The Piarist Fathers

Pastor Rev. David Powers Sch.P.

Parochial Vicars

Rev. Nelson Henao Sch.P. Rev. Richard Wyzykiewicz Sch.P.

Parish Staff Deacon

Valentin Acabeo

Parish Secretary Mrs. Rosemarie Ortiz

Business Manager Anne Kathy Rice

Facilities Manager Lillian Nazario

Music Director Mr. Daniel Ambe

Musicians Mr. Jim Donaldson Mr. Alex Henriquez

December 2018- January 2019

St. Helena’s School (718) 892-3234 http://www.sthelenaelementary.org

Early Childhood (3Yr Olds & Pre-K for All) Elementary School (Grades K-8)

Principal: Mr. Richard Meller 2050 Benedict Avenue

Bronx, New York 10462

High School: Monsignor Scanlan H.S. (718) 430-0100

http://www.scanlanhs.edu/ Principal: Mr. Peter Doran

915 Hutchinson River Parkway Bronx, New York 10465

St. Helena Rectory: 1315 Olmstead Avenue

Bronx, N.Y. 10462 Phone: (718) 892-3232

Fax: (718) 892-7713

www.churchofsthelena.com Email: sthelenarc@yahoo.com

Alumni: sthelenasalumni@yahoo.com

Mass Schedule (Horario de Misas)

Arrangements must be made at the Rectory for Baptismal Class. Bring a copy of the child’s Birth Certificate and Godparent documents.

Arrangements for weddings should be made as soon as possible at the Rectory.

All Catholics who live within the parish boundaries should fill out a registration card at the Rectory.

saint Helena

parish Bronx, NY

When Padre Pio Celebrated Christmas, the Christ Child would miraculously appear Many witnesses attest to seeing a vision of the Baby Jesus in the arms of Padre Pio. St. Padre Pio loved Christmas. He held a special devotion to the Baby Jesus ever since he was a child. According to Capuchin priest Fr. Joseph Mary Elder, “At his home in Pietrelcina, he prepared the crib himself. He would often begin working on it as early as October. While pasturing the family’s sheep with friends, he would search for clay to use to

fashion the small statues of shepherds, sheep, and the magi. He took particular care in crafting the infant Jesus, making and re-making it until he felt he had it just right.”

This devotion remained with him during his entire life. Midnight Mass, in particular, was a joyous celebration for Padre Pio, who celebrated it every year, taking many hours to carefully celebrate the Holy Mass. His soul was lifted up to God with great joy, and witnesses have recounted how they would see Padre Pio holding the Baby Jesus. This was not a porcelain statue, but the Baby Jesus himself in a miraculous vision. Renzo Allegri recounts the following story: "We were reciting the rosary while waiting for the Mass. Padre Pio was praying with us. All of a sudden, in an aura of light, I saw the Baby Jesus appear in his arms. Padre Pio was transfigured, his eyes gazing upon the glowing child in his arms, his face transformed by an astonished smile. When the vision disappeared, Padre Pio realized from the way I was looking at him that I had seen everything. But he drew close to me and told me not to mention it to anyone."

A similar story is told by Fr. Raffaele da Sant’Elia, who lived next to Padre Pio for many years: "I had got up to go to the church for the Midnight Mass of 1924. The corridor was huge and dark, and the only illumination was the flame of a small oil lamp. Through the shadows, I could see that Padre Pio, too, was making his way to the church. He had left his room and was making his way slowly along the corridor. I realized he was swathed in a band of light. I took a better look and saw that he had the Baby Jesus in his arms. I just stood there, transfixed, in the doorway of my room, and fell to my knees. Padre Pio passed by, all aglow. He didn’t even notice I was there."

These supernatural events highlight the deep and abiding love of Padre Pio for God. His love was further marked by simplicity and humility, with a heart wide open to receive whatever heavenly grace God had planned for him. May we too open our hearts to receive the Baby Jesus on Christmas day and let God’s unfathomable love overcome us with Christian joy.

Silent Night turns 200 Christmas Eve Exactly 200 years ago this Christmas Eve, on Dec. 24, 1818, in a little church in what is now Austria, the world heard for the first time a poem set to music that eventually would be hailed as one of the most popular and beloved Christmas carols of all time.

"Silent Night" was sung for the first time that Christmas Eve at a midnight Mass at St. Nicholas Church in Oberndorf, a village in the Austrian Empire. The lyrics were written by a young Catholic priest, Father Joseph Mohr, and the music was composed by Francis Xavier Gruber, an organist and school master. Father Mohr wrote the poem "Stille Nacht" in 1816 in the Austrian town of Mariapfarr, near Salzburg. Two years later, while serving at St. Nicholas Parish in Oberndorf, the priest asked Gruber to compose a melody for the words. It is not known why Father Mohr wanted to set his poem to music. Gruber composed the music, and "Silent Night" did indeed premiere at the Christmas Eve Mass.

The fact that the song was performed in German and not Latin at the Mass would not have been uncommon or unusual in the Austrian Empire at that time because the vernacular (the language of a particular country or region) was being used in the liturgy, partially due to the influence of Joseph II, the Holy Roman Emperor who died less than 30 years before "Silent Night" was composed, and who simplified the Mass and decreed other liturgical reforms in his empire.

