Liturgical Schedule

Daily Mass 8:30am Weekend Masses Saturday: 5:00pm Sunday: 8:00am, 9:30am, 11:00am, 12:30pm and 6:00pm

Reconciliation/Confession Saturday: 4:00pm-4:45pm or by appointment Rosary Daily at 8:00am Miraculous Medal Novena Monday at 8:00am

Our Lady of Lourdes Parish 455 Hunter Avenue, West Islip, NY 11795

Sacraments Anointing of the Sick Throughout the liturgical year. If needed sooner, please call the Parish Office. Baptism Please contact the Parish Office to schedule an appointment. Marriage Arranged at least six months in advance, please call the Parish Office. Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) A process to be embraced by the Catholic Church. For non-Catholics and for Catholics who have never received formal religious education. If interested, please call the Parish Office.

Msgr. Brian McNamara, Pastor Rev. Gregory Breen, Associate Pastor Rev. Sylvester Chukwumalume, in Residence Chaplain, Southside Hospital Rev. Freddy Lozano, in Residence

Deacon John De Guardi, Deacon Tom Lucie, Deacon Rich Maher, Deacon Jack Meehan, Deacon John Teufel

Sr. Nancy Campkin CSJ, Director of Religious Ed Trish Frodell, Director of Parish Social Ministry Sr. Diane Liona CSJ, Director of Religious Ed Debbie Meyer, Business Manager Robin Reynolds Brennan, Coordinator of Worship and Choir Director Vita Scorcia, Ministry Spiritual Director

Parish Office Phone: 631.661.3224 Monday-Thursday: 9:00am-7:30pm Friday: 9:00am-5:00pm Saturday: 9:00am-3:00pm Sunday: 9:00am-2:00pm E-mail: ParishOffice@ollchurch.org Fax: 631.661.7143 Website: www.ollchurch.org

Our Lady of Lourdes School Phone: 631.587.7200 Monday-Friday: 9:00am-3:00pm E-mail: principal@ollschool.org

Religious Education Office Phone: 631.661.5440 Monday-Friday: 9:00am-Noon, 1:00pm-5:00pm, 7:00pm-9:00pm E-mail: ReligiousEd@ollchurch.org

Parish Outreach Office Phone: 631.661.9262 Monday-Friday: 9:30am-3:30pm

SAGE (Senior Advocates for Growth and Enrichment)

Phone: 631.661.3224, Ext. 122 E-mail: Sage@ollchurch.org

First Sunday of Advent • Sunday, December 2, 2018

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Pastoral Council

Msgr. Brian McNamara Eileen Rega Mary Borgs Lisa Cantalino Sonia DaSilva Nilo DeLeon Jerry Esposito Trish Frodell Pam Gagliano Deborah Lamb Rosalie Mangels Deacon Jack Meehan John Muldoon Dottie Perdue Vita Scorcia

Parish Staff

Patti Anderson Parish Office/Bulletin Editor

AnnMarie Buonaspina Director of Youth Choirs

Michael Buonaspina Parish Organist

Maggie Frodell Parish Office

Carol Grillo Parish Office

Stephanie Hahn Parish Office

Rita Spera Religious Education Office

Welcome to our Parish Family New Parishioners are cordially invited to register as members of our Parish Family. Please call or visit our Parish Office.

Remember: Together, we can do something beautiful for God! - Saint Teresa of Calcutta

Mission Statement As stewards of all that God has given us, the Parish Family of Our Lady of Lourdes serves and ministers to all who come to this place. Regardless of a person’s history, ethnicity, gender, orientation, age or race, we commit ourselves to open wide the doors of our Parish to provide a place of welcome and hospitality.

The estimated weekly collection needed to maintain and operate our parish buildings, ministries, programs and salaries is $17,800.

