The Mary TheParish parish of of Saint saint Mary A Catholic Community Proclaiming the Greatness of God in Our Time A Catholic Community Proclaiming the Greatness of God in our Time OnePhalanx Phalanx Road • Colts Neck, NJ 07722 One Road, Colts Neck, NJ 07722 Phone: 780-2666 • Fax: (732)732-780-0394 780-0394 Phone:(732) 732-780-2666 Fax:
Email: ParishOffice@StMarysColtsNeck.org • Website: StMarysColtsNeck.org
Bishopofofthe theDiocese Dioceseof ofTrenton: Trenton:Most MostReverend Reverend David Bishop David M. M. O’Connell, O’Connell, C.M. C. M. Pastor:Reverend Reverend Fr. Fr. Jeffrey Jeffrey E. Pastor: E. Lee Lee PastorEmeritus: Emeritus:Reverend Reverend Fr. Fr. William William J. Bausch Pastor Bausch Parish Trustees: Annette Raynor && Roger Parish Trustees: Linda Dickinson-Pancila Tom Zurro Nathanson
JANUARY 18, 2026
SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME MASS SCHEDULE Saturday, January 17 4 PM Sunday, January 18 8 AM 10 AM 12 Noon
PARISH OFFICE HOURS Mondays: 9 AM to 2 PM Tuesdays: 2:30 PM to 7: 30 PM Wednesdays: 9 AM to 2 PM Thursdays: 9 AM to 2 PM Fridays: Closed Saturdays: Closed Sundays: Open first Sunday monthly, 9 AM to 1 PM
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MASS SCHEDULE & INTENTIONS Saturday, January 17, 2026 - Sunday, January 25, 2026 Saturday, January 17 4 PM Peter & Marion Disciullo * Alan Disciullo & Family Vera Kaney * Alan Disciullo & Family Patricia Green * Rorie & Jack Coppola
Wednesday, January 21 4 PM Louis Geneve * Angela & Tom Kinlin Ana Bertha Valbuena * Jane Slattery
Sunday, January 25 8 AM Andy Lotano * John & Molly Aiello Susan Duenas * Rita & Michael Duenas DeStefano/Albruno Families * Franceschetti Family 10 AM Viola and John Barlotta * The Vazzana Family Antoinetta Salvatore Lardieri * Lardieri Family S SGT Stephen J. & Eleanor Coleman * Carol Ann Donahue 12 Noon Pro Populo Loving Family Members * Janet Munger Jack Duffy * Jim Schatzle & Family Monday, January 19 9 AM Gerard Thompson * Susan Monaco Modestino Lucarelli * Joseph & Evelyn Fano Tuesday, January 20 9 AM Richard Gortler * Angela & Tom Kinlin Gina Marie Albano * Danielle Hennessey
Saturday, January 24 4 PM Pro Populo Mona Fitzpatrick * Maria Sweeney Joan Russo * Jack & Rorie Coppola Sunday, January 25 8 AM Barwick & Ganley Families * Alice Ganley & Family Emilia Constanza Chavez * The Gioacchini Family Dennis Tonry * Kristen Baione 10 AM Anna Pancilla * Linda Fredda Harland Cashman * Allen & Sandra Montefusco Carmel Vickers * LaPorta & Vickers Family 12 Noon Intentions of Loving Family Members * Janet Munger Patricia Green * The Sans Family Andrew Lotano * Chet & Eva Parkes
Church Sanctuary Lamp
Please pray for the following members of our parish community who are ill:
Louis A. Sliazis
Joe Brando Lori Lettieri Edward Habrack Father William Bausch
Requested by
The Sliazis Family
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.
