ST. NICHOLAS RC CHURCH

Transcription

1 ST. NICHOLAS RC CHURCH Served by the Vocationist Fathers Fr. Christogonus (Chris) Iwunze, S.D.V., Pastor Fr. Roberto da Silva, S.D.V., Parochial Vicar Fr. Louis Caputo, S.D.V.,Weekend Assistant Deacon Thomas La Russa, S.D.V., D.R.E. Church & Rectory 442 E Brinkerhoff Ave Palisades Park, NJ Tel Fax stnicholas07650@live.com Website. Office Hours Mon, Wed, Thu & Fri 11:30 AM - 6:00 PM Tuesdays 4:00 PM - 9:00 PM (Mornings by appointment only) 3 rd Sunday of Advent December 16 th, 2018 Whoever who has two cloaks should share with the person who has none. Whoever who has food should do likewise (Luke 3:10-18). ADMINISTRATION OF THE SACRAMENTS Baptisms: On any available Sunday during the 11:00 AM (Italian), 9:30 AM or 12:30 PM (English) & 7:00 PM (Portuguese) Masses. Please, contact the rectory at least one month prior to desired date. Confessions: Saturdays 4:00 to 4:45 PM, or during the week by appointment. Marriages: Please contact the rectory at least six months prior to desired wedding date. Sacrament of the Sick: If you are hospitalized or unable to come to Church for health reasons and would like to be visited by a priest for Confession, Communion, or Anointing of the Sick, please call the rectory. Religious Education Program (CCD): For children 1 st to 8 th grades who are not attending Catholic School. Classes are held on Sundays from September to May at 11:30 AM, with attendance to the 12:30 PM Family Mass. Confirmation: Teens will receive the Sacrament of Confirmation on 8 th grade. They will attend classes at 11:30 AM from September to December; and from January to April classes will start at 11:00 AM in the church hall, with attendance to the 12:30 PM Family Mass. Saturday: MASS SCHEDULE 7:00 & 8:00 AM 5:00 PM - Vigil Mass Sunday: 7:30 AM, 9:30 AM 11:00 AM (Italian) 12:30 PM - Family Mass 7:00 PM (Portuguese) Weekdays: 7:00 & 8:00 AM Holy Days: 6:30, 8:00, 10:00 AM & 7:30 PM Other Weekly Services & Activities: Mon to Sat 7:35 AM - Morning Prayer 8:30 AM - Holy Rosary (English) Tuesdays 9:00 AM - Legion of Mary 7:00 PM - Bible Study (English) 7:30 PM - St. Padre Pio Mass (12/18) 7:30 PM - St. Anthony s Group (1/8) 7:30 PM - Holy Rosary Society 8:00 PM - Holy Rosary (Portuguese) Wednesdays 2:00 PM - Holy Rosary (Italian) Thursday 6:15 to 7:15 PM - Holy Hour Adoration for Vocations (Dec 20, 27) Friday 8:30 PM - Brazilian Prayer Group 1 st Friday 8:30 AM to 7:30 PM - Blessed Sacrament Adoration (1/4) Sunday 6:00 PM - Holy Rosary by Brazilian Men (1/13)

2 ST NICHOLAS RC CHURCH Parish Trustee: Giovanni Simone & Michael Massaro Parish Secretary: Débora Moreira Music Ministry: Addie Luers, Giovanni & Karen Simone, and Kelly Oliveira Vocationist Sisters Community Sr. Benedita Carvalho, S.D.V., Superior & Pre-K Director; Sr. Jancy Thomas, S.D.V. and Sr. Emilia Din, S.D.V th Street - Palisades Park, NJ Tel Parish Pre-K Fr. Justin Learning Center Tel NOTRE DAME ACADEMY 312 First St Palisades Park, NJ Principal: Mark Valvano Tel Mass Intentions FRIDAY, December 15 7:00AM Donato & Maria Ramundo by Anna, Gino & Elena 8:00AM Charlie Gadino by Victoria Matesic 5:00PM MaryJoan Fasciano by Carmela Bonica SUNDAY, December 16 7:30AM Angela Gaudio by brother Costantino 9:30AM Christine Biango by Maryann & Mickey Laterza 11:00AM Carmina Osso Molinaro by Angela Yalowitz 12:30PM Dominick DeMaio by Lina & Vincent DeMaio 7:00PM For all people of this parish MONDAY, December 17 7:00AM In honor of St. Lazarus by Eduardo Lorenzo 8:00AM Victoria Lenge by Glavan family TUESDAY, December 18 7:00AM Edivaldo & Maria Moreira by family 8:00AM Victoria Lenge by Anna Hroncich WEDNESDAY, December 19 7:00AM Riccardo Mattessich by Maria Mattessich 8:00AM Victoria Lenge by Florence Hroncich THURSDAY, December 20 7:00AM Brandon Maguire by John & Margaret 8:00AM Roberto Hroncich by his family FRIDAY, December 21 7:00AM Martino Matesic by his wife Vitoria 8:00AM Maria Morin by her daughter Maria FRIDAY, December 22 7:00AM Johanna Scrivanic by Antonia Picinic 8:00AM Albert Veltri by his wife & family 5:00PM MaryJoan Fasciano by Phil & Louise Luciano SUNDAY, December 23 7:30AM Elvira & Luz and John by John & Aurora 9:30AM Nicolina & John Mattessich by Marie & children 11:00AM Angelo Cecere by his wife & children 12:30PM Maria Lechich by her daughter & family 7:00PM