HHAABBEEMMUUSS PPAAPPAAMM!! By: Mary Majkowski, Editor

WE HAVE A POPE! These were the words pronounc-ed on March 13 introducing the world to the 266th Holy Father, POPE FRANCIS, formerly Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio, a Jesuit from Argentina. God bless you Holy Father! As we continue our Lenten journey, will pray for you and together we will celebrate Easter with much thanksgiving.

If you would like to submit an article that may be of interest to our parishioners or have some interesting historical or other fun facts or quotes you’d like to share, please email it to me at marymmajkowski@hotmail.com — keep it to about than 200 words in MS Word format and include jpg photos if available. —Mary

GGoodd BBlleessss YYoouu PPooppee BBeenneeddiicctt XXVVII!! “Dear Brothers, I thank you most sincerely for all the love and work with which you have supported me in my ministry and I ask pardon for all my defects. And now, let us entrust the Holy Church to the care of Our Supreme Pastor, Our Lord Jesus Christ, and implore his holy Mother Mary, so that she may assist the Cardinal Fathers with her maternal solicitude, in electing a new Supreme Pontiff. With regard to myself, I wish to also devotedly serve the Holy Church of God in the future through a life dedicated to prayer.”

─Pope Benedict XVI during a February 11 consistory with cardinals

Pope Benedict’s choice to renounce the papacy was clearly undertaken for what he sees as the good of the Church. The pontiff declared in his poignant announcement on Feb. 11 “In order to govern the barque of St. Peter and proclaim the Gospel, both strength of mind and body are necessary, strength which, in the last few months, has deteriorated in me to the extent that I have had to recognize my incapacity to adequately fulfill the ministry entrusted to me.”

We thank you for what you were able to do so well, and forgive you for what you could not do. Go with God, Holy Father, May God grant you peace in your remaining years.=

RRCCIIAA NNeewwss MEET DAN KRAKOWSKI who is pre- paring to receive the Sacraments of Holy Communion and Confirmation. He is currently a Candidate in the period of Enlightenment and Preparation, praying and studying in the RCIA Program and will be received into full communion with the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil this year. Please pray for Dan as he makes his journey in the faith.

Meet Julian Esteves who is studying the Faith with the RCIA program as he prepares to receive his Confirmation on Pentecost Sunday. Please pray for Julian as he continues his journey in the faith.

Meet Demetra Wagner who is studying with the RCIA program and will be converting from Greek Ortho- dox to the Catholic Church. On Trinity Sunday she will make her formal Profession of the Catholic Faith. Please pray for Demetra as she con- tinues to discern her calling to the Catholic Church.

OOLLVV PPaarriisshh KKiiddss We’re Proud of Them!

OLV STUDENT MADELINE TANCHINGCO placed third in the essay of Patriots Pen sponsored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post & Auxiliary #4699. Congratulations Madeline!

THE SCHOOL CHILDREN waved flags and prayed for the Cardinals as they were in Conclave voting for the new Pope. See the centerfold for the photo.

SEVEN STUDENTS COMPLETED their training in November to become new parish Altar Servers. We congratulate and thank them and all our Altar Servers for their decision to serve their parish in this very worthy Ministry. The new Altar Servers are:

Emily Arthur, Morgan Brennan Lindsey Carido, Ann Murickan, Emma Nelson,

Dominique Patella and Samantha Shaw

IN DECEMBER Deacon Ed and Walter Kawalec invited Santa Andy to a Pizza Party with the Altar Servers. Everyone had a great time! AS PART OF THE YEAR OF FAITH celebration, Mrs. Valenti and Mrs. Nellegar’s fourth and fifth grade OLV students honored Mrs. Janet Dodge at a “Breakfast/Tea” on November 28.

Mrs. Dodge is very special to both classes because she leads the classes in reciting a decade of the rosary after their class Mass during the months of October and May. She helps the students contemplate on the mysteries of the Rosary as they sense that Jesus and Mary are with them in all their joys and sorrows of life. Her gentle nature has helped them to grow in hope that God will bring them to share in the glory of Jesus and Mary forever.

OOLLVV CChhrriissttmmaass && NNeeww YYeeaarrss FFuunn

CChheeeerrss!!

AAlluummnnii CChhaammpp CONGRATULATIONS TO CARDINAL MCCARRICK Bowling Team and OLV graduate Katie Latham who came up with a 278 in the final game (2nd highest score in state finals) at the NJSIAA Group I Bowling Championships. They captured the championship two years in a row. Good job!

