ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCHDec 20, 2020 · OLM Weekly Page 1 December 20, 2020 We Come Together as a...

CELEBRATIONS OF THE EUCHARIST

Saturday 8:00 AM & 4:30 PM

Sunday 7:30 AM, 9:00 AM, 10:30 AM,

12:00 NOON & 5:30 PM

Urdu Mass 4:00 PM, 2nd Sunday of Each Month

Family Mass 10:30 AM

Weekday Masses: Monday-Friday 7:00 & 9:00 AM / Rosary after 9:00 AM Mass

Holydays 5:00 PM the evening before /

(Note: No Evening Mass on New Year’s Day) 7:00 & 9:00 AM, 12 NOON & 7:30 PM

First Friday Eucharistic Adoration 9:30 AM-12 PM & 8:00 PM-10:00 PM

Miraculous Medal Novena Mondays after the 9:00 AM Mass

RECTORY HOURS

Monday-Friday 9:00 AM—5:00 PM

Currently No Evening or Weekend Hours

Rectory Religious Education Parish Services EMERGENCY ONLY

931-4351 681-1228 931-1306 782-1557

Fax 433-8702 681-1527

OUR LADY OF MERCY ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH 500 S. OYSTER BAY ROAD • HICKSVILLE • NEW YORK • WWW.OURLADYOFMERCY.ORG

PASTORAL TEAM

Pastor

Reverend John D. McCarthy

Associate Pastors

Reverend Joseph J. Nixon

Reverend Nasir Gulfam

Deacon

Deacon Ralph Colon

Director of Liturgy & Music

Mr. Paul Eschenauer

Director of Religious Education

Sister Mary Jane Kelly, OP

Director of Parish Services

Mrs. Genevieve Feliciano

Business Manager

Mr. Carmine Serravalli

OFFICE SUPPORT STAFF

Rectory Secretary

Mrs. Andrea T. Attivissimo-Karassik

Religious Education Secretary

Mrs. Cathy Basso

December 20, 2020 Fourth Sunday of Advent

OLM Weekly December 20, 2020

We Come Together as a Community of Faith to Celebrate with Praise and Joy!

Our Lady of Mercy, Pray for Us

THE CELEBRATION OF THE SACRAMENTS

Sacrament of ReconciliationSaturday: 3:15-4:15 PM in Lower Church Sacristy.Anytime by appointment, please call the Rectory.

On Becoming a Catholic or Completing SacramentsR.C.I.A. is a dynamic process of formation for those interested in becoming Catholic, as well as those who never received the Sacraments of Communion and/or Confirmation. Please leave your name and number at the Rectory Office. 516-931-4351.

Parish MembershipAll new families and individuals are most welcome to ourparish. We request that you register in the Rectory Officewhen you move into our community so that we can be ofservice to you. Our parish family invites all of its membersto participate fully in our spiritual and social life. Thepriests and ministers are here to serve your needs, to shareyour joy, and to help lighten your burdens.

Sacrament of BaptismCelebration of Baptism is conducted communally on thesecond Sunday of each month at 1:30 PM. All arrangements for Baptism must be made at the Rectory Office.

Sacrament of MatrimonyThe Sacrament is celebrated on Fridays: Time to be arranged. Saturdays: l2:00 Noon and 2:00 PM. Sundays: to be arranged. Arrangements must be made by a personal appointment with one of the priests or deacon.Couples should make an appointment at least six monthsto a year in advance of the Wedding date. Nuptial Masses,as well as ceremonies, are available on Friday and Saturday. Ceremonies are encouraged on Sunday.

Marriage Preparation Program at OLMAll engaged couples who plan to get married in the Catholic Church are required to complete a Pre Cana Program. Our program is offered twice a year. The Fall program meets once a week for 4 weeks: and the Spring program runs for an entire weekend. FOCCUS, a Communication study, is administered twice a year and is required for all couples.

Pre Cana and FOCCUS Dates for 2020 Please see page 8 of the Bulletin for dates, places and times. For information please contact Belenna Lauto at [email protected]

Sacrament of Anointing the SickThe Sacrament for people experiencing an illness as wellas the elderly can be arranged by contacting one of thepriests or at any time in an emergency. The Sacrament isalso celebrated communally during the year, and on the2nd Saturday each month after the 8:00 AM Mass.

Ministry to the Sick and HomeboundParish priests and Extraordinary Ministers of HolyCommunion (EMHC) regularly visit those who are ill orhomebound. Please call the Rectory Office toarrange for home visitation, 516-931-4351.

Parish Finance CommitteeJohn Beaudette (Chairperson)

Daniel Pisani (Trustee)Joseph Vacca (Trustee)

Carmine Serravalli (Business Manager)Lorraine & Fred Anderson

Timothy SneeSerena Perrotta

Maintenance Staff Kevin McAvoy

SacristanJen Chapman

The parish of Our Lady of Mercy welcomes you, family, friends and guests as we celebrate the Liturgy each week. Please invite a family member or friend to participate

with us next week in prayer.

