Rev. Nicholas Bozza, Pastor 375 Main Street, P.O. Box 730, Chester, New Jersey 07930

Coordinators of Religious Education:

Carla Fuscaldo, Dorothy Kudron, Terry Leing

Cynthia Vittitow— Catechesis of the Good Shepherd

Brian Flanagan — Confirmation

Kathleen Galdi — DRE

Music Minister: Joseph P. Tamburro

Youth Minister: Brian Flanagan

Mercy Minister: Cindy Zeis

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN: Gr. K-4 & CGS 1: Sun. 9:00-10:45 am

Gr. 1-8: Thurs. 4:30-5:45 pm

Gr. 5-8: Sun. 4:30-5:45 pm OR Mon. 7:00-8:15 pm

Gr. 9-10: Sun. 5:40-8:00 pm

ADULT RELIGIOUS EDUCATION: RCIA: Sundays (September-Easter)

SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION: Saturday: 4:00-4:45 pm, Monday: 6:30-7:00 pm & on request.

SACRAMENT OF THE SICK: Please call the Parish Office anytime for communion calls or visitation

of the sick and elderly. Keep us informed so that we can be attentive to

those who are ill at home or in the hospital.

Parish Email: parish@stlchester.org

Parish Web Site: www.stlchester.org

Web Master: Joanne Franklin (908-879-6222)

Welcome Rosemary Lohrmann (973) 214-4806 Haiti Twinning Program Christine Colannino (201) 314-9824

Bereavement Don Martone (908) 879-7957 Lectors John Kennington (908) 872-0575

Good Samaritans Patsy Soden (908) 879-3374 Eucharistic Ministers Loretta Stewart (973) 222-7492

Grocery Cards Jean Ward (908) 334-3442 Ushers Bob Holl (908) 876-3488

Moms & Tots Melissa Altieri (908) 797-0676 Music Minister Joe Tamburro (908) 453-3302

Arimathaea Arlene McDonald (973) 229-9697 Spanish Ministry Louis Villafane (908) 879-3032

Liturgical Environment Joanne Carr (908) 879-5543 Youth Minister Brian Flanagan (973) 946-8770

Women’s Cornerstone Judy Irwin (201) 400-7847 Altar Servers Chuck Feller (908) 768-2838

Men’s Cornerstone Marc McFeely (973) 222-9739 Evangelization Bob Holl (908) 876-3488

Pastoral Adv. Board Jerry Frech (908) 377-2900 RCIA Jan Richards (908) 975-3555

Rosary Society Marie Holl (908) 876-3488 Respect Life Connie Wieczorek (908) 879-6453

Media Ministry Carla Fuscaldo (908) 879-7647 Barn Ministry Ed Wieczorek (908) 300-0098

Mary’s Moonflowers Karen Jones (973) 479-5271 Family Mass Social Marc McFeely (973) 222-9739

Parochial Vicar: Rev. Michal Rybinski

Permanent Deacon: William DeVizio

Trustee: Phil Guidone

Parish Secretary: Karen Jaworski

Accountant: Sharon McCann Business Manager: Bill McCormick

MASSES: Saturday: 5:00 pm Sunday: 7:30 am, 9:00 am, 11:00 am, 12:30 pm (Spanish), 6:00 pm

Daily Mass: Mon.-Fri. 8:00 am & 9:00 am, Sat. 9:00 am

Holy Day Vigil: 7:00 pm

Holy Day: 8:00 am, 4:30 pm, 7:00 pm (bi-lingual)

Healing Mass: 7:00 pm every 3rd Tuesday of month. Rosary at 6:30 pm

BAPTISMS: Baptism Preparation Class: Please call the Parish Office to schedule.

Baptisms: Please call the Parish Office to schedule.

SPANISH BAPTISMS: Baptism Preparation Class: Please call the Parish Office to schedule. Baptisms: Please call the Parish Office to schedule.

MARRIAGES: Please contact the Priest/Deacon whom you wish to officiate at your

wedding one year in advance to arrange for Marriage Preparation

Sessions.

