Parish Community of Our Lady of Lourdes De ce mbe r 18 2016 Mission Statement: The Catholic Community of OLL celebrates the presence of Christ, welcoming all with love and compassion. We encourage all to learn and live the Gospel through worship, prayer and service, with respect for human dignity, as we continue on our spiritual journey. 390 County Road 523, P.O. Box 248, Whitehouse Station, NJ 08889 Phone: 908.534.2319 Fax:908.534.5670 Web: ollwhs.org
Gathering Song ~ O Come, O Come Emmanuel Readings: RitualSong #979 Text: Veni, veni Emmanuel; Latin 9th C.; tr. by John M. Neale, 1818-1866, alt. Tune: veni veni emmanuel, lm with refrain; Mode I; adapt. by Thomas Helmore, 1811-1890 Responsorial Psalm Text: Psalm 24 Music: Richard Proulx, 1975, GIA Publications, Inc. Reprinted with permission under OneLicense.net A-700520. All rights reserved. Song at Preparation ~ Magnificat ~ RitualSong #211 Communion Song ~ My Soul in Stillness Waits Text: Psalm 95 and O Antiphons; Marty Haugen Tune: Marty Haugen 1982, GIA Publications, Inc. Reprinted with permission under OneLicense.net A-700520. All rights reserved. Closing Song ~ The King Shall Come When Morning Dawns ~ RitualSong #497 Page 2
CLERGY PARISH STAFF PASTOR Very Rev. Leonard F. A. Rusay x 11, pastor@ollwhs.org PASTORAL SUPPORT Rev. Greg Uhrig DEACONS Mr. Charles Paolino and Mr. Al Adolfo LITURGICAL CELEBRATIONS WEEKEND LITURGIES Saturday 5:30 pm; Sunday 8:00, 9:30 & 11:00 am WEEKDAY LITURGIES 8:30 am except Thursday at 12:00 pm HOLY DAYS OF OBLIGATION Please refer to the Bulletin. OFFICE HOURS MONDAY THROUGH THURSDAY - 9 am to 4 pm; FRIDAY - 9 am to 1 pm VISITATION HOURS CHURCH Daily 9 am to 5 pm SACRED HEART CHAPEL Monday to Thursday - 8 am to 4:00 pm; Friday 8 am to 1 pm PENANCE Saturday 4:30 to 5 pm and by appointment FAITH FORMATION PASTORAL ASSOCIATE Joline Frank x 12, pastoralassociate@ollwhs.org PARISH CATECHETICAL LEADER Nina Forestiere x 20, sacraments@ollwhs.org LITURGICAL MUSIC DIRECTOR James Cole x 19, music@ollwhs.org PASTORAL EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT Doreen Budris-Kovacs x 13, parishadmin@ollwhs.org PASTORAL FINANCE ASSISTANT Christine DeLessio x 15, finance@ollwhs.org COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR & ASSISTANT PCL Bridget Hackman x 14, bulletin@ollwhs.org PASTORAL SECRETARY Madeline Fisher x 21, receptionist@ollwhs.org YOUTH CATECHESIS ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Margaret Sanguiliano x 18 MAINTENANCE Colman Connolly Spiritual Direction - Individual directed prayer life is offered by our Priests and Pastoral Associate. Charismatic Prayer Group - This prayer community meets Tuesdays at 7 pm in the Sacred Heart Chapel. YOUTH FAITH FORMATION Religious education classes are held from September through May, for students in the First through Fourth grades on Monday and Tuesday from 4:30 to 5:45 pm and for students in the Fifth through Seventh grades on Monday and Tuesday from 6:30 to 7:45 pm. Twelve Confirmation Prep sessions are required for Eighth graders who wish to receive the Sacrament. CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS The process where those inquiring about becoming a Roman Catholic are invited to journey with Church members in sharing their faith, while discerning God s call to conversion. Please contact the Parish Office for further information. PARISH MEMBERSHIP New members need to contact the Parish Office to register for an Evening of Welcome at which time the process of formally becoming a parishioner will be initiated. We receive many requests for certificates of sponsorship for Baptism and Confirmation. Certificates can only be given to registered members of the parish who actively practice their faith. Members are those who regularly attend Mass and participate in and support the life of the Church. SACRAMENTS PRAYER OPPORTUNITIES BAPTISM The Rite of Baptism is celebrated on the first Sunday of the month following the 11:00 am Mass and the third Sunday of the month at the 11:00 am liturgy, except during Lent. Parents must attend an obligatory preparation session prior to the child s birth. Arrangements for a Baptismal date are made at that session. MATRIMONY In accordance with Diocesan policy, couples wishing to be married at OLL must participate in a one-year preparation program, which includes FOCCUS, Pre-Cana, God s Plan for a Faith-Filled Marriage, and required paperwork. Please confirm the date with the Church prior to making other plans. Marriages take place on Fridays and Saturdays no Sunday weddings. Page 3