Financial Summary

Readings for the Week of December 2

Sunday: Jer 33:14-16/ 1 Thes 3:12—4:2/ Lk 21:25-28, 34-36 Monday: Is 2:1-5/ Mt 8:5-11 Tuesday: Is 11:1-10/ Lk 10:21-24 Wednesday: Is 25:6-10a/ Mt 15:29-37 Thursday: Is 26:1-6/ Mt 7:21, 24-27 Friday: Is 29:17-24/ Mt 9:27-31 Saturday: Gn 3:9-15, 20/ Eph 1:3-6, 11-12/ Lk 1:26-38 Next Sunday: Bar 5:1-9/ Phil 1:4-6, 8-11/ Lk 3:1-6

November 25, 2018 Weekly Collection $ 14,803.00 Weekly Budget - $ 17,800.00 +/- for the week $ (2,997.00) Thanksgiving $ 3,981.00

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Second Collection - December 8th and 9th - Religious Retirement Fund Support the Retirement Fund for religious. A donor writes, “Your flyer touched my heart—seeing the retired religious, such memories surfaced.” Do you remember the sisters, brothers, or religious order priests who made a positive difference in your life? Today many are elderly and need assistance. Their religious communities struggle to meet retirement needs while continuing to serve the People of God. Please give to next week’s second collection.

Dear Parishioners: Believe it or not, Advent begins this weekend. Advent is traditionally a time of preparation, not merely waiting. The Church teaches us that during Advent we prepare for the two “comings of Christ”. The first half of Advent focuses on the coming of Christ at the end of time. The second half of Advent focuses on the coming of Christ at Christmas. The lighting of the pink candle in the Advent wreath (which takes place on the third week of Advent) symbolizes the change in focus from the coming of Christ at the end of time to the coming of Christ at Christmas. In either case, the theme of Advent is one of preparation. We prepare our homes for Christmas by cleaning the house, decorating the home (both indoors and outdoors), extra cooking and baking, sending Christmas cards, etc. We put in a great deal of time and effort to make Christmas one of the special times of the year for our families. I would like to challenge us to make Christmas a special time for our families spiritually. I encourage all of us to prepare the home of our heart for the coming of Christ. Don’t forget that this Saturday, December 8 is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. It is a holy day obligation. Masses are on Friday, December 7 at 5:00pm and Saturday, December 8 at 8:30am and 12:10pm. You may recall that when our Blessed Mother, Our Lady of Lourdes, ap-peared to St. Bernadette, she identified herself by saying, “I am the Immaculate Conception”. Thus, this holy day carries special meaning for our parish. Planning ahead, don’t forget to take advantage of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Our sinfulness can act as a weight which drags us down and prevents us from drawing closer to Christ. The Sacra-ment of Reconciliation (confession) allows the Lord to remove that weight (our sins) from us and helps us to draw closer to Christ. On Monday, December 17 from 3:00pm – 8:00pm, a priest will be available to hear confessions in the church. Stop by to receive the grace of that sacrament. Also, planning ahead, on Tuesday, December 18, at 7:00pm, we will have a special prayer experi-ence in the Church, the ADVENT STATIONS. As you know, we pray the Stations of the Cross during Lent. The Stations of the Cross help us to focus on the suffering and death of Jesus for our sins. Likewise, these ADVENT STATIONS is a meditative prayer focusing on the coming of Christ at Christmas, the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies. In the midst of all the hustle and bustle of Christmas, spend some time in prayer to prepare for the coming of the Savior. Remember: Together, we can do something beautiful for God. In Christ, Fr. Brian

PS: Don’t forget our holiday raffle. Tickets are $50 each or 3 tickets for $100. You have received tickets in the mail but if you did not, just stop at the

Parish Office. Give them as Christmas gifts to your adult children!

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Glossary of Terms

Income Collection Revenue: Includes Sundays, Holy Days, Christmas, Easter, Christmas Flowers, Easter Flowers. Fundraising (net): Includes Italian Family Feast, Christmas Raffle. The Family Feast made more money this year because we had better weather than the year before. Parish Programs: Religious Education fees, Parish Social Ministry donations, CYO, etc. Auxiliary Revenue: Perquisites, candles, poor box, CD rack, convent rent, bulletin commission, donations. (Perquisites are the monies collected for weddings, funerals, baptisms, multiple Mass intentions.) Diocesan Collections: The “second collections” that are taken up for various needs in the country or the diocese. (The parish does not keep these monies.)

