Colts Neck parish to mark 45th anniversary with benefit
July 29, 2019 at 12:37 p.m.
By Mary Stadnyk | Associate Editor
It will be a time for celebration and community building when St. Mary Parish, Colts Neck, marks the 45th anniversary of the founding of the parish Sept. 15.
Parishioners and friends of St. Mary Parish are invited to commemorate the sapphire jubilee of the parish’s establishment on its current campus at a specially planned “Love Thy Neighbor” benefit to be held from 5 to 10 p.m. at the home of parishioners and hosts, Juan and Marta Gutierrez.
Father Jeffrey E. Lee, pastor, said the first “Love Thy Neighbor” was held several years ago with the purpose of helping to build community among the parishioners as well as with others who value and support the mission, ministries and outreach of the parish.
Reflecting on the upcoming event, Father Lee said the gathering will be “an opportunity to stop and give thanks to Almighty God for the countless blessings we have received in building the Kingdom of God in our midst.”
The Roman Catholic presence in Colts Neck dates from the late 19th century. The Diocese of Newark, which at the time comprised the entire state of New Jersey, erected a church building in 1879 at the direction of Bishop Michael Corrigan of Newark for a small community in Atlantic Township, presently Colts Neck Township. St. Mary Church was incorporated in the state as a non-profit organization in 1887. In February 1972, Bishop George W. Ahr erected St. Mary Parish as a canonical territorial parish, naming Father Raymond Griffin the founding pastor. The new church building and parish hall was dedicated in February 1973. In 2006, the church underwent another expansion, and at that time, the addition of the Family Life Center was completed.
St. Mary Parish currently has 1,585 registered families, 670 students enrolled in the parish religious education program and scores of ministries.
As the parish prepares to observe its 45th anniversary, Father Lee exhorted his parishioners to recommit themselves to building upon a heritage of worship, faith formation and community outreach.
“This is the mission we have received,” he said. “This is the mission we are called to nurture through our stewardship. This is the mission we will pass along to the coming generations of Roman Catholics who follow us in the years to come.”
Sponsored by parishioners Alice and Dave Kay and their family, “Love Thy Neighbor” will include food tasting, a gift auction and music by the Moondance Big Band. It will be held at 15 Evergreen Lane, Colts Neck. Tickets are $150 per person, and reservations are limited.
To make a reservation, visit
goo.gl/S4N6Km. For more information, call the parish office at 732-780-2666, ext. 312.
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By Mary Stadnyk | Associate Editor
It will be a time for celebration and community building when St. Mary Parish, Colts Neck, marks the 45th anniversary of the founding of the parish Sept. 15.
Parishioners and friends of St. Mary Parish are invited to commemorate the sapphire jubilee of the parish’s establishment on its current campus at a specially planned “Love Thy Neighbor” benefit to be held from 5 to 10 p.m. at the home of parishioners and hosts, Juan and Marta Gutierrez.
Father Jeffrey E. Lee, pastor, said the first “Love Thy Neighbor” was held several years ago with the purpose of helping to build community among the parishioners as well as with others who value and support the mission, ministries and outreach of the parish.
Reflecting on the upcoming event, Father Lee said the gathering will be “an opportunity to stop and give thanks to Almighty God for the countless blessings we have received in building the Kingdom of God in our midst.”
The Roman Catholic presence in Colts Neck dates from the late 19th century. The Diocese of Newark, which at the time comprised the entire state of New Jersey, erected a church building in 1879 at the direction of Bishop Michael Corrigan of Newark for a small community in Atlantic Township, presently Colts Neck Township. St. Mary Church was incorporated in the state as a non-profit organization in 1887. In February 1972, Bishop George W. Ahr erected St. Mary Parish as a canonical territorial parish, naming Father Raymond Griffin the founding pastor. The new church building and parish hall was dedicated in February 1973. In 2006, the church underwent another expansion, and at that time, the addition of the Family Life Center was completed.
St. Mary Parish currently has 1,585 registered families, 670 students enrolled in the parish religious education program and scores of ministries.
As the parish prepares to observe its 45th anniversary, Father Lee exhorted his parishioners to recommit themselves to building upon a heritage of worship, faith formation and community outreach.
“This is the mission we have received,” he said. “This is the mission we are called to nurture through our stewardship. This is the mission we will pass along to the coming generations of Roman Catholics who follow us in the years to come.”
Sponsored by parishioners Alice and Dave Kay and their family, “Love Thy Neighbor” will include food tasting, a gift auction and music by the Moondance Big Band. It will be held at 15 Evergreen Lane, Colts Neck. Tickets are $150 per person, and reservations are limited.
To make a reservation, visit
goo.gl/S4N6Km. For more information, call the parish office at 732-780-2666, ext. 312.