ST. ELIZABETH - ST. BRIGID PARISH November 27- December 4, 2016 First Sunday of Advent

LITURGICAL SCHEDULE

(†) Deceased (L) Living Monday, November 28 8:30 AM (St. Elizabeth) Rosary for Vocations 9:00 AM (St. Elizabeth) Mass: John Dziurzynski †

Tuesday, November 29 8:45 AM (St. Brigid) Morning Prayer 9:00 AM (St. Brigid) Mass: Maureen Estevez †

Wednesday, November 30 ~ St. Andrew 8:45 AM (St. Elizabeth) Novena 9:00 AM (St. Elizabeth) Mass: Protection of Babies in the Womb

Thursday, December 1 8:45 AM (St. Brigid) Morning Prayer 9:00 AM (St. Brigid) Mass: Special Intentions of the

O’Callaghan Family

Friday, December 2 8:45 AM (St. Brigid) Rosary for Vocations 9:00 AM (St. Brigid) Mass: Rosa Manrique de Arca †

Saturday, December 3

5:00 PM (St. Brigid) Mass: Frank & Marie Brach † 6:30 PM (St. Elizabeth) Mass: Josephine Honoshowsky †

Sunday, December 4 Second Sunday of Advent

7:30 AM (St. Brigid) Mass: William Marfuggi † 8:30 AM (St. Elizabeth) Mass: For the Parishioners 9:30 AM (St. Brigid) Mass: Memorial Guild of St. Elizabeth-St. Brigid Parish † 10:30 AM (St. Elizabeth) Mass: James Sweeney † 11:30 AM (St. Brigid) Mass: Cameron Calabrese †

CONGRATULATIONS MICHAEL BIELAWA Mike Bielawa was awarded the Disciple of Mercy Award at Evening Prayer on Sunday, November 20th from Bishop Checchio at St. Francis of Assisi Cathedral in Metuchen. Mike was nominated for his extraordinary service to meet the needs of many through his actions as a faithful servant of the Gospel message as a member of St. Elizabeth-St. Brigid Parish and the Knight of Columbus. May God continue to bless Mike on his hard work and charity towards those in need.

LITURGICAL MINISTERS Saturday, December 3, 2016

St. Brigid --------------------------------------------- 5:00 PM (E) T. & D. Terracino (R) M. Carolonza

(A) J. Ryan St. Elizabeth ----------------------------------------6:30 PM (E) F. Howard (R) M. F. Howard

(A) M. Marin, M. Villagra

Sunday, December 4, 2016 St. Brigid --------------------------------------------- 7:30 AM

(E) P. Riedel (R) S. Santucci (A) A. & M. Johnson

St. Elizabeth----------------------------------------- 8:30 AM (E) K. Spinda (R) J. Howe

(A) C. Moreau St. Brigid --------------------------------------------- 9:30 AM

(E) D. Sotolongo (R) B. Peterson (A) C. & M. Ruggia

St. Elizabeth--------------------------------------- 10:30 AM (E) D. Agostino (R) Assistance Needed

(A) N. Agostino St. Brigid ------------------------------------------- 11:30 AM

(E) D. & M. Lobo (R) E. Van Arsdale (A) U., M., & M. Lagana

“For everything there is a season and a time for every purpose under heaven…”

A time to heal… Please pray for the sick of our parishes including: Elizabeth Kurylo, Ruth Stahl, Maria Nucci, Dave Martin, Edmond Rochat, Jr., Ann Buttacavoli, Victoria Gass, Barbara Giarretta, Phyllis Munstis, Mike Tocci, Magdalena Mendez, Kathryn Zacharias, Mary Hanlon, John Gallagher, Dottie Brienza and Rose Lynn. A time to die… Please pray for those who have recently passed away.

FOR THE WEEK OF 11/27 - 12/4, 2016 Altar Bread and Wine at

St. Elizabeth Church are being offered for Special Intentions of

Pina Jibilian on her birthday.

FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT

First Reading: Isaiah 2:1-5 The words of Isaiah urge all people to forsake war and to live in peace forever. The tone reaches a climax in the words, “One nation shall not raise the sword against another, nor shall they train for war again.” Second Reading: Romans 13:11-14 Paul invites us to put away all the things of darkness and sin and to prepare for the coming of Christ. Gospel: Matthew 24:37-44 A comparison is made between the destruction caused by the flood in Noah’s time and the need to be prepared for the second coming of Christ. “You must be prepared in the same way. The Son of Man is coming at the time you least expect.” SAINT ELIZABETH-ST. BRIGID PARISH CONTACT LIST Parish Group Contact Name and E-mail Bible Study/Book Club Sr. Lucille Pezzlo MPF AdultEd@sainteb.org Choir Mary Lieberman Choir@sainteb.org Couples for Christ Gabriella Daus ParishLIfe@sainteb.org Daughters of Mary Tess Johnson Daughters_of_Mary@sainteb.org Knights of Columbus Jim Gallombardo kofc11386@gmail.com or KofC@sainteb.org Lectio Divina Men: Jerry Tutak Lectio_M@sainteb.org Women: Vera Ricciardi Zachman Lectio@sainteb.org Parish Pastoral Council Vera Ricciardi-Zachman

PastoralCouncil@sainteb.org RCIA Margaret Mulrooney ParishLife@sainteb.org Religious Education Denise O’Callaghan RelEd@sainteb.org Reverence for Life Kathy Marie Denuel RevforLife@sainteb.org

Or please call the Parish Office at 908-234-1265

Remember in your prayers the members of our Armed Services, especially Patrick Blankenship of the

USMC & Ryan O’Connor of the US Army, close friends of Jean Fall; John F. Stahl of the US Army, son, Joseph Stahl of the Navy, grandson, and Eric Hummel of the US Army nephew of Ruth Stahl; Brendan Patrick Duffy of the US Army, son of Deacon Larry & Denise Duffy; Jordan Weaver of the Air Force, husband of Christy (LaPointe) Weaver; Timothy Donovan of the US Navy, close friend of Tom Gioino; Charles Clough of the USMC, son of John & Jan Clough; PFC Sean McMahon of the US Army, friend of The LaPointe family; John Walker of the Air Force, grandson of Bernard & Joan O’Reilly; Christopher Jibilian, US Navy pilot and Matthew Jibilian US Navy Seal, grand-nephews of Charlie & Pina Jibilian.

Congratulations to the following children

Baptized in St. Brigid Church this past weekend:

Benjamin Lawrence Chabus Child of Mark and Katherine Chabus

Henry Patrick Schmidt Child of Brian and Collen Schmidt

SAVE THE DATE: FEBRUARY 8, 2017 Daughters of Mary

It’s our WRAPPED IN RED FUND RAISER and TALENT SHOW. The Talent show is open to any member of our parish who would like to entertain us with their particular talent. More details will follow.

SECOND COLLECTION NEXT WEEKEND DECEMBER 3-4 2016

SUPPORT ELDERLY RELIGIOUS Your donation works for aging religious. “I read that roughly 95 percent of donations to the Retirement Fund for Religious aid senior religious,” a donor writes. “That’s wonderful when we truly want our donations to work.” Your gift works for elderly religious by helping to furnish medications, nursing care, and more. Please support next week’s collection for the Retirement Fund for Religious, and give to those who have given a lifetime.

Remember to pray for the souls in purgatory: Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual

light shine upon them. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

Amen.

NOVEMBER PRAYER FOR OUR BELOVED DEAD Jesus, Lord of Life, watch over us always and keep us in your care as we remember our loved ones who have passed away and hold them up in prayer.

May your Holy Spirit, Giver of Life, Who breathed life into their souls at the moment of conceptions offer His Divine help now, and breathe new life into their souls so they may complete their heavenly journey.

May your holy angels minister to us who remain, and with our Blessed Mother, watch over us, until that day when we too are called to account for our sins, and surrender ourselves to your Divine mercy.

Keep us safe, Lord, and with our beloved dead, always faithful. May we never abandon your holy will.

Amen.

© Reverend John G. Hillier, October 2015

Christmas Bake Sale Sponsored by the Daughters of Mary

Weekend of December 17-18 after all Masses

Pre-Order for Cookies Only

Small tray (approx. 2 doz.) _____ $14.00 Medium tray (approx. 3 doz.) _____ $20.00 Large tray (approx. 4 doz.) _____ $26.00 Total Amount Due: $ ________ Name: _______________________________ Contact #: ____________________________

Pick Up Location: St. Brigid St. Elizabeth

Please make checks payable to: Daughters of Mary and place in the collection basket or leave at the Parish Office no later than November 30th. Orders will be available for pick-up on Saturday (12/17) and Sunday (12/18), at all Masses.

YOUTH MINISTRY CORNER

HOLY HOUR WITH EXPOSITION OF THE BLESSED

SACRAMENT AND THE ROSARY The missionary image of Our Lady of Guadalupe for the sanctity of the family and the solidarity of the Church in America, promoting a culture of life and a civilization of love, will be on

display in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament. This will take place on Tuesday, December 13th at 7:30 PM - 8:30 PM at St. Brigid Church. PLEASE PRAY FOR POPE FRANCIS AND HIS INTETIONS UNIVERSAL: Countries Receiving Refugees That the countries which take in a great number of displaced persons and refugees may find support for their efforts which show solidarity. EVANGELIZATION: Collaboration of Priests and Laity That within parishes, priests and lay people may collaborate in service to the community without giving in to the temptation of discouragement.

