December 16, 2012 3rd Sunday of Advent ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI 29 Northgate Drive, Greenlawn, NY Telephone: 757-7435 FAX #757-0469 E-mail: stfrangreenlawn@aol.com Website: www.stfrancisgreenlawn.org Parish Staff: Rev. Peter F. Kaczmarek, Pastor Msgr. Patrick Armshaw, Pastor Emeritus Deacon David Campbell Deacon Jean Cantave Deacon Allan D. Longo, Faith Formation Deacon James Byrne Office Hours: Monday-Thursday: 9:00am 3:30pm; Friday 9:00am-12:30pm Closed 12:30pm 1:15pm Daily Evenings: By appointment only Parish Mass Schedule: Saturday: 4:30pm Sunday: 8:00am, 10:00am, 12:00 noon 5:00pm Youth Mass (Christian Rock Mass) Monday Friday: 8:30am Holy Days of Obligation: as announced. Sacramental Life Baptism: Scheduled Sundays at 1:30pm Parents should contact the Rectory before the birth of the child. Both parents must come for an interview with the priest or deacon. Class also required after the interview. Sacrament of Matrimony: Please call the rectory at least six months in advance for an appointment with a parish priest. A marriage preparation program is required. Penance/ Reconciliation: Saturdays at 12:30 and 5:30pm Also by appointment Anointing of the Sick: Every second Monday after the 8:30am Mass. Also anytime by calling the rectory at 757-7435. Faith Formation: (1st through 8th grade) Religious Education Coordinator: Deacon Allan Longo: 754-6436 Music Ministry: Director & Cantor: Lauren LiCausi: 516-313-1025 Organists: Theresa Bissex Shira Fishkin Son Ministry/Youth Ministry Program Marian Zahra & Frank Maiello stfranyouth@gmail.com Office of Pastoral Care to the Homebound, Elderly and Ill: Peggy Evans, Office: 261-4837 Ministry of Consolation & Bereavement: Diane Lake: 499-0395 Liturgical Ministry Lector & Eucharistic Ministers Marilyn Reilly: 261-2093 New Parishioners: Every family should be properly registered. Please stop in the sacristy after Sunday Mass or at the rectory office during office hours to pick up a census form. Devotional Life First Friday 9:00am 10:00am 8:00pm 10pm with Benediction Catholic Conversion R.C.I.A. Please call the rectory. Liturgy of the Hours In church Wednesday at 8:00am Rosary: Daily at 8:00am and 9:10am Charismatic Prayer Group Saturdays: 9:30am Peggy Evans: 424-6964 Holy Hours In the church Wednesdays: 7:00pm 8:00pm Fridays: 2:00pm 3:00pm Pastoral Advisory Council Neil Coscio, Chairperson: 261-0816 Parish Programs Trinity Regional School 1025 Fifth Avenue E. Northport Principal: Jeanne Morcone Office: 261-5130 St. Vincent de Paul Society Meets semimonthly in the auditorium. 651-2655 In-Home Pre-Cana Seasonally in hosts home Coordinators: 271-3566 Deacon Allan & Lorraine Longo Little People s Liturgy Sundays at the 10:00am Mass. Louise Mordarski: 796-2070 Rosy Mandel: 651-8431 PB&J Gang 3rd Sunday of the month Leslie Kulewicz: 754-2132 Ivonne Porpora: 499-3780
December 16, 2012 2 Mission Statement: St. Francis of Assisi Parish is a Christ-centered family of believers, celebrating Christ alive in our lives through the inspiration of the Gospel, church teachings and traditions and the Sacraments. We are sensitive to the spiritual and temporal needs of God s people, acknowledging their uniqueness and dignity and are dedicated to reaching out and serving them through prayer, liturgical celebrations and social ministries. Guided by the Holy Spirit and nourished by the Holy Eucharist, we welcome all people with, respect and compassion. We are vigilant in protecting the rights of the most vulnerable. In the tradition of our patron, St. Francis of Assisi, we put the good news of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ into action. MASSES FOR THE WEEK Sunday, December 16th 8:00am St. Francis Parishioners 10:00am Kate Porto+, Frances Schneider+, Morris & Ida Farmer+ Christopher Porto+, Immaculate C. Alfieri+ 12:00pm Muriel Desmond+, Peter Perz+, John LoPipero+, Kristy LoPipero+ 5:00pm Youth of St. Francis Monday, December 17th 8:30am Corrine Addiss Tuesday, December 18th 8:30am Eugene Maranchuck+ Wednesday, December 19th 8:30am Anna & Eugene Miata+ Thursday, December 20th 8:30am George Rand+ Friday, December 21st 8:30am Conversion of America s Heart to End Abortion Saturday, December 22nd 4:30pm Rudolph Vrana+, Mark Levee, Frank Terc+ Ministers for Saturday and Sunday December 22nd & 23rd Saturday 4:30pm Eucharistic Ministers: Thomas Lemp, Joe Clines, Eileen McGloin, Frances Takach, Ingrid DeJoie Lector: Mary Lemp Altar Servers: Monika & Mackenzie Sivilli Sunday 8:00am Eucharistic Ministers: Deacon Jim Byrne, Joan Collins, Pat Ammirato, Joe Koferl, Francis Neary Lector: Diane Lake Altar Servers: Colleen & Danny Morgan, Lauren Stebbins 10:00am Eucharistic Ministers: Deacon Jean Cantave, Michael Lobasso, Doreen McNiff, Judy McKenna, Charles Giardino Lector: Ellen Lobasso Altar Servers: Adrienne & Ginelle Cantave 12:00pm Eucharistic Ministers: Deacon Allan Longo, Lorraine Longo, Lorraine Cullen, Pat Wahrheit, Julia Candella Lector: Nancy Christensen Altar Servers: Phineas Reichert 5:00pm Eucharistic Ministers: Mary Kate Lobasso Lector: Jeffrey Froh Altar Servers: Kimberly & Lauren Fried Sunday, December 23rd 8:00am St. Francis Parishioners 10:00am Kate Porto+, Catherine & Frank Lobasso+, Victor Morales+, Helen Montaigne+ 12:00pm William Marino+, Frederick Hansen Jr.+, Peter Perz+ 5:00pm Youth of St. Francis Saint Francis Parish/Huntington Hospital Eucharistic Schedule First, Third, Fourth and Fifth Sundays of the Month Meet at 9:15am in Hospital Lobby December 23rd: *Jo Amadio, Pat Ammirato, Deacon Jim, Helen Flanders, Clare Intemann, Veronica Mennche, Ginny Moore, Carol Queally Please pray for the sick of the Parish Don Lammers, Patrick Bissex, Walter Dichurt, Kathy La Russo, Carol Nicastro, Lori Miller, Jean Sepp, Sean McGrath, Gus Hueber, Eleanor A. Thompson, Connie Granite, Courtney Kane, Helen Czech, Flori Young, Emily Rose, Gil Lorenz, Josephine & Christopher Caiozzo, Thomas Connors, Frank Ward, Mary Rand, Leslie Walker, Stacy Rose, Gianna Cerulli, Daniel Wilbur, Patrick Cashin, Bonnie Inzalaco, Elizabeth Caroll, Marissa & Danielle Catapano, Patricia Davis, Joan Neibuhr, Cathleen Schneider, Richie Costa, Charles Porto, Thomas Segur, John Mulrooney, Ruperto Caruasal
December 16, 2012 3 This is the Joyful Sunday of Advent - called in the Old Liturgy Gaudete Sunday, the third Sunday of Advent is always so designated. While the Church really asks us to keep Advent separate from Christmas, this is a true anticipation of Christmas Joy. It is like the joy the Chosen People felt at hearing the confident, exuberant prophet tell of God s future work for His People. Pink (or rose) vestments can be worn by the priest on this day. For us here is another way to prepare for Christmas, enjoy a piece of Christmas food or cake a little ahead of time, knowing that our wait for the Christ Child is now very short. Christmas Schedule Check elsewhere in the bulletin for our complete schedule of Christmas Masses and Confessions. Please take particular note of our Christmas Eve Schedule. We have added one Mass (8pm) to the normal schedule - our youth choir will provide the usual joyful, lively music with drums they are so beloved for at that Mass. Now the Schedule for the Eve is 4:00, 6:00, 8:00 and 10:00pm (the adult choir). We ve covered all bases! Hart Bus Huntington Township provides economic specialized bus service to and from Mass from Paumanok Village to St. Francis for the 4:30pm Mass (no Sunday bus service). This is a wonderful thing - the 4:30pm is the preferred Mass for many seniors and except for winter, it is usually bright out after Mass. A small fee is required ($1.25 per trip) but the parish is committed to reimburse Paumanok residents if they submit the stub to us. We should encourage all Paumanok residents to use the bus. I have asked Peggy Evans of our Pastoral Care Office to be particularly concerned about this issue and be certain that all who want to avail themselves of this timely and economic convenience be shown how to apply for it and use it. Call Peggy Evans at 261-4837. December 24th, Christmas Eve (Monday) 4:00pm-Christmas Carols 6:00pm-Christmas Carols 8:00pm-Youth Choir 10:00pm-Adult Choir December 25, Christmas (Tuesday) 8:00am-Cantor & Organ 10:00am-Children s Choir 12:00pm-Adult Choir December 31st, Monday) Anticipated Solemnity of Mary 6:00pm-Cantor January 1st (Tuesday) Solemnity of Mary 8:30am 12:00pm 7:30pm Confessions December 20th, Thursday 9:00am-9:30am 7:00pm-8:00pm December 21st, Friday 7:00pm-8:00pm December 22nd, Saturday 12;30pm-2:00pm December 24th, Monday Christmas Eve 12:30pm-2:30pm