The carol eventually spread its way from the small village to other parts of the Austrian Empire and eventually to the rest of the world. The attraction to the carol seems to come from its blend of the particular and the universal. Father Mohr's poem was written in the wake of tumultuous activity. The Napoleonic Wars were still fresh in everyone's mind, so to write a poem about stillness and the universal peace that Christ brings to all people certainly made sense.

The tune composed by Gruber is not very sophisticated but is composed in a very folksy style. It is basically a simple tune with a pastoral setting and an undulating melodic swing, and it is not too

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CHRISTMAS SCHEDULE 2018

Monday, December 24 Vigil Mass: 5:00PM (English)

Bilingual Christmas Concert: 6:15PM Vigil Mass: 7:00PM (Spanish)

Tuesday, December 25 English Mass: 7:30AM English Mass: 9:00AM

English Family Mass: 10:30AM Spanish Family Mass: NOON

English Mass: 1:30PM English Mass: 5:00PM

FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY Saturday, December 29

Confessions: 4-5:30PM Vigil Mass: 5:30 PM (English)

Sunday, December 30 English Mass: 7:30AM English Mass: 9:00AM

English Family Mass: 10:30AM Spanish Family Mass: NOON

English Mass: 1:30PM English Mass: 5:00PM

SOLEMNITY OF MARY, MOTHER OF GOD

Monday, December 31 Bi-lingual Vigil Mass: 5:00PM

Parish New Year’s Celebration in Gym: 7:30PM - 1:30AM Tuesday, January 1, 2019

NO 7:30AM Mass English Mass: 9:00AM

English Family Mass: 10:30AM Spanish Family Mass: NOON

English Mass: 1:30PM English Mass: 5:00PM

difficult to sing. The carol’s popularity in the United States is due in a large part to the Rainer Family Singers, a popular early 19th-century group of traveling singers from Austria who performed the song as part of their repertoire. It is believed the group brought the song to this country during their 1839 tour here. "Stille Nacht" was translated into the English "Silent Night" by an Episcopal priest, the Rev. John Freeman Young. The original "Stille Nacht" has six verses, while the English translation only has three — the first, second and sixth verses of the original.

By the turn of the 20th century, 'Silent Night' was being sung on all continents and was brought to the far reaches of the globe by both Catholic and Protestant missionaries. Today, we are aware of translations into more than 300 languages and dialects. The carol is believed to have caused a somewhat miraculous and well-documented Christmas truce during World War I.

On Christmas Eve 1914, British and French troops were encamped in trenches in a faceoff against German troops in Ypres in Flanders, Belgium. The two sides began singing Christmas carols to each other, and "Silent Night" was the only song all the combatants knew. Singing the song together broke the ice and led to a temporary cease-fire with soldiers from both sides meeting in the middle "No Man's Land" to trade tobacco and candy, play soccer, and sing carols.

As it marks its 200th anniversary, "Silent Night" remains as popular as ever. Bing Crosby's 1935 recording of the carol is the third biggest-selling single record in history; his 1942 recording of "White Christmas" holds the No. 1 spot. A Time magazine survey found the song to be the most recorded Christmas carol, with "Joy to the World" a distant second. In 2011, the UNESCO declared "Silent Night" an honored part of "our intangible cultural heritage.” A 2016 worldwide survey of choral directors found "Silent Night" to be one of the 25 greatest Christmas carols of all time.

Perhaps we sing songs like 'Silent Night' because there is something about Christ's infancy that takes us deeper into the mystery of the Incarnation, or perhaps we sing because there is something about the human voice in song that expresses something very intimate about ourselves and our joy.

The Life of Saint Stephen - December 26 Not much is known about Saint Stephen's origin. He is first mentioned in Acts 6:5, when the apostles appoint seven deacons in order to minister to the physical needs of the faithful. Because Stephen is a Greek name (Stephanos), and because the appointment of the deacons occurred in response to complaints by Greek-speaking Jewish Christians, it is generally assumed that Stephen was himself a Hellenist Jew (that is, a Greek-speaking Jew). His ministry was conducted among Greek-speaking Jews, some of whom were not open to the Gospel of Christ. Stephen is described in Acts as "full of faith, and of the Holy Spirit and full of grace and fortitude," and his talents for preaching were so great that those Hellenist Jews who disputed his teaching "were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit that spoke.”

Unable to combat Stephen's preaching, his opponents found men who were willing to lie about what Saint Stephen taught, to claim that "they had heard him speak words of blasphemy against Moses and against God.” In a scene reminiscent of Christ's own appearance before the Sanhedrin, Stephen’s opponents produced witnesses who claimed that "we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place [the temple], and shall change the traditions which Moses delivered unto us.”

Acts 6:15 notes that the members of the Sanhedrin, "looking on him, saw his face as if it had been the face of an angel." It's an interesting remark, considering that these are the men sitting in judgment on Stephen. When the high priest gives Stephen the chance to defend himself, he is filled with the Holy Spirit and provides a remarkable exposition of salvation history, from the time of Abraham through Moses and Solomon and the prophets, and ending with a rebuke of those Jews who refused to believe in Christ.

However, Stephen’s testimony confirmed in the minds of the Sanhedrin the charge of blasphemy, "And they crying out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and with one accord ran violently upon him.” They dragged him outside of the walls of Jerusalem (near, tradition says, the Damascus Gate), and stoned him. The stoning of Stephen is notable not simply because he is the first Christian martyr, but because of the presence of a man named Saul, who "was consenting to his death,” and at whose feet "the witnesses laid down their garments.” This is, of course, Saul of Tarsus, who, some time later, while traveling on the road to Damascus, encountered the Risen Christ, and became the great apostle to the Gentiles, Saint Paul. Paul himself, while recounting his conversion testifies that he confessed to Christ that "when the blood of Stephen thy witness was shed, I stood by and consented, and kept the garments of them that killed him.”

