MISSION STATEMENT As a parish family of

St. Francis de Sales Church, we are

commi ed to stewardship as our way

of life. We place God first in all things.

Centered in the real presence of Jesus

in the Eucharist, we devote ourselves to

proclaim the Gospel. We are dedicated

to grow as a faith community to

holiness through prayer, sacraments

and service to all God’s people.

St. Francis de Sales Church 614 Route 517, Vernon, NJ

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 785, McAfee, NJ 07428 Telephone: 973-827-3248 www.s rancisvernon.org

We Invite You to Celebrate Eucharist: Saturday (Vigil): 5:00 PM Sunday 8:00 AM, 10:00 AM, 12:00 PM

Morning Mass: Monday through Friday 8:30 AM Saturday (Memorial Mass) 8:30 AM In addi on during Lent 7:00 AM (M, Tu, Th, & F - no 7AM on Weds)

Holy Days : 7:00 AM, 8:30 AM, 7:30 PM

Reconcilia on During Lent: Monday 7:00 - 8:30 PM Saturday 4:00 - 4:45 PM

Sta ons of the Cross:

Friday a er the 8:30 AM Mass & 7:00 PM

Adora on :

First Friday 9:00AM - 9:00PM Subsequent Fridays 9:00AM - 12:00PM

___________________________________________________________________________________

Served By:

Rev. Brian P. Quinn, Pastor Deacon Dennis Gil

First Sunday of Lent February 14, 2016

The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart.

— Romans 10:8

JESUS AND THE DEVIL

The devil tempted Jesus by quoting scripture, as to-day’s Gospel reminds us. Try a self-serving miracle. Try selling out. Try dazzling the audience; people are gullible, after all. Try all these easy ways. The tempter tries to urge Jesus onto the slippery slope, attempts the old soft-soap, the snake-oil solutions that are always readily at hand. The devil knows better, but is powerless to do better, much less be better. The devil is evil personified, who senses in Jesus the stronger, truly attractive presence of holiness. Evil is exposed and engaged, we are reminded in this Sunday’s Gospel. Evil knows the jig is up. The undoing of lies begins with Jesus, who takes up the work of soul-healing and world-healing. This Lent, the Church invites us to enter into this renewing, re-creative work and be made whole again. -Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co.

Happy Saint Valentine’s Day

Page Two February 14, 2016

13- Saturday 8:30 AM Saturday Memorial Mass 5:00 PM Chris ne Orzech req by Deb & Steve Piccirillo 14- Sunday 8:00 AM Elias Wezowicz req by Joshua, Chu, Logan & Leo 10:00 AM Kelly Hanson req by The Boehm Family 12:00 PM Rose Sferrazza req by The Ama Family  

15- Monday 7:00 AM People of the Parish 8:30 AM William Kunz req by Kathy & John Brady  

16- Tuesday 7:00 AM People of the Parish 8:30 AM Linda Kunz req by Kathy & John Brady   17- Wednesday            7:00 AM People of the Parish 8:30 AM Pete Neilland req by Gail & Rich Englert  

18-Thursday            7:00 AM   People of the Parish                8:30 AM    Edward W. Connell req by Joanne & Ed Connell

19- Friday 7:00 AM People of the Parish           8:30 AM Margaret Pedato req by Barbara Marques  

20- Saturday 8:30 AM Saturday Memorial Mass 5:00 PM AnnaMay Gomber req by Nancy & John Gulden

21- Sunday 8:00 AM Florence Lawston req by Trish & Dennis Quinn 10:00 AM Pauline Braitsch req by St. Francis Choir 12:00 PM Kelly Hanson req by Frank Bahamonde & Family

SATURDAY MEMORIAL MASS The 8:30AM Saturday Mass during the month of February will be offered for the souls of : Joseph Borst, Edward W. Connell, Pilar Dalmau, Catherine & Edward DeYoung, Stephen Fava, Tom McGranahan, Julia Mena Ruiz, Marion & Albert Sinforosa, Ar e Straube, Benjamin O. Trinidad, Jennifer Young

