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St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church

OUR LITURGY
For David, being the king of Israel involved political, military and spiritual leadership. As Luke shows in the Gospel, the tormentors of Jesus used the term king to mock him. But Jesus Christ, the King, came not to be served, but to serve, and to offer his life as the ransom for many.

ALTAR BREAD & WINE
In Memory of
Requested by

Feast of the Immaculate Conception
December 8th
Mass will be at
Dec 7 7:30PM
Dec 8
8 & 10 AM
12:00 Noon

OUR PRIEST-CELEBRANTS
This Week Next Week
5:00 PM
7:00 AM
9:00 AM
10:30 AM
12:00 Noon
5:00 PM
F ANYONE WOULD LIKE TO BRING UP THE GIFTS AT THE MASSES ON SATURDAY OR SUNDAY, PLEASE CONTACT ONE OF THE USHERS WHEN YOU ARRIVE FOR MASS.

Fr Tapel
Fr Tapel
Fr Maffeo
Fr Boyle
Fr Thomas
Fr Boyle

Fr Maffeo
Fr Maffeo
Fr Boyle
Fr Thomas
Fr Tapel
Fr Thomas

A prayerful thanksgiving to the staff and countless parishioners who offered cards, prayers, enrollments and masses in my behalf for a recovery. I cannot begin to express my gratitude for your caring and love. St Joseph’s is truly a wonderful sign of God’s love. Deacon Jim

MASS INTENTIONS
Sunday, November 25, Feast of Christ the King
7:00 Cornelius J Dunleavy requested by Loving Wife Anne
7:00 Debbie Arxer requested by David & Lisette Vilmenay
9:00 Deceased Members of the St Regis
Knights of Columbus & Columbiettes
10:30 Mr & Mrs LoBrutto & Lilly requested by Loving Family
10:30 Martha Knusch requested by Mr & Mrs Edward Cronin
12:00 Michael Ruggiero requested by Loving Family
12:00 John McHale requested by Katie & Irene Cox
5:00 Peter Cerullo requested by the Dinger Family
5:00 Joseph Strano requested by Gail Strano Hanson
Monday, November 26
7:00 Gary Farris (living) requested by Mary Ellen Nicoletti
9:00 Michelle Altonji requested by Geri & Mike Devenney
9:00 Tom Graham requested by Joan & Jim Vann
Tuesday, November 27
7:00 Jenny Randall (living) requested by Mary Ellen Nicoletti
7:00 The Kotmayer Family requested by Loving Family
8:45 Jozef Wolanski requested by Loving Family
8:45 James Gibson requested by Loving Wife
Wednesday, November 28
7:00 Edward Zimmerman requested by Mr & Mrs S Daguanno
7:00 Catherine V Shannon requested by Mr & Mrs Arthur Petovic
9:00 Bonnie Fitzgerald requested by Diane Reilly & Alan Bowers
9:00 Christine O’Malley requested by Janet Lamm
Thursday, November 29
7:00 The People of the Parish
7:00 Anthony Sparacino requested by Anita Pomponio
9:00 Jack Lucivero requested by Cathy & Norm West
9:00 Joseph & Helen Santulin requested by Mike & Maria Kapovic
Friday, November 30, St Andrew
7:00 Blanka Henreg requested by The Mileto Family
7:00 Susan napol requested by Loving Sister
9:00 Anthony Novellino requested by Judy Romano
9:00 Wilhelm Kirchner requested by Loving Family
Saturday, December 1
8:00 Theresa & Angelo DeFilippo requested by Loving Family
8:00 James J Garvey requested by The Sleszynski Family
Anticipated Mass for Sunday
5:00 Gloria Cusanelli requested by Loving Husband
5:00 Agnes Tuhey requested by John, Sue & Amanda Heskin
Sunday, December 2, First Sunday of Advent
7:00 Anni Muhlbauer requested by Elsa & Monty
7:00 Alemaria Esteves Ceballo, Rose Esteves Valarezo & Rosa Madrid Sanche requested by Olga Vieira
9:00 Joseph Onufrak requested by Loving Wife & Family
9:00 LCPL David Lindsey requested by Mike & Janine
10:30 Peter Heiberger requested by The Story Family
10:30 The Thomas Family requested by Claire & Jim
12:00 Joseph Haufe requested by Doreen
12:00 Adeline Valente requested by Cathy & Norm West
5:00 Joseph Strano requested by The Messner Family
5:00 Jesus Tapel requested by Mr & Mrs Daniel Ventola

