St. Stephen Parish Browning Road Pennsauken, NJ Different Ages Different Histories One Faith!

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1 St. Stephen Parish 6300 Browning Road Pennsauken, NJ Different Ages Different Histories One Faith! Pastoral Staff Contact Information Reverend Daniel M. Rocco, Pastor Permanent Deacon Ernest Picknally Permanent Deacon Anthony Cioe Sister Bernadette Mary Leahy, SSJ Mrs. Patricia Higgins, Principal Emergencies: (856) (Accidents, Dying or Death) Rectory: (856) Rectory Fax: (856) Convent: (856) School: (856) School Fax: (856) Web: December 18, 2011 The Fourth Sunday of Advent Mass Schedule Daily: Monday thru Friday 9:00am Weekend Obligation: Saturday 4:30pm (Reconciliation 3:45pm 4:15pm) Sunday 9:00am & 10:30am Children s Liturgy: 3 rd 9:00am Holy Days: 9:00am & 7:00pm 7:00pm Vigil Miraculous Medal Novena Every Thursday after 9am Mass. Eucharistic Exposition First Friday from 9:30am 7pm. Baptism Call the Rectory for arrangements. Required Preparation is 1 class, 2 nd Noon. Baptism 3 rd Sunday of Noon. Anointing of the Sick/Eucharist Upon request after the 4:30pm Mass in the Chapel. Prior notification is necessary by calling the rectory Monday Friday. Also call the Rectory if someone is sick or housebound. Marriage arrangements must be made with a priest 1 year in advance. Only individually registered parishioners of one year or more are eligible to be married here and includes anyone still living at home with parents who should register individually. Tribunal Parish Advocate Deacon Anthony Cioe Rectory Office Hours Monday thru Friday 9am 4:30pm (Rectory is closed all Holy Days & National Holidays) Our Mission Statement Saint Stephen Parish is a Catholic Faith Community called by God through Baptism. Our mission is to live the Gospel by loving and serving all our brothers and sisters. Parish Membership Moving INTO the parish all are asked to register as soon as possible. Moving WITHIN or OUT kindly notify rectory of changes. Please consider remembering St. Stephen s in your Will or Estate Planning. There are financial benefits to do so while still alive and, in death, the spiritual reward of helping to continue the Church s mission of preaching Jesus Christ. R.C.I.A. (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) Anyone interested in becoming Catholic is invited to become part of the RCIA. This process begins with a journey of faith that culminates in full communion with the Church through Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist. This process is open to those who are not baptized, to those who have been baptized in other Christian denominations, or to baptized Catholics who have never received catechetical instruction or received Confirmation and First Communion. Further information is available by calling the Rectory. Our Parish Family invites all of its members to participate fully in our spiritual and social life.

2 Page Two Family or Friends having a weekend Mass celebrated for a loved one are encouraged to participate by bringing the gifts of bread and wine to the Priest at Mass. Please be in church 10 minutes prior to Saturday/Sunday Mass and identify yourselves to one of the Ushers. Per Diocesan Policy: One (1) Mass Intention limit per Mass except for 10:30am on Sunday, which now has a maximum of four (4) intentions. The 2012 Mass Book is open for intentions within one (1) year of today. MONDAY December 19, :00am Rosemarie Iatarola Sauer (Birthday Remembrance) r/b Rosina Midili TUESDAY December 20, :00am Jacob Attone r/b Adele WEDNESDAY December 21, :00am John V. Meyer r/b Family THURSDAY December 22, :00am+Novena Thomas DiLaurentis (1 st Anniversary) r/b Family 6:00pm Special Memorial Mass r/b The Genovese Family FRIDAY December 23, :00am Joseph Petulla r/b M/M Charles Gugliotta SATURDAY 4:00pm 5:30pm 10:00pm SUNDAY 9:00am 10:30am December 24, 2011 (Christmas Eve) December 25, 2011 (Christmas) The Sanctuary Candle this week is In Memory of Thomas DiLaurentis. If you would like to contribute to the burning of a Sanctuary Candle in memory of a loved one, you may call the Rectory. Cost is $10. December 10/11, 2011 Attendance/Collection 542/ $6,286 December 11/12, 2010 Comparison 628/ $5, Christmas Flowers thus far $1, Religious Retirement thus far $1,069 Budgeted Weekly Collection: $5,769 Actual Y T D Weekly Average: $5,570 Next Diocesan Special Collection: January 22, 2012: Mission Membership Sunday 4 th Sunday of Advent Theme: Mary said yes willingly, livingly and prayerfully. Many thanks to the Taylor, Schmidt and Urgo families for lighting the Advent Candle last weekend. Please call the Rectory to let us know if your family member is in the hospital or homebound so that we may bring them Communion. This week remember to pray for: Rose Alessandroni, Victor