45 Anderson Street; Raritan, NJ 08869 • Tel. (908) 725-1008 • Fax (908) 707-1915

St. Ann School: 29 Second Avenue; Raritan, NJ 08869 • Tel. (908) 725-7787 • Fax (908) 541-9335

St. Ann Convent: 29 Second Avenue; Raritan, NJ 08869 • Tel. (908) 725-2256

FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER — APRIL 17, 2016

M��� S�����: Daily: Monday-Friday: 7:00am and 7:00pm

Saturday: 9:00am

Weekend: Saturday Vigil: 4:00pm Sunday: 7:30am, 9:00am, 10:30am, and 12 Noon

Holy Days: Under Upcoming Events or within the church bulletin

C���������: Saturday: 9:30am-10:00am & 3:00-3:45pm

R������ H���: Monday-Friday: 8am-4pm

P����� R�����������: Any new family who has moved into the parish, or adult

children 18 and over, are invited to register at our par ish after any Sunday Mass or visit the rectory 8am to 4pm Monday through Friday. Also, please notify us if you move.

S�. A�� S����� R����������� - Pre-K to 8th grade:

Our dedicated and experienced faculty are committed to providing a quality education focused on Faith, Family and Community. Call for more info to visit our school or to register your child(ren).

P����� R������� E������ P������ (PREP): Grades 1-8: Monday: 6:15pm to 7:30pm Grades 1-7: Thursday: 6:15pm to 7:30pm

Special Needs PREP: Grades 1-8: Tuesday: 6pm-7pm

For more information and Registration packet, please call Sr. Phyllis in the rectory.

E��������� G�����: St. Ann’s offers parishioners the opportunity to make Online Church contributions! Log onto www.stannparish.com, then scroll down, and click on St. Ann Parish Online Donation System. You will be connected to a secure site where you may enter your information. Thank you for your continued support!

R.C.I.A.: We welcome all individuals who wish to become members of the Catholic Church as well as baptized Catholics who never received their First Communion or Confirmation and are interested in becoming full participants in the Catholic faith to contact Deacon John Pacifico in the rectory.

M�������� The common policy of marriage requires that arrangements be

made at least One Year before the date of marriage and before

any social plans are made. Bride or Groom must be a parishioner.

Please do not make any arrangements until you have met with the

pastor, Msgr. Corona, and the wedding date has been approved.

B�!����

First Sunday of the month at the Noon Mass, as well as the

second, third and fourth Sunday at 1:30pm. Instructions for new

parents takes place on the second Saturday of the month at 10am.

Arrangements are made with the rectory.

S!������ " G�!������

Must be 18 years old, registered as an adult and be confirmed in the Catholic Church. If you are married, your marriage must be recognized by the church. This is especially important if you wish to be a sponsor for Confirmation or a Godparent for Baptism. It takes 6 months of attending Mass to be eligible for both of these privileges.

L�$��� M�������

Lazarus Ministry contacts and helps families of deceased parish-

ioners. Providing greeters at funeral liturgies, preparing meals

and house sitting are several ways parishioners assist families.

Also, a Mass of Remembrance is held every November for those

deceased that year.

M������� �� ��� S��% Parishioners who are homebound are visited on the first Friday of

each month by our Deacons & Religious. If you know of a parish-

ioner that is seriously ill or hospitalized, please call the rectory.

“L�%� �” �� F���)��%: Please join us on Facebook. Our Church Facebook page includes important information concerning activities and special dates. Please LIKE US at The Catholic Church of St. Ann-Raritan, NJ.”

P����� M������ S��������

Inspired by the Holy Spirit, we the Catholic Parish of St. Ann

embrace all as family & continue Christ's mission by exemplify-

ing the love of God & neighbor as stewards of God's gifts to us.

Rev. Msgr. Michael J. Corona, PA, KCHS, Pastor

Rev. John J. Werner, Parochial Vicar

Deacon John R. Pacifico, Permanent Deacon

Deacon Conrad Paulus, Permanent Deacon

Deacon Roy Rabinowitz, Permanent Deacon

Sr. Dolores Toscano, M.P.F., Superior / Pastoral Associate

Sr. Mary Klersey, M.P.F., Principal

Sr. Phyllis Vella, M.P.F., Director of Religious Education

www.stannparish.com

Email: info@stannparish.com

“My sheep hear my voice; I know them, & they follow me. I give

them eternal life, & they shall never perish.”

FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER — APRIL 17, 2016

Dear Sisters and Brothers, Have you ever joined the lines of people being

shepherded carefully round a stately home like those in Rhode Island? One magnificent room follows another. Long tables are set for a banquet with shining silver cut-lery and glittering crystal glasses. Antique chairs and sofas are roped off so that no one can sit on them. Severe portraits of ancestors glower down on the inquisi-tive masses as if to say, “What are these people doing in my house?” We may find it hard to imagine real people living in these places. Where would the children play? At home, the garden is littered with toys, the furniture is sticky and has crumbs between the cushions, and we have to rush round madly to tidy up before visitors come.

Real people live in the chaos of every day, trying to instil some sort of order so that life can go on. Meals have to be prepared. Clothes have to be washed. Moms and dads need time to love each other and their children. Real life can sometimes be a bit untidy, even smelly.

When Jesus uses the image of sheep to describe those in his care, he is describing a situation to which his listeners can easily relate. It is a well-used image from the Old Testament to describe the people entrusted to the care of their leaders. The priests, prophets and kings failed in their responsibilities to such an extent that God the Father took back the flock into his personal care, and now they are entrusted to Jesus, the good shepherd. Sheep are not pampered and coddled, sham-pooed and deodorised. They are smelly, frisky, and freedom-loving and get themselves into all sorts of diffi-cult and often life-threatening situations. They need a shepherd to look after them, to guide them and keep them safe. Just as parents recognize the different cries of their own children, so the good shepherd listens for the cry of his sheep. Just as children recognise the voice of their parents, so those who belong to Jesus listen for his voice and follow him.

From the book of the Apocalypse, we learn that the good shepherd so identified with the sheep of his flock that he became the Lamb that was slain, the one who laid down his life for his sheep and who now leads his flock to springs of water around the throne of God, in heaven.

Perhaps we can gather from what we have already said that God’s house as described by Jesus is not some many-roomed country mansion, good to look at but impossible to live in. It is, perhaps, more of a farm-yard, which might be difficult to live in but is bursting with life in all its complexity. Speaking to priests during Holy Week 2013, Pope Francis urged them to be close to those who are vulnerable and marginalised, and to be “shepherds living with the smell of the sheep”. Later that year in his apostolic exhortation Evangelii Gaudium, “The Joy of the Gospel”, Pope Francis used the same words as he called on the Church to be an evangelising community by getting involved in people’s daily lives. Evangelisers, he says, thus take on “the smell of the sheep”. Pope Francis doesn’t see the Church as a museum to be visited, holding the treasures of a bygone age. The Church is a community of people who care about the world in which we live. They care about the people among whom we live, especially those who are most in need.

Today is the World Day of Prayer for Vocations. We ask God to help us all to recognise the voice of the good shepherd and to follow him; to understand, however, that we are not just sheep who follow, but sharers with Jesus in his mission to seek out and save those who are lost. It is a mission to get involved with the smells and the mess of this world in order to create the world that God wants. Today is not a day to regret the shortage of priests and religious and to pray that God will plug the gaps. It is, rather, a day for all of us to commit ourselves in such a way that young people from our community will feel that a call to priesthood or religious life is a natural and normal way to find happiness and fulfilment for their lives; to be shepherds and not museum guides.

In your charity, pray for the sick and the lonely—

visit them if you can. Please remember to pray for all who have wandered from the Faith and all who have died especially Mark Mattoe. Also, pray for the souls of the faithful departed of our Parish family.

May God always be pleased with us!

Monsignor MichaelMonsignor MichaelMonsignor MichaelMonsignor Michael

As we consider our Scripture Lessons for today, let us remember:

…that the contrast between a stately home, a museum to be visited, and a home to be lived in is of importance to our way of life;

…that Jesus uses the well-known image of sheep and shepherd to describe God’s care for us; God’s house is not a museum to preserve a treasure, but a farmyard filled with life;

…and that this day of Wor ld Prayer for Vocations, is a day to realise our vocation to build the world God wants, where priests and religious will be shepherds with “the smell of the sheep” and not museum guides.

Let us pray for these vocations, and may God always be pleased with us. Amen!

