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© copyright stannes4/2000

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November 24th, 2002

Our Lord Jesus Christ the King

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Let Us Pray For Those Seriously Ill
 Michael Lombardi, Angela Krajnik and Bridget Burke

Vocation reflections

In a world of so much abundance there are many that are hungry, naked, alone, and abandoned.  Like Christ the King, we are called to serve the needs of others.  God may be calling you to a life of service as a Priest or religious Sister or Brother.   

 If you feel this call, “inquire within” and Please contact the Vocations Office the Vocations Office at (973) 497-4365 or by E-mail at kellyric@rcan.org. Or visit our web site at www.rcan.org. 

STEWARDSHIP 
             

STEWARDSHIP SCRIPTURE  REFLECTION
The Lord Jesus is our shepherd.  At the end, at his coming, he will hand over the kingdom to his Father.  He will “judge between one sheep and another, between rams and goats”, between those who have lived their lives for others, and those who have lived for themselves.

OUR WEEKLY OFFERING
November  2002
November16/17                 $5,167.
Month’s Total                   $15,584.
Month’s Average                $5,167.
Mailed in                                $239.     

We thank you!

WEEKLY AVERAGE COMPARISONS:
Month  ‘01 Monthly Avg.     ‘02 Monthly Avg.
October          $6,200                   $5,439.

November      $5,654.                

HOLY HOUR FOR PRIESTS
  Every Tuesday the Blessed Sacrament is exposed in the church from 3-4 P.M.  Those who come dedicate an hour of prayer for the priests, DIVINE MERCY and Religious men and women of the Church.  Prayers are also said for an increase of vocations to the priesthood and religious life.  We invite you to come and spend time with the Lord for these intentions and for your personal requests.  The Holy Hour closes with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. 

BINGO CANCELLED

On Friday, November 29th, there will be NO BINGO due to the Thanksgiving Holiday.  Thank you for being understanding and allowing our volunteer bingo workers to be with their families.

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MONDAY   Rv 14:1-3,4b-5 Ps 24:1-6 Lk 21:1-4

TUES.  Rv 14:14-19 Ps 96:10-13 Lk 21:5-11

WED.  Rv 15:1-4 Ps 98:1-3,7-9 Lk 21:12-19

THURS.  Rv 18:1-2,21-23;19:1-3,9a Ps 100:2-5 Lk 21:20-28

FRIDAY  Rv 20:1-4,11-21:2 Ps 84:3-6,8 Lk 21:29-33

SATURDAY   Rom 10:9-18 Ps 19:2-5 Mt 4:18-22

NEXT SUNDAY - 1st SUNDAY OF ADVENT  Is 63:16b-17,19b;64:2b-7 Ps 80:2-3,15-16,18-19 1Cor 1:3-9 Mk 13:33-37

31st Annual Candlelight Carol Sing

The newly-released CD of the 31st Annual Candlelight Carol Sing from the Cathedral Basilica is now available for $15.  This live recording features 70 minutes of Christmas music sung by the Cathedral Choir and an assembly of over 2000 voices accompanied by brass, percussion and the spectacular Cathedral organs!  The CD would make a lovely Christmas gift.  For more information, contact the Cathedral Music Office at 973-484-2400.

CCD News

- Grade 1 parent meeting today at 1 p.m. sharp in Chapel Hall.  There will be no make-up meeting.  Please attend this one.

- NO CLASS on December 1st due to Thanksgiving weekend.

- Please bring your child to the 9 a.m. Mass on December 1st as we begin Advent and need children to form “Jesse Tree” .

Home Blessing

The pilgrim statue of St. Joseph, sponsored by the St. Joseph Morning Prayer Group, is available to visit the home of our parish families.  For more information, please call Pat Roda at 201-792-5530.

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Prayers for Lighting the Advent Wreath

Each day at home, the candles are lighted, perhaps before the evening meal—one candle the first week, and then another each succeeding week until December 25^th. The rose candle is usually lighted on the third Sunday of Advent. As the candles are lighted, a prayer may be said.

THE FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT: HOPE

First Week

O Emmanuel, Jesus Christ, desire of every nation,

Savior of all peoples, come and dwell among us.

' - Today is the first Sunday of Advent, the Sunday in which we recall the hope we have in Christ. The prophets of Israel all spoke of the coming of Christ, of how a saviour would be born, a king in the line of David. They spoke of how he would rule the world wisely and bless all nations.

' - On Christmas day the Christ of our hope was born. On Good Friday the Christ of our hope died. On Easter day the Christ of our hope rose from the dead. He then ascended into heaven. On the last day, the Christ of our hope will come again to establish his kingdom over all things on earth.

' - As the follower of Christ, we await his return. We light this candle to remember that as he came to us as humbly in the manger at Bethlehem and gave light to the world, so he is coming again in power to deliver his people.

