FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT
DECEMBER 21, 2014
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2014
5:30 P.M.
Marie & Edward Kulak
Fred Kressaty
John Renick
Raymond Anthony Jude King
Agnes Downing
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2014
7:30 A.M.
Thomas Stewart
Marion Ranft
10:00 A.M.
Mary Luciani
The Annunziata Family
Ann Dietz
John Fusco
Crispina Unabia
12:00 P.M.
Fred Kressaty
Leonorfo Katada
Rose Lukos
Mark & Dorothy Horrigan
MONDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2014
8:00 A.M.
Sandra Clyde
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2014
8:00 A.M.
Susan O’Keefe
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2014
4:00 P.M.
PARISHIONERS
6:00 P.M.
PARISHIONERS
10:00 P.M.
PARISHIONERS
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2014
7:30 A.M.
PARISHIONERS
10:00 A.M.
PARISHIONERS
12 NOON
PARISHIONERS
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2014
8:00 A.M.
Marie & Joseph Purcella
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2014
5:30 P.M.
Marie & Edward Kulak
Jerome Campo
Fred Kressaty
Mary Luciani
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2014
7:30 A.M.
Rocco Florio
10:00 A.M.
Olivia Cayetano Glorioso
Fay Parrino
Intentions of Hubert Bisnar – Birthday
Intentions of Hannah Bisnar - Birthday
12:00 P.M.
Leonorfo Katada
Santa Rampulla
Kurt Schmitz
Kyle Jaskot
Cornelius Griffin
Pray daily for the safety of our servicemen and women
serving their country.
PLEASE REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS
Flora Assidio Patricia Perry Laurie Roth
Nina Margossian
Dorothy Fila
Nick Spina
Nick Wolkiewicz Stacey Caropreso
Jimmy Bailey
Baby Michael Soojian Baby Juliet Sinisi Baby Ryder Sasso
Margaret Puzio Tom Caropreso
Carmela Fusco
Frances De Maria Dorothea King Daniel Manniello
Margherita Davis
Deacon Charlie Tenga
DECEASED: Our Deceased Loved Ones
SICK:
WEEKLY OFFERING
Sunday - $5,048.00
Thank you for your continued support
CHURCH MEMORIALS
Church Altar Candle in memory of Ernest & Maimee Heller
Family requested by Family.
Church Tabernacle Candle in memory of Victor & Rose
Tachine Family requested by Family.
Chapel Altar Candle in memory of Flossie & Guido
Garbarino requested by Ed & Grace Garbarino.
Chapel Tabernacle Candle in memory of Bertha & Robert
Gorman requested by Ed & Grace Garbarino.
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ:
“Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with
you…” Luke 1:26-38
“At the Annunciation, Mary conceived
the Son of God in the physical reality of
his body and blood, thus anticipating within herself what
happens sacramentally” (Saint Pope John Paul II, Ecclesia de
Eucharistia, 55).
In today’s First Reading, sitting aside his throne in a
splendid palace, King David muses on how far he has come
since his youthful battle with Goliath. He had conquered every
enemy, and the Lord has given him rest. In this moment of
reflection, David realizes that he resides in tonier quarters than
the Ark of the Covenant. Abashed, he shares an insight with
Nathan the prophet: The ark deserves a better home than a
cloth tent.
Nathan sees no problem with this. But God does.
“Should you build me a house?” God asks. David’s proposal
will not happen God, who has provided again and again for
David amid the king’s fits of fidelity and sin, will provide
once more beyond David’s dreams. “The LORD…will
establish a house for you,” (2 Samuel 7:11).
This is to be no ordinary house. God speaks of a
dynasty. Even when David hears that his house and kingdom
will endure forever, he could not possibly have foreseen what
lay ahead, many generations to come. This prophecy reaches
an unimaginable fulfillment, as recounted in the Gospel of
today’s Mass.
The Annunciation by the angel Gabriel to Mary is a
mystery of the Rosary, a subject of many famous works of art,
and a memorable passage from Luke’s account of the Gospel.
Luke, known for his rhetorical skill, has it on full display in
the drama that opens his Gospel account.
Gabriel zeroes in on Mary and greets her with
startling and rich words. He calls her “full of grace” and
asserts, “The Lord is with you.” The questioning Mary briefly
ponders the invitation to become the Mother of God’s only
Son. Considering the enormity of the request, the purity of her
soul, the precision of her question, and the fullness of
Gabriel’s reply, her quick acceptance of responsibility is still
breathtaking.
Hearing this passage in the light of the First Reading
makes it clear that God has indeed built a “house” for David.
Mary’s womb has become the home of a descendant of
David’s line, a king who will reign forever. She is a new ark
of the covenant, housing within her own tomb the very
presence of God.
