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The parish of saint Mary A Catholic Community Proclaiming the Greatness of God in our Time One Phalanx Road, Colts Neck, NJ 07722 Phone: 732-780-2666 Fax: 732-780-0394 parishoffice@stmaryscoltsneck.org

Bishop of the Diocese of Trenton: Most Reverend David M. O’Connell, C. M. Pastor: Reverend Fr. Jeffrey E. Lee Pastor Emeritus: Reverend Fr. William J. Bausch : Worship schedule inside. Refer to website for more detailed information www.stmaryscoltsneck.org

The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

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Aug 15, 2021

COVID-19 Vaccines will be offered at St Mary next Sunday August 22. More info on page 6.

www.stmaryscoltsneck.org

Aug 15, 2021

Mass Intentions for the Week of Aug 15– Aug 22 For * Requested by Sunday, August 15 – Church 8 AM Clare Peckinpaugh * Patricia Helmacy Noriko Horner * Neil and Jane Slattery Thomas Carey * Maureen and Michael Staub 10 AM Logan Dayton * Ann Marie Dayton Joann DiMari * Antoinette Tommolino Emily Catt * Carmel and Peter Vickers 12 PM Pro Populo Joan Mannarino * Richard and Maria Gerbino Marion Lee DePalma * Lori and Randy Csik Baptism-Emilio Andres Vela Monday, August 16 – 9 AM Church Special Intention * Suzanne Schlesinger Matthew Tarabokija * Severino and Maria Salamon Tuesday, August 17 – 9 AM Church Souls in Purgatory * Mary Soyka Julius Loops * Rorie and Jack Coppola Wednesday, August 18 – 9 AM Church Ben Falsetti * Edwin Sevillano Thursday, August 19 – 9 AM Church Arnold Kleeberg * Diane Carnevale Souls in Purgatory * Mary Soyka Friday, August 20 – 9 AM Chapel Anthony J. Garito * Arlene and Family Ruth Fiedler * Susan and James Gobat Saturday, August 21 – 5 PM Church Pro Populo Anna Merck * Barbara Saake Genoveva Poscablo Domantay * Jack and Rorie Coppola Sunday, August 22 – Church 8 AM John Grabowski * Eileen and Michael Stivala Santiago Tapia * Rita Duenas 10 AM Mary Joan McNamara * Tom and Dot Tanguay Souls in Purgatory * Mary Soyka Frank Baker * Marilyn and Carl Simone 12 PM Ms. Marilyn Newby * Mr. and Mrs. Franceschetti Isabel Amling * Ken Morgan John Soltis * Anna Marie and Vincent Vita

Please pray for the following members of our parish family who are ill: Kathleen Amatel MaryAnn Barone Janice Basilice Fr Bill Bausch Eileen Beckley John Boyle Anne Boyle Christen Chellis Blake Conley Kaitlin Donahue Nagle Sharon Evangellista Joann Feliciti Cynthia Fiedler James Fiedler Emily Gioacchini Edward Habrack

Tom Hudak Anton Kopp Bridget Korn Lori Lettieri Donna Lodi Melissa Love Leonidas Mavrookas Ludwig Mendola Walter Moeller Kevin O’Shea Stanley Rembisz Owen Shoemaker Victoria Slater Gerard P. Thompson Seneida Tomasetti Lauren Vinci

To add a family member to the sick list for 8 weeks, please call or e-mail the Parish Office. Thank you! 732-780-2666 or parishbulletin@stmaryscoltsneck.org

Mass Intention Request ONLINE Available through the link below is an online form to request Mass Intentions for the remainder of the 2021 calendar.

Mass Intention Request

Rest In Peace Please remember in your prayers those who have recently passed.

Alfred Basile

Parish Office Hours Monday 9 am – 2 pm Tuesday 2 pm -7:30 pm Wednesday 9 am – 2 pm Thursday 9 am – 2 pm Sunday 9 am -12 noon No office hours on Friday or Saturday

www.stmaryscoltsneck.org

Aug 15, 2021

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.

