Saint Thomas the Apostle Roman Catholic Church Rectory/Parish Center: (973) 338-9190 ● Fax: (973) 338-4224 ● Religious Education: (973) 338-7400 School: (973) 338-8505 ● Convent: (973) 338-9118 Address: 60 Byrd Avenue, Bloomfield, New Jersey ● Website: www.stachurchbloomfield.com December 25, 2014 Christmas _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Nativity of Our Lord Fourth Sunday of Advent December 21, 2014 Masses for the Week Mass Schedule for Christmas Season 2014 - 2015 Sunday, December 21 at Sunday, December 21 7:30 am Daniel & Marie Lovallo - Family 9:00 am Jimmy Sutcliffe - Family 10:30 am Al Lang - Bequest 12:00 pm For The People St. Thomas the Apostle Church Monday, December 22 7:30 am Msgr. William C. Hatcher - Friend 11:30 am Pat & Phyllis Russillo - Children Tuesday, December 23 7:30 am Louis & Lucy DeFalco - Bequest 7:30 am Elizabeth Dennin - Family CHRISTMAS MASS SCHEDULE Wednesday, December 24 8:30 am Megan Macaluso - Friends 4:00 pm Ernest & Philomena Cordasco & Joseph Bianchi, Sr. - Family (Church) 4:00 pm Anna & Frank Korec - Family (School) 6:00 pm Yolanda Farone - Family 10:30 pm Candido & DeSantis Families - Family Wednesday, December 24, 2014 (Christmas Eve) 4:00pm (Herron Hall – School) Christmas Music Prelude and Mass 4:00pm (Church) Christmas Music Prelude and Mass 6:00pm (Church) Mass 10:30pm (Church) Concelebrated Mass with Music Prelude at 10:00pm. (there is no Midnight Mass) Thursday, December 25 8:00 am Assunta & Donato Russomanno – Family 10:00 am Jacob Szajokowski – Daughters 12:00 pm John J. McGovern- 4th. Anniv. – Family CHRISTMAS DAY Thursday, December 25, 2014 Christmas Day 8:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m.-12:00 noon (All Masses with traditional Christmas Carols) Friday, December 26 7:30 am Daniel Treacy – Friend 11:30 am Rocco Nardelli – Family SOLEMNITY OF MARY, MOTHER OF GOD Saturday, December 27 8:30 am Josephine Raimo – Bequest Sunday, December 28 Wednesday, December 31, 2014 4:00 p.m. Vigil Mass Thursday, January 1, 2015 7:30am and 11:30am Saturday, December 27 5:00 pm For The People SOLEMNITY OF THE EPIPHANY Sunday, December 28 7:30 am Dolores Di Miele – Daughter 9:00 am Phyllis Freed - Family 10:30 am William Delefeti - Family 12:00 pm Ofsak & Russo Families - Family (Annual “Bell Sunday”) Sunday, January 6th Saturday, January 3rd - 5:00 Vigil Mass Sunday, January 4th -7:30am-9:00am-10:30am-12:00pm (Children’s Epiphany Pageant following 12 noon Mass) For unto us a Child is born Unto us a Son is given PRAY FOR OUR SICK Danny Burgers, Karen Heitsenrether, Joseph Kearney CANDLE INTENTIONS Church: Joseph Besida Rectory: David Kossak & Bridget Kochuk Convent: Marie & Kathleen Lataro 2 595 From the Pastor’s Desk… Dear Parishioners, Christmas is a wonderful and holy time of the year. It is when we become more aware of the many gifts God gives us all year - the gift of life, the gift of faith, and the gift of each other. On Christmas God showed how deeply he loved us by taking on flesh and becoming one like us, so that we could become more like Him. All of us here at Saint Thomas the Apostle, priests and staff, wish you and your family a happy and holy Christmas. My prayer is that the Christ, whose birth we celebrate, may be present in your hearts and in your homes throughout this season of joy! In the Lord, Rev. Charles J. Miller, Pastor Giving Tree Program PARISH CENTER HOLIDAY HOURS Thank you to everyone that participated in the Annual Advent Giving Tree Program. Your generosity and continued support has not only made this program successful but has brightened the Christmas season for many. We collected over $4,000.00 in gift cards that served our local community in addition to all the gifts for the organizations listed below. A total of 90 very large bags filled with gifts and a bicycle were distributed