The parish of saint Mary A Catholic Community Proclaiming the Greatness of God in our Time One Phalanx Road, Colts Neck, NJ 07722 Phone: 732-780-2666 Fax: 732-780-0394 parishoffice@stmaryscoltsneck.org
Bishop of the Diocese of Trenton: Most Reverend David M. O’Connell, C. M. Pastor: Reverend Fr. Jeffrey E. Lee Pastor Emeritus: Reverend Fr. William J. Bausch : Worship schedule inside. Refer to website for more detailed information www.stmaryscoltsneck.org
The 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time
October 24, 2021 October is Respect Life Month
October is the month of the Holy Rosary
Please see HERE for additional information from the Diocese of Trenton.
Please see HERE for additional information from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
www.stmaryscoltsneck.org
October 24, 2021
Mass Intentions for: Saturday, October 23rd - Sunday, October 31st For * Requested by
Saturday, October 23 - 4 PM Church Kay Simone * Marilyn and Carl Simone Doug Sidun * Family Mary Resko * Donna and Frank Sikorskas Sunday, October 24 – Church 8 AM Pro Populo DeStefano/Albruno Families * Mr. and Mrs. Franceschetti
10 AM Eileen Devaney * Devaney Family Frank Baker * Farrow Family Santo Calabrese * Raynor, Geiger and Rita Bonamo Families 12PM Richard Gerbino * Richard and Maria Gerbino Souls in Purgatory * Mary Soyka Monday, October 25 – 9 AM Chapel Linda Damen * Damen, Cinfio and Baglieri Families Tuesday, October 26 – 9 AM Chapel Stephen Parkes * Thomas Parkes and Family Souls in Purgatory * Mary Soyka Wednesday, October 27 – 9 AM Chapel Theodoor Damen * Damen, Cinfio and Baglieri Families Thursday, October 28 – 9 AM Chapel Ernestine Innes * Lorraine Lee Friday, October 29 – 9 AM Chapel Dee Dorrian * Bernard Dorrian Pauline Maria Lilly Savarimuthu * Virginia Esposito Saturday, October 30 – 4 PM Church John Stutz * Rorie and Jack Coppola John Donlin * Barbara Saake Francis A. Balbo * Patty and Lee Gessner Sunday, October 31 – Church 8 AM Larry Panebianco * John and Darlene Lee Cecilia Chohfi * Patricia Helmacy 10AM Pro Populo Marie Innocenzi * Lorraine Lee Joseph Walsh III * Bowden Family 12PM Mary Joan McNamara * Pat Balbo Souls in Purgatory * Mary Soyka BAPTISM - Sofia Mancino
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Please pray for the following members of our parish family who are ill: Kathleen Amatel Janice Basilice Fr. Bill Bausch Eileen Beckley Rita Bonamo John Boyle Anne Boyle Christen Chellis Blake Conley Kaitlin Donahue Nagle Sharon Evangellista Joann Feliciti Cynthia Fiedler James Fiedler Emily Gioacchini Edward Habrack Tom Hudak
Anton Kopp Bridget Korn Bob Lind Lori Lettieri Donna Lodi Melissa Love Leonidas Mavrookas Ludwig Mendola Walter Moeller Kevin O’Shea Stanley Rembisz Owen Shoemaker Victoria Slater Gerard P. Thompson Seneida Tomasetti Lauren Vinci
To add a family member to the sick list for 8 weeks, please call or e-mail the Parish Office. Thank you! 732-780-2666 or parishbulletin@stmaryscoltsneck.org
GROTTO CANDLES The Grotto Candles are available for your prayer intentions. Offering is $3.00 per candle.
Parish Office Hours Monday 9 am - 2 pm Tuesday 2 pm - 7:30 pm Wednesday 9 am - 2 pm Thursday 9 am - 2 pm Sunday 9 am - 12 noon No office hours on Friday or Saturday
www.stmaryscoltsneck.org
October 24, 2021
3 Lifelong Catechesis Week of October 25th-31st
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.
