ST. THERESA’S COUNCIL # 14615KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS

450 Radio RoadLittle Egg Harbor, NJ 08087

December 17, 2019

Next Council Meeting:

Our January meeting is as follows:Date: Tuesday January 28, 2020Time: 7:00 PMLocation: Faith Formation CenterDress code: casual

DECEMBER BIRTHDAY’S

Happy Birthday to all the brothers celebrating birthdays this month!Louis Biely 12/13Robert Hary 12/16Jack Haugh 12/24Dave Johnson 12/3Fr John Large 12/27Chris Mc Grotty 12/22Francis Ron Repko 12/16Charles Sadowski 12/1John Taffe 12/3Timothy Tracy 12/27Fr Arian Wharff 12/26

Chaplain’s Message

Dear brothers,The Advent Season is winding down and the Church's annual celebration of the birth of our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ is quickly approaching. I want to you wish you and your loved ones a Merry & Blessed Christmas! As Knights, we strive to keep Christ as the center of Christmas, as the popular adage goes. The busyness of the holiday season can make this challenging, but we know that the effort is worth it. Making time for daily prayer, participating in the celebration of the Eucharist and the Sacrament of Reconciliation are among the many ways that Christ remains at the center of our lives and at the heart of this joyful season. As we conclude the Advent season, I encourage you to continue to make room in your hearts for the coming of Our Lord at Christmas. This upcoming Sunday, the 4th and last one of the Advent Season, we will hear about the unique role that St. Joseph plays in God’s loving plan of salvation. His faith and obedience to God are truly an example to us as Christian men. Inspired by his example and supported by his intercession, may we continue to grow in faith and serve our God with generous hearts.

Peace & Blessings, In Christ,Father John Large

UPCOMING EVENTS

Christmas Dinner - It is this Friday December 20, 2019 at 6:30 PM at Cuisine on the Green. Looking forward to ushering in the Holiday Season with all who are attending.

Chili Cook-Off – This is Saturday January 18, 2020. This event is sponsored by the Church but let’s see if we can come out and support this wonderful fundraising idea. Any Chili Makers out there?

Pancake Breakfast - The next pancake breakfast will be Sunday February 16th. It will follow all the masses that weekend. Further details will be forthcoming when the time draws closer.

Fish Fry - We have set aside three dates to have a Fish Fry during Lent. February 28th, March 13th and March 27th. We are currently working out details with the Grapevine Restaurant and will provide details when the time comes.

      

Message from our District Deputy The Season of Advent is upon us

Brothers all, now that we have had our fill of Thanksgiving meals, whether turkey  or pumpkin pie or the stuffing is your favorite piece I hope you had a great day. My favorite part of Thanksgiving is the Fraternal part of it, sitting down with family and friends and breaking bread, sitting around a table filled with Joy, Hope and Love.

Now Begins the Season of Advent. Advent, meaning  the arrival (Birth in this case) of our Savior Jesus. We are asked to remember that Jesus has promised to return one day in all his glory. The First Week of Advent. It symbolizes our longing, our desire, our hope. Three “advents” or “comings” shape our desire. We want to be renewed in a sense that Jesus came to save us from our sin and death. We want to experience his coming to us now, in our everyday lives, to help us live our lives with meaning and purpose.

1. Pray for attentiveness to what truly matters, without being distracted by trivial things.

2. Pray for opportunities to learn something new regularly.3. Pray for discernment of how God would like you to set your priorities and the ability to focus on them consistently to fulfill His purposes in your life.

4. Pray for the grace to be able to rest, become aware of God's presence, and enjoy it.

5. Pray for strong relationships with other people in the bond of loving community.

6. Pray for peace in all situations, no matter what the circumstances.7. Pray for an enlivened imagination that helps you contribute to the world in creative ways.

8. Pray for freedom from all that burdens you - past mistakes, fears, destructive habits, hurts other people have inflicted, and more.

