St. Mary of Ostrabrama Church 30 Jackson Street, South River, NJ 08882

Phone: 732-254-2220 Fax: 732-651-8182

Website: www.stmarysr.org Facebook.com/stmarysr

PARISH MISSION STATEMENT Saint Mary of Ostrabrama Parish, a Roman

Catholic Community, embraces the teachings of Jesus Christ by fostering our rich traditions and serving the needs of others. Through worship,

sacrament and prayer, all are invited to join with us as we continue to inspire and strengthen

our parish family.

MARCH 4, 2018 Third Sunday of Lent

PARISH STAFF:

Rev. Michael J. Gromadzki Pastor

Thomas F. Dominiecki Deacon Emeritus

Mark Hennicke Deacon

Mrs. Gayle Spezio, Assistant Administrator Ms. Jeanette Vega, Cemetery Coordinator

Mrs. Rosemary Eckert, P.C.L., Faith Formation

PARISH CONTACT INFORMATION

PARISH OFFICE: CEMETERY OFFICE: ostrabrama@stmarysr.org cemetery@stmarysr.org

PARISH RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAM: prep@stmarysr.org

MASS SCHEDULE:

Sunday: 8:30 AM, 10:30 AM (Children’s Liturgy), 12:00 N (Polish)

Saturday: Vigil Mass 4:00 PM

Mon., Tues., Wed., Fri.: 8:00 AM / Thurs: 6:30 PM {Weekday Masses are in the Chapel except for Holy Days}

Holy Days of Obligation: 8:00 AM, 12:15 PM, 7:00 PM

ROSARY: Prayed before daily Mass & before 4 PM Vigil & 8:30 AM

Sunday Mass.

MIRACULOUS MEDAL NOVENA: Every Monday following the 8:00 AM Mass.

DIVINE MERCY CHAPLET: Prayed following all weekday Masses.

CONFESSIONS: Saturdays 11:00 AM-12:00 Noon or by appointment.

PARISH OFFICE HOURS: Monday - Friday: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

CEMETERY OFFICE HOURS: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday: 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM

OFFICES CLOSED ON ALL HOLY DAYS & HOLIDAYS

THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT

SATURDAY (SOBOTA), MARCH 3 4 PM +Paul Mikita Req. by: Chris, Kira & Brenden Sikorski

SUNDAY (NIEDZIELA), MARCH 4 8:30 Intentions of Rosarians 10:30 +Leonard Florek Req. by: Wife, Children & Grandchildren 12 N Pro Populo / For the People of the Parish Gorzkie Żale

MONDAY (PONIEDZIALEK), MARCH 5 Lenten Weekday 8 AM +Stella R. Fafara Req. by: Daughter 11 AM Healing Mass

TUESDAY (WTOREK), MARCH 6 Lenten Weekday 8 AM +Dr. Michael A. Kovacs, Jr. Req. by: Kovacs Family

WEDNESDAY (SRODA), MARCH 7 Lenten Weekday Sts. Perpetua & Felicity, Martyrs 8 AM +Stanley Pawlowski Req. by: Wife & Family

THURSDAY (CZWARTEK), MARCH 8 Lenten Weekday / St. John of God, Religious 6:30PM +Kazimiera & Jozef Jakubowski Req. by: Corka Kazia Exposition of Blessed Sacrament ~ Main Church

FRIDAY (PIATEK), MARCH 9 Lenten Weekday /St. Frances of Rome, Religious 8 AM +John & Leona Coabey Req. by: Daughter, Christine

SATURDAY, (SOBOTA), MARCH 10 Lenten Weekday 4 PM +McSorley & McDarby Family Req. by: Don & Bernice McSorley

SUNDAY (NIEDZIELA), MARCH 11 Fourth Sunday of Lent 8:30 Intentions of Holy Name St. Joseph Novena 10:30 Pro Populo / For the People of the Parish St. Joseph Novena 12 N +Stanislaw Rudzewicz St. Joseph Novena Req. by: Henry Rudzewicz Gorzkie Żale

MASS INTENTIONS . . . Anyone wishing to present the gifts at the Offertory of the Mass, kindly speak to an usher prior to the beginning of Mass. Family members of those for whom the Mass is offered are always welcomed and encouraged to present the gifts and given priority.

PARISH REGISTRATION: All parishioners should be registered. Parishioners over the age of 18 should register independently of their parents. It is necessary to be a registered parishioner for at least 3 months in order for us to provide testimonial letters. Kindly notify the Parish Office of any changes. BAPTISMS: Fourth Sunday of the month at 1 PM. Please call the Parish Office to make arrangements prior to making social plans. Parents & godparents must attend instructions on the third Sunday of the month at 11:30 AM in the Seniors’ Room. MARRIAGES: Arrangements should be made at least one year in advance, prior to making social plans. SICK CALLS: Arrangements for communion calls to the sick can be made by calling the Parish Office. Please notify the Parish Office when a parishioner is in the hospital. Emergency calls are made at any time.