PRAY for Military & First Responders SN Colton Boag, USCG LCpl Devon Francis Chrzan, USMC Lt. Col. John Anthony Coppola, US Army Major Douglas Coppola, US Army Lt. Mary Herman, USN SN Christian Houlihan, USN Ensign Jason Joseph Howe, USN SPC Michael John Mento, US Army SPC Nicholas Poskonka, US Army Captain Richard Savo, US Army 1st Lt. Adam Sjoholm, US Army Captain Ryan Tanguay, US Army TSgt Stephen Witherow, USAF LCpl Edward Zarzecki, USMC If there is a family member you wish to be placed on the list, please contact the Parish Bulletin at 732780-2666 or parishbulletin@stmaryscoltsneck.org.

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults The RCIA program involves not just the newcomer or "inquirer" but all the members of the community who by prayer and personal example help the inquirer find his or her place in the Church.

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Typical tasks and responsibilities: Listening and preparing adults in a process to be received into the Catholic faith and parish community.

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Required training or skills: 1.5 hr. training session, weekly.

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Approximate time commitment: dependent on those who are seeking initiation or welcome into the Catholic community.

Contact Rose Farrow on 732-780.2666 for more information on this program.

3 Lifelong Catechesis Week Aug 16 – Aug 22 READINGS FOR THE WEEK Jags 2:11-19/Mt 19:16-22 (419)

16 Mon 17 Tues Jgs 6:11-24a/Mt 19:23-30 (420) 18 Wed Jgs 9:6-15/Mt 20:1-16 (421) 19 Thu Jgs 11:29-39a/Mt 22:1-14 (422) 20 Fri Ru 1:1, 3-6, 14b-16, 22/Mt 22:34-40 (423) Sunday Aug 22 - TWENTY FIRST SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME For Deeper Reflection Question for Children: What is one way you can be closer to Jesus today? Question for Youth: We are assured that God will be with us as we go through life, so what strategy do you use to keep God in mind as you deal with the ups and downs of life as a young adult? Question for Adults: Share about a time when life's struggles were so difficult for you that you nearly "threw in the towel."

Sanctuary Lamp Consider donating the sanctuary lamp that burns in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament in the Church or in the Chapel in honor of a living or deceased loved one. Request Envelopes available at the office. The suggested donation is $25. Honor a loved one Intentions are available in the Church & Chapel 8/29-9/4,9/19-9/25,9/26-10/2

Church

Santo Calabrese Raynor, Geiger and Rita Bonamo Families

Chapel

Marie Ksenic Dynof Family

www.stmaryscoltsneck.org

Aug 15, 2021

The 2022 Mass Intention Book will open on Sunday August 29, 2021 for date specific Mass Intentions within the 2022 year. This year requests can be made via paper or online. Requests will be time stamped when received to provide order of entry into the new year book. Parish Office Dates and Times for receiving of requests: Sunday, Aug 29, 2021 from 9-12 noon Monday, Aug 30, 2021 from 9-2 pm Tuesday, Aug 31, 2021 from 2-7 pm

You can print this form and return to the Parish Office, or pick up a form at the office. Please be sure to have several options for your desired dates so that we can accommodate you properly. Ash Wednesday, Christmas, Easter and the Sacred Triduum are not available for intentions. It is appropriate for you or the family of the deceased to attend the mass when celebrated. The suggested stipend for a mass Intention is $10.00 and has been set by the N.J. Bishops in the Province of Newark. Stipend can be paid by cash, check, or credit card. Every effort will be made to satisfy all requests, however in some cases the intention availability for a date you are requesting may be filled and you will be asked to choose another date. After the initial Mass Book opening, requests may be submitted using this multi-intention form, online, or a Mass Request Envelope. Availability of dates is on a first-come first served basis. The members of the Mass Book team do not have the authority to make exceptions, so please do not ask them to do so. If you have any questions please contact the Parish Office at 732-780-2666.

