SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2019

Rev. Nicholas Bozza, Pastor 375 Main Street, P.O. Box 730, Chester, New Jersey 07930

Coordinators of Religious Education:

Dorothy Kudron, Shannon Rossi

Cynthia Vittitow— Catechesis of the Good Shepherd

Brian Flanagan — Confirmation

Kathleen Galdi — DRE, Youth Protection/Safe Environment

Music Minister: Joseph P. Tamburro

Youth Minister: Brian Flanagan

Mercy Minister: Cindy Zeis

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN: Gr. 1-7: Sun. 9:00-10:50 am (includes Mass)

Gr. 5-7: Sun. 5:00-7:00 pm (includes Mass)

Gr. 8-10: Sun. 5:50-8:15 pm (includes Mass)

CGS: Sun. 9:00-11:00 am OR Thurs. 4:45-6:00 pm

Gr. K-7: Thurs. 4:45-6:00 pm

ADULT RELIGIOUS EDUCATION: RCIA: Sundays (September-Easter)

SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION: Saturday: 4:00-4:45 pm, Monday: 6:30-7:00 pm & on request.

SACRAMENT OF THE SICK: Please call the Parish Office anytime for communion calls or visitation

of the sick and elderly. Keep us informed so that we can be attentive to

those who are ill at home or in the hospital.

Parish Email: [email protected]

Parish Web Site: www.stlchester.org

Web Master: Joanne Franklin (908-879-6222)

Welcome Rosemary Lohrmann (973) 214-4806 Haiti Twinning Program Christine Colannino (201) 314-9824

Bereavement Resource Don Martone (201) 274-9723 Lectors John Kennington (908) 872-0575

Good Samaritans Patsy Soden (908) 879-3374 Eucharistic Ministers Loretta Stewart (973) 222-7492

Armata Bianca Lorna Phillips (617) 538-5567 Ushers Bob Holl (908) 876-3488

Moms & Tots Meghan Mahoney (732) 407-1618 Music Minister Joe Tamburro (347) 213-0621

Arimathaea Arlene McDonald (973) 229-9697 Spanish Ministry Louis Villafane (908) 879-3032

Liturgical Environment Joanne Carr (908) 879-5543 Youth Minister Brian Flanagan (973) 946-8770

Women’s Cornerstone Lissette Howell (973) 975-7343 Altar Servers Kathleen Garrison (973) 945-1518

Men’s Cornerstone Tommy Reynolds (908) 463-0167 Evangelization Robert Holl (908) 876-3488

Pastoral Adv. Board Jerry Frech (908) 377-2900 RCIA Jan Richards (908) 975-3555

Rosary Society Marie Holl (908) 876-3488 Respect Life Robert Holl (908) 876-3488

Barn Ministry Ray Waugh (908) 432-5046 Family Mass Social Marc McFeely (973) 222-9739

Mary’s Moonflowers Karen Jones (973) 479-5271

Parochial Vicar: Rev. Yohan Serrano

Permanent Deacon: William DeVizio

Trustees: Phil Guidone, Margie Scobell

Parish Secretary: Karen Jaworski

Accountant: Sharon McCann

MASSES: Saturday: 5:00 pm Sunday: 7:30 am, 9:00 am, 11:00 am, 12:30 pm (Spanish), 6:00 pm

Daily Mass: Mon.-Fri. 8:00 am & 9:00 am, Sat. 9:00 am

Holy Day Vigil: 7:00 pm

Holy Day: 8:00 am, 4:30 pm, 7:00 pm (Spanish)

Healing Mass: 7:00 pm every 3rd Wed. of month. Rosary at 6:30 pm

BAPTISMS: Baptism Preparation Class: Please call the Parish Office to schedule.

Baptisms: Please call the Parish Office to schedule.

SPANISH BAPTISMS: Baptism Preparation Class: Please call the Parish Office to schedule. Baptisms: Please call the Parish Office to schedule.

MARRIAGES: Please contact the Priest/Deacon whom you wish to officiate at your

wedding one year in advance to arrange for Marriage Preparation

Sessions.

PARISH MEMBERSHIP: Every family moving into the parish is requested to register. If you move

to another parish or change your address, please notify the Parish Office.

St. Lawrence the Martyr Church SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2019

MISSION STATEMENT

St. Lawrence the Martyr Roman Catholic Church is a loving and welcoming

community of disciples of Jesus who invite you to join us in becoming

disciples of Jesus. As disciples, we are faithful to prayer, to listening to

God’s Word, to meeting with Jesus in the sacraments, to building community,

and to serving others.