E-mail submissions to [email protected] 10 days prior to the bulletin date,

and it will be reviewed for inclusion as space allows. Please note the deadline is earlier for all holidays.



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L.C. SANCTUARY LAMPIn Memory of: CONRAD and BING FELIX

Donated by: Camnze

Names of the sick will remain on the Short Term Prayer List for 3 weeks. Kindly notify the Parish Office if prayers are still

requested after 3 weeks.

LC - BREAD AND WINEIn Memory of:

LOGAN FAMILY - Living and DeceasedDonated by: Larry and Gira Freiberg

WEEK OF DECEMBER 20 - DECEMBER 26

MASSES FOR THE WEEK In Loving Memory: Rest In Peace - Henry J. Valiquette,Ann Kinsella, Natale Vona, Anna Maria Kelly, Eileen Patricia Montague, Deborah Caputo, Barbara Lynch Tanoff, the unborn, the victims of natural disasters and of the coronavirus throughout our country and the world.

Prayer Intentions: For World Peace

Short Term Illness: Emily D'Orio, John Azua, Nancy Russo, Iris Spector, Lori Randazzo, Irene DiGiovanni, Mary Traynor.

Long Term Illness: Please pray for our war veterans, all our sick, their caretakers, especially, Sr. Mary Jane Kelly, Antonino Scaduto, Clara Nicoletti, Helene Chrobet, Ann Negrio, Kathleen Donato, Robert Eaton, Barbara Stalter, Bill Stalter, Laura Wood, Diane Lombardi, Richard Loscalzo, Christopher Andersen, Joe Vacca, Marie Neimer, Maria McCrann, Susan Bennett, Rosemary Quercia, Rosemary Caccavale, Tom Ligori, Mary Calvanese, Brian Cross, Stephen Lawlor, Craig Szeliga, Joseph Cotter, Helen Zaleski, Paula Crovat, Frank White, Humberto R. Azua, Deanna Flanagan, Madelyn Anne Werneburg, Hiram Colon, Anneliese D. Brucato-Azua, Stephanie Zuckerman, William Fergusan, Catherine Sarlo, Joseph Lizardi, Robert Ehrlich, Christopher Cucci, Kerry McCoy, Jared McNamee, Patricia Mistretta, Antionette Fisher, Christina Amitrano, Richard Fogarty, William McDermott,Frank Attivissimo, Joseph Witowski, Michael Forman, and all homebound and in rehabilitation / nursing homes.

FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENTSunday, December 20

2 Sm 7:1-5,8b-12, 14a, 16 / Rom 16:25-27 / Lk 1:26-387:30 AM t John Dettori

9:00 AM t Annette Lankewish10:30 AM t Anne and William Ward

12:00 PM t Anne Mancusi5:30 PM t Margaret Fulgenzi

Monday, December 21Sg 2:8-14 or Zep 3:14-18a / Lk 1:39-45

7:00 AM t Rose Esposito9:00 AM t Joseph DzurillaTuesday, December 22

1 Sm 1:24-28 / Lk 1:46-567:00 AM t Annette Lankewish

9:00 AM t Frances WeberWednesday, December 23

Mal 3:1-4, 23-24 / Lk 1:57-667:00 AM t Hugh McGough9:00 AM t Nina Domingo

CHRISTMAS EVEThursday, December 24

2 Sm 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16 / Lk 1:67-79 7:00 AM t Ralph Thomas Grasso

9:00 AM t Natalie and Joseph Nixon3:30 PM t Mark Ferenz

5:30 PM t Linda and Millis and Family - Living and Deceased7:30 PM t McNamee and Scales Family

10:00 PM t Eugene Baldwin

CHRISTMAS DAYFriday, December 25

Is 52:7-10 / Heb 1:1-6 / Jn 1:1-18 or 1:1-5, 9-147:30 AM t Paul Manetta and Family - Living and Deceased

9:00 AM t Ralph Thomas Grasso10:30 AM t Gloria Mendez-Machado

12:00 PM t James G. MaddenSaturday, December 26

Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59 / Mt 10:17-228:00 AM t Myrna Catapano

t Vincenza and Antonietta Viscariellot John A. Lagatutta

t Ellen Fritz

UC - BREAD AND WINEIn Memory of:

MICHAEL T. DePALMODonated by: Mary E. and Michael R. DePalmo



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PARISH SERVICES

Every dollar received goes toward help for those in need, there are no administrative expenses, all members of the

conference are volunteers. Currently, poor box contributions are used to support our efforts. Please

consider a gift to our conference so that we may continue to provide support to those in need.

Make checks payable to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and mail them to the Rectory or deposit them in separate envelopes in the

collection baskets at Mass.

If you, or someone you know, needs assistanceplease contact us at

(516) 931-4351, X 326.All contact with St. Vincent de Paul is held in

strict confidence. Thank you.

