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St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church

OUR LITURGY
Our readings are full of diverse insights on eternal life and the fulfillment of the Kingdom. Isaiah speaks of a pilgrimage to the mountain, where the faithful will be instructed in God’s ways. Paul calls us to wake up, throw off the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light. The Gospel echoes this by describing the need to be prepared for the unexpected return of Christ.

ALTAR BREAD & WINE
In Memory of
Catherine DeBellis
Requested by
Joe & Marie Califano

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 Maffeo
Fr Maffeo
Fr Boyle
Fr Thomas
Fr Tapel
Fr Thomas

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

Holy Hour for Life
Saturday Evening, December 8th, 6-7 PM
Immediately following the 5:00PM Mass
During this time before the Blessed Sacrament,
we will pray the Rosary and other prayers for
an end to abortion, for all victims of abortion
and for the respect and sanctity of all human life
from womb to natural death.
Please Join Us
This hour is part of the National Night of Prayer for Life taking place in churches across Long Island.

MASS INTENTIONS
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
Monday, December 3, St Francis Xavier
7:00 Blanka Henreg requested by The Metzler Family
7:00 Shirley Pispilli requested by The Planken Family
9:00 Daniel J O’Donnell requested by Helen Onufrak
9:00 Serafina Cicolini requested by Serafina & Salvatore
Tuesday, December 4, St John of Damascus
7:00 Neil Vetter requested by Janet Kramer
7:00 George Nyssen requested by Laurie & Robert Webb
8:45 Edward Hayes requested by Cheryl & Jerry
8:45 Rosemarie Bassett requested by Rich, Donna, Jack & Ava
Wednesday, December 5
7:00 The People of the Parish
9:00 Lee Petie requested by Mr & Mrs Andrew Erato
9:00 Mary Dougherty requested by Cathy & Norm West
Thursday, December 6, St Nicholas
7:00 Gladys Carrasquillo requested by Joan Duarte & Family
7:00 George Nyssen requested by Anne & George Valentine
9:00 Edward Livingston requested by Ann & Vincent Festa
9:00 Gladys Dillon requested by Evelina & Kevin Dowd
Friday, December 7, St Ambrose
7:00 The Purga Family requested by Loving Family
7:00 Sr Marie Denise requested by Grateful Students
9:00 Rita & Tom Griffith requested by Loving Son Jerry
9:00 Rosemary Beck requested by Claire & Jim
7:30PM Vigil Mass for the Immaculate Conception
Saturday, December 8, Immaculate Conception of Blessed Virgin Mary
8:00 The People of the Parish
10:00 The People of the Parish
12:00 The People of the Parish
Anticipated Mass for Sunday
5:00 Ralph Perillo requested by Loving Wife & Family
5:00 Ellen & Patrick Cleere Family requested by Timothy & Jean Cleere Family
Sunday, December 9, 2nd Sunday of Advent
7:00 Cornelius J Dunleavy requested by Loving Wife Anne
7:00 John H Burnett requested by Loving Family
9:00 For an End to Abortion requested by St Joseph’s Respect Life
9:00 Mark Kurnatowski & Jozef Wolanski requested by Loving Family
10:30 John Kelly requested by Tom & Marie O’Connell
10:30 LCPL David Lindsey requested by Ann & Nick
12:00 Brian McGee, Mary & Jack D’Agostino requested by
Loving Family & Friends
12:00 Rose Ricciardo requested by Loving Friends
5:00 Dennis Sheahan requested by Patty & Jerry
5:00 Jeff Fey requested by Mom & Dad

