1. religion and spirituality
2. christianity
3. catholicism

Bulletin
The
Ss Peter & Paul g Hoboken, NJ
February 22, 2015
First Sunday of Lent
h h h h h h
JESUS IN THE DESERT
404 Hudson Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030
201.659.2276  www.spphoboken.com
bit.ly/spphoboken
spphoboken @spphoboken
Vision
Parish Office Hours
Sunday Readings
To grow the Catholic Community of Ss Peter and Paul in faith, Monday  Thursday
hope, and love.
Friday
Saturday – Sunday
Mission
Ss Peter and Paul strives to be an inviting Catholic community, Church Hours
inspired by Jesus Christ, where we grow a rich sacramental life Sunday  Friday
through prayerful worship and service to our neighbors with one Saturday
another.
Genesis 9:8–15 God promises Noah and
“every living creature” never to destroy the
earth by water again. God sets the rainbow
in the sky as a sign of this covenant.
7:30 AM – 7 PM
9 AM – 7 PM
1 Peter 3:18–22 God’s salvation of Noah’s
family in the flood foreshadows our salvation through baptism in Christ, who suffered once to redeem all sin.
Sunday Masses
Pastoral Team
PASTOR
Msgr Robert S Meyer, Esq
robert.meyer@spphoboken.com
Stephanie Panzariello, BS
stephanie.panzariello@spphoboken.com
PARISH SECRETARY
PASTORAL ASSOCIATE
FOR ADMINISTRATION
Karen Imbach, BA
karen.imbach@spphoboken.com
FRONT DESK / RECEPTIONIST
Valerie Sorge, BA
valerie.sorge@spphoboken.com
BOOKKEEPER
Karen Barisonek, MBA
karen.barisonek@ spphoboken.com
Sr Joann Marie Aumand, SCC, MA RCIA / FAITH FORMATION
sr.joannmarie.aumand@spphoboken.com PASTORAL ASSOCIATE
Susan Francesconi, BA
DIRECTOR OF EVANGELIZATION
susan.francesconi@spphoboken.com
DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT
& STEWARDSHIP
Louis Scarpa, MA
louis.scarpa@spphoboken.com
Matthew S Still, BA DIRECTOR OF MUSIC MINISTRIES
matthew.still@spphoboken.com
DIRECTOR OF MARKETING
& COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES
Max Colas, MSc
max.colas@spphoboken.com
Matthew Fantau
PUBLIC RELATIONS ASSOCIATE
matthew.fantau@spphoboken.com
Drew Stuart, MA
drew.stuart@spphoboken.com
BENEDICT XVI HOUSE INTERN
Nick Leeper
nick.leeper@spphoboken.com
BENEDICT XVI HOUSE INTERN
Ed Yruma
10 AM – 7 PM
10 AM – 5 PM
Closed
CHAIR OF THE FINANCE COUNCIL
Vigil (Saturday)
5.30 PM
g
+
Sunday
8 AM  9 AM  10.30 AM
 12 Noon  7 PM
g
No music +Family Mass
Daily Liturgies
Sacrament of Reconciliation
Saturdays
This Week's Mass Intentions
Monday
Communion Service 12:10 PM
Tuesday  Friday
Mass 12:10 PM
Other Daily Masses available
in the Deanery:
St AnnMonday  Friday 7 AM
St FrancisMonday  Friday 8 AM
St LawrenceTuesday  Friday 9.30 AM
OLGMonday 
Friday 12:30 PM
OLGMonday
Thursday 7 PM
Holy Hour / Eucharistic Adoration
First Thursday
of the Month
11 AM to 12 Noon
5:00 PM sharp
Additional Confessions during Lent
Saturday, February 21
St Lawrence
Monday 7 PM
Saints Peter & Paul
Wednesday 7 PM
OLG Saturday 4 PM
St Francis
Saturday 4 PM
St Anne Wedn. 6–6.30 PM & 7.30—8 PM
Sunday, February 22
Lenten Stations of the Cross
CANTORS
St Francis (followed by Mass)
Rose Perry  Don Meyer
TRUSTEES
Ministry for the Sick
Friday 7 PM
If you are aware of any parishioners who
no longer can come to Church and would
A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization providing legal assistance to like to receive Communion and a visit
disadvantaged individuals.
from someone at our Parish please call
Elizabeth F Caraballo, Esq FOUNDING DIRECTOR the Parish Office.
director@thewaterfrontproject.org
Tel: 201.308.3986
www.thewaterfrontproject.org
wfp.inc Prayer Intentions of the Holy Father
for February
Hoboken Catholic Academy
Proud co-sponsor of Hoboken Catholic Academy
555 7th Street, Hoboken, NJ  201.963.9535
Matthew McGrath, MA, MEd www.hobokencatholic.org
PRINCIPAL
Weekday Readings
Monday St Polycarp
Lv 19:1–2, 11–18 / PS 19:8, 9, 10, 15 / Mt 25:31–46
Tuesday
Is 55:10–11 / PS 34:4-5, 6-7, 16-17, 18-19 / Mt
6:7–15
Wednesday
Jo 3:1–10 / PS 51:3-4, 12-13, 18-19 / Lk 11:29–32
Thursday
Es C:12, 14–16, 23–25 / PS 138:1-2AB, 2CDE-3,
7C-8 / Mt 7:7–12
Friday
Ez 18:21–28 / PS 130:1-2, 3-4, 5-7A, 7BC-8 /
Mt 5:20–26
Saturday
Dt 26:16–19 / PS 119:1-2, 4-5, 7-8 / Mt 5:43–48
Greg McDonald  Katie Riley  Geoffrey Scheer
The Waterfront Project, inc
Mark 1:12–15 Jesus entered the desert and
was tempted by Satan for forty days, after
which he proclaimed the kingdom of God
across Galilee.