THE CATHOLIC CHURCH OF ST. ANN, RARITAN

MONDAY, APRIL 18

7am RAFFAELE & ELISABETTA FUSCA by Maria & Paul Fusca

7pm LUKE HURLEY by Pat & Guy Pirro

TUESDAY, APRIL 19 7am MARY A. HARMER by Rose & Tony Barbieri 7pm CARMELA & ANGELO CASOLA by Nina & Antonio Massa

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20 7am LOUIS & BETTY SIMON by Kim Kelly, Michael, Kelly, Vinny & Ava

7pm IMOGENE ROSE SIESS by Pattianne McNamara-Tomaio

THURSDAY, APRIL 21 7am JOSEPH PIRRO by Pat & Guy Pirro

7pm AGNES CZOCH by Mary Shallanberger FRIDAY, APRIL 22 7am JOSEPH SANSONE by children

7pm CHARLES DIPRIMO by mom & dad

SATURDAY, APRIL 23 9am JODI PERAGALLO by The Sause family

4pm GIOVANNA & MICHELE NAPOLITANO by daughter, Francesca & Vincenzo Viscariello SUNDAY, APRIL 24 7:30am PATROCINIO CRISOLOGO by Pena family

9am ELISABETTA & VINCENZO GRANDE by Nicola & Caterina Grande

10:30am PEOPLE OF THE PARISH

12 noon NICHOLAS CICERO by wife, Gerry

Sunday Acts 13:14, 43-52; Rv 7:9, 14b-17; Jn 10:27-30

Monday Acts 11:1-18; Jn 10:1-10

Tuesday Acts 11:19-26; Jn 10:22-30

Wednesday Acts 12:24—13:5a; Jn 12:44-50

Thursday Acts 13:13-25; Jn 13:16-20

Friday Acts 13:26-33; Jn 14:1-6

Saturday Acts 13:44-52; Jn 14:7-14

READINGS FOR WEEK OF APRIL 17, 2016

PRAYER LIST

MASS INTENTIONS

Let Us Remember… In our prayers, the men and women serving in our Nation’s Armed Forces.

May God bless them & keep them safe.

Pray for the souls of those who have given their lives in service to our country.

Maj Michael A. De Cicco; U.S. Army Victor Dulay, Jr.; U.S. Marine Corps LCpl Matthew John; U.S. Marine Corps PFC Gavin John; U.S. Marine Corps CW4 Michael Lopez, Jr. PFC Vincenzo Mattei; U.S. Army Maj Michael Morella; U.S. Army Sgt Dan Neville; U.S. Marine Corps

SPC Keith Ressa; U.S. Army PFC Daniel J. Salvo; U.S. Marine Corps

Cpl Jonathan Schultes; U.S. Marine Corps LtCol Louis P. Simon; U.S. Marine Corps

PFC Jerome C. Sunga; U.S. Army Jack Vara; U.S. Marine Corps

Sgt Janet Wyka; U.S. Army 1st Lt Kaitlyn Zimmitti; U.S. Air Force

OUR MILITARY

Sandra Ay Patrick Bliss Yolanda Bontempo Michael Brennan Chester Butkiewicz Joanmarie Carlone Anna Carra Albert Charles Bruno Cirianni Marge Corona Mark Cusati Michele D’Angelo Angela DeFina Joseph DeLucia Mary Ann DeMaio Lydia DiGiuseppantonio Catherine (Trina) DuMont

Leah E. Sage Escalante Vincent Facciola Mike Faccone Carmela (Millie) Fasano Mary & Richard Felice Mike Fogorty Susan Foti Maria Fusca Teresa Galaini Anthony Gambino

Elizabeth Gecik Eleanor Giraldi Angelina Glenn Angela Grande Harold Grasso Ruth Gulick James & Sadie Holmes

John Hamilton Doris Kelco Michael Krupa Bernadette Laggini Barbara Langon Anthony Luzminda Eric M. MaryAnn Mangiaracina Frank Marrone Rosalie Marrone Mark Marshall Bridget Marshall Giovanna Martini Patrick Mastice Louis Mattei Nicoletta N.

