The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass Sat. 5:00pm & 6:30pm

Sun: 7:30am; 9:00am (Latin) 10:30am & 12:00noon

Daily: Mon.– Sat. 8:00am Monday & Friday 12:00 (Latin)

Eucharistic Adoration: Monday 8:30am-7:00pm

Novena Mass; Mon., Wed. 7:00 pm; Sat. 8:00 am

Confessions: Sat. 3:00 -4:00

Parish Staff Pastor: Very Rev. Daniel C. Hesko, VF Deacons Rev. Mr. John Orlando Rev. Mr. John McGrath (retired) Religious Education: Mrs. Jackie Callahan, M.A. Mrs. Kathleen McGuire Parish Office: Mrs. Julie Fehlhaber Mrs. Kathleen Toomey Music Director: Mrs. Karen Ohrn

St. Catherine Laboure Church Middletown, New Jersey

Sunday 3 of the Church year, January 27, 2019 No matter where You are on Life’s journey, You are welcome Here!

Jesus Christ Son of God the Savior

TODAY’S LITURGY: Sunday 3 Year C

READINGS: RED HYMNAL # 878

Processional Hymn: CREDO # 449 When Morning Gilds the Sky

Gradual (Psalm 19) Your Words, Lord, are Spirit and Life

Offertory Hymn: CREDO # 573 Amazing Grace Communion Hymn: CREDO # 359 O Lord, I Am Not Worthy Recessional Hymn: RED BOOK # 752 The Master Came to Bring Good News

THE INTERCESSIONS:

P: United in faith, let us br ing before the Lord our needs and wants, trusting in His mercy and compassion. Our response will be: MAY YOUR WILL BE DONE

L: Let us pray for all who preach the Gospel in the Church. P: Father in heaven, hear our prayers for Your Catholic Church. Watch over our Pope, our Bishop and all Priests and Deacons. Grant them strength and vigor, as Fishers of Men to proclaim the truth of Your Gospel. Father trusting in Your love we pray: R: MAY YOUR WILL BE DONE

L: Let us pray for those in public office. P: Grant wisdom to the President of the United States and all of our elected leaders. Give them wisdom and will to overturn unjust laws, and seek to be obedient to Your Divine Law, so that true and lasting peace may descend upon a people pleasing in Your sight. Father trusting in Your love. R: MAY YOUR WILL BE DONE

For those not receiving Holy Communion we offer the following prayer. My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen (St. A lphonsus Ligouri)

PARISH OFFICE HOURS: Monday-Friday 8:30am- 4:00pm OFFICE ADDRESS: 130 Bray Avenue, Middletown N.J . CONTACT: Parish Office: 732-787-1318 Fax: 732-787-2851; Rel. Ed/Ministry: 732-495-7779; Parish Hall: 732-787-2869; Thrift Shop: 732-787-2836; Web Site: www.stcathek.org; Email: stcathek1@aol.com

Ministry to the Sick and Homebound: To arrange Communion for the homebound, or for the Sacrament of the Sick, call the parish office.

Sacrament of Baptism: Arrangements must be made through the parish office. Infants should be baptized as soon as possible.

Sacrament of Matrimony: According to Diocesan policy, marriage arrangements must be made at least nine months prior to the wedding date through the parish office. Either the man or woman must be registered in our parish.

Annulment Advocacy : To discuss Church Annulment procedure, or for information concerning Church Validation of a civil marriage, call the parish office to arrange a meeting with Fr. Dan.

FORMED: A Catholic Media Program you can access 24/7 from your computer , I-phone etc. Go to www.stcathek.formed.org click ’register’ follow prompts and enjoy.

