Mission Statement. The First Sunday of the Season of Advent November 29, 2015 Come, Lord Jesus, come! The Salvation of Souls is the Supreme Law

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1 Roman Catholic Church of Saint Aidan 505 Willis Avenue, Williston Park, New York (Fax) The First Sunday of the Season of Advent November 29, 2015 Come, Lord Jesus, come! The Pastoral Staff Rev. Msgr. James M. McDonald, Pastor - ext Rev. Jeff Yildirmaz, Associate Pastor - ext Rev. Michael Edathil, Associate Pastor - ext Rev. Damian Halligan, SJ In Residence Deacon Salvatore B. Villani Deacon Francis J. Love - ext Deacon Rudy Martin - ext Mr. Drago Bubalo, DMA (cand). Music Director ext address drago@staidanparish.org The Salvation of Souls is the Supreme Law Mission Statement We, the parish family of the Church of Saint Aidan, strengthened by the Eucharist and encouraged by the Word of God, welcome all, for we recognize that everyone is a child of God and no one should be excluded. Guided by the Holy Spirit through prayer, we strive as one to build the Body of Christ. We commit ourselves to nurturing life-long faith formation, fostering lay leadership, promoting social justice, engaging our youth in every aspect of parish life, and offering care and compassionate service to all. We invite everyone to walk with Jesus and experience His healing power and love. St. Aidan School (Grades Nursery-3. ext. 9202, 9203) (Grades 4-8, ext. 9302, 9303) Ms. Eileen P. Oliver, Principal Ms. Jo-Anne Rowan, Assistant Principal Faith Formation and Spirituality - ext. 9404, 9405 Mr. James F. Corrigan, Director of Faith Formation ext Mrs. Elaine Smith, Director of Special Needs ext Parish Social Ministry - ext Ms. Rosemarie Cavallaro, Director - ext Youth Ministry Mr. Stephen Loewenthal, Coordinator - ext SaintAidanYouthGroup@gmail.com Pastoral Council - ext Members: Toti Conforti, Cathy Frischmann, Bonnie Parente, Erin Flynn, Mary Ellen Testa, Suellen Peterson, and Jackie McHugh, Xavier Fleming Buildings & Grounds Department ext Liturgy of the Eucharist Saturday Morning 9:00 AM Saturday Evening 5:00 and 7:30 PM Sunday: 7:30 AM, 9:00 AM, *10:30 AM, 12:00 PM & 5:00 PM *Liturgy of the Word for Children Daily: 6:30 AM, 9:00 AM, 12:30 & 5:30 PM Monday thru Friday Morning Prayer 8:40 AM Monday thru Saturday Baptism Baptism of Children: Each month on the 1st Sunday and 3rd Sunday at 1:30 PM ceremony. Required: Parents class on the 2nd Sunday of each month beginning with the 12:00 Mass. For baptismal information, contact the Rectory office ext Tuesday-Friday between the hours of 10:00 AM-3:00 PM. BAPTISM CLASS FOR NEW PARENTS The required Baptism class for new parents is held the second Sunday of each month beginning with the 12:00 Mass parents are asked to gather at St. Joseph s statue to the right of the main altar. Penance/Reconciliation The Sacrament of Penance is celebrated every Saturday from 12:30-1:30 PM and 4:00-5:00 PM in our church or by appointment. Marriage Arrangements are to be made at the Rectory office at least 9 months in advance. Pre-Cana and FOCCUS registrations must be arranged through the parish. Anointing of the Sick & Communion of the Sick The anointing of the sick takes place after the 12:00 PM Mass on the 4th Sunday of each month. Anyone who is homebound may receive Holy Communion at home on a regular basis. Eucharistic ministers assist the priests in this ministry. Please call the rectory - ext Adoration First and third Fridays of the month 1:00-3:00 PM in the Church. 12:30-1:30 PM on Saturdays in the church.