For all people of this parish News of the Parish Christmas Masses Monday, December 24 5:00 PM - Vigil 11:30 PM - Christmas Carols 12:00 AM - Midnight Mass Tuesday, December 25 CHRISTMAS DAY 7:30, 9:30 AM & 12:30 PM (English) 11:00 AM (Italian) & 7:00 PM (Brazilian) Monday, December 31 7:00 & 8:00 AM Tuesday, January 1, Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God 7:00, 8:00, 10:00 AM & 7:30 PM (English) and 11:00 AM (Italian) CONFESSIONS FOR CHRISTMAS will be heard this Thursday, December 20 from 10:00 AM to noon, and from 7:30 to 9:00 PM; or by appointment by calling the rectory s office. E.M., LECTORS AND USHERS will meet this Monday, Dec 17 at 7:30 PM in the Blessed Mother s room. ST. PADRE PIO GROUP invites all for a Mass in honor of St. Padre Pio this Tuesday, Dec 18 at 7:30 PM, in Italian. CHRISTMAS GIVING TREE - Our St. Nicholas Parish will continue to support the Christmas of the less privileged children of St. Michael s Church in Newark and the Headstart Program in South Hackensack. Please return your gifts this Sunday or early Monday morning. POINSETTIAS - You can donate poinsettias for the altar in memory of your beloved ones this Christmas. Please use the cut-out form on page 4 for this bulletin. In Memoriam ALTAR CANDLES deceased members of the Matesic & Franco families BREAD AND WINE deceased members of Matesic & Franco families SANCTUARY LAMP deceased members of Matesic & Franco families 2020 Mass Book is open 5 Masses per person per week on first come basis We still have Masses available in 2019

3 REJOICE! Today has traditionally been called Gaudete Sunday. The Lan tag is derived from Paul s appeal in the second reading to rejoice always in the Lord, and the Latin Mass text based on that reading. The irony and paradox of this Christian joy is underlined by the fact that Paul wrote those words in prison. But from there he could see the progress of God s work. Is it obvious to us? We feel that this is not the time for joy when there is so much suffering and moral evil. It is interesting, then, that the first reading is from the prophet Zephaniah, who is almost exclusively concerned with gloomy visions of Judgment Day. Today the Church selects the only optimistic text in Zephaniah, in which the prophet has been touched by the spirit of joy. This, we are assured on all sides, is the season of joy. Let us recapture that feeling of joy in our lives and reflect it to those who are joyless. Copyright (c) J. S. Paluch Co. STEWARDSHIP OF TIME AND TALENT We are grateful to the devout members of the Legion of Mary, Holy Rosary Society, Italian and Brazilian Communities who organized our BEREAVEMENT MASSES FOR CHRISTMAS in English, Italian and Portuguese. May the Lord comfort the heart of all of those who will miss someone special this Christmas. TREASURES FROM OUR TRADITION Years ago, the trick question on religion quizzes would be to name all the liturgical colors, or the colors of the vestments worn at Mass. Rose is a color seldom seen, used at most two days a year. Today, Gaudete Sunday, is one of those days. The name of the day is drawn from an opening verse in the old Latin Mass texts: Gaudete is Latin for Rejoice! This year s Gospel certainly reflects that mood as Elizabeth feels her infant within her leaping for joy at the presence of Mary. Mary s visit to her aged cousin is an act of compassion between women, as two kinswomen who are bearing children into the world share their joy. Some churches retain the custom of having the priest wear rose vestments today, and many will use a rose candle in the Advent wreath. Violet is the official color for Advent and Lent, but many parishes employ different hues for each season, trying to keep them distinct. In medieval times, dye was costly, and poor parishes used unornamented plain cloth for vestments. Dyes were expensive and some colors, particularly purple, difficult to achieve. In England, purple dye was made from mollusks, yielding at best a deep indigo or blue and not the desired violet. Thus, the color of Advent in the British Isles has long been a deep blue, reminding many people of Mary s presence at the heart of the Advent mystery. That theology is largely unplanned: it s all because of the clams! --James Field, Copyright (c) J. S. Paluch Co. Events of the Week Monday, December 17 7:30PM - Lectors, E.M. and ushers meeting Tuesday, December 18 9:00AM - Legion of Mary in Bl. Mother s room 8:00PM - Holy Rosary in Brazilian homes Wednesday, December 19 2:00PM - Holy Rosary in Italian in church 7:30PM - R.C.I.A. class in Bl. Mother s room Thursday, December 20 10:00 to noon - Confessions for Christmas 6:15 to 7:15PM - Holy Hour of Adoration 7:30 to 9:00PM - Confessions for Christmas Friday, December 21 8:30PM - Brazilian Prayer Group in Bl. Mother s room Lectors and E. Ministers Schedule for Dec 23 5:00 PM: Lector - Silvio and Carmela E.M. - Maria Claudia and Adriana 7:30 AM: Lectors - John and Michael E. M. - Sr. Jancy and Sr. Emilia 9:30 AM: Lectors - Carol and Lynn E.M. - Suzanne and Gina 11:00 AM: Lectors - Frank and Italia E.M. - Carmela, Francesca and Margherita 12:30 PM : Lector - Rita E.M. - Suzanne 7:00 PM: Lector - Anderson and Viviane E.M. - Leo and Ieda Pastoral Care Holy Communion was brought this month to: Victor Columbini, Frances Ceria, Cynthia Cornell, Anita Lauria, Francesco DeCandia, Eileen Murphy and Arthur Mazzarella. Pray for our sick: Mateus Ribeiro, Domenica & Vincenzo Dinaro, Josephine Dolberry, Angela Tina, Rita Vanore, Eileen Murphy, Dominick Ostuni, Sara Modafferi, John Hroncich (J. Hroncich s nephew), James Malatesta, Arthur Mazzarella, Dolly Marie Caiazzo, Frank Cousin Pallotta, Francesco DeCandia, Rosetta Lo Faro, Lina Cannella, Paul Albanese, Paul Albanese, Stefano Sgambellone, Fr. Steve Conner and Giulia Picinich. Our actions are the best witness of our thoughts. Anonymous STEWARDSHIP OF TREASURE December 2 first collection: $ 1, December 9 first collection: 5:00 PM Mass $ :30 AM Mass $ :30 AM Mass $ :00 AM Mass $ :30 PM Mass $ :00 PM Mass $ Online offerings $ $ 2,299.00

4 We are looking for a SINGER/ORGANIST to play at our 7:30 AM and 9:30 AM Sunday Masses. If you know anyone who is interested, please talk to Fr. Chris or call the office at during the week. If you wish to receive the Pilgrim Statue of Our Lady of Fatima into your home for the year 2015, please fill in your name and phone number for the week of your choice on the calendar at the entrance of the church. If you or someone you know is sick, home bounded, cannot attend Masses and would like to receive the visit of a priest or Eucharist Minister to bring Holy Communion, please call rectory office at FRANCISCAN C.D.C. s ANNUAL HOLIDAY DRIVE FOR THE HOMELESS - This Christmas can you spare a pair? Help us warm their heart and soul - $5 Gift Card or a pair of warm socks. The Franciscan Sisters are located at 239 Anderson Ave in Fairview, NJ Call: ST. NICHOLAS FUNDRAISING EVENT ~ TRICK TRAY 2019 ~ We are beginning to collect items to be auctioned on Saturday, June, 1 of 2019 NEW, NOT USED, UNOPENED gifts, toys, games, electronics, kitchen appliances, home decoration, paintings, books, jewelry, etc. All donations are tax deductible! Shoprite Cards are available after each Sunday Mass or during the week at the office. Our church will get 5% of what you spend. Donation for the Poinsettias decorating the altar this Christmas From: In loving memory of: Donation of $ Please return this slip with your donation to the rectory office or drop in the collection baskets We extend a warm welcome to our new parishioners. We hope that you will always feel welcomed here at our St. Nicholas Parish. We ask all our new parishioners to please come to the rectory to register. If you wish to receive envelopes, please contact the rectory office. Envelope offerings are registered and for those who so desire, if you need we will issue a certificate of your offerings at the end of the year for your tax deduction. Holy Hour of Adoration for Vocations Holy hours are the Roman Catholic devotional tradition of spending an hour in Eucharistic Adoration in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament. We focus our prayer to Jesus Christ on peace, life, vocations, and other topics that are at the heart of the life of the Church and the world. Every week on Thursday from 6:15 to 7:15 PM in church (Except on eve of first Fridays) ONLINE GIVING IS NOW AVAILABLE! It s convenient, easy and safe It will allow you to send your Sunday offers using credit card or bank transfers anytime, anywhere. No more checks to write or need of cash for Sunday collections. No more forgetting your envelopes at