PLEASE PRAY FOR THE SICK ...AND FOR THOSE WHO HAVE DIED

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1 Page 1 SACRAMENT OF PENANCE Saturdays: Msgr. Ryan Hall -3:45 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. Eves of Holy Days: Msgr. Ryan Hall - 3:45 to 4:45 p.m. First Friday: Church - 5:45 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. First Saturday: Church - 7:45 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. Also by appointment SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY The Church provides certain times and preparation for weddings. Please contact the Rectory at least six months in advance to begin the process. REGISTRATION Every family and person within the parish is encouraged to register with the Parish. SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM Celebrated on the 2nd Sunday of the month at 1:30 p.m. In July and August Baptism will be celebrated at 12:30 p.m. A required Baptism preparation meeting for parents meets on the first Monday of the month at 8:00 p.m. Godparents are welcome. Please register in advance for the class and Baptism. Godparent Pre-Requisites: Godparents must be practicing Catholics in good standing, 16 years of age or older, Baptized and Confirmed Catholic. ON BECOMING A CATHOLIC Those seeking information about the Catholic Faith are invited to contact Fr. McCartney at the Rectory at CARE OF THE SICK Please notify the Rectory and Human Concerns Ministries if there is anyone seriously ill so that we can provide spiritual care. PLEASE PRAY FOR THE SICK Josephine Banno Kathleen Capuano Joseph Carbonaro Barbara Coe Rebekah Cole Kevin Cronin Paul Cronin Linda De Stio John Paul DiNonno Eric DuBois Anthony Ferro Joseph Galea Tony Grau Julia Green Nicole Green Christine Kenney Jong Sung Kim Douglas Knehr Anne Krukowski Frank Krukowski Richard Malon Jonathan Mannina Stuey Manzione Tom McCormack Brendan Miles Dieter Nagel Victoria Oxer Linda Petronella Jenna Reggio Trevor Rogers Anna Sambucci Charles Strecker Clotida Vecchione Jacqueline Verde Joseph Williams Anne Wright Mary Wybaillie THE MASS INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK Sunday, December 23: FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT 7:30 a.m. People of the Parish 9:00 a.m. Alex Levchuck, Gertrude & Michael Hochla by Janet & Family 11:00 a.m. Rocco & Frances Belfiore by their Daughter-in-Law Ramona Bobe Green by Carol Daley & Family 12:15 p.m. Anne Nancy Pollio by Carol Haff & Brooks Brothers Monday, December 24: Late Advent Weekday 9:00 a.m. Cornelia Massimo-Birthday by her Daughter 4:00 p.m. Christmas Memorial 6:00 p.m. Christmas Memorial Midnight People of the Parish Tuesday, December 25: THE NATIVITY OF THE LORD (Christmas) 7:30 a.m. Christmas Memorial 9:00 a.m. Christmas Memorial 11:00 a.m. People of the Parish 12:15 p.m. Christmas Memorial Wednesday, December 26: Saint Stephen, The First Martyr 9:00 a.m. Norma Lucarelli by Michael Lucarelli Thursday, December 27: Saint John, Apostle and Evangelist 9:00 a.m. John Coyle by Karin Regan Friday, December 28: The Holy Innocents, Martyrs 9:00 a.m. Irene & Francis McCaffrey by Dolores & Richard O Hara Saturday, December 29: Fifth Day within the Octave of the Nativity of the Lord 5:00 a.m. Martha Biasi by Family Linda Fahrer by Marie & Anthony Papiro Sunday, December 30: THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH 7:30 a.m. Stella Grochowski by the Nadel Family 9:00 a.m. People of the Parish 11:00 a.m. Henry Metzger by Robert & Allison Tucholski 12:15 p.m. John J. Cirello, Jr. by Janine Roberti...AND FOR THOSE WHO HAVE DIED Regina Hotarek

