SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2016

PARISH MISSION STATEMENT Resurrection-Ascension Church is a diverse community that gathers together to celebrate the Eucharist. We recognize

that the Lord is the source of all that we have and all that we do. We hope that through our sharing of the Eucharist, the Sacraments, and our belonging to the parish – we may obtain a deeper relationship with the Lord.

As a people of faith, we are striving to grow in our ability to live out our understanding of “Stewardship” through the sharing of our Time, Talent and Treasure. We trust that, through God’s grace we may reach out to others, welcoming them, while respecting and supporting one another.

Pastoral Staff Rev. Salvatore J. Amato, Pastor Rev. Msgr. Robert J. Thelen, Part-Time Associate Pastor Mr. Emanuel Bologna, Director of Music Mrs. Joann Heppt, Academy Principal Ms. Joyce Mennona, Dir. of Religious Education & Parish Outreach Rev. Basilio Monteiro, Weekend Presider Robert Mema, “Transistional” Deacon Church 85-25 61st Road, Rego Park, New York 11374 Rectory 61-11 85 Street, Rego Park, New York 11374 Phone: (718) 424-5212 Fax: (718) 639-8679 General E-Mail: rachsch@aol.com Sacramental Certificate Requests: rarectory@aol.com Website: www.rachurch.net Rectory Staff Debbie Gross (Receptionist)- dlgrectory@aol.com Carmen Chang -espanolatra@aol.com (Receptionist en Español- Saturdays 9am -1pm) Heather Belon (Bookkeeper)- hbelonra@aol.com Cathy Mesa- ratuition@aol.com (Tuition Officer/Rectory Receptionist)

Rectory Hours Monday through Friday: 9am - 12noon, and 1pm - 5pm (closed for lunch 12noon - 1pm) Saturday: 9am – 1pm, CLOSED SUNDAY

Weekend Mass Schedule Saturday 5:00pm Sunday 8:00am, 9:30am, 11:00am 12:30pm (Spanish) Weekday Mass Schedule Monday – Friday 9:00am Saturday 9:00am

Rite of Reconciliation (Confession) Saturday 11:00am to 11:30am

Academy 85-25 61st Road Phone: (718) 426-4963 FAX: (718) 426-0940 E-mail: raschool443@aol.com Website: www.racatholicacademy.org

Faith Formation and Pastoral Outreach 85-18 61st Road, Rego Park, New York 11374 Phone: (718) 533-7898 E-Mail: jmennona@hotmail.com

Music Office Phone: (718) 651-6359 E-Mail: rachurchmusic@aol.com Youth Ministry Jim Shearer Phone (917) 597-8807 E-Mail: milkit4@yahoo.com

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER! @RARomCathChurch LIKE US ON FACEBOOK!

The Parish of Resurrection-Ascension

Stewardship Our Way of Life

____________________RESURRECTION-ASCENSION CHURCH, REGO PARK

Today is the Second Sunday of Advent (A). The Readings are found at #1004 in the Parish Hymnal.

Monday, December 5th 9:00am Daniela D’Angelo (anniv) req by her mom and family

Tuesday, December 6th 9:00am Angelo Genussa, req by his family

Wednesday, December 7th 9:00am Ann and John Feeney, Patrick Lydon, and Patrick Finegan, req by Theresa Lydon and Agnes Finegan and families

7:30pm Vigil Rev. Richard E. Mackiewicz

Thursday, December 8th- The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary 9:30am Ann and John Feeney, Patrick Finegan, and Patrick Lydon, req by the Lydon family

Friday, December 9th 9:00am Thomas J. Neville, Sr., req by Vicky Turato and family

Saturday, December 10th 9:00am-for the People of the Parish

5:00pm Maria Albors, req by Sylvana and Jason

Sunday, December 11th- Third Sunday of Advent (7: Is 35:1-6a, 10 Ps 146:6-10 Jas 5:7-10

Mt 11:2-11) 8:00am Rev. Richard E. Mackiewicz 9:30am in thanksgiving and for the intentions of the Chang family, req by Carmen Chang 11:00am Wilson, McInerney and Polke familes, req by Jim and Pat McInerney 12:30pm Wilma Rueda and Elsie Acevedo, req by a friend

THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Thursday, December 8th, is a Holy Day of Obligation. We will have a Vigil Mass on December 7th at 7:30pm, and

Mass at 9:30am on December 8th.

RA CHRISTMAS CARDS ARE BACK! A new design this year

This year, we are again offering Christmas cards, featuring Resurrection-Ascension Church decorated for

Christmas, with the crèche, on the cover. These cards are being sold at the rectory, and after the Masses this weekend.

