First Sunday of Advent November 27th, 2016

Church

of the

Blessed Sacrament

Manhattan

Rev. John P. Duffell, Pastor Rev. D’Angelo Jimenez, Parochial Vicar Rev. Ernest Izummuo, Sunday Associate

Rev. James O’Shea, CP, Sunday Associate Tina Silvestro, Director of Religious Education

Caroline Sliney, School Principal

CHURCH: 152 West 71st Street, N.Y., N.Y. 10023 Ph: 212-877-3111 SCHOOL: 147 West 70th Street, N.Y., N.Y. 10023 .Ph: 212-724-7561 MASSES:

Fax: 212-799-6233 Fax: 212-724-0735

NEW PARISHIONERS:

www.blessedsacramentnyc.org www.sblsnyc.org

SUNDAY Masses: Sat. evening at 5:30 PM Sunday: 8:30, 10:00 (Family Mass) 11:15 (Spanish), 12:30 (choir) & 5:30PM WEEKDAYS: 7:30 AM; 12:10 PM; 5:30 PM SATURDAYS: 7:30 AM, 12:10 PM HOLY DAYS & EVES. OF HOLY DAYS: As Announced.

BAPTISM:

Arrangements must be made at the Rectory. Sponsors must be practicing Catholics. Parents, and also godparents when possible, must attend the Pre-Baptismal conference which is held on the 1st Tuesday of every month at 7:30pm in the rectory.

CONFESSIONS: Saturday afternoons 4:30 to 5:15 pm, and anytime at the Rectory.

MARRIAGES: Arrangements should be made at least six months in advance at the rectory to ensure the date and the hour desired. The Nuptial Mass is the ordinary form of celebrating Christian marriage, and should be strongly considered when making Wedding plans. Attendance at the Pre-Cana Conferences, or the equivalent, is required by the Archbishop.

PARISH BOUNDARIES: Central Park West to the Hudson River, from the South side of 77th Street down to the North side of 65th Street.

We welcome new parishioners, and invite them to register at the Rectory. The registration is our only means of certifying anyone as a member of our parish. If you move to another Parish, or change your address within the Parish, please notify us.

FATIMA DEVOTIONS: The Rosary is said daily after the 12:10 pm Mass. Friday from 6-7 pm there is a holy hour.

BENEDICTION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT: First Friday - Exposition: 12:35 pm. Adoration: All day; Benediction: 5:15 PM.

MIRACULOUS MEDAL NOVENA: Mondays, before the 12:10 Mass and before the 5:30 pm Mass.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN AND TEENAGERS:

Classes in Religion for Catholic children/teenagers, Pre- kindergarten - High School take place on Sundays. The Family Mass begins at 10:00 a.m. in the Church followed by class instruction in the school. Ongoing religious education is important for the religious development of your children. A child must have at least one year of religious instruction before enrolling in the First Communion or Confirmation class. Sunday School Website: www.blessedsacramentsundayschool.org

