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Rev. Tom Kunnel, C.O., Administrator Deacon Robert Pang MASSES: Saturday: 4:00 PM Sunday: 8:00 AM, 10:30 AM 1:00 PM (Spanish)

Weekdays: 10:30 AM Saturday: 10:30 AM

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Dear Parish Family,

The first chapter of St. Luke’s Gospel con-tains two annunciation accounts, each about the birth of children in impossible circum-

stances. Elizabeth was barren, so she could not have a child and she was advanced in years. Mary had no husband and she had never had conjugal relations. But after the Annunciation to him, Zechariah is struck deaf and mute, while Mary, initially fearful, accepts peacefully. Let us compare the two: Zechariah: “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.” Mary: “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?”

Reflect on these responses for a moment. 1. Zechariah’s reply, while realistic, is insulting, as if he is saying to the angel, “give me some reason to believe what you are saying. Just to hear you say it is not enough.” This kind of doubt should never have oc-curred to him. God's voice had already spoken love into his heart throughout his whole life. He will have read from the scriptures about Abraham and Sarah, about the miraculous birth of Samuel. His trust in God’s promise should have been the deepest meaning of his existence. In this sense, Zechariah was already deaf and mute when the Angel spoke to him! He could not receive the words (so was deaf), and therefore would not be able to tell his wife, Elizabeth (so was mute).

2. Mary on the other hand simply asks for clarification. She seemed to know already that “nothing is impossible to God.” Just tell me how this is going to happen and I will gladly do it. Look-ing at both annunciations gives an insight, too often hidden from us. It helps us immensely to understand Mary’s “inside story”: how she listened with her heart.

How much do you and I listen to the voice of God's promise, which is written in our hearts too, if we let it be. Do our own words just spout out of us without reference to that unwavering love deep within? If so, we may be like Zechariah: hard of hear-ing when it comes to the needs and beauties of those around us, and speechless when a word of love would make all the differ-ence. Let us ask humbly in these last few days of Advent for the grace to listen and to hear. The one who promised will not fail. Nothing is impossible to Him who can be born of a virgin, walked on water, gave sight to the blind, made the deaf hear, dumb speak and the grave could not hold him buried. So it is our turn to say in faith, ‘Let it be done.’

Fr. Tom Kunnel C.O.

Please remember in your prayers the Sick and/or Homebound of our Parish Family. Anna Hick-ey, Larry Goswick, Anne O’Connor, Gino Galante, Kristen Lynn, Nijole Paronetto, Johanna Krumm, Tim Armstrong, Eileen Moson, Michael McCormack, Joe Dennerlein, Guadalupe Martinez, Julie Cawley, Mary Cliffford, Nancy Doraza, Connie Lynch

As a Parish Family, let us remember in our prayers all our beloved departed members of our Parish Community Alicia Rogawski, mother of Elaine Pontone, Virginia McCauley Cook. Aida Carchichabla, Helen Bark, Frances Palaia, Delores Timpson , Sharon Dunn Yankow, sister of Kathleen Dunn, Florentino Murcia

THE SANCTUARY LAMP

Is Being Offered this week Jerry O’Dowd Requested by

Therese O’Dowd

Sat 12/19 4:00 PM Keane & Simon Family By Eileen & Arthur Simon

Sun 12/20 8:00 AM Marion Hinchliffe By McHugh Family

10:30 AM Sara (Mom) Miraglia By Jake Miraglia

Mon 12/21 10:30 AM Themy Dumlao By Dumlao Family Tue 12/22 10:30 AM Grace Dennerlein

