First Sunday of Advent

Transcription

1 St. William the Abbot First Sunday of Advent December 2, 2018

2 Page 1 #566 December 2, 2018 First Sunday of Advent Parish Mission Statement We, the parish family of St. William the Abbot, a welcoming Catholic community, led by the Holy Spirit, are called to proclaim, and to witness to, the Good News of Salvation, so that we may grow together, among all generations, and advance the Kingdom of God, in our love and service of God and neighbor. Fr. Thomas Maher, Pastor Fr. James Redstone, Weekend Assistant Deacon Michael Abatemarco Deacon George A. Prevosti Deacon Kevin Smith, MBA Parish Office: 2740 Lakewood Allenwood Road Howell, NJ Fax Office Hours: Monday thru Friday 9:00AM to 3:00PM Office Staff: Mrs. Maureen Cisek Mrs. Elaine Ferraro Director of Music: Mr. Billy Lawlor School of Religion: Mrs. Dawn Cappetto, Administrator, ext. 202 Website: stwilliam@optonline.net Operation Shoebox Stuffer Last year we were able to send out 125 shoeboxes to struggling families. This year we are trying to send out over 200 to families in NJ who are struggling financially and are unable to provide presents for their children. Please bring in empty shoe boxes and small items to be placed in them. We would like to pack all the boxes on December 11, so please bring your boxes and items before that. All items must be new and can include stuffed animals, pencils, toothbrushes, yoyo, flashlight, watches, sunglasses, gift cards, books, small toys/games, cards, flip flops, socks, jewelry, purse, toy cars, pokemon cards, etc. Look for the flyer by the bulletins. Thank you! Masses Sunday: 8:00, 10:15, 11:45AM Monday, Tuesday: 9:00AM Wednesday: 9:00AM, and 7:00PM Thursday, Friday: 9:00AM Saturday: 9:00AM and 5:00PM Novena Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Wednesday 7PM Mass Novena to the Blessed Mother after Saturday 9:00AM Mass Sacrament of Reconciliation Confessions are heard on Saturday, 4:00PM Wednesday 6:00PM and 1/2 hour before each Mass Baptism Baptisms may be arranged for any Sunday of the year at 1:00PM. Call the Parish Office for arrangements. Baptism Preparation Class Class takes place on the third Monday of every month at 7:00PM. Call the Parish Office to register. Weddings Engaged couples should call for an interview appointment one year before the wedding date. Anointing of the Sick Call the Parish Office anytime for urgent visits. RCIA Any adult who is interested in learning about our Catholic Faith should call the Parish Office. New Parishioners Welcome to our Parish Community. Please call or visit the Parish Office for a Registration/ Welcome packet. Finance Council Frankie Francese (Chairperson), Steve Sousa, John Maniscalco, David Milanowyzc and John Langan Parish Council Fr. Tom, John Carlucci, Dawn Cappetto, Maureen Cisek, Jennifer Dimino, Pete Gilbert, Joanne Rapasky, Patti Tiernan Trustees David Milanowycz and John Langan If you have not bought a 50/50 ticket, please buy one today. We are almost at our goal. The drawing is on December 16th.

