Author: Marta

Christmas Giving Tree

Our annual “giving tree” project  begins the weekend of November 14-15. Due to the limited number of parishioners who are able to attend Mass, there will be some changes this year.

For those who attend Mass (daily or weekly), tags will be displayed on boards on both sides of the giving tree which will be located in the narthex of the Church. Please pick up a tag as you enter or exit the Church. In order to minimize the spread of germs during this Covid 19 pandemic, please peruse the tags and touch only the tag that you will be taking home. Your cooperation this year is greatly appreciated.

For those of you who are not attending Mass and who won’t be choosing a tag, donations can  consist of toys for all aged children, winter jackets, hats, mittens, children’s books and puzzles, arts and crafts, coloring books, crayons, children’s clothing of any age or size, as well as pajamas, gift cards for Target or Walmart, baby clothes, toys and diapers.

  1. Please do not wrap the gifts but be sure the tag if any, is attached when you drop it off.
  2. Drop off by the Giving Tree in Church or in the parish center foyer open from 6am to 6pm.
  3. All gifts must be returned by December 13 so that they can be delivered to Madonna House and to local families in need of assistance.

As you are aware, many families are struggling. The need this year is greater than ever. Please help to put a smile on the face of a child this Christmas. Thank you for your support. If you have any questions call Karen Sandy at 732-606-2716.

For those who attend Mass (daily or weekly), tags will be displayed on boards on both sides of the giving tree which will be located in the narthex of the Church. In order to minimize the spread of germs during this Covid 19 pandemic, please peruse the tags and touch only the tag that you will be taking home. For those of you who are not attending Mass and who won’t be choosing a tag, donations can  consist of toys for all aged children, winter jackets, hats, mittens, children’s books and puzzles, arts and crafts, coloring books, crayons, children’s clothing of any age or size, as well as pajamas, gift cards for Target or Walmart, baby clothes, toys and diapers.

Additional Drop Off Locations:  There also will be gift drop off boxes at locations in town. The following local businesses have agreed to partner with the parish this year; Lava Java, Little Mia’s, Crystal’s Salon – Ortley Beach, St. Francis Food Pantry –  SSH, Enright Chiropractic, Betty n Nicks Restaurant, and Tim Ryan Funeral Homes. We are most grateful for their support.

As you are aware, many families are struggling. The need this year is greater than ever. Please help to put a smile on the face of a child this Christmas. Thank you and if you have any questions call Karen Sandy at 732-606-2716.

 

Mass Time Change! Saturday 4pm

Beginning with the change from Daylight Savings Time – on Saturday, November 7th, our Vigil Mass will be at 4:00pm.  Confessions will also change to Saturdays between 3:00-3:30pm.  These Mass times will remain in effect until the clocks change again in the Spring!

Mass of Remembrance 10/19 8:30am

Fr. Joe Hlubik and Fr. Fred Kochan will concelebrate a Mass of Remembrance for Fr. Vince on Monday, October 19th at 8:30am at St. Pio of Pietrelcina Church.  All are welcome!

Feast of St. Pio Celebration

Come celebrate our Patron Saint’s feast day this Wednesday, September 23rd!! 

  • We will begin with 8:30am Mass, Benediction and Blessing of the St. Pio Statues
  • The St. Pio relic will be present for veneration.
  • Afterwards, join us for light refreshments outside (weather permitting)

Pray, Hope & Don’t Worry! 

– the personal motto of Padre Pio

50-50 Raffle Winners

Our annual 50-50 All Cash raffle drawing concluded on Sunday, September 13th at 4pm.  Total amount collected was $38,000.  

There were 3 very happy winners!!

First Prize:  $11,400
Second Prize:  $5,700
Third Prize:  $1900

We want to thank all for the tremendous support given this year under very difficult times.  Our parish realized a profit after expenses of $16,700.

THANK YOU and GOD BLESS!!

