Parish Ministries Sponsorship Eligibility In the Hospital? · 2019-09-19 · 1 – 0557 Parish Services Parish Office: Open Monday through Thursday from 9:00 AM-4:00 PM (closed 12:00-1:30

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Parish Services Parish Office: Open Monday through Thursday from 9:00 AM-4:00 PM (closed 12:00-1:30 PM for lunch). Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings from 6:30-8:30 PM Parish Center/Chapel of the Nativity: 124 East Second Street Church: 111 East High Street (corner of Mountain Avenue and East High Street) Parish Office: (732) 356-0027 Parish Fax: (732) 356-8092 Emergencies Only: (732) 356-8936 Website: www.sjcbb.net

Sacraments Baptism: English Baptisms will be officiated on the 2nd and 4th Sunday of the month at 1:30 PM in the Church. Spanish Baptisms will be officiated on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month at 1:30 PM in the Church. Contact the Parish Office to schedule. Attendance at Baptism class is mandatory. The Baptism must be scheduled before you attend Baptism class. Marriage: Weddings celebrated Saturdays and Friday evenings, but not Sundays. You must contact a priest 9 months before the planned date, and reservation of a wedding time is suggested even earlier. Confirmation, First Eucharist, First Penance: Though immediate preparation is given before receiving these sacraments, children are expected to receive a Catholic upbringing in their families. This includes formal religious education classes and regular Sunday worship in the years prior to and following the reception of these Sacraments.

Devotions Marian Novena: Saturdays following 8:30 AM Mass in the Chapel. Eucharistic Adoration: ● First Friday of the month from 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM, Benediction in English in the Chapel. ● Second Friday of the month from 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM, Benediction in Spanish in the Chapel.

In the Hospital? If you or someone you know is sick in the hospital or nursing home for an extended stay, please contact the parish office. We will do our best to have someone make a pastoral visit and bring communion. Please note that the Hospitals or Nursing Homes do not notify us, and we rely on the family to inform us of this information. Thank you for your assistance.

New Parishioners New Parishioners are asked to come to the Parish Office and fill out a Census form. Individuals and families must be registered and practicing here for at least six months before applying for sponsorship. If you have changed your address or other information, please contact the Parish Office at (732) 356-0027 so that we can update our records.

Sponsorship Eligibility To be or not to be . . . A Sponsor for Baptism or Confirmation The opportunity to walk with another in Faith, whether a child or an adult is an awesome privilege. It is cause for serious consideration on the part of those who ask another to witness with their lives to what it means to be a Catholic, and for those who accept this responsibility. It is important to think carefully about your selection and decision. The person to be considered a Sponsor must be at least 14 years of age and have themselves completed the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation), and are leading a life in harmony with the Faith and Tradition they are called to witness. A Godparent/Sponsor cannot be the mother or father of the one to be baptized. If married, their marriage must be recognized as “valid” by the Catholic Church. They must be attending Mass regularly, that is, every Sunday and Holy Day of Obligation. They will need to obtain a Certificate of Eligibility signed by their pastor. Being properly registered at one’s parish is an important first step. Consider carefully your invitation and response. There is more involved to this than simply standing at the Baptismal Font. It is a lifelong commitment. If you have questions, speak with one of the parish priests who can guide you correctly. Call the Parish Office EARLY, even before your child’s birth to obtain information that will help you in selecting suitable godparents.

Holy Savior Academy The Middlebrook Deanery Catholic School (Grades Pre-K through 8) 149 South Plainfield Avenue South Plainfield, NJ 07080 (908) 822-5890 www.holysavioracademy.com Mrs. Melinda Hanlon, Principal