December 16, 2012 5 St. Francis Christmas Pageant Dec. 16th (Today) & 23rd during the 10:00 Mass Pray Now Ministry Prayer available 24/7 with Deacon Dave Campbell Call 631-514-9916 Deacon Dave s Advent Workshop Advent is a me to an cipate both our celebra on of the birth of Jesus and the day when the risen Jesus will come again. Real-life vigne es and plain-language reflec ons s r in you an excitement for what Chris ans truly await. Thurs. Dec. 6, 13 & 20th at 10:30am & 7:30pm In the Rectory Little Bethlehem will be selling their Olivewood Carvings from the Holy Land after all the Masses in the lower church TODAY! Banns of Marriage III. Edward Williams, St. Francis of Assisi, Greenlawn to Nicole Schiavo, St. Francis of Assisi, Greenlawn Third Week of Advent Leader: O Lord, we beg Thee, incline Thy ear to our prayers and enlighten the darkness of our minds by the grace of Thy visitation. Through Christ our Lord. All: Amen.
December 16, 2012 4 Time, Talent & Treasure Fostering Stewardship as a way of life (Regular Sunday Offertory) Last Sunday s weekly offering: $12,197.00 Last Year s Sunday offering: $11,151.50 Thanks for Giving First Fruits & Taking a Step!!! Bulletin Reflection Today s Gospel provides a blueprint for good stewardship: Let the man who has two coats give to him who has none. The man who has food should do the same. Living Stewardship We are grateful this week for all stewards in our parish who care for the needs of others through participation in our Parish Social Ministries, Coat Drive and Giving Tree. December 16, 2012 Third Sunday of Advent: In today s Gospel John the Baptist says, Whoever has two cloaks should share with the person who has none. And whoever has food should do likewise Christmas is a time of love and gift giving please share your abundance by giving a gift to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul so that those who do not have clothes and food can share in the blessings of Christmas. GENUINE OLIVEWOOD FROM THE HOLY LAND First Prize: NATIVITY 2nd Prize: LARGE CROSS 3rd Prize: SMALL CROSS $10 PER TICKET Join Rev. Peter F. Kaczmarek Pastor of the St. Francis of Assisi on a Pilgrimage to Rome, Padre Pio, Assisi and more! Rome, Montecassino, Pietrelcina, San Giovanni Rotondo (Padre Pio), Monte Sant'Angel (St. Michael), Loreto (Holy House), Lanciano (Eucharis c Miracle) & Assisi (St. Francis) February 18-27, 2013 $2,899 from New York Our price is based out of New York, you may depart from your local airport www.206tours.com/airports www.pilgrimages.com/revpeter
December 16, 2012 6 Third Sunday of Advent Not Ready? No Problem! While Advent is a beautiful time to prepare for the coming of the Lord, we often get so caught up in all the things we do to prepare for Christmas that we forget Advent altogether. The readings remind us that in spite of the stress we may feel thinking about how close Christmas is, we are called to rejoice because the Lord is near. The stress we feel may be from fear--fear that I won't get the shopping done by Christmas, fear that people won't like the gifts I bought, or fear that I forgot someone who should be on my list. But did you ever notice how much easier it is when you have someone to shop with you, or write the Christmas cards, or decorate the tree? "Shout for joy... fear not!" says the prophet Zephaniah in the first reading (Zephaniah 3:14). He tells us the Lord is not coming to punish us for waiting till the last minute to put up the tree. The prophet assures us that the Lord is in our midst, we are not alone. "He has turned away your enemies" (Zephaniah 3:15), enemies like fear, doubts, and loneliness. And as if that weren't good enough, the Lord rejoices over us! How many times have you wondered if you could ask the Lord for help? Zephaniah reminds us that the Lord is happy to help. St. Paul says the same thing in the second reading: "Have no anxiety at all... make your requests known to God" (Philippians 4:6). That is where Advent comes in. We can look forward to the Lord's presence in our lives. We can be confident of God's love for us. That is why faith and hope are central to the theme of Advent. Our faith in God's love for us gives us hope that God will support us in our weakness and fill us with the joy of the Lord's rejoicing over us. Tom Schmidt, Copyright (c) J. S. Paluch Co. The St. Francis Christmas Booster Club Winner is Saralyn Bute Tickets are $50.00 and are available in the Rectory. Your ticket is entered to win Every Week!
