Category: Archive

Thank you for a successful Annual Christmas Giving Tree Campaign

                            Believe in the Magic of Christmas

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This is the last weekend for the Christmas Giving Tree, December 3 and 4, 2022.  The gifts will be sorted and delivered in time for Christmas.

Our Christmas tree is by the Altar with tags designated to either girls or boys and their age. Feel free to take a tag or two after Mass and when you can, put your special donation under the tree. Or, you can bring your gift up to the Parish office, Monday-Wednesday 9am-2pm. Please do not wrap the gifts!   NO NEED TO TAKE A TAG, feel free to give a donation of your choice. The age group is 0-17 years old; gift cards are also appreciated.

A very special thank you to Kathy Diffley for your partnership with this project. To our new friend and volunteer, Cathie Castagnola, thank you for your spirit and helping us. To Chris Grandinetti and all of our Ushers for helping at the end of each mass, to Pat & Bill Kevish for taking the gifts over to our Parish every Saturday after 4pm mass, Greg Bierster, my husband and helping hand and to Connie Barraco for this beautiful ad in the bulletin.

Mostly, thank you and God Bless each and every one of you for your generous donations. Wishing you a very happy and healthy Advent season.

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Giving Tree Chairladies:  Laura: 917-693-5147 and Kathy 908-451-8687

 

The Passing of Fr. Fred Kochan

We sadly announce the passing of Fr. Fred Kochan on Saturday, October 1st. Fr. Fred was a beloved fixture at St. Pio’s and will be greatly missed. God rest your soul, Fr. Fred.

We implore your kindness, O God, for Fr. Fred Kochan, your servant and Priest, that, as you made him a steward of your mysteries on earth, so you may bring him to be nourished by their truth and reality as unveiled in heaven. Through Christ our Lord. AMEN.

For details regarding funeral services, please click on the link below.

https://www.ryanfuneralhome.com/obituary/ReverendFrederick-Kochan

Rest in Peace, Fr. Fred

The Winners of the All Cash Raffle – Drawing was on 9/23/22

Total Prize pool – $30,090

 Tkt # 5474

1st prize – $18,054 – went to a Sacred Heart parishioner’s daughter-in-law.

Tkt # 2000

2nd prize – $9,027 – went to a St. Pio parishioner.

Tkt # 11871

3rd prize – $3,009 – went to a Basking Ridge NJ visitor bought on Labor Day Sunday, 10:30AM mass.

Congratulations to the winners! Thank you, and God bless all of you.

—St. Pio Raffle Committee

 

Sad News – Passing of Deacon John Hanna

Requiescat in Pace

Our Parish mourns the death of our beloved Deacon, John H. Hanna, who passed away on July 7, 2022.

Funeral Arrangements:

Visitation:  Wednesday, July 13, 2022   4:00pm – 8:00pm

Mass: Thursday, July 14, 2022   10:00am

Both Held at:

St. Pio of Pietrelcina Church
1100 Grand Central Avenue
Lavallette, NJ  08735

Interment:

St. Catharine Cemetery & Mausoleum
1000 West Chicago Blvd.
Sea Girt, NJ

Arrangements by O’Brien Funeral Home – click for link to obituary:

John Hanna Obituary – Brick, NJ | O’Brien Funeral Home (obrienfuneralhome.com)

Thank you from Fr. Joy Chacko

A Note of Thanks from Fr. Joy

I wish to thank everyone who participated in celebrating the 30th Anniversary of my Priestly Ordination on Saturday by coming for the Mass and then to the St. Pio Parish Center to celebrate. You truly made me feel welcomed and loved.

Many thanks go out to all who made this wonderful event possible by organizing and cooking: Marta, Joyce, Pat, Laura, Connie, Maribeth, kitchen staff: Joe, Stephen, Greg and Bill. Those who made desserts: Jane, Dianne, Kathy and Judy. Also, Ginny, John, Fr. Joe and others who worked so hard behind the scenes. Everything was perfect. The food was delicious and all enjoyed. I will never forget the beautiful big cake made on my behalf. It was truly a joyous event.

Thank you also for the wonderful greeting cards, personal good wishes and gifts. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

With prayerful good wishes and personal regards,

Fr. Joy

 

Bishop O’Connell lifts many COVID based protocols

Welcome Back to Church!!

Return to Church – the Bishops of NJ ended the dispensation of the obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days.  The faithful are to return beginning June 5-6, 2021.

Masks Wearing & Social Distancing Optional –the clergy and faithful should use their best judgement to protect their own health and that of their neighbors.  Those not fully vaccinated are strongly encouraged to wear a mask.  Limits on church capacity have been lifted.

Read the entire Diocesan Message here: Diocese encourages return to church, lifts many COVID-based protocols – Diocese of Trenton – Lawrenceville, NJ

 

Important Announcement from Bishops of NJ re: Mass Attendance

ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE NEW JERSEY BISHOPS

Reinstating the General Obligation to Attend Mass

At this time, due to the observance of public safety protocols and the increase in the availability of vaccines, we have begun a return to some sense of normalcy in various sectors of our society.

Therefore, we the Catholic Bishops of New Jersey, are lifting the dispensation of the Sunday and Holy Days Mass obligation beginning on Saturday, June 5, 2021, and Sunday, June 6, 2021, Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. We welcome the Christian faithful to return to the regular participation in the Sunday Eucharist, the source and summit of our Catholic faith (cf. Code of Canon Law canon 1247 and Catechism of the Catholic Church, n. 2180).

This obligation does not apply to those who are ill; those who have reason to believe that they were recently exposed to the coronavirus or another serious or contagious illness; those who are confined to their home, a hospital, or nursing facility; or those with serious underlying health conditions.  One should consult the local pastor if questions arise about the obligation to attend Mass (canon 87).

Finally, safety protocols (such as wearing masks, social distancing, etc.) and liturgical directives in each New Jersey Diocese remains in place until modified or revoked by the respective Diocesan Bishop.

Given on May 20, 2021, the memorial of St. Bernardine of Siena.

Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R. Archbishop, Archdiocese of Newark

Most Reverend David M. O’Connell, C.M. Bishop, Diocese of Trenton
Most Reverend Dennis J. Sullivan Bishop, Diocese of Camden
Most Reverend Kevin J. Sweeney Bishop, Diocese of Paterson
Most Reverend James F. Checchio Bishop, Diocese of Metuchen
Most Reverend Kurt Burnette Bishop, Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Passaic
Most Reverend Yousif B. Habash Bishop, Our Lady of Deliverance Syriac Catholic Diocese