MASS SCHEDULE

Saturday Vigil Mass 4:30PM

Sunday Masses: 8:30AM & 11:00AM Adoration: Monday at 6:00pm (Except Holidays when Mass starts at 9:00am) Tuesday - Friday 7:30 to 8:00AM & 8:30 to 9:00AM Confessions: Saturday afternoon 3:30 - 4:00PM

Daily Mass Monday at 7:00PM (Holidays at 9am, or otherwise stated) Tuesday - Friday at 8:00AM

Holy Days as announced

Novenas: Miraculous Medal and St. Jude Novena following Monday 7:00PM Mass St. Anthony Novena Wednesday morning following 8:00AM Mass

Welcome to

Good Shepherd

Parish Hopelawn,

New Jersey 08861

MISSION STATEMENT We are called by Jesus as a community of faith to love God and love one

another by our acts of worship, fellowship and stewardship.

December 6, 2020 • The Second Sunday of Advent

THE PARISH CENTER Parish and Cemetery Offices 625 Florida Grove Rd., Hopelawn, New Jersey Phone: 732-826-4859 • Fax: 732-826-6078 Office Open Monday-Friday 9:00AM - 4:00PM Evenings by Appointment Only Closed Weekends and Federal Holidays

Website: www.goodshepherdpanj.org E-mail: Goodshepherd20@verizon.net

BLESSED SACRAMENT (CHAPEL) Located in the Parish Center Open for Private Prayer during office hours

Rev. Krystian Burdzy Administrator Deacon Sam Costantino Deacon Albert Coppola R.C.I.A. Maria C. Arcelay Parish Secretary/PCL/Cemetery Coordinator Wayne Behr Director of Liturgical Music

2

ORGANIZATIONS NAME DAY TIME

Holy Name Society 2nd Thursday 7:00PM

Ladies Guild 2nd Tuesday 7:00 PM

Rosary Altar Society 2nd Sunday 9:30 AM

Tuesday Seniors 2nd & 4th Tues. 12:30 PM

Wednesday Seniors 1st & 3rd Wed. 12:30 PM

If you are interested in any of our above organizations/ministries, please contact the Parish Office for more information.

MINISTRIES

NAME CONTACT PHONE

Chairperson-Finance Council Marty Joyce 732-826-4859

Music Ministry Parish Office 732-826-4859

Religious Education Maria C. Arcelay 732-826-4859

Parish Information

We welcome you to the Good Shepherd Parish Community!

Please register at the Parish Office as soon as you are able to do so, and the staff will be happy to inform you about our parish and the opportunities we offer. Parish registration is required for reli-gious education, celebration of all Sacraments and certification as a sponsor for Baptism and Confirmation. Regular Sunday worship with us indicates a practicing Catholic, not just parish registration. Attendance is necessary at weekend worship for the all sacra-ments and certification of sponsorship. Please notify the parish office of any changes in phone numbers, addresses, e-mail ad-dresses or when leaving the parish.

We have hospitality Sunday, the first Sunday of the month. Please come and meet our Priest and fellow parishioners.

Baptism: All Baptisms are celebrated on the first Sunday of the month at 12noon. The preparation process should begin at least three months before the planned date of the Baptism. A Baptism Preparation Class is required for parents (godparents may attend if they wish). This class is offered on the fourth Sunday of each month at 9:45 AM. Please call the parish office to register. The date of the baptism is scheduled after attending the class. Parish membership and active worship is required for two months prior to preparation.

Religious Education: Provides faith filled instructions for Levels 1st through 8th. We have classes on two Saturdays a month from 8:45am to 11am. Special instructions are given for sacramental preparations.

Initiation of Adults and Older Children: This is an extended formation process for unbaptized or uncatechized adults or bap-tized Christians of other faith traditions who wish to become members of the Catholic Church, as well as for unbaptized or uncatechized school-aged children. Please contact the parish of-fice for more information. Initiation is celebrated at the Easter Vigil after a formation period of one or two years.