Because Stephen is mentioned first among the seven men ordained as deacons in Acts 6:5-6, and is the only one singled out for his attributes ("a man full of faith, and of the Holy Ghost"), he is often regarded as the first deacon as well as the first martyr. He is the patron saint of deacons.

Saint John the Apostle -December 27 For the three former fishermen—Peter, James, and John—their faith was to be rewarded by a special friendship with Jesus. They alone were privileged to be present at the Transfiguration, the raising of the daughter of Jairus and the agony in Gethsemane. But John’s friendship was even more special. Tradition assigns to him the Fourth Gospel,.

John’s own Gospel refers to him as the disciple whom Jesus loved, the one who reclined next to Jesus at the Last Supper, and the one to whom Jesus gave the exquisite honor of caring for his mother, as John stood beneath the cross. “Woman, behold your son…. Behold, your mother” (John 19:26b, 27b).

Because of the depth of his Gospel, John is usually thought of as the eagle of theology, soaring in high regions that other writers did not enter. But the ever-frank Gospels reveal some very human traits. Jesus gave James and John the nickname, “sons of thunder.”

John was with Peter when the first great miracle after the Resurrection took place—the cure of the man crippled from birth—which led to their spending the night in jail together. The mysterious experience of the Resurrection is perhaps best contained in the words of Acts: “Observing the boldness of Peter and John and perceiving them to be uneducated, ordinary men, they [the questioners] were amazed, and they recognized them as the companions of Jesus” (Acts 4:13).

The Apostle John is traditionally considered the author also of three New Testament letters and the Book of Revelation. His Gospel is a very personal account. He sees the glorious and divine Jesus already in the incidents of his mortal life. At the Last Supper, John’s Jesus speaks as if he were already in heaven. John’s is the Gospel of Jesus’ glory.

à Noël, prendre du temps pour soi, en silence Dans six jours, ce sera Noël. Partout, les arbres, les décorations et les lumières rappellent que cette année encore, ce sera la fête. La machine publicitaire invite à s’échanger des cadeaux toujours nouveaux pour se faire des surprises. Mais je me demande : est-ce cela, la fête qui plaît à Dieu ? Quel Noël voudrait-il, quels cadeaux, quelles surprises ? Regardons le premier Noël de l’histoire pour découvrir les goûts de Dieu. Ce premier Noël de l’Histoire fut plein de surprises. Cela commence avec Marie, qui était fiancée à Joseph : l’ange arrive et change sa vie. Elle qui est vierge, elle sera mère. Cela continue avec Joseph, appelé à être le père d’un enfant sans l’engendrer. Un fils qui – coup de théâtre – arrive au moment le moins indiqué, c’est-à-dire quand Marie et Joseph étaient fiancés et que, selon la loi, ils ne pouvaient pas habiter ensemble. Devant le scandale, le bon sens de l’époque invitait Joseph à répudier Marie pour sauver sa réputation, mais lui, qui pourtant en avait le droit, surprend : pour ne pas faire de tort à Marie, il pense la renvoyer en secret, au risque de perdre sa réputation. Et puis une autre surprise : en rêve, Dieu change ses plans et lui demande de prendre Marie chez lui. Une fois que Jésus est né, alors qu’il avait ses projets pour sa famille, encore dans un rêve, il lui est dit de se lever et d’aller en Égypte. En somme, Noël apporte des changements de

