Our Mission Statement “Recognizing that we are the Body of Christ, the Catholic Community of Our Lady of the Mountain is called to live the Gospel. We desire to express our commitment to this call through praise-filled celebration, which culminates in our being sent into the community to actively reach out to others. Thus, we seek to grow in Christian love.”

2 East Springtown Road, Long Valley, NJ 07853 908-876-4395 ~ Fax 908-876-3744 www.ourladyofthemountain.org

In case of emergency – priest for sick 201-841-4952 Staff Rev. Marcin Michalowski, Administrator email frmarcin@comcast.net Rev. Slawomir Tomaszewski, Parochial Vicar email frslawomir@gmail.com Rev. Javier Bareno, Parochial Vicar email javib1024@gmail.com Parish Bookkeeper – Melissa Rivera email melriveraolm@comcast.net Parish Secretary – Kim Smith email olmkims@comcast.net Ministries Altar Servers, Tara Ligos...................................... 876-4395 Baptism Preparation, Jim Jones .......................... 876-4395 Children's Liturgy, Debi Pinelli ............................ 813-1982 Ch. Trustees, Herb Mitschele, Bruce Haskell, Al Leier Columbiettes, Lucie Cohn .............................. 973-699-6793 Eucharistic Ministers, Cindy Jones ....................... 684-0661 Evangel.,Renny Hodgskin, Jim McMenamin ........ 876-4395 Food Pantry Director, Traci Geraghty.................. 876-4003 Gift Shop, Fran Clary ........................................... 852-5779 Hospitality, Brian Grogan .................................... 452-5110 Knights of Columbus, John Clary ......................... 852-5779 Lectors, Chris Latran ........................................... 852-9341 Music/Choir Director, Rita Mueller… ............ 973-862-2095 R.C.I.A., Nick Ardito .................................... 908-452-5434 Rosary Altar Society, Linda Richartz ................... 876-9601 Sacristan, Linda Richartz ..................................... 876-4395 Ushers, Office ....................................................... 876-4395 Visiting Ministry, Deacon Bob Head .................... 684-8399 Vocation Liaison, Office ....................................... 876-4395 Weddings, Kim Smith .......................................... 876-4395 Youth Ministry, ................................................... 876-5024 ministrytoyouth@comcast.net Parish Office Hours Monday ~ Friday, 9:00AM – 3:00PM Labor Day - Memorial Day

Served By Rev. Msgr. Raymond Lopatesky, Weekend Assistant Rev. Edward Davey, Senior Priest Assistant Deacon Thomas P. Gibbons Deacon Robert C. Head Deacon Nicholas Ardito Deacon James Jones Religious Education Program Director: KellyAnn Tell 908-876-4003 email dreolm@comcast.net Grades K-6 September ~ April - Sundays Grades 7-10 September ~April - alternate Mondays FOR EMERGENCIES ONLY during class times, on Sundays or Mondays, please call 908-876-5024

Mass Schedule Saturday 5:00PM and 7:00PM Sunday 7:45AM, 9:15AM, 10:45AM, 12:15PM

12:15PM Teen Mass, 1st Sunday of the Month, October ~ March.

Weekdays 9:30AM Monday ~ Friday Holy Days Vigil 7:30PM

Holy Day 9:30AM and 7:30PM

Parish Registration: Registration forms are available in the office or can be found on the church website Sacrament of Reconciliation (Penance) Saturday 4:15PM, 6:30PM or by appointment. Baptism The sacrament of Baptism is celebrated every Sunday at 1:30PM (with a few exceptions). Please call the Parish Office to schedule a time. A Baptism Preparation class is required for first time parents. Marriage One of the parties must be a bona fide member of the parish for at least one year prior to making arrangements. Arrangements should be made at least one year in advance. Hospital Visitation Please notify the Parish Office when a member of the family is in the hospital or homebound.

