Church Bulletin Week of December 23, 2007

Last Sunday in Advent

SUMMONED BY GOD
As Christmas draws near, Advent's scriptures lure us into a world of dreams, signs, wonders, and the miracle of the virgin birth. Too often we allow the great stories of our faith, the ones that are most familiar, simply to wash over us. Today's Gospel account of the events leading up to the birth of the Lord reads like a present-day soap opera. Yet Joseph's courage, even in the midst of what must have been an incredibly confusing time, provides a model for us. Each week, we are summoned by God to embrace the way of goodness and truth through the proclamation of God's holy word. Like Joseph, we are called to do as the Lord commands us. As we stand at the threshold of Christmas, let us have the courage to be open to whatever it is that the Lord will require of us as we celebrate the miracle of Bethlehem.
© Copyright, J. S. Paluch Co.
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SAINTS AND SPECIAL OBSERVANCES
Sunday: Fourth Sunday of Advent
Tuesday: The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas)
Wednesday: St. Stephen; Kwanzaa begins;
Boxing Day (Canada)
Thursday: St. John
Friday: The Holy Innocents
Saturday: The Fifth Day in the Octave of Christmas St. Thomas Becket
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READINGS FOR THE WEEK
Monday: 2 Sm 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16; Lk 1:67-79
Tuesday: Vigil: Is 62:1-5; Ps 89; Acts 13:16-17, 22- 25; Mt 1:1-25 [18-25] Midnight: Is 9:1-6; Ps 96; Ti 2:11-14; Lk 2:1-14Dawn: Is 2:11 -12; Ps 97; Ti 3:4-7; Lk 2:15-20 Day: Is :7 -10; Ps 98; Heb 1:1-6; Jn 1:1-18 [1-5, 9-4] 1 Jn 1:1-4; Jn 20:1a, 2-8
Wednesday: Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59; Mt 10:17-22
Thursday: 1 Jn 1:1-4; Jn 20:1a, 2-8
Friday: 1 Jn 1:5 -- 2:2; Mt 2:13-18
Saturday: 1 Jn 2:3-11; Lk 2:22-35
Sunday: Sir 3:2-7, 12-14; Ps 128; Col 3:12-21 [12- 17]; Mt 2:13-15, 19-23
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TODAY'S READINGS
First Reading -- You will be given this sign: The virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall name him Emmanuel (Isaiah 7:10-14).
Psalm -- Let the Lord enter; he is the king of glory
(Psalm 24).
Second Reading -- God has called us to belong to Jesus Christ (Romans 1:1-7).
Gospel -- The son born of Mary shall be called Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins. He shall be Emmanuel, which means "God is with us" (Matthew 1:18-24).
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 ATTENTION PARISHIONERS
EFFECTIVE JANUARY 2008 OUR
9:15 SUNDAY MASS WILL BEGIN AT 9:00 A.M.
Thank you to all who participated In our Lessons and Carols Program. We are so very blessed to have an array of people who devote their time, energy and talents to make this program possible. It was a truly inspirational evening filled with scripture readings and beautiful music. Sincere appreciation to Rosanne Huttman, our Music Director, for her tireless enthusiasm and attention to detail, which inspires all those who work with her, thus enabling the presentation of this wonderful program each year. The true spirit of this Holy Season was certainly apparent to all those present.
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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: $4,309.00 
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Please Note the Change in Times
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
Exposition 7:30 AM—Benediction 7:30 PM
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament will take place on the LAST Friday of each month from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. ending with a blessing. Sign-up sheets will be located on a podium near the confessional area. Please sign up for a time you are available to assure that there is adequate coverage each hour. If you sign up for a specific hour but find that you are unable to attend, please call the rectory.
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BLOOD DRIVE 
It is estimated that one out of three residents will require a life saving blood transfusion sometime during their life. However, an estimated 2% of the eligible New Jersey population donates blood as compared to the national average of 5%. As a result of this low donation rate, the Blood Center of New Jersey is required to import 25% of its blood supply from other states in order to effectively supply our New Jersey hospitals.
Call the Rectory for more information: 973-827-9575
To schedule an Appointment visit: http://www.bloodnj.org/index.htm
Give the Gift of LIFE this Christmas
Blood Drive
December 28, 2007 3-8pm Church Lyceum
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The Giving Tree
To all our Parishioners and Friends
Our Giving Tree Project to benefit the Immaculate Conception Community and Partnership for Social Services was a huge success due to the most generous and bountiful donations from our parishioners and friends. Thank you all for making this special project so meaningful to those less fortunate in our community. Sr. Thomasina could not have been more pleased with the outpouring of Christmas Spirit demonstrated by our Parish. Special thanks to our "Christmas Elves" Mr. Paul Tidona, Marie, Alex, and Greg Knapick, Nicole and Mr. Ruiz., and Elaine and Matt Morrow. Your help in delivering the presents was most appreciated.
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Ministry to the Homebound
