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45 Anderson Street; Raritan, NJ 08869 • Tel. (908) 725-1008 • Fax (908) 707-1915
St. Ann School: 29 Second Avenue; Raritan, NJ 08869 • Tel. (908) 725-7787 • Fax (908) 541-9335
St. Ann Convent: 29 Second Avenue; Raritan, NJ 08869 • Tel. (908) 725-2256
FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT—MARCH 6, 2016
M��� S�����: Daily: Monday-Friday: 7:00am and 7:00pm
Saturday: 9:00am
Weekend: Saturday Vigil: 4:00pm
Sunday: 7:30am, 9:00am, 10:30am, and 12 Noon
Holy Days: Under Upcoming Events or within the church
bulletin
C���������: Saturday: 9:30am-10:00am & 3:00-3:45pm
P����� R�����������: Any new family who has moved into the parish, or adult
children 18 and over, are invited to register at our par ish after
any Sunday Mass or visit the rectory 8am to 4pm Monday through
Friday. Also, please notify us if you move.
S�. A�� S����� R����������� - Pre-K to 8th grade:
Our dedicated and experienced faculty are committed to providing
a quality education focused on Faith, Family and Community.
Call us at 908-725-7787 for more information, to visit our school
or to register your child(ren).
P����� R������� E������ P������ (PREP): Grades 1-8: Monday: 6:15pm to 7:30pm
Grades 1-7: Thursday: 6:15pm to 7:30pm
Special Needs PREP: Grades 1-8: Tuesday: 6pm-7pm
For more information and Registration packet, please call
Sr. Phyllis in the rectory.
E��������� G�����: St. Ann’s offers parishioners the opportunity to make Online
Church contributions! Log onto www.stannparish.com, then
scroll down, and click on St. Ann Parish Online Donation System.
You will be connected to a secure site where you may enter your
information. Thank you for your continued support!
R.C.I.A.: We welcome all individuals who wish to become members of the
Catholic Church as well as baptized Catholics who never received
their First Communion or Confirmation and are interested in
becoming full participants in the Catholic faith to contact
M��������: The common policy of marriage requires that arrangements be
made at least One Year before the date of marriage and before
any social plans are made. Bride or Groom must be a parishioner.
Please do not make any arrangements until you have met with the
pastor, Msgr. Corona, and the wedding date has been approved.
B������: First Sunday of the month at the Noon Mass, as well as the
second, third and fourth Sunday at 1:30pm. Instruction for new
parents takes place on the second Saturday of the month at 10am.
Arrangements are made with the rectory.
S������� G��������: Must be 18 years old, registered as an adult and be confirmed in
the Catholic Church. If you are married, your marriage must be
recognized by the church. This is especially important if you
wish to be a sponsor for Confirmation or a Godparent for
Baptism. It takes 6 months of attending Mass to be eligible for
both of these privileges.
L�"��� M������#: Lazarus Ministry contacts and helps families of deceased parish-
ioners. Providing greeters at funeral liturgies, preparing meals
and house sitting are several ways parishioners assist families.
Also, a Mass of Remembrance is held every November for those
deceased that year.
M������# �� ��� S��$: Parishioners who are homebound are visited on the first Friday of
each month by our Deacons & Religious. If you know of a parish-
ioner that is seriously ill or hospitalized, please call the rectory.
“L�$� �” �� F���(��$: Please join us on Facebook. Our Church Facebook page includes
important information concerning activities and special dates.
Please LIKE US at The Catholic Church of St. Ann-Raritan, NJ.”
P����� M������ S��������
Inspired by the Holy Spirit, we the Catholic Parish of St. Ann
embrace all as family & continue Christ's mission by exemplify-
ing the love of God & neighbor as stewards of God's gifts to us.
