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First Sunday of Advent - November 29, 2015

Pastor’s Corner

PREPARE FOR HIS COMING When you think of Advent, what do you think about? Do you think of shopping, Christmas cards, Christmas decorations or Christmas cookies? Do you think of the children’s presents, Santa Claus, or all the work you have to do?

Well, most of us probably think of all of the above, but that’s from a worldly perspective. Advent should make us think of the most important event in all of the world history – i.e., the coming of our God! The Incarnation literally means God becoming flesh! Advent, indeed, needs to be a time of preparation in two areas: the first is proximate preparation for Christmas when we celebrate the birthday of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and secondly a preparation for the Second Coming of Christ at the end of the world. In Christ’s first coming, He came in poverty, hidden, lowly, but in His Second Coming, Our Lord will come in great majesty and glory to judge the world. In Advent which literally means “coming” we need to focus, focus, focus because all around us the world is going in one direction and we need to be going in the opposite direction. We need equilibrium during Advent that will help us balance activity with spirituality. This, my dear friends, is not an easy thing for us to do. However, we have Our Lady as a wonderful example to help us. We recall her leaving her home, pregnant with Jesus and making the arduous journey to take care of her cousin Elizabeth and help her give birth to St. John the Baptist. She had to wash the dishes, cook the meals, clean the house, help Elizabeth with the baby and probably a million other chores. On the other hand, we see Our Blessed Mother in the silence of her maternal heart preparing for the birth of her Divine Son. Of course, her Magnificat – her song of praise as the Angel Gabriel appeared to her was the fruit of prayer and meditation as she prepared her soul to be the Mother of God.

She had already spiritually said “Yes!” to God so that when the Angel Gabriel appeared, she could say “Fiat!” “Yes!” to becoming the Mother of Jesus, Himself. This is the example we all need during Advent – to be so “contemplative” so “prayerful” that our souls are fertile to say “Yes!” to all God sends us. This is the essence of Advent – EQUILIBRIUM! Balance out your shopping with your prayers, your cookie making with your devotions, your Christmas wrapping with your meditation. And, let us pray to Our Blessed Mother:

“O Mary, conceived without sin,

pray for us who have recourse to thee!”

Praying Over My To-Do List

I sit here with my list, Lord, and I know I need help finding a balance. I am so looking forward to Christmas Day, with the family here, the company, the wonderful celebration. But, Lord, there is SO much to do! When will it all get done? How will I maintain any semblance of inner peace in this "peaceful" season?

I think, Lord, that I need some balance in my life. I feel so torn between wanting to cook and fill my house with wonderful welcoming smells and wanting to finish decorating the house. I have shopping to do, the house to clean and cards to write and mail. When? How?

Help me, guide me, Lord. Help me to set priorities around doing those things that will bring me closer to you. Maybe my house really is clean enough or maybe I can ask my family for help. Can the cards wait until a quiet afternoon after Christmas? Can my house decorations be simpler? Is there more than a little ego involved when I want so desperately to have my house "magazine perfect" for the holidays? Help me rediscover the joy of simplicity, Lord. Help me to remember what I am celebrating. Help me to find it in my heart to call out, "Come, Lord Jesus"! Amen.

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Below you will find prayers that you may wish to say as you gather to light your

Family Advent Wreath.

Blessing of the Advent Wreath Parent: God of Wonder, send down Your blessing on our family’s wreath. May all of us who use it prepare a special place in our hearts for Christ’s coming. May this wreath and its light remind us of Christ’s promised coming. Send down Your many blessings on our family during this Holy Season.

All: We ask this in the name of Christ, Your Son and our Brother. Amen.

WEEK 1 (One purple candle is lit. Then the following prayer is said.)

Parent: God of Light, come, be our protector and our guide. Save us from all danger that might threaten us. Come into our hearts with Your light. Fill our hearts with love for one another.

All: We ask this in the name of Christ, Your Son and our Brother. Amen.

WEEK 2 (Two purple candles are lit. Then the following prayer is said.)

Parent: God of Light, stir up our hearts and come. Make us ready for the coming of Your Son, Jesus. As we gather around our family wreath, we remember God’s promise to always be with us. We know You are here, good and gentle God, and we thank You for loving us.

All: We ask this in the name of Christ, Your Son and our Brother. Amen.

WEEK 3 (Two purple candles and one pink candle are lit.)

