First Sunday of Advent 27 November 2011 Saint Luke Church, Whitestone, New York

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May he not come suddenly and find you sleeping. what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!

1 First Sunday of Advent 27 November 2011 Saint Luke Church, Whitestone, New York FROM THE DESK OF MSGR. TOSI --- Watch, therefore; you do not know when the Lord of the house is coming, whether in the evening, or at midnight or at cockcrow, or in the morning. May he not come suddenly and find you sleeping. what I say to you, I say to all: Watch! While for most of us Advent and Christmas focuses our attention on the mystery of the Word Made Flesh - born of the Virgin Mary, the church also wants us to prepare for Christ s Second Coming -a coming that is certain but one we do not know the hour or day. Our Advent Season must not only point us to a past historical event, but to a present and future manifestation of Christ. The Gospel and other scripture readings of the Season tell us to live waiting in joyful hope for Christ s future coming in glory. At this Second Coming the full revelation of God s Kingdom will take place - Jesus will come to judge the living and the dead. Yet, if you are like me we can become sleepy and therefore not live in a sense of watching! For some this may appear frightening -scary with images of the end of the world floating in our head. However, we have no need to fear if we live each day in God s presence - fulfilling his will and welcoming with open hearts the Lord as he comes in the people, places and events of our ordinary lives. In many ways this Advent Season challenges us to live in three time zones - past, present and future. The center of this Season is Christ - His desire is to come to us now and in the future as He took up His dwelling place of the Virgin Mary in the past. Advent is a difficult Season to celebrate with all the many activities, functions and tasks that occupy our lives at this time of year. So...let s Keep Christ in Christmas by keeping Christ in our lives! God bless. Let us pray for one another, NEW TRANSLATION OF THE ROMAN MISSAL --- Begins today as we gather for the First Sunday of Advent. Change is never easy - especially in our worship of God at the celebration of the Eucharist. However, with patience we will become familiar with these revised prayers and texts. Perhaps these new translations will keep us watchful and awake and so receive the Lord in a new and unexpected manner. Remember - while words and rituals change, the Mystery of the Eucharist given to us by Christ doesn t. Let us help and encourage one another in this common work of worship. The Campaign Prayer Memorare Remember, O most compassionate Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your assistance, or sought your intercession, was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, we fly unto you, O Virgin of Virgins, our Mother; to you we come; before you we kneel sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not our petitions, but in your clemency hear and answer them. Amen. Page 1

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MISSION STATEMENT As a community of believers in Jesus Christ and in Communion with the universal church, we strive to follow the Lord s command to love God and one another.

3 MISSION STATEMENT As a community of believers in Jesus Christ and in Communion with the universal church, we strive to follow the Lord s command to love God and one another. Rooted in word and sacrament, we grow together as a Eucharistic community inviting all to the Good News of Jesus. FAMILY PRAYER FOR ADVENT & CHRISTMAS Pray this prayer aloud together as a family after Thanksgiving and until January 1st. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Dear Jesus, We know you will come to us in a special way at Christmas. But we also know this means that you will be born in our hearts not in a stable in Bethlehem. Prepare us to welcome you! Help us to be sorry for our sins and confess them honestly. Help us celebrate Mass with devotion and share ourselves with others. Help us see around us those who are suffering or have special needs or who can t help themselves. (Here mention any who may need your help at this time) Come, Emmanuel, God-with-us. Come into our hearts as we wait to celebrate anew your birth; Come into our minds as we recall the grace of your love for us; Come into our lives as we follow your call to live for you and for others. May we bear your love to our world, as we wait in hope for the day when the whole world sees your love and lives in it. We make this prayer in your name, Emmanuel, you who are one with the Father and the Spirit, now and forever. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Leisa Anslinger and Bill Huebsch, All rights reserves. Permission to reproduce is granted. Page 3

SUNDAY COLLECTION November 20 $11,405 Amount Needed $13,425 Envelopes Mailed 1883 Envelopes Received 691 2011 Annual Catholic Appeal Thank you --- Thank you --- As of November 21st a total of

Please consider joining your fellow parishioners by making your gift to the Appeal. God bless.

