PARISH HAPPENINGS

The Parish Happenings for the week of 1/29/2012 are as follows:

Our Parish Mission Statement

- Our Lady of Perpetual Help -

A Catholic community growing together in our faith in Jesus Christ through prayer and loving service.

Eucharistic Adoration

Friday, February 3



            Please join us in spending some time with our Lord

in the Blessed Sacrament

                              The schedule for Adoration is as follows:

                                    7:00 - 7:30pm Children's Adoration

7:30 - 8:00pm Quiet Time with the Lord

8:00 - 9:00pm Prayer Service & Benediction

News from The School of St. Elizabeth

Help us celebrate Catholic Schools Week!

January 29 - February 4

Mass and Open House

Basketball

Buddy Lunches & Recesses

Scripps Spelling Bee

      Guest Teacher Day

HSA Staff Appreciation Lunch

Come visit the Book Fair all week in our Library!

Casino Night

Saturday, February 11

St. Elizabeth�s Memorial Hall, 7 - 11 pm

Last year was a huge success and a great time was had by all! Adults only. Tickets are $25. Please contact Amy Kaczynski at Kaczynski5@verizon.net or (732)673-7446 for more information or to purchase tickets in advance of the event. Thank you and don�t forget to mark your calendars!!!

Cross & Crown 5K

Saturday, March 24

Help us celebrate our School of St. Elizabeth's 95th anniversary with this inaugural even. The course starts and finishes at the school, winds through the scenic rolling hills of Bernardsville and ends in a fast downhill finish - the 3.17 miles (5K distance) is suitable for running or walking and is open to all ages. You can register via the application available on the school website (steschool.org) or online at register.bestrace.com/register/?event=7691. Please contact Susan Howley by phone at (908) 766-4165 or email cshowley1@msn.com for more information.

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Men�s Group

Non Perishable Food Drive

February 4 & 5

Please join our Men�s Group in helping to feed the hungry. Bring non perishable food items such as canned soups, fruits and vegetables, canned meats such as Spam, Corned Beef and Stews, canned spaghetti, pasta sauce, canned tuna, peanut butter and jelly to be shared with our parishioners in need as well as the Somerset Food Bank. Donations will be collected after masses.

Passion Play Auditions, February 5 at 7pm in the Teresa House

Attention all parishioners - it's that time of year again! Everyone from 6th through 12th grade is invited to audition to be in the play or participate as a member of the stage crew. We also need parent volunteers to attend rehearsals as a chaperone and to make dinner for the cast on three nights.

If you would like to volunteer please contact Mike Nayden at olphyouthministry@yahoo.com.

If you cannot make this audition, please contact Meghan Glynn at (908)295-7892.

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Fellowship and Children�s Liturgy

Sunday, February 5, 9am Mass in our Church

Please join us! This is a wonderful, prayerful experience for families of all ages. Please bring a non-perishable food donation for the food bank. Fellowship and refreshments take place in the cafeteria following mass. Children are needed to participate as greeters/distribute bulletins, lectors, ushers and sing in the choir. Sign up sheets can be found in the back of the church. Please email olphchildliturgy@hotmail.com for more information or to volunteer.

faith direct

Many of your fellow parishioners have enrolled in our weekly offertory program: Faith Direct. This program enables you to give the weekly amount of your contribution by means of a direct debit transfer from your checking account or credit card. Faith Direct is secure and convenient, and has already proven to be a tremendous asset to the financial stability of our parish. We encourage you to complete an enrollment form (available at the rectory or online at faithdirect.net) today or call the Parish Office at 766-0079 and we will mail one to you.

If you are a current subscriber to Faith Direct, and you wish to make changes to your account, simply call Faith Direct toll-free at 1-866-507-8757 and make the changes you wish.

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New Altar Servers

February 21, 6pm in our church

We are looking for new Alter Servers, grades 5 and up. All candidates, accompanied by a parent, must be present for this initial meeting. For more information, please contact Father John at the rectory, 766-0079 ext. 3.

Supporting Our Church

�Where your treasure is, there also will your heart be� Luke 12:32
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We are grateful to all those who contributed to the collection on January 22. The parish collection totaled $12,412 and represented $11,611 from identified givers (our envelope users, as well as those who used loose checks, plus the 102 parishioners who contribute through Faith Direct), as well as $801 in loose cash. Donations in the amount of $3,012 were made for Support of Catholic Education.

Let your love for Christ�s ministry live on�please remember your parish in your will.

22860000 22860000 (`@````````` 266 263 5 110185200 110185200 Lost and Found

Each week precious items are left behind in the pews of our church. Please check the lost and found basket in the Seney Drive entrance for your misplaced valuables.

