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While the Parish Office is closed, please contact staff directly at the following emails: For all Parish emails, add @stmatthias.net Pastor: Rev Abraham Orapankal, abraham Parochial Vicar: Rev. Msgr. Joseph Curry, jcurry

Pastoral Staff Deacon Russell Demkovitz, rdemkovitz Ana V Kelly, Marketing & Development, akelly Dolores R. Nann, Faith Formation, dnann Deacon John Radvanski, deaconjohn Denise Sawicki, Acting Business Manager and Accountant, denise Joan Best Seamon, Music Ministry jseamon Sr Marie Therese Sherwood, OSF, Social Concerns, msherwood Phyllis Stone, Liturgy/RCIA and Administrative Assistant to the Pastor, pstone

St. Matthias School (add @stmatthiasnj.org) Eileen Brett, Principal, ebrett Joseph Gidaro, Vice Principal, jgidaro

Parish Office Staff Kelly Counts, Day Receptionist Nathalie Godet, Formation/Parish Support Sec. Leslie Guillen Evening Receptionist/Bulletin Editor Amy Hanna, Parish Support Secretary Joan Jones, Evening Receptionist Vinnie Natale, Bookkeeper Trish Stumper, Parish Support Secretary

Maintenance Staff Julio Montero, Maintenance Supervisor Mario Brown, Custodian Conroy Davis, Custodian Juan Diaz Flores, Custodian Silvia Nizama, Housekeeper Mohamed Sisoko, Custodian

St. Matthias Parish Office: 168 JFK Boulevard, Somerset, NJ 08873, 732-828-1400, fax: 732-828-0866, www.stmatthias.net

Parish Office Building: Currently closed. We are working remotely; use emails below or call our office and leave a message.

Mass Schedule: Every Sunday on our YouTube channel: (Private masses are also being cele-brated)

St. Matthias School (SMS): 170 JFK Boulevard, Somerset, NJ 08873 732-828-1402; www.stmatthias.info School operating via distance learning.

T C C S . M M 17, 2020 – Sixth Sunday of Easter

Feast Day of St. Matthias—Thursday, May 14, will be celebrated today, Sunday. Sunday Mass — Join us for Mass every week (5 pm Sat or later) at www.youtube.com/c/StMatthiasSomersetNJ

Registration is Now Open for St. Matthias School (PreK-3 through 8th grade): See pg 8.

Letter from Carnival Leadership Team—See below.

Stay Connected: Sign up for our weekly “St. Matthias Family Connect” e-letter. Go to www.stmatthias.net/connect/SMFC, view the copy and join the e-letter.

Letter to Parishioners from the St. Matthias Carnival Leadership Team

May 14, 2020

Feast of St. Matthias

Dear Friends in Christ,

As the feast of St. Matthias is upon us, we realize that the carnival is a happy memory of past years. The smell of funnel cakes and the bright lights of the Ferris wheel are very much missed as we continue to stay home and stay safe. All of us realize that the loss of the carnival presents a significant financial loss for the parish as our largest fund raiser, during a time when it is imperative we keep our church able to continue the many ministries that benefit all of us.

This brings us to the point. We would like to appeal to our parishioners to consider making a financial contribution in the name of the Carnival. We realize that for many parishioners this is not possible at this time as you see to the needs of your families. This appeal is addressed to those of us who could make a contribution comfortably. A $100 gift to our church would help greatly to defer our operating costs during this unprecedented time. Of course, a gift of any amount would be greatly appreciated. If you can see your way clear to contribute in lieu of what you might or might not have spent at this event, you will be celebrating our great parish in our time of need. Blessings to all of you,

Bill Cullen, Pat Cullen, Vickie Bartizal, Jo-Ann Piagentini The Carnival Leadership Team

This Week at St. Matthias From the Pastor & the Pastoral Staff

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Join Us for Mass Every Sunday: Join us every Sunday on our YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/c/StMatthiasSomersetNJ

View Our Calendar: for the most up-to-date schedule of events/times — www.stmatthias.net/connect/calendar Read Our Bulletin Online Each Week: http://www.stmatthias.net/connect/bulletin Share “Good News” by email or via our “UPLIFT” Facebook Group We would love to hear your Good News, and so would fellow parishioners. Share your good news via email for posting on our website, or via Facebook. For more details, go to: www.stmatthias.net/connect/node/3644 Listen to Our Music Ministers Enjoy listening to music sung by our music ministers from their home, by visiting: www.youtube.com/channel/UCwhok3XnxutxyCq5E1LLJGA Church Building We invite you to pray and participate with us online. The church building is open for individual prayer as listed in our online Calendar (see above). If you are not feeling well, please stay home and join us in prayer remotely. If you decide to come, please follow ALL government guidelines (eg., social distancing, staying at least 6 feet away from others, wearing a face covering/mask, etc.) Also, bring hand wipes so you can wipe anything you touch — the pew where you sat, the top of the pew in front of you, the door handles, etc. It is not possible for us to do this in between personal visits. Thank you for helping to keep others safe. Office/School Open (remotely): Our Parish Office and School are open “remotely”. You may reach us via email, or leave a phone message and we will return your call as soon as possible.