4 SUNDAY COLLECTION November 20 $11,405 Amount Needed $13,425 Envelopes Mailed 1883 Envelopes Received Annual Catholic Appeal Thank you --- Thank you --- As of November 21st a total of $144,137 has already been given by 508 donors with $138,275 already received. This is truly remarkable and once again shows the generosity of so many parishioners. Please consider joining your fellow parishioners by making your gift to the Appeal. God bless. One Bread --- One Body One Vibrant Church *********************************** PRE-JORDAN PROGRAM --- If you are planning a Baptism, please note the following dates: Baptism Sunday Baptism Class Dec. 4 & 11 Dec. 19 Jan. 8 & 22 Jan. 9 Feb. 12 & 26 Feb. 13 For more information, please call Sister Catherine T. Reilly at (718) ************************************ ATTENTION ALL EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS OF HOLY COMMUNION & LECTORS --- Please stop by the sacristy and pick up your copy of The Little Blue Book for Advent and Christmas Seasons. Put out by the Diocese of Saginaw, Michigan the book contains six-minute reflections for each day of the Advent and Christmas Season. A source of grace and meditation will bring new insights into these two seasons of the Liturgical Year. ATTENTION --- ALL LECTORS The new edition of the Workbook for Lectors which begins with the First Sunday of Advent, November 27 is now available in the sacristy. Please be sure to pick up your copy as soon as possible. Thank you for your generous ministry to the parish. MUSIC MINISTRY NOTES --- Lessons & Carols -December 18 at 3pm Celebrating the birth of Jesus, Nine Lessons and Carols is a service of worship which traditionally occurs during the Advent and Christmas season. The story of the fall of Adam, the promise of the Messiah, and the birth of Jesus is told in nine shore scripture readings, interspersed with the singing of carols and hymns. This year, our choirs, Adult, Folk, Italian and Youth will lead us in the singing of Advent hymns and anthems to help us prepare for the birth of the Savior. O Come, O Come Emmanuel Veni, Veni Emmanuel is a Latin hymn from the 9th century which was translated into English by John M. Neale. Each stanza of this hymn is one of the Great or O antiphons. The Antiphons are used with the Magnificat at vespers to mark the last days of the liturgy, but these seven are the ones in current use. Neale s translation is from his Mediaeval Hymns and Sequences (London Page 4

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EXPOSITION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT --- All are invited to spend some time in prayer with the Lord present in the Blessed Sacrament on the First Friday of each month.

The next Exposition of the Most Blessed Sacrament will be on Friday, December 2nd. Why not take some time to be with the Lord in thanksgiving and praise for His goodness to each of us?

7 EXPOSITION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT --- All are invited to spend some time in prayer with the Lord present in the Blessed Sacrament on the First Friday of each month. The Exposition of the Most Blessed Sacrament follows the 8:30am Mass until 9:00pm when it will close with Benediction. The next Exposition of the Most Blessed Sacrament will be on Friday, December 2nd. Why not take some time to be with the Lord in thanksgiving and praise for His goodness to each of us? ADVENT BIBLE STUDY WITH FR. VINCENT --- Join Father Vincent in a Scripture Study called Jesus of Scripture. We will learn about the different portraits of Jesus in the Gospels. The two sessions are Wednesday, November 30th at 7:30pm and Friday, December 16th at 7:30pm - both in the rectory basement. SUPPORT OUR ALTAR SERVERS --- Please come by the School Hall after any of the Masses this weekend, November 26 and 27 for our annual Bake Sale. All proceeds will help defer the costs for the Altar Server Christmas Trip on December 9th. PADRE PIO PRAYER GROUP --- The next meeting of the Padre Pio Prayer Group will take place on Tuesday, November 29th at 7:30pm in the church. All are welcome. BEREAVEMENT GROUP --- The Bereavement Group meeting will be held on Tuesday, December 6th at 7:30pm in the Rectory basement. The bereavement ministry is an outreach to those who have experienced the death of a loved one. If you are interested in joining us once a month, please call Sr. Catherine T. Reilly, O.P. at (718) or Fr Vincent Chirichella at (718) Thank you to all those who so generously contributed to last weekend s Food Drive and to all the volunteers who worked so hard to make it such a success. Through your goodness those in need of assistance in various parishes in Brooklyn and Queens had food on their tables. May God bless you for your kindness to others. Page 7