First Sunday of Advent November 27th, 2016

PARISH NEWS Dear Parishioners and Friends, This weekend we gather as a parish family to begin the new Liturgical Year. Advent means coming, but that coming is understood on several levels. We prepare ourselves to commemorate Christ’s coming in the flesh, his decisive appearance in human history, born of Mary in Bethlehem. At the same time, we prepare ourselves for his Second Coming at the end of time, the Parousia. And then there is yet another coming, one that happens not in the past nor in the future, but in the here and now, as Christ comes to us in grace, especially in the Sacraments. Advent blends various traditions. During the first week of advent, our focus is on the coming of Christ at the end of time, and the readings and prayers show us how to await that coming not in fear and trembling, but in joy and hope. In the latter part of Advent, especially from December 17 onward, our focus shifts to preparation for the observance of Christ’s birth. The mood is one of “devout and joyful expectations” (General Norms for the Liturgical Year and the Calendar, 39). For all who have been reborn with Christ in Baptism, this time of preparation for the birthday of the Savior has a baptismal character. For just as Christ is born of Mary, so, by our Baptism, we are reborn as children of God. In our Baptism, we received the call to prepare the way of the Lord by works of justice and mercy. As our readings throughout this season will remind us, our God is the God of the lowly and the poor. It was wonderful to have celebrated Thanksgiving Day Mass with those who were able to attend. Giving thanks is at the heart of our Faith, as it is our principal act of worship. A word of thanks to those who have so generously supported the Capital Campaign. Last weekend, $209,000 was pledged to the campaign- if you have not yet made your sacrificial gift, please pray about it…why not join me at one of the receptions scheduled in the bulletin? A special word of thanks to Vince Gardino, chair of the Campaign Committee, and all the volunteers helping us reach our goal. Remember on the Wednesday evenings of Advent- beginning this Wednesday- the Advent Simple Supper- prayers, reflection, and dinner will take place in the rectory dining room…why not join us? May the Prince of Peace once again be born in our minds and hearts. Father Duffell

MAGNIFICATMagnificat Advent Companions will be on sale in the back of Church after Masses on November 26/27 & December 3/4 for $3.00 each. This little book of prayers and spiritual readings is a perfect way to better enter into the richness of the Advent Season. BLESSED SACRAMENT SCHOOL Applications are currently being accepted for the School of the Blessed Sacrament Early Childhood Program. Interested families should visit our website www.sblsnyc.org or contact Julie Park by phone (646-998-3037) or email (jpark@sblsnyc.org). The next opportunity to visit our school will be on Tuesday, December 6th at our Touring Tuesday. GAY FELLOWSHIP MASS AND CHRISTMAS PARTY Please join us for Mass on Tuesday evening, December 13th, at 6:30PM, followed by dinner at Joanne’s Trattoria, 70 West 68th Street. Dinner will be $25 per person and RSVP’s are required by Tuesday, December 6. You may RSVP to either John Gasdaska, jpg1008@gmail.com or Chris Williams, jcw.arts@gmail.com. All are welcome and the evening promises to be a beautiful and fun-filled way to celebrate and embrace the upcoming Christmas Season. We hope you can join us. As December 13, 2016, the date of the Mass for the annual celebration Feast of St. Lucy by Xavier Society for the Blind at St. Patrick’s Cathedral nears, we have more exciting details falling into place. As we honor our patron and her special significance in the blind community we will, as usual, have a blind lector, a blind person reading the Prayers of the Faithful, and the gifts will be offered by blind members of the congregation. This year will have a special guest, Father Jamie Dennis, a young blind priest from Owensboro, Kentucky celebrating the Mass. The service begins at 6:30 pm, in the Lady Chapel of St. Patrick’s, on 5th Avenue between 50th and 51st Streets. Readings for the Mass will be provided in both braille and large print. Since 1900, the Xavier Society for the Blind has provided religious and spiritual materials in braille and audio formats to anyone with a visual impairment at no cost. Call 212-447-7800 or 800-637-9193 for further details.