OOLLVV SSeenniioorrss By: Teri Yetsko – 732-727-7369

THE OLV SENIOR GROUP has been very busy since September. The membership has expanded and fellowship abounds at our meetings. During one meeting Father Ryan spoke about the Year of Faith. He also distributed prayer guides for Lent and a prayer card commemorating the Papacy of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI.

The OLV Senior group traveled to the Finger Lakes region in October. The fall weather enhanced the beautiful fall sights of the area. In November group members attended the American Music Theater’s Christmas Show with a lunch stop at Shady Maple and had a bus trip to Radio City’s Christmas Show. Upcoming trips include: Longwood Gardens, Washington D.C., Hunterdon Hills Playhouse, Williamsburg VA, Christmas shows at American Music Theater and Radio City, AC trip, Girls’ Day Out and trip to Boston.

The OLV Senior Group is open to any senior 55 years and older. For more information on the senior group, contact Teri at 732- 727- 7639 or Geri at 732-257-4351.

Varsity Cheerleaders at the Relief Dinner in February

DDiidd yyoouu kknnooww……....

HURRICANE SANDY didn’t stop the big day for Paul and Krista Poltrictzky. They were married in church by candlelight (with no heat!). Congratulations Paul and Krista!

MULTICULTURAL DIVERSITY MINISTRY By: Fr. Virgil Tolentino – 732-257-0077

THE NEW OLV Multicultural Diversity Ministry is planning a Family Potluck Dinner on April 13, free to all. The Committee is reaching out to all our families with the hope of getting to know each other better and gaining new insights into the various celebrations unique to each ethnic group making up our OLV family of parishioners. Please be ready for some fun! Everyone is asked to cook and bring some of their favorite ethnic foods with plenty to share, to dress in native country costume if possible, bring music and even a statue of Our Lady from your country. Please speak with Fr. Virgil if you have any ideas to share and we hope to see everyone there on Saturday, April 13 following the 5 pm Mass.

By: Carole Leppig – 721-254-1277

PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY members are busy as bees. Organized last September, this “loosely knit” group already has 25 members who are attending meetings or working at home. The group has already distributed dozens of handmade lap robes and prayer shawls to the homebound and those who are sick or suffering a loss. Chemo caps and blankets, baby preemie caps and baby blankets are also being gifted to hospitals and pregnancy centers. We extend a big thank you to all the donors of yarn, fabric and sewing materials for the patchwork quilts, crocheted and knitted lap robes and prayer shawls. We are always in need of yarn, quilting batting, portable sewing machines and volunteers to do straight sewing at home or when we meet in the Lower Church. There is a donation box available in the church vestibule or call Carole at 732-254-1277 for pick up. Gatherings are held every Wednesday, alternat-ing the hours weekly between 1pm to 3pm and the next week from 6:30pm to 8:30pm. All are welcome to come and join us!

77 ddaayyss wwiitthhoouutt GGoodd:: SSiinnddaayy,, MMoouurrnnddaayy,, TTeeaarrssddaayy,, WWaasstteeddaayy,,

TThhiirrssttddaayy,, FFiigghhttddaayy,, SShhaatttteerrddaayy

77 ddaayyss wwiitthhoouutt GGoodd mmaakkeess 11 wweeaakk

SStt.. VViinncceenntt DDeePPaauull SSoocciieettyy By: Steve Fedor – 732-690-6202

ALL IS WELL AT THE OLV Conference of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul! As usual we’re very busy with our mission of bringing God’s love and assistance to the poor and needy through works of charity. Through the generosity of the OLV families we’ve accomplished much since the last issue of the Victorian. As we head towards Easter there is still much more to do.

Thanks to all who contributed to our annual Souper Bowl. These last six months have been especially tough on Sayreville. We realize many have been asked to go the extra mile to support friends and neighbors who were victims of the hurricane. Yet despite this extra charitable burden on our community you really came through for us. The Souper Bowl donations still came in, and in a big way, about $1,370, which will go a long way towards helping those in need. Thank you!

Our food pantry is a busy place and it’s not unusual for 40 families a month or more to request assistance with their food and toiletry needs. The case load can vary greatly from month to month and this affects how well our shelves are stocked. It always amazes us how faithfully our parish supports us with specific needs. A weekly bulletin blurb pretty much guarantees an abundance of requested items in the next week’s collection. Your faithful response to our requests makes our job so much easier and is sincerely appreciated. Many of our clients barely make ends meet. A few extra bags of groceries per month with the specific items they need truly helps them in ways most of us can’t relate to. We are especially proud of the way our food pantry is managed. Most pantries give out a set variety of items in predetermined quantities possibly providing unwanted or unneeded items. We allow our clients to choose what they need and as much as possible comply with their requests. This affords an efficient use of our limited resources.

