THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH OF

SAINT MATTHEW & OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL HELP

The Week of December 23, 2018 - Fourth Sunday of Advent

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 22 REQUESTED BY: 5:00 pm (A) Leona Sweeney Hollocou Family

5:00 pm (H) George Martin Cecilia Gallagher & Family

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 23

8:30 am (H) Sonia Lotz Grascia Family 8:30 am (A) Norma Tognino Vicky Hammond 10:30 am (A) Helen Buck Kane Family

11:00 am (H) George Zahurak Sr. His Family

MONDAY, DECEMBER 24

6:00 pm (A) 10:00 pm (A) 4:30 pm (H)

8:00 pm (H)

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 25

8:30 am (A) 10:30 am (A) 8:30 am (H)

11:00 am (H)

WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 26

8:00 am (A) Sal Campoli Wife Dora

9:00 am (H) Harry Bloomer Sr. Joan & Bill Goodwin

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27

8:00 am (A) Sean Cronin Mary & Kevin Smith

9:00 am (H) Aroura Gotay Rodriguez Max Rodriguez

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 28 8:00 am (A) Stephan & Clara Heinzel Eleanor Rice

9:00 am (H) Josephine Dillon Mosely Terry Finnegan Febles

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 29 8:00 am (A) Terrence LeGrand William Springer 9:00 am (H) Randy Caruso Fogarty Family 5:00 pm (A) James Gilmartin Kane Family

5:00 pm (H) June Hunter Saunderson Cecilia Gallagher & Family

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 30

8:30 am (H) Mary Ellen Mahoney-Doherty Murray Family 8:30 am (A) Mary Jane Smith Mary & Kevin Smith 10:30 am (A) Norma Tognino Katherine & Jerry Mc Carthy 11:00 am (H) Harry Bloomer Sr. Rich Stephanic

Key: (A)= Ardsley

(H) = Hastings

If you would like to bring the gifts up during the offertory procession, please see an usher before Mass begins.

First Reading: Micah 5:1-4a Micah speaks of the ruler who will come from Bethlehem. He discusses how the people of Israel will be saved from corruption and live in peace.

Second Reading: Hebrews 10:5-10 Paul describes to the Hebrews how Jesus came into the world and offered to do God's will. We were saved through his sacrifice, the only offering sufficient for the sins of the world.

Gospel: Luke 1:39-45 Mary paid a visit to Elizabeth, whose baby stirred in her womb upon hearing Mary's greeting. Elizabeth filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb." Elizabeth was deeply overjoyed that the words God had spoken to Mary had now been fulfilled.

DECEMBER 23, 2018 - Fourth Sunday of Advent

A FRESH PERSPECTIVE ON THE SUNDAY READINGS

HIS WORD TODAY by Rev. William J. Reilly

Fourth Sunday of Advent - December 23, 2018

“When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby stirred in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, and cried out in a loud voice: ‘Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb. But who am I that the

mother of my Lord should come to me?’...‘Blessed is she who trusted that the Lord's words to her would be fulfilled.’”

What a wonderful family reunion. Two expectant mothers meeting, greeting, celebrating imminent births. St. Luke points out the presence of the Holy Spirit, even before the Pentecost event. The question posed by Elizabeth ‘who am I?’...can be changed for us today.

Who am I that my Lord and Savior should come to me? A loving Father saw our need, and in concern for us, sent, not the mother or our Savior, but the saving Lord Himself. How frequently we pray the words of Luke in the Hail Mary. As we complete our advent may the question of Elizabeth, and my question be answered.

As we approach the feast of the birth of Christ this week, may we live the visitation event, greeting others in the name of the Lord, recognizing His presence among us in our needy world. The two holy women rejoiced in Christ's presence, and so do we. Reflect for a few moments on the biblical basis of the Hail Mary.

Fourth Sunday of Advent - Peace

Please keep in your prayers the ill of our parish especially: Kristin Harkin, Susan Sullivan Manuel, Mary Elizabeth Groth, Nora Lennon, Fred Wolff, Tom Donohoe, Richard Ryan

Sr., Dan Devoy, Jim Dalton, John Wazeter

And for those who have died marked by the

sign of faith, especially:

If you know of any parishioners who are ill and would like to be visited by a priest, please contact the rectory at 914-478-2822. Please feel free to call the rectory to add names of immediate family members at any time.

We are very grateful to those in the military who have dedicated themselves to protect our liberty and freedom. Please keep our

troops in your prayers, especially: Brian Dunne-Navy, Christopher Gaulin-Army, George Moore-Navy, Nicholas Sestito-Marine, Donald Wemer Jr. - Marine, Michael Germain-Navy, Brandon King - Army, Michael Parton-Navy, Peter Dillon - Coast Guard, Chris Minozzi-Marines

If you would like to add a name to our Military List, please call the rectory office.

