St. Joseph Roman Catholic Parish Over a Century of Catholic Presence Rev. James W. McGuffey, Pastor Rev. Lauro C. Sedlmayer, Parochial Vicar Rev. Sean G. Winters, In Residence Deacon Ramon Torres, Hispanic Ministry Deacon George Kimball, Permanent Deacon Mrs. Roseann Johnson, Principal Mrs. Marcelle Doherty, Coordinator of Religious Education/Pastoral Assistant Dr. Thomas Juneau, Director of Music MAILING ADDRESS: Parish School 55 High Street 865 Roosevelt Avenue Carteret, NJ 07008 Carteret, NJ 07008 TELEPHONE DIRECTORY: Parish Office 732-541-8946 Fax 732-541-0500 School 732-541-7111 Youth Ministry Office 732-969-8767 Religious Education /Pastoral Office 732-969-8767 St. Vincent de Paul Society 732-541-6003 WEBSITES: Parish: www.stjosephparishfamily.com PREP: www.stjosephprep.net School: www.sjps.net MASS SCHEDULE Sunday: 5:00 (Saturday evening), 8:00, 10:30, 12:00 and 1:30 PM (Spanish) Weekday: Monday to Friday: 8:00 AM Saturday: 8:30 AM First Friday: 8:00 AM St. Peregrine Mass for the Sick Second Thursday of the month at 7:00 PM Confessions Saturday: 11:00 AM SACRAMENTS Baptism: The Rite of Baptism is celebrated on the second weekend of the month: Saturday at 1:00 PM. Please arrange for the obligatory preparation session by calling the parish office. Pastoral Care of the Sick: The Holy Eucharist and the Anointing of the Sick are available to the sick and shut-ins upon request. First Penance, First Eucharist, Confirmation: Children are expected to receive a Catholic upbringing in their family life, to worship regularly at Sunday Mass, and to receive ongoing religious education in the years preceding the reception of these sacraments. Matrimony: Specific times are set for the celebration of marriage during the year. To allow ample time for preparation, please contact the parish office at least one year before the intended wedding date. Holy Orders or Religious Life: If you are considering serving God as a priest, deacon or religious, you may contact your parish priest, deacon or religious: or phone the Office of Vocations at 732-562-1990 Ext. 1700 for more information. PARISH SERVICES Parish Office Hours: Weekdays: 8:30 AM to 2:00 PM Parish Registration: New parishioners are welcome. Please call the parish office to register. Please inform us if you move. R.C.I.A. Adults inquiring about the Catholic Church with a desire to become Catholic are invited to call the parish office for information about the Rite of Christian Initation of Adults. Parish Organizations: Servants of Mary (Woman s Group), Adult Choir, Children s Choir, Ministry to the Poor, Ministry to the Sick & Elderly, RCIA Team, Food Pantry, Hispanic Ministry, St. Vincent de Paul Society, Home School Association, Athletic Association, Catechetical Instruction. Sponsorship: To act as a Godparent for Baptism or sponsor for Confirmation, the sponsor must be a baptized Catholic, confirmed, had communion, and live a morally good life; if married, done so within church law. Ordinarily the sponsor must be at least 14 years old. A Christian who is a non-catholic may be a witness for Baptism together with a Catholic sponsor.
TWENTIETH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME AUGUST 19, 2018 PARISH CALENDAR SUNDAY August 19 MONDAY August 20 TUESDAY August 21 WEDNESDAY August 22 THURSDAY August 23 FRIDAY August 24 8:00 PM A/A, Alanon, Alateen, church hall SATURDAY August 25 For everything there is a season and a time for every purpose under heaven... a time to heal... for the sick of our Parish and especially for Mary Wagner, Fr. John Morley FOR THE SAFETY OF OUR TROOPS We remember our brave men and women now serving in our Armed Forces, both at home and abroad. Dear God, send out Your angels to protect them all. Help them discharge their duties honorably and well. Please bring them safely home to their families and loved ones and bring Your peace and mercy to our troubled world. We ask this, Father, in the name of Jesus, Your Son, our Savior and Lord. Amen. Remember in your prayers the members of our Armed Services, especially: Josh Hayes, cousin of Kathy Perkins; JP Brown, godson of Elizabeth Melo; Justin Molarz, grandson of Susan Molarz; Jesus L. Santiago, cousin of Felix and Ana Morales; Christopher Czapik, grandson of Carol Knittel; Justin Lurker, grandson of Helen Lurker; Robert Michnowicz, nephew of Helen Lurker; Mario Roman, son of Janice Pastures; Marc Repace, grandson of Pat Consiglio; Taylor Setar, daughter of Greg and Terry Setar; Gabriella Gatto, daughter of Carmelo and Nicole Gatto; Laura Roe, daughter of Maria and Luis Pena. PRAY AND FAST FOR VOCATIONS Almighty and Eternal God, in Your unfailing love You provide ministers for Your Church. We pray that more men may hear Your call to serve the Church of Metuchen as priests. Inspire in them a generous response. Grant them courage and vision to serve Your people. May their lives and service as men of the Eucharist call Your people to respond to the presence of Your Spirit among us that, faithful to the Gospel and hope of Jesus Christ, we may all be reconciled to God, announce glad tidings to the poor, proclaim liberty to the captives, set prisoners free, and renew the face of the earth. Amen. A ST. PEREGRINE HEALING MASS is celebrated in our Church on the second Thursday of each month, at 7:00 p.m. Following the Mass, there is an opportunity for individuals to receive a blessing and healing prayers. We invite you or anyone you know that is suffering from a serious illness, to join us for this special Mass. The next St. Peregrine Healing Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, September13, If you would like the name of a loved one placed before the Shrine of St. Peregrine prior to this Mass, you may obtain a Spiritual Bouquet Card in the Gift Shop or at the Parish Office. The Eucharist and the Pro-Life Movement "I am the Bread of Life. He who eats this bread will live forever. I will raise Him up on the last day." (See Jn.6:47-58) The Eucharistic sacrifice is the very action of Christ by which He destroyed our death and restored our life. Whenever we gather for this sacrifice we are celebrating the victory of life over death, and therefore over abortion. The pro-life movement is not simply working "for" victory; we are working "from" victory. As Saint John Paul II said in Denver in 1993, "Have no fear. The outcome of the battle for life is already decided." Our work is to apply the already established victory to every facet of our society. Celebrating the Eucharist is the source and summit of such work. PRAYER FOR UNBORN God our Creator, we give thanks to You, Who alone have the power to impart the breath of life as You form each of us in our mother's womb. Grant, we pray, that we, whom You have made stewards of creation, may remain faithful to this sacred trust and constant in safeguarding the dignity of every human life. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, Who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. SAVE THE DATE WALK FOR LIFE Saturday, October 13 ~ 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Merrill Park, Iselin Join Life Choices Resource Center for their annual Walk for Life and make a difference in the life of an unborn child. Registration begins on August 20. For additional information, please call 732-516-0822. Family of the Americas Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to educating and strengthening women and families worldwide. FAF was founded in 1977 for the purpose of promoting family unity by encouraging parents to meet their mutual responsibilities to each other and to their children. The Family of the Americas website is a great source of information. Visit www.familyplanning.net
SUNDAY READINGS First Reading - Proverbs 9: 1-6 Second Reading - Ephesians 5: 15-20 Gospel - John 6: 51-58 This Eucharistic Feast Some things about human nature don t change, even over the course of centuries. When we celebrate a holiday, we have a meal; when we celebrate a significant event, we have a feast. In today s first reading, Lady Wisdom is setting a feast, a sign of celebrating the covenant that Israel has with God. Israel s central remembrance of its saving Exodus covenant is the Passover meal. So it is natural and not coincidental that the Christian celebration of the new covenant sealed by the blood of Christ on the cross happens at a meal, our Eucharist, offered first by Jesus in the context of Passover remembrance. It is easy for us, sometimes, to forget the very long and rich religious and human origins of our eucharistic feasting on the bread and cup that are the Body and Blood of Jesus. Today, and for the next few Sundays that we hear the Bread of Life discourse from John, let us bring to mind the loving covenant that God makes with us, and be filled with great joy at this marvelous feast that we have come to attend. Copyright J. S. Paluch Co. SCRIPTURE READINGS FOR THE WEEK 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: 1-7ab; Mt 23: 1-12 Sunday: Jos 24: 1-2a, 15-17, 18b; Eph 5: 21-32 or 5: 2a, 25-32; Jn 6: 60-69 OFFERTORY COLLECTION August 12, 2018 $7114 $5802 (2017) As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God s varied grace. -1Peter 4:10 St. Joseph School s PRESCHOOL PROGRAM An Investment in Your Child s Future Our Preschool Program for 3 and 4 year old children focuses on the development of the whole child. The Program offers: Spanish, Library, Computers, Arts and Crafts, Science Experiments, Literacy Circle, STREAM (Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, Art, Math), fine and gross motor activities in gym Class. For more information or to arrange a visit, please contact our School Office at 732-541-7111. WELCOME BACK! St. Joseph School Opening Week Calendar Wednesday - August 29 Student Supply Drop Off - Teacher Meet and Greet Students are invited between 4:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. to stop by their classrooms to drop off their school supplies and meet their Teacher. Tuesday - September 4 First Day of School Grades K to 8 - gather at 7:45 a.m. outside by lawn area. PK3 & PK4 Orientation - 9:00 a.m. in the School Gym; 12:00 noon dismissal. Wednesdays - September 5 School for Grades PK3 through 8; 12:00 noon dismissal. Thursday - September 6 Full day of School for all Grades. HSA Meeting and Ice Cream Social -7:00 p.m. Friday - September 7 School Mass - 9:30 a.m. in the School Gym. Parents are invited! Registrations are still being accept. For information, call the School Office at 732-541-7111 or visit their website at www.sjps.net PREP CLASSES BEGIN! The 2018-2019 Religious Education year will begin with Mass in the gym, at St. Joseph School, on Wednesday, September 12, at 6:00 p.m. We look forward to seeing you! When it's time for PREP, it's also time to recruit new help. We ask you to prayerfully consider if God is calling you to assist us in passing on our faith to the next generation. If a weekly commitment does not suit your schedule, then consider becoming a substitute catechist. Call the PREP office for additional information: 732-969-8767. If you have not yet registered your child, Registration Forms are available on the counter in the Narthex, at the Parish Office, and at the PREP Office. You can also download a Registration Form at www.stjosephprep.net We sincerely thank our parishioners who mail or deliver their weekly donation envelopes to the Parish Office while outof-town or on vacation during the Summer. As many of you understand, our Parish still has expenses and obligations to take care of so it is very helpful to be able to rely on your continued support even when you cannot personally attend Mass here.
