St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church Let us build the City of God!

Our Mission:

By our loving service and works of mercy, we invite every person to know Jesus Christ, present in the Word and the breaking of the Bread, so that all may accept his

gift of salvation.

Nuestro Mission

Por nuestro servicio amoroso y las obras de misericordia, invitamos a todos a conocer a Jesucristo, presente en la Palabra y en la fracción del pan, a fin de

que todos puedan aceptar su regalo de salvación.

Come pray with us!

Masses

Saturday: 5:00pm

Sunday: 7:00, 9:00, 10:30, Noon, & 5:00 PM

Weekdays: 7:00 & 9:00 AM* Saturday 8:00AM

*During School year Tuesday mass is at 8:45AM

Eucharistic Adoration:

Mondays 2:00 - 7:00 PM (except holidays)

First Friday 7:30 - 8:30 PM Holy Hour

Rosary: Daily after 9:00 Mass

Reconciliation: Mon, Wed, Fri: after morning mass

Sat: after 8:00 AM mass and 4:00 - 4:45 PM

St Joseph Rectory Office

45 Church Street Ronkonkoma NY 11779

588-8456 Fax 471-2569

Religious Education

35 Church Street 981-1805

Director: Mrs. Maryanne Trezza

Parish Outreach

2855 Pond Rd 981-6888

Director: Mrs. Anne Kelly

St Joseph School

25 Church Street 588-4760

Principal: Mr. Richard Kuntzler

December 25, 2016 - Christmas Day

Priests

Rev. Michael J Rieder, Pastor

Rev. Gil Lap

Rev. Belevendiram Rathinam (Fr Bala)

Deacons

Dcn. Michael DeBellis Dcn. Frank Dell’Aglio

Dcn. Michael Devenney Dcn. William Dobbins

Dcn. Joseph Dougherty (retired)

Dcn. Joseph Califano (retired)

Dcn. James Altonji (retired)

Serving Your Sacramental Needs The Sacrament of Baptism

The Sacrament is celebrated on Sundays at 1:30 PM. Parents, please call the parish office to arrange a meeting with one of our priests or deacons to begin to make arrangements.

The Sacrament of Eucharist See front cover for mass times. If you are sick for an extended period of time or are homebound, please contact the parish office to arrange to have someone bring Communion to you.

The Sacrament of Confirmation School aged children can prepare for this Sacrament by contacting our religious Education office. Adults or older teens who have yet to be Confirmed should contact the Parish Office

The Sacrament of Reconciliation As listed on front cover or call rectory for an

appointment with one of our priests.

The Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick This Sacrament is for the living. We celebrate this Sacrament each Spring and Fall for those who are chronically ill, advanced in age, or who are about to undergo surgery or hospitalization. We can arrange the Sacrament at other times by calling the Parish Office..

Emergencies: call the office to ar range a visit from a priest.

Nighttime emergencies (631) 538-7219

The Sacrament of Matrimony Bride or Groom please call the office at least six months before your desired wedding date to begin preparations for marriage. Please make contact with the parish before making other wedding day plans!

The Sacrament of Holy Orders Anyone who is feeling called to service in the church as a priest deacon or in consecrated religious life should contact the parish office to speak to one of the priests or deacons for guidance.

Interested in possibly becoming Catholic? Please contact the rectory to arrange a meeting to discuss your questions. We have regular classes to help people learn about the faith and decide if becoming Catholic is what you and God want for you right now. This whole process of inquiry and potential conversion is called RCIA—The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults.

We will respect your personal journey with God!

Prayer and Devotion Opportunities

Our Lady of Fatima Devotion Our Lady came to Fatima with a message from God to every man, woman and child. She promised that the whole world would be at peace, and that many souls would go to heaven if her requests were listened to and obeyed.

In response to her requests, the First Saturday of each month is devoted to Our Lady of Fatima. This devotion includes 8:00 AM mass, a novena to Our Lady of Fatima, the Rosary, and the opportunity to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

All are welcome at this devotion.

Spend Some Time in Prayer Before the

Blessed Sacrament Our church opens at 6:30 AM and remains open throughout the day for anyone who wants to make a prayerful visit. Please come and have some quiet time with God in the midst of our busy (and sometimes loud) world.

We have times set aside when Our Lord, present in the Blessed Sacrament is

exposed on the altar for your prayer.

Monday Exposition and Benediction Every Monday afternoon the Blessed Sacrament is exposed from 2:00 PM until 7:00 PM. This opportunity for prayer ends with Benediction beginning at about 6:45 PM and ending at 7:00 PM

You can come at any time for any length of time to join in this quiet, reflective prayer time.

