St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Community 29 N. Washington Ave. Bergenfield, N.J. 07621 201-384-0101 Fax: 201-384-2055 Parish Web Site: www.sjrc.org Served by: Rev. Msgr. Richard J. Arnhols Pastor Rev. Raymond R. Filipski Rev. Gustavo A. Alfaro Rev. Jonathan Perez Rev. Jesús M. Ramos Parochial Vicars Deacon James A. Detura Lisa Oggioni Marciano Director of Music Ministries Mary Ann C. Johnston Pastoral Council President Mrs. Patricia D. Rickly Mr. Enrique G. Enriquez Trustees TRANSFIGURATION ACADEMY PARISH LIFE CENTER 10 Bradley Ave., Bergenfield 15 N. Washington Ave., Bergenfield Mr. James V. Carlo Rosemarie Flood Eric A. Acosta Principal Director of Religious Education Director of Youth Ministry 201-384-3627 Gr. Pre-K2+ - Gr. 8 201-384-3601 & Confirmation Retreats www.transfigurationacademy.org [email protected][email protected]The Nativity of the Lord December 25, 2016 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. ~ John 1:5
Transcript
St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Community
29 N. Washington Ave. Bergenfield, N.J. 07621 201-384-0101 Fax: 201-384-2055 Parish Web Site: www.sjrc.org
Served by:
Rev. Msgr. Richard J. Arnhols
Pastor
Rev. Raymond R. Filipski
Rev. Gustavo A. Alfaro
Rev. Jonathan Perez
Rev. Jesús M. Ramos
Parochial Vicars
Deacon James A. Detura
Lisa Oggioni Marciano
Director of Music Ministries
Mary Ann C. Johnston
Pastoral Council President
Mrs. Patricia D. Rickly
Mr. Enrique G. Enriquez
Trustees
TRANSFIGURATION ACADEMY PARISH LIFE CENTER 10 Bradley Ave., Bergenfield 15 N. Washington Ave., Bergenfield Mr. James V. Carlo Rosemarie Flood Eric A. Acosta Principal Director of Religious Education Director of Youth Ministry 201-384-3627 Gr. Pre-K2+ - Gr. 8 201-384-3601 & Confirmation Retreats
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
~ John 1:5
Page 2 The Nativity of the Lord December 25, 2016
Masses for the Week Saturday Christmas Eve ~ December 24 4:00pm Family Mass John, Nora & Mary Reilly 6:30pm Vigil Mass Delmy Escobar 9:00pm Español Glenn & Stephen Fernandez 12:00 Midnight Sally D. Lee (mother & daughter) Sunday Christmas Day ~ December 25 7:30 People of the Parish 9:00 Joseph E. Doylen, Sr. 10:30 Joseph Johnson 12:00 Noon Joseph Gangemi Monday December 26 7:00 Godofredo Paguro 9:00 Guillermo & Pacita Villanueva 7:30 pm Laurie Knott Tuesday December 27 7:00 August & Marie Buettner 9:00 In Honor of St. John the Evangelist 7:30 pm Vere & Eileen Sinnetamby Wednesday December 28 7:00 Maria DeLeon-13th Anniversary 9:00 James V. Doyle 7:30 pm Maria Garcia Thursday December 29 7:00 Margaret Brady 9:00 Steven & Glenn Fernandez 7:30 pm Gerald Jordan Friday December 30 7:00 Pat Leporini 9:00 Anthony Emanuele 7:30 pm Steven & Glenn Fernandez Saturday December 31 7:00 Thanksgiving for Tom & Amala Fmly 9:00 Teodoro & Clarita Domdom Solemnity of Mary Masses December 31 5:30pm Thanksgiving for Tom & Amala Fmly 7:00 pm (Español) Josefa Mayo (20th Anniversary) Sunday January 1, 2017 7:30 People of the Parish 9:00 Receiving God’s Grace & Holy Spirit 10:30 Angelina Oggioni 11:00 (Chapel LC) Erson Jude Argonza 12:00 pm John Bruno 12:30 pm (Chapel Esp) Clementina & Jose D’Aparicio 1:30pm Special Needs Inclusive Family Mass 5:30pm (Tagalog) Special Intention
St. John’s Overnight Eucharistic Adoration Every First Friday, January 6th, 2017: overnight Eucharistic Adoration in the Notre Dame Chapel of the Parish Life Center, from 9:00pm to 7:00am. Sign up sheet is available at the church main entrance.
