Rev. Nicholas Bozza, Pastor 375 Main Street, P.O. Box 730, Chester, New Jersey 07930

Coordinators of Religious Education: Carla Fuscaldo, Dorothy Kudron, Terry Leing

Cynthia Vittitow— Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Brian Flanagan — Confirmation

Kathleen Galdi — DRE Music Minister: Joseph P. Tamburro Youth Minister: Brian Flanagan Mercy Minister: Cindy Zeis

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN: Gr. K-4 & CGS 2: Sun. 9:45-11:15 am Gr. 1-8 & CGS 1: Thurs. 4:30-5:45 pm

Gr. 5-8: Sun. 4:30-5:45 pm OR Mon 7:00-8:15 pm Gr. 9-10: Sunday evening

ADULT RELIGIOUS EDUCATION: RCIA: Sundays (September-Easter)

SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION: Saturday: 4:00-4:45 pm, Monday: 6:30-7:00 pm & on request.

SACRAMENT OF THE SICK: Please call the Parish Office anytime for communion calls or visitation of the sick and elderly. Keep us informed so that we can be attentive to those who are ill at home or in the hospital.

Parish Email: parish@stlchester.org

Parish Web Site: www.stlchester.org

Web Master: Joanne Franklin (908-879-6222)

Welcome Janet Villafane (908) 879-3032 Haiti Twinning Program Christine Colannino (201) 314-9824

Bereavement Don Martone (908) 879-7957 Lectors John Kennington (908) 879-0827

Good Samaritans Patsy Soden (908) 879-3374 Eucharistic Ministers Loretta Stewart (973) 222-7492

Grocery Cards Jean Ward (908) 334-3442 Ushers Bob Holl (908) 876-3488

Moms & Tots Melissa Altieri (908) 797-0676 Music Minister Joe Tamburro (908) 453-3302

Arimathaea Arlene McDonald (973) 584-7319 Spanish Ministry Louis Villafane (908) 879-3032

Liturgical Environment Joanne Carr (908) 879-5543 Youth Minister Brian Flanagan (973) 946-8770

Women’s Cornerstone Eileen Bennett (908) 420-6536 Altar Servers Chuck Feller (908) 768-2838

Men’s Cornerstone Marc McFeely (973) 222-9739 Evangelization Bob Holl (908) 876-3488

Pastoral Adv. Board Jerry Frech (908) 377-2900 RCIA Jan Richards (908) 975-3555

Rosary Society Marie Holl (908) 876-3488 Respect Life Connie Wieczorek (908) 879-6453

Media Ministry Jeanne McCormick (908) 879-6884 Barn Ministry Jack & Beverly Pickering (908) 879-5169

Rev. Rolands Uribe, Parochial Vicar

Deacon William DeVizio, Permanent Deacon

Rev. Mr. Sylwester Pierzak, Transitional Deacon

Trustees: Phil Guidone, Jeanne McCormick

Parish Secretary: Karen Jaworski

Accountant: Sharon McCann Business Manager: Bill McCormick

MASSES: Saturday: 5:00 pm Sunday: 8:00 am, 10:00 am, 11:30 am, 1:00 pm (Spanish), 6:00 pm Daily Mass: Mon.-Fri. 8:00 am & 9:00 am, Sat. 9:00 am Holy Day Vigil: 7:00 pm

Holy Day: 8:00 am, 4:30 pm, 7:00 pm (bi-lingual)

BAPTISMS: Baptism Preparation Class: Fir st Fr iday of month of Baptism (7:30 pm).

Baptisms: Please call Par ish Office to schedule.

SPANISH BAPTISMS: Baptism Preparation Class: First Friday of month of Baptism (7:30 pm).

Baptisms: Celebrated at Mass (1:00 pm) on 1st, 2nd, 3rd Sundays of month.

MARRIAGES: Please contact the Priest/Deacon whom you wish to officiate at your wedding one year in advance to arrange for Marriage Preparation Sessions.

PARISH MEMBERSHIP: Every family moving into the parish is requested to register. If you move to another parish or change your address, please notify the Parish Office.

St. Lawrence the Martyr Church SUNDAY, JANUARY 8, 2017

MISSION STATEMENT St. Lawrence the Martyr Church is a community of Catholic Christians who gather together to celebrate the Eucharist,

their love of Jesus Christ and their love of one another as children of Christ. We are a diverse community focused on

creating an enthusiasm for our faith and enriching the lives for all who come to worship in our parish. Inviting and welcoming liturgies, multiple youth and young adult activities and adult enrichment programs all help make the

Word of Christ a living reality at St. Lawrence.

