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March 29, 2015 – Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord

THE CATHOLIC COMMUNITY OF

SAINT MARTHA

MASS SCHEDULE

Sunday Mass: Saturday Vigil 5:00 pm Sunday 7:30 am 9:00 am 10:30 am 12:00 noon 4:00 pm Daily Mass: Monday thru Saturday 8:00 am

First Friday Mass: 8:00 am 10:00 am

SACRAMENTS Anointing of the Sick: Please call the parish office to make arrangements. Baptisms: 1st & 3rd Sundays at 1:15 pm. Please call the parish office to make arrangements. Parents’ Preparation Session is on the last Friday of the month at 7:00 pm. Lent Confessions: Tuesday-Wed after 8am Mass, Tuesday 8:00-9:00 pm, Saturday, 3:00-4:00 pm or by Appointment Marriages: Please call the parish office to make arrangements one year in advance.

DEVOTIONS Exposition & Benediction of the Blessed Sacra-ment: Fridays, 8:30 am - 9:30am First Saturday Devotion: Follows 8:00 am Mass Novenas: Follows 8:00 am Masses – Miraculous Medal (Wednesday) & St. Jude (Friday) Rosary: Monday-Saturday 7:35 am & following 8:00 am Mass; Sunday 7:05 am

CLERGY & PASTORAL STAFF

Pastor: Rev. David Swantek Assisting Priests: Rev. Bill Bausch Rev. Dominic Fuccile Rev. Gerry Marchand Rev. John Spino Deacons: Fran Groff Ted Kotz Staff: Director of Religious Education: Georgina Kotz Religious Education Secretary: Liz Caracciolo Coordinator of Youth Ministry: Bob Morris Director of Liturgical Music: Lou Letizia Business Manager/Accountant: Nancy Dormanski Parish Secretaries: Mary Nelson Fran Olson

OFFICE HOURS

Monday thru Friday 8:00 am – 4:00 pm Tuesday 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm Wednesday 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm Saturday 9:00 am – 12:00 noon

SPECIAL HOLIDAY SCHEDULES & INCLEMENT WEATHER CLOSING: Please telephone the Parish Office

3800 Herbertsville Road Point Pleasant, NJ 08742-5499

Phone: 732-295-3630 Fax: 732-295-9315

www.saintmartha.net

The Parish Office will be closed Holy Thursday, April 2 – Easter Monday, April 6.

We welcome all who seek to grow in faith and love just as St. Martha welcomed Jesus into her home. If you’d like to join our parish please call 732-295-3630.

2 St. Martha Church

Reg. Collection: Support of St. Martha Church 2nd Collection: Building and Grounds

MASS INTENTIONS Saturday, March 28 5:00 pm People of the Parish Sunday, March 29 7:30 am Maculaitis Family 9:00 am Members of the Edwards & McLaugh-

lin Families 10:30 am Catherine & Elbert Morris NOON George & Jane Xenos 4:00 pm Macaluso Family Monday, March 30 8:00 am Nancy DeMarzo Tuesday, March 31 8:00 am Daniel DaCruz Wednesday, April 1 8:00 am John French

MEMORIAL GIFTS: MARCH 28-APRIL 3 Flowers to Mary: Josephine & Frank Crann Tabernacle Candle: John Onderwater

OUR DEARLY DEPARTED Please remember in your prayers the recently deceased members of our parish, especially Alfred Martinetti, Jr., Rose Calderone and Cae-sar Plietz.

ST. GREGORY’S PANTRY NEEDS Egg dye, mustard, filled Easter Baskets

LOW-GLUTEN HOST Available upon request before Mass in the sacristy

EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS AND LECTORS The sign up schedules for Easter are in the Sacristy.

