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Some thoughts from Fr. Mike Dear Friends, Every person has a different set of values in life those things that a person considers necessary to experience happiness and to give meaning to life. Some people crave fame and popularity. Happiness comes when the person is recognized in public or has an accomplishment announced for others to hear. Others may pursue status and respectability within the community. They are not happy unless the things they own or the position they hold are viewed by others as something that makes them worth more than others. But the Scripture Readings for today challenges all types of worldly life-styles and tell us to get our priorities straight. The treasure that is referred to in the Gospel is our faith which tells us that we already have all the worth that we need because we are heirs to the Kingdom of God. Worldly values are insignificant to the worth of Godly values. Our search for happiness and meaning in life should not be for superficial happiness but to develop, understand and be happy with a good relationship with God. The encouraging aspect of the Gospel story is that the treasure that comes from God can be found in ordinary places. God is constantly speaking to us and revealing the way to happiness in the simplicity of our lives. We can only benefit from this when we open our eyes and hearts to God s presence and search for God in the bits and pieces of everyday events. Everything that God does for us and everything that God offers us is intended to help us find the real kind of happiness that will give our hearts peace. Perhaps the greatest obstacle to finding the happiness we yearn for is the growing desire to have everything happen instantaneously. All the worldly values lure us to believe that it offers a quick way to find what we so desperately want. God s way is not an instantaneous way to happen. It is something that takes time and effort. If we really want happiness there is no point in turning to the passing things of life with the hope that they will fill our emptiness and loneliness. We have to always be ready to recognize the blessings that come from God. There is no greater treasure! Peace and prayers, Fr. Mike p3-604 Mass Schedule + Readings Saturday July- 29 St Martha (Ex 24:3-8 Mt 13:24-30) 5:00pm Special Healing Intentions of Ron Canella r/b Monday Small Christian Community Sunday July -30 17 th Sunday in Ordinary Time (1 Kgs 3:5, 7-12 Rom 8:28-30 Mt 13:44-52 or 13:44-46) 9:00am Nick Costagliola r/b Dave & sue Cerulo 11:00am Nancy Miceli r/b The Meyer Family Monday July-31 St Ignatius of Loyola (Ex 32:15-24, 30-34 Mt 13:31-35) 9:00am Concetta Pota r/b The Drake Family Tuesday 9:00am August -1 St Alphonsus Liguori (Ex 33:7-11; 34:5b-9, 28 Mt 13:36-43) Special Healing Intentions of Connor Meyers r/b The Hill Family Wednesday August -2 St Eusebius of Vercelli St Peter Julian Eymard (Ex 34:29-35 Mt 13:44-46) 9:00am Barbara Sica r/b The McKenna Family Thursday Friday 9:00am August- 3 Weekday (Ex 40:16-21, 34-38 Mt 13:47-53) No Mass August- 4 St John Vianney (Lv 23:1, 4-11, 15-16, 27, 34b-37 Mt 13:54-58) Stanley Kurpiewski r/b Donald & Regina Fiscor Saturday August - 5 The Dedication of the Basilica of St Mary Major (Lv 25:1, 8-17 Mt 14:1-12) 5:00pm Patricia & Jerry Calviello r/b Dominick & Jerry Polito Sunday August- 6 The Transfiguration of the Lord (Dn 7:9-10, 13-14 2Pt 1:16-19 Mt 17:1-9) 9:00am 11:00am John Romeo r/b Grace Corsaro Gaetano & Nicolina Violante r/b The Cifelli Family Sanctuary Candle this week Robert Muth r/b Daughter, Christin Mandreucci To dedicate a Sanctuary Candle in memory of or for the intention of a loved one, Please call the office @ 732-792-2270. The donation is $10.00. Prayer Chain Contacts: Patty Hileman 732-446-7651 Mary Costagliola 732-446-4255 Please Keep in your prayers: The sick and the lonely, the safe return of our service men & women and for vocations to the priesthood and religious life.
