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
FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT
LENTEN CONFESSION
Sunday, March 22 at 3 PM at The Parish of Saint Mary
Arrival time by last name: A-H: 3:05 PM I-P: 3:15 PM Q-Z: 3:25 PM
Confession at Area Parishes:
St. Benedict, Holmdel, March 15 at 3 PM
St. Gabriel, Marlboro , April 1 at 7 PM
SPRING CLEANUP
Come to 8 AM or 10 AM Masses & help us out! Sunday, March 22
Click here to sign up!
Bring your rakes and gloves!
Get together with friends, family and fellow parishioners to help clean-up our parish grounds from the winter months!
MASS SCHEDULE & INTENTIONS
Saturday, March 21, 2026 - Sunday, March 29, 2026
Saturday, March 21
9 AM at Saint Catharine, Holmdel
4 PM
Living & Deceased Parishioners & Parish Benefactors
Frank Saake * Barbara Saake
Veronica Grabowski * The Grabowski Family
Sunday, March 22
8 AM
DeStefano/Albruno Families * Franceschetti Family
Esther DePaola * Natalie Weinhofer
Allan Kenty * Katherine Bernardini
10 AM
Pvt. Charles H. Haber * Carol Ann Donahue
Antoinette Tommolino * Marie Artale
Philomena Iacono * Catherine Rennhack
12 Noon
Angelo & Antoinette Lucarelli * Richard & Maria Gerbino
Modestino Lucarelli * Leanne Lucarelli
Christopher Billingslea * Chris Kehoe
Monday, March 23
9 AM
Emilia Chavez * John & Molly Aiello
Vincent J. Petolino * Francine & Joseph Corcoran
Tuesday, March 24
9 AM
Larry Duffy * Jim Schatzle & Family
Frances Fiedler * Susan & James Gobat
Wednesday, March 25
9 AM
Loving Family Members * Janet Munger
Michelle Vlahos * Loving Family
Thursday, March 26
9 AM at Saint Catharine, Holmdel
Friday, March 27
9 AM at Saint Catharine, Holmdel
Saturday, March 28
9 AM at Saint Catharine, Holmdel
4 PM
Emilia Chavez * Jack & Rorie Coppola
Jack Davis * Donna & Frank Sikorskas
Carl Endlicher * Bob Endlicher
Sunday, March 29
8 AM
Living & Deceased Parishioners & Parish Benefactors
Fr. Phil Brada * Phyllis & Hugh Murphy
Anne Kenty * Katherine Bernardini
10 AM
Intentions of Rev. Fr. Jeffrey E. Lee * Staff & Parishioners
Dawn Schwartz * Kate Brody Insana & Family
Intentions of Paula Natale * Natale Family
12 Noon
Loving Family Members * Janet Munger
Peter P. Caronna, Jr. * Bette & Tony Attanasio
Modestino Lucarelli * Pat Balbo
Valerie & Ben Retacco
Requested by Adria Retacco
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
READINGS FOR THE WEEK
Sunday, March 22
Ezekiel 37: 12-14 / Romans 8:8-11 / John 11:1-45
Monday, March 23
Daniel 13:41-62 / John 8:1-11
Tuesday, March 24
Numbers 21:4-9 / John 8:21-30
Wednesday, March 25
Isaiah 7:10-14, 8:10 / Luke 1:26-38
Thursday, March 26
Genesis 17:3-9 / John 8:51-59
Friday, March 27
Jeremiah 20:10-13 / John 10:31-42
Saturday, March 28
Ezekiel 37:21-28 / John 11:45-56
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
of March 22 to 28
FOR DEEPER REFLECTION
New life in Christ Jesus Question for Children: How do your actions show that you put your faith and trust in Jesus?
Question for Youth: Lazarus received a second chance at life through Jesus. How have you experienced second chances in your own life?
Question for Adults: Lazarus received a second chance at life through Jesus. How have you experienced second chances in your own life? binds you? What keeps you from fully being your own most true self in Christ?
WORSHIP & MUSIC
Andrew J. Macirowski - Pastoral Coordinator for Worship & Music / Principal Organist Worship@StMarysColtsNeck.org • Music@StMarysColtsNeck.org
HOLY
WEEK, THE SACRED PASCHAL TRIDUUM, AND EASTER
This is the holiest week for the Catholic Church.
Easter Sunday of the Resurrection is the greatest of solemnities. It is important for the greatest amount of the faithful to attend and to participate.
