THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH OF SAINT MATTHEW & OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL HELP

The Week of December 29, 2019 - Holy Family of Jesus, Mary & Joseph

OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL HELP CHURCH

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 28 REQUESTED BY: 5:00 pm Alma Dualsky Dualsky Family SUNDAY, DECEMBER 29

8:30 am 10:30 am Josie & Tony Gagliano Camille Gutierrez & Family MONDAY, DECEMBER 30 8:00 am TUESDAY, DECEMBER 31

8:00 am WEDNESDAY , JANUARY 1

8:00 am THURSDAY, JANUARY 2

8:00 am FRIDAY JANUARY 3 8:00 am SATURDAY, JANUARY 4 8:00 am Special Intentions for Brian 5:00 pm SUNDAY, JANUARY 5

8:30 am Mary & Frederic Wolff Sr. Family 10:30 am Spec. Intention Tom & Mary McCarthy Catherine & Jerry McCarthy

If you would like to bring the gifts up during the offertory procession,

please see an usher before Mass begins.

ST. MATTHEW’S CHURCH

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 28 REQUESTED BY: 5:00 pm Edward Illmensee Sr. Walter & Joan Haubold SUNDAY, DECEMBER 29

8:30 am Joseph Nyemchek Bassmann Family 11:00 am Ann Marie Yanez Lois & Vinny MONDAY, DECEMBER 30

9:00 am Joseph Nyemchek Nancy Maleska TUESDAY, DECEMBER 31

9:00 am Ann Mitchell Family WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 1

9:00 am John Chinnery Annmarie THURSDAY, JANUARY 2

9:00 am Mary Parris Theresa Febles & Family FRIDAY, JANUARY 3 9:00 am Russell Von Glahn Helen Schmidt

SATURDAY, JANUARY 4 9:00 am Special Intentions for Brian 5:00 pm Dec’d Mem. of William B. Walzer Sr. & Family Carol Walzer SUNDAY, JANUARY 5

8:30 am Elizabeth Keaney Jimmy 11:00 am Special Intention

First Reading: Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14 This passage from Sirach details the duties children owe to father and mother. Their life-long devotion will not be forgotten and “will take lasting root.” Second Reading: Colossians 3:12-21 Paul urges Christians particularly in the setting of the family, to “clothe” themselves with kindness, patience, humility, and mercy; to forgive; and, above all, to love! Gospel: Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23 An angel of the Lord, appearing in a dream to Joseph, urges him to flee with Jesus and Mary to Egypt to escape the murderous schemes of Herod. Later, in another dream, an angel tells Joseph to go with Jesus and Mary to a town called Nazareth in the region of Galilee, thus fulfilling the Scriptures: “He shall be called a Nazarean.”

December 29, 2019 - THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY & JOSEPH

A FRESH PERSPECTIVE ON THE SUNDAY READINGS HIS WORD TODAY by Rev. William J. Reilly

The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph December 29, 2019

“Because we are God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with heartfelt mercy, with kindness, humility, meekness and patience. Bear with one another: forgive whatever grievances you have against one another. Forgive as the Lord has forgiven you. Over all these virtues put on love, which binds the rest together and makes them perfect.”

As we conclude the calendar, praying for our family, we look to the family of Nazareth as a model. Surely they were tried by travel, poverty, oppressive government edicts, forced to take part in a census, flee a treacherous dictator, but united in the presence of the Christ.

Paul’s teaching allows us to take stock of our own home and family life.

Each virtue he names is like a different room in our home, or steps we ascend daily. If one is missing we can look for it as we begin a new year.

May we ‘dedicate ourselves to thankfulness’; for all the blessings given our family this year and seek His blessings as we turn the page to 2020.

Please keep in your prayers the ill of our parish especially: Kristin Harkin, Susan Sullivan Manuel, Maribeth Groth, Fred Wolff, Tom Donohoe, Dan Devoy, John Wazeter, Stephen Childs, Joy

Childs, Edison Blanco Perez, BJK

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

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, Michael Germain-Navy, Brandon King-Army, Michael Parton-Navy, Peter Dillon-Coast Guard, Chris Minozzi-Marines, Sean Roth-Army If you would like to add a name to our Military List, please call the rectory office.

WEEKLY COLLECTIONS - Thank You!

Weekend 2019 Includes Parish giving 2018 Unavailable due to early press deadline

There are two collections this weekend. The second collection is for Religious Retirement. Christmas Flower envelopes can be dropped into any collection basket or sent to the rectory at any time.

