Today at the 11:00 AM Solemn Mass, 21 men and

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1 Church of St. Ignatius Loyola 980 Park Avenue at 84th Street New York, New York (212) B u i l d i n g a C o m m u n i t y o f D i s c i p l e s An Advent Journey for All of Us Today at the 11:00 AM Solemn Mass, 21 men and women will participate in the Rite of Welcome and Entrance into the Catechumenate, marking the end of the Inquiry Phase of the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults). During Advent the next phase of this journey will begin for them the preparation for the Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil. I participated in this Rite last year with the support of the St. Ignatius Loyola Community. I grew up in a non-denominational Christian family and was simply taught that God exists. We attended church regularly. For lack of a better expression, I went with the flow. What was missing was not my actual faith in God, but a personal and close relationship with Him. I believed in God because my parents told me to do so. As I became older, I felt as though there had to be something more meaningful or fulfilling to faith. My (Catholic) husband and I married eleven years ago, and we attend Mass together. Initially, the Mass was a bit of a challenge for me to follow. We have two young children who are being raised Catholic and attend Catholic school. I had the mistaken notion that Catholic schools have a magic formula to make children good. I realize now that the goodness I see in so many Catholic school children is largely due to the religion itself! I had many unanswered questions and longed for spiritual guidance but did not know where or how to find it. It felt as though I had been wandering around aimlessly in a city with no street signs or map to offer any direction. Nonetheless, I was convinced that if there is a God, I would be shown the shape or form of certain truths. Parents are their children s greatest influence, and that was one of the reasons that led me to my conversion to Catholicism. The school is only an aid to the children and by no means a substitute for parents. When my oldest child started second grade and my youngest first grade, I decided to attend my own school (RCIA) to learn about Catholic faith and what my religious responsibilities would be as a Catholic for I neither wanted to be careless nor ignorant December 4, 2011 Second Sunday of Advent of this faith for the benefit of my children, my husband, and myself. Through my spiritual journey in RCIA, and the beautiful Masses and enlightening homilies at St. Ignatius Loyola, I gained a better and more thorough understanding of the Catholic Church its foundation, principles and teachings. I have more respect and greater appreciation now because I believe in it and want to live the life of a good Catholic. Catholicism shows me that I owe God reverence and obedience and that I am dependent on God just as my children are dependent on me. I also have certain responsibilities to the community. A truly Catholic life demands true love of Christ and everyone around us and fosters a commitment of service to others. How could there possibly be Christianity without love? Catholic faith also teaches me the importance of being true to myself, learning how not to sin, and receive and obey God s laws. When I began my spiritual quest to become Catholic, the Church warmly welcomed me with open arms. Since then, I have gained peace of soul and the contentment that comes from trying to lead a good life of Christian virtue. I consider this a new and wonderful lifelong journey. Through faith, prayer, and service, I am fully committed. As we move through Advent, not only do I reflect on my own personal revelation and spiritual journey, I also think about those who seek to have a personal and meaningful relationship with Jesus Christ and are interested in becoming Catholics as well. I will pray for them as I know this will be an incredible and exciting journey for them as it had been for me! I look forward to witnessing these adults participate in the Rite of Welcoming on December 4th. Let us together pray for and welcome this group of adults as they begin their journey toward Easter! Jennifer McAllister St. Ignatius Loyola Parishioner

