Dear Parishioners,

At this time of year, when flowers are blooming and daylight is lengthening and nature is full of life, it feels as though God’s creation has been reborn. During the Easter season we recall that we ourselves have been reborn in baptism. Today’s Gospel reminds us that Jesus dwells within us. Not only that, the Holy Spirit is with us too. Therefore, when we look around, we can see the full flowering of the divine in ourselves, in each other, and in the whole world. Truly, let all the earth cry out to God with joy!

QUESTION OF THE WEEK: In the second reading, Peter tell his readers that they should “always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who ass you for a reason for your hope” (1Peter: 3:15). Can I explain to others, “gently and reverently,” why I hope?

6TH SUNDAY OF EASTER —MAY 17, 2020

THE PASTOR’S DESK FLOCK NOTE—05/11/2020

THE SOLEMNITY OF THE ASCENSION THIS YEAR AND PRAYER FOR BISHOP-ELECT KEVIN J. SWEENEY

Greetings to all parishioners, I hope everyone had a blessed Mother's Day and that you were able to spend some time out doors on such a "beautiful day in the neighborhood".

I just received a call from Fr. Dawid that he has FINISHED his studies, he now has a MA in Spirituality (Alleluia), if you get a chance send him an email. Now, hopefully he can make plans to return home.

I also received an email from Bishop Serratelli regarding some upcoming Liturgical celebrations. Below is an excerpt from his letter, please make a note of this on your calendars.

"There are two liturgical matters that I would like to bring to your attention. First of all, the Bish-ops of New Jersey have agreed to transfer the celebration of the Solemnity of the Ascension from a holy day of obligation observed on Thursday, May 21, 2020, to the Seventh Sunday of Easter, May 24, 2020, replacing the Mass and readings of the Seventh Sunday of Easter. The transfer of the feast is for this year only. The bishops felt this necessary to accommodate priests who found the livestreaming of Mass difficult. As you are well aware, the obligation of the faithful to attend Mass remains suspended for the present time.

UPDATE FROM BISHOP SERRATELLI, May 14, 2020

At seven o'clock in the evening, on Tuesday, June 30, 2020, Solemn Vespers will be celebrated in preparation for the ordination of the Bishop-Elect the following day.

At two o'clock in the afternoon, on Wednesday, July 1, 2020, the Memorial of Saint Junipero Serra, Priest, His Eminence Joseph W. Cardinal Tobin, C.Ss.R., Metropolitan Archbishop of Newark will ordain The Most Reverend Kevin J. Sweeney, to the Order of Bishops and Install Bishop Sweeney as the Eighth Bishop of Paterson with The Most Reverend Nicholas A. DiMarzio, Bishop of Brooklyn, and myself serving as Co-Consecrating Bishops. Both celebrations will be take place in the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist, Paterson and will be in accord with social distancing norms and will strictly require limited admission by ticket only. Both events will be live streamed on the website of the Diocese of Paterson with further instructions regarding access to the live stream to follow

Prayer for the Bishop-Elect

Good and gracious God, we stand on the threshold of a new time for our diocese. As we cross that threshold in thankfulness, we ask you to pour out an abundance of grace on our Bishop-elect Kevin Sweeney that he may faithfully assume his ministry among us and that, together with him, we may work for the building up of our local church. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Parish Community of St. john Vianney & St. Thomas the Apostle

Do you ever wonder what happens to your donations to Hope House?

During the Pandemic Hope House distributes pre packed groceries every Wednesday

to families. So once a week each family is give 2 Bags of groceries plus some

frozen items and bread which is about 40 lbs per family.

As you can see your generous donations help families get through the week goes fast. Hope House staff, volunteers and of course those families you give support say thank you.

Hope House has asked for the following items:

• Pasta

• Pasta Sauce

• Peanut Butter

• Jelly IMPORTANT NOTE: In order to help the most families it is best you purchase regular size cans and / or jars ra-ther than the extra large sizes.

WHERE DO YOU DROP OFF YOUR DONATIONS? PLEASE NOTE

Just drop off them off at the STA Rectory Door under the overhang. In order to ensure that social distancing is observed for both you and Father Matt you do not have to ring the door bell as the front Rectory door is checked throughout the day. The food doesn't stay there for long.

