First Sunday of Advent December 2, 2018
Page 2 PASTORAL STAFF Phone: 631-929-4339 Pastor: Father Frank Schneider, ext. 16 pastor@stjohnthebaptistchurch.org Deacon: Fred Finter, ext. 44 deaconfred@stjohnthebaptistchurch.org Deacon: Vincent Pozzolano, ext. 45 Faith Formation Coordinator: Mrs. Jane Oliva, ext. 12 reled@stjohnthebaptistchurch.org Outreach Director: Deborah O Hare, ext. 22 stjohnsparishoutreach@gmail.com Music Coordinator: Liz McNeill (631) 495-8913 emcneill@stjohnthebaptistchurch.org Youth Minister: Michael Clauberg, ext. 18 youth@stjohnthebaptistchurch.org Pastoral Assistant: Barbara Johnston Bookkeeper: Lindsay Finter, ext. 17 lfinter@stjohnthebaptistchurch.org Receptionist: Jeannine Nicosia, ext. 10 office@stjohnthebaptistchurch.org Preschool Director: Mrs. Gayle Mercurio, ext. 14 preschool@stjohnthebaptistchurch.org Secretary: Susan Plattner, ext. 19 preschool@stjohnthebaptistchurch.org Maintenance: Servio Ortiz Weekend Priest Assistants: Father Ted Howard and Msgr. John Bennett Parish Outreach Hours: Tues & Thurs 10am-2pm; Tues 7-8:30pm Parish Office Hours Monday - Thursday, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Website: www.stjohnthebaptistchurch.org General Mailbox/Front Desk: ext. 10. Contact us by email: office@stjohnthebaptistchurch.org Our Vision and Mission Statement guides our pastoral planning... Established in 1922, the parish family of St. John the Baptist Church welcomes and invites all people to our community, especially those in need. Guided by the Holy Spirit we are sustained by the Sunday Eucharist, the Word of God, and the Sacraments. All are encouraged to share their time, talent and treasure as we grow in love through our Catholic faith and the life, death and resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
Page 3 Bulletin Series 2018-2019 Paul Turner Understanding the Mass 13. Advent Gospels On the four Sundays of Advent, the Catholic lectionary presents a series of Gospel readings that prepare for the celebration of the birth of Christ. The Sunday Advent readings all rotate on a three-year cycle, but they always follow the same pattern. The Gospel for the First Sunday of Advent always tells of the reign of Christ at the end of time. It echoes the theme of the previous Sunday, the solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ the King. Advent starts with the message that we await the second coming of Christ. This entire season is not just a reminder of a past birth but an anticipation of future glory. The Second and Third Sundays of Advent always have Gospel readings about John the Baptist. John is an adult in these passages, proclaiming the nearness of the kingdom of God and serving as the prophet who bridges the Old and New Testaments. John foreshadows Jesus in his birth, his preaching, and his death. John s message on these two middle Sundays of this season inspires us to follow Christ. The Fourth Sunday of Advent always tells part of the story that just precedes the birth of Christ. These familiar episodes set the stage for one of the Bible s best-known passages, the story of Christmas. The Gospel readings of the four Sundays of Advent come to us in reverse chronology. We start with the end of time. We continue to the period when Jesus was an adult. We end in the days before his birth. Like a funnel, Advent opens with a giant theme, the grandness of Christ the King, and it ends with a specific one, the child lying in a Bethlehem manger. Copyright 2012 Resource Publications, Inc. 160 E. Virginia St. #170, San Jose, CA 95112, (408) 286-8505.
