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
MASS SCHEDULE & INTENTIONS
Saturday, February 28, 2026 - Sunday, March 8, 2026
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
Living & Deceased Parishioners & Parish Benefactors
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
Monday, March 2
9 AM
Emilia Chavez * Linda Fredda (from 2/23)
Madeline E. Hughes * Joseph & Evelyn Fano (from 2/23)
Jack Davis * Martha Mary Guild
Grace Kamine * Jane Slattery & Patricia Helmacy
Tuesday, March 3
9 AM
Ana Bertha Valbuena * Tom & Angela Kinlin (from 2/24)
Carolina Vallecillo * Mom, Sisters & Brother (from 2/24)
Barbara Bischoff * Jean & Chet Galloway
Wednesday, March 4
9 AM
Carol Ann Mulkeen * Anne-Marie Matthews
George DePalma * Pat DePalma
Thursday, March 5
9 AM at Saint Catharine, Holmdel
Friday, March 6
9 AM at Saint Catharine, Holmdel
Saturday, March 7
9 AM at Saint Catharine, Holmdel
4 PM
James Resko * Mary Kopko
Gisela Jakubowski * Barbara Saake
Anthony Rapacciuolo * Jack & Rorie Coppola
Sunday, March 8
8 AM
Lynn Gioacchini * The Gioacchini Family
Phillipa Parasole * Mario & Meredith Geneve
Jan Krol * Katherine Bernardini
10 AM
Living & Deceased Parishioners & Parish Benefactors
Harland Cashman * Allen & Sandra Montefusco
Sergio Dos Santos & Emilia Clemente * Dos Santos Family
12 Noon
Lorraine Merryman * Parker Family
Father Kris Kaczynski * Richard & Maria Gerbino
Modestino Lucarelli * Robert & Doreen Cavagnaro
Intentions of Rev. Fr. William J. Bausch * Rev. Fr. Jeffrey E. Lee, Staff & Parishioners
Please pray for the following members of our parish community who are ill:
Request a Mass Intention ($10 stipend)
Request a Sanctuary Lamp ($25 stipend)
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:
READINGS FOR THE WEEK
Sunday, March 1
Genesis 12:1-4a /2 Timothy 1:8b-10 /Matthew 17:1-9
Monday, March 2
Daniel 9:4b-10 / Luke 6:36-38
Tuesday, March 3
Isaiah 1:10, 16-20 /Matthew 23:1-12
Wednesday, March 4
Jeremiah 18:18-29 /Matthew 20:17-28
Thursday, March 5
Jeremiah 17:5-10 /Luke 16:19-31
Friday, March 6
Ezekiel 18:21-28 / Matthew 5:20-26
Saturday, March 7
Genesis 37:3-4, 12-13a, 17b-28a; Matthew 21:33-43, 45-46
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 March 1 to 7
FOR DEEPER REFLECTION
Lent calls us to transform our lives.
Question for Children:
Jesus invites you to be close to him, to see him with clear eyes. What is Jesus like as a friend?
Question for Youth:
What do you most want God to help you with?
Question for Adults:
Sometimes we can see Christ with clear eyes, as the disciples did on that mountain. Share about such a time in your own life.
SAINT OF THE WEEK
Peter, Apostle, Pope and Martyr, d. c. 64
Even the great saints need God’s forgiveness and grace. Peter, like the rest of us, turned away from Jesus for a time.
Peter, as Scripture tells us, was a son of John and the brother of Andrew. He was a native of Bethsaida, a small village near Lake Tiberias. With his father and brother, Peter, at that time called Simon, worked as a fisherman on Lake Genesareth.
Through the Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles, we know much more about Peter than we do about many of the early saints. We know, for example, that Peter was present at the marriage feast at Cana when Jesus worked his first miracle. While Peter and the other Apostles did not immediately give up their professions upon meeting Christ, we know that they became good friends of Christ and would join him any time that he was proclaiming the Good News in their vicinity. Jesus came to Peter's home in Capernaum and cured his mother-in-law and Peter's boat was always available to Christ. Peter, together with James and John, was privileged to witness the Transfiguration of Christ. Later, as we know from Luke’s Gospel today, it was Peter who denied Christ three times in the courtyard of Pontius Pilate.