PLEASE NOTE TIME CHANGE FOR CONFESSIONS: The Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession) will be available at 6 PM prior to the 6:30 PM Mass at St. Elizabeth Church.

ADVENT SUGGESTIONS · Create an Advent wreath for your home and light it at mealtime. As you continue to light it notice how much stronger the light is getting as

Christmas comes closer. There are prayers that can be said as the wreath is lit. These are available at various Catholic shops and web sites.

· Share an Advent calendar with scripture references or activities with your family.

· Give yourselves to the poor by offering to share with those in need by selecting a tag from the Giving Tree and purchasing presents for those who have so little.

· Have a family night each week where you gather together and share prayers and songs in preparation for Christmas.

· Watch some of the Christmas programs and look for the message of good that shines through. Even the Grinch learned the meaning of Christmas.

· Use the Little Blue Books for reflection and daily prayer during Advent.

CHRISTMAS NATIVITY The Children’s Christmas Eve Nativity Mass will be at St. Brigid Church on December 24th at the 5 PM Mass with the Pageant beginning at 4:45 PM in St. Brigid.

Children in Kindergarten through High School are needed for the pageant. Practice will be held on Tuesday, December 20th from 4:30 to 5:30 PM. If interested in participating, contact Denise O’Callaghan at 908-234-1524.

CHRISTMAS PARTY FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

Our Diocesan Office for Persons with Disabilities is sponsoring a "Christmas Party" for children and young adults with special needs on Saturday, December 17th, 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM at

the St. John Neumann Pastoral Center, 146 Metlars Lane, Piscataway, NJ. Please indicate your interest in attending as well as the total number of people in your party by calling 732-765-6432 or emailing: catholicswithdisabilities@gmail.com.

THE GIVING TREE The parish Giving Tree is available in both Churches this weekend. Tags adorn each tree with gifts needed to assist those in need. This year the gifts will be given to those in need in our

area and Perth Amboy, the Sisters of Life, the Pregnancy Aid and Information Center, students of Matheny and those serviced through the Office of the Disabled in the Diocese of Metuchen, Gifts may be wrapped and returned to Church on December 10th and 11th. It is not necessary to wrap the diapers and formula. Thank you for your generous outpouring to those in need this Advent.

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS FOOD DRIVE ~ December 3-4

The food drive benefits The Consolidated Food Bank Network of Somerset County. The Food Bank is always in need of canned fruit,

vegetables; canned milk and juices; pasta and tomato products; peanut butter and jellies; dried fruit; beans, canned meats and tuna; meals in a can; cereal, instant breakfasts, granola bars and any other non-perishable food items. Please bring your donations to Church next weekend. Thank You.

ANNUAL CHRISTMAS CONCERT St. Ann Parish in Raritan presents Fr. Alphonse Stephenson’s Orchestra of St. Peter by the Sea Annual Christmas Concert. This will be held at 2 PM on Sunday, December 18 at the Somerset County Vocational & Technical School, Bridgewater, NJ. Advance tickets are available by calling at 908-725-1008 x104.

RESOURCES FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES Our Diocesan Office for Persons with Disabilities has a Facebook page that provides daily updates with short inspirational reflections for people with disabilities, family members and care

givers. The site also provides endless resources for those with physical, emotional, cognitive, visual, auditory and other special challenges. To access our Facebook page (even if you are not a member of Facebook), type the following into your search engine: Diocese of Metuchen Office for Persons with Disabilities.

DIOCESE OF METUCHEN YOUTH & YOUNG ADULT OFFICE

Invites Young Adults from Age 18 to 39 For a Young Adult Holy Hour

December 11, 2016 St. Magdalen de Pazzi Parish 105 Mine St. Flemington, NJ

From 6 PM to 7 PM, includes praise and worship, faith sharing and guest speakers. Reconciliation will also be available. For more information, contact Mary Ann Giannone mgiannone@diometuchen.org.

MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER

In this season of Thanksgiving, why not celebrate your marriage and its many blessings by attending a Marriage Encounter Weekend?

A Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend gives you the time and tools to revitalize romance, deepen communication, and nourish the spirituality in your marriage. The next Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend will be held January 13 - 15. Early registration is advisable as space is limited. Phone 732-904-9636 for registration and information.

WOMEN’S RETREAT