We know that there are those of you who have expressed interest in how
things are going at St. Mary's generally and so here's a brief update.
Confirmation '09
We had quite a number of young people confirmed
recently [by Fr. Namiotka]--32 if I counted correctly--and this was a joyous occasion for all,
followed by a little party in the basement and in people's private
homes, too.
Rosary Garden
The Rosary Garden looks beautiful as usual, thanks to God and to our hard-working parishioner, Charlie. Today when I visited I noticed that the roses were in bloom and their sweet fragrance was in the air! I recommend you visit, and maybe even bring a picnic or snack, a rosary and spiritual reading.
Mass
Sunday morning/Saturday evening mass times remain the same (5:00, 8:30 & 11:30), and we continue to pray the beautiful consecration prayer in which we consecrate our parish and our families to the Sacred Heard of Jesus through the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Following mass, we pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. Of course, all are welcome. Don't forget, we also have Latin (low) mass on the last Sunday of each month at 6pm, presided over by Fr. Romanowski.
Feast Planning
Plans for the Feast of the Assumption in August are just in their beginning stages. We are sure it will be a beautiful and festive time! If you have any ideas for the Feast or would like to help plan it, contact us or call the rectory (856-694-2576).
Sunday School
CCD is done until the Fall,
but of course St. Mary's families continue in the religious education
of their children all year long, as the Church teaches that the primary
educators of the child are his parents. My kindergartner loves CCD at
St. Mary's, I think in large part due to its intimate atmosphere. It is
very different from the CCD program of which I was a part when I was a
child, one that was a lot larger and, well, colder. The littlest
children at St. Mary's have CCD in the shrine room, surrounded by the
saints and even relics. The older kids have CCD in the church itself,
which is wonderful and beautiful. We have, to the best of our
knowledge, never had a shortage of catechism teachers, thanks be to
God. There is no shortage of generosity at St. Mary's, to be sure. We
wish all parishes have the blessing of so solid a CCD program as we've
been fortunate enough to have. Thank you to all the CCD instructors!
Fr. Namiotka
We pray our new pastor, Fr. Namiotka,
is
settling in well and maybe even getting to like us, despite our
quirkiness! (He is not living at St. Mary's, though.) He delivered a
wonderful sermon today on consecrating our lives to God and we look
forward to getting to know him better.
Be a Servant of God by Serving St. Mary's!
Most recently Fr. Namiotka is helping to better organize various parish functions such as ushers, lectors, etc. and will be holding a meeting for all interested people this Tuesday night at 7:00 in the Shrine Room (in the rectory). Luckily at St. Mary's we barely need any "Extraordinary Ministers" for holy mass since we are a small church and most wish to receive the Blessed Eucharist from the hands of the parish priest. However, in the bulletin Fr. Namiotka says his goal "is to have each and every sick or homebound parishioner visited and brought Holy Communion weekly." (Emphasis his.) An Extraordinary Minister needs to be "living a life in union with Church teachings." This is a laudable goal and one which we ought to help with.
Certainly there are so many ways in which you may offer your time as a gift to God through our parish, St. Mary's. Please be sure to attend the meeting if you have an interest in participating in any way! Well, just about every way. Father Namiotka says he will be organizing the altar boys at a later time. If you have any questions call Fr. Namiotka via the St. Mary's rectory or Queen of Angels (856-697-1450).
Fr. Romanowski
Our much loved Fr. Romanowski, pastor emeritus,
is still settling in at his house but will be back, we understand, for the Latin mass on the final Sunday evening of each month--that would be next week--at 6pm.
Fr. is also very busy with the various events and masses around the
region having to do with the Holy Name Society. We hope to publish a
list of the dates and locations very soon.
Legion of Mary
The Legion of Mary continues to regularly meet, as well as the Junior Legion. At both, new members are always welcome. The Junior Legion meets Thursdays from 4-5:00pm and the Adult Praesidium meets Thursdays from 7-8:00pm.
Choir
Both the Junior and Adult Choir also continue to practice and sing at mass. News singers are always welcome there as well. Call Angela, our parish secretary, at 856-694-2576 with any questions you may have. Regular choir practices from 7:30-9:00pm on Tuesdays, Junior choir rehearses Tuesdays from 7-8:00.