MASS INTENTIONS & SANCTUARY LAMPS Click below to submit request online
Request a Mass Intention ($10 stipend)
Request a Sanctuary Lamp ($25 stipend)
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LIFELONG CATECHESIS: Week of January 18 to 24 READINGS FOR THE WEEK Sunday, January 18 Isaiah 49:3,5-6 / 1 Corinthians 1:1-3 / John 1:29-34
Monday, January 19 1 Samuel 15:16-23 / Mark 2:18-22
Tuesday, January 20 1 Samuel 16:1-13 / Mark 2:23-28
Wednesday, January 21 1 Samuel 17:32-33, 37, 40-51 / Mark 3:1-6
Thursday, January 22 1 Samuel 18:6-9, 19:1-7 / Mark 3:7-12
Friday, January 23 1 Samuel 24:3-21 / Mark 3:13-19
Saturday, January 24 2 Samuel 1:1-4, 11-12, 19, 23-27 / Mark 3:20-21
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
FOR DEEPER REFLECTION What one word or thought in this reading really strikes you? What image from this reading lingers for you now in your memory? Question for Children: If someone were to ask you, “who is Jesus?” how would you answer? Question for Youth: How are you able to see through all the busyness, the distractions, and the din of today’s world to really see Christ as he makes himself present today? Where do you see him or experience his presence? Question for Adults: In the gospel today, John tells us who Jesus is for him. If someone were to ask you, how would you answer this question: Who Jesus is for you?
SAINT OF THE WEEK
Francis de Sales, Bishop and Doctor, 1567-1622
Born in Savoy in the south of France, Francis studied in Paris and at the University of Padua where he received his doctorate in law at the age of twenty-four. Despite the opposition of his father and an offer of a high government position, Francis chose to become a priest and was ordained in 1593. Unknown to Francis, his cousin had proposed him as the provost of the chapter of Geneva. The pope appointed Francis to this academic post and, somewhat reluctantly, Francis took up these duties. Francis’ first love, however, was ministering to the poor and preaching, and these things he did with great enthusiasm. His preaching style was very simple, but effective. The oration style of the times called for filling sermons with quotations from Greek and Latin, but, although he was an excellent scholar, Francis chose to preach in clear language and thus won a large following. But a greater mission was in store for Francis de Sales. The people of Chablais, an area south of Lake Geneva, had fallen into Calvinism, and the few Catholics left in the area were too afraid of violence to declare themselves openly. Francis volunteered to go to Chablais and win back the people to Catholicism. Within months of his arrival, Francis was the target of two assassination attempts and other trials, but his simple message of love had its effect. Read more...
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WORSHIP & MUSIC Andrew J. Macirowski - Pastoral Coordinator for Worship & Music / Principal Organist Worship@StMarysColtsNeck.org • Music@StMarysColtsNeck.org
The Ordering of Ordinary Time During Ordinary Time, the Gospel readings are essentially sequential, picking up on one Sunday where we left off the Sunday prior. The same is true of the Epistle, with excerpts being taken sequentially from the Pauline letters to the Corinthians, Ephesians, the letters of Saints James and John, etc. This is where Ordinary comes from - meaning ”ordered”. It does not mean plain, unadorned, etc. This ordering of the scriptures provides a strong sense of continuity for the Sunday congregant. The Gospel narratives, when told in sequence like this, give us a greater understanding of the life of Jesus Christ during his public earthly ministry. Conversely, there is the temptation for one to feel like they are experiencing the same thing week after week. While there are some points to be made there, (for example, the 19th, 20th and 21st Sundays in Ordinary Time, Year B, all have Psalm 34: “Taste and See the Goodness of the Lord” proclaimed; there are several weeks when a common communion antiphon may be chanted, etc), we must remember that the repetition serves the purpose of reaffirming our faith and why we come to Mass each and every weekend, to worship God communally and receive the Holy Eucharist. Ordinary time begins on a Monday, following the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, which means there is a 1st week in Ordinary time, but the Sunday following the Baptism of the Lord is the SECOND Sunday in Ordinary Time. This is because the liturgical weeks, like our western calendar weeks, begin on a Sunday. Ordinary time lasts until Lent, and then resumes after Pentecost. In order to preserve the eschatological readings during the last weeks of Ordinary Time, depending on the number of weeks between Pentecost and Advent there may be some numbered weeks removed in order to keep those last days intact. Using 2026 as an example. the 6th Sunday of Ordinary Time precedes Ash Wednesday. Then, the 8th week of Ordinary Time will follow Pentecost. The 7th week will not be observed, so that the 34th week is the last week of the year before Advent. The music during this time also has periods of great variety or repetition as well. Some weeks, the antiphons for the entrance or communion may be very similar and certain hymns may repeat often, whereas others are more “once-a-year” offerings, such as for the Transfiguration, Presentation, or the feasts of saints which occur during this time.
