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Volume 3, Issue 4 Spring/Summer 2019

Dear Parishioners and Friends… Where has the past few months gone?

Summer is upon us and our Rosary Society has had a very faith-filled and productive year! This issue of our newsletter will focus on events that took place during the last several months and preview upcoming highlights. St. Pius the Tenth’s Rosary Society welcomes all women of the parish to join us in our ministry of fellowship and service. Our mission is to spread devotion to Mary, our Blessed Mother, through recitation of the Rosary, adornment of the altar with flowers and fine linens and works of charity. The Rosarians gather once a month, from September through June, in the Parish Hall or the Parish Meeting room off of the Narthex for the recitation of the Rosary and a brief business meeting followed by refreshments and social time. New members and guests are welcome!

Inside this Issue

Dear Parishioners pg. 1 January/February Events pgs. 2 - 3 March Events pgs. 4 - 5 April Meeting News pg. 5 May Events pgs. 6 - 7 June Events pgs. 8 - 9 Upcoming Events pgs. 10 - 11 In Memoriam pg. 11

Current Officers

President: Robin Caroselli Vice President: Pat Lucchesi

Secretary: Jacqueline Lopardo Treasurer: Elaine Tirella

Chaplain: Deacon Tony Martucci

Please consider joining the Rosary Altar Society. New members are always welcome to attend any of our meetings and will be greeted warmly and friendly. Being

a Rosarian honors Mary as the Mother in whose care Jesus has placed us, and our Lady’s blessings will be

without measure. To find out more information about the St. Pius X Rosary

Altar Society you can download our brochure: https://churchofstpius.org/documents/2018/5/RA

SBrochure_2018.pdf

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January – The Month of the Holy Name of Jesus

"The object of a New Year is not that we should have a new year. It is that we should have a new soul." - G. K. Chesterton

For the first time in two years the Rosary Society was able to meet on the first Saturday in January as

planned due to a relatively snowless winter. Rosarians met in the chapel at 8:00 a.m. for the First Saturday Prayer Service and Devotions, the recitation of the Rosary and a 15-minute reflection on the Mysteries of the Rosary beginning at 8:00 a.m. The business meeting followed in the Parish Hall at approximately 9 a.m. Every January, we have our annual “Birthright” Baby Shower. Our baby shower helps provide baby items for moms-to-be. Our own Lynne Monbleau, who is the Director of Ocean County’s Birthright , spoke a little about the organization explaining that it began in 1968 and now there are over 400 chapters assisting moms-to-be. Lynne also thanked everyone for their donations to this worthy cause.

February – Month of the Holy Family

"Unless a life is lived for others, it is not worthwhile." - Mother Teresa of Calcutta

How appropriate that Valentine’s Day falls during the Month of the Holy Family. Family is

love! Every February, we have our Rosarian Valentine Tea. This year it

took place on February 2nd. All in attendance had a wonderful time enjoying delicious goodies and making very beautiful valentines for the residents of Spring Oak Assisted Care in Forked River. Pictures of this meeting can be found on the following page…

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March – The Month of St. Joseph

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." - Galatians 5:22-23a

On Saturday, March 2nd, in lieu of our regular meeting, we sponsored a free continental

breakfast for the parish. Our guest speaker, Father Nicholas Gregoris, spoke about Saint Joseph in honor of his March 19th Feast Day. Father Nicholas Gregoris is a founding member of the Priestly Society of Blessed John Henry Cardinal Newman and managing editor of "The Catholic Response." We all had a truly blessed day and thoroughly enjoyed Father Nick’s inspiring talk.

An event such as this involves the work of many to make it truly special. Our, President, Robin Caroselli, works to ensure that all of our events are Christ-centered and works tirelessly to see that all runs smoothly. Special thanks to Annie Chanik, Mary Granahan, Pat Luchessi, Fran Kopack and all the Rosarians who brought in delicious goodies for our breakfast. Everyone enjoyed this very special event! Thank you to Mary Granahan and Joanna Granahan-Smith who brought in the beautiful centerpieces designed by Wendy Burkhardt of The Forgotten Room in Forked River. The beautiful St. Joseph’s table is pictured below. Mary gave a brief talk on the meaning of the items on the table. Also, many thanks goes to Elaine Tirella, who brought in the statue of St. Joseph for display and to Jackie Lopardo and Elaine Tirella for the prayer card donations.

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March is also the time we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. Each year our parish hosts a

St. Patrick’s and St. Joseph’s Dinner/Dance that the Rosarians contribute to with a gift basket to be raffled off at the dinner. This year’s basket was a spring themed basket. Many thanks to all who contributed to and assisted in this endeavor!

