Liturgical Schedule

Daily Mass 8:30am Weekend Masses Saturday: 5:00pm Sunday: 8:00am, 9:30am, 11:00am, 12:30pm and 6:00pm

Reconciliation/Confession Saturday: 4:00pm-4:45pm or by appointment Rosary Daily at 8:00am Miraculous Medal Novena Monday at 8:00am

Our Lady of Lourdes Parish 455 Hunter Avenue, West Islip, NY 11795

Sacraments Anointing of the Sick Throughout the liturgical year. If needed sooner, please call the Parish Office. Baptism Please contact the Parish Office to schedule an appointment. Marriage Arranged at least six months in advance, please call the Parish Office. Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) A process to be embraced by the Catholic Church. For non-Catholics and for Catholics who have never received formal religious education. If interested, please call the Parish Office.

Msgr. Brian McNamara, Pastor Rev. Gregory Breen, Associate Pastor Rev. Sylvester Chukwumalume, in Residence Chaplain, Southside Hospital Rev. Freddy Lozano, in Residence

Deacon John De Guardi, Deacon Tom Lucie, Deacon Rich Maher, Deacon Jack Meehan, Deacon John Teufel

Sr. Nancy Campkin CSJ, Director of Religious Ed Trish Frodell, Director of Parish Social Ministry Sr. Diane Liona CSJ, Director of Religious Ed Debbie Meyer, Business Manager Robin Reynolds Brennan, Coordinator of Worship and Choir Director Vita Scorcia, Ministry Spiritual Director

Parish Office Phone: 631.661.3224 Monday-Thursday: 9:00am-7:30pm Friday: 9:00am-5:00pm Saturday: 9:00am-3:00pm Sunday: 9:00am-2:00pm E-mail: ParishOffice@ollchurch.org Fax: 631.661.7143 Website: www.ollchurch.org

Religious Education Office Phone: 631.661.5440 Monday-Friday: 9:00am-Noon, 1:00pm-5:00pm, 7:00pm-9:00pm E-mail: ReligiousEd@ollchurch.org

Parish Outreach Office Phone: 631.661.9262 Monday-Friday: 9:30am-3:30pm

SAGE (Senior Advocates for Growth and Enrichment)

Phone: 631.661.3224, Ext. 122 E-mail: Sage@ollchurch.org

The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph • Sunday, December 30, 2018

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Pastoral Council

Msgr. Brian McNamara Eileen Rega Mary Borgs Lisa Cantalino Sonia DaSilva Nilo DeLeon Jerry Esposito Trish Frodell Pam Gagliano Deborah Lamb Rosalie Mangels Deacon Jack Meehan John Muldoon Dottie Perdue Vita Scorcia

Parish Staff

Patti Anderson Parish Office/Bulletin Editor

AnnMarie Buonaspina Director of Youth Choirs

Michael Buonaspina Parish Organist

Maggie Frodell Parish Office

Carol Grillo Parish Office

Stephanie Hahn Parish Office

Rita Spera Religious Education Office

Welcome to our Parish Family New Parishioners are cordially invited to register as members of our Parish Family. Please call or visit our Parish Office.

Remember: Together, we can do something beautiful for God! - Saint Teresa of Calcutta

Mission Statement As stewards of all that God has given us, the Parish Family of Our Lady of Lourdes serves and ministers to all who come to this place. Regardless of a person’s history, ethnicity, gender, orientation, age or race, we commit ourselves to open wide the doors of our Parish to provide a place of welcome and hospitality.

The estimated weekly collection needed to maintain and operate our parish buildings, ministries, programs and salaries is $17,800.

Financial Summary

Readings for the Week of December 30

Sunday: 1 Sm 1:20-22, 24-28/ 1 Jn 3:1-2, 21-24/ Lk 2:41-52 Monday: 1 Jn 2:18-21/ Jn 1:1-18 Tuesday: Nm 6:22-27/ Gal 4:4-7/ Lk 2:16-21 Wednesday: 1 Jn 2:22-28/ Jn 1:19-28 Thursday: 1 Jn 2:29-3:6/ Jn 1:29-34 Friday: 1 Jn 3:7-10/ Jn 1:35-42 Saturday: 1 Jn 3:11-21/ Jn 1:43-51 Next Sunday: Is 60:1-6/ Eph 3:2-3a, 5-6/ Mk 2:1-12

December 16, 2018 Weekly Collection $ 17,029.00 Weekly Budget - $ 17,800.00 +/- for the week $ (771.00)

Due to early holiday deadlines, the December 23rd weekly financial summaries were unavailable at the time of printing.

The information will be included in a subsequent bulletin.

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Dear Parishioners:

This weekend, we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family. The Feast provides us with an opportuni-ty to reflect upon our own families. The Church tells us that the family is the domestic church; the family is the place where we first and foremost encounter God. It is in the family setting that we first learn how to pray, etc. Here are some Scripture quotes about the family:

Honor your father and mother that your days may be long in the land that the Lord, your

God, is giving you (Exodus 20:12).

Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord (Psalm 127).

My son, keep your father’s commands and do not forsake your mother’s teaching (Proverbs

6:20).

Husbands, love your wives as Christ loved the Church and gave Himself up for her

(Ephesians 5:25).

In addition, Pope Francis has spoken about the importance of the family as well:

“The family is the greatest treasure of any country. Let us all work to protect and strengthen this, the cornerstone of our society.”

“A healthy family life requires the use of three phrases: “May I”, “thank you” and “I’m sorry” and never, never end the day without making peace.”

“The perfect family does not exist, nor is there a perfect husband or a perfect wife, and let’s not talk about the mother-in-law! It is just us sinners. If we learn to say: ‘I’m sorry and ask for forgiveness, the marriage will last.”

Families require a lot of work and everyone in the family has a part to play. As we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family, we can all ask ourselves: What am I doing to help my family become a holy family; what am I doing to strengthen the family as a husband/wife, son/daughter, brother/ sister?

Remember: Together, we can do something beautiful for God.

In Christ,

Fr. Brian

PS: Don’t forget to hand in your chances for our 50/50 drawing which will take place after Christmas. Send them in by mail or drop them off at the rectory. As the saying goes,

you have to be in it to win it! So, be in it and win it! Think about giving the chances as a Christmas gift to your family and friends. It will be a nice way to help the parish at the same time. Give them as Christmas gifts to your adult children! The drawing will take after the 12:30pm Mass on Sunday, January 13.

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Members in the Military We ask that you pray especially for those in our parish that are on active duty in the Middle East conflict.

… and remember those of our parish family that are in the armed services, listed in our Parish Book of Intentions.

Michael DiMatteo-US Marines Michael Fantauzzi-US Air Force Christopher Florca-US Marines Dominick Gennaro - US Army Patrick Harty-US Coast Guard Colby Matthew Kelly-US Army Anthony Mannino-US Marines Anthony Memoli-US Marines Stephen Rolston-US Army Michael Wilkinson-US Army Peter Zaccaria-US Navy

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Pray for Our Sick Please remember to keep in your thoughts and prayers … Andrew Arena, Germaine Bruno, Grace Ciccarello, Rose Contelmo, Diane Cullen, Margaret DeLuca, Amanda DiTingo, Thomas Doty, Paula Edwards, Anna Ferrante, Mike Ferrante, Gianna Fioravanti, Jack Fitzgerald, Kathleen Mooney Gordan, David Hannigan, Denis Heffron, Josephine Heffron, Patrick Anthony Heffron, Thomas Hicks, Jr., Henry Kahn, Shena Kahn, Tom Kaval, Bridget Keane, Anne Kerrigan, George Koehler, Dolores Lazarich, Amy Lillis, Bruce Linhart, Lyn Marczyk, Connell McGee, Una McGrade, Marge Nangano, Dolores Oliver, Roberta Palumbo, Kenny Panek, Phyllis Pasciuta, Connie Polik, Fred Polik, Dorothy Proctor, Mary Quinn, Joseph Roccaro, Joseph J. Schiavoni, Anne Marie Schiraldi, Natalie Stone, Roger Welden, Marie Wilson

Names of the sick will be listed for six weeks for short-term requests and six months for long-term.

Altar Society Altar linens this week will be cared for by Rosemary Kaste. If you would like to help care for our altar needs, please call the Parish Office at 631-661-3224.

Pastoral Care of Our Sick Please call the Parish Office at 631-661-3224 to leave the names of parishioners who: • Are homebound and would like to receive the Eucharist. • Are in Good Samaritan Hospital and/or a local nursing

home and would like to be visited by a member of our Pastoral Care Ministry.

• Would like to receive the Sacrament of the Sick.

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Mass Intentions

Monday, December 31 St. Sylvester I 8:30am Joseph Giambalvo 5:00pm People of the Parish

Tuesday, January 1 Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God 8:30am Douglas Cerna 10:00am Rose Cumming 12:10pm The Bencivinni Family & Friends

Wednesday, January 2 Sts. Basil the Great & Gregory the Nazianzen 8:30am Eugene Langan

Thursday, January 3 The Most Holy Name of Jesus 8:30am Senen Cruz

Friday, January 4 St. Elizabeth Ann Seton 8:30am Samantha & Daniel Midwinter

Saturday, January 5 St. John Neumann 8:30am Sylvia Zawyrucha, Hortensio Gomez, Domonique Scarpati 5:00pm Alice Cullen Msgr. Brian McNamara

Sunday, January 6 The Epiphany of the Lord 8:00am Teresa Defilippis Fr. Greg Breen 9:30am Charles P. Abruzzo Fr. Greg Breen 11:00am Donald Dunne Fr. Sylvester Chukwumalume 12:30pm Vincent Palminteri Fr. Sylvester Chukwumalume 6:00pm People of the Parish, Aidan J. Kingston, Fasine Dore, Veronica Welch, Johanna Varricchio, Judith Hamer Msgr. Brian McNamara

Celeb

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Due to holiday early deadlines, the December 23rd Baptisms

will be listed in the January 6th bulletin.

Baptism

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John & June Carrick Thomas & Ellen McMahon Loehr, Kosciuch & Marizak Families Mr. & Mrs. Frank Aparo Mrs. Frances Hodgkins Veronica Denzler William Mace Eugene Langan Thomas & Florence Brady Phyllis & Peter Coppelli Gerd & Joe Ferland Patrick McCarthy Peter McCarthy Gordan & Winberry Families Alice Irene, Margaret McDevitt Mr. & Mrs. Angelko Telesmanic Basilio and Aquino & Family James Smith & Family Don McClatchey & Family Mr. & Mrs. Charles Fabrizio Mr. & Mrs. Matthew Zito Mr. & Mrs. Nieloa Gallese Mr. & Mrs. William Chartrand Donna Connelly Scacciaferro Family & Castagna Family Thomas E. Dowling Alfred Ryan John McKeefery Homann & Netska Families

Deceased Members of Kopitsch & Wilson Families Terribile & Rienzo Family Ed & Marie Terribile, Don & Terry Rienzo Mr. & Mrs. Jerome Capoccia Eileen Finn Vincent McGuire Gertrude Sullivan, Jean Obremski Mario Frallicciardi Elefante & Surace Family David A. Triggs Joseph Lehmann Jame & Mary Randazzo Joseph Macaluso Tibbetts & Crosby Family Elvera Vieni The Shillitto & Steffensen Families Frances Telesmanich Hedwig Clausen Rosenkranz & Thornton Families Mr. & Mrs. Robert Watts Anges & Thomas Shields Joseph, Patricia, Patrick, & Brian Boylan Robert J. Boyd Mary & Joe Jiran Mr. & Mrs. Robert Pfeiffer Robert Costanza & John Rega Mr. & Mrs. Anthony Buonaspina Angela & Joseph Bono, Carol Harmowitz DeLeon & Espina Families Deceased Members of the Colletti & Guarino Families Deceased Family Members Ms. Domenica Ruocco Dominick Stabile Clara & Pasquale Strocchia & Carmela Severino Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Greco

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Below please find a set of 3 chances. It is a 50-50 drawing. Chances are $50 each or 3 chances for $100. 1st place winner will win 35% of the money, 2nd place will win 10% of the money and 3rd place will win 5% of the money. You have to be in it to win it! The drawing will take place on Sunday, January 13 after the 12:30pm Mass. Hopefully, the Wise Men will bring you a gift of a winning ticket!

Christmas Raffle

DECEMBER 16 – JANUARY 20

Come and visit Bethlehem as seen in Nativity sets from various countries of the world. (Parish Center)

Solemnity of Mary

The Parish Family of Our Lady of Lourdes will gather on Tuesday, January 1 to celebrate the Solemnity of Mary, a Holy Day of Obligation.

We will celebrate the Solemnity of Mary on… Monday, December 31 at 5:00pm Tuesday, January 1 at 8:30am, 10:00am and 12:10pm Please come and pray with us! NOTE: There will be no 7:30pm Mass

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As members of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, we are faced with a challenge that we can only overcome together. As you know from the recent mailing, there are urgent maintenance needs at our convent. It is important that each and every member of the Our Lady of Lourdes Parish family participates in this worthy project. It is only by our generosity in mak-ing a sacrificial gift that we will be able to accomplish our objectives. We have established a goal of $442,000 in order to accomplish our objectives. While this seems like a large amount, participation by all members of the parish family will make this goal not only attainable, but one that we can surpass. If every family pledges $400, after a $40 down payment, your sacrifice would be $1 a day for one year. We can all do that. If you are able to pledge a higher amount, please do so. We’re asking for equal sacrifice, not equal giving.

As you make your gift, please remember…

• Pledges and one time donations are welcomed and greatly appre-ciated.

• Payment reminders will be mailed to you in accordance with your payment plan.

• All contributions are deductible for tax purposes.

• Any questions? Call Fr. Brian at 631-661-3224

TOTAL PLEDGE 10% DOWN QUARTERLY PAYMENTS

4 PAYMENTS

MONTHLY PAYMENTS

12 PAYMENTS

$5,000 $500 $1,125 $375

$2,500 $250 $563 $188

$1,000 $100 $225 $75

$750 $75 $169 $56

$400 $40 $90 $30

Please make your check payable to:

Restore Our Convent Campaign

Name: _________________________________

Address: _______________________________

City/ State/Zip: __________________________

Phone: _________________________________

Env. #: _________________________________

Email: _________________________________

I/we pledge to the Campaign as follows: Amount of Pledge/ Donation: $ __________ Down Payment: $ __________ Balance: $ __________ I /we prefer to pay the balance: Monthly ______ Quarterly ______ Please send information about paying my pledge by Credit or Debit card

Signature ________________________________________

RESTORE

OUR CONVENT

As of December 14, 2018:

Parish Goal: $442,840 Percentage attained: 83% Amount Pledged: $329,611 Total Paid to Date: $272,994 Number of Pledges: 714

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All Volunteers - VIRTUS TRAINING Are you aware that the Diocese of Rockville Centre requires all volunteers (18 years or older) to attend the Virtus class? CYO Coaches, Religious Education, Catechists, Cantors, Ushers, Parish Volunteers (feast workers, mailing team, etc.) are all required to complete the Virtus training course, if they have not yet done so. You MUST register online by visiting www.Virtus.org, then click the link for first time registrants. View the list of sessions to find a course, and then complete the registration online. PLEASE NOTE: After completion of VIRTUS training, you will receive a certificate of completion. Please retain your certificate and training completion date for future use.

If you have already taken the VIRTUS course you need not repeat it.

Church Census Information The process of updating our Parish Data System information is an ongoing process. We ask that you please submit any recent changes -- address, family members, phone numbers, etc. With your help, our parish data information will be more accurate, and receipt of Parish Offering Envelopes and other church information can be distributed more efficiently. Please mail the information to the Parish Office or email to parishoffice@ollchurch.org.

The Parish Office will close at 3:00pm on Monday, December 31 (New Year’s Eve).

We will be closed on Tuesday, January 1 in observance of New Year’s Day.

The Parish Office will re-open at 9:00am on Wednesday, January 2.

Casa Project Update Thanks to the generous donations to the Casa House in our Narthex, this year we will be able to donate ten (10) ecostoves. Many of the communities we visit in El Salvador cook their meals and warm their homes without proper ventilation. These ecostoves will provide the proper ventilation, and help prevent respiratory ailments. We couldn't do this without support. Our sincere thanks for your generosity.

Next weekend (1/5-1/6) we are asking you to give us your loose change for our Casa Project. Place your donations in the wooden house located in the Narthex of the Church. Again, thank you for your support.

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Donations to Outreach If you would like to make a donation to Parish Outreach in memory of a loved one, please call Trish Frodell, Director of Parish Social Ministry at 631-661-3224.

Toilet Paper Bar Soap Hamburger Helper Rice A Roni Shampoo A

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Pregnant? Need Help? Birthright, Inc. 24 Hour Helpline 1-800-550-4900

Islip: 631-277-3888 - Hampton Bays: 631-728-8900 - Rocky Point: 631-821-9727 Southold: 631-876-5138 - Wantagh 516-785-4070

Project Rachel Hope & Healing after Abortion Project Rachel is a network of specially trained, compassionate care-givers, including counselors and clergy, who are prepared to assist those who suffer from abortion loss.

For anyone suffering abortion loss • Project Rachel Hope After Abortion: hopeafterabortion.com • Call the Respect Life Office’s confidential phone line: 1-888-456-HOPE (4673) • En Español: Esperanzaposaborto.org • Visit the Respect Life Office website - respectlife.drvc.org - for more information

For anyone suffering Crisis Pregnancy Visit OPTIONLINE.ORG for Pregnancy Options & Resources Call the 24-hour National Hotline: 1-800-712-HELP (4357)

Prayer Shawl Ministry Bring your prayer and creativity together in a gift of love. Join us ... Wednesday, January 2 at 9:30am in the Parish Center. All you need to bring is scrap yarn, knitting needles or crochet hooks (patterns and instructions will be given to you) and your gifts of love and prayer.

Always Our Children We are members, relatives, friends and allies of the LGBTQ community. We are also members of the Catholic Church by virtue of our baptism. We pray and discuss how our gifts are essential to the parish community. We meet the first Thursday of each month in the Spiritual Life Center (convent) at 7:30pm. All are welcome. Follow us on our Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/alwaysourchildrenlongislandny/ We are also a part of the Interparish Collaborative. You can follow events at www.lgbt-ipc.org

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Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults What’s it all about? IF you are an adult AND

… you were never Baptized … you were Baptized in another faith and would like to become a baptized Catholic … you never received Holy Communion (Eucharist) … you never received your Confirmation

IF you are an adult AND one or more of the circumstances above apply to you … IF you feel you would like to become a baptized Catholic or become more fully initiated into your Catholic faith… Our email address is RCIA@ollchurch.org or call the Parish Office at 631-661-3224, and we would be happy to help you.

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Volunteers Needed! Looking for volunteers to join the Altar Society. Pick up church linens, wash, iron and return them to the sacristy. We currently have nine members, which means you would be responsible once every nine weeks. The more members we have, the longer in between obligations. If interested, please call the rectory and leave your name and number or call me direct - Joyce Petersen (631) 539-2917.

Nocturnal Adoration “Come to me all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.”

This is Jesus Christ’s invitation every first Saturday of the month. The Blessed Sacrament is taken to the altar after the 5:00pm Mass and will be exposed up to 9:50pm. Everyone is invited to spend some time in front of the Blessed Sacrament to offer prayers, petitions and thanksgiving to Jesus. Nocturnal Adoration will follow the 5:00pm Mass on Saturday, January 5, concluding with Benediction at 9:50pm. Please come and pray with us. All are invited and welcome. Bring a friend!

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Good Samaritan Prayer Group of L.I. The Good Samaritan Prayer Group of Long Island holds their meetings every Friday from 3:00pm until 5:00pm. (except the first Friday of the month), from September through June, in Room 16 of the OLL School Bldg. All are welcome to experience singing, praying and fellowship.

Support Groups (all meetings are in Lourdes Hall - lower level of Convent) Alcoholics Anonymous: Monday and Tuesday at 8pm and Saturday at 11am and 7pm. ALANON: Wednesday at 10:00am. Beginner’s meeting at 9:30am. Free babysitting available.

Prayer for Divine Mercy An invitation to all men and women to be part of God’s plan. We invite you to meet in prayer for the world and our nation to put their trust in God. Our hope is that the nations will have a new spirit of morality. Please come with your love and hope for humanity as well as your prayer requests. We gather together every Thursday at 1:30pm before the Blessed Sacrament for about one half hour. For more information, call Charles Argento at 631-586-8528.

Ministry of Praise Members pray at home for the intentions of the Church and Parish; designed for the homebound, senior citizens, etc. Monthly calendar is available in the Narthex. Prayer requests can be left in the Ministry of Praise box along with the name and address of any homebound person who might want a copy of the calendar mailed to them (please print).

Anxiety Disorder Sufferers A Recovery Group for those suffering from Anxiety Disorder meets on Tuesdays from 2:00pm -4:00pm in the Spiritual Life Center (in Convent building). The Group is led by a trained and certified Anxiety Disorder Group Leader. For more information, please call Michael at 631-968-9154.

Families Anonymous Are you at your wit’s end? Is someone you love destroying family harmony? Families Anonymous Can Help! For further information, please call Donna at: 631-589-3790 or visit: www.familiesanonymous.org

In addition to our parish website (ollchurch.org), please visit us on Facebook at The Parish Family of Our Lady of Lourdes. Click “Like” and you will receive the latest news on upcoming parish events and information.

Boy Scout Troop 179 For over 40 years, Our Lady of Lourdes has been sponsoring Boy Scout Troop 179 of West Islip. We meet every Thursday during the school year in the School Cafeteria from 7:30pm to 9:00pm. If you are interested in joining Boy Scouts, check out our website and stop by a meeting! Website: http://witroop179.wix.com/bsatroop179# Email: WIBSATroop179@outlook.com

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Nurses Wanted - Full Time Positions Available We are hiring Healthcare Workers! Nurses Wanted!

The Sisters of St. Joseph in Brentwood are seeking Full Time Nurses, both RNs and LPNs. Openings are available for all shifts, including desirable Evening Shift (2:00pm–10:00pm). For more information, or to inquire about per diem opportunities, please contact Nancy Finley, Human Resources at 631-273-1187 x 127. Please apply to: resume@csjbrentwood.org

An Evening for LGBT Men, Women, Family, and Friends

All are welcome for prayer, discussion and social.

Second Tuesday of Each Month - 7:00pm - 9:00pm Freewill Offering

Bishop Molloy Retreat House 86-45 Edgerton Blvd., Jamaica, NY 11432

For information call: 718-739-1229 or visit: www.bishopmolloy.org

Volunteers Needed Maria Regina Residence at 1725 Brentwood Rd., Brentwood is a 188-bed Skilled Nursing facility under the care of the Sisters of St. Joseph. We are currently seeking compassionate, dedicated men and women who are willing to volunteer their time and talent in varied service areas (usually for one morning or afternoon per week): in assisting the Pastoral Team as a Eucharistic Minister, helping to transport residents in their wheelchairs, assisting with recreational service or other needs in the building. For more information, please contact Sister Mary Sheppard, CSJ at 631-299-3288. Prayerfully and thankfully, we look forward to hearing from you.

A Great Need for Eucharistic Ministers If you have already received the A & B training by the Diocese of Rockville Center for Distribution of Holy Communion in a hospital, and would like to volunteer as a Eucharistic Minister, please contact the Pastoral Care office at Good Samaritan Medical Center at 631-376-4103

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Bereavement Support Groups Good Shepherd Hospice Bereavement Services are opened, at no charge, to anyone in the community who has experienced a loss through death. Upcoming Bereavement Support Groups, led by a Bereavement Specialist, include:

Spousal/Partner Loss Support Group: 1/10/18- 2/28/18 from 5:00pm-6:30pm Adult Loss of Parent or Sibling Loss Support Group: 1/10/18- 2/28/18 from 6:45pm-8:15pm

Groups are held at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, 9 Clinton Ave., Bay Shore, NY. Registration required – 631-828-7628.

Life Center of Long Island

With winter almost here, the need for children's clothing becomes all the more critical. Our Riverhead Center is in desperate need of clothing, specifically sizes 18 months to 3T, for both boys and girls. We are asking if you could donate new or gently used clothing so that we can best serve the women of Long Island's East End. Our Riverhead location is: 524 E. Main Street, Suite 200, Riverhead, NY 11901

If you cannot donate directly to our Riverhead center, we also have locations in Hempstead, Massapequa, and Deer Park. We may also have a driver willing to come to you! Please call 631-591-9017 for more information. Thank you!

This Christmas, we would especially like to extend a special thank you to the

West Islip Country Fair Committee. Every year, this committee hosts the

annual West Islip Country Fair held on the grounds of the West Islip Public

Library. Each year, this committee makes a monetary donation to the needy of

our community through a donation to our Parish Outreach. This year, the

Committee donated $1,500 to the needy of our community. We are grateful for all the West Islip Country Fair

Committee does to enrich and support both our local and parish communities.

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Worldwide Marriage Encounter Start the New Year out right enriching your marriage by attending a Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend. The next Weekends are Feb. 8-10, 2019 in Huntington, NY and Apr. 26-28, 2019 in Huntington, NY. For more information, call John & Toni Torio at 877-697-9963 or visit them at https://wwmenyli.org/.

Do you need to fulfill your Marriage Prep Requirement? Engaged Encounter is an effective Pre-Cana program designed to provide you with the tools for a successful marriage. Couples are given the opportunity to explore many aspects of their relationship through a series of presentations, writings and dialog. There are no group discussions. Our next weekends will be held as follows: Feb. 8-10, 2019 - Seminary of the Immaculate Conception in Huntington, NY Aug. 9-11, 2019 - Seminary of the Immaculate Conception in Huntington, NY Nov. 15-17, 2019 - Seminary of the Immaculate Conception in Huntington, NY For information please call Lenny & Pat Walker at: 631-563-1032 or visit: www.engagedencounterli.org

Retrouvaille Weekend - You Can Help Heal Your Marriage

Do you feel alone? Are you frustrated or angry with each other? Do you argue or have you just stopped talking to each other? Does talking about it only make it worse?

Retrouvaille helps couples through difficult times in their marriages. This program has helped thousands of couples worldwide experiencing ALL TYPES of marital difficulties.

For confidential information about the Retrouvaille program, or to register for the upcoming weekend that begins on Friday, January 18-20, 2019, please call 1-800-470-2230. You will be connected directly and confidentially to a couple from Long Island/Metro Retrouvaille who can help.

Location: Immaculate Conception, Huntington, NY

440 West Neck Road, Huntington, NY 11743

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Religion and Rock Tune into “Religion and Rock” with Msgr. Jim Vlaun on Sunday from 7:00am to 8:00am on WBAB 102.3 FM or 95.3 on the East End of Long Island. Listen on Saturdays at 11:00pm on Sirius Radio, Channel 159, the Catholic Channel and at 11:00pm on XM Satellite, Channel 117. Next Sunday’s theme is “Remaining Excited”. To listen online or for more information, visit: www.ReligionandRock.com.

Camp Fatima & Camp Bernadette in New Hampshire Camp Fatima for boys and Camp Bernadette for girls are now accepting registrations for the 2019 summer season. The camps, located in the Lakes region of NH, offer 2-week overnight sessions for children, ages 6-15. Round trip bus transportation is available out of Long Island. For more information, or to request a brochure, contact Brendan Stack-house at 603-364-5851 or e-mail brendan@bfcamp.com, or visit and register online at www.bfcamp.com. Please don’t wait as sessions fill up quickly. The gift of a summer camp experience could be the ideal Christmas present for your child or grandchild.

Volunteer Needed Catholic Charities’ Amityville location is looking for a volunteer to assist with answer-ing the phones and re-directing calls to the proper departments. The ideal volunteer will be bi-lingual (English/Spanish), courteous and helpful and have some prior reception or switchboard experience, which is helpful but not necessary. Hours would be Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 9:00am to 12:00 noon. If you are interested and availa-ble for this volunteer opportunity, please contact: Mary Ellen Kwiecinski, Volunteer & Intern Coordinator at 516-733-7044

Your time and talent will be greatly appreciated!

Job Fair - Tuesday, January 15, 2019 - 9:30am-2:30pm

hosted by the Long Island Job Finder website & newspaper

Radisson Hotel Hauppauge 110 Vanderbuilt Motor Pkwy, Hauppauge, NY 11788

FREE Admission for job seekers! MANY TOP COMPANIES LOOKING FOR GREAT NEW HIRES!

Wear proper attire and bring plenty of copies of your resumé.

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Sharing the Gospel

When Jesus traveled to Jerusa-lem as a 12-year-old young man, He felt completely at home in the Temple. He enjoyed talking to the teachers about His Father in heaven. His questions and His answers showed how much He loved God.

Something to Draw Draw a picture of yourself learning about God with your teacher.

Prayer

Dear Jesus, Help me to feel at home in my church like Jesus did. Amen.

Mission for the Week

Help visitors to your church feel welcomed. As a family or as a class, make cards for visitors, welcoming them to your parish.