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APRIL 19, 2020 2032 WESTFIELD AVENUE SCOTCH PLAINS, NJ 07076 PHONE: 908.322.5192 WWW.STBARTHOLOMEWCHURCH.ORG
Reflection by Father John Paladino
J ESUS IS THE FONT OF
GOD'S DIVINE MERCY
Today the Church celebrates Divine Mercy Sunday. The central focus
is our celebration of the resurrection of Christ and the floodgates of
God’s mercy being opened upon us, and is based both on Scripture
and the revelations of Saint Faustina Kowalska.
Peter says in today’s second reading, Blessed be the God and Father
of our Lord Jesus Christ, who in his great mercy gave us a new birth
to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the
dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you.
Saint John Paul II, in his canonization of Sister Mary Faustina Kowalska, instituted this day into the
Church calendar. In his homily, he said:
“It is important then that we accept the whole message that comes to us from the word of God on
this Second Sunday of Easter, which from now on throughout the Church will be called ‘Divine Mercy
Sunday.’ In the various readings, the liturgy seems to indicate the path of mercy which, while rees-
tablishing the relationship of each person with God, also creates new relations of fraternal solidarity
among human beings. Christ has taught us that “man not only receives and experiences the mercy
of God, but is also called ‘to practise mercy' towards others: Blessed are the merciful, for they shall
obtain mercy (Mt 5:7)” (Dives in misericordia, n. 14).
That mercy is easily seen in the many healing miracles recalled in the Gospels. In each one, whether
physical or spiritual, the power of Christ to renew, forgive, and heal bursts into the life of someone
and, at times, even turns upside down the very laws of nature.
In today’s Gospel, that specific ministry of forgiveness and mercy is passed to the disciples, when Je-
sus says, Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them. THIS IS DIVINE MERCY.
When Thomas, broken and distraught at the death of Jesus cannot, or will not, bring himself to ac-
cept the Resurrection, Jesus gently takes him from obstinate refusal to a moment of faith. He coaxes
from Thomas one of the great confessions of faith: My Lord and my God! In that moment, Thomas
is healed and changed – healed of his grief and pain, changed from doubt to belief. THIS IS DIVINE
MERCY.
Having experienced that same forgiveness and healing in their own lives, the disciples now become
carriers of these gifts for all who will hear and respond to their preaching. For what they say about
the risen Christ is no mere fantasy. They witnessed his death on the cross, and now they witness with
their very eyes and with the touch of their hands that he is fully alive. DIVINE MERCY.
The need for those gifts of mercy and healing is as great today as it was in apostolic times, as Saint
John Paul II noted. Without it, we are lost – still in our sins, unable to be reconciled with God. So as
we continue to celebrate the Resurrection, let us each open our hearts to those gifts and then com-
mit ourselves to be conduits of them to others. DIVINE MERCY.
Spread love wherever you go.
Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier.
- Mother Teresa
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COVID-19 PANDEMIC UPDATE
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Community Outreach, Youth Group, Ministries, Faith Formation, Religious Education, Upcoming Parish Events & Meetings
Help us to Help Others Together We Can Like people all over the world, the YG tuned
in to all of our Holy Week and Easter Mass-
YOUR HOME IS YOUR CHAPEL
es via a screen. In order to stay connected
Father John and Father Da-
with the parish, the YG is encouraged to
vid threw down a challenge
keep visiting the St. Bartholomew Church
and the parish responded.
website. As for staying connected to our
The "Your Home is Your Cha-
YG Family, recent YG graduates, as well as
pel" Challenge asked parish-
all current leaders and members are get-
ioners to make a home altar
ting almost daily texts. The overall goal is
or a cross that had the words
to not only stay connected, but they often
"He is Risen" on them. If the
offer points of reflection, memories, and
challenge was completed and
inspirational quotes from various sources.