PARISH MEMBERSHIP: Every family moving into the parish is requested to register. If you move

to another parish or change your address, please notify the Parish Office.

St. Lawrence the Martyr Church SUNDAY, JUNE 24, 2018

MISSION STATEMENT

St. Lawrence the Martyr Roman Catholic Church is a loving and welcoming

community of disciples of Jesus who invite you to join us in becoming

disciples of Jesus. As disciples, we are faithful to prayer, to listening to

God’s Word, to meeting with Jesus in the sacraments, to building community,

and to serving others.

Parish Office: 908-879-5371 Priests’ Home: 908-879-1901 Religious Ed.: 908-879-6714 Youth Minister: 973-946-8770 Fax: 908-879-7701

Parish Ministries and Ministry Facilitators

Page Two SUNDAY, JUNE 24, 2018 - NATIVITY OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST

GOD PURSUES US UNTIL HE CAPTURES OUR HEARTS!

Last Sunday night, I was listening to the car radio while I was heading

south on Route 95 for Bethesda. I looked for and found a Christian radio

station so that I could include some “praise and worship” in my prayer.

The northern Maryland station was presenting a couple of Bible studies and

so I decided to listen in. The Bible study leader was offering a teaching on

the very popular Psalm 23. Psalm 23, as you probably know, begins with

the words, “The Lord is my shepherd.”

Psalm 23 is a “Davidic psalm” meaning that it was most probably com-

posed by David, the second king of Israel. You will recall that as a boy,

David, had assisted his father by working as a shepherd. Because he had

served his family as a shepherd, David knew sheep and shepherding well.

As is so often the case, God, Who loves to speak to us and communicate

His thoughts by using figures of speech taken from what you and I know well, presented His thoughts

using aspects of life that David knew well. David knew a good deal about shepherding. Later in his

life, David would also have the experiences of serving God and His people as a military officer and as

the king. Thus God would communicate with David using figures from shepherding, from soldiering

and from his life as the king of Israel. In Psalm 23, God communicated with David by taking figures

from the life of a shepherd and of a military officer.

The Bible study leader who I heard in the car focused on two fascinating lines from Psalm 23. From

verse 5, he spoke at some length about the phrase, “you anoint my head with oil”. The leader ex-

plained how sheep suffer from the invasions of bugs and parasites to their nostrils and ears. To pro-

tect the sheep from the unwanted invaders, a loving shepherd will anoint their heads with oil. The oil

drives away the bugs and parasites. God likewise “anoints” us with the Holy Spirit during the time

we spend with Him in prayer and the sacraments. The Holy Spirit is a kind of spiritual “insecticide”,

a kind of spiritual 6-12, that helps keep the attackers at bay. How important it is that we spend time

with God in prayer and in the Sacraments.

The Bible study teacher also spoke about verse 6 of the psalm where it is written, “goodness and kind-

ness will pursue me all the days of my life.” This is the part of the psalm that I found most exciting.

The teacher pointed out that the Hebrew word for “pursue” used in verse 6 is a word that is normally

used in the context of describing a military operation in the sense of an army pursuing the enemy.

The pursuing is done in order to capture the opponent. David, the military man, used this word to in-

form us that God is pursuing each and every one of us. He wants to capture us, to capture our hearts.

God loves us so much that He is restless until He has captured our hearts! He sends friends and fami-

ly and even strangers into our lives to nudge us toward Himself.

Father Nick

FROM THE PASTOR’S DESK

Page Three SUNDAY, JUNE 24, 2018 - NATIVITY OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST

STEWARDSHIP REFLECTION FOR

SUNDAY, JUNE 24, 2018

Today is the Solemnity of the Nativity of St. John the

Baptist.. To say John the Baptist and Jesus were closely

related and connected is an understatement. Both were

foretold by prophets, especially Isaiah. The only record

of the birth of John the Baptist appears in the Gospel of

Luke and it is at the heart of our Gospel reading today. A

key player in this event is, of course, John the Baptist’s

father Zechariah. Zechariah was a Jewish priest, but

when the Archangel Gabriel revealed to him that he

would father a child, Zechariah refused to believe it. As a

result, he was rendered speechless until John was born.