If you are unable to get to the store and would like to make a monetary donation to a food pantry, please see below:

NEW HOPE, OAK RIDGE - Checks or supermarket gift cards can be sent to: New Hope Food Pantry, c/o Milton Unit-ed Methodist Church, 316 Dover-Milton Road, Oak Ridge, NJ 07438.

HOPE HOUSE, DOVER – SUPERMARKET GIFT CARDS can be sent to: Hope House Food Pantry, 101 Bassett High-way, Dover, NJ 07801.

HELPING HANDS MINISTRY: If you need someone to do your gro-

cery shopping or other essentials , we are willing to go for you and leave shopping items at your doorstep! Social distancing practices will be observed! Please contact Gabby Dyl at 973-713-0280.

For more information, or to ask a volunteer for help with shopping for your essentials, please contact Gab-by Dyl at (973) 713-0280. If you are interested in volunteering in anyway , please

BANNS OF ORDINATION

The seminarian, Joseph Anthony Aguila Mactal (Joey), is to be ordained to the Sacred Order of Deacon on Friday, June 12, 2020

at Saint John Cathedral, Paterson, NJ

Christ’s faithful are obliged to reveal impediments to sacred orders, if they know of any, to the Ordinary or to the pastor before ordina-tion according to the norms of cc.1043 and 1051, 2 of the Code of Canon Law. If you know of any reason why this man should not be ordained a Deacon in the Catholic Church, please contact: Reverend Matthew J. Twiggs: frmatt@ststhomasjohn.org,

FROM DEBBIE WICKHAM, DIRECTOR OF RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

An email was sent out to the families registered in our religious education program to notify

them that registration for next year's Religious Education School Year 2020-2021 will begin

within the next few weeks.

Information will be emailed and in the bulletin.

Need information? Need help? While you are unable to come into the office

because it is closed. You can contact us by email: ter-

ry@ststhomasjohn.org or call the office during business hours

9:00am - 4:00PM 973-208-0090 / 973-697-6550 and LEAVE A MESSAGE.

You will be contacted as soon as possible.

MAKE MEMORIES FOR FATHER MATT

1. We are asking all parishioners to write a note to Father Matt so that we may put together a Book of Memo-ries for him to have as a remembrance of his years as our pastor and friend. Any sweet memory, funny

memory, serious memory, or anecdote will do. Perhaps you would like to add a photograph of your family, so

when he looks back he will remember your smiling face. Whatever thoughts you would like to put together

would be appreciated. So please send us your notes, even if it’s only a “thank you” for his many years of ser-

vice and guidance.

We would like to have everyone’s memory by June 1st so that we can put it together in time for his party.

Please send your memory in an email to

FrMattMemory@yahoo.com or put it in an envelope to addressed to Lynn McCartney

or Mary Buda, and drop off in the rectory mailbox.

2. We are also looking for pictures of Fr. Matt (especially his early years) which will be

used in a slide show. We will scan the pictures and return them to you so please be

sure to put your name on the back of each picture. These can also be addressed to

Lynn or Mary and left in the rectory mailbox. Thanks so much for your cooperation.

SATURDAY, MAY 16 + Arthur Osborne / Linda Osborne SUNDAY, MAY 17 + Felicia Brodsky / Anthony, Lena & Madison + Ryan DeVito / Eileen Schmidt + Phyllis Bonfiglio / Mary & Tom Sheehan MONDAY, MAY 18

+ Mary Dick / Deacon Jim & MaryLou Cammarano TUESDAY, MAY 19 + Barbara Mastrangelo / her husband Tillio WEDNESDAY, MAY 20 + Helen Bay / Jean & Eric Stroud THURSDAY, MAY 21 + Lawrence A. Guarino / his wife and family FRIDAY, MAY 22 + Theresa Marie Wickham / Deacon Jim & MaryLou Cammarano SATURDAY, MAY 23 + John Moss, Jr. / his sister Anna Zboraj SUNDAY, MAY 24— THE ASCENSION OF THE LORD + Geraldine Leckel / Marie & Bob Neubig + Phaolo Chu / Thu Chu + John Zboraj, Jr. / Zboraj Family

6TH SUNDAY OF EASTER —MAY 17, 2020

Monday: Acts 16:11-15; Jn 15:26—16:4a

Tuesday: Acts 16:22-34; Jn 16:5-11

Wednesday: Acts 17:15, 22—18:1; Jn 16:12-15

Thursday: Acts 18:1-8; Jn 16:16-20

Friday: Acts 18:9-18; Jn 16:20-23

Saturday: Acts 18:23-28; Jn 16:23b-28

THE COTHING BINS ARE BACK!!!!!! The clothing bins in the Saint Thomas the Apostle parking lot that support the work of Catholic Charities have re-opened!!!!

