The Parish of Resurrection-Ascension 85-25 61st Road, Rego Park, New York 11374

(718) 424-5212 www.rachurch.net

Mass Schedule

9:00am Monday-Saturday

Saturday 5:00pm, Sunday 8:00am, 9:30am, 11:00am, 12:30pm (Spanish)

December 22, 2019 Fourth Sunday of Advent

Monday, December 23rd 9:00am Joseph Chen and Lucia Gao, req by Jinzhu Lin

Tuesday, December 24th– Christmas Eve 9:00am Celia McGoldrick, req by her husband Patrick and family

5:00pm Christmas Spiritual Bouquet Intentions

Wednesday, December 25th– Christmas Day 9:30am Christmas Spiritual Bouquet Intentions 11:00am Christmas Spiritual Bouquet Intentions

Thursday, December 26th 9:00am Al Grogan, req by his wife Bridie and family

Friday, December 27th 9:00am Gerard Harrington, Patrick and Abina Harring-ton, req by John and Mary Harrington and family

Saturday, December 28th 9:00am For the People of the Parish -Anna Pagano -Martin and Ann Geraghty, req by Rita and Ed Geraghty -James Grace, req by Rita and Ed Geraghty -Patrick and Kathleen Hannon, req by Rita and Ed Geraghty -The McMahon family, req by Rita and Ed Geraghty -The Dillon family, req by Rita and Ed Geraghty -Ann and Dennis Lowney, req by Rita and Ed Geraghty -Michael Manning, req by Rita and Ed Geraghty -William McElligott, req by Rita and Ed Geraghty -Richard Pribyl, req by Rita and Ed Geraghty

5:00pm John P. McCabe (1st ann), req by Brenda and Tom McCabe and familly

Sunday, December 29th– The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph

(17: Sir 3:2-6, 12-14 Ps 128:1-5 Col 3:12-21 Mt 2:13-15, 19-23 )

8:00am Ann O’Dea and sons Patrick and Joseph, req by their family 9:30am Rosalina Dayrit (ann), req by the Dayrit family 11:00am Bob Belon, req by Rosemary and Sal Favia 12:30pm Mercedes Marie Martinez, Jose Martinez, and Apollo Martinez, req by the family

RESURRECTION-ASCENSION CHURCH, REGO PARK

Today is The Fourth Sunday of Advent (A). The readings may be

found at #1012 in the parish hymnal.

REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS

The Sick and/or Hospitalized: Vahide Atlas, Colleen Brehe-ny, Peggy Brennan, Stephanie Bojarski, Kurt Burger, Richard DeNardo, Kathleen Fallon, Ida Fernandes, Steve Ferrugio, Msgr. Vincent Fullam, Jackie Hanley, George J. Harms, George M. Harms, James Leung, Joe Loughnane, Mary Loughnane, Saverio Lunetta, Mary Ellen Lustberg, Nora Lydon, Mary May, Patrick McCabe, Dolly Serna Ocampo, Brendan Phelan, Grace Radonicic, Frank Rahill, Maureen Rahill, Barbara Ravert, Susan Richards, Joel Rivera, Madeline

Silecchia, Rose and Carmela Tantillo.

Deceased: Sara Butiu

WINE & HOSTS AND MEMORIAL CANDLES The Wine and Hosts will be used this week in loving memory of deceased members of the Harrington and McDaniel families, requested by John and Mary Harrington and family.

The Altar Candles will be lit this week in loving memory of Robert and Virginia Moriarty, requested by the family.

The Sanctuary Lamp will be lit this week in loving memory of Michael and Camilla Pagano.

The Candle at the Statue of the Blessed Mother will be lit this week in loving memory of Eleanor and Patrick Ducey, Sr., requested by the family.

The Candle at the Statue of St. Joseph will be lit this week in loving memory of Patrick Ducey, Jr. (birthday), requested by his family.

The Candle at the Statue of St. Patrick will be lit this week in loving memory of Charles Fallon, requested by Nicole, Zach, Maryssa, Charlie and Heather.

The Candle at the Statue of St. John Vianney will be lit this week in loving memory of Anna Pagano.

The Flowers the Statue of The Blessed Mother will be placed this week in loving memory of Patrick Ducey, Jr., as requested by his family.

CATHOLIC CHARITIES CHRISTMAS COLLECTION Bishop DiMarzio invites all to join him in this year’s Annual Catholic Charities Collection. The collection takes place at all Christmas Masses. Please return the special Catholic Charities envelope from your envelope packet with your gift. If you did not receive a printed envelope, we ask you to use a Catholic Charities envelope availa-ble in Church or your own blank envelope marked for “Catholic Charities”, Bishop DiMarzio urges all to join in sharing God’s love with families and children in need by giving generously to this year’s Catholic Charities Christmas collection.

