WELCOME HOME!

Worship with us:

Sunday at 9:00 am

in person and Live on Facebook

Ascension Sunday

Tuesday - Friday 8:30 am Morning Prayer via Zoom

Healing services are held at St. Barnabas and

St. Mary's on a rotating schedule every third Thursday.

The next service will be at St. Barnabas on June 15th at 6 pm.

I am deeply grateful for the opportunity you have given me to retreat with my colleagues at the Holy Family Passionist Retreat Center. Your kindness and understanding have allowed me to grow in faith and deepen my connection with God. As a token of my appreciation, I would like to share with you a little about the Passionist Community, whose spirituality and teachings have inspired me during this retreat.

The Passionist Community are followers of St. Paul of the Cross, who was captivated by the events known as the Passion of Jesus. This encompasses Jesus's arrival in Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, his trial and crucifixion, and his ultimate resurrection. The word "Passion" is derived from the Latin word "passio," meaning "suffering." Jesus's crucifixion was a direct result of his unwavering commitment to the vision of the Reign of God, as described by Mary in the Gospel of Luke (Lk. 1:46-55).

St. Paul of the Cross saw the Passion of Jesus as "the greatest work of divine Love." He was a mystic who envisioned a world where people would recognize the immensity of God's love for them, overcome obstacles to that love, and share it with all of humanity. Passionists are called to be mystics as well, transcending common divisions and prejudices to build a world that reflects the vision of the Reign of God.

The Catholic Church recognized a unique charism in St. Paul's movement—a gift to be lived and a gift to transform the world. Passionists live this gift by professing a special vow to keep alive the memory of Jesus's Passion through prayer, preaching, and walking with the "crucified" of today. These are the people who are marginalized, minimized, and abused by society's economic, educational, healthcare, and legal systems, as well as those suffering from natural disasters, discrimination, addiction, and isolation.

While other religious communities may focus on specific tasks, such as education or feeding the hungry, Passionists are dedicated to remembering. They remember what was done to Jesus in his Passion and stand with every living being today experiencing their own crucifixion. As Passionists, they believe in praying and working towards a future where they will meet the crucified in ways never before imagined.

In today's increasingly divisive world, many Catholic Retreat Centers have chosen to limit their facilities to their own denomination, excluding outside groups such as Episcopalians. This exclusivity only serves to widen the gap between different religious communities. However, the Passionists, driven by their dedication to the teachings of St. Paul of the Cross, stand out as an extraordinary example of grace and hospitality.

The Passionists' commitment to building a world that reflects the vision of the Reign of God transcends denominational boundaries. They recognize that all human beings, regardless of their religious affiliation, are united in their pursuit of love, compassion, and understanding. By welcoming people from different faith traditions, the Passionists exemplify their belief in walking with the crucified of today, which includes those who are marginalized and minimized not only by society's systems but also by religious divisions.

This inclusive approach fosters understanding, dialogue, and unity among diverse faith communities, ultimately contributing to a more compassionate and empathetic world. The Passionists' hospitality serves as an inspiring reminder that fostering connection and embracing our shared humanity is the key to overcoming the divisions that plague our world today.

I hope this brief introduction to the Passionist monks has offered you some insight into their inspiring mission and the spiritual journey I have embarked upon during my retreat. Once again, thank you for your support and understanding. I look forward to sharing more of my experiences and growth with you.

In God's love and grace,

Mo. Allison+

Some ways to support St. Mary's

• Become a member
• Volunteer
• The Sunday collection plate
• Send a check payable to St. Mary's to:

St. Mary's Church,

9425 Third Ave., Stone Harbor, NJ 08247

(Your envelope and number is not necessary, only your name.)

• Setting up a personal online banking "bill pay" option. The bank will mail the check for you to the church office.
• Online giving through our website at https://www.stmarysstoneharbor.org/

St. Mary's annual "berry" delicious Strawberry Festival is almost here!

Strawberry desserts, Springer's ice cream and raffle baskets galore!

Local merchants have donated some great gifts and gift certificates! AND the Phillies have donated tickets to their home game on June 4th! Thank you Stone Harbor and Avalon merchants and the Philadelphia Phillies!

If you'd like to help with this very successful and delicious fundraiser which benefits the church budget, sign up on the sheet on the bulletin board in the parish hall. Homemade strawberry desserts are welcome, including bowls of strawberries for toppings.

More importantly, please invite your friends and come and enjoy!

The May, June, July edition of Forward Day by Day daily devotional, both large and small print, is now available in the church narthexes. Please help yourself and take one for someone who would enjoy receiving it. If you would like a copy mailed to you, please let the church office know and we will be glad to send one.

Membership at St. Mary's consists of several different groups of "members." Some are Confirmed Communicant Members or who have transferred their membership by Letter of Transfer to St. Mary's. Some are Baptized into St. Mary’s or have requested that their names be entered in the Parish Register. Others are “members” by virtue of the fact that St. Mary’s is their church—the Christian community of which they are a part and where they worship regularly. Still, others are “summer members" or friends of St. Mary's. Many are part of St. Mary’s life, worship at St. Mary’s when in town, and support St. Mary’s financially. Canonically, they are not members in the legal sense, but they are every bit as much members of our parish family as those who are official members.

