DECEMBER 3, 2017 FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 2

5:00 PM Deceased members of Frascella and McGarry Families

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 3 - 1st Sunday of Advent

9:00 AM Anthony Giliberti Sally Capobianco 10:30 AM Marie Bernard Holohan Int. of Nancy and Frank Miller 12:00 PM Anita Brady Regina Lipert________________________________________________________________________

DAILY MASS DECEMBER 4-8 at 9:00 AM

MONDAY Frances Henderson Robert Kambach TUESDAY Sally Capobianco Johanna Elder WEDNESDAY Phil and Joan Puget Intention of Mitzi Galinski

THURSDAY Sr. Antonia Barbary Walter and Martha Fanning

The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary 7:30 PM VIGIL MASS People of the Parish

FRIDAY HOLY DAY MASS - 9:00 AM People of the Parish

________________________________________________________________________

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 9

5:00 PM William F. Faherty III William Slack

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 10 - 2nd Sunday of Advent

9:00 AM Dominick Rotella Charles and Catherine Busch 10:30 AM Thaddeus P. McHugh Anita Brady 12:00 PM Mary Greco Frances Henderson_________________________________________________________________________

DECEMBER 3, 2017 FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT

SCRIPTURE READINGS

First Reading: Isaiah 63:16b-17, 19b, 64:2-7 In this straightforward psalm, the people acknowledge their sinful ways, yet plead that their Creator might reveal himself to them. They ask God to remember, not their sins, but that “We are all the work of your hands.”

Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:3-9 Paul explains to the Corinthians that they are specially favored by God who has sent his only Son to them. He reminds us all that it was through God’s grace that we have been called to kinship with Christ.

Gospel: Mark 13:33-37 Just as a servant watching over the master’s house does not know when he will return, we do not know the hour of the Second Coming. Mark reminds us of the warning from Jesus to always be on guard, for we know not the day nor the hour.

Mass Intentions for the Week

PRAYERS FOR THE DECEASED Please remember in your prayers, the soul of

Dennis Maloy who died this past week. May his soul eternally Rest in Peace.

PRIESTS MASS SCHEDULE - DECEMBER

5:00 PM 9:00 AM 10:30 AM 12:00 PM 1st Sunday of Advent 2-3 Fr. Michal Fr. Tim Fr. Michal Fr. Tim 2nd Sunday of Advent

9-10 Fr. Tim Fr. Michal Fr. Michal Fr. Ed 3rd Sunday of Advent

16-17 Fr. Michal Fr. Michal Fr. Tim Fr. Tim 4th Sunday of Advent

23-24 Fr. Tim Fr. Tim Fr. Michal NO MASS

24 - CHRISTMAS EVE (Sunday) 4:00 PM 6:00 PM 12:00 AM Midnight Mass Fr. Tim Fr. Michal Fr. Michal

25 - CHRISTMAS DAY (Monday) 9:00 AM 10:30 AM 12:00 PM Noon Mass Fr. Tim Fr. Ed Fr. Michal

SCRIPTURE REFLECTION

every Tuesday with Fr. Tim • 9:30 - 11:00 AM • Chapel

Read the upcoming Sunday Scriptures • Reflect • Discuss

1) What can you do daily to avoid developing a hardened heart? How can you recognize God’s awesome deeds every day?

2) Who are the people to whom you are thankful? Why are you thankful for them? How can you remember to encourage those who need support?

3) Where do you find God’s presence? Where do you have a diffi- cult time seeing God’s presence in your daily life? How would remembering God’s constant presence change your daily life?

SANCTUARY FLOWERS this week were donated by the Fletcher Family in memory

of Elizabeth Clinton. Our sincere gratitude for their generosity.

STAY AWAKE For You Do Not Know On Which Day The Lord Will Come. Matthew 24:42

BAPTISMS

The community of Good Shepherd joyfully welcomes our newly baptized Christians:

Madelyn Lucy Morris, daughter of Kristin and Sean

Viviana Jean Toro, daughter of Desiree and Robert

Rejoice, for now you are truly children of God.

COLLECTION BREAKDOWN LAST WEEK:

Envelopes: $6,869.00 197 families/$34.87 avg. Not using Envelopes: 1,532.00 Regular Collection: $8,401.00 2nd Collection: $2,469.00 (Parish Maintenance)

Our thanks to all of our parishioners who respond each week to the needs of our parish and who make their weekly offering a part of their budget. May God Bless you for your generosity.

BISHOP’S ANNUAL APPEAL

THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

(a Holy Day of Obligation)

Masses celebrated Vigil Mass • THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7 • 7:30 PM Holy Day Mass • FRIDAY, DECEMBER 8 • 9:00 AM

(there is a special envelope in your packets for this Mass)

As you plan to celebrate the joy of the Christmas season by giving gifts to your friends and loved ones, there is one gift that you can give to tens of thousands of people. It does not require ten thousand name tags or ten thousand bows. All that’s needed is a completed pledge card to the Bishop’s Annual Appeal

or an online gift at www.2017appeal.org

Say “Merry Christmas” to so many of your brothers and sisters in the Diocese of Paterson who need some hope and joy. Thank you and God Bless your generosity.

HOLY FATHER’S PRAYER INTENTION

Please join His Holiness, Pope Francis, who has chosen the following intention to be prayed for in DECEMBER:

The Elderly. That the elderly, sustained by families and Christian communities, may apply their wisdom and experience to spreading the faith and forming the new generations.

