January 4, 2009

THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD

“If one of you wants to be great, you must be the servant of the rest.”

Mark 10:43

Service is a foundation of church social teaching and a long-standing tradition in Catholic education. Students at Saint Vincent Martyr School live the words of Jesus by participating in a variety of community service activities.

Our youngsters are expected to acquire a certain number of community service hours by performing tasks at home and at school. The required number of hours is based upon a student’s grade level. And all suggested projects are age appropriate.

Some activities are seasonal, such as when each class prepares a basket for the parish to distribute at Thanksgiving. Other opportunities are offered all year. At home, students might help with household chores or assist their neighbors by raking leaves. At school, our girls and boys make sandwiches for the Bridges Outreach program, prepare soup for the Interfaith Food Pantry, organize our Lost & Foud and Uniform Exchange items, participate in food drives, and decorate bulletin boards. I am so proud of our students and of the parents who so generously guide them.

At the end of this month we will celebrate Catholic Schools Week. This year the theme is “Catholic Schools Celebrate Service.” Saint Vincent Martyr School has decided to support a project that will provide water and recreation to orphaned children in Africa. The decision was reached after hearing Sister Mary Beth Lloyd speak to our student body about the work the Religious Teachers Filippini do with children orphaned by AIDS. As we became aware of the ever-increasing number of Child Headed Households, our youngsters were touched by their contemporaries need for the basic necessities of life, especially water, and they wanted to help. What a wonderful way to start a new year!

Barbara Doyle, Principal

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ATTENTION: MEN OF THE PARISH

What is a retreat?

A retreat is one way we can respond to this invitation of Jesus. In our lifelong endeavor to be loving and caring persons, he wants to be a deep source of strength and meaning for us. So he invites us to draw close to him and get to know him and his values. He encourages us to come to him, to be alone with him, and by prayer and reflection to get in touch with what is really important in our lives.

Our Parish Retreat weekend is January 9 – 11, 2009 at Loyola Retreat House in Morristown and begins with dinner on Friday evening January 9 and ends by 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, January 11.

You may call any of the men listed below if you are would like more information or to make a reservation. Mike Newman 973-822-2078, Jim Penders 973-377-8803, Steve Penders 973-443-0570 or Bill Rojack 973-377-1962.

Decorating for the Christmas Season

A heartfelt and grateful THANK YOU to the many hands who assisted in the decorating of our church for the celebrations of the Christmas season. They spent many hours on the Monday evening and Tuesday morning before Christmas carrying, “fluffing,” moving, placing, lighting and arranging the interior of the Church. THANK YOU to Christina Crane, Helen Nikiel, James & Mary Dirlam, Ernest & Norene Buckstine, Christopher Shubeck, Doris Uhoda, Janet Baker, Romola Lopez, Jan Figenshu and William Figenshu. THANK YOU also to Carl & Carleen Lemanski of Flowers by Carl Lemanski of Berkeley Heights for the wreathes and evergreen swags that decorate the exterior of our Church, Rectory and Ministry Center.

Thank you to all.

Father Peter

Retired Religious Collection

Next weekend, January 10-11, we will take up the Retired Religious collection at all Masses. This yearly collection helps to support the retirement and medical needs of the thousands of men and women who belong to religious communities who have dedicated their lives to the service of the Church here in the United States. Religious communities do not have pension funds and minimal Social Security benefits to assist them in the care of their elderly or infirm members. We remind you that none of the funds from this collection go to those who are members of diocesan clergy like Father Peter or Father Ron. Diocesan clergy do not take a vow of poverty and thus have pension funds and Social Security.

A Family Christmas Reflection

As we continue to celebrate the Christmas season this weekend with the feast of the Epiphany (the word itself means “manifestation” or “showing”) we are invited to listen to the words of Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, the director of the Vatican press who appeared on Vatican television prior to Christmas. Father Lombardi reminds us of the true meaning of Christmas.

The "most extraordinary joy," arises from "the coming of the Son of God to the world as one of us, to be with us, walk with us, speak with our language, make himself heard with our ears, seen with our eyes, felt with our hands, and also to stay with us in the living community of believers."

"Christmas is, therefore, a time to rediscover the great surprises of God toward man. … The proclamation of the Church always looks toward this beautiful news…"

How many surprises from God can your family recall? Have you recognized Emmanuel as the Son of God who:

Walks with you

Speaks with your language

Makes himself heard with your ears

Is seen with your eyes

Has felt with your hands

FIRST RECONCILIATION FAMILY WORKSHOPS

All families with children preparing for the celebration of First Reconciliation are expected to attend one of the three family workshops scheduled during the month of January. The dates that have been assigned to families are January 3, 10 or 24. All workshops will be held in the Community Room of the Parish Ministry Center from 10:00 a.m. -12:00 noon.

Get Ready!