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vie inattendus. Et si nous voulons vivre Noël, il faut que nous ouvrions notre cœur et que nous soyons disposés à avoir des surprises, c’est-à-dire un changement de vie inattendu. Mais c’est dans la nuit de Noël qu’arrive la plus grande surprise : le Très-haut est un petit enfant. La Parole divine est un enfant, ce qui signifie littéralement « incapable de parler ». Et la Parole divine devient « incapable de parler ». Il n’y a pas les autorités de l’époque ou du lieu ou les ambassadeurs pour accueillir le Sauveur : non, ce sont de simples pasteurs qui, surpris par les anges, alors qu’ils travaillaient de nuit, accourent sans tarder. Qui se serait attendu à cela ? Noël, c’est célébrer l’inédit de Dieu, ou mieux, c’est célébrer un Dieu inédit, qui renverse nos logiques et nos attentes. Faire Noël, alors, c’est accueillir sur terre les surprises du ciel. On ne peut pas vivre « terre à terre » quand le ciel a apporté ses nouveautés dans le monde. Noël inaugure une époque nouvelle, où la vie ne se programme pas, mais se donne ; où on ne vit plus pour soi, en se fondant sur ses propres goûts, mais pour Dieu ; et avec Dieu, parce que depuis Noël, Dieu est le Dieu-avec-nous, qui vit avec nous, qui chemine avec nous. Vivre Noël, c’est se laisser secouer par sa surprenante nouveauté. Le Noël de Jésus n’offre pas la tiédeur rassurante d’une cheminée, mais le frisson divin qui secoue l’histoire. Noël est la revanche de l’humilité sur l’arrogance, de la simplicité sur l’abondance, du silence sur le vacarme, de la prière sur « mon temps », de Dieu sur mon ego. Faire Noël, c’est faire comme Jésus, venu pour nous qui sommes indigents, et descendre vers ceux qui ont besoin de nous. C’est faire comme Marie : faire confiance, dociles à l’égard de Dieu, même sans comprendre ce qu’il fera. Faire Noël, c’est faire comme Joseph : se lever pour réaliser ce que Dieu veut, même si ce n’est pas selon nos plans. Saint Joseph est surprenant : dans l’Évangile, il ne parle jamais : il n’y a pas un mot de Joseph dans l’Évangile ; et le Seigneur lui parle dans le silence, il lui parle carrément dans son sommeil. Noël, c’est préférer la voix silencieuse de Dieu au tapage du consumérisme. Si nous savons rester en silence devant la crèche, Noël sera aussi pour nous une surprise, et non quelque chose de déjà vu. Se tenir en silence devant la crèche : c’est l’invitation pour Noël. Prends un peu de temps pour toi, va devant la crèche et reste en silence. Et tu sentiras, tu verras la surprise. Mais malheureusement, on peut se tromper de fête et préférer aux nouveautés du ciel les choses habituelles de la terre. Si Noël reste seulement une belle fête traditionnelle, où nous sommes au centre, et non pas lui, ce sera une occasion perdue. S’il vous plaît, ne mondanisons pas Noël ! Ne mettons pas de côté celui qui est fêté comme dans le passé, lorsqu’il « est venu chez les siens, mais les siens ne l’ont pas accueilli » (Jn 1,11). Dès le premier Évangile de l’Avent, le Seigneur nous a mis en garde, demandant de ne pas nous appesantir dans les « beuveries » et les « soucis de la vie » (Lc 21,34). Ces jours-ci, on court, peut-être comme jamais pendant l’année. Mais ainsi, on fait le contraire de ce que veut Jésus. Nous accusons toutes les choses qui remplissent les journées, le monde qui va vite. Et pourtant Jésus n’a pas inculpé le monde, c’est à nous qu’il a demandé de ne pas nous laisser entraîner, de veiller à tout moment en priant. Voilà, ce sera Noël si, comme Joseph, nous faisons place au silence ; si, comme Marie, nous disons « Me voici » à Dieu ; si, comme Jésus, nous sommes proches de celui qui est seul ; si, comme les bergers, nous sortons de nos enclos pour être avec Jésus. Ce sera Noël, si nous trouvons la lumière dans la pauvre grotte de Bethléem. Ce ne sera pas Noël, si nous cherchons les lumières brillantes du monde, si nous nous remplissons de cadeaux, de déjeuners et de dîners mais si nous n’aidons pas même un pauvre, qui ressemble à Dieu, parce qu’à Noël, Dieu est venu pauvre. Chers frères et sœurs, je vous souhaite un bon Noël, un Noël riche des promesses de Jésus ! Cela pourra sembler être des surprises inconfortables, mais ce sera les goûts de Dieu. Si nous les épousons, nous nous ferons à nous-mêmes une surprise splendide. Chacun de nous a, caché dans son cœur, la capacité de se laisser surprendre. Laissons-nous surprendre par Jésus pendant ce Noël.

RENEW AND REBUILD CAMPAIGN-Pledge cards for the Archdiocesan Renew and Rebuild Campaign, are at the two church entrances. It is a five-year campaign to raise funds for the needs of the parish and the Archdiocese. There will not be a collection taken up. You will only be asked to complete the cards and to make a pledge. You may put your cards in the basket or turn them into the rectory. Everyone is asked to complete a card. Parish needs include handicap access and boilers.

PARISH ANNOUNCEMENTS 50/50-Remember, it only costs $5.00 to enter. The December

winner will be picked on Wednesday, January 2. You cannot win unless you enter. Special pink envelopes are available at the two Church entrances or in your packet.

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION and teaching your child about the Eucharist are the topics of the final session of PRESENCE: The Mystery of the Eucharist. In it, we explore the truth and beauty of Christ’s real presence in the Eucharist. The study takes place both in English and in Spanish and both online, and in the classroom. The study concludes today at 11:30AM. in the Green Building. You may watch all the videos online (in either English or Spanish), on your home computer, or your cell phone. Go to the Formed website at www.churchofsthelena.formed.org. If you have never been to Formed before, they will ask you to enter your email address and to create a password. Once you have done so, look for a tab that says COMMUNITY and click on it. You will then see two studies, one that says THE EUCHARIST and another that says LA EUCHARISTIA. I hope you will all join us for this very important and fascinating study on one of the most important and fundamental mysteries of our faith - The Eucharist.

ENGLISH CHARISMATIC PRAYER GROUP meets every Saturday from 1PM to 3PM, in the Green Building. We are now studying Reborn on the English Prayer Group Section on the Formed website, as described above.

SPANISH CHARISMATIC PRAYER GROUP meets every Monday from 7-9PM in the Church.

YOUTH GROUP every Friday from 7-8:30PM in the gym.

2019 MASS BOOK-Come in now if you want very specific Mass dates and times. Some 2018 dates are still available.

RELIGIOUS ARTICLES ROOM is open every Sunday from 8AM to 1:30PM. New items have arrived.

BEREAVEMENT GROUP CONTINUES-Are you mourning the loss of a loved one? Come to our session on Saturdays at 11AM, which is available in either English or Spanish. To register, please call the rectory.

