OUR LADY OF SORROWS ST. ANTHONY

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1 The Parish Family of OUR LADY OF SORROWS ST. ANTHONY Two Churches One Family Our Lady of Sorrows Church 3816 East State Street Ext. St. Anthony Church 626 South Olden Avenue Parish Office & Mailing Address (Located in the Hall at Our Lady of Sorrows Church) 3816 East State St. Ext., Hamilton, NJ Parish Office Hours (Closed Sundays and holidays as announced in the bulletin) Mon. - Thu., 9:00 am - 12:30 pm; 1:45-8:00 pm Fri., 9:00 am - 12:30 pm; 1:45-4:30 pm; Sat., 8:30 am - 12:30 pm Phone: Fax: Website: info@ols-sa.org SUNDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2015 Rev. Msgr. Thomas N. Gervasio... Pastor Rev. H. Todd Carter... Parochial Vicar Rev. Jean R. Felicién... Parochial Vicar James Challender, Deacon Luders Desiré, Deacon Kevin O Boyle, Deacon Joseph Jaruszewski, Deacon Jeffery Pierfy, Deacon Joseph Novak and Michael Stewart... Trustees Donald E. Costantino... School Principal Mariyam Francis... Religious Education Director Mary O Boyle... Pre-School Director Susan Commini... Pastoral Outreach Michael Amantia... Music Ministry Doris Cordero... Parish Secretary Clara Gioe...Financial Secretary Denise Mikics...Bulletin & Calendar Gérald Charmant... Haitian Ministry 2011 Bon Venture Services, LLC RELIGIOUS EDUCATION OFFICE 3816 East State St. Ext. Phone: Fax: Report student absences by calling , ext. 2 OUR LADY OF SORROWS SCHOOL 3800 East State St. Ext. Phone: , ext. 1 Fax: OUR LADY OF SORROWS PRE-SCHOOL 3710 East State St. Ext. Phone: Fax: WORSHIP & SACRAMENTAL LIFE (OLS) Our Lady of Sorrows Church (SA) St. Anthony Church WEEKEND MASSES Saturday... 4:00 pm (SA), 5:00 pm (OLS) Sunday...8:00 & 10:00 am (SA), 7:30, 9:00, & 11:00 am (OLS) Creole Mass: 6:30 pm (SA) HOLY DAYS OF OBLIGATION Vigil of Holy Day...7:00 pm (SA) Holy Day12:15 pm (SA), 6:30 pm (Creole) (SA), 7:00 am & 7:00 pm (OLS) WEEKDAY MASSES Monday - Friday...7:00 am (OLS), 8:00 am (SA) Wednesday... 6:30 pm (Creole) (SA) Saturday... 9:00 am (OLS) Civil Holiday Masses as Announced ROSARY Monday - Friday... 7:30 am (SA) 1st Sunday of Month, January - June... 9:30 am (SA) 1st Sunday of Month, July - December... 8:30 am (OLS) WEEKLY NOVENAE Miraculous Medal... Mondays, after 8:00 am Mass (SA) St. Anthony... Tuesdays, after 8:00 am Mass (SA) BAPTISMS 1st Sunday... 11:00 am (SA) 3rd Saturday...10:00 am (Creole) (SA) 2nd & 3rd Sundays... 12:15 pm (OLS) RECONCILIATION Saturday... 3:00-3:45 pm (SA), 3:45-4:30 pm (OLS) Also by appointment

2 MASS INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK MONDAY, DECEMBER 7 OLS 7 AM Howard Faulkner ~ W Faulkner Jr Josephine & Joseph Radice & Family ~ Grandchildren SA 8 AM Dorothy Bresnen ~ Family Dympna Bowels ~ J & D Halloran SA 7 PM James Maloney ~ Parish TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8 OLS 7 AM Ben Persichilli ~ Family Deacon Joseph Peissner ~ Family SA 12:15 PM Stephanie B. Winowicz ~ E Troiani Mary & Frank Chiacchio ~ Family OLS 7 PM Agnes Mount ~ Daughter & family WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9 OLS 7 AM Louis Morello ~ M/M R Murdza Stella Fruscione Sons & Dghs ~ Family SA 8 AM Louise Perilli ~ K & C