Ambruso, Joe & Dolly Angelastro, Evelyn Capoccetta, Yolanda Colafrancesco, Dot Corbett, Patricia DeLorenzo, Esther DeMarco, Marie DiFrank, Patricia Domer, Diane Fesko, Joe Flacco, Joanna Galdo, Richard Gentile, Jr., Thomas Holmes Sr., Rita Insley, Frances Kay, Donna Krawchuk, Sandy Lepo, Wanda Loperfido, Joann Lunsford, Vincent Marchese, Harry Mayer, Dorothy McPeak, Marie Melchiorre, Michael & Family, Debbi Morrissey, Freda Novak, Jennifer Osborn, Grace Pandola, Edith Parrissi, Cassandra Pendtleton, Frank Pigliacelli, Declan Roberts, Rosemarie Rosolia, Raphael Rubin, William Sauer, Carmella Scrivani, Kathleen Stehm, Steven Stepanavage, Mary Terzini, Shannon Teuber Myles, Lillian Tomarchio, Daniel Topper, Adelaide Travia, Margaret Trifaro, Gloria Vendetti, John Vindick, Anthony Vocale, Rita Weingard. Ministry Schedule for December 24/25 (Monthly Schedules are also posted on our website) Saturday, 4:00pm Children s Mass Altar Servers: B. McHugh, T. Mason, C. Aleszczyk EM s: M. Meloni, J. Messina, T. Urgo, D. Urgo Lectors: E. Mattera, R. Aleszczyk Saturday, 5:30pm Altar Servers: D. Surgner, K. North, K. Sullivan EM s: A. Cirullo, C. Otto, T. Mattera, T. Veneziani Lectors: D. Heck, B. Mattia Saturday, 10:00pm Altar Servers: The Coar Children EM s: P. Cioe, L. D Alessandro, M. Miller, B. Taylor Lectors: J. Scavuzzo, T. Coar Sunday, 9:00am Altar Servers: O. Graff, K. Starts, S. Caban EM s: S. Marano, R. Davis, R. Leone, S. Mufalli Lectors: D. Steinmetz, J. Melfi Sunday, 10:30am Altar Servers: Z. Marlin, C. Padua, M. Ciarrocca EM s: J. Bowman, M. Monaco, L. Monaco, T. Link Lectors: M. Corbett, M. Turan Prayer for the 4 th Sunday of Advent Lord, we ask this week for the faith of your Mother, the gentle woman who said yes to her God without thought of what that yes would cost her. We look to the love of your Mother as we complete the ring of light on our Advent wreath. Through her yes, the world was lit by the presence of our Savior. Grant that we may serve you with the total yes that Mary did all her life. We ask this in the name of our Savior, soon to be born to us, Amen.

3 Page Three This St. Stephen Parish 12/19 Monday 9am Mass, 1pm Bible Study, 7pm Choir 12/20 Tuesday 9am Mass, 7pm Rosary/Choir, 7pm School Christmas Show 12/21 Wednesday 9am Mass, NO CCD 12/22 Thursday 9am Mass/Novena, 6pm Genovese Memorial Mass 12/23 Friday 9am Mass, Diocese, School & Rectory Closed 12/24 Saturday 4:00pm Children s Mass, 5:30pm Mass, 10pm Vigil 12/25 Sunday 9am Mass, 10:30am Mass Monday Afternoon Bible Study Stonegate building on Mondays from 1:00 to 2:30 PM Please feel free to join us! Any questions, please call Eileen at (856) or me at heides@comcast.net Tuesday Night Rosary Please join us every Tuesday at 7:00pm in the church in response to Our Lady of Fatima s request to pray the rosary for peace in the world. Wednesday Night CCD Classes Will resume January 4, 2012 from 6:15 7:30pm Thursday Night Discussion Club 7pm in the Rectory Fr. Rocco s Christology Course Topics: 12/22/11: No Class 12/29/11: Iconoclastic Controversy Part 1 1/5/12: Iconoclastic Controversy Part 2 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ First Friday Adoration The next Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament will be Friday, January 6 th, 9:30am 7pm. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ St. Stephen s Prayer Line: Belongs to You If you need someone to pray for you, you are at the right place. Contact for December requests. You answered me when I called to you; with your strength you strengthened me. Psalms 138:3 Bereavement Committee The Bereavement Committee is seeking volunteers to help minister to those who ve recently lost loved ones in our community of faith. To join this special ministry, please call Joy Bowman at Men s Prayer Group Please join us for our Men s Scripture/Prayer Group. We meet every Saturday morning at 9am for one half hour in the Rectory Basement Meeting Room. Info: Joe Fagan The Art & Environment Ministry NEEDS YOUR HELP! Parishioners and any students seeking community service are welcomed to help prepare the church for the Christmas Liturgies as follows: Sun. Dec. 18th 4pm move items from the rectory to the church. Monday Dec 19th, Tues 20th & Wed. 21st. 7pm assemble and shape trees, poinsettia's and prepare the nativity area. Thursday Dec 22nd (if necessary) start time: 7:30pm. Planning to attend! Please call Maria Upcoming Board & Council Meetings (Unless otherwise noted, 7pm in the Rectory) January 11 Finance Council January 18 Pastoral Council January 25 Liturgy Board RCIA Ministry: Interested in Becoming Catholic? Have you been worshiping with us, but never officially took the step to become Catholic? Have you been away from the church and have now returned, but want to know more? Have you been a