BULLETIN ANNOUNCEMENTS Updated: January 10, 2021 ***** Please insert the following information into your bulletin the weekend of Jan. 16/17: NJ Catholic Bishops Issue Call for Prayer & Fasting to End Abortion "We, the Catholic Bishops of New Jersey, ask Catholics and people of good will to join us on Friday, January 22, 2021, the 48th anniversary of Roe vs. Wade, in a Day of Prayer and Fasting to end abortion.  "As we mark this tragic event in our nation’s history, we remember the millions of lives lost to abortion and pray for the mothers and fathers left to suffer the tragic effects. "The Catholic Church is committed to protecting all life from conception to natural death. We will work vigorously to ensure the laws of our state and country protect and defend the intrinsic dignity of all people. "We humbly implore our Blessed Mother under her title of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Americas and Protectress of the Unborn, to intercede on our behalf that these efforts to end abortion are guided by mercy, compassion, and above all charity."  ***** Please insert the following information into your bulletin the weekends of Jan. 16/17 and Jan. 23/24 (PDF flyer available): Come pray a rosary for life In solidarity with those at the March for Life in Washington, DC, and all who are praying for life in a special way on that day, Bishop James F. Checchio will pray a rosary for life on Main Street in Woodbridge on Friday, January 29 at 1 p.m. All are invited to attend, though face coverings and social distancing will be required. Those planning to attend are asked to park and meet in the St. James Parish, 369 Amboy Ave., Woodbridge, parking lot at 12:45 p.m. We will then process to the Main Street location. The rosary will be prayed in English and Spanish. There is a 12:10 p.m. daily Mass at St. James for those interested in attending before the rosary. For more information, contact: amarshall@diometuchen.org. (In Spanish) Ven a rezar un rosario por la vida En solidaridad con aquellos que participarán en la Marcha por la Vida en Washington, DC, y todos los que estarán orando por la vida de una manera especial ese día, el Obispo James F. Checchio rezará un rosario por la vida en Main Street en Woodbridge el viernes 29 de enero, a la 1 pm. Todos están invitados a asistir, pero será necesario el uso de la máscara y mantener el distanciamiento social. A los que planeen asistir el punto de encuentro es el estacionamiento de la parroquia de St. James, 369 Amboy Ave en Woodbridge, a las 12:45 p.m, donde podrán estacionarse. Luego nos dirigiremos hasta la ubicación en Main Street. El rosario se rezará en inglés y español. Tendremos la Misa diaria en St. James a las 12:10 p.m. para los interesados en asistir antes del rosario. Para obtener más información, comuníquese con: amarshall@diometuchen.org. ***** Please insert the following information into your bulletin the weekends of Jan. 16/17 and Jan. 23/24: St. Timothy and St. Teresa Awards Every year, the Office of Youth & Young Adult Ministry honors Juniors and Seniors from the Diocese of Metuchen with the St. Timothy and St. Teresa of Calcutta Awards. In past years, these awards have been presented in person, however this year, due to the pandemic, the awards will be presented virtually on Tuesday, Jan. 26 at 7 p.m. For more information or for the link to the video premiere of the awards presentation, please visit: https://diometuchen.org/youthministry. ***** Please insert the following information into your bulletin on weekends in January: New Jersey Reproductive Freedom Act On October 8, 2020, The Reproductive Freedom Act (RFA) S3030 was introduced in the New Jersey State Senate and was referred to the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee. If passed, the RFA would codify into New Jersey law the findings of Roe v. Wade, meaning that abortion would remain legal in New Jersey even if the case were overturned by the Supreme Court. The RFA would also strip safeguards and regulations on the abortion procedure, making New Jersey a more dangerous place for women and their unborn babies. The Assembly companion bill is A4848. The Diocesan Office of Human Life & Dignity has been working closely with the New Jersey Catholic Conference (NJCC) on this issue to develop resources and monitor the bill. Here is the link to NJ Catholic Conference's updated Reproductive Freedom Act resource page: https://njcatholic.org/reproductive-freedom-act. Please check this website frequently for updates. Also, please make sure to sign up on the above website to receive action alerts A webinar has been recorded which focuses on providing an overview of the legislation, an update on the bill's legislative status, and suggestions on action steps people can take at this time. This is something you can use to help educate family, friends and fellow parishioners. You are encouraged to watch it so you can understand the radical nature of this measure. The link is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kshuo78QZdA&feature=youtu.be For more information contact: human.life.and.dignity@diometuchen.org.Thank you! ***** Please insert the following information into your bulletin on weekends in January: Volunteer to Make Pocket Rosaries for Law Enforcement The Office of Family Life is pleased to announce the creation of the Blue Rosary Guild. The purpose of the Guild is for community members of all ages to make pocket Rosaries for law enforcement officers, providing them with support and spiritual strength and promoting devotion to the Rosary among all the faithful. All materials and instructions will be provided and a Zoom virtual tutorial will also be scheduled. Anyone interested should contact Cristina D'Averso-Collins, Director of the Office of Family Life at cdaverso@diometuchen.org. ***** Please insert the following information into your bulletin weekends in January: Religious Awards for Catholic Girl Scouts Since there will not be an annual Gathering Day for Girl Scouts in person this year, the Catholic Girl Scout Committee has designed a series of virtual meetings so that Girl Scouts can continue to make progress toward their religious awards, including the following: Juniors - I Live My