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Bulletin Article Requests: Please email proposed bulletin articles to bulletin@stmatthias.net by 6 pm, Wednesday, 10 days before the intended issue (earlier for holiday weekends).

Dear Friends,

Ascension Thursday is postponed! Rev. Fr. Tim Christy, our Vicar General, informed us that the bishops of New Jersey agreed that the observation of the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord would be transferred from Thursday, May 21 to Sunday, May 24th (replacing the Seventh Sunday of Easter). They have made it clear that the transfer is for this year only and was made to ease the burden on those who are required for live-streaming Masses and in light of the dispensations already provided in all five dioceses from the obligation of the faithful to participate in Mass on Sundays and Holy days. Call from the Parish Staff: You must have received a phone call by now from a Parish Staff or a Pastoral Council member to inquire how you are faring in this lockdown situation. We have been very happy to talk with those we were able to connect and to hear lots of good news as well as requests for prayers for the sick among your family/friendship circle. Many have thanked us for this initiative to be connected with our wonderful community of St. Matthias. In case you did not receive a call or a voice message, that means your phone number in our database is invalid or ‘not in service.’ So please let us know your current phone number (either email me at abraham@stmatthias.net or leave a phone message for Amy Hanna at 732-828-1400, ext. 110.) Feast of St. Matthias: Today we keep the Feast of St. Matthias, our patron. The actual feast day of May 14 being a weekday, I decided that we all can celebrate this important feast together on a Sunday. Matthias, whose name means “gift of God,” was the disciple chosen to replace Judas. When the Apostles gathered to choose the 12th one, they put this condition: “It is necessary that one of the men who accompanied us the whole time the Lord Jesus came and went among us, beginning from the baptism of John until the day on which He was taken up from us, become with us a witness to His resurrection” (Acts 1:21-22) Then they nominated two men who fit this description: Joseph Barabbas and Matthias. They prayed and then drew lots. The choice fell on Matthias who became part of the Twelve and preached about Jesus. In his preaching, he is said to have emphasized the importance of self-control in order to experience God’s peace and joy. This may be why he is invoked as the patron saint of people who need hope and perseverance as they struggle with alcoholism or any kind of addiction. The challenge St. Matthias gives us as we celebrate his feast is that we embrace his enthusiasm to be an evangelizing disciple, which means living and proclaiming Jesus Christ as our Lord wherever we are. Happy Feast of St. Matthias to all of us!

Your brother in Christ,

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Monday: Acts 16:11-15; Ps 149:1b-2, 3-4, 5-6a, 9b; Jn 15:26 — 16:4a

Tuesday: Acts 16:22-34; Ps 138:1-2ab, 2cd-3, 7c-8; Jn 16:5-11

Wednesday: Acts 17:15, 22 — 18:1; Ps 148:1-2, 11-12, 13, 14; Jn 16:12-15

Thursday: Acts 1:1-11; Ps 47:2-3, 6-7, 8-9; Eph 1:17-23; Mt 28:16-20 (for Ascension); or Acts 18:1-8; Ps 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4; Jn 16:16-20

Friday: Acts 18:9-18; Ps 47:2-3, 4-5, 6-7; Jn 16:20-23 Saturday: Acts 18:23-28; Ps 47:2-3, 8-9, 10; Jn 16:23b-28

Sunday: Acts 1:12-14; Ps 27:1, 4, 7-8; 1 Pt 4:13-16; Jn 17:1-11a; or (for Ascension) Acts 1:1-11; Ps 47:2-3, 6-7, 8-9; Eph 1:17-23; Mt 28:16-20

Readings for the Week

Pray for those who are sick... If you or a family member are sick, please email Kelly Counts at kcounts@stmatthias.net to add the name to this list. Names will be listed in the bulletin for 6 weeks. Please let us know if this time period needs to be extended. We want to know how you are doing and want to offer you the support of our prayers.

Pray for those who have died... Ken Noel Anthony Pasek -”His mercy endures forever.” Chronicles 6:34

Elbren, Sr. & Natalia Agdeppo Rosemary Albaugh Rosemarie Aulino Eddie Banaag Ronald Bianchini Genevieve Bonk Clement Bottone Dylan Braunstein Timothy Brennan Marie Brody Baby Isla-Rose Callahan Tara Capatosto Ellen Catalina Frank Catalina Daria Cergnul Merna Chambers Darrie Christmas Ken Collins Charles Connellly Lourdes & Luzminda Costin Msgr. Joe Curry Lisa & Marie DeFeo