Parish Ministries Parish Center .......................................................................................................................................................... [email protected] Fr. Alfonso R. Condorson, D.Min., Pastor .................................................................................................. [email protected] Fr. Marco A. Caceres, Weekend Assistant ..................................................................................................... (732) 356-0027 Sr. Susana Islas, Pastoral Assistant .............................................................................................................. [email protected] Deacon Gary Newton, RCIA Inquiries, Focus Test in English .................................................................. [email protected] Deacon Gustavo Sandoval, Spanish Baptism Classes, Focus Test in Spanish .................................... [email protected] Maritza Alvarez, Music Ministry ....................................................................................................................... [email protected] Kathy Champignon, Religious Education Director ..................................................................................... [email protected] Mary Ellen Kirchman, Administrative Assistant ........................................................................................ [email protected] Joe Lynch, Bookkeeper .......................................................................................................................................... [email protected] Jacek Malik, Facility Operations ......................................................................................................................... [email protected] Martha Rovitto, Spanish Administrative Assistant ...................................................................................... [email protected] Ana Valencia, Religious Education Administrative Assistant .................................................................... [email protected]

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Nativity of the Lord December 25, 2016

The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” LUKE: 2: 10-14

Masses/Penance for the Week Monday, December 26, 2016 8:30 AM* People of the Parish

Tuesday, December 27, 2016 8:30 AM* Jennifer McKaig, request of DeGhetto family Godparents

Wednesday, December 28, 2016 8:30 AM* World Peace 6:15 PM* Penance 7:00 PM* William Leitner, request of the Gleason family

Thursday, December 29, 2016 8:30 AM* Robert Gleason, request of family

Friday, December 30, 2016 8:30 AM* People of the Parish

Saturday, December 31, 2016 5:00 PM Fred Caruso, request of Anna Caruso and family 7:00 PM People of the Parish

Sunday, January 1, 2017 8:00 AM Phyllis Meta, request of Maria and Tom 10:00 AM Helen Zielinski, request of Riccioli family 12:00 PM Gonzalo Chavez, request of wife and family

*Masses/penance are held in the Chapel

Next Sunday’s Readings Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God

Reading 1: Numbers 6:22–27 “The Lord bless you and keep you!”

Reading 2: Galatians 4:4–7 We too are the sons and daughters of God.

Gospel: Luke 2:16–21 Mary reflected on all these things in her heart.

This Week Monday, December 26, 2016 Parish Office Closed.

No Religious Education. Classes resume January 9.

7:00-9:00 PM Divine Mercy Formation in the Upper Room

Tuesday, December 27, 2016 No Religious Education. Classes resume January 10.

Wednesday, December 28 No Religious Education. Classes resume January 11.

Thursday, December 29, 2016 5:30 PM Children’s Choir 6:30 PM Bell Choir rehearsal in the Church 7:30 PM Choir rehearsal in the Church 7:00 PM Divine Mercy in the Chapel

Friday, December 30, 2016 6:00-8:00 PM Youth United in Christ! in the Upper Room

Prayer for Victims of Terrorism Loving God, Welcome into your arms the victims of violence and terrorism. Comfort their families and all who grieve for them. Help us in our fear and uncertainty, and bless us with the knowledge that we are secure in your love. Strengthen all those who work for peace, and may the peace the world cannot give reign in our hearts.

Prayer for Our Military Father, keep our servicemen and women physically safe and healthy, and guard them from the evil one. Help them resist all temptation, be a shield around them, and guard them as the apple of Your eye. In the powerful name of Jesus we pray, amen.

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New Year’s Mass Schedule Saturday, December 31, 2016 – New Year’s Eve 5:00 PM Mass (Main Church) 7:00 PM Spanish Mass (Main Church)

Sunday, January 1, 2017 – New Year’s Day Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God 8:00 AM Mass (Main Church) 10:00 AM Mass (Main Church) 12:00 PM Spanish Mass (Main Church)

Penance Service 6:15 PM Wednesday, December 28 (Chapel)

Note: There will not be Saturday morning Mass or Confessions on New Year’s Eve.

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults If you or someone you know would like to hear more about Jesus and His church, we invite you to join us at an Inquiry Session. Inquiry Sessions are opportunities to ask questions about God, Jesus, the Catholic Church, the Mass, Saints, Sacraments, prayer, etc. The sessions DO NOT expect or require a commitment to join the Catholic Church. They are informal conversations about any questions you may have. We welcome any and all inquiries about the Catholic Faith. In addition, if you wish to be baptized into the Catholic Faith, you are already baptized and wish to receive the other Sacraments of Initiation, or you come to us from another faith wishing to become a fully initiated member of the Catholic Church, then we invite you to join RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults). RCIA is the process which will lead you to Baptism (for those unbaptized), Eucharist, and Confirmation. For more information about sessions in English, please contact Deacon Gary Newton at [email protected] or for sessions in Spanish,

contact Sr. Susana Islas at [email protected].