Parish Office: 908-879-5371 Priests’ Home: 908-879-1901 Religious Ed.: 908-879-6714 Youth Minister: 973-946-8770 Fax: 908-879-7701

Parish Ministries and Ministry Facilitators

Page Two SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2019 - FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT

THE HOLY SEASON OF ADVENT

Advent is the first season in the Church’s liturgical year and is the season that

helps us prepare both for our celebration of Christ’s birth and for our meetings

with Him. The name Advent comes from Latin roots that mean that Jesus is

coming to us. During Advent, we recall that Jesus will come at the end of time

to judge the living and the dead, that He came among us as a divine and hu-

man person in the Middle East 2,000 years ago, and that He comes to us regu-

larly now when we pray and celebrate the Sacraments. In the spirit of Advent,

we prepare ourselves for our meetings with the Lord Jesus.

When Jesus comes to us, we prepare for the coming of a most special and be-

loved guest. We beautify our souls in preparation for His coming through the

Sacrament of Reconciliation (confession), through acts of love like personal

prayer, the sacraments and by acts of charity and mercy toward others in need.

A beautiful Advent prayer that we may pray is Maranatha, “Come, Lord Jesus!”

FEAST OF OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12

On Thursday, December 12, we will celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Our Lady of

Guadalupe is the patron of the Americas and the patron of the unborn. The celebration will begin

with Mass at 6:00 pm and will be followed by a social in the Church Hall following the Mass. As

she is the patron of the Americas, I ask that we all make an effort to attend.

THE BISHOP’S ANNUAL APPEAL

It is so easy to put letters and bills aside and then not have time to return to them to complete our

task. I want to remind you of the Bishop’s Annual Appeal just in case you have not yet made your

pledge or offering. Please keep in mind that our donations to the Annual Appeal assist our Catholic

Charities Agencies, our inner city Catholic schools, seminarian education, support of Nazareth Vil-

lage and half of the overage comes back to our parish. Thank you for your generosity!

God bless.

Father Nick

FROM THE PASTOR’S DESK

Page Three SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2019 - FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION THIS WEEK

Sunday

• Classes - 9:00 am, 5:00 pm

Thursday

• Classes - 4:45 pm

Sunday

• Confirmation classes - 5:50 pm

MEETINGS / EVENTS THIS WEEK

Tuesday

• Women’s Cornerstone - 7:00 pm

• Beginner ESL - 7:30 pm

Wednesday

• Armata Bianca - 4:15 pm

• ESL - 7:30 pm

Thursday

• Moms & Tots -10:00 am

• Adult Choir - 7:00 pm

Friday

• Divine Mercy Chaplet - 3:00 pm

Saturday

• Men’s Cornerstone - 7:30 am

• Candle Night Vigil - 7:00 pm

OUR NEW SICK LIST

Each month we will begin a new list of names of the sick.

If you would like to place a name on the list, please con-

tact the Parish Office at 908-879-5371 or par-

[email protected]. If you would like a name to appear

again for the following month, contact the office then and

we will include the name and continue our prayers. It is

hoped that a shorter, updated list will allow for easier

recognition of those in need of our healing prayers.

WE PRAY FOR THE SICK . . .

Sister Eucharia, Father Joseph Farias, Father Joseph Gar-

barino, Father Gilberto Gutierrez, Father Daniel Kelly, Fa-

ther Thomas Mangieri, Father Eugene Romano, Father Stan-

islaw Wajdziak, Msgr. Eugene Boland, Msgr. Peter

McBride, Msgr. Peter J. McHugh, Msgr. Richard Rusconi,

Deacon Hector Cassillas

Dorothy Diana, Camille McQueen

THE TEN

COMMANDMENT CHALLENGE

Week 5:

1. I am the Lord your God. You shall have no other

gods before me.

2. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God

in vain.

3. Remember to keep holy the Lord’s Day.

4. Honor your father and mother.

5. You shall not kill.

5:00 pm

CB –

Nora

Mulligan

S1 –

Aidan

Mulligan

S2 –

Declan

Mulligan

S3 –

7:30 am

CB –

Todd

Smith Jr.

