ST. MARK THE EVANGELIST R.C.

Parish Mission Statement: We are a family-centered Catholic Christian faith community journeying together toward a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ our Savior. We do this through: worship and prayer, reflection on the work of God and Wisdom of the church, and fellowship and service towards others.

We are called to a hopeful vision of our parish community based on Evangelization, Outreach, and Youth Ministry. We welcome everyone into our family community who is moved to join us on our journey of modeling Christ’s love.

Ministries

Altar Servers: Fr. Marcin Michalowski--------------850-0652

Bible Study Scott Branco (Men)--------------------------------------684-8282 Lorraine Fleming (Women)----------------------------813-0152

Columbiettes: Laura Zigos -----------------------551-206-9874

CYO Basketball: Jessica Jackson ---------------------850-1838

Elizabeth Ministry: Angel Nowak --------------------813-0663

Eucharistic Ministers: Joanne Lee--------------908-619-3835

Food Pantry: Matthew Corry -------------------------850-9394

Fund Raising: Kim Dunn-------------------------908-887-3100

Heath Village: Rick Gebbia ----------------------------979-9909

Knights of Columbus: Mike Lennon-----------------852-9362

Lectors: Joanne Lee--------------------------------908-619-3835 Music Melissa Heike --------------------------------------201-874-2503 Kristen O’Shea -------------------------------------------850-0652

Supermarket Cert.: Mary Hanifin --------------------813-1434

Local Youth Protection / Safe Environment Coordinator: Sue Caracciolo --------------------------850-0652

Mass Schedule

Daily Mass At OLM only 9:30 am

Weekend Saturday : 5:30 pm Sunday: 9:00 am

Holyday 8:45 am & 7:00 pm

Heath Village Temporarily Discontinued Second Sunday: 10:45 am, Health Care Center

Registration: Every family should be registered. Forms are available at the parish office or you can find them on the table in the Gathering Space of the Church or www.stmarksnj.org

Parish Office Phone: 908-850-0652 Fax: 908-850-0648 In case of emergency - priest for sick: 201-841-4952

Parish Staff

Rev. Marcin Michalowski Pastor frmarcin@comcast.net

Rev. Joemin Parinas Parochial Vicar frjkcp@gmail.com

Tom Gibbons, Deacon

Bob Head, Deacon

Jim Jones, Deacon

Susan Reilly Director of Religious Education sue.stm@comcast.net

Mary Monteverde Parish Secretary mary.stm@comcast.net

Joanne Solecki Parish Bookkeeper joanne.stm@comcast.net

Devotions at OLM Church

1st Saturday: 9:00 am - Confession; 9:30 am - Rosary; 10:00 am - Holy Mass

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and Confession: At 7:00 - 8:00 pm, first Monday of the month.

Divine Mercy Devotion: At 3:00 pm, first Friday of the month.

Pastoral Care For The Sick: Please call Parish Office when a member of the family is in the hospital needing a visit or is seriously ill and needing the Sacrament of the Sick.

Baptism: Celebrated on Sundays at 10:00 am, 12:00 pm or during any Mass. Please call the parish office to make arrangements.

Marriage: The preparation process for your wedding should begin as soon as you become engaged. Preparation process should begin at least one year before the desired date of your wedding.

Sacrament of Reconciliation: Private confessions are celebrated on Saturday at 5:00 pm, Sunday after 11:00 am mass, or Monday - Thursday after morning mass or by appointment.

5 9 S P R I N G L A N E • L O N G V A L L E Y , N E W J E R S E Y 0 7 8 5 3

We’re on the web: www.stmarksnj.org

The Lord is kind and merciful, slow to anger, and rich in compassion..

September 13, 2020 ~ Twenty–Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Saturday, September 12

5:30pmForLauraKonopczynskibyLennonFamily

Sunday, September 13

9:00amForEdMilazzobyMonteverdeFamily

Saturday, September 19

5:30pmForAmeliaStukesbyMadarasFamily

Sunday, September 20

9:00amForRaymondVanHoorebekebyStephen&Sharon

Liska

MASS CARDS…

Mass cards are available in the parish office. Remember that

giving a mass intention is not only for a deceased person. A

mass intention can be for a special occasion such as an

anniversary or birthday. Donation is $15.

