The Parish of Saint Mary
The parish of saint Mary
A Catholic Community Proclaiming the Greatness of God in Our Time
A Catholic Community Proclaiming the Greatness of God in our Time OnePhalanxRoad,ColtsNeck,NJ07722
One Phalanx Road • Colts Neck, NJ 07722
Phone:732-780-2666 Fax:732-780-0394
Phone: (732) 780-2666 • Fax: (732) 780-0394
Email: ParishOffice@StMarysColtsNeck.org • Website: StMarysColtsNeck.org
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
FEBRUARY 22, 2026
MASS SCHEDULE & INTENTIONS
Saturday, February 21, 2026 - Sunday, March 1, 2026
Saturday, February 21
9 AM at Saint Catharine, Holmdel
4 PM
Pro Populo
Robert P Ward * Family
Bill O' Doherty * Freda O'Doherty & Family
Sunday, February 22
8 AM
Andrew Lotano * Martha Leonhardt
DeStefano/Albruno Families * Franceschetti Family
Madeline Cretella * Kate O'Rourke & Jareth Fant
10 AM
Jack Davis * John & Molly Aiello
Jose Santos * Dos Santos Family
Sergio Dos Santos & Antonio Ferreira * Dos Santos Family
12 Noon
Michael Barbera * Richard & Maria Gerbino
Gaetano Tagliavia & Giuseppa Catalano * Tagliavia Family
Ilario Nicoletta * Filomena Nicoletta
Monday, February 23
9 AM
Emilia Chavez * Linda Fredda
Madeline E. Hughes * Joseph & Evelyn Fano
Tuesday, February 24
9 AM
Ana Bertha Valbuena * Tom & Angela Kinlin
Carolina Vallecillo * Mom, Sisters & Brother
Request a Mass Intention
($10 stipend)
Wednesday, February 25
9 AM
Loving Family Members * Janet Munger
Intentions of Jose Latorre * Joseph & Evelyn Fano
Thursday, February 26
9 AM at Saint Catharine, Holmdel
Friday, February 27
9 AM at Saint Catharine, Holmdel
Saturday, February 28
9 AM at Saint Catharine, Holmdel
4 PM
Mona Fitzpatrick * Alice Gaffney
Loving Family Members * Janet Munger
Gerri Fornicola * Diane Carnevale
Sunday, March 1
8 AM
Pro Populo
Dennis Tonry * Kristen Baione
Eleanor Giannettino * Jane Slattery
10 AM
Tony Lopes * Dos Santos Family
Jon Burden * Garcia Family
James Britton * Parker Family
12 Noon
Andrew Richard Irvine * Richard & Maria Gerbino
Modestino Lucarelli * Helen Germinario
Christopher Billingslea * Michael Connolly & Christine Kehoe
Please pray for the following members of our parish community who are ill:
Jack Coppola
Joe Brando
Lori Lettieri
Edward Habrack
Father William Bausch
To add or remove a family member from the sick list, please e-mail 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: Week of February 22 to 28
READINGS FOR THE WEEK
Sunday, February 22
Genesis 2:7-9; 3:1-7 /Romans 5:12-19 / Matthew 4:1-11
Monday, February 23
Leviticus 19:1-2,11-18 / Matthew 25:31-46
Tuesday, February 24
Isaiah 55:10-11 / Matthew 6:7-15
Wednesday, February 25
Jonah 3:1-10 / Luke 11:29-32
Thursday, February 26
Esther C:12,14-16,23-25 / Matthew 7:7-12
Friday, February 27
Ezekiel 18:21-28 / Matthew 5:20-26
Saturday, February 28
Deuteronomy 26:16-19 / Matthew 5:43-48
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
FOR DEEPER REFLECTION
Temptation
Question for Children: What do you plan to do during Lent this year as a way of showing you want to grow closer to Jesus?
Question for Youth:
Jesus was tempted by the devil. How are you tempted? What helps you resist these temptations?
Question for Adults:
When you yourself pause to be alone with God, what distracts and prevents you from dwelling in that? Busyness? The demands of life? TV? The internet?
