TheNativityoftheLord(Christmas)December25,2016

Bronx, New York

THE NATIVITY OF THE LORD (CHRISTMAS) - DECEMBER 25, 2016

New Year’s Day 2017 - Mary, Mother of God A Holy Day of Obligation - Holy Mass Schedule

New Year’s Eve-December 31st 5:30 p.m. - Albanian in Church 7:00 p.m. - English in Church

New Year’s Day-January 1, 2017 8:00 a.m. - Italian, 9:00 a.m. - (Spanish -

Auditorium), English - 9:15 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 12:00 noon, 12 noon (Creole - Chapel in

Center), 1:15 p.m. - Spanish

CHRISTMAS BLESSINGS & A HEALTHY, HAPPY 2017 FROM ALL OF US, TO ALL OF YOU, OUR FAITHFUL AND LOYAL

PARISHIONERS, FRIENDS AND VISITORS

Buon Natale - Gëzuar Krishtlindjet - Joyeux Noël

Jwaye Nwèl - Giáng sinh vui vẻ - sretan Božić

Maligayang Pasko - Fröhliche Weihnachten

TheNativityoftheLord(Christmas)December25,2016

Monday- December 26, 2016 - St. Stephen, The First Martyr

** Only One Mass at 9:00 a.m.** 9:00 a.m. Dolores Mazzoni

Tuesday- December 27, 2016 - St. John, Apostle and

Evangelist 8:00 a.m. Maria Rosa Caglioti 9:00 a.m. Giuseppe Greco

Wednesday- December 28, 2016 - The Holy Innocents,

Martyrs 8:00 a.m. Special Intentions 9:00 a.m. Special Intentions

Thursday- December 29, 2016 -Fifth Day within the

Octave of the Nativity of the Lord - St. Thomas Becket, Bishop & Martyr

8:00 a.m. Anna Dunat 9:00 a.m. Special Intention 7:00 p.m. Jorge Santiago

Friday- December 30, 2016 -The Holy Family of

Jesus, Mary and Joseph 8:00 a.m. Josephine Murglaski 9:00 a.m. Simon Prekpalaj & Pol Prekpalaj

Saturday- December 31, 2016 - Seventh Day within

the Octave of the Nativity of the Lord 8:00 a.m. Richard Anthony Garcia 9:00 a.m. Mary Nuzzo 5:30 p.m. Vitore Shkreli 7:00 p.m. Celia Perez Candido

Sunday- January 1, 2017 - Solemnity of Mary, The

Holy Mother of God 8:00 a.m. Margarita Bravo 9:00 a.m. For all Parishioners of St. Lucy’s Parish 9:15 a.m. Mary Nuzzo

10:30 a.m. Giuseppe Bastone 12:00 p.m. Cesaria & Sebastiano Failla 12:00 p.m. Creole Mass - Center Chapel 1:15 p.m. Mariellys Ramirez

TODAY’S READINGS First Reading — All the ends of the earth will behold the salvation of our God (Isaiah 52:7-10). Psalm — All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God (Psalm 98). Second Reading — God has spoken to us through the Son, the very imprint of God’s being (Hebrews 1:1-6). Gospel — The Word became flesh; from his fullness we have all received grace (John 1:1-18 [1-5, 9-14]). The English translation of the Psalm Responses from the Lectionary for Mass © 1969, 1981, 1997, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved.

In Memoriam The St. Joseph Candle burns this week in

memory of James & Barbara McCord

Requested by Rozelle Francis

The candle in honor of the Blessed Mother burns this week in memory of

Mildred, Anthony & Brandy Capano

December 30, 2016 Franc Gjini & Nisida Berberi

January 14, 2017 Gjok Nilaj & Elenor Dinnetz

Jose Tula & Claudia De La Cruz

THE LIVES OF SAINTS

HOLY INNOCENTS

The first testimony we have concerning this feast comes from St. Peter Chrysologus in the fifth century, from the Calendar of Car-thage and the Jerome Martyrolo-gy. The feast was celebrated as a solemnity after 1568. In Constantinople the feast was celebrated on December 29.