This program makes it possible for Catholic Charities to receive much-needed funds for their work. If you have any gently used clean clothes please give them to Catholic Charities. They are sold in thrift stores throughout the tri-state area.

SAINT JOHN VIANNEY

05/03/2020: $2,815.00 Good Shepherd Sunday

FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER 05/10/2020

18 Envelopes: $1,050.00 4 Loose Checks $ 459.00 29 Online Giving: $1,260.00 Total $2,769.00

Last Year: $2,585.00 Fifth Sunday of Easter Second Collection: $10.00

05/03/2020: $7,603.00 Good Shepherd Sunday

FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER 05/10/2020 37 Envelopes: $3,162.00 19 Loose Checks: $2,842.00 54 Online Giving: $2,595.00 Total $7,953.00

Last Year: $6,568.00 Fifth Sunday of Easter Second Collection: $115.00

The Parish Community of St. john Vianney & St. Thomas the Apostle

YOUR HELP IS NEEDED

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

In difficult and challenging times, families stick together and take care of each other. Your parish family is no different,

and that is why we are asking for your help.

St. John Vianney and St. Thomas the Apostle are always grateful for the weekly stewardship that our parishioners offer

the parish. Your contributions fund the necessary day to day operations of the parish, its ministries and outreach pro-

grams, and the critical expenses associated with it. Because of the crisis, the usual steady Flow of income - as generated

by the weekly collection – has been severely affected.

We urge everyone to continue their financial stewardship of St. John Vianney and St. Thomas the Apostle in several

ways:

• Online giving through ParishSoft Online Giving…a convenient and secure way to make your weekly offer-

ing by using a credit card or bank transfer.

• Mobil App through ConnectNow | Giving.

• Text through ParishSoft.

• Sending your envelopes or checks by way of the mail or dropping them off in the mail-

box.

Information about all of these payment options is available on our website www. ststhomas-

john.org.

PRAYING THE ROSARY AS A PARISH FAMILY

As you all know due to the times we have not been able to gather together to pray the Rosary on Tuesday evenings. As May is the month of Mary, we will begin “gathering” together once again, connected by the internet! This will be a two-step process: we will gather in a small group on Zoom, record the prayer, and then send that video recording to be shared by our entire parish community. We are looking for volunteers to lead a decade from the comfort of your home!

We plan to “meet” to record this rosary on Friday, 5/22. Please contact Alyssa to volunteer: Alyssa@ststhomasjohn.org or call 973-697-6550 / 973-208-0090. Our first Rosary gathering will be Tuesday, May 26.

“TO EVERYTHING THERE IS A SEASON”

A TIME FOR PEACE For national and world leaders and those currently serving in the armed forces especially: PFC Jonathan Cuervo, USMC, PFC Anthony Imperato, USMC, Michael Guarino, US Army, Cpl Sebastian Geary, USMC, USAF, Airman James Perez, Sgt. Antoino Lettizia, USMC, OSSN(SW) Anthony S. Gambuti, US Navy, PFC Ryan Leyden, USMC, USAF Airman Matthew Cannarozzi, 2nd Lt. Andrew Verdes, Haley Kerrison Lt1, Army, Clara Shurtless, USMC. In honor of the Military serving our country at home and abroad, we invite you to remain after the Recessional Song at all weekend Masses to recite three (3) Hail Mary's for their safety.

