from the pastor… · 1/7/2018 · religious education classes will resume on monday, january 8....
TRANSCRIPT
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Some thoughts from Fr. Mike…
Dear Friends,
Imagine yourself in the presence of baby Jesus in
the manger. Perhaps you are surprised to see men of
eastern appearance come. They see baby Jesus and
fall on their knees. They offer him homage and give
him presents of gold, frankincense and myrrh. They
tell everyone at the stable about the star and about
Herod who knew nothing about Jesus’ birth. After
their stay they set out on their return journey
eastwards but not via Jerusalem since they want to
avoid Herod. After their departure you spend time
with baby Jesus. Baby Jesus, I do not have gold,
frankincense and myrrh to give you but I can give
you my love. Let my love be your manger.
Baby Jesus, even while you were only a little
baby you experienced both acceptance from the wise
men and rejection from Herod. The wise men and
Herod had two opposing attitudes, searching for God
and being closed to God. The wise men were
blessed in their search for you by finding you. I am
searching for you too, I want to come ever closer to
you. If I am ever closed to you like Herod, help me
to open so that I can find you.
Baby Jesus, not only had the wise men and Herod
different attitudes to you, they also had different
attitudes to life. The wise men were generous, Herod
was selfish wanting to hold on to his throne. The
magi gave you gifts; Herod killed all boys under two
years of age. The wise men were willing to put
energy and goodness into life, Herod wanted to get
all he could from life. The magi who sacrificed to
put into life were happy, Herod who took all he
could from life was unhappy. Baby Jesus, help me to
foster a healthy attitude towards life, giving and
caring, instead of grasping, and being selfish and
possessive.
The magi were given the guidance of a star. In the
darkness of this world I have been given help on my
journey to God; the beauty of nature, the Word of
God in Sacred Scripture, Spirit-filled witnessing and
the faith of others. Jesus, help me not to give up but
to keep searching, hoping and praying because that is
what will lead me to you.
Love, peace and prayers,
Fr. Mike
Mass Schedule + Readings
Saturday January-6 St Andre Bessette (1 Jn 5:5-13 Mk 1:7-11 or Lk3:23-38)
5:00pm Ferdinand Hartmann r/b A Friend
Sunday January-7 The Epiphany of the Lord (Is 60:1-6 Eph 3:2-3a, 5-6 Mt 2:1-12)
9:00am Louis Masters r/b Danisa DelGandia
11:00am Ronald Cannella r/b The Butera Family
Monday January-8 The Baptism of the Lord (Is 55:1-11 or 1 Jn 5:1-9 Mk 1:7-11)
10:00am Edward & Liliane Mazurowski r/b Catherine Messinger
Tuesday January-9 Weekday (1 Sm 1:9-20 Mk 1:21-28) 9:00am Kenneth Colgan r/b Thomas Toftet & Family
Wednesday January -10 Weekday (1 Sm 3:1-10, 19-20 Mk 1:29-39)
9:00am Special Intentions of Pat Hileman r/b Theresa Munyak
Thursday January- 11 Weekday (1 Sm 4:1-11 Mk 1:40-45) NO MASS
Friday January- 12 Weekday (1 Sm 8:4-7, 10-22a Mk 2:1-12) 9:00am Placido Bonilla r/b Daughter, Frances
Saturday January -13 St. Hilary (1 Sm 9:1-4, 17-19; 10: 1 Mk 2:13-17)
5:00pm Caroline Wolf r/b Her Family
Sunday January-14 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time (1 Sm 3:3b-10, 19 1 Cor 6:13c-15a 17-20 Jn 1 35-42)
9:00am Edna Simacek r/b Frank Simacek
11:00am Maggie Acciani r/b Ben, Diane & Family
Sanctuary Candle… this week Edward & Liliane Mazurowski
r/b Catherine Messinger
To dedicate a Sanctuary Candle in memory of or for the intention of a loved one, Please call the office @ 732-792-2270. The donation is $10.00.
Prayer Chain Contacts: Patty Hileman 732-446-7651 Mary Costagliola 732-446-4255
Please Keep in your prayers:
The Sick and the lonely, the safe return of our service men and women and for vocations to the priesthood and religious life.
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STEWARDSHIP CORNER… When you put something into life, the investment is
always worth it.
STEWARDSHIP OF TREASURE REPORT
December 24th - $4,149.00 Christmas - $36,271.00 December 31st - $9,097.00 Debt Reduction - $456.00 January 1st - $1047.00
Thank you for your generosity and may God bless you for your support!
Parish Religious Education Classes Religious Education Classes will resume on Monday, January 8. Have a Blessed Christmas.
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HOSPITALITY SUNDAY Next Sunday, January 14 is Hospitality Sunday. You are invited to the Parish Hall after the 9:00AM or 11:00AM Masses for some refreshments and some time to socialize. Members of the Parish are welcome to bring treats to share during Hospitality Sunday. New Parishioners are invited to stop by the Welcome Table. Thanks to the Hospitality Committee for providing this opportunity to get together.