to: Christmas Eve 9am - 1pm, Closed Christmas Day and Friday, Saturday 9am - 1pm New Year's Eve 9am - 1pm, Closed New Year's Day and Friday, Saturday 9am - 1pm STEWARDSHIP OF TREASURE The main source of operating funds for St. Thomas is our weekly / holyday offertory collections. The information below will show where the Parish is as of December 7, 2014 compared to the budget amount for the year. The break even date is June 30, 2015. The amount needed each week is $17,656 and the amount collected last weekend was $21,510. Budget Amount $900,500 Year to Date $406,136 -Dr. Lena Edwards Charter School, Jersey City -Interfaith Hospitality for the Homeless of Essex County, Montclair -National Alliance for Mentally Ill, NAMI Essex NJ Inc., Montclair -Newark Beth Israel/St. Barnabas Health Care Center for Hemophilia – Newark -St Rose of Lima Parish, Newark -The Pope John Paul II Pavilion at St. Mary’s Life Center, Orange - St. Joseph’s Social Service Center, Elizabeth Remaining Amount $494,364 The year to date amount is positive by $ 48 as of week number 23 in our budget year. A special thank you to all those who pitched in, to help tote and sort the gifts. 3 595 Do you have a child or grandchild who hasn’t made their First Communion? HELP YOUR PARISH CHURCH AND SCHOOL FINANCIALLY WITH NO COST TO YOU!!! We can help – no matter how old they are. The St. Thomas the Apostle Religious Education Program is currently accepting names for our new “CatchUp” program which will strive to help baptized children receive their First Penance and First Communion in less than a year. If you are a parishioner and are interested in finding out more about this program, contact Tracey Hann at 973-338-7400 or rclan1@verizon.net. THE TD BANK AFFINITY MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM WILL MAKE AN ANNUAL CONTRIBUTION TO YOUR PARISH, USING THEIR FUNDS NOT YOURS!! Men’s Scripture Reading and Reflection YOUR PRIVACY IS ALWAYS PROTECTED. THE PARISH NEVER SEES YOUR NAME, ACCCOUNTS, OR BALANCES. All men are invited Monday, December 22 , at 7:30pm in St. James room for Scripture Reading, Reflection and discussion. We will be listening (audio) from Fr. Ciora’s “A Retreat With Pope Francis” as well as the readings for next Sunday. Stop in at any TD Branch or contact the Brookdale Branch at 973-338-1695 Nutley Branch at 973-667-7852 The Parish membership code is AG122. For more information www.stachurchbloomfield.com or contact Jim Gasparini 973-338-9190 ext. 111 Come! Share the Word of God among friends. Monthly e-Newsletter…. Two issues of the e-Newsletter are out. We are accepting holiday turkeys and hams until Monday Dec. 22. to be distributed to those in need. If you signed up and haven’t received them, check your spam or junk mail folder. To receive the emails, you must sign-up in one of three ways: 1- Sign up forms are available at church entrances. If you prefer to sign up electronically at any time: Please bring the turkeys and hams to the parish center between 9:00am to 4:30pm. Thank you for your generosity. Those requesting a turkey or ham should contact the parish center at 973-338-9190. 2- Go to: STAChurchBloomfield.com and look for monthly eMail sign-up under Quick Links on the left sidebar. or 3-Click on this QR code with your smart phone We are hoping to get as many of us as possible receiving this eNewsletter, which should help each of us to better know what is going on and be able to access parish information at our fingertips … any time .. any place. This is extremely helpful to our parish ….. If you don’t like it after trying it, you can always opt-out. Holiday Season Bulletin Deadlines JANUARY 4th BULLETIN Deadline: 5pm on Friday December 19th 4 595 STA School Food Pantry wishes to THANK parishioners who joined in this fall's Box Tops Drive. The parish submitted over 900 box tops! There is a Food Pantry at St. Thomas, established to serve the needs of parishioners and others in need. The goal of the program is to provide sustenance to individuals and families who, for many reasons, do not have enough to eat. If you are in this situation simply contact the Parish Center and we'll do our best to assist you. If you know of a parishioner that you feel may have this need, please make them aware of the program and have them contact us. We will have another drive in the spring, but please feel free to continue depositing your Box Tops in the box in the vestibule at any time. Food Collection Sunday is usually the third Sunday of each month, when our parishioners generously drop off Grocery store gift cards in the collection basket in an envelope marked "food pantry" and leave food at the church doors for those in need. STA School ALSO INVITES you to register your 12-digit code number from your ShopRite Price Plus Club Card at ShopRiteforMySchool.com & help earn e-boxtops for STA School. Excerpt from REDISCOVER CATHOLICISM Choose STA School from among the schools in the 07003 zip code. Earnings will then be credited automatically to our school each time you purchase participating products. "Those of us who call ourselves Christian do so because we believe that the life and teaching of Jesus Christ are the personification of truth, sincerity, and authenticity, and, in a practical sense, simply the best way to live. If we are correct in this belief, and if people of the twenty first century really are hungering for authenticity and the best way to live, then as Christians we must ask ourselves questions such as: Why are more people not enthusiastically embracing Christianity? Why, in fact, are so many people so hostile toward Christ and his Church? - - -Is it possible that we failed to engage them? Did the hypocrisy of individual church members or leaders obscure their experience of God? Did we ever really welcome them?" Merry Christmas with Love! St. Thomas the Apostle School Community 2015-2016 Registration Information Join us at our Open House on: Sunday, January 25, 2015 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Thursday, January 29, 2015 4:00 - 7:00 pm New Family Registration STA HOME & SCHOOL is selling SHOP RITE GIFT CARDS begins Monday, February 2, 2015 For more information or to schedule a tour, call the school office at973.338.8505. 9:45 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. December 21st You Receive 100% Cash Value & STA School Earns 5% of EVERY Sale www.stthomastheapostlenj.com ATTENTION STA ALUMNI Please visit our website & register on the Alumni Registration page. Questions? Call Ed @ 201.921.2244 5 595 Ushers and Greeters Needed Come pray the Rosary Interested in being a Greeter or Usher? Men, women and young adults who are interested can contact: With St. Thomas Rosary Society 7p.m. in the Church on the following dates: January 5th, February 2nd, March 2nd, April 13th, May 4th, June 1st Jeff Monacelli: 973-568-3826, Monacelli@att.net Debbie Walsifer: 862-307-5250, d_walsifer@yahoo.com Saint Thomas the Apostle Parish ZÉwÄç ZÉÉwá You can also speak with the Head Usher or one of the Greeters before or after mass (give them your name, phone #s and email (as available). It is easy to do and an important service to your fellow parishioners. Gift Shop Sundays 9 am-1 pm, Parish Center Gifts for all occasions! Eucharistic Adoration Schedule December 29 Contact us at 973.338.9190 ext 133 Listening Committee 11 a.m. Holy Rosary 11:30 a.m Holy Mass 12 p.m. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament 3 p.m. Chaplet of Divine Mercy 3:30 p.m. Holy Rosary 6 p.m. Angelus 7:30 p.m. Respect for Life Holy Hour "The parish is the family of God, a fellowship afire with a unifying spirit," "a welcoming home." Let us work together to enhance parish life. We welcome all comments, suggestions and concerns; all of which are held in confidence. Send email to: listening@stachurchbloomfield.com STA School wishes to THANK parishioners who joined in this fall's Box Tops Drive. The parish submitted over 900 box tops! St. Thomas the Apostle Mission Statement The Roman Catholic faith community of St. Thomas the Apostle recognizes God’s call to be a sign of His Kingdom in the communities we serve. We respond to this call by: We will have another drive in the spring, but please feel free to continue depositing your Box Tops in the box in the vestibule at any time. † Leading people to a deeper relationship with Christ by providing opportunities for spiritual growth, renewal, education, the celebration of the Sacraments, and the worship of God in the sacred liturgy; STA School ALSO INVITES you to register your 12-digit code number from your ShopRite Price Plus Club Card at ShopRiteforMySchool.com & help earn e-boxtops for STA School. † Encouraging a commitment to justice and to service of those in need; † Promoting good stewardship of our time, talent and treasure; † Building a community of hospitality and support in the daily living out of Christian ideals by nourishing mutual respect and understanding within our Church, our families, our community, and other faith traditions. Choose STA School from among the schools in the 07003 zip code. Earnings will then be credited automatically to our school each time you purchase participating products. 6 595 JOHN P. MCDERMOTT GENERAL CONTRACTOR KITCHEN - BATHS - WINDOWS - DOORS All Types of Remodeling ATTORNEY AT LAW Auto Accidents • Real Estate •Slips, Fall, Etc. Wills & Estates • Workers’ Compensation •Municipal Court 72 Burroughs Pl., Bloomfield Free Initial Consulation • 429-9211 578 Broad St. Bloomfield, NJ 07003 Italian-American Tel: 973.743.7434 Fax: 973.743.3736 Cuisine WWW.RICHARDPROBSTGENERALCONTRACTOR.COM 24 Washington Ave. Nutley, NJ 973-235-0505 www.AmericanBistro.net Catering On and Off Premises J.Q. Automotive Wedding Invitations & Holiday Cards 1050 Broad Street Bloomfield 973-893-9239 Foreign & Domestic Repair Specialist Log Onto www.jppc.net conveniently from your home or office. Family Owned, Operated & Trusted For 25 Yrs. Computer Diagnostic Specialists Emission Repair Facility • Brake Service Exhaust Systems • Front End Repairs Electrical Repairs • Transmission Service Air Conditioning Service ONLINE CATALOG • ONLINE ORDERING ONLINE PROOFING All Major Credit Cards Accepted FREE UPS GROUND SHIPPING! Wine • Beer • Liquor 973-338-7090 2 Bottles 20% OFF 750ml only. Coupon can not be combined w/any other offer. 1057 Broad St., Bloomfield, NJ 07003 North Center Drugs 386 Broad St., Bloomfield, NJ 973-748-1299 337 Belleville Avenue Bloomfield, NJ 07003 (973) 338-3864 D Thomas H. De Paola De Paola Monument Co., Inc. FUNERAL HOME Izabela Bacza, Mgr. N.J. Lic. No. 4924 MSW, ACSW, NCPsyA Psychotherapy, Psychoanalysis Extensive Experience with Adults, Parents, Seniors, Care Givers Medicare Provider Free Delivery! Party Supplies • Cards • Candles & More! By Appointment VAN TASSEL Serving community for over 125 years Newly remodeled facility - Spacious parking Serving all faiths funerals SHEILA A. FALK John M. Downing, Jr. Attorney and Counselor at Law 909 Franklin Ave., Newark, NJ (973) 482-7667 134 Ridgedale Ave., E. Hanover, NJ (973) 887-6660 www.depaolamonument.com 32 Whittier Terrace Bloomfield, NJ 07003 BLOOMFIELD AUTO BODY 236 Broad St., Bloomfield 973-748-2608 917-744-5700 DowningJr@aol.com (973) 743-1234 www.vantasselfuneralhome.com Commercial Rates are at an All Time Low. Contact us today to get a free analysis to see if we can help Save you money with your monthly payments on your commercial property. Multi-Family, Retail, Office Building, Apartment and Condos. Can close in as little as 45 days! Four season customer service is our top priority. Call us today 215-586-1575 or 267-251-0341 www.duqcapital.com 3900 City Avenue, Suite 107 • Philadelphia, PA 19131 FREE INSPECTION Licensed & Insured NJ Lic. #13VH03327200 BASEMENT WATERPROOFING SPECIALIST 908-282-0220 Gastroenterology of North Essex, P.C. Louis J. Celebre, M.D., FACG Please pat onize the businesses that adver ise in your bulletin, they make your bulletin possible! St. Thomas the Apostle is looking for more sponsors. If you are interested in adver ising your business, please contact us at John Pat ick Publishing Company. 800-333-3166 • www.jppc.net 199 Broad St., Bloomfield, NJ07003 1-800-838-3841 • Fax 973-80-5561 595 St. Thomas the Apostle, Bloomfield, NJ (inside) U John Patrick Publishing Company (800) 333-3166 • www.jppc.net Garner Bros. Plumbing and Heating Halpin – Bitecola Brookdale Funeral & Cremation Service, LLC Est. 1918 973-748-0981 Daniel Bitecola, III – Manager, NJ Lic. No. 4814 1284 Broad Street, Bloomfield, N.J. 07003 If Your Floor Covering Is Not Becoming To You... You Should Be Coming To Us. 10 Elm Street, Montclair, NJ 07042 WWW.BROOKDALEFH.COM (973) 338-4477 1279 Broad Street • Bloomfield, NJ 07003 973-893-8009 Bloomfield, NJ Oil Tank Removal Soil Remediation LSRP Services S ummerS FLOOR COVERINGS, INC. Serving the St. Thomas Community since 1963 MON & TUES 2 LRG. PLAIN PIES $20.00 Joseph Perrone ~ Parishioner (973) 744-2080 Fax (973) 744-2552 Free Estimates and Fully Insured PERRONE CONSTRUCTION MASON & GENERAL CONTRACTORS 973-759-4643 Stucco Specialist • Brick/Stone • Sidewalks • Patios Waterproofing • Steps • Driveway • Retaining Walls Brick Pavers • Belgium Block DISCOUNT FOR SENIORS 25% OFF Hair* & Spa Services www.lifemonuments.com 31 Hoover Ave. 973-748-0200 Bloomfield, NJ “When you need a friend” Michael Z. Levandoski, Manager 44 Bay Ave. • Bloomfield 973-743-6969 www.levandoskifuneralhome.com Diplomate American Board of Internal Medicine 55 W. Passaic Ave., Bloomfield, NJ 07003 www.drsshah.com You can schedule appointments on our website also. 973.748.2248 www.fsorthodontics.com “churches a specialty” slate 1310 Broad Street • Bloomfield roofs, flashings, standing seam, batten seam, valley’s, flat copper HARRY J. HERZ tile Personal Attention and A Commitment to Excellence NJ Specialty License #3386, 3388 graduated, random, heavy, standard spanish, french, flat, brittany, aged Family owned & continuously operated since “1973” Q U A L I T Y (973) 338-8059 Shrenik G. Shah, M.D. O RT H O D O N T I C S shingles, metal, flat roofing N.J. Lic. No. 3348 973-893-1411 Bloomfield, NJ - Parishioner Damon System Invisalign roofing 10% Off All Gift Certificates exp. Sept. 1st; NTBC 1405 Broad Street • Bloomfield, NJ www.serenitysalonspa.net (973) 771-1405 Res. • Comm. - Lic. #15098 Ask Your Neighbors... Tell Your Friends FREDA & SURIANO NEW CUSTOMERS ONLY *w/ w/ select stylist s in salon; exp. 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SINCE 1973 ® WORKMANSHIP www.BowerandCo.com (201) 955-1700 463-9 schuyler ave., kearny, nj ATTORNEY AT LAW DIVORCE & FAMILY LAW Divorce/Separation • Custody/Visitation Child Support/Alimony • Enforcement Domestic Violence • Annulment • Adoption REAL ESTATE Purchase & Sale Closings • Mortgage Refinancing MUNICIPAL COURT DWI & Traffic Offenses • Criminal • Expungement BANKRUPTCY Over 30 Years of Experience and Integrity 973-857-1800 25 Pompton Ave., Verona, NJ 07044 Schumacher Chevrolet 8 Main Street • Little Falls, NJ Service & Parts Serving Northern New Jersey For Over 75 Years • New And Used Car Sales Same Family, Same Location New & Used Car Sales Mon.-Fri.: 9AM-6PM Sat.: 8AM-1PM 973-256-1065 • www.schumacherchevy.com Mon.-Thurs.: 9AM-8PM Fri.: 9AM-6PM • Sat.: 9AM-5PM 24 HR. 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