PRAY for Military & First Responders SN Colton Boag, USCG LCpl Devon Francis Chrzan, USMC Lt. Col. John Anthony Coppola, US Army Major Douglas Coppola, US Army Lt. Mary Herman, USN SN Christian Houlihan, USN LT. Jason Joseph Howe, USN SPC Michael John Mento, US Army SPC Nicholas Poskonka, US Army Captain Richard Savo, US Army 1st Lt. Adam Sjoholm, US Army Captain Ryan Tanguay, US Army TSgt Stephen Witherow, USAF LCpl Edward Zarzecki, USMC If there is a family member you wish to be placed on the list, please contact the Parish Bulletin at 732780-2666 or parishbulletin@stmaryscoltsneck.org.
Please remember in your prayers those who have recently passed.
Giulia Ajami The 2022 Mass Intention Book is open for date specific Mass Intentions. Requests can be made via paper, by stopping at the parish office, or online by clicking HERE. Additional forms are available in the parish office or on the website. Every effort will be made to satisfy all requests.
READINGS FOR THE WEEK 25 Monday: Romans 8:12-17 / Luke 13:10-17 26 Tuesday: Romans 8:18-25 / Luke 13:18-21 27 Wednesday: Romans 8:26-30 / Luke 13:22-30 28 Thursday: Ephesians 2:19-22 / Luke 6:12-16 29 Friday: Romans 8:12-17 / Luke 13:10-17 30 Saturday: Romans 11:1-2a, 11-12, 25-29 / Luke 14:1,7-11 31 Sunday: THIRTY-FIRST SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME Deuteronomy 6:2-6 / Hebrews 7:23-28 / Mark 12:28b-34
FOR DEEPER REFLECTION: Question for Children: What would you like to ask Jesus for? Question for Youth: “Master, I want to see!” What do you most want to be able to “see” in your own life? How are you blind? Question for Adults: What does it mean for you to “see”? Are there blind spots in your life?
Sanctuary Lamp Consider donating the sanctuary lamp that burns in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament in the Church or in the Chapel in honor of a living or deceased loved one. Request Envelopes available at the office. The suggested donation is $25. Honor a loved one Weekly Intentions are available in the Church or the Chapel. Available weeks listed below.
Chapel - 10/30, 11/6, 11/13, 11/20 Church - 11/6, 11/13, 11/27
The Church Sanctuary Lamp this week is burning for:
Special Intention
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October 24, 2021
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Andrew J. Macirowski Pastoral Coordinator for Worship & Music / Principal Organist Worship@stmaryscoltsneck.org Music@stmaryscoltsneck.org
QUOTES FROM THE MESSAGE OF POPE FRANCIS FOR THE CELEBRATION OF WORLD MISSION SUNDAY 2021 WE CANNOT KEEP THE LORD TO OURSELVES Once we experience the power of God’s love, and recognize His fatherly presence in our personal and community life, we cannot help but proclaim and share what we have seen and heard.... “Go therefore to the highways and byways, and invite everyone you find” (Mt 22:9). No one is excluded, no one need feel distant or removed from this compassionate love.... As Christians, we cannot keep the Lord to ourselves: the Church’s evangelizing mission finds outward fulfillment in the transformation of our world and in the care of creation.... The theme of this year’s World Mission (Sun)day – “We cannot but speak about what we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:20), is a summons to each of us to “own” and to bring to others what we bear in our hearts.
THE EXPERIENCE OF THE APOSTLES The first Christians began the life of faith amid hostility and hardship...those experiences impelled them to turn problems, conflicts and difficulties into opportunities for mission... Nothing and no one was to be excluded from the message of liberation. Like the Apostles and the first Christians, we too can say with complete conviction: “We cannot but speak about what we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:20). Everything we have received from the Lord is meant to be put to good use and freely shared with others....The first Christians, far from yielding to the temptation to become an elite group, were inspired by the Lord and His offer of new life to go out among the nations and to bear witness to what they had seen and heard: the good news that the Kingdom of God is at hand....