Zechariah had total trust in the Lord, however. Although

it was traditional at that time to name the first son after

the father, he and Elizabeth had been told that they were

to name him John. As reported in the Gospel, Elizabeth

said “He will be called John.” The family protested at

which time Zechariah wrote “His name is John.” When

he did that, Zechariah could speak once more. He did not

say “should be”; he said “is.”

The trust shown by Zechariah is an example to us that we

must trust in God, not just when it is convenient, but all

the time. Those of advanced generations know who

Lawrence Welk was. Born and raised Catholic, Welk

practiced his faith throughout his life. He once said,

“Never trust anyone completely but God. Love people,

but put your full trust only in God.”

ALTAR SERVER SCHEDULE

June 30-July 1

5:00 pm

CB – Julia

Katz

S1 – Justin

Katz

S2 – Aman-

da Katz

7:30 am

CB Sinclair

Stevens

S1 – Blake

Stevens

S2 –

9:00 am

CB – Katie

Vaillancourt

S1 Thomas

Bulzacchelli

S2 Maken-

na Spence

11:00 am

CB – Ann

Hoye

S1 – Beth

Hoye

S2 – Mere-

dith Hoye

6:00 pm

CB William

Mayhood

S1 – James

Mayhood

S2 – Alyssa

Mayhood

NEW FAMILY

We welcome you to the Parish!

Kevin & Jessica Raczyk and

their daughter Mia of

William Street , Succasunna.

WE CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR THE SICK . . .

Kirsten Mumma, William Ware, Julio Carrera, Sebastian Quinn,

Ralph Bozza, Sister Eucharia, Bishop Frank Rodimer, Father Eu-

gene Romano, Father Paul Knauer, Father Rafael Perez, Msgr.

Richard Rusconi, Msgr. Peter McBride, Rev. Daniel Kelly, Patrick

John Moran, Ann Kelly, Lloyd Matsamoto, Helen Crowe, Jane Alt,

Patrick Pronio, Allison Spina, Lesley Pawar, Tom Walsh, Steve

Briggs, Brian Graham, Colleen Saito, William Kelly, Mary Nor-

wood, Mary Lanzara, Rocco Colantuono, Diane Verge, Cade Feitel,

Christine Ambrosino, Carole Stessl, Kathy Bollwork, Dick Good-

win, Nicholas Brown, Jane Rufino, Kevin Callahan, Judith Stam-

pone, Paul Fitzgerald, Charlotte Poth, Colleen Looby, George Ser-

afin, Charlie Romano, Salman Javed, Joe Cillo, Jerry Green, Mary

Constantinople, Dan McGuigan, Patricia Gilvey, Daisy Hallock,

Ryan Menzel, Vincent & Giuliana Petane, Betty Macaluso, Dorothy

Powers, Wesley Snawder, Tom Murray, Eidelia Jimenez Martinez,

Mila Balicki, Timothy Gearty, Consiglia Erdenberger, Arnold Fam-

ily, Bonnie Lieberworth, Barbara Drive, Jack Ratti, Finn Michael,

Olivia Gill, Teresa Smith, Frances Ferreri, Teresa Colamonaco,

Baby Gianni Mazza, Carol Mattone, Anna Birsilli Garich, Greg

Villafane, Anne Owens McGrath, Janet Courtland, Jackie Donnel-

ley, Jack Arnold, Lily Barbero, Hunter Barbero, Robert LeFrancis,

Moire Riley, Brian Spring, Vincent Dante, Jim Robertiello, Doug

Blessen, Barbara Davis, Jim Kielley, Jimena Garcia, Dr. Anthony

Borrelli, Jorge Lombardo, Janice Thurston, Matt Adonis, Jim Balic-

ki, Bill Renzetti, Baby Vaia, Baby Maverick Evangelista, Bill Pigot,

Rosa Salgado, Vera Sax, Francis McNulty, David Goulart, Christine

Clark, Winnie Knapik

Please help us keep this list up to date! Call 908-879-5371

and let us know if a name should be added or deleted.