 

Prayer #3 – Prayer of Trust in God’s Love

Focus idea:  Many times our prayers to God are prayers of petition. We are asking for God’s help in dealing with a personal issue that deeply troubles us. So many of these situations are not put upon us by God, or the result of our own poor choices, but simply the random and unavoidable consequences of living in an imperfect world. When something upsets us, we tend to approach prayer by asking God to make a very specific outcome happen, that is, to totally solve our problem, and relieve us of our anxiety. As Deacon John explains it, “While it is not wrong to make our desires known to God, it is a good idea to trust in God’s love for us. That means being open to His will.” Know, believe and trust that God will be our strength, and will love, support and guide us through the troubling moments in our lives! Continue reading “Prayer #3 – Prayer of Trust in God’s Love” →

Prayer #2 – Prayer of Appreciation for God’s Love

Focus idea:  Personal prayer is a simple way of communicating with our welcoming and loving God. Fr. Doug expresses this idea so clearly, “Prayers pass from our hearts directly into His Most Sacred Heart.” It is comforting to have God in our hearts and even more comforting to know that we are in His heart!

Prayer of Appreciation for God’s Love:

O God, You see me and understand me. You know what is in me, all my thoughts and feelings, my likes and dislikes, my strengths and my
weaknesses.
O God, You see me in my day of joy and in my day of sorrow. You sympathize with my hopes and my temptations. You are interested in
my anxieties, all the ups and downs of my life.
O God, You encompass me and carry me. You see me whether I am smiling or in tears. You look tenderly upon me, and feel the beating
of my heart.
O God, no one could ever love and understand me as much as You can. Your love for me is today, tomorrow and forever!

Closing thoughts: Continue to tell Jesus what is in your heart. He will always understand! Thank Him for your gifts and most of all, thank Him for loving you with His most sacred heart!

Prayer #1 – Prayer to Jesus  

Focus idea: Begin by thinking of God in the person of Jesus, a human being with feelings, and a heart filled with love for each of us. You want to let Jesus get to know you better, so get ready to tell Him your worries and concerns. (Haha – He already knows them, but don’t pass up the chance for the emotional intimacy that you will experience!) Enjoy your heart to heart conversation, knowing that Jesus will understand your human anxieties. He will respond by sending you His love, peace, comfort and strength.

Prayer to Jesus:
My Jesus, my Light, my Love, my Strength, be with me now and always, in all my doubts, anxieties and trials.
Come Jesus, in hours of loneliness, weariness and grief.
Come Jesus, in failure, in loss and in disappointment.
Come Jesus, when others fail me, and when I fail myself.
Come Jesus, when I am ill, unable to work, or am depressed.
Come Jesus, in my moments of joy and exhilaration, that I may share my joys and triumphs with You, and give You thanks.
Come Jesus, now and forever, and in all things. Amen.

Closing thoughts: Tell Jesus what is in your heart. Thank Him for your gifts and most of all, thank Him for loving you with His most sacred heart!

Prayer #15 – Prayer for the strengthening of our parish

Focus idea: Covid-19 has weakened our parish community. It has kept us from the intimacy of in-person worship, and from the personal warmth we derive from one another during parish functions. It has put us at a significant monetary loss, which will force us to make some hard choices in the foreseeable future. It forces us to work harder to get back the solidarity that we all felt, and to rebuild our finances. In Fr. Joe’s words, “We are called to show our Christian holiness by being the hands and feet of the Lord. Our challenge is before us.” This is our parish, and it is up to all of us to help in every way that we can, for God and for each other.

Prayer for the strengthening of our parish:

Dear Lord, I pray for my spiritual rejuvenation and for the rejuvenation of our parish community! Bring me strength and vitality. Satisfy my yearning for an intimate and personal relationship with You, by giving me the courage to give back to our parish and our parish family. Fill me with a burning desire to fully partake in parish life. Help me to find ways to show my gratitude for all You have given me by my service to your children. Help me to be a part of the bigger picture, and a role model for others in my community. Help me to show my faith by the way that I live my life. Help me to enthusiastically encourage my family and friends to live in Your light and Your love. Please strengthen our parish so that we may provide comfort to those in need, and share the joy that we have found in You and in one another. Amen.

Closing thoughts: Tell Jesus what is in your heart. Thank Him for your gifts and most of all, thank Him for loving you with His Most Sacred Heart!