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February 14, 2021 · SIXTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

Mass

Saturday

Vigil ... 5:00 pm

Sunday………. . 7:30, 9:00, 10:30 am, 12:00 pm

Monday-Friday ... 7:00, 8:00 am, 12:10pm

Rosary at 8:30 and 11:45 am

Saturday………..8:00 am

Rosary at 8:45 am

Sacrament of Reconciliation

Saturday ... 1:00-2:00 pm

or by appointment (732-548-0100)

All Masses are available to view live stream.

To access the link, visit the home page

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C

LERGY

Most Rev. James F. Checchio, JCD, MBA

Bishop of Metuchen

Most Rev. Paul G. Bootkoski, DD Bishop Emeritus

Rev. Msgr. Robert J. Zamorski M. Div., Rector

Rev. David J. Wejnerowski Parochial Vicar

Rev. Edgar A. Madarang Parochial Vicar

Rev. Timothy A. Christy, VG In Residence

Mr. Ban Thien (Joseph) Ho Seminarian J.P. Saggese Deacon Rick Fortune Deacon Kenneth T. Hamilton Deacon Guido J. Brossoni Deacon Retired Ed Olegario, M.D. Deacon Retired

THEABOVEINDIVIDUALSCANBEREACHED BYCONTACTINGTHERECTORYOFFICEAT

S

TAFF

Kara Kwiatkowski, x210 Managing Director David Liantonio, x233 Business Manager Thomas DeLessio, x235 Music Ministry Linda Dalton, x227 Sacristan

Sr. Maria Lan Nguyen, x306 Youth Ministry

Cheryl Saggese, x307 Eucharistic Ministers

C

ONTACTS

Ed Williamson

Pastoral Council, Chairman George Trapp

Finance Council, Chairman Jane Conlon /

Janet Onufer Michael Advocates for Disabled Boris Moczula Lectors Tom Hansen Ushers Marie D’Amico Legion of Mary Kathy Divorkin Rosary Altar Society Knights of Columbus KofC/joinus.org

W

ELCOME

WE ARE GLAD YOU ARE HERE

Thank you for joining us for Mass today. We are so thankful for the Catholic community we have here at St. Francis and we're glad you are a part of it, whether it be in the Cathedral or via livestream (www.stfranciscathedral.org)

EUCHARIST FOR SICK OR HOMEBOUND

For those unable to physically come to Mass, we bring the Eucharist to you. Please call the rectory at (732) 548-0100 and arrangements will be made.

NEW PARISHIONER REGISTRATION

For those interested in registering with our parish, please complete the form in our parish office or on our website at stfranciscathedral.org/register.

MARIAN NOVENA & ROSARY

Join us Saturdays after the 8:00 am Mass as we pray the Marian Novena and Rosary. We encourage all to come, even if it is only for one Saturday.

RECTORY

Address ... 32 Elm Avenue Metuchen, NJ 08840 Office Hours ... Monday-Friday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm Phone ... (732) 548-0100 Emergency Phone ... (732) 710-1416 Website ... stfranciscathedral.org Email ... [email protected]

ST. FRANCIS CATHEDRAL SCHOOL Blue Ribbon School

Address ... 528 Main Street Metuchen, NJ 08840 Principal ... Ann Major, x238

Phone. . . ... (732) 548–3107 Website... stfranciscathedralschool.org

Home School Association [email protected]

PARISH CENTER

Address ... 45 Library Place Metuchen, NJ 08840 Phone ... (732)548-0100

Religious Education

Debbie Schurko, PCL ... x226 Meghan Moran, Assistant... x222

Social Concerns

Bidgie Williamson ... x225 Hours ... Monday-Thursday 9:00 am - 1:00 pm CATHEDRAL OF ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI

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HOW TO REPORT SEXUAL ABUSE Contact the Diocesan Response Officer:

908-930-4558 (24/7) or visit the diocesan website: diometuchen.org/report-a-suspected-abuse

