Our Lady of Mt. Virgin Church 600 Harris Avenue, Middlesex, New Jersey Parish Office: 732-356-2149 Rectory Emergency: 732-667-8034 Fax: 732-356-1302 www.olmv.net “Our Lady of Mount Virgin is a vibrant and welcoming Roman Catholic Parish that, guided by the Holy Spirit, offers opportunities for all to experience God.” SERVED BY Very Rev. Patrick J. Kuffner, Pastor x 1006 [email protected]Rev. Mark Kehoe, Associate Pastor x 1011 [email protected]Deacon John R. Tietjen—[email protected]Deacon John Czekaj—[email protected]Deacon Tom Sommero—[email protected]Sr. James Xavier Landi S.S.J., Pastoral Minister 732-609-1091 [email protected]Dorothy Zmigrodski, Parish Catechetical Leader x 2010 [email protected]Anita McGinley, Catechetical Assistant x 2010 [email protected]Rives Cassel, Director of Sacred Music x 1105 [email protected]Kelly Rooney, Coordinator of Youth & Young Adult Ministry x 1108 [email protected]Elizabeth Graebener, Ministry to Veterans Military x 1109 Ellen Fleming, Parish Office Manager x 1002 [email protected]Carol Valente, Pastor’s Assistant, Financial Manager x 1003 [email protected]Gabriella Rosales, Parish Secretary / Hispanic Ministry x 1001 [email protected]Ed Kura, Facilities Manager x 2009 [email protected]Sean Fleming, Custodian x 2009 MARRIAGES: Couples are encourage to contact the parish office to begin Marriage Preparation Program. It is recommended that engaged couple begin this process a year in advance of the wedding. Please contact the parish office for additional information. INFANT BAPTISMS: The Sacrament of Baptism is celebrated on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Sunday of each month after the 11:30 am Mass (except during Lent). Families must be registered in the Parish and attend a Baptism Preparation Class. Please contact the parish office for additional information. VISITS TO THE SICK & HOMEBOUND: Eucharistic Ministers are pleased to bring Holy Communion to the members of the parish who are homebound. Please contact the Parish Office to arrange for a visit by a Eucharistic Minister or to arrange for the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. MASS SCHEDULE: Saturdays: 8:00 a.m. & 5:00 p.m. (Sunday Vigil Mass) Sundays: 8:00, 10:00 & 11:30 a.m. 1:30 p.m. (Misa en Español) Weekdays: 7:00 a.m. (M, W, F); 12:00 Noon (Tu, Th) Holy Days: 7:00 p.m. Vigil Mass, 7:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon ADORATION: 1st and 3rd Friday after the Morning Mass until 12:00noon SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION: Saturday from 3:30 to 4:15 p.m. Thursday from 6:30 to 7:30 pm (during Lent) OLMV is open each day until 4:15 pm. All are encouraged to visit and spend time in prayer and meditation in the church and in our Meditation Garden. Parish Office hours: Monday-Friday (8:30 am-4:00 pm) Fourth Sunday of Lent March 6, 2016
Transcript
Our Lady of Mt. Virgin Church 600 Harris Avenue, Middlesex, New Jersey
“Our Lady of Mount Virgin is a vibrant and welcoming Roman Catholic Parish that, guided by the Holy Spirit, offers
opportunities for all to experience God.”
