Dear Friends, 2017 is coming to an end. Monday marks the beginning of a new year. For some 2017, has been a fulfillment of their hopes as a new president and administration has taken office. For others, things haven’t been nearly as positive, at least on a national level. But for both camps, the religious significance of this new year is that our hope is being renewed not by what happens in Washington or Trenton but by what began 2,000 years ago and continues as one year ends and a new one begins.

The problem we all have, it seems, is that we are living in fear. A recent article in the Washington Post, written about the devastating effect of fear among white evangelicals, could well be applied to all of us. It’s fear that makes it impossible for us to talk with each other. It’s fear that sees threats from other religions, races, and nationalities, from conservatives, liberals, scientists, atheists, LGBT people, immigrants, Republicans, or Democrats.

Christ said so often: “Don’t be afraid.” How ironic that a “Christian nation” can be so gripped by fear! Christmas celebrates the antidote to fear - in becoming one with us, the Lord showed the one love that enables all to be divine without losing the beauty of our humanity. It’s faith in ourselves because of that love that can helps us enter into healing conversations with those we fear. Christians know that they have the power for such change. As we experience in each Eucharist, the one who changed death into life lives within us and amongst us, the Christ whose birth we celebrate!

It’s to not forget this that nearly 5,000 of us gathered to mark Christmas. So many wonderful folks contributed in different ways to help our parish do this. Our Christmas Concert set the tone with a beautiful presentation of hymns and carols. Our Liturgy Committee planned our Masses with its usual great care. The Decorating Committee spent a lot of time over many days lending their artistic abilities to give the exterior and the interior of our church its Christmas beauty.

As in years past, some generous folks put together the Christmas mangers, both the one inside the church and the one outside in front of the rectory. Our Cleaning Crew helped to make the inside of the church bright. Our lectors, Eucharistic ministers, our ushers, altar servers, and sacristans ministered to us with dignity and grace. Our wonderful choirs and leaders of song helped us worship the Lord with their very special gifts. Our Giving Tree Committee and our Kids Corner made it possible for us to help those less fortunate in our midst.

I also want to thank all of you who contributed so generously to the Christmas collection this year. Your contributions, as every year, help St. Anne’s do what we can to continue to minister to our community and to those in need around us. Your generosity is more important than ever!

Finally, Fr. Colin, Fr. Jeremiah, Msgr. Ziccardi, Deacon Rich and I want all who sent cards, cakes, cookies, and fruit, and all those who offered your good wishes, to know how grateful we are to you. May we measure up to your generosity. It’s also our prayer that you and your families and friends will have a great 2018. May it be a true beginning for us. May we all be renewed in the one thing that can make the difference - our faith in Christ and his Spirit which guides us and our world! Love,

Fr.Joe

Worship… Called and formed by the Word of God, we

worship our Lord primarily in the Mass. The Eucharist is the

center of our Christian life. It grounds everything else we do,

from prayer to our daily tasks to our ministries. If you have any

comments, please feel free to contact any of the following

Pastoral Council Representatives: Fr. Colin Kay, Deacon

Rich McGarry and Michael Kohler.

Pray for the recovery of: Mary Elizabeth Meeley, Linda VonDreel, John Young, Christine Meidhof, Angel Gomes, Maria Kohlick, Jennifer Reeves, Vicenta Oyog, Lori Mineo, Ann Riffle, Baby Sophia Behrens, James Giegler, Matt Kenly, Marie Recchione, Bob Nichols, Maria Iozzia, Joseph Fernandez & his family, Jerry Marcom, Eileen Meyer, Anthony Esposito, Marissa Anderson, Helen Masefield, Timothy Dolan, Marie Kazazian, Rowen Ru, Charles Cummins, Alexa Kazazian, Meghan Curley, Romeo Malungcot, Angelina Perez, Kathy Nahra, Joe Hackett, Baby Joseph Mount, Sean O’Malley, Dave Gondres, Mark Reeves, Dr. Kevin Jeffrey McCarthy, Tommy Maher, Betty Young, Gabrielle Paradiso, Baby Charles Michael Tansey, Marianne Wilde, Lois Dekker, Mary Golabek, Joy Leonard, Mark Reeves, Mercedes Cepeda, Joey Bulger, Tom Pagano, Catherine Kurnath, John Coons, Mary McCarthy, Nellie Salazar, Ann Garripoli Petrie, Jennifer Crespo, Jimmy O’Hanlon, Patricia Sisti, Albert Gravel, Margaret Hoether, David Guerra, Jessica Pavoni, Debbie Carlotti, Jake Rudd, John Bohlig, Michael Reyes, Frank Morano, Sr., Bill Keegan, Richard Kennelley, Veronica Reichert, Robert O’Byrne, Julia Fedorchik, Jillda DiNardo, Marie Brancato, Helen Konarski, Mary Ludlow, Jason & Justin Leider, Dianna Miranda, Brandon Higgens, Ann Millstein, Carol Gravel, Wendy Gratale, Richie Policastro, Jackie Manning, Stanislaw Tecza, Louis Frances, Jarret Adamo, Matthew McGovern, Sarah Valenti, Stan Tomon, Violeta Arva, Ken Macagna, Todd Hodge, Emily Rao, John Rao, Carol Verbovsky, Kenneth Bodzak, Anne Llewellyn, Les Wolf, Diana Lambouras, Thomas Brown, Nicole Schepps and John Falcone.