If you are unable to come to Church or know of someone who is homebound and would like to receive Communion, please contact Janice at the rectory and convenient arrangements will be made to visit the home.
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Looking for the Perfect Gift …
Military families, are you getting ready to deploy? Marriage Encounter offers tools of communication that have kept many military marriages strong and happy throughout the ups and downs of military service. Contact your local chaplain or call 1-800-499-6552 for more information.
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Immaculate Conception Regional School
Mark Your Calendars
Re-Scheduled
Pancake Sunday
Sunday, January 27th
7:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the Lyceum
after each Mass—$5 per person
This fund raiser is hosted by the students of I.C.R.S. Your support to this and future endeavors in their aspirations to purchase lockers for the school is very much appreciated.
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 Low Income Home Energy
Assistance Program—LIHEAP
LIHEAP provides grants to eligible households that pay for home heat directly or have it included in rent. Application period is from November 1 through March 31, eligible Food Stamp households are automatically enrolled.
Universal Service Fund—Applicants for LIHEAP are automatically screened for this program. Households that spend more than 3% of gross income on natural gas or electric are eligible to qualify. Call 1-888-454-4778.
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New Orleans
Father Carroll from Highlands Lakes plans to go to New Orleans to work on houses. He seeks volunteers 18 years and older to accompany him. The dates are December 26 through 31, 2007. Please contact him at 973-764-4457 or email: olfatima@warwick.net.
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The Irish American Assn. of NW Jersey offers ...
Irish Language classes on Monday evenings
For info call 862-266-3563
Traditional Celtic Art classes
For info email pgallagher45@optonline.net
Frequent traditional Irish music concerts and sessions. Check the website for dates: iaanj.com
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Saint Clare's Health System
Sussex County
Intensive Family Support Services
Living with a family member with a mental illness can be very challenging and impact almost every aspect of your life. Intensive Family Support Services of Sussex County offers: Psychoeducation, Family consultation, Respite Care, Family Support Groups, Advocacy, and Referral/Service Linkage.
Let Intensive Family Support Services Help You. For more information call 973-702-2741/2953.
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Looking Forward to a Spiritual Get-Away?
· Religious Pilgrimage in Assisi, Italy, July 5-15 This pilgrimage is sponsored by the Assisi Music Festival. Join Msgr. Paul Bochicchio, Pastor of Holy Family Church, Nutley, NJ. with special Masses at The Basilica of St. Francis and the Vatican. For more information call Gregory Scime 908-277-1145
· Bethany Spirituality Center Pilgrimage to Italy, including Assisi, Siena, Florence and Rome, March 25-April 3, 2008 led by Sr. Pat Reid, OSF, and Rev. Bill Drobach, SA. Mass will be celebrated daily. Call 845-460-3061 for more information.
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Just for FUN!
· St. Monica's Church Present the Caribbean with Cunard Cruise Lines on the Queen Mary 2. 11/days/10 nights April 6, 2008. Please contact Carol Besak 973-875-4521
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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
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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, Jan. 2nd from 7:00-8:30 p.m. in the Ministry House. We all have such busy lives. Sometimes it is overwhelming. Take time and find the silence. For in the silence, you will hear His voice.
“Be still and know that I am God.”
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Help Support
Immaculate Conception Regional School
Scrip gift cards are available at the school. You can purchase Shop-Rite, Weis, A&P cards and they are available in many denominations. Also available: Sussex Meat Packing, Staples, Barnes & Noble, JC Penney, Sears, Bed Bath & Beyond, Wendy's Applebee's and many more. The cards cost only face value with a percentage returned to the school from the retailers. See Marie McKeever or contact Kathy Trainor at the school 973-827-3777.
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CASA Volunteers
The Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) programs are recruiting volunteers to serve as advocates for abused/neglected children. Such volunteers help facilitate placement of children into a permanent home and represent the child's best interest in family court. CASA volunteers must be 21years of age or older and have a sincere desire to help abused/neglected children.
To become a SACA volunteer, call: 973-579-0723
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Sussex County MOWs Volunteers
Your help is needed. Become a volunteer for Sussex County Meals on Wheels. By donating one hour a week of your time to help deliver meals in your community, you will enhance the wellbeing of a homebound senior citizen. For more information call 973-209-0123 and speak with the Volunteer Recruiter.
 
