Saint 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, New Jersey ● Website: www.stachurchbloomfield.com
December 25, 2014
Christmas
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Nativity of Our Lord
Fourth Sunday of Advent
December 21, 2014
Masses for the Week
Mass Schedule for
Christmas Season 2014 - 2015
Sunday, December 21
at
Sunday, December 21
7:30 am Daniel & Marie Lovallo - Family
9:00 am Jimmy Sutcliffe - Family
10:30 am Al Lang - Bequest
12:00 pm For The People
St. Thomas the Apostle Church
Monday, December 22
7:30 am Msgr. William C. Hatcher - Friend
11:30 am Pat & Phyllis Russillo - Children
Tuesday, December 23
7:30 am Louis & Lucy DeFalco - Bequest
7:30 am Elizabeth Dennin - Family
CHRISTMAS MASS SCHEDULE
Wednesday, December 24
8:30 am Megan Macaluso - Friends
4:00 pm Ernest & Philomena Cordasco &
Joseph Bianchi, Sr. - Family (Church)
4:00 pm Anna & Frank Korec - Family (School)
6:00 pm Yolanda Farone - Family
10:30 pm Candido & DeSantis Families - Family
Wednesday, December 24, 2014 (Christmas Eve)
4:00pm (Herron Hall – School)
Christmas Music Prelude and Mass
4:00pm (Church) Christmas Music Prelude and Mass
6:00pm (Church) Mass
10:30pm (Church) Concelebrated Mass with Music
Prelude at 10:00pm. (there is no Midnight Mass)
Thursday, December 25
8:00 am Assunta & Donato Russomanno – Family
10:00 am Jacob Szajokowski – Daughters
12:00 pm John J. McGovern- 4th. Anniv. – Family
CHRISTMAS DAY
Thursday, December 25, 2014 Christmas Day
8:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m.-12:00 noon
(All Masses with traditional Christmas Carols)
Friday, December 26
7:30 am Daniel Treacy – Friend
11:30 am Rocco Nardelli – Family
SOLEMNITY OF MARY, MOTHER OF GOD
Saturday, December 27
8:30 am Josephine Raimo – Bequest
Sunday, December 28
Wednesday, December 31, 2014 4:00 p.m. Vigil Mass
Thursday, January 1, 2015 7:30am and 11:30am
Saturday, December 27
5:00 pm For The People
SOLEMNITY OF THE EPIPHANY
Sunday, December 28
7:30 am Dolores Di Miele – Daughter
9:00 am Phyllis Freed - Family
10:30 am William Delefeti - Family
12:00 pm Ofsak & Russo Families - Family
(Annual “Bell Sunday”) Sunday, January 6th
Saturday, January 3rd - 5:00 Vigil Mass
Sunday, January 4th -7:30am-9:00am-10:30am-12:00pm
(Children’s Epiphany Pageant following 12 noon Mass)
For unto us a Child is born
Unto us a Son is given
PRAY FOR OUR SICK
Danny Burgers,
Karen Heitsenrether, Joseph Kearney
CANDLE INTENTIONS
Church: Joseph Besida
Rectory: David Kossak & Bridget Kochuk
Convent: Marie & Kathleen Lataro
2
595
From the Pastor’s Desk…
Dear Parishioners,
Christmas is a wonderful and holy time of the year. It is when we become more aware
of the many gifts God gives us all year - the gift of life, the gift of faith, and the gift of
each other. On Christmas God showed how deeply he loved us by taking on flesh and
becoming one like us, so that we could become more like Him.
All of us here at Saint Thomas the Apostle, priests and staff, wish you and your family a
happy and holy Christmas. My prayer is that the Christ, whose birth we celebrate, may
be present in your hearts and in your homes throughout this season of joy!
In the Lord,
Rev. Charles J. Miller,
Pastor
Giving Tree Program
PARISH CENTER HOLIDAY HOURS
Thank you to everyone that
participated in the Annual
Advent Giving Tree Program.
Your generosity and continued support has not only
made this program successful but has brightened the
Christmas season for many. We collected over
$4,000.00 in gift cards that served our local community
in addition to all the gifts for the organizations listed
below. A total of 90 very large bags filled with gifts and
a bicycle were distributed to:
Christmas Eve 9am - 1pm, Closed Christmas
Day and Friday, Saturday 9am - 1pm
New Year's Eve 9am - 1pm, Closed New Year's
Day and Friday, Saturday 9am - 1pm
STEWARDSHIP OF TREASURE
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 7, 2014 compared to
the budget amount for the year.
