Church Bulletin Week of November 4, 2007

Thirty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time

GOD IS WITH US
The Book of Wisdom tells us that the spirit of God is in all things. What a wonderful thought, and what a wonderful image to keep in front of us as we travel down life's road. For if the path is revealed in the treading, it's good to know that God is with us—and all around us—every step of the way.
But Paul knows that this divine presence is not timid. Instead, God calls out to us, and Paul prays that we, along with the Thessalonians, might be made worthy of that call. And who knows more about God's call than Zacchaeus, the tax collector? Jesus called him out of a tree, for goodness' sake. Or perhaps more correctly, as we reflect upon the end of today's Gospel reading, for heaven's sake. 
© Copyright, J. S. Paluch Co.
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The Lord lifts up all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down. — Psalm 145:14
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READINGS FOR THE WEEK
Monday: Rom 11:29-36; Lk 14:12-14
Tuesday: Rom 12:5-16b; Lk 14:15-24
Wednesday: Rom 13:8-10; Lk 14:25-33
Thursday: Rom 14:7-12; Lk 15:1-10
Friday: Ez 47:1-2, 8-9, 12; 1 Cor 3:9c-11, 16-17;
Jn 2:13-22
Saturday: Rom 16:3-9, 16, 22-27; Lk 16:9-15
Sunday: 2 Mc 7:1-2, 9-14; Ps 17; 2 Thes 2:16 —
3:5; Lk 20:27-38 [27, 34-38]
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TODAY'S READINGS
First Reading — Lord, you love all things that are, and loathe nothing that you have made
(Wisdom 11:22 — 12:2).
Psalm — I will praise you name for ever, my king and my God (Psalm 145).
Second Reading — May God bring to fulfillment every good purpose and every effort of faith
(2 Thessalonians 1:11 — 2:2).
Gospel — Today salvation has come to Zacchaeus' house, because Zacchaeus too is a descendant of Abraham (Luke 19:1-10).
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 Sacrificial giving nurtures the spirit of the giver and helps to build a better world. Thank you for your support and generosity for last week's collection.
Last Sunday's Collection: $5,147.00
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 Attention Parish Ushers
A meeting will be held this Wednesday, November 7th at 7:30 p.m. in the Church.
All current Ushers and parishioners who are interested in becoming an Usher are asked to make every effort to come to this meeting. It would be very helpful if you would call the Rectory, 827-9575, to confirm your attendance.
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An Evening of Music
Performance by Chris Brune
  On Saturday evening, November 17, 2007, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Franklin, New Jersey will host a performance of The New Chautauqua.
The New Chautauqua is an evening of music, stories and poetry compiled and performed by Sussex County artist, Chris Brune. Brune got the idea for it from the Chautauqua movement of the 1900s, and has been doing these performances for 10 years. Chautauqua embraced every aspect of the life of the mind, bringing the world of ideas and imagination to people in communities throughout the United States. In that spirit, the November 17th program will include music of Bach and Ravel, poetry by John Updike and Jan Beatty, an original story and folk songs by Stan Rogers and Steve Spurgeon, all performed in the magnificent acoustics of one of Sussex County's most historic churches.
There is no charge to attend, but a free-will offering is asked with all proceeds to go to Birth Haven, a non-profit maternity shelter in Newton, New Jersey. Since 1985, Birth Haven has provided transitional housing, emotional support, and much needed services to girls and young women who are pregnant and find themselves with nowhere to turn. Birth Haven welcomes all women without regard to race, creed, national origin, age, financial ability, or marital status.
For more information, call the Immaculate Conception Rectory at 973 827-9575 during business hours or visit the parish web site at http://immaculateconceptionparish.org.
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The Pope John XXIII High School Entrance Exam for Public School Students will be held on Friday, November 9th. All 9th grade applicants must register on-line at www.coopexam.org For information contact Anne Kaiser 973-729-6125 ext .255
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Thanksgiving Food Drive
for the Needy Families of Sussex County
Donations of food and gift certificates from local food stores may be brought to our church altar until November 18. All contributions will be brought to the Food Pantry and distributed during the week of Thanksgiving. Anything you can give is so very much appreciated!
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Don't be shy singers!
Lessons and Carols choir practice began last Sunday, October 28 in the church from 6:00—8:00 p.m.
Adults and teens are encouraged to join us to participate in our annual celebration of the holy season's readings and song. The only requirement for participation is the ability to consistently attend weekly practices until the performance date.
Lessons and Carols will take place on Sunday, December 2 at 7:00 p.m.
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 Support Immaculate Conception School
tickets are available for their annual
Giant 50/50!
Don't miss the chance to win up to $30,000. Contact an ICRS family or stop by the school office during school hours to purchase tickets.
Drawing will be on December 7 at 10:00 a.m. in the lyceum.