By Lynn Dennerlein

Wed 12/23 10:30 AM Joseph & Josephine Micklas By William Micklas

Thu 12/24 4PM Pang/Soohoo Family - Thanksgiv-ing By Family

5:30 PM Brian Pearson - Thanksgiving By Almeda Silva

10:00 PM Thanksgiving for American De-mocracy - By US Citizens

Fri 12/25 8:00 AM Catherine & Jack Downey

By Tony, Kathy & Helen Koza

10:30 AM Bruni Family By Olsen Family Sat 12/26 10:30 AM Delores Timpson

By Outreach Ministry

4:00 PM Eileen Wozniak By Helen, Anthony, Kathy Koza

Sun 12/27 8:00 AM Evangeline Acosta By Dumlao Family

10:30 AM Michael Armstrong By Armstrong Family

May the Lord ble� you and your family this Christmas and the New Year

Today is the day to light the 3rd purple candle on your Advent Wreath. Don't forget we have our FAMI-LY MASS on Christmas Eve, Thursday, December 24th at 4pm. Every child who attends that mass will get a free candy cane. See you there!!! There will be NO ONLINE CLASSES this week or next. We will resume classes on January 3rd which is being celebrated as the Feast of the Epiphany this year. There are too many children who have not been send-ing homework to their teachers. This break is the per-fect time to catch up on any missed classes and to sub-mit their work. Parents, we need your help in seeing that this is done. We sincerely thank the children who have completed their work and their parents for their monitoring of the situation. Remember, we will all get through these trying times together. Draw upon your faith.

Blessings, Kathleen Dunn and the Relig. Ed. Catechists

4th Week of Advent

Webcast Schedule:

Daily Masses: Monday—Saturday: 10:30 AM

Sunday Mass: Domingo Misa: English—10:30 AM Espanol — 1:00 PM

On ‘Roku’ Select “Box Cast” Channel “St John the Baptist

www.nyoratory.org/ccd program

https://christinus.com

Sun 20-Dec 10:30 AM Webcast English Mass 11:30 AM Baptism 1PM Webcast Spanish Misa Mission

Mon 21-Dec 10:30 AM Webcast Daily Mass Tues 22-Dec 10:30 AM Webcast Daily Mass

Wed 23-Dec 10:30 AM Webcast Daily Mass 7PM Amigos de Jesus Choir Practice

Thurs 24-Dec

3PM Caruana Christmas Event 4PM Christmas Family Mass 5:30 PM Webcast Christmas Mass 8PM Webcast Spanish Christmas Mass 10PM Midnight Christmas Mass

Fri 25-Dec

8AM Christmas Day Mass 10:30 AM Webcast Christmas Mass 1PM Webcast Spanish Christmas Mass

Sat 26-Dec 10:30 AM Webcast Daily Mass 4PM Holy Mass -

TODAY’S READINGS First Reading — I will fix a place for my people. (2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16). Psalm — For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord (Psalm 89). Second Reading — To the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, be glory forever and ever (Romans 16:25-27). Gospel — Gospel — Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word (Luke 1:26-38).

THE ETERNAL GOD King David wished that the ark of God might have a more permanent home. David may have envisioned something like the cedar palace where he resided. God had in mind something more: a throne where David’s descendants would rule for ever, a kingdom where Jews and Gentiles alike would be welcome. Mary’s prayerful nature led to an even more disturbing mes-sage. She would conceive and bear a Son though she was not yet married. “How can this come about?” Mary wondered. “The Holy Spirit will come upon you,” she was told (Luke 1:35). Mary’s acceptance of this difficult challenge ushered in this, the final age of God’s reign. What was once a secret known only by chosen people like King David and his descendants must now be made clear to all so that, as Saint Paul wrote to the Romans, we can be brought to the “obedience of faith” “according to the command of the eternal God” (Romans 16:26).

