St. Veronica Church 4215 Route 9, Howell, NJ 07731 732-363-4200 www.stveronica.com The Nativity of the Lord December 25, 2016 Pastoral Staff Pastor Father Pastor Vincent T. Euk Father Vincent T. Euk Parochial Vicar Fr. Parochial Vicente Vicar Magdaraog Fr. Vicente Magdaraog Weekend Assistant Fr. Weekend Bill O Brien Assistant Fr. Bill O Brien Deacons Tom Deacons Cechulski, Sr. Charles Gene F. R. Moir, Daye Sr., Jr. John James Franey Littlefield Gino Tomasz (Louis) Cechulski Esposito Charles R. Daye Jr. School John Franey Principal Sister Gino (Louis) Cherree Esposito Power, C.R. Religious School Principal Education Sr. Sister Ann Cherree Norton, Power, D.R.E. C.R. Linda Clayton Religious Education Business Brenda Heffernan, Manager D.R.E. Deacon Lauren Gino DeMaio, Esposito C.R.E. Parish Administrator Director Leonard P. of Weg Music Emer O Mahony Director of Music Youth Nancy Ministry Condardo Coordinator Deacon John Franey Director of ACTS Phone Deacon Tom Contacts Cechulski Rectory 732-363-4200 Bozena Cechulski Convent 732-364-2361 School 732-364-4130 Coordinator of Youth Religious Ministry Education Deacon John Franey 732-364-4137 Rectory Phone Contacts Fax 732-370-3891 Rectory 732-363-4200 Rectory Office Hours: Convent 732-364-2361 M-F 9:00-4:30 PM School 732-364-4130 Second & Fourth Saturday Religious Education 9AM 12:30 PM 732-364-4137 Baptisms: Cafeteria 732-364-9455 Every 2nd and 4th Sunday ACTS Office 732-364- of each month,. 2936 Fax 732-370-3891 Weekend Masses: Saturdays: 4:00 5:00 PM Sundays: 7:30, 9:00, 10:30, 12 noon, 5PM Daily Masses: Mon-Fri 7:20 AM & 12 Noon, Sat: 8AM Holy Days: As announced in the bulletin. Healing Mass every third Tuesday at at 7:30PM 8PM. Sacrament Sacrament of Reconciliation of Reconciliation Saturdays Saturdays from 4:00 from to 4:45PM 3:00 to or 3:45PM call to schedule and before an each appointment Sunday Mass with a priest.
Mass Intentions for this Week December 25, 2016 MONDAY 9:00AM Dorothy Cox & George Cox... Mr. & Mrs. Greg Kornutik SATURDAY 8:00 AM Michael Ruotolo... Dodrill Family TUESDAY 7:20 Denneth Vigilo... St. Veronica PTA 12:00 Nancy Connors... Hamill Family WEDNESDAY 7:20 Debra A. Datz... Diane & Ashlee Broschart 12:00 Oreste Munno... Michelle & Ernie Hofstetter THURSDAY 7:20 Concetta Pascucci.Rosemary & Joe Maringola 12:00 Jean Regan...Fleming Family FRIDAY 7:20 Constance Hogan..Claire McCarthy 12:00 Anna Healy...John & MaryAnn Butterfield Events for this coming Week 4:00PM Patrick McCarthy... Mr. & Mrs. Anthony Napolitano SUNDAY...Solemnity of Mary, The Holy Mother of God 9:00 Margaret Koury... Milt & Camille & Family 10:30 World Peace 12:00 Doreen Cambitsis...Ernie & Debbie Revoir Please Note: One Mass on Monday 12/26, 9AM On Sunday New Year Day there are 3 Masses only; 9, 10:30 and 12 Sanctuary Candle Week of December 25, 2016 In memory of Kristen Butterfield...Mom & Dad Chapel Candles Week of December 25, 2016 In memory of Eleanor & Tony Manno...Elisa & Art Schneider See our website www.stveronica.com Sacrificial Offering Update Last Week s Offering: $15,662.00 Thank you for your continued support. Readings for the Week of December 25, 2016 Monday: Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59/Ps 31/Mt 10:17-22 Tuesday: 1 Jn 1:1-4/Ps 97/Jn 20:1a, 2-8 Wednesday: 1 Jn 1:5 2:2/Ps 124/Mt 2:13-18 Thursday: 1 Jn 2:3-11/Ps 96/Lk 2:22-35 Friday: Sir 3:2-6, 12-14 or Col 3:12-21 or 3:12-17/Ps 128/Mt 2:13-15, 19-23 Saturday: 1 Jn 2:18-21/Ps 96/Jn 1:1-18 Next Sunday: Nm 6:22-27/Ps 67/Gal 4:4-7/Lk 2:16-21
Pastor s Notes The Midnight Mass reading from Isaiah speaks of the great light shining on the people who have been living in the darkness of this sinful world. I remember coming back from my first ordination to the priesthood at St. Patrick s Cathedral. I was new to the seminary and my next-door neighbor had become a priest. I was walking down the seminary hall as he was coming out of his room. He had a glow about himself as if light was coming out of his eyes. It was like a holiness and a joy because he had been so close to the Lord. It reminded me of the glow that came from Moses face whenever he met the Lord. I never really noticed this glow in any person since that time. Yet, I also remember that every time I attended an ordination as a layman, I could sense a light within the incense floating up to the ceiling of the cathedral, but once I myself was ordained, I never saw that light