Rev. Nicholas Bozza, Pastor 375 Main Street, P.O. Box 730, Chester, New Jersey 07930

Coordinators of Religious Education:

Dorothy Kudron, Shannon Rossi

Cynthia Vittitow— Catechesis of the Good Shepherd

Brian Flanagan — Confirmation

Kathleen Galdi — DRE, Youth Protection/Safe Environment

Music Minister: Joseph P. Tamburro

Youth Minister: Brian Flanagan

Mercy Minister: Cindy Zeis

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN: Gr. 1-7: Sun. 9:00-10:50 am (includes Mass)

Gr. 5-7: Sun. 5:00-7:00 pm (includes Mass)

Gr. 8-10: Sun. 5:50-8:15 pm (includes Mass)

CGS: Sun. 9:00-11:00 am OR Thurs. 4:45-6:00 pm

Gr. K-7: Thurs. 4:45-6:00 pm

ADULT RELIGIOUS EDUCATION: RCIA: Sundays (September-Easter)

SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION: Saturday: 4:00-4:45 pm, Monday: 6:30-7:00 pm & on request.

SACRAMENT OF THE SICK: Please call the Parish Office anytime for communion calls or visitation

of the sick and elderly. Keep us informed so that we can be attentive to

those who are ill at home or in the hospital.

Parish Email: parish@stlchester.org

Parish Web Site: www.stlchester.org

Web Master: Joanne Franklin (908-879-6222)

Welcome Rosemary Lohrmann (973) 214-4806 Haiti Twinning Program Christine Colannino (201) 314-9824

Bereavement Resource Don Martone (201) 274-9723 Lectors John Kennington (908) 872-0575

Good Samaritans Patsy Soden (908) 879-3374 Eucharistic Ministers Loretta Stewart (973) 222-7492

Armata Bianca Lorna Phillips (617) 538-5567 Ushers Bob Holl (908) 876-3488

Moms & Tots Meghan Mahoney (732) 407-1618 Music Minister Joe Tamburro (347) 213-0621

Arimathaea Arlene McDonald (973) 229-9697 Spanish Ministry Louis Villafane (908) 879-3032

Liturgical Environment Joanne Carr (908) 879-5543 Youth Minister Brian Flanagan (973) 946-8770

Women’s Cornerstone Lissette Howell (973) 975-7343 Altar Servers Kathleen Garrison (973) 945-1518

Men’s Cornerstone Tommy Reynolds (908) 463-0167 Evangelization Robert Holl (908) 876-3488

Pastoral Adv. Board Jerry Frech (908) 377-2900 RCIA Jan Richards (908) 975-3555

Rosary Society Marie Holl (908) 876-3488 Respect Life Robert Holl (908) 876-3488

Barn Ministry Ray Waugh (908) 432-5046 Family Mass Social Marc McFeely (973) 222-9739

Mary’s Moonflowers Karen Jones (973) 479-5271

Parochial Vicar: Rev. Yohan Serrano

Permanent Deacon: William DeVizio

Trustees: Phil Guidone, Margie Scobell

Parish Secretary: Karen Jaworski

Accountant: Sharon McCann

MASSES: Saturday: 5:00 pm Sunday: 7:30 am, 9:00 am, 11:00 am, 12:30 pm (Spanish), 6:00 pm

Daily Mass: Mon.-Fri. 8:00 am & 9:00 am, Sat. 9:00 am

Holy Day Vigil: 7:00 pm

Holy Day: 8:00 am, 4:30 pm, 7:00 pm (Spanish)

Healing Mass: 7:00 pm every 3rd Wed. of month. Rosary at 6:30 pm

BAPTISMS: Baptism Preparation Class: Please call the Parish Office to schedule.

Baptisms: Please call the Parish Office to schedule.

SPANISH BAPTISMS: Baptism Preparation Class: Please call the Parish Office to schedule. Baptisms: Please call the Parish Office to schedule.

MARRIAGES: Please contact the Priest/Deacon whom you wish to officiate at your

wedding one year in advance to arrange for Marriage Preparation

Sessions.

PARISH MEMBERSHIP: Every family moving into the parish is requested to register. If you move

to another parish or change your address, please notify the Parish Office.

St. Lawrence the Martyr Church SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2019

MISSION STATEMENT

St. Lawrence the Martyr Roman Catholic Church is a loving and welcoming

community of disciples of Jesus who invite you to join us in becoming

disciples of Jesus. As disciples, we are faithful to prayer, to listening to

God’s Word, to meeting with Jesus in the sacraments, to building community,

and to serving others.