Rev. Msgr. Michael J. Corona, PA, KCHS, Pastor
Rev. John J. Werner, Parochial Vicar
Deacon John R. Pacifico, Permanent Deacon
Deacon Conrad Paulus, Permanent Deacon
Deacon Roy Rabinowitz, Permanent Deacon
Sr. Dolores Toscano, M.P.F., Superior / Pastoral Associate
Sr. Mary Klersey, M.P.F., Principal
Sr. Phyllis Vella, M.P.F., Director of Religious Education
www.stannparish.com
Email: [email protected]
we all Know One, have Been One, or are Waiting For One to come home
FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT—MARCH 6, 2016
Dear Sisters and Brothers,
Ravensbrück was the only major Nazi concentration camp specifically for women. Between 1939 and 1945, over a hundred and thirty thousand women and children passed through the camp. Up to fifty thousand are estimated to have died in the camp itself, perhaps even more. It is thought that more women died because of disease, starvation and over-work than in the gas chambers themselves. An unknown prisoner wrote what has come to be known as the Ravens-brück prayer, found scrawled on a piece of wrapping paper when the camp was liberated by Soviet troops. It runs: “Lord, remember not only the men and women of goodwill, but all those of ill will. Do not only remember all the suffer-ings they have subjected us to. Instead, remember the fruits we brought forth thanks to this suffering---our comradeship, our loyalty, our humility, our courage and generosity, the greatness of heart that all of this inspired. And when they come to judgement, let all those fruits we have borne be their forgiveness.”
The Ravensbrück prayer asks God to remember all people ---good and bad alike. It does not ask for vengeance but that God remember not just their sufferings but also their humanity, which survived through it all---in their friendship, loyalty and courage . The prayer bravely asks that this sacred remembrance bear the fruit of forgiveness.
Remembering is at the heart of today’s Scripture Les-sons---the kind of remembering that is healing, life-giving. In the first Lesson, the people of Israel have kept alive the memory of home amidst the long years of slavery in Egypt. They have arrived at the borders of the promised land, ready to come home. The Lord has remembered his ancient prom-ise to Abraham to grant his descendants this land, and the people, too, have remembered their covenant with God. Their dignity as God’s people is restored.
We see the same dynamic at work in the Gospel Les-son of the so-called prodigal son, though with a twist. The younger son is indeed prodigal---wasteful and dissolute. He has forgotten his father, his family and even his faith as he is reduced to working as a swineherd---something no faithful Jew would consider. It is there, at his lowest ebb, that he “comes to his senses”: he remembers, and the key thing he
remembers is his father---his father’s house, his father’s goodness, his father’s love. It proves to be a saving memory for the boy as he returns home to seek his father’s forgiveness. But it is in fact the Father who proves to be prodigal---in the sense of extravagant---running out to meet his son, embracing him and restoring his dignity in the symbols of the ring, the robe and the sandals.
The twist is that Jesus told this story to the scribes and Pharisees who were grumbling that Jesus was mixing with tax collectors and sinners and eating with them. They are represented in the figure of the elder son who cannot counte-nance forgiving the younger son. He can only remember the wrongs his brother has committed, and so he is unable to forgive.
I believe we are invited to bring resolution to this unfinished story. It is unfinished because we do not know what the elder son did next. The father stands outside the house pleading with him to enter and join the celebration. As the camera fades out, we are left wondering what the elder son will do, and more importantly: what will I do? Jesus poses this startling challenge to us: will you embrace the way of forgiveness in your own life, and so join the celebration of God’s mercy, or do you prefer to stay outside, clinging to your memory of hurts, anger and offences?
This year is a Jubilee Year of Mercy. Pope Francis invites us to come in and join the celebration of God’s prodi-gal, extravagant mercy. The motto of this Jubilee Year is “Merciful like the Father”, and we are invited “not to judge or condemn but to forgive and to give love and forgiveness without measure”. Pope Francis is fond of saying that God never tires of offering us mercy; it is we who tire of asking for it. God is indeed a prodigal Father who today pleads with each of us not to remember our hurts, but rather to remem-ber His love and join in the dance of His mercy.
In your charity, pray for the sick and the lonely—visit them if you can. Please remember to pray for all who have wandered from the Faith and all who have died. Also, pray for the souls of the faithful departed of our Parish family.
May God always be pleased with us!
Monsignor MichaelMonsignor MichaelMonsignor MichaelMonsignor Michael
OUR SCRIPTURE LESSONS REMIND US:
that…the Ravensbrück Prayer asks that God’s remembering will bring forth forgiveness for those who committed atrocities;
that…the Lord remembers his promise to his people; they remember their covenant with Him;
that…the younger son remembers his father---and this is what brings him home; in contrast, the elder son remembers the
wrong things;
and that…we are invited to remember God’s love and so be caught up in His mercy.
May God always be pleased with us. Amen!