Please contact the church office if you would like to receive membership forms to be added to our data base.

email: [email protected]

OR

You may sign up on our website here.

We welcome you to join us!

Happy Birthday to

Julie Schellenger on May 25th, Norman Proulx

& Yvonne Olthuis on May 26th, and

John Langston on May 27th!

If you would like to be remembered on your birthday or anniversary, please give us your information so we may add you to our data base. Email the church office: [email protected] or call 609-368-5922

Coffee Hour is held after service every Sunday in the parish hall. It is an opportunity to get together for relaxed conversation and fellowship over a cup of coffee. If you would like to provide a snack for coffee hour, please pick a Sunday and sign up on the sheet on the door to the kitchen. Nothing elaborate is required, just a small snack to enjoy with coffee. Thank you!

Dedicating altar flowers in honor or memory of, or in thanksgiving for a loved one is a wonderful way to remember someone. If you would like to do so, please sign up on the chart on the bulletin board in the parish hall. After the service, you may take the flowers to enjoy or give.

St. Barnabas Cares Food Pantry

is celebrating their 15th Anniversary

with an Open House on Sunday,

June 4th from 1 to 3 pm. All are invited to learn about Hunger in

Cape May County and reducing food waste.

Refreshments will be provided.

Question? call 609-886-5960

Click here to view the flyer.

The Branches Outreach and the Food Pantry continues to feed a lot of people.

Branches is in need of BIG containers of soup (crockpot size) or large casseroles they can keep in the freezer - even something as simple as a large Stouffer's lasagna.  

You may bring any casseroles or soup over to The Branches at their new location - 201 Hirst Ave., Rio Grande, NJ - daily from 8:30 AM - 1:30 PM, 

If you can't get to Rio Grande, please contact Dina Ziemba 609-780-3142.

She will be happy to pick up your food and take it to The Branches.

ALSO The Branches food pantry is in need of the following:  paper towels, toilet paper, napkins, large trash bags (50 gallon), sugar, artificial sweetener, coffee, tea, packages of cookies peanut butter, jelly, salad dressing, feminine products, suncreen, sun protection lip balm, and cases of bottled water.

The Food Pantry is open M-W-F from 9-12 and is located at 1304 Rt. 47 So., Rio Grande, Unit AJ. 

Many thanks !!!

Branches offer food, help and more in Rio Grande

Here is a link to a great article printed about The Branches in the Atlantic City press on April 25th!

Looking to refresh your summer rental or have a room that could use an updated piece of furniture? Then you might want to check out the new FURNITURE SHOP at St. Mary's This 'n That Thrift Shop!

Gold Winner of the 2022 Best of the Jersey Shore thrift shops, the Furniture Shop is a great addition to the home goods, housewares and clothing shops at This 'n That.

And remember the thrift shop when you're spring cleaning and re-organizing. Household items, furniture and clean usable clothing are welcome!



Store Hours: Tuesday - Saturday 10 am - 4 pm

Donation days: Tuesday and Thursday, 10 am - 3 pm and on the

1st Saturday of the month 10 - 3 pm.

Location: St. Mary's This 'n That

1304 Rt. 47 So., Rio Grande, NJ 08242    609-886-7272

Follow them on facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/St-Marys-This-N-That-Thrift-Shop-268676343298636/

Mark your calendar for the next Cape Classical Artists concert!

On Sunday, May 21, 3:00 pm, enjoy the Beverly Trio, an exciting variety of music of oboe, viola and cello

All concerts are free of charge to the public and are produced in partnership with and held at Cold Spring Presbyterian Church. If you would like to become a sponsor, visit our home page and click on the “Donate” button. 100% of all contributions go directly to the support of our series. The concerts are live-streamed on our YouTube channel.

Visit our website, www.CapeClassicalArtists.com for:

• a link to our YouTube channel

• directions to the church

• a copy of the concert program

• information on becoming a sponsor for yourself or your business

Sunday, May 21st - 3 pm Cape Classical Artists presents Beverly Trio

Sunday, May 21st - Bishop's Farewell Gala

Sunday, May 28th - Strawberry Fest, 6 to 8 pm

Sunday, June 11th - 4:00 pm Pride Mass at St. George's in Rumson

Sunday, June 11th - 5:00 pm Convocation Healing Service

Saturday, June 17th - Cormac John Marquess (Baptism)

Saturday, June 24th - Consecration of Bishop French

12 Step Meetings in the Church Hall

Narcotics Anonymous (NA) Monday at 8:00 pm

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) Tuesday at 8:00 pm

(Alanon meetings will return in the summer)

Acts 1:1-11

Ephesians 1:15-23

Luke 24:44-53

Psalm 47

Tuesday - Friday 8:30 am Morning Prayer via Zoom

Third Thursday's 6:00 pm Healing Service

alternates between St. Mary's and St. Barnabas

Sunday 9:00 AM in person (church)