Welcome to St. Virgil’s Parish

Mass Intentions for the Week

Sat., Feb. 1 5:00pm Peggy Schrak Robert Leavy William Smith

Sun., Feb. 2 7:30am Mary Jane Overeem Donatina Scioscia

9:00am Bridget Haugh 10:30am Patrick Havers 12:00pm Angela Gabriel Mon., Feb. 3 6:30am Manual DaSilva 12:10pm Anne Schilling Tues., Feb. 4 6:30am Mark Helferich 12:10pm Janet Dittrich

Donato Casiero Wed., Feb. 5 6:30am Michael Ryan 12:10pm Ann Marie Jabbour

Blair Werthmann Thurs., Feb. 6 6:30am Special Intention 12:10pm Helen Elia Friday, Feb. 7 6:30am Leo & Helen Ward 12:10pm Charles J. Smith—12th

Anniversary Mary I Herold

Sat., Feb. 8 8:00am Dr. Emiliano J. Bernardo

5:00pm Peggy Schrak Josephine Cautillo

Sun., Feb. 9 7:30am Protection of Babies in the Womb & their Families

9:00am Frank Slojkowski Emeline D. Bernardo

10:30am Janet Dittrich 12:00 pm Margaret Anderson—1st

Anniversary Joseph Loia Kathleen Schulz Ann Marie Lagan Art Grant

Please remember in your prayers:

Judy Taylor, Mary Eileen & Douglas Prisinzano, Jacqueline Paw, Veronica Kelly,

Baby Akeem Butchko, Mary Beth Jensen, Colleen Dillion & Family, Mary Maffeo, Marie E. Logan, Mallory Miller, Rose Marie Warrick, Sandra Buck, Margaret Ellis, John & Elizabeth Zisa, Daniella, Anne Benson, Bob Taylor, Kamasha Redhead, Miah Tully, Barbara Bock, Baby Emma Scannelli, Stephen Burke, Sue Ann Cattano, Eileen Lagan, and Teresa Procopio.

This Week at St. Virgil’s

Sunday, February 2 Souper Bowl of Caring Collection at the doors

Welcome Sunday, 9 – 11:30am, TC PREP K-4, 10:15 – 11:45am, School Youth Band Practice, 3pm, Church

2nd Year FISH, 6:30pm, School Monday, February 3

Miraculous Medal Novena following the 12:10pm Mass Tuesday, February 4

Return Support Group, 11am, TC Bible Study, 7pm, Library Rosary Society, 7pm, TC

Thursday, February 6 Bible Study, 10:30am, TC

Children’s Choir Rehearsal, 5:30pm, CR Friday, February 7

Eucharistic Adoration following the 6:30am Mass till 12 noon

Saturday, February 8 Confession, 3:45-4:15pm

K of C Country Line Dance, 7pm, Gym Sunday, February 9

Youth Mass, 12noon Youth Band Practice, 5pm, Church

1st Year FISH, 6:30pm, School

At the Doors

Youth Ministry will be at the doors of the church for “Souper Bowl” Sunday. All proceeds will benefit the

youth’s ministry to the homeless.

Among Ourselves

Through the waters of baptism, we welcome to the Parish family Grayson Reis Antunes, son of Eugene and Kelly.

We offer our prayerful condolences to the family and friends of Jack Christopher Stuart, Frank Moretti, Robert Sullivan, and Domenico Procopio who were called home to the Lord. We pray that Jack, Frank, Robert & Domenico rest peacefully with the Lord.

Through your generous donations, the collection for the weekend of January 18/19 was $9,234. (In-pew = $7,445 and Faith Direct: $1,789.) Thank you for your generous support.

Ministry Schedule for February 8 and 9 5:00 Vigil 7:30am 9:00am 10:30am 12:00pm

Cantor Frank Kelly Nina Rangel Janet Winston Youth Choir Lector Steve Welsh Margaret Flory John Trombetta Mike Butchko Youth Minister Altar Servers Breanna Barter Michael Szoke Michael Gopon Brandon Kelly Extraordinary Marianne Altrui Shirley Fleury Lydia Sesso Cheryl Zebick Tina Gopon Ministers Jane Flynn Beverly Morgan Peter Sesso Bob Zebick Kevin Gopon

Please pray for all those who serve in defense of our Country, both at home and abroad, especially:

