PARISH STAFF MASS SCHEDULE Pastor: Reverend Jeffrey J. Kegley Mary Mother of God Church [email protected] Saturday Vigil: 5:00 p.m. Sunday: 8:00 a.m., Parochial Vicar: Reverend Richard Osborn [email protected] 10:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.
Parochial Vicar: Reverend Jordan Please note that all Masses will take place inside Mary McConway O.P. Mother of God Church & the 10:00 a.m. Mass will be Deacons: Carlo Squicciarini & livestreamed on our YouTube Channel. The Sunday 7:30 a.m. Martin K. McMahon Mass intention will be read during the 8:00 a.m. Mass. The Business Manager: Hank Pekarsky ext. 232 9:00 a.m. & 10:30 a.m. intentions will both be read during
Sacristan/Altar Server Coordinator the 10:00 a.m. Mass until further notice. Mrs. Laney Wilkens The Daily Mass schedule remains: 8:15 a.m. and 12:00 Parish Trustees: William “Bill” Large & p.m. in Mary, Mother of God Church. John “Jack’ Kurkemelis RECONCILIATION/CONFESSIONS: Saturday 1:00 to 2:00 pm Faith Formation: Mrs. Peggy Dunne ext. 240 & Thursday 3:30 to 4:30 pm [email protected] SACRAMENT of BAPTISM: 1st & 3rd Sundays 1:30 pm Suzanne Pfirrman ext. 241 BAPTISM PREP CLASS: 2nd Thur. 7:00 pm - Bulman Center [email protected] To register call ext. 221 Director of Music: Malena Towers ext.239 [email protected] SACRAMENT of MARRIAGE ext. 222
Youth & Young Adult Ministry PERPETUAL EUCHARISTIC ADORATION ext. 240
Cassandra Abbud & Jake Thiringer RCIA - [email protected] [email protected] ST. VINCENT DEPAUL SOCIETY ASSISTANCE: HR/Finance Administrator 732-671-4062 Mrs. Sharon Crossnohere ext. 228 [email protected] Week ending June 22, 2021 Bulletin Editor: Jessica Parks Weekly drop offs and envelopes $ 14,286.00 [email protected] Parish Giving $ 5,909.20 Usher Coordinators George Rahey - [email protected] Children $ 18.78 Brian Dolan - [email protected] Ave Maria $ 893.10
E-Catholic $ 285.00 ST. MARY SCHOOL PARISH OFFICE & PRINCIPAL OFFICE HOURS Youth $ 112.00 Mr. Craig Palmer [email protected] 19 Cherry Tree Farm Rd. Ascension $ 15.00 Middletown, NJ 07748 ST. MARY SCHOOL Assessments $ 30.86 538 Church Street, 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Middletown, NJ 07748 732-671-0071 Father's Day $ 280.88 732-671-0129 Fax: 732-671-6125 Easter $ 15.00 Jesus is Lord!
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Because of early bulletin deadlines, I usually write my pastor’s notes on Tuesday mornings for the following weekend bulletin. So, as I write these “pastor’s notes,” last night was the first night of the return of the Saint Mary Great Fair. It was an amazing night! Thousands of people with smiling faces. The joy and excitement of the children in the “Kiddie Zone” was priceless to see. A summer night filled with rides, games, food, music, fun and fellowship. I so look forward to the rest of the week.
The Saint Mary Great Fair could not happen without the work of the fair committee and hundreds of volunteers. I want to thank all the volunteers for your love and service to Saint Mary’s, but I also want to thank you for the joy and excitement each one of your brought to the Fair. Your smiles and laughter speak volumes to your heart of service.
I especially want to thank and honor Hank Pekarsky, the chairman of the Saint Mary Great Fair. I am convinced that Hank never sleeps. Last week, we didn’t even open the Saint Mary Great Fair and he is already talking to me about the Fall Country Fair in September. He is an amazing servant to the people of Saint Mary’s. Hank shared with me that each morning he and his wife Mimi pray to the Holy Spirit on how to serve our parish. The Holy Spirit certainly is directing and blessing Hank and Mimi, and us through them!