STEWARDSHIP CORNER We have to choose everyday whether we will trust in God s way or worldly ways. One leads to treasure, the other to disappointment. STEWARDSHIP OF TREASURE REPORT July 23 rd - $5,226.00 Debt Reduction - $160.00 Mission Appeal - $2,560.00 Thank you for your generosity and may God bless you for your support! CHOCOLATE FEAST POTLUCK Our Lenten journey took us through the movie Chocolat. Those who attended the study have asked that we re-create the chocolate feast. If you didn t attend the Lenten study but love chocolate, you are welcome to join us for a Chocolate Feast Potluck Supper on August 12 at 6:00 pm (right after 5:00pm Mass). Just sign up for what you would like to bring and join us for the festivities. Food items should include chocolate whenever possible!!! Questions? Contact Carol at the parish office (732) 792-2270. Sign-up sheets can be found on the table in the vestibule. SCHOOL SUPPLIES COLLECTION Our parish will be collecting children's school supplies from July 23 until August 6. All donations will benefit the United Way of Monmouth County's "Stuff the Bus" collection drive. Needed are: NEW backpacks, colored pencils, composition notebooks, construction paper, crayons, erasers, folders, glue sticks, pencils, pencil sharpeners, rulers, safety scissors, spiral notebooks, and washable markers. Speciallymarked collection boxes will be located in the upper and lower parts of the church - the weekends of July 30/31 through August 13/14. It's never too early to think "school" - and to help kids and families who are having trouble meeting basic needs. Thanks, as always, for your wonderful generosity! * RELIGIOUS EDUCATION TEACHERS NEEDED We need 3 people willing to serve as Catechists in our Religious Education Program. The open grades are: Grade 7 on Monday at 6:30PM; Grade 6 on Tuesday at 4:30PM and grade 7 on Tuesday at 6:30PM. All materials and training will be provided. Please consider giving of your time and talent to help the children of the parish learn about our faith and relationship with God. If interested, or if you have questions, contact Jean at the Parish Office or jeanstjojseph@optonline.net. THANKS! SUMMER FAITH ENRICHMENT PROGRAM MOVIE BIBLE STUDY Our last Movie Bible Study of the summer will be on August 18 th from 10:00 to 1:30. The movie selected is Robin Hood. Please bring a brown bag lunch. Breakfast will be provided. Come join us for an enjoyable morning movie and sharing from a Christian perspective. All are welcome. MISSION APPEAL Thank you for your support of the Mission Appeal for Visitation Hospital Foundation. Your donations will be used to support the efforts of bringing medical care to the people of Haiti. Don t forget if you want to support this work make your donation by Monday, July 31. We will be sending the total parish donation at this time. Thanks again for your support. 2017 GOLF OUTING Join us for the 17 th Annual Golf Outing on Thursday, September 21 at Forsgate Country Club in Monroe, NJ. Registration forms are available in Church and on our parish website. Foursomes or individuals are welcome. Do you own a business and want to help out? Become a sponsor there are a variety of sponsorship opportunities available. Want to help out as a family? There are Family Sponsorships available as well. For more information, contact Dave (732) 781-6623 dcerulosr@gmail.com or Vince 732-303-0822 iuzzolino5@optonline.net. p4-604
FREEDOM TOWER TRIP Join us on October 12 for a trip to Freedom Tower in New York. We will travel by deluxe motor coach to New York, enjoy lunch at the famous Katz s Deli and then go to Freedom Tower to ride the elevator to 102 nd floor in 47 seconds. We will also have a tour of the area and learn about its development since 9-11. The cost for the trip is $110 per person. A $50 deposit is required to hold your seat. The balance is due by September 10. To reserve your seat, contact Rosalie at 732-490-5302. TRIP TO SEE PHILLIES VS. METS Join the Men's Guild and other members of the parish to see the Phillies vs the Mets at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia on Thursday August 10. Tickets are only $30 for field level seats (regularly priced $39) and