226 Hurffville Road ● Sewell, New Jersey 08080 Phone: (856) 228-1616 Fax: (856) 228-6332

www.churchoftheholyfamily.org

December 31, 2017

May the Holy Family of Nazareth inspire holiness in our parish and our families

MASS INTENTIONS

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 30 4:30 p.m.—William & Marie Carroll req. by their Daughter, Marie

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 31 8:00 a.m.—All Living & Deceased Members of the Parish 10:00 a.m.—All Living & Deceased Members of the Parish 11:30 a.m.—All Living & Deceased Members of the Parish NO 6:00 Mass

MONDAY, JANUARY 1 9:00 a.m.—Lynn Marie Nichter req. by Her Mother and Dad 10:30 a.m.—Ginny Bochanski req. by the Burns Family

TUESDAY, JANUARY 2 9:00 a.m.—Carmine Pescatore req. by His Daughter

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 3 9:00 a.m.—John Stachowicz req. By John & Anne Colligan

THURSDAY, JANUARY 4 9:00 a.m.—Pedro Umali req. by Mr. & Mrs. A. Umali & Family

FRIDAY, JANUARY 5 9:00 a.m.—Anthony Sulpizio req. by Dino & Marge Crocetto 7:00 p.m.—Virginia & John Worthington req. by Sharon & Tom Tarpey SATURDAY, JANUARY 6 9:00 a.m.—Intentions of Lilly Joseph & Joseph Keepachen 4:30 p.m.—Bill Lynch req. by the Aruffo Family

SUNDAY, JANUARY 7 8:00 a.m.—Multiple Intentions Concetta DiStefano req. by the Burns Family Christine Wilson req. by Charles & Mary Sagan Poor Souls in Purgatory req. by a Friend Rose Twardzik req. by Maria & Tom Coffey Eleanor Calabrese req. by Justin & Doris Dintino Victorina Tamyo req. by Lemuel & Rova Montero Jim Quigley req. by Tony & Diana Ritz People of the Parish 10:00 a.m.—Alpfonso Inglima req. by the D’Ortona Family 11:30 a.m.—William Errig, Sr. req. by Michael Carmolingo 6:00 p.m.—Mario Coletti (15th Anniv.) req. by Joan Melissa, & Amy

PARISH INFORMATION

Reverend John Picinic, Pastor Reverend Alfred Onyutha, Parochial Vicar Deacon Jerry Jablonowski Deacon Joseph Kain Mrs. Julie LaRosa, Youth Ministry Mrs. Judi DiBabbo, Director, Faith Formation Sr. Paula Randow, OSF, Principal Mrs. Joanne Raggio, Administrative Assistant Mrs. Linda Johansson, Business Manager Mrs. Charlene Campbell, Religious Ed Office Mrs. Candice Kelly-Devine, Religious Ed Office Mrs. Jeanne Passanante, Choir Director Mrs. Elayne Cipolla, Office Assistant Kathryn O’Callaghan, Notre Dame Intern

Parish Office Open weekdays from 9 AM-12 PM & 1-4 PM and Monday through Thursday from 6-8 PM and the 2nd & 4th Sundays, 9 AM-Noon 226 Hurffville Road Sewell, New Jersey 08080 856-228-1616 fax—856-228-6332 www.churchoftheholyfamily.org

Christian Formation Office Open weekdays Monday—Thursday from 10 AM—4 PM 856-228-2215 Our Lady of Hope Regional School 420 South Blackhorse Pike Blackwood, New Jersey 08012 (856) 227-4442

Liturgical Schedule Saturday Evening Mass 4:30 PM Sunday Mass 8:00 AM, 10:00 AM, 11:30 AM & 6:00 PM Daily Mass 9:00 AM (and 7:00 PM on First Fridays) Holy Day Schedule (please check the bulletin) 7:00 PM (Vigil), 6:30 AM, 9:00 AM & 7:00 PM Confessions Saturday Morning at 9:30 AM Saturday Afternoon from 3:45 to 4:25 PM First Fridays at 6:30 PM or by appointment Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament Tuesday from 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM First Friday from 7:30 PM to 9:00 AM Saturday Rosary Monday through Saturday at 8:30 a.m. Miraculous Medal Novena Wednesdays after the 9:00 AM Mass

In the event of dire emergencies call 856– 352-2198—if you or a family member is in the hospital or

needs the Sacrament of Anointing.

Information about Preparing for Baptism or Marriage

may be found on our parish website.

Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God (Holyday)

Monday, January 1 9:00 a.m. 10:00 a.m.

