Bishop of the Diocese of Trenton: Most Reverend David M. O’Connell, C.M.
Bishop of the Diocese of Trenton: Most Reverend David M. O’Connell, C. M.
Pastor: Reverend Fr. Jeffrey E. Lee
Pastor: Reverend Fr. Jeffrey E. Lee
Pastor Emeritus: Reverend Fr. William J. Bausch
Pastor Emeritus: Reverend Fr. William J. Bausch
Parish Trustees: Linda Dickinson-Pancila & Tom Nathanson
Parish Trustees: Annette Raynor & Roger Zurro
MASS SCHEDULE & INTENTIONS
Saturday, April 11, 2026 - Sunday, April 19, 2026
Saturday, April 11
9 AM at Saint Catharine, Holmdel
4 PM
George C. Rimmele * Barbara Saake
Loving Family Members * Janet Munger
Rose Nastri * Jack & Rorie Coppola
Sunday, April 12
8 AM
Josephine Madden * Phyllis & Hugh Murphy
Intentions of Katherine Bernardini * Katherine Bernardini
Teresita Blake * Kerry Higgins
10 AM
Living & Deceased Parishioners & Parish Benefactors
Dawn Schwartz * Kerry Brody & Family
Sergio Dos Santos & Maria Ferreira * Dos Santos Family
12 Noon
Intentions of Loving Family Members * Janet Munger
Deceased Loving Family Members * Janet Munger
Modestino Lucarelli * Lee & Patty Gesner
Monday, April 13
9 AM
Loving Family Members * Janet Munger
Mr. Attilio and Camille Macchi * Lisa Lowe
Tuesday, April 14
9 AM
Emma Dapul * Drs. Gener and Elvira Dapul
Charles James Gobat * James M. and Susan Gobat
Wednesday, April 15
9 AM
Lino M. Alcasid, M.D. * Susan Monaco
Carl Zumbo * Providence Zumbo
Thursday, April 16
9 AM at Saint Catharine, Holmdel
Friday, April 17
9 AM at Saint Catharine, Holmdel
Saturday, April 18
9 AM at Saint Catharine, Holmdel
4 PM
Peter Borowski * Family
Mildred Garrymore * Rich Luzzi
John M. Grabowski, Sr. * The Grabowski Family
Sunday, April 19
8 AM
DeStefano/Albruno Families * Franceschetti Family
Carol Kohler * Jay and Joyce Flynn
LaCava & Giannettino Families * Mike & Rosanne LaCava
10 AM
Julianne Longobardi * Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Longobardi
Philomena Iacono * Catherine Rennhack
Terry Blake * St. Mary's Music Ministry
12 Noon
Living & Deceased Parishioners & Parish Benefactors
Loving Family Members * Janet Munger
Modestino Lucarelli * Teresa Cavagnaro
Please pray for the following members of our parish community who are ill:
Rev.Msgr. Michael J. Walsh
Kathy Weber
Jack Coppola
Fr. William Bausch
Joe Brando
Lori Lettieri
Edward Habrack
To add or remove a family member from the sick list, please email parishbulletin@stmaryscoltsneck.org. Names will be removed from the list after 3 months. Thank for keeping us updated on your loved one’s health.
LIFELONG CATECHESIS:
READINGS FOR THE WEEK
Sunday, April 12—2nd Sunday of Easter
Acts 2:42-47 / 1 Peter 1:3-9 / John 20:19-31
Monday, April 13
Acts 4:23-31 / John 3:1-8
Tuesday, April 14
Acts 4:32-37 / John 3:7b-15
Wednesday, April 15
Acts 5:17-26 / John 3:16-21
Thursday, April 16
Acts 5:27-33 / John 3:31-36
Friday, April 17
Acts 5:34-42 / John 6:1-15
Saturday, April 18
Acts 6:1-7 / John 6:16-21
Please pray for our Military & First Responders
Almighty and eternal God, those who take refuge in you will be glad and forever will shout for joy. Protect these soldiers as they discharge their duties. Protect them with the shield of your strength and keep them safe from all evil and harm. May the power of your love enable them to return home in safety, that with all who love them, they may ever praise you for your loving care. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
AMT Colton Boag, USCG
Col. John Anthony Coppola, US Army
TSgt Stephen Witherow, USAF
LCpl Edward Zarzecki, USMC
Lt. Col. Douglas Coppola, US Army
Lt. Mary Herman, USN
SN Christian Houlihan, USN
LT. Jason Joseph Howe, USN
SPC Michael John Mento, US Army
LTJG Matthew Motola, USN
LCpl Bradley O’Ree, USMC
SPC Nicholas Poskonka, US Army
Captain Richard Savo, US Army
1st Lt. Adam Sjoholm, US Army
Captain Ryan Tanguay, US Army
Week of April 12 to 18
FOR DEEPER REFLECTION
Jesus gives us the power of the Holy Spirit.