2 FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT MASSES AND SERVICES FOR THE WEEK MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2015 St. Andrew, Apostle Rom 10: 9-18; Mt 4: :30 AM James Congema 9:00 AM Frank A. W. Feeney (64th Anniversary Rem.) 12:30 PM Gerard Hillery (Anniversary Rem.) 3:45 PM 1st Grade Church Tour 5:30 PM Bernard G. McArdle (3rd Ann. Rem. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2015 Advent Weekday Is 11: 1-10; Lk 10: :30 AM Debbie Grimaldi 9:00 AM Lv. Ints. of the Rufrano Family 12:30 PM Anne Eckhoff 3:45 PM 1st Grade Church Tour 5:30 PM Ann May Koenig WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2015 Advent Weekday Is 25: 6-10a; Mt 15: :30 AM Josephine Koubek 9:00 AM John Mulrooney 12:30 PM William & Marie Moylan (Anniversary Rem.) 4:00 PM Christmas Pageant Rehearsal 5:30 PM Elizabeth Huben THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2015 St. Francis Xavier, Priest Is 26: 1-6; Mt 7: 21, :30 AM Michael Mongelli 9:00 AM Marie Dissinger 12:30 PM Dorothy M. Fee 5:30 PM Dr. Modesto T. Moulion, Jr. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2015 St. John Damascene, Priest and Doctor of the Church Is 29: 17-24; Mt 9: :30 AM Ryan Speller 9:00 AM** Tom Fredericks 12:30 PM Richard Humphrey 5:30 PM Patrick Hogan SATURDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2015 Advent Weekday Is 30: 19-21, 23-26; Mt 9: 35 10: 1, 5a, 6-8 9:00 AM James P. O Hara 12:30-1:30 PM Confession & Eucharistic Adoration 5:00 PM Grace Allen (14th Anniversary Rem.) Dominick Del Vecchio Ann Marie Pagnotta Laura Kennedy 7:30 PM Sam, Maria, Raffaele, Alessandro Di Re SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2015 Second Sunday of Advent Bar 5: 1-9; Phil 1: 4-6, 8-11; Lk 3: 1-6 7:30 AM Gerald McGurk (1st Anniversary Rem.) **School Mass MASSES AND SERVICES FOR THE WEEK 9:00 AM Deceased Rosarian Rose Gelalis 10:30 AM Ann Kenny 12:00 PM Kathy Morgan Ralph Mancini Camille Finch Harold Entenmann (Birthday Rem.) Michael Paternostro (Birthday Rem.) 5:00 PM Parishioners of St. Aidan BANNS OF MARRIAGE THIRD WEEK Heather Senia, Our Lady of Hope, Carle Place, NY Matthew Williams, Our Lady of Hope, Carle Place, NY BREAD & WINE MEMORIAL In Loving Memory of HAROLD ENTENMANN 80th Birthday Remembrance Requested by the Donovan Family F LOWER MEMORIALS In Loving Memory of GENE CLINTON AND M. LILLIAN & JOSEPH TINGHITELLA (Main Altar) CHRISTMAS ALTAR CLEAN-UP The Rosary Altar Society will hold the Annual Christmas altar clean-up on Tuesday, December 1st after the 9:00 AM Mass. All are welcome to help. Many hands make light work. If you would like to help please call Terry at (516)

3 November 29, 2015 CATHOLIC IDENTITY 2015 This past week the Bishops of the United States met in Baltimore and discussed a number of things. But what interested me most was what the Nuncio (the representative of the Holy Father) had to say. Archbishop Carlo Vigano spoke to them about the importance of Catholic education and maintaining Catholic identity in our educational institutions. He reminded them of how the early bishops were so insistent on setting up Catholic schools so that the faith could be taught to generation after generation. These schools were the suppliers of an army of priests, sisters and brothers to the American Church for decade after decade. Even though there has been a decline in Mass attendance, it must be noted that many of those who are still faithful to Sunday Mass are products of Catholic schools and religious education programs. Catholic Identity is a huge, huge question. If a Catholic school does not proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ, it has betrayed its meaning and purpose. Catholic schools are a privileged means of evangelization, of making the Gospel known. They are meant to be places of educational excellence, but they are radically different from any other place of learning because they exist to teach Jesus Christ. They are created by the Catholic Church to incarnate the Gospel and insure that the values of Jesus and His Church are the foundation from which everything else stems. True, there may be superb Law and Medical Schools or simply wonderful grammar and high schools--but if they are not Catholic they have lost their reason for existence. As the Archbishop put it: "While each college or university has its own particular mission, together they ultimately have the solemn obligation to teach the same doctrine of the universal Church and to define the moral obligation that marks us all as Catholic Christians." While all this might seem to be self-evident, obviously it isn't to many. For decades some Catholic institutions of higher learning and most recently even high schools have been in dialogue about intellectual freedom and the teaching authority of bishops. The Archbishop of San Francisco has been tireless in making sure that his high schools are truly Catholic. Fortunately, in our own Diocese this has not been a problem. Nevertheless, it must always be remembered that the bishops are the teachers of the Catholic faith and the bishop of the diocese has the supreme responsibility to make certain that the Catholic faith is taught in all the institutions of his diocese. In speaking to the bishops of the country, Archbishop Vigano reminded the bishops that they cannot maintain an "imprudent silence" because they fear losing the favor of men. (He was quoting Pope St. Gregory the Great who was speaking centuries ago--and Gregory's advice still stands.)

