MASS SCHEDULE

Saturday: 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM

Sunday: 7:30 AM, 9:00 AM, 11:30 AM, 6:00 PM

Weekdays: 8:00 AM

Holy Days of Obligation: 7:30 PM Vigil the evening prior,

8:00 AM, 12:00 PM and 7:30 PM on the Holy Day itself

RECONCILIATION (Confession)

Saturday, 3:00 to 3:30 PM.

Or call the Parish Office for an appointment.

WEDDINGS

Archdiocesan Policy requires that appointments for weddings

must be made with one of our parish priests at least one year

prior to the desired date.

VISITING THE SICK

The Holy Eucharist will be brought to a parishioner, ill,

or confined to home. The family is asked to contact the

Parish Office.

BAPTISMS

The Sacrament of Baptism is celebrated every Sunday at

1:00 pm. Upon request a Baptism can be held at the 11:30

am Mass. An instruction session for first time parents is

recommended prior to Baptism. Please call the Parish Office

at least three weeks in advance to make arrangements.

ANOINTING OF THE SICK

The Sacrament of Anointing is available for anyone seriously

ill or of advanced age. Please contact one of the priests to

come to your home to celebrate the Sacrament.

ADULT INITIATION

Non-baptized adults and already baptized adults from other

Christian faiths, who seek information about the Catholic

faith are asked to call the Parish Office and begin the journey

of Catechumenate. Catholics who have not received Eucharist

or Confirmation are also invited to call the office for further

information toward completing their sacramental initiation.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

During the school year, elementary religious education

classes (Kindergarten - 7th) are held in the school from

10:00 to 11:15 am on Sunday, 8th Grade Religious Ed on

Tuesday, 7:00 to 8:00 pm. Family, Summer and Home

Education also available.

Parish Office - 973-992-9490

Parish Fax - 973-740-0236

Religious Ed Office - 973-992-9496

Religious Ed email: religious-ed@straphael.co

Parish E-Mail: straphaelrcc@comcast.net

Parish Website: www.straphael.co/

Music Ministry - E-mail: ministry@gmail.com

The Parish Family of

ST. RAPHAEL CHURCH346 East Mount Pleasant Avenue

Livingston, New Jersey 07039

Served by

Rev. Jose Erlito Ebron, Pastor

Rev. Joseph Bejgrowicz, In Residence

SUNDAY DECEMBER 24, 2017 | THE CELEBRATION OF CHRISTMAS

From the desk & Fa( er Lito

“I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” the songs says.

Everybody wants to go home. At the end of a busy

day, people can’t wait to come home.

Deep in our hearts, there is no safer, warmer, love-

lier place than home. It may be a studio, condo,

apartment, mansion or a townhouse. If it is our

home, we belong there.

Jesus comes to us this day to facilitate our home-

coming. With his birth he assures us that the

home of our heavenly Father and the home where

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remain outstretched in receiving a much awaited

member. Jesus is inviting us to come home and be

with the Father and the rest of God’s family.

That is why Christmas stands most of all for wel-

come. This is a celebration for everyone. Today,

the door to unity with God and our neighbor cracks

open to accommodate our presence. The initiative

is God’s through His Son Jesus Christ.

To stand outside is very cold. The darkness is threat-

ening, but the home of the Father is today offered as

our own resting place. Jesus will accompany us, for

it is his mission to lead us back home. And by the

way the weather outside is frightful . . .

I want to wish everyone a Blessed Christmas. I

take this opportunity to thank you for making our

parish a home where God in Jesus truly abides in

our midst. Please continue being so welcoming

and making everyone who worships with us truly

at home.

Today, then, let us together rejoice in the day of

our salvation. As we contemplate the Crib, let us

gaze on the open arms of Jesus, which show us the

merciful embrace of God, as we hear the cries of

the Child who whispers to us: “for my brethren and

companions’ sake, I will say: Peace be within you”

(Ps 121[122]:8).