Expenses Salaries: Includes salaries and religious stipends of all employees-full time and part time. (Teachers’ salaries are not included in this line) Fringe Benefits: Medical insurance, dental insurance, FICA taxes, worker’s compensation, pension, etc. Parish Programs: Includes Religious Education, Parish Social Ministry expenses, CYO expenses, Ministry of Consolation, etc. School Subsidy: All parishes are mandated to give a percentage of their collection income to help support Catholic Education in the Diocese. Normally, this is 12% - 15% of the regular collection. Printing/Office Supplies: Includes postage, printing, computer fees and support, bank fees, telephone, internet, contracted services, professional fees, equipment. Auxiliary: Candles, liturgical expenses, CD Rack, missalettes, Diocesan Assessment. Rectory Household: Food, laundry, supplies. Diocesan Collections: This is money received from the “Second Collections” that are taken up for various needs in the country or diocese. (It is equal to the money in Income: Diocesan Collections.) Buildings/Utilities Gas, water, electric, contracted maintenance services, ordinary maintenance supplies, Maintenance: building insurance, landscaping.

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2018 2017

9/2017-8/2018 9/2016-8/2017

Actual Actual

Income:

Collection Revenue $ 1,003,747 $ 1,067,367

Fundraising: Net 60,791 59,349

Parish Programs 313,797 287,350

Auxiliary Revenue 158,986 157,358

Diocesan collections 80,979 76,766

TOTAL OPERATING REVENUE $ 1,618,300 $ 1,648,190

Expenses:

Salaries $ 469,338 $ 463,408

Fringe Benefits 157,983 142,629

Parish Programs 145,309 104,081

School Subsidy 150,518 150,000

Printing/office 49,959 59,777

Auxiliary 150,150 138,927

Rectory Household 3,282 5,245

Diocesan Collections 80,979 76,766

Buildings/Utilities/Maintenance 179,429 205,218

NET OPERATING EXPENSES $ 1,386,947 $ 1,346,051

Fiscal Year End Report: 2018

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Current Parish Support

Our Lady of Lourdes is home parish to approximately 6,100 families. Parish envelopes are sent to 1,843 families each month. There are approximately 650 who use our parish envelopes throughout the year. This chart shows the giving pattern of those using the envelopes for our parish, from an average weekend this year:

Giving by Number of Families 3/17/18 - 3/18/18

Statement of Spiritual Report

During the year, in our parish, we celebrated: 9/2017- 8/2018 9/2016-8/2017 Infant Baptisms: 147 151 First Communions: 180 177 Confirmations: 223 224 Marriages: 9 12 Funerals: 120 113 Average Mass Attendance: 1851 1826 Parish Outreach helped approximately 1,750 families in need. Our PARISH SCHOOL educated 275 children (3 year old to 8th grade). Our RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAM educated 1,600 children (kindergarten through 9th grade)

0.00 $1—25 $26—50 $51—75 $76—100 $101—200 $201-400 $401-1500

5401 305 178 86 46 45 16 2

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Mass Intentions

Monday, December 3 St. Francis Xavier 8:30am Joseph Giambalvo Tuesday, December 4 St. John Damascene 8:30am Nicholas Albert Gill Wednesday, December 5 8:30am John G. Meditz Thursday, December 6 St. Nicholas 9:30am David Michael Calogero Friday, December 7 St. Ambrose 8:30am James Conroy 5:00pm Louise Margiotiello Saturday, December 8 The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary 8:30am Vincent Sepe, Thomas Keveny, Larry Weber, Claire Buetow, Veronica Welch, Pierre-Louis Family Thanksgiving 12:10pm William Howe 5:00pm Alice Irene Fr. Sylvester Chukwumaluma Sunday, December 9 Second Sunday of Advent 8:00am Richard Sepe Fr. Greg Breen 9:30am Vincent Sepe Fr. Greg Breen 11:00am Mary & Joseph Rizzo Fr. Sylvester Chukwumaluma 12:30pm Louis Trupia Fr. Sylvester Chukwumaluma 6:00pm People of the Parish, Mary Patricia Bowers, John Fitzgerald (Living), Russell Caiola, Matthew Kuzmiak, Vincent Cavanagh Fr. Greg Breen