Reichmann Jim Cleary ~ Wife Doris THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10 OLS 7 AM Frank L Silvestro ~ Wife & family Gene Cerrone ~ D & B Theberge SA 8 AM Robert Herrera ~ Wife & family Eleanor Simone ~ A LoPresti FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11 OLS 7 AM George Banker ~ P & G Burton Donna Benson ~ M & S Commini OLS 9 AM School Mass SA 8 AM Louise Perilli ~ Rosary Altar Society Elisa Borghi ~ A Pascucci & family SATURDAY, DECEMBER 12 OLS 9 AM Donald & Katherine Jones ~ J & C Casto Rose Radice Sons & Dghs ~ Family SA 4 PM Janice Glassman ~ Eleanor Dena & Stephen Plumeri ~ Mom & Domenic Lois J Asta ~ A M Brinkerhoff OLS 5 PM For the People of the Parish SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13 OLS 7:30 AM Henry Hicks ~ Hampton Family William Schultze ~ M Wu & sons Michele Kelly ~ Daughter, husband, mother SA 8 AM Charles Kachur ~ Family Msgr William F Fitzgerald ~ Sr Marian William OSF Robert Dietrich ~ M/M P Garton OLS 9 AM Louis Verrelli ~ V Verrelli Joyce Gross ~ V & G Guze Barbara Schreier ~ E Kazior SA 10 AM Mario Passerella ~ Wife Tina & family Mom & Pop Bruccoleri ~ Dgh Nora Lucy Cooper ~ M Carroll OLS 11 AM Lillian Boulanowski ~ Sister Tereca Fucci ~ J Bennett Ramona Grogan ~ T & J Bartolomei 2 AT YOUR SERVICE NEW? If you'd like to join the parish, please visit the parish office and complete a registration form. We'll give you a supply of numbered envelopes. Their use will ensure that we can provide you with contribution information for income tax purposes and help document your participation in the liturgical life of your parish. PLEASE CALL THE PARISH OFFICE TO ARRANGE FOR: Baptism - Call well in advance to schedule. Matrimony - Call at least a year prior to your planned date. Anointing of the Sick - This is not a sacrament for only those who are at the point of death, but also those facing a serious illness. Holy Eucharist for the Homebound Bereavement Counseling Annulment Process Information RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION FOR ADULTS - If you want to join the Catholic Church or complete your sacraments of initiation (First Eucharist and/or Confirmation), join us for the RCIA. Weekly classes begin each September. LOW-GLUTEN (0.01%) HOSTS - We provide lowgluten hosts for those with Celiac Disease. Please inform the priest or deacon prior to the celebration of Mass; at communion time, approach the priest celebrant who will have this sacred host. SANCTUARY MEMORIALS - Weekly sanctuary lamps or flowers for Masses may be requested in memory of a loved one or to mark a special occasion. The cost of a lamp is $15; floral arrangements are $75. Please visit the parish office at least a week in advance, so that the dedication may be included in the bulletin. MASS INTENTIONS - Masses should be requested at the parish office; the stipend is $10. Our Mission Statement We are the Parish of Our Lady of Sorrows - Saint Anthony, a Roman Catholic Community; as one Eucharistic Family, we are Christcentered and Spirit-led. Children of God our Father, we are united by His Love and sustained by the intercession of Our Lady and Saint Anthony. We give witness to our faith in action.