Parish of SAINT MARY Mass at 9AM Prayer Services at 4 PM & 5 PM
FEBRUARY 18, 2026
Parish of SAINT catharine Mass at 12 Noon Prayer Services at 6 PM & 7:30 PM
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MINISTRY SCHEDULE Saturday, January 24 & Sunday, January 25 Altar Server Saturday, Jan. 24 4 PM Sunday, Jan. 25 8 AM Sunday, Jan. 25 10 AM Sunday, Jan. 25 12 Noon
Cantor
Reader 1
Bridget Farrow
Michele Gruenling
Alex Gruenling Anthony Gruenling Jacob Barasky
Reader 2
EMHC
Mary Ellen Griffin
Susan Murphy, Organ Host Monica Barr, Tabernacle Host Emily Santangelo, Tabernacle Host Jane Slattery, Alternate Maureen Staub, Organ Host Michael Staub, Tabernacle Host Gina Shute, Tabernacle Host Cindy Ventura, Alternate
Carly York
Kevin Swan
Joe Ventura
Carly York
Richard Gerbino
Steve Rumsby
Linda Dickinson-Pancila, Organ Host Sue Fitzpatrick, Tabernacle Host Maureen Geiger, Tabernacle Host Fran Vaina, Alternate
Carly York
Charles Young
Jennifer Stubbs
Michal Kalisz, Organ Host Dolores Lembo, Tabernacle Host Liz Turkovic, Tabernacle Host Tom Nathanson, Alternate
NOT FILLED
RJ Vaina Grace Collins
Julianna Dukes Eva Tomasetti
Help plan our February parish pancake breakfast! Email temporaladmin@stmaryscoltsneck.org
God Bless
Arlo Robert Villamagna
Click for details
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FAITH FORMATION Julia Cullen — Pastoral Coordinator of Faith Formation / Religious Education ReligiousEd@StMarysColtsNeck.org • (732) 780-2666 x. 309
A Message to Our Families Religious Education Summer Intensive 2026 Registration/Re-Registration opens on February 1, 2026. The registration link will go live at 9:30am and will be published in the upcoming bulletin as well as on our website homepage. An email was sent home to all RE families with important registration information. Please contact the parish office if you have any questions or did not receive the email. If you wish to make an appointment to discuss the registration process prior to registration, please schedule an appointment by emailing a request to religioused@stmaryscoltsneck.org. Fishers of Men Intergenerational is next month and this includes our annual diaper drive. This counts as an INTERGENERATIONAL for elementary RE and service hours for CP. See the Pastoral Care & Outreach page for more details.
RE SUMMER INTENSIVE 2026 DATES: Virtual: July 13 through 24 On-Campus August 3 through14 Registration opens February 1 at 9:30 a.m.
Bookmark this link! Link will be active once registration opens
18 January 2026
Confirmation Prep Virtual Session
20 January 2026
Confirmation Prep On-campus Session
25 January 2026 Family Catechesis Day At 10 AM Mass in the Church Click to register
1 February 2026
Registration: Summer Intensive 2026 Opens 9:30 AM
18 February 2026 Ash Wednesday & Fishers of Men Intergenerational Click for times and RSVP
RELIGIOUS ED LINKS & RESOURCES RE Calendar RE Handbook Intergenerational List/Descriptions Intergenerational Recording Sheet Confirmation Prep Schedule Fall RE Schedule 2025-2026
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Valentine’s Day Community Service Project 2026 ATTENTION STUDENTS! SERVICE HOURS ELIGIBLE! DEADLINE: THURSDAY, JANUARY 29 Once again, residents of Monmouth County will have the opportunity to provide Valentine’s Day cards, notes, letters, and special treats for our military. Cards may be handmade or purchased but should include a handwritten sentiment acknowledging the love and appreciation for their military service to our country. 10 cards with a treat will equal ONE service hour. Each group of cards and treats should be bundled in a Ziploc type bag and handed in to the parish office, during office hours. to obtain a service hour letter. Service hour letter must be picked up at time of Valentine drop off. Please bring your service log in at this time to be signed to receive hours. Here are some examples of sentiments students can write inside the cards. • “Happy Valentine’s Day to a true patriot.” • “Happy Valentine’s Day to a real hero.” • “The commitment you’ve made means so much and is so appreciated.” • “Thank you for your service to our country and its citizens.” • “Sincere thanks for the big sacrifices you’ve made for our nation.” • “You deserve thanks every day for your service.” • “You made the choice to defend our country, and you deserve our deepest gratitude.” Students may drop cards off at the parish office during operating hours. Project end date is Thursday, January 29, 2026. 53 Boxes were shipped, filled to the brim with Valentines and sweet treats and surprises. Packages were mailed to the following: GUAM, Hawaii, Alaska, Oregon, Florida, NC, AZ, Maryland, Missouri, NY, VA, Washington State and DC, PA, LA, and five Naval Ships received boxes as well as 150 previously homeless Veterans now living in Houston, Tx. thanks to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation
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PASTORAL CARE & OUTREACH Rosemarie Farrow — Pastoral Coordinator of Pastoral Care & Outreach R.Farrow@StMarysColtsNeck.org • (732) 780-2666 x. 310
DIAPER DRIVE! 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 between February 18 and 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!
