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St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church

OUR LITURGY
The messages of Isaiah and John the Baptist, two of Scriptures’ greatest prophets, dominate today’s liturgy of the Word: we must change our behavior and the way we live in this world so that our example draws others to follow the ways of the Lord. When this happens, we are told, we will be in harmony with one another and in keeping with Jesus Christ.

ALTAR BREAD & WINE
In Memory of
Emma & John Boniberger
Requested by
Loving Daughter Janet

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

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 Thomas
Fr Tapel
Fr Maffeo
Fr Boyle
Fr Maffeo

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

MASS INTENTIONS
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
Monday, December 10
7:00 Aloys Fertmann requested by Peter & Anne Ford
7:00 Margaret Long requested by Loving Family
9:00 Mary, Frances & Henry Devlin requested by
Timothy & Eileen Cleere
9:00 Mario Masitti requested by James & Jill Seddio
Tuesday, December 11, St Damasus
7:00 Walter Moss requested by Ron McCay
7:00 Anthony Sparacino requested by Mr & Mrs Paul Attard
8:45 John Andruszkiewicz requested by Loving Family
8:45 William C Hausner requested by The Lussier Family
Wednesday, December 12, Our Lady of Guadalupe
7:00 Anna Bosack requested by Jane & Jim
7:00 George J Raab Jr requested by Loving Family
9:00 Jack Kelleher requested by Joanne & Richard Fahey
9:00 Mae Harrington requested by The Hanson Family
Thursday, December 13, St Lucy
7:00 Liga Rosaria requested by Grace Amato
9:00 Abbie Kieser requested by The Clahane Nieces & Nephews
9:00 John Cusanelli requested by Brother Thomas
Friday, December 14, St John of the Cross
7:00 The People of the Parish
7:00 Amato Giuseppa requested by Grace Amato
9:00 William C Hausner requested by The Prieter Family
9:00 Rosemarie Bassett requested by The Prieter Family
Saturday, December 15
8:00 Ava Cervini requested by Loving Grandma & Grandpa
8:00 Maria Saracini requested by Serafina & Rina
Anticipated Mass for Sunday
5:00 Marion Tuck requested by Mr & Mrs Alburt Putre
5:00 Stanley Kwiathouski requested by Loving Family
Sunday, December 16, 3rd Sunday of Advent
7:00 Irene Mary Perry requested by Loving Family
7:00 Sr Kathleen Frances Taylor, OP requested by Mrs Anne Szewczyk
9:00 William Arabio requested by Loving Family
9:00 Michael Coriggio requested by Joseph Puliafito
10:30 Richard Henis requested by Michael & Diane Miles
10:30 Dolores Baiera requested by Jim & Catherine
12:00 Walter J Rachford requested by Loving Family
12:00 Joan Donegan requested by Jerry & Peggy
5:00 Norma Owen requested by The Balkam Family
5:00 Mary Aversano requested by Elise & Andrew Huber

Sunday, December 9, 2007

Sunday, December 31, 2006

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FROM THE DESK OF FR. MIKE

FROM THE DESK OF FR. MIKE

Today we are introduced to the person of John the Baptist, as we are every 2nd Sunday of Advent, and this introduction, with today’s readings, fulfills both Advent themes of the 1st and 2nd Comings of Christ. The 2nd Coming is clearly seen in the reading from the Prophet Isaiah, when he tells us of the ideal life we will see in the Kingdom of God. This life is seen in the images presented: “Then the wolf shall be a guest of the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; the calf and the young lion shall browse together, with a little child to guide them…There shall be no harm or ruin on all my holy mountain…” We also see a glimpse of what the Kingdom of God will be like when John the Baptist describes what the Messiah will do: “His winnowing fan is in his hand. He will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” If you have not noticed already, the two descriptions are not the same, so which one is right?
Well with God you know that the answer is; they are both correct in the fact that there is the time of judgment before the Kingdom of God is fully established, and woe to those who think they will be saved just because they are Children of Abraham, or as I said a few weeks ago: just because we are Baptized. Neither means instant salvation! John called people to repent (to change their lives) so that they could be ready for the Kingdom of Heaven. Unless we change our lives, getting rid of the things that we know we have to change, we will not be ready for God’s Kingdom. After the time of The Last Judgment, we will experience the Kingdom which will look more like the images given to us by the Prophet Isaiah: where the little child will guide us all.
The readings also prepare us for Christ’s 1st Coming as Isaiah tells us what the Messiah will usher in and of course John telling us that he is not the expected one, but that he was merely the voice crying out in the wilderness. John calls each of us to follow Jesus and we should indeed listen to his call and join him in helping others come to Jesus.
This afternoon at 2:30 PM in the Church we will celebrate Advent Lessons and Carols, a traditional Advent Service that traces salvation history throughout Scripture and filled with wonderful
advent music provided by our music ministry; please join us and take time out from this busy time of year to remember what it is truly all about. Also during this week we will have three Advent Evenings of Prayers on the 11th, 12th, and 13th before the Exposed Blessed Sacrament from 7:30-8:30 PM in the Church. Thursday the 13th will feature a Penance Service followed by Individual Confessions. On Saturday Dec. 15th from 9-11AM we will have Breakfast with Saint Nicolas in Carew Hall and on Thursday Dec 20th we will have Confessions in the Church from 7-8PM.
Please keep in your prayers Deacon Lachlan Cameron (our Pastoral Year Seminarian from two years ago) who was ordained yesterday at the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception as he completes his last six months before being ordained a priest in June. Also keep in your prayers Mr. Frank Dell’Aglio and Mr. Bill Dobbins (and their families) who will be ordained deacons for St. Joseph’s and the Diocese this coming May 17th.
We close with the opening prayer for the 2nd Sunday of Advent:
God of power and mercy, open our hearts in welcome. Remove the things that hinder us from receiving Christ with joy, so that we may share his wisdom and become one with him when he comes in glory, for he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit one God forever and ever. Amen.
Happy Advent
Fr. Mike