Parish Office: 908-879-5371 Priests’ Home: 908-879-1901 Religious Ed.: 908-879-6714 Youth Minister: 973-946-8770 Fax: 908-879-7701

Parish Ministries and Ministry Facilitators

Page Two SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2019 - THIRY-THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

CONFESSION IS A SACRAMENT OF HEALING

This past Wednesday, the Gospel lesson was from

Luke’s Gospel and was about the ten lepers who came

to Jesus seeking healing. In response to the request of

the lepers, Jesus directs the men to “Go and show your-

selves to the priests.” They obey God’s Word and on

their way they discover that they had been healed by

Jesus.

What was true for the ten lepers is true for us. When we obey God’s Word, we can find heal-

ing, too! In the Sacrament of Reconciliation, confession, we move from a disobedience to

God’s Word, to an obedience to God’s Word, and in that repentance, that acceptance of God’s

Word and in obedience, we find healing. I remember years ago, a woman from Budd Lake

reporting to me and the people of St. Michael Church that she was healed of pancreatic cancer

by Jesus in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

We thank Jesus for the healing that we can receive through our obedience to His Word and

our meetings with Him in the Sacraments!

CAN A PERSON BE GAY AND CATHOLIC?

I found an illuminating video on YOUTUBE, entitled “Can I be gay and Catholic?” The clip

is produced by Ascension Presents and offers the interview of a gay Catholic woman, Kim

Zember, who is happy and fulfilled being both gay and Catholic. There is much wisdom in

the woman’s testimony and I highly recommend the video to you!

God bless.

Father Nick

FROM THE PASTOR’S DESK

Page Three SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2019 - THIRY-THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

PEACE

First keep the peace within yourself, then you can also bring peace to others.

~Thomas à Kempis

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION THIS WEEK

Sunday

• No classes

Monday

• Family Faith Formation - 5:15 pm

Thursday

• Classes - 4:45 pm

Sunday

• Classes - 9:00 am, 5:00 pm

• Confirmation classes - 5:50 pm

MEETINGS / EVENTS THIS WEEK

Monday

• Spanish Ministry - 7:30 pm

Tuesday

• Beginner ESL - 7:30 pm

Wednesday

• Armata Bianca - 4:15 pm

• Healing Mass - 7:00 pm (Rosary at 6:30 pm)

• EC - 7:00 pm

• ESL - 7:30 pm

Thursday

• Moms & Tots - 10:00 am

• Adult Choir - 7:00 pm

Friday

• Divine Mercy Chaplet - 3:00 pm

Saturday

• Women’s Mini Retreat - 8:00 am

• Altar Server Practicum - 10:00 am

WE CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR THE SICK . . .