3 December 2, 2018 Page 2 #566 This week at a glance... Wednesday, December 5 9AM Mass 6PM Confessions 7PM Mass Thursday, December 6 AA Meeting 7:30PM Friday, December 7 Rosary at Preferred Care at Wall 10AM Vigil Mass for the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary 4PM and 7PM. Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary Mary, the Mother of God is venerated on December 8th as the Immaculate Conception. This feast commemorates the preservation of the Blessed Virgin from the stain of original sin from the first moment of her conception. It originated in the Eastern Church about the 8th century. The doctrine of the Immaculate Conception was defined by Pope Pius IX on December 8, This dogma is in accord with the texts of Scripture I will put enmity between you and the woman, between your seed and her seed (Gn 3,15); Hail, full of grace (Luke 1,28) - and was clearly understood and accepted by tradition, by the writings of the Fathers and by feasts observed according to the general belief of the faithful long before it was defined by Pope Pius IX. Holy Day Mass Schedule for the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary Friday, December 7th, 4:00 and 7:00PM Saturday, December 8th, 9:00AM Collection Amounts Mass: $5, Children: Votive candles: Total: $6, Mass: $5, Children: Votive candles: Capital Improvements: 4, Total: $10, Thank you for your generosity! Please bring health, healing and hope to those in our community who are sick especially Francesca Tortora, Jonathon Capriotti, Emily Capriotti, Dakota Schick, Marianne McVeigh, Don Goletz, we also ask you Lord, to watch over all those with incurable autoimmune diseases and for all those who are afflicted with MS, CF, Lou Gehrig s disease, for those who suffer from Alzheimer disease, dementia, addictions, and their families. God of all consolation, give life and health to our sisters and brothers for whom we pray in your Holy Name. Amen. Reflections First Reading: Jeremiah 33:14-16 Here is the prophet s oracle on the future king who will be from David s line. He will also be right and just. Second Reading: I Thessalonians 3:12-4:2 Paul urges the people to be faithful to their calling to enter God s kingdom to reflect this by their conduct. He shows his pastoral concern for them as he offers his encouragement. Gospel: Luke 21:25-28,34-36 Luke describes with cosmic signs the destruction of Jerusalem and the whole world. This is Jesus charge. He is also to be our Judge and so a set of admonitions follows. We have some great events coming up here at St. William the Abbot. We hope you can join us. December 8, 6-10PM, Santa s Workshop December 13, 5:30PM, Vendor Sale December 15, 8:00AM or 10:00AM, Breakfast with Santa December 17, 6:30PM, 1st Annual St. William the Abbot Christmas Sing-a-long. Make sure to make all these dates on your calendar! Please bring all gifts and gift cards in by next weekend, December 8th and 9th. Thank you for your generosity.

4 December 2, 2018 Page 3 #566 It is a holy and wholesome thing to pray for the living and the dead. II Mac. 12:46 Saturday, December 1 5:00 Salvatore Ferraro r/o The Cisek Family Sunday, December 2 8:00 Bob & Ellamae New r/o The New Family 10:15 Cono Abatemarco r/o Deacon & Mrs. Mike Abatemarco 11:45 People of the parish Monday, December 3 9:00 Special Intention for Gloria Raiser r/o Bill Raiser Noon Marie Prevosti r/o St. William the Abbot Parish Family Tuesday, December 4 9:00 Christopher Reynolds r/o Lenny Munyer Noon Bob New r/o M/M Mike Nucciarone Wednesday, December 5 9:00 Donald Goff r/o His daughter Noon Marie Prevosti r/o Deacon & Mrs. Mike Abatemarco 7:00 Multiple Intention Mass: Special Intentions: Fr. Jim, Deacon George, Deacon Kevin, Deacon Mike r/o St. William the Abbot Parish Family Hailey Eileen Raiser r/o Bill Raiser Deceased: Caroline Seeger r/o M/M Ron Neal Andrew Chmielewski, Fay Straniero, Jean Lindsay, Marie Prevosti r/o Deacon & Mrs. Kevin Smith Joseph Mazzarella r/o St. William the Abbot John Sproat r/o Helen Mazzarella Carmen Amelia Oder Aldana r/o St. William Margaret Sherbert r/o M/M George Weis Mary Obrachta r/o The Furmato Family Stephen Kelly r/o The Dimino Family Stella Capriotti r/o The Dimino Family Filomena Venetos r/o The Perrapato Family Stanley Cusk r/o Ernest & Kristine Russo, Jr. Michael Hancock r/o M/M Ron Neal Jack S. Cuccia r/o Pete Furmato Thursday, December 6 9:00 Anne Moore r/o The Martin Family Noon Marie Prevosti r/o M/M Mike Nucciarone Friday, December 7 9:00 Stella & John Jankowski r/o Terry Kelly 4:00 People of the parish 7:00 People of the parish Saturday, December 8 9:00 Christopher Reynolds r/o The Gratton Family 5:00 James Gratton r/o M/M Dan Daly Sunday, December 9 8:00 Carmella Ferraro r/o The Mircovich Family 10:15 Michael G. Murphy r/o M/M Marcelino 11:45 Matty Jones r/o The Mircovich Family The Sanctuary Lamp is lit this week in memory of Robert Wesolowski, requested by Loretta & Lloyd Johnson. For Advent we have added a noon Mass, Monday thru Thursday, starting tomorrow, Monday, December 3rd. of all our Parish family and friends, and for aborted babies and those men and women who died this week in the Service of our Country. May their souls and all the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen. First Sunday in Advent As Advent begins, we are reminded of the three comings of Christ; His coming into human history at Bethlehem; His coming at the end of human history; His coming into our hearts. We hear about events that will take place at the end of time, but that it should serve to awaken us to the here and now of Christ in our world. St. Paul says, we must conduct ourselves in a way pleasing to God. Let us prepare ourselves this day and all of Advent to welcome the Lord into our hearts and home. Community of Faith The Knights of Columbus will be selling Keep Christ in Christmas magnets for $5 each. They are available after all Masses and in the parish office.

