45 W WAY, ISELIN NJ 08830 S NJ · 25/08/2019 · To receive a letter of recommendation or character reference you should be registered for at least three months. ... 9:15AM John

Page 1 August 25, 2019—21st Sunday in Ordinary Time

Celebration of the Eucharist

Saturday Vigil -4:30 PM

Weekdays—7 & 9:15 AM Saturday—8 AM

First Friday—6-7 PM Adoration; 7 PM Holy Mass

Holy Days—Please see the bulletin

Confession

(Before the 4:30 PM Vigil Mass)

Parish office hours Monday — Friday: 9 AM—4:00 PM Saturday: 10:00 AM — 12:00 PM

Gift Shop—732-283-1775

Saturday 3 — 6 PM (Hours may vary, please call before you come)

45 WILUS WAY, ISELIN NJ 08830 GPS—USE 51 VERNAM ST., ISELIN NJ † Phone: 732-283-2300 † Fax: 732-283-3326

[email protected] † [email protected] † www.stcecelia.com


Parish Staff Fr. Thomas Naduviledathu, S.D.V. —Pastor Fr. Vernon Kohlmann, S.D.V.—Parochial Vicar Deacon Richard Lutomski—Permanent Deacon Deacon Anthony Pepe—Permanent Deacon Mirabella Parota—Music Director Stephanie Setar—Parish Office Manager—[email protected] Kathleen Beglan—Parish Secretary—[email protected] Ruth Kascin—Religious Education Secretary—[email protected] Sr. Mary Linda Szalejko. S.C.C.—

732-986-1839 Maria Campos—

mass Schedule Monday—Friday 7 am—9:15 am Saturday 8 am—4:30 pm Sunday 7:30 am—9:00 am—11:00 am—5:00 pm

Holy day mass times Weekday Evening before—Vigil Mass 7 PM, day of —7 AM, 9:15 AM, 12:05 PM and 7 PM.

Parish office hours Monday—Friday 9:00 am—4:00 pm Summer Hours: July 1—Aug. 30: Mon.—Thurs. 8:00 am—4:00 pm CLOSED FRIDAYS

Confession Saturday 11:00 am & from 3:15—4:15 pm

Gift shop Gift Shop—732-283-1775— Sunday—Friday 10:00 am—1:00 pm Saturday 3:00 pm—6:00 pm Hours may vary, please call before you come.

Registration To enable us to better serve you, all parishioners are asked to register at the Parish Office. Family members over the age of 18 should register as individuals. To receive a letter of recommendation or character reference you should be registered for at least three months.

House Blessing If you would like to have a home visitation or blessing, please call the Parish Office.

The Sacraments SPONSOR LETTERS: Church law mandates that a sponsor for Baptism and Confirmation be an active Confirmed Catholic. An active Catholic is a parishioner who is registered, attends Mass weekly, contributes to the support of the Church, is in a valid Catholic Marriage, and publicly leads a life compatible with Church teaching. We can only write letters of eligibility for parishioners who meet these criteria. BAPTISM: Please contact the Parish Office for all information and to make arrangements. MARRIAGE: Make arrangements one year in advance of the proposed wedding date. One party must be a parishioner; call the Parish Office. MINISTRY TO THE SICK OR HOMEBOUND: If any of your loved ones are in need of a priest and need the sacraments, please call the Parish Office at any time. The priests are always on call! Regular communion calls to the sick, aged or homebound should be arranged in advance.

ALTAR SERVERS Children in grades 3 and up are invited join. Contact Ann Cecilia Trinh, Coordinator at the parish office 732-283-2300.

Our lady of Fatima Statue—Home Visit If you are interested in having the statue visit your home, please call Carol 732-494-8697. Education—732-283-2816 RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CLASSES for grammar school students are held on Mondays from 5:45 to 7:15 PM at the former St. Cecelia School Building. R.C.I.A.: If you know anyone interested in becoming a Catholic or are baptized and want to receive other sacraments, please invite them to join RCIA! Call Deacon Rich at 732-680-1921.

Social ministry office—732-283-0150 x105 FOOD PANTRY is open for food pick-up TUESDAYS from 10 AM to 2 PM ONLY. Call or email [email protected] for food requests/appointments for pick-up. OTHER SERVICES provided by the Social Ministry Office. Those in need may call the number above.