Adult Confirmation: This is a program for persons over the age of 18 who have received the Sacraments of Baptism and First Eucharist, but who never completed their initiation with the Sacra-ment of Confirmation. The program is a 10-12 week program, with Confirmation being celebrated on the Solemnity of Pente-cost. Please call the parish office for more details.

Matrimony: Couples wishing to marry in Good Shepherd Parish must be registered members of our parish. They are required to make initial arrangements at least one year in advance. Four ses-sions with the priest or deacon, as well as Pre-Cana or Engaged Encounter take place during this year. Active worship for at least two months are required before a date may be scheduled.

Anointing of the Sick: Anyone who is seriously ill or unable to come to church for a length of time should contact the parish of-fice to arrange for the Anointing of the Sick. Eucharistic Ministers bring Holy Communion to homebound parishioners every Sun-day, and our priest will visit on the First Friday of each month. Please call the parish office to make arrangements. The Diocese of Metuchen provides Catholic priests to serve at all local hospi-tals.

Holy Orders: If you are interested in learning more about the priesthood or religious life, contact the Vocations Office of the Diocese of Metuchen at 732-562-1990, ext. 1700 or by email at vocations@diometuchen.org or visit www.diometuchen.org/vocations.

GOOD SHEPHERD PARISH FINANCIAL CORNER

Monthly Operating Income & Expense September 2020

Collection Income $ 23,785.00 Other Income $ 4,849.00 Total Income $ 28,634.00 Expenses $ 35,512.00 Month's Income/(Deficit) $ (6,878.00)

Year-to-Date (July ’20 - September 20) Income/(Deficit) $ (17,459.00)

Outstanding Diocesan Assessment Debt as of September 30th $ 12,400.00 Outstanding Diocesan Roof Loan Debt as of September 30th $ 535,000.00

Online Giving Church Donations

We’ve made it more convenient to give, please visit our website and click on the green ’Online Giving” button on the top of the page, register and support your church.

We continue to thank our parishioners who mail or deliver their weekly envelopes to the Parish Office when they’re unable to come to Mass. Even in these times of so many changes, suspensions and disruptions, our bills to run our Parish still need to be paid. If you are financially able, please continue to support our Church. You may mail your donations or put them in the locked mailbox, or door slot in the front of the Parish Office. Thank you for your continued support and understanding. Stay well and God bless!

We’re back LIVE every Sunday 11am Mass only.

11/22/2020 $5,033.00 Workers of Mercy $604.00

3

First Reading IS 40;1-5,9-11

Comfort, give comfort to my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her service is at an end, her guilt is expiated; indeed, she has received from the hand of the LORD double for all her sins. A voice cries out: In the desert prepare the way of the LORD! Make straight in the wasteland a highway for our God! Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill shall be made low; the rug-ged land shall be made a plain, the rough country, a broad val-ley. Then the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all people shall see it together; for the mouth of the LORD has spoken. Go up on to a high mountain, Zion, herald of glad tidings; cry out at the top of your voice, Jerusalem, herald of good news! Fear not to cry out and say to the cities of Judah: Here is your God! Here comes with power the Lord GOD, who rules by his strong arm; here is his reward with him, his recompense before him. Like a shepherd he feeds his flock; in his arms he gathers the lambs, carrying them in his bosom, and leading the ewes with care. The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. Responsorial Psalm

PS 85:9-10-11-12, 12-14 R. (8) Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation. I will hear what God proclaims; the LORD—for he proclaims peace to his people. Near indeed is his salvation to those who fear him, glory dwelling in our land. R. Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salva-tion. Kindness and truth shall meet; justice and peace shall kiss. Truth shall spring out of the earth, and justice shall look down from heaven. R. Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salva-tion. The LORD himself will give his benefits; our land shall yield its increase. Justice shall walk before him, and prepare the way of his steps. R. Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salva-tion.