Sanctuary Lamps Consider donating the Sanctuary Lamp that burns in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament in the Church or Christ Chapel in memory of a loved one who has died or to honor a living person. These intentions are on a weekly basis starting with the Sunday, therefore a new request will be published each week in the bulletin. Requests for Sanctuary Lamps for 2022 will also be available with the opening of the Mass Book. There will be a total of 104 Sanctuary Lamp Intentions: 52 weeks of the year for each of the Chapel & Church lamps. The suggested donation for a Sanctuary Lamp is $25.

www.stmaryscoltsneck.org

Aug 15, 2021

Andrew J. Macirowski Pastoral Coordinator for Worship & Music / Principal Organist Worship@stmaryscoltsneck.org Music@stmaryscoltsneck.org The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a Solemnity and Holy Day of Obligation in the Roman Catholic Church, celebrated every year on August 15. The celebration has been observed from the early days of the Church, likely beginning in the 5th century. While there is no account of Mary’s assumption in the New Testament, apocryphal texts give varying accounts of the end of life details of the Mother of Jesus. The most widely told account is that the apostles of Jesus heard of the passing of Mary and went to pay their respects. It is said that Saint Thomas (yes, the doubting one, although this may very well be a story-telling device to connect the narratives) was not with the others, arriving 3 days afterwards. His late arrival led the others to decide to re-open the tomb, to allow Thomas to see the body, only to find that the body was not present, leading to the belief that she had risen from the dead as had Christ, and had ascended into Heaven. While this is a touching story with many parallels to that of Christ’s resurrection and ascension, the veracity of the account is often called into question. Nevertheless, it was enough to convince authorities several centuries later to begin celebrating Mary’s resurrection and ascension. This was later changed to a belief in the assumption of Mary. As there were no accounts of her physical body remaining on earth, it was surmised that rather than dying and rising again, the Virgin Mother of God was assumed, body and soul, into Heaven. This belief, as well as scriptural passages from the Psalms and Book of Revelation, led Pope Pius to declare with papal infallibility on November 1, 1950: “By the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, of the Blessed Apostles Peter and Paul, and by our own authority, we pronounce, declare, and define it to be a divinely revealed dogma: that the Immaculate Mother of God, the ever Virgin Mary, having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory.” and thus we honor Mary, Queen of Heaven on this Holy Day.

www.stmaryscoltsneck.org

Aug 15, 2021

Updated Covid-19 Protocols at St Mary Parish There are updated directives from the Diocese where masks will no longer be required for fully vaccinated persons. If not fully vaccinated, persons are strongly encouraged to follow CDC guidance and wear a face mask in public settings. Also Effective June 4, all indoor gathering limits will be removed . Although these directives represent a reduction of pandemic restrictions, St Mary has a few requirements for Mass. 

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The Sign of Peace will resume but we encourage parishioners to replace a handshake with a reverent gesture, such as a nod or wave. During the Our Father please refrain from holding hands or making contact with any non-family member. St Mary has decided to continue with the electronic bulletin that is timely emailed to our parishioners each week. If you want a printed copy please contact the parish Office (732-780-2666) and one will be made available to you.

If you are not receiving the bulletin via email please email or call the parish office and we will add you to our distribution list. 

With the lifting of the dispensation from the obligation to attend Mass, we have discontinued the broadcast Mass after June 13, the Tenth Sunday in Ordinary Time. There remain many options on TV and the internet for those who choose.

As always, we thank you for your cooperation and support as we resume our normal celebration of the liturgy.

Speak with a Priest Struggling

with a life event and in need of spiritual assistance?

Want

to celebrate the Sacrament of Penance outside the normal Confession times?

Trying

to find your way back to engagement with the Church?