W

E

P

RIORITIZE

S

AFETY

STATUARY CHAPEL

For a number of years we have been

con-verting the former Cathedral baptistery into a Statuary Chapel. Parishioners and

friends have donated statues of various saints which are placed on pedestals on the chapel walls. Current statues are:

Saint Francis of Assisi Saint Lorenzo Ruiz Saint Clare of Assisi

Saint Joseph Saint Anthony of Padua Saint Theresa of Lisieux Saint Jude Thaddeus

Saint Ann Saint Teresa of Calcutta Saint Paul VI (on order) Statues are carved in Italy of colorless wood and are uniform in design and size. Although people have donated the stat-ues in memory of someone, they are not labeled except for the name of the saint. The chapel is a quiet space for prayer, devotion, and a place to light a candle. It is located to the left of the main entrance when entering the Cathedral. Anyone interest in inquiring should contact Kara, ext. 210, at the Rectory Office.

N

EW

& N

OTEWORTHY

P

RAYER

D

URING

T

HE

P

ANDEMIC

We pray together for our sisters and brothers in our parish, in our state and around the world, who are sick. We pray for those who have lost loved ones and their livelihoods to the corona virus. May God console them and grant them peace.

We pray also for doctors, nurses, and caregivers, for public health officials and for all civic leaders. May God grant them courage and prudence as they respond to this emergency with compassion and in service to the common good. Amen.

COVID-19 V

ACCINE

Received from Diocese of Metuchen, Anthony Kearns, Esq., Chancellor

Following is the link for residents of New Jersey to pre-register for the COVID-19 vaccine: https://covid19.nj.gov/pages/vaccine.

Once you complete and submit the form, you will receive confirmation and be placed on a list to receive the vaccine when available for your cate-gory of recipients. Currently the vaccine is being distribute to Class 1A which comprises, in part, healthcare workers and residents of care facili-ties. The site is open for all New Jersey Residents. At this time, the State has not announced a date for when class 1B vaccination will begin or how many does will available. Completion of this form will allow the State to notify registrants of when the 1B class begins.

D

ONATION

S

TATEMENTS

A statement of 2020 donations to Saint Francis Cathedral has been mailed to any parishioner who donated $250 or more during the calendar year. If you do not fall into this category, but would like a statement, please phone the Rec-tory at (732) 548-0100.

A

SH

W

EDNESDAY

- L

ENT

B

EGINS

Ash Wednesday, the day which signals the beginning of our annual penitential season of Lent, is a day of fast and abstinence. (see page 6)

Blessed Ashes will be distributed at all Masses: 7:00am, 8:00am, 12:10pm, 7:30pm. Ashes will also be distributed at a Prayer Service at 4:15pm.

M

ASS

WITH

R

ITE

OF

L

ECTOR

On Saturday, February 20 at 10:00am, Bishop James Checchio will celebrate a Mass with Rite of Lector for the Diaconate Formation Class of 2022. Please pray for these men as they continue their journey towards becoming deacons and serving the Church of Metuchen.

N

EW

S

UNG

E

UCHARISTIC

A

CCLAMATIONS FOR

L

ENT

Beginning Ash Wednesday, a meditative set of acclamations will be added to our parish sung repertoire. Please take a listen:

https://www.stfranciscathedral.org/MusicMinistry —Mass of Charity and Love by Steven Warner

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REFLECTING ON Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

L

ENT

A

PPROACHES

— C

ONTRITION

& H

EALING

B

LUE

R

OSARY

G

UILD

The Diocesan Office of Family Life is pleased to announce the creation of the Blue Rosary Guild, whose purpose is to make pocket Rosaries for law enforcement officers, and to promote devotion to the Rosary among the

faithful. All materials and instructions will

be provided and a Zoom virtual tutorial will also be scheduled. For further information, go to [email protected].