3 From the Pastor s Desk Dear Parishioners, Today our parish welcomes His Excellency, the Most Reverend Harry J. Flynn, Archbishop Emeritus of St. Paul and Minneapolis. Archbishop Flynn graciously accepted my invitation to conduct an Advent Mini Retreat, which will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, December 7, at Saint Anthony Church and then on Tuesday, December 8, at Our Lady of Sorrows Church. How wonderful it is to be able to have the Archbishop with us on the celebration of Our Lady s Immaculate Conception! I encourage you and your family members and friends to be a part of these two evenings that will be truly extraordinary! Archbishop Flynn is a native of Schenectady and a priest of the Diocese of Albany. He served for many years as Rector of Mount St. Mary s Seminary, Emmitsburg, Maryland. (He was my rector until he was recalled to serve as a pastor in his native diocese.) Shortly thereafter he was named by St. John Paul II to be Bishop of Lafayette, Louisiana ( ) and subsequently was named as Archbishop of St. Paul and Minneapolis, where he ministered from 1995 until his retirement in He keeps quite busy and is well known as a fine retreat master. Please remember that December 8 is a holy day of obligation. It is also the day that marks the beginning of the Special Holy Year of Mercy, proclaimed by our Holy Father. We could not have asked for a better inauguration of this time of grace with the Archbishop. Our bulletin will carry information on our own observance of the Holy Year. I hope it will be a time of true renewal. With affection, Msgr. Gervasio Stewardship Report Weekly Collection: Nov. 22 $18,054 Weekly Collection: Nov. 29 $20,986 November Online Giving $4,190 SOLEMNITY OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION A HOLY DAY OF OBLIGATION Mass Schedule Monday, December 7 7:00 p.m. SA Archbishop Flynn, Celebrant Tuesday, December 8 7:00 a.m. OLS 12:15 p.m. SA 7:00 p.m. OLS Archbishop Flynn, Celebrant 3 Mesaj ki soti nan biwo Kire-a Frè-m ak Sè-m yo, Jodia pawas nou an ap akeyi Son Exselans Msgr Harry J. Flynn, Achevek retrete nan lavil St Paul, Minnesota. Se ak ke kontan Achevek Flynn aksepte envitasyon mwen pou kondwi yon "Retret tou kout nan TanLavan an" ki pral fet jou Lendi ki ap 7 Desanm a 7pm nan Legliz St Anthony answit Madi 8 Desanm nan menm le a nan Legliz OLS. Ala bel bel bagay le nou gen avek nou Achevek la nan selebrasyon fet Imakile Konsepsyon. Mwen ankouraje wmenm ak tout moun ki nan fanmi w ak zanmi w vini patisipe nan 2 swa sa yo ki ap vreman ekstraodine! Achevek Flynn se yon moun ki fet nan lavil Schenektady epi li se yon Pe nan lavil Albany. Li te Rekte pandan plizye lane nan Semine Mount St Mary, Emmitsburg, Maryland. Li te rekte mwen jiskaske siperye le nonmen l kire nan Dyosez kote li te fet la. Yon ti tan apre, St Jean Paul II nonmen li Evek Lafayette, Louisiana ( ) epi nan lane 1995 li te vinn Achevek St Paul nan Minneapolis, se la li tap feraye jiskaske li pran retret li. Li pa rete chita yon sel kote, li gen yon repitasyon Pe ki konn preche sa yo rele Retret. Tanpri sonje ke jou Dimanch kap 8 la se yon jou dobligasyon. Jou sa a tou ap make "komansman lane mizerikod la" ke Pap nou an. te pwoklame. Avek Achevek la, jou inogirasyon sa a ap rete inoubliyab. Nan bilten an, nap jwenn kek enfomasyon sou kouman nou dwe obseve lane sent sa a. Mwen espere se yon tan tout bon vre ki pral pemet nou vinn retounen yon lot moun. Avèk afeksyon, Msgr Gervasio Your Christmas Gift Our parish relies very much on the annual Christmas Collection to meet its financial obligations. Your generosity in this annual appeal is very much appreciated. Many Hands Make Light Work Are you able to give 1-2 hours approximately 7 times a year caring for our parish altar linens? Members of the Altar Linen Ministry launder and press the purificators used for our Sunday and daily masses. Greatly appreciated by the priests, deacons, and parish staff, this important ministry works behind the scenes to help keep our parish running smoothly. If you are interested, please call Susan at the parish office ( ).