Today we celebrate the feast of the Holy Family, Jesus, Mary and Joseph. I can only wonder at what it was like, their prayer life, their daily work, and the love that they shared. It must have been pretty amazing, but I would also assume in many ways it was quite regular as well. I am sure there was something magical about it, but just like everyone else they had to work, do their chores, and simply just work at being a family. I am sure there were moments of worry, concern, and even frustration.

We all know that the Holy family was holy, we have depictions, art work, icons, statues, and every other form of art telling us this, and they truly were holy for Jesus was full of grace and Truth, Mary was Immaculate and Joseph a good and righteous man. Nevertheless they were not without suffering, worry or concern as all of us are from time to time.

What does this model of the Holy Family mean for our families? Obviously we are to imitate the Holy Family as much as we possibly can. However, our families also have concerns, worries, and even suffering. We can go even further; our families have problems, be they small or great. Many times we will hide our problems from others, we keep our dirty laundry to ourselves, because God forbid someone finds out my teenage daughter is pregnant, or my son is divorced and has remarried outside of the Church with no annulment and continues to receive the sacraments, or my father is an alcoholic, or my sister addicted to drugs. No family is exempt from problems, some may not be so severe, but problems there are nevertheless.

What is the answer to these problems? The answer is perseverance and prayer. St. Paul calls us fighters fighting the good fight, he knew life was not easy, sometimes far from it, and fighters get knocked down but a good fighter will try to get up each and every time, I often pray that I will be a strong fighter, for I too have been knocked down, harder than some and some harder than me. A holy family continues to get up. Families will try to stay together, for the most part, even with severe problems, they try to stick it out, but sometimes a family falls apart because it is dealing with a hurt that they think cannot be healed and it usually centers on forgiveness or the feeling of why God allowed something terrible to happen to us.

St. Paul in his letter to the Colossians writes, “. . . bear with one another and forgive one another, if one has a grievance against another; as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do.”

How did Mary and Joseph feel when they were basically on the run trying to find a house so that Mary could deliver Jesus? How did they feel when they lost him in Jerusalem for three days? How did Mary feel when Simeon said her son would be the rise and down fall of many and that a sword would pierce her heart or when she actually walked the way of the Cross and saw her Son crucified? How did she feel? We can probably guess, but one thing is for certain she never doubted God’s love. Mary and Joseph were not exempt from life’s suffering, neither are we, but if we want to be truly like them we will continue to be persons who believe and live the resurrection even in the midst of life’s difficulties, it’s what holy people do, it’s what makes us a Holy Family, to love equally both in moments of joy and of hardships. Remember, even when we get knocked down we always get up, we always get up!

God bless you and Happy Feast Day!

Father John

Reflections by Father John

Congratulations to the winners of this year’s Lucky 7 Sweepstakes. 504 tickets were sold for a total of $25,200.

Charles Brodowicz - 1st - $5,040.00 Ed Marrone - 2nd - $3,359.16

McGinty Family - 3rd - $1,680.84 Jane Varano - 4th - $1,008.00

Steve Tursi - 5th - $672.84 Joe & Trish Kain - 6th - $504.00

Michael & Christina Johansson - 7th - $335.16

The Family Activities Committee would like to thank the Knights of Columbus along with all the adult and teen volunteers for all their hard work in making this year’s Santa Brunch a success. A wonderful time was had by all!

If you wish to have a name included in the sick list please contact the parish office. Please pray for our those listed below.

Denise Allen, Myrna Anderson, Eladia Angud, Ann Ashton, Helen Bernhardt, Dorothy Blaszczyk, Erin Bossart, James Boylan, Jeanne Brown, Patricia Brown, Stephanie Brown, Denielle Candolora, Michael Caporale, Rich Carroll, Denise Carson, Dee Cericola, Joe Cericola, Adele Charlton, Jaime Cherry-Kline, William Cherry, Harry Chew, Doreen Clark, Mike Cosmo, Irene Cramer, Luca Cundo, Wendel Decena, Ernest Dellapia, Joseph Derr, Louis DeSantis, Patricia DeSantis, Ian Diaz, Noah DiGennaro, Rose DiLucido, Jim Donato, Joseph Egan, Veronica Egan, Nancy Ellis, Vince Esposito, Margi Fendt, Larry Ferringo, Holly Fitzgerald, Hortnesia Formoso, Mary Jean Forde, Domenick Frese, Dee Galloway, Joseph Gazzara, John Gigliotti, Jane & Steve Gismondi. Tristan Joel Gonzales, Claire Grzechowiak, Jimmy Hanna, J. T. Hayes, Mackenzie Faith Heil, Paul Heitman, Lourdes Carrasquillo-Hicks, William Hines, Andrea Holland, Caitlyn Janowski, Layla Jay, Emerita Lacuanan, Joann Lanzilotti, Vincent Lanzilotti, Marie Letts, Michele Lewandowski, Sonny Licud, Jillian Loeb, Angelica Luague, Jeannine MacGarvey, Ruth Maiese, Joseph P. Mann, Dorothy Mansfield, Edward Manzo III, Milana Marino, Dr. Sidney Maycock Jr., Amanda McPoyle, Johnny Miller, Anne Molavi, Lois Murray, Linda Nelson, Marty Norman, Erin O’Keefe, Cindy Ortiz, Mary Ann Panto, Dan Paolucci, Barbara Rodier, Michael Root, Drew Ross, Joyce R., Kate Sammon, Patricia Sawyer, Marcy Schilling, Alice Schwartz, Daniel Sciacca, Mildred Shirley, Tom Suski, John Taylor, Joseph Teti, Vince Ursino, Tom Venti, Miki Venuti, Dylan Vitucci, Amy Wassmuthm, Felicia Whipkey, Marge Ziegenfuss, Mark Zimmerman