SERVED BY Very Rev. Patrick J. Kuffner, Pastor x 1006 [email protected] Rev. Mark Kehoe, Associate Pastor x 1011 [email protected] Deacon John R. Tietjen—[email protected] Deacon John Czekaj—[email protected] Deacon Tom Sommero—[email protected] Sr. James Xavier Landi S.S.J., Pastoral Minister 732-609-1091 [email protected] Dorothy Zmigrodski, Parish Catechetical Leader x 2010 [email protected] Anita McGinley, Catechetical Assistant x 2010 [email protected] Rives Cassel, Director of Sacred Music x 1105 [email protected] Kelly Rooney, Coordinator of Youth & Young Adult Ministry x 1108 [email protected] Elizabeth Graebener, Ministry to Veterans Military x 1109 Ellen Fleming, Parish Office Manager x 1002 [email protected] Carol Valente, Pastor’s Assistant, Financial Manager x 1003 [email protected] Gabriella Rosales, Parish Secretary / Hispanic Ministry x 1001 [email protected] Ed Kura, Facilities Manager x 2009 [email protected] Sean Fleming, Custodian x 2009 MARRIAGES: Couples are encourage to contact the parish office to begin Marriage Preparation Program. It is recommended that engaged couple begin this process a year in advance of the wedding. Please contact the parish office for additional information. INFANT BAPTISMS: The Sacrament of Baptism is celebrated on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Sunday of each month after the 11:30 am Mass (except during Lent). Families must be registered in the Parish and attend a Baptism Preparation Class. Please contact the parish office for additional information. VISITS TO THE SICK & HOMEBOUND: Eucharistic Ministers are pleased to bring Holy Communion to the members of the parish who are homebound. Please contact the Parish Office to arrange for a visit by a Eucharistic Minister or to arrange for the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick.
for the Week of March 6– 13 Altar Candles Health of Rogers sons r/o Mom Tabernacle Candles Frank Detz r/o Wife, Jean
MASS INTENTIONS
MON., Mar. 7th Lenten Weekday 7:00 A.M. Joseph Deloronzo r/o Audrey Cherubino TUES., Mar., 8th Lenten Weekday 12:00 P.M. Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Zabczyk & Family r/o Ann Sowa, Daughter & Family WED., Mar., 9th Lenten Weekday 7:00 A.M. Rev. Edmund P. Connors r/o Father Pat THURS., Mar., 10th Lenten Weekday 12:00 P.M. Mary Pakozpi r/o Frank & Barbara Suchak FRI., Mar., 11th Lenten Weekday 7:00 A.M. Parishioners SAT., Mar., 12th Lenten Weekday 8:00 A.M. Special Intention r/o Heinold Family 5:00 P.M. John Burke Maggio r/o Mrs. John B. Maggio & Daughter SUN., Mar., 13th Fifth Sunday of Lent 8:00 A.M. Ann Cocarro r/o Richard & Linda Miller 10:00 A.M. Natale Family Special Intentions r/o Michael & Jackie 11:30 A.M. Dominic Franzoso r/o Family 1:30 P.M. Comunidad Hispana
“Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? Who will go for us?’ ‘Here I am,’
I said, ‘send me!’” (ISAIAH 6:8)
Every day – in little ways and in big ways – God asks, “Whom shall I send?” Whether it is someone to take on a
new ministry or just someone to open a door for a stranger, God constantly provides doors of opportunity. The next
time you hear God calling, have the courage to walk through the door and say “Here I am, Lord.”
GOD’S PLAN FOR GIVING
Feb. 27-28………………………………………$11,374.00 Major Renovations Fund………………………...…$800.00 Development of people…………………………..$2,526.00 Weekly Expenses………………………...……..$19,246.00 Opportunities to support your Parish Did you know that in addition to Mass intentions for your loved ones you may remember them through the following memorial opportunities? • Floral Memorial at the Altar • Altar, Sanctuary or Tabernacle Candles • Meditation Garden Remembrance Bricks • A gift of cash, securities, or other assets to OLMV Automatic Deposit (ACH Banking): Our Lady of Mount Virgin Parish has an arrangement with Provident Bank for Automatic Deposit (ACH Banking) for our parishioners. Many parishioners tell me that the only check they write out each week is the one for our church; that they do all their other banking through automatic deposit or online. Please find applications for automatic deposit banking that are available around the church entranceways. Completed forms should be returned to Father Pat. Please contact Father Pat if you want additional information about this program.
Please remember in your prayers Father Pat’s good friend, Rev. Edmund P. Connors, a priest of the Archdiocese of New York, who was called home to the Lord on February 23, 2016. Father Connors helped out on occasion here at OLMV after he retired. May he rest in peace!