N

EXT

S

UNDAY

’

S

R

EADINGS



Gen 9: 8-15



Psalm 25: 4-5, 6-7, 8-9



1 Peter 3:18-22



Mark 1: 12-15

F

EBRUARY

14, 2021 • S

IXTH

S

UNDAY

IN

O

RDINARY

T

IME

LEV 13:1 -2, 44-46; PSALM 32:1-2, 5, 11;1 COR 10:31-11:1; MARK 1: 40-45.

SPONSORSHIP

In order to receive a Certificate of Eligibility to be a Sponsor for Bap-tism, Confirmation or Marriage, an individual must be 14 years of age; must have received the sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation; if married, be in a Church-valid mar-riage; participate at Mass regularly and be registered in our parish. Please call the Rectory Office at (732) 548-0100 to inquire further.

Today's readings prepare us for the penitential season of Lent.

In our Gospel, a leper knelt before Jesus and said, “If you wish, you can make me clean.” Jesus reached out and touched this diseased man and healed him. He then encouraged the man to show himself to the priest and offer himself a cleansing, referencing what was commanded in the Law of Moses. By completing these rituals, this man might be reinstituted into the community.

Let us approach this holy season of Lent like the leper. By our faults, we have distanced ourselves from God and His commu-nity. The leper reminds us Who to go to so that we might be healed. Let us approach the Lord this season on our knees ask-ing for forgiveness and healask-ing from our offenses, sayask-ing, “If you wish, you can make me clean.” There is no doubt that, if we have a contrite heart, Jesus will stretch out His hand in forgiveness and His mercy will touch our lives.

And like the leper, we too should go forth from being healed with a commitment to cleanse ourselves from the lasting effects of sin. Lent is a time to offer acts of reparation through Prayer, Fasting and Almsgiving so that we might be purified in all areas of our life and walk with the Gracious Healer, Who sacrificed His life for our sake.

This holy season of Lent is an opportunity to be healed and cleansed on our journey as disciples of Christ. Let us consider what we can do to offer acts of

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G

OD

’

S

P

LAN

F

OR

G

IVING

In this time of stress and uncertainty, we ask parishioners to continue to tithe as their means allow. Just as your personal bills have not gone away during this pandemic, so too the Cathedral’s expenses still have to be paid.

Even if you are not enrolled in eGiving, you can make a one-time gift by going to: http://www.stfranciscathedral.org/ FaithDirect/

Those who prefer to send in their gifts, please mail to or drop off at Rectory Office:

32 Elm Ave., Metuchen, 08840 Tithing Week of January 31

$ 12,156 Faith Direct (eGiving) $ 6,012 In pew/mail/drop off

Total Tithing = $ 18,168

Correction: Last week’s tithing amount was for the weekend of Jan. 24

Our Food

Pantry is

Open!

R

ITE

OF

C

HRISTIAN

I

NITIATION

Compassion is one of the identifying marks of a Christian, yet it often seems as though we have lost sight of this virtue in our society. The compassion of Jesus as He healed the sick, suffering, and oppressed, is vividly described in all four gospels. We Christians are called to imitate Jesus, to bring His compassion to those in great need of it today. Is there someone in your life who is unbaptized and has expressed an interest in being baptized? Do you know a Christian of another denomination who has been asking questions about the Catholic Faith Family? Respond with Christ-like compassion. Bring that person to an RCIA Inquiry Session,. Sessions are not a commitment , but an invitation to “Come and See.” During the pandemic, sessions will be virtual. For information, call the RCIA Office: (732) 742-1567.

S

OCIAL

C

ONCERNS

M

INISTRY

45 Library Place, Metuchen, 08840 / (732) 548-0100 x225

Non-perishable items/donations may be dropped off in Social Concerns Bin in the Cathedral vestibule.

If you are in need of food, call Social Concerns on Monday to schedule an appointment to pick up food Tuesday-Thursday. The use of face masks is strictly enforced when visiting the Parish Center.