SATURDAY December 16, 2017 5:00PM Edward Windt Larry Lafaso 7:00PM Robert E. Matthews SUNDAY December 17, 2017 7:45AM William Chamberlin Stanley Wrotniewski Ann Hayden 9:15AM MaryEllen Smith 10:45AM Michael A. Feula Anna DeTrolio 12:15PM Dominic DiFalco MONDAY December 18, 2017 9:30AM Thomas McSweeney TUESDAY December 19, 2017 9:30AM Andrea LaCosta WEDNESDAY December 20, 2017 9:30AM Michael Joseph Dowd THURSDAY December 21 2017 9:30AM Michael A. Feula (1st Ann) Mary Papso FRIDAY December 22, 2017 9:30AM For the Unborn Fr. Paul Longua SATURDAY December 23, 2017 5:00PM John McNary Louis & Rose Girgenti SUNDAY December 24, 2017 7:45AM Charles & Pasqualina Greco Albert & Malwina Kuczyruski 9:15AM OLM Parishioners (Living) 10:45AM OLM Parishioners (Deceased) 12:15PM THIS MASS IS CANCELLED 4:00PM Jean Marie Dragos Robin & Dennis Paradise (Living) 6:30PM Paul Kohmescher Murphy & Curtain Families 10:00PM George Wyker III Mellusi & Taverna Families John & Betty Meyer Dn. Pat Van Orman MONDAY December 25, 2017 7:45AM Rosaline, Kathy & Joann Peach 9:15AM Lorraine Addeo Thomas Vitale, Sr. Sylvia Granata 10:45AM Dowd Family 12:15PM Rudy Ratcliff, Erlinda & Liza

Santuary Lamp in memory of Deacon Pat VanOrman.

December 9-10 $ 7,043.00 Immaculate Conception $ 1,536.00 Grocery Gift Card Sales Monthly $ 300.00 $10,100.00 Flowers $ 439.00 profit of $505.00 Cupboard $ 210.00 Total $ 9,248.00 Grocery Card sales for 2017 ~ $73,541.00 with a profit of $3,677.05 Faith Direct Donations in November 2017 were $13,938.50 THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROSITY!!

Faith Direct With Thanksgiving and the Season of Advent coming up, enrolling in

Faith Direct is a great way to ensure your gifts to St. Mark the

Evangelist are received even while you are traveling for the holidays.

Already using Faith Direct? Don't forget to add your Christmas or End-

of-Year contributions to your account.

Visit www.faithdirect.net and use our church code: NJ568.

Thank you for your continued support of our parish family! God Bless You, Fr. Marcin

Mass Ministers

SATURDAY, December 23 5:00PM Fr. Slawek – Dn. Tom Lector: KellyAnn Tell Ministers: B. Haskell, K. & R. Hartman, C. & M. Huson, M.

Parsons, A. Pentland, K. Smith Servers: SERVERS NEEDED 7:00PM Fr. Javier Lector: Jason Solomon Ministers: A. Lane, G. Wagner Servers: SERVERS NEEDED SUNDAY, December 24 7:45AM Fr. Fr. Ray – Dn. Jim Lector: Chris Latran Ministers: C. Jones, A. & J. Leier, W. Lublanecki, J. Nicolaro,

F. Puzycki Servers: SERVERS NEEDED 9:15AM Fr. Slawek Lector: Carl Brand Ministers: F. & L. Jacobs, F. & M. Kessler, M. Levens, A.

Mackie, B. McGuire, K. Nelson Servers: SERVERS NEEDED 10:45AM Fr. Marcin Lector: John Desimone Ministers: B. Grogan, R. & S. Lombardo, A. Mollitor, L.