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH OF ST. ANN, RARITAN
MONDAY, MARCH 7, 2016
7am JOSEPH & MARILYN TOSCANO by Sr. Dolores Toscano
7pm ROSEANN CORONA by Msgr. Corona
TUESDAY, MARCH 8, 2016 7am MARIA GRAZIA LOPREATO by Saverio & Caterina Todarello
7pm VICTOR ASCENSAO by wife, Anna
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9, 2016 7am PASQUALE RUFFA by Isabella Ruffa
Luigi FALZANANO by Alberto & Antoinette Falco
NO 7PM MASS: INTENTION AT 7AM. THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2016
7am FILIPPA ROMANO by Joseph LoGullo
7pm PETER & STEPHEN CZOCK by Theresa Walakonis
FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 2016
7am GREGORIO CURELLO by Isabella Ruffa
7pm PATRICIA GROMKO by Janet Majeki SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 2016
9am Special Intention for Vincenza Greco. In Honor of Padre Pio & Santo Gregorio
4pm ROSARIO GRECO by Domenico Natale
SUNDAY, MARCH 13, 2016 7:30am PEOPLE OF THE PARISH 9am HAROLD & ANN LUKAS by Diane Clim
10:30am MATTHEW & ANTHONY ORLANDO, JR. by Orlando family
12 noon CARLO & TERESA TRUPPI by Pasquale & Civita Truppi
Sunday Jos 5:9a, 10-12; 2 Cor 5:17-21; Lk 15:1-3, 11-32
Monday Is 65:17-21; Jn 4:43-54
Tuesday Ez 47:1-9, 12; Jn 5:1-16
Wednesday Is 49:8-15; Jn 5:17-30
Thursday Ex 32:7-14; Jn 5:31-47
Friday Wis 2:1a, 12-22; Jn 7:1-2, 10, 25-30
Saturday Jer 11:18-20; Jn 7:40-53
READINGS FOR WEEK OF MARCH 6, 2016
Total: KK..KK $ 9,075.18
Envelope Offerings: $ 7,154.00
Net Charge Offerings: $ 1,184.18
Loose Offering: $ 737.00 Poor Box: $ 253.21
Thank you for your generosity to our parish. “...where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” Luke 12:34
PRAYER LIST
MASS INTENTIONS
Let Us Remember...In our prayers, the men and women serving in our Nation’s Armed Forces.
May God bless them & keep them safe.
Pray for the souls of those who have given their lives in service to our country.
Maj Michael A. De Cicco; U.S. Army Victor Dulay, Jr.; U.S. Marine Corps LCpl Matthew John; U.S. Marine Corps PFC Gavin John; U.S. Marine Corps CW4 Michael Lopez, Jr. PFC Vincenzo Mattei; U.S. Army Maj Michael Morella; U.S. Army Sgt Dan Neville; U.S. Marine Corps
SPC Keith Ressa; U.S. Army PFC Daniel J. Salvo; U.S. Marine Corps
Cpl Jonathan Schultes; U.S. Marine Corps LtCol Louis P. Simon; U.S. Marine Corps
PFC Jerome C. Sunga; U.S. Army Jack Vara; U.S. Marine Corps
Sgt Janet Wyka; U.S. Army 1st Lt Kaitlyn Zimmitti; U.S. Air Force
OUR MILITARY
BISHOP’S ANNUAL APPEAL—GRACE,MERCY&PEACE
How do we, as Catholics know if our voting habits align with
Church teachings and the Gospel message? And how can we
come to better understand why we believe what we say we
believe? For busy Catholics who want clear, concise and focused
answers, the Diocese of Metuchen’s public policy newsletter,
Faith in Action, is the answer.
Your gift to the Bishop’s Annual Appeal helps to make this
quarterly online publication available to all.
To date, the Development Department has received payments
totaling $ 48,633.74. This represents 95.1% of your goal.
Thank you for your efforts
Sandra Ay
Patrick Bliss
Yolanda Bontempo
Michael Brennan
Chester Butkiewicz
Joanmarie Carlone
Anna Carra
Albert Charles
Bruno Cirianni
Mark Cusati
Michele D’Angelo
Angela DeFina
Joseph DeLucia
Mary Ann DeMaio
Lydia DiGiuseppantonio Catherine (Trina) DuMont
Leah E.
