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

No Classes This Sunday - October 13

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

Mass at the Turtleback Zoo - Sunday, October 6

CLASSES ARE STARTING SOON, REGISTER TODAY!

Registration for Families who Attended Class Last Year
Registration emails were sent out in the middle of June for Grades K-8. Please use the link in the email to register for Faith Formation Classes on Sundays (9-10:15am) or Tuesdays (3:45-5pm).
The cost for 1 Child is $130, the cost for 2 or more is $160.

Registration for our Confirmation Program (9th Grade) was emailed out in the middle of July.  Please use the link in the email to register for our Confirmation Classes which are held twice a month on Thursday evenings from 7-8:30pm.  The cost of the program is $135.

Students in Grade 2 should be registered for classes on Sunday or Tuesday as well as our Sacrament Program for First Penance & First Holy Communion.  First Penance takes place in December 2019 and First Communions will take place in May of 2020.  The fee for this program is $90.

Registration for New Families

If you know of any families with children starting 1st Grade in the fall, let them know about our program!  Children should begin attending classes in Grade 1, so that they can begin the two-year period of preparation for 1st Penance & 1st Holy Communion in Grade 2. New Families need to register by coming into the Parish Center (Monday-Thursday 9-4pm or by appointment)

If you know of anyone who has been away from religious education for a few years or has not yet gotten their child started in Faith Formation, have them call or email Anthony Armando.  Together, we can put together a plan to get them on track.

We Need Your Gifts & Talents

Our catechists are the heart of our program and we are so grateful for the time and talent that they give to the children of our parish. We need your help and support to provide quality religious education and provide the best classroom experience possible for our 400 students. We are looking for people who are willing to serve and share their faith as a Catechist or an Assistant Catechist. You do not need to be a theologian, you just need a servant's heart and a love for God, we can help you with the rest! If you are nervous about doing it alone, ask a friend and you can teach together as a team!!  We will equip you with the tools to help you pass on the faith and to help the students in your class. In addition to the rewards of sharing your faith and helping our parish, you will also receive a $50.00 discount off of the registration fee.