As you know, Hank also serves as our parish business manager. He is a former school principal, vice chair of the Middle States Accreditation Committee, a state certified Business Administrator, accountant, and former Mayor of Hazlet, to name a few of his credentials. Hank works on a average of 60-70 hours a week for our parish and he does not take a salary, he is a volunteer! There are no words that can express our thanks to Hank (and Mimi!) for all their dedication and service to Saint Mary’s. May God continue to bless them abundantly!
This past week all the Bishops of the United States met and discussed a proposal for a “Eucharistic Revival” that would begin in 2022. The proposal is to address the concern that 31% of Catholics believe in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. Because of our almost 25 years of Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration at Saint Mary’s, I am convinced that we are much higher than the 31%, however, I am excited for this “Eucharistic Revival.” In a real way, since we moved the Adoration over to Saint Mary Chapel, we have been experiencing a “Eucharistic Revival” at Saint Mary’s. Not only do we have almost 400 committed adorers, but since the Chapel re-opened on Ash Wednesday we have had over 2000 visitors to our Eucharistic Lord…. that is “Eucharistic Revival!” Thank you Jesus!
Have a blessed week!
In Jesus and Mary,
Father Jeff Kegley Pastor Pope Francis: 'to have faith is to live our lives with joy'
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Tuesday encouraged Christians to get on with things, living life with joy. Speaking during the homily during Mass at the Casa Santa Marta, he urged them to avoid complaining and not to let themselves be paralyzed by the ugly sin of sloth.
The Gospel story at the heart of Pope Francis’ reflection tells of a man who had been ill for thirty- eight years. He was lying at the side of a pool called Bethesda with a large number of ill, blind, lame and crippled who believed that when an angel came down and stirred up the waters the first to bathe in the pool would be healed. When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had been ill for a long time, he said to him: “Do you want to be well?”
“It’s what Jesus repeatedly says to us as well” the Pope said: “do you want to be well? Do you want to be happy? Do you want to improve your life? Do you want to be filled with the Holy Spirit?” When Jesus, the Pope pointed out, asked that strange man if he wanted to be well, instead of saying “yes” he complained there was on one to put him in the pool while the water is stirred up and that someone else always got there before him. His answer, Francis said, was a complaint, he was implying that life had been unjust with him.
“This man, the Pope noted, was like the tree planted along the bank of the rivers, mentioned in the first Reading, but it had arid roots, roots that did not reach the water, could not take nourishment from the water”. The Pope said this is clear from his attitude of always complaining and trying to blame the other. “This is an ugly sin: the sin of sloth” he said. Pope Francis said this man’s disease was not so much his paralysis but sloth, which is worse than having a lukewarm heart. It causes one to live without the desire to move forward, to do something in life, it causes one to lose the memory of joy, he explained, saying the man had lost all of this. Jesus, the Pope continued, did not rebuke him but said: “Take up your mat, and walk”. The man was healed but since it was a Sabbath, the doctors of the law said it was not lawful to carry a mat on that day and they asked him who was the man who told him to do so.
The sick man, the Pope noted, had not even thanked Jesus or asked for his name: “he rose and walked with that slothful attitude “living his life because oxygen is free”, always looking to others “who are happier” and forgetting joy. "Sloth, he said, is a sin that paralyzes us, stops us from walking”.
Even today, the Pope said, the Lord looks to each of us sinners - we are all sinners - and says “Rise”. The Lord tells each of us, Pope Francis concluded, to take hold of our life, be it beautiful or difficult and move on: “Do not be afraid, go ahead carrying your mat” and remember to come to the waters and quench your thirst with joy and ask the Lord to help you get up and know the joy of salvation. Events at St. Mary, Mother of God
St. Mary's Women's Discipleship begins summer break following our June 30 meeting at 7:30 PM on Zoom. We will return September 22 with more wonderful teaching from Darlene Line, MDiv. Please watch the bulletin for details! Have a wonderful summer and come back to us, hungry for more of God's Word! Come, Holy Spirit!