Please call the parish office if a loved one needs a priest.

If you have a friend or loved one serving in the military – please call the parish office, 228-1616, or send his/her name to joanne.raggio@churchoftheholyfamily.org so that we may include them in our prayers throughout the year.

Please pray for: Brandon Balsama, Ryan Bandy, Marc-Anthony Bartolomeo, Nicholas Bedingfield, Adam Beitz, Patrick Billmann, Michael Blaszczyk, Antonio Brino, Kevin Britt, Mark Burns, Tim Campbell, Drakkar Carter, Christopher Cassidy, Calvin Colclough, Dylan Colclough, Tom Cunningham, Luke Demas, Daniel DiGiuseppe, Mark Dillon, Nicole Domingo, Eric Dougherty, Alex Driscoll, Lee Elsas, Geraldo Pabon Giglio, Giana Pabon Giglio, John Glass, Sean Grunwell, Steven Horne, William Hossain, Tim Johnson, Thomas Keefer, Matthew Lopane, Salvatore Lopresti Jr., Ryan Maiden, John Mangino, Lisa Taylor-McGuire, Sean McKinney, Casey Monaghan, Sean Monaghan, Daniel J. Nardiello, Chris O'Brien, Melissa Owens, Nadia Pascetta, Joseph Penn, Samantha Preis, Jake Ridgway, Jesse Ridgway, Eric Ruiz, Peter Saragnese, Aaron Schmidt, Corey James Schwartz, Greg Smith, Nicholas Smith, Michael Stadlman, Brett Staffieri, Sean Patrick Stailey, Nicholas Terasov, Sean Troy, Jeff Weitzman, Tyler Willette, Leo Wyzsynski

Pray for the Sick This Week at Holy Family

Sunday, December 31 AA Men’s Meeting—7:30 p.m., Basement Meeting Room

Monday, January 1 Parish & Religious Ed Offices Closed

Tuesday, January 2

Adoration—9:30-4:00 p.m., Chapel Youth Choir—6:15 p.m., Aquin

Two Hearts Prayer Group—7:30 p.m., Aquin Al Anon—7:30 p.m., Basement Meeting Room

Wednesday, January 3 Prayer Shawl Ministry—1:15 p.m., Fausto

GA Meeting—7:30 p.m., Basement Meeting Room Thursday, January 4

Adult Choir—7:00 p.m., Church Military Prayer Ministry—7:15 p.m., Aquin Room 101

Knights of Columbus—8:00 p.m., Aquin Parish Hall AA Meeting—8:30 p.m., Basement Meeting Room

Friday, January 5 Saturday, January 6

AA Meeting—9:00 a.m., Basement Meeting Room Appreciation Dinner—6:00 p.m., Aquin

Pray for those Serving in the Military

Compassionate Outreach

If you have a prayer request for the Prayer Line, please call Joan at (856) 589-3964 or Louie at (856) 582-3559 with your intention.

All requests are held in confidence.

Parish Prayer Line

A Great Way You Can Help a Hurting Friend— Do you have a friend, neighbor, co-worker, or relative who has been struggling with the loss of a loved one, loneliness, cancer, a layoff, relocation, divorce, a spiritual crisis, recuperation, single parenthood, or any of countless other life challenges? Our Stephen Ministers can provide them with the focused care, encouragement, and support they need to make it through the crisis. If you, or someone you know, could benefit from this confidential, one-to-one care of a Stephen Minister, please contact the Stephen Ministry Leadership through the Parish Office (856-228-1616) or by email:

stephenministry@churchoftheholyfamily.org

Rediscover the Love in Your Marriage! The Retrouvaille Marriage Program offers help for struggling marriages. If you are struggling in your marriage, attending a Retrouvaille program could be the best gift you give to your spouse, and family! Tens of thousands of couples have suc-cessfully saved their marriages by attending a Retrouvaille weekend and the six post sessions that follow it. Retrouvaille is not just a social gathering or series of seminars, but rather a way to rediscover and rekindle the loving relationship in your marriage. For more information or to register for an upcom-ing weekend, visit our website at: www.HelpOurMarriage.com or call 1-800-470-2230.