Confirmation '09
Rosary Garden
The Rosary Garden looks beautiful as usual, thanks to God and to our hard-working parishioner, Charlie. Today when I visited I noticed that the roses were in bloom and their sweet fragrance was in the air! I recommend you visit, and maybe even bring a picnic or snack, a rosary and spiritual reading.
Mass
Sunday morning/Saturday evening mass times remain the same (5:00, 8:30 & 11:30), and we continue to pray the beautiful consecration prayer in which we consecrate our parish and our families to the Sacred Heard of Jesus through the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Following mass, we pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. Of course, all are welcome. Don't forget, we also have Latin (low) mass on the last Sunday of each month at 6pm, presided over by Fr. Romanowski.
Feast Planning
Plans for the Feast of the Assumption in August are just in their beginning stages. We are sure it will be a beautiful and festive time! If you have any ideas for the Feast or would like to help plan it, contact us or call the rectory (856-694-2576).
Sunday School
CCD is done until the Fall,
but of course St. Mary's families continue in the religious education
of their children all year long, as the Church teaches that the primary
educators of the child are his parents. My kindergartner loves CCD at
St. Mary's, I think in large part due to its intimate atmosphere. It is
very different from the CCD program of which I was a part when I was a
child, one that was a lot larger and, well, colder. The littlest
children at St. Mary's have CCD in the shrine room, surrounded by the
saints and even relics. The older kids have CCD in the church itself,
which is wonderful and beautiful. We have, to the best of our
knowledge, never had a shortage of catechism teachers, thanks be to
God. There is no shortage of generosity at St. Mary's, to be sure. We
wish all parishes have the blessing of so solid a CCD program as we've
been fortunate enough to have. Thank you to all the CCD instructors!Fr. Namiotka
We pray our new pastor, Fr. Namiotka,
is
settling in well and maybe even getting to like us, despite our
quirkiness! (He is not living at St. Mary's, though.) He delivered a
wonderful sermon today on consecrating our lives to God and we look
forward to getting to know him better.Be a Servant of God by Serving St. Mary's!
Most recently Fr. Namiotka is helping to better organize various parish functions such as ushers, lectors, etc. and will be holding a meeting for all interested people this Tuesday night at 7:00 in the Shrine Room (in the rectory). Luckily at St. Mary's we barely need any "Extraordinary Ministers" for holy mass since we are a small church and most wish to receive the Blessed Eucharist from the hands of the parish priest. However, in the bulletin Fr. Namiotka says his goal "is to have each and every sick or homebound parishioner visited and brought Holy Communion weekly." (Emphasis his.) An Extraordinary Minister needs to be "living a life in union with Church teachings." This is a laudable goal and one which we ought to help with.
Certainly there are so many ways in which you may offer your time as a gift to God through our parish, St. Mary's. Please be sure to attend the meeting if you have an interest in participating in any way! Well, just about every way. Father Namiotka says he will be organizing the altar boys at a later time. If you have any questions call Fr. Namiotka via the St. Mary's rectory or Queen of Angels (856-697-1450).
Fr. Romanowski
Our much loved Fr. Romanowski, pastor emeritus,
is still settling in at his house but will be back, we understand, for the Latin mass on the final Sunday evening of each month--that would be next week--at 6pm.
Fr. is also very busy with the various events and masses around the
region having to do with the Holy Name Society. We hope to publish a
list of the dates and locations very soon.Legion of Mary
The Legion of Mary continues to regularly meet, as well as the Junior Legion. At both, new members are always welcome. The Junior Legion meets Thursdays from 4-5:00pm and the Adult Praesidium meets Thursdays from 7-8:00pm.
Choir
Both the Junior and Adult Choir also continue to practice and sing at mass. News singers are always welcome there as well. Call Angela, our parish secretary, at 856-694-2576 with any questions you may have. Regular choir practices from 7:30-9:00pm on Tuesdays, Junior choir rehearses Tuesdays from 7-8:00.