General intention: That prisoners, especially the young, may be able to rebuild
lives of dignity.
Evangelization: That married people who
are separated may find welcome and support in the Christian community.
5:30 pm
† Myrna Iris Zelaya-Quesada
8:00 am
9:00 am
10:30 am
12:00 pm 7:00 pm
† Helen Falco
People of the Parish
† Onofrio Tattoli
† Theresa Fremer
† Gary Pasternak
Tuesday, February 24
12:10 pm The Cappock Family
Wednesday, February 25
12:10 pm
† Libero Tarabocchia
Thursday, February 26
12.10 pm
† In Loving Memory of
Antonia Bussanich
Friday, February 27
12:10 pm
† Josephine Girone
Saturday, February 28
5:30 pm Mario A Zelaya-Quesada
Sunday, March 1
The gifts are offered in memory of † Onofrio
Tattoli
8:00 am
† Dorothy Marie Sheridan
9:00 am
People of the Parish
10:30 am † Deceased Members
of the Rosary Society
12:00 pm Laura Brazee
7:00 pm
† Anna Crosta
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OUR PARISH
THE TEMPTATION OF JESUS:
The Prototype Desert Time
of Lent
By Drew Stuart, MA
Benedict XVI Intern
drew.stuart@spphoboken.com
Lent is a time for repentance. During this season,
we prepare for Easter and turn back to God through
prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Lent finds its foundation in the bible, where prayer and fasting are
seen as signs of remorse for sin and a desire for
conversion of heart (eg turning away from our own
flawed desires and toward God). More specifically,
Jesus’ temptation in the desert, as told in Matthew
4:1-11, Mark 1:12-13, Luke 4:1-13, could be called the
prototype of Lent.
This year, we hear the account of Jesus’ temptation
from the Gospel of Mark:
The Spirit drove Jesus out into the desert, and he
remained in the desert for forty days, tempted by
Satan. He was among wild beasts, and the angels
ministered to him. After John had been arrested,
Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of
God: ‘This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom
of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the
gospel.’ (Mark 1:12-15)
While Mark does discuss the details of the temptation as Matthew and Luke do (eg Satan tempts Jesus
to turn rocks to bread, to test God by jumping off the
temple, and to worship him instead of God in return
for power over all the kingdoms of the earth), we do
get the essentials: Jesus goes to the desert for forty
days of fasting and prayer and, during this time, is
tempted by Satan. As the second part of the reading tells us, after being tempted in the desert, Jesus
begins his ministry in Galilee, preaching the gospel
and calling the people to repentance. His forty days
in the desert, where he successfully resisted temptation, could be seen as preparation for his ministry.
Our own Lenten journey should reflect Jesus’ time
in the desert. We too pray and fast for forty days
(along with performing other acts of penance) in order to prepare us to celebrate the Easter season and
live our call to discipleship. This celebration ends on
Pentecost, where we commemorate the Holy Spirit
coming to Jesus’ Apostles and disciples. Once they
received the Spirit, they went forth and preached
the gospel, calling people to repentance as Jesus did
after his time in the desert. Lent is therefore a time
to overcome and rise above temptation. Through
prayer, fasting and almsgiving, we open our hearts
to the Holy Spirit so that we can follow in Christ’s
footsteps, spreading his gospel (ie the Good News)
to the world through our words and actions.
By Janel Esker
As a Midwesterner in the middle of winter, I
must admit that thoughts of the desert are
pretty appealing right now. But in Scripture,
the desert isn’t a welcoming place. Mark’s description of the desert Jesus entered is characteristically succinct, but it clearly doesn’t appear to be a place of hospitality. Wild beasts,
Satan, loneliness—particularly in Jesus’ day,
the desert wilderness wasn’t an exotic locale
for Survivor-like reality shows but a place of
profound testing and challenge.
Many of us have experienced desert times. In
a time of career discernment, we may feel unclear about our next move. In a time of serious
illness, we may question our life’s focus. In a
relationship crisis, we may find our trust in a
beloved companion to be shaken.
If we survive desert time, we often emerge
changed, with a deeper sense of direction. We
may even have a new focus or a new mission.
On coming out of his desert time, Jesus’ initial words were urgent and focused: “This is
the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God
is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”
He emerged with a fervent commitment to
spreading the news of God’s kingdom.
This Lent, we’re invited into the desert to reflect on how we most need God to shake us up,
draw us away from sin, and call us into new
ways of life. Jesus came out of the desert proclaiming the reign of God; as we come out of
the desert at Easter, how will we be changed
and ready to advance God’s kingdom? How
might we allow God’s transforming grace to
call us into a new mission?
Instructional Words About Lent
The annual observance of Lent is the special season for the ascent to the holy mountain of Easter.
Through its twofold theme of repentance and baptism, the season disposes both the catechumens
and the faithful to celebrate the paschal mystery.
Catechumens are led to the sacraments of initiation
by means of the rite of election, the scrutinies, and
catechesis. The faithful, listening more intently to
the word of God and devoting themselves to prayer
are prepared through a spirit of repentance to renew their baptismal promises.
Some specifics about Lent:
„„ It runs from Ash Wednesday until the Mass of
the Lord’s Supper exclusive on Holy Thursday;
„„ The normal color of the season is Violet.