Lenten Novena this Monday, March 7, 7:00 pm in the church.
Wedding Bans I John A. Comune & Kristine A. Jones
DEALING WITH DIVORCED? A self-help support group is being formed at the Cathedral of St Francis of Assisi, Metuchen, for those who are in early stages of a separation/divorce. For more information please contact Vicki 732-548-3170 or Jo Flanigan 732-548-0100 x225.
My Brothers and Sisters in Christ, “He was lost and now is found.” We hear and reflect on these wonderful words of hope and redemption. As he so often does, Jesus tells a story to his listeners---and to us---teaching everyone that God’s forgiving love has no bounds. Just like the father in today’s parable, God our Father always waits for his wayward children and lovingly welcomes us home. What a powerful lesson for us in this “Year of Mercy!” Today’s parable is a favorite Gospel story. There are two sons. One can’t “move on” from his family soon enough. He wants his inheritance now, and his indulgent father readily gives in to him! Once he has it, he makes one bad choice after another until he is eventually without funds and without friends. He realizes that he has gotten himself into a situation so dire, that even his father’s most humble servants are better off than him. Finally he comes to his senses and begins the journey back to his father’s house. The other son has been a model child—ever obedient to his father. He is out working the fields---giving of himself completely to support his father. The wayward son returns, and when his father sees him, he embraces him and immediately calls for a great celebration. The “good” son refuses to celebrate. He is angry. He is upset with his father’s decision! What a great story of merciful love! What powerful forgiveness of sin! We are drawn into the story. We feel just a little for the “good” brother---we identify with him. We are here at church this morning---aren’t we the “good” parishioners who support the church regularly and follow the rules and regulations of our faith? And so, we bristle at what we know is just not fair! Shouldn’t God love us more than those who stay home??? This parable is a reflection on the mystery of God’s immeasurable love and forgiveness. The father in the story loves both his sons completely and without reservation. Both sons are sinners. The one son goes off and turns from the ways of the father, freely entering into sin. It is only when he reaches “rock-bottom” that he begins to come to his senses. He climbs his way back and the father greets him with love and joy. How easily the good son falls into sin---the sins of anger and jealousy. Both of these sons are us! The father goes out and tries to reason with the good son: “Come inside, your brother is back, now is the time for joyous celebration.” The father doesn’t condemn either son---the father reaches out to both in love. The father invites the sons to love each other. This a tough lesson for each of us---we are called by God to love even those who hurt us!!!. Jesus has taught us how to live. And we must follow the ways of the Lord. But God also seems to freely forgive those who “don’t follow the rules.” And then we get mad at God---but expect God to freely forgive us. This really is a mystery---a really hard one! It is much easier to see other’s sins than to see our own---much easier to expect God to forgive us! Such is the mystery of God’s love for his sinful children!!! Father Pat ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A SPECIAL COLLECTION WILL BE TAKEN ON THE WEEKEND OF MARCH 12/13 TO BENEFIT OUR RETIRED PRIESTS OF THE DIOCESE OF METUCHEN. THESE MEN HAVE DONE SO MUCH TO BRING CHRIST TO THE
PEOPLE OF OUR DIOCESE. MANY OF OUR RETIRED PRIESTS HAVE ASSISTED US HERE AT OLMV. THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROSITY!!
A letter from our Pastor
MARK YOUR CALENDARS!!! The Knights of Columbus Will hold its Seventh Annual “Knight of Comedy" on Friday, April 15th at 7:30 pm, featur ing Vinnie Brand, from the
Stress Factory and a professional opening comedian. Tickets are $25 per person and will be available in the parish office and after all Masses beginning 2/26. It’s a BYOB event but complimentary hors d’oeuvres are Included in the admission price. Doors open at 7pm. Cocktail hour begins at 7:30 pm.
