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SAINT JOHN BOSCO

ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH PARISH CENTER OFFICE

215 E. COUNTY LINE ROAD

HATBORO, PA 19040

Tel. (215) 672-7280 In emergency, call anytime 24/7.

Otherwise, please call during Office Hours.

Faith Formation Office (PREP) Tel. 267-803-0774.

St. Vincent de Paul Society Tel. 215-882-2707.

YOUR PARISH STAFF Rev. Gary J. Kramer, Pastor

Rev. Gerald C. Ronan, Parochial Vicar

Rev. James E. McVeigh, Weekend Assistant

Deacon Daniel J. Rouse, Financial Administrator

Mrs. Doris Duncheskie, CRN, Parish Nurse

Mrs. Diane Falchetta, Secretary

Loretta Ceniviva, Secretary

Mrs. Christine Flack, Faith Formation Coordinator

Mrs. Lisa Quaranto, Music Director

Mrs. Janet Shepherd, Bulletin Editor

HOW TO CONTACT PRIEST (EMERGENCY...HERE & ELSEWHERE)

Within Parish Call Parish Center Tel. (above). A

parish priest is “on-call” (24 hrs./7 days wk.) for

emergencies within our parish territory, which

includes Majestic Oaks Nursing Home and Abington

Health Center’s Warminster Hospice.

Outside Parish Catholic patients at other hospitals,

nursing homes, rehabs, etc. are served by local priests

“24/7”. The patient or family at any time may ask

facility staff to contact “on-call” Catholic clergy.

ARRANGING BAPTISM

BAPTISM First (Spanish) and Last (English)

Sundays each month. Call Parish Center.

Before date is confirmed, parents must have/obtain:

Registration in SJB Parish:

Family from another parish must obtain written

permission from “home” parish for Baptism at SJB.

Certificate of Eligibility to Serve as Sponsor: Each Catholic Sponsor (1 required; 2 preferred) must

obtain Certificate of Eligibility from “home” parish.

Parishes generally do not issue certificates to persons

not registered already nor to persons who left the

parish more than 6 months previously.

Letter of Pastor for Christian Witness. One

baptized non-Catholic may serve as Christian

Witness and must present Letter of Good Standing

from current Christian pastor. A Catholic not

eligible to be a Sponsor may not be Christian

Witness.

OFFICE HOURS

Mass Cards/Mail/Messages/Documents/Facility

Keys are available only during regular Office Hours:

Mon. to Thurs.: 9 am to 12 noon; 1 to 4:30 pm;

Evenings 6:30 to 8:00 pm by appt.

Fri.: 9 am to 12 noon; 1 to 4 pm. Eve. closed.

Sat./Sun.: Closed.

SCHEDULE OF RELIGIOUS SERVICES

SUNDAY Vigil Masses on Sat. Eve.:

4:00 pm (English); 7:00 pm (Spanish)

Sun. Morning Masses: 7, 9, & 11 am No afternoon/evening Masses on Sundays.

MON. TO FRI. Confession: 8:15-8:35 am.

Holy Mass: 8:45 am.

SATURDAY Confession: 8:30-8:50 am.

Rosary: 8:30 am; Holy Mass: 9:00 am

Novena: After Mass to Our Lady of the Immaculate

Conception. Confession: 3-3:30 pm; 6-6:30 pm.

Parishioners unable to attend confessions at regularly

scheduled times may request appt. with priest.

ARRANGING MARRIAGE

Wedding Planning begins with engaged couple’s

meeting a parish priest here at least six (6) months

before desired wedding date. Please do not make

financial commitments before confirming church

date/time.

Marriage Convalidation

Couples in a civil or non-Catholic religious union

without our Church’s explicit permission are not in a

valid Catholic marriage. They cannot receive other

sacraments or serve as Catholic Sponsors for Baptism

and Confirmation. This situation often is easily

remedied by “convalidation”, a simple ceremony

popularly called “getting a marriage blessed”.

If a member of the couple were previously married, a

Declaration of Nullity (Annulment) of the prior

marriage may be necessary. Please contact parish

priest for detailed information.

PARISH BULLETIN JANUARY 4, 2015

FEAST OF THE EPIPHANY

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Sunday, January 4, 2015

A GIFT OF LOVE

On the Feast of the Epiphany in 1929 an 18 year old girl

arrived by train at the capitol of the Bengal state in the country India.

Raised in comfort in Eastern Europe, this bright, young woman would

spend the next 20 years of her life as a Sister of Loretto, teaching

geography to high school girls from wealthy families in the suburbs of

that capital.

