THE CATHOLIC COMMUNITY OF SAINT MARY GLOUCESTER CITY, NEW JERSEY 1848-2017 - ONE HUNDRED SIXTY-NINE YEARS TOGETHER IN CHRIST THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD JANUARY 8, 2017 REV. MSGR. WILLIAM A. HODGE, PASTOR REV. KEVIN J. MOHAN In Residence DEACON FRANK CROSSON DEACON DAVE MURNANE DEACON JOSEPH RAFFERTY SACRISTAN: CHARLES REED ST. MARY S RECTORY 426 MONMOUTH STREET GLOUCESTER CITY, N.J. 08030 856-456 - 0052 Fax: 856-456-1837 E-Mail: stmaryrectory@comcast.net Website: stmarysgloucestercity.org TRUSTEES: Michael McSweeney, Charlotte Brown CHOIR DIRECTOR: Joseph A. Gorman RELIGIOUS EDUCATION (CCD) COORDINATOR: Mary Kelly, 609-605-2765 Email: mkelly4reled@gmail.com VISITATION OF THE SICK Please call the Rectory if a parishioner is seriously ill and would like to receive the Sacrament of the Sick, Confession, and Holy Communion YOUTH GROUP-meets the 1st Sunday of every month after the 11:30 am Mass in the Rectory. Knights of Columbus Council #674 Grand Knight: Phil Curran Meet 2nd & 4th Monday 8:00 PM Catholic Daughters of the Americas Court Giese #439 Regent: Elaine McNutt Meet 1st Tuesday 7:00 PM Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians President: Mary Alice Conway Meet 2nd Thursday of the Month 7:00 pm. MASS SCHEDULE SATURDAY: 4:00 P.M. (Vigil Mass) SUNDAY: 7:30, 9:30 & 11:30 A.M. WEEKDAYS: 8:00 A.M. SATURDAY MORNING: 9:00 A.M. SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION SATURDAY: 9:30 A.M., 3:30-4:00 P.M. & By Appointment. BAPTISM Baptisms are held on the 2nd & 4th Sunday of the month immediately following 11:30 A.M. Mass. Class for Baptism is held the 1 st Wednesday of every month at 7 PM in the Rectory. Parents, and Godparents if available, must attend. Any questions please call the Rectory at 456-0052. Please refer to our policy. POLICY FOR CERTIFICATES OF ELIGIBILITY In order to receive a Certificate of Eligibility to be a Godparent/Sponsor for Baptism or Confirmation, you must be a practicing Catholic registered in the parish. If married, you must be married in the church. You must attend Mass regularly. The use of your envelope each week will tell us that you are attending regularly. This will avoid problems or embarrassments in the future. MARRIAGES Arrangements must be made one year prior to the marriage date. Please call the Rectory. SOLEMN EUCHARISTIC ADORATION is held every Thursday at 12 noon. The Holy Eucharist is exposed followed by the Miraculous Medal Novena, Rosary, and Benediction. Intention is for an increase in Church Vocations. PARISH COUNCIL Meets every other Month at 7:00 P.M. in the Rectory Conference Room. The next meeting will be on Thurs. Feb. 9, 2017. All Parishioners are welcome. FINANCE COUNCIL Meets quarterly at 7:00 P.M. in the Rectory Conference Room. The next meeting will be on Thurs. Feb. 23, 2017. PARISH REGISTRATION We urge all worshipers to register at the Rectory. If you are moving or changing address, kindly notify the Rectory. ST. VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY Call the Rectory. Monday Friday, 9 A.M. 3 P.M.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 7TH, 2017 4:00 P. M. IN HONOR OF BILL & SALLY GREEN 50TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY CLAIRE MURPHY req. by Family RALPH J. SAUNDERS, JR., req. by Mary & Michael Kain TOM REED (55th WED. ANN.) req. by Kass Reed SUNDAY JANUARY 8TH 2017-FEAST OF THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD 7:30 A. M. RALPH J. SAUNDERS, JR., req. by Ed & Doris Saunders & Family KATHY KAIN BEFUMO req. by Mary & Michael Kain HEALING INTENTIONS FOR DAVE KALT 9:30 A. M. ANNABELLE RASTELLI req. by Anne, Michaelene, & Karen Anne Stiles 11:30 A. M. IRV BROWN req. by Charlotte & Family CHARLOTTE O DONNELL req. by Marty & Joanne O Connor BARBARA ANYZEK req. by Agnes Justice Turing MONDAY, JANUARY 9TH 2017 8:00 A.M. CATHERINE O DONNELL (BIR. REM.) req. by Family TUESDAY, JANUARY 10TH, 2017 8:00 A.M. RALPH J. SAUNDERS, JR., req. by Bill & Rita Ritchie WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11TH, 2017 8:00 A.M. HELEN M. HAYES-Bequest KATHLEEN O DONNELL (BIR. REM.) req. by Family THURSDAY, JANUARY 12TH, 2017 