Faith Cadettes - Marian Medal Seniors and ambassadors - Spirit Alive If you are interested in participating in these virtual meetings, please email domgirlscouts@gmail.com and providing the following information: - Name - Parish - Girl Scout level - Religious award of interest - Have you started to work on this award? ***** Please insert the following information into your bulletin the weekend of Jan. 30/31: English: CATHOLIC SCHOOL 2021-2022 TUITION ASSISTANCE ONLINE APPLICATION PROCESS OPEN Families interested in applying for tuition assistance to attend an eligible Diocese of Metuchen elementary or high school may apply online now through FACTS Grant & Aid Assessment at https://online.factsmgt.com/aid. Online applications must be completed (including all required documentation) by no later than March 31, 2021. Applications are available in English and Spanish. Families that need assistance completing the online application or need access to a computer to apply should contact their school. Español: ESCUELA CATÓLICA 2021 -2022 ASISTENCIA DE MATRÍCULA PROCESO DE APLICACIÓN EN LÍNEA ABIERTO Las familias interesadas en solicitar asistencia con la matrícula para acudir a una escuela primaria o secundaria elegible de la Diócesis de Metuchen, pueden presentar su solicitud en línea ahora a través FACTS Grant & Aid Assessment en la dirección electrónica https://online.factsmgt.com/aid . Las solicitudes en línea deben completarse (incluida toda la documentación requerida) antes del 31 de Marzo de 2021. Las solicitudes están disponibles en inglés y en español. Las familias que necesiten ayuda para completar la solicitud en línea o necesiten acceso a una computadora para postularse deben comunicarse directamente con su escuela. ***** Please insert the following information into your bulletins the weekend of Jan. 16/17: Please consider joining us for the Annual Diocesan Respect Life Mass & Pro-Vita Awards on Friday, January 22 at 5 p.m. at the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi, Metuchen. Bishop James F. Checchio will be the celebrant. Seating is limited so registration is required. Please register by visiting: www.diometuchen.org/humanlifeanddignity. The Mass will also be live-streamed. For more information, contact human.life.and.dignity@diometuchen.org ***** Please insert the following information into your bulletin the weekend of Jan. 16/17: January 17, 2021 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time ALL - WAITING Today’s readings talk to us about “call” – Samuel called by the Lord, the first disciples called by Jesus. Our God constantly calls us to enter into a personal relationship with him. In daily life, especially during these difficult Covid Pandemic days, it is not so simple to hear the call of God. Sometimes others are most valuable in helping us – Eli helped Samuel, and Andrew helped his brother Simon. We invite you to Come and See how the Catholic Community can help you to respond to emptiness, or a longing to get to know God better, or a sense of being drawn to the Catholic Church. Attendance at an Inquiry Session requires NO COMMITMENT to join the Catholic Community. Inquiry Sessions are merely an opportunity to “Come and See” how the Catholic Faith Community can help you find a home in God. All who are unbaptized, baptized into another Christian denomination, or baptized Catholic but have never received BOTH sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist are invited. For more information, please reach out to our parish office. ***** Please insert the following information into your bulletin when space allows: Walking with Moms in Need – A Year of Service Pregnant and parenting moms in need are in our parishes and our neighborhoods. As Pope Francis reminds us, our parishes need to be “islands of mercy in the midst of a sea of indifference.” Everyone in our parish community should know where to refer a pregnant woman in need. Join this nationwide effort from March 25, 2020 to March 25, 2021. For more information please visit www.walkingwithmoms.com ***** Please insert the following information into your bulletin when space allows: As Catholics, we have an obligation to consider public policy issues in light of the Gospel and the moral and social teaching of the Church. As faithful citizens, we are called to respond in both prayer and action and consider how public policy can impact our communities, nation and world in the context of Catholic teaching. To provide the faithful of the Diocese of Metuchen with information and resources about issues affecting public policy and to highlight our lifelong responsibility as Catholics to form our own consciences in accord with the Church’s teaching, the diocese has launched a new webpage: https://diometuchen.org/issues-and-action. There you can sign up to receive action alerts directly from the diocese, or sign up to receive alerts directly from the New Jersey Catholic Conference and the USCCB. Visitors to the page can also take action on current pending legislation and can see the latest news affecting public policy in our state, nation and world. ***** Please insert the following information into your bulletin when space allows: Courage is a spiritual support group helping Catholic men and women live in accordance with the Catholic Church’s teaching about same-sex-attraction and discipleship. Courage members strive to develop lives of interior chastity in union with Christ, through participation in the Sacraments, prayer, fellowship and moral support. Courage meets within the Diocese with a priest chaplain. EnCourage is a separate spiritual support group for family members and friends of loved ones with same-sex-attraction. For information about locations and meeting times for each of these groups call: 732-562-2476 for Courage (e mail: couragecnj@gmail.com) and 732-248-9460 for EnCourage. Also visit the national website at Couragerc.org. All contacts are confidential. OR Pastoral Ministry for SAME-SEX ATTRACTION If you are struggling with unwanted same-sex attraction and seek confidential, Catholic pastoral care, call Courage: 732-562-2476, or e-mail couragecnj@gmail.com. Support for family members, call EnCourage: 732-248-9460. See the website at