L: Let us pray for all who stand in need of our prayers, especially the poor and those who seek God in time of need. P: Merciful Father , hear us and bless those who suffer in body, soul or spirit, help those who suffer with addic-tion. Grant them strength in every trial, and your peace that passes all understanding. Father trusting in Your love we pray: R: MAY YOUR WILL BE DONE

L: Let us commend to God the sick and suffering and all of the faithful departed. P: Be near to all who are sick in mind, body or spir it, grant them healing and peace. We pray also for the faithful departed, especially our retired Bishop, John Smith. May they know the forgiveness of their sins and the joy and peace of paradise. Father trusting in Your love we pray: R: MAY YOUR WILL BE DONE

P: Hear our prayers O Loving Father , and grant us grace to be fishers of men and so make You known and loved in the world. We ask this through Christ our Lord. R: AMEN

Born: June 23, 1935 Ordained: May 27, 1961

Consecrated: December 1, 1987 Died: January 22, 2019

O God, who chose your servant John from among your Priests,

and endowed him with pontifical dignity in the apostolic

priesthood, grant, we pray, that he may also be admitted to

their company for ever. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns

for ever and ever. Amen

Most Rev. John M. Smith: Ninth Bishop of Trenton

WEEKLY MASS INTENTIONS Monday, January 28th St. Thomas Aquinas 8:00am Robert E. Taylor by M/M Paul Bergin Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament all day. 12:00noon Francine Lentini by Kathleen Leo & Family 7:00pm Lois Ann O’Keefe by Kirsh Family Tuesday, January 29th 8:00am Liv. Int. Joseph Sestito, III (bthdy) by Dad Wednesday, January 30th 8:00am Liv. Int. Joseph Cocker & Deceased Lori Schuster By Charmaine & Manny 7:00pm St. Joseph Novena Mass 7:45pm Bible Study Thursday, January 31st St. John Basco 8:00am Nancy A. Rahill (anniv.) by Rahill & Burkhard Families Friday, February 1st First Friday 8:00am Martin Vyniski (anniv.) by Family 12:00noon Poor Souls in Purgatory by Nappi Family/ First Friday Holy Hour Saturday, February 2nd The Presentation of the Lord 8:00am Most Rev. John M Smith 9:00am (Latin Mass)

Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time 5:00pm Roseanne Lepard by Tony & Rose Cinquegrana 6:30pm Liv. Int. Brian, Kelly & Katie by Family, Margaret Landy by Family, Raymond Riddel by Family, Mary Hilla by Family, Sunday, February 3rd (St. Blaise) 7:30am Frank Rahill (bthdy) by Rahill & Burkhard Families 9:00am Liv. Int. Jacqueline, Robbie & Emily Robinson by Travers Family 10:30am Pro Populo 12:00noon Joe Santilli (bthdy) by Children

TMIY, TMIY, TMIY THAT MAN IS YOU

A spiritual program for Men Saturday mornings from 6:30 to 8:00am. In the school building. For more information contact Steven @732-778-2950.

WEDNESDAY EVENING BIBLE STUDY 7:45 to 8:30pm

Fr. Dan leads the study. We are studying the Epistle of St. James.

Saturday Feb. 2: Feast of the Presentation of the Lord; The Blessing of Candles; 8:00 am and 9:00am Latin

You are invited to bring candles for blessing. Sunday Feb. 3 Feast of St. Blaise, the Blessing of throats after All weekend Masses

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament

Every Monday after the 8:00 am Mass

until the 7:00 pm Mass. Spend quiet time before the Lord, con-sider singing up for 1 hour each Mon-

day for the Month. Sign up sheet in the Narthex sign board

O Worship the Lord in the The Sanctuary Lamp will burn this week in honor of Raymond Nicholas Menges.

Blessed Mother Votive Light this week will burn in memory of Nancy A. Rahill (wedd. anniv.) gift of Rahill & Burkhard Families.

Sacred Heart Votive Light will burn this week in memory of Vincent Keating (bthdy) gift of Handel, Hockey & Sonnick Families.

OUR WEEKLY OFFERING The first collection last week: $6,136.00. The second collection: $1,964.00. The second collection today: Church in Latin America. The second collection next week: Building Fund. Thank you for your support of your parish. Fr. Dan Hesko God is generous to the generous of heart.’ Let us be generous in what we are and what we have, our time, talents and treasure.

Banns of Christian Matrimony

I Alexander Garcia & Sandra Burton.

If anyone knows of just cause why they. may not be joined in Christian Matrimony, let them speak now or forever hold their

St. Catherine’s Church POT O’ GOLD

PLEASE HELP US REACH OUR GOAL OF 300 TICKETS SOLD!!

A limited number of tickets to be sold (300) with three ways to win BIG! $100.00 per ticket. Prizes will be drawn on Saturday, March 16th at our break-fast in the parish hall after morning Mass.

