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1 118 SJBosco
SAINT JOHN BOSCO
ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH PARISH CENTER OFFICE
215 E. COUNTY LINE ROAD
HATBORO, PA 19040
Tel. (215) 672-7280 In emergency, call anytime 24/7.
Otherwise, please call during Office Hours.
Faith Formation Office (PREP) Tel. 267-803-0774.
St. Vincent de Paul Society Tel. 215-882-2707.
YOUR PARISH STAFF Rev. Gary J. Kramer, Pastor
Rev. Gerald C. Ronan, Parochial Vicar
Rev. James E. McVeigh, Weekend Assistant
Deacon Daniel J. Rouse, Financial Administrator
Mrs. Doris Duncheskie, CRN, Parish Nurse
Mrs. Diane Falchetta, Secretary
Loretta Ceniviva, Secretary
Mrs. Christine Flack, Faith Formation Coordinator
Mrs. Lisa Quaranto, Music Director
Mrs. Janet Shepherd, Bulletin Editor
HOW TO CONTACT PRIEST (EMERGENCY...HERE & ELSEWHERE)
Within Parish Call Parish Center Tel. (above). A
parish priest is “on-call” (24 hrs./7 days wk.) for
emergencies within our parish territory, which
includes Majestic Oaks Nursing Home and Abington
Health Center’s Warminster Hospice.
Outside Parish Catholic patients at other hospitals,
nursing homes, rehabs, etc. are served by local priests
“24/7”. The patient or family at any time may ask
facility staff to contact “on-call” Catholic clergy.
ARRANGING BAPTISM
BAPTISM First (Spanish) and Last (English)
Sundays each month. Call Parish Center.
Before date is confirmed, parents must have/obtain:
Registration in SJB Parish:
Family from another parish must obtain written
permission from “home” parish for Baptism at SJB.
Certificate of Eligibility to Serve as Sponsor: Each Catholic Sponsor (1 required; 2 preferred) must
obtain Certificate of Eligibility from “home” parish.
Parishes generally do not issue certificates to persons
not registered already nor to persons who left the
parish more than 6 months previously.
Letter of Pastor for Christian Witness. One
baptized non-Catholic may serve as Christian
Witness and must present Letter of Good Standing
from current Christian pastor. A Catholic not
eligible to be a Sponsor may not be Christian
Witness.
OFFICE HOURS
Mass Cards/Mail/Messages/Documents/Facility
Keys are available only during regular Office Hours:
Mon. to Thurs.: 9 am to 12 noon; 1 to 4:30 pm;
Evenings 6:30 to 8:00 pm by appt.
Fri.: 9 am to 12 noon; 1 to 4 pm. Eve. closed.
Sat./Sun.: Closed.
SCHEDULE OF RELIGIOUS SERVICES
SUNDAY Vigil Masses on Sat. Eve.:
4:00 pm (English); 7:00 pm (Spanish)
Sun. Morning Masses: 7, 9, & 11 am No afternoon/evening Masses on Sundays.
MON. TO FRI. Confession: 8:15-8:35 am.
Holy Mass: 8:45 am.
SATURDAY Confession: 8:30-8:50 am.
Rosary: 8:30 am; Holy Mass: 9:00 am
Novena: After Mass to Our Lady of the Immaculate
Conception. Confession: 3-3:30 pm; 6-6:30 pm.
Parishioners unable to attend confessions at regularly
scheduled times may request appt. with priest.
ARRANGING MARRIAGE
Wedding Planning begins with engaged couple’s
meeting a parish priest here at least six (6) months
before desired wedding date. Please do not make
financial commitments before confirming church
date/time.
Marriage Convalidation
Couples in a civil or non-Catholic religious union
without our Church’s explicit permission are not in a
valid Catholic marriage. They cannot receive other
sacraments or serve as Catholic Sponsors for Baptism
and Confirmation. This situation often is easily
remedied by “convalidation”, a simple ceremony
popularly called “getting a marriage blessed”.
If a member of the couple were previously married, a
Declaration of Nullity (Annulment) of the prior
marriage may be necessary. Please contact parish
priest for detailed information.
PARISH BULLETIN JANUARY 4, 2015
FEAST OF THE EPIPHANY
2 118 SJBosco
Sunday, January 4, 2015
A GIFT OF LOVE
On the Feast of the Epiphany in 1929 an 18 year old girl
arrived by train at the capitol of the Bengal state in the country India.
