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: Annette Raynor & Roger Zurro
Parish Trustees: Linda Dickinson-Pancila & Tom Nathanson
UNE 28, 2026
27/28 June—Saturday 4pm & Sunday 10am 4/5 July Saturday 4pm & Sunday 10am 11/12 July Saturday 4pm & Sunday 10am
(No 8am or 12pm masses of these weekends)
Saturday June 27
MASS SCHEDULE & INTENTIONS
Saturday, June 27, 2026 - Sunday, July 4, 2026
9 AM at Saint Catharine, Holmdel
4 PM
Elaine Michael *Ann Marie Dayton
Connie Weighell *Rorie and Jack Coppola
Marie Ann Mammano *Fletcher Family
Sunday June 28
10 AM
Living & Deceased Parishioners & Parish Benefactors
Carmel, Peter and John Vickers *LaPorta and Vickers Family
Birthday Blessings and Intentions of Matthew Marciano *Loving Family
Monday, June 29
9 AM
Marie Merante *Jack and Rorie Coppola Intentions of Elaine Sahs *Jersey Girls
Tuesday, June 30
9 AM
America Diogo Calado *Lisette Malek Intentions of Stephanie Terranova *Richard Lombardi
Wednesday, July 1
9 AM
Judy Sardella *Grace Randazzo
Thursday, July 2
9 AM at Saint Catharine, Holmdel
Friday, July 3
9 AM at Saint Catharine, Holmdel
Saturday July 4
9 AM at Saint Catharine, Holmdel
4 PM
Loving Family Members *Janet Munger
Marion Matthews *Edward Matthews
Anthony Carnevale *Diane Carnevale
Sunday July 5
10 AM
Living & Deceased Parishioners & Parish Benefactors
Robert Monaco *Susan Monaco
Thelma Ann Abion *Kevin Roach
Church Sanctuary Lamps
Consider requesting a Sanctuary Lamp in
parish community who are ill:
You can request it at the parish office or accessing our online system HERE The stipends is $25.
Rev. Msgr. Michael J. Walsh
Kathy Weber
Jack Coppola
Fr. William Bausch
Lori Lettieri
Edward Habrack
Mario Geneve
To add or remove a family member from the sick list, please email parishbulletin@stmaryscoltsneck.org. Names will be removed from the list after 3 months. Thank for keeping us updated on your loved one’s health.
LIFELONG CATECHESIS: Week of June 28 to July 4 READINGS FOR THE WEEK
Sunday, June 28 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time
2 Kgs 4:8-11, 14-16a/Rom 6:3-4, 8-11/Mt 10:37-42
Monday, June 29
Acts 12:1-11/2 Tm 4:6-8, 17-18/Mt 16:13-19
Tuesday, June 30
Am 3:1-8; 4:11-12/Mt 8:23-27
Wednesday, July 1
Am 5:14-15, 21-24/Mt 8:28-34
Thursday, July 2
Am 7:10-17/Mt 9:1-8
Friday, July 3
Eph 2:19-22/Jn 20:24-29
Saturday, July 4 2026
Am 9:11-15/Mt 9:14-17
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
Jesus asks his disciples to take their cross and follow him.
Question for Children: live as a follower of Jesus?
Question for Youth: What does Jesus demand of his followers?
Question for Adults: What does this Gospel teach you about the cost of discipleship and how does it relate to your experience so far?
SAINT OF THE WEEK
Junípero Serra, Priest, 1713-1784 -
No person had more influence on the settlement of California than Padre Junípero Serra. He was born Miguel José Serra to parents of humble means, living in Petra on the Mediterranean island of Majorca. His early education took place on the island at the Franciscan convent of San Bernardino. The church there had several small chapels on either side of the main altar dedicated to saints. Young Miguel developed a strong love for these saints while attending Mass, and their names including San Diego, San Juan Capistrano, Nuestra Señora de Los Angeles, San Francisco-later became the names of the cities and missions which he established along the Camino Real in California.
Miguel was ordained in 1737, and took the name Junípero at that time. In the same year, he was named a professor of philosophy at the university in Palma, Spain. He continued with his studies and, in 1742, earned a doctorate in theology. A year later, he was selected to the Dun Scotus chair of theology at the university. He also became renowned as a preacher on the island and was chosen to preach on the highest holy days.