Christmas Schedule Advent Penance Service Tuesday, December 20 at 7:00 pm Christmas Mass Schedule Christmas Eve: 4:30, 7:00 & 10:30 pm Christmas Day: 9:30 & 11:00 am Monies are Due Monies are now due for our parish trip to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory in May. If you made a reservation, please remit to the office $112 per ticket by December 31. If we do not receive your money by that date, the tickets will be released to those on the waiting list. SEEDS Will Continue! It was Mike Lavallato s wish that the SEEDS blog, which he created for his Diaconate project, would continue beyond this semester. It is with great joy that we announce that one of our parishioners has stepped up to continue the blog. So that we continue to have SEEDS to sow, we d like to add your contributions to the blog. If you would like to share an example of faith in action or have an idea or content for a story, please send a note to seeds@ollwhs.org and we will get in touch with you. A Note from Fr. Len This year has been unusual in so many ways. It was a leap year, a Presidential election year, and an early Easter year. One final thing, this year we celebrate four full weeks of Advent. When this occurs, we are given the opportunity to hear all the readings from Scripture that our Church has chosen for this special time. We are offered the opportunity to experience the total fourth week of Advent culminating in a wonderful Sunday celebration of our Lord s birth. Next year we will celebrate the fourth Sunday of Advent on December 24th! That means that we will miss out on all the stories of Christ s impending birth. Take a few moments each day to reflect on the readings offered for each day, which can be found on the Parish App or in the bulletin. Offer to lend a helping hand to the Liturgical Decoration Committee at Noon today in decorating the Church for Christmas. Prepare your heart and mind for Christ s birth by availing yourself of the sacrament of Penance on Tuesday at 7 pm. And finally come prepared on Christmas by leaving all the stress and secular expectations outside. Come into the Church with an open heart, love, peace and joy. On behalf of the Pastoral Staff of Our Lady of Lourdes, I wish you a joyous and merciful last days before Christmas. Monday 19 Tuesday 20 Wednesday 21 Jgs 13:2-7, 24-25a/Ps 71/Lk 1:5-25 Michael J. Bercik r/b Connette Bercik 4:30 pm Youth Faith Formation 6:30 pm Youth Faith Formation Is 7:10-14/Ps 24/Lk 1:26-38 Shirley Chamberlin r/b Husband 4:30 pm Youth Faith Formation 6:30 pm Youth Faith Formation 7:00 pm Advent Penance Service, Church Sg 2:8-14 or Zep 3:14-18a/Ps 33/ Lk 1:39-45 John Keida r/b Chris Curran & Family 7:00 pm Knights of Columbus, Community Hall Page 4
Christmas Tithes for 2016 In memory of Michael Lavallato, this Christmas tithe will be split between Regis High School, which Michael attended, and the Melanoma Research Foundation. Founded in 1914 by an anonymous benefactor and supported by the generosity of her family, its alumni and friends, Regis High School offers a tuition free Jesuit college preparatory education to Roman Catholic young men from the New York metropolitan area who demonstrate superior intellectual and leadership potential. In the admissions process, special consideration is given to those who cannot otherwise afford a Catholic education. The Melanoma Research Foundation (MRF) is leading the melanoma community to transform melanoma from one of the deadliest cancers to one of the most treatable through research, education and advocacy. Welcome to the Parish Lisa, Joseph & Joseph, Jr. Cassidy Sharon Eosso Judy Hyland Marissa & Evan Krinis Michele, Bruce & Jonathan Kurilla Francisco, Francisco, Jr. & Diane Mata Rocio Ramirez Cristofer Carrasio Louise Zimmermann Congratulations! Please keep Samantha and Christopher in your prayers as they begin their life together. Catholic Quotes Words to Inspire the Faithful Where there is no love, put in love and you will draw out love. ~ Saint John of the Cross Thursday 22 Friday 23 Saturday 24 1 Sm 1:24-28/1 Sm 2/Lk 1:46-56 12:00 Noon Mass: Filippo Iacovo r/b Carmine Antonuccio & Family Mal 3:1-4, 23-24/Ps 25/Lk 1:57-66 Janina Mielniczek r/b Kamila Oskavage 9:00 am Women of Grace, Community Hall Parish Office will close at 12:00 Noon and reopen Tuesday, December 27 at 9:00 am. Is 9:1-6/Ps 96/Ti 2:11-14/Lk 2:1-14 Vigil: Is 62:1-5/Ps 89/Acts 13:16-17, 22-25/ Mt 1:1-25 or 1:18-25 4:30 pm Mass: Fr. Greg 7:00 pm Mass: Fr. Dan 10:30 pm Mass: Fr. Len Page 5