Get Ready is a religion readiness ministry that takes place each Sunday morning during the 9:00 a.m. Mass in room 101 of St. Vincent Martyr School. Children ages 3-5 years old are invited to come and be a part of a great experiential learning session. Guided by committed and caring adult volunteers the children learn about the Mass, the saints and feasts of our tradition and about the Church’s liturgical year; all in an atmosphere of fun and play. No registration is necessary. Parents are asked to bring their children to room 101 five to ten minutes prior to the beginning of the 9:00 a.m. Mass.

For more information, please stop by any Sunday or contact Christine Farner at 973-593-9243.

Empowering Faith Communities to Include Individuals with Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities

The Pastoral Ministry program at Caldwell College is sponsoring a seminar on January 31, 2009 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. in the Academic Building Lecture Hall. This seminar is for parish staffs, those who work in religious education and pastoral ministry and interested parishioners. For more information please contact Sister Barbara Moore, OP at SBMoore@caldwell.edu or 973-618-3200

YOUTH NEWS

1) If you are participating in the Winter Antioch next week, come to St. Patrick’s Parish Center, Chatham at 7:30 p.m.

2) Alpha follow-up on Sunday, January 4 at 7:15 p.m. in the Youth Center.

3) Winter Antioch team day on Sunday, January 4 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Patrick, Chatham. Next team meeting on Tuesday, January 6 at 7:00 p.m. at St. Patrick, Chatham.

4) Spring Antioch team meeting on Wednesday, January 7 at 7:00 p.m. in the Youth Center.

TRIP TO ISRAEL

The trip to Israel is a go and it promises to be the trip of a lifetime. The experience of being in Nazareth, Bethlehem, Jerusalem among other important biblical sights is undescribable and unforgettable. We still have places available, but this will be a small group to insure the intimacy and spiritual nature of the pilgrimage. Come along with Fr. Tony Ciorra and Jan Figenshu. Brochures are available at the doors of the church or the parish office. For more information, contact Jan at jan.figenshu@svmnj.org or ext. 253.

WINTER SCRIPTURE STUDY

Our second session of Scripture Study - Six Weeks with the Bible will begin the week of January 11, 2009. There will be 3 different time slots offered: Sundays at 7:00 p.m.; Tuesday at 7:15 p.m.; and Thursday at 9:15 a.m. Each group meets for 6 meetings, each session is 90 minutes long. There is not much reading required during the week, so come and visit a group or take the leap and sign up for all 6 sessions. Our topic this winter is Becoming a Praying Person. We will learn about prayer from Hannah, David, Jeremiah, Nehemiah, Mary, and Paul. Each guide is divided into six concise, 90-minute segments that introduce one book of the Bible. All biblical text is printed in the guides, which means no additional study aids are required. Come join us for Six Weeks with the Bible this winter. It will warm your soul! For more information, contact Jan at jan.figenshu@svmnj.org or ext. 253.

Pauline Lecture Series continues

Our next session about the teachings of St. Paul, will take place on Sunday, January 25 at 7:00 p.m. in the church. Our own Fr. Ron Sordillo will be the presenter and his topic is A Letter to Friends, based on St. Paul’s Letter to the Philippians.

WINE & CHEESE PARTY

Proceeds going to Pajama Program of

NJ for Morris County

On Saturday, January 24 from 7:00 – 10:00 p.m. in the Community Room of the Parish Ministry Center. Admission is $10.00 per person plus 1 pair of new pj’s sized 12 months to extra large teen. All pajamas collected will be distributed in Morris County to domestic abuse shelters, head starts, early head start, interfaith homeless shelter, big brothers & sisters and St. Peter’s Orphanage in Denville. If unable to attend, donate a pair of pajamas.

RSVP by January 17 to Doris Newman, 973-377-1688, Ann De Vico, 973-822-3204. Dress is casual or you can wear your favorite pajamas.

Wine, cheese, dessert and coffee will be served. Anyone wishing to make a dessert please contact Joan Graziano, 973-377-4151.

CHILDREN’S COLLECTION

Our 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. children centered liturgy will continue with our children making their own offering. All monies collected will be sent to the Religious Teachers Filippini for their work with “AIDS orphans”. Our children will be helping other children to break the cycle of poverty and with their own courage and determination be able to accomplish and have a good life.

Our children’s collection for Saturday/Sunday, December 27/28 was $69.00. Thank you girls and boys for helping these orphan children!

IRELAND/GERMANY TRIPS

Brochures are available for both parish trips for anyone who is interested. For the Ireland trip in April, 2009 there are approximately 10 seats available and the Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Germany & Passion Play in August, 2010 there are approximately 8 seats available. Any questions or further information please contact Fr. Ron at 973-377-4000, ext 256.

ALTAR SERVER SCHEDULE

January 10

5:00 p.m.

Jessica Fetrow, Kathleen Rocco, Danny Maguire

January 11

7:15 a.m.

Mark McDonnell

9:00 a.m.

Mike Dreitlein, Max Dreitlein, Anthony Guerriero

10:30 a.m.