Pope Francis

God Bless you

Fa( er Lito

Weekly Readings and Mass Intentions

Week of December 23rd – December 30th 2017

SATURDAY, December 23rd

Saint John of Kanty, Priest

Readings: Mal 3:1-4; 23-24; Lk 1:57-66

8:00am William and Josephine Flanagan,

r/o Denise Flanagan

4:00pm John Richard, r/o Sareen & Ida

SUNDAY, December 24th

Fourth Sunday of Advent

Readings: 2 Sm 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16; Rom 16:25-27;

Lk 1:26-38

7:30am People of the Parish

9:00am People of the Parish

11:30am People of the Parish.

Readings: Vigil: Is 62:1-5/Acts 13:16-17, 22-25; Mt 1-25

4:00pm Family Mass, People of the Parish

Night: Is 9:1-6/Ti 2:11-14/Lk 2:1-14

6:00pm Rose & Albert Devigili, r/o Rosemary Kossup

MONDAY, December 25th

The Nativity of the Lord, Christmas Eve

Dawn: Is 62:11-12/Ti 3:4-7/Lk 2:15-20

12:00am (Midnight Mass) People of the Parish

Day: Is 52:7-10, Heb 1:1-6, Jn 1:1-18 or 1:1-5, 9-14

7:30am People of the Parish

9:00am People of the Parish

11:30am People of the Parish

TUESDAY, December 26th

Saint Stephen, The First Martyr

Readings: Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59; Mt 10:17-22

8:00am William Flanagan, r/o Denise Flanagan

WEDNESDAY, December 27th

Saint John, Apostle and Evangelist

Readings: 1 Jn 1:1-4; Jn 20:1a, 2-8

8:00am William Flanagan, r/o Denise Flanagan

THURSDAY, December 28th

The Holy Innocents, Martyrs

Readings: 1 Jn 1:5-2:2; Mt 2: 13-18

8:00am Rossina Monteleone, r/o Frances Pugliano

FRIDAY, December 29th

Fifth Day within the Octave of the Nativity of the Lord

St. Thomas Becket, Bishop and Martyr

Readings: 1 Jn 2:3-11; Lk 2:22-35

8:00am Nancy Vano, r/o De Paola & Rivolli Families

SATURDAY, December 30th

Sixth Day within the Octave of the Nativity of the Lord

Readings: 1 Jn 2:12-17; Lk 2:36-40

8:00am Rizaline Lendio (Birthday/Thanksgiving)

4:00pm Teri De Paola, r/o Cono De Paola

Please pray for those in our parish who are sick, especially:

Meghan Amorim, Cesaria M. Aquino, Marcelino M. Aquino,

Domingo M. Aquino, Lydia Aro, Karen Barth, Andrew Berman,

Walter Boyle, Brian Burdick, Delis M. Burgos, Kathleen

Campi, Lori Carlin, Pamela Chiarello, Jimmy Cimino, John

Cimino, Tessie Concepcion, Barbara Daly, James Damgen,

Shirlie DeCostanza, Gerard & Mary DeLorenzo, Brandon

Devlin, Cameron Dillon & Family, Nick Dinicholangelo,

John Dzera, Connie Elliott, Jimmy Ferrara, Ronnie Frucci,

John Frucci, III, Edward Gilchrist, John Gilliland, Robert

Giordano, Hugh Gore, Carmella Granto, Douglas Greaves,

Fr. Gerald Greaves, Laura Greaves, Casey Guerrero, Tapalino

Guzman, Jr., Freddie Harper, Christiana Harris, Chris

Hilderbrand, Patricia Hoffmann, Sister Barbara Howard,

Mike Jackon, Lynn Jacobs, Christie Joshi, Edye Kramer,Jean

LaCapra, Leigh Nelson Lane, Patrick Lasky, Tina Marie

Lopez, Mirasol Mariano, Peter Mauser, Michael McCaffery,

Thomas McCaffery, Carol McInnis, Paul McInnis, Monica

Mendoza, RemMercado, Tara Miller, Agnes Miranda, Mary

Grace Monteibano, Peter Moon, Kathy Ann Nash, Andri

Nelson, Harriet Ott, Janina Perkowska, Ann Peters, Diana

Quinn, Charles Quinn, Jeanne Ramirez, Veronica Regan, Phil

Riccio, John Sabbak, Jucita Santiago, Benjamin Spinelli,

Gayle Trotta, Rosa Velella. Remember our military and their

families. Names will remain on our sick list unless the family !"#$%&'()'(#"(#*&(+"!#,-,./

COLLECTION FOR THE WEEKENDS OF

Dec. 10, 2017: $6,884.00 The Feast of the Immaculate Conception: $799.00

Dec. 17, 2017: $7,184.00

Many thanks for your generosity and your continued support of the parish.