8:00 A.M. EDWARD J. HAYES-Bequest FRIDAY, JANUARY 13TH, 2017 8:00 A.M. PEOPLE OF THE PARISH CATHERINE BARRON req. by Murph & Jim Kinnarney JANICE LEGGE (ANN. REM.) req. by husband Rick SATURDAY, JANUARY 14TH, 2017 9:00 A.M. IRV BROWN req. by Lynne & Mark Jergensen 4:00 P.M. ERIC KOWALSKI req. by Kevin & Roe Murphy FRANCIS OZZE KELLY req. by Donna & Mike Florich RALPH J. SAUNDERS, JR., req. by Bonny & Bob Sliwa BARBARA ANYZEK req. by Ed, Pat, & Children SUNDAY, JANUARY 15TH, 2017 7:30 A. M. FRANCIS X. MCCANN req. by Wife & Children FRANK & JULIE SCHUENEMANN req. by Mary Ann McCann 9:30 A. M. RALPH J. SAUNDERS, JR., req. by Joe & Millie Piscopio FRANCES MARY CANNING req. by Bill & Ginny James 11:30 A. M. IRV BROWN req. by Marty Sherry CLAIRE MURPHY req. by Family MARIE BUCK req. by Linda & Daniel III Spencer Please remember in your prayers our deceased: May they rest in peace.
THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD GRATEFUL STEWARDS Then they opened their treasures and offered Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. MATTHEW 2:11B The image of the Magi kneeling before the infant Jesus and opening their treasure chests for Him is an image that we should all try to follow all year long. In gratitude for all that we have been given, Christian STEWARDS are called to generously share all of our gifts, not just the ones we pick and choose. God wants us to be the most generous with that one thing that means the most to us. STEWARDSHIP Our collection for January 1st was ADDIONAL CHRISTMAS SOLEMNITY OF MARY/Debt Collection was Egiving for December 18th was Egiving for December 25th was TOTAL GIVING for Jan. 1st was LAST YEAR January 3rd, 2016 Giving: Difference 2016 to 2017: WEEKLY EXPENSES TO RUN PARISH: THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROSITY!! Please remember St. Mary s in your Will. Your legacy will be felt for generations to come. Thank you & God Bless You! Msgr. Hodge GIFTS TO THE ST. MARY S DEBT REDUCTION FUND IN MEMORY OF RALPH J. SAUNDERS, JR., from Kathleen & Christian Hawkinson, Patrick & Julia McHenry and BABY NOELLE EELLS from The Eells Family GIFTS TO ST. MARY S YOUTH MINISTRY IN MEMORY OF DOLORES JEAN DOYLE: from Julie & Gerard Jellig SANCTUARY CANDLE is burning for Healing Intentions for THERESA GORMAN from The Battersby Family ST. JOSEPH LAMP is burning for the Special Intentions of GAIL req. by Helen Duffy BLESSED MOTHERS LAMP is burning in memory of GENE VITTORELLI req. by Family Readings for the Week of January 8, 2017 Sunday: Is 60:1-6/Ps 72/Eph 3:2-3a, 5-6/Mt 2:1-12 Monday: Is 42:1-4, 6-7 or Acts 10:34-38/Ps 29/Mt 3:13-17 Tuesday: Heb 2:5-12/Ps 8/Mk 1:21-28 or Heb 1:1-6 and 2:512/Ps 8/Mk 1:14-20 and 1:21-28 Wednesday: Heb 2:14-18/Ps 105/Mk 1:29-39 Thursday: Heb 3:7-14/Ps 95/Mk 1:40-45 Friday: Heb 4:1-5, 11/Ps 78/Mk 2:1-12 Saturday: Heb 4:12-16/Ps 19/Mk 2:13-17 Next Sunday: Is 49:3, 5-6/Ps 40/1 Cor 1:1-3/Jn 1:29-34 Observances for the Week of January 8, 2017 Sunday: Epiphany of the Lord; National Migration Week Monday: Baptism of the Lord Tuesday: Weekday (First Week in Ordinary Time) Wednesday: Thursday: Friday: St. Hilary, Bishop and Doctor of the Church Saturday: Next Sunday: 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time JANUARY 8, 2017 THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD "And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them, until it came and stopped over the place where the child was." In our day and age, the star of Christmas has become a kind of decorative symbol that adorns manger scenes and Christmas trees. It suggests something good and bright and holy, a visual indicator that the "Light of the world" has appeared. But today, on the feast of the Epiphany, we recall that originally, this star was not just a pretty symbolic ornament. This star was a sign from God that intervened in the operations of the physical universe. The Magi understood that this star was sent from God to indicate where his Son would be born. Of course it should not surprise us in this season of all seasons that God should choose to order the universe according to his purposes. Jesus has just been born of a virgin! God has just taken on human flesh. These events in themselves are extraordinary divine interventions--miracles that defy the standard operation of things. Why shouldn't God choose to send a luminous star where he wants it, when he wants it? Why shouldn't he reveal his plan through the things that he created in the first place?
