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Rev. Tom Kunnel, C.O., Administrator Deacon Robert Pang MASSES:
Saturday: 4:00 PM Sunday: 8:00 AM, 10:30 AM 1:00 PM (Spanish)
Weekdays: 10:30 AM Saturday: 10:30 AM
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Dear Parish Family,
The first chapter of St. Luke’s Gospel con-tains two
annunciation accounts, each about the birth of children in
impossible circum-
stances. Elizabeth was barren, so she could not have a child and
she was advanced in years. Mary had no husband and she had never
had conjugal relations. But after the Annunciation to him,
Zechariah is struck deaf and mute, while Mary, initially fearful,
accepts peacefully. Let us compare the two: Zechariah: “How shall I
know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.”
Mary: “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?”
Reflect on these responses for a moment. 1. Zechariah’s reply,
while realistic, is insulting, as if he is saying to the angel,
“give me some reason to believe what you are saying. Just to hear
you say it is not enough.” This kind of doubt should never have
oc-curred to him. God's voice had already spoken love into his
heart throughout his whole life. He will have read from the
scriptures about Abraham and Sarah, about the miraculous birth of
Samuel. His trust in God’s promise should have been the deepest
meaning of his existence. In this sense, Zechariah was already deaf
and mute when the Angel spoke to him! He could not receive the
words (so was deaf), and therefore would not be able to tell his
wife, Elizabeth (so was mute).
2. Mary on the other hand simply asks for clarification. She
seemed to know already that “nothing is impossible to God.” Just
tell me how this is going to happen and I will gladly do it.
Look-ing at both annunciations gives an insight, too often hidden
from us. It helps us immensely to understand Mary’s “inside story”:
how she listened with her heart.
How much do you and I listen to the voice of God's promise,
which is written in our hearts too, if we let it be. Do our own
words just spout out of us without reference to that unwavering
love deep within? If so, we may be like Zechariah: hard of hear-ing
when it comes to the needs and beauties of those around us, and
speechless when a word of love would make all the differ-ence. Let
us ask humbly in these last few days of Advent for the grace to
listen and to hear. The one who promised will not fail. Nothing is
impossible to Him who can be born of a virgin, walked on water,
gave sight to the blind, made the deaf hear, dumb speak and the
grave could not hold him buried. So it is our turn to say in faith,
‘Let it be done.’
Fr. Tom Kunnel C.O.
Please remember in your prayers the Sick and/or Homebound of our
Parish Family. Anna Hick-ey, Larry Goswick, Anne O’Connor, Gino
Galante, Kristen Lynn, Nijole Paronetto, Johanna Krumm, Tim
Armstrong, Eileen Moson, Michael McCormack, Joe Dennerlein,
Guadalupe Martinez, Julie Cawley, Mary Cliffford, Nancy Doraza,
Connie Lynch
As a Parish Family, let us remember in our prayers all our
beloved departed members of our Parish Community Alicia Rogawski,
mother of Elaine Pontone, Virginia McCauley Cook. Aida
Carchichabla, Helen Bark, Frances Palaia, Delores Timpson , Sharon
Dunn Yankow, sister of Kathleen Dunn, Florentino Murcia
THE SANCTUARY LAMP
Is Being Offered this week Jerry O’Dowd Requested by
Therese O’Dowd
Sat 12/19 4:00 PM Keane & Simon Family By Eileen &
Arthur Simon
Sun 12/20 8:00 AM Marion Hinchliffe By McHugh Family
10:30 AM Sara (Mom) Miraglia By Jake Miraglia
Mon 12/21 10:30 AM Themy Dumlao By Dumlao Family Tue 12/22 10:30
AM Grace Dennerlein
By Lynn Dennerlein
Wed 12/23 10:30 AM Joseph & Josephine Micklas By William
Micklas
Thu 12/24 4PM Pang/Soohoo Family - Thanksgiv-ing By Family
5:30 PM Brian Pearson - Thanksgiving By Almeda Silva
10:00 PM Thanksgiving for American De-mocracy - By US
Citizens
Fri 12/25 8:00 AM Catherine & Jack Downey
By Tony, Kathy & Helen Koza
10:30 AM Bruni Family By Olsen Family Sat 12/26 10:30 AM Delores
Timpson
By Outreach Ministry
4:00 PM Eileen Wozniak By Helen, Anthony, Kathy Koza
Sun 12/27 8:00 AM Evangeline Acosta By Dumlao Family
10:30 AM Michael Armstrong By Armstrong Family
May the Lord ble� you and your family this Christmas and the New
Year
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Today is the day to light the 3rd purple candle on your Advent
Wreath. Don't forget we have our FAMI-LY MASS on Christmas Eve,
Thursday, December 24th at 4pm. Every child who attends that mass
will get a free candy cane. See you there!!! There will be NO
ONLINE CLASSES this week or next. We will resume classes on January
3rd which is being celebrated as the Feast of the Epiphany this
year. There are too many children who have not been send-ing
homework to their teachers. This break is the per-fect time to
catch up on any missed classes and to sub-mit their work. Parents,
we need your help in seeing that this is done. We sincerely thank
the children who have completed their work and their parents for
their monitoring of the situation. Remember, we will all get
through these trying times together. Draw upon your faith.