8 SAINT LUKE HOLY NIGHT - BRIGHT STAR CELEBRATION 2011 Help make our community radiant with the Light of Christ. Holy Night-Bright Star offers all our parishioners, friends and neighbors the opportunity to light up a tree by remembering or honoring the people that have touched our lives. For a donation of $250 you can dedicate a Tree of Lights in memory of or in honor of a loved one. Your donation will include: - One fresh cut 5 foot Christmas tree decorated with lights. - A sign containing the name of your loved one on each tree. - Assist with the lights and star for the Parish Tree. - A Mass for all our loved ones will be celebrated at 5:00PM on the night of the lighting - Saturday, December 10, If you would like to donate a Tree of Lights for a loved one, please complete, sign and return the Sponsored Tree form below with a check for $250 payable to Saint Luke Church. Any questions, please call the Rectory at All are invited to sponsor a tree as a special way of saying: I m thinking about you at Christmas! We ask for your earliest response since there will be a limited number of trees available. This year s Holy Night-Bright Star display will run from December 10, 2011 to January 8, Please cut below the line I/we would like to sponsor a tree in memory or in honor of: NAME OF LOVED ONE (Please Print) SPONSORED BY PHONE (Please Print) SIGNATURE DATE Page 8

9 1. Sunday celebration of the Eucharist and lighting of the Advent Wreath. The Sunday Eucharist with its Scripture Readings is at the heart of the Advent Season. The traditional lighting of the Advent Candles recalls the longing for Christ, true light of the world. 2. Family Mass, Sunday, December 18th at the 11:45am Mass. Bring the family to this special Mass in preparation for the Christmas feast. Families will prepare the Nativity Scene during Mass. This Christmas tradition first prepared by St. Francis of Assisi reminds us of the true reason for the season. 3. Family Mass & the Blessing of Expectant Mothers. On Sunday, December 18 the Family Mass will celebrate the coming feast of Christmas with two special events: 1. The preparation of the church Nativity Set with a living Nativity Scene (a live baby Jesus included!) 2. A special blessing of expectant mothers - fathers too! Expecting a baby? Come receive God s blessing for a safe delivery and a healthy baby. No registration needed. 4. Holy Night/Bright Star - Saturday, December 10 at 6:00pm. Make the night radiate with the Light of Christ. Join the community in lighting the parish Christmas Tree on the Great Lawn; sing Christmas Carols as the Nativity Scene is blessed; join in the lighting of the Trees of Lights in memory of or in honor of our loved ones. The 5:00pm Mass will be celebrated for their intentions. Page 9

10 5. Lessons & Carols - Sunday, December 18 at 3:00pm. Celebrating the birth of Jesus, Nine Lessons and Carols is a service of Worship which traditionally occurs during the Advent and Christmas Season. The story of the fall of Adam, the promise of the Messiah, And the birth of Jesus is told in nine short Scripture Readings, interspersed With the singing of carols and hymns. This year our Choirs, Adult, Folk, Italian and Youth will lead us in the singing of Advent hymns and anthems to help us prepare for the Birth of the Savior. 6. Advent Bible Study Join Father Vincent in a Scripture Study called Jesus of Scripture. Study will focus on different portraits of Jesus in the Gospels. The two sessions will be held in the rectory basement at 7:30pm on Wednesday, November 30th and Friday, December 16th. 7. Giving Tree An opportunity for people to share their blessings at Christmas With those less fortunate. 8. Christmas at Saint Luke Celebrate the joy of Christ s birth here at Saint Luke Church. Please consult the December issue of the PAX for the Christmas Schedule of Masses. Page 10

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9 at 7pm; Tuesday, Jan. 10 at 7pm. Callbacks: Thursday, Jan. 12 at 7pm. Location: St. Andrew Avellino s Andrean Hall between 157th and 158th Sts. Off Northern Blvd.