a picture sent in, Father John
It is amazing to realize that many of the
and Father David would come
messages received during childhood from
by the home and give a curbside blessing! 106 parishioners
shows, books, characters, friends, and fam-
took the challenge and off they went! From the outer edg-
ilies, are messages from the bible.
es of Scotch Plains/Fanwood to Warren, Clark, Greenbrook,
"When you think things are bad, when
Westfield, New Providence, Plainfield and Watchung, the two
you feel sour and blue, when you start to
were seen with their hands in the air blessing homes! Old and
get mad...you should do what I do...Just
young awaited the visit and greeted them with excitement. At
tell yourself, Duckie, you're really quite
one location, a whole neighborhood
lucky! Some people are much more...oh,
showed up to pray! People passing
ever so much more...oh, muchly much-
by would stop and ask for a blessing
much more unlucky than you!" -Dr. Seuss
as well. The two prayed over homes
Dr. Seuss may have said it that way, but in
and people and sprinkled Holy Wa-
John 1:16, we read it this way...
ter throughout the towns. Those
From the fullness of his grace we have all
that were fortunate enough to get
received one Blessing after another.
a blessing expressed their love for
Remember to always count your blessings.
the priests, the church and their
If you have a high school student in your
desire to return soon. While Father
life who wants to be part of YG, please
John and Father David wished they could have visited every-
have them reach out to the Youth Minister.
one, they shared how much they miss everyone, pray for them
Stay healthy & God Bless.
daily and cannot wait for the days we can all be together once FOR MORE INFO CONTACT JENNIFER RYAN
again! As Christ traveled from town to town sharing His love, jryan@stbartholomewchurch.org
so did our priests. We are truly blessed! To see the pictures,
you can go on Facebook or on our website under Community Hallelujah is Our Song!
Outreach Photos. This Sunday, our communion song is a piece
FOR MORE INFO CONTACT ELAINE COUPE by Sarah Hart, Sarah Kroger, Josh Blakesley
stbcommunityoutreach@gmail.com
and Trey Heffinger titled “Hallelujah is Our
Song”. Though I planned to include it for to-
day’s mass, weeks ago, when things in the
world were vastly different, it is a perfect fit.
It begins with the words “What hope we have
SUNDAY MORNING GRADES 1-4 even in the longest night, for the light will
WHOLE FAMILY CATECHESIS GRADES 3-6 overcome. We will not fear for we know the
WORD AND FAITH GRADES 5&6 sun will rise”. Verse two goes on to say, “What
INCLUSIVE FAITH FORMATION peace we have, even in this wounded world
CONFIRMATION PROGRAM where the battle rages on. We will not fear, for
we know who heals our souls – Hallelujah is our
FOR MORE INFO CONTACT CONNIE BORUCH song”. What a completely appropriate mes-
religioused@stbartholomewchurch.org
908.322.2359 sage for this moment! While acknowledging
that so much is bad and wrong in our world
As we look forward to the 2020-2021 school year with hope right now, the Easter joy and the hope of the
and joy, the Religious Ed Office has been emailing registra- Resurrection supports us, sustains us and ulti-
tion forms to all families who would be returning/entering in mately triumphs over all sorrow and suffering.
the fall. If you have not received your registration form, please The angels words to Mary Magdalene at the
contact our office at religioused@stbartholomewchurch.org. tomb – “Do not be afraid”, echoed again by
Religious Ed Families, please also continue to keep an eye out the Risen Jesus, to his disciples need to be
for our emails containing ideas and links to activities and vid- sung, believed and taken to heart. Do not be
eos. May the light of God’s love in Jesus’ Resurrection bring us afraid – God is with us. Sing along at home,
all hope and peace. and keep the message of hope within you.
