ST. JAMES THE APOSTLE AND OUR LADY OF THE LAKE/MOUNT CARMEL IS A ROMAN CATHOLIC PARISH WITH THE EUCHARIST AS THE CENTER OF ITS LIFE. OUR MISSION, AS DISCIPLES OF JESUS CHRIST, IS TO BUILD UP THE KINGDOM OF GOD BY LEADING, NOURISHING AND SERVING THE COMMUNITY IN WORD AND SACRAMENT. From the Desk of Fr. Matthew MacDonald December 27, 2015

FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY This past week, we celebrated the great Feast of Christmas, commemorating the fact that Jesus Christ, the Son of God who existed with the Father and the Holy Spirit before time began, entered into time by being born as a human being. Today on the Feast of the Holy Family, we celebrate another important aspect of the mystery of Christmas, that which surrounds a family, The Holy Family, particularly the earthly parents of Jesus – the Blessed Virgin Mary and Saint Joseph. They were the ones who protected Jesus against the wrath and persecution of Herod, who cared for the Christ child, fed him, washed him, loved him. The historical events of Christmas, which are central to our faith, turned historically on the decisions of a husband and father, a wife and mother. Pope Saint John Paul II reminds us that everything good in – history, humanity salvation, passes by way of a family. Scott Hahn also reminds us in his book Joy to the World that at Christmas, When God came to save us; he made salvation inseparable from family life, manifest in family life. Since the family is the ordinary setting of human life, he came to share it, redeem it, and perfect it. He made it an image and sacrament of a divine mystery. Salvation itself finds meaning only in familial relations.”

Over the past fifty years there has been a great collapse in marriage and in family life, where so many people have had the absence of the example of a mother or a father to guide, protect, and form them. All of us can relate to this in some way, shape, or form by personal experience. The dealing with this crisis in marriage and family life would become a major focus point of Pope Saint John Paul II both as a priest when he wrote the book Love and Responsibility on marital relations and family life, and as a pope with his Apostolic Exhortation Familiaris Consortio and his Wednesday audiences from the earlier part of his pontificate that now make up the Theology of the Body. Our current Holy Father Pope Francis had a two-part synod to deal with this issue of the collapse of marriage and family life. He spoke of Family Life at the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia this past September.

The following is the prayer that was drafted for the meeting: God and Father of us all, in Jesus, your Son and our Savior, you have made us your sons and daughters in the family of the Church. May your grace and love help our families in every part of the world be united to one another in fidelity to the Gospel.

May the example of the Holy Family, with the aid of your Holy Spirit, guide all families, especially those most troubled, to be homes of communion and prayer and to always seek your truth and live in your love, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Jesus, Mary and Joseph, pray for us!

MASS INTENTIONS ANNOUNCED MASSES – DECEMBER 27, 2015

ST. JAMES THE APOSTLE

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2015 8:00AM GERALD AND DOROTHY KELLEHER 5:00PM MR. MICHELE PALMIERO

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2015, THE HOLY FAMILY 8:00AM VINCENZO AND MARIA PALUMBO 10:00AM MARGARET AND JOHN POWER 12:00PM MICHAEL METLICKE 5:00PM CARMEN THERESA LUGO

MONDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2015, THE HOLY INNOCENTS 7:30AM SILVIA GUIDO 9:00AM JACK PISELLO 7:30PM ANGELO TRONGONE

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2015 7:30AM NOEL FLYNN (LIVING INTENTION) 9:00AM MARY L. WALSH

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2015 7:30AM BENJAMIN JOHN RAMOS 9:00AM WILLIAM HAUGHEY

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2015 7:30AM AUSTIN AVERY 9:00AM FERNANDO RECINE FRIDAY, JANUARY 1, 2016 (SEE MASS SCHEDULE FOR THE SOLEMNITY OF MARY) SATURDAY, JANUARY 2, 2016 8:00AM VINCENT CIOFFI 5:00PM ANTIONETTE ESPOSITO

