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A community of Faith hope and love
The Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph
December 29, 2013
Our God has appeared on the earth
Bulletin Deadline: Friday, 5:00 pm, nine days prior to publication. You may email us at [email protected] or leave a printed copy in the inbox on the bulletin desk in the Parish Office. Thank you for your cooperation!
MISSION STATEMENT We are a Parish Community
of men and women who serve God, our country and one another. Inspired by St. Bernard’s love
of God and humanity, we proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ by
praying and worshipping together, educating one another in faith,
providing assistance for those in need, working for justice in the world, and
welcoming all to the sacramental life of the Church in the Roman Catholic tradition.
With Faith, Hope, and Love, we dedicate ourselves to the mission of living and sharing
the Good News of Jesus Christ in the world.
516-731-4220 Phone/516-731-4355 Fax Email: [email protected] Website: www.StBernardsLevittown.org
PASTORAL TEAM
Father Ralph Sommer, Pastor [email protected]
ext. 130
Father Todd Saccoccia, Associate Pastor
Father Joe Nohs, Associate Pastor [email protected]
ext. 127
Deacon John Blakeney [email protected]
516-731-4220
Deacon James Flannery [email protected]
516-731-4220
Father Joy Varkey, Resident Priest [email protected]
ext. 124
Father Martin J. Hall, Retired Priest in Residence
Sr. Margaret Sammon, O.P., Director of Religious Education
[email protected] 516-731-8511 Phone/516-731-7860 Fax
The Religious Education Center is closed on Fridays.
Sr. Christine Sammons, O.P., Coordinator of Parish Social Ministry
[email protected] 516-731-6074
Mr. Mike Rodgers, Coordinator of Youth Ministry [email protected]
516-978-8193
Mrs. Mary Jane Witte, Director of Liturgical Music [email protected]
ext. 142
Ms. Diane Vella, Pastoral Associate [email protected]
ext. 143
Mrs. Rose Marie Rotondo, Sacristan [email protected]
516-731-4220
Mr. Len Lanzi, Facilities Manager ext. 120
Mr. Matt Gagas, Maintenance Supervisor [email protected]
ext. 126
Confessions:
Saturday: 4:00 - 5:00 pm. Weekdays: After the 8:00 am Mass
Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Novena and
Benediction: Monday: Check schedule on page 5
Morning Prayer:
Monday through Saturday 8:30 am, Prayer Room. Books are available.
Baptism of Children: We welcome infants and children to our
Christian community! Baptisms are held on select Sundays at
1:30 pm. Please contact the parish at least 3 months before
an anticipated baptism – even before a new child is born – to
ensure enough time to complete the baptism preparation
process. Our three-step preparation process includes: 1) at-home reading and preparation by the parents; 2) an intake
conversation with a member of our parish staff; and 3) participation with other parents in a Sunday morning gathering, which begins with attendance at our 9:00 am “Family-friendly” Mass. Please call 731-4220 or e-mail [email protected] to request a Baptism information and preparation packet.
Marriages: Church arrangements should be made at least 6
months before the marriage and before making any
contracts with restaurants or caterers. Please call the Rectory to set up an appointment with a priest, 731-4220.
Ministry to the Sick and Aging: If you are, or know of
someone who is homebound and would like to receive Holy
Communion, please call the rectory at 731-4220.
St. Vincent De Paul Society: 735-3218
Spiritual Life
Schedule of Masses:
Saturday: 8:00 am and 5:00 pm
Sunday: 7:30 am, 9:00 am (Family Mass), 10:30 am,
12 Noon, 5:30 pm (Youth Mass)
Weekdays: 8:00 am
Holy Days: see website: www.StBernardsLevittown.org
Would you like to join our vibrant community of Faith, Hope and Love at St. Bernard’s? Sign-up and get to know us at one of our monthly New Parishioner Registration and Welcome evenings! For information, call the parish office at 516-731-4220, or down-load a form from our website www.StBernardsLevittown.org. Click on “Join St. Bernard’s Parish” on the left side of the home page. form. If you move away, please notify us as well.
