Pastoral StaffPastoral StaffPastoral StaffPastoral Staff Rev. Msgr. Richard M. Figliozzi, Administrator

Outreach Services Outreach Services Outreach Services Outreach Services – (516) 354-4976

Paula Malloy - Parish Social Ministry Coordinator

Monday, Wednesday and Thursday

9:00 am to 1:00 pm

Parish Office Parish Office Parish Office Parish Office – (516) 352-2127 Hours:Hours:Hours:Hours: Monday thru Thursday - 9:00 am to 2:00 pm

Saturday - 9:00 am to 2:00 pm

Friday and Sunday – Closed

Fax – (516) 305-5474

Email: svdp1500@optonline.net

Web: www.stvincentdepaulparish.org

For Emergency relating to death or dying after

2 pm call St. Catherine of Sienna - (516) 352-0146

We Celebrate the EucharistWe Celebrate the EucharistWe Celebrate the EucharistWe Celebrate the Eucharist Saturday Vigil – 4:00 pm

Sunday – 8:30 am & 11:30 am

10:00 am Italian Mass - 1st & 3rd Sunday of the Month

Weekdays: Monday thru Friday 8:30 am

Holy Day Mass Schedules will be announced

in the Bulletin on the prior Sunday. We Celebrate the SacramentsWe Celebrate the SacramentsWe Celebrate the SacramentsWe Celebrate the Sacraments

Sacrament of Reconcilia�on – Saturdays

immediately after celebration of the Vigil Mass, or

by calling the Parish Office for an appointment

with a priest.

Sacrament of Bap�sm – call the Parish

Office to arrange for an interview. This should be

done while awaiting the birth of your child.

Sacrament of Marriage – call the Parish

Office to make an appointment with a priest before

making social arrangements.

Visitation of the Sick and HomeboundVisitation of the Sick and HomeboundVisitation of the Sick and HomeboundVisitation of the Sick and Homebound call the Parish Office to arrange for a visit by a

Priest to receive the Sacrament of the Anointing of

the Sick, and also to receive Holy Communion.

Holy Hour Holy Hour Holy Hour Holy Hour – on the first Friday of the month after

the 8:30 am Mass with Exposition of the Blessed

Sacrament and concluding with Benediction.

DevotionsDevotionsDevotionsDevotions

• The Rosary – is recited

daily before the 8:30 am

Weekday Masses.

• Miraculous Medal

Novena and Special

Prayers to St. Anthony

are said on Thursdays

after the 8:30 am Mass.

St. Vincent de Paul Roman Catholic Church

1500 DePaul Street Elmont, N.Y. 11003 “A Parish With Heart”

Fourth Sunday of Advent December 23, 2012

The Nativity of the Lord

FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT THE NATIVITY OF THE LORD

DECEMBER 23, 2012

One Final Thought “ God will never, never let us down if we have faith and put our trust in Him. He will always look after us. So we must cleave to Jesus. Our whole life must simply be woven into Jesus.” Blessed Teresa of Calcutta.

Temporary Change in Mass Schedule Your parish priests request your understanding regarding our Mass schedule. As you know, in addition to covering Masses at St. Catherine’s, we also cover Masses at St. Vincent’s in Elmont. Over the course of a typical weekend, from Saturday morning to Sunday afternoon, this could mean up 14 or 15 Masses when you include fu-nerals, weddings, and special occasions. Due to this reality, there is no longer an 8:30 am Mass on Saturdays at St. Vincent’s. What we will do at St. Catherine’s is to not have the 8pm Mass on Saturday evenings during the months of January, February, and March only. We find that attend-ance at that Mass declines during the winter months and rises during the summer months. We thank you for your understanding and coopera-tion. The 8pm Saturday Mass will resume in April.