THE PANDEMIC NECESSITATES MISSION OF COMPASSION The pandemic has brought to the fore and amplified the pain, the solitude, the poverty, and the injustices experienced by so many people. In these days of pandemic.... there is urgent need for the mission of compassion, which can make that necessary (social) distancing an opportunity for encounter, care and promotion. “What we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:20), the mercy we have experienced, can thus become a point of reference and a source of credibility enabling us to recover a shared passion for building “a community of belonging and solidarity worthy of our time, our energy and our resources” (Fratelli Tutti, 36).
Baptism Preparation Sessions St Mary is offering Baptismal Preparation Sessions on:
October 24, 2021 at 1:00 PM November 9, 2021 at 6:00 PM Kindly RSVP in advance. Contact Us
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Saint of the Week: Saint Teresa of Calcutta 1910-1997
Religious Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu was born in Skopje, Macedonia, on August 27, 1910. As a young girl, Agnes developed the desire to serve God as a missionary. The desire was strengthened at age twelve when a Jesuit missionary visited her classroom and spoke of his ministry to the people of India. Eventually she worked among the poor and dying of India’s slums, bringing them love and hope in the Gospel. A group of religious women joined her in this ministry, the Missionaries of Charity, initially about dozen sisters, all former students of Mother Teresa joining her in her ministry to the “poorest of the poor.” ”We will be judged according to how we have treated the hungry, the sick, the marginalized. We will be judged on the love we have shown them…We should…treat them as we would treat Jesus himself.”
www.stmaryscoltsneck.org
October 24, 2021
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Worship Schedule: October 30/31 Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time Altar Server
Saturday, 4:00 PM (Church)
Sunday, 8:00 AM (Church)
Sunday, 10:00 AM (Church)
Sunday, 12:00 PM (Church)
Mark Hines
Cantor
Reader 1
Reader 2
EMHC
Marybeth Jacobson
Charles Young
Jennifer Stubbs
Louise Habrack Organ Host AVAILABLE Tabernacle Host AVAILABLE Tabernacle Host Susan Murphy - Alternate
Damian McDermott
Annette Raynor
Kevin Swan
Mary Aiello Organ Host Joseph Flanagan Tabernacle Host Jane Slattery Tabernacle Host Lisa Aldridge - Alternate
Jill Russo
Barbara Schaflin
Jennifer Stubbs
Steve Stanley Organ Host Carol Donahue Tabernacle Host Dawn Reinhardt Tabernacle Host Maureen Geiger - Alternate
Magnificat Choir
READER NEEDED
Richard Gerbino
Monica Barr Organ Host Irene Weller Tabernacle Host AVAILABLE Tabernacle Host Emily Santangelo - Alternate
William Hines
Alexander Lennon
Sophia Lennon
Jonathan Stubbs SERVER NEEDED
SERVER NEEDED SERVER NEEDED
All Souls Remembrance For the month of November It is the Church’s custom to reserve the month of November for the remembrance of all the faithful departed. Please use your All Souls envelope to write the names of those loved ones you would like to remember and kindly drop it in the collection boxes anytime beginning in October. The envelopes will be wrapped and placed near the tabernacle, and an intention will be added to the prayer of the faithful in the Masses celebrated on All Souls Day and during the month of November. Online givers can also send in their All Souls remembrance thru our online giving system at GIVE ONLINE HERE Thank you for preserving our Catholic traditions and honoring those who have gone before us.
Mass of Remembrance October 31, 2021 On Sunday, October 31, 2021 preceding the 12:00pm Mass, our Parish will remember in a special way those who had a funeral Mass at Saint Mary during the past year as well as any relative you may wish to remember. This Mass is an opportunity for us to assist those who grieve the death of a loved one.
If you wish the name of a loved one who has died during this past year read out at this Mass, please complete the form below and submit it to the office or complete online HERE. You are then asked to come to the table in the Gathering Space that morning at 11:30am to receive a candle to be brought to the altar when the name is called.