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The First Christmas
E– mail Father Ralph: [email protected]
This is one of the hardest columns to write. When you are reading this,
Christmas will have begun at St. Bernard’s with the Christmas Eve and
Christmas Day celebrations. But I’m writing this on the Sunday before
Christmas in order to meet the printing deadline. So while I’m pretty sure
that I’d be writing “All was calm, all was bright,” who really knows until it
happens?
Could you imagine St. Joseph writing his first annual Christmas card ahead
of time and saying, “The trip to Bethlehem was great. Good weather, great
food. Mary was a real trooper and despite the rough roads, she didn’t seem
any worse for the trip. When we got there, people were so happy to see us,
we had our choice of homes to stay in. Can’t believe the generosity and
hospitality of the Bethlehem folks. We’re definitely going back again when
Jesus is older and can appreciate it.”
Alas, that’s not how it turned out. So I’m going to hold out til next week to
describe how my first Christmas at St. Bernard’s went. And I hope that the
start of YOUR Christmas turned out fine.
Notice that I mention that Christmas has only begun, it’s hardly done. Of
course in the wider culture, Christmas is definitely done. Trying to find a
Christmas song on the radio? Not happening. “Christmas” in the stores is
75% off and the Valentines decorations are taking over the shelves. Look up
your block and see if there are any Christmas trees on the street already.
Before you know it, we’ll have the baby Jesus back in bubble wrap and into
the attic.
So let’s take this opportunity to celebrate the Feast of Christmas for ALL its
“twelve days”. Keep those Christmas lights burning bright each night. Put
on those Christmas CD’s (or the mp3 player Christmas mix). And take some
time with Jesus. After all, if you had a new-born in your family, you’d be
spending MORE time with her. So too with Christmas time -- it’s time to
spend more time so that our relationship with Jesus can be reborn again. For
many of us, getting ready for Christmas got in the way of our prayer time.
(Alas, it did for me.) So I’m looking forward to the colorful, light-filled
moments of the days ahead to spend time with my best friend of all time:
Jesus.
Merry Christmas!
Beginning thanks
Even though I don’t know how
my first Christmas went as I
write this, I DO want to begin
to thank the many people who
made one aspect of Christmas
so beautiful. We were able to
transform the gym into a
beautiful place of worship for
our Christmas Eve Mass. We
had lots of help from
Confirmation Candidates and
their families as we decorated
the room. Our youth group
did a great job preparing the
seating. Our beautiful cross
was handmade by Todd
Siemers. The beautiful large
banners that hung behind the
altar were the work of Terry
Camalleri. And some fine
finishing touches were made by
Frank Lazzarro. If you were
there you may have also
noticed the new lighting with
its softer, gentler glow. I invited
those at the Mass to help
defray the cost of the lights by
“buying” a light for the parish
as an extra. Each fixture cost
$200 including labor. If you’d
like to give the gift of light,
we’d welcome your
participation too.
Gifts of treasure
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parish news
Sunday collections
12/22/2013 12/23/2012 $ 12,949.20 $ 13,331.80 592 envelopes 554 envelopes
Faith Direct $ 2,101.18 $ 2,142.87
Total Collection $ 15,050.38 $ 15,474.67
Have you enrolled yet?
www.faithdirect.net
Code = NY272
the Gifts of bread and wine
for the weekend of December 28th and December 29th
have been requested
in loving memory of
Harry Mormon III
by
Cathy Mormon and Family
Please continue to fulfill your pledge commitment
so that all of the planned projects can be accomplished.
Thank you for your continued generosity.
Capital Campaign
Goal : $1,000,000.00 Pledged : $1,199,925.00 Feast of Mary, The Mother of God
New Year’s Eve, Tuesday December 31, 5:00 pm
New Year’s Day, Wednesday, January 1,
9:00 am and 12 Noon
Feast of the Epiphany, January 5
Saturday 5:00 pm
Sunday, 7: 30 am, 9:00 am, 10:30 am, 12 Noon
and 5:30 pm.