' - We light this candle to remind us to be alert and to watch for His return. Light the Advent candle one,

Now the waiting has begun We have started on our way, time to think of Christmas Day.

Candle, candle, burning bright, shining in the cold winter night.

Candle, candle burning bright, fill our hearts with Christmas light.

' - LET US PRAY - Loving God, we thank you for the hope you give us. Help us prepare our hearts for the Lord’s coming. Bless our worship. Help us live holy and righteous lives. We ask it in the name of the one born in Bethlehem. Amen.

THE SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT: PEACE

Second Week

O King of all nations, Jesus Christ, only joy of every heart,

come and save your people.

'' - Last Sunday we lit the first candle in our Advent Wreath, the candle of hope. We light it again as we remember that Christ will come again to fulfill all of God’s promises to us.

(a person lights the candle of hope)

'' - The second candle of Advent is the Candle of Peace. It is sometimes called the Bethlehem Candle to remind us of the place in which preparations were made to receive and cradle the Christ child.

'' - Peace is a gift that we must be prepared for. God gives us the gift of peace when we turn to him in faith.

'' - The prophet Isaiah calls Christ “the Prince of Peace.” Through John the Baptist and all the other prophets, God asks us to prepare our hearts so that he may come in.

'' - Our hope is in God, and in his son Jesus Christ. Our peace is found in him. We light this candle today to remind us that he brings peace to all who trust in him. Light the Advent Candle Two,

Think of humble shepherds who Filled with wonder at the sight, of the child on Christmas night.

Candle, candle, burning bright, shining in the cold winter night.

Candle, candle burning bright, fill our hearts with Christmas light.

'' - LET US PRAY - Loving God, thank you for the peace you give us through Jesus. Help us prepare our hearts to receive Him. Bless our worship. Guide us in all that we say and do. We ask it in the name of the one born in Bethlehem. Amen.

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THE THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT: - JOY

Third Week

O Key of David, Jesus Christ, the gates of heaven open at your command,

come and show us the way to salvation.

''' - Last Sunday the candle of peace was lit. We light it and the candle of hope again as we remember that Christ will come again and bring to the world everlasting peace.

(a person lights the candles of hope, and peace.)

''' - The third candle of Advent is the Candle of Joy. It reminds of the joy that Mary felt when the angel Gabriel told he that a special child would be born to her - a child who would save and deliver his people.

''' - God wants us all to have joy. The angel who announced to the shepherds that Jesus had been born told them: “Do not be afraid. I am bringing you good news of a great joy for all people - for to you is born this day, in the City of David, a Saviour, who is the Messiah, the Lord.”

''' - We light this candle to remember that Christ brings the promise of a new life - a life in which the blind receive sight, the lame walk, and the prisoners are set free. We light it to remember that He is the bringer of true and everlasting joy. Light the Advent Candle Three,

Think of heavenly harmony Angels blessing, “Peace on Earth”, at the blessed Saviour’s birth.

Candle, candle, burning bright, shining in the cold winter night.

Candle, candle burning bright, fill our hearts with Christmas light.

''' - LET US PRAY - Loving God, we thank you for the joy you bring us. Help us prepare our hearts for this gift. Bless our worship. Help us to hear and to do your word. We ask it in the name of the one born in Bethlehem. Amen.

THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT: LOVE

Fourth Week

O Wisdom, holy Word of God, Jesus Christ, all things are in your hands,

come and show us the way to salvation.

'''' - Last Sunday we lit the candle of joy. We light it and the candles of hope and peace again as we remember that Christ will come again and bring us everlasting peace and joy.

(a person lights the candles of hope, peace, and joy)

'''' - The fourth candle of Advent is the Candle of Love. It’s light is meant to remind us of the love that God has for us. Jesus shows us God’s perfect love. He is God’s love in human form. The bible says that “God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.”

'''' - Love is patient, love is kind and envies no one. Love is never boastful or conceited, rude or selfish. Love is not quick to take offense, it keeps no records of wrongs, it does not gloat over other people’s troubles, but rejoices in the right, the good, and the true. There is nothing that love cannot face, there is no limit to its faith, to its hope, to its endurance. Love never ends.

'''' - We light this candle today to remind us of how God’s perfect love is found in Jesus Light the Advent Candle Four,

Think of joy forevermore Christ child in a stable born, gift of love that Christmas morn.

Candle, candle, burning bright, shining in the cold winter night. Candle, candle burning bright, fill our hearts with Christmas light.

'''' - LET US PRAY Loving God, we thank you for your gift of love - show to us perfectly in Jesus Christ our Lord. Help us prepare our hearts to receive Him. Bless our worship. Help us to hear and do your word. We ask it in the name of the one born in Bethlehem. Amen

copyright - Rev. Richard J. Fairchild

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                                             Our Web Site

                     http://stannesjc.com         

When you log on and browse around you’ll see all kinds of information about our parish. Included, of course, will be the current activities for the many different organizations as well as an update as to what is going on with our parish family.
Do not let evil defeat you: Instead, conquer evil with good!!

