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Nativity of the Lord

December 25, 2013

Luke 2:11 ©2005 John Patrick Publishing

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Solemnity of Mary

The Parish Family of Our Lady of Lourdes will gather

on Tuesday, December 31 and Wednesday, January 1

to celebrate the Solemnity of Mary.

We will celebrate the Solemnity of Mary on...

Tuesday, December 31 at 5 PM (vigil)

Wednesday, January 1 at 8 AM, and 12:10 PM. Please come and pray with us!

Our Lady of Lourdes

455 Hunter Avenue

West Islip, NY 11795

631-661-3224

Website: ollchurch.org

Msgr. Brian McNamara, Pastor

Rev. Robert Scheckenback, Associate Pastor

Christmas is a time for family. We are glad you decided to celebrate with our Parish Family during this

Holy Season. We hope you will return often. If you would like to become a registered member of our Parish,

please fill in the information below and place this form in the collection basket or send it to the Parish Office.

Welcome...

to Our Lady of Lourdes!

Family Name________________________________________

First Names: Head of Household_________________________ Spouse________________________

Children (please include ages, grades, and sacraments received)

______________________________________ __________________________________________

______________________________________ __________________________________________

Address__________________________________ City_____________________ Zip_______________

Phone_________________________________ E-Mail Address_________________________________

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Treasures from our Tradition

The Seven Fishes

Many of our treasured traditions link the liturgy of the church

with the hearth of the home. The food on the table at certain

feasts and fasts helps to extend the mystery of God into everyday

life.

On Christmas Eve, for example, many families of Italian heritage, especially with links to

southern Italy, will celebrate “La Vigilia” (the Vigil), the “Feast of the Seven Fishes”. An

old Italian saying states: “Natale con I tuui; Pasqua conchi vuoi”: “Christmas with your

family; Easter with whomever you wish”. Seven different fish are served, some say one for

each day of Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem; others say one for each sacrament;

still others, one or each day of creation. Whatever the reason, mangia bene!

The First Nativity Scene

The origin of the display of the Nativity dates back to the time of

St. Francis of Assisi. St. Francis was concerned that people did

not appreciate the gift of Christ’s birth. St. Francis wanted to

celebrate the Incarnation (God becoming a man) in a special way.

He wanted to do something that would help people to remember

the Christ Child and how Jesus was born in Bethlehem.

On Christmas Eve, in the year 1223A.D., at the proper time,

St. Francis and his Franciscan brothers created a new Bethlehem.

People, young and old, came to see this new sight. They carried torches to light up the

sky as they approached the manger. Once again, shepherds came from the fields to come

and adore the King. All were filled with joy over the mystery of the Incarnation. And a

beautiful tradition was started.

As you look upon your own family Nativity set, may you remember and celebrate again

God’s love for His creation. In order to show His abundant love, mercy, and forgiveness

for us, God became one like us. That is what the crèche ultimately symbolizes.

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Did You Know… In 1895, President Cleveland displayed the first lit

Christmas tree in the White House. In the early

1900’s lighted trees were very expensive—upward

of $300, which in today’s economy translates to

more than $2000! General Electric sold lights for

at-home trees in 1903, still expensive at $12 a

strand—equivalent to about $80 today.

The pointsettia originated in Mexico where it was

called the “Flower of the Holy Night”. It was first

brought to America by Joel Poinsett in 1829.

In 1836, Alabama was the first state to declare

Christmas a legal holiday. Oklahoma was the last

state to do so making Christmas a legal holiday in

the state in 1907.

The popular Christmas Carol, Jingle Bells, was

originally written for Thanksgiving. It was

composed by James Pierpont in 1857 and was

originally called One Horse Open Sleigh.

About 37 million fresh Christmas trees are sold

every year.

In an effort to raise money to pay for a charity Christ-

mas dinner, a large crabpot was set down on a San

Francisco street, becoming the first Salvation Army

collection kettle.

