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Sunday Reflection:
DECEMBER 11TH ARTICLE
DECEMBER REMEMBRANCE There are several dates to remember in this month of December. We just passed one of them—December 7th---when we remember the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. It changed our world and our future. Overnight, America went from an isolationist country to full out war. As FDR said, December 7th was a ‘day that will live in infamy!’ In one hour and fifteen minutes, 2390 lay dead. In the ensuing 4 years, World War II would cost our world over 50 million lives.
On December 25th, of course, we celebrate Christmas. The date may be arbitrary, but what we celebrate is not. We celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ---the incarnation or ‘making flesh’ of God’s visible love for us. Jesus came to not only save us from ourselves but to show us how to live and love one another. In our politically correct world, so many are careful NOT to mention Jesus in public. So many cautiously wish each other ‘Happy Holidays’ lest they offend anyone. We need to be crystal clear---CHRISTMAS is Jesus’ birthday and we are ‘merry’ because Jesus came to save the likes of you and me. Tragically, our secular emphasis on Santa Clause can easily dilute the real meaning of Christmas. Yes, it is all about ‘Christ,’ not Santa Clause.
For me, there is another special day of remembrance in December. It is December 11th. This year, it marks the 46th anniversary of my ordination to the priesthood in St. Patrick’s Cathedral by the saintly Terence Cardinal Cooke. Please pray for me and my classmates. Some have gone home to God, several are seriously sick, and 3 of us remain in parish work.
Lots to remember in this month of December.
God bless you,
Fr PeterThe Annual Jesus Stocking Mass
9:30 Family Mass
Sunday December 4th
JESUS NEEDS YOUR SOCKS
We all know the Gospel story in Mt: 25 when Jesus will come in glory at the end of time; He will separate us-- the sheep from the goats; the good from the bad; the doers from the spectators. Jesus tells us that our treatment of the poor and the needy will testify to the genuineness of our faith.
Yes, actions---however simple—speak louder than our words.
Normally, on the 2nd Sunday of Advent, our 1st graders come to Church with their ‘stockings for Jesus’ that are filled with much-needed toiletries for the poor and the homeless in NYC. Many of the little ones also put in a short note to the person who will receive these ‘Jesus Socks’ to tell them of the prayers and love we have for each of them. They are the living face of the suffering Jesus in our midst. Over the years, many other children of all grades --along with many adults-- have joined in this simple yet poignant corporal act of mercy. What a great way to prepare for Christmas! Come to the 9:30 Mass on December 4th with your ‘Jesus Stocking.’ If you can’t come to the 9:30 Mass, come to ANY Mass on the 3rd or 4th of December and place your ‘Jesus Stocking’ in the big boxes in front of the altar.
Remember Jesus’ words: “Whatsoever you do for the LEAST of my brethren, you do for Me!’
Have a blessed Advent as we all try to ‘remember the reason for the season.’
God bless you,
Fr Peter
H.O.P.E.St. Joseph's Parish supplies dinner for 200 people twice a month from September through June for the H.O.P.E. (Help Our People Eat) Soup Kitchen in New Rochelle. Once a month, volunteers are asked to prepare, either a salad, an entrée or dessert for 12 in their home and deliver it to the Parish Center on the designated day.
Contact: Emily Vuocolo evuocolo@gmail.com 516-524-1761
Beth Caruso beth@bethcaruso.com 914-715-4217
Hope Food Pantry
This ministry distributes canned food and dry goods to the poor and needy. Donations can be dropped off M-Fri 10am-4pm at the H.O.P.E. Soup Kitchen in New Rochelle.
Our incredibly talented Youth Ministry members have set up wish lists for all the organizations that we collect gifts for. You can purchase the gifts and they will be shipped directly to the organization you choose. Participation in this project has always been a wonderful way to spread the joy of the Christmas season with the many families in our neighboring communities who need our love, support, and prayers.
Please click on one of the following organizations to open a link to its Amazon wish list or purchase a gift and send it directly to the charity.
