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Welcome to St. Francis de Sales Parish We extend a warm welcome to all who attend our Church.

We hope you will find our parish community a place where your life of faith will be nourished. Your prayers, your presence, and your talent are most welcome. May God bless all of us.

We Invite You to Celebrate Eucharist: Saturday (Vigil): 5:00 PM Sunday 8:00 AM 10:00 AM 12:00 PM Morning Mass: Monday through Friday 8:30 AM Saturday (Memorial Mass) 8:30 AM

Holy Days : 7:00 AM 8:30 AM 12:00 PM 7:30 PM Reconcilia on : Saturday 4:00 - 4:45 PM Adora on :

First Friday 9:00AM - 12 Noon

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Served By: Rev. Brian P. Quinn, Pastor

Deacon Dennis Gil

Mission Statement As a parish family of St. Francis de Sales Church, we are committed to stewardship as our way of life. We place God first in all things. Centered in the real presence of Jesus in the

Eucharist, we devote ourselves to proclaim the Gospel. We are dedicated to grow as a faith community to holiness through prayer, sacraments and service to all God’s people.

First Sunday of Advent December 3, 2017

Be watchful! Be alert! You do not know when the time will come. — Mark 13:33

614 Route 517, Vernon, NJ Mailing Address: P.O. Box 785, McAfee, NJ 07428

Telephone: 973-827-3248 www.stfrancisvernon.org

Page Two December 03, 2017

02 - Saturday 8:30 AM Saturday Memorial Mass 5:00 PM Frances “Honey” Cibelli req by Pam, Paul & Rosanne Contreri 03 - Sunday 8:00 AM William Broadbent req by Deacon Dennis & Madelaine Gil 10:00 AM Francis J. Garrity req by The Bakay Family 12:00 PM Ann Veiga req by The Kirchmer Family 6:30 PM Joseph T. Vozza Jr. req by The Hill Family

04 - Monday 8:30 AM People of the Parish

05 - Tuesday 8:30 AM Ann Marie McGowan req by Eileen Curran 06 - Wednesday 8:30 AM Edward J. Farrell req by The Delhauer Family

07 -Thursday 8:30 AM Mayra Ransom req by Joseph Carney 08 - Friday 7:00AM People of the Parish 8:30 AM People of the Parish 12:00 PM Mar n Doonan req by Paul & Marylou Mangan 7:30 PM People of the Parish 09 - Saturday 8:30 AM Saturday Memorial Mass 5:00 PM Helen & Michael Matash req by June & Frank Sabat 10 - Sunday 8:00 AM Grace Nye req by The Family 10:00 AM Magdalen Troxel req by Debbie Zweier 12:00 PM Magdalen Troxel req by Peggy Whitson

SATURDAY MEMORIAL MASS The 8:30AM Saturday Mass during the month of

November will be offered for the souls of : Clara Borst, Frank Curran, Frank DeFazio, Catherine & Ed-ward DeYoung, Stephen Fava, Daniel Hughes , Jackie Jirouschek, Robert Martis, Esther Salmanowitz, Albert & Marion Sinforosa, Natalie Sinforosa, Charlie Sojka, Sr., Jennifer Kirchmer Young

Baptismal Preparation Classes will be Thurs., Dec 21st. at 7:30 PM . Please call the parish office if you are interested in

having your child baptized here at St. Francis. FYI- No Baptism take place during Lent. Schedule early. Do you have a Sponsor form that needs to be signed?

See Father Brian after Mass.

READINGS FOR THE WEEK

Monday: Is 2:1-5; Ps 122:1-9; Mt 8:5-11

Tuesday: Is 11:1-10; Ps 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17; Lk 10:21-24

