St. John the Baptist R. C. Church

Transcription

1 St. John the Baptist R. C. Church 895 Piermont Avenue, Piermont, New York Rev. Tom Kunnel, C.O. Administrator Deacon John Cunningham Deacon Robert Pang Kathleen Dunn Religious Education Director May Pang Parish Admin: MASSES Saturday: 5:00 PM Sunday: 8:00 AM, 10:30 AM 1:00 PM (Spanish) Weekdays: 8:00 AM Saturday: 9:00 AM Holy Days: As Announced Rectory Mon Fri 10:15 AM 4:00 PM Sat 10 AM 12 AM (Spanish) December Sponsor: Zahn Family Remembrance of John Zahn DOWNLOAD OUR FREE APP ST JOHN PIERMONT

2 Sat 12/8 5:00 PM John Zahn By Zahn Family 8:00 AM James Hoyt By Mildred Oslica Sun 12/9 10:30 PM Bruni Family By Ralph & Marge Olsen Mon 12/10 8:00 AM James Hoyt By Maureen Beary Tue 12/11 8:00 AM Mary & Leo Lediger By Eileen Wozniak Wed 12/12 8:00 AM Anne Bazala By Helen, Anthony, Kathy Koza Thu 12/13 8:00 AM Deceased Mbrs of the KOC By Knights of Columbus Fri 12/14 8:00 AM Deceased Mbrs of the KOC By Knights of Columbus Sat 12/15 Sun 12/16 9:00 AM Anne Bazala By Mildred Oslica 5PM Keane & Simon Family By Eileen Simon 8:00 AM Anne Bazala By Mary Moss 10:30 AM Sara "Mom" Miraglia By Jake & Silvia Miraglia THE SANCTUARY LAMP Is Being Offered this week for Michael Galella Requested by Connie Lynch Please remember in your prayers the Sick and/ or Homebound of our Parish Family. Thomas Mooney, Molly Robinson Cameron Robinson, Ron Rebers, Helen Koza, Madlen Moson, Marge Culletto, Bill Loftus, Carolyn, Joe Dennerlein, Tommy Armstrong, Caroline Kelly, Thomas Kilgannon, Eugene Flood, father of Kelly Kohlbrenner & Christine Mascola, Alex Malfa As a Parish Family, let us remember in our prayers all our beloved departed members of our Parish Community Mark Pietro, Charles Smith, brother of Kathryn Smith, Sue Ann Esposito, Eileen Carley, Marie Berardi, Louis Berardi, John Luckie, Evelyn Wenke-Daly, sister of Carol Gibbs, Harry Gibbs, Barbara Murphy, Louisa Palermo, Casey Smith, Margaret O Brien, Rose Von Sternstein, Bridget Boyle, Christine Caleca, Michael Galella, uncle of Ted Simone, James Enright brother of Marilyn Timberger, Mamerta Soriano, mother of Romeo Soriano, Anne Bazala,,PLEASE ADVISE THE RECTORY ( ) WHENEVER A PARISH- IONER BECOMES HOMEBOUND, ILL, OR HOSPITALIZED SO AR- RANGEMENTS CAN BE MADE FOR A PRIEST, DEACON OR EUCHARIS- Dear Parish Family, This week and next, our Gospel readings invite us to consider John the Baptist and his relationship to Jesus. John the Baptist appears in the tradition of the great prophets, preaching repentance and reform to the people of Israel. To affirm this, Luke quotes at length from the prophet Isaiah. John baptizes for repentance and for forgiveness of sins, preparing the way for God's salvation. Unlike Mathew and Mark, Luke elaborates on the infancy narrative to give us an insight into the connected lives of Jesus and John the Baptist. Beside the Gospel narrative, Luke also wrote a fascinating account of the Early Church in the book called the Acts of the Apostles. In these two works, Luke's sense of time and history emerges. He identifies three epochs of salvation history: the time before Christ, the time of Christ, and the time of the Church and the Holy Spirit. In today's Gospel reading, as elsewhere, John the Baptist is presented as the figure who bridges the time before Christ and prepares the way for Christ's own ministry. In today's Gospel we also note Luke's attention to political and historical detail. Luke shows that salvation is for all people and situated in world events. Therefore, Luke lists the political and religious leaders at the time of John's appearance in the desert. Salvation is understood as God's breaking into this political and social history. God s decisive action of sending His Son into the world is a historical fact. John's preaching of the coming of the Lord is a key theme of the Advent season. As John's message prepared the way for Jesus, we too are called to prepare ourselves for Jesus' coming. We respond to John's message by repentance and reform of our lives. We are asked to make room