Monteforte, C. Sturla, B. & C. VanStone Servers: SERVERS NEEDED 12:15PM THIS MASS IS CANCELLED 4:00PM Fr. Marcin 6:30PM Fr. Javier 10:00PM Fr. Ray Monday, December 25 7:45AM Fr. Slawek 10:45AM Fr. Javier 9:15AM Fr. Ray 12:15PM Fr. Marcin

MASSES AT ST. MARKS

SATURDAY, December 23 5:30PM – Fr. Marcin SUNDAY, December 24 8:00AM – Fr. Javier 9:30AM – Fr. Javier – Dn. Nick 11:00AM – Fr. Slawek – Dn. Bob 4:30PM – Fr. Javier 6:30PM – Fr. Slawek 10:00PM – Fr. Marcin Monday, December 25 9:30AM – Fr. Marcin 11:00AM – Fr. Slawek OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED MONDAY - TUESDAY

December 17th, 2017 ~ Third Sunday of Advent

FROM FR. MARCIN My dear parishioners, The liturgy of the third Sunday in Advent presents to us the figure of John the Baptist and describes the place he occupies in God’s plan. Thus, it helps us to find our place and prepares us for Christmas. John the Baptist was a great man. Jesus described him as the greatest among those born of woman. When Jesus began to proclaim the Kingdom of God, John gave way to him. In today’s Gospel John the Baptist says: "I am the voice of one crying out in the desert, 'make straight the way of the Lord,'". In John the Baptist we see a model for our own spirituality, knowing our smallness and nothingness, that we are not worthy to untie even the sandal strap of the Lord. John pointed away from himself to Jesus. Humility, like that of John the Baptist in the Gospel today, brings happiness. WHAT WILL BRING YOU JOY AND HAPPINESS? There are various types of joy and happiness; some are superficial and come and go but there is also deeper and lasting joy and happiness that abides and remains. Advent reminds us that the joyful answer to our problems lies in God. True joy and happiness is to be found only in God. What a difference there is between “Happy Holidays” and “Merry Christmas.” Anyone, even a pagan, can celebrate Happy Holidays, but how beautiful it is to have Christ at the center of a Merry Christmas. Christ is the one and only gift at the center of a Merry Christmas who is lacking from Happy Holidays. If we are not finding our joy and happiness in God we are under an illusion and sooner or later God will give us the painful grace of allowing that illusion to give way to reality. God is the answer. Only in God can we find true joy and happiness. What a joy for us to be saved by Jesus! But how unfortunate it is that we may live much of our day without realizing even how precious we are to God, that we are worth the price of Jesus’ precious blood and his life. We can indeed rejoice in God our Savior. Our second reading, taken from Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians, urges us, “Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.” It is really our vocation to “rejoice always.” How can we rejoice always? When we put our trust and hope in God, then even in difficult times when there is a storm at the surface, we can “rejoice always” deep within. When Jesus summarized the first three commandments as loving God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength he was really giving us a prescription for deep and permanent joy and happiness. Any unhappiness we experience is really an experience of the lack of God. God is the fulfillment of our anxieties and worries, of our needs, of our greed. CHRIST IS THE ONE AND ONLY GIFT AT THE CENTER OF

A MERRY CHRISTMAS. Remember that our celebration of the Solemnity of the Nativity of our God and Savior Jesus Christ is celebration in the Holy Mass on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. This year we

have Christmas Eve falling on a Sunday. This Sunday is the fourth Sunday of Advent. I remind you that YOU MUST FULFILL THE COMMANDMENT TO OBSERVE THE LORD’S DAY BY ATTENDING HOLY MASS ON SUNDAY, DECEMBER 24TH AND THE CELEBRATION OF CHRISTMAS ON MONDAY, DECEMBER 25TH. That means attendance at Holy Mass twice in one weekend. No cheating!!! Next Sunday we will not have 12:15 mass. OUR LADY OF THE MOUNTAIN PRAY FOR US…