„„ Alleluia is not said or sung from the beginning
of Lent until the Easter Vigil;
„„ The altar should not be decorated with
flowers, and musical instruments may be
played only to give necessary support to the
singing, except on the Fourth Sunday of Lent
and on Solemnities and Feasts when flowers
and instruments may be used sparingly.
„„ If marriages are to take place during Lent,
couples are reminded that wedding plans
should respect the special nature of this
liturgical season and should refrain from
much pomp or display.
„„ It is fitting for the Lenten season to begin or
end with a penitential celebration.
OUR PARISH
SOCIAL JUSTICE
The Time of
Fulfilment
By Nick Leeper
Social Justice Intern
nick.leeper@spphoboken.com
Jesus’ first words in the Gospel of Mark, “This is the
time of fulfillment” may lead to confusion as to
what He is speaking about when John is arrested.
With these words, Jesus is summing up humanity’s entire history and He ushers in the stage of
redemption. Humanity was created, then they fell,
then through Christ they are redeemed, but being
redeemed and freed is not the end of our story.
Christ rose from the dead, ascended to heaven and
gave us the Holy Spirit to restore the world to what
God intended it to be - just, loving, peaceful and
good. Volunteer your time in service [at the York
Street Project], if you are ready, to carry on the time
of fulfilment.
“This is the time of fulfillment” -— Mark 1:15A
PUT YOUR FAITH INTO ACTION
and become an advising and active
member of your Catholic community’s
social action initiative. Contact nick.
leeper@spphoboken.com for more
information or read more about the
Advisory Board at spphoboken.com/
sjab
You Gave $2,500 to
The Hoboken Shelter
Two weeks ago the Catholic Community of Saints
Peter and Paul collected gift cards and monetary
donations to donate to the Hoboken Shelter. Overall the community raised over $2,500, which allows
the organization to continue to provide individuals
monetary, personal and vocational support. Thank
you for your generous donation and for participating with your community to make the world, and
Hoboken, a better place.
Architect Needed
for Parish Projects
The Building and Ground Committee is currently
working on a number of projects around the parish.
Several of these projects will need the expertise of
a licensed architect which we hope can be provided
by a member of the parish or from a reliable recommendation. Please contact either Bill Burke at
wmb415@yahoo.com or Don Meyer at dpminhob@
gmail.com if you would be willing to offer your services or have any suggestions for someone that can
assist us. Thank you.
OUR PARISH
Our Hunger for God’s Word
By Paige Byrne Shortal
Every year on the first Sunday of Lent, we hear about
Jesus going into the desert and arguing with the
devil. One of my sons, upon hearing that Jesus was
offered the power to turn stones into bread, mumbled under his breath that Jesus should have taken
the deal. I was shocked—not so much at what he
said but that he was listening at all—and asked him
to explain. He said, in that voice reserved for parents
and idiots, that there is a lot of hunger in the world.
Point well taken.
What would have been so wrong with taking the
deal? Three times Satan offers Jesus power. First,
power over hunger: A man who can turn stones into
bread need never be hungry again. He could feed all
those little children whose faces haunt us, extending their bowls for their one poor meal a day.
Second, power over the kingdoms of the world:
This is the power we long for when we say, “If I were
the president…,” “If I were the pope….” Think of how
much good we could do!
Third, power over death and suffering: Don’t we all
seek this power in some way?
Jesus’ response is always the same: God is my only
God. The devil’s way is to do big things in a big way.
God’s way seems to be to do the next little thing—to
feed the one person placed on our path, to do the
Why one hour?
The first hour of the work week is given
to God, imbuing our work with a sense of
sacredness and gratitude. This is a spiritual approach to work and stewardship.
For a convenient guide on how much is
one hour's wage for you, please go to: spphoboken.com/donate
Average weekly
e-giving contribution:
$8,500
This represents 65% of our weekly expenses.
good it is in our power to do, to accept the powerlessness of suffering and death (even death on a cross!).
The sustenance of the disciple is the word of God. We
are to devour it as a hungry child devours bread. We
are to listen to the Gospel like passengers stranded
at an airport straining to hear any announcement of
how and when they’ll finally get home. I don’t listen
to the Gospel like that. I listen to the Mass readings as
I do the stories of a garrulous old uncle—outwardly
polite but thinking of other things—because, no offense, I’ve heard this story before. Or have I?
A fifth-grade girl heard the parable of the sheep and
goats and Jesus’ identification with the poor—what
we do for the least ones, we do for him. Her startled
response was, “Do other Catholics know about this?”
I need Lent. I need the desert of quiet where I can
hear God’s word like I’ve never heard it before…and
maybe make a meal of it.
Weekly average expense :
$13,050
Sunday, February 15, 2015
Basket Collection (65 envs)
$4,261
Cumulated expenses to date:$430,650
Cumulated collection to date:$437,896
Deficit resolution
$7,246
$40,000
The 2014-2015 budget has a $40,000 built-in deficit. Any excedent of the cumulative collection compared to expenses is applied to balance that deficit
with a goal to reach $40,000 by end of June 2015.
Upcoming Themes on our Lenten Journey
2nd Sunday of Lent, March 1, 2015
Call to Family, Community and
Participation
3rd Sunday of Lent, March 8, 2015
The Dignity of Work and
the Rights of Workers
All children have the right to a loving place to
grow and be cared after. However, for some children this right is often violated and even taken
away. Homelessness hinders a child's natural
ability to develop properly.