Nancy Natale Margaret O’Donnell Olga Orlando Dottie Pacifico Frances Peebles Angie Romano Loni Rose Cosette Ruh Marianne San Filippo Sanbeda Santos Phyllis Serafin Mary Shallanberger Cathy Stinziano Frank & Lucille Sudano Dolores Talamini Tommarie Tibaldi Anthony Tomaro Gianna Torgrimsen Anthony Tracchio Carolyn Trepiccio Marie Vale Maria Varvaro Richard Vetack Vincent Viscariello Angela White Ron Wyka Antonia Y. Lisa Yoder

���� This Week of April 17, 2016

WE REMEMBER AND HONOR ����

III.III.III.III.

Angela Pecoraro & Mario Garaffa

ALTAR CANDLE

� JODI PERAGALLO � Requested by The Sause family

BLESSED MOTHER LAMP

� SALVATORE NATALE �

Requested by wife, Lidia & children

“The disciples were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit.” ACTS 13:52

Because the disciples heard Our Lord’s call, they were able to spread the Gospel message with strength and vitality. We, too, can experience that same joy if we take time to open our hearts, listen to God, ask for His direction and allow the Holy Spirit to guide our lives and our decisions.

SPREADING THE WORD

On Tuesday, March 8, 2016, Pope Francis appointed Rev. Msgr. James F. Checchio, a priest of the Diocese of Camden and the former rector of the Pontifical North American College in Rome, as the fifth Bishop of Metuchen.

Bishop-elect Checchio will be ORDAINED A BISHOP and installed formally in the Diocese of Metuchen on MAY 3, 2016.

Until then, Bishop Bootkoski, who has been the Bishop of Metuchen since 2002, will continue to oversee the diocese.

A press conference introducing Bishop-elect Checchio was held March 8 at the St. John Neumann Pastoral Center, Piscataway.

To read more visit: www.diometuchen.org

ST. JOSEPH LAMP

� CHARLES DIPRIMO �

Requested by mom & dad

FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER — APRIL 17, 2016

Please submit your Box Tops before

they expire.

Please cut all your Box Tops to help

support St. Ann School.

Please bring them to the School or Rectory Office.

BOX TOPS FOR ST. ANN SCHOOL

SATURDAY, APRIL 23, 2016

4pm A���� S������: Madeleine LaRoche

R����: Rick Stevens

E��������� M��������: George Gunzelman & Cathy Stevens

����������

SUNDAY, APRIL 24, 2016

7:30am A���� S������: Grace Giordano

R����: Nancy Giordano

E��������� M��������: Carmine Iovine & Jeanne Paulus

9am A���� S������: Brendan, Ryan & Erin Dombrowski

R����: Tina DiFabio

E��������� M��������: Kathy Faccone & Jim Wilson

10:30am A���� S������: Sarah Tobia, Danny & Brendan McNulty

R����: Lucas Pick

EucharisGc Ministers: Lena Ianne9a & Sr. Mary Klersey

12 noon A���� S������: Tyler Gee, Morgan Hill & Damian Searchwell

R����: Silvia Sorace

E��������� M��������: Joseph Mele & Theresa Walakonis

SUNDAY, APRIL 17 M���: 7:30am + 9am + 10:30am + 12N

2nd Collec%on: Na%ve/Black & Catholic Relief

Baby Gi� Drive

10-11am: Holy Name Society mee&ng (sc)

7pm: BINGO (sc)

MONDAY, APRIL 18 D�/01 M���: 7am & 7pm

6:15-7:30pm: PREP class (s)

TUESDAY, APRIL 19 D�/01 M���: 7am & 7pm

6-7pm: Special Needs PREP (s)

7-8:45pm: RCIA mee&ng (sl)

7:30pm: BINGO (sc)

7:45pm: Pastoral Council working mee&ng (cmr)

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20 D�/01 M���: 7am & 7pm

5-8:30pm: Choir Rehearsal (cl)

6:30pm: Sacrament mee&ng for Grade 1

(Reconcilia<on & First Communion) (sc)

7:30pm: Bible Study (cmr)

THURSDAY, APRIL 21 D�/01 M���: 7am & 7pm

7:30am-5pm: Used Clothing Drive (school parking lot)

10:30am: Bible Study

6:15-7:30pm: PREP class (s)

7:30pm: Knights of Columbus Degree prac<ce (cmr)

FRIDAY, APRIL 22 D�/01 M���: 7am & 7pm

6:30-9pm: Cub Scout Pack 95 mee&ng (sc)

SATURDAY, APRIL 23 D�/01 M���: 9am ++ V/3/0 M���: 4pm

C5678��/56�: 9:30am & 3pm

SUNDAY, APRIL 24 M���: 7:30am + 9am + 10:30am + 12N

9am Mass: Boy/Cub Scout Mass

7pm: BINGO (sc)

KITCHEN VOLUNTEERS NEEDED for FESTA

♦ Someone to be in-charge of

the kitchen at night.

