Pastor's Message

Advent: A Time of Hope

Happy Advent! We start this season of preparation for the coming of Jesus into our hearts at Christmas. We also prepare for the time when Christ will come again and finally bring his peace and love to completion in this world. I think we should focus on the rose candle this year, which represents hope. We have hope that Jesus comes to journey along side us at Emmanual “God with us.” He helps us through the difficult times in our lives. We also pray that the Lord will help us bring peace, joy, love and hope to our world while we await his second coming in glory.

The world needs this message of hope. I think even more so with the reality of wars and suffering. We can help share some hope this holiday season!

Take note that Advent is only 3 weeks this year. Plan early to use this time wisely. Christmas falls on Monday, so we have the 4^th Sunday of Advent and that afternoon is Christmas Eve. Review the mass schedule for that weekend and for Christmas to plan ahead when you’ll attend masses.

I want to thank the Finance Committee who put together a letter and graphic to describe the current financial situation of the parish that will be handed out this weekend. A member of the finance committee will briefly summarize this letter at the weekend masses. I think this will help keep parishioners informed.

I want to take a moment to recognize Deacon Mike Lonie. Deacon Mike will be retiring from the diaconate at the end of the month. I want to thank him for 14 years of faithful service to our parish. Please take a moment to read the message from Deacon Mike below.

Let us journey together to meet Christ this Christmas!

Fr. Pat

Deacon Mike's Retirement Message

My Dear Friends,

I hope all of you and your loved ones are well and in good spirits. Well, after 14 years of serving you, the good people of St. Catharine, as a deacon I have decided to retire from active diaconate ministry. My last day of active service will be December 31st.

This decision did not come lightly, but is something I've been contemplating for a while. Recent events however have made me realize both the importance of spending more quality time with my family and the need for me to alter my spiritual journey.

I have truly been blessed to have found my spiritual home at St. Catharine's 30+ years ago when my family moved from Staten Island. I was similarly blessed to have been asked by our former Pastor, Msgr. Rebeck to consider the diaconate some 20 years ago. At first, I thought he was joking but later realized he didn't joke very often.

Over the years, as a community of faith, we been through a lot together, experiencing many joyous and some not so joyous moments. While serving at Mass, marriages, baptisms, wakes, funerals and prayer services was great joys for me...simply being around you in the Gathering space before and after mass and community events and getting to know you...learning from you...and being a small part of your lives...are the things I will always treasure.

l'd like to thank Bishop O'Connell and Bishop Smith before him for allowing me to serve in the Diocese of Trenton and at St. Catharine's, Msgrs. Rebeck and Vaughan for their guidance and support, Fr. Pat for putting up with me for the past four years, our visiting priests for their support of our parish, Deacon Tom and all the Deacons at St. Catharine's over the years for their deep faith, dedication, support and for being great teammates and of course, the terrific office staff.

But I'd like to offer my very special thanks to all of you, my sisters and brothers in faith, for all that you have done for and given to me over the years, for your prayers, for listening to my jokes (there's a special place for you in heaven for doing that) and for being such faith-filled, compassionate, kind and loving Christians.

Although l am retiring from active service, I'm not moving. So the good, news (or bad news, depending on how you look at it) is that my wife Kathy and I will remain active parishioners. As such, I look forward to seeing you at Mass and in the community.

Peace and love to all,

Deacon Mike

Upcoming Advent Events!

Immaculate Conception Mass Times

St. Catharine's

December 8th, Mass at 9:00 am and 7:30 pm

St. Mary's Colts Neck

December 7th, Vigil Mass at 4:00 pm

December 8th, 12:00 pm

Please join us for Eucharistic Adoration of our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament on December 8^th and 13^th. We will pray together, enjoy beautiful Eucharistic hymns, and hear Scripture readings related to the Eucharist.