include air conditioned bus transportation from St. Joseph's to and from the stadium. Only 50 seats are available and tickets are first come first served. Game time is 7:05. Buses will leave at 4:30pm and return after the game. For tickets contact Ken Tomkovich at kentomko@aol.com. RELIGIOUS EDUCATION REGISTRATION Registration for our Parish Religious Education Program is now taking place. Completed forms for returning students should be completed and returned as soon as possible. Registration forms for new students those entering 1 st grade or transferring from another Religious Education Program are now available in Church or in the Parish Office. The following applies to all registrations, new and returning students: Classes will be offered on Mondays and Tuesdays at 4:30 PM and 6:30 PM. Some classes on a particular day have already filled up. Please return the registration forms as soon as possible once a particular class has been filled, no more students will be added to that class. If a class is filled, students will be placed in a class/session that has space. WELCOME As a Parish Community we joyfully welcome Kane Douglas Kenngott Nina Rose Rafael who were welcomed into God s Family and the Church through the Sacrament of Baptism. Let us lift them up in prayer. FOOD COLLECTION Please remember that our food collections are held on the 1 st and 3 rd weekends of each month. The next food collection will be on August 5/6. Non-perishable food items, paper goods and toiletries are very much appreciated. Parishioners can bring frozen food contributions to the Millstone Community Center on any Tuesday morning between 10:00AM and 11:30AM at the door to the lower level on Stage Coach Rd. You may also contact Greg at 732 539 5042 to arrange pick up of frozen foods. Thanks for your generosity and support. BAPTISM PREPARATION SESSIONS Parents who will have a child baptized must attend a Baptism Preparation session. Sponsors (Godparents) are invited to attend. The next session will take place on Friday, August 4 th at 7:00PM. If you will be participating in the preparation session please contact the Parish Office to register.for questions about Baptismal Preparation please contact the Parish Office. St. Joseph Readers Club The next pick for the Reader s Club is The Lighthouse by P.D. James. P. D. James has written one of her most moving novels. She sticks closely to a formula in the shape of her mystery story but injects her characters with a range of emotions and subtlety of motive that lifts the proceedings well beyond the level of a puzzle and its solution. The next gathering to discuss this book will be on Thursday, August 17 at 7:30PM. The theme for Refreshments will be British Cuisine (the book setting is Combe Island off the Cornish coast) Newcomers are welcome. Please RSVP your attendance to Fran at ambiofran@gmail.com. p5-604
RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is a process where those who feel called to become members of the Catholic Church can discern God s call. The RCIA process is also for anyone who has not completed the Sacraments of initiation (Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation). If you would like more information about the RCIA please contact Carol Schulz at the Parish Office 732-792-2270 or email CSchulzStJoseph@optonline.net. BUS TRIP TO BLUE ARMY SHRINE The Legion of Mary is organizing a trip to the Blue Army Shrine in Washington, NJ on Friday, October 13 on the occasion of the 100 th Anniversary of the Appearance at Fatima. The cost for the bus trip is $28 per person. Payment is due by August 15. The bus will leave from St. Veronica Church in Howell at 6:00AM and from St. Rose Church in Freehold at 6:30AM. To make reservations or for more information contact Tresea at 732-462-5249 or Helen at 732-431-4811. STAY CONNECTED like us on Facebook at St. Joseph Catholic Church Millstone Twp, NJ, visit our website at www.stjosephmillstone.org, or follow us on twitter @frmikestjoseph. CATHOLIC ANNUAL APPEAL The 2017 Catholic Annual Appeal for the Diocese of Trenton has begun. The Catholic Annual Appeal is used by the Diocese to support the various work and ministry of the Diocese of