2019 CHRISTMAS MASS SCHEDULE

Christmas Eve 5:00pm– Family Mass 12:00am– Midnight Mass preceded by carols at 11:30pm Christmas Day 9:30am Mass 11:00am Mass

DECEMBER 22, 2019

Dear Friends,

Gathering together at church this weekend, we probably have a few things on our minds. If nothing else, we wonder what we still need to do between now and Christmas. The time is short, and there always seems to be something else to do.

We may have plenty on our mind, concerns for family and our lives and concerns about Christ-mas—but can we pause today and think of Joseph! The Sunday scriptures tell us how an an-gel appeared to Joseph in a dream to give him insight into Jesus’ birth, and his role in God’s plan. And Joseph responds, obedient to the angelic vision. He allows God’s grace to guide his life, despite the challenges and despite the questions.

As we approach the feast of Christmas, it is important to keep our faith in focus. Christmas is about the birth of a child to a poor couple who make all sorts of adjustments to their life in or-der to welcome the child. Plans change, priorities change, because this child is coming. This child, our savior, is born into poverty. And yet he brings to us the gift of salvation, redemption and the healing promised for ages. As we prepare to celebrate his birth, we are called to keep our focus on the needs of the poor. For Christ is still present right in their midst. May Christ change our lives that we may always be ready to welcome him!

A blessed Christmas to all! Peace, Fr. Tom Queridos amigos,

Reunidos en la iglesia este fin de semana, probablemente estaremos pensando en muchas co-sas. Al menos, estaremos preguntándonos qué nos queda por hacer entre ahora y la Navidad. El tiempo es corto y siempre pareciera que queda algo más por hacer.

Es posible que tengamos muchas cosas en mente, preocupaciones por la familia y por nuestras vidas y preocupaciones por la Navidad. Pero, ¿podríamos hacer una pausa hoy y reflexionar acerca de San José! Las lecturas de hoy nos cuentan cómo un ángel se le apareció a José en un sueño para anunciarle el nacimiento de Jesús y decirle cuál sería su papel en el plan de Dios. Y José responde, obediente a la visión angelical. Él permite que la gracia de Dios guíe su vida, a pesar de los desafíos y de las dudas.

A medida que nos acercamos a la celebración de la Navidad, es importante que mantengamos nuestra fe enfocada. La Navidad es acerca del nacimiento del niño de una pareja pobre que hace todo tipo de ajustes en su vida para darle la bienvenida. Sus planes cambian, sus priori-dades cambian, porque viene este niño. Este niño, quién es nuestro salvador, nace en la pobre-za. Y, sin embargo, nos trae el don de la salvación, de la redención y sanación prometidas por siglos. Al prepararnos para celebrar su nacimiento, estamos llamados a mantener nuestro en-foque en las necesidades de los pobres. Porque Cristo aún está presente en medio de ellos. ¡Ojalá que Cristo cambie nuestras vidas para que siempre estemos preparados para darle la bienvenida!

¡Muchas bendiciones para todos en esta Navidad! Paz y bendiciones, Padre Tom

Rectory Hours: Weekdays 9am-noon & 1-5pm Saturday 9am-1pm Rectory Address: 61-11 85th Street Rego Park, NY 11374 (718) 424-5212 Pastoral Staff Very Rev. Thomas G. Pettei, Pastor Rev. Richard Conlon, Parochial Vicar Msgr. Robert J. Thelen, Parochial Vicar Rev. Basilio Monteiro, Weekend Presider Mr. Emanuel Bologna, Director of Music Mrs. Joann Heppt, Academy Principal Mr. Jason Velazquez, Faith Formation/Pastoral Outreach Mr. James Shearer, Youth Minister

Rectory Staff Debbie Gross, Receptionist dlgrectory@aol.com, or ext 10 Heather Belon, Bookkeeper hbelonra@aol.com, or ext 12 Cathy Mesa, Tuition Officer/ Receptionist ratuition@aol.com, or ext 16 Carmen Chang, Receptionist en español

Rite of Reconciliation Saturday 11:00-11:30am (enter by Blessed Sacrament Chapel), or by appointment

Resurrection-Ascension Catholic Academy (718) 426-4963 raschool443@aol.com www.racatholicacademy.org To register with the parish, please visit the Rectory office.

The Sacrament of Baptism takes place once a month. Please call the Rectory for schedules and information on registration. Upcoming Baptism Dates In English Sunday, January 26th at 1:45pm Saturday, February 22nd at 1pm Bautismos en español domingo, 23 de febrero @ 2:00pm

The Sacrament of Marriage- please call the Rectory for schedul-ing. According to Diocesan policy, arrangements must be made six months in advance.

Pastoral Outreach- please contact the Director of Pastoral Out-

reach (ext. 28 at rectory) for information regarding Communion

calls, Food Pantry, Care of the Homebound, etc.

