Fourth Sunday of Advent 21 DECEMBER 2008

MASS INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK

Saturday 8:00 a.m. December 20 Theodora Constantino Intentions req. by Mr. & Mrs. Emilio

Marini 5:00 p.m. The Living & Deceased Members of Mater Ecclesiae Sunday 8:30 a.m. December 21

John & Dorothy Newnam req. by Family 11:00 a.m.

Sue Sconyo req. by Nancy Hilbert Monday 8:00 a.m. December 22 Sam & Kathy DiStefano req. by Larry & Theresa Ferringo Tuesday 8:00 a.m. December 23

Rose Meglio, Sr. req. by Rose Meglio Wednesday 8:00 a.m. December 24

Vincent Sego req. by Ann Sego 11:00 p.m. Living & Deceased Members of Mater Ecclesiae Thursday 8:30 a.m. December 25

Ernesto Estor, MD req. by Emelita Suarez 11:00 a.m. Len & Marianna Kane Intentions req. by Larry & Theresa

Ferringo Friday NO DAILY MASS December 26

Felice, Antonia, Edoardo, & Vincenzo D’Urso req. by Len & Marianna Kane

Saturday 8:00 a.m. December 27 Maria Elena Estor req. by Mercedes Cristobal

The Nativity of Our Lord December 25

THIS WEEK’S LITURGICAL CALENDAR

AND READINGS FOR MASS

Sunday December 21 I Class FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT Readings: 1 Corinthians 4, 1-5 & Luke 3, 1-6 O Rising Dawn, Radiance of the Light eternal and Sun of Justice; Come, and enlighten those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death!

Monday December 22 II Class Feria of Advent Readings: 1 Corinthians 4, 1-5 & Luke 3, 1-6 O King of the Gentiles, and the Desired of all, You are the cornerstone that binds two into one. Come, and save poor man whom You fashioned out of clay!

Tuesday December 23 II Class Feria of Advent Readings: 1 Corinthians 4, 1-5 & Luke 3, 1-6 O Emmanuel, our King and Lawgiver, the Expected of nations and their Savior: Come, and save us, O Lord our God!

Wednesday December 24 I Class 8:00 A.M. Mass Vigil of The Nativity of Our Lord Readings: Romans 1, 1-6 & Matthew 1, 18-21

NATIVITY OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST – Holy Day of Obligation

Wednesday December 24 I Class FIRST MASS OF CHRISTMAS AT MIDNIGHT Confessions: 10:15 – 10:45 p.m. Christmas Carols begin at 10:30 p.m. First Mass of Christmas begins at 11:00 p.m. and ends after Midnight Readings: Titus 2, 11-15 & Luke 2, 1-14

NATIVITY OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST – Holy Day of Obligation

Thursday December 25 I Class SECOND MASS OF CHRISTMAS AT 8:30 a.m. Readings: Titus 3, 4-7 & Luke 2, 15-20

THIRD MASS OF CHRISTMAS AT 11:00 a.m. Readings: Hebrews 1, 1-12 & John 1, 1-14

Friday December 26 NO DAILY MASS II Class Saint Stephen, The First Martyr Comm. Octave of Christmas Readings: Acts 6, 8-10; 7, 54-59

Saturday December 27 II Class Saint John, Apostle & Evangelist Comm. Octave of Christmas Readings: Ecclesiasticus 15, 1-6 & John 21, 19-24

THE HOLY SEASON OF ADVENT FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT

“…As it is written in the book of the words of Isaias, the prophet: A voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare ye the way of the Lord: make straight His

paths: Every valley shall be filled: and every mountain and hill shall be brought low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways plain: And all flesh

shall see the salvation of God.

Luke 3, 4-6

Visit Mater Ecclesiae's Website Bookmark our Website at www.materecclesiae.org

to find out the latest news about what’s happening at our parish. If anyone has an announcement, pictures or news to add to the website, please contact our webmasters Kevin or

Kelly Myers at webmaster@materecclesiae.org.