December 16, 2012 7 Children too are a gift from the Lord, the fruit of the womb, a reward. Psalms 127: 3 RESPECT LIFE NEWS Catholic Ministries Appeal One Faith, One Hope, Many Gifts Thank you for your generous support of the 2012 Catholic Ministries Appeal. Please remember that any new pledges must be received by December 31 st, 2012 and current pledges must be paid by January 31 st, 2013 for the 2012 Appeal. Completing your 2012 pledge ensures that our Parish will benefit by receiving the full rebate. Advent CD s are now available for purchase in the vestibule. Many titles to choose from at $3 each. After nine months of growth and development, your spiritually adopted baby has been born this month. The only change at birth is a different way of eating and breathing. Truly a miracle, your baby began his life just like all of us, as a 46-chromosome cell. Nothing was added after conception to make this a human being. The only thing needed was time to grow. Never before in history, nor ever again, will anyone exist just like your spiritually adopted baby. You may never meet the mother and the baby but your prayers saved his life. Though this concludes our Adopt-A-Baby Program (which began last March!), we need to continue to pray each day for our precious unborn babies and their parents!!! Pray the rosary for the conversion of America s heart to end abortion. In the eyes of the world those who are in the last stages of life are somehow diminished in their humanity and should be eliminated. We must see them through God s eyes and recognize that each and every person is created in His image and likeness and that we are all connected to God and to each other. We are our brother s keeper and our sister s helper. Cain who forgot he was his brother s keeper ended up becoming his executioner. Thou shall not kill is God s law and it is written in our hearts by our Creator. Cardinal Sean O Malley, Archbishop of Boston, Homily, Red Mass, Sept. 19, 2911 Each day our St. Francis of Assisi Baby Corner thanks Our Lord through the intercession of Our Lady of Guadalupe and St. Francis for your beautiful generosity all year for our precious babies. Help us keep our little baby girls and boys warm with this winter with warm sleepers sizes 18, 24 months, 2T, 3T, and 4T. Wish to join our St. Francis of Assisi Respect Life Committee? Please call our rectory at 631-757-7435. Intercessions for Life December 16 th Third Sunday of Advent For our civil leaders: that faith, love and honesty may permeate every dimension of their public service; We pray to the Lord: Word of Life: Dear friends, may no adversity paralyze you. Be afraid neither of the world, nor of the future, nor of your weakness. The Lord has allowed you to live in this moment of history so that, by your faith, His name will continue to resound throughout the world. ~Pope Benedict XVI, Prayer Vigil with Young People, August 2011. The Life Center of Long Island at 631-243-2373. Call for help with a crisis pregnancy, healing after an abortion, or to donate baby equipment. Please do not bring cribs, car seats, strollers, etc. into our Church; rather call the Life Center to make arrangements. Thank you! The Life Center s Life Line is open 24 hours, 7 days a week at 631-243-0066.
