ST. NICHOLAS RC CHURCH Served by the Vocationist Fathers Fr. Christogonus (Chris) Iwunze, S.D.V., Pastor Fr. Roberto da Silva, S.D.V., Parochial Vicar Fr. Louis Caputo, S.D.V.,Weekend Assistant Deacon Thomas La Russa, S.D.V., D.R.E. Church & Rectory 442 E Brinkerhoff Ave Palisades Park, NJ 07650 Tel. 201-944-1154 Fax. 201-944-9510 Email. stnicholas07650@live.com Website. www.stnicholasrcchurch.org Office Hours Mon, Wed, Thu & Fri 11:30 AM - 6:00 PM Tuesdays 4:00 PM - 9:00 PM (Mornings by appointment only) EASTER SUNDAY April 1, 2018 Three witnesses, Mary, Peter, and John; each responds to the empty tomb (John 20:1-9) ADMINISTRATION OF THE SACRAMENTS Baptisms: On any available Sunday during the 11:00 AM (Italian), 9:30 AM or 12:30 PM (English) & 7:00 PM (Portuguese) Masses. Please, contact the rectory at least one month prior to desired date. Confessions: Saturdays 4:00 to 4:45 PM, or during the week by appointment. Marriages: Please contact the rectory at least six months prior to desired wedding date. Sacrament of the Sick: If you are hospitalized or unable to come to Church for health reasons and would like to be visited by a priest for Confession, Communion, or Anointing of the Sick, please call the rectory. Religious Education Program (CCD): For children 1 st to 8 th grades who are not attending Catholic School. Classes are held on Sundays from September to May at 11:30 AM, with attendance to the 12:30 PM Family Mass. Confirmation: Teens will receive the Sacrament of Confirmation on 8 th grade. They will attend classes at 11:30 AM from September to December; and from January to April classes will start at 11:00 AM in the church hall, with attendance to the 12:30 PM Family Mass. Saturday: MASS SCHEDULE 7:00 & 8:00 AM 5:00 PM - Vigil Mass Sunday: 7:30 AM, 9:30 AM 11:00 AM (Italian) 12:30 PM - Family Mass 7:00 PM (Portuguese) Weekdays: 7:00 & 8:00 AM Holy Days: 6:30, 8:00, 10:00 AM & 7:30 PM Other Weekly Services & Activities: Mon to Sat: 7:35 AM - Morning Prayer 8:30 AM - Holy Rosary (English) Tuesdays: 9:00 AM - Legion of Mary 7:00 PM - Bible Study (English) 7:30 PM - St. Padre Pio Mass (4/17) 7:30 PM - Holy Rosary Society 8:00 PM - Holy Rosary (Portuguese) Wednesdays:7:00 PM - Holy Rosary (Italian) Thursday: 6:15 to 7:15 PM - Holy Hour Adoration for Vocations (Apr 12, 19, 26) Friday: 8:30 PM - Brazilian Prayer Group 1 st Friday: 8:30 AM to 7:30 PM - Blessed Sacrament Adoration (4/6) Saturday: 6:30 PM - UNUM adults 30+
ST NICHOLAS RC CHURCH Parish Trustee: Giovanni Simone & Michael Massaro Parish Secretary: Débora Moreira Music Ministry: Addie Luers, Giovanni & Karen Simone, and Kelly Oliveira Vocationist Sisters Community Sr. Benedita Carvalho, S.D.V., Superior & Pre-K Director; Sr. Jancy Thomas, S.D.V. and Sr. Emilia Din, S.D.V. 223 14 th Street - Palisades Park, NJ Tel. 201-947-2413 Parish Pre-K Fr. Justin Learning Center Tel. 201-944-1376 NOTRE DAME ACADEMY 312 First St Palisades Park, NJ Principal: Mark Valvano Tel. 201-947-5262 Mass Intentions SATURDAY, March 31 8:30PM EASTER VIGIL IN THE HOLY NIGHT SUNDAY, April 1 7:30AM John Ferraioli by his family 9:30AM Deceased members of the Holy Rosary Society 11:00AM Nikola Picinic by his wife Antonia 12:30PM Frank Martini by his family 7:00PM For all people of this parish MONDAY, April 2 7:00AM Klara Mirkovich by Antonia Piccinich 8:00AM Joseph Giannini by his family TUESDAY, April 3 7:00AM Martino Matesic by Mary Bolhofer 8:00AM Joseph Hroncich by Regina Lisica WEDNESDAY, April 4 7:00AM Martino Matesic by Lucio & Anna Morin 8:00AM Michael P. Albanese by M/M John Hroncich THURSDAY, April 5 7:00AM All souls in purgatory by Matesic family 8:00AM Tommaso Morin by his wife Maria FRIDAY, April 6 7:00AM Martino Matesic by Stefano Bussanich 8:00AM Aldo & Mario Mattessich by Maria Mattessich SATURDAY, April 7 7:00AM Special intentions of Marie Mattessich 8:00AM Filipe & Maria Mattessich by Anna 5:00PM Anthony Lo Faro by wife & children SUNDAY, April 8 Divine Mercy Sunday 7:30AM Joseph Nicoletti by Frank Lettera 9:30AM In honor of the Divine Mercy by us poor sinners 11:00AM Maria Liotine by Simone family 12:30PM Michael P. Albanese by his family 7:00PM For all people of this parish News of the Parish Happy Easter! from Fr. Chris and the parish staff This Monday, April 2, our Italian community will celebrate PASQUETTA according to Italian tradition. - RECTORY S OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED - BLESSED SACRAMENT ADORATION - Come and join us in