PENNIES FOR THE PANTRY- Once again, The Boy Scouts will be collecting monetary donations for our Christmas Food Pantry this weekend. A donation container will be at the two church entrances. Please be generous.

OFFERING ENVELOPES

Sunday, December 16 $4,532.29 Christmas Flowers $1,855.00 Our Lady of Guadalupe $1,708.00

Our weekly budget, (Nuestro presupuesto semanal es) $4,423.00. We continue repairs on our heating systems, and leaking roof and we

are doing some other important upgrades. Thank you all for your generosity and support and for all that you do for St. Helena’s.

Gracias a todos por su generosidad y por todo lo que hacen por esta Iglesia de St. Helena. Nosotros estamos haciendo reparaciones en la

escuela y la iglesia; por favor, considere aumentar su oferta para ayudar y apoya estas mejoras.

NEXT BAPTISM PREP CLASS will be held on Thursday, December 27 at 7PM. Arrangements must be made at the Rectory to take the Baptismal Class. Please bring a copy of the child’s birth certificate as well as either a letter of suitability for the godparents from their local pastor or a copy of the godparent’s Confirmation Certificate, or if a godparent is married, bring a copy of their Catholic Marriage Certificate. These must all be brought to the class.

MINISTERS MEETING in English for all Euchar istic Ministers, lectors and ushers, on Friday, January 11 at 7PM in the Church.

NEW USHER TRAINING in English on Wednesday, January 9 at 7PM in the Calasanz Room.

INSTALLATION MASS FOR ALL ALTAR SERVERS will take place today, Sunday, December 23 at 10:30AM. The servers have brand new, homemade cassocks which will be blessed and given to the servers.

ANNUAL KWANZAA CELEBRATION will take place on Saturday, Dec. 29 from 4-8PM in the gym. We will have food, music, vendors, African attire, raffles, speakers, and performances. Please bring an educational handicraft or a children's toy.

PARISH FAMILY SUNDAY CELEBRATION on Sunday, December 30 from 10:30AM-4PM in the gym.

PARISH NEW YEAR CELEBRATION will be held on Monday, Dec. 31 from 7:30PM - 1AM in the gym. Why spend New Year's Eve alone with the neighbor's cat when you can come to St. Helena and enjoy food, music, dancing, raffles, and games with your St. Helena family.

MOTHER THERESA GROUP will still be collecting gifts up until January 5 for adults. Please label all unwrapped gifts, such as throws, socks, hand and/or body lotions, sweaters, etc. and bring to the Rectory. Please bring unwrapped gifts also to the Rectory with a Mother Theresa Group label.

FREE RELATIONSHIP WORKSHOPS-Highly trained professionals help couples understand how to form and maintain better relationships and become better parents. Contact the parish office at 718-892-3232 for more information.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR PARENTING SUPPORT for 1.5 hrs each week to watch and play with children ages 4 and under at St. Helena while their parents attend class. For more information, call Grace at 718-409-3032 or email jafradiva514@hotmail.com., or for Spanish call Jenny at 917-569-9765.

PARENTING SUPPORT in both English and Spanish. You must have at least one child between the ages of newborn-4. This is a free one-hour/week program. For more information and to register call Grace (English) 917-623-1071 or Jenny (Spanish) 917-569-9765.

AA BIG BOOK STUDY meets every Sat., 7-8:30PM in the green building. New members are always welcome.

CO-DEPENDENTS ANNONYMOUS (CODA) meets every Monday from 7-8:30PM in the rectory meeting room.

SCHOOL ANNOUNCEMENTS

BOX TOPS FOR EDUCATION are still needed to help support our School. We only need the special square labels. You can drop them in the collection basket or bring them to either the rectory or the school office. For a list of participating products, go to BTFE.com .

Horsemen Gallop to Victory Both the Varsity and JV Horsemen were victorious in their two most recent games. Center Justin Hernandez had a game-high 14 points as the Varsity Horsemen overwhelmed St. Benedict 46-24 on Saturday, and Jahli Ward’s three 3’s helped the Horsemen edge out OLA 37-36 at home on Monday.

The Horsemen charged out and took a quick 11-2 lead at the quarter and a 31-9 lead at the half on Saturday against St. Benedict. Hernandez was the only player on either team to score in all four quarters. Khail Black put in three 3’s and a two for 11 points, the only other player of the game to score in double digits. Both teams had seven players put up points on the scoreboard. William Manning sank his four 2’s in the second and fourth quarters, as did Eric Codero with his five points. Jose Velez hit a three in the first quarter, and Antonio Martinez also sank a three in the second quarter. Joseph Rosario rounded out the team scoring with a two in the first quarter. The Horsemen went 5 for 24 from the line, while St. Benedict was 2 for 5.

The Horsemen also grabbed an early 15-7 lead at the quarter and had a 25-17 lead at the half on Monday, but a disastrous third quarter for the Horsemen and an impressive rally from OLA tied the game 28-28 at the third. Two Horsemen 3’s from Ward and Black in the fourth tipped the final score in St. Helena’s direction. Manning had a team-high 11 points and was the only player on either team to score in all quarters. Ward sank his three 3’s, two in the first and one in the fourth for 9 points. Black had a three in the second and one in the fourth, which along with a two in the first gave him 8 points. Codero hit a three in the first and a two in the second for five points, and Hernandez scored his four points in the first half. The two teams were pretty even from the line with the Horsemen hitting 5 for 8 and OLA 7 for 10.