Tuesday, the 29th, is the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul. Fr. Rick will celebrate an evening Mass at 7:00 PM in Mary, Mother of God Church. Please come and invoke the prayerful intercession of the Holy Apostles. The Respect Life Ministry of St. Mary’s would like to invite you to donate needed Please join us items such as pampers (sizes 4 - 6), baby wipes, infant clothing (sizes 6, 12, & 18 after the 9:00am months) and lotions in the new bin in the Narthex. It would greatly help the women that decided to choose life for their child Mass on July 5th and are in need of such items. Birthright in Red Bank has reached out to us for help as we pray the rosary for our country.
RIGHT TO LIFE
Catholics United For Life In their lawlessness,
bloodshed follows Please join the Rosary Vigil for Life bloodshed… Hos 4:2 every Saturday, 9:00 - 10:00 am at the If a mother has the right to choose to kill Planned Parenthood abortion facility, 69 her innocent, unwanted child, why doesn’t East Newman Springs Road, Shrewsbury the adult child have the right to kill her innocent, unwanted mother? The “right to die” movement has nothing to do with people wanting to die. It has everything to do with people wanting to kill those whom they believe would be better off dead.
Prayer: Lord, I affirm today the primacy of life over choice. May every choice be guided by the immeasurable value of life.
One more adorer needed in these hours.
2am Wednesday 2am Thursday 2am Friday 2am Saturday 4am Thursday 1pm Sunday 3pm Sunday 4pm Sunday 7pm Wednesday
http://adorationpro.org/marymiddletown or email: [email protected] or call/text Chris McNicholas: 732.309.2400 Eucharistic Miracles Only 33% of Catholics believe in the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist. Eucharistic Miracle - Bolsena-Orvieto, Italy
In 1263 a German priest, Peter of Prague, stopped at Bolsena while on a pilgrimage to Rome. He is described as being a pious priest, but one who found it difficult to believe that Christ was actually present in the consecrated Host. While celebrating Holy Mass above the tomb of St. Christina (located in the church named for this martyr), he had barely spoken the words of Consecration when blood started to seep from the consecrated Host and trickle over his hands onto the altar and the cor- poral.
The priest was immediately confused. At first he attempted to hide the blood, but then he interrupted the Mass and asked to be taken to the neighboring city of Orvieto, the city where Pope Ur ban IV was then residing.
The Pope listened to the priest's account and absolved him. He then sent emissaries for an immediate investigation. When all the facts were ascertained, he ordered the Bishop of the diocese to bring to Orvieto the Host and the linen cloth bearing the stains of blood. With archbishops, cardinals and oth- er Church dignitaries in attendance, the Pope met the procession and, amid great pomp, had the rel- ics placed in the cathedral. The linen corporal bearing the spots of blood is still reverently enshrined and exhibited in the Cathedral of Orvieto.
It is said that Pope Urban IV was prompted by this miracle to commission St. Thomas Aquinas to compose the Proper for a Mass and an Office honoring the Holy Eucharist as the Body of Christ. One year after the miracle, in August of 1264, Pope Urban IV introduced the saint's composition, and by means of a papal bull instituted the feast of Corpus Christi.
After visiting the Cathedral of Orvieto, many pilgrims and tourists journey to St. Christina's Church in Bolsena to see for themselves the place where the miracle occurred. From the north aisle of the church one can enter the Chapel of the Miracle, where the stains on the paved floor are said to have been made by the blood from the miraculous Host. The altar of the miracle, which is surmounted by a 9th- century canopy, is now situated in the grotto of St. Christina. A reclining statue of the saint is nearby.
In August of 1964, on the 700th anniversary of the institution of the feast of Corpus Christi, Pope Paul VI celebrated Holy Mass at the altar where the holy corporal is kept in its golden shrine in the Cathedral of Orvieto. (His Holiness had journeyed to Orvieto by helicopter; he was the first pope in history to use such a means of transportation).
Twelve years later, the same pontiff visited Bolsena and spoke from there via television to the 41st International Eucharistic Congress, then concluding its activities in Philadelphia. During his address Pope Paul Vl spoke of the Eucharist as being ". . . a mystery great and inexhaustible." Calling all children ages 7 - 12 to join the Saint Mary’s Choir
Thursday Practices 3:30 pm - Mary Mother of God Church For more information call: Malena Towers(732) 671-0071 ext. 239
COMMEMORATIVE PAVERS
St. Mary’s Parish has room available for commemorative pavers in the area in front of the Church entrance. Stop by the Parish Office for an order form, or email [email protected] or call 732-671-0071 x237.