SUNDAY, JANUARY 3, 2016 8:00AM SHIRLEY LAZAR 10:00AM MARY L. WALSH & JAMES M. WALSH 12:00PM CHARLES DAMORE 5:00PM JANICE WILTON

OUR LADY OF THE LAKE / MOUNT CARMEL

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2015 4:00PM DALBIS AND ARCHER FAMILIES

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2015 9:00AM LUCJA JACYSZYN 11:00AM PEOPLE OF ST. JAMES/OLL MT. CARMEL

SATURDAY, JANUARY 2, 2016 4:00PM NORA CARROLL

SUNDAY, JANUARY 3, 2016 9:00AM ANNA MARIA KUSHICK 11:00AM VINKO SARAC

SOLEMNITY OF MARY MASS INTENTIONS HOLY DAY OF OBLIGATION

ST. JAMES THE APOSTLE

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2015 5:00PM TIM SULLIVAN MIDNIGHT PEOPLE OF ST. JAMES & OLL/ MT. CARMEL

FRIDAY, JANUARY 1, 2016 8:00AM MARIA GUGLIELMO 10:00AM SILVESTRO PALUMBO 12:00PM PHILLIP GIOVI

OUR LADY OF THE LAKE / MOUNT CARMEL

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2015 4:00PM ROSEANNE BRAINWART FRIDAY, JANUARY 1, 2016 9:00AM FR. VINCENT HOWLEY (LIVING INTENTION) 11:00AM CAROL O’LEARY 1:00PM MARZENA BARAN (MASS IN POLISH)

Please note that there is a

Mass at Midnight in St. James Church on New Year’s Eve

for the Solemnity of Mary.

TODAY’S READINGS

THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH

Gospel: Luke 2:41-52 When Jesus was twelve years old, the Holy Family traveled to Jerusalem to celebrate the feast. Jesus did not return with the company. Instead, he stayed in Jerusalem, sitting among the teachers while amazing them with his understanding and questions. When found by his concerned parents, Jesus reminded them that he must be in the house of his Father. Returning together, Mary kept these things in her heart.

CELEBRANTS FOR THE SOLEMNITY OF MARY HOLY DAY OF OBLIGATION

ST. JAMES THE APOSTLE

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2015 5:00 PM FR. MACDONALD MIDNIGHT MSGR. MARCHITELLI

FRIDAY, JANUARY 1, 2016 8:00AM FR. BERG 10:00AM FR. HOWLEY 12:00PM FR. MACDONALD

OUR LADY OF THE LAKE / MOUNT CARMEL

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2015 4:00 PM FR. HOWLEY FRIDAY, JANUARY 1, 2016 9:00AM MSGR. MARCHITELLI 11:00 AM MSGR. MARTIN

CELEBRANTS FOR JANUARY 2 & 3, 2016

ST. JAMES THE APOSTLE

SATURDAY, JANUARY 2, 2016 5:00PM MSGR. MARCHITELLI

SUNDAY, JANUARY 3, 2016 8:00AM MSGR. MARTIN 10:00AM FR. MACDONALD 12:00PM MSGR. MARCHITELLI 5:00PM FR. MACDONALD

OUR LADY OF THE LAKE / MOUNT CARMEL

SATURDAY, JANUARY 2, 2016 4:00PM FR. MACDONALD

SUNDAY, JANUARY 3, 2016 9:00AM FR. HOWLEY 11:00AM MSGR. MARTIN

Please note that there will not be Adoration and Exposition on Friday,

January 1, 2016. We resume on February 5, 2016 in the Chapel of Life beginning

at 5:00 PM.

