T C S . B 51 Prospect Street, White Plains, New York 10606

www.stbernardswp.com December 24, 2017

R 914-949-2111

L D L C

914-428-4727

Rev. Robert J. Morris Pastor

Weekend Associates:

Rev. Ernie Lukaschek M.M. Rev. Michael McFarland, S.J. Rev. Msg. Peter O’Donell

Verónica Meléndez

Rectory Office Manager

Jennifer Frías

Director The Little Disciple Learning Center

Brenda López Coordinator

of Religious Education

Parish Trustees: Carlos Morinigo Judith Morinigo

S M / M

Saturday/Sábado

5:30 pm

Sunday/Domingo 9:00am, 10:30am,

12:00pm (Spanish/Español),

Confessions Saturday 4:00-5:00 pm

Merry Christmas

As we gather in this place of beauty, fill us with the Spirit of the One who is eternally newborn among us, bringing words of peace and hope to all your creatures. Amen.

Cuando nos reunimos en este lugar de belleza, llénanos con el Espíritu de Aquel que es eternamente nacido en-tre nosotros, llevando palabras de paz y esperanza a todas tus criaturas. Amén.

YES, LORD!

Of all the kings, proph-ets, and holy men and women of ancient Isra-el who had waited in faithful hope for the coming of the prom-

ised Savior, God chose to announce his coming to a young woman. The message was not pro-claimed in a palace or even the temple in Jeru-salem, but in a backwater village called Naza-reth. Ar sts typically show a startled or shy Mary, usually seated and partly turning away from the heavenly messenger in confusion. In a small brightly colored pain ng created over a thousand years ago, the ar st shows something en rely different. The angel is holding up one hand in gree ng. Mary is standing up and facing him directly with both her hands extended to-ward him, as if to welcome him. In this encoun-ter between the human and the divine, we see again God’s capacity to confound human expec-ta ons. The words of the angelos (Greek for messenger) are rich in power and promise: “you have found favor with God . . . [your child] will be called Son of the Most High . . . he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end . . . The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you” (Luke 1:30, 32, 33, 35). Mary was no shrinking violet. Because she was pure of heart and trusted completely, she responded to God with a wholehearted “yes.” At this point, God broke into our world. Through the coopera on of a simple village girl, God breathed the air we breathe, walked the earth we walk, and experienced our sorrows and joys as a human like the rest of us. Every-thing on earth became sanc fied because God became human. God became flesh in the Son, Jesus Christ, born of Mary. The world would never be the same again. The me is here to let him into our hearts and change us completely. Copyright © World Library Publica ons. All rights reserved.

¡SÍ, SEÑOR!

De entre todos los reyes, profetas, santos y san-tas del an guo Israel que habían esperado fiel-mente la venida del Salvador prome do, Dios escogió anunciarle su venida a una jovencita. El mensaje no fue proclamado en un palacio, ni siquiera en el templo de Jerusalén, sino en un pueblecito insignificante de nombre Nazaret. Los ar stas picamente muestran a una María

mida y sobrecogida, muchas veces sentada y como confundida, con la mirada un tanto aleja-da del mensajero celes al. En una pintura de hace más de mil años y bien colorida el ar sta muestra algo completamente diferente. El ángel

ene una mano en alto con una ac tud de salu-do. María está de pie y lo mira directamente con ambas manos extendidas hacia el ángel, co-mo en una ac tud de acogida. En este encuen-tro entre lo humano y lo divino vemos de nuevo la capacidad de Dios para frustrar las expecta -vas humanas. Las palabras del angelos (mensajero, en griego) son ricas en poder y pro-mesa: “Has hallado gracia ante Dios . . . [tu hijo] será llamado Hijo del Al simo . . . reinará sobre la casa de Jacob por los siglos y su reinado no tendrá fin . . . El Espíritu Santo descenderá so-bre y el poder del Al simo te cubrirá” (Lucas 1:30, 32, 33, 35). María no era mida. Como era pura de corazón confió completamente y le dio a Dios un “sí” sin reservas. En ese momento Dios irrumpió en nuestro mundo. Con la coope-ración de una jovencita sencilla, de una joven aldeana, Dios respiró el aire que nosotros respi-ramos, caminó sobre la erra que nosotros ca-minamos y experimentó los sufrimientos y las alegrías humanas como cualquiera de nosotros. Todo en la erra quedó san ficado porque Dios se hizo humano. Dios se hizo carne en el Hijo Jesucristo que nació de María. El mundo no vol-verá a ser el mismo otra vez. Ha llegado el mo-mento de permi rle la entrada a nuestro cora-zón al Señor Jesús y dejar que nos cambie por completo. Copyright © World Library Publica ons. All rights reserved.