Celeb

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Isabelle JoAnn Joyce Matylda Maria Rutkowski

Sarah Victoria Turkel Cora Grace Worley

Baptism

Sara Angel Altman Anna Marie Boyd

Clare Buetow Victoria Giordani

Frank Juba Nancy Lato

Veronica Welch

Rest In Peace

We extend our prayerful sympathy to the families and loved ones of those

recently deceased.

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As members of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, we are faced with a challenge that we can only overcome together. As you know from the recent mailing, there are urgent maintenance needs at our convent. It is important that each and every member of the Our Lady of Lourdes Parish family participates in this worthy project. It is only by our generosity in mak-ing a sacrificial gift that we will be able to accomplish our objectives. We have established a goal of $442,000 in order to accomplish our objectives. While this seems like a large amount, participation by all members of the parish family will make this goal not only attainable, but one that we can surpass. If every family pledges $400, after a $40 down payment, your sacrifice would be $1 a day for one year. We can all do that. If you are able to pledge a higher amount, please do so. We’re asking for equal sacrifice, not equal giving.

As you make your gift, please remember…

• Pledges and one time donations are welcomed and greatly appre-ciated.

• Payment reminders will be mailed to you in accordance with your payment plan.

• All contributions are deductible for tax purposes.

• Any questions? Call Fr. Brian at 631-661-3224

TOTAL PLEDGE 10% DOWN QUARTERLY PAYMENTS

4 PAYMENTS

MONTHLY PAYMENTS

12 PAYMENTS

$5,000 $500 $1,125 $375

$2,500 $250 $563 $188

$1,000 $100 $225 $75

$750 $75 $169 $56

$400 $40 $90 $30

Please make your check payable to:

Restore Our Convent Campaign

Name: _________________________________

Address: _______________________________

City/ State/Zip: __________________________

Phone: _________________________________

Env. #: _________________________________

Email: _________________________________

I/we pledge to the Campaign as follows: Amount of Pledge/ Donation: $ __________ Down Payment: $ __________ Balance: $ __________ I /we prefer to pay the balance: Monthly ______ Quarterly ______ Please send information about paying my pledge by Credit or Debit card

Signature ________________________________________

RESTORE OUR CONVENT

As of November 27, 2018:

Parish Goal: $442,840 Percentage attained: 79% Amount Pledged: $328,611 Total Paid to Date: $294,604 Number of Pledges: 713

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BREAKFAST WITH ST. NICHOLAS

Sunday, December 9, 2018 at 10:30am in OLL Cafeteria

What's On The Menu? Pancakes, Sausage, Juice, Coffee, Tea

Crafts and Activities for Children and a visit with St. Nicholas Be sure to bring your camera for photos with St. Nicholas!

COST: $2.00 Per Person / $10.00 Maximum For A Family

TICKETS WILL BE ON SALE after the 9:30am Mass each week, and at the OUTREACH OFFICE

Tickets must be purchased by December 1st

A Christmas Experience For The Whole Family

Visit a street called BETHLEHEM BOULEVARD

presented by The Parish Ministry Committee

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2018 - All Purpose Room 2:00pm to 5:00pm (come at any time, stay as long as you want)

This is a FREE EVENT

Walk among the common folk on the day JESUS was born. Meet Roman Soldiers, Census Takers, Potters, Weavers, Ladies at the Well. Eat in the Marketplace… Eavesdrop on the Shepherds and Angels. Talk with the Inn Keeper and Mary and Joseph.