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BUILDING AND GROUNDS COMMITTEE
The Building and Grounds Committee will be meeting on Monday – January 8 at 7:00 PM. The January meeting will take place
in the Rectory. Any parishioner is welcome to come to meeting to find out more about how this committee works to keep our buildings and grounds in top shape. For more information about the Building and Grounds Committee contact Tom P. at [email protected] or Tom B. at [email protected].
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Follow the Light of Christ and you will find what
you seek
MEN’S GUILD The Men’s Guild will hold their monthly meeting on Tuesday, January 9 at 7:30 PM. The
January meeting will take place at the Rectory. All men of the Parish are invited to come and be a part of our Parish men’s group. We look forward to hearing your ideas for activities and your help with the activities we currently offer. It’s also a great way to meet other men of the parish and to feel even more connected to your parish. For more information about the Men’s Guild contact Dave [email protected] or 732-781-6623.
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PARENT/CHILD BREAKFAST For our Parent/Child Breakfast (formerly known as the Father/Son Breakfast) on Sunday, January 28 at 12:00Noon. All are invited. There will be a wonderful breakfast, speakers to share thought with children, some prizes and a good time. Tickets are $5.00 per person and are now on sale. There will be a limit to the number of tickets available, so please get your tickets as soon as possible.
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SUB SALE The Ladies of St. Joseph will be holding a sub
sandwich sale on the weekend of
Jan 20/21. They will be offering ham, roast beef and turkey subs. Stop in the Parish Hall after Mass on Saturday night or Sunday morning to purchase a tasty treat for afternoon football game or just as a treat for lunch. Proceeds from the sub sale are used to support parish events. For more information about the sub sale contact Jo Ann at [email protected] or 732-446-4326.
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BAPTISM PREPARATION SESSIONS Parents who will have a child baptized must attend a Baptism Preparation session. Sponsors (Godparents) are
invited to attend. The next session will take place on Friday, February 2nd at 7:00PM. Please contact the Parish Office to register. For questions about Baptismal Preparation please contact the Parish Office.
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FOOD COLLECTION
Food collections are held on the 1st and 3rd weekends of each month.
The next food collection will be on January 20/21. Non-perishable food items, paper goods and toiletries are appreciated. Parishioners can bring frozen food contributions to the Millstone Community Center on any Tuesday morning between 10:00AM and 11:30AM at the door to the lower level on Stage Coach Rd. You may also contact Greg at 732- 539-5042 to arrange pick up of frozen foods. Thanks for your generosity and support. Special note – please do not bring food items that are past the use by or expiration date. We cannot send those items to the food bank. Also, we do not collect clothing or household goods (except for announced special collections) – please do not drop them off at the church as we do not have the means to get them to places that do collect such items.
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ST. JOSEPH READERS’ CLUB The next Reader’s Club Gathering will be on Thursday, January 25. The book selection is House of Spies by Daniel Silva. The theme for refreshments is Moroccan Cuisine. From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Black Widow comes this thrilling blockbuster featuring legendary spy, assassin and art restorer Gabriel Allon. The Readers Club gathers at 7:00 pm and newcomers are always welcome. Join us for an evening of lively conversation and delicious fare. Just email your attendance or questions to Fran at [email protected].
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HOST FAMILIES NEEDED Once again this year we will be hosting members of the NET Team Ministries to lead a retreat for our Confirmation students. We are in need of families to
host members of the retreat team over night. They would arrive after 9:00PM and will be leaving in the morning. The retreat team will be here March 8. If you are able to host some of the retreat team members or would like more information, please contact Jean in the Parish Office or email [email protected].
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CONFIRMATION CANDIDATES RITE OF ACCEPTANCE On Sunday, January 21 all Confirmation Candidates must come to either the 9:00AM or 11:00AM for the Rite of Acceptance. Be sure to bring the agreement from your Confirmation Folder. The agreement must be signed by the candidate and a parent.
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CHILDREN’S LITURGY OF THE WORD Children’s Liturgy of the Word takes place on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month at the 9:00AM and 11:00AM Masses. Children, age 5 and over, are invited to participate in this opportunity to hear God’s Word. New volunteers are always welcome. To see how you can help, feel free to come down to the hall during the Children’s Liturgy of the Word to observe or talk with one of the volunteers – or call Carol at the Parish office.
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BAKE SALE The Ladies of St. Joseph will be having a Bake Sale on Sunday, February 4th after each Mass. Donations of baked items will be
gladly accepted. Drop off any baked goods in the Parish Hall kitchen on Saturday 2/3 or Sunday, 2/4 before Mass. All proceeds from the bake sale are used to support the parish functions sponsored by the Ladies of St. Joseph. For more information about the bake sale contact Jo Ann at [email protected] or 732-446-4326. Thanks for your support
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MUSIC MINISTRY – CHILDREN’S CHOIR and ST. JOSEPH CHOIR Includes the Choirs, Cantors and Musicians who help us lift our voices in song to God. There is a Children’s Choir and a Choir for Teens and Adults. Musicians are welcome to share their talents by playing at our Liturgies. We invite you to think about joining Choir so that we can make a joyful noise to God. If you want information about any of the opportunities in Music Ministry, contact Kristine at [email protected] or 973-768-4184.
