FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT

Seasonal prop

Prop Cr  Adv Pf I Sol Bl 1

3: Jer 33:14-16  Ps 25:4-5, 8-10, 14

1 Thes 3:12-4:2  Lk 21:25-28, 34-36

We must be on guard (3) for the Day which is to come when all will be fulfilled (1). As we await the coming of Christ, let us love one another (2), observing his covenant and decrees (Ps).

Stewardship

“Be on guard,” Jesus warns in today’s Gospel, “lest your spirits become bloated with indulgence.” Let us heed His warning and follow the advice of St. Paul, conducting ourselves in a way pleasing to God, overflowing with love for one another. See Luke 21:34

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, Frank Kozden, David King, Mary Pokotello, John & Peter Foxwell, Haley Weber, Frank Stashak, Blanche Ferarro, Kalman Sipos, Josephine Sarnoski, and Diane Manley. Elizabeth Connelly

Sunday Collections

November 12^th $3877.00

November 19^th $5649.60

November 26^th $4050.00

December 3^rd , 2006

Counters Team #4

Bingo Team #4

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.

Eucharistic Holy Hour for Vocations

Dec 15^th, Immaculate Conception Church 35 Mountain Ave., Somerville. Come join us to pray for priestly and religious vocations and in support of young men and women that they may discern God’s will in their lives.

First Synod of the Diocese of Metuchen

After the synod sessions…

At every stage and step along the way we’ve taken great care to explain how any diocesan synod is a process, not an event. This is especially true as synod sessions draw to a close.

On December 2, synod delegates will meet for the third and final time to vote. Shortly thereafter, 59 proposals will be presented to our Bishop for approval. What will happen next?

The decrees issued in January 2007 will shape the future of our diocese.

Whether participating at Speak Up Sessions, on synod commissions, or as delegates, the People of God have identified the need for new levels of collaboration in the Church of Metuchen. The people of our diocese are being asked to support, educate and inspire their parishes. Parishes are being asked to support, educate and inspire one another. Clergy, religious and laity are being called upon to recognize and share their gifts.

The upcoming Implementation Phase is about making this real in our day.How will you participate?

Mount Saint Mary Academy

1651 U.S. Highway 22

Watchung, NJ 07069-6587

(908) 753-2091 msmhope@att.net

Weekend Retreat

Dec. 8-10, Begins 7 p.m. on opening day; concludes at 2 p.m. An experience of personal prayer based on Scripture. Daily spiritual direction. Adaptable to the needs and desires of each individual. Atmosphere of prayerful quiet. ($100/weekend)

OUR LADY OF MERCY NEWS

Holy Name Society News

It was a very enjoyable Summer for the Holy Name Society.

Amongst the various activities participated in by the Holy Name Society were:

1-      Sponsoring the River Cats, a Minor League baseball team in the South Bound Brook / Somerset Little League.  Of the 11 players on the team, 8 to 9 were members of Our Lady of Mercy Church.

2-      Sponsoring a Night Out at Commerce Bank Ballpark to see the Somerset Patriots beat the Bridgeport Bluefish, 7-0.

3-      On June 19th, Fr. Dan, along with President Bob McArdle and Vice President Keith Fasanella, presented the First Annual Our “Lady Of Mercy Roman Catholic Church Major League Championship Cup” to the Red Wings of the South Bound Brook / Somerset Little League.  Amongst the members of the team were: Manager James Burke; Coaches John McArdle, Priscilla Franzyshen, and Bob Zgorzelski; and Players Julian Asan, Robert Backus, Manjot Dhillon, Tyler DiGiovannangelo, Matthew Franzyshen, Alberto Garcia, Jarrett Gardner, Anthony Loupos, Patrick McArdle, Ryan Zgorzelski, and Paul Konysz.

4-      Attending the San Alphonso Men’s Retreat in August.  Amongst the award winners for number of years attended were:  John Redner (20 Years), Frank Tymecki (15), Joseph Tarzan (10), Joseph Andruzzi (5), and Joseph Graber (5).

BLESSED BE HIS HOLY NAME

The Winners of the 2006 Our Lady Of Mercy Holy Name Society Raffle

   First Place:    Flo Gonda

   Second Place:     Mr. & Mrs. J. Promaulayko

   Third Place:     Rocco J. Puppo.

Congratulations to Flo, Mr. & Mrs. Promaulayko, and Rocco.  To all who participated in this years Raffle- THANK YOU VERY MUCH! Your contributions will go to great use to keep our Church in the best shape possible.

BLESSED BE HIS HOLY NAME.

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.

Introducing…

Since we’re long on space and short on news this week, I would like to introduce myself. I will be Father Dan’s and the Parish’s newest secretary, Laura Lester (nee Puchalek). I follow in the very hard to fill footsteps of Mary Ann Horvath who has decided to take a long and much deserved sabbatical from this post.

I was raised in So. Bound Brook and received my sacraments at Our Lady of Mercy Church. I or one of my sisters or brother has probably gone to school with one of your children or with you personally. I now live in Dunellen with my husband where we raised our daughter. We have two exceptionally beautiful and exceptionally intelligent granddaughters.

I am thrilled to be back working in this community.

I am here at the rectory Mon-10:30-1:30, Tue-10:30-2:00, Wed-10:30-4, Thur-Off, Fri-10:30-4:00. I’m always looking for community & Parish news/events to put in the bulletin. I will always fill in (space allowing) with jokes, anecdotes and riddles-Thank you all who have sent jokes to me on email, I will use them! Please don’t hesitate to contact me. I can be reached by the rectory phone

(732) 356-1037 or by email olmsecretary@optonline.net

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.  Spend your time in beautiful Westfield, have a family holiday lunch, finish your Christmas shopping, enjoy the decorations. 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