The Rose F. Kennedy Children’s Evaluation and Rehabilitation Center is an organization dedicated to serving children and adults with developmental disabilities. You’ll notice that many of the items on this list are sensory toys, and other games designed to help children’s development. The Rose F Kennedy Center depends on our donations for these tools to help their young kids. You can support RFKRC by donating gifts from their Amazon wish list:
Rose F. Kennedy Rehab Center
The Immaculate Conception Church of St. Mary’s, a parish in Yonkers with a large faithful and culturally diverse community, Is looking for gifts for 125 of their youngest parishioners. Marisa Rivera, the Religious Education Coordinator of the Parish, has said that the children there are “very happy when they receive a gift from [our] blessed community.” You can support St. Mary’s by donating gifts from their Amazon wish list:
St. Mary’s Yonkers
103 South Broadway
Yonkers NY 10701
Saint Dominic’s Family Services is a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering people, preserving families, and inspiring hope throughout New York City and the Hudson Valley. This agency provides foster care and prevention as well as education services to help with developmental disabilities and mental health for more than 2,000 children, adults, and families. You can support St. Dominic’s by donating gifts from their Amazon wish list:
Saint Dominic’s Family Services
500 Western Hwy,
Blauvelt, NY 10913
Also, Gift Cards are always appreciated. If you wish to give a gift card, please bring them directly to the rectory. Thank you.---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------CARDINAL’S APPEAL 2022
It is hard to believe that this week, we are kicking off the Cardinal’s 2022 Annual Stewardship Appeal. It seems we just put the finishing touches on the 2021 Appeal. What a remarkable---but not surprising—response from 418 of our incredible parishioners here at St Joseph’s. Our goal for 2021 was $336K. We came in at $393K. 98% of that amount has already been paid. This is just AMAZING! The added good news is that the parish ‘gets back’ 50% of all money over the goal. What an extraordinary story given the fact that COVID 2021 was a difficult year for so many. I am convinced that people give knowing just how much God has blessed them in their lives and they want to give back.
Well, the 2022 Appeal has just begun. You should be receiving letters and information from both the Cardinal and myself in the mail. COVID hasn’t gone away. The needs of so many, right here in our Archdiocese continues to mount. Even if you have never made a pledge, please consider doing so this year. If you need more information or want to view the Cardinal’s brief video, please see the links below. You can make your gift online at ‘cardinalsappeal.org’ You can return your pledge card you received either by mail or at church. Any questions—call 646 794-3300.
One thing you should know is that the need is great. The $23M the Appeal hopes to raise will go to parishes and schools in financial crisis; to charitable outreach; to pastoral programs; to our seminarians---our future priests—and to our retired priests.
Through your prayers and financial generosity, the Archdiocese is able to welcome those who turn to Jesus and His Church in search of spiritual and practical support!
God bless you!
Fr Peter -
Music Selections for Sunday Mass
Second Sunday of Advent –
December 11, 2022
“They who sing prays twice”
St. Augustine
*We are welcoming new choir members to join the ranks of the choir in all voice parts.
*Choral Scholars; Auditions are open to teenagers.
Please contact Mr. David P. Tisbert for more information:
stjosephmusicoffice@gmail.com
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The Nativity of the Lord Christmas Eve
Celebrate the high feast of Christmas with the
St. Joseph Parish Choir and Soloists
Favorite Carols of the season
December 24, Carols at 3:15, Mass at 4:00 pm.
For more info. go to
www.saintjosephsbronxville.org /music program
Auditions for new choir members are ongoing please contact Mr. David Tisbert in the Music office.
stjosephmusicoffice@gmail.comReadings for Third Sunday of Advent p. 175
C 101/B777 O Come Divine Messiah
Psalm
C98/B774 People Look East
A: Salvation Is Created- Tchesnokov
C84/B768 O Come O Come Emanuel (choir sheets)
C100/B776 Come thou Long Expected JesusMr. David Tisbert, Director of Music and Organist ❖ stjosephmusicoffice@gmail.com
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The Best-In-Class - Fundraising Committee
The Church of Saint Joseph
The St. Joseph School
The Best-In-Class - Fundraising Committee Donor PageClick Here to Give to Best-in-Class
Thank you for your support!! -
Some Great News
St Joseph’s is a beautiful church. At the tender age of 92, she is getting even more beautiful.