Nancy Diaz Vanessa DiRocco Mary Dolan Bill Dolphin Dorothy Domenici Jaclyn, Ariana & Thomas Donlon Anthony Driz & Family Mary Eads Briana Edwards Emma Gergely Rose Gessner Mary Gidaro Jeanne Gita John Gross Paul Haucke Emma A. Himey Sloopy Hoffman Merla Isabelo Pamela Kannaire Michael Kirugi Milicent Kraft

Taylor LaCort The Litrakis Family Kenneth Magat Monique Marie Mageot Al Maglio Michelina Malafonte Susan Manansala Lourdes Maniego Elizabeth Miller Lucy Mimms Marius Moran Eleanor Morehouse Ursula Morgenberger Dave Moynihan Patricia (Pat) Nese Margaret O’Hare Danny Onchangco Pace Mafalda Parafioriti Bernadine Pasternak Elsa Pesigan Jim Pettit

Chris Retz Maria Schwenzer Sr. Immanuela Sr. Jessy, OSF Sr. Mary Amata Shina, OSF Sr. Rosaria Shina, OSF Dorothy Smith Dennis Stuewe Christine Szczepanski Juan Ulerio Denise Urquhart Mona Wilson Laura Wolf Mark T. Worthington Edward Yeager Everyone who is ill with Covid-19 ...and for all who are homebound, elderly, in nursing care, or living with chronic illness

Mass Intentions for the Week*

*The Mass intentions will be fulfilled by Fr. Abraham and Fr. Joe as they celebrate private masses for these

Saturday, May 16 5:00PM Susan & James Shinners, by Mary

Sunday, May 17 8:00AM Frank Olsson, by Carol & Jeff Hentz

10:00AM William Philpotts, by Joan Philpotts 12:00PM Intention of Parishioners 5:30PM William Oberlander, by Joan Edgeworth

Monday, May 18 8:00AM Martin Englehardt, by Tom Aussem Tuesday, May 19 8:00AM Bert Maglio, by Mom, Dad, Pete & Sue

Wednesday, May 20 8:00AM Martin Englehardt, by Al & Linda Misuraca

Thursday, May 21 7:00AM Deceased Family Members, by Vinnie

12:10PM Carmela M. Ruffa, by Carmela & Frank Vowinkel 7:30PM Patricia, Marie & John Pitcher, by cousin Barbara

Friday, May 22 8:00AM Rocco Puccio, by Al & Linda Misuraca

Saturday, May 23 5:00PM Lucille Loureiro, by Jane Fisher

Sunday, May 17 8:00AM Michael Loree, by The Madison Family 10:00AM Floyd Krebs, Jr., by The Steltenkamp Family 12:00PM Francesca Gidaro & Maria Covino, by grandson,

Joseph 5:30PM Intention of Parishioners

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Six year old Angie and her four-year old brother Joel, were sitting togeth-er in church. Joel giggled, sang and talked out loud. Finally, his sister had had enough. “You’re not supposed to talk out loud in church.” “Why? Who’s going to stop me?” Joel asked. Angie pointed to the back of the church and said, “See those two men standing by the door? They are hushers!” ☺ A Creation humor for women: So what if God made man first? “Well, doesn’t everyone make a rough impression before making a master-piece?” ☺ An attorney was on vacation in a small farming town. While walking through the streets, he noticed that a car was involved in an accident. As expected, a large crowd gathered. The attorney was eager to get to the injured, but he couldn't get near the car. Being a rather clever per-son, he started shouting loudly, "Let me through! Let me through! I am the son of the victim." The crowd made way for him. Lying in front of the car was a donkey. ☺

Marriage Tune-Up

"If you love me..." (John 14:15) If you love me, you'll clean the bathroom, watch the kids, make enough money to support us...The list can be endless - and so is love. What would your beloved love you to do for them today? It's OK to ask. Mind-reading not required.

Parenting Tune-Up

Families can be really healthy only when children feel a sense of acceptance, love and securi-ty. During this pandemic and lockdown, what challenges do

we face as parents to make them feel ac-cepted, loved and secure?

Smile with Your Family

Parish News

Sunday Reflections

Invitation to Join the Parish Pastoral Council The Parish Pastoral Council is the apex consultative body in the parish, advising the pastor on all matters of parish life. Currently the Council is seeking new members for the 2020/21 season. The Covenant provides for some members retiring and new members being added each year, as a continually evolving body. This helps to keep the Council fresh with new ideas and new eyes for the good of the community. If you are interested in learning more, we invite you to observe the Council in session on Tuesday, May 26 at 7 pm (online). Please email Nick Grippo, nickgrippo@gmail.com, or Tom Phalen, thomasephalen@gmail.com, to RSVP.