Parish Office: 908-879-5371 Priests’ Home: 908-879-1901 Religious Ed.: 908-879-6714 Youth Minister: 973-946-8770 Fax: 908-879-7701

Parish Ministries and Ministry Facilitators

Page Two SUNDAY, JANUARY 8, 2017 - THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD

THE POWER OF EXAMPLE IN SHARING OUR FAITH

During this past week at Mass, we have been listening to stories about

disciples of Jesus bringing family and friends to become disciples, too.

John brought his brother James (both cousins of Jesus) to come and

become a disciple of the Lord. Andrew brought his brother Simon

(later to be renamed Peter by Jesus) to Jesus. Philip would bring his

friend Nathaniel to Jesus and Nathaniel (also called Bartholomew)

would become a disciple, too. These stories remind us that we may

not be easily received as prophets by family and friends, but we cer-

tainly can become disciple makers. This reminds me of the saying of

Thomas Aquinas that “grace builds on nature.” Spiritual friendships and spiritual family

bonds can be built on natural friendships and family ties.

This past Wednesday we celebrated the feast of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, the first native

born American citizen to be canonized a saint. Elizabeth Ann was born in New York City and

raised an Episcopalian, but family circumstances caused her and her family to live for a time

in Italy with friends, the Filicci’s. The Filicci’s welcomed the Setons into their home when the

Setons were in need. The Filicci’s were practicing Catholics. Elizabeth Ann was a person

with a great desire to know God better and the lived witness of the Filiccis led her to seek God

in the Roman Catholic Church. Friends leading friends to Christ and discipleship. Grace does

build on nature. Our lived witness of faith is an important ingredient in God’s saving work.

God needs for all of us to live our Catholic Faith well!

God bless,

Father Nick

FROM THE PASTOR’S DESK

THE STAR OF BETHLEHEM

The unfolding of the story of the Incarnation continues today as the Church celebrates the

Epiphany. The tale of the magi from the East is one of the most fascinating in all of scripture. It

has much to teach us about what we can come to expect, even in circumstances and places that

may seem insignificant or small. Bethlehem was a tiny town, what we might refer to today as a

town without even one stop light. Yet it is over this seemingly insignificant place that the guid-

ing star stops in its own search for the place where the Savior would be born. Too often we fail

to recognize the fact that the star of Bethlehem comes to rest in our everyday lives, where we

can experience God’s presence, manifested in ever new ways. Epiphany calls us to shake off our

stupor and recognize the One who comes to save us.

Page Three SUNDAY, JANUARY 8, 2017 - THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD

A SPECIAL CONFERENCE FOR

FATHERS AND MIDDLE SCHOOL SONS

To improve communication between fathers and sons and

to strengthen the bonds between them, the

St. Lawrence Faith Formation team is spon-soring a three hour conference for fathers

and their middle school aged sons on Satur-

day, January 14, from 9 am till noon in the Church Hall. The morning will include

holy Mass, breakfast and a session given by

Fred Bunsa, a popular Catholic motivational speaker and corporate coach. Consider joining us! Please

email the Faith Formation Office at fft@stlchester.org to

sign up.

ALTAR SERVERS NEEDED If you are in the 4th grade or older, consider becoming an

altar server! Training will be provided. If interested,

please call Chuck Feller, our altar server coordinator, at

908-768-2838 or email cnfeller@att.net.

ALTAR SERVER SCHEDULE

January 14-15

5:00 pm

CB- Nick Weah

S1- Trevor Connolly S2-

8:00 am CB- Blake Stevens

S1- Sinclair Stevens S2- Emily Feller

10:00 am

CB- Ally Blackwell

S1- Tommy Blackwell S2- Liam Brandt

11:30 am

CB- Josh Mulcahy

S1- S2-

6:00 pm CB- An-drew Guido

S1- Aidan Howell S2- Seth Vittitow

WE CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR THE SICK . . .