Raised in comfort in Eastern Europe, this bright, young woman would
spend the next 20 years of her life as a Sister of Loretto, teaching
geography to high school girls from wealthy families in the suburbs of
that capital.
In 1949, at age 38, that same woman felt a powerful call from God to
serve the poorest of the poor, especially those who were
dying. So she asked the local bishop for permission to
establish a new congregation whose only ministry would
be with those whom the rest of the world had abandoned. When the bishop was
made aware of the request, he scoffed at it and said, “I knew her as a novice, and
she couldn’t even light the candles on the altar - - - and now she wants to start a
new religious order?” But because of her sincerity - -
and persistence - - the bishop eventually relented.
From that day until she died in l997, Mother Teresa of
Calcutta ministered to more than 50,000 people who were
destitute and dying. Her order, the Missionaries of Charity, today numbers more than
4,500 sisters and is active in 133 countries. During her lifetime, Mother Teresa was
honored by universities, praised by popes, applauded by prime ministers - - and fifty years
after she stepped foot in India -- she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
Mother Teresa’s view of the mission of Jesus - - and of our own role in
that mission - - was simple but challenging. She once described it this
way: “Everyone is created by God, and so is deserving of love. It doesn’t
matter if the person is male or female, Muslim or Christian or Jew - - and
the person’s race or nationality makes no difference either. All that
matters is that the person is created by God and deserves to be loved. My
sisters are there simply to give love.”
It seems fitting that Mother Teresa began her work in India on the Feast
of the Epiphany. The vision she developed is exactly the vision on this feast as described in the Scriptural read-
ings for today.
3 118 SJBosco
Phil Adamo, Jr.
Patricia Ambrose
Joseph Antonucci
Edward Bauman
Melissa Bauman
Patricia Bauman
John Beattie
Elizabeth Beck
William J. Brady
Joseph Campbell
Ellen Dardis
Patricia DiBianca
Patricia Driscoll
Christopher Falkenstein
Rita Garofalo
Kay Gaida
Helen Guarnaccia
Rob Hartmann
Siena Healy
Joan Hostic
Baby Stephen Joyce
John F. Keebler
Tim Keebler
Dr. Raymond Kent
Joseph Kraft
Susan Leary
Mary MacMahon
Lori Mulhern
William Neapolitan, Sr.
Rolene Rose
Ann Ruocchio
Brian Strausser
John Sweeney
Diane Terry
Brett Vivian
Frances Walter
Frank Waltrich
Jim Wyatt
HOW WE LIST:
We list sick persons for
one month at their own or
family member’s request.
To place/extend a listing,
please call Parish Center.
PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR SICK AND IN-
PLEASE PRAY FOR
OUR FAITHFUL DEPARTED Eternal Rest grant unto them, O
Lord, and let perpetual light shine
upon them. May the souls of all the
Faithful Departed through the
mercy of God rest in peace. Amen.
ADORATION CHAPEL CHAPEL HOURS Sat.-Sun. Closed.
Mon. After 8:45 am Daily Mass to 7 pm.
Tues. - Fri. 8 am to 7 pm. Closed overnight.
If church doors are locked, parishioners may borrow a
key from Parish Center Office to enter chapel area. A
Key Slide is available for a small security deposit.
PRAYER INTENTION CANDLES (6) burn alongside
the Blessed Sacrament in the chapel. This week they
are dedicated to these intentions: SJB’s Adorers,
Rosemary Gana, Paul Gana, John F. Salviola,
Thanksgiving for Prayers Answered, Success of
World Meeting of Families.
Just send your name with intention & offering to
ADORATION CANDLE c/o Parish Center. Please
name one Person, Couple (engaged or married),
Family, Group per request. Candles are for living or
dec’d. Offering: $ 15.
Please submit items for Bulletin issue dates (left)
by 12 noon on submission dates (right):
Jan. 25……………………..………..Mon., Jan. 5
Feb. 1……………………………....Mon., Jan. 12
Feb. 8………………………………Mon., Jan. 19
Feb. 15……………………………...Mon., Jan. 26 Please send info. and/or questions to Bulletin Editor at
Parish Ctr.; Email [email protected].
MASS INTENTIONS This WEEK
1/5 MON. 8:45 AM Shawn Connors
1/6 TUES. 8:45 AM Clara Rachwal
1/7 WED. 8:45 AM Helen Shea
1/8 THURS. 8:45 AM Sarah Corchiolo
1/9 FRI. 8:45 AM Stanley Swierzy
SATURDAY, JANUARY 10, 2015
9:00 AM Paul Lannetti
4:00 PM Lucy Ricci
7:00 PM Pro Populo (For the People)
SUNDAY, JANUARY 11, 2015
7:00 AM Joseph Phillips
9:00 AM Helen Shea
11:00 AM William Quirk, Sr.
