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: Annette Raynor & Roger Zurro
Parish Trustees: Linda Dickinson-Pancila & Tom Nathanson
JANUARY 25, 2026
EMERGENCY CLOSINGS
If a weather event requires cancellation of Mass or on campus Religious Education, here’s how we’ll let you know:
· Post on our website
· Send email to all parishioners
· You can call 732-780-2666 for recorded announcement SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 1 11 AM Madonna Hall
MASS SCHEDULE & INTENTIONS
Saturday, January 25, 2026 - Sunday, February 1, 2026
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
Monday, January 26
9 AM
Grace Kamine * Jane Slattery & Patricia Helmacy Emilia
Constanza Chavez * Fr. Jeffrey E. Lee, Staff & Parishioners
Tuesday, January 27
9 AM
Gina Kay * Matthew D McKenna
Noreen Burkis * Valeria Burkis
Thomas J. Loew * Angela & Tom Kinlin
Saturday, January 31
4 PM
Ed Eastman * Barbara & Joe Verga
Ramon Diaz Sr. * Maritza Melone
Louis Geneve * Jack & Rorie Coppola
Sunday, February 1
8 AM
Pro Populo
Andrew Lotano * Mario & Meredith Geneve
Brandon Patrick Beards
10 AM
Vincent J. Salvo * Mr. & Mrs. Raymond Longobardi
Donald Quigley * Anne LaPorta & Family
Emilia Chavez * Susan deBrigard
12 Noon
Carl Simone * Carol & James Ehlinger
Joseph Cincotta * Eric & Paola DiNapoli
Margaret Walsh * Parker Family
Pleas pra fo th followin member o ou paris communit wh ar il:
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.
MASS INTENTIONS & SANCTUARY LAMPS
LIFELONG CATECHESIS:
READINGS FOR THE WEEK
Sunday, January 25
Isaiah 8:23-9:3 / 1 Corinthians 1:10-13,17 / Matthew 4:12-23
Monday, January 26
2 Timothy 1:1-8 / Mark 3:22-30
Tuesday, January 27
2 Samuel 6:12b-15,17-19 / Mark 3:31-35
Wednesday, January 28
2 Samuel 7:4-17 / Mark 4:1-20
Thursday, January 29
2 Samuel 7:18-19,24-29/ Mark 4:21-25
Friday, January 30
2 Samuel 11:1-4a, 5-10a, 13-17 / Mark 4:26-34
Saturday, January 31
2 Samuel 12:1-7a, 10-17 / Mark 4:35-41
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 January 25 to 31
FOR DEEPER REFLECTION
Jesus calls us to follow him; our lives will never be the same.
Question for Children:
How do you hear Jesus calling you to do what he wants you to?
Question for Youth:
As you grow into young adulthood, Jesus calls you to follow him in particular ways, both big and small. What are some of the small ways in which Jesus calls you to follow him?
Question for Adults:
How does Jesus call you to assist in his ministry: the building up of the Reign of God? How do you know what God wants of you in this regard?
SAINT OF THE WEEK
Angela Merici, Religious and Virgin, 1470-1540
Angela Merici was orphaned at the age of ten and, together with an older sister and a younger brother, was raised by an uncle. As a teenager, Angela became a member of the Third Order of St. Francis and lived a life of great austerity. She gave up all her possessions and lived almost entirely on bread and water.
When Angela was twenty-two, her uncle died and she returned to her home town of Desenzano, in Lombardy (Italy). Appalled at the ignorance among poorer children, she recognized a greater calling than the quiet contemplative life. With other members of the Third Order, she began bringing the little girls of her neighborhood together on a regular basis for instruction in religion and in the basic skills of running a household. This proved to be so successful that Angela was asked to open a school in Brescia where she gained a reputation for her charity and saintliness.
In 1533, Angela brought together a number of the young women who had been helping in her schools and began an informal novitiate. Two years later, she founded the first teaching order of women in the church, called the Company of St. Ursula, who was the patroness of medieval universities and venerated as a leader among women. This order is today called the Ursuline order.
WORSHIP & MUSIC
Andrew J. Macirowski - Pastoral Coordinator for Worship & Music / Principal Organist
On September 30, 2019, Pope Francis issued a motu proprio designating the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time as the Sunday of the Word of God. This observance is devoted to the celebration, contemplation, and proclamation of Sacred Scripture within the life of the Church. But what does this mean for Catholics in practice? The following reflections offer several points for prayerful consideration.
Through the lectionary, God addresses his people anew each time the Scriptures are proclaimed. Both the Old Testament (the Hebrew Scriptures) and the New Testament (the Christian Scriptures) reveal God’s saving work, with the Gospel occupying a preeminent place in the Liturgy of the Word. Listeners are invited to reflect attentively on how the readings illuminate one another and form a coherent proclamation of God’s Word.