SAINT OF THE WEEK
Patrick, Bishop, c. 389-c. 461
So much of what is commonly accepted about Patrick is clouded in legend and myth. The facts about Patrick's life are drawn primarily from his Confessio, a short treatise written against his detractors. Even these few facts are sketchy.
Patrick was the son of a Roman -British official and was probably born somewhere on the island of Britain (though some sources say he may have been born in Gaul). At about the age of sixteen, Patrick was captured by raiders and carried off in slavery to Ireland, then a pagan land. He was put to work as a shepherd for six years until he escaped.
During his captivity, Patrick experienced a conversion, and he turned from being a thoughtless youth to one with a deep faith in God. Upon returning to his family and his homeland, Patrick began his studies in the monastery at Lerins (an island off Cannes in France) and was probably ordained around the year 417.
Patrick felt called to preach the Good News to the Irish people who had held him captive. He was consecrated a bishop by Saint Germanus about 432, and sent back to Ireland to succeed Saint Paulinus who had died in the previous year. Read more...
Monmouth Civic Chorus presents Buxtehude’s Membra Jesu Nostri and accompanying modern works. Though perhaps not as widely known, Buxtehude was revered by the likes of Bach and Handel, and you will find this music both familiar and revelatory.
The fresh sounds of companion pieces by living composers Caroline Shaw (To the Hands) and Zachary Wadsworth (To the Side) breathe new conversation into an ancient score. The chorus is joined by a specialist Baroque professional chamber ensemble.
Adult $42, Senior $37, Student $15, Group (10+) $31 with code “GROUP” CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS!
Saturday, Feb. 21
4 PM
Sunday,
March 1
MINISTRY SCHEDULE
Saturday, February 28 & Sunday, March 1
Altar Server Cantor Reader 1 Reader 2 EMHC
Alex Gruenling Anthony Gruenling Bridget Farrow Michele Gruenling Charles Young
8 AM NOT FILLED (2)
Sunday, March 1
10 AM
Sunday, March 1
12 Noon
Tesya Yaninas RJ Vaina
Jack Schatzle Jacob Barasky
Carly York Mary Ellen Griffin Joe Ventura
Carly York Matt Yaninas Richard Gerbino
Choir with Cantor NOT FILLED NOT
Lenten Regulation Guidelines of the Universal Church
Days of Fast AND Abstinence
Ash Wednesday (2/18) & Good Friday (4/3).
Days of Abstinence Only
All other Fridays of Lent (2/20 3/27)
Fast: Consume only one full meal. Water may be taken throughout day.
Abstinence: Consume no meat; this obligation prohibits the eating of meat but not eggs, milk products or condiments of any kind, even though made from animal fat.
Baptized Catholics between the ages of 18 and 59 are obliged to fast and those from the age of 14 are also obliged to abstain. Those who are automatically dispensed from fast and abstinence regulations outside the age limits noted above include: the physically or mentally ill, especially individuals suffering from chronic illnesses such as diabetes. Also included in the dispensation are women who are pregnant or nursing. In all cases, common sense should prevail and ill persons should not further jeopardize their health by fasting. All are encouraged to embrace these practices as part of our spiritual journey.
