December 8, 2013 . 2nd Sunday of Advent Pastoral Associate for Elementary Catechetics: Tracey Rennie School Principal: Ms. Joan Ferraer DIRECTOR OF LITURGICAL MUSIC MINISTRIES: Nancy A. Cardone Assistant Liturgical Music MinisterS: Kimberley Mesiti Pastoral Associate for Family & Adult Formation Ministries: Robert P. Miller Coordinator of Youth Ministry: Mr. Timothy Dennin Pastoral Council: Eileen Conte, Chairperson Jean Barbetta, Vice Chairperson Michael Pasquale, Secretary FINANCE CHAIRMEN: Peter Maulbeck, Finance Council Patrick DeCotiis, Finance Committee St. Thomas the Apostle Roman Catholic Church Rectory/Parish Center: (973) 338-9190 . Fax: (973) 338-4224 . Religious Education: (973) 338-7400 School: (973) 338-8505 . Convent: (973) 338-9118 Address: 60 Byrd Avenue, Bloomfield, NJ 07003 . Website: www.stachurchbloomfield.com Eucharistic Liturgy Saturday Eve: 5:00pm Sundays: 7:30, 9:00, 10:30am & 12:00 Noon Weekdays: 7:30, & 11:30am Saturday Mornings: 8:30am Only Holy Days: 7:30, 11:30am & 7:30pm Holidays: 8:30am Only Sacrament of Reconciliation: (Penance/Confessions) Saturday: 11:00am Marian Devotions: Mondays Novena Prayer 11:30am Mass Liturgy of the Word With Children: Sundays: 10:30am Mass September - June Catholic Community Services Offering Social Service Assistance 1(800) CCS-7413 Fax: 596-3735 Rev. Charles J. Miller, M. Div., Pastor Parochial Vicars: Rev. Mark B. Wysocki, M. Div. • Rev. Andrew N. Onyemaobi, M. Div., M.A. PERMANENT DEACONS: Deacon Albert H. Tizzano • Deacon Thomas J. Coyle • Deacon Brian J. Murphy Deacon Dennis J. Besida, Retired
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Roman Catholic Church · 7:30 am Andresito Figueroa – Family 11:30 am Smauel Battista – Daughter Wednesday, December 11 7:30 am Rene & Perlita Cayetano – Family 11:30 am James
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December 8, 2013 . 2nd Sunday of Advent
Pastoral Associate for Elementary Catechetics:
Tracey Rennie
School Principal:Ms. Joan Ferraer
DIRECTOR OF LITURGICAL MUSIC MINISTRIES:
Nancy A. Cardone
Assistant Liturgical Music MinisterS:
Kimberley Mesiti
Pastoral Associate for Family & Adult Formation Ministries:
Robert P. Miller
Coordinator of Youth Ministry:Mr. Timothy Dennin
Pastoral Council:Eileen Conte, Chairperson
Jean Barbetta, Vice ChairpersonMichael Pasquale, Secretary
Rev. Charles J. Miller, M. Div., PastorParochial Vicars: Rev. Mark B. Wysocki, M. Div. • Rev. Andrew N. Onyemaobi, M. Div., M.A.
PERMANENT DEACONS:Deacon Albert H. Tizzano • Deacon Thomas J. Coyle • Deacon Brian J. Murphy
Deacon Dennis J. Besida, Retired
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Second Sunday of Advent December 8, 2013
Masses for the Week
Sunday, December 1 Sunday, December 8 7:30 am Immaculata Fuscaldo & Orsolina DiMichele 9:00 am Frank Rubino – Friends 10:30 am Marie Blume – Family 12:00 pm Thomas V. DeGennaro – Family
Monday, December 9 7:30 am For the People 11:30 am Chima Onyemaobi – Friend 7:30 pm Mildred A. Kirch – Friend
Tuesday, December 10 7:30 am Andresito Figueroa – Family 11:30 am Smauel Battista – Daughter
Wednesday, December 11 7:30 am Rene & Perlita Cayetano – Family 11:30 am James Brown – Family
Thursday, December 12 7:30 am Jeanne Revene – Family 11:30 am Rev. Robert J. Gordon – Family
Friday, December 13 7:30 am Rocco M. & Elizabeth Donatiello – Family 11:30 am Sister Paula DeRogatis – Family
Saturday, December 14 8:30 am Mary & Fred Roberts – Family
Sunday, December 15 Saturday, December 14 5:00 pm Joseph Sawicki – Family
Sunday, December 15 7:30 am For The People 9:00 am Dorothy Ward – Friend 10:30 am Donald & David Stefanelli – Mother 12:00 pm Jeanne M. O’Leary – Friend
PRAY FOR OUR SICK
Danny Burgers, Lisa Moore, Sandra Luehrs Shaw, Lois Lang Mary Dougherty, Mary Conte,
Danny Burgers
REST IN PEACE
Florence Yurichko, Fiore Radice, Antoinette Alongi, Louise H. Gradone
CANDLE INTENTIONS
Church: John Zaorski
Convent: Marie & Kathleen Lataro : Me
John the Baptist’s proclamation to prepare the way of the Lord is urgent, full of joy and excitement, as well as concern about readiness to face the glory of God. This busy season of preparation, when our calendars fill with social engagements and so much needs to be done before Christmas arrives, we can identify somewhat with John’s joyful urgency. At the same time, John’s cry in the desert offers us a moment of transcendence: what we are really preparing for is the coming of the Lord, who brings justice wholeness, and right relationship with God. As we approach Christmas, the coming of the Lord grounds our hearts in the joy of preparing his way, even amidst the busyness of our lives.