Led by Larry German, who hit two 3’s and a two for 8 points, the JV Horsemen also jumped out to an early 20-9 lead at the half over St. Benedict. Sean Du Bose had a game-high 14 points, including a three, scoring in all four quarters. Chris Williams hit a two in the first and another in the fourth, and Xavier Perez his a two in the second and two free throws in the fourth. Jaylen Faye Velsco had a two in the first. The Horsemen were 7 for 15 from the line, while Benedict was 2 for 4.

While OLA took an early 7-10 lead at the quarter. the JV Horsemen returned and had a comfortable 21-15 lead at the half, which they maintained throughout the second half, winning 31-26 in Monday’s game. This time, it was Williams who had a game-high 17 points, sinking eight 2’s and a fourth quarter free throw. DuBose had 8 first half points, including the only team three. German scored his 5 points in the second and third quarters, and Manasse Mianger rounded out the Horsemen scoring with a fourth quarter free throw. The Horsemen went 6 for 12 from the line, while OLA was 4 for 10. Congratulations to the Horsemen for four great wins.

COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS CHRISTMAS FULL MOON-There will be a Full Moon

this year on December 25. The last time this happened was in 1977, and it will be 19 more years before it happens again.

ARE YOU A HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR AND A PRACTICING CATHOLIC attending an Archdiocesan parish or faith community? Have you demonstrated academic achievement, leadership, and good character? Apply for the $2,000 Venerable Pierre Toussaint Scholarship. Contact your Fr. David to receive an application and to request a reference letter. Applications are due February 15.

THE CATHOLIC CULTURE is a listener -supported podcast. Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or your favorite podcast app.

NOURISHMENT FOR SENIORS-Are you a SNAP-eligible senior citizen living in NYC? You may qualify for a

free monthly food package. For more information, call 917-982-2564 or visit: www.nycommonpantry.org

MARRIAGE SAVEHOUSE is a free par ish based ministry helping spouses resolve problems that threaten a marriage...using a team of married couples. Sessions are every 3rd Saturday morning at St. Benedict’s Convent, 1082 Edison Ave. Completely confidential! Call 718-828-3403 ext. 107, for an appointment.

CABRINI CARE TO GO-High quality and compassionate care is now available in the privacy of your own home through Cabrini Certified Home Health Agency. If you or a loved one are in need of rehabilitation or skilled nursing care, call 914-693-6800 X 550.

RAIN Home Attendant Services-718-829-2131.

ANUNCIOS EN ESPAÑOL

FORMACION ESPIRITUAL CONTINUA “LA SEMILLA DEL DIA”: Deseas recibir cada día la

reflexión sobre la Palabra de Dios por el P. Nelson? Inscríbete al grupo de WhatsApp “La Semilla del Día”. Sólo tienes que enviar un e-mail a: jnelsonh55@yahoo.com, o dejar tu nombre y número de teléfono en la rectoría, o puedes llamar a la rectoría (718-892-3233) y dejar tu información, diciendo que quieres ser parte de “La Semilla del Día”. Conocer la Palabra de Dios es conocer a Dios.

“LA SEMILLA DE LA SEMANA”: El P. Nelson te invita a leer cada semana su artículo “La semilla de la semana” en el boletín de la parroquia. Encontrarás allí la reflexión sobre algún punto importante de la Palabra de Dios durante la semana.

LA SEMILLA DE LA SEMANA Hola querida familia de Santa Helena. Es tan grande el misterio en el que vivimos y existimos y, sin embargo, qué poco alcanzamos a percibir de todo ello. Pero tenemos algo muy grande que nos mantiene caminando y nos permite reflexionar acerca de ese misterio inmenso de vida y nos ayuda a comprender, pocos poco, como aprender a vivir sintiéndonos verdaderamente parte del misterio. Porque el misterio no es solo de Dios. Él ha querido, en su voluntad y sabiduría, hacernos totalmente partícipes no sólo de nuestra vida humana (de la cual generalmente somos más conscientes) sino del hecho que esa vida humana está íntimamente conectada con el misterio de la vida de Dios. De otra manera, simplemente no sería vida.

La Iglesia Católica, en su permanente reflexión de dos mil años, es plenamente consciente de ese misterio y por eso sabe que aquello que Jesús le enseñó a sus discípulos es la misión esencial de ella, como signo de la presencia de la Palabra de Dios en nosotros. Como Iglesia apostólica, el mensaje original se ha venido transmitiendo fielmente a través de los siglos hasta llegar a nosotros. Es un mensaje que nos cuestiona hoy, como ha cuestionado a todo creyente y no creyente a través de los siglos.

Ya el concilio Vaticano II nos dio una enseñanza importante: “La razón más alta de la dignidad humana consiste en la vocación del hombre a la unión con Dios. Desde su mismo nacimiento, el hombre es invitado al diálogo con Dios: pues no existe sino porque ha sido creado por Dios por amor, por amor lo conserva, y no vive plenamente según la verdad sino cuando reconoce libremente ese amor y se entrega por entero a su Creador.”

Ciertamente, en medio de una sociedad hedonista; o sea, que considera el placer como la finalidad o el objetivo de la vida, creer y vivir la experiencia del Dios de la vida, requiere salirnos de los moldes en los que permanentemente se nos invita a

SANTA HELENA “TU LUGAR DE ENCUENTRO”

INFORMACION Y EVENTOS

50/50: Con $5 puedes participar. Próximo ganador será escogido el Miércoles 2 de enero. Hay sobres en las entradas de la Iglesia. Informes en la rectoría. EDICION EN ESPAÑOL DE CATHOLIC NEW YORK: Busca la edición en español del periódico de la arquidiócesis. Está incluida en el edición en inglés.