In 1949, at age 38, that same woman felt a powerful call from God to

serve the poorest of the poor, especially those who were

dying. So she asked the local bishop for permission to

establish a new congregation whose only ministry would

be with those whom the rest of the world had abandoned. When the bishop was

made aware of the request, he scoffed at it and said, “I knew her as a novice, and

she couldn’t even light the candles on the altar - - - and now she wants to start a

new religious order?” But because of her sincerity - -

and persistence - - the bishop eventually relented.

From that day until she died in l997, Mother Teresa of

Calcutta ministered to more than 50,000 people who were

destitute and dying. Her order, the Missionaries of Charity, today numbers more than

4,500 sisters and is active in 133 countries. During her lifetime, Mother Teresa was

honored by universities, praised by popes, applauded by prime ministers - - and fifty years

after she stepped foot in India -- she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

Mother Teresa’s view of the mission of Jesus - - and of our own role in

that mission - - was simple but challenging. She once described it this

way: “Everyone is created by God, and so is deserving of love. It doesn’t

matter if the person is male or female, Muslim or Christian or Jew - - and

the person’s race or nationality makes no difference either. All that

matters is that the person is created by God and deserves to be loved. My

sisters are there simply to give love.”

It seems fitting that Mother Teresa began her work in India on the Feast

of the Epiphany. The vision she developed is exactly the vision on this feast as described in the Scriptural read-

ings for today.

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Phil Adamo, Jr.

Patricia Ambrose

Joseph Antonucci

Edward Bauman

Melissa Bauman

Patricia Bauman

John Beattie

Elizabeth Beck

William J. Brady

Joseph Campbell

Ellen Dardis

Patricia DiBianca

Patricia Driscoll

Christopher Falkenstein

Rita Garofalo

Kay Gaida

Helen Guarnaccia

Rob Hartmann

Siena Healy

Joan Hostic

Baby Stephen Joyce

John F. Keebler

Tim Keebler

Dr. Raymond Kent

Joseph Kraft

Susan Leary

Mary MacMahon

Lori Mulhern

William Neapolitan, Sr.

Rolene Rose

Ann Ruocchio

Brian Strausser

John Sweeney

Diane Terry

Brett Vivian

Frances Walter

Frank Waltrich

Jim Wyatt

HOW WE LIST:

We list sick persons for

one month at their own or

family member’s request.

To place/extend a listing,

please call Parish Center.

PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR SICK AND IN-

PLEASE PRAY FOR

OUR FAITHFUL DEPARTED Eternal Rest grant unto them, O

Lord, and let perpetual light shine

upon them. May the souls of all the

Faithful Departed through the

mercy of God rest in peace. Amen.

ADORATION CHAPEL CHAPEL HOURS Sat.-Sun. Closed.

Mon. After 8:45 am Daily Mass to 7 pm.

Tues. - Fri. 8 am to 7 pm. Closed overnight.

If church doors are locked, parishioners may borrow a

key from Parish Center Office to enter chapel area. A

Key Slide is available for a small security deposit.

PRAYER INTENTION CANDLES (6) burn alongside

the Blessed Sacrament in the chapel. This week they

are dedicated to these intentions: SJB’s Adorers,

Rosemary Gana, Paul Gana, John F. Salviola,

Thanksgiving for Prayers Answered, Success of

World Meeting of Families.

Just send your name with intention & offering to

ADORATION CANDLE c/o Parish Center. Please

name one Person, Couple (engaged or married),

Family, Group per request. Candles are for living or

dec’d. Offering: $ 15.

Please submit items for Bulletin issue dates (left)

by 12 noon on submission dates (right):

Jan. 25……………………..………..Mon., Jan. 5

Feb. 1……………………………....Mon., Jan. 12

Feb. 8………………………………Mon., Jan. 19

Feb. 15……………………………...Mon., Jan. 26 Please send info. and/or questions to Bulletin Editor at

Parish Ctr.; Email Bulletined@saintjohnbosco.org.

MASS INTENTIONS This WEEK

1/5 MON. 8:45 AM Shawn Connors

1/6 TUES. 8:45 AM Clara Rachwal

1/7 WED. 8:45 AM Helen Shea

1/8 THURS. 8:45 AM Sarah Corchiolo

1/9 FRI. 8:45 AM Stanley Swierzy

SATURDAY, JANUARY 10, 2015

9:00 AM Paul Lannetti

4:00 PM Lucy Ricci

7:00 PM Pro Populo (For the People)

SUNDAY, JANUARY 11, 2015

7:00 AM Joseph Phillips

9:00 AM Helen Shea

11:00 AM William Quirk, Sr.