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Sacraments, Prayers, Special Intentions & Mass Intentions
MARCH BAPTISMS
CONGRATULATIONS
Sophia Grace, daughter of Brian & Lauren Ubaldi Sunday, April 19
7:30am Sheila Blom
Luke Anthony, son of Maliek & Kimberly Flynn req. by Tom & Barbara Straniero
Liliana Bella, daughter of Michael & Donna Martins Anne Bardolf
Sadie Ann, daughter of Eugene & Julie Ferrara req. by Maureen & Bob LaCosta
9:00am Sheila Blom
Baptisms are celebrated throughout the month on Saturdays req. by Holy Name Society
and Sundays. First-time parents are required to attend a Sandra DePalma
Baptismal Preparation Class, held the last Sunday of each req. by North Jersey Eye Care
month at 1:30pm. Registration in advance is required. 10:30am Mary Caliendo
Please call 908.322.5192. req. by her Loving Children
Mauro & Laura DelNegro
req. by Peter & Maria DiNizo
RECONCILIATION Noon Antonio & Anna DiFrancesco
The Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession) req. by Loving Family
Michael Ruzek
is celebrated every Saturday at 4pm. req. by Loving Family
Monday, April 20
6:30am Patrick Palumbo
WEDDING req. by Anna Ruzek
8:30am George Rachko "40th Anniversary"
req. by daughter, Ginger
Archdiocesan policy requires that arrangements be made Tuesday, April 21
with a parish priest or deacon as soon as 6:30am Louis Mancini
the engagement is announced. req. by Patrick & Irene Bartels
8:30am Nicole Rista-Fitzpatrick
req. by Anne Morgan
A TIME TO HEAL Wednesday, April 22
PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR SICK. 6:30am John Joseph McDonough
req. by Patrick & Irene Bartels
8:30am George Hahn
Edilberto Agaton Jr. Victoria Armstrong req. by Robert & Paula Criscuolo
Helen Campbell Tami Eddy Thursday, April 23
Palmiro Ferraro Deacon Bob Gurske 6:30am Kristan Hilla
req. by Nancy Nahaczewski
Emma Lara Peter Morgan 8:30am Micheal Ruzek
Paul Pettit Richard Rosko req. by his Loving Family
Kenneth & Maureen Vincent Friday, April 24
Please Note: 6:30am Maureen Mlynarczyk
For privacy reasons and HIPAA regulations, names may only req. by The Skara Family
be added by members of the immediate family after they 8:30am Mary Williams
req. by Donna Iasello
have received permission of the one who is ill or injured. Saturday, April 25
In the event of serious illness or hospitalization, the rectory 8:30am Edward Magnani
should be notified. Visits to the sick and shut-ins are made by req. by Elaine Coupe
the priests, deacons and ministers of the Eucharist. It is not 5:00pm Richard Santoriello
necessary for someone to be “gravely ill” to receive the req. by Dr. & Mrs. Nicholas Santoriello
Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. Eleanor Witkowski
req. by his the Kennedy Family
Sunday, April 26
WELCOMED HOME BY GOD 7:30am William Kovalcik Sr.
Our sympathy and prayers are extended to the family of req. by John Kovalcik
Kathryn Bonhote Anna Bender
Barbara Faccone req. by John Kovalcik
Reverend Francis (Frank) A. Heinen 9:00am Donna Fantini
req. by husband, Alphonse & Family
Kathy Maxewell Hana Hlidzik
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord. req. by Nancy & Tom Otchy
10:30am Mindy Sweeney
req. by brother, David
Mindy Sweeney
req. by Elaine Coupe
Noon Nancy Iosca
ALTAR CANDLES BREAD & WINE req. by Maria, Peter & Elizabeth
In Memory of Mary Williams In Memory of Mary Williams Frances Spotts
req. by Daniel Iasello req. by Anna Annunziata req. by Geri & Charlie Barcellona
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Rectory Directory, Available Services, This Week’s Calendar, Social Media & Stewardship of Treasure
CONTACT US
Did you know that St.
PARISH OFFICE Rectory/Parish Offices Bartholomew the Apostle
Rectory Phone: 908.322.5192 Phone: 908.322.5192 pays a small fee for all gifts
Fax: 908.322.2598 made using credit cards?