We welcome into the Church
and our Parish:
Charles Edward Campbell
Gregory Scott Hayes
Dylan William Mattioli
Alberto Grant Rosario
Nativity of Our Lord
School (Warminster) EARLY CHILDHOOD
OPEN HOUSE EVENTS
Preschool Program for 3 & 4 yr. olds, K and Gr. 1.
Half- & Full day options available for Preschool and
Kindergarten with Before- and After-School Care
Program as well. Open Houses
7 to 8:30 pm on Thurs., Jan. 8 and Tues., Jan. 13
Space limited; Pre-registration required.
Before renewing current child care/early childhood
services for 2015, find out about our outstanding
program.
Contact us: Tel. 215-675-2820 or school.noolp.org
RESORTS CASINO TRIP Mon., Jan. 19 $ 25 slot play
Pick Up: Church Lot, 10 AM
Depart Casino: 5 PM
Cost $25. Call Sylvia, 215-675-8223
4 118 SJBosco
ST. VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY Tel. 215-882-2707.
Parish Volunteers assist persons with material needs
(food, fuel, housing, etc.). For info., to request aid,
to volunteer time, talent, or treasure, please call
tel. above.
Food Pantry always is hungry for replenishment.
LADIES RETREAT REGISTRATION PLEASE COMPLETE
& RETURN TO FAITH FORMATION OFFICE AT PARISH
CENTER BY TODAY Jan. 4, 2015.
Name____________________
Phone #____________ Email ________________
I can bring the following to share:
____ Dinner Entrée
____ Dinner Salad/Side ____ Dessert
Beverages (non-alcoholic), Plates, Utensils provided.
BYOB and/or favorite snack food as you wish.
A $ 10 donation is appreciated.
Ladies Retreat “Faith & Friendship”
Fri., Jan. 16, 2015 5 to 10 PM
SJB Conference Center (former convent) Retreat Presenter: Fr. Tom Viviano. Evening incl.
potluck dinner, retreat talks, and time for reflection,
confession and adoration, friendship and fun, too! .
ALL WOMEN OF THE PARISH are invited to 9 AM
Mass TODAY SUN., JAN. 4. Pews will be reserved on
the Blessed Mother Side of the church. Please join us
in Drexel Hall right after Mass for light refreshments,
a brief meeting and a fun mystery gift game!
Try your luck at opening a gift with oven mitts on!
You will be timed! The lady who opens the present
wins the prize! Sure to be a lot of laughs.
Come as a guest. Leave as a friend!
YOU’RE INVITED! FREE.
ST. JOHN BOSCO BOOK CLUB.
Like to read? Enjoy a fun,
stimulating discussion? Join us
Mon., Jan. 12, 2015 7 PM in the
Bosco Room at the Parish Center. Great way to meet
friends of friends.
Please bring a snack to share and your own beverage.
Join our adventure through the pages of
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak.
“Narrated by Death, the book
is set in Nazi Germany, a
place and time when the
narrator notes he was
extremely busy. It describes
a young girl's relationship
with her foster parents, residents of the neighborhood,
and a young Jewish man hiding in the basement
during escalation of World War II. ...the book has
won numerous awards and was on The New York
Times Best Seller list 230+ weeks.” (Wikipedia) Hope to see you there.
Begins regular meetings again
Wed., Jan., 7, 2015 7 pm and then weekly on Wed.
evenings in Parish Center Library.
All are welcome.
No experience necessary.
Info.? Please call Donna, 215-350-0542.
Please Help Us Un-DECORATE
CHURCH Christmas Decorations need to go into storage.
12 noon next Sun., Jan. 11.
Trucks a plus!!!!
Many Hands Make Light Work.
Next BLOOD PRESSURE SCREENINGS
will be Sat./Sun. Jan 17/18. Free! Stop in
the Usher’s Room after all Masses.
Courtesy of Parish Nurse Volunteers.
Info.? Call Doris, Parish Nurse, 215-672-7280.
HEAVEN IS FOR REAL
will be shown at SJB this month
Thurs., Jan. 29 9:30 AM
and Fri., Jan. 30 6:00 PM.
Parish Center Library. Free.
Bring your own snack and beverage.