Feast of the Immaculate Conception Saturday, December 8 (holy day of obligation)

Mass Schedule: Friday, December 7 - Mass at 5:00pm (vigil)

Saturday, December 8 - Mass at 8:30am, 12:10pm

The Giving Tree In anticipation of the great event Christmas! The Giving Tree has been decorated with tags so that you may help those in need this Christmas. Please return your gift by Sunday, December 16th so that there is time to sort and distribute the gifts. We ask that the gifts are brought in unwrapped but we will gladly accept wrapping paper, bows and tags so that the families can wrap the gifts for their loved ones. Thank you for all the support you give to Outreach.

Christmas Flower Offerings Christmas Flower offerings received by this Sunday, December 2 will be published in the December 25 bulletin. Offerings received after that date will be published in subsequent bulletins.

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Try to do one of these loving actions during the week and when you come to church on Sunday, place your slips of paper into the crib of Jesus so

Jesus will sleep on a soft bed of your loving actions for others. GO TO MASS ON SATURDAY, DECEMBER 8 FOR THE HOLY DAY, THE FEAST OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION. SAY A PRAYER FOR A MEMBER OF YOUR FAMILY BEFORE YOU GO TO BED AT NIGHT. LIKE ST. NICHOLAS, DO A SPECIAL, SECRET, NICE ACT FOR SOMEONE IN YOUR FAMILY. SAY A SPECIAL PRAYER BEFORE YOU EAT DINNER WITH YOUR FAMILY ASKING GOD TO BLESS EVERYONE. BE GENEROUS BY GIVING A GIFT TO THE POOR THROUGH OUR PARISH “GIVING TREE” PROGRAM.

(Write your own special, loving act that you did.)

_________________________________________________________

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ADVENT OFFERINGS

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 2: BETHLEHEM BOULEVARD 2:00pm – 5:00pm ALL PURPOSE ROOM: Stop by and visit a busy Bethlehem village,

just as it was on the night Jesus was born (with live animals). Invite your friends and neighbors as well!

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7: HOLY DAY: FEAST OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION 5:00pm CHURCH: Masses for the Holy Day

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 8: HOLY DAY: FEAST OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION 8:30am; 12:10pm CHURCH: Masses for the Holy Day

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 9: BREAKFAST WITH ST. NICHOLAS 10:30am Join St. Nicholas for a pancake breakfast with arts and crafts. Listen as

St. Nicholas tells us stories about God’s love for us.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 11: FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT: “THE NATIVITY” 7:00pm PARISH CENTER: A great family move depicting the Christmas story.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 17: RECONCILIATION/CONFESSIONS

3:00pm – 8:00pm CHURCH: Confessors will be available throughout this time.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18: ADVENT STATIONS

7:00PM CHURCH: Stop by and pray this series of mediations (similar to the Stations of the Cross) on the upcoming birth of Christ.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 22: RECONCILIATION/CONFESSIONS 1:00pm – 2:00pm CHURCH: Confessors will be available throughout these two 4:00pm – 5:00pm times.

***DECEMBER 1 – DECEMBER 16: GIVING TREE GIFT PROGRAM FOR THE NEEDY*** See the Bulletin for details on helping the needy.

DECEMBER 16 – JANUARY 20 Come and visit Bethlehem as seen in Nativity sets from various

countries of the world.

*PLEASE SEE THE BULLETIN/WEBSITE (ollchurch.org) FOR DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS*

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Members in the Military We ask that you pray especially for those in our parish that are on active duty in the Middle East conflict.

… and remember those of our parish family that are in the armed services, listed in our Parish Book of Intentions.

