(973) 803-4200

Ricevete un saluto cordiale e i migliori auguri di Buona Pasqua.  
 

This newsletter has two parts: first, i present the calendar of the most significant activities in St. Lucy from now up to June. Second, i continue my presentation of the working committee of the parish. 
 

Looking at the calendar, this is truly the most dynamic time of the year for our parish. All of us are call to participate in living the moment in service and giving of our best. 
 

March 20: First Penance for Children receiving first Communion in May.

St. Joseph night and annual raffle. 
 

PASSOVER PRESENTATION Profound in its content, Simple and catechetical in it presentation. speaker: Fr. Luigi Zanotto, D.Th.  
 

When?

March 15-16-17 will be in Spanish

March 22-23-24 in English 
 

Monday March 22, 7 - 8 p.m.

Topic: The people of Israel experienced the Passover of God in their history.

Tuesday March 23, 7 - 8 p.m.

Topic: The Christians recognize the Passover of God (Easter) in Jesus Christ.

Wednesday March 24, 7 - 8 p.m.

Topic: The experience of the Passover of God in my life and in our society.  
 

Just one hour each night, but intense and joyful: Presentation of the topic in power point, questions and coffee. 
 

March 27 Retreat for more than 200 Children who will be Confirmed on May the 2^nd. 
 

EASTER CELEBRATION

28 Palms Sunday

29-30-31 a time for prayer and confessions 
 

April 1: Holy Thursday

In the last supper Jesus gave himself to us and he asked us to do the same in memory of him. In order to express our desire to follow him, I want to highlight the washing of the feet. After this ceremony the members of the steering committee will make a promise to serve the community of St. Lucy. This “promise” ceremony is open to the members of the Choir, the guard of honor, catechists… all persons who want to serve the community.

Serve until give our life.  

April 2: GOOD FRIDAY

If the weather is favorable, we will use the wonderful plaza of St. Lucy for the way of the cross and for the liturgy. 

April 3: HOLY SATURDAY

We have a large number of people ready to receive the sacraments of Christian initiation: baptism, con-firmation and first communion. This will be a night of light and grace. 

April 4: EASTER SUNDAY

We will celebrate the joy of victory over death and negativity and the birth of the new human being. Jesus is alive and the real guide and pastor of our community. Jesus helps us to serve you.  
 

April 9:

Msgr. Granato’s birthday

We never cease to give thanks to God for the gift of Fr. Joe. He is a marvelous example of generosity in serving and loving God and all God’s people.  
 

APRIL 11:

BIRTHDAY OF ST. GERARD

12:15–celebration of the birthday of St. Gerard with solemn mass and procession around the Plaza.

Msgr. Granato will be the main celebrant and Fr. Tom the Homily preacher…in the best and good tradition of celebration at St. Lucy. 
 

3:00 p.m. celebration of the Feast of Divine Mercy,

with exposition, prayers and Mass at 5:00 p.m.  
 

May 2: Confirmation more than 200 will receive the sacrament of the Holy Spirit. And then? We need to be creative and keep them close because we don’t want them to disappear from our parish.  
 

May 9: First Communions and Mother’s Day. All of us have a wonderful memory of our fist communion, thanks to the catechists who make it a remarkable day for our kids.

May 23: Pentecost Sunday

St. Lucy is a parish without borders. From the beginning of the parish, Italian immigrants opened their arms and embraced all new groups of immigrants. At 11:00 Mass on Pentecost we will celebrate the diversity and plurality of cultures present in our parish. 
 

May 29 Ordination

May 30, 12:15 p.m. First mass of Anthony Marcantuono

God called one of our boys, one of the sons of St. Lucy to be a priest. After a long journey of preparation, Antony will be ordained a priest on May 29. All of us are invited to make the effort to be present at his ordination. The day after, he will celebrate his first mass at St. Lucy. A special committee will be appointed to organize and prepare three days of celebration.  
 

May 29 - Pax Christi Retreat. The retreat precedes the foundation of the first Hispanic Pax Christi group in the state of New Jersey here at St. Lucy. 
 

June 6 Corpus Christi Procession

The love of the Blessed Sacrament is one of the characteristics of St. Lucy. The adoration group is invited to prepare a program for this celebration. We used to have a procession from the cathedral to St. Lucy. Can we repeat this experience? 
 

June 13 first anniversary of ordination of Fr. Peter.

Fr. Peter was ordained in May 2009. He was assigned to St. Lucy on January 20, 2010. He loves music and is a good soccer player. Thanks Peter for your presence and your love.

PART TWO OF OUR NEWSLETTER.

Here I want to share some important decisions that benefit our community.

We have organized some committees to help in the running of the parish. 
 

Mr. Steve Adubado and St. Lucy agree to cooperate.

Pushed by the need to face the problem of financial difficulties (we are running in the red), we have rented the GYM in the community center to Mr. Steve Adubado’s organization.  
 

Gas and telephone system

We found another company where we can buy our Gas and electricity at a lower rate. Also, we are cutting some expenses by merging into one the different telephones systems. 
 

Steering Committee

In order to run the parish better, a “Steering Committee” was recently formed. The people involved in this committee are representing the key activities of the parish. I will meet with these persons once a month and ask them: how we are doing? What are the most urgent issues in our community? What suggestions do you have to resolve some particular issues? They are called to share the responsibility of the running of the parish community.  
 

Here is the list of the people on the Steering Committee:

Catechesis: Alba Rose Collucci (973) 748-9230

Finance: Antony Rosamilia (201) 638-4937

Liturgy: Dennis Tucci (973) 815-0543

Maintenance: Alan Genuario (973) 338-5439

Communication: Paul Perrillo (732) 674-1966

St. Gerard committee: Joe & Diane DeBlasio (973) 237-1260

Evangelization-Youth: Sr. Mary Henrietta (973) 482-2607

Hispanic: Josefa López (973)

495-1796

IGBO: Victoria Egejuru (973)

444-4451

Filipinos and Asians: Jennifer Amolat (917) 743-1477

Social and French community:

Simplice Ahoua (201) 463-2584  
 

The Steering Committee meets once a month on the first Monday. If you have ideas, concerns, proposal… tell the members or ask to come and present personally your issue. 
 

Liturgy team

Dennis Tucci: (973) 815-0543

Tom Collucci: (973) 748-9230

Sr. Mary Henrietta (973) 482-2607

Victoria Egejuru: (973) 444-4451

Simplice Ahoua: (201) 463-2584

Maria Naham: (973) 697-3872–for adoration.

In the last meeting of the liturgy team, we spoke about having a mass coordinator - Alter Servers – A singer to helping the community to participate in all Masses – lectors for each Mass – provide a liturgy booklet to help people participate in funerals, wedding, and baptisms. Our goal is that all liturgies be well done and solemn. 
 

St. Gerard Shrine team

St. Gerard team has started to work with enthusiasm, intelligence, creativity and real passion for St. Gerard.
They are open for collaboration and help.  Everybody is very welcome. 
 

The Maintenance Team

is helping to save money and be more efficient. 
 

Lent purpose

Be positive, be proactive, and be kind. 
 

Your friend and father
                       Luigi