READINGS FOR THIS WEEK Sun: 1st Reading Isaiah 50:4-7 2nd Reading Philippians 2:6-11 Gospel Mark 14:1-15:47 Mon: 1st Reading Isaiah 42:1-7 Gospel John 12:1-11 Tue: 1st Reading Isaiah 49:1-6 Gospel John 13:21-33, 36-38 Wed: 1st Reading Isaiah 50:4-9a Gospel Matthew 26:14-25 Thur: Mass of the Lord’s Supper 1st Reading Exodus 12:1-8, 11-14 2nd Reading 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 Gospel John 13:1-15 Fri: Liturgy of the Passion 1st Reading Isaiah 52:13-53:12 2nd Reading Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9 Passion John 18:1-19:42

Need Help? Call St. Vincent de Paul at 732-295-

3630 ext 33. Our parish is here to help K OF EASTER MEAL PACKAGES

The Knights of Columbus will prepare and package a complete Easter meal for individuals or families free of charge. Please call or stop by the Parish office with the following information: Name and telephone number Address

Preference: delivery or pick-up Number of meals required

Selection of Ham or Pasta Pick-up and delivery will be on Saturday, April 4th from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED for St. Gregory’s Pantry Youth – Today, March 29 from 2-4pm To carry food Adults – Tuesday, March 31 anytime from 9-2:30 Wednesday, April 1 from 9:30-1pm For distribution of food

ST. PATRICK’S DINNER DANCE Thank you to everyone that attended. It was a sellout crowd and a good time was had by all. Many compliments were given to the chefs and everyone enjoyed the singing and dancing, courtesy of DJ Joey.

THIS WEEKEND – MARCH 28-29 PALM SUNDAY OF THE PASSION OF THE LORD

3 St. Martha Church

When I was a kid, I would

often roll my eyes at the

beginning of Palm Sunday –

“ug. . .the LONG one” I would

think, but then as we would

stand and read the passion, I

would enter into it more and

more. My younger self knew,

somehow, that it was good to

play a part in the passion – for

Jesus played a part in this world

for me. Sadly, somehow, I

knew too that my part was one

that involved saying, “crucify

him.”

I used to think that if only I

could travel back in time and

bring a PA system and a large

set of speakers that I could

over-shout those calling for

Barabbas – and save Jesus. If

only more people who loved

Christ would have banded

together, I thought, maybe the

story would be different; it

would be.

We are not meant to walk

thru life alone – in faith, in

work, in joy, in sorrow – none of

it. We were meant to come

together. To journey together.

Jesus shows us this when –

facing the trial of his Agony in

the Garden, he reaches out to

Peter, James, and John – asking

them to join him for support.

The Desert Fathers write, “A

brother was restless in his

community and he was often

irritated. So he said, ‘I will go

and live somewhere by myself.

I will not be able to talk or listen

to anyone and so I shall be at

peace, and my passionate

anger will cease.’ He went out

and lived alone in a cave.

But one day he filled his jug

with water and put it on the

ground – suddenly it happened

to fall over. He filled it again,

and again it fell. This happened

a third time. In a rage he

snatched up the jug and

smashed it. Coming to his

senses, he knew that the

demon of anger had mocked

him, and he said, ‘Here I am by

myself, and he has beaten me.

I will return to the community.

Wherever you live, you need

effort and patience and above

all God’s help.’ So he got up,

and went back.”

C. S. Lewis writes, “Jesus

works on us in all sorts of ways.

. .through Nature, through our

own bodies, through books,

sometimes through

experiences. . .But above all, He

works on us through each

other.

Men and Women are

mirrors or “carriers” of Christ to

other men and women.

Sometimes unconscious

carriers” (Mere Christianity).

May we have a truly Holy

Week by consciously coming

together with God and each

other this week.

In Christ,

TOGETHER

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Organizations ANNULMENT MINISTRY: please contact the office to learn more. 732-295-3630.

BEREAVEMENT GROUP: meets the 1st Sunday of the month at 10:00 am. Please call the office to sign up. 732-295-3630.

INTERCESSORY PRAYER GROUP 1st Monday (11:00 am) Contact Annette Richards 732-674-6935.

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS meets 2nd Wednesday of the month at 7:30 pm.

MOM’S BIBLE STUDY Tuesdays, (9:30 am -11:00 am) downstairs. Information: Sue Byington (908-489-9288).

PARISH BIBLE STUDY Tuesdays, 7:30 pm–9:00 pm. Studying Israel’s story using Liturgical Press Commentary & Little Rock Scripture Study Guide. Info: Michael Tuohy, 908-902-1725.