You may also split a ticket. For more information or to reserve your lucky number call the parish office 732-787-1318. First Prize: 70% of 50%

Second Prize: 20% of 50% Third Prize: 10% of 50%

Winners need not be present.

Split the ticket with family and

friends!

NEED TO RECEIVE CONFIRMATION?? If you need to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation and would like to receive it on March 21, 2019 call the Religious Education Office at 732-495-7779 by January 29th for class information.

ST. CATHERINE’S ROSARY ALTAR SOCIETY

SATURDAY, MARCH 2ND $30.00 PER PERSON

ANNUAL MARDI GRAS CELEBRATION

JOIN US FOR A FUN NIGHT WITH A GIFT AUCTION, 50/50 RAFFLES.

GRAND PRIZE: SURPRISE WEEKEND FOR TWO

PLUS MANY OTHER PRIZES. RESERVE EARLY,

CALL COOKY @732-787-3673, NO TICKETS SOLD

AT THE DOOR, NO ONE UNDER 21.

SIGN OF PEACE AND COMMON CHALICE

We are in the midst of another bad flu season. For everyone’s sake we will discontinue the

Chalice at Holy Mass until the First Sunday of Lent.

As well as the ‘Sign of Peace’ If you are feeling a bit sick,or

are afraid of getting sick, a simple nod of the head with the greeting ‘peace’ is quite sufficient.

Please do not be offended if someone does not want to shake hands. It’s also never appropriate to call out ‘God

Bless You’ when someone sneezes in Church. If you are right by them a quiet whisper is sufficient.

In your charity please remember to pray for: Julia Fehlhaber, Mike Marciano, Ed Cooney, Josephine Dennis, Patrick Lipka, Patrick Smith, Kristie Young, Monica Gilk, Paul Matyas, Maria Lonseth, Marge Brand, Anthony DelaTacoma, Sr., Ruth Alaia, Jim Donnelly, Kathleen Toomey, Rev. Josh Keeran, Susan Rick, Ryan Hansen, Bill Arangruen, Kerri Black, Ellie Julien, Sara Jane Mauer, Thomas D. Murphy, Ana Oliveira, Michael Brothers, Deborah Snyder, Theresa Marks, Sheila Buxton, Mar-garet Cascone, Rachel O’Brien, Taryn Hussey, Maureen Farrell, Rich Callahan, and for the faithful departed: The Most Rev. John M. Smith, Edie Conk. God, our loving Father, look with kindness on our brothers and sisters who seek Your care. In Your mercy grant health to the sick; comfort to the sorrowful, peace to the troubled, joy to the weary and eternal rest to those whose work on earth is done, and all for Jesus’ Amen

Prayer for those serving in our Military Please remember to pray for our parish-ioners and friends serving this nation at home and abroad. CDR Michael Dwan; USN Major Mark Paige; USMC Patrick Gallagher; Staff Ssgt. Matthew Santilli; Master Ssgt. Albert DiMaggio; Lieutenant Colonel Bayard Smith; Dallas Jamison & Sgt. Timothy Hayes, Major Carlo Brancato, USMC. Prayer: O God who art the lover of peace and concord. Grant to these thy servants who serve this nation, grace and strength. Preserve them we pray and shield them from all danger of body and soul; and hasten the day when they shall return to their homes and loved ones, through Christ our Lord. Amen

PRAYER FOR OUR POLICEMEN O Almighty God, Whose great power and eternal wisdom embraces the universe, Watch over all policemen and law enforce-ment officers everywhere. Protect them from harm. In the performance of their duty to stop crime, robbery, riots and violence. We pray, help them keep our streets and homes safe, day and night. We commend them to your loving care because their duty is dan-

gerous. Grant them strength and courage in their daily assign-ments. Dear God, protect these brave men and women. Grant them your almighty protection. Unite them safely with their fam-ilies after duty has ended. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

We Need Altar Servers. See Fr. Dan for more infor-mation. If you are unable to serve your assigned Mass try to get a replacement and notify the parish office of your replacement. TODAY 5:00pm Fr . Dan 6:30pm Fr. Michael 7:30am Fr . Dan 9:00am Fr . Dan 10:30am Fr . Mat 12:00noon Fr . Mat Altar Servers: 5:00pm A.Gibilisco, A.Gibilisco, & A. Gibilisco 10:30am L.Wickham, S. Wickham T. Cherney

