The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass Sat. 5:00pm & 6:30pm

Sun: 7:30am; 9:00am (Latin) 10:30am & 12:00noon

Daily: Mon.– Sat. 8:00am Monday & Friday 12:00 (Latin)

Eucharistic Adoration: Monday 8:30am-7:00pm

Novena Mass; Mon., Wed. 7:00 pm; Sat. 8:00 am

Confessions: Sat. 3:00 -4:00 and Mon. 6:00—6:50

Parish Staff Pastor: Very Rev. Daniel C. Hesko, VF Deacons Rev. Mr. John Orlando Rev. Mr. John McGrath (retired) Religious Education: Mrs. Jackie Callahan, M.A. Mrs. Kathleen McGuire Parish Office: Mrs. Julie Fehlhaber Mrs. Kathleen Toomey Music Director: Mrs. Karen Ohrn

St. C

atherine’s Church: M

iddletown, N

.J. A

dvent Sunday 1 D

ec.1, 2019

We w

ait in Joyful Hope for the C

oming of our S

avior For You O Lord my Soul

in stillness waits, truly my Hope in in You. Psalm 25

TODAY’S LITURGY: First Sunday of Advent

READINGS: RED HYMNAL # 766

Processional Hymn: Credo # 84 O Come, O Come Emmanuel

Penitential prayer at the Advent Wreath P: Our help is in the name of the Lord. R: Who made heaven and earth. P: Let us pray: O God, by whose Word all things are sanctified, pour forth Your blessing + upon this wreath and grant that we who use it may prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ and may receive from Your abundant grace, that walking in truth, we may keep watch for the day of His return, who lives and reigns forever. Amen

O Wisdom, coming forth from the mouth of the Most High, Come, and teach us the way of prudence: Lord have mercy: LORD HAVE MERCY

O Adonai, Ruler of the house of Israel, Come with outstretched arm to redeem us: Christ have mercy: CHRIST HAVE MERCY

O Root of Jesse, standing as the sign for mankind. Come, save us, and do not delay: Lord have mercy: LORD HAVE MERCY

Gradual (Psalm 122) Let us go rejoicing, to the House of the Lord Offertory Hymn: Refrain: For you, O lord, my soul in stillness waits; Truly my hope is in you.

O Lord of Light, our only hope of glory, your radiance shines in all who look to you. Come light the hearts of all in dark and shadow.

O Spring of Joy, rain down upon our spirits. Our thirsty hearts are yearning for your Word. Come, make us whole; be comfort to our hearts. O Root of Life, implant your seed within us, and in your advent draw us all to you, our hope reborn in dying and in rising.

O Key of Knowledge, guide us in our pilgrimage, We ever seek, yet unfulfilled remain. Open to us the pathway of your peace.

Communion Hymn: Credo # 104 Creator of the Star of Night Recessional Hymn: Credo # 98 People look East

THE INTERCESSIONS: P: Once again this Advent, we sing the ancient cry, MARANATHA, let us watch and pray that we may be found faithful on that day when the Lord shall come. Our response COME O CHRIST THE LORD

L: Let us pray for those who lead the nations, that they may enact laws rooted in justice and peace. P: O Wisdom, breath of the Most High, pervading and permeating all creation; come, make us friends of God, MARANATHA R: COME O CHRIST THE LORD

L: Let us pray for the Pope, our Bishop and all Pastors, that they may be guided always by the Spirit of Christ. P: O Lord of Lords and leader of the Flock of David, who once appeared to Moses in the burning bush and gave him the law on Mount Sinai; come and save us with Your Mighty Arm. MARANATHA R: COME O CHRIST THE LORD

L: Let us pray for all who live in the shadow of war, violence and fear. P: O Root of Jesse, standing as a sign to the nations, before You all Kings are silent; before You all peoples do homage; come and deliver the captive and free the oppressed. MARANATHA R: COME O CHRIST THE LORD

L: Let us pray for those imprisoned by poverty, ignorance or any want. P: O Key of David and Shepherd of the House of Israel. You who close and no man can open, You who opens and none can close; come to us who await the day of Your return. MARANATHA: R: COME O CHRIST THE LORD

L: Let us pray for the sick, who wait upon Christ as healer and guide. P: O Dayspr ing from on high, shed the light of comfor t and healing to all who wait in pain, You who are Rising Sun and the Star of Justice. MARANATHA R: COME O CHRIST THE LORD

L: Let us commend to God all the faithful, gone before us and rest in the peace of Christ. P: O Emmanuel, our King and our God, the Anointed of the nations and our Savior. Come, deliver those who sit in the shadow of death. MARANATHA: R: COME O CHRIST THE LORD

P: We wait with joy O Lord, the coming of the Savior. May He find us watchful in prayer and abounding in every good work, to the glory of Your holy name, through Jesus Christ our Lord. R: AMEN

Truly my hope is in you.