In his efforts to gain our independence from England,

George Washington spent Christmas night of 1776

crossing the Delaware River in dreadful weather. He

didn’t do much better in 1777 when he spent Christ-

mas at Valley Forge, celebrating with a dinner of fowl

cooked in a broth of turnips, cabbage and potatoes.

Animal Crackers are cookies imported from England

in the late 1800’s. The circus-like boxes were de-

signed with a string handle so they could be hung on a

Christmas tree.

Wreaths were used from the earliest time as a symbol

of victory. In the 17th century, wreaths with holly, red

berries and other decorations appeared. Holly, with its

sharply pointed leaves, symbolized the thorns in

Christ’ s crown-of-thorns. Red berries symbolized the

drops of Christ’s blood. A wreath of Christmas

marked a home that celebrated the birth of Jesus.

The Gospel according to St. Matthew (Mt 2:13-15) tells us that on their

journey, the Wise Men stopped at the palace of King Herod to ask after the

new-born King. Herod asked the Magi to let him know the child’s whereabouts

that he too might worship him. In reality, the news of a new king born within his

domain infuriated Herod. When the Magi failed to return to him, Herod ordered

his army to slay every male child in Bethlehem under the age of two. The Gospel

tells us that an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream and warned him to take Mary

and Jesus and flee to Egypt until the danger passed.

And so, Joseph took Mary and the Child and embarked on the long, hard

journey to Egypt. The journey was an extremely difficult one across the Sinai desert, a triangular stretch of

sun-baked land, full of rocky mountains and barren plateaus with high sand dunes. It is estimated that they

would have traveled an average of 20 miles per day and would have reached Egypt in about 10 days.

Egypt was a place of refuge in those days. Whenever there was a famine, thousands would leave Israel

and seek the life-giving banks of the Nile River. And so Mary and Joseph would have found welcome among

the large Jewish community living in Egypt.

All the Gospels tell us about this time is that the Holy Family lived in Egypt until told by an angel to

return to Israel after the death of Herod. They returned to Galilee, to the town of Nazareth, rather that to

Judea which was in the control of Herod’s son, Archelaus, also a power-hungry ruler.

We can only guess at the rest of the story of the time the Holy Family spent in Egypt. There’s a

Greek Orthodox church in present-day Cairo that houses a cave where it is said Jesus, Mary and Joseph

lived during their Egyptian exile.

On Sunday, December 29, we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family.

THE FLIGHT INTO EGYPT

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Christmas Around the World

“God Jul!” In Sweden , the feast of St. Lucy on December 13 marks the beginning of the celebration of

Christmas. The theme of St. Lucia Day is light. The eldest daughter, dressed in a long white gown with

a red sash and wearing a crown made of twigs with nine lighted candles, wakes her family and serves

them a special breakfast.

“Merry Christmas!” In Australia, Christmas comes at the height of summer and is often celebrated with

barbecues with family at the beach. Australian Christmas carols include “Six White Boomers” and

“Santa Never Made it into Darwin.” Schools close the week before Christmas for summer vacation

which lasts until the end of January.

“Kurisumasu Omedeto!” While less than 1% of the Japanese are Christians, they decorate stores and

homes with evergreens during Christmas. In Japan, the Christmas cake is key to the celebration of

Christmas. Also essential to the Christmas celebration is the daiku of “Great Nine.” It refers to Beetho-

ven’s ninth symphony which is sung by huge choruses singing what American sing as “Joyful, Joyful,

We Adore Thee.” For the Japanese, Christmas is a day to do nice things for others.

“Boze Narodzenie!” In Poland, a traditional Christmas food is Oplatek-a piece of bread pressed with a

holy picture on it. They share it with family and friends to wish them good things in the coming year and

to forgive any hurts from the past year.

“Joyeaux Noel!” In France, the crèche or Nativity scene is central in each home. The crèche includes

little clay figures called santons which often times bear a strong resemblance to local dignitaries and

characters. The main Christmas meal is called Le Revillion—the awakening– and is eaten after midnight Mass.

“Nollaig Shona Dhiut!” In Ireland, lighted red candles decorated with holly are placed in windows on

Christmas Eve to guide Joseph and Mary in case they are seeking shelter. Children put out Christmas

sacks instead of stockings and to refresh a travel-weary Santa, they leave mince pies and a bottle of Guinness.

“Buon Natale!” In Italy, children receive their gifts on January 6, the Epiphany. They are brought by a

kind ugly witch called Befana. She rides a broom and is looking for the three Wise Men. It is said that

they asked her to come along with them on their journey to visit the Christ child and she refused saying

she was too busy. She regretted her decision and has been searching for the Baby ever since, leaving

gifts at every house in case He is there.

“Pozdrevlyayu s prazdnikom Rozhdestva is Novim Godom!” In Russia, Christmas is traditionally cel-

ebrated on January 6. Gifts are given by Babushka, a kindly old woman whose story is the same as Ita-

ly’s Befana. Russian Christmas dinner consists of twelve courses, one course in honor of each of the 12 apostles.

“Feliz Navidad!” Mexicans attend a midnight mass which is called la Misa Del Gallo or the rooster’s

Mass. At that Mass they sing lullabies to Jesus. In Spain, gifts are brought by the three Wise Men on the

Feast of the Epiphany, Family Christmas dinner is eaten after Midnight Mass. After dinner, they gather

around the Christmas tree and sing Christmas carols until the wee hours of the morning. In Costa Rica,

people erect huge models of the stable where Jesus was born. They are often as large as a room to insure

that the Baby Jesus is as comfortable as possible.

“Srozhdestvom Kristovym” In the Ukraine, Father Frost visits all the children in a sleigh pulled by only

three reindeer. His helper is a little girl named Snowflake Girl. She wears a silver blue costume

trimmed with white fur and a crown shaped like a snowflake.

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Chris

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Flo

wer

Offer

ing

Elvera Vieni

Thomas Mingione

Edward, Kathryn and

Peter Herger

Michael Dennehy

Catherine Woodburn

Raymond Winslow

Vincent Galbo

Joseph Lehman

Mr. Walsh

Dotti Wilkinson

Carol Samawiego

All member of Mangels and

Murphy families

Florence McLoughlin

Jessie & Edward Muller

Catherine & Richard Bermingham

Charles Cognato

Anne Frers

Ken Frers

MacArthur, Meehan, and

England Families

H. Rivera

Joe Jirau

Carmine & Josephine Barila

Anthony & Fannie Messina

Andrew L. Velten

Mrs. Melissa Rogan

Dec’d mbrs of Bono and

Amabile Families

Margaret McDevitt

Mrs. Marie Nappo

Leonard & Gertrude Parine

Kenneth Meyer

Frances Parine

Eugene & Lois Parine

Stan & Stella Armour

Martha Wills

Mary & Vincent Cannillo

Liberta Brusca

Raymond

Marion & Arthur Schwarz

Gordon & Winberry Families

Mr. Daniel Golden

Jennifer Gordon

John Cardali

Joseph Argento

Piazza, Graci, Timony and

Meehan Families

Maryjean Wilkinson

Richard M. Devlin, Sr.

Devlin & Peterson Families

M/M T. Reges

DeGuardi/Badamo family mbrs

Capitena, Hilbert, Evoskevicz and

Volpone families

Caiati & Angeloro families

Mary Harte

Matthew & Michelle Kilkelly and

Family

ILMO Virginia & Joseph Beno

Alice M. Triggs

Arthur & Christine Serdock

McGuire/Pfeiffer family

Lucille Harsch

Frank Meyer

William Knoblich

Miriam Rugino

William A. Basso

Vincent & Grace Capanzano

Chris Romanello

Joseph C. Capo II

Ms. Theresa Schnappauf

Lockett & Crowley Families

Michael Reilly

Critchley-Zucco Families

M/M John E Seylar

Jim Loretz

Thomas & Florence Brady

M//M Carmine Telesca

James McGrade

Thomas G. Brando

Rosemary Cox

Frances Schweitzer

Bunting & Hirt Family

IMO Walter & Helen Cameron

Michael & Ann Schnappauf

Michael & Edna Ryan

Bill Mace

Peter Roache

Julia & Daniel Colasuonno

Joseph Marrone

Margaret & Joseph Colasuonno

Helen & Rocco Marrone

Homann, Netska Family

McCarthy & Sabala

Our Parents

Leah & Luke MacQuade

Alice Bonacci

Carolyn Wissing

John & Elizabeth Meditz

Departed Ferguson Family mbrs

Josephine Sabella

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M/M Joseph Castiglione

Salvatore Castiglione

M/M Andrew Nangano

Anthony Nangano

Edward Kelley

Daniel Flesch

Tori Cohen

Evelyn Fontaine

John Vollmer

Mildred, Anthony, Sr. and

Anthony Jr. DeVivo

Anthony Borsella

Maryann Borsella

Bill Kuhlwilm

M/M Patrick Collins

Feliney & Lauria Families

Biagio Mingoia

Catherine & Joseph Lipari

M/M Mark Grabow

Margaret, Robert Morrow

Castagna Family

Scacciaferro Family

Raffaela Martino

Dieter Wegner

M/M Thomas Livecchi

Jack Welch

Larry Krup

Frances Sitone

Vincent Sitone

Dec’d mbrs of Allocca and

D’Aponte Families

Brewster T. Gottsch

Joseph & Anne Malloy

Fr. Joe Lukaszewski

Fr. Bill Shean

Henry & Josephine Busching

William & Audrey Chartrand

Rose & Joseph Minenna

M/M Richard Maher

John McKeefery

Celina Pennacchia

DeLeon & Espina Family

Peter & Anna Mancuso

Dan & Dick Mancuso

Antonio & Josephine Paladino

Fred & John Ardolino

Joe & Marie Tufaro

Baby Christopher Flynn

Shilletto & Steffenson Families

Grandparents

M/M Joseph Walas

Carmela & Nicola Gullusci

Mary & Matthew Zito

Gene Langan

M/M Frank Aparo

Phyllis & Matty Santini

Edwin Lucie

Eugene Langan

John Russo

Doc & Peggy Thies

John Pozsgai

M/M Kevin Murphy

Robert Olsen

Lodespoto Family

Angelone Family

M/M Michael Montesanto

M/M Robert Petersen

Brancato & Mannarino Family

Mrs. Jean Stoltenborg

M/M Robert Punzi

Guider/Heartt Family

Kim Ecker

Oliveri & DiTingo Family

Thomas & Margaret Burke

Joseph Lehmann

Bill & Philomena Crosby

Charles Tibbetts

Danisi Family

Bob & Mark Petito

Mrs Carole Civile

Mr Timothy

Mr John Conzone

Mrs. A. Marotta, Jr.

M/M Joseph Yezek

Dec’d mbrs of Giuffré and

Pezzuti Families

Virginia Cruse

John Cruse

Edward White

Russo & Scorcia Families

Frank & Joseph Diamante

Norbert J. Kucala

Mrs Anne Bolin

Ciccarello/Sierra Families

Thomas J. Ahern

Stephen & Theresa Duggan

Winnie Mikoljon

Edith Monaghan

M/M Robert Yagarich

Joseph Bott

Ann Keller

Florence Borzell

Veronica Kenny

Isobel T. Davidson

Daniel G. Davidson

Ms. Rosemary Wells

M/M Kenneth McIlwaine

Alec & Olive Neilson

David F. O’Connell

Bernard Kerner

Eleanor Bruno

Angela M. Lillis

M/M Richard Flynn

Neil Haffey

Ms Mechelina Geddrie

John Howrigan, Sr.

Rose & Sal Guastella

M/M Glenn Denzler

Marie & Ed Terribile

Callegari & Baker Family

F. Harnos

Dec’d mbrs of Cinelli and

LaGiglia Families

Frank Harnos, Jr.

Mary & Edward Baker

Mary & Frank Harnos

Brian Dobrydney

Mr Charles T Waag

Lee, Finnegan, McNulty Family

Dec’d mbrs of Wilson and

Kopitsch Families

M/M Michael Kaminski

Robert Beck

Barbara Romeo

M & W Phillips

Dec’d mbrs of Colletti and

Guarino Families

Casciola Family

Leone Family

M/M William Davies, Jr.

Flanagan and Reilly Families

M/M Thomas Hamilton

Giovanni Andriola

Richard S. Proctor

Polik, Macari, Gunther and

Austin Families

Ann & John Greenhalgh

Mary Carbone

M/M Kevin Kilkelly

M/M William Sheehan

Mrs Maureen Nyholm

Delphina Ferreira

Halagarda/Burke Family

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Jane Keegan

Margaret Dugan

Mrs. Corazon A Smith

Peter V. Mirabella

M/M John Giambrone

M/M Robert Watts

M/M Noel Mac Dermott

M/M Mark Spencer

Mr. Barry Caputo

Ms. Mary Hesdo

M/M Steven Diamond

Edward Filippone

O’Rourke & Muldoon Family

George Jorgensen

Michael & Catherine Maneri

M/M John Maier

M/M Thomas McLoughlin

Michele White

Richard Heithaus

Daniel Smyth

Martin Klein

Christina Grossi

Josephine Grossi

Carl Argila

Lydia Argila

M/M Steven Troiano

M/M Frank Barone

Ellen Finn

M/M Daniel Abraham

Mr Thomas Pesik

Mary & James Randazzo

M/M James Dobson

Pasquale & Clara Strocchia

Anne Catalano

Dec’d Severino Family

M/M James Clifford

Joseph DiMola III

John & Mary Cunniffe

Pat Cafferty

M/M Louis Rosati

Walter & Grace Okuska

Robert J. Bautista, Sr.

Ralph & Joey Tattaro

M/M Sal Petriaso

M/M Charles Jannace

M/M Sal DiPietro

M/M David Viola

M/M Raymond Mascolo

Patricia Salegna-Maqueda

Anthony M. Rao

M/M John Bochicchio

M/M Peter Rooney

Lazarich & Ruth Families

M/M Michael Flaherty

Gene Langan

Dave Hannigan, Sr.

Richard Wilson

Winifred Hanrahan

Barbara PoPo

Novello Gallina Family

Juliette & Stephen

Birger Fredriksen

M/M Michael Lamb

Ms. Dolores Beckerman

Ruth Boucher

M/M Peter M Magliocco

M/M Richard Corso

M/M Dominick Nocera

Joseph Campisi

Jack & Laura Dawson

Nicholas and James Macario

Rick Munkwitz

James Totans

Dick & Steph Garcia

Dec’d mbrs of Bovasso and

Kane Family

Maria & Robert Rosenheimz

Cecil Thorton, Sr. & Jr.

Roberta Prestwood

Mylo Manno

Torre/Podhay

Beatrice Mattel

Umberto J. Anglisano

Tina Anglisano

Neil Mattel

Joanne Anglisano

Carmela & Daniel

M/M Anthony Lipari

M/M Rolando V. Razon

M/M James F. Tobin

Eppers & Sapraicone

M/M Janusz Wlodkowski

M/M Gary Siano

M/M Paul Alotta

Ponzio Family

M/M Zbigniew Musial

M/M Joseph Staniszewski

M/M Thomas P. Fenlon, Jr.

Eleanor Esposito

Rose Fodera Genna

M/M Howard Swicord

Robert Govier, Sr.

Ed & Dot Solomonik

Madeline Hopper

Ludwig Bruno

M/M Filippo Olivieri

M/M Michael Frias

M/M James Ivers

Helen & Dan McMahon

Felicia & Joe Poveromo

M/M James Wood

M/M Francesco Merollo

Oma & Opa Gries

Mrs Nannette Proscia

M/M Eddie Shaffer

M/M Nicholas Papocchia

M/M Domenic D’Achille

M/M John Rickey

M/M Rolando Castro

M/M Stephen Frias

M/M Jose F. Taveras

Mrs. Rita Dillon

Ms. Joan Meyer

Harry & Joseph Rizzo