Name of Deceased: ________________________________________ Requester Name: __________________________________________ Relationship to Deceased: _________________________________ Email: ______________________________________________________ Phone Number: ____________________________________________
www.stmaryscoltsneck.org
October 24, 2021
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Faith Formation Julia Cullen
Pastoral Coordinator of Religion Education Grade 1–8 ReligiousEd@stmaryscoltsneck.org 732-780-2666 X 309
FIRST COMMUNION UPDATE First Communions are coming up, being held on:
Sunday, October 24, 2021 - 10am Sunday, October 24, 2021 - 12pm First Communion (October 2021) is for all students who completed 2nd grade RE last year and also received the Sacraments of Penance and Reconciliation during Advent or Lent last year.
Saturday, October 30, 2021 4:00pm Mass & Halloween Halls to follow! The Parish of Saint Mary will be having the Halloween Halls Celebration on Saturday, October 30th starting with the 4:00pm Mass. We encourage children and parents to go to Mass in their costumes. Halloween Halls Sign Up – Participant Sign Up
For updates, and more information about all Faith Formation programs please see the website: HERE
Rose Farrow
Coordinator of Faith Formation for Youth & Adult Catechesis YouthRE@stmaryscoltsneck.org 732-780-2666 X 310
www.stmaryscoltsneck.org
October 24, 2021
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CONFIRMATI who received the Sacrament of Confirmation on Friday, October 15, 2021
CONGRATULATIONS May you rely upon the Holy Spirit to guide you as you continue your Catholic-Christian journey within our community, your parish family. We look forward to your constant participation in the Eucharist and offer you our love, prayers, and support! The Parish of Saint Mary
Vincent Joseph Agliata Michael Peregrine Allegro Isabella Nina Anzevino Laila Judith Apolito Justin Michael Bacile Maria Elizabeth Bellomo Julianna Elizabeth Brown Kaylie Catherine Brush Ryan Francis Brush Ava Faith Burns Francesca V ictoria Cammarata Gerardo Pio Campitiello Katherine Rosalia Chollick Ryan Joseph Coffey Erica Lucy DiNapoli Joseph Nicholas DiPilato Sienna Emma Domanski Janelle Rose Esposito Sebastian Joseph Failla
Timothy Michael Foley Braeden Benjamin Galski Eva Florence Garcia Samuel Peter Gershon Emily Cecilia Gravina Michael A nthony Gravina Blake James Hawthorne Nicholas Michael Hayden Ryan A nthony Hennessey Madison Jude Hoeker Emma Florence Jordan Jake Charles Kohm Claire Cecilia Kolakowski Jason Francis Lavery Rosalina Rosalia Lucchese Marisa Ruth Manhire Kyle Michael Moore Alexis Rose O'Connor Brian Nicholas O'Connor
Colin Joseph O'Connor Natalie Anne Christine O'Connor Alexandra Faith Parisi Olivia Elizabeth Pastor Ava Clare Pellechio – Manfredi Gabriella Cecilia Penczak Michael Sebastian Praet Brielle Sophia Sager Alexis Elizabeth Steiniger Cooper Patrick Tierney Brady Joseph Tormey Stephanos Michael Tsompanidis Derek Christopher Valesi Camila Cecilia Vela John George Ward Mollie Catherine Widmeier Sophia Margaret Woodford Danek Michael Yaninas Alessandra Anne Zilinski
www.stmaryscoltsneck.org
October 24, 2021
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Quo vadis… My Dear Parishioners: Today we celebrate the Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Without persistence in prayer it will be impossible for us to follow Jesus faithfully on the road of self-giving. The encounter with Jesus in prayer keeps healthy and strong our relationship to Him. The prayer of petition reminds us that disciples can do nothing on their own without Jesus’ help. Only with Jesus will we disciples not stumble (see first reading). The paschal mystery rhythm of dying and rising plays itself out in many ways—this Sunday in a rhythm of ministry and prayer. In practical, everyday terms this means that at times we are doing our faith—reaching out to those around us in need; at other times we are being our faith—taking time to let our God be present to us in prayer. Thanks to all those who sacrificially support the Annual World Mission Sunday Collection. These resources are used to continue the mission of the Church to evangelize every corner of the earth. Our participation continues to show forth the true universality of the Catholic Church. There are many needs in our world and we hope that you will generously support this noble