For 7 years now, I have always wanted to have a mosaic of The Divine Mercy to replace the simple print we had. However, we have had lots more pressing, practical, and very expensive projects to do first. Now, thanks to the extraordinary generosity of Ms Sarajane Brittis, we have the mosaic, given in honor of her parents, Dr Anthony & Marianna Brittis. The mosaic was lovingly handcrafted in Italy—just outside Venice-- over the last 6 months and was just installed last Friday. How blessed we are! Generations to come will be able to pray before this sacred reminder of God’s infinite mercy. From all of us at St Joseph’s, “THANK YOU”, Ms Brittis! -
COVID-19 PrayerCOVID-19 PRAYERIt is amazing how our lives and our language has changed in the last year. COVID-19 has affected us all in how we live, how we work, how we learn, and how we worship. The virus remains vicious, capricious, and often deadly. The statistics in our country and around the world remain staggering and sobering.Please pray this prayer often and share it with your loved ones.God of all mercies, grant:To your holy people, safety and good health.To those afflicted with COVID-19, swift healing.To the frightened, courage.To the dying, comfort.To the dead, eternal life.To health care providers, strength and stamina.To our leaders, wisdom and compassion.To our nation, unity of purpose.To the Church, the grace to serve the suffering selflessly.To all believers, strong faith in your divine presence.To the whole human family, unity of heart.And to us, your servants, the reward of knowing that we are doing your will when we spend ourselves in the service of others.
Amen.Be prudent. Be respectful of the health of others. Be healthy.Remember that every one of us is precious in the eyes of Almighty God!God bless you,Fr Peter
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Celebrants for Sunday Dec 11, 2022
5:00pm Saturday Fr. Tony
Sunday
8:00am Fr. Romesh
9:30pm Fr. David Monaco
10:45am Fr. Peter
12:00pm Fr. Scirghi
5:00pm Msgr. Seth -
Weekly Update All parishioners in the 5th – 12th grades are
invited to join the altar servers of St. Joseph’s.
No experience is necessary, and training will be offered.
The altar servers will serve at Mass in a COVID
responsible manner.
Please consider volunteering for this important
ministry and assist the priests of St. Joseph’s
during 2022/2023
Please email Michael Wrotniak at
MJWrotniak@gmail.com for more information.
Don’t wait, training begins soon!-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
According to the latest CDC guidelines, fully vaccinated
people are no longer required to wear a mask in church. -
Religious Education - Youth Ministry
Religious Education Program for 2022 Private Catholic school students
who are going into the eighth grade in September and wish to receive the sacrament of Confirmation at St. Joseph’s in 2023 must call the Religious Education Office (914-337 -6383) to register for the program.
This program is open to registered parishioners only.
A special note for 2nd grade families: There will be a mandatory sacramental information meeting
for all second-grade parents on
Thursday, November 17 at 7:00pm via Zoom. More information and a link to the zoom meeting will be emailed to the families.
During the Month of November, Religious Education will hold a food drive.
The donated items will be given to the H.O.P.E. kitchen in New Rochelle. Please visit our website www.saintjosephreligiouseducation.org for more details.
The Sunday Family Liturgy has returned, and the committee is looking for families to get involved. They are looking for family volunteers to bring up the offertory as well as youth lectors and altar servers. If you are interested in volunteering, please go to www.saintjosephreligiouseducation.org and click on Family Mass to sign up.
St. Joseph Youth Ministry News:
During the month of November members of Youth Ministry will:
Write Thanksgiving letters/cards to the homebound. This project is intended to show our love and support to our homebound parishioners, letting them know they are still cherished members of our parish and we have not forgotten them.
Prepare seventy-five bagged breakfast/lunches for H.O.P.E.
Provide a reception after the Anointing of the Sick Mass on Saturday, November 19.
Any high school student or parent that would like to be put on the youth ministry email list, please contact Antoinette Gilligan at stjoesym.gilligan308@gmail.com.
All high school students are welcome to become a member.
Join St. Joseph’s in providing the Joy of Christmas to needy Children and Adults
Our incredibly talented Youth Ministry members are busy setting up Amazon wish lists for all the organizations that we collect gifts for. These lists will be published soon. You can purchase the gifts and they will be shipped directly to the organization you choose. Participation in this project has always been a wonderful way to spread the joy of the Christmas season with the many families in our neighboring communities who need our love, support, and prayers. Also, Gift Cards are always appreciated. If you wish to give a gift card, please bring them directly to the rectory. Thank you.