Paul Milan Email: contact@stbartholomewchurch.org
PASTORAL ASSOCIATE for Faith Direct is now offering
DIVINE LITURGY and SACRED MUSIC Website: www.stbartholomewchurch.org a way for families to give a
pmilan@stbartholomewchurch.org phone ext. 260 little bit extra each month
Patricia Krema Academy Office to offset these processing
PASTORAL ASSOCIATE for Phone: 908.322.4265 costs. We ask you to please
DIVINE LITURGY and ADULT FAITH FORMATION Fax: 908.322.7065 prayerfully consider adding
pkrema@stbartholomewchurch.org phone ext. 126 Email: admissions@stbacademy.org 2.5% to the processing to
Connie Boruch Website: www.stbacademy.org offset your regular tithing
PASTORAL ASSOCIATE for so that we can receive the
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION and FORMATION full amount of your gifts
religioused@stbartholomewchurch.org phone ext. 235 Religious Education Office each month. If you manage
Phone: 908.322.2359
Teresa Quigley E: religioused@stbartholomewchurch.org
your giving online, you can
DIRECTOR OF WHOLE FAMILY CATECHESIS log into your Faith Direct
religioused@stbartholomewchurch.org phone ext. 235 MASS AVAILABLE ON TV! account and check the box
Sandra Carroll For the home bound Parishioner, tune on the page where you can
in on Sundays at 10am to watch Mass. update your payment info.
SAFE ENVIRONMENT DIRECTOR Comcast channel 34 or Verizon chan-
stbartpgc@gmail.com phone ext. 135
You can also contact Faith
nel 22. Direct's customer service
Elaine Coupe COUNSELING SERVICES team to make the change
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY OUTREACH AVAILABLE for you. Thank you for your
stbcommunityoutreach@gmail.com phone ext. 141 If you are an individual, a couple or a continued support of our
family that is experiencing difficulties,
Jennifer Ryan there are counseling services avail- parish family.
DIRECTOR OF YOUTH MINISTRY able to you. All calls are confidential.
jryan@stbartholomewchurch.org phone ext. 155
Fees can be adjusted to one’s finan-
cial situation. Please note, that no one
Kathy Kobliska will be turned away for an inability
OFFICE MANAGER
to pay. Counselors available to you:
Barbara Stumm-Gray, Ed.S. p: 908.232.0893
kkobliska@stbartholomewchurch.org phone ext. 100 Joseph Ochs, LPC p: 732.221.6673
Dina Brue, LCSW p: 646.643.5345 St. Bart's has partnered
Cindy Pitonzo Laura Otchy, MS, Ed.S. LPC p: 973.580.5930
with Amazon Smile. Please
BUSINESS MANAGER FOLLOW, LIKE & SHARE
remember that while you
cpitonzo@stbartholomewchurch.org phone ext. 129 shop consider using smile.
@stbartchurch amazon.com. The Amazon
Jennifer Mortarulo Smile Foundation will
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS To keep up with events, fundraisers,
jmortarulo@stbartholomewchurch.org phone ext. 130 happenings of all kinds at the parish, donate 0.5% of the price
sbbulletin@verizon.net follow us on Facebook! of eligible purchases to our
David Triano church. It's no additional
FACILITIES MANAGER cost to you! Choose St.
Bartholomew Church via
Paulette Coronato this link: https://smile.
Joseph Dillon amazon.com and start
PARISH TRUSTEES shopping! Thank you for
your support.
Easter 2020 to date
Stewardship April 12, Total $34,875 Deficit
of Treasure 2020 Easter 2019
($28,900)
Total $63,900
MEETINGS & EVENTS
MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY
April 20 April 21 April 22 April 23 April 24 April 25
No Meeting No Meeting No Meetings No Meeting No Meeting No Meeting
Scheduled Scheduled Scheduled Scheduled Scheduled Scheduled
SUNDAY
April 26 No Meeting Scheduled
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