Blessings, Kathleen Dunn and the Relig. Ed. Catechists
4th Week of Advent
Webcast Schedule:
Daily Masses: Monday—Saturday: 10:30 AM
Sunday Mass: Domingo Misa: English—10:30 AM Espanol — 1:00
PM
On ‘Roku’ Select “Box Cast” Channel “St John the Baptist
www.nyoratory.org/ccd program
https://christinus.com
Sun 20-Dec 10:30 AM Webcast English Mass 11:30 AM Baptism 1PM
Webcast Spanish Misa Mission
Mon 21-Dec 10:30 AM Webcast Daily Mass Tues 22-Dec 10:30 AM
Webcast Daily Mass
Wed 23-Dec 10:30 AM Webcast Daily Mass 7PM Amigos de Jesus Choir
Practice
Thurs 24-Dec
3PM Caruana Christmas Event 4PM Christmas Family Mass 5:30 PM
Webcast Christmas Mass 8PM Webcast Spanish Christmas Mass 10PM
Midnight Christmas Mass
Fri 25-Dec
8AM Christmas Day Mass 10:30 AM Webcast Christmas Mass 1PM
Webcast Spanish Christmas Mass
Sat 26-Dec 10:30 AM Webcast Daily Mass 4PM Holy Mass -
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TODAY’S READINGS First Reading — I will fix a place for my
people. (2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16). Psalm — For ever I will
sing the goodness of the Lord (Psalm 89). Second Reading — To the
only wise God, through Jesus Christ, be glory forever and ever
(Romans 16:25-27). Gospel — Gospel — Behold, I am the handmaid of
the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word (Luke
1:26-38).
THE ETERNAL GOD King David wished that the ark of God might have
a more permanent home. David may have envisioned something like the
cedar palace where he resided. God had in mind something more: a
throne where David’s descendants would rule for ever, a kingdom
where Jews and Gentiles alike would be welcome. Mary’s prayerful
nature led to an even more disturbing mes-sage. She would conceive
and bear a Son though she was not yet married. “How can this come
about?” Mary wondered. “The Holy Spirit will come upon you,” she
was told (Luke 1:35). Mary’s acceptance of this difficult challenge
ushered in this, the final age of God’s reign. What was once a
secret known only by chosen people like King David and his
descendants must now be made clear to all so that, as Saint Paul
wrote to the Romans, we can be brought to the “obedience of faith”
“according to the command of the eternal God” (Romans 16:26).
12/13 will be reported next week Please continue to send your
offerings to support the
church either by mail or through online payment:
https://stjohnspiermont.churchgiving.com
Thank you for your support & generosity to St. Johns
READINGS FOR THE WEEK Monday: Sg 2:8-14 or Zep 3:14-18a; Ps
33:2-3, 11-12, 20-21; Lk 1:39-45 Tuesday: 1 Sm 1:24-28; 1 Sm 2:1,
4-8abcd; Lk 1:46-56 Wednesday: Mal 3:1-4, 23-34; Ps 25:4-5ab, 8-10,
14; Lk 1:57-66 Thursday: 2 Sm 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16; Ps 89:2-5, 27,
29; Lk 1:67-79 Friday: Vigil: Is 62:1-5; Ps 89:4-5, 16-17, 27, 29;
Acts 13:16-17, 22-25; Mt 1:1-25 [18-25] Night: Is 9:1-6; Ps 96:1-3,
11-13; Ti 2:11-14; Lk 2:1-14 Dawn: Is 62:11-12; Ps 97:1, 6, 11-12;
Ti 3:4-7; Lk 2:15-20 Day: Is 52:7-10; Ps 98:1-6; Heb 1:1-6; Jn
1:1-18 [1-5, 9-14] Saturday: Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59; Ps 31:3cd-4, 6,
8ab, 16bc, 17; Mt 10:17-22 Sunday: Sir 3:2-6, 12-14 or Gn 15:1-6;
21:1-3; Ps 128:1-5 or Ps 105:1-6, 8-9; Col 3:12-21 [12-17] or Hb
11:8, 11-12, 17-19; Lk 2:22-40 [22, 39-40]
Looking Again…. When we think of today’s Gospel, the image of
this meeting between the Angel Gabriel and Mary by Fra Angelico
(1440-1445) likely comes to mind. In this fres-co, Gabriel and Mary
are outside sitting among the columns, and Gabriel with his big
wings and hands crossed, gazes upon Mary and gestures towards her.
She is well dressed in a traditional blue garment, and though her
face shows shock, her folded hads model submission and humility.
This work of art is so beautifully executed that we can miss some
of its finer details. Similarly, because the Gospel scene is so
familiar, we can forget to take in its small details. A few years
ago, this author found a children’s book called “The Nativity”
illustrated by Julie Vivas. Because her draw-ings were so fresh and
charming and simple, she invited new perspective on the story.
Luke says that Mary “ was greatly troubled at what was said and
pondered what sort of greeting this might be.” She asks
“How can this be?” These questions don’t fit with how Fra
Angelico positioned Gabriel and Mary. In the Vivas illus-trations,
the Angel Gabriel sits down with battered wings and a balding head
and has a cup of coffee with Mary as the two of them try to figure
it out together, The text is the same, but the message conveyed is
different. There is a different degree of comfort and familiarity
to these illus-trations.
This “having a cup of coffee” is something we need to learn to
do with the scriptures and with our lives. After this event,
pregnant Mary traveled into the hill country to be with Elizabeth;
an older, wiser, mentor a mother figure. She spent three months
there reflecting and prearing for the birth of her child. In this
final week of Advent, take a few moments to find a Gabriel/Mary or
an Elizabeth/Mary moment and read the Christmas readings again to
see what you might have overlooked, and to find a new way for
Christ to dwell in you.
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We are no good at Waiting!
In our North American culture, we don’t do longing very well.
Immediate gratification is our usual style. Waiting is for the
“poor”; longing is a frustration to be relieved by a presumed right
of purchase.
I wish I longed for the celebration of the birth of Je-sus as
much as I long for the semester to be over, or the ultimate victory
of my favorite football team.
Perhaps I am too accustomed to the sto-ry and the reality of His
birth.
Perhaps I have too many comforts and warmth of clothing and
nourishing food to really want! I would want the inquisi-tiveness
of the shepherds, the searching of the Wise Men, the wondering of
Jo-seph and Mary.
Some Thoughts
We can pray for emptiness, a place to serve as our Inn. We can
prepare for this liturgy as we do for Christmas itself by allowing
some experiences of “not having” as a kind of “having.”
Nature abhors a vacuum, our hearts ache for comple-tion. We can
pray for a peace of soul that accompa-nies our unique ways of
hungering.
Advent Hints
1. Make sure there are plenty of decorations, espe-cially the
tree, and talk about the symbolic nature of the round colored balls
and lights, the candles, the greenery and the meaning of having a
tree in the house where it doesn’t really belong by nature.
2. If possible, place wrapped gifts under the tree and talk
about why there are gifts and why the wrapping.
3. Perhaps there could be a miniature barn or stable with little
waiting animals who do not know what is about to happen.
4. Perhaps there can be some sitting in the quiet dark with one
candle struggling to penetrate the dark.
Larry Gillick, SJ
https://liturgy.slu.edu/4AdvB122020/reflections_gillick.html
VENERABLE BEDE’S HOMILY
“The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named
Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph of
the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.”
What is said of the house of David applies not only to Joseph
but also to Mary. It was a precept of the law that each man should
marry a wife from his own tribe and kindred.
Saint Paul also bears testimony to this when he writes to
Timothy: Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant
of David: such is my gospel.” (2 Tim 2:8) Our Lord is truly
descended
from David, since his spotless mother took her ancestry from
Da-vid’s line.
The angel came to her and said,
Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.
Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you
shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of
the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David
his father. (Lk 1:30-32)
The angel refers to the kingdom of the Israelite nation as the
throne of David because in his time, by the Lord’s command and
assistance, David governed it with a spir-it of faithful service.
The Lord God gave to our Redeemer the throne of his father David,
when he decreed that he should take flesh from the lineage of
David. As David had once ruled the people with temporal authority,
so Christ would now lead them to the eternal kingdom by his
spiritu-al grace. Of this kingdom the Apostle said: “He has
delivered us from the dominion of darkness and transferred us to
the kingdom of his beloved Son.” (Col 1:13)
“He will reign over the house of Jacob for ever” (Lk 1:33). The
house of Jacob here refers to the universal Church which, through
its faith in and witness to Christ, shares the heritage of the
patri-archs. This may apply either to those who are physical
descend-ants of the patriarchal families, or to those who come from
gentile nations and are reborn in Christ by the waters of
baptism.
In this house Christ shall reign for ever, and “of his kingdom
there will be no end.” During this present life, Christ rules in
the Church. By faith and love he dwells in the hearts of his elect,
and guides them by his unceasing care toward their heavenly reward.
In the life to come, when their period of exile on earth is ended,
he will exercise his kingship by leading the faithful to their
heavenly country. There, for ever inspired by the vision of his
presence, their one delight will be to praise and glorify him.
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LECTURAS DE HOY Primera lectura — El Señor promete a David que
su casa permanecerá para siempre (2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16).
Salmo — Cantaré eternamente las misericordias del Se-ñor (Salmo
88). Segunda lectura — Pablo ora para que Dios sea glorifi-cado
mediante Jesucristo (Romanos 16:25-27). Evangelio — El ángel
Gabriel anuncia a María que ella concebirá al hijo de Dios (Lucas
1:26-38).
EL DIOS ETERNO El rey David deseaba que el Arca de Dios tuviera
un hogar más permanente. David podría haberse imaginado algo así
como el palacio de cedro donde residía. Dios tenía en men-te algo
más: un trono donde los descendientes de David gobernarían para
siempre, un reino donde judíos y gentiles serían bien recibidos por
igual. La actitud devota de María llevó a un mensaje aún más
inquietante. Concebiría y daría a luz un hijo a pesar de que aún no
estaba casada. “¿Cómo podrá ser esto?”, preguntó María. “El
Espíritu Santo descenderá sobre ti”, le contestó el Ángel (Lucas
1:35). La aceptación de María de este difícil desafío marcó el
comienzo de esta, la era final del Reino de Dios. Lo que antes era
un secreto conocido solo por el pueblo elegido como el Rey David y
sus descendientes ahora debe quedar claro a todos para que, como
escribió San Pablo a los roma-nos, podamos llegar a la “obediencia
de la fe”, “en cumpli-miento del designio eterno de Dios” (Romanos
16:26).
