12
CHURCH OF ST. CHARLES 644 CLAWSON STREET, OAKWOOD HEIGHTS, STATEN ISLAND, NY 10306 DECEMBER 22, 2019 FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT
CHURCH OF ST. CHARLES
644 CLAWSON STREET, OAKWOOD HEIGHTS, STATEN ISLAND, NY 10306
DECEMBER 22, 2019 FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT
Pastoral Staff Pastor Rev. Louis R. Jerome Parochial Vicar Fr. Stefan Chanas Fr. Ruwandana Mendis In Residence Bishop John J. O’Hara Weekend Associate Rev. Msgr. Edmund J. Whalen Permanent Deacons Deacon Stephen Tobon Deacon Lawrence Droge Pastoral Associate Sr. Jeanine Conlon, O.P. School Principal Mr. J. C. Kiernan Religious Education Coordinator Ms. Kerry Quinn Director of Music Mr. Paul Light Sacristan Mr. Frank Castelao
Contact Information Rectory School 644 Clawson Street 200 Penn Avenue (718) 987-2670 (718) 987-0200 Fax: (718) 987-7950 Fax: (718) 987-8158 Email Address Tuition Office [email protected] (718) 987-5780 Website: www.stcharlessi.org Religious Education 200 Penn Avenue www.saintcharlesccd.org (718) 979-6800 [email protected]
Parish Office Hours Sunday 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM Monday - Friday 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM Saturday 10:30 AM - 6:30 PM
Sacramental Life Mass Schedule
Parish Registration New parishioners need to register at the rectory. Please inform us if you move into or out of the parish.
Confessions
Saturday: 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM, 5:00 - 5:30 PM, and after Mass on the Eve of a Holy Day.
Baptisms Second Sunday of the month at 2:30 PM Instruction for parents of the children to be baptized to be ar-ranged at the rectory. SPONSOR CERTIFICATES REQUIRED for Godparents and also a copy of the child’s birth certificate.
Marriages To arrange a marriage at St. Charles, consult with a priest or deacon at least six months prior to the pro-posed date and before social arrangements. Attend-ance at Pre-Cana and Natural Family Planning Clas-ses is required.
Anointing and
Communion of the Sick Regular administration of the Sacraments should be arranged for shut-ins by calling the rectory. Emer-gency sick calls anytime.
Religious Education Program
Instruction for all grade levels beginning with first grade. For information call the Religious Education Office.
Weekend Masses Saturday Evening 4:00 & 5:30 PM Sunday 8:15, 9:30 & 10:45 AM 12:00, 1:15
Weekday Masses Monday - Friday 8:30 & 12 Noon Saturday 8:30 AM
Holy Days Masses Eve of the Holy Day 7:30 PM 6:45, 8:30, 12:00 and 7:30 PM
2
LITURGY CORNER MONDAY – DECEMBER 23 8:30 - Fr. Fintan Hanley - Mem. 12:00 - Carmine DeQuatro - Mem. TUESDAY - DECEMBER 24 8:30 - The Living & Deceased Members of the Feeney & Leonard Families Christmas Day - See Christmas Schedule WEDNESDAY - DECEMBER 25 Christmas Day - See Christmas Schedule THURSDAY - DECEMBER 26 8:30 - Nancy & Mathias Schmuck- Mem. 12:00 - Thomas M. Burke - Mem. FRIDAY - DECEMBER 27 8:30 - Lilly Mary & Heinrich Lukan - Mem. 12:00 - Ann Ferrara - Mem. SATURDAY - DECEMBER 28 8:30 - Carmen Ordonez - Ann. 4:00 - Anthony Rocco DeCarlo - Ann. 5:30 - Pasquale Garone - Mem. SUNDAY - DECEMBER 29 8:15 - Grace & Angelo Novaro & Family-Mem. 9:30 - Parishioners of St. Charles 10:45 - Deceased Members of the Mahon & Fitzpatrick Families - Mem. 12:00 - Joseph & Mary Agnello - Mem. 1:15 - Mary Ruiz - Ann.
