THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH OF

SAINT MATTHEW & OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL HELP

The Week of December 16, 2018 - Third Sunday of Advent

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15 REQUESTED BY: 5:00 pm (A) Michael Mancuso Amelia & Sylvia Cantatore

5:00 pm (H) Edward & Pauline Illmensee Walter & Joan Haubold

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 16

8:30 am (H) Sonia Lotz Grascia Family 8:30 am (A) Spec. Int. For Harkin Family Harkin Family 10:30 am (A) Louise Ciancio Family

11:00 am (H) John G. Ciborowski Val & Paulette Landry

MONDAY, DECEMBER 17

8:00 am (A) Spec. Int. For Harkin Family Harkin Family

9:00 am (H) Carol Krttil Virginia

TUESDAY DECEMBER 18

8:00 am (A) Spec. Int. For Harkin Family Harkin Family

9:00 am (H) Ann Mitchell Family

WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 19

8:00 am (A) Spec. Int. For Harkin Family Harkin Family

9:00 am (H) Charles & Beatrice Smith Michael P. Smith

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 20

8:00 am (A) Filippo Pavone Angela Pavone

9:00 am (H) Ann (L) & George (D) Nehrbauer Maggie Killackey

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21 8:00 am (A) Spec. Int. For Harkin Family Harkin Family

9:00 am (H) Harry Bloomer Sr. Kathy & Corky Soderstrom

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 22 8:00 am (A) Rev. Thomas O’Keefe Ybay Family 9:00 am (H) Ralph & Eleanor Santini Virginia 5:00 pm (A) Leona Sweeney Hollocou Family

5:00 pm (H) George Martin Cecilia Gallagher & Family

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 23

8:30 am (H) Sonia Lotz Grascia Family 8:30 am (A) Norma Togniono Vicky Hammond 10:30 am (A) Helen Buck Kane Family 11:00 am (H) George Zahurak Sr. His Family

Key: (A)= Ardsley (H) = Hastings

If you would like to bring the gifts up during the offertory procession,

please see an usher before Mass begins.

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."

DECEMBER 16, 2018 - Third Sunday of Advent

A FRESH PERSPECTIVE ON THE SUNDAY READINGS

HIS WORD TODAY by Rev. William J. Reilly

Third Sunday of Advent - December 16, 2018

“Everyone should see how unselfish you are. The Lord Himself is near. Dismiss all anxiety from your minds. Present your needs to God in every form of prayer and in petitions full of gratitude. Then God’s own peace which is beyond understanding will stand guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”…“The crowds

asked John ‘What are we to do?’…the people were full of anticipation…”

At the midway point of Advent, we too can ask the question the crowds put to John the Baptist. We might preface it with another question: ‘What have we done thus far?’ What is the Lord asking of me during the next ten days? St. Paul is quite clear telling his audience to focus on the Lord, offering prayer, petitions and expressions of gratitude.

Do not fall into the trap of routine or busyness, without a moment each day of prayer that God’s peace may reign in your heart. Our novena of preparation can consist simply by turning to the Word of God, reflecting on the mystery of Jesus’ coming, and how we want Him to find us when we celebrate His birth. Then God’s own peace will be really with us.

Third Sunday of

Advent

Please keep in your prayers the ill of our parish especially: Kristin Harkin, Susan Sullivan Manuel, Mary Elizabeth Groth, Nora Lennon, Fred Wolff, Tom Donohoe, Richard Ryan Sr., & Dan Devoy

And for those who have died marked by the

sign of faith, especially:

If you know of any parishioners who are ill and would like to be visited by a priest, please contact the rectory at 914-478-2822. Please feel free to call the rectory to add names of immediate family members at any time.

We are very grateful to those in the military who have dedicated themselves to protect our liberty and freedom. Please keep our

troops in your prayers, especially: Brian Dunne-Navy, Christopher Gaulin-Army, George Moore-Navy, Nicholas Sestito-Marine, Donald Wemer Jr. - Marine, Michael Germain-Navy, Brandon King - Army, Michael Parton-Navy, Peter Dillon - Coast Guard, Chris Minozzi-Marines

If you would like to add a name to our Military List, please call the rectory office.

WEEKLY COLLECTIONS - Thank You!