4 You're Invited Faith to Move Mountains Advent Mini-Retreat with The Most Rev. Harry J. Flynn Archbishop Emeritus, Minneapolis-St. Paul 7:00 p.m. Monday, Dec. 7: St. Anthony Church Tuesday, Dec. 8: Our Lady of Sorrows Church Pray for Vocations! As many of you know, we have Eucharistic Adoration available every Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 6:15 p.m. On Thursday, December 10, we will be concluding that day of prayer with Solemn Vespers and Benediction at 6:30 p.m. The intention for this Vespers is for an increase of vocations to the Priesthood. So, if you are interested in praying for vocations, please come to this event or at least spend some time in prayer that day for this intention. Vespers is an ancient form of evening prayer from the Liturgy of the Hours and is prayed by seminarians, priests, and religious throughout the world. If you have any questions, please contact Fr. Carter at Sanctuary Lamps at Saint Anthony One lamp burns in loving memory of Theresa DiFranco at the request of her husband Pasquale The other is lit in loving memory of James Cleary at the request of the Cleary Family Liturgical Celebrations This Week Mon., Dec. 7 St. Ambrose Tue., Dec. 8 Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary Wed., Dec. 9 St. Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin Fri., Dec. 11 St. Damasus I Sat., Dec. 12 Our Lady of Guadalupe Have you made a pledge? Thanks to all who made a commitment to the diocesan endowment campaign, Faith to Move Mountains. We have made great strides in supporting this endeavor that seeks to strengthen the Church s ability to minister effectively in the future. We are striving to establishing endowments for parish needs, seminary education, deacon formation, needs of our retired priests, Catholic schools, catechetical programs, and our social services to the needy. Please prayerfully consider a sacrificial gift for this work if you have not done so. Cards are at the doors of our churches. Progress Report Parish Goal $1,495,000 Total # Gifts 304 Pledges as of 10/23/15 $ 913,112 Average Gift $ 3,039 Percent of Goal 61% Adopt-a-Family Reminder Final week to shop for Adopt a Family. Please bring your wrapped gifts to the school cafeteria next Sunday between noon and 2:30 p.m. Be sure to have the donation number and the child s name on each item. Thank you so much for your generosity! In The News Our Parish Sports Program Faithful readers of The Monitor were surely pleased to see our CYO athletes featured in the November 19 issue (p.36). Our basketball players (Chris Genicola, Patrick Prendergast, and Conor Monahan) were pictured presenting the offertory gifts at season s opening Mass at the CYO center. Olivia Okupski was shown in play against St. Paul s, Princeton. We won that Opening Day game on the back of seven points from Olivia. In an opening day game against St. Ann, Lawrenceville, Nick Wilke the day's second highest CYO scorer scored 22 points to lead our parish team to a victory. We are grateful to our new Sports Committee Chair, Romeo Laurente and to Harry Wright, who is stepping down after a two year term as chair. Thanks to all our coaches who devote time to mentoring our young parishioners and school students in the values of good sportsmanship. 4

5 The Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy During a Lenten penitential service on March 13, 2015, Pope Francis announced an extraordinary Jubilee to begin on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, December 8, 2015, and close on the Solemnity of Christ the King, November 20, Mercy is a theme dear to the Pope s heart and he said that through this observance, he desired that the Church make clear its mission of being a witness of mercy. The Holy Year's theme is from Luke 6:36, in which Jesus tells his disciples, Be merciful as your Father is merciful. The pontiff is convinced that the entire Church will be able to find in this Jubilee the joy of rediscovering and making fruitful God s mercy. It is appropriate the Gospel that will be proclaimed during Ordinary Time this year is that of St. Luke, the evangelist of mercy. It is St. Luke who gives us the well known parables of mercy: the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the merciful Father (the Prodigal Son). Each of the four papal basilicas in Rome has a holy door, which are normally sealed shut from the inside so they cannot be opened. The doors are only opened during Jubilee years so that pilgrims can enter through them in order to gain the plenary indulgence that is connected with the Jubilee. This is intended to symbolize the idea that the Church s faithful are offered an extraordinary path toward salvation during the time of Jubilee. The Catholic tradition of practicing the Holy Year began with Pope Boniface VIII in 1300, and since 1475 an Ordinary Jubilee has been celebrated every 25 years in order to allow each generation to experience at least one during their lifetime. The Holy Year is traditionally a year of forgiveness of sins and also the punishment merited by one s sins. It is also a year for reconciliation between enemies, conversion, and receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Mercy, the Pope recently said, is the best thing we can feel: it changes the world. A little mercy makes the world less cold and more just. We need to understand properly this mercy of God, this merciful Father who is so patient. Our Parish Observances during the Holy Year Confession Time will be extended effective December 19 In addition to Saturday afternoon confessions, the Sacrament of Penance will be offered on Saturday mornings immediately following the 9 a.m. Mass at Our Lady of Sorrows. Creole Holy Hour for the Year of Mercy From December 18 to November 18, a holy hour will be held in Creole every Friday at St. Anthony Church. Times may vary, depending on scheduled wedding rehearsals. Other events will be announced throughout the year. Faith in Our Future The Diocese of Trenton has embarked upon a process called Faith in Our Future to address the many changes that have taken place within our four county diocese. Demographics have changed the makeup of many parishes. There is also the challenge of facing a drastic reduction