December 8, 2019 December 9, 2018 $10840.50 $11,600.34
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament Monday - Friday at 12:00-5:00 PM in the Chapel
First Mondays at 7:30 PM in the Church (cancelled in August)
First Fridays at 7:00 PM in the Church (cancelled in August)
Call Jeannette Burrell (718-979-0034) or Lois Galvin (718-948-8193) for information
Flowers, Wine & Hosts and Oil
The Wine & Hosts for the week of December 22, - December 28, 2019 are offered in loving memory of Edward & Louise Solan at the request of their daughter, Barbara. If you would like to make arrangements to have the flowers for the main altar, the wine & hosts, or oils used for Mass Candles in memory of a loved one or a special occasion, please, call the rectory.
December 28 / December 29 Mass Schedule 4:00 PM - 10:45 - 5:30 PM - 12:00 - 8:15 AM - 1:15 - 9:30 AM -
PLEASE NOTE
If a Mass is being said for a member of your family on Saturday evening or Sunday, it would be most fitting if someone from the family would bring up the gifts at the Offertory. Please let one of the ushers know before Mass.
3
Weekly Offerings
PARISH MINISTRIES Adult Faith Formation Wednesday - 1:30; rectory Baptism Classes First Tuesday of the month at 8:00 PM; rectory Bereavement Group Thursdays at 7:30 PM; rectory Book Club Third Thursday each month at 4:00 PM; rectory Caregivers Support Group Thursday - 9:30 - 11:30 AM; rectory Choir (Adult) Thursday at 7:30 PM; church Divine Mercy Devotion Friday at 3:00 PM; chapel Eucharistic Ministers First Fridays at 7:00 PM; church Legion of Mary Wednesday at 4:00 PM; rectory chapel Prayer Group & Holy Hour First Monday of the month at 7:30 PM; church Prayer Shawl/Blanket Ministry Last Friday of the month at 10:00 AM; rectory Religious Education Classes Monday 3:45 - 5:15 PM Grades 6 & 7 Wednesday 3:45 - 5:15 PM Grades 1-5 Special Needs: Wednesday 5:30 - 6:00 PM St. Vincent de Paul Society Meeting - Second Tuesday of month at 1:30 PM; rectory Food Pantry open 2nd & 4th Tuesday of every month 11:30 AM -1:30 PM; rectory Teen Club Sunday at 7:00 PM; auditorium Women’s Wednesday Worship -
WEEKLY COFFEE HOUR Coffee and donuts will be can-celled on Sunday, December 29 and will resume the following week.
St. Charles School 2020-2021
Application and Registration Process for NEW students is NOW OPEN!
Application and Registration for the 2020-2021 school year is now open for families interested in Pre-Kindergarten (3 year olds) and grades
Kindergarten through 8th.
Families can now begin applying to St. Charles School by accessing the school website at
www.SaintCharlesSchool SI.org
**Financial Assistance is available**
After completing the application, the school will contact the applicant and discuss the next steps. Upon registration, all students will re-quire birth certificate, baptismal certificate (if applicable), immunization and physical docu-mentation, and past year report cards and NYS
standardized test results (if applicable).
The FREE Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) registration process for children born in the year 2016 will not begin until February 2020.
You can stay up to date on the UPK registration process by going to www.nyc.gov/prek.
If you have any questions or would like to schedule a school tour with our principal,
Mr. Kiernan, please contact Mrs. Browne in the main office at 718-987-0200 or 718-987-5780.
We hope to welcome you to the
St. Charles School family real soon!
4
PARISH NEWS
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
December 23, - December 29, 2019
Monday - December 23 St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry - 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM; rectory Debs Cheer Practice - 5:00 PM; auditorium Spiritual Direction - 7:30 PM; rectory Tuesday - December 24 See Christmas Mass Schedule Wednesday - December 25 See Christmas Mass Schedule Thursday - December 26 Caregivers - 9:30 AM; rectory Varsity Cheer Practice - 4:00 PM; auditorium Debs Cheer Practice - 6:00 PM; auditorium Friday - December 27 Boy Scouts - 7:00 PM; auditorium Saturday - December 28 Goretti Group - 7:30 PM - 8:30 PM; rectory Sunday - December 29
FLOCKNOTE
Cardinal Dolan together with Fr. Jerome want to communicate more effectively with you through the technology of today. The Archdiocese has provided us with a tool called Flocknote so that we will be better equipped to keep our parishioners informed of parish events, Archdiocesan announce-ments, etc. There are two easy ways to con-nect. 1. Visit our parish at: www.flocknote.com/
SCBstatenisland and sign up. 2. Text stcharlesb to 84576 from your cell
phone to subscribe to Flocknote. This is a great opportunity for you to get plugged into things going on in our parish.