Sage Escalante
Vincent Facciola
Mike Faccone
Carmela (Millie) Fasano
Mary & Richard Felice
Mike Fogorty
Susan Foti
Maria Fusca
Teresa Galaini
Anthony Gambino
Elizabeth Gecik
Eleanor Giraldi
Angela Grande
Harold Grasso
Leonard Grasso, Sr.
Ruth Gulick
James & Sadie Holmes
Doris Kelco
Bernadette Laggini
Barbara Langon
Anthony Luzminda
Eric M.
MaryAnn Mangiaracina
Frank Marrone
Rosalie Marrone Mark Marshall
Bridget Marshall
Giovanna Martini
Patrick Mastice
Louis Mattei
Nicoletta N.
Nancy Natale
Margaret O’Donnell
Olga Orlando
Dottie Pacifico
Frances Peebles
Angie Romano
Loni Rose
Cosette Ruh Marianne San Filippo Sanbeda Santos
Phyllis Serafin
Mary Shallanberger
Cathy Stinziano
Frank & Lucille Sudano
Dolores Talamini
Tommarie Tibaldi
Anthony Tomaro
Gianna Torgrimsen
Anthony Tracchio
Carolyn Trepiccio
Marie Vale
Maria Varvaro
Richard Vetack
Vincent Viscariello
Angela White
Ron Wyka
Antonia Y.
Lisa Yoder
���� This Week of March 6, 2016
WE REMEMBER AND HONOR ����
ST. JOSEPH LAMP
� MARCELLO PECORIELLO �
Requested by Calo family
I.I.I.I.
Rebecca Kowal & Edward Kozic
Joseph Cerlito Joseph Cerlito Joseph Cerlito Joseph Cerlito son of
Mr. & Mrs. Roberto Cerlito
February 2016—Baptism
Our children are only ever lent to us. We never know just how long we will be able to keep them for. So kiss them, cuddle them, praise them & hold them tightly.
But most of all…. Tell them you Love them Everyday.
FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT—MARCH 6, 2016
MINISTRY SCHEDULE SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 2016
4pm A���� S������: Georgina Ianne1a, Juliet & Seth Krupa
R����: Carol Werner
EucharisLc Ministers: Theresa Walakonis & Jim Werner
����������
SUNDAY, MARCH 13, 2016
7:30am A���� S������: Doug Sullivan
R����: Jim Janci
E��������� M��������: Jo-Ann Liptak & Victor Nazario
9am A���� S������: Angelina Basilone, Veronica Dryl,
Grace Giordano & Amanda Sullivan
R����: Rebecca Dryl
E��������� M��������: Stephanie Kedziora & Jeanne Paulus
10:30am A���� S������: Tyler Gee, Randy Behn & Carly Rodriguez
R����: Lucas Pick
EucharisLc Ministers: Jose & Debbie Blanco
12 noon A���� S������: Morgan Hill, Danielle Licht &
Damian Searchwell
R����: Silvia Sorace
E��������� M��������: Tess & Ness Tirol
Looking for a good place for breakfast?
~~ MARCH 13 ~~ 8-11am ~~ St.Ann’sSchoolcafeteria
Adults: $8 ~~ Kids (5-14): $5 Kids (under 5): FREE
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS PARISH BREAKFAST
SUNDAY, MARCH 6 4�� S��# �� L���
M���: 7:30am + 9am + 10:30am + 12N
All Masses: 2nd Collec�on: Diocesan Assessment
All Masses: Food Drive
9am Mass: First Communion families
9am Mass: Rosary Altar Society Corporate
10am: Rosary Altar Society mee ng (cmr)
12n Mass: Confirma on Candidates
1-2:30pm: Confirma on Candidates session (sc)
1:30-5pm: CYM Basketball Games (sg)
7pm: Bingo (sc)
MONDAY, MARCH 7 D� !" M���: 7am & 7pm
5-9pm: CYM Basketball prac ce (sg)
6:15-7:30pm: PREP (s)
TUESDAY, MARCH 8 D� !" M���: 7am & 7pm
5-8:30pm: Choir Rehearsal (cl)
6-7pm: Special Needs PREP (s)
7-8:45pm: RCIA mee ng (sl)
7:30pm: BINGO (sc)
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9 D� !" M���: 7am
NO 7pm MASS or Choir Rehearsal
5-9pm: CYM Basketball prac ce (sg)
7pm: Parish Penance Service
THURSDAY, MARCH 10 D� !" M���: 7am & 7pm
3:30-6pm: Faith Forma on Teleconferencing (cmr)
5-9pm: CYM Basketball prac ce (sg)
6:15-7:30pm: PREP (s)
FRIDAY, MARCH 11 D� !" M���: 7am & 7pm
1:15pm: School Children’s StaAons of the Cross (c)
