THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH December 31, 2017

Saturday December 30

5:00pm Robert Kafarski

r/o The Petlick Family

Sunday December 31

The Holy Family of Jesus,

Mary and Joseph

8:00am Christopher Lynch

r/o The Lynch Family

9:30am People of the Parish

11:00am Lawrence B. Lisle r/o Ann Krouse Monday January 1 Solemnity of Mary,

the Holy Mother of God 9:00am Arsenia C. Pasquale r/o Family Tuesday January 2 Saints Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen

9:00am Barbara Mc Loughlin r/o Greg & Nora Stier

Wednesday January 3 The Most Holy Name of Jesus

9:00am Edward Coppola r/o Albert & Phyllis Spence Thursday January 4 Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton

9:00am Vincent Catalli r/o Reverend Blaise R. Baran Friday January 5 Saint John Neumann 9:00am Deceased Melious Family Members r/o Family Please pray for the sick: Benjamin Boschen, Jill Dubay, Paul Schroeder, Julie Galloway, Frances Wadnik, Theresa Dziura, Al Fantuzzi, Ann Krouse, Robert Meleo, Charles Roseberry, Bill Wargin, Ron Pultz, Alissa Zajac, Albert Schaare, George Melious, Anthony Francisco, Stephanie Danielle Lewis, Leo Kim, Jeanne Castella, Francine Gore, Noriebeth Alava, Arsenia Del Rosario, Marilyn Russo, Richard Polhemus, Denise Chiarulli Melious REMINDER: Religious Education parents of second graders, there will be a parent meeting for the Sacrament of Reconciliation on Tuesday, January 9 at 7:15pm in the Church.

WEEKLY OFFERING WEEKLY COSTS;

Church Expenses (Including Mortgage) $8,396.06

Diocesan Assessment / Insurance 2,300.00

Total $10,696.06

Weekend of December 16 / 17 $6,134.27

Christmas Flowers 160.00

Total $6,294.27

Weekly Surplus / (Deficit) ($4,401.79)

Weekend of December 23 / 24 $6,076.00

Christmas 15,981.00

Total $22,057.00

Weekly Surplus / (Deficit) $11,360.94

This Week in Our Parish…………… Sunday, December 31 Bingo will not be held this evening Tuesday, January 2 Religious Education 5:30-6:30pm Grades 1a, 2a, 3a, 4a, 5a 7:00-8:15pm Grades, 6a, 7a, 8a Wednesday, January 3 Religious Education 5:30-6:30pm Grades 1b, 2b, 3b, 4b, 5b 7:00-8:15pm Grades 6b, 7b, 8b Thursday, January 4 6:00-7:00pm Children’s Choir / Church Friday, January 5 7:00pm Spanish Ministry / Choir Room

FR. GUY’S Q&A Unfortunately, because of other commitments, Fr. Guy’s Q&A for scheduled for Monday, January 8 has to be rescheduled for:

MONDAY, JANUARY 15 Even though that is Martin Luther King Day. The Q&A takes place in the Community Room at 7:00PM We apologize for the change and hope you will join us to learn more about the faith! IMPORTANT NOTICE ABOUT COMMUNION DURING FLU SEASON During cold & flu season many people are concerned with the spread of germs and in particular with sharing a common Communion cup. You will recall that we discontinued distributing Holy Communion under both species (Host & Precious Blood) during the summer months. Once again during cold & flu season in the months of January, February and March Holy Communion will be distributed at all Masses under the form of the sacred Host only. We will resume Communion under both species at the end of Lent as we go into the Paschal season. I know this is a sacrifice for some but it is a small one to make in order to be sensitive to the needs of your brothers and sisters who want to avoid getting sick.

IMPORTANT NOTICE! January 1, 2018, the Octave of Christmas and the Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God, falls on a Monday. Because of this the obligation to attend Mass is dispensed. January 1 is still a holy day but this year it is not a day of obligation. There will be only one Mass that day at 9:00AM. NOTE: Beginning next weekend, JANUARY 6 & 7, 2018 we will assume the new weekend Mass schedule which is as follows: Saturday: 5:00PM Sunday: 7:30AM 9:30AM (in Spanish) 11:00AM

MARK YOUR CALENDARS Friday, February 2, 2018 Feast of the Presentation of the Lord (aka Candlemas Day) blessing of candles at Mass. Wednesday, February 14, 2018 ASH WEDNESDAY and the start of Fasting and Abstinence Ashes will be distributed at 7:00AM Morning Prayer; 9:00AM Mass; 12:10 Midday Prayer and 7:00PM Mass Monday, March 19, 2018 ST. JOSEPH’S DAY, Patron saint of our parish and of the Universal Church Sunday, April 1, 2018 EASTER SUNDAY

SAINT JOSEPH 2017 CHRISTMAS ORNAMENTS Purchases can be made after Mass or at the Rectory Office during the week. Monday – Friday 9:00AM – Noon, 1:00PM – 4:00PM. Ornaments are $20.00 each. Limited supply is available from 2015 and 2016.

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS BLOOD DRIVE Sign-ups will take place beginning the weekend of January 6 / 7 and will continue thru the month. The blood drive is Sunday, January 28, 2018 from 8:00am – 12:45pm. The mobile unit will be set up in the parking lot near the Community Room.

FROM THE PASTOR Christ is Born! Let us glorify Him! I hope that you are still enjoying a blessed and happy Christmastide. In addition to the traditional “12 days of Christmas” we Catholics celebrate the Christmas season until the Baptism of the Lord which this year occurs on Monday,

January 8, 2018. So, keep your tree up until at least next weekend and, by a very old custom, it is traditional to leave up your nativity scene until the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord (also known as “Candlemas”) on February 2! Because January 1, the Octave of Christmas, on which we celebrate the Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God falls on a Monday the obligation to attend Mass for the holy day is dispensed. In other words, you do NOT have to go to Mass twice this weekend as you did last weekend for Christmas. There will be one Mass on New Year’s Day at 9:00AM as usual. After Mass the church will be closed all day and, of course, the Parish Office is closed all day as well. Today we keep the Feast of the Holy Family. Now that we have celebrated the Birth of Christ we have this feast to remind us that God deliberately chose to be born into and raised by a family. Just as God exists as a Trinity of Three Divine Persons in one God; a community of life and love existing within itself, so, too, God chose to exist in His human nature within the context of a community of life and love here on Earth: a family. For this reason the Church has always so strongly valued and supported family life as an essential element of our faith. Indeed, the Church affirms that every family is like a “domestic church” or, in other words, the community of faith writ small within the home. Many of us come from what are usually termed traditional families. These are made up of a father, mother and siblings. But, families, as we know, come in many forms today. Not everyone is blessed with both parents or many siblings, or happy marriages, or tranquil relationships between everyone under the same roof. Some families are facing difficult challenges. But, regardless of their make-up or the things they may have to try and overcome a family can and should still be a blessing to those who are part of them. Yes, life often has difficulties but a family can help you face them and deal with them. A family can provide you with love and support. A family can help you experience the love and presence of God. Most of us don’t choose our families but are born into them. Others of us also create families of our own by choosing from among the many people in our lives. Either way, the support of those you love and who love you is a vital part of being human. In His humanity the Son of God experienced this kind of love and support from the Holy Family of Joseph and Mary. Continue to have a Blessed Christmastide and may God give you peace & health in the New Year!