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Parish Nurse, Social Worker and Ministry Volunteers Breakfast
November 29th from 9:00—11:00 a.m.
Enjoy a fine breakfast at the Brownstone in Paterson while we listen to Dr. Jagdish Dang speak about the issues of depression in the elderly. Nursing Contact Credit available.
Cost is $15.00. Reservations must be made. Send a note requesting a reservation; include your name, address and phone number to Home Care Options, 2 Market Street, Paterson, N.J. 07501. 973-523-1224
www.chm.catholicharities.org
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Sunday Social
Stop by the Lyceum after the 10:30 a.m. Mass to enjoy a light breakfast with Fr. Bogie and fellow parishioners.
The Parish community expresses deep gratitude to all of the parishioners who volunteer to help with the preparations each week.
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Parish Cookbooks
make great gifts!
We have plenty of Parish Cookbooks available. Each book is only $10.00 and make nice gifts. To purchase, contact rectory at 973-827-9575.
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Dedication of the Lateran Basilica
The foundation of the Lateran basilica goes back to the time of Constantine, on the morrow of the last persecutions. The palace of the Laterani, on the Coelian Hill, belonged then to Constantine's wife Fausta. After his conversion the Emperor gave it to the Pope as his private residence and founded in it the church of the Lateran which became the mother and mistress of all the churches of Rome and the world. It was dedicated to Christ our Saviour by Pope St. Silvester on November 9, 324. In the twelfth century it was given as its second title St. John the Baptist whose name was also that of the ancient baptistery connected with the church; hence the present name of the basilica, St. John Lateran. The first basilica having been destroyed, it was rebuilt in the tenth century by Sergius III and consecrated by Benedict XIII in 1726.
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Help reduce poverty in the United States
“Poverty Around Us”
It's a fact of life that people with health insurance have a better chance to be healthy. The number of Children in New Jersey without Health insurance rose by 37% between 2000 and 2005 while the national rate dropped by 9%. To learn more about poverty visit
Catholic Charities USA
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Government is a trust, and the officers of the government are trustees; and both the trust and the trustees are created for the benefit of the people.
—Henry Clay
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  On LIFENET will be holding an adult training seminar for youth leaders, teachers, parents and people with a heart for youth called “True Love Waits 1” which is a program to empower young people to save sex for marriage. Come and be trained to present this 5-session program to your youth group or high school and jr. high school age students and see resources to help you communicate the message of sexual purity in an interesting and positive way. Saturday, November 10 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at St. Mary's Church in Denville. Sponsored by LIFENET. For further information call 732-264-1865 or visit www.lifenetnj.org.
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Announcing Sr. Helen Prejean
“Dead Man Walking:
The Journey Continues”
St. Mary's Parish in Pompton Lakes is pleased to announce that Sr. Helen Prejean, CSJ, will visit on Nov. 9th to talk about the death penalty. Sr. Helen's talk “Dead Man Walking: The Journey Continues” will enlighten all. This internationally know speaker and author of “Dead Man Walking“ and “The Death of Innocence: an Eyewitness Account of Wrongful Executions” is a sought after lecturer. Donation: Adults $10, Seniors/Students $7
Friday, Nov. 9 at 7:00 p.m.
in the Carnevale Center at St. Mary's Parish
10 Lenox Ave., Pompton Lakes, NJ 07442
Join us to hear this impassioned speaker and best selling author who with restrained outrage brilliantly dismantles the legal and religious arguments that have been used to justify the death penalty.
Sr. Helen will be available after her talk to personally autograph copies of her books.
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Prayer Shawl Ministry
Prayer Shawl Ministry Meetings are held in the Ministry House once a month. The next Prayer Shawl meeting will take place on Monday, November 19th at 7:30 p.m. New members are always welcome. No knitting/crochet experience necessary. Come join us to knit and pray as we create mantles of caring for the person who will receive the shawl.
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Grief Support Group
On the first Wednesday of each month Immaculate Conception Parish offers an ongoing Grief Support Group.
If you or someone you know has suffered a loss, please join us for the next meeting this Wednesday, Nov. 7th from 7:00-8:30 p.m. in the Ministry House.
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 If Christians spent as much time praying as they do grumbling, they would have nothing to grumble about. —Anonymous
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Please remember to pray for our parishioners and friends who are ill:
In Nursing Homes: Ceil Williams, Pauline Trofimuk, Anna Elekes, Betty Swetz, Frank Kalafut and Mary Devine.
At Home: Loraine Schenker, Maria Woppel, Diane Sidoli, Robert Zeuner, Evelyn Caljean, Danielle Dionisio, Thomas Dionisio, Jr., Steven “Itchy” Novak, Flo Yurchak, Ethel Segarra, Mary Carmody and Lisa Stine.
 