We welcome into the Church

and our Parish:

Charles Edward Campbell

Gregory Scott Hayes

Dylan William Mattioli

Alberto Grant Rosario

Nativity of Our Lord

School (Warminster) EARLY CHILDHOOD

OPEN HOUSE EVENTS

Preschool Program for 3 & 4 yr. olds, K and Gr. 1.

Half- & Full day options available for Preschool and

Kindergarten with Before- and After-School Care

Program as well. Open Houses

7 to 8:30 pm on Thurs., Jan. 8 and Tues., Jan. 13

Space limited; Pre-registration required.

Before renewing current child care/early childhood

services for 2015, find out about our outstanding

program.

Contact us: Tel. 215-675-2820 or school.noolp.org

RESORTS CASINO TRIP Mon., Jan. 19 $ 25 slot play

Pick Up: Church Lot, 10 AM

Depart Casino: 5 PM

Cost $25. Call Sylvia, 215-675-8223

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ST. VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY Tel. 215-882-2707.

Parish Volunteers assist persons with material needs

(food, fuel, housing, etc.). For info., to request aid,

to volunteer time, talent, or treasure, please call

tel. above.

Food Pantry always is hungry for replenishment.

LADIES RETREAT REGISTRATION PLEASE COMPLETE

& RETURN TO FAITH FORMATION OFFICE AT PARISH

CENTER BY TODAY Jan. 4, 2015.

Name____________________

Phone #____________ Email ________________

I can bring the following to share:

____ Dinner Entrée

____ Dinner Salad/Side ____ Dessert

Beverages (non-alcoholic), Plates, Utensils provided.

BYOB and/or favorite snack food as you wish.

A $ 10 donation is appreciated.

Ladies Retreat “Faith & Friendship”

Fri., Jan. 16, 2015 5 to 10 PM

SJB Conference Center (former convent) Retreat Presenter: Fr. Tom Viviano. Evening incl.

potluck dinner, retreat talks, and time for reflection,

confession and adoration, friendship and fun, too! .

ALL WOMEN OF THE PARISH are invited to 9 AM

Mass TODAY SUN., JAN. 4. Pews will be reserved on

the Blessed Mother Side of the church. Please join us

in Drexel Hall right after Mass for light refreshments,

a brief meeting and a fun mystery gift game!

Try your luck at opening a gift with oven mitts on!

You will be timed! The lady who opens the present

wins the prize! Sure to be a lot of laughs.

Come as a guest. Leave as a friend!

YOU’RE INVITED! FREE.

ST. JOHN BOSCO BOOK CLUB.

Like to read? Enjoy a fun,

stimulating discussion? Join us

Mon., Jan. 12, 2015 7 PM in the

Bosco Room at the Parish Center. Great way to meet

friends of friends.

Please bring a snack to share and your own beverage.

Join our adventure through the pages of

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak.

“Narrated by Death, the book

is set in Nazi Germany, a

place and time when the

narrator notes he was

extremely busy. It describes

a young girl's relationship

with her foster parents, residents of the neighborhood,

and a young Jewish man hiding in the basement

during escalation of World War II. ...the book has

won numerous awards and was on The New York

Times Best Seller list 230+ weeks.” (Wikipedia) Hope to see you there.

Begins regular meetings again

Wed., Jan., 7, 2015 7 pm and then weekly on Wed.

evenings in Parish Center Library.

All are welcome.

No experience necessary.

Info.? Please call Donna, 215-350-0542.

Please Help Us Un-DECORATE

CHURCH Christmas Decorations need to go into storage.

12 noon next Sun., Jan. 11.

Trucks a plus!!!!

Many Hands Make Light Work.

Next BLOOD PRESSURE SCREENINGS

will be Sat./Sun. Jan 17/18. Free! Stop in

the Usher’s Room after all Masses.

Courtesy of Parish Nurse Volunteers.

Info.? Call Doris, Parish Nurse, 215-672-7280.

HEAVEN IS FOR REAL

will be shown at SJB this month

Thurs., Jan. 29 9:30 AM

and Fri., Jan. 30 6:00 PM.

Parish Center Library. Free.

Bring your own snack and beverage.