The biblical basis for this feast is found in Matthew 2:13-18 (the Gospel of the Mass): “Once Herod realized they he had been deceived by the astrologers, he became furious. He ordered the massacre of all the boys two years and under in Bethlehem and its environs, making his calculations on the basis of the date he had learned from the astrologers. What was said through Jeremiah the prophet was then fulfilled: “A cry was heard at Ramah, sobbing and loud lamentation: Rachel bewailing her children; no comfort for her, since they are no more’.” It is estimated that if the population of the Bethlehem area at that time was approximately 1000, perhaps 20 infant boys were slain. -Saints of the Roman Calendar

TheNativityoftheLord(Christmas)December25,2016

Message from Father Pergjini: It is Thursday, Nov 24, 2016, Thanksgiving Day. I am sitting in the back of the Church looking at the Blessed Sacrament exposed after our Holy Mass on Thanksgiving Day. I look at Christ on the Altar, contemplating the power of the Eucharist, and trying to put together my words for this Christmas letter. In those moments of silence and peace I write on my notebook, and then stop for a while looking at the beautiful monstrance illuminated by Our Eucharistic Lord. The power of adoration is majestic. It can absorb our whole being into the real presence of Christ’s soul and divinity on the Altar. In that spirit of prayer before Christ, I try to recall an event of my past life to share with you.

It was a chilly and cloudy Saturday afternoon, long ago. I was alone in the church, preparing for confessions, and for the evening Holy mass. Suddenly I hear a noise and see dirty water coming out from one of heating radiators. It was a broken pipe, spilling out into the church with much pressure. It was certainly not the clean water coming into the temple described by the prophet Ezekiel. It was very dirty water coming out from the old and rusty pipes. I was in a state of panic. The handy man was not there to help me. I did not have any idea where to shut off the main valve. I was looking everywhere for help. In a state of desperate need, I knelt before the Tabernacle and begged Christ for help. The dirty water was now washing over my knees. The church was empty and I do not feel embarrassed to confess that I bitterly cried for help to Christ. It was a Saturday, with confessions to hear, two holy Masses in the evening and then six Masses on Sunday morning. Suddenly I heard a little rustle as two people walked into the church. I stood up, wiped my tears, and walked toward them. To my surprise they were looking for me, to bless a statue and some rosaries. I had never met them before. They instantly understood my dilemma. One of them was a plumber. It was a miracle! He quickly went off to find the water shut off valve and managed to stop the flow. I was so relieved. Then, together, we started to clean up the dirty water. The problem was resolved. They left. I still was alone in the church and again I knelt to thank Christ with my teary eyes. I was tired but happy. I quietly went to my confessional room. Confessions started. That day I could feel my fatigue and need to rest. I still remember the big fight inside of me against the loss of sleep. Unfortunately, I was not able to stay awake, and actually fell asleep, there in the confessional! For how long, I do not know. All I remember is that someone was kneeling behind the confessional screen, had apparently confessed their sins, and was patiently waiting for their penance and absolution. I had slept through all they said. Did the person notice that I was sleeping? I do not know. All I remember was a gentle and patient voice calling out, "What is my penance Father?" It was this calm and lovely voice that woke me up! How long this person was waiting there I’ll never know. But I felt my shame, my fatigue, and my weakness altogether when I woke up. I did not say I’m sorry or try to excuse myself for those moments of sleep. I simply gave the penance and the absolution. Inside my confessional, there is a picture of Saint Therese of Lisieux, who is the patron Saint of the missions. As I sit on my chair I look at her face. Her penetrating eyes are deep and mysterious. Always I look at her face for refuge, for hope, and for advice. She has been and still is the saint who has inspired and moved many souls, and my soul too. After the penitent left I kept looking at her face, asking for some consolation from the fatigue of the day. When I look at her picture, I feel and experience her presence, her smile, and her courage. I simply look at her, and she is looking back at me, from her picture on the wall. The look of total grace on her face becomes real for me. She penetrates my sinfulness, my fatigue, my stress, my frustration, reminding me of my hopes and joys of priesthood. And I am sure that she intercedes for me with Christ, as she has done for so many other priests. Yes, that was one of those days when she touched me personally.