“Four-year-old Nebraska native Colton Burpo, son of
Pastor Todd Burpo, says he experienced Heaven
during emergency surgery. He tells his incredulous
family about having looked down to see the doctor
operating, his mother calling people to pray in the
waiting room, and his father in another room yelling
at God not to let him die. He spoke of meeting his
great-grandfather, who died long before he was born,
his unborn sister who died in a miscarriage about
which no one had told the child, and meeting Jesus,
describing His physical appearance. As Colton
continues to speak about his experiences in Heaven, his
father is faced with determining if his son's experience was
genuine or an hallucination based on a near-death
experience. Colton's father is sought by the media and
begins losing his church board’s confidence.” Wikipedia.
5 118 SJBosco
WMOF Corner “Once-in-a-Lifetime”
SEPT. 22 TO 27, 2015
"Love is Our Mission:
The Family Fully Alive."
Families from around the world will come to Philly
for prayer, speakers, celebrations & activities for all
ages. Catholics & non-Catholics alike are welcome.
WorldMeeting2015.org has info. & updates. This
Bulletin space is for WMOF info. and tips to
strengthen family life. We invite parishioners’
comments/contributions for possible publication.
Reply to Faith Formation Office Tel. 267-803-
0774, regular mail, drop off, any Collection,
SPECIAL RECIPE CHEESE CAKE
From the Family of Barbara Murphy Pastry
¼ lb butter, 1 tsp baking powder
6 tbsp sugar, 2 eggs
2 cups flour
CREAM butter with sugar & baking
powder. Add eggs, then flour. Grease 13 x 9 x 2 ½
“ pan. PRESS dough all around sides & bottom of
pan with your hands. PUT a layer of crushed pine-
apple (drained) or cherries on top of dough & then
add cheese filling. SPRINKLE top with cinnamon.
Cheese Filling
1 lb cream cheese, 1 ½ cups sugar
6 tbsp flour, 4 tbsp lemon juice
4 eggs, 3 cups milk
CREAM - cheese with sugar. ADD flour & eggs (1 at
a time) then add lemon juice & milk. Pour on top of
fruit. BAKE 350 degrees for 50-55 minutes. When
pie is done, turn off oven & leave it in for ½ hour.
This settles the batter. Enjoy!
FUN QUESTION to get mealtime
conversation cookin’! Encourage each
person to expand his/her answer when possible.
If someone gave you $1,000 in cash…in the form
of 10 $ 100 bills…& told you that you had to give
it all away within 24 hours, to whom would you
give the money?
Source: THE MEAL BOX published by Loyola Press.
MEMORY JAR Throughout 2015 our parish Year of the
Family, write down memories that
make you smile. Add them to your
family memory jar. Just jot down
things you want to remember: firsts, funny comments
by your children, accomplishments, etc. You might
need a BIG jar! Next New Year’s Eve 2015, open &
re-read all the good stuff that helped make a
wonderful year. Reflect on all the blessing of the past
year!
“A good memory is one that can remember the day's
blessings and forget the day's troubles” (Irish Quote)
ANNUAL PARISH PILGRIMAGE
SAVE THE DATE! Travel with us to
St. Ann’s Shrine & Monastery (Scranton, PA)
Sat., 3/21/15. Please watch for more details in
this Bulletin and on parish website
www.sjbhatboro.org.
Senior Club Monthly Meeting
Wed., Jan.14 12 Noon
Refreshments and Bingo!
Tickets on sale after meeting for
February 11 Luncheon.
The official
WMOF HOLY
FAMILY ICON
by artist Neilson
Carlin, Kennett
Square depicts
Jesus as a toddler,
with Mary and
Joseph, Mary's
parents Anna and
Joachim.
VALENTINES FOR HOMEBOUND
PARISHIONERS For over 13 years, our
Parish Health Ministry has coordinated
sending Valentines to homebound
parishioners. ANYONE CAN PARTICIPATE.
We welcome school groups, PREP children, Scouts
and individuals to make a card for a homebound
person. Great rainy/snowy day or weekend activity!
Envelopes not necessary as we place several cards into
one large envelope. Cards should be small, flat, easy-
to-read. Please leave cards at Parish Center marked for
Doris, Parish Nurse. Due FRI., FEB. 6.
Our Archbishop
Chaput is an
eloquent writer
and speaker. Listen to his
Sunday Homilies Online
at archphila.org/
archbishopchaput/homilies
6 118 SJBosco
PLEASE PRAY FOR THE
SPECIAL INTENTIONS
AND WELL-BEING OF
THESE FAMILIES.