Devotions CENACLE FOR MARIAN MOVEMENT OF PRIESTS every Wednesday after 9:15 AM Mass. NOVENAS to St. Jude and Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal after 8 AM Mass on Saturday. DIVINE MERCY CHAPLET—Fridays after the 9:15 AM Mass. 2,000 HAIL MARY’S every 2nd Saturday of the month, in the Chapel starting at 7:00 AM.

ADORATION CHAPEL—Daily starting after 7 AM Mass to 4 PM. Please arrive before 4 PM for admittance to church. When you come in the Chapel and the Tabernacle doors are closed, open them. If you are the last one in the Chapel, please close the Tabernacle doors and shut off the light (make sure they are completely pressed down).

societies/organizations LEGION OF MARY—Saturdays—9 AM, Conference Room ROSARY ALTAR SOCIETY—The Rosary is prayed before every daily/weekend Mass. The meetings are the 1st Monday after 1st Sunday at 7 PM in the Church Conference Room. ST. VINCENT DE PAUL CONFERENCE— 2nd & 4th Mondays, 7:30 PM in the Church Conference Room.

music ministry ADULT CHOIR Adult Choir practice Tuesday evenings from September—June at 7:30 PM in the church. Coordinator—Mirabella Parota.

CONTEMPORARY CHOIR The Contemporary Choir practice on Thursday evenings 7:00 pm—8:30 pm and Saturday from 11:00 am—1:30 pm.

Youth ministry The meeting will be held on the third Sunday of every month at 6pm in the Youth Ministry Room. Coordinator—Deacon Anthony Pepe.

Church etiquette Upon entering the church, make the sign of the Cross and bless yourself with Holy Water and genuflect before you sit. Please participate in the singing and responses. Come to Mass early enough not to disrupt and leave late enough not to insult the Lord. The Mass does not end until the final song has been completed. Worship reverently enough not to distract. This includes silence in the church and vestibule before Mass. Be mindful to turn off your electronic devices and quietly put the kneelers up and down during the Mass. Dress modestly and appropriately as you would for a special occasion.


20TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

VIGIL MASS—8/24 4:30PM Jack Frost, Sr. req, Barbara & Children

SUNDAY—8/25

7:30AM Living and Deceased of the Parish 9:00AM *Virgilio Galeon req, Austria Family *Kevin Gorman req, Josephine Gorman 11:00AM Bruce Thompson req, Eileen Thompson & Family (At Merrill Park) 5:00PM Michelle Cerami req, Thomas & Annmarie

MONDAY—WEEKDAY—8/26 7:00AM Steven Napiorski req, Robert & Andrea DePaolo 9:15AM John Craig req, Family

TUESDAY—ST. MONICA—8/27 7:00AM Denise Zebro req, Kathy Beglan 9:15AM Peter Schroeck req, Deb & Ron Karpiej

WEDNESDAY—ST. AUGUSTINE—8/28 7:00AM Special Intention req, Kathy Beglan 9:15AM Ted Corvino req, Jean Corvino 2:00PM Roosevelt—Catherine McKenna req, Kathy Beglan

THURSDAY—THE PASSION OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST—8/29

7:00AM Catherine Donahue req, John & Phyllis Kraker 9:15AM Special Intention of John & Olivia Drust req, John & Olivia Drust

FRIDAY—WEEKDAY—8/30 7:00AM Norman Medrano req, Nita Kennedy 9:15AM Fr. Joseph Kuply req, Alphonsa Cyriac

SATURDAY—WEEKDAY—8/31 8:00AM Nelly Senon Calvo req, Joe & Gigi Drust

22ND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME VIGIL MASS—8/31

4:30PM Margaret Agresto req, Kathy Beglan

SUNDAY—9/1 7:30AM Living and Deceased of the Parish 9:00AM *Reimund L. Moyer req, Irene Moyer & Family *Theodore Leo Schaeffer req, wife & daughters 11:00AM Estella & Peter Moraes req, Fernandes Family 5:00PM Paulino Blas & Adela Ferrer req, Angela Causing & Neneta

