Rev. Tom Kunnel, C.O. Administrator

frtomkunnel@gmail.com

Deacon John Cunningham Deacon Robert Pang

Kathleen Dunn Religious Education Director

May Pang Parish Admin: admin@stjohnspiermont.org

MASSES

Saturday: 5:00 PM Sunday: 8:00 AM, 10:30 AM

1:00 PM (Spanish) Weekdays: 8:00 AM Saturday: 9:00 AM

Holy Days: As Announced

Rectory

Mon – Fri 10:15 AM – 4:00 PM

Sat 10 AM – 12 AM (Spanish) December Sponsor: Zahn Family

Remembrance of John Zahn

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St. John the Baptist R. C. Church 895 Piermont Avenue, Piermont, New York 10968 www.stjohnspiermont.org

admin@stjohnspiermont.org 845-359-0078

Dear Parish Family,

For us Catholics, the new Liturgical Year commences with the first Sunday of Ad-vent. In this new liturgical year, the Church not only wishes to indicate the

beginning of a period, but the beginning of a renewed commitment to the faith by all those who follow Christ, the Lord. This time of prayer and path of penance that is so powerful, rich and intense, en-deavors to give us a renewed impetus to truly welcome the message of the One who was incarnated for us. In fact, the entire Liturgy of the Advent season, will spur us to an awakening in our Christian life and will put us in a ‘vigilant’ disposition, to wait for Our Lord Jesus who is coming: ‘Awaken! Remember that God comes!’

The Season of Advent is therefore a season of vigilant waiting, that prepares us to welcome the mystery of the Word Incarnate, who will give the ‘Light’ to the womb of the Virgin Mary, but essentially this time prepares us not only to welcome this great event but to incar-nate it in our lives. We could say that the true light enters the world through the immaculate womb of Mary but it does not stay there. On the contrary, this light flows out into our dark, obscure, sinful lives to illuminate them, so that we can become the light that illuminates the world. For this reason, let us live this time of waiting not only to celebrate a historical memory but to repeat this memory in our lives and in the service of others. To wait for the Lord who comes, means to wait and to watch so that the Word of Love enters inside us and focuses us every day of our lives.

As Blessed John Henry Newman reminded us in a homily for the Advent Season: “Advent is a time of waiting, it is a time of joy be-cause the coming of Christ is not only a gift of grace and salvation but it is also a time of commitment because it motivates us to live the present as a time of responsibility and vigilance. This ‘vigilance’ means the necessity, the urgency of an industrious, living ‘wait’. To make all this happen, then we need to wake up, as we are warned by the apostle to the Gentiles, in today's reading to the Romans: ‘Besides this you know what hour it is, how it is full time now for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed” (Rm 13:11).

I would suggest that in our families the tradition of making a wreath with candles and lighting it at dinner time will give us an opportunity to be reflective about this season. Today’s Bulletin has the prayer and it explains the meaning of the candles we light on the Advent Wreath. With a lot of shopping and expectation of gift receiving and anxiety of gift giving can rob us of serenity to be attuned to the God who comes here and now. The Gospel narrative of today is arming us against “the anxieties of our daily life” that can become a trap that prevent us from spiritual awareness that prays, “Your ways O Lord, make known to me.”

Fr. Tom Kunnel. C.O.

Please remember in your prayers the Sick and/or Homebound of our Parish Family. Thomas Mooney, Molly Robinson Cameron Robinson, Ron Rebers, Helen Koza, Madlen Moson, Marge Cul-letto, Bill Loftus, Carolyn, Joe Dennerlein, Tommy Armstrong, Caroline Kelly, Thomas Kilgannon , Eugene Flood, Father of Kelly Kohlbrenner