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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, and Frank Kalafut.
At Home: Loraine Schenker, Maria Woppel, Diane Sidoli, Robert Zeuner, Evelyn Caljean, Danielle Dionisio, Thomas Dionisio, Jr., Steven “Itchy” Novak, Flo Yurchak, 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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MARCH FOR LIFE—WASHINGTON DC—1/22/08 
Sussex County Right to Life busses will be sponsoring buses to The March for Life in Washington DC on January 22, 2008. The buses will leave from Our Lady of the Lake church in Sparta at 6:00 a.m. and leave Washington DC at 4:30 p.m.
Tickets are $35.00 per person. Payment must be received no later than January 15, 2008 to reserve your seat. Sussex County Right to Life, P.O. Box 141, Augusta, N.J. 07822, 973-948-5989. 
For those who cannot make the trip to Washington for the March for Life, a prolife rally is being held at the State House in Trenton. If you are interested in going please call the Sussex County Right to Life at 973-948-5989.
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Altar Server Schedule
December, 22
5:00 J. McKeever & J.McKeever
December, 23
7:30: Oroho & Williams
9:15: J. Friend & J. Friend
10:30: J Payne & J Dragon
12:00: N Carafello & K Karafello
December, 24
5:00: C. Brossman & J Dragon
7:00 K. Allen & A. Allen
10:00: Oroho & D. Peck
December, 25
7:30: MK Hubbard & Williams
9:15: J. Cox & E. Cox
10:30 E. Radics
12:00: K. Morano & S. Morano
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THE BLESSED CHRISTMAS WAFER—Oplatek
 
A Sacred Legacy from the past to brighten your future. Oplatek, from the Latin, Oblaltum, Holy Bread, is our Christmas oblation. A special thank you to the Knights of Columbus for providing us with the Oplatek each year enabling us to continue this beautiful tradition and also for providing us with the new 'Keep Christ in Christmas' banner this season.
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A GOD BEYOND COMMON SENSE
Joseph, the husband of Mary, has always been portrayed as a stable individual with both feet solidly planted in common sense. Consider, however, the Joseph of this week's Gospel, the one who doesn't follow the presumed common wisdom of divorcing his betrothed when she's been found to be with a child not of their union. Instead, Joseph plays a hunch. He listens to his instincts, or more accurately he listens to his dreams.
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INSIDE THE READINGS
Today's Gospel highlights three titles of Christ. The first, "Son of David," Jesus owes to Joseph, son of David (Matthew 1:20). After the formal engagement to Mary, the first part of the marriage process, Joseph becomes aware of Mary's pregnancy. Being a just man, he has concern for the law and compassion for Mary. The angel solves his dilemma by revealing to him the virginal conception of Mary's Son. Joseph then takes Mary into his home, the second part of the marriage process. Following the guidance of the angel, he adopts the child legally, giving him the name Jesus. Jesus is indeed the "Son of David," as Matthew says at the beginning of his Gospel, "The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham" (1:1).
The name "Jesus" is the second important title. The Hebrew means "Yahweh saves." The basic reason for the Son of God becoming human was to save us from our sins. At the Last Supper Jesus will take the cup of wine and say, "This is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed on behalf of many for the forgiveness of sins" (Matthew 26:28). Jesus is truly our Savior; he sheds his blood to save us from our sins.
"Emmanuel" is the third title given to the Messiah. Matthew uses a fulfillment quotation for the first time to show that Jesus is the continuation, the perfection of the Old Testament (1:22-23). The prophet Isaiah in today's first reading tells Ahaz, "The virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall name him Emmanuel" (Isaiah 7:14). Matthew quotes this text of Isaiah, adding that Emmanuel means "God is with us" (1:23). Mary's son, the Son of David, the Savior, is also the Son of God.
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THOUGHTS FOR ACTION
It would seem that God, who gave us Noah and Abraham and Joseph the dreamer, is not a God of common sense but of crazy and unpredictable non-sense, a God who in the end stands out as the one who acts on instinct and plays out the ultimate hunch that human beings might one day be love in God's image.
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They shall name him Emmanuel, which means “God is with us.” -Matthew 1:23
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While you are visiting the Immaculate Conception web site, be sure to sign in our guest book!!

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