FOURTH
SUNDAY of ADVENT
DECEMBER
24, 2006
(M -
Memorial, A - Anniversary)
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 24
VIGIL of CHRISTMAS
4:00 GUIDO GULLA--M
req. by the Gulla Family
5:30 ADRIAN
L. KELLARD--M
req. by the McEvily Family
12 MIDNIGHT THE REILLY
and MC WEENEY
FAMILIES--M
req. by Fr. Brian
THE NATIVITY of the LORD
9:00 THERESA
LEONE--M
req. by
Antoinette Leone
10:30
PHYLLIS del VECCHIO--M
req. by Pat & Dermond
Sullivan
12:00 MARIA and DOMENICO PASQUA--M
req. by the children
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 26
STEPEHN, first martyr
9:00 ROBERT MULDERRIG--M
req. by Alice Mulderrig
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 27
JOHN,
apostle, evangelist
6:45 AGNES DORAN--M
9:00 ROBERT
J. TEPEDINO, SR.--M
reg. by Genevieve Tepedino
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 28
HOLY
INNOCENTS, martyrs
6:45 FILOMENA
BASILONE--M
req. by the Clergy & the People of
Sts. John & Paul Parish
9:00 JOHN
WYLIE--M
req. by Mr. & Mrs. Albert Wassell
THOMAS BECKET, bishop, martyr
6:45 LEONOR
CARVAJAL--M
req. by the Beirne Family
9:00 SABINA KAIN--M
req. by Jane & Kenneth Padgett &
Family
9:00 TIMOTHY J. MARA--M
req. by Maura &
Richard Concannon
5:30 HOWARD FITZ GERALD--M
req. by the FitzGerald Family
SUNDAY, DECEMBER
31
7:30 EDWARD
J. PANARELLO—M
req. by the Family
9:00 FOR
THE PEOPLE OF THE PARISH
10:30 MARY WALSH--M
req. by Mr. & Mrs. Benny Caiola
12:00 ZOILA
PEREZ—M
req. by the Firorito & D’Alessio
Families
PRAYERFUL
REMEMBRANCES
Your prayers are requested for
the sick at home, and in the hospitals, especially: Anthony Posteraro, Caroline
Weldon, Samuel Etre, Brenda McWeeney, Lenny
Cavalieri, Jenna Mussolini, Teresa Cervera, Frank Maiola, Aileen O’Brien, Sister Margaret Coakley, Pat Bonner, Ed
Lenard, Pam Hissey, Tricia Eigo, Frank
Diaz-Balart, Alice Nasta, Mildred Traub, Catherine Ann Brennan, Mary & Tony
Fraioli, Hank Lawlor, Sarah Butler, Mimi Cosgrove, Kristen Long, Patrick
Lamont, Elizabeth Kim, Eloise Selby, Thomas M. Lamb, for our service men and
women at home and abroad; for the faithful departed, and those who have no one
to pray for them; and for the honored dead of the Armed Services.
SUNDAY COLLECTION
Last week’s collection (12—17—06)
$13,472
Attendance: 1,021
The parish of Saints John and Paul thanks you for
your support. We are grateful to our parishioners who use our envelope system.
If you wish to receive Church support envelopes, please call the Rectory at
834-5458.
CHRISTMAS
FLOWER MEMORIALS
Once again, in response to people’s requests for Christmas Flower
Memorials, we are making them available. Envelopes for this can be found in the
rear of the Church. We suggest a $15.00 donation for each memorial (In Memory
Of) or dedication (In Honor Of). This list will be published in the bulletins
throughout the Christmas season.
10:30 AM
MASS MUSIC NOTES
For the Fourth Sunday of Advent, the Anthem is a contemporary piece by
Roman McDonagh entitled “Behind A Virgin Bearing Him”. The Gospel Acclamation
today quotes our Holy Mother, the Blessed Virgin: “Behold, I am the handmaid of
the Lord. May it be dome to me according to your word.”
BAPTISM
PREPARATION for PARENTS of INFANTS
To arrange for a
Baptism, please call the rectory and you will be given an appointment with one
of the parish priests.