“Four-year-old Nebraska native Colton Burpo, son of

Pastor Todd Burpo, says he experienced Heaven

during emergency surgery. He tells his incredulous

family about having looked down to see the doctor

operating, his mother calling people to pray in the

waiting room, and his father in another room yelling

at God not to let him die. He spoke of meeting his

great-grandfather, who died long before he was born,

his unborn sister who died in a miscarriage about

which no one had told the child, and meeting Jesus,

describing His physical appearance. As Colton

continues to speak about his experiences in Heaven, his

father is faced with determining if his son's experience was

genuine or an hallucination based on a near-death

experience. Colton's father is sought by the media and

begins losing his church board’s confidence.” Wikipedia.

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WMOF Corner “Once-in-a-Lifetime”

SEPT. 22 TO 27, 2015

"Love is Our Mission:

The Family Fully Alive."

Families from around the world will come to Philly

for prayer, speakers, celebrations & activities for all

ages. Catholics & non-Catholics alike are welcome.

WorldMeeting2015.org has info. & updates. This

Bulletin space is for WMOF info. and tips to

strengthen family life. We invite parishioners’

comments/contributions for possible publication.

Reply to Faith Formation Office Tel. 267-803-

0774, regular mail, drop off, any Collection,

SJBADULTFAITH@saintjohnbosco.org

SPECIAL RECIPE CHEESE CAKE

From the Family of Barbara Murphy Pastry

¼ lb butter, 1 tsp baking powder

6 tbsp sugar, 2 eggs

2 cups flour

CREAM butter with sugar & baking

powder. Add eggs, then flour. Grease 13 x 9 x 2 ½

“ pan. PRESS dough all around sides & bottom of

pan with your hands. PUT a layer of crushed pine-

apple (drained) or cherries on top of dough & then

add cheese filling. SPRINKLE top with cinnamon.

Cheese Filling

1 lb cream cheese, 1 ½ cups sugar

6 tbsp flour, 4 tbsp lemon juice

4 eggs, 3 cups milk

CREAM - cheese with sugar. ADD flour & eggs (1 at

a time) then add lemon juice & milk. Pour on top of

fruit. BAKE 350 degrees for 50-55 minutes. When

pie is done, turn off oven & leave it in for ½ hour.

This settles the batter. Enjoy!

FUN QUESTION to get mealtime

conversation cookin’! Encourage each

person to expand his/her answer when possible.

If someone gave you $1,000 in cash…in the form

of 10 $ 100 bills…& told you that you had to give

it all away within 24 hours, to whom would you

give the money?

Source: THE MEAL BOX published by Loyola Press.

MEMORY JAR Throughout 2015 our parish Year of the

Family, write down memories that

make you smile. Add them to your

family memory jar. Just jot down

things you want to remember: firsts, funny comments

by your children, accomplishments, etc. You might

need a BIG jar! Next New Year’s Eve 2015, open &

re-read all the good stuff that helped make a

wonderful year. Reflect on all the blessing of the past

year!

“A good memory is one that can remember the day's

blessings and forget the day's troubles” (Irish Quote)

ANNUAL PARISH PILGRIMAGE

SAVE THE DATE! Travel with us to

St. Ann’s Shrine & Monastery (Scranton, PA)

Sat., 3/21/15. Please watch for more details in

this Bulletin and on parish website

www.sjbhatboro.org.

Senior Club Monthly Meeting

Wed., Jan.14 12 Noon

Refreshments and Bingo!

Tickets on sale after meeting for

February 11 Luncheon.

The official

WMOF HOLY

FAMILY ICON

by artist Neilson

Carlin, Kennett

Square depicts

Jesus as a toddler,

with Mary and

Joseph, Mary's

parents Anna and

Joachim.

VALENTINES FOR HOMEBOUND

PARISHIONERS For over 13 years, our

Parish Health Ministry has coordinated

sending Valentines to homebound

parishioners. ANYONE CAN PARTICIPATE.

We welcome school groups, PREP children, Scouts

and individuals to make a card for a homebound

person. Great rainy/snowy day or weekend activity!

Envelopes not necessary as we place several cards into

one large envelope. Cards should be small, flat, easy-

to-read. Please leave cards at Parish Center marked for

Doris, Parish Nurse. Due FRI., FEB. 6.

Our Archbishop

Chaput is an

eloquent writer

and speaker. Listen to his

Sunday Homilies Online

at archphila.org/

archbishopchaput/homilies

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PLEASE PRAY FOR THE

SPECIAL INTENTIONS

AND WELL-BEING OF

THESE FAMILIES.