First Sunday of Advent November 27th, 2016

NOTICIAS PARROQUIALES Queridos Feligreses y Amigos; Este fin de semana comenzamos como familia el nuevo Año Litúrgico. Adviento significa lo que viene, pero esto lo entendemos en varios niveles. Nos preparamos para la llegada de Cristo, su aparición en la historia de la humanidad, engendrado por Maria en Belen. Al mismo tiempo nos preparamos para su Segunda Venida al final del tiempo, la Parousia. Y luego llega otra vez no en el pasado o el futuro, sino ahora mismo pues la gracia de Cristo nos llega en los sacramentos. El Adviento mezcla varias tradiciones. Durante la primera semana nos enfocamos en la llegada de Cristo al final del tiempo y las lecturas y plegarias nos enseñan como esperarlo no con miedo pero con alegría y esperanza. En la siguiente fase de Adviento en especial después del 17 de diciembre, nos concentramos en prepararnos para el nacimiento de Cristo. Y nuestro animo es de “alegría y mucha esperanza” (Normas Generales para el Año Litúrgico y el Calendario, 39). Para todos los que han renacido en Cristo en el Bautismo, la preparación para el nacimiento del Salvador tiene un carácter bautismal. Pues así como Cristo nació de Maria, en nuestro bautismo renacemos como hijos de Dios. El Bautismo nos indica preparar el camino del Señor trabajando por la misericordia y la justicia. Como nos recuerdan las lecturas de Adviento, nuestro Dios es el Dios de los pobres y los humildes. Nos alegró poder celebrar la Fiesta de Acción de Gracias con los que pudieron asistir a nuestra Misa. El dar gracias ha sido siempre parte de nuestra fe. Nuestro agradecimiento a todos los que tan generosamente han contribuido a nuestra campaña de recaudación de fondos. La cantidad de $209,000.00 fue prometida durante el ultimo fin de semana. Si aun no han hecho su regalo, le pedimos pensarlo…y les invito venir a una de las recepciones mencionadas en el boletín. Gracias también al Sr. Vincent Gardino y a todos los voluntarios que nos están ayudando a alcanzar nuestra meta. Recuerden que todos los miércoles de Adviento (empezando este miércoles) — las Cenas de Adviento- oraciones, reflexión y una comida ligera tendrán lugar en el comedor de la Rectoría…están todos invitados. Que el Principe de la Paz nazca de nuevo en nuestras mentes y corazones. Padre Duffell.

Una Comunidad de Católicos Romanos de Discípulos de Cristo Nosotros Acogemos. Nosotros Adoramos. Nosotros Anunciamos. En muchos años, nuestra Comunidad Hispana ha acogido a gente y familias de muchos poblados de New York para celebrar el regalo más preciado que tenemos: La Eucaristía, compartiendo el Cuerpo y la Sangre de Cristo. Desde este regalo, estamos atentos a la Santa Palabra de Dios y como testigos anunciamos su poderosa salvación. Nuestra comunidad de fe consiste en gente de más de siete (7) naciones de Latinoamérica. Estamos agradecidos con Dios, y expresamos nuestra gratitud sirviéndonos unos a otros con amor. Muchos de ellos quienes sirven en nuestra comunidad participando en la Santa Eucaristía como Monaguillos, Lectores, Ministros de la Santa Comunión, Cantando en el Coro y dando la bienvenida como ministros de hospitalidad. Los Sacramentos de Iniciación Cristiana En nuestra comunidad ofrecemos en español la formación y celebración de los Sacramentos de Bautismo y Matrimonio. Para los Sacramentos de Reconciliación contacte a Padre Dangelo Jimenez mensajeroec@yahoo.com Si desea tener mayor información. Para información acerca de la Comunidad Hispana, saber de cómo unirse a nuestra Iglesia o si esta interesado en la preparación de nuestras actividades Pastorales favor comunicarse al mismo email. Misa en Español – Segundo y Cuarto Miércoles del Mes a las 7:00pm, Domingo a las 11:15am Talleres de formación en sacramentos – Segundo y Cuarto miércoles a las 8:00pm en la rectoría. La próxima misa será el dia 30 de noviembre. "Las obras de misericordia despiertan en nosotros la exigencia y la capacidad de hacer de viva y operante la Fe con la caridad. Estoy convencido que a través de estos simples gestos cotidianos podemos cumplir una verdadera revolución cultural como lo ha sido en el pasado".