organization that strives to provide basic sustenance for many of the most vulnerable in our world today. This weekend we welcome additional families who are presenting their children for their First Holy Communion. It is a special time in their lives and for our parish community. Let us continue to support them with our prayer and the very best religious education and faith formation opportunities. The Eucharist and frequent reception of Holy Communion is at the center of our lives as Roman Catholic Christians. May we never take for granted this awesome gift of God’s grace. Next weekend we welcome children and their families to the Saturday 4:00pm mass for the Annual Halloween Halls. Sunday we welcome those families who have buried a loved one during the past 12 months. Our prayerful support is a source
of consolation for these families. Consult the electronic bulletin for more particulars. Our parish Lazarus Ministry will welcome family members who buried a loved one from our parish. This is a very important ministry for us and it is the responsibility of all to bury the dead. Thank you for all of your support for this important ministry. They are very effective in ministering to those who experience the death of a loved one. We also thank those who help to facilitate bereavement ministry in our parish. Walking with those who have experienced the death of a loved one as they courageously continue their discipleship journey. Next week we begin the month of November… the month of All Saints and All Souls. This is an important part of our Christian Spirituality. Each of us is called to holiness. Each of us struggles with our personal sinfulness. Let us journey through this month with a renewed sense of what it means for us to be a part of the Communion of Saints. Through the intercession of the saints may we continue to model our faith to those around us at home and in the workplace. Let us ever be mindful of the need to pray for the repose of the souls of those who have gone before us. This is a daily reminder that life is a gift and we are merely stewards; therefore, let us make the most of each and every day. Our Parish Book of Remembrance will be displayed so that we might pray for those who died in the past year. The Paschal Candle will be lit throughout the month to serve as a reminder that Christ is our light.
It is my hope that most of you have received our 2021 Annual Parish Stewardship Report. This report has been sent to all our parishioners electronically. Many thanks to Edwin Sevillano and all those staff members and parishioners who have made this publication possible. Please take time to read it carefully and become better informed parishioners and stakeholders in the mission of our parish. Have a great week. Let us remember one another in prayer. Happy Sunday. Peace. Father Jeff
www.stmaryscoltsneck.org
October 24, 2021
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PASTORAL LETTER TO THE DIOCESE OF TRENTON “ON THE CHURCH’S SYNODAL PATH OF ‘COMMUNION, PARTICIPATION AND MISSION’’’ To the clergy, consecrated religious and lay faithful of the Diocese of Trenton, I rarely enjoy traveling alone, whether for business or pleasure. When going somewhere, especially on a longer trip, I prefer the company of others for conversation, for the exchange of ideas, for sharing different experiences, and, quite simply, just for companionship. In many ways, I think that preference explains why I began my journey to the priesthood in a religious community where the emphasis is on life and ministry with a “band of brothers” joined together by the charism of a common founder, spirit and purpose. That is the point, really, of religious life and, perhaps a unique contribution I make to diocesan priests as their diocesan bishop. I enjoy “journeying together!” The Catholic Church in recent years --- particularly during the pontificate of Pope Francis, a religious order priest --- has become accustomed to hearing the novel expression “synodality” used to describe the nature of the Church in our day. The word itself is derived from two Greek words meaning “common road or path.” Synodality “is the specific modus vivendi et operandi (way of living and operating) of the Church, the People of God, which reveals and gives substance to her being as communion when all her members journey together, gather in assembly and take an active part in her evangelizing mission (International Theological Commission, “Synodality in the Life and Mission of the Church,” March 2, 2018, para. 6).” While “synods” are not new to the Church, Pope St. Paul VI (1897-1978) formally established the “Synod of Bishops,” following the Second Vatican Council (1962-65), as a “permanent institution” in the Church “whereby bishops chosen from various parts of the world are to offer more effective assistance to the Supreme Shepherd … providing information and offering advice -- Paul VI, September 15, 1965 apostolic letter motu proprio “Apostolica sollicitudo (Apostolic concern).” Such synods are convened by the Pope as “ordinary” (that is, held at fixed intervals) or “extraordinary” (that is, held to treat a matter of urgent or specific concern to the Church) gatherings of designated, elected or appointed bishops of the world with the Pope. Even when they are not in session, synods have a permanent secretariat or office in Rome, headed by a member of the hierarchy appointed by the Pope. Writing from Rome to the bishops of the world earlier this year, Cardinal Mario Greich, General Secretary of the Synod of Bishops, reflected, “Synodality refers to the very essence of the Church, her constitutive reality, and is thus oriented towards evangelization. It is an ecclesial way of being and a prophetic example for today’s world.” Perhaps a more theological description than most of us are used to in everyday conversation, this idea can be simplified as “a common road or path” for the life and work of the Church today, “journeying together.” The Church envisions a synod that goes far beyond a mere gathering of bishops to include and embrace the entire People of God . Recent history provides a context to understand the current discussion of synodality. Throughout his papacy, Pope Francis has expressed a desire to strengthen the unity, collegiality and inclusivity of Church governance on matters of faith and morals and life in the Church. To that end, drawing from his November 24, 2013 apostolic exhortation “Evangelium Gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel),” Pope Francis issued an apostolic constitution “Episcopalis Communio (Episcopal communion)” on September 15, 2018, “to profoundly reshape all the ecclesial structures to become more missionary (an abiding concern of the Holy Father)… (and) to become more and more an adequate channel for the evangelization of the present world more than for self-preservation … a privileged instrument for listening to the People of God.” Three years earlier, on the 50th anniversary of Pope St. Paul VI’s establishment of the Synod of Bishops, Pope Francis wrote: “It is precisely this path of synodality which God expects of the Church of the third millennium. What the Lord is asking of us is alre ady in some sense present in the very word ‘synod.’ Journeying together — laity, pastors, the Bishop of Rome — is an easy concept to put into words, but not so easy to put into practice (October 17, 2015).”
On April 24 of this current year, Pope Francis announced the convocation of the Sixteenth Ordinary Synod --- originally scheduled for 2022 but postponed due to the pandemic until 2023 --- with the theme “For A Synodal Church: Communion, Participation and Mission,” in a sense, “a Synod on synodality.” It will follow a newly revised programmatic structure: This path toward the celebration of the Synod comprises of three phases, between October 2021 and October 2023, a diocesan phase and a continental phase that will give life to two different working documents and, finally, a conclusive phase at the level of the Universal Church … The Synod of Bishops is the dynamic point of convergence that calls for mutual listening to the Holy Spirit at every level of the Church's life (General Secretariat for the Synod of Bishops, “Note on the XVI Ordinary Synod,” May 21, 2021). The Sixteenth Ordinary Synod of Bishops opens Sunday, October 10, 2021, with a Mass celebrated in Rome at St. Peter’s Basilica by Pope Francis. Every diocese throughout the world will initiate its diocesan phase of the Synod with a Mass celebrated by its diocesan bishop on the following Sunday, October 17, 2021. In the Diocese of Trenton, that Mass will be celebrated in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral in Trenton at 3 p.m. The Diocese will also use that occasion to commemorate the beginning of our 140th Anniversary Year.