Invest just five minutes a day, and your faith will deepen and grow—a day at a time. Sunday, Dec 24, 2017 FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT, CHRISTMAS EVE Yes, yes, yes!

2017 can seem like a litany of bad news. Floods, famine, and earth-quakes. Conflicts, threats, and shootings. Headlines fixed our gaze on horror, relentless as it was real. Our personal lives may be just as anx-ious, logging illnesses, financial upsets, imperiled relationships. While it’s natural to recall difficult events in blazing detail, it takes more ef-fort to compose a litany of good news that’s just as true. Give yourself a present that will last all year. Begin a grace box, jotting down some-thing wonderful you hear, see, or receive every day. You’ll have 365 reasons to be merry next year!

TODAY'S READINGS: 2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16; Romans 16:25-27; Luke 1:26-38 (11). “And coming to her, the angel said, ‘Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.’”

Monday, Dec 25, 2017 SOLEMNITY OF THE NATIVITY OF THE LORD (CHRISTMAS) Word is spreading! Words are powerful things. They encourage love, underscore hate, and kindle fear. Words create reality because what we speak does take on flesh and live with us. Have you not wished for the chance to say what was left unsaid, in a moment that is gone forever? When God spoke a word into being in Genesis, the whole world resulted. Later, God spoke Divinity into Mary’s body and the world was saved from itself. This Christmas, give voice to your heart and say what needs to be said to those you love.

TODAY'S READINGS: Vigil: Isaiah 62:1-5; Acts 13:16-17, 22-25; Mat-thew 1:1-25 (13); Night: Isaiah 9:1-6; Titus 2:11-14; Luke 2:1-14 (14); Dawn: Isaiah 62:11-12; Titus 3:4-7; Luke 2:15-20 (15); Day: Isaiah 52:7-10; Hebrews 1:1-6; John 1:1-18 (16). “And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory.”

Tuesday, Dec 26, 2017 FEAST OF STEPHEN, THE FIRST MARTYR Follow Stephen’s lead Some things, we feel sure, are impossible to forgive. But then we reluc-tantly recall that Jesus forgave his crucifiers, and Stephen, the first martyr of the church, forgave his murders in faithful imitation of his Lord. Believe it or not, today Stephen (d. 35) is known as the patron saint of masons and bricklayers—a strange role for a man who was stoned to death! Yet, why not? We are all pledged to bless those who curse us. What better way to do that than to take up the cause of your old enemy? Pray for your persecutors today.

TODAY'S READINGS: Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59; Matthew 10:17-22 (696). “You will be dragged before governors and kings because of me.”

Wednesday, Dec 27, 2017 FEAST OF JOHN, APOSTLE AND EVANGELIST Time to see the light

Today is a day to celebrate the unique perspective on Jesus the writings of John have to offer. In particular, light and darkness. John sees Jesus as the light of the world, and so it is customary to light candles on this

day. As the evening falls today, light a candle and say a favorite prayer in honor of the One who said, “I have come as light into the world” (John 12:46).

TODAY'S READINGS: 1 John 1:1-4; John 20:1a, 2-8 (697). “The life was made manifest, and we saw it, and testify to it.”

Thursday, Dec 28, 2017 FEAST OF THE HOLY INNOCENTS, MARTYRS Stand up for the least of these No sooner do we celebrate the birth of one baby when the Bible recalls the slaughter of other babies. Like the infant Moses before him, the Messiah escapes to Egypt with his family. Let’s not look the other way as this reading comes up each year, but let it be a reminder: Children still are victimized by adults who abuse their power—personally, pro-fessionally, or politically. Let’s change that. What can you do today to be an advocate for children? Check out .org for some ideas.

TODAY'S READINGS: 1 John 1:5—2:2; Matthew 2:13-18 (698). “Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt.”