Religious Education Religious Education will be on Christmas Recess the weeks of December 25th and January 1st . Classes resume the week of January 8th. Have a joyous Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year.

2017 Collection Envelopes Please pick up your 2017 Collection Envelopes following mass in the Community Room of the Church. Collection Envelopes will no longer be mailed to your home on a quarterly basis.

You Can Save Your Marriage!

Has your marriage become unloving or uncaring – your relationship grown cold, distant – thinking about a separation or divorce? Are you already separated or divorced, but both of you want to try again? Then the Retrouvaille program may help you. Retrouvaille (Rediscovery) sponsored by the Family Life Office/Diocese of Metuchen consists of a weekend experience for couples (no group discussions) with six follow-up sessions. The next program is scheduled for the weekend of February 10-12, 2017. All inquiries are confidential. For more details, please call the Family Life Office (732) 243-4573, Rich and Annette Colasuonno (732) 236-0671, or Tom and Pat McTague (732) 538-4469 (evenings).

Rally for Life in Trenton, NJ The Diocese of Metuchen’s Office of Respect for Life will be running a bus trip to the Rally for Life in Trenton, NJ on Monday, January 23, 2017. The bus ride is free of charge, but since space is limited. All passengers must reserve their seats. Passengers will board the bus at the Diocesan Center in Piscataway at 9:30 AM. The Rally at the State House begins at 11:00 AM and ends at 1:00 PM. The bus will bring everyone back to the Diocesan Center between 2:00-2:30 PM. If you have any questions or would like to reserve a seat please call (732) 562-1990 exts. 1543 or 1629, or e-mail [email protected].

March for Life in Washington, DC The March for Life in Washington, DC will be held on Friday, January 27th due to the inauguration. The March for Life begins with a Rally at noon on the Mall in Washington on Friday, January 27, 2017. Please check www.marchforlife.org for additional information.

Year-End Day of Prayer Mount St. Mary House of Prayer, Watchung, will offer a Year End Day of Prayer. Spend this last day of the year reflecting on the many gifts God has bestowed. The day begins and ends with communal prayer. Bring a bagged lunch. Registration required: Call (908) 753-2091 or e-mail: [email protected] Date: Saturday, December 31, 2016 Time: 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM Cost: $20-$30 As You Are Able Address: 1651 U.S. Highway 22 / Watchung, NJ 07069

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Attention Youth! Join us for our new youth group, Youth United in Christ! We meet every Friday from 6:00-8:00 PM in the Upper Room. If you have questions please call (732) 648-5775.

Music Ministry Your talent is appreciated! The Music Ministry is in need of your voice and talents! To sing in the choir or if you have any questions, contact Maritza in person or email [email protected]. Rehearsals are on Thursday evenings. 5:30 Children’s Choir ● 6:30 Bell Choir ● 7:30 Choir Instrumentalists are welcome in the Choir rehearsal. All are welcome!

Rosary Altar Society “Thank You” The membership of the Rosary Altar Society would like to say “Thank You” to all those who helped make our Christmas Cookie Sale such a big success! The generosity and support of all those who baked and donated cookies, those who purchased them, and those who made monetary donations is greatly appreciated! Without your support we couldn’t continue our work in the parish. Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year to all!

St. Joseph Parish now offers Parish Giving, a new online option for donating to the Sunday collection.

It’s Simple: Log on to the St. Joseph Parish website www.sjcbb.net and click on the Parish Giving Logo. Follow the easy registration instructions.

It’s Secure: Parish Giving is PCI compliant and uses the strongest SSL encryption technology available.

Tax Benefits: You will be able to print out a report detailing your contributions for the year.

Parishioner Benefits: Weekly or monthly contribution choices. Ability to choose the date and frequency of contributions.

