Church of St. Theresa A Caring Community Reaching Out To One Another in Christ SUNDAY MASSES Saturday at 5:00pm, Sunday at 7:30am, 9:00am (Italian), 1

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1 Church of St. Theresa A Caring Community Reaching Out To One Another in Christ SUNDAY MASSES Saturday at 5:00pm, Sunday at 7:30am, 9:00am (Italian), 10:30am(Family Mass) 12:15pm, 1:30PM(Spanish) & 5:00pm WEEKDAY MASSES Monday thru Saturday 8:00am & 9:00am DEVOTIONS Miraculous Medal & St. Theresa Novenas after Monday morning Masses St. Anthony Novena after Tuesday morning Masses. Thursday 12 Noon Mass & Eucharistic Adoration Exposition & Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament First Friday 6:00pm CONFESSION Saturdays from 4:00pm to 5:00pm and by appointment BAPTISMS Baptisms take place most Sundays after the 1:30pm Mass. We ask parents to attend the Baptism preparation meeting. Register at the Rectory for the meeting. The date of the Baptism will be discussed at the Baptism meeting. MARRIAGES Call the Rectory at least six months in advance of the wedding date to make an appointment with parish clergy St. Theresa Avenue, Bronx, New York Rev. Msgr. Thomas Derivan, Pastor Rev. Joseph Ligory, Parochial Vicar Rev. Edmundo Gomez, Retired, Rev. Robert Imbelli, Weekend Associate Deacon, John Figueroa Mrs. Josephine Fanelli, Principal Mrs. Marie McCarrick, Dir. of Religious Education Nadia Papayani, Dir. of Music RECTORY: /1901 WEBSITE: SCHOOL: FAX: rectorystc@aol.com RELIGIOUS EDUCATION:

2 CHURCH OF ST. THERESA, BRONX FROM THE DESK OF FATHER DERIVAN Today the Church gives us the rosecolored vestments and lights the pink candle. It is the Church s way of reminding us that we are at the midpoint of Advent. The Church is asking us to ask ourselves how Advent has helped us to prepare for Christmas. It is a good reminderone that we should take seriously. We must not let Advent go by without preparing our hearts for the coming of Our Savior. As we come to church today, we see before the altar the empty stable. I have asked that it be placed in front of the altar so that we can pray about it today. For the empty stable teaches us two great lesson, two things that the empty stable symbolizes. We can learn from both. First, the empty stable is a symbol of the world without Jesus. Without Jesus, we are empty. Without Jesus, our homes, our hearts, our lives, our world is empty. And it is precisely into an empty world that the Lord Jesus was born. The Lord knew our emptiness. He knew that our lives are empty like this stable. And so He came to fill it, to fill it and us with His grace and love. Remember when Mary and Joseph came to Bethlehem on that first Christmas night, there was no room for them, only an empty stable. An animals stall became the place of birth for the Son of God. Perhaps God chose this stable to teach us the lesson: without Him, we are just like this, our lives are just like this. Look at the stable today. Do not let yourself be an empty stable. Remember the Lord Jesus is at the door waiting for you to welcome Him in. That is the first meaning of the empty stable, the emptiness of our lives without the Lord Jesus. But there is a second meaning and it is quite different. Our retired Pope Benedict has talked about it and encouraged people to put the empty stable in their homes in these days before Christmas. We do well to think of his message today. The Pope said that we must become like this empty stable, simple and humble and ready to receive Our Lord. It is so easy for us to clutter up the stable of our hearts. We have too many things, too many concerns, too many distractions. We are worried about buying gifts, about wrapping presents, about Christmas things and we can forget that the real point of Christmas is not a thing, but a person, the Lord Jesus born for us. Amid all of our distractions, we must make our hearts empty like the stable, ready to welcome the Lord Jesus Christ. Pope Benedict said, The stable can help us understand the secret of the true Christmas because it speaks of the humility and merciful goodness of Christ who, though He was rich, made Himself