NOCTURNAL ADORATION SOCIETY
Gathers this Saturday, January 4th at
8:00 pm in the Church.
All are welcome to attend
and spend time in adoration
of our Lord Jesus Christ
in the Blessed Sacrament.
mass intentions
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Please pray for all those on our Long-term Sick List
Pray for our beloved deceased And
those who mourn for them
All names will remain on the list for 4 weeks after you call in.
After that time we ask, if necessary, to call again.
Thank you for cooperating and God bless all.
Father Joe Nohs
Debbie Auer Karen Connolly John Derienzo
Laura Fitzsimons Vicki Jacona Robert Knowles
Maureen Levinson Gerald Logan Donna Sara
Laureen Quinn-Sturge
Rosalie Travers JaneWozniuk
Baby Christian Murphy Baby Mason Francis Combs
Susan Arena Walter Bartnick Frank Bond
Phil Blum Helen Clarke Rosemary Clark
Roberta Curran Vincent Davi Bridget Dell’Aera
Juanita Dones Gerry Dowling Jim Finlan
Kathleen Flaherty Colleen Grasing Mike Hach
Carolyn Hakim Suzanne Hanna Judy Hupfer
Sally Jacovina Jerome W. Kalkhof Betty Lalonde
Robert Lane Tia Mabanta Andrew Mahoney
Mary Messina William McDonagh Mary McLean
Gerard McManus Kerri Orlando Johnny Perdue
Rosina Perri Joseph Pfeifer Raymond Pfiefer
Catherine Pipinou Fred Rappa Deanne Reilly
Frances Rotondo John Rotondo, Sr. John Rotondo, Jr.
Terri Saccente Eve Saint Thomas Saint
Robert Schwally Joseph Smithwick, Sr. Norma Steiger
Marina Suazo David Testa Theresa Votta
Pat Welisher
Gloria Cosenza
Joseph Dougherty Steven R. Turkovich
Monday, December 30 8:00 am Nicola Waskowitz
Tuesday, December 31, St. Sylvester
8:00 am Kieran Morgan 5:30 pm For all Parishioners Wednesday, January 1, Feast of Mary, The Mother of God 9:00 am For All Parishioners 10:30 am Margaret O’Brien 12 Noon Donna Van Pelt
Thursday, January 2, St. Basil the Great and
St. Gregory Nazianzen
8:00 am Nunzio Pellettieri
Friday, January 3, Most Holy Name of Jesus
8:00 am Frances Klokner and Mary Ann Cipko
Saturday, January 4, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
8:00 am Lucy Cannone, Dolores Martin, Dennis Joseph Doyle, Donna Van Pelt 5:00 pm For all Parishioners
Sunday, January 5, The Epiphany 7:30 am Living and Deceased members of Holy Innocents K of C 9:00 am Margaret Urbach 10:30 am Dorothy Fleming, Anne Pustorino, Kathleen Rogers, Lucy D’Aquila 12 Noon Lorrain Rutan 5:30 pm Edward Quigley
Monday, December 30, 2013
7:30 pm Miraculous Medal Novena, Church
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
10:00 am Our Lady of Consolation, Parish Center
7:00 pm Spanish Rosary, Prayer Room
8:00 pm AA Meeting, Cafeteria
Thursday, January 2, 2014
10:00 am Shawl Ministry, Parish Center
2:15 pm St. Vincent Meeting, Clairvaux House
6:30 pm Most Holy Trinity Adoration, Prayer Rm
Saturday, January 3, 2014
10:30 am Special Needs Religious Ed, Parish Center
11:00 am Women’s AA Meeting, Cafeteria
8:00 pm Nocturnal Adoration, Church
Sunday, January 4, 2014
9:00 am RCIA, Parish Center
6:30 pm Youth Ministry Meeting, Parish Center
7:00 pm Men’s Prayer Group, Church
8:00 pm AA Meeting, Cafeteria
Parish schedule
for the sick of our parish
Friday, January 5th, is the First
Friday of the month and is always
dedicated to the Sacred Heart of
Jesus.
