1911 – 2012 The Nativity of Saint John the Baptist – June 24, 2012

Rev. Thomas J. Ciba Pastor

Rev. Michael Braden Weekend Assistant

Rev. Lito Salazar Weekend Assistant

Mrs. Anna Mae Stefanelli Principal

Mr. Dana Callan-Farley Pastoral Associate

Mr. Jonathan Tessero Director of Music

Ms. Kathleen Church, Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Parish Office 201-434-0798

Fax 201-985-0918

Email pastor@olcjc.org bulletin@olcjc.org

Websites www.olcjc.org www.olcschool.org

Counseling 917-312-3303

The OLC School 201-434-2405

Little Harbor Academy 201-434-6708

Mass Schedule Monday - Friday: 12:30 pm (Church open from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm) Saturday: 5:00 pm, Sunday Vigil Mass Sunday: 10:00 am, 12:30 pm and 7:00 pm Note: St. Anthony of Padua, 330 Sixth Street, Jersey City, the Center for

Polish Ministry in Jersey City, offers a Polish Language Mass at OLC, Sundays at 8 am.

Faith Formation during 10 am Mass We provide a Faith Formation program called “Children’s Liturgy of the Word” for children 2 years of age on up during the Sunday Mass. We dismiss the children from Mass after the Opening Prayer to the church hall, returning before the Offertory. Parents are welcome to accompany their child if they wish. Confessions/Sacrament of Reconciliation Saturday 4:00 pm to 4:30 pm in the church & at other times by appointment with the pastor. Weddings Those interested in celebrating the Sacrament of Marriage should contact the parish office one year in advance of their proposed date of marriage. Infant Baptisms Preparation for Baptism should ideally begin before the birth of the child. Expectant parents should visit the parish website for more information. The OLC School – Quality Education on the Waterfront 248 Luis Marin Blvd., Jersey City, NJ 07302 Grades 1 - 8 Accredited by The Middle States Commission on Elementary and Secondary Schools The Little Harbor Academy – The Early Childhood Division of The OLC School 186 Grand Street, Jersey City, NJ 07302 Programs: Kindergarten; Pre-Kindergarten Program for 3 & 4 year olds; Montessori Toddler Program for 2 year olds The OLC Counseling Center – Well Being on the Waterfront 120 Sussex Street, Jersey City, NJ 07302 Individual, Marriage, and Family Counseling To Register and Be Part of OLC We welcome you to register and to be part of our parish family. Please contact the parish office to arrange an informal appointment with the pastor. Saints Peter and Paul Church, Hoboken and OLC Church, Jersey City We work together to proclaim and live the Gospel on the Hudson River Waterfront by sharing our time, energy, and resources and in doing so, we more powerfully witness the presence of Christ.

Our Lady of Czestochowa Catholic Church 120 Sussex Street, Jersey City, NJ 07302

Celebrating Our 100th Anniversary

Our Mission The mission of our Parish is to reach out to all people and encourage them to join us in joyfully giving praise and glory to God; to build a Christian community that, with trust in God, embraces the future, and in doing so, is a beacon of faith, hope and love on the Jersey City waterfront.

Our History Our Lady of Czestochowa Church, or OLC, was founded in 1911 to serve Polish immigrants to Jersey City. Today, OLC is growing and changing as it seeks to serve all those who now live in our neighborhood. The Church takes its name from a city in Poland that houses a cherished icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary. A copy of that icon is centrally located in our historic Church.

Dear Parishioners, We had our 3rd Annual Parish Picnic two weeks ago, June 10. It was a GREAT day. The weather was GREAT; the sun

was out with a light cloud overcast. We had a GREAT turn out, going through 120 hamburgers (an unknown number of veggie burgers) and over 50 hot dogs, not to mention sausage, onions and peppers and kielbasa and sauerkraut. Parishioners contributed a variety of salad and desserts. There was plenty for everyone, and, we could have fed even more. There was music supplied by Mike Gonzalez, balloons for the children by Maggie Englese, and a romp of musical chairs for the children.

I thank everyone who helped and contributed in any way. We had a great winning team who set-up, cooked, served and cleaned up afterwards. We extend a word of thanks also to Mike and John Paul who set up tents to provide some shaded areas. Featured below are only a few pictures from the picnic. Our thanks go out to two photographers, Jacob Reshma and Kristin Nalepa. We plan to feature a Picnic Slide Show on our website so everyone can view the event. Thanks also goes out to the Prep for use of their facilities and their workers who set-up and took down the tables and chairs.

If you did not attend our picnic, you must attend next year. We always have enough food, and the picnic is a wonderful way of meeting other parishioners and making new friends. This can be particularly important for new-comers to the neighborhood. You never know who you will meet and what you may have in common with someone. You can learn more about the neighborhood, how to find your way around and what is offered.