poor for us. Only when we are humble, only then are we ready for Christmas. Let the empty stable remind you that Christmas is not storebought presents and bright decorations. Christmas is a poor child s birthday, that poor child who is the Son of God. Only when we look at the stable in its simplicity and poverty, only then can we open our hearts and truly celebrate Christmas. Pope Benedict says very simply, thinking about the empty stable, and the simplicity and humility it represents, There is no other Christmas. We must all be like the stable of Bethlehem. We must make our hearts like this stable, simple enough to welcome Jesus the Lord. We must celebrate the real Christmas for there is no other one. If we want to make our hearts a true stable to welcome the Lord, then turn to the one who filled the empty stable with her love and who made that stable a palace of love for God s Son. We have heard of her throughout Advent and we hear of her once again in the gospel of this last Sunday of Advent. Mary was ready to welcome Christ to the stable of Bethlehem because she had already welcomed Him to the stable of her heart. Let Our Blessed Mother help you to celebrate the right Christmas, the true Christmas, the only Christmas. Let Mary who knew Christmas more than any other person help you to welcome the Newborn Christ. There is an old poem by Father Leonard Feeney about Our Blessed Mother welcoming the Lord Jesus. In fact it is simply called The Welcome. May it help us to welcome Jesus Our Lord. THE WELCOME No music He heard, and no angels He saw as He lay in His wrappings of linen and straw; and the ox and the ass could not kneel and adore or the poor creatures never were angels before. The palace He found was an old cattle stall With a brokendown roof and a windowless wall, And it looked so ashamed of its spiderworn wood; But it tried to be Heaven, as well as it could. A dull stablelantern that hung dark and dim Was the small bit of moonlight that flickered on Him. now it longed to be beautiful, starry and bright; and it sputtered and wept for the dearth of its light. But a Lady of Beauty stood over His head. While she gathered the strawings about for His bed. and her soul was as sweet as a freshbudding rose and as white as the fusion of myriad snow. And her hands did not soil this immaculate prize, And her breath did not sully the bloom in His eyes. On her breast sweet and safe could He slumber and nod: the beautiful villagemaid, now Mother of God. Father Thomas B. Derivan

3 THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT MESSAGE OF POPE FRANCIS FOR THIS SUNDAY In today s Gospel, there is a question posed three times: What shall we do? It is raised to John the Baptist by three categories of people: First, the crowd in general; second, the publicans or tax collectors; and, third, some soldiers. Each of these groups questions the prophet on what must be done to implement the conversion that he is preaching. John s reply to the question of the crowd is sharing essential goods. He told the first group, the crowd, to share basic necessities, and therefore says: He who has two coats, let him share with him who has none; and he who has food, let him do likewise. Then, he tells the second group, the tax collectors, to collect no more than the amount owed. What does this mean? No taking bribes, John the Baptist is clear. And he tells the third group, the soldiers, not to extort anything from anyone and to be content with their wages. There are three answers to the three questions of these groups. Three answers for an identical path of repentance, which is manifested in concrete commitments to justice and solidarity. It is the path that Jesus points to in all his preaching: the path of diligent love for neighbor. From John the Baptist s admonitions, we understand the general tendencies of those who at that time held power, in various forms. Things have not changed very much. However, no category of people is excluded from following the path of repentance to obtain salvation, not even the tax collectors, considered sinners by definition: not even they are excluded from salvation. God does not