2 Page 2 READINGS FOR SUNDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2018 FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT First Reading: Micah 5:1-4a Second Reading: Hebrews 10:5-10 Gospel: Luke 1:39-45 FOCUS: Jesus has come to us as our King and Shepherd. In a few days, we will celebrate the great gift that God has given to humanity two thousand years ago: the gift of Jesus. Jesus comes as Savior of the world and as the majestic King but also as a Shepherd who cares deeply and personally for each one of us on our journey. He is truly God s gift to us. LITURGY OF THE WORD: In the first reading, Micah prophesies that tiny Bethlehem will be the birthplace of the Messiah, a great ruler for all time. Paul reflects on Jesus offering of himself and his obedience to God s will, through which we are consecrated. The Gospel depicts Mary s visit to Elizabeth, who recognizes Mary s role as Mother of God. Readings for next week, December 30, The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph: 1 Samuel 1:20-22, 24-28; 1 John 3:1-2, 21, 24; Luke 2:41-52 From Liturgical Commission Publishing, Lansing, MI Celebrants for December 24/25 Christmas Eve & Christmas Day Christmas Eve 4:00 PM - Hall Christmas Eve 6:00 PM - Church Fr. McCartney Fr. McCartney FOSTERING STEWARDSHIP AS A WAY OF LIFE PARISH SACRIFICIAL GIVING The Gospel today tells of the Virgin Mary, pregnant herself, hurrying off to help her cousin Elizabeth. The model of good stewardship, she who had given herself to bear the Savior, gave her time and love to others as well. Parish Sacrificial Giving Summary Thank you for your continued sacrificial gifts to St. Mary s. Offertory and attendance information for December 15/16 was not available as of the printing deadline. Lumen Christi Missal Weekend of December 22/ Fourth Sunday of Advent - Year C Readings: Missal, p. 37 The Ordinary of the Mass begins on Page 804 Celebrants for the Weekend of December 29/30 Celebrants* Lectors Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion Altar Servers Christmas Eve Midnight - Church Fr. McCartney Sat 5:00 Fr. McCartney L. Czarniak D. Marvullo Volunteer K. Ditrano N. Ditrano Christmas Day 7:30 AM - Church Christmas Day 9:00 AM - Church Fr. McCartney Fr. McCartney Sun. 7:30 Fr. Lauder D. Sheehan 9:00 Fr. Lauder C. D Souza 11:00 Fr. McCartney C. Dellavecchia A. Lafaire C. Vanatta P. Vanatta M. Heffernan J.T. Canton Christmas Day 11::00 AM - Church Fr. Lauder 12:15 Fr. McCartney J. Ferreira L. Porto Volunteer Christmas Day 12:15 PM - Hall Fr. Lauder * Subject to last minute changes.

3 Page 3 THE PASTOR S PAGE My dear people of St. Mary s: As we come together this weekend for Mass on the Fourth Sunday of Advent, we look forward in a few days time to the celebration of the birth of our Savior on the Solemnity of the Nativity. There are so many images that the Church gives us in these days to help evoke the incredible, yet beautiful, truth that God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. [Jn 3:16 17] For millennia, humanity had been waiting for God to keep the promise He made to our first parents after the fall in the Garden of Eden: that He would send us a Savior and Redeemer. Who that would be, and how He would accomplish it, was not known. What was known was that, when at last He did come, he would be called Christos, that is, the Anointed One. There were other prophecies about Him as well. He was to be of the tribe of Judah and a descendant of the great King David. Isaiah had prophesied that a virgin shall conceive and bear a son and shall call his name Emmanuel, which means God is with us. [Is 7:14] But it is from the prophet Micah that we have that extraordinary prophecy: But you, Bethlehem-Ephrathah, least among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel; whose origin is from of old, from ancient times. [Micah 5:1] Bethlehem was truly an obscure little village, whose great claim to fame was that as a boy King David had been a shepherd there a thousand years earlier. It was the most unlikely place for the King of kings and the Lord of lords to be born. In describing Bethlehem, Archbishop Fulton Sheen put it this way: The Son of God made man [was] invited to enter into His own world through a back door. Bethlehem, of course, would then become one of the most famous places on earth. To this day, more than two-thousand years after that humble birth, millions journey there each year for a momentary glimpse of the very spot where God was born in our world. In the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, underneath the high altar, down a very steep flight of steps, one comes to a true cave, and there, under the rough, natural stone ceiling, is a little altar, surrounded by icons. Underneath is a silver star in the floor, which marks the spot of the birth of God. You may kneel down and say a prayer. You may touch it, and you may even kiss it. The fourteen-point star bears this inscription in Latin: Hic de Virgine Maria Jesus Christus natus est, which translates as: Here Jesus Christ was born to the Virgin Mary. And in that moment, you know that this is where it happened, and that the stories you have heard from childhood about the inn, the shepherds, the angels, the star, the stable, and the wise men are all true. Here is where He came to us, and here is where our salvation truly began. Fr. McCartney