again. It made me dwell on religious experiences. Do religious experiences just wear off or do we just get used to them so they are never noticed? Today we celebrate the great feast of Christmas. Behind this joyful and festal time lies an incomprehensible history, the fact that God has become man. Many of us do not ponder this mystery, but it is one of those mysteries that will never fully understand. Some religious leaders call God becoming a man blasphemy. But the truth behind it shows us that God is extremely humble. The gospel foretells the future of this God-Man who will eventually die to save us from our sins. He did not die as God, but He died as a man. Yet, He has never really left us. The gospel tells us that Jesus was laid in a stone manger because in Bethlehem, the town of bread, wood was very scarce. This poetic construction reminds us of Jesus being laid in the tomb also wrapped in a swaddling burial cloth. In a sense we can say that Jesus, the Bread of Life, who once laid in the manger, where animals once ate, now feeds us with the Bread of Life, the Holy Eucharist. To those who have faith Jesus is still present to us in all the tabernacles of the world. His Passion, Death and Resurrection give us hope. Our sufferings can become meaningful if we unite them to Jesus dying on the Cross. He promises us a resurrection to Eternal Life if we follow His ways and imitate His life. The presence of our children and their parents each Sunday gives us hope that one day these children will take on a life of holiness. We hope, as they cultivate virtue, great things will happen not only to them but to us. Many political promises have been made to us giving us hope, but they will only come to fruition if the future generations maintain this virtue. Little children can easily become very sensitive to the presence of God because they are not yet weighed down by the distractions and sinfulness that come as we grow older. It is my hope that in experiencing their closeness to God we, who are older, can also sense our need to experience God. I hope we can recognize also the necessity of the Church of Jesus Christ. If it was not for that, we would be left to the mercy of our own imaginations. It is only through the Catholic Church that we can get a clear picture, or should we say a light, of what God wants us to know about Him and ourselves. May this Christmas be like no other. May we have many more Christmases like it until we are called to Eternal Life. The Holy Father, Pope Francis, has extended my mandate as a Missionary of Mercy. I hope that this will benefit you, especially when this Lent comes. Fr. Euk Scripture Meditation The Nativity of the Lord She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins. Today we celebrate that the prophetic dream of St. Joseph was fulfilled! Jesus is born! A Savior has come to deliver us-- Emmanuel, God is with us. Christmas is a feast of fulfillment, a holiday of deep and enduring happiness not only because God became man and was born of a woman, but because along with his Incarnation, God brought us freedom. Jesus is the long-awaited Messiah who sets us free from the misery of our own sins. This is the ultimate gift of Christmas Day. We exchange gifts today as a sign of our love for one another to be sure, but also as a concrete, visible way to celebrate the gift that we have first received from God. We are free people! We are not slaves but rather the children of God whose priceless inheritance is to dwell in his kingdom for all eternity. On this most festive day of the year, we are invited to exult in this fact and spare little effort or expense to show our gratitude and joy. We only must be careful not to reduce our celebrating today to something less glorious, something less meaningful, or less profound. This is no mere secular holiday. This is not just a ritual of family gatherings, elaborate evergreen trees and sumptuous meals. Christmas is a holy day and as Christians it is our day in a most definite and undeniable way. The treats and trimmings are all signs that remind us of what lies ahead for those who accept the real gift of Jesus Christ: an unending banquet of eternal delights and divine gifts that will never fail to satisfy. Yes, Christmas is a little taste of heaven, the perfect gift that lies in wait for those who love the Lord. Please Note: The Rectory Office will be closed on Monday, December 26th.