Spend One Hour with Me in the Blessed Sacrament Come and spend time with Me to recite silently your favorite prayers like the Rosary and Divine Mercy Chaplet, read My messages in the Bible, contemplate acts of faith, hope and charity, thanksgiving, healing and reparation, Or simply keeping Me company, just as you would a dear friend. -Affectionately Yours, Jesus Christ
Chapel - Lower Church 11:00am ~ Fr. Jonathan 12:30pm (Spanish) ~ Fr. Jonathan
Filipino Apostolate Filipino Mass ~ Sunday, January 1, 2017 at 5:30pm. Sponsored by Bhole & Tess Lopez. Filipino Apostolate Meeting ~ Second Monday of the month January 9, 2017 at 8:15pm, Parish Life Center Basement.
Page 3 The Nativity of the Lord December 25, 2016
Pastor’s Desk Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
On behalf of all our priests, deacon, and lay staff, I wish you all a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS! May today be but the first of many days for us to reflect on Christ’s life shared with us and to be shared with others through us!
Next Sunday we celebrate the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, a holyday of obligation which coincides with our Sunday obligation. As with today, so next Sunday, too, please place both the holyday envelope and the Sunday envelope in the one collection. Our parish counts on both Sunday collections and Holyday collections when planning our budget for the year.
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As announced last month, Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., of Indianapolis has been appointed by Pope Francis to be our new Archbishop, effective with his Mass of Installation at 2:30pm on Friday, January 6th, at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark. Doors will open that day at 11am. Seating will be on a first come – first served basis.
Msgr. Richard Arnhols, Pastor
Reflection on Today’s Readings
John’s Gospel begins not in Nazareth, Bethlehem, or Rome, but in the eternal glory of heaven. For John, salvation was not only a matter of Jesus’ birth, death, and resurrection, but one of the eternal wisdom of Almighty God. That’s why he wanted to make it clear from the very beginning that the eternal plan of God for our salvation was decisively advanced when the Word of God took on flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth. These concepts boggle the mind, even as their beautiful telling in this gospel’s prologue stir the heart. Do you know that it is God’s desire to restore all people to his divine image? Do you know that Jesus took flesh and blood not just to free us from sin, but to make us into sons and daughters of God—members of the family of God and not just servants or disciples? Jesus took our old, fallen nature and put it to death on the cross so that we might be restored to the divine nature and become like Jesus.
Throughout his gospel, John will develop the themes that he sounds here in his prologue: light, life, truth, and glory. Each of these themes could take years of study and prayer to understand fully. In fact, we will not really know their depths until we are brought face to face with the Lord at the end of time. Yet John does not hesitate to bring them to our attention—not just because he wants us to contemplate their truth, but because he wants us to experience them in our lives on a day-to-day basis.
The life of Christ—the life given by the Holy Spirit—is our light. It is our hope and our joy day after day. The Son of God came to earth not just to teach us, but to transform us through his own grace and truth. Every day, we can meet Jesus in prayer, in the Eucharist, in our regular routines, and be lifted up to heaven. Every day, we can know a deeper share of the “grace upon grace” that God poured out in Christ (John 1:16) - and that grace can make us more like Jesus every day.
Jesus is constantly interceding for us in heaven. On earth, he continues to work out our sanctification through the Holy Spirit whom he has given us. Day in and day out, Jesus wants to reveal the Father to us and draw us into a closer relationship with him. He wants to transform our thoughts and actions. All he asks is that we keep our hearts open to him. As we do, we will know Jesus as our Savior, as our Friend, and as our Lord. We will receive another taste of the heavenly life that Jesus has come to give us.
“Jesus, you are the light of all men and women. Shine that light into my heart. May I know the power of your grace to transform me. Lord, I don’t want just to be freed from sin. I want to become like you.”
Stewardship: Sharing our Time, Talent, and Treasure!
“And the Word became Flesh.” John 1:14
Jesus is God’s ultimate gift of love to us. The countless other blessings that God showers upon us are nothing compared to the gift of His only Son. The only appropriate way for us to respond to such generous love is with our own generous love. When we dedicate our lives to sharing all the gifts God has placed in our hands, the peace of Christ truly will control our hearts and we will know Christmas joy every day.