2 THIS WEEK AT A GLANCE Special Collection Next Weekend for Retired Religious SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4th Second Sunday of Advent Your donation to the fund for retired religious provides critical support to religious institutions in meeting the escalating costs of elder care. Please pray for all religious and be as generous as your means allow. SVdP Annual Toy Drive and Advent Food Drive. Details on page 5. Office of the Archbishop 1011 First Avenue New York, NY Wallace Hall Family Christmas Pageant Organizational Meeting. 12:00 Noon. Details on page 3. Finding Christ in Christmas, Part 1: Talk featuring Sr. Kathryn King, FSP. 6:00 PM. Parish Lounge. An Ignatian Young Adult event. December 2011 Year For Mass Dear Friends in the Lord: In the midst of this Advent season, I seek your generous support for the annual appeal for our retired religious, to be taken up in our parishes the weekend of December 10 and 11. MONDAY, DECEMBER 5th Ranger Rosary Ministry. 7:00 PM. Meeting Room. Supplies and instructions are provided. New members are welcome! Our senior sisters, brothers, and religious priests have dedicated their lives to serving us here in the archdiocese in our parishes, schools, hospitals, nursing homes, religious education programs, and charitable works. Accustomed to giving rather than receiving and to serving rather than being served, they are now accepting the inevitable challenges of aging with grace, humility, and wisdom. Their relationship with the Lord and their strong prayer life sustains them spiritually, but we also have to do whatever we can to be of assistance to them in meeting their physical needs. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7th Daily Masses at 8:30 AM, 12:10 PM, and 5:30 PM: Time for Reflection. The Daily Masses on the Wednesdays of Advent will offer a few moments to reflect quietly upon the readings of the day (in lieu of a homily). Enjoy a few moments With this in mind, I trust you will not mind my urging you to give what you can in our annual collection to assist our retired religious who have given so much to this archdiocese over the years. Your gift will make a real difference in the lives of thousands of men and women religious, and for this I extend my personal gratitude. of quiet time during the busy Advent season. The Politics of Worship: An Art Slide Lecture presented by Rev. Leo J. O Donovan, S.J. 7:00 PM. Wallace Hall. Details on page 3. With prayerful best wishes for a blessed Advent, I am, Faithfully in Christ, Most Reverend Timothy M. Dolan Society of St. Vincent de Paul Meeting. 7:00 PM. Conference Room. All are welcome! Archbishop of New York THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8th Feast of the Immaculate Conception Mass of Anticipation: Wednesday, December 7th 5:30 PM December 8th: 8:30 AM; 12:10 PM; 5:30 PM; 7:30 PM All Masses will be celebrated in the Church. ADVENT 2011: In Giving, We Receive Copies of our Advent Brochure are available in the Narthex, at the Parish House, and online at Advent/Christmas Prayer Booklet THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8th Reflections on the Sunday Advent Scriptures. 7:00 PM. Conference Room. As a help to entering into the Advent Season, and as a preparation for the Feast of Christmas, Rev. Robert O Brien, S.J., of the Murray-Weigel Jesuit Community in the Bronx, will be offering reflections on the Scripture Readings for the Sundays of Advent. Based on the writings of the late Bishop Kenneth Untener, this booklet offers daily reflections throughout the Advent/Christmas season. Available at the Parish House while supply lasts. Cost: $1 PLEASE OPEN FOR PAGES 3 AND 4 2

3 LECTURE THE POLITICS OF WORSHIP: An Art Slide Lecture presented by Rev. Leo J. O Donovan, S.J. Wednesday, December 7th 7:00 PM in Wallace Hall Is the instinct for worship a deep-seated human trait, or a projection of our need to identify with those more powerful than ourselves? The persistent emergence of dictators and demagogues may indicate the latter. But aspects of the Christmas story richly suggest otherwise. Rev. Leo J. O Donovan, S.J., is President emeritus of Georgetown University and a past president of the Catholic Theological Society of America. He was a student of Fr. Karl Rahner at the University of Muenster and has written extensively about him, including an introductory volume, A World of Grace. WALLACE HALL CHRISTMAS PAGEANT Sunday, December 18th immediately following the 11:00 AM Family Mass We hope that your family will join us. There is a role for every child who would like to participate in telling the story of our Lord s birth! Organizational