Discerning

vocation?

Looking

to complete your Sacraments of Initiation and wish to chat about the journey?

St Mary is offering the opportunity for parishioners to chat with a priest who is only indirectly engaged with the parish. If interested please contact Fr Mike Walsh @ frmike.walsh@stmaryscoltsneck.org

Pastoral Care Spiritual Companionship Counseling Pastoral Care Spiritual Companionship Counseling is a ministry which provides spiritual consolation and recovery resource information for those who thirst for grace and healing. Program Participants will:  Understand the spiritual dimension of the trauma, including its devastating physiological and psychological effects.  Learn to cope with current issues through motivation, interview, and listening.  Effectively work to transform their way of life by following the Will of God  Establish a recovery plan “Together, We Make a Difference” Learn more & sign up

www.stmaryscoltsneck.org

Aug 15, 2021

Following the Church’s synodal path of Communion, Participation and Mission

Take Action Now to Protect the Hyde Amendment

The Catholic Church in recent years, particularly during the pontificate of Pope Francis, has become accustomed to hearing the expression “synodality” used to describe the nature of the Church in our day. The word itself is derived from two Greek words meaning “common road or path.” Synodality “is the specific modus vivendi et operandi (way of living and operating) of the Church, the People of God, which reveals and gives substance to her being as communion when all her members journey together, gather in assembly and take an active part in her evangelizing mission (International Theological Commission, “Synodality in the Life and Mission of the Church,” March 2, 2018, para. 6).”

The Hyde Amendment, contained in the federal government’s annual appropriations legislation, prohibits federal funding of domestic abortions, except in cases of rape, incest or to save the life of the mother. It is a bipartisan provision that has been part of federal appropriations for 45 years (since 1976) and enjoys overwhelming public support. Now some members in Congress want to take away these laws that both Democrats and Republicans have supported for nearly half a century. If successful billions of taxpayer dollars could be used to pay for abortions.

abortions.

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops is asking all Catholics and people of good will to sign a petition to let Congress know they support the Hyde Amendment and do not want tax dollars paying for

Take Action Bishop’s Anniversary Blessings 2021; October 10, Ocean/Monmouth All couples celebrating their 1st, 25th or 50+ wedding anniversary during the 2020 or 2021 calendar year are invited to share the Eucharist, reaffirm your sacred wedding vows, and receive Bishop O’Connell’s Episcopal Blessing. Couples from Ocean and Monmouth Counties may attend the Mass and Blessing at the Co-Cathedral of St. Robert Bellarmine in Freehold on Sunday, October 10, 2021 at 3 pm. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, attendance at Mass is limited but both events will be livestreamed. Couples may register through their parish or online pending approval of their parish. For more information or to register online go to www.dioceseoftrenton.org/bishops-anniversary-blessing. The registration deadline for all anniversary couples is September 15, 2020.

www.stmaryscoltsneck.org

Aug 15, 2021

Worship Schedule: Aug 21/22 Twenty First Sunday in Ordinary Time Altar Server

Saturday, 5:00 PM (Church)

Sunday, 8:00 AM (Church)

Cantor

Reader 1

Reader 2

Mark Hines William Hines NOT FILLED

Marybeth Jacobson (sub req.)

Charles Young

Kathy Maher

Louise Habrack Organ Host Susan Murphy Tabernacle Host Emily Santangelo Alt

Ashley Austin Daniel Austin NOT FILLED

Bridget Farrow

Kevin Swan

Rita Duenas

Jane Slattery - Organ Host Lisa Aldridge Tabernacle Host Joseph Flanagan Alt

Gabriella Penczak Tesya Yaninas

Colleen Swain

Steve Rumsby

Matt Yaninas

Edward Moskal Organ Host Helen DeCerce Tabernacle Host Barbara Moskal - Alt

NOT FILLED NOT FILLED

Colleen Swain

Carl Simone

Richard Gerbino

Ron Gabbard - Organ Host Patricia Gesner Tabernacle Host Lee Gesner - Alt

Sunday, 10:00 AM (Church)