♦ General Kitchen help during

the day or night.

If you are able to volunteer your time, please

contact Donna at dbontempo@stannparish.com

ST. ANN’S ANNUAL TRICKY TRAY

Due to storm damage... T����� T��� has been rescheduled to

SSSSATURDAYATURDAYATURDAYATURDAY, M, M, M, MAYAYAYAY 14 14 14 14 ATATATAT 5555PMPMPMPM Adults Only ~~ Assigned Table Seating

P����� ��� � � ����� ����� ��� ���� �� � �� ��� �������.

This event features hundreds of beautiful & high-end baskets, 4 tiers of value,

plus our famous gift certificates & 50/50.

ADMISSION INCLUDES complimentary coffee, tea & dessert

A variety of hot Italian food, sandwiches, snacks, & beverages will be available for purchase.

BYOB/W & food

All proceeds benefit the St. Ann School children's education.

MORE INFO & TICKET PURCHASE: 908-725-7787 or kalbright@stannparish.com

In celebration of the Marian month of May, St. Ann Church is offering an adult Bible study in April and May that will bring you on a pilgrimage revealing Mary’s unique role in God’s Kingdom and in our lives.

Join us for an 8-week course titled, “Mary: A Biblical Walk with the Blessed Mother”.

Classes will be offered on Wednesdays at 7:30pm (cmr) OR

Thursdays at 10:30am

F�� ������ ��� � �� � ���, ������� :

Fr. John Werner jwerner@stannparish.com Rob Sause robertsause@yahoo.com

call the Rectory Office 908-725-1008

BIBLE STUDY We hope you will join us!

GET YOUR CLOTHES READY FOR GET YOUR CLOTHES READY FOR GET YOUR CLOTHES READY FOR GET YOUR CLOTHES READY FOR

OUR ANNUAL…….OUR ANNUAL…….OUR ANNUAL…….OUR ANNUAL…….

AAAAPRILPRILPRILPRIL 21 ~ 7:30am 21 ~ 7:30am 21 ~ 7:30am 21 ~ 7:30am –––– 5pm5pm5pm5pm We accept new & gently used clothing, shoes, belts, handbags, briefcases, backpacks, linens, pillows, stuffed animals, etc.

Proceeds go to St. Ann School More info contact Rosemarie at 908-725-1008

FESTA NEWS

JUNE 15-18

Total: ��..�� $12,501.79

Envelope Offerings: $ 7,037.50

2nd Collection-

Church & Grounds Maintenance $ 1,990.00

Net Charge Offerings: $ 2,648.29

Loose Offering: $ 826.00 Poor Box: $ 330.00

Thank you for your generosity to our parish. “...where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” Luke 12:34

AMAZON SMILE

Amazon will donate 0.5% of the price of

your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to

St. Ann School whenever you shop on

AmazonSmile.

Website: h9ps://smile.amazon.com/ch/22-1610843

Catholic Church

of St. Ann

THE CATHOLIC CHURCH OF ST. ANN, RARITAN

ST. ANN CATHOLIC DIVORCE HEALING PROGRAM St. Ann’s Church is pleased to announce the beginning of a new ministry for men and women who have experienced divorce.

The Catholic’s DIVORCE SURVIVAL Guide 12 week program

Covers topics of shock, denial, anger, grief, guilt, forgiveness, money, the courts, the kids, the ex-spouse, annulment, dating, sexuality,

spirituality, remarriage, staying single, and much more. Cost of $20pp Includes: “Personal Survival Guide”, refreshments,

and all materials for twelve weeks. Whether you got divorced ten days ago or ten years ago, these Catholic Church based teachings are open to anyone who needs comfort, counsel and clarity after a divorce.

Contact: DivorceHealingProgram@gmail.com or the Parish Office 908-725-1008

ST. ANN SCHOOL CAFETERIA

HOT FOOD, DESSERTS, COFFEE & TEA AVAILABLE

PROCEEDS FROM BINGO SUPPORT SCHOOL PROGRAMS.