DIC. 24 CONCIERTO DE NAVIDAD. 6.15 pm a 7 pm. Lunes Ven con tu familia a disfrutar de estas melodías

navideñas. DIC. 24 POSADA Y MISA DE NAVIDAD. 7 pm. en la Lunes Iglesia Después del concierto vamos con la última posada y

después la misa. Comparte estas celebraciones con tu familia.

Después van a casa a celebrar! DIC. 27 CLASE DE BAUTISMO. 7 pm. en la Iglesia Jueves Traer los documentos necesarios. Información en la

rectoría. DIC. 29 KUANZAA. Celebración de la cultura afr icana. Sábado Comida, cultura, música, etc. Ven con tu familia a conocer culturas diferentes y a

hacer amigos. DIC. 30 DOMINGO DE FAMILIA. Después de la misa de Domingo las 12 pm. Último encuentro dominical del año. Ven a compartir en familia con tu familia en la fe. DIC. 31 FIESTA DE FIN DE AÑO. 7 pm a 1 am. Lunes Ven a celebrar en nuestra comunidad el fin de año.

Es fiesta de familia, de alegría y de oración tanto al terminar como al iniciar el año. Nos encanta celebrar!

CUARTO DOMINGO DE ADVIENTO La presencia de Dios en nuestra familia Para empezar: En el nombre del Padre, del Hijo y del Espíritu Santo. Amén. Se encienden las tres velas de los domingos anteriores y se lee la lectura del Evangelio según San Mateo 7, 24-25. -Esta es palabra de Dios. -Gloria a Ti Señor Jesús. Vela: Encender la última vela del Adviento. Para reflexionar: Guardar unos minutos en silencio y hacer la siguiente pregunta: ¿De qué manera se ha manifestado la presencia de Dios en nuestra familia durante el año? ¿Lo hemos dejado actuar o le hemos estorbado? Cada uno podrá responder si desea. Propósitos: Después de la lectura anterior, cada uno de los miembros de la familia, dirá cuál es su propósito para la semana y se comprometerá a cumplirlo. Para orar: Padre, que nos has dado una familia en la cuál te hemos conocido y amado, ayúdanos a vivir teniéndote siempre presente en nuestras vidas. Te pedimos que en esta Navidad nos regales el quedarte con nosotros en nuestros corazones y sentir que vives en nuestro hogar, en nuestras familias. Amén. Para terminar: Todos los miembros de la familia se toman de las manos para rezar juntos un Padrenuestro. Se encienden las luces y se canta una canción. Para cantar: “El camino que lleva a Belén”.

El camino que lleva a Belén baja hasta el valle que la nieve cubrió. Los pastorcillos quieren ver a su Rey, le traen regalos en su humilde zurrón.

Ropo pom pom, ropo pom pom. Ha nacido en un portal de Belén

el Niño Dios. Yo quisiera traer a tus pies

algún presente que te alabe Señor

acomodarnos. Es salir de allí para entrar, cada vez mas, en esa relación estrecha con Dios, que es inherente a nuestra naturaleza pero que con frecuencia no reconocemos. Es por eso que necesitamos estar ‘atentos’ a su Palabra, a su presencia en las personas que nos rodean y en los eventos de la vida diaria. Hay que ser un poco místicos para ‘descubrir’ la presencia de Dios en medio de nosotros y con nosotros, para permitir que Dios que ha venido a nosotros nazca y renazca en nuestro corazón. Eso es lo que hace la Iglesia, ayudarnos a estar atentos a esa presencia que trae una alegría y una paz que el mundo no puede dar.

Feliz Navidad para cada uno de ustedes y sus familias. Y recordamos que Jesús, para nosotros los creyentes, es la razón número uno de la Navidad. Bendiciones. Fr. Nelson