LECTORSCHEDULEFORSEPTEMBER

Saturday, Sept. 12 5:30 pm Joanne, Lee

Sunday, Sept. 13 9:00 am Holly Branco

Saturday, Sept. 19 5:30 pm Maria Green

Sunday, Sept. 20 9:00 am Suzanne Van Hoorebeke

Saturday, Sept. 26 5:30 pm Al Escudero

Sunday, Sept. 27 9:00 am Tom Hanifin

For the Month of September Sanctuary Lamp: In loving memory of Vito and Marie Benardone and Aeneas and Genevieve Corry by Corry/Benardone family

Mass Candles: In loving memory of Totin and Stokes by Stokes famiy

Altar Breads & Wine:

WEEKLYCOLLECTION

September62020:$$1,517

St. Mark’s Faith Direct

Church Code is NJ484

SupermarketGiftCardsSeptember6,2020Sales: $1,400 Profit: $70 YTDProfit: $1,883.75 #offamilies: 7

FAITH DIRECT…

Summer is wrapping up and unfortunately COVID-19 cases are increasing in some areas. During this challenging time people are turning to us for help. St. Mark the Evangelist wants to answer that call but we still depend on online donations to continue our ministry. We prayerfully invite you to sign up for egiving from your computer, smartphone or tablet and set up a recurring donation or make a one-time gift. Sign up today by visiting faith.direct/NJ484, God Bless You, Fr. Marcin

All- powerful and ever-living God the lasting health of all who

believe in you, hear us as we ask your loving help for the sick;

restore their health, that they may again offer joyful thanks in

your church.

Richard Alvarez, Tony Atkins, James Barone, Bob & Jeff

Cheripka, Daria Cremonini, Brittany Cicchino, Carol DeAlvandres,

Trisha Drechsel. Ann Geary, Sue Geary, Heidi L., Daniel Huntz,

Suzy Ladlee, Vincent Lai, Mary McArdle, Denise Niessing, Girard

Nolte, Jr., Georgette Petromelis, Rosemarie Picarelli,

Christopher Popp, Tim Popp, John S, Don & Joyce Schmitt,

George and Ann Senftinger, Fredrick Senftinger, Special

Intention, Josh Winnker, Christopher Zeliff

My Dear Parishioners, In the Gospel of the 24th

Sunday of ordinary time, Jesus tells us

of the need to forgive our brothers

and sisters. It is not easy to forgive.

The bigger the hurt the more difficult

it is to forgive and for many people

also the longer it takes to forgive.

There are some offences and insults

that go on hurting us. Some say: “I forgive, but not forget.” I

cannot forget! Why it is that forgiving is so difficult? Do I create

a space in my family, my community, my work and my

relationships for reconciliation and forgiveness? Is there

anything that can help us to forgive those who have hurt us?

Forgiveness is a decision. Decide today to forgive.

Another thought that should help us to forgive is to

remember that Jesus died to save the other person just as he

died to save you. Try to visualize the person beneath Jesus on

the cross. Can you see Jesus dying for that person?

When someone offends us Jesus asks us to forgive, not

just seven times, but seventy seven times, to forgive always. The

point of Jesus’ parable is that the debt of our sin is beyond what

we can humanly pay back to our heavenly Father. Jesus paid that

price for us on Calvary.

As long as we do not forgive we are not free.

Forgiveness is freedom. If we do not choose the freedom of

forgiveness in this life, I believe that in Purgatory we will want to

choose the freedom of forgiveness in order to enjoy heaven.

If God has shown mercy to us in granting us pardon for

our sins, then we, in turn, must show mercy and forgiveness

towards every person who has offended us. The willingness to

forgive those who offend us is a sacred duty. If we expect God to

pardon us and show us his mercy when we sin and disobey his

commandments, then we must be willing to let go of any

resentment, grievance, or ill-will we feel towards our neighbor.

Jesus teaches us to pray daily for the grace and strength to

forgive others in the same measure in which God has forgiven

us. If we do not show mercy and forgiveness to our fellow human

beings, how can we expect God to forgive us in turn? The Apostle

James says that “judgment is without mercy to one who has

shown no mercy” (James 2:13).

If we want mercy shown to us we must be ready to

forgive others from the heart as God has forgiven us. Do you

hold any grudge or resentment towards anyone? Ask the Lord

to purify your heart that you may show mercy and loving-

kindness to all - and especially to those who cause you grief and

ill-will.

WE NEED TO COME BACK TO THE CHURCH!!!

