O UR L ADY OF P EACE

P ARISH C ATECHETICAL O FFICE N EWSLET TER

APRIL 2012
Dear Families, We can hardly believe we are writing the last newsletter of the year! We have truly embraced the joyful work of parish ministry and have much to be grateful for, most especially Gods love for us that He sent His only Son that we may have eternal life! Our preparation for Easter requires a journey through the Lenten desert. Life is hard. We dont have to look far for the reminders of pain and suffering in this world. If we look thorough the loving eyes of our humble Lord--insulted, suffering, to the point of death on the cross--we discover the depth of Gods love and forgiveness. Make the most of these last days of Lent. Do the hard work. Remember, you reap what you sow and your reward will be great! Jesus great love for us is expressed most profoundly by the Cross. As a family, join our parish community of faith in celebrating the three solemn days of The Triduum. Attend the Mass of the Lords Supper on Holy Thursday, veneration of the Cross on Good Friday, culminating in the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday. Then joyfully celebrate Easter, Jesus resurrection and the gift of our salvation! This is the center of our belief as Catholics. (See the bulletin for details regarding Holy Week and Easter Masses.) During the Easter Season, our 3rd graders will celebrate the Sacrament of First Eucharist. In June, our 9th graders will celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation. Please keep these families in your prayers. Rememberour parishwide Operation Starfish donations are due by April 5. We pray that through your generous donations, our parish will be able to provide a home and other basic needs for a family in Haiti. As our year of faith formation draws to an end, we would like to thank the many dedicated catechists and volunteers who have contributed their gifts and talents to provide a loving, faith-filled environment for our many families in the Religious Education Program. Finally, registration for the 2012-13 Religious Education year begins April 18. Watch your mailbox for the information packet that will be mailed to parents of children currently enrolled in the program. If you know a family new to our area, or a family who has a kindergartener or first grader, please invite them to pick up a form and handbook from the rectory or the tables near the church entrances during the registration months. May your family celebrate Easter with a joyful Alleluia!

Anne Marie and Joanne

Anne Marie Mendez and Joanne Fezza Parish Catechetical Leaders

D ATES TO R EMEMBER

APRIL/MAY/JUNE 2012

R ELIGIOUS E DUCATION P ROGRAM April

8 11/12 18/19 25/26 Easter Sunday No Afternoon or Evening Classes. (Spring Recess) Registration begins for 2012-13 Religious Education Program Last Day of Class, Grades K-8, 3:304:45 p.m. and 7:158:30 p.m.

June
3 10:00 - 11:45 a.m. Family-based Wrap-up Gathering, after 9 a.m. Mass, Parish Hall/Gym

SACRAMENT PREPARATION
First Eucharist (3rd Graders)
April 5 7:30 p.m., Holy Thursday Mass, Church

First Eucharist Masses April 20 April 22 April 20 April 22 April 27 April 29 April 27 April 29 May 2 May 6 5:30 pm 6:30 pm 9:00 am Mass 6:30 pm 7:30 pm 12:00 noon Mass 5:30 pm 6:30 pm 9:00 am Mass 6:30 pm 7:30 pm 12:00 noon Mass 5:30 pm 6:30 pm 10:30 am Mass First Eucharist Practice for April 22, 9:00 am Mass, Church First Eucharist, Church First Eucharist Practice for April 22, 12:00 noon Mass, Church First Eucharist, Church First Eucharist Practice for April 29, 9:00 am Mass, Church First Eucharist, Church First Eucharist Practice for April 29, 12:00 noon Mass, Church First Eucharist, Church First Eucharist Practice for May 6, 10:30 am Mass, Church First Eucharist, Church

7th-Grade Confirmation Inquiry Meeting (7th Graders Accompanied By At Least One Parent) May 21 7:308:30 p.m. Meeting for 7th-grade parents and students, Gym Confirmation Preparation for First-Year Candidates (8th grade) for Easter Season 2013 May 5 4:006 p.m. Rite of Service, Gym Confirmation Preparation for Second-Year Candidates (9th grade) for Easter Season 2012 April 21 4:00 - 7:30 p.m. Easter Gathering, Gym, Parish Hall, Church June 8 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. Confirmation Practice, Parish Hall/Church June 9 11:00 a.m. Confirmation Mass, Church

OPERATION STARFISH ENDS APRIL 5, 2012

We made a difference for the Filias family in Grand Boulage last year by raising enough money to purchase them a home and other necessities. We can make a difference again for another destitute family in Haiti. We need your help to reach our goal of $4,200! Please convert all cash donations to a check made payable to Our Lady of Peace no later than April 5, 2012. Thank you for your support!

This project is sponsored by Food For The Poor, and you can check them out at www.foodforthepoor.org.

OPERATION STARFISH FUNDRAISER MAKES A DIFFERENCE!!

