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December 8th, 2002

Second Sunday of Advent

Let Us Pray For Those Seriously Ill
 Dolores Becker, Catherine Wojciechowicz, Michael Lombardi, Angela Krajnik and Bridget Burke.

Vocation reflections

Advent calls on us to make ready the way of the Lord, to clear Him a straight path.  Could that be the path to which the Lord is calling you?  Could the Lord be asking you to make ready for His Second Coming as a Priest, Brother or Sister?

 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. 

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STEWARDSHIP 
             

STEWARDSHIP SCRIPTURE  REFLECTION
As we await new heavens and a new earth, let us make clear the way of the Lord by being servants of justice, truth, and peace.

OUR WEEKLY OFFERING
December  2002
November30/Dec.1            $5,553.
Month’s Total                     $5,553.
Month’s Average                $5,553.
Mailed in                               $166.     

We thank you!

WEEKLY AVERAGE COMPARISONS:
Month  ‘01 Monthly Avg.     ‘02 Monthly Avg.
November      $5,654.                 $5,281.

December      $6,056.                 

HOLY HOUR FOR PRIESTS
Holy Hour will be cancelled for Thanksgiving and Christmas Holidays - beginning November 26th through the month of December.  Holy Hour will resume on January 7th.

During this time of postponement, we invite you to continue praying at home for the priests, DIVINE MERCY and Religious men and women of the Church and for an increase of vocations to the priesthood and religious life.  

Retired Religious Fund

There will be a second collection next weekend, December 7-8, for the Retirement Fund for Religious.  Please remember our elderly religious in your prayers.  Now in its 15th year, the Fund addresses the needs of more than 40,000 religious who are past age 70.  Please be generous.

Advent Tradition of Blessed Wheat

As we prepare the coming of Our Savior, our Church has rediscovered a European Advent tradition of growing grains of wheat  for the manger scene at home.

On the Feast of St. Lucy (December 13th), these grains are planted in very moist soil.  On Christmas Eve, the children then cut the wheat and place it in their manger.

Next weekend, December 7th/8th, these grains of wheat will be distributed after all Masses to those who wish to share this new experience with their children.  We ask that you take these wheat grains home, plant them and, as a family, check their growth on a daily basis.  Remind the children that the wheat will provide a bed for Jesus to rest on when we celebrate His birth on Christmas. 

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Attention Senior Citizens!!

On December 8th, Merrill Lynch will sponsor “phone calls anywhere in the world” for SENIOR CITIZENS ONLY - No Children and No Walk-ins!!  A bus will pick you up in front of St. Anne’s Church at 1 p.m.  Any questions, please call Peg Riscoe 201-659-3930.

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.

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.

Our Lady of Guadalupe

On December 12th, Our Lady of Guadalupe Society invites the Parish Family of St. Anne’s to join them for the Rosary at 6:30 p.m. with Mass to follow in Spanish and Fellowship in the auditorium afterward.

Christmas Concerts 

St. Dominic Academy invites all to attend their Christmas Concerts and the start of their 125th anniversary celebration! 

The annual SDA Glee Club Christmas Concert is on Sunday, December 8th at 4 p.m. in Landmark Loew’s Theater located at 54 Journal Square, Jersey City (on Kennedy Blvd. across from PATH Station).  Cost is $10/person.  Discounted parking available behind the Theater.

The SDA Alumnae Women’s Choir “A Ceremony of Carols & Other Christmas Favorites” on Sunday, December 22nd at 4PM in St. Paul's Lutheran Church located at 440 Hoboken Ave., Jersey City (near Five Corners). Admission is $5/person.  For more information call 201-434-5938, ext. 35.

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MONDAY   Gn 3:9-15,20 Ps 98:1-4 Eph 1:3-6,11-12 Lk 1:26-38

TUES.  Is 40:1-11 Ps 96:1-3,10-13 Mt 18:12-14

WED.  Is 40:25-31 Ps 103:1-4,8,10 Mt 11:28-30

THURS.  Rv 11:19a;12:1-6a,10ab Ps Jdt 13:18bc,19 Lk 1:39-47

FRIDAY  Is 48:17-19 Ps 1:1-4,6 Mt 11:16-19

SATURDAY   Sir 48:1-4,9-11 Ps 80:2-3,15-16,18-19 Mt 17:9a,10-13

NEXT SUNDAY - 3RD SUNDAY OF ADVENT  Is 61:1-2a,10-11 Ps Lk 1:46-50,53-54 1Thes 5:16-24 Jn 1:6-8,19-28

Immaculate Conception

On MONDAY DECEMBER 9th, The Mass schedule for Immaculate Conception will be 7a.m., 9a.m., and 6:30 P.M.

