Parish Website

Mission Statement e, Church of the Nativity, are a welcoming faith family committed to living the gospel values of Jesus Christ, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. e are called through Word and Sacrament to be strengthened in holiness. e recognize and are thankful for all that we have received from God and therefore declare ourselves a Stewardship Parish. e proclaim our mission to prayerfully serve the people of God, through our gifts of Time, Talent and Treasure and thus continue to be the hands and feet of Christ. Pastoral Staff Rev. Peter K. Funesti, Pastor Rev. Alex Orozco, Parochial Vicar Rev. Msgr. Robert Harahan, Weekend Assistant Rev. Msgr. James A. Burke, In Residence Olivia L. Harrington, Religious Education Coordinator Janet Nemec, Director of Lay Ministries Lorraine DeLuca, Religious Education Assistant Mary Lou Balog, Pastoral Associate for Stewardship Kaye Zbonack, Parish Secretary Jack Polito, Business Manager/ CTC School Liaison Jim Kenny, Pastoral Associate Jim Chiappini, Organist Ciarán Sheehan, Cantor Roberto Hurtado, Maintenance Supervisor Pedro Herrera, Maintenance Staff Russell Kamp & Tia Patterson, Parish Trustees Ronaldo Bustamante, Seminarian Saturday: Sunday: Holy Days: Daily: Masses 5:00 pm 8:00, 10:15 am, 12 Noon Consult Bulletin Monday - Friday 12:10 pm (chapel) Parish Membership Every family participating regularly in the spiritual life of our parish is encouraged to register. Forms are available in the church or at the rectory. If you move or change your home address or email address, kindly notify the rectory. If you want to add your cell phone to your family information contact the rectory. If you move or no longer worship with us, kindly contact the rectory. Rectory 201.444.6362 FAX 201.444.5056 Email: Nativityrcc@aol.com Parish Website www.churchofthenativitynj.com 315 Prospect Street Midland Park, NJ 07432 November 23, 2014 Anointing Communal celebration of anointing is celebrated twice a year. The next celebration will be scheduled for the Spring of 2015. At any time during the year, if anyone is ill, homebound, or in the hospital, please notify the Rectory. Marriage The Common Policy for Marriage for all Dioceses of the State of New Jersey require notification of marriage at least ONE YEAR in advance. Please contact one of the parish priests to set a date. Religious Education Office Hours: Mon-Thurs - 9:00 am - 4:30 pm Classes Grades K-6 Sun - 9:00 am -10:00 am Thurs - 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm Grades 7-8 Sun - 9:00 am - 10:15 am Mon - 3:30-4:30, 7:30-8:30 pm Tues - 7:30-8:30 pm Home Classes (special scheduling) Good News for Little Ones (ages 2 ½ - 5) During the 10:15 am Mass October - June Rite of Christian Initiation (R.C.I.A.) Anyone interested in becoming a Roman Catholic, or any adult Catholic who has not received all the Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist and would like to receive these Sacraments, please contact the Rectory. Penance/Reconciliation Saturdays 4:15 pm in the vesting sacristy in the lobby of the church, or by appointment in the Rectory. Baptisms The Sacrament of Baptism is scheduled for the following dates in 2014: December 14th. 2015 dates are: January 11th, February 15th, April 26th, May 31st, June 28th. Arrangements are made by contacting the Rectory before the birth of the baby. Baptismal catechesis is required of all parents. Please call the Rectory for details. A member of the Baptism Preparation Ministry will contact the parents prior to the Baptism. Religious Education Office 201.447.1776 Email: NativityRelEd@gmail.com

Mass Please Remember Mass Requested By Saturday Nov 22 5:00 Mass Alec Mancinik Sunday November 23 8:00 Mass Pearl Komsa Rose DeLuca Mary & Jeffrey Allyn Patterson Family Jim & Lorraine DeLuca 10:15 Mass Pierre Hauth Richard & Mary Kunz 12:00 Mass Hugh Leonard Bert Bersch Monday Nov 24 Tuesday Nov 25 Wednesday Nov 26 Thursday Nov 27 9:00 Mass Friday Nov 28 Saturday Nov 29 5:00 Mass Sunday James F. Powderley II Jeremiah Twomey Patrick Caldiero 30th Anniversary Helen Pubylski NO MASS Rita Kahwaty 8th Anniversary November 30th 8:00 Mass Fred & Alice Schrader Family 10:15 Mass Janet Cariou Pearl Komsa Janet & Bill O Toole & Family Catherine & Ambrose McGarry Anna & Joseph Caldiero Christina Rad Paula & Vincent Mollica Szydlik Family Stix Family 12:00 Mass Mario