SUNDAY, December 16 – Third Sunday of Advent

Readings: Zep 3:14-18a Phil 4:4-7 Lk 3:10-18

8:00 A.M. For the People of St. Francis of Assisi 9:30 A.M. Anthony Cambareri 11:00 A.M. Kathy Culkin 12:30 P.M. Concetta Trentini Carmela Turano Amalia Carusone Maria Berarducci Giovanni DiBenedetto Anna LaSala MONDAY, December 17- Weekday Readings: Gn 49:2, 8-10 Mt 1:1-17 9:00 A.M. Florcy Ramirez

TUESDAY, December 18 - Weekday Readings: Jer 23:5-8 Mt 1:18-25 9:00 A.M. Theresa Falco

WEDNESDAY, December 19 - Weekday Readings: Jgs 13:2-7, 24-25a Lk 1:5-25 9:00 A.M. Papa Family

THURSDAY, December 20 - Weekday Readings: Is 7:10-14 Lk 1:26-38 9:00 A.M. Olga Suppa

FRIDAY, December 21 - Weekday Readings: Sg 2:8-14 Lk 1:39-45 9:00 A.M. Beiner Family

SATURDAY, December 22 - Weekday Readings: 1 Sm 1:24-28 Lk 1:46-56 9:00 A.M. Purgatorial Society Frank Perrino Maria Lawro Giovanni Garcia 5:00 P.M. Joycelin Eiaw SUNDAY, December 23 - Fourth Sunday of Advent Readings: Mi 5:1-4a Heb 10:5-10 Lk 1:39-45

8:00 A.M. Victor Marino 9:30 A.M. Claudio Perinuzzi 11:00 A.M. For the People of St. Francis of Assisi 12:30 P.M. Antonio DiPompo Maria D’Alessandro Maria Berarduci Nick Mincone Anna LaSala Gino Toormina

MASSES FOR THE WEEK

THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT

My Dear Parishioners, One major theme of Advent is hope. As the Church uses the color rose this weekend, it is a symbol of hope and joy, not only in the approaching of the Nativity of Jesus’ birth, but also in the potential of all God’s creation to fulfill its ultimate vocation. Of all the cycles of our Church calendar, this Third Sunday of Advent in Year C is considered one of the best in its selection of readings that cause us to rejoice, to have patience, to persevere and to do so with joy. The prophet Zephaniah exhorts the people to shout and sing joyfully, to be glad and exult with all their hearts. Prior to this the people had turned away from the one true God and had introduced idolatry back into their midst. The king, having recognized this, introduced religious reform to bring back the purity of Judaism and the Law of the Lord. The psalmist today invites us to join in his song of joy and exultation, indeed, for God is already in their midst. Paul, too, in his Letter to the Philippians challenges us to rejoice always! Even though Christ has come, suffered, risen and ascended to the Father, the Lord is always with us. We can call upon Him, and he inspires us to live our faith. In doing so, we truly become missionaries, new evangelists, who invite others to come to Christ, wanting to share what we already possess. This is a hope which exceeds our simple expectations about numbers and success. It is God’s gift. Finally, in the Gospel, the people had expectations. They awaited a promised Messiah who would save his people; primarily from Roman and foreign occupation, they thought. John the Baptist tells them very clearly, that he is not the Messiah, but to joyfully hope for the one who is coming who will exceed all of their expectations. His ministry will not simply be mundane, but spiritual, bringing eternal life to all. Let us join in John’s example and use many ways to share the Gospel message to all people. May our lives reflect such joy and hope. God Bless, Msgr. Maresca

2018-2019 Religious Education year has begun. Classes are on Sunday Mornings from 10:40 am to 12 noon. Registration is on-going and registration

forms are available in the rectory.

December 16th - Classes Grades 1 - 8 & 9:30am Pre -Communion Mass

NO CLASSES December 23rd & 30th

ARE YOU SOMEONE OR DO YOU KNOW SOMEONE WHO…

Has expressed an interest in becoming Catholic?

Was baptized Catholic as a child, but has not celebrated the Sacraments of Eucharist and/or Confirmation?