York Street Project offers our homeless and lowincome infants and children the development
care they need at The Nurturing Place. Here
they can overcome damage to their minds, bodies, and spirits from the effects of poverty, poor
nutrition and dysfunctional family situations.
Stewardship and Financial Responsibility
We ask a minimum of one hour’s wage
from each working parishioner weekly.
The York Street Project
4th Sunday of Lent, March 15, 2015
Solidarity
5th Sunday of Lent, March 22, 2015
The Option for the Poor and Vulnerable
Palm Sunday, March 29, 2015
Rights and Responsibilities
What to Do:
Volunteers for the Nurturing Place program will
primarily be:
„„ Playing with kids who are the children of
the mothers in the high school
„„ Holding, rocking, playing with babies/
toddlers
„„ Helping with lunch set up and feedings
„„ Going out for a neighborhood walk
„„ Calming the children for nap time and
helping to put children to sleep
„„ Participate and lead activities for the kids:
Art / Reading time / Math games / Music
time
Through helping in these small ways, you walk
with others in their lives as equals as Christ does
with all of us.
Steps to Take:
„„ Email nick.leeper@spphoboken.com to
express your interest in going with the
parish’s group or contact York Street
Project to schedule a visit to the facility
„„ Email: jmehr@yorkstreetproject.org and
say you want to volunteer
„„ Go and visit the facility at 81 York Street in
Jersey City.
„„ Begin volunteering on next visit
Take the steps to get involved to change the
world in small ways.
Requirements to Have:
Volunteer opportunities between 9am and 4pm
Monday through Friday 1 hour / 2 hours / Entire
Day Work with group you are comfortable with:
Infants / 1 year olds / 2 year olds / Pre-K 3 / Pre-K
4 / Kindergarten. Volunteers should go to the
81 York Street building, which is the St Joseph’s
Home building in the center of the block. The
Nurturing Place entrance is on the side and can
be reached by walking up the ramp alongside
the parking lot. The office is located just inside
the entrance, where volunteers can sign in. Wear
loose comfortable clothing you don’t mind getting dirty.
LENT AND SOCIAL JUSTICE:
Life and Dignity of
the Human Person
By Nick Leeper
Social Justice Intern
nick.leeper@spphoboken.com
A young boy went into a pet
shop, saw five puppies for sale,
and asked the shop owner
how much they cost. The man
replied, “Some are fifty dollars, some are more.” The boy
pulled out his change, counted it and announced that he
had $1.47. The man said, “I’m
sorry, but you’ll just have to
save your money and come
back again.”
Just then, the owner’s wife
brought out another puppy
from the back of the store. It
was smaller, had a crippled
leg, and limped badly when it
tried to walk. They explained
that this one was born without a hip socket and would
always be lame. “I wish I had
the money to buy that one!”
exclaimed the little boy with
excitement. “It’s not for sale.”
said the man, “but I’ll gladly
give him to you for free.”
But the little boy refused, saying, “No, sir. That little dog is
worth just as much as the others. I’ll give you a dollar and
forty-seven cents now, and
fifty cents a month until I have
paid in full.”
Confused, the man asked,
"Why do you want a dog that
will never run and play like the
other puppies?"
The boy reached down and
rolled up his pant leg to reveal a badly twisted, crippled
left leg, supported by a metal
brace. He said, "Mister, I don't
run and play too well myself.
I think this little puppy will
need someone like me who
understands."
This is your Catholic faith in a
helping women & children break the cycle of poverty
simple story: Jesus becomes
like you, broken as we all are,
He pays the full price for you
and He offers you Himself in
friendship, sharing life with
you, just because He loves you.
In God’s providence, all of us
have the immense privilege of
living with God, as the puppy
did with the little boy after the
story ends. We ought to enjoy
that. We should think often
about where we have come
from and where we are going; from being unwanted to
living with a loving friend. We
should thank God every day
for His friendship because this
grateful attitude is what fills
the Christian heart with joy.
But at the same time we cannot forget about our neighbors. Imagine if you were in
the same pet store with the
little boy who bought the
crippled dog. Would you not
think, as the owner did, that
there were much better dogs
in the shop to bring home
with you? Jesus challenges
you and I today to review our
perception of other human
beings and the value of their
own life.
God challenges you to imitate
Christ by recognizing the true
equal human dignity that
every human being inherently has and acting upon it.
We may see the dog as being
lame and crippled, but just
like how the boy revealed his
hidden brace, you and I both
must also realize that we are
broken and therefore equal to
others in society, despite their
position, wealth, status or life
choices. You and I are both
broken individuals yet we are
all equal in value in the eyes
of God.
Lent is about repenting, or
recognizing, our sin, turning
away from it and reminding ourselves of the essential
things: your relationship with
God and your relationship
with others. Lent is also about
reaching out to those around
us who are trying desperately
to live a meaningful life that
comes from friendship with
God and others.
Today you got this bulletin
because you came to be with
your Friend in the Mass. Promise your friend that you will
reach out to those in need.
Take the next step in your faith
if you are ready, and volunteer
at the York Street Project to
care for the children of mothers who are transforming their
own lives through love.
Lent
Social
Justice
OUR PARISH
OUR ARCHDIOCESE
2nd Grade : Sacrament
of Reconciliation
The Sacrament of Reconciliation will be celebrated
at 11 AM on March 14 and not 10 AM.
