We, the Roman Catholic Community of St. Bartholomew the Apostle, are brought together by Jesus, as we recognize His presence among us in Word, Sacrament and each other. Through the grace of the Holy Spirit and the intercession of the Blessed Mother, we accept Jesus’ invitation to be His disciples by using our time, talent and treasure for the benefit of all.

Rev. John J. Paladino, K.H.S. PASTOR

Rev. David C. SantosPAROCHIAL VICAR

Rev. Msgr. Donald E. GuentherRev. Michael A. Hanly

Deacon Robert GurskeDeacon Donald Hessemer

908.322.5192 ext. 114 frpaladino@stbartholomewchurch.org

908.322.5192 ext. 112frsantos@stbartholomewchurch.org

2032 WESTFIELD AVENUE SCOTCH PLAINS, NJ 07076 PHONE: 908.322.5192 WWW.STBARTHOLOMEWCHURCH.ORG

MARCH 22, 2020

SaturdayConfessions 4:00pm - Fr. PaladinoMass 5:00pm - Fr. Paladino

Sunday 7:30am - Fr. Hanly9:00am - Fr. Paladino10:30am - Msgr. Guenther NooN - Fr. Paladino

MASSSCHEDULE

MARCH 28 & 29

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Reflection by Rev. John Paladino, K.H.S.

OPEN OUR EYES, LORD

To thine oneself be true. -Hamlet

Last week, we encountered Jesus and the Samaritan woman. As baptized people, we are reminded of our obligation to evangelize and share the first proclamation: God loves us. We continue to hear that Jesus meets people where they are in life, and this time, with a man who was born blind. This story is not so much about the blind man being healed but seeing as God sees. And, honestly, the way that God sees is not usually the way that humanity wants or is capable of seeing: it can be challenging. This gospel invites us to consider unbelief to faith, from darkness to light.

We are committed to a life that reveals God’s vision, to a life of ongoing conversion. Through our baptism, we come into a new way of seeing- but this seeing must be nurtured. This is our lifelong baptismal challenge, I mean, invitation. Each moment and each day invites us to see the ordinary turned into extraordinary. A popular song, Open My Eyes by Jesse Manibusan, sings:

Open my eyes, Lord.Help me to see your face.

Open my eyes, Lordhelp me to see.

It sounds great to pray to see God’s face, right? We want that glimpse of heaven, to see God’s glory. Yet, have you ever wondered that if you pray for this grace -to see God’s face- would you be able to take the time and energy to see and be present to God? It might not be in the most easiest of packages to unwrap: God in the forgotten, the aged, the homebound, the immigrant, the people we label as failure, the people we label as conservative, liberal, gay, straight, old, young… too much of something that doesn’t fit into our nice and tidy peripheral view.

Pope Francis reminds us that our task as Christians is to “heal the wounds,” and that the church should be seen as a “field hospital.” We are fortunate enough to see things differently because of our faith. Without it, we are not able to interpret our life with God. When good things happen, our faith allows us to see them as blessings. When challenges come, our faith allows us to humbly relearn what it means to be a person of faith and what trusting in God means. We are offered an invitation to show a strength which comes from our faith. We are given opportunities to respond in love and in mercy. Our faith gives us the strength we need to face struggles and challenges.

If we are sincere about asking God to open our eyes, then we must also be willing to change the way we live our lives so that if reflects the way God sees. In this story, nobody was able to see the way God sees: the apostles, the man born blind, his parents, and the Pharisees. It reminds us that we are continually turning towards Christ - to see Christ in all circumstances and times. This brings us to a place where we are invited to search our hearts. Are there any places of darkness in your life that need God’s light to shine into? We are committed to a life that reveals God’s vision, to a life of continual conversion. Through the man’s encounter with Jesus, he is healed and his conversion to discipleship commences. How wonderful would it be if we too could encounter Jesus and have all of our spiritual blindness healed! Until then, we pray for the humility to continually turn little-by-little towards Christ and come to a deeper understanding of who he is. May we use this season of intensified prayer and reflection wisely, so that we do not see as the Pharisees do, but as God sees with Christ shining his light upon us, illuminating our hearts towards a genuine faith.