PARISH RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAM (PREP): Instruction in the Catholic Faith for children in grades 1-8. Classes are held from September to April on Monday afternoons from 4:30 - 5:45 PM. Please contact the Parish Office for further information. RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS (RCIA): A process of prayer, study, & spiritual formation which prepares unbaptized adults & adults baptized outside the Catholic Church to be in full communion.. Any adult 18 years of age or older who desires becoming a Catholic should call the Parish Office.

THE HOLY FATHER’S INTENTIONS FOR THE MONTH OF MARCH

Evangelization: Formation in Spiritual Discernment

That the Church may appreciate the urgency of formation in spiritual discernment, both on the personal and communitarian levels.

THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT

“You shall not carve idols for yourselves in the shape of

anything…” - Exodus 20:4

How many “gods” you put before God? “Idols” do not always take shape of physical things, things we can touch and feel. Those are easy to recognize. Many times they take the form of things we cannot touch and are much harder to spot like pride, ego, time, comfort or health.

Sunday, March 4 Altar Rosary recites Rosary 8 am, Meeting follows Mass in Parish Center Food Bank Collection Gorzkie Żale follows 12 n Mass

Monday, March 5 Seniors’ Meeting 10 am, Msgr. Wujek Room Healing Mass 11 am PREP 4:30-5:45 pm / Confessions

Tuesday, March 6 Cenacle Prayer Group 8:30 am, Chapel Holy Hour with Exposition of Blessed Sacrament

Thursday, March 8 Exposition of Blessed Sacrament follows 6:30 pm Mass Main Church

Friday, March 9 Stations of the Cross: 11am English, 6:30pm Polish, 7:30pm English Lenten Fish Dinner 5-7 pm, Parish Center

Saturday, March 10 Confessions 11:00 am C.O.P.E. Collection

Sunday, March 11 Holy Name Breakfast, Parish Center Parish Raffle Drawing 10 am, Parish Office Pre-Baptism Class 11:30 am, Msgr. Wujek Room St. Joseph Novena follows all Masses C.O.P.E. Collection Gorzkie Żale follows 12 n Mass

THIS WEEK AT A GLANCE . . .

WINE & HOSTS

+Paul Mikita & Walter Kulik - Sikorski & Kulik Families

CANDLE INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK

Sanctuary Candle ~ Church +Charles Dovedytis, Jr. - Kevin, David & Arlene

Blessed Mother’s Altar Candles Intentions of Living & Deceased Rosarians

Sacred Heart Altar Candles Good Health & Birthday Wishes for Arcelina Grego

- Vera & John

Candle for St. Joseph +Kazimiera Jakubowski - Kazia

Candle For St. Anthony +Grandpa Al Wojcik -

Love you & miss you, Gary, Kim, Michael & Greg

Our Lady of Ostrabrama Candles +Rosa Francisca - Dina & John Andre

Sanctuary Candle ~ Chapel +Manny Silva ~ Birthday Wishes in Heaven -

Vera & John

Divine Mercy Candles ~ Chapel +John & Leona Coabey - Daughter, Christine

St. Anne’s Altar ~ Chapel +Stanley Pawlowski - Daughter, Anne & Family

La Pieta Grotto Candles +Joan & Chester Olszewski -

Barbara, Pat, Ben, Greg & Leslie

Please contact the Parish Office to make arrangements to donate candles or wine & hosts in

honor of a loved one.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR MEMORIALS

In addition to Mass intentions, St. Mary’s offers a variety of

options to remember your loved ones or special occasions. All of the following are available throughout the year. The names and/or intentions will be printed in the bulletin for that week. Please contact the Parish Office for details and availability.

Altar Flowers: Available weekly for specific areas in the church & chapel except Lent & Advent

Wine & Hosts: Available for Masses for one week Candle Intentions: Available weekly for specific

areas in the church & chapel Memorial Room Candles: Available monthly Memorial Room Plaques: Various sizes available Tree of Life: Leaves still available