Sign up for Our New Email Newsletter Check out our Newsletter at www.materecclesiae.org.

Please send your story ideas to Saveria Symons at parishnewsletter@materecclesiae.org.

or to Kevin or Kelly Myers at webmaster@materecclesiae.org.

(All submissions are subject to the approval of Fr. Pasley.)

Mitten Tree

CCD classes will once again be collecting gloves and mittens for the needy this year. Please consider donating a new pair of mittens or gloves; new

warm hats or scarves would also be appreciated. You can hang them on the tree in Bishop Di Marzio Hall through the last Sunday of

December. Thank you.

Blessed Imelda Veils

Beautifully handcrafted with love by a young lady from our parish, these fine quality lace veils in assorted colors, sizes and

styles are available in the Padre Pio Gift Shop. Stop in and check out the display.

Christmas Holiday Deadlines

To place an announcement in the Weekly Bulletin, please observe the following deadline:

December 22 for the January 11 Bulletin

Thank you.

Catholic Apologetics Series Remember the Sick:

Please pray for Fr. H. L. Brignac, Fr. Daniel Kehoe, Fr. Rodell, Fr. Robert Skurla, Joseph Arleth, Alfred Bailey, Mary Barnard, Michael Bazikos, Mary Berryann, Alexandra Bilotti, Dan Bonacorsi, Gerry Bonsall, Michael Bowes, Chris Breen, Anne Byrne, Milvia Cacich, John Canfield, Phyllis Canfield, William Canfield, Catherine Canfield, Kelsey Canfield, Stephen Caputi, Robert Caromano, Gloria Cascino, Carolyn Casey, The Casey Family, James Cassidy, Bill Coillot, John Robert Conner, Patrick Corrigan, Joseph DiSanto, Lucy Donofrio, Gerard Dowdall, Vincent Durso, Dan Estrada, Larry Ferringo, Luke Ferringo, Theresa Ferringo, Kathy Field, Rob Field, Matthew Flynn, Joan & William Foley, Carmella Fortucci, Diane Foster, Gus Friedel, Joseph Gerage, Gordon C. Gladden, Ann Graziano, Barbara Hale, Francis Kelley Heiland, Kathleen Hess, John & Velma Horcher, Viola Iuliucci, Mary Jablonski, Joseph G. Johns, Barry & Mary Johnson, Robert A. Kauffmann, Pauline Keys, Merlyn Kinsey, Gregory Kuczykowski, Jr., Jerry Levine, Grace Linkmeyer, Nancy LaMarche, Agnes B. Lamendola, Gay Lauria, Patricia Lennon, Guy Luongo, Carol Maddaloni, Emilio Marini, Delores McElroy, Tina McGinnis, Quinn Miller, Barbara Murphy, Clayton Myers, John Nadrigale, Nancy Numair, Pam O’Brien, Cole O’Drain, Doug Pallidino, Diane Passarello, Michael Pozanski, Carol Rader, Christina Razzano, Marion Rosetti, St h R kk B S hi J ti

Join us for an eight session apologetics class, on the first Sunday of each month continuing through May.

Would you like to know your

Catholic Faith better? Our new apologetics program using this DVD series by Michael Voris will help you learn and defend the

“One True Faith”.

Lou Rossino and Lou DiLoreto will introduce and discuss monthly topics pertinent

to our faith, such as:

The Church, Angels, Hell, The Rapture, The Mass

We will be meeting on the first Sunday of every month from 9:45AM to 10:45 AM. This program is

open to all adults and high school students.

Christmas Decorating

If you would like to be part of the Decorating Committee and prepare the Church for

Christmas please come out and help! We will begin decorating the Church on Monday,

December 22 after the morning Mass. The final decorating will take place on Wednesday,

December 24. Thank you.