As a Parish Family, let us remember in our prayers all our beloved departed members of our Parish Community Mark Pietro, Charles Smith, brother of Kathryn Smith, Sue Ann Esposito, Eileen Carley, Marie Berardi, Louis Berardi, John Luckie, Evelyn Wenke-Daly, sister of Carol Gibbs, Harry Gibbs, Barbara Murphy, Louisa Palermo, Casey Smith, Margaret O’Brien, Rose Von Sternstein, Bridget Boyle, Christine Caleca, Michael Galella, uncle of Ted Simone, James Enright brother of Marilyn Tim-berger, Mamerta Soriano, mother of Romeo So-riano, Anne Bazala , ,PLEASE ADVISE THE RECTORY (359-0078) WHENEVER A PARISH-IONER BECOMES HOMEBOUND, ILL, OR HOSPITALIZED SO AR-RANGEMENTS CAN BE MADE FOR A PRIEST, DEACON OR EUCHARIS-TIC MINISTER TO VISIT AND BRING COMMUNION TO THEM.

THE SANCTUARY LAMP Is Being Offered this week for

Anne Bazala Requested by Patricia Haugh

Sat 12/1 5:00 PM Elizabeth Reyes By Dcn Rob & May Pang

Sun 12/2

8:00 AM Mamerta Soriano By Silva Brothers & Sisters

10:30 PM Gennaro Miraglia By Jake & Silvia Miraglia

Mon 12/3 8:00 AM Marie Meyer By CDA

Tue 12/4 8:00 AM Anne Bazala By Eileen & Ann Rielly

Wed 12/5 8:00 AM Anne Bazala

By Dcn Rob & May Pang

Thu 12/6 8:00 AM Nino Colonnelli By Tony & Linda D'Alleva

Fri 12/7 8:00 AM Maureen O'Connell By Fri Renew Grp

Sat 12/8 9:00 AM Robert Clifford By Mary Clifford

5PM John Zahn By Zahn Family

Sun 12/9 8:00 AM James Hoyt By Mildred Oslica

10:30 AM Bruni Family By Ralph & Marge Olsen

CALENDAR FOR DECEMBER December 2 & 3 - Regular Classes December 9 - ADVENT DAY (9am-12noon) December 10 - Regular Classes December 16 & 17 - Regular Classes December 23, 24, 30 & 31 - NO CLASSES FAMILY MASS - CHRISTMAS EVE at 4:30pm PLEASE NOTE! ADVENT DAY is counted as a regular class. There is plenty of time to enjoy the games, crafts and movies AND participate in Mass. It is for ALL PARENTS & CHILDREN. Don't forget your "CREATIVE KID CONTEST" entries - build a Christmas Scene in a box. December 17th will be a Christmas Party for Grades 6-8 during class time.

Readings No. 785 1st week of Advent

On Smart TV or Computer go to the Link on WWW.STJOHNSPIERMONT.ORG or https://www.sundaystreams.com/go/stjohnpiermont On ‘ROKU’ Select “SUNDAY STREAMS” Select the Channel “STJOHNPIERMONT” On Smart Phone—Down load the Free App ‘st john piermont’ and link is under ‘Faith”

Live Stream today, Sunday Dec. 2 at 10.30 AM

Liturgy Schedule Dec 8/9

Time Lector Eucharistic Minister Altar Servers

Saturday 5:00 PM Carol Conklin Spillane Brian Spillane 12/8

Sunday

12/9

8:00 AM Catherine O’Brien Lynn Dennerlein 10:30 AM Barbara O’Brien Jeanne Sheehan Daniela Carpio Gabriela Caltagirone Micaela Duggan 1 PM Rilma Mazariego Lidia Reyes Dayana Agus n Yolanda Guzman Kenia Agus n Marili Palma Kathy Ruballos Ana Sanabria

