FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER

HOURS      Pss IV  Seasonal prop

MASS        Prop  Gl  Cr  Easter Pf I-V  Sol Bl

RDGS        51: Acts 13:14,43-52  Ps 100:1-2,3,5

                  Rv 7:9,14b-17  Jn 10:27-30

Know that Jesus is the Lord (Ps), the Lamb on the throne who will shepherd his flock and give them eternal life (2.3). In his name, Paul and Barnabas proclaim the word of God to Jew and Gentile alike (1).

Stewardship

Paul and Barnabas encountered both violent rejection and joyful acceptance of the message that they preached. We, too, may meet with mixed reactions when we use our gifts in the service of God. But, the Gospel assures us, the reward for those who follow faithfully is eternal life.

PLEASE PRAY FOR ALL OF OUR PARISHIONERS including: Tony Gangitano, David King, Haley Weber, Frank Stashak, Josephine Sarnoski, Elizabeth Connelly, Loretta Girard, Mary Pokotello, Blanche Ferarro, Sheila Del Mastro, John & Peter Foxwell, Camille & Eugene Foley, Terese King, John & Christine Dyke, Joe Sylvester,

Peter Yazgier, Genevieve Casey and Daniel Burstiner.

Let us remember in our prayers Marie Kelly whom God has called home.

Collections

April 15^th   $3914.00

April 22^nd   $4203.96

Counters Team #1

Bingo Team #3

MOUNT SAINT MARY ACADEMY

Watchung, NJ 07069-6587

(908) 753-2091 msmhope@msmhope.org

Please, register for all events

Poetry Retreat by the Lake

Fri, May 4, 7:00 p.m. - Sat, May 5, 6 p.m. ($125/overnight)  Held at Mercy-by-the-Lake, Elberon, NJ.   Enjoy the environment of the Jersey Shore! Ample time to write-reflect-pray with poetry.

Gathering for Men

Tues-May 8, 7:30-9:30 p.m. (free-will offering)  Gain support and inspiration by focusing on spirituality and integration with daily life. Group discussion, reflection and prayer.

Weekend Retreat

May 18-20, Begins 7 p.m. on opening day concludes at 2 p.m. ($100/weekend)  An experience of personal prayer based on Scripture. Daily spiritual direction. Atmosphere of prayerful quiet. Adaptable to the needs and desires of each individual.

Six Day Retreat

May 18-25, Begins 7 p.m. on opening day concludes at 11 a.m. ($350/week)  An experience of personal prayer based on Scripture.  Daily spiritual direction.  Atmosphere of  prayerful quiet. Adaptable to the needs and desires of each individual.

Our Lady of Fatima Candlelight Procession

May 13^th, 7:00 pm  Our Lady of Fatima Church, 501 New Market Road, Piscataway, NJ. Invites you to join them as they honor Our Lady of Fatima with their sixth Candlelight Procession. They will gather at 7 pm outside the church, the procession will begin at 7:30 pm. The program in the church will include a homily given by the Most Reverend Arthur Serratelli, Bishop of Paterson, Expostion of the Blessed Sacrament, Benediction and the traditional Fatima Farewell.

The evening will conclude with light refreshments in the school cafeteria. For more information, please call Roberta Maurer at (732) 968-7581.

The church is handicap accessible.

DIOCESAN NEWS

www.diometuchen.org

World Day of Prayer for Vocations

Sunday, April 29^th, is a special Easter celebration of Good Shepherd Sunday. In 1963, Pope Paul VI designated this day as World Day of Prayer for Vocations. Our Parish will join with the universal church to ask for God’s blessings that we may be strengthened in our Christian vocation.

NJ Young Adult Conference May 5th

May 5^th beginning at 10 am($30pp includes lunch, dinner & materials) Men & Women, Married or Single, in their 20s & 30s. At St. Lawrence Church in Laurence Harbor, NJ. The conference invites young adults to meet their peers from across the state and re-ignite the fire of their faith. To register or get more info, www.njyoungadultconference.org

Annual Diocesan Scout Award Mass

June 16^th, 7 pm at the Cathedral of St. Francis, Metuchen. If you have completed your Scout workbook and would like to receive your award for Junior, Cadette & Senior Scouts, please send your application by May 1^st to:

The Diocese of Metuchen

Catholic Scouting

P.O. Box 191

Metuchen, NJ  08840

Awards to be presented by Msgr. Michael Corona, Catholic Scouting Moderator for the Diocese of Metuchen. For more info, please call Virginia at (732) 562-1990 x1630.

Special Collection April 28th & 29th

Aid to the Church in Central & Easter Europe and the Catholic Home Missions Appeal will take place April 28^th & 29^th.

·         The Catholic Church in Central and Eastern Europe is working in 28 countries to build the pastoral capacity of the Church. Together, we are bringing the light of God’s love to places once covered by a pall of darkness. Our contributions will help build parishes, supports seminaries, social service programs, youth ministry, pastoral centers, church construction and spreading of the Gospel in many distant and unknown places in Central and Eastern Europe.

·         The Catholic Home Missions Appeal support those Catholics in the US where the Catholic Church struggles just to keep parishes open and to educate children in the faith. Some dioceses are terribly short of priests, sisters and money needed to run parishes. Catholic home Missions Appeal also provides funding which helps send 982 chaplains to offer Mass, sacraments, counseling and the comforts of faith to American Catholic soldiers and their families around the world.

OUR LADY OF MERCY NEWS

May 5th & 6th Special Collection for Flood Victims

Our Lady of Mercy will have a special free will collection next Saturday and Sunday to help a family or families in our parish who were hardest hit by the recent flood. The money collected will be given directly to the Our Lady of Mercy parishioners in need.

Rosary Altar Society Meeting

The Rosary Altar Society will be meeting Monday evening, April 30^th, at 7:45 PM in the church hall as it does every last Monday of the month.

All ladies are welcome to attend.

The Rosarians enjoy and welcome new members. If you’re not sure if you’d like to join or would like to find out more about the Rosary Altar Society, you’re invited to come to the meeting and get more information.

HOLY NAME SOCIETY NEWS

The Holy Name Society is, once again, sponsoring a Patriot Baseball Game Gathering. This year's gathering will be at the June 30^th Patriots vs. the Lancaster Barnstormers Game at 7 PM. The cost is $ 8.00 per person. You may reserve your tickets by calling Keith Fasanella at 732-356-5780 or by filling out the Patriots Game form found at each exit door and returning the completed form and payment in the collection basket during any mass. The last day to reserve tickets is Sunday, June 3^rd.

Help Wanted - $$

We have a parishioner who is looking for someone to visit a family member in our area a few times a week for an hour or so a day. Maybe take this person to a local grocery store or pharmacy, visit with them and just make sure they are OK. The family member doesn’t drive, but is not disabled. There is pay involved. Please call Laura at the rectory for more information (732) 356-1037, 12-4, Tues. thru Friday.