PLEASE NOTE-THERE IS A MASS ON WEDNESDAY EVENING. SPECIAL NOTE: MORNING MASS TIME CHANGES FOR THIS WEEK. PLEASE CHECK MASS TIMES ON SATURDAY’S MASSES.

Monday December 26^th Stephen, first martyr

9:00 AM Deceased Members Bozzay & Santini Families

Tuesday December 27^th John, apostle

9:00 AM Alice Philpotts r/o Sandy & Steve

Wednesday December 28^th Holy Innocents

7:00 PM Holy Innocents r/o AOH

Thursday December 29^th Fifth Day in Octave of Christmas

9:00 AM Holy Souls

Friday December 30^th The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary & Joseph

9:00 AM Holy Souls

Saturday December 31^st

NO MORNING MASS

Saturday December 31^st Mary the Mother of God

4:30 PM Norma Scaletti r/o Tony & Eileen Amoroso

SUNDAY MASSES

Sunday January 1^st 2006 Mary Mother of God

8:00 AM Deceased Member Santini & Bozzay Families

10:00 AM Joseph Getlik r/o Steve, Pete, Tony & Bob

12 NOON William Foy r/o M/M Michael Albert

Dec 26, 27, 29 & 30th MASS is at 9:00 AM

Dec. 28^th Mass at 7 PM

Saturday, Dec. 31^st- -no morning mass

4:30 PM Mass

January 1^st – 8, 10 & 12 noon

December 18^th Fourth Sunday of Advent

11: 2 Sm 7:1-5,8b-12,14a,16 Ps 89:2-5,27,29

Rom 16:25-27 Lk 1:26-38

PLEASE PRAY FOR ALL OF OUR PARISHIONERS who are sick at home, in the hospital or in nursing homes, especially for John Vanderhoff, Gail Rotondo, Tony Gangitano, Frank Kozden, Christine Dyke, Gilda Rizzon, David King, Mary Pokotello, John Foxwell, Haley Weber, Deborah Franzyshen, Blanche Ferarro, Adam Platukis, Josephine Sarnoski, Andy Gonda, Roseanne Scaletti, Anna Corrento, Chris Perciante, Anna McConnell, Barbara Van Pelt, Diane Manley, and Bryant Connelly (Betty’s son).

Please remember in your prayers the repose of the soul of the Reverend Casimir J. Przechacki. Previously Parochial Vicar at Immaculate Conception Church in Somerville, St. Stanislaus Kostka in Sayreville, St. Stephen in Perth Amboy, St. Mary of Ostrabrama in South River, St. Magdalen dePazzi in Flemington, St. Mary of Czestochowa in Bound Brook, Holy Trinity in Helmetta, and Immaculate Conception in Spotswood. He then served as Pastor of St. Rose of Lima Parish in Oxford and Holy Trinity Parish in Helmetta, retiring in June 1988.

SUNDAY COLLECTION

Dec 11, 2005 $4,019.00

Religious Retirement $1,393.00

Immaculate Conception $745.00

Sunday Dec. 18, 2005

Counters Team # 2

Bingo Team #4

Anyone wishing to obtain a statement of contributions for the past year – 2005- should either drop a note in the collection basket with name, address & phone # or call the rectory during business hours.

Fourth Sunday of Advent – December 18, 2005

In the first reading, God promises King David that his house and his kingdom will endure forever. It is through Mary’s “Yes” — “I am the handmaid of the Lord. Let it be done to me as you say.” — that the promise finds fulfillment.

Let Us Pray….

That the Virgin Mary’s example of faith in accepting her unexpected pregnancy may inspire and strengthen the women of today facing pregnancy.

ATTENTION: Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers & Altar Servers. Schedules are available on the OLMSBB.ORG website.

MOUNT ST. MARY HOUSE OF PRAYER

1651 U.S. Highway 22

Watchung, NJ 07069-6587

(908) 753-2091 msmhope@att.net

Mount St. Mary House of Prayer, Watchung, will offer the following programs. To register, call 908-753-2091 or e-mail: msmhope@att.net

GUIDED RETREAT

Based on The Work of Byron Katie

Wed - Dec 28, 6:30 p.m. - Fri - Dec 30, 2 p.m. ($100)

YEAR-END DAY OF PRAYER

Quiet time of prayerful reflection Sat - Dec 31, 9:30 a.m.- 3:00 p.m. Bring bag lunch Labyrinth will be available in Mercy Hall at Mount St. Mary - 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. (Donation)

First Synod of the Diocese of Metuchen

Say “yes” to participating in the synod process!

Advent and Christmas are seasons of “yes.” Both Mary and Joseph said “yes” to angels bearing great news from God. By celebrating the birth of Our Lord Jesus we say “yes” to one of the great mysteries of our Catholic faith. We hope you can be counted on to say “yes” to this great and unprecedented opportunity to be part of diocesan history.

You are invited to participate in our parish Speak Up…We’re Listening Session on January 19, 2006 at 7:00PM in the church hall. Please say “yes” to participating in this part of the synod process by marking you calendar, lining up child care if need be, and showing up to speak frankly about your faith, your Catholic identity, and your vision for the future of the Diocese of Metuchen.

Want to know more about this historic event!

www.diometuchen.org/synod

Diocesan News:

SAVE THE DATE - 2006 Stewardship Symposium

Saturday, February 25, 2006 (9:00 AM – 3:00 PM) Details to be announced soon.

2005 YEAR-END CHARITABLE GIFT GIVING

As you consider your year-end tax planning, we hope that you will consider making good use of the income tax charitable deduction. Giving gifts of cash (check) or securities which have appreciated in value can help assure maximum benefits for you and your charitable interests.

Your 2005 gift to the Diocese of Metuchen-Bishop’s Annual Appeal can significantly reduce your income taxes, while providing meaningful support to the various ministries that are vital to the physical, spiritual, and emotional health of our Church. Thanks for your past & continued generosity.

MASS FOR RACIAL HARMONY will be held on Sunday, January 15, 2006 at 12 noon at the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi, Metuchen. Reception in the hall following the Liturgy. All are welcome. For more information, please call 732-562-1990 ext 1630.

On behalf of the officers and the membership of Our Lady of Mercy Church Holy Name Society we extend to all our friends and fellow parishioners our best wishes for a Holy and Blessed Christmas and a Joyous and Healthy New Year.

Blessed Be HIS Holy Name

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