The Roman Catholic Parish of St. Vincent de Paul 250 Bebout Avenue Stirling, New Jersey 07980 Phone: (908) 647-0118 Fax: (908) 647-5992 Parish Office—908-647-0118 In an emergency call 973-222-0720 Parish website: stvincentschurch.org Parish email: [email protected]PASTORAL STAFF Fr. A. Richard Carton, Pastor [email protected]Fr. William (Bill) Mooney Weekend Assistant Elena Bird Zolnick Director of Sacred Music 907-953-0128 [email protected]Vincent G. Clarke, Organist 908-647-4926 Sr. Krystyna Dziadkowiec Pastoral Associate [email protected]Sr. Elsa Jeronimo, C.S.JB. Director of Social Outreach [email protected]Deirdre Nemeth Director of Religious Formation 908-647-0421 [email protected]Amilee Beer Youth Minister 908-295-8104 [email protected]Peter O’Neill, Deacon 908-647-7258 [email protected]Parish Trustees Alan Tangreti and Timothy Wallisch PARISH OFFICE STAFF Vera Castagna Parish Secretary Maria DeLuca Religious Formation Secretary Teri Kesselmeyer Technology and Communications Mary Woods Parish Finance Coordinator We are a Catholic community rooted in the Eucharist and committed to the poor. Sunday Mass Schedule (Vigil Mass) Saturday —5:00PM Sunday 8:30AM, 10:30AM and 6:00PM Confession: Saturday at 4PM or other days by appointment. Weekday Mass Schedule 8:30AM Monday—Saturday “It would be easier for the world to survive without the sun than to do so without the Holy Mass.” St. Padre Pio
Transcript
The Roman Catholic Parish of St. Vincent de Paul 250 Bebout Avenue
Stirling, New Jersey 07980 Phone: (908) 647-0118 Fax: (908) 647-5992
April 14th and April 15th Third Sunday of Easter Page Two
SUNDAY COLLECTION REPORT MASS INTENTIONS
MONDAY April 16th 8:30AM Barbara Costanzo (Living) Edward Gruneberg Dorothy Hurley
TUESDAY April 17th 8:30AM Joseph D’Addio Katherine Ann Brandt Eileen Quinn
WEDNESDAY April 18th 8:30AM Peggy McCardle (Living) Faculty and Students of Villa Walsh Academy (Living) Helena Rohal Edward and Lily Smith
THURSDAY April 19th 8:30AM Gloria Shope (Living) Vito Cefalu Joseph De Vincentis
FRIDAY April 20th 8:30AM Anne Galdieri Mark Gilmore Lorraine Hall
SATURDAY April 21st St Anselm, Bishop and Doctor of the Church 8:30AM Kathleen C. O’Donnell Robert Edward dePoortere Helena Rohal
The Fourth Sunday of Easter 5:00PM (Vigil) Paul Scanlon Frances Brooks Anne and Edward King
SUNDAY April 22nd 8:30AM Michael and Rita Pavlo Kathleen Candela Deceased members of the parish
10:30AM Nunzio Romano Sharon Pelosi Deceased members of the Senyk Family
6:00PM Corsino and Anita Mendes Matthew and Mary Sheridan Francesco Iannella
The weekend of April 7th and 8th
Total amount in envelopes: $7,075
Loose: $1,999
Online We Share: $3,600
Total Offered: $12,674
Campaign for Human Development: $2, 735
Family Rosary and Adoration will resume on Friday, April 20th. Come join us with your whole family to pray the Rosary before the Blessed Sacrament beginning at 7:00pm. Potluck dessert and fun activities for families will take place after prayer, Adoration and Benediction. RSVP to Amy Pejman
Sincere thanks to those who have contributed to the Lenten Appeal for our sister parish in Haiti. Our goal was to raise $30,000 to place a water filtration system there so that for the first time in their history they will have access to water that is fit for human consumption. To date $60,774 has been raised—$58,043 from 104 individuals/families and $1,731 in cash donations placed in the water containers in the vestibule of the church. The water filtration system has been ordered. They are assembled as ordered and so within a few weeks it should be ready to be shipped to Haiti and then on to Nanpol for installation and use. This is an awesome, life changing and wonderful gift to our sisters and brothers. Thank you to all who have contributed in this great act of love and care.
WE DID IT...PRAISE JESUS!
DIOCESAN ASSESSMENT
The second collection next week-end will be for our Diocesan Assessment. Each parish in the Diocese of Paterson has a responsibility to assist in the operation of various Diocesan ministry offices. Our parish’s assessment this year is $92,477. This collection is taken to help us meet this responsibility.