Altar Serving Training
New Altar Serving Training will be held by Father
Bob on March 14 at 12:30 AM. Students interested
should come to the practice. Grades 4 and up are invited. To register please contact sjm@spphoboken.com
Parish Retreat
A Parish Retreat Day will be offered on Feb 28 from
12:30-6:30 (Mass included) at Ss Peter and Paul
Church in Hoboken. The theme for the retreat is
Claiming Our Lives as Both Blessed and Blessing.
The retreat will be directed by Sister Christine
Koellhoffer, IHM. Come and pray and enjoy this
prayerful opportunity. The day will begin with lunch
and and end with Liturgy. To register please contact
sjm@spphoboken.com
Save The Date: Tajci Concert
The Catholic Parishes of Hoboken and Weehawken
invite you to join us on Friday, March 27 at 7:30pm
for a transformational Lenten experience with
internationally celebrated singer / songwriter
Tajci. The event will be held at St Ann Church and
will feature stunningly performed music that
reflects on Christ’s passion. Tickets are available
online at http://st-annchurch.bpt.me, the parish
office or after masses beginning March 7. For more
information about Tajci’s performances, please visit
www.tajci.net.
TIL
N
U
YS
A
0D
1
Wednesday, February 25
7.30 PM Choir Rehearsal
Thursday, February 26
9.30 AM Theology Thursday
Friday, February 27
5.30 PM Brownies - troop 12023
Saturday, February 28
12.30 PM Parish Retreat
4.15 PM Arte Vino Class
5 PM Confessions
Sunday, March 1
9 AM Faith Formation: Student Mass
an evening of thanks for
all the blessings in our lives
and in our community.
We recognize the extraordinary
honorees who serve others
through their professional
and personal endeavors.
Gratitude
Gala
Gratitude Gala Auction
Thank you for your support
of the Gratitude Gala.
A portion of proceeds benefits The
Hoboken Public Library Foundation.
TICKETS/INFO: SPPHOBOKEN.COM/GALA
Thanks to our local businesses for their special
offerings:
„„
„„
„„
„„
Arthur’s Tavern
Dino and Harry’s
Kure Pilates
Texas Arizona
Parish Calendar
Sunday, February 22
9 AM Breaking Open the Word
(Family Chapel)
10 AM Faith Formation: Home Activities / Sacramental Classes
10 AM Rite of Election (Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Newark)
Monday, February 23
4.15 PM Jr Girl Scout 12881 / Daisy 12006
Tuesday, February 24
3.30 PM Girl Scout - Troop 12236
5.30 PM ACOA Meeting
7:30 PM Mindfulness Meditation Class
March 5, 2015 6:30 PM
Chart House,
Weehawken, NJ
There is still time to donate an item or event,
please contact Michelle at micflett@gmail.com
Honorees
The Most Reverend
Thomas A Donato
Auxiliary Bishop,
Archdiocese of Newark
The Honorable
David L Roberts
Mayor of Hoboken (2001– 2009),
Parishioner
Mr and Mrs Edward
and Jennifer Yruma
Parishioners
The silent auction promises to make the gala
even more of a blast. Our auction features unique
items and experiences. Here is just a taste of
the offerings awaiting you. THANK YOU to our
thoughtful parishioners and friends.
„„ Time Share in Cabo San
Lucas from Ivette Collazo
„„ Mozzarella Making Class
with Dan Altillio
„„ Dinner with Father Bob
at the Rectory
„„ Golf and Lunch at Fiddler’s
Elbow Country Club from
Reddington Adivsory Group
„„ Overnight and Dinner at the New
York Athletic Club from Father Bob
„„ Coach Handbag from Amy Cron
„„ Men’s Design Consultation
with Beth Buckley (beth.buckley@
jhilburnpartner.com)
„„ Tonight Show with Jimmy
Fallon from Nicole Schram
„„ Wine Tasting with Giannone
Wines and Liquors
„„ Hoboken Fire Department Historical
Museum Use of Facility for Party
„„ Elizabeth Arden Products
from Emily Hagan
„„ Voice Over Services from
Andrew Romano
„„ Makeovers Blowout
„„ Cut ‘n Paste Fringe Bag
„„ Mark Jacobs Gift Basket
„„ Anthony David Dinner Event
from Liz and Anthony Pino
„„ Wine Tasting and Dinner Event
with Anthony Giglio (http://www.
anthonygiglio.com/) from the
Lubin, Giglio and Flinn Families
What Next? Retreat
Starting a new job? Not sure where your relationship is headed? Contemplating a change in your
life? Our careers, living situations, relationships, and
identities are always changing. Explore the transitions that define who we are, and consider how
faith can carry you through them. Join Charis NYC
at the Mariandale Retreat Center (Ossining, NY accessible from Manhattan via MTA Metro-North)
on March 20—22, 2015. Register at www.charis.nyc.
$250 / person (early registration discounts, financial aid, and payment plans available). More info at
CharisretreatNYC@gmail.com
Lenten Retreats
“Eucharist: A Call to the Body of Christ” will
be offered on March 14, 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM, at
Benedictine Sisters, Elizabeth. Eucharist is the
core to Catholic identity. It invites us to be one with
Christ both in the sacred moment of Communion
and also as we encounter the Body of Christ in one
another. Saturday only: $35 Lunch included. Open
to all. Weekend March 13-15 - women only. $135.
Registration required. 908-353-3028.
“Holy Week Retreat for Women” at Benedictine
Sisters in Elizabeth will center on the liturgy of each
day. The retreat beings at 4 PM Holy Thursday until
1:30 PM Easter Sunday. $200. Registration required.
908-353-3028.