4 The Catholic Church is not engaged in a popularity contest. It is not concerned with pandering to media or people--it is concerned with answering to Jesus Christ. If it were otherwise, the early Christians would never have bothered to give up their lives during the early persecutions of the Church. They cared nothing about political correctness but cared everything about Jesus and the Church. They thought so much of the faith that they died for it. For them there was no equivocation. In the centuries after that a host of martyrs would follow their example and pay no attention to emperors or kings. They had no problems with Catholic identity and were proud and happy to die for it. All Catholic institutions, whatever they are, should be just as convinced and just as courageous. Christ put it this way: "Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when He comes in glory and the glory of the Father and the holy angels." (Lk. 9:26) Strong words, yes! But they come from Christ Himself. In Jesus and Mary, Monsignor James M. McDonald, Pastor Be on guard, Jesus warns in today s Gospel, lest your spirits become bloated with indulgence. Let us heed His warning and follow the advice of St. Paul, conducting ourselves in a way pleasing to God, overflowing with love for one another. STEWARDSHIP 11/23/14 $25,375 11/22/15 $25,735 (+1.4% ) HUMAN DEVELOPMENT COLLECTION 11/23/14 $ 4,652 11/22/15 $ 4,514 (-2.9%) Thank you for your kind and generous support of our parish. This weekend s second collection is for Snow Removal.

5 In Loving Memory of HOPE CARMELO AND MARIA GRAZIE SCHIFANO CHRISTMAS PAGEANT Rehearsals will be held on the following dates: Wednesday, December 2nd from 4:00-5:15 PM (church) Wednesday, December 9th from 4:00-5:15 PM (church) For information contact John and Carol Hayes at: Please Note: If you are in the Angel Choir, you are already in the Pageant. You need not attend these additional rehearsals. P e r f o r m a n c e S u n d a y, D e c e m b e r 1 3 t h a t 3 : 0 0 P M ( c h u r c h ) SICK: PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR SICK & DECEASED Christine Schifaudo, Christine Lucivero, Cecilia Han, Geraldo Peixoto, Kimberly Holmes, Father Brian Dalton, Stacy Test, Owen Hogan, John Moore, Rita Amendola, Diana Coscia, Virginia Fallon, Barney Rinaldi, Brian Hoffarth, C-el Perdy, Carolyn Hayes, Marie McLaughlin, Joann McDermott, Judy Eberson-Kostovik, Mary Price, Joseph Fitzgerald, Baby Daniel James Devaney, Baby Lilly Palmer, Mark Matthews, Cecelia Lahey DECEASED: Anne Marie Kalenka, Anne Grasso and for those who have died serving our country.

6 LITURGY CORNER The original language of Christian liturgy was Aramaic, the common language of the first Christians, who were Jews in the Roman province of Judea. While Hebrew was the language of scripture and formal worship, Christian worship occurred in the home where Aramaic was spoken. The words Abba and maranatha are Aramaic. Christianity quickly spread from Judea to the rest of the world, and the Eucharist came to be celebrated in many languages, but in most of the Mediterranean world, the common language was Greek, which became the language of liturgy in that region and remained so until the early third century. Eucharist itself is a Greek word, meaning thanksgiving. The words liturgy, baptism, evangelize, martyr, and catechumen, among other familiar church words, are also Greek in origin. So are the words of the Kyrie Eleison, the only trace of Greek commonly in use at our Mass today. JUNIOR CATHOLIC DAUGHTERS JCDA Build-A-Bear is Monday, December 7th at 5:30 PM at build a Bear in Roosevelt Field. Please bring cash ($12-17). Watch for reminders in your s for holiday card distribution and Christmas Party. COAT DRIVE Keep the homeless warm this winter and contribute a used winter coat or jacket to a soup kitchen that serves 165,000 meals a year. Contact Tecky at (516) for details. SPIRITUALITY FOR SINGLES The monthly Singles Gathering will be held on Saturday, December 5th at 8:30 PM at St. Aidan Parish, 510 Willis Ave., Williston Park, NY. Our Monthly gathering for singles will include discussion, meditation, socialization. This Gathering will feature a guest speaker. Ages 35+. A $5.00 donation will be collected - snacks, pizza and beverages will be served. Contact: Ray (516) or spiritualityforsingles@gmail.com DAUGHTERS OF ST. PAUL BOOK SALE Next weekend, November 28th/29th, the Daughters of St. Paul will be at our parish selling their books and CDs. Please stop by their tables in the back of the church to help support the Sisters VILLAGE OF WILLISTON PARK ANNUAL OPERATION SANTA CLAUS Operation Santa has been a tradition in our Village for over 50 years. Volunteers are needed. You will be on your merry way by 5:30 PM. on Christmas Eve. This task takes approximately 1-2 hours. If you would like to volunteer on Wednesday, December 24 th, please Eileen at ehoran@villageofwillistonpark.org. If you would like Santa to visit your home on Christmas Eve, you can also Eileen at ehoran@villageofwillistonpark.org or call Village Hall (516) Kindly volunteer to keep this Village tradition and magic alive and well for our children and families.