Here is the true story of a pastor. One day I was stopped for speeding. I knew I was wrong. I was late for the Mass in a remote mission church. I was driving on a brand new four lane high-way with almost no traffic. When I saw those flashing blue and yellow lights behind me, I knew that I was going to be even later for the Holy Mass. After the patrolman got my license, he went back to his car. I waited for him to re-turn with the judgment against my mis-take. As I waited, another police car pulled up behind the first. The man with my license went back to the sec-ond car. My anxiety level was rising. He left the second car and came back to my car. He handed me my license

and said, "The sergeant says that you're a friend of his. Keep your speed down and drive carefully." He returned to his car and drove off. So I did. I was guilty. I had broken the law. I de-served the ticket. I deserved to pay the fine, but because of a friendship, my mistake was forgiven and forgot-ten. There was no penalty to pay. This is how Divine Grace works. We are saved because Jesus considers us his friends, as stated in today’s Gospel.

Jesus assures his disciples that they will not be left as orphans. He promises them awareness of his risen presence – in themselves, in each other, in the Church, in Scripture, in the Sacraments

and in the praying community -- through the enlightening presence, teaching and action of the Holy Spirit. We will never have to face any trial alone—even death—if we walk with Jesus. He protects us from the Evil One. His Resurrection, in fact, changed the despair of the apostles to hope when they realized beyond doubt that he is the Son of God. "You will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you" (John 14:20). The indwelling Spirit of God nourishes us each time we receive the sacraments, each time we pray, each time we read the Bible.

“No Ticket Please, He’s My Friend”

Feast of St. Matthias

Happy Feast of St. Matthias! This year our parish will celebrate St. Matthias’ feast day this Sunday, instead of on May 14. For those of you who are reading this bulle-tin early, Fr. Joe will be hosting a St. Matthias Q & A on our Facebook page, this Thurs-day, May 14, at 1 PM. Go to: www.facebook.com/www.stmatthias.net

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Sunday Reflections “I Will Not Leave You

As Orphans!”

The 55-year-old factory worker is laid off when the plant closes leaving him with no prospect of another job. Too old and too weary to consider re-training, with-out skills that can be retooled, he feels alone. Unemployed and living on pension funds that will soon run out, does he have anyone there to say to him, "I will not leave you as orphans; I will not abandon you”? Or how about the eighty-year-old, alone at home after fifty years of marriage? Her spouse no longer with her, she nods off in front of the television set, a half-eaten frozen meal cold in front of her. She is alone in a house too big for her, children with lives of their own in different towns. Who is there to say to her, "I will not leave you as orphans; I will not abandon you”?

Or the AIDS ravaged youth of Africa. His errant lifestyle has brought shame on his family and driven his friends away. His body is dying and he lies alone in pain. For him and for the millions of others throughout the world who face this dread-ed disease, who is there to say to him, "I will not leave you as orphans; I will not abandon you”? It may be the teenag-er who is different from the rest, the wife or husband whose spouse has left, the businessman whose business is failing, or the parent whose child has rebelled and left home, or any of the countless others in the world around us who feel alone and without hope, rejected and lonely, like that rookie facing Bob Gibson.

To them and to us, there is good news this morning. For there is One Who is here to say, "I will not leave you as or-phans; I will not abandon you.”

A Day to” Bear the Beams of Love…”

"The Father will give you another Advocate to be with you always . . . he remains with you and will be in you . . .” John 14: 15-21

An extraordinary day: The family has gathered at the hospital to welcome its newest member. The proud, bleary-eyed mom and dad are cradling their hours-old daughter, Claire Cecelia. The aunt, the new mother's godmother, beams with delight to meet her new niece. The baby's little rosebud of a mouth reminds her of her own daughter's birth 12 years before. Later that day she brings her elderly mother to the hospital so she can see her first great-grandchild, who shares her name Cecelia. The great-grandmother kisses the newborn's forehead with gentle commitment.

It's also Great-Grandma's birthday. So the entire clan gathers that evening at the aunt's house. A nephew ar-rives, wearing the neck brace he's had on for two month's now, since the car accident. Someone crossed the center line and hit them. His wife was badly injured and is still re-covering; her father was killed. But he's here, back from the brink. A walking miracle. A family friend rings the door-bell. She started chemo the day before for lung cancer. Hard times lie ahead - but tonight, she's here to party. Candles are lit, cake is served, gifts are given, and mem-ories are shared. And of course, everyone talks about the baby. It's an extraordinarily beautiful day in the life of this family. The aunt-godmother and host of the party, Cathe-rine O'Connell-Cahill, writes about it in At Home With Our Faith [March 2008]:

"Every now and then - maybe a handful of times over the course of a lifetime, maybe more if you are lucky - you have a day like this yourself. The bones of life poke through the fluff that otherwise preoccupies you year in, year out. You hold someone's hand as they approach death. You pick up a newborn babe. You fall in love. You are truly forgiven. Someone you love is saved from death. You marvel at the goodness of God. Claire Cecelia's first day of life was such a day. Maybe poet William Blake put it best: And we are put on earth a little space / That we may learn to bear the beams of love." In the simplest, everyday celebrations and expressions of love, God is present. The "Advocate" that Jesus promises is the Spirit of God that opens our hearts and spirits in grat-itude for days like the day this family experiences and that we all experience, even if not as often as we'd like. God is in our midst in the love of a spouse holding the hand of his or her dying spouse, in the love of a new mom feeding her baby, in the love of two friends walking the beach. In the joy of the Easter season, may the Advocate enable us to "bear the beams of love" and mirror that love in our compassion and care for one another.