Mazzei Christine & Thomas Avella Please remember in your prayers the sick who have asked for our prayers Gary Borchers, MaryLou Balog, Elaine Sullivan, Greg Jenc, Baby Gavin, Christine Donovan, Fr Peter, Chris Kay, Pat Ferrari, Ralph Kallenberg Please remember in your prayers the recently deceased Jane Gagler, Janet Smith, Margery Lawler, Daniel DeSantis, Michael DiBella, Marie Romer, Ralph Robert LiButti WEEK OF November 24 Monday November 24 Tuesday November 25 Wednesday November 26 Thursday November 27 Friday November 28 Saturday November 29 Sunday November 30 KEY The Church of the Nativity Prayer Chain is accepting prayer requests. Please call the rectory with your request. Thank you for your continued support of your Parish. 7:30PM R - Stewardship Council Meeting 11:00PM CHA - Legion of Mary 7:30PM C - Choir Practice 9:30AM UR - Mom s Group 9:00AM C - Mass Church Offices Closed NO Mass Church Offices Closed Christmas Giving Tree UP Please take a tag Christmas Giving Tree Up Please take a tag 10:15AM C - Family Mass 11:15AM KH - Advent Family Day C-Church OH-O Connell Hall MG-McGrath Room CHA-Chapel S-School KH-Kennedy Hall UR-Upper Room R-Rectory Reflection by Saint John Paul II It is Jesus in fact that you seek when you dream of happiness; he is waiting for you when nothing else you find satisfies you; he is the beauty to which you are so attracted Weekly Church Offering On-Line Giving Weekly Average Total Budgeted Revenue* Surplus/(Deficit) $ 7,335 $ 2,555 $ 9,890 $12,420 ($ 2,530) Nov. 15 & 16 *Amount needed each week to pay our parish expenses

A Word from the Pastor I am pleased to have Ronaldo give us his reflection on the readings for the next few weeks. As a student of Theology, he is happy to share his knowledge of the scriptures with us. Today we celebrate The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe and the culmination of the liturgical year 2014. This is the time to do a review of our own life, spiritual and missionary, from what we are, what we have and what we have to do today. Today we can ask: What fruits have I accomplished? What do I need to improve? What goals have I completed? How have I lived my mission as a Catholic Christian? Have I felt part of the Kingdom of God and therefore collaborate in its expansion, especially the weak, lonely and needy? Or do I just do what I need to do without sacrifice? It is important for us to think for a moment how we go down this path of spirituality and love in Christ, because, since we are baptized, we are part of his Kingdom; a kingdom based on love, mercy, generous giving without reward; a kingdom where God himself expresses his love for the world and humanity. We are part of Christ's kingship, which is not based on comfort or wealth on the backs of the poor, but rather, it is a rule that is based on the healing of this world that needs to heal the wounds made by the same society and ourselves. I want to invite you during this end of the liturgical year 2014, to do a very thorough examination and let us set aside our talents and treasures and think about how those talents and treasures have served our church and our brothers and sisters. Look at our spiritual lives and our service to God in the church and think if we are faithful to their calling and service within our Church. Dear brother and sisters I want to Finish with the words of Pope Francis, in his homily on Sunday November 24, 2013... Each of us has his or her own history: we think of our mistakes, our sins, our good times and our bleak times. We would do well, each one of us, on this day, to think about our own personal history, to look at Jesus and to keep telling him, sincerely and quietly: Remember me, Lord, now that you are in your kingdom! Thoughts on Scripture: When the Son of Man comes... We tend to think of Christ s final coming in judgment only in terms of the end of time. Jesus surprises us with this revelation: When the Son of Man comes... is now in others, no matter what their guise or condition. There is an urgency about now: how we respond here and now to others bears eternal consequences. There is a propinquity about who: the person near us is Christ, and how we respond determines how we will be judged. So, do we hear Christ say to us, Come, you who are blessed? Now and for eternity? We tend to identify as least those who are distant from our daily living, for example, victims