Our Lady of Mercy Conference of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul’s

sole purpose is to help the poor of our community.

Parish Outreach Service • Serving with Mercy

PARISH SERVICES 931-1306 Genny Feliciano- [email protected]

Office Hours: Monday-Thursday By Appointment Pantry Hours:

Tues. & Thur. 1:30-3:30 PM • Wed. & Fri. 9:30-11:30 AM Last Sat. of Month 9:30-11:30 AM - Call to Confirm Date

Help for those in need from our food pantry and outreach office is available free of charge to people of all faiths living within the

geographic boundaries of our parish and to registered parishioners living within and outside our boundaries. All services are confidential.

Our services are funded by donations made to Parish Services.

PANTRY NEEDS: Pancake Mix, Soup, Macaroni & Cheese, Pasta Sauce, Canned Beans, Lentil, Kids Juice Box, Hot Cocoa, Laundry Detergent, Toothpaste, Soap, & Shampoo/Conditioner, & Toilet Paper.

"Whatever you do to the least of my brothers or sisters you do to me".

Matthew 25:40

Our Lady of Mercy St. Vincent DePaul Society

wishes you a very Blessed Christmas!

December 20—Fourth Sunday of Advent:

Imagine how Mary felt at the birth of Jesus: excited, awed, frightened. Deep faith was her light in the darkness, for Jesus was born during the night of the

year when darkness is the longest. Your gift to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul brought light into the darkness surrounding the heart of those living in poverty bringing them the real, lasting, and deep joy of Christmas.

On behalf of the families we serve who benefited from your generosity this Christmas, we would like to thank you. Because of the kindness of so many individuals and groups, our pantry has been well stocked, and our neighbors were provided with good food for a Christmas dinner. Special thanks to the many people who made monetary donations and donated gift cards and gifts for our Giving Tree Program. Our neighbors will have a Christmas that is Merry & Bright. May the Lord bless you all as you have blessed others. It’s a privilege to serve our neighbors in your name! Have a Blessed Christmas filled with the love and peace of Christ. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Many Long Islanders will need assistance for the first time this winter* Project Warmth is a safety net for financially struggling individuals and families who are unable to pay their heating bill. It provides a one-time assistance fuel and/or fuel-related electricity per heating season. There are no income guidelines. The program opened December 1, 2020 and operates until funds are exhausted. The grant amount is currently up to $500 for Fuel source; $200 for Fuel-related electricity.



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CHRISTMAS SCHEDULE 2020

+ CONFESSIONS +Saturday, December 12th

3:15 - 4:15 PMSaturday, December 19th

3:15 - 4:15 PMMonday, December 21th

3:00 - 5:00 PM & 7:30 - 9:00 PM

+ CHRISTMAS MASSES +

Thursday, December 24th, Christmas EveUPPER CHURCH

3:30 •, 5:30 •, 7:00 Christmas Carols •, 7:30 •, 10:00 PM •

Friday, December 25th, Christmas Day

7:30 •, 9:00 •, 10:30 AM • & 12 PM •No Evening Mass

* * * * *

Weekend ofDecember 26th - 27th

+ CONFESSIONS +

There will be Confessions on December 26th

3:15 - 4:15 PM Sunday, December 27th

Holy Family of Jesus, Mary & JosephRegular Sunday Schedule

* * * * *

NEW YEAR’S EVEThursday, December 31stHolyday Mass - 5:00 PM

NEW YEAR’S DAYSolemnity of Mary, Mother of God

Friday, January 1, 20217:00 & 9:00 AM & 12 Noon

NO Evening MassMasks and social distancing REQUIRED

at all Masses. * * * * *

Due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, dispensation from Mass is granted. *Reservations are required for all Christmas Masses,

and each Mass time has a limit of 250 people. A reserve flow will be in the Lower Church. Reservation request will only be accepted at

our website, www.OurLadyofMercy.org, or bulletin after December 1, 2020 until we reach capcity. Once registered an email reservation form will be emailed to you in a few days.

Please Note: Depending on numbers and order of arrival, you may be seated in the Upper or Lower Church.

CHRISTMAS SCHEDULE 2020

• Dispensation for coming to Mass continues throughout Christmas and New Year’s.• Streamlined Masses continue from Our Lady of Mercy or any televised Masses from the diocese. (See page 10)• Reservations will be taken online starting December 1st and will continue until capacity is met.• We are continuing to follow the directives from the diocese and mandates of the local government with regards to mask wearing and social distancing.• We will continue to work hard to keep our parishioners of Our Lady of Mercy safe and healthy during the Covid-19 pandemic.• Please kindly reach out to your family and friends who may not have access to a computer to let them know about our Christmas schedule and how to make reservations (see page 4 for reservation form).• Register online at our website at www.OurLadyofMercy.org or cut reservation form out of bulletin on page 5 and return to rectory office. • Please be flexible in case there are any changes.