The Holy Spirit is the Best Teacher

A pilot, a business executive, a pastor and a Boy Scout were flying together on a small private plane when they suddenly experi-enced engine trouble. Within a matter of minutes the pilot said, "This plane is going down. Furthermore, I have noticed we have

only three parachutes on board. I have a wife and children at home. They are expecting me for dinner." With that the pilot took a parachute and jumped. Immediately the busi-ness executive spoke up and said, "Some people think I am the smartest person on earth. If I should perish in this plane, it would be a great loss, not just to my company, but to the world." With that, he grabbed for a parachute and jumped. That's when that pastor turned to the Boy Scout and said, "Son, you are young and I am old. You have your life ahead of you. I've finished mine. Take the remaining parachute and jump." But the Boy Scout said, "Relax Reverend. The ‘smartest man in all the world’ just took my backpack think-ing it was a parachute." “When the Holy Spirit comes, He will teach you all things” (v. 26). Did you have a favorite teach-er? What was he or she like? Great teachers awaken us to possibilities, enlighten us to truth, sensitize us to others, and give us tools to carry on. The Holy Spirit is like a good teach-er.

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A Plane Running Out of Fuel!

In 1991 an Air Canada flight ran into big trouble. Passengers were enjoying an in-flight movie on the Boeing 767 when the jumbo jet's

massive engines abruptly stopped. At first only those without earphones on noticed anything. However, soon it was apparent the jet was in trouble. The pilot came on the speaker system and announced that Flight 143 would be making an emergency landing in a nearby aerodrome. The 69 people on board were trapped in an agonizingly slow but inescapable descent to earth. For several minutes a desperate silence hung over the cabin. Then fear gave way to screams of anxiety as the landing neared. All the latest technology could not keep the jumbo jet in the air. What had happened was this. The electronic digital fuel gauge was out of order. So the flight crew had depended on the figures given them by the refueling crew before takeoff. But someone on the refueling crew had confused pounds with kilograms. Therefore, eight hundred miles short of its destination, that mighty jet simply ran out of fuel and was forced to make an emergency landing. Fortunately no one was injured. A multimillion dollar airplane, headed in the right direction, but running out of fuel – that's what's happening to a lot of people today. They have everything in life going for them -- a new car, a wonderful home, a good education, and a good job -- and one day they wake up out of fuel. At the center of their lives there is emptiness. They don't know why they are living. There is nothing outside of themselves to live for. Don't let that happen to you.

Jesus tells us that the power for successful living comes from God. It is the promised gift that Jesus offers us. "Peace be with you," he says. "My peace I give to you, not as the world gives you. Let not your hearts be troubled, believe in God, believe also in me." Then Jesus promised his disciples of the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit (John 14:15 -21). This promise is part of the long "Farewell Discourse" near the end of John's Gospel. Jesus made this farewell to his disciples at their Last Supper, just prior to his arrest, crucifixion and resurrection. This long discourse is a unique summary of the mystery of the incarnation and the role of the Holy Spirit. God's promise of the Holy Spirit should not have been a mystery to the followers of Jesus who knew the Holy Scriptures. The origin of this promise can be traced to the Old Testament books of Jeremiah and Ezekiel. In the days of the prophets, God had promised to make a new Covenant [Jer. 31:31] with His people. He had promised to put His law within His people, writing it on their hearts, that He might be their God and they might be His people [Jer. 31:33]. He had also promised to put a new spirit within His people, to remove their heart of stone and to give them a heart of flesh [Ezek. 11:19, 18:31, 36:26]. And finally, God had promised to put His Spirit within His people to make them follow His statutes and be careful to observe His ordinances [Ezek. 36:27]. Paul tells us that this promise has been fulfilled: "Do you not know that you are God's Temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you?" [1 Cor. 3:16].

Sunday Reflections Domesticated Eagle

Once a tribal member who lived in a forest found an egg of an ea-gle, took it home and hatched it along with other chicken eggs. The eaglet started growing along with other chickens in the farm. It started eating mud, pecking and hop-ping here and there like the other chicks. But it never learned to fly like and eagle. One day as it was scratching the ground for food it saw an eagle majestically flying high in the sky. The eaglet started looking at it and admiring its grandeur when other chicks came to the eaglet and said, look that one is the eagle, the king of birds. You and I are chickens and we cannot fly like that eagle. Leave him alone and come let us go search for our food.

The poor eaglet, from then on, thought it was a chicken and lived like a chicken and never learned to fly.