home. You can set up your donations week by week, in the amount you want and never worry about it again. Visit our website and click on the PARISH GIVING to enroll. If you need help setting up your account, come to the rectory office and we will help you. STNICHOLASRCCHURCH.ORG ATTENTION: Please be aware that in case of heavy snow and ice on the ground, the 7:00 AM weekday Mass will be canceled. You may attend the 8:00 AM Mass. If in doubt, call the rectory before leaving your house or check our website Vocationist Corner Grant that I may share your Christmas, O divine Lord Jesus, and my sweet life; grant me your birth of pure love! Grant it to all souls, to every parish, school and mission, to every association and to every soul. New life in the supernatural order; new life with your Holy Spirit to the Glory of the Father! Glory of pure love to you in the highest heavens, O divine Lord and sweet Life of my soul! Peace of pure love on earth to all men. Amen. Blessed Fr. Justin Russolillo, SDV, Devotional, page 222

5 At the present time, I m sure everyone is caught up in what is called the Christmas rush. We have decorations to put up, cards to be mailed, a tree to be trimmed, gifts to be purchased and wrapped for all of our loved ones... you get the picture. However, gifts for people are not the kind of gifts I had in mind. The Bible states that everyone has been given a gift. We read in 1 Corinthians 7:7 that each one has been given his own gift from God, one has this gift and another that. Do you know what gift God has given you? Are you using that gift so that God will be pleased? Most people associate a gift with giving. We should think of using our gifts to serve. I m sure you ve heard the expression, I m giving all I can afford now. I just can t do anything more. If you are giving all that you can be assured that God is aware of it. However, God might ask, What are you doing with the gift I gave you? Here is how you can give more without it costing a cent! Give some thought to putting your talents to work for God. The Bible says that all have talent. Show God what you can do with it! I m sure God will be pleased. From everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required; and from the one to whom much has been entrusted, even more will be demanded. Luke 12:48 YOUNG PEOPLE SPEAK OUT I ve always given part of my money to the church, but I haven t always been too careful with the part I ve kept. Now I realize that just giving isn t enough. I m also trying to spend what I keep in a way that would please Christ. Boy, I have to work for my money, and I have to manage it, too. No sponging off my folks, not even for church. At first it was hard to make sure I had enough left for God. But, I ve fixed that... I take God s part out first. I ll be getting married soon, and John and I have ideas about a home and family. We re going to have to watch our money pretty closely, but we don t want to leave God out, so we re going to have a planned economy that includes the church. Money? Well, I don t have very much. I still go to school. I do go babysitting to get a little extra money, but that s all. Church? Yes, of course! I can t give a whole lot, but I know God doesn t expect more than I can do. Each of us has special gifts that we have received from God. We are grateful for God s goodness to us. We are so grateful that we want to use these gifts as God would have us use them, in service to him and our fellow humans. We don t have much money. But, what we do have comes from God, whether it is from an allowance or a job. We are careful how we use our money, too. We first dedicate a part of it to God. On the first day of the week, let everyone of you lay by him in store as God has prospered him. Our giving is regular... every time we receive money or property... and proportionate... as God has prospered us. We set aside this percentage for God first, just as we put God first in the rest of our lives. And we don t begin when we re 90, or after we ve made our first million. We start now. We must always remember that in the sight of God, the gift is not as important as the giver. The spirit in which we give is what counts. We give out of hearts full of love and gratitude; we give generously; we give prayerfully. Thus our gifts and our lives are acceptable unto the Lord.