preclude anyone from the opportunity to be saved. He isso to speakanxious to show mercy, to show it towards everyone, and to welcome each one into the tender embrace of reconciliation and forgiveness. We feel that this question What shall we do? is ours also. Today s liturgy tells us, in the words of John, that it is necessary to repent, to change direction and take the path of justice, solidarity, sobriety: these are the essential values of a fully human and genuinely Christian life. Repent! It sums up the message of the Baptist. And the Liturgy of this Third Sunday of Advent helps us to rediscover a special dimension of repentance: joy. Whoever repents and approaches the Lord, feels joy. The prophet Zephaniah says to us today: Sing aloud, O daughter of Zion!, addressing Jerusalem; and the Apostle Paul exhorts the Christians of Philippi: Rejoice in the Lord always. Today, it takes courage to speak of joy, which, above all, requires faith! The world is beset by many problems, the future is burdened by uncertainties and fears. Yet, Christians are a joyful people, and their joy is not something superficial and ephemeral, but deep and stable, because it is a gift from the Lord that fills life. Our joy comes from the certainty that the Lord is at hand, that he is close with his tenderness, his mercy, his forgiveness and his love. Angelus Message, December 13, 2015 THE MIDPOINT OF ADVENT You will notice today that the priest wears the rosecolored vestments at Mass. Only twice during the year are these vestments worn, on the Third Sunday of Advent and the Fourth Sunday of Lent, a reminder that at the midpoint of Advent and Lent, our purpleofwaiting is already mixed with the whiteness of joy. This Sunday, the midpoint of Advent, was called in years gone by Guadete Sunday, the Sunday of rejoicing. The Entrance Antiphon tells us, Rejoice in the Lord always. Again, I say rejoice! The Lord is near. These words of St. Paul are repeated in the second reading of the Mass. Yes, indeed, we rejoice because the Lord is near! But let us remember that the rosecolored vestments are a reminder to us to ask ourselves how well we are using Advent. Have two weeks gone by without any effect in our lives? Have we prepared for the commercial part of Christmas without preparing for the spiritual part of Christmas? Have we offered our gifts to the Lord, the gifts of kindness and charity, the gifts of helping the needy and the unfortunate? These are the gifts that we should be offering to the Lord. Let the rosecolored vestments remind us to start doing these Advent things, if we have not yet done so. Perhaps we might consider some of the following as our gifts to the Lord during Advent: Attending daily Mass, if possible, or making a visit to the Blessed Sacrament. Joining in our Eucharistic Adoration after the Thursday 12:00PM Mass. Patching up an old friendship that has suffered because of some hurt or simply because of the March of time. Spending some extra time with our parents or grandparents, our children or grandchildren, our neighbor s children or grandchildren, or the shutin that waits for someone to visit. These are our Advent gifts for Jesus. We have less than two weeks to go! Prepare the way of the Lord. Rejoice, the Lord is near. RECONCILIATION MONDAY THIS WEEK This Monday, December 17th, is Reconciliation Monday throughout our Archdiocese. Cardinal Dolan has directed that churches have extended hours on that day for confessions, particularly as we prepare for Christmas. Here in our church confessions will be heard on Monday, December 17th from 3:00PM to 9:00PM. Please bring this to the attention of neighbors and friends, particularly those who may wish to Come home for Christmas. Materials to help with confession will be available. LOOKING AHEADOUR CHRISTMAS SCHEDULE The following Masses will be celebrated for the Feast of Christmas, the Birth of Our Lord, a holyday of obligation: Monday, December 24thChristmas Eve Mass at 5:00PM With children s Nativity Pageant. Midnight Mass12:00AM Tuesday, December 25thChristmas masses as on Sunday 7:30AM, 9:00AM(Italian),10:30AM(Family), 12:15PM, 1:30PM(Spanish) and 5:00PM.

