My dear Parishioners,

As the days get shorter and the nights get longer, we can begin to anticipate autumn days. This is a beautiful time of year as Mother Nature paints the Pequannock Valley around us. As October turns to November, our thoughts turn to Thanksgiving and dare I say it…Christmas! This year our parish participated in Operation Christmas Child. I was amazed at how many “shoe box” sized gifts appeared in the Church entrance. Your generosity is heart-warming and will surely brighten Christmas for less fortunate children.

I am also very happy to see we as a parish have reached the halfway point ($23,000) to raising funds for the new church air-conditioning system. At the moment, summer is far off, but I know we will all be enjoying the new system once the sun blazes hot again. This is a huge undertaking for us, but I know we will succeed.

On December 17, 2017, Bishop Serritelli will formally install me as your pastor at the 11:00 Mass. I would encourage you all to attend if possible. There will be a light reception in the parish center following the Mass. This will be a joyful day for the parish as well as for me. I have learned much from the good people at Holy Spirit. Your patience, kind words, and support have been a blessing to me and my priesthood. As I have said many times before, there is no place I would rather be.

This time of year our minds become cluttered with the approaching holidays. Please take some time for private prayer and Eucharistic Adoration on Tuesday mornings after the 8:30 Mass. Enjoy some silence with our Lord and re-focus your vision on what matters most in life. Thank you all for your prayers and support.

Peace,

Fr. David Monteleone

Holy Spirit Roman Catholic Church

318 Newark-Pompton Turnpike

Pequannock, NJ 07440

Fr. David Monteleone

Pastor

“In the Spirit” Volume 2, No. 6

November/December, 2017

Blessing of the Animals

2

...All Creatures Great and Small

REEEAAACCCHHH……….“I think the Blessing will work just fine from three feet away…..”

Fr. David’s comfort level with some of God’s larger creatures grew as he went from blessing them at arm’s length to having them eating out of his hand!

In honor of St. Francis of Assisi, Holy Spirit Church held a “Blessing of the Animals” on the front lawn of the church property. Approximately 16 dogs and three horses arrived for their annual blessing.

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Hospitality Sunday: October 1, 2017

3

Holy Spirit Blood Drive

“This is the day that the Lord has made.”

We were blessed with beautiful weather for our first hospitality Sunday following a summer break. Thank you to our parishioners and friends who spent time together following the 11AM Mass. And thank you to the committee for making it such a special event for our parish.

“Life Shared; Life Saved.”

On Sunday, October 1, a community

blood drive was held at Holy Spirit

Church.

“Every drop counts.”

The Gala: Celebrating the 60th Anniversary...

“Congratulations and thank you” to the Pastors, Filippini Sisters, teachers and staff who have served Holy Spirit School throughout its 60-year history. We are proud of the reputation of our school as the standard for Catholic education in our area. We are grateful for the thousands of young minds that have been educated, hearts that have been guided, morals that have been formed, and children who have been valued and loved during their years at Holy Spirit School.

Holy Spirit School

...Of Holy Spirit School

What Says “Christmas” at Holy Spirit Church ?

(Below) Operation Christmas Child…..Boxes of gifts waiting to be sorted and boxed show the overwhelming generosity of Holy Spirit parishioners. Stayed tuned for additional photos and collection totals in the next issue of our parish newsletter.

The children’s choir will again form for Christmas to sing before the 4:30PM Mass on Christmas Eve. Children must be able to attend practices. If interested, please

contact prinsielski@gmail.com or call (201) 755-6238.

ShopRite Food Card Second Collection

Our next twice-yearly second collection for the purchase of ShopRite food cards will be held on the weekend of November 25/26. All funds collected will be used to purchase food cards for the 21 families in our community who seek our help at Holy Spirit.

Christmas Angel Trees

Through the annual coordination work of Anne and Mike Tizio, Holy Spirit parishioners participate in “angel tree” charitable giving by donating gifts, gift cards or cash to help families in need from Holy Spirit Parish and School; clients of Straight and Narrow; and clients of Catholic Family and Community Services. Angel trees will be hung on the first weekend of Advent, which this year is December 2/3. Watch our bulletin and website for additional information.