SPIRITUALLY ADOPT AN UNBORN BABY This Weekend

Everyone loves the beauty and innocence of a baby. As an ex-pression of that love, St. Catherine’s Choose Life Committee announces an adoption program for old and young alike. The member of St. Catherine’s parish family will have the oppor-tunity to “spiritually adopt” a child. You may adopt a child individually or as a family by taking a granny square prayer kit, pray a daily Hail Mary for the parents of the baby. You will be asked to name the child for whom you will be praying, thereby giving the baby the humanity he or she deserves. The child will be born in October, at that time we will celebrate your child’s birth with a baby shower. The baby gifts collected will be giv-en to a local pregnancy center. You will be asked to return the granny square you are given and it will be used to make a baby blanket. There are millions of unborn babies desperately in need of your prayers, for the power of prayer is great. Won’t you please “spiritually adopt” a baby and share the love for life that God has given you? God bless you! Day 1: Your Spiritually Adopted Baby is conceived! At the moment of conception my new human life begins, complete with my own DNA. My sex is determined and alt-hough I am no bigger than a grain of sugar, I have a soul!

February 2nd/3rd 5:00pm Fr . Dan 6:30pm Fr . Dan 7:30am Fr . Michael 9:00am Fr . Dan 10:30am Fr . Dan 12:00noon Fr . Dan Altar Servers: 5:00pm A.Gibilisco, A.Gibilisco, A. Gibilisco 10:30am L.Wickham, S. Wickham L. Lusquinos

CATHOLIC DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAS Next meetings are February 3, March 13th, April 10th, May 8th and June 12th in St. Mary’s Lower Chapel, Leonardville Road, Middletown at 7:00pm. Ladies 18 and older are invited to visit a meeting. Call Janet Bilotta @732-671-6446

Learn more about Your Catholic Faith

Educational, Inspirational, Entertaining Visit www.stcathek.formed.org click ’register’ follow prompts and enjoy. stcathek.org is pass word

CATECHISM LESSON: The Sacrament of Holy Baptism/Confirmation

part III From: WWW.UNAMSANCTAMCATHOLICAM.COM

Who can baptize? The ordinary minister of baptism is a bishop, priest or deacon, although in case of necessity, any person can baptize. The 1439 Decretum pro Armenis phrases it this way: “The minister of this sacrament is the priest whose official function it is to baptize. In case of necessity, however, not merely the priest or the deacon, but also a layman, even a woman, yea even a pagan or a heretic can baptize, provided he adheres to the form of the Church, and has the intention of doing what the Church does.” The reason for this wide application of baptism is God’s will to save all men and the necessity of Baptism for salvation. Baptism of Infants Following Apostolic Tradition, the Church has always adhered to the practice of baptizing infants. This practice is condemned by some Protestant sects who argue that faith is necessary for a valid baptism, and that since infants cannot exercise faith, they cannot therefore receive baptism. On the contrary, the Church teaches that the command to baptize is universal, and that Christ places no restrictions on persons based on how much or little faith they are able to exercise. The reasons the Church baptizes infants are many:

The nature of the sacrament: baptism confers grace ex opere operato, that is, objectively and without regard to the recipient. Unless they actively will to nullify the sacrament, the recipient receives its graces. Since a child cannot do this, they receive the fruits of the sacrament. (Pope Innocent III said, “Original sin, which is contracted without consent, is by the power of the Sac-rament, remitted without consent.”)

Furthermore, in the Scriptures, St. Paul notes that baptism has replaced circumcision (Col. 2:11–12). In that passage, he refers to baptism as "the circumcision of Christ" and "the circumcision made without hands." Of course, usually only infants were cir-cumcised under the Old Law; circumcision of adults was rare, since there were few converts to Judaism. If Paul meant to ex-clude infants, he would not have chosen circumcision as a paral-lel for baptism.

The New Testament gives several instances of entire families being baptized without omitting the children (Acts 16:15, 33; 1 Cor. 1:16).

