pm or call for an appointment. Homebound Please let us know of any parishioners, unable to attend church wishing to receive the Sacraments - Anointing of the Sick & Communion. Hospital Visitation Present privacy regulations require the family to notify the parish of hospitalized parishioners. Please call the Rectory Office to arrange a visit. Bapsm Contact the rectory Office for date and Preparation Class Parish Membership We Welcome new members to our parish. Registering helps us know you are one of us. Please contact the Rectory Office. Marriage Contact the Rectory Office at least one year in advance.
Sunday of Divine Mercy Week of April 714th 2018 Saturday April 7th 4:00 pm Myra & George A. Hawie ~ Donna & Richard Borowicz Sunday April 8th Easter Sunday 8:00 am Viergemade Jean Pierre ~ JeanPierre Family 10:00 am William F. & Catherine Talbot ~ family Acts 5:2733/Ps 34:2 and 9, 1718, 1920 [7a]/Jn 3:31 12:00 pm Arthur Handschuh ~ wife, Doris 36 Confirmation 2018 Friday Monday April 9th Acts 5:3442/Ps 27:1, 4, 1314 [cf. 4abc]/Jn 6:115 8:00 am Salvatore A. Mastroeni Jr. ~ Debbie and Saturday Christina Acts 6:17/Ps 33:12, 45, 1819 [22]/Jn 6:1621 12:05 pm Julie, Tony Annie Spadora ~ Doris Tuesday April 10th 8:00 am Joseph Alves ~ JeanPierre Family 12:05 pm Beatrice Dunn (1st Anniversary) ~ Ann Marie Bednar Wednesday April 11th 8:00 am Joseph Alves ~ Rosa Ana & Francisco Figueiredo 12:05 pm Ivan Andric ~ Sophie Bara Thursday April 12th 8:00 am Angelina De Leon ~ children 12:05 pm Joseph Alves ~ Alves Family & Stephane Friday April 13th 8:00 am Henry Lukenda ~ Guerline & Carl 12:05 pm Madeline Crecco ~ Isabel & Amanda D. Lamoglia Saturday April 14th 12:05 pm Special Intentions for Thomas & family ~ aunt April 1415th 2018 Third Sunday of Easter Saturday April 14th 4:00 pm Francisco Tot Villani ~ Villani Family Sunday April 15th 8:00 am John & Mary Kuhtik (Wedding Anniversary) ~ John Kuhtik 10:00 am Sophia & Gregory Demianczyk ~ daughter 12:00 pm Thomas H. Crowhurst ~ friends from Merck Readings for the Week of April 8, 2018 Sunday Acts 4:3235/Ps 118:24, 1315, 2224 [1]/1 Jn 5:16/Jn 20:1931 Monday Is 7:1014; 8:10/Ps 40:78, 89, 10, 11 [8a, 9a]/Heb 10:410/Lk 1:2638 Tuesday Acts 4:3237/Ps 93:1ab, 1cd2, 5 [1a]/Jn 3:7b15 Wednesday Acts 5:1726/Ps 34:23, 45, 67, 89 [7a]/Jn 3:1621 Thursday DIVIE MERCY SUNDAY First Reading: With great power the apostles bore witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great favor was accorded them all. (Acts 4:33) Second Reading: Who indeed is the victor over the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? (1 Jn 5:5) Gospel: Thomas answered and said to him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said to him, "Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed." (Jn 20:2829) For the Dearly Departed Weekly Memorials Altar Candles Joseph Alves ~ Rosa Ana & Francisco Figueiredo The donation for the Sanctuary Lamps and the Altar Candles are $10.00, the Altar Bread is $15.00, and the Altar Wine is $25.00. The flowers for Blessed Virgin Mary & St. Joseph are 2 @ $45.00 St Ann are $45.00. The Tabernacle is 2 @ $45.00 and the Cross is $110.00. Please stop by the Rectory to reserve any of the above items. Margaret Menzaco We offer our condolences to the families and friends that have lost a loved one. May the soul and the souls of the faithfully departed through the mercy of God, rest in Peace WELCOME TO THE FAMILY Baptisms are performed on all Sundays except for the second week of the Month. Please call the Rectory and make an appointment with a priest to help guide you through this sacrament Please note there are no Baptisms during Lent
April 8th Divine Mercy Sunday Should we be a little easier on Thomas? The last few days have been a whirlwind. On Thursday, a Passover celebration went horribly awry as Jesus was betrayed and taken into custody for unstated crimes. Less than 24 hours later, the simple arrest has turned into a death sentence to be carried out that very afternoon. Most of the disciples fled, including Thomas. He would have heard of the events of Good Friday secondhand, in shock over the death of his Lord and Master. Then Sunday morning arrives with joy from a few disciplesjesus is risen! But there is no persistent sight of him, only Mary Magdalene's quick moment in the garden and an empty tomb. Another day passes. The Apostles are gathered that Monday night, but Thomas is absent. He returns to a jubilant report of the risen Lord. Again, Thomas has seen nothing. The experience must have been surreal. Did Jesus really appear raised from the dead? Did he really suffer and die? Has all of this been some strange hoax? Desperate for an answer, Thomas insists, "Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nail marks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe." After his resurrection, Jesus' bodymangled and bloody from the crucifixionis restored. Did it need the scars? A perfected body would have taught us one lesson: everything is renewed as it once was, the past erased. Jesus chooses another lesson, however. He retains his scars that we might know him. In the whirlwind of our lives, we make our own mistakes, our own betrayals and compromises. In the resurrected Jesus, we see a God who does not forget his own sorrow. We are invited to meet himwound for woundand place our hand on his own nailscarred palm, the