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STAY CONNECTED –
FIND THE LATEST NEWS Be sure to take advantage of the variety of online tools available for our parish. Stay connected so you know about what is being offered, last minute changes and unforeseen cancellations. Find out much about the parish on our website at www.stjosephmillstone.org. Read the latest bulletin, find the time for a meeting, learn more about what is taking place. Connect with the parish on Facebook. Give our page a like to keep informed about events. See pictures of things that have taken place. Find out if the weather has forced a cancellation. You can find the parish page on Facebook at St. Joseph Catholic Church Millstone Twp. NJ or @stjosephchurchmillstone. If you are a tweeter, follow the parish on Twitter @frmikestjoseph. Stay informed – stay connected!
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SHOP AT AMAZON - SUPPORT THE PARISH Help support the parish by designating St. Joseph Church as the charity you wish to support. Eligible purchases will result in Amazon donating a portion to the parish. You do have to designate St. Joseph Church, Millstone Twp. as your charity. You also have to use the Amazon Smile site instead of the normal Amazon site. To check it out go to http://smile.amazon.com/ch/22-6103657 (a direct link) or go to our website and click the link. Thanks for your support!
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A convenient way to donate is through online Parish Giving. This is offered free of charge to you so that you may make donations by credit card or transfer from your checking account. Check it out at WWW.stjosephmillstone.org and click on “Contribute/Donate” then click on the link for Electronic Giving. You can then set up an account or choose a onetime donation without an account. If you have any questions about this, please feel free to contact the Parish Office.
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Calendar of Events
Jan 7 Parish Food Collection
Children’s Liturgy of the Word
10:00AM – Coffee & Conversation
12:30PM – Baptisms
Jan 8 7:00PM – Building & Grounds Committee
Jan 9 7:30PM – Men’s Guild Meeting
Jan 10 9:30AM – Legion Of Mary
10:00AM – Prayer Shawl Ministry
Jan 11 5:00PM – Children’s Choir Practice
6:00PM - Choir Practice
Jan 14 Hospitality Sunday
10:00AM RCIA
Jan 15 Martin Luther King Day
No Morning Mass
No Religious Education Classes
Parish Office Closed
Jan 16 No Religious Education Classes
Jan 20 Sub Sale
Jan 21 Sub Sale
Children’s Liturgy of the Word
Parish Food Collection
Confirmation Candidates Rite of Acceptance
10:00AM - RCIA
12:30PM – Baptisms
Jan 25 7:00PM – Readers’ Club Meeting
Jan 28 Parent/Child Breakfast
Feb 2 7:00PM – Baptism Preparation Session
Feb 3 Jesus Day – 2nd Grade PREP students
Feb 4 Bake Sale
Feb 5 7:00PM - Buildings and Grounds Committee
Feb 6 7:30PM – Ladies of St. Joseph Meeting
Feb 13 Mardi Gras
Feb 14 Ash Wednesday
Feb 16 Lenten Soup Night
Stations of The Cross
Let us praise God in all we do.
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PARISH INFORMATION Parish Office: 732-792-2270
Office Hours: Mon-Fri 9:30AM – 2:30PM
Mailing Address: 91 Stillhouse Road
Millstone Twp, NJ 08510
WWW.STJOSEPHMILLSTONE.ORG
PARISH STAFF
Rev. Michael P. Lang – Pastor [email protected]
Rob Folinus – Permanent Deacon
Chris Chandonnet, Permanent Deacon [email protected]
Carol Schulz, Pastoral Associate [email protected]
Jean Semanchick, Parish Secretary & Coordinator of Religious Education
Kristine Reide, Music Ministry Leader [email protected]
MASS TIMES
Saturday Evening – 5:00 PM
Sunday Morning – 9:00 AM & 11:00 AM
Mon, Tues, Wed & Fri – 9:00AM
Holy Days: as listed in the bulletin
Confessions: After the 5:00 PM Mass on
Saturday or by appointment.
BAPTISM – The Sacrament of Baptism is normally celebrated on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month at 12:30 PM. Parents are asked to register for a Baptism Preparation Session prior to the Baptism. Baptisms must be scheduled in advance by calling the Parish Office. Sponsors must obtain Sponsor forms from their home parish – Sponsors must be active practicing Catholics. The Sacrament of Baptism is not celebrated during the Season of Lent. Marriage – Diocesan policy requires that arrangements for Marriage be made one (1) year in advance of the wedding. Refer any questions to the Pastor. Sick Calls – Please contact the Parish Office when someone is seriously ill requiring a visit by a Priest. If someone is unable to attend Mass on a regular basis and would like to receive Communion please call the Parish Office Registration – We are glad you are here and want you to feel like a full member of the parish. Registering as a parishioner helps us to know who you are and to stay in touch. Registration is required for sponsor forms. Sponsor Certificates – This is a form required to be a Godparent or Sponsor for Confirmation. To receive a form, the following is required: -Be a registered, active (attends Mass) member of the parish (for at least 6 months); be at least 16 years of age; must have completed the Sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation; If married, have a valid marriage within the Church.