The Gospel for the Fourth Sunday of Advent always
tells of some event immediately preceding the birth of Jesus in
Bethlehem. The Gospel readings for the four Sundays of
Advent begin with the broad theme of the Second Coming of
Christ. Then they move more narrowly to John the Baptist
who prepared people for the coming of the adult Christ.
Finally, they begin the story of the birth of Christ.
Chronologically, these four Gospel readings buck backward
each year. They show the breadth of Advent’s aim.
Overview of Christmas Time
While the secular world may observe Christmas as a
season starting right after Thanksgiving and lasting until
Christmas Day, the Catholic Church observes Christmas as a
season that starts with Evening Prayer on Christmas Eve and
that will last through the Baptism of the Lord.
Christians have celebrated the Lord’s nativity since
the fourth century, choosing this date as an alternative to the
Roman celebration of the unconquered sun, and using the feast
to combat the Arians, who denied that Christ was fully divine.
Since then, Christmas Time has grown to be one of the most
important feasts that we celebrate as a Church.
“After the annual celebration of the Paschal Mystery,
the Church has no more ancient custom than celebrating the
memorial of the Nativity of the Lord and of his first
manifestations, and this takes place on Christmas Time”
(Universal Norms on the Liturgical Year and the General
Roman Calendar, 32).
First Readings During Christmas Time
Many of the First Readings in this season come from
the prophet Isaiah, whose exaltation can hardly be contained
as he proclaims what God will accomplish for the people. The
message is both particular to his people and universal.
Christians have interpreted these proclamations of salvation
through the Chosen People as prophecies about Christ. On
January 1, the Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God,
we hear a blessing from the Book of Numbers. It is
particularly appropriate for the beginning of the new year and
the annual World Day of Peace.
Merry Christmas!
On behalf of Deacon Jose Rivera, Deacon Charlie
Tenga, and the entire parish staff, I take this opportunity to
wish all of the members of our parish a blessed Christmas Day
on Thursday. You will be remembered at all of the Masses
celebrated on this Solemnity of Christmas. I also want to take
this opportunity to thank you for your generosity and goodness
this past year. You answered the call to help with our many
maintenance projects, especially our roof repairs. I appreciate
your continued support of our parish.
I know the next few days will be quite busy for many
people; last minute shopping, food to prepare for holiday
dinners (especially Christmas cookies), increased house
cleaning for expected guests, etc. I ask you to take a few
minutes out of your day each day to spend some time giving
thanks to God for the many gifts he has given us. On that first
Christmas, Mary and Joseph were not concerned about having
enough Christmas gifts under the Christmas tree. Rather, they
were concerned about bringing the Son of God into this world.
Yes, it’s all well and good to put some cookies and
milk out for Santa Claus on Christmas Eve (and carrots for the
reindeer), but please do not forget the “reason for the season,”
and pray for the coming of Christ.
Eagle Scout Project Update
Thanks to the generosity of St. Francis parishioners,
Freddy Ackerly’s Eagle Scout project became a reality.
Freddy posted some “Before” and “After” pictures of his work
on the bulletin board in the Narthex. Please stop by and take a
look at the pictures to see the work our parishioner made
possible. Congratulations again to Freddy for a job well done.
Welcome Home to the Church
For some, Labor Day is the unofficial end of summer.
Back to work, back to school and for many, back to a stricter
schedule. What is the labor that God asks of us? We each have
been given the sacred work of evangelization. Not standing on
a street corner with a Bible, but being a sign of joy and of
God’s love to those who have been away – not just on summer
vacation, but away from sacramental union with Christ.
Sincerely in Christ,
Fr. David Pickens
Pastor
CHRISTMAS FLOWER ENVELOPES
Please return your Christmas Flower Envelopes by Christmas
Eve in order for the name of your loved one to be included on
the Christmas Flower Remembrance list. Thank you.
CHRISTMAS & NEW YEAR SCHEDULE
Sacrament of Holy Eucharist
Christmas Vigil: Wednesday, December 24th
4:00 P.M.
Children’s Mass
6:00 P.M.
Christmas Eve Mass
10:00 P.M.
Christmas Eve Mass
Christmas Day, Thursday, December 25th
7:30 A.M.
10:00 A.M.
12 Noon
New Year’s Eve
Wednesday, December 31, 2014:
5:30 P.M.
New Year’s Day
Thursday, January 1st, 2015
9:00 A.M.