Sunday, 12:00 PM (Church)

EMHC

Ladies of the Parish: You’re invited to be part of the Women’s Morning Office Women of the Parish gather in the Chapel of St Mary each Friday morning, 7:30 am –8:15 am for “Song, Scripture, Reflection, Eucharist, Sharing and Prayer” for the people of the parish and beyond our community. It’s a wonderful way to begin a new day! We also offer this virtually via Zoom on Saturday mornings at 10:15 to 11:15am. It is still a wonderful way to come together no matter where we are!! Come Join us! Contact Barbara Schaflin for more informationBarbaraSchaflin10@verizon.net or at 908-415-7072

Baptism Preparation Sessions St Mary is offering Baptismal Preparation Sessions on the second Tuesday of the month at 6:00 PM and on the Fourth Sunday of the month at 1:00 PM.

Kindly RSVP in advance .

Saint of the Week-Saint Alipious Bishop and companion of St. Augustine. He was born in Tagaste, North Africa, and was raised as a friend of St. Augustine. He went to Rome to study law and became a magistrate there. When Augustine arrived in Rome, Alipius resigned his post and accompanied him to Milan. There he was baptized with Augustine in 387 or 394 by St. Ambrose.

Read Welcome to the newest member of our Saint Mary Parish family

Sofia Giuliana Foti

www.stmaryscoltsneck.org

Aug 15, 2021

Religious Education Fall Summer 2021-May 2022 Julia Cullen, Pastoral Coordinator of Religion Education - Grade 1 –8 ReligiousEd@stmaryscoltsneck.org 732-780-2666 X 309 Fall RE Orientation—Grades 1-6 September 19thBegins with the 12pm mass, and continues after in the church Fall RE Orientation—Grades 7-8 September 12th-5 pm

FIRST COMMUNION UPDATE First Communion will be held in October 2021 for the current year 2nd graders, as well as any family that chose to defer their child last year. As per our lottery, we have set the following 4 Communion Masses: Sunday 17 October 2021 10am or 12pm Sunday 24 October 2021 10am or 12pm

1st and 2nd graders are on campus and have a choice of time on Tuesdays as follows: 4:30-5:40 pm Or 5:50-7:00pm

3rd - 6th graders have weekly virtual LIVE classes through Google Classroom. The two choices are: Tuesday 4:30-5:30 Or Wednesday 6:00pm -7:00 pm Rose Farrow, Coordinator of Faith Formation for Youth Catechesis & Service - Grade 7 & 8 YouthRE@stmaryscoltsneck.org 732-780-2666 X 310 Confirmation Prep Classes Fall 2021 - Spring 2022 Classes will be offered both on campus in -person and in the live remote Google classroom format On campus/in person option will be offered on Mondays from 4:15-6:15 pm Live remote Google Classroom option will be offered on Sundays from 5:00-7:00 pm. Classes will be held every other week (as the calendar permits taking into account holidays) beginning September through May.

Please check the parish website for all the latest details about registration and how to go to your MY OWN CHURCH portal. LINK TO WEBSITE.

Requirements: Students and parents need to attend approximately three larger group functions throughout the year. Students need to attend Penance and Reconciliation services, complete written Homily reflections, and any independent work assigned by the instructor.