5 December 2, 2018 Page 4 #566 Saints of the Week Saint Francis Xavier, Feast day December 3 Patron of Missions Francis Xavier was born in Spain of a noble family. He was the youngest of six children. Francis was tutored at home and then at the age of eighteen, studied at the University of Paris. It was at the University where he met Saint Ignatius of Loyola, a retired soldier who was also a student. At first, Francis did not like him, but St. Ignatius saw in him his ability for leadership, his ambition to become a good athlete as well as his generosity towards others. Francis gradually saw that his energy and talent could be used to teach people about God s love. Finally, with five other men, he joined Ignatius who started the Society of Jesus (Jesuits). It was then that Francis decided to become a priest. St. Ignatius assigned Francis to India. On the five month journey across the ocean Francis was constantly seasick. When he finally arrived in India, Francis began to learn the language in order to teach the children of India about Jesus. He taught the children first, the sick, the overworked and then the prisoners. He converted thousands of people. From India, Francis traveled to Malaysia and then to Japan. Francis dream was to reach China where he could tell people the Good News of Jesus Christ. After ten years of hard missionary work, Francis set sail for China. He became quite ill while on board and the sailors left him alone on a foreign shore. A poor fisherman took him to his hut, where Francis died on Friday, December 2nd, at the age of forty-six. Francis Xavier was buried in this desolate land far from any other Jesuit priests. He was called the Apostle of the Indies. Saint Nicholas, Feast day December 6 Bishop The absence of the hard facts of history is not necessarily an obstacle to the popularity of saints, as the devotion to St. Nicholas shows. Both the Eastern and Western Churches honor him, and it is claimed that after the Blessed Virgin, he is the saint most pictured by Christian artists; and yet historically, we can pinpoint only the fact that St. Nicholas was the fourth-century bishop of Myra, a city in Lycia, a province of Asia Minor. St. Nicholas was born on March 15, 270. As with many of the saints, however, we are able to capture the relationship which St. Nicholas had with God through the admiration which Christians have had for him an admiration expressed in the colorful stories with have been told and retold through the centuries. Perhaps the best-known story about St. Nicholas concerns his charity toward a poor man who was unable to provide dowries for his three daughters of marriageable age. Rather than see them forced into prostitution, St. Nicholas secretly tossed a bag of gold through the poor man s window on three separate occasions, thus enabling the daughters to be married. Over the centuries, this particular legend evolved into the custom of gift giving on the saint s feast. In the English-speaking countries, St. Nicholas became, by a twist of the tongue, Santa Claus further expanding the example of generosity portrayed by this holy bishop. This beloved saint died on December 6, 343. Other Saints celebrating a feast day this week: December 2: St. Bernard of Parma, December 4: St. John Damascene, St. Barbara, December 5: St. Gerald May the wisdom of the saints inspire us in our daily lives.