Have you considered Electronic Giving? It’s quite simple to do. Go to: www.straphael.co/ click on

the Donations tab and follow instructions. Your donations

are still recorded for your tax purposes.

2018 Sunday Collection envelopes are now available

for you to pick up at the Church vestibule.

DECEMBER 2017 -

JANUARY 2018 CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Dec. 23rd 5:30am Simbang Gabi Mass

8:00am Mass & 4:00pm Mass

7:30pm Christmas Caroling Sing-a-long (Church)

Dec. 24th Sunday Masses for the 4th Sunday of Advent:

7:30am, 9:00a,am, 11:30am

12:45pm: Blessing of the Nativity scene in the

vestibule followed by the Blessing of the Animals

for the Living Nativity (Front Lawn)

4:00pm Children’s Christmas Mass with Nativity

Play and the Children’s Choir

6:00pm Christmas Mass with a Special

Presentation by the Simbang Gabi youth

Dec. 25th 12:00am Midnight Mass (Christmas)

Bishop Dominic Marconi presiding

Christmas Day Masses celebrated at 7:30am

9:00am, 11:30am. There will be no 6:00pm Mass

Animals from the Living Nativity will graze on

the lawn after all the Masses

Dec. 31st Feast of the Holy Family

Sunday Sunday Masses: 7:30am, 9:00am,

11:30am and 6:00pm

Jan. 1st Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God

Masses: 7:30am, 9:00a,am, and 11:30am

There will be no 6:00pm Mass

Jan. 7th Feast of the Epiphany

Masses: 7:30am, 9:00a,am, 11:30am and 6pm

Jan. 13th 1:00pm Santo Nino (Church)

Jan. 16th 1:00pm Senior’s Meeting (Tobias Hall)

CATHOLIC COMMUNITY SERVICES

If you need information regarding alcohol & drug rehabilitation,

emergency food, mental health, special education, immigration,

family counseling etc., call CCS HELPLINE, 1-800-227-7413.

TRUSTEES: Karen Kundla & Ben Spinelli | PARISH STAFF: Rev. Joseph Bejgrowicz, Director of Religious Education | Denise Flanagan,

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Kevin McCarthy, Youth Minister | Meg Molinaro, Secretary Religious Education | Alicja Recko, Plant Services | Izabela Recko,

9:;1+)<//%/('&()2)7'#@)A'@,+)B1C+6+#5)!""#$%&'("#)*+,%-%"./)0$.1'(%"&5)>.,,+(%&)0$%("#)2)>#'$)D%::+#5)=%#+1("#)":)7./%1E

Rev. Gerald F. Greaves, Pastor Emeritus | The Late Rev. Msgr. G. Thomas Burns, Pastor Emeritus

Please Pray for the Si*

The Bread, Wine and

Sanctuary Candle

Are dedicated to the memory of

Rose & Joseph Klemens

by Regina & Joe Klemens

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

Grades 1 - 7

Schedule of Events:

CHRISTMAS EVE. DEC. 24TH 4:00 FAMILY MASS:

Nativity Play and Children’s Christmas Choir at 4:00 pm

Christmas Eve. Mass. All children should arrive

one hour early at 3:00 pm.

No Classes Dec. 24 and Dec. 31. Merry Christmas!Classes resume on Jan. 7th for the Feast of the Epiphany.

Some photo highlights of the Dec. 17th Nativity Play

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

SANTA BREAKFAST

Many thanks to the Perez,

Mollineaux and Marootian

families, and the Knights

of Columbus volunteers

for all their work to make

the Santa Breakfast a great

success!

SIMBANG GABI CELEBRATION

Highlights from the Dec. 16th Mass and reception.