April – the month of the Holy Eucharist

"Listen, I am standing at your door and knocking. If you can hear me, open the door so I can come in and eat dinner with you." - Revelation 3:20

Easter Plant Sale

The Altar Rosary Society is grateful to all in our parish who supported its annual Easter Plant Sale and

Gert’s Bake Shop on the weekend of March 13 and 14, Palm Sunday. Parishioners stocked up on a selection of potted Easter lilies, daffodils, hyacinths, hydrangeas, tulips and fresh baked goods. We thank all parishioners for their continued support. Our fundraising efforts are used to purchase items for the altar as needed. May God bless you and your families!

April - Retreat Weekend

San Alfonso Retreat House is a Redemptorist spiritualty center, situated on eight beautiful acres

overlooking the Atlantic Ocean in Long Branch. Its outdoor shrines, prayer garden, green lawn, beautiful chapels, and comfortable accommodations have been “HOLY GROUND” for laity, religious, and clergy for almost 90 years. It is truly a place to experience the presence of God and to reflect on the action of God in one’s life. Some of our Rosarians participated in a weekend retreat on April 26 –

28. The theme of this year’s retreat was - A Reflection: Being Called to Holiness. Those that attended had a spiritually rewarding time. Many thanks to our own Peggy Craft for organizing this event.

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May – the month of The Blessed Virgin Mary In the days that followed the Lord’s resurrection, the Apostles stayed together, comforted by Mary’s presence, and after the ascension, they persevered with her in prayerful expectation of Pentecost. Our Lady was a mother and teacher to them, a role that she continues to play for Christians of all times… - Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI

The month of May is traditionally dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. May is a month of growth, when nature

is reborn. This month normally belongs to the Easter season, between Easter and Pentecost. The tradition of dedicating the month of May to Our Lady is centuries old, dating back at least 700 years. In classic western culture, both Greek and Roman, May was connected with the beginning of new life. This ancient belief led to May being associated with the motherhood of Mother Earth and thus to motherhood in general. It is for this reason that Mother’s Day is celebrated in May in many countries. This connection between May and motherhood led Christians to adopt May as the month of our Lady, the Mother of God and our heavenly Mother. She brought life into the world by giving birth to her Son, Jesus, who brought about a new spring. Because of our strong love and devotion to Our Blessed Mother, the Rosary Altar Society, along with some of our new Communicants, honored St. Mary at the 10:00 a.m. Mass on May 12th with a May Crowning. Each First Communicant who participated received a “Goody Bag” prepared by our Rosarians.

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May – the month of The Blessed Virgin Mary - continued

To further honor our Blessed Mother our Rosary Society led Marian Devotions each

Wednesday during May in Mary’s Garden. All parishioners were invited to join us in Mary’s Garden at 6:00 p.m. to pray a decade of the rosary and to pray the Litany of Loreto, a popular prayer of supplication, once prayed in processions to atone for sins and to prevent calamities. Pilgrims at the famous Marian Shrine in Loreto, Italy used it in the 16th century, and it was approved in 1587 by Pope Sixtus V. It is good, and comforting to remember when praying the Litany to the Blessed Virgin Mary, that, as St. Bernard once said, “Mary has made herself all to all, and opens her merciful heart to all, that all may receive of her fullness: the sick- health; those in affliction - comfort; the sinner - pardon, and God - glory.”

On May 20th, eleven Rosarians attended a “Day of Prayer” at San Alfonso’s in Long

Branch. Father McGowan gave an inspirational talk regarding everyone’s call to holiness. The San Alfonso Retreat House offers retreats in the Roman Catholic tradition under the guidance of the Redemptorists Fathers and Brothers. It is a serene location at the Jersey Shore offering a spiritual place to "come away for a while" and enjoy time with the Holy Spirit. Thank you, Joan Carville, for organizing this event!

"The Son of God became man for our salvation but only in Mary and through Mary." - Saint Louis Marie de Montfort

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June – the month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. - Ezekiel 36:26

June 6th was our final meeting of the year during which we installed all who have joined the Rosary

Altar Society over the past year, as well as any members who have never been formally inducted. Father Richard Basznianin led the installation with Robin Caroselli, President, during a beautiful service.

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June – continued.

Immediately following the induction, a business meeting was held in the Church’s Meeting

Room. Refreshments were served and a presentation was given by Valentino (Val) and Rosaria (Rose) Frattaroli regarding the Network of Prayers to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. Since Jesus is present in the Blessed Sacrament of the altar, day and night, we can always respond to Jesus’ love with short prayers from wherever we are. Members of the Rosary Altar Society signed up for different hours of the day to remember Jesus in prayer – how fitting to honor Jesus and his Sacred Heart! We can all do this and, by doing so, fulfill what St. Paul said in 1 Thessalonians 5: 16 – 18.