Sunday, November 25, 2007

Sunday, December 31, 2006

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FROM THE DESK OF FR. MIKE

FROM THE DESK OF FR. MIKE

Today is the Feast of Christ the King and it is the Last Sunday of the Liturgical Year. This day was called for by the Pope as an answer to the rise of Fascists Leaders in Europe and Asia. These leaders as well as the Communist in the Soviet Union placed the state in the position that is reserved only for God, and told their citizens that the state, not humanity came first. Thus this Feast was established so that we could truly focus on the true King of our lives Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. While today we celebrate this feast at the end of the Liturgical Year, it was not always celebrated on this Sunday, but the focus has always been the same: Jesus! Of course by moving the Feast to this last Sunday of the year, we are called to take the time to look back and see how well we made Christ our King during this past year. I know that each year when I look back at how well I did I find myself wanting. Hopefully I have made some progress, but I know that there are some areas where I still struggle and sometimes fail. But looking back is necessary and helpful so that I can know where to start or where to change during the next Liturgical year that begins next weekend with the First Sunday of Advent.
How about you, how well are you doing in making Christ the true focus and King of your life. What is in your life that has to change and how honest are you being to yourself about the areas that you are struggling with. How about us as a Parish Family how are we doing? Not easy to ask and not easy to look at, but if we don’t then we can’t grow and become more and more like Christ our King, who constantly calls us to Himself. As mentioned above next Sunday is the First Sunday of Advent which we will talk more about Advent next week: so get ready!
However, to better prepare ourselves for the holy season of Advent we will have several opportunities for
prayer and they are listed below:
Saturday Dec. 1st Christmas Tree Lighting on the Parish Grounds following the 5 PM Mass.
Sunday Dec. 9th Advent Lessons and Carols 2:30 PM in the Church
Dec. 11th, 12th and 13th Advent Evenings of Prayer 7:30 PM-8:30 PM in the Church With Thursday Night (13th Penance Service and Individual Confessions)
Saturday Dec. 15th 9AM-11AM Breakfast with St. Nicholas in Carew Hall
Thursday Dec. 20th Confession in the Church 7-8 PM.
Please try to attend these wonderful moments of prayer and spiritual renewal.
We close now with the opening prayer for the Mass of Christ the King:
Father all-powerful God of love, you have raised our Lord Jesus Christ from death to life, resplendent in glory as King if creation. Open our hearts, free al the world to rejoice in his peace, to glory in his justice, to live in his love. Bring all humanity together in Jesus Christ your Son, whose kingdom is with you and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen!
God bless you always
Fr. Mike

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REMEMBER OUR SICK
Dcn Jim Altonji Michael Ambrosio
William Barry Edmond Blinn
Oliver Bouchard Lu Clifford
Kathy Cunningham Ann DeMaio
Michael DePinto Paul Feldman
Robert Filce Edward Forsythe
Ann Fortunato Vincent Fortunato
Flavio Gabrielli Fortunato Gerald
Raymond Harold Kyle Heffron
Peggy Igilio Georgann Jenulis
Jane Keaveny Vincent Keaveny
Eileen Keddy Rachel Marie Keddy
Krystyna Kuras Kevin Latini
Donna Lipari Georgiana Lopez
Mary A Mahon Marie Mangan
Fred Martinek Sr Msgr Midura
Mike O'Leary Marion Pedroli
Lorraine Persson Grace C Peshkur
Paula Piccirillo Charles Powell
Nicole Ramaglia Betty Reddington
Joan Reilly William Reinertsen
John Reynolds Bill Schaaf
Louise Schaaf Darryll Smith
Ken Stokes Stacie Tizzard
Lloyd Turnier Fr Peter Wang
Deana Zoeller
PLEASE NOTE: To keep our prayer list current, we will keep names on the sick list for two months. We ask families to return the bulletin cut-out to include names of those who are ill for another two months.