Parish Registration and Sponsor Letters
If you are new to our Parish, or have been coming for a while and are not yet registered, please stop by the Parish Office for a registration form. Please bring copies of Sacraments for all family members registering. Please note that these documents are required so that we can properly assist you if you are in need for a Baptism/Confirmation Sponsor letter; if your children are registering for Faith Formation; and to maintain our records.
SPONSOR CERTIFICATES: AKA Letters of Eligibility - only eligible, registered parishioners (for six months or longer) can be given certification to be a sponsor for Baptism and Confirmations. To be a sponsor: There may be only one Godfather and one Godmother (not two sponsors of the same gender); Only one Catholic Sponsor is required; Godparents cannot be the parents of the person to be baptized; must be at least 16 years of age, and have received the Sacraments of Baptism, Communion and Confirmation; must lead a life in harmony with the faith and role to be undertaken (attendance at Mass every Sunday and Holy Days of Obligation); cannot be bound by canonical penalty; If sponsor is married, the marriage must have been celebrated in a Catholic Church. Sponsor Letters are available at the Parish Office to be filled out and left at the office for verification and Parish Seal and signature.
Please note: this is a process and letters are not available on the date of request.
YOUNG MEN INVITED TO VOCATIONS MASS, BBQ WITH BISHOP
An afternoon of discussion and camaraderie with the Diocese’s shepherd and priests will take place June 29 for those discerning a call to the priesthood.
Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., will celebrate Mass at 4:30 p.m. in St. John Church, Allentown, followed by a barbecue under tents on the parish property. Men ages 15 to 40 are invited to attend.
“The aim of this event is to connect with potential new discerners, as well as to foster community among our current discerners,” said Father Jason Parzynski, diocesan director of vocations. “It’s a great low-key event to invite someone who is hesitant or just beginning to think about the priesthood.”
Those seeking more information, men currently in formation and ordained clergy of the vocations team will be present at the barbecue.
“This is for those who … want to see what it’s all about – an opportunity to connect, ask questions,” Father Parzynski said. “The ultimate aim is to discern God’s will and to help them have the confidence to make the next choice – whether it’s to enter seminary or to go another direction.”
Registration is required and can be made at www.GodIsCallingYou.org, or by emailing [email protected]. St. John Church is located at 1282 Yardville Allentown Rd., Allentown. The 17th Annual Saint Mary Athletic Association Spring Into Summer 5k was held on Saturday, May 22nd. It was a beautiful, sunny day and we had a great turnout after missing last year due to COVID-19. The race committee would like to thank all our sponsors who helped make this a wonderful event on the Saint Mary campus.
The SMAA is actively seeking a new race director to take over this event. If you are interested, please contact Kathy Warner at [email protected] for more information.
2021 SPRING INTO SUMMER 5K RACE SPONSORS
John F. Pfleger Funeral Home O’Connor & Ortiz Jersey Pride Allstate Agency Cuozzo Orthodontic Specialists Dr. Jay Gohel, DDS Valentino’s Restaurant Belford Crown Tire Paul Molicki Photography Dr. Frank Miele, Optometry 2 Masters Plumbing John Macchio Farmers Insurance Middletown Family Pharmacy Dr. Marc Desiderio, DC – Natural Healthcare Center Two River Marine Ketch Oceanwear MAY 18, 2021
We would like to thank Pfleger Funeral Home for being the Title Sponsor of the 2021 17th Annual Spring Into Summer 5K. The Pfleger Funeral Home has been a sponsor of the Spring Into Summer 5K since its inception. We appreciate their commitment to this event. Many generations of Pflegers have been actively involved in both the parish and the school.