Adora on Times: First Friday: 9:00AM - 9:00 PM

Subsequent Fridays 9:00 AM - Noon

February 20-21, 2016

READINGS FOR THE WEEK

Monday: Lv 19:1-2, 11-18; Ps 19:8-10, 15; Mt 25:31-46

Tuesday: Is 55:10-11; Ps 34:4-7, 16-19; Mt 6:7-15

Wednesday: Jon 3:1-10; Ps 51:3-4, 12-13, 18-19; Lk 11:29-32

Thursday: Est C:12, 14-16, 23-25; Ps 138:1-3, 7c-8; Mt 7:7-12

Friday: Ez 18:21-28; Ps 130:1-8; Mt 5:20-26

Saturday: Dt 26:16-19; Ps 119:1-2, 4-5, 7-8; Mt 5:43-48

Sunday: Gn 15:5-12, 17-18; Ps 27:1, 7-9, 13-14; Phil 3:17 — 4:1 [3:20 — 4:1]; Lk 9:28b- 36

Sat., Feb. 20, 5:00 PM B1 Paul Contreri Dee McAree Liam Esposito C1 Deacon Dennis Amita Romer Caitlin Warsh B3 Chuck McGill C2 Bob Snow C3 Frank McNulty C4 Ann Leavitt B3 Kelly Leavitt

Sunday, Feb 21, 8:00 AM B1 Janice Tanguay Janet Tussey Kyle McCurry C1 Denis Tanguay Tom Geerlof Patrick McCurry B2 Kathy Zayatz C2 Cheryl Avery C3 Marion Geerlof C4 Rich Englert B3 Gail Englert 10:00 AM B1 Joan Stellingwerf Laura Curcione Owen McGill C1 Bea Harrigan Isabel Lazo Mia Annunziata B2 Ken Mahouchick C2 Janet Redyke C3 Laura Scovell C4 Sergio Gonzalez B3 Debbie Gonzalez XC Rick Braun 12:00 Noon B1 John Oroho Diane Wyborski Danielle Bruce C1 Maureen Carr Frank Garrity Ryan Carr B2 Chris Gaule C2 Joe Kearns C3 Gen Miller C4 Joan Gengaro B3 Roger Gengaro

6:30 PM Luca Ondris Jasmine Walker

February 14, 2016 Page Three

Please Pray for those who are sick, especially: Michael Acce a, Anna Aikens, Alexander, Paul Antola Sr., Eddie Becker, Kathy Boehm, Melinda Borst, Brian Braun, Kevin Braun, Marilyn Burnham, Lillian Bru-ne , Baby Solly Chait, Kris Chmara, Stanley

Chmara, Meg Cleary, Sean Connell, Janiece Contreri, Kelly Cusack, Laure Di Domenico, Fred Di Mar no, Raymond Diemer, Baby Evie Dixon, Robert A. Drogo, Lisa Merck Edwing, Edward P. Farrell, Peter Ganzer, Joe Garcia, Margaret Guiton, Bob Haley, Gerhard Hartung, Jeanne Heinke, Holowach, Ruth Hubmaster, Andy Jacko, Gary Ko-lalowski, Anne Kolibas, Joseph Kolibas, Lorraine Kuhl, Joe Kunz, Ryan Lambert, Marie Leider, Janet Macaluso, Carol McDonald, James Mc Donald, Maureen McDonald, Kim McGovern, Charles McGillick, Mari-anne Meehan, Mary Meyers, Marlene Monforte, Michael, Devon Parrish, Nadine Porter, Bernice Regan, Harold Rowan, Dominique Scerbak, Stephen Smith, Sara Snyder, Alison Walters Soderberg, Denis Tanguay, Sr., Adrienne Teel, Madeline Thall, Todd, Norman Trass, Brian Walters, Fr. Fred Walters, Patricia We erlind, Brenna Whitson, Emma Marie Wyman, Rob Zimmerer

Stewardship offering for Feb 07, 2016 $ 12,832.00 Same Sunday Last year $ 12,307.00

Thanks to the many envelope users !