■ First Reading: Baruch’s words stem from the time of the Babylonian conquest of Jerusalem, when many of its leading citizens were led into Exile, and its Temple destroyed. It was indeed a time of mourning. The prophet calls for an end to this, promising a new era to be inaugurated by God: a time of peace and glory, a time of restoration and return. God will lead his people into this new period of their history with joy, guiding them by his own light.
■ Responsorial Psalm 126: This is a joyful hymn of praise celebrating the return of God’s people from exile to their own land. ■ Second Reading: Paul prays with thanksgiving for his beloved community at Philippi, that has supported, indeed shared in, his ministry on behalf of the Gospel. Note the two references to the day of Christ. All of Paul’s work, all of Christian life, keeps this day in view. It is the day for the coming of the Lord who will reward his faithful people for their fidelity. ■ The Gospel: Luke situates the prophetic ministry of John the Baptist within its historical context. Yes, the Lord will come into human history, visible to human eyes, bringing God’s salvation. His way must be prepared.
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SUNDAY CHUCKLE The Monk’s Donkey
A man brought a donkey from a monk. The monk told the man that this donkey had been trained in a very unique and special way (being the donkey of a monk).The only way to make the donkey go is to say”Hallelujah!” The only way to make the donkey stop is to say, “Amen.” The man was pleased with his purchase and immediately got on the animal to try out the monk’s instructions. “Hallelujah!” shouted the man. The donkey began to trot “Amen!” shouted the man and the donkey stopped immediately. “This is great!” said the man. With a “Hallelujah!” he rode off, very proud of his new purchase. The man traveled for a long time through the mountains. As he headed towards a cliff, he tried to remember the word to make the donkey stop. “Stop,” said the man. “Halt!” he cried. The donkey just kept going. “Oh no…” “Bible! Church! Please Stop!” shouted the man. The donkey just began to trot faster. He was getting closer and closer to the edge of the cliff. Finally, in desperation, the man said a prayer. ”Please, dear Lord. Please, make the donkey stop before I go off the end of the cliff, in Jesus name, AMEN.” The donkey came to an abrupt stop, just one step from the edge of the cliff. “HALLELUAJAH!” shouted the man.
HOLY NAME SOCIETY There will be an important meeting of the Holy Name Society on December 18 at 7:30 p.m. in the St. Peter’s Room of the Parish Center. All members and any men of the parish are encouraged to attend.
Saint Thomas Bereavement Ministry: Evening of Reflection
“How to Cope for the Holidays”
Offering spiritual support and the healing comfort of God for all who mourn a loss through death
Please call the Parish Center at 973-338-9190 or Anna Graziano 973-338-9538 and leave your name, phone number and email address so that we may return your call.
All are Invited to Pray the Rosary
The Rosary Society will meet at the church to pray the Rosary at 7 pm on the following days:
January 6, February 3*, March 3*, March 31, May 5, June 2
(*Recitation of Rosary held in St. Peter’s Room) Meetings follow in the Parish Center
STA HOME & SCHOOL ASSOCIATION is selling
SHOP RITE GIFT CARDS
9:45 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
December 15 and 29
The Cards Can Be Used At ANY Shop Rite & For All Purchases!!
PLUS: There Is No Cost To You!
You Receive 100% Cash Value & STA School Earns 5% of EVERY Sale
Questions? Call Ed @ 201.921.2244
HOLY NAME SOCIETY
Over the next few weeks The Holy Name Society would like to share with you
The Season of Advent in the Catholic Church Advent a Time of Preparation: In the Catholic Church, Advent is a period of preparation, extending over four Sundays, before Christmas. The word Advent comes from the Latin advenio, “to come to,” and refers to the coming of Christ. This refers, first of all, to our celebration of Christ’s birth at Christmas; but second, to the coming of Christ in our lives through grace and the Sacrament of Holy Communion; and finally to his Second Coming at the end of time. Our preparations, therefore, should have all three comings in mind. We need our souls to receive Christ worthily.
Answers to last week’s How Catholic are you? Assyria, Babylon, southern, northern, divided
against itself stand.
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VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR PLACEMENT OF
CHRISTMAS TREES IN CHURCH NEXT SUNDAY
DECEMBER 15TH AT 2:15 PM Please help carry in and erect
our Christmas Trees in the Church. We can’t do it without your help!!
Join St. Thomas’ September Club as they Sponsored two upcoming trips
Newark Museum Day Trip Wednesday January 29 11:00 a.m. – approx. 4:30 p.m.
$35 per person (Includes: Bus, Admission,
2 Guided Tours & Box Lunch)
A little gem right here in Essex County, The Newark Museum has an extensive permanent collection of visual art and artifacts, and connected to the Ballantine House – the preserved Victorian Era home built by Scottish immigrants who founded the Ballantine Brewery.
Our day will begin at 11:30am with a tour of the Ballantine House, then a break for lunch in the Museum’s beautiful atrium, followed by a tour of the North Wing; after which you may explore on your own until we depart at 4pm. With only 28 spots available; booking early is recommended.
Pennsylvania Dutch Country May 20-22 3 Days 2 Nights $275 Per Person*
*Based on Double Occupancy. A single room cost is $335. (Includes: transportation, lodging, 4 meals, a show & tour) Come tour beautiful Lancaster County Pennsylvania at the height of Spring with us. The included tour of Amish Country stops at a local marketplace and the Landis Valley Museum & Village. This Package, offered by Diamond Tours, includes the gratuity for the bus driver and the step-on tour guide. A deposit of $10 is needed to secure your reservation, with $65 due on January 27th, and the balance of $200 on March 20th.
Call Fran Gardella, STA September Club Travel & Entertainment Chairperson, at 973-337-6321
or 848-448-4335 to obtain flyers for either trip and to book your reservation.
MEN’S CORNERSTONE A Men's Cornerstone Meeting on December 16, 7:30 p.m.
in the Parish Center St. Peter’s Room. All men of the parish are invited to attend.
The History of ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’ From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly. Someone in that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics. It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of the Church. Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality which the children could remember. To fit the number scheme, when you reach number 9, representing the Fruits of the Holy Spirit, the originator combined 6 to make 3, taking the 6 fruits that were similar, the fruit in each parenthesis is that was not named separately. There are actually Twelve Fruits of the Holy Spirit. The “True Love” one hears in the song is not a smitten boy or girlfriend but Jesus Christ, because truly love was born on Christmas Day. The partridge in a pear tree also represents Him because that bird is willing to sacrifice its life if necessary to protect its young by feigning injury to draw away predators.
Two turtle doves were the Old and New Testaments. The three French Hens stood for faith, hope and love. The four calling birds were the four Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John The five golden rings represented the first five books of the Old Testament, which describe man’s fall into sin and the great love of God in sending a Savior. The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation. Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit—Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and mercy. The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes. Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit---Charity, Joy, Peace. Patience [Forbearance], Goodness [Kindness], Mildness, Fidelity, Modesty, Continence [Chasity]. The ten lords a-leaping were the Ten Commandments. The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful Apostles. The twelve drummers symbolized the twelve points of belief in The Apostles’ Creed.
Original Source: Fr. Calvin Goodwin, FSSP, Nebraska Printed with permission from Catholic Tradition
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The main source of operating funds for St. Thomas is our weekly / holyday offertory collections. The information below will show where the Parish is as of December 1, 2013 compared to the budget amount for the year. The break even date is June 30, 2014. The amount needed each week is $17,656 and the amount collected last weekend was $20,738.