We are pleased to announce the celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation: Date: Friday, 15 October 2021 Time: 4:00pm sharp Celebrant: Rev. Monsignor Joseph N. Rosie

www.stmaryscoltsneck.org

Aug 15, 2021

The 2021-2022 program w i l l m eet week ly T hurs days s tar ting Septem ber 23, 2021 through Apr il 2022 Adult W omen Programs w ill run simultaneously - Day t i m e s es s i o n s - 10 11:30 am & Evening Sess ion - 7:00 - 8:30 pm O pening Your Heart this 22-week f oundational c ours e is des igned for wom en new to W W P as well as thos e with m or e Bible s tudy ex perienc e. Keeping in Balanc e this 22-less on study, we ’ ll ex plore Biblical ideas for m anaging lif e ’s pacOffered e and press e while living withatc alm and inurJanuary 2021 s teadiness .

the Parish of Saint Mary

The Martha Mary Guild: Who are We? We are:  women who serve  women who give  women who organize  women who lead  prayerful women  welcoming women  women who have fun There are many ways to participate in Martha Mary Guild activities. All Christian women are most welcome.

The Parish of Saint Mary Has Purchased a Gift for You! Enjoy a free subscription to an incredible online gateway to the best Catholic content .

Pick of the WeekThe Augustine Institute Show with Dr. Tim Gray

WATCH Outreach There are many opportunities for parishioners of Saint Mary to “reach out” into the community to help those in need! Learn more about the Charitable Appeals & Outreach Ministries at The Parish of Saint Mary: 

Martha Mary Guild

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Food Collection

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Prayer Shawl Ministry

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Sewing & Quilting Ministry

www.stmaryscoltsneck.org

Aug 15, 2021

Quo vadis… My Dear Parishioners: Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Patroness of our Diocese of Trenton. We have many examples from the Sacred Scriptures where God uses mighty things and persons to carry forward God’s plan for salvation. These past weeks we have read of how God provided manna in the desert. God also uses simple things and persons in the plan of salvation. On this solemnity we honor Mary, a maiden without title or means. She bore Christ in her very being. It is she who bore Christ…she heard the word and bore the Word that became flesh. As such she was the herald of the Word. Think about how this maiden girl who said yes to God changed the course of human history forever. Think about how our yes to God as disciples can change our world. Our parish participation in the Society for the Propagation of the Faith Mission Cooperative was a great success. We continue to receive offerings. The total amount will be announced next weekend. Through your generosity we collected the most ever recorded in our parish history for the Mission Co-op! That is indeed a credit to your generous spirit of sharing in support of our Catholic Church’s missionary spirit. Thank you! Last week our Summer Intensive Religious Education in person session began. I have heard many positive comments about this program and how we are approaching it this year. These are challenging times. We strive to provide the very best religious education and formation. It is wonderful to see the many young people who are serving as assistants for

this program. Let us continue to pray for these children, their families and the catechists. Thanks to Julia Cullen for overseeing this important program. Last week our parish garden club came together. It is a way in which we are inviting greater participation in the care for our 25 acre parish campus. Keeping the facilities tidy is a huge responsibility. Caring for the grounds is made much easier when there are many involved. This is a practical way in which we can care for the environment right here and now. The care of our parish campus is one of the first ways in which we evangelize others. When people drive by or when they drive onto the campus many comment how welcome they feel, especially visitors to the grotto and guests for liturgies. Thanks to Rose Farrow for overseeing this effort. Please make a notation in your personal schedule that we will be observing the 20th Anniversary of the 9/11/2001 event here in our parish at the Saturday Mass on the 11th of September this year. Our Colts Neck Community will be hosting a civic observance on that same evening at 6:00pm. I encourage you to participate as your schedule permits and to keep in your prayer all those whose lives were lost or altered because of the events of that day. Enjoy these summer days. Have a great week. Let us remember one another in prayer. Happy Sunday! Peace. Fr. Jeff

www.stmaryscoltsneck.org

Aug 15, 2021

Temporal Administration, Stewardship & Outreach Edwin A. Sevillano TemporalAdmin@stmaryscoltsneck.org Sharing Our Treasure Aug 8, 2021 Weekly Sacrificial Stewardship

$16,017

Envelope Contributions

$8,595

Electronic/Online Contributions

$7,175

Loose Contributions Weekly Avg. Contribution per Household

$297 $50.71

# of Contributing Households

311

# Registered Parishioner Households

997

THANK YOU for the Sacrificial Stewardship Offerings as we support the ministries, programs and facilities of our parish. May God Bless you for the sacrifices that you make.