OUR SPIRITUAL LIFE Please Pray for Our Sick Tom Lovito Lorraine Groh Marjorie Paulmann Mark Stoughton Vinny Placanica Mia Castellan Michael Kuras Susan Termine Connie Camilleri Erin Haber Kathy Pfeifer James Addiego Paula Baiga Kinsey Beaton Beto Huayllasco Joseph Neglia Richie Brown Diane Cudhedy Eugene Binkowski Vita O Kane Nancy Petroccione Ryan Dickerman Kasey Seymour Bonnie Yuro Carl LaLetta Bob Yuro Michael Connolly Diane Hines Christopher Zoas Jackie Sewing Joe Oates Jane Oates Ann Donovan Jean Mc Adam Carmen DeVone Estrella Katzer Ralph Scarabino John Rodrigues John Kerod Robert Farrell Christine Clements Antoinette Ferrara Cathy Forman Ed Kelly Dennis Hayward Ross Johnson Denise Bergeron Kathy Hayward Claire Archer Vincenzo Centineo Greg Mador Brayden Walton Victoria Burke Robert O Malley Sr. Karen D Souza-Casiero Mary Althaver Debbie Mossa Kevin Corcoran Barbara Sewing Rose Perrotta Diane Grad Please Pray for our Parishioners Serving our Country: Sgt. Sean T. Curran Sgt. Brennan Six PV2 William Wotton GSMI Sandro Farduchi Sgt. Krystyna Cechulski Capt. Julio Collazos S.R. Steven Brennan Sgt. Gregory Hiller Corp. Ethan Bolger PFC Zackary Burkey Sgt. Luke Wlodkowski 1st Lt. Robert F. Farrell 1st Lt. Ash Young Sgt. Paul Coyle LCDR Matthew W. Smith Baptism St. Veronica s Parish Family wishes to welcome those who have become members through the Sacrament of Baptism. Madailein Adelaide, daughter of Joseph & Mari Gannon Lena Lorelei, daughter of Willie & Laurissa Ray Jaidyn James, son of Krystie & John Steiner Anna Rose, daughter of Bronson & Catherine Jusino James Anthony, son of James & Kathy Martone Thank you for the gift of life! HOME ENTHRONEMENT OF THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS The parish of St. Veronica s invites and encourages all families and those living alone to enthrone the Sacred Heart of Jesus in their homes. If you are interested in the Home Enthronement of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, please contact Joan and Hu Mador at732-367-2565 to make arrangements. Church and Chapel Sanctuary Candles If you would like to donate a Sanctuary Candle for a loved one, please contact the rectory office (732-363-4200). Candles will be in memory of or intentions of the named individual for one week (Sunday to Saturday) and announced in our bulletin. Weekly Donation: Church Candle $15 Chapel Candles $20 (2). NEW YEAR PRAYER VIGIL Please join our parish community Dec 31st starting at 9PM with Exposition of the Eucharist as we gather for prayers. What a great way to end the old year and begin the New Year with the Lord in prayer. 9:30 and 10:30 Rosary, 11:30 Chaplet of Devine Mercy including Litany of the Saints for our country. HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS! CHRISTMAS PARTY FOR CHILDREN Join us for Food, Games and Fun as we celebrate our Savior's birth. Date: Sunday January 1 st Time: 1PM-4PM Place: St Veronica Cafeteria Cost: Free Each family is invited to bring an unwrapped baby gift that will be donated to a crisis pregnancy center. (diapers, clothes, food) Please respond by Dec 26th with number and ages of children attending to help us plan activities. Space is limited. For more information or to respond, call Jo-Anne at 347-631-8092 or email svmcg21@yahoo.com Please note: parents must stay at the party to supervise children. Divine Mercy Prayers On one occasion I heard these words in my soul, Make a novena for your country. This novena will consist of the recitation of the Litany of the Saints. (Diary, 59) Please join us January 1st at 1:30 PM for the Devine Mercy prayers as we all pray for our country. Bring a friend with you! Reboot! Live! Reboot, a 2 ½ hour renewal event led by internationally acclaimed author and speaker Chris Stefanick, is taking place in Red Bank in St. James Gym, on Wednesday, February 1, 2017, from 7 to 9:30 PM. Sponsored by several Catholic parishes, this is a high energy and inspirational event, which is designed to reawaken your love for and desire to live out the heart of the Gospel message. It promises to be a life-changing event for all generations, from teens to grandparents! To view videos or buy tickets, visit www.reallifecatholic.com. select the Red Bank, NJ. event or contact Annie DiDomenico at VBS@NativityChurchNJ.org or go to the Church of the Nativity parish office. Tickets are $20. Save the Date! Youth One-Day Retreat May 7th, 2017 Details to Follow