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REMEMBER OUR SICK
Rosemarie Aiello William Barry
Edmond Blinn Oliver Bouchard
Ronald Cassidy 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 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
Dawn Saporito Louise Schaaf
Richard Silvia Darryll Smith
Ken Stokes Stacie Tizzard
Lloyd Turnier 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
LCPL John Brown PFC Justin Browne
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
Madeline Gagliardi, Barbara Roth, 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 9, 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
Reminder: Our Christmas Concert for our school band and students in grades K - 3 will be this Wednesday, Dec. 12th. The concert will be in the school gym. It will begin at 7PM.
Our Pre-kindergarten Christmas Pageant will be on Tuesday, Dec. 11th in the school gym at 10AM.
Students in grades Nursery thru Grade 3 will enjoy breakfast with Santa on Friday, Dec. 14.
Thank you to Bishop Dunne for sharing Mass with us on Tuesday, Dec. 4th. The students in our school prepared Advent wreaths as a class project during religion class. Then each grade brought their wreath to Mass to be blessed by the Bishop. The students had a great experience listening to Bishop Dunne and asking questions. They were also delighted to have him spend so much time in the classrooms with them. It was a great experience.
Thank you to all who helped with our Holiday Boutique and Scholastic Book Fair. Both were a great success. Our students purchased many beautiful books and items to share with their families at Christmas.
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
(Second 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 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.
On Saturday, December 15th an Advent Prayer Service will be held in Church at 12:30 for Level 2 & 3.
Reminder for Tuesday students, there will be no classes on Tuesday, December 11th.

St. Vincent de Paul
In today’s Gospel, John the Baptist urges us to “prepare the way of the Lord.” This is what advent is all about, for we are called to help prepare the way of the Lord by making the real meaning of Christmas come alive in our own hearts, in our family and to reach out to those in need.
Is there a family you know who needs assistance? Please call the Society of St Vincent de Paul so that together we can help the suffering and the poor to celebrate Christmas

Kimberly Barbaro
Kaiden Riley
Deborah Lynn Kohlmann
Alyssa Jean Smith

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Sunday, December 9, 2007
, 2005