in the number of priests over the next few years. Rather than move into a future of crisis management, Faith in Our Future seeks to get in front of such challenges and so be in a stronger position to minister effectively. This will require the active participation of all 107 parishes and diocesan ministries. Every parish has been asked to form a core team of five members, including the pastor, to guide the process at the local level. Small groups of parishes called cohorts will be formed to facilitate the following goals: Strengthen & enliven our parishes and diocesan ministries Explore new models of leadership for our parishes and ministries Improve our stewardship of personnel, finances, facilities and other resources Establish collaborative relationships among parishes and ministries to strengthen our efforts of evangelization Provide for ministry to Hispanic Catholics, the fastest growing segment of our diocesan population. Change and adaptation are never easy but always necessary. Faith in Our Future is structured so that suggestions and changes emerge from evaluations and discussions and take place on the parish level and then go the Diocese. The Diocese is not seeking to impose an already formulated master plan. Faith in Our Future is an eight step process: Conversations begin within the cohort of parishes. Suggestions are made by the cohort about the best parish model that will meet the goals of Faith in Our Future. Preliminary Recommendations are sent to the Diocesan Planning Commission. Conversations take place and a response is developed. Responses are sent to Diocesan Commission with a rationale. Final Recommendations and rationale are submitted to Bishop O Connell. Decisions are made by Bishop O Connell. Implementation of Decisions. 5

6 Holy Name Society News Meetings Our monthly meetings are held on the second Wednesday of the month (October through May) at 1:00 p.m. in the Church Library. Thanks! Thanks to our generous parishioners, our annual Thanksgiving food drive was again a great success! We collected 113 turkeys, a ham, 364 bags of food, and $840 in cash and gift cards. The food was donated to Better Community Housing of Trenton (Martin House), Mt. Carmel Guild, the Haitian Community, and three parish families. Our faith teaches us that Jesus remains present in his Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity, in the Sacrament that is reserved in the tabernacle. Thursdays Are Days Of Solemn Adoration The Blessed Sacrament will be placed upon the altar following the 7 a.m. Mass until Reposition at 6 p.m. All are invited to answer the Lord s call He wants us give Him the gift of our time. He wants us to come to Him bringing our needs, anxieties, joys, and thanks. Our Lady of Sorrows Church also is open during our office hours. Why not stop for even a brief moment to rejoice in the Lord s Presence? If possible, please sign up for an appointed time of prayer. Schedule is at the elevator door bulletin boards of our churches. Welcome to the Parish Family! A warm welcome is extended to the following new parishioners and their families: Janine Chiara Lacey & Christopher Iacono Amanda & Anthony Lacy 'Tis More Blessed to Give... As you are planning your Christmas giving, please consider being a Tuition Angel. Your gift of support of a Catholic education is one that will be alive for generations. Many families are challenged to meet the tuition needs that accompany their commitment to a Catholic education for their children. Your tax-deductible donation supports students in their daily walk in faith. I personally thank you for your consideration and support of this spiritually rewarding gift of love and faith. On behalf of the OLS school family, I extend my invitation to each of you to attend our next student liturgy. Join us at 9:00 a.m. on December 11 and experience the Mass being planned by our third grade students. 6 Parish School News Amid the clamor of the Christmas season excitement, it's so fulfilling to learn more about how the children of our parish school are preparing for the big event! A short walk through the Our Lady of Sorrows School campus quickly reveals where our students' thoughts are during this special time of the year. The early grades have their minds firmly fixed on Christmas gifts! Of course we know that from the TV and newspaper ads. Well, let's just check to see if our students are thinking just a bit differently! "We are Gods Greatest gift. God's love shines through us." Our First Grade students embraced this thought as they explored how God had made them so very special. Each and every one of our First Grade students shared a lively display about how God had given them so many special gifts. They shared their love for God, for each other and their families. With drawings and writings, they displayed the special talents God had given only to them, and how unique they are from each other. Of course, they were eager to share that with the beauty of God's love, they are always excited to share this love with others. Thank you, Mrs. Nobile. "To Jesus, with Love" Our Grade Two teaching team of Miss Schreier and Mrs. Dusenshine (two OLS graduates!) worked with their classes to recall that we too, have gifts to share with Jesus. From the mouths of babes they shared, "My gift to Jesus is to be kind. I am preparing a gift to Jesus with my prayers to Him each day!" One Second Grader decided, "My gift to Jesus will be to tell others about His love." Each day, the children reflect upon the special gifts they have been given while recalling the responsibility they have to share their gifts with others. Our Grade 8 students have been busy with their clothing drive. On Friday and Saturday morning, under the guidance of our Grade 8 teachers and parent representatives, our students organized bags of gently used clothes and home goods to support the needs of others. Their goal was to collect 300 bags, but no doubt with their enthusiasm they have exceeded that goal! Our parish school is vibrant with the message of Christmas...that is the true gift of Christmas. Stop by to see it for yourself. Share it with your family. Make your children a part of the gift of Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic School!