Question for Children: you can’t see him with your eyes, how do you “see” Jesus in others?
Question for Youth: Jesus gave us the gift of the Holy Spirit and gave us the power to forgive sins. How do you offer forgiveness to your friends and family? How do you seek forgiveness for yourself?
Question for Adults: When and how do you experience the “new birth” which we are given in Christ? When someone has forgiven you? When you have forgiven others? When you celebration reconciliation? At other times?
SAINT OF THE WEEK
Philip, Apostle and Martyr, First Century Philip was from Bethsaida in Galilee and is thought to have been a disciple of Saint John the Baptist when Jesus called him. He is listed as an Apostle in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, but these make no further mention of Philip.
In John’s Gospel (1:43), we are told that Jesus “found Philip” and instructed him to “Follow me.” Several other times, John mentions Philip. Philip, for example, was responsible for bringing his friend, Nathaniel (believed to be the Apostle, Bartholomew), to Jesus. Philip was present at the marriage feast at Cana and at the feeding of the five thousand. It was here that Jesus tested Philip when he saw the large crowd who had come to hear him. “Where are we to buy bread for these people to eat?” (Jn 6:5), he asked Philip. Philip, not recognizing that Jesus was about to perform a sign for all of them, replied, “Six months wages worth of food would not be enough for each of them to have a little.” Jesus then took the five barley loaves and two dried fish and fed the crowd after which the disciples gathered twelve baskets of fragments of the barley loaves.
Again, Philip is the Apostle at the Last Supper who asks Jesus to show them the Father, a tribute to his, as well as the other Apostles’ earnestness. Jesus responded to Philip, “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father,” (Jn 14:9), a message to all of us.
WORSHIP & MUSIC
Andrew J. Macirowski - Pastoral Coordinator for Worship & Music / Principal Organist Worship@StMarysColtsNeck.org
• Music@StMarysColtsNeck.org
Divine Mercy Sunday
Divine Mercy Sunday is celebrated on the Sunday after Easter, the Octave Day of Easter. It is originally based on the Catholic devotion to the Divine Mercy of Jesus that Saint Faustina Kowalska of the Blessed Sacrament reported as part of her encounter with Christ, and is associated with special promises from Jesus and indulgences issued by the Church.
The devotion was actively promoted by Pope Saint John Paul II. On April 30, 2000, Sister Faustina was canonized and the Sunday after Easter was declared as Divine Mercy Sunday.
In the years since, the devotion has grown, with many Catholics reciting the Divine Mercy Chaplet as part of their prayers, especially during adoration or in preparation for or after the sacrament of penance and reconciliation.
A growing number of churches hold special services on this day. Votive Masses, penance and reconciliation services, Eucharistic adoration, concerts, liturgy of the hours with the people, etc.
A Plenary Indulgence may also be obtained by:
Going to confession, attending Mass and partaking in Holy Communion, to pray for the intentions of the Holy Father, while:
• In any church or chapel take part in the prayers and devotions in honor of the Divine Mercy.
• In the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, exposed or reserved in the tabernacle, say an Our Father and Creed. ...in both cases, adding a devout prayer to the Merciful Lord.
As we continue on our Easter experience, let us remember the Mercy of Jesus. May the peace of Christ be with all.
