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Religious Education News:
As of July 1, 2020, Mrs. Jane D’Ambrosio has assumed the position of Coordinator of Religious Education. Mrs. D’Ambrosio has been involved in our Religious Education program for many years teaching and serving as the Monday night coordinator.
Mrs.Clare Lafferty, former Coordinator, will remain on staff to serve as the administrative assistant for our program. We thank Mrs. Lafferty for her service as Coordinator for the past year and a half.
Please welcome Jane to her new position as we look forward to a new Religious Education year. If you have any questions, please contact our office at 856-629-0614, by email at reled@olopp.org or on our website at https://oloppreled.weebly.com
*******RELIGIOUS EDUCATION TEACHERS NEEDED:*******
Due to Covid19, we will be teaching remotely this year. We are in need of teachers with the ability to teach via ZOOM. There will be training on how to use ZOOM during August for anyone interested. We are in need of teachers for Monday – grade 2 and Thursday – grades 2, 3 and 4. Please call the Religious Education Office with any questions or would like to help at 856-629-0614.
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SOCIAL CONCERNS: SCHOOL BACKPACKS/SUPPLIES – Last year we filled over 200 backpacks to provide a much-needed head start for the new school year for students in need. This year, the need is even greater many families have incurred a decrease or loss of income due to the pandemic. Due to the current circumstances, our annual backpack drive had to be adjusted. With the uncertainty of the upcoming school year, we are requesting that anyone wishing to donate school supplies only without the backpack can do so. However, if you still wish to donate a backpack that will be greatly appreciated as well. The following items are those that students will need whether they attend virtual or in person schooling.
COMPOSITION NOTEBOOKS – PENCILS – PENCILS SHARPENERS – PENS (RED, BLACK OR BLUE) – CRAYONS – COLORED PENCILS – PENCIL CASE – ERASERS – LOOSE-LEAF PAPER – BINDERS – FOLDERS
You may want to make a cash donation or gift cards with which we can purchase items that may be in short supply. Put your donation in an envelope, and mark it “Backpacks or School Supplies”
May God reward you for your generosity. Thank you for your help in giving needy children a successful start to the new school year.
Donations can be dropped off on or before August 15-16 2020
To the Parish Office or in the wooden box located at the back of the Church.
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PADRE PIO PRAYER GROUP *****CANCELLED!!*****
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OLOPP – Senior Social Club —****MEETINGS CANCELLED****
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CATHOLIC VETERANS MINISTRY – POSTPONED TILL FURTHER NOTICE:
A New Ministry forming at the Parish. Open to men, women and families of those practicing Catholics honorably discharged from any of the military services or reserve units. The purpose of the Catholic Veterans Ministry is to recognize and give honor to those who have served God, Church and Country by providing a Catholic presence at community activities, and by being a resource and consolation when needed to veterans and their families. Contact Ed Duckworth 856-589-3140
“Come and pray the rosary with our veterans for world peace and a return of God. We will pray the rosary on every 2nd Saturday of the month after the 8 am Mass in Marian Hall.
Come pray with us!”
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Our Lady of Perpetual Help Intercessor Prayer Group – CANCELLED TIL FURTHER NOTICE!!
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OFFERTORY PROCESSION DURING MASS – POSTPONED TILL FURTHER NOTICE DUE TO COVID
We would like parishioners to be involved in the Offertory Procession. If the Mass you are attending is for a loved one and would like to be in the Offertory Procession, please sign up in the back of the Church (on the Ushers’s bulletin board near the bathrooms) – the week and time of the Mass you have for a loved one. If it is a Mass you have signed up for – once you arrive at the Church, please let one of the Ushers know you are there and have signed up for that Mass. They will not go and search you out. If you do not let them know, they will pick another family from the congregation.
Hearing Assistance Available
We are equipped with a hearing assistance system. They are located at the elevators you may use your own earplugs or if your hearing aids have a “T” setting you may use the lanyard. You may sit anywhere in the church including the cry room. For assistance just ask one of the ushers.