Page 4 First Week of Advent Prayer as your light your family advent Wreath Grant your faithful, we pray, almighty God, the resolve to run forth to meet your Christ with righteous deeds at his coming, so that, gathered at his right hand, they may be worthy to possess the heavenly Kingdom. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. AMEN. Introducing Special Needs Faith Formation For more information or questions, please contact the Special Needs Faith Formation Coordinator, Janet Donnery, chever929@aol.com, 631-929-4715
Page 5 Calling all Christmas Angels, we need your help! Gift tags from the Giving Tree are available in the Parish Hall today. In the Parish Hall, there are Christmas trees with over 300 colorful tags. You may take one or more of the tags to buy a Christmas present, stocking, or wrapping paper for someone who might not otherwise receive a gift this year. All gifts must be returned at one of the Masses on the weekend of December 15-16. If you will not be here on the 17th, but want to participate, you can bring the gift(s) in beforehand. 1. Take a Tag: Then record your name on the sign-up sheet. 2. Buy a Gift: Please buy the gift that is asked for in the exact color, size, etc., wrap it, and firmly attach the tag. 3. Return at one of the Masses on the weekend of December 15-16. This is a huge undertaking; we have to sort all the gifts by 11:45 AM, December 17 for pickup that day between 12:30-1:30. snacks mustard jelly pancake syrup dish soap laundry soap
Page 6 Please join us this week for these Special Events this Saturday Children s Christmas Pageant This Saturday, December 8th, 7:00 p.m. in church Tree Lighting (Knights of Columbus) outside of church, right after the Christmas Pageant Refreshments to follow in the downstairs hall
Page 7 Saturday, December 8th Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception Holyday of Obligation Holyday Mass at 9:00 a.m. Upcoming Events North Shore Chamber Choir Concert Next Sunday, December 9th, 4:00 p.m. in church North Shore Community Band Christmas Concert Friday, December 14th, 7:30 p.m. in church Decorating the Church for Christmas All parishioners and families invited! Sunday, December 16th, right after the 11:15 Mass
Page 8 WEEKLY PARISH CALENDAR SACRAMENTS (Please see the Parish Website for full details) Celebration of the Eucharist Saturday, 5:00 p.m. and Sunday, 7:30 a.m., 9:15 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. Daily Mass: Monday - Thursday, 9:00 a.m. Holydays of Obligation: posted in bulletin and website Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession) Saturday, 4:00pm to 4:45pm. Please feel free to call Fr. Frank and make an appointment to celebrate the sacrament. Baptism We suggest that you contact us before your child is born! Call or email the Parish Office. Baptisms are scheduled monthly on the first Sunday throughout the year, and also the third Sunday from April to September. They are held at 1:00 p.m. from September thru June and at 12 noon during July and August. Marriage Contact the Parish Office so that we can arrange the marriage interview and set your date. Anointing of the Sick Call the Parish Office, or speak to Father Frank before/after Mass.
Page 9 Convalidation by Paul Turner Love Inspired Feminine Talks Next meeting: Tuesday, December 4th, at 7:00 p.m., downstairs hall. There will be friendship, prayer, craft making, snacks and plenty of holiday spirit! We hope you can join us whether it is your first time or your 40th! We d like to get our marriage blessed. A couple who were married outside the Catholic Church but who want the church s approval of their marriage may do so later in a ceremony they popularly call a blessing. Technically, we call it a convalidation. We use this ritual when we all come to an agreement that the marriage counts. Catholics choose to be married outside the church for various reasons. Sometimes one partner is formerly married, and the annulment has not yet been granted for the divorce. Sometimes the couple was unable to give time to marriage preparation, and their pastor could not accommodate them. Sometimes they are not very active in the church and choose a marriage ceremony that better fits their relationship high on romance, low on religion. The Catholic who chooses marriage outside the church withdraws from receiving communion. Later, though, the couple may have second thoughts. They grow to recognize their dependence on God and the church community. They miss the Eucharist. They want to share the sacraments with their children. So they contact the parish. Generally, the parish will invite the couple to some preparation family, pastoral, and spiritual formation. If previous marriages are involved, annulments are pursued. And then the marriage can be blessed. The ceremony may be as elaborate or simple as the couple wishes. They may even walk down the aisle with attendants, but most want a simple affair. We need two witnesses, like a best man and maid/ matron of honor. As long as they understand what is happening, the witnesses may be of any age, gender, or faith. We also need a deacon or a priest. In places of the Catholic world where ordained ministers are scarce, another designated minister may serve as the church s official witness. Convalidation may include Mass, but it need not. We offer prayers, Scripture readings, the exchange of consent, the blessing of rings, prayers of the faithful, and blessings for the couple. It can be simple, yet solemn. Copyright 2012 Resource Publications, Inc., 160 E. Virginia St. #170, San Jose, CA 95112, (408) 286-8505.