Prayer Shawls are available for those who are sick and in

need of prayerful comfort. Each shawl is handmade with prayers knitted or crocheted right in. If you would like a prayer shawl for a loved one, please contact Donna at 582-7578.

OWLS Planning Meeting

Church of the Holy Family is on Twitter…..

Holy Family Parish@hfamparish08080

VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION DINNER

We are truly blessed here at Holy Family to have so many who translate their love for God into service in just about every area of parish ministry. There is no way to thank each and every one of you (or your spouses) individually, but we can gather together to celebrate your spirit and the rich blessing that you are to our parish. You and your spouse (or guest) are invited to join us on Saturday, January 6 at 6:00 for dinner & dancing —so hold off on the New Years resolution and let Holy Family say “thanks”!

Tickets are free and may be obtained at the parish office through Wednesday.

The OWLS will be having a semiannual planning meeting on Tuesday, January 2 at 9:30 a.m. (after mass) at the parish office. Past volunteers are asked to attend and anyone interested in helping is encouraged to join us. You may call

Gerry at 856-227-3013 with any questions.

Another year of friendship, refreshments and topics of interest brought to you by The Church of the Holy Family OWLS!

The annual March for Life will be held in

Washington, DC on Friday, January 19,

2018. The donations received during next

weekend’s annual Lapel Rose Sale will be

used to offset bus transportation seat costs to Washington, D.C.

Anyone who wishes to reserve a seat on the bus, or has questions

about the trip, should contact Pete Kudless @ 609-230-8139.

March for Life—1/19/18

FLU SEASON has arrived early this year

Participation in the celebration of Mass is important to all of us and is a holy obligation on Sundays. When we are truly sick (remember what Mom said…if you’re too sick to go to Mass, then you’re too sick to do anything else but stay in bed) the obligation to participate in Mass is lifted. This is the case for two

reasons – we have a duty to care for our health and we have a responsibility to not spread our illnesses to others. As we move more deeply into the flu season, the following common sense reminders can help all of us to stay healthier:

1. If you are truly sick with the flu or a serious cold, stay home! Take a few moments to pray the Our Father and offer your sufferings for the well being of our parish community. Consult your local listings for a televised Mass. If you have a persistent illness that prevents you, even temporarily, from coming to Church – call the parish office to arrange for Holy Communion to be brought to you.

2. Wash your hands before and after Mass. 3. If you are sniffling or need to blow your nose, you may

wish to refrain from exchanging a handshake at the Sign of Peace. A wave or some other polite gesture may be substituted for a handshake. Please do not be offended if someone does not offer you their hand, presume that they are trying to prevent you from catching a cold.

4. Reception of the Precious Blood from a chalice carries little risk of spreading germs. The use of wine with 12% alcohol by volume and a metal chalice properly wiped has been shown to be safe. However, if you have a cold or are at significant risk of catching a cold, please refrain from sharing in Holy Communion from the Cup.

5. Common courtesy dictates that when coughing, sneezing, etc…that you cover your mouth with your hand and/or use a tissue. Please dispose of your used tissues in a proper manner – do not leave them in the pews, missal holders, or on the floor for others to clean up.

PRO-LIFE Lapel Rose Sale—Next Weekend

The Knights of Columbus, Sancta Familia Council #11498 will sponsor the sale of lapel roses after all Masses next weekend.

Proceeds from this sale will be used to offset

the cost of the chartered bus seats to the

Respect Life March in Washington, D.C. Any

donations received in the Lapel Rose Sale that

are not needed to pay for the bus seats will be donated to Good

Counsel Homes located in nearby Burlington County.

MULTILINGUAL ROSARY: The

Multilingual Rosary sponsored by the Sancta Familia Council of Knights of Columbus will be held in the church on Monday, January 8 at 7:00 p.m. This special devotion consists of multiple decades of the Rosary said in several languages. All are invited to volunteer to recite in their native tongue. Our purpose is to offer a special devotion to Our Lady of Healing of those in need. Additionally, there will be devotion to St. Padre Pio including a blessing and relic. So come out and bring a friend!