Then RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation

of Adults) is what you're looking for! RCIA offers seekers the opportunity to come together in a

small group to learn more about our faith. Sessions focus on the teachings and experience of

Church as well as prepare individuals to celebrate the Sacraments of

Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist during the Easter season. You are welcome to participate in the process with your questions, your insights and

your faith story in a warm accepting setting.

For information please contact our Director of Faith Formation, Kristina Blair

718.278.0259 or dre@sfaacademy.org.

ACADEMY NEWS

This week, our students will be performing in their annual Christmas Shows “A Night of

Christmas Movies”. We want to thank all of them, along with their teachers, for working so

hard to present this year’s shows to the families. A big thank you also goes to our SFA

Singers for always being present at the Christmas Shows to entertain everyone with

their beautiful singing voices. And last, but not least, we thank the directors of the SFA

Singers, Mrs. Annunziata, and Mrs. Nealis, who devote many hours in training and rehearsing

with the children.

On Friday, we invite you to join us at 11:00 a.m. for the School Christmas and Advent Mass. We

will dismiss at noon for the beginning of the Christmas recess. School will reopen on

Wednesday, January 2, 2019. We wish all of our students and their families, faculty, and

staff a very beautiful and peace-filled Christmas. We will see you in the New Year

2019.

This Week at SFA Academy

Monday 12/17 No Parish Children’s Choir Tuesday 12/18 “A Night of Christmas

Movies” 7 p.m. MCH Gr. K-106, 1, 3, 5, & 7 Wednesday 12/19 “A Night of Christmas Movies” 7 p.m. MCH Gr. K-102, 2, 4, 6, & 8 Thursday 12/20 Red and Green Dress Down Day $2 donation No Newspaper Club, No After School Program Friday 12/21 11:00 a.m. School and Advent Mass, PS dismissal – 11:30

a.m.; Grades PK-8 -12 - Noon Dismissal, No After School Program

Remember in your prayers all those in our parish who are sick, that they may

find health and comfort:

Maria Ferriggi, Augustin Cisneros, Louise Mastromarco, Martha Calado,

James Nunez, Vincent Wytak, Carol Ross, Rolondo Larrondo, Jeffrey Hyans,

Jessica St. Preux, Al Ciani, Alesha Moses, Samantha Fabrizi, Nancy McCaffrey, Christopher

Wojtalik, Marie Guerriero, Theresa Pacheco, William Goss, Luke Pacheco, Vincenza Papa,

Jim Schneggenburger, Anthony Criscuolo, Saverio Giordano, John Ross,

Terri Kornalewski, Samantha O’Sullivan, Marilyn Miller, Lenny Franklin, John Carmody, Rosario Duran, Mary

DeGloria, Vivian Papa, Joel Steinmann, Anna Governali, Antonio Postiglione,

Mario Tamburello, Mary Rerecich, Christopher Araimo, Charles Principato, Isabella Columbo,

Christine Elmendorf, Georganne Cunningham, Jim Kreitler, Humberto Cordova,

John Schakir.

Also remember in your prayers all the deceased of the Parish. Please remember to

continue to pray for vocations to the priesthood, religious life, diaconate, and married life.

St. Francis of Assisi Parish

Weekly Offering Thank you for your continued

generosity of giving each week. Your weekly offering helps us pay our monthly

bills.

The Collection/Donation

for the weekend:

Collection 12/08-12/09 $ 4857.00 Immaculate Conception $ 851.00 Christmas Gift to My Church $ 5,275.00

School parents must use

church envelopes.

Please Consider Remembering St. Francis of Assisi Parish in

your Will.

Please be mindful that there are people who come to church early

in order to pray. Please show respect by observing silence.

All those attending Mass, please be aware

of your personal responsibility to

exercise common sense and your best judgment

when you are sick.

Please refrain from reception of Holy Communion from the cup when you are

not feeling well ex: cold, cough, etc.

Thank you for your concern for one another.

Monday December 17th is Reconciliation Monday

Confessions will be heard in

St. Francis of Assisi from 3:00 - 5:00 pm

7:00 - 9:00 pm

What a wonderful opportunity to prepare for the feast of Christmas.

SFA SCRIPTURE STUDY

"Ignorance of Scripture is Ignorance of Christ."