PRAY FOR OUR TROOPS
SGT Deborah Alfieri PFC Matthew Altonji
LCPL Justin Aragones TSGT Louis Barletta
2LT Stephen Bartoszak LT Michael-Jon Bonacorsa
PFC Justin Browne SGT Michael Bruno
LTCOL James Cersosimo CPL Glenn Clacher
SPC Thomas E. Corcoran SPC Jason Crawford
CPT Edward Cuevas PFC John B Cuneo
SGT Ryan Delaney TSGT Timothy Dermody
LTCOL Kurt Diehl SGT Stephen Gene DiGirolamo
SSGT Tony Elliott LT Kelly Fletcher
SPC Adam Franciosa CPT Evan Gotkin
RCT RJ Hartmann AB J.R. Kay
SGT John W Keohane SSGT Steven Knight
CPL Andrew Kochman PFC Thomas J Lupo
LCPL Marshall PVT Thomas B McGinn
SGT Patrick McNally PFC William Meyer
CPO Gregory Migliore SGT Glenn Miller
2LT Heather Miras SGT Daniel Montville
SSGT Brian Moran MAJ Gregory Mueller
LCPL Thomas Napolitano LCPL Michael Napolitano
PVT Todd Nelson LCPL James Neubauer
LCPL Anthony Notaroberta PVT James Notaroberta
SGT Brian O'Leary SGT Brian Pacella
N/Seal Paul Padro ENS3 Lucy Padro
CPT Michael Parisi 2LT Anthony Parisi
MAJ Paul E Pinaud CTR2 Matthew Pistritto
SGT Edwin Rivera, II LCPL William R Rodgers
LCPL Anthony M Sbrocco SSGT Jason Schiavo
CPL Brian Schildt LCPL W.Mason Shehan
SPC James Stanek PVT Erica Sweeney
PFC Greg Terrish CPL Jason Tulowitzki
SSGT Nick Vicale SGT John Thomas Vogt
LCPL Brandon Waldon SGT Randolph Weaver
2LT John Wolven
If you would like to include a soldier from your family who is serving, please fill out the cut out below & put it in the collection basket.

REMEMBERING THE SICK
Please include the following in the bulletin sick list:
______________________________
Name of person who is ill:
_____________________________ ____________________
Person making this request: Relationship to ill person
Your Phone #: _____________________
(Please place in collection basket or return to Church Office)
(Friends can be placed on the silent prayer list only)

REMEMBERING OUR TROOPS
Please include the following soldier in your prayers :
______________________________
Name, Rank and Branch of Service
_____________________________ ____________________
Person making this request: Relationship to Soldier
Your Phone #: _____________________
(Please place in collection basket or return to Church Office)
(Friends can be placed on the silent prayer list only)

REMEMBER OUR DEAD
Brian C Murphy, our deceased soldiers and all of our deceased relatives and friends.
Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace.
May their souls and all the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace. Amen

Sunday, November 25, 2007

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The 2008
Entertainment Books
are in!
They can be purchased in the back of Church beginning next Sunday, in the Religious Ed Office and in the Rectory. For only $20 they make GREAT holiday gifts! Get yours before they sell out.

St Joseph’s School
school@stjoronk.org
The administration, faculty and staff of St. Joseph School hope all Parish families had a Happy Thanksgiving!
We are full speed ahead into the Advent/Christmas season. Many plans
are being made for our school concerts and days of prayer. In our fast paced society it is hard to keep ourselves focused on the "waiting and preparing" of Advent. We are so rushed into the final days of Christmas. We hope to keep our students aware of this important step that we take in Advent so that we can fully appreciate Christmas.
Our Holiday Boutique will be from Wed. Nov. 28 thru Fri. Nov.30th. down in Carew Hall. All are welcome to come and shop from 9:00 - 2:00.
We will have an Advent Family Prayer Service on Monday, Nov.26th at 7PM. Please mark your calendars. Please join us!

Outreach
sjpo@verizon.net
Thank you for all the turkeys and fixins’ that you donated to our
clients. Your generosity provided not only food for their tables, but also food for their souls. Thank you.

Robert Dylan Buglione
Madison Rose Goncalves
Keira Reilly McGarry
Shea Olivia Mikos
Amanda Marie Thurston

Religious Education
reled@stjoronk.org
Office Hours are:
9 - 4 on Monday & Thursday 10 - 4 on Tuesday & Wednesday
There are two Parent Meetings scheduled for parents of all children preparing to receive First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion this year. We will meet in Carew Hall at 7:30 pm on Monday the 26th or at 10 am on Tues the 27th. The meeting will last no longer then 1 hour.
On Monday Dec. 3rd the children in Level 5 will receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Please check the notice they received in class the week of November 26th.
Join us next
Saturday,
December 1
after the 5PM Mass for our annual tree lighting!

St. Vincent de Paul
Today we celebrate Christ the King, may we open the door of our heart so wide that we may listen to the voice of Jesus calling us to help build His kingdom here on earth.