Sun 2-Dec

9AM Religious Ed 11:30AM Spanish Religious Ed

11:30AM Legion of Mary

7PM AA Meeting

Mon 3-Dec 6:30PM Religious Ed

Tues 4-Dec

10AM Scripture Class

7PM Altar Server Prep

7PM CDA Meeting

Wed 5-Dec

7PM Knights of Columbus

7PM Amigos de Jesus Choir Practice

7PM RCIA

Thu 6-Dec 7PM Mensajeros de Jesus Choir Practice

7:30PM Parish Council Meeting

Fri 7-Dec 10AM Friday Renew Group

7:30PM Healing Mass

11/18 $4499 11/25 $4153

Cath Charities $1041

TODAY'S READINGS THE PROMISE OF JUSTICE We are in fairly good company when we ask God for justice. Often enough we hear and agree with the lament of the people of Israel asking God why the wicked prosper. However, when we call out for justice, we usually want someone to get his or her comeuppance. God's justice is something other than this, of course. God's justice comprises a wonderful rightness between God and humankind. Today, Jeremiah looks ahead to a time when a just one will sprout from the shorn-off stump of Jesse of the house and fam-ily of David. Life was not fair in Jeremiah's time. Israel's kings held the promise of God's fidelity, but it was difficult to see how God's promise could be realized through them. Nevertheless, Jeremiah lifts his voice and announces that the Promised One will come. Luke's Gospel echoes that announce-ment, and Paul is filled with sturdy encouragement. And so Advent begins with a promise.

Welcome to Michael Peter Carney Congratulations to the parents and godparent of the beloved child of God, may baptism be the begin-ning of a life of faith and a heart full of goodness and love.

READINGS FOR THE WEEK First Reading -- The days are coming when the LORD will fulfill the promise made to Israel and Judah (Jeremiah 33:14-16). Psalm -- To you, O Lord, I lift my soul (Psalm 25). Second Reading -- Abound in love for one another and for all (1 Thessalonians 3:12 -- 4:2). Gospel -- Stand erect and raise your heads; your redemption is at hand (Luke 21:25-28, 34-36).

Will be reported next time

READINGS FOR THE WEEK Monday: Is 2:1-5; Ps 122:1-9; Mt 8:5-11 Tuesday: Is 11:1-10; Ps 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17; Lk 10:21-24 Wednesday: Is 25:6-10a; Ps 23:1-6; Mt 15:29-37 Thursday: Is 26:1-6; Ps 118:1, 8-9, 19-21, 25-27a; Mt 7:21, 24-27 Friday: Is 29:17-24; Ps 27:1, 4, 13-14; Mt 9:27-31 Saturday: Gn 3:9-15, 20; Ps 98:1-4; Eph 1:3-6, 11-12; Lk 1:26-38 Sunday: Bar 5:1-9; Ps 126:1-6; Phil 1:4-6, 8-11; Lk 3:1-6

Volunteers Wanted for the Christmas Pageant

Sunday, December 16.

All children are invited to help us tell this beautiful story of the Nativity, Mary, Joseph, Angels, Shepherds, Innkeep-

ers, Kings, drummer boys and most important we need narrators.

We will have one rehearsal so parents please en-courage your children to sign up for this fun and one of the best events of the year.

ST. JOHN’S GIVING TREE Please take an angel from the tree

blue for boys, pink for girls. There are names and sizes on the an-gels.

Gifts should be wrapped, tagged and brought in by January 1st. Thank you We will not be buying for adults this year.

The parishioners of St. John’s once again took the time to remember others for Thanksgiving. The Outreach Ministry would like to thank all who donated food, whole baskets, cash, checks or gift cards to help provide a holiday meal for others. We distributed 70+ baskets of food.

Thank you also to Inserra Corporation (Shoprite) for their donation of turkeys and other food items. Thank you and God bless you!.

For your generosity in providing 23 baskets of food to our Thanksgiving here at One to One Learning Center Together with other wonderful people and groups 100 of our families re-ceived food. God Bless You and all your families.