RESPECT LIFE
Since many times here the name Rachel’s Vineyard has been mentioned, you may be interested to know who’s behind it and how that happened. Seems that a lady named Theresa Karminski Burke hadn’t been working as a counselor for very long before she made two discoveries: First, abortions seemed to be at the root of a host of mental health problems her patients were facing. Second, neither counselors or priests seemed especially equipped to help. “There were women I met who had gone to confession 200 times, and they might feel better for a day or two, but t hen the pain would come back,” says Burke.
In 1985, Burke founded Rachel’s Vineyard, one of the first therapeutic support groups for women who have had abortions. Today, more than 90 teams in 45 states and 17 countries hold retreat weekends each year to offer healing to women, their families, and those who have been involved in the abortion industry. An interdenominational manual was created to meet needs of those in other Christian faiths.
Even with such accomplishments in hand, Burke says her work is far from over. Having noted the lack of spiritually-based healing programs for victims of sexual abuse, Burke is now training staff to launch Grief to Grace, a retreat program modeled after Rachel’s Vineyard (check website for updates). “If I’d had this piece brought into my treatments 30 years ago,” says Burke, quoting a priest friend of hers who was abused, “it would have saved me years and years not only of therapy, but of suffering.”
“Real healing, reflects Burke, her voice gentle and earnest, “transforms and makes you better than you used to be. And the ultimate healing is someone e then who is on fire for spreading the kingdom of God. And I think that’s the phenomenon of Rachel’s Vineyard.”
Rachel’s Vineyard is a ministry of Priests for Life. About 95% of those involved in this ministry are volunteers.
Rachel’s Vineyard Ministries / Grief to Grace 743 Roy Road, King of Prussia, PA 19406
Web- www.rachelsvineyard.org;www.grieftograce.org
Confidential e-mail rachel@rachelsvineyard.org
Phone 877-HOPE-4-ME
Catholic Digest, October 2007 LIFE FACTS
To continue, we left our pre-born baby at 4 months, at which time the baby’s heart pumps 6 gallons of blood a day, and month by month, the following happens to Baby:
Month 5 I react to outside noise; Month 6 Fine hair is on my head; Month 7 I recognize my mother’s voice; Month 8 My weight increases 2 more pounds; Month 9 Ready for birth, I trigger labor.
PREGNANCY CRISIS HOTLINE - We are here to help you. Please call 981-6888.

Weekly Offering
Sunday, December 2, 2007 Offerings $17,462
Same collection last year 19,047
Number of envelopes 529
Poor Box last weekend $380
Fuel Collection $5,464
Same time last year 6,221
November Weekly Budget Amount $18,125
Last Week’s Collection 17,462
Shortfall $ 663
Thank you for your generous response to the appeal for increased giving.
God Bless You Always, Fr Mike
Outreach
sjpo@verizon.net
For the month of November we serviced 364 clients. Financial assistance amounted to $2,234. There were 38 new clients added and total services and referrals provided were 1057. This included food, living needs, Health Care information, advocacy and housing. Your continued support of the Outreach Program makes all of this possible.
Knights of Columbus
New Year’s Eve Party
Mark your calendar & get ready to bring your friends & family to the St Regis Knights of Columbus Council for a New Year’s celebration that won’t be matched! From 8PM until 1AM, you’ll enjoy cocktails, a choice of gourmet entrée, a champagne toast, & a continental breakfast in the early morning hour. There will be dancing with music & a DJ. What’s more you can try your luck & win some really great prizes at our gambling tables at no extra cost! Tickets are $65 pp & are available at the Council Bar or by calling: 790-4474 / 265-2967

Mark Your Calendars
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

CHRISTMAS
SCHEDULE 2005

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CHRISTMAS
SCHEDULE
2007

Christmas Eve
Monday, December 24th
4:00 PM (Upper Church & Lower Church)
6:00 PM & 10:30PM
We do not have a Mass at Midnight
Christmas Day
Tuesday, December 25th
7:00AM - 9:00AM - 10:30AM - 12:00 Noon
We have no evening Mass on Christmas Day
Feast of the Holy Family
Saturday, December 29th 5PM
Sunday, December 30th
7:00, 9:00, 10:30AM - 12 Noon & 5:00 PM
New Year’s Day
Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
8:00 AM & 12 Noon
Epiphany of the Lord
Vigil Mass Saturday, January 5, 5:00 PM
Sunday, January 6, 2008
7:00AM - 9:00AM - 10:30 AM
12:00 Noon - 5:00 PM
Confessions For Christmas
Weekdays - Monday, Wednesday, Friday
after the 7:00AM and 9:00AM Masses
And
Thursday, December 13th
at the 7:30 PM Penance Service
And
Thursday, December 20th 7:00-8:00 PM

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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….

December 2007

Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat
						$25 / Josephine / Wohlers / # 304
$50 / Rachel Lupinacci / # 145	$25 / Joseph & / Dorothy Isola / # 519	$25 / Rosemarie Rubenbauer / # 505	$25 / Donna / Trees-Barker / # 238	$25 / Rich & Leslie Maynard / # 133	$25 / Anne Finnegan / # 170	$75 / Immaculate / Conception / Tina Donegan / # 717
9 $50	10 $25	11 $25	12 $25	13 $25	14 $25	15 $25
16 $50	17 $25	18 $25	19 $25	20 $25	21 $25	22 $25
23 $50	24 $25	25 $200	26 $25	27 $25	28 $25	29 $25
30 $50	31 $250

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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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.

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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 9
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 10:00 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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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.
The Beginning Experience - help for the heartache of divorce, separation, and widowhood. A weekend away for a lifetime of change. The next weekend is February 15 through 17th, 2008. For information and reservations, call Connie at 516-735-1720, Mike at 516-812-6417, or Celia at 516-625-1073.
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!!!