Kirsten Mumma, William Ware, Julio Carrera, Sebastian Quinn,

Sister Eucharia, Father Eugene Romano, Father Daniel Kelly, Fa-

ther Joseph Farias, Father Thomas Mangieri, Father Gilberto

Gutierrez, Father Joseph Garbarino, Father Stanislaw Wajdziak,

Msgr. Richard Rusconi, Msgr. Peter McBride, Msgr. Eugene Bo-

land, Deacon Hector Cassillas, Patrick John Moran, Ann Kelly,

Lloyd Matsamoto, Helen Crowe, Jane Alt, Patrick Pronio, Allison

Spina, Tom Walsh, Brian Graham, Colleen Saito, William Kelly,

Mary Norwood, Mary Lanzara, Cade Feitel, Carole Stessl, Dick

Goodwin, Nicholas Brown, Jane Rufino, Kevin Callahan, Judith

Stampone, Paul Fitzgerald, Charlotte Poth, Colleen Looby, George

Serafin, Charlie Romano, Salman Javed, Joe Cillo, Jerry Green,

Mary Constantinople, Dan McGuigan, Daisy Hallock, Ryan Men-

zel, Dorothy Powers, Wesley Snawder, Tom Murray, Eidelia

Jimenez Martinez, Mila Balicki, Consiglia Erdenberger, Arnold

Family, Bonnie Lieberworth, Barbara Drive, Jack Ratti, Finn Mi-

chael, Olivia Gill, Teresa Smith, Frances Ferreri, Teresa Colamona-

co, Baby Gianni Mazza, Carol Mattone, Anna Birsilli Garich, Anne

Owens McGrath, Janet Courtland, Jack Arnold, Lily Barbero,

Hunter Barbero, Robert LeFrancis, Moire Riley, Brian Spring, Jim

Robertiello, Barbara Davis, Jim Kielley, Jorge Lombardo, Janice

Thurston, Matt Adonis, Jim Balicki, Bill Renzetti, Bill Pigot, Rosa

Salgado, Vera Sax, David Goulart, Christine Clark, Winnie Knapik,

Kolbe, Paul Maurer, Joanne Seiller, Gail Anderson, Phillip Heery,

John Memora, Buddy Black, Annerys Castillo, Jesus Serrano, Tere-

sa Toro Penagos, Kitty, Susan Novick, Stephanie Gonda, Camille

McQueen, Brayden Michael, Cassie Bollwork, Julie Hasbrouck,

Stanley Kudron, Michael Mooney, Ed Poto, Thomas Kennedy,

Gary Ross, Ann Valles, Wayne Farbanish, William Hockenbury,

Carol Senatore, Dorothy Diana, Frank Carfaro, John McNulty,

George SanGiovanni, John & Sally Goron, Joseph Zukowski, An-

thony Vaccarino, Cathy Nuding, Conrad Spring, Maryann Villone,

Shayna Wasileski, Victor Saccaro, Paul Gallo, Donna Bruno, Maria

Mastrangelo, Anne Sommer, Isabelle Mitchell, Nancy Scobell,

Becky Williams, Bob Summers, Nicholas Laudano, Laura Riss,

Natalie Brandt, Carla Murphy, Katie Masek, Dorothy Guidone, Bill

Thompson, Francis Ree

UPDATING OUR SICK LIST

In an effort to keep our sick list current, we are imple-

menting a new procedure that will begin this December.

On the first day of each month, we will start a new list of

names. If you would like to place a name on the list,

please contact the Parish Office at 908-879-5371 or par-

ish@stlchester.org. If you would like a name to appear

again for the following month, contact the office then and

we will include the name and continue our prayers. It is

hoped that a shorter, updated list will allow for easier

recognition of those in need of our healing prayers.

THE TEN COMMANDMENT

CHALLENGE

Week 3:

1. I am the Lord your God. You shall have no

other gods before me.

2. You shall not take the name of the Lord

your God in vain.

3. Remember to keep holy the Lord’s Day.

ALTAR SERVER SCHEDULE

November 23-24

5:00 pm

CB –

Justin

Katz

S1 –

Julia

Katz

S2 –

Amanda

Katz

S3 –

7:30 am

CB –

S1 –

S2 –

S3 –

9:00 am

CB –

Sophia

Varua

S1-

Nicholas

Weah

S2 –

Kylie

Blackwell

S3 –

11:00 am

CB –

John

Iversen

S1 –

Margo

Higgins

S2 –

S3 –

12:30 pm

CB –

Brianna

Carrera

S1 –

Erik

Carrera

S2 – Angel

Carrera

S3 –

Hector

Carrera

6:00 pm

CB –

Andrew

Guido

S1 –

Ricci

Granberg

S2 –

Victoria

Granberg

S3 –

Page Four SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2019 - THIRY-THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

WE PRAY FOR PARISHIONERS IN THE MILITARY

Brianna Harmon, Kevin Phillips, Brad Carfaro

SHOP RITE GROCERY CARDS

Shop Rite grocery cards are available after each Mass at

the upstairs main door of the church. They are also

available at the Parish Office during the week. Stop by

and support the parish (5% of sales) as you buy your gro-

ceries.

Last week’s sales: $2,725.00

Last week’s profit: $136.25

# families who purchased: 14

Food bank: $100.00

The Food Bank helps the needy in our community.

Please consider making a donation. Thank you!

SHOP RITE GROCERY CARDS

Will NOT be sold on Thanksgiving weekend.

WOMEN’S MINI RETREAT

Saturday, November 23

8am - Noon

Come share in the joy of fellowship,

prayer, inspiration, good food, and fun!

We'll begin with Mass at 8:00 am in

the church followed by breakfast in the Church Hall. The

retreat will conclude at 12 noon.

We're planning on a great morning and we hope we can

share it with you! Please RSVP by calling or texting

Mary Murphy at 908-803-2240. You can also email your

response to marysmurphy@comcast.net.

CHILDREN, YOU’RE INVITED!

Come sing in our Christmas Concert!

December 15 at 3:00 pm

Practice is Thursday from 4:30-5:15 pm

Questions?

Contact Joe Tamburro at 347-213-0621 or

musmin58@yahoo.com

TEENS, YOU’RE INVITED!

Your voices and instrumental skills are needed!

Help our parish family to worship on

Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.

Practice on Saturday, November 23, between 1-4 pm

Spend a half hour or as much time as you wish.

We will meet in the church. Music is prepared!

If God is calling you, won’t you answer?

Questions?