Click here for more information regarding 2026 Lenten Guidelines from the Diocese of Trenton
Monica Barr, Organ Host
Jane Slattery, Tabernacle Host
Susan Murphy, Tabernacle Host
Emily Santangelo, Alternate
Mike LaCava, Organ Host
Cindy Ventury, Tabernacle Host
Justine Buzzetta, Tabernacle Host
Rosanne LaCava, Alternate
Sue Fitzpatrick, Organ Host
Frank Vaina, Tabernacle Host
Joseph Burtone, Tabernacle Host
Dawn Burtone, Alternate
Lee Gesner, Organ Host
Michal Kalisz,
St. Catharine March 11 6:30 PM March 25 6:30 PM Sunday, March 22 at 3 PM
Area Parishes: March 1 at 3 PM
St. Catharine, Holmdel
March 15 at 3 PM
STATIONS OF THE CROSS at Saint Catharine’s, Holmdel
Fridays at 6:30 PM during Lent: 2/20, 2/27, 3/6, 3/13, 3/20 & 3/27
St. Benedict, Holmdel
April 1 at 7 PM
St. Gabriel, Marlboro
FAITH FORMATION
Julia Cullen — Pastoral Coordinator of Faith Formation / Religious Education
ReligiousEd@StMarysColtsNeck.org • (732) 780-2666 x. 309
A Message to Our Families
With RE Summer Intensive Registration/Re-Registration in progress for elementary RE, we want to thank all RE families for their patience as we begin to process registrations. Placement emails will be going out in in the next few weeks. As a reminder, Confirmation Prep (CP)1&2 is only a fall program. Fall Registration/ReRegistration opens on April 1, 2026, at 9:30am and this is for both elementary RE and CP. Please mark your calendars!
Family Catechesis Day is this Sunday, February 22, beginning at 10am mass! With the theme of praying at home, families will be encouraged to pray together and begin to think of the home as a holy place. We will learn about The Domestic Church and how important this is for all members of the Catholic Family.
All CP children who are participating in the Fisher’s of Men Diaper Drive Wrapping event this Saturday, March 21, 2026 will receive service hours. Please see the Pastoral Care & Outreach page for details. For more service opportunities including stuffing Easter Eggs and summer program, please see service opportunities in the red Confirmation Prep box.
21 February 2026
Diaper Drive Wrapping Event Click to register
22 February 2026
Family Catechesis Day Click to register
3 March 2026
Parenting Courageously
7 PM in Madonna Hall For CP Parents
8 March 2026
Happiest Middle Schoolers Retreat 10 AM in Church / Madonna Hall For CP students
22 March 2026
Lenten Penance & Reconciliation
3 PM Chapel Mandatory Attendance will be taken for all RE
Spring Cleanup
Beginning at both 10AM & 12 Noon Masses Following on Parish Grounds
29 March 2026
Palm Sunday Palm Weaving 10 AM in Church & Madonna Hall
30 March—6 April 2026
Easter Break No RE Classes
2 April 2026
Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord’s Supper
7 PM Church
3 April 2026
Good Friday
12 Noon: Commemoration of the Lord’s Passion
3 PM: Outdoor Stations of the Cross
4 April 2026
Morning Prayer & Blessing of Food
9 AM Chapel
Easter Vigil
8 PM Church
12 April 2026
Easter Egg Hunt
12 Noon, Parish Grounds
CONFIRMATION PREP
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
Session #12: February 22 & February 24
Session #13: March 8
10 AM Mass followed by Happiest Middle Schoolers retreat in Madona Hall
Session #14: March 22
Lenten Penance & Reconciliation
3PM in Chapel Mandatory
Session #15: April 19 & April 21
Session #16: May 2: Spring Service Project
Session #17: May 3
Bible Project Display in Madonna Hall & Confirmation Interviews in Spiritual Center
SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES
Click each opportunity for details
Diaper Wrapping
Passing Out Lenten Books
Stuffing Easter Eggs for Easter Egg Hunt
Summer Intensive Volunteers
Family Catechesis Day
February 22—10 AM Mass
“Let’s Pray as a Family” Looking for ways to deepen your family’s prayer life? Come to this special event to learn about the Domestic Church. Learn how to bring church into your home, praying as a family together and making family time holy.
Click to register!
MARCH 22, 2026
TWO SESSIONS AVALABLE FOR SERVICE!
Attend Mass at 8 AM or 10 AM and then join the cleanup on Parish grounds after!
Sign-in will be through the QR code in the narthex before mass begins.
Pre-registration required. Look for link in the coming weeks!
RE SUMMER INTENSIVE 2026
Registration is OPEN! Click here
We are in need of practicing Roman Catholics, alive in their faith, who possess a teaching certification to teach our summer RE program! The RE summer intensive August session runs August 3-14, M-F, 8:30am to 12:30pm. Paid positions available. For more information, email j.cullen@stmaryscolsneck.org.