The break even date is June 30, 2015. The amount
needed each week is $17,656 and the amount
collected last weekend was $21,510.
Budget Amount
$900,500
Year to Date
$406,136
-Dr. Lena Edwards Charter School, Jersey City
-Interfaith Hospitality for the Homeless of Essex County,
Montclair
-National Alliance for Mentally Ill, NAMI Essex NJ Inc.,
Montclair
-Newark Beth Israel/St. Barnabas Health Care Center for
Hemophilia – Newark
-St Rose of Lima Parish, Newark
-The Pope John Paul II Pavilion at St. Mary’s Life Center,
Orange
- St. Joseph’s Social Service Center, Elizabeth
Remaining Amount
$494,364
The year to date amount is positive by $ 48 as of week
number 23 in our budget year.
A special thank you to all those who
pitched in, to help tote and sort the gifts.
3
595
Do you have a child or grandchild who
hasn’t made their First Communion?
HELP YOUR PARISH
CHURCH AND SCHOOL
FINANCIALLY
WITH NO COST TO YOU!!!
We can help – no matter
how old they are.
The St. Thomas the Apostle
Religious Education Program is currently
accepting names for our new “CatchUp”
program which will strive to help baptized
children receive their First Penance and First
Communion in less than a year.
If you are a parishioner and are interested in
finding out more about this program, contact
Tracey Hann at 973-338-7400 or
[email protected].
THE TD BANK AFFINITY
MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM
WILL MAKE AN ANNUAL CONTRIBUTION
TO YOUR PARISH,
USING THEIR FUNDS NOT YOURS!!
Men’s Scripture Reading and Reflection
YOUR PRIVACY IS ALWAYS PROTECTED.
THE PARISH NEVER SEES YOUR NAME,
ACCCOUNTS, OR BALANCES.
All men are invited Monday, December 22 , at
7:30pm in St. James room for Scripture
Reading, Reflection and discussion.
We will be listening (audio) from Fr. Ciora’s “A
Retreat With Pope Francis” as well as the readings
for next Sunday.
Stop in at any TD Branch or contact the
Brookdale Branch at 973-338-1695
Nutley Branch at 973-667-7852
The Parish membership code is AG122.
For more information
www.stachurchbloomfield.com
or contact Jim Gasparini 973-338-9190 ext. 111
Come! Share the Word of God
among friends.
Monthly e-Newsletter….
Two issues of the e-Newsletter are out.
We are accepting holiday
turkeys and hams until
Monday Dec. 22. to be
distributed to those in need.
If you signed up and haven’t received them, check your spam
or junk mail folder. To receive the emails, you must sign-up
in one of three ways:
1- Sign up forms are available at church entrances.
If you prefer to sign up electronically at any time:
Please bring the turkeys and hams to the
parish center between 9:00am to 4:30pm.
Thank you for your generosity.
Those requesting a turkey or ham should
contact the parish center at
973-338-9190.
2- Go to: STAChurchBloomfield.com
and look for monthly eMail sign-up
under Quick Links on the left sidebar.
or
3-Click on this QR code
with your smart phone
We are hoping to get as many of us as possible receiving this
eNewsletter, which should help each of us to better know
what is going on and be able to access parish information
at our fingertips … any time .. any place.
This is extremely helpful to our parish …..
If you don’t like it after trying it, you can always opt-out.
Holiday Season Bulletin Deadlines
JANUARY 4th BULLETIN
Deadline: 5pm on Friday December 19th
4
595
STA School
Food Pantry
wishes to THANK parishioners who
joined in this fall's Box Tops Drive.
The parish submitted
over 900 box tops!
There is a Food Pantry at St. Thomas,
established to serve the needs of parishioners
and others in need. The goal of the program is to
provide sustenance to individuals and families
who, for many reasons, do not have enough to
eat. If you are in this situation simply contact
the Parish Center and we'll do our best to assist
you. If you know of a parishioner that you feel
may have this need, please make them aware of
the program and have them contact us.
We will have another drive in the spring,
but please feel free to continue depositing
your Box Tops in the box in the vestibule
at any time.
Food Collection Sunday is usually the third
Sunday of each month, when our parishioners
generously drop off Grocery store gift cards in
the collection basket in an envelope marked
"food pantry" and leave food at the church doors
for those in need.
STA School ALSO INVITES you to
register your 12-digit code number
from your ShopRite Price Plus Club
Card at ShopRiteforMySchool.com
& help earn e-boxtops
for STA School.
Excerpt from
REDISCOVER CATHOLICISM
Choose STA School from among the schools in the 07003 zip
code. Earnings will then be credited automatically to our
school each time you purchase participating products.