†Pray for the happy repose of † Sister Frances Marie Ciezobka and Jeanette Cuneo

The Bread and Wine will be offered this week in loving memory of Sam DePadova, as requested by his family.

The Altar Candles will burn this week in loving memory of Sam DePadova as requested by family.

The Sanctuary Lamp will burn this week in in for a safe & successful Special Olympics Bowling and Winter Sports Festival.

Monday, January 1st

Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God

8:00 - People of 10:00 – Saint Anne Parish

Tuesday, January 2nd

8:45 – Nat Jones – Evelyn & Marie Rago Family – Setteducato Family

Wednesday, January 3rd

7:30 – George Meade – The Corallo Family Huy & Family (Living) - Mom 8:45 – People of St. Anne Parish

Thursday, January 4th

7:30 – Nguyen Family – Daughter & Family 8:45 - George Puente – Barbara Puente

Friday, January 5th

7:30 - Dan’s Family – Wife & Family 8:45 - People of St. Anne Parish

Saturday, January 6th

8:45 – Catherine & William Dalton – The Dalton Family 5:15 - Stella & Frank Fabio – Patrick & Caroline Pompeo Charles Williams – Sheila Abate Stephen & Frances Rosty – Rosty Family Fr. John P. O’Brien – Mildred Setteducato

Sunday, January 7th

7:30 – George J. Meade – Terri & Karl O. Eder Dorothy Robertson - Family 9:30 – Eugene Carfora – The Mortell Family Matthew Borst – The Patterson Family Damian Ret Jr. – Nieves Ret William Patrick Nugent – The Patterson Family 11:30 – Ignazia & Giovanni Cavaleri– The Barone Family Francesco Barone – Maria Barone Hannah Dougan – Tricia Dougan Ann Corcoran – Liz & Marty Ward 6:00 pm – Jan A. Grecco – Tom & Danielle DiPasquale Thomas Hughes – Hughes Family Virgilio Pimentel - Grandchildren

HOLIDAY OFFICE HOURS

This Christmas season, there will be a number of

changes to the office hours here at the Rectory. This

applies to times that the front desk is staffed for Mass

cards, information, etc. Priests are always available

for emergencies, and can be reached by calling the

Rectory number (201) 791-1616.

Sun., Dec. 31 & Mon., 1/1 - CLOSED

Let us pray for those in our armed forces especially

for: 2nd

Lt. Frank D. Slawson II, USAF: 1st Lt. Markus

Landers, USMC; Cpl Bobby Cimmino, USMC; PFC

Richard Marchese, US Army; Pvt. John Pagios, US

Army; Pvt. Kristoffer Burger, US Army; SPCE4 Kyle

Milnes, US Army; PO 2nd

Cl Jimmy Guerra, US Navy,

PO 1st Cl Nicholas J. Vanni, US Navy; Major Gregory

Sugalski, US Army; MM2 Nicholas J. Magarelli, USN,

Master Sgt. Michael VanPamel, USAF; Sgt. Michael

Bourke, US Army; PFC Lindsay Newarski, US Army;

Staff Sgt.. Matthew Bauer, USAF; Brandon Motto,

USMC; Lt. Marc Sabatino, USN; LCPL Storm Odom,

USMC; Airman Michael Diffin, USAF; CPL Justin

Scales, USMC; LCPL Dominick Rizzo, USMC; PFC

Jonathan C. Sulinski, Warrant Officer Alan Harty, US

Army; Sgt. Bert J. Frullo, US Army; LCPL. Harrison

James Bruining, USMC; LCPL Steven D’Argenio,

USMC; Capt. Kip Rainey; SP4 Monica Saucier, US

Army; Spec. 4 Brian Tarantino, US Army; PO 1st Cl.