Mr. & Mrs. Gregory Newlin & Family

Mr. Oscar Amador & Family

Ms. Maria Orozco & Family

Mr.& Mrs. Keith Cleghorn & Family

Ms. Elsa Hernandez & Family

Ms. Jenifer Schall & Family

Mr.& Mrs. George Paul Bollendorf, Jr. & Family

Mr. & Mrs. Robert Sautner & Family

Patricia Boyle & Family

Miss Alecia Williams & Family

Ms. Catherine Pearlman & Family

Ms. Carol McGuire & Family

Mrs. Michelle Randa & Family

Mr.& Mrs. Gaetano & Family

Mr. & Mrs. Michael Dinneen & Family

Mr.& Mrs. Luis A. Siliezar & Family

Mr. & Mrs. Francis Santaniello & Family

Ms. Kathleen Farrel & Family

Mr. Augustin Santillan & Family

Maria Garriella Morales & Family

Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas Krysko & Family

Mr. & Mrs. Peter Kitchka & Family

Mr. & Mrs. Jose Ramirez & Family

Mr. Sean Meister & Family

Mr. & Mrs. Matthew Goldberg & Family

Mr. & Mrs. Gonzalez, Pedro & Family

Ms. Angela Bruno & Family

Mr. John Lichtner & Family

Mr. & Mrs. Brian Strausser & Family

Ms. Jennifer Granger & Family

Mr. & Mrs. Peter Gulotta & Family

Mr. & Mrs. Bek Flores & Family

Mr. & Mrs. Glenn Sanoy & Family

Mr. & Mrs. Robert Andrews & Family

Miss Michelle Taylor & Family

Ms. Lucia Castillo & Family

Mr. & Mrs. Edwin Chavarria & Family

Mr. & Mrs. Richard Alexander & Family

Mrs. Helen Bradley & Family

Mr. & Mrs. Rafael Guzman & Family

Mr. & Mrs. Cory Sabo & Family

Ms. Shawn E. Puleo & Family

Ms. Laura Claudio & Family

Mr. & Mrs. Kevin O’Leary & Family

Mr. & Mrs. Keith Brennan & Family

Ms. Rita Black & Family

Mr. David Darnesto &Family

Mr. John Covaleski & Family

Mr & Mrs. Mark Farrington, Jr. & Family

Mr. Alejandro Colula-Tejeda & Family

Ms. Maria Contreras & Family

Mr. & Mrs. Hugo Aquino & Family

Mr. & Mrs. James Murray & Family

Mr. & Mrs. Brian Kennedy & Family

Mr. & Mrs. Jose Martinez & Family

Mr. Ferrel Navia Majarrez & Family

Ms. Karina Fimbres Weihs & Family

Mr. Ryan King & Family

Mr. & Mrs. Jose Martinez & Family

Mr. & Mrs. Glenn Romano & Family

Mrs. Marie Semola & Family

Mrs. Olive Kurdziel & Family

Mr. & Mrs. James Zanine & Family

Mr. & Mrs. Mark Kannengieszer & Family

WMOF SEPT. 22 TO 27, 2015

"Love is Our Mission:

The Family Fully Alive."

Our Parish Year of the Family now intensifies to help us

prepare for the WMOF. Today, we commence prayer for

our parish as a Spiritual Family of Families. Each week

in this space, we shall list a different group of parish families. Each household is a

domestic church, the basic unit of our parish community of faith.

On Sundays and Holy Days, God “calls forth” (assembles) our domestic churches from their pre-occupations to

manifest their reality as the People of God unified in worship and “witness” as St. John Bosco Roman Catholic

Church. Let us say extra special prayers this week for these domestic churches’ members and special intentions.

Mother Teresa “Quotes on Family” http://life-changing-inspirational-quotes.com/mother-teresa-quotes.html

“What can you do to promote world peace? Go home and love your family.”

“There is a terrible hunger for love. We all experience that in our lives – the pain and loneliness.

We must have the courage to recognize it. The poor you may have right in your own family.” “We

think sometimes that poverty is only being hungry, naked and homeless. ...being unwanted, unloved

and uncared for is the greatest poverty. We must start in our own homes to remedy this kind of poverty.”