PASTORAL CARE & OUTREACH
Rosemarie Farrow Pastoral Coordinator of Pastoral Care & Outreach
R.Farrow@StMarysColtsNeck.org • (732) 780-2666 x. 310
DIAPER DRIVE UNDERWAY! THROUGH
FEBRUARY 21
Diapers & wipes wanted
The Parish of St. Mary will be running a diaper drive for those in need! Please drop off your donations in the Narthex through February 21 in the Narthex. All donations welcome, but note the greatest need is for diapers size 4-6, size 4/5T pull ups and wipes!
What is diaper insecurity?
•The condition where families cannot afford a sufficient supply of diapers to ensure their children are clean, dry, and healthy.
•Diaper cannot be obtained with Food Stamps, WIC, or any other federal or state “safety-net” program.
•Diapers cost approximately $90 per month for one infant. Every child in Monmouth County deserves to be clean, dry, and healthy!
The diaper drive benefits the needy through Childcare Resources of Monmouth County! www.CCRNJ.org
Diaper Wrapping Party!
Saturday, February 21, 2026 in Madonna Hall 2:30 pm concludes with 4:00pm Mass Service Hours Eligible! ALL parishioners are invited to participate! Come and prepare diaper bundles for distribution through the Diaper Bank of Monmouth County! CLICK TO REGISTER!
Limited to 25 registered participants Participants grade 7 through adult must register Children under 12: Welcome with parental supervision (one adult per every two children); registration not required for children under 12
The Martha Mary Guild
Wednesday, March 11, 2026
Meeting starts with Rosary at 11:30 a.m. in Chapel
“Bring Your Own Lunch
Please note: Members of the Board are supplying soup and bread to add to your lunch. speaker to follow lunch at approximately 12:45 PM.
Special Guest Speaker: Fr. Tony Carotenuto
My Dear Parishioners:
Quo vadis...
Today we celebrate the First Sunday of Lent. Temptation is something we usually think of as facing alone. Yet, even Eve was not alone; Adam “was with her.” It seems as though Adam did nothing to help Eve resist the temptation. Neither of them could withstand the temptation of the serpent alone nor did either of them help each other. Neither is Lent our time to withstand temptation alone; it is also a wonderful time to get involved with others spiritually and help each other to grow in goodness and the ability to resist temptation. Most of us tend to keep our spiritual growth and struggles pretty much to ourselves. One marvelous way to help each other is to take some time with those with whom we are in significant relationships to do some in-depth faith-sharing. By sharing our own temptations with others, we are encouraged that we are not alone in choosing and serving this God who gives us life—at creation and through “the one Jesus Christ”(secondreading).
As we begin the Great Season of Lent, let us make room in our lives for some quiet times, prayer, reflection and discernment. It is equally as important to do some things: community service, volunteerism, liturgical celebrations. Please remember in a special way our candidates for the Easter Sacraments. Have you considered getting involved in a ministry of our parish community? We need everyone to continue to make our parish a welcoming and prayerful community. Evangelization is an important part of Lent.
Why not invite a friend or family member to come to church with you? Don’t forget to participate in the Way of the Cross privately in the Lenten Chapel or join with St. Catharine Parish each Friday.
Many thanks to all those who have already made their pledge/gift to the 2026 Annual Catholic Appeal online or through the mail. I have already sent in my pledge. Please do not put this off. It is important that we have lots of participation so that we can reach our parish goal. I know that you want to support our Diocesan Bishop as he provides for the needs of the Catholic Church in Monmouth, Mercer, Burlington and Ocean Counties. Please make your pledge or gift this week so that our parish can be counted among all those who achieve their goal. Together, we can make great things happen.