THIS IS OLC For the past several years, the OLC Pastoral Council has sponsored a bi-monthly information session and social program called THIS IS OLC. Attendance at recent THIS IS OLC presentations has dropped off significantly even though the number of newly registered parishioners has remained constant. Therefore, the OLC Pastoral Council plans to re-direct its outreach and follow-up efforts along new lines that might better serve the needs

of our parish. Please note that the official presentation of THIS IS OLC, originally scheduled for this Sunday, 11 o’clock in the Church Hall has been cancelled. However, if anyone was planning to attend the June 24 event, please let us know - (201) 434-07898 or pastor@olcjc.org. We would like to meet you and to invite you to join us for some refreshments and conversation during the "Coffee and Rolls" social which follows the 10 o'clock Mass.

A WORD FROM OUR PASTOR

MASS INTENTIONS

Mass intentions for 2013 are now available, but there are still Masses available for this year. It is possible to have a Mass offered for your intention in the near future.

The celebration of the Eucharist is the supreme act of worship of the Church. Therefore, it is only fitting that we bring our intentions to the Eucharist and remember loved-ones, living and deceased relative or friend in this very special way by having a Mass offered for them. This is traditionally done on the anniversary of death or on a person’s birthday, but may be celebrated at any time. You may also have a Mass celebrated for someone who is ill, in thanksgiving and for special intentions for family and/or friends.

If you wish to have a Mass celebrated, simply stop by the rectory, call us at 201-434-0798 or send an e-mail to: secretary@olcjc.org. We maintain a living bond with our loved ones as we remember them in prayer.

2012 EVENTS AT OLC

“Coffee & Rolls,” Each Sunday, after the 10 am Mass.

This Is OLC, Sunday, June 24, 2012, 11:15 am (See article on previous page).

First Friday Devotions, will not be held during the summer. Devotions will resume in September.

Faith Works, see article next page.

SUNDAY SCRIPTURE READINGS Reflect on today’s readings. Prepare for next Sunday

Sunday, June 24, 2012 Is 49:1-6/Act 13:22-26; Lk 1:57-66, 80

Sunday, July 1, 2012 Wis. 1:13-15; 2:23-24; 2 Cor. 8:7, 9, 13-15

Mk 5:21-43 or 5:21-24, 35b-43

MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER Do You have a good

marriage? Why not make it Great! WWME is for any married couple who desires a richer, fuller life together. A marriage can never be

too good. Worldwide Marriage Encounter is designed to deepen and enrich the joys a couple share together, whether they have been married for only a short time, or for many years.

WWME is held in many locations in the US, and you are welcome to register for any of them, but if you want to remain close to home there are a number of locations located in New Jersey and the surrounding states. Our closest Location is Somerset, NJ which has encounter dates of July 27-29 and October 19-21. If you are interested and would like more information go to aweekendforyourmarriage.org or call 609-581-7399.

WEEKLY OFFERING Thank you so very much for your financial support and

for living your financial commitment to your parish. Your support helps us to achieve our weekly collection goal of $6,000 per Sunday. Reaching this goal, and exceeding it, is essential to the financial health of your parish.

For the weekend of June 17, there were 428 people who attended Mass. Our total weekend collection came to $6,761 (of that amount, $2,276 came from parishioners making their contributions electronically through Parish Pay). This amount is $ 761 above our weekly goal of $6,000 per Sunday.

PARISH PAY PROGRAM This Easter we made a special

appeal to ask parishioners to register for the Parish Pay method of making your parish contributions. This is a safe and confidential way of contributing to your parish. If you travel frequently on

weekends, or even if you don’t, please sign up for Parish Pay. This is a very responsible way of supporting your parish. In a world where more and more people are paying their bills on-line, why not consider contributing to OLC on-line? Using Parish Pay is just the way to do it, fast easy and secure and you save writing checks.

We have literature illustrating easy step by step instructions. Take this literature as you leave Mass, review it and see how easy it can be to sign up.

BAPTISM PROGRAM AND SCHEDULE AT OLC “Gathering to Rejoice” is the first part of our

Baptism program, and the next sessions is scheduled for Sunday, July 1, 11:15 a.m., in the Church Hall. This component is intended for those preparing for the birth of their child. This part of our

program focuses on many practical issues relevant to pregnancy and the months following the birth of your child. You should not miss this program. You can register for this session by going to the parish website or calling the rectory, or you can just walk in.

Up-coming dates are listed below: July 1, 2012, September 9, 2012, November 4, 2012.