WEEKLY MASS INTENTIONS Monday, December 2nd 8:00am Joseph Grochowski by Mary Ann, Joe & Ariana Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament all day. 12:00noon Joseph & Anastasia O’Brien, Arlene Malone & Edward O’Brien by Marie & Pat O’Brien 7:00pm Deceased Members of DeRupo, Caruso & Amore Families by Lucille DeRupo Tuesday, December 3rd St. Francis Xavier 8:00am John Liscoe by John & Michelle Cremin Wednesday, December 4th St. John Damascene 8:00am Liv. Int. Tara Tucker & Grace Orlando by Charmaine & Manny 7:00pm John Gilligan (bthdy) by Lisa & Chris Kohl 7:45pm Bible Study Thursday, December 5th 8:00am Wittman Family by Donohue Family Friday, December 6th St. Nicholas/First Friday 8:00am Sharon Nunez by Friends at St. Catherine’s CCD 12:00noon Liv. Int Raymond Nicholas Menges by Family Saturday, December 7th St. Ambrose 8:00am Mary Ann Takacs by Bob & Doreen

Second Sunday of Advent 5:00pm Dorothy McNamara by Barbara & Children 6:30pm Edward Foy by Tremari family, Logan Daniel sanders by Family, Helen Niejako(bthdy) by Husband, Antonia Judith Cappas by Adela Wilson, Patricia D’Agostino by Dolores Hockey, Nicholas Sarno by Nancy Trivett, Therese Cesar by Family John Gilligan by Alberta, Bob & Al Festa

Sunday, December 8th 7:30am Bernard & Mary Cuntala by Anna & Maria Hulak 9:00am Liv. & Dec. Children & Grandchildren by Linda Moslowski 10:30am Pro Populo 12:00noon John Stewart (10th anniv.) by Jerri Stewart

For those not receiving Holy Communion we offer the following prayer.

My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen (St. A lphonsus Ligouri)

PARISH OFFICE HOURS: Monday-Friday 8:30am- 4:00pm OFFICE ADDRESS: 130 Bray Avenue, Middletown N.J. CONTACT: Parish Office: 732-787-1318 Fax: 732-787-2851; Rel. Ed/Ministry: 732-495-7779; Parish Hall: 732-787-2869; Thrift Shop: 732-787-2836; Web Site: www.stcathek.org; Email: stcathek1@aol.com

Ministry to the Sick and Homebound: To arrange Communion for the homebound, or for the Sacrament of the Sick, call the parish office.

Sacrament of Baptism: Arrangements must be made through the parish office. Infants should be baptized as soon as possible.

Sacrament of Matrimony: According to Diocesan policy, marriage arrangements must be made at least nine months prior to the wedding date through the parish office. Either the man or woman must be registered in our parish.

Annulment Advocacy : To discuss Church Annulment procedure, or for information concerning Church Validation of a civil marriage, call the parish office to arrange a meeting with Fr. Dan.

FORMED: A Catholic Media Program you can access 24/7 from your computer, I-phone etc. Go to www.stcathek.formed.org click ’register’ follow prompts and enjoy.

CONFESSION IN ADVENT: Saturday 3:00—4:00 pm and Monday 6:00—6:50 pm

ANNUAL LUCIA MASS Blessing of eyes, and Imposition of the Holy Relic of St. Lucy. Plan to be with us for the

Blessing of eyes on Thursday, December 12th. (vigil) 7:00pm.

St. Lucy is invoked as the Patroness of Eyesight.

Prayer for St. Lucy’s Intercession O God our Creator and Redeemer, mer-cifully hear our prayers that as we ven-erate Your servant, Saint Lucy, for the light of faith You bestowed upon her, You would increase and preserve this same light in our souls that we may be able to avoid evil, to do good, and to abhor nothing so much as the blindness and the darkness of evil and sin. Rely-ing on Your goodness, O God, we humbly ask You, by the intercessory prayers of Your servant Saint Lucy, that You would give perfect vision to our eyes, that they serve for Your greater honor and glory and for the

salvation of our souls in this world, that we come to the enjoy-ment of Your unfailing light of the Lamb of God in paradise. Saint Lucy, virgin and martyr, hear our prayers and obtain our petitions. AMEN

Banns of Christian Matrimony

III Samantha Lagarra & Michael Marotta If anyone knows of just cause why they. may not be joined in Christian Matrimony, let them speak now or forever hold their peace.