Wednesday: Is 25:6-10a; Ps 23:1-6; Mt 15:29-37

Thursday: Is 26:1-6; Ps 118:1, 8-9, 19-21, 25-27a; Mt 7:21, 24-27

Friday: Gn 3:9-15, 20; Ps 98:1-4; Eph 1:3-6, 11-12; Lk 1:26-38

Saturday: Is 30:19-21, 23-26; Ps 147:1-6; Mt 9:35 — 10:1, 5a, 6-8

Sunday: Is 40:1-5, 9-11; Ps 85:9-14; 2 Pt 3:8-14; Mk 1:1-8

EUCHARISTIC MINISTER LECTORS ALTAR SERVERS FRI., DEC. 8, 2017 7:30PM - Immaculate Conception E1 Joe Kearns Frank Garrity Joshua Pisapia E2 Rick Braun Barbara Andreski Faith Pisapia E3 Ken Mahouchick C1 Allie McLaughlin C2 Janice Gaughan C3 Frank McNulty C4 Val DeBuck SAT. 5PM, Dec. 9th, 2017 E1 Bob Snow Marie Snow Owen McGill E2 Father Brian Barbara Andreski Owen Baez E3 Frank McNulty C1 Chuck McGill C2 Heather Baez C3 Ann Conte C4 Barbara Thomas SUN. 8AM, Dec. 10th, 2017 E1 Kathy Zayatz Hal Avery Patrick McCurry E2 Denis Tanguay Tom Geerlof Kaitlin Tompkins E3 Cheryl Avery C1 Janice Tanguay C2 Mike Molloy C3 Marion Geerlof C4 Marc Kolonoski 10AM E1 Carolyn Kelly Caitlin Piccirillo Sara Mazzella E2 Serge Gonzalez Jeannie Diemer Jason Cahill E3 Barbara Reed C1 Kevin Reed C2 Bea Harrigan C3 Bob Springer C4 Joan Stellingwerf XC Jen Remington 12PM E1 Dianna Fox Rich Sorce Alexandra Pisapia E2 Allie McLaughlin Janet Kubik Faith Pisapia E3 Ed DeYoung C1 Deacon Dennis C2 Luann Lambert C3 Maureen Carr C4 Cathy Randazzo

Dec.8 & Dec. 9-10, 2017

December 03, 2017 Page Three

THIS WEEK AT A GLANCE 02 - Saturday 9:00 AM Rel. Educa on 9:00 AM Emmaus (CCF) 11-12 AA (SCB)

03 - Sunday 10:45 AM RCIC 12:00 Mass Children’s Choir 6:30 PM Mass

04 - Monday 4:15 PM Children’s Choir 6:30 PM Circle of Friends 7:00 PM Youth Music Ministry 7:00 PM MAB (SCB)

05 - Tuesday 9:00 AM Circle of Friends 9:30 AM Rosary Makers & Prayer Shawl (103) 4:30 PM - 5:45PM Rel. Educa on

06 - Wednesday 1:00 PM XYZ (OUT- not here) 4:30 PM RCIC 7:00 PM Bible Study (210) 7:30 PM RCIA (CCR)

07 - Thursday 9:00 AM Veteran’s 4:30 PM Peers at Play (CSH) 7:30 PM Choir 8:00 PM KoC (SCB)

08 - Friday Immaculate Concep on - Holy Day 9:30 AM Bible Study 7 - 8 PM AA (SCB)

09 - Saturday 9:00 AM Rel. Educa on 9:00 AM Emmaus (CCF) 11-12 AA (SCB) 5:00 PM HARVEST HOUSE COOKIE WALK 6:30 PM PARISH CHRISTMAS PARTY

10 - Sunday HARVEST HOUSE COOKIE WALK 11:00 AM Columbie e’s 12:00 PM Mass Children’s Choir 2:00 PM FAMILY ADVENT DAY

StewardshipofferingforNov.26,2017$11,602.00OnlineGivingforNov.26,20171,517.00TotalforNov.26,2017$13,119.00SameSundaylastyear $12,022.00Thankyoutoourenvelopeandonlinegivinguserslastweekend.Forourparishionerswhocontributeelectronically,thenextupcomingspecialcollectionsare:Dec.3ChristmasFlowersDec.8ImmaculateConception DiocesanAssessmentCollectionforNov.26,2017:355.00(Envelopes$90.00&OnlineGiving$265.00)DiocesanAssessment(July2017-2018)$66,138.00DiocesanAssessmentFiscalCollectedYTD$8,365.00St.FrancispaymentstoDiocesesYTD$16,534.00

Gluten-Free Communion Hosts Are you or a family member allergic to gluten?