The deployed airmen of the 914 Air Refueling Wing SSGT Blake Reidinger CPL Irvin Carithers MJR Stefanie Sittmann SSGT Thomas Sittmann SSGT Eric Wright 2LT Ryan Feeney LCDR Daniel M Leahey LT Patrick J. Leahey PO2 Timothy Butchko LTR Andrew McGuinness MSGT T.J. Hopkins MJR Gary Windt LT Tyler Huhn LT Kian Federick Stewart LT Mark C. Leahey LT Keigan Delray Stewart LT Mark Van Ordan LT Kelsey Bergh

Our parish relies on the support of everyone in our parish family to help us further our mission this year. As a member of this parish, I am thankful that there is an easy way for all of us to recommit ourselves to supporting St. Virgil Parish this year through eGiving.

Enrolling in online giving will simplify your monthly budgeting while also providing St. Virgil Parish with consistent, reliable support for our parish family. If you haven’t signed up yet, don’t worry, it’s easy to get started! Visit faith.direct/NJ732. Thank you for your continued support of our parish family.

Parish News

In the event that PREP classes, Formation sessions, or meetings need to be cancelled due to inclement weather, a message will be posted on the Parish website (www.stvirgilparish.org) at least one hour prior to the start of session. The full inclement weather policy is available at our website.

With flu season underway, we will not be offering the Most Precious Blood during the reception of Communion. We will reinstate this following flu season.

We are conducting a Census Update for our Parish. Our last update was in 2007 and as the methods of communication have changed so drastically in these past 13 years, much of our information is outdated. Please help us by filling out the form below and returning it to the parish office. You can drop it in the collection basket, mail it in, email it in, or drop it off. Even if you think your information is correct, we’d appreciate hearing from you.

St. Virgil’s Church 2020 Census Update

Family Name: ______________________________________________________________________________

Address: __________________________________________________________________________________

City: ___________________________________ State: ______________________ ZIP: ___________________

Home Phone ________________________________ Cell Phone ___________________________________

Family Email Address: _______________________________________________________________________

Head of Household: ____________________________ Cell Phone: ___________________________________

Spouse: _____________________________________ Cell Phone: ___________________________________

Other Family Members (children, parents) participating at St. Virgil’s:

____________________________________________ __________________________________________

____________________________________________ __________________________________________

Additional Emails you wish to give: ____________________________________________ __________________________________________

Are you interested in receiving Parish correspondence via email (Flocknote)? YES NO

Rosary Society Trip to Sight & Sound, Lancaster, PA, featuring Queen Esther, Thursday, April 30

The cost of $155 includes bus, lunch and show. Please let Betty O’Keefe know if you plan to attend. Her telephone number is 973-267-7760. Monday will be due by March 15. Check should be made payable to St. Virgil Rosary Society.

St. Virgil Rosary Society Movie Night Tuesday, February 4, at 7pm in the Tracy Center

Movie Night Featuring: Breakthrough

Come join for this drama that shows us the power of prayer. This is a 20th Century Fox 2019 American Christian drama. Bring a friend. A donation of $1 may be given to purchase Food Pantry items, in lieu of a canned good. In case of inclement weather, please call the Parish Office after 4pm for cancellation information. (973.538.1418)

Faith Formation for our Youth

Jr. High Prep Needs Your Help

Donations are needed for the Interfaith Food Pantry. On March 8 and April 19 students in PREP Grades 5 – 8 will be putting together Dental/Hygiene Kits for the Interfaith Food Pantry. Here’s what’s needed: Travel-sized or Small – Medium items such as

Toothpaste Toothbrushes Mouthwash Floss Shampoo Conditioner Body Wash/Soap Body Lotion Lunch Bags Large Ziploc Bags (Gallon Size)

Faith Formation for Adults Lenten Faith Sharing Group:

Living Compassionately – With Ourselves and Others

For anyone interested in deepening their capacity to live out of compassion, or in exploring how compassion may be a companion on the path to peace, within ourselves, with others, and with the earth.

Using Joyce Rupp’s book, “Boundless Compassion: Creating a Way of Life” (2018), we will explore six areas in which we can “grow in the kind of love that motivated Jesus to be a compassionate presence. This love will then flow generously through us into the lives of those who ache for a touch of loving-kindness.” When: Monday Evenings – February 24* through April 6 – 7:00 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. (February 24 will be a brief introductory meeting – 7:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.) Where: St. Virgil’s Parish Registration/Cost: Please register by February 16th - cost is the book, $15. You may also choose to order the book on your own.