O Worship the Lord in the Beauty of Holiness

The Sanctuary Lamp in memory of An-drew J. Hulak, Jr. and Andrew J. Hulak, Sr. gift of Anna & Maria Hulak.

The Blessed Mother Votive Light in memory of Dorothy V. McNamara (anniv.) by Daughter & family.

The Sacred Heart Votive Light will burn this week in memory of John Gilligan gift of Food Pantry Volunteers.

MARANATHA is an Aramaic word that means “the Lord is coming” or “Come Lo Lord.” The early Church faced much persecution, and life for a Christian under Roman rule was not easy. The Romans required everyone to declare that Caesar was God. The early Christians knew that there is only one God and one Lord Jesus Christ and in all good conscience they could not call Caesar “Lord”, so the Romans looked upon them as traitors, persecuted them, and put them death. Living under those adverse conditions, the believers’ moral was lifted by the hope of the coming of the Lord. “Maranatha!” became the common greeting of the oppressed believers , replacing the Jewish greeting shalom (“peace”). The followers of Jesus knew there would be no peace because Jesus had told them so (Matthew 10:34; Luke 12:51). But they also knew the Lord would be returning to set up His kingdom, and from that truth they drew great comfort. They were constantly reminding and being reminded that the Lord is coming (Luke 21:28; Revela-tion 22:12. Jesus taught several parables on this same theme of watching and waiting and being prepared for His return (Matthew 25:1-13; Luke 12:35-40). Today, believers live our lives in the light of knowledge that He can come at any time. We are ready to be ready when the call comes. Every day we should expect Him to come, and every day we should long for Him to come. Maranatha reminds us to keep our eyes on the eternal things of the Spirit. To dwell on material things is to be in constant mental turmoil. Looking down, we see the earth; looking around, we see earthly things. But looking up, we see the hope of the soon coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. To those who are discouraged today, Maranatha! To those who are wor-ried today, Maraantha! To those filled with anxiety over the problems they are facing, Maranatha! Our Lord is coming!

PRAYING THROUGH ADVENT The beginning of Advent is a good time to renew our commitment to regular prayer. There is a kind of prayer which seems particularly appropriate to the advent Season. It is a way of praying which encourages us to be still, to wait on the coming of the Lord in calm and peace. It can be a powerful antidote to the pressures and frustrations we often face at this time of year. It can help us to keep a sense of proportion in our preparations for Christmas. The outward form of this prayer is simplicity itself. All it requires is that we find a place where we can be undisturbed and that we sit in a comfortable but upright posture. Then, during the whole of our prayer, we simply say a single word or short phrase to ourselves over and over again. This word or phrase is sometimes called a ‘mantra’. If we decide to pray for fifteen or twenty minutes, we recite the mantra for the whole of that time. The use of a mantra in prayer has a long tradition in Hinduism, Buddhism and Christianity. Its purpose is to help focus our minds. It aids concentration and helps to keep our minds free from their usual clutter of thoughts and concerns. In that way we can turn ourselves wholly to god, being aware of His presence at the heart of our very being. Advent provides us with a particularly suitable mantra which could also form the basis for our prayer throughout the year. It is the phrase: “Come, Lord Jesus”. Simply say hi phrase to yourself over and over again during the time you have set aside for prayer. Say it gently and calmly, without any strain. Relax into the words. If you find your mind wandering, or if you are getting bored, simply return to the words “Come, Lord Jesus...Come, Lord Jesus”.

THAT MAN IS YOU The program is held every Saturday in the school building. Breakfast starts 6:30am and we will make sure to have you out by 8:00am. ALL MEN OIF THE PARISH ARE WELCOME

BREAKFAST WITH SANTA After Mass Sunday, December 15th. Santa will be here to share breakfast and take pictures with your child. ALL ARE INVITED TO JOIN US FOR BREAKFAST after the 7:30; 9:00 and 10:30 Masses

SAVE THE

DATE Friday,

December 20th, Cookies and

Milk with Santa

Sing-a-long.