9. Pray for joy and a sense of humor.10.Pray for confidence in God's love for you and trust in His power to work things out for the best in your life.

11.Pray for a clear mind and the ability to clearly communicate what you value to others.

12.Pray for purity so you can grow as a person and encounter God more fully.13.Pray for openness to the Holy Spirit's guidance.14.Pray for a genuine awareness of God's grace in your life and the humility to extend grace to others.

15.Pray for a passion to pursue justice.

Brothers From my family to yours Louise and I pray that you have a very Merry Christmas, surrounded with the love of family and you have a very Happy Healthy New Year.

Jeff Hawarden DD

Vivat Jesus 

A Christmas ReflectionMy Brother Knights,

This time of year helps us to meditate a little more, and with that meditation comes reflections. I would like to share some reflections with you.

In Spanish the beautiful Christmas hymn Silent Night begins with the words “Night of light, night of peace.”

I will reflect on the phrase 'Night of light'.

Surely the light radiated by the angel and the choir of angels who proclaimed the news of the Savior’s birth to the shepherds flooded them with indescribable light.

In a very beautiful way, this event is described in the Gospel of Luke:

“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

“And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

“And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

“And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

“And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”

Meditating on that 'night of light,' I thought how also, in that special moment, the 'Light of Christ' was reaffirmed, the light that helps us distinguish good from evil, the light that guides us to accept His Gospel, the light that prepares each of us to receive the Holy Spirit, the Light who gives life to all things, who governs all things both in heaven and on earth.

We have beautiful scriptures referring to 'light'.

'Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”

'That which is of God is light; and he that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day.'

'And if your eye be single to my glory, your whole bodies shall be filled with light, and there shall be no darkness in you; and that body which is filled with light comprehendeth all things.

'Therefore, sanctify yourselves that your minds become single to God, and the days will come that you shall see him; for he will unveil his face unto you, and it shall be in his own time, and in his own way, and according to his own will.'

I testify that his promises are sure.

Now I will take the phrase 'Night of peace'.

“In the scriptures, peace can mean either freedom from conflict and turmoil or the inner calm and comfort born of the Spirit that God gives to His faithful Saints.”

The Lord infuses a special peace with the following scriptures:

'Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.'

'Learn of me, and listen to my words; walk in the meekness of my Spirit, and you shall have peace in me.'

Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas.”

Following the true meaning of Christmas, I pray that each day be one of light and peace, that we may be grateful for the condescension of God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ and for the Plan of Salvation. May we think often of the special message that Jehovah gave Joshua 'Only be thou strong and very courageous.'

Have a Blessed Christmas Season!!

VIVAT JESUS AND PAX

SK. Justin G. McCarthy

Prayers needed: Please say a prayer for those in need.

Bishop David O’Connel, Bishop of the Trenton DiocesePast Grand Knight and Former District Deputy Joe Lyon’s wife ElainePast Grand Knight and Former District Deputy Joe Berdini and his wife EstherPast Grand Knight and District Deputy Jeff Hawarden and his fatherPast Grand Knight Tom HartleyPast Grand Knight Earl Lind’s wife, JanBrother Jack MurrayBrother Matt Bieda and his wife Karen and his brother-in-law John KennaBrother Bob Love’s Son, AdrianBrother Peter Prada’s wife, IreneBrother Michael Tamborra’s mother, CarolBrother Sal DiFrancoBrother Pat PickettBrother Joe BarnetBrother Pete Marcellino and his daughter Angela RoseBrother Ray Sloginski’s wife JoannBrother Steve Scott’s grandson’s wife Michelle Marrosa ScottBrother Frank McCardle and his wife ChrisBrother Conrad Zabinski’s wife AmyBrother Jim Halsey’s granddaughter HannahBrother Jim Murray’s daughter CarlyBrother Andy Kavinski’s wife ArlenePaul and Sheila McFarland

Let me know if you would like to submit anything for the newsletter.Terry WalshDeputy Grand Knighttpw54@comcast.net732-552-7409 (cell).