12/13 will be reported next week Please continue to send your offerings to support the

church either by mail or through online payment: https://stjohnspiermont.churchgiving.com

Thank you for your support & generosity to St. Johns

READINGS FOR THE WEEK Monday: Sg 2:8-14 or Zep 3:14-18a; Ps 33:2-3, 11-12, 20-21; Lk 1:39-45 Tuesday: 1 Sm 1:24-28; 1 Sm 2:1, 4-8abcd; Lk 1:46-56 Wednesday: Mal 3:1-4, 23-34; Ps 25:4-5ab, 8-10, 14; Lk 1:57-66 Thursday: 2 Sm 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16; Ps 89:2-5, 27, 29; Lk 1:67-79 Friday: Vigil: Is 62:1-5; Ps 89:4-5, 16-17, 27, 29; Acts 13:16-17, 22-25; Mt 1:1-25 [18-25] Night: Is 9:1-6; Ps 96:1-3, 11-13; Ti 2:11-14; Lk 2:1-14 Dawn: Is 62:11-12; Ps 97:1, 6, 11-12; Ti 3:4-7; Lk 2:15-20 Day: Is 52:7-10; Ps 98:1-6; Heb 1:1-6; Jn 1:1-18 [1-5, 9-14] Saturday: Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59; Ps 31:3cd-4, 6, 8ab, 16bc, 17; Mt 10:17-22 Sunday: Sir 3:2-6, 12-14 or Gn 15:1-6; 21:1-3; Ps 128:1-5 or Ps 105:1-6, 8-9; Col 3:12-21 [12-17] or Hb 11:8, 11-12, 17-19; Lk 2:22-40 [22, 39-40]

Looking Again…. When we think of today’s Gospel, the image of this meeting between the Angel Gabriel and Mary by Fra Angelico (1440-1445) likely comes to mind. In this fres-co, Gabriel and Mary are outside sitting among the columns, and Gabriel with his big wings and hands crossed, gazes upon Mary and gestures towards her. She is well dressed in a traditional blue garment, and though her face shows shock, her folded hads model submission and humility. This work of art is so beautifully executed that we can miss some of its finer details. Similarly, because the Gospel scene is so familiar, we can forget to take in its small details. A few years ago, this author found a children’s book called “The Nativity” illustrated by Julie Vivas. Because her draw-ings were so fresh and charming and simple, she invited new perspective on the story.

Luke says that Mary “ was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.” She asks

“How can this be?” These questions don’t fit with how Fra Angelico positioned Gabriel and Mary. In the Vivas illus-trations, the Angel Gabriel sits down with battered wings and a balding head and has a cup of coffee with Mary as the two of them try to figure it out together, The text is the same, but the message conveyed is different. There is a different degree of comfort and familiarity to these illus-trations.

This “having a cup of coffee” is something we need to learn to do with the scriptures and with our lives. After this event, pregnant Mary traveled into the hill country to be with Elizabeth; an older, wiser, mentor a mother figure. She spent three months there reflecting and prearing for the birth of her child. In this final week of Advent, take a few moments to find a Gabriel/Mary or an Elizabeth/Mary moment and read the Christmas readings again to see what you might have overlooked, and to find a new way for Christ to dwell in you.

We are no good at Waiting!

In our North American culture, we don’t do longing very well. Immediate gratification is our usual style. Waiting is for the “poor”; longing is a frustration to be relieved by a presumed right of purchase.

I wish I longed for the celebration of the birth of Je-sus as much as I long for the semester to be over, or the ultimate victory of my favorite football team.

Perhaps I am too accustomed to the sto-ry and the reality of His birth.

Perhaps I have too many comforts and warmth of clothing and nourishing food to really want! I would want the inquisi-tiveness of the shepherds, the searching of the Wise Men, the wondering of Jo-seph and Mary.

Some Thoughts

We can pray for emptiness, a place to serve as our Inn. We can prepare for this liturgy as we do for Christmas itself by allowing some experiences of “not having” as a kind of “having.”

Nature abhors a vacuum, our hearts ache for comple-tion. We can pray for a peace of soul that accompa-nies our unique ways of hungering.

Advent Hints

1. Make sure there are plenty of decorations, espe-cially the tree, and talk about the symbolic nature of the round colored balls and lights, the candles, the greenery and the meaning of having a tree in the house where it doesn’t really belong by nature.

2. If possible, place wrapped gifts under the tree and talk about why there are gifts and why the wrapping.

3. Perhaps there could be a miniature barn or stable with little waiting animals who do not know what is about to happen.