Help Support Catholic Charities by supporting our local poverty relief services. Donate gently used clothing, bedding, shoes, small appliances and household items. A Drop Box is located in our CYO parking lot and at Edison Family Service Center, 26 Safran Avenue. For a complete list of drop-off locations, visit https://www.ccdom.org/how-you-can-help/ clothing-donation-drop-boxes. For very large items call (877)343-3651 to arrange for a free pick up at your home.

Donate your vehicle to Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen Funds from the sale of donated vehicles support our programs for the poor in need across the four counties of our diocese. Free pick up is available. Vehicle need not be running. Donated vehicles are tax deductible. Visit wwwccdom.org and go to the “How You Can Help” tab.

YMCA B

LOOD

D

RIVE

The Metuchen Branch YMCA is holding a Blood Drive on Sunday, February 28 from 8:30am—2:30pm. It will take place on their premises, 65 High Street, Metuchen. Because of COVID-19, donors are urged to pre-register with the New York Blood Center at:

https://www.nybc.org/njdrive Sponsor Code is 15750. All who donate to this drive will receive COVID-19 antibody testing as part of their donation.

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D

IOCESE

OF

M

ETUCHEN

St. John Neumann Pastoral Center

P.O. Box 191

Metuchen, New Jersey 08840-0191

February 14, 2021

LENTEN OBLIGATIONS

So that the Church of Metuchen may be spiritually one in a common observance of Lent, the

following days of fast and abstinence are to be observed by all Catholics of the Diocese who

enjoy the blessings of good health:

1. The days of fast and abstinence are Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.

2. All other Fridays of Lent are days of abstinence.

3. From the Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday until the celebration of

the Easter

Vigil on the evening of Holy Saturday, the Easter fast should be observed so

that, with uplifted

and welcoming hearts, we may be ready to celebrate the joys of the

Resurrection. This ancient

tradition, intimately connected with the Rites of Holy Week

and the Order of Christian Initiation

_{of Adults, is encouraged, especially in those places}

baptizing catechumens at the Easter Vigil.

The obligation to fast applies only to Catholics between the ages of 18 and 59. To fast in the

Catholic tradition means to limit oneself to one full meal during the day so as to experience

hunger.

The obligation of abstinence affects all Catholics who have reached the age of 14. Abstinence

in the Catholic tradition means to abstain from meat.

The obligation of fast and abstinence, as a whole, is a serious obligation. While failure to

ob-serve any one penitential day in itself may not be considered serious, the failure to obob-serve

any penitential days at all, or a substantial number of them without good cause, would be

considered a grave matter. Those unable to abstain for a valid reason on any given Friday of

Lent are asked to perform some other penitential act, or to abstain on another day.

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SERVING OVERSEAS All those serving in Covert Operations SICK

Charles & Ellin Barker Peter Barnes III Michael Cammarano David Cascia Margaret Cash Tracy Coleman Sal Dalli

Deacon Rick & Evie Fortune Tom Hansen’s Sister, Niece, & Cousin

Gwen Kelly

Donna & Richard Kenny Thomas Kenny

Stephen Kermondy Brothers, Nephew and Cousin of Sr. Maria Lan Shirley Mahoney Mary Neilsen Pam Reed Mariya Salman John Skarbek Bidgie Williamson Joanna Chew Wong FOR THOSE WHOSE BODIES HAVE DIED Joseph Avaltroni Jason DiFino Leonora Domingo John Lippolis Marie Mulligan Eric Petosky Louis Petrozziello Andrew Pisulak Sergei Salman Richard Skoczynski Jean Zavlacky

P

LEASE

P

RAY

P

RAY

THE

R

OSARY

Every Wednesday following 12:10PM Mass, parishioners gather on the plaza in front of the Cathedral to pray the Rosary. Their prayerful intention is forCOVID-19 vaccines to be approved/ swiftly administered; for the health and healing of those afflicted with the virus; for those who have lost their lives and for their loved ones who are bereaved; for the safety and welfare of our country. All welcome!