Service Hours for High School Students
Students looking for Service Hours for High School, please contact Loren in the Parish Center at 629-6142 x 19 or llaughlin@olopp.org. We have many things that we could use help with in the coming months!!
LAZARUS MINISTRY
Lazarus Ministry is designed to support families who have lost a loved one. This ministry helps families prepare for the Mass of Resurrection (Funeral Mass) with the readings and symbols that proclaim our faith in the promises of Jesus. They are looking for help!! If you feel you can help with this Ministry, please contact Sally Kingston 856-417-1702.
Children’s Choir – POSTPONED TILL FURTHER NOTICE
Looking for children that are able to read and willing to sing to join the Children’s Choir that sing 3rd Sunday of month at the 12 noon Mass. Starts in September to June. If you are willing and want to share in your talent, practices are held Wednesdays from 4-5 pm in the Church.
House of Charity – Bishop’s Annual Appeal
Our goal here at OLOPP is $223,912.00; we have raised $96,345.00 to date, which is from 312 families. Please remember all pledges must be paid in order for the Parish to receive back 10%. Please make your sacrificial gift to help continue the mission of the church here in the Diocese of Camden. If you have not made a donation, Pledge Cards are at the entrance of the Church. Thank You! **We have EXCEEDED our GOAL!! Thank you all for your Generosity. May God Bless YOU!!!
St. Mary School Registering
Anyone interested in registering their child for grades Kindergarten through 8th grade or for our 3 and 4 year old Preschool Program for the 2016-2017 school year. To register please contact the Advancement Director, Jackie Kern at 856-629-6190 ext. 34 or at advancementoffice@smarys.org. You may also visit our website at www.smarys.org to learn more about St. Mary School.
St. Mary School, Williamstown Open House
St. Mary School will hold an Open House on _VIRTUAL ZOOM_ for anyone interested in registering their child for grades Kindergarten through 8th grade and for our 3 and 4 year old Preschool Program for the 2016-2017 school year. Registration will also take place during the Open House. To register for the Open House or for more information please contact Advancement Director, Jackie Kern at 856-629-6190 ext. 34 or at advancementoffice@smarys.org. To learn more about St. Mary School please visit our website at www.smarys.org. St. Mary School is located at 32A Carroll Avenue, Williamstown.
SMS 100 CLUB
St. Mary School would like to invite Our Lady of Peace parishioners, as well as family and friends, who are business owners to participate in our SMS 100 Club. This program enables local businesses to donate a tax-deductible gift of $100 to the St. Mary School Annual Fund. Your business’ generosity will be acknowledged on our website, in our Annual Report, and in a variety of written communication to our school families during the 2018-2019 school year. Your business name will be seen by close to 400 school families as well as hundreds of visitors to our website and recipients of our Annual Report. We welcome our local businesses to take part in this initiative which greatly supports our school. Our goal is to have at least 100 businesses participate in our program.
For more information and the required SMS 100 Club form, please visit our website at http://www.smarys.org. Forms may also be found in the information racks at the entrance of the Church. You may also mail in your payment and business name and contact to St. Mary School, SMS 100 Club, 32A Carroll Ave., Williamstown. NJ 08094. For further information, please contact Jackie Kern in the Advancement Office at advancement@smarys.org or 8560629-6190 ext 34.
CALLED TO SERVICE – AM I CALLED?
Through the Sacrament of Initiation, all Christians are called to holiness and to participate in the churches outreach to the world. Some men received a more specific call to the diaconate, through which they are specially consecrated for Christian service (diakonis).
How do I know if God is calling me to the diaconate? The gradual discovery of the vocation into the diaconate and takes place through prayer and discernment.
A vocation traces its beginnings to one’s ongoing dialogue with God. On the personal level, men considering the diaconate should ask the Holy Spirit to disclose the Father’s will for them, not only through time of personal and liturgical prayer, but also in and through daily lives dedicated to God and neighbor.