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Sunday, November 25, 2007
, 2005

RESPECT LIFE
In early July of this year, Hawaii enacted Baby Safe haven legislation, after legislators successfully voted to override Governor Lingle’s earlier veto of the bill. With House bill 1830 now law, Hawaii became t he 48th state to enact Safe Havens. This new law provides immunity from prosecution for leaving an unharmed newborn at certain safe havens within 72 hours of birth, as well as immunity from liability for personnel at the safe havens for receiving a newborn.
Only Alaska and Nebraska remain without laws that allow desperate birth mothers to relinquish their newborns legally. The Helpline telephone number for Baby Safe Haven is 1-877-796-HOPE (4673).
Another resource for mother-to-be who find themselves unable to deal with the idea of a pregnancy is t he Life Center of Long Island, with offices in Deer Park (631-243-2373)
Massapequa (516-798-9100) and Hempstead (516-408-6300). At these offices, help is given in many ways, including free pregnancy testing and a free sonogram with a doctor for abortion-minded women; material assistance, including g layettes, strollers, cribs, car seats, clothing and other baby items; and maybe most importantly, assistance in obtaining maternity housing, schooling, and medical care.
There is also the opportunity for any person who has struggled with the emotional or spiritual pain of an abortion experience to find reconciliation and healing, through Rachel’s Vineyard, sponsored by the Life Center.
Also, targeting the young, LI Teen Freedom is the abstinence education program, with a goal to empower every adolescent on Long Island with the sills necessary to practice abstinence, and have lives that are free from the negative consequences of premarital sex.
All of the above mentioned services are free. The Life Center, and its director, Lorraine Gariboldi depend primarily on individual and private contributions, with very little government funding. The Baby Bottle fundraiser at our church this past spring, to which many of our parishioners contributed, helped to aid those in need and to educate and encourage our communities to the beauty of life-affirming choices. Life Center Newsletter, 11/11/07
LIFE FACTS
At Day 1 Fertilization: My life begins. I have unique DNA and am called a zygote.
Week 1 I’m an embryo seeking nourishment in my mother’s womb
Week 3 My heart begins to beat
Week 6 My liver makes blood cells
Week 7 My brain waves can be detected
Week 8 I now have fingerprints
Week 10 I’m sensitive to touch; I can swallow
Week 11 Now three inches long, I do somersaults
Week 12 All systems, circulatory, respiratory, etc, are working
Month 4 My heart pumps 6 gallons of blood a day
To be continued…….

Weekly Offering
Sunday, November 18, 2007 Offerings $18,027
Same collection last year 18,350
Number of envelopes 569
Poor Box last weekend $440
Fuel Collection $4,919
Same time last year 5,841
Diocesan Collection for Human Development
This Year $ 791
Last Year 932
Thank you for your generous response to the appeal for increased giving.
God Bless You Always, Fr Mike

Mark Your Calendars !!
We will begin decorating the Church for Advent on Friday, November 30th at 6:30PM. Your help would be greatly
appreciated.

Support Parish Outreach and
Keep Christ in Christmas
The St Regis Squires & Squirettes will be selling a limited number of “Keep Christ in Christmas” car magnets after Masses on December 8 & 9th. All proceeds from this sale will go directly to St Joseph’s Parish Outreach program to help holiday food & gifts to those in need in our community. A $5 donation is asked for each car magnet.

Mark Your Calendars
Nov 30 Gospel Study 10-11 AM Carew Hall
Nov 30 Advent Decorating 6:30PM Church
Dec 1 Tree Lighting after 5PM Mass
Dec 2 Unity Sunday
Dec 3 Baptism Class 8-9 PM Rectory
Dec 8 Feast of the Immaculate Conception
Dec 8 Prayer Service for Life 6-7PM in Church
Dec 9 Lessons & Carols 2:30-4:00 Church
Dec 10 Baptism Class 8-9PM Rectory

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The Giving Tree is up in the lobby of the church
Once again we are asking that you please donate gift cards rather than wrapped gifts.
When we give our clients gift cards they are able to experience the same joy of selecting gifts for their family as
we do in selecting gifts for ours.
Many of our generous parishioners have told us how much they enjoy
purchasing gifts for the Giving Tree.
For those of you who would still like to purchase a gift rather than give a gift card, please know that a toy for children from ages 2–8 would be truly appreciated.
Please take an angel from the tree and return you gifts by December 13th to the Outreach office or the Rectory.
As always your generosity
allows others to share in the spirit
of the season
Thank you