Mike Tarantino, USN; Lt. Col. Marshall Denney; Lance

Corp. Marshall Denney IV; Col. Patrick Frank; Capt.

Daniel Curtin, US Army; Staff Sgt. Joseph Sullivan,

USMC; A1C Richard Baldassari, USAF; Capt. Donald

Pump, USMC; and all those serving in Iraq and

Afghanistan.

ALTERNATIVE TO ABORTION If you know

someone who is considering having an abortion, here is a

number they might call that could be of help to them to

consider an alternative to this practice. The number is

1-800-395-HELP (4357).

For the month of December, Pope Francis asks us to pray especially

...that the elderly, sustained by families and Christian communities, may apply their wisdom and expertise to spreading the faith and forming new generations.

BTOR will resume meeting after the New Year!

We wish you all a very blessed Christmas!

Church Calendars with listings of church feast days are available in the church. These calendars are provided for us by the Caggiano Family of Vander Plaat–Caggiano Funeral Home, Inc. in Fair Lawn.

REFLECTION Love As If -Vinita Hampton Wright

Love as if loving is the first thing on your to-do list.

Love as if you have no other plan but to love.

Love as if you are confident that love makes good

things happen.

Love as if this is your first opportunity to love.

Love as if this is your last opportunity to love.

Love as if loving can heal all wounds.

Love as if loving is your first purpose on earth.

Love as if loving is your favorite choice.

Love as if you have that kind of power.

Love as if it will keep the earth spinning in vast,

beautiful space.

STEWARDSHIP REFLECTION The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph “…as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must

forgive.” (Colossians 3:13)

Forgiveness – one of the hardest things for people to do. It’s amazing how long we can hold a grudge or be angry with someone. As we celebrate the feast of the Holy Family, take this opportunity to give the gift of forgiveness to someone – maybe someone in your family, maybe a friend, maybe a co-worker or neighbor or, maybe yourself. Pick up the phone or text someone right now.

Word… St. Anne’s is a family of faith formed by the Word of God, especially as this is expressed in the person of Christ, in the

Scriptures, and in the Tradition of the Church. As we hear this word and take it more and more deeply into our lives, we become ever

more truly the People of God. If you have any comments, please feel free to contact any of the following Pastoral Council

Representatives: Donna Stickna, Melissa Rovetto-Ruffner & Marianne Cummins .

SAINT ANNE SCHOOL NEWS

St. Anne School is closed for Christmas break. We will reopen on January 2, 2018. To all our parishioners, may the Child born in your heart on Christmas cause you to grow in holiness every day of the New Year!

Visit our website at www.stannenj.com Follow us …. @StAnneFairLawn

FAITH FORMATION NEWS

SundayFaith…classes will not be in session December 31; classes will resume January 7.

Have a peace-filled New Year!

Home Study…will meet in the school cafeteria from 7-8:30pm on the following Tuesday

evenings in January:

Home Study 1—January 2

Home Study 2—January 9

Home Study 3—January 16

Be sure to submit online reviews for chapters 9-14 at least one week prior to your

scheduled session!

Family Catechesis…will meet in the Church Hall from 7-8:30pm on the following Wednesday

evenings in January:

Family Catechesis grade 7—January 3

Family Catechesis grade 8—January 10

Be sure to submit online reviews for chapters 7-12 at least one week prior to your scheduled session!

SummerFaith Epiphany Family Session is scheduled for Sunday, January 7 from 10:30-11:30am in the

school cafeteria, immediately following the 9:30am Family Mass. Reminder emails have been sent.

SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION Confirmation Prep will meet on January 14 & 28 in the school.

1st Reconciliations are scheduled for January 19, 20, 26, & 27. Look for your reminder Flocknote text!

Service…Impelled by the Spirit of Jesus, St. Anne’s strives to reach out to others. In works on behalf of justice, charity, and

human development, we seek to imitate Jesus in bringing glad tidings to the poor, liberty to the oppressed and captives, and healing to

the blind and the sick. If you have any comments, please feel free to contact Fr. Joe or Fr. Colin.