These honors could have been just the beginning for the young priest. His biographers note that he would probably have become the superior of the Franciscans and could very well have been named Bishop of Palma had he remained on Majorca. This was not his calling however.
Andrew J. Macirowski - Pastoral Coordinator for Worship & Music / Principal Organist Worship@StMarysColtsNeck.org • Music@StMarysColtsNeck.org
St Thomas the Apostle (July 3)
WORSHIP & MUSIC
St. Thomas the Apostle is often remembered by the nickname "Doubting Thomas," but that title tells only part of his story. After the Resurrection, Thomas struggled to believe the astonishing news that Jesus had risen from the dead. When the Lord appeared to him and invited him to touch His wounds, Thomas responded with one of the simplest yet greatest professions of faith found in Scripture: "My Lord and my God!" (John 20:28). His journey reminds us that honest questions, when brought to Christ, can lead to a deeper and more lasting faith.
Like Thomas, we all experience moments of uncertainty. Life's challenges, disappointments, and unanswered prayers can leave us searching for reassurance. Rather than turning away, Thomas remained with the community of believers and encountered the risen Christ. His example encourages us to remain faithful in prayer, the sacraments, and the life of the Church, trusting that God continues to reveal Himself to those who seek Him.
According to ancient Christian tradition, after Pentecost, St. Thomas traveled far beyond the borders of the Roman Empire to proclaim the Gospel, eventually reaching India. There he established Christian communities along the Malabar Coast, many of which trace their origins to his missionary work nearly two thousand years ago. His preaching led countless people to Christ, but it also stirred opposition. Thomas was ultimately martyred, traditionally by being pierced with spears, sealing his witness with his life. The apostle once remembered for his doubt became a courageous missionary whose unwavering faith continues to inspire Christians throughout the world.
Baptismal Preparation Session
St Mary Parish is offering our next Baptismal Preparation Session on: Tuesday, July 7, 2025 @ 6:30 PM Pre-registrationisrequired aweekin advance. ContactUs
NEW PARISHIONER ORIENTATION
Sunday, August 2 11 AM
Madonna Hall
PARISH SUMMER OFFICE HOURS
Summer Hours in effect July 7– September 1
Open Monday to Thursday, 9 AM - 2 PM
Closed Fridays & Saturdays
Open first Sunday of each month
There will be no evening hours during the summer. Tuesday evening hours will resume after Labor Day September 8
O Sacred Heart of Jesus, King of Heaven and Earth, I place today my nation, the United States of America, into Your Heart pierced for love of us.
On the 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, I acknowledge that true liberty is Your gift, and that our lasting homeland is the eternal Kingdom of God.
GROTTO CANDLES
The Grotto Candles are available for your prayer intentions. Offering is $3.00 per candle.
Saturday, June 27
4:00 PM
Sunday, June 28
8 AM
Sunday, June 28
10 AM
Sunday, June 28
12 Noon
MINISTRY SCHEDULE
Saturday, July 4 & Sunday July 5
Eva Tomasetti Jonathan Stubbs Choir with Cantor Charles Young Jennifer Stubbs
OH-Martha Cowles
TH– Tom Nathanson
TH– Monica Barr
ALT-Susan Murphy
NO 8 A.M. MASS ON SUNDAY JUNE 28
Eva Garcia
Olivia Linquito (Sub Requested)
Carly York
Mary Ellen Griffin Barbara Schaflin
OH-Sue Fitzpatrick
TH-Fran Vaina
TH-Steve Stanley
ALT-Linda Dickinson-Pancila (Sub Made)
NO 12 P.M. MASS ON SUNDAY JUNE 28
Children’s Liturgy of the Word Dismissal
Interested in becoming a CLOW facilitator?
Children, ages 4-12, are dismissed during the
FAITH FORMATION
Julia Cullen — Pastoral Coordinator of Faith Formation / Religious Education
ReligiousEd@StMarysColtsNeck.org • (732) 780-2666 x. 309
We wish all our religious education families a great last week of school! We pray for a rejuvenating summer making memories with family and friends. While on vacation, enjoy visiting other parishes, continuing to grow in relationship with the Lord. We look forward to our July Summer Intensive which kicks off our 26/27 Religious Education formation year. The Blessing mass/ Orientation begins with 10 AM mass on Sunday, July 12th for the VIRTUAL program. All materials will be distributed for the two-week intensive.
As we soon begin the 26/27 year of formation, it is
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CALENDAR
12 July 2026
Blessing Mass 10 A.M. Mass & Orientation
Summer Intensive July VIRTUAL
13-24 July 2026
Summer Intensive July Virtual M-F, 9 A.M. 12 P.M.
26 July 2026
Grandparents Day
INTERGENERATIONAL -Sign Up Here
Beginning at 10 A.M. mass, following in Madonna Hall 28 July 2026
Faith Formation / Religious Education Advisory Board Meeting Board members please arrive at 7 P.M. 2 August 2026
Orientation & Blessing Mass On Campus, FHC:1&2&CF:A,B,C,D-12PM -church
3-14 August 2026
SummerIntensiveONCAMPUS, FHC&CF, 8:30AM-12:30PM-SpiritualCenter
PASTORAL CARE & OUTR
Rosemarie Farrow R.Farrow@StMarysColtsNeck.org
Congratulations to our newly initiated who came into Full Communion with the Church at the East-
Project 2030: Parish Visioning Process
The Pastor and Parish Pastoral Council invite all parishioners to participate in Project 2030, a visioning initiative that will help guide the future growth and ministry of our parish.
Over the next year, five brief surveys will be released, each focusing on a different area of parish life:
• Outreach and Charitable Appeals
• Evangelization and Communication
• Faith Formation and Religious Education
• Stewardship and Temporal Administration
• Worship, Liturgical Prayer, and Music
As results are gathered, parish staff and ministry leaders will review the feedback and respond to identified needs and opportunities, helping to shape parish priorities and initiatives throughout the Project 2030 process. The first survey will be distributed by email soon. Please watch your inbox for more information
High School & College Students
As a parish community we recognize the need to support graduates in staying connected to the Catholic Church after they graduate. With more than 80% of high school students leaving their faith in college, we need a way to connect graduates to the next step in their faith journey. Our Parish has partnered with Newman Connection, which connects graduating students to the Catholic campus ministry of their chosen college. (whether it is a Catholic college or not.) Connect directly HERE
Join St. Catharine’s & St. Mary’s parishioners for Faith & Family Night at the Blue Claws Stadium Thursday August 27, 2026
Enjoy a ticket to the baseball game, hot dog, soda, novelty ice cream. And one game ticket for the Boardwalk all for $19.00
CLICK HERE for more information and to purchase tickets
My Dear Parishioners:
Quo vadis...
Today we celebrate the Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time. The heart of the paschal mystery is dying and rising. Jesus first showed us both the cost and fruits of self-sacrifice in his suffering and death and being raised to new life on the third day. Our own daily living can sometimes seem to have much more dying than rising. Even setting aside the issue of consciously choosing self -sacrifice, just the simple demands of our lives pull it out of us: feeding the infant in the middle of the night, ferrying the kids to soccer, helping with homework when we are dog tired, taking time to share some good thing with a spouse, calling an aging parent. One of the great encouragements of this Sunday’s reading is that all this behavior-like giving “a cup of cold water…to little ones”may seem small to us, but to God they are actions that correspond to those of Christ. The message in these readings is that our generosity is far surpassed by God’s generosity. This means that the “dyings” of our daily lives are more than equaled by God’s generosity of blessings in this life and the next. This is why we can continue to choose to die to self.
This coming week we observe the civic holiday commemorating Independence Day…250 years of American Independence. This is an opportunity for us to reflect on the gift of freedom that we enjoy. How do we use this gift to make our world a better place? How do our choices show our Catholic Christian Faith? We are currently living in a climate of diminishing respect and tolerance for differences. Civil discourse and dialogue seems to be less and less regarded as a value for building consensus. Independence Day provides us with an opportunity to give thanks for the many and varied sacrifices of those who have gone before us in our great country. It is also a wake up call for us to consider how we are advancing the values that have long characterized our country. Join us for mass to give thanks to God for all that we have and continue to achieve as Americans while remembering those people and countries who struggle with independence and freedom.