16 Rejoice always; 17 pray without ceasing; 18 in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Prayerfully consider choosing a time during the day, or night, to turn your hearts and minds to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. By doing so, we, as a community, are praying unceasingly.

Prayer: May the Heart of Jesus, in the Blessed Sacrament, be praised, adored and loved with grateful affection, at every moment, in all the tabernacles of the world, even to the end of time. O Sacrament Most Holy, O Sacrament Divine, all praise and all thanksgiving be every moment thine: Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be …

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Rosary by the Bay

The Rosary Altar Society invites all parishioners to join

us for a Rosary by the Bay. This event will take place on Thursday, August 8th following Benediction in the Chapel. Recitation of the Rosary will be said in the Sun Rise Beach Pavilion at approximately 7:30 p.m. (Rain date is 8/15). The boat ramp is located at the end of Capstan Drive, Forked River. Our Lady of Fatima said, “Pray the Rosary daily.” Please join us in prayer.

Welcome Back Meeting

Our first meeting of 2019 – 2020 will take place

on Thursday, September 5th. We first gather to recite the Rosary in the back of the Church at 6:30 p.m. This is followed by Benediction in the Chapel at 7:00 p.m. Our formal meeting usually begins by 7:15 p.m. in the church’s meeting room off the Narthex. Coffee, tea and delicious goodies are always available. Dues are only $5.00 per year. Please join us for a spiritually enriching experience. All women of our parish are welcomed to join our Rosary Altar Society. You won't be disappointed. It's such a special way to Honor our Blessed Mother.

Day of Prayer Retreat

On Monday, September 9th, the Rosary Altar Society

is sponsoring a Day of Prayer at St. Alphonso’s in Long Branch. Saint Alfonso’s Retreat House is a Redemptorist spiritualty center, situated on eight beautiful acres overlooking the Atlantic Ocean in Long Branch. The cost for this one-day retreat is $35. Checks should be made out to St. Alphonso’s Retreat House. Those interested in attending should meet at 8:00 a.m. in the church parking lot. Carpooling is available. The day-long retreat begins at 9:00 a.m. with a continental breakfast, morning prayer, a talk, mass and lunch. There is personal time in the afternoon. Those interested in attending can call the parish office, 609-693-5107 and ask for Joan Carville who is organizing this event.

Save the Date

Sponsored by St. Pius X Rosary Altar Society

to benefit the Church of St. Pius X

Saturday, June 6, 2020 St. Pius X Parish Hall

Doors Open at 5:00 PM

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2019 Rosary Altar Society Calendar

Day Date Time/Location Event Thursday Aug. 8 (Rain

Date – Aug. 15) 7:15 p.m.

Sunrise Beach Gazebo

Rosary by the Bay

Thursday

September 5

6:30 p.m. Rosary in Church

7:00 p.m. Benediction in Chapel

7:15 p.m. Meeting Room

Welcome Back Meeting

Monday September 9 St. Alfonso’s Retreat House – Long Branch

Day of Prayer

Wednesday October 2, 9, 16, 23, 30

Mary’s Garden or Chapel October Devotions to Our Lady of the Rosary

Thursday October 3 7:15 p.m. – Meeting Room

RAS Meeting

Sunday October 6 10 a.m. Mass Communion Breakfast to Honor St. Mary

Thursday November 7 7:15 p.m. – Meeting Room

RAS Meeting

Thursday December 5 7:15 p.m. – Parish Hall Meeting and Christmas Party

Sat/Sun Dec. 14/15 After all Masses Gert’s Bake Shop, Cookie Walk and Poinsettia Sale

1st Saturday Devotion Rosary said after 8am Mass 1st Sunday following first Saturdays after 10am Mass. Recite 1 decade of the Rosary with our youth Tuesdays (1st, 2nd, 3rd & 5th) – Rosary at Spring Oak Assisted Living Wednesdays (10 a.m. & 6:30 p.m.) Divine Mercy Chaplet at Spring Oak Assisted Living

The Rosary Altar Society is so very grateful to everyone for supporting our fundraisers this year. All monies raised provide the financial and

moral support needed to continue our mission to support and care for our Lord’s House, our parish, and benefits us all.

We also extend our heartfelt thanks to our pastor, Father Richard Basznianin, and all in the Parish Office, for encouraging and allowing

us to serve in so many ways. God bless your kindness.

June Oppici

June 30, 1936 ~ June 8, 2019

We also remember Gladys C. Schweinfurth, a dear friend and active

supporter of the Rosary Society, who passed away on May 28, 2019.