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Dear Parishioners,
Thank you for your attentiveness on the weekend of November 11th as we spoke about the spiritual and financial condition of our Beautiful Parish. Please see on the following page the Parish Financial Report for the Last Fiscal Year we spoke about. As you can see on the bottom of the sheet, we are short approximately $3,000 each week.
As we asked last weekend, please consider raising your weekly contribution by $2 or more and support our fundraisers in order for us to meet this average shortage.
God Bless You Always,
Fr. Mike

Parish Financial Report
Fiscal Year 9-1-06 thru 8-31-07
Income
Ordinary
Sundays, Holydays, Christmas & Easter $981,155
Fuel, Snow, Ciboria Refinishing, Memorial Bricks $58,323
Fund Raising
Festival, Backwards Drawing, Catholic Ministries
Appeal Rebate, Calendar Club $102,954
Parish Programs
Religious Education, Outreach, St. Vincent de Paul,
Youth Programs $200,876
Auxiliary Income
Liturgical, Candles, Poor Box, Book Rack, Parish Societies
Donations, LI Catholic Collection, Interest Income,
Bulletin Rebate, Flowers at Easter & Christmas $158,356
Total Ordinary Income $1,501,664
Expenses
Salaries & Benefits $854,435
Parish Programs
Religious Education, School, Outreach,
St. Vincent de Paul, Youth Ministry $431,911
Printing & Office Expense $55,235
Auxiliary Expense
Liturgical, Book Rack, Missalette/Hymnals, Choir,
L I Catholic subscriptions, Diocesan Assessments
Charity $141,084
Rectory Household $21,562
Buildings Utilities & Maintenance $190,443
Total Ordinary Expenses $1,694,670
Less Income -1,501,664
Shortfall $193,006
Average weekly shortage $3,712

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Building for
the Future

It’s Time

Goal: $200,000
To Date: $109,375

We Are ready to begin but we still need your help.
As you can see, we are half way to our goal of funds needed to complete the projects we have been speaking of since the Spring. Our next step is to tear down the convent and cart away the debris. After that, we will permanently install the modular buildings we purchased to become our new Religious Education Office. This is made possible by the generosity of all parishioners, several of which have already responded. We thank those who have made a pledge or donation and we ask you to please help us in any way you can. Use the tear out below and drop it in the collection basket at mass or bring/mail to the rectory office at
45 Church St. Ronkonkoma, NY 11779. God Bless you.

Yes, Fr. Mike, I want to Help St. Joseph’s
Finish the Restoration Projects and Build for the Future!
Name: __________________________________ Phone# ________________
Address:________________________________________ ID # ___________
We welcome all pledges. If each family could make a pledge of $200 it would be greatly appreciated. All pledges are payable over the period of time you designate.
Pledge Amount _______________ Amount Enclosed __________________
I would like to make payments of $________ Monthly Quarterly please circle one

Fr. Mike, I authorize you to charge my credit card for $______ each month until the total of my pledge is paid in full.
Credit Card Type: MC Visa American Express Other _________________
Credit Card # ________-_______-_______-__________
Security code # on back of card (3 or 4 digit #) ____Expiration Date ______
Signature ______________________________________________________

And the Winners Are….

November 2007

Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat
				1 $75 / All Saints Day / Pat Blinn # 8 / # 8	2 $25 / Dianna Dunbar / # 729 / # 729	3 $25 / Michael & Blanche Kubik / # 440
4 $50 / Margaret Hanley / # 463	$25 / Barbara Mickelson / # 439	$25 / Msgr. Midura / # 654	$25 / Charles M Siebert / # 422	$25 / Clare & Lou Antonucci / # 138	$25 / Marilyn Crisham / # 246	$25 / Joe & Marie Califano / # 341
$50 / John Weber / # 121	$25 / MaryAnn & EJ / Kochman / # 411	$25 / Ed & Doris / Straub / # 638	$25 / Linda Perniciaro / # 719	$25 / Ed & Pat McNally / # 364	$25 / Jim & Doris Bruun / # 353	$25 / Christine & Victor / SanFilippo # 855
$50 / Rachel Lupinacci / # 581	$25 / Anne / DiGregorio / # 784	$25 / Barbara Cutrone / # 788	$25 / Thomas F / Mistretta # 812	$75 / Thanksgiving / Susan & Vita / # 56	$25 / Louis & Georgiana / Lopez # 297	$25 / John & Victoria Ryder / # 354
25 $50	26	27	28	29	30