7 The Tradition of the Advent Wreath The season of Advent is a time to anticipate the birth of Christ, the Light of the World. Our parish continues its tradition of inviting families to carry the lighted Advent candle in procession at the beginning of each weekend Mass. If your family is interested in participating in this special tradition, please arrive at church 20 minutes before Mass starts and let the deacon know that you are interested in carrying in the Advent candle. Very Important Notices If you ordered candy from the Pre-school, please remember to pick it up from the Church Meeting Room this weekend. Pick-up hours on Saturday are from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.; on Sunday, your order can be picked up between 8:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. If you ordered one or more wreaths, please remember to pick them up after any of the Saturday evening or Sunday morning masses at the pick-up site OLS or SA you specified on your order form. Expectant Mothers Blessing "Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb." A special blessing will be given to all expectant mothers in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe on Dec. 13. This blessing will take place at the 10:00 a.m. Mass and 6:30 p.m. Mass (Creole Liturgy) at St. Anthony and at the 11:00 a.m. Mass at Our Lady of Sorrows. If you are expecting and would like to receive this special blessing, please call the rectory office ( ) by Dec. 8, and leave your name. Please arrive 15 to 20 minutes before Mass on Dec. 13 and tell the deacon you re there for this special blessing. Thanks! The Knights of Columbus thank you for supporting their recent raffle, the New Jersey Right to Life Chance Drive. The winners were: 1st prize (2016 Volvo SUV Dorota Szumski (Middlesex County) 2nd prize ($1,000 ShopRite Gift Card) Anthony Raimo (Bergen County) 3rd prize ($750 ShopRite Gift Card) John & Joyce Paciga (Hunterdon County) 4th prize ($500 ShopRite Gift Card) Marjorie Bryner (Somerset County) Breakfast Buffet and Santa, Too! Santa will visit the Knights of Columbus Hall (1451 Klockner Rd.) on December 6, when Council #6213 holds its monthly breakfast. Children can have their picture taken with Santa and everyone can enjoy a delicious breakfast of eggs, pancakes, hash browns, sausage, bacon, oatmeal, and tater puffs. Coffee, tea, and orange juice will be served. The buffet, which runs from 8:00 to 11:30 a.m., costs $7 for adults, $6 for seniors, and $5 for children aged Children under 6 years of age eat free. Bring canned goods for a donation to the food bank and receive $1 off your price of admission. Shop with Scrip Haven t been able to find the perfect gift for someone on your list? Everybody loves gift cards! Gift cards let them visit their favorite store (or shop online) and pick out exactly what they want. And now you don t have to run from store to store to buy a gift card for toys, books, clothing, electronics, and more. You can order Scrip (gift cards) for hundreds of stores even local supermarkets online and help raise funds for Our Lady of Sorrows School. It s easy and can save you hours of shopping. Visit and click on Scrip Program to learn just how easy it is. Please note that the last day to place orders in time for Christmas is Friday, December 18. Please Pray for the Sick Joseph Acerra, Bernice Bates, Victoria Bilardo, John Carbonara, Louise Castaldo, Maria Corbett, Ryan Cromwell, Carmella Cronce, Danny DeVito, Ted Dolci, Bill Doran, Rosalie Duvin, Eileen Evans, Suzanne Figueroa, Bud Foley, Keith Gerner, Lewis Gryziewicz, George Gushue, Eileen & John Haller, Jeff Hoefler, Joan Holman, Stephen Komlosi, Terry Kubinski, George & Jean Lanna, Bernadette Lecato, Michael T Masick, Mark McGrath, Larry Monte, Angela Moscarello, Barbara Nolan, Cheryl & Tom Noon, Charlotte Nurko, Joseph O'Hara, Marion Otto, Jennifer Panicaro, Frank Petrino Jr, Isabella Petrino, Tom Plantier, Catherine Rodenbaugh, Michael Rogers, Rose Salvatore, Baby Michael Schaefer, David Smith, May Spett, Janice Sprink, Joan Staszenski, Brenda Staub- Lust, Tom Valatka, Mary Ann Warner If you would like to be placed on the sick list, please call the rectory office. (If you're calling for someone else, kindly make sure you have their permission.) Please note that names will be removed from the published prayer list after 12 weeks unless other arrangements have been made. 7