The ancient Church always upheld the baptism of infants. Consider the following quotes: "Baptize first the children, and if they can speak for themselves let them do so. Otherwise, let their parents or other relatives speak for them" (St. Hippolytus, The Apostolic Tradition 21:16 [A.D. 215]). "Do you have an infant child? Allow sin no oppor-tunity; rather, let the infant be sanctified from childhood. From his most tender age let him be consecrated by the Spirit. Do you fear the seal [of baptism] because of the weakness of nature? Oh, what a pusillanimous mother and of how little faith!" (St. Grego-ry Nazianzen, Oration on Holy Baptism 40:7 [A.D. 388]). "The custom of Mother Church in baptizing infants is certainly not to be scorned, nor is it to be regarded in any way as superfluous, nor is it to be believed that its tradition is anything except apos-tolic" (St. Augustine, The Literal Interpretation of Genesis 10:23:39 [A.D. 408]). Nowhere in Catholic Tradition do we find any other teaching. However, the fact that the Catholic Church affirms the practice of infant baptism does not mean that infant baptism alone is sufficient for spiritual formation or that it alone ensures salvation. On the contrary, baptizing an infant only plac-es a greater responsibility upon parents to raise the child in the Faith, which they vow in the baptismal promises during the rite of baptism. Infant baptism is the beginning of Christian

formation; it is not a substitute for Christian formation. The Sacrament of Confirmation Because of their interrelation, Baptism and Confirmation are presented together, though in the Christian life this may not be the order in which these sacraments are received. With Eucharist and Baptism, Confirmation completes the Sacraments of Initia-tion. The Sacrament of Confirmation is associated with the giv-ing of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is sent by the Father and the Son to give life and power to the Church; it is through the recep-tion of the Spirit that we are empowered to live the graces im-parted at baptism. The plentitude of the Spirit was poured out on Christ, and through Him to the Church. From that time on the apostles, in fulfillment of Christ’s will, imparted to the newly baptized by the laying on of hands the gift of the Spirit that com-pletes the grace of Baptism. For this reason in the Letter to the Hebrews the doctrine concerning Baptism and the laying on of hands is listed among the first elements of Christian instruction. The imposition of hands is rightly recognized by the Catholic tradition as the origin of the sacrament of Confirmation, which in a certain way perpetuates the grace of Pentecost in the Church. -CCC 1288 In addition to the laying on of hands, sacred oil (chrism) was very early on added to the rite in order to better highlight the name “Christian,” which means “anointed.” In the East this sacrament is called Chrismation, while in the West Confirmation, to demonstrate that it both confirms and strength-ens baptismal grace. Effects of Confirmation Confirmation grants to us an outpouring of the Holy Spirit in a special way. From this fact, Confirmation brings an increase and deepening of baptismal grace:

It roots us more deeply in the Divine Sonship. It unites us more firmly to Christ. It increases the gifts of the Holy Spirit in us. It renders our bond with the Church more perfect. It gives us a special strength of the Holy Spirit to spread and

defend the Faith by word and action as true witnesses of Christ, to confess the name of Christ boldly, and never to be ashamed of the cross. (the idea of a Solider of Christ)

Like Baptism, it confers an indelible spiritual mark, the “character,” or sign that a person is marked with the Holy Spirit by Jesus Christ.

It perfects the common priesthood of the faithful. Who Can Receive Confirmation? Any baptized person who has not already been confirmed can receive Confirmation. Though Baptism and Eucharist are still certainly valid without Confirmation, Christian initiation would remain incomplete. For centuries, the Latin custom has indicated an “age of discretion” at which children ought to receive Confir-mation; but in danger of death, children should be confirmed even if they have not attained the age of reason. St. Thomas Aquinas, following Tradition, draws a parallel between Confir-mation completing spiritual birth and the completion of natural development: “Confirmation is to baptism what growth is to gen-eration. Now it is clear that a man cannot advance to a perfect age unless he has first been born; in like manner, unless he has first been baptized he cannot receive the Sacrament of Confirma-tion” (STh III:72:6) One must be in a state of grace to receive fruitfully Confirmation and should have first made a sacramental confession. Intense prayer should prepare one to receive the strength and graces of the Holy Spirit with docility and readiness to act. Biblical References to the Sacrament of Confirmation Act 8:14-17: Acts 19:1-6: 1 John 2:20, 27: Hebrews 6:1-4: 2 Cor. 1:20, 21 KNOW YOUR FAITH AND SHARE IT WITH OTHERS