The Mass Book for January - June 2020

Is OPEN

St. Matthew & OLPH

Religious Education Classes:

NO CLASSES December 29 & January 1

Classes resume on January 5th & 8th

——————————————————————-

ARE RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CLASSES

CANCELLED?

In the case of inclement

weather a FLOCKNOTE will

be sent out notifying parents

of cancelled classes. We will also post the

notification on radio station WHUD 100.7FM. Sign

up for Flocknote at: www.flocknote.org

Candles & Flower Dedications

St. Matthew Tabernacle Candle Special Intentions for BJK

Give the gift of a Mass for Christmas The celebration of Mass is the “source and summit” of the Catholic faith and is regarded as one of the greatest gifts God has given

humanity. One aspect of the Mass that we often forget is that we can ask the priest to offer the spiritual fruits of the Mass for a particular intention. When a priest celebrates Mass each day, he offers each celebration of the Eucharist for a particular person, or intention. By doing so he applies special graces from God upon that person or intention. Just as we are able to intercede for others by our personal prayers, the Church is able to intercede for us through the celebration of the Mass. One of the greatest gifts a person can receive on Christmas Day is the celebration of a Mass for their intentions. For this reason it is a custom for many people to give the gift of a Mass intention to relatives or friends. While it may not seem like a great material gift, the spiritual weight of a Mass is immeasurable. As St. Anselm once said, “A single Mass offered for oneself during life may be worth more than a thousand celebrated for the same intention after death.” Or as St. John Vianney said, “Put all the good works in the world against one Holy Mass; they will be as a grain of sand beside a mountain.” If you can’t think of a good Christmas gift for someone on your list, consider having a Mass said for that person. It’s a wonderful gift, one that will bear much spiritual fruit, even if we can’t see it immediately. To reserve a Mass, please stop by the rectory

during office hours, or call 914-478-2822.

Lets begin the year with God

New Year’s Day Masses: St. Matthew’s: 9:00am

Our Lady of Perpetual Help: 10:30am

A Holy Day of Obligation

The Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, The feast is a

celebration of Mary’s motherhood of Jesus. The title “Mother of God” is a western derivation from the Greek Theotokos, which means “God-bearer”. On this day, we are reminded of the role that the Blessed Virgin played in the plan of our salvation. Through the Holy Spirit, God the Father prepared Mary to be the dwelling place where His Son and His Spirit could dwell among men. Christ’s birth was made possible by Mary’s fiat, or sanctioning of God’s plan with her words, “Be it done to me according to thy word”.

Calling Mary “Mother of God” is the highest honor we can give to her. Just as Christmas honors Jesus as the “Prince of Peace”, the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God honors Mary as the “Queen of Peace”. New Year’s Day is also designated as the “World Day of Peace”, further acknowledging the role of Mary in our hearts and in our world.

$518,500 $549,905

Goal Pledged Paid to Date

100%

$205,301.59

106% 37.33%

To date, 137 families have participated in the

Renew+Rebuild Campaign

Welcome New Parishioners

We want to take a moment and welcome the following new parishioners and those parishioners who have officially registered this month:

Arleen & Peter Best Sarah & Pietro Canetta Ellrosh Family Pedro Espinoza Jackie & James Finnerty Loren & David Heizman Linda Johnson Susan Lombardo Valerie & Padraig McGourty Mr. & Mrs. Patrick McNamara Bonny Osborn Gayle Pietropaolo Pinero Nicholas Spinozzi & Jessica Feliciano Crespo Louise Torrisi Christa Ursini

Just because you have been attending Mass for years, does not mean that you are registered with the parish. What are the benefits of registration? Glad you asked!

Benefits of Parish Registration:

1. Registered parishioners can receive important

communications from the parish throughout the year, including Christmas and Easter schedules.

2. Registered parishioners are able to participate in the parish’s CYO Basketball and Religious Education programs.

3. Registered parishioners are able to receive a verification

certificate to be a Confirmation sponsor or Godparent.

4. Registered parishioners have the option to receive

offertory envelopes and track contributions for tax purposes.

5. The parish has your information for Communion calls, if

you are ill or immobile, or for making hospital visits when requested.

6. The parish census numbers are a tool used by the

Archdiocese to determine how many priests are assigned to the parish, what benefits accrue for the parish and what obligations are owed by the parish.

Registration forms can be found on the parish website: www.stmolph.com or contact the rectory.

2020 CHURCH CALENDARS

Please remember to pick up your 2020 Church Art Calendar. They are located on the tables in the rear of the church.

We thank Joseph Casario and the Edwards-Dowdle Funeral Home for providing the calendars once again this year.