Come visit and talk to him about
your plans for the New Year and
disappointments of the last year.
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GIFTED, ENGAGED AND GROWING st. Bernard’s pastoral plan
Question for all parishioners:
What would you like St. Bernard’s to be most KNOWN for
in the Levittown Community?
NEW POPE. NEW PASTOR. NEW PLAN.
5th annual gathering of all St. Bernard’s parishioners!
Join Father Bill Hanson and fellow parishioners for FREE lunch and conversation
about the mission and purpose of our parish!
SATURDAY, JANUARY 25
12:00-4:30 P.M.
Rev Msgr. Bill Hanson, a native of Wantagh, was ordained in 1972 and assigned as Associate Pastor of St. Bernard’s until 1977. He has been Pastor of St. Gerard Majella Church in Port Jefferson Station since 1990. As the only priest assigned to St. Gerard’s, Father Bill is assisted by two resident hospital chaplains and a staff of nine lay people. Along with Father Chris Heller as co-pastor until 2004, Father Bill introduced the Clifton Strengths Finder to the parish, and to date over 800 parishioners have participated in small groups to learn their God given-talents and how to use their talent in the parish and the community.
St. Gerard Parish was among the first three churches in the Unites States to apply research and tools developed by the Gallup organization and its Faith Practice division in 2003. The use of this research has given the parishioners specific and concrete ways to live out the US Bishops’ Pastoral Letter on Stewardship at home, in the parish, and in the workplace. St. Gerard Majella Parish was chosen by Gallup to be the subject of Chapter 7 of Gallup’s book Growing Engaged Churches, sharing their research on why people join, stay, and serve in churches. In addition to presentations in the Diocese of Rockville Centre, Father Bill has been invited to share his parish’s experience of pastoral renewal using Gallup’s faith practice research in more than four dozen dioceses around the country.
RSVP by Monday, January 20, 516-731-4220 or [email protected]
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Liturgy page
FEAST OF THE FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY, AND
JOSEPH
Saints of the Week - Within the Octave of the Nativity of the Lord
T he family is the privileged setting where every person
learns to give and receive love…. The family is an
intermediate institution between individuals and society, and
nothing can completely take its place…. The family is a
necessary good for peoples, an indispensable foundation for
society and a great and lifelong treasure for couples. It is a
unique good for children, who are meant to be the fruit of the
love of the total and generous self-giving of their parents…. The
family is also a school which enables men and women to grow
to the full measure of their humanity…. “O God, who in the
Holy Family left us a perfect model of family life lived in faith
and obedience to your will, help us to be examples of faith and
love for your commandments.” Pope Benedict XVI.
First Reading: We may think of today’s reading as an
elaboration of what it means to honor one’s father and
mother as commanded by God to Moses (see Exodus
20:12). In addition, we hear the blessings that will come
to the one who faithfully observes this command of the
Lord.
Responsorial Psalm 128: As in the First Reading, we
hear the blessings that will come upon the one who is
obedient to the Lord. Response – Blessed are those who fear
the Lord and walk in his ways.
Second Reading: If only each of us could take these
exhortations on the manner of living a Christian life to
heart. What a difference it would make in our
relationships with one another! Love, reverence, respect,
forgiveness, and peace—all are hallmarks of the
Christian family.
Gospel: Like his people before him during the time of
Joseph the Patriarch (see Genesis 45-46), the child Jesus
was taken down to Egypt that his life might be spared.
Like his people before him, Jesus, too, was led out of
Egypt. In order to protect him from any danger or threat
to his life, Joseph took Jesus and his Mother to settle in
Nazareth in Galilee, the northern region of Israel. Thus,
the adult Jesus was known as “the Nazorean” (Matthew
2:23).