SUNDAY
To that end, worship aids for each of the Masses and services have been created for ease of participation. They can be accessed at the links below, and it is recommended that those wishing to follow along in detail and fully participate should access these ahead of time and save them to their phone or tablet. There will also be QR codes accessible in the narthex on each of these days.
PALM SUNDAY - The Lord’s Entrance into Jerusalem
HOLY THURSDAY - Mass of the Lord’s Supper
GOOD FRIDAY - The Passion our Lord, Jesus Christ
GOOD FRIDAY - Stations of the Cross
HOLY SATURDAY - Morning Prayer
HOLY SATURDAY - The Paschal Vigil in the Holy Night
EASTER SUNDAY - The Resurrection of the Lord
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
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
Parish of St. Catharine, Holmdel
March 25 6:30 PM Sunday, March 22
Starting at 3 PM by last name
A-H: 3:05 PM
I-P: 3:15 PM
Q-Z: 3:25 PM
Area Parishes: STATIONS OF THE CROSS at
Saturday, March 28
4 PM
Sunday, March 29
Jonathan Stubbs Joseph Brando
8 AM NOT FILLED NOT FILLED
Sunday, March 29
10 AM
Sunday, March 29
12 Noon
MINISTRY SCHEDULE
Saturday, March 28 & Sunday, March 29
Choir with Cantor Angela Kinlin
Charles Young
Carly York
Tesya Yaninas RJ Vaina
Jack Schatzle Jacob Barasky
Carly York
Annette Raynor Rita Duenas
Julia Cullen Barbara Schaflin
Susan Murphy, Organ Host
Emily Santangelo, Tabernacle Host
Tom Kinlin, Tabernacle Host
Jane Slattery, Alternate
Rosanne LaCava, Organ Host
Gina Shute, Tabernacle Host
Mike LaCava, Tabernacle Host
Joyce Flynn, Alternate
Fran Vaina, Organ Host
Richard Gerbino, Tabernacle Host
Steve Stanley, Tabernacle Host
Coarl Donahue, Alternate
Nick Turkovic, Organ Host
Carly York
SAINT OF THE WEEK
Veronica, Laywoman, First Century
Charles Young Jennifer Stubbs
Lee Gesner, Tabernacle Host
Patricia Gesner, Tabernacle Host
Liz Turkovic, Alternate
Think a bit about Jesus and his passion. After being humiliated by the people who, only days before, had welcomed him by spreading their cloaks before him on his way into Jerusalem, he was condemned to death and scourged. Beaten and bloodied as he was, the soldiers were uncertain that Jesus could survive long enough to reach Calvary. Simon, the Cyrenian, was pressed into service to carry the cross to the place of Jesus’ crucifixion. Along the way, Jesus falls several times.
Matthew’s and Luke’s Gospels tell of the large number of women following Jesus on the Way of the Cross who were grieving over his condemnation. While there is no specific mention of the incident in the Scriptures, Tradition tells us that when Jesus fell, one of the women in the crowd who saw his suffering rushed forward with a veil to wipe his bloody face. This was a simple act perhaps, but it was an indication of the sorrow felt by these women who had been Jesus’ disciples. Jesus’ gift to the woman was the image of his face on the cloth.
Very little is known about this saintly woman. Even her real name is unknown. Veronica is derived from the Latin and Greek words, vera and icon (true image). More important, however, is the compassion and courage which this woman displayed in one single act. Veronica and the others could easily have been shoved aside by the soldiers anxious to get on with their grisly task. Her love and understanding for Jesus would not allow her to step aside while he was suffering. Saint Veronica has been called the patron saint of photographers and laundry workers.
Veronica's message today: Showing compassion for a suffering human being is never out of date. Many in our world today need your help.
FAITH FORMATION
Julia Cullen — Pastoral Coordinator of Faith Formation / Religious Education
ReligiousEd@StMarysColtsNeck.org • (732) 780-2666 x. 309
A Message to Our Families
Penance & Reconciliation is on Sunday, March 22 at 3pm in the chapel. This counts as session #14 for all CP children, as attendance will be taken. Please be sure to sign-in using the QR code in the narthex and check page 5 for times by last name. Check out this Kid’s Guide to the Sacrament of P&R
We hope to see all RE families at our Spring Clean -up this weekend on Sunday after the 8am and 10am masses. Don’t forget to sign up!