Many reflections from past experiences recall the power of Christ in my priestly ministry, no matter how weak and lost I might feel. It is with great joy that I share some of these moments with you in my Christmas letter. Christ is with us all the time, even in the moments of my panic seeing the dirty waters rushing into the church from the broken pipe, and I was unable to fix it. How many things in life do we feel unable to fix, and feel helpless about? He knows. This is the life of the priest, my life and your life shared and lived in the power of Christ who is present in those moments of silence, of fear, and of little faith.

The same day that the heating pipe broke, and the miracle of the unknown plumber arriving right on time, I fell asleep in the confessional! Some way to thank God! But we continue to be human, in all our weaknesses and failings, as we beg for Christ’s mercy.

On this Thanksgiving Day, in 2016, I am still sitting in the back of the Church looking at the Blessed Sacrament exposed on the Altar, thinking about our Christmas letter. I look at Christ on the Altar, contemplating the power of the Eucharist, and try to place all of you into His majestic sight, into His hands, and into His divine and eternally loving heart. In those moments of silence and peace before the beautiful monstrance illuminated by Our Eucharistic Lord, I wish all of you prayerful assistance with some of life’s little emergencies. I also wish you a holy and blessed Christmas filled with hope and joy in the mercy of Christ, who is always fixing our broken pipes, and warming our life ever again. May you find him now and always, close by, and may He bless us all in the New Year. With best wishes and Christmas blessings!

TheNativityoftheLord(Christmas)December25,2016

Mensaje del Padre Pergjini: Es el jueves, 24 de noviembre, 2016, Día de Acción de Gracias. Estoy

sentado en la parte trasera de la Iglesia mirando el Santísimo Sacramento expuesto después de nuestra Santa Misa el Día de Acción de Gracias. Miro a Cristo en el altar, contemplando el poder de la Eucaristía, y tratando de armar mis palabras para esta carta de Navidad. En esos momentos de silencio y de paz escribo en mi cuaderno y luego me detengo un rato mirando la bella custodia iluminada por Nuestro Señor Eucarístico. El poder de la adoración es majestuoso. Puede absorber todo nuestro ser en la presencia real del alma de Cristo y la divinidad en el altar. En ese espíritu de oración ante Cristo, trato de recordar un acontecimiento de mi vida pasada para compartir con ustedes.