When Peter acknowledged Jesus as "the Christ...the Son of the living God," Jesus replied, "And I tell you, you are Peter and on this rock I will build my church" and "I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven.” Read more...
Ave, Regina caelorum, Ave, Domina Angelorum: Salve, radix, salve, porta Ex qua mundo lux est orta:
Gaude, Virgo gloriosa, Super omnes speciosa, Vale, o valde decora, Et pro nobis Christum exora.
Hail, O Queen of Heaven.
Hail, O Lady of Angels
Hail! thou root, hail! thou gate
From whom unto the world a light has arisen:
Rejoice, O glorious Virgin, Lovely beyond all others, Farewell, most beautiful maiden, And pray for us to Christ.
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, March 7
MINISTRY SCHEDULE
Saturday, March 7 & Sunday, March 8
Altar Server Cantor Reader 1 Reader 2
4 PM NOT FILLED Joseph Brando
Sunday, March 8
8 AM NOT FILLED (2)
Sunday, March 8
10 AM
Sunday, March 8
Grace Collins Julianna Dukes
Choir with Cantor Mary Ellen Griffin
Bridget Farrow
Charles Young
Rita Duenas Kevin Swan
Carly York Steve Rumsby Barbara Schaflin
Susan Murphy, Organ Host
Susan Murphy, Tabernacle Host
Tom Nathanson, Tabernacle Host
Martha Cowles, Alternate
Justine Buzzetta, Organ Host
Jane Slattery, Tabernacle Host
Joyce Flynn, Tabernacle Host
Marsha Grigoli, Alternate
Dawn Burtone, Organ Host
Maureen Geiger, Tabernacle Host
Carol Donahue, Tabernacle Host
Joseph Burtone, Alternate
Dolores Lembo, Organ Host
Jacob Barasky
12 Noon NOT FILLED
Carly York Richard Gerbino
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
Jennifer
Nick Turkovic,
St. Catharine March 11 6:30 PM March 25 6:30 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
Sunday, March 22 at 3 PM
Area Parishes: March 1 at 3 PM
St. Catharine, Holmdel
March 15 at 3 PM
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
“Acleanheartcreateforme,God;renew withinmeasteadfastspirit.”- Psalm51:12
Many thanks to the over 100 participants for our Ash Wednesday INT. We were also blessed to host our Diaper Wrapping event last Saturday, many thanks for the generous donations of diapers and wipes. Our next INT include P&R, Spring Clean-up and Palm Weaving, see the calendar for details.
Friendly reminder-CP-2 paperwork is due soon. Please drop off at the parish office as completed: Saint Name & Report, Service Hour log & Report, Sponsor certificate & name. All paperwork must be complete and submitted before Confirmation Interviews.
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 INT
3 PM Chapel Mandatory Attendance will be taken for all RE
Spring Cleanup INT
Beginning at both 8 AM & 10AM Masses Following on Parish Grounds
29 March 2026
Palm Sunday Palm Weaving INT 10 AM in Church & Madonna Hall Click to register
30 March—6 April 2026
Easter Break No RE Classes
2 April 2026
Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord’s Supper INT
7 PM Church
RELIGIOUS ED LINKS & RESOURCES
RE Calendar
RE Handbook
Intergenerational List/Descriptions
Intergenerational Recording Sheet
Confirmation Prep Schedule
Fall RE Schedule
2025-2026
3 April 2026
Good Friday
12 Noon: Commemoration of the Lord’s Passion INT 3 PM: Outdoor Stations of the Cross INT
4 April 2026
Morning Prayer & Blessing of Food 9 AM Chapel
Easter Vigil INT
8 PM Church
12 April 2026
Easter Egg Hunt INT 12 Noon, Parish Grounds
CONFIRMATION PREP
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
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
Stuffing Easter Eggs for Easter Egg Hunt
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
Click to watch Lent with Brother Francis!