of famine in a foreign lands. But those in need are actually very near us; wherever there is human Peace, need, there is Christ and we are called to respond. [Taken from Living Liturgy] Living the Paschal Mystery Living the paschal mystery means dying to self; this is what we ve been considering all this liturgical year. If we look upon the other as sharing our identity and dignity if we look upon the other as Christ himself (what the gospel is telling us) then self-surrender for the sake of another is possible. Growth in discipleship and living the paschal mystery is measured by the extent to which we look upon the other as Christ, loving that person as Christ, doing for that person as Christ. This is how we come to eschatological joy. This is how we share in the kingdom prepared for [us] from the foundation of the world. Think about it: from the first moment of creation, God planned for us to share in God s everlasting Life and joy. All we need to do is reach out to those among us and treat them with dignity as the very Presence of the risen Christ himself. This is a small effort to put forth in our daily living, when we consider what God has so graciously offered us: an everlasting share in the glory of Christ the King. The time is now. We cannot afford to put off Christ-like living to some future time. The judgment is now. What is at stake is our coming to fullness of Life. It is hard to believe that our Christmas Giving Tree will be up next weekend. This year, the York Street Project s need is higher than ever. The good news is that we have always been so generous to our friends throughout the year. So, if you are able, please take a tag and join in to help these families in need. Sign up forms are now at the I-Desk For more information contact Ron Harrington at ronald.harrington@velan.com Shepherds Christmas Party luncheon is Dec 5 th. Reservations are to be in by Dec 3 rd. No Walk-ins Call Claire Drexler At 201-447-5369 or email clairedrexler@verizon.net Don t forget the stocking stuffers for the Love Fund.

PARISH CATECHETICAL PROGRAM: GR. K-8: Just a reminder There will be NO SESSIONS Thursday Nov 27 th and Sunday November 30 th Thanksgiving recess HELP YOURSELF! Each week, we make available bulle ns for children, grades one through six. Explaining God s Word will help the children more about their faith and the Sunday scriptures and have fun doing it. These bulle ns are found in folders on the bulle n board in the rear of the church. GOOD NEWS FOR LITTLE ONES PROGRAM This program for children 2 ½ to 5 years of age will help them come to know the Good News of God s Love and the concern for them. A staff of trained catechists and volunteers is currently presen ng it. GOOD NEWS FOR LITTLE ONES is open during the 10:15 AM Mass on Sundays in the upper room of the Church. We invite parents to bring their children to this program as they a end Mass. Children who a end Kindergarten should remain with their parents in the Church. For children under 2 ½ years of age, we ask that you make use of the cry room. Thank you! Our Heartfelt Thanks! Thank you to all our Cornerstone Sisters who took the time to help out with Women s Cornerstone of 2014. Your graciousness in serving others helped us create a Spirit filled retreat for our new Sisters. Love, The Tapestry Team Catechesis...about Liturgy Structure of Matthew s gospel and end of the liturgical year: During Years B and C the Parousia and judgment gospels come before this solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ the King, which celebrates Christ s victory over death. In those years the gospels for this solemnity are taken from Jesus trial (Year B) and death (Year C) in which there is discussion and/or acknowledgment of Jesus kingship. This year, quite in keeping with the structure of Matthew s gospel, it s only on this one Sunday that we get the gospel about final judgment. On this Sunday we finally arrive where Matthew s gospel with all its parables about the kingdom and all its conflicts between Jesus and Jewish authorities has been leading us to eschatological glory. This Sunday comes full circle and ties up our semi-continuous reading of Matthew s gospel. Early in Ordinary Time we heard how blessed are we from Jesus Sermon on the Mount. At that time we were beginning our journey of faithful discipleship. Now with this solemnity we come to the end