Thank you to Randazzo’s Pastry Shop who so generously donates pastries to our Bingo games.

BINGO WILL BE CANCELLED IF LESS THAN 40 PLAYERS

MUST BE AT LEAST 21 YEARS OF AGE.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 2016 - 7:00 PM 5th, 6th & 7th Grade Students & Families

Come and Get a Sneak Peak at All that UC has to offer! Learn how our faith-based, 21st century learning environment will help you grow your gifts and talents in the real, virtual and spiritual worlds.

Discover how to Be YOU at UC!

For more information, contact Betsy Thornton at 908-889-1600 x.302 or bthornton@unioncatholic.org

1600 Martine Avenue, Scotch Plains, NJ

MONDAY, APRIL 18, 2016 - 7:00 PM Meet our faculty, tour our facility, hear about our technology, learn about our sports, clubs & organizations.

Student Guides ~~ Brochures Available

For more information: 732-549-1108 x.620 or bgahs.org 1 Tingley Lane, Edison, NJ

CATHOLIC CHARITIES CONNECTIONS PROGRAM

SEEKING VOLUNTEER MENTORS Both male & female mentors are needed to participate in one-to-one activities & be a role model to a youth. Do you: 1. Have a minimum of 3 hrs. per week to offer to a child? 2. Like having fun? 3. Reside in or near Middlesex County & Franklin Township? 4. Want to make a difference in a child’s life? 5. Enjoy being a positive role model? More info call Jeanette Cullen 732-738-1323 or email jcullen@ccdom.org

NATURAL FAMILY PLANNING INFO SESSIONS

NFP is a wonderful way to practice family planning while honoring your spouse, your body & God.

Find out the facts, myths & blessings of NFP. APRIL 20 ~~ 1:30-3pm or 7-8:30pm

St. John Neumann Pastoral Center; 146 Metlars Lane; Piscataway

NO FEE but PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. Contact 732-562-1990 x.1705 or email mfonseca@diometuchen.org

THE CENTER FOR GREAT EXPECTATIONS 3RD ANNUAL 5K RUN TO OVERCOME

SATURDAY, APRIL 23 at Johnson Park; Piscataway

Register online: RUNTOOVERCOME5K.COM Proceeds collected will be used to help support programs,

services, counseling and education that they provides to women and children in need.

More info call Allison Lavallato, Development Coordinator 732-247-7003 x33

Advanced Registration

1-12 years old $18 13-54 years old $30 55+ years $27

On-Site Registration

1-12 years old $20 13-54 years old $35 55+ years $25

Event Schedule & Times

Registration 7:30am Race Start 8:30am Awards ceremony 9:30am

ST. BERNARD GOLF CLASSIC

REGISTER NOW!

6th ANNUAL ST. BERNARD GOLF CLASSIC

MONDAY, MAY 9

Raritan Valley Country Club; Bridgewater

REGISTRATION FORMS: Available in our parish office and at www.stbernardbridgewater.org. Registration can be submitted via mail or dropped at the parish office at 500 Route 22, Bridge-

water. NOTE that online registration is not yet available but will

be activated shortly.

♦ Registration includes Green Fees, Cart and Practice Range

♦ Golf shirt Included with Registration

♦ Contests, Awards and Raffle Prizes, Including a 50/50 Raffle

♦ Continental Breakfast and Lunch Buffet

♦ Format - Scramble with Shotgun Start

♦ Variety of Participation Levels and Sponsorships

♦ $175 Per Player

Dear Friends of St. Ann School,

Third grade left school today with huge smiles. Skinny leafy

plants growing in paper cups bounced around as children ran to

show a parent the new growth. The newly appointed farmers

were dreaming of ways to grow the biggest cabbage. This

project is an annual occurrence. I like it because it requires our

children to think outside the box. They must put all they have

learned about plant life into a concrete action.

It requires basic life skills such as persistence, determination,

planning, and follow through. If any of those are missing, the

end result is dry twig rather than something to green to eat next

St. Patrick’s day.

Many times we are told that every child should win and get the

prize for their effort. But real life is not going to do that. This

project is similar. It cannot wait for the last minute. The fragile

young plant will not give its care taker second and third chances.

