FR. ROB'S SABBATICAL

Fr. Rob will be going on sabbatical from March 29 to June 24th. To find out more about his sabbatical, please follow this link to our webpage: https://www.stmartinsnj.org/father-robs-sabbatical/

LENTEN STUDY

Our Lenten Study this year will help parishioners learn more about Carmelite Spirituality, which is one of the major themes of Fr. Rob's Sabbatical Retreat. We will be using John Welch's book, Carmel Notes. It is not available on Amazon. You can order it at: https://www.worldofbooks.com/products/carmel-notes-book-o-carm-john-welch-9781936742301?sku=NIN9781936742301

The cost is $21. Please let Fr. Rob+ know if you would like to participate, but the price of the book is prohibitive. 

OPPORTUNITIES TO DEEPEN SPIRITUALITY



Daily Evening Prayer will be offered and live-streamed on YouTube at 5:30 pm. Following ancient practice, the early church began its daily prayers in the evening, which was considered the beginning of the day. We offer this gift of prayer on behalf of the church and the world, and for those who are unable to pray due to poor health, work schedules, or other obligations.

Spiritual Practices Circle

The Rosary will be offered on First Wednesdays after the Wednesday Mass (@6:45 pm). All are welcome to join us. If you have a special intention that you would like us to offer, please tell Fr. Rob+ or Br. Philip.

On the Fourth Wednesday of the month (@6:45 pm), we will explore other prayer practices that may help you deepen and nurture your relationship with God and your neighbor. We will explore Ignatian prayer, centering prayer, guided meditation, Franciscan gazing, adoration of the blessed sacrament, and other forms of prayer. 

OUTREACH

We need someone to provide dinner for 2 small families on Monday, 30 March. And 2 people to be with the families from 5-9 PM that evening. This takes place at Pluckemin Presbyterian Church and is part of HOME.

We’re collecting items for baskets to give to the Bound Brook Board of Education before Easter. Candy, small toys, pencils, etc., would be greatly appreciated. The collection will run through Palm Sunday. 

There is a container on the table in the narthex for quarters for Laundry Love. 

We are collecting bars of soap (not travel-sized) and washcloths or 100% cotton yarn (to be knitted into washcloths). These will be donated to a homeless shelter. There is a container in the narthex. 

The Food Bank is in great need of food items, paper goods, and toiletries for our neighbors in Somerset County. We especially want to focus on personal items and cleaning products, such as toothpaste, feminine products, toilet paper, cleaning supplies, etc. Cash and checks are also greatly appreciated. There’s always a container on the stairs leading up to the choir loft. 

If you have any questions, please get in touch with Kathy Shanklin.

FISH (Friends In Serving Humanity) COMMUNITY CHILDREN'S CLOTHING DRIVE

FISH is asking for contributions of all sizes of clothing from 2T to Adult XL. Adult-sized clothing should be clothing that a teenager will wear.

• New girls'/women's underpants 
• New boys'/men's underwear, preferably boxer briefs for older boys
• New socks 
• Boy's/men's basketball shorts 
• Boy's/men's sweatpants or joggers
• Girls'/women's leggings or sweatpants
• Girls'/women's gym/sweat shorts

Since this is a community drive, a bin will be placed outside on the porch.