We are looking for RE parents and CP children or older to help with the Easter Egg Hunt. This includes set-up, working the event and clean-up crews. Click here to volunteer your time and talents.
Important reminders: CP-1&2 paperwork and bible projects are due by the end of April. Please drop off at the parish office.
INTERGENERATIONAL reporting sheets for elementary RE must be completed by May 8, 2026. There are many INT coming up, please RELIGIOUS ED LINKS & RESOURCES
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 Click to register
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
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 7:30 PM Church
12 April 2026
Easter Egg Hunt INT 12 Noon, Parish Grounds Click to RSVP
CONFIRMATION PREP
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
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
Blessing Bag Gathering Event through May 2
Drop-Off Location: Rear of Madonna Hall PleasedonotleavedonationsinNarthex
Click here for Amazon Wish List
You can choose to have items delivered directly to the Parish! Just choose “Blessing Bags Gift Registry Address”
Religious Education Children
Requested Donations by Session
CF-2: Men’s socks & travel size lotion
CF-1: Travel size deodorant, disposable razors
CF-D: Small (8oz.) water bottles
PASTORAL CARE & OUTREACH
Rosemarie Farrow
Pastoral Coordinator of Pastoral Care & Outreach
R.Farrow@StMarysColtsNeck.org • (732) 780-2666 x. 310
Please keep our OCIACandidates in your prayers as they prepare to complete their Christian Initiation:
Juniper Barasky
Rachelle Deyo
Kirsten Lawson
Lucianna Manza
Angelica Weber
As we intercede for them, may this Lenten season invite us to reflect on and renew our own sacramental life.
HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS:
Are you looking to grow in your faith, make new friends and get involved in your Catholic community?
You are invited to connect with youth ministry groups at our neighboring parishes! These vibrant communities offer great opportunities for prayer, service, and fun!
Click to learn more about a youth group at the neighboring parish of your choice:
•The Church of St. Catharine, Holmdel
•St. Gabriel’s Parish, Marlboro
•Co-Cathedral of St. Robert Bellarmine, Freehold
•Church of St. Leo the Great, Lincroft
The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) is the Church's process of welcoming newcomers into full communion with the Catholic Church. As you enter the Church, the parish community and the OCIA Program will walk with you on your journey of faith.
Click here for more
Quo vadis...
My Dear Parishioners: Today we celebrate the Fifth Sunday of Lent. Mary and Martha’s long relationship with Jesus had brought them to believe in him. It must be comforting for us to know that their belief was still less than perfect. So is ours. And, like Mary and Martha, our belief is strengthened by encounters with Jesus. One conspicuous way we encounter Jesus is at Mass when we expressly take time out of our busy schedules to be present. Other prayer times during the day and week are also times when we consciously strive to encounter Jesus. Perhaps less evident as encounters with Jesus would be all those times when we meet him through faithstrengthening and hope-giving encounters with other people. When our discouragement is lessened by a kind remark or when our sinfulness is forgiven by a smile and welcome we encounter Jesus in the other and are brought to new life. Jesus loves each of us as deeply as he loved Mary, Martha, and Lazarus.
You will begin to notice a shift in the lectionary readings this coming week and next. The focus shifts our attention from the Lenten disciplines of prayer, fasting, & almsgiving to the cross as the instrument of our salvation. Understood in this context, the cross is presented by the synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke) as something that is to be endured by Jesus in order that the his mission in the world might be fulfilled. The Gospel according to John presents the cross as the throne which Jesus must ascend in order to fulfill the will of His Father. That is why in our liturgical prayer we present the Passion in a narrative way on Palm Sunday and as a straight reading with musical interludes on Good Friday. Make time to participate in the Triduum: Holy Thursday, Good Friday, The Easter Vigil Liturgies. They are rich in tradition helping to direct our thoughts toward the great sacrifices that have been made for us through the centuries. God does not abandon us; God continues to provide for His People.
Next weekend we observe Palm Sunday of Our Lord’s Passion and Death, the beginning of Holy Week. We will distribute and bless palm during each of our Weekend Masses (Saturday Evening/ Sunday AM). As we approach Palm Sunday Weekend, the Triduum & Easter Sunday Weekend, consider car pooling when coming to mass. Anticipate a little more time for parking and making your way to our parish site during these times. Be mindful that there may be guests visiting our parish or newly relocated families who might join us for prayer. Be ambassadors for Christ by welcoming them to our parish community…even if they may be sitting in YOUR SEAT. Utilize all areas of parking, especially the grassy areas along the perimeter. Utilize all entrances/exits when coming to and from the church. The seating area near the music ministry section of the church is available when the choir is not present.