For our parishioners who contribute electronically, the next upcoming special collections are:

February 14, 2016 Eastern Europe  

What shall I return to the Lord for all He has given?” -Psalm 116:12

 

 Please remember, when it snows and

attendance is down….the bills keep com-ing in… Snow Plowing Invoice for week-end Blizzard of Jan 30th was $1503.00

STEWARDSHIP OF OUR TREASURE

PRAY ~ SHARE ~ SERVE ~ LOVE

TREASURES FROM OUR TRADITION

Today Lent begins. Ash Wednesday initiates the forty days of the Lenten fast, but since Sundays are not tallied in the days of fasting, today is the solemn opening of the forty days of Lent. The Church has work to do today, principally the calling forward of those chosen (the proper word is elect-ed) for the Easter sacraments. Some of those who have been catechumens may now make a transition to a new way of life as the “elect.” For them, this Lent will be a time of “purification” and “enlightenment.” For us who accompany them, it is a time of helping them discern God’s call and pre-pare for new life. This year, while the readings from the third year of the Lectionary cycle are usually read, they are set aside on cer-tain Sundays for the benefit of the elect. We turn then to the readings from Year A, and we give those who journey to the font of baptism three extraordinary companions. In the Gos-pels for those days, we meet the woman of Samaria and the man born blind, and we come to the tomb of Lazarus three days after his death. Many bishops celebrate the Rite of Elec-tion on or near today, affirming God’s choice for these new faithful, and also offering them the solidarity of many com-panions. In 2013, over 38,000 adults entered the baptismal waters in the United States, a remarkable testimony to the vigor of our tradition of receiving and nurturing adult faith. —Rev. James Field, Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co.

“ NEW” ONLINE GIVING OPTION

We are pleased to announce that our parish website has the ability to accept donations online. With online giving you can set up a monthly gift or just a one-time donation because you are traveling or cannot make it to Mass because the weather has prohibited your attendance. The added benefit of course is that if you are using your credit card you can save up the much-needed points to escape this cold weather. To make a gift online go to www.stfrancisvernon.org, under the home tab you will find the link for online giving. As always, we thank you for your support of our parish.

A Parish Mission is coming here to celebrate the Season of Lent. It will be the 3rd week of Lent, February 28th - March 2nd at 7:00 - 8:15PM, preached by Redemptor ist Mission-ary, Fr. Bill Adams. The Theme is “ The Power of the Cross” and will be a special time of grace and healing as we open our-selves to celebrate this holy season. So plan on being here, Sunday through Wednesday evenings. (Babysitting available for young children.)

THE POWER OF THE CROSS

A Redemptorist Parish Mission Sunday: The Cross as the Ultimate Gift of God’s Love Reading: Romans 5 / 1-11 Congregational Response: Reverencing the Crucifix Monday: Baptized into the Death of Jesus Reading: Romans 6/1-11 Congregational Response: Renewing promises of Baptism Tuesday: Healed through the Blood of the Cross Reading: Isaiah 53/4-9 Congregational Response: Penance or Healing Service Wednesday: We proclaim His Death until He Comes Reading: 1 Cor.11/23-26 & John 6/47-58 Congregational Response: Celebrating the Sacrifice of the Mass

PARISH MISSION

Page Four February 14, 2016

THIS WEEK AT A GLANCE

Please “Like” us on Facebook www.facebook.com/StfrancisVernon

13- Saturday NO Religious Ed.- Soup & Sta ons on 2/19/16 11:00 AM - 12PM AA (SCB) 14 - Sunday 10:00 AM Children’s Liturgy 10:00 AM Rite of the Elect Youth Ministry/An och Night All Candidates

15- Monday Parish Offices Closed- President’s Day 6:30 PM Circle of Friends 7-8:30 PM Reconcilia on

16- Tuesday 9:30 AM Rosary Makers and Prayer Shawl (103) No Religious Ed.- Soup & Sta ons on 2/19/16

17- Wednesday 7:30 PM RCIA (CCR)

18 - Thursday 9:30- 11:30 AM Mom to Mom (110) 4:30 PM Peers at Play (CSH) 6:30 PM Circle of Friends (109-110) 7:30 PM Choir

19 - Friday 7-8 PM AA (SCB) 7:00 PM Soup & Sta ons

20- Saturday 9:00- 10:15 AM Religious Educa on 11:00 AM - 12PM AA (SCB) Hospitality, Blood Pressure Screening

14 - Sunday 10:00 AM Children’s Liturgy 10:00 AM Rite of the Elect Hospitality, Blood Pressure Screening Welcome Mee ng 11:00 AM Columbie es (SCB) Youth Ministry/An och Night All Candidates

Baptismal Prep Class: Please call Cathy in the office to register for the class. The next class is scheduled for February 22 at 7:30 PM. Note: NO Baptisms are sched-

uled to take place during LENT.