Sunday, December 2, 2007

Sunday, December 31, 2006

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FROM THE DESK OF FR. MIKE

FROM THE DESK OF FR. MIKE

Today we enter into the Holy Season of Advent and we begin the New Liturgical Year. Advent is a time of Preparation as we prepare to celebrate and look forward to the two comings of Christ: His 1st at Bethlehem and His 2nd at the End of the World, but of course to be different we focus on the 2nd coming first! We see in Matthew’s Gospel today (this year in the 3yr.Liturgical Cycle we will be hearing the Gospel mainly from Mathew) Jesus is talking about the End of Time. Most people are afraid to speak or even think about the end time and fear Christ’s Second Coming and I think it is because we do not know what to expect and it’s probably going to hurt. It cannot be this way with us! We as Christians are actually looking forward to the Second Coming, for it will mean that the time of struggle between life and death, light and darkness, and good and evil is over and the victory of the Cross and Resurrection is fully realized. However, the Second Coming does remind us that we must always be ready for Christ to come, and that we should be fully prepared to welcome Him by showing Him our readiness to live our lives according to the Gospel, our desire to build the Kingdom of God, and our willingness to take our place in the Kingdom. That is why this first part of Advent calls us to remember that Christ will come again and we should be PREPARED!
Our last two weeks of Advent then call us to change our focus a little bit. Oh yes, we are still looking for the Second Coming (something we should do everyday), but now we are looking to celebrate the wonderful day of Jesus’ First Coming as the Babe born in the City of David. But this is more than just the birth of a child (although that in itself is a marvelous event) this is the celebration of God becoming one of us in the person of Jesus. This is God’s greatest gift to humanity, and God’s greatest act of love maybe even greater than the gift of creating us. Christ the Savior of Humanity and the one who calls us each to a place in God’s Kingdom is born to us and we have been changed. That is what we are preparing to fully celebrate on December 24th and 25th when we enter the Christmas Season. Advent gives us the time to do this and make every heart prepare its room.
Advent’s main symbol is the Advent Wreath which we will bless today at all of the Masses. The Wreath with its four candles (3 Purple and 1 Rose) reminds us of the circular movement of our Liturgical Lives and even our everyday lives as we come back to where we start, only to start again, but now through the Grace of
God we are starting someplace else on a new circle as we hopefully have grown from where we were last year. We will wear the Purple Vestments for weeks 1, 2, and 4 and Purple tells us we are in Preparation Mode, but for the 3rd Week we will wear the Rose Color Vestment for this also known as GAUDETE SUNDAY which tells us to Rejoice. Rose, the lighter color, reminds us that our preparation time is almost over and soon we will celebrate the great day of Christ’s Birth.
Also during the Advent Season, we celebrate the Great Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. On this day we remember the gift that God gave our Blessed Mother before she was even born of being conceived in St. Ann’s womb without Original Sin. Only she and her Son were conceived without the stain of Original Sin so that we can all be saved from it. Our Lord of course because He is God made one of us and our dear Blessed Mother was given this gift because she was to be the pure vessel that would carry the Holy Child and bring Him into the world. This year we will celebrate Mass on the eve Dec.7th at 7:30 PM and on the day Saturday Dec. 8th at 8 AM, 10 AM, and 12 Noon. While this Feast falls on a Saturday it is still a Holy Day of Obligation because Our Dear Mother under the title of The Immaculate Conception is the Patron Saint of our beautiful country The United States of America. So this is our National Patronal Feast and what better way to celebrate it than attending the Life Giving Sacrifice of the Mass. Please note, however, that the Saturday 5PM Mass will not be for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception; it will be the vigil Mass for the Sunday Dec. 9th, the 2nd Sunday of Advent. But following the 5 PM Mass, we will have our Annual Holy Hour for Life before the Exposed Blessed Sacrament as we pray for an end to Abortion, Euthanasia, and the taking of all Innocent Human Life.
Also please keep in your prayers our Pastoral Year Seminarian from 2ys. Ago, Mr. Lachlan Cameron as he will be ordained a Deacon on Dec. 8th at the Seminary. Please keep Deacon Cameron and his class mates in your prayers as they take the final steps toward Priesthood this coming June. Deacon Lachlan will be the Deacon of the Mass on Sunday Dec. 9th at the 10:30 AM Mass; what a wonderful gift to the people of St. Joseph’s.
Happy Advent
Fr. Mike

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REMEMBER OUR SICK
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
Mary A Mahon Marie Mangan
Anthony Martinez Msgr Midura
Mike O'Leary Marion Pedroli
Lorraine Persson Grace C Peshkur
Paula Piccirillo Charles Powell
Nicole Ramaglia Betty Reddington
William Reinertsen John Reynolds
Richard Silvia Louise Schaaf
Darryll Smith Ken Stokes
Stacie Tizzard Lloyd Turnier
Fr Peter Wang Deana Zoeller
Ronald Cassidy
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
LCPL John Brown 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 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 SGT Wade Lynch
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
Josephine Ambrosini, Gerard DeSimone, Pauline Heyer, Warren F Kottl, William Schaaf,
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, December 2, 2007

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The 2008 Entertainment Books are in! They can be purchased in the back of Church on Sunday, in the Religious Ed Office & in the Rectory. For only $20 they make GREAT holiday gifts!