The Calendar Club
Everyday for the next year we will draw one number. The owner of that number will win the prize for that day. Then the number is put back into the mix for the next day’s drawing, giving you another opportunity to WIN! $25 buys you 1 number & 362 chances to win. $100 will buy you 1,810 chances to win !!!!
Your donation must accompany this form. We ask you to return your request as soon as possible so you can get in on the winning. Thank you and Good Luck!
MAIL TO: St Joseph Church, 45 CHURCH STREET, RONKONKOMA, NY 11779
MEMBERS NAME: ____________________________
ADDRESS: ____________________________________
TELEPHONE NUMBER: ________________________
NUMBER OF CALENDARS: X $25 = $ ______ 5 FOR $100 TOTAL ENCLOSED $ __________

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St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church

Lessons and Carols
Sunday
December 9th
2:30 PM
in the Church
Readings and Music to Celebrate the Season

A Brief History of THE FESTIVAL OF LESSONS and CAROLS
The tradition of the “Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols” was established in England on Christmas Eve, 1918, in the chapel of Kings College, Cambridge University. The Service of Nine Lessons and Carols usually consists of nine
lessons (beginning with the Old Testament and working through to the beginning of the Gospel of Saint John) each followed by a carol. The custom of performing Lessons and Carols on the first Sunday in December, began as a festival in thanksgiving for the impending Incarnation.

Join us for an Advent Celebration

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You’re Invited to
St Joseph’s
Advent Evenings of Prayer
Please Join Us on
Tuesday, Wednesday &
Thursday
December 11th, 12th & 13th
7:30 - 8:30
In the Church
Thursday there will be a
Penance service followed by
individual confessions

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Did you know there are only 365 days in a year to shop ??
And did do you know that St. Joseph’s has a scrip program that can not only make
shopping easier but can also help your parish ??
Here’s how it works….Before you go shopping you can buy gift cards at face value through St. Joseph’s scrip program. Each time you purchase a gift card the retailer gives St. Joseph’s a small percentage of the sale as a discount.
St Joseph’s scrip program stocks all the local grocery stores - King Kullen (Wild By Nature), Stop & Shop,
Waldbaums, Pathmark & Shoprite as well as Produce Warehouse and Meat Farms.
Hate to cook but love to make reservations - stop by and pick up gift cards to an assortment of restaurants - Olive
Garden, Charlie Brown’s Steakhouse, Cheesecake Factory, Chili’s, Applebee’s, Outback and TGI Fridays.
Maybe you find yourself going to the Drive Thru window in between soccer practice and dance lessons - we have
certificates for Wendy’s, Burger King, Boston Market, Kentucky Fried Chicken and Starbuck’s.
Children receive invitations to so many Birthday parties throughout the year - Toys-R-Us, Borders, Blockbuster and Sports Authority are always in stock to help with that task.
When you’re invited to an Anniversary, House Warming or Engagement Party and don’t know what to give - stop by the rectory and choose from an assortment of gift cards that will always be the right size and color - try Kohl’s,
JC Penny, Sears or Macy’s.
Are you a do-it-yourself type of person ? Then we have the scrip for you ! Home Depot, Lowes, JoAnne Fabrics and
Staples are kept in stock.
We have a list of gift cards that are not kept in stock but that can be special ordered through the rectory. These orders are paid in advance and are placed on Monday so that we will have them by Thursday for you.
Did you know that you can also use Kohl’s and JC Penny gift cards to pay your bill ! Just pick up the scrip before going to the store to pay your monthly bill and you’ll be helping out St Joseph’s at the same time.
NEW RETAILERS >>>> Rite Aid, Nine West, Subway, Cooking.Com, Fashion Bug, Ticketmaster, Michaels Craft Store, Steve & Barry’s and the Hard Rock Café. These are special order items and can be ordered through the rectory.

SCRIP

SCRIP

SCRIP

SCRIP

SCRIP

SCRIP

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Christmas Cash
The Sky’s the Limit
50/50 Raffle
Tickets are $10 each; 3 for $25
Drawing to be held on Dec. 15th At Breakfast with St. Nicholas
(Winner need not be present)
Grand Prize... Determined by ticket sales Half of total proceeds goes to St. Joseph’s church & Half to one lucky winner
Could you use some extra
Christmas cash???
Watch for tickets in your parish mailing Or you may purchase tickets at the rectory

St Joseph’s celebrates
Breakfast with St. Nicholas
Please join us on Saturday, December 15, 2007 from 9 to 11 in Carew Hall
Adults: $ 5.00 and Children: $ 3.00
Seniors and children under 3 yrs.: Free
Children’s Craft Table Photographs Available
Christmas Carols & More!