Simbang Gabi translates to “Night Mass”. " e history of the Night Mass began when the Catholic Missionaries came to the villages of the Philippines and created a Novena of Masses from Dec. 16th to Christmas Eve at dawn in order to accommo-date the busy work schedules of the # shermen and the farmers. We schedule the Simbang Gabi Mass at present day in the evening and many local churches participate in taking one evening of the Novena or host all nine masses. " is is the # rst year that St. Raphael’s will have the traditional Mass at 5:30 am on December 23rd as was done in the early days in the Philippines.

" e Mass for Simbang Gabi on Dec. 16th was an invita-tion to all parishioners to share in the heritage of the Filipino people. Fr. Lito spoke of the Filipino people as very happy people who enjoy life and see the best in every situation. A$ er a beautiful Mass # lled with song and a special and unique presentation by the youth, a reception of food and fun followed. " ere was much laughter as the hosts presented a parody of “Dancing with the Stars”, amusing commercial messages from their sponsors and many other entertaining surprises. A lot of planning went into making this presentation a great experience for all ages. If you have not attended a Simbang Gabi celebration, consider attending one in the future, you will be happy you did.

UPCOMING EVENTS

WALK & WORSHIP

Daily at 6:30 am. A group of 4 walks over a mile while praying the Rosary. Meet at the entrance of the reservoir next to McLoone’s Restaurant. Look for Anna Miranda or Caroline. Ilogienboh. During inclement weather they walk inside the church.

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“Like” the St. Raphael Church Facebook Page

Look on our Facebook page for additional events & photos.

www.facebook.com/straphaellivingston

Send any photos from church events to straphaelrcc@comcast.net

THE LIVING NATIVITY IS RETURNING

Enjoy real animals as the

Nativity comes more alive

on Christmas Eve Masses

from 4:00 pm to Christ-

mas Day Mass at 11:30

pm. Come to the manger

and enjoy an even larger

group of animals this year

including a donkey! Bring the children. The blessing of the

animals will take place on Dec. 24th at 12:45 pm. on the

front lawn.

If you would like to include any information in our church

bulletin, simply leave it on the desk in the main o" ce or email it to

straphaelrcc@comcast.net or directly to mgscheper@gmail.com by the

Saturday prior to the week ahead.

EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS NEEDED

Eucharistic Ministers needed

to volunteer on Saturdays from

10:30 to 11:30 at Summit Ridge

Center, 20 Summit Street, West

Orange. If interested in helping,

please contact Denise

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“For with God nothing

shall be impossible.”

Luke 1:37

Please help support a special

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of Development & Stewardship.

They – and we – want to help St. Joseph’s Grammar School in

Jersey City. The school is trying to collect 200,000 box tops this

year! If they reach their goal the school will receive $20,000!!!

The children at St. Joseph School were very excited when we

told them we would be joining them in collecting the box tops!

They have collected almost 24,000 box tops, with over 1200

from us! We surprised them with more box tops when they got

back in September. They will continue to collect until the end of

December.

Eucharistic Adoration & Benediction

Every Thursday at 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm

First Friday Exposition & Devotion

Every First Friday of the Month

at the 8:00 am Mass

First Saturday (Our Lady) Devotion

Every First Saturday of the Month at the

8:00 am Mass

CHRISTMAS MASS SCHEDULE

DEC. 24th Christmas Eve.

4:00 pm: Children’s Mass

6:00 pm Mass

DEC. 25th Christmas Day

Midnight Mass with choir selections at 11:30 pm

Bishop Dominic Marconi presiding

7:30 am, 9:00 am & 11:30 am Mass

There will be no 6:00 pm Mass

Visit Nativity Animals on the front lawn.

Knights of Columbus Our Lady of the Mountains, Council Number 3533

299 Eisenhower Parkway, Livingston, NJ 07039

!

Usher in the New Year at the Knights of Columbus

Sunday, December 31, 2016

Join the Party from 8:00 p.m. till …

OPEN BAR PLENTY of FOOD

Antipasto, Italian desserts, coffee & tea

Plenty of MUSIC, SONG & DANCE, by our own DJ James

Champagne at MIDNIGHT ! !

Price: $50.00 per person in advance or $55.00 at the door!

SOLEMNITY OF MARY, THE MOTHER OF GOD

Monday, January 1, 2018

Mass: 7:30 am, 9:00 am & 11:30 am

No 6:00 pm Mass

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