MASS SCHEDULE

Saturday: 7:00 & 8:00 AM 6:00 PM (Vigil Mass)

Sunday: 7:30 & 9:30 AM English 11:00 AM Italian 12:30 PM English (Family Mass) 7:00 PM Portuguese Weekdays: 7:00 & 8:00 AM Holy Days: 6:30, 8:00, 10:00 AM & 7:30 PM Other Services & Activities: Monday to Saturday: 7:40 AM Morning Prayer

Tuesday: 9:00 AM Legion of Mary 7:30 PM St. Padre Pio Group (Feb 16) 7:30 PM H.R.S. - church hall (Mar 1) 8:00 PM Holy Rosary in Portuguese Wednesday: 7:00 PM Holy Rosary in Italian 7:30 PM RCIA classes Thursday: 2:00 PM Bible Study Italian 6:15 to 7:15 PM Holy Hour & Adoration for Vocations (Feb 18 & 25) 8:30PM Rosary Brazilian Men (March10) Friday: 8:00 PM Brazilian Prayer Group 1st Friday: 5:30 to 8:30 PM Blessed Sacrament Adoration (Mar 4)

Served by the Vocationist Fathers Fr. Stephen Ehiahuruike, S.D.V., Pastor Fr. Christogonus (Chris) Iwunze, S.D.V., Parochial Vicar Fr. Albino Santos de Jesus, S.D.V., Parochial Vicar Fr. Louis Caputo, S.D.V.,Weekend Assistant Church & Rectory 442 E Brinkerhoff Ave Palisades Park, NJ 07650 Tel. 201-944-1154 Fax. 201-944-9510 Email. stnicholas07650@live.com Website. www.stnicholasrcchurch.org Office Hours Mon, Wed, Thu & Fri 11:30 AM - 6:00 PM Tuesdays 4:00 PM - 9:00 PM (Mornings by appointment only)

ADMINISTRATION OF THE SACRAMENTS Baptisms: On any available Sunday during the 11:00 AM (Italian), 12:30 PM (English) & 7:00 PM (Portuguese) Masses. Please, contact the rectory at least one month prior to desired date. Confessions: Saturdays 5:00 to 5:45 PM, or during the week by appointment. Marriages: Please contact the rectory at least six months prior to desired wedding date. Sacrament of the Sick: If you are hospitalized or un-able to come to Church for health reasons and would like to be visited by a priest for Confession, Commun-ion, or Anointing of the Sick, please call the rectory. Religious Education Program (CCD): For children 1st to 8th grades who are not attending Catholic School. Classes are held on Sundays from September to May at 11:30 AM, with attendance to the 12:30 PM Family Mass. Confirmation: Teens will receive the Sacrament of Confirmation on 8th grade. They will attend classes at 11:30 AM from September to December; and from January to April classes will start at 11:00 AM in the church hall, with attendance to the 12:30 PM Family Mass.

ST. NICHOLAS RC CHURCH

1st Sunday of Lent February 14, 2016

Jesus was led into the desert by the Spirit and was tempted (Luke 4:1-13).

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY

ST. PADRE PIO GROUP will meet this Tuesday, February 16 at 7:30 PM with Mass in Italian. It will be a beautiful celebration — all are invited to join.

STATIONS OF THE CROSS - Every Friday during Lent at 7:30 PM, starting this Friday, Feb 12. We invite all our families to participate.

BIBLE STUDY IN ENGLISH—”A Quick Journey Through the Bible” by Jeff Cavins. On the 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month from 7:30 to 8:30 PM in the church hall, from February 18 to June 12. Please register by using flyers available at entrance of the church or call rectory office at 201-944-1154.

ST. JOSEPH’S TABLES - (Some changes have been made to this year’s program) — On Sunday, March 13 we will have the St. Joseph’s Tables with sale of ZEPPOLE, homemade breads, cakes and Italian goods from 8:00AM to 2:00PM. We will celebrate a Mass in honor of St. Joseph on Saturday, March 19 at 6:00 PM All are welcome! And the “Poor Man’s Dinner” in honor of St. Joseph will be on Saturday, April 16 at 7:00 PM - Tickets are $25.00 (6-12 years old—$10).