A Christian who does not activate the Holy Spirit living within him or her is like the eaglet in the story who did not realize who it is and what it is capable of. The purpose of the indwelling Holy Spirit is to help us grow towards maturity and wholeness. We all have faults that prevent our growth: blocks of sin and imperfec-tion, blocks due to childhood conflicts, blocks due to deeply ingrained personality traits and habits, blocks caused by addictions, and blocks resulting from bad choices we have made. We all have these blocks within us and they keep us from becoming what God wants us to be. They prevent us from grow-ing into maturity and wholeness. God, the Holy Spirit, helps us to see the truth about ourselves, to dis-cern the blocks that inhibit our growth and to allow Him to transform us. Like the good counselor He is, the Spirit enables us to become stronger. The Holy Spirit comes to our aid and gives us the strength to make difficult and painful decisions. God’s Spirit ac-tually lives in us, and we hear the voice of the Spirit, counseling and guiding us in the way of truth. Let us open our minds to hear Him and to obey His prompt-ings. A Christian who does not activate the Holy Spirit living within him or her is like the eaglet in the story who did not realize who it is and what it is.

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Celebrating Our Faith: Liturgy

Join Us for Our Sunday Mass

Every Weekend

Join us every weekend for our Sunday Mass, via our

YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/c/StMatthiasSomersetNJ Our Mass will begin at 5 pm on Saturday evening, and you may celebrate with us at any time after that. The resources for the Mass are available on our website at: www.stmatthias.net/connect/Resources

Thank you to everyone who has subscribed to our YouTube channel. We have reached the 1,000 subscriber mark. We invite others to also subscribe.

Ascension Thursday Transferred to Sunday

This Year

The Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord for 2020 will be transferred this year from Thursday, May 21 to the following Sunday, May 24th. This change is in unity with the other dioceses in New Jersey, as well as most dioceses in the U.S.

Marian Prayer Service Our Marian Prayer Service, including the May Crowning, will continue be available for your prayer on our YouTube channel, www.youtube.com/c/StMatthiasSomersetNJ, throughout the month of May. The Prayer Service includes songs, scripture, reflection, the praying of the 5 Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary, and ends with the Crowning of Mary.

Discovering God: Formation

Some Stay-at-Home Faith Formation Ideas Teaching Catholic Kids.com is an online resource offered by Our Sunday Visitor. As an example, this week’s email issue has a lesson on the Praying the Rosary with kids!

Here’s one of the ideas:

Keep moving!

Who says the rosary can’t be fun? Take this idea of rosary hopscotch http://johnsonfamilytoday.blogspot.com/2012/09/rosary-hopscotch.html and make it your own. (I’m thinking of the old Twister mats I’ve seen floating around our playroom…) And talk about keeping the kids active while you pray… �

Two Apps from Renew International to Try—https://pages.renewintl.org/apps Pray the Gospels Based on Lectio Divina. Delve deeper into the Gospels and explore the Word of God. Using lectio divina, med-itate on the Scriptures, and discover how quiet contemplation helps your spiritual life.

Pray 2gether This app offers military families or ‘staying at home’ families an opportunity to connect and build their relation-ship with God and each other through prayer. Participants can read and reflect on a selection of Scripture or an aspect of the Catholic faith and share their reflection with the other members of the family.

Poet’s Corner:

Spiritual Direction Prayers/Poems

by Pat Leposa

How Long How long Will Covid-19 Hold us in its grasp, Paralyze the world? How long Before people Can return to work Children return to school, Families visit their loved ones, Nurses return to their homes? When, will life as we know it, Return to normal? How long Before. I can Leave this hideaway Go home Walk through my house, Sleep in my own bed See my friends Say Goodbye? How long, Lord Before I move On with my life? How long? Reflection/Questions 1. How has your Life been disrupted by the Pandemic? 2. What have you learned during the disruption, if carried into the near normal, will enrich your life?

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Discovering God: Formation

Welcome to Our New Families Who Have Joined St. Matthias School for 2020/2021!

St. Matthias School (SMS) is a caring, faith-filled, dynamic learning

environment, which continues to be a superior choice for the education of our children. The school office staff continues to correspond with parents who are interested in enrolling their children at St. Matthias. We are not standing still, but rather moving ahead. The work of planning for a vibrant and productive 2020-2021 school year is happening now. If you know of someone thinking about enrolling their child, encourage them to reach out to Mrs. Kosty, mkosty@stmatthiasnj.org, and/or Ms. Brett, ebrett@stmatthiasnj.org

We are very excited to welcome our new families who have already enrolled their children for the coming year. If you are wondering if SMS is a good fit for your child, please contact us as soon as possible. We do still have some openings and would be happy to discuss the benefits of an SMS education with you.

Being Good Stewards

Stewardship Reflection May 17, 2020 6th Sunday of Easter

"For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that be God’s will, than for doing evil.” (1 Peter 3:17)

The old line says “if you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans.” Many of us are diligent in our planning and making sure things are progressing smoothly. Then disaster strikes, we don’t get the result that was intended or an un-foreseen problem arises. Many times we may respond neg-atively and ask, “Why me? I did everything right!” Here’s the thing – adversity humbles us and reminds us of our de-pendence on God and not on our own self-reliance. Rest assured, God has a better plan in store for you.