Blessing of Penance

Confession each Saturday, 3:30-4:30 in the Chapel

Advent Confessions will be on Saturday, December 16^th from 10:30am until 11:30am

Youth Ministry Updates

Thank you to all our parishioners who participated in our annual Giving Tree this year. Your generosity gave over 400 people a special gift this Christmas season.

Packing up the gifts!

Youth Ministry will be holding our annual Poinsettia Sale the weekend of December 9th and 10th, after all masses in the gathering space.

Please Note: YM Meeting December 10th has been canceled!

St. Catharine's Holmdel

Christmas Eve Mass: 4:00 pm, 6:00 pm, 10:00 pm

Christmas Day Mass: 10:00 am, 12:00 pm

St. Mary's Colts Neck

Christmas Eve Mass: 3:00 pm, 4:30 pm, 10:00 pm

Christmas Day Mass: 11:00 am

Bishop's Annual Appeal

The final ACA newsletter, Gratitude & Grace, sent to all St. Catharine donors and previous donors, should have arrived by now. 

A big THANK YOU to those who have made a gift to get our parish to 91 percent of our goal of $155,000! St. Catharine's still has a large number of parishioners who donated to last year's appeal but have not yet donated this year. We really need your help to reach our goal by year-end! If you would like to make a gift to help our parish reach goal, please respond to the mailing or fill out a pledge card available in the parish office - every gift helps! 

Remember, when we hit our goal, we receive 15% of funds received to goal and 50% of funds beyond goal for our parish's needs, enhancing our services, programs, and facilities. Note that we are at the point whereby if St. Catharine's ACA raises another $14,500 to meet our goal, we will receive a rebate from the Diocese of $23,250 - but only if we meet our goal! 

Gifts to the 2023 appeal are being accepted until 12/31/2023. Your support means the world to us – thank you for your consideration! If you have any questions, please contact Bob Buus at 732-946-8615 or e-mail to w2od@aol.com

End of Year Gift

Please Remember St. Catharine!

As we plan our end of year benevolence of financial contributions to various charitable organizations, please remember St. Catharine!

We are deeply rooted in tradition and focused on the future. As a parish community, we look forward to the future with excitement, anticipation, and determination to overcome challenges, while continuing to serve the existing and coming generations. Since St. Catharine has served as a vital part of our lives, please prayerfully consider a year-end gift to our church. This generosity will help the Church of St. Catharine continue to serve and touch the lives of our parishioners and the community.

SVdP's Christmas Dinner Basket collection will help their clients and other neighbors in surrounding parishes. If you would like to help, sign-ups will take place after this weekend's Masses on December 9-10 in the Gathering Space. Donation and Distribution will be on Saturday, December 16th.

To see a sample menu click here.

Talk to a Priest

• Struggling with a life event and in need of spiritual assistance?
• Want to celebrate the Sacrament of Penance outside the normal Confession times?
• Trying to find your way back to engagement with the Church?
• Discerning vocation?
• Looking to complete your Sacraments of Initiation and wish to chat about the journey?

St. Catharine is offering the opportunity for parishioners to chat with a priest who is only indirectly engaged with the parish. If interested, please contact Fr. Mike Walsh by phone 732-780-2666 x205 or email frmike.walsh@stmaryscoltsneck.org

“How Great is Our God” -

Successful Cohort Event

On Tuesday, November 28th in support of the National Eucharistic Revival, the Cohort Parishes of St. Mary, Colts Neck and St. Catharine, Holmdel hosted a special event entitled “How Great is Our God”. Over 100 participants were introduced to a music and video presentation highlighting the power and majesty of God along with His immense love for us.

God’s love for us is so great, that He sent his only son, Jesus, to give His life for us and to leave us the greatest gift, Himself, present in the Holy Eucharist. Those who attended were impacted with a profound sense of amazement, humility and gratitude. It was truly a special event!

Thank you to all who supported this endeavor.

St. Leo’s Religious Store

Weekly Collections for 11/22/2023 – 11/28/2023