LENTEN PARISH RETREAT— “Forgiveness—In this Extra-ordinary jubilee year of mercy—A Scriptural Reflection—by Dr. Thomas Hicks, PhD. It’s open to all. You won’t want to miss it! Please save the date—Saturday, March 19 from 9:00 AM to 12:30 noon. We will provide babysitter.

CONFIRMATION 2016 - Our 8th grade teenagers will receive the Sacrament of Confirmation on Saturday, April 9, 2016 at 3:00 PM by Bishop John W. Flesey.

ST NICHOLAS RC CHURCH Parish Trustee: Giovanni Simone & Michael Massaro Parish Secretary: Débora Moreira Music Ministry: Addie Luers, Giovanni & Karen Simone, and Kelly Oliveira

Vocationist Sisters Community Sr. Benedita Carvalho, S.D.V., Superior & Pre-K Director; Sr. Antonietta Cioce, S.D.V., Sr. Sali Antony, S.D.V. and Sr. Jancy Thomas, S.D.V. 223 14th Street - Palisades Park, NJ Tel. 201-947-2413 Parish Pre-K “Fr. Justin Learning Center” Tel. 201-944-1376

NOTRE DAME ACADEMY 312 First St—Palisades Park, NJ Principal: Mark Valvano - Tel. 201-947-5262

SATURDAY, February 13 7:00AM All deceased Vocationists fathers & sisters 8:00AM Matteo Piccini by son & family 6:00PM Claudia DiMaio by Vicky DeSanctis

SUNDAY, February 14 7:30AM Antonio Hroncich by wife Anna 9:30AM Kenneth Fithen by Yolanda Lorfink 11:00AM Antonio Hroncich by Picinich family 12:30PM Aldo, Pietro & Anna Ivaldi by family 7:00PM People of the Parish

MONDAY, February 15 7:00AM Mildred Albanese by Loretta Martini 8:00AM In honor of St. Gayetano by Jimmy Diaz

TUESDAY, February 16 7:00AM Francesco DeCandia by M/M Francesco DeCandia 8:00AM Tommaso Morin by Mirkovich family

WEDNESDAY, February 17 7:00AM In honor of St. Lazarus by Eduardo Ramos 8:00AM Tommaso Morin by the Holy Rosary Society

THURSDAY, February 18 7:00AM All Souls in Purgatory 8:00AM Elena Tarabocchia by M/M John Hroncich

FRIDAY, February 19 7:00AM Deceased members of our parish 8:00AM Ivan Mattessich by Antonia Picinic

SATURDAY, February 20 7:00AM Deceased members of our parish 8:00AM Robert Hroncich by family 6:00PM Deceased members of our parish

SUNDAY, February 21 7:30AM Deceased members of our parish 9:30AM In thanksgiving by Wendy Tam 11:00AM Philippo Tallarida by brother Dominic Tallarida 12:30PM Gaudenzia Suttora by sister Maria 7:00PM People of the Parish

News of the Parish

Mass Intentions

In Memoriam ALTAR BREAD donated this week

in loving memory of Anna Coonan by family

BREAD & WINE donated this week in loving memory of

Anna Coonan by family

SANCTUARY LAMP donated this week in loving memory of

Anna Coonan by family

Page 3 February 14, 2016

1ST SUNDAY OF LENT

JESUS AND THE DEVIL

The devil tempted Jesus by quoting scripture, as today's Gospel reminds us. Try a self-serving miracle. Try selling out. Try dazzling the audience; people are gullible, after all. Try all these easy ways. The tempter tries to urge Jesus onto the slippery slope, attempts the old soft-soap, the snake-oil solutions that are always readily at hand. The devil knows better, but is powerless to do better, much less be better. The devil is evil personified, who senses in Jesus the stronger, truly attractive presence of holiness.

Evil is exposed and engaged, we are reminded in this Sunday's Gospel. Evil knows the jig is up. The undoing of lies begins with Jesus, who takes up the work of soul-healing and world-healing. This Lent, the Church invites us to enter into this renewing, re-creative work and be made whole again. Copyright (c) J. S. Paluch Co.