Text to Give! During Lent, we prepare ourselves through prayer and giving back to our parish. But, with busy lives and active families, it's easy to skip a weekly tithe when you are unable to attend Mass or are out of town. This Lent, we want to invite you to make giving easier! Simply Text the word ENROLL to 908.324.5627! Thanks to eGiving, your weekly offertory will be automatically taken care of, which saves you time and saves our parish money by eliminating all those unused offertory envelopes.

COVID-19 PANDEMIC UPDATE

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SUNDAY MORNING GRADES 1-4WHOLE FAMILY CATECHESIS GRADES 3-6

INCLUSIVE FAITH FORMATION

Coronavirus is a physical and spiritual threat.Mar 12, 2020

by Thomas Reese, Religion News Service

The Christian faith is not just a personal commitment, it is also a communal experience. From the very beginning, Christians have gathered to share the Word of God and break bread in confined spaces. They drank from the same cup and shared a holy kiss. They also cared for the poor and the sick.All of these Christian practices are now seen as ways that the coronavirus can spread through populations. That is why the coronavirus is so threatening, not only physically but also spiritually.In a pre-scientific age, we might carry on and ask God to protect us. Many saints died caring for plague victims. Aloysius Gonzaga, patron saint of the Jesuit high school where I live, died in 1591 at the age of 23 while caring for victims of the plague in Rome.Today, public health officials recommend that we put distance between ourselves and others so as not to spread the virus. At first blush, this "social distancing" sounds un-Christian, but we need to listen to medical experts. As with doctors, the first rule of a Christian at this time is "Do no harm." That means not doing anything that might spread the virus to others.In the time before germs and viruses were understood, people blamed strangers, Jews and witches for sickness. Anyone who was different could be the target of people's fear. The public was also offered potions that often caused more harm than good. Even today, conspiracy theories abound and fake cures are sold to the gullible. Again, we need to listen to medical experts and not to conspiracy theorists who use any crisis to make money or stir up hatred and division.The experts tell us that the best ways to avoid the virus are truly simple:1. Wash your hands. Wash your hands. Wash your hands!2. Don't touch your face. Don't touch your face. Don't touch your face!Like Naaman, the Aramean general we read about in the Bible's Second Book of Kings, who scoffed when the Prophet Elisha told him to wash seven times in the Jordan to cure his illness, we don't take simple solutions seriously. But we need to listen to Naaman's servants, who challenged him by saying, "If the prophet told you to do something extraordinary, would you not do it? All the more since he told you, 'Wash, and be clean'?"Since Catholics gather to celebrate the Eucharist every Sunday, they have had to take preventive measures to avoid the spread of the virus. In China and Italy, services have been canceled and churches have been closed at the advice of public health officials.In the United States and elsewhere, Catholics have been strongly urged to receive Communion in the hand and not on the tongue. Every Communion minister knows that it is impossible to distribute Communion on the tongue without touching at least some tongues. This means the minister must stop and disinfect his or her hands or risk giving the virus to the remaining communicants.Only the sacred bread is being distributed at many Catholic Masses, not the cup. Priests who concelebrate are receiving though intinction, where the bread is dipped into the cup before reception.Priests and Communion ministers are told to disinfect their hands before and after distributing Communion.Churchgoers have also been asked not to hold hands during the Lord's Prayer or to shake hands during the kiss of peace. People are bowing or flashing each other the peace sign. In addition, holy water fonts have been emptied and people have been asked not to kiss church statues or crucifixes during their devotions.All of these are reasonable precautions to take during this crisis. We will be able to return to normal when the epidemic is over.But Christians have a responsibility beyond practicing personal hygiene. We also have a public responsibility to support civic programs to protect the vulnerable and care for the sick. In the short term, that means supporting health care workers who put themselves at risk caring for those who have fallen ill. It means scrupulously following the instructions of public health officials. It means supporting programs to help those without health insurance, without sick leave, without day care and without paychecks because their employers have laid them off during the health crisis.Beyond these short-term responses, Christians also must demand that their government be better prepared for such epidemics. Cutting budgets for research and preparedness is not only shortsighted but dangerous. In a globalized world, pandemics must be expected and planned for. When this crisis is over, we cannot go back to sleep and ignore the best advice from scientists and experts.The saints of old risked their lives for those with the plague. We can at least do our civic duty.