Make an appointment to spend time with Jesus!

First Friday Holy Hour Every First Friday of the month we have a Holy Hour before the exposed Blessed Sacrament. This communal prayer begins at 7:30 PM and run until 8:30 PM, closing with Benediction.

St Joseph Men’s Prayer Group We meet every Tuesday evening at 7:30 PM in the Church where we pray the Rosary.

Afterward we move to the main vestibule for coffee, donuts and fellowship.

This is a great opportunity to be strengthened in your commitment as a Catholic man just by spending time with others like you!

See you Tuesday!

December 25, 2016

Hunter Thomas Kurz

Ava Marie McIntyre

Page 3

OUR LITURGY

Isaiah speaks to us today of the beauty of the one who brings us glad tidings; Jesus coming to tell of

God’s love. Hebrews goes further, describing Jesus as the one who fully reveals the depths of God’s

love for humanity. Finally, the Gospel reminds us that Jesus is the very Word of God, the one from the beginning - God born into human history.

Mass Intentions for the Week Sunday, Dec. 25 (Christmas)

7:00

9:00

10:30

12:00

1:30 Spanish Mass

Monday, Dec. 26

7:00 Albert Reid (Charles Schultz), John Fourinller (The

Gilde Family)

9:00 Naurine Christie (Marlana Villanueva), Genevieve

Donohue (Debra Hartmann)

Tuesday, Dec. 27

7:00 John C. Rieder (Jane & Gill Aragones)

9:00 Caleb DiLallo & Sylvia Vazquez (Loving Family), John

Hoffman (The Rel Ed Family)

Wednesday, Dec. 28

7:00 For the People of the Parish

9:00 Ralph R. Clanton Jr. (Edward Mantel), Bob Lewis

(Nicholas Ferrara)

Thursday, Dec. 29

7:00 Helen M. Christopher (Frank P. Christopher)

9:00 Russell Drew (Mary Ann Drew), Mary Calderone

(Angela Pernesiglio & Family)

Friday, Dec. 30

7:00 For the People of the Parish

9:00 Gerard Ahearn (Karen Melin-Watson), Fran Llanes

(LIVING) (Lenore Pappas)

Saturday, Dec. 31

8:00 Stephen Catalano (Christine Sauber)

5:00 For the People of the Parish

Sunday, Jan. 1 (Solemnity of Mary)

7:00 Margie Collandra (Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Jurgensen)

9:00 For the People of the Parish

10:30 For the People of the Parish

12:00 James J. Heiman (Loving Sister Helen), Araceli L. Manalo

(Loving Children)

1:30 Spanish Mass

Additional Parish and School Contact Information

Parish Website: stjoronk.org

School Website: stjoeronkelem.org

E-mail addresses

General: Info@StJoRonk.org

Pastor: pastor@StJoRonk.org

FrGil@StJoRonk.org

FrBala@StJoRonk.org

Rel. Ed. Office: RelEd@StJoRonk.org

Rel. Ed. Director: Dre@stjoronk.org

Rel. Ed. ARE (Gloria) gnap@stjoronk.org

School: ndavidson@stjoeronkelem.org

Parish Trustees

Robert Koepper Mark Crean

Business Manager

Edward Grieb

Music Ministry

Michael Keller, Director

Ann DeBellis, 9:00 Choir

Rectory Hours

Monday thru Friday 9:00 - 5:00 (closed for lunch 12:00 - 1:15)

Saturday 10:00 - 4:00 (closed for lunch 12:00 - 1:15)

Sunday Closed

Did you know we are on Facebook?

You can keep up with parish happenings on our new Face-book page:

http://www.facebook.com/stjosephronk

Don’t forget to Like Us!

Christmas

Mass

Intentions

Check out our new Facebook page

http://www.facebook.com/stjosephronk

Twas the night after Christmas…

What do you do after the guests have gone home from the Christmas day gathering, or after you arrive home from visiting family or friends on Christmas night?

Here’s a suggestion:

Turn on the lights on your tree and just look at it for a little bit. Enjoy the work you put into decorating the tree and the house. Let your mind wander to this morning - the magic of seeing your children’s eyes light up at the wonder of Christmas. Listen in your heart to their joy and laughter as they opened their gifts and experience again the joy that you experienced in your heart just by watching them.