Consider joining us for the celebration of the mass each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday at 9am in the Chapel; Thursday, Friday, Saturday at St. Catharine, Holmdel. It is a great practice to assist with your Lenten observance. During the Season of Lent, the opening rites of the Mass are very brief since there is no Gloria sung. I invite you to consider arriving a few minutes before the start of the mass. Have a great week. Let us remember one another in prayer. Happy Sunday. Peace. Father Jeff
TEMPORAL ADMINISTRATION & STEWARDSHIP
Edwin A. Sevillano— Pastoral Associate for Temporal Administration & Stewardship TemporalAdmin@StMarysColtsNeck.org
Ending Hunger with CRS Rice Bowl
This Lent, our community will participate in CRS Rice Bowl connecting our prayers, fasting and almsgiving to encounter God through our global family. We’ll meet, pray for and learn from families in Ghana, Guatemala and Timor-Leste who are rising above the challenges of hunger and malnutrition.
Please collect your offerings during Lent in the Rice Bowl provided. At the conclusion of Lent 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 www.FHOP.org * 609-877-0509 * FHOP@verizon.net
SOWING SACRED SEEDS Monday, March 2
This Lenten retreat will focus on the seeds of love that have been sewn in us and for us by others. We will notice, too, the we have sown in others’ lives. You will receive Vince Gallagher ing Christ in all things. Good Lenten reading fills your soul with consolation and peace, so needed at this time. Led by Vinc nation: $25, includes lunch. Zoom: $20
LECTIO DIVINA Tuesday, March 3 9:30 AM
When I use the Scriptures for prayer, I like to take one sentence at a time and let it seep into my soul in order to take it a means of staying in touch with the presence of God. really hear the Word of God as it applies to our ordinary life and respond to God lunch. Zoom: $20
FORGIVENESS - A GIFT OF LOVING AS GOD LOVES
To be loved by God and to love as God loves IS our path to union with God and others. reflect on the words of Henri Nouwen in The Return of the Prodigal Son painting of the same name. Please come and experience the freedom found in choosing to forgive! Donation: $25, includes lunch.
EXAMEN: A SIMPLE LIFE-CHANGING PRAYER
Examen is a daily prayer practice designed to help you notice and enjoy God's presence in your everyday life. As you grow in tice you will begin to be aware of God's presence everywhere. this one-day presentation on Ignatian Examen. It's no exaggeration to say that Examen changes everything. It might change thingsfor you too! Donation: $35, with lunch and book. Zoom: $20
SAN ALFONSO RETREAT HOUSE
755 Ocean Avenue Long Branch, NJ 07740
400 Route 35 North South Mantoloking, NJ 08738 732-892-8494 www.sjbsea.org
Our mission as Religious Teachers Filippini is to “Go forth and teach the Word of God.” Our ministry on this holy ground is for the people of God who come to St. Joseph By the Sea for soul searching, trying to find peace in their lives and a God who understands them.
UPCOMING RETREATS
March 14, 2026 – SELF CARE FOR AA WOMEN - Take time to be still and know God loves you. Rest, read and take walks on the beach and bayside. Yoga, breath work, meditation and massage will be available. Continental breakfast and lunch included. Arrival: 9:00 a.m./Departure: 2:30 p.m. (Presenters: Avita Kennedy, RYT and Colleen Longo, Breath work practitioner) Cost: $75.
March 19, 2026 – HONORING ST. JOSEPH THE WORKER - In honor of our patron St. Joseph, the staff cordially invites you to join us at Eucharistic Liturgy as we celebrate this special day. We will pray for peace and healing for ourselves and for our world. Please call to register by March 15. SPACE WILL BE LIMITED TO 40 PEOPLE. Refreshments and Blessed Bread after the program. Arrival: 10:30 a.m. Mass: 11:00 a.m./Departure: 1:00 p.m. (Presenters: Staff) Donation
April 24-26, 2026 – WELLNESS WEEKEND FOR WOMEN – How can we continue to not just survive but thrive after 50: At this retreat, we will explore creative ways to keep body, ind and soul active in the second half of life. Eucharistic Liturgy included. Massage will be available. No Supper on Friday. Arrival: 5:00-6:00 p.m./Departure: 12:00 p.m. (Presenter: Janice Santanello, M.Th., CLEM, CSD, CPC) Cost: $425.