Monday, October 28, 2013

All Saints Day

All Saints is a Holy Day of Obligation celebrated on November 1.
Our Mass schedule for the Holy Day is
Friday, November 1
Masses: 6:30am, 8:00am, 12:10pm & 7:00pm (all in the Church) 

If you would like to learn more about some of the saints together with your family Sadlier Religion has a great site that offers a brief story of their lives. It's a great way to celebrate the saints that inspire us to strive to live as true disciples of Jesus.


St. Mary's Religious Education News

October was a busy month in the Religious Education Program, we hope you were able to take part in some of our events. If you missed out, don't fret, we are planning some great things for November.

We began our Confirmation Preparation Program with a parent and candidate meeting and had our first class that focused on the Holy Spirit and the Sacrament of Confirmation. On Sunday, October 27, we celebrated the Rite of Welcoming for our 41 Confirmation Candidates. Fr. Trinidad celebrated the Mass that officially welcomes the candidates into preparation for the Sacrament. Each candidate also received a Bible that they will use to help them to listen to God's meesage in their lives. Please pray for them as they continue on their journey of faith.


We also began our First Penance Program with a Parent Meeting that included Fr. Trinidad enriching us all about the beautiful Sacrament of Penance. Through the forgiveness of God given through the sacrament, we are freed of the things that hold us back from finding true joy in our lives. This reconciliation with God allows us to start our relationship with Him anew. The Sacrament of Penance, which is sometimes seen in a negative way, is actually a sacrament of joy and healing. We pray for and encourage all those who have been a way from the Sacrament of Penance to come back and allow yourself to receive God's abundant mercy, love and forgiveness. 

On Sunday, October 27, Bishop McDonnell and  Fr. Trinidad fielded questions from our 8th Grade students.  Bishop McDonnell spoke about the role of a bishop and about his time as chaplain in the army and how he was chosen to be a bishop by the Holy Father.  They then answered some deep questions about God's love, the creation of our world, sin, prayer, and Mary. It was great to see the students engaged in learning more about our faith.

And last but not least, in our first of many family events, we decorated pumpkins that were distributed to the residents of two of the senior centers in Nutley. Over 70 children helped to decorate 125 pumpkins, while enjoying some donuts and apple cider. A special thank you goes out to all of the children and parents who made this a great day and to our Confirmation candidates, who made sure everyone had enough supplies (and donuts!) 
The pumpkins were delivered the next day and the residents were very grateful to receive the beautifully decorated pumpkins from our students.

A "Thank You" from our seniors who received a pumpkin decorated by our students.





Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Mass of Welcoming for Confirmation

On Sunday, October 27 at the 12 Noon Mass, the Confirmation candidates will officially be welcomed into the preparation program at St. Mary's Church.

We ask that the candidates arrive for 11:45am. 
Upon arrival, candidates should check in with one of the catechists who will be stationed near the Baptismal font.
Candidates and their families should sit in reserved sections in the front part of the church. 


Monday, October 21, 2013

1st Penance Parent Meeting - Tonight at 7pm in the Church

If you have not yet handed in the registration form for the 1st Penance/1st Communion Program, please click on the link below to download the form and bring it with you to the meeting tonight.

1st Penance/1st Holy Communion Registration Form


Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Pumpkin Decoration on Sunday, October 20

                                              
Paint a Pumpkin
Make a Senior Smile

Sunday, October 20th following the 10:30 Mass 
in Monsignor Walsh Hall

We Invite the children of St. Mary’s Religious Education Program to decorate pumpkins to be distributed to the residents of the Parkside Apartments and Nutley Senior Manor.

Pumpkins, paint and markers will be supplied

Cider and Donuts will be served.

Please RSVP by calling 973-235-1100 by Thursday, October 17.

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Classes Cancelled for Sunday, October 13 and Tuesday, October 15

Due to the 4 day weekend in the Nutley School District, we will be canceling class on Sunday, October 13 and Tuesday, October 15. Please note the change on your calendar.

First Penance Parent Meeting changed to October 21

The First Penance Parent Meeting that was originally scheduled for Monday, October 14 is being moved to October 21 at 7:00pm in the Church. Please note the change in your calendar.