July 27, 2008 - Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

"The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field, which a person finds and hides again, and out of joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant searching for fine pearls. When he finds a pearl of great price, he goes and sells all that he has and buys it." - Mt 13:44-46

WEDDING BANS - 3rd
Sandra Borges - Lady of Fatima Church, Newark
David Loia - St. Mary's-Stony Hill

50/50 CASH RAFFLE
Tickets are $20 each and can be purchased by calling the parish office or getting an order form by clicking here.   A book of tickets is being mailed home to all parishioners and we ask that you help your parish by reaching out to family and friends to buy a ticket!!  Please help support your parish and our programs.  Thank you!!

GREAT JOB ON THE BIG GIVE, ST. MARYS!
Our first BIG give was a BIG success due to the amazing generosity of the parishioners of St. Mary’s.  We collected 24 fans and 12 air conditioners.  In addition, we received over $700 with which we purchased an additional 60 fans!!  This has been a sweltering summer and for many families in Newark, it just got a whole lot cooler!   Thanks again, The Big Give Committee: Janine Riedinger, Chris Baculis, Nancy Beckert and Gina Ricciardi

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION NEWS

Are you interested in strengthening your relationship with God?  Sharing your faith with the children of St. Mary’s is a challenging and fun way to deepen your personal faith.  Jesus tells us “to become like little children” to better follow him on our life journey.  What better way is there to accomplish this than to witness the joy on a child’s face as he learns to pray, or listen to an adolescent as he sifts through the teachings of the Gospel and chooses to make good moral choices.  We are called to share our faith with others.  If you are interested in learning more about how you can do this with children, please call Pat Dorsi  @ 908-756-0038.

SUMMER BLOOD DRIVE  - 8/10 - Fireman's exempt hall
The Covenant Committee has been asked to run another blood drive during the summer since there is a bigger shortage than ever.  Therefore, we picked August 10th.  It will be held as usual in the Firemen’s Exempt Hall from 8:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. 

Whole blood, platelets and red cells will be drawn.  NY/NJ Blood services has developed some incentives to encourage donations.  They have platelet and red cell advantage programs and anyone donating between June 20 – Sept. 14 will be entered to win one of two special vacations.  They also have started a point system for any donations Please try to give and urge others to also.  You’ll see signs and other reminders soon.  In addition, each donor will receive two Mets tickets.  Don’t worry there will be 56 days before our next drive on October 5.  Let’s try to keep up our good record.  Thanks for caring! Please sign-up in the Narthex  

PARISH PICNIC - SAVE THE DATE
Please save the date for St. Mary's-Stony Hill picnic to be held on Sunday, September 28th.  Rain date is October 5th. 

HAPPENINGS AT THE DIOCESE OF METUCHEN  
Theology of the Body: Come to our mini-workshop on the “Theology of the Body”, a basic introduction to Pope John Paul It’s teachings as they relate to marital love, sexual union and the human body.  The date is Wednesday, August 6, from 7:00-9:00pm.  For information and to register, call 732-562-1990 ext. 1624.  

Does Your Loved One Have Alzheimer’s Disease or Dementia?  A seminar will be held on Wednesday, August 20 @ 1:00-3:00pm or 7:00-9:00pm @ St. John Neumann Pastoral Center for those interested in learning about this disease.  The seminar will help you to recognize the early signs of dementia, provide strategies to deal with various behaviors related to this disease and teach you what to expect and how to communicate with a family member who has dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.  Admission is $10 person-families of 3 or more-$5.00 each, fee.  Please call the Family Life Office @ 732-562-1990 ext. 1624.      

Diocesan Pilgrimage for Vocations
Bishop Bootkoski extends a cordial invitation to the people of our Diocese to join with him on a Diocesan Pilgrimage for Vocations to the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC on Saturday, October 18, 2008.  More details will be forthcoming about a parish bus.  In the meantime, mark you calendars.  

Pilgrimage Youth Choir Grades 7-12
You are invited to sing with the Diocesan Pilgrimage Youth Choir at Mass and in concert during the October 18th pilgrimage.  Fall rehearsals will be held at the Pastoral Center, 146 Metlars Lane, Piscataway:
Tues., Sept 30 7-8:30pm, Tues., Oct 7: 7-8:30pm
Sun., Oct. 12 2-4pm, Tues, Oct 14 7-8:30pm
Contact Lisa Mary Andrade: (732) 562-1990 x1634 or  landrade@diometuchen.org  

Retrouvaille- A Lifeline for Troubled Marriages
Sponsored by the Family Life Office/Diocese of Metuchen consists of a weekend experience for couples (no group discussions) with six follow up sessions. Next program will be Sept. 19-21, 2008. Call Family Life Office (732) 562-1990x1624 or Tom and Pat McTague (732) 583-4468.    

Retreat: Separated or Divorced
Come to our retreat on September 12-14, to be held in Newton, NJ, given by a Franciscan Retreat Team. For more information call Father Tom Kelly, OFM (973) 985-9736 or Deacon Milt (973) 271-5097  

 
Assumption Church
Wood-Ridge, NJ: Come to a weekend retreat for separated or divorced on Sept. 12, 13, 14, 2008, in Newton, by a Franciscan Retreat Team. For information, call Fr. Kelly @ 973-985-9736 or Deacon Milt @ 973-271-5097  

Critical Life Issues Conference 
On Saturday, October 25, the Diocese of Metuchen will be sponsoring the “2008 Critical Life Issues Conference.”  The Conference will address many of the critical life issues which face us today including: imitating Jesus when debating the life issues, making sense of the media, the impact of abortion on men, 3- and 4-D ultrasound and dealing with a difficult pre-natal diagnosis.  The conference will feature dynamic and inspirational speakers from across the country and will also feature exhibits.  It will be held at the St. John Neumann Conference Center, in Piscataway from 8:30am-3:30pm.  Registration is $40 for general admission and $20 for clergy, religious and students. The fee includes lunch and handouts.   To register, please call 732-562-1990 ext. 1629  

Staff Writer – The Catholic Spirit
The Catholic Spirit, the weekly newspaper of the Diocese of Metuchen, seeks an energetic, enthusiastic, motivated and deadline-oriented individual to write news and feature articles on major events and developments impacting the diocese.  Candidates should have a clear, crisp writing style, good communication skills, excellent command of language, knowledge of the Roman Catholic faith and an ability to craft stories that will inform, educate and inspire readers.  Bachelor’s degree in Journalism or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience required.  Full-time position with benefits.  No phone inquiries please.  If interested, forward your resume, best clips and salary history to: HR@diometuchen.org      

TRIPS
Saint Ann Parish, Raritan, NJ:  Pilgrimage/Retreat to Fatima & Lourdes scheduled for November 2008.  Daily mass will be offered.  Only a limited number of spaces remaining.  We will also visit Burgos & Barcelona in Spain and Carcassone on France. The cost per person is $2,349.  Land and Air complete.  Call 908-725-1008 ext. 104 for information    

St. Andrew Catholic Church: Pilgrimage to Italy
Come visit Florence, Assisi, Padua & Rome, November 10-20, 2008.  The cost is $2,499.00.  For more information, call 732-634-4355, or e-mail dkosmoski@juno.com