Trenton. Our Parish Goal for the Annual Catholic Appeal is $39,500.00. If you would like to make a pledge/donation to the Diocese for the Annual Appeal, there are pledge cards on the table at the entrance of the Church. You can complete it and mail it to the Diocese or send it the parish Office. If you are including a check, please make checks payable to The Diocese of Trenton Annual Appeal. Thank you for your consideration and support. A convenient way to donate is through online Parish Giving. This is offered free of charge to you so that you may make donations by credit card or transfer from your checking account. Check it out at WWW.stjosephmillstone.org and click on Contribute/Donate then click on the link for Electronic Giving. You can then set up an account or choose a onetime donation without an account. If you have any questions about this, please feel free to contact the Parish Office. Calendar of Events July 31 Vacation Bible School Aug 1 Vacation Bible School Aug 2 Vacation Bible School 10:00AM Legion Of Mary Aug 3 Vacation Bible School Aug 4 Vacation Bible School 7:00pm Baptism Preparation Session Aug 6 Parish Food Collection Aug 10 Phillies vs Mets Trip Aug 12 6:00PM Chocolat Potluck Feast Aug 17 7:30PM Readers Club Meeting Aug 18 10:00AM Bible Study Sept 21 Parish Golf Outing Aug 20 Parish Food Collection Let us praise God in all we do. SHOP AT AMAZON - SUPPORT THE PARISH If you shop on Amazon, you can help support the parish by designating St. Joseph Church as the charity you wish to support. Eligible purchases will result in Amazon donating a portion to the parish. You do have to designate St. Joseph Church, Millstone Twp. as your charity. You also have to use the Amazon Smile site instead of the normal Amazon site. It is the same merchandise and account as Amazon but it allows you to be connected by the Amazon Smile Program. To check it out go to http://smile.amazon.com/ch/22-6103657 (a direct link) or go to our website and click the link. Thanks for your support! p6-604
PARISH INFORMATION Parish Office: 732-792-2270 Office Hours: Mon-Fri 9:30AM 2:30PM Mailing Address: 91 Stillhouse Road Millstone Twp, NJ 08510 WWW.STJOSEPHMILLSTONE.ORG PARISH STAFF Rev. Michael P. Lang Pastor frmikestjoseph@optonline.net Rob Folinus Permanent Deacon Robstjoseph@optonline.net Chris Chandonnet, Permanent Deacon Chrisstjoseph@optonline.net Carol Schulz, Pastoral Associate CSchulzstjoseph@optonline.net Jean Semanchick, Parish Secretary & Coordinator of Religious Education Jeanstjoseph@optonline.net Kristine Reide, Music Ministry Leader Kris0373@aol.com MASS TIMES Saturday Evening 5:00 PM Sunday Morning 9:00 AM & 11:00 AM Mon, Tues, Wed & Fri 9:00AM Holy Days: as listed in the bulletin Confessions: After the 5:00 PM Mass on Saturday or by appointment. BAPTISM The Sacrament of Baptism is normally celebrated on the 1 st and 3 rd Sunday of the month at 12:30 PM. Parents are asked to register for a Baptism Preparation Session prior to the Baptism. Baptisms must be scheduled in advance by calling the Parish Office. Sponsors must obtain Sponsor forms from their home parish Sponsors must be active practicing Catholics. The Sacrament of Baptism is not celebrated during the Season of Lent. Marriage Diocesan policy requires that arrangements for Marriage be made one (1) year in advance of the wedding. Refer any questions to the Pastor. Sick Calls Please contact the Parish Office when someone is seriously ill requiring a visit by a Priest. If someone is unable to attend Mass on a regular basis and would like to receive Communion please call the Parish Office Registration We are glad you are here and want you to feel like a full member of the parish. Registering as a parishioner helps us to know who you are and to stay in touch. Registration is required for sponsor forms. Sponsor Certificates This is a form required to be a Godparent or Sponsor for Confirmation. To receive a form, the following is required: -Be a registered, active (attends Mass) member of the parish (for at least 6 months); be at least 16 years of age; must have completed the Sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation; If married, have a valid marriage within the Church. 604