The second part of our Baptism program is Gathering to Understand. If you are preparing for the birth of your child, or if your child was born, this program is intended for you. It addresses theology, the responsibilities and requirements of parents and godparents, etc. You can register for this session by going to the parish website or calling the rectory, or you can just walk in. Please refer below for a complete list of up-coming dates and plan to attend accordingly:

August 5, 2012, October 7, 2012, December 2, 2012. If you have attended “Gathering to Understand,” you

can contact the rectory office, or email us, to schedule your child’s baptism. Refer to our website for complete information.

Saturday June 23, 2012 5:00 pm Anne Niemira

From Kathleen Boyle

Sunday June 24, 2012 10:00 am Henry Borowski

From Godfrey Pereiria & Joyce Zielaznicki 12:30 pm Zofia Pabin

From Santacruz family 7:00 pm People of the Parish

Monday June 25, 2012 12:30 pm Regina Persichetty

From Irma Sunico-Buno

Tuesday June 26, 2012 12:30 pm Corazon Balagot

From Balagot family

Wednesday June 27, 2012 12:30 pm Edward Brajczewski

From Rose Rokosz, sister

Thursday June 28, 2012 12:30 pm Communion Service

Friday June 29, 2012 12:30 pm Communion Service

Saturday June 30, 2012 5:00 pm Felicia Stewart

From Julia Nowatkowski

Sunday July 1, 2012 10:00 am People of the Parish 12:30 pm Edward Brajczewski

From Rydwin family 7:00 pm Isabel de Belalcazar

From Adriana, daughter

Attend daily Mass. It will make a difference in your life!

This week we are celebrating the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist. Saint John knew how to live a life of stewardship, which is a complete and total way of life that acknowledges our dependence on God. In short it isn’t something we do; it is the way we live. Just as Saint John did we are called to give of our action, ability, and abundance. We must accept the fact that everything we have and everyone we love is only on loan from God. Only when we are willing to surrender them, to share our bounty with the rest of God’s creation, will God bestow even more blessings on us – that is the paradox of Stewardship.

FAITH WORKS Next weekend, the first weekend of the month, we make a

special appeal asking parishioners to make a donation of non-perishable food items. Again, we are asking you to remember your food donation and leave it on the table in the rear of the church.

Suggested donations include: canned vegetables and soups, jelly, peanut butter, cereals, pastas and noodles, brown gravies, Italian gravies, toiletries (soap, shampoo, etc.), canned meats, tuna fish, and condiments (mayo, mustard, salt, pepper, etc.)

MMAASSSS IINNTTEENNTTIIOONNSS FFOORR TTHHEE WWEEEEKK

STEWARDSHIP

2012 EASTER GIFT APPEAL Our “Easter Gift” appeal

went over goal this past week. Thank You. We will dedicate these funds to both the operating expenses and to the unanticipated cost over-runs associated with the ramp.

We received an addition-al $350 in donations bringing our Easter collection to $30,705, $705 over goal. Even though we went over our $30,000 goal, we will still need approximately $36,000 in the next fiscal year (beginning July 1, 2012) to complete the repair of the interior of the west bell tower. This year our needs are greater than ever and your financial generosity is more important than ever. Along with the ramp and tower projects, repairs to buildings are a constant with new surprises popping up every day. We need to perform exterior work on Victory Hall and our parking lots require resurfacing. The list goes on.

COME CELEBRATE THE 100TH BIRTHDAY OF ARCHBISHOP GERETY

We will be celebrating the 100th birthday of Archbishop Emeritus Peter Leo Gerety at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart on Thursday, July 19, 2012, 3:00 pm. The Archdiocese is asking each parish to invite ten, or more parishioners to attend this Liturgical celebration. If you are interested in attending please call or email the rectory and we will put you on the list.

RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION FOR ADULTS RCIA is a program sponsored by the

Church for adults. It has several purposes. It is designed for those who wish to become a Catholic. It is also designed for Catholics who have not received Holy Communion and/or Confirmation. It is also open to those Catholics who wish to learn more about

their faith. If you wish to learn more about this program or if you (or someone you know) wishes to join, please call the rectory.

CATHOLIC CRUISE Come sail away on a 8-night Catholic Port Canaveral

(Orlando) & Bahamas Cruise with Father Michael Sullivan February 2-10, 2013 on the Carnival Miracle out of New York, N.Y. Ports of calls: Port Canaveral (Florida), Nassau (Bahamas) and Freeport (Bahamas). Prices begin at $1290 for two passengers which includes all port fees and taxes. Daily Mass and Rosary is offered. Space is limited, and group cruises need to be booked way ahead of time, which is the reason this announcement seems rather premature. For further information or to register, contact Doug or Eileen at 860-399-1785, dpayttc@aol.com

Easter Gift Goals

Goal $30,000

100%

Gifts $30,705 102.3%

$10,000

$15,000

$20,000

$25,000

$30,000

$35,000

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