Holy Spirit Church 984 Suburban Road Union, New Jersey 07083 Rev. Armand Mantia Pastor Msgr. Vincent J. Doyle Pastor Emeritus Rev. Jose Robinson Valencia Parochial Vicar Rev. William Morris Weekend Assistant Deacon Joseph J. Carlo Deacon Kurt C. Landeck Pastoral Ministry Mr. Armand Lamberti School Principal Ms. Catherine Drake Director of Religious Education and RCIA Mr. Philip Matrale Youth Minister Mr. John Ondrey, The Spirit Singers The Ministry of Music Mr. James Sondey Parish Pastoral Council Coordinator Mrs. Patricia Wiggins Mr. David Schardien Trustees Parish Office (908) 6873327 Fax (908) 6871312 School (908) 6878415 Religious Education Office (908) 9647533 EMail holyspiritchurch@comcast.net www.holyspiritunion.org
Page 2 THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH DECEMBER 31, 2017 We Gather to Celebrate Saturday: 8:30am, 5:30pm Sunday: 7:30am, 9:00am, 10:30am & 12:00 Noon (July 1st to Labor Day: 8:00am, 10:00am & 12:00 Noon) Weekdays: Monday thru Friday: 7:30am and 8:30am Holy Days: As announced Reconciliation Saturday 11:30-12 Noon and 4:30 to 5:00pm. Baptism The Sacrament of Baptism is normally celebrated on the second Sunday of each month. A Preparation Program is required for first time parents. New parents should register for the Baptism as soon as possible after the child s birth by contacting the Parish Office. Matrimony According to the policy of the Archdiocese of Newark arrangements for weddings should be made at least one year in advance. Please contact the priest whom you wish to officiate at your wedding, by calling the Parish Office. Novena In honor of Our Lady and St. Jude: Monday (September June) immediately after 8:30 Mass. Parish Membership Our parish family invites all of its members to participate fully in our spiritual and social life. Every family moving into the parish is requested to register at the Parish Office. If you move, please let us know. Certificates of Eligibility (Godparent/ Sponsor certificate) will only be given to registered parishioners. Leo Krahel Mike Scholz Robert Lask Camille Capone James Masucci Camille Glasser Joann Melillo Christopher Gruno Bruce Gaeta Thomas Ronan Columbina Merkle Maxwell Alexander Stephanie Barrett Christine Domenick Mary Lynn Lou Slinsky A Message from Father Armand: My dear parishioners, A new year is always an exciting time filled with unlimited potential and many opportunities to effect great change. Many people like to make New Year s Resolutions; things they would like to accomplish in their lives in the coming months. Most of these resolutions are made with the very best of intentions, but, sadly, most don t last longer than the end of the final football game on New Years Day. If you are still open to making resolutions, perhaps we could all adopt some of the following ones into our lives this year: I resolve to attend Mass more faithfully. I resolve to arrive on time and stay until the end of the final hymn. I resolve to participate more fully in Mass by praying the prayers and singing the hymns. I resolve to pray more often and read the Bible regularly. I resolve to take a more active role in my children s/grandchildren s religious education. I resolve to deepen my own faith by learning more about Jesus, the Church and our teachings. I resolve to live each day in the knowledge of God s love for me and to let others know of that love. I resolve to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation regularly. I resolve to spend more time with my family in wholesome family activities. I resolve to not let a day go by without telling someone how much they mean to me. I resolve to try and do a better job both forgiving Sunday Collection: $ Reported at a later date and forgetting. Whatever you accomplish this year, know that all of you remain in our prayers each day, and we wish you only the very best throughout 2018. Fr. Armand Donations for the Week Poor: $ reported at a later date Helping Hands:$
Page 3 THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH DECEMBER 31, 2017 Holy Spirit School Where All God s Children Come Together www.holyspiritunion.org CYO/Youth Ministry News cyounion@aol.com From our CYO family to yours: Best Wishes for a very Merry Christmas and a truly Happy New Year! New members are always welcome to the CYO, please call or email for details Holy Spirit School Wishes Everyone Happy New Year! Thank You to all who sent gifts, cards and other very thoughtful Christmas remembrances to the Priests and the parish staff. Your kindness and generosity is very much appreciated. God bless you always! Thank you also to all those who made a truly sacrificial offering to our Christmas collection. Our parish, like almost every other one, relies on this to help make up for the shortfall the rest of the year.