Bishop gathers senior team to examine processes for reporting abuse. Since becoming your bishop just over two years ago, I have been regularly uplifted and affirmed in my own ministry by so many faithful and committed priests, religious and lay people. I am constantly amazed to learn about new initiatives here which strive to deepen our friendship with Christ, and the numerous efforts that so many undertake to provide genuine responses to tragic situations that call upon us to show the mercy of God to those in need. I also feel strengthened by the examples of generosity that I have experienced when I have called upon you to help me respond to building up our local Church, in order that we can meet so many needs together. The people of the Diocese of Metuchen are an inspiration. I continue to be saddened and ashamed, however, by reports of the abhorrent events we have been learning about in regard to Archbishop McCarrick and I know you must be, too. Our efforts to evangelize, and spread the Good News of Christ, have been hobbled by these atrocities. I am praying for all those who have been hurt and praying that God s mercy will bring healing and consolation. My heart also breaks for our faithful people, and the clergy and religious of our Diocese, as we face another tragic situation within the Church that we love. Nonetheless, I am grateful that the processes the Church has in place regarding child sexual abuse have been shown to work. The case of Archbishop McCarrick demonstrates that the culture of the Church is changing and that no one is exempt from its censure regardless of a person s rank or status, or the number of years that have passed since an incident occurred. As I have done in the past, I continue to urge anyone who has been abused to bring the situation to the attention of law enforcement officials. Also, I want to reiterate that the Diocese stands poised and ready to help any who have been abused. I am also working to address how we can ensure that similar abuses, especially of seminarians or young priests, would not happen again, particularly by those in positions of authority over them. I have begun to bring together a senior team of advisors to examine reporting processes. Clearly, the safety of an independent reporting structure that allows for anyone to bring an allegation forward without the fear of retribution of any kind is needed. Accountability on all levels helps to ensure that a healthy, wholesome environment prevails to form and train our future priests. I know that I do not have to reiterate to the people of this Diocese that proper priestly formation is central to renewal in the life of the Church. In the Diocese of Metuchen, we are seeing a new springtime with men studying for the priesthood. We are blessed with the most seminarians we have had in 25 years. They are good men, striving to make over their hearts like the Good Shepherd s own caring heart. Of course, years ago it might have been relatively easy to enter the seminary, and receive the accolades of family, parish and society at large for deciding to become a priest. That is not the case now. Our young men seek to join in this life of service to God and His people at a time when it would be easy to ignore the call and choose another path. Yet, they choose to listen to the quiet call of the Lord, asking them to follow me just as our Lord asked the apostles two thousand years ago. I thank God for them, as I thank God as well for you, who support these dedicated young men in their response to God's call in these challenging times. I ask for your prayers as the Church faces so many challenges in our world today. We know that the Holy Spirit protects the Church by insuring the truth of the presence of Christ who is its keystone, its heart and its foundation. The Holy Spirit wraps the Church in this protection in spite of our sinfulness and, it must be said in candor, in spite of the sinfulness of some of its leaders. Despite the failings of the past, however, we remain steadfast in hope. This hope anchors our faith in the credibility of this sinful yet holy Assembly of Believers, a living paradox of unity in diversity, as we endeavor to build the Kingdom of God established through the incarnation, suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ who is the same yesterday, today and forever. (Heb. 13:8) In the midst of the trials we currently face, I do not want to miss pointing out that Christ is still at work in His Church! This summer, in addition to my weekend visits to parishes for Mass, I have been taking advantage of the lighter weekday schedule to visit some vacation bible schools, religious communities of sisters, nursing homes, prisons and some parishes for daily Mass. It is an honor to be with you, and it is evident that people everywhere are still yearning to see Christ in us a willingness to place their hope in the many ministries and initiatives through which the Lord Himself uses our humble humanity to touch us with His grace. We must never forget that, in every age, the antidote to the ills that beset the Church is for men and women everywhere to rise up in sanctity. Let us not lose our vision: to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, who inspires and perfects our faith. (Heb 12:12) To Him be glory and praise forever. Be assured of my prayers for you and know of my gratitude for you. Please remember to pray for me too. God bless you! Most Reverend James F. Checchio, JCD, MBA Bishop of Metuchen