Second Reading

2 PT 3:8-14 Do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years and a thousand years like one day. The Lord does not delay his promise, as some regard “delay,” but he is patient with you, not wishing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a mighty roar and the elements will be dissolved by fire, and the earth and everything done on it will be found out. Since everything is to be dissolved in this way, what sort of persons ought you to be, conducting yourselves in holiness and devotion, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved in flames and the elements melted by fire. But according to his promise we await new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, since you await these things, be eager to be found without spot or blemish before him, at peace.

The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. Alleluia LK 3:4,6 R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths: All flesh shall see the salvation of God.

R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel MT 13:33-37

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ the Son of God. As it is written in Isaiah the prophet: Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way. A voice of one crying out in the desert: “Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.” John the Baptist appeared in the desert proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. People of the whole Judean countryside and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the Jordan River as they acknowledged their sins. John was clothed in camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. He fed on locusts and wild honey. And this is what he proclaimed: “One mightier than I is coming after me. I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of his san-dals. I have baptized you with water; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ

4

My Dear Friends, The journey of Advent offers us great opportunities to prepare ourselves more authentically for the coming of Christ. Today, we listen to John the Baptist, who prepares the way of the Lord by preaching repentance- a change of heart that will get us ready for the coming of Christ. We need to be people full of the Spirit of Christ, people in “partnership for the Gospel” (Phil 1:4). The Gospel is the Good News because God became one of us that we might become participants in His life! God wants us to live ever more ful-ly, ever more joyfully and ever more lovingly! He wants us to cooperate with His grace and allow our nature to be perfected. To experience God’s desire for us, we need to engage as collaborators with Christ to proclaim the Good News. Today we focus on the message of John the Baptist – the call to 'repent'. The Greek word ‘metanoia’ literally means a “change of mind” or a “change of direction.” What we need is a profound change from the past life of sin - sin as falling short of God's plan for us, as selfish reality with its destructing powers that leads us to an edge of our human dignity and honesty - to love Him with our whole being, and loving other people like ourselves. This repentance, however, involves not only a conscious decision to turn away from a life rooted in sin or even being sorry for sin-ning, but rather a total and radical change of personal disposition in our relationship with God and other people. This is what brings about a radical and genuine renewal and conversion of heart. This is what the metanoia is all about; this is the message at the heart of the Second Sunday of Advent. On Tuesday, December 8th, the Church celebrates a wonderful “patron” of Advent – The Feast of the Immaculate Concep-tion - a Holy Day of Obligation. “We declare, pronounce and define that the doctrine which asserts that the Blessed Virgin Mary, from the first moment of her con-ception, by a singular grace and privilege of almighty God, and in view of the merits of Jesus Christ, Savior of the human race, was preserved free from every stain of original sin is a doctrine revealed by God and, for this reason, must be firmly and constantly be-lieved by all the faithful”. With these words, spoken in 1854, Pope Pius IX, in the Papal Bull Ineffabilis Dei, declared Mary's Im-maculate Conception to be dogma. Mary is a wonderful "patroness" of Advent. She invites us during this season to keep vigil for her Son's coming, as she herself await-ed His birth in history. Have a blessed Second Week of Advent!

With prayers,

Fr. Krystian

Fr. Krystian

For the month of December pray for those affected by Covid-19, and all hospital and nursing home personnel who

are working so bravely and tirelessly , their families, our sick and homebound of our Parish family, especially:

Carlos Bendrell, Carmen Collura, Andrea Costantino, Noah Dahlberg, Carolyn Duane, Pat Dunn, Chuck F., Victor & Melissa Ferrer,

Tommy Fitzpatrick, Joseph Frisbe, Mike Gaffney, Carol George, Johnny Gondek, Richard Hajzer, Nancy Hunt,

Tommy Jones, Arleen Kopin, Judy Liik, Rose Langan, Louis Loso, Brianna Ortega, Megan Ortega, Carol Magyar, JoAnn Magyar,