By your wounded heart: teach us love, teach us love, teach us love..... -Daphne Fraser

Nutcracker

The New Jersey Foundation for Dance and Theatre Arts proudly presents their production of the “Nutcracker” performed by the American Youth Dance Company.

Performances are:   Saturday, December 7th at 7 p.m. and Sunday, December 8th at 3 p.m. at Felician College (John J. Breslin Jr. Theatre), 262  South Main St., Lodi. Tickets: $25 Orchestra; Adults $20; Children 10 and under $17.  Group sales are available.  For more information, please call the New Jersey Foundation for Dance and Theatre Arts 973-839-4031 to order tickets.  Special rates for non-profit groups of 25 and more.

Concern for the Homebound

As a Minister to the homebound, I am very concerned that there are parishioners who cannot get to church but would like to receive communion.  Unfortunately, I don’t know who they are unless a family member or friend informs me.  Please feel free to call me (Sister Celeste 201-792-5128) so the Eucharistic Ministers can come to your home on a monthly visit to bring the Lord in Holy Communion.  The homebound are important members of our Parish Family.  They have much to offer in terms of prayer and sometimes pain. 

Annulment Information Evening

An Annulment Information Evening is scheduled for Wednesday, December 11th.  A canon lawyer from the Archdiocese of Newark will discuss the most recent theology, guidelines and requirements for obtaining a Church annulment.  The information will be presented in terms that all can understand.  A question and answer period will conclude the session.  Pre-registration is not necessary.  This evening of information will be held at St. Helen’s R.C. Church (Parish Center), 1600 Rahway Avenue, Westfield, at 7:30 p.m.  For additional information, please call the Office of Family Life Ministries at 973-497-4327.

Afternoon of Opera

Archdiocese of Newark Redemptoris Mater Missionary Seminary proudly presents an afternoon of opera on Sunday, December 15th at 4 p.m. at Kozlowski Hall, Seton Hall University with Marie Bertoline and Friends.  Tickets are available at the rectory through Father Julio Roman.  Suggested donation is $75.

Share Your Joy At Christmas

Catholic Community Services (CCS) provides a unique and personal opportunity for an individual, family, church community, school or organization to help critically needy families in the Newark Archdiocese who wouldn’t have Christmas without some outside support.

Through the CCS’ Emergency Food and Nutrition Network (EFNN), food pantry coordinators in the four counties refer eligible families to the EFNN.  These families are linked with a donor who receives a profile of the family situation, first names, ages, size, and wish list.  Donors are asked to provide 2-3 age appropriate gifts and grocery store gift certificates for their selected family.  They are also responsible for delivering the gifts to the food pantry which serves the family one week before Christmas.  For more information, please call Rose Shannon, CCS EFNN at 973-596-5128.

The Alliance of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary would like to sincerely thank those who supported the All Night Vigil with prayers, refreshments and thoughts.  May the Hearts of Jesus and Mary in union with St. Joseph bless you all.

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Personal Meditation 

Personal Meditation November 24th, 2002

Mt 25:31-46

"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left. Then the king will say to those at his right hand, 'Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.' Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?' And the king will answer them, 'Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.' Then he will say to those at his left hand, 'You that are accursed, depart from me into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.' Then they also will answer, 'Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not take care of you?' Then he will answer them, 'Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.' And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."
Psalm 69:30

A Living Gift
or a Memorial Gift

In 1969 a young American was killed in Vietnam. After his parents grieved, they felt compelled to make a sizable memorial gift in memory of their son. At Thanksgiving, they spoke with their pastor and explained that they wanted the gift to be given quietly and privately. They did not want to be personally acknowledged in any way and said that the memorial was their way of expressing gratitude to God for the gift of their son whom they enjoyed for twenty years.

The pastor persuaded the parents to go public saying that their gift would sharpen the meaning of Thanksgiving for everyone who was present in worship that year. Reluctantly, the parents agreed to the suggestion, and on Thanksgiving, the pastor publicly accepted the memorial check from the parents. He explained to the congregation how it came to be given and how it would be used in the church.

That presentation had an impact on several families in the congregation. A few weeks later these families offered a gift to the church and explained that theirs was a “living” gift rather than a memorial gift. “Our sons did not die in the war and we want to publicly express gratitude to God,” they told the surprised pastor.

These families make an excellent point. So often we give memorial gifts after a death but seldom offer a living gift that expresses gratitude to God for the gifts of life, health, happiness, security, success.

Thought for the Day

Loving God,
It is with a grateful heart
that I thank you
for all the benefits
you have given
and for all the blessings
that you cause to flow over me.