Mr. & Mrs. Gregory Newlin & Family
Mr. Oscar Amador & Family
Ms. Maria Orozco & Family
Mr.& Mrs. Keith Cleghorn & Family
Ms. Elsa Hernandez & Family
Ms. Jenifer Schall & Family
Mr.& Mrs. George Paul Bollendorf, Jr. & Family
Mr. & Mrs. Robert Sautner & Family
Patricia Boyle & Family
Miss Alecia Williams & Family
Ms. Catherine Pearlman & Family
Ms. Carol McGuire & Family
Mrs. Michelle Randa & Family
Mr.& Mrs. Gaetano & Family
Mr. & Mrs. Michael Dinneen & Family
Mr.& Mrs. Luis A. Siliezar & Family
Mr. & Mrs. Francis Santaniello & Family
Ms. Kathleen Farrel & Family
Mr. Augustin Santillan & Family
Maria Garriella Morales & Family
Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas Krysko & Family
Mr. & Mrs. Peter Kitchka & Family
Mr. & Mrs. Jose Ramirez & Family
Mr. Sean Meister & Family
Mr. & Mrs. Matthew Goldberg & Family
Mr. & Mrs. Gonzalez, Pedro & Family
Ms. Angela Bruno & Family
Mr. John Lichtner & Family
Mr. & Mrs. Brian Strausser & Family
Ms. Jennifer Granger & Family
Mr. & Mrs. Peter Gulotta & Family
Mr. & Mrs. Bek Flores & Family
Mr. & Mrs. Glenn Sanoy & Family
Mr. & Mrs. Robert Andrews & Family
Miss Michelle Taylor & Family
Ms. Lucia Castillo & Family
Mr. & Mrs. Edwin Chavarria & Family
Mr. & Mrs. Richard Alexander & Family
Mrs. Helen Bradley & Family
Mr. & Mrs. Rafael Guzman & Family
Mr. & Mrs. Cory Sabo & Family
Ms. Shawn E. Puleo & Family
Ms. Laura Claudio & Family
Mr. & Mrs. Kevin O’Leary & Family
Mr. & Mrs. Keith Brennan & Family
Ms. Rita Black & Family
Mr. David Darnesto &Family
Mr. John Covaleski & Family
Mr & Mrs. Mark Farrington, Jr. & Family
Mr. Alejandro Colula-Tejeda & Family
Ms. Maria Contreras & Family
Mr. & Mrs. Hugo Aquino & Family
Mr. & Mrs. James Murray & Family
Mr. & Mrs. Brian Kennedy & Family
Mr. & Mrs. Jose Martinez & Family
Mr. Ferrel Navia Majarrez & Family
Ms. Karina Fimbres Weihs & Family
Mr. Ryan King & Family
Mr. & Mrs. Jose Martinez & Family
Mr. & Mrs. Glenn Romano & Family
Mrs. Marie Semola & Family
Mrs. Olive Kurdziel & Family
Mr. & Mrs. James Zanine & Family
Mr. & Mrs. Mark Kannengieszer & Family
WMOF SEPT. 22 TO 27, 2015
"Love is Our Mission:
The Family Fully Alive."
Our Parish Year of the Family now intensifies to help us
prepare for the WMOF. Today, we commence prayer for
our parish as a Spiritual Family of Families. Each week
in this space, we shall list a different group of parish families. Each household is a
domestic church, the basic unit of our parish community of faith.
On Sundays and Holy Days, God “calls forth” (assembles) our domestic churches from their pre-occupations to
manifest their reality as the People of God unified in worship and “witness” as St. John Bosco Roman Catholic
Church. Let us say extra special prayers this week for these domestic churches’ members and special intentions.
Mother Teresa “Quotes on Family” http://life-changing-inspirational-quotes.com/mother-teresa-quotes.html
“What can you do to promote world peace? Go home and love your family.”
“There is a terrible hunger for love. We all experience that in our lives – the pain and loneliness.
We must have the courage to recognize it. The poor you may have right in your own family.” “We
think sometimes that poverty is only being hungry, naked and homeless. ...being unwanted, unloved
and uncared for is the greatest poverty. We must start in our own homes to remedy this kind of poverty.”