Fue un frío y nublado sábado por la tarde, hace mucho tiempo. Yo estaba solo en la iglesia, preparándome para las confesiones, y para la Santa Misa de la tarde. De repente oigo un ruido y veo agua sucia salir de uno de los radiadores de calefacción. Era un tubo roto, que se derramaba en la iglesia con mucha presión. Ciertamente no era el agua limpia que entraba en el templo descrito por el profeta Ezequiel. Era agua muy sucia saliendo de los tubos viejos y oxidados. Yo estaba en un estado de pánico. El hombre práctico no estaba allí para ayudarme. No tenía idea de dónde cerrar la válvula principal. Buscaba ayuda por todas partes. En un estado de necesidad desesperada, me arrodillé ante el Tabernáculo y pedí ayuda a Cristo. El agua sucia ahora estaba lavándose sobre mis rodillas. La iglesia estaba vacía y no me siento avergonzado de confesar que amargamente pedí ayuda a Cristo. Era un sábado, con confesiones para escuchar, dos misas en la noche y luego seis misas el domingo por la mañana. De repente oí un pequeño crujido cuando dos personas entraron en la iglesia. Me puse de pie, enjugué mis lágrimas, y caminé hacia ellos. Para mi sorpresa me buscaban, para bendecir una estatua y algunos rosarios. Nunca los había visto antes. Al instante comprendieron mi dilema. Uno de ellos era fontanero. ¡Fue un milagro! Rápidamente se fue a buscar la válvula de cierre de agua y logró detener el flujo. Estaba tan aliviado. Luego, juntos, empezamos a limpiar el agua sucia. El problema se resolvió. Se fueron. Todavía estaba solo en la iglesia y de nuevo me arrodillé para dar gracias a Cristo con mis ojos llorosos. Estaba cansado pero feliz. En silencio fui a mi sala confesional. Las confesiones comenzaron. Ese día pude sentir mi fatiga y necesidad de descansar. Todavía recuerdo la gran pelea dentro de mí contra la pérdida de sueño. Por desgracia, no pude estar despierto, y en realidad me quedé dormido, allí en el confesionario! Por cuánto tiempo, no lo sé. Todo lo que recuerdo es que alguien estaba arrodillado detrás de la pantalla confesional, al parecer había confesado sus pecados, y estaba esperando pacientemente su penitencia y absolución. Había dormido a través de todo lo que decían. ¿La persona notó que estaba durmiendo? No lo sé. Todo lo que recuerdo fue una voz suave y paciente que gritaba, "¿Cuál es mi penitencia Padre?" ¡Esta voz tranquila y encantadora me despertó! Cuánto tiempo esta persona estaba esperando allí nunca lo sabré. Pero cuando desperté, sentí mi vergüenza, mi fatiga y mi debilidad. No dije que lo siento o trato de disculparme por esos momentos de sueño. Simplemente di la penitencia y la absolución. Dentro de mi confesionario, hay una foto de Santa Teresa de Lisieux, que es la patrona de las misiones. Mientras me siento en mi silla, miro su cara. Sus penetrantes ojos son profundos y misteriosos. Siempre miro su rostro a buscar refugio, esperanza y consejo. Ella ha sido y sigue siendo el santo que ha inspirado y movido muchas almas, y mi alma también. Después que el penitente se fue, seguí mirando su rostro, pidiendo algún consuelo de la fatiga del día. Cuando miro su foto, siento y experimento su presencia, su sonrisa y su coraje. Simplemente la miro, y ella me mira, desde su foto en la pared. El aspecto de la gracia total en su rostro se vuelve real para mí. Ella penetra mi pecaminosidad, mi fatiga, mi estrés, mi frustración, recordándome mis esperanzas y mis gozos del sacerdocio. Y estoy seguro de que ella intercede por mí con Cristo, como lo ha hecho por tantos otros sacerdotes. Sí, ese fue uno de esos días en que ella me tocó personalmente.

Muchas reflexiones de experiencias pasadas recuerdan el poder de Cristo en mi ministerio sacerdotal, no importa cuán débil y perdida pueda sentir. Es con gran alegría que comparto algunos de estos momentos contigo en mi carta de Navidad. Cristo está con nosotros todo el tiempo, incluso en los momentos de mi pánico viendo las aguas sucias corriendo hacia la iglesia desde la tubería rota, y no pude arreglarlo. ¿Cuántas cosas en la vida nos sentimos incapaces de arreglar y sentirnos impotentes? Él sabe. Esta es la vida del sacerdote, mi vida y tu vida compartida y vivida en el poder de Cristo que está presente en esos momentos de silencio, de miedo y de poca fe.

El mismo día que se rompió la tubería de calefacción y el milagro del plomero desconocido llegó justo a tiempo, me quedé dormido en el confesionario. ¡Una manera de agradecer a Dios! Pero continuamos siendo humanos, en todas nuestras debilidades y defectos, mientras pedimos la misericordia de Cristo.