2011 Bishop�s Annual APPEAL In Faith, With Hope

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Our goal is to have 100% participation in the 2011 Bishop�s Annual Appeal. Please prayerfully consider supporting the Annual Appeal with a pledge or a one-time gift as your means allow. Your support is greatly appreciated.

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Can You Save Your Marriage?

Retrouvaille � a lifeline for troubled marriages

February 10-12

RETROUVAILLE (Rediscovery) sponsored by the Family Life Office/Diocese of Metuchen consists of a weekend experience for couples (no group discussions) with six follow-up sessions. Inquiries are confidential. For further information call the Family Life Office (732) 562-1990, Ext. 1624 or Tom & Pat McTague (732) 583-4468.

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Habitat for Humanity

Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity will be selecting partner families for 8 single-family homes to be built in Kingwood Township. The applicants must be in the low income range, but be able to repay the no-interest mortgage provided, be willing to contribute their own sweat equity and have a need for housing. Applicants must attend one orientation session (February 5 or 11) as the first step in the selection process. To receive information, applicants should call the Habitat office at (908) 704-0016 or log on to www.rvhabitat.org.

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Blood Pressure & Cholesterol Screening

Wednesday, February 1, 9am -12pm

Tarantino Promenade, Somerset Medical Center

No fee for blood pressure, $15 for cholesterol. Visit website for more information somersetmedicalcenter.com.

The Dead Sea Scrolls

Discovery Times Square, 226 W. 44th Street

Through April 15, 2012

This spectacular world premiere exhibition will fascinate and educate you as you explore the daily life of the ancient near east through a myriad of artifacts which culminate in the display of ten of the Dead Sea Scrolls, one of the most famous and significant discoveries of the 20th century! Take a fascinating archeological journey through the Holy Land. This rare exhibit features the famed Dead Sea Scrolls, selections of the Western Wall and more than 500 never-before-seen artifacts from biblical times. Experience firsthand the traditions, beliefs and iconic objects of ancient Israel that impact world religions today.

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World Marriage Day

Sunday, February 12

Pray For The Sacrament of Marriage

According to Church teaching, marriage between a man and a woman, in a manner unlike any other relationship, makes a unique and irreplaceable contribution to the common good of society, especially through the procreation and education of children. The union of husband and wife becomes, over a lifetime, a great good for themselves, their family, communities, and society. In short, marriage is a gift to be cherished and protected.

No religion, government, or individual has the right or authority to alter the basic meaning and structure of marriage that has existed ever since God created the first man and woman. Civil laws make a just and necessary distinction when they recognize the unique role the institution of marriage has in society, rather than reducing this institution to nothing more than one of many alternative kinds of voluntary relationships.

The sacrament of marriage is a commitment that calls forth the grace of God. As members of the human family, let us continually pray for all of our married couples and for the strengthening and protection of marriage.

Exciting new series on Catholicism by Father Robert Baron!

Join us for 7 weeks starting Tuesday evening, January 10 through February 21, from 7:30-9:15 pm and then continuing for 4 weeks following Easter starting Tuesday, April 1 through May 1 to view and discuss this popular and enlightening series. Learn once again why we are proud to be Catholics! This will be both a visual, intellectual, and hopefully, spiritual journey around the world and deep into our faith. You will find this voyage fascinating, beautiful, and informative. The video is awesome!

Some of the episodes are being shown on EWTN and public networks. We will be seeing all of them.

Books must be ordered, so please contact Gale Fitzgerald at (908)766-5309 or at galefitzgerald@aol.com as soon as possible, but no later than January 1, 2012.

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Visit France!

June 22 to July 1

Join St. James Parish in Basking Ridge as we visit Lourdes, Ars, Paray Le Monial, Nevers. Lisieux and Paris. Father Glenn will be our spiritual leader saying Mass everyday at all of these holy places. The cost including airfare will be $2,995. For more information, call Paul or Alexis Carola at (908) 647-3376.

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In Footsteps of Blessed John Paul II

September 10-18, Poland

Pilgrimage lead by Bishop Bootkoski. The itinerary will include visits to some of the more significant sites associated with the early life and ministry of Blessed John Paul II: Warsaw, Krakow, Czestochowa and Wadowice, his birthplace. The cost of the pilgrimage is $3,200 for double occupancy and registration will be limited. For more information and a brochure, please contact Susan Kovach by phone at (732) 562-2439 or by email at skovach@diometuchen.org.

St. Joachim & St. Anne Society

There will be no meeting in January, but will meet on February 6 for Bingo. Men and women over the age of 52 years are welcome to join. Guests and caregivers welcome. For membership call Janet Paglia (908)502-5108.

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Please   check out the American bishops� web site dedicated to the defense of marriage as a sacred institution meant to embrace one man and one woman. Go to: http://www.usccb.org/marriageuniqueforareason/

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Adult Faith Formation--What The Bible Says About Creation & Science

February 16, 7- 9pm

St. John Neumann Pastoral Center, Piscataway

Join us at our Diocesan center for this discussion presented by Father John Fell.