Please understand the parish staff of Our Lady of Mercy is working very hard to be sure our Church is cleaned and

sanitized daily and always in between Masses for your protection. In the event we receive notice to shut down

we will get the word out as best we can.



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Post Office Box 9023, Rockville Centre, NY 11571-9023 • phone 516.678.5800 • fax 516.678.3138 • [email protected]

DIOCESE OF ROCKVILLE CENTRE OFFICE OF THE BISHOP

Christmas 2020

To the People of God of the Diocese of Rockville Centre:

When he was elected as a Successor of St. Peter on March 13, 2013, our Holy Father chose the name Francis. It was a weighty decision with a prophetic message. Especially now, seven years later and with the publication of his latest encyclical Fratelli Tutti from the tomb of St. Francis of Assisi on October 3, 2020, the significance of the choice is clear: Pope Francis connects his papacy to St. Francis.

Through the ministry of our Holy Father, St. Francis of Assisi is close to the Church in these times. Therefore, as we draw near to Bethlehem at the end of this difficult year, I wish to recall two points Pope Francis highlights from the life of St. Francis. One will help us celebrate the Nativity of Our Lord; the other indicates a grace for which to pray during the holy season.

First, in his 2019 Apostolic Letter Admirabile Signum: On the Meaning and Importance of the Nativity Scene, Pope Francis emphasizes St. Francis of Assisi’s foundational role in our celebration of Christmas. The Holy Father recalls the origins of the crèche and the first nativity scene inspired by the holy friar in 1223, by which the saint sought “to bring to life the memory of that babe born in Bethlehem.” Importantly, the remembrance of Christ’s birth that St. Francis desired to convey was brought alive in Greccio, a small village in Italy, not by statues but by people from the surrounding towns and countryside. Together with St. Francis, his friars, an ox and a donkey, they gathered at a cave to behold a manger full of hay over which the Eucharist was celebrated. That Christmas night, almost 800 years ago, Pope Francis reminds us, “the nativity scene was enacted and experienced by all who were present.” That night, there was “no distance between the original event and those sharing in its mystery.” (2) Encountering Christ, there was simply joy and hope.

This Christmas, in our world laden with the Crosses of COVID-19, political and economic turmoil, racism, financial hardship, and so many other societal ills and challenges – challenges that impact us on Long Island – let us remember this lesson from Greccio: Christmas is an event to be lived. It demands our participation. Like the women and men who embodied that first crèche, we must be present to Christ who is born for us. We must behold and receive Him.



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DIOCESE OF ROCKVILLE CENTRE OFFICE OF THE BISHOP

Second, in Fratelli Tutti, Pope Francis shows St. Francis as an icon of Christocentric-listening. With great humility and charity, the saint reverently listened to others. He was present to the various voices in his life – the voice of God, the voice of his neighbor, the voice of the poor, the voice of the sick, the voice of nature – and by truly hearing them, he was an instrument of peace, healing, and understanding. How different it can be for us! The Holy Father says well what we know: “‘Today’s world is largely a deaf world…At times, the frantic pace of the modern world prevents us from listening attentively to what another person is saying.” Aware of this fact, the Pope encourages us, in the midst of our hectic and polarized world, to be like St. Francis and “not lose our ability to listen.” (48)

This Christmas, when we approach the crib, let us ask for the grace to be attentive listeners. Let us ask for the grace to be like St. Francis, so that we may hear the voice of God and the voice of our neighbor and respond with the radical charity he exhibited.1

Like Pope Francis, may we be moved by the example of St. Francis, and may St. Francis of Assisi’s love for the Mystery of the Nativity, his ecstatic mysticism, his love for the poor, and his spirit of universal fraternity animate our celebration of Christmas this year.

May God bless you and your families this Christmas.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Most Reverend John O. Barres Bishop of Rockville Centre

1 Cf. Bishop John O. Barres October 8, 2020 Statement, “The Compelling Figure of St. Francis of Assisi in the Pontificate of Pope Francis and his New Encyclical Letter Fratelli Tutti.”



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Fourth Week of Advent Dear Parishioners,