12 cards for $10. Share the beauty of our parish with your loved ones this Christmas season!

PARISH FALL 50/50 HAS BEGUN….. Tickets are on sale at the Rectory, and will be included in

the December 11th bulletin. Everyone can use some extra $$$ before Christmas! Drawing to be held

on Monday, Dec. 19th.

A special “thank you” to Peggy Guez, who prepares the stars for the Giving Tree year after year.

REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS The Sick and/or Hospitalized: Stephanie Bojarski, Maureen Borzell, Paul Borzell, Richard DeNardo, Louis F., Ida Fernandes, Steve Ferrugio, Agnes Finegan, Msgr. Vincent Fullam, Eileen Grubb, George Harms, Pat Holahan, James Leung, Carmen Mayor, Kathy O’Connell, Joseph A. Oliveri, Jr., Susan Patina, Brendan Phelan, Grace Radonicic, Barbara Ravert, Jovina Rios, Julio Rosado, Frank Russo, Madeline Silecchia, Rose Tantillo, Alicia Witherby

Deceased: Luz Gonzalez, John H. Muller

WINE & HOSTS AND MEMORIAL CANDLES The Wine and Hosts will be used at all the Masses this week in thanksgiving for the health of the Giraldo family, as requested by Stella Giraldo.

The Altar Candles will be lit this week in loving memory of Connie Spina, as requested by Donald and Maureen Kelly.

2017 MEMORIALS We will begin taking requests for the 2017 Memorials

Tuesday, December 6th at 10am. You may stop in the Rectory during regular business hours to reserve the

Memorials for Wine & Hosts, Sanctuary Lamp, Altar Candles, etc. Please note that No phone requests will be taken.

The donation remains $25.

SUNDAY SCHOOL AND CLW Sunday School & CLW will meet next

Sunday, December 11th.

THANK YOU!!!!! To all the generous volunteers who donated turkeys, canned goods, or made monetary donations for our

Thanksgiving Outreach Program. Under the direction of Claudia and Delvis Valdes, we delivered over 70 meals to the homebound! They, along with many volunteers from the parish, worked diligently to make sure those in need benefited from a delicious dinner. We are so blessed to

know so many gracious people who truly give of themselves. Thank you and God bless you!

BE AN ANGEL There’s still time to participate in our Christmas

Giving BE AN ANGEL for a person in need affiliated with our pantry. We are seeking gift cards to stores such as: Target, CVS, Duane Reade, Walgreens, JCPenney, Old Navy, etc. Of course, any donation

would be appreciated! You may want to check out the gift card sale in the Church Meeting Room this

weekend! We kindly ask that you bring your gift cards to FFH, or the Rectory, by Monday, December 12th.

Thank you for your continuous generosity!

HOLD THE DATES! Prepare for Christmas with Scripture! December 6, 13, 20.

Tuesdays 10-11am in Fr. Feely Hall. Reading, discussion, and prayer about the Scriptures of the Mass for the following Sunday. All are welcome. Come when you can. Bring a

friend. John Cleary (718) 662-6069

DECEMBER 4, 2016

A GLIMPSE AT PAST AND FUTURE (PARISH) EVENTS

To begin with, this past Thanksgiving Eve/Day gave us much reason to be a grateful people. On Wednesday, Nov. 23, our traditional school Thanksgiving Prayer Service took place in our Church at 11 A.M. During this gathering of our students, who joined in prayer, and song, to express thanks for God’s blessings upon us, a combination of food and monetary donations were presented to the Little Sisters of the Poor, who staff Queen of Peace Nursing Home in Queens Village, and to Jane Donlon, the current Vice-President of our parish St. Vincent DePaul Society. Following these presentations, our first grade students stood in front of the altar and displayed the word “T-H-A-N-K-S-G-I-V-I-N-G” by explaining how each of the letters speak about our observance of Thanksgiving day. Those present for this Thanksgiving service also expressed how truly blessed we are at this time, as well as throughout the year.