"Those of us who call ourselves Christian do so
because we believe that the life and teaching of
Jesus Christ are the personification of truth,
sincerity, and authenticity, and, in a practical
sense, simply the best way to live. If we are
correct in this belief, and if people of the twenty first century really are hungering for authenticity
and the best way to live, then as Christians we
must ask ourselves questions such as: Why are
more people not enthusiastically embracing
Christianity? Why, in fact, are so many people so
hostile toward Christ and his Church? - - -Is it
possible that we failed to engage them? Did the
hypocrisy of individual church members or
leaders obscure their experience of God? Did we
ever really welcome them?"
Merry Christmas with Love!
St. Thomas the Apostle
School Community
2015-2016 Registration Information
Join us at our Open House on:
Sunday, January 25, 2015 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Thursday, January 29, 2015 4:00 - 7:00 pm
New Family Registration
STA HOME & SCHOOL is selling
SHOP RITE GIFT CARDS
begins Monday, February 2, 2015
For more information or to schedule a tour,
call the school office at973.338.8505.
9:45 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
December 21st
You Receive 100% Cash Value &
STA School Earns 5% of EVERY Sale
www.stthomastheapostlenj.com
ATTENTION STA ALUMNI
Please visit our website & register on the Alumni
Registration page.
Questions? Call Ed @ 201.921.2244
5
595
Ushers and Greeters Needed
Come pray the Rosary
Interested in being a
Greeter or Usher?
Men, women and
young adults who are
interested can contact:
With St. Thomas Rosary Society 7p.m.
in the Church on the following dates:
January 5th, February 2nd,
March 2nd, April 13th,
May 4th, June 1st
Jeff Monacelli: 973-568-3826, [email protected]
Debbie Walsifer: 862-307-5250, [email protected]
Saint Thomas the Apostle Parish
ZÉwÄç ZÉÉwá
You can also speak with the Head Usher or one of the
Greeters before or after mass (give them your name,
phone #s and email (as available).
It is easy to do and an important service
to your fellow parishioners.
Gift Shop
Sundays 9 am-1 pm, Parish Center
Gifts for all occasions!
Eucharistic Adoration Schedule
December 29
Contact us at 973.338.9190 ext 133
Listening Committee
11 a.m. Holy Rosary
11:30 a.m Holy Mass
12 p.m. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
3 p.m. Chaplet of Divine Mercy
3:30 p.m. Holy Rosary
6 p.m. Angelus
7:30 p.m. Respect for Life Holy Hour
"The parish is the family of God,
a fellowship afire with a unifying spirit,"
"a welcoming home."
Let us work together to enhance parish life. We
welcome all comments, suggestions and concerns;
all of which are held in confidence.
Send email to:
[email protected]
STA School
wishes to THANK parishioners who
joined in this fall's Box Tops Drive.
The parish submitted
over 900 box tops!
St. Thomas the Apostle
Mission Statement
The Roman Catholic faith community of St. Thomas the
Apostle recognizes God’s call to be a sign of His
Kingdom in the communities we serve. We respond to
this call by:
We will have another drive in the spring,
but please feel free to continue depositing
your Box Tops in the box in the vestibule
at any time.
† Leading people to a deeper relationship with Christ by
providing opportunities for spiritual growth, renewal,
education, the celebration of the Sacraments, and the
worship of God in the sacred liturgy;
STA School ALSO INVITES you to register
your 12-digit code number
from your ShopRite Price Plus Club Card at
ShopRiteforMySchool.com
& help earn e-boxtops
for STA School.
† Encouraging a commitment to justice and to service of
those in need;
† Promoting good stewardship of our time, talent and
treasure;
† Building a community of hospitality and support in the
daily living out of Christian ideals by nourishing mutual
respect and understanding within our Church, our
families, our community, and other faith traditions.
Choose STA School from among the schools in the 07003 zip
code. Earnings will then be credited automatically to our
school each time you purchase participating products.
6
595
JOHN P. MCDERMOTT
GENERAL CONTRACTOR
KITCHEN - BATHS - WINDOWS - DOORS
All Types of Remodeling
ATTORNEY AT LAW
Auto Accidents • Real Estate •Slips, Fall, Etc.