Peace, Sister Cecilia

St. John’s Church is looking for girls and boys to join the altar server ministry. If you know anyone who might be interested in joining and who is at least in the 4th grade, you can contact Deacon Rob or the rectory for more information. The following is an excerpt from an address Pope John Paul II had given at a General Audience on August 1, 2001. “More Than "Helpers of the Parish Priest", The altar server occupies a privi-leged place in the liturgical celebration... He/she experiences firsthand that Je-sus Christ is present and active in every liturgical act. Jesus is present above all in the Eucharist under the signs of bread and wine. Jesus acts through the priest who, in the person of Christ, celebrates the Holy Mass and administers the sacraments. Therefore, in the liturgy, altar servers are much more than simple "helpers of the parish priest." They are servers of Jesus Christ, the eternal High Priest.”

The Catholic Daughters wish to thank all our parish-ioners and friends for supporting our recent Christ-mas Boutique. Your generosity and participation help us to continue many of our charitable works lo-cally and statewide. Thank you again.

The winners of the raffle were: 1st Prize $500 Margaret Umbrino

2nd Prize $300 Joann Cardone 3rd Prize $200 Mary Lou Owens

The first candle symbolizes hope and is called the “Prophet’s Candle.” The prophets of the Old Testament, especially Isaiah, waited in hope for the Messiah’s arrival. The second candle represents faith and is called “Bethlehem’s Candle.” Micah had fore-told that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem, which is also the birthplace of King David. The third candle symbolizes joy and is called the “Shepherd’s Candle.” To the shepherd’s great joy, the angels announced that Jesus came for humble, unimportant people like them, too. In liturgy, the color rose signifies joy. The fourth candle represents peace and is called the “Angel’s Candle.” The angels an-nounced that Jesus came to bring peace--He came to bring people close to God and to each other again. The (optional) fifth candle represents light and purity and is called “Christ’s candle.” It is placed in the middle and is lit on Christmas Day.

LECTURAS DE HOY Primera lectura -- Se acercan los días cuando el Señor cumplirá su promesa que hizo a Israel y a Judá (Jeremías 33:14-16). Salmo -- Descúbrenos, Señor, tus caminos (Salmo 24) Segunda lectura -- Que el Señor los llene y los haga re-bosar de amor para que sean irreprochables en santidad (1 Tesalonicenses 3:12 -- 4:2). Evangelio -- Habrá señales y verán al Hijo del Hombre venir con gran poder y majestad (Lucas 21:25-28, 34-36).

LECTURAS DE LA SEMANA Lunes: Is 2:1-5; Sal 121:1-9; Mt 8:5-11 Martes: Is 11:1-10; Sal 71:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17; Lc 10:21-24 Miércoles: Is 25:6-10a; Sal 22:1-6; Mt 15:29-37 Jueves: Is 26:1-6; Sal 117:1, 8-9, 19-21, 25-27a; Mt 7:21, 24-27 Viernes: Is 29:17-24; Sal 26:1, 4, 13-14; Mt 9:27-31 Sábado: Gn 3:9-15, 20; Sal 97):1-4; Ef 1:3-6, 11-12; Lc 1:26-38 Domingo: Bar 5:1-9; Sal 126 (125):1-6; Fil 1:4-6, 8-11; Lc 3:1-6

LA PROMESA DE JUSTICIA Estamos en buena compañía cuando clamamos a Dios por justicia. Con frecuencia escuchamos y estamos de acuerdo con el pueblo de Israel que pregunta a Dios por qué el malo prospera. Sin embargo, cuando clamamos por justicia usualmente queremos que alguien reciba el castigo que se merece. Obviamente la justicia de Dios es más que eso. La justicia de Dios abarca una maravillosa rectitud entre Dios y la humanidad. En la lectura de hoy Jeremías avizora un tiempo en el que un justo brotará del tronco de Jesé, de la casa y la familia de David. La vida no era justa en el tiempo de Jeremías. Los reyes de Israel mantenían viva la promesa de la fideli-dad de Dios, pero era difícil ver cómo la promesa de Dios se podía cumplir por medio de ellos. No obstante, Jeremías levanta la voz y anuncia que ya viene el Salvador prometido. El Evangelio de Lucas hace eco de ese anuncio, y Pablo se llena de un gran ánimo. De esta manera el Adviento comienza con una promesa. Para los cursos pre-bautismales llamar a: .Alex Aguilar 845-480-1502 y Natalia Lemus 845-480-1682. Los cursos se dan previa cita los martes 7pm y domingo 11am.