for the grand entry of the Savior by a reordered life. Repentance is the common translation for the Greek word metanoia, which means not just sorrow for past sins but a total and radical change of outlook in our relationship with God and other people. It calls for a radical and genuine renewal and conversion of heart. This metanoia or conversion in turn will bring about the forgiveness of sin. The word here for forgiveness is aphesis, a release, a letting go, a liberation from the chains of sin and evil. Forgiveness is seen as the dropping off of heavy baggage or burdens (like the space capsule dropping off its booster tanks and soaring off on its own into space). Forgiveness, too, involves a total reconciliation with our God and with all those whom we have hurt or with whom we have come in conflict. It is a healing, a making whole. Each year as the Advent season comes round and we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus, we need once more to hear the challenging call of John the Baptist to baptism, metanoia and forgiveness. Although our own Baptism was something which may have taken place a long time ago, as an infant or as an adult, what happened then has constantly to be renewed. We need to re-affirm our commitment to the Christian community, to the Body of Christ, through which we go to God and through which our God comes to us. We need to open ourselves to further conversion, to an ever deeper change of heart, to a deeper listening to what Jesus is asking of us, Lord, what do you want me to do, to be? And, finally, we need, because of our commitment to the Body of Christ, to find total reconciliation with God and with all those people who come into our lives. Fr. Tom Kunnel. C.O.

3 9AM Religious Ed - Advent Day 11:30AM Legion of Mary Sun 9-Dec 1PM Quinceanera 7PM AA Meeting Mon 10-Dec 6:30PM Religious Ed Tues 11-Dec 7PM Altar Server Prep 7PM Spanish Preachers Meeting 1:30PM Piermont Sr Meeting Wed 12-Dec 7PM Amigos de Jesus Choir Practice 7PM Spanish Drama Rehearsal 7PM RCIA Thu 13-Dec 7PM Mensajeros de Jesus Choir Practice 6:30PM Pageant Rehearsal Fri 14-Dec 10AM Friday Renew Group 7:30PM Spanish Prayer Meeting Sat 15-Dec 6PM Spanish Event TODAY is the day!!! Advent Day runs from 9 am-12 noon. It is a fun time for crafts, games, movies and food, so be sure to stop by. We want parents as well as kids. Readings No nd week of Advent On Smart TV or Computer go to the Link on or On ROKU Select SUNDAY STREAMS Select the Channel STJOHNPIERMONT On Smart Phone Down load the Free App st john piermont and link is under Faith Live Stream today, Sunday Dec. 9 at AM Liturgy Schedule Dec 15/16 Saturday 12/15 Sunday 12/16 Time Lector Eucharistic Minister Altar Servers 5:00 PM Pamela Pekar 8:00 AM Lisa McKenna Betsy Feeney 10:30 AM Jeanine Kennedy Jackie Schaefer Maddie Steiffel Aoife Kennedy 1 PM Carlos Hernandez Mario Zamora Cindy Or z Marleni Lemus Haily Ramirez Hilda Alarcon Alison Palma Mario Zamora

4 TODAY'S READINGS AWAITING THE SALVATION OF GOD The world does not seem big enough to contain the jubilation of the first reading. In the Gospel reading, the Roman empire isn t big enough, either. The great powers of Rome are named and made to stand waiting for the arrival of God s salvation. And we find Paul meditating joyfully on what really matters. According to Baruch, the city of Jerusalem is like a person standing on tiptoe looking for God s salvation, which is coming from the east. Those who were led away on foot, heads down, now come back, a proud people. Why, the very way is smoothed out. The path is lined with fragrant, lush trees. READINGS FOR THE WEEK First Reading -- Take off your robe of mourning and misery; put on the splendor of glory from God (Baruch 5:1-9). Psalm -- The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy (Psalm 126). Second Reading -- I am confident that the one who began a good work in you will continue to complete it until the day of Christ Jesus (Philippians 1:4-6, 8-11). Gospel -- The winding roads shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth (Luke 3:1-6). 