Readings for the Week

Monday: 1 Thes 1:1-5, 8b-10; Ps 149:1b-6a, 9b; Mt 23:13-22 Tuesday: 1 Thes 2:1-8; Ps 139:1-6; Mt 23:23-26 Wednesday: 1 Thes 2:9-13; Ps 139:7-12ab; Mt 23:27-32 Thursday: 1 Thes 3:7-13; Ps 71:1-4a, 5-6ab, 15ab, 17; Mk 6:17-29 Friday: 1 Thes 4:1-8; Ps 97:1, 2b, 5-6, 10-12; Mt 25:1-13 Saturday: 1 Thes 4:9-11; Ps 98:1, 7-9; Mt 25:14-30 Sunday: Sir 3:17-18, 20, 28-29; Ps 68:4-7, 10-11; Heb 12:18-19, 22-24a; Lk 14:1, 7-14

Questions of the WeekQuestion for Children: How do you show that you are a follower of Jesus? Question for Youth: Jesus tells us that being His disciple will be very hard. Of all the things that Jesus tells us about the way that we are to live our lives, what is the hardest thing for you to do? Why? Question for Adults: As you wrestle with today's Gospel, what signs do you see in your own life that you are "with God."

Sick Relatives & Friends Mirabella Parota, Michael Cherego, Cathy (Napiorski) Harris, Jamie Nestor, Joseph Jonathan Cem, Louis Leva, Jackie Sewing, Ryan Michael, Liz Lutomski, Lena Zimbardo, Nicole C. Rossi, Marieta M, Samuel & Rose M., Lenny Cartwright

Responsorial psalm —8/25/19 Go out to all the world and tell the Good News (Psalm 117)

Mission Co-Op Plan 2019:

In-pew $ 1,910.00 In-pew $ 2,563.00

Mission Co-Op Plan 2018:

In Loving Remembrance Let us remember all our departed brothers and sisters,

especially Mary Ann Vargo and Hilda Lamberti asking God to reward them with joy and eternal peace.

Mass Intentions August 24 through September 1

In-pew Faith Direct Total

$ 8,553.57 $ 1,452.25 $10,005.82

August 18, 2019:


$ 9,001.00 $ 1,542.75 $10,543.75

August 19, 2018:


$2,290.50 $ 257.00 $2,547.50

Assumption 2019:


$2,320.50 $ 317.00 $2,684.50

Assumption 2018:


From the Desk of Our Pastor... Dear Friends in Jesus Christ…, We have heard someone ask Jesus, "Lord, will only a few people be saved?" I think that question is wrong to ask. In effect, he asked Jesus, “How many people will go to Heaven?” He was looking for a number. That is not what you have to be concerned about. He should have asked, “What should I do to get to heaven?” Jesus answered the opposite to the question. Jesus answered, "Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough.” What is it that you have to do to become strong; to struggle through the narrow door? As Christians our narrow door is Jesus himself. Whenever we choose anything contrary to the will of Jesus, we are making our door wider. As we walk through the wider path at the end of our journey, the door will be locked and the Lord will tell us that he doesn’t know us. This will be the most heart breaking thing to hear from the Lord at the end of our life. What do we have to do to be strong; to strive through the narrow path? We as the Disciples of Christ, have to be disciplined by the Lord. We have heard in the second reading, “Endure your trials as ‘discipline’". God treats you as sons. For what "son" is there whom his father does not discipline? At the time, all discipline seems a cause not for joy, but for pain, yet later it brings the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who are trained by it.” Everything we have to endure in our life as a Christian we should take as a means to discipline us. The Christian life is like the effort of an athlete preparing for a marathon, not like the onlooker eating ice-cream. Jesus’ teaching today is really calling for conversion now because it will be too late when we die. When the master of the house has locked the door, to use the words of Jesus in the Gospel today, if we were not striving, if we were eating ice-cream instead of preparing for the marathon we will find ourselves locked out. Pope John Paul II speaking at the canonization of Edith Stein in 1998 said, “The modern world boasts of the enticing door which says: everything is permitted. It ignores the narrow gate of discernment and renunciation. I am speaking especially to you, young Christians…Your life is not an endless series of open doors! Listen to your heart! Do not stay on the surface, but go to the heart of things! And when the time is right, have the courage to decide! The Lord is waiting for you to put your freedom in his good hands.” Jesus is our narrow door. We choose Jesus, the narrow door, because he himself chose the narrow door of Calvary for us. The narrow door included Calvary for Jesus and includes Calvary for each of us also. When we endure our own personal Calvary, it can work for our good just as it did in the case of Jesus. St. Paul teaches us in his letter to the Romans “We know that all things work for the good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.” So Calvary or no Calvary we strive to enter through the narrow door, because that is the only door that leads us to life in Jesus Christ.