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Please continue to keep all those serving in the military in your thoughts and prayers especially:
Jamison Micke, Stephen Saski, Jr., Christopher Faber, SFC Morgan McHose, LCPL William Mathes, LCPL Ernest Mathes, Karen Hassler, Tom Oroho and CPL Matt Lindquist.
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A Family Perspective
What must happen within your family to hear, “Today salvation has come to this house????” It is simple, just imitate Zaccheus who took care of the poor. The poor r are our path of salvation. We need them as much as they need us. By Bud Ozar
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Wallkill Valley Regional High School
Project Graduation Committee
offers tickets for the wonderful
“Simon Evening of Giving”
at Rockaway Mall on Nov. 18th 6:30-10:00 Rockaway Mall closes to the public and is open exclusively to ticket holders for a wonderful evening of promotions, wine and cheese, family entertainment, and more! Tickets are $10.00 with a $7.00 return to support Project Graduation. Contact Michelle Sydoryk at 827-5491 for tickets and further information.
Throughout the year Project Graduation raises funds to provide the students with an evening of fun and entertainment at a local health spa facility on their graduation night where they are together, safe, away from substance abuse, alcohol, and off the roads. Supporting Project Graduation supports parent's hopes and may save lives and future dreams of our youth.
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Altar Server Schedule
Next Weekend's Masses
Saturday 11/3
5:00 p.m. N. Carafello, K. Carafello
 
Sunday 11/4
7:30 a.m. M.K. Hubbard, Williams
9:15 a.m. J. Chegwidden, C. Lynch
10:30 a.m. E. Briggs, A. Koske
12:00 noon K. Morano, S. Morano
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COMING TO SEE
We are inclined to insist that sinners repent, that they change their ways and don goodness and virtue. However, few of us change unless we first come to recognize how our current state of affairs inhibits greater happiness and fulfillment. It is that "coming to see" that seems to be the work of some force other than ourselves.
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INSIDE THE READINGS
Today's Gospel begins with a reminder of Jesus' continuing journey to Jerusalem: "Jesus came to Jericho" (Luke 19:1). There Zacchaeus, a "chief tax collector and also a wealthy man" (19:2) was willing to climb a sycamore tree to see Jesus. Neither his position as an official nor his riches kept him from appearing undignified. Jesus rewarded his efforts by inviting himself to Zacchaeus' house. There is grumbling, as there often is when Jesus associates with persons judged to be sinners.
Zacchaeus responds to the grumbling by assuring Jesus that he is making good use of his wealth. He gives half to the poor. Should he unintentionally extort anything, he repays fourfold. The Greek verbs for "give" and "repay" can be translated either as present tense or future tense. If future—"I shall give" and "I shall repay," as translated in the New American Bible—then Zacchaeus would have realized that he was a sinner and promised to repent. The scholars are divided but the present tense seems preferable—"I give" and "I repay." Zacchaeus becomes the great example of the proper use of material possessions. The rich man gave none of his resources to help the poor and suffering Lazarus (16:19-31). The rich official walks away from Jesus' call to follow him because of his wealth (18:18-23). Zacchaeus, by way of contrast, is extremely generous with his possessions, practicing proper stewardship.
Jesus says to Zacchaeus, "Today I must stay at your house" (19:5, emphasis added). This necessity is part of God's plan for the Son. Jesus also assures his host that he has brought salvation to the house because Zacchaeus is "a descendant of Abraham" (19:9).
The incident ends with an important statement by Jesus concerning his work as savior. "For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save what was lost" (19:10). The words recall the great prophecy of Ezekiel, "The lost I will seek out, the strayed I will bring back. . . shepherding them rightly" (34:16).
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THOUGHTS FOR ACTION
What takes place in our lives is seldom of our own choosing, yet it can bring us to someplace new. It is the story of God bringing us to a new place in life, just as Jesus did with Zaccheus.
 
Excerpted and edited from LIVING THE WORD for the Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time commentary by Msgr. Ralph Kuehner and Rev. Joseph Juknialis, © 2007 by J. S. Paluch Co., Inc. 11/4/2007

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