En este Día de Acción de Gracias, en 2016, todavía estoy sentado en la parte posterior de la Iglesia mirando el Santísimo Sacramento expuesto en el Altar, pensando en nuestra carta de Navidad. Miro a Cristo en el Altar, contemplando el poder de la Eucaristía, e intento colocarlos a Su majestuosa vista, en Sus manos y en Su corazón divino y eternamente amoroso. En esos momentos de silencio y de paz ante la bella custodia iluminada por Nuestro Señor Eucarístico, les deseo a todos ustedes asistencia orante con algunas de las pequeñas emergencias de la vida. También les deseo una santa y bendita Navidad llena de esperanza y alegría en la misericordia de Cristo, que siempre está arreglando nuestros tubos rotos, y calentando nuestra vida de nuevo. Que lo encuentre ahora y siempre, cerca, y que nos bendiga a todos en el Año Nuevo. Con los mejores deseos y bendiciones de Navidad!

TheNativityoftheLord(Christmas)December25,2016

Thank you from Monsignor Becker, Father Gonzalez and Father Pergjini-

As we still continue to celebrate the Christmas season with joy and hope, and welcome a new year filled with God’s grace and many blessings , we thought to write few thank you words to you dear faithful people of St. Lucy. Msgr. Frederick Becker, Fr. Felix Gonzalez and I would like to thank all of you for your beautiful cards and thoughtful gifts that you gave us for Christmas. It will take us a long time to eat all the goodies that you gave us, and this is a sign that you love us. We are grateful and thankful for being in your life and serving you in this beautiful parish.

We specifically wish to thank the ushers, the Extraordinary Ministries of the Eucharist, the lectors, the English and Spanish choirs, under the directions of Florence Bocarius, Madelena Cruz, and Victor Vargas, the leader of song, Albina Zajmi, the sacristans, the altar servers, and many humble volunteers who made the Christmas celebration so beautiful. We want to especially thank Lisa Jimenez for producing our beautiful Parish Christmas Concert last week which truly brought our parish into the spirit of this beautiful season.

Finally we thank you for being such beautiful people. During this time with you we have seen so much goodness among you and true Christian spirit that humbles us to think that we are at your service. You are truly a pleasure to serve, and we humbly ask you to keep us in your prayers, that we may always serve you faithfully in the Lord Jesus. May God continue to bless you and your loved ones throughout the New Year. Gracias de parte de Monseñor Becker, el Padre Gonzalez y el Padre Pergjini-

Como todavía seguimos celebrando la Navidad con alegría y esperanza y la bienvenida a un nuevo año lleno de la gracia de Dios y muchas bendicio-nes, hemos pensado escribir algunas palabras de agradecimiento a usted querido pueblo fiel de Santa Lucía. Monseñor Frederick Becker, Fr. Felix Gonzalez y yo nos gustaría agradecerles a todos ustedes su hermosas tarjetas y regalos reflexivos que nos dieron para Navidad. Nos llevará mucho tiempo para comer todas las golosinas que usted nos regalaron, y esto es una señal que nos aman. Estamos amablemente agradecidos por estar en su vida y servirle en esta hermosa parroquia.

Específicamente, queremos agradecer a los ujieres, los ministerios de extraordinario de la Eucaristía, los lectores, los coros de español e inglés, bajo la dirección del Florence Bocarius, Madelena Cruz y Victor Vargas, el líder de la canción, Albina Zajmi, los sacristanes, los servidores del altar y muchos voluntarios humildes que hicieron tan bella la celebración de Navidad. Queremos agradecer especialmente a Lisa Jiménez por la producción de nuestro hermoso Concierto de Navidad de la parroquia la semana pasada, que verdaderamente llevó a nuestra parroquia al espíritu de esta hermosa temporada.

Finalmente gracias por ser esa gente hermosa. Durante este tiempo con ustedes hemos visto tanta bondad y el verdadero espíritu cristiano que humi-blemente nos hace pensar que estamos a su servicio. Usted son verdaderamente un placer servirlos, y humildemente le pedimos que nos mantenga en sus oraciones, para que podemos siempre servirle fielmente en el Señor Jesucristo. Que Dios lo siga bendiciendo a usted y sus seres queridos durante todo el año nuevo.

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