Date: Dec. 15, 2014 Source: Zenit
The Holy Father sent this letter
to the Pontifical Council for the
Family in view of the 8th World Meeting of
Families to be held in Phila. Sept. 2015 on the
theme: “Our Mission Is Love. The Fully Alive
Family,” Pope Francis notes his plans to par-
ticipate. Here is a translation of the letter. * * *
To the Venerable Brother
Monsignor Vincenzo Paglia, President,
Pontifical Council for the Family:
At the end of the 7th World Meeting of Families, Pope Benedict XVI announced that the city of Philadelphia,
in the United States of America, would host the next gathering. I have confirmed this choice on many
occasions, looking with confidence and hope to this event of grace in which, God willing, I will take part.
It will be held September 22-27, 2015 and will have the theme ”Love Is Our Mission: The Family Fully Alive.”
Today, as yesterday, the Christian family’s mission is to proclaim, with the strength of the nuptial Sacrament,
the love of God to the world. Born and built from this announcement itself is a living family, which puts the
hearth of love at the center of all its human and spiritual dynamism. If, as Saint Irenaeus said: “Gloria Dei
vivens homo” [“The glory of God is the living man …”] (Adv. Haer., IV, 20, 7), a family also, which with the
Lord’s grace lives its vocation and mission in fullness, renders glory to Him.
Recently we held the Extraordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops on The Pastoral Challenges Involving
the Family in the Context of Evangelization.” In the sign of synodality we identified the most urgent topics
involving the family in our pluralistic society. In reality, “we cannot qualify a family with ideological concepts;
we cannot speak of a conservative family and a progressive family. The family is family!” (Address to
International Colloquium on the Complementarity between Man and Woman, Nov. 17, 2014). The values and
virtues of the family, its essential truths, are the strong points on which the family nucleus is supported and
they cannot be questioned. Instead, we are called to look again at our lifestyle, which is always exposed to
the risk of being “contaminated” by a worldly mentality -- individualist, consumerist, hedonist – and to
rediscover the highroad to live and propose the grandeur and beauty of matrimony and the joy of being and
making a family.
The indications of the Final Report of the recent Synod, and those guiding the way to the next Ordinary
Assembly of October 2015, invite us to continue in the commitment to proclaim the Gospel of Matrimony
and the Family and to experience the pastoral proposals in the social and cultural context in which we live.
The challenges of this context stimulate us to widen the spaces of faithful love open to life, to communion, to
mercy, to sharing and to solidarity. Therefore, I exhort spouses, priests and parish communities, as well as
Movements and Associations, to allow themselves to be guided by the Word of God, on which the
foundations rest of the holy edifice of the family, domestic Church and family of God (cf. Second Vatican
Ecumenical Council, Dogmatic Constitution on the Church Lumen Gentium, 6, 11).
I express my appreciation to the Archdiocese of Philadelphia for its generous availability and organizational
commitment placed at the service of the universal Church and of families of various Continents. I ask the
Lord to recompense, henceforth, that beloved particular Church with abundant heavenly graces.
While I invoke the intercession of the Virgin of Guadalupe and of Aparecida, I impart to you, dear Brother, and
to the collaborators of that Dicastery my heartfelt Apostolic Blessing, which I gladly extend to all those
collaborating in the preparation of the Meeting and, please, I ask you to pray for me.
Fraternally,
FRANCISCUS From the Vatican, December 9, 2014
[Translation from Italian by ZENIT.] [Emphases added by Bulletin Ed.]
7 118 SJBosco
Treat Immigrants With the Mercy,
Justice We Expect for Ourselves.
- Archbishop Chaput Statement Date: Dec. 15, 2014 Source: Zenit
Mary of Nazareth has always had a special place in the
heart of the Church. She is Theotokos, the “God-bearer,”
Scripture’s greatest human witness of courage, humility
and grace. This is why Catholic life has honored her
through the centuries in so many different ways: Our
Lady of Consolation; Mother of Sorrows; Mother of
Mercy; Our Lady of the New Advent; Queen of Heaven;
Virgin Most Pure — and in a special way today, Dec. 12,
Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of America,
one continent north and south.
All of these titles are true and richly deserved. But they
can sometimes obscure the human reality of Mary’s
life: a young woman of the rough Galilean hills, pregnant,
with a seemingly implausible story before her marriage to
Joseph, who gave birth to her child in the cold in a stable
far from home and then, hunted by Herod, was forced to
flee to Egypt. Mary – our mother; the mother of the
Church – had an intimate understanding of suffering,
flight, homelessness and uncertainty.