Fr. John Morley, Raymond Magyar, Ellen Malopolski, Maryanne Mateuszczyk, Connie & Vince Montuoro, Lynn Munoz,

Mary Murray, Teresa P., Catherine Paone, Christopher Paone, Danny Parker, Dianne Petro-Duncan, Caroline Pry, Stephen Pry,

Ann Rapetti, Greg Rohrbacher, Fred Rose, Paul Sheena, Jack Stacey, Tamya Stacy, Maryann Suhay, Telofski Family, Dave & Louise Utter,

Elsie Vega, Barbara White & Bernard Yaros. .

With respect to personal privacy only requests made by immediate family members will be taken. If you would like to add or continue to keep a name on our list: call the parish office at 732-826-4859 or email goodshepherd20@verizon.net. Please keep in mind that we pray for all the sick every day in the general intercessions of the Mass.

5

Minister Schedule

LECTOR Saturday, December 12th

4:30PM Brenda Rinaldi Sunday, December 13th

8:30AM Sian Brossard 11:00AM Joann Jimenez EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS

Saturday, December 12th 4:30PM Deacon Sam Costantino & M. Joyce

Sunday, December 13th 8:30AM Claudia & Jose De Jesus 11:00AM Deacon Mickey & Colleen Coppola

MASS INTENTIONS

MONDAY, December 7 : St. Ambrose, Bishop & Doctor of the Church

7:00PM Nicholas & Anna Berardi Req daughter Nancy Brown

TUESDAY, December 8 : Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

8:00AM Michael Kelton Req Michael Kelton

WEDNESDAY, December 9 : Advent Weekday 8:00AM Thomas Boccippio

Req loving wife & children THURSDAY, December 10 : Advent Weekday

8:00AM Melanie Grace Licad Req Felix family

FRIDAY, December 11 : Advent Weekday

8:00AM Jose B. Jurado Req Elsa Herns

SATURDAY, December 12 : The Vigil of the Third Sunday of Advent

4:30PM Josefina Emmanuelli Req daughter Rosely, Jackie & Ruben

SUNDAY, December 13 : The Third Sunday of Advent

8:30AM Living & Deceased members of Good Shepherd Parish 11:00AM Rose & Joseph Critelli

Req JoAnn & Bill

7:00PM Torchia family Req Catherine & Anthony Paone

For the Week of December 5 – 11th

SANCTUARY CANDLE In Thanksgiving of

St. Joseph Req Linda

BREAD & WINE In Memory of

Rose & Joe Critelli Req Linda & Manny

BLESSED MOTHER FLOWER In Memory of

John A. Lesko, Jr. Req Carol Ann

ALTAR FLOWERS In Memory of

Puleuo, Zaleski & Bromirski families Req Toni

Updates Due to the Coronavirus

Currently, our daily Masses are open to a limited number of parishioners (50 or less). The state has steadily allowed the number of parishioners in church to 100. Safety precautions will be posted in advance and strictly enforced. (Please see our “Coronavirus Rules” when attending Mass.)

Volunteers are needed after each Mass to clean the pews, doors and all high traffic areas before the next Mass. Please note the brass railing around the altar should never be touched or cleaned with disinfect-

ant. If you’re interested in helping, please call the Parish Of-fice 732-826-4859 or check with an Usher for more infor-mation.

Currently Altar servers are excused from service. Please check back here for updates or add yourself to our email list for updates.

Prayer and Reflection

Tuesday- Friday, before and after 8am daily Mass, our church doors will be open to you for your per-sonal intentions.

Parish Office will be closed in observance of the

Immaculate Conception on Tuesday, December 8th. We will resume regular business practices

on Wednesday, December 9th at 9am.