New Parishioner Meeting–Next meeting is in Boland Hall on February 21, 2016 following the 10:00 AM Mass. Call Parish office - Cathy (973) 827-3248 X 198.

Gift Shop News Lenten items are now available at the Gift Shop.

Check out our Lenten pamphlets. The daily readings take only a couple of minutes to read but will leave you with inspiration that will carry you through your day. These pamphlets are not dated so that they may be used year after year.

Purchase a “Forgiven” pin. Not only is it an outward sign of our faith and what we be-lieve, but just might be an inspiration to someone else.

Confirmation and First Holy Communion gifts and cards are on their way. If your “Honey” has given up chocolate for Lent, why not shop for her in our Gift Shop? We have some beautiful jewelry at great prices that will last longer than flowers! The best place to shop is local. Stop by and see us.

~ Gift Shop is open after all Masses ~

Feb 19th & Friday Evenings in Lent: Soup &Stations 7:00PM

Feb 20: Pre- Cana Class (must register)

Feb 22: Baptismal Prep Class

Feb 24: Ecumenical Service St. Francis de Sales 8:00 PM

Feb 28 - Mar 2: PARISH MISSION 7:30 PM

March 19-20th: Men’s Retreat

March 20th: Palm Sunday

March 24, 25, 26: Tr iduum

March 27: Easter

April 2: Confirmation

April 23: Jesus Day

May 7: Communion

June 4-5th: Book Fair

June 12: Par ish Picnic

June 16: (Thursday) Golf Outing

2016 UPCOMING DATES

Lenten Soup & Stations When : Friday Evenings in Lent

Time: 7:00 PM You are invited to join in Stations of the Cross at 7:00 PM, sponsored each week by our Ministries, followed by delicious homemade soups in Boland Hall. Dinner donations will go to our Lenten Rice

Bowl Project.

Take the journey: Walk in Jesus’s path

this lent.

February 14, 2016 Page Five

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

FASTING & ABSTINENCE DURING LENT

Fasting Days: Only Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Age for Fasting: 18—59. One full meal, 2 light meals– no eating between meals, but liquids are allowed-No Meat. Abstinence from meat is all Fridays during Lent. Age for Abstinence 14 and above.

7 & 8 Grade (10 Hours per Year) H.S. (40 Hours in 2 years) See Bulletin Boards

Second Grade - Sacramental Preparation

“Together With Jesus” April 23, 2016 - Jesus Day

What is FORMED ? It’s for you!

FORMED is an exciting new program that St. Francis de Sales has subscribed till next Fall. You will have access to the best CATHOLIC teaching videos, books and audio talks to deepen

your relationship with Christ and his Church. ALL IN ONE PLACE!

Go to www.FORMED.org. Scroll to “ Does your Parish already have Formed?” and enter the Parish Code : RX7GDK and then sign in by creating your own login password. (Don’t forget to write it down) Explore !

Children’s Liturgy of the Word

Join us during the 10:00 AM Mass.

Open to Children: Ages 4 years through 4th Grade.

The readings and gospels are presented on the children’s level with an activity booklet.

GLUTEN FREE HOSTS

Gluten Free Hosts are available for those who need them. Before Mass let one of the ushers

know. They will explain the procedure to you and they will make sure one is consecrated for you.

BIBLE STUDY Please join our Bible Study on Mercy by Fr. Mitch Pacwa in which we will be led to a deeper under-standing of mercy and will rediscover the incredible history of God's mercy in our own lives, which in turn will lead us to an under-standing of the importance of extending God's love and mercy to the world around us. Please call Debra Piccirillo at 973-764-8442 if you are interested in joining a group.

St. Francis’ Pre-School

Health Fair

Come learn about healthy habits with puppets and games and enjoy healthy snacks.

We invite you and your child to come visit us at

Little Angels Learning Center.

Wednesday, February 17th@ 1 PM

Please RSVP by email to: littleangels@stfrancisvernon.org

Let us know if you plan to attend.

College Care Packages Do you have a college student?

Would you like them to get a pack-age from our parish with goodies

and good wishes? Be sure to sign them up after the Masses

February 20th & 21st Packages will be mailed out between

3/2 – 3/7 (We are asking for $5.00 per student to

cover postage)

MAKE A WISH When you love someone all your saved-

up wishes start coming out. —Elizabeth Bowen

Happy Valentine’s Day !

