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 FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT DECEMBER 24, 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. A Message from Father Armand: My dear parishioners, On behalf of the entire staff here at Holy Spirit, please accept my best wishes for a very Merry Christmas. It is our sincere prayer that the coming tonight of the Christ child fills your hearts and homes with abundant blessings of love and peace. In the chaos of the upcoming few hours please try to take a few moments to step back from it all and let Jesus touch your soul with the full meaning of this wonderful mystery about to unfold before us; God becoming one like us so that we could become more like Him! Finally, may I beg you, at this giving time of year, to please consider making a truly sacrificial offering to your church in the upcoming Christmas Collection. We are all well aware of how expensive life has gotten, yet so many people are making the same weekly offering that they have been giving for years. Your church also has expenses to meet, so please, do something extra special for your parish this year. God will bless you always for it. Fr. Armand 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 Sunday Collection: $10,172.00 Donations for the Week Poor: $30.00 Helping Hands:$5.00
Page 3 THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT DECEMBER 24, 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 A Merry Christmas And A Happy New Year! Bambino Blessing! The past few years have been such a success we are going to repeat it again this year! Today, everyone is invited to bring the Baby Jesus from their own home Nativity Set to be blessed after all of the Masses. This is a wonderful way to make final preparations in your homes for our Lord s Birthday, as well as to teach your children that the Nativity Set is not just another toy. All Baby Jesus statues are welcome, the blessing will take place just prior to the final hymn at Mass.
Page 4 THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT DECEMBER 24, 2017 SATURDAY DECEMBER 23rd 8:30 Mark Wagner req. by Mom 5:30 Calvin DeLuca req. by Family MONDAY SUNDAY DECEMBER 24th TUESDAY 7:30 Donald Faughnan req. by Family 9:00 Theresa Garthwaite req. by Ed and Joan Garthwaite 10:30 Carl Stampfl req. by Family 12:00 Jerry and Maria Melillo req. by Family 4:30 The People of the Parish 10:00 The People of the Parish MONDAY DECEMBER 25th 7:30 The People of the Parish 9:00 The People of the Parish 10:30 The People of the Parish 12:00 The People of the Parish TUESDAY DECEMBER 26th 8:30 John Ortuso req. by Betty Engle WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 27th 7:30 Monteverdi, Berner and Patz Families req. by The Family 8:30 Jack and Helen Hagler req. by The Moraes Family THURSDAY DECEMBER 28th 7:30 Frances Kozak req. by The Ambielli Family 8:30 Joan Wagner req. by The Imperato Family FRIDAY DECEMBER 29th 7:30 Alfred Liotta req. by Anthony Russo 8:30 Douglas Krueger req. by Family SATURDAY DECEMBER 30th 8:30 Patrick Cadigan req.by Faughnan 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 Jeff Detjen 10:30 Bridget and Michael Jordan req. by Angela 12:00 Lucy Lawrence req. by AnnMargaret Shannon PARISH ACTIVITIES SUNDAY AA Spirit of Recovery Drexler Hall 7:15 pm WEDNESDAY THURSDAY Boy Scouts 7:00School FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY AA Spirit of Recovery Drexler Hall 7:15 pm Memorials The Altar Bread, Wine and Sanctuary Lamp are offered this week in memory of Donald Faughnan at the request of Mary Faughnan and Family Next Weekend Next Sunday, 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 FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT DECEMBER 24, 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 on January 7, 2018 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 In Case You Were Wondering. The Fir Tree: Evergreens represent the everlasting hope for humanity, needles pointing upward are our thoughts turning toward Heaven. Ornaments: Originally meant to symbolize the apple from the tree in the Garden of Eden. A reminder that the need for a Savior springs from that original sin. Candles: represent Jesus, the light of the world A wreath: the circular shape reminds of the nature of true love, it has no beginning and it has no ending. Holly: represents the crown of thorns and the red berries remind us of the blood shed by Jesus. Candy Canes: represent the Good Shepherd s staff. The red and white again are the colors of the blood of Jesus. Bells: lost sheep are found by the sound of a bell. They symbolize our being called back to the fold when we wander. Gifts: are reminders that God loves us so much that He gave us the ultimate gift: His own Son. We should give gifts to others in the same spirit of selfless generosity.
Page 6 THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT DECEMBER 24, 2017 Christmas Mass Schedule Sunday, December 24, 2017 4:30pm 10:00pm Both preceded by Carols and Special Music Monday, December 25, 2017 7:30, 9:00, 10:30 am, 12:00 noon