Lenten Lectures
On March 1 and 22 at 3:15 PM, the Benedictine Sisters
of Elizabeth will host two Lenten Lectures, followed
by refreshments and 5PM Vespers.
„„ March 1 — Rev John D Gabriel, Pastor, St
James Parish, Springfield, will present “Lenten
Lessons from the Wizard of Oz.”
„„ March 22 — Rev Msgr Gerard H McCarren,
Immaculate Conception Seminary, South
Orange, will present “The Eucharist and Life:
They’re Connected.”
Open to the public; no registration or fee required.
PCL Lenten Retreat Day
On Thursday, March 12, 2015 from 9 am to 2:30 pm
hosted by St Henry Parish in the Pine Room (Enter
school building at door with sign for gymnasium) on
West 28th St, Bayonne on the theme "Entering into the
Passion, Death and Resurrection of Jesus" presented
by Rev Michael Goonan, SSP. This retreat day will help
us to explore the points of intersection between our
personal stories and the story of Jesus. The Gospel
story of the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus
comes alive when we recognize that it is not only the
story of Jesus but our story as well, when we recognize
ourselves and our experiences in the events of Jesus’
life and the lives of the people close to him. $35. More
info: pihokkro@rcan.org
Synod on the Family 2015
Listen and Discuss Session
Hudson Catholic 50th
Anniversary Gala
In preparation for the Ordinary Synod on the Family in October 2015, and in response to Pope Francis'
interest in hearing further feedback from Catholics
on the outcomes of the 2014 Extraordinary Synod,
the Archdiocese of Newark is offering a Listen and
Discuss Session that will allow the Catholic laity
to come together to hear, discuss, and respond to
important issues regarding marriage and family
life. For Hudson County it will take place at Our Lady
of Mercy RC Church, 40 Sullivan Drive, Jersey City on
February 26, 2015 2:00-4:00 PM & 7:30-9:30 PM
Hudson Catholic High School will celebrate its 50th
Anniversary with a Gala on Saturday, February
28, 2015 at Valley Regency in Clifton. The 6 PM
Cocktails & awards will be followed by a BlackTie optional Dinner and dancing. For sponsorship
opportunities and tickets ($200pp or $125 for 2004
and later alumni), please go to hudsoncatholic.org.
WYD Cracow 2016
The registration period for WYD 2016 in Krakow,
Poland is open and the Archdiocese has extended
the Early Bird Discount Registration Date to March
1st! Don’t miss this opportunity to experience your
Catholic faith in this international youth gathering in
the land of our beloved Saint John Paul II.
$3,699 per person (based on two or three people
sharing a room) including Round-trip Air Newark to
Poland, all airline taxes and fuel surcharges, WYD
registration fee, breakfast daily, one dinner (all other
dinners and lunches are included in the WYD Fees),
all entrances Fees per itinerary, visit to Auschwitz
and Birkenau (Nazi concentration camps) and
Czestochowa. For more detailed information on the
WYD 2016 pilgrimage, go to eepurl.com/bduhfj
JOB OPENING
Office Manager
Office of Campus Ministry, Newman Center (Rutgers/NJIT) to provide clerical and administrative
assistance with billing and event planning for
Campus Ministry and specifically for the Newman
Center (Rutgers/NJIT). Submit and administrate
budget plans for all of Campus Ministry and more
duties. For a complete job description or to apply,
please contact the Office of Human Resources Fax
(973) 497-4103 or mendozch@rcan.org
Baptism and First Communions
Dresses and Suits
RCAN will be organizing their second annual
collection of gently used and new communion
outfits. All items can be dropped off at the Archdiocesan Center, 171 clifton Avenue, Newark until
March 27 (8.45 AM — 4 PM). Parishes in need of
outfits can contact Lynn Gully at gullylyn@rcan.org
or 973-497-4589 or Tatiana Paredes at paredeta@
rcan.org or 973-497-4046.
The Office of Development and Stewardship will
also be receiving a donation of new Baptism outfits for boys in assorted sizes. If you need Baptism
outfits, please contact Tatiana Paredes.
Annulment information
An Annulment Information Evening is scheduled
for Tuesday, March 10, 2015, 7:30 PM at Our Lady of
Sorrows Church, 217 Prospect Street, South Orange.
A staff member of the Tribunal of the Archdiocese of
Newark will provide basic information about annulments; the requirements for annulments and how
to begin the process of petitioning for an annulment.
There will be an opportunity for questions at the end
of the session. Pre-registration is not necessary, but
for directions, please call the parish at 973-763-5454.
Immaculate Heart Academy
Class of 1965
Immaculate Heart Academy needs your help to
locate members of the class of 1965 ahead of their
gala reunion on September 18-20, 2015. If you are an
alumna of IHA 1965 or if you know one, please write
to IHAreunion@gmail.com
All Saints Catholic Academy
Open House
All Saints Catholic Academy will hold an open
house for grades PreK 3, PreK 4 and kindergarten
on Saturday, February 28 at 10 AM in the school,
located at 19 west 13 st in Bayonne. The class of 2015
has received $1,049,700 in scholarships to area
high schools. For further information , please call the
school at 201-443-8384. Tours of the school can also
be arranged by calling that number.