ALL IN THE

PARISH HALL

In your charity please remember to pray for: Tony Cinquegrana, Margaret Alfano, Tom Latin, Danny Sulli-van, Catherine Olski, John Maziarski, Pat Brokken, Cor-rine Hoffman, Debbie Miotta, Kevin Moran, Rachel O’Brien, Gina Tobia, Karen Conte, Baby Victoria Pow-ers, Ann Bolger, Jim Murphy, Marge Brand, Ruth Alaia, Kathleen Toomey, Julia Fehlhaber, Michael Brothers, Theresa Marks, Sheila Buxton, Taryn Hussey, Maureen Farrell, Rich Callahan, and for the faithful departed: God, our loving Father, look with kindness on our broth-ers and sisters who seek Your care. In Your mercy grant health to the sick; comfort to the sorrowful, peace to the troubled, joy to the weary and eternal rest to those whose work on earth is done, and all for Jesus’ Amen

Prayer for those serving in our Military

Please remember to pray for our parishioners and friends serving this nation at home and abroad. CDR Michael Dwan; USN Major Mark Paige; USMC Patrick Gallagher; Staff Ssgt. Matthew Santilli; Master Ssgt. Albert DiMaggio; Lieutenant Colonel Bayard Smith; Dallas Jamison; Sgt. Timothy Hayes; Major Carlo Brancato; USMC Sgt. Brian Ruane. Prayer: O God who art the lover

of peace and concord. Grant to these thy servants who serve this nation, grace and strength. Preserve them we pray and shield them from all danger of body and soul; and hasten the day when they shall return to their homes and loved ones, through Christ our Lord. Amen

PRAYER FOR OUR OFFICERS O Almighty God, Whose great power and eternal wisdom embraces the universe, Watch over all policemen and law en-forcement officers everywhere. Protect them from harm. In the performance of their duty to stop crime, robbery, riots and violence. We pray, help them keep our streets and homes safe, day and night. We commend them to your loving care be-cause their duty is dangerous. Grant them

strength and courage in their daily assignments. Dear God, protect these brave men and women. Grant them your al-mighty protection. Unite them safely with their families after duty has ended. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

We Need Altar Servers. See Fr. Dan for more information. If you are unable to serve your assigned Mass try to get a replace-ment and notify the parish office of your replacement. TODAY 5:00pm Fr . Dan 6:30pm Fr . Dan 7:30am Fr . Mi-chael 9:00am Fr . Dan 10:30am Fr . Dan 12;00noon Fr . Dan Altar Servers: 5:00pm A. Alex & A. Alex 10:30am A. Gibilisco S. Wickham P. Edinger

Dec. 7th/8th 5:00pm Fr. Dan 6:30pm Fr. Michael 7:30am Fr. Michael 9:00am Fr . Dan 10:30am Fr . Mat 12:00noon Fr. Mat Altar Servers: 5:00pm R. Hussey, A. Gibilisco & A. D’Aun-nunzio 10:30am A. Gibilisco, A. Gibilisco S. Wickham

Bible study Wednesday 7:45—8:30 pm in Church We are currently studying the Minor Prophets of the Old Testament

Parents, Guardians, Grandparents, Family members and Friends of

Our Special Needs Friends The Vincent T. Lombardi Council # 6552, Knights of Co-lumbus are hosting this year’s Special Needs Family Support Group meetings are all scheduled on Wednesdays, Decem-ber 18, 2019, January 22, 2020, February 26, 2020, March 25, 2020, April 29, 2020, May 27, 2020 and June 24, 2020. All seminars will be starting at 7:00 p.m. (Except the Janu-ary meeting which will begin at 6:00 p.m.) at the Saint Mary Grammar School cafeteria, 538 Church Street, Middletown, N.J. 07748. The Council will have information from many professionals in the Special Needs field and social activities for the whole family that they hope will help the families that may need assistance to alleviate and solve the everyday and extraneous problems of having a special needs person in the family household. Please reach out to anyone who you think could use some help! For further information, please call John Brandon at: 732-787-0236

The Rosary Altar Society will be sponsoring the annual Christmas Bazaar

Sunday, December 8th in the parish hall. New merchandise and crafts only. Free admission,

50/50 raffle. Pictures with Santa. For more information or to reserve tables contact

Cooky @732-787-3673 or email to: vgmccombs@gmail.com

PLAN TO BE THERE NEXT SUNDAY

Advent and Christmas at St. Catherine’s Advent Sunday II Dec. 8 Craft Christmas Bazaar Dec. 8 Lessons and Carols for Advent 7:00 p.m. Dec. 12 The Lucia Mass with the Blessing of Eyes with the relic of the holy Martyr Advent Sunday III Dec. 15 Breakfast with Santa in the Parish Hall after the Morning Masses Dec 20 Cookies and Milk with Christmas sing a long in the Hall 6:30 pm Christmas Eve Dec 24 Children’s Mass 4:00 Mass with Carols 7:00 pm Solemn Mass of the Shepherds 10:00 pm Christmas Day Dec 25 Mass with Carols 7:30 am Sung High Mass (Traditional Latin) 8:45 am Sung Mass with Carols 10:30 am Sung Mass with Carols 12:00 noon