5
Christmas Eve, Tuesday, December 24th 4:00 PM - Auditorium
4:30 PM - Church 6:00 - Church
12 Midnight Mass Preceded by carols with the choir at
11:30 PM
Christmas Day, Wednesday, December 25th 8:15 AM, 9:30 AM, 10:45 AM, 12 Noon and
1:15 PM
WELCOME PACKET f you know someone new to your neighbor-hood, please contact the rectory to obtain a “Welcome to the Neighborhood” packet which includes a welcome letter from Fr. Jerome, a bulletin and a bottle of holy water. In the spirit of hospitality, your new neighbor does not have to be Catholic, we just want to welcome them to the neighborhood. We ask that all of you, our parishioners, be the “welcomers”, but if you do not feel comfortable visiting a new neighbor, let us know and we will take care of it.
WE PRAY...WE CELEBRATE...WE REMEMBER
THE GET WELL LIST
WE REMEMBER Eternal rest grant unto their souls, O Lord.
And let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen.
May their souls and the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace. Amen
Joanna Cusato
Keith Alaimo Paul Alaimo Sr. Debbie Bernfeld Denise Scandiglia Bianchi Joan Boragi Madeline Buonpane Mary Burke Jodi Butt Mary Campitelli Lee Canning Marietta Canning Ronald Carrubba Marty Casey Nick Castagna Grace Castelao Father Stefan Chanas Nicholas Christy William Jerome Connors, Jr Angelo Cuomo Elaine Cupak Teresa Deegan Frank Deegan Judy DeSilva Andrew DiPadova Dorothy Fleming Isabella Gallo Aniel Garcia William Grasso Cathy Harris Emily Harris Paula Herbst Cheryl Houss Tony Imperatrice Helen Rinato Istico Daniel Jacobs Ellen James Colleen Kaplan Jeannette Castelao Keane Rosaria Ladaro
Elizabeth Linton Anthony Locicero Jr. Lissette Lopez Barbara Marino John Marco, Sr. Lauren Marie Virginia McBride Mary McKeever Jeannette Mendes Alfred Merendino Benita Mitchell MaryAnn Mongiello Kelly Ann Morici Peter Morici Steven Morvillo Julian Nierva Christine O’Brien Helen O’Brien Eileen O’Neill Kathy Pappas Rita Paragone Christian Pepo Eileen Raineri Ella Reilly Deborah Rossetti Dorothy Sabatell James SanFilippo Dolores & Tony Sclafani Anthony Scocco Jerry Scotti Marie Starita Abigail Taylor Jude Riley Taylor Alex Trebek Andrew Varela Theresa Verry Fred Volk Maria Volpe Christopher Wandy
MARRIAGE BANNS We Celebrate
We ask the family of St. Charles to pray for the following couples who will receive the Sacrament of Marriage
WEDDING MUSIC
If you are planning a wedding in the near fu-ture and would like to arrange for music, please, call the rectory two months prior to the wedding, and leave a message for Paul Light, our Music Director at (718) 987-2670.
WESHARE
For your convenience, we offer the opportunity to make your envelope payments electronically through WeShare. For more information, go to www.churchgiving.com or a direct link on our website (www.stcharlessi.org).
6
©��������������������� ����� ����������������
The joyful expectation of Advent
Why do Catholics celebrate Christmas after December 26?
Discovering hope and joy in the Catholic faith. December 2019
The Catholic Christmas is not just one day but an entire liturgical season. It begins with the vigil Mass on Christmas Eve and ends on the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord (January 12th this year). During the celebration of Christmas,
we rejoice in the realization of God’s plan for our salvation. God became man to save us.
Thus, the Church makes sure we have enough time — almost a month — to
fully celebrate such a joyful, hope-�lled, destiny-altering
event.
Jesus’ birth at Christmas is real and amazing evidence of God’s love. The priorities speci�c to this time of year, however, can crowd our joy and awe. Modeling St. Joseph’s preparations in the days before Jesus’ birth can help create a plan for our own Advent. Try these tips for joyful expectation of our Savior’s birth. Create silence. God found the quiet he needed in St. Joseph’s life to speak and be heard over the noise of the carpenter’s shop, the needs of neighbors, the demands of tax collectors. In the silence St. Joseph created just for him, God was able to work miracles.