Catholic all your life, but never celebrated all the Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism; Confirmation; and Eucharist? Have you joined us from a different background and would now like to find out more about the Catholic Church? Please contact Father Daniel Rocco at (856) or Loretta Steinmetz, RCIA Team Leader at (856) for more information about the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults. SCRI Christmas gifts/stocking stuffers In addition to using gift cards for stocking stuffers, Christmas gifts, teacher gifts, etc you can use scrip to make your purchases. Considering buying scrip this Christmas season. Here is a sample listing of what is in stock: RETAILER Wal Mart Target Toys R Us Bath and Body Works Bed/Bath & Beyond/Christmas Tree Shops Boston Market Best Buy Dick s Sporting Goods Learning Express (@ Wegman s Plaza) Disney Gap/Old Navy Olive Garden/ Red Lobster AMC Movies AMC Movies AMT $20 $10 $10 $ 25 $ 25 $10/20 $ 9 %age 1.5% 13% 7% 16% 3% 8% 10% 14% 9% 7% 16% Profit/card In stock scrip is available after Mass and in the Rectory all week. Special orders are placed each week and available by the end of the week. To place an order simply fill out the order form (available at the table, online, at rectory or school) and return it to the school. For a full list of what is available please stop by the Scrip table after Mass or you may look glscrip.com. For any questions please contact the Rectory or you may call Katy Fagan at Buy Scrip before you buy!

4 Page Four MERRY CHRISTMAS! Week of December 18 th 24 th (School closed Dec. 23 rd to Jan. 2 nd ) Christmas Celebrations in the school! Joyful Mysteries The students will be joining together to recite the rosary. The 8 th grade students will be acting out the Joyful Mysteries while the rest of the students and faculty will be reciting the prayers. The Jesse Tree The students in Mrs. Novoa s 6 th grade Religion class are studying and creating their own Advent Jesse tree anticipating the coming of Christmas. They will also be performing a live Jesse tree presentation to the rest of the school. The Light of Christmas Mrs. Collins 4 th grade class will be presenting The Light of Christmas to their parents, grandparents and siblings in the 4 th grade classroom. This Advent play focuses on Why there are lights at Christmas. Christmas Show Our annual Christmas show will be held this coming Tuesday, Dec. 20 th at 7pm. This year s program will be based on the children s Christmas service called Follow the Star. All of the children (PreK 8th grade) will be involved in this show filled with storytelling, Christmas carols and prayer. Reading Buddies The 1 st and 4 th grade students are reading buddies throughout the year. The 4 th grade students will read to the 1 st graders but also the 1 st graders take turns reading to their 4 th grade buddies. This month they shared Christmas stories and made reindeer food together. Craft Day Next week there will be many angels found in our school on Thursday, Dec. 22 nd. That is the day the Room Parents come in to do the Christmas craft with the students in PreK3 8 th grade. The students love it and the faculty and staff really appreciate all the time and effort the Room Parents give to the students. THANK YOU! PTO This past week Santa s Secret Shoppe came to our school as sponsored by the PTO. Students in each of the grades had the opportunity to shop for that special gift for their loved ones. The students enjoyed the variety of items, the opportunity to secret shop and of course the bargain prices! THANK YOU PTO! Annual Fund Update We recently began our first Annual Fund effort! Thank you to everyone who has generously donated to our Annual Fund! We have collected close to $6,000 in pledges to date, which is just over 1/3 of our goal for this school year. For more information or to pick up a pledge card please contact our Advancement Office ( ) or you may view our website: THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING ST. STEPHEN SCHOOL! Christmas& New Year s Schedule CHRISTMAS EVE VIGIL MASSES Saturday, December 24, :00 PM Children s Mass, 5:30 PM & 10:00 PM CHRISTMAS DAY MASSES Sunday, December 25, 2011: 9:00 AM & 10:30 AM NEW YEAR S EVE MASS Saturday, December 31, 2011: 4:30pm regular Mass NEW YEAR'S DAY MASSES BVM Mother of God Sunday, January 1, :00 AM & 10:30AM regular Masses Advent Mission Appreciation Thank you to the Parish Spiritual Life Committee for all their work in bringing in Father John Collins for our parish Advent Mission. A special thanks to Joe Fagan for being the liaison to Father Collins. The mission was both inspiring and well attended. The committee did an exceptional job in setting up the mission as well as hosting with refreshments after each night s session. The parish is