TO EVERYTHING THERE IS A SEASON, AND A TIME TO EVERY PURPOSE UNDER HEAVEN

TIME TO BE BORN: BAPTISMS FOR THE WEEK:

A TIME TO HEAL: THOSE WHO ARE ILL: CHRIS GINESE, GLORIA ANTOCI, ROSE FERRANTE, MARY CRESR, CRIS CRESR, DENISE CORDOVANO KULA, BARBARA GUGLIERI, ANTHONY SCATOLA, THERESA SCATOLA, VITO DEBELLIS, AMELIA BRENNOCK, BILL CALDERONE, COREY MORREALE, CHRISTOPHER LANGE, SEAN HUGHES, CAROL ESPOSITO, ANN VOSS, TERRENCE KEENAN, MARY KEENAN, MARGARET SARTORIS, HILDY HALLISEY, MSGR. TIM RYAN, JERRY RYAN, KATHLEEN RYAN, JOHN CAMPBELL, NORA CAMPBELL, LEAH CECCHINI, SEAN CADDEN, JAMES MURRAY, HELEN COMO, PATRICIA MULLER, WILLIAM BIOLSI, GERARD BIOLSI, MARGARET CUNNINGHAM, PATRICIA UPTON, TOM MALONEY, ROBERT BURNS, KATHERINE STANTON, NATASHA MERCADO, BILL CASSIDY, THERESE GARDERE, GINA BRUNO, THOMAS GIRESI, JOANN LOFASO, LISA TIMINS, ABIGAIL GRIECO, JULIE GRIECO, KEN HURLEY, ANTHONY FERRO, JR., JOSEPHINE CAPUTO, JAMES KLEIN, SARAH FAIRBAIRN, KEVIN GALANTE, LISA CANDELARIA, ERNIE CARAPELLA, JOSEPH ESPOSITO, SR., JUSTIN LAROCCHIA, PALMA GRAVENESE, ROBERT JAMES TORZILLI, STEPHANIE MERENDA, MAUREEN CURRAN, THOMAS RUANE, ROSALIE STANCHI, BIANKA, WILLA YURICK, TERESA PANNY, NILDA FRIGERI, ROSE TOWNSEND, MARY BRADY, TOM GENGARO, STASIA SOKULSKA, KAREN BORELLO, DEBORAH TODD, TRISTAN DETTEFS, JOHN MARK, MADELINE HAUGHEY, STACY BRIGANTE, BRENDON MCCABE, HELEN RICCA, GEORGE N. BELL, JR., ROSEMARY E. ROSI, THOMAS SCALZO, BETTY RODDA, PAUL COAKLEY, ANN COAKLEY, JENNIFER RACIOPPO, JANET NICOLOSI, JAMES MURRAY, BARBARA LOUDERBACK, OLIVIA MARINELLI, AUDRA RIBISI, MATTHEW HEISE, RAGEN RYAN, ELIZABETH FLANAGAN, KEVIN REGAN, ADRIENNE SUSCO, MARIO SCAVELLI, LYDIA SFREDDO, MARY ELLEN GAVIN, MARILYN GALLIGAN, MARIE STINGONE, MARIE DIDONATO, BRITTANY GALANTE, JAMES CALLAGHAN, JOHN SOLTYSIK, GEORGE BIOLSI, CLAUDE BOER, JEANNE PORWITZKI, DOMINICK BARTOLINI, RON STERZEN, AMANDA BENEWAY, JOHN PAGNOLI, SANDY CARRARA, BILL METZGER, PATRICIA VERSEA, ROSE CAMPAGNA, ANN DOYLE, JENNIFER ALFARO MARTINEZ, JOSHUA AGNAS, KATE HIGGINS, KEVIN BLACKMAN, WILLIAM SOMMERS, ANGELA, IRENE LOUGHRAN, RAYMOND WILLOUGHBY, JOSEPH (RED) TOMASSI, ANTHONY MAFFIA CHARLES J. DIDONATO, DOROTHY HEBRANK, DAVID DETLES, , MICHAEL ULICH, ERNA & MICHAEL TADDINO, JANET WARREN, 5 YEAR OLD JOSHUA JOHN AND 2 YEAR OLD KEVIN BLACKMAN, STEVE STONE, BARBARA LINCOLN, ALEXANDRA ANN GRIMALDI, RITA ANCE, MARIE DUNN, TERRY SIEGEL, ELAIN ABRAHAM RIGO, LAILA LIGUROI, CATHERINE KUSH.