Our annual parish coat drive will be held on the weekends of November 10/11 and 17/18. Please consider donating your gently used coats and sweaters. All donations can be left on the pew in the

larger room of the church basement. Your generous sharing will mean so much to those who have no coat to wear in the cold winter months.

Fundraising, Community-Building!!

Parish website: holyspiritparishnj.org

Also find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/

HolySpiritParishPequannock

The Saints Came Marching In...

On Wednesday, November 1 at the school Mass for the Feast of All Saints, Fr. David spoke to the school children about Saints and Sainthood. Asking the children various questions, Fr. David sought to illustrate for them that saints were just ordinary people who chose to do what Jesus wants us to do. Saints were born with original sin, they had emotions and experiences just like we do. Following the Mass, the third graders participated in the annual All Saints program.

Above, Fr. David asks the kindergarten class, “Who do you know that looks a little like St. Lucy Filippini? And even dresses like her?” Kindergartner: “Sister Marie!!”

Shown at left are the third grade “Saints” with Sr. Marie, Fr. David, and third grade homeroom teacher, Mrs. Mosca.

Mass of Remembrance… Remembering those we love who have gone before us

On November 2, the Feast of All Souls, Fr. David celebrated the Mass of Remembrance, especially for the family and friends of those loved ones who have gone home to the Lord since November 1, 2016. Fr. David’s brief homily focused on hope and remembering: “Today we remember in a special way our beloved dead. We take comfort in our faith that we will one day be with them again.”

Shown in the photo to the right is Rita Ann Gilfedder, head of the Lazarus Ministry at Holy Spirit Church. Far right shows the candle commemorating Sr. Josephine Ciccarello, formerly assigned to Holy Spirit Parish, and who went home to the Lord on June 18, 2017.

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them.

May they rest in peace.

Amen.

A Look Ahead...

November 11 The Emerald Experience 7-11PM Holy Spirit School Gym November 11/12 and 18/19 Coat Collection. Please donate your gently-used coats and sweaters by leaving them at the drop-off point in the church basement. November 17 Coach Bag BINGO—School Fundraiser Holy Spirit School Gym/Parish Center. Doors open at 7PM November 19 5:00PM Ecumenical Thanksgiving Service Our Savior Lutheran Church 670 Newark-Pompton Turnpike Pompton Plains, NJ 07444 November 23 9AM Thanksgiving Day Mass at Holy Spirit December 2/3 First Sunday of Advent Christmas “Angel Trees” set up December 3 Santa Breakfast; Holy Spirit School gym/parish center 8:30AM to 12:30PM December 7 Vigil Mass for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception 7:00PM December 8 Immaculate Conception Mass 8:30AM December 10 Maureen Piccoli Foundation for the Performing Arts Concert (Straight & Narrow) at Holy Spirit Church 3:00PM December 12 Parish Penance Service 7:00PM December 17 Installation Mass for Fr. David Monteleone Main celebrant will be the Most Rev. Arthur J. Serratelli, Bishop of the Diocese of Paterson 11AM in church Reception to follow in the school gym/parish center December 23/24 Masses for the Fourth Sunday in Advent: Saturday @ 5PM. Sunday @ 7:30AM and 10:30AM December 24 Christmas Eve Mass Schedule: 4:30PM and 7:00PM Children’s Choral Presentation @ 4:00PM December 25 Christmas Day Mass Schedule: 7:30AM, 9:00AM, 11:00AM December 30/31 Feast of the Holy Family Saturday @ 5:00PM. Sunday @ 7:30AM, 9:00AM, 11:00AM December 31/ Solemnity of Mary 7:00PM Vigil Mass January 1 Solemnity of Mary 7:30AM and 10:30AM

Let Us Go Into the House of the Lord!” Psalm 122:1

“I Rejoiced When I Heard Them Say…….