Water in
the Word
Baptismal
Preparation Session Schedule
All sessions are
offered on the following Saturday mornings from 10 AM – 11:30 AM. Please call
the rectory to attend. We will begin new sessions in 2007. The dates for the upcoming
classes are as follows: January 6th
and February 3rd, 2007
HANDICAPPED
PARKING
Please do not park in the blue-striped space between the handicapped
spots in the church parking lot. It
is NOT a parking space; a handicapped parishioner has been unable to get out of
his vehicle or into his vehicle because of the car which consistently parks in
the blue space.
SJP SCHOOL
PARENTS: PLEASE NOTE…
Sts.
John and Paul School will resume on Tuesday, January 2, 2007 at 8:35 AM.
JUST A
REMINDER
There
will be NO 6:45 AM Mass on Tuesday,
December 26th.
CALENDAR of EVENTS for WEEK OF DECEMBER 24th:
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 24th:
12:00 GYM :
Basketball
MONDAY, DECEMBER 25th:
CHRISTMAS
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 26th:
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 27th:
11:00 AM SARAH NEUMAN: Mass
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 28th:
7:30 PM RMR: K of C Social Night
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29th:
4:00 PM GYM: Basketball
7:30 PM CH: Most Precious Blood Holy Hour
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 30th:
9:00 AM GYM: Basketball
YOUTH
GROUP NEWS
All Youth Group
members who wish to attend the Ski Trip at Shawnee Mountain, January 26-28,
2007, should have their deposits and permission slips handed in/mailed to the
rectory. Parents who want to help as chaperones are asked to contact Fr. Joseph
A. Nahas at their earliest convenience.
All youth group
members who wish to sign up for the Youth Group Day in NYC should contact the
rectory ASAP.
ALTAR
SERVER INFORMATION
There will be an Altar
Server party on Sunday, January 7, 2007 after the 5:00 PM Mass in the rectory
meeting room.
There will be NO Altar
Server practice between Christmas and New Year’s.
Enjoy the vacation!
SPIRITUAL
NEWS…
The Most Precious
Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ Novena will return to its regular time of 7:30
PM on Friday and all consecutive Fridays.
The weekly recitation
of the Holy Rosary takes place in the Church each Thursday at 5:15 PM. The
church community continues to pray the Rosary every Wednesday following the
9:00 AM Mass. Every one is encouraged to pray the Rosary.
LECTORS’
PRACTICE
Lectors’ and Youth
Ministry Lectors’ practice will simultaneously continue to take place in the
Church on Thursdays at 7:30 PM, unless otherwise notified. New members are
still welcome!
Just a reminder that
the next practice will be on Thursday, January 4, 2007.
FR.
BRIAN’S BIBLE CLASS
Father Brian’s Bible
Class will NOT be held on Monday evening, December 25th or Monday,
January 1, 2007.
RCIA
Please note: Anyone
interested in attending the RCIA class, the next session will be on Tuesday,
January 2, 2007 at 7:30 PM in the rectory.
CHRISTMAS
SCHEDULE
CHRISTMAS
MASS SCHEDULE
Sunday,
December 24th
4:00 PM and 5:30 PM
11:30 PM Carol Service
12:00 Midnight
Monday,
December 25th
7:30, 9:00 and 10:30 AM
And 12 Noon
(Please note: There is no 5:00 PM Mass)
New Year’s
Mass Schedule
Sunday,
December 31st
5:00 PM
Monday,
January 1, 2007
7:30 and 9:00 AM
12 Noon and 5:00 PM
(Please note: This not a holy day of obligation this
year.)
SAINTS
JOHN and PAUL SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE
There will be an Open
House at Saints John and Paul School on Wednesday, January 10, 2007 from 9:15
to 11:30 AM. Come, visit, and find out what wonderful opportunities await your
child here at our school.
MANY
THANKS!!!
Thank you to all the
parishioners of Sts. John and Paul. Your cheerful generosity generated $3,000
for the sisters of the Monastery of Bethlehem, Livingston, New York.
You have their
gratitude, prayers, and best wishes for a blessed Christmas.