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Pfleger Funeral Home
I want to thank you for the opportunity to help sponsor this wonderful event here at St. Mary’s Parish. This parish, and the community it serves, is the reason that we are here. It is due to the urging of Monsignor Bulman that my grandfather moved to Middletown from Red Bank and opened the funeral home in 1955-1956. It is thanks to the wonderful parish- ioners of St. Mary’s that we are still able to serve the community over 60 years later. During that time, three generations of Pflegers have been parishioners of the parish. Many of us have made our way through St. Mary Elementary School, had our Baptisms, First Holy Com- munions, Confirmations and Weddings in the churches of the parish. Most recently, the fourth generation of Pflegers were baptized in Mary Mother of God, and are now beginning to reach the age where they will be attending school. Integrity has always been at the center of our family, and by extension our funeral home since its creation. My grandfather lived the concept, and instilled it in my father and, in turn, my brothers and me. As the third generation of Pflegers takes over the day to day op- erations of the funeral home, please be assured that we will continue to work hard to carry out any services you select with the utmost integrity, compassion, professionalism and the highest of standards. We thank the community and the Parish of St. Mary for allowing us to serve for the past 65 years and look forward to what the future brings to us. Thank you again -
Evan F. Pfleger Manager - NJ Lic. No. 4714 John F. Pfleger Funeral Home MASS INTENTIONS Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Please note: The Sunday 7:30 a.m. Mass intention will be Saturday - July 03, 2021 read during the 8:00 a.m. Mass. The 9:00 a.m. & 10:30 a.m. intentions will both be read during the 10:00 a.m. 5:00 Edith Parker r/o Dr. & Mrs. Robert Incitti Mass until further notice. See Mass schedule on page 1. 5:00 Gene Jankowski r/o Mr. & Mrs. Ed Kaszuba
Saturday - June 26, 2021 Sunday - July 04, 2021 5:00 Ed & Kitty Elwood r/o Daughters 7:30 Living & Deceased Members of the Alandy Family r/o 5:00 Sara Baga r/o Her Niece Fredie Alandy 9:00 For those Enrolled in the Monthly Memorial Mass Sunday - June 27, 2021 10:30 People of the Parish 7:30 Living & Deceased Members of the Alandy Family r/o 12:00 Paul Johnson r/o Kathy & Steve Hungerbuhler Fredie Alandy 5:00 Barbara Spitzfaden r/o Frank Goss 9:00 People of the Parish 10:30 Rose & Steve Bentivegna r/o Stephanie Garofalo CANDLES 12:00 Ida Acconciamesa r/o The Taylor Family SUNDAY TO SATURDAY 5:00 Cali Maxwell r/o The Sanfilippo Family JUNE 27 TO JULY 03 Monday - June 28, 2021 8:15 Gerard Quinn r/o Barbara Santifort 8:15 Susan Mahon r/o Vaughn & Marion Kuhlmeier St. Mary Chapel Candle 12:00 Kenneth O’Brien r/o Judi & Bert Rodriguez St. Mary’s Ministries 12:00 James Tresback r/o Peter & Susan Tommaso Adoration Chapel Candle Tuesday - June 29, 2021 Ralph A. Troisi, Sr. r/o His Loving Family 8:15 Susan Mahon r/o The DiGiaro Family 8:15 Kathleen Hutton r/o Loving Family Adoration Chapel Candle 12:00 Deceased Members of the Herlihy Family r/o Family Vocations to the Priesthood 12:00 Teresa Woodward r/o Rosemary Bozenhard Mary, Mother of God Church Candle Wednesday - June 30, 2021 Mary DeMarco r/o Her Loving Family 8:15 For the Poor Souls in Purgatory 8:15 Glen Guastini r/o Donna Thomas Carroll 12:00 Frank Caponegro r/o The Dacey Family 12:00 The Carver Family r/o Linda Cronin