Crisis Pregnancy and Post
Abortion Healing from the
Respect Life Office
If you or someone you know need help during pregnancy or in the aftermath of an abortion, here are
some useful resources: Crisis Pregnancy Helpline /
1-888-4 OPTIONS f Post Abortion Healing/1-877HOPE 4 ME (Rachel’s Vineyard Hotline) f National
Life Center / 1-800-848-LOVE f Birthright/ 1-800550-4900 f Catholic Charities/Pat Chiarello 201246-7379 f Several Sources/ 201.818.9033 f New
Hope/201- 408-4726 f Good Counsel Homes/ Call
800-723-8331 f www.rcan.org/life/ or 973-497-4350
or via e-mail rileyche@rcan.org. All calls and e-mails
are confidential
OUR CHURCH
OUR CHURCH
PART 2 OF 3
Ten Things to
Remember for Lent Pope Francis’ Lenten Message 2015
WHY GO TO CONFESSION?
Coming Clean and
Embracing God’s Mercy
Adapted by Drew Stuart, MA from the book
Why Go to Confession? by Fr Joseph F Sica
drew.stuart@spphoboken.com
By Bishop David Ricken of Green Bay, WI
Former Chairman of the Committee on
Evangelization and Catechesis of the USCCB
Based on the book
Lent is a time of penance and sacrifice in preparation for Easter. To promote this spirit of penance,
on Wednesdays during Lent, we will be offering the
sacrament of Confession at 7 PM in addition to our
regular Confession times on Saturday evenings.
While we hope all parishioners take advantage
of this opportunity, there are some who may ask,
“Why should I go to Confession?” All of us carry
around mental and spiritual burdens that weigh us
down and lead to unnecessary stress and hardship.
These burdens include betrayals, lies, conflicts
with friends and family, unpleasant behaviors, or
even addictions that seem to eat away at our lives
and cause us pain. Most of these problems can be
traced back to sin, a deliberate choice to say or do
something that we know to be wrong. Sin, whether
big or small, disrupts our relationships with God,
with others, and even ourselves.
It was for this very reason that Jesus gave us the sacrament of Confession. He doesn’t want us to carry
around the mental and emotional anguish that result from sin. Instead, he wants us to come to him,
to have a heart to heart with him in the sacrament
of penance. This sacrament allows dump all our sin
and guilt so that we can make the changes necessary to turn back to God, heal our relationships,
and move on with our lives. When we receive absolution in Confession, we start again with a clean
slate, leaving the sins of our past behind. At the
same time, through the sacrament, God gives us a
greater share in his divine life (ie grace) so that we
can re-dedicate ourselves to living in harmony with
him and with each other. Essentially, Confession is
an experience the compassionate and understanding love of Jesus Christ.
This being said, many Catholics today don’t participate in this great sacrament of God’s love. Several factors contribute to this. Some people are
so obsessed with their sin that they can’t let go of
the things they’ve done in the past. Others go to
the other extreme and ignore sin altogether and
therefore fail to see the fact that they are in need
of mercy. Still others seem believe Confession is
reserved only for those who have committed serious sins and do not go because they feel they are
basically good people. What they don’t realize is
1. Remember the formula. The Church does a good
job capturing certain truths with easy-to-remember lists and formulas: Ten Commandments, seven
sacraments, three Persons in the Trinity. For Lent,
the Church gives us almost a slogan—prayer, fasting, and almsgiving—as the three things we need
to work on during the season.
2. It’s a time of prayer. Lent is essentially an act of
prayer spread out over forty days. As we pray, we go
on a journey, one that hopefully brings us closer to
Christ and leaves us changed by the encounter with
him.
3. It’s a time to fast. With the fasts of Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, meatless Fridays, and our personal disciplines interspersed, Lent is the only time
many Catholics these days actually fast. And maybe
that’s why it gets all the attention. “What are you
giving up for Lent? Hot dogs? Beer? Jelly beans?” It’s
almost a game for some of us, but fasting is actually
a form of penance, which helps us turn away from
sin and toward Christ.
that confessing your sins doesn’t mean you’re a bad
person. It is important to separate what we do from
who we are. Just because we fail from time to time
doesn’t mean we’re failures. We all make bad judgment calls, act in the heat of the moment, or say
hurtful things in a flurry of emotion. When we fall
into sin, we are left with two choices. We can either
make excuses for not going to Confession or when
can check into the “wound care center for our souls”
known as the sacrament of Reconciliation so that
we can be treated by Jesus, our Divine Physician.
When you tire of carrying around all the negative emotions that result from sin, when you realize that your sins and the negative emotions they
cause are hurting you and those around you, do
something about it! Turn back to God through the
healing power of the sacrament of Confession. We
don’t need to beg God for his forgiveness. All we
need to do is to open ourselves up and invite Jesus
in, just as those who were considered sinners in his
own day invited him into their lives. By accepting
his merciful and healing love, we find the peace we
truly desire.
Keep in mind, making a good Confession requires
preparation known as an examination of conscience. This is a fearless self-inventory in which we
look within and admit to our own brokenness in
order to identify how we’ve wounded our relation-
ship with God, ourselves, and others. Stubbornness
and pride can make this difficult, after all none of
us like to admit to being wrong. However, such an
examination of conscience is necessary if we want
Jesus to mend any damage done. It allows us release the sins that hide within our hearts and weigh
us down. Only by being straight with ourselves and
each other can we hope to break the chains of sin
that bind us. Prior to going to confession, remember to spend time in prayer and self-reflection. Ask
the Holy Spirit to reveal what needs to be released
from your soul. Own up to what you’ve said or done
and avoid blaming others for your words and actions. Pray for the courage to bring all this to Christ.
After going to Confession, you will feel a heavy
burden lifted from your soul. By admitting to your
sins and identifying what caused them, you begin
the healing process. This enables you to move on,
living a life of reconciliation, which should include
frequent celebration of the sacrament of Confession. Turn back to God and allow yourself heal and
grow spiritually one day at a time. Identify and ban
those things which negatively affect your relationships with God and others and commit to going
to Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of obligation.
