SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT

Pss II  Seasonal prop

Prop Cr  Adv Pf I Sol Bl 1

6: Bar 5:1-9  Ps 126:1-6  Phil 1:4-6, 8-11  Lk 3:1-6

The Lord had done great things (Ps), leading his people out of slavery to the glorious splendor of Jerusalem (1). Let us make ready the way of the Lord (3) by abounding in love and in works of justice.

Stewardship

Good stewards believe that God, who has begun this good work in them, will carry it through to completion. In words and deeds, they can sing with the psalmist, “The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy!”

See Psalm 126

PLEASE PRAY FOR ALL OF OUR PARISHIONERS who are sick at home, in the hospital or in nursing homes, especially for John Vanderhoff, Tony Gangitano, David King, Mary Pokotello, John & Peter Foxwell, Haley Weber, Frank Stashak, Blanche Ferarro, Josephine Sarnoski, and Elizabeth Connelly

Let us remember in our prayers Frank Kozden and Joseph Kopencey, whom God has called home.

Sunday Collections

December 3^rd  $4078.00

Christmas Flowers  $1289.00

December 10^th, 2006

Counters Team #1

Bingo Team #1

DIOCESAN NEWS

www.diometuchen.org

Annual Appeal for the Retirement Fund for Religious

Dec. 9 & 10 The national Annual Appeal for the Retirement Fund for Religious. This  appeal asks us to recall those women & men religious whose ministry has nourished our own faith, served our church and strengthened our nation. Today, more than 37,000 women & men religious are past age 70. Their institutes face critical economic challenges as the costs of health care escalate and as the need for handicapped-accessible housing increases. Please be generous when we collect for the Retirement Fund for the Religious.

** Vocations Awareness Week * January 8-12 **

From the desk of  Rev. Randy J. Vashon, Director of Vocations

I pray that all parishes will be willing to celebrate this week so that all parishioners will be made more aware of their responsibility to pray for and encourage vocations to the priesthood and religious life. It is important that we all work together to promote and encourage vocations.

Jan. 5^th, we invite men who are interested in the possibility of priesthood or have a vocation to the priesthood to an informal dinner with Bishop Bootkoski. This will be held at St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Old Bridge at 7:00pm. Please talk to Father Herlihy if you’d like to attend or get more information on vocations within the Church.

Mount Saint Mary Academy

1651 U.S. Highway 22

Watchung, NJ 07069-6587

(908) 753-2091 msmhope@att.net

Weekend Retreat

Come to the Stable Day - Our 30th Year!

Dec 17, 2:00-4:00 pm -  Prayer, Blessing of Christmas Tree, Community, Refreshments

Year-End Day of Prayers

Dec 30, 9:30 a.m.- 3:00 p.m - Quiet time of prayerful reflection. Bring bag lunch, (Donation), Opportunity to walk the labyrinth, 1:30-3:00

OUR LADY OF MERCY NEWS

The Bishop’s Annual Appeal Goal

A note from Father Herlihy

If you have not responded to the Bishop’s Annual Appeal, please consider doing so this week. We’re only $1025.00 short of our goal. This would be the first year that we did not reach our goal. This will be the last appeal for this year. I thank everyone who has donated this year. As always, you are most generous with your support. This year, I’m confident it will be as good as the past. God Bless You.

Holy Name Society Meetings

The Holy Name Society will meet on Monday, December 11th at 7:30 PM in the Church Hall.  All men of the parish are invited to attend and participate.  All men are also welcomed to join the Holy Name Society at the December 10th- 8 AM mass and December 11th-7 PM masses.

BLESSED BE HIS HOLY NAME

Giving Tree

Nov. 18^th, A giving tree will be set up on Nov 18^th. We are having a joint venture this year, along with gifts for Kentucky, we will also be adding a soup kitchen for a few of our local less fortunate families. Your generosity is greatly appreciated. Please take a tag off the tree and return the tag on the gift by Dec. 10^th. Thank you in advance for making someone’s Christmas brighter. We wish you a Happy, Healthy and Blessed Holiday Season. Girl Scout Troop 245 and the 7^th & 8^th grade CCD class.

Coughing & Sneezing—Got the Flu??

With the flu season upon us it’s important to recall Bishop Bootkoski’s previous instruction about liturgical practices and the risk of contagion at Mass:

If you are sick (and this holds true at all times, not just the flu season) you should refrain from drinking the Precious Blood from the chalice, receiving the Body of Christ on the tongue and exchanging the Sign of Peace by shaking hands. It is the responsibility of the individual to make this judgment. Of course the wisest course of action, out of consideration for our fellow parishioners, is to stay home when we are sick.

Charitable Gift Giving

Your 2006 year end 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. Also, please don’t forget to contact your Human Resources Dept. to see if your employer has a gift matching program and to see if the donations you have made qualify for gift matches from them.

Train Ride With Santa

Sunday, December 10, Holy Family Academy in Bound Brook presents Train Ride with Santa. Purchase a round trip train ticket from Bound Brook to Westfield for $8. Santa Claus, candy canes, and a small gift are included in the ticket price. A map of shops and restaurants will be provided. Seating is limited to only 2 cars of NJ Transit so purchase your tickets early at Holy Family Academy from 9:00 – 2:00, 120 East 2nd Street

MEDICAL NEWS

Kidney Transplant Donor

We received the following letter from Debbie Wallace, a communicant of St. Joseph’s Parish in Somer’s Point, NJ.

I have Polycystic Kidney Disease and need a kidney transplant. I am a Special Ed Teacher, have been active in my parish and taught C.C.D. for 27 years. Several people, including my sisters have not been good medical matches.

Potential donors must have either A or O blood type and be in good medical condition. They should be under 62 years old. All expenses are covered by The Gift of Life.

If you or anyone you know is interested in donating a kidney, call me at 1-609-601-1489, or Maureen Simons at the University of Pennsylvania Kidney Transplant Center at 1-215-662-6200. Thank you for your prayers and support.

Extraordinary Ministers Need at SMC

Somerset Medical Center in Somerville is in need of additional Extraordinary Ministers beginning January 2007. Many of their faithful volunteers are retiring or relocating; would you consider serving as a substitute or regular minister for our hospitalized fellow Catholics? The need is especially great on Sundays, Mondays, and Fridays, but anytime is welcome. If you can help, please contact Debbie Teresak, Coordinator of Pastoral Care, at 908-685-2425. Thank you!