7 2015 CHRISTMAS MEMORIALS The following is a listing of the items that will be available for the 2015 Christmas season. Please check the item(s) you would like to donate. Reason for donation (Ex. In Memory of, Family Name, Christmas Greetings, etc.). NEW 1 Large Sanctuary Wall Wreath $ $ Inscription 1 Column $80.00 $ Inscription Evergreen Roping for Church Entrances and Choir $ Inscription $ 2 Large Wreaths in Vestibule of $ each $ Inscription 1 Large Wreath Front of Finamore Parish $ $ Inscription 1 Large Wreath Upper $ $ Inscription 1 Large Wreath $ $ Inscription 21 Window Memorials-Each Window in the church will receive (2) 8 poinsettias with a 9 candle in the $80.00 Each $ Inscription If you would like to donate an item please complete this form and send to the Rectory office with payment as soon as possible. Please make all checks payable to: Church of Saint Aidan. For information please call (516) x9101. Name Telephone # All donations will be published in the Bulletin. Yes No appear in the bulletin with your donation. Please indicate if you would like your name to Amount Enclosed $ Cash Check #

8 All parishioners of the Church of St. Aidan are most welcome to attend to celebrate with our former Pastor. HOLY NAME SOCIETY The Holy Name Society will hold their annual Christmas Party on Wednesday, December 2nd from 7:30-10:30 PM in Kirwin Hall. Food and beverages will be served. Cost is $13.00 per person and $25.00 a couple. Please drop off all reservations at the Rectory office or at the home of Bill Casey, 45 Park Avenue, Williston Park no later than November 24th. For information please call (516)

9 Please plan on being with us for New Year s Eve. More details will be in next weekend s bulletin.

10 CATHOLICS FOR FREEDOM OF RELIGION Thanksgiving Proclamation "Whereas it is the duty of Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God... whereas both Houses of Congress... requested a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God... I do assign Thursday the 26th day of November next... to the service of that great and glorious Being..." George Washington Coach Suspended for "Religious Conduct": A Washington State H.S. football coach is suspended from his job for offering a lawful, private, personal prayer of thanks at the 50-yard line after every game since 2008 without drawing any complaints. Coach Joe Kennedy, a Marine veteran, will silently "take-a-knee" after shaking hands with the opposing coaches and is sometimes joined by students and game attendees. Coach Kennedy was told by Bremerton H.S. officials that he could pray after games under one condition: that it wouldn't be "observable to students or the public." Teachers, coaches, administrators - or public employees of any kind - don't lose their religious freedom when they step on school property. Insisting otherwise is a violation of their civil rights. "No reasonable observer could conclude that a football coach who waits until the game is over, and the players have left the field, and walks to mid-field to say a short, private, personal prayer, is speaking on behalf of the state. Quite the opposite... to ban or prohibit Coach Kennedy - or any private citizen - praying, violates the First Amendment," said Liberty Institute attorneys. "Among the most basic rights that Americans enjoy are the free exercise of religion, free speech, and the freedom of association." (libertyinstitute.org, 10/27/15; cbsnews.com, 10/30/15) "To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing." Martin Luther KEEP CHRIST IN CHRISTMAS MAGNETIC DECALS AND LAWN SIGNS We will be selling Keep Christ in Christmas magnetic decals ($4.00 ea) and lawn signs ($10.00 ea). Please come to the Rectory office if you would like to purchase any of these items. ST. AIDAN S CYO GIRLS VOLLEYBALL St. Aidan s CYO Girls Volleyball is open to girls 5th-12th grade. Registration will be held November 1st-30th. For program information go to: staidanscyo.org COACHES NEEDED Coaches are needed for the first and second grade boys and girls clinic which starts the third week in January. Please contact coach Best psbbest@hotmail.com or (917)