Community Outreach, Youth Group, Ministries, Upcoming Parish Events & Meetings

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Help us to Help Others Together We Can

FOR MORE INFO CONTACT JENNIFER RYANjryan@stbartholomewchurch.org

FOR MORE INFO CONTACT ELAINE COUPEstbcommunityoutreach@gmail.com

In an effort to help those in our community that are most vulnerable, we will be setting up the following: We will be collecting pantry items to stock up with a basket out in front of the rectory. Please consider picking up an extra can or two when shopping for items. We will contact those senior parishioners by phone to ask if they need help with attaining medicine or food. We will have volunteers on hand availalbe to help out. We will also be setting up a "buddy" system with volunteers available to check in on seniors as well as provide companionship during these isolated, lonely times. If you are in need of help, please contact Elaine at 908 322-5192 ext 141. If you would like to volunteer go to: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0b4aaaa729a6fc1-helping. Let us come together to help those that are most vulnerable during these difficult time.

HELPING OUR SENIORS DURING TIME OF CRISS

Proverb 3:5-6. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." The Youth Group members, as well as some recent grads, read these words last weekend while things in our life were rapidly changing. Your Youth Group Family may not be who you are socializing with in isolation, but we are family and we are here. Remember, you are not alone. Keep posted for information on our plans to stay connected. If you are a YG member and do not get REMIND texts, please reach out to the Youth Minister via email or text.

SPECIAL NEEDS PROM CANCELLEDIn light of the current pandemic, the prom for this year will be cancelled.

HOMETOWN HEROES BANNER PROGRAMWe will still be collecting information until March 31 only by email. Please contact Elaine directly for more information.

FOR MORE INFO CONTACT PAT KREMApkrema@stbartholomewchurch.org

Friday Scripture Study Information will be posted on our website and current participants will be directly contacted about our first virtual gathering on March 27. For more info contact Pat Krema.

Men’s Lenten Prayer BreakfastDue to the COVID-19 Pandemic is cancelled.

CREW 2020 is OnlineThank you to everyone who joined a Lenten CREW group to read and discuss Fr. Albert Haase’s Practical Holiness. Due to the COVID-19 restrictions we are unable to continue meeting in person for discussion, but participants are invited to join us online and continue exploring the ways we are all called to grow in holiness, especially in these challenging times. To find CREW 2020, go to stbartholomewchurch.org and click on “Lent”. Stay positive and we will see you on the CREW site!

FOR MORE INFO CONTACT CONNIE BORUCHreligioused@stbartholomewchurch.org

908.322.2359As Cardinal Tobin has stated: Here in the Archdiocese of Newark, we are committed to working in cooperation with civil authorities to protect all those entrusted to our care, most especially those who are most vulnerable, by creating safe environments for worship, for education and faith formation and for all the pastoral ministries and charitable services provided by the Catholic Church in Bergen, Hudson, Essex and Union counties.Following Father John’s directive, in an effort to care for those entrusted to us and to slow/stop the spread of this virus, Religious Education Classes have been suspended for the remainder of the 2019-2020 School Year.In order to complete the year, we are asking that all students read, and complete the review pages, for each of the following chapters at home:Grade 1 - Chapters: 8, 16 & 20Grade 2 - Chapters: 13, 18, 19 & 20Grade 3 - Chapters: 8, 14, 19 & 20Grade 4 - Chapters: 13, 19 & 20Once students have completed all of the review pages, parents please sign on to the Sign-Up Genius Link, which was sent via email and click on appropriate grade to verify that the work was completed. If you cannot find the link please contact the Religious Ed Office.Please note that Registration for the upcoming year will be rescheduled at a later date.All non-essential meetings and activities, including Pray and Play, CLOW, Friday Stations of the Cross, The Walk with Jesus, Saturday Morning Holy Hours… are also suspended until further notice.

Casino Night PostponedMore information to follow.

SBA 5K Run/ Walk PostponedMore information to follow.