The responsorial psalm holds a distinctive role as the prayerful response of the assembled Church. Its verses give voice to praise, lament, trust, and thanksgiving, allowing the community to respond directly to what has been heard. Listening carefully to the psalm text and singing the refrain with confidence deepens our participation in this sacred dialogue.
The physical space from which the Scriptures are proclaimed is also rich in meaning. The ambo is not merely a functional stand for reading announcements; rather, it is a place of dignity reserved for the proclamation of the Word of God. In some churches, a smaller lectern is used for the first reading, psalm, and epistle, while a more prominent ambo is reserved for the Gospel, underscoring its centrality in the liturgy.
For those who already participate in the Liturgy of the Hours, the Sunday of the Word of God offers an opportunity to reflect more deeply on the role of Scripture in daily prayer not simply as text to be recited, but as the living Word that shapes faith and life. For those who do not regularly pray the Hours, this week may serve as an invitation to begin, perhaps as part of an intentional spiritual practice or in preparation for the upcoming Lenten season.
In the weeks ahead, take time both on this Sunday and beyond to ponder the Word of God proclaimed at Mass. As Catholics, we are nourished at the table of both Word and Eucharist, encountering Christ who speaks to us in Scripture and offers himself to us in the sacrament.
PANCAKE BREAKFAST
Sunday, February 15
Madonna Hall
Served 9:30 to Noon
Click here to purchase tickets! (No ticket sales at door)
$5 per person ~ Kids under 3 Free
Click here to volunteer!
Holy Baptism
God Bless
Elosie Barresi
Matteo Domenic Cerniglia
Grace Kelly
Elizabeth Marie Moesch
Callie Monroe Strafaci
Blessin o Ne Orga & Baptisma Fon
The blessing of the Parish of Saint Mary’s new organ and baptismal font were featured in the Trenton Monitor.
Click here to read the article!
Saturday, Jan. 31
4 PM
Sunday, Feb. 1
MINISTRY SCHEDULE
Saturday, January 31 & Sunday, February 1
Altar Server Cantor Reader 1 Reader 2 EMHC
Jonathan Stubbs NOT FILLED Diane Dragone Jennifer Stubbs Mary Ellen Griffin
8 AM NOT FILLED (2) Carly York Rita Duenas Joe Ventura
Sunday, Feb. 1
10 AM
Sunday, Feb. 1
Tesya Yaninas Olivia Linquito Carly York Kevin Swan Matt Yaninas
12 Noon Jack Schatzle Jacob Barasky Carly York NOT FILLED Charles Young
Parish of SAINT MARY
Mass at 9AM
Prayer Services at 4 PM & 5 PM
Parish of SAINT catharine
Mass at 12 Noon
Prayer Services at 6 PM & 7:30 PM
FEBRUARY 18, 2026
Jane Slattery, Organ Host
Martha Cowles, Tabernacle Host
Monica Barr, Tabernacle Host
Susan Murphy, Alternate
Richard Gerbino, Organ Host
Joyce Flynn, Tabernacle Host
Rosanne LaCava Tabernacle Host
Mike LaCava, Alternate
Richard Gerbino, Organ Host
Steve Stanley, Tabernacle Host
Martha Jean Rosiello, Tabernacle Host
Sue Fitzpatrick, Alternate
Patricia Gesner, Organ Host
Tom Nathanson, Tabernacle Host
Lee Gesner, Tabernacle Host
Ron Gabbard, Alternate
Monday, February 2
BLESSING OF CANDLES Feast of the Presentation of the Lord 9 AM Mass, Chapel Tuesday, February 3
BLESSING OF THROATS Memorial of St. Blaise
9 AM Mass, Chapel
Registration opens February 1 at 9:30 a.m.
Bookmark this link! Link will be active once registration opens
Intergenerational List/Descriptions
Intergenerational Recording Sheet
Confirmation Prep Schedule Fall RE Schedule 2025-2026
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. 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.
Project is sponsored by Catherine J. Sas c/o Luther Memorial Church, Tinton Falls, NJ/ Earle , Joint base McGuire-Dix
Family Catechesis Day
January 25—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!
What is the Domestic Church? Click to watch video to find out!
The Parish of St. Mary will be running a diaper drive for those in need! Please drop o 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 a ord a su icient 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!
1 Hour = 3 packs of diapers 1/2 Hour = 3 packs of wipes
at
Let’s tackle hunger this Super Bowl!
Kick o the Super Bowl by stocking the shelves of local food pantries.
Drop your canned goods in the box of you “team” in the Narthex February 7 and 8.