To receive gluten-free Communion :

• Arrive 10-15 minutes before Mass and speak to an usher. • You must receive communion from the priest. • When it is your turn to receive; remind the

priest that you require a gluten-free host.

Please Pray for those who are sick, especially: Alexander, Kevin Braun, Lori Caffrey, Sean Connell, William Connington, Bill Delaney, Barbara Delaney, Evie Dixon, Robert A. Drogo, Lisa Ernst, Sandy Fredricks, Kim Gaughan, Greg Geary, Margaret Guiton, Marie Grieco, Bill Healey, Joanne Healey, Christopher Hoehl, Jane Hulnik, John Kernusz, Joseph Kolibas, Anne Kolibas, Ryan Lambert, Hayden Marshall, Carol McDonald, James McDonald, Eleanor & Robert McLean, Marianne Meehan, Mark Martucci, Marie Mendez, Omar Mendez, Lisa Merck, Michael, Henry Milkewicz, Nat, Alan Newell, Jimmy Pier, Harold Rowan, Douglas Sammak, Gary Sisco, Lisa Smith, Alison Soderberg, Denis Tanguay, Norman Trass, Todd, Fr. Fred Walters, Patricia Wetterlind, Brenna Whitson, Walter Winkler, Emma Marie Wyman, “Skippy” Zaccaro, Nick Za-yatz

ONLINE GIVING OPTION

We are pleased to announce that our parish website has a link to sign up. Go to www.stfrancisvernon.org, under the home tab you will find the link for online giving or you can go directly to the site. As always, we thank you for your support of our parish. https://osvonlinegiving.com/4244

STEWARDSHIP OF OUR TREASURE

ST. FRANCIS GIFT SHOP

Advent candles and rings are flying out of the Gift Shop. The Oplatki has arrived and waiting for you to pick it up. Follow the star, the red star to the Shop. Christmas items are ready to find a home in your home and some of them are 50% off. Many other red star

items are marked down too. Let us help you cross someone off your list. We have great gifts. All purchases over $15.00, you get to pick from our “Grab Bag” while supplies last!!We look forward to serving you.

CHIRSTMAS FLOWERS

A wonderful way to remember your de-ceased loved ones during this holiday sea-son is by purchasing Poinsettia Plants for our Church’s sanctuary.

An envelope is provided in your packet or you may pick one up in the Atrium.

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Prayers for the Sick and Dying

The Divine Mercy Chaplet is one of the best means of assisting the dying. Jesus revealed the power of this prayer to St. Fausti-na. The Lord gave many promises regarding recitation of the Divine Mercy Chaplet for the sick and or dying. There are parishioners who regularly pray the chaplet. We are currently forming a prayer chain and accepting prayer requests. If you are interested in joining the prayer chain, please contact Bea Harrigan at (973) 827-0083. If you have a special prayer request for a loved one who is sick and dying, you may call Bea Har-rigan, Cheryl Avery at (973) 702-1342, or Denise Drogo at (973) 875-6863.

.TREASURES FROM OUR TRADITION Advent calendars appear now in many homes, and newfan-gled formats are even available on line. Children have fun opening the doors and windows keyed to the days counting down to Christmas. Behind each door is a picture related to the Christmas mystery, perhaps a scripture verse or saying, but more and more these days something totally unconnect-ed to religious life, like a small toy or a chocolate treat, ap-pears instead. The Advent calendar is not very old as tradi-tions go. We can trace it back to German-speaking Chris-tians, both Protestant and Catholic. Lutherans might have originated the custom by placing chalk marks on doors start-ing December 1, lighting candles every day, or placing a new religious picture on the wall each day during Advent. The oldest known hand-made calendar goes back to 1851, and the first printed ones appeared in 1908 in Germany with Bible verses behind the doors. By far the most interesting calendar is a building, the town hall (Rathaus) of Gengen-bach in Germany’s Black Forest. Every year the townspeo-ple invite an illustrator of children’s books to create twenty-four paintings or motifs for each of the twenty-four main windows of the building. Every night the people gather to see a new window opened and illuminated. Very few commercial Advent calendars pay much at-tention to the core values of our liturgical calendar: the piv-otal place of Sunday, the importance of Advent feasts like Saint Lucy and Saint Nicholas, and the clear shift in tone on December 17 from Advent longing and preparation toward imminent hope in Christ’s coming. That kind of creativity is left up to you! —Rev. James Field, Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co.