Our Client Services Team has been busy too. They’re the ones who meet in-person with the people requesting our help and make the determinations as to how much help, if any, we give. Sometimes that takes wisdom comparable to Solomon’s but they are always up to the task. They never fail to impress me. I want to thank them for their never-ending dedication to our mission. What they do is truly what the Christian calling and our society is all about. Since the last Victorian we helped 15 families with rent and 18 families with utilities and other types of help totaling $16,000 – all thanks to you!

We are grateful to the Religious Ed Students for contributing regularly, the OLV Seniors, the school faculty, the Athletic Assoc., the K of C, the School student government with a toy drive and many more. Your constant support enables us to be the whirlwind of charity we are.

To close, let me ask a favor of everyone in our parish family. Our mission statement says we are to be proactive in reaching out to those in need. We are not to await them coming to us. We are here to help. We are here to serve. We are here to bring God’s love to those who are poor and suffering. No work of charity is foreign to our society. If you know someone who is truly in need please have them contact us through the parish office at 732-257-0077. We’ll be on the case immediately.

SSeerrvviinngg oouurr CCoouunnttrryy SEVERAL AREA MEN AND WOMEN ARE SERVING OUR

COUNTRY at the present time. Please remember them, their safety and their families each day in prayer:

Michael Yondolino Isabel Robinson Dennis Henry Ken Wolfle Erin Cox Lou Filik Walter Lesinski Michael Zadlock Tom Floersch Chris Wallace Christine Roselli Thomas Conroy Daniel Gulick Shane Patrick Connors Travis Vuocolo Christian Blackmire Fred Wallace Daniel A. Elrose

RReessppeecctt LLiiffee GGrroouupp By: Janice O’Brien – 732-727-1879

HIGHLIGHTS:

OLV Respect for Life Group wishes to thank everyone for their generosity in the Roses for Life Valentine Rose Fundraiser. Be assured that your donations of approx. $2700. will carefully be put to the very best use!

Please keep up with the progress of your spiritually adopted babies on the posters at the main & school side entrances to the church. Their baby shower will be held Mother’s Day weekend !

Sadly, we have not had very many spiritual adoptions this year. It costs you no money at all, only a 5-second prayer every day. Please see materials at the Blessed Mother’s altar. We would dearly love to have the students also participate!

We marched in the SA St. Patrick’s Day parade, and will be out on Sayreville Memorial Day.

God bless our own Ted, and the others who pray near the abortion centers. Babies’ lives are literally saved on their watch. Ask Ted all about his successes and those of others.

Please pray daily for these prayer warriors, the mothers whose hearts are turned and decide to carry their babies to term, and those who were led to believe abortion was their only answer to a crisis pregnancy, that they may seek and accept God’s healing comfort and mercy.

OOfftteenn wwhheenn wwee lloossee hhooppee aanndd tthhiinnkk tthhiiss iiss tthhee eenndd,, GGOODD ssmmiilleess ffrroomm

aabboovvee aanndd ssaayyss,, ““RReellaaxx,, sswweeeetthheeaarrtt,, iitt’’ss jjuusstt aa bbeenndd,, nnoott tthhee eenndd!!””

Divine Mercy Sunday By: Steve Fedor, Parishioner

IN THE 1930’S A YOUNG POLISH NUN named Sister Faustina (Helen Kowalska 1905-1938) began having amazing spiritual experiences which she recorded in six notebooks, now published under the title; “Divine Mercy in My Soul.” In a revelation from Jesus she was asked to pray and work towards establishing the Feast of Divine Mercy on the Sunday after Easter. Jesus told her; “This Feast emerged from My most tender pity and it is confirmed in the depths of My mercy. I desire that it be celebrated with great solemnity on the first Sunday after Easter. I desire that the Feast of Mercy be a refuge and shelter for all souls, and especially for poor sinners. The very depths of My tender mercy are open on that day. I pour out a whole ocean of graces upon souls who will approach the fount of My mercy.”  The first saint of the new millennium, she was canonized by Pope John Paul II on April 30, 2000 and he declared; “The second Sunday of Easter throughout the world will be called Divine Mercy Sunday.”