PARISH 2030 Survey should be sent electronically to all of our registered parishioners who have shared their email addresses. Please be on the lookout for this important instrument. Those who do not have a computer or internet access can contact the parish office to make an appointment here on campus to complete the survey. I took a test sample and completed it in six minutes. This first survey focuses on the poor and needy, outreach, charitable appeals. Please take time to prayerfully complete this instrument to better assist us in our planning for the future. Your input is critical for us as
we continue to provide the very best. Thank you for your interest and cooperation.
We continue to make last minute preparations for our first of two Summer Intensive RE Programs. When we announced the beginning of this Summer Intensive Program several years ago, after much dialogue and consultation, this program was not well received by some in our community, very well received by a few and with skepticism by many. We have continued to listen to our stakeholder families making adjustments each year to provide the very best for these young people and their families. Recently we designated the July Session to be Virtual/On-line and the August Session on campus in person. Thank you for helping us to grow this important program. The demographics continue to change in our parish and throughout Colts Neck, as such the leadership of our parish must continue to respond to the signs of the times in ways that are consistent and sustainable. Once again we benefit from the teaching ministry of some Catholic School Teachers from throughout our Diocese of Trenton as well as Bona fide Catholics teaching in local public and private schools. They are certified teachers, certified catechists who are in full compliance with the safe environment standards required by our Diocese of Trenton. This is a win-win for all involved. These young people and their parents are reminded that Sunday Mass continues their formation along with monthly Intergenerational Programs arranged by our parish staff members. Let us strive to continue to provide the very best Religious Education and Formation for our children and young people.
The summer has begun. Our routines change. Times for vacation and recreation abound. It is my hope that wherever you may find yourself enjoying the fruits of your labor, the regular celebration of mass will be part of your experience. This is one of the great gifts of being Roman Catholic. We are all joined together in one communion of faith no matter where we find ourselves. Make time for the Lord each week of your life by receiving Holy Communion as frequently as possible.
We continue to make slow and steady progress toward our 2026 Annual Catholic Appeal Goal. I am edified that we continue to expand the number of families who are participating in the appeal each year. Please consider making your family gift to the appeal this week. Together we can make our goal. Have a great week. Let us pray for one another. Happy Sunday. Peace! Father Jeff
TEMPORAL ADMINISTRATION & STEWARDSHIP
Edwin A. Sevillano— Pastoral Associate for Temporal Administration & Stewardship
TemporalAdmin@StMarysColtsNeck.org June 21 $15,806
2026 Annual Catholic Appeal Parish Progress:
Goal: $84,000
Pledged: $73,568.12(88%)
Paid: $65,303.12 (78%)
Total Donors: 184 (73% towards participation incentive)
Average Gift: $399.83
Total donors needed to qualify for the participation increase incentive:251
Click for Details
Click to Donate
The Parish
Next Week on July 4 & July 5 CLICK HERE to send your gift to The Building & Maintenance collection
Please remember the Parish of Saint Mary in your will.. By naming St. Mary in your will or trust, you will provide a lasting gift that will greatly help St. Mary and our pa-
of Saint Mary
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
IN-PERSON ONLY
PERSONAL RETREAT DAY
Wednesday, July 1 9:30 AM – 2:30 PM
Take a day away from the busyness of your life. 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.
IN-PERSON ONLY
A HOLY WALK ON HOLY GROUND
Tuesday, July 7 5:00 – 8:00 PM
Come explore God in nature. Allow God to fill you with awe and nurture your soul. Put on your walking shoes and head out with us, starting at Francis House of Prayer, on a walk in Historic Walnford Park. We will experience nature in a special way using our senses of sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch while in silence. We will walk, listen to Scripture and rest in the presence of God our Creator. Led by Bernadette Citarella. Donation: $25. Light supper included.
IN-PERSON ONLY
TWILIGHT RETREAT
Saturday, July 11 5:00 – 8:00 PM
Our evening of reflection begins with Mass at 5 PM followed by a light supper. A labyrinth walk and a prayerful stroll in the gardens with God follows, ending with some Lectio Divina and Centering Prayer in the outdoor chapel. Led by Gwen Rapp. Donation $25.
IN-PERSON ONLY
HEARING THE VOICE OF GOD IN SONG
Sunday, July 12 5:00 – 7:00 PM
We will begin with a light supper at 5:00 PM followed by music, prayer and some sharing together. What a lovely summer evening! (outdoors, weather permitting) Led by Rich Turrin. Donation: $25