ST. MARK PRAY FOR US…. From Fr. Slawek St. Lazarus, (First Century) – December 17 Lazarus and his sister Martha and Mary were friends, as well as followers, who often enjoyed the hospitality of their home in Bethany. When Lazarus fell ill his sister hastened to notify Jesus. But he did not immediately come. After deliberately dawdling, he arrived some days later to find Lazarus already dead and buried. The sisters’ greeting carried a reproach: “If you had been here our brother would not have died”. Nevertheless, Jesus proclaimed: “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me shall live even though he dies.” After instructing that the stone be rolled away from Lazarus’s tomb, Jesus called out, “Lazarus, come forth!” From deep in the darkness there was an unmistakable movement, and a moment later Lazarus emerged, alive again. How Lazarus made use of this new gift is unknown. John reports that this extraordinary sign simply added fuel to the hatred of Jesus’ enemies; they began to plot not only his death but that of Lazarus as well. Various legends describe the later post-Easter adventures of Lazarus – whether preaching in Cyprus or, according to more fanciful accounts, escaping with Mary Magdalene to the south of France. The Gospels record no words of Lazarus. He serves silently as a powerful witness to Christ’s power over death and as the first to respond to Christ’s call – addressed to all believers – to leave behind the ways of deadness, to embrace the Risen Life. From Fr. Javier TEACHING FROM THE CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH THE TEN COMMANDMENTS The Fifth Commandment You shall not kill. “You have heard that it was said to the men of old, You shall not kill: and whoever kills shall be liable to judgment. But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be liable to judgment”. My dear brothers and sisters according to the Catechism of the Catholic Church the Fifth Commandment teach us that Human life must be respected and protected absolutely from the moment of conception. From the first moment of his existence, a human being must be recognized as having the rights of a person among which is the inviolable right of every innocent being to life.

”Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately wrought in the depths of the earth”. Since the first century the Church has affirmed the moral evil of every procured abortion. This teaching has not changed and remains unchangeable. Direct abortion, that is to say, abortion willed either as an end or a means, is gravely contrary to the moral law: “You shall not kill the embryo by abortion and shall not cause the newborn to perish. God, the Lord of life, has entrusted to men the noble mission of safeguarding life, and men must carry it out in a manner worthy of themselves”. Life must be protected with the utmost care from the moment of conception: abortion and infanticide are abominable crimes. Also formal cooperation in an abortion constitutes a grave offense. The Church attaches the canonical penalty of excommunication to this crime against human life. The Church makes clear the gravity of the crime committed, the irreparable harm done to the innocent who is put to death, as well as to the parents and the whole of society. God bless you

WHY WE ARE CATHOLIC We are Catholic because we believe: John the Baptist is "more than a prophet." In him, the Holy Spirit concludes his speaking through the prophets. John completes the cycle of prophets begun by Elijah. He proclaims the imminence of the consolation of Israel; he is the "voice" of the Consoler who is coming. As the Spirit of truth will also do, John "came to bear witness to the light." In John's sight, the Spirit thus brings to completion the careful search of the prophets and fulfills the longing of the angels. "He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit. And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.... Behold, the Lamb of God." The Catechism of the Catholic Church 719

Christmas Flower Envelopes There are envelopes on the ushers table at all of the doors of the church if you would like to remember a loved one with a flower donation. They will be listed in the bulletin after Christmas. Thank you

Weekly Events Monday – Grades 8 & 10 regular times Tuesday – Bible Study – 10:00AM – Clrm 3 & 4 Wednesday – RCIA – 7-9PM – Clrm 3 & 4 Thursday – Choir – 7:00-8:30PM – Church Thursday – Bible Study – 7:00-9:00PM – Clrm 3 & 4

Sponsored by the High School Youth Ministry Team High School Youth Ministry

Meetings on Wednesday All 10th Grade Confirmation students are invited to join us!

7:30 – 9:00 PM Teen Center

12/20 - Grades 11 & 12; Antioch Preparation 12/31 - Grades 9 - 12; Service Opportunity - Coat drive - after

all the Masses 01/06 - Grades 9 - 12; Service Opportunity - Coat drive - after

all the Masses 01/07 - Grades 9 - 12: TEEN MASS & Service Opportunity -

Coat drive - after all the Masses 01/10 - Grades 11 & 12; Antioch Preparation

New and gently used coats, hats, scarves, gloves, and all winter outer wear (all ages and sizes)

Benefits Father English Center Donations accepted

Saturday, December 30, 2017 through Sunday, January 7, 2018

GRADES K – 10

Grades K – 6 – all sessions Grade 7 – Monday, January 8th – 6-7:15PM Grade 8 – Monday, December 17th – 6-7:15PM Grade 9 – Monday, January 8th - 7:30-9:00PM Grade 10 – Monday, December 17th - 7:30-9:00PM

Christmas Pageant Our annual Christmas Pageant is here! Please join us Today December 17th at 3:30PM in the church for the performance of the OLM children of all ages!