The following is a brief overview of the message of Mercy:

A – Ask for My Mercy; B – Be Merciful; C – Complete Trust

To observe the Feast of Divine Mercy here is what Our Lord told Sister Faustina that we must do:

Sincerely repent of our sins and go to Confession on or before Mercy Sunday

Attend Mass on the Feast of Mercy and worthily receive Holy Communion

Venerate the Image of Divine Mercy on that day Place complete trust in Jesus Be merciful to others, do some act of mercy for another

on that day

CChhaapplleett ooff DDiivviinnee MMeerrccyy:: Our Lord taught St. Faustina a beautiful prayer to be recited on standard rosary beads promising great graces to those who pray this chaplet.

TThhee HHoouurr ooff GGrreeaatt MMeerrccyy:: “As often as you hear the clock strike the third hour, immerse yourself completely in My mercy, adoring and glorifying it; invoke its omnipotence for the whole world and especially for poor sinners, for at that moment mercy was opened wide for every soul. In this hour you can obtain everything for yourself and others for the asking; it is the hour of grace for the whole world when mercy triumphed over justice.” 

DDiivviinnee MMeerrccyy NNoovveennaa:: To prepare for the Feast of Divine Mercy, this novena starts on Good Friday. Each day has a special set of intentions as was outlined by the Lord himself.  

Although the Feast of Divine Mercy is relatively new, the message is not. We all know that mercy and forgiveness has always been a central theme of Christianity. Above all, what God wants most of us is to turn to Him with trust. And the first act of trust is to receive His mercy. To trust God is to submit ourselves to his holy will which is love and mercy itself. 

TThhee YYeeaarr ooff FFaaiitthh –– IInn AAccttiioonn By: Mary Majkowski

AS A SAYREVILLE RESIDENT, I am keenly aware of the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. I don’t think there is a local family who has not been touched in some way by this catastrophe. I shake my head every time I drive down MacArthur Avenue realizing that after six months there are still no lights shining in the windows of those homes, still there are families displaced and inconvenienced because of this natural disaster. I see people working by flashlight and generator light each evening slowly putting their homes back together.

I have always believed that God permits all kinds of apparent disasters to happen not because we deserve to be punished or inconvenienced but because he said that these things are bound to happen in nature. Although we cannot possibly find good in this mess right now when it is so close to the surface, I am confident somehow, some way He will bring good from this. Some inklings are already showing.

From what I have seen, I be-lieve the relief efforts on the local Sayreville level have been encouraging. Our dear Pastor, Fr. Ryan, made me so proud to see him at the forefront leading not only parishioners but anyone in need with one of the first distribution centers opened right here at Monsignor Dalton Hall.

He was a quiet but active presence taking turns between the Senior Center and MDH offering help and consolation and was right here with Bishop Bootkoski and Catholic Charities offering assistance. Thank you Fr. Ryan, for being there, and even now continuing to offer relief and help to everyone as they are made known. We all know this won’t be completely resolved any time soon but your commitment and resolve to continue to help is commendable. You are a Good Shepherd!

I know there were and continue to be many people behind the scenes who quietly pitched right in to help. The Relief Dinners and fundraisers are sure to continue for some time. It is so humbling and gratifying to see faith and Christian Charity in action – and all incidentally in this Year of Faith! We have all – men, women and children – had opportunities to enliven our faith by reaching out to help our neighbor – literally. The Corporal Works of Mercy are alive and well in Sayreville! And yes, this is one good thing!

When GOD solves your problems, you have faith in HIS abilities; when GOD doesn’t solve your problems HE has faith in your abilities

HHiiss MMyysstteerriioouuss WWaayyss MORE THAN COINCIDENCE

LISA, PRAY FOR LISA! It was the strangest feeling, this urge that suddenly came over me. It was as if an actual voice had spoken, firm and commanding.

Pray for Lisa? I prayed for my six year old daughter every night, just like I did for her brother and sister, but why now?

We were on the road, headed to my parents’ house for Christmas. Lisa was riding with my brother Bobby up ahead. I was following along in my car with my two other children. Bobby was holding the speed limit, just like I had asked him to. Lisa turned to wave at me through the back window. Everything seemed fine.

Pray for Lisa. Now! The voice again, even more emphatic.

A chill ran through me. Lord, please watch over Lisa. Keep her out of harm’s way. Wrap your protecting arms tight around her.