and hear once again how blessed are we by God. Matthew shows us in the course of his gospel (and our proclaiming it throughout this liturgical year) a microcosm of what, in fact, our whole Christian life is all about. We begin with the blessing of baptismal waters, and we end with judgment and eternal glory providing we have been faithful in our discipleship. Calling all Senior Citizens You're invited to Immaculate Heart Academy's Annual Senior Citizen Thanksgiving dinner. Please join us on Monday, November 24th from 5PM-8PM in the IHA cafeteria for a free Thanksgiving dinner, raffle and entertainment. Please RSVP to Sarah Shutrop- orsshutrop@ihanj.com or 201-445-6800 x125. Rosary Society Christmas Party will be held on Tuesday, Dec 2 nd in the Rosary Society News McGrath Room. Pictures with Santa will start at 6:30 PM the party at 7:00 PM. This year s fare will be finger sandwiches and desert. The cost is $5.00 for Rosarians and $8.00 for guests. Because space is limited, reservations are required. Please contact Claire at e-mail clairedrexler@verizon.net or 201 447-5369. As in years past, if you would like to bring a donation for the Nurturing Place, they are always in need of baby wipes, diapers, baby wipes, diapers, baby cereal, socks, juices, plastic bibs, etc. Community Thrifty Store The Thrift Store is now accepting everything CHRISTMAS. This includes: tree decorations, books, villages, Christmas sweaters, etc. Items may be brought to the store on Mondays10:00 to 2:00 or on Saturday Dec 6 th 10:00 to 1:30. Your donation will benefit the Rosary Society s charities. Please place #18 on the bags. For more information call Pat Shaver at (201) 669-0526. Your generosity helped us raise $621 for the third quarter.

When Did We See You? Matthew s great parable of the last judgment presents the glorified Son of Man, with an entourage of angels, rising before the nations of the world. The blessed and lost are separated by one norm: the care of others. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink. I was a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me. I was ill and you comforted me, in prison and you came to visit me. This proclamation is formulated four times in the course of the parable. It is worth the four repetitions. For, like many gospel passages, we have heard the words so often that they seem ordinary, even though they are the most revolutionary claims about the human condition that have ever been made. In all the ways that God has been revealed to high human consciousness, there has been one abiding theme: the dignity and value of the human person. On one level of interpretation, this parable is an indictment of humanity s violent resistance to God s revelation. In our own century millions have been killed in the Middle East for the sake of homeland and nation. Eleven million Hindus and Muslims were slaughtered at the dawn of India s freedom. Twenty million were purged in Communist China. The killing fields of Cambodia were marked by a million skulls. Rwanda and Serbia still sink under waves of blood. Before our own times entire tribes of indigenous peoples disappeared in North and South America, sacrificed to idols of gold. Jews were banished or forcibly converted long before the abominable final solution. Holy religious wars were launched in the name of God. Children of every color and tribe have been traded or killed upon birth. To such a bleak history, the Lord of history has spoken: As often as you have done this to the least of my brothers and sisters, you have done it to me. Like all of holy scripture, the parable of the end times is a judgment on the world. In human mayhem, we dismember the body of Christ. You have done it to me. The starving, the unwanted old and unborn, the criminal, the enemy the least are him. But the story is more radical yet. For the parable not only judges, history. It calls us to active love. It is an invitation to see Christ in each other. In all our relations we encounter God. Spouses, children, neighbors all count as the least. Every wife who comforted her husband, every father who gave joy to his child, every friend who consoled a companion, every mother who fed the infant or held the dying has encountered the Lord? What if the Word of God is actually true on all levels of our lives true for a world of nations, politics, or economies; true for our relations with