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December 20, 2009 - Fourth Sunday of Advent Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, "Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled." - Lk 1: 41, 42, 45 FROM THE PASTOR's DESKWe are now in the fourth week of Advent and waiting for the celebration of Christmas on Friday. There is excitement and an enormous spiritual energy centered on the feast of Christmas, with the sharing of gifts and visiting of family and friends. On the other hand, anxiety does creep in the midst of the celebration, particularly, when we think of our loved ones who have died. In early Advent, a fellow parishioner shared a poem that gave her great comfort in the first year of her widowhood. She asked that I would share the poem with fellow parishioners who are experiencing that distinctive feeling of loss when we think of our beloved this week. Perhaps, this poem will also comfort you in the midst of your own personal loss. "A Christmas Poem" I see the countless Christmas trees around the world below With tiny lights, like heaven’s stars reflecting on the snow. The sight is so spectacular, please wipe away the tear. For I am spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year. I hear the many Christmas songs that people hold so dear But the sounds of music can’t compare With the Christmas choir up here. I have no words to tell you, the joy their voices bring, For it is beyond description, to hear the angels sing. I know how much you miss me, I see the pain inside your heart. But I am not so far away, we really aren’t apart. So be happy for me, dear ones, you know I hold you dear. And be glad I’m spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year. I sent you each a special gift, from my heavenly home above. I sent you each a memory of my undying love. After all, love is a gift more precious than pure gold. It was always most important in the stories Jesus told. Please love and keep each other, as my Father said to do. For I can’t count the blessing or love he has for each of you. So have a Merry Christmas and wipe away that tear. Remember, I am spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year. RELIGIOUS EDUCATION NEWS Father Brian invites all the children attending the 4:00 p.m. Family Mass to bring their favorite small stuff animal. Mission Boxes: any Mission Boxes that have not been returned may be put in the weekend collection basket. CHILDREN’S LITURGY OF THE WORD The Children’s Liturgy is a program at St. Mary’s for children attending the Sunday 9:00am Mass. During the readings and Homily, the children are brought downstairs to Fr. Platt Hall where the Gospel is explained to them in an age-appropriate way. The program follows the religious education schedule – if there is religious education on Sunday, there is a Children’s Liturgy. The program helps children better understand Jesus messages and it also allows adults to hear the Gospel without distraction. Parents are welcome to join the children downstairs at any time. The program is open to children ages 4-10, or younger if accompanied by a parent. There is no need to sign up. For more information or to volunteer to present the Liturgy once or twice during the year, call Michael Rotolo @ 732-563-2634. Volunteers are always needed. THANK YOU St. Mary’s Fashion Show Extravaganza A special thank you to Carolina Ambinder and Margaret Weidlich for a fabulous morning of fashion and fun! Thank you to all the children that so willingly participated in this successful parish event. Twin Brooks was filled with over 200 families and friends, fabulous holiday fashions, and exciting tricky tray baskets! The parish raised over $5,500. Thank you to all who participated. It’s a Winner! Congratulations to William Silva, winner of the $25 itunes card. Thank you to all our religious education families for their participation in the tricky tray auction! MERRY CHRISTMAS The staff of St. Mary’s-Stony Hill wishes you and your family a Blessed Christmas and a Happy, Healthy New Year! We are very grateful for your continued support of our parish. Please remember St. Mary’s at Christmastime. We solely depend on the generosity of our 450+ active parish families to support our liturgies, ministries, services, and programs. All sacrificial donations are truly appreciated! “CALLING ALL ANGELS” Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen is calling on you, to become a resource parent to one of New Jersey’s 11,000 children in the foster care system. Children of all ages and backgrounds are in need of loving, nurturing homes. Many of these children are innocent victims of abuse and neglect. CALL TODAY! 1-866-247-HOME (4663). YOU CAN HELP! POPE RECOMMENDS BOOK BY SUPREME KNIGHT “A Civilization of Love” Gets Papal Mention VATICAN CITY, DEC. 9, 2009 (Zenit.org).- Popes are generally not quick to recommend books -- not counting the Bible and Christian classics. But today Benedict XVI made an exception, recommending "A Civilization of Love," a book by the leader of the Knights of Columbus. A telegram sent in the Pontiff's name by his secretary of state, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, expressed the Holy Father's hope that Carl Anderson's book "will awaken renewed fidelity to Christ and a generous evangelical witness." The papal telegram was sent to Vatican Radio, where the Italian translation of the book -- from the Vatican Publishing House -- was launched today. The president of the Pontifical Council for the Laity, Cardinal Stanislaw Rylko classified the work as a "handbook for Catholic laity who make an effort to build a civilization of love." Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, director of the Vatican press office, said this volume, with "typical clarity, in addition to the competence of Americans," is very useful "for the formation of the laity." He particularly lauded the reflection questions found at the end of every chapter. The volume, written by the head of the most numerous Catholic movement in the Church (worldwide, the Knights of Columbus have 1.7 million members), has been a bestseller in the United States. It synthesizes the teaching on the civilization of love forged by Popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI, and then applies it to the life of the laity, in the family, in the globalized world, in market ethics and in the defense of life. Salesian Father Giuseppe Costa, director of the Vatican Publishing House, said he believes this book will enable the European reader and, in particular, the Italian, to learn of the wealth of American Catholicism, very little known in the Old World. "It gives us a plan of spiritual things to practice for the building of our interior and social I," he reflected. Anderson told ZENIT that in presenting the book on the civilization of love in the Old World, he seeks to put forth the central proposal of John Paul II and Benedict XVI, something that "today is essential for the discussion on culture and Christianity in Europe." Also speaking at the presentation of the book were Franco Miano, president of Italian Catholic Action, and John Thavis, head of the Roman office of Catholic News Service. The importance of the event was stressed by the notable figures in attendance, including Cardinal John Foley, grand knight of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher, and Cardinal Renato Martino, retired president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, as well as by ambassadors and diplomats of several countries, some of them of Muslim majority. 2009 Bishop’s Annual Appeal Because We Are Church We are grateful to every family that has made a gift to this year’s Bishop’s Annual Appeal and know that you will remain faithful to your pledge. If you have not yet made your pledge, it is not too late to do so. Let us remember God’s love for us and the grace ad blessings of sharing what we have with others.. [Welcome] [Bulletins] [Schedule] [Intentions] [Server Schedules] [Sacraments] [Ministries] [Religious Education] [Parish Cemetery] [Staff] [Organizations] [Stations of the Cross] [History] [Links] |