(Then the following prayer is said.)

Parent: God of Light, come and enlighten the darkness of our minds. Be our strength and our guide. Renew us with Your love and help us to share Your love with one another.

All: We ask this in the name of Christ, Your Son and our Brother. Amen.

WEEK 4 (All four candles are lit. Then the following prayer is said.)

Parent: God of Light, we continue to await Your coming into our hearts and into our Family. Come quickly so that through Your grace we may become more loving and peaceful.

All: We ask this in the name of Christ, Your Son and our Brother. Amen.

Baby Jesus Coming Soon! It is a beautiful Lithuanian custom to have the Baby Jesus as if descending from Heaven at the top of the stairs symbolizing Heaven.

Each day, the statue of the Infant Jesus will move down one step until Christmas Eve when He is born on this earth

in the stable. This is a great learning tool for our children as well as for our adults!

In years past, Parishioners (both young and the young at heart) have delighted in watching Baby Jesus come down from Heaven to our beautiful stable prepared for Him. It has become “our family” tradition, here, at St. Peter Parish!

Rorate Mass Saturday, December 12, 2015

6:00 AM

Seek not the face of the Priest in the Mass,

but the face of Almighty God!

On Saturday, December 12th at 6:00 AM, we will come together as a Parish Family to celebrate the unique European tradition of the Rorate Mass. Our Church will be illuminated with only candlelight as we celebrate Mass in the Extraordinary Form (Traditional Latin) and anticipate the beauty of another dawn. If you have never attended the Rorate Mass, please plan on doing so this year!

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For the Week

Intentions: Requested by:

Monday, November 30th

6:45 AM Helen Egan Daughter, Eileen 9:00 AM Mildred Rice Her Daughter

Tuesday, December 1st 6:45 AM Joseph McMonagle, Sr. His Son, Joseph 9:00 AM Charlotte M. Croci Estate

Wednesday, December 2nd

6:45 AM Maria McMonagle Joe 9:00 AM Jim & Kathryn Shanahan & Family Estate

Thursday, December 3rd 6:45 AM Amelia (Doris) Burns Karen Burns 9:00 AM Nicholas & Dorothy Allen Their Daughter

Friday, December 4th

6:45 AM James & Anne Flynn Estate 9:00 AM Patrick Walsh Family

Saturday, December 5th 9:00 AM Purgatorial Society 5:00 PM Bernadette M. Stridick Family

Sunday, December 6th

7:30 AM Cheryl Tomko Family

9:00 AM Charles & Ida DelRossi Family

10:30 AM Dec/Mbrs Rorke/Casper Family Estate Charlotte M. Croci Estate Phyllis Zazzera Mary Cornely Parishioners of St. Peter Parish

Deceased Pastors of St. Peter Parish 12 Noon In Honor of 26th Wedding Ann. of Suzanne & Ron Bossert 7:00 PM Maria Brandi Rosa Silvestri

Sanctuary Lamp in the Church

The Sanctuary Lamp will burn in Memory of Irene Papaycik the week of November 29th – December 5th requested by Richard & Diane Iardella.

Sanctuary Lamp in the Chapel

The Sanctuary Lamp will burn for the Safe Delivery of Sheryll Isip and her Baby Girl the week of November 29th – December 5th requested by her Parents.

Sanctuary Lamp in the Convent Chapel

The Sanctuary Lamp will burn for the Holy Souls in Purgatory the week of November 29th – December 5th requested by A Parishioner.

Father’s Quick Quote: “Advent’s intention is

to awaken the most profound and basic emotional memory within us, namely, the memory of the God who became a child. This is a healing memory; it

brings hope.” Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, 1986 (Pope Benedict XVI)

Parish Weekly

Due to a publishing deadline, Collection Totals for the weekend of November 21st – 22nd will be reported in next weekend’s Bulletin.

Thank you for keeping up with your Increased Giving Pledge

and for building up God’s Kingdom in our Parish!

Weekly Readings Sunday, November 29th

First Sunday of Advent First: Jeremiah 33:14-16 Second: 1 Thessalonians 3:12-4:2 Gospel: Luke 21:25-28, 34-36

Monday, November 30th

St. Andrew, Apostle - Feast First: Romans 10:9-18 Gospel: Matthew 4:18-22

Tuesday, December 1st First: Isaiah 11:1-10 Gospel: Luke 10:21-24

Wednesday, December 2nd

First: Isaiah 25:6-10a Gospel: Matthew 15:29-37

Thursday, December 3rd First: Isaiah 26:1-6 Gospel: Matthew 7:21, 24-27

Friday, December 4th

St. John Damascene, Priest & Doctor of the Church First: Isaiah 29:17-24 Gospel: Matthew 9:27-31

Saturday, December 5th First: Isaiah 30:19-21, 23-26 Gospel: Matthew 9:35-10:1, 5a, 6-8

Sunday, December 6th

Second Sunday of Advent First: Baruch 5:1-9 Second: Philippians 1:4-6, 8-11 Gospel: Luke 3:1-6

Parish Sick List Please call the Rectory @ 856-663-1373 to add a loved one to the list. You are kindly asked to inform the person that their

name will appear in the Bulletin. Edna Bach, Erica Bach, Marilyn Ballotta, Bernadette Bierbach, Louise Bonifacio, Theresa Brown, Eva Burgess, Lawrence Burns, John Campbell, Edwin Collopy, Norman Cunningham, Dolores Caputi, Mary Cornely, Matt Curley, Millie D’Amico, Peter Esposito, Hugh Fingerhut, Caleb Ford, James Foster, Jackie Gedraitis, Jim Genzano, Anita Glick, Janet Greaves, Shirley Harvey, John Heljenek, Mary Heupel, Hailey Hunt, Joe Junikka, Maryann Kearney, Thomas Kenney, Jean Kisiel, Marie Kuehne, Irving Lamb, Jr., Phyllis Leonardo, Joseph Lesniak, Nick Mangano, Joseph L. Manghan, IV, Richard McDowell, Alice Meyers, Phyllis Mignogna, Mary Moran, Marie Morrone, Karen Mullin, Carmel Naples, Zachary Nichols, Frank Pedano, Mary Peled, Maureen Pomante, Matthew Repas, Frances Rittenhouse, Peggy Romero, Salvatore Russo, Eleanor Skarzynski, Adeline Stachiotti, Mark Stevens, Dia Stolen, Thomas L. Taylor, Jr., Joe Teti, Cesar Unzueta, Anthony Visco, Bonnie Walker, Andrea Young. May God heal them in mind, body and spirit! Thank you for your prayers

for our sick and shut-ins

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A Special Invitation just forA Special Invitation just forA Special Invitation just forA Special Invitation just for youyouyouyou

You are cordially invited to come and spend an

hour a week in adoration of Our Lord in the Adoration Chapel!

24 hours a day! Pick your hour! Jesus asked His Apostles,

“Could you not watch one hour with Me?” He is asking all of us the same question today. Jesus waits for us in His Sacrament of Love.

Won’t you say “Yes” to Him? All hours are available most especially:

Sundays – 3:00 AM ~ 4:00 AM

Sundays – 6:00 PM ~ 7:00 PM

Mondays – 7:00 PM ~ 8:00 PM

Mondays – 11:00 PM ~ Midnight

Fridays – 1:00 PM ~ 2:00 PM

Call Flora @ 665-4833 or Ben @ 662-4338 to schedule your hour.

School News

The Christmas Bazaar will be held on

Friday, December 4th

~ 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Saturday, December 5th

~ 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Come out and see all we have to offer with this year’s theme of "Peace on Earth". There will be vendors for your shopping pleasure, delicious food sure to please your palate, a kids’ craft corner for the little ones and of course our ever popular silent auction with some of our most highly valued prizes yet!!! Plus,

rumor has it we may get a surprise visit from a seasonal celebrity! Admission is free, so come out, have some old fashioned family fun, and support our amazing SPS students!!!

Community News

Bible Study ~ ACTS: The Spread of the Kingdom Learn how the early Church relates to our Church today and about your role in the Kingdom by studying Acts of the Apostles from renowned Bible Teacher and Catholic Evangelist Jeff Cavins. This bible study will be facilitated by Paul and Cheryl Foti on Monday evenings from 7 PM to 8:30 PM

in the St. Peter Senior Center. No registration fee is required. Call Kevin Bailey @ 856-596-0337 if you have any questions. Dates for the sessions are:

December 7th

and 14th

No Bible Study on December 21st & 28

th

Wednesday Evenings in Pastors’ Hall

Doors open at 5:30 PM. BINGO starts at 7:00 PM.