Tuesday, December 31. Very little is known about Saint
Sylvester I. He was pope from 314 to 335 during the era
of Constantine, when the Church was able to come out
of hiding after years of persecution. During his
pontificate some of the great churches in Rome were
built, such as the Lateran Basilica and the original St.
Peter’s Basilica on the Vatican Hill (the present St.
Peter’s Basilica was constructed between 1506 and
1626). The First Council of Nicaea in 325, at which the
Nicene Creed was adopted, occurred during his papacy.
Sylvester did not attend, but he sent two legates.
Wednesday, January 1. Solemnity of Mary, the Holy
Mother of God. We are still in the midst of Christmas
Time, and today the Church celebrates the solemnity of
Mary, the Holy Mother of God. One of the most
outstanding characteristics of Mary is her willingness to
know and do God’s will. While we would like to follow
her example, we wonder how she was so sure of it.
Mary is the epitome of a woman who gave her life
entirely to God, listened to God’s voice and never
doubted. Because of this, she knew her Son long before
he was even born. Through the courage and witness of
his Mother, Jesus, the name above all names, entered
the world—our world.
Thursday, January 2. Saints Basil and Gregory
became close friends as students in Athens. Together
they fought against the Arian heresy, which denied the
full divinity of Christ. Their writings also aided the
Church’s understanding of the Holy Spirit and the
Trinity.
Saturday, January 4. Even though Mother Elizabeth
Seton was raised in a faithful Episcopalian family, she
felt drawn to the Catholic faith. Upon her conversion,
which happened after the death of her husband, she
wanted to give her life more fully to God and the
education of the poor. She is a woman of many firsts:
she is the foundress of the first group of women religious
in the United States of America (Sisters of Charity); she
started the first Catholic school, ultimately laying the
foundation for the American parochial system; and she
was the first American-born person to be canonized a
saint.
Sourcebook, 2014
Community Bulletin Board Parish social ministry
Sr. Christine Sammons, O.P., 731-6074
St. Vincent de Paul & Parish Social Ministry:
Dear Friends,
When the song of the angels is stilled,
When the star in the sky is gone,
When the kings and the princes are home,
When the shepherds are back with their flock,
The work of Christmas begins…
To find the lost,
To heal the broken,
To feed the hungry,
To release the prisoner,
To rebuild the nations,
To bring peace among people,
To make music in the heart.
“The Work of Christmas” Howard Thurman
Thank you for the gift you are to
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul
and Parish Social Ministry…
especially when you have found the lost, healed the broken,
fed the hungry,
released prisoners, rebuilt nations,
brought peace among people,
and made music in your heart…
however and wherever
you have brought the Christ
to our broken world.
Blessings to you and your family,
now and in the new year ahead!
Sister Christine
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Are you or someone you know having family or
interpersonal problems due to drinking ALCOHOL
and/or using DRUGS? CATHOLIC CHARITIES /
Talbot House, a Chemical Dependence Crisis Center,
ocated in Bohemia, provides withdrawal and
stabilization services on a voluntary basis to males and
females over the age of 18, who are seeking to stop and/
or withdraw from alcohol and/or other drug use. The
medical and clinical staff at Talbot House will assess the
kind of care the person needs to begin his/her journey in
recovery. For more information, please call: 631-589-
4144. Talbot House staff is available 24/7. Each call is
confidential. Talbot House is a NO fee for service
program.
Spirituality For Singles - Monthly Singles Gathering
Saturday, Jan 4, 2014, 8:30PM, St. Aidan Parish, 510
Willis Ave., Williston Park, NY, 11596. Our Monthly
gathering for singles; discussion, meditation,
socialization. $5.00 donation - snacks, pizza and
beverages will be served. Contact: Ray (516) 561-6994 or
Divorced, Separated and Single Catholics Widows and
Widowers of Long Island
New Member Orientation, Tuesday, January 26, 2014 at
8pm, at St. Frances de Chantal, 1309 Wantagh Ave,
Wantagh, NY. Non denominational. All are welcome.
