The Bread and Wine have been offered in loving memory of Michael Hanley From David & Courtney Michnewicz and MONDAY, March 13, 2017 Manuel Almeida 7:00 AM Ruth Demeter, r/o Denyse Giannone From Wife Maria 8:45 AM Pam Mercatili, r/o Michnewicz Family TUESDAY, March 14, 2017 7:00 AM Charles D Alessandro, r/o Loftus Family 8:45 AM Manuel Almeida, r/o Wife WEDNESDAY, March 15, 2017 7:00 AM Helen Dwornitski, r/o Mary Migacz 8:45 AM Marianne Durkin, r/o Marietta Ciesla THURSDAY, March 16, 2017 7:00 AM Anthony V. Claps, r/o Brown Family 8:45 AM Domenica Pontoriero, r/o Gerry DePaola FRIDAY, March 17, 2017 7:00 AM Irene Fahy, r/o Matt & Michele Wright 8:45 AM Eugene & Mary O Donnell, r/o M/M Connie O Donnell 7:00 PM Stations of the Cross SATURDAY, March 18, 2017 8:00 AM Margaret Lauber, r/o Yosmanovich Family 5:00 PM Michael Hanley, r/o Family 7:00 PM Denise Kenny, r/o Prayer Group SUNDAY, March 19, 2017 7:00 AM Patricia Carnevale, r/o Family 9:00 AM Living and Deceased Members of our parish 10:45 AM Leo DePaola (30 th anniv.), r/o Wife & Kids 12:15 PM Charles & Susan DeRiso, r/o Rosemarie Saraco Remember and pray for the sick of the parish, those who are hospitalized, and their caregivers: Danny E. Bodeck, Margaret Batista, Olivia Pullen, Jane Cordi, Andrew Rodriguez, Rose Thompson, Hailey Noble, Annie Panaccione, Hugh McCague, Salvatore Aloe, Michelle Valian, Josh Estenes, James Red Dwyer, Nicholas, Jacqueline McDonough, Mary Bowkley, Baby Matteo, Ronald Kutsy, George Wittmann, Andrew Merlo, Millie Calandriello, Rosie Catalon, Terry Briante, Lisa Auerbach, Judith McCabe, Danny Sheldon, John Mihalko, Artie Palumbo, Eileen Reilly, Baby Lucas DeCarlo, Bethany Ciccarelli, and please remember our service men and women in your prayers. SPECIAL COLLECTION THIS WEEK Thank you for your generous support of The Catholic Relief Services Collection and for helping Jesus in disguise. Your contributions will make a difference for the poor and marginalized around the world. If you missed the collection, it s not too late to give! Learn more at www.usccb.org/nationalcollections, and click on the How to Give link on the left. GOD S PLAN FOR GIVING Collection for the weekend of 3/5/17 was $15,673.74 May God bless you for your generosity. ATTENTION! Anyone wishing a record of their Church contributions for the year 2016 is asked to send in a stamped selfaddressed envelope with their envelope number to the Rectory or drop it into the collection basket. Next Baptismal class will be March 21st, 2017. Please call the Rectory to register. RICE BOWL ENCOUNTER LENT We encounter Evelina in Zambia as she and other mothers in her community learn new ways to provide nutritious meals for their growing children and families. How do we ensure that those who are hungry have not only food but true nourishment. Visit crsricebowl.org for more. DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME BEGINS 12 AM SUNDAY Let us pray for our recently departed brothers and sisters, especially: Francesco Pernice, Audrey Angrisani and reward them a place in heaven and eternal rest. MARK YOUR CALENDARS! PARISH MISSION AT ST. JOHN VIANNEY APRIL 3 5 Fr. Edwin Leahy will be speaking on a Lenten theme. More information to come.