Page 10 Today s Readings First Sunday of Advent Reading 1, Jeremiah 33:14-16 Responsorial Psalm, Psalm 25 Reading 2, First Thessalonians 3:12--4:2 Gospel, Luke 21:25-28, 34-36 Next Sunday Second Sunday of Advent Reading 1, Baruch 5:1-9 Responsorial Psalm, Psalm 126 Reading 2, Philippians 1:4-6, 8-11 Gospel, Luke 3:1-6 Mass Presiders This Weekend Saturday, Dec 1, 5:00 p.m. Father Ted Sunday, Dec 2, 7:30 a.m. Father Frank Sunday, Dec 2, 9:15 a.m. Msgr. Bennett Hospitality after Mass Sunday, Dec 2, 11:15 a.m. Father Frank Hospitality after Mass Immaculate Conception Sat., Dec. 8: 9:00 a.m. Father Frank Next Weekend Saturday, Dec 8, 5:00 p.m. Father Frank Sunday, Dec 9, 7:30 a.m. Father Frank Sunday, Dec 9, 9:15 a.m. Father Frank Sunday, Dec 9, 11:15 a.m. Msgr. Bennett
Page 11 Looking Ahead to the Christmas Schedule Christmas Eve: 4:00 in church with Fr. Ted 4:00 in the hall with Fr. Frank 9:15 music concert (organ, choir, brass) before Mass 10:00 Solemn Mass with Fr. Frank (with choir, brass, and incense will be used) Christmas Day: 9:15 with Msgr. Bennett 11:15 with Fr. Frank
Page 12 We are grateful this week for all stewards in our parish who embrace Stewardship by recognizing God as the origin of life, the giver of freedom, the source of all they have and all they are. WEEKLY COLLECTIONS Thanksgiving Day $ 1,042.00 Thanksgiving for the poor $ 335.00 Sunday, November 25th $ 6,694.50 Faith Direct $ 2,758.96 Total $10,830.46 This time last year: Sunday Collection $ 6,608.00 Faith Direct $ 2,539.50 Total $ 9,147.50 Special Collections: December 2: Grammar Schools December 9: Religious Retirement December 16: Christmas Flowers Please consider automated giving as you reflect on support of our parish family! The fruitful ministries at our parish are examples of how many of you have answered, and continue to answer, that call. To ensure such work can continue requires not only gifts of time, but also of financial help. I ask you to prayerfully consider supporting our parish with electronic donations through Faith Direct. You can find paper enrollment forms in the parish office, or you can sign up online at www.faithdirect.net by using our church code, NY67. 2018 Catholic Ministries Appeal Goal $47,500 Pledges $31,370 Over (Under) ($16,130) Donors 116 Payments $30,605 Percentage of Goal 66%
Page 13 Monday, December 3, 9 am Parishioners of St. John the Baptist Tuesday, December 4, 9 am Andrew J. Dargis III Upcoming Baptism Dates January 6 February 3 March 3 Wednesday, December 5, 9 am Andrew J. Dargis III Thursday, December 6, 9am Michael Gilmor Saturday, December 8, The Immaculate Conception 9am Catherine Schlick 5pm Ann Cannella Please remember the faithful departed in your prayers. May they rest in peace. Sunday, December 9, 7:30am James & Jeanne Fairly 9:15am The deceased members of the Waskewicz, Cascio, & LaBarbera families 11:15am Michael Secko
Page 14 For those serving our country in the Military Michael Brennan, Patrick Hanley, Jeffrey L. Beilman Jr., Ryan Santiro, Thomas G. Verbeeck, Michelle Verbeeck, Joseph DeMonte IV, Nicholas Altman, Michael Anderson, Devin Henry, Marielle Verbeeck, Cassidy Vail, Evan Purdy, Sean Tully, Sean Brady For the Homebound, the Sick and in Hospice Care John Delaney, Beth Lewis, Joan Lambert, Deb Frigon, Carolyn Shipplett, Randy Ball, Chuck Faberzak, Elizabeth Wiwczar All are invited to the recitation of the Rosary after the 9 am daily mass and Tuesday evenings at 7:30 p.m. All are welcome to join the monthly healing service that takes place at 9 a.m. on the first Saturday of every month. You can pray for anyone, including yourself, who you feel has a need for physical, as well as emotional healing. In Memoriam The altar bread, wine and candles for this weekend s celebration of the Eucharist have been donated by the loving wife and children of: Anthony DiPierro Eucharistic Adoration The Blessed Sacrament is exposed for Adoration on the main altar in the church every Wednesday afternoon, 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Please join us for prayer and Adoration! 2:00 p.m. Rosary for Life; 3:00 p.m. Chaplet of Divine Mercy.
Page 15 Around our Area and our Diocese St. Ursula Center, Blue Point: Estate Sale- Everything Must go! December 7, 8 and 9, 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. We have many religious items as well as furniture (desks, tables, bookshelves, dressers, end tables, chairs, etc.) housewares, jewelry, lamps, kitchen items, ovens, refrigerators (various sizes), washer & dryer, linens, crystal, holiday items, patio set, paintings, etc. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call 631-363-2422 ( x 2060), St. Ursula Center, 186 Middle Rd, Blue Point, NY Worldwide Marriage Encounter: Conduct yourself to please God. Renew your marriage and attend a Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend. The next Weekends are Feb 8-10, 2019 in Huntington, NY and Apr 26-28, 2019 in Huntington, NY. For more information, call John & Toni Torio at 877-697-9963 or visit them at https://wwmenyli.org/.