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 25, 2018 Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord

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

PALM SUNDAY OF THE PASSION OF THE LORD

SATURDAY (SOBOTA), MARCH 24 4 PM +Kurt Schmidt Req. by: Lorraine & John Gerenza

SUNDAY (NIEDZIELA), MARCH 25 8:30 Pro Populo / For the People of the Parish 10:30 +Melania & Witold Elsner Req. by: Elsner Family 12 N +Michael Wywrot Req. by: Parents Gorzkie Żale

MONDAY (PONIEDZIALEK), MARCH 26 Monday of Holy Week 8 AM +Frances & Alfred Dzielinski Req. by: Bozena & Zbigniew Salamon

TUESDAY (WTOREK), MARCH 27 Tuesday of Holy Week 8 AM +Mary Barglow Req. by: Ryan & Zach Nasto

WEDNESDAY (SRODA), MARCH 28 Wednesday of Holy Week 8 AM +Walter & Anna Ligas Req. by: Son, Jeff & Family

THURSDAY (CZWARTEK), MARCH 29 Thursday of Holy Week / Holy Thursday 8 AM Morning Prayer 7 PM Pro Populo / For the People of the Parish Mass of the Lord’s Supper

FRIDAY (PIATEK), MARCH 30 Friday of the Passion of the Lord / Good Friday 8 AM Morning Prayer 2:30PM Divine Mercy Chaplet 3 PM Passion of the Lord 7 PM Stations of the Cross & Gorzkie Żale

SATURDAY, (SOBOTA), MARCH 31 Holy Saturday 8 AM Morning Prayer 7 PM Pro Populo / For the People of the Parish

SUNDAY (NIEDZIELA), APRIL 1 Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord 6:30 +Siatkowski Family Req. by: Wrotynski Family Resurrection Mass in Polish 8:30 Intentions of Rosarians 10 AM +Mary Dunn Req. by: Donna & Frank Jones

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.

PALM SUNDAY

“Pilate again said to them, ‘Then what shall I do with the man whom you call the King of the Jews?’

And they cried out again, ‘Crucify him.’” - Mark 15:12-13

Jesus told us, “Whatever you do for the least of my brothers, you do for me.” Every day we are presented opportunities to help someone. Every day we have the opportunity to see the face of Jesus in others and be the face of Jesus to others. Pray for the strength and courage to stand up for those in need of our help.

Sunday, March 25 Gorzkie Żale follows 12 n Mass

Monday, March 26 Seniors’ Meeting 10 am, Msgr. Wujek Room PREP 4:30-5:45 pm Altar Rosary Exec. Board Mtg. 7 pm, Msgr. Wujek Room Chrism Mass 7:30 pm, St. Francis Cathedral, Metuchen

Tuesday, March 27 Babka Pick up 3- 6 pm, Parish Center

Wednesday, March 28 Parish Office Closed

Thursday, March 29 ~ Holy Thursday Morning Prayer 8 am Mass of the Lord’s Supper 7 pm Parish Office Closed

Friday, March 30 ~ Good Friday Morning Prayer 8 am Divine Mercy Chaplet 2:30 pm Passion of the Lord 3 pm Stations of the Cross & Gorzkie Żale 7 pm Parish Office Closed

Saturday, March 31 ~ Holy Saturday Morning Prayer 8 am Easter Food Blessing 10am, 11am, 12n, 1pm, Parish Ctr Easter Vigil 7 pm

Sunday, April 1 ~ Easter Sunday Masses: 6:30 am Mass of Resurrection in Polish 8:30 am & 10:00 am in English Easter Egg Hunt after all Masses, Rectory Lawn

THIS WEEK AT A GLANCE . . .

WINE & HOSTS

{Available ~ $50 for one week}

CANDLE INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK

Sanctuary Candle ~ Church +Michael Wywrot - Parents

Blessed Mother’s Altar Candles +Joao Parracho - Dina & John Andre

Sacred Heart Altar Candles Health & Blessings for John Gerenza -

Joe & Pat Brzozowski

Candle for St. Joseph +Jozef Siatkowski - Wrotynski Family

Candle For St. Anthony 89th Birthday Blessings for Marion Kovacs -

Family with Love

Our Lady of Ostrabrama Candles Birthday Blessings for Ann Van Sickle - Linda

Sanctuary Candle ~ Chapel Blessings & Health for Antoinette Krzyzkowski -

Anna Klich

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

St. Anne’s Altar ~ Chapel {Available ~ $25 for two candles for one week}

La Pieta Grotto Candles {Available ~ $25 for two candles for one week}

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, 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 - March 18, 2018

Collection amounts were not available at the time of the bulletin deadline. Totals will be announced

in next week’s bulletin.

Thank You & God Bless You! Bóg Zapłać!

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 $32,646.00 and payments totaling $28,096.00 from 139 parishioners. This represents 77.7% of our $42,000.00 goal.

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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.

LET’S NOT FORGET Collection for Our Retired Diocesan Priests

The second collection today is for the Fund for our Retired Diocesan Priests. This collection is exclusively for the benefit of our 30 retired priests, as well as, our active priests upon their retirement. May your generosity to this collection reflect your gratitude and love for our retired priests who have been dedicated and faithful to their priesthood over the years. Let’s not forget.