A TIME TO DIE: THOSE WHO HAVE DIED: A TIME TO LOVE: MARRIAGES FOR THE WEEK:

TIME FOR WAR: A TIME FOR PEACE: PLEASE PRAY FOR ALL THOSE IN THE ARMED FORCES AND THEIR FAMILIES

STEWARDSHIP IN OUR PARISH

DUE TO THE EARLY TRANSMITTAL DEADLINE THE DECEMBER 20TH COLLECTION WILL BE REPORTED

IN JANUARY’S BULLETIN SUNDAY COLLECTION $

GOLD ENVELOPES $ $-------------------- Total $

PARISH PAY FOR NOVEMBER

SUNDAY COLLECTION $ 9,073.07

GOLD ENVELOPES $ 667.50 $-------------------- Total $ 9,740.57

FOR THE WEEK OF DECEMBER DECEMBER 27 TO JANUARY 2

THE SANCTUARY CANDLE BURNING IN ST. JAMES CHURCH

IS IN LOVING MEMORY OF ALBERT SCOGNA DONATED BY: ELEANOR SCOGNA

THE SANCTUARY CANDLE BURNING IN

OLL/ MT. CARMEL CHURCH IS IN LOVING MEMORY OF LUCJA & MIKOLAJ JACYSZYN

DONATED BY: THE JACYSZYN FAMILY

THE BREAD AND WINE BEING USED IN ST. JAMES CHURCH IS IN LOVING MEMORY OF MARGARET PORRICELLI

AND DAVID MARR DONATED BY: AMELIA MARR

THE BREAD AND WINE BEING USED IN THE CHAPEL OF LIFE

IS IN LOVING MEMORY OF LEO F. FLANAGAN, SR AND WILLIAM & EILEEN LARKIN

DONATED BY: THE LARKIN FAMILY

THE BREAD AND WINE BEING USED IN OLL/ MT. CARMEL CHURCH IS IN

LOVING MEMORY OF LUCJA & MIKOLAJ JACYSZYN DONATED BY: THE JACYSZYN FAMILY

WELCOME TO ST. JAMES THE APOSTLE AND OUR LADY OF THE LAKE / MOUNT CARMEL

Thank you for joining in our Eucharistic celebration. We are glad that you are here with us today, especially if you are a visitor, and sincerely hope that you will find nourishment for your faith and life here. If you have recently moved into our Parish, please introduce yourself to one of the priests or deacons and the parish staff. You are cordially invited to register at our Parish Office at St. James. Currently our parish has 4,500 registered families.

MONDAY NIGHT NOVENA MASS

Each Monday evening a community gathers at 7:10 p.m. to pray the Rosary together and then celebrate the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Following the Mass we pray the Novena to Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal which affords us an opportunity to pray for our particular intentions and intercessions. All are invited.

MEN OF ST. JAMES

The “Men of St. James” come together for prayer and discussion to make what the Pope is calling for a reality here at St. James Church. It is also a place to re-kindle the fire that may have grown dim or just to meet other men who are also trying to be faithful Catholic men. We meet on the 2nd and 4th Saturday’s at 7:00AM in the Carriage House. Come. “Open the door.” They called the church together and reported what God had done with them and how he had opened the door of faith..." (Acts 14:27)

SEPARATED AND DIVORCED MINISTRY

The Separated and Divorced Ministry of St. James and Our Lady of the Lake/Mount Carmel is a support group for those who have experienced loss or rejection through separation or divorce. Our meetings are open to all men and women of the community. We meet in the Carriage House on the 1ST and 3RD Fridays of each month from 7:30PM to 9:00PM. Please call Peter at 845-270-9996 for information.