The Stirling Street Fair will be held next Sunday, April 22nd. Main Avenue. will be closed to traffic. Please allow extra time to get to Mass. Detour via Passaic Avenue and Somerset Street. After Mass, stop by and enjoy the fun at the Fair.
It would seem that from the events that we read about in the Acts of the Apostles during the Easter Season that the first Christian witnesses viewed themselves as new creatures in a new society with a very different view of the world and their lives within that world. We see this perhaps best in the transformation of Peter who, made new by the Holy Spirit, witnesses with amazing confidence before the same people who had handed Jesus over to death. Also, we read about the way in which the first Christians viewed their tangible goods in a totally different manner. We hear of the community united in the teaching of the Apostles and united in their ability to care and look out for the good of each other. They proclaimed their faith without being intimidated by threats, insults and violence. The high priests Annas and Caiaphas ordered Peter and John not to speak or teach in the name of Jesus. They replied: “Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s eyes for us to obey you rather than God. We cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:19-20). As a result of their witness, a new community, a new way of doing and seeing things emerged in light of Jesus’ resurrection. The first witnesses had manifested on earth, through the power of the Holy Spirit, a completely new society, a community in which the great become small, the rich make themselves poor, the enemy is loved like a brother or sister and the one who commands considers himself a servant. It was in this manner that they proclaimed that Jesus was alive and his Spirit was at work in them. The resurrection implied that they could never see things in the same way as before. It was clear that the emergence of this new community, the church, gave evidence of their faith by the way in which they acted and the unity which they shared. Besides the resurrection, the ongoing miracle was the fact that they were so firm in belief that they would suffer any and all kind of hardship for the sake of their faith in witnessing to Jesus. The author of the Acts of the Apostles shares, perhaps boasts, that they were so clear in their conviction that “There was no needy person among them, for those who owned land or houses, sold them and brought the proceeds of the sale. And they laid it at the feet of the apostles who distributed it according to each one’s need” (vv. 34-35). Incredible! Imagine that happening today. We know from the history of the early church that the first witnesses suffered greatly for their faith. Those outside of the community of believers found their ‘new way’ to be a great threat. Many considered their beliefs and practices ridiculous. Consider Lucian of Samosata (125–192 A.D.) who described the impact that faith exercised on the lives of Christians of his day: “Their first lawgiver persuades them that they are all brothers and sisters to each other and, as converts, they deny the Greek gods, worshiping the crucified sage, and living according to his laws. Wherefore they despise all goods equally and believe them as common and do not care when they have them. So, if a shrewd impostor who knows how to handle them well arises among them, he would soon be rich, mocking these gullible and stupid people” (Lucian, The Death of Peregrinus, 13). Gullible and stupid people? In the face of this, and much worse, the early witnesses drew more and more to their number. The Acts of the Apostles offers us a clue as to why this happened. Hints are scattered throughout the Acts of the Apostles. Here are a few: All believers in Jerusalem “ate their food with glad and generous heart” (2:46); Peter and John “rejoiced that they were worthy to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name” (5:41); After his baptism, the eunuch “went on his way rejoicing” (8:39); Barnabas rejoiced when he saw the grace of God among the Hellenists (11:23); A maid named Rhoda was overjoyed on recognizing Peter’s voice (12:14); The gentiles at the synagogue in Antioch in Pisidia were glad when they heard Paul saying that he turns to the Gentiles (13:48); Paul and Barnabas were cast out of Antioch in Pisidia, but the disciples were “filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit” (13:52); Paul points out to the Gentiles in Lystra that in the past, the living God used to provide them with food and filled their hearts with joy (14:17); Paul and Barnabas are bringing great joy to the believers in Phoenicia and Samaria while reporting the conversion of the Gentiles on their way to the council in Jerusalem (15:3); a Philippian jailor and his entire household “rejoiced that he had become a believer in God” (16:34). This reference to the joy of the first believers, irrespective of the hardships they faced, was the essential element which drew others to know Jesus by their witness. In every age it has been the joy of faithful witnesses embracing at times great hardship, ridicule and rejection that has been the most effective witness to the reality of the Lord’s resurrection. Perhaps this is why REJOICE AND BE GLAD (GAUDETE ET EXSULTATE) is the title of the Holy Father’s new Encyclical. More on that next week. The Risen Christ is to be seen in the life of the community, this community, through the power of the Holy Spirit who teaches us how to order our lives so that fraternity, the sharing of goods and love testify to the presence of the Risen One in our midst. May we have the joy of witnessing to and proclaiming Jesus raised and living among us. Peace, Fr. Richard