11 Christmas Around the World Performances on December 5th and 6th Festival of Trees Performers Saturday December 5th 10:30am 11:00am 12:30pm 1:00pm 1:30pm 2:00pm 2:30pm 11:30am 12:00pm 1:00pm 1:30pm 2:00pm 2:30pm 3:00pm 4:00pm Saint Aidan s Angel Choir Let s Dance Sacred Heart Academy Choir Sacred Heart Academy Orchestra Our Lady of Mercy Academy Choir Our Lady of Grace Choir, West Babylon Saint Mary s High School Choir, Manhasset Sunday December 6th Saint Aidan s Girls Choir in the Saint Francis Garden Santa The Mary Louis Academy Rock Band Saint Aidan s Women s Ensemble Hannah Kroner School of Dance The Mary Louis Academy Glee Club Cracked by the American Theater Dance Workshop Searingtown School Orchestra and Band

12 INTENTION ORNAMENTS Intention ornaments will be sold after all Masses this weekend, November 28th/29th (except the 7:30 PM Saturday Mass and 7:30 AM Mass Sunday). All proceeds will benefit the Festival of Trees.

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14 LIGHTHOUSE CATHOLIC MEDIA In the Catholic Faith today we start a new Liturgical Year. It is a preparatory season, it is called Advent which means coming and is celebrated for four Sundays before Christmas. The liturgical color is purple; although on the 3rd Sunday (Gaudete Sunday) priests wear rose-colored vestments. Like Lent, Advent is a preparatory season; we are looking forward and wait for something greater, Christ s birth, and for the time when Christ would come again. One of the Advent symbols we see is the Advent Wreath which consist of four candles (three purple and one pink) arranged in a circle. The purple ones represent the penitential nature of the season, while the pink one calls us to remind us of the joy of waiting for our Lord. We can better enjoy Christmas if we live Advent as a period of preparation. We can abstain from eating meat on Friday, or not eating between meals, not eating Christmas cookies or listening to Christmas music before Christmas, to set aside some time for daily Scripture reading for Advent, holding off on putting up the Christmas tree and other decorations. This will remind us that the feast is not here yet. Traditionally, Christmas decorations were to be put up on Christmas Eve, and shall not be taken down until after Epiphany. That is the total Christmas season, all 12 days of it. Someone wrote that Advent is the Season of the Seed, a seed that grows in silence, in darkness, not rushing it or avoid it, giving our humanity to be changed into Christ, not disturbing its growth, as we are transformed from what we are, into Christ. As Mary offered herself, her humanity, her love, her littleness, to God; she saw all things in His light. We will accept Jesus to come into our lives. He will come in the silence of our souls. He will guide us into His peace. Together, with our Blessed Mother, we are invited to wait for this great event in our salvation history, the union of divinity to humanity, and to bear Him to a world that seems to not know the beauty and consolation of His presence among us!! Let s sing for all the world to hear, Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee Israel! May you rejoice this Advent season, may you bring the hope of this season to a friend or stranger, allowing Jesus to grow in you. Jesus comes to us in the Eucharist, out of His infinite love for us!! Please, look for advent CDs in our kiosks, listen to them, pass them along so that other souls can benefit from knowing how He loves them. God Bless you all! Toti Conforti

15 If you have not given in the past please consider donating to this year s campaign. Your donation will be helping to feed the hungry, provide clothes and emergency support to the needy, strengthen parishes throughout our Diocese, help form our future priests and deacons and provide funding for Catholic Charities outstanding programs and services. You are also helping to ensure that our ministries bring Christ s light to hundreds of thousands of people in hospitals, colleges and even our jails CATHOLIC MINISTRIES APPEAL Serving God By Serving Others CHURCH OF ST. AIDAN 2015 GOAL: $175,500 PLEDGED: $131,640 # OF GIFTS: 606 MEMORIALS AVAILABLE Memorials are available at any time. Please call the Rectory office at (516) x9101 if interested. Flower Memorials: Main Altar (2 pieces) $ Shrines (1 piece) $ ea - Mary s Shrine - St. Joseph s Shrine - St. Anthony s Shrine - St. Theresa s Shrine - Sacred Heart Shrine Bread & Wine Memorial $ 50.00

