St. Mary's Faith Formation Program
Wednesday, December 4, 2019
Monday, December 2, 2019
Advent Wreath Prayers
Blessing the Advent Wreath with Children
Dear Jesus, as we light the candle(s) on this Advent wreath, may the light of your presence bring joy to our hearts. Bless our family and our friends, and be with all those who are in need this holiday season. Amen.
Week 1, Hope
Dear Jesus, you are the hope in our messy world. This Advent, help us slow down, listen to your voice, and focus on what’s really important. We place our hope in you as we prepare our hearts to celebrate your birth on Christmas. Amen.
Week 2, Peace
Dear Jesus, you entered our world on Christmas as the Prince of Peace. This Advent, as we strive to become the-best-version-of-ourselves, fill us with a deep and abiding peace. Help us share that peace with everyone we encounter, especially those who need it most. Amen.
Week 3, Joy
Dear Jesus, help us focus on you during this busy season. May we stay aware of the joy you bring into our lives. We want to find you in the everyday moments and come with hearts of gratitude to your manger on Christmas. Amen.
Week 4, Love
Dear Jesus, may the light of your love always shine in our hearts. As Christmas draws closer, we marvel at your great love for us. Let your love transform every aspect of our lives and touch everyone we encounter. Our hearts are open to you, Jesus. Amen.
Source: Dynamic Catholic
Week 1, Hope
Dear Jesus, you are the hope in our messy world. This Advent, help us slow down, listen to your voice, and focus on what’s really important. We place our hope in you as we prepare our hearts to celebrate your birth on Christmas. Amen.
Week 2, Peace
Dear Jesus, you entered our world on Christmas as the Prince of Peace. This Advent, as we strive to become the-best-version-of-ourselves, fill us with a deep and abiding peace. Help us share that peace with everyone we encounter, especially those who need it most. Amen.
Week 3, Joy
Dear Jesus, help us focus on you during this busy season. May we stay aware of the joy you bring into our lives. We want to find you in the everyday moments and come with hearts of gratitude to your manger on Christmas. Amen.
Week 4, Love
Dear Jesus, may the light of your love always shine in our hearts. As Christmas draws closer, we marvel at your great love for us. Let your love transform every aspect of our lives and touch everyone we encounter. Our hearts are open to you, Jesus. Amen.
Source: Dynamic Catholic
Tuesday, November 26, 2019
We Wish You A Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving
A Prayer of Thanks for Blessings Past and Present
Lord God, we gather around this table to humbly thank You for all that You have given us this past year – not just what is on this table, but who is sitting around this table. Thank you for life and laughter, for health and happiness, for relationships and memories. Thank you, too, for the lessons learned and the tears we’ve cried because of Your ability to grow us through them. Thank You for Your comfort and Your presence, in light of good days and bad. Thank You for what we have now, for what we had yesterday, and for what You will continue to give tomorrow. Let us never take that for granted, but to always be grateful for every good and perfect gift that comes from You. May we have hearts full of thanksgiving not only today but every day of our lives. We pray these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Your Son, Amen.
- Cindy McMenamin
Tuesday, November 5, 2019
St. Mary’s Religious Education
Family Gathering
Sunday, November 10th
Join us for a
Box of Joy Packing Party
in Monsignor Walsh Hall after the
10:30AM Mass
Families will fill individual boxes with items generously donated by our parishioners. The boxes will be shipped to children in Catholic Missionaries in the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Guatemala & Nicaragua and very well may be the only Christmas gifts they receive.
Breakfast Will Be Served
Thursday, October 17, 2019
Please Help to Fill a Box of Joy
Help us brighten the lives of poor children who have never experienced the joy of receiving a Christmas gift.
On November 10th, at our Family Gathering, our Religious Education Families will hold a “Packing Party” to produce what is called a “Box of Joy”. (Yes, this is early but the boxes need to be shipped out mid November) These shoebox size boxes will be filled with small gifts to be sent to Catholic missionaries in Haiti, Guatemala, Nicarágua and the Dominican Republic as Christmas gifts for the children.
Over the coming weeks we ask that you select an item or items from the list below and deposit in the bin in the back of the church by Sunday, November 3rd. Items may also be brought to the Parish Center Office during office hours. We certainly would welcome your organization joining forces with us to help fill these boxes to the max! Questions? Call Diane at 973 235-1100.

Suggested Items List
TOYS
Handheld Toys
Small plush animals
Small balls (tennis, etc.)
Ball (deflated) with pump
Cars / Trucks
Doll
Mini puzzle
Finger puppets
Silly Putty
Bean bag / Hacky sack
Unopened fast food toys
Binoculars
Legos
Harmonica, kazoo or other small instrument
Jump rope
Paddleball
Yo-yo, Slinky
Mini board games, Balloons
Craft kit (beads, elastic, etc.) Pom-poms
SCHOOL SUPPLIES
Pencils, colored pencils, solar calculator, sharpener
Small board books, erasers
Pencil case, crayons, pens, markers, ruler Glue stick (no liquid) safety scissors, coloring books, notepads
Stickers
Self-inking stamp
Flash cards
HARD CANDY & GUM
Please seal in a Ziploc-Style bag (No chocolates)
APPAREL
Socks
Shorts, Underwear, T-shirts
Flip flops, bandanas, hats shoelaces, plastic poncho
HYGIENE / HOME
Comb / Brush
Forks & Spoons
Cup / Bottle with lid
Bar Soap
Toothpaste (in the box) Toothbrush and floss bandages
Hand wipes (no gels) Tissues
Lip balm
Manicure kit
Nail clippers / Emery board
ACCESSORIES
Watch
Purse or wallet, sunglasses, necklace
Hair ribbons
Hair / Head bands, barrettes, bracelets
Earrings
Scarf
USEFUL ITEMS
Sewing kit
Utensils
Compass
LED keychain
Duct tape
No-battery flashlight
Drawstring bag
Saturday, October 12, 2019
Monday, October 7, 2019
St. Mary’s Faith Formation Program
Family Gathering
Sunday, November 10th
Join us for a
Box of Joy Packing Party
in Monsignor Walsh Hall after the
10:30AM Mass
Families will fill individual boxes with
items generously donated by our parishioners
The boxes will be shipped to children in
Catholic Missionaries in the
Dominican Republic, Haiti, Guatemala &
Nicaragua
and very well may be the only Christmas
gifts they receive
Breakfast Will Be Served
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