Come Lord Jesus! This Fourth Weekend of Advent finds us lighting all of the candles on the Advent wreathe. Hopefully we have been using our time well and have awakened to God’s calling us to be prepared to receive the coming of Christ into our hearts. Are you ready? If so, great! If not, may I recommend that we look to the key figure of the 4th week of Advent – Mary our Blessed Mother. Christmas is close and Mary personifies all of the waiting, hoping and longing of God’s people. God prepared for the first Christmas by choosing Mary to be the Mother of Jesus. Mary was prepared by living a life of prayer and holiness that allowed her to hear God’s call and respond with a “yes” to God’s plan. She trusted God and put her life into God’s hands and continued to live a life of loving service. Remember how her first response after saying yes was to go to take care of Elizabeth. I pray that we will all prepare by taking advantage of the Sacrament of Reconciliation so we can receive the Lord in Holy Communion. Then, as God fills us with His love…let us pray that He will give us generous spirits so that we will bring Him to all we visit over the next days and weeks. As we turn our attention to Christ’s first coming at Bethlehem, allow your priests to wish everyone a very…Merry Christmas! It is our hope that His Light will shatter the darkness of sin and hurt in your lives. May the Christ Child continue to bless you with a special peace and hope. For all the ways, you reveal God’s goodness and promise – by your own faithfulness, hope and joy – THANK YOU from your priests! For the generous ways that you give of your time and talents all year long, please know you have our heartfelt gratitude. Please know that during this season of wonder and awe you are in our prayers. We hope that the great gift of true Christmas spirit will be yours in abundance. Know also, that you are wished our very best for a 2021 filled with health, happiness and an increasingly greater amount of His light to guide you. Fr. John...Fr. Joe...Fr. Nasir

The people that walked in darknesshave seen a great light:

on those who lived in a landas dark as death

a light has dawned.You have increased their joy

and given them gladness;they rejoice in your presence

as those who rejoice at harvest,as warriors exult when dividing spoil.

Isaiah 9:1-2

O God, rejoicing,we remember the promise of your Son.

As the light from this candle,may the blessing of Christ come upon us,

brightening our wayand guiding us by his truth.

May Christ our Saviour bring lifeinto the darkness of our world,

and to us, as we wait for his coming.We ask this through christ, our Lord. Amen!



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SACRAMENTS

Wisdom • Understanding • CounselKnowledge • Fortitude • Piety

Fear of the Lord (wonder)

The prophets of the Old Testament foretold that God's Spirit would rest upon the Messiah to sustain his mission. Their prophecy was ful-filled when Jesus the Messiah was conceived by the Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. The Holy Spirit descended on Jesus on the occasion of his baptism by John. Jesus' entire mission occurred in communion with the Spirit. Before he died, Jesus promised that the Spirit would be given to the Apostles and to the entire Church. After his

death, he was raised by the Father in the power of the Spirit.

Confirmation deepens our baptismal life that calls us to be missionary witnesses of Jesus Christ in our families, neighbor-hoods, society, and the world. . . . We receive the message of faith in a deeper and more intensive manner with great emphasis given to the person of Jesus Christ, who asked the Father to give the Holy Spirit to the Church for building up the community in loving service.

~from the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults

MARRIAGE

May God bless ALL married couples

to live their lives in unconditional love for one another with

COMPASSION, TENDERNESS and FORGIVENESS.

CONFIRMATION

PRE CANATHE EUCHARIST

The Eucharist is the Source andSummit of Our Catholic Faith.

BAPTISM

By Baptism we become members of the Church,

the Body of Christ.

OurLadyofMercyPre-CanaSchedulefor2021:TheFOCCUS,aquestionnairethatprecedesthePre-CanaProgram,willbeadministeredonthefollowingdatesin2020.ThesedatesarealsoincludedineachofthePre-CanaSessionslistedbelow:Sunday,April11at6:30PMandSunday,OCTOBER3rd,bothAdministeredintheLowerChurchMeetingRoom,followingthe5:30Mass.EarlySpring2021,3-Weeksession:(IncludesFOCCUSonApril11)Foccus:SundayApril11at6:30p.m.,LowerChurchMeetingRoomSessions:takeplaceonFridays:April16,23,30from:7:30-9:30p.m.andMassonMay2,(NoonMass).ThesesessionstakeplaceintheLeadCouple’sHomeortheLCMeetingRoom.Materialfee/donation:$75Fall2021,3-Weeksession:(IncludesFOCCUSonOctober3rd)Foccus:SundayOctober3rdat6:30p.m.Sessions:takeplaceonFridays:October8,15,22from:7:30-9:30p.m.andfinalMassonOctober24,(NoonMass).ThesesessionstakeplaceintheLeadCouple’sHomeortheLCMeetingRoom.Materialfee/donation:$75Formoreinformationorquestions,callortextBelennaat:516-270-6871andstateinmessage:“PreCana”.



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“From Mary we learn to surrender to God's Will in all things. From Mary we learn to trust even when all hope seems

gone. From Mary we learn to love Christ her Son and the Son of God!”

—Pope St. John Paul II

RESPECT LIFE

USCCB.COM/PRAYFORLIFE

PRAYER CENTRAL

PRAYER FOR THOSE SERVING OURCOUNTRY THROUGHOUT THE WORLD

As we live daily enjoying the freedom of thiscountry, many loved ones are giving themselveswith unselfish love in places of perilous action.Lord, hold in your loving hands our troops andall those who try to respond to the needs of theless fortunate throughout the world. Bless them

and their families for the unselfish acts they perform as they attempt to alleviate many globalconcerns. We ask this in the name of Jesus, our

Lord and Savior. AMEN.