Papa Francisco SPIRIT SUNDAY Please join us 12/4 following the 5:30PM Mass (in the parish hall below the church) for the first Fall Spirit Sunday. Appetizers, drinks, and a whole lot of Spirit will be served! Join us for a drink, a bite, and some friendly fellowship. If you have any questions or would like to be part of the planning for Spirit Sunday, please contact John Gasdaska at 646-345-7350. ST. NICHOLAS INTERNATIONAL FEST! December 6th is the Feast of St. Nicholas. On Sunday December 4th, therefore, we would like to make our regular Coffee Hour a bit more festive to help prepare us for the coming days of Christmas. Christ came for all people, and here at Blessed Sacrament, we are a wonderfully diverse community. To celebrate our richness, we will host an international food fest. Local eateries are graciously donating food, but we would love it if you were able to bring a dish representing your particular culture. Those interested in helping please contact James Palazza at 646.456.8878 OR jamespalazza@yahoo.com

First Sunday of Advent November 27th, 2016

Finance Committee Corner

Last Sunday $6,548 was received in the offertory baskets at Mass and $5,913.5 was received through Parish Pay, for a total of $12,461.5. Our average

weekly operating budget is $15,000. Thank you for so generously giving to our regular collection. The second

collection in support of the Catholic Campaign for Human Development totaled $3,650. Thank you!

Esquina Financiera

La suma de la colecta durante las Misas del domingo pasado fue $6,548. Recibimos $5,913.5 a través de

Parish Pay para un total de $12,461.5. Nuestro presupuesto de operación semanal promedio es

$15,000. Gracias por dar tan generosamente a nuestra colección regular. La segunda colecta para ayudar la

Campaña Catolica para el Desarrollo Humano totalizo $3,650. ¡Gracias!

ANNUAL NEW YORK CARES COAT DRIVE On behalf of the needy within our local community, members of the Social Action and Youth Adults Committees will be accepting used-coat donations at the entrance to the church before each of the Masses on the weekend of December 10th and 11th. Coats for adults and children should be “gently used”, just cleaned and in fair condition or better. JESSE TREE The JoyJ Initiative will again this year host the Jesse Tree for our Homeless Outreach, which will be held in January, 2017. We will be requesting new items including McDonald or Subway gift cards; hats; gloves; scarves; warm socks; and sweatshirts. If you cannot provide an item, please consider a cash donation instead. Thank you. We will be collecting the items or donation in the vestibule of the Church on Saturday, December 17th and Sunday December 18th. God bless you for your generosity and Merry Christmas! ADVENT SIMPLE SUPPERS Please join us during the 4 Wednesdays during Advent: Nov 30th, Dec 7th, Dec 14th and Dec 21st for prayer and meditation followed by a light dinner of soup, salad and bread. Prayers begin promptly at 7pm in the dining room of the rectory. It’s a wonderful and contemplative way to prepare for Christmas. We hope to see you there. For more information please call/ email Chris Williams 304-337-1252/ jcw.arts@gmail.com or John Gasdaska 646-345-7350/ jpg1008@gmail.com YOUTH CHOIR Children (from grade 3 up) and Teenagers are invited to JOIN the CHRISTMAS EVE YOUTH CHOIR which sings at the 5:30 pm Christmas Eve Family Mass. Rehearsals are on Wednesdays from 4-5 pm in the Church NOVEMBER 30 TO DECEMBER 21. The Parent Permission Form to sign up can be found on the Sunday School website under the YOUTH CHOIR tab. (www.blessedsacramentsundayschool.org) or you can pick up the form at the rectory office. Please call Tina Silvestro if you need more information 212-877-3111.

VISITING FRIENDS PROGAM Do you have a relative, neighbor or friend who is homebound and might appreciate a visitor from time to time? He/she need not be a parishioner or necessarily share our Catholic faith, only live in the neighborhood of our parish. An assigned volunteer will visit your referral once a week for an hour or so to provide companionship and the comfort of social interaction. We are happy to visit people in nursing homes as well, should they be in need of some company. If you know of someone who might benefit from our program, please email us at joyj.blessed.sacrament@aol.com (put “Visiting Friends” in the subject box) or leave the information at the Rectory. Our wonderful group of volunteers happily serve in this fine ministry.