5-9pm: CYM Basketball prac ce (sg)
7:30pm: Sta ons of the Cross (c)
SATURDAY, MARCH 12
D� !" +���: 9am ++ Vigil Mass: 4 pm
C/012�� /0�: 9:30am & 3pm DAY LIGHT SAVINGS TIME
7am-1:30pm: Rosarians March Morning of Prayer (cmr)
9am-6pm: CYM Basketball Playoffs (sg)
4pm Mass: 2nd Collec�on: Maintenance & Grounds
SUNDAY, MARCH 13, 2016 5�� S��# �� L���
M���: 7:30am + 9am + 10:30am + 12N
All Masses: 2nd Collec�on: Maintenance & Grounds
8am-11am: Knights of Columbus Parish Breakfast (sc)
9am Mass: Girl Scout Sunday (girls meet 8:30am in cmr)
1:30-5pm: CYM Basketball Games (sg)
7pm: Bingo (sc)
1:15pm 1:15pm 1:15pm 1:15pm (Lead by School children)
March 11 & 23 onlyMarch 11 & 23 onlyMarch 11 & 23 onlyMarch 11 & 23 only
STATIONSTATIONSTATIONSTATIONS S S S OF OF OF OF THE THE THE THE
CROSSCROSSCROSSCROSS
SUNDAY, MARCH 13 ~ 9 AM MASS
~ TROOP 60161~
If you are a parishioner of St. Ann
Church & in a Girl Scout Troop—
you are invited to attend Mass &
wear your vest/uniform.
W� ���� !"#�$ �% "#� &#'$&# (!)�*�%" !" 8:30 AM.
If you plan to attend or have any questions, please contact MaryAnn at [email protected]
WEDNESDAY, WEDNESDAY, WEDNESDAY, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9 ~ 7:00 PMMARCH 9 ~ 7:00 PMMARCH 9 ~ 7:00 PMMARCH 9 ~ 7:00 PM
GIRL SCOUT SUNDAY
So you are not late for Mass, So you are not late for Mass, So you are not late for Mass, So you are not late for Mass, on Saturday, March 12 at 2amon Saturday, March 12 at 2amon Saturday, March 12 at 2amon Saturday, March 12 at 2am
EVERY FRIDAYEVERY FRIDAYEVERY FRIDAYEVERY FRIDAY 7:30pm7:30pm7:30pm7:30pm
ROSARY ALTAR SOCIETY All are invited to…..
MARCH MORNING OF PRAYER
Special Guest Speaker:Special Guest Speaker:Special Guest Speaker:Special Guest Speaker: PPPPATATATAT SSSSTEVENSTEVENSTEVENSTEVENS
Saturday, M���� 12 ~~ 8:30-12 noon
8:30 AM: Rosary (c) ~~ 9:00 AM: Mass
Following Mass: ConLnental Breakfast (cmr)
A=er Breakfast: Speaker Guest Pat Stevens (cmr)
$10 DonaLon is requested for non-Rosarian guests.
More info or to reserve your seat, contact Laura 908-707-8535
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH OF ST. ANN, RARITAN
MERCIFUL LIKE THE FATHER
3 D�# E������� [��� Mercy~~March 31—April 2
St. John Neumann Pastoral Center; 146 Metlars Lane; Piscataway ~Come & experience the life-changing effects of God’s Mercy~
Presenters…Fr. Mariusz Koch, CFR, Lori Bragg Harris, Theresa Bonapartis & Msgr. Joseph G. Celano ♦ March 31: 7-9pm: “God’s Mercy: the Beating Heart of the Gospel” ♦ April 1: 7-9pm: “Mercy: Fundamental Law that Dwells in the
Compassionate Heart” April 2: 8:30am-6pm: - Vigil Mass of Divine Mercy - “Mercy: The Road that Leads to the Father” - “Open Wide the Door to Mercy” - “Take up the Joyful Call to Mercy”
$40/pp Lunch included ($45 after March 11) Register: www.diometuchen.org/evangelizationevents ~ 732-562-1990 x.1634
CHRISM MASS
Monday, March 21 ++ 7:30 pm
Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi; Metuchen Bishop Paul G. Bootkoski will celebrate the Chrism Mass with the priests of the Diocese. At this Mass, the Bishop will bless the Holy Oils which each parish receives for the rites of anointing. St. Ambrose [340-397] began this custom—which we now call the Chrism Mass—in his Cathedral in Milan. These Holy Oils, which are used to sanctify the Faithful, have been channels of holiness for centuries! ♦ Oil of Catechumens: Used to anoint the chest of infants & hands
of adults before their Baptism.