Date: Dec. 15, 2014 Source: Zenit

The Holy Father sent this letter

to the Pontifical Council for the

Family in view of the 8th World Meeting of

Families to be held in Phila. Sept. 2015 on the

theme: “Our Mission Is Love. The Fully Alive

Family,” Pope Francis notes his plans to par-

ticipate. Here is a translation of the letter. * * *

To the Venerable Brother

Monsignor Vincenzo Paglia, President,

Pontifical Council for the Family:

At the end of the 7th World Meeting of Families, Pope Benedict XVI announced that the city of Philadelphia,

in the United States of America, would host the next gathering. I have confirmed this choice on many

occasions, looking with confidence and hope to this event of grace in which, God willing, I will take part.

It will be held September 22-27, 2015 and will have the theme ”Love Is Our Mission: The Family Fully Alive.”

Today, as yesterday, the Christian family’s mission is to proclaim, with the strength of the nuptial Sacrament,

the love of God to the world. Born and built from this announcement itself is a living family, which puts the

hearth of love at the center of all its human and spiritual dynamism. If, as Saint Irenaeus said: “Gloria Dei

vivens homo” [“The glory of God is the living man …”] (Adv. Haer., IV, 20, 7), a family also, which with the

Lord’s grace lives its vocation and mission in fullness, renders glory to Him.

Recently we held the Extraordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops on The Pastoral Challenges Involving

the Family in the Context of Evangelization.” In the sign of synodality we identified the most urgent topics

involving the family in our pluralistic society. In reality, “we cannot qualify a family with ideological concepts;

we cannot speak of a conservative family and a progressive family. The family is family!” (Address to

International Colloquium on the Complementarity between Man and Woman, Nov. 17, 2014). The values and

virtues of the family, its essential truths, are the strong points on which the family nucleus is supported and

they cannot be questioned. Instead, we are called to look again at our lifestyle, which is always exposed to

the risk of being “contaminated” by a worldly mentality -- individualist, consumerist, hedonist – and to

rediscover the highroad to live and propose the grandeur and beauty of matrimony and the joy of being and

making a family.

The indications of the Final Report of the recent Synod, and those guiding the way to the next Ordinary

Assembly of October 2015, invite us to continue in the commitment to proclaim the Gospel of Matrimony

and the Family and to experience the pastoral proposals in the social and cultural context in which we live.

The challenges of this context stimulate us to widen the spaces of faithful love open to life, to communion, to

mercy, to sharing and to solidarity. Therefore, I exhort spouses, priests and parish communities, as well as

Movements and Associations, to allow themselves to be guided by the Word of God, on which the

foundations rest of the holy edifice of the family, domestic Church and family of God (cf. Second Vatican

Ecumenical Council, Dogmatic Constitution on the Church Lumen Gentium, 6, 11).

I express my appreciation to the Archdiocese of Philadelphia for its generous availability and organizational

commitment placed at the service of the universal Church and of families of various Continents. I ask the

Lord to recompense, henceforth, that beloved particular Church with abundant heavenly graces.

While I invoke the intercession of the Virgin of Guadalupe and of Aparecida, I impart to you, dear Brother, and

to the collaborators of that Dicastery my heartfelt Apostolic Blessing, which I gladly extend to all those

collaborating in the preparation of the Meeting and, please, I ask you to pray for me.

Fraternally,

FRANCISCUS From the Vatican, December 9, 2014

[Translation from Italian by ZENIT.] [Emphases added by Bulletin Ed.]

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Treat Immigrants With the Mercy,

Justice We Expect for Ourselves.

- Archbishop Chaput Statement Date: Dec. 15, 2014 Source: Zenit

Mary of Nazareth has always had a special place in the

heart of the Church. She is Theotokos, the “God-bearer,”

Scripture’s greatest human witness of courage, humility

and grace. This is why Catholic life has honored her

through the centuries in so many different ways: Our

Lady of Consolation; Mother of Sorrows; Mother of

Mercy; Our Lady of the New Advent; Queen of Heaven;

Virgin Most Pure — and in a special way today, Dec. 12,

Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of America,

one continent north and south.

All of these titles are true and richly deserved. But they

can sometimes obscure the human reality of Mary’s

life: a young woman of the rough Galilean hills, pregnant,

with a seemingly implausible story before her marriage to

Joseph, who gave birth to her child in the cold in a stable

far from home and then, hunted by Herod, was forced to

flee to Egypt. Mary – our mother; the mother of the

Church – had an intimate understanding of suffering,

flight, homelessness and uncertainty.

