A NOTE FROM LAY DIRECTOR, RICK KLARMANN

I would like to take this time to thank all who have donated defray the cost of the upcoming women's Cursillo weekend.  At it stands right now, we are a little over half way to the goal of $2000. With four more months to go, I am confident we will be able to reach the goal.  Thank you all for your generosity and please continue to pray for the team, the potential candidates, and our movement.

God bless, Rick Klarmann

SCHOOL OF LEADERS by MARY WEIS, ASSISTANT LAY DIRECTOR

Our July School of Leaders began with the first two of Matthew Kelly's "Seven Pillars of Spirituality". We discussed the importance and relevance of both Confession and Prayer and how God wants us to be the "best version of ourselves" through these two actions that can only bring us closer to Christ, more so than any other means.

We were also very privileged and honored to have a Guest Speaker!! 
John Klarmann, youngest son of our Lay Director, Rick Klarmann, told of his own mission through FOCUS, Fellowship of Catholic University Students, and how that community on campus changed his life to work for Christ and spread the gospel to other college students, which he will start at the University of Maine in August. John gave witness to his own epiphany and direct calling from God to do this missionary work that is so vital to our youth today and the further development of our Catholic faith with the millennial generation.
For further information, check out the line: www.focus.org/missionaries/john-klarmann where you can learn more about how John is planning to change the world by winning over students to Christ. 

Join us next month, August 13, when we will continue our Matthew Kelly's series, "Seven Pillars of Spirituality" and also get updated on the Diocese's assessment of Evangelization and its endeavors to reach out to our fellow Catholics.

Thank you,
Mary

JOY OF THE LORD by DEACON TONY MARTUCCI

“If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you. By this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples. As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love.  If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. “  

John 15: “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete. This is my commandment: love one another as I love you.

This scripture is part of the parable of The Vine and the Branches. I want to focus on the concept of joy. Joy and happiness are not the same. Happiness is a fleeting feeling. It cannot last and is often short-lived. Joy, however, is a gift of God, one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit.  We can be joyful even in the midst of trials and stress. During my convalescence from surgery, even in pain I was blessed to have joy. I felt the love of God; I felt it through your prayers, Mass cards, calls and visits. YOU were Christ to me and I felt Him wrap me in His arms as I slowly recuperated. I am talking about the joy of the Lord.

Joy is the result of our relationship with God. Christ felt that joy throughout His life. The only moment that it seemed to be missing was that moment on the cross when He felt the weight of our sins upon Him and cried out: “My God, My God! Why have you abandoned me?”

I have heard that Gandhi was quite taken by Christianity, but could not accept it. “If Christians truly believed what is preached in their faith, then why are they so sober and lacking in joy?”

Think of how you feel on Christmas, or on Easter Sunday as you enter the Church and see the decorations. Surely your heart rate increases a bit, you smile a little more. There is something very special at that time. That is the joy we should have every moment of our Christian life.

When my grandchildren come to my home, they run to Pat and me, arms opened and give us a big hug. “I love you and missed you, Grandpa!” they shout. My heart fills with joy. That is how the fruit of the spirit is when we recognize how close Christ is to us. He is within us and we are in Him. Christ told His disciples, “You will realize that I am in my Father and you are in me and I in you.^” (John 14)

In this world that is falling apart right before our eyes, let us remember that Christ has conquered the Evil One and that nothing can happen that He will not turn to good. God loves us and wants to bring us into full communion with Him. Let us then celebrate His love- and show the world the Joy that is within us.


‘If you have Jesus in your heart, please notify your face!’

ALL ARE WELCOME!!!

The Department of Evangelization and Catechesis is pleased to host Dr. Edward Sri at the Church of St. Robert Bellarmine in Freehold, NJ for our August 18th Formation Day.  Because Dr. Sri’s presentations on mercy are not specific to catechesis, this event is open to all that are interested in attending and not just those in catechesis.  Please encourage your friends, family, and fellow parishioners to attend.

Dr. Sri is a prolific writer and international speaker that is well known for his many endeavors, including the Symbolon formation program and a brand new video based study on the Gospel of John by Ascension Press. 

Register On-Line at www.dioceseoftrenton.org/EdwardSri by August 12

Formation Day for All
Thursday, August 18, 2016
St. Robert Bellarmine
61 Georgia Rd., Freehold, NJ
10am-2:30pm
Celebration of The Mass
11:30am
$15 per person/light breakfast, lunch

TO ALL SPONSORS WHO SUBMITTED AN APPLICATION (MAN OR WOMAN) in 2016

From Rick Klarmann, Lay Director:

If you have submitted an application, we must ask that you RESUBMIT the application.

Blank applications can be found at this link.

Complete applications, can be e-mailed to Rick Klarmann at rick.klarmann@gmail.com OR mail to Rick Klarmann, 18 Tomahawk Drive, Burlington, NJ 08016. 

Thank you for your assistance!

RESET 2016 IS COMING!

A Note from Donna Goodwin, Coordinator, Respect Life Ministry, Diocese of Trenton

Dear Friends,

The Reset 2016-Stand with Jesus Rally on the National Mall in Washington DC on July 16, 2016 is slated to be a generation-defining moment.  For information about this free rally visit http://reset2016.com/about-together2016/ or www.reset2016.com. 

Ginnie Untisz of St. William the Abbot Parish in Howell is gathering people from parishes in the Diocese to travel together to this event.  If your parish or youth group plans on attending, please contact Ginnie at 732-501-0816 or ginnieuntisz@yahoo.com.