- St. Jerome

SFA Scripture Study is on Christmas Break and will

resume in January.

Wishing Everyone A Blessed & Joyous Christmas!

For information:

sfascripturestudy@gmail.com

The Advent Candles are in remembrance of:

Anne & William Thompson

Maria & Dominick DiGravino

Singura & Gordon Families

Christine & William Stahl

THE TRADITION OF THE

CHRISTMAS CRIB

Pope Benedict XVI

Following a beautiful and firmly-rooted

tradition, many families set up their

crib immediately after the feast of the

Immaculate Conception, as if to relive

with Mary those days full of trepidation

that preceded the birth of Jesus.

Putting up the crib at home can be a

simple but effective way of presenting

faith, to pass it on to one’s children.

The crib helps us contemplate the

mystery of God’s love that was

revealed in the poverty and simplicity

of the Bethlehem Grotto.

St. Francis of Assisi was so taken by the

mystery of the Incarnation that he

wanted to present it anew at Greccio in

the living nativity scene, thus

beginning an old, popular tradition

that still retains its value for

evangelization today. Indeed, the

crib can help us

understand the secret of the true

Christmas because it speaks of the

humility and merciful goodness of

Christ, who though he was rich he made

himself poor for us (2Cor 8:9).

His poverty enriches those who

embrace it, and Christmas brings joy

and peace to those who, like the

shepherds in Bethlehem, accept the

angel’s words: Let this be a sign to you:

in a manger you will find an infant

wrapped in swaddling clothes

(Lk 2:12).

This is still the sign for us too, men and

women of the third

millennium. There is no other

Christmas.

Focus: The Lord is near, we rejoice and give thanks.

On this Gaudete Sunday, we rejoice as we look forward to the return of Christ. His coming in glory fills us

with confidence and prayer - all fear is removed and our hearts sing

for joy.

Christmas Mass Remembrance Envelopes

can be returned in any collection. Please mark

the envelope with the name(s) of those you want remembered, living or deceased, in the

Christmas Novena of Masses. Those enve-lopes will be placed on the altar for the

novena of masses.

Christmas Flower Envelopes may be returned in any

collection. Please be sure to write the name(s) legibly. The list of

names will be placed in the bulletin. Thank you.

On Thursday, Dec 20th

the rectory office will close at 4:00 pm for our

Christmas dinner.

There will be no evening hours.

In case of an emergency please call the Rectory.

Msgr. McClancy High School Honor Roll List

Principal’s List Daniel Altman

Lorenzo LaRosa Benicia Lasko

Leandra Rodriguez Joseph Todaro

Second Honors Matthew Ciraolo

James Garcia Eric Luebcke

Charles Thomas Walter

Congratulations!

ATTENTION: Please DO NOT light the candles in Church by using another candle. One could get burned and the wax is dripping all over the candle stands creating a mess.

PLEASE use the lighter. If you have trouble with the lighter, ask for help.

Thank You.

RECEIVING HOLY COMMUNION

Just a reminder when coming up to

receive Holy Communion, and after

receiving Jesus, one should be

thinking of the wonderful privilege as a

Catholic to receive Jesus,

that special time we have with our Lord and

Savior.

It is not a time to allow oneself to be

distracted by looking all around, waving,

shaking hands or kissing the person on the

end of the pew. The Roman Missal states

that, “one should prepare by

praying quietly, so that one may fruitfully

receive the Body and Blood of Christ”.

Third Sunday of Advent December 16, 2018

“All were questioning in their hearts.” Are you considering a vocation in Christ as a priest,

deacon or in consecrated life?”

Consider a

vocation as a priest, deacon or in the consecrated life.