TEMPORARY

From Msgr. Figliozzi

Scriptural Reflection for the Week “Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.” (see Luke 1:39-45) Elizabeth’s words are addressed to Mary. Can they also be addressed to us? In this Year of Faith we are made to see how little we trust God at times! How small is our faith! How we revert back to selfish and self centered ways when confronted with the vicissitudes of life! On this last Sunday of Advent, we have Mary before us as the model of faith. Mary believes in God’s will and God’s way no matter what anyone else says or does. How we need to pray for such faith! Christmas Mass Schedule Monday, Dec. 24th: 4pm (preceded by Pageant) 10pm ( with our Choir) Tuesday, Dec.25th: 8:30am and 11:30am Confession Before Christmas Monday, Dec. 24th: 11am to 12Noon An Examination of Conscience • Do I constantly renew my faith through acts of self-

surrender, holy dependence on God, and humility? • Do I trust in Divine Providence even amidst hard-

ship? • Have I committed voluntary doubt by disregarding or

refusing to hold as true what God has revealed and the Church proposes for belief?

• Do I fail to take seriously the responsibility to share and witness the Catholic Faith to others?

• Do I fail to take seriously the obligation to support the Church in her charitable endeavors and the local parish?

An Act of Contrition “ Lord Jesus, Son of God, be merciful to me, a sinner” Your Christmas Gift to your Parish Please be as generous as your means allow. Put God first when it comes to sharing your blessings.

Announced Mass Intentions Announced Mass Intentions Announced Mass Intentions Announced Mass Intentions

for this Weekendfor this Weekendfor this Weekendfor this Weekend

Saturday December 22 3:00 pm CONFESSIONS 4:00 pm Ernest & Catherine Dietz; Enrico & Santa Fazzini; Alice Grier; Marilyn Zeiter 5:00 pm CONFESSIONS Sunday December 23 8:30 am Armanda & Joseph Nappo 11:30 am Pasqualina Correale; Giovanni Castellucci

Announced Mass Intentions Announced Mass Intentions Announced Mass Intentions Announced Mass Intentions

for the Weekfor the Weekfor the Weekfor the Week

Monday December 24-Vigil of Christmas 8:30 am ——— 11:00 am CONFESSIONS 4:00 pm Christmas Novena (1) 10:00 pm Christmas Novena (2) Tuesday December 25-The Nativity of the Lord 8:30 am Christmas Novena (3) 11:30 am Christmas Novena (4) Wednesday December 26-Kwanzaa

8:30 am Christmas Novena (5) Thursday December 27-St. John 8:30 am Christmas Novena (6) Friday December 28-The Holy Innocents

8:30 am Christmas Novena (7)

It is the policy of St. Vincent’s that the intention of each priest who celebrates a

parish Mass will be for the intentions listed in the Parish Mass Book.

BREAD & WINE

For the week of December 23 thru December 29 Is in memory of Joseph William Frank

As requested by Madeline Frank & Patricia DeMoro

MISSION STATEMENTMISSION STATEMENTMISSION STATEMENTMISSION STATEMENT

As members of St. Vincent de Paul Roman Catholic Parish, we are committed to assisting our members in both the spiritual and temporal needs of life. We are a parish with heart who are committed to “Let all things be done with Charity”

and show we are disciples of Christ by our love for one another.

ALTAR CANDLES

For the week of December 23 thru December 29 Is in memory of Bruno Torre

As requested by Josephine Torre

DO YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR FAITH? WE HAVE THE ANSWERS

Do you have questions about your Catholic Faith, such as about the Sacraments, the Mass or any of our rituals? Please place your questions, in writing, in the green box in the church vestibule or send them to us by email at tcusack@stvincentdepaulparish.org and Fr. Johnny will reply in his column on the website.