Mary McCormack
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION NEWS
CHRISTMAS
PAGEANT
Thank you to the fifty
children—angels, shepherds, and the Holy Family--- who acted out the story of
Christ Jesus’ birth lar Friday evening. You helped us remember the reason for
the season, in verse and in song, before the altar in the church. Afterward, we
gathered in the gym to share a birthday cake for Jesus, along with treats
prepared by the parents. Later that
Evening, Mary’s mother
took home the forty gifts which had been presented to the Christ Child to
deliver to Bedford Correctional Center for the children of the inmates; surplus
cake and cookies were brought to the Trinity Retreat House.
On behalf of the staff
and volunteers of the Religious Education Program, we wish all a most blessed
and holy Christmas! Christ’s peace to your family.
THE
PASTOR’S COLUMN
For the last two months, marketteers have
been encouraging us to think Christmas. From music on the radio and in the
stores to the ads in all media including e-mail, we have been urged to shop
until we drop. Within hours, however, our society will move on and make little
reference to the commemoration of Christ’s birth, save discussing the
percentage of profit in the retail area. This is not a new phenomenon. I
remember riding home on the Q28 bus and looking out its windows and noting the
quiet streets and the lights of the season extinguished. It was also true that
as I tuned in my new transitor radio, I could not find one station featuring a
Christmas carol. “The Twelve Days of Christmas” had no reality basis in
American life then or now.
Our Church, however, sees December 25th
as just the beginning of the festival recalling the coming of the Son of God to
earth. Until the feast of the Epiphany, she rejoices in the event in which we
witness the most climatic moment in the world’s history. It is right and just
that we begin our celebration with both the spiritual focus stressing the
overwhelming generosity of the Divine setting in motion reconciliation between
the Creator and creation and the familiar focus stressing the joy of gathering
and dining as one. Gift giving is seen as a reflection of that grace we have
received from the Babe of Bethlehem. Our children must always be aware that
Santa Claus’ largess is an invitation to them to be thankful for what they have
received and to be willing to share their goods with each other. We remember,
however, that these coming days must witness our continued appreciation and
gratitude for the “Word made flesh.” Attention must be paid to those feasts
placed within the octave of Christmas and heed the lessons taught by that very
reality.
We honor our saints usually on these days
when their earthly existences ended and they entered eternity. When recognized
our holy ones challenge us to imitate their lifestyles and virtues on the
journey that they have completed. In the case of those whose lives cannot be
specifically noted vis a vis dates of birth, death, and major turning points,
the Church makes the judgment as to the most appropriate time for celebrating
their holiness. Such is the case this coming week as we commemorate the
priesthoods of two individuals and one group. Our faith community wants us to
realize the links between them and Christmas.
The Acts of the Apostles records that the
Apostles were confronted with the material needs of members of the community.
They laid hands on seven men of the church ordaining them deacons. Stephen was
one of those who were set aside for service. (How blest the Church is that it
has seen the restoration of the permanent deaconate by the Second Vatican
Council. How blest our parish is through the ministry of Deacon Jim Brown.)
Through his care of the widows and orphans as well as his witnessing to the
Risen Lord, Stephen became known to not only his co-religionists but to members
of the larger community. Many converted but others raged against what he
represented. With the support of some religious leaders and the tacit approval
of others he was stoned to death forgiving his persecutors as he breathed his
last. On the feast of the proto-martyrs the day after, we recall that the
nativity of Jesus reminds us that our relationship with the Savior might
require difficult sacrifice. The Christian must be willing to be faithful despite
the opposition of others. Though we live in a country which, in principle,
reveres religious freedom too many institutions and individuals sneer at and
wish to limit the prerogatives of people of conscience. For instance, our state
legislature is demanding Catholic hospitals participate in procedures they find
reprehensible. As many of us have heard in the media, some companies have
refused their employees the right to say “Merry Christmas.” With the lauding of
Saint Stephen, the Church helps us recognize that we must go beyond romantic
notions of this one season and realize that this child found by the shepherds
in the manger is the same man to be found preaching in the Temple and dying on
the Cross for our salvation. He is the One who calls us in all circumstances to
“Follow Me” no matter what the cost.