Mater Ecclesiae Council #12833 meetings are held on the 2nd & 4th Mondays of the month at 8:00 PM in the Knights Room. The Scriptural

Rosary and Prayer for Vocations are said at 7:30 PM in the Church. New members are welcome. Visit their website: www.KofC12833.org.

Prayer Chain for Special Intentions And Intercessory Prayer

Mater Ecclesiae parishioners who have a need for intercessory prayers or who wish to commit to participate in our newly formed

Prayer Chain should contact Lou DiLoreto at 609-304-4911 or sifulou@comcast.net.

Scriptural Rosary

The Mater Ecclesiae Knights of Columbus “Scriptural Rosary” is now available on the

Knights' website. The PDF file can be downloaded from the homepage or from the "Prayers" page. You can go directly to www.KofC12833.org or

follow the link from the Mater Ecclesiae website.

Family Christmas Dance

Come join the fun for an evening of Ballroom Dancing on Saturday, January 10, 2009,

O ANTIPHONS BEFORE CHRISTMAS

December 17 – 23 6:30 pm – 10:30 p.m. Admission is free!

The “O Antiphons” are the seven antiphons (responses sung in Gregorian Chant) that are chanted at Vespers (evening prayer) during the special period of Advent known as the Octave before Christmas, December 17 through 23.

Please bring a drink and a treat to share.

Dance Night Dress Code: Gals: Skirts/Dresses-At least knee-length (Nothing low

cut, tight fitting, or sleeveless, please.) Guys: Shirts with collars, Dress pants, Dress Shoes

Each of “O Antiphons” begins with a different name or title for the Messiah: Enrichment activities

O Sapientia (O Wisdom) To resume in January O Adonai (O Lord)

We wish everyone a Blessed Christmas Holiday! O Radix Jesse (O Root of Jesse) Our Enrichment Activities will resume in January after the Christmas break. We are looking for volunteer families to help with the Blue Knights and Little Flowers as well as some new activities. Please contact Jill at 856-343-7065. Check here for future updates. The Needlecraft Guild will

resume on Tuesday, January 20 at 7 p.m.

O Clavis David (O Key of David) O Oriens (O Rising Sun) O Rex Gentium (O King of the

Nations) O Emmanuel. (O Emmanuel) Also of significance, each one

refers to the prophecy of Isaiah of the coming of the Messiah.

The Mater Ecclesiae Pro-Life Apostolate The first letters of the titles taken backwards form a Latin acrostic of "Ero Cras" which translates to "Tomorrow, I will come", mirroring the theme of the antiphons.

Meets on the third Thursday of each month, 7:30-9:00 PM. The Pro-Life Newsletter is available in the Narthex and online at

our Website www.materecclesiae.org.

MENS Homeschool Support Group

The Mater Ecclesiae Network of Support (MENS) holds a monthly "Moms Morning Out" meeting on the third Saturday of the month after the 8:00 AM Mass, to provide support and encouragement to homeschooling families and those considering homeschooling their children. For information, contact Kelly R. at tradmom@comcast.net or Kelly M. at fatface78@yahoo.com

Latin Classes Classes are free of charge and are held every month on the 2 and 4 Sunday from 9:45 to 10:45 AM.

nd th

.

Nursing Home Mass

On the Second Friday of each month at 11:00 AM, volunteers pray the Rosary and attend Mass said by Fr. Pasley at the Nursing Home and Rehabilitation Center at Virtua in Berlin. The next Mass will be on January 9. For more information, please contact Lucille at the Rectory Office 856-753-3408.

Schola Caritas Schola Caritas, a chant choir for gentlemen, will sing each month for the

Sunday High Masses. Repertoire will include the ordinaries, Hymns, and some Propers of the Mass. Rehearsals will be Tuesday nights 7:50 – 8:50 PM in the Saint Cecilia Music room.