St. Bartholomew Bereavement Group Our start date of April 16 has been postponed for now. We will alert you as things update. If you want to speak to someone please contact Bernadette Rossi at 908.322.2835 or Patrice Roe at 908.400.1590. All calls are confidential.

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BREAD & WINE

ALTAR CANDLES SANCTUARY LAMP

CHAPEL CANDLE

A TIME TO HEAL PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR SICK.

Edilberto Agaton Jr. Victoria Armstrong Helen Campbell Tami Eddy Palmiro Ferraro Deacon Don HessemerEmma Lara Peter Morgan Paul Pettit Richard Rosko Kenneth & Maureen Vincent

Please Note:For privacy reasons and HIPAA regulations, names may only be added by members of the immediate family after theyhave received permission of the one who is ill or injured.

In Memory of Tita Canetereq. by the Canete Family

In the event of serious illness or hospitalization, the rectory should be notified. Visits to the sick and shut-ins are made by

the priests, deacons and ministers of the Eucharist. It is not necessary for someone to be “gravely ill” to receive the

Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick.

In Memory of Nicola Del Monacoreq. by Ann Di Sarro

In Memory of Tito Velezreq. by the Canete Family

In Memory of Sean Salacreq. by the Canete Family

Sunday, March 227:30am Bob Lariviere req. by Brian & Cindy Searls Dennis Sparano req. by Bob & Maureen LaCosta9:00am Daniel & Ann Bardolf req. by Joyce Kuchar Michael DelVecchio req. by Brian & Jo Kelly10:30am Edmond Witoski & Joseph Krupa req. by the Flood Family Donna Fantini req. by Laura Del Negro Christopher Coyle 1st Anniversary req. by his Loving FamilyNoon Nicholas Silano Sr. req. by Wife & Daughter Sheila Blom req. by the Lozowski FamilyMonday, March 23 6:30am Anthony Gazzuolo req. by CLOW8:30am Henry Durkin req. by Ginger Gordon12:15pm William Coupe req. by Donna IaselloTuesday, March 246:30am Anthony Gazzuolo req. by Anne Adams 8:30am Alice Higdon Prater req. by Frank & Anne Rossi12:15pm William Coupe req. by the D'Apuzzo FamilyWednesday, March 25 6:30am Anthony Gazzuolo req. by Lu Fedeli8:30am Special Intention req. by Rel. Ed Staff & Teachers12:15pm Katherine Murphy req. by the Fung-a-fat FamilyThursday, March 266:30am William Ard req. by Kathy & John Pankatz 8:30am Sandra DePalma req. by a Friend12:15pm Rosemarie Ploof req. by Suzanne Grausso Friday, March 276:30am Domenica Graziani req. by the Monaco Family 8:30am Carmine Lovallo req. by Linda Andreoli12:15pm Maria Massari req. by Geraldine & Frank InmanSaturday, March 288:30am Sr. Mary DeBacco req. by sister Elsa5:00pm Domenica Graziani req. by Franca Bianco Charles Bradford Gates req. by Gene & Yolanda SchillerSunday, March 297:30am Deborah Kalmback req. by Eugene & Yolanda Schiller Eleanor Witkowski req. by SBA Faculty & Staff9:00am Ann & Dan Bradolf req. by Joyce Kuchar Nancy Iosca req. by the Kennedy Family10:30am Donald Snair req. by John & Francine Schmatz Josephine Wells req. by John & Francine SchmatzNoon Margaret Kuntz req. by sister, Josephine Frank Cerminaro req. by wife Rosa & Family

Sacraments, Prayers, Special Intentions & Mass Intentions

Lord Jesus Christ, our Divine Physician, we ask you to guard and protect us from Coronavirus COVID-19 and all

serious illness. For all that have died from it, have mercy; for those searching for a remedy, enligthen them; for medical

caregivers helping the sick, strengthen and shield them. For those working to contain the spread, grant them succes; for those afraid, grant peace. May your precious blood be our defense and salvation. By your grace, may you turn the evil of disease into moments of consolation and hope. May we always fear the contagion of sin more than any illness. We

abandon ourselves to your infinite mercy. Amen. - Pedro de la Cruz

Daily Mass is available to view on TVChannel 34 (Comcast)Channel 22 (Verizon)