Religious Education & Faith Formation– kindly call Jason

Velazquez at (718) 424-5212, ext 28

FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT

THE WEEK AHEAD

Monday, December 23rd– St. John of Kanty, Priest -School Closed -Food Pantry 10-12noon PCC -Basketball Practice 5-9pm Gym -Yoga 6pm FFH Garden -NA 7:30pm PCC Tuesday, December 24th -School Closed -Gym Closed -Rectory Closes 3pm -No Track, No Basketball Practice -No English Classes -No Spanish Prayer Group Wednesday, December 25th– The Nativity of the Lord -Rectory Closed -School Closed -Gym Closed -Food Pantry Closed -NA 7:30pm PCC Thursday, December 26th– St. Stephen, The First Martyr -Rectory Closed -School Closed -Basketball Practice 5-9pm Gym -No English Classes -No Spanish Support Group Friday, December 27th– St. John, Apostle and Evangelist -School Closed -CODA 10am PCC -Twirling 3:30-6:45pm Gym -Basketball Practice 7-9pm Gym -No Spanish Bible Study Saturday, December 28th– The Holy Innocents, Martyrs -OCA 10am PCC -No CYO Basketball -No Spanish Classes -No Spanish Service -Divine Mercy 4:15pm Blessed Sacrament Chapel Sunday, December 29th– The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph -No Children’s Liturgy at the 9:30am Mass -No Sunday School -No Youth Group -No CYO Basketball -Indonesian Apostolate Mass 2pm & Reception - 3-9pm Gym -Alanon 12noon PCC

2019 ANNUAL CATHOLIC APPEAL Parish Goal: $62,027 Pledged to date: $64,571 Paid to date: $63,614

Sunday School classes will resume on Sunday,

January 5th. Wishing all our children and families

a Blessed Christmas and Happy New Year!

DECEMBER 22, 2019

RESURRECTION-ASCENSION CATHOLIC ACADEMY NEWS

The Patricia Watt Oettinger Memorial Fund

Pat was an integral part of our school, first as an Advisory

Board member almost 10 years ago and then in her posi-

tion as the Treasurer on the Academy Board of Directors

for the past three years. Pat was a tireless lifelong advo-

cate for our school. She always generously shared her ex-

perience, wisdom, insight and knowledge with me and the

other Board members. Pat knew so much about the history

of this parish and school and enjoyed sharing it with us.

Every member of the Board felt strongly about honoring

Pat’s memory in a meaningful and lasting way. They unani-

mously voted to create the Patricia Watt Oettinger Memorial

Fund that will benefit the students of Resurrection Ascen-

sion Catholic Academy for many years to come.

If you would like to donate to this fund, please send a check

to the school office made payable to Resurrection Ascen-

sion Catholic Academy.

FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT Finding our place in Joseph’s story You had every intention of doing it. You’d thought it all out, weighed pros and cons, and made your decision. It was reasona-ble, practical. Family and friends were behind you all the way. But then something happened. A dream, a phone call, a look from a stranger on the bus—something that maybe wasn’t even related to your decision, but it spoke to you. It said: Don’t do that, do this instead. And all these years later, you can’t even explain it to yourself. Only that you trusted your intuition, and you’d do the same thing today. Today's readings: Isaiah 7:10-14; Romans 1:1-7; Matthew 1:18-24 (10). “Joseph her husband . . . decided to divorce her quietly. Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord ap-peared to him in a dream.”

CUARTO DOMINGO DE ADVIENTO Encontrar nuestro lugar en la historia de José Tenías toda la intención de hacerlo. Lo habías pensado todo, contemplado los pros y los contras, y tomado tu decisión. Era razonable, práctico. La familia y los amigos te apoyaban totalmente. Pero entonces algo sucedió. Un sueño, un llamado telefónico, una mirada de un extraño en el ómnibus—algo que tal vez ni siquiera estaba relacionado con tu decisión, pero algo te hizo pensar. Te dijo: No hagas eso, haz esto en su lugar. Y todos estos años más tarde, ni siquiera puedes explicár-telo a ti mismo. Solo que confiaste en tu intuición, y harías lo mismo hoy. Lecturas del día: Isaías 7:10-14; Romanos 1:1-7; Mateo 1:18-24 (10). “José, su marido . . . decidió divorciarse de ella discretamente. Tal era su intención cuando, quién lo hubiera dicho, el ángel del Señor se le apareció en un sueño.” ©2019 TrueQuest Communications. TakeFiveForFaith.com; mail@takefiveforfaith.com. All rights reserved. Noncommercial reprints permitted with the following credit: Reprinted with permission from TakeFiveForFaith.com. Scripture citations from the New American Bible Revised Edi-tion.

The Rectory will close at 3pm on Christmas Eve,

and will re-open on Friday, December 27th.

Merry Christmas from the Rectory Staff!

A Glimpse at your contributions… December 15/16:

(Figures not available at time of press)