BOOK CLUB: JANUARY BOOK

“My Bright Abyss: Meditation of a Modern Believer” by Christian Wiman

Eight years ago, Christian Wiman, a well-known poet, wrote a now-famous essay about having faith in the face of death. My Bright Abyss, composed in the difficult years since and completed in the wake of a bone marrow transplant, is a moving meditation on what a viable contemporary faith - responsive not only to modern thought and science but also to religious tradition might look like.

All are welcome for one or all books. A complete list of books for next year is posted on the bulletin

board in the atrium and on our website.

Info: [email protected] • 973-729-6063

FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT: HOPE

Beginning the Church’s liturgical year, the Advent season is a time of preparation and HOPE that directs our hearts and minds to Christ’s second coming at the end of time and also to the anniversary of the Lord’s birth on Christmas.

DIOCESAN CHRISTMAS CONCERT

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 3 • 4:00 PM Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, Paterson

PILGRIMAGE to POLAND/PRAGUE/VIENNA

with Good Shepherd Church, Andover and St. Vincent Martyr Church, Madison

led by Fr. Michal Szwarc & Fr. Przemyslaw Gawlik

SEPTEMBER 17 - 29, 2018

$3,495.00 per person - based on double occupancy

Included: round trip airfare from Newark Airport, taxes & surcharges, first class hotels, daily Mass,

breakfast & dinner and much more. Space is limited!

Daily itinerary and registration form on our website. Further information also available in the atrium.

FAITH FORMATION NOTES

Mrs. DeAngelis’ 7th grade

class at their class Mass

last month. The middle

schoolers did a fantastic

job in their roles.

Teddy Bear Drive

We will once again be collecting new teddy bears or stuffed animals

during the month of December for St. Joseph’s Hospital Pediatrics

Unit in Paterson. You may send in your donation with your child at

Fath Formation class, drop off at the parish office or bring to the

4:00pm Children’s Mass on Christmas Eve. Thank you in advance for

your generosity.

PRAY THE ROSARY with the Knights of Columbus

for the intention of all members of the parish

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 31 following the 9:00 AM Mass

“HEALING THREADS OF MARY” Prayer Shawl Ministry

will gather every 2nd Thursday of the month

THURSDAY DECEMBER 14 12:30 - 1:30 PM and 6:00 - 7:00 PM

(All Saints Room)

Information or to request a shawl, call/text Katrina Mulvihill, 201-396-0098 or [email protected]

MARTHA MARY LAZARUS Bereavement Ministry

“Seasons of Hope” Sundays, 1:00 - 2:30 PM (Chapel)

December 3 Seeking Consolation December 10 Stones for Building December 17 Living Hope

“We are healed of a suffering only by experiencing it in the full.” ~ Marcel Proust

“The Holy Spirit is an inexhaustible well of life of God in us. Don’t be afraid of the newness that the Holy Spirit works in us!” ~ Pope Francis

CHRISTMAS GIVING TREE

Please “read and follow” all instructions on the back of each card.

All wrapped GIFTS & GIFT CARD envelopes must be returned by

12noon Mass on SUNDAY, DECEMBER 10

PLEASE NOTE: Most gifts and gift cards go to groups or families with other members. We don’t want anyone feeling they are getting less

than others, so please only fulfill the gift(s) or gift card requested and please nothing extra - thank you!

Monetary donations gratefully accepted and can be placed separately in the Giving Tree box.

Questions or delivery concerns: [email protected]

CHRISTMAS CONCERT

THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT DECEMBER 17 • 5:00 PM

Join us for an evening of song celebrating Advent and Christmas. Our Adult, Bell and Children’s Choirs will come together to perform. As always, this year’s concert promises to lift your spirits and warm your hearts.

Pot Luck Supper to follow This year, due to a Concert date change, the Confirmation

students will be filling in for the regular Committee.

We ask for your cooperation with the following: • bring a “hot dish” in a disposable “half ” tray •

(meat dishes are always popular and run out quickly)

food should be pre-heated and “ready to serve” (NO crock pots please this year)

“cold dishes” & desserts welcome in disposable dishware

This evening is sure to bring you great joy and put you in the Christmas spirit!

BLESSING OF EXPECTANT PARENTS

SATURDAY & SUNDAY, DECEMBER 16-17 at all Masses

If you are expecting or know someone who is, please join us or invite them to join us at one of our Masses

for a special blessing, on the THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT.

St. Paul’s Abbey Christmas Tree Plantation Rt. 206, one mile south of Newton • 973-383-2470

OPEN DAILY 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

• CHOOSE & CUT your own tree • (Benedictine Monks growing trees since 1930)

The Abbey Gift Shop offers many religious items including books, statues, jewelry and more,

ideal for Christmas gift giving.

Continuing as previously announced:

• Bible Study Sessions - Tuesdays 1:00-2:30 PM - Thursdays 7:30-9:00 PM

MANNA HOUSE 54 High St., Newton • 973-579-6517

Meals Served: Monday - Friday 11:30 AM-12:30 PM

• SERVING THOSE IN NEED IN SUSSEX CTY. •

“… As a place of hospitality, we nourish the body with food, and the spirit with respect and dignity . . . There are ‘no strings attached’ to our ministry. If people come, we feel they have a need to be there . . . no questions asked.”