ST. JAMES PRAYER GROUP

The St. James Prayer Group meets every Thursday at 7:30pm in the Chapel of Life. Come join us for an evening of praise and worship through song, a quiet time of scripture reading and sharing how God is working in our lives, followed by intercessory prayer, for the intentions of our Pope Francis and all our clergy, for our parish, our own intentions and for those who have asked us to pray. The Prayer Group is open to all parishioners, both young and old. Please join us for a peaceful evening away from the busyness of the day to be with Our Lord.

Ask the Pastor

Question: Is New Year’s Day a holy day of obligation? The Answer is Yes. In New York we celebrate the solemnity of Mary the Mother of God on January 1. The confusion I believe lies in the fact that, over the years, this day has changed its name. However, this year January 1 is indeed a holy day of obligation and Catholics are obligated to attend the Eucharist.

BONANZA 2016 By now you should have received a letter regarding Bonanza 2016. Starting January 11, 2016, drawings for cash prizes will be held each week through Thanksgiving. Two tickets will be drawn each week for $200 prizes. Additionally, there will be three drawings for $2,000 prizes. Winning tickets will be re-entered for subsequent drawings. Feel free to sell tickets, or partner with family and friends. Extra tickets will be available at the rectory and in the school office. Please fill out the bottom portion of the ticket(s), place it with your $50 per ticket into the envelope provided, and return it in the collection at Mass, by mail, or drop it off at the school or rectory office.

ST. JAMES THE APOSTLE CHILDREN/YOUTH CHOIR

Schedule 2016

Director: Mrs. Mary PetersMarypmusic@comcast.net

Sunday January 24th, 2016 (5th and 6th Grade Family Mass)

St. James the Apostle Church Practice at 9:00am in Doherty Hall

Mass at 10:00am in St. James the Apostle Church Brunch in Doherty Hall Immediately Following

Sunday March 13th, 2016 (Scout Mass)

Practice at 9:00am in Doherty Hall Mass at 10:00am in St. James the Apostle Church

Coffee and Cake in Doherty Hall Immediately Following

Sunday March 27, 2016 (Easter Sunday) Practice at 9:00am in Doherty Hall

Mass at 10:00am in St. James the Apostle Church

Sunday May 8th, 2016 (Mother’s Day and May Crowing) Our Lady of the Lake/Mt. Carmel

Practice 10:15am in Church Mass at 11:00am in Our Lady of the Lake Church

UNANNOUNCED MASSES

DECEASED VELIA CATANIA, HARRIET HALSEY, JOSEPH LAMORTE,

MARIA DEMARTIEZ, JOHN TYNDALL, MARIE NOLAN’S GRANDDAUGHTER

LIVING STEPHEN ZAMBORSKI, SR., LESLIE BOIVIN, JAMES DUFFY

AND FAMILY, LISA GERCASI AND FAMILY, MARY AND RON SOTARDI AND FAMILY

ST. SEBASTIAN’S TERRACE AND COLUMBARIUM

182 purchased - 270 Niches still available

Our Terrace and Columbarium are open. We have already celebrated Mass at the new Altar and have 89 niches engraved and interred. The price of a niche is $2,500, which gives you the right to inter the cremains of two people. If you have been thinking of purchasing a niche, and would like to schedule an appointment, please contact Mrs. Maureen Larkin at 845-225-2079 at Ext. 105, on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday. For those of you not familiar with a Columbarium, it is a Latin word that describes a collection of niches to house urns containing cremated human remains. Usually inscribed with the person’s name and dates of birth and death, columbaria are constructed to serve as permanent resting places for our loved ones in a ‘churchyard’ or landscaped terrace. May the Lord who has blessed this project now be a final resting place for many of our loved ones.

GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY OF THE DEDICATION OF

ST. JAMES THE APOSTLE CHURCH

Thank you to the many people who supported our Golden Anniversary Projects by your pledges and gifts. There are two projects which still need to be completed:

(1) the landscaping to the right of the Religious Education Building

(2) the blacktop and repair of the old parking lot at Our Lady of the Lake/Mt. Carmel. We will update the bulletin once each project is complete.

Please call Maureen Larkin in the Parish office 225-2079 x 105 for additional information.

Saint James Respect Life Group Keep informed about Respect Life Issues by Joining the Catholic Action Network of the New York State Catholic Conference.

Are you concerned about Respect Life issues affecting our local area, especially our State government? Then join the Catholic Action Network of the New York State Catholic Conference. It will send you alerts via email regarding important issues effecting our state as well as legislation that is being passed. For more information regarding the Catholic Action Network r to sign up for their alert list, please go to http://www.nyscatholic.org/

ATTENTION EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS AND LECTORS

Upcoming Schedule Requests Note that there is a new email address for

schedule requests The next EM and Lector schedule will span from February 14th, First Sunday of Lent; through May 15th, Pentecost Sunday. This schedule also includes Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion, March 20th and Easter Sunday, March 27th. All schedule changes must be submitted to Teri Dumont in the Parish Office in writing or emailed to: teri.dumont@stjamesapostle.org by Tuesday, December 29th. If sending by email please place Schedule Request in the subject area. As always, we thank you for your service.

From the Parish Nurse

Sleep

There are a number of conditions that impact sleep. COPD, Alzheimer’s Disease, Asthma, Obesity, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, and Depression are just some of the conditions that could negatively impact one’s ability to get the necessary amount of sleep for optimal functioning. If you have one of these illnesses or feel that your sleep or lack of sleep is negatively impacting your life, speak to your healthcare professional. He or she may be able to track down the cause of your problem, or he/she may refer to you to a sleep specialist. If you have any questions or suggestions for topics that you would like to see covered, leave your name and number at the parish office for Susan to contact

you, or you may e-mail her at saa38@aol.com. Place” Parish Nurse” in subject area.

http://www.sleepfoundation.org/article/how-sleep-works/how-much-sleep-do-we-really-need

Information Compiled by: Susan Anello, MS BSN RN

CCD Calendar Change There will be no CCD CLASSES on

Saturday, January 16, 2016 Thank you.

Letter from St. James Confirmation Candidates Each Confirmation Candidate was asked to write a personal letter indicating their desire to be confirmed. Please pray for these young people as they prepare for the Sacrament of Confirmation.

My name is Kevin Ryan, I’m 13 years old and I play basketball for playmaker academy. I have 3 brothers and 2 sisters. The oldest is Kaleigh who is 18, goes to Pace University, and already received her confirmation. The second oldest is Kenny who goes to Kennedy, is 17, plays basketball, and has also received his confirmation. The third oldest is Michael who is a year older than me (14), just received confirmation, will attend Kennedy in September, and also plays basketball. Then there’s me who likes to read, play sports, and achieved honor role for a couple years in a row. The youngest is Rosie who is 11, plays basketball, and goes to St. James. My mom and dad are both Catholic and work/own Somers Custom Framing.

To me, being a Catholic is very important. It’s important to me because I believe in the Christian faith and I want others to know that I believe in it to. My father has given me an example to be a good Catholic. He works hard all day and does his best to keep my happy. He goes to mass whenever he can, he’s always there for me, and always tried to do the right thing. He taught me how to be kind and shows me how to be a good Christian. Without my father’s influences I might not be receiving my confirmation.

After 8 years of faith, there are still a few questions left unanswered. The first question is if God is neither male nor female then would he send down his daughter next? Or will God send down his son or no one at all. The second question is that if God is able to forgive all sins than what must you do in order to go to hell?

As the summer started my mass attendance hasn’t been the best. This is because every Sunday and Saturday I have sports all day and I’m never home. For the future I can honestly say that throughout the summer my attendance won’t be great. Once the school year starts I will be able to go to church every week.

