We warmly welcome Oliver Anthony, son of Arthur and Lisa Adamczyk who was recently baptized. May the flame of faith grow ever stronger in his heart! God Bless the whole family!

We offer our sincere sympathy to the family of  JoAnn Scalera, who was recently called home to the Father. May her soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, rest in God’s peace.!

Cheryl Gatti, a recipient of this year's 

Catholic Charities Spirit of St. Francis Award

We congratulate parishioner Cheryl Gatti for being named one of the recipients of this year's Catholic Charities Spirit of St. Francis Award! This award is given annually to individuals and Catholic organizations in our diocese embodying "a commitment to the poor, vulnerable and disenfranchised," whose "example serves as an inspiration and a model for others to be drawn into a dynamic witness for Christ the Servant," and "who have been able to promote a sense of Catholic social teaching in the wider community."

Cheryl is active in a number of parish and community outreach programs.  She coordinates the parish Lazarus Ministry for those grieving the loss of a child, spouse, or other family member.  St. Mary’s has a long-standing relationship with St. Ann Parish in inner-city Newark.  Pre-pandemic, Cheryl picked up bread weekly and delivered it to the parish’s soup kitchen.  (When the soup kitchen had to change its operations in light of COVID, Cheryl began weekly bread deliveries to our neighbor, St. Joseph Parish in North Plainfield.)  She still assists St. Ann’s Children’s Literacy Program, which provides reading instruction and other learning activities throughout the school year.  With other St. Mary’s parishioners, Cheryl has assisted with our annual school-supplies and toy drives that benefited the children of St. Ann’s.  Cheryl has also volunteered her services at the Center for Great Expectations in Somerset, helping its mission of providing a safe haven and ongoing treatment for expectant women and parenting adolescents facing the consequences of abuse, addiction, homelessness and mental-health disorders.  Cheryl also was a member of the parish committee that worked with Msgr. Benwell to develop a safe plan for the reopening of our church in June.

This Thursday, October 22, at 7 pm, the Diocese will premiere a documentary on Catholic Charities, including a tribute to the Spirit of St. Francis Award recipients.  You can watch the documentary live at www.diometuchen.org/champions.  The documentary will continue to be available for viewing afterwards on the diocesan website.
Thank you, Cheryl, for your witness and for making St. Mary's proud.  May Our Lord, through the intercession of St. Francis of Assisi, abundantly bless you and your family and our sisters and brothers whom you so selflessly serve.
 

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