Couragerc.org ***** Please insert the following information into your bulletin when space allows: We are very pleased to introduce you to the Saint Peter’s Gianna Center located in New Brunswick, NJ. The Center is dedicated to offering truly prolife women’s health care, including infertility services, general gynecologic care, and more. All services are provided in accordance with the US Catholic Bishops Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services. Please visit http://www.saintpetershcs.com/GiannaCenter/ or contact us at 732-565-5490 for more information. ***** Please insert the following information into your bulletin when space allows: Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Metuchen is offering Counseling and Wellness Services. If you or someone you know needs counseling or is impacted by addiction, we can help. Individual and family therapy for children and adults is available. For an appointment, call (800) 655-9491. ***** Please insert the following information into your bulletin when space allows: 24 Hour Prayer Line Our Diocesan Office for Persons with Disabilities has a 24 hour prayer line for those who desire prayer for special needs. If you, a family member or friend would like to be remembered in prayer for a temporary or permanent illness, please call us and leave a detailed message at (732) 765-6431 or send an email to our office: catholicswithdisabilities@gmail.com More Resources for Persons with Disabilities Our Diocesan Office for Persons with Disabilities has a Facebook page that provides daily updates with short inspirational reflections for people with disabilities, family members and care givers. The site also provides endless resources for those with physical, emotional, cognitive, visual, auditory and other special challenges. To access our Facebook page (even if you are not a member of Facebook), type the following into your search engine: Diocese of Metuchen Office for Persons with Disabilities ***** Please insert the following information into your bulletin when space is available: Are you suffering after an Abortion? Help is available! If you or someone you know is suffering after an abortion, confidential, non-judgmental help is available! Experience God’s merciful love and begin the journey of healing: Call Project Rachel's local toll-free helpline number: 877-877-4300. or visit HopeAfterAbortion.org. Spanish-speakers may visit EsperanzaPosaborto.org or call Sisters of Life at 866-575-0075 or email: hopeandhealing@sistersoflife.org ***** Please insert the following information into your bulletin when space is available: Open Your Heart and Home to a Foster Child Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen is seeking loving families to foster children of all ages, who have been abused, neglected or have had multiple out of home placements, through its Treatment Family Homes Program, contracted by New Jersey’s Department of Children and Families. The goal for the children in this program is to leave foster care and achieve permanency through reunification with their families, adoption, or independent living. Catholic Charities provides these resilient children with individual and family therapy, assistance with educational and medical needs, and independent living skills to help them reach their full potential. Applicants must have adequate space for a child and complete a home study which includes background checks, references, interviews, and a home inspection. All Catholic Charities licensed families receive initial and ongoing specialized training, 24 hour emergency access to staff, respite services, monthly reimbursement for the child’s expenses and support from experienced families. For more information about the program, please visit www.ccdom.org or contact Miguelina Nunez at 866-247-HOME (4663) or at mnunez@ccdom.org. ***** Please insert the following information into your bulletin when space is available: Donate Your Vehicle to Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen! Funds from the sale of donated vehicles support our programs for the poor in need across Middlesex, Somerset, Hunterdon, and Warren counties. *Donated vehicles are tax deductible. *Free pick-up is available *Vehicles do not need to be running. Visit www.ccdom.org/cars or call 1-877-999-8322 to get started. ***** Please insert the following information into your bulletin: Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen Please consider supporting our local poverty relief services by donating gently used clothing, shoes, household items and small appliances to Catholic Charities-Diocese of Metuchen. Clearly marked donation boxes are available in more than 30 locations throughout our four-county diocese. For a complete list of drop-off locations, visit http://www.ccdom.org/how-you-can-help/clothing-donation-drop-boxes. If you have an item that is too big to fit in a donation box, call 877-343-3651 to arrange for a free pick up at your home. ***** Please insert the following information into your bulletin: "Community House at St. Thomas, in Old Bridge NJ, is a program managed by Catholic Charities and provides affordable, accessible housing for adults of very low income who have physical disabilities. Up to 8 physically challenged adults live together as a group, functioning to their individual level of independence, and with professional case management services provided. If you or someone you know is in need of this type of housing, please call Susan at (732) 251-0022 or go to www.commmunityhouse-saintthomas.org for further information. We look forward to hearing from you. ***** ATTENTION BULLETIN EDITORS: please insert the following announcement: How to Report Sexual Abuse If you were sexually abused by a member of the clergy or anyone representing the Catholic Church, or you know of someone who was, you are encouraged to report that abuse to local law enforcement, the New Jersey Division of Child Protection and Permanency at 1-877-NJ ABUSE (652-2873) or 1-800-835-5510 (TTY/TDD for the deaf), and also the Diocesan Response Officer at (908) 930-4558 (24 hours/7 days a week). For more information on how to report abuse, visit our diocesan website: diometuchen.org/healing. ***********