Our Lady of Mercy Church Park Ridge, New Jersey 07656 December 21, 2014 Fourth Sunday of Advent Christmas Eve Mass Schedule 5 p.m., Mass with Children’s Choir 7 p.m., Mass with Cantor and Organ 10 p.m. Mass with Choir (9:30 p.m. Choir Prelude) Christmas Day 8 a.m., 10 a.m., 12 noon Rev. Charles P. Granstrand, Pastor Rev. Robert T. Ulak, Parochial Vicar Rev. Msgr. James C. Turro (Weekends) Rev. Msgr. Carl D. Hinrichsen (In Residence) Rev. John Chadwick (Weekends) Joseph Romano, Deacon Gary Tankard, Deacon John Rokoszak, Pastoral Associate Debra Wyka, Minister of Music Amy Ballanco, Religious Education Coordinator Jennifer Kavanagh, Youth Minister Donna Quinn, Business Manager RECONCILIATION Saturday: 9-9:30AM & 1-1:30PM Monday: 7-7:30PM MASS SCHEDULE Saturday Evening: 5:30PM Sunday: 7:30AM, 9:30AM, 11:00AM, 12:30PM Daily: 6:30AM, 8:30AM Saturday: 8:30AM BAPTISM The Sacrament is celebrated one Sunday every month. Parents should contact the rectory prior to the birth of their child for dates of Baptism Preparation Sessions. MARRIAGE Couples planning to be married should contact the rectory at least ONE YEAR PRIOR to the wedding date. Rectory Websites School 201-391-5315 UROLM.org 201-391-3838 2 Fremont Ave. OLMAcademy.org SCHOOL Our Lady of Mercy Academy 2011 National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence 25 Fremont Avenue, Park Ridge, NJ 07656 Laraine Meehan, Principal CATECHETICAL MINISTRY Grades K-6: 4-5PM Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday Grades 7-8: 3:45-5:15PM Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday Catechetical Center 201-391-3590 201-802-1771 Music Minister E-Mail 201-358-2994 [email protected] [email protected] OUR LADY OF MERCY PARISH MISSION STATEMENT Our Lady of Mercy Parish is a Catholic community that worships God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, celebrating Mass, proclaiming the Gospel Message and uniting in prayer. We strive to welcome all and to educate ourselves and others in the Good News of Jesus Christ. We support one another in times of joy and sadness and attempt to serve each other by reaching out to those in need in our community and beyond. We are imperfect people on a journey. Our goal is that the life of each person leads to the Lord. MASS SCHEDULE SATURDAY, DECEMBER 20 5:30 Alwine Mangers Fourth Sunday of Advent SUNDAY, DECEMBER 21 2 Sm 7: 1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16/ Rom 16: 25-27/ Lk 1: 26-38 7:30 People of the Parish 9:30 Joseph Canney, Sr. 11:00 Philip Jay 12:30 Nancy Lovett MONDAY, DECEMBER 22 1 Sm 1: 24-28/ Lk 1: 46-56 6:30 June DeTitta 8:30 Nicola & Lucia Principe St. John of Kanty TUESDAY, DECEMBER 23 Mal 3: 1-4, 23-24/ Lk 1: 57-66 6:30 Mary Frances Ferguson 8:30 Anthony Cipriano, Sr. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 24 2 Sm 7: 1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16/ Lk 1: 67-79 8:30 Iris Juan Esturo 5pm Carol Coppola 7pm Mary Stein 10pm Louis & Mary Bender The Nativity of the Lord THURSDAY, DECEMBER 25 Is 52: 7-10/ Heb 1: 1-6/ Jn 1: 1-18 8:00 Fay & Tony Tudisco 10:00 Wasyl & Elizabeth Dynka 12:00 Muriel Rideout St. Stephen, First Martyr FRIDAY, DECEMBER 26 Acts 6: 8-10; 7: 54-59/ Mt 10: 17-22 8:30 Philip Jay St. John, Apostle SATURDAY, DECEMBER 27 1 Jn 1: 1-4/ Jn 20: 1a and 2-8 8:30 Patricia A. Christensen 5:30 Barbara Levinson The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph SUNDAY, DECEMBER 28 Sir 3: 2-6, 12-14/ Col 3: 12-21/ Lk 2: 22-40 7:30 Joseph Higgins 9:30 People of the Parish 11:00 Aldo Boccher 12:30 June DeTitta LET US PRAY In your love and kindness please pray for the sick especially: Ella Gamble, Pat Eichenlaub, Brian Long, Colleen Strabone, Fr. Peter Funesti, Peggy Funesti, Joseph D’Angelo, and Teresa Hurd. Please also remember the deceased of our parish and their families, especially: Madeline Field, Alda Linzan, Richard Burton, Deacon George Rice, Jane Antonaccio, and Sophie Przezdziecki. Please join with us in praying one OUR FATHER per day for all those who have no one to pray for them. THE SANCTUARY LAMPS burn this week in memory of: Joseph & Gertrude Buchner, George & Catherine Wegert, and for Florence Craffey. If you would like more information about reserving a Sanctuary Lamp in memory of a loved one or for a Special Intention, please call the rectory office at 201-391-5315. GOD’S PLAN FOR GIVING – Tithing The collection totals for December 14th will be posted in a future bulletin. Tithing is God’s plan to support His Church. Full tithing means 10% of gross income to God. We ask half of this, or 5%, for your Parish church. The other 5% goes to your favorite charities. SCRIPTURE SHARING GROUP with Deacon Gary Meets every Monday after the 8:30am Mass in the Gathering Space. As has been the custom, the scripture reading of the Mass of the day will be used. All are welcome. THE FAMILY OF GOD PRAYER GROUP meets every Tuesday at 7:30PM in the chapel to praise God and pray for special intentions. ABUNDANT LIFE PRAYER GROUP meets Thursday mornings at 9:30am in the Chapel. THE MIRACULOUS MEDAL NOVENA will be recited each Saturday in the Sacred Heart Chapel immediately