Readings for the Week of December 24 thru December 30

Monday: 2 Sm 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16; Ps 89:2-5, 27, 29; Lk 1:67-79 Tuesday: Vigil: Is 62:1-5; Ps 89:4-5, 16-17, 27, 29; Acts 13:16-17, 22-25; Mt 1:1-25 [18-25] Night: Is 9:1-6; Ps 96:1-3, 11-13; Ti 2:11-14; Lk 2:1-14 Dawn: Is 62:11-12; Ps 97:1, 6, 11-12; Ti 3:4-7; Lk 2:15-20 Day: Is 52:7-10; Ps 98:1-6; Heb 1:1-6; Jn 1:1-18 [1-5, 9-14] Wednesday: Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59; Ps 31:3cd-4, 6, 8ab, 16bc, 17; Mt 10:17-22 Thursday: 1 Jn 1:1-4; Ps 97:1-2, 5-6, 11-12; Jn 20:1a, 2-8 Friday: 1 Jn 1:5 — 2:2; Ps 124:2-5, 7b-8; Mt 2:13-18 Saturday: 1 Jn 2:3-11; Ps 96:1-3, 5b-6; Lk 2:22-35 Sunday: Sir 3:2-6, 12-14 or 1 Sm 1:20-22, 24-28; Ps 128:1-5 or Ps 84:2-3, 5-6, 9-10; Col 3:12-21 [12-17] or 1 Jn 3:1-2, 21-24; Lk 2:41-52

The Priests from St. Catherine of Sienna who serve us here at St. Vincent de Paul

are as follows:

Pastor/Administrator Rev. Msgr. Richard M. Figliozzi

Associate Pastors

Rev. Johnny Mendonca Rev. Charles N. Srion

Visiting Priest in Residence Rev. Michael Cassabon

Deacons

Joseph Benincasa Frank Gonzalez

Please Pray for our sick Relatives and Friends:

Ashton Reed Jack Musolino

Lorraine & Stu Dahlberg Maryann Celentano Yolanda Dubois

Arlindo Marcelino Rev. Msgr. Thomas Hartman Louis Johnson; Janet Falco

Josephine Cusack; Anthony Gangemella Ralph Wilson; Diane Wilson; Brittany Wilson

The Brophy Family Raul Matos; Mary Italo; Mark Battista

Matthew Noah; Karen Hoffmeyer Tommy Lannan; Vincente Mejias

William Ross; Francis Caputo Josefine Piazza; Michael O’Malley Karen Carlucci; Ann Donahue Thomas McCreight; George McAuliffe

Dominick Consolazio; Theresa Chevalier Margaret Elbert; Anne Giacalone; Frank Saccone

Anthony Scuderi; Kevin Murphy Barbara Ostipwko; Janet Kulick

Arella Ciano Anna Caponi

Ann Rich DeCanio Angie Carollo

Please Pray for our Men & Women in the U.S. Armed Forces:

Diane Rosemary Patrick, USAF

Aaron J. Shattuck Thomas Bradshaw Arlindo Almida Thomas Lainis

Peter Dilos Rev. David Kruse (Chaplain)

John Dzwlewicz, USMC Joseph Giordano, USMC John Marco Militano, USA Joseph A. Galante, USMC

Jimmy Bustamante Latasha Coward Nicholas Russo James E. Allen

Brian Kevin Corrigan Michael Borg

Christopher Messano Carlos Felix

Michael Arana Robert Ravert Frankie Umile

PARISH ‘IN HOME’

PRAYER

Host Family/Individual

CUP OF PRAYER ...

PILGRIM STATUE OF OUR LADY OF

FATIMA ...

BERNADETTE SHAEFER

MICHAEL & ADELINA

TRIPOLI

CHRISTMAS By Rev. Johnny R. Mendonca

Christmas, liturgically called "The Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord" begins with Christmas Eve (Dec. 24, after sunset). Christmas is not just one day, but an entire season, lasting until the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord (the Sunday after the Epiphany). Christmas is a holy day se-cond only to Easter. The Church teaches us that next to the yearly cele-brations of the paschal mystery, nothing is more important than the me-morial of Christ's birth and early manifestations. This is the purpose of the Season of Christmas. (General Norms for the Liturgical Year and Calendar, #32)

Christmas is a time to receive and accept the greatest Gift from God – “Jesus Christ.” Christmas is a time to receive Jesus Christ into our hearts and souls. Christmas is a time to open our hearts and our minds to God. Christmas is a time to receive God’s tender mercy, abundant love, forgiveness, and grace.