If you wish to offer to pray in your native language or have a question please contact Frank Vespe at 609-313-5947.

Baptism Prep—Parents must attend a

prep class before Baptism is conferred. Expectant parents as well as Godparents are encouraged to attend. It is imperative that you register in advance for a class.

Tuesday, January 9 Tuesday, February 13

Classes begin at 7:30 p.m. in the church. Plan ahead by calling Elayne at 228-1616 to schedule.

JDR

Life-Long Faith Formation & Evangelization

READINGS FOR THE WEEK

Monday: Nm 6:22-27; Ps 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8; Gal 4:4-7; Lk 2:16-21 Tuesday: 1 Jn 2:22-28; Ps 98:1-4; Jn 1:19-28 Wednesday: 1 Jn 2:29 — 3:6; Ps 98:1, 3cd-6; Jn 1:29-34 Thursday: 1 Jn 3:7-10; Ps 98:1, 7-9; Jn 1:35-42 Friday: 1 Jn 3:11-21; Ps 100:1b-5; Jn 1:43-51 Saturday: 1 Jn 5:5-13; Ps 147:12-15, 19-20; Mk 1:7-11 or Lk 3:23-28 [23, 31-34, 36, 38] Sunday: Is 60:1-6; Ps 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-13; Eph 3:2-3a, 5-6; Mt 2:1-12

The Office of Faith Formation will be closed on Monday this week. Office will be open for business Tuesday through Thursday 10:00 a.m. till 4:00 p.m.

Please call 228-2215 to speak to a staff member during office hours or to leave a voice message.

“…as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must forgive.” - COLOSSIANS 3:13 Forgiveness – one of the hardest things for people to do. It’s amazing how long we can hold a grudge or be angry with someone. As we celebrate the feast of the Holy Family, take this opportunity to act in Stewardship and give the gift of forgiveness to someone - maybe someone in your family, maybe a friend, maybe a co-worker or neighbor or, maybe yourself. Pick up the phone or text someone right now. Received Budgeted Difference December 17, 2017 $19,131 $16,250 $2,881 FY 2017 to date $373,633 $406,250 -$32,617

Your generosity to your parish is appreciated!

RSVP is always helpful in planning but not required jlarosa@churchoftheholyfamily.org

January 4— All 9th-12th graders are invited to The Rock@Twp. our Catholic afterschool club meeting in the IMC from 2:15-3:00 p.m.

Save the date for our January Youth Mass/Dinner/Bingo 1/21. We'll be serving breakfast for dinner and playing Bingo. 6:00-8:30 p.m. in Aquin. All 5th-8th and 9th-12th graders are invited to join us!

Are you aware of the ease and convenience of Online Giving? With Online Giving you can give towards your weekly contributions even when you attend Mass somewhere else. You can use the “Quick Give” feature to give a one-time gift without creating a login, or sign up for weekly contributions. You can find the Online Giving link at

www.churchoftheholyfamily.org.

Discover the Ease of Online Giving

Our Lady of Hope Regional School Our Lady of Hope Regional School is accepting

applications for Pre-K through 8th grade for the 2018-

19 school year. Any interested families should contact

Betty at the school, at 856-227-4442, x107 for

information and to set up a personal tour.

Catholic Schools Week January 28-February 2. We hope you will take

the opportunity to visit the school during the school day and see our

enthusiastic students and faculty hard at work. We look forward to

meeting you and having the opportunity to tell you all about Our

Lady of Hope Regional School. Be a Lion for a Day! Shadow Days are

a great way to experience a day at OLOH.

Did you attend St. Agnes or St. Jude Schools? We’d love to hear

from you. Please contact the school or visit our school website

www.ourladyofhopecatholicschool.org/alumni to update your

information.

For information as well as current news and events visit our website:

www.ourladyofhopecatholicschool.org

Like us on Facebook – Our Lady of Hope Regional School.

Religious Education Class Registration for 2018-2019 is in progress. Forms and class descriptions can be found on the Church website, in the Aquin Center, and in the gathering space of Church.

Register Now for 2018-2019 Classes

Knights of Columbus Sancta Familia Council # 11498 is again offering scholarships to parishioners. The scholarships will be awarded to 8th graders entering a Catholic high school, high

school seniors entering any college, as well as college students entering their 2nd, 3rd or 4th years of college study. Applications may be obtained from any Knight, on the parish web site, and at the doors of the church. All completed applications must be postmarked by March 16, 2018. For further information, call (856) 589-3432.

JOY JOY JOY

Congratulations to Eric Berg who will celebrate his 93rd birthday with family and friends on Saturday, January 6.

May God continue to bless Eric on this very special occasion!