On Thursday, Nov. 24, after our 9:30 A.M. Thanksgiving Mass, approximately 20 volunteers (too numerous to mention by name) helped to prepare Thanksgiving Dinners for the homebound of our parish community. Notably, 70 dinners were delivered to the homebound, and those who would be alone on this Thanksgiving Day. Fortunately, two of our parishioners, Claudia and Delvis Valdes, exercised their gifts of TIME and TALENT by making a “quantum leap” and generously “stepped up to the plate” by taking on the “mammoth task” associated with preliminary preparations such as: coordinating volunteers for the preparation of Thanksgiving Dinners, updating the list of those willing to transport these dinners, and, carrying out additional tasks associated with keeping the “spirit of giving.” Although new at this task, Claudia’s culinary talents, coupled with the exceptional organizational skills of Delvis, helped to pave the way for a smooth and enjoyable experience for all involved. Additional “thanks” is due, also, to all who so very generously donated much needed canned goods, turkeys, and any monetary donations. Finally, many of our parishioners commented about the “seasonal fall arrangement” placed in front of the altar for the Thanksgiving weekend. Our sincere thanks to “Jim” from “Creative Florist” for his exceptionally beautiful floral arrangements on special occasions, as well as throughout the year.

As we move forward to engage in the spirit of the pre-Christmas Season, on Sunday, Dec. 11th at 2:30 P.M., we will have our annual celebration of “Lessons and Carols”, which consists of an interspersion of hymns and Scripture Readings that proclaim events leading up to the birth of Christ. The English, Spanish, and Children’s Choirs, as well as the Indonesian Choir will alternate with hymns which reflect the message of the Scripture Readings. Our sincere gratitude to our Music Director, Emanuel Bologna, and our parish Cantor, Patricia Kistner, for coordinating this parish event. Their efforts, consistently, provide both reflective, and meaningful, seasonal music for our parish community, and any visitors fortunate to attend.

In addition to looking ahead, please be sure to mark your calendars for the annual Diocesan Choir’s Christmas Concert—also under the direction of our parish organist, and music director, Emanuel Bologna. This event is scheduled to take place on Friday, Dec. 16th at 7:30 P.M. in our Church. Parishioners are encouraged to attend this Diocesan Event which will include “The Gloria” by Randol Bass-and other Christmas favorites, which has always been a spiritually uplifting –and memorable—evening as, fittingly, we enter the pre-Christmas Season. In Christ, Fr. Amato

LATEST GENERATIONS OF FAITH UPDATE Parish Target: $650,000 Total Pledged: $1,126,417 Pledged Percent of Goal: 173% Number of Pledges: 230 Amount Received: $240,050

$240,050 - $63,130 (ACA goal) $176,920 $176,920 / 2 = $88,460 we will receive for designated Capital Improvements. Pledge payments should be mailed directly to:

Catholic Foundation for Brooklyn and Queens, Generations of Faith Campaign Office, P.O. Box 7356, Berlin, CT 06037

RELIGIOUS RETIREMENT COLLECTION Next weekend, we will be accepting donations for the Diocesan Religious Retirement Collection. The following is a brief word

from our very own Sisters of Charity, Halifax: “In our diocese today, men and women religious are asking parishioners to be generous next Sunday in the collection for the Religious Retirement Fund. Here at R.A., we usually do this. However, today, those of us who were scheduled “to beg” will not be here because we are gathering with the other Sisters of Charity in the NY Region to renew our vows together. What makes it easier for us to ask you to give to this fund, is that it is not just for the groups you know, but for all the congregations throughout the country who have served the Church throughout the history of our nation. We know that many of you are on fixed incomes, so we ask for your prayers, and what is possible for you. We are grateful for your generosity in the past, and thank you in advance for your kindness to all of us next Sunday.” Your donation works for aging religious. Your gift works for elderly religious by helping to provide medications, nursing care, and more. Please support next week’s collection for the Retirement Fund for Religious, and contribute to those who have given a lifetime.

SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT

RESURRECTION - ASCENSION CATHOLIC ACADEMY NEWS

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Thanksgiving at Resurrection Ascension Catholic Academy

Our first graders enhanced our Thanksgiving Prayer Service with a poem and song about the First Thanksgiving. Representatives from our Food Pantry and the Little Sisters of the Poor were in attendance as we presented our gifts to them. Our annual Turkey Drive raised $450 each for these wonderful organizations. In addition we donated 23 bins of food to our RA Food Pantry. We are grateful to our families for their generosity.

Advent Tree Lighting

You are invited to come to our annual Advent Tree Lighting on Monday, December 5th at 7pm. Father Amato will bless our tree, and our chorale will lead us in song. Following the lighting, you are invited to the gym for refreshments and a craft.

2017 MASS BOOK OPENING (July 1, 2017-December 31, 2017)

The Mass Book is now open for your Mass intentions. You may come to the rectory during regular business hours to

make your requests. Please remember, the rectory closes from 12noon-1pm. No phone requests will be taken. Reminder: the offering for a Sunday Mass is $25 per Mass, weekday Masses remain $15. Saturday Masses at 9am will continue to include

collective intentions at $10 each, for a maximum of 10 intentions.