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Diocesan Youth Day

March 10 at 10am

St. Bernard of Clairvaux, Bridgewater

Diocesan Youth Day (DYD) brings together hundreds of teens from all over our diocese. It is a special day to celebrate our Catholic faith and identity. Watch for details!

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The Gospel According to Mark � An Overview

This 2012 Liturgical year, the Mass readings feature Mark�s Gospel. This background page is intended to help orient us, as we hear that Gospel proclaimed and preached, ponder its messages, and apply it in our lives today.



Context, Central Message, and Summary

The Gospel of Mark is generally thought to be the first of the 4 canonical Gospels, and to have been written in Rome after the deaths of Paul and Peter in the mid 60s, and before the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. Tradition attributes authorship to a second generation Christian, John Mark, who is linked to both Peter and Paul in The Acts of the Apostles and several Epistles. Mark�s Gospel was written for the Christian community in Rome, primarily Gentile, which at the time was facing severe persecution under the emperor Nero. Its goal was to strengthen the faith and perseverance of that Christian community by recounting their traditions � i.e. the �good news� regarding the saving power of Jesus.



A central focus in Mark�s Gospel is the identity of Jesus as Savior, Messiah, and Son of God; and how this Jesus initiates the long awaited Kingdom of God. Another key focus is the proper response of a true disciple - to follow Jesus� example by doing the Kingdom work of loving service to others, and persevering in faith through suffering and death. Steadfastly following Jesus leads to the New Life that He offers.



Mark�s Gospel reads like an action packed drama with a short prologue, two movements - each with a climax, and a brief epilogue - which suggests a continuing story (and final climax).

The prologue (1: 1-15) sets the stage for Jesus� ministry with the testimony of John the Baptist, Jesus� Baptism (where He is affirmed by both the Spirit and the Father), and Jesus� desert experience. The first movement is Jesus� ministry in Galilee, where he preaches, teaches, attracts followers, exorcises demons and opposes evil, heals, forgives, feeds, and generates opposition. Jesus� actions and teachings show who He is, and initiate the new Kingdom. But the people and His disciples remain confused as to His true identity. The first climax comes at 8:29 with Peter�s confession of Jesus as the Messiah. But it is clear that their conception of Messiah is mistaken, as they refuse to believe that the Messiah must also suffer and die (before being raised up).



The next movement continues through Jesus� journey to Jerusalem and His eventual passion and death. The second climax is at 15:39 with the Roman centurion�s pronouncement after Jesus� death on the cross: �Truly this man was the Son of God!� Only in view of His suffering and death can Jesus� full identity be recognized and the true nature of the Messiah understood.



In the epilogue (Ch 16) the disciples are confronted with the empty tomb and the announcement that Jesus has been raised. They are to continue to follow the now-risen Jesus and to proclaim His good news. This �third movement� will continue until a final climax, when Jesus will come again in glory (which is expected to be soon).



Other Key Themes



Mark�s Jesus is very human. He shows compassion, weeps, and suffers. He feels frustration, anger and abandonment. He gets tired.



Mark�s Jesus is the Son of God, as testified to by the narrator in the opening verse, by the Father at Jesus� Baptism and Transfiguration, by the demons He battles, by the �authority� of His teachings and actions (including power over evil, nature, and sin), by Jesus Himself at His Jewish trial, by the Roman Centurion at Jesus� death.



Often, after Jesus does a marvelous deed that showcases both the nature of His new Kingdom and His power, He tells those involved not to tell anyone about it! This has been labeled the �messianic secret.� Jesus seems to be trying to contain the view of Him as simply a miracle worker, and to �hold off� such judgments until His actions can be considered in the more complete context of His teachings and the �suffering Servant� nature of His mission.



Jesus is very demanding of His disciples. He calls for an immediate and complete response to His good news, to reform hearts and lives so that they demonstrate the righteousness of the Kingdom, and to accept suffering and opposition (as He does) as the way to New Life.



Other Interesting Points

Mark�s Gospel is thought to be a primary source for the Gospels of Luke and Matthew. Mark�s term for the �Gospel�/good news which announces Jesus� victory is the same term used by the Romans to announce their victorious battles.

Mark�s Gospel does not include a narrative of Jesus� infancy.

Jesus� original disciples are not shown in very positive light. The reader is challenged to do better.

While Jesus� friends do not fully recognize who He is � the demonic forces He opposes seem to immediately.

Mark Ch 16: 9-20, which describes the post resurrection appearances of Jesus, is generally believed to have been a later �add-on� to the original text. The reader is challenged by the good news, just as the first disciples were, to make a faith decision about Jesus and to continue to follow Him as Savior, Messiah, and Son of God.

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