TREASURES FROM OUR TRADITION Today Lent begins. Ash Wednesday initiates the forty days of the Lenten fast, but since Sundays are not tallied in the days of fasting, today is the solemn opening of the forty days of Lent. The Church has work to do today, principally the calling forward of those chosen (the proper word is elected) for the Easter sacraments. Some of those who have been catechumens may now make a transition to a new way of life as the "elect." For them, this Lent will be a time of "purification" and "enlightenment." For us who accompany them, it is a time of helping them discern God's call and prepare for new life. This year, while the readings from the third year of the Lectionary cycle are usually read, they are set aside on certain Sundays for the benefit of the elect. We turn then to the readings from Year A, and we give those who journey to the font of baptism three extraordinary companions. In the Gospels for those days, we meet the woman of Samaria and the man born blind, and we come to the tomb of Lazarus three days after his death. Many bishops celebrate the Rite of Election on or near today, affirming God's choice for these new faithful, and also offering them the solidarity of many companions. In 2013, over 38,000 adults entered the baptismal waters in the United States, a remarkable testimony to the vigor of our tradition of receiving and nurturing adult faith.

--Rev. James Field, Copyright (c) J. S. Paluch Co.

Pastoral Care Holy Communion was brought last week to: Sheila Hutchinson, Valentine Miele, Arthur and Amelia Mazzarella, Gloria Pezzolla and Frances Ceria.

Pray for our sick: Mateus Ribeiro, Domenica Dinaro, Anne Ring, Lorenzo Cafasso, Josephine Dolberry, Eileen Murphy, Angela Tina, Christine Brown, Jovan & Perez family, Rita Vanore, Josephine De Monte, Maria Piccini, Dominick Ostuni and Sara Modafferi.

Ministers’ Schedule for February 21

6:00 PM: Lector - Carmela B. E.M. - Maria Claudia and Rita 7:30 AM: Lectors - Michael and Linda E.M. - Sr. Sali and Sr. Jancy 9:30 AM: Lectors - Gina E.M. - Carol and sisters 11:00 AM: Lectors - Margherita and Frank E.M. - Italia and Carmela A. 12:30 PM : Lector - Youth E.M. - Wendy and Suzanne 7:00 PM Lectors - Patricia, Laine and Katia E.M. - Ieda and Evaneide

Tuesday, February 16 9:00 AM - Legion of Mary in the Bl. Mother’s room 7:30 PM - Mass in honor of St. Padre Pio 8:00 PM - Holy Rosary in the Brazilian families Wednesday, February 17 7:00 PM - Holy Rosary in Italian Thursday, February 18 2:00 PM - Bible study in Italian in the Bl. Mother’s room 6:15 to 7:15 PM - Holy Hour for Vocations—Adoration 7:30 PM - Bible Study in English in church hall Friday, February 19 7:30 PM - Stations of the Cross in church 8:30 PM - Brazilian prayer meeting in church hall

Events of the Week

STEWARDSHIP OF TREASURE

For collection amount please see bulletin paper edition

STEWARDSHIP OF TIME & TALENT

The forty days of Lent provide stewards with a mar-velous opportunity to evaluate the nature of our life’s “work.” Sometimes, we have good intentions to im-prove our spiritual lives. But we tend to put it off. — The SEASON OF LENT begins by reminding us of the brevity of our lives, and then presents us with the immediacy of forty days to focus more intensely on our life in Christ. This is the first step toward embrac-ing Christian stewardship as a way of life.

Vocationist Corner

Grant me that I may react to any form of evil with every

offensive and defensive weapon, with all human and

divine reasoning, with natural and supernatural means;

grant that I may lead and involve all the brethren in this fight

which is so worthy of You, my God. O my God and my All…

Blessed Fr. Justin Russolillo, SDV, Spirit of Prayer, page 94

If you wish to know more about Blessed Fr. Justin Russolillo’s spirituality, please contact Fr. Stephen or Fr. Louis. You can also call 973-966-6262 or visit the

Vocationist website at www.vocationistfathers.org

ST. NICHOLAS FUNDRAISING EVENT ~ TRICK TRAY 2016 ~

We are beginning to collect items to be auctioned on Saturday, June, 4 of 2016— NEW, NOT USED,

UNOPENED gifts, toys, games, electronics, kitchen appliances, home decoration, paintings, jewelry, etc.