S1 –

Sadie

Smith

S2 -

S3 –

9:00 am

CB – Sophia

Economou

S1 – Alex Econ-

omou

S2 –

Nicholas

Leo

S3 –

11:00 am

CB –

Stephen

Howell

S1 –

Aidan

Howell

S2 –

Margo

Higgins

S3 –

12:30 pm

CB –

Brianna

Carrera

S1 –

Erik

Carrera

S2 – Angel

Carrera

S3 –

Hector

Carrera

6:00 pm

CB –

S1 – Beth

Hoye

S2 –

Meredith

Hoye

S3 –

ADVENT

Let’s approach Christmas with an expectant hush, ra-

ther than a last-minute rush.

~Anonymous

SAINT JOHN OF DAMASCUS (c. 675-749)

December 4

From almost 1300 years ago, John’s mes-

sage for the church’s spirituality and mis-

sion is surprisingly contemporary. Pope

Benedict said that in our modern culture of

images, sacred images often speak more

eloquently than words. This “incarnational

theology,” the concept that visible, tangible

elements can give believers access to di-

vine realities beyond, found an eloquent champion in

John of Damascus. He challenged the Iconoclasts (image-

breakers), whose misinterpretation of the biblical prohibi-

tion of idolatrous images (Exodus 20:4-5) led them to

campaign for the destruction of all sacred art. Before this

controversy, however, John bore witness to Christ in a

way that provides a timely example for Christians in to-

day’s pluralistic society. Succeeding his grandfather and

father, John served as chief financial officer to the Mus-

lim caliph, professing his Christian faith without compro-

mise, while winning the esteem of his Islamic sovereign

by his competence and integrity. No wonder John could

eloquently defend icons as “windows into heaven”—he

had already learned to see Christ in the living icons of

people different from himself yet fashioned in the same

divine image!

ALTAR SERVER SCHEDULE

December 7-8

Page Four SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2019 - FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT

ADVENT & CHRISTMAS EVENTS 2019

Vigil of Immaculate Conception of Mary

Saturday, December 7 at 7:00 pm

Holy Rosary in 5 languages (main language

English), Solemn Procession, Candle Night,

Refreshments

Solemnity of Immaculate Conception of Mary

Monday, December 9

8:00 am, 4:30 pm Mass in English

7:00 pm Mass in Spanish (Projection in Eng-

lish)

Solemnity of Our Lady of Guadalupe

Thursday, December 12 at 6:00 pm

Holy Mass in Spanish (Projection in English)

Festivities afterwards in Church Hall.

Posada-Novena “Inn” to Baby Jesus

December 14 - December 23

6:30 pm

(Monday, 12/16 at 7:45 pm

Sunday, 12/22 at 7:15 pm)

12/23: Closing of Posada-Novena,

Wood Fire, Gift Night

Parish Christmas Concert

Sunday, December 15 at 3:00 pm

Come enjoy the sounds of the season performed

by our adult and children’s choirs accompanied

by our instrumentalists. Refreshments served

afterwards in Church Hall.

Confession

Sunday and Monday, December 22-23

7:00 pm

Christmas Eve Masses

Tuesday, December 24

4:00, 6:00, 10:00 pm Mass in English

8:00 pm Mass in Spanish (Projection in

English) and the Rocking of Baby Jesus

Christmas Day Masses

Wednesday, December 25

7:30, 9:00, 11:00 am Mass in English

CHRISTMAS GIVING TREES

Our Annual Christmas Giving Trees are dis-

played in the Church Hall and Vestibule.

Please place your gift cards in the regular

weekly collection basket during Mass with

the original tag attached to the card.

Larger gifts can be placed under the trees. Returns

are due back by Sunday, December 15.

It is important to remember this deadline date as the

Good Samaritans need to distribute the gifts to the partic-

ipating organizations before Christmas.

We will be supporting these organizations this year:

• St. Peter’s Orphanage/Village

• Family Promise of Morris County

• Birth Haven

• Catholic Family & Community Services of Paterson

• Local Parish Families

• Fr. Enrique’s and Fr. Rolands’ parishes

Thank you for helping so many children and families

during this blessed time of year. Your generosity is very

much appreciated and will help make a joyous Christmas

for someone else!