St. Mark’s New Year 5K Come start 2018 off with a brisk dash around Long Valley and support a great cause. They will be hosting a 5K run on January 1st starting at 11:30AM through beautiful Long Valley, Come on out and walk or run the coarse. Compete for prizes and enjoy some fellowship and breakfast afterwards. $25.00 until December 1st. and $30 until December 27th. Come join the fun!!! Teams are welcome, registration information is available at https://newyearsday5k.wixsite.com/race

OLM “Giving Tree” Our 2017 Giving Tree was a HUGE success. Our gratitude to all who shared with the giving to our own local families, the families at Domestic Abuse and The diocese program at Straight and Narrow where so thankful for all of you. May you have a very Blessed & Merry Christmas! Thank you for sharing in the spirit of Christmas!

Sarah Guida & Wreaths Across America Remember the fallen Veterans of our

community, Honor those who continue to serve and Teach the children their value of freedom. Thank you to

everyone who participated in any way to Remember, Honor and Teach about our

military in the Long Valley Cemeteries.

Retirement Fund for Religious Helping religious communities. “Your generous contribution helps us to care for our retired sisters and enables our younger sisters to continue in active ministry,” writes a religious sister. Your gift to today’s collection for the Retirement Fund for Religious helps provide medications, nursing care, and more for thousands of senior sisters, brothers, and religious order priests. It also helps ensure younger members can continue the good works of their elders!

ADVENT WREATH SIGNUP… At each mass during advent we invite you

as individuals, couples or families to light the candles on the advent wreath. Please sign up on the sheets that are on

the stand near the statue of St. Joseph side of the Sanctuary.

THANK A COP THIS CHRISTMAS As many of you are aware, Msgr. Ray has ministered to the law enforcement community and their families for many years. He is presently chaplain to Washington Township and Chester Police Departments, the Morris County Chiefs Association is director of the Morris County Police Critical Incident Debriefing Team, and recently retired after 20 years of service to the FBI. He knows law enforcement and their family’s very well and strongly believes that those who “protect and serve” are not adequately recognized, respected, and appreciated as real people. Many folks view them simply as a uniform with a badge and a gun. Cops are sons and daughters, fathers and mothers, sisters and brothers; ordinary hard-working people like us all. Many cops will not be with their families on Christmas, as they will be on duty working for all of us, and deserve our thanks for their many sacrifices. In the gathering area is a box in which you can place cards, letters of thanks, and Christmas greetings to our local officers. Father Ray will see that the cops receive them all for Christmas. “What so ever you do the least of my brothers – that you do unto me.” Matt. 25:40 Please Pray for the Sick Please remember to pray for the sick of our parish community who have requested our prayers: Anthony Arbolino, Arianna Anello, Lebo Barbagallo, Vic Berzanski, Alex Birdsall, Noah Bonita, Toni Brenner, Tim Burns, Regina Carson, Joseph Caruso, Ron Caruso, Tony Cassano, Rachel Crane, David Chung, Eric Clemente, Randy Clymer, Todd Copan, Rachel Crane, Genevieve Dancicco, Gary Davila, Christopher Delplato, Mike Depew, Tony Durso, Vito Dellibovi, Sean Dolan, Glenn Evans, Mary Ewanyk, Jayden Feichter, Santinna Flynn, Maureen Foley, Barbara Froetscher, Pete Gallagher, Mary Gallagher, Baby Antonia Gallardo, Jean Greco, Jerry Green, Don Grevera, Anabela Guerra, Peggy Hoffman, Laurel Jilek, Jane kafarski, Kristina Kantz, Carmean Kissoczy, Pam Longo, Raymond Lurker, Raymond MacCarthy, Jillian Martin, Judy Martino, Bob McCourt, Darlene McHugh, Ed Michonski, Jennifer Mollitor, Kelly Moncofsky, Charlie Noll, Nora Ochwat, Catherine O’Conney, Jim Owens, Dennis Paradise, Arlene & Chandra Parikh, Stelios & Mary Pispitsos, Deanna Procuito, Art Quails, Joanne Reilly, Nick Ruggiero, Heather Ryan, Dan Salerno, Jillian Sayre, Pauline Scala, Judy Schellenberg, Connor Scott, Connie Secaras, Colinda Shernce, Paula Smith, Bob Taylor, Thomas Tell, Ellin & Frank Uhl, Lil Varga, Ronald Warner, Allen Watts, Adrienne Werner, Melissa Winters, Roula Zanetta, & Issac Zujkowski. We are currently praying for the sick from the pulpit for 1 month then adding their names to this list in the bulletin.

