MASS SCHEDULE

Saturday: 7:00 & 8:00 AM 6:00 PM (Vigil Mass)

Sunday: 7:30 & 9:30 AM English 11:00 AM Italian 12:30 PM English (Family Mass) 7:00 PM Portuguese Weekdays: 7:00 & 8:00 AM Holy Days: 6:30, 8:00, 10:00 AM & 7:30 PM Other Services & Activities: Monday to Saturday: 7:40 AM Morning Prayer

Tuesday: 9:00 AM—Legion of Mary 7:30 PM—St. Padre Pio Group (Jan 17) 7:30 PM—Holy Rosary Society 8:00 PM—Holy Rosary in Portuguese Wednesday: 7:00 PM—Holy Rosary in Italian 7:30 PM—R.C.I.A. classes Thursday: 2:00 PM—Bible Study Italian 6:15 to 7:15 PM—Holy Hour Adoration for Vocations (Dec 29, Jan 12, 19, 26 ) 7:30 PM—Bible Study in English 8:30 PM—Rosary Brazilian Men (Jan 12) Friday: 8:00 PM—Brazilian Prayer Group 1st Friday: 5:30 to 8:30 PM—Blessed Sacrament Adoration (January 6)

Served by the Vocationist Fathers Fr. Stephen Ehiahuruike, S.D.V., Pastor Fr. Christogonus (Chris) Iwunze, S.D.V., Parochial Vicar Fr. Albino Santos de Jesus, S.D.V., Parochial Vicar Fr. Louis Caputo, S.D.V.,Weekend Assistant Church & Rectory 442 E Brinkerhoff Ave Palisades Park, NJ 07650 Tel. 201-944-1154 Fax. 201-944-9510 Email. stnicholas07650@live.com Website. www.stnicholasrcchurch.org Office Hours Mon, Wed, Thu & Fri 11:30 AM - 6:00 PM Tuesdays 4:00 PM - 9:00 PM (Mornings by appointment only)

ADMINISTRATION OF THE SACRAMENTS Baptisms: On any available Sunday during the 11:00 AM (Italian), 12:30 PM (English) & 7:00 PM (Portuguese) Masses. Please, contact the rectory at least one month prior to desired date. Confessions: Saturdays 5:00 to 5:45 PM, or during the week by appointment. Marriages: Please contact the rectory at least six months prior to desired wedding date. Sacrament of the Sick: If you are hospitalized or un-able to come to Church for health reasons and would like to be visited by a priest for Confession, Commun-ion, or Anointing of the Sick, please call the rectory. Religious Education Program (CCD): For children 1st to 8th grades who are not attending Catholic School. Classes are held on Sundays from September to May at 11:30 AM, with attendance to the 12:30 PM Family Mass. Confirmation: Teens will receive the Sacrament of Confirmation on 8th grade. They will attend classes at 11:30 AM from September to December; and from January to April classes will start at 11:00 AM in the church hall, with attendance to the 12:30 PM Family Mass.

ST. NICHOLAS RC CHURCH

Christmas

December 25th, 2016

Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,and they shall name him Emmanuel,and they shall name him Emmanuel,

which means "God is with us." which means "God is with us." which means "God is with us."

HAVE A BLESSED CHRISTMAS! Best wishes from Fr. Stephen

and St. Nicholas staff

NEW YEAR’S MASS SCHEDULE

Saturday, December 31 - 6:00 PM (Vigil)

Sunday, Jan 1, 2017 - Feast of Mary, Mother of God 7:30, 9:30 AM & 12:30 PM , 11:00 AM (Italian Mass) 7:00 PM (Brazilian Mass)

THERE WILL BE NO CCD Classes on Christmas Day and January 1. Classes will resume on Sunday, January 8, 2017. The Confirmation classes will begin at 11:00 AM starting January 8.

PARISH COUNCIL will meet on Monday, January 9, 2017 at 7:30 PM in the church hall. All coordinators and leaders of group should attend.

CHRISTMAS GIVING TREES—Our parishioners were extremely generous with their gifts this year. We are going to publish a final count soon. Thanks to you all!

SATURDAY, December 24 7:00AM Joseph Rimanic by Maria & Ines Glavicic 8:00AM Deceased of Veltri & Iaria family by Celeste Veltri 6:00PM Deceased of Ettore & Cooney family by family 12:00AM Giuseppe Osso by his wife & children SUNDAY, December 25 7:30AM Mario Lisica by his mother Regina 9:30AM John Ferraioli by his family 11:00AM Maria Mirkovich by her daughter Gaudenzia 12:30PM Joseph Belvedere by his wife & children 7:00 PM All people of this parish MONDAY, December 26 7:00AM Joseph Rimanic by Mario V. Jr. & Jeni Glavicic 8:00AM Attilio Capezzutto's family by Grayce TUESDAY, December 27 7:00AM Nick Morin by Maria Morin 8:00AM Matea Piccinich by M/M Antonio Piccinich WEDNESDAY, December 28 7:00AM Tom Morin by his wife Maria 8:00AM Maria R. Detrizio by Carmela Allegretta THURSDAY, December 29 7:00AM Nikola Morin by Bozo & Frances Picinic 8:00AM Francesco Osso by Vincenzina Pate FRIDAY, December 30 7:00AM Nikola Morin by Jacqueline Picinic 8:00AM Casmos Ihemekwala by his Nephew SATURDAY, December 31 7:00AM Sr. Antonietta Cioce, SDV by Vocationist family 8:00AM Silvana Piccinich by her husband John 6:00PM Cristina Pallotta by Ron & Carmela Kida SUNDAY, January 1, 2017 7:30AM Anthony Giambona by his wife Mary 9:30AM Deceased members of the Holy Rosary Society 11:00AM John Scrivanich by John Mattessich 12:30PM Dominick DeMaio by Lina & Vincent DeMaio 7:00 PM All people of this parish

Mass Intentions

ST NICHOLAS RC CHURCH Parish Trustee: Giovanni Simone & Michael Massaro Parish Secretary: Débora Moreira Music Ministry: Addie Luers, Giovanni & Karen Simone, and Kelly Oliveira

Vocationist Sisters Community Sr. Benedita Carvalho, S.D.V., Superior & Pre-K Director; Sr. Jancy Thomas, S.D.V. and Sr. Emilia Din, S.D.V. 223 14th Street - Palisades Park, NJ Tel. 201-947-2413 Parish Pre-K “Fr. Justin Learning Center” Tel. 201-944-1376

NOTRE DAME ACADEMY 312 First St—Palisades Park, NJ Principal: Mark Valvano Tel. 201-947-5262

News of the Parish

In Memoriam

ALTAR CANDLES donated this week in memory of John Ferraioli by his family

BREAD & WINE donated this week in memory of

John Ferraioli by his family

SANCTUARY LAMP donated this week in memory of

John Ferraioli by his family

Encounter the Lord each day – Find time to be with the Lord each day, whether it be for an hour or ten minutes. Have a conversation with the Lord. Give your joys and worries to Him as well. Allow God's love to transform them. Our encounters will keep our eyes and ears open to the presence of Christ in our midst.

Page 3 December 25, 2016

Holy Communion was brought this month to: Maria Piccini, Victor Columbini, Frances Ceria, Gloria Pezzolla and Cynthia Cornell.

Pray for our sick: Mateus Ribeiro, Domenica Dinaro, Lorenzo Cafasso, Josephine Dolberry, Eileen Murphy, Angela Tina, Rita Vanore, Maria Piccini, John Ostuni, Dominick Ostuni, Sara Modafferi, John Hroncich (John Hroncich’s nephew) and Frank Pallotta.

Events of the Week

Ministers’ Schedule for Sunday, January 1, 2017

6:00 PM: Lector - Carmela B. E.M. - Rita, Mª Claudia and Wendy 7:30 AM: Lectors - Michael E.M. - Sr. Emilia and Sr. Jancy 9:30 AM: Lectors - Gina E.M. - Carol and Sisters 11:00 AM: Lectors - Antonia and Margherita E.M. - Francesca and Frank 12:30 PM : Lectors - Confirmation Class E.M. - Suzanne 7:00 PM: Lectors - Viviane, Leny and Márcia E.M. - Cida and Candinho

Pastoral Care

CHRISTMAS

Emmanuel

To name someone or something means that we have a relationship with that entity. Family names identify us with our heritage; nicknames denote familiarity or a special bond. In the Old Testament, the meaning of a name ran deep. It identified one's mission, even one's very being. The amazing name "Emmanuel" was first ut-tered by Isaiah as he described to the frightened King Ahaz the promised one who would come to redeem the people. Emmanuel is not a frightening philosophical name, such as Omnipotent, Omniscient, Almighty. It does not connote distance and transcendence. It does not generate reverential fear. The name Emmanuel im-plies closeness and intimacy and compassion. Em-manuel is the name given to the one who is coming. It means "God is with us." God is entrusted to the care of a virgin, who will bear this child. Only God would be so compassionate to draw so near, to be so available and vulnerable. Only God could love this well. Copyright (c) J. S. Paluch Co.

TREASURES FROM OUR TRADITION

An old joke asks, "What time is Midnight Mass?" The an-swer is not really obvious, since Christmas is unique in having several distinct celebrations. The readings and prayers vary greatly from hour to hour. The Vigil Mass hinges on the family heritage of Jesus and his origins. The concept of "midnight" predates clock time, and really has to do with a celebration in the hours of darkness. Years ago, it was not possible to receive Communion without fasting for a full day, so the late hour of this Mass made it possible for the people to receive. The first Mass after sunrise, the Mass at Dawn, was once known as "The Shepherds' Mass," and later Masses set aside stories of Jesus' birth to focus on the key to the day's celebration: John the Evangelist's majestic theology of Christ's identity as the Word made flesh, dwelling among us. One feast, four separate Masses. Only monasteries manage the whole round. Parishioners typically take just one entry point into the mystery. Yet there is much to savor and celebrate in the coming of Christ into the world. Christmas is not a day, but a season. You still have two weeks to send those Christmas cards before you're officially late! --James Field, Copyright (c) J. S. Paluch Co.

Monday, December 26 - Office is closed Tuesday, December 27 9:00AM - Legion of Mary meets in Bl. Mother’s room 8:00 PM - Holy Rosary in Brazilian homes Thursday, December 29 6:15 to 7:15PM - Holy Hour Adoration for Vocations Saturday, December 31 9:00PM - New Year’s Eve Party—Reveillon 2017

STEWARDSHIP OF TIME AND TALENT

We are grateful to our parishioners who prepared the nativity scene and decorated the altar for Christ-

mas; and to Dr. Luz Benavides and Dr. Raphael Figueroa who so kindly donated

12 extra large poinsettia plants to be added to our Christmas decoration this year.

Thank you all. Your gesture made our church even more beautiful to welcome our Baby Jesus!

STEWARDSHIP OF TREASURE

For collection amount please see bulletin paper edition

2018 Mass Book is open We still have Masses available in 2017

Vocationist Corner

O Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, model and exemplar of supernatural life

in its greatest fullness and splendor; O exemplar of the grace

of Divine Union with the Most Holy Trinity, be my family!

O Jesus, Mary and Joseph, O my Holy Family, for all eternity you remain

destined to receive as your members all the Elect, regardless of any bond of flesh or blood,

be my family!

O Joseph, O Mary, O Jesus! Not even the state of the Risen Body can give us an

adequate idea of the spirituality of your Virginal Flesh, of the senses and acts of your body,

of the life of your family.

Blessed Fr. Justin Russolillo, SDV, Spirit of Prayer, page 146

DO YOU WANT A SON PRIEST? Support the Vocationist Fathers by adopting a seminarian of India, Indonesia, Madagascar, Colombia, Equator, Phillipines, Nigeria, Argentina or Chile. Your commitment of $35.00 a month can help a young man to become a priest. If you are ready for this commitment, please contact Fr. Stephen.

O N L I N E G I V I N G I S N O W A V A I L A B L E ! It’s convenient, easy and safe.

It will allow you to send your Sunday offers using credit card or bank transfers anytime, anywhere. Visit our website and click on the Parish Giving

link to enroll.

STNICHOLASRCCHURCH.ORG It is easy to check our mass schedule, weekly bulletins, calendar of meetings and parish groups activities and spe-cial events. You can see pictures of our many functions, send your comments and suggestions, request a prayer or ask questions about religion or personal matters.

Donations for the Christmas Poinsettias

Name: _____________________________________ In Memory of: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Or the intentions of: _____________________________________

Please return this slip with your donation to the rectory or drop it in the Sunday collection basket.

New Year’s Eve Party

“Midnight Garden” Saturday, December 31st

from 9pm to 2am Sponsored by the Brazilian Community

Tickets: $ 50.00 adults & $25.00 child 7 to 12 y/o Children up to 6 years old—free

Delicious homemade dinner (Brazilian style) Great music to dance and lots of fun!

More information at the rectory office 201-944-1154

SPRING AUCTION 2017

We are collecting items to be auctioned — NOT USED, UNOPENED gifts, toys, games, electronics, kitchen

appliances, home decoration, paintings, books, jewelry, etc.

All donations are tax deductible! Please call the rectory’s office for more information

201-944-1154 (For safety reasons we cannot accept used clothes, shoes, opened toys

or objects of decoration)

If you wish to receive the Pilgrim Statue of Our Lady of Fatima into your home for the year 2017, please

fill in your name and phone number for the week of your choice on the calendar at the

entrance of the church.

ATTENTION: Please be aware that in case of INCLEMENT WEATHER, the 7:00 AM weekday Mass will be canceled. You may attend the 8:00 AM Mass if the weather permits. In doubt, please call the rectory before leaving your house or check our website stnicho-lasrcchurch.org

Holy Hour for Vocations

Holy hours are the Roman Catholic devotional tradition of spending an hour in Eucharistic Adoration in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament. We focus our prayer to Jesus Christ on peace, life, vocations, and other topics that are at the heart of the life of the Church and the world.

Every week on Thursday from 6:15 to 7:15 PM in church (Except on eve of first Fridays)

Christmas is one of the most important days of the Church year, second only to Easter itself. It is the feast of the incarnation, the feast of God becoming flesh (the Latin "in carne" means "enfleshment"). It is a uniquely Christian teaching, the Divine choosing to become one of us. Because of this belief, God is not only Transcendent, but also wholly Immanent, Em-manuel (God-with-us). While remaining Transcendent (meaning we must rise above our present condition to reach Him), He is at the same time Immanent (meaning He is with us as we rise toward Him). Every Eucharist is like Christmas where the bread and wine are transformed into His flesh, His Body and Blood, and, in a sense, He is born anew on the altar. The liturgical season of Christmas begins with the vigil Masses on Christmas Eve and concludes on the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. During this sea-

son, we celebrate the birth of Christ into our world and into our hearts, and reflect on the gift of salva-tion that is born with him…including the fact that he was born to die for us. The Christmas tree and the Nativity scene are popular symbols of the season and a tradition in many Christian homes. It is also traditional to exchange Christmas gifts with family and friends as a way to honor God the Father's gift of his only son to the world. Having received the gift of Christ, we naturally want to pass that gift along to our loved ones.

BLESSING OF THE NATIVITY SCENE In its present form the custom of displaying figures depicting the birth of Jesus Christ owes its origin to St. Francis of Assisi, who made the Christmas crèche or manger for Christmas Eve of 1223.

The blessing of the Christmas manger or nativity scene may take place on the Vigil of Christmas or at another suitable time.

When the manger is set up in the home, it is appropriate that it be blessed by a parent or another family member.

All make the sign of the cross as the leader says:

Our help is in the name of the Lord. R/. Who made heaven and earth.

One of those present or the leader reads a text of sacred Scripture, for example, Luke 2:1 or Isaiah 7:10

Reader: The Gospel of the Lord. R/. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

The leader prays with hands joined:

God of every nation and people, from the very beginning of creation you have made manifest your love:

when our need for a Savior was great you sent your Son to be born of the Virgin Mary. To our lives he brings joy and peace, justice, mercy, and love.

Lord, bless all who look upon this manger; may it remind us of the humble birth of Jesus,

and raise our thoughts to him, who is God-with-us and Savior of all, and who lives and reigns forever and ever.

R/. Amen.