God Bless You, Fr. Thomas


St. Cecelia’s Church—Tricky Tray Gift Auction Saturday, September 21, 2019

Doors open at 6:00 pm—Prizes called at 7:30 pm General Admission—$20.00 (includes 1 free sheet of yellow tickets)

We are accepting the following NEW and UNUSED items (All donations will be checked in the Parish Office. If they have been used, we will not accept):

EXAMPLES: Electronics, wine, alcohol, bath towels, bedding sets (all sizes), gift cards, kitchen appliances, pots and pan set; dishes, glasses, etc. home accessories, cleaning supplies, laundry supplies, pet supplies, personal health products (first aid, men and women products), holiday items (Christmas, Halloween, July 4th, Thanksgiving, Easter, etc.), or anything else you can think of!

Tickets on sale after all Masses or in the Parish Office.

Religious Education Office phone number is 732-283-2816; CELL phone number is 732-343-1132

and is located in the brick building to the left of the school.

Religious Education Classes are held on Mondays from

5:45 to 7:15 PM at Oak Tree School #29 Building.

IMPORTANT DATES August 26 – Catechists’ Meeting in the Atrium at 5:30 pm,

Carol Mascola will be the presenter for the meeting and pizza supper will be provided.

September 2 - Labor Day September 9 – Religious Education Classes Begin for

Grades 2 – 8. ALL will meet in Church before going to the classroom.

September 15 – Catechetical Sunday – 9:00 am Mass for all Catechists

September 16 – Religious Education Classes for Grades 1 – 8. ALL will meet in Church before going to the classroom. Grade – 1 parents will remain in Church for a meeting with the PCL and Father Thomas then proceed to the First Grade classroom.

September 23 – Religious Education Classes Grades 1 – 8. Parent Meeting for students of Grades Three and Four at 6:00 in Church with PCL & Father Thomas.

September 29 – Retreat Day for Grade – 8 and their Sponsors at St John Vianney. All must come to the 11:00 am Mass and then proceed to St. John’s for a Pizza Lunch and then retreat with John Cook as facilitator.

September 30 – Religious Education Classes Grades 1 – 8. Parent Meeting for students of Grades Five and Six at 6:00 in Church with PCL and Father Thomas.

This raffle signifies one of our single, most lucrative fund raising efforts of the year. We rely on this raffle to help keep us viable, maintain our facility and continue to meet the many needs of the Parish. This time last year we had a total of $9,206.

As you can see, our current total of $6,650 is 28% less! Your continued generosity and support is greatly needed to make this a successful raffle.

Many envelopes still remain in the atrium. Kindly pick up by August 18th.

$6,650

Travis & Marie McCarthy,

5 years John & Olivia

Drust, 10 years

Patrick & Alma Carter,

35 years Matthew & Marilyn

Toth, 35 years

Victor & Manel Perera,

40 years James & Lorraine

Molloy, 35 years

Gene & Betty Washington,

51 years Frederick & Pamela

Chesky, 53 years

John & Carolyn Campi,

59 years Casimir & Ruth

Tarnalicki, 59 years

Cero & Eva Aquila,

61 years

August 2019 Wedding Anniversaries


Eucharistic Ministers are needed to assist patients with Communion during Mass at Roosevelt Care Center, every other Wednesday afternoon at 2:00 pm. To volunteer please call the Parish Office.

Eucharistic Ministers and Volunteers are needed to help the Veterans during Mass and Communion Services at the Menlo Park Veterans Memorial Home on Mondays from 12:00—2:00 pm. To volunteer please contact Maria at 732-283-0150.

Silver & Gold Wedding Anniversary Celebration You are cordially invited to celebrate your 25th or 50th Wedding Anniversary with the Church of Metuchen and renew your marriage vows with Bishop James F. Checchio

at a special Evening Prayer Service at the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi in Metuchen on Sunday, October 27, 2019 at 4:00 PM. Registration is

required. Please register online at: diometuchen.org/silver-and-gold. If you are unable to access, please contact your parish secretary or the Family Life Office at 732-562-1543 or [email protected]. Registration will close on October 11, 2019. Although no fee is required, in the past many Jubilarian couples have

given a donation of gratitude to the Church in memory of this special occasion. Donations of Gratitude may be made online or calling 732-562-1543.

If you know anyone interested in becoming a Catholic or are baptized and want to receive other sacraments, please invite them to join RCIA! Call Deacon Rich at 732-680-1921. Classes begin on September 18th at 7:00 pm.