St. Mary’s Altar Rosary Society EASTER BABKA SALE

Today, Sunday, is the last opportunity to place your order for Easter Babkas. Order forms, with payment may be dropped into the collection basket or dropped in the parish office mail slot after Mass. 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.

FOLLOWING ALL MASSES ON EASTER SUNDAY, APRIL 1, 2018 ON THE RECTORY LAWN.

ALL CHILDREN ARE INVITED!

W B J C S .M O

P The parishioners of St. Mary ofOstrabramawelcome Bishop Checchio

ashevisitsourparishfortheVigilofPalmSunday.

MayOurLadyofOstrabramablessyouasyoucontinueyourministryasBishopofourDioceseof

Metuchen.

ST. MARY OF OSTRABRAMA HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE 2018

Palm Sunday, March 25 Masses: 4 pm Vigil Mass on Saturday 8:30 am, 10:30 am English, 12 n Polish

Gorzkie Żale follows 12 n Mass

Monday, March 26 Mass: 8 am

Chrism Mass: 7:30 pm St. Francis Cathedral, Metuchen

Tuesday & Wednesday, March 27 & 28 Mass: 8 am

Thursday, March 29 ~ Holy Thursday Morning Prayer: 8 am

Mass of the Lord’s Supper: 7 pm

Friday, March 30 ~ Good Friday Morning Prayer: 8 am

Divine Mercy Chaplet: 2:30 pm Passion of the Lord: 3 pm

Stations of the Cross (English & Polish): 7 pm Gorzkie Żale

Saturday, March 31 ~ Holy Saturday Morning Prayer: 8 am

Food Blessing in Parish Center: 10 am, 11 am, 12 n, 1 pm Easter Vigil Mass: 7 pm

Sunday, April 1 ~ Easter Sunday Mass of Resurrection in Polish: 6:30 am Masses in English: 8:30 am & 10:00 am

Please make note of the special Mass times for Easter.

DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY April 8, 2018

You are invited to join with us to celebrate Divine Mercy Devotions

1:30 to 4:30 PM

The devotions will include:

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament Procession with Blessed Sacrament

Confessions (2 to 3 pm) Veneration of Divine Mercy Image

Chaplet of Divine Mercy Benediction

Celebration of the Holy Mass (3:30 pm)

Please come and join us!

FAITH FORMATION . . . 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.

Congratulations to the young boys and girls of our parish who recently received the Sacrament of First Penance: Kayla Anderson Liana André Zachary Benedict Olivia Clemente Angelina DiLollo Rebecca Grego Joey Jawidzik Victor Kutovy Luca Malovini John Matos Dylan McShane Zofia Morley Jordyn Napier Gabriel Reis Angela Williams Angelo Williams Anthony Williams Sophia Yatsko

May Our Lord bless and watch over them as they prepare for the

Sacrament of First Holy Communion.

AROUND THE DIOCESE . . . Katholic Kidz CHRISM MASS

Monday, March 26, 2018 Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi, Metuchen

7:30pm

Hosanna in the highest!

DIOCESAN EUCHARISTIC ADORATION

Eucharistic Adoration is now being held in the chapel at the St. John Neumann Pastoral Center, 146 Meltars Lane, Piscataway. Adorers are needed Monday through Friday, 9 to 11:45 a.m. Daily Mass is held at 11:45 a.m. For information or to volunteer, call Laura Ferreras, (732) 529-7932. To submit a prayer request, call (732) 765-6445 or email Adoration@diometuchen.org.

Sacred Heart Church, South Amboy

Tricky Tray Friday, April 20, 2018

Sacred Heart Memorial Hall 529 Washington Ave., South Amboy

Tickets: $15 includes coffee, tea, dessert Doors open at 6pm. First drawing at 7:30pm.

Reservations required. Please call 732-721-0040.

Take Up Your Cross

We need to take up our crosses, but we also need to be gentle with them and with ourselves. If we sit holding our own crosses too tightly we will not be able to put our arms around anyone else, nor will they be able to put their arms around us. That includes God.

- from Sacred Silence

MINUTE MEDITATION

A JOURNEY THROUGH GRIEF “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.”

This program is designed to help men and women work through the grief that one experiences in reaction to the loss of a loved one. Through education and confidential mutual support, we will come to understand that the grieving process has elements common to everyone though our losses are unique to each person. As we travel this journey together, we will learn coping skills, begin to find new strengths within and hope to ease our way on this journey. The group is open to all members of the community regardless of religious affiliation. We will meet on THURSDAY for 9 weeks. There is no fee but pre-registration is required as the maximum number of participants is 15 people.

PLACE: St. Ambrose Church 83 Throckmorton Lane, Old Bridge DATE: April 5 - May 31, 2018 TIME: 6:30 - 8:30 pm CONTACT: Parish Office 732-679-5666

Palm Sunday … When Jesus arrived in Jerusalem, his disciples got Him a donkey to ride into the city. To make it comfortable for Jesus, they spread their cloaks on the animal. People waited for Jesus to come. Some spread their cloaks on the ground where he would pass. Others laid down leafy branches. Then some people led the way. Jesus came next on the donkey, and the rest of the people followed. All the people were shouting happily. It was like a parade, a parade about love and respect for Jesus!