At Guadalupe, Mary appeared not to the rich or
powerful, or even to the local bishop, but to the poor
peasant Juan Diego. Her tenderness to the poor is
something we need to remember this Advent, because our Christian faith is more than a set of ideas or beautiful
words. It’s meant to be lived. It’s meant to transform our thinking and our actions. Which brings us to the
point: Over the past six years, the current White House has taken actions
that a great many faithful Catholics regard as damaging – harmful not just
for people of religious faith, but for the nation at large. In deferring the
deportation of many undocumented immigrants and their families, howev-
er, President Obama has done the right thing. This action prevents the
break-up of families with mixed immigration status. It also protects
individuals who were brought to the United States as children, and
have grown up knowing only
American life and nothing of their parents’ native land. For more than a
decade the U.S. Catholic bishops have pressed repeatedly for just and
sensible immigration policy reform. Each of our major political
parties has faulted the other for inaction, and each – despite its
posturing and alibis – bears a generous portion of the blame. Whatever the timing and motives of the current
executive action might mean, deferring deportations serves the survival
and human dignity of the families
involved. And it may, finally, force the White House and Congress to
cooperate fruitfully.
On this day that we honor Our Lady of Guadalupe, patroness of all of us
who share this continent, we need to remember that the Holy Family too
was once a family of immigrants and refugees. And we need to treat the
undocumented among us with the mercy and justice we expect for
ourselves. ***
8 118 SJBosco
Mary of Nazareth is an epic motion
picture on the life of Mary, mother of Christ,
from her childhood through the Resurrection of
Jesus. Shot in High Definition, it was filmed in
Europe with outstanding cinematography, a
strong cast, and a majestic music score. Actress
Alissa Jung gives a beautiful, compelling and inspired portrayal of Mary. The
film vividly captures the essence of Mary’s profound faith and trust in God
amidst the great mysteries that she lived with as the Mother of the Messiah, as
well as her compassionate humanity and concern for others, and the deep love
that she and Jesus shared for one another. The movie underscores her special
role in God’s plan for our redemption, her unique relationship with Christ, and
the tremendous suffering that she endured in union with his passion and death,
as well as her serene joy at his Resurrection. It was directed by acclaimed
European film director Giacomo Campiotti (Bakhita, Doctor Zhivago, St. Giuseppe Moscati) and written by
Francesco Arlanch (Restless Heart, Pius XII, Pope John Paul II). In addition to the luminous performance by
Jung, the film has inspiring portrayals by Andreas Pietschmann (Jesus), Luca Marinelli (Joseph), Paz Vega
(Mary Magdalene) and Antonia Liskova (Herodias). The original music score by Guy Farley is enthralling and
majestic. After viewing this movie, Pope Benedict XVI said: “ Mary of Nazareth is the woman of a full and to-
tal ‘Here I am’ to the Divine Will. In her ‘yes’, even when faced with the loss of her Son, we find complete and
profound beatitude.” Two-Disc Collector’s Edition includes many Special Features – Interview with Alissa
Jung; “Backstage” film segment; Film Photos Slide Show; Interview with Fr. Don Calloway; Music Video with
song “Pieta”; 24 page Collector’s Booklet & Study Guide; and more. English with Spanish and English subtitles.
FOR FURTHER CONSIDERATION... Mary of Nazareth -- A Review 12/15/2014 Article provided by ZENIT News Agency.
Alissa Jung, German-born actress, spoke with me on a recent visit to Detroit....to answer questions and share
personal insights regarding the film. This feature film about the life of Mary, Mother of God, filmed in Tunisia
was shot in English in high definition. It begins with Mary's childhood, as marauders attempt to take her into
slavery and as, with a hug for her loving parents, she skips happily into the Temple to begin a new life in the care
of the rabbi. The film ends only after the Resurrection, when Mary's quiet faith in her Son is shown to be warrant-
ed. It vividly captures the essence of Our Lady's profound faith and trust in God, and makes real the deep love
between Mary and her Son. Mary held a great mystery in her heart; but
what struck me, watching the story on the big screen, was not the
immensity of her role as Mother of God, but rather, her infectious joy.
The film is long (2 hrs. 33 min.), but my attention never wavered. The
story, of course, was completely familiar—based on Scripture—yet I
was not bored. In fact, Jung delivered her lines in the Magnificat with
such fresh honesty that I had a new appreciation for that beautiful
prayer. The movie seems a living, moving Carravaggio painting—
with its rich color palette and the subtle interplay of light and shadows.