♦ Oil of the Sick: Used on the forehead &
hands of the infirm in the Sacrament of
the Anointing of the Sick.
♦ Sacred Chrism: Used to anoint the head of the newly
baptized, the foreheads of confirmandi, the hands of a priest
at his ordination, the head of a bishop at his ordination, & the
altar & walls of new churches.
At the Mass, all priests make a Renewal of Commitment to Priestly Service, recommitting themselves to their Bishop & to their ministry to God & His People; the Bishop & all Priests then ask the people for a pledge of their prayerful support.
All are strongly encouraged to join in the ancient, grace-filled Chrism Mass
FESTA MEETING Thursday, April 7 at 7:45pm
Rectory Meeting Room Anyone who is interested in the FESTA should attend.
To RSVP or more Info: [email protected]
KITCHEN VOLUNTEERS NEEDED for FESTA
♦ Someone to be in-charge of the kitchen at night.
♦ General Kitchen help during the day or night.
If you are able to volunteer your time, please contact Donna at [email protected]
DAY OF PRAYER FOR WOMEN
Hosted by The Religious Teachers Filippini……...
OASIS 2016 April 16 ~~ 9:30am-3pm ~~
Registration: $10.00 (by April 8) Spend a day of spiritual reflection & renewal with women from all over New Jersey. Speaker, Msgr. Sam Sirianni
The day includes:
∗ At Villa Walsh, there are 125 acres of peace, 2 chapels, outdoor Stations of the Cross.
∗ Bring a lunch. Beverages will be available throughout the day.
∗ Handicapped accessible
∗ Religious Gift Shop
To Register mail a check including your phone # to:
Sr. Lucille Pezzlo, MPF; Villa Walsh;
455 Western Ave; Morristown , NJ 07960
[email protected] ~ 732-538-2886 ~ www.filippiniusa.org/
♦ Eucharistic Adoration
♦ Mass
♦ Reconciliation
♦ Rosary &/or Stations
♦ Quiet time for prayer &
worship
Saturday, APRIL 9 Doors open at 5pm ~ 1st Ticket pulled at 7pm
Tickets are on sale NOW! Reserved Seating ~~ Adults ONLY
Admission: $20, includes 1 sheet of regulars (25 tickets) Specials & Ticket Packages Sold Separately
No outside food permitted. BYOB/W ~ Dessert, coffee & tea is Free
A variety of hot Italian food, sandwiches, snacks & beverages will be available for purchase.
All proceeds benefit the St. Ann School children's education. To purchase tickets contact or stop by the school at:
St. Ann School; 29 2nd Ave; Raritan ~~ 908-725-7787 at www.stannparish.com/schoolsite
Celebrating 50 years of Faith, Caring & Excellence! If you or your children are graduates of St Matthias School we invite you to join us at our Jubilee Gala on Sat., April 16 to be held at the Bridgewater Marriott. The celebration will continue with a Mass of Thanksgiving on Sunday, April 17 at 12noon with a light reception to follow in the school cafeteria.
More info on this event or additional celebrations: Contact [email protected]; call the Parish Office 732-828-1400 or visit our website www.stmatthias.info
We look forward to hearing from you!
ST. MATTHIAS SCHOOL; SOMERSET—ALUMNI
BLOOD DRIVE THANK YOU Thank You to all of our donors for
coming out on February 28. We had 20 donors and
received 15 pints of blood. This will help 30 people.
Look for our next Blood Drive coming this Fall.
Dear Friends of St. Ann School,
I just finished answering fifteen uniquely adorable letters from the
first graders. Each child shared something about themselves and
then asked me about myself. It must have been snack or
lunchtime since most of the letters had to do with food.