The first meeting of the 2019-2020 year will be held Monday, September 9, at 7:00 pm, in the Atrium. All women of the parish (18 years & older) are most welcome to attend.

Tickets for the annual Communion Breakfast will be available at the meeting. The breakfast will be held, Sunday, October 6, after the 9:00 am Mass, at the Colonia Country Club. Tickets are $32.00 per person. Tickets are also available by calling Carol 732-494-8697.

Blonde Bedroom set consisting of dresser, chest and nightstand Medium brown bedroom set consisting of dresser, chest, two nightstands, and headboard and bed frame White wood desk and bookshelf Bamboo and glass coffee table Velour rust colored couch and love seat Dining room chairs—6 Metal and glass patio tables—3 Standalone dry bar and two barstools Old but excellent console TV Nordic track ski machine Surround sound system Boom box Entertainment Center Call Betty & Bill at 732-283-1688 after August 28.

One-day, 9 mile Walking Pilgrimage “The Way of St. Juan Diego”

Saturday, September 21, 2019 In preparation for the Consecration of the Diocese of Metuchen to Our Lady of Guadalupe, all youth, families and people of faith are invited to participate in a Walking Pilgrimage on Saturday, September 21st, from 10 am to 8 pm. The walk will begin and end at Immaculate Conception Parish, 316 Old Allerton Road, Annandale. Mass will be celebrated by Bishop James F. Checchio. The cost is $20 by August 30th or $25 thereafter. The walk will take place rain or shine. Registration is required. For details or to register, visit www.LightingHeartsOnFire.org/walking-pilgrimage. Registration deadline is September 13th.

Back to School Blessing

We invite all students in grammar school, high school, and college to

receive a special “Back to School” blessing on Sunday, September 1, 2019 at the 9:00 and

11:00 am Masses.


Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital at Rahway Bereavement Group for Widow and Widowers

Fall bereavement group, geared for those individuals who have recently suffered the loss of a spouse.

Date: Wednesdays, September 18—October 30 Time: 10:30 am—noon Place: Robert Wood Johnson Fitness Center 2120 Lamberts Mill Road, Scotch Plains, NJ 07076 There is no fee for attendance, but registration is required. For additional information, or to register, please call Jane Dowling at 732-247-7490.


Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 24

25

Parish Picnic—11 am Mass at Merrill Park (picnic to follow)

26

7:30pm St. Vincent de Paul—Conf. Room

7:30 pm—Spanish Prayer Group—Chapel

27

7:30 pm—Classical Choir

29 30

PARISH OFFICE CLOSED—SUMMER HOURS

31

1 SEPTEMBER

2 LABOR DAY

Parish Office Closed

7:00 AM—NO MASS

3


9:00 am—4:00 pm Parish Office Regular Hours Resume

5 6 FIRST FRIDAY

6 pm Adoration— 7 pm Mass

7

8

9

9:00—4:00 pm—Parish Office—Regular Business Hours

7 pm Rosary Altar Society—Atrium

7:30pm St. Vincent de Paul—Conf. Room


10


12 13 14

2,000 Hail Mary’s in the chapel starting at 6:30am

15

16


17


19

7 pm—Gr. 8—Service Awareness—Atrium

20 21

August/September 2019

Page 9 August 25, 2019—21st Sunday in Ordinary Time INFORMATION SHEET CHURCH NAME AND ADDRESS 511586: St. Cecelia 45 Wilus Way, Iselin NJ 08830 PHONE 732-283-2300 (Church) CONTACT PERSON Kathy or Stephanie @ 732-283-2300 SOFTWARE Microsoft Publisher® 2010 Adobe Acrobat 9 Standard Windows 7 PRINTER HP® Laserjet 1200 NUMBER OF PAGES SENT We are a 10 pager this week.

SUNDAY DATE OF PUBLICATION

August 18, 2019 TRANSMISSION TIME Thursday, 8 AM SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS (for production)

PLEASE PRINT 900 COPIES!!!

FedEx shipping address: 45 Wilus Way, Iselin NJ 08830 Special instructions (for delivery): If atrium locked, please leave by doors. FedEx tracking e-mail: [email protected]

Documents

45 W WAY, ISELIN NJ 08830 S NJ · 25/08/2019 · To receive a letter of recommendation or character reference you should be registered for at least three months. ... 9:15AM John