REMEMBER THE SICK & HOMEBOUND, especially: Cindy Abreu-Maia, Mrs. Marlene Ahde, Nina Argresta, Jack Batchie, Ted Batko, Marie Borichewski, Patricia Brink, Virginia Brown, Jeff Byrnes, Cathy Christan, Lynette Cucco, Thomas DelGuercio, Mary Dzienkowski, Tom Fackovec, Evelyn Fafara, Penelope Fry, Patricia Gaffney, Sophie Galinski, John Ganser, John Gerenza, Matthew Giardelli, Maryann Goccia, Amelia Halmo, Irene Hanko, Jean Hill, Eleanor Holz, Rose Johnson, Edward Jurewicz, Catheryn Kelly, Jason Klee, Boguslaw Kmieciak, Marion Kovacs, Joan Krenzel, Mary P. Lementowicz, Michael Lucas, Anthony Martino, Wanda Massaro, Dorothy McMahon, Hannah Grace Michlik, Rozalia Milkowski, Kazia Naglik, Maria Nunez, Adela Ogrodnik, Joe Pawelek, Hattie Pawlowski, Charles Philipone, Shona Pietraczenko, Nicholas Piacenti, Anne Piersanti, Cecelia Polanski, Kevin Rasimowicz, C. Rasmussen, Rose Razzano, Walter & Edna Rice, Sr. Rosangela, Rosalie Rudy, Sean Ryan, Steven Samuel, Gregory Sciscoe, Raymond & Dolores Stavish, Joe Szumski, Pauline Terelmes, Sylvia Thrasher, Christine Tobin, Maria Uzzo, Juan Velazquez, Arlene Watson, Claire Watson, Martha Sue Williams, Karolina Wojciechowski, Edward Wolanin, Jr., Kathryn Wolanin, Barbara Zambrzicky, Henry Ziolkowski.

IN OUR HEARTS & PRAYERS . . .

Shop-Rite Certificates

Everyone needs to shop for groceries & prescriptions. The certificates program

is a means for St. Mary’s to earn five cents on every dollar spent at Shop-Rite without any additional cost to shoppers. Certificates are available before and after all Masses at the entrances of the church, or may be purchased at the Parish Office during regular office hours.

REMEMBER ST. MARY’S IN YOUR WILL

God will never be outdone in generosity. Please remember

St. Mary’s Parish in your Will & Testament!

The repairs you are witnessing in our Beautiful Church are the results of donations and remembrances in our Parishioners’ Last Will & Testaments. Thank you & Bóg Zapłać for your generosity!!!

GOD’S PLAN FOR GIVING . . .

St. Mary’s Parish is totally dependent upon the generosity of its parishioners for parish support. Our church support program is called “Sacrificial Giving”. Each individual parishioner or family is asked to consistently give “their fair share”, in support of their parish in a spirit of thanksgiving to God, to enable our parish church to carry out the mission and ministry of Jesus Christ. The envelopes provided for you are to be used as gift wrappers for each sacrificial gift you give to the Lord. Please be generous, since God is generous to us.

Sunday Collection - February 25, 2018

Weekly Collection $3,665.00 Easter Flower Collection $1,442.00 Building Fund $1,801.00

Thank You & God Bless You! Bóg Zapłać!

PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE WHO ARE RECENTLY DECEASED:

+Pearl Markowski

May her soul and the souls of all the faithful

departed through the mercy of God rest in peace.

IN OUR PARISH . . .

2018 BISHOP’S ANNUAL APPEAL Lighting a Fire in the Heart of Our World

Thank you to all who have given so generously to the 2018 Bishop’s Annual Appeal. If you have not made a pledge, there is still time to participate. Mail your gift to: Diocese of Metuchen, Bishop’s Annual Appeal, PO Box 4000, Metuchen, NJ 08840-4000 or give online at www.diometuchen.org/BAA. To date, the Development Office has received pledges totaling $19,161.00 and payments totaling $15,373.50 from 96 parishioners. This represents 45.6% of our $42,000.00 goal.

Our next Parish Raffle is scheduled for Sunday, March 11, 2018 ~ just one week away! The first prize from our December raffle drawing was $1,166.25.

Please send in your raffle tickets as soon as possible. Please support this important fundraiser for our parish. Additional tickets are available after Mass at the entrances of the church or in the Parish Office during business hours.

St. Joseph Novena Schedule

Sunday, March 11 Novena follows all Masses

Monday Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday Novena follows 8 AM Mass

Thursday Novena follows 6:30 PM Mass

Saturday, March 17 Novena follows 4 PM Mass

Sunday, March 18 Novena follows all Masses

Monday, March 19 ~ St. Joseph Novena follows 8 AM Mass

A special “Thank You” to St. Mary’s Polish Heritage Society for their most generous donations for:

1) Utilities $1,200.00 2) New Church Floor $5,000.00 May Our Lady of Ostrabrama bless you for your love

of St. Mary’s Parish.

**Please patronize our advertisers** They make our bulletin possible.

Baptisms Welcome to our Catholic Community through the Sacrament of Baptism:

Madison Victoria Damas

May the Lord bless her and keep her in His care!