4 DECEMBER 16, 2018 THREE SPECIAL ADVENT EVENINGS THIS WEEK This Monday and Tuesday evenings, December 17th and 18th, at 7:00PM Father Luke Leighton CFR will have evenings of reflection and Benediction. Father Luke will be preaching at our Masses next weekend. Father Luke is a member of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal, was here last year for a preaching weekend in preparation for our Local park Mission, and has given our Confirmation Evening of Reflections for the past three years. We are delighted that he will be with us for these Advent evenings. Monday, December 17th is also Advent Reconciliation Day throughout our Archdiocese. Confessions will be heard from 3:00PM to 9:00PM on that day. On Wednesday, December 19th, we will have the Service of Lessons and Carols at 7:15PM in preparation for Christmas. The ceremony will include Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. We invite you to join in these special three Advent evenings this week to make a good spiritual preparation for Christmas. BLESSING PRAYER FOR THE CRIB Let us pray in silence for the coming of peace into the world and into our home. Lord, As we pray before this our Christmas cribshrine and await the feast of the Birth of the Holy Child, call forth the dormant child from within each of us; cause us to wonder and to rejoice again in this most ancient feast. As the Magi came bearing gifts, may we, this Christmas, gift one another with the gold of charity, the myrrh of kindness and the incense of prayer. With the shepherds, we come to the birth of Christ seeking a simple celebration, where the greatest gift will be ourselves given to You, our God, and to each other. May the Star of Bethlehem which shone brightly over the first crib stand guard over our home, filling it and all the earth with light and peace. We adore You, O Christ and we bless You because by Your holy birth You give hope to all the world. Amen. HELLO, Thank You! You can help ShopRite give up to $1 Million to local schools every year. Help Your School Earn More! Check out NEW everyday offer: Registered users get 40 Digital Bonus Box Tops when they buy 6 participating items, or Get 20, Buy 4 or Get 2, Buy 1 This is exclusive to ShopRite shoppers and Price Plus Card holders. Encourage parents to register with ShopRiteForMySchool.com to take advantage of it! How It Works: 1. Register: Link your Price Plus club card to ShopRite For My School and select the school you wish to support. 2. Shop: Purchase ShopRite For My School participating products to earn Digital Bonus Box Tops and help us give more cash to local schools. 3. Earn: Digital Bonus Box Tops earnings are automatically credited to your participating school s account. HOW DO I REGISTER? Simply visit to set up your profile. Once you ve chosen your Box Tops eligible school and linked your Price Plus Club Card you re set up to start earning Box Tops for your school whenever you shop for participating products. Beginning July 29th, ALL General Mills Products are eligible for ShopRite For My School! Check out our participating brands!** **Only Box Tops For Education eligible schools (K8) can earn money through Box Tops for Education. ShopRite For My School is a digital Box Tops program. Box Tops clipped from packages are not eligible for this program but shoppers may still turn those into their schools. **ShopRite private label products rotate yearly. See participating Product List for more details. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!!

5 THE GIVING TREE Our parish observes the beautiful custom of the Giving Tree. The tree is placed near the statue of St. Joseph with angel ornament tags on the back of which there is a request for toys or other items. Gifts will be distributed in the name of St. Theresa Parish to the following charities: HOPE FOR US a program started by Bronx college students to help children (particularly those affected by sickle cell anemia) who are in hospitals or other social service Programs. HOUR CHILDREN a program to help children in needy families and neighborhoods to enjoy Christmas presents. DOMINICAN SISTERS OF SPARKILL to assist retired sisters in their infirmary. The Sparkill Sisters faithfully started our school and staffed it for many years. AHRC our local program on Mayflower Avenue which serves individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Please take one of the ( Angel tags ) and then bring your unwrapped gift next week to Mass or the rectory during the week. We thank all who have donated gifts. Today is the final day for the Giving Tree. THIS MONDAY IS RECONCILIATION MONDAY Each year, during Advent and Lent, Cardinal Dolan has directed all churches to have a Reconciliation (Confession) Monday with several hours for the opportunity for confession. Here in our church confessions will be heard from 3:00PM until 9:00PM tomorrow (Monday) December 17th. We invite you to take this opportunity to come to confession as you prepare for Christmas. If you have been away from the sacraments, be assured that Our Lord is waiting for you with His mercy and love. Please bring this information to others who may wish to Come Home for Christmas. Some simple points about making your confession: 1. Prepare by examining your conscience, thinking of serious sins since your last confession and any other matters you wish to confess. 2. Decide whether you wish to go to confession behind the screen or facetoface. If you choose to go facetoface, remember that the priest is bund to say nothing about what you confess. 3. When you enter the confessional, wait for the priest to greet you with the Sign of the Cross. Then say, Bless me, Father for I have sinned. It has been...since my last confession. 4. Simply confess your sins. 5. The priest will give you a penance, prayers to say or something to do. 6. Then recite the Act of Contrition (several forms are listed below). 7. The priest will give you the absolution which is the forgiveness of your sins. 8. When you leave the confessional, recite your penance and thank God for His mercy and forgiveness. Several Acts of Contrition (select one to say in your confession); My God, I am sorry for my sins with all my heart. In choosing to do wrong and failing to do good, I have sinned against you whom I should love above all things. I firmly intend, with your help, to do penance, to sin no more, and to avoid whatever leads me to sin. Our Savior Jesus Christ suffered and died for us. In His Name, my God, have mercy. Amen O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins because of Thy just punishments, but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, Who art allgood and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Thy grace, to sin no more and to avoid the near occasions of sin. Amen or Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me, a sinner.