Contact Joe Tamburro at 347-213-0621 or

musmin58@yahoo.com

WE WERE ASKED TO ANNOUNCE

Ride Needed to Mass

Gentleman in Hackettstown in need of occasional ride to

Mass at St. Lawrence Church. If you are able to help or

would like more information, please contact Greg at

908- 619-8749.

Special Needs Ministry for All Ages

St Luke Catholic Church in Long Valley

For those who have family or know of someone that would

benefit from this ministry. Please contact: Lorre Quintana at

908-500-1013 or lorrequintana@gmail.com.

Sisters of Christian Charity Seeking Nurses

For our new long term assisted care facility at Mallinckrodt

Convent, Mendham, NJ. Please contact Sister Christina Ma-

rie Cables, SCC if you would like more information or an

application: 973-230-5335

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)

Nursing Assistant (CAN, CHHA)

Bedroom Set Needed

A parishioner in Flanders is in need of a bedroom set. If you

can help, please call Brenda at (862) 251-7034.

Fall Concert at First Congregational Church of Chester

Saturday, November 23

7:00 pm (Refreshments at 6:00 pm)

Showcases 1873 Odell Tracker Pipe Organ

Musical selections from Handel, Purcell, Satie, Gershwin,

Ellington, American and Irish folk songs

Professional organist, flute, singer

PLEASE SUPPORT OUR LOYAL BUSINESS FRIENDS!

Dry Cleaners

453 Main Street

Chester, NJ 07930

908-879-8665

Noches De Colombia

140 Route 10 West

Randolph, NJ 07869

973-620-9135

Come and visit us!

We would love to hear from you!

Page Five SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2019 - THIRY-THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

MASS INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2019 8:00 am - Bill & Jeanne McCormick

9:00 am - Spec. Int. of Daniel Kudron (Birthday)

- Bruce Cunningham

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2019

8:00 am - Joseph L. Catherina

9:00 am - Ralph Bozza

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2019 8:00 am - Rose Freihart

9:00 am - Spec. Int. of Autumn Phillips

7:00 pm - Spec. Int. of Conrad & Betty Ann Spring

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2019 8:00 am - Eileen Schiano

9:00 am - Spec. Int. of Joseph Boyle

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2019 8:00 am - Sylvia Sheehan

9:00 am - Spec. Int. of Wayne & Ryan Farbanish

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2019

9:00 am - Bill McCormick

5:00 pm - Spec. Int. of Janet Villafane

- Gerald Hallisey

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2019 7:30 am - For the People of the Parish

9:00 am - James DeVizio

- Joseph Poppo

11:00 am - Caridad Dominguez

- James DeVizio

12:30 pm - Stefany Atencio

6:00 pm - Joseph Rooney

- Bill McCormick

TITHING IS GOD’S PLAN FOR GIVING.

Biblically a tithe means 10%. All are asked to consider

tithing and return 10% of our income to the Lord (5% to

the parish, 5% to God’s other charities) in gratitude. The

spiritual practice of tithing disposes us to make God first

in every area of our lives! The aim is to secure not the

tithe, but the tither. Not the gift, but the giver — for God!

Tithing Income November 10, 2019 $12,014.00

Tithing Income November 11, 2018 $13,166.00

Reflection: “…Rather, we wanted to present ourselves

as a model for you, so that you might imitate us.” (2

Thessalonians 3:9)

Most people who live a grateful and generous lifestyle

don’t go around bragging about it. But through their ac-

tions and words, others do take notice. They notice be-

cause of the joy and peace that results and other people

desire this in their own life. Know that the way you live

your life may be the only interaction others have with our

Catholic faith.

From Father Nick: “It encourages me very much to see

how you are making a sacrifice to enable the Lord’s work

to be accomplished at St. Lawrence Parish!”

A Testimony from a Member of Divine Mercy Parish

in Trenton, NJ: “The speakers at the weekend Masses

were interesting and inspiring. It caused me to think that

maybe my relationship with God was not as close as I

thought. Listening to those people, it came to mind that

through tithing I can make that relationship closer.”

LIFE IS HARD, BUT HAVE NO FEAR

Today’s readings take a fearless look at

reality and reaches a conclusion that we

all know: life is hard. The prophet Malachi

preaches fire and brimstone warning us

that evildoers will perish in flames. Saint

Paul offers his own warning to the Thessalonians: keep

busy, but never become a busybody. He reminds Chris-

tians that the apostles themselves worked in “toil and

drudgery” as a model for how we ought to contribute to

our community. The Gospel returns to the apocalyptic

tone of Malachi, describing the utter chaos of the end-

times. We will know the end is near when violence, ca-

tastrophe, and hatred dominate the earth. But we must not

fear! God’s saving plan brings peace to our hearts. Mala-

chi speaks of the sun’s “healing rays,” and Jesus Himself

promises to protect every hair on our heads.

