Saturday November 15 5:30 pm Rupert Thompson Sunday November 16 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time 7:30 am Our Parishioners 9:00 am Sylvester Joseph 10:30 am Vincent and Phyllis Carey 12:00 pm Mary Kearstan Monday November 17 St Elizabeth of Hungary 6:45 am Ramon Canedo Tuesday November 18 6:45 am Souls in Purgatory Wednesday November 19 6:45 am Souls in Purgatory Thursday November 20 6:45 am Bernard Schnabel Friday November 21 Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary 6:45 am Saturday 8:00 am 5:30 pm Sunday Noemi and Sergio Wong November 22 St Cecilia, Virgin and Martyr Robert Winslow William Henningsen and Blanca Taylor November 23 Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe 7:30 am 9:00 am 10:30 am 12:00 pm Marie Dambach Our Parishioners Susan Maute Int. of Robyn and Nicholas O’Sullivan PRAY FOR THE SICK OF OUR PARISH Please remember in your prayers the members of our parish who are ill, especially Kristin Petrasek, Connie Ingrassia, Jack Dolan, Martin Schwartz, Peter Burtis, Dawn Badalamenti, Christopher Fraclose, John Stringer, Kevin Cunniff, John Bracco, Arline Forte, Nancy Huber, Rev. Brian Ditullio, Gene Caulfield, Jeanine Niehoff, Saskia Kane, Lindsay Lampach, Joy Skubic, Edward Sotelo, John Voorhees, Sr. Bernadette Weller, Joan Kellenberger, Rev. Msgr. Francis Matarazzo, Sandra Fittin, Marie Cardone, Giles Stuber, Monica Brennan, Marie Mullaney, Fr. Kenneth Hewitt and Fr. Christopher Muldoon. STEWARDSHIP In a Christian sense, a steward is the manager of the affairs of God on earth. Everything we have is given to us by God. Our offering is a symbolic act. Our money makes it possible for the Church to pay its bills and carry out its mission in Christ’s name. Collection for November 9 $5,937. Weekly operating expenses $9,968. Shortfall $4,031. God bless you for your generosity. Scripture Readings November 23, 2014 Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe First Reading: Ezekiel 34:11-12, 15-17 This passage beautifully describes how the Lord God, as shepherd, will tend his flock. He will rescue those who are lost, bring back those who stray, heal the sick, and “pasture” all. Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:20-26, 28 Paul once again stresses the significance of Christ’s resurrection in the total divine plan, emphasizing that Christ’s rising means that those who believe in him will also rise after death. Christianity, he argues, is meaningless if it concerns only this life on earth. In the end, even death will be destroyed, and “God will be all in all.” Gospel: Matthew 25:31-46 With words both poetic and vivid, Jesus tells the disciples that since he is present in all people, whatever they do to “one of my least brothers” they do to him; and whatever they fail to do to his “least,” they fail to do to him. The parish library is now open Wednesdays from 11:00 to 1:00. Come check it out! THIS WEEK IN OUR PARISH Monday, November 17 CCD Grade 2 4:00 to 5:00pm CCD Grade 8 Reconciliation 7:30 to 9:00pm Tuesday, November 18 Moms and Tots 9:30 to 11:00am CCD Grade 3 4:00 to 5:00pm CCD Grade 6 Reconciliation 7:00 to 8:15pm LTMTP group (library) 7:00 to 9:00pm Wednesday, November 19 Library open 11:00 to 1:00pm CCD Grades 1 4:00 to 5:00pm CCD Grade 4 Reconciliation 4:00 to 5:00pm CCD Grade 9 Reconciliation 7:30 to 9:00pm Thursday, November 20 CCD Gr 1 4:00 to 5:00pm CCD Gr 5 Reconciliaton 4:00 to 5:00pm Mass of Remembrance 7:30 pm RCIA 7:30 pm Saturday, November 22 First Reconciliation 11:00 AM Confession 4:00 to 5:00pm Advent Family Gathering 3:30 pm Haiti pasta dinner 6:30pm PASTORAL GUIDELINES FOR CATHOLIC FUNERALS Our bishop recently issued a pastoral letter to all the faithful, religious, deacons and priests. The pastoral addresses some important concerns for each of us and I would like to highlight them here this weekend. Bishop begins by reminding us that Christians from the early days of the church followed the example of burying their dead found in the Sacred Scriptures. How the holy men and women in the Hebrew scriptures were all buried and not cremated (see Genesis 23:1-20; Gen 25:9, Gen 50:2, Numbers 20:1, Deuteronomy 34:5-8, Joshua 24:30, 1 Samuel 25:1, 1 Kings 2:10) This is also true in the Christian scriptures: burial of John the Baptist (Mt 14:12), Lazarus (John 11:38, Jesus (Mt 27:57-60; Mark 15:46; John 19:41-42) Christians followed the Jewish practice of burying the dead. Pagans were amazed at the sense of joy and peace that surrounded Christian burials. In fact Christians would give a decent burial to the poor when families could not afford the expenses. On human and spiritual levels, ritualized mourning shares respect for the dead and our funeral rites express our belief that in the face of death a funeral offers healing and comfort to those left behind. Unfortunately, today many Christians are breaking away from traditional Catholic funerals. The reasons are numerous: The secularization of society – the diminishing importance of faith in dealing with death. A strong sense of individualism – some hold that every individual has total sayso over his/her life. The removal of death from our view – keeping death and dying at a distance (e.g., death in hospitals, nursing homes; use of funeral homes); death is cosmetically disguised; death and dying kept at a distance. The general decline in religious practice – church attendance is down; children have fallen away from attending Mass; parents, regular church-goers in their time, now denied a funeral Mass. A loss of faith – with an increase in materialism, people today have lost a sense of transcendence; death is simply the end, not a transition to life with God. Catholic funeral rites offer the bereaved a time to grieve and strengthen their faith – a way to face death by celebrating life in Christ, a way to remember and pray for the deceased and move forward with hope. Through our funeral rites – wake service, funeral Mass and burial in consecrated ground – we show respect for the person we loved and profess our belief in faith and the Resurrection of the body. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (2300-2301) reminds us that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. The wake service gives people who know the deceased a chance to show their respect for the person who has died and comfort the family by sharing memories, happy moments and stories about the deceased. The prayer service at the wake turns mourners’ attention to God. The Catholic funeral rite includes the Mass of Christian Burial – this should never be omitted. It is our greatest act of worship and praise that we offer to God. The Mass remembers Jesus’ victory over sin and death and is the most efficacious prayer we offer for the deceased. Death separates us from those we love. The Eucharist keeps us united. Our beloved dead benefit from our intercessory prayers at Mass. We should always pray for them and have Masses said for them. The growing custom of substituting prayers at the funeral home or the gravesite for a funeral Mass deprives the deceased and the living of the spiritual benefits of the Eucharist. This should not be encouraged. The Committal Rite – Our bodies are sacred. The body is not a mere husk to be cast away or a useless garment to be discarded. If we treasure and honor the pictures of our beloved dead, how much more their very bodies. Because of this fact the Church clearly prefers that the body of our loved one be present at the funeral rites. Families who opt for cremation should be strongly encouraged to bring the body of the deceased to the church for the Mass of Christian Burial. Cremation best takes place after the funeral Mass and Prayers of Committal. This order gives full expression to our belief in the sacredness of the body and the hope of the Resurrection. And so in keeping with the church’s tradition of respect for the body, even cremains should receive a proper burial – not scattered over land or sea nor kept in the home, nor split up among family members, or encased in jewelry to be worn by loved ones. They are to be reverently “deposited” in a cemetery or mausoleum to await the Resurrection of the dead, together with all who have gone before and after them. The faithful are encouraged to contact a priest before someone dies so the family member can be properly prepared to die with the comfort and strength of the Sacraments of Anointing of the Sick and Holy Eucharist. When we attend to those we love as they make the transition from their earthly life to the life of heaven, it is faith in action – we accompany our loved ones with compassion and charity at the moment they are called home to God. For the entire text of Bishop Serratelli’s pastoral letter, consult the diocesan website or call the parish office. In this month of the Holy Souls remember, it is a healthy thing to pray for our deceased loved ones. God bless! MASS OF REMEMBRANCE On Thursday, November 20th, a special Mass of Remembrance will be celebrated at 7:30 pm for all those who have died this past year. Anyone wishing to include a loved one to be remembered in prayer at this Mass is invited to do so. All are invited to share in this special celebration of remembrance. ADVENT FAMILY GATHERING WHEN: Saturday, November 22 TIME: 3:30pm – 6:30pm WHO: Students from Grades One through Six WHAT: A day of ADVENTure Learn about the true meaning of the Advent season. The day will include three craft activities with a brief catechesis of each, followed by the celebration of Eucharist at 5:30pm. WHERE: Parish Center / Church COST: a FREE WILL offering Limited to the first 30 children who sign up. Contact the CCD office for more information or to register at 973-334-5257 or stcatherineccd@optonline.net PASTA DINNER TO BENEFIT HAITI Please join us for a Pasta Dinner Sponsored by the 10th Grade Confirmation Class Saturday, November 22 6:30 - 8:30 pm To Benefit our Sister Parish in Haiti $10/person or $25/family Tickets will be on sale after Mass or RSVP ksmith@morriscatholic.org GIVING TREE Once again, we are asking our parishioners to donate toys for needy children. This year our gifts will go to children in St. Agnes Parish in Paterson. As you begin your Christmas shopping, please keep these children in mind. Tags will be available on the giving tree at the back of the church the weekend of November 22/23. Please return the gifts no later than December 7. We ask that you spend no more than $40 on a gift. No clothing please. Thank you for making a child’s Christmas a little brighter. SAVE THE DATE! WOMEN’S ANNUAL BENEDICTION AND ORNAMENT EXCHANGE Ladies of the Parish The Annual Women’s Benediction & Ornament Exchange will be held Wednesday, December 10th. More details to follow! GIFTS FROM BETHLEHEM – THIS WEEKEND Gifts from Bethlehem, olivewood and mother of pearl handcrafted art from the Holy Land, will be available after Masses in the gym this weekend after all Masses. The handicrafts trade evolved as a cultural tradition of Christians in the Holy Land for centuries. This indigenous form of art has since become an industry of great importance to the local people of the Holy Land who rely on it for livelihood. More than 65% of the income of the community in Bethlehem comes from this work. Thank you for your vital support of a Christian tradition and in protecting this important culture and industry. CATHOLIC HOME MISSIONS COLLECTION Next weekend, November 22/23, there will be a special collection for Catholic Home Missions. This collection supports dioceses in the United States and its territories that lack the resources to provide basic pastoral ministry to their people. These dioceses often compete with high rates of poverty and a lack of educated pastoral and lay leadership to serve the community. The Catholic Home Missions funds catechesis, seminarian education, lay ministry training, Hispanic ministry, and other pastoral programs in needy dioceses. Your support will make a world of difference in the lives of the faithful throughout the United States. COMMUNITY SOUP KITCHEN Thank you to those parishioners who served 147 meals on November 10th to the working poor and homeless at the Community Soup Kitchen in Morristown. St. Catherine's serves the second Monday of each month. To learn more or to volunteer contact Denise Ramirez at 973-299-1554. We’d like to thank our parishioners who served: Angela Bloshuk, Katherine DiRicco, Jane and Rudy Katzenberger, Frank and Pat Kelleher, Carol Kennedy, Karen LaRocco, Valerie Leahy, Dom and Pat Miliano, Joe and Olga Panetta, and Carmella Wilce. MASS FOR THE UNBORN Bishop Serratelli will be celebrating a Mass for the Unborn on Saturday, November 22 at St. Ann Parish in Parsippany at 10:00 am. This Mass is sponsored by the Paterson Federation Knights of Columbus Councils. There will be light refreshments following the Mass. MORRIS CATHOLIC CABARET NIGHT Morris Catholic High School will be hosting their 1st Annual Cabaret Night at 7:00 pm Saturday, November 22. Headlining singer Patsy Palma, dancing, music trivia, a hot buffet, 50/50 raffle. BYOB. Cost is $40 per adult/$25 per student. Please email Fran Tuite at ftuite@morriscatholic.org for tickets or more information. DIOCESAN CHRISTMAS CONCERT “O Holy Night” – make plans now to join Bishop Serratelli at the annual diocesan Christmas Concert on Sunday, December 7 at 4:00 pm at St. Peter the Apostle Church in Parsippany. It’s a beautiful venue for celebrating the great mystery of the Incarnation together, in song, as a diocesan family! ADVENT RETREAT Sacred Thread Ministries continues its retreats at St. Mary's Abbey, on the campus of Delbarton School, Morristown, 230 Mendham Rd., with an Advent retreat on Thursday, Dec. 11 from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 pm. Entitled, "Advent… the Pause that Refreshes", presenters Kathleen Detlet, DMin. and Anita Constance, S.C. will guide retreatants through reflections and conversations to counter the busy holiday schedules. Donation of $45 includes hot lunch. Please call Kathleen Detlet at 973-701-1836 for registration and information. PIZZA WITH OUR BISHOP Young men ages 15-25 are invited to an evening of vocational discernment Monday, December 15 at Morris Catholic High School, Denville, from 7pm – 9pm. The evening will consist of a welcome and reflection by Bishop, followed by prayer and discussion exploring God’s action in our lives. The evening will conclude with pizza and fellowship. If you are interested in attending, please contact the Vocations Office at jbrogan@patersondiocese.org (Fr. Jared Brogan) or fredgar@patersondiocese.org (Fr. Edgar Rivera), or by phone at 973-777-8818 extension 711. CATHOLIC PILGRIMAGE TO ROME A Catholic pilgrimage to Rome, June 8 – 20, 2015, features Papal general audience, the shrines of Italy including Montecassino, Padre Pio, Assisi, Lanciano, Padua, exposition and viewing of the Shroud of Turin and the Passion Play in Sordevelo, Italy. Nonstop air from JFK. For more information, please call Michael Milano at 800-773-2660. CATHOLIC TV NETWORK The CatholicTV Network, America’s Catholic Television Network®, is now available to cable and satellite providers in our area. Please help provide this upbeat, youthful and exciting Catholic network and a powerful resource to the people of our area and the entire nation. To help, simply visit GetCatholicTV.com as an easy way to petition your cable or satellite provider. If you are unable to access the internet please follow up with a postcard or letter to your provider.
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