A call for vocations to the Priesthood. Coming up April 25 & 26
“Easter Duty”
The Catholic Church requires of us as baptized Catholics to observe the following:
The obligation, the privilege really, of receiving the Eucharist at least once a year often called “Easter duty” for those in the state of grace should still be fulfilled during the period from the First Sunday of Lent, February 22, 2026 to Trinity Sunday, May 31, 2026. However, the Church’s law does permit this precept to be fulfilled at another time during the year when there is a just cause.
Saturday, April 18
4:00 PM
Sunday, April 19
8 AM
Sunday, April 19
10 AM
Sunday, April 19 12 Noon
MINISTRY SCHEDULE
Saturday, April 18 & Sunday, April 19
Altar Server Cantor Reader 1 Reader 2
Anthony Gruenling Alex Gruenling Carly York
READER NEEDED Michele Gruenling
SERVERS NEEDED Carly York
Chloe Cullen
Olivia Linquito
Jacob Barasky Eva Tomasetti (sub requested)
Charles Young Joe Ventura
Carly York Julia Cullen
Steve Rumsby
Bridget Farrow Mary Ellen Griffin Jennifer Stubbs
RESTROOMS UPGRADE
Work to upgrade the men’s and women’s restrooms in our church will begin on April 6. This work was originally scheduled to start at the end of January but was postponed due to winter weather and other scheduling conflicts. There is a lavatory in the sacristy for use during the work.
If you are coming to the church to pray next week, please use the side entrances. Thank you for your patience as we complete this muchneeded improvement to our facilities.
EMHC
OH Monica Barr
TH Tom Nathason
TH Richard Gerbino
ALT Jane Slattery
OH Mike LaCava
TH Mary Aiello
TH Justine Buzetta
ALT Rosanne LaCava
OH-Steve Stanley
TH-Joseph Burtone
TH-Dawn Burtone
ALT Carol Donahue
OH-Nick Turkovic
TH-Ron Gabbard
TH-Dolores Lembo
ALT-Liz Turkovic
12 April 2026
12 Noon Church & Parish Grounds
FAITH FORMATION
Julia Cullen — Pastoral Coordinator of Faith Formation / Religious Education
All are invited to the annual parish Easter Egg Hunt this Sunday, April 12th, beginning at 12pm mass. Come meet fellow parishioners, take a picture with the Easter Bunny, enjoy candy and goodies, and celebrate the risen Lord at this popular community building event!
Links are now live for Spring movie day on April 26 and May Crowning on May 2. Please RSVP using the links in the RE calendar. As a reminder, all INTERGENERATIONAL recording sheets are due on May 8, 2026, for all children in elementary RE.
Fall registration/reregistration is now opened and will remain so until May 30, 2026. This is for all RE learners enrolling in both elementary RE and Confirmation Prep. Click here
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CALENDAR
12 April 2026
Easter Egg Hunt INT 12 Noon, Parish Grounds Click to RSVP
21 April 2026
Last Day of RE Class: FHC-1&2, CF-A,B,C,D
26 April 2026
Spring Movie Day Click to RSVP
2 May 2026
Blessing Bag Outreach 9:30 am—see page 7 for details
May Crowning 3 pm Madonna Hall INT Click to RSVP
First Holy Communion Lottery 4 PM mass- parent meeting follows in church
RELIGIOUS
ED RESOURCES
RE Calendar
RE Handbook
Intergenerational List/Descriptions
Intergenerational Recording Sheet
Confirmation Prep Schedule
Fall RE Schedule 2025-2026
3 May 2026
Bible Project– CP-1, 1pm
Confirmation Interviews-CP-2, 3pm see below for more details
Sunday, 2 May 2026
Please report to the spiritual Center at your assigned time bases on last name. All Confirmation paperwork is due at this time.