TODAY’S READINGS First Reading — For those who fear the name of the

Lord, the sun of justice will arise (Malachi 3:19-20a).

Psalm — The Lord comes to rule the earth with justice

(Psalm 98).

Second Reading — Those who are living in idleness are

urged to earn their own living (2 Thessalonians 3:7-12).

Gospel — Jesus foretells the destruction of Jerusalem,

the persecution of His followers (Luke 21:5-19).

MASS READINGS FOR THE WEEK Monday: 1 Mc 1:10-15, 41-43, 54-57, 62-63;

Ps 119:53, 61, 134, 150, 155, 158;

Lk 18:35-43 or (for the memorial of the

Dedication) Acts 28:11-16, 30-31;

Ps 98:1-6; Mt 14:22-33

Tuesday: 2 Mc 6:18-31; Ps 3:2-7; Lk 19:1-10

Wednesday: 2 Mc 7:1, 20-31; Ps 17:1bcd, 5-6, 8b, 15;

Lk 19:11-28

Thursday: 1 Mc 2:15-29; Ps 50:1b-2, 5-6, 14-15;

Lk 19:41-44

Friday: 1 Mc 4:36-37, 52-59; 1 Chr 29:10bcd,

11-12; Lk 19:45-48

Saturday: 1 Mc 6:1-13; Ps 9:2-4, 6, 16, 19; Lk 20:27-40

Sunday: 2 Sm 5:1-3; Ps 122:1-5; Col 1:12-20;

Lk 23:35-43

NEXT HEALING MASS

Wednesday, November 20

7:00 pm (Rosary at 6:30 pm)

CHRISTMAS GIVING TREES

The St. Lawrence Church Annual Giving Trees

will be displayed in the Church Hall and vesti-

bule next weekend, November 23 & 24. Please

take a tag and return your gift with the orig-

inal tag attached by Sunday, December 15,

so that the gifts can be distributed before

Christmas.

THIS YEAR WE ARE REQUESTING THAT GIFT CARDS BE PLACED

IN THE WEEKLY COLLECTION BASKET WHEN THE BASKET IS

PASSED DURING MASS. LARGER GIFTS CAN BE PLACED UNDER

THE TREES. PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT YOUR HOLIDAY TAG IS AT-

TACHED TO THE GIFT CARD TO ENSURE THAT WE DISTRIBUTE

THE CARD TO THE ORGANIZATION OF YOUR CHOICE.

This special holiday project has been sponsored by the Good Samaritans and sup-

ported by the generous parishioners of St. Lawrence Church for the past several

years. The Giving Tree has evolved during this time into much more than a toy

drive and assists various organizations in providing assistance to those that are in

need of help during the holiday season. The Good Samaritans rely on these organ-

izations to identify the special needs of their families when we request items for

our Christmas tags. This year we will be assisting the following organizations:

• St. Peter’s Village/Orphanage provides a temporary home and safe environ-

ment for young boys to live and learn. With the help of gift card donations, the

orphanage is able to shop for Christmas gifts for the boys.

• Family Promise of Morris County provides assistance to homeless children

and their families in Morris County. Their requests for assistance are for basic

family needs and for office supplies that will provide assistance to families that

are in search of employment and for their children’s homework needs and gen-

eral day-to-day activities.

• Birth Haven provides assistance and a safe environment to pregnant teenage

girls by supporting and educating them while they await the birth of their baby.

They are in need of supplies for these young women to help them during their

stay at Birth Haven. Also included on this year’s list are some items for the ba-

bies once they arrive and some general cleaning supplies for the Birth Haven

home.

• Catholic Family & Community Services of Paterson supports inner city fam-

ilies with children and adults who have disabilities. This organization provides

us with a list of needed items including gift cards which will enable them to

purchase special items for these families.

• Local parish families, Fr. Enrique’s parishes (St. Agnes & St. Michael) and

Fr. Roland’s parish (Our Lady of Fatima) that are experiencing challenges.

Gift cards are requested so that each family is able to purchase items for which

they are most in need.

Thank you so much for your participation and generosity in supporting this very

worthwhile project. During the past several Christmas seasons, over 400 gifts

were distributed annually and our parish was able to help many families experi-

ence the joy of the Christmas season. With your support, we will be able to contin-

ue helping those in need during this blessed time of year!

PLEASE REMEMBER TO PLACE YOUR GIFT CARD WITH TAG

ATTACHED IN THE REGULAR WEEKLY COLLECTION BASKET

DURING MASS. THANK YOU!