Christmas Message from the Pastor, Fr. Al I cannot believe Christmas is here once again. As you get older, time flies. It does not matter if you are having fun or not, it still goes! I am happy with what has been accomplished this year, and our parish is participating in more activities together.

This past summer I had the opportunity of having many barbecues at my home with different parish groups. It gave us time to get to know one another and do much sharing, and we also had a lot of fun!

We had a Parish Brunch that brought many parishioners together, and it showed that it could be done. Plus the sharing of many types of food was great. Adding the Divine Mercy and Our Lady of Guadalupe portraits inside our Church building was very well received, and it provided a place for all to pray and ask for favors.

Having the Parish Mission and the celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe was faith-filled. It provided our parish with some spiritual nourishment. Now as we are celebrating Christmas, let us not lose sight of what it signifies. This is a time of love, peace, and forgiveness. Let’s carry this attitude into next year and see how God will shower us with many graces. May all of you have a Merry Christmas and a prosperous and healthy New Year.

Many Blessings, Fr. Al

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Lectura Para el Próximo Domingo Santa María, Madre de Dios Primera Lectura: Números 6: 22-27

"Que el Señor te mire con benevolencia y te conceda la paz”.

Segunda Lectura: Gálatas 4: 4-7 Dios envió a sus corazones el Espíritu de su Hijo. Evangelio: Lucas 2: 16-21 María, guardaba todas estas cosas y las meditaba en su corazón.

Avisos a la Comunidad Confesiones Las confesiones se realizan en inglés y español los siguientes días: •Sábados de 4:00 a 4:45 PM en la Iglesia. •Miércoles de 6:15 a 6:45 PM en la Capilla. Para confesarse en otro momento debe hacer una cita previa llamando al (732) 356-0027. Familiares Hospitalizados Si tiene algún familiar hospitalizado, y desea visita pastoral y Eucaristía, por favor infórmelo a la parroquia, llamando al teléfono (732) 356-0027.

Durante esta Semana Divina Misericordia Todos los jueves a las 7:00 PM se reúne en la Capilla el grupo de la Divina Misericordia.Cada tercer jueves del mes se tiene Hora Santa. Para más información llamar a José Molina al (732) 824-9570 o Luis Méndez (732) 766-6647.

Circulo de Oración Todos los sábados a las 6:30 PM se reúne el círculo de oración en la Capilla. ¡Los esperamos!

¡Atención Jóvenes! Jesús te está llamando, Jóvenes Unidos en Cristo! Ven a unirte al grupo para compartir juntos el amor que Jesús tiene para cada uno de nosotros. Únete a nosotros los viernes de 6:00- 8:00 PM en lo alto del centro parroquial. ¡No te olvides de traer a un amigo!

Tome Nota La Hermana Susana Islas atiende la oficina parroquial los lunes y miércoles de 9:45 a 11:45 AM y de 1:30 a 4:30 PM, jueves de 2:30 a 9:00 PM y viernes de 9:45 a 12:00 del mediodía, para los que deseen hablarle. Para hacer una cita con la Hermana llame al teléfono (732) 356-0027. Ext 2.

El Diácono Gustavo Sandoval está disponible para aquellas personas que necesiten alguna ayuda espiritual. Para comunicarse con él, favor llamarle al teléfono (732) 317-8544 o a su correo [email protected].

La Sra. Martha Rovitto atiende en la oficina Parroquial (donde está la Capilla) todo lo relacionado con Misas, bautismos, registros parroquiales y certificados. Ella está en la oficina todos los martes, miércoles y jueves de 6:30 a 8:30 PM y vía telefónica llamando al (732) 356-0027 ext. 6.

Ana Valencia la asistente del programa de Educación Religiosa (CCD) está todos los jueves de 6:30 a 8:30 PM en la oficina Parroquial, para las personas que necesiten consultar sobre sus niños que están en la catequesis.