INCOME TAX STATEMENTS As of this year, we are going to cease providing financial statements to everyone in the parish. Starting now only those who request the rectory to keep a running record of your individual weekly donations for personal tax purposes will receive them. Experience has shown that only a handful of our many parishioners ask for contribution verification. You must communicate with the rectory staff to request this service to continue for you. If you want us to continue recording your donations for this year (2017) please contact us immediately. HOUSE OF CHARITY 2017 DID YOU KNOW - the House of Charity is a donor choice for many employee giving campaigns? Many businesses will begin their Employee Giving Campaigns this month and continue to solicit donations through the fall months. Employee Giving/ United Way campaigns give us an opportunity to direct our donations to the charities that best represents our beliefs, interests and social concerns. Ask your employer for a pledge card and be sure to: In the Donor Choice Section, designate the HOUSE of Charity Ask to be acknowledged! This ensures our parish will receive credit toward our House of Charity goal. If the agency requests a code for your donor choice these codes may be found on the House of Charity website under Employee Giving Campaign and in the Catholic Star Herald. Your donation to our House of Charity helps to build, support and maintain many programs, ministries and services throughout our parishes and communities. These programs save lives and build futures. Thank you so much for your past, present and future support of our House of Charity fundraising campaign. If you have any questions, please contact: Sheila McGirl House of Charity 856-583-6128. SEVEN SISTERS APOSTOLATE COMMITTED TO PRAYING FOR PRIESTS Seven Sisters: one holy hour/one priest/ each week/one heart of prayer. A new apostolate has begun here at St. Mary s Church and we are looking for women to commit to pray one hour a week in front of the Blessed Sacrament, either exposed or in the Tabernacle, for Msgr. Hodge s ministry and sanctification. For more information or to make a prayer commitment please contact Joanne Howey at 856-534-8344 BINGO BINGO will resume on TODAY, Sunday, January 8TH. If you are looking for a few fun hours on Sunday afternoon try our BINGO which starts promptly at 1:00 PM. Bring your family and friends and also enjoy our great kitchen for lunch. Doors open at 12:00 Noon. January 29th is Bingo Team #2 Captains are Sean & Carla Herbert 856-397-0767 February 26th Bingo Team #3 Captain is Claire Marie Devereaux 856-456-5716 QUEEN OF IRELAND RELIGIOUS ARTICLE STORE Gift certificates are NOW AVAILABLE for the Religious Article Store here at St. Mary s Parish behind St. Joseph s Altar. If you can t decide what to get a loved one from the store, you can now give them a GIFT CER- TIFICATE so they can come and browse and find something special. Please stop at the store after Mass or during the week from 8:30am-10:00am. The next meeting of St. Mary s Youth Group will be on Sunday, February 5th, 2017 after the 11:30 AM Mass in the Rectory. The Youth Group meets once a month on the First Sunday after the 11:30 AM Mass in the Rectory. All are welcome to join and attend and please bring a friend! We are recruiting Altar Servers to serve at the Sacred Ceremonies. If your daughter or son is interested in serving the Lord at Mass, please fill out the permission slip on the bottom of the letter that is on the tables as you exit church. Please drop the permission slip off at the Rectory office or put it in my hand the next time you come to Church. Practices will be on Saturdays from 11:00 AM to 12:00 Noon on: Jan. 21st, Jan. 28th, Feb. 4th, & Feb 11th in the church. Thank you for your willingness to serve at the Lord s Altar. Msgr. Hodge.