Formation Acquire the Fire Acquire the Fire, the young adult group, will be meeting tonight at 7:00 pm in the Old Church Hall. Join us for a night of fellowship, games, and snacks. Save the date for our next meeting on Jan 22. To join the list serve and to stay up to date on more events, please email Susan at acquirethefire@ollwhs.org. Community Life Rosarian Gift Shop Finish your Christmas shopping and support the Rosary Altar Scholarship at the same time! We have gifts for teachers, students, nurses, Christmas items, new home gift ideas, including cutting boards, ceramic pie dishes, small loaf pans, and much more. Visit the Gift Shop Sundays, located in the basement of Old Church Hall between 8:45 am - 12:15 pm every Sunday. For more information, please email Ruth Stieh rastieh@gmail.com or call 534-4039. We will close after Sunday, December 18, and reopen Sunday, January 15. Knights of Columbus 4th Annual Comedy Night The Knights of Columbus will host their Fourth Annual Comedy Night on Saturday, January 14, 2017 at 7:00 pm in Community Hall. Steve Trevelise from radio station 101.5 will be the MC for the evening. Professional comedians, Pete Michaels and Leighanne Lord will be performing. Pete Michaels is a Celebrity Ventriloquist and has appeared on Late Night with Conan O'Brien, Comedy Central, and on various Cruise Ships. Leighanne Lord, who performed at the Knights 1st Comedy Night in 2014, is smart and engaging with topics including current events, family, marriage, and more. She has performed around the world including The Comedy Store in London and the Comedy Factory in the Netherlands. This outstanding event will benefit local charities that the Knights of Columbus support. Tickets are $40 per person, dinner and beverages are included. For tickets and information, contact Roman Hnidj at 256-9760 or email romanhnidj@verizon.net / Tom DiQuollo at 217-4330 or email tomdiquollo@aol.com Rally for Life Bus Trip The Diocese of Metuchen s Respect for Life Office will be running a bus trip to the Rally for Life in Trenton, NJ, on Monday, January 23, 2017. The bus ride is free of charge, but since space is limited all passengers must reserve their seats. Passengers will board the bus at the Diocesan Center in Piscataway at 9:30 am. The Rally at the State House begins at 11:00 am and ends at 1:00 pm. The bus will arrive back at the Diocesan Center between 2:00 & 2:30 pm. If you have any questions or would like to reserve a seat, please email amarshall@diometuchen.org or call 732-562-1990 x 1543 or 1629. Bad Weather Statement Catholics are not obliged to follow the precept to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation when weather conditions could make roads, sidewalks, and parking lots unsafe. When judging whether travelling could be dangerous, one should use common sense and always err on the side of caution. When unable to participate in the celebration of the Eucharist, the faithful still are encouraged to observe the Day of the Lord (Sunday). A practical approach may be to read and reflect on the Gospel of the day and, if living with others, you may discuss ways the Gospel message can be lived out in your own household, the Domestic Church. You may also consider praying together the Responsorial Psalm of the Day. Sunday, December 25 Fourth Sunday of Advent Is 52:7-10/Ps 98/Heb 1:1-6/ Jn 1:1-18 or 1:1-5, 9-14 9:30 am Mass: Fr. Len 11:00 am Mass: Fr. Len Weekly Tithe 5% of next week s collection will be donated to Regis High School and The Melanoma Research Foundation. Many Thanks to This Week s Advertiser ~ Oldwick Animal Hospital Tabernacle Lamps Burn in Honor of: Felicetta Barbieri Robert, Shirley & Walter Fletcher Markay Zluky Eileen Doyle Sacred Heart Lamp Burns in Honor of: Mike Lavallato Page 6