St Joseph’s School
school@stjoronk.org
The Diocese of Rockville Centre had a contest in honor of its 50th celebration. Our students in grades 4 - 8 entered with essays, poetry, and bookmarks. Dylan Sweeney, an eighth grader in our school, won the poetry contest for Zone 1. He now goes into the Diocesan Contest as a finalist. Great job!
Thank you to the Curry Family for the wreaths for our Advent Prayer Service. The evening was a great night for all. Thank you to all who participated.
Our Holiday Boutique was a great success! Thank you to all who supported our school.
Our Scholastic Book Fair will be the week of Dec. 2nd. Any parishioner who would like to shop at the fair and then donate a book to our library is welcome. Please contact the school office for more information.
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.
Join the Evangelization Team
As you may be aware ,we have started an Evangelization Group to reach out to inactive members of our parish. The Evangelization Group gathers regularly to pray, study & plan out programs to invite inactive Catholics back into our church community. The group will invite active & inactive parishioners of an area for prayer, Mass & fellowship in order to establish small communities of prayer. We will invite them to the Church for further prayer & to reacquaint them with the various ministries that serve St Joseph’s. Come join the Evangelization Group to share your time & talent for the good of the parish. To join contact Fr Thomas at the rectory 588-8456.
Banns of Marriage
(First Time)
Audrey Stout and Richard Grimaldi both of St Joseph’s
Agnes Lechowicz and Karol Bogdanowicz both of St Joseph’s

Religious Education
reled@stjoronk.org
Office Hours are:
9 - 4 on Monday & Thursday 10 - 4 on Tuesday & Wednesday
On Monday, December 3rd our Level 5 students will have the opportunity to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Please follow the schedule given to you in class.
On Monday December 10 a Level 1 Parent/Child Prayer service will be held in Church at 7:15 pm.
On Saturday, December 15th at the 5:00 pm Mass or Sunday December 16th at the 10:30 am Mass, Level 1 students may place their ornament on the trees which adorn our altar.
Reminder for Tuesday students, there will be no classes on Tuesday, December 11th.

St. Vincent de Paul
There is an Advent spirit in the heart of every human person. It is one of longing, of yearning for a fulfillment that somehow lies beyond ourselves; for we long for the coming of the Lord.
As you put your gift in the St Vincent de Paul Poor Box, your heart will discover the true meaning of Christmas as you help those who are suffering and poor to long for the coming of the Lord.

Sydney Marie Elizalde
Anthony Michael Imparato
Vincent Michael Loweth
Alexander Leonidas Stewart
Alexander David Vilmenay

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Sunday, December 2, 2007
, 2005

RESPECT LIFE
It seems that Planned Parenthood, an organization which receives millions of dollars per year in taxpayer money, wants more. They say they need it in order to bring sex education into classrooms. They are also pushing a piece of legislation they call the “Healthy Teen Act”. This act would establish a new state program to give money to schools and outside groups (read Planned Parenthood) to come into the schools to teach our children so-called safe sex. (How do you feel about that?)
The State Education Department already mandates both health education and HIV/AIDS education in our state’s public schools, grades K-12. Under these mandates, the subject of sexuality is already covered by classroom teachers. Most school boards of education require this as a part of health class. What material is covered depends on your school district. Do you know what material your school district requires be taught?
For the past nine years, state-funded abstinence programs were empowering youngsters with the skills they needed to build solid relationships, increase self-respect, and the control they needed to stay away from other risky behaviors, such as drugs, alcohol, and delinquency. Far from applying a “just say no” negative message, abstinence education was helping kids develop positive self control, discipline, responsibility, and the ability to set and achieve goals and say “yes” to a healthier future.
However, in September, Governor Spitzer’s health commissioner, Richard Daines, announced that NYS would end the abstinence education program, calling it an “ineffective” policy. Instead, he said the state would be re-investing that money – more than $2.5 million a year – into expanding contraceptive sex education.
According to its most recent financial statement Planned Parenthood Federation of America boasted almost $840 million in net assets for 2005-2006, with nearly one-third of that amount coming from government subsidies of one form or another. They are also aided in their mission by Internet sites, toll-free telephone numbers, billboards, Hollywood celebrities, the music industry and prime time television.
NYS does not need a new law to encourage more sexual activity among our students; the Healthy Teen Act is a money grab, pure and simple. It’s the first step toward a state regulation for Planned Parenthood’s kind of “education” in all our children’s classrooms. Lawmakers should see it for what it is and “just say no”.
K. Gallagher, The L.I. Catholic 11/21/07
PREGNANCY CRISIS HOTLINE - We are here to help you. Please call 981-6888.