When we accept Jesus Christ into our hearts, into our very lives… JOY-

FUL GIVING becomes a part of our lives; not just at Christmas but all through the year. In fact we begin to look for ways to give; we look for people in need. As Church, we become the heart of Christ, we look for ways to give and serve others. When we receive the Gift of God’s love through Jesus Christ, GIVING becomes so natural that loving God and loving others, is what we want to do.

At this time of the year we may become so busy and caught up with so many other things around us, that we forget Jesus and the importance of receiving HIM, we may tend to say “I still have Christmas cards to write and invitations to mail! I have gifts that need wrapping and I still have more shopping to do. I’m still working on decorations and there is much housework that still needs to be done. I need to defrost the turkey, go to the grocery store, buy those last minute items, and start preparing and cooking dinner! I want everything to be perfect! Lord, I have too much work to sit and listen to you right now! Maybe I’ll have time later”

In Philippians Chpt. 2 St. Paul writes. “Although He was in the form of God, Jesus did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but rather emptied Himself, taking the form of a slave and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. For this reason, also, God highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name so that at the name of Jesus, every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.”

Father, we thank You for Your Word become flesh, coming to dwell among us as the light of the human race. May we confess Jesus as Lord now, and forever in heaven. May we as those who know Christ and love Christ humble ourselves to do Your will no matter what it costs, knowing that to those who obey there will be an exaltation. Jesus is the pattern for us as well. May the celebration of the Incarnation of Christ lead us to rejoice one day in the presence of God our Father. Amen.

St. Catherine of Sienna St. Catherine of Sienna St. Catherine of Sienna St. Catherine of Sienna “Moving On” Bereavement Support“Moving On” Bereavement Support“Moving On” Bereavement Support“Moving On” Bereavement Support If you’ve already attended a bereavement support group and feel you’d like to follow up, you may wish to join our “Moving On” group. We meet on the second Wednesday of each month at 7 PM. Our next session is on January 9. There will be no meeting in February.

Please call Paula Santaro at (917) 921-7451 to RSVP. Paula, our Bereavement facilitator, is a licensed social worker and is specifically trained in Bereavement Support. Meetings are held in the St. Patrick Room of the Sienna Center, 980 Holzheimer Street, Franklin Square, NY 11010.

Mother recalls son waking from coma as best Christmas gift Rome, Italy, Dec 10, 2012 / 04:07 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- After spending ten years in a comatose state, a young Italian man named Maximiliano Tresoldi woke up on Christmas of 2000 to dry the tears of his mother, Lucrecia. In an interview with CNA, Lucrecia recounted how Maximiliano – Max to his friends – was only 20 years old when he was injured in a car accident on Aug. 15, 1991. He was diagnosed by doctors as paralyzed “with no chance of recovery,” she said. Over nine years later on Dec. 28, 2000, Lucrecia tucked Max into bed as she had each night since he came home from the hospital. Overwhelmed with depression and sadness, she didn’t follow her usual routine of taking his hand to make the sign of the cross. “I just can’t do any more tonight, I don’t want to pray or anything,” she told him. However, Lucrecia said, “the sign of the cross was really his salvation,” and at that mo-ment Max found the strength to console his mother. He raised his hand and made the sign of the cross himself. Then he gave her a hug. Lucrecia said it was the best Christmas gift of her life and that after that encounter, Max began to externalize his feelings and emotions. The first words Max told his mother after waking up were, “I am happy, I am happy to be with you,” she remem-bered, adding that he “has always been happy despite his paralysis.” Further shocking Lucrecia, Max said he was aware of everything during his coma and that he even knew the exchange rate between Italian liras and the euro. His mother is sure that God has a plan for him: to remind the world that handicapped persons have a right to a life of dignity, that they are a source of life and should be loved and respected. She noted that Max was born on Sept. 8 – the feast of the Nativity of Mary – and his car accident happened on Aug.15, the feast of the Assumption. Lucrecia said the first miracle God worked in her was to help her accept what was happening right away and to put her son in the Lord’s hands. “On the day of the accident, I told Our Lady: 'On Aug. 15 my son was in your hands. You had him born on Sept. 8 even though he was supposed to be born a month later, and I don’t know what plans you have for him, but I put him in your hands,” Lucrecia said. “Just give me the strength to move for-ward and accept all this.” She reflected that she had always been a fragile woman, but that the faith is what kept her close to her family. “For this reason this is the strength that we have to give to all the families who are experi-encing this terrible tragedy and tell them, 'Do not be afraid,'” she said. Lucrecia has recounted Max’s entire story in a new book entitled, “E addeso vado al Max,” which she co-wrote with Italian journalists Lucia Bellaspiga and Pino Ciociola. The book received the 2012 Woman in Life literary award. Max received his own award: a ceramic sculpture by artist Gianni Celano Giannici representing the same hand that he raised to make the sign of cross after ten years in a coma. On June 2 of this year, Max met Pope Benedict XVI in Milan and gave him a signed copy of the book.