Meeting: Sunday, December 4th at 12:00 noon. Wallace Hall. Rehearsal: Sunday, December 11th at 12:00 noon. Wallace Hall. Dress Rehearsal: Sunday, December 18th at 9:30 AM. Wallace Hall. Please contact Joanne Cunneen at the Parish House ( ) with any questions. IGNATIAN SOCIAL JUSTICE Possible Dreams International: A Response to AIDS in Africa Wednesday, December 14th at 7:00 PM. Parish Lounge. A video and slide presentation focusing on the AIDS crisis in Southern Africa with representatives from Possible Dreams International speaking on their work in Swaziland with AIDS patients. IGNATIAN YOUNG ADULTS CHRISTMAS COOKIE EXCHANGE at the IYA Sunday Social Sunday, December 11th 8:30 PM, Wallace Hall Bring a sampling of your homemade cookies to swap with others! To participate: BAKE your favorite Christmas cookies. (If you re not a baker, you may bring high quality holiday-themed cookies from a bakery.) While it doesn t matter how many cookies you bring, we recommend bringing at least 2 dozen cookies (24). However many you bake, make sure to count them, because that s how many cookies you get to take home. BRING your treats to Wallace Hall on Sunday, December 11th, after the 7:30 PM Mass. We ll provide a platter on which you can arrange your cookies. Make sure to bring your treats in a container you can also use for carrying your new cookies home. Optional: Bring printouts of your recipe(s) to share with others. EXCHANGE your cookies. After you ve arranged your own cookies, gather the same amount of cookies from the table to take home. Then enjoy our Christmas Social, also in Wallace Hall. Please note that if you bring cookies, you must take cookies home. If you are interested in donating baked goods for the Christmas Social, please contact Katie Bignell at kbignell@gmail.com Give a gift this Christmas that supports our Parish! Not your average church cookbook, EATS & SWEETS is a professionally-bound collection of appetizer and dessert recipes. It s a great resource for holiday party planning, and makes a perfect stocking stuffer, too! Cookbooks are on sale for $20 in the Parish House every day, and in the Narthex after select Masses. All proceeds benefit the Ignatian Young Adult ministry. BOOMERS & BEYOND Christmas Caroling Come and spread some holiday cheer with Boomers & Beyond. Sunday, December 18th 12:45 PM at the Cardinal Cooke Center 1249 Fifth Avenue (between 106th and 107th Streets) Join Boomers & Beyond for their annual Christmas Caroling event at the Cardinal Cooke Center and the Lott Assisted Living Facility. We will celebrate the holiday afterwards with an informal get-together at a nearby restaurant. is an inter-parish social and community service organization for single Catholics who are over 50. 3

4 NOVEMBER SACRAMENTS Weddings Frank A. Ballabio and Sandra T. Ribicic Jason G. Brewi and Jenna N. Walters Peter Matthew Liberatore and Mary Ellen Reilly Baptisms Sophia Marie Anand Leila Jean Antonia Armenise Roman Armando Bas Michael Theodore Budzinsky Josephine Elizabeth Cattano Julien Murphy Cattier Caroline Mendelson Chioffi Genevieve Grace Deimen Carmen DeLucas Madeline Evans Escobar Sawyer Anne Fedorcik Andrea Manuela Uranga Gargallo Olivia Uranga Gargallo Ava Katherine Hudson Sloane Zoe Maldutis Neviah Alena McDaniel Alessia Christine Muscatella Molly Frances Pepper John Christian Sales Caden Charles Sciutto Christopher George West Amalia Marina Zameli The Annual Christmas Concerts: Joyeux Noël! Sundays, December 11th and 18th at 4:00 PM Directed by K. Scott Warren, Robert Reuter, Mary Huff and Michael Sheetz with Nancianne Parrella, organ Victoria Drake, harp Arthur Fiacco, cello Celebrate Christmas with a French twist! The St. Ignatius Choirs are featured in this delightful holiday presentation of French masterpieces for the season, including Poulenc s Quatre motets pour le temps de Noël and the Saint-Saëns Christmas Oratorio. Tickets are going quickly. They are available in the Parish House, online at or by calling On Sale After Masses This Weekend! New CDs by the Choirs of St. Ignatius Cool of the Day: Mixing Gregorian chant with spirituals, Renaissance motets with Romantic motets from the sound of a single voice calling out, to the astonishing radiance of a full choir this breathtaking recording celebrates the glory and transcendence of the human voice. This new recording features the Choir of St. Ignatius Loyola, the conducting of Associate Musician Robert Reuter, and the compositions of Interim