Up ahead, Bobby slowed. I could see a semi-truck directly in front of him. Its trailer was weaving back and forth Something was clearly wrong with it. The trailer bounced and then fishtailed. Bobby’s brake lights flared.

Then, to my horror, the trailer detached from the driver’s cab. “Lord, keep Lisa safe!” I cried.

Bobby swerved -- just enough to escape a collision with the runaway trailer.

Thank God, Lisa was safe. Thank God for the voice, I thought.

But I could only watch helplessly as the trailer slid into the other lane – smashing into an oncoming car. Bobby and I both pulled over and rushed to the demolished vehicle. The back seat behind the driver was completely crushed.

“Is everyone okay?” I gasped.

“I think so,” the driver said. He, his wife and their teenage daughter climbed out, shakily, but unharmed.

The man stared at the back seat and let out a deep breath. “We just stopped a couple of minutes ago and my daughter switched places with the Christmas gifts,” he told us. “If she had still been sitting there…” He didn’t have to say more.

The man then introduced himself and his wife.

“And what’s your name?” I asked their daughter.

“Lisa,” the girl replied.

—— Kimberly Wood Hornell, New York

FFrr.. RRyyaann’’ss CCoorrnneerr Dear Parishioners,

THE EXCITEMENT of the Year of Faith began with an enthusiastic celebration of Evening Prayer October 10, 2012. Students from the Religious Education Program helped us with this celebration on the 50th Anniversary of the Opening of the Second Vatican Council. Our parish activities for the Year of Faith continued with a Bible Study “A Journey through the Bible,” a Workshop for the Liturgical Ministers and activities during Catholic Schools Week. A Bible Study on the Scriptural Foundations of the Mass has recently begun. During my homilies I have tried to integrate the writings of the Second Vatican Council and the Catechism of the Catholic Church. After Easter, an Adult Enrichment Series is being planned. This series will reflect on the USCCB text “Disciples Called to Witness.” This document focuses on the theme of the New Evangelization. The New Evangelization was the same theme of the Synod of the bishops that gathered in Rome in October.

The USCCB states that the New Evangelization seeks to invite modern man and culture into a relationship with Jesus Christ and his Church. The New Evangelization strives to engage our culture and to help us draw our inspiration from the Gospel. The New Evangelization calls all Catholics first to be evangelized and then in turn to evangelize. While it is directed to all people, the New Evangelization focuses specifically on those Christian communities that have Catholic roots but have “lost a sense of faith, or even no longer consider themselves members of the Church.”

May God continue to bless our efforts during this Year of Faith. May He direct our hearts and minds in our reflection and work in the New Evangelization.

—Fr. Ryan

SStteewwaarrddsshhiipp DDiirreeccttoorr’’ss MMeessssaaggee By: Teri Yetsko - 732-727-7369

IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS my mind has been in wedding mode. As we all know there is much to do to have the “perfect wedding.” So, as I began to think about the message I would write for the Victorian, I drew a blank since I was on wedding overload. After more thought, I considered the one part of the wedding ceremony where it is said that, “two shall become one.” Two people coming together to share and make a new life for themselves.

Conversely, it only takes one person to start something new, such as a new project, plan or even a new ministry. Then, that one person seeks the help from others. They reach out and use the time and talent of others. We see this happening throughout our parish. One hand held out to others for the call of Christ.

As I write this, cardinals from around the world will be meeting in Rome to reach out their hands to decide who our next Pope will be. Again, we see one person who will lead all the Catholics around the world. He will call upon us to follow in Christ’s teachings and to proclaim His Gospel to others. He will need our prayers and help as he shepherds us in doing Christ’s work on earth.

Will you be “one” to use your time, talent, and treasure to help others find the Lord in their lives? Will you make a difference?

““HHeerree II aamm LLoorrdd,, II ccoommee ttoo ddoo yyoouurr WWii ll ll ..””

Sincere Thanks to Carmen & Christine Spezzi and Family for their generosity in sponsoring the Victorian Newsletter.

732-721-1290 732-254-1428 CARMEN F. SPEZZI FUNERAL HOME MALISZEWSKI MEMORIAL HOME

15 Cherry Lane, Parlin 121-123 Main Street, Sayreville Christine O’Brien Spezzi, Manager Carmen F. Spezzi, Manager N.J. Lic. No. 3674 N.J. Lic. No. 3139 Carmen F. Spezzi, Director Stephen P. Zambito, Director N.J. Lic. No. 3139 N.J. Lic. No. 3688

ESTABLISHED IN 1911 • MANY YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY

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