(Follow with Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be)

BE GRATEFUL TO THOSE WHO

GIVE THEIR LIVES IN THE NAME OF

FREEDOM

ADVENT

“Catholic Social Teaching calls us to ask for justice for the unborn.”

-Bishop John O. Barres, Diocese of Rockville Centre

Our mission is to build a civilization of love and life which upholds the dignity and inviolability of all innocent human

life, seeks objective moral Truth, embraces the value of redemptive suffering, and yearns for the fullness of life in

eternal communion with God the Creator.



Page 10

Televised Mass Information The Catholic Faith Network (CFN) will provide televised and online daily Masses, including Holy

Week and Easter Liturgies, as well as other devotional and spiritual programs. (Optimum

channel 29/137, Verizon FiOS TV channel 296, and Spectrum channel 162/471.) CFN is also available

on selected cable and satellite systems and through 24/7 live stream at CFNtv.org. You can also

watch CFN on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Android, or by downloading the CFN iOS mobile app at the app store by searching “Catholic Faith

Network” or “CFN”.

VIRTUAL SUNDAY MASS

An Act of Spiritual Communion

My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.

I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul.

Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally,

come at least spiritually into my heart.I embrace You as if You were already there and unite

myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You.

Amen.

WEBSITES / SOCIAL MEDIA

WEEKLY OFFERINGS

www.ourladyofmercy.orgwww.facebook.com/olmhicks

www.drvc.orgwww.formed.org

www.cfntv.orgwww.virtus.org

As we take a moment to reflect on all the hardships this year has brought, we can’t help but also think upon the gifts that came along with them. COVID-19 and the closing of parishes brought much heartache to our community, but with it also came beauti-

ful moments of strength in our faith. We may have become socially distant during these

tumultuous times, but there is no doubt that our spiritual relationship with Christ is closer than ever. Help us keep up the good work by setting up your recurring donations through our

online giving platform, We Share. Your continued contributions will sustain our parish and help renew

the ministries that matter so much to so many, both in Our Lady of Mercy Church and beyond.

FOR ONLINE GIVING GO TO: https://OurLadyofMercy.WeShareOnline.org

If you have any questions about our online giving program or about setting up your account, please don’t hesitate to call the

parish business office. We’re here to help! This year, we count our blessings ten-fold, and pray that God

continues to bless you as we move into this New Year of possibilities.

Weekend of December 13, 2020Collections at the doors from our Masses was $13,003.00,

Collections from Mail at the rectory office was $21,018.00 and our online giving total was $1,998.00.

Our Collection was allocated to the following:Regular Offertory: $26,216.00

Immaculate Conception: $2,320.00Religious Retirement: $1,865.00

Mercy’s Future: $100.00Flowers: $1,713.00

Christmas: 3,805.00

Total Collection: 36,019.00Thank you all for your continued support!



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HOLY NAME SOCIETY

ANGELS OF MERCYANNUAL SOCKS • WINTER HATS • SCARFS •

GLOVES COLLECTION

DROP OFF YOUR DONATIONS IN THE BOX LOCATED IN LOBBY OF CHURCH.

ONLY NEW ITEMS PLEASE

We THANK YOU for your generousity!God bless.

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS

We wish all our family and friends of Our Lady of Mercy

a very Blessed Christmas filled with Peace, Joy and Love as we approach the New Year!

Angels of Mercy, Holy Name Society and Knights of Columbus

Our Lady of Mercy 500 S. Oyster Bay Road, Hicksville

Sunday, January 10, 2021 8:15am – 2:15pm

Appointments Preferred Walk-ins allowed if social distancing can be maintained

To schedule an appointment, please scan the QR code and enter Our Lady of Mercy, email Melissa at [email protected] or call 1(800) 933-BLOOD

Please remember to eat, drink, and bring your donor ID card or ID with name and photo.

On Behalf of Fr. John and the OLM Knights of Columbus

Joseph F. Lamb Council #5723 we THANK YOU for your generous

donations to this project. We never know whose life we will

touch by our actions. We collected as of now over 251 Boxes of Joy!

God bless you and your families abundantly with His Graces, Love and Mercy.

OLM Knights of Columbus Joseph F. Lamb Council #5723 and-

CROSS CATHOLIC OUTREACH -

BOX OF JOY PROJECT

Keep Christ in Christmas Signs are available in the Rectory Office for $10.00



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VIRTUS

Background Screening Update The Office for the Protection of Children and Young People: The Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People (The Charter) promulgated by the Bishops of the United States in 2002 outlines specific practices and guidelines providing standards of safety in parishes and dioceses throughout the United States. As directed in The Charter, the Diocese of Rockville Centre requires all employees, clergy, and volunteers to complete three requirements within thirty days of employment or volunteering:

1. Attend Protecting God’s Children Program (Virtus) 2. Sign the Codes of Conduct; 3. Complete a background screen application. The Diocese requires all those

who remain in active ministry be rescreened at 5 yr. intervals. volunteers/employees.

