December 15th, 2019 1

2 3 6 E . M a i n S t r e e t

M a p l e S h a d e , N J

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DECEMBER 15, 2019

First Sunday of Advent

Rev. Joel R. Wilson, STL Pastor

Rev. Ed Lipinski Weekend Assistant

Rev. Robert Smith Weekend Assistant

Fernando Linka Deacon

James Manaloris Deacon

Sean McMahon Deacon

Ronald S. Meyers Deacon

Mrs. Molly Kohler Business Manager

Mrs. Theresa McCloskey Parish Secretary

Sr. William Evelyn Galloway

Receptionist

Mrs. Joanne DiNunzio Director of Music

Mrs. Susan Obuchowski Bulletin Coordinator

Mr. Samuel Cerasi Sacristan

Mr. Gerard Parria Facility Manager

Mrs. Cynthia Smith Principal Mrs. Gina Scioli Secretary

OLPHparish.com

Facebook.com/OLPHMapleShade

@olph_school

@olphparishms

parishsec@olphparish.com

Phone 856-667-8850���|��Fax 856-667-1046

Office Hours���Mon.-�Thurs.�9am�-�4pm��|���Friday��9am�-�12pm�

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IN NEED OF YOUR PRAYERS

The Sanctuary Lamp will burn for:

MON. 12/16/19 | 9AM

Special Intention for Mark DiFrancesco Req. Larry York & Sam Cerasi Dominic DiSiro Req. Maryann DiSiro

TUE. 12/17/19 | 9AM

Bud Strimel Req. Virginia Harp Special Intention for Freddie Req. Wednesday afternoon Prayer Group

WED. 12/18/19 | 9AM Mary & Charles Neri Req. Cindy

THUR. 12/19/19 | 9AM

Barbara Vitale Req. her Family & Rob Vitale

FRI. 12/20/19 | 9AM

Special Intention for Maria Elena Landazuri Req. Larry York & Legion of Mary

SAT. 12/21/19

9AM William Weaver Req. his Family

5PM Joseph Casey Req. Kathy & Family

5PM Michael Santori, Helen & Salvatore Pandolfi Req. Angie Santori & Sons

SUN. 12/22/19

8AM Jean Walters Req. Claire & Sue

8AM Len Hart Req. his W ife, Cathy

8AM Catherine Maurer Req. Daughter, Sue

8AM Henry Mikulski Req. Jim & Sue Berg

10AM People of the Parish

12PM Harriet Ackerman Req. her Husband, R ichard

Please pray for all those who are

ill in our parish that God’s healing power may

give them courage and strength.

We pray especially for: Joseph Mauz, Bert Liebrum, Clifton Fraser, Doris Gosciniak, Issa Maaddi, Mary Scott, Chuck Kennedy, Tommy Armstrong, Dane Christine, Joseph Cataldi, Makayla Becker, Kyran Hines, Matthew Prudente, Angelo Rosado, Corinne Kaz, Bertha Jacobs, Grace Bryson, Joseph Farace, Terry Huff, Sr., Dennis Adams, John Hatter, Joseph & Anthony Martino, James King, Allison Stathius,Jeannie Gender Hagan, George Klein, Linda Yamamoto, John O’Donnell

Barbara Vitale Req. her Family

WEEK OF DECEMBER 15-21

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord.

And let Your Perpetual Light shine upon them.

Jennifer Carroll Dias

And may the souls of all the faithful departed,

Through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen

Eucharistic Minister Schedule Dec. 21st & 22nd

5pm C. Donia, B. Kamuca,

N. Kaz, P. Malimisura.

8am C. Hart, A. Marrero,

D. Morano, D. Riccardo.

10am L. Martin, E. Meyers,

J. Napoli, C. Tartaglia.

12pm J. Haggerty, C. Trubin.

Lector Schedule Dec. 14th & 15th

5pm R. Wambach

8am L. Schmidt

10pm P. Napoli

12pm E. Poindexter

THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT

SUN Is 35:1-6a, 10; Jas 5:7-10; Mt 11:2-11

MON Nm 24:2-7, 15-17a, Mt 21:23-27

TUE Gn 49:2, 8-10; Mt 1:1-17

WED Jer 23:5-8; Mt 1:18-25

THU Jgs 13:2-7, 24-25a; Lk 1:5-25

FRI Is 7:10-14; Lk 1:26-38

SAT Sg 2:8-14 or Zep 3:14-18a; Lk 1:39-45

The sanctuary lamp is available for Special

Intentions, please call 856-667-8850 x 210.

To place a person’s name on the sick list, please

call Sr. Evelyn @ 667-8850 x 213.