16 Parents Acting for Catholic Education Festival of Trees Friday, December 4 th Sunday, December 6 th Auction Dream Bigger, Shine Brighter Saturday, February 27 th, 7:00 PM 11:00 PM Family Lenten Spaghetti Dinner Thursday, March 3 rd, 6:00 PM 8:00 PM American Girl Fashion Show Saturday, April 9 th (11:00 AM and 3:00 PM) & Sunday, April 10 th (11:00 AM and 3:00 PM) Golf Outing Monday, May 2 nd Ways to support our school all year round: King Kullen Receipts If you shop at King Kullen in Garden City Park, please do not throw away your receipts! St. Aidan School earns 1% of each receipt s total through King Kullen s Care and Share Program. Drop off your register receipts in the King Kullen box in the back of church or send in an envelope through school. Stop & Shop A+ Rewards After you register your card, each shopping trip at Stop & Shop using your Stop & Shop Card earns cash for our school! Each month, the amount of cash awarded will be updated on the Stop & Shop website. You can track the amount of points you earn for our school by checking your grocery receipt and online when you create an account at: Our school will receive a check at the end of the program. *********************************************** High School Volunteers Needed! If you are a high school student in need of service hours, PACE has many events scheduled for this upcoming school year at which you can work in order to fulfill your volunteer requirements. Please contact us at: StAidanPACE@gmail.com if you are interested in volunteering and we will provide you with the dates and times of our events. We hope to hear from you soon! Nora Grady and Linda Kuczwaj, PACE Co-Presidents

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18 November 29 Community Service Trip - Ronald McDonald House December 6th Meeting December 13th Christmas Party Meeting December 25th Merry Christmas December 27th New York City Trip January 9th Youth Group Fundraiser January 10th Meeting January 24th Meeting January 31st Community Service Trip Ronald McDonald House February 7th Super Bowl No Meeting February 13th Community Service Peanut Butter and Jelly Gang February 21st Meeting February 28th - Meeting For more information, please contact: Steve Loewenthal at SaintAidanYouthGroup@gmail.com or (516) December 5th TBA January 10th February 7th March 13th March 24th April 3rd April 17th May 6th May 7th May 8th May 15th June 14th 11:00 AM Holiday Cards at Parker Institute-meet at Convent-drivers needed 1:00-4:00 PM Christmas Party at Eleanor Rigby s Build-A-Bear Date and time to be announced 9:00 AM-12:00 PM Coat Drive, 12:30-1:30 PM meeting in St. Francis Room 1:00 PM Meeting Convent Community Room 1:00 PM Meeting Convent Community Room 2:00-4:00 PM East egg coloring Parker Institute-drivers needed 10:30 AM Mass 12:00-4:00 PM Mother Daughter Brunch Lucky Duck 9:00 AM-12:00 PM Birthright/Mommas House Collection Finamore Center 12:30-1:30 PM Meeting St. Francis Room Help needed to separate plant orders at the Flynn House time to be announced 10:00 Am-12:00 PM Plant Pick-Up at 9 Astor Place, Williston Park Happy Mother s Day to All Moms 9:00 AM-12:00 PM Bake Sale St. Francis Garden 12:30 1:30 PM meeting/ Elections St. Francis Room 7:00 PM JCDA Board Installation Mass (church) Senior court installation and Reception in Kirwin Hall immediately following Mass.