Weekly Offering
Sunday, November 25, 2007 Offerings $16,383
Same collection last year 16,591
Number of envelopes 567
Poor Box last weekend $799
Fuel Collection $5,264
Same time last year 6,031
November Weekly Budget Amount $18,125
Last Week’s Collection 16,383
Shortfall $ 1,742
Thank you for your generous response to the appeal for increased giving.
God Bless You Always, Fr Mike
Outreach
sjpo@verizon.net
Free Food for NYS Women & Children
The FAN (Food and Nutrition Program) is offering FREE ENFAMIL FORMULA (both regular & Soy), also nutrition food for income eligible children under six years of age (not on WIC) plus pregnant & up to one year postpartum women. The INCOME guidelines are: A family of two with a weekly gross income of $488 is eligible. For each additional member add $124.
Call: 631-491-4166 or 516-623-4568.
Christmas began in the Heart of God.
It is complete only when it reaches the hearts of people .

Mark Your Calendars
Dec 2 Unity Sunday
Dec 3 Baptism Class 8-9 PM Rectory
Dec 7 Gospel Study 10-11 Rectory Rm A
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
Dec 11-13 Advent Prayer Services 7:30-8:30
Dec 13 Reconciliation 8:30-9PM
Dec 15 Breakfast with St Nick 9-11

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Backward Drawing – This year’s drawing was held on Saturday, Nov 24th. Once again it was a big success & a good time was had by all who attended the event.
And the winners are….
Ticket Drawn Ticket # Winner Prize Amount
1 056 Marie & George Hunt $200.00
50 466 Mr & Mrs Robert Golenko $200.00
100 256 St Joseph’s Church $200.00
150 244 Chrissy & Joe McHale $200.00
200 119 Barbara & John Cronin $200.00
250 159 Alfred Sapienza $250.00
300 197 Marie Kubicsko $200.00
350 131 Mark & Leslie Buttonow $200.00
400 309 Mary Johnson & Daughter Mary $200.00
450 106 Virginia S Rimando $200.00
495 359 Mr & Mrs Todd Szober $300.00
496 171 Tim Cleere $400.00
497 282 Fred Amerino $500.00
498 081 Rosemary Meehan $750.00
499 330 Mr & Mrs Luis Ramos $1,000.00
LAST TICKET DRAWN 399 Geney Probst & Fr Midura $10,000.00
Thank You!
We wish to thank all of our Sponsors whose generous donations helped to defray the cost of all the food, beverages and entertainment for this evening. They are:
Chiarelli’s Commercial Air & Heating
Dr. Lupinacci
Lyon Tree Service Moloney Funeral Home
Ocean Janitorial
Prestano’s Bakery Winter Brother’s Recycling
We also thank our local merchants for their donations of Raffle and Door Prizes. The perfect way to show them our gratitude is by stopping in and patronizing their business.
Perry’s Florist, Bagel Master, Hair Force One, Clean As A Whisker,
Chuck E Cheese, Red Lobster, Slater Pharmacy, The Flower Patch,
Stop & Shop, Island 16, Giorgio’s, Charli Brown’s Steakhouse
A Very Special Thank you to all the Volunteers who donated their Time and Talent throughout to help by selling tickets, setting up, cleaning up and getting donations
in support of this Fund Raiser. We couldn’t do it without you!

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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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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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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: $116,305

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
$50 / Joe & Marie / Califano / # 629	$25 / John & Donna / LaPlante / # 84	$25 / Kathy Purcaro / # 750	$25 / Lisa Naldrett / # 670	$25 / Mr & Mrs Edward Gabriel / # 595	$25 / James Ryan / # 443	$25 / Mrs Josephine Wohlers / # 304

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

Page 15

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

Page 16

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 17

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!

Page 18

Courtesy Announcements
Free Food for NY Seniors - the FAN is offering free food for Seniors age 60 and over who are income eligible. New eligible include a single senior whose gross monthly is $1,107 or less, and a senior whose gross monthly income is $1,484 or less. Call 631-491-4166 or 516-623-4568.
Adventerenstyle - a free admission concert featuring original modern rock, folk, Baroque (and Bach), a little new ,a little old with a beat that tells a story. December 9 at 6:30PM at Our Lady of Grace Church in West Babylon. 587-5185.
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 & $5 per student. A gift you can give yourself - 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 & song on December 5th at 7PM. Walk away from the hectic holiday season & choose to “Walk with Mary”. For more information call 265-2200.
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 & 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 & 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 provided by NYS licensed therapists, are available to our parish and 80 other parishes. It is provided by the Catholic Counseling Center which is independent of & not controlled or supervised by the parish or diocese. Most insurance policies are honored. For confidential information & appointment, call Dr Giuliani at 243-2503.
2
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 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!!!