WHERE WILL YOU FIND YOUR JOY? STEWARDSHIP RENEWAL

The last card in the mailing is your commitment card. Only one card was mailed, there are additional cards in the atrium for other family members. Check off all that you are interested in. If you are already involved in a Ministry

- please check it off again, reaffirming your commitment.

If you forgot your envelope this weekend - you may bring it to Mass next weekend ( Dec. 9-10th) or drop it by the office. Thank you for joining a ministry- it is YOU that makes our parish run!

Advent is our time to prepare…

Parish Covered Dish Christmas Party December 9 @ 6:30 All are welcomed!

Please call the office for details.

Advent Family Day December 10 @ 2:00 PM

Sacrament of Reconciliation

Saturdays 4:00-4:45 PM Monday, December 11 & 18 @ 7:00 - 8:30 PM

Regular Weekend Mass Schedule

Saturday 5:00 PM Sunday 8:00 AM; 10:00 AM and 12 Noon

Fourth Sunday of Advent December 23-24

Saturday 5:00 PM Sunday 8:00 AM; 10:00 AM

CHIRSTMAS SCHEDULE Christmas Eve Sunday, December 24

4:00 PM; 7:00 PM; Midnight

Christmas Day, Monday December 25 10:00 AM and 12 Noon

New Year’s Eve Sunday, December 31

5:00 PM

New Year’s Day Monday, January 1 10:00 AM

The Family Promise Ministry would like to extend a 'Thank You' to everyone who helped during the week of November 14th - 21st. Our ministry and 2 female guests were very grateful for the generous donations, delicious meals and for volunteers who

stayed throughout the week and over-night. God Bless you for your contin-ued support!

Cathy Kenny and Nancy Altomare

CAUGHT DOING GOOD Thankfully, our daily life means so much more than any commercial break. We are not just marking time, because God treasures our daily thoughts, works, joys, and sufferings. Nothing escapes the loving attention of the Lord. Nothing is irrelevant to God. In fact, we are God’s beloved servants, “each with [our] own work,” as Jesus says in the Gospel. God knows intimately our challenges and wants to accompany us in all we do. A line from today’s reading from Isaiah can help us connect our daily work with God’s love: “Would that you might meet us doing right, that we were mindful of you in our ways!” During Advent, we can offer that prayer each morning, inviting the Lord to guide us as we live and wait.

December 03, 2017

Page Five

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION Grades 7-12 Service Hour Requirements:

7 & 8 Grade (10 Hours per year) High School (40 Hours in 2 years)

Please remember - Service Hours do not count, until you have passed in the paperwork to Mrs. Weber. Service Opportunities are listed on the bulletin board outside Mrs. Weber’s office.

FORMED Your faith connection Online !

PARISH CODE: RX7GDK www.FORMED.org

Make time to explore your faith!

St. Francis Pre-School - Contact: Linda Stengel littleangels@stfrancisvernon.org

OPEN REGISTRATION Fall 2017 - 10 Month Program

3 Year Olds: (2 day Mornings - Tues. & Thurs.)

“Little Angels” link on our Website: www.stfrancisvernon.org

ADULT FAITH FORMATION

Service Hour Opportunities There is a Bulletin Board outside of the Religious Education Offices. Look for the details to sign up. Children’s Liturgy (Sunday), Hospitality (Sat. &/or Sun. Monthly), Youth Music Ministry (Weekly), Altar Server (Monthly Rotation), Hymnal Exchange (Annual),.

We have many opportunities for Adult Faith Formation….

• Did you know we have CD ‘s in the Atrium on multiple top-ics. You can listen and learn while commuting to work, driv-ing to pick up your children… Cost : $3.00 ea.

• Bible Study groups meet at many different days and times… Why not join a group!