Reflexiónes — 17 de mayo de 2020 60 domingo de Pascua

"Porque es mejor sufrir por hacer el bien, si es la voluntad de Dios, que por hacer el mal". (1 PEDRO 3:17) Un viejo dicho dice así: "si quieres hacer reír a Dios, cuéntale tus planes". Muchos de nosotros somos diligentes en nuestra planifica-ción y nos aseguramos de que las cosas progresen sin problemas. Luego ocurre un desastre, no obtenemos el resultado previsto o surge un problema imprevisto. Muchas veces podemos responder negativamente y preguntar: “¿Por qué a mí? ¡Hice todo bien! Aquí está la razón: la adversidad nos humilla y nos recuerda nuestra dependencia de Dios y no en nuestra autosuficiencia. Ten la segu-ridad de que Dios tiene un plan mejor para tí.

CARES Act Stimulus Checks for Those Who Do Not File A Tax Return

If you do not file an income tax return (those with gross income up to $12,200/single or $24,400/married couple - or other approved reasons), you will need to contact the IRS at https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/non-filers-enter-payment-info-here so you may receive your stimulus check, if eligible.

CARES Act: Donor Tax Incentives for Charitable Giving

For 2020, all taxpayers can deduct up to $300 in charitable contributions whether they itemize or use the standard deduc-tion. The existing cap for those who itemize has been raised from 60% to 100% of adjusted gross income. Details at:

https://diometuchen.org/cares-act

Stewardship Totals for Fiscal Year 2019-2020 2019-Last Year's Current Month Checks Parish Giving* Weekly Total Weekly Total

May 3, 2020 $8,128. $12,451.30 $20,579.30 $30,721.36

May 10, 2020 $9,571. $7,812.30 $17,383.30 $27,166.36

May 17, 2020 $0.00 $3,423.30 $3,423.30 $27,014.36

May 24, 2020 $0.00 $3,423.30 $3,423.30 $26,457.36

May 31, 2020 $0.00 $3,423.30 $3,423.30 $26,890.79

Month-to-date Total Monthly Total $48,232.50 $138,250.23

Year-to-date Total Year-to-date Total $1,172,466.29 $1,444,458.01

*Parish Giving donations may be given on a weekly or monthly basis. Once we receive the monthly donations, we record them across all of the weeks for that month. The weekly donations are added each week, as they are received.

668 Page 9 www.stmatthias.net May 17, 2020

Are You Shopping Online These Days?

Why not use this opportunity to help our school, by purchasing online Scrip cards before you place your shopping order? You will receive the gift card code online and then can type in the code to pay for your items on the store/restaurant’s website. We have cards for 275 venues!

Even if you plan to physically visit a store, you can print out the gift card at home. Then when you make your purchase, just hold up the sheet of paper and the cashier can scan it. No need for the cashier to touch your credit card nor to hand you cash back as change. Or you can view the code on your phone, and just hold up the phone for the cashier to scan.

1. Go to www.MyScripWallet.com 2. Click on “Create An Account” 3. Type in the following Enrollment Code: LE2E4F89388. Then follow the prompts. (You only need to enter the information that has an * next to it.) 4. Once you register, you will be able to purchase any cards you choose, and St. Matthias School will receive a rebate. Be sure to select “Scrip Now eCard” instead of “Physical card” so you receive the code online! (We are unable to deliver any physical cards at this time.) Thank you!

Caring for Others:

Online giving, through the “Parish Giving” platform is easy and helps our parish immensely since donations are deposited directly. You have total control over your donations and can make changes at any time.

Sign up on the new user-friendly webpage: https://www.parishgiving.org/index?e=0740DF6212A3A840460F81F43F516842EF35963AEE3BE292 If you have any questions or difficulties, call Parish Giving at 866-307-7140 and they will happily stay on the phone with you and verbally guide you as you enter the information online. Thank you!

Join Our 373 PARISHIONERS who have registered for Parish Giving!

Being Good Stewards

Adelaide Vertucci Luncheon & Tea Committee Presents Luncheonless Luncheon – Our Answer to the Covid-19 Pandemic

Dear Supporters and Friends, Thank you for all your help in the past 10 years in maintaining our scholarships for the Emusoi stu-dents. This year is a very different year. We’re asking for support even though we’re not able to gather for delicious food and excellent entertainment.

Pat Lawyer reached out to Sister Mary Vertucci to see how things were in Arusha. These are a couple of quotes:

“As far as I know we are all fine here. Tanzania had its first case of the virus in March. Right after the announcement Tanzania closed all the schools and all students had to go home. “We sent everyone home. The cost of bus fare was tremendous as we paid for the girls to come from school and then to go home.”