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With�Tears,�Rejoicing

My�Dear�Parish�Family,

I�would�be�remiss�if�I�did�not�first�share�the�sad�news�that�this�year�will�be�the�last�for�our�������beloved�school.�After�this�year�our�school�will�close.�Our�school�has�been�such�a�source�of�life�for�our�parish�family.�How�many�times�over�the�course�of�the�past�two�years�have�I�heard�the�words,�“Oh,�I�went�to�OLPH!” Seems�at�one�time�all�the�Catholics�in�town�came�here,�and�this�was�a�very�Catholic�town!

My�heart�is�heavy�as�the�news�becomes�known,�but�also�unburdened�as�more�and�more�people�come�to�see�the�decision�as�a�natural��������������consequence�of�a�situation�long�in�the�making.�For�example,�in�October�we�reviewed�our�������annual�stewardship�report.�It�was�surprising�for�some�to�learn�that�our�parish�debt�exceeds�$4.8�million,�accumulated�over�the�past�20�years�or�so.�Couple�that�with�declining�enrollment,�not�only�here�but�throughout�the�state�of�NJ�and�the�inability�of�our�parish�to�subsidize�school�expenses,�it�became�evident�that�the�noble�����endeavor�to�provide�children�with�a�high�����quality�Catholic�education�could�no�longer���continue.�We�have�been�failing�to�make�ends�meet�now�for�two�decades.�It�is�time�to�say�goodbye�to�a�wonderful�part�of�our�parish�life.�This�is�a�poignant�moment.�We�share�sadness,�grief,�mourning,�but�we�also�look�ahead�with�courage.

By�arrangement�of�the�Holy�Spirit,�this�news�falls�on�Gaudete�(Let�us�rejoice)�Sunday.�We�may�not�feel�like�rejoicing.�Yet�Isaiah�guides�us�with�powerful�words�of�promise.�He�prophesies�blossoming�and�newness�in�the�parched�desert.�What�appeared�as�a�wasteland�is�in�fact�fertile,�so�fear�not!�Isaiah�tells�us�“Strengthen�the�hands�that�are�feeble,�make�firm�the�knees�that�are�weak,�say�to�those�whose�hearts�are������frightened:�Be�strong,�fear�not!�Here�is�your�God,�he�comes�with�vindication;�with�divine�

recompense�he�comes�to�save�you” (35:3-4).

Those�powerful�words�touch�us:�no�wobbling�knees;�have�confidence�that�our�good�God�comes�to�save�us!�That�salvation�may�not�look�as�we�expect,�but�salvation�nonetheless.

This�week�our�O�antiphon�is:�“O Emmanuel, our King and Giver of Law: come to save us, Lord our God!” �Emmanuel�is�one�of�our�favorite�names�for�Jesus�during�this�time�of�the�year:�God-with-us.�He�is�the�God�who�humbles�himself�to�get�right�into�the�thick�of�things�with�us�and�for�us.

Our�Christmas�message�from�2018�echoes������resoundingly�on�my�heart�to�share�with�you.�Emmanuel�is�God-with-us�and�He�comes�right�in�our�present�reality,�as�it�stands… not�as�we�would�prefer�it�to�be.�Nor�does�He�even�wait�until�we�are�all�prepared,�prim�and�proper,�to�receive�Him.�He�is�not�a�guest�who�arrives���fashionably�late�with�a�lovely�gift�for�the�party.�Rather,�our�good�Lord�appears�early.�He�comes�in�the�midst�of�the�mess�to�accompany�us,�to�share�with�us�in�our�sorrows�and�our�joys.

This�is�a�season�of�rejoicing!�And�we�are�hosting�a�great�mix�of�Advent�activities�to�enliven�our�spirits.�Life�is�not�perfect.�Timing�is�never����perfect.�Yet�Jesus�comes�right�among�us,��������despite�our�sorrow�and�burdens,�our���������������imperfections�and�foibles.�He�comes�to�us�with�the�gift�of�salvation,�and�to�enliven�our�hearts�with�his�Presence.

May�God�bless�you�now�and�always!

Fr.�Wilson

O Antiphons and Advent!

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KNIGHTS KORNER Our Lady of Perpetual Help Council 5714 636 N. Forklanding Road, P.O. Box 294, Maple Shade, New Jersey, 08052 For more information, please contact any Council member visit us at KofC5714.org. Facebook.com/KofC5714 Monthly Spaghetti Dinner – Friday, Dec. 20th – 5:00 to 7:00 PM. Cost is $10 for adults & $5 Children 12 & under. Dinner includes Salad, Spaghetti & Meatballs, Linguini & Clam Sauce, Beverage & Dessert.