Please contact: Carole White-Connor at carolewc44@verizon.net or 201-213-0038 to register or if you have questions.

As we approach February it is a good time to take stock of our New Year's Resolutions. Start a new one and attend the First Friday Mass at Loyola Jesuit Center in Morristown. Join us Friday February 7 @ 7 am The day begins with a brief reflection, followed by First Friday Mass. After mass enjoy fellowship at breakfast. A great way to start a new month!!

Day of Prayer – Ash Wednesday – February 26

Join us at the Loyola Jesuit Center in Morristown from 9am – 3pm. Cost of $40 includes breakfast & lunch. There will be Reconciliation, Mass and the distribution of ashes. The Day of Prayer will be led by Rev. Tom Marciniiak, S.J.

PREP Contact Information PREP K – 4 Marie Tonini @ tonini.svprep@gmail.com Teresa Rangel @ rangel.svprep@gmail.com Jr. High PREP Valerie Tonini @ valerie.svprep@gmail.com Youth Ministry Penny Manser @ mansersvym@gmail.com

Class Schedule for February PREP K-4 Jr. High PREP 2/2 & 2/23 2/9

Children’s Mass Jr. High Mass 3/8 3/3

Youth Ministry Youth Mass 1st Yr. – 2/9 2/9 2nd Yr. - 2/2

Women's Morning of Reflection

Saturday, March 21 9 AM -- 12 noon

in the Tracy Center

A Mini- Retreat for Lent

Who were the four Mary's at the foot of the Cross?

"Coffee and" from 8:30 with presentation to begin at 9:00 AM. There will be time for sharing and personal reflection. The morning will be in a relaxed atmosphere of prayer and quiet meditation. How often in our busy lives do we take time to revitalize oneself? These few hours are the same number as Jesus last few hours of life on the cross. Come meet the Mary's. The Faithful Ones. Presenters will be Deacon Merle Sisler and Joanne Calafiore, our former pastoral associate. Please come join us!

Men’s Cornerstone This Sunday millions of people will turn on their TV sets or streaming devices to watch Super Bowl LIV in Miami. Some like the food, some the game, some the half-time show and some the camaraderie of good friends joined together to watch two exceptional sports teams in competition. This kind of summarizes the experiences Cornerstone men feel each year at our annual retreat, scheduled this year on February 14-15 at the Loyola Retreat Center. Men join together to hear exciting witness talks presented by men of the parish, men that have faced the every day challenges each of us face, experiences that have challenged men in so many ways, but most importantly, how these men have used their faith in Jesus Christ to win their own “Super Bowl.” Please join us for inspiration, friendship and a great social experience. Please contact: John FitzPatrick at (973)713-8958 or fitzandthespirit@gmail.com; Steve Owens at (973)590-8574 or steve.owens2010@gmail.com; and Chuck Havers at (908)451-1134 or chuck.havers@gmail.com if you have any questions.

Ministries and Outreaches

Country Line Dance Night

Saturday, February 8, 7 – 10pm

In the School Gym

Featuring Bill and Diane of Cowboys & Sweethearts

Admission $7 Sponsored by the Knights of Columbus

New Jersey Right to Life Car Raffle Results

Thank you to all who purchased tickets for the New Jersey Right to Life Car Raffle. The results are as follows: Volvo Car Winner (1st Place) to Vince in Morristown with Ticket #12786; $1,000 Shop Rite Gift Card (2nd Place) to Patricia in Toms River with Ticket #41035; $750 Shop Rite Gift Card to Patricia in Haddonfield with Ticket #53374 and $500 Shop Rite Gift Card to Liz in Hollywood, Florida, with Ticket #14449.

Weekly Reflections

Presentation of the Lord Old Testament: Malachi 3:1-4 New Testament Luke 2 :22-40

Most of us probably have experienced, unexpectedly, in our daily routines, one or more surprising life-changing experiences, or if there were an anticipated event, did not know how or when to expect it. A profound event is revealed in today’s readings by Malachi and Luke.

The Old Testament scripture, according to Malachi, foretold the coming of the Messiah: “...I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me; And suddenly there will come to the temple the Lord whom you seek…And the messenger of the covenant whom you desire. Yes, he is coming, says the LORD of hosts.” The covenant is key here. The Old Testament emphasizes how the Israelites were waiting for the covenant to change their history.