following the 8:30AM Mass. CONFESSIONS will be heard on Monday, December 22 and Tuesday, December 23rd from 7:00—7:30pm. THE RECTORY OFFICE will be closed December 24 and December 25. December 31 and January 1. PASTOR’S COLUMN Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ, Today is the Fourth Sunday of Advent so we all know that Christmas is near. I pray that all the members of the parish community may experience a deepening awareness of the closeness of our God. At the heart of the awesome event of the Child born at Bethlehem so long ago is the desire of our God to have us know Him and love Him. I have been reading a little book by Father Richard Leonard, SJ, a Jesuit of the Australian Province which is entitled What Are We Waiting For? , subtitle: Finding Meaning in Advent and Christmas. After telling a powerful story about a young woman undergoing a very difficult childbirth with no husband or family to give her support, and while he was only a seminarian working in the pastoral care department of a big city Catholic hospital and had asked to be able to witness a birth, the chief nurse gave young Richard the chance to help as “her birthing partner”. Fr. Leonard tells the story of a friendship that lasted over thirty years. In his words, “From a complex conception, a messy birth, a willing midwife, and a vulnerable baby, extraordinary goodness has flowed from one generation to the next. The divine working through human hands at every stage has changed lives. For us preparing for Christmas, this story comes as no surprise. Reverend John Bell of the Iona Community tells us why: Light looked down and saw darkness. “I will go there,” said light. Peace looked down and saw war. “I will go there,” said peace. Love looked down and saw hatred. “I will go there,” said love. So he, the Lord of Light, the Prince of Peace, the King of Love, came down and crept in beside us.” And Fr. Leonard continues: “I love that phrase: ‘Came down and crept in beside us’. No fanfare, no palace, no earthly prince. That’s what Advent prepares us for; that God thought it fitting and right to enter our world as a vulnerable baby. God crept in beside us. As a result there is nothing too complex, messy, or vulnerable about our own lives into which he cannot enter.” May all who gather with us on Christmas Eve and Christmas Morning to celebrate the Birth of Jesus experience ever more deeply the wonder of God’s love! Merry Christmas! THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT A Place For God To Dwell In a few short days, on Christmas morning, we will hear John’s Gospel account of the incarnation: “And the Word became Flesh, and came to dwell among us” (John 1:14). John uses the Greek version of shekinah to emphasize that Jesus, God among us, pitched his tent on earth to be our companion on our journey. For much of his earthly ministry, Jesus was an itinerant preacher, a nomad. While most of us live in permanent places and are not called to this kind of mobility, we would do well to ask if there is still a place in our hearts for Jesus to pitch his tent. As we have surely heard and read over the past several weeks, we ought to “keep Christ in Christmas.” This is a lesson for all seasons today, a lesson that Israel struggled to learn, a lesson that our own Church has struggled with as it assumed the trappings of earthly status. We need to make sure that when God in Flesh comes knocking at our door, we can respond that there is plenty of room within. Copyright © 2005, World Library Publications. All rights reserved. R.C.I.A The group will meet after the 9:30 Mass in the Parish Center on December 21, January 11, 25, February 8, March 8, 22, May 3, June 7. For more information, or if you are unable to make a Sunday Session, please contact John Rokoszak at 201-3913590 or call/text 201-264-6376 or email [email protected] CALLING ALL VOLUNTEERS—Protecting God’s Children—If you need to take the “Protecting God’s Children Workshop” please visit the website VIRTUS.ORG for upcoming workshop dates. Additional details are in our information stands in the Gathering Space. The Archdiocese takes very seriously any and all allegations of sexual misconduct by members of the clergy, Religious and lay staff of the Archdiocese. We encourage anyone with knowledge of an act of sexual misconduct to inform us immediately so that we may take appropriate action to protect others and provide support to victims of sexual abuse. Individuals who wish to report an allegation of sexual misconduct may do so by calling the Archdiocese Office of Child and Youth Protection at 201-407-3256. ARCHBISHOPS ANNUAL APPEAL—If you have an outstanding balance on your pledge, please make sure to send it in before December 31st. WELCOME NEW PARISHIONERS Do you regularly attend Mass at Our Lady of Mercy Church but have never gotten around to formally registering? It’s easy. Just go to our website www.urolm.org and click on “rectory” on the left hand side. Select “registration form”, print it out, complete it and return it to the rectory. Registration is our only means of certifying anyone for sponsorship letters for the