“I’m not so afraid of the girls getting the virus since it seems to be mainly in the city of Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar. But I wonder how many will get pregnant or parents will push them to get pregnant so they can leave school. Others will be married off. We told the girls if they meet trouble, they should contact us and ask for help.” The whole world has been turned upside down.”

(As you can see, help and prayers are needed. We’re reaching out with this “Lunchless Luncheon” to see if we can generate a little help. Normally, we would contribute food and money to the Scholarship Luncheon/Tea. If at all possible, please consider contributing a free will donation the way you would if you were donating food or attending the luncheon or both.)

Sincerely, Adelaide Vertucci Scholarship Tea Committee

All donations are to be made payable to “Maryknoll Sisters” & sent to: Maryknoll Sisters , P.O. Box 317, Maryknoll, NY 10545 Write “For Emusoi on Memo line.” (Do not make the check for Sr. Mary – no way to cash them. And do not make it out to the Rosary Altar Society.) Thank you.

668 Page 10 www.stmatthias.net May 17, 2020

Parish Registration — Welcome new members! Please register by calling the Parish

Baptism — Baptismal Preparation Sessions are held four times a year for registered parishioners. Please contact the parish office before the baby is born. The sacrament of Baptism is celebrated on the second and fourth Sunday of each month, except during Lent.

Marriage — Registered parishioners should contact the parish office a year before the desired wedding date. Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults The RCIA process is an opportunity for instruction and spiritual transformation for any adult seeking a deeper understanding of the Catholic tradition or

full incorporation into the Catholic Church. If you are interested in becoming a Catholic or completing the Sacraments of Initiation-- Baptism/Confirmation/Eucharist, please call the Parish Office. Stewardship Stewardship is a way of life, a way of thanking God for all our blessings by returning a portion of the time, talent and treasure allotted to us. Whether it is clothes for the poor, food for the hungry, outreach to youth, in education, in worship, or simply arms stretched out to someone who is lonely, the Catholic Community of St. Matthias encourages everyone to become stewards of the gifts they have been given by God, returning a portion in gratitude to God for the work of ministry

here at St. Matthias and beyond our local community.

St. Matthias School is a PreK3 through 8th grade school rooted in faith, inspired by love, and dedicated to academic

excellence. Before and After School Care Programs are available. Come visit! Contact 732-828-1402 to schedule a tour.

Bulletin Article Requests Please email proposed bulletin articles to bulletin@stmatthias.net by 6 pm, Wednesday, 10 days before the intended issue (earlier for holiday weekends).

Parish Leadership

About St. Matthias (please contact the staff members on the cover for up-to-date information)

Parish Pastoral Council, Co-Chairs: Tom Phalen, thomase phalen@gmail.com Nick Grippo nickgrippo@gmail.com

Tom Aussem

Denise Brown Anthony Ekhelar Lorraine Farr Gursam Felix Anne Marie Francis Liz Kiesche Jeanne Kollmer Claudine Langrin

Deborah Lesky Joe Percoco Marybeth Purcell Wina Reyes-Bruce Lisa Robinson Ana Kelly, Ex-Officio Fr. Abraham, Ex-Officio

Parish Finance Council: Joe Porter, Chair financecouncil @stmatthias.net Joe Porter, Chair Susan Klimcsak Barry Dusault Gwen Orlowski

Audrey Francis Kester Hector Denise Sawicki, Ex-Officio Fr. Abraham, Ex-Officio Trustees: Isaac Peng Marge Richards

State of New Jersey Job Portal

Do you need a temporary job or a new job? Visit: https://jobs.covid19.nj.gov This website currently lists over 57,000 jobs at 875 companies across the state of New Jersey that have immediate openings. The State of New Jersey is also looking to hire 7,000 “Contact Tracers”. This job is up to 35 hours/week and includes free training. Visit https://covid19.nj.gov/forms/tracer?fbclid=IwAR1mfqhtga_43zhDFAqIVX8tjjw8af4rB9a6YFMQOcNXfkv90-9FIOKZQPA

Franklin Township “Residents Helping Residents”

'Resident Helping Residents' is a grassroots bipartisan effort to support Franklin township residents who are

most vulnerable to the COVID-19 outbreak. The website allows people to reach out if they have a particular need and can't/shouldn't get out be-cause of their medical history, while at the same time, helping other residents volunteer to help their neighbors. Visit: https://residentshelpingre.wixsite.com/mysite

Donating Food to the Franklin Food Bank Due to the logistics of having to quarantine all food donations, the Food Bank is asking parishioners NOT to donate food at this time. Instead, they are accepting monetary donations. Visit www.franklinfoodbank.org for details.

From Our Local Community

“Catholic Spirit” On-Line Did you know that you can read our weekly diocesan newspaper, The Catholic Spirit, online for free? Just go to http://catholicspirit.com/e-edition.

If you prefer to read a print copy, you may also subscribe for $30.00/year.

Do You Need Help? Can You Offer Help?

Visit our parish website: www.stmatthias.net/connect/NeedHelpandOfferHelp

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