Lenten Activities at OLMV: Sacrament of Reconciliation: Thursday from 6:30—7:30 pm (during Lent) Lenten Novena is each Monday at 7:00pm in the Church February 8 – March 21 Stations of the Cross each Friday at 7:00pm in the Church February 12 – March 18 “Living” Stations – March 25 at 7:00– pm in the Church Lenten Penance Service—Tuesday, March 8 at 7:00 pm Lenten Penance Service – Wednesday, March 8 at 7:00pm in the Church.
Year of Mercy Adult Formation Events: Thursday, April 21, 10:00am and 7:00pm --- Martha Hennessy of the Catholic Worker Movement will lead a presentation: Dorothy Day: A Saint of Mercy for our Time. Thursday, May 26, 10:00am and 7:00pm --- Wanda L. Good, a retired Army Colonel and current Pastoral Associate will lead a presentation: PTSD and “Moral Injury”: Spiritual and Pastoral Implications and Call to Action. These presentations will take place at the St. John Neumann Pastoral Center. For information or to register contact http://diometuchen.org/mercy
IT'S TIME FOR OUR ANNUAL LENTEN BABY SHOWER
The baby shower is to benefit the Pregnancy Aid Center in Raritan, New Jersey. This is an all volunteer organization dedicated to helping women in crisis pregnancies. They have helped hundreds of women choose alternatives to abortion. Their motto is "Give life a chance." The volunteers at the Center stress the need for basic items such as undies, receiving blankets, diapers, sleepers and baby food. Please bring your unwrapped gifts to the Blessed Mother Chapel the weekend of March 5-6, 2016. Delivery will be March 7th.
Our Parish Conference of St Vincent de Paul Society
is joining with other Conferences in the Diocese of Metuchen to provide First Communion dresses and suits to those families who cannot afford to purchase them. If you have a gently used dress or suit that you would like to donate, please contact the parish office or bring your donation by March 21, 2016.
Monetary donations are also acceptable. Thank you!
Girl Scouts: As part of their “Silver Award Project,” Girl Scouts, Chrissy Polakiewicz and Erin Rooney will collect new (and packaged) undergarments for distribution to the poor through Elijah’s Promise. A plastic bin in the Blessed Mother Chapel will be available for donations during the weekend of March 19-20, The young ladies thank you for your support!!!
Pilgrimage to Ireland: Father Virgil Tolentino will serve as Spiritual Director during an 11 day pilgrimage to Ireland – October 9 through 19, 2016. Please see information placed on our bulletin boards for additional information.
Ministry to Military, Veterans and their Families: The OLMV outreach program to members of the military, veterans and their families will host a “Veterans and Military Benefits” information session on April 4, 2016 in the Parish Center Cafeteria. Frank Quadrino will join us again to assist members of the military, veterans and families in becoming more familiar with the benefits to which they are entitled. All are welcome and refreshments will be served! The Ministry will also sponsor a Mass here at OLMV honoring members of the military, veterans and their families on Sunday, May 22 at 11:30am. A reception with light refreshments will follow in the Church Hall. All are invited. There will be a brief meeting of members of this ministry on April 4 at 6:30pm in the Parish Center Cafeteria. We are looking for new members, and all are welcome to be part of this amazing ministry that reaches out to those who have served our country.
Children’s Ministry and Youth Group March 2016
Youth Group Meeting – March 13, 2016 6:00-7:00 pm in the Parish Center Gym
Children’s Liturgy- March 13, 2016
10 am Mass Snack, Craft and Fellowship to follow after Mass in the Church basement
LENTEN PENANCE SERVICE MARCH 8, 7:30 PM IN THE CHURCH
THE DEANERY SCHOOL- HOLY SAVIOR ACADEMY Holy Savior Academy, 149 South Plainfield Ave., South Plainfield (www.holysavioracademy.com) Holy Savior Academy accepts students coming into pre-kindergarten through grade 8. Please contact the school at 908-822-5890 to arrange an interview or to have a tour of the facility. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SPRING SPLENDOR TRICKY TRAY: Holy Savior Academy, scheduled for Saturday, April 23, tickets are on sale at the school, located at 149 South Plainfield Ave., South Plainfield Tickets are $15 and checks should be made payable to the school. For more information, log on to: [email protected] or call the school at 908-822-5890.
Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy In Misericordiae Vultus, Pope Francis teaches, “At times we are called to gaze even more attentively on mercy so that we may become a more effective sign of the Father’s action in our lives.” Here at Our Lady of Mount Virgin Church, we have a number of opportunities for parishioners “to become a more effective sign of the Father’s action in our lives.” Below are the parish opportunities for the month of March 2016. March 5-6: Baby Shower Collection (See bulletin for details.) March 7, 7:00pm (Monday): Novena in Honor of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal with a reflection for the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy March 8, 7:00pm (Tuesday): Lenten Communal Penance Service with individual confessions March 11, 7:00pm (Fr iday): Stations of the Cross March 14, 7:00pm (Monday): Novena in Honor of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal with a reflection for the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy March 18, 7:00pm (Fr iday): Stations of the Cross March 19-20: Food Collection for FISH March 19-20: Clothing dr ive collecting new and packaged undergarments of any size (See bulletin for details.) This is a Girl Scout Silver Award Project by 8th Grade parishioners Chrissy Polakiewicz and Erin Rooney March 21, 7:00pm (Monday): Novena in Honor of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal with a reflection for the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy March 24: Holy Thursday: 9:00am: Morning Prayer ; 7:00pm: Mass of the Lord’s Supper; 11:45pm: Night Prayer March 25: Good Fr iday: 9:00am: Morning Prayer ; 3:00pm: Celebration of the Lord’s Passion; 7:00pm: Living Stations of the Cross for the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy presented by students in the Religious Education Program March 26: Holy Saturday: 9:00am: Morning Prayer ; 11:00am: Blessing of the Easter Foods; 7:30pm: Great Easter Vigil March 27: Easter : Masses at 8:00am, 10:00am, 12:00 Noon, 1:30pm
JOURNEY THROUGH GRIEF: Have you lost of loved one? This is about joining our "Journey Through Grief." Our mission is to find healing, comfort and peace. When a loved one dies, our world changes. Our hearts are broken and the simplest things of life become an enormous challenge as we are faced with sadness, loneliness and, even anger. Date: April 7 through May 26, 2016 Time: Thursdays from 2:30 - 4:00 P.M. Place: Petra House, 630 Harris Avenue, Middlesex (between the Church and Meditation Garden) parking and entrance in the back of the building Moderators: Monique Sasso (732-356-9001) Pat Oeskovic (732-356-8886)
Stations of the Cross For Persons with Disabilities: The Diocesan Office of Persons with Disabilities will sponsor The Stations of the Cross as a Special Lenten Event on Saturday, March 19 at 3:00pm at the Saint John Neumann Pastoral Center Chapel. Fellowship and light Refreshments will follow. Please see information posted on the bulletin boards for additional information or contact the Office for Persons with Disabilities at 732-765-6432.
The OLMV Book Club’s next meeting is Monday, March 28th. The book we will be discussing is “The Kite Runner” by Khaled Hosseini. Please e-mail Dorothy if you would like more information or to join our meeting at [email protected]. For our students making First Holy Eucharist: our Communion banner workshop will be held on Sunday, April 3, 2016 from 11-1PM. Pre-payment and sign-up is required before 3/15. Forms have been distributed during CCD class time. Additional forms are available in the Religious Education Office.