PRECANA CONFERENCE AT ST. MARTHA CHURCH Next session is June 27, 2015 at 10:00 am. To register, go to www.dioceseoftrenton.org/mar riage-preparation-events/ and scroll down to June. Questions - call AnnMarie at 732-206-0053.

R.C.I.A. A process of prayer, study and spiritual formation prepares adults for entrance into community with the Church. Any adult inter-ested in learning about our Catholic faith is in-vited to call the Parish office.

RESPECT LIFE COMMITTEE meets May 12 (Tuesday) in the Meeting Room.

ROSARY ALTAR SOCIETY meets 1st Monday at noon. For information call Sharon Hettenbach, 732-892-6490.

ROSARY MAKERS meets every other Friday at 10:00 am. Call Sharon Hettenbach, 732-892-6490.

SACRED STEPPERS Mondays, 10 am – 12 pm.

SEPARATED AND DIVORCED meet 2nd & 4th Tuesdays (7:30 pm – 9:00 pm). Contact Arlene, 732-714-1747.

ST. MARTHA’S LEARNING CENTER for God’s special needs children. Stephanie: 732-279-6406.

WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY Thursdays, at 9:00 am. We are using Scott Hahn’s study “He Must Reign,” the Kingdom of God in Scripture. Call Janet, 732-836-0303 to reserve material.

KIDS BOX

I A H C S L T C P N B A X N H E Y G E A I O Z R G H A T C I L M P I Y I N O I H R M Z H A R C M T I L O T A Q N X U R A W N R G L H M D Q T H T Y P I D O E C K L N H H K P K A E T E A T E D E Q H B A S H H Y B C I A E T A L I P N A R A D A V I K I N G S A D A S K N A I N E R Y C S A M G

Words to Find: Centurion, Sanhedrin, Golgotha, Pilate, Mary, Arimathea, Palm, Cyrenian, Eloi, Lema, Sabachthani Vikings, Saint, Martha ST. VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY

Inspired by Gospel values, this lay organiza-tion leads all to join to grow spiritually by offer-ing person-to-person service to those who are in need and suffering. All requests are held confi-dential. 732-295-3630 x33 FUN MILITARY BRIDGE

Rosary Altar Society will hold its Spring Mili-tary Bridge on Friday, April 24, 2015, from 12 noon to 4 pm in the all purpose room of St. Mar-tha’s Church. Lunch by Joe Leone included in the price of $12.00. Tickets may be purchased until Monday, April 20th by phoning Kathleen Van Houten at 732-899-8324.

AARP TAX APPOINTMENTS – 732-810-5890

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732-295-3630 x 50 reled@saintmartha.net

“The Church cannot behave like a business that changes its product when the demand for it decreases.” - Karl Cardinal Lehmann Faith at Home: Plant a “Mary Garden” this year! Go to http://campus.udayton.edu/mary/ resources/m_garden/overview.html for ideas on plants to include and what they symbolize. Start some plants indoors so you can watch as the seed “dies” and gives “new life” when the plant pushes up through the soil. As you watch the plants grow, remember to pray for all farm-ers. Saint Isidore the Farmer, pray for us! Grades 4 & 5 put together Stations of the Cross for their classroom. They walked with Jesus on His way to Calvary as they prayed through the Stations. “We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You, because by Your holy Cross You have re-deemed the world.” - Saint Francis of Assisi Grade 7: Remaining Thursday sessions for this school year are April 16, May 7, and June 4. On Saturday, May 16 there will be a Day of Reflec-tion for all 7th graders from 9am to 12 noon. Grade 8: Remaining Thursday sessions for this school year are April 30 and May 28. The Con-firmation Retreat, required for all who will be making their Confirmation in 2015, is Saturday, June 6, from 9am to 6pm. This includes the 5pm parish Mass. Parent volunteers are needed for set-up and clean-up of morning snack, lunch, and afternoon snack. Volunteers are also needed to supply the morning and afternoon snacks. Letters to Father Dave are due by April 30, and the Service Reflection will be due on May 28th.