* ASH WEDNESDaY ONLY *
SERVICE OPPORTUNITY
1 Hour = 3 packs of diapers 1/2 Hour = 3 packs of wipes MAX: 2.5 hours total Donations accepted ONLY at Ash Wednesday prayer services at 4 PM or 5 PM
The diaper drive benefits the needy through Childcare Resources of Monmouth County! www.CCRNJ.org
Parishwide Service Opportunity Saturday, February 21, 2026 in Madonna Hall 2:30 pm concludes with 4:00pm Mass ALL parishioners are invited to participate! Fishers of Men- Dignity of Life Diaper Wrapping Event 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 by clicking here Children under 12: Welcome with parental supervision (one adult per every two children); registration not required for children under 12
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January 18, 2026
DIOCESAN YOUTH CONFERENCE 8th—12th Grade
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Family Catechesis Day January 25th “Let’s Pray as a Family” 10 AM Mass in the Church
Click for details or to register!
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! What is the Domestic Church? Click to watch this video to find out!
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Quo vadis... My Dear Parishioners: Today we celebrate the Second Sunday in Ordinary Time. Like John, the more we get to know Jesus, the more we are compelled to testify to his identity and mission. But doing so has its cost for us, too. Also like John, our witnessing to Christ already has built into it such an identity with Jesus that we, too, can expect that we will be called to lay down our own lives in self-sacrifice. We live in a society and culture that values quick results. When it comes to what is most important to us—our conformity to Jesus— we cannot expect quick results because this conformity requires of us genuine self-sacrifice. Conforming our lives to Jesus’, then, is a life-long process. We all probably take two steps backward and can get mightily discouraged on the way. The encouraging thing about Jesus is that by journeying with him we surely will arrive at our destination whether we take a few detours or not. Ordinary Time is the Church’s gift of time to walk with Jesus on the journey to Jerusalem. On the way, our task is to grow in knowing Jesus and testifying to his good news. It doesn’t get easier, but the end remains sure: by dying to self, we will rise with Jesus to new life. This month, we observe the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 18-25 January. Recognizing the dignity of Baptism among Christians is a major fruit of the Second Vatican Council. The Catholic Church embraced the understanding that those who have been baptized with water as the Trinitarian Formula is recited are members of the Church. The Catholic Church recognized this and the practice of “re-baptizing” other Christians who had been baptized in this way ceased. This fundamental shift changed the language we use regarding the Sacraments of Initiation: Christians who desire membership in the Catholic Church are no longer understood as “converts”; rather, they are considered as Christians seeking full communion with the Catholic Church and as such we receive them into full communion with the Catholic Church. Those who have been baptized
not following the formula using water and the Trinitarian formula as well as those who have not been baptized are considered non Christians and are welcomed as converts when seeking membership in the Catholic Church. It is of particular interest that the theology of Church articulated during and following the Second Vatican Council provides for “Ecumenical Prayer” with other Christians. Catholics are called to learn more about this relationship that we share with other baptized Christians so that we can pray and work together in support of a more just society as we witness to the teachings of Jesus Christ. It is also a time for us to learn more about those doctrines and practices that we do not share, thus preventing “full, visible and Eucharistic communion”. Let us continue to pray that God will guide us in overcoming the divisions that have, through the centuries, divided the Body of Christ. The Sunday Eucharist is the most important part of our week as Roman Catholic Christians. We are called to come to Mass each Sunday in response to the commandment: Keep Holy the Lord’s Day; as well as Jesus’ command to his disciples: Do This in Memory of Me. As Roman Catholics it is important for us to receive Jesus in Holy Communion and to witness to one another the Faith that has been revealed to us. May we continue to safeguard our Catholic Faith and to share our Catholic Faith with all those who feel marginalized or alienated from the Church. Please make sure that your personal email is updated here at the parish. In order to be effective in our communication plan as well as being environmentally responsible email is the primary method of communication. I expect our 2025 Christmas Collection Report to be published in the coming weeks. I am grateful to all who have participated. Please make your gift this coming week. Have a great week. Let us remember one another in prayer. Happy Sunday. Peace. Father Jeff