4 Page 4 CHRISTMAS MASS SCHEDULE Christmas Eve Monday, December 24 th 4:00 p.m. - Church 6:00 p.m. - Church 12:00 Midnight Mass - Church Christmas Day Monday, December 25 th 7:30 a.m. - Church 9:00 a.m. - Church 11:00 a.m. - Church 12:15 p.m. - Hall Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God Monday, December 31 st, :00 p.m. - Msgr. Ryan Hall Tuesday, January 1 st, :30, 9:00 & 11:00 a.m. - Church CHRISTMAS 2018 In observance of Christmas Day, the Rectory Office will be closed on Monday, December 24 th, 2018 Tuesday, December 25 th, 2018 and Wednesday, December 26 th, 2018 In observance of New Year s Day, the Rectory Office will be closed on Monday, December 31 st, 2018 and Tuesday, January 1 st, 2019 MERRY CHRISTMAS

5 Page 5 CHRISTMAS PRAYER BEFORE THE MANGER SCENE What shall we present unto Thee, O Christ, for Thy coming to earth for us humankind? Each of Thy creatures brings Thee a thankoffering; the angels ~ singing; the heavens ~ a star; the wise men ~ treasures; the shepherds ~ devotion; the earth ~ a cave; the desert ~ a manger, but we offer Thee the virgin-mother. O Eternal God, have mercy upon us! CHRISTMAS FLOWERS AND GREENS St. Mary s has the custom of a Flower Fund to provide flowers for the altar and sanctuary in the Church and Msgr. Ryan Hall at Christmas. If you wish to make a donation to our Christmas Flowers and Greens in memory of a loved one, please return your envelope to the Rectory or place it in the collection basket. There are extra envelopes available at the doors of the Church and Hall. ATTENTION ALL PARENTS We have a special Advent book for children and families on the kiosks for one more week: The Adventures of Nick & Sam The Best Advent Ever This quick chapter book is wonderful family reading, and perfect for this Advent season. Very limited copies are available at both kiosks at $5 each.

6 Page 6 Fr. Lauder Presents The Catholic Novel & Friday Night Film Festival DURING THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER St. Mary s welcomed the following new parishioners: Ms. Digna Flores Mr. & Mrs. Silvio (Maritza Chavez) Saladana Mr. & Mrs. Gilbert (Wendy) Diaz The following were united in Marriage: Mr. & Mrs. Lawrence (Natalie Torres-Dingle) Vollano The following received the Sacrament of Baptism: Ariana Lazo Bruno Lazo And may those who died live with Christ forever, Madeline E. Pecquex Stephen Yadvish The Catholic Novel Series - Rev. Robert Lauder in collaboration with The Office of Faith Formation will present the Catholic Novel series for the Spring of The series will begin on Monday, March 11 th at 7:30 p.m. at the Immaculate Conception Center in Douglaston. The cost of the series is $40. Friday Night Film Festival - Fr. Lauder and The Secretariat for Evangelization and Catechesis present: 56 th Friday Film Festival beginning on Friday, February 22, 2019 at 7:30 p.m. at the Immaculate Conception Center in Douglaston. The cost is $25 for the series or $6 for a single film. For further information on the Catholic Novel Series call (718) or the Friday Night Film Festival call (718) Flyers containing additional information and registration forms are available in the back of the Church and Msgr. Ryan Hall.

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10 Page 10 Dear Padre & Membership PARISH REGISTRATION REQUEST I/we would like to register in the parish of St. Mary s. Please send me a Parish Census to complete so I can become a parishioner of St. Mary s. Please send my Census to: NAME: ADDRESS: PHONE: Please return to the Rectory Office or place in the collection basket.