I feel I am ready for the sacrament of Confirmation because my teacher, Mr. M, has prepared me for it a long time and will continue to do so until I have received it. This is important to me because confirmation will complete the Sacraments of Initiation. Also because I won’t technically be a complete Christian if I don’t receive Confirmation. Lastly, it’s important to my faith because it is the last step of initiation and I want to be initiated into my faith.

Confirmation is a very important sacrament that I hope to receive. I’m writing this paper to show you that I deserve to receive confirmation. I hope that this paper shows you that I should be able to receive confirmation like I do.

IN OUR COMMUNITY CATHOLIC WIDOWS & WIDOWERS

OF DUTCHESS & PUTNAM COUNTIES

The Catholic Widows and Widowers of Dutchess and Putman Counties will not meet in the month of December but will meet again in January 2016 on the third Tuesday of the month at 7:00pm in the Parish Meeting Room at Saint Kateri Church, 1925 Route 82, LaGrangeville, NY 12540. (845) 223-3097.

Save the Dates for Upcoming Healing Masses

February 16, 2016 St. Columbanus, Cortlandt March 10, 2016 St. Patrick’s, Yorktown April 26, 2016 St. Columbanus, Cortlandt May 19, 2016 St. Patrick’s, Yorktown June 21, 2016 St. Columbanus, Cortlandt

Drug Crisis Support Group

Drug Crisis in Our Backyard is pleased to offer the Spotlight on Recovery support group, an interactive forum for family support and education. We have guided recurring meetings where parents and families can get information and support in dealing with problems with drug abuse and addiction in their homes. We are pleased to offer programs for Putnam, Dutchess and Westchester Counties on a regular basis, to better serve these communities. To see our full schedule please visit our webpage: www.drugcrisisinourbackyard.com/spotlight-on-recovery.

From the Archdiocesan Liturgy Office

Introduction to Chant Course at St. Joseph's Seminary, Yonkers, NY

Monday nights from 7-9:30pm Taught by Dr. Jennifer Donelson, DMA

More information: nyliturgy.org/workshops Contact: liturgy@archny.org or

914.968.6200, x81

EWTN Music Special

Catholic University of America's Christmas Concert The annual Christmas concert presented by the Catholic University of America, featuring a brilliant blend of angelic voices and the wonderful sounds of the Christmas Season, airs Friday, January 1 at 10AM.

Support Group

Encourage is a Catholic Support Community that supports families of those experiencing same-sex attractions. There are scheduled meetings in the Orange County area and we are looking to develop additional meeting areas throughout the Archdiocese. For further information, email encouragency@hotmail.com or call the Family Life/Respect Life Office at 646-794-3186. To learn more about Courage and Encourage visit www.courage.org .

Rosary Hill Christmas Wish List

The Ladies Auxiliary of Our Lady of the Lakes are asking for our support to help fill Christmas Wishes for residents of Rosary Hill Home in Hawthorne, NY.

The following donations will be appreciated: Toothpaste, toothbrushes, tissues, soap, shampoo, body wash, after shave lotion, female nightgowns, men’s night shirts, men’s electric razors, towels, hard candy coffee. Donations can be dropped off on Friday, evenings to the K of C Hall, 10 Fair Street in Carmel.

For more information contact Gail Silke at the4silkes @aol.com.

Save the Dates

2016 Catholic Elementary School Open Houses

January 12, February 2, February 23, March 8, and April 12

from 9-11 am

The Catholic School Region of Rockland invites you to experience Catholic schools in action by visiting on a TOURING TUESDAY open house event. Prospective parents are invited to visit from 9-11 am or by appointment. Reservations are required for TOURING TUESDAYS. RSVP to 646-794-2885 or www.buildboldfutures.org. Please note that additional Open House dates and times may be scheduled during Catholic Schools Week. To locate a faith-based Pre-K, Kindergarten or elementary school program near you, visit www.buildboldfutures.org or call 646-794-2885 to speak with a Catholic School representative.