Thursday - July 01 , 2021 8:15 Tess Jordan r/o Gene Brennan 8:15 Palmina Kovacs r/o Loving Husband 12:00 Margherita DeGregorio r/o Janet Felice Rosalie Maureen Hanson 12:00 Joyce V. Lopomo r/o Janet Moscuzza Gianni Nicholas Masi Anthony Michael Bumbico III Friday - July 02, 2021 Tala Francisco DeVera 8:15 Nicholas Pepe r/o Wife Conor John Kelleher 8:15 Larry Mendoza r/o Hank & Mimi Pekarsky 12:00 Carmine Rotolo r/o The Sanfilippo Family Ava Carmela McEwan 12:00 Kevin Attridge r/o Cathy Daniels
Saturday - July 03, 2021 BORN TO ETERNAL LIFE 8:15 James Connolly r/o The Golding Family 8:15 Michael Cleary r/o The Golding Family Gloria Coleman
FOR OUR MILITARY Lord, hold our troops, home and abroad, in Your loving hands. Captain Iraq; Lt Christopher Baum US Navy Protect and bless them and their families, as they protect us. Amen. Josh Pershing, U.S. Air Force, 3rd tour Iraq Tanay Mahadik, AirForce, Deployed over seas Sgt. Tim Hayes, Special Ops. Army 1st Lt. Evan Crowell Cpl. Robby McCann, U.S. Marines Louis Adamo, Army Reserve Pvt. Timothy McCann, U.S. Marines Wesley Briggs, U.S. Army 2 tours in Iraq, stationed in Egypt Staff Sgt. Michael J. Mangan, U.S. Marines Staff Sergeant Craig Kubolka II, Army Ranger, 7th Deployment to the Ryan Trachman, U.S. Marines Middle East Jonathan Alfano, U.S. Marines Greg Charpek, U.S. Coast Guard Master Gunnery Sgt. C.T. Gregoire, Marines, SFC George Martin, Jr., US Coast Guard Sgt. James A. Conklin, U.S. Navy H.M Ashley Thompson Col. Kevin Meisle, U.S. Navy James Chinnici ETN3 Eric Borbely, U.S. Navy Jonathan Bagnato Daniel Toth, Ensign in the U.S. Navy Andrew Leroy PRAY FOR THE SICK Cynthia Alvarez Heather Cook Manny Konstantinidis Allison Murray Bill Smith Maria Ammertia Kane Cook Carol Kryczko Vincent Mustachio Maureen Smith Jack Andrews Ryan Cook Addo Kuhlmann Carol Natoli Darleen Striker Nicholas Arciuolo Maryanne Cuthbert Mary Kwiakowski Frank Nolan, Sr. Jim Sullivan Tom Ashe Anne Davis Tara LaBarca Jeanine Novak Kenneth Udovic Sr. Gloria Barone Emil DeMarco Anna Lauricella Sr. Mercedes O’Boyle Joan Urgo Bill Bellini June DeMarco Lorraine Lauricella Mary O’Brien Chris Vaughn Susan Blanchard Tony DeMarco Alba Lespier Jimmy Ocampo Mark Vern Gene Brennan Dino DeSantis Nicole Lucchini Mariana Ocampo Barbara Wheller Diane Brown Judith DeSimone Jeff Luckenback Carolann O’Neill Barbara Woezer Joan Buck Mary DeVuono Teresa Lynch Grace Orlando Regina Wyer Bob Burke Sophia DiPietro Matty Mager Angela Orrego Michael Wynn Giovanni Caccamo Marie Duffy Melissa Maucione Adelina Pelle Warren Young Joseph Caccamo Debbie Faaland Jason Massey Anthony Pelle, Jr. MaryAnn Calamo Len Gilbert John Mauer Michael Pelle FOR OUR CHILDREN Colin Casey Gloria Grivner Corrine Mayor John Petersen Brianna Orlando Beatrice and John Catania Janet Haley Lois McClelland Monique Read Arden McPhee James Cavallo Richie Harrison Barbara McLeod Lori Reuter Alexandria Iscaro Theresa Cavallo Margaret Heap Gale Miller Peter Saggalewich Addison Noelle Feirstein John Chiarini Kathleen Hendrick Ines Montoya Irma Sanchez Liam Joseph Kelly Al China Donna Horel Dave Mullins Linda Scaglione John James Schultz, Jr Mary Colasurdo Debbie Johnson Jack Mullins Estela Sharp Jake Wilson Pamela Collins Eugenina Kelly Cathy Murray Joanne Silver Hunter Morris
To include someone on the Prayer List call the Parish Office 732-671-0071 x221 or email: [email protected]