VITALITY CATHOLIC HEALTHCARE SERVICES Do you or someone you love need care at home? Contact the Diocese of Camden Home & Parish Healthcare Services Resource and Referral Help Line: 1-888-268-4825. A free and simple gateway to help at home for seniors and persons with disabilities seeking to remain healthy, safe and secure in their homes. ENGAGED ENCOUNTER Engaged Encounter is a weekend away with other engaged couples which allows plenty of time alone as a couple to dialogue honestly and intensively about your prospective life together. Ideas presented by a team of married couples and a priest or deacon stimulate personal reflection and private couple dialogue. Topics for discussions include: strengths and weaknesses, desires, ambitions, goals, attitudes about money, sexuality, children, family, your role in the church and society. The Sunday Mass celebration is an important part of the program. Weekends are held at Pope John Paul II Retreat Center in Vineland, NJ. All weekends begin promptly at 8 pm Friday evening and close by 3 pm Sunday afternoon. All meals and accommodations are included in the reservation fee of $395. Upcoming weekends: March 10-12, 2017 & June 9-11, 2017. For more information please contact the office by phone at 856-583-2903 or email: MarriagePrep@camdendiocese.org. MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER MARRIED COUPLES-WANT TO GIVE A GIFT THAT KEEPS ON GIVING? Register for a Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend-it s the best gift you ll ever give to each other and your marriage! The next weekend is February 10-12, 2017. Questions? Need more information? Call our application couple at 609-741- 8012 or email applications@wwme-southjersey.org Visit our website at wwme-southjersey.org VOCATIONS Could God Be Calling You To The Priesthood? Fr. Michael Romano, Director of Vocations, is hosting a Young Adult Priesthood Discernment Group at Our Lady of Peace Parish Offices, 32 Carroll Ave., Williamstown. If you are currently a junior or senior in high school, college student or in the professional world (up to 39 years old), and feel the possible call to the priesthood, this group can help you discern and pray with others who are also considering the priesthood. All meetings are on Sundays from 2:00 3:30 pm. The schedule is as follows: January 8, 2017, February 5, 2017, March 12, 2017 and April 2, 2017. For more information, please call the Office of Vocations at 856-583-2858 or email: michael.romano@camdendiocese.org. SUPERMARKET GIFT CARDS Gift Cards for Shop Rite and Acme are always On-Sale in the church vestibule after Masses, and at the Rectory Office and at Sunshine Flowers and Gifts. This is a great fundraiser for St. Mary s Parish as we receive 5% of every purchase of the gift cards. COMING SOON-SAVE THE DATES St. Mary s Irish MONTH Activities Wednesday, March 1, 2017 Decorate your house & business Irish (contest) Sunday, March 5, 2017 St. Patrick s Irish Mass and Parade Friday, March 10, 2017 IRISH GOT TALENT Show-IRISH NITE Sunday, March 12, 2017 St. Mary s Irish 5K Run & Walk Wednesday, March 15, 2017 Ecumenical Service and Awarding of prizes for Irish House & Business Decorating Contest Friday, March 17, 2017 Knights of Columbus St. Patrick s Day Breakfast ; Traditional Full Irish Breakfast!! ****STAY TUNED TO FUTURE BULLETINS FOR DETAILED INFORMATION ON EACH EVENT!
SUPERMARKET GIFT CARDS Gifts cards for ShopRite and Acme are being sold as a fundraiser for the Church. The Church receives 5%