eternal sign of his everlasting mercy. Stewardship of Treasure CCD / RCIA For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:21 Offertory Collecon 04/01/2018 Easter Collecons $ 15,019.00 Assessment Collecon $ 1,258.00 Fuel & Heat Collecon $ 5.00 Envelope Users If you currently are not using envelopes please call the rectory and we can easily get you signed up. Please keep in mind that if you are moving make the Rectory aware. We need to keep are records current and to let the envelope company know of the change of address or to discontinue, thanks. This week 04/08/2018 Please use Weekly and Fuel & Heat Envelope Next week 04/15/2018 Please use Weekly and Fuel & Heat Envelope Thank you in advance for your generosity The greatest attribute of God is love and mercy. St. Faustina Kowalska April 1NO CLASSEASTER BREAK 6Confirmation Rehearsal 7pmChurch 8NO CLASSEASTER BREAK 12:00Confirmation MassChurch 159:009:50Twentythird Class 229:009:50Twentyfourth Class 299:009:50Twentyfifth Class **Last day of class and report card distribution for First Communion Candidates only Up Coming Meengs Organizaons/Associaons Finance Council May 3 7 PM Rosary Altar Society Apr 2 7 PM Liturgy Commiee April 9th 7 PM Building and Facilies Jun 4 7 PM Pastoral Commiee Jun 11th 7 PM (All meeng take place at Rectory, Rosary call Joanne Badalis 908 486 6570) Knights of Columbus News The Linden Knights of Columbus #2859 meets every thirdmondayof each month at7:30pmat the American Legion on Elizabeth Avenue. All members are welcome to attend the meetings. If you would like to join the Linden Knights you can call Deacon John (Grand Knight) at9083385249, or visit the state web site at www, kofc.org. All men of the age 18th or older can join. The Knights of Columbus is the largest Catholic lay organization of the Church.
2018 Archdiocesan Lenten Observations Fasting and Abstinence 3) The Fridays of the year, outside of Lent, are designed as days of penance, but each individual may substitute for the traditional abstinence from meat some other practice of voluntary selfdenial as penance. 4) The time for fulfilling the Paschal Precept (Easter Duty*) extends from the First Sunday of Lent, February 18th through the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, Sunday May 27th,2018 *Canon920,1. All the faithful, after they have been initiated into the Most Holy Eucharist, are bound by the obligation of receiving Communion at least once a year. The Centennial Plaza In the vestibule please find forms, if you are interested in memorializing a loved one, remembering your family or just wishing St Elizabeth well. There are pavers, two lampposts and benches. The form will allow you to inscribe in the spaces for proper printing. The costs are as follows: Pavers are $250.00 SOUP AND SCRIPTURE will resume on April 4th Join us for an dynamic Bible Study Kingdom of Happiness: Living the Beatitudes Everyday Life It will unveil Jesus s plan for happiness. We live in a world where we are constantly in search for fleeting pleasures in place of true happiness and false promises that actually lead us away from happiness. It s time more than ever to turn to the Beatitudes and enter into the Kingdom of Happiness. In this 8 part Parish Program that unveils Jesus plan for happiness in the Beatitudes. With Kingdom of Happiness you will learn how the Beatitudes are much more than nice sayings, they are the path to true happiness charted by Christ himself. You will discover the exposed anti Beatitudes for what they are: the kingdom of man s false promises of happiness that sadly, only lead to misery. In this program, you will also be inspired by a renewed resolve to live the Beatitudes through video profiles of real life people living the Beatitudes in their everyday life. Pilgrimage to Portugal July 2028th 2018 Trip to Lisbon, Tomar and Fatima Fr. William Benedetto from Our Lady of the Lourdes in Moutainside, New Jersey Enjoy the sights of Lisbon, visit the Knights Templar in Tomar and worship at the basilica in Fatima Airfare Newark to Lisbon $1500.00 7 nights accommodations 4 dinners $2049.00 Sharing God s Blessings Annual Appeal This year s Appeal is a perfect opportunity for us to reflect on God s generosity and to share the blessings we have been given with those around us. This year, our parish goal is $30,264.50 On February 4th we had our Kick Off weekend for the 2018 Sharing God s Blessings Annual Appeal. If you have not yet completed your card, please prayerfully make your pledge and return it to the church office. We would like 100% participation in our One Body, One Mission that is the Archdiocese of Newark. Our parish also benefits by receiving a rebate from the appeal if it exceeds its goal. It is important for all of us to participate. Please consider making a gift to the 2018 Sharing God s Blessings Annual Appeal. If you are new to the parish, welcome!!! If you would like to register Please feel free to call us or fill in the form below Name Address City Phone Email Address You can drop this off in the basket and we can follow up with you With your generous donations, our latest deposit in our WALS saving account is $37,045.18 Next project we completed were the sidewalks around the property. The We Are Living Stones Capital Campaign continues to focus on strengthening our parishes while building a bright future for the entire Archdiocese we ask that you continue to pray for the success of this campaign both at your local parish, as well as at your neighboring parishes throughout the Archdiocese of Newark. Thank you for your consideration and your participation in this endeavor. Our goal is $450,911.00 to date we have $201,674.00 in pledges and $112,090.00 in collected donations. For those of you that are still thinking about your contribution you can call the office with any questions 908 486 2514