A Word on Background Screening of Volunteers: The Office for the Protection of Children and Young People (OFPCYP) has streamlined the volunteer application process enabling volunteers to complete the three safe environment requirements in one step. Individuals wishing to volunteer in a parish or school:

1. Register to attend a Protecting God’s Children class and create a Virtus account on the Virtus website: www.Virtus.org

2. Electronically acknowledge the Diocesan Code of Conduct- provided during the Virtus registration process.

3. Follow the instructions to complete the Sterling Volunteers background screening application background offered during the Virtus registration process.

Active Volunteers: If you are active in a parish ministry, have already attended Virtus and have been background screened you may be at – or beyond- the 5yr. rescreening requirement. If this is the case, you will receive an email from Sterling Volunteers asking you to complete the background screening application on-line. You may access the background screening application by following the prompt in the email or logging into your Virtus account. Please be aware-this is not a scam nor has your e-mail been hacked. The OFPCYP has been working with your parish to update the Safe Environment records and noted it is time for you to be rescreened. You may also be prompted to electronically resign the Code of Conduct when you log into your Virtus account. Edit Your Virtus Account: To access your Virtus account: www.Virtus.org You will need your Username and Password. If you need assistance, please contact Virtus: 1-888-847-8870 or [email protected]. Once in your account, review your account information-particularly your e-mail address. If your account requires updating, please hit the TOOLBOX tab at the top of the screen. On the left side of your screen in the green column click “Update My Account” You will be able to make the necessary changes-please remember to hit the SAVE button at the bottom of the screen. Questions or concerns: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected];

[email protected] Thank you to all who continue to serve in a ministry during these extremely challenging days.



Page 13

CATHOLIC MINISTIES APPEAL 2020

As we enter the final months of 2020, it is important to take a look back and see how the Catholic Ministries Appeal was present in our Church and community. In June and September, the DRVC celebrated the ordinations of 2 men to the priesthood and 9 men to the Permanent Diaconate. Throughout the lockdown, our youth and young adult ministries were virtually and spiritually connected thanks to the efforts of our DRVC ministries. Catholic Charities along with local parish outreach offices provided care and resources to individuals in need.

It is thanks to people like YOU who make the sacrifice to give to the Catholic Ministries Appeal so that the Good News of Christ can be spread across Long Island. If you have not

made a gift yet for this year’s Catholic Ministries Appeal, it is not too late! Every gift makes a difference because every gift is restricted to the ministries the Appeal serves. On

behalf of everyone who is touched by your gift, thank you so much.

PLEASE CONSIDER MAKING A GIFT TO THE 2020 Catholic Ministries Appeal! Every Gift Makes a Difference in the Lives of Others. Parish: ________________________________________________ Name: ________________________________________________ Address: _______________________________________________ City, State, Zip: __________________________________________ Phone: _________________________________________________ EMAIL: _______________________________________________

To make an online donation, you can also visit https://www.drvc.org/CMA

THANK YOU!! Catholic Ministries Appeal, Diocese of Rockville Centre, P.O. Box 4000, Rockville Centre, New York 11571

Pledge $ ________ Down Payment $_________ Balance $_________

Down Payment

ST. FRANCIS PREPARATORY HIGH SCHOOL6100 Francis Lewis Blvd. • Fresh Meadows, NY 11365

www.Sfponline.orgKatarina Grunwald

ST. DOMINIC HIGH SCHOOLOyster Bay, NY 11771

JOHN THE BAPTIST1170 Montauk Highway, W. Islip, NY 11795

HOLY TRINITY DIOCESAN HIGH SCHOOL98 Cherry Lane, Hicksville, NY 11801

Victoria Blair - Principal's List Nicholas DeRosa - Principal's List Chaya LoGalbo - Principal's List Katrina Diano - Principal's List Sandhya LoGalbo - Principal's ListTyler Von Bevern - First HonorsSabrina Colon - First Honors Olivia Colon - Second Honors Christian Fries - Second Honors

CONGRATULATIONS

National Honor SocietyAva BelenJayden ChanCollin JingeleskiAnthony MazzamutoIsabella SilvaShane Spector

National Junior Honor SocietyAlexa Rose CresenciaAllison FaderlTimothy McCafferyDaniel MillerCaroline Tahany

Perfect AttendanceAlexa Rose Cresencia Alexa MazzamutoGiuliano Goodman Celeste RoccanovaAnthony Schumacher

KELLENBERG MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL140 Glenn Curtiss Blvd. • Uniondale, NY 11553 •

516-292-0877 • www.kellenberg.org

The following students from OLM parish have merited recognition for commendable academic perfomance

during the current school year.