IMMIGRANT RIGHTS TEACH-IN AND KNOW YOUR RIGHTS PRESENTATION

Free Event. Join community members, allies, organizers, and lawyers as we gather to discuss how to prepare and defend

immigrant communities. Saturday, December 10, 2016, 10am-1pm. Light refreshments. St. Adalbert Church 52-29 83 Street, Elmhurst, Ny 11373 Lower Cafeteria, Entrance on 84th Street

SAVE THE DATE… SUNDAY SCHOOL FAMILIES!! Friday, December 9th from 6-8pm Pizza and Advent Activity

$5- You can register online at https://goo.gl/forms/X1mVfesN1Ndb5kmi1

AROUND THE DIOCESE…. Concert of Advent and Christmas Music

December 15th at 7:30pm at St. Margaret Church Friar Alessandro “The Voice from Assisi”

Tickets are $15, please call (718) 326-1911 for tickets ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Immaculate Heart of Mary Church 2805 Fort Hamilton Parkway, Brooklyn

December 15, 2016 at 7:30pm Award winning Irish tenor Emmet Cahill presents a concert

of seasonal favorites. Call (718) 871-1310 for more info.

BOOSTER WINNERS 1st Prize $100 Bob & Anna Rabold, Glendale 2nd Prize $50 Helen Heptig, RP 3rd Prize $25 Eduardo A. Orellana, Elmhurst

Congratulations to all of our winners!

THE WEEK AHEAD Monday, December 5th -Food Pantry 10-12noon -Golden Age 12noon FFH -Advent Tree Lighting 7pm -Yoga 6pm FFH, No Basketball Practice -NA 7:30pm PCC & FFH Tuesday, December 6th- St. Nicholas, Bishop -Scripture, Discussion & Prayer 10-11am FFH Main -Children’s Choir 3pm Church -Track 4-5pm, Basketball Practice 5-9pm Gym -Spanish Prayer Group 7-9:30m FFH Chapel -English Classes 5-8pm PCC Wednesday, December 7th- St. Ambrose, Bishop and Doctor of the Church -Mommy and Me 9-10:30am CMR -Food Pantry 10am-12noon -Vigil Mass 7:30pm Church -Spanish Choir 6pm, English Choir 8:30pm Church -No Basketball Practice -NA 7:30pm PCC Thursday, December 8th- The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary -Holy Day of Obligation -School Closed -Vicariate Choir 7:30pm church -Recovery International 2:30-4:30pm PCC -English Classes 5-8pm PCC -Knights of Columbus Meeting 7pm FFH Main -Basketball Practice 5-9pm Gym Friday, December 9th- St. Juan Diego Cuauhtloatoatzin -CODA 10am PCC -Spanish Bible Study 7-9:30pm FFH Garden -Twirling 4-6:45pm Gym -Basketball Practice 7-9pm Gym Saturday, December 10th -OCA 10am PCC -CYO Basketball Gym -Spanish Classes 3-5pm PCC -Spanish Service Group 5-7pm PCC -Divine Mercy 4:15pm Blessed Sacrament Chapel Sunday, December 11th- Third Sunday of Advent -Children’s Liturgy of the Word at the 9:30am Mass -Sunday School 10:45am-12noon School -Youth Group 12-1:30pm FFH Garden -Lessons & Carols 2:30pm Church & Reception -No Indonesian Mass -No CYO Basketball -Alanon 12noon PCC

A CHANCE TO CLEANOUT YOUR CLOSETS WHILE SPREADING SOME HOLIDAY CHEER… Madison York Assisted Living Residence for Seniors has asked us to reach out to our parishioners for help. They hold a Christmas raffle for their residents, during which everyone “wins” a prize on Christmas. Last year we were able to send over many items, and the residents were very appreciative. They will accept used items, in good condition, that you may no longer have any use for (examples include scarves, mugs, costume jewlery, even unused toiletries. NO CLOTHING PLEASE.) Any donations can be dropped off at the Rectory or at Fr. Feely Hall, marked for Madison York. Thank you, in advance, for your generosity to this effort! God bless!

HELP WANTED We will be decorating the Church for Christmas on

Friday, December 23rd after the 9am Mass. All are welcome to help.

CHRISTMAS WREATH SALE Boy Scout Troop 106 will be selling Christmas wreaths after all the Masses THIS weekend,

December 3/4. Stop by and purchase a wreath to “spruce” up your home for the holidays and

support the Boy Scouts.