Page 4 THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH DECEMBER 31, 2017 SATURDAY DECEMBER 30th 8:30 Patrick Cadigan req. by Family 5:30 The Cavo Family req. by Family SUNDAY DECEMBER 31st 7:30 Martin and Cecilia Maher req. by Daughter 9:00 Frank LaMort req. by Lil and Cliff Detjen 10:30 Bridget and Michael Jordan req. by Angela 12:00 Lucy Lawrence req. by AnnMargaret Shannon MONDAY JANUARY 1, 2018 8:30 James Caulfield req. by the Faughan Family 12:00 Patricia Guidetti req. by Margie and Family TUESDAY JANUARY 2nd 7:30 Trinidad Chan req. by The Holland Family 8:30 Annette Renga req. by The Uschak Family WEDNESDAY JANUARY 3rd 7:30 The People of the Parish 8:30 Josefina Beltran req. by Family THURSDAY JANUARY 4th 7:30 Lou Giacona req. by Anthony Russo 8:30 John Rafferty req. by Angela FRIDAY JANUARY 5th 7:30 Barbara Cifelli req. by The Wiggins Family 8:30 Charlotte Mantia req. by Madalyn Reina SATURDAY JANUARY 6th 8:30 Francisca Ponce req. by the DeLos Angeles Family 5:30 Jenny, Paul and Br. Frank Cicchitto req. by Family SUNDAY JANUARY 7th 7:30 Frank Kutyla req. by Margaret Anastasia 9:00 Maria Valente req. by Silvia Almeida 10:30 Rudolph Wadle req. by Wife 12:00 Michael Radler req. by Mom, Dad and Family PARISH ACTIVITIES SUNDAY AA Spirit of Recovery Drexler Hall 7:15 pm MONDAY TUESDAY Religious Education 3:45School WEDNESDAY Religious Education 3:45School Holy Hour for Life, 7:30 pm Church THURSDAY Religious Education 3:45School Boy Scouts 7:00School FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY AA Spirit of Recovery Drexler Hall 7:15 pm Memorials The Altar Wine is offered this week in memory of Stephen Emmerth at the request of Peggy and Pat. TODAY and TOMORROW. Today, December 31 is the Feast of the Holy Family, we will celebrate all our Sunday Masses as usual. Monday, January 1, 2018 is the Feast of Mary, the Mother of God. Because this falls on a Monday, there is no obligation to attend Mass this year. Because of this, we will not have an evening Mass on Sunday anticipating the Feast. On Monday, January 1 itself we will celebrate two Masses: 8:30 am and 12:00 noon. Even though the obligation, is lifted this year, there is no better way to begin 2018 than by attending Mass and honoring our Blessed Mother. We hope to see you there!
Page 5 THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH DECEMBER 31, 2017 The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is a gradual process that takes place within the community of the faithful. The length of time of the process varies according to individual need, experience, readiness and commitment. If you, or someone you know is interested in more information, please call Cathy Drake at the Office of Religious Education at (908) 964 7533. ~~~also~~~ If you are not a Catholic, but attracted to the Catholic Church, or a Catholic needing to complete your Sacraments of Initiation (Eucharist or Confirmation), this is a time set aside for asking questions and exploring God s call in an informal setting. There are no commitments or obligations required, only questions answered and information shared. Again, call Cathy Drake at (908) 9647533. The annual Holy Spirit Blood Drive will be held in the Parish Hall NEXT SUNDAY from 8:00am to 2:00pm. Please reserve the date and consider making a blood donation. Volunteers are needed to assist with the program. If you volunteered in the past your help would be greatly appreciated. Please contact Dan Petruuccelli @ 9083546270 or cell # 9083706678 or Al Arnold @ 9089641365 or cell # 9083375773. Respect Life: The Respect Life Ministry Section (http:// www.holyspiritunion.org/respectlife.html) has been updated to include information for dealing with many life issues healing from abortion, dealing with infertility, dealing with terminal illness, adoption, crisis pregnancy, ethics, and end of life issues. Information is also available on the Respect Life Table in the entrance to the church. Crisis Pregnancy Help: Any woman who is pregnant and in need of assistance should never feel that abortion is her only option. Personal and confidential assistance is available at the following numbers. Archdiocesan Respect Life Office: 19734974350 Catholic Community Services: 12012467379 Several Sources Foundation: 18006622678 Birthright: 18005504900 Post Abortion Healing for men and women. If interested, call the Archdiocesan Respect Life Office 19734974350. All calls are strictly confidential. Information of Rachel s Vineyard Retreat can be found at: www.rachelsvineyard.org Did You Know? As we are now well within the traditional 12 Day of Christmas, you may be interested to know: What does a Partridge in a Pear Tree have to do with Christmas? Quite a bit actually. From 1558 until 1829 Catholics were forbidden to practice their faith openly in England. They invented a code song wherein they would know the secret meanings, but others would not! That famous partridge? Jesus Christ! Two turtle doves? The Old and New Testament Three French hens? Faith, Hope and Love Four calling birds? The four Gospels Five golden rings? The Torah, the first five books in the Bible Six geese alaying? The six days of creation Seven swans a swimming? The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit Eight maids amilking? The eight Beatitudes Nine ladies dancing? The nine fruits of the Holy Spirit Ten lords aleaping? The Ten Commandments Eleven pipers piping? The eleven faithful apostles Twelve drummers drumming? The twelve points of belief found in the Apostles Creed. It really is not quite the same silly song, is it?
Page 6 THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH DECEMBER 31, 2017