At 5 pm

PARISH OFFICE

Rectory Directory, Available Services, This Week’s Calendar, Social Media & Stewardship of Treasure

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If you are an individual, a couple or a family that is experiencing difficulties, there are counseling services avail-able to you. All calls are confidential. Fees can be adjusted to one’s finan-cial situation. Please note, that no one will be turned away for an inability to pay. Counselors available to you:

Barbara Stumm-Gray, Ed.S. p: 908.232.0893Joseph Ochs, LPC p: 732.221.6673Dina Brue, LCSW p: 646.643.5345

Laura Otchy, MS, Ed.S. LPC p: 973.580.5930

COUNSELING SERVICESAVAILABLE

CONTACT US

Rectory/Parish Offices Phone: 908.322.5192 Fax: 908.322.2598

Email: contact@stbartholomewchurch.org

Website: www.stbartholomewchurch.org

Academy Office Phone: 908.322.4265

Fax: 908.322.7065Email: admissions@stbacademy.org

Website: www.stbacademy.org

MASS AVAILABLE ON TV!For the home bound Parishioner, tune in on Sundays at 10am to watch Mass. Comcast channel 34 or Verizon chan-nel 22.

Paul MilanPASTORAL ASSOCIATE for

DIVINE LITURGY and SACRED MUSICpmilan@stbartholomewchurch.org phone ext. 260

Patricia KremaPASTORAL ASSOCIATE for

DIVINE LITURGY and ADULT FAITH FORMATION pkrema@stbartholomewchurch.org phone ext. 126

Elaine CoupeDIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY OUTREACH

stbcommunityoutreach@gmail.com phone ext. 141

Jennifer RyanDIRECTOR OF YOUTH MINISTRY

jryan@stbartholomewchurch.org phone ext. 155

Jennifer MortaruloDIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS

jmortarulo@stbartholomewchurch.org phone ext. 130sbbulletin@verizon.net

Kathy KobliskaOFFICE MANAGER

kkobliska@stbartholomewchurch.org phone ext. 100

Cindy PitonzoBUSINESS MANAGER

cpitonzo@stbartholomewchurch.org phone ext. 129

David TrianoFACILITIES MANAGER

Paulette CoronatoJoseph Dillon

PARISH TRUSTEES

St. Bart's has partnered with Amazon Smile. Please remember that while you shop consider using smile.amazon.com. The Amazon Smile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the price of eligible purchases to our church. It's no additional cost to you! Choose St. Bartholomew Church via this link: https://smile.amazon.com and start shopping! Thank you for your support.

MEETINGS & EVENTSMONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

SUNDAY

March 23 March 24 March 25 March 26 March 27 March 28

March 29

No Meetings Scheduled

No Meeting Scheduled

FOLLOW, LIKE & SHARE@stbartchurch

Connie BoruchPASTORAL ASSOCIATE for

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION and FORMATIONreligioused@stbartholomewchurch.org phone ext. 235

Teresa QuigleyDIRECTOR OF WHOLE FAMILY CATECHESIS

religioused@stbartholomewchurch.org phone ext. 235

Rectory Phone: 908.322.5192

Sandra CarrollSAFE ENVIRONMENT DIRECTORstbartpgc@gmail.com phone ext. 135

Religious Education Office Phone: 908.322.2359

E: religioused@stbartholomewchurch.org

No Meeting Scheduled

No Meeting Scheduled

No Meeting Scheduled

No Meeting Scheduled

No Meeting Scheduled

Stewardship of Treasure

March 15, 2020

Sunday Basket CollectionTotal $3,784

Did you know that St. Bartholomew the Apostle pays a small fee for all gifts made using credit cards? Faith Direct is now offering a way for families to give a little bit extra each month to offset these processing costs. We ask you to please prayerfully consider adding 2.5% to the processing to offset your regular tithing so that we can receive the full amount of your gifts each month. If you manage your giving online, you can log into your Faith Direct account and check the box on the page where you can update your payment info. You can also contact Faith Direct's customer service team to make the change for you. Thank you for your continued support of our parish family.

To keep up with events, fundraisers, happenings of all kinds at the parish, follow us on Facebook!

Faith Direct (online giving)Total $6,739

Total $10,523