St. Mary of Ostrabrama Church 30 Jackson Street, South River, NJ 08882

Phone: 732-254-2220 Fax: 732-651-8182

Website: www.stmarysr.com 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.

JULY 17, 2016 Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

PARISH STAFF:

Rev. Michael J. Gromadzki Pastor

Thomas F. Dominiecki, Deacon Emeritus

Mark Hennicke Deacon

Mrs. Gayle Spezio, Assistant Administrator

Mrs. Elizabeth Kurtz, Cemetery Coordinator

Mrs. Rosemary Eckert, P.C.L., Faith Formation

PARISH CONTACT INFORMATION

PARISH OFFICE: CEMETERY OFFICE: ostrabrama@stmarysr.com cemetery@stmarysr.com

PARISH RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAM: prep@stmarysr.com

ST. MARY'S SCHOOL ALUMNI smsaa@stmarysr.com

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

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 - Thursday: 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Friday: Office Closed

CEMETERY OFFICE HOURS: By Appointment

OFFICES CLOSED ON ALL HOLY DAYS & HOLIDAYS

St. Mary Magdalene

SIXTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME SATURDAY (SOBOTA), JULY 16 4 PM +Piotr & Jerzy Naglik Req. by: Mom, Kazia SUNDAY (NIEDZIELA), JULY 17 8:30 Pro Populo / For the People of the Parish 10:30 John & Kristin Monahan God’s Blessings on Marriage Req. by: Grandparents

12 N +Halina & Stanislaw Konopacki Req. by: Piatek Family MONDAY (PONIEDZIALEK), JULY 18 Weekday / St. Camillus de Lellis, Priest 8 AM +Anna Petersack Req. by: Sons, Jeffrey & Joseph St. Anne Novena TUESDAY (WTOREK), JULY 19 Weekday 8 AM +Michael Strygulec Req. by: Adeline & Family St. Anne Novena WEDNESDAY (SRODA), JULY 20 Weekday / St. Apollinaris, Bishop 8 AM +Judy Russer Req. by: Jamie & Matt Kurtz St. Anne Novena THURSDAY (CZWARTEK), JULY 21 Weekday / St. Lawrence of Brindisi, Priest & Doctor of the Church 6:30PM +Alexander Wyluda Req. by: Mom, Dad, Elizabeth & Peter St. Anne Novena FRIDAY (PIATEK), JULY 22 St. Mary Magdalene 8 AM +Walter Rusek Req. by: Loretta & Jozef Halicki St. Anne Novena SATURDAY (SOBOTA), JULY 23 Weekday / St. Bridget, Religious / BVM 4 PM Pro Populo / For the People of the Parish St. Anne Novena SUNDAY (NIEDZIELA), JULY 24 Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time 8:30 +Sophie & Vincent Gostkowski Req. by: Family St. Anne Novena 10:30 +Chester Migut Req. by: Mr. & Mrs. Gary Migut & Daughters 12 N +Polikowski & Family Req. by: W. & H. Sosulski

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 JULY

Universal: Indigenous Peoples That indigenous peoples, whose identity and very existence are threatened, will be shown due respect. Evangelization: Latin America and the Caribbean That the Church in Latin America and the Caribbean, by means of her mission to the continent, may announce the Gospel with renewed vigor and enthusiasm.

SIXTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME “...I am a minister in accordance with God’s stewardship

given to me to bring to completion for you the word of God.”

Colossians 1:25 Believe it or not, we are all called to evangelize--to continuously grow in our knowledge and relationship with Jesus and to share it with others. We may not be called to evangelize like St. Paul, but we should look for opportunities to share our Faith with those closest to us, like our family and friends.

Sunday, July 17 Pre-Baptism Class 11:30 AM, Seniors’ Room

Tuesday, July 19 Cenacle Prayer Group, 8:30 AM, Chapel Holy Hour with Exposition of Blessed Sacrament

Friday, July 22 Parish Office Closed

Saturday, July 23 Confessions 11:00 AM C.O.P.E. Collection

Sunday, July 24 C.O.P.E. Collection

THIS WEEK AT A GLANCE . . .

WINE & HOSTS

+Mildred D. Kreiger - David & Andrea Krempecki

CANDLE INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK

Sanctuary Candle ~ Church +Walter Kulik - Rosemarie

Blessed Mother’s Altar Candles God’s Blessings for our Daughter as she celebrates

her 40th birthday - Love, Parents

Sacred Heart Altar Candles +Monica & Raymond Haddad - Joe & Liz Butewicz

Candle for St. Joseph God’s Blessings & Health for Deacon Tom & Janet -

Adeline Baska

Candle For St. Anthony +Michael Strygulec - Baska Family

Our Lady of Ostrabrama Candles {Available ~ $25 for two candles for one week}

Sanctuary Candle ~ Chapel +Joseph Gwozdziewicz - Russ & Barbara Koch

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

St. Anne’s Altar Candles ~ Chapel God’s Blessings on Marriage of Kristin Schmidt &

John Monahan - Witkowski Family

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, Nina Argresta, Ted Batko, John Bladzinski, Marie Borichewski, Patricia Brink, Cathy Christan, Joan DeBoer, Thomas DelGuercio, John Dominiecki, Mary Dzienkowski, Tom Fackovec, Evelyn Fafara, Penelope Fry, Sophie Galinski, John Ganser, Matthew Giardelli, Maryann Goccia, Charles Griscavage, Amelia Halmo, Irene Hanko, Jean Hill, Aaron Hode, Eleanor Holz, Helen Hydrusko, Rose Johnson, Catheryn Kelly, Josephine Kish, Jason Klee, Marion Kovacs, Joan Krenzel, Mary P. Lementowicz, Michael Lucas, Anthony Martino, Wanda Massaro, Dorothy McMahon, Hannah Grace Michlik, Rozalia Milkowski, Frances Moken, Frank Molnar, Irene Palmowski, Joe Pawelek, Nicholas Piacenti, Stanley Plewa, Cecelia Polanski, Kevin Rasimowicz, C. Rasmussen, Edna Rice, Sr. Rosangela, Rosalie Rudy, Sean Ryan, Steven Samuel, Gregory Sciscoe, Eleanor Scupp, Stephen Soehngen, Joe Szumski, Pauline Terelmes, Sylvia Thrasher, Christine Tobin, Maria Uzzo, Arlene Watson, Claire Watson, Karolina Wojciechowski, Edward Wolanin, Jr., Kathryn Wolanin, Barbara Zambrzicky, Maria Zamoyski, Henry Ziolkowski.

IN OUR HEARTS & PRAYERS . . . PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE WHO ARE

RECENTLY DECEASED:

+Wladyslaw Koprowski +Stanislaw Gienieczko

May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of

God rest in peace.

The God who made the universe and rested bids us to do the same, calling us to a weekly restoration of

prayer, study and recreation (re-creation).

IN OUR PARISH . . .

Shop-Rite and Stop & Shop

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 and Stop & Shop 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.

Rebuild my CHURCH

REMEMBER ST. MARY’S IN YOUR WILL

God will never be outdone in generosity. Please remember St.

Mary’s Parish in your Will & Testament!

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 - July 10, 2016

Weekly $4,135.00 Building Fund $1,885.00

Thank You & God Bless You! Bóg Zapłać!  

St. Mary of Ostrabrama Building Restoration Project Update . . .

Balance: $14,053.48 Repair Church Stairs, paint roof flashing over elevator. A special Thank You and God’s Blessing to all who have generously contributed to this project so far!

GOODSEARCH.COM

To date, contributions to St. Mary’s Church for using goodsearch.com: $147.40

Thank you & Bóg Zapłać to all who use goodsearch.com to browse and make purchases on the Internet.

**Please patronize our advertisers** They make our bulletin possible.

SUMMER ENVELOPES

We sincerely thank our parishioners who mail or deliver your weekly envelopes to the parish office while you are out of town on vacations this summer. As many of you understand, our parish expenses and obligations do not take a vacation when you do, so it is very helpful to be able to rely on your continued support even when you cannot personally attend Mass here.

A sincere “Thank You” to Victoria Johnson, Michael & Marie Johnson, Joan Wojcik, Stephanie Lam, Robert Woyciechowicz, Michael & Bozena

Purzycki, Ronald Barglow and the men of our Knights of Columbus Council #3001 for donating a total of $4,100.00 for a new Sound System. May our Lady of Ostrabrama continue to bless you and your families for your sincere generosity. If you find it in your heart, please consider assisting our beloved Parish in its continued repairs. W imie Matki Bozej Ostrabramskiej, prosimy o financowa pomoc na odnowienie naszego system.

Welcome to our Parish Community of St. Mary of Ostrabrama through the Sacrament of Baptism:

Michelle Rose Gostkowski

May the Lord bless her & keep her in His care!

The Holy Name will have their monthly collection for their C.O.P.E. Program after all Masses next weekend, July 23/24.

Thank you for your support.

Please be reminded that the Parish Office will be closed on Fridays during the months of June, July and August.

Have a great Summer!

Pope John Paul II Feast Day is October 22. A committee is needed to create a special celebration. If interested, please contact Barbara Sykulski, President, Altar Rosary Society at bsykulski@gmail.com or the Parish Office.

FAITH FORMATION . . .

**IMPORTANT PREP NEWS** Registration for the Parish Religious Education Program (PREP) for the 2016-2017 school is now underway in the Parish Office during regular business hours. Please register as soon as possible so books can be ordered.

Registration fees for the 2016-2017 school year are: One Child $125.00 Family $200.00 New registrations should bring copies of birth and Baptism certificates. Any questions, please contact the Parish Office. Please note ~ A late fee of $50.00 will now be charged for any re-registrations received after May 31st. This late fee will be used to offset those families in need.

Students transferring from another Religious Education program must have a transfer letter indicating grade level and sacramental information.

Katholic Kidz

Novena to St. Anne 2016 Schedule

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, July 18, 19, 20

Novena follows 8:00 am Mass

Thursday, July 21 Novena follows 6:30 pm Mass

Friday, July 22 Novena follows 8:00 am Mass

Saturday, July 23 Novena follows 4:00 pm Mass

Sunday, July 24 Novena follows 8:30 am Mass

Monday & Tuesday, July 25 & 26 Novena follows 8:00 am Mass

**ITEMS NEEDED** The St. Mary of Ostrabrama Church Parish Picnic will be held on Sunday, September 11, 2016 in the Parish Center, Parish Parking Lot and the side lawn of the Maliszewski Funeral Home. This year we will again have a Tricky Tray Raffle at the picnic. The Picnic Committee will need new and gently used items for the Tricky Tray. Donation items may be left in the Parish Office during business hours. Donated items can also be picked up by calling Peter Eckert at 732-254-0283.

When one can find God, struggling with us in the midst of pain, or rejoicing with us in happy times, one has discovered a hallmark of the spiritual life.

AROUND THE DIOCESE . . .

Show Appreciation

While it shouldn’t be the goal of doing good deeds for others, it certainly feels great to hear the words Thank you. Yet we often forget to express our appreciation for acts of kindness directed our way. We take people for granted. One of the best ways for a relationship to grow is to learn how to say thank you. - from Find a Real Friend in Jesus

MINUTE MEDITATION

Disability aids available …

The Office for Persons with Disabilities, Diocese of Metuchen, has a number of donated disability aids on hand which we would be happy to make available to anyone in the parish who might have need of them. They include wheelchairs, crutches, walkers, canes, and porta-potties, plus

other items. A complete list of available items has been provided to your parish office. If you have any questions, or wish to contact our office directly, please feel free to contact us at 732-765-6432 or email: catholicswithdisabilities@gmail.com. To request prayers for yourself or others, please call our 24 hour prayer line: 732-765-6431.

POLKA DANCE

HolyTrinityParishHall100MainStreet,Helmetta

August7,2016~2‐7pm

TicketPrice:$20perpersonIncludesDJmusic,pierogis,kielbasa&

sauerkraut,coffee&softdrinksBYOB

For more info: Call Kate Buczek at 732.939.7352

Bus Trip ….

Sept. 4, 10:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. – Good Shepherd Parish, Hopelawn, is sponsoring a trip to the Polish-American Festival at The national Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa, Doylestown Pa. Mass will be held in English at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $55 per person. Food and drinks are your responsibility. For information or reservations, call Phyllis, (732) 442-0843 or Marie, (732) 442-6916 by June 30.

Retreats ...

Mount St. Mary House of Prayer, Watchung, will offer weekend and week-long retreats from June 10 through Aug. 19. “Sacred Time, Sa-cred Space” will be offered on Aug. 23, 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. The cost is $20-$30 as you are able to pay. For details on any of these re-treats, contact (908) 753-2091 or msmhope@msmhope.org.

HOLY HOUR FOR PRESIDENTIAL CONDIDATES

Aug. 9, Sept. 8, 9:45 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. – Maris Stella Retreat Center, Harvey Cedars, will hold

Holy Hours for the presidential candidates, and all elected officials of our country. For information, call (609) 494-2917.

You Can Save Your Marriage! Retrouvaille ~

A lifeline for troubled marriages

Has your marriage become unloving or uncaring--your relationship grown cold, distant--thinking about a separation or divorce? Are you already separated/divorced but (both of you) wish to try again--then the Retrouvaille program may help you. RETROUVAILLE (Rediscovery) sponsored by the Family Life Office/Diocese of Metuchen consists of a weekend experience for couples (no group discussions) with six follow-up sessions. The next program initiates the weekend of September 16-18, 2016. All inquiries are confidential. For further information, please call the Family Life Office 732-562-1990 x4573, Rich and Annette Colasuonno 732-236-0671 or Tom & Pat McTague 732-583-4468 (evenings).