Friday, Dec 29, 2017 MEMORIAL OF THOMAS BECKET, BISHOP, MARTYR Get your priorities straight In the 12th century, Thomas Becket, the archbishop of Canterbury, stood firm against King Henry II in the latter’s efforts to establish himself as absolute ruler over everything in his kingdom, including the church. Becket’s refusal to submit to the king’s ultimate authority cost him his life. The stakes are not always that high in the tensions between church and state, but people of faith must prepare themselves for difficult choices. Be clear about which of your loyalties are temporal—finite and fleeting—and which are eternal—everlasting and true for all time.

TODAY'S READINGS: 1 John 2:3-11; Luke 2:22-35 (202). “This child is destined to be a sign that will be opposed so the inner thoughts of many will be revealed.”

Saturday, Dec 30, 2017 SIXTH DAY WITHIN THE OCTAVE OF THE NATIVITY OF THE LORD We all have a role to play Anna is one of nine female prophets noted in the Bible. She was also a widow who spent most of her life in the work of worship and proclama-tion at the temple. This was unusual, because in Hebrew tradition, wid-ows were more often looked upon as problems: Who would marry them, support their children, and feed them? In the early church, the fortunes of widows were reversed. The holy office of widows became an honored station in life. Those formally consecrated as widows became ministers of charity, freed from accountability to men as they used their own wealth, traveled, and played a vital public role in the community. How might your station in life be “consecrated”?

TODAY'S READINGS: 1 John 2:12-17; Luke 2:36-40 (203). “There was also a prophet, Anna, who never left the temple.”

©2017 TrueQuest Communications.

Page 4

Upcoming Parish Mee ngs

♦ Lord of the Miracles, Sunday, December 31st at 1:30 pm in the Community Room.

♦ Divine Infant Jesus, Sunday, January 7th at 1:30 pm in the Guadalupe Room.

♦ Divine Mercy, Sunday, January 7th at 1:30 pm in the Main Church.

♦ Virgin of Asump on, Sunday, January 21st at 1:30pm in the Cafeteria.

♦ Our Lady of Altagracia, Sunday, January 21st at 1:30pm in the Community Room.

Christmas Mass Schedule

Christmas Eve, December 24th 4:00 pm - English Mass 5:30 pm - Family Mass

with Pageant 7:00 pm - Spanish Midnight Mass

Christmas Day, December 25th 9:00 am - 10:30 am, 12:00 pm - (Spanish)

Religious Educa on Program

Reminder: Classes will resume on January 3rd, 2018.

2018

Cesar Tandazo (203)561-9503

St. Bernard’s Youth Group

The Youth Group is in need of winter clothing for men and women such as long sleeve shirts, coats, pants, sweaters, sweatpants and blankets. Dona ons can be dropped off in the basket in the ves bule in the main Church.

Lec o Divina—Praying with the Bible

The Lec o Divina group meets on Wednesday from 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm with Rosa Avila. Mee ngs take place in the Guadalupe Room.

2017

Blessing of Toys

There will be a Blessing of Toys at the 9:00 a.m. Children’s Liturgy on Sunday, January 7th, the Feast of the Epiphany (the Feast of the Three Kings). The children are invited to bring one of their Christmas presents - a small toy, game, book or stuffed animal to be blessed that day.

New Year’s Schedule

New Year’s Eve, December 31st 5:30 pm - English Mass

New Year’s, January 1st 10:30 am (English),

12:00 pm - (Spanish)

The Virgin of the Cloud Devotional Group at the Church of St. Bernard

Page 5

Próximas Reuniones Parroquiales. ♦ Señor de los Milagros, domingo, 31 de diciembre a la

1:30 p.m. en el Salón de la Comunidad. ♦ Divino Niño Jesús, domingo, 7 de enero a la 1:30pm

en el Salón de Guadalupe. ♦ Divina Misericordia, domingo, 7 de enero a la 1:30

p.m. en la iglesia principal. ♦ Virgen de la Asunción, domingo, 21 de enero a la

1:30pm en la cafeteria. ♦ Nuestra Señora de la Altagracia, domingo, 21 de

enero a la 1:30pm en el Salón de la Comunidad.

Horario de Navidad Misa

Nochebuena, 24 de diciembre 4:00 p.m. - Misa en inglés 5:30 p.m. - Misa familiar

con desfile 7:00 p.m. - Misa de medianoche

en español.

Día de Navidad, 25 de diciembre 9:00 am - 10:30 am, 12:00 pm - (español)

Programa de Educación Religiosa

Recordatorio: Las clases se reanudarán el 3 de enero de 2018.

2017 2018

Cesar Tandazo (203)561-9503

Lec o Divina-Orar con la Biblia

El grupo Lec o Divina se reúne los miércoles de 4:00 pm a 5:30 pm con Rosa Ávila. Las reuniones enen lugar en la Sala de Guadalupe.

Grupo de Jóvenes de San Bernardo

El Grupo de Jóvenes necesita ropa de invierno para hombres y mujeres, como camisas de manga larga, abri-gos, pantalones, suéteres, pantalones depor vos y man-tas. Las donaciones se pueden depositar en la cesta, en el ves bulo de la iglesia principal.

Bendición de juguete Habrá una bendición de juguetes en la Liturgia de los niños a las 9:00 a.m. el domingo 7 de enero, la Fiesta de la Epifanía (la Fiesta de los Reyes Magos). Los niños están invitados a traer uno de sus regalos de Navidad, un pequeño juguete, juego, libro o animal de peluche para ser bendecido ese día.

Horario de Año Nuevo

Año Viejo, 31 de diciembre 5:30 p.m. - Misa en inglés

Año Nuevo, 1ro de enero

10:30 a.m. (inglés), 12:00 p.m. - (español)

El Grupo Devocional del La Virgen de la Nube de la

Iglesia de San Bernardo

Please remember in your prayers those who are ill and those who serve them. Recemos por todas las personas de nuestra parroquia quienes se encuentran enfermas.

Dolores Cardon Jerrie Duffy

Jennie Magno a Julia Quintero

Prayers for the Sick

Saturday, December 23, 2017 5:30 Victoria López

Sunday, December 24, 2017 9:00 Palmina & Roberto Mignone 10:30 Cornelius Barry 12:00 Arturo Portal 4:00 Michael Formica 5:30 Elizabeth Rivas 7:00 Virginia Celes no (Living) Monday, December 25, 2017 9:00 Louis E. Ibanez 10:30 Frank Ses to 12:00 For the people Tuesday, December 26, 2017 9:00 Communion Service Wednesday, December 27, 2017 9:00 Richard J. Cozza Thursday, December 28, 2017 9:00 María García Friday, December 29, 2017 9:00 Mario Pressimone Saturday, December 30, 2017 5:30 Francisco & Humberto Loja Sunday, December 31, 2017 9:00 Elvira and A lio Lonardo 10:30 Nicola Nazario Scarano 12:00 For the people Monday, January 1, 2017 9:00 Cesar Dulanto 10:30 Jose N. Ayala 12:00 For the people

Last Sunday’s Collec on :

First Collec on 12/17/17: $4,150 Second Collec on 12/17/17: $1,470 First Collec on 12/10/17: $4,321 Second Collec on 12/10/17: $1,667 Today’s Second Collec on is for Fuel. Next week’s second collec on will be for Maintenance. Thank you for your generous support of our parish. La segunda Colecta de hoy es para el Combus ble. La segunda colecta de la próxima semana será para el Mantenimiento. Gracias por sus generosas contribuciones a nuestra parroquia.

Mass Intentions for the Week

Reserving Announced Masses

To request a Mass be offered for a loved one, living or deceased, please contact the Rectory 914-949-2111. Mass offering is $15.

Reservando Misas Anunciadas

Para solicitar una Misa para un ser querido, vivo o fallecido, por favor comuníquese con la Rectoría al 914-949-2111. El ofrecimiento para misa es $15.

Renew + Rebuild

The St. Bernard Renew + Rebuild Campaign Has raised over $705,000 in pledges. Thank you to our parishioners for your con nuous generosity!

La campaña de San Bernardo de Renovar y Re-construir ha recaudado más de $705,000 en promesas. ¡Gracias a nuestros feligreses por su con nua generosidad!

Hymns in Spanish - Cán cos en Español

Entrada #4 Venid fieles todos Ofertorio #6 Viva Jesús mi amor Comunión Noche de paz Salida #15 Rin, Rin,

Page 7

El Centro Hispano, Inc. 346 South Lexington Avenue Isabel Elsa Villar Boulevard

White Plains, NY 10606 914-289-0500 t 914-289-0550 f

elcentrohispano1@gmail.com www.elcentrohispano.org LITERACY PROGRAM FOR KINDERGARTEN

STUDENTS AT EL CENTRO HISPANO The program is offered on Mondays and Wednesdays, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. If you are interested in registering your child, call the Center 289-0500 as soon as possible. COMPUTER CLASSES FOR ADULTS AT EL CENTRO HISPANO

El Centro Hispano will be offering a new cycle of computer classes star ng on February. The courses will last 16 weeks.

· Beginners ($100): Monday 6-9 pm or Tuesday 6-9 pm

· Intermediate ($100): Monday 6-10 pm or Wednesday 6-10 pm · Advanced ($100): Friday 6-10 pm · Accoun ng ($120): Saturday 8:30-11:30 am

If you are interested, come to El Centro Hispano to register as soon as possible.

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT El Centro Hispano will be closed from Wednesday, December 27 to January 1st, 2018.

EL CENTRO HISPANO SCHOLARSHIPS

If you are interested in applying for a scholarship from El Centro Hispano, please contact the Guidance Department at White Plains High School, AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

The requirements are as follow: 1. Have a minimum grade point average of at least 3.0

and have Volunteered at El Centro Hispano MORE than 60 hours a year.

2. Write a two-page essay indica ng why he/she should be considered for this scholarship.

3. Must have financial need. 4. Be involved in extracurricular ac vi es in school

and/ or the community. Special considera on will be given to those students who volunteered at El Cen-tro Hispano or El Centro Hispano- sponsored events.

5. Be Hispanic or of Hispanic descent. 6. Be accepted at a college or university, which the

student will a end in September. 7. Speak Spanish. 8. Complete the applica on on me. 9. Reside or a end a school in White Plains. 10. Graduate from high school the year of the applica-

on. 11. Use the money awarded in the fall of that same year

(the money cannot be put on hold for one year to another).

CURSO PARA MEJORAR LAS DESTREZAS DE LECTURA Y ESCRI-TURA DE ESTUDIANTES DE KINDER

El programa se ofrece los lunes y miércoles de 4:30 a 5:30 p.m. Si desea matricular a su niño en el programa, llame al Centro, 289-0500 lo antes posible.

CLASES DE COMPUTACION PARA ADULTOS EN EL CENTRO HISPANO

El Centro Hispano comenzará un nuevo ciclo de clases de computación en febrero. Los cursos durarán 16 semanas.

· Principiantes ($100): lunes 6-9 pm o martes 6-9 pm · Intermedio ($100): lunes 6-10 pm o miércoles 6-10

pm · Avanzado ($100): viernes 6-10 pm · Contabilidad ($120): sábados 8:30-11:30 am

Si está interesado, en tomar estas clases pase por El Centro Hispano lo antes posible.

ANUNCIO IMPORTANTE El Centro Hispano estará cerrado del 27 de diciembre al pri-mero de enero del 2018.

BECAS DEL CENTRO HISPANO Si están interesados en solicitar a las becas del Centro His-pano, deben contactar la oficina de consejería de la Escuela Secundaria de White Plains, LO ANTES POSIBLE.

Los requisitos para recibir las becas son los siguientes: 1. Tener un promedio académico mínimo de 3.0* y ha-

ber trabajado voluntariamente en el Centro Hispano MÁS de 60 horas al año.

2. Escribir una composición de dos páginas explicando por qué se le debe considerar para esta beca.

3. Demostrar que necesita ayuda financiera. 4. Estar involucrado en ac vidades extra-curriculares en

el colegio y en la comunidad, especialmente en el Centro Hispano. Los estudiantes que son voluntarios en el Centro tendrán preferencia.

5. Ser hispano o de descendencia hispana. 6. Haber sido aceptado en una universidad a la cual

asis rá en sep embre. 7. Hablar español. 8. Llenar la solicitud a empo. 9. Vivir en White Plains o estudiar en una de las escue-

las privadas o públicas de esta ciudad. 10. Graduarse de la escuela secundaria este año escolar. 11. Usar el dinero para pagar la matrícula del primer se-

mestre del año escolar que comienza en sep embre.