WHY DO WE DO THAT? CATHOLIC LIFE EXPLAINED Question: What is the story behind Divine Mercy Sunday? Answer: In Poland during the early 1930s, Jesus appeared to a religious sister, St. Maria Faustina Kowalska. These private revelations had one key theme: the love and mercy of God. The relevance of this message was evident then and would continue to resound in importance throughout the social and political upheaval of the 20th century. One of Jesus' requests was the institution of a feast of God's mercy. St. Faustina records in her diary, "I desire that the Feast of mercy be a refuge and shelter for souls let no soul fear to draw near to me.it is my desire that it be solemnly celebrated on the first Sunday after Easter" (Diary, no. 699). After St. Faustina's canonization in 2000, the Vatican declared that the Second Sunday of Easter would be known as Divine Mercy Sunday. Open House Wednesday April 25th 7:00 pm 5th, 6th, & 7th Grade students and families are welcome Come and get a sneak peek at all that UC has to offer. Learn how our nationally recognized laptop learning program and progressive teaching methods can support your college and career goals and help you become all that God calls you to be. 1600 Martine Ave, Scotch Plains NJ 07076 For more info 908 889 1600 ext 302 Rutgers University Newark will be running its 18th annual Summer Basketball program for children ages 617. the program is July 913, July 1620, July 2327 and July 30Aug 3.2018 from 8:304pm. We offer early drop off and late pick up Free of Charge. The cost for one week is only $160.00. Discount rates if you attend more than one week. For more info, brochure please call Joe Loughran at 973 353 1483 or email at Loughran@rutgers.edu Rectory 179 Hussa Street Phone.. 908-486-2514.. Religious Education 908-486-2514 Parish Email... SEHPLinden@gmail.com Rectory Office Hours Monday Friday 9:00 5:00 Parish Website... http://www.sainteonline.org Emergency: 908 403 1513 Fax 908 486 1757 LIVE THE LITURGY INSPIRATION FOR THE WEEK What does it take to believe that something is real? We live in an age of computer technology complete with things like Photoshop and other programs that can enhance photographs, create realistic images, and mimic artistic renderings. When looking at a picture of something, we find ourselves wondering if what we are seeing is real or just the result of technological creativity. Early believers came to believe because of what they witnessed in these new communities of faith. They saw people authentically living out Jesus' command to love and to show mercy. What do people witness when they see us in action? Annual Legacy Society Reception to Honor Parishioner Legacies On Friday, May 4, 2018 at 2:00 PM the Archdiocese of Newark will hold its annual Legacy Society Tea honoring all parishioners who have included their parish or the Archdiocese of Newark in their Will, or who have made some other type of planned gift. The event begins with a Prayer Service in the Cathedral Basilica and is followed by a reception hosted by Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R. in the Residence. If you have named the parish in your Will or are considering doing so, you are eligible for membership in the Legacy Society. Please contact Theresa Lynch (973) 4974042 for further information. We would love to see you there. RECOGNIZE GOD IN YOUR ORDINARY MOMENTS What do you own and what owns you? You can find this question asked many times in several different contexts. Are you looking to find some kind of financial freedom? How about trying to live simply in a complex world? Has a mountain of stuff invaded your home garage to the point where parking a car inside is only a dream? The early Church practiced a radical form of fellowship called koinonia, which literally means "sharing in common." Those who had homes and other major possessions would sell them and then place the proceeds in the care of the Apostles to be shared with the entire community. People focus mostly on the fact that people sold all their possessions for the benefit of the community. However the real point is the action that occurred after selling: the proceeds were given to Church authority, in essence, to God first. They weren t just selling their homes and then giving the money to random people. The offering was to God and it was for the Apostles (those who personally encountered Jesus and now represented him on earth) to decide how to divide up the wealth. Why do such a thing? One could say it was so that no one wanted for anything. If we push that thinking too far, as some in history have done, we can create a system that takes from some to give to others. Nothing was taken from anyone in that first Christian community. It was freely given. And perhaps the reason why people were moved to do so lies at the heart of stewardship: because all we have already belongs to God anyway.