Adult Faith Program What makes us Uniquely Catholic Join us as we discuss the ways in which our Catholic faith is the fullest realization of the original church founded by the Apostles. Too many times we forget how unique our Catholic faith is compared to the many other Christian and non- Christian religions. The Catholic Church has faithfully retained the beliefs of the original church founded by the Apostles. Come join us as we uncover what makes us unique, especially as compared to the other Christian churches that surround us in our world today. 1 Sunday Evening - March 26th 6:30pm to 8:00pm Register via email to: adultfaith@sjvs.net or call 732-548-3880 2017 Bishop s Annual Appeal Ambassadors for Christ This weekend, parishes throughout the Diocese of Metuchen are celebrating Bishop s Annual Appeal In-Pew Weekend. Our goal is for every family to participate. Every gift, no matter the size, is important and greatly appreciated. Together we are Ambassadors for Christ St. John Vianney School News Daylight Savings Time begins today remember to turn your clocks ahead. If you placed an order for Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, you can pick up your order on Friday, March 17, from 1-6 PM. Pre-School News Openings are still available for the 2017-2018 school year. Please call the school office at 732-388-1662 to schedule a tour or to register your child. CATHOLIC SCHOOL 2017-2018 TUITION ASSISTANCE ONLINE APPLICATION PROCESS OPEN Families interested in applying for tuition assistance to attend an eligible Diocese of Metuchen Catholic elementary or high school may do so beginning January 30, 2017. The application process is online through FACTS Grant & Aid Assessment. Online applications must be completed (including supporting documentation) by no later than Friday, March 31, 2017. Applications are available in English and Spanish. Families that need assistance completing the online application, or need access to the technology to apply, may register for one of the five Application Workshops, which will be held in four locations within the Diocese in February and March by going to www.diometuchen.org/tuition-assistance and following the Workshops link. BSA Troop 523 PANCAKE BREAKFAST St. John Vianney s Cafeteria Sunday, March 26, 2017 7:30 AM - 12:00 Noon Pancakes with Sausages, Coffee, Tea, Hot Chocolate Boy, Girl and Cub Scouts in uniform admitted for free Adult - $8.00 Senior - $5.00 Child (under 10) - $5.00 Msgr. Richard A. Behl Memorial Pro-Life Leadership Award With the sad passing of Msgr. Richard A. Behl this past November, a memorial pro-life leadership award has been established to honor his memory. Msgr. Behl served for many years as the Chairman of the Diocesan Commission for Pro-Life Action. His commitment to the sanctity of human life and his leadership in pro-life ministry were an inspiration to many. Applications for the award are now being accepted. Applicants must be a Junior or Senior in High School and must be active in pro-life ministry in a leadership role. For additional eligibility requirements and application form, visit: http://diometuchen.org/offices-andministries/pastoral-life/respect-for-life/events/. The Award in the amount of $500. will be announced at our Annual Respect Life Contest Mass & Luncheon this May. The deadline for all submissions is April 13, 2017.
MUSIC MINISTRY NEWS Adult Choir Many thanks to all those in our adult choir who sang for the 10:45 am mass last Sunday with Bishop Checchio!! We are preparing for our parish presentation of Lenten and Holy Week music which will be held on Sunday March 26 th at 3:00 pm in the church. We are always looking for new people to join with our very dedicated group!! We welcome all adults (And high school students) to be part of our choir! We practice each Wednesday from 7:30 to 9:00 Pm in the church. Our next rehearsal will be on Wednesday March 15th!! Children s Choir Many thanks also to our children s choir for singing for the mass last Sunday with Bishop Checchio!! Our children s choir is now practicing for the Lenten season! We practice on Tuesday afternoons from 4:00 to 5:00 pm in the church. We sing twice a month at either the 9:00 or 10:45 am mass! All students from grade 2 and up are welcome to join our group!! Our next rehearsal will be on Tuesday March 21st!! We sing again on Sunday March 26th at the 10:45 am mass!! Folk Group Our Parish Folk Group enhances the 12:15 liturgy each week. The Folk Group is under the direction of Ms. Jennie Esposito. Rehearsals are held weekly at 11:15 Am in the conference room adjacent to the church gathering area. Jennie is always looking for more singers as well as instrumentalists to join with the Folk Group! YOUTH MINISTRY Have you heard the big news? The youth group is doing an amazing mini retreat titled THRIVE on Friday March 24th from 5:30-11:00pm. Just like a full retreat weekend, there will be a big fancy dinner, games, talks, small groups, and so much more!! Registration slips have been handed out at the meeting last Sunday, and sent via e-mail last week. Bring you signed registration form to the meeting this Sunday from 7:00-8:30pm in Trailer D. Don't have a form? We Do! Bring a parent in to the meeting with you for a quick signature and to bring some information home. See you then!! PRO LIFE Next Pro-life meeting is Tuesday, March 28 at 7pm in the lower church meeting room. Maternity donations can be dropped in the crib in the foyer of the church. Both new (especially diapers size 3 to 6) and gently used items are accepted. Please continue to remember the children and families who are helped with your donations. If you have larger items, please call Carolyn at 732-381-0499 to arrange for pickup. Thank you for your continued generosity. PILGRIMAGES WITH FATHER JOSEPH POLAND S BEST MAY 26 JUNE 4, 2017 & FATIMA, LOURDES WITH BARCELONA OCTOBER 15 24, 2017 Contact Fr. Joseph at 732-574-0150 or Phyllis Gomulka at 732-566-4115 Website: www.sjvianney.com Teenage/College Group This group of young adults in the parish generally enhances the 12:15 Pm mass on the fourth Sunday of each month. Rehearsal is held at 11:15 am in the conference room. If you sing or play an instrument, then this group is for you!! Please speak to Jennie Esposito after 12:15 pm for more information on both groups!! You can contact me at jframeiii@yahoo.com with any questions, Jamie Frame.Dir. Of Music/Organist PARISH LENTEN CONCERT Plan on joining us on Sunday March 26th at 3:00 PM for our parish "Laetare Sunday" presentation of Lenten and Holy Week music. There will be readings from sacred scripture along with choral music presented by our parish adult choir. Following the concert all are welcome to join us for a food and fellowship in the school cafeteria featuring the traditional "St. Joseph's Day Pastries." All are welcome to attend!! LEARN AND JOIN THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS The Knights have put their monthly booklet in the back of church in the magazine rack (bottom). Please take one and see what they are all about. If you wish to join call Lou at 732-499-0344 or see Charlie after the 5 PM mass on Saturdays. Go forth from the land of your kinsfolk and from your father s house to a land that I will show you. GENESIS 12:1 God calls all of us to leave behind our old ways and to follow Him, placing our complete trust in Him. Some of the old ways that we may have to struggle to leave behind might be materialism, selfishness and greed. Yet God promises to show us a new land and a better way to live.