At Guadalupe, Mary appeared not to the rich or

powerful, or even to the local bishop, but to the poor

peasant Juan Diego. Her tenderness to the poor is

something we need to remember this Advent, because our Christian faith is more than a set of ideas or beautiful

words. It’s meant to be lived. It’s meant to transform our thinking and our actions. Which brings us to the

point: Over the past six years, the current White House has taken actions

that a great many faithful Catholics regard as damaging – harmful not just

for people of religious faith, but for the nation at large. In deferring the

deportation of many undocumented immigrants and their families, howev-

er, President Obama has done the right thing. This action prevents the

break-up of families with mixed immigration status. It also protects

individuals who were brought to the United States as children, and

have grown up knowing only

American life and nothing of their parents’ native land. For more than a

decade the U.S. Catholic bishops have pressed repeatedly for just and

sensible immigration policy reform. Each of our major political

parties has faulted the other for inaction, and each – despite its

posturing and alibis – bears a generous portion of the blame. Whatever the timing and motives of the current

executive action might mean, deferring deportations serves the survival

and human dignity of the families

involved. And it may, finally, force the White House and Congress to

cooperate fruitfully.

On this day that we honor Our Lady of Guadalupe, patroness of all of us

who share this continent, we need to remember that the Holy Family too

was once a family of immigrants and refugees. And we need to treat the

undocumented among us with the mercy and justice we expect for

ourselves. ***

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Mary of Nazareth is an epic motion

picture on the life of Mary, mother of Christ,

from her childhood through the Resurrection of

Jesus. Shot in High Definition, it was filmed in

Europe with outstanding cinematography, a

strong cast, and a majestic music score. Actress

Alissa Jung gives a beautiful, compelling and inspired portrayal of Mary. The

film vividly captures the essence of Mary’s profound faith and trust in God

amidst the great mysteries that she lived with as the Mother of the Messiah, as

well as her compassionate humanity and concern for others, and the deep love

that she and Jesus shared for one another. The movie underscores her special

role in God’s plan for our redemption, her unique relationship with Christ, and

the tremendous suffering that she endured in union with his passion and death,

as well as her serene joy at his Resurrection. It was directed by acclaimed

European film director Giacomo Campiotti (Bakhita, Doctor Zhivago, St. Giuseppe Moscati) and written by

Francesco Arlanch (Restless Heart, Pius XII, Pope John Paul II). In addition to the luminous performance by

Jung, the film has inspiring portrayals by Andreas Pietschmann (Jesus), Luca Marinelli (Joseph), Paz Vega

(Mary Magdalene) and Antonia Liskova (Herodias). The original music score by Guy Farley is enthralling and

majestic. After viewing this movie, Pope Benedict XVI said: “ Mary of Nazareth is the woman of a full and to-

tal ‘Here I am’ to the Divine Will. In her ‘yes’, even when faced with the loss of her Son, we find complete and

profound beatitude.” Two-Disc Collector’s Edition includes many Special Features – Interview with Alissa

Jung; “Backstage” film segment; Film Photos Slide Show; Interview with Fr. Don Calloway; Music Video with

song “Pieta”; 24 page Collector’s Booklet & Study Guide; and more. English with Spanish and English subtitles.

FOR FURTHER CONSIDERATION... Mary of Nazareth -- A Review 12/15/2014 Article provided by ZENIT News Agency.

Alissa Jung, German-born actress, spoke with me on a recent visit to Detroit....to answer questions and share

personal insights regarding the film. This feature film about the life of Mary, Mother of God, filmed in Tunisia

was shot in English in high definition. It begins with Mary's childhood, as marauders attempt to take her into

slavery and as, with a hug for her loving parents, she skips happily into the Temple to begin a new life in the care

of the rabbi. The film ends only after the Resurrection, when Mary's quiet faith in her Son is shown to be warrant-

ed. It vividly captures the essence of Our Lady's profound faith and trust in God, and makes real the deep love

between Mary and her Son. Mary held a great mystery in her heart; but

what struck me, watching the story on the big screen, was not the

immensity of her role as Mother of God, but rather, her infectious joy.

The film is long (2 hrs. 33 min.), but my attention never wavered. The

story, of course, was completely familiar—based on Scripture—yet I

was not bored. In fact, Jung delivered her lines in the Magnificat with

such fresh honesty that I had a new appreciation for that beautiful

prayer. The movie seems a living, moving Carravaggio painting—

with its rich color palette and the subtle interplay of light and shadows.