Caregivers – Find Others Like You Caregiving can make you feel lonely and isolated, yet other caregivers face the same issues and experience the same

emo(ons as you. Talking to other caregivers or a caregiver counselor is one way for you to relieve stress and feelings

of helplessness. However, when you are a caregiver, finding (me for posi(ve, nurturing interac(ons with others might

seem impossible. Without such interac(on, you may not have the mental strength to deal with all the emo(ons that

you experience as a caregiver, including guilt, anger and frustra(on. Once you realize how good it feels to be able to

talk with others that understand what you re going through, you will wonder why you had not sought out others like

yourself earlier!

St. Catherine of Sienna has a Caregivers’ Support Group for you. They normally meet on the first Thursday of the

month. However, we invite you to join us January 3, at 7:00 PM in the Sienna Center (980 Holzheimer Street, Franklin

Square, just west of New Hyde Park Road). Please call Anne Marie Beirne at 354-6650 for more informa(on. Anne

Marie is a great resource to contact, even if you can’t get to the mee(ng. Feel free to call her for guidance and

referrals.

Stewardship….. Fourth Sunday in AdventFourth Sunday in AdventFourth Sunday in AdventFourth Sunday in Advent

Reflection

Today’s Gospel tells of the Virgin Mary, pregnant herself, hurrying off to help her cousin Elizabeth. The model of good stewardship, she who had given herself to bear the Savior gave her time and love to others as well.

Living Stewardship

We are grateful this week for all stewards in our parish who have the courage to follow the example of Mary by listening to God’s voice and saying ‘yes” to the tasks to which they have been called.

Boy Scouts at Church on Sunday December 9, 2012

Calling all Angels and Shepherds!

It is time again for the annual Christmas Pageant at St. Vincent DePaul Church.

Both St. Vincent and St. Catherine’s children up to 6th grade are invited to Participate!

The Christmas Pageant is right before the 4:00pm

Christmas Eve Mass.

If there are any questions, comments, or concerns, or your child would like to participate but you cannot attend the first meeting

please feel free to call: Patricia Johnson at (516) 424-2798

Or Pauline Johnson at (516) 424-6458

We hope to see you there!

**There are NO speaking parts****

ST. VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY AND

PARISH SOCIAL MINISTRY(OUTREACH)

To all you good people who gave food, money and time to our Christmas Food Drive, we want to thank you for all you did. We would also like to thank the people who went to pick up the food

and all the people who sorted the food and packed all the boxes. We want to express our thankfulness to all who delivered those boxes to the homes

of the people.

Thank you!

Our pantry is in need of bread, instant potatoes, pancake mix and canned goods.

UPCOMING EVENTS AND PARISH NEWS

Are you or someone you know having family or interpersonal problems due to drinking

ALCOHOL and/or using DRUGS?