Breakfast w/ St. Nicholas St Joseph R C Church
45 Church St, Ronkonkoma, NY 11779
Number of Adults _____ # of Children _______ # Seniors & Children under 3: _______
Thank you for your support. Please make checks payable to: St Joseph RC Church
Name:
Address:
City State Zip
Please return with payment to Rectory or Place in Collection Basket by December 9th. Thank You.

Page 16

Understand and Deepen Your Faith
The Evangelization Group proudly presents a new educational opportunity: A practical and effective program to help Catholics to know and deepen their Faith.
We all live busy, busy lives and finding the time to learn about our faith is difficult; even to read a book on faith is difficult. We have an exciting program starting here at St. Joseph’s Church. In the back of the Church you will see a display offering inspiring and educational Catholic CDs and Brochures. These CDs include explanations of our catholic faith, accounts of God’s incredible mercy in the personal lives of Catholics, and practical information for living your faith. This program has been started in many parishes all over the country and in our neighborhood at St Mathew’s Church in Dix Hills.
Those who greatly benefited from this program, who rediscovered their faith share their experience:
“ These CDs helped make the Mass come alive and left me with a hunger to learn more”
Russ, Dayton, OH.
“I found these CDs very enlightening for myself and for my wife’s conversion”
Matthew, Nashua, NH
“With these CDs I hope to bring my husband back to the Faith and be able to guide our two sons”
Kathleen, Edwardsville, IL
Where you have a CD player, at home or in the car, by listening, you can deepen your understanding and love for the catholic Faith. Listen as you drive or even as you exercise.
These CDs are free but a donation of $3.00 per CD and $0.50 per Brochure is gratefully appreciated so that we could continue with this program.
Once you listen, please share the CDs and Brochures with your family and friends. All that you spend per CD is $3.00 and besides deepening your Faith and you become an agent of spreading the Faith. We will add new titles once the present set of CDs are made use of.
The list of the CDs and Brochures available:
Which came First: The Bible or the Church? By Mathew Arnold
The Holy Eucharist By Fr. Bill Casey
The Sacrament of Penance By Fr. Bill Casey
Why a Protestant Pastor became a Catholic? By Dr. Scot Hahn
How to Bring Fallen Away Catholic Back By Dr. Scot Hahn
Prayer is Dialogue By Archbishop Fulton Sheen
Making Sense of Our Suffering By Dr. Scot Hahn
Anger and Forgiveness By Deacon Bob MacDonald
The Joy of Stewardship By Fr. John Lanzrath
How to Make a Good Confession
How to Pray the Rosary
Eucharistic Adoration

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For the Young at Heart

YOUTH IN MINISTRY
Every Sunday at 5:00 PM, St. Joseph’s Parish offers a modern, upbeat, worship experience designed
especially for youth and their families.
Everyone in grades 7-12 is invited to participate.
We’re looking for: Lectors Ushers Musicians/Singers Altar Servers
Eucharistic Ministers (Eucharistic ministers must be over 18)
For more information about joining Youth in Ministry, contact YIM@StJoRonk.org

Venturing Events
In Carew Hall after 5:00 PM Mass
Open to all young men & women from 9th grade to age 20. Join Crew 272 as they venture into the Fall !!
Next Meeting
December 2
E-mail: Crew272@StJoRonk.org Phone: Advisor Mike Keller (631) 467-6468

Countdown to Christmas
If you would like to help the youngsters in your life count the days until Christmas in a meaningful way, consider giving them Advent Calendars. Each day of December, as the children open numbered doors, they find reminders of the true meaning of the holiday.
Advent Calendars can be purchased at our parish bookrack, along with seasonal coloring books and storybooks, which make excellent stocking stuffers.

Cub Scout Pack 272
Boy Scout Troop 272
St. Joseph’s Cub Scout Pack 272 and Boy Scout Troop 272 have fun, exciting, educational, character building programs for boys, age 7 through 17 (first grade and up).
For more information or to enroll your child, contact Dr. Louis Scotti at 979-0060 or e-mail JoinScouting@StJoRonk.org.