• Rediscover the Joy in preparing for Christmas. Sign up for FREE at BESTADVENTEVER.com/YoureInvited at Dynamic Catholic. They will send you a daily online reflection.

• Day to Day Scripture readings, and Advent daily reflections and Novena books are available at the Gift Shop.

Cold Weather approaching….stay in and explore the offerings of FORMED.org

Movies, Listen, Reading

Something for all ages

Mobile App too!

Tuesday, December 5, 2017 - 7:00 PM Support St. Francis Food Pantry

Take a YOGA Class (For All Levels)

Cost: All Proceeds go to the Food Panty - Bring a

monetary gift or bag of non-perishable groceries.

You are Invited to Prepare for your Christmas Season

With the Story of the Season, The Nativity !

FAMILY ADVENT SUNDAY Date: December 10th

Time: 2:00 PM Sharing Table Reception to follow.

ANTIOCH RETREAT ADULT HELP IS NEEDED

Adults are needed to chaperone the overnight portion of our upcoming Antioch Retreat Weekend in Jan. 2017

Arrival time on Saturday, January 13, 2017 is 10:00PM

Departure time on Sunday Morning is 8:00 AM We will provide the coffee!

** Must be compliant with Protecting God’s Children If you are a Nurse or EMT we need you too!

Please contact Melory in Rel. Ed. Office (973) 827-3248 x 328 Or email:

melory@stfrancisvernon.org

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ST. FRANCIS DE SALES FOOD PANTRY We have been able to help so many due to your continued sup-port. Tuna Fish, canned vegetables, mayonnaise, cereal. peanut butter, jelly, granola bars, etc. are in great demand. We appreci-ate all you can do. TOILETTRIES: Bar soap, shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrushes, razors, shaving cream, body wash, baby wipes, mouthwash , hand cream, hand soap, combs, etc. Any size. Let’s make the holidays a little easier for those who are struggling. Thank you for your help!

A Stewardship Moment First Sunday of Advent Dec. 2/3, 2017

The season of Advent is upon us, and in today’s Gospel Jesus delivers a simple message through the pen of Saint Mark: “Be watchful! Be alert!” Christian stewards understand what Jesus meant when he said, “It’s like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with his assigned task.” Good stewards realize that to each one a task is as-signed by God. They have been set in a particu-lar place and station in life, and have been gift-ed with unique relationships. How do we re-spond to the tasks or cultivate our relationships in a way that keeps us alert for the return of Christ?

Celebrate the Season!

Come and join us for our Annual Parish Christmas gathering.

Music and friends, great food and great company!

When: Saturday, Dec. 9th Time: 6:30 PM Where: Boland Hall.

LAST CHANCE to sign up for your Pot luck donation after all the Masses Dec 2nd-3rd.

You can arrange to reserve a table for 8 or 10 by calling the office before December 6th.

Everyone is welcome, we are trying to get a count and children’s ages for activities. So

please sign up in advance.

Mark your calendars and Join in the Fun! Ornament Exchange: If you bring a wrapped orna-ment, then you pick a different one to take home!

Our Parish Giving Tree with gift tags will be on display in the Atrium.

The Christmas holidays are not always happy times for everyone and any little extra that you can do will be a blessing to those we serve.

Gifts should be wrapped and tagged (with the original tag from the tree) and returned by De-cember 20. Please bring your wrapped gift inside the Church and place it in front of the lighted tree in the alcove by the tabernacle. If you have any questions, please call Joanne in the office at (973) 827-3248 ext. 324.

Monetary donations and gift cards are also welcomed and should be brought directly to the parish office. We can spread God’s love through our generosity! God bless you.

Harvest House Cookie Walk

December 9th & 10th After all Masses

Delicious Homemade Cookies

Harvest House is a non-profit community lunch program in Sussex County. Feeding the needy warm lunches Mon-day through Friday, year round. Thank you for your sup-

port of our mission.

Saint Paul’s Abbey CHRISTMAS TREE FARM & GIFT SHOP

St. Paul’s Abbey on Route 206, one

mile south of Newton, has thousands of Christmas trees ready to choose ‘n cut

7 Days a week from Nov 24 to Dec 23rd.

9AM - 4PM