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.
speaker to follow lunch at approximately 12:45 PM.
Special Guest Speaker:
Fr. Tony Carotenuto
My Dear Parishioners:
Quo vadis...
Today we celebrate the Second Sunday of Lent. Former astronauts commented about how the excitement of going into space dwarfed the fear of danger, but the fear was there nonetheless. This is the risk of venturing forth. Jesus commands the disciples to “Rise, and do not be afraid.” The journey of discipleship has its dangers (temptations/ridicule) but we still venture forth on the journey to eternal glory. We trust in God’s guidance (given through Law, prophets, teachings of Jesus, gospel living modeled by others) and surrender ourselves into God’s hands. All we need do is listen. Listening to God can come through the readings and homily on Sunday. It can come through our own practice of taking some time every day to read God’s word in Scripture. It might come through the guidance we seek in spiritual direction. There are many ways God makes known the divine will for us. Listening means all these things but, most importantly, it means that we keep our eyes focused on the vision of Jesus transfigured and know that God, in great love and divine mercy, intends that we share in that same glory. We cannot lose sight of Jesus himself.
As we continue our journey through this Season of Lent consider participating in daily mass. This is an awesome way to deepen our prayer life and get to know other parishioners. Remember in your prayer those who are preparing for the Sacraments of Initiation this year. This is a special time of grace for all of those who are discerning full communion with the Roman Catholic Church within our particular parish. In the coming weeks we will be inviting parishioners to take on various roles in the celebrations of Holy Week, The
Paschal Triduum and Easter. Please be generous in responding yes to these invitations. Our community prayer is the responsibility of all of us. We are so blessed to be a community that is welcoming and prayerful. Let us continue to build upon these aspects of our life together so that we might continue to welcome new members as well as those who are returning to our community.
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has asked parishes to host Holy Hours for Peace. We will join parishioners of Saint Catharine, Holmdel on 25 March, the Feast of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Please consult e-bulletin in the weeks ahead for more details.
Thank you for your feedback and comments as we kick off the 2026 Annual Catholic Appeal. It is so very important that each of us participates as our means allow. It is one of the ways we can support His Excellency, The Most Reverend Bishop of Trenton as he guides us in our journey of faith. Please make your pledge/gift this week so that our parish can demonstrate our solidarity with the Bishop.
Thank you for your cooperation last weekend and earlier this past week as we worked to recover from the recent blizzard. Our staff and contracted services personnel have done a great job given the volume of snow. This coming week we may encounter a bit more snow. Check your email for updates regarding our parish campus and programs. 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
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. gal son and reflect on the words of Henri Nouwen in The Return of the Prodigal Son portrayed in Rembrandt’s painting of the same name. Please come and experience the freedom found in choosing to forgive! Donation: $25, includes lunch. Zoom: $20
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 you will begin to be aware of God's presence everywhere. day presentation on Ignatian Examen. It's no exaggeration to say that Examen changes everything. It might change things for y tion: $35, with lunch and book. Zoom: $20.
THE SCREWTAPE LETTERS
Thursday, March 12
C.S. Lewis gifts us with a very cleverly written treatment of discernment of spirits. book The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Letters to guide our discussion. Come and enjoy this classic! Donation: $25, includes lunch.
LENTEN RETREAT FOR MARRIED COUPLES
Step away from the busyness of daily life and give yourselves the gift of time to breathe, reconnect, and be renewed together afternoon, you’ll be gently guided through reflections and discussions designed to help you focus on the sacred bond you share. There will a be dedicated moments for private conversation and prayer, allowing you to deepen your connection with one another and with Go $50 per couple. Mass included.
THE IMITATION OF CHRIST: THE BEATITUDES EDITION Tuesday, March 17 9:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Let’s enjoy the wisdom of this timeless classic by Thomas Ὰ Kempis translated for us in this special version, The Imitation of Christ – The Beatitudes Edition. Listen as Jesus speaks right to you as a friend with loving advice. Time will also be given to contemplative prayer. Dona- tion: $25, includes lunch; 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.
with your
ing
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.