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November 29, 2020 First Sunday of Advent
November 29, 2020
First Sunday of Advent
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PASTORAL STAFF Phone: 631-929-4339
Pastor: Father Frank Schneider, ext. 16 [email protected] Associate Pastor: Father James Calledo [email protected] Deacon: Fred Finter, ext. 44 [email protected] Deacon: Vincent Pozzolano, ext. 45 [email protected] Faith Formation Coordinator: Mrs. Jane Oliva, ext. 12 [email protected] Outreach Director: Deborah O’Hare, ext. 22 [email protected] Music Coordinator: Liz McNeill (631) 495-8913 [email protected] Pastoral Assistant: Barbara Johnston Bookkeeper: Lindsay Finter, ext. 17 [email protected] Receptionist: Sue Kozakiewicz, ext. 10 [email protected] Preschool Director: Mrs. Gayle Mercurio, ext. 14 [email protected] Secretary: Susan Plattner, ext. 19 [email protected] Preschool Phone: 631-929-3220 Maintenance: Servio Ortiz Weekend Priest Assistants: Msgr. John Bennett
Parish Outreach Hours: Tues & Thurs 10am-2pm
Parish Office Hours Monday - Thursday, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Website: www.sjbwr.org General Mailbox/Front Desk: ext. 10. Contact us by email: [email protected]
Finance Committee, 2020-2021 Dr. Barbara Fontana, Trustee, ex officio
Richard Rossin, Trustee, ex officio
Robert Lutz, Chair
Richard Amper
Steven Gallagher
Thomas McEnany
Lisa Kelly
Pastoral Council Members,
2020-2021
Vincent Manzello, Chair
Daniel Bealey
Linda Bealey
Rosemary Desimone
Dr. Barbara Fontana (trustee)
Michelle Gaffney
Michelle Gallucci
Kevin Heavey
Maria Maxwell
Richard Rossin (trustee)
Worship Committee, 2020-2021
Cheryl MacDougall, chair
James MacDougall
William Hennessy
Barbara Johnston
Liz McNeill
John O’Hare
Elizabeth Waskowiak
Edward Waskowiak
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1. “His name is John.” (11/29/20)
First in the Centennial Series on our Patron Saint
The Catholic mission church in Wading River began in 1912 and was dedicated to St. John the Baptist – no doubt because of the proximity to Long Island Sound. The mission was raised to the status of parish in 1922, and for nearly one hundred years we have followed the example of our parish patron saint. We announce the Good News of the Gospel, invite all people to renewal and conversion, and we baptize to bring countless
people into the new life of Christ.
As we prepare for our 100th anniversary, I invite you to reacquaint yourself with our patron saint, and pray for his guidance and intercession for our parish family of St. John the Baptist. What better time to begin our journey than Advent, the “season of John the Baptist” as we again prepare for the coming of the Lord at Christmas and at the end of time?
Most of us are familiar with the general outline of John’s life and his preaching as found in the four gospels. What more is there to know? Wasn’t he the cousin of Jesus? Didn’t he preach in the desert to “prepare the way of the Lord”? Didn’t he baptize Jesus and call him the “Lamb of God”? And wasn’t he beheaded by King Herod after the dance of Salome’s daughter? What else could there be to learn?
The four gospels, while they agree on the general outline, offer conflicting stories and details about John. What do the four gospel “portraits” of John have to tell us today? Besides being baptized, what was the deeper relationship of Jesus with the Baptizer? Why does one gospel say that Jesus was John’s cousin and the other gospels never connect them as family members? Why does Jesus mention John the Baptist throughout his three years of ministry? Did Jesus baptize like John did? What did Jesus think of the execution of John the Baptist? What happened to the Baptist’s disciples after his execution? Why were there stories that John was “raised from the dead”?
Next week, the Second Sunday of Advent, we hear the beginning of Mark’s gospel and the introduction of John the Baptist into salvation history. We’ll begin with Mark, and on the 3rd Sunday we hear from John’s Gospel. I invite you to keep an open mind, and perhaps to have a new “meeting” with our parish patron saint. Together we can listen to the stories of John and discover how we can follow his example and be courageous and strong voices to announce Jesus, the Word of God to our world.
Question for reflection for the week: Do I ever think of John the Baptist inspiring and watching over our parish family or our patron saint?
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First Week of Advent
Prayer as you light
your family advent Wreath
Grant your faithful, we pray, almighty God, the resolve to run forth to meet your Christ
with righteous deeds at his coming, so that, gathered at his right hand,
they may be worthy to possess the heavenly Kingdom. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. AMEN.
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Calling all Christmas Angels, we need your help!
Gift tags from the Giving Tree are available in the Parish Hall today. In the Parish Hall, there are 200 colorful tags. You may take one or more of the tags to buy a Christmas present for someone who might not otherwise receive a gift this year. All gifts must be returned at one of the Masses on the week-end of December 19 and 20. If you will not be here on that weekend, but want to participate, you can bring the gift(s) in beforehand.
1. Take a Tag: Then record your name on the sign-up sheet.
2. Buy a Gift: Please buy the gift that is asked for in the exact color, size, etc., wrap it, and firmly attach the tag.
3. Return at one of the Masses on the weekend of December 19 and 20.
Thanks for thinking of the needy during this difficult time of the pandemic!