MEETINGS / EVENTS THIS WEEK

Monday-Friday

• Vacation Bible School

Wednesday

• Evangelical Catholic - 7:00 pm

• ESL - 7:30 pm

Friday

• Divine Mercy Chaplet - 3:00 pm

Saturday

• Barn Sale 9-2:00 pm

SUMMER OFFICE HOURS

The Parish Office and Faith For-

mation Offices will be closed on

Fridays beginning July 6. Regular

business hours resume in September.

NEW TO THE AREA?

We welcome those who have recently moved into the

area. If you would like to become a registered parishion-

er of St. Lawrence Church, please obtain and fill out a

registration form by either:

Coming by the parish office during the week

Calling 908-879-5371 to have a form mailed to you

Visiting the church website to download a form

Page Four SUNDAY, JUNE 24, 2018 - NATIVITY OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST

DECEIT

Reason deceives us; conscience, never.

—Jean Jacques Rousseau

THE 7 “UPS”

1) Wake Up! Decide to have a good day.

“Today is the day the Lord hath made; let us rejoice and

be glad in it.”

Psalms 118:24

2) Dress Up! The best way to dress up is to put on a smile. A smile is

an inexpensive way to improve your looks.

“The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man

looks at outward appearance; but the Lord looks at the

heart.”

1 Samuel 16:7

3) Shut Up! Say nice things and learn to listen. God gave us two ears

and one mouth, so He must have meant for us to do twice

as much listening as talking.

“He who guards his lips guards his soul.”

Proverbs 13:3

4) Stand Up! For what you believe in. Stand for something or you will

fall for anything.

“Let us not be weary in doing good; for at the proper

time, we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. There-

fore, as we have opportunity, let us do good…”

Galatians 6:9-10

5) Look Up!

To the Lord.

“I can do everything through Christ who strengthens

me.”

Philippians 4:13

6) Reach Up! For something higher.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not unto

your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge

Him and He will direct your path.”

Proverbs 3:5-6

7) Lift Up!

Your prayers.

“Do not worry about anything; instead pray about every-

thing.”

Philippians 4:6

WE WERE ASKED TO ANNOUNCE

Skin Cancer Screenings

Monday, July 9, 3-7 pm

Tuesday, July 17, 2-6 pm

Fellowship Village Wellness Center

8000 Fellowship Road

Basking Ridge

Appointment required: 908-204-2520

• For adults (18 years and over) who have not attended a

Bernards Township Skin Cancer Screening in past three

years and not under care of a dermatologist

• Full body check for early detection of melanoma

• Confidential exams conducted by board-certified derma-

tologist

UPCOMING BARN SALE

Saturday, June 30

9-2:00 pm

HOSPITALIZED OR HOMEBOUND

Please call the Parish Office at 908-879-5371 to let the

priests know if someone has been hospitalized or is

homebound. Many appreciate the visit and the opportuni-

ty to receive communion.

LOCATING MASS FOR TRAVELING CATHOLICS

Visit www.masstimes.org to locate Mass times and

information for Catholic churches around the world.

CONFESSION OPPORTUNITIES IN OUR PARISH

• Monday evenings at 6:30 pm

• Saturday evenings from 4-4:30 pm

• At Healing Masses (7 pm on every third Tuesday)

• By appointment

Page Five SUNDAY, JUNE 24, 2018 - NATIVITY OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST

MASS INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK

MONDAY, JUNE 25, 2018 8:00 am - Kate Renzetti

9:00 am - Ruth Gerosa

TUESDAY, JUNE 26, 2018

8:00 am - Maureen Makris

9:00 am - Spec. Int. of Dorothy Connington

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 27, 2018 8:00 am - Charles Knapik, Jr.