There were what seemed to me anachronisms: Mary, Joseph and Jesus

fair-skinned, blue- or hazel-eyed, with light hair that seemed more

European than Mid-Eastern. The clothing was lovely but perhaps more

finely crafted than one would expect in a period movie from the first

century. Jung had an explanation for that, too. She explained that there is, indeed, an intended link back to

Caravaggio. Italian director Campiotti viewed the production as a film, yes—but also as an art form. For

inspiration he had turned to fine art of the Renaissance period. There are other films about Christ’s life which

serve as big-screen Bible studies. “Mary of Nazareth” is that, too; but more, it is a film about love: the love that

Jesus and Mary shared, and the love that each of them has for us. Mary's response to Christ -- happy Child swim-

ming in Lake Galilee and suffering Redeemer on the Cross -- is “Here I am.” Even when the pain of the Crucifix-

ion seems too much to bear, Mary's calm love and trust in God is inspiration and encouragement. -- Ignatius Press

just released “Mary of Nazareth” on DVD, and has the story in a full-color coffee table book. www.ignatius.com.

9 118 SJBosco

Happy New Year! Need a good book to get 2015 off to a good start while you curl up in a

warm spot on a cold evening? Consider: Joy to the World: How Christ's Coming Changed

Everything (And Still Does) (left) Image Books by Dr. Scott Hahn (below right), one of the

Western World’s best-known theologians, professors, and Christian apologists. He has

authored dozens of books, e.g., Rome Sweet Home (his conversion story) and The Lamb's

Supper, one of the bestselling Catholic books of all time. He is one of today's premier biblical

scholars. He founded and is President of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology, a research

center committed to promote biblical literacy among Catholic laity and clergy. Many know

him from EWTN - Catholic TV Network. He teaches at Franciscan University of Steubenville.

Earlier this year, Cardinal George appointed him to Visiting Professorship in Biblical

Theology at Mundelein Seminary. Dr. Hahn is interviewed on video about his book at

WWW.WORDONFIRE.ORG/RESOURCES/BLOG/JOY-TO-THE-WORLD-AN-INTERVIEW-WITH-

DR-SCOTT-HAHN-VIDEO/4550/

The 15 minute video interview’s topics include these segments:

1:15 – How does the Old Test. foreshadow the Christmas narratives in Matthew and Luke?

3:54 – How is the family the hero of the Christmas story?

7:19 – Why is the family "key to Christianity"?

9:26 – What do we know about St. Joseph and why is he so magnanimous?

12:59 – Why is Christmas joy so important to the New Evangelization?

Ed. Note: Here are two brief excerpts from a Catholic Book Blogger (www.patheos.com/

blogs/catholicbookblogger) on-line print interview of Scott Hahn by Pete Socks, 12/14/14.

We made ample edits for space.

Q. “...your first book on Christmas.

What drew you to write Joy to the World?

A: Christmas! I hardly need another reason....the holiday that even secular-

ists can’t give up. Yet it’s so much more than they know. ***

It’s the turning point in history. It’s a crisis — a drama of epic proportions

involving world rulers and their armies, astronomical spectacles, and

abundant bloodshed. If any movie did justice to the history, there’s no way

it would get a G rating. I wanted to write a book that did justice to the

history. I wanted to give the world a vivid record of the crisis as it took shape the moment B.C. turned to A.D.

Besides, I think everybody senses that our world is facing a similar set of crises – now more than ever – so people

need to rediscover how Jesus can give us hope for hard times, especially for raising our families. And not just

hope, but real joy, lasting joy.

Q. Your writing style has seemed to change over the years. Recently you tend to include more reflections

related to family experiences, e.g., when you talk early on in Joy to the World about your daughter

with the babies in the Bethlehem orphanage. Has this occurred intentionally or is it just a natural flow

from life’s experiences?

A. Well, as you grow in marriage and parenting, you have more experiences to draw from. I wrote my first book

almost twenty years ago. I’ve seen a lot of parenting and grand-parenting since then!

The older we get, the more we see our own lives as part of time’s ever-rolling

stream - - the biblical drama that’s still playing itself out in all of our lives. That

realization is hard to suppress. Besides, my understanding of sacred Scripture has

always been shaped by the central biblical notion of covenant-as-family, which is

never reducible to academic theory. Covenant theology doesn’t just make better

sense out of Scripture, but of everyday life as well. In a similar way, I find that my

experiences as a father of six, and now a grand-father of eleven, shed a lot of light

on what God Himself does in fathering His family.

118 SJBosco 10

“In a similar way,

I find that my

experiences as a

father of six, and

now a grand-father

of eleven, shed a lot

of light on what

God Himself does

in fathering His

family.” Scott Hahn.