No doubt the pandemic has brought great concern for some

members of our community, especially the elderly and those

with underlying health conditions. Their caution in resuming

pre-pandemic activities is wise. However, there are those of us

who can resume our normal activities. It is to you that I

encourage to cautiously return to active worship and

sacramental life. Five months of little to no worship or

sacramental life has brought devastation to the Universal

Church. It seems that months of “worship free Sundays” has

conditioned the majority of our parishioners to distant

themselves from Holy Mass. Just about all of our parishioners go

out for shopping, outdoor eating, now even indoor eating and

other activities without fear of contamination. Our church,

enforcing all health protocols, continues to see only 40% of our

parishioners attending Holy Mass (from pre-pandemic

attendance numbers). WITH LOVE FOR CHRIST AND ONE

ANOTHER LET US NOT BE FEARFUL OF COMING TOGETHER IN

JESUS’ NAME.

…GRANDPARENTS DAY… SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13th…

Grandparents are a

family’s greatest

treasure, the founders

of a loving legacy, the

greatest storytellers, and the keepers of traditions that linger on

in cherished memory. Grandparents are the family’s strong

foundation. Their very special love sets them apart. Through

happiness and sorrow, through their special love and caring,

Grandparents keep a family close at heart.

Lord God almighty, bless our grandparents with long life,

happiness, and health. May they remain constant in your love,

and be living signs of your presence to their children and

grandchildren. We ask this through Christ our Lord. AMEN!!!

Special thanks to all those who

help us clean and sanitize our

church after masses, especially

Fred McQuaide, Carol Guedez

& John Larkin (OLM parishioners) and Michale Leyden for

organizing this help. These wonderful parishioners do this task

with joy for the love of our church and

I thank God for the labor they perform with great humility. GOD

BLESS YOU!!!

FROM FATHER JAYKE,

My dear brothers and sisters, on December of 2018, I was assigned to work in a new parish assignment. The Bishop Emeritus Arthur Serratelli sent me that time to Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish in Branchville, New Jersey, for my deacon ministry. It is a beautiful small country parish located near the borders of Pennsylvania and upstate New York. What I like most about OLQP parish is that the parishioners are very devoted to the Blessed Virgin Mary, particularly to her title as Our Lady Queen of Peace. Every day after morning Mass, the parishioners pray the Holy Rosary to show their devotion to the Blessed Mother. However, some of them who are really devoted to the Lady of Peace, even went to Medjugorje for a pilgrimage. I was able to talk to some, of them and they said that visiting Medjugorje really strengthened their faith and brought them closer to Mary. One question that I asked them was about the apparitions of Mary. I asked them if they believe that the apparitions are authentic, and they answered yes. I asked them this question not because I wanted to condemn them for believing these apparitions existed, but I asked them this question because I was curious about the apparitions. Before I was assigned in OLQP Parish, I did not have any idea about the apparitions of our Lady in Medjugorje. I just learned about it when I was assigned in OLQP parish.

Because of my curiosity, I asked more questions and did

some research about it. Based on my research and the videos that I watched about the apparitions of Our Lady in Medjugorje, it all started in the small village of Medjugorje, wherein, there was a claim that a Marian apparition occurred in 1981. This apparition was first witnessed on June 24, 1981 by two visionaries named Mirjana Dragicević and Ivanka Ivanković. The next day, four more people witnessed this apparition, which includes Vicka Ivanković, Ivan Dragicević, Marija Pavlović, and Jakov Čolo. According to these visionaries, a beautiful young woman who identified herself as the Blessed Virgin Mary, said she came to visit Medjugorje as the “Queen of Peace.” At present, three of these six visionaries continue to report receiving apparitions from the Blessed Virgin Mary and more than 40 million pilgrims from all over the world have gone to Medjugorje to see for themselves the apparition of the Lady Queen of Peace. Some people do not believe that the apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Medjugorje were authentic; however, others said they were authentic because miracles have been reported as a result of visiting the village, particularly the site where Mary used to show herself to the visionaries. Because of this, many pilgrims have started their devotion to our Lady Queen of Peace. Therefore, for these coming weeks, we will examine whether the apparitions of Mary in Medjugorje were authentic or not. To do this, we will discuss the following: 1) Public and private revelations; 2) visions and apparitions; 2) the fundamental criteria for discerning apparitions; and 4) the official position of the Catholic Church regarding the authenticity of the apparition in Medjugorje. So, please stay tuned for these coming weeks my dear brothers and sisters. Take care always and God bless! 1-3

The four principles of the Knights of Columbus are: Charity,

Unity, Fraternity and Patriotism.

Charity – Love thy neighbor as thyself.

Unity – together we can accomplish far more than any of us

could individually.

Fraternity – the good works of individual Knights illustrate how

Catholics serve each other.

Patriotism – we are proud of our devotion to God and country,

and believe in standing up for both.