6 PLEASE PRAY FOR THE RECENTLY DECEASED MEMBERS OF OUR PARISH AND THEIR FAMILIES THERESA LOPIANO, JOSEPH GIACINTO & MARY DEBLASIO THIS WEEK S ALTAR BREAD IS IN LOVING MEMORY OF NOEL BANCKS LOVE, THE VIRELLO FAMILY THE SANCTUARY LAMP BURNING NEAR THE TABERNACLE THIS WEEK IS IN LOVING MEMORY OF JAMES & FILOMENA CAPELLUPO LOVE, MARIE & FAMILY THE FLOWERS IN FRONT OF THE ALTAR THIS WEEK IN MEMORY OF MIKE DIGIROLAMO LOVE, ST. THERESA SCHOOL FACULTY & STAFF ARE YOU A REGISTERED PARISHIONER All new or unregistered parishioners are asked to please register by phone or in person at the Rectory or fill out the information below. Many items of importance will be mailed home in the course of the year. NAME ADDRESS PHONE# CELL# PLEASE RETURN TO THE RECTORY OFFICE. SATURDAY DECEMBER 15, :00PM Felice & Rose Polito (Anniversary) SUNDAY DECEMBER 16, :30AM Parishioners of St. Theresa 9:00AM Luigi Gentile 10:30AM Angelo & Maria Pozzuto 12:15PM Antoinetta Carovillano 1:30PM Francisca Gonzalez 5:00PM Silvino Juan Cardoso MONDAY DECEMBER 17, :00AM Florence Mohan 9:00AM Marie Sansalone TUESDAY DECEMBER 18, :00AM Arcangelo, Giovanna, Giusepina & Vincenzo Frangella 9:00AM Antonio Pereira WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 19, :00AM Olimpia Rinaldi 9:00AM Sal Zottola THURSDAY DECEMBER 20, :00AM Enrico Mossa & Family In Honor of the Sacred Heart of Jesus 9:00AM Anthony Fata 12NOON Peter Bastone Jr. FRIDAY DECEMBER 21, :00AM Sylvester Zottola 9:00AM Joan Lombardi SATURDAY DECEMBER 22, :00AM Mary Calcagnini 9:00AM Alfio, Teresa & Rosalia Morello 5:00PM Benjamin, Carmella, Albert Gregoria SUNDAY DECEMBER 23, :30AM Parishioners of St. Theresa 9:00AM Vincenza Petrosino Greco 10:30AM Dolores Fiorillo 12:15PM Helen & Vincent Virgintino 1:30PM Susana Hernandez & Milton Anton 5:00PM Seamus Fergerson PRAY FOR THE SICK OF OUR PARISH: Phyllis Amitrano, Maryann Cale Bannan, Nancy Cardone, Elaine Reiss Cina, Joseph Cina, Phyllis Caruso, Marie DiPolo, Thomas Egan, Frank Ferrara, Rita Ferrara, Daley Gribbon, Ita Griffin, Sean Howell, William Keenan, Sal Lanza, Frank Maiorana, Maryann Maiorana, Diane Martino, Joe Martino, Theresa Martino, Isabelle O Brien, Frank Oricco, Marie Russillo, Camille Siciliano, Mario Simeone, Toni Spahr, Florence Valentine, Dean Valentine, Nicholas Vasti, Frank Vertullo, Irene Vesely.

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