Love Let those who never loved before, love now: Let those who always loved, love the more. ~ Anonymous
St. John’s Bereavement Ministry For anyone who is experiencing or having difficulties dealing with the loss of a loved one, whenever the loss occurred, we are here to help you. If you need or wish to talk, or are interested in becoming part of this ministry to the bereaved, please call Fr. Ray, 201-384-0101. For the Spanish-speaking, please call Delia, 201-387-8420. Remembrance Plaque - If a loved one passed away and a Funeral Mass was held here at St. John’s, please call Fr. Ray at 201-384-0101 to request the name plate. Support Groups for Parents Grieving the Death of a Child Groups meet year ‘round. There is no preregistration and no fee. All meetings begin at 7:30pm. 1st Wednesday of the month January 4th ~ Thomas the Apostle Parish Center, 60 Byrd Ave., Bloomfield, NJ. 3rd Monday of the month, January 16th ~ St. Peter the Apostle Parish Center, 445 Fifth Ave., River Edge, NJ. Pre-registration is requested. Call the Office of Family Life Ministries at 973-497-4327 for registration/information/directions.
Sacraments Penance -Monday-Friday: 7:00pm-7:20pm. Saturday: 1:00pm-2:00pm, and immediately following the 5:30pm Mass by request, or by appointment with a priest at any time. Baptisms are normally held the 2nd and 3rd Sunday of each month at 1:30pm.* Instructions for parents are normally held the 1st Sunday of each month at 1:30pm in the basement of the Parish Life Center. These instructions are required of parents having their first child Baptized. All parents must be registered parishioners and present child’s birth certificate at the time of arranging for the baptism. Godparents must be practicing Catholics, at least sixteen years of age, who have received the Sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist, and, if married, the Sacrament of Matrimony. Sponsor certificate must be presented at least one week before Baptism. PLEASE NOTE! We are accepting registrations for Baptisms for January and beyond. Please call the Rectory at 201-384-0101 for information. Matrimony - Arrangements for a wedding should be made at least one year in advance. Couples are required to attend Pre-Cana and God’s Plan. Please contact one of the priests, 201-384-0101.
St. John’s Prayer Groups Santo Niño Healing Prayer Ministry ~ An Outreach Healing Prayer Service for Abused Children, Adult Survivors, and the Chronically-ill, led by a priest or a deacon. Meets every 1st Friday of the month, 7-9pm - upper church and every 3rd Friday of the month, 8-9:30pm in the Santo Niño Healing Prayer Room, Parish Life Center.
Charismatic Prayer Group - Meets each Friday evening 8pm-10pm in the Santo Niño Healing Prayer Room, Parish Life Center (upper Church on 1st Friday for Holy Hour.)
Legion of Mary - Meets each Saturday, 9:30am-11:00am in the Lower Church (Eng.); Sundays 1:45-3:15pm PLC (Span.).
Padre Pio Prayer Group - Meets on the 3rd Saturday of each month, 3-4pm in the Lower Church. Coffee hour follows 4-5pm.
Spanish Prayer Group - Meets each Thursday evening, 7:30pm-9:30pm in the Lower Church.
Tienda Del Encuentro Group - Meets each Tuesday evening, 7:30pm-9:30pm in the Parish Life Center Basement.
Jóvenes de Jesús Prayer Group - Meets every Friday evening, 7:30pm-9:30pm in the Parish Life Center. For more information, please contact website: www.jovenesdejesus.org.
St. John’s Youth Group - Meets on Sundays and Tuesdays, 7:00pm-9:00pm, Youth Room, lower church.
Memorial Fund/Special Intention We are offering weekly memorial/special intention opportunities for the altar wine and communion hosts used at Mass, the sanctuary candle, and flowers for the altar. Please fill out a request form, available at the rectory. The memorial items will be listed in the appropriate week’s bulletin.
(1 or 2 baskets per week) Memorial (Deceased)/Special Intention (Living) Week of December 24th - December 31st, 2016
Altar Flowers: Christmas Flowers from all who donated!
Sanctuary Candle: In Loving Memory of: Laura Citarella Requested by: Her Family Altar Bread & Wine: In Loving Memory of: Caridad Barroso Requested by: Her Family
Rachel’s Vineyard Retreats The Archdiocese of Newark Respect Life Office is sponsoring three Rachel’s Vineyard Retreats in 2017. If you are suffering from an abortion experience, and have feelings of guilt and anxiety and/or depression, there is Hope! Rachel’s Vineyard Retreats heal the pain from abortion, one weekend at a time. Dates are: Jan. 6-8 (Spanish); May 12-14 (English); Sept. 8-10 (English). For more information about the weekend or “scholarships” for those in need, contact Cheryl A. Riley at 973-497-4350 or [email protected]. All calls and e-mails are confidential.
Page 5 The Nativity of the Lord December 25, 2016
Devotions Novena - Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Wednesday Evenings, 7:00pm, upper church. Holy Hour and Benediction - First Friday of every month at 8pm, upper church, in English; Last Thursday of every month at 8:00pm, upper church, in Spanish. Rosary - Monday through Saturday 8:30am, upper church.
