Mary, Mother of God

Reminder - Mary, Mother of God, January 1st IS NOT A HOLY DAY OF OBLIGATION THIS YEAR. Join us for Morning Mass at 9:00 a.m. All parish offices will be closed. The Adoration Chapel will be closed. Happy New Year!

Holy Family

Recently, a couple traveled the world to receive advice – keys to have a happy marriage

USA – laughter and sense of humor

Israel – Self care

Denmark – put marriage first (put your phone away at meals)

Tanzania – support from friends and family

Mexico – communicate – listen

India – show gratitude

If you are like me – good answers, but something is missing?

A couple, after a number of years, realized their marriage was in trouble. One partner felt it was worth saving, but how?

They were both imperfect but realized he could not change other but he could change himself.

He felt it came down to one simple question – “How can I make your day better?” Must ask sincerely with willingness to do what was needed.

He tried it “How can I make your day better?”  Clean the kitchen – and he did.

Next day – “How can I make your day better?” Clean the garage, and he did.

Next day – “How can I make your day better?” Nothing. He asked for the next two weeks – nothing.

Then she said – I should be asking you!

Now they begin each day – “How can I make your day better?”

Now, we are getting closer! 

Expression in Italian  “Ti Voglio Bene”   Could mean – I love you.  

But a closer translation is  “I want good for you!”

Love is willing the good of the other. By asking – how can I make your day better – how can I love you even more??!!!    And if God is love, when love grows, God grows!

Now we are very close to the key – how to be a Holy Family – to be holy is to do God’s will in everything – to love as God loves.

Pray as a family

Works of mercy together

Meals together

Bless one another

Practice what you preach.

Prayer for Families by Mother Theresa

Heavenly Father,
you have given us the model of life
in the Holy Family of Nazareth.
Help us, O Loving Father,
to make our family another Nazareth
where love, peace and joy reign.
May it be deeply contemplative,
intensely eucharistic,
revived with joy.

Help us to stay together in joy
and sorrow in family prayer.
Teach us to see Jesus in the members of our families,
especially in their distressing disguise.
May the eucharistic heart of Jesus 
make our hearts humble like his
and help us to carry out our family duties
in a holy way.
May we love one another
as God loves each one of us,
more and more each day,
and forgive each other's faults
as you forgive our sins.
Help us, O Loving Father,
to take whatever you give
and give whatever you take with a big smile.

Immaculate Heart of Mary,
cause of our joy, pray for us.

St. Joseph, pray for us.

Holy Guardian Angels,
be always with us,
guide and protect us.

Amen

Wedding - Michael Ginexi & Suzanne Konunchuk

The Sacred Bonds of Holy Matrimony will be exchanged by Michael Ginexi and Suzanne Konunchuk on Saturday, December 30 at 1:00 p.m. Please pray for this couple about to be married.

Funeral Mass - Carmela Sacco

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered for the repose of the soul of Carmela Sacco on Saturday, December 30 at 11:00 a.m. Please pray for her and for her family.

Funeral Mass - Catherine DiGiacomo

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered for the repose of the soul of Catherine DiGiacomo on Thursday, December 28 at 10:00 a.m. Please pray for her and for her family.

Funeral Mass - Mazia Gibb

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered for the repose of the soul of Mazie Gibb on Wednesday, December 27 at 11:30 a.m. Please pray for her and for her family.

Funeral Mass - Janice D'Antoni

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered for the repose of the soul of Janice D'Antoni on Wednesday, December 27 at 10:00 a.m. Please pray for her and for her family.

CHRISTMAS SCHEDULE

CHRISTMAS EVE

Masses at 4:00 p.m. in Church & School, 6:00 p.m. & Midnight

CHRISTMAS DAY

Masses at 8:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 12:00 noon

ST. STEPHEN DAY - Dec 26

Mass at 8:00 a.m.  Offices Closed

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Funeral Mass - Michael McCauley

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered for the repose of the soul of Michael McCauley on Friday, December 22 at 10:30 a.m. Please pray for him and for his family.

Funeral Mass - Mary Egan

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered for the repose of the soul of Mary Egan on Friday, December 22 at 9:30 a.m. Please pray for her and for her family.

Funeral Mass

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered for the repose of the soul of Joyce Ciachin on Monday, December 18 at 10:00 a.m. Please pray for her and for her family.

Wedding - Peter Leon and Laura Epifano

Peter Leon and Laura Epifano will exchange the Sacred Vows of Holy Matrimony on Saturday, December 16 at 3:00 p.m. Please pray for this couple about to be married.

Funeral Mass - Lillian Lobas

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered for the repose of the soul of Lillian Lobas on Thursday, December 14 at 10:30 a.m. Please pray for her and for her family.

Funeral Mass - Edward Donohue

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered for the repose of the soul of Edward Donohue on Tuesday, December 12 at 10:00 a.m. Please pray for him and for his family.

Immaculate Conception

Friday, December 8 is the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is a Holy Day of Obligation. Masses will be offered on Thursday, December 7 at 5:30 pm and on Friday, December 8 at 7:00 am, 10:00 am and at 7:30 pm.

Funeral Mass - Fred Palmieri

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered for the repose of the soul of Fred Palmieri on Monday, December 4 at 10:00 a.m. Please pray for him and for his family.

Adventus

Right before Christmas – 1192 - Richard the Lionheart was captured near Vienna as he returned from the Crusades. Normally any Crusader is guaranteed safe passage home, but Richard had made a number of enemies. His captors demanded a huge ransom – and they kept him in prison over 2 years until it was paid.

He would understand our Advent hymn very well – O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, and ranson captive Israel! Set us free Lord. We await you!

Advent -       Adventus – “coming”   who is Coming? - Christ

3 Comings

In Bethlehem – history

Each day – mystery

End of time – majesty

1)      Came in History

Emperor Hadrian very famous for building 126 AD the Pantheon in Rome– also in 135 built a Temple in Bethlehem = on spot where early Christians built a shrine marking the spot of the birth of Christ! He marked the spot forever! – Constantine 327 built Church of Nativity- present church 6^th century   oldest surviving church in Holy Land

Used to have huge door – but enemies would ride horses in  - so they made it very small -  have to bow. Then you go down steps – see the star on the floor – and there you are!

Believe that Messiah was born here  - Word Became Flesh! changed the history of the human race – why we celebrate Christmas -  Mass of Christ

2)      Comes in Mystery

Tragedy of first Christmas – so few recognized what happened.  

Even today – so few recognize that Jesus is STILL with us.

1)      Word  -  2) Sacrament: words of forgiveness, pouring with water, anointing with oil, exchange of vows, and most especially: The Eucharist    - 3) Community (Church) 2 or 3        4) distressing disguise of the poor.        Pay attention  to the Presence of Christ

3)      Will Come In Majesty

“As we await the Blessed hope and the coming of our savior, Jesus Christ”

When will He come? – we don’t know, stopped trying to figure that out a long time ago.

 But – he will come   -   be ready

“Sub specie aeternitatis”

“View everything under the aspect of eternity”

-          is this action going to help me get to heaven, or is it going to hurt my chances?

-          How will this appear on the day of judgment?

-          Good time for Sacrament of Penance!

History – Mystery – Majesty  -          The 3 comings of Christ.

There are many ways to prepare for Christmas. The Church offers us a special way!     Let us use this Advent well -  to prepare for the Coming of the Lord!