Luke’s Gospel reveals such an event when Joseph and Mary brought Jesus to the Temple for purification 40 days after His birth, according to Jewish law and tradition. In the Temple were Simeon, a righteous and devout man of the faith whom it is reported had been told by the Holy Spirit that he would not die without having seen Christ the Lord; and Anna, an elderly widow who “never left the Temple but worshiped with fasting and prayer night and day.”

Soon everything changed. Luke reveals that suddenly Simeon came forward, took Jesus into his arms and, inspired by the Holy Spirit, gave thanks to God and proclaimed Him to be the One who was to be the salvation of Jerusalem. Anna, also came forward and spoke, giving thanks to God and to all who were awaiting the messenger of the covenant, the Messiah. Mary and Joseph also did not see this coming. They were amazed at what was being said about their child. This is what happened on the day called the “Presentation of the Lord.” Mary and Joseph brought their child, and “presented” Him, in the Temple as their religion required them to do - as we, today, present our children for

Baptism. They did not expect anything extraordinary happening that day. They thought themselves to be regular people. But they were soon become part of a life that changed history. At every Mass we reunite ourselves to that very same covenant.

Lord, help me to present myself to You every day. And Help me take some time to pray the psalms. *

*Postscript:

In every Mass there is an important reading, called the Responsorial Psalm, immediately after the first reading, upon which we may not focus enough. During a regular Mass it is read; and during a High Mass it is sung. There are 150 psalms in the Old Testament. They are remarkable prayers. Most of the psalms are believed to have been written by David, the shepherd boy who became king. Most people divide the psalms into 5 different types of prayer, there are thanksgiving, praise, gratitude, sorrow, and joy. There is a prayer for almost every type of situation you may need. The psalms that we pray at every Mass have the “verse” and the “chorus,” just like almost every song we know. The verse is the message of the song. This is followed by chorus, i.e., the part of the song that everyone knows and chimes in on. These are prayers which Christ would pray every day. The most well-known is the 23rd psalm which is “My shepherd is the Lord, nothing indeed shall I want.”

EVANGELIZATION CORNER

With the “Amen” after the celebrant’s Prayer following Communion, we enter the final rite of the Mass; the Concluding Rite. This is the final framing rite which sends us into the world to put into effect in our daily lives that which we have just witnessed — the entire paschal mystery of Jesus' passion, death and

resurrection in the Eucharistic liturgy. The Father sent the Son into the world, to die for our sins and give us a share in his divine life.

As Jesus told the apostles, "As the Father has sent me, even so I send you" (Jn 20:21). We now need to be more deeply incorporated into his life and mission. The more deeply the Eucharist unites us to Jesus, the more we will radiate his life and his love in the world around us. Therefore, the closing of the liturgy is not just a dismissal, but it is a dismissal with a mission. We are dismissed into the world to share our faith by loving and serving the Lord; bringing the mysteries of Christ into the world.

We now stand for the closing rite, which mirrors how the Mass began — with the celebrant saying, "The Lord be with you". We respond with “And with your spirit” and bow our heads to receive a blessing. As the celebrant says “May almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit,” the people make the Sign of the Cross and we give a liturgical “yes” by saying, “Thanks be to God.”

Some type of a formal dismissal was traditional to close a gathering in the ancient world. So early Christians felt a need to incorporate a similar conclusion to their liturgical assembly. Since the fourth century, the phrase “Ite Missa est“(which means "Go, you are dismissed,") was used. In the new translation of the Mass, the words "Go forth, the Mass is ended” are used.

This part of the Mass also encompasses any announcements that need to be made.

The celebrant venerates the altar with a kiss as he did at the beginning of the Mass. After this he is joined by the other ministers in front of the altar, and after a brief moment they all bow toward the altar. While this is happening, we sing the final hymn. The celebrant and other ministers of the liturgy, minus the Book of the Gospels, now exit the church. The congregation should remain in their places until the end of the closing hymn.

As we prepare to go back to that world in which we will live we must now bear again the burdens we laid down as we entered the door of the church—but now strengthened by this Eucharist and this community. As we leave our pews, we genuflect facing the Tabernacle as a sign of reverence and respect to the Body of Christ reserved in the Tabernacle while making the Sign of the Cross.

For additional information about the Mass see the CDs and Lending Library at the side entrance of the Church.

May the Lord’s peace be with you always! Evangelization Ministry