Wills & Estates • Workers’ Compensation •Municipal Court
72 Burroughs Pl., Bloomfield Free Initial Consulation • 429-9211
578 Broad St. Bloomfield, NJ 07003
Italian-American Tel: 973.743.7434
Fax: 973.743.3736
Cuisine
WWW.RICHARDPROBSTGENERALCONTRACTOR.COM
24 Washington Ave.
Nutley, NJ
973-235-0505
www.AmericanBistro.net
Catering On and
Off Premises
J.Q. Automotive
Wedding Invitations
& Holiday Cards
1050 Broad Street
Bloomfield
973-893-9239
Foreign & Domestic Repair Specialist
Log Onto www.jppc.net
conveniently from your home or office.
Family Owned, Operated & Trusted For 25 Yrs.
Computer Diagnostic Specialists
Emission Repair Facility • Brake Service
Exhaust Systems • Front End Repairs
Electrical Repairs • Transmission Service
Air Conditioning Service
ONLINE CATALOG • ONLINE ORDERING
ONLINE PROOFING
All Major Credit Cards Accepted
FREE UPS GROUND SHIPPING!
Wine • Beer • Liquor
973-338-7090
2 Bottles 20% OFF 750ml only. Coupon can not be combined w/any other offer.
1057 Broad St., Bloomfield, NJ 07003
North Center Drugs
386 Broad St., Bloomfield, NJ
973-748-1299
337 Belleville Avenue
Bloomfield, NJ 07003
(973) 338-3864
D
Thomas H. De Paola
De Paola
Monument Co., Inc.
FUNERAL HOME
Izabela Bacza, Mgr.
N.J. Lic. No. 4924
MSW, ACSW, NCPsyA
Psychotherapy, Psychoanalysis
Extensive Experience
with Adults, Parents, Seniors, Care Givers
Medicare Provider
Free Delivery!
Party Supplies • Cards • Candles & More! By Appointment
VAN TASSEL
Serving community for over 125 years
Newly remodeled facility - Spacious parking
Serving all faiths funerals
SHEILA A. FALK
John M. Downing, Jr.
Attorney and
Counselor at Law
909 Franklin Ave., Newark, NJ
(973) 482-7667
134 Ridgedale Ave., E. Hanover, NJ
(973) 887-6660
www.depaolamonument.com
32 Whittier Terrace
Bloomfield, NJ 07003
BLOOMFIELD
AUTO BODY
236 Broad St., Bloomfield
973-748-2608
917-744-5700
[email protected]
(973) 743-1234
www.vantasselfuneralhome.com
Commercial Rates are at an All Time Low. Contact us today to get a free analysis
to see if we can help Save you money with your monthly payments on your
commercial property. Multi-Family, Retail, Office Building, Apartment and Condos. Can
close in as little as 45 days! Four season customer service is our top priority.
Call us today 215-586-1575 or 267-251-0341
www.duqcapital.com
3900 City Avenue, Suite 107 • Philadelphia, PA 19131
FREE
INSPECTION
Licensed & Insured
NJ Lic. #13VH03327200
BASEMENT WATERPROOFING SPECIALIST
908-282-0220
Gastroenterology of North Essex, P.C.
Louis J. Celebre, M.D., FACG
Please pat onize the businesses
that adver ise in your bulletin,
they make your bulletin possible!
St. Thomas the Apostle is looking for more sponsors.
If you are interested in adver ising your business,
please contact us at John Pat ick Publishing Company.
800-333-3166 • www.jppc.net
199 Broad St., Bloomfield, NJ07003
1-800-838-3841 • Fax 973-80-5561
595 St. Thomas the Apostle, Bloomfield, NJ (inside) U
John Patrick Publishing Company (800) 333-3166 • www.jppc.net
Garner Bros.
Plumbing and Heating
Halpin – Bitecola Brookdale
Funeral & Cremation Service, LLC
Est. 1918
973-748-0981
Daniel Bitecola, III – Manager, NJ Lic. No. 4814
1284 Broad Street, Bloomfield, N.J. 07003
If Your Floor Covering Is
Not Becoming To You...
You Should Be Coming To Us.
10 Elm Street, Montclair, NJ 07042
WWW.BROOKDALEFH.COM
(973) 338-4477
1279 Broad Street • Bloomfield, NJ 07003
973-893-8009
Bloomfield, NJ
Oil Tank Removal
Soil Remediation
LSRP Services
S ummerS
FLOOR COVERINGS, INC.
Serving the St. Thomas Community since 1963
MON & TUES 2 LRG.