Magna Cum LaudeAshley Delloiacono

HONOR ROLL AMaria BaldwinHailey AnnChiarelliAnthony GreenBrooke GrossjungMaggie KingsleyVictoria PellicciaJessica Peters

Isabella RoccanovaMatthew SkjevelandDaniel WawrzynskiKaitlynWawrzynski

HONOR ROLL BIsabella BarrettiMichael Fox


OLM Weekly December 20, 2020Page 14

MUSIC MINISTRIESOLM Adult Chamber Choir: Meets Tuesday afternoons from 5:00 to 6:30 PM in the Upper Church.OLM Children’s Choir: Meets Wednesday afternoons from 2:45 to 3:30 PM in the School Music Room.OLM Folk Group: Meets Sunday mornings after the 9:00 AM Mass in the Lower Church.OLM Rock Group: Meets Monday evenings from 8:00 to l0:00 PM in the Upper Church.

PARISH ORGANIZATIONSAngels of Mercy: Meets every third Thursday of the month at 7:00 PM in Our Lady’s Chapel with refreshments served. Corporate Mass on the 3rd Sunday of each month at 9:00 AM. For more information please e-mail Eileen Millis, President, at [email protected]

OLM Ministry of Consolation: Men and women who offer sup-port for funeral Masses. We are looking for individuals to help us. For more information please call the Rectory.

Hicksville/OLM Senior Club: Meets on Mondays from11:00 AM-3:00 PM at the Bethpage Senior Center.For more information contact Joan at 516-938-4261.

Holy Name Society: Corporate Mass and Communion on the 2nd Sunday of each month at 9:00 AM Mass. Membership meetings on the following Monday at 7:30 PM in the Lower Church Meeting Room. For more information call Michael Trimarco, President, at 516-757-1655.

Knights of Columbus: Our Lady of MercyJoseph F. Lamb Council # 5723, meets on the 1st and 3rd Thursday at 7:30 PM in the School Cafeteria.For more information contact Kevin McAvoy, Grand Knight, at 516-996-3489.

Legion of Mary: Meets on Tuesday morning at 10:00 AM in the Lower Church. First Saturday Fatima Devotions: 7:40 AM.

Nocturnal Adoration: First Friday of the Month:8:00 to 9:00 PM (Exposition & Group Prayer and /or9:00 PM to 10 PM (Silent Prayer and Benediction) inOur Lady’s Chapel, in the Lower Church.

OLM Ushers: If interested in becoming an Usher, please contact Jim Decker at 516-933-8143, or email at [email protected].

St. Monica Prayer Group: Meets 2nd and 4th Friday of the month in Lower Church from 7:15-8:30 PM. Contact Helen Secreti at [email protected].

OLM Prayer Group: Meets every Tuesday night at 7:30 PM in Lower Church. Contact Maureen Decker at 516-933-8143. Eucharistic Adoration is conducted the first Tuesday of each month at 7:30 PM.

CYO Youth Council for Parish Sports: Contact Chris Fox at [email protected].

St. Vincent de Paul Society: Contact the Rectory for more information 516-931-4351 X 326. See Page 5 of this bulletin.

The Men of St. Joseph: Meets every Wednesday at 7:00 PM in Lower Church Meeting Room.

Adult Education Classes: Classes held Sundays from 10:00-11:45 AM in the Convent Basement 10/6 thru 6/7/20.Contact Peggy Clores at [email protected].

We Go 2-Gether: Adult/Child Playgroups. 15-week program during the Fall and again in the Spring and 5 classes in theSummer. Children spend quality time with their parents or guardians in a structured learning and fun-filled environment. Contact Ms. Bridget at 516-993-8442/[email protected]

SUPPORT GROUPSAlcoholics Anonymous GroupsFamilies Anonymous: Hope for troubled families. FA is a self-help support group for families and friends of people with a current, suspected, or former drug problem. Guided by the principles of the FA program, family members learn how to find relief from their seemingly insurmountable burdens. They become able to enjoy some peace of mind and a degree of serenity, despite unresolved problems. They discover, too, that as they themselves change, so do the dynamics of their family. Meets every Wednesday: 7:30-8:30 PM in Convent Basement.First Things First: Tom Liguori 516-770-7562. Open Meeting every Friday: 8:00-9:00 PM in the Convent Basement. Closed Meeting every Sunday: 7:00-8:00 PM in the Convent Basement.

Our Own Group: Tom Liguori 516-770-7562. Closed Meeting every Monday: 4:30 to 5:30 PM in the Convent Basement.

Step Meeting every Thursday: 4:30 to 5:30 PM in the Convent Basement. Contact: Tom Tucker at 516-851-2884.

Al-Anon: Adult Children meet on Friday evenings: 7:30 to 9:00 PM in the School Cafeteria.

National Alliance on Mental Illness: NAMI Support Group for Families who have loved ones suffering from Mental Health Issues. Meets 2nd Monday of the month in the Convent Basement: 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM. Contact: Carol Ann Viccora at 516-221-6168.

OLM Weekly ORGANIZATIONS

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Auto & Welding ServiceCOMPLETE AUTO REPAIRSTIRE • BATTERIES ACCESSORIESSPECIALIZING INALL TYPES OF WELDING931-8383

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