THE WITNESS OF THE FIRST AND THE WITNESS OF TODAY
April 14th and April 15th Page Four PLEASE REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS
Those who serve in the military: James Minogue, Nick Ragazzo, Stephen J. Campbell, Sean Milde, Frank Fasano, Richard Lister, Eric Leverone, Jay Donato, Frank Messina, Eileen Murphy, Peter Giovanni, John E. Siedler IV
Those who are ill: Jenny Sama, Frank Critelli, Nancy Laible, Cathy Bognar, John Daglian, Parker Watson, Annette McGrory, Lou Aroneo, Patrick Bergin, Lynne Coombs, Lucy Bustillos, Paula Matchen, May Hill, Caitlin Shea, Bill Wallisch, Larry Oster, Nanci Gamba, Elizabeth Early, Serenity Rose Apuzzo, Helen Munro and Eric Binner
Those who have died to this world
Requiescat in Pace May all the faithful who have departed this world rest
in your eternal peace. Amen
Daily Mass Readings Monday Acts 6:8-15; Jn 6:22-29
Tuesday Acts 7:51—8:1a; Jn 6:30-35
Wednesday Acts 8:1b-8; Jn 6:35-40
Thursday Acts 8:26-40; Jn 6:44-51
Friday Acts 9:1-20; Jn 6:52-59
Saturday Acts 9:31-42; Jn 6:60-69
Reborn through the waters of Baptism and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, we embrace:
Shea Kathryn McGowan daughter of Brian and Erin
Gwendolyn Maria and Jack Harvie Howard
daughter and son of Thomas and Stefanie
claimed now for the fullness of eternal life.
Getting Ready For Sunday with Fr. Richard Gain a deeper insight into the Scriptures for Sunday Mass and a deeper understanding of the readings and of the culture and context within which they were written. Discussions are held on Thursday afternoons in the Library at 1pm to 2:30pm and repeated in the evening at 7:30pm to 9:00pm.
ADULT FAITH FORMATION
READINGS FOR NEXT SUNDAY
First Reading: Acts 4:8-12 Peter explains to the elders that his healing of a cripple was done in the name of Jesus Christ. He reminds he elders that they crucified Jesus, but God rose him up so that all people could be saved in his name. Second Reading: I John 3:1-2 John expresses amazement at the fact that God allowed us to be called his children. Although we are unsure exactly what we will be after this life, we do know that we will see God as he is and be like him. Gospel: John 10:11-18 Jesus speaks of a shepherd working only for pay, with no real concern for the sheep being well cared for. But Jesus is our shepherd and would lay down his own life for all those in his flock. God loves him for his willingness to sacrifice himself for the sake of all God’s children.
Oremus: A Guide to Catholic Prayer Join Fr. Richard for an inspiring study on the essentials for an effective and fruitful prayer life. Over the course of eight weeks discover how to place yourself in God’s presence. Oremus includes 8 video presentations, small group discussions and inspiring readings and reflections. The sessions
take place on Wednesdays at 7:30pm in the JP II Center. Participants must register. Visit our website or call the office to register.
In the Gospel of Matthew Jesus calls a little child to him and proclaims “… whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.” (Mt 18:5) Next weekend Christopher Bell, founder and President of Good Counsel, will speak at all Masses. Good Counsel operates Catholic pro-life homes for pregnant women and their children as well as a national toll-free crisis pregnancy help line (800-723-8331). Baby bottles will be distributed for you to take and fill with coins, cash or checks to assist with their lifesaving work. Return the bottles filled with your offering the weekend of May 6th. You can also donate online at www.GoodCounselHomes.org Your donation will serve to help homeless mothers and babies in need.
Our church is open daily from 7:30am to 9:00pm, closing on Saturday and Sunday after the evening Mass. On the third Friday of each month we have Adoration and the praying of the Rosary particularly focused on families – come, bring your children and grandchildren and teach them to speak to Jesus present in the Blessed Sacrament. On First Fridays we have Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament after the 8:30am Mass through the night until 8:00am on Saturday. If you are awake because you have many concerns, come talk to Him. Jesus is absolutely and truly present in the Most Blessed Sacrament – many, many Saints became Saints because they knew and responded to this truth.
