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.

JULY 2, 2017 Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

PARISH STAFF:

Rev. Michael J. Gromadzki Pastor

Thomas F. Dominiecki, Deacon Emeritus

Mark Hennicke Deacon

Mr. Lawrence Lasko, Director of Sacred Music 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

THIRTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

SATURDAY (SOBOTA), JULY 1 4 PM Pro Populo / For the People of the Parish

SUNDAY (NIEDZIELA), JULY 2 8:30 Intentions of Rosarians 10:30 +Hedwig & Joseph Arciszewski Req. by: Family 12 N +Marcin & Stanislawa Filipowicz Req. by: Pasanowic Family

MONDAY (PONIEDZIALEK), JULY 3 St. Thomas, Apostle 8 AM +Sokoloski & Grella Families Req. by: Joan & Edward Sokoloski

TUESDAY (WTOREK), JULY 4 USA: Independence Day 8 AM +Sophie Witkowski Req. by: St. Mary’s Parishioners

WEDNESDAY (SRODA), JULY 5 St. Anthony Zaccaria, Priest; USA: St. Elizabeth of Portugal 8 AM +John Dominiecki Req. by: Joan DeBoer

THURSDAY (CZWARTEK), JULY 6 St. Maria Goretti, Virgin & Martyr 6:30PM +Carl & Josephine Rossi Req. by: Family

FRIDAY (PIATEK), JULY 7 Weekday 8 AM +Mass for Deceased

SATURDAY (SOBOTA), JULY 8 Weekday / BVM 4 PM +Benedicto Velazquez Req. by: Niece, Jeanette & Family

SUNDAY (NIEDZIELA), JULY 9 Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time 8:30 Intentions of Holy Name 10:30 Pro Populo / For the People of the Parish 12 N +Mary K. Olender Req. by: Children

**IMPORTANT NOTE** DAILY MASSES will resume in the downstairs

Chapel.

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 JULY

Lapsed Christians. That our brothers and sisters who have strayed from the faith, through our prayer and witness to the Gospel, may rediscover the merciful closeness of the Lord and the beauty of the Christian life.

THIRTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME “… whoever does not take up his cross and follow

after me is not worthy of me.” Matthew 10:38

Pope Benedict XVI said “The world offers you comfort. But you were not made for comfort, you were made for greatness”. “Comfort” puts me first. “Picking up your cross and following Jesus” puts God and others first. Why settle for comfort when you can achieve greatness! Pick up your cross, ask Jesus for guidance on using your gifts and live the life God intended for you!