Kirsten Mumma, William Ware, Julio Carrera, Sebastian

Quinn, Ralph Bozza, Caroline Bozza, Sister Eucharia, Father

Eugene Romano, Father John Mushinsky, Father Rolands

Uribe, Father Paul Knauer, Father Rafael Perez, Msgr. Mar-tin Rauscher, Msgr. Richard Rusconi, Msgr. Pat Brown,

Patrick John Moran, Ann Kelly, Bill Basso, Lloyd Matsamo-

to, Helen Crowe, Eileen George, Jane Alt, Patrick Pronio,

Allison Spina, Lesley Pawar, Tom Walsh, Steve Briggs, Bri-

an Graham, Colleen Saito, William Kelly, Mary Norwood,

Diane Sones, Mary Lanzara, Rocco Colantuono, Diane

Verge, Michael Marelli, Cade Feitel, Helen Lappin, Chris-

tine Ambrosino, Carole Stessl, Kathy Bollwork, Dick Good-

win, Nicholas Brown, Jane Rufino, Kevin Callahan, Camille

McQueen, Judy Thelen, Mary Ross, Harro Ehrenbeck, Judith

Stampone, Brian McAuliffe, Jeanette Mahoney, Paul Fitz-

gerald, Edward Boyle, Robert Snow, Lyndsay McNeil, Char-lotte Poth, Coleen Looby, Claire Kingsley

Help us keep this list current!

Please call Karen at 908-879-5371. Thank you.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION THIS WEEK

Sunday

CGS II - 9:45 am

FF - 9:45 am, 4:30 pm

Confirmation classes - 5:40 pm

Monday

FF - 7:00 pm

Thursday

CGS I - 4:30 pm

FF - 4:30 pm

Sunday

Teaching Mass - 9:45 am in chapel

BOUNDLESS LOVE Because of His boundless love,

Jesus became what we are

that He might make us to be what He is.

~Irenaeus

MEETINGS / EVENTS THIS WEEK

Monday

Good Samaritans - 7:00 pm

Haiti - 7:00 pm

Tuesday

Tutoring - 4:30 pm

Women’s Cornerstone - 7:00 pm

Wednesday

Parish Advisory Board - 7:00 pm

ESL - 7:30 pm

Bold TNL - 7:30 pm

Thursday

Moms & Tots - 10:00 am

Bell Choir - 6:00 pm

Adult Choir - 7:00 pm

Saturday

Father & Son Conference - 9:00 am

Welcome Weekend

Sunday

Welcome Weekend

MARY’S MOONFLOWERS

A Ministry for Widows

Thursday, January 19, 7:00 pm

Parish Center

Please consider joining us! Meet-ings take place every third Thurs-

day in the Parish Center. For more

information, call Karen Jones at 973-927-7475 OR 973-479-5271.

Page Four SUNDAY, JANUARY 8, 2017 - THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD

GIVING TREE THANK YOU’S

Saint Peter’s Orphanage Thank you for remembering the children of Saint Peter’s

Orphanage once again. Your generous contributions re-

sulted in an amazing donation of $300 in Target gift

cards and $1,085 in Walmart gift cards which helped us fulfill the needs and wishes of our boys this holiday sea-

son. It is our hope to create joyful memories for the de-

serving young men who entrust us with their care and your generosity made it possible to accomplish that goal.

May your kindness be rewarded with peace and joy in

this new year.

Family Promise of Morris County

Thank you for your generous donation of $230 in

Walmart gift cards, $325 in gas cards, $250 in ShopRite gift cards, a $25 TJ Maxx gift card, a $25 Visa gift card,

and an assortment of our Wish List items from the Giv-

ing Tree collection. As a small Morris County not-for-profit organization serving a community need, we rely

heavily on community support and donations. Your gifts

help us continue to provide homeless children and their families with the support they need to thrive.

NEW BAPTISMS

May God hold you always

in the palm of His hand.

Miles Kenneth Allert, son of Mark & Brenda Allert of William Street,

Succasunna.

Pompeo Colm O’Shea, son of Eoghan & Alexandria

O’Shea of Parker Road, Long Valley.

IN CELEBRATION OF THE EPIPHANY Epiphany, meaning “manifestation”, cel-

ebrates God’s glory being manifest to all

nations, symbolically through the Magi

(three kings). In addition to blessing your home with the inscription below, this is

also a good day to set the Magi in the

nativity scene and share their story from the Gospel of Matthew.

20 + C + M + B + 17

In Latin, the letters C M B stand for Christus Mansionem

Benedicat, meaning “May Christ bless this house.” The

letters also point to the names that tradition has assigned to the mysterious magi, Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar.

The blessing speaks of journeys ended and journeys be-

gun at the doorway of a home and prays that all journeys be as satisfying as was the magi’s. It prays that the house

beyond the door have the quality of love and peace that

the magi marveled at when they at last arrived in Bethle-hem.