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WEEKLY PARISH CALENDAR
Tuesday, December 8th
Solemnity of the
Immaculate Conception
Holyday of Obligation
Holyday Masses at 8:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjNw8TCs_feAhXSnuAKHWi4B0gQjRx6BAgBEAU&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.flickr.com%2Fphotos%2Fthomashawk%2F10960810195&psig=AOvVaw3gbWgMY2-lGumLeHuO1obg&ust=1543505295261092
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Mass Presiders Schedule
Saturday, November 28, 5:15 p.m. Father Frank Sunday, November 29, 8:00 a.m. Msgr. Bennett Sunday, November 29, 10:30 a.m. Father James
First Sunday of Advent Saturday, December 5, 5:15 p.m. Msgr. Bennett Sunday, December 6, 8:00 a.m. Father James Sunday, December 6, 10:30 a.m. Father Frank
Immaculate Conception Tuesday, December 8, 8:30 a.m. Father Frank Tuesday, December 8, 7:30 p.m. Msgr. Bennett
Planning Ahead For Christmas Mass
Christmas Eve
2:00 p.m. (live streamed, overflow in hall) with Msgr. Bennett
4:00 p.m. (live streamed, overflow in hall) with Fr. Frank
10:00 p.m. “Mass at Night” with Fr. James
Christmas Dayl
8:00 a.m. with Fr. Frank
10:30 a.m. with Fr. James
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We are so grateful to all of you who
helped to transform our Parish Hall into
a Thanksgiving Cornucopia this past
weekend. The Thanksgiving Baskets
were distributed Sunday, November 22.
We provided over 100 families with meals this year. You are
amazing. We hope you and your family have a happy and healthy and safe Thanksgiving.
May God bless you abundantly.
The Christmas Giving Tree
Gift tags from the Giving Tree will be available in the Parish Hall
for 2 weekends this year. This weekend, November 28/29 and
December 5/6. The gifts must be returned to the Parish Hall by
Sunday, December 20 before 12 noon, the gifts will be given out
beginning at 1 PM that afternoon. Please call the Outreach office
if you have any questions, 631-929-4339 ext. 22, Tuesday or Thursday between 10 & 2.
Reminder:
Thanksgiving Break ends Sunday, November 29th
Classes resume Monday, November 30th
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Monday, November 30, 8:30 a.m.,
For the Parishioners of St. John the Baptist
Tuesday, December 1, 8:30 a.m.,
Michael O’Hare
Wednesday, December 2, 8:30 a.m.,
Michael O’Hare
Thursday, December 3, 8:30 a.m.,
Michael O’Hare
Saturday, December 5, 5:15 p.m.,
William Brander
Herbert Spahn
Sunday, December 6,
8:00 a.m.
Anton Condzella
Louisa Visco
10:30 a.m.
Deceased members of the Waskewicz,
Cascio, LaBarbera & Frobey Families
Ann Cannella
Please remember the faithful departed.
May they rest in peace.
During the pandemic, Funeral Masses
can be scheduled. Approximately 100 are
permitted to attend.
Upcoming Baptism Dates:
December 6
January 17
February 21
March 7
March 21
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2020 Catholic Ministries Appeal Goal $52,300.00
Pledges $21,260.00 Over (Under) ($31,040.00)
Donors 79 Payments $16,585.00 Average Gift $269.11
Percentage of Goal 40.65%
Please consider “automated giving” as you reflect on
support of our parish family!
The fruitful ministries at our parish are examples of how
many of you have answered, and continue to answer, that
call. To ensure such work can continue requires not only
gifts of time, but also of financial help. I ask you to prayerfully consider supporting
our parish with electronic donations through Faith Direct. You can find paper enroll-
ment forms in the parish office, or you can sign up online at www.faithdirect.net by
using our church code, NY67.
Special Collections:
12/06 Christmas Flowers 12/08 Immaculate Conception 12/13 Religious Retirement 12/25 Christmas/Christmas for the Poor
WEEKLY COLLECTION
Sunday Collection: November 22, 2020 $8,920.83 (down 9.91%)
Sunday Collection: November 24, 2019 $9,903.23
THANK YOU!
Many are facing financial hardship, and we are deeply grateful to those
who have mailed in their envelope, dropped it in the mailbox
in the upper parking lot, or used Faith Direct.
Thank you to those who “caught up” with a full month’s donations!
http://www.faithdirect.net
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Bread, wine, altar candles Should you like to donate the candles, bread, wine for
the celebration of the weekend Eucharist, especially in memory of a loved one,
please contact the Parish Office, 631-929-4339, ext 10.
Tabernacle Candle
The tabernacle lamp indicates that the Blessed Sacrament is present in church. The red candle can be memorialized for the week of your
choice.
Eucharistic Adoration
The Blessed Sacrament is exposed for Adoration on the main altar in the church every Wednesday afternoon.
All novenas and devotions are suspended at this time.
Silent prayer during Adoration Hours.
For those serving in the Military
Michael Brennan, Patrick Hanley, Jeffrey L. Beilman Jr., Ryan Santiro, Thomas G. Verbeeck, Michelle Verbeeck,
Joseph DeMonte IV, Nicholas Altman, Michael Anderson, Devin Henry, Marielle Verbeeck, Cassidy Vail, Evan, Purdy, Sean Tully, Sean Brady
For the Homebound, the Sick and in Hospice Care
For all those who are suffering from the coronavirus
and also John Ryan, Thomas Mongiello, Ann Bertolini, Edward Hegel