Keep out the devil. When Joseph found out Mary was pregnant, he
protected her from the evil of malicious gossip and
isolation. He helped her to make a God-centered home �lled with Love. Although the devil is powerful, he cannot go where he is not permitted. When we stay close to the Sacraments and live a God-centered life, we, too, keep the devil
out and make room for Love. Look for him. Can you imagine the joy with which St. Joseph expected Jesus’ coming? We celebrate Jesus’ arrival in Bethlehem with joy. We can joyfully welcome him into our lives now. And, with joy we can look forward to Christ’s coming in glory on the Last Day.
St. Maria di RosaBorn “Paula” in
Brescia, Italy, Maria di Rosa
was the daughter of a mill owner and a countess. Coming from a wealthy family didn’t spare her from dif�culty. She lost her mother when young. At seventeen years old, she left school to work with her father at the mill. During the cholera epidemic of 1836, she cared for the sick. In 1840, she founded the Handmaids of Charity to care for the wounded during the wars.
Agent of change True conversion is the work of the Holy Spirit. Salvation and faith are gifts from God – gifts that are not ours to give. Yet, believers are called to join with the Holy Spirt to bring others to God. When we have a strong and personal relationship with Jesus, we can be his agents of change.
“Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all �esh shall see it together; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”
(Isaiah 40:5).
Fr. Louis JeromeSt. Charles Church
December 2019 Page 2
Success Publishing & Media, LLCPublishers of Growing in Faith™ and Partners in Faith™
(540)662-7844 (540)662-7847 fax http://www.growinginfaith.com
(Unless noted Bible quotes and references are fromthe Revised Standard Version and the New American Bible)
To provide practical ideas that promotefaithful Catholic living.
© Copyright 2019 Success Publishing & Media, LLC
The Church has a liturgical year with its own seasons that help us to mark events that are important to Catholics. However, the Church year doesn’t start
on January 1, or even on December 25 —when we celebrate Christ’s birthday. Instead, it begins on the �rst Sunday of Advent, the season before Christmas.
Advent is the perfect season for new beginnings. It’s a season of preparation: the King of Kings is coming! There are three “arrivals” of Christ to prepare for and celebrate: as an infant at Bethlehem, at Mass in the Eucharist, and as the King of Glory at the end of time. In order to properly greet such a Guest, the Church sets aside this time for us to purify our hearts and souls. Whether that means being with God in prayer, attending Confession, volunteering in the community or cleaning house, Advent is the time for it. The Church wants us to begin the year well by preparing to welcome the King who comes to “make all things new” (Revelation 21:5).
Dec. 1 – First Sunday in Advent. During this season, we anticipate Christ’s coming. Catholics around the world light candles in an Advent wreath to signal the coming of the light of Christ. Dec. 9 – Feast of the Immaculate Conception (1854). This feast day commemorates that Mary was conceived in St. Anne’s womb without Original Sin. Attending Mass is a wonderful way to celebrate. Dec. 9 – St. Juan Diego (1548). St. Juan Diego was visited by the Blessed Mother at Tepeyac Hill in Mexico. She
asked that a chapel be built and sent him to the bishop with roses as a sign. When the roses were emptied from his cloak, it retained the image of Our Lady which can still be seen today. Dec. 21 – St. Peter Canisius (1597). Born in Holland, he was ordained into the Society of Jesus and worked strenuously through his writings and teachings to safeguard the Catholic faith after the Reformation. His work, The Catechism, is still used today.
This time of year reminds us of our hope for a future of peace. But we cannot achieve this peace on our own. We must open our hearts to the promise of Christmas. “One nation shall not raise the sword against another, nor shall they train for war again” (Isaiah 2:4). Violence �ourishes if the world accepts it as inevitable. The world can change if the love of the Christmas Child takes root in our hearts. Peace �ows from hearts that love. “The poor will eat their �ll; those who seek
the Lord will offer praise” (Psalm 22:27). Peace spreads more easily when all have enough. These
days the poor are everywhere and people are struggling to hold onto hope. If we each make our holiday charitable efforts a year-round habit, perhaps the words of the psalmist will come true. “The virgin shall be with child, and bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel” (Isaiah 7:14). This Christmas we can once again rekindle our own sense of innocence and hope.
Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23, Trust God like St. Joseph did
Open your heart to the Christmas promise
Why does theChurch year begin in Advent?
By the time Mary gave birth to Jesus, St. Joseph was used to following orders from God without question. So when the angel appeared to him in his sleep urging him to �ee to Egypt, Joseph obeyed immediately. He trusted that God would take care of him and his new family. Joseph’s unquestioning obedience is remarkable when we think about what the birth of Jesus must have been like. Mary and Joseph had traveled in the last stages of her pregnancy from Nazareth to Bethlehem. Whether on foot or donkey, it was a dirty, exhausting journey.
Once there, there was nowhere to stay except with the animals. After a short time, they �ed to Egypt to escape
danger, and stayed there for some years without family or friends. Through it all, Joseph trusted God to protect his family. Being perfect didn’t shield the Holy Family from experiencing pain
and dif�culty much like we do. Yet Scripture tells us that Mary and Joseph found strength from their faith in God and were guided by his Word. We can do the same.
PARISH NEWS
Thank you to all of our parishioners who so generously donated to our Giving Tree. You helped make Christmas a little happier for so many of those in need in the Staten Island community.
7
ADORATION OF THE BLESSED
SACRAMENT
Keep Christ in Christmas by not los-ing Him in Advent! If someone in
the Staten Island mall stole a plastic Baby Jesus from the Nativity Scene, everyone would be cra-zy! But we are the ones who remove Him most often from our lives by ignoring God’s prompt-ings, staying away from reconciliation, by failing to be attentive to the needs of others. This Ad-vent commit to one hour a week of Eucharistic Adoration on weekdays between 12:30 and 5 PM in our adoration chapel and make time for the real Jesus not a plastic one. The commitment form is below. You can return it to the rectory. Your Christmas will be fuller and your heart more peaceful regardless of what relatives come visit or what toys you didn’t buy! I can commit to: Mondays: 12:30 - 1:00 - 2:00 - 3:00 - 4:00 Tuesdays: 12:30 - 1:00 - 2:00 - 3:00 - 4:00 Wednesdays: 12:30 - 1:00 - 2:00 - 3:00 - 4:00 Thursdays: 12:30 - 1:00 - 2:00 - 3:00 - 4:00 Fridays: 12:30 - 1:00 - 2:00 - 3:00 - 4:00
Congratulations to Bishop Whalen on his ordi-nation. We thank God for his service to the Church and will keep him in our prayers.
Get thisweekly bulletindelivered byemail - for FREE!
Sign up here:https://www.jspaluch.com/BulletinSubscribe.aspx
Courtesy of J.S. Paluch Company, Inc.
Your Neighborhood Funeral Home is Now Staten Island’s Largest Facility
Our Newly Enlarged and Decorated Home is Now Staten Island’s Largest Facility
Unlimited Onsite Parking Facilities are Now Available
Pre-Arranged Funerals Invited for Burial or Cremation
John Vincent Scalia Home for Funerals, Inc.
(718) 356-6363 (at Eltingville Station) 1-800-727-0700
800-566-6150 • www.wlpmusic.com
Saint Margaret Sunday Missal
Readings • Reflections • PrayersIn Stock & Ready to Order Today.
CALL OR ORDER ONLINE. $39.95
Designed to be
through 2030Your Personal
Prayer Companion
511977 St Charles Church (B)
Catholic Cruises and Tours and The Apostleshipof the Sea of the United States of America
Take your FAITH ON A JOURNEY.
Call us today at 860-399-1785 or [email protected]
www.CatholicCruisesandTours.com
www.jspaluch.com For Ads: J.S. Paluch Co., Inc. 1-800-524-0263
DO YOU HAVE SALES EXPERIENCE? ARE YOU WELLNETWORKED IN THE LOCAL COMMUNITY?
J.S. PALUCH COMPANYNATIONAL PUBLISHER OF CHURCH BULLETINS
• Full Time Positions Available with Excellent Earning Potential!
• Medical Benefits, 401K, Life & AD&D Insurance Available
• Excellent Commission Compensation Program
Interested? Call Kay Leane 1.800.621.5197 x2823or Email Resume to [email protected]
www.jspaluch.com
EARN MONEY!DO GOOD! MAKE A
POSITIVE IMPACT!
TRIFAROPHYSICAL THERAPY, PCMichael D. Trifaro M.S., P.T.