I learned that most of our children eat at least one meal at home
with family members. Some families even have breakfast
together. One child wrote about how his dad makes his favorite
breakfast – cookies and milk.
Not to advertise any particular establishment, let me tell you this
secret. The most popular places for six year olds to eat are
McDonalds and Subway! If you are thinking of treating one of
these little ones to lunch, the favorite mid-day meal is mac and
cheese.
One young writer even told me a joke! He drew a picture of
himself with a huge smile on his face and a tall top hat. The
caption on the picture said, “Do not wake up God too early”. I
guess he remembered me telling them that we prayed before
coming to school in the morning. Little does he know it is God
who wakes me up in the morning.
I share this tidbits of the letters with you because I want you to
know that writing skills are still a hallmark of Catholic education.
These were not cookie cutter letters where students only add one
word of their own. We moved away from that type of writing a
long time ago. Now children make a draft, edit it, and then make
a final copy in their very best handwriting. Writing with a real life
purpose is also stressed.
I do not know how many principals would answer all these letters.
I do know that the Holy Father, Pope Francis, answers all his fan
mail. He even collected the letters sent by children and made
them into a book for sale at Barnes & Nobles.
Are you thinking of a special child who likes to write? Encourage
them to join our school where voices are heard & communication
is an art to be learned & practiced daily. Help us to help children
transform their words into treasures. Who knows? Maybe they
will write a letter to you someday.
God bless you,
Sr. Mary Klersey, MPF
Principal
FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT—MARCH 6, 2016
2016-2017 School Year MARCH 16 ~~ 7-8 PM
~~~We offer ~~~ ♦ Fully Accredited by ♦ Full-Day for Kindergarten—8th grade ♦ Full & Half-Day PreK
♦ Religious Education & Sacrament Preparation ♦ Traditional & Advanced Math, Phonics & Language
Arts Programs ♦ Technology enabled curriculum utilizing the
most advanced and largest SMART® enabled interactive flat panels.
♦ Distance Learning ♦ Spanish (K-8th) ♦ After Care Program until 6pm
For more info contact Kelly at 908-725-7787 or visit www.stannparish.com/school
Families interested in applying for tuition assistance to attend an eligible Diocese of Metuchen Catholic elementary or high school may do so beginning January 31, 2016. The application process is now online through FACTS Grant & Aid Assessment. Online applications must be completed (including supporting documentation) by
NO LATER THAN FRIDAY, APRIL 15, 2016. Families that need assistance completing the online appli-cation, or need access to the technology to apply, may reg-ister for one of the 14 Application Workshops that will be held throughout the Diocese in February, March and April by going to
www.diometuchen.org/schools/tuition-assistance and follow the Workshops link.
CATHOLIC SCHOOL 2016-2017 TUITION ASSISTANCE
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SACRAMENT OF FIRST HOLY COMMUNION (refer to your meeting information)
~~Sunday,April10at9:00amMass~~Parents with their child(ren), who are participating in the preparations for the Sacrament for First Communion for this year, are to attend together.
PREP PROGRAM — HOLY COMMUNION
⇒ Are you looking for a way to share your faith, time, talent?
Our Parish Religious Education Program - PREP, needs you! Volun-teers are needed for classes, catechists, aides, sacramental preparation, substitutes, office/resources and other areas.
⇒ You don’t have to have children in the program to volunteer.
We encourage all adults to prayerfully consider whether this ministry is right for you. All volunteers must be cleared through the workshop Protecting God’s Children - www.virtus.org and will be provided guidance, support along the way. If interested or wish to know more about volunteering, contact
Sr. Phyllis at: [email protected] or (908) 725-1008.
PREP—CATECHISTS/VOLUNTEERS
FAITH FORMATION - RELIGIOUS EDUCATION (PREP)
Monday or Monday or Monday or Monday or
Thursday Evening Thursday Evening Thursday Evening Thursday Evening WHAT: 2016-2017 St. Ann’s PREP Program Registration WHO: New & Returning Families with children in Grades 1-8 WHEN: During Monday/Thursday class times 6:15-7:30pm
~or~
contact Sr. Phyllis at [email protected] ~or~
call 908-725-1008 for more info and to make an appointment. Check out the parish website: www.stannparish.com under Faith Formation tab.