ANDALLTHOSE

RECOMMENDEDINTHE

BOOK OF INTENTIONS

P

RAYER

T

REE:

Submit requests via email: sfprayertree @msn.com. We will pray for your requests for two weeks. Updates are always appreciated.

M

ASS

I

NTENTIONS

SUNDAY · FEBRUARY 14

Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

7:30 am ... Mariana Pugliese r/o Mr./Mrs. Pasquale Calello 9:00 am ... Lenny Klein r/o Wife Carol 10:30 am ... Msgr. Dominic A. Turtora r/o Cathedral 12:00 pm ... Kevin Blash r/o Sister MONDAY · FEBRUARY 15

Civil Observance of President’s Day

9:00 am.………....(Liv.) Int. Ernesto Gutierrez r/o Family TUESDAY · FEBRUARY 16

7:00 am………...Walsh Family r/o Pat Walsh 8:00 am….………...…Delores Murray r/o Whooley Family 12:10 pm……...Elizabeth Savner r/o Maryann Sullivan WEDNESDAY · FEBRUARY 17

Ash Wednesday

7:00am…….….…..Living & Deceased St. Francis Parishioners 8:00 am…..………...John Patrick Barnes r/o Kathy Moroz 12:10 pm………..John Feltovic r/o Rob & Therese Waterson 7:30 pm…...……….Deacon Frank J. Cammarano r/o Renato & ……….Madonna Razal THURSDAY · FEBRUARY 18

7:00 am ... Michael Hourihan r/o Daughters 8:00 am. ... Joan Belmont r/o Frank Belmont 12:10 pm ... Daniel Del Rosario r/o Danny & Doris FRIDAY · FEBRUARY 19

7:00 am ... Gail O’Brien r/o McCave Family 8:00 am.. ... Kathy Freis r/o Patti & Rich Ackerson 12:10 am….……….…Lenny Klein r/o Wife Carol SATURDAY · FEBRUARY 20

8:00 am ... George & Mary Hutchinson r/o Schwalje Family *10:00am………...……….Mass with Rite of Lector 5:00 pm …...……….Annabelle August r/o Carol August *7:00 pm……….Anne Barnoa r/o Kaczynski Family *Priest will celebrate this Mass privately

SUNDAY · FEBRUARY 21

First Sunday of Lent

7:30am……….…Margaret Yaros & Mary Noll r/o Jerry & Marlene 9:00am..……...Winifred & Michael Keavney r/o Bea Zatorski 10:30am…..………..Eric Malinowski r/o Parents 12:00 pm……….………Bernadette Hughes r/o Taxeras Family

The Sanctuary Candle for this week

has been donated in memory of

Deacon Frank J. Cammarano

by Madonna Razal & Nora Kenny

in the Cathedral

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THIS WEEK

S

AINT

F

RANCIS

C

ATHEDRAL

S

CHOOL

2021 - 2022 S

CHOOL

Y

EAR

R

EGISTRATION

I

NFORMATION

V

IRTUAL

T

OUR IS AVAILABLE ON OUR WEBSITE

:

STFRANCISCATHEDRALSCHOOL

.

ORG

Registration for new students Pre-Kindergarten - - Seventh Grades:

Forms are available for download from our website. Please download, fill out, attach appropriate payment and drop off at Door #1 , 528 Main Street on:

Tuesday, February 16, 2021 from 8:00AM—- 3:00PM Wednesday, February 24, 2021 from 8:00AM—3:00PM

Checks for tuition and fees should be made payable to St. Francis Cathedral School

Requirements: Copy of birth certificate and copy of baptismal certificate. If the baptism was at the Cathedral, the date of the baptism is needed and not the certificate. Vaccinations and immunizations must be up to date. Your child must be 3 or 4 years old by October 1st for Pre-K 3 or Pre-K 4; 5 years old by October 1st for Kindergarten and 6 years old by October 1st for first grade.