Michael DiMatteo-US Marines Michael Fantauzzi-US Air Force Christopher Florca-US Marines Dominick Gennaro - US Army Patrick Harty-US Coast Guard Colby Matthew Kelly-US Army Anthony Mannino-US Marines Anthony Memoli-US Marines Stephen Rolston-US Army Michael Wilkinson-US Army Peter Zaccaria-US Navy

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Pray for Our Sick Please remember to keep in your thoughts and prayers … Andrew Arena, Paula Bemenek, Germaine Bruno, Grace Ciccarello, Rose Contelmo, Diane Cullen, Margaret DeLuca, Amanda DiTingo, Thomas Doty, Paula Edwards, Gianna Fioravanti, Kathleen Mooney Gordan, David Hannigan, Denis Heffron, Josephine Heffron, Patrick Anthony Heffron, Thomas Hicks, Jr., Henry Kahn, Shena Kahn, Tom Kaval, Bridget Keane, Anne Kerrigan, George Koehler, Bruce Linhart, Lyn Marczyk, Connell McGee, Vinny Meade, Una McGrade, Julianna Moore, Marge Nangano, Kenny Panek, Phyllis Pasciuta, Connie Polik, Fred Polik, Dorothy Proctor, Mary Quinn, Michael Randazzo, Joseph Roccaro, Joseph J. Schiavoni, Anne Marie Schiraldi, Dorothy Schumann, Maureen Seeney, Natalie Stone, Roger Welden, Marie Wilson

Names of the sick will be listed for six weeks for short-term requests and six months for long-term.

Altar Society Altar linens this week will be cared for by Margaret Lehmann. If you would like to help care for our altar needs, please call the Parish Office at 631-661-3224.

Pastoral Care of Our Sick Please call the Parish Office at 631-661-3224 to leave the names of parishioners who: • Are homebound and would like to receive the Eucharist. • Are in Good Samaritan Hospital and/or a local nursing

home and would like to be visited by a member of our Pastoral Care Ministry.

• Would like to receive the Sacrament of the Sick.

Rosary Christian Mothers Rosary Christian Mothers Christmas Party is Monday Dec 3, 7:45pm. Rosary in Church, short meeting and celebration to follow in Parish Center. Please don't forget gift for Mother and Unborn (unwrapped) and Christmas Ornament for grab bag, valued at $5.00 Hope to see you all there

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Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults What’s it all about? IF you are an adult AND

… you were never Baptized … you were Baptized in another faith and would like to become a baptized Catholic … you never received Holy Communion (Eucharist) … you never received your Confirmation

IF you are an adult AND one or more of the circumstances above apply to you … IF you feel you would like to become a baptized Catholic or become more fully initiated into your Catholic faith… Our email address is RCIA@ollchurch.org or call the Parish Office at 631-661-3224, and we would be happy to help you.

Donations to Outreach If you would like to make a donation to Parish Outreach in memory of a loved one, please call Trish Frodell, Director of Parish Social Ministry at 631-661-3224.

Canned Pasta Tuna Pancake Mix Shampoo Toothpaste

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Prayer Shawl Ministry Bring your prayer and creativity together in a gift of love. Join us ... Wednesday, December 5 at 9:30am in the Parish Center. All you need to bring is scrap yarn, knitting needles or crochet hooks (patterns and instructions will be given to you) and your gifts of love and prayer.

Always Our Children We are members, relatives, friends and allies of the LGBTQ community. We are also members of the Catholic Church by virtue of our baptism. We pray and discuss how our gifts are essential to the parish community. We meet the first Thursday of each month in the Spiritual Life Center (convent) at 7:30pm. All are welcome. Follow us on our Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/alwaysourchildrenlongislandny/ We are also a part of the Interparish Collaborative. You can follow events at www.lgbt-ipc.org

Now and at the Hour of Our Death Catholic Guidance for End-of-Life Decision Making Illness and aging, coupled with rapid advances in medical technology, can lead to heightened anxiety when health care decisions must be made. Go to www.CatholicEndofLife.org for assistance in navigating the end-of-life challenges that you and/or your loved ones face. Learn about the key principles of Catholic teaching in this area, and how to apply them in the complex world of medical ad-vance directives.