EL MANANTIAL El Nuevo Periódico Católico en Español
Es un periodico que se hizo con el fin de informar a las personas Hispano/Latinas que viven y trabajan en nuestra diócesis, pero no pueden leer The Catholic Spirit, que está en inglés, esta la publicación de un periódico nuevo, totalmente en español. Este periódico, El Manantial, ya empezó a imprimirse enteramente en español. El Manantial debe ser auto sostenible lo cual significa que no habrá ninguna subvención Diocesana y sin costo alguno para las copias distribuidas. El periódico debe ser apoyado únicamente por ingresos publicitarios. Esto no será possible sin su ayuda. Tenemos oportunidades de publicidad que ofrecen precios muy asequibles para mostrar anuncios y directorios. Si necesita información adicional, por favor llame a la oficina al 732-562-1990, ext. 1410. Muchas gracias por su apoyo para traer El Manantial a nuestra comunidad Hispana/Latina. Atentamente, Nan Kubian The Catholic Spirit P.O. Box 191 Metuchen, NJ 08840 732/562-1990, ext. 1410
AŇO DE LA MISERICORDIA JUBILEO DE LA MISERICORDIA
En el Evangelio de hoy escuchamos de un padre que dio la bienvenida a casa su hijo pecador con gran misericordia, dándole el mejor traje, un anillo, sandalias y el becerro gordo para una fiesta. Papa Francis, en Misericordiae Vultus (#6, párrafo 2), habla de la paciencia y la misericordia de Dios: “Paciente y misericordioso” es el binomio que a menudo aparece en el Antiguo Testamento para describir la naturaleza de Dios. Su ser misericordioso se constata concretamente en tantas acciones de la historia de la salvación donde su bondad prevalece por encima del castigo y la destrucción. Los Salmos, en modo particular, destacan esta grandeza del proceder divino: « Él perdona todas tus culpas, y cura todas tus dolencias; rescata tu vida del sepulcro, te corona de gracia y de misericordia » (103,3-4). De una manera aún más explícita, otro Salmo testimonia los signos concretos de su misericordia: « Él Señor libera a los cautivos, abre los ojos de los ciegos y levanta al caído; el Señor protege a los extranjeros y sustenta al huérfano y a la viuda; el Señor ama a los justos y entorpece el camino de los malvados » (146,7-9). Por último, he aquí otras expresiones del salmista: « El Señor sana los corazones afligidos y les venda sus heridas […] El Señor sostiene a los humildes y humilla a los malvados hasta el polvo » (147,3.6). Así pues, la misericordia de Dios no es una idea abstracta, sino una realidad concreta con la cual Él revela su amor, que es como el de un padre o una madre que se conmueven en lo más profundo de sus entrañas por el propio hijo. Vale decir que se trata realmente de un amor “visceral”. Proviene desde lo más íntimo como un sentimiento profundo, natural, hecho de ternura y compasión, de indulgencia y de perdón.
Usemos este Jubileo de la Misericordia para ser “Misericordiosos como el Padre.”
Boletin en Español Domingo 28 de Febrero del 2016
III Domingo de la Cuaresma
Actividades y anuncios de la parroquia Nuestra Senora del Monte Virgen
• Adoración al Santisimo: Pr imer y tercer Viernes
de cada mes, de 7:30 am—12:00 medio dia, son todos invitados a pasar un tiempo en devocion y en oracion con el Santisimo.
• Collecta de alimentos para los mas necesitados FISH: Tercer Domingo de cada mes. Las bolsas de comida las pueden dejar en la capilla donde se encuentra la estatua de la Virgen Maria.
• Proxima Clase Bautismal: Jueves 4 de Febrero 7:30 pm. Familias que deseen participar deben
llamar a la oficina parroquial. Gracias a todos feligreses que de una u otra ayudan cada semana para el crecimeinto de la Comunidad y por escojer a Nuestra Senora del Monte Virgen ser su lugar donde puedan servirle a Dios. Que Dios los bendiga...
UNA INVITACION ESPECIAL PARA TODOS LOS FELIGRESES!!!
Recuerden que somos una Comunidad nueva y estamos trabajando en el desarrollo de la Comunidad el pueblo de Dios, invita a un familiar o un amigo a asistir a Misa y hasta parte como miembro activo de esta gran tarea para todos que es el crecimiento de nuestra comunidad. Gracias!
115 Harris Ave.Middlesex560-1292
Dinners • Sandwiches • Pizza
$1.50 OFFANY LARGE PIZZA
CENTURY 21VAN SYCKEL ~ GOLDEN POST
560 Union Ave., Middlesex732-469-3900 ext. 7350 Cell: 732-690-8498