Novella Children’s Choir The Children’s Choir is open to boys and girls ages 8-12 years of age (with some

flexibility.) Rehearsals will be on Tuesday nights 7:00 – 7:45 PM in the Saint Cecilia Music room.

Christmas Concert

Join us on the second Sunday of each month

after both Masses for Breakfast!!

Let us herald in our Lord’s birth with

joyous song! Second Sunday Breakfast

January 11 Come out and enjoy a great meal

with friends! We will be serving pancakes, farm-fresh eggs, fresh oven-

roasted potatoes, sausage, pastries, toast and more! Beverages include

coffee, tea and juice.

Mater Ecclesiae and Holy Family Academy

Invite you to attend an afternoon of Caroling and refreshments when Filiaes

Mariae, our young ladies choir directed by Mrs. Lauren Walters, will present a

Christmas Concert Sunday, December 28 at 1:00 p.m. in

Bishop DiMarzio Hall. Admission is free. Please bring a treat (finger food,

cookies, or dessert) and a drink to share if you

plan to attend.

Tickets available at the door:

Adults: $6.00 Children to age 12: $3.00 Families: $27.00

And there were in the same country shepherds watching and keeping the night watches over their flock. And behold an Angel of the Lord stood by them, and the brightness of God shone round about them, and they feared with a great fear. And the Angel said to them: Fear not; for behold I bring you good Tidings of great joy, that shall be to all the people…

All proceeds benefit Mater Ecclesiae.

CCD Classes

CCD Classes meet on the second and third Sundays of each month, September to May at 9:45 AM – 10:45 AM.

Grades K-4 meet on the second Sunday and Grades 5-12 meet on the third Sunday of each month. Sacred Music

Of

Christmas

The Sacred Music for the Christmas Midnight Mass is donated by Mr. Frank Kiernan in Loving Memory of Charlotte C. Kiernan.

CCD FUNDRAISER

Thank You for Your Continued Support!

Don’t throw away those empty printer cartridges and old cell phones!

Help us get cash for your trash! Drop off your empty inkjet & laser cartridges, used cell phones, and PDA’s in the “Cartridges for Kids” Collection Basket in the St. Martha Room. Tell your family, friends, and Businesses. All proceeds benefit the CCD Program.

The Sacred Music for the Mass of Christmas Day is donated by Emelita Suarez.

***Look for our new wicker basket in the St. Martha Room!***

CHRISTMAS SCHEDULE

CONFESSIONS

Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday December 20-23

½ hour before Mass

Christmas Eve, Wednesday, December 24 10:00 PM – 10:45 PM

Christmas Day, Thursday, December 25 ½ hour before Mass

CHRISTMAS MASSES

Christmas Eve, Wednesday, December 24 10:30 PM Christmas Carol Concert 10:50 PM Blessing of Manger and

Christmas Proclamation 11:00 PM – Mass through Midnight

Christmas Day, Thursday, December 25 8:30 AM Low Mass

11:00 AM High Mass

NEW YEAR’S SCHEDULE 2009

Octave Day of the Nativity of Our Lord Holy Day of Obligation

CONFESSIONS ½ hour before each Mass

MASS SCHEDULE

Wednesday, December 31, 2008 NO MORNING MASS

5:00 PM – Anticipated Low Mass

Thursday, January 1, 2009 8:30 AM Low Mass

11:00 AM High Mass

Please Note:

As you know, most parishes do not have Confessions during Christmas week. During each Christmas Holiday Season, we schedule additional Confession times. Please take note of the times and make every attempt to go to

Confession before Christmas. Do not wait until the last minute!

Rectory Office Hours for the

Christmas Holiday

The Rectory Office will close on Tuesday, December 23

through Friday, December 26. The office will reopen on

Monday, December 29. Please plan accordingly.

Thank you.

For this day is born to

you a Savior, Who is Christ the Lord, in the city of David. And this shall be a sign unto you: You shall find the Infant wrapped in swaddling clothes, and laid in a manger.

(Luke 2, 11, 12)