8 Important Notice Because of the shortened work weeks that allow employees of the company that prints our bulletins to celebrate Christmas and New Year s, the deadlines for the December 20, 27, and January 3 issues have been moved up. In order for us to submit these bulletins on time, articles and information are requested by December 10, 14, and 17, respectively. Thank you for your cooperation. God Bless Our Newly Baptized Dante Jean Marc Laloy Rosary Altar Society News Special Notice of Meeting Date Change Monthly Meeting - Monday, December 14 Our general meeting and Christmas Social will be held in the Church Meeting Room. Joyce Farina and her hospitality committee will provide us with refreshments. Join Your Fellow Parishioners For Coffee & Conversation Sunday, December 13 Welcome Sunday After all Masses at OLS St. Martha Sunday After the 10 a.m. Mass at SA Seniors Activities Senior Club #1 There will not be a December meeting. Our annual Christmas Party will take place on Thursday, December 10, at Padrino's (2252 Kuser Road, Hamilton) from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. at a cost of $22 per person. Flyers have been distributed to all members. For more information, please call Jennie Brogel ( ). Senior Club #2 Next meeting: Tuesday, December 15, at 1 p.m. in the Church Meeting Room. New members are welcome to join our clubs. Please Pray for Our Beloved Deceased Rose Chrzanowski Eleanor Ciccone Philomena Grosso Edith Pamphile Joseph Tobias, Sr. 8 Caring Hearts Report During November, more than 278 hours of service (e.g., visiting, reassurance calls, transportation, paperwork assistance, shopping, and other chores) were provided by 46 volunteers to 44 persons. Caring Hearts volunteers provide non-medical services to our homebound elderly and disabled neighbors. If you would like more information on joining this satisfying ministry, either as a caregiver or a care receiver, please contact Anne ( ; ark257@gmail.com). AROUND THE DIOCESE Holy Father s December Prayer Intentions Universal: Experiencing God s mercy That all may experience the mercy of God, who never tires of forgiving. Evangelization: Families That families, especially those who suffer, may find in the birth of Jesus a sign of certain hope. Jesus is Coming The Knights of Columbus invite you, your family, and friends to help Keep Christ in Christmas by joining us as we welcome our Lord Jesus to New Jersey. The Knights of Columbus will be celebrating the coming of Jesus with the Blessing of the Nativity Crèche alongside the NJ State House (125 W State St in Trenton) on Saturday, December 12. Our celebration will begin at 11 a.m. with caroling and refreshments, At 11:30, Msgr James Innocenzi and Fr. Brian Woodrow will preside over the blessing of the crèche while the Knights of Columbus Color Corps will be in formation. Following the ceremony, the will be a fixed price luncheon at Amici Milano (600 Chestnut Ave in Trenton). For more information, contact Jerry Iacona ( ; jiacona@verizon.net) or Paul Donini ( ; pauldonini@msn.com A Meaningful Christmas Gift Along with, or maybe instead of, all the material Christmas gifts you will be giving your family and friends this year, how about giving them a gift that might just change their lives, 909 Days that Changed the World? The book is a chronological rendering of the public life of Jesus Christ. Oh, they would never read a book about Jesus, you say. Well, you might be right but get them a book and write a personal note in it. Wouldn t you (and they) be so happy if someday they read the book and it made a difference in their lives? You can Bob Dunne, the author and a member of our diocese who recently made a presentation about his book to our Altar and Rosary Society, at dunnerj3@comcast.net if you would like an autographed copy. You can also purchase one from Leonine Press, Amazon, or Barnes/Noble. The book is $14.95 before sales tax and shipping.