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR
On behalf of myself and the JFK Knights of Columbus
Council 5486 of St. Joseph Parish Lincoln Park we would like
to wish our Chaplain Fr Dave, Church Staff, Brother Knights
of Council 2617 and all members of the congregation a very
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Roger Frick, Grand Knight
Christmas Masses
Celebrants Schedule
Christmas Eve
4:00 p.m. - Rev. David Pickens
6:00 p.m. - Rev. James Platania
10:00 p.m. - Rev. David Pickens & Rev. James Platania
Christmas Day
7:30 a.m. - Rev. James Platania
10:00 a.m. - Rev. David Pickens
12:00 Noon - Rev. Msgr. Remigio Rocco
Some Christmas Quotes
The only real blind person at Christmastime is he who has not
Christmas in his heart. – Helen Keller
I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the
year. – Charles Dickens
Christmas, my child, is love in action. ... Every time we love,
every time we give, it’s Christmas. – Dale Evans Rogers
My idea of Christmas, whether old-fashioned or modern, is
very simple: loving others. Come to think of it, why do we
have to wait for Christmas to do that? – Bob Hope
When we were children we were grateful to those who filled
our stockings at Christmas time. Why are we not grateful to
God for filling our stockings with legs? – G.K. Chesterton
One of the most glorious messes in the world is the mess
created in the living room on Christmas day. Don’t clean it up
too quickly. – Andy Rooney
Christmas is a necessity. There has to be at least one day of
the year to remind us that we’re here for something else
besides ourselves. – Eric Sevareid
Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold,
everything is softer and more beautiful. – Norman Vincent
Peale
Christmas is not a time or a season but a state of mind. To
cherish peace and good will, to be plenteous in mercy, is to
have the real spirit of Christmas. – Calvin Coolidge
Christmas is a day of meaning and traditions, a special day
spent in the warm circle of family and friends. – Margaret
Thatcher
Mankind is a great, an immense family...This is proved by
what we feel in our hearts at Christmas. – Pope John XXIII
LECTORS
WEDNESDAY, CHRISTMAS EVE
4:00 P.M.
Sue Kummer
6:00 P.M.
Joey Rivera
10:00 P.M.
Chris Marren
EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS
WEDNESDAY, CHRISTMAS EVE
4:00 P.M.
Tom & Anita Karwacki
6:00 P.M.
Karen Cisco & Lynn Magnini
10:00 P.M.
Jackie & Annie Rivera
ALTAR SERVERS
WEDNESDAY, CHRISTMAS EVE
4:00 P.M.
Aaron Manilili & Christian Schroeder
6:00 P.M.
Alana Beshaw,
Divine Crilly & Timothy Kenny
10:00 P.M.
Patrick & Victoria Sheridan
************************************
LECTORS
CHRISTMAS DAY
7:30 A.M.
John McMurray
10:00 A.M.
Harriet Pairo
12 NOON
Henry Mendoza
EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS
CHRISTMAS DAY
7:30 A.M.
Linda & Jim Hartigan
10:00 A.M.
Diane Drew & Judy Moran
12 NOON
John Arendas & Jolene Colsant
ALTAR SERVERS
CHRISTMAS DAY
7:30 A.M.
Open
10:00 A.M.
Tori Viviani
12 NOON
Abigale King
*************************************
LAKELAND NURSING HOME SCHEDULE
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2014
Pat Demarest & John Minnett
LECTORS
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2014
5:30 P.M.
John McMurray
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2014
7:30 A.M.
Bill Boswell
10:00 A.M
Chris Marren
12 NOON
Henry Mendoza
EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2014
5:30 P.M.
Frank & Sandy Polglaze
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2014
7:30 A.M.
Sue Raoul & Mary Kearns
10:00 A.M.
Janet & Frank Sanclementi
12 NOON
Judy Schroeder & Tony Mazza
ALTAR SERVERS
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2014
5:30 P.M.
Open
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2014
7:30 A.M.
Patrick Sheridan
10:00 A.M.
Joseph Luciani
12 NOON
Alana Beshaw & Timothy Kenny
LAST CALL!!!
Calendar Raffle
Sweepstakes Time
90 Opportunities to Win with
each ticket
Prizes Total $5000
Since tickets may win more than once, each $10.00 donation gives you 90
chances to win. All proceeds will help defray the cost of building
maintenance.
A winner will be chosen for each day from December 25th through March
24th. Special days = bigger prize money!
All parishioners are asked to support this fundraiser and to sell at least 10
raffle tickets. Packages of 10 tickets will be available after all the masses.
Individual tickets will also be available for sale after all masses through
Sunday, December 21st. Tickets may also be purchased at the rectory or
by contacting the chairperson below.
Please show your support and help our parish!
Erika Reid
Calendar Raffle Chairperson
973-628-7917
[email protected]
LAST CALL!!!