19 RELIGIOUS EDUCATION ATTENTION ALL VOLUNTEERS: Are you aware that the Diocese of Rockville Centre requires ANYONE 18 YEARS OR OLDER IN ANY MINISTRY TO BE VIRTUS TRAINED AND HAVE A BACKGROUND CHECK? 16 YEARS OR OLDER MUST BE BACKGROUND CHECKED. A ministry includes Catechists, CYO Coaches, Liturgical Ministers, and all parish organization members. Check the Virtus Training Schedule and Register Online at Classes are offered by several parishes throughout the diocese. CLASSES RESUME Religious Education Classes resume at their regular times beginning Monday, November 30 th. CONFIRMATION DVDs ARRIVE - The videos of the Confirmation ceremonies that took place at St. Aidan on Saturday, October 17 th have arrived and are ready for pick-up. Parents who ordered a DVD may pick up their copy from the Religious Education Office during normal business hours. ATTENTION 1 st GRADE PARENTS & STUDENTS All 1 st Grade students will participate in a church tour on Monday & Tuesday, November 30 th & December 1 st beginning at 4:00 PM. Parents should bring students directly to the church on the day that they normally attend class. There will be NO 1 st Grade classes conducted at 5:30 PM on the church tour days. All 1 st Grade students who normally attend class at 5:30 PM should be brought to the church for the 4:00 PM tour on the day that they regularly attend class. OFFICE HOURS-The Religious Education Office is open Monday Friday from 12:00 noon 4:00 PM. Additionally, the office is open Monday & Tuesday evening from 6:00 8:00 PM. KNIGHTS CORNER Our Catholic faith teaches us to Love thy neighbor as thyself. Members of the Knights of Columbus show love for their neighbors by conducting food drives and donating the food to local soup kitchens and food pantries, by volunteering at Special Olympics, and by supporting, both spiritually and materially, mothers who choose life for their babies. Knights recognize that our mission, and our faith in God, compels us to action. There is no better way to experience love and compassion than by helping those in need, a call we answer every day. Perhaps now is the time to consider joining the Knights of Columbus. COLLEGE KNIGHTS GATHER AT ANNUAL CONFERENCE - Approximately 200 Knights representing 88 college campuses throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico gathered in New Haven, Connecticut Oct. 2-4 to continue a tradition of fraternity, faith-sharing and networking that began 50 years ago. Since the first College Councils Conference was organized in the fall of 1965 the annual gathering has grown larger than ever, and it remains true to its original mission. Held under the theme You Shall Be My Witnesses, this year s conference served as an opportunity for Knights to grow in faith, knowledge and enthusiasm so as to effectively evangelize their campus communities. During the conference, the college Knights were challenged to participate in several initiatives. In particular, the supreme knight invitedthem to support the Knights of Columbus Christian Refugee Relief Fund; to make a pilgrimage to the Saint John Paul II National Shrine in Washington, D.C.; and to watch and discuss with their councils A Man for All Seasons, the 1966 film about St. Thomas More, DVD copies of which they each received. Dominican Father Jonathan Kalish, director ofchaplains and spiritual development, also encouraged the Knights to begin promoting and organizing pilgrimages to World Youth Day 2016, to be held in Krakow, Poland. HALL RENTAL Corpus Christi Council is available for parties BIG and SMALL. For information on hall rental call Tom at (516)

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21 PARISH SOCIAL MINISTRY As Pope Benedict XVI said in his Encyclical, Deus Caritas Est, Everything has its origin in God's love, everything is shaped by it, everything is directed towards it. Love is God's greatest gift to humanity; it is his promise and our hope. THANKSGIVING - A very special thank you to everyone for sending in food, desserts, paper goods, gift cards and the lovely hand-written cards made for our families. Our incredibly hard-working volunteers, Carol, MaryAnn, Nancy and Fran prepared many Thanksgiving baskets. In addition we received many food baskets from students from St. Aidan s School and the Religious Education program, Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts. As you can see there are so many people to thank individually so please accept our sincere thanks. Without you this could not have been possible. After helping our own families we were able to help families from St. John the Baptist, St. Gerard Church, New Ground and Holy Redeemer. The love and care that went into each of the baskets was so heartwarming! FOOD PANTRY - Our next monthly food drive will be taking place during the weekend of December 5 th & 6 th. If you wish to donate food or personal hygiene items you can bring them to the back of church or across the street to the Parish Social Ministry Office. We also have a refrigerator for eggs, dairy products, sliced bread and a freezer for ground beef, chicken cutlets and frozen pizzas. We are in great need of Metro Cards. SHARING OUR TREASURES Sharing Our Treasures began last weekend! Through your generosity we will be able to help many families right here in our parish as well as the Pediatric Hospital Units at Nassau University Medical Center, Church of the Resurrection in Farmingville, New Ground, Veterans and St. John the Baptist Church. Please take an ornament from our tree in the Vestibule or from a basket at the side exits of our church. Please return all unwrapped gifts & gift cards along with the ornament to the parish social ministry office or the rectory by December 11 th. PLEASE DO NOT LEAVE ANY GIFTS OR GIFT CARDS IN CHURCH! This is a wonderful opportunity to be Christ to others during the Advent Season! PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY Our Prayer Shawl Ministry meets the second and fourth Monday of each month at 9:45 AM in the Peter and Paul Room of the Finamore Center to knit or crochet prayer shawls or lap blankets for our sick and homebound parishioners. New members are always welcome. You need not know how to knit or crochet. We have talented parishioners who can teach you. The prayer shawl committee will meet again on Monday, December 14th. If you have some wool to donate to this ministry, please bring it to the Parish Social Ministry Office. Please call our office if you would like to receive a blessed prayer shawl or if you know of someone who would like one. If you have any questions, please call Parish Social Ministry (516) x9410. PLEASE NOTE: The Parish Social Ministry will be open Monday Friday, 9:00 AM-3:00 PM. Please use the Finamore Parish Center entrance (across from the Church on Willis Avenue).