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The program or “path” of the diocesan phase for “journeying together” is described in the General Secretariat’s May 21, 2021 “Note,” referenced above: Each bishop will appoint a diocesan contact person (and eventually a team) for the synodal consultation; they shall be a point of reference and link with the Episcopal Conference. They will accompany all the stages of the consultation process in the local church. Consultation in the particular Churches will include those groups of participation as envisioned in Episcopalis Communio, without excluding other modalities deemed appropriate for the consultation to be real and effective (cf. Episcopalis Communio, 6). Consultation with the People of God in each particular Church will conclude with a pre-synodal meeting, which will be the culmination of diocesan discernment. After the conclusion of the diocesan phase, each particular Church will submit their contributions to their Episcopal Conference on a date determined by the Episcopal Conference itself. The Eastern Churches will submit their contributions to their corresponding bodies. Elements of the diocesan phase of the Synod for the Diocese of Trenton are being prepared. An integral part of the diocesan synodal journey itself with its principal themes of “communion, participation, mission,” is the effort to reach out to as many Catholics of the Diocese as possible: clergy and consecrated religious, active as well as “lapsed” or non-practicing Catholic lay faithful women and men, both married and single, of every generation, race, national and ethnic background, different point of view, social, political and economic status. In other words, all those who have in the past or still call the Catholic Church “home” are called to actively participate in the synodality of the Church by pausing to listen to one another on this journey together.
Some questions and points of reflection for all the participants described above include: what has been/is your experience of the Catholic Church? How has that experience shaped or affected your life and your faith in God? What obstacles to worship, learning and service have you encountered that may have negatively influenced the practice of your Catholic faith? What do you need as a Catholic to be a stronger, more intentional, more committed, more connected member of the Church, to belong and feel like you belong to the Church? How can we better “journey together” as Catholics in Mercer, Burlington, Ocean and Monmouth counties? As I think of the meaning of synodality in the Catholic Church, I am reminded of the Irish poet and novelist James Joyce’s (1882-1941) famous description of the Catholic Church in Finnegan’s Wake: “Here comes everybody!” Can that ever be true of our Church again? Can the diocesan synodal journey take us there together? Since there are two other later phases to this Synod --- the “continental phase” at the level of the Episcopal Conference (that is, for us, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops) and the “universal phase” in Rome --- the Sixteenth Ordinary Synod of Bishops will not be completed until October 2023. Hopefully, it will not end there. At the conclusion of each Synod of Bishops, the Pope usually issues a post-synod “apostolic exhortation,” summarizing the major emphases and determinations of the Synod. Along with a review by the College of bishops attending, these documents are considered part of the Pope’s ordinary magisterium or teaching authority, to be believed by all the faithful. That is the program or plan for our Church’s “journeying together” through 2023. The success and fruits of these undertakings will depend upon our common development and application of its contents by the Church at every level and, most importantly, upon our openness to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. The enduring results of the Synod will, of course, take time to emerge. As Cardinal Greich has stated, “the Synod is not just an event but also a process that involves in synergy (that is, by collaboration and cooperation) the People of God, the college of bishops and the Bishop of Rome, each according to their proper function.” He cautions, however, that this Synod “is not about democracy or populism or anything like that. Rather, it is the Church as the People of God, a People who, by virtue of baptism, is an active subject in the life of the Church.” That is how the Church fulfills its missionary role: a “listening Church;” a “discerning Church;” a Church of “communion, participation and mission,” “journeying together.” I ask the clergy, religious and lay faithful of the Diocese of Trenton to pray for the Church as it prepares for this important spiritual endeavor. It is my hope, as Bishop of the Diocese, that we will all fruitfully participate in and benefit from the Synod at the diocesan level, listening to one another as we share our different “stories,” experiences, challenges and hopes for the Church at this exciting time in its history. In conclusion, I invite the entire Diocese of Trenton to join in this “Prayer for the Success of the Synod”: We stand before You, Holy Spirit, as we gather together in Your name. With You alone to guide us, make Yourself at home in our hearts; Teach us the way we must go and how we are to pursue it. We are weak and sinful; do not let us promote disorder. Do not let ignorance lead us down the wrong path nor partiality influence our actions. Let us find in You our unity so that we may journey together to eternal life and not stray from the way of truth and what is right. All this we ask of You, who are at work in every place and time, in the communion of the Father and the Son, forever and ever. Amen. Given at the Chancery of the Diocese of Trenton on this Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time, October 10th in the Year of Our Lord 2021.
