Live Lent 2025

This will be your ideal companion as you gather weekly in your small group to gain inspiration during this Jubilee Year of Hope.

           Come and Join the Journey of Hope

Start for the first time or continue with a St. Matthias Small Faith Sharing Group!

We have15+ groups that meet on various days/times of the week.

If you are new to this experience, please click here to sign up.

Facilitators will be contacting group members who have been part of their group. Each group likely will be meeting either on Zoom or in person, usually on the same date/time.

Groups will begin the week of March 2. New members, please sign‐up by February 28th. Most groups will be using the same resource.

In Small Faith Groups, there’s always new insights we receive from the Scriptures.  Insights that benefit us the rest of our lives. For everyone there is a need to pause, reflect, and pray. Let us take this time during Lent to Journey in Hope with each other.

 

Make a friend, be a friend, bring a friend to Christ

Metuchen Cursillo Movement 

 Annual Lenten Encounter with Christ 

Saturday, April 5, 2025 

8:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. 

Mary, Mother of God Church 

157 S. Triangle Road Hillsborough, NJ

The Mission will continue…

Very Rev. Timothy Christy  (St. Francis Cathedral, Metuchen)

Dcn. Sal Bonfiglio, OFS

(Mary, Mother of God Church, Hillsborough) Share In:

Mass, Stations of the Cross, Keynote Speakers , Adoration

Benediction, Confession

Please Register: 

http://www.metcursillo.org/events encounter.htm

Breakfast Delights

No Admission Fee/Free Will Offering

Make a friend, be a friend, bring a friend to Christ 

 

Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

 

A Message from Deacon Ron

Dear Friends,

Gratitude is a powerful force that can transform our lives and the lives of those around us. It is the reconditioning of the things we have, the people who support us, and the opportunities we are given. When we cultivate a grateful heart, we open ourselves to a deeper sense of joy, peace, and fulfillment. In the bustle of our daily lives, it is easy to take things for granted.

We often focus on what we lack rather than what we have. But when we pause to reflect on our blessings, we begin to see the abundance that surrounds us. Gratitude shifts our perspective from scarcity to abundance, from negativity to positivity. Being grateful does not mean ignoring the challenges and difficulties we face. Instead, it means acknowledging them and finding the silver linings within them. It means recognizing that even in the midst of hardship, there are still things to be thankful for. This mindset helps us build resilience and find strength in adversity. Gratitude also fosters a sense of connection and community. When we express our appreciation to others, we strengthen our relationships and create a ripple effect of kindness. A simple “thank you” can brighten someone’s day and remind them that they are valued. By practicing gratitude, we contribute to a culture of positivity and support. Let us take a moment each day to reflect on the people and the things we are grateful for. It could be as simple as the warmth of the sun, the smile of a loved one, or the opportunity to learn and grow. By making gratitude a daily practice, we can transform our lives and the world around us. May we all strive to cultivate a grateful heart and live each day with an attitude of gratitude.

Amen.

 

Cancelled – Knights of Columbus Pancake Breakfast February 9th

Cancelled due to the expected inclement weather.

The Knights of Columbus will hold its annual Pancake Breakfast in honor of Past Grand Knight Robert Norland next Sunday, February 9th from 8:00 am – 12:00 noon in the school cafeteria. Proceeds from the breakfast will benefit St. Matthias School Tuition Angels.  

The cost is $12.00 for adults, $5.00 for ages 10-18 and children under 10 are free.

The breakfast menu is pancakes, eggs, sausage, bagels, juice, coffee, and much more.

We look forward to seeing you there!

 

Feast of the Presentation of the Lord – Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

 

A Message from Debbie Schurko

Dear Friends,

Today we celebrate the Feast of the Presentation, also known as Candlemas—one of my favorite Feast Days in the Church. It holds so much: the Holy Family, the prophet Simeon, and Anna. This feast marks a significant moment in the life of the Holy Family, with the public recognition of Jesus as the Messiah and His role as the light that guides us—hence, the title Candlemas. It is during this time that Jesus’ name, “Jesus,” meaning “God saves,” would be recorded. His name reflects both His identity and His mission.

This Feast is a pivotal moment in the life of the Church, as it is also the 4th Joyful Mystery of the Rosary. Simeon and Anna waited in joyful hope for the Messiah, and when the Holy Family entered the Temple, Simeon took Jesus in his arms and blessed God. This was the central moment of Simeon’s life. However, this joyful occasion is tempered with the anticipation of future sorrow, as Simeon prophesied that Mary’s heart would be pierced with grief. Salvation comes at a cost, as Jesus will one day give His life for us.