sacraments. Thank you. CHILDREN’S LITURGY—Join us during the 9:30 Mass as we gather the children in the chapel after the Opening Prayer. They will listen to the same liturgy as the regular Mass, but in a way they can understand with stories, coloring, and songs. The children will then return to the church during Offertory. Best for ages 3 to 8 years old, but older siblings are welcome to help out. N.I.C.E. “Liturgy of the Word With Special Needs” SESSIONS CALENDAR 2014-2015 DECEMBER 21 JANUARY 11, 18, 25 FEBRUARY 1, 8, 22 MARCH 1, 8, 15, 22 No sessions on Palm Sunday or Easter Sunday APRIL 12, Last Session (Autism Awareness Month) A resource table will be set up in the Gathering Space ALL DATES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. If you are coming for the first time, please call to be sure we are in session and for further instructions. Religious Education Office 201-391-3590 Amy Ballanco/DRE No fee required. Donations accepted. WHAT IS YOUR FAITH STORY? As an Advent project, children participating in the Religious Education Program Grades K to 6, were asked to go out and find someone to share a story with them about a time when they knew God was with them, helping them or answering their prayer. The object of this project was to form a visual that God is real and with us always. So far we have received over 125 stories. Please feel free to see the display in the Gathering Space and read some of the powerful events shared with the children. Blank cards are also available if you would like to add your own! Our Lady of Mercy Academy Preschool Open House Our Lady of Mercy Academy Preschool fosters an environment where children are encouraged to bring their enthusiasm for discovery, excitement for learning, and passion for creativity. We encourage our children to become problem solvers, to express themselves thoughtfully and grow in self-confidence. Join us on Wednesday, January 7th from 9:30-11am, 1-2pm and 78:30pm to see for yourself. Bring your child or come alone. We offer a full-day, five day kindergarten readiness program for four-year olds. Specialized instruction is offered in art, music, library, technology and physical education. Before & After school care is available. Visit our website at www.olmacademy.org or call the school office at 201-391-3838 for more information. Our Lady of Mercy Academy is a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence and is located in Park Ridge NJ. THANK YOU to our advertisers for supporting our bulletin. MASS SERVERS—Please remember to call the Rectory (201-391-5315) to sign up for the Christmas Masses and New Year’s Masses. TRIM THE CHURCH - If you would like to help decorate Our Lady of Mercy Church on December 22nd at 7p.m., please call the Rectory. This is an ideal service project for High School students and Confirmation candidates. OLMA CAFETERIA AIDE NEEDED—If you enjoy working with children and have found that you have time to share, perhaps Our Lady of Mercy Academy is the place for you. We are looking to fill the following position for the upcoming 2014/2015 School Year. 5 Days a week (15 hours) 10:30—1:30, hourly salary based on experience. Please call OLMA at 201-3913838 ext. 301 to arrange for an interview. SAVE THE DATE - The Acoustic Café Music Series at OLM is looking forward to our first show of the year on Saturday, January 24th when we welcome critically acclaimed singer/songwriter Ellis Paul! Ellis has won 15 Boston Music awards, has 19 record releases, a documentary film, a book of poems & short stories, an award winning children's book project, as well as songs featured on Hollywood soundtracks. More info about Ellis here:www.ellispaul.com Special guest 17 year old emerging artist Hayley Reardon will open the show. Proceeds benefit the Vallieres, Haiti Scholarship Fund. 8 PM in OLM Academy. Get your tickets now $20 advance online, $22 at the door. www.cafeacoustic.org 201-573-0718 Refreshments, accessible. THE SCHOLARSHIP FUND for inner-city children which provides partial tuition scholarships for low income students in grades K to 12 to attend Catholic schools, will hold its 12th annual High School Basketball Festival on January 2 and 4 at Kean University in Union. The teams playing include; Paramus Catholic, St. Joseph’s Regional, St. Anthony HS, Roselle Catholic, Hudson Catholic, Seton Hall Prep, Mt. St. Dominic, St. Benedict’s Prep, Marist, Union Catholic, St. Dominic’s Academy. For complete game schedule, times and information on ordering tickets, please visit www.sfichoops.com or call 973-497 -4279. THE ARCHDIOCESAN RESPECT LIFE OFFICE and the Pro-Life Commission will host a Pro-Life Mass at noon on January 18th at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Newark. January 22, 2015 marks the 42nd anniversary of the legalization of abortion in this country. By attending this special Mass, those who wish to stand up for life but cannot attend the March for Life in Washington DC or the rally in Trenton can still show their support and defend those who cannot defend themselves. For more information please contact Cheryl Riley at 973-497-4350 or at [email protected]