9:00 am - James Ward

THURSDAY, JUNE 28, 2018 8:00 am - Raymond McLaughlin

9:00 am - Martha Markey

FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 2018 8:00 am - Kathleen Steidle

9:00 am - Carolyn Saacke

SATURDAY, JUNE 30, 2018

9:00 am - Sheila Owens Mulcahy

5:00 pm - Elizabeth Scott

- Spec. Int. of Bodnar Family

SUNDAY, JULY 1, 2018 7:30 am - Joe Gutknecht

9:00 am - For the People of the Parish

11:00 am - Edward Boyle

- Jeanne McCormick

12:30 pm - Karen Ventura

6:00 pm - Thomas Fusclado

JOHN THE BAPTIST

Since June 24 falls on a Sunday this

year, the Church has the opportunity

for a more intense celebration of the

birth of John the Baptist, who is often

described as the last of the Old Testa-

ment prophets and the bridge between

Judaism and Christianity. More com-

monly, John is known as the “precursor” of our Lord Je-

sus Christ. All the Gospels report John’s basic message:

“Repent, the kingdom is near at hand. One greater than I

is coming.”

Though he was a wandering preacher who dressed in

camel skins and ate grasshoppers, John’s legacy is one of

true royalty. His origins are similar to those foretold by

God through the prophet Isaiah: “You are my servant, he

said to me, Israel through whom I show my glo-

ry” (Isaiah 49:3). John’s humility—“I am not he”—was

surpassed only by that of his Lord Jesus, the humble

servant who followed.

TODAY’S READINGS First Reading — I will make you a light to the nations

(Isaiah 49:1-6).

Psalm — I praise You for I am wonderfully made

(Psalm 139).

Second Reading — John heralded his coming by pro-

claiming a baptism of repentance (Acts 13:22-26).

Gospel — John is his name (Luke 1:57-66, 80).

MASS READINGS FOR THE WEEK Monday: 2 Kgs 17:5-8, 13-15a, 18; Ps 60:3-5, 12-13; Mt 7:1-5 Tuesday: 2 Kgs 19:9b-11, 14-21, 31-35a, 36; Ps 48:2-4, 10-11; Mt 7:6, 12-14 Wednesday: 2 Kgs 22:8-13; 23:1-3; Ps 119:33-37, 40; Mt 7:15-20 Thursday: 2 Kgs 24:8-17; Ps 79:1b-5, 8, 9; Mt 7:21-29 Friday: Vigil: Acts 3:1-10; Ps 19:2-5; Gal 1:11-20; Jn 21:15-19 Day: Acts 12:1-11; Ps 34:2-9; 2 Tm 4:6-8, 17-18; Mt 16:13-19 Saturday: Lam 2:2, 10-14, 18-19; Ps 74:1b-7, 20-21; Mt 8:15-17 Sunday: Wis 1:13-15; 2:23-24; Ps 30:2, 4-6, 11-13; 2 Cor 8:7, 9, 13-15; Mk 5:21-43 [5:21-24, 35b-43]

Stewardship is a Way of Life.

Tithing is God’s Plan for Giving.

Biblically a tithe means 10%. All are asked to consider

tithing and return 10% of our income to the Lord (5% to

the parish, 5% to God’s other charities) in gratitude. The

spiritual practice of tithing disposes us to make God first

in every area of our lives! The aim is to secure not the

tithe, but the tither. Not the gift, but the giver — for God!

Tithing Income June 17, 2018 $ 9,542.00 Tithing Income June 18, 2017 $11,865.50

Reflection: ACTS 13:25

“…Behold, One is coming after me; I am not worthy to

unfasten the sandals of His feet.”

Stewardship is a lifestyle, it’s not a program or a process.

It’s how we are called to live our lives twenty-four hours

a day, seven days a week! It challenges us to live “God-

centered” lives, not “self-centered” lives. Reflect on your

daily activities. Do you do them for the glory of God or

for the glory of your own name?

Thanks from Fr. Nick: “You inspire me with your com-

mitment to making a return to the Lord for His goodness

to us.”

A Testimony from Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in

Manville, NJ: “This is a real act of faith for me! One

thing I have discovered about myself is that I never

brought God into my finances. This is a very important

area for me and I am glad that now God is a part of it.”

NEXT HEALING MASS

Tuesday, July 17

7:00 pm (Rosary at 6:30 pm)