There were what seemed to me anachronisms: Mary, Joseph and Jesus
fair-skinned, blue- or hazel-eyed, with light hair that seemed more
European than Mid-Eastern. The clothing was lovely but perhaps more
finely crafted than one would expect in a period movie from the first
century. Jung had an explanation for that, too. She explained that there is, indeed, an intended link back to
Caravaggio. Italian director Campiotti viewed the production as a film, yes—but also as an art form. For
inspiration he had turned to fine art of the Renaissance period. There are other films about Christ’s life which
serve as big-screen Bible studies. “Mary of Nazareth” is that, too; but more, it is a film about love: the love that
Jesus and Mary shared, and the love that each of them has for us. Mary's response to Christ -- happy Child swim-
ming in Lake Galilee and suffering Redeemer on the Cross -- is “Here I am.” Even when the pain of the Crucifix-
ion seems too much to bear, Mary's calm love and trust in God is inspiration and encouragement. -- Ignatius Press
just released “Mary of Nazareth” on DVD, and has the story in a full-color coffee table book. www.ignatius.com.
9 118 SJBosco
Happy New Year! Need a good book to get 2015 off to a good start while you curl up in a
warm spot on a cold evening? Consider: Joy to the World: How Christ's Coming Changed
Everything (And Still Does) (left) Image Books by Dr. Scott Hahn (below right), one of the
Western World’s best-known theologians, professors, and Christian apologists. He has
authored dozens of books, e.g., Rome Sweet Home (his conversion story) and The Lamb's
Supper, one of the bestselling Catholic books of all time. He is one of today's premier biblical
scholars. He founded and is President of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology, a research
center committed to promote biblical literacy among Catholic laity and clergy. Many know
him from EWTN - Catholic TV Network. He teaches at Franciscan University of Steubenville.
Earlier this year, Cardinal George appointed him to Visiting Professorship in Biblical
Theology at Mundelein Seminary. Dr. Hahn is interviewed on video about his book at
WWW.WORDONFIRE.ORG/RESOURCES/BLOG/JOY-TO-THE-WORLD-AN-INTERVIEW-WITH-
DR-SCOTT-HAHN-VIDEO/4550/
The 15 minute video interview’s topics include these segments:
1:15 – How does the Old Test. foreshadow the Christmas narratives in Matthew and Luke?
3:54 – How is the family the hero of the Christmas story?
7:19 – Why is the family "key to Christianity"?
9:26 – What do we know about St. Joseph and why is he so magnanimous?
12:59 – Why is Christmas joy so important to the New Evangelization?
Ed. Note: Here are two brief excerpts from a Catholic Book Blogger (www.patheos.com/
blogs/catholicbookblogger) on-line print interview of Scott Hahn by Pete Socks, 12/14/14.
We made ample edits for space.
Q. “...your first book on Christmas.
What drew you to write Joy to the World?
A: Christmas! I hardly need another reason....the holiday that even secular-
ists can’t give up. Yet it’s so much more than they know. ***
It’s the turning point in history. It’s a crisis — a drama of epic proportions
involving world rulers and their armies, astronomical spectacles, and
abundant bloodshed. If any movie did justice to the history, there’s no way
it would get a G rating. I wanted to write a book that did justice to the
history. I wanted to give the world a vivid record of the crisis as it took shape the moment B.C. turned to A.D.
Besides, I think everybody senses that our world is facing a similar set of crises – now more than ever – so people
need to rediscover how Jesus can give us hope for hard times, especially for raising our families. And not just
hope, but real joy, lasting joy.
Q. Your writing style has seemed to change over the years. Recently you tend to include more reflections
related to family experiences, e.g., when you talk early on in Joy to the World about your daughter
with the babies in the Bethlehem orphanage. Has this occurred intentionally or is it just a natural flow
from life’s experiences?
A. Well, as you grow in marriage and parenting, you have more experiences to draw from. I wrote my first book
almost twenty years ago. I’ve seen a lot of parenting and grand-parenting since then!
The older we get, the more we see our own lives as part of time’s ever-rolling
stream - - the biblical drama that’s still playing itself out in all of our lives. That
realization is hard to suppress. Besides, my understanding of sacred Scripture has
always been shaped by the central biblical notion of covenant-as-family, which is
never reducible to academic theory. Covenant theology doesn’t just make better
sense out of Scripture, but of everyday life as well. In a similar way, I find that my
experiences as a father of six, and now a grand-father of eleven, shed a lot of light
on what God Himself does in fathering His family.
118 SJBosco 10
“In a similar way,
I find that my
experiences as a
father of six, and
now a grand-father
of eleven, shed a lot
of light on what
God Himself does
in fathering His
family.” Scott Hahn.