Refreshments are served after the meeting. Please bring
proof of single status to join. For more information call
Carol at 516-794-4933 or Eileen at 516-661-4353.
Spirituality and Health
Mind, body, emotion and spirit connections as they
relate to wholeness and holiness will be explored.
Date: January 8, February 12, March 12, April 9, May
14, 2014 Second Wednesday's 7:30pm - 9:30pm
Location: Tabor Retreat Center, 60 Anchor Ave.,
Oceanside, NY 11752
Donation: $15.00
For more information please call 516-536-3004.
Save The Date! Birthright
Holy Innocents Knights Of Columbus
Birthright
Cocktail Party & Chinese Auction -
$20.00 Per Person
Sunday, February 16, 2014 3 – 6 P.M.
Music, Food, Dessert, Tap Beer, Wine, Soda, Cash Bar.
Call For Tickets: Richard Coyne (516) 783-4088
This feature is for families to share their thoughts
as they travel to and from Church.
December 29, 2013
Feast of the Holy Family
of Jesus, Mary and Joseph
Gospel: Luke 2: 13:15, 19-23
Adults: What can you do this week to help someone
in your family feel secure and loved ?
Children: What good thing will you do this week to
show your love for a parent or grandparent ?
**********************************************
For those families who read this column, you might
notice that we are only including the GOSPEL
reading now. Happy riding together !!!! Pray for
each other.
For The Ride Home
Sunday, December 29. Feast of the Holy Family
of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14;
Psalm 128:1-5; Colossians 3:12-21; Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23
Monday, December 30. 1 John 2:12-17; Psalm
96:7-10; Luke 2:36-40
Tuesday, December 31. 1 John 2:18-21; Psalm 96:1-2, 11-13; John 1:1-18
Wednesday, January 1. The Octave Day of the Na-
tivity of the Lord, Solemnity of Mary, the Holy
Mother of God. Numbers 6:22-27; Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8,10-13; Galatians 4:4-7; Luke 2:16-21
Thursday, January 2. Memorial of Saints Basil the
Great and Gregory Nazianzen, Bishops and Doc-
tors of the Church. 1 John 2:22-28; Psalm 98:1-4;
John 1:19-28
Friday, January 3. 1 John 2:29-3:6; Psalm 98:1, 3-6; John 1:29-34
Saturday, January 4. Memorial of Saint Elizabeth
Ann Seton, Religious. 1 John 3:7-10; Psalm 98:1, 7-
9; John 1:35-42
Sunday, January 5. Solemnity of the Epiphany of
the Lord. Isaiah 60:1-6; Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-13; Ephesians 3:2-3, 5-6; Matthew 2:1-12
Readings for
December 29, 2013 —January 5, 2014
The Catholics For Freedom
of Religion would like to
wish everyone a very Happy
Healthy New Year.
Please continue to pray for
the restoration of our
religious liberties. May God continue to bless you
and keep you in his care.
Stocking the Kitchen Christmas is coming and people might be getting
gifts for use in their kitchen. So what to do with the
older items? Or perhaps you're tasked with closing
up Aunt Agatha's house and you don't know what
to do with her lovely kitchen items. Well, the
priests at St. Bernard's are happy to help as they'd
like to stock the rectory kitchen with some needed
cooking and baking items. Got an extra cutting
board? Some extra non-matching coffee mugs? A
working stand mixer? Round cake pans? Toaster
oven? The whole wish list is online at
www.stbernardslevittown.org/kitchen . The list
will be updated as items come in.
But the good fathers do not want anyone to buy
anything. The idea here is to recycle and to share.
(We'll bet the items on the wish list are out there in
many a cupboard or attic.) So if you have access to
any of the listed items and would like to donate
them, you'll get a prayer each time the items is
used! Be sure the donated items are clean, in good
working order, and safe. If you have any
questions, contact Father Ralph.
Out and about the parish
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