4. Perhaps there can be some sitting in the quiet dark with one candle struggling to penetrate the dark.

Larry Gillick, SJ

https://liturgy.slu.edu/4AdvB122020/reflections_gillick.html

VENERABLE BEDE’S HOMILY

“The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.”

What is said of the house of David applies not only to Joseph but also to Mary. It was a precept of the law that each man should marry a wife from his own tribe and kindred.

Saint Paul also bears testimony to this when he writes to Timothy: Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David: such is my gospel.” (2 Tim 2:8) Our Lord is truly descended

from David, since his spotless mother took her ancestry from Da-vid’s line.

The angel came to her and said,

Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father. (Lk 1:30-32)

The angel refers to the kingdom of the Israelite nation as the throne of David because in his time, by the Lord’s command and assistance, David governed it with a spir-it of faithful service. The Lord God gave to our Redeemer the throne of his father David, when he decreed that he should take flesh from the lineage of David. As David had once ruled the people with temporal authority, so Christ would now lead them to the eternal kingdom by his spiritu-al grace. Of this kingdom the Apostle said: “He has delivered us from the dominion of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son.” (Col 1:13)

“He will reign over the house of Jacob for ever” (Lk 1:33). The house of Jacob here refers to the universal Church which, through its faith in and witness to Christ, shares the heritage of the patri-archs. This may apply either to those who are physical descend-ants of the patriarchal families, or to those who come from gentile nations and are reborn in Christ by the waters of baptism.

In this house Christ shall reign for ever, and “of his kingdom there will be no end.” During this present life, Christ rules in the Church. By faith and love he dwells in the hearts of his elect, and guides them by his unceasing care toward their heavenly reward. In the life to come, when their period of exile on earth is ended, he will exercise his kingship by leading the faithful to their heavenly country. There, for ever inspired by the vision of his presence, their one delight will be to praise and glorify him.

LECTURAS DE HOY Primera lectura — El Señor promete a David que su casa permanecerá para siempre (2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16). Salmo — Cantaré eternamente las misericordias del Se-ñor (Salmo 88). Segunda lectura — Pablo ora para que Dios sea glorifi-cado mediante Jesucristo (Romanos 16:25-27). Evangelio — El ángel Gabriel anuncia a María que ella concebirá al hijo de Dios (Lucas 1:26-38).

EL DIOS ETERNO El rey David deseaba que el Arca de Dios tuviera un hogar más permanente. David podría haberse imaginado algo así como el palacio de cedro donde residía. Dios tenía en men-te algo más: un trono donde los descendientes de David gobernarían para siempre, un reino donde judíos y gentiles serían bien recibidos por igual. La actitud devota de María llevó a un mensaje aún más inquietante. Concebiría y daría a luz un hijo a pesar de que aún no estaba casada. “¿Cómo podrá ser esto?”, preguntó María. “El Espíritu Santo descenderá sobre ti”, le contestó el Ángel (Lucas 1:35). La aceptación de María de este difícil desafío marcó el comienzo de esta, la era final del Reino de Dios. Lo que antes era un secreto conocido solo por el pueblo elegido como el Rey David y sus descendientes ahora debe quedar claro a todos para que, como escribió San Pablo a los roma-nos, podamos llegar a la “obediencia de la fe”, “en cumpli-miento del designio eterno de Dios” (Romanos 16:26).