ST. MATTHEW & OLPH 2018 2017 December 9 $6,437 $6,123 Christmas Flowers (to date) $3,019 $3,325 (total)

Christmas Flower & Christmas Offering envelopes can be dropped into any collection basket or sent to the rectory.

CANDLE & FLOWER DEDICATIONS

Blessed Mother Candle

In Memory of

John Anthony Schutte

Upcoming Classes

Ardsley: Wednesday, December 19

NO CLASSES for CHRISTMAS BREAK: Ardsley: December 26

Hastings: December 23, 30

Classes Resume on: Ardsley: January 2 * Hastings: January 6

Our Lady of Perpetual Help: One remaining rehearsal on December 19th 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. at OLPH School. The Pageant will be on December 23rd at the 10:30am Mass.

St. Matthew: One remaining rehearsal TODAY, Sunday, December 16th 9:30-10:45 a.m. in St. Matthew Church. The Pageant will be on December 23rd at the 8:30am Mass.

**CHRISTMAS PAGEANT ** NEXT WEEKEND

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 23

We want to offer our sincere thanks to Max Marchi for the new stable

which is in front of the Ardsley Church. The stable was Max’s Eagle Scout project and he should be very proud of his accomplishment.

Max, you have our appreciation for this project, and the stable should last us for many years to come.

EUARISTIC MINISTERS & LECTORS:

Please stop by the sacristy after mass to pick up a small token of the parishes appreciation.

LECTORS: Also, if you have not already done so, please pick up your Workbook for Lectors for 2019

Children’s Christmas Pageants December 23rd:

St. Matthew’s: 8:30 am Mass

Our Lady of Perpetual Help: 10:30 am Mass

Christmas Eve

St. Matthew’s: 4:30 pm & 8:00 pm

Our Lady of Perpetual Help: 6:00 pm & 10:00 pm

Christmas Day

St. Matthew’s: 8:30 am & 11:00 am

Our Lady of Perpetual Help: 8:30 am & 10:30 am

New Year’s Day

St. Matthew’s: 9:00 am

Our Lady of Perpetual Help: 10:30 am

TOMMORROW Reconciliation Monday, December 17th

Cardinal Dolan designated Monday, December 17th as Reconciliation Monday for advent. All parishes in the

Archdiocese will have priests available to hear confessions from 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm. This includes all the parishes of the Archdiocese of New York, as well as the parishes of the Diocese of Brooklyn and the Diocese of Rockville Center.

Confessions will be held at the following times:

St. Matthew Church (Hastings): 5pm - 7pm

Our Lady of Perpetual Help (Ardsley): 8pm - 9pm

THANK YOU!! Over the past week, we had 8 pledges totaling $24,900. This leaves us with only $65,235 to reach our goal. Pledges can be made now, but payments don’t have to start until after the New Year. If you have any questions, please feel free to call the rectory. With your help, we know we will make our goal!

Our Parish Campaign Priorities are:

Replace the school roofs at both St. Matthew School and Our Lady of Perpetual Help School

Upgrade the Air Conditioning at Our Lady of Perpetual Help

Paint the Interior of St. Matthew

Install Security Cameras at Our Lady of Perpetual Help

Refurbish the Gym's heating system at Our Lady of Perpetual Help

Refurbish Church Steps of St. Matthew Church & Rectory

2018 Cardinal's Annual Stewardship Appeal - $81,000

Our parish goal is $518,500 and we are pleased to announce that we have now received $453,265 in pledges by 85 gifts (7% of our parish family). This is 87% of our goal! Now we have only $65,235 of our goal to go! To Make a Pledge through the Archdiocesan website please visit: www.renewrebuild.org/donate. It is VERY important to select ST. MATTHEW AND OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL HELP, HASTINGS ON HUDSON where it asks for the DESIGNATION for your gift. This way 74% of your donation will go towards our parish. You can also call the parish rectory for a pledge form to be mailed to you. You can also visit the parish website for a link/form: www.stmolph.com

CHRISTMAS TOY DONATIONS:

Today, Sunday, December 16 is the deadline to return toys to the toy box.

JESUS STOCKINGS:

Please bring your “Jesus Stockings” next weekend, December 23, to the Christmas Pageants and place them in the box provided.