Special Needs Mass and Meetings The monthly Inclusive Family Mass ~ 1st Sunday of the month, January 1st, at 1:30pm in the main church. Moms’ Support Group ~ Next scheduled meeting is March 22, 2017 for Inclusive Stations in the Notre Dame Chapel & Gathering Room - Parish Life Center. Dads’ Support Group will meet January 18, 2017 in the Gathering Room - Parish Life Center. For more information, please contact Rosemarie Flood - Director of Religious Education at 201-384-3601.
St. John’s Men’s & Women’s Cornerstone General meeting for men’s team will take place on Wednesday, January 18, 2017 at 8:15pm in the school library. *Reserve this Date! Men’s Cornerstone Retreat will take place on Friday-Saturday, April 21-22, 2017. General Meeting for women’s team will take place on Monday, January 9, 2017 at 7:30pm in the rectory basement. *Reserve this Date! ~ Women’s Cornerstone Retreat will take place on Friday-Saturday, June 16-17, 2017. Please watch the bulletin for all up-dates!
St. John’s Religious Education MERRY CHRISTMAS!
No Classes Dec.23rd through Jan. 6th. &
HAPPY NEW YEAR! Office will be closed Monday, January 2nd.
Classes resume on Sunday, January 8th.
Regular classes are in session unless otherwise noted. Saturday, Jan. 7th ~ First Penance Family Morning 9:30am ~ Lower Church Thursday. Jan. 12th ~ Last Thursday Class for Grade 8 and C9-12 Sunday, Jan 15th ~ Family Faith Sunday for Grades 1-7 9:30am ~ Lower Church Monday, Jan.16th ~ NO CLASS (Martin Luther King Day)
For more information call the Religious Education Office at 201-384-0101
St John’s Respect Life Ministry Spiritual Adoption Program ~ You are invited to join us in this prayer campaign lasting for 9 months (December 8th until the Blessed Mother’s Birthday, September 8th) which you name and pray every day for one baby who is in danger of abortion. Prayer cards are available at the exits of the church. This is a simple yet powerful way to become a daily part of the movement; call Mary at 201-385-8308.
Is 2017 the Year? 44th Annual March for Life ~ It is not too early to consider going to Washington D.C. on Friday, January 27, 2017 to be a part of the March for Life. After a 6:00am Mass, our buses will leave St. John’s parking lot about 7:00am. We will return by 11:00pm. Details will follow in upcoming weeks.
Reminder! We are still looking for those 200+ baby bottles that you may have at home. Please return them to the rectory (empty or full) as we will reuse them next year. Thank You!
The Gift from God On this day of gifts and gift-giving, it seems appropriate that we take a moment to reflect on the great gift of God’s Word. Because it is creative, God’s Word always points to its author, always calls us to respond. Because it is powerful, God’s Word can link the sublime with the ridiculous, the transcendent with the immanent, the divine with the human. Because it is graceful, God’s Word establishes a relationship of deep intimacy between us and God. At the heart of God’s Word lies a tantalizing tension between the mysterious and the mundane. In our liturgical celebration, this unresolved tension both reveals the meaning of life for us and calls us to respond, to act upon that meaning. Once accepted and opened, the gift of God’s Word is a gift that keeps on giving and keeps on calling us to give in return. It dares us to be like the gift-giver and to become gifts for others, not only at Christmas, but at every moment of life.
Used Bedframes For Sale We have 3 twin size bed frames with wooden headboard and footboard, and 1 full size metal bed frame with box spring, available for $10 a set. Please contact Msgr. Richard if you are interested in purchasing one or more.
St. Joseph Retreat Center 850 Hylan Blvd, Staten Island, NY 10395
We are happy to share the news that St. Joseph Retreat Center is thriving as it approaches its one year anniversary. The beautiful space and wide variety of programs and directors make our Retreat Center the perfect place for renewal, relaxation, and reflection. Maturing in God ~ Aging…. the opportunity of a lifetime - developed by Richard P. Johnson, PhD, and facilitated by Nanci Bachman, is a short course in living agelessly in 12 powerful lessons. This program will be given over a two year period. Each session will help you tap the wisdom and grace that comes with learning from the “Master Teacher.” For more information or a copy of scheduled sessions (dates, time and cost per session) please contact Ronnie Keane at 1-718- 720-1097 or visit our website: sjretreatcenter.org.
Page 6 The Nativity of the Lord December 25, 2016
The students, faculty and staff wish everyone ….. A Healthy and Blessed Christmas!
The school and school office will be closed until Tuesday, January 3, 2017 for the Christmas recess.