LECTURAS DE LA SEMANA Lunes: Cant 2:8-14 o Sof 3:14-18a; Sal 32:2-3, 11-12, 20-21; Lc 1:39-45 Martes: 1 Sm 1:24-28; 1 Sm 2:1, 4-8abcd; Lc 1:46-56 Miércoles: Mal 3:1-4, 23-34; Sal 24:4-5ab, 8-10, 14; Lc 1:57-66 Jueves: 2 Sm 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16; Sal 88:2-5, 27, 29; Lc 1:67-79 Viernes: Vigilia: Is 62:1-5; Sal 89:4-5, 16-17, 27, 29; Hch 13:16-17, 22-25; Mt 1:1-25 [18-25] Noche: Is 9:1-6; Sal 95:1-3, 11-13; Ti 2:11-14; Lc 2:1-14 Aurora: Is 62:11-12; Sal 96:1, 6, 11-12;Ti 3:4-7; Lc 2:15-20 Día: Is 52:7-10; Sal 97:1-6; Heb 1:1-6;Jn 1:1-18 [1-5, 9-14] Sábado: Hch 6:8-10; 7:54-59; Sal 30:3cd-4, 6, 8ab, 16bc, 17; Mt 10:17-22 Domingo: Sir 3:2-6, 12-14 o Gn 15:1-6; 21:1-3; Sal 127: 1-5 o Sal 104:1-6, 8-9; Col 3:12-21 [12-17] o Hb 11:8, 11-12,

P A R I S H M I N I S T R I E S & C H A I R Buildings & Grounds Pat Miele, Alex Aguilar Eucharistic Adoration Dcn Robert Pang Health Mary Loftus Hispanic Community Michaelina Maldonado Ministerios Marianos Luis y Aida Cachichabla Hospitality Robin Miller Men’s Club Bill Loftus. Ralph Olsen Ushers Jake Miraglia Music Elise Espinosa, Chris & Carolyn Yates, Ann Quattrocchi & Eileen Petersen Spanish Choir Carlos Cerna, William Martinez Outreach Maria Nest Parish Council Ralph Olsen Parish Worship Dcn Rob Pang Religious Education Kathleen Dunn RCIA Dcn Robert Pang, Cruz Molina Catholic Daughters Marge Olsen Right to Life Scott Giblin Social May Pang Spiritual Life Johanna Krumm St. Vincent De Paul Fr. Tom Kunnel

P A R I S H C O U N C I L Alex Aguilar, Kathleen Dunn, Jonathan/Dominika Fanning, Lucia/Sal Caruana, Marleni Lemus, Ray/Beverly Sambrotto,

Irma Vasquez T R U S T E E S

Phil McCartin James Pontone

Our Sacramental Life

Baptism: Please call the Rectory well in advance of the expected day of Bap-tism to arrange an appointment for an interview. Pre-baptismal meeting for parents is required. Godparents must be confirmed, practicing Catholics. Gener-ally Baptisms are celebrated the third Sunday of each month at 12:00 pm.

Reconciliation: Confessions are heard from 3:30-4:00 pm on Saturday. You may also make an appointment with Fr. Tom. Spanish confessions is available from 12:30–1:00 PM on Sundays.

Marriage: Marriages should be arranged at least six months in advance. Partici-pation in Pre-Cana is essential. Please call the Rectory to schedule an appoint-ment with Fr. Tom.

Anointing of the Sick: Before you enter the hospital for elective surgery or other serious treatment, and for those who have need of spiritual healing. In an emergency, please call Fr. Tom’s mobile 845 608 9358.

Holy Orders: Any gentleman interested in exploring the question of vocation to the priesthood or the permanent diaconate should contact Fr. Tom Kunnel. We would also be happy to direct anyone interested in living their lives as Religious Sisters or Brothers.

Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults: For instruction for Baptism, Confirma-tion and Eucharist for adults and to learn about Catholic Faith. If interested please contact Dcn Robert Pang.

For more details and forms—www.stjohnspiermont.org

Parish Registration: All adults (over age 21) should register in the parish themselves and should use envelopes or parishpay.com. Tithing is 5% of income. This registration is our only means of certifying anyone as a member of the parish, especially for Baptism and Confirmation sponsorship letters and for scheduling Baptisms and Weddings.

4th Week of Advent Find Words:

NameHimJesus MostHigh ThroneOfDavid HolyChild SonOfGod NothingImpossible HandmaidOfLord AccordingToYourWord

Gabriel Nazareth BetrothedJoseph HouseOfDavid FullOfGrace LordIsWithYou DoNotBeAfraid BearASon