Mass Intentions

SUNDAY, December 23, 2018-Fourth Sunday of Advent 7:30 Warneke and Murphy Families 9:00 Ismael Olivo; Jose de la Cruz 10:30 Robert Serrano-Intentions 12:00 Alfredo Navarrete; Carmen Ramos-1yr Anniversary; Olmedo Guevara and Margarito Hernandez Moreno; Georgina Camacho y Armando & Rafael Martinez; Victor Cantres-1Yr Anniv.; Intentions for Soldiers in the Army 1:30 Balbina Rebello 5:00 Balbina Rebello; Carmen Gonzalez MONDAY, December 24, 2018–Sts. Irmina and Adela 6:50 For Poor Souls 8:30 For the Poor Soul in Purgatory Nearest to Heaven 12:15 Philip E. Parker and John Patrick Parker 5:00 Vigil Mass-Deceased Members of the Cerbone Family 6:15 Bi-Lingual Concert 7:00 Spanish Mass-Felix Ruiz; Bendición Divino Niño; Priostes: Fernando Guaman y esposa, Luis Duy y esposa, Ramiro Guaman y mama and Carlos Lema-Intentions TUESDAY, December 25, 2018-The Nativity of the Lord 7:30 Christmas Novena 9:00 Catherine Carolan 10:30 In Thanksgiving for Getting a Job 12:00 Jose Sanabria; Jose Maria Perez, Reilin Torrez, Maria Luisa Abreu and Santo Perez 1:30 Daniel and Madeline Donovan 5:00 In Thanksgiving for the Miranda and Arroyo Families WEDNESDAY, December 26, 2018–St. Stephen 6:50 Christmas Novena 8:30 Souls in Purgatory 12:15 Dionisio and Dennis Reyes 7:00 Deceased Members of St. Helena Parish THURSDAY, Dec. 27, 2018–St. John the Apostle 6:50 Christmas Novena 8:30 Balbina Rebello 12:15 Balbina Rebello; Angel Mendez, Guillermo Mendez, Lasteria Mendez, Rafael Martinez, Armando Martinez & Georgina Camacho FRIDAY, December 28, 2018-The Holy Inocents 6:50 Christmas Novena 8:30 For Poor Souls 12:15 Francisco Gonzalez; Pedro Calderon III; In Honor of St. Lazarus SATURDAY, December 29, 2018-St. Thomas Becket 6:50 Christmas Novena 8:30 Massimo Chiullo 12:15 Sherley W. Vargas; Para devino niño Jesus, In Gratitude de Roberto y Norma; In Honor of St. Jude 5:30 Jose Davila Ortiz SUN., Dec. 30, 2018-The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph 7:30 Christmas Novena 9:00 Imbrogno Family 10:30 Joan T. Sullivan 12:00 Accesion de Gracias 1st Birthday for Yaretzi Daniella Huerta; Juan Bautista Pantaleon; Eduardo Nieves 1:30 Mary Falkowska 5:00 For the Soul in Purgatory Nearest to Heaven

Readings for the week of December 23, 2018 Sunday: Mi 5:1-4a/Ps 80:2-3, 15-16, 18-18 [4]/Heb 10:5-10/Lk 1:39-45; Monday: 2 Sm 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16/Ps 89:2-3, 4-5, 27 and 29 [2]/Lk 1:67-79; Tuesday: Vigil: Is 62:1-5/Ps 89:4-5, 16-17, 27, 29 [2a]/Acts 13:16-17, 22-25/Mt 1:1-25 or 1:18-25; Midnight: Is 9:1-6/Ps 96:1-2, 2-3, 11-12, 13 [Lk 2:11]/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, 2-3, 3-4, 5-6 [3c]/Heb 1:1-6/Jn 1:1-18 or Jn 1:1-5, 9-14; Wednesday: Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59/Ps 31:3cd-4, 6 and 8ab, 16bc and 17 [6]/Mt 10:17-22; Thursday: 1 Jn 1:1-4/Ps 97:1-2, 5-6, 11-12 [12]/Jn 20:1a, 2-8; Friday: 1 Jn 1:5—2:2/Ps 124:2-3, 4-5, 7cd-8 [7]/Mt 2:13-18; Saturday: 1 Jn 2:3-11/Ps 96:1-2a, 2b-3, 5b-6 [11a]/Lk 2:22-35; Next Sunday: 1 Sm 1:20-22, 24-28/Ps 84:2-3, 5-6, 9-10 [cf. 5a]/1 Jn 3:1-2, 21-24/Lk 2:41-52

ACTIVIDADES EN ESPAÑOL

LUNES 7 - 9 pm Grupo Carismático de Oración. Misa cada primer lunes MARTES 7.15-9.15pm ENCUENTRO CON CRISTO- cafeteria MIERC. 10 am Grupo Santa Madre Teresa de Calcuta: Visita a pacientes de Rebeka Misa en Rebeka: segundos lunes de mes a las 10.30am 7 - 9 pm Coronilla de la Divina Misericordia, Adoración, Eucaristía VIERNES 7 - 8 pm Legión de María. Rosario y reunión. 7 - 8.30 pm Grupo Juvenil. Edades 12-18. 7-8.30pm 7.30 - 9 pm JECAFA. J esús, Calasanz y la Familia. Grupo de reflexión. Segundos y cuartos viernes. Edificio verde. SABADO 9.30 am Grupo Derrumbando Muros y Creando Comunidad. Desayuno y planeación de trabajo. Cafetería.

Please Pray for the Sick of Our Parish

Joanne Frances Bernadette Sanabria, Carmelle and Nicole Antoine, Indrowdi Sadu, Rosa Pena, Luzvina Vega, Augustine Ayala,

Florence Churchill, Joyce Hoyt, Heyllie Cardona, Genil Alcantara, Maria Barro, Erica Vargas, Vayron Orellana, Teresa Orellana,

Khether Raby, Caroline Caper, Chaya Jonathan, Leah Rodriguez, Alen George, Phillip Williams, Bertha Mero, Marie Lopez,

Pat Callahan, Sabina Acosta, Isham, Ruben Mercado, Margarita Torres, Thomas Darrigo, Ralphie Lugo, Ofelia Torres, Lydia Sffreda, Roseanne and Joseph Pane, Rosa Maria Santos, Mary Brennan,

David Sheehan, Jr., Mary Charlotte, Jose Vargas

Please Pray for the Deceased and their Grieving Families: Stefania Rudyk, Nick Singh, Hector Muniz, Gloria Delgado,

Brandon McKenzie, Leopologo Duran, Leidy Abraham, Georgina Roman, David Velasquez, Adela Santiago, Ariel Tejada,

Ferdinand Enrique Cordero, Raven Madeline Honore-Multani, Clara Antonio Pio, Ismael Cortis Colon