FROM THE OFFICE OF HUMAN CONCERNS

ITEMS MOST NEEDED ARE: CEREAL AND TOILET PAPER. Instant potatoes, canned fruit, spaghetti

sauce, mac n cheese, white rice (small bags), small packets of instant dry milk, jello or pudding, coffee,

pancake mix, syrup, cookies, healthy snacks, facial soap, tooth paste, tooth brushes, paper towels, tissues, saran

wrap, baggies, dish soap, laundry detergent and house cleaning products.

We are not accepting clothes, books, baby items or household items at the rectory until January.

RECYCLE…REUSE HELP OTHERS… If Saint Nick will be giving you new pots, pans, dishes, silverware, etc

mark and donate used products after News Year’s Day for our food pantry families.

HARRISON HOUSE COOKS NEEDED – Cook for 7 adults who have AIDS and live in Paramus. We need

cooks in starting in May 2018. Every fourth Sunday in each month is our date to cook. Call Michelle for more

info at 201-791-1616 ext. 217. Leave name, telephone and message.

ST. CAJETAN MINISTRY NETWORK for the Unemployed & Under-employed

We meet every two weeks as follows: St. Catharine’s Ministry Center - next meeting: Thursday, January 4th . Next meeting at St. Anne’s Rectory is Saturday, January 6th - from 10am - 12 noon. If you think you may be interested please contact Ed Grzesiak 201-321-5144, John Lederer 201-286-9354, Lou Cuomo 201-657-3838, Eamon Jennings, 917-841-2558, Steve Zmuda 201-819-9026, Jim Trousdale 917-363-9977 or Joe Bonis 201-390-7169. You can also email us at stcajetan@stannefairlawnnj.org

Christian Foundations For Ministry

An Adult Education Program

You are invited to join in an eight week program on Liturgy and Daily Living at St. Catharine’s Parish, Glen Rock. We shall study and discuss how liturgy developed from the original feast day—Sunday—and how liturgy is related to justice and compassion. The program is sponsored and accredited by the Catechetical Office of the Archdiocese of Newark.

What: Liturgy and Daily Living

When: Tuesdays from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. January 9…16…23…30 February 6…13…20…27

Where: Parish Center - St. Catharine, Glen Rock Enter through the doors under the bell tower to the far right of the Church.

Fees: for St. Anne parishioners are covered by a gift to the parish for that specific purpose.

This course may be taken for personal enrichment or for credit toward ministerial certification from the Archdiocese. You can feel free to drop in for a session to get a “taste” of what we do.

For further information please contact Aileen Giannelli at 201-794-0317 or at aileengiannelli@optimum.net.

Memorial Donations

A donations have been made to St. Anne Food Pantry as follows:

By J. DiPieri Contracting, Inc.

In Memory of Members of the Tauras Family, Domyon Family,

Mattal Family & Under Family by George & Grace Tauras

In Memory of Eugene Rycharski by Michael & Nancy Keenan

Donations have been made to St. Anne Church in loving memory of:

Maria Zunno by: Cheryl Marcus

Josephine DiPaola by: Irving & Esther Babner

Vivian Felice by: Raymond Aspinwall

Jean Tietjien by: Margaret & Bruce Howard

Bishnu Esserry by: The Edelman Family

Barbara Bender by: Pat Corr

Regina & Frank Barrale

Betty Ann Murphy

Joy Disco

Adele & George Zawisa

Jacqueline Bender

Wayne Arvidson

Joyce & Richard Cimera

Susan & Wilbur Dusenberry

Joan Kuiken

Carol Hile

Peggy & Bill Dalton

Patricia & Dennis Monks

Gladys W. Nalezny

Phyllis Costa

If you wish to make such a donation to St. Anne Church or Food Pantry in

memory of a friend or loved one, please contact the Rectory.

Community… Formed by the Word and by the Eucharist, St. Anne’s builds

community in the ways that we live and work and celebrate

together. In these ways, we experience the living presence of

Christ. If you have any comments, please feel free to contact

any of the following Pastoral Council Representatives:

Junie Fuertes, Laurie Hessman, Joe Murray, Joan Piela,

Stephanie Kedersha, Joe Barone and Terence Curley

EVENTS FOR THIS WEEK Sunday, December 31st

Monday, January 1st – Happy New Year! AA – 7:30 PM – LCR

Tuesday, January 2nd Home Study – 7-8:30 pm - CAF Wednesday, January 3rd Play Group – 9:30 – 11:00 am - CH Family Catechesis – 7-8:30 pm - CH Bible Study – 7:00 pm - FC Thursday, January 4th Cub Scouts – 6:30 – 8:30 pm – CH/CAF Friday, January 5th Saturday, January 6th Stages – 1:00 – 5:00 pm - CH AA – 7:30 – 8:30 PM – CAF

Are you a stay-at-home mom or dad of children age 5 and under? Or perhaps you care for your grandchildren during the week?