3:00 pm A-D 3:20 pm E-K 3:40 pm L-P 4:00 pm R-Z
CONFIRMATION PREP
Session #15:
April 19, 2026- virtual & April 21, 2026 on campus
Session #16: May 2, 2026-Spring Service Project Blessing Bag Outreach, 9:30am on the sidewalk by the spiritual center
Session #17:
May 3, 2026- Bible project presentation and group picture: 1pm in Madonna Hall; Confirmation Interviews begin at 3pm
We are pleased to announce the celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation
We are pleased to announce the celebration of the Sacrament of First Holy Communion
Sunday, October 4, 2026 at 10am mass
Sunday, October 11, 2026 at 10am mass
Saturday, October 17, 2026 at 4pm mass
PASTORAL CARE & OUTREACH
Rosemarie Farrow Pastoral Coordinator of Pastoral Care & Outreach
Congratulations to our newly initiated who came into Full Communion with the Church at the Easter Vigil.
To all who were welcomed into the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil!
Juniper Barasky
Juniper Barasky
Rachelle Deyo
Kirstnen Lawson
Kirsten Lawson
Rahelle Deyo
Angelica Weber
Lucianna Manza
Angelica Weber Congratulations!
Lucianna Manza We rejoice with you as you enter more fully into the life of Christ
HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS:
Are you looking to grow in your faith, make new friends and get involved in your Catholic community?
You are invited to connect with youth ministry groups at our neighboring parishes! These vibrant communities offer great opportunities for prayer, service, and fun!
Click to learn more about a youth group at the neighboring parish of your choice:
•The Church of St. Catharine, Holmdel
•St. Gabriel’s Parish, Marlboro
•Co-Cathedral of St. Robert Bellarmine, Freehold
•Church of St. Leo the Great, Lincroft
The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) is the Church's process of welcoming newcomers into full communion with the Catholic Church. As you enter the Church, the parish community and the OCIA Program will walk with you on your journey of faith.
-OCIA@stmaryscoltsneck.org
My Dear Parishioners:
Quo vadis...
Today we celebrate the Second Sunday of Easter. Today is also the principal celebration for the Divine Mercy Devotion in our Church. Not just Thomas, but all the disciples came to believe because they had “seen the Lord.” Yet we are not disadvantaged because we have not seen; the advantage comes not from seeing but from believing. Because of believing we can say we “have seen the Lord.” Another twist to this seeing/believing issue is hinted at in the first reading. These early Christians enjoyed “favor with all the people.” While other New Testament texts tell us that all wasn’t peaches and cream, this passage does point to the extraordinarily good life the early Christians led, with no one in their midst in need. One way that we might say that we have truly “seen the Lord,” then, is in the good works performed by those who claim his name. Jesus’ resurrection presence was different from his physical presence before the resurrection (the gospel makes a point about Jesus coming through a locked door). Therefore, even though we are removed from the historical reality of Jesus’ presence, we are no less able to “see” and be present to the risen Lord. The challenge for Christian living, of course, is that we see the risen Lord in the goodness of others.
The Spring Clean-up accomplished a great deal. We had 35 participants some who stayed all four hours! Thank you! There was a nice number participating in the Palm Weaving class. It is becoming one of the more popular intergenerational opportunities offered. The Lenten Confessions was very well attended. The priests enjoy coming to be with our community. It is a great time to witness the grace of that sacrament to one another.
Welcome to all those families who are joining us for the 12noon mass and the Annual Easter Egg Hunt. We host this on the Octave Day of Easter so that more families might participate as we highlight the teaching that Easter is a
Solemnity that is observed for eight days. Many thanks to all who help to coordinate this annual activity. We are very appreciative to the donation of Easter Candy Each year by Robert Cioffi of the Colts Neck Pharmacy. Should you see Mr. Cioffi thank him for his generosity each year.
I am very grateful to all those who oversaw, participated in, prepared for, and allowed themselves to be transformed by the profound liturgical prayer during this past Holy Week. From Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, the Easter Vigil and then the Masses for Easter Sunday: lots of people were involved and motivated to make this a prayerful Holy Week. It has also been a time of learning for me. Lest we think that we have “arrived”, there is always room for improvement and room for new people to become involved in the ministries of our parish community. Much of the credit for the prayerfulness of Holy Week can be attributed to our parish team members and the lay leaders throughout our parish community for their commitment to serving the needs of our parishioners, their visiting families and others who have joined us in prayer. Let’s keep the spirit alive and fan the flame of faith in our lives, the lives of our family members and those who question or even doubt their faith in God. We are in the Easter Season from Easter Sunday until the Great Solemnity of Pentecost. For those who have not made a gift to our parish for the Solemnity of Easter 2026 are asked to please do so in the coming week. We will offer you a report in the coming weeks. Thank you for all of your generous support of our parish community.