“Do you realize that Jesus is there…especially for you- for you alone? He burns with the desire to come into your heart.” St. Therese of Lisieux
THE SHRINE RECOVERY MINISTRY
The I Thirst Recovery Ministry at the Shrine of St. Joseph wishes to extend our love and gratitude to Stacey Beer and her Perfect Potluck team who have, for more than a year, provided beautiful meals to more than 200 individuals who are in the earliest
stage of recovery from substance use disorders and who are our guests on weekend “12 Step and Spirituality” retreats at Trinity House. The generosity of all the Perfect Potluck folks enable us to nourish these individuals in body and spirit and the results are truly amazing! We are truly humbled by all who give so freely of their time and resources to help us on our mission of spreading the love of Jesus Christ to those who so often do not love themselves. Thank you, Stacey et al! We love you and bless you for all your help! Keaton Douglas
PLEASE UPDATE YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION
If you are new to our parish, or not receiving our weekly emails, please take this opportunity to register or update your information by visiting our website at www.stvincentschurch.org or by calling the parish office 908-647-0118.
A Retreat For Widows April 27th—29th
Marianist Family Retreat Center Cape May Point, NJ 08212
Join with other widows as we look at our own individual stories for courage and wisdom. We
hope to discover how, in the sharing of our stories, we continue to find strength and hope. There will
be time for sharing in small groups and celebration of the Eucharist. The cost is
$135 per person, double occupancy. Visit www.capemaymarianists.org.
You can register online or call 609-884-3829.
ATTENTION FAMILY CAREGIVERS
The Caregivers Coalition of Morris County is sponsoring a conference entitled “Plan the Best and Safest Living Situation For Your Loved One” for Family Caregivers on Saturday, April 21st at the Frelinghuysen Aboretum, 353 East Hanover Ave., Morristown. The conference begins at 8:30am and concludes at 12:30pm. There will be workshops focused on appropriate care for your loved one and the cost of care and options. A complimentary breakfast will be provided.
Technology class takes place Tuesdays at 9:30am to 10:30am in the Library. Bring your
phone and/or tablet in order to learn about texting, emailing, pictures and more. For
The winner of our sixth drawing was Kathie Willwerth
The winner of our seventh drawing was Catherine MacDuff
Congratulations!
The eighth drawing takes place on Wednesday, April 18th with the winning prize amount of $3,000. Parishioners are still needed to sell tickets after all Masses. Please visit the parish website to sign up. The final drawing will be Wednesday, April 25th with the winning prize amount of $5000. There is still time to purchase tickets after Mass or at the parish office.
2018 CALENDAR RAFFLE
Bricks are still available for purchase for the patio in the Our Lady of Fatima Garden. Please consider buying a brick that will be engraved with your name or the name of a friend, family member or loved one to ensure a remembrance of them. Bricks are
placed in the patio. Each brick is $100. Checks should be made out to St. Vincent de Paul Church. Details for engraving of the brick and order forms are available at the Parish Office. Please call the office to purchase a brick.
MEMORIAL BRICKS
CATHOLIC SCHOOL OPEN HOUSES
Union Catholic High School invites 5th, 6th and 7th grade students and their
families on Wednesday, April 25th at 7:00pm
to visit and learn all that is offered to support college and career goals.
For more information call 908-889-1600 ext.302 or visit www.unioncatholic.org
Morris Catholic High School
invites you to its Spring Open House on Sunday, May 6th from 2pm to 4pm. Visit the campus,
meet the faculty and learn about student life directly from Student Ambassadors. Register to attend at www.morriscatholic.org/OpenHouse/
St. Patrick School, Chatham
invites families with children currently enrolled in non-Catholic schools to consider the benefits of a parish school environment where Gospel values are combined with Blue Ribbon academics each
day. Learn more on Walk-in Wednesdays. Stop in any Wednesday between 9:00am and
11:00am for a guided tour or call 973-635-2311 to schedule a more convenient time.
NJ Right To Life, the state’s largest pro-life organization, will hold its annual Banquet Dinner on Friday, April 20th at the Hyatt Regency, New Brunswick. The evening’s event begins at 6:30pm and will feature 2008 Republican Vice Presidential Candidate and former Governor
of Alaska Sarah Palin. A 5:30pm photo opportunity with the speaker is also available. Registration for the Banquet and/or VIP Reception requires advance registration. Registration forms to print are available on the NJRTL website www.njrtl.org. Registrations can also be taken by phone with a credit card by calling the NJRTL office at 732-562-0562 Monday through Friday during regular business hours. Please register now to reserve a seat!