Christmas Flowers, In memory of. James McDonald, Blanche Baldwin, Jack Baldwin, Edna Lawson, Cecile & Richard Stevens, Matilda & Thomas O Malley, Olga & Joseph LaMonica, Millie & Albert Pettignano, Mary O Dea Mahon, Peter O Dea, Peter Carfagno, Mary Mahon, Frances Keohane, Carfagno Family, Washington Family, Calleja Family, John & Catherine Hayes, Robert Rossi, Eleanor & Tony Manno, Harold Clark, Esther Clark, William Donegan, Elizabeth Donegan, Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Wotton, Joseph Leone, Jr., Lottie & John Ciarkowski, Joseph & Dorothy Leone, Grace Leone-Finegar, Claire Sova, Doris Pagano, John J. Pagano, John F. Pagano, Catherine Pagano, Anthony J. Cutrona, Terese Odejarczyk, Wosyl Odejarczyk, Micheline Frankowicz, Jozef Frankowicz, Rita & Daniel Scheer, dec. members of Scheer & Wittstruck Families, John, Lucille & Patrick Soltis, Roger Blocch, Mark Spatola, Charles Spatola, Paul DeCarlo (to be cont.) To St Veronica s Parish Community, Thank you for your continued generosity in supporting this year s Parish Giving Tree Ministry. This ministry is only possible due to the enduring generosity of our parish families, and the continued support of the many helping hands. This year we placed 977 tags on our tree. Many extra gifts were donated. Thank you for helping the less fortunate, including: St. Clare s Hospital for Children, Catholic Charities Monmouth and Ocean County programs: Beacon House, Project Free, and Family Growth, Howell Tent City Homeless, Freehold Manor, Concord Healthcare, 180 Degrees, and our local parishioners and families. May our Good Lord gift YOU with many blessings in the New Year! The Giving Tree Committee St. Veronica School Open House Have you considered the benefits of a Catholic School Education? St. Veronica School will host an Open House that offers you the opportunity to explore how your child could benefit from our faith-filled, academically excellent school! Come Visit St. Veronica School Open House Sunday, January 29, 2017 12:00-2:00PM For further information, please call 732-364-4130, ext. 0. Gift Cards available in the School Office. Purchase gift cards for holiday gifts or routine shopping - Stop N Shop, Shop Rite, Applebees, Macy's, Barnes & Noble, Dunkin Donuts, Kohls, and more. SVS earns rebates at no cost to you. Please help support our school. Polar Bear Plunge Support Father Euk and Sister Cherree as they take the Polar Plunge for Catholic schools - donation cans are in the narthex. Adoration Chapel "During our Holy Hour those in most need of His Mercy are stamped and marked with the Precious Blood of Jesus. This includes those who are to die that day." (From Letters to a Brother Priest) Hours most needed: Monday 1 am, 7 am, 4 pm Thursday: 8 am Friday: 7 pm Sunday: 11 am, 5 pm no adorer Contact Debbie drev514@aol.com or leave message 732 367 7750 Holy Communion Flow Plan Because of the increase of attendance, Holy Communion will only be distributed in the front of the Church. Parishioners are asked to approach the Ministers of Communion from the center aisle and return by the side aisle. OUR NEEDS Donated Kenmore Ultra Bake gas stove in excellent condition. Contact rectory. Needed Diapers for Catholic Charities Catholic Charities of Lakewood is in desperate need of diapers for the needy of our area. Any brand, all sizes. If you can help, please drop off a box of diapers to the rectory by January 13th. Thank you. Food Pantry Needs Jelly, spaghetti sauce, canned meat (ham, spam), mayonnaise, tuna helper, rice
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