Lots of projects are underway throughout the parish campus. Things get a bit dusty. Some projects will be completed in a timely manner. Others will require more time for evaluation and planning. I appreciate your patience as we continue. Have a great week. Let us remember one another in prayer. Peace! Father Jeff
TEMPORAL ADMINISTRATION & STEWARDSHIP
Edwin A. Sevillano— Pastoral Associate for Temporal Administration & Stewardship
TemporalAdmin@StMarysColtsNeck.org
SHARING OUR TREASURE
Please Remember Our Parish this Easter Season
Our 2026 Easter Collection is a major annual collection to support our parish. It helps to fund capital projects as well as our regular operational expenses. If you haven’t made an Ester offering yet, kindly use the Easter envelope your received in the mail and drop it in the collection box as soon as you are able. Alternatively, you may make an offering electronically at our online giving system HERE
Thank you for your generosity and HAPPY EASTER!
GROTTO CANDLES
The Grotto Candles are available for your prayer intentions. Offering is $3.00 per candle.
Thank You!
Together, we changed lives this Lent through CRS Rice Bowl. THANK YOU for being a part of this effort! Don’t forget to turn in your CRS Rice Bowl offerings by April 12.
Please count your offerings collected during Lent in the Rice Bowl provided. Count the total offering, write a check to St Mary Parish for the total amount indicating CRS Rice Bowl in the memo line and drop it in the offerings box by April 12. Click here to donate online Thank you for supporting Catholic Relief Services.
Offerings at Francis House of Prayer
Trenton Diocesan Spiritual Center and Retreat House 84 Walnford Road • Allentown, NJ 08501 www.FHOP.org * 609-877-0509 * FHOP@verizon.net
DESIDERATA: THE PEACE OF THE RISEN CHRIST Friday, April 17 9:30 AM – Noon
We will spend the morning unpacking this ancient prayer as our participation in the mystery of Christ’s Resurrection with his gift of peace to us all. You will receive a framed copy of the prayer to enhance your celebration of these 50 days of Easter. Led by S. Marcy. Donation: $30, with materials. Zoom $20
“My thoughts make all the difference in my world.” Believe it or not, we can choose our thoughts. This freedom is essential to our spiritual well-being and emotional health. This evening retreat will help us learn to notice our thoughts as they arise and choose to accept them or replace them. With prayer and practice, we can choose our thoughts, receive a quieted peaceful mind available for conscious thinking at will. Donation: $15, includes materials.
IN PERSON ONLY: CELEBRATION OF EARTH DAY Tuesday, April 22 9:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Pray with the words of Pope Francis, St. Hildegard of Bingen and St. Francis to set the tone for the morning. We will enjoy the natural beauty of Francis House and the surrounding woods for your meeting places with God. Donation: $25, includes materials and lunch.
WOMEN DOCTORS OF THE CHURCH Friday, April 24 9:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Are you looking for inspiration and hope in 2026? Catherine of Siena, Teresa of Avila, Thérèse of Lisieux and Hildegard have much to offer in our challenging times. What heroic women of hope! They prove by their lives that we, as Christians, can live in confident hope, despite the circumstances in which we find ourselves. We will use Women of Hope by Terry Polakovic as our guide. Led by Terry Ginther. Donation: $25, includes materials & lunch. Zoom: $20
IN PERSON ONLY: GOD’S EVER-PRESENT LOVE IN MOTION Monday, April 27 9:30 AM – 1:00 PM
We all yearn to be aware of the presence of God in our daily lives, no matter where we are or what we are doing. God invites you to come as you are. We will experience His ever-present love through Centering Prayer, music, and movement. Come feel your heartbeat and let the Spirit move you! Led by Bernadette Citarella. Donation: $25, includes lunch.
