3RD WEEK OF ADVENT


GAUDETE SUNDAY IS ALSO
“BAMBINELLI SUNDAY”
 

PINK!

Holy Mother Church celebrates the Third Sunday in Advent, also called Gaudete Sunday. Gaudete is Latin for rejoice and comes from Philippians 4:4-5, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I say, rejoice. Indeed, the Lord is near.”  This is the Introit, the entrance antiphon, for Mass and also the first line of the second reading. Gaudete Sunday marks the halfway point in Advent, and we change things up a bit to provide encouragement to continue our Advent practices. We light the lone rose (pink) candle in our Advent wreaths, the Mass readings challenge us to cry out and sing joyfully as we continue waiting, and many priests wear rose-colored vestments. 
 
Feel free to wear Pink to Holy Mass next week!
 

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We will be blessing the Baby Jesus figurines at all of the Masses as part of the tradition of Bambinelli Sunday.  Pope Saint John Paul II, during his papacy, instituted the celebration of “Bambinelli Sunday” on the Third Sunday of Advent—a day on which children from Rome bring the figurine of the Christ Child from their families’ Nativity sets to the Church to be blessed.  Then after the Holy Father blesses the statues of Baby Jesus, the children will take them back to their homes to be placed under their Christmas trees. Pope Francis will continue the tradition, blessing the statuettes which children bring before him. Parishes around the world now join in the celebration, encouraging young children to make the connection between the Nativity set at home and the local church where they worship each weekend.
 

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OPLATKI 
Oplatki wafer is a popular, family-centered Christmas tradition enjoyed by families from Eastern Europe. The Oplatki tradition originated in the Kingdom of Poland and is traced to the early centuries of Christianity. This Christmas custom began with a simple white wafer baked from flour and water. Each wafer is rectangular in shape with a Christmas image pressed into them, such as the Nativity, the Star of Bethlehem or the Holy Family.
 
THE MEANING BEHIND THE TRADITION
The name "oplatki" or "oplatek" may vary depending on whether the tradition is being observed by families with a Polish, Slovak or Lithuanian background. In English this word means "Angel Bread."  In America the tradition is sometimes simply called "Christmas Wafers." Whatever the country, many nationalities have come to love this warm and wonderful Christian tradition!
 
BREAKING BREAD AS A SIGN OF UNITY
The Christmas wafer tradition began because the word "Bethlehem" means "House of Bread." The breaking of bread has long been a sign of charity, unity, and friendship in many cultures. The Oplatki reminds us of this symbol of communion common to humanity, as well as in a fuller way the Eucharistic meal that Catholics participate in at each Mass. Just as Christians share in the Eucharist as one family in Christ, the Oplatki wafer allows for one's family to come together and share the love they have for one another.
 
HOW TO CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS as it is commonly celebrated in the home, goes something like this: Just before the Christmas Eve meal the entire family will gather around the table with the Christmas wafer. Generally the eldest member of the family, usually the father or mother, will begin the ritual by breaking off a piece of the wafer and passing it to another family member while giving a blessing. This blessing can simply consist of what you desire for your loved one in the upcoming year - whether it be good health, growth in God's grace, or happiness. It can also be a request for forgiveness and a desire for reconciliation. The Christmas wafer is then passed from person to person around the table until all have had a piece and all have been given blessings. Each person then consumes their piece of the Oplatek in a special display of love and solidarity between the whole  family.
 
SHARE THE LOVE
Friends of the family or other guests can also be invited to join in this Christmas tradition. The purpose of this act is primarily to express one's unconditional love and forgiveness for one another. This tradition can vary slightly depending on the nationality, or the celebration may be made more elaborate by including more symbolism, but this is generally the foundational idea.
 

Oplatki will be available after Masses
on Bambinelli Sunday,
the Third Sunday of Advent 

 
 

4TH WEEK OF ADVENT

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Solemn Vespers of Advent
 

This season we offer an opportunity to enter more deeply into this beautiful season of preparation with the celebration of Solemn Vespers or Evening Prayer.  Evening Prayer or Vespers comes from the Liturgy of the Hours, the daily prayer celebrated by Priests, Deacons, Religious brothers and sisters and even lay faithful throughout the world.   The public celebration of the Liturgy of the Hours is an important part of the Rites of the Church and as the major documents of Vatican II states “Pastors of souls should see that the major hours of the Church, in particular Vespers are celebrated in common in church on Sundays and on more solemn seasons/occasions.” (Sacrosanctum Concilium, n.100).
 