Sunday, July 2 Altar Rosary Recites Rosary 8 am

Monday, July 3 No Seniors’ Meeting Parish Office Closed ~ Holiday Weekend

Tuesday, July 4 Parish Office Closed

Saturday, July 8 Confessions 11:00 am Food Bank Collection

Sunday, July 9 Holy Name Breakfast, Parish Center Food Bank Collection

THIS WEEK AT A GLANCE . . . WINE & HOSTS

+Mr. Edward Joswick - Stanley & Marie Gdula

CANDLE INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK

Sanctuary Candle ~ Church {Available - $25 for one large candle for one week}

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

Sacred Heart Altar Candles Birthday Blessings & Good Health for Alice Hnat -

Stan & Marie Gdula

Candle for St. Joseph Sr. Theresa Kovacs -

25th Anniversary of Final Vows - Family

Candle For St. Anthony Happy Birthday in Heaven

+Wladyslaw Rojek - Theresa & Family

Our Lady of Ostrabrama Candles {Available ~ $25 for two candles for one week}

Sanctuary Candle ~ Chapel {Available $25 for one large candle for one week}

Divine Mercy Candles ~ Chapel {Available - $25 for two candles for one week}

St. Anne’s Altar {Not available this week due to construction}

La Pieta Grotto Candles +Sophie Witkowski - St. Mary’s Parishioners

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, Charlotte & Ted Batko, Marie Borichewski, Patricia Brink, Virginia Brown, Cathy Christan, Lynette Cucco, Thomas DelGuercio, Mary Dzienkowski, Tom Fackovec, Evelyn Fafara, Penelope Fry, Sophie Galinski, John Ganser, Matthew Giardelli, Maryann Goccia, Amelia Halmo, Irene Hanko, Jean Hill, Eleanor Holz, Helen Hydrusko, Rose Johnson, Edward Jurewicz, Catheryn Kelly, Jason Klee, Marion Kovacs, Joan Krenzel, Mary P. Lementowicz, Michael Lucas, Pearl Markowski, Anthony Martino, Wanda Massaro, Dorothy McMahon, Hannah Grace Michlik, Rozalia Milkowski, Maria Nunez, Adela Ogrodnik, Joe Pawelek, Shona Pietraczenko, Nicholas Piacenti, Stanley Plewa, Cecelia Polanski, Ann Marie Puchala, Kevin Rasimowicz, C. Rasmussen, Rose Razzano, Walter & Edna Rice, Sr. Rosangela, Rosalie Rudy, Sean Ryan, Steven Samuel, Gregory Sciscoe, Stephen Soehngen, Mary Swider, Joe Szumski, Pauline Terelmes, Sylvia Thrasher, Christine Tobin, Maria Uzzo, Juan Velazquez, Arlene Watson, Claire Watson, Karolina Wojciechowski, Edward Wolanin, Jr., Kathryn Wolanin, Barbara Zambrzicky, Henry Ziolkowski.

IN OUR HEARTS & PRAYERS . . .

HOLIDAY OFFICE HOURS

Please be advised that due to the 4th of July holiday weekend, the Parish Office will be closed on Monday and Tuesday, July 3 & 4. The office will reopen on Wednesday, July 5 at 9:00 am.

Thank You and have a Happy & Safe 4th of July weekend!

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.

Rebuild my CHURCH

REMEMBER ST. MARY’S IN YOUR WILL

God will never be outdone in generosity. Please remember

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

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 - June 25, 2017

Weekly $3,862.00 Building Fund $1,841.00

Thank You & God Bless You! Bóg Zapłać!  

St. Mary of Ostrabrama Building Restoration Project Update . . .

Balance: $40,845.29

IN OUR PARISH . . .

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

Expressions of Love

In our relationship with the Lord, we sometimes think that it’s not necessary to express our love for Him. After all, He knows everything, so why bother? Even though He is all-knowing, He enjoys hearing the words “I love You.” Getting into the habit of saying those words will draw you closer to Him.

-from Find a Real Friend in Jesus

MINUTE MEDITATION

SUMMER ENVELOPES

We sincerely thank our parishioners who mail or deliver your weekly envelopes to the parish office while you are out of town on vacations this summer. As many of you understand, our parish expenses and obligations do not take a vacation when you do, so it is very helpful to be able to rely on your continued support even when you cannot personally attend Mass here.

REMINDER: The Food Bank collection in our parish is the second weekend of the month. The next collection will be July 8/9. Non-perishable groceries may be dropped off in the bin outside the upstairs elevator. Supermarket gift cards are also graciously accepted.

ST. MARY’S MUSIC MINISTRY

Choir rehearsals are held on Thursdays, 7:30 pm in the Sister Columbine Room in the lower church.

New members, especially MEN, are always welcome and needed. See our organist.

Celebration of Baptism

Welcome to our Parish Community of St. Mary of Ostrabrama through the Sacrament of Baptism:

Molly Joellen DeSantis Jackson Raymond Hare

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

FAITH FORMATION . . .

**P.R.E.P. REGISTRATION REMINDER**

If you have not yet done so, please contact the Parish Office as soon as possible to register for St. Mary’s PREP Program for 2017-2018 school year so books can be ordered.

Our PREP Program is for Grades 1-8 and classes are held on Mondays, 4:30 to 5:45 pm. For additional information, please call the Parish Office.

PREP Program will begin on Monday, September 18, 2017 at 4:30 pm with Mass. All are invited to join us for Mass as we begin a new PREP school year.

Novena to St. Anne 2017 Schedule

Tuesday & Wednesday

July 18 & 19 Novena follows 8:00 am Mass

Thursday, July 20 Novena follows 6:30 pm Mass

Friday, July 21 Novena follows 8:00 am Mass

Saturday & Sunday, July 22 & 23 Novena follows all weekend Masses

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday July 24, 25 & 26

Novena follows 8:00 am Mass

PRAYER FOR RELIGIOUS FREEDOM

Father, we praise You and thank You for your most precious gifts of human

life and human freedom.

Touch the hearts of our lawmakers with the wisdom and courage to uphold

conscience rights and religious liberty for all. Protect all people from being

forced to violate their moral and religious convictions.

In Your goodness, guard our freedom to live out our faith and to follow You in all that we do. Give us strength to be

bold and joyful witnesses.

We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

AROUND THE DIOCESE . . .