Most Reverend David M. O’Connell, C.M., J.C.D. Bishop of Trenton
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Temporal Administration, Stewardship & Outreach Edwin A. Sevillano TemporalAdmin@stmaryscoltsneck.org Sharing Our Treasure October 17, 2021 Weekly Sacrificial Stewardship
$21,124
Envelope Contributions
$12,559
Electronic/Online Contributions
Loose Contributions
$7,852
$713
Weekly Avg. Contribution per Household $58.82 # of Contributing Households # Registered Parishioner Households
347 1,014
"Son, give alms in proportion to what you own. If you
have great wealth, give alms out of your abundance; if you have but little, distribute even some of that. But do not hesitate to give alms." Tobit 4:8 THANK YOU for the Sacrificial Stewardship Offerings as we support the ministries, programs and facilities of our parish. May God Bless you for the sacrifices that you make.
THANK YOU! We have reached our goal this year! If you have not made your pledge yet you can do so now. Please select St Mary Catholic Church in the Parish Affiliation drop down menu so our parish can receive credit for your gift. Please continue to make your pledge payments so we can receive an ACA rebate. Thank you for your generosity!
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New Parishioner Orientation Sunday November 7, 2021 11:00AM Madonna Hall Attendance is mandatory for those wishing to become parishioners at the Parish of St. Mary. Please Contact the Parish Office if you wish to attend 732-780-2666
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Thank you for your continuous support!
www.stmaryscoltsneck.org
October 24, 2021
Women’s Morning Office
All women of the Parish are welcome to join as we gather in the Chapel of Saint Mary for
Song, Scripture, Reflection, Eucharist, Faith Sharing and Prayer
In person - Fridays, 7:30am-8:15 am Via Zoom - Saturdays, 10:15am-11:15am
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Men’s Morning Office The Thursday Men’s Morning Office has been meeting since 1981 when it was formed by now Pastor Emeritus William J. Bausch. As of September 2021, we have about 20 men meeting in person every Thursday morning at 7:00 am in the Chapel for prayer. We usually conclude our prayer service by 7:30 am, and then enjoy some coffee, donuts & camaraderie for 15-20 minutes before all are on their way. With an active roster of 40 or so men ranging in age from their early 20s to 90+, we welcome any men in the Parish or cohort to come join us any Thursday morning for prayer & fellowship! Feel free to CONTACT Bob Lutkewitte for more information.
Join us in praying for our parish and community, coming together no matter where you are in your faith journey, or if you are in person or virtually with us! Come and share faith!
Check out this website for help on how to pray the rosary. https://www.familyrosary.org/
For more information & to volunteer click HERE
www.stmaryscoltsneck.org
October 24, 2021
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Offerings at Francis House of Prayer Trenton Diocesan Spiritual Center and Retreat House 84 Walnford Road • Allentown, NJ 08501 609-877-0509 or FHOP@verizon.net
Please check www.FHOP.org for registration, directions and for our other offerings!
Offerings at The Upper Room Spiritual Center 3455 West Bangs Avenue, Building 2 Neptune, NJ 07753 e-mail: office@theupper-room.org
Please check www.theupperroom.org for registration, directions and other offerings!
Tickets are being sold through November 11th at the parish office. The proceeds of which will benefit New Jersey Right to Life, the state’s oldest and largest pro-life organization, dedicated to protecting all human life from conception to natural death.
The prizes this year are: 1st Prize—2022 Volvo XC40 AWD SUV 2nd Prize—$1,000 ShopRite Gift Card 3rd Prize—$750 ShopRite Gift Card 4th Prize - $500 ShopRite Gift Card
Please show your support for LIFE by buying a raffle ticket. The cost is $10.00 per ticket.
Future Generation Early Learning Center at The Parish of Saint Mary is currently enrolling for the 2021 School Year. Flexible schedule for children 2 and up. Small class sizes. Research based curriculum.
Join our family today! Call 732-780-0135 today for more information