BISHOP’S ANNUAL APPEAL

“For I Was Hungry…”

As the year comes fast to an end, and many are planning

on how to make a final year-end charitable contribution

that has the most impact, please consider the many lives

that are helped because of the support given to the Bish-

op’s Annual Appeal. These are your neighbors, your

friends, our senior priests and seminarians and urban

school students. All of us can play a part in the Bishop’s

Annual Appeal — as either a contributor to the cause or

as a recipient of its mission — and all are blessed as a

result. Please make the Bishop’s Annual Appeal a priori-

ty in your year-end philanthropy. Gifts can be made by

check, credit card, through gifts of securities or on-line at

www.2019appeal.org. If you are age 70 ½ or over and

have an IRA, you can receive a tax benefit by instructing

your IRA investment manager to donate your required

minimum distribution to the Bishop’s Annual Appeal.

Contact the Bishop’s Appeal Office at 973-777-8818, ext.

218 for additional details and also consult your tax or

financial advisor for more information.

MASS BOOK 2020

Opens Monday, December 2, for Mass intentions.

WE PRAY FOR PARISHIONERS IN THE MILITARY

Brianna Harmon, Kevin Phillips, Brad Carfaro

Page Five SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2019 - FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT

MASS INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK

MONDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2019 8:00 am - Joanie DiBello

9:00 am - Bill & Jeanne McCormick

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2019

8:00 am - Edith Creddon

9:00 am - Spec. Int. of Lotto Family

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2019 8:00 am - Bill McCormick

9:00 am - Spec. Int. of McGinley Family

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2019 8:00 am - Maureen Diana

9:00 am - Martin Cerza

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2019 8:00 am - Spec. Int. of Robertiello Family

- Rita Senger

9:00 am - Parents of Mike & Elena Acerra

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2019

9:00 am - Maureen Diana

5:00 pm - Kathryn Dalton

- Charles Cerami

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2019 7:30 am - Eileen Schiano

- Jonathan Tio

9:00 am - Gerard Forrester

- Victoria & John George

11:00 am - For the People of the Parish

12:30 pm - Spec. Int. of Susan Smith

6:00 pm - Richard Joseph Croak

- Ann Marie Koch

TITHING IS GOD’S PLAN FOR GIVING.

Biblically a tithe means 10%. All are asked to consider

tithing and return 10% of our income to the Lord (5% to

the parish, 5% to God’s other charities) in gratitude. The

spiritual practice of tithing disposes us to make God first

in every area of our lives! The aim is to secure not the

tithe, but the tither. Not the gift, but the giver — for God!

Tithing Income November 24, 2019 $________*

Tithing Income November 25, 2018 $11,757.00

* Collection amount unavailable at time of bulletin printing.

Reflection: “Therefore, stay awake! For you do not

know on which day your Lord will come."

(Matthew 24:42)

People who have had health issues or near-death experi-

ences generally have a greater appreciation for each day

being a gift from God. The rest of us usually take for

granted that we will be around tomorrow. But when you

start to look at each day as a gift, you realize all the little

miracles that happen daily and grow in gratitude for all

that we have been given. You begin to see God’s active

presence in your life.

From Father Nick: “I know that the experience of tith-

ing with God can help people to grow in faith. I am happy

that a good number of our people are taking advantage of

this plan from God that is explained in the Bible.”

A Testimony from a Member of St. Elizabeth Church,

Washington Hts., NY: “Regarding tithing, nothing better

has happened at St. Elizabeth’s in years. Thank you for

following what the Spirit is saying. We must continue to

teach the spirituality of tithing so that the joy of giving

may be experienced.”

HOPEFUL EXPECTATION Our liturgical year begins with the season of Advent, a

time of hopeful expectation of the coming of the Lord.

On the First Sunday of Advent, we look forward to the

end of time when we will awaken to the dawn of Christ’s

new day.

Today we hear Isaiah speak of a day when God’s power

will have brought universal peace and God’s Word will

have instructed all people, radiating God’s

“light” (teachings) into all of human society. Only when

humanity walks “in the light of the LORD” (Isaiah 2:5),

when all people desire to be instructed “in [God’s]

ways” (Isaiah 2:3), will the world be set aright and our

deepest longings fulfilled. The reading from Romans

calls us to “awake from sleep” for this final “day is at

hand” (Romans 13:11, 12). Together, this Sunday’s

scriptures proclaim our Christian faith that Jesus is the

One who will finally come to fulfill God’s plan of salva-

tion.

TODAY’S READINGS First Reading — All the peoples shall stream toward the

LORD’s house (Isaiah 2:1-5).

Psalm — Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord

(Psalm 122).

Second Reading — It is the hour to cast off the dark and

clothe ourselves in the light (Romans 13:11–14).