Food available for purchase beginning at 5:30 PM.

NO admission allowed after 7:05 PM. Admission is $3 & includes cards for 7 regular games.

Thank you for supporting our Bingo! ���� ���� ���� ���� ���� ���� ���� ���� ���� ����

Service Dates for Bingo Teams December 2nd Team C December 9th Team D December 16th Team A December 23rd NO BINGO December 30th NO BINGO

���� ���� ���� ���� ���� ���� ���� ���� ���� ����

Monday, November 30

th

Super Stretch with Rossana

Tuesday, December 1st

Trivia with Rocky

Wednesday, December 2nd

Fit & Focused with Rossana Intercessory Rosary led by the Legion of Mary

Thursday, December 3rd

Guest Facilitators: Cheryl & Paul Foti Movie Presentation: “Mass – Liturgy of the Word”

Friday, December 4th

Fast Forward with Rossana

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MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR

Sunday Afternoon

December 20th

at 3:00 PM in Church St. Peter Adult Choir, Soloists,

Orchestra and the Atlantic Brass Ensemble will perform their annual Christmas Concert

Under the Direction of:

Salvatore Scarpa Professor of Conducting, Trombone, Theory,

Director of the Rowan University Orchestras and Associate Conductor of the Pennsylvania Ballet and

Conductor of the Atlantic Brass Band.

Organist:

Christine Scarpa Admission is free. All are welcome!

Be a part of this beautiful Parish tradition!

Upcoming Class

Monday, December 21

st

Class begins at 7:00 PM in the Senior Center. Both parents are encouraged to attend the class and it is requested that children not attend with the parents. You may schedule your Baptismal date that evening. If you have any questions, please call the Rectory @ 663-1373.

Important Reminders:

Anointing of the Sick Please call the Rectory @ 856-663-1373 to request a Priest. PLEASE do not wait until the moment of death or an emergency to request this Sacrament of Healing and Health!

Arrangements can be made for those homebound Parishioners who would like to receive Holy Communion. Our Extraordinary Ministers are happy to serve your needs. Call the Rectory @ 856-663-1373 to make arrangements.

St. Vincent dePaul Society Today is the First Sunday of Advent. Our Giving Tree is up. Please take a tag to help a needy child. Gifts should be returned no later than the weekend of December 12th and 13th to allow delivery by Christmas. Place tag securely on package and place under the tree.

We are currently making our food bags for Christmas and need the following items: canned yams, cranberry sauce, boxed stuffing, turkey or chicken gravy, boxed mashed potatoes, tuna, canned fruit, peanut butter, jelly, cookies, canned soup, coffee and tea.

If you cannot donate food, you can give a monetary donation in the Poor Boxes located at the entrances of the Church and we will purchase the food we need for our pantry and help Parishioners in financial need.

If you or someone you know needs help, please call our hotline at 856-904-7397.

Thank you for your generosity to our Ministry.

Around the Diocese

Priesthood Discernment Group

The Young Adult Priesthood Discernment Group is an opportunity to meet with other young men (16 – 39 years old) considering the Priesthood. Meetings are held about once a month to discuss topics of discernment and to support each other in the discernment process.

Meeting dates are on Sundays: December 6

th; January 10

th;

February 7th

; March 13th

; and April 10th

.

The meetings are held at Our Lady of Peace Parish Offices

32 Carrol Ave., Williamstown ~ 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM

For topics to be presented and discussed, please visit www.camdenpriest.org.

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TIME IS RUNNING OUT!

DEADLINE IS TOMORROW!!

Don’t miss the opportunity to be a part of the

St. Peter Christmas Tree Tradition!

If you haven’t returned your Christmas tree reservation form, DO SO NOW! All requests must be received no later than TOMORROW - Monday, November 30th so that the trees can be ordered from the nursery. Please find reservation forms on the pews at the Church entrances. You may return the form with payment to the Rectory, place it in the Collection Basket or give it to Fr. Anthony.

Join us on Saturday, December 12th

after the 5:00 PM Mass for the Tree Lighting and enjoy hot chocolate and cookies with

your Parish Family.

Blood Drive

Monday November 30, 2015

2:30 PM - 7:30 PM

Pastors’ Hall

MAKE YOUR APPOINTMENT

TODAY! visit www.redcrossblood.org and use Sponsor

Code: St Peter RCC Merchantville or contact Chelsea.danyo@redcross.org

Area hospital patients are counting on you! Remember to HYDRATE - drink plenty of

water. Please remember your ID.

Service ScheduleService ScheduleService ScheduleService Schedule

Extraordinary Ministers for December 5th

– 6th

5:00 PM B. Boulger, K. Burns, B. Kwiatkowski, F. Sinatra 7:30 AM N. Perry, C. Aghaji, C. Leone 9:00 AM K. O’Callaghan, M. O’Callaghan, M. Campbell 10:30 AM T. Crymes, M. Kenney, J. O’Neill, J. Szczepanski, T. Taylor 12:00 Noon TRADITIONAL LATIN MASS 7:00 PM B. DeFranco, E. Kradzinski, K. Bailey, J. Clarke, M. D’Amico

Lectors for December 5th

– 6th

5:00 PM E. Valenti & J. Badolato 7:30 AM A. Presenza & P. Bilinsky 9:00 AM J. Coyle & M. Coyle 10:30 AM C. Petrowsky & M. Pascale 12:00 Noon TRADITIONAL LATIN MASS 7:00 PM C. Gunderson & O. Rivera

Altar Servers for December 5th

– 6th

5:00 PM L. Daniels, A. Hughes, N. Hughes, E. Hughes 7:30 AM E. Reyes, J. Reyes, N. Scheets, N. Scheets 9:00 AM J. Ricci, B. Ricci, M. Ricci, R. Bleistine, M. Bleistine, K. Bleistine 10:30 AM J. Wirth, C. Senick, S. Blessinger, R. Basso 12:00 Noon TRADITIONAL LATIN MASS 7:00 PM J. Rendfrey, J. Rendfrey, A. Gaeta, C. Gaeta

Altar Servers for the Week of December 7th

Monday – Tuesday – Wednesday

6:45 AM J. Martinez, A. Rogers, V. Spinola 9:00 AM N. Scheets & N. Scheets

Vigil Mass for the Immaculate Conception- 7:00 PM A. Marinelli & G. Marinelli & Team 2 Feast of the Immaculate Conception

6:45 AM Scheduled weekday servers & Team 1 9:00 AM Scheduled weekday servers & Team 3 7:00 PM Team 6

Thursday – Friday – Saturday*

6:45 AM R. Lorenz & N. Hernandez 9:00 AM R. O’Callaghan & A. Faust * No 6:45 AM Mass

Wedding Banns

Please pray for all who are entering into the Holy State of Matrimony most especially:

Robert Ruggeri & Jane Williams Michael Shone & Kara Podlinski

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Readings for the First Sunday of Advent November 29, 2015

TLM ~ First Sunday of Advent

Reading I – Jeremiah 33:14-16

The days are coming, says the LORD, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and Judah. In those days, in that time, I will raise up for David a just shoot; he shall do what is right and just in the land. In those days Judah shall be safe and Jerusalem shall dwell secure; this is what they shall call her: "The LORD our justice."

Responsorial Psalm - Psalm 25:4-5, 8-9, 10, 14

R. To you, O Lord, I lift my soul.

Your ways, O LORD, make known to me; teach me your paths, Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my savior, and for you I wait all the day.

R. To you, O Lord, I lift my soul.

Good and upright is the LORD; thus he shows sinners the way. He guides the humble to justice, and teaches the humble his way.

R. To you, O Lord, I lift my soul.

All the paths of the LORD are kindness and constancy toward those who keep his covenant and his decrees. The friendship of the LORD is with those who fear him, and his covenant, for their instruction.

R. To you, O Lord, I lift my soul.

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Reading II - 1 Thessalonians 3:12-4:2

Brothers and sisters:

May the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we have for you, so as to strengthen your hearts, to be blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his holy ones. Amen.

Finally, brothers and sisters, we earnestly ask and exhort you in the Lord Jesus that, as you received from us how you should conduct yourselves to please God and as you are conducting yourselves you do so even more. For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus.

Gospel - Luke 21:25-28, 34-36

Jesus said to his disciples:

"There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on earth nations will be in dismay, perplexed by the roaring of the sea and the waves. People will die of fright in anticipation of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. But when these signs begin to happen, stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand.

"Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy from carousing and drunkenness and the anxieties of daily life, and that day catch you by surprise like a trap. For that day will assault everyone who lives on the face of the earth. Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man."