indebted to their continuing service, dedication and hospitality. With gratitude, The Parishioners of St. Stephen Young Adult Priesthood Discernment Group Could God be calling you to the priesthood? If you are currently a senior in high school, college student or in the professional world (up to 39 years old), the Office of Vocations, Diocese of Camden, can help you discern and pray with others who are also considering the priesthood. Consider Joining us at: Our Lady of Peace Parish Offices 32 Carrol Avenue in Williamstown, NJ Meetings are at 2:00 P.M: Sunday, December, 18, 2011, Sunday, January 22, 2012, Sunday, February 19, 2012, Sunday, March 18, 2012 Sunday, April 29, 2012, Sunday, June 3, 2012 For further information, contact: Diocese of Camden Office of Vocations Phone: (856) Red Cross Blood Drive Dec. 29 th The Knights of Columbus, Council #3512 is sponsoring the Annual Red Cross Blood Drive at St Stephen's School on Thursday, December 29, from 1:00 pm to 7:00 pm. There will be sign up sheets at the back of church after Mass, or you can call Lonnie Monaco at to set up an appointment. As an added incentive to donate this year, the Red Cross will select one lucky donor at our blood drive to win a $50 gift card to Best Buy. Please make every effort to support this most worthwhile drive.

5 Page Five Session 14 of our weekly series: Theology of the Body Lived in the Communion of Persons Session 14: December 18, 2011 Theme of the Week: Begotten, not made. The Story of the Week: One afternoon Mr. Miller and his son, Edward, were walking past a ballpark where some boys were playing baseball. Edward asked his dad, Do you think they will let me play? Edward had a learning disability, and was also not very athletic. He was the kind of child that most boys would not want on their team. Edward s father asked the boys if his son could play, knowing that just being chosen to play would give him a sense of belonging. One of the boys looked at his teammates for approval and then said We re already losing by four funs and the game is in the bottom of the eighth inning. I guess he can be on our team and we will try to put him up to bat in the ninth inning. Ed was told to put on a glove and to play short center field. In the ninth inning, Ed s team scored one run and then with 2 outs, they loaded the bases. With the potential winning runs on base, would the team really let Ed bat? Surprisingly, Ed was given the bat. The first pitch came, and Ed swung clumsily, missing the ball. Then one of his teammates came up, and together they held the bat. The pitcher took a few steps forward and tossed the ball gently. As the ball came forward, Ed and his teammates swung together and hit a soft grounder. The pitcher could have easily picked up the ball and thrown him out, ending the game. Instead, the pitcher threw the ball in a high arc far beyond the reach of the first baseman. Everyone shouted, Run, Ed. Run to first. Everyone continued to shout Run, Ed, go to second, to third. As the base runners on second and third crossed home plate, the boys from both teams ran behind Ed screaming, Run to third, run home. As Ed stepped on home plate, all 18 boys lifted him on their shoulders making him the hero who had hit a grand slam and won the game. That day, those 18 boys had reached their level of God s perfection. An explanation of the weekly theme: This week we speak about the phrase begotten, not made. What does this mean? Actually, Jesus the Word never began! The Second Person of the Trinity doesn t proceed by creation, He always exists, is co eternal, because God s essence is that he cannot not exist! Father, Son, and Spirit always are! God is a social being. What an awesome concept to think about! Begotten not made is how we best say what we simply cannot fathom. In theology we reserve the word made for created things; but the Father is not the cause or parent of the Second Person, whom we call the Son. God speaks his Word and creation begins. The Word made flesh comes among us, and the invisible God shows his image among men. Read about it in your Bible and think about it this week. Find out how St. Paul tells his marvelous mystery to the Philippians! Though he was in the form of God, he did not deem equality with God something to be grasped. The Second Person of the Trinity who exists before all ages accepts human life to save us. Pope John Paul II teaches us that with Jesus, eternity has entered time! General question: Are you critical of the actions of people around you? Give a compliment to your neighbor. Family question: How can we live our call to be perfect in dealing with good and bad events of our days? Children s question: Have you ever considered thanking your parents for the gift of your life? Come, taste and see the goodness of the Lord.