511 Tysens LaneStaten Island, NY 10306
718-979-7588
For Information ... Call
800.524.0263
www.jspaluch.com
Grow Your Business,Advertise Here.
Support Your Church & Bulletin.
Free professional ad design & my help!
email: [email protected]
Bozo’s Army, Navy StoreSneakers • Jeans • Work Clothes
Complete Line
4170 Hylan Blvd.Staten Island, NY 10308
351-8465
$29.95/Mo. billed quarterly
• One Free Month• No Long-Term Contract• Price Guarantee• Easy Self Installation
Call Today! Toll Free 1.877.801.8608
Medical Alert System
Standing on the Rock CD by James Wahl
FUN AND FAITH-FILLED MUSICfor little ones, with 10 songs based on Bible
stories and the teachings of Jesus.This is a new music collection for
preschool children and those who are in early grade school.
$17.00 + S&H
800-566-6150 • www.wlp.jspaluch.com/14028.htm
Securitas NOW HIRINGon Staten Island, F/T-P/T
positions available.
Must be 18yrs of age or older, HS Diplomaor GED required. Security guard license a
plus (will train). Must be computerliterate, must have documentation to
prove that you are eligible to work in U.S.
All interested must apply onlinewww.securitasjobs.com
Licensed by NYSDOS EOE/M/F/Vet/Disabilities
2595 Hylan Blvd.
718-569-3080www.RCBK.com
Richmond County Savings Bank
Always gives you >More!!
SPECIALIZING IN FRESHLY MADE RAVIOLI * STUFFED SHELLSTORTELLINI * MANICOTTI * FRESH PASTA * CAVATELLI & SAUCESTEL: (718) 667-2194-5 1076 RICHMOND ROAD, S.I.
��The J.L. Wegenaar Co. Inc. ~ Since 1872
Memorial Designers & BuildersMONUMENTS �� HEADSTONES �� INSCRIPTIONS
Marie Wegenaar ❖❖ Julie Wegenaar ❖❖ Laura WegenaarServicing the Tri-State Area 3334 AMBOY ROAD, 10306718.351.1420 Fax: 718-667-9790 [email protected]
��
MIKE JR’S OAKWOOD DINEROpen 7 DaysFree Delivery
Catering Available3161 Amboy Road 718-668-1570
Rainbow Painting
& Wallpaper Hanging
• Over 30 Yrs. Experience
• Neat & Clean
Call for Free Estimate
The Most Complete OnlineNational Directory
of Catholic Parishes
CHECK IT OUT TODAY!
• Breakfast • Lunch• Grab & Go Dinner• Hot Catering2300 Hylan Blvd.
718-987-7600We Deliver
RONNIE’SSANDWICH
SHOPPE
FRANK E. HANLEYFounder
Life Is Not Ended…But Merely Changed.
LARGE PARKING PLAZA60 NEW DORP LANE, STATEN ISLAND, NEW YORK 10306
718-351-1800FUNERAL HOME INC.511977 St Charles Church (A)
www.moravianflorist.com
718-351-44402286 Richmond RoadStaten Island, NY 10306
10% OFF TOTAL PURCHASE
If You Live Alone You Need MDMedAlert!24 Hour Protection at HOME and AWAY!
✔Ambulance✔Police ✔Fire✔Friends/Family
CALLNOW!
FREE ShippingFREE ActivationNO Long Term Contracts
Solutions as Low as $19.95 a month
This Button SAVES Lives!As Shown GPS,
Lowest Price Guaranteed!
GPS Tracking w/Fall DetectionNationwide, No Land Line Needed
EASY Set-up, NO Contract24/7 365 Monitoring in the USA
800.809.3352MDMedAlertSafe-Guarding America’s Seniors Nationwide!