Corporate Matching Many firms and corporations offer matching gift programs to benefit religious organizations, charities and other nonprofits to promote philanthropy amongst their employees. St Mary Parish is a registered charitable organization with the IRS and is also listed in GuideStar which is required by some of the corporate matching gift programs. Please consult with your employer to sign up for their matching gift program. If you have any question or need help signing St Mary Parish for corporate matched contributions, please contact Edwin at the Parish Office, 732-780-2666 x312.

As of Aug 8, 2021 Goal: Pledged:

$75,000 $78,646

# donors: Average gift: Paid to date:

188 $418 $68,236

We have reached our goal this year! If you have not made your pledge yet you can do so now. Please select St Mary Catholic Church in the Parish Affiliation drop down menu so our parish can receive credit for your gift. Please continue to make your pledge payments so we can receive an ACA rebate. Thank you for your generosity! ACA in Action! Clergy and Religious Administration Consecrated Life In the Diocese of Trenton, those in consecrated life represent membership in a variety of male and female religious institutes. These men and women have dedicated their lives to proclaim the Word of the God and serve His people. While not easily recognizable, nevertheless, they witness the face of God as they celebrate our liturgies and carry out the spiritual and corporal works of mercy in fields of education, health care and social services throughout the diocese. Your gift promotes those called to serve.

Thank you for your support! Shop now and AmazonSmile donates to St. Mary Parish !

www.stmaryscoltsneck.org

Aug 15, 2021

Surviving Divorce St. Mary, Mother of God Church in Middletown is pleased to announce its continuing ministry entitled, “Surviving Divorce: Hope and Healing for the Catholic Family”, a healing program being offered for divorced and/or separated Catholics that will begin on September 13, 2021 and will run for twelve consecutive weeks on Monday evenings from 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm. The location for the meetings is the Chapel located at 26 Leonardville Road in Middletown. Anyone that needs help in finding peace, power and healing from divorce, whether you are separated, considering divorce, or are already divorced, will discover how to work through emotions and pain, and experience personal healing and hope. Program information can be found at https://www.mylifechangecoach.com/ separated-divorce.

If interested, please email: healingheartsfromdivorce@gmail.com with your name and contact information and one of the facilitators, Ray DeSibio, Rich DeGennaro, Janet Felice and/or Elaine Anzalone-Goumas will get back in touch with you regarding all the details and will answer any questions you may have. WE WILL BE HOSTING AN INFORMATION NIGHT ON Thursday, August 26, 2021 from 7:00-8:30 pm in the Parish Hall of Church of the Nativity in Fair Haven for anyone that is interested in learning more about the program. At this event, you will be provided with all of the details you will need to decide if this is 12 week program is right for you! Thank you for taking the first step towards your healing!

We are looking for Altar Servers! It is a great way to participate in the liturgy, make new friends and grow in your faith!! We will be having an information meeting on Sunday 26 September after the 12pm mass. Please pray on it and keep a lookout for the date and time. Participation does count as an intergenerational for our 3-6 grades, and for our 7 & 8 graders it is a great community service for HS and college applications! Requirement: to have received First Communion.

As Catholics, our faith plays an important role in our daily lives. We comfort the sick, feed the hungry, care for the poor and protect life. We strive everywhere to practice what we preach. Across America, our right to live out our faith is being threatened – from Washington forcing Catholic employers to provide services that contradict our beliefs, to state governments prohibiting our charities from serving the most vulnerable. In a country founded on religious freedom, government should not force us to contradict our faith. During this critical time, we need your help to protect our religious freedom. By texting the word FREEDOM to 377377, we can keep you informed and provide ways you can help. Signup takes less than a minute, but your participation will have a lasting impact.