ADVENT INDIVIDUAL CONFESSIONS In addition to the opportunity for reception of the

Sacrament of Penance each Saturday morning at 11am, we have scheduled an additional date for private

confessions prior to Christmas on Monday evening, December 19th at 7pm in the Church.

HARK TO THE GLAD SOUND!

You are invited to a service of LESSONS & CAROLS

featuring the Adult, Children, Spanish, and Indonesian Choirs of

Resurrection Ascension Church Sunday, December 11th at 2:30pm (not 2pm as previously announced).

Join us in preparing for the coming of our Lord through Scripture and Song

(and show these four choirs our appreciation for their time and talents as well!)

CHRISTMAS GIFT TO THE PARISH This weekend you will have the opportunity to contribute your Christmas Gift to the Parish.

Your donation will help considerably to meet the ongoing costs and payments that have been

incurred during the past year and, undoubtedly, will encounter also in the New Year. We, along with

many other parishes, have experienced deterioration in existing buildings that call for repairs

at significant costs. However, it is through your generosity that we are able to meet these expenses

and maintain the upkeep of our buildings and property. Thank you in advance for your generosity.

If you are unprepared this weekend, we will gladly accept your donation throughout

the month of December

THE STARS ARE COMING OUT! THIS WEEKEND, our Christmas Giving Tree will be in the Narthex of the church. You may pick a star(s) and make a bright Christmas for some little children and young people. The recipients, again this year, will be “Hour Children” which is a program committed to the compassionate and loving care of the children of incarcerated women. The unwrapped gifts should be returned NEXT weekend, December 10/11. God bless you for your kindness and generosity during this Advent Season!

ADVENT MORNING PRAYER Beginning Monday, December 19th through Friday, December 23rd, we will have Morning Prayer each

day in the Church at 8:30am. All are welcome

CHRISTMAS SPIRITUAL BOUQUET CARDS and FLOWER ENVELOPES

These items are available at the entrances to the church for your use. The Christmas Spiritual Bouquet intentions will be

remembered at all the Christmas Masses.

DIOCESAN VICARIATE CHOIR CHRISTMAS CONCERT Friday, December 16th at 7:30pm here at RA.

Come hear advent music and seasonal favorites. Cost is $15. Featuring the “Gloria”, a beautiful piece,

and other Christmas favorites. If you would like to attend, please see Patricia Kistner

(our leader of song) for tickets.

Fa La La La La La La Moo-lah!

Just in time for the holidays, RA Church has joined the SCRIP Program. Scrip is a fundraising tool that enables participants to raise money by ordering gift cards from your church’s scrip program. These gift cards can be used for your everyday shopping or to give as gifts this Christmas season. When you order gift cards thru RA, you’ll receive a gift card at full value, and our Church will earn a rebate percentage of what you spent. Your gift cards are exactly the same as if you had purchased them directly from a retail store BUT, RA receives a monetary rebate to help us offset some of our upcoming Christmas season expenses. So, you are basically raising funds for your parish while Christmas shopping. Plus, no standing in lines! SCRIP has over 700 participating retailers that include Macy’s, Kohl’s, CVS, Regal Cinemas, Dunkin Donuts, Starbucks, and Old Navy – just to name a few. Perfect for gift giving this holiday season, SCRIP offers a dual benefit of convenience for the shopper and raising money for our parish. Families can shop both in-store or online with participating retailers. We will be taking orders in the Church Meeting Room after the Masses THIS weekend, December 3/4. We also have some available to purchase today. We accept cash, check, or credit card (there is a 50 cent credit card processing fee for each gift card purchased with a credit card). In addition, you may also order gift cards at the Rectory during regular office hours. All gift cards WILL be received in time for Christmas. When the gift cards arrive, we will give you a call and you just pick them up at the Rectory. It’s that simple You can also go online yourself and enroll. (If you choose to enroll online, please call Heather Belon at the Rectory, ext. 12, for our enrollment code.) You can visit www.shopwithscrip.com, where you can enroll as part of our program and purchase your gifts cards from the convenience of your home, or just see a list of participating retailers. You can learn more about the program on their site as well.

HAPPY SHOPPING!!!

BEFORE YOU BUY YOUR CHRISTMAS TREE…….. If you are looking to purchase a Christmas tree, Ann’s Treeland on Woodhaven Blvd. will make a

donation to RA for every voucher they receive from our parishioners! Simply hand in this voucher when purchasing a tree. That’s it!