Sr. y Sra. William Garcia

Felicitaciones por su aniversario y las bendiciones de Dios para mu-chos años maravillosos por delante.

P A R I S H M I N I S T R I E S & C H A I R Buildings & Grounds Pat Miele, Alex Aguilar Eucharistic Adoration Dcn Robert Pang Health Mary Loftus Hispanic Community Mario Zamora, Marili Mendoza Palma Ministerios Marianos Luis y Aida Cachichabla Hospitality Robin Miller Men’s Club Bill Loftus. Ralph Olsen Ushers Jake Miraglia Music Elise Espinosa, Chris & Carolyn Yates, Ted Simone & Eileen Petersen Spanish Choir Carlos Cerna, William Martinez Outreach Maria Nest Parish Council Ralph Olsen Parish Worship Dcn John Cunningham Religious Education Kathleen Dunn RCIA Dcn Robert Pang, Jose Bolaños Catholic Daughters Marge Olsen Right to Life Scott Giblin Social May Pang Spiritual Life Johanna Krumm St. Vincent De Paul Fr. Tom Kunnel

P A R I S H C O U N C I L Alex Aguilar, Kathleen Dunn, Jonathan/Dominika Fanning,

Lucia/Sal Caruana, Alex Flores, Andrew Lee, Maria Nest, Ralph Olsen, Marge Olsen, May Pang, Ray/Beverly Sambrotto

T R U S T E E S Phil McCartin James Pontone

Our Sacramental Life

Baptism: Please call the Rectory well in advance of the expected day of Baptism to arrange an appointment for an interview. Pre-baptismal meeting for parents is required. Godparents must be confirmed, practicing Catholics. Generally Baptisms are celebrated the third Sunday of each month at 12:00 pm.

Reconciliation: Confessions are heard from 4:30-5:00 pm on Saturday. You may also make an appointment with Fr. Tom. Spanish confessions is availa-ble from 12:30–1:00 PM on Sundays.

Marriage: Marriages should be arranged at least six months in advance. Participation in Pre-Cana is essential. Please call the Rectory to schedule an appointment with Fr. Tom.

Anointing of the Sick: Before you enter the hospital for elective surgery or other serious treatment, and for those who have need of spiritual healing. In an emergency, please call Fr. Tom’s mobile 845 608 9358.

Holy Orders: Any gentleman interested in exploring the question of vocation to the priesthood or the permanent diaconate should contact Fr. Tom Kunnel. We would also be happy to direct anyone interested in living their lives as Religious Sisters or Brothers.

Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults: For instruction for Baptism, Confirma-tion and Eucharist for adults and to learn about Catholic Faith. If interested please contact Dcn Robert Pang.

For more details and forms—www.stjohnspiermont.org

Parish Registration: All adults (over age 21) should register in the parish themselves and should use envelopes or parishpay.com. Tithing is 5% of income. This registration is our only means of certifying anyone as a member of the parish, especially for Baptism and Confirmation sponsorship letters and for scheduling Baptisms and Weddings.

In family practice, the Advent wreath is most appropriately lit at dinner time after the blessing of the food. The follow-ing prayer is said by a member of the family who lights the candle, “O God, by whose word all things are sanctified, pour forth Thy blessing upon this wreath, and grant that we who use it may prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ and may receive from Thee abundant graces. Who lives and reigns forever. Amen.”