Simeon and Anna offer us an example—showing us that we, too, can rewire our hearts and minds to be in God’s presence in our daily lives. In the ordinariness of our daily “temples”—our homes, workplaces, schools, and churches—we can listen for God’s Spirit, perceive His presence in the mundane, and live in constant expectation of God coming into our lives. We can experience the power of Christ’s presence daily and share it with others: a candle never loses its light when it lights another. Let’s keep the light shining.

Jesus Christ is God’s light to the world.

Fun Fact 

February 2nd is also a day that celebrates a secular news event known as “Groundhog Day”.  Many do not realize Groundhog Day, the folklore of rodents’ shadows and weather predictions has its roots in the tradition of Candlemas Day in Europe and the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord.

Candlelmas Poem

If Candlemas be fair and bright, Come, Winter, have another flight; If Candlemas brings clouds and rain, Go Winter, and come not again.

Our Catholic Christian Takeaway

No matter what the groundhog sees, let your light shine for all to see that we may always reflect the light of Christ to the world around us.

 

Debbie Schurko

Third Sunday in Ordinary Time – Catholic Schools Week 2025

 

This year we celebrate Catholic Schools Week from January 26 through February 1, 2025.

 In his recent exhortation Christus Vivit, Pope Francis tells us, ‘Christ is alive! He is our hope, and in a wonderful way he brings youth to our world, and everything he touches becomes young, new, and full of life. The very first words, then, that I would like to say to every young Christian are these: Christ is alive and he wants you to be alive!’

Pope Francis is reminding us that at the heart of each of our Catholic schools is Jesus Christ. Our schools strive to ensure each student reaches their full potential, irrespective of class, creed, or ethnicity. Each person is welcomed and included because we share a common humanity, each made in the likeness and image of God. It is Jesus who reveals to us how much God loves us and it is Jesus who models what it is to be fully human, in our thoughts, words, and actions. When we live as Christ taught us, we too become more fully alive, flourishing into the people we were made to be.

This Catholic Schools Week, we recognize and celebrate the unique contribution our Catholic schools make to the well-being and flourishing of our students. In Christ, we have the ultimate role model, the one who shows us how to live authentically and to our full potential, through faith, hope, and love. In our Catholic schools, we are called to bring about God’s reign by following Christ’s example. For when we are alive in Christ, we flourish, becoming the people we are called to be.

‘I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.’  (Jn 10:10)

Join us today for the Catholic Schools Week opening Mass at 10 am followed by St. Matthias School’s Open House from 11 am – 1pm.

 In honor of Catholic Schools Week, graduates, parents of graduates, or parishioners who are able to, please consider donating to Tuition Angels, a parish managed, confidential fund. Your gift helps a family to continue to provide a strong, Catholic, Christ-centered education to a child.

You may donate through Parish Giving, online, with a check in the donation basket, or a donation mailed to the Parish Office. Simply indicate on the envelope that the donation is for “TUITION ASSISTANCE” and kindly make a note on the check memo line”.  You may make a one-time donation, or an ongoing regular contribution to the fund. Our school continues to be a nurturing, vibrant and essential part of our parish community. Your donations will help to assist this critical component.

Thank you for your prayerful consideration of the Tuition Angels fund.

 

Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

 

Dear Friends,

As you read this, I should be home – God willing – to spend some time with my family, especially with my mother. I will be away for three weeks, but you all will certainly be in my prayers and thoughts. I wish to reflect on three important events occurring this week.

First: We are already in the “Week of Prayer for Christian Unity,” which began yesterday. The theme this year is based on a text from the Gospel of John: “Do you believe this?” (John 11:26). The year 2025 marks the 1,700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea in 325 AD. (Remember the Nicene Creed?) This commemoration provides a unique opportunity to reflect on and celebrate the common faith of various Christian churches as expressed in the Creed formulated at that Council. The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2025 is an invitation to draw on this common heritage and to enter more deeply into the faith that unites all Christians.

We know that Jesus prayed for unity: “Father, may they all be one” (John 17:21). But this unity is not realized as an organizational unity. Instead, I believe that it is possible to have a unity based on loving service, the fundamental mark of Christianity. Such a unity is possible if we accept what St. Paul asked us to do: “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:3).