December 16, 2012 8 St. Anthony s Honor Roll for the First Quarter William Barter, Kathleen Barter, Eric Coolbaugh, Brittany Coscio, Andrew Cozzi, Patrick Cozzi, Johnathan Kaplan, Conor LaBelle, Matthew Martino, Michael Saxer, Jessica Tarantino, Nicholas Vitale Holy Trinity Diocesan High School Honor Roll Ryan Williams 50's Dance Presented by: Fr. Thomas A. Judge Knights of Columbus and Columbiettes Featuring a Live Band The New Yorkers Saturday, January 19, 2013 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm Saint Anthony of Padua Parish Hall Cheshire Place and Fifth Avenue East Northport, NY 11731 $35.00 per person includes: Dancing, Dinner, Beer, Wine, Soda, Coffee and Dessert Giant 50-50 Raffle - 3 prizes (winner need not be present to win) Great Prize Baskets to be raffled For tickets or info, call: Jackie (516) 318-5809 Theresa (631) 379-2655 GOD - UNITED Please join us at our next PB&J Gang date: Sunday, December 16th 6:30-8:00pm NEWS Hip hip hooray! We made an amazing 1147 sandwiches at our last PB&J Gang. Thank you to all who helped! Loving hands, Caring hearts, Spreading joy, is a very good thing. Come and join us in spreading the joy. PB&J gang can help satisfy your service hour requirements Please bring donations of Bread, Smooth Peanut Butter & Jelly! I am only one but I can do something, and what I can do with God s help, I will do -St Francis of Assisi No tickets will be sold at the door (Snow date Sunday, January 20, 2013 6:00 pm 10:00 pm) A CHRISTMAS CAROL Nov.15 Jan. 6 The John Engeman Theater is offering St. Francis of Assisi Church an exclusive Promo Code: SFOA which can be used by our parishioners to purchase specially priced tickets to any show in their 2012-2013 season. The theater will discount your ticket $5 and donate $10 per ticket for all shows and $5 for holiday show to St. Francis. There is no minimum or maximum number of tickets to qualify for the Community Give Back Program. The Tickets for this promotion may be purchased through the Theater Box Office or the Theater website at www.engemantheater.com. *Promotion code is not valid for Friday or Saturday evening performances. " Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving, This month due to the holidays we will be having Our Two meetings back to back, Dec 9th and 16th. On Dec 16th. We will be having a special Christmas meeting with awesome events and gifts for everyone. Looking forward to seeing you on the 9th and 16th!!!"
December 16, 2012 9 Thirs ng for Healing? Living Waters Center is a counseling center located in Melville, NY which provides the healing waters of counseling, prayer and love to flow through the people who enter the center. Our family, couple and group therapy. Most insurance plans are accepted. For more informa on, please call 631-754-3990 or look at our website livingwatersli.com FRIEND US! Find information and pictures on parish activities. www.facebook.com/stfrangreenlawn Check out our new Photo Gallery on our website, www.stfrancisgreenlawn.org. Pilgrimage to Turkey Footsteps of St. Paul May 22 June 2, 2013 Travel with St. Joseph s College faculty members: Sister Grace Rowland, CSJ and Father Francis Pizzarelli, SMM. For a detailed brochure call Sister Grace at 631-654-0199 or email growland@sjcny.edu PRAYER FOR OUR MEN AND WOMEN IN MILITARY SERVICE O prince of peace, we humbly ask Your protection for all our men and women in the military service. Give them unflinching courage to defend with honor, dignity and devotion the rights of all who are imperiled by injustice and evil, Please guard our churches, our homes, and our schools, our hospitals, our factories, our buildings and all who are within from harm and peril. Protect our land and its peoples from enemies within and without. Grant an early peace with victory founded upon true justice. Please instill in the hearts and minds of people everywhere a firm purpose to live forever in peace and good will toward all. Amen. SAVE THESE DATES OPEN HOUSES at TRINITY REGIONAL SCHOOL (Your Parish s Catholic Elementary School) Early Childhood Programs 2, 3 and 4 year olds Sunday, January 6, 2013 from 9am 1pm at all Campuses Wednesday, January 9, 2013 from 9am 11am at all Campuses) (Northport, Melville & East Northport) Grades: Full-Day Kindergarten 8 th and Full-Day Nursery and Pre-K Catholic Schools Week Sunday, January 27 th - 9am-1pm Wednesday, January 30 th 9am-11am at the East Northport Campus For more information and to have you name places on our list for the upcoming school year, please call 631-261-5130 Please Patronize Our Bulle n Adver sers Thanks to our adver sers who sponsor this bulle n. Support them with your business.