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Reflection for the Week

You can fool some of the people all the time,

All the people some of the time.

But you can’t fool all the people all the time

Abraham Lincoln

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The Knights of Columbus, Long Valley Council 10419 welcomes

all Catholic Men age 18 and older. We are an active council and

have a lot to offer – Become a Knight! www.lvkofc.org

Online CEC Registration is available. Please go to www.stmarksnj.org to register. If you have any questions please call Sue Reilly at the Parish Office 850-0652

40 DAYS FOR LIFE”

“You are called to stand up for life! To respect and defend the

mystery of life always and everywhere, including the lives of

unborn babies, giving real help and encouragement to mothers

in difficult situations. You are called to work and pray against

abortion.” –St. John Paul I. Please join the record number of

Christians who have signed up not to erase history, but to make

history. The Sept. 23-Nov. 1 “40 Days for Life “campaign will be

the largest global effort of 40 days of prayer and fasting for an

end to abortion forever. Make a stand for God and our country

proclaiming the value of life at this critical time in our nation.

Offer time to peacefully pray during a 40-day vigil in the public

right of-way outside Planned Parenthood, 66 East Washington

Ave. Washington. There will be an opening rally on Sept. 20th

from 2:30-4 outside the Planned Parenthood. Please pledge to

lift the local 40 Days for Life campaign up in prayer, as well as

asking for God’s protection on all human life from conception

until natural death. For more information contact: Jennifer

English, amjadopt@comcast.net 973 525-6692. or visit

https://40daysforlife.com/Be Strong and Courageous. Do not be

Afraid; do not be discouraged, for The Lord Your God Will be with

You Wherever You go. Joshua 1:9

EARN MONEY FOR ST MARK’S WHILE YOU SHOP….

St Mark’s invites all families to join our new fundraising program ShopWithScrip.

When you join you will be able to buy gift cards from your favorite brands to use for

your daily purchases or to give to others as gifts. This program will enable families

to raise money for St Mark’s by earning a rebate for each gift card purchased. Scrip

gift cards are the same gift cards you purchase from the retailer and with hundreds

of retailers participating, the earning potential is high. Redeem them in stores,

online, or through other websites such as Rakuten,

For example, if you purchase a Bath & Body Works gift card for $50, 12% or $6 goes

directly to St Mark’s.

SIGN UP TODAY… Go to https://www.shopwithscrip.com/

Join A Program.

For St Mark’s Enrollment Code and questions please contact Marianne Kopelman

- mariannek.stm@gmail.com

Register, Create a User ID and Password and enter your information. At this time

we recommend that you purchase electronic Gift Cards which are sent directly by

email. Shop Anytime, Anywhere - Download the free mobile app RaiseRight. Shop

gift cards right from your phone. Discover new earning bonuses, add brands to your

Favorites for faster shopping, access purchased eCards, and manage your gift cards

in one place: your Wallet.

Physical cards purchased will be sent to St Mark’s and arrangement would need to

be made for pickup at the Parish Office when they are delivered

www.PetsforVets.com

GOD BLESSAMERICA

CHIROPRACTIC CARE IN LONG VALLEY~ Dr. William J. Voyce ~

Genesis Chiropractic CenterLong Valley Professional Center 908-876-9188

066B (JA) - St. Mark’s, Long Valley FOR ADVERTISING INFORMATION CALL: (800) 364-0684 BON VENTURE SERVICES, LLC • P.O. Box 850, Flanders, N.J. 07836

COCHRAN FUNERAL HOMEServing the Parish Community Since 1899

852-3361JAMES G. COCHRAN, MANAGER ~ N.J. Lic. No. 3702

905 High St. Hackettstown

DR. JEFFREY M. CULBERTChiropractor

852-6752Schooley’s Mtn. Chiropractic Center484 Schooley’s Mtn. Rd., Hackettstown

The Best In Roofing Since 1947800-339-9151

LUKE WOLTERS Tax Consultants

"Specializing in Personal & Small Business Tax Services"Tax Return Preparation * Financial Planning

Courtesy Consultation(908) 876-3413 Fax (908) 876-5856 59 E. Mill Rd. Long Valley

Valley AutomotiveThe First Choice For All Your Automotive Needs

Guy Armenti, Parishionerwww.ValleyAutomotiveLLC.com

STIRLING1312 Valley Road

908-647-1999

CHESTER50A Parker Road

908-879-6426

RUDOLPH R. LEIDL

D.M.D., F.A.G.D.General Dentistry~ New PatieNts welcome ~

876-55592 Mountain View Avenue · Long Valley