BECOME AN APOSTLE OF PRAYER … A 2-3 MINUTE DAILY COMMITMENT

Our Diocesan Office for Persons with Disabilities is seeking people to become Apostles of Prayer--offering prayers each day for those who make requests through our 24 hour prayer line. As a member of the apostolate, you would make a commitment to pray the Prayer for Persons with Earthly Crosses, at least once a day or more often if possible (A copy of the prayer will be sent to you.) If you are interested in participating in this prayer ministry, please contact our Office for Persons with Disabilities 732.765.6432 or email: catholicswithdisabilities@gmail.com and leave your name, phone number and mailing address.

24 HOUR PRAYER LINE

Our Diocesan Office for Persons with Disabilities has a 24 hour prayer line for those who desire pray-er for special needs. If you, a family member or friend would like to be remembered in prayer for a temporary or permanent illness, please call us and leave a detailed message at (732) 765-6431 or send an email to our office:

catholicswithdisabilities@gmail.com

“We all have the same ability to grow, to go forward, to love the Lord, to do good things … We all have the

same capacity to receive the sacraments.” -Pope Francis

A very special “thank you!” to the Mother’s Club of St. Mary’s and the children for the beautiful and wonderful Father’s Day Cards.

May St. Joseph watch over your families, always!

Thank you once again! They made my day!

Father Michael Gromadzki

You Can Save Your Marriage! Retrouvaille ~

A lifeline for troubled marriages

Has your marriage become unloving or uncaring--your relationship grown cold, distant--thinking about a separation or divorce? Are you already separated/divorced but (both of you) wish to try again--then the Retrouvaille program may help you.

RETROUVAILLE (Rediscovery) sponsored by the Family Life Office/Diocese of Metuchen consists of a weekend experience for couples (no group discussions) with six follow-up sessions.

The next program initiates the weekend of September 15-17, 2017. All inquiries are confidential. For further information, please call the Family Life Office 732-243-4573, Rich and Annette Colasuonno 732-236-0671 or Tom & Pat McTague 732-583-4468 (evenings).

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT DIOCESE OF METUCHEN, OFFICE OF WORSHIP

The position assists the director in preparing diocesan liturgical celebrations which includes scheduling of Masters of Ceremonies, Ministers of the Liturgy and various other preparation tasks. The position also assists the director in supporting pastors in their responsibility for promoting vibrant liturgical celebrations in their parish.

The ideal candidate will: • Be a practicing Roman Catholic who upholds the teaching and traditions of the Catholic Church and who possesses a sound working knowledge of the Catholic faith and customs. • Possesses an Associate's degree (A.A.) or equivalent from two-year college or technical school; or three to five years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience. • Must have excellent communication skills. • Outstanding organizational skills. • Be proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook and Access. • Bilingual oral and written communication in Spanish is a plus, but not necessary.

Detailed responsibilities are available upon request. Interested candidates should submit cover letter and resume to HR@diometuchen.org.

** Please note that due to the anticipated high volume of responses, only those candidates who we are interested in interviewing will be contacted. NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE.

St. Padre Pio Celebration Friday, July 28, 2017

Most Holy Redeemer Church 133 Amboy Road, Matawan

Mass at 7pm by Fr. Chester Carina, Pastor & Celebrant

Conference at 7:45pm Speaker, Fr. John Aurilia, OFM, CAP., Personal Secretary of Saint Padre Pio

For information, call 732.566.9334

Immaculate Conception Church, 35 Mountain Avenue, Somerville, is hosting REBOOT LIVE!, a life-changing event for parish and family featuring internationally acclaimed Speaker & Author, Chris Stefanik on November 7, 2017 from 7:00 to 9:30 pm. We expect this event to sell out fast. Tickets just $20! Sign up today. For more information or to purchase your ticket, call 908.725.1112 or www.reallifecatholic.com/REBOOT.

A WEEKEND OF EUCHARISTIC REPARATION

In Honor of the 100th Anniversary of the Apparitions of Fatima

July 13 - 16, 2017

World Apostolate of Fatima Our Lady’s Blue Army

674 Mountain View Road East, Asbury

Take a break from the hectic days of summer, and come to the beautiful Blue Army Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima. Come before the Blessed Sacrament as we pray the Rosary each hour, celebrate Holy Mass, and join in round-the-clock Eucharistic Adoration. Families, groups, ministries, and individuals are invited and encouraged to participate! Please say “YES”, and give this special “Centennial” gift to our Blessed Mother. Go to our website: www.bluearmy.com for more information. Call 908.303.8859 or 908.689.1700 x210 to join us!