Saint John whose feast we celebrate next is
by tradition always referred to as “the Beloved Disciple.” He is seen as the
youngest of the Twelve. Pictured by Da Vinci, he has a privileged place at the
Lord’s side. He is the only one who remains with Mary as they witness the vain
attempt of man to thwart God’s will. As it were a part of His last will and
testament, Jesus hands over the care of His mother to John. A story is told
perhaps summing up his gospel and letters about his final days in Ephesus.
Daily many would gather outside his house hoping for an audience with him for
he was the last survivor of the inner circle. He would be the only one to die a
natural death though many attempts were made on his life. He would be brought
out on a stretcher, smile gently, and simply address the crowd: “Love one
another.” This simple message challenged his hearers as well as us to extend
ourselves as the Babe whom we revere. The love of which he spoke is sacrificial
in nature. The Christmas gift of the Prince of Peace is no half measure on the
part of the Father. John’s embodiment of love is not an easily attained ideal.
We must strive both when convenient and inconvenient to embrace the Great
Commandment passed down from Bethlehem and Calvary.
The Feast of the Holy Innocents is a
reminder to us that from the beginning Christ’s entry into creation was
perceived as a threat. He was seen as One who would challenge the world-view of
many. Herod was satisfied living a life of political power where he reigned
supreme. He enjoyed being feared and relished the trappings of wealth. He did
not want anyone to pose a threat to his position. He would stop at nothing to
keep what he had and the ability to get more of the same even if it cost the
lives of children. It is ironic that his barbarism has been recorded throughout
the centuries until now in a culture which has caused or, at best, tolerated
the destruction of millions in abortion, famine, and war.
Holy Mother Church invites us to realize
the love of God for us. May we learn all the lessons this Holy season teaches.
On behalf of our priests and deacon, may I wish you all a most joyful
Christmas. Know that you have a remembrance in my Masses on this great day.
Jesus vivat,
Fr. Brian
CHRISTMAS
FLOWER MEMORIALS
IN MEMORY OF DONOR
Irene & Anthony Math A.J.
Math, Jr.
Barbara & Lloyd King Angela
& Jeff King & Family
John & Matthew Stowell The
Stowell Fmaily
Rose & Ted Saporito Joanne,
Tony & Jeanne &
Grandchildren
John, Catherine, Daniel & Alby
Wassell
Josephine Wylie &
Larry Edwards &
Walter & Anne Wassell
Irene Gray Dennis & Lori
Brooks
Madeline & Vito Merola Matthew
Merola
The Lian family Al Lian
Harold & Elizabeth Delaney Kathleen
Delaney
Members of the Mary Ann Trapanese
Onoff Family
Joseph Trapanese The Trapanese
Family
Lois Clarkson & The Moorhead
Family
Anne & Grace
Constance Carr The Carr Family
Thomas J. Weiss Jean C. Haley
Kathy Jo Tamagna & Joseph
& Cathy Tamagna
Rose & Nicholas Tamagna &
Demetrius & Katherine
Scalzo &
Frank & Christine Vitale
Ann & Edward Egan Missy &
Tom Wey
Kevin J. Carey Ellen Carey
Donald C. McMahon The McMahon
Family
Thomas & Anne Dominick D.
Ruggiero
D’Ambrosie &
Angelina & Henry Ruggiero &
Marie D. Ruggiero
James & Marjorie Curran & Curran
& Mancini Families
Frederick & Helen Oijer
David & Margaret Stewart The
Stewart/Lawless Families
John & Ann Casozza Susan
Weiss
Louis & Dorothy Donna &
Ron Sylvestri
Pecoraro
Timothy E. Reilly Claire Walcovy
Thomas J. Cannistraci, Sr. Tom
& Sonia Cannistraci & Sons
James Egan Susan Egan
Stephen T. Colletti A. Colletti
& Family
Fr. Richard Thomson & Alice
& Robert Thomson
Edson Thomson
Martin E. King The Family
IN HOOR OF DONOR
U.S. Troops Kathleen Delaney