LECTURAS DE LA SEMANA Lunes: Cant 2:8-14 o Sof 3:14-18a; Sal
32:2-3, 11-12, 20-21; Lc 1:39-45 Martes: 1 Sm 1:24-28; 1 Sm 2:1,
4-8abcd; Lc 1:46-56 Miércoles: Mal 3:1-4, 23-34; Sal 24:4-5ab,
8-10, 14; Lc 1:57-66 Jueves: 2 Sm 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16; Sal
88:2-5, 27, 29; Lc 1:67-79 Viernes: Vigilia: Is 62:1-5; Sal 89:4-5,
16-17, 27, 29; Hch 13:16-17, 22-25; Mt 1:1-25 [18-25] Noche: Is
9:1-6; Sal 95:1-3, 11-13; Ti 2:11-14; Lc 2:1-14 Aurora: Is
62:11-12; Sal 96:1, 6, 11-12;Ti 3:4-7; Lc 2:15-20 Día: Is 52:7-10;
Sal 97:1-6; Heb 1:1-6;Jn 1:1-18 [1-5, 9-14] Sábado: Hch 6:8-10;
7:54-59; Sal 30:3cd-4, 6, 8ab, 16bc, 17; Mt 10:17-22 Domingo: Sir
3:2-6, 12-14 o Gn 15:1-6; 21:1-3; Sal 127: 1-5 o Sal 104:1-6, 8-9;
Col 3:12-21 [12-17] o Hb 11:8, 11-12,
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P A R I S H M I N I S T R I E S & C H A I R Buildings &
Grounds Pat Miele, Alex Aguilar Eucharistic Adoration Dcn Robert
Pang Health Mary Loftus Hispanic Community Michaelina Maldonado
Ministerios Marianos Luis y Aida Cachichabla Hospitality Robin
Miller Men’s Club Bill Loftus. Ralph Olsen Ushers Jake Miraglia
Music Elise Espinosa, Chris & Carolyn Yates, Ann Quattrocchi
& Eileen Petersen Spanish Choir Carlos Cerna, William Martinez
Outreach Maria Nest Parish Council Ralph Olsen Parish Worship Dcn
Rob Pang Religious Education Kathleen Dunn RCIA Dcn Robert Pang,
Cruz Molina Catholic Daughters Marge Olsen Right to Life Scott
Giblin Social May Pang Spiritual Life Johanna Krumm St. Vincent De
Paul Fr. Tom Kunnel
P A R I S H C O U N C I L Alex Aguilar, Kathleen Dunn,
Jonathan/Dominika Fanning, Lucia/Sal Caruana, Marleni Lemus,
Ray/Beverly Sambrotto,
Irma Vasquez T R U S T E E S
Phil McCartin James Pontone
Our Sacramental Life
Baptism: Please call the Rectory well in advance of the expected
day of Bap-tism to arrange an appointment for an interview.
Pre-baptismal meeting for parents is required. Godparents must be
confirmed, practicing Catholics. Gener-ally Baptisms are celebrated
the third Sunday of each month at 12:00 pm.
Reconciliation: Confessions are heard from 3:30-4:00 pm on
Saturday. You may also make an appointment with Fr. Tom. Spanish
confessions is available from 12:30–1:00 PM on Sundays.
Marriage: Marriages should be arranged at least six months in
advance. Partici-pation in Pre-Cana is essential. Please call the
Rectory to schedule an appoint-ment with Fr. Tom.
Anointing of the Sick: Before you enter the hospital for
elective surgery or other serious treatment, and for those who have
need of spiritual healing. In an emergency, please call Fr. Tom’s
mobile 845 608 9358.
Holy Orders: Any gentleman interested in exploring the question
of vocation to the priesthood or the permanent diaconate should
contact Fr. Tom Kunnel. We would also be happy to direct anyone
interested in living their lives as Religious Sisters or
Brothers.
Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults: For instruction for
Baptism, Confirma-tion and Eucharist for adults and to learn about
Catholic Faith. If interested please contact Dcn Robert Pang.
For more details and forms—www.stjohnspiermont.org
Parish Registration: All adults (over age 21) should register in
the parish themselves and should use envelopes or parishpay.com.
Tithing is 5% of income. This registration is our only means of
certifying anyone as a member of the parish, especially for Baptism
and Confirmation sponsorship letters and for scheduling Baptisms
and Weddings.
4th Week of Advent Find Words:
NameHimJesus MostHigh ThroneOfDavid HolyChild SonOfGod
NothingImpossible HandmaidOfLord AccordingToYourWord
Gabriel Nazareth BetrothedJoseph HouseOfDavid FullOfGrace
LordIsWithYou DoNotBeAfraid BearASon