PLAIN PIES $20.00
Joseph Perrone ~ Parishioner
(973) 744-2080 Fax (973) 744-2552
Free Estimates and Fully Insured
PERRONE CONSTRUCTION
MASON & GENERAL CONTRACTORS
973-759-4643
Stucco Specialist • Brick/Stone • Sidewalks • Patios
Waterproofing • Steps • Driveway • Retaining Walls
Brick Pavers • Belgium Block
DISCOUNT FOR SENIORS
25% OFF Hair* & Spa Services
www.lifemonuments.com
31 Hoover Ave.
973-748-0200 Bloomfield, NJ
“When you need a friend”
Michael Z. Levandoski, Manager
44 Bay Ave. • Bloomfield
973-743-6969
www.levandoskifuneralhome.com
Diplomate American Board of Internal Medicine
55 W. Passaic Ave., Bloomfield, NJ 07003
www.drsshah.com
You can schedule appointments on our website also.
973.748.2248
www.fsorthodontics.com
“churches a specialty”
slate
1310 Broad Street • Bloomfield
roofs, flashings, standing seam,
batten seam, valley’s, flat
copper
HARRY J. HERZ
tile
Personal Attention and A Commitment to Excellence
NJ Specialty License #3386, 3388
graduated, random, heavy, standard
spanish, french, flat, brittany, aged
Family owned & continuously
operated since “1973”
Q
U
A
L
I
T
Y
(973) 338-8059
Shrenik G. Shah, M.D.
O RT H O D O N T I C S
shingles, metal, flat roofing
N.J. Lic. No. 3348
973-893-1411
Bloomfield, NJ - Parishioner
Damon System Invisalign
roofing
10% Off All Gift Certificates exp. Sept. 1st; NTBC
1405 Broad Street • Bloomfield, NJ www.serenitysalonspa.net (973) 771-1405
Res. • Comm. - Lic. #15098
Ask Your Neighbors...
Tell Your Friends
FREDA & SURIANO
NEW CUSTOMERS ONLY
*w/
w/ select stylist
s
in salon; exp. Sept. 1st; NTBC
Hair & Color Services
Skin Care Spa Packages
S
Massage Therapy
Deluxe Facial Treatments
D
Memberships Available
NJ Lic#6523
Since
1926
973-338-5900
MARIO’S FAMOUS
PIZZERIA RESTAURANT
NO JOB TOO SMALL
973-235-1839
“Making a difference through family and community”
Parishioner
Plumbing & Heating
Parishioner
93 Bay Ave., Bloomfield, NJ
Lic. No. 1373
A.A. SANTANGELO
B R
OWE
& CO.
SINCE 1973
®
WORKMANSHIP
www.BowerandCo.com
(201) 955-1700
463-9 schuyler ave., kearny, nj
ATTORNEY AT LAW
DIVORCE & FAMILY LAW
Divorce/Separation • Custody/Visitation
Child Support/Alimony • Enforcement
Domestic Violence • Annulment • Adoption
REAL ESTATE
Purchase & Sale Closings • Mortgage Refinancing
MUNICIPAL COURT
DWI & Traffic Offenses • Criminal • Expungement
BANKRUPTCY
Over 30 Years of Experience and Integrity
973-857-1800
25 Pompton Ave., Verona, NJ 07044
Schumacher Chevrolet
8 Main Street • Little Falls, NJ
Service & Parts
Serving Northern New Jersey For Over 75 Years • New And Used Car Sales
Same Family, Same Location
New & Used Car Sales
Mon.-Fri.: 9AM-6PM
Sat.: 8AM-1PM
973-256-1065 • www.schumacherchevy.com
Mon.-Thurs.: 9AM-8PM
Fri.: 9AM-6PM • Sat.: 9AM-5PM
24
HR.
ROAD SERVICE
TOWING
& RECOVERY
JumpStarts • Flat Tires • Fuel
Lock-Outs • Mobile Battery Installation
Towing • Etc.
973-680-0097
10% off All
Chocolate Gift
Boxes
Gourmet Chocolate & Premium Coffee with this
ad
372 Broad St., Bloomfield, NJ
973-780-0333
Bloomfield Dental Arts, PC
Dr. Joseph S. Moussa, D.D.S., FICOI
Dedicated To Excellence In Dentistry, Restorative,
Cosmetics & Implantology
1018 Broad St., Bloomfield, NJ 07003
973.338.9191 • www.bloomfielddentalarts.com
2¶%2</(
)81(5$/ +20(
0LFKDHO+2¶%R\OH'LU
N.J. Lic. No. 3067
307-309 Broad Street, Bloomfield, NJ
800-545-1020
www.AIRGROUPLLC.COM
³$Q,QGHSHQGHQW)DPLO\2ZQHG)XQHUDO+RPH´
595 St. Thomas the Apostle ~ Bloomfield, NJ (back) Rt. UPS
John Patrick Publishing Company (800) 333-3166 • www.jppc.net