Finally, avoid situations which could lead you into
harmful or sinful behaviors again. Open yourself
up to God’s love and mercy by going to Confession
during the Lenten season.
4. It’s a time to work on discipline. The forty days
of Lent are also a good, set time to work on personal
discipline in general. Instead of giving something
up, it can be doing something positive. “I’m going to
exercise more. I’m going to pray more. I’m going to
be nicer to my family, friends, and coworkers.”
5. It’s about dying to yourself. The more serious side
of lenten discipline is that it’s about more than selfcontrol—it’s about finding aspects of yourself that
are less than Christ-like and letting them die. The
suffering and death of Christ are foremost on our
minds during Lent, and we join in these mysteries
by suffering, dying with Christ and being resurrected in a purified form.
6. Don’t do too much. It’s tempting to make Lent
some ambitious period of personal reinvention,
but it’s best to keep it simple and focused. There’s
a reason the Church works on these mysteries year
after year. We spend our entire lives growing closer
to God. Don’t try to cram it all in one Lent. That’s a
recipe for failure.
7. Lent reminds us of our weakness. Of course,
even when we set simple goals for ourselves during
Lent, we still have trouble keeping them. When we
fast, we realize we’re all just one meal away from
hunger. In both cases, Lent shows us our weakness.
This can be painful, but recognizing how helpless
we are makes us seek God’s help with renewed urgency and sincerity.
8. Be patient with yourself. When we’re confronted
with our own weakness during Lent, the temptation
is to get angry and frustrated. “What a bad person I
“Where is your brother?” (Gen 4:9) – Parishes and Communities
(Continuing from last week)
All that we have been saying
about the universal Church must
now be applied to the life of our
parishes and communities. Do
these ecclesial structures enable
us to experience being part of one
body? A body which receives and
shares what God wishes to give?
A body which acknowledges and
cares for its weakest, poorest and
most insignificant members? Or
do we take refuge in a universal
love that would embrace the
whole world, while failing to see
the Lazarus sitting before our
closed doors (Lk 16:19-31)?
In order to receive what God gives
us and to make it bear abundant
fruit, we need to press beyond the
boundaries of the visible Church
in two ways.
In the first place, by uniting ourselves in prayer with the Church in
heaven. The prayers of the Church
on earth establish a communion
of mutual service and goodness
which reaches up into the sight
of God. Together with the saints
who have found their fulfilment
in God, we form part of that communion in which indifference is
conquered by love. The Church
in heaven is not triumphant because she has turned her back on
the sufferings of the world and rejoices in splendid isolation. Rather, the saints already joyfully contemplate the fact that, through
Jesus’ death and resurrection,
they have triumphed once and
for all over indifference, hardness of heart and hatred. Until
this victory of love penetrates the
whole world, the saints continue
to accompany us on our pilgrim
way. Saint Therese of Lisieux, a
Doctor of the Church, expressed
her conviction that the joy in
heaven for the victory of crucified
love remains incomplete as long
as there is still a single man or
woman on earth who suffers and
cries out in pain: “I trust fully that
I shall not remain idle in heaven;
my desire is to continue to work
for the Church and for souls” (Letter 254, July 14, 1897).
We share in the merits and joy of
the saints, even as they share in
our struggles and our longing for
peace and reconciliation. Their
joy in the victory of the Risen
Christ gives us strength as we
strive to overcome our indifference and hardness of heart.
In the second place, every Chris-
am!” But that’s the wrong lesson. God is calling us
to be patient and to see ourselves as he does, with
unconditional love.
9. Reach out in charity. As we experience weakness
and suffering during Lent, we should be renewed
in our compassion for those who are hungry, suffering, or otherwise in need. The third part of the
lenten formula is almsgiving. It’s about more than
throwing a few extra dollars in the collection plate;
it’s about reaching out to others and helping them
without question as a way of sharing the experience
of God’s unconditional love.
10. Learn to love like Christ. Giving of ourselves in
the midst of our suffering and self-denial brings us
closer to loving like Christ, who suffered and poured
himself out unconditionally on the Cross for all of
us. Lent is a journey through the desert to the foot of
the Cross on Good Friday, as we seek him out, ask his
help, join in his suffering, and learn to love like him.
tian community is called to go
out of itself and to be engaged in
the life of the greater society of
which it is a part, especially with
the poor and those who are far
away. The Church is missionary
by her very nature; she is not selfenclosed but sent out to every nation and people.
Her mission is to bear patient witness to the One who desires to
draw all creation and every man
and woman to the Father. Her
mission is to bring to all a love
which cannot remain silent. The
Church follows Jesus Christ along
the paths that lead to every man
and woman, to the very ends of
the earth (cf. Acts 1:8). In each of
our neighbours, then, we must
see a brother or sister for whom
Christ died and rose again. What
we ourselves have received, we
have received for them as well.
Similarly, all that our brothers
and sisters possess is a gift for the
Church and for all humanity.
Dear brothers and sisters, how
greatly I desire that all those
places where the Church is present, especially our parishes and
our communities, may become
islands of mercy in the midst of
the sea of indifference!
LENTEN READING
The Spirituality
of Fasting
The Spirituality of Fasting draws on sources
ancient and current-— from Augustine to Michael
Pollan — to consider
anew how fasting
informs the relationships between
creator/creature,
body/soul, and rich/
poor. From $8 at
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