adoration this first Friday, April 6 from 8:30 AM to 7:30 PM. DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY We will have the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and the chaplet and prayers of the Divine Mercy of God in English, Italian and Portuguese next Sunday, April 8 at 3:00 PM. All parishioners are invited to attend. SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION - The Confirmation will be this Saturday, April 14 at 3:00 PM by Most Rev. John W. Flesey. RCIA CLASS (Adults Religious Education) will receive their First Communion and Confirmation on Sunday, April 15 at the 9:30 AM Mass. FIRST HOLY COMMUNION - Our 2nd grade CCD class will receive their First Holy Communion on Sunday, May 6 at the 12:30 PM Mass. TRICKY TRAY 2018 will be held on Saturday, June 9 from 7:00 to 11:00 PM. We are collecting items to be auctioned. Please bring your donations to the rectory s office. In Memoriam ALTAR CANDLES donated this week BREAD & WINE donated this week SANCTUARY LAMP donated this week
Page 3 April 1, 2018 EASTER SUNDAY We remember you, O risen Lord, New Covenant at the feast of the cross. Your resurrection dresses the table for the bread of heaven and the cup of salvation. Blessed are you! Events of the Week Tuesday, April 3 9:00AM - Legion of Mary in Bl. Mother s room 7:00PM - Bible Study in English in Bl. Mother s room 8:00PM - Holy Rosary by Brazilian families Wednesday, April 4 7:00PM - Holy Rosary in Italian in church Friday, April 6 8:30AM to 7:30PM - Blessed Sacrament Adoration 8:30PM - Brazilian prayer group in church hall Ministers Schedule for April 8 5:00 PM: Lector - Carmela B. E.M. - Maria Claudia and Adriana 7:30 AM: Lectors - Michael E. M. - Sr. Bene 9:30 AM: Lectors - Carol and Gina E.M. - Lynn, Suzanne and Sr. Bene 11:00 AM: Lectors - Margherita and Antonia E.M. - Carmela A., Francesca and Italia 12:30 PM : Lector - Youth and Rita E.M. - Suzanne, Sr. Jancy and Sr. Emilia 7:00 PM : Lector - Patricia, Leny and Dimas E.M. - Evaneide and Adriana Pastoral Care Holy Communion was brought this month to: Victor Columbini, John Ostuni, Frances Ceria, Cynthia Cornell, Anita Lauria, Francesco De Candia and Arthur Mazzarella. Pray for our sick: Mateus Ribeiro, Domenica Dinaro, Josephine Dolberry, Eileen Murphy, Angela Tina, Rita Vanore, John Ostuni, Dominick Ostuni, Sara Modafferi, John Hroncich (John Hroncich s nephew), Fred DeCarlo, James Malatesta, Carmelo Luvera, Arthur Mazzarella and Frank Amato. Holy Hour of Adoration for Vocations Every Thursday from 6:15 to 7:15 PM in church ~ Except on eve of first Fridays ~ VISIT OUR CHURCH S WEBSITE STNICHOLASRCCHURCH.ORG PROCLAIM THE RISEN CHRIST On Easter morning everything--the spring weather, the flowers, birds and butterflies, the people around us in their finery, the beautiful liturgy and music-- everything seems to bear witness that Jesus Christ is risen today! Like the eyewitness accounts in today's scriptures, the glorious and joyful life all around us helps us to believe the good news of the Resurrection and sing "Alleluia!" In the scriptures today we hear from Peter and Paul and John. All three speak with conviction about witnessing the resurrected Christ. John's Gospel account includes Mary of Magdala, who also was privileged to witness the Resurrection and tell others the good news. On this glorious Easter Sunday can we ourselves give eyewitness accounts that Jesus Christ is risen today, alive and active in our lives? Copyright (c) J. S. Paluch Co., Inc. We extend a warm welcome to our new parishioners who have joined us these past months. Our hope is that you will always feel welcomed here at St. Nicholas. We ask all of our new parishioners to please come to the rectory and register in the parish. If you wish to receive envelopes, please contact the rectory office. Envelope offerings are registered and for those who so desire, we will issue a certificate of your offerings at the end of the year for your tax deduction. The return of Easter should be to the Christian life the call of a trumpet. It is the news of a great victory. It is the solution of a great perplexity. It is the assurance of a great triumph. Frederick Temple STEWARDSHIP OF TIME AND TREASURE We are thankful to all Eucharistic Ministers, Lectors, Ushers, Altar Servers and Choir members who participate in the celebrations of the Triduum and Easter Vigil. And also to the parishioners who were part of the live presentation of the Stations of the Cross.