Page Six February 14, 2016

Sacred Heart Spirituality Center ~ First Thursday Retreats

The retreats are the first Thursday of every month. Each month with a different topic.

Open to all. Registration begins at 9:00 AM and ends with a lunch at 1:00PM.

Please RSVP to Sr. Joanne at (973) 383-2620 or shretreatcenter@gmail.com .

St. Francis de Sales XYZ & Vernon Seniors Upcoming Trips :

1.) May 17th- Lancaster, PA -Overnight Seniortours Vacations (Single $499, PPDO $399.) Leisure Club.

2.) June 14 - “Juke Box Heroes” - Hunterdon Hills Playhouse ($74.50 pp) XYZ

3.) July 21 - “Million Dollar Quartet”- Westchester Theatre ($73.00pp.) (Bus leaves Sr. Center) Leisure Club.

4.) August 24- “ Rock, Roll & Soul” Hunterdon Hills Play-house. ($76.50 pp.) XYZ.

5.) Sept 5 - 11th- Smokey Mountain Combo Bus Trip -includes-Dollywood, Biltmore Estate- Seniortours Vacations ($1517 Single, PPDO $1104.) Leisure Club

6.) Nov 4- Radio City Christmas Show- (open to children)

For additional Information or reservations on any of these trips- Please call Jo Prisco 973-222-9369 Open to Adults Any Age

IMMACULATE CONCEPTION SCHOOL

“POT O’ LUCK” TRICKY TRAY Date: March 12, 2016

Time: 6:30 PM Where: St. Francis de Sales

( Boland Hall)

Prizes include: American Girl Dolls, Lap Top Com-puter, TV, Fit Bit, KitchenAid Mixer

and more! Please come and join in the fun!

Tastefully British Fish & Chips Dinner McAfee Fire Dept. Ladies Auxiliary are hosting a Fish & Chips Dinner catered

by Tastefully British of Bloomingdale, NJ When: Friday, March 18, 2016 Time: 6:00 - 8:00 PM Where: McAfee Fire House Cost: $15.00 per person in advance, $20 at the door. ** Dine in or Take out ** Pre-Order: Debra Storbeck 862-266-2130 Meal includes: Choice Fish or Chicken, Chips, Coleslaw, and Dessert. Dine- in

also includes: Soda and water.

Pope Francis’ Message- The Jubilee Year of Mercy

First Sunday of Lent

On Ash Wednesday Pope Francis commissioned “Missionaries of Mercy,”

priest-confessors sent forth worldwide as “living signs of the Father’s readiness to welcome those in

search of [God’s] pardon.” In a way, though, Pope Francis challenges all of us to become “missionaries of mercy” (Misericordiae Vultus, 18) by living Lent in this Jubilee Year of Mercy “more intensely as a privi-leged moment to celebrate and experience God’s mercy” (MV, 17). Francis bids us make the prophet

Micah’s words our own: “God . . . who does not per-sist in anger forever, but delights rather in clemency.

You will cast into the depths of the sea all our sins” (Micah 7:18, 19). Having experienced God’s

mercy ourselves in the unconditional forgiveness of our sins, how eager we should be to invite others to

know the peace of God’s boundless mercy; per-haps even to experience, through our reaching out in gentle kindness and compassionate care, some-

thing of God’s unconditional love for them.

—Peter Scagnelli, Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co., Inc. Papal quotes Copyright © 2015, Libreria Editrice Vaticana. Used with permission.

Please bring in your Palms from last years’ Palm

Sunday. We will be burning them to prepare

Ashes for this years’ Ash Wednesday. A box will be

located in the atrium for you to leave your palms.

COLLECTING PALMS

Knights of Columbus Council 5563

FISH & CHIPS DINNER Friday, Feb 19th, 5:00 - 8:00 PM Where: St. Jude the Apostle

4-24 Beaver Run Rd, Hamburg, NJ 07419 FISH DINNER Pre-Sale Pricing:

$12 Eat in Dinning ($15. Day of Dinner) $11 Take-Out ($14 Day of Dinner)

$6. Kid’s Portion ( 5 Years or Younger) CHICKEN DINNERS AVAILABLE ON REQUEST

For Tickets or Inquires: Dominic LoPiccolo -(862) 266-0267 Or Mike Nevins - (973) 362-6640 Prepared by: TASTEFULLY BRITISH