Transfiguration Academy is located at Bradley Avenue in Bergenfield. For more information or to
schedule a tour of the school please call 201-384-3627 or email [email protected], or
visit our website at transfigurationacademy.org and follow us on Facebook.
St. John’s Knights of Columbus ~Council #1345
New Year’s Eve - The Party is on! ~ Saturday, December 31st, from 8:00pm until 1:00am; Presented by the Twin-Boro Columbian Club. Entertainment provided by the Shadows After Dark Band. Appetizers will consist of antipasto, stuffed mushrooms, bacon wrapped scallops, homemade mozzarella, and shrimp cocktail. Main course will be served buffet style consisting of lobster ravioli, beef brisket, shrimp scampi, and veal rollatine. All beverages, dessert, coffee, and tea also included. Cost is $90 per person. Reservations and advance payment required. For reservations call or text 1-516-220-9333 or email us at [email protected] for more details.
Murder Mystery Dinner~Friday, Jan. 13th from 7:00pm to 11:00pm. Come join us and local Dumont Teenage Actors for a fun evening of entertainment, accompanied by dinner and beverages. $35.00 per person. For tickets call Willie C. at 201-951-9164 .
Fr. Murray Scholarship Dinner/Dance ~ Please join us on Saturday, January 28, 2017 from 7:00pm to 11:00pm. This dance helps fund the Fr. Murray and our council scholarships. Our meal will consist of Chicken Cordon Bleu, potato, and vegetable. Music and dancing for your enjoyment followed by dessert, coffee and tea. Beverages included. Cost of all is only $35.00 per person. To make a reservation call or text Ken A. a t 5 1 6 - 2 2 0 - 9 3 3 3 o r e m a i l u s a t [email protected].
Corporate Communion ~ There will be a Corporate Communion Sunday, January 29, 2017 at 8:30am Mass at the SMA Fathers in Tenafly, NJ. Refreshments will be provided afterwards.
Hall Renting & Catering ~ Planning a party soon? Call Matt Connell at 201-387-7187, email [email protected] org or check our website: www.kofc1345.org. The hall is available with or without catering.
St. John’s Golden Age Club Meetings scheduled for Jan. 6th and Jan. 20th, 2017 Meetings are held on the 1st and 3rd Fridays of the month. Watch the bulletin for up-dates. Up-coming Trips
Thursday, January 12, 2017 ~ Resorts Casino, Atlantic City Bus departs at 9am from the parking lot behind the Little League field at Melrose and Wildrose Avenues. For information call Tom 201-385-9340.
May 21-26, 2017 ~ Bus trip to Asheville, NC. 5 nights lodging (3 consecutive nights in Asheville) *Includes 5 breakfasts and 3 dinners. See Biltmore Estate & Gardens, Antler Village & Winery, guided tour of Asheville including St. Lawrence Basilica, Blue Ridge Mountain Parkway and Visitor Center, and Folk Art Center. *Price per person is $478 for members and $483 for non-members. Add $149 for single occupancy. *$75 deposit due 1/14/17 and final payment due 3/14/17. Trip insurance is optional and available at additional cost of $35 per person. Call Donna and Fred 201-384-2798.
We also invite people to join our club. (Bergenfield residency no longer required.)
Please call Fred, 201-384-2798.
Relevant Radio ~ 1430AM WNSW ~ Catholic Talk Radio here in Newark Archdiocese - Spread the news of this informative and entertaining tool for the good of the Church, her people, and all who seek the Truth.
Scholarship Fund for Inner-City Children The Scholarship Fund for Inner-City Children—which provides partial tuition scholarships for low income students in grades K to 12 to attend Catholic schools—will hold its 14th annual High School Basketball Festival on January 7 and 8, 2017, at Kean University in Union. The teams playing include: St. Peter’s Prep, Roselle Catholic, Hudson Catholic, Seton Hall Prep, Mt. St. Dominic, St. Benedict’s Prep, Marist, Union Catholic, St. Mary’s, Don Bosco, Immaculate Conception, Paramus Catholic, and St. Joseph’s Regional. For complete game schedule, times and information on ordering tickets, please visit www.sfichoops.com or call 973-497-4279.
Holy Name Medical CenterFilipino Medical Program
Outstanding Healthcare since 1925Ang inyong kalusugan ang aming misyon
718 Teaneck Road, Teaneck, NJ 07666 I www.holyname.org/filipinoTo Contact by Email: [email protected]
201-833-3355
Jollibee OrientalFood Market
Live CrabsFresh Seafood
Mon-Sat 9 AM-8 PMSun 9 AM-5 PM
48 E. Main, Berg’fld439-1242
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