Patrick Gilfillan, Will Andersen, Sam Mantone

12:00 Noon

Isabella Bezzone, Sophie McDonnell, Morgan Smith

Our Parish’s Sacramental and Prayer Life

“Is anyone among you suffering? They should pray . . . Is anyone among you sick? They should summon the presbyters of the church, and they should pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord.”

(James 5:13, 14)

Pray for the sick:

Patti Piazza, Aniella Aragona, Elisa Stefanski, Gregory Shave, Roger Snyder, Catherine Emilian, Daniel Meeks, Sarah Lufkin, Gwen Lukasavage, Msgr. Chris, Marie Young, Paul LoGiudice, Jerry Artigliere, Janet Bozzi, Christopher Flood, Maria McLaughlin, Christine Schmitt

“Lord for your faithful people life is changed not ended. When the body of our earthly dwelling lies in death we gain an everlasting dwelling place in heaven.”

(Roman Missal, Preface of Christian Death I)

Pray for the dead:

Philomena Scala, Theresa Mottola

Rev. Msgr. Eugene McQuaid, Anna Antonaccio,

Rev. Leo Fanning

THE CELEBRATION OF THE EUCHARIST

Monday, January 5

8:30 a.m. – Barbara Fetrow, Anthony Mascolo

Tuesday, January 6

8:30 a.m. – Yotson, Rita & Patrick Lovas,

Stephen Elias, Sr.

Wednesday, January 7

8:30 a.m. – Roger Egan, Sr., Donald Noonan

Thursday, January 8

8:30 a.m. – Edward Stofik, Msgr. Michael Kelly,

Msgr. James L. Fallon

Friday, January 9

8:30 a.m. – Anthony Cammarata

Saturday, January 10

8:30 a.m. – For the people of the Parish

5:00 p.m. – Gertrude Del Giudice,

Joseph L. Esposito, Ellen & Michael Liston,

Sheila McBride James, Vincent Marino Family

Sunday, January 11

7:15 a.m. – Walter & Mary Patricia Dyer,

Frances & Joseph Sapio, Doris Fera

9:00 a.m. – James Nugent, Mary & Joseph Filippone,

Rose & Ralph Sandello, Nicholas Sorrenti

10:30 a.m. – Jan Mlekodaj, Greer F. Henderson,

Albert Brocaglia, Spencer Neabore

12:00 p.m. –Sam & Margaret Passarella,

Patsy & Helen Paolella, Joseph Chiappa,

Jean Matachini, Special Intention

The Altar Bread & Wine

For the Week of

January 11 -17, 2009

are in memory of

Patsy & Helen Paolella

ST. VINCENT MARTYR SCHOOL (SVMS)

SEVENTH / EIGHTH GRADE ASSESSMENT SURVEY

FOR PARISHIONERS WHO DO NOT HAVE CHILDREN ATTENDING SVMS

There has been continued interest in establishing a seventh grade for the school year 2009 – 2010 and an eighth grade for the school year 2010 – 2011. We need your feedback to help us determine the support for adding these additional grades. If approved, the new grades would be housed in our present facility with no major expenses necessary to start the programs. Please complete this questionnaire and return it by January 18 either by placing it in the Sunday collection basket or by dropping it off at the school office, or Ministry Center. Thank you for your time and candid responses.

Sincerely,

The Pastoral Staff

SECTION A: Please answer the questions by circling the numbers below, using the following scale:

1. Agree Strongly

2. Agree

3. Unsure

4. Disagree

5. Disagree Strongly

The school has a good reputation in the community.

1 2 3 4 5

The school emphasizes religious values to the students.

1 2 3 4 5

The school prepares students well academically.

1 2 3 4 5

The school is an asset to the parish.

1 2 3 4 5

I would recommend the school to parents.

1 2 3 4 5

I strongly believe in a Catholic education.

1 2 3 4 5

It is feasible to institute a seventh and eighth grade at SVMS.

1 2 3 4 5

I would be in favor of instituting a seventh and eighth grade at SVMS.

1 2 3 4 5

Section B: Please check the appropriate statement.

1.______ I do not have children.

2.______ My pre-school age children will likely attend SVMS

3. ______ My children are older than grade eight students

4. ______ My children graduated from SVMS

5. ______ My children once attended SVMS but transferred.

6. ______ My school age children have never attended SVMS.

7. ______ My pre-school age children will probably not attend SVMS

If you checked line one, two, three, or four in Section B you have completed the questionnaire. Please add any additional comments you feel may be helpful in the space on the other side of this page. Thank you!

If you checked line five, six or seven please continue with Section C.

Section C:

The ages and grades of my children are:

________ ________ ________ ________ ________

I will enroll my children in SVMS if it has a seventh and eighth grade.

_______ YES ______NO

If you answered no, please check the following reasons.

_______Trust _______Academic quality

_______Sports/Music/Art _______Transportation

_______Quality of Teachers _______Tuition costs

_______Child’s friends are in public school _______Extracurricular activities

_______Facilities _______Other (Please explain in comment section.)

_______Satisfied with school children presently attending

You have completed the questionnaire. Please add any comments you feel may be helpful in the space at the end of this page. Thank you!

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