12/2 $ /25 #127 Lynn Dennerlein 12/2 #150 Chris Aimi 12/9 #11 Will Loniewski ST. JOHN S GIVING TREE Please take an angel from the tree blue for boys, pink for girls. There are names and sizes on the angels. Gifts should be wrapped, tagged and brought in by January 1st. Thank you We will not be buying for adults this year. READINGS FOR THE WEEK Monday: Is 35:1-10; Ps 85:9-14; Lk 5:17-26 Tuesday: Is 40:1-11; Ps 96:1-3, 10ac, 11-13; Mt 18:12-14 Wednesday: Zec 2:14-17 or Rv 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab; Jdt 13:18bcde, 19; Lk 1:26-38 or Lk 1:39-47, or any readings from the Common of the Blessed Virgin Mary, nos Thursday: Is 41:13-20; Ps 145:1, 9-13ab; Mt 11:11-15 Friday: Is 48:17-19; Ps 1:1-4, 6; Mt 11:16-19 Saturday: Sir 48:1-4, 9-11; Ps 80: 2ac, 3b, 15-16, 18-19; Mt 17:9a, Sunday: Zep 3:14-18a; Is 12:2-6; Phil 4:4-7; Lk 3:10-18 Volunteers Wanted for the Christmas Pageant Sunday, December 16. All children are invited to help us tell this beautiful story of the Nativity, Mary, Joseph, Angels, Shepherds, Innkeepers, Kings, drummer boys and most important we need narrators. Rehearsal is this Thurs, 12/13 at 6:30PM St. John s Church is looking for girls and boys to join the altar server ministry. If you know anyone who might be interested in joining and who is at least in the 4 th grade, you can contact Deacon Rob or the rectory for more information. The following is an excerpt from an address Pope John Paul II had given at a General Audience on August 1, More Than "Helpers of the Parish Priest", The altar server occupies a privileged place in the liturgical celebration... He/she experiences firsthand that Jesus Christ is present and active in every liturgical act. Jesus is present above all in the Eucharist under the signs of bread and wine. Jesus acts through the priest who, in the person of Christ, celebrates the Holy Mass and administers the sacraments. Therefore, in the liturgy, altar servers are much more than simple "helpers of the parish priest." They are servers of Jesus Christ, the eternal High Priest.

5 St. John the Baptist was the son of Zechariah and Elizabeth. Luke tells us the angel Gabriel announced his birth to his father Zechariah and gave him the name John, which means God is gracious. (Luke 1:8-23) Even while still in his mother s womb he recognized the presence of Jesus by leaping when Mary visited Elizabeth (Luke 1:41). It is the moment when John the Baptist was cleansed of original sin. The angel Gabriel had previously promised Zechariah that John would be filled with the Holy Spirit even while in the womb (Luke 1:15), and this promise was fulfilled when he was cleansed of original sin when Mary visited his mother Elizabeth. John left his parents to live the life of a prophet in the desert. He preached in the desert dressed like an Old Testament prophet, wearing a garment of camel-skin and eating locusts and wild honey (Mark 1:6; Matt 3:4). He proclaimed the kingdom of God and a coming judgment, and invited people to accept baptism as a sign of their repentance. His ministry resembled that of the prophets in that he disturbed the comfortable and comforted the disturbed. We see him disturbing the comfortable when he said to the Pharisees and Sadducees, Brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the coming retribution? Produce fruit in keeping with your repentance and do not presume to tell yourselves we have Abraham as our father. (Luke 3:7-8) His message obviously disturbed people so some of the powerful did repent, including tax-collectors and soldiers. Tax-collectors asked him what they must do and he replied, Exact no more than the appointed rate. (Luke 3:13) Soldiers also repented, and his advice to them was No intimidation! No Extortion! Be content with your pay! (Luke 3:14) His message spread far and wide. Mark says all Jerusalem and Judea made their way to him and as they were baptized in the Jordan they confessed their sins (Mark 1:5). We see John s humility when he did not want attention on himself but directed people to