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The 29th annual Catholic Men for Jesus Christ Conference invites all Catholic men from the Diocese and beyond to join in a transformative day of faith, fellowship and inspiration. The event will be held Feb. 28 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. in St. Mary Mother of God Church, 19 Cherry Tree Farm Rd., Middletown. Focusing on the theme, “Spiritual Warriors for Christ,” the conference will feature speakers Doug Barry, a motivational and Catholic speaker for more than 30 years; Franciscan Friar of the Renewal Glenn Sudano, Catholic speaker, spiritual director and retreat leader, and Coach Greg Schiano, football coach at Rutgers University and mentor of young people. The conference will also include Mass celebrated by Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M. Cost is $50 for early registration or $60 at the door. Fees for students are $20 for early registration or $30 at the door. Breakfast and lunch will be provided. To register, visit www.catholicmenforjesuschrist.org.
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TEMPORAL ADMINISTRATION & STEWARDSHIP Edwin A. Sevillano— Pastoral Associate for Temporal Administration & Stewardship TemporalAdmin@StMarysColtsNeck.org
SHARING OUR TREASURE:
JAN. 11
Weekly Sacrificial Stewardship
$ 19,295
Envelope Contributions
$ 9,360
Electronic/Online Contributions
$ 9,079
Loose Contributions
$ 856
Average Contribution per household
$ 60.06
Number of Contributing Households
307
Total Number of Registered Parishioner Households
922
(this week)
(this weekend)
If you haven’t already submitted your Christmas offering to the Parish of Saint Mary, it’s not to late to do so. Feel free to submit your envelope or make your gift online by clicking here or scanning the QR code below.
“TAKE A STEP” IN 2026! There’s still time to participate in “A Future Filled with Hope,” the Parish of Saint Mary’s Increased Offertory Program. If you haven’t done so yet, we invite you to read the brochure and consider taking a step to supporting our Parish Thank you! • Pledge your commitment online • Update your recurring donation now or make a one-time contribution online
2025 END-OF-YEAR CONTRIBUTION STATEMENTS
Statements of charitable contributions for calendar year 2025 will be available on or about January 16, 2026. Your personal statement can be retrieved online once available. Click here to sign in. If you wish to receive a paper statement, please provide a self-addressed stamped envelope to the Parish Office or drop it in the collection basket no later than January 25, 2026. Requests will be processed and mailed at the end of January. Please do not make requests by phone. Thank you!
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JANUARY OPEN HOUSES!
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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 EXPERIENCE GOD—Monday, January 19 9:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Together, we will spend the morning learning the three stages of prayer: personal encounter, listening and contemplative transformation. Experiencing God by Thomas Green, SJ will be used as a foundation for our discussion. Donation: $25, includes lunch. Zoom: $20 WHY ARE YOU ANXIOUS? Tuesday, January 20 9:30 AM – 1:00 PM Jesus asked this question once and we could tell him that we have lots of reason to be anxious these days. What can we do about the anxiety we feel and carry around within us? This morning retreat will help. Donation: $25, includes lunch. Zoom: $20. PAINT YOUR SACRED ART ICON—Wednesday, January 21 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM IN PERSON ONLY Have you ever dreamed of painting an icon? We will follow the lead of iconographer, Nancy Berchtold, in the meaning of what is painted as well as the icon colors, shapes and lines chosen. By the end of the experience, you will have painted an icon of the Blessed Mother holding baby Jesus. Donation: $50, includes lunch and materials.
SAN ALFONSO RETREAT HOUSE 755 Ocean Avenue Long Branch, NJ 07740
Twilight Evening of Recollection for Married Couples March 11 5:00 - 9:00 pm
Come celebrate with your spouse with an evening of prayer and reflection including the celebration of Mass, renewal of marriage vows and festive dinner.
Cost: $145 per couple Overnight Package: $250 Click for details!
732-223-4673 grace@njsamaritan.org