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Good Samaritan Prayer Group of L.I. The Good Samaritan Prayer Group of Long Island holds their meetings every Friday from 3:00pm until 5:00pm. (except the first Friday of the month), from September through June, in Room 16 of the OLL School Bldg. All are welcome to experience singing, praying and fellowship.

Support Groups (all meetings are in Lourdes Hall - lower level of Convent) Alcoholics Anonymous: Monday and Tuesday at 8pm and Saturday at 11am and 7pm. ALANON: Wednesday at 10:00am. Beginner’s meeting at 9:30am. Free babysitting available.

Prayer for Divine Mercy An invitation to all men and women to be part of God’s plan. We invite you to meet in prayer for the world and our nation to put their trust in God. Our hope is that the nations will have a new spirit of morality. Please come with your love and hope for humanity as well as your prayer requests. We gather together every Thursday at 1:30pm before the Blessed Sacrament for about one half hour. For more information, call Charles Argento at 631-586-8528.

Ministry of Praise Members pray at home for the intentions of the Church and Parish; designed for the homebound, senior citizens, etc. Monthly calendar is available in the Narthex. Prayer requests can be left in the Ministry of Praise box along with the name and address of any homebound person who might want a copy of the calendar mailed to them (please print).

Anxiety Disorder Sufferers A Recovery Group for those suffering from Anxiety Disorder meets on Tuesdays from 2:00pm -4:00pm in the Spiritual Life Center (in Convent building). The Group is led by a trained and certified Anxiety Disorder Group Leader. For more information, please call Michael at 631-968-9154.

Families Anonymous Are you at your wit’s end? Is someone you love destroying family harmony? Families Anonymous Can Help! For further information, please call Donna at: 631-589-3790 or visit: www.familiesanonymous.org

In addition to our parish website (ollchurch.org), please visit us on Facebook at The Parish Family of Our Lady of Lourdes. Click “Like” and you will receive the latest news on upcoming parish events and information.

Boy Scout Troop 179 For over 40 years, Our Lady of Lourdes has been sponsoring Boy Scout Troop 179 of West Islip. We meet every Thursday during the school year in the School Cafeteria from 7:30pm to 9:00pm. If you are interested in joining Boy Scouts, check out our website and stop by a meeting! Website: http://witroop179.wix.com/bsatroop179# Email: WIBSATroop179@outlook.com

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Come and worship with the new OLL Youth Orchestra! The orchestra will be at the 6:00pm Mass on the following dates:

Sunday, December 16th Tuesday, December 25th at the 11:00am Mass

Interested in joining us? Please contact annmarie@ollchurch.org.

Worldwide Marriage Encounter “Conduct yourself to please God.” Please God by attending a Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend. The next Weekends are Feb. 8-10, 2019 in Huntington, NY and Apr. 26-28, 2019 in Huntington, NY. For more information, call John & Toni Torio at 877-697-9963 or visit them at https://wwmenyli.org/.

Our Lady of Lourdes Youth Group - “OLLY”

Calling all High School Students - Grades 9-12 December 14, 2018

7:00pm - 9:00pm in the Parish Center

Come join us for some Food, Fellowship and FUN! Bring a Friend!!!

Any questions please call or text: Stephanie Hahn: 631-617-8212 or Fr. Greg Breen 631-661-3224 x 121, or go to our Instagram Page: ollyowls_123

OLLY

A Celebration of Mary Join the Friends of the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception for a Celebration of Mary at the Seminary on her special feast day, Saturday, December 8, 2018. Journey to the heart of Mary through Theology, Spirituality, and the Arts. Beginning with 10:00am Mass, celebrated by Bishop John O. Barres, the day will include lunch, presentations by Msgr. Peter Vaccari, Rector of St. Joseph’s Seminary, Brother Timothy Driscoll, SM, Kellenberg Memorial H.S., and the Cathedral Seminary Schola (Douglaston). Advance registration required. $40 per guest. For reservations and information: Seminary Development Office: 631-423-0483 x 102 or bmalone@icseminary.edu