The immaculate conception Mass Schedule Tuesday, December 8th

8:00am & 7pm Mass

This year’s Advent Wreath was donated in memory of

Major & Mary Spear requested by Gloria Spear

CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS

Saturday, December 12th, at 10:30AM (Set up wreaths & nativity)

& Monday, December 21st, at 10:30AM (decorate church for Christmas)

If you’re interested in helping please call Linda for more information 732-826-4068. Please come out and help!!!

6

Please let one of the ushers know if you are unable to walk up at Communion time. A Eucharistic Minister will gladly bring Communion to you.

RCIA - Adult Religious Education Registration is now closed

If you are an adult over 18 years of age who has not received the Sacrament of Baptism, First Communion or Confirmation,

please contact our Parish Office for more information regarding next year’s classes. Our next class for registered member is:

Tuesday, December 8, at 7:00PM

Religious Education

We are no longer accepting registrations for the 2020-2021 school year. If you would like

information regarding next year’s registration, please contact us at 732-826-4859.

Yay….for Religious Education!!

Feeding the Homeless

Monday, December 14th

We could use your help: with a monetary donation, or even a simple meal. Please call Mildred at (732)910-1277.

In need of a hot meal, or know someone...please join St. John the Baptist Episcopal church, 404 Division St. from 5pm to 6pm, every Monday. Prepared take-out (dinners only) to any-one that comes.

Thank you in advance.

Coronavirus Rules • STAY HOME IF YOU’RE NOT FEELING

WELL. • PRACTICE SOCIAL DISTANCING. • WASH YOUR HANDS. • BRING YOUR OWN HAND SANITIZER. • FOLLOW ALL GREEN POSTED SIGNS

FOR YOUR HEALTH AND SAFETY. • Our ushers will be taking the temperature of

each member entering our church. • Masks must ALWAYS BE WORN when en-

tering our church. • Masks must remain on during all Mass ser-

vices. • You may sit with your family. • ABSOLUTELY NO GATHERING! • The distribution of the Eucharist will resume at

its traditional placement during Mass. • Instructions for the receiving line will be given

before Mass. Please follow your Usher. • FOR HEALTH REASONS THE EUCHARIST

CAN ONLY BE RECEIVED BY HAND. • We would like to respect everyone's dedication

to the Eucharist. If you insist on receiving it by tongue, you must wait and come at the very end of Father’s receiving line to be served.

• When receiving the Eucharist, you may bring your mask down, consume, then replace it to its original place. Then you may return to your seat.

• To avoid congestion during dismissal, the con-gregation will be dismissed by row.

• Your offertory donation can be placed in the baskets provided when exiting.

Thank you for your coopera on in keeping us all safe!!!

Annual Memorial Tree

If you would like honor your loved ones with a Keepsake Christmas Snowflake Ornament, you may purchase your Memorial Snowflake Ornament from the Parish Office for $2.00. We have limited your purchases to three per family to insure availability for all members. You may use last year’s ornament if you desire.

Insert your loved one’s photo and place it on our Memorial Tree before or after any Mass during Christmas. When Christmas is over, you may take your ornament home with you. Please indicate your name on the back to insure its safe return. Please call the office to make arrangements to

purchase NOW through Monday, December 28th.

Christmas Gift

Looking for the perfect Christmas gift for your spouse?

Why not give yourselves a Marriage Encounter Experience.

A Worldwide Marriage Encounter Experience gives you the time and tools to revitalize romance, deepen communication, and nourish the spirituality in your marriage. Join us from the comfort of your home via Zoom for eight evening sessions presented on Sunday & Wednesday evenings from January 20 to February 14. Phone Tony & Linda Massimo 1-302-220-9833 for application and information. Visit us at: www.wwme-delmar.org or con-tact Russ & Janet Baker email : russ.janet.baker@gmail.com 9 Longview Road, Edison, NJ 08820. Phone (732) 494-3188

Responsible young adult needed

Looking for extra help for a few hours every other day. If you have lots of patience and are interested,

please contact the Parish Office 732-826-4859.

7