WEEKLY COLLECTIONS - Thank You!

ST. MATTHEW & OLPH 2018 2017 December 9 $ 6,064 $7,590 Christmas Flowers (to date) $3,636 $3,325 (total)

Christmas Flower & Christmas Offering envelopes can be dropped into any collection basket or sent to the rectory.

CANDLE & FLOWER DEDICATIONS

Our Lady of Perpetual Help

Tabernacle Candle

In Memory of Sal Campoli

req. by wife Dora

NO CLASSES for CHRISTMAS BREAK: Ardsley: December 26

Hastings: December 23, 30

Classes Resume on: Ardsley: January 2 * Hastings: January 6

Our Lady of Perpetual Help: The Pageant will be on December 23rd at the 10:30am Mass. St. Matthew: The Pageant will be on December 23rd at the 8:30am Mass.

**CHRISTMAS PAGEANT ** THIS WEEKEND

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 23

EUARISTIC MINISTERS & LECTORS:

Please stop by the sacristy after mass to pick up a small token of the parishes appreciation.

LECTORS: Also, if you have not already done so, please pick up your Workbook for Lectors for 2019

ALTAR SERVERS

PLEASE SIGN UP FOR

CHRISTMAS EVE

and

CHRISTMAS DAY MASSES

on the form in the Sacristy

Children’s Christmas Pageants December 23rd:

St. Matthew’s: 8:30 am Mass

Our Lady of Perpetual Help: 10:30 am Mass

Christmas Eve

St. Matthew’s: 4:30 pm & 8:00 pm

Our Lady of Perpetual Help: 6:00 pm & 10:00 pm

Christmas Day

St. Matthew’s: 8:30 am & 11:00 am

Our Lady of Perpetual Help: 8:30 am & 10:30 am

New Year’s Day

St. Matthew’s: 9:00 am

Our Lady of Perpetual Help: 10:30 am

CHRISTMAS MASS SCHEDULE

2018

CHRISTMAS/OPLATKI BREAD WAFERS

The breaking of the Christmas wafer is a custom that began in Poland in the 10th century and is practiced by people of Polish ancestry around the world. It is considered the most ancient and beloved of Polish traditions. The Christmas wafer symbolizes the unity of the family, which many

consider to be the main pillar of society.

The Christmas/Oplatki Bread can be found on the tables in the back of the churches. A donation of $2.00 per packet is appreciated.

THANK YOU!! Over the past week, we had 4 pledges

totaling $22,900. This leaves us with only $29,105 to

reach our goal. If 10 families/individuals donate $3,000 we would

make our goal! That is only $50 a month over the 5 year plan.

Our Parish Campaign Priorities are:

Replace the school roofs at both Schools

Upgrade the Air Conditioning at Our Lady of Perpetual Help

Paint the Interior of St. Matthew

Install Security Cameras at Our Lady of Perpetual Help

Refurbish the Gym's heating system at Our Lady of Perpetual Help

Refurbish Church Steps of St. Matthew Church & Rectory

2018 Cardinal's Annual Stewardship Appeal - $81,000

Our parish goal is $518,500 and we are pleased to announce that we have now received $489,395 in pledges by 97 gifts (8% of our parish family). This is 93% of our goal! Now we have only $29,105 of our goal to go! To Make a Pledge through the Archdiocesan website please visit: www.renewrebuild.org/donate. It is VERY important to select ST. MATTHEW AND OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL HELP, HASTINGS ON HUDSON where it asks for the DESIGNATION for your gift. This way 74% of your donation will go towards our parish. You can also call the parish rectory for a pledge form to be mailed to you. You can also visit the parish website for a link/form: www.stmolph.com

2019 PARISH CALENDARS

Please pick up a copy of the parish 2019 Religious Calendar. They can be found in the back of the churches. We thank the Edwards-Dowdle Funeral Home for providing the calendars.

1st Annual STMOLPH

Shoot-a-Thon

Date: Thursday, December 27 at OLPH School Times:

10:00am - 1st & 2nd Grade Boys & Girls 11:00am - 3rd, 4th, & 5th Grade Boys & Girls 12:00pm - 6th, 7th, & 8th Grade Boys & Girls

1:00pm - 9th Grade

How Does It Work? Each player will take 20 foul shots. One time donations

and pledges can be made through: https://www.givingzone.com/project/s985uBbFKm

All players should wear their uniform or shooter shirt.

All Proceeds will go to benefit FAMILY -TO-FAMILY