Gospel — Stay awake! Be prepared! The Son of Man

will come when you least expect (Matthew 24:37-44).

MASS READINGS FOR THE WEEK Monday: Is 4:2-6; Ps 122:1-9; Mt 8:5-11

Tuesday: Is 11:1-10; Ps 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17;

Lk 10:21-24

Wednesday: Is 25:6-10a; Ps 23:1-6; Mt 15:29-37

Thursday: Is 26:1-6; Ps 118:1, 8-9, 19-21, 25-27a;

Mt 7:21, 24-27

Friday: Is 29:17-24; Ps 27:1, 4, 13-14; Mt 9:27-31

Saturday: Is 30:19-21, 23-26; Ps 147:1-6;

Mt 9:35 — 10:1

Sunday: Is 11:1-10; Ps 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17;

Rom 15:4-9; Mt 3:1-12

NEXT HEALING MASS

Wednesday, December 17

7:00 pm (Rosary at 6:30 pm)

Sun

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

1 Mass-7:30 Mass-9 Mass-11 Mass-12:30 (Spanish) Mass-6 FF-9, 5

2 Morn. Prayer-7:25 Mass-8, 9 Confession-6:30

3 Morn. Prayer-7:25 Mass-8, 9 Beginner ESL-7:30 Women’s Corner-stone-7

4 Morn. Prayer-7:25 Mass-8, 9 Armata Bianca-4:15 ESL-7:30

5 Morn. Prayer-7:25 Mass-8, 9 Moms & Tots-10 Adult Choir-7 FF-4:45

6 Morn. Prayer-7:25 Mass-8, 9 Adoration 9:30-8:30 Divine Mercy Chaplet-3

7 Morn. Prayer-8:25 Mass-9

Confession-4-4:45 Mass-5 Men’s Cornerstone-7:30 am Candle Night Vigil-7

8 Mass-7:30 Mass-9 Mass-11 Mass-12:30 (Spanish) Mass-6 Confirmation Clas-ses-5:50

9 Morn. Prayer-7:25 Immaculate Con-ception Masses-8, 4:30, 7 (Spanish) Good Samaritans-7

10 Morn. Prayer-7:25 Mass-8, 9 Beginner ESL-7:30 Adult Choir-7

11 Morn. Prayer-7:25 Mass-8, 9 Armata Bianca-4:15 ESL-7:30

12 Morn. Prayer-7:25 Mass-8, 9 Moms & Tots-10 Our Lady of Guada-lupe Mass-6 (Festivities after)



Confession-4-4:45 Mass-5 Posada Novena- 6:30

15 Mass-7:30 Mass-9 Mass-11 Mass-12:30 (Spanish) Mass-6

FF-9, 5 Confirm. Classes-5:50 Concert-3


FFF-5:15

Spanish Ministry-7:30

Posada Novena- 7:45

17 Morn. Prayer-7:25 Mass-8, 9 Beginner ESL-7:30

Posada Novena- 6:30

18 Morn. Prayer-7:25 Mass-8, 9

Armata Bianca-4:15

ESL-7:30

Healing Mass-7 (Rosary at 6:30)

Posada Novena- 6:30

19 Morn. Prayer-7:25 Mass-8, 9 Moms & Tots-10 Adult Choir-7

FF-4:45

Posada Novena- 6:30


Posada Novena- 6:30


Confession-4-4:45 Mass-5 Posada Novena- 6:30

22 Mass-7:30 Mass-9 Mass-11 Mass-12:30 (Spanish) Mass-6 Confession-7 Posada Novena- 7:15

23 Morn. Prayer-7:25 Mass-8, 9 Confession-7 Posada Novena- 6:30

24 CHRISTMAS EVE

Morn. Prayer-7:25 Mass-8, 9 Christmas Eve Masses- 4, 6, 10 (English) 8 (Spanish)

25 CHRISTMAS DAY

Masses-7:30, 9, 11

26 Morn. Prayer-7:25 Mass-8, 9



Confession-4-4:45 Mass-5

29 Mass-7:30 Mass-9 Mass-11 Mass-12:30 (Spanish) Mass-6


31 NEW YEAR’S EVE Morn. Prayer-7:25 Mass-8, 9 New year’s Eve Masses-5, 6:30 (Spanish)

JANUARY 1 HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Masses-8, 11

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2019

Documents

Transcript of SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2019