22 PROMISE TO PROTECT-PLEDGE TO HEAL If you have been abused or victimized by someone representing the Catholic Church please believe in the possibility for hope and help and healing. We encourage you to come forward and speak out. Every arch/diocese/ eparchy in the United States now has a victim assistance coordinator who is available to obtain support for your needs, to help you make a formal complaint of abuse to the arch/diocese/eparchy, and to arrange a personal meeting with the bishop or his representative, if you desire. The victim assistance coordinator for your arch/ diocese/eparchy is Mary McMahon, LCSW, Director at (516) All volunteers 16 and over must be background checked and all volunteers 18 and over must attend the Virtus class. RESPECT LIFE CONTEST Every Life Is Worth Living : The Diocesan Respect Life Office is excited to announce the 14th Annual Youth Respect Life Contest for grades 7-8 (Level One) and grades 9-12 (Level Two). We welcome all Catholic youth in the Rockville Centre Diocese attending Catholic Elementary, High School or parish programs including Religious Education, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Youth Groups, and Youth Choirs to participate. We encourage children with special needs to also participate. The awards ceremony will be held on March 16, 2016 at St. John the Baptist Diocesan High School Auditorium at 7:00 PM. Categories are: poetry, art (bookmark design), essay, photography, music (lyrics), video clip design and Pin-it/photomontage board. All entries must be received by December 15, All contest materials are available on the diocesan website at For information please call (516) x626. BUS TRIP TO RESORTS CASINO IN ATLANTIC CITY HOSTED BY THE AMERICAN LEGION LADIES AUXILIARY-There will be a bus trip to Resorts Casino in Atlantic City on Monday, December 14th. A bus will take you from the parking lot of the Williston Park American Legion Post 144, 730 Willis Avenue, Williston Park at 9:00 AM to Resorts Casino. You need to be at the parking lot by 8:30 AM. The cost is $35.00 with a return of $25.00 in slot credits. The next trip will be on December 21, If you are interested please contact: Dot Perry (516) or Honey Metzger (516) ST. ALOYSIUS, Great Neck, NY-December 9th at 1:00 PM, sponsored by the St. Aloysius Sociables of Great Neck, at the Inn at Great Neck, 30 Cuttermill Road, Great Neck. For reservations, please call John Hyland (516) Cost: Price of your meal. OUR LADY OF GRACE CENTER, Manhasset, NY-Advent Day of Prayer will be held on Saturday, December 5th from 9:30 AM-3:00 PM. Come take time this December to prepare your heart for the coming of the Lord. The day will include prayer, input sessions and time for personal reflection. Cost: $50 includes lunch. Call (516) for information. SEMINARY OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION-This Advent the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception in Huntington will hold a series of events during the second week of December a Marian Mission. In partnership with St. Joseph s Seminary and the Missionaries of the Most Holy Eucharist, there will be opportunities for prayer, retreat, study, and fellowship. Please see our website, for information about the week and its many opportunities to honor the Mother of Our Lord and to give glory to God. Seminary Development Office, (631) x102; bmalone@icseminary.edu. CENACLE, Ronkonkoma, NY-Life is Calling You-Come Follow Christ. Morning for seniors Mary s Invitation to Come Closer, Come and See! Thursday, December 10th from 10:30 AM-1:30 PM. Arrival and refreshments at 10:00 AM. $25.00 offering includes lunch ($15.00 deposit included to register). For information please call the Retreat Office at (631) or go to