6 December 2, 2018 Page 5 #566 Cursillo Corner Want to grow deeper in your relationship with God? Want to rediscover the sense of Christian community? Participate in the joyful experience of Cursillo. Cursillo is Spanish for short course. A Cursillo is an encounter with self, Christ and others that enhances the rest of your spiritual life. Visit our website at Also, everyone is invited to join us at our next meeting of Leaders on Saturday, December 15th, 10AM in the All Purpose Room at Epiphany Church in Brick. Holiday Shopping Night Come shop with Howell s Small Business Owners here at St. William in the parish hall. Thursday, December 13th, 5:30 to 9:00PM. Some of the vendors are Simply Sofrito, Swarovski Rosaries, The Stylish Diva, Touchstone Crystal, Thirty-One Bags, Pampered Chef, Color Street Nails, LulaRue, and many more. Also a DJ and Santa! The History of Advent The liturgical season of Advent marks the time of spiritual preparation by the faithful before Christmas. Advent begins on the Sunday closest to the feast of St. Andrew the Apostle (November 30). It spans four Sundays and four weeks of preparation, although the last week of Advent is usually shortened because of when Christmas falls. The celebration of Advent has evolved in the spiritual life of the Church. The historical origins of Advent are hard to determine with great precision. In its earliest form, beginning in France, Advent was a period of preparation for the feast of the Epiphany, a day when converts were baptized; so the Advent preparation was very similar to Lent with an emphasis on prayer and fasting which lasted three weeks and later was expanded to 40 days. In 380, the local Council of Saragossa, Spain, established a three-week fast before Epiphany. Inspired by the Lenten regulations, the local Council of Macon, France, in 581 designated that from November 11, the feast of St. Maritn of Tours, until Christmas, fasting would be required on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Eventually, similar practices spread to England. In Rome, the Advent preparation did not appear until the sixth century, and was viewed as a preparation for Christmas with less of a penitential bent. The Church gradually more formalized the celebration of Advent. The Gelasian Sacramentary, traditionally attributed to Pope St. Gelasius I (d. 496), was the first to provide Advent liturgies for five Sundays. Later, Pope St. Gregory I (d. 604) enhanced these liturgies composing prayers, antiphons, readings and responses. Pope St. Gregory VII (d. 1095) later reduced the number of Sundays in Advent to four. Finally, about the ninth century, the Church designated the first Sunday of Advent as the beginning of the Church year. Despite the sketchy history behind Advent, the importance of this season remains to focus on the coming of our Lord. (Advent comes from the Latin adventus, meaning coming. ) The Catechism stresses the two-fold meaning of this coming : When the Church celebrates the liturgy of Advent each year, she makes present this ancient expectancy of the Messiah, for by sharing in the long preparation for the Savior s first coming, the faithful renew their ardent desire for His second coming (No. 524). Therefore, on one hand, the faithful reflect and are encouraged to celebrate the anniversary of the Lord s first coming into this world. We ponder again the great mystery of the incarnation when our Lord humbled Himself, taking on our humanity, and entered our time and space to free us from sin. On the other hand, we recall in the Creed that our Lord will come again to judge the living and the dead and that we must be ready to meet Him. A good, pious way to help us in our Advent preparation has been the use of the Advent wreath. The wreath is a circle, which has no beginning or end; so we call to mind how our lives, here and now, participate in the eternity of God s plan of salvation and how we hope to share eternal life in the kingdom of heaven. The wreath is made of fresh plant material, because Christ came to give us new life through His passion, death and resurrection. Three candles are purple, symbolizing penance, preparation and sacrifice; the pink candle symbolizes the same but highlights the third Sunday of Advent, Gaudete Sunday, when we rejoice because our preparation is now half-way finished. The light represents Christ, who entered this world to scatter the darkness of evil and show us the way of righteousness. The progression of lighting candles shows our increasing readiness to meet our Lord. Each family ought to have an Advent wreath, light it at dinner time and say the special prayers. This tradition will help each family keep its focus on the true meaning of Christmas. In all, during Advent we strive to fulfill the opening prayer for the Mass of the First Sunday of Advent: Father in Heaven...increase our longing for Christ our Savior and give us the strength to grow in love, that the dawn of His coming may find us rejoicing in His presence and welcoming the light of His truth. Fr. William Saunders