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Rectory Office Information
ADDRESS: 15 Cedar Street Bronxville, New York 10708
PHONE: 914-337-1660
FAX: 914-337-1342
MON - FRI: 9 AM - 4:30 PM
SAT - SUN: 9 AM - 3:00 PM -
Mass Times and Reconciliation
Mon - Sat: 6:45 - 8:30 - 12 Noon
Sunday - 8:00am - 9:30 - 10:45 - 12 Noon - 5:00pm
Vigil Mass: Sat 5:00pm
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Reconciliation -(Confession)
Thursday - 11:00 - 11:30
Saturday - 11:00 - 11:30 & 4:00 - 4:30 PM
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The Mon - Sat 6:45 Mass is livestreamed and available to view on Facebook - click on the “ f“ next to the search box at the top of this page
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---Please remember:
---PRAY for our veterans. Their selfless sacrifices have ensured our many freedoms.
---SUPPORT your parish. St Joseph’s needs your financial help now more than ever. Go to our website and join WE SHARE. It is very simple and the best way to support your parish.
---STAY SAFE and never forget to pray for our caregivers.
--ONE ANOTHER. Continue to be careful, be cautious, be considerate, and be charitable.
God bless, Fr Peter --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -
"WeShare" - An Opportunity to TitheWhen you are unable to attend Mass
WeShare is an easy to use online giving tool.
QUESTIONS: Contact WeShare support at 1(800) 950-9952
If you are already registered and wish to tithe: https://saintjosephsbronxville.churchgiving.com/
I want to THANK again those of you who have continued to support St Joseph’s by mailing in your contributions or by joining WE SHARE---electronic giving.
We hope many more parishioners will join We Share. It is quick and easy to sign up. Just go to our website for details. You can make changes at any time. ‘THANK YOU’ for your love and support of St Joseph’s.
God bless you,
Fr Peter -
walking with purpose - Catholic Bible Study
Walking With Purpose transforms the hearts and lives of women by providing Bible studies that enable women to know Christ through Scripture and the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church
Come As You Are!
Make Authentic Connections with Other Women!
Are you looking for a way to Refuel, Refresh and Learn more about God?
Walking with Purpose, a women’s Catholic Bible Study Community, is the answer!No previous bible study experience is needed.
“Discovering Our Dignity” on Mondays from 7:30-9:00 pm on Zoom.
“Discovering Our Dignity” on Tuesdays from 9:30-11:00 am in the Msgr. Scott Room.The “Discovering Our Dignity” study will explore women of the Old and New Testaments. With the exception of Our Lady, these women, like us were flawed and broken yet the power of God worked through them to further His plan of salvation. Studying their encounters with God, we will find that He also speaks to our hearts in a tender, honest, and loving way. Through their stories, we will rediscover our dignity, and receive sage advice and valuable insights into our present-day struggles.
Class space is limited to 25 women.
For more information about the book required, scheduling, and fees, please contact:
Áine Schenk or Kerri Mulligan at register4wwp@gmail.com
www.walkingwithpurpose.com
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Today was a tough day for us here at St Joseph’s. We had to say goodbye to our dear Fr Paul. What an impact he made on our parish in less than 18 months! We were uplifted, however, by the prayers of over 50 priests who joined us at Mass and over 2000 who prayed with us virtually. I shared this story at today’s funeral. Last Sunday after the 10:45 Mass, a young family with 4 children asked if I could chat with them about the death of Fr Paul. Some of the young ones were really feeling his loss. As we sat together, I asked them what they loved about Fr Paul. One of them said, “he was kind.” Another said, “he was smart.” Yet another commented, “he was holy.” The fourth youngster said, “he was happy.” We talked a little more and together we offered a prayer for Fr Paul. As they were leaving, I gave them a picture of Fr Paul to take with them to remember him. Without knowing it, these 4 youngsters gave the perfect tribute to Fr Paul. A priest of God who selflessly served people for over 40 years in both India and the United States. Yes, he was kind, smart, holy, and happy. This is how we will remember him. May Fr Paul rest in peace and continue to watch over us from his new heavenly home.
Fr Peter
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