9 Conscience Protection Action Alert Congress reconvened on November 30. Now is the time to urge Congress to protect the right of conscientious objection to abortion. We must demand that key conscience protections for hospitals, doctors, and nurses be included in the law Congress must pass by December 11 to fund government programs for the 2016 Fiscal Year. Let s make sure they have thousands of s from constituents who want them to stand up for our cherished right of freedom of conscience. Here s the link: More detailed information about the Health Care Conscience Rights Act (HCCRA) (HR 940, S. 1919) is available at and NCHLA.org. A brief article explaining the need for HCCRA, formerly called the Abortion Non- Discrimination Act (ANDA) can be found at /11/Time-To-Speak-Up-For-Conscience- Rights.pdf. The NCHLA makes it easy to send s to Congress at Please contact your representative today. We must speak up now to protect our cherished right of conscience. Thank you for acting in defense of life and liberty. Tell everyone you know to join us in raising our voices. Together we will be heard! Christmas in Hamilton Craft Show Saturday, December 12 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Presented by the Ladies Auxiliary of the Colonial Volunteer Fire Co. 801 Kuser Road Hamilton, NJ For more information call Bernie McTighe ( ) Mark Your Calendar The Community Christian Choir, known for innovative, spirit-filled Christian music, will hold a Christmas concert on Friday, December 11, at 7:30 p.m., at St. Gregory the Great Church (4620 Nottingham Way in Hamilton). To date, the choir has raised over $214,000 for various charities. Trenton Diocesan Spiritual Center Mount Holly, NJ FHOP@ verizon.net Growing in Friendship with Mary, Our Mother Tue, Dec 8; 9:30 AM 1:00 PM; $20, lunch included How would you describe your relationship with Mary? Can you imagine her about your age? Would you like to spend this morning immersed in your friendship with Mary and listen to her as she leads you to her Son? What a wonderful way to celebrate her feast today. Personal Retreat Day Wed, Dec 9; 9:30 AM 2:30 PM; $10 ($40 with spiritual direction) Take a day away from the busyness of your life to rest a while in the Lord and experience God s presence. Come to Francis House for silence, personal prayer, and optional spiritual direction. The day begins and ends with a brief prayer together. Please bring a bag lunch Silent Directed Retreat Weekend 7 PM Fri, Dec 18 1 PM Sun, Dec 20; $130 ($50 nonrefundable deposit due with registration) Due to the frantic pace of contemporary life, it is essential for our spiritual and physical health to take time to pray. This retreat offers you the opportunity to experience the graced rhythm of life in which silence and rest restore your body and God revives your soul. Liturgy, Spiritual Direction and optional Contemplative Prayer periods are included. 9

10 2015 CHRISTMASTIDE 2016 SACRAMENT OF PENANCE Parish Penance Service Wednesday, December 16 7:00 p.m.: Our Lady of Sorrows Saturday, December 19 10:30 11:30 a.m.: Our Lady of Sorrows 3:00 3:45 p.m.: St. Anthony 3:45 4:30 p.m.: Our Lady of Sorrows SOLEMNITY OF CHRISTMAS Vigil: Thursday, December 24 Our Lady of Sorrows 4:00 p.m. (Church & Gym) & 6:00 p.m. (Church) Solemn Mass at 10:00 p.m. (Church) St. Anthony 4:00 & 6:00 p.m. (English) Solemn Mass at 10:00 p.m. (Creole) Friday, December 25 Our Lady of Sorrows 9:00 & 11:00 a.m. St. Anthony 10:00 a.m. (English & Creole) SOLEMNITY OF MARY, MOTHER OF GOD Vigil: Thursday, December 31 Our Lady of Sorrows 4:00 p.m. St. Anthony 4:00 p.m. Friday, January 1 Our Lady of Sorrows 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. St. Anthony 10:00 a.m. (English) 5:00 p.m. (Creole) 10

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