each other; true for each of us in our hearts; true of God? If you and I accept, with all our mind and will, the promise of God s Word, perhaps then we shall fully understand the soaring words of Paul: Christ must reign until God has put all enemies under his feet, and the last enemy to be destroyed is death. Feathers for Food Food Drive We want to thank the parishioners of Nativity for your incredible generosity. This year s Thanksgiving food drive was our largest ever! In addition to cash donations, thanks to you, we were able to send the following to our friends at the York Street Project 125 Bags containing 875 items and $965 in gift cards! Thank You Thank You Thank You Thank You Thank You! VÉÇzÜtàâÄtà ÉÇá àé atà ä àçëá ECDG f zç y vtçà jxww Çz TÇÇ äxüátüç VÉâÑÄxá4 Mauro & Sandra Abballe, 25 Louise & Paul Albarella, 51 Mary & Jeffrey Allyn, 40 Norma & Dan Bardzell, 56 Peter & Irma Cantilina, 56 Barbara & Raymond Cantwell, 50 Chris & Rebecca Carione, 20 TD & Mary Carlton, 10 Kathleen & Dan Clavin, 56 Claudia & Jack Considine, 40 Judy & Michael Daly, 25 Fran & Tom Fabish, 45 Walter & Judy Fitzgerald, 25 Mary & Vincent Gallagher, 68 Edward & Lorraine Gibney, 53 Billy & Lisa Guarini, 10 Jim & Susan Hartmann, 25 Susan & Shayne James, 15 Mary & Ralph Lombardi, 58 Mike & Chris Lynch 50 Jane & Jerry Mathews 56 Catherine & Ambrose McGarry, 65 Mary & Bill McNamara, 50 Gary & Ivon Mendizabal, 20 Paula & Vincent Mollica, 20 Clyde & Helen Moser, 51 Bridget & Eugene Ragno, 59 Anne & John Rodenberg, 56 Jean & Peter Rossano, 66 Rhonda & John Salge, 40 Annette & Dominic Sblendori 59 Irene & Bob Schiffer, 40 Nick & JoAnn Servido, 62 George & Barbara Shabet, 58 Joseph & Dina Statuto, 15 Betty & Dave Sullivan, 57 George & Josephine Thompson, 57 Carolyn & Sebastian Trusso, 51 Phyllis & Tony Veli, 45 Halina & Nikolas Vidaic, 45 John & Joan Workstus, 61 Irene & Richard Palatucci, 45

Do you know someone who wants to know Christ? Are you thinking about Becoming Catholic? Have you been away from the Church? Never Baptized? Never Confirmed? We would like to thank the Parish and the community for their on going support in clothing those in need. Since September we have provided over 200 large bags of clothing to families in Paterson, Hackensack and Jersey City. In addition, we have given away 8 bedroom sets, 4 dinning room sets, 2 kitchen sets, 4 couches, baby strollers, playpens, toys and diapers to our local brothers and sisters. Many of our members have had personal contact with the families and the agencies we are helping. Your generosity is providing hope for those in despair. We are spreading the love of Christ one person at a time. For the next year, our monthly collections will highlight specific needs in the community. The December 13/14th collection will be new/used games, toys, children's books and children's clothes. Tax forms can be found in the back of the church for anyone who has donated. If you would like to donate furniture or appliances or if you are interested in helping with this ministry please contact Tia Patterson at tiapatterson@me.com. For more information Click Religious Education, Just Wondering??? on the Website Or Contact Jim Kenny 201 444-6362 jnkenny@churchofthenativitynj.com Eucharistic Adoration will be in the Nativity Chapel on the second Saturday of every month. It will start with 9:00AM Mass and end with Benediction at 4:00PM. We invite you to spend some time with our Lord. Next Adoration is Saturday December 13th If you wish to become part of the team of Guardian Angels, taking charge of a time slot, please contact Fred Young at 201 444-2781. CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP In the heart of every caregiver is a knowing that we are all connected. As I do for you, I do for me. ~ Tia Walker If you are a caregiver and would like to learn more about resources to help you and your loved one as well as to find support from others in a faith-based environment, this is the group for you. Please come to the next Caregiver Support Group on Thursday, December 4 from 11:30am-12:30pm in the Ministry Center Meeting Room at St. Catharine Church (905 So. Maple Avenue in Glen Rock). If you have any questions, please call Mary Alice Coghlan at 201-652-4305. Please be sure to fill out a prayer card for Fr. Peter. There are enough cards for everyone in the family. And when you are done...take a bracelet!