Knights of Columbus Scholarships Paterson Federation
The Patterson Federation of the Knights of Columbus annually sponsors a scholarship program for Catholic students entering into a Catholic high school. Applicants need not be sons or daughters of members of the Knights of Columbus. They need only be Catholics. The partial scholarship is $1000 annually for four years which will be presented to the Catholic High School in the student’s name. For an application, you may contact Laurice Bonannella the Director of Religious Education or Rick Banchansky the Grand Knight of the Father Joseph A. Cassidy Council 6100 (973) 927-1384. Applications must be postmarked prior to May 15 th for consideration.

OPERATION RICE BOWL
Dignity of Work and Rights of Workers
Jean Denis and François are neighbors in Coteaux, Haiti. For years they barely supported their families through subsistence farming. In 2002, they joined an agricultural cooperative organized by Catholic Relief Services and began to see change. They received and planted better seed, diversified their crops, found better techniques for raising livestock, learned to combat erosion, and generated surplus crops to take to market. Now their families no longer face hunger or malnutrition. As Jesus transformed the life of the blind man, so CRS transforms the lives of rural farmers. By giving through Operation Rice Bowl and purchasing Fair Trade products, you support the dignity of workers by

Seating Latecomers at Liturgy
Throughout the past year our hospitality ministers (ushers) began to request latecomers to hold back from walking into the worship area at sacred moments of liturgy that include spoken prayer, scripture readings, song, and homilies. We do this out of respect for all ministers, members of the assembly, deacons, and priests in that the seating of latecomers at these sacred moments renders a great distraction to the minister who proclaims, sings, or preaches, as well as members of the assembly who seek to pray. Therefore, to avoid these distractions, hospitality ministers (ushers) wait for the conclusion of the prayer, reading, song or homily before they guide you to a seat. Although this may disturb those who arrive late for liturgy, the situation could be avoided if all who gather for prayer make a little greater effort to arrive for liturgy at least five minutes early. This permits both ministers and the assembly a few minutes of quiet time before the gathering song.

NOTE TO EIGHTH GRADE STUDENTS
Eighth grade students applying for Fall 2008 admission to Catholic High Schools in the Diocese of Paterson may obtain application forms by contacting either a Catholic high school or Catholic elementary school, calling 888-921-2667, or visiting www.coopexam.org. A list of open house dates for high schools is available at www.patersondiocese.org/schooloffice/ or at the rectory. Please call 973-777-8818, ext. 255, with any questions.

ENTERTAINMENT BOOKS
The year 2008 Entertainment Books are available through the Knights of Columbus. The cost of the book is $25.00. Copies are available after all masses or can be reserved by calling Lou Maselli at 908-269-5249.

Military Bulletin Board
All are welcome to provide photographs of family or friends who are currently serving in the military. These pictures get placed on our military bulletin board that is located in the narthex of the church. Please send pictures to the rectory with the name of the person, branch of service, rank, and location of service.
PARISH OFFICE REQUEST
Do you have a new Address? Are you moving? Are your envelopes getting lost in the mail? We’re still receiving undeliverable envelopes at the parish office with postage due. Please take a moment to let us know so we can ensure prompt delivery! Contact the parish office at 973-691-1561or send your updated information to secretary@stjudeparish.org

Use of Church Envelopes
If you receive church envelopes from our envelope company, you receive a record of your contributions for the year. For safety’s sake, whenever possible make your contribution by check. Also, for accuracy in recording the amount of the donation into your record, please always remember to record the amount of your donation on the outside of the envelope.

MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER  
Military families, are you getting ready to deploy? Is your family trying to reconnect after deployment? Worldwide Marriage Encounter offers tools of communication that have kept many military marriages strong and happy through out the ups and downs of military service. Contact your local chaplain or call 1-800-499-6552 for more information.

Attention Seniors
St. Jude Health Ministry in conjunction with St. Clare's Hospital extends an invitation for a "FREE" mini-stroke screening to be held in our parish center10:00 a.m. to 12 noon during a weekday. If there is enough interest in this program will be scheduled. Please contact Charlotte Rissmiller at 973-252-5293 if you are interested .

Church Books for Children
In the narthex of the church there is a wide selection of books for children that can be used during or before mass if you feel it is beneficial to your child. However, please do not allow young children to use the maroon music books located in the pews. Some books have been discovered to have numerous crayon markings and ripped/folded pages coming from a lack of care.

Lighting Church Candles
Please be aware that there are candles located throughout the church to light which is one way we bring our prayer to God. However, please do not bring in your own candles for placement in the candle stands or inside the glass containers that hold the candles in that it is against safety/fire regulations.

Baby Changing Table
A changing table for infants has been installed into both the ladies and men’s restrooms that are located in the hallway next to the parish center. Many people have requested the changing tables due to the amount of infants that are brought to church and other parish activities.

USING THE HYMNAL BOARD
Two hymnal boards have been placed on the pillars to the right and left of the sanctuary in church so that music selections and biblical readings can be found with a quick glance if an announcement is missed. In using the hymnal board please be aware of the following; song selection that comes from the Gather Hymnals is indicated by the number of the song selection, Biblical readings for liturgy are indicated with an “R” that precedes the page number of the readings, and music that comes from the supplement is preceded with an “S” before the number of the selection. For those who need to follow the order of the mass, it is found on page 134.

BRINGING UP THE GIFTS
Families, individuals and guests are always welcome to bring up the gifts during the Offertory Procession on Sunday liturgy. Anyone wishing to bring honor to God in this manner should mention it to one of our ushers or ministers of hospitality in the back of church. They will be happy to guide in this important part of the liturgy.

SECOND COLLECTION
On the Fourth Sunday of each month a second collection will be taken at the parish for the Building and Grounds. This is to maintain the facility and render necessary improvements that come forth through the usage of the church complex. Preventive maintenance is a necessity to the church grounds in that it receives much wear with numerous activities that are planned at the parish. Ongoing improvements are always part of keeping the facility in good shape.

RINGING CELL PHONES
It is common courtesy to shut off cell phones prior to entering church for liturgies. Keeping a phone on makes a statement that YOU are more important than God or your neighbor. This is a sad statement and a BAD example for our children. Ringing cell phones become great distractions to the prayer of ministers and the assembly. Please observe this courtesy so that a prayerful spirit can be maintained at all liturgies.

THE QUIET ROOM
Please be mindful that a “quiet room” is available for “crying infants” and small children that you may feel need special attention at mass or bring distraction to yourself or others in the church. The room in located on the far right side of the church near the altar server sacristy and youth ministry office. Recently a sound system was added to the room so that liturgical prayers/songs could be heard as a person participates in liturgy. The room is also a perfect location in church to teach your child about liturgy as services take place. Please know that priority for people with infants and small children should be given to this location.

POST ABORTION RETREAT
Rachel’s Vineyard Retreat is a psychological and spiritual journey of post-abortion healing. Both women and men are invited to attend. The retreat is offered a number of times throughout the year by the Respect Life Offices of the New Jersey dioceses. All inquiries are confidential. Interested individuals may call 973-777-8818, ext 264 for further information concerning dates and locations. Also see information at www.rachelsvineyard.org.