If so, come join us for our weekly Play Group which will meet next on January 3rd from 9:30 – 11:00 am in the Church Hall. For information, please call Ali Curley at 201-693-3474.

2017 ADVENT/CHRISTMAS SCHEDULE

Sunday, December 31st

7:30, 9:30 & 11:30 am Vigil of the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God

6:00 pm

Monday, January 1st Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God

8:00 am and 10:00 am

Saint Anne's Seniors The next meeting of the Saint Anne's Seniors will be on Monday, January 8th in the Church Hall at 1 pm. If you are thinking of attending a Saint Anne's Senior Meeting - this is the one!! The Jan. 8th meeting will be Soup Day! A variety of soups and chili will be served with bread, coffee and cake. If you would like to see what the Seniors are about, please call Lucy and make a reservation to attend as our guest. Lucy can be reached at 201-791-3440. Also members - time for our dues $20. Hope the coming year will be healthy and happy for all.

Dried-out Christmas trees are a post-holiday hazard – Fair Lawn’s Mayor and Council hope our residents have a joyous Christmas and remind everyone to not neglect fire safety in the post-holiday season. Although residents are encouraged to check the tree’s water level and add water twice daily, trees will however dry out altogether and pose a tremendous fire hazard. And that becomes obvious by the increasing volume of needles that accumulate on the floor. To avoid a tragedy, residents are urged not to be lazy about removing a dried out tree from the home and to dispose of it properly. For further information on Christmas trees or any other fire safety matter, please contact the Fire Marshal FireMarshal@FairLawn.org or call 201-794-5408.

Finance/Administration… A Christian community strives to steward its resources so that they can provide the material by which its various ministries can

reflect the parish’s mission to reflect Christ’s presence in all that we do and say. Finance Committee Members: Ed Hughes,

Bill Ball, Sheila Abate, Loretta Stachiotti, Steve Palermo, Jerry Cunningham and John Weiss.

Buildings/Grounds: Carl Shoemaker, Dave Lee, Kate Humble, Steve Zmuda, Ron Barbarulo, Adrian Menichelli

and Michael La Rocca

Heating & Air Conditioning ~ Everyone knows that there are some months in which our electricity bill or heating bill is higher

than others. Well, it’s the same with the Church. As you know, we use an additional way of paying for

our extra energy months. In the back of the church each Sunday you will find separate ENERGY

envelopes. If you should happen to hit the jackpot that week, and wish to throw a dollar or two in that

envelope, we’d greatly appreciate it! You can throw these special envelopes right in the collection with

your regular envelope. The energy envelopes will not be mailed to you. They will simply be in the back

of the church, so if you don’t spot them, be sure to ask the ushers at your Mass. Thanks so much. And

special thanks to those who have already been doing it regularly. It makes a difference!!!

Online Giving…

You have the opportunity to make donations to our Sunday collection online! To sign up, go to the St. Anne website – www.stannefairlawnnj.org

There are several ways to access the system: 1. Underneath the scrolling slideshow on the home page, on the bottom right-hand corner, you will see a

light blue icon with a $ sign. Click that icon to go directly to the system.

OR 2. From the homepage, check the left-hand menu options. The second to last menu option says

“envelopes & online giving.” Click that link, and a page with various giving options will appear. Select the

Online Giving option to be taken directly to the system.

Once you are taken to the new site, click on the section that says Create New Account. Next you will see New User Account Registration. Fill out the form and click “submit.” When you are enrolled, you can go into Manage My Account, where you will see My Payment Methods. Here you can choose to have the funds deducted from your checking or bank account (you will need your routing and account numbers on hand). Under Manage My Account, you will also see Give a New Gift. There you will decide when and how much to give. (In the list, Offertory Collection means the Sunday collection.) You can select recurring or one time gifts. You also have the option to access all the other special envelopes you would normally find in your envelope packet and which are generally one-time donations. Each time you go to Mass, get a card that says “I have made my donation online” and put it in the collection when the usher comes around. Thanks so much for giving online!