Contact the Vocation Office at

(718) 827-2454 or email:

vocations@diobrook.org

ALTAR SERVER SCHEDULE – DECEMBER 2018

Sat. Dec. 15th 5pm Samantha Dee, Abigail Vorlicek, Mia Lopez Sun. Dec. 16th 8am Jeremy Burgos, Luisa Schwab 9:30am Fiona Hosey, Giulia Graci – Installation of New Servers 11am Chloe Kebbe, Grace Vano 12:30 no server ===================================================== Sat. Dec. 22nd 5pm Samantha Dee, Grace Vano, Chloe Kebbe Sun. Dec. 23rd 8am Luke Curattalo, Damian Pan 9:30am Angelina Efstration, Adrianna Guellere 11am Mia Lopez, Fiona & Vanessa Hosey 12:30pm Luisa Schwab, Gerlando Graci ===================================================== Sat. Dec. 29th 5pm Samantha Dee, Gabriella Soldo Sun. Dec. 30th 8am Nanci Scarpelli, Grace Rosique 9:30am Isabella Ronacher, Isabella Marzella, Erin Camilleri 11am Abigail Vorlicek, Emma Sioson 12:30pm no server

December 16th– December 22nd

Sunday, December 16 9:30A.M. Pre-Communion Mass

10:40A.M. -12 Noon CCD & Confirmation Class - School

Monday, December 17 2:50-3:45P.M. Children's Choir - Church 4:00P.M.– 5:15P.M. Christmas Pageant Rehearsal- Church

Tuesday, December 18

3:00-4:30P.M. Cheerleading - MCH 6:30 P.M. AA - St. Francis Meeting Room 7:00P.M. Academy Christmas Show—MCH

Wednesday, December 19

3:00-4:30P.M. Drama Club– MCH 7:00P.M. Academy Christmas Show—MCH

Thursday, December 20

10:00-11:30 A.M. Legion of Mary - SFR 7:00P.M. I.A.C.A—St. Francis Meeting Room

Friday, December 21

7:00-11:30A.M. Pre-K Breakfast - MCH 11:00A.M. Mass & Noon Dismissal for Academy 6:00-9:00P.M. Teen Ministry - St. Francis Meeting Room

Saturday, December 22

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

THIS WEEK NEXT WEEK

December 23rd– December 29th

Sunday, December 23

9:30A.M. Children’s Liturgy - MCH

Monday, December 24 4:00 P.M. Family Mass & Christmas Pageant 6:00 P.M. Christmas Mass

Tuesday, December 25 2nd Collection Catholic Charities Christmas Day - Rectory Office Closed Christmas Day Masses 8:00 AM 9:30 AM 11:00 AM 12:30 PM (Italian)

Wednesday, December 26

Thursday, December 27

Friday, December 28

Saturday, December 29

NOTE: All changes or updates for the bulletin must be presented by

Tuesday afternoon of each week. It would be a good thing if you could get your

information in earlier. Your cooperation in this matter is greatly appreciated. The

bulletin goes to the printer by 12 noon every Wednesday. Thank you for keeping our

Parish up-to-date!

Our Parish Calendar will be published weekly.

Please submit changes or updates to

bulletinsecy@sfaacademy.org

Christmas Eve –Monday, December 24 4:00 pm ~ Family Mass

6:00 pm ~ Christmas Mass

Christmas Day – Tuesday, December 25 8:00 am, 9:30 am, 11:00 am &

12:30 pm (Italian)

New Year’s Eve – Monday, December 31

5:00 pm Mass

New Year’s Day – Tuesday, January 1, 2018 9:00 am & 11:00 am

DECEMBER 2018

PRINCIPAL’S LIST

7-203

FIONA HOSEY

ISABELLA KYRIAKOPOULOS

KATARINA MIJAT

FIRST HONORS

8-202

MIA LOPEZ

7-203

JUSTIN BROAD

JOHN McPARTLAND

LUISA SCHWAB

GIANA SHEINMAN

KONSTANTIN TODOROV

6-201

ISABELLA CULLINANE

LAWRENCE DiVITTORIO

GIULIA LOMBARDI

FAYE LUNEAU

GABRIELLA MATEO

STEPHEN ZILINSKI

SECOND HONORS

8-202

JULIAN ALIPERTI

RAFAEL BATELIC

GARRY NOLAN

NICOLAS LIROPOULOS

CHIRSTINA GEORGOPOULOS

JULIAN VISCA

7-203

CHLOE KEBBE

EMMA McCLOSKEY

FARAH MOTAIR

DAMIAN PAN

GRACE VANO

ABIGAIL VORLICEK

6-201

VINCENT COSTANZA III