Marriage Encounter Weekend A Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend gives you the time and tools to revitalize romance, deepen communication, and nourish the spirituality in your marriage. The next Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend will be held April 28-30. Early registration is advisable as space is limited. Phone 1-732-904-9636 for registration and information. Visit us at: www.aweekendforyourmarriage.org for more information. CALLING ALL YOUNG ADULTS (18-39)! What is your deepest desire? Is it to live a happy and meaningful life? This retreat series is for all young adults who want to live life to the fullest in peace and joy! Consisting of 5 afternoons of prayer between October and June, the series has been revitalized from previous years and each afternoon will focus on one aspect of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius Loyola. Suggested Offering for Sunday afternoons $10. Sunday, March 19, 2017 2:00 7:00pm The Examen Sunday, June 4, 2017 2:00 7:00pm Love & How God Loves Us June 23-25, 2017 Weekend to End the Series JOB OPENING Maintenance Mechanic - Office of Property and Facilities Management, St. John Neumann Pastoral Center Piscataway, NJ Presently, the Office of Property and Facilities management seeks a Maintenance Mechanic to: Perform routine tasks such as painting, plumbing, electrical wiring and other related activities. Maintain facilities, grounds and equipment in a clean, safe and orderly condition. Cut lawns using a power mower; Trim and edge around walks, flower beds and walls. Assist in snow removal by shoveling walkways and driveways Assist with other projects as needed. The ideal candidate must be able to regularly lift and/or move up to 50 pounds, work outdoors, and be able to work occasional weekend schedule. Interested candidates should forward their resume to hr@diometuchen.org. ** Please note that due to the anticipated high volume of responses, only those candidates who we are interested in interviewing will be contacted. NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE. All retreats will be held at Loyola Jesuit Center, 161 James Street, Morristown, NJ. To register, please call 973-539-0740, email: retreathouse@loyola.org or visit www.diometuchen.org/young-adult-retreats Lenten Retreat for Women Join the Sisters of Jesus our Hope for a Lenten Retreat for Women: "Bearing Blessings and Burdens with a Grateful Heart." Saturday, April 8, 2017 8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. St. Magdalen de Pazzi Parish 105 Mine St. Flemington, NJ Jennifer Ruggiero, Director, Office of Respect for Life, will give the keynote address. As Director, Jennifer coordinates educational programs on Church teaching on a wide range of life issues. She has served for over 15 years on the NJ Catholic Conference Public Policy Committee and is also the chairperson for the NJ Catholic Respect Life Directors. For more information, please visit: sistersofjesusourhope.org.
Lenten Obligations 1. The days of fast and abstinence are Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. 2. All other Fridays of Lent are days of abstinence. 3. The obligation of fast applies only to Catholics between the ages of 18 and 59. Fasting in the Catholic tradition means to limit oneself to one full meal and two smaller meals which together are not equal to a full meal, so as to experience hunger. 4. The obligation of abstinence applies to all Catholics who have reached the age of 14. Abstinence in the Catholic tradition means to abstain from meat. As you may know, the Memorial of St. Patrick falls on a Friday this year. For members of the faithful celebrating this Memorial and who desire it, Bishop Checchio has commuted the penitential obligation on March 17 to the obligation to abstain from meat on another day that same week. A FRESH PERSPECTIVE ON THE SUNDAY READINGS HIS WORD TODAY by Rev. William J. Reilly God has saved us and has called us to a holy life, not because of any merit of ours but according to his own design the grace held out to us in Christ Jesus before the world began but now made manifest through the appearance of our Savior. He has robbed death of its power With Peter, James and John we join Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration. It is a transforming moment, when the Lord reveals to us who He is. The voice speaks, not only telling us of Jesus, but also that we are chosen, His favor rests in us, and our lent is our moment to be transformed by God s forgiving grace. We remember the simple definition that grace is the very life of God, communicated to us as a gift, and accepted. We begin our second week on our journey, aware that we have been chosen. God offers us the gift of His grace, but we need to seek it and accept it. As Paul told Timothy, God s grace robs sin of its power. Another name for grace is power. Use it, seek forgiveness and forgive someone else.