He is Risen! Alleluiah! SAVE THE DATE ANNUAL DINNER DANCE will be held at FIESTA RESTAURANT in Wood-Ridge on SATURDAY, September 29 at 7:00 PM. Thanks to all of our parishioners who have made their gifts to the 2018 SHARING GOD S BLESSINGS ANNUAL APPEAL. St. Nicholas is 46.77% towards our goal of $11,738.00 (38 donors) If you have not yet made a gift or pledge, please fill out a commitment card located at the entrance of the church. Please help support the many programs and ministries that assist so many in our community. Our parish also benefits by receiving from the appeal if it exceeds its goal. If we exceed the goal, we will use the rebate to MAKE NECESSARY REFORMS IN THE CHURCH HALL. It s important for all of us to participate. ~ TRICKY TRAY ~ Spring Auction Saturday, June 9 We are collecting items to be auctioned NOT USED, UNOPENED gifts, toys, games, electronics, kitchen appliances, home decoration, paintings, books, jewelry, etc. All donations are tax deductible Please call the rectory s office for more information 201-944-1154 For safety reasons we cannot accept used clothes, shoes, opened toys or objects of decoration 2018 WEDDING ANNIVERSARY MASSES will be celebrated by Archbishop Joseph W. Tobin in the Cathedral Basilica of Sacred Heart in Newark on Sunday, May 6 (50th Anniversaries) and April 29 (25th and 5th Anniversaries) at 3:00 PM. Sponsored by the Office of Family Life Ministries. Please contact our rectory office for registration and more information. Reservations deadline is April 13. Our 8th Grade teenagers will receive the Sacrament of Confirmation on Saturday, April 14 at 3:00 PM by Most Rev. John Flesey; and our adults in RCIA will receive their First Communion and Confirmation on Sunday, April 15 at the 9:30 AM Mass. Our children in our 2nd Grade CCD Class will receive First Holy Communion on Sunday, May 6 at the 12:30 PM TREASURES FROM OUR TRADITION The Paschal Mystery is the key to our Christian faith: the dying and rising of Jesus that is the pattern of our life. In their first steps on the road of faith, the catechumens feel the cross of glory traced over their eyes, on their lips, across their shoulders, on their ears, over their heart, and on their feet. The mystery is that even death gives way to life for those who are held in the embrace of Jesus. Today, many new Christians arise from the waters of the font. Yet the font is not the destination of their journey. The goal is Pentecost, fifty days from now, and a lifetime of praise to the Father, in Christ, in the embrace of the Holy Spirit, for the sake of the world. "Neophyte," our ancient word for newly-baptized people, means "newly-planted" in Greek. If someone in your parish has just been baptized, welcome them today. The smiles on their faces and the light in the eyes is a foretaste of heaven. --Rev. James Field, Copyright (c) J. S. Paluch Co. Vocationist Corner Tell me, my Lord, what do You want from me? Remove me from the number of those who say that they want to do Your Will and yet hold on to their own. I have been one of them, I confess it, but I do not want to continue being one of them! What is not done for Your Glory, according to Your Will, with Your Love, is a total waste. Blessed Fr. Justin Russolillo, SDV, Spirit of Prayer, page 219
COME TO THE FEAST OF THE DIVINE MERCY Sunday, April 8 In the year 2000, after many years of study by the Catholic Church, Pope John Paul II fulfilled the will of Christ and officially established that Feast of Divine Mercy and named it DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY. What is so special about this new Feast of Divine Mercy? It is the promise of the total forgiveness of all sins and punishment for anyone that would go to Confession and receive Communion on that very special Feast of Divine Mercy! Why would Jesus offer us something so great right now? Jesus told St. Faustina that she was to prepare the world for His Second Coming and He wants to pour out His Mercy before He comes again as the Just Judge and as a last hope of salvation. We will celebrate the feast of the DIVINE MERCY at 3:00 PM with the Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, prayer and the chaplet in English, Italian and Portuguese Everyone is welcome to participate