Saturday Evening, November 26th

5:30 Juancho “Brad” Arreglado +

Sunday, November 27th 8:30 Milagros & Martin Insausti + 10:00 Epifanio Nieves +

11:15 Joseph E. Caceres III + 12:30 Lizandro Rivera Tapia & Juana Moreno de Rivera + 5:30 Intetnions of Thomas Middelhoff

Monday, November 28th 7:30 Jinny Kim Gardino +

12:10 Eddy Haden + 5:30 Livio Panebianco +

Tuesday, November 29th 7:30 Intentions of Christine Lord & Family 12:10 Marylin Waters + 5:30 John C. Miller + +

Wednesday, November 30th 7:30 People of the Parish 12:10 John C. Miller + 5:30 Intentions of Thomas Middelhoff

Thursday, December 1st

7:30

12:10

5:30

Magdalena Czarnecka +

Mara Magnozzi +

Anna Pacheco +

Friday, December 2nd

7:30

12:10

5:30

Claudette Jones +

Steven Scrager +

Intentions of Thomas Middelhoff

Saturday, December 3rd

7:30

12:10

Allan Weeks +

First Sunday of Advent November 27th, 2016

If you have not registered in the parish and attend our mass regularly, please fill the following form out and return it to the Rectory office. All information will be kept confidential

Thanks to the incredible support and generosity from a handful of families, we are close to achieving our November 30th benchmark of $3,000,000. It is my hope that we reach and inspire all of our parishioners to participate in any way they can, so this campaign becomes a truly parish-wide effort. To achieve success, we need all of our families to learn about the campaign and keep it in their prayers. I ask that you please join me for ONE of the following receptions we have planned for December (PLEASE SELECT ONE):

q Thursday, December 8th at 6:30pm in the Rectory q Sunday, December 11th after the 12:30pm Mass in the Rectory q Sunday, December 11th after the 5:30pm Mass in the Rectory q Monday, December 12th at 6:30pm in the Rectory

Simply select a reception to attend and provide your name, e-mail, and phone number. Once complete, please tear off the slip and either:

1. Drop it in the collection basket, OR 2. Turn it in to the parish office

Name Email Phone Number You can also RSVP directly to Marc Garcia or Daniel Champoli by calling the parish office at (212) 877-3111 before December 8th. As always, your advice, counsel, and participation will be most helpful and very much appreciated.

Weekly EM and Lector Schedule Saturday, Nov. 19 5:30 pm

1st Anita Pearl

2nd Anita Pearl POF Vincent Gardino

EM

Steve Whelan, Joe Tessitore, Ben V.

Sunday, Nov. 20 8:30 am 1st Eileen Simpson 2nd John Hunt POF James Palazza

EM

Anthony Jalandoni, Vivian Villaluz, Eileen Simpson, John Hunt, James Palazza

10:00 am 1st Gabriel Keane 2nd Gabriel Keane POF Shirley Rodriguez

EM

Anna-Sophia Leone, Shirley Rodriguez, Judy Braun, Nellie Gonzalez-Arce, Peter Diggins

12:30 pm 1st Diana Lote 2nd Anita Pearl POF Francesca DiPaola

EM

Elsa Alvarez, Thomas Alexander, Lidia Stempien, Carlos Sosa, Christina Elefante

5:30 pm 1st Elizabeth A. Hutton 2nd Mark Murphy POF Anita Faherty EM Tiffany Riady, Helena Maria Lim, Elizabeth A.

Hutton, Mark Murphy, Elizabeth H. Brooke Murray, Joyce Polistena, Thomas Davis

NEW PARISHIONER REGISTRATION FORM Date Your Name Your Spouses Name (Only if BOTH are Registering) Address Apt. # City State Zip Telephone Email Your Occupation Your Spouses Occupation How should we address you? (Check One) Mr. & Mrs. Mr. Mrs. Ms. Would you like to receive weekly offering envelopes? Yes No If not, would you like us to sign you up for ParishPay? Yes No