All donations are tax deductible! Please call the rectory’s office for

more information 201-944-1154

For safety reasons we cannot accept used clothes, shoes, home decoration

or any opened toys

Holy Hour for Vocations Every Thursday from 6:15 to 7:15 PM in church

~ Except on eve of first Fridays ~

2016 WEDDING ANNIVERSARY MASSES

We are once again preparing the annual tradi-tion of honoring those couples in our Archdiocese who will be celebrating five, twenty-five and fifty years of Christian marriage in the year 2016. These anniversary Masses will be celebrated by Archbishop John J. Mayers in the Cathedral Basilica of Sacred Heart in Newark on Sunday, April 24 (5th and 25th anniversaries) and May 1 (50th anniversaries) at 3:00 PM. Sponsored by the Office of Family Life Minis-tries. Please contact our rectory office for registration and more information.

Reservations deadline is April 10

ST. JOSEPH’S TABLES

St. Joseph’s Table Sunday, March 13

from 8:00 to 2:00 PM Sale of HOT ZEPPOLE

and Italian goods

Mass in honor of St. Joseph Saturday, March 19 at 6:00 PM

Poor Man’s Dinner Saturday, April 16 at 7:00 PM

TICKETS : $ 25.00 (6 to 12 years old—$10)

CASINO NIGHT 2016 NOTRE DAME ACADEMY

presents its 7th Annual Casino Night at Fiesta Restaurant in Wood-Ridge, NJ

on Saturday, March 5 at 7:00 PM. Call 201-947-5262 for tickets

Women’s Day of Reflection and Catholic Men’s Conference — February 27 and March 6, respec-tively, at Seton Hall University in South Orange. Approxi-mately 3,500 men and women were served last year with these special evangelization events and we hope to reach

more in 2016 with the great news of God’s immense love for us. For registration information see flyers at entrance of the

church or call rectory’s office at 201-944-1154.

LENTEN PARISH RETREAT Saturday, March 19

9:00 AM to 12:30 PM

FORGIVENESS in this extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy - A Scriptural Reflection -

Presenter: Dr. Thomas Hicks, PhD Professor of Theology & Psychology

OPEN TO ALL Lunch included . Babysitting available

Don’t miss it!

Dr. Thomas Hicks is a Professor Emeritus at Sacred Heart University where he taught courses in both Reli-gious Studies and Psychology. He won several teaching Excellence and Outstanding Faculty awards. He pres-ently teaches several Religious Studies courses at SHU.

ARCHDIOCESE OF NEWARK

2016 LENTEN REGULATIONS

1. — The days of both Fast and Abstinence during Lent are Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. If possible,

the fast on Good Friday is continued until the Easter Vigil (on Holy Saturday night) as the “paschal fast”

to honor the suffering and death of Lord Jesus, and to prepare ourselves to share more fully and to

celebrate more readily His Resurrection. The other Fridays of Lent are days of Abstinence.

On a day of Fast, only one (1) full meal is permitted, and two (2) smaller meals, which, if added

together, would not exceed the main meal in quantity.

Those between the ages of 18 and 59 are obligated to fast.

On a day of Abstinence, no meat may be taken. Those who have reached the age of 14 are obliged by

the law of abstinence.

2. — The obligation to observe the laws of Fast and Abstinence “substantially”, or as a whole, is a serious

obligation.

3. — The Fridays of the year, outside the Lent, are designated as days of penance, but each individual may

substitute for the traditional abstinence from meat some other practice of voluntary self-denial as penance.

4. — The time for fulfilling the Paschal Precept (Easter Duty*) extends from the First Sunday of Lent,

February 14, 2016 to the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, May 22, 2016.

*Canon 920, §1. All the faithful, after they have been initiated into the Most Holy Eucharist, are bound by the obligation of receiving Communion at least once a year.