February 5, 2012 - Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

When it was evening, after sunset, they brought to him all who were ill or possessed by demons. The whole town was gathered at the door. He cured many who were sick with various diseases, and he drove out many demons, not permitting them to speak because they knew him. - Mk 1:32-34

PARISH NEWS
Spring is just around the corner!!
We have just past the midpoint of winter! With the days getting longer and warmer, we are reminded that Spring is just around the corner!

Please mark your calendar for the upcoming parish sponsored events:

March 23- Lenten supper sponsored by Argyle Restaurant of Kearny (noted by New Jersey monthly and others for its famous Fish and Chips!). Cost is $15 per adult and $8/child; eat in or take out at the parish center. Dinner will be served from 5:00-7:00pm. Please sign up by March 15th!

March 30- Pierogy night at St. Mary’s Stony Hill, 5:00-6:30pm. $15/family, $5/per person. Registration forms for both dinners are available online, at the office or in the narthex!

April 20- 7:00-11:00 p.m.- Denim and Diamonds parish fundraiser featuring music by ‘Simply Diamond’, a Neal Diamond sound-alike, 50/50 raffle and silent auction at Twin Brooks Country Club. $75/per person includes dinner, open bar and fantastic entertainment! For a preview of the entertainment go to www.simplydiamondrocks.com

HAVE YOU THOUGHT ABOUT SERVING AS A EUCHARISTIC MINISTER?
Serving at Mass as a Eucharistic Minister (or the more accurate title “Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion”) is a wonderful privilege granted to lay men and women by the Holy Church. The Eucharistic Minister plays an important role in assisting the priest in administering the sacrament of the Eucharist. All Eucharistic Ministers should be good examples of Christian living in faith and conduct and they should have a desire to grow in holiness through this sacrament of unity of love.

St. Mary’s is in need of such individuals and we encourage anyone with the desire to serve to step forward. Generally, Eucharistic Ministers serve at one or two Masses per month.

If you have a desire to serve in this ministry, have further questions or know someone that would be interested, please contact Peter D’Angelo at liturgy@stmaryswatchung.org or by calling (908) 756-4845. Peter will be happy to answer any questions or concerns you may have.

PORTUGAL PILGRIMAGE
St. Mary’s-Stony Hill parish is planning a pilgrimage trip to Portugal, on October 18, through October 26, 2012.

A copy of the detailed itinerary and registration form can be picked-up in the Narthex.

MOUNT ST. MARY HOUSE OF PRAYER
The following programs are being offered. Registration is required for all programs; call 908-753-2091 or e-mail: msmhope@msmhope.org

- Weekend Retreat: Begins 7pm on opening day concludes at 2pm. Feb. 10-12, ($120/weekend; non-refundable deposit ($30).

- Seeking God Through Cinema: Watch and discuss movies with message: Of Gods and Men –Wed-Feb 8, 9:30am-12:30pm. ($15) Mary Jo Kearns, RSM

- Be My Valentine! Retreat for Married Couples: Nurture and celebrate the gift of love. Includes supper, prayer, sharing and Mass. Mon-Feb 13, 6-9pm ($60/couple)

- Personal Retreat Day – Sacred Time, Sacred Space: A personal, quiet day to enjoy God’s presence. Day begins with communal prayer, Feb 15, 9:30am-3pm. Bring bag lunch ($20).

OUTSIDE HAPPENINGS
The Shrine of St. Joseph Trinity House - Stirling “Mindfulness”. Evening Dinner Retreat: You are invited to an evening retreat, on Monday, February 13 from 5:00-9:00pm, at Trinity House. Pre-registration is required $25. Enjoy a light meal, presentation and prayer time. e-mail peterkrebs@stshrine.org or 908-647-0208.

IMMACULATA – CELEBRATES ALUMNI MASS
On Sunday, February 26, Monsignor Seamus Brennan will celebrate a Memorial Mass at 1:00 p.m. at Immaculata High School. The Mass will remember deceased alumni and faculty, followed by an informal reception.

To ensure the list of deceased graduates and faculty is as complete as possible; the school’s Alumni Office is asking local residents to submit information they might have on Immaculata teachers or alumni who have died.

In addition, in preparation for the school’s 50th anniversary celebration in 2012, all alumni are asked to send their current mailing and email addresses to the school via email or call the number below. To assure there is ample seating at Mass and refreshments, email tkuboski@immaculatahighschool.org or call 908-722-0200 x 128.

Felician College- Open House
You are invited to our spring 2012 Open House programs that will take place on Saturday, February 25 and April 21. For more information on dates and events, please call the college at 201-559-6131 2011

BISHOP’S ANNUAL APPEAL
IN FAITH, WITH HOPE
Your contribution to the Bishop’s Annual Appeal helps to sustain the ministry of the Office of the Diaconate which extends its efforts in the recruitment, selection and training of men who, through prayer and discernment, have recognized their calling to the permanent diaconate. Please consider making a gift today. To date, the Development Department has received pledges totaling $145,018.02 and payments totaling $138,774.27 from 185 parishioners. This represents 110.1% of the $131,700.00 goal.

IN AND AROUND THE DIOCESE OF METUCHEN
• World Marriage Day Celebration - Sunday, February 12, “Love One Another” World Marriage Day, which is held each year on the second Sunday in February, honors the lifelong commitment of husband and wife. The commandment given to us by Jesus in John 15:12 is to love one another. Loving one another as husband and wife is a daily decision, simple but challenging. It is an ongoing process of learning about each other and how to accommodate differences so that both spouses can feel satisfied and grow in love for each other. For helpful insights and suggestions on how to love one another more fully log on to the Catholic Bishops (USCCB) marriage resource website: www.foryourmarriage.org. Be prepared to find videos along with interesting articles for couples in every stage of marriage including the challenges facing couples today: unemployment, parenting, balancing work and family, care giving, etc.

• Bible Study Series for Maturing Adult Catholics (55+) The Family Life Office is pleased to announce that another eight week Bible Study Series for Maturing Adults (55+) will begin Wednesday, February 29 through Wednesday, May 15, 2012 from 10:30am-12:30pm. This series of classes will begin by studying the last five chapters of the Acts of the Apostles over the course of a semester. There are a total of eight sessions including three Senior Study days and a Spiritual Retreat Day. A nominal fee of $5.00 per session is required. For more information, call 732-562-1990 ext. 1624, Family Life Office/Diocese of Metuchen.