CATHOLIC CHARITIES / Talbot House, a Chemical Dependence Crisis Center, located in Bohemia pro-

vides withdrawal and stabilization services on a voluntary basis to males and females over the age of

18, who are seeking to stop and/or withdraw from alcohol and/or other drug use. The medical and clini-

cal staff at Talbot House will assess the kind of care the person needs, to begin his/her journey in re-

covery. For more information, please call: 631-589-4144. Talbot House staff is available 24/7. Each

call is confidential. Talbot House is a NO fee for service program. The staff at Talbot House wishes

everyone a joyous holiday season and a blessed Christmas.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY: DISASTER CASE MANAGERS JOIN A TEAM HELPING LONG ISLAND RECOVER FROM HURRICANE SANDY

Catholic Charities, Diocese of Rockville Centre, is hiring compassionate, organized, energetic case managers to help Long Islanders recover from Hurricane Sandy. The case management team will reach out to people in im-pacted areas of Nassau and Suffolk counties, assess their needs, develop individual recovery plans, and walk with their clients on their journey toward renewed stabil-ity. We expect to provide disaster case management for two years or longer as families will continue to need help through different phases of recovery. Interested applicants may visit www.catholiccharities.cc

or call (516) 733-7000 for more details.

EAC’s Senior Respite In-home Caregiver Service

companions give caregivers a regular break so they can

take care of themselves to better attend to their family’s

needs. An added benefit—a regular visit from a compan-

ion engages and stimulates the homebound person.

We have been helping Nassau County families for over

25 years; in addition to companion care, we provide a

free in-home nurse’s assessment and professional sup-

port and referrals to other services.

We offer a stipend of $7.25 an hour for companions—on

2-6 hour day weekly is all that is required. Our last Train-

ing Class this year will be held soon.

516-539-0150 ext. 218

EAC (Education Assistance Corporation) is a not for prof-

it Human Service Agency offering programs that help

individuals and families in the metropolitan area since

1969.

Special Needs Ministry “Evenings of Respite” Special Needs Ministry “Evenings of Respite” Special Needs Ministry “Evenings of Respite” Special Needs Ministry “Evenings of Respite” St. Catherine of SiennaSt. Catherine of SiennaSt. Catherine of SiennaSt. Catherine of Sienna

Due to the success of our first “Evening of Respite”, we are planning addi(onal

“Evenings of Respite” at St. Catherine’s tenta(vely for Fridays, January 11, March

22 and June 7 (note change of date) from 6 to 8PM. They will be held in the lower

level of the Sienna Center (980 Holzheimer Street, Franklin Square). These are

evenings where parents can bring their children, ages 6 up to adult, with special

needs, so that parents can have two hours to themselves or to focus on their typi-

cal children for the evening. Parents may also register siblings. Arts/craBs, music,

games, puzzles and gym ac(vi(es are planned and a meal of pizza or chicken fin-

gers will be served. If you would like more informa�on or to register your child,

please call Paula at 775-0840 by January 2.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED-We are in need of responsible, mature volunteers,

ages 14 to adult, to pair up with the par(cipants, help with set up and clean up,

serve food, lead ac(vi(es and for security.

If you wish to volunteer for one or more of these evenings or have any ques(ons,

please call Paula at the Parish Social Ministry Office (516)775-0840 as soon as

possible to set up an interview. We need to create our volunteer list, so we

know how many par�cipants we can accept for the program. Without sufficient

volunteers, we will be unable to move forward with this program.

ALL WHO ARE 16 & OVER WILL REQUIRE A BACKGROUND CHECK. ALL WHO ARE 18 &

OVER MUST ATTEND VIRTUS TRAINING IF THEY HAVE NOT ALREADY DONE SO.

Atlantic City Bus Trip Showboat

♦ January 17, 2013 ♦ American Legion Malverne Post

44

♦ Franklin Avenue and Legion Place ♦ Price $35.00—includes $25.00 (or

more) casino play ♦ Call Bob Guarnari –516-483-5631 or

♦ John Hassett 516-887-7473 ♦ Reserve and pay by January 13, 2013 ♦ Free parking ♦ Coffee, bagels and donuts ♦ Arrive at 8:15am and bus departs

promptly at 9:00 am