Director of Music K. Scott Warren. Announced Masses and Readings for the Week Monday, December 5th (Second Monday of Advent) Isaiah 35:1-10 Psalm 85 Luke 5: :30 MEM Caroline Choix 12:10 MEM Kathleen Ann Bartone 5:30 MEM George Caruso Tuesday, December 6th (St. Nicholas) Isaiah 40:1-11 Psalm 96 Matthew 18: :30 MEM Lorraine Scudo 12:10 MEM William H. Meehan 5:30 MEM Susan Erph de Bovencamp Wednesday, December 7th (St. Ambrose) Isaiah 40:25-31 Psalm 103 Matthew 11: :30 MEM The Choix and Gordon Families 12:10 MEM John Figge 5:30 MEM Lorraine Craig 4 Angel: The debut recording of the St. Ignatius Loyola Children s Choir, under the direction of Mary Huff and accompanied by Associate Organist Nancianne Parrella and Associate Musician Michael Sheetz. Angel offers fresh interpretations of classics like Panis Angelicus, How Can I Keep from Singing, When I Survey the Wondrous Cross, My Shepherd Will Supply My Need, Humbly I Adore Thee, and many more. The children s choir program at St. Ignatius Loyola includes over 120 children from grades one through twelve. These (and all St. Ignatius CDs) are also available for purchase in the Parish House. Thursday, December 8th (Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary) Genesis 3:9-15, 20 Psalm 98 Ephesians 1:3-6, Luke 1:26-38 Friday, December 9th (St. Juan Diego Cuatitloatzin) Isaiah 48:17-19 Psalm 1 Matthew 11: :30 MEM Marjorie Wilker 12:10 MEM Valentino Mazzia 5:30 MEM Catherine Scanlon Saturday, December 10th (Second Saturday of Advent) Sirach 48:1-4, 9-11 Psalm 80 Matthew 17:9a, :30 MEM John & Nora Reilly Sunday, December 11th (Third Sunday of Advent) Isaiah 61:1-2a, Luke 1 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 John 1:6-8, 19-28

5 THE 2011 ANNUAL COLLECTION FROM THE PASTOR Dear Parishioners, Last weekend we implemented the changes in the Roman Missal. Because our Gather hymnals are only a few years old, inserts were attached inside the back covers so that we can continue to use the books for a while longer. I mention this because our Sacristan noticed that almost 30 hymnals have disappeared from the Church. For anyone who borrowed one to study the changes in Mass texts, we have now made copies of the inserts. They are available at the Parish House and I encourage you to take one home. An electronic version can be found on our website s homepage. I also want to give you an update on the search for a new Music Director. Following consultation with a number of music professionals, staff, and parishioners, we are ready to move ahead. The position will soon be advertised, with the expectation that we will begin the interview process by mid-winter, and have a permanent Director in place by summer. Special thanks to our Interim Director, K. Scott Warren, who is doing an outstanding job. Thank you and Blessed Advent! Thank you to those who have contributed to this appeal. At present, the total stands at $168,860. The Annual Collection is very important to the financial well-being of our Parish. If you have not yet made a donation, there are several ways to do so: by check through ParishPay (accessible via by credit card (please contact Mary Reed, Director of Development, at ) Thank you! GRAMMAR SCHOOL Saint Ignatius Loyola School extends a warm welcome to the Parish Community to come to the Annual Christmas Fair Sunday, December 4th 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM McKinnon Hall Rev. George M. Witt, S.J. SOCIETY OF ST. VINCENT DE PAUL Free and open to all parishioners! Children can do their own Christmas shopping at our Secret Santa Shop, located on the stage of McKinnon Hall. There is also plenty of wonderful shopping for our adult guests, including seasonal decorations, religious items, housewares, a Children s Craft Corner, and gifts for everyone on your list! Enjoy a snack at our Christmas Café. ANNUAL TOY DRIVE SVdP is sponsoring a toy drive to benefit needy children (grades K-12) at St. Aloysius Jesuit School in Harlem. Please bring new, unwrapped toys, games, or books to our Parish House at 980 Park Avenue by Thursday, December 8th. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED For the Ministry of Hospitality at our Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year s Eve Masses: ADVENT FOOD DRIVE Many New Yorkers depend upon food pantries to ensure that their families will not Saturday, December 24th go hungry. Throughout Advent, SVdP will be accepting Christmas Eve 5:00 PM Family Mass 8:00 PM Mass of Christmas Midnight Mass donations of food for the Community Pantry at the Church of St. Gregory the Great. Sunday, December 25th The items requested each week are listed below: Christmas Day 9:00 AM (please note the early Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 start time) and 11:00 AM (Dec. 4th 10th): canned vegs., canned chicken/tuna (Dec. 11th 17th): crackers/indiv. servings of cereal (Dec. 18th 23rd): Dole/DelMonte individual fruit cups Saturday, December 31st New Year s Eve 5:30 PM A spirit of welcome and celebration is all that is required. For more information, contact Adele Gallo, head of the Hospitality Ministry, amdgallo@me.com or Donations can be left on the table in the Narthex on weekends, or brought to the Parish House during the week. 5

6 Church of St. Ignatius Loyola 980 Park Avenue at 84th Street New York, New York (212) Fax: (212) MORE Hot Topics presents an open forum: After Confirmation, the Exodus! Monday, December 12th at 7:00 PM. The Rochester Room, Church of St. Thomas More, 65 East 89th Street. Why do so many young people disassociate themselves from the Church after receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation? Visit with the panelists and share light refreshments following the presentation. A free-will offering will be accepted. For details, call HandCrafting Justice, a project of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd, provides access to Fair Trade markets that empower enterprising women in the developing world to lift themselves out of poverty through the creation of unique handmade goods. As you think of buying gifts for your loved ones this Christmas, please consider a high quality fair trade gift which will help support women around the world. Visit Xavier Society for the Blind Commemorating the Feast of St. Lucy, Patron Saint for the Blind Concert: Saturday, December 10th at 4:00 PM. Scandinavia House, 59 Park Avenue. Sponsored by the Xavier Society for the Blind. Tickets: $40 pp or $75 for patrons, who will receive preferred seating and a signed program. For tickets or details, call or visit Mass at St. Patrick s Cathedral: Tuesday, December 13th at 6:00 PM. Xavier Society for the Blind will supply materials for the sighted to follow the Mass, as well as large print and Braille versions for those who are visually impaired. PARISH STAFF Pastor Rev. George M. Witt, S.J. Pastoral Associates Joanne Cunneen Kathryn King, F.S.P. Associate Pastors Rev. William J. Bergen, S.J. Rev. James L. Dugan, S.J. Rev. Ugo R. Nacciarone, S.J. Assisting Priests (Sunday) Rev. Philip G. Judge, S.J. Rev. James Martin, S.J. Rev. Anthony P. SooHoo, S.J. Music Ministries Scott Warren, Interim Director Nancianne Parrella Robert Reuter Mary Huff Michael Sheetz Philip Anderson Sara Murphy, Administrator Staff information: on the website at music/music staff Director of Development Mary Reed Assistant to the Pastor Diane M. Boyle Administrative Assistant Patricia Schneider Director of Facilities/ Events Coordinator Czeslaw Chester Ciupinski Treasurer Fernando Castro Weekday Masses Monday Friday 8:30 AM, 12:10 PM and 5:30 PM Saturday: 8:30 AM Masses for Next Weekend: Saturday Vigil: 5:30 PM Fr. Judge Sunday: 8:00 AM Fr. Witt 9:30 AM Fr. Witt Wallace Hall 11:00 AM Fr. Dugan Solemn 11:00 AM Fr. Martin 7:30 PM Fr. Martin Music Information: (212) music@stignatiusloyola.org Religious Education for Children Joanne Cunneen, M.A., M.S. Director (212) St. Ignatius Loyola Grammar School Ms. Mary Larkin, M.S. Ed. Principal 48 East 84th Street New York, NY (212) Fax: (212) St. Ignatius Loyola Day Nursery Ms. Theodora Crist, M.S. Executive Director 240 East 84th Street New York, NY (212) Fax: (212) Children s Liturgy of the Word: Sundays at the 9:30 AM Mass and the 11:00 AM Mass in Wallace Hall. Eucharistic Adoration: First Saturdays at 9:00 AM in the Lady Chapel. Centering Prayer: Mondays and Thursdays at 6:30 PM Confessions: 5:00 PM Saturday or by appointment. Communal Penance Services are celebrated during Advent and Lent. Baptisms: Please call Joanne Cunneen at the Parish House to arrange for a Baptism and the preparation given prior to Baptism. Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults: Contact Maureen Fullam, M.A., Director, at the Parish House. Marriages: The Bride or Groom should call Joanne Cunneen at the Parish House to begin preparation for Marriage, normally one year in advance. Visits to the Sick: Please contact the Parish House between 9:00 AM-9:00 PM.