The winner will have a living cabbage in the end. As with life,

students will reap what they sowed or not.

Spring is a time of new growth. It makes all of us extra happy

and hopeful. To reap the graces of the spring, we all need to be

good gardeners of our souls. We need time, persistence, a plan

– the whole nine yards as a sports enthusiasts knows. Like the

cabbage, we will grow. God will do His part either way, but our

growth depends on our own efforts.

Spring heralds in the reception of sacraments. Students will

receive Jesus in Holy Communion for the first time. Some will be

confirmed in our faith. These mark growth in faith and in the

Lord. I do not expect anyone to literally smell these kind of

roses, but do take time to recognize the new growth before you.

Your congratulations is significant to young communicants.

They are not the babies in the pews any longer. They know and

believe in the Jesus they are receiving. The same holds true for

those to be confirmed in the Spirit. They have prepared long

and well for this awesome day. Your acknowledgement lets

them know that the act is indeed real and powerful. Without

these growth spurts in the faith, our Church would soon die.

As you welcome these budding Catholics, your own faith will be

enlivened. Love, after all, is contagious.

Happy Easter and God bless you.

Sr. Mary Klersey, MPF

Principal

FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER — APRIL 17, 2016

2016-2017 School Year MAY 11 ~~ 7-8 PM

~~~WE OFFER ~~~ ♦ Fully Accredited by ♦ Full-Day for Kindergarten—8th grade ♦ Full & Half-Day PreK

♦ Religious Education & Sacrament Preparation ♦ Traditional & Advanced Math, Phonics & Language

Arts Programs ♦ Technology enabled curriculum utilizing the

most advanced and largest SMART® enabled interactive flat panels.

♦ Distance Learning ♦ Spanish (K-8th) ♦ After Care Program until 6pm

For more info contact Kelly at 908-725-7787 or visit www.stannparish.com/school

Please remember to pray for the young people from St. Ann Church preparing to receive the Sacraments:

�� FIRST HOLY COMMUNION �� Sunday, May 1, 8 & 15 at the Noon Mass

�� CONFIRMATION �� Sunday, May 22 at the 4 pm Mass

SACRAMENT PROGRAM

⇒ A�� ��� ����� ��� � ��� �� �)��� ���� ����), ����, �� ���?

Our Parish Religious Education Program-PREP, needs you! Volunteers are needed for classes, catechists, aides, sacramental preparation, sub-stitutes, office/resources and other areas.

⇒ Y�� ���’� )��� �� )��� �)� ���� �� �)� .����� �� �� ������. We encourage all adults to prayerfully consider whether this minis-try is right for you. All volunteers must be cleared through the workshop Protecting God’s Children-www.virtus.org and will be provided guidance, support along the way.

If interested or wish to know more about volunteering, contact Sr. Phyllis at: pvella@stannparish.com or 908-725-1008.

PREP—CATECHISTS/VOLUNTEERS

Monday orMonday orMonday orMonday or

Thursday Evening Thursday Evening Thursday Evening Thursday Evening Children in Grades 1-8 are provided Catholic instruction and sacramental preparation by our Parish Faith Formation Program made up of parishioners & parents of the program who give of their time and talent to ensure that our young people have an opportunity to grow in their relationship with God through our Catholic practices and traditions.

Parish membership is required for enrollment to PREP (Parish Religious Education Program) aka CCD.

Please call the Parish Office at 908-725-1008 or contact Sr. Phyllis at pvella@stannparish.com to register your child(ren) for the 2016-2017 PREP Program.

Checkout the parish website www.stannparish.com Faith Formation tab for more information.

2016-2017 ST. ANN’S PREP REGISTATION

ST. ANN SCHOOL BASKETBALL NEWS

We would like to thank Tom Ellis our Athletic Director for run-ning basketball. Unfortunately, this was his last season. We are sad to see him go.

CONGRATULATIONS to our

- 7/8FG HIJKL HMINO: FMQMOGLK 1OF RNJSL - 7/8FG HIJKL TUVO: FMQMOGLK 2QK RNJSL

- 5FG/6FG HIJKL TUVO : FMQMOGMQH 4FG RNJSL

Thank you to all our Coaches, assistant coaches, coordinators and volunteers who enabled us to field basket-ball teams for our boys and girls. We couldn’t have supported our athletes without you!!