Jesus calls us to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world reminding us that our faith is meant to be lived through loving action. Share your bread with the hungry, shelter the oppressed and the homeless; clothe the naked when you see them, and do not turn your back on your own.
Click below to watch how others made Super Bowl Sunday a win against hunger! Not Your Typical Super Bowl Party
DIOCESAN YOUTH CONFERENCE
8th—12th Grade
Click for details or to register!
Quo vadis...
My Dear Parishioners: Today we celebrate the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time. We shrink from darkness; we don’t like it. We shrink from repentance; we don’t like it either, because to repent means that we must embrace a life of self-giving. Seeing the Light is actually much easier than following the Light! John’s faithfulness in preaching Jesus as the Messiah led him to prison and death. Jesus’ preaching about God’s kingdom at hand led him to the cross and death. If we follow the light, we know what awaits us: dying to self. Yet dying is the only way we ourselves can become the light that shines for others. Following the Light is a metaphor for repentance because the Light takes us where we would rather not go. But it is only this Light that brings us everlasting life. This is why we repent and follow.
Pope Francis has designated this Sunday as Word of God Sunday, a time to reflect intently on the Word of God as revelation and a way to encounter the sacred in our daily living. There are a variety of apps to help open the scriptures for prayerful reflection. Another custom is to read the selections for the upcoming Sunday a few days in advance in preparation for coming to Mass.
Next month, the Church observes the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord on February 2nd. Traditionally candles are blessed during the mass on this day. We will bless a representative number of candles that will be used in our parish church for our liturgical celebrations. The following day, February 3rd is the optional memorial of Saint Blase,
bishop and martyr…it is a custom of the church that throats are blessed on this day. In keeping with this tradition we will individually bless throats during the celebration of Eucharist on that day. “Through the intercession of Saint Blaise, bishop and martyr, may almighty God deliver you from every disease of the throat and every other illness. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.” Both of these masses will be celebrated in our Parish Chapel.
During the winter months please use good judgement when making choices. The cold, and other weather conditions can make travel hazardous for some. Make sure to confirm parish services especially during winter storms and state declarations of emergency.
Congratulations to all those who generously supported our parish by participating in the 2025 Christmas Collection. We have included a report of the collection for your review. This collection represents a large portion (9+%) of our total annual revenue. I am very grateful to you for the sacrifices you make to support our parish community and the ministries that we support and offer.
We will be doing some work in the church building bathrooms, the reredos wall of the sanctuary proper, and creating access from the nave of the church to the rooms behind. More to come in the months ahead. Thank you for our patience. Have a great week. prayer. HappySunday. Peace. Father Jeff
TEMPORAL ADMINISTRATION & STEWARDSHIP
Edwin A. Sevillano— Pastoral Associate for Temporal Administration & Stewardship
TemporalAdmin@StMarysColtsNeck.org
“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 are being prepared. 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!
2025 Christmas Collection: $144,202
Dear Parishioners & Friends:
as of January 19, 2026
Below is a simple accounting of our 2025 Christmas Collection. The sacrificial sharing of many has enabled us to exceed our expectations. Your contributions will continue to allow us to regain our financial solvency. Please know that the sacrifices we make for the future of our parish do not go unnoticed and I pray that each of us will receive the blessing promised to us. Again, thank you for this sacrifice and the sacrifices that you make each and every week so that our Parish of Saint Mary continues to proclaim God in word and deed.
Congratulations & thank you!
# of Parishioner gifts: 391 Average Gift: $351
Pattern of Giving
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
LIVING IN THE PRESENT MOMENT THE RUTHLESS ELIMINATION OF HURRY!
Tuesday, February 3 9:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Are you getting hints from God, others and maybe even your own body that it’s time to slow down a bit? Lent is around the bend. This morning retreat may be a jump start to a great Lenten practice to help us pay attention, do one thing at a time and live in the presence of God as we learn about the 10 symptoms of “hurry sickness” and their cure. Hurry and sign up! Donation: $30, includes materials and lunch. Zoom: $25
PERSONAL RETREAT DAY (In person only) Wednesday, February 11 9:30 AM – 2:30 PM
Come to Francis House for silence, personal prayer and optional spiritual direction. The day begins and ends with a brief prayer together. Please bring a bag lunch. Donation: $10; $40 with spiritual direction.
ASH WEDNESDAY RETREAT Wednesday, February 18 9:30 AM – 1:30 PM LITURGY AT NOON
We love beginning Lent together with this retreat at Francis House because it provides a gentle structure for the six-week journey ahead. This year I think you will enjoy reading guide your Lenten journey. Liturgy is included with the reception of ashes within it. Donation: $40, includes lunch and book for your Lenten journey. Zoom $25.