OLPH 2019 SENIOR CLUB Tues., Dec. 10th | 11:30am Maple Shade Municipal bldg., N. Stiles Ave. Doors open at 11am in the Seniors Room. Seniors meet the Second Tuesday of each month. Next Senior meeting January 14th. Join Us for a Trip to Tropicana Casino on Sunday, Feb 9, 2020. Price includes $15 slot bonus, lunch at Car-mine’s and live show featuring tribute to THE RAT PACK!! Also, a trip to Doolan’s restaurant in Spring Lake, NJ for a big St. Patrick’s Day cele-bration on Tuesday, March 17th! Lunch, Enter -tainment and Dancing all day!! For more info on these trips, please call Noreen Boyle at 215-869-2999 or 856-662-2999.

THE MAPLE SHADE FOOD BANK We thank you so very much for your kind generosity. Please help us with your donation of

Peanut Butter, Jelly, Juice & Coffee and any other nonperishable food items that you can donate. Again, thank you so much for your charitable heart and continued support of our Mission.

OLPH BIBLE STUDY Will return on January 7th, 2020. We hope to see you there!

BAPTISM CLASS Saturday, Dec. 14th | 10am | OLPH School The class is for parents expecting their first child or who have recently given birth to their first child. This is mandatory for Baptism to take place. Call Theresa (856) 667-8850 ext. 210 to register.

Club, Community & Parish Events

KINGDOM KIDS Dec. 15th, 22nd & 29th

10am Mass The Children’s Liturgy, Kingdom Kids welcomes Children ages 5 and up to join the FUN!

COMMUNITY SUNDAY! Jan. 12th

After the 8am & 10am Masses Please join us for coffee,

tea and donuts!

COHORT YOUTH GROUP—TNT 3rd Sunday of each month— 7-9pm Teens Need Truth Sacred Heart Family Center 102 Fourth Street, Riverton, NJ 08077 All Teens 7th thru 12 grades welcome! For more info: Hope – hblanch@hcprep.org Erin – ebfoley@comcast.net

HIGH SCHOOL NEWS Irish Experience Guest Days for 8th grade stu-dents are being scheduled at Camden Catholic High School. Experience the tradition, feel the passion, catch the spirit of being a student at CCHS, the only school in South Jersey with a Leadership Academy. Select your day at www.camdencatholic.org/admissionsevents Or Schedule with Janet Indelicato: 856-663-2247 ext. 136 or janet.indelicato@camdencatholic.org

Volunteers needed to help decorate

our Church

Saturday, December 21st—9:30am

Sunday, December 22nd—1pm

We hope to see you there!

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Dear OLPH Families,

It will be a fun but challenging week ahead as we attempt

to keep our students focused on instruction while they

participate in some traditional OLPH Christmas activities.

Our teachers have planned engaging lessons which will

keep the learning gong while trying to contain the

excitement.

Please join us for our annual Christmas concert on

Tuesday evening at 7 PM in the church. Our preschool

and kindergarten classes will present their Nativity play on

Wednesday morning at 10:30 AM in the Pope John

Room. Thursday night at 6 PM will be our Holiday Family

Movie Night sponsored by our Student Council, also in the

Pope John Room. Admission is $5 and all proceeds will

be donated to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Bring

your blanket and spend some time enjoying a movie

together. Popcorn will be provided and additional snacks

will be available for purchase.

The annual OLPH Pancake Breakfast will take place on

Friday, December 20th in Nolan Hall. All are welcome to

attend! Our Christmas break will begin at noon on Friday,

December 20th. School will reopen on Monday, January

6th.

Thank you for your continued prayers for our children and

your support of our school.

God Bless,

Cynthia Smith

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Events & Fundraisers

Get Your Holiday Gift Cards through OLPH’s

SCRIP

PROGRAM Orders taken Dec. 9th There are many different

retailers available for purchase. Each retailer gives a different percentage back to our school. If you are a school family, 50 per-cent will go towards your tuition, and 50 percent will go to the school.

TO PURCHASE GIFT CARDS contact Gina Scioli at 779-7526 ext. 225 or gscioli@olphparish.com. For more information on what gift cards are available please visit their website at https://shop.shopwithscrip.com/shop/product/browse

THANK YOU TO OUR COMMUNITY PARTNER

OF THE WEEK Mark C. Tilghman

Funeral Home, LLC

Thank You Volunteers ! These individuals have put in hours

upon hours of hard work for our parish, for them we are sincerely grateful:

Marge & Ron Mikulski, Chuck Hajduk, Bob Santos,

Jerry Stevenson, Nik Obuchowski, Jim Fleming,

Jim Berg, Carsey New, Jennifer Coleman,

Amie Bennett, Michelle & Tim Ewing, April & Tom Asher,

Wayne & Jill Renjbor, Maribeth Dougherty,

Megan Herrmann, Nancy Turner, Michele McKnight,

Kim Robey, Megan Crenny, Susanne Dougherty,

Lauranne Capoccetta, Jill Affatato, Helen Dixon,

Shanon Bianco, Maribeth Dougherty, All Room Parents,

All Catechists, All Coaches!!