ST. LAWRENCE PILGRIMAGE TO

LOURDES, FATIMA AND SANTAREM

May 19 – May 27, 2017

St. Lawrence Church is sponsoring a pilgrimage to the

Marian sites of Lourdes, Spain and Fatima, Portugal. We will also be visiting Santarem while in Portugal. Bro-

chures are available in the church and Parish Center. If

you are interested in traveling with us, please be sure

to sign up this month. The deadline for signup and

deposit has been extended to Thursday, January 26.

MARCH FOR LIFE

Friday, January 27, 2017

Washington, D.C. Join us in the march that supports life from conception to

natural death. To help defray costs for the bus headed for

Washington, the Knights of Columbus will be accept-

ing donations for Roses for Life after all Masses next

weekend, January 14-15.

Page Five SUNDAY, JANUARY 8, 2017 - THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD

MASS INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK

MONDAY, JANUARY 9, 2017 8:00 am - John Forkell

9:00 am - Frank Fila

TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 2017

8:00 am - Jim Sommer

9:00 am - Elizabeth Malamut

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2017 8:00 am - Earline Bernard 9:00 am - AJ Bernard

THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 2017 8:00 am - Timothy Parks

9:00 am - Spec. Int. of Fr. Billy Massie

FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2017 8:00 am - Lawrence Benoit

9:00 am - Spec. Int. of James Benoit

SATURDAY, JANUARY 14, 2017

9:00 am - Sergio DeCandia

5:00 pm - Maureen Makris

SUNDAY, JANUARY 15, 2017 8:00 am - Mary Charolette Gruber

- Mary Koenig

10:00 am - Members of the Lederer Family

11:30 am - For the People of the Parish

1:00 pm - Robert Villafane

6:00 pm - Spec. Int. of the Welsh & Hartmann Families

Tithing: God’s Plan for Giving.

Tithing Income January 1, 2017 $7,838.00

Tithing Income January 3, 2016 $ ———-

(Donation amount for this date unavailable at time of bul-letin printing last year.)

A Word from the Pastor: Many thanks for your offer-ings made at the Sunday Mass or through Parish Pay. I do

appreciate your offerings, your sacrifices and your efforts

to be faithful to God’s Word!

A Testimony from a Parishioner of Sacred Heart

Church in Lewiston, PA: “My parents always used the

Holy Family as their model. Their example led me to be-

lieve and feel this is right — this is what Jesus, Mary and

Joseph did. Knowing that God’s direction is leading me in

tithing is exciting to me. Thank you, Father, the parish of

Sacred Heart of Jesus, and the wonderful people who ex-

plained it to us.”

NEXT HEALING MASS

Tuesday, January 17

Rosary at 6:30 pm

Mass at 7:00 pm

TODAY’S READINGS First Reading — Rise up in splendor, Jerusalem! The

Lord shines upon you and the glory of the Lord appears

over you (Isaiah 60:1-6).

Psalm — Lord, every nation on earth will adore You (Psalm 72).

Second Reading — The Gentiles are coheirs, copartners

in the promise in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6). Gospel — Magi from the east arrive looking for the new-

born king of the Jews (Matthew 2:1-12).

TRUE HAPPINESS Abandon yourself utterly for the love of God,

and in this way you will become truly happy.

~Blessed Henry Suso

MASS READINGS FOR THE WEEK Monday: Is 42:1-4, 6-7 or Acts 10:34-38;

Ps 29:1-4, 3, 9-10; Mt 3:13-17

Tuesday: Heb 2:5-12; Ps 8:2ab, 5, 6-9; Mk 1:21-28

or Heb 1:1-6 and 2:5-12; Ps 8:2ab, 5, 6-9; Mk 1:14-20 and 1:21-28

Wednesday: Heb 2:14-18; Ps 105:1-4, 6-9; Mk 1:29-39

Thursday: Heb 3:7-14; Ps 95:6-11; Mk 1:40-45 Friday: Heb 4:1-5, 11; Ps 78:3, 4bc, 6c-8; Mk 2:1-12

Saturday: Heb 4:12-16; Ps 19:8-10, 15; Mk 2:13-17

Sunday: Is 49:3, 5-6; Ps 40:2, 4, 7-10; 1 Cor 1:1-3; Jn 1:29-34

SELFLESSNESS REWARDED Help another’s boat across, and lo!

thine own has reached the shore.

~Old Hindu proverb