Sport for all Seasons
ST. JOSEPH CYO CYO

Baseball: Gene ( 588-1879
Basketball:
Girls Intramural & Travel : Christine ( 275-8321
Boys Intramural : Henry ( 467-6091
Boys Travel: Vinney ( 467-3651
Soccer :
Intramural : Joe ( 737-6299
Travel : Tony B ( 737-5159
Track: Karen ( 588-8636
Chairman: Henry Melchiona ( 467-6091

St Joseph's Play Group
Calling all babies, toddlers and pre schoolers - Come meet new friends at the St Joseph’s Playgroup! Bring your Mom, Dad, Grandparents or caregiver to Fr. Carew Hall on Thursday’s at 9:30 AM. There you’ll meet other St Joseph’s families and spend an hour of fun with other children from birth to age 5. For more information please call Sally Miller at 737-5120. Hope to see you there!

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Courtesy Announcements
GF Handel’s “MESSIAH” will be performed in concert by the Choral Society of the Moriches on Friday, December 14th at 7:30PM in St Jude’s Church at 89 Overlook Drive in Mastic. A free-will offering will be taken with a suggested donation of $10 per adult and $5 per student. This is a gift you can give yourself to bring the spirit of Christmas into your heart.
“Walk with Mary” - Women’s Enrichment Ministry of Holy Cross Parish in Nesconset is offering an evening of prayer, inspiration and song on December 5th at 7PM. Walk away from the hectic holiday season and choose to “Walk with Mary”. For more information call 265-2200.
Infant Jesus Christmas Fair - Saturday, December 1st from 10Am to 5PM in the Parish Center. Vendors Wanted - $50.00 Reservation includes indoor setting , table & chairs. For more information call 631-473-0165.
Andy Cooney’s “Classic Irish Christmas Show” to benefit Hope House Ministries on Saturday, December 8th at 2:00PM at St Joseph’s College in Patchogue. Reserved seat admission tickets are $30 per person and may be purchased by calling Hope House Ministries at 631-928-2377 ext 22.
Wanted- Volunteers - 1 hour of your time, 1 day a week to deliver meals to the homebound, Monday thru Friday, 10:45-12:00 Noon. Please call Suzette at 467-8948 if you are able to help Meals on Wheels.
Meals-On-Wheels - Lake Nutrition Meals-on-Wheels provides food to elderly and homebound Monday thru Friday, two meals a day. Hot meals & cold meals are available for a charge of $6 for both meals. Call 467-8948 for information.
Smithtown Central School District Adult Basic Education Program–Free Classes! Learn English, Earn your GED, High School Equivalency Diploma, Prepare for Citizenship, Gain Basic Computer Skills (Seniors & ESL Students) & Receive Career Counseling! For more info call 382-2181 or www.smithtown.k12.ny.us
Professional Therapy & Counseling provided by NYS licensed psychologists are available to our parish. You may be seen at any of the other 70 participating parishes. It is provided by the Catholic Counseling Center which is independent of and not controlled or supervised by the parish or diocese. Most insurance policies are honored. For confidential information and appointment, call Dr Giuliani at 243-2503.
Retrouvaille is a peer ministry. Couples who have had problems in their own marriage & have recovered from those problems, share their experiences with troubled couples in the hope that they too will see that their marriage can be saved. A Retrouvialle weekend is a deeply personal & private experience between a husband & wife that can help a couple to reconnect & go on to lead a happy & fulfilling life together. For more information call 1-800-470-2230.
St Vincent’s Famous Model Train & Toy Show - Sunday, December 2, between the hours of 10AM and 3PM. We are located at 1500 de Paul St in Elmont. $5.00 at the door for adults, children under 12 free when accompanied by an adult and seniors $4.00. $8.00 for 9:00 early admission. For more information call 516-352-2127.
S this fall
ONE TREE
9 original songs based on faith & hope.
ROCK...BLUES…POP...influences.

We’re Looking For…
BOX TOPS - from cereals for Educational purposes are always welcomed. Please drop them in the collection.
DEPOSIT BOTTLES AND CANS- Please place them in the baskets that are located on the school side of the Church on weekends or behind the rectory during the week.
CELL PHONES - Please bring your no longer used or needed cell phones and deposit them at the Scrip table in the Church lobby.
INKJET CARTRIDGES - Drop them off (in a plastic baggie) when you come to mass. We will send them to a company who reuses them and gives the parish a bounty for each. One note, to clear confusion, if it is larger than a fist, it is not an inkjet cartridge!!!