14 FLUSHING FIRST FRIDAY CLUB --- Friday, December 2, 2011 at Verdi s Restaurant, Whitestone, N.Y. at 12 noon. The cost is $25 per person. The guest speaker is Father Gerard Ettlinger, Moderator of the First Friday Club. AUDITIONS --- The Andrean Players present The Music Man. Audition dates are as follows: Monday, Jan.9 at 7pm; Tuesday, Jan. 10 at 7pm. Callbacks: Thursday, Jan. 12 at 7pm. Location: St. Andrew Avellino s Andrean Hall between 157th and 158th Sts. Off Northern Blvd. Please come 5-10 minutes early to fill our your audition form. Be prepared to sing a song from the show. If you have any questions, please us at theandreanplayers@gmail.com. DUBLIN CITY RAMBLERS --- The Ancient Order of Hibernians, Division 7 Presents The Christmas Concert Tour of The Dublin City Ramblers on Sunday, December 4, Doors open at 3pm. Concert to start at 4pm. Irish American Center, 297 Willis Avenue, Mineola, NY Come and join us for an afternoon filled with great music and fun! Advance tickets are $30. $35 at the door. For ticket information please contact Francis McLoughlin at or Paul Fogarty at ORGAN RECITAL --- St. Josaphat s Church, St., Bayside is hosting a concert on Saturday, December 3, 2011 at 6:15pm. The organ recital features music by Bach, Mendelssohn, Elgar, Dubois, and Andrew Carter. Deanna Muro, Director of Music, St. Joseph s Church, King s Park, N.Y. For more information please call St. Josaphat s Church at Page 14

15 SCRIPTURE READINGS Mon. - Is 2:1-5; Mt 8:5-11 Tues.- Is 11:1-10; Lk 10:21-24 Wed. - Rom 10:9-18; Mt 4:18-22 Thurs. - Is 26:1-6; Mt 7:21,24-27 Fri. - Is 29:17-24; Mt 9:27-31 Sat. - Is 30:19-21,23-26; Mt 9:35-10:1,5a,6-8 WE PRAY FOR THE SICK OF THE PARISH: JOSETTE TANZOLA SANTINO VINCENT MIGLIACCIO JENNIE ROMANO MARYANN (IZZO) GERMINO SUSANNA WINSHIP LENNY KALLU BARBARA SATALINO ARTOURAS JAOUTAKAS AND FOR THE DECEASED: YOLANDA DRENKALE JENNIFER MIA ESPIENT FLORENCE COTUGNO ********************************* MEMORIALS The Altar Breads are given in memory of ANTONIO MALATESTA at the request of Maria & Antonio Colalillo. The Altar Wine is given in memory of ANTONIO MALATESTA at the request of Dolores Colalillo & family. ANNOUNCED MASSES FOR THE WEEK OF NOVEMBER 28, 2011 Monday, November 28 7:00 Ashley Frangella 12:00 Louis Granelli Tuesday, November 29 8:30 Theresa Matrullo 12:00 All Souls in Purgatory Wednesday, November 30 7:00 Patrick O Connell (Birthday) 12:00 Petar Ugricic Thursday, December 1 8:30 Ed Pompa & Rose Marchetti 12:00 Eileen, Marie, Alice & Mary Friday, December 2 7:00 Carlo Cataldo (Birthday) 8:30 Fiorino Ranallo 12:00 Luigi & Isabella Tempesta Saturday, December 3 8:30 Ida Bacchia (Birthday) *********************************** Collective Intentions Mass --- The next Collective Intentions Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, December 10th at 12 noon. At this Mass we pray for: SALVATORE TOTINO ROCCO MANNIELLO Page 15

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The Epiphany of the Lord 8 January 2012 Saint Luke Church, Whitestone, New York

The Epiphany of the Lord 8 January 2012 Saint Luke Church, Whitestone, New York FROM THE DESK OF MSGR. TOSI --- They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered