ST. ELIZABETH - ST. BRIGID PARISH December 13 - December 20, 2015 Third Sunday of Advent

LITURGICAL SCHEDULE (†) Deceased (L) Living

Monday, December 14 ~ St. John of the Cross 8:30 AM (St. Elizabeth) Rosary for Vocations 9:00 AM (St. Elizabeth) Mass: Stephen Andrejek †

Tuesday, December 15 8:45 AM (St. Brigid) Morning Prayer 9:00 AM (St. Brigid) Mass: Carl LaGrassa †

Wednesday, December 16 8:45 AM (St. Elizabeth) Novena 9:00 AM (St. Elizabeth) Mass: For the Special Intentions of Sr. Mary Joseph of the Trinity O.C.D. L

Thursday, December 17 8:45 AM (St. Brigid) Morning Prayer 9:00 AM (St. Brigid) Mass: Anna DeTrolio †

Friday, December 18 8:45 AM (St. Brigid) Rosary for Vocations 9:00 AM (St. Brigid) Mass: Marvin Marple † Saturday, December 19 5:00 PM (St. Brigid) Mass: Giovanni DiVerdi † 6:30 PM (St. Elizabeth) Mass: Ken Esposito † Sunday, December 20 Fourth Sunday of Advent 7:30 AM (St. Brigid) Mass: Brunhilde Gliebe † 8:30 AM (St. Elizabeth) Mass: Nancy Virgilio † 9:30 AM (St. Brigid) Mass: John Kurylo † 10:30 AM (St. Elizabeth) Mass: For the Parishioners 11:30 AM (St. Brigid) Mass: Edward Sak, Jr. †

PRAY FOR HOLY FATHER POPE FRANCIS AND HIS INTENTIONS UNIVERSAL INTENTION: That all may experience the mercy of God, Who never tires of forgiving. EVANGELIZATION INTENTION: That families, especially those who suffer, may find in the birth of Jesus a sign of certain hope.

LITURGICAL MINISTERS Saturday, December 19, 2015

St. Brigid --------------------------------------------- 5:00 PM (E)J. & V. Zachman (R) L. Schneider

(A) J. Quito St. Elizabeth ----------------------------------------6:30 PM

(E) K. Blejwas (R) ____________ (A) A. Myers, M. Marin

Sunday, December 20, 2015 St. Brigid -------------------------------------------- 7:30 AM (E) F. Grigni (R) P. Riedel (A) M. & A. Johnson

St. Elizabeth----------------------------------------- 8:30 AM (E) K. Spinda (R) J. Howe

(A) B. & C. Moreau

St. Brigid --------------------------------------------- 9:30 AM (E) B. Carlson, D. Sotolongo (R) C. Mortenson

(A) __________

St. Elizabeth--------------------------------------- 10:30 AM (E) D. Agostino (R) _____________

(A) N. Agostino

St. Brigid ------------------------------------------- 11:30 AM (E) D. O’Callaghan (R) I. Lagana

(A) M., M. & U. Lagana

“For everything there is a season and a time for every purpose under heaven…” A time to heal… Please pray for the sick of our parishes including: Elizabeth Kurylo, Ruth Stahl, Dottie D’Epagnier, Brigid Newell, Maria Nucci, Dave Martin, Edmond Rochat, Jr., Ann Buttacavoli, John Oghia, Ernest Wille, Mary Helen Curtin, Don Cholish, and Victoria Sibilia. A time to die… Please pray for those who have recently passed away, including Helen Mercurio.

FOR THE WEEK OF DECEMBER 13TH - 20TH, 2015

The Sanctuary Candle at St. Brigid Church is being offered

for the special intentions of John Dezio

Christmas Mass Schedule 2015 St. Elizabeth Church

34 Peapack Rd, Far Hills St. Brigid Church

129 Main St., Peapack

Confessions are available on Saturdays: 4:30 PM St. Brigid Church

After the 6:30 PM Mass at St. Elizabeth Church

Christmas Eve December 24 Children’s Nativity at 3:45 PM

4:00 PM St. Brigid Church Simulcast seating in St. Patrick Hall

6:00 PM St. Elizabeth Church 9:30 PM Concert St. Brigid Church

10:00 PM St. Brigid Church

Christmas Day December 25 8:30 AM St. Elizabeth Church

9:30 AM St. Brigid Church 10:30 AM St. Elizabeth Church

11:30 AM St. Brigid Church

New Year’s Day Schedule 2016 Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God

December 31, 2015 5 PM St. Brigid Church

New Year’s Day January 1, 2016 8:30 AM St. Elizabeth Church 10:30 AM St. Elizabeth Church

CHRISTMAS NATIVITY

The Children’s Christmas Eve Nativity Mass will be at St. Brigid Church on December 24th at the

4 PM Mass with the Pageant beginning at 3:45 PM in St. Brigid. Children in Kindergarten through High School are needed for the pageant. Practice will be held on Wednesday, December 16th from 4:30 to 5:30 PM. If interested in participating, contact Denise O’Callaghan at 908-234-1524.

Have you suffered an abortion? Experience God’s love and mercy and begin the

journey of healing. Call the Sisters of Life: 866-575-0075 or email

hopeandhealing@sistersoflife.org. For men, call 877-586-4621

THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT

First Reading: Zephaniah 3:14-18a Zephaniah urges the people of Jerusalem to rejoice because the lord is in their midst. He conveys the message that god will love and protect those who have remained faithful to him. Second Reading: Philippians 4:4-7 Paul encourages the Philippians to be ready for Christ. He tells them not to worry about their concerns, but to instead ask god's help and allow his peace to fill their hearts and minds. Gospel: Luke 3:10-18 John the Baptist answers people who ask him what they should do, leading some to believe he was the messiah. John clearly states that he will be followed by one so powerful that "I am not fit to loosen his sandal strap."

SPREADING THE WORD “Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God.” (Philippians 4:6-7) St. Paul reminds us that our God is an abundant God, the ultimate giver of gifts. He promises to give us all that we need. When we trust that God will take care of us, it is easier for us to share what we have been given.

THIIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT PRAYER “O Almighty God, gracious provider and giver of life, we anxiously await the celebration of your birth. Like the people of long ago, our ancestors in faith, we, too, are in need of light, in need of

direction, in need of your Word, to show us the way. Our busy lives and the consumerism that surrounds us make it difficult to recognize your kingdom and to hear your voice. Help us Lord, to focus on you. We pray that you hear our prayer in the name of Jesus. Amen.” ~ From the Essential Advent and Christmas Handbook

Remember in your prayers the members of our Armed Services, especially Patrick Blankenship of the USMC & Ryan O’Connor of the US Army, close friends of Jean Fall;

John F. Stahl of the US Army, son, Joseph Stahl of the Navy, grandson, and Eric Hummel of the US Army nephew of Ruth Stahl; Brendan Patrick Duffy of the US Army, son of Deacon Larry & Denise Duffy; Jordan Weaver of the Air Force, husband of Christy (LaPointe) Weaver: Timothy Donovan of the US Navy, close friend of Tom Gioino; Charles Clough of the USMC, son of John & Jan Clough; PFC Sean McMahon of the US Army, friend of The LaPointe family; John Walker-Air Force, grandson of Bernard & Joan O’Reilly; Christopher Jibilian, US Navy pilot and Matthew Jibilian US Navy Seal, grand-nephews of Charlie & Pina Jibilian.

MUSIC IN THE SOMERSET HILLS The Handel’s Messiah featuring The Choir and Baroque Orchestra of Trinity Wall Street at St. Mary’s Abbey, Morristown, NJ on Tuesday, December 15th, 2015 @ 7:30 PM. For tickets and additional information visit MusicSH.org/Concerts or call (973) 339-7719.

HOLY YEAR OF MERCY PRAYER

Lord Jesus Christ, Send you Spirit and consecrate every one of us with its anointing, so the Jubilee of Mercy may be a year

of grace from the Lord and your church.

With renewed enthusiasm bring good news to the poor, proclaim liberty to captives and the oppressed

and restore sight to the blind.

We ask this through the intercession of Mary, Mother of Mercy, you who live and reign with the

Father and the Holy Spirit for ever and ever. Amen.

2015 BISHOP’S ANNUAL APPEAL Parish Goal Update: Pledges totaling $ 121,548.98

and payments totaling $ 94,569.91 from 168 parishioners, representing 58.7% of our

$206,900.00 goal. Blessing. May the Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting encouragement and good hope through his grace encourage your hearts and strengthen them in every good deed and word. ~ 2 Thes 2:16-17

CHRISTMAS EVE CONCERT ST. ELIZABETH-ST. BRIGID CHOIR

Presents selections from Handel’s Messiah including: Comfort Ye/Ev'ry Valley And the Glory of the Lord

And He Shall Purify Behold a Virgin Shall Conceive O Thou That Tellest Good Tidings to Zion

For Unto Us a Child is Born There Were Shepherds/And Lo the Angel/

And the Angel Said/ Unto Them/And Suddenly Glory to the Lord

Proclamation of the Birth of Christ

December 24 at 9:30 PM St. Brigid Church, Peapack

Followed by the 10 PM Christmas Eve Mass

RELEGIOUS VOCATION

Sisters of Christian Charity Discernment Weekend

January 8-10, 2016 The Sisters of Christian Charity invite young women between the ages of 16 - 35 to join us for our annual weekend of Discernment. For more information contact sbernadette@scceast.org or visit scceast.org. Mallinckrodt Convent, 350 Bernardsville Rd. Mendham NJ.

SPECIAL NEEDS AWARENESS MASS

Sunday Mass at 6:00 PM December 20, 2015

Immaculate Conception Church 35 Mountain Ave, Somerville, NJ

Special Needs Awareness Mass is: An opportunity to celebrate the gifts that people with special needs bring to the Parish. Our friends and family who have special needs minister at the masses as they are lectors, musicians, assisting with the offertory and contributing to the worship in our church. It is an opportunity for the Parish to welcome people with special needs to participate fully in the life of the church. For more information please contact Regina Teggler (908) 963-8473 or Jeanine Cavanagh at (908) 725-1112 X 1126.

MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

CAN YOU SAVE YOUR MARRIAGE? Retrouvaille - a lifeline for troubled marriages. If your marriage has become unloving and uncaring, or if your relationship has grown cold and distant, if you are thinking of separation or divorce, or

if you are already separated or divorced, but (both of you) wish to try again – then the Retrouvaille program may help you. Retrouvaille (Rediscovery) sponsored by the Family Life Office/Diocese of Metuchen consists of a weekend experience for couples (no group discussions) with six follow-up sessions. The next program begins the weekend of February 5 – February 7, 2016. All inquiries are confidential. For further information please call Rich & Annette Colasuonno 732-236-0671 or Tom & Pat McTague 732-583-4468.

RELIGIOUS GIVE THANKS “We cannot begin to repay all who contribute,” writes a Catholic sister. “So we pray to God, who is never outdone in generosity, to reward you.” Heartfelt thanks for your donation to last week’s collection for the Retirement Fund for Religious. May God bless you for your goodness!

CHRISTMAS TREE BLESSING God of all creation,

we praise you for this tree which brings beauty and memories and the promise of life to our home. May your blessing be upon all who

gather around this tree, all who keep the Christmas festival by its lights.

We wait for the coming of the Christ, the days of everlasting justice and peace.

You are our God, living and reigning, forever and ever.Amen.

(the lights of the tree are then illuminated.)

DIOCESE OF METUCHEN OPENING MASS FOR THE YEAR OF MERCY

Bishop Paul G. Bootkoski invites all to join him at the

Opening Mass for the Year of Mercy Sunday, December 20, 2015 at Noon

Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi 32 Elm St., Metuchen, NJ 08840

All the faithful of the Diocese of Metuchen are cordially invited to participate in an opening liturgy to mark the beginning of the yearlong observance of the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy as proclaimed by Pope Francis. At the Mass, Bishop Bootkoski will open the Holy Door at the Cathedral.

During the year, pilgrims also are invited to cross the threshold of one or more of the 10 Holy Doors designated in the Diocese of Metuchen, where they may receive a jubilee indulgence.

For information on the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy observances in the Diocese of Metuchen and a list of Holy Door locations and hours, visit http://diometuchen.org/mercy or email JubileeofMercy@diometuchen.org.

WE WELCOME YOUR PRAYER INTENTIONS

The Diocesan Office for Persons with Disabilities has a dedicated phone line and an email address to receive prayer intentions from persons with disabilities, the homebound, their caregivers, relatives and friends. Call the prayer line at 732-765-6431 or send an email to catholicswithdisabilities@gmail.com and your intentions will be remembered in prayer at Holy Mass.

PREPARE YOUR SOUL FOR CHRISTMAS! Confession is available on Saturday afternoon at 4:30 PM in St. Brigid Church and after the 6:30 PM Mass at St. Elizabeth Church.

Five Steps to a Good Confession 1. Examine your conscience. 2. Be sincerely sorry for your sins. 3. Confess your sins. 4. Resolve to amend your life. 5. Do the penance the priest assigns.

O ANTIPHONS On the last days of Advent, you may wish to add these "O Antiphons" to your evening prayer, your prayer at table, or your bedtime prayer.

December 17 O Wisdom of our God Most High, guiding creation with power and love: come to teach us the path of knowledge!

December 18 O Leader of the House of Israel, giver of the Law to Moses on Sinai: come to rescue us with your mighty power!

December 19 O Root of Jesse’s stem, sign of God’s love for all his people: come to save us without delay!

December 20 O Key of David, opening the gates of God’s eternal Kingdom: come and free the prisoners of darkness!

December 21 O Radiant Dawn, splendor of eternal light, sun of justice: come and shine on those who dwell in darkness and in the shadow of death.

December 22 O King of all nations and keystone of the Church: come and save man, whom you formed from the dust!

December 23 O Emmanuel, our King and Giver of Law: come to save us, Lord our God!

Those who sow in tears will reap with cries of joy. Those who go forth weeping, carrying sacks of seed, Will return with cries of joy, carrying their bundled sheaves. ~ Psalm 126:5-6

HOLY YEAR OF MERCY DECEMBER 8, 2015 - NOVEMBER 20, 2016

“It is a favorable time to heal wounds, a time to offer everyone the way of Forgiveness and Reconciliation.” ~Pope Francis

THE CORPORAL WORKKS OF MERCY The Corporal Works of Mercy are found in the teachings of Jesus and give us a model for how we should treat all others, as if they were Christ in disguise. They "are charitable actions by which we help our neighbors in their bodily needs" (USCCB). They respond to the basic needs of humanity as we journey together through this life. Each week we will feature one of the Spiritual or Corporal Works of Mercy with some suggestions and words of advice for living them out in our daily lives.

Feed the Hungry There are many people in this world who go without food. When so much of our food goes to waste, consider how good stewardship practices of

your own food habits can benefit others who do not have those same resources. • Having delicious food at Christmas dinner?

Donate to a Christmas food drive so everyone can have something to eat.

• Research, identify and contribute financially to organizations that serve the hungry.

• The next time you make a recipe that can be easily frozen, make a double batch and donate one to your local food pantry or soup kitchen.

• Try not to purchase more food than you are able to eat. If you notice that you end up throwing groceries away each week, purchasing less groceries would eliminate waste and allow you to donate the savings to those in need.

PEACE BE WITH YOU

Although stewardship is challenging, there is a peace that comes with every

decision we make for Christ and his will for us. Making God our FIRST priority frees us of our ties to material possessions and enables us to experience the real joy and inner peace that fills the body and spirit when we respond to Jesus’ call. Consider leaving the St. Elizabeth-St. Brigid Parish in your will.