Jesus. People began to wonder if John was the Messiah so he reassured them that he was not. He declared that his ministry was preparing for the coming of the Messiah, I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit. (Mark 1:8) When Jesus came to John asking for baptism, John recognized Jesus at once and said, Look, there is the lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. (John 1:29) These words have found their way into the prayer of Mass; when the priest holds up the Sacred Host as we prepare for Holy Communion he says, This is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world... Jesus began his public ministry after he had been baptized by John. An expectation had developed among the Jews that the prophet Elijah would return to earth once again to prepare them for the coming of the Messiah and Jesus later declared that John was that Elijah type person they were expecting (Mark 9:13). After Jesus baptism once again we see John turning the attention to Jesus as he declared, He must increase, I must decrease. (John 3:30) We are reminded of this fact celebrating John s birth just days after the summer solstice since the daylight will now decrease and we will celebrate the birth of Jesus just days after the winter solstice when the daylight will increase. We see John s great courage in condemning the marriage of Herod to Herod s brother s wife. This is a reminder to us that not everything that is allowed by law is morally right, e.g. divorce and abortion. Herod had John arrested and put in prison. John stood up for the truth and unfortunately like many who stand up for the truth today he had to pay a price. John s courage in upholding the dignity of marriage and condemning the adulterous relationship of Herod and Herodias was to result in his death by beheading in prison. History repeats itself, and John the Baptist s beheading was repeated in another saint, St. Thomas More. He was born in London in He studied law and entered Parliament in When no offspring resulted from the marriage of Henry VIII and his wife Katherine of Aragón, Henry divorced her and married Anne Boleyn so that there would be heirs to the throne. Parliament passed a law forcing clergy to acknowledge Henry as the supreme head of the Church. Shortly afterwards Thomas More resigned his post as Lord Chancellor. He was aware that just because something is lawful does not mean it is morally right. On April 14 th 1534 he was summoned to Lambeth and asked to take the oath which he refused and he was imprisoned in the Tower of London. He was tried for treason in Westminster Hall and found guilty. He was beheaded on July 6 th His final words were, The King s good servant, but God s first. He was canonized by Pope Pius XI in John s courage in upholding the truth about marriage, and his subsequent beheading as a result, challenges us in a time when it is not popular to speak the truth or live by the truth. Both he and St. Thomas More remind us that just because certain behavior is enshrined in the law of the land does not mean that is morally right. John turning attention away from himself towards Jesus reminds us to do the same also in our lives. In each of us, we ourselves are to decrease and Jesus is to increase. St. John the Baptist, pray for us. Fr. Tommy Lee

6 LECTURAS DE HOY Primera lectura -- Sube a la altura, Jerusalén; contempla a tus hijos gozosos porque Dios se acordó de ellos (Baruc 5:1-9). Salmo -- Grandes cosas has hecho por nosotros, Señor (Salmo 125). Segunda Lectura -- Que su amor siga creciendo más y más y se traduzca en un mayor conocimiento y discernimiento (Filipenses 1:4-6, 8-11). Evangelio -- Juan proclama un bautismo de arrepentimiento para el perdón de los pecados (Lucas 3:1-6). LECTURAS DE LA SEMANA Lunes: Is 35:1-10; Sal 84:9-14; Lc 5:17-26 Martes: Is 40:1-11; Sal 95:1-3, 10ac, 11-13; Mt 18:12-14 Miércoles: Zac 2:14-17 o Apo 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab; Jdt 13:18bcde, 19; Lc 1:26-3 o Lc 1:39-47, o cualquier lectura del Común de la Santísima Virgen María, nos