WE ARE GRATEFUL

FOR YOUR STEWARDSHIP

WEEKLY COLLECTIONS 12/7-12/8 —1st Collection $8,184.00 (Weekly) 2nd Collection $3,501.25 (Retired Religious) Givelify Online—$1,338.00 Average weekly Envelope—$25.18 Thank you for your generous giving.

Please remember OLPH in your will.

UPCOMING SECOND COLLECTIONS

12/15 Diocesan Assessment, 12/22 Altar Supplies,

12/25 Christmas, 12/29 Building & Grounds

SPONSORSHIP FORMS Sponsor eligibility certificates to serve as a baptismal godparent or as a confirmation sponsor will be issued only to parishioners registered for at least 6 months AND parishioners who attend Sunday Mass weekly. Parishioners are highly encouraged to use their envelopes to verify attendance.

SCHOOL OFFICE 856-779-7526 • Fax 856-667-3083

Mrs. Cynthia Smith School Principal Mrs. Gina Scioli School Secretary Office Hours Mon. - Fri. 8:00 am - 3:30 pm

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION OFFICE 856-779-7529

Mr. Rich Scanlon Director Mrs. Susan Obuchowski Assistant

Office Hours Mon. - Thurs. 9:00 am - 3:30 pm Friday: 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Sisters of St. Joseph Convent 856-779-1639 St. Vincent de Paul Society 856-667-8850 ext 298

SACRAMENTS Reconciliation: In Church on Saturdays at 9:30 am and 4:00 pm. Call anytime for an appointment. Baptism: We are delighted to welcome you and your child for bap-tism on the second Sunday of the month, either during or after the noon Mass. To prepare for this special day, please attend our Baptism Class. Call the parish office for more details and to make arrange-ments.

Marriage: Congratulations to our engaged couples! Before picking a hall or a date, please reach out to the parish office and schedule an appointment with a priest or deacon. Note that one year of prepa-ration is normally required in the state of New Jersey.

Visits to the Sick: EMERGENCY calls for anointing, call 856-667-8850, ext. 299. We regularly visit our sick and homebound. If you or family member would like a visit, please call the rectory.

The Eucharist is available to anyone confined to home, hospital or nursing home. Please call the Parish Office.

PARISH INFO

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IRELAND

6 Days / 4 Nights DUBLIN

20-24 People Paying $3,695

Optional 4 Day Extension

4 Days / 3 Nights

WESTPORT, LIMERICK $1,145

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BAMBINELLI SUNDAY December 15th | All Masses - The blessing of baby Jesus figurines is an event that takes place at the Vatican each year. Children observe this annu-al tradition by bringing the baby Jesus figure from their family nativity scene to St. Peter’s Square for a special papal blessing. The tradition, called Bambinelli Sunday, began with Pope John Paul II and takes place on the third Sunday of Ad-vent, or Gaudete Sunday. Following the Sunday Angelus address, the Holy Father blesses all the statues and figurines of Baby Jesus held up by the children in the crowd under the Holy Father’s window, which the children then take back to homes to be placed under their Christmas trees, waiting for Christmas Eve when the Bambinelli can be placed in the manger to mark the birth of the Baby Jesus. Please bring your own Baby Jesus to mass on the 3rd Sunday of Advent, December 15th, and have the figure of Baby Jesus blessed.

HELP THE POOR AT

CHRISTMAS! ST. VINCENT Help make this a better Christmas for the less fortunate in our Parish. You can help by donat-ing gift cards from stores that sell food or cloth-ing: Acme, Shoprite, Target, Walmart, and Wawa. These cards will be used at Christmas and throughout the year to help those in need. As our thanks, please take an ornament or gift tag from the tree. Drop Off: Place your donated gift card in the St. Vincent DePaul poor box.

ALTAR ROSARY POINTSETTIAS In Memory of Loved Ones—Our beautiful Altar will be decorated by the Altar Rosary Society with Poinsettias, which parishioners may pledge in memory of loved ones. The flowers stay on our Altar during the entire Christmas season. Submit form below with your payment in the collection basket or to the Rectory Office. $14 per plant

In Memory of:____________________________ Requested By: ____________________________ Qty:________ Amount Enclosed: $___________

Christmas Events

CHRISTMAS CAROLING December 19th, 7pm ~

Sterling Manor Nursing Home on

N. Forklanding Rd.

Please join the Knights of Columbus

in bringing Christmas Joy to the resi-

dents! No singing experience needed!

THERE ARE STILL A FEW TREES AVAILABLE! Reserve Today— Call the Rectory

Theresa (856) 667-8850 ext. 210

The Solemnity of Mary,

the Holy Mother of God

January 1st, 2020

Masses: 5PM December 31st &

11AM January 1st

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BULLETIN ADS

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BACK BULLETIN ADS