Do you need to fulfill your Marriage Prep Requirement? Engaged Encounter is an effective Pre-Cana program designed to provide you with the tools for a successful marriage. Couples are given the opportunity to explore many aspects of their relationship through a series of presentations, writings and dialog. There are no group discussions. Our next weekends will be held as follows: Feb. 8-10, 2019 - Seminary of the Immaculate Conception in Huntington, NY Aug. 9-11, 2019 - Seminary of the Immaculate Conception in Huntington, NY Nov. 15-17, 2019 - Seminary of the Immaculate Conception in Huntington, NY For information please call Lenny & Pat Walker at: 631-563-1032 or visit: www.engagedencounterli.org

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The Babylon Chorale presents By the Fireside featuring Snow Angel by Sarah Quartel, along with holiday favorites

Saturday, December 8, 2018 at 8:00pm Our Lady of Grace Church, 666 Albin Avenue, West Babylon, NY

$20 for adults, $15 for seniors and students Purchase tickets online at www.babylonchorale.org

For more information, call 516-799-4974 or email thebabylonchorale@gmail.com

Handel’s Messiah & Vivaldi’s Gloria with a Candlelight Procession and More Sunday, December 9, 2019 at 7:00pm

Church of St Joseph, 39 N. Carll Avenue, Babylon, NY featuring St. Joseph’s Choir under the direction of Dr. Marie Drohan

accompanied by The Sophisticated Strings, Soloists, Harpsichord and Trumpet Free admission - Free Will Offering

Donations benefit the Mercy Inn Soup Kitchen, Wyandanch, NY

Religion and Rock Tune into “Religion and Rock” with Msgr. Jim Vlaun on Sunday from 7:00am to 8:00am on WBAB 102.3 FM or 95.3 on the East End of Long Island. Listen on Saturdays at 11:00pm on Sirius Radio, Channel 159, the Catholic Channel and at 11:00pm on XM Satellite, Channel 117. Next Sunday’s theme is “The Best Presents”. To listen online or for more information, visit: www.ReligionandRock.com.

Breakfast with Santa - Westminster United Presbyterian Church Saturday, December 15, 2018 - 10:00am to 1:00pm - $10 per person

Come and join us for a lovely breakfast buffet. Bring a camera for a photo op with Santa!

Call the Church Office at 631-661-6740 for more information on purchasing tickets Office is open on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday from 10:00am – 1:00pm

An Evening for LGBT Men, Women, Family, and Friends

All are welcome for prayer, discussion and social.

Second Tuesday of Each Month - 7:00pm - 9:00pm Freewill Offering

Bishop Molloy Retreat House 86-45 Edgerton Blvd., Jamaica, NY 11432

For information call: 718-739-1229 or visit: www.bishopmolloy.org

The Sisters of St. Joseph invite you to two events at Maria Regina Residence:

December 4 at 2:30pm Taizé Prayer Service lead by Sister Noel Cullen, CSJ. With her beautiful, soul-filled voice, Sister Noel will guide us in a time of renewal and reflection in the form of meditative singing and scripture reading.

December 13 at 2:30pm Msgr. Jim Vlaun, the lively and fun-loving host of Telecare, gives the closing presentation for our “Year of Abiding in God’s Love”. Both events are held in the Maria Regina Chapel, 1725 Brentwood Road, Brentwood. All are welcome!

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Sharing the Gospel When you are baptized, God gives you grace to help obey His commandments. These graces are like a pair of shoes with lights on them. They light the way to follow the example of Jesus. You will share your toys. You will take out the trash. You will take good care of your baby sister. The graces of baptism help you to love God above all else. Then God will welcome you into heaven.

Something to Draw Draw a picture of yourself walking down God's path with the light of baptism on your shoes.

Prayer

Dear God, Send me graces so I love You above everything. Amen.

Mission for the Week

I will pray every morning that my family sees and stays on God's path.