Second: Tomorrow is MLK Day in honor of Martin Luther King Jr– the Baptist minister and civil-rights activist, who had a seismic impact on race relations in the United States, beginning in the mid-1950s. The King holiday is seen as a day to promote equal rights for all Americans, regardless of their background. The King Center has this to say about the theme for this year: “Our strategic theme for 2025 is ‘Mission Possible: Protecting Freedom, Justice, and Democracy in the Spirit of Nonviolence365’” 

Treating all with our God-given dignity and respect is still a challenge for us. That’s why the US Bishops Conference established an Ad Hoc Committee Against Racism. Here’s what the Bishops said: “Racism has rightly been called America’s original sin. It remains a blot on our national life and continues to cause acts and attitudes of hatred, as recent events have made evident. The need to condemn, and combat, the demonic ideologies of white supremacy, neo-Nazism and racism has become especially urgent at this time. Our efforts must be constantly led and accompanied by prayer – but they must also include concrete action.”

Third:  The National March for Life takes place this Friday, January 24 in Washington D.C. about which you have been reading in our recent bulletin issues. Over the past 52 years, the March for Life has collectively united millions of pro-life Americans from every age, background, and faith with a common purpose: to witness the inherent dignity and worth of every single human life, especially those endangered by abortion. As a pro-life Church, we support this largest annual human rights demonstration in the world, especially with our prayers.

We thank God that St. Matthias is a life giving community that welcomes and accepts all. Are we perfect? No. There is always room for improvement. Let us continue our efforts to eradicate any form of discrimination or prejudice in our thoughts and actions and promote life and unity.

Your brother in Christ,

Fr. Abraham Orapankal

 

Come Join Us for Adult G.I.F.T. (Growing in Faith Together).

Open to the Community

Our next session will be on Sunday, February 2nd.  We will start GIFT with the 12 Noon Mass. Then, immediately following in the church, we will gather to pray 2 decades of the Rosary, honoring the Rosary in a Year and offering our prayers to our Lady to instill HOPE into the hearts of families. The session will run until approximately 2:30 pm. We can’t wait to see you there! Let’s come together to celebrate and be inspired as we grow in our faith and support each other on the journey.

The School Advisory Council (SAC) is looking for new members.

The School Advisory Council (SAC) is looking for new members. St. Matthias Parish members, who would want to contribute some of their time and expertise to help advise the Pastor and the Principal in making St. Matthias School better today, and  well prepared for the future, are welcome. The individuals could be past, or current SMS parents or grand parents, who care deeply about the elementary and middle school Catholic education. Experience in education, finance, accounting, technology, engineering, property management, healthcare, procurement, or human resources is welcome.

The council generally meets once a month (6-7 times a year), in person and/or via zoom. The principal, the vice-principal and the pastor report on the current status and challenges. The council discusses the current issues and the ways to position the school in a better place for the future. The topics like academics, marketing, enrollment, technology and grounds improvements, giving (Tuition Angels, The Annual Fund)  and others are discussed. The council member term is 3 years. As we currently have a few members close to the end of their term, we are looking to fill multiple positions.

Interested individuals can contact the current SAC chair Sue Lenczewski, myworld2@comcast.net or the school Principal Mrs. Lynch, mlynch@stmatthiasnj.org. If you feel, you would be a good contributor, please pray about it, and reach out to us, as we strive to be a diverse team of advisors (in culture and experience) who can use their time and talent to assist the school administration in making SMS the best it can be.

SAC website – www.stmatthias.info/school-advisory-council

 

 

Franklin Township’s Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Community Breakfast

The Franklin Township Dr. Martin Luther King Community Foundation Presents

Franklin Township’s Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Community Breakfast

Monday, January 20, 2025

8:30AM Breakfast Buffet & Celebration

Double Tree Hotel– Somerset

Admission $60

Keynote Speaker:

Bonnie Watson Coleman

Congresswoman, U.S. House of Representatives

 

For Event Information, Ticket Sales, Donations or Business Promotion Use QR Code Above or Visit: www.FTMLK.org

Email FTMLKCF@gmail.com Call 732-328-8374

No tickets sold at the door.

Purchase Tickets Before 1/15/2025

All tickets are available through the website.

 

 

PROCEEDS AND CONTRIBUTIONS WILL BE USED FOR THE FTMLKCF SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM. DONATIONS CAN BE MAILED TO:

FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING COMMUNITY FOUNDATION, INC.

P.O. BOX 5684 SOMERSET, NJ 08875 (PAYABLE TO: FTMLKCF)

FTMLKCF IS A 501(C)3 NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION AND ALL DONATIONS ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE