SACRED HEART RELIGIOUS EDUCATION OFFICE

Pastor ~ Father John Czahur

Director ~ Mrs. Jessica Donohue Administrative Assistant ~ Mrs. Amy Raimondi

260 High Street, Mount Holly, NJ 08060

Phone ~ 609-267-6319 Email ~ rel.ed@parishofsacredheart.org

Web site ~ www.parishofsacredheart.org (click the ‘Religious Education’ tab)

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2016

November/December Newsletter Hello Sacred Heart families! It seems like just yesterday we were all buying school supplies and now we are only days away from Thanksgiving! No matter what time of year it is, there are reasons to be busy—our time is stretched to its limit with all of our obligations (not to mention our childrens’ obligations) and I find myself trying to figure out that point in time when things will finally start to settle down. More and more though, I am realizing that there really isn’t “down time” unless I make it happen myself. I read recently that this elusive leisure time does not just happen when things magically wind down; it happens because we make sure it happens by finding time for it and making it a priority. This was a revelation to me, because I always assumed that this time to find peace and rest was not in my control. I am both relieved and challenged to know I might actually have some power over my own schedule! I also, by the same token, have to reluctantly admit that I often have waited for Advent to make itself “un-busy” for me in the midst of the inevitable rush that is the result of the multiple responsibilities of Christmastime. I find that Christmas is very different—more joyful, more centered on my faith—when I really make time for Advent. Each year with its new experiences, its own particular joys and sorrows, offers so many opportunities to find a new depth of understanding in our faith and in our relationship with God, and this is why each Advent is precious and unique. I say this more as a reminder for myself than for any other reason. So many of us often seem to feel stuck in the never-ending cycle of busy-ness that has become the norm in our culture, and it isn’t always easy to remind ourselves of what matters when we’re over-whelmed with the practical issues of daily life. We all deserve the peace that we are invited to through accepting the love of Jesus, and I can’t think of a better time of year to start making sure we make time and space in our hearts to accept that gift. I hope that our now-traditional Advent Family Lessons help you and your family find some moments of peace and beauty as your family focuses on our faith and the miracle that is the birth of our Savior. On behalf of Father John, Mrs. Raimondi and the staff of Sacred Heart, I hope you all have a very blessed and beautiful Advent, and a very joyful and Merry Christmas!

Jessica

Sacred Heart Church

Schedule of Masses

Daily Mass:

Monday through Friday, 7:00 am and 8:30 am

Saturday, 8:30 am

Weekend Mass: Saturday, 4:30 pm

Sunday, 7:30 am, 9:30 am, 11:30 am, 7:00 pm

Confessions:

Saturday, 3:30—4:00

Parish Main Office Hours: (609-267-0209)

Monday through Saturday:

9:00—5:00 (closed 12-1 daily)

*Monday through Friday

the office is also open from 6 pm to 9 pm

Sunday:

9:00-1:00

Thanksgiving Day Mass— Thursday,

November 24th, 9 am. Father will bless

and distribute bread at the conclusion of

the Mass.

Christmas Eve Masses—Saturday,

December 24th, 4 pm in the auditorium

and in the church, 6 pm in the church,

and midnight in the church.

Christmas Day Masses—Sunday,

December 25th, 7:30 am, 9:30 am, and

11:30 am. *No 7 pm Mass.

Solemnity of the Epiphany of the

Lord— Sunday, January 8th

Feast of the Baptism of the Lord—

Monday, January 9th

St. Blaise Feast Day—Friday,

February 3—Blessing of Throats

following 8:30 am Mass

And behold, the star that they had

seen at its rising preceded them, until it

came and stopped over the place where

the child was. They were overjoyed at

seeing the star, and on entering the

house they saw the child with Mary

his mother.

Matthew, 2:9-10

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UPCOMING IN OUR CHURCH

HOLY DAYS AND OTHER SPECIAL DAYS OF OBSERVANCE

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES

~ Fall Program: Last Classes for 2016—December 7th/8th, classes resume January 3rd/4th. ~ First Reconciliation Services~ February 13th, 7 pm for Fall Program. February 27th, 7 pm for Summer Program and SHS. ~ Confirmation Reconciliation Services ~ January 23rd, 7 pm for Summer Program and SHS. January 24th, 7 pm for Fall Program. ~ Confirmation Retreat ~ February 4th , 8:30 am—2 pm ~ First Communion Retreat ~ March 11th, 9 am—11:30 am

Of interest to our families….

Youth Ministry has many great events coming up for children and for families!

Please be sure to check our Youth Ministry page at http://parishofsacredheart.org/youth-ministry

The Events Calendar on our parish web site is also a good source for upcoming services, events, and other

happenings in our parish. Go to http://parishofsacredheart.org to see a list of what’s coming up—you can

access details and registration forms here as well!

Have a very blessed and Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!