Take a moment and recall all the aromas and flavors of the day - maybe there was a special breakfast, or a festive family dinner. Savor it again in your heart. And while you’re at it, savor the love that was present in your family - even if it wasn’t perfect it was love. So savor it!

Now look at the tree again. Look at how the lights reflect off the ornaments. Look for your favorite ornament - maybe it is one that has been in the family for generations. Maybe it is one that you got on a very memorable Christmas. Why not take a moment or two and go back in your heart to a couple of those Christmases past? Recall those magic days of your childhood and the wonder you felt on Christmas morning. Now just take some time and enjoy these memories. Do you know what you just did? You prayed. By spending time in that special memories box that we all have (that is our heart) you spent time with God. Hey, why not make that prayer formal just by saying thank you! Thank you for my life. Thank you also God for your life that began so simply and was always about service to others!

We All Do Have Plenty to Learn! An Opportunity to Learn Together is Coming! In response to parishioner requests, we recently held our adult education program, Unlocking the Mystery of the Bible. This was extremely well received by many parishioners!

This experience taught us that there are so many areas of our faith that are not 100% clear to everyone. So we are planning a few evenings this winter just to answer some of the questions we have about our faith.

We encourage you to write down some questions about the practice of our faith - why do Catholics do that? After Christmas we will schedule some evening opportunities to answer these questions. Write your questions here. Tear this off and put it in the collection so we can collect your questions and take time to develop accurate answers!

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Memorials At the time of the loss of a loved one families often want to memorialize something for the church like a chalice or a vestment. Honestly, we have so many that we do not have room to store them. Please do not memorialize these kind of items.

A better thing to do might be to call the church and ask what needs we might have. We are working on upgrading much of our facilities to serve the needs of our parishioners. Donations toward these improvements would be much more appreciated and would be put to much better use.

Thank you for your generosity always!

St Joseph Backwards Drawing:

You didn’t miss it! We moved it!

It will be held on Saturday, April 29, 2017

Tickets coming after the New Year!

Singing Under Church? Karaoke Party in Carew Hall (Church Basement)

Friday October 3 (the day the Music Died, 1959)

Details to follow in the bulletin and on Facebook!

Have you ever been wounded by someone who works for the church?

Did a priest, deacon, teacher, or secretary, treat you inappropriately or with disrespect?

We want to apologize and pray for healing with you!

Monday, January 9 at 7:30 PM in the church.

Let’s begin the New Year by starting over so we can move forward together!

Online spirituality, available via your fingertips The following article by Kristen Whitney Daniels, was in National Catholic Reporter, December 2-15 2016 edition

The internet is increasingly becoming the go-to source for spirituality resources. Here is a small selection of resources available to young adults and the young-at-heart who are looking to expand their spiritual life.

Fr. Mike Schmitz -- YouTube channel (ascensionpresents.com/videoscategories/fr-mike-schmitz) Schmitz hosts weekly short theological videos geared toward the social media savvy masses about "faith, pop culture and headline reflections," according to Schmitz's YouTube page. Schmitz has plenty of experience talking to young adults as the director of the Office of Youth Ministry for the Duluth, Minn., diocese, as well as a chaplain for the Newman Catholic Campus ministries at the University of Minnesota Duluth.

The videos can be viewed on YouTube and the Ascension Presents website. Most of the videos are under 10 minutes and focus on a single topic each week. Some of his past topics include: "Can I go to confession over the telephone?", "Will I ever find the 'one'?" and "Captain America: Superheroes Analyzed." Oftentimes he takes topics that seemingly look unrelated to Catholicism and uses them as tools to talk about apologetics and Scripture.

Blessed is She -- emailed daily devotions (blessedisshe.net) Blessed is She is an online community run by women, for women. The website offers a variety of features including a blog, workshops and an online store. However, the biggest draw to the site is daily devotions, which people can subscribe to for free via email. The daily devotions include the readings for the day, a short personal reflection and a beautiful (tweetable) graphic.

According to the website, the goal of the Blessed is She community is to provide support and connection through their daily emails, website and local Facebook groups. The group has recently started meeting offline as well.

RELEVANT magazine -- website and magazine (relevantmagazine.com) RELEVANT magazine is a denominationally non-affiliated Christian magazine specifically targeting 20- to 30-year-olds, a fact immediately evident by the sleekness of its website. Story topics tend to focus on the intersection of faith and culture and covering things that are not only happening in Christian news, but also are stories young adults are likely see on their Twitter feed.

While the magazine and its iPad edition require a subscription, there is plenty of free content on the website. There is a heavy emphasis on covering the music scene, allowing you to listen to full albums by Christian artists. They also have a podcast series that has interviewed big names such as Lupita Nyong'o, Tim Tebow, and Jon Foreman, front man of the band Switchfoot.

The Pope App -- app (itunes.ap ple.com/us/app/pope-app-official-pope-francis/id593468235?mt=8) The Pope App is a free app designed for Pope Francis enthusiasts. The app, which is available for both iPhone and Android users, is run by the Pontifical Council for Social Communications. It serves as a one-stop shop for all things related to the pope, including Francis' Twitter feed, full texts of his homilies and speeches, and a calendar of his upcoming events.

Not only can users live stream papal events but also they can also view the webcams in St. Peter's Square, Castel Gandolfo and Pope John Paul II's tomb.

Busted Halo – website (bustedhalo.com) While this website has a sor t of unusual name for a Catholic site, the reasoning behind it suits the content it offers. According to the website, the name comes from the thought that each person is called to be a saint, yet along the way our “halos” get “dented, scratched, tarnished…in some way Busted.”

The website is a ministry of the Paulist Fathers who “aim to bring the joy of the Gospel to all people in innovative and creative ways.” The website offers videos, podcasts, a radio show, and timely articles. The content tends to come off less “preachy” and more applicable to the masses.

Busted Halo also has a strong presence on social media sites. Every day the site sends out a “daily jolt” with an inspirational quote and a #microchallenge to readers, a small change people can make every day.

3 Minute Retreats – app (loyolapress.com/3minute-retreats-daily-online-prayer) 3 Minute Retreats aims to give users a daily, short, digestible retreat that suits even the busiest person. The free app was created by Loyola Press and is available to both iPhone and Android users. According to the website, the app provides “scripture passages, soothing music, and reflection questions” for users. The app is perfect for those who are looking to add more prayer into their lives but have difficulty fitting it into their daily schedule.

Grace Before Meals – website and YouTube channel (gracebeforemeals.com) If you’ve ever thought about combining cooking and spirituality, this site is for you. Fr. Leo Patalinghug, the founder, host and director of Grace Before Meals, uses food as way to reach out. Viewers get to watch interesting spirituality based videos – and get some stellar recipes along the way, too.

Patalinghug combined two of his passions, food and theology, to create the movement. Patalinghug originally honed his cooking skills while at the North American College seminary in Italy and later put them to the test when he competed and won the Food Network’s “Throw Down! With Bobby Flay.”

According to the Grace Before Meals website, the concept for the work centers on the idea that “the simple act of creating and sharing a meal can strengthen all kinds of relationships.”

FOCUS Bible Studies – online bible study (focusoncampus.org/resources) The website and Bible studies were or iginally designed for college students, but the studies are easily applicable to many young adults’ lives. The FOCUS website offers a variety of Bible studies for small groups. Topics include separate men and women’s studies, scriptural apologetics and the living Gospel. Most of the materials can be downloaded straight to a computer, allowing easy and direct access.

The free FOCUS Equip App allows you to listen to talks, lead Bible studies and read how-to articles all from the convenience of your phone or iPad.

Altar Bread & Wine

In Memory of

Mickelson & Williams Families

Requested by

Barbara Mickelson

Sunday, Dec. 25, 2016 Page 6

Respect Life Weekly Offering

Sunday, Dec. 18 , 2016 Offering $19,527 (Includes Electronic Giving of ( $3,593 )

Last Year’s Offering $17,521 Christmas Flower Offering $975 Poor Box Last Week $318

Parish Debt: Dec. Debt. Collection $4,351 Interest free loan (balance) $51,000

We are actively working with the Diocese on plans for balancing our budget and addressing our other accumulated debt to the Diocese. Because of this, we are now only showing our actual loan balance we have with the Diocese. If you have questions on this or other financial matters, please feel free to call our business manager, Ed Grieb.

Thank you and God Bless You Always, Fr. Mike

IF YOU MISSED LAST WEEK, PLEASE TRY TO MAKE IT UP THIS WEEK. THANK YOU.

The Twelve Days of Christmas, known as a cumulative song, supposedly contends that the lyrics were intended as a catechism song, to help young Catholics learn their faith at a time when practicing Catholicism was criminalized in

England, from 1558-1829.

On the 1st day of Christmas my true love sent to me a

Partridge in a pear tree

On the 2nd day of Christmas my true love sent to me 2 Turtle

Doves, and a Partridge in a pear tree

On the 3rd day of Christmas my true love sent to me 3 French

Hens, etc

On the 4th day of Christmas my true love sent to me 4 Calling

Birds etc

On the 5th day of Christmas my true love sent to me 5 Golden

Rings etc

On the 6th day of Christmas my true love sent to me 6 Geese

A-laying etc

On the 7th day of Christmas my true love sent to me 7 Swans

A-swimming etc

On the 8th day of Christmas my true love sent to me 8 Maids

A-milking etc

On the 9th day of Christmas my true love sent to me 9 Ladies

Dancing

On the 10 day of Christmas my true love sent to me 10 Lords

A-leaping

On the 11th day of Christmas my true love sent to me 11

Pipers Piping

On the 12th day of Christmas my true love sent to me 12

Drummers Drumming

The following has been suggested as ‘meanings’ for the 12

symbolic gifts

1 Partridge in a pear tree = the one true God revealed in

the person of Jesus Christ

2 Turtle Doves = the Old and New Testaments

3 French Hens = Faith, Hope, and Charity

4 Calling Birds = the four Gospels and/or the four

Evangelists

5 Golden Rings = The first 5 Books of the Old Testament,

the ‘Pentateuch’

6 Geese A-laying = the six days of creation

7 Swans A-swimming = the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit/

the seven Sacraments of the Catholic Faith

8 Maids A-milking = The eight Beatitudes

9 Ladies Dancing = The nine Fruits of the Spirit

10 Lord A-leaping = the ten Commandments

11 Pipers Piping = the eleven faithful Apostles

12 Drummers Drumming = the twelve points of doctrine in

the Apostle’s Creed

—REMEMBER THOSE WHO HAVE DIED— our deceased soldiers and all of our deceased relatives and friends.

Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. May their souls and all the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace. Amen

How we Build the City of God here at St. Joseph Parish

Our Vision (Parish Outreach)

We are here to serve the basic needs of the poor, the troubled, the weak and the oppressed. We are here to treat all with the dignity they deserve.

Our Vision (Shepherd’s Inn Soup Kitchen)

The workers at Shepherd’s INN soup Kitchen address the issue of the hungry on Long Island. All our guests are treated with dignity and respect. We believe everyone that comes to our kitchen is a guest and as such all guests are fed with a no questions asked policy.

Our Vision (Altar Servers)

In serving at mass we add dignity and reverence to our celebrations by drawing attention to the highpoints of the mass: the proclamation of the Gospel, the offering of our gifts, and Jesus’ presence in the Eucharist.

Our Vision (Pack 272)

Pack 272’s vision is to utilize the program of the Boy Scouts of America to minister to the youth of our parish. The Scout Oath and Law call our Cub Scouts to live in service and love to others.

Our Vision (Troop 272)

We develop Leaders whose core values are loving God and loving each other .

Our Vision (Al Anon)

The Al Anon Family Groups are a spiritual fellowship of relatives and friends of alcoholics who share their experience strength and hope in order to solve their common problems. We believe alcoholism is a family illness and that changed attitudes can aid recovery. Al Anon has one purpose – to help families of alcoholics. Our contact phone number is in this bulletin under “Outreach Resources”.

Our Vision (Sacristans)

Sacristans help to maintain an atmosphere of worship by preparing the church for various services and anticipating priestly needs. Through reverent conduct, we strive to provide opportunities to others to draw closer to God and each other.

Our Vision (Religious Education)

St. Joseph Religious Education works in partnership with parents and Parish to nurture, celebrate, and witness our Catholic faith as we build up the Kingdom of God. Our efforts, based on Gospel values, are directed at developing the knowledge, skills, and attitudes of students enabling them to make a positive contribution to contemporary society.

Our Vision (Eucharistic Ministers)

In helping to build the city of God here at St. Joseph's, we as Extra Ordinary Ministers of the Eucharist assist the Priest and Deacon in the distribution of the Eucharist in service to the people of God.

Our Vision (Lectors)

We lovingly strive to bring the Word of God to Life, so others may develop a deeper relationship with God.

Our Vision (St. Joseph’s Respect Life Committee)

Our mission is to defend and foster respect for human life from conception to natural death within our families, parish, and community at large. Through prayer, service, support and education, we desire to counter cultural forces that endanger the sanctity of life at all stages.

Our Vision (Catholic Daughters of Americas)

Strive to embrace the principle of faith working through love in the promotion of Justice, equality and the advancement of human rights and human dignity for all.

Many more ministry groups are developing their Vision.

Check back often to see how they help us to build the City of God!

If your group’s vision statement was sent but not here, please resend it to make sure we have it!