Candlelight Carol Sing

The 32nd annual Candlelight Carol Sing will be held at the Cathedral Basilica on Tuesday, December 10th at 8 p.m., doors open at 7 p.m.  Christmas music sung by the Cathedral Choir and Assembly will be accompanied by the great Cathedral organs and chamber orchestra.  Free-will donation.  For more information call 973-484-2400.

Welcome to our Family

We recently received five new members to our St. Anne’s Parish Family through the Sacrament of Baptism.  As they begin their new life of grace, we ask that you remember them in your prayers.  They are: Carlos William Castillo, John Anthony Diciancia, Jr., Nolan Douglas Logan, Jada Mattie Miller and Kyle William Torres

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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

CCD News

- On December 13th, the Confirmation  candidates will sponsor a dance at 7 p.m. in the auditorium for parents and candidates.  We also invite all seventh graders and their parents who are the upcoming class.  Forms have been sent home.  Please send in so we know who will attend.  Cost is $5 each.

- On December 21st & 22nd, a plant, cookie and candy sale will take place after all the Masses in the auditorium.  This will be sponsored by the 8th graders who have just made their Confirmation.

- Parent group meeting to discuss children's Christmas party will take place on December 15th instead of December 8th.

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.

Christmas at THE WELL        

December is Christmas at “THE WELL”, a Christian coffee house series for adults and youth of high school age.  This joyful celebration of the Birth of Christ from 7 to 9:30 p.m. on Thursday, December 12th, will feature sacred and secular Christmas Music, Lessons, and Carols performed by a collection of artists who have performed at the WELL since its inception last year.

Bring your holiday spirit and expect a festive environment and popular holiday foods at the Archdiocesan Youth Retreat Center, 499 Belgrove Drive in Kearny.  Admission will be $3.  THE WELL is held the second Thursday of every month.  For more information, call 201-998-0088.

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Personal Meditation 

December 8th, 2002

Is 40:1-5, 9-11  2 P 3:8-14 Mk 1:1-8

Gospel Reading

This is the beginning of the Good News of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. It is written in the book of Isaiah, the prophet, "I am sending my messenger ahead of you to prepare your way. Let the people hear the voice calling in the desert: Prepare the way of the Lord, level his paths."

So John began to baptize in the desert; he preached a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. All Judea and all the people from the city of Jerusalem went out to John to confess their sins and be baptized by him in the river Jordan.

John was clothed in camel's hair and wore a leather garment around his waist. His food was locusts and honey. He preached to the people saying, "After me comes one who is more powerful than I am; I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you in the Holy Spirit. As for me, I am not worthy to bend down and untie his sandals."

Reflection

Only 17 more praying days to Christmas! Special offer - hope and expectation! Life has a purpose and a destination, and God is determined to take us there. Valleys and mountains lie ahead, but our Shepherd is with us every step of the way. We aren't worthy to untie his sandal, but he will kneel to wash our feet. Christmas shows that God works in small, simple and hidden ways. Christ's first coming is the seed. The tree is the new heaven and new earth in which justice - right relationships - reigns. If justice can reign in even one heart, then a new earth is possible. If we want to see a new earth and be part of it, we are invited: "Prepare the way!" Christ's way - through the cross - to life and joy in all its fullness.

Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Blessed Virgin Mary, the feast of your Immaculate Conception brings joy to the Church. May your motherly concern for us keep our lives free from the evil of sin. May we imitate your life of humble faith and service. Amen

Prayer During the Advent Season

Lord, move our hearts to prepare joyfully for the coming of Christ our Savior. Protect us from all dangers, and free our minds and hearts from the darkness that hinders your light. As we look forward to the feast of your Son's birth, increase our faith and trust in your love. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.