Jueves: Is 41:13-20; Sal 144:1, 9-13ab; Mt 11:11-15 Viernes: Is 48:17-19; Sal 1:1-4, 6; Mt 11:16-19 Sábado: Eclo 48:1-4, 9-11; Sal 80 (79): 2ac, 3b, 15-16, Mt 17:9a, Domingo: Sof 3:14-18a; Is 12:2-6; Fil 4:4-7; Lc 3:10-18 Bienvenido a Jeremy Mendez Ramos Josue Sebastian Moran Mazariego Felicidades a los padres y padrino de amados hijos de Dios, que el bautismo sea el comienzo de una vida de fe y un corazón lleno de bondad y amor. A LA ESPERA DE LA SALVACIÓN DE DIOS El mundo no parece tan grande como para contener el alborozo que causa la primera lectura. En la lectura del Evangelio, el Imperio Romano tampoco es lo suficientemente grande. Los grandes poderes de Roma se designan y se hacen esperar por la salvación de Dios. Y encontramos a Pablo que medita gozosamente en lo que importa, en lo que realmente cuenta. De acuerdo con Baruc, la ciudad de Jerusalén es como una persona que en puntillas espera la salvación de Dios, que viene del Este. Los que fueron llevados a pie, con la cabeza gacha, regresan ahora orgullosos. Todo el camino está pavimentado. Al lado del camino hay árboles fragantes y frondosos. No puede haber algo mejor que eso, no es así? Bueno, sí puede haber algo mejor. Porque una voz grita en el desierto. Aquí comienza la salvación de Dios. Para los cursos pre-bautismales llamar a:.alex Aguilar y Natalia Lemus Los cursos se dan previa cita los martes 7pm y domingo 11am.

7 PARISH MINISTRIES & CHAIR Buildings & Grounds Pat Miele, Alex Aguilar Eucharistic Adoration Dcn Robert Pang Health Mary Loftus Hispanic Community Mario Zamora, Marili Mendoza Palma Ministerios Marianos Luis y Aida Cachichabla Hospitality Robin Miller Men s Club Bill Loftus. Ralph Olsen Ushers Jake Miraglia Music Elise Espinosa, Chris & Carolyn Yates, Ted Simone & Eileen Petersen Spanish Choir Carlos Cerna, William Martinez Outreach Maria Nest Parish Council Ralph Olsen Parish Worship Dcn John Cunningham Religious Education Kathleen Dunn RCIA Dcn Robert Pang, Jose Bolaños Catholic Daughters Marge Olsen Right to Life Scott Giblin Social May Pang Spiritual Life Johanna Krumm St. Vincent De Paul Fr. Tom Kunnel PARISH COUNCIL Alex Aguilar, Kathleen Dunn, Jonathan/Dominika Fanning, Lucia/Sal Caruana, Alex Flores, Andrew Lee, Maria Nest, Ralph Olsen, Marge Olsen, May Pang, Ray/Beverly Sambrotto TRUSTEES Phil McCartin James Pontone Our Sacramental Life Baptism: Please call the Rectory well in advance of the expected day of Baptism to arrange an appointment for an interview. Pre-baptismal meeting for parents is required. Godparents must be confirmed, practicing Catholics. Generally Baptisms are celebrated the third Sunday of each month at 12:00 pm. Reconciliation: Confessions are heard from 4:30-5:00 pm on Saturday. You may also make an appointment with Fr. Tom. Spanish confessions is available from 12:30 1:00 PM on Sundays. Marriage: Marriages should be arranged at least six months in advance. Participation in Pre-Cana is essential. Please call the Rectory to schedule an appointment with Fr. Tom. Anointing of the Sick: Before you enter the hospital for elective surgery or other serious treatment, and for those who have need of spiritual healing. In an emergency, please call Fr. Tom s mobile Holy Orders: Any gentleman interested in exploring the question of vocation to the priesthood or the permanent diaconate should contact Fr. Tom Kunnel. We would also be happy to direct anyone interested in living their lives as Religious Sisters or Brothers. Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults: For instruction for Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist for adults and to learn about Catholic Faith. If interested please contact Dcn Robert Pang. For more details and forms Parish Registration: All adults (over age 21) should register in the parish themselves and should use envelopes or parishpay.com. Tithing is 5% of income. This registration is our only means of certifying anyone as a member of the parish, especially for Baptism and Confirmation sponsorship letters and for scheduling Baptisms and Weddings.