The service of Vespers will begin at
5:00pm in the Church and
last approximately 25 minutes. 

After the service is completed,
the usual 6:00pm Mass will take place.
 

The dates for Vespers are as follows:

 

♦ 3^rd Sunday of Advent (December 16) –
                           Solemn Vespers @ 5:00pm
 

♦ 4^th Sunday of Advent (December 23) –
                          Solemn Vespers @ 5:00pm

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CHRISTMAS MASSES

CHRISTMAS EVE MASSES
5:00 PM (Children’s Mass),
8:00 PM,
and
 12:00 Midnight

 

CHRISTMAS DAY MASSES

8:00 AM,
10:00 AM
and
12:00 Noon

 
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NEW YEAR’S MASSES

NEW YEAR’S EVE MASS

5:00 PM

 

NEW YEAR’S DAY MASSES

10:00 AM
and
12:00 Noon

 

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(click on link)
CHRISTMAS AROUND THE WORLD
(VIDEOS OF CHRISTMAS MUSIC IN MANY LANGUAGES)

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The Golden Eagles
thank our Parish Community
for all of the support you have shown us. 
WE WISH ALL OF YOU A BLESSED CHRISTMAS.

“SIMBANG GABI MASS”

Please join us on

  Sunday, December 16^th
at 2:30 pm
 
as we celebrate the beautiful tradition of
Simbang Gabi (or in Latin “Missa de Gallo”) –
 these Masses are in proximation to the Solemnity of Christmas
and speak of the ‘light’ that is ever approaching as we get closer to Christmas. 

 We invite all in the parish to come and join
in this beautiful celebration –
this year taking place on Gaudete Sunday,
and to join our Filipino community in this joyous celebration!

ADVENT RECONCILIATION MONDAY
 
Reconciliation Monday for Advent will be on

December 17^th
from 4:00 to 8:00 PM. 

Amidst all the other preparations for this most Holy Season,
make sure to prepare yourself for Christmas.

BLESSING OF THE CHRISTMAS CRECHE

Christ, we pause to bless this Christmas manger scene. The practice of erecting such mangers was begun by Saint Francis of Assisi as a means to set forth the message of Christmas. When we look upon these figures, the Christmas gospel comes alive and we are moved to rejoice in the mystery of the incarnation of the Son of God.
 
Let us pray...
God of every nation and people, from the very beginning of creation you have made manifest your love: when our need for a Savior was great you sent your Son to be born of the Virgin Mary. To our lives he brings joy and peace, justice, mercy, and love. 
 
Lord, bless all who look upon this manger; may it remind us of the humble birth of Jesus, and raise up our thoughts to him, who is God-with-us and Savior of all, and who lives and reigns for ever and ever. 
R. Amen.

BLESSING OF THE CHRISTMAS TREE
 

Lord our God, we praise you for the light of creation:  the sun, the moon, and the stars of the night.  We praise you for the light of Israel: the Law, the prophets, and the wisdom of the Scriptures. We praise you for Jesus Christ, your Son: He is Emmanuel, God-with-us, the Prince of Peace, who fills us with the wonder of your love.
 
Lord God, let your blessing come upon us as we illumine this tree. May the light and cheer it gives be a sign of the joy that fills our hearts. May all who delight in this tree come to the knowledge and joy of salvation. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
 

ST. AUGUSTINE’S 2018 CHRISTMAS CLUB
 
MIDNIGHT RUN MISSION
AT ST. AUGUSTINE’S PARISH
 

This year, Father Brian T. McSweeney will be completing his (first) six-year term as Pastor of St. Augustine parish.  In keeping with Archdiocesan policy, an evaluation of the parish has begun.
                
Parishioners and staff who wish to do so may write letters with their own comments about our parish and the pastoral leadership of the parish.  Please address your letters to:
 

                                                        The Office of Priest Personnel
                                                        Archdiocese of New York
                                                        1011 First Avenue
                                                        New York, New York 10022

 
Letters should be received no later than December 31, 2018.
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The Holy Rosary
(click on title to go to Holy Rosary website)

Rosary Prayers


The Prayer,
We Fly to Thy Patronage

We fly to thy patronage, O holy Mother of God;
despise not our petitions in our necessities,
but deliver us always from all dangers,
O glorious and blessed Virgin.
Amen.

May the Divine assistance remain always with us!
Amen.
 

Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel
 

St. Michael the Archangel,
Defend us in battle,
Be our protection against the
malice and snares of the devil.
May God rebuke him, we
humbly pray.
And do you, O Prince of the
heavenly host, by the divine
power, thrust into hell Satan
and all evil spirits who prowl
abut the world, seeking the
ruin of souls.
Amen.

Ministries

-- November/December Altar Servers Schedule

-- November/December Schedule for Lectors and EMHC

Lectio Divina ~
in the Church and every other Wednesday.
Gather for Prayer and Meditation.

St. Genesius Cinema Circle ~ 
Help plan Movie Nights Monthly meetings and showings.  

Let us remember relatives and friends who may have strayed
from attending Mass and the Sacraments. 
Consider asking someone you know to come with you to Mass.
Your encouragement may be all that they need.
 

CALLING ALL CONVERTS

Attend Daily Mass


 

Do you sometimes wonder what you are going to do during the day? Have you ended your day feeling that you really did not accomplish much? Perhaps you have time on your hands?  Have you asked yourself: how can I make a difference in the lives of family, friends, strangers, even the world? Well, have you ever thought about attending Mass daily or a few times a week? If you think about it, there is no better way to spend part of your day; no better way to praise God; no better place to pray for yourself or anyone for whatever intentions, including your own! Join fellow parishioners, along with people who work in the area, in adoring, praising and petitioning God in his house and at the table of the Lord. Here at St. Augustine’s, we have two daily Masses at 6:30 and 8:30 AM. Give it some thought.
 

How (and Why) to Return to Sunday Mass
and on the bottom of the same Page is:
How (and Why) to Return to Confession

“To fall in love with God
is the greatest romance;
to seek him the greatest adventure;
to find him, the greatest human achievement.”  
―  Saint Augustine of Hippo
 

The Saint Augustine Roman Catholic Church Facebook
page is not our parish's official Facebook page.

This is our official Parish Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/augustine.saint.7

The Facebook logo link at the top of this page will
connect you with our Official Facebook page.

Our other official pages are: 

Twitter:
https://twitter.com/StAugustineNY

Flocknote:
https://archny.flocknote.com/

Website:
http://www.staugny.org

Parish E-Mail List

A WORD OF WELCOME
TO OUR NEW PARISHIONERS!

Please introduce yourself to
Fr. McSweeney, Fr. J.P.,
and/or
Deacons Tim, Steven, Cliff or John
so that we may better serve you. 
We hope that you
will become involved
with our parish
and we look forward
to your presence and
participation each week!!

St. Augustine is
wheelchair accessible.

If you have Celiac Disease, please stop by the Sacristy prior to Mass to let us know that you would like to receive a gluten free host during Mass.

We pray to the Lord that God may hear the cry of the unborn threatened by abortion.  

Birthright’s hotline is 

1-800-550-4900
or
(914) 737-0344.

PRAYER FOR OUR TROOPS

Heavenly Father, we place our troops in Your loving hands.  Guide and protect them always ~ especially during this time of the year when they are so far from their loved ones ~ keep their families in your loving care, bless them for their sacrifice in protecting us and our nation.  We ask this through Christ Our Lord.  Amen.

A special "Thank-You" to all who made our Advent Lessons and Carols with Christmas Pageant such a success!   Thank you to our Adult Choir under the direction of Bozena Romano with Mary Corda conducting; our Children's Choir directed by Bozena Romano, Roxy Sarcone and Audrey Creary; Pageant coordinator - Carla Cerulli with Erica Sosa, Judy Strollo and Maria Costa;  the Lesson Givers (Readers), musicians, and our stellar cast of the Holy Family, Angels, Shepherds, and Kings! And a thank you also to the Second Grade parents who assisted! It was an inspirational afternoon! A great time was had by all!