www.jspaluch.com For Ads: J.S. Paluch Co., Inc. 1-800-524-0263
When Service Matters ...Staten Island’s Finest is Family Owned &
Operated with 4 Generations of ExperienceCOLONIAL FUNERAL HOME IS OWNED IN WHOLE BY
COLONIAL CORP. STOCKHOLDERS ARE:ANTHONY LANZA AND LEWIS ROVEGNO
We are Pre-Arrangement/Counseling Specialists718-351-5858 2819 Hylan Boulevard • SI, NY 10306
SafeHarbor HomeCare ServicesSince 1967
Licensed Private Duty NursesCertified Home Health AidesAvailable all hours & all shifts
www.safehrbr.com 718-979-6900
STATEN ISLANDGARAGE
DOOR CO.Sales • Service
InstallationsPrompt Emergency
ServiceCall Mike
718-982-9200917-440-9018
Our 25th Anniversary
cell (917) 670-2606
email [email protected] • www.lisawuensch.com113 New Dorp Plaza, Staten Island, NY 10306
Lisa Wuensch, NYS Real Estate Salesperson
LifelongParishioner
DR. SCAFURI & ASSOCIATESSpecializing in Internal Medicine, Infectious Diseases & Pediatrics
North Shore Office South Shore Office
2177 Victory Blvd. 4143 Richmond AvenueStaten Island, NY 10314 Staten Island, NY 10312(718) 370-3730 (phone) (718) 966-5556 (phone)(718) 698-9412 (fax) (718) 966-7483 (fax)
Email: [email protected] Website: DrScafuri.comOpen 7 Days a Week
Download Our Free App or Visit
MY.ONEPARISH.COM
Grow in your faith,find a Mass, and
connect with yourCatholic Community
with OneParish!
Practicing in Elder
Law, Estate Planning,
Probate, Estate and
Trust Settlement and
Business Planning
885 Huguenot Avenue, Staten Island, NYTel: 718.354.8646 • Fax: 718.354.8647
www.leporelaw.com
THE LAW OFFICES OF
CARING MATTERS
FROM THE PASTOR’S DESK
THE GREATEST GIFT OF ALL… I heard a story about a man who was playing a store Santa. This boy came up and asked him for an electric train. “If you get your train,” he told him, “your dad is going to want to play with it too - is that all right?” The boy became very quiet. Moving the conversation along, he said, “what else would you like Santa to bring you?” He promptly replied, “another train!” Well, at Christmas, may of us revert back to our childhood or at least remember it! And that’s sort of appropriate isn’t it? After all, Christmas is about a little child - Jesus? Little chil-dren at this time of the year get so excited that Christmas is coming. I wonder if we could bottle that enthusiasm for some of us older folks who perhaps have lost some of the magic of the season? The other day after the magnificent ordination Mass for Bishop Whalen and Bishop Colac-icco was concluded, I exited from St. Patrick’s Cathedral onto Fifth Avenue. On this early Decem-ber evening, brilliant lights were shining, a band was playing holiday music, bells were ringing, and shoppers were rushing into the stores. It all brought me back to a time when as a child I had such anticipation for December 25th and, of course, for all the presents I would get - including a train which my father played with as well! The greatest gift that is given to us at Christmas though is not one with a price tag on it - rather it is the little baby of Bethlehem. All of us know the story of Christmas. When St. Joseph knocked at the door of the inn at Bethlehem on that first Christmas morning, there was “no room” for Mary and the Savior who was about to be born. Instead, Jesus was born in a stable which is about the most humble and insignificant place that you can think of. There is a lesson here for all of us. The inn of Bethlehem is at times, like our own heart. We are “too full” of ourselves, “too full” of material comforts and pleasures so that Christ can’t find a welcome in our own hearts. Maybe we need to make a little room for the Christ Child to enter in. Secondly, we can all of us, become a little more humble. Jesus the Son of God humbled Him-self when He took on our human condition. As St. Paul put it, “though He was in the form of God, Jesus did not deem equality with God something to be grasped at; rather He took the form of a slave, being born in the likeness of men.” How humble was Jesus! Let’s learn from Him to focus a little less on this troublesome thing that is known as “self.” Finally, as we celebrate the birth of Christ who is really “the man for others”, we can learn to give of ourselves a little bit more to God and to our neighbor. During this season where it is cus-tomary to make a list of things we want for Christmas, wouldn’t it be better if we all counted our blessings and asked what we could give to others? The gift of our time, our love, and our service to others is really a most priceless treasure. A few years, Macy’s initiated an ad campaign suggesting that we all “believe” in the magic of Christmas. Yes, Christmas is a magical time of the year. But the belief is the most significant thing. We put our belief and trust in that little baby of Bethlehem born on Christmas morning. The greatest gift of all! On behalf of us all here at St. Charles, a very merry Christmas to you and your families! Sincerely in Christ, Fr. Jerome Pastor 10
