April 18, 2021

The following PDF(s) include the Nicene Creed and the hymns for this Sunday’s and special masses (holy days, etc), which can be used in the absence of hymnals. You can either print it at home to take to mass with you, or view it on your phone at mass if you prefer.

If you do bring printed sheets with you to mass, please be sure to take them home with you after mass. For sanitary purposes, do not leave your sheets in the pews. Thank you!

Third Sunday of Easter and First Eucharist Celebration
April 18, 2021

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Please plan to join us in casual conversation and discussion about the upcoming Sunday Scripture and its relevance in our lives. We look forward to your sharing this time with us.

An Evening of Peace & Friendship
Scheduled on ZOOM
Tuesday, May 11, at 7:30 PM

All are welcomed — there is nothing to join. Please email SCC@saint-peter.org for the link and passcode to the ZOOM meeting.

St. Peter’s is beginning a telephone outreach to our parishioners who may need assistance. We would like to support our church family during these potentially isolating times; especially to those who are not able to get out.

To begin, we are asking for volunteers who will call identified parishioners. It is an opportunity to check in, make sure they are okay and if they are in any specific need. Prayer support will be offered if desired, including an opportunity to schedule a lay eucharistic visit or clergy visit.

If you are able and willing to volunteer by making phone calls to our parishioners, please let us know of your interest by completing the form below. More information will follow.

Due to the nature of this outreach, volunteer callers must be at least 21 years old.

The outpouring of support we receive in our Annual Appeal from many parishioners like you helps sustain the important ministries across the Archdiocese of Newark. These programs help to make our own parish a more vibrant place of worship. If you have yet to give, please pick up a pledge form at the back of the church or visit rcan.org/sharing. Thank you for your prayers and support.

If you would like to add a name to our Book of Intentions, please enter the person’s name below, and optionally a short description of the reason, if you wish to include it.

Our priests will include your intention(s) in their daily mass.

To add additional names after sending your first entry, just enter the next name and click “Submit” again as needed.

Ministry Profile:
Evenings of Peace and Friendship
Faithful Stewards in the time of COVID

“So many of us have been excused from having to physically practice our faith,” reflects ministry leader David Ashley. “This loss of our Parish community is a tragedy of this pandemic.” But the Evenings of Peace and Friendship that Ashley, Vinny Gagliostro and the members of the Small Christian Community CORE committee host through Zoom each month have continued to give parishioners the opportunity to put their faith into practice.

Parishioners gather on the 2nd Tuesday of the month (and weekly during Lent and Advent) to read and reflect on the upcoming Sunday Scripture readings. The evenings start at 7:30pm with a time of open conversation, then the gathering commences with a couple of minutes of silent meditation as Natalie Dengler plays the harp. Afterwards, an opening prayer is offered and a volunteer then leads the gathered group through a reading of the scripture for the upcoming Sunday Mass. After a few moments of silence to reflect on the Scripture and allow the Holy Spirit to speak, those present call out a word, a phrase or an image that has touched them. This begins a free-flowing discussion exploring the depth and relevance of the reading. And for the past year, all of this has continued to happen virtually.

“We’ve always had energetic, vibrant conversation in person—however on Zoom, there’s a sense of freedom, a palatable openness” says Ashley. “People say the internet isolates you from responsibility, yet we’ve experienced the opposite. There is a relaxed attitude being in your home on your comfy chair or couch which creates an even more spontaneous gathering. We are not sitting in rows in the chapel in a ‘lecture hall’ environment.”

“The discussion opens up a lot of doors,” comments Ashley who emphasizes that the Tuesday discussion doesn’t replace the Sunday worship; it enhances it. “There are insights that I had never envisioned that someone will bring to the conversation. So when we go, physically or virtually, to Church on Sunday, everyone is prepared and intent on listening to the priest’s Homily and discerning how the Gospel is relevant in our lives today.”

During the pandemic, an average of 20 parishioners have participated each month—including parishioners who have moved away and those who are not local on the scheduled evening. All are welcome.

If you’re not on the mailing list and would like to attend an Evening of Peace and Friendship, please email: SCC@saint-peter.org for the link to the Zoom gatherings.