Rito de Iniciación Cristiana de los Adultos Si usted o alguien que conoce le gustaría escuchar más acerca de Jesús y su iglesia, le invitamos a unirse a nosotros en una Sesión de Información del RICA. Si usted desea ser bautizado en la Iglesia Católica, o si ya está bautizado y desea recibir los otros sacramentos de iniciación, o viene a nosotros de otra fe y desea ser plenamente iniciado como miembro de la Iglesia Católica, entonces le invitamos a unirse a RICA (Rito de Iniciación Cristiana de Adultos). RICA es el proceso que le llevará al Bautismo (por los no bautizados), Eucaristía y Confirmación. Caminemos juntos en un camino de la fe. Para más información acerca de las sesiones en inglés, por favor contactar con el diácono Gary Newton a [email protected] o para sesiones en español, comuníquese con la Hermana Susana Islas a [email protected], o ir en persona a la oficina Parroquial martes, miércoles o jueves de 6:30 a 8:30 PM.

Pregunta de la Semana En esta Navidad, ¿quiénes de las personas que hay en mi vida necesitan experimentar justicia de mi parte, la justicia de la nueva Torá de Jesús con su compasión y ternura, que llegue a través de mí?

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Misa de Fin de Año (Víspera) Sábado, 31 de diciembre 5:00 PM Misa (Ingles) 7:00 PM Misa (Español)

Ano Nuevo – Santa María Madre de Dios Domingo, 1 de enero 2017 8:00 AM Misa (Ingles) 10:00 AM Misa (Ingles) 12:00 PM Misa (Español)

Confesiones 6:15 PM Miercoles, 28 de diciembre (Capilla)

Nota: No tendremos la misa de la 8:30 AM y confesiónes antes del Año Nuevo.

La parroquia St. Joseph ahora ofrece Parish Giving, una nueva manera de transferencia electrónica para donar la contribución del domingo. Es Sencillo: Visite el sitio web de la Parroquia St. Joseph www.sjcbb.net, y haga clic en el logo de Parish Giving y luego siga las sencillas instrucciones de registro. Es Seguro: Parish Giving es compatible con PCI y utiliza la tecnología de cifrado SSL más potente disponible. Beneficios para su Income Tax: Podrá imprimir un informe detallando de sus contribuciones para el año. Beneficios de Nuestra Parroquia: Contribución semanal o mensual, capacidad para elegir la fecha y la frecuencia de las contribuciones.

Bautismos Los bautismos se realizan el primer y tercer domingo de cada mes a la 1:30 PM. Si usted quiere bautizar a su hijo/a en los meses de enero o febrero, debe registrarse para la próxima clase de

bautismo del 3 de enero 2017, a las 7:15 PM. Planifique con tiempo el bautismo, las clases son cada dos meses y si no asiste a la clase no puede bautizar al bebé. Para

más información, por favor ir personalmente los

martes, miércoles o jueves a la oficina Parroquial

(donde está la Capilla) de 6:30 a 8:30 PM.

Mensaje de Navidad del Pastor, Padre Alfonso No puedo creer que la Navidad está aquí otra vez. Como uno va madurando, el tiempo si vuela. No tiene que ver si son tiempos buenos o malos, ¡el tiempo vuela! Estoy muy contento de lo que hemos podido hacer este año y nuestra parroquia está haciendo cosas juntas. Este verano, tuve la oportunidad de tener varias barbacoas con diferente grupo parroquiales en mi casa, Nos dio la oportunidad de hablar y acercarnos y disfrutar muchos tiempos buenos.

Tuvimos un almuerzo parroquial, cual hizo que muchos de nuestros parroquianos se unan y demostró que si se puede hacer y compartir diferentes clases de comidas fue muy bueno. Añadiendo la Divina Misericordia y Nuestra Virgen de Guadalupe adentro de la Iglesia fue muy recibido. Esto nos dio un lugar para rezarles y pedirles ayuda.

Tuvimos una Misión Parroquial y la celebración de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe nos llenó nuestra fe. Esto nos proveyó mucha comida espiritual. Ahora que estamos celebrando la Navidad, no perdamos el enfoque de lo esto significa. Este es un tiempo de amor, paz, y perdón. Tratemos de llevar esta actitud para el año que viene para que el Señor nos llene de muchas gracias. Les deseo a todos una Feliz Navidad y un próspero y sano Año Nuevo. Muchas Bendiciones, Padre Alfonso.