All High School Youth Are Welcome!! 732-295-3630 ext. 31

youth@saintmartha.net

After school on Wednesday, April 1, we could sure use some help. We would like to have some students help set up the parish hall for our Easter Masses.

Also, on Holy Saturday morning, April 4, at 9:00 am, we could really use some help setting up the church flowers for Easter. This would in-clude unloading the Easter flowers from the de-livery truck and carrying them to the altar. Our older people would really appreciate the help of some strong young people in this matter.

Please call or email me with any questions.

JUNIOR LECTOR PROGRAM The Parish Community would love to start a

Junior Lector Program. If you are a young man or woman of High School age - and have made your Confirmation - we ask you to con-sider joining the Lector Ministry at Saint Mar-tha's.

High school lectors would proclaim the se-cond reading at a mass of their choice, which is a great way to get more out of mass and looks great on a college application.

Application forms are available near the doors of the church. Please complete and bring to the parish office. Training will be offered on Saturday, April 25th from 10 am to 11:30 am. For more information, please contact Deacon Ted Kotz at deacon@saintmartha.net or 732-899-2231.

NEW ALTAR SERVER TRAINING The Parish Community needs your help. If you are a boy or girl in the 4th through 8th grade, we ask for you to consider joining the ministry of Altar Server at Saint Martha's. Training will be offered on Saturday, April 18th from 9 AM to 11:30 AM. For more information, please contact Deacon Ted Kotz at deacon@saintmartha.net or 732-899-2231.

Youth Ministry with Bob Morris

Religious Education Information

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2015 LENTEN & HOLY WEEK LITURGIES

Daily Masses Monday – Wednesday: 8:00 am

Reconciliation Tuesday – Wednesday: after 8am Mass Tuesdays: 8:00 – 9:00 pm Please note: Reconciliation will not be available

on Holy Saturday.

Passion (Palm) Sunday – March 29 Regular Weekend Mass Schedule

Holy Thursday – April 2 Mass of the Lord’s Supper 7:00 pm Followed by Adoration until 11:30 pm

Good Friday – April 3 Stations of the Cross 12:00 noon Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion 3:00 pm

Holy Saturday – April 4 Easter Vigil 8:15 pm

Easter Sunday – April 5 7:30 am, 9:00 am, 10:30 am, 12:00 noon (No afternoon or evening Masses) Mass Appeal Which priest is saying which mass: Holy Thursday: 7:00 pm Main Celebrant Fr. Dave

Homilist Fr. John Good Friday:

Noon Stations Fr. Dave 3:00 pm Main Celebrant Fr. Dave

Homilist Fr. Dominic Easter Vigil, April 4th:

8:15pm Fr. Dave Easter Sunday, April 5th:

7:30 am Msgr. Gonzalez 9:00 am (church) Fr. Dave

9:00 am (hall) Fr. Dominic 10:30 am(church) Fr. John

10:30 am (hall) Fr. Dave 12:00 noon Fr. Marchand

732-295-3630 Ext 36

We know there are many people who enjoy the various singing groups here at our parish. Below is the musicians schedule for the Holy Week Liturgies.

Holy Thursday Mass Harvest Folk Choir Good Friday Stations of the Cross 12 noon Lou & Cantor Service of Our Lord’s Passion 3:00 pm

Traditional Choir Holy Saturday Easter Vigil 8:15 pm

Traditional Choir Easter Sunday 7:30 am: Organ & Cantor 9:00 am: Youth Choir 9:00 am (hall): Organ & Cantor 10:30 am: Harvest Folk Choir 10:30 am (hall): Organ & Cantor 12 noon: Organ & Cantor

No 4:00 pm Mass SHARING OUR TREASURE Weekend of March 21/22 Weekly Offerings $ 19,257.52 Bequests $ - Religious Education $ - “Give and gifts will be given to you … For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you.” Luke 6:38 YEAR-END TAX CONTRIBUTION STATEMENTS

As in the past, we will be issuing year-end tax statements to those parishioners that call the office or e-mail, business@saintmartha.net to request their statements. Statements will be processed weekly. Your statement can either be picked up at the office during regular busi-ness hours, e-mailed or mailed to you.

Music Notes

from Lou’s Desk