SATURDAY August 18 5:00 PM Michael Burns SUNDAY August 19 8:00 AM Members of the Perpetual Mass Guild 10:30 AM Theresa Policastro 12:00 PM Patricia Bodnar 1:30 PM Parishioners of St. Joseph Parish MONDAY August 20 8:00 AM Richard A. Vento TUESDAY August 21 8:00 AM Rhoda and Tom Hanley WEDNESDAY August 22 8:00 AM Mary Romano THURSDAY August 23 8:00 AM Alcides Mendez 11:30 AM Eucharistic Adoration FRIDAY August 24 8:00 AM Barbara Sewing SATURDAY August 25 8:30 AM Edward Mihalko 5:00 PM Paul Cassitta SUNDAY August 26 8:00 AM George Kimball, Jr. 10:30 AM John Mihalko 12:00 PM Intentions of Carmen Ortiz 1:30 PM Parishioners of St. Joseph Parish CANDLE INTENTIONS ~ AUGUST 19-25 The St. Joseph Church Sanctuary Lamp burns for the souls in purgatory. The Pieta Lamp burns for an increase in vocations to consecrated life. The St. Joseph Lamp burns for the innocent unborn. EUCHARISTIC ADORATION Thursdays - 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. - Church Chapel Each moment you spend with Jesus will deepen your union with Him and make your soul everlastingly more glorious and beautiful in Heaven, and will help bring about everlasting peace on earth. -St. Teresa of Calcutta Eucharistic Adoration, closing with Benediction, is held each Thursday, 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., in the Church Chapel. Come join with us in prayer for ourselves, our family and friends, our Parish, the needy, our Country, and the entire world. This is an opportunity for tremendous graces for ourselves, as well as for those for whom we pray. SILVER & GOLD WEDDING ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION SUNDAY, OCTOBER 21 ~ 4:00 PM You are cordially invited to celebrate your 25th or 50th Wedding Anniversary with the Church of Metuchen. Renew your marriage vows with Bishop James F. Checchio at a special Evening Prayer Service in the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi, Metuchen. Please register online by logging on to the diocesan website https://diometuchen.org/officesand-ministries/family-and-pastoral-life/family-life/silver-andgold/. The system will automatically generate a confirmation message with some facts about the event. More specifics will be sent closer to the event. If you are unable to access the diocesan website, please contact the Family Life Office at 732-243-4582 or amatos@diometuchen.org. Even though no fee is required, in the past many Jubilarian couples have given a donation of gratitude to the Church in memory of this special occasion. Donations of Gratitude can be made online or calling 732-243-4582, Monday thru Friday, during business hours. Registration closes on Wednesday, October 3, 2018. International Overdose Awareness Day The Community of Saint John Neumann Office of Family Life, Diocese of Metuchen, will host a PRAYER SERVICE to mark International Overdose Awareness Day on Friday, August 31, at Saint John Neumann Church in Califon, at 7:00 p.m. Any person or family whose life has been touched by the pain of addiction or loss, or who seeks the grace of Our Lord Jesus Christ in the struggle to recovery is welcome. Refreshments and fellowship will follow. For more information visit on International Overdose Awareness Day: https://www.overdoseday.com/ RCIA INQUIRY SESSION Scripture is filled with stories of Jesus' acts which are signs which manifest His identity and the nature of the work the Father accomplished through Him. However, often those signs did not change the perception that the people had of Him...they (and we) often just didn't get it. To really know Jesus one has to develop a friendship with Him. Isn't there someone in your life who would like to know Jesus better? Invite your relative or your friend to a RCIA Inquiry Session. Inquiry Sessions do not ask for commitments. Inquiry sessions are a place to ask questions about God/Jesus or about the Catholic Faith. Inquiry Sessions are opened to anyone who is unbaptized, baptized into another Christian Denomination or baptized Catholic but has not received BOTH sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist. Inquiry sessions will continue throughout the Summer. Call Sara Sharlow at the RCIA Office for more information: 732-243- 4577.