Budget Amount Year to Date Remaining Amount $900,500 $372,897 $527,603 The year to date amount is short by $15,535 as of week number 22 in our budget year.
Support St. Thomas’ Annual
Christmas Concert
Annual Christmas Concert & Reception
Saturday, December 14, 2013 – 7PM
Featuring the Garden State Concert Band, Guest Vocalist: Andrea Covais
and guest narrator: Father Charles Miller
In order to help offset the costs there will be a Souvenir Program Journal. Please see the form below and make your contribution check to St. Thomas the Apostle Church.
Be a Sponsor Contribute to the Souvenir Program Journal
Back Cover - $400.00 Inside Back Cover - $200.00 Gold Page - $150.00 Inside Front Cover - $200.00 Full Page - $100.00 Half Page - $75.00 Quarter Page - $50.00 Listing of Name Page - $25.00
Name________________________________________
Address______________________________________
Phone________________________________________ I want to contribute _________ for_____________ page or $25.00 for a name listing.
Return completed form to: Paul Alongi, 21 Leo Terrace, Bloomfield, NJ 07003,
973-338-4665 or to the Parish Center.
Saint Thomas the Apostle Parish
ZÉwÄç ZÉÉwá Gift Shop
Sundays 9 am-1 pm, Parish Center Gifts for all occasions!
Contact us at 973.338.9190 ext 133
Advent Communal Penance Service
Monday, December 16 7:30 p.m.
~ September Club Meeting Dates ~
September Club invites all 55+ seniors to join us for fun and fellowship.
For more info call Bea Ucci 973-661-2920. Our 2013 Meeting dates are as follows:
December 9 and 16
Diabetes Screening
Friday December 20, 9:30 -11:00 a.m. 1 Municipal Plaza, Bloomfield
Screening Cost: $10 No fasting required--Immediate Results
To schedule appointments: Call Bloomfield Nursing Divison at 973-680-4058
Moving? Please let us know.
Within the parish: To update new address Out of parish: To discontinue mailings
Please call the Parish Center at (973) 338-9190.
STEWARDSHIP OF TREASURE
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“Spread the Word of Joy Among Us” If you feel the Holy Spirit inspiring you to spread the joyfulness of God’s love throughout our parish, then please seriously consider this invitation. Saint Thomas the Apostle is in the process of establishing a “Greeting Committee”, who will Welcome parishioners and visitors as they enter the church. Their mission will be to increase the enthusiasm, camaraderie, and communication among our fellow parishioners. In this way through our service in Christ we will strive to strengthen and unite our catholic community so that our church may become a more open, affable and compassionate parish to worship God and joyfully celebrate the love that our Lord has for us.
So be happy and joyful. The commitment is minimal but the rewards bountiful! Please help us to spread the good news and serve our church and Christ by becoming an active member of the St. Thomas the Apostle Greeting Committee. The love of our Lord and a smile is all that is required. (P.S. Grouchy people need not inquire)
For more information please contact: Bernadette or Vin Lipoma at 973-893-0114 or [email protected] OR Jim McKittrick at 973-338-3145 or [email protected]
Listening Committee "The parish is the family of God, a fellowship afire with a unifying spirit," "a welcoming home."
Pope Francis admitted he wasn’t a pharmacist, but he didn’t hesitate being the spokesman for the heart-healthy benefit of 59 little pills strung together: the rosary. “I want to recommend some medicine for all of you,” the pope said Nov. 17 at the end of his Sunday Angelus address. “It’s spiritual medicine.” Holding up a white medicine box with an anatomical drawing of the human heart on it, Pope Francis told some 80,000 people gathered for the midday prayer that the box contained a rosary. “Don’t forget to take it,” he said. “It’s good for your heart, for your soul, for your whole life.”
STA Home & School Association
Breakfast with Santa
Saturday December 14 9:30 am • Herron Hall
Hot Breakfast, fruit salad, desserts, coffee, tea, and juices.
Games, Gifts, DJ, and Fun for Children of All Ages!!!!!
(please, no phone reservations – seating is limited and will be assigned
when money is received)
Adults: $12.00 Children: $6.00 Children 3yr. and under are Free
Reserve by Tuesday, Dec. 10
Please contact Christine Licciardello at (973) 303-2112 with any questions.
Please return the form below to the school office
Attn: Santa Breakfast, along with your check made payable to: STA H&S Association 50 Byrd Avenue, Bloomfield, NJ 07003
Tickets will be sent home the week of December 9th.
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