This afternoon, Sunday 22 March 2023 at 3:00pm (suggested arrival times by last name letter listed in e-bulletin), is our Parish Lenten Penance & Reconciliation (Confessions). Please plan to participate with your family. Check another section of the e-bulletin for particulars. It is a wonderful way to prepare for the Great Solemnity of Easter. Re-registration and registration for the fall RE programs will begin in April. All information must be sent electronically as well as payment. Let me congratulate those who have already registered for the summer programming. I hope that the Fall Registration happens as seamlessly as the summer registration. THANK YOU! This Sunday is our Spring clean up. It has been scheduled so that coming to the 8am or 10 am mass volunteers can come for an hour or two to help prepare our parish campus for Holy Week and Easter. 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.
VIGIL INFORMATION
Location:
Planned Parenthood in Shrewsbury 69 East Newman Springs Road
Hours:
Monday through Friday, 8 am to 6 pm Saturday & Sunday at will For more information: Email monmouth4life@hotmail.com Visit 40daysforlife.com/shrewsbury
40 days for Life/Shrewsbury is a peaceful, prayer witness. There is no shouting, foul language or graphic signs. As aways, stay on the sidewalk or public right of way. Do not go on private property, block driveway or park in Planned Parenthood lot.
Offerings at Francis House of Prayer
Trenton Diocesan Spiritual Center and Retreat House www.FHOP.org * 609-877-0509 * FHOP@verizon.net
ECHOES OF "YES": A RETREAT INSPIRED BY THE ANNUNCIATION
1:00 PM
Embrace God’s invitation with Mary’s courage by stepping away from the noise of stepping away from the noise of your life and enter a sacred space of reflection, hope, and trust. This retreat invites you t Mary at the moment of the Annunciation - where her openness to God's will changed everything. Discover how saying "yes" can tran form your own life, deepen your faith, and open your heart to new possibilities. Through prayer, quiet, and community, experi echo of Mary’s courageous response and prepare to encounter God cludes lunch. Zoom: $20 $20.
PRAYER OF ABANDONMENT THE BEAUTY
OF SURRENDER
We need to abandon ourselves to God more than ever these days. God has repeatedly proven himself trustworthy.This Lenten retr invites us, like Jesus, to grow in trust as we lay down our burdens & abandon ourselves and our future to the loving Providen We will use Charles De Foucauld's Prayer of Abandonment time with Jesus today. Donation: $30, includes materials and lunch. Zoom, $20
WE HAD HOPED! Wednesday, April 8
I would love to spend Easter Wednesday afternoon praying over the Emmaus story with you. The story is full of both disappoint and surprise as they meet the Lord along the way. Bring your life along with you with its disappointments. You too may discov walking along the way with you. What a surprise! Come at noon. We will begin with a delicious lunch. Led by S. Marcy. $25. Zoom: $20
PRAYING WITH OUR EXPERIENCES Thursday, April 9 9:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Often the content of our prayer is the life of Jesus. Other times, we can use the events of our own life as the content of our prayer and our meeting place with God. As we pray, we become aware of God's presence and how God uses every event of our daily life for our good and the good of others. God doesn’t waste anything! Everything is a gift! You will receive Joseph Schmidt’s book, Praying Our Experiences. Donation: $35, includes lunch and book. Zoom: $20
IN PERSON ONLY PERSONAL RETREAT DAY Wednesday, April 15 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 togeth- er. Please bring a bag lunch. Donation: $10; $40 with spiritual direction.
San Alfonso Retreat House 755 Ocean Avenue, Long Branch
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
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.
May 1-3 RESTORE AND RENEW
Relax and renew at the beautiful St. Joseph by the Sea retreat house at the Jersey shore. The weekend is the ideal getaway from a busy life. The program consists of daily gentle yoga, meditation, walks on the beach, fellowship and breathwork. You will leave refreshed and better prepared to share your best self with your family and community. Massage therapy will be availle. Eucharistic Liturgy included. No Supper on Friday. Arrival: 5:00-6:00 p.m. Departure: 12:00 p.m. Presenter: Avita Kennedy, RYT Cost: $425