Mrs. Bretts and Mrs. Tibonis fourth-grade class raised $131 for Operation Starfish with their Lemonade/Bake Sale at the Religious Education Program on Wednesday afternoon, March 28. Congratulations to all of them, and a big thank you to everyone who supported their effort!

PARISH NEWS
SOUP AND STATIONSEach Friday during Lent there will be a complimentary meatless Soup Supper before the Stations of the Cross. Supper begins at 6:45 p.m. in the Parish Hall followed by the Stations of the Cross in the Church at 7:30 p.m. PALM SUNDAY9 a.m. Childrens Liturgy of the Word, Procession before Mass with donkey. All children and adults are invited to participate. It begins in the far corner of the parking lot closest to the pool at 8:45 a.m. MORNING PRAYER SERVICEHoly Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday, 8:30 a.m., Church. HOLY THURSDAYLords Supper begins at 7:30 p.m., Church GOOD FRIDAYPassion of the Cross at 3 p.m., Church; Stations of the Cross at 7:30 p.m. EASTER VIGILService begins at 8:30 p.m., Church EASTER SUNDAYEaster Egg Hunt after 9 a.m. Mass OLP COUNTRY FAIRMay 16-19 (save the date!)

PALM SUNDAY MASS April 1 9 a.m. Childrens Liturgy of the Word All Parish Families are invited to meet in the parking lot at the far end nearest the pool at 8:45 a.m. to process into church LED BY A DONKEY! We hope to see you there!

Holy Week April 1April 7

We extend a special invitation to you to share at least some of the services with your children of all ages. Holy Week begins on Palm Sunday, April 1. The services and rituals of Holy Week are some of the most beautiful, meaningful, and moving that we celebrate as Catholic Christians.

Palm Sunday, April 1, at the 9:00 a.m. Mass

The congregation will meet at the back of the parking lot at 8:45 a.m. to process into church LED BY A LIVE DONKEY! We remember the events of the first Palm Sunday when Jesus triumphantly entered Jerusalem and was joyfully greeted by the crowd waving palms. By the end of the week, this same crowd would turn on Him and shout, Crucify him!

Holy Thursday, April 5, 7:30 - 8:30 p.m., Mass of the Lord's Supper
We commemorate the night Jesus celebrated the Last Supper with his disciples, instituted the Eucharist, and afterward prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane where he was arrested by the Roman soldiers. We especially invite our First Eucharist children to attend this Mass. Twelve adults, youth, and children will take part in the foot-washing ritual, remembering what Jesus did and his command that we serve each other.

Good Friday, April 6, 3:00 p.m. Liturgy of the Passion (Veneration of the Cross) and Stations of the Cross at 7:30 p.m.
This is the day we remember Jesus' death on the cross. Please make every effort to attend.

Progress Reports Reminder

In order to receive your childs second-term Student Progress Report, you must sign and return the first-term report we mailed to you in January. If you have not done so already, please return it to the Catechetical Office no later than Tuesday, April 2. It will be returned to your child on the last day of class (April 25/26) with the second terms progress.

April Youth Club News

Middle School Youth Club (7th and 8th grade) 4/27/12 7:30 9:30 p.m. Open Gym/Game Night 6th, 7th and 8th Graders Welcome Junior Youth Club (5th and 6th grade) 4/21/12 7:00 8:30 p.m. Diamond Rock Indoor Rock Climbing Mountain Advanced Sign-up required permission slips in rectory mail slot due by 4/14/12.

Have a Blessed Easter!!

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at 908-508-0544 or jrmsyouth@olpnp.com. Maureen Miller Junior/Middle SchoolYouth Minister

AN INVITATION TO ALL 4TH GRADERS!!!

COME AND CHECK OUT OUR LADY OF PEACE JUNIOR YOUTH CLUB WHO: Any OLP 5th or 6th Grader. We also welcome friends (Catholic or non-Catholic) WHEN: Usually on a Saturday evening from 7 to 9 p.m. WHAT: We offer the Four Ss: SPIRITUAL, SERVICE, SOCIAL, AND SNACKS

Come enjoy an evening to see what its all about!

GAME NIGHT AND MAKE YOUR OWN SUNDAES! Saturday, June 9 7:00 9:00 p.m. In OLP Parish Hall and Gym

Attention Children Ages 1-10 Come join us for the Annual Easter Egg Hunt! Easter Sunday after the 9:00 a.m. Mass by the playground. There will also be a special visit from the Easter Bunny!
We ask that each child find three Easter Eggs and then proceed to the prize table to receive a prize. It would be very nice if the older children assisted the younger children in finding Easter Eggs!! If anyone is interested in helping to prepare for this event, please contact Maureen Miller at jrmsyouth@olpnp.com or phone 908-508-0544. Volunteers will meet in the Parish Hall at 9:30 a.m. Easter Sunday morning.