First Grade

Second Grade

Third Grade

We meet on Thursdays at 4:30 pm.

Join us for some noisy fun!

Attention Parents and Kids “Fun with a Purpose.”

Joyful Noisy kids pray and sing, do fun activities and crafts, and make friends. We meet special guests who share music with us and teach

us about Jesus with songs.

About once a month, we’ll sing at Sunday Mass.

We are opening a Parish Gift Shop. It will start out small but our hope is that it will grow into a much larger shop as time goes by. The shop is located in the room at the rear of Carew Hall. For now, we will be open limited hours on the weekends. You’ll be able to visit and browse through the merchandise we have to of-fer. As we get rolling, we will be adding more merchandise so come and see us often. We will need volunteers to help us “man the shop” so if you are interested in helping out in that way, please call the rectory, 631-588-8456, and leave your name and phone number.

St Joseph: Pray for Us!

St Joseph

SPIRITUAL ADOPTION

MONTH 7 DEVELOPING BABY

I CAN LOOK AROUND

You are in the home stretch with your spiritually adopted baby. Beginning this month the baby uses all four senses. He can see, hear, taste, touch, as well as, cough, yawn and hiccup! He now recognizes his mother's voice, and ultra-sound reveals that he likes to open his eyes and look around. During this time he will also receive antibodies from his mother, protecting him from a wide variety of dis-eases. Please keep praying for your baby, abortion is legal through all nine months.

Knitting & Crocheting

Ministry The ladies of the yarn group meets in

Carew Hall Monday afternoon (except on school holidays) from 2:00-4:00PM. We crochet and knit items for those in need to be distributed to various nursing homes and hospitals. If you would like to help with this heartwarming endeavor, please leave your name and phone number at the rectory and you will be contacted.

Save the Date March for Life

Please consider attending the March for Life in Washington on January 27 as an act of Mercy. Further information will appear in bulletin in January. It is an awesome site to see so many people gathered from all over the country! All are welcome!

Outreach Resources Emergency Resources

Response of Suffolk County

Crisis Hotline

631-751-7620 or 631-751-7500 (hotline 24 hrs./7 days)

Www.responsehotline.org

Victims Information Bureau of Suffolk—VIBS

Domestic/date violence, rape, sexual assault, & elder

abuse

631-360-3730 or 631-360-3606 (24 hrs. hotline for domes-

tic violence and rape)

Www.vibs.org or www.inforatvibs.org

Suffolk County Coalition Against Domestic Violence

631-666-8833 (hotline)

Www.sccadv.org

The Retreat

Domestic Violence

631-329-2200 (hotline 24hrs/7 days shelter)

Www.theretreatinc.org

Brighter Tomorrows

Domestic Violence

Hotline (631)395-1800

Islip Hotline

Crisis Hotline: 631-277-4700

Runaway Hotline

631-549-8700, 1-800-621-4000

American Red Cross, Suffolk County Chapter

631-924-6700

Www.redcross.org/ny/suffolk

Child Abuse

1-800-342-3720 (24-Hr.)

HIV and Aids Teen Hotline

1-800-440-TEEN (fri./Sat. 6:30PM to Midnight)

Child Health Plus Information and Referral

1-800-522-5006 (24 Hr.)

Family Resources/Support Groups

Child Care Council of Suffolk

631-362-0303

Www.childcaresuffolk.org

Family Service League of Suffolk County

631-427-3700

Www.fsl.li.org

Hope House Ministries

631-928-2377

Www.hhm.org

Islip Town Teen Parent Resource Center

631-224-9766

Suffolk County Department of Health Services

Project Hope Mothers’ Group

631-853-3035 (call for locations)

Www.co.suffolk.ny.us/health

Haven House/Bridges

631-231-3619

Www.tsli-hhb.org

Alcoholics Anonymous

631-669-1124

Gamblers Anonymous

631-586-7171

Narcotics Anonymous

631-689-6262

Life Center of L.I. - Pregnancy Care

631-243-0066

Birthright of Nassau/Suffolk

516-785-4070

Al-Anon Suffolk County

631-669-2827

info@AL-Anon-Suffolk-NY.org

Overeaters Anonymous

631-260-6615

St. Joseph Parish Outreach Center

e-mail — sjpo0101@gmail.com website — http://outreach.stjoronk.org

Through your generosity we were able to help more than 401 people throughout the month of Nov. In these tough economic times we are seeing people of increasing need. On their

behalf, we thank you for sharing your own limited resources with your brothers and sisters. "Whenever you did it for the least of my people, you did it for me."

Parish Outreach

Page 12

Christmas is a Season, not simply one day!

Christmas is not the end of Advent. It is a real season of

the Church year. As a faith community we celebrate

Christmas through January 10. We usually miss it because

the consumer society that we live in has nothing to offer us,

except for days to return gifts. Too often, within days after

Christmas day, the decorations are down and it is over.

However, if our celebration of the days before Christmas

and Christmas Day itself were busy or even difficult, then

this can be days of recovery and added time to let Our Lord

come into our lives where we need him to come.

This year, let's try to really celebrate Christmas season. Special Feasts begin the season and we continue the story, so that we enter more deeply into the story of Jesus' coming to be one with our life, but also that

we might enter more deeply into how he comes this year to bless each of us.

What the Christmas Season Offers Us Sunday is Christmas Day, the first day in this eight-day celebration of the Octave of Christmas. We take joy

in the story of the nativity and of our savior's entrance into the world in the most humble of ways.

December 26, the day after Christmas, is the Feast of St. Stephen, the first Martyr. The reading from Acts

takes us into the story of his being stoned by an infuriated crowd.

December 27: On December 27th, we traditionally celebrate the Feast of St. John, Apostle and Evangelist. This apostle's name is associated with the wonderful tradition and writings that receive his name. This week, our reflection is framed by the wonderful words of the First Letter of John and the story from the Fourth Gospel of Simon Peter and “the other disciple whom Jesus loved” ran to find the empty tomb on

Easter morning, Feast of St. John the Evangelist.

On December 28th, we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Innocents. This celebration takes us back into the in-fancy narrative of Matthew. The account of how Jesus begins his journey to become one with us, is power-fully told as a journey of Jesus' entering into the journey of his people, with the flight into Egypt and the hor-rible slaughter of the innocent children. This very difficult scene is important for us to reflect upon as we

imagine the unborn who are so unjustly deprived of dignity and life today.

On December 29th, we enter into the story of the Presentation in the Temple, and where we meet Anna, the prophetess. She is the last of our prophets that seem to step into the pages of the New Testament. Their

faithfulness and hopeful expectation are signs for us of who this child will become for us.

The Feast of the Holy Family is often celebrated on the Sunday after Christmas. When a Sunday does not occur between December 25 and January 1, this feast is celebrated on December 30 with only one reading before the Gospel. What family or faith community can't benefit from reflecting upon the Holy Family? This is not the time to reflect upon a "perfect family," but to ask ourselves how we might be blessed to reflect

upon Joseph, Mary and Jesus, and ask ourselves what graces they could offer us.

And, this allows us a bit more time to reflect upon the Christmas story, including the everyday reality that was part of their lives as family - the patience, give and take, the self-sacrifice and the love that was a part of their very human interaction together, throughout what we call "the hidden life" of Jesus. That can include all the growing up years of Jesus' life, what their village was like and what ways they spoke with each other,

as well as what difficulties they might have experienced.

These are all great ways for us to contemplate this feast. We can imagine what Jesus learned from both Mary and Joseph that prepared him for his life of proclaiming the coming of the Reign of God. Finally, we

can imagine the death of Joseph and the life of Mary and Jesus after his death.

December 31st gives us the beginning of John's Gospel and the beautiful Prologue to that Gospel, all about

the Incarnation.

Sunday, January 1st will be the Solemnity of Mary the Mother of God. It is also the World Day of Prayer for

Peace.

We celebrate the Epiphany, in a week or so. We can draw great fruit from reflecting upon the readings and

prayers of the days before and after Epiphany.

PRAY FOR THE SICK ___________________________________

Name of person who is ill _____________________________ _________________________ Person making this request: Relationship to ill person

(Friends can be placed on the silent prayer list only)

PRAY FOR OUR TROOPS

__________________________________ Name, Rank and Branch of Service

______________________________ ____________________ Person making this request Relationship to Soldier

(Friends can be placed on the silent prayer list only)

Are You Interested?

Are you interested in more information about the Roman Catholic Church? Would you like to know more about our beliefs, traditions, rituals and sacraments? Were you baptized but never received Holy Communion or Confirmation? If you answered yes to any of these questions, we have a group here at St. Joseph’s called RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults). We meet in the rectory basement on Tuesday evenings from 7:00 to 8:30 to prepare you to receive the sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist and/or Confirmation. For more information contact the parish office in the rectory at 631-588-8456 or just come

downstairs on Tuesday evening.

Venturing Events In Carew Hall after 5:00 PM Mass

Venturing is open to men and women age 14 through 20 who have graduated from 8th Grade. This year's crew plan

is jam packed with interesting and fun activities here at St. Joseph's and "off-campus" as well.

Come to our meeting and check it out.

Visit our next meeting:

e-mail: Crew272@StJoRonk.org

phone: Advisor Mike Keller (631) 872-7675

What did you do this weekend?

Cub Scout Pack 272

Boy Scout Troop 272

St. Joseph’s Cub Scout Pack 272 and Boy Scout Troop 272 have fun, exciting, educational, character building pro-grams for boys, age 7 through 17 (first Grade and up).

For more information or to enroll your child, contact Dr. Louis Scotti at 656-8428

or e-mail JoinScouting@StJoRonk.org.

Pack, Troop, and Crew 272 have

a YEAR-ROUND scouting program.

CYO Sport Programs

http://stjoecyosports.com

Baseball:

Intramural (Coed, ages 4-16): Gene 588-1879

Travel * (Boys) Vinny 543-4100

Basketball:

Girls (koolmom4d@msn.com) Debbie 467-6174

Clinic Division (Coed Grades K-2) Nick 585-7723

Boys Grades 3-12) Vinny 543-4100

Travel* Vinny 543-4100

Track:

Boys & Girls, Grades K-8 Jerry 585-4048

Soccer :

Intramural Boys & Girls(ages 3-13) Joe 585-0748

jcaiola@fast.net

Travel (LIJSL): Rob 721-8831

Softball: Dennis 467-6174

Page 14

Society of St. Vincent de Paul Gives Back St. Joseph Church shares in the profits! For each car, truck or van, running or not, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul will give back to our church $50/$100 per vehicle. Maybe you don’t have a vehicle, but a family member, friend or neighbor has an old or neglected vehicle in their driveway that they would like to dispose of. Call the Society of St.

Vincent de Paul at (718) 491-2525. Thank you!

Please return this form in an envelope with your memorial donation to the Rectory, in the collection basket, or by mail.

Mark or address your envelope to: St. Joseph R.C. Church - HYMNAL, 45 Church Street, Ronkonkoma, NY 11779 A label indicating your memorial request will be designed for you to place inside the front cover of a Journeysongs hymnal.

Name of Donor:_________________________________________Telephone Number:_________________________________

Address, City, State, Zip: ___________________________________________________Parish ID#, if known: _______________

Please indicate the names of the remembered and select a memorial phrase for each hymnal you memorialize.

Memorial ‘A’ — “In Loving Memory of [name]”

Memorial ‘B’ — “Sing Praise to God with [name] and All of the Saints in Heaven.”

Please List Names of Remembered and Memorial Phrase Selected (‘A’ or ‘B’ — one phrase per hymnal)

________________________________________________________________ ______

________________________________________________________________ ______

________________________________________________________________ ______

________________________________________________________________ ______

If you have more than 4 memorial requests, please write them on an additional sheet of paper.

Please, please, please print clearly.

Please remit your donation with this request.

Number of Hymnals to be memorialized _____ X $25 each = Donation Amount Enclosed $________

I HAVE MORE MEMORIALS LISTED ON ADDITIONAL SHEET. _______

Parish Outreach

Parish Outreach is in dire need of donations of toiletries. Shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste, tissues,

combs, brushes, toothbrushes, soap, toilet paper. If you can help, please drop off to

our Outreach Office or to the Rectory.

Courtesy Announcements Charismatic Prayer Meeting - at Our Lady of the Island Shrine the fourth Wednesday of each month from 7- 9PM. Praise, worship & teaching. Contact the Shrine at 631-325-0661 for info.

Free Food for NY Seniors - The C.S.F.P. funded by USDA NYSDOH, and administered by Catholic Charities is offering free food for 6 to 12 months post partum women, children from the age of 5

up to their sixth birthday, and seniors age 60 and over, who are income-eligible. Gross monthly income for seniors: Single Senior $1,174 or less or Senior Couple $1,579 or less. For further information, and income guidelines for women & children in Nassau or Suffolk, please call 631-491-4166 or 631-491-4156.

Have you ever wondered how people are selected to bring up the gifts at mass?

If you would like to present the gifts of bread, wine and our Prayer Intention & Works of Mercy book, arrive at mass early and let the ushers know. They will explain what to do. Often times, no one asks to do this, so the ushers try to find a willing family, but this opportunity is available for any one.