ST. MARY OF OSTRABRAMA LENTEN SCHEDULE 2018

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

Every Thursday following the 6:30pm Mass in the Main Church

Stations of the Cross Every Friday during Lent:

11am English/ 6:30pm Polish / 7:30pm English

Gorzkie Żale Sorrowful Lamentations in Polish

Follows 12:00 noon Mass every Sunday during Lent

LENT reminds us that for the faithful, the destination is not the only thing that matters--the journey is important. This year, we all have an opportunity to focus on preparing our hearts for Jesus with prayers and good works.

Join our Parish Family at the PARISH PENANCE SERVICE & FIRST RECONCILIATION

Monday, March 12, 2018 ~ 7:00 pm Everyone is invited to attend!

Other Confession Times Saturdays 11 am to 12 noon

St. Mary’s Altar Rosary Society EASTER BABKA SALE

Orders, with payment will be taken thru Sunday, March 25, 2018. Order forms, with payment may be dropped into the collection basket or delivered to the Parish Office during business hours. Babkas will be available for pick up ONLY on Tuesday, March 27, 2018 from 3 to 6 pm in the Parish Center. For more information, please call Christine 908-391-3355.

LENTEN FISH DINNERS Fish dinners will be held on

March 9, 16, 23, 2018 5:00 to 7:00 PM in the Parish Center

Adult Fish & French Fries Dinner: $12 Children’s Dinner: $5

Take out dinners available starting at 4:00 PM. Tickets on sale at the door or in the Parish Office

during business hours.

HELP IS NEEDED!! … on Thursday mornings, 10am-12n, Friday afternoons after 1pm for preparation of the dinners and setting tables. We are also in need of desserts which can be delivered Fridays after 1pm to the Parish Center. If you are available, please call the Parish Office.

**Seniors’ News**

HEALING MASS MONDAY, MARCH 5, 2018

11:00 AM

Services begin with the Rosary at 10:15 am, followed by the Chaplet of Divine Mercy and private meditation before the 11:00 Mass and Anointing.

All are invited!

Easter Sunday Mass Schedule at St. Mary’s

Please make note of the special Mass times for Easter Sunday.

Saturday Easter Vigil: 7:00 PM Easter Sunday:

6:30 AM Resurrection Mass in Polish 8:30 AM and 10:00 AM in English

C.O.P.E. COLLECTION

The Holy Name will be asking for contributions for their C.O.P.E. Program after all Masses on the weekend of March 10/11.

AROUND THE DIOCESE . . .

An Ongoing Process

Don’t get down on yourself if you’re not perfect in your walk. That’s why God gives us confession. Ask God for the grace to improve and then set your mind to it. Conversion is an ongoing process.

- from Tweet Inspiration

MINUTE MEDITATION

OPERATION RICE BOWL

Our PREP students would like to invite our parish community to join with them in the Rice Bowl initiative. Bishop Checchio has

noted that our diocese has been a leader throughout the country in this worthy effort. Rice bowls are available at the entrances of the church.

SACRAMENTS AT ST. MARY OF OSTRABRAMA 2018

We are pleased to announce that Bishop James F. Checchio will be the presider at the Sacrament of Confirmation at St. Mary’s on Friday, May 4, 2018 at 5:00 pm. Also, the Sacrament of First Holy Communion will be held on Saturday, May 5, 2018 at 10:00 am. Please pray for the young people of our parish who are preparing for these most important sacraments.

May Our Lord bless our young

parishioners and the Holy Spirit guide them in their preparations.

FAITH FORMATION . . .

UNANNOUNCED MISSION MASSES

If you are interested in scheduling Masses said by a Missionary priest, please submit the name, fee ($10 per name), and number of Masses. These Masses are sent out of the country by the Diocesan Pontifical Mission Society and will not be announced in our weekly bulletin. Please call the Parish Office.

Don’t forget to set your clocks ahead one hour at 2:00 am next Sunday, March 11.

CHRISM MASS Monday, March 26, 2018

Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi, Metuchen

7:30pm

On Monday, March 26, 2018 Bishop James F. Checchio 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. Saint 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! The Oil of Catechumens is used to anoint infants and adults before their Baptism; the Oil of the Sick is used on the forehead and hands of the infirmed in the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick; and Sacred Chrism is 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, and the altar and walls of new churches. At the Mass, all priests make a Renewal of Commitment to Priestly Service, recommitting themselves to their Bishop and to their ministry to God and His People; the Bishop and 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 at the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi in Metuchen at 7:30pm.

Recently, on World Marriage Sunday, a St. Mary’s couple was

asked to reveal the secret to the longevity of their marriage. The gentleman responded, “My father gave us good advice on our wedding day. He told us never to go to bed angry.” His wife smiled and added, “Yes, we have followed his advice throughout the 71 years of our marriage. One time, we didn’t get to sleep for three days.”

Holy Humor