Further information is available by calling (732)548-3107

C

ATHOLIC

S

CHOOL

T

UITION

A

SSISTANCE

Online Application Process

Families interested in applying for tuition assistance to attend an eligible Diocese of Metuchen elementary or high school may apply online now through FACTS Grants & Aid Assessment at https://online.factsmgt.com/aid Online applications must be completed (including all required documentation) by no later than March 31, 2021.

Applications are available in English and Spanish. Families that need assistance completing the online application, or who need access to a computer to apply, should contact their school.

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K

EEP

UP

WITH

B

ISHOP

C

HECCHIO

The Bishop’s schedule and more can be found on our diocesan website: https:// Diometuchen.org/our-bishop

MINISTRIES

BAPTISM

1:30pm on Sundays by appointment only. Baptismal Seminar and Pre-registration are required. Attendance during pregnancy is preferable. Contact Madonna Razal at (732) 548-0100 x214. MARRIAGE

Those preparing for marriage should contact the Rectory Office one year in advance. Couples are required to attend Pre Cana and “God’s Plan for a Joy Filled Marriage”. Contact Margaret Manza at (732) 548-0100, x212.

R.C.I.A.

Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults - Those wishing to learn more about being received into the Catholic Faith - Contact Sara Sharlow at (732) 742-1567.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CLASSES

Contact the Director of Religious Education, Debra Schurko at (732) 548-0100 x226 or her assistant, Meghan Moran at (548)-0100 x222. ST. FRANCIS CATHEDRAL SCHOOL

St. Francis Cathedral School creates a Catholic atmosphere where children are challenged to develop respect, justice, and responsibility while growing intellectually and spiritually into leaders of the 21st Century. Contact Principal Ann Major at (732) 548-3107.

O

PPORTUNITIES

F

OR

M

EMORIALS

Did you know that in addition to Mass intentions for your loved ones you may remember them through the following memorial opportunities:

ALTAR FLOWERS

Available weekly in the Cathedral at the High Altar for memorials, weddings and other occasions. Please contact Rectory Office for details.

SANCTUARY CANDLES

Available weekly in the Cathedral and The Lady Chapel.

Donation: $20. Enclose in an envelope with information and put in collection basket or mail or bring to Rectory.

MSGR.BEHL ST.FRANCIS SCHOOL ENDOWMENT & THE ST.FRANCIS SCHOLARSHIP FUND

Memorial gifts may be made to either of these funds which are used to enhance the academic excellence of the parish school and offer tuition assistance. Please inquire at the parish office or school office for further information.

STATUARY CHAPEL

If anyone wants to honor a saint., contact Kara. This room in the front of the Cathedral was previously the baptistery.

M

ENTORING

Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen, offers Mentoring to young people. During the pan-demic, it will be done via Telehealth or Zoom. They are seeking volunteer mentors, both male and female, to be role models for young people. Do you have 3 hours per week to offer a child? Do you like having fun? Do you reside in Middlesex County or Franklin Township? Do you want to make a difference in a child’s life? If you are interested, call Jeanette Cullen at (732) 738-1323 or go to [email protected]

S

TATIONS

OF

THE

C

ROSS

Journey with Christ to Calvary on every Friday during the Lenten Season. The Stations of the Cross will be prayed in the

Cathedral at 1:50pm and at 7:30pm. Join us.

On Monday, February 15, we commemorate the civil observance of President’s Day. Please pray for our nation’s leaders, past and present, and for our country. One Mass will be celebrated in the Cathedral at 9:00

am. The Rectory Office will be closed. Saint Francis Cathedral School will be closed and there will be no Religious Education clas-ses on that day.

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We’re Accepting New Residents

Assisted Living, Nursing & Memory Care

732-902-4200 Meeting All NJ Infection Control Requirements

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Highland Pk | New Brunswick | Somerset Piscataway | Monroe Twp

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Advertising on the weekly parish bulletin is a great return on your advertising dollar in that the expense is tax deductible and the ad will promote your cause throughout the community

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C ALL 1-800-233-8200 F or A dv ertising Inf orma tion Busines s Online a t Dioc esan. com/