A very special “THANK YOU” to our Girl Scout Troop #1307 (under the leadership of Susan Traver and Susan DeMino) for hosting the “Breakfast with Santa” last Sunday.  A good time was had by all who attended and the Scouts look forward to seeing all of you at their breakfast next year!

DURING THE FLU SEASON,
A NOD OR WAVE
IS BETTER THAN A HANDSHAKE.

PLEASE DO NOT PARK AROUND THE CIRCLE IN FRONT OF THE CHURCH.

NEXT YEAR’S FESTIVAL
WILL BE
JULY 23 ~ 28, 2019.

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CLICK ON THE SIGN

Need Someone To Visit a Loved One At The Westchester Medical Center or County Jail?   

Deacon Cliff Calanni is a Chaplain at both facilities and would be more than happy to provide spiritual and or emotional support to your loved one. Contact Deacon Cliff at (914) 523-5507. All visits would be strictly confidential.

♦♦♦

Need of Assistance of A Personal Matter?

If you are or know a parishioner who is in need of assistance of a personal matter, please contact Deacon Steven DeMartino at (845) 260-5637.  All calls will remain confidential.

OUR HELP IS NEEDED!
Our Youth Group is sponsoring a needy family with four sons ~ ages 8 to 17 years old.  They need clothes, shoes and coats.  The Youth Group will shop for the items and wrap them for the family.  However, funds are needed to purchase the gifts. 

If you would like to contribute, please make a check payable to
St. Augustine Church and mark the envelope “Youth Group”.  You can send it to the Parish Office or put it in the Collection Basket.

JOIN ST. AUGUSTINE'S
ADULT CHOIR! 

Music enhances a beauty of the Holy Mass and provides joy, comfort and inspiration and musical prayer for our liturgies. 

If you can carry a tune and want to learn how to sing, come join us. Don't miss the opportunity to become a member of such a unique ministry. 

For more info, please contact our

Choir Director,
Bozena Romano,
at 
(914) 739-3527.
 

You CAN Help!  

The Ministry of the Usher needs volunteers like you.  There will be an interest and planning conference call for the Christmas season soon, and regular weekly help is needed at several Masses.  Interested?  Join us!  Many thanks to all current Ushers and helpers!  Any members of the community that are able to step up and pitch in - simply contact us at usher@sterlingsolved.com and let us know.

 STATIONS OF THE CROSS

 Our new Stations of the Cross are complete thanks to the attention of Eric Peterson who worked tirelessly to frame, attach crosses and numerals, and donors names to each of our new stations. Thank you for all you do Eric!

Our Lady of Fatima will visit YOU!  Members of the Legion of Mary will bring a parish statue of Our Lady of Fatima to your home and they will pray the rosary with you.  Our Lady will stay with you for one week.  Spending time with our Lady in your home, praying the rosary is filled with many blessings for you and your family.  To schedule a visit, please call Patty Barbera at (914) 310-0558. 

WeShare (formerly Parish Pay) is an alternative means of support for St. Augustine Parish instead of using envelopes.  In lieu of weekly collections, the WeShare program will collect monthly contributions via your checking, saving, or credit card account.  There is NO cost to you to participate in the program.
 

How do I enroll? 
To safeguard your personal information, enrollment can be done directly at the WeShare website: https://staugny.churchgiving.com or
by calling
WeShare Customer Care at 1-800-950-9952. 
The process takes less than 5 minutes.

 
If you have already signed up for WeShare and you do not wish to receive the weekly donation envelopes, please notify the Parish Office.
 
For those parishioners who make their donations through WeShare, please know that the “donation slip” that can be put into the collection basket may be found on our website (www.StAugNY.org) under the Donate/WeShare tab on thIs page (Home Page), or on your donation page at the WeShare site.
 

If you have any questions regarding the WeShare program, please contact: mary.anne.dempsey@staugny.org
or
call her at
(914) 941-0067, Ext. 102.

The Cardinal’s Annual Stewardship appeal serves our spiritual communities across our 10 counties.  If you have not yet made your pledge to the Cardinal’s Appeal, please make your commitment today.  Remember, you can pledge your gift now and make payments in the coming months.  To date, $76,094 has been received from 226 donors.  Please join them in order for us to meet our goal of $187,000.