Altar Server Invitation Attention 3rd graders and above! Our parish community cordially invites anyone interested in becoming an altar server to fill out the information below and drop it in the collection basket or the church office. It is a great privilege to serve at the altar of the Lord. If you have any questions, you may reach Fr. Javier or Fr. Slawek by calling the office.

Altar Servers Name____________________________________ Age______________Grade__________________ Phone___________________________________ email____________________________________ Christmas and Year End Gifts to the Church Faith Direct offers eGiving for all of our Christmas & Year End collections. We want you to know that you can use your personal Faith Direct accounts to make one-time gifts outside of your regularly-scheduled contributions. We will be accepting one-time Checking/Savings account gifts until December 22nd at 3:00PM EST and live one-time credit card gifts until midnight on December 31st. These gifts will be disbursed to you in a separate end-of-year disbursement on January 8th.

Columbiettes Christmas Cookie Sale The Long Valley Columbiettes will be selling delicious, homemade cookies after all masses in the gathering room this weekend. Thank you for your support which will benefit many others. Merry Christmas.

OLM Gift Shop is Ready for Advent OLM Gift Shop has all your holiday needs for Advent candles and wreaths. Also a great supply of stocking stuffers and small gifts.

Christmas Season Hymns from the Cathedral In commemoration of the renovation and reopening of the Cathedral of John the Baptist in Paterson, NJ the musicians there created a Christmas Carol CD, with the proceeds from its sale going to the Cathedral for the explicit purpose of serving the homeless and the needy. The CD contains eight popular, traditional Christmas carols for a fee of $12.50 payable by check via the order form located in the church office or by calling Tom Kieren at 973-214-6473 or email; pastoral140@earthlink.net this commemorative cd seems ideal for Christmas gift giving for family and friends during the Christmas season, not to mention the advantage of its tax deductibility. The performance represents a memorialized set of hymns that have passed the test of time for hundreds of years in both the religious secular worlds of music.

Sarah’s FIGHT for HOPE Foundation

Bunco Night Fundraiser & Designer Bag Raffle

January 17th, 2018 St. Mark Parish, Spring Lane, Long Valley

Doors Open at 6:30PM – Game Start 7:30PM

Pre-Sale Donation $20.00 Group of 4 - $70.00

(includes door prizes, coffee/tea and dessert) At Door $25.00

NO SKILL REQUIRED…100% LUCK 100% FUN

Bring your party to our PARTY

Ticket Purchase:

www.sarahsfightforhope.org info: SARAHSFIGHTFORHOPE@GMAIL.COM

MUST BE 18 YEARS AND OLDER

Sarah’s Fight for HOPE Foundation is a not for Profit 501C3 designated organization

Children’s Liturgy Children’s Liturgy coming soon! Watch the bulletin for details about our children having the opportunity to learn about Jesus at their level during Mass!