A TIME TO BE HEALED Prayers for the sick: Brennan McCoy, Kathy Brennen, Aaron Alonzo, Sal D ’Arco, Kevin Wickert, Fumiko Lutz, Patricia Carapola, Courtney Sanchelli, Danny Scillieri, Gail Brennan, Rich Day, Richard Lavelle, Marion Coleson, Chris Osborne, Rose Kelly, Stephen Vecchiotti, Vincent Ottani, Ernie Sudo, Penny Sorokach (nursing home), Brandon Wozniak, Darlene Kolakovic, Fr. Dan Kelly, Fr. Joseph Farias, Helen Turosky, Joey Dyl, Don King, Kenny Miscisak, Emily Fleming, Emily Schmidt, Ethan Rodriguez, Carol, Mary Swerzenski, our friends H and Ch, Deacon Milt, Jessica Taylor, Tim Lambert, Daniel Ingram, Nancy, Hazel Voiner, Tony Bonfiglio, Lynn Snouffer, Matthew Cusa and Sebastian Drelick.

A TIME TO MOURN Prayers for the deceased: Thomas Ingram, Jerry Busko, Angelina DeLucia, Joan Juengling, Bishop Frank J. Rodimer, Karen A. Tofilski, Angela Sperber, Bryan Carolan, Ante Culic, Jean Doherty, Sophia Wolters, Pat Esposito, Józef Zajecki, Janice Barry, Karen Newton, Catherine Feuss, Jan Jakacki, E. James Shaffer, Louise M. Addotta, William E. Williams, Charles Stoveken, Jesse Bisbal, Victor Coleson, Jr., Luigi Russo, Ernest A. Zappile, Nereida Addotta, Andrew Dolinich, Betty Klein, Joe Endlicher, George Christ, Mildred Einreinhofer, Devon Carbery, Joseph Florio, Fr. Thomas Rainforth, Ralph Albano, Sr., Cveta Szugzdo, James Ford, Carol Perrucci, Jean Farrell, Donald Smitherman, Mary Anne Allender, Jason Free, Joyce Kerr, Mary Strangia, Jean Farrell, Don Ciuppa, Msgr. Brendan Madden, Raymond Angelucci, Stephanie Perrotta, James France III, Louise Anne Sincaglia and Rose Schilacci, Dolores Daly, Nancy Barbieri, Rich McLeod, Marlene Blahut, Rev. Stanley Kostrzomb and Phyllis Bonfiglio, Beverly Bierbaum, Louis “Louie” Panetta, Jack Van Antwerp Raymond Hirsch, Francis Marinello, Bill Barrett, Lawrence (Lorenzo) Guarino, Lester King , Mary Dick, Rick Baxter, Charles & Elizabeth Mylod, Richard Bay, Msgr. Charles Cassidy, former pastor of Our Lady of the Lake, Sparta, Magdealena Szieber, Eileen & William Carbery, Martin Addison, Carmela Mediterro, Theresa Marie Wickham and Herb Fisher.

BAPTISM

Until further notice all baptisms administered by the ordinary minister of the sacrament within parish settings are deferred except in case of urgent necessity. Should an urgent necessity arise, the faithful should contact a priest immediately. Couples desiring to have their child baptized should be active parishioners, attending Mass regularly. Parents must attend a Baptism Preparation Meeting. The next meeting will take place at Saint Thomas the Apostle on Monday evening the next meeting will be announced. To make baptismal arrangements contact the parish office by email: terry@ststhomasjohn.org or call Saint John Vianney at 973-697-6550 / Saint Thomas the Apostle at 973-208-0090.

CONFESSIONS By request: contact the parish office.

MARRIAGES Prior to your booking of the reception, please call the Parish Office 1 year in advance of the wedding date to allow for proper pre-marital preparation.

Knights of Columbus ~ Council Meetings St. John Vianney Council #12649 meets at Saint John Vianney Church Hall the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month. Joseph Lamb Council #5510 meets on the 1st & 3rd Thursday of each month at Wiegand Farm – Department for Persons with Disabilities’ meeting room. Both meetings start at 7:30 p.m.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAM

Saint John Vianney/Saint Thomas the Apostle debbie@ststhomasjohn.org ALL CLASSES HAVE BEEN CANCELLED FOR THE REMAINDER OF THIS ACADEMIC YEAR. PARISH MEMBERSHIP: A parishioner is one who belongs to the parish family. As such, he/she is registered and is committed through participation in the life of the parish. Marriages to be administered and Sponsor Certificates, recommendations, etc. to be issued by the office, the person requesting such must be registered and an active member of Saint John Vianney Parish or Saint Thomas the Apostle Parish community. We request that you register at the rectory when you move into our community so that we may be of service to you.

6TH SUNDAY OF EASTER —MAY 17, 2020