April 11, 2021
Lectors

April 4, 2021
Harrison House

March 28, 2021
Singles Support Group

March 21, 2021
Faith Formation

March 14, 2021
Rosary Society

March 7, 2021
Music Ministry

February 28, 2021
The St. Peter’s Food Pantry

At all masses the weekend of May 8th/9th, the Respect Life Committee will be sponsoring the parish’s annual “Baby Shower” for expectant mothers in crisis pregnancies. We will be collecting diapers, baby clothing, blankets, and monetary donations.

Please bring only new items and make any checks payable to “St. Peter The Apostle Parish.”

All items and monies will be donated to local crisis pregnancy centers. These centers offer invaluable counseling services and resources to expectant mothers in need.  Every year, our parish is able to make a tremendous contribution to these young families. Please note that diapers (any sizes) are ALWAYS in need and monetary contributions will go a long way in helping those in need.

For more information, or if you have any questions about what items to bring, please feel free to contact Maria Brockmeier at brockmeier@verizon.net. Thanks in advance for your extraordinary generosity this year!

Please take just one minute to contact your representative in Congress. Please tell them to support the Born Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act:
Click here to send an email with just one click!

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Read Cardinal Tobin’s Letter:
Cardinal Tobin on Why the Catholic Church opposes the Reproductive Freedom Act

Cardinal Tobin Calls us to Action:
Please visit the New Jersey Right to Life page ( https://njrtl.org ) to find a pre-written letter to our state senator and assemblypeople (Lagana, Swain and Tully). Just provide your name and address, and all three will receive an email. Please stand up for life.

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Archdiocese of Newark
Respect Life Office
Hosting Martha’s Vineyards Retreats

“Let the Church always be a place of mercy and hope, where everyone is welcomed, loved, and forgiven.”
(Pope Francis)

The Church can also be a place to heal. We are called to “be merciful like the Father.”

So many are suffering from the effects of abortion. Where can they heal? Where can they feel safe and loved? The Archdiocese of Newark Respect Life Office will be hosting two upcoming Rachel’s Vineyard retreats to heal the wounds from abortion.

Retreat dates are
May 14-16, 2021 (English)
and April 23-25, 2021 (Spanish)

Contact the Respect Life Office for more details by calling 973-497-4350 (Spanish option 2) or e-mail:
Cheryl.riley@rcan.org (English)
elvinedoderaquelinfo@rcan.org (Spanish)

“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”
(Psalm 147:3)

* All Covid-19 Guidelines will be followed

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RADICAL NJ LEGISLATION PROPOSED

The Catholic Bishops of New Jersey have issued a statement opposing S3030/A4848, the so-called “Reproductive Freedom Act.” Visit NJ Catholic for more information. You can easily contact legislators through Lifenet Education.

For more information about respect life at St. Peter’s, contact Maria at brockmeier@verizon.net .

“Never tire of firmly speaking out in defense of life from its conception and do not be deterred from the commitment to defend the dignity of every human person with courageous determination. Christ is with you: be not afraid!” – St. John Paul II

“Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you.” – Jeremiah 1:5

Last spring the pandemic cancelled the Respect Life Committee’s Lenten Afternoon at the Movies event featuring the movie “Unplanned.” Because restrictions still apply, we are making the movie available for home viewing.

If you would like to borrow the DVD, please email Maria Brockmeier at brockmeier@verizon.net who will be happy to drop it off at your house and pick it up after you’ve viewed it.

Altar Bread, Wine and Lamp
2021 Availability

The Altar Bread, Wine or Lamp are available for a number of weeks in 2021 to reserve in memory of a loved one. The offering is $20 per item per week. Your memorial will be printed under the Mass Intentions in the weekly bulletin for the week you reserve.

Please call the rectory at 201-261-3366 to find out the open weeks and to reserve in your loved one’s name. After reserving your date, your offering can be made by check, or for your convenience, you can submit your offering online securely at Faith Direct One-Time Donation.

The rectory office is asking for your help in updating your contact information so that we can send you important parish communications by email. We ask that you please take a moment to click on the link below to update your family’s preferred email address and phone number. Thank you for helping us keep our records current.

Update Contact Information