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A Message From the Pastor

Happy Advent!

The next 4 weeks is a wonderful time to prepare for the celebration of Christmas. St. John the Baptist implored the people of his day and our day, "Prepare the way of the Lord." We will all be involved in many wonderful holiday preparations in anticipation of the joyous celebration of our Lord's birth. It is a great time. Yes it can be a little hectic too, but it is worth it. Besides the festive part and the decorations, I will soon help my mother decorate her home, we also prepare ourselves spiritually. Advent is a time to reflect on the great gift of Jesus in our lives and if it has been a while, to go to confession. Jesus, who came to forgive our sins longs for us to be embraced by His forgiveness and grace in the Sacrament of Confession. Our parish will offer many times to take part in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

As we draw closer to the actual celebration of Christmas, I highlight a change in the Christmas Eve Mass Schedule. Thank you for your inputs in the Mass survey. I also surveyed many churches on Long Island. The majority of votes here is to move the "Midnight Mass" to an earlier hour. May I give some additional background as well.

Mass doesn't have to be celebrated at Midnight on Christmas Eve. The actual name for Midnight Mass is “Mass at night,” and it can be celebrated anytime between 9 p.m. Christmas Eve and 4 a.m. Christmas Day.

Midnight Mass dates back to the early days of the Church, when services for Christmas and Easter couldn't be celebrated until the day the holiday began. The Church permits Masses called “vigils,” which can be celebrated before holy days and Sundays as we do each Saturday at the 5pm Mass.

The Mass at Night for Christmas will begin at 10 p.m. at Good Shepherd Parish.

This earlier hour provides a time which allows us to mark Christmas Eve, travel more safely, rather than returning home by 1:45a.m. or later. I know it will be a special event.

In most parishes the earlier Christmas Eve Masses at 4 p.m., of which we will have two simultaneous Masses in the church and lower hall will have the greatest attendance.

We will also have an 8 p.m. Mass then followed by the 10 p.m. Mass at Night for Christmas Eve.

Christmas Day we have 8:30 a.m., 10 a.m. and 12 Noon Masses. Enjoy the Advent Season, as we prepare the way of the Lord!

Bells at Mass

As we begin the new Church Year with the Holy Season Of Advent you will notice an addition to the Mass.
We will have the ringing of the altar bells at Mass at the Consecration of the Holy Eucharist. The ringing of bells is a long standing tradition of the Church. It was not suppressed. It is appropriate for any Mass whether it is celebrated in Latin or in the vernacular. The ringing of the bells is to give glory to God and remind us by the power of the Holy Spirit, the bread and wine are consecrated and become the Body and Blood of Christ.

I am grateful for the beautiful bells and hymns that ring from our church tower before Mass. Bells connect us to something very sacred in our day. The Angelus rings out in many places 3 times a day. 6 am, 12 Noon and 6 pm. This is a wonderful way to pray at these hours each day. I encourage you to consider participating in this ancient church custom.

Bells at Mass is another wonderful option for us. Bells at Mass along with incense and the music parts bring us to a participation in the sacred.

Sounds, are important in our worship. They remind us what we do here each week is special. The singing of the congregation, or the sound of the organ, or other instruments and the sound of bells adds to the reverence and the solemnity of the Mass. Most importantly, bells highlight in a sensible way the sacred action taking place on the altar. This is a tradition that is not only practical but also beautiful to experience.

Bishop Coyle

Offerings

Sunday - December 9
7:00 a.m. People of the Parish 8:30 a.m. John Marchese 10:00 a.m. Mass Guild Members 12 Noon Rose Bellezza 5 p.m. Leonardo Amodia

Monday - December 10
9 a.m. Joan Lubrido

Tuesday - December 11
9 a.m. Priscilla Griffey-Harpham

Wednesday - December 12
9 a.m. Denise Lynn Sweeney

Thursday - December 13
9 a.m. Andrew Monaco

Friday - December 14
9 a.m Mary & Lou Costa

Saturday - December 15
9 a.m. Lynn Stumbo 5:00 p.m. Cesare Gentile

Mass Guild Members
December 9, 2018

Michael Frustaci
Trinidad Cayco
James Rando
Anna Gregory
Baby Joseph Pozzolano
Kathleen Marotto
Mark Pressgrove
Annette Hoerning
Linda Petrello
Intentions of: Richard Sullivan

December 2, 2018: $14,100.50
Envelopes: 471

December 3, 2017: $14,383.00
Envelopes: 497

In Memory of:
Philip Makowski

Donated by:
Rosemarie, George & Trisha

If you'd like to make a Gift of Bread and Wine, contact the parish office at (631) 588-7689.

Religious Retirement
This weekend, 12/8 & 12/9, we will have the Religious Retirement Collection. Senior Catholic sisters, brothers, and religious order priests ministered for years for little or no pay. Their sacrifices now leave their religious communities without adequate retirement savings. Your gift to the collection for the Retirement Fund for Religious helps to provide medications, nursing care, and more for tens of thousands of elderly religious. Please be generous.

Monday

Blessed Aldolph Kolping

Listen to Monday's Reading

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Reading 1
Isaiah 35:1-10
The desert and the parched land will exult;
the steppe will rejoice and bloom.
They will bloom with abundant flowers,
and rejoice with joyful song.
The glory of Lebanon will be given to them,
the splendor of Carmel and Sharon;
They will see the glory of the LORD,
the splendor of our God.
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.
Then will the eyes of the blind be opened,
the ears of the deaf be cleared;
Then will the lame leap like a stag,
then the tongue of the mute will sing.

Streams will burst forth in the desert,
and rivers in the steppe.
The burning sands will become pools,
and the thirsty ground, springs of water;
The abode where jackals lurk
will be a marsh for the reed and papyrus.
A highway will be there,
called the holy way;
No one unclean may pass over it,
nor fools go astray on it.
No lion will be there,
nor beast of prey go up to be met upon it.
It is for those with a journey to make,
and on it the redeemed will walk.
Those whom the LORD has ransomed will return
and enter Zion singing,
crowned with everlasting joy;
They will meet with joy and gladness,
sorrow and mourning will flee.

Responsorial Psalm
Psalms 85:9AB AND 10, 11-12, 13-14
R. (Isaiah 35:4f) Our God will come to save us!
I will hear what God proclaims;
the LORD –for he proclaims peace to his people.
Near indeed is his salvation to those who fear him,
glory dwelling in our land.
R. Our God will come to save us!
Kindness and truth shall meet;
justice and peace shall kiss.
Truth shall spring out of the earth,
and justice shall look down from heaven.
R. Our God will come to save us!
The LORD himself will give his benefits;
our land shall yield its increase.
Justice shall walk before him,
and salvation, along the way of his steps.
R. Our God will come to save us!

Alleluia
R.Alleluia, alleluia
Behold the king will come, the Lord of the earth,
and he himself will lift the yoke of our capacity.
R.Alleluia, alleluia

Gospel
Luke 5:17-26
One day as Jesus was teaching,
Pharisees and teachers of the law,
who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and Jerusalem,
were sitting there,
and the power of the Lord was with him for healing.
And some men brought on a stretcher a man who was paralyzed;
they were trying to bring him in and set him in his presence.
But not finding a way to bring him in because of the crowd,
they went up on the roof
and lowered him on the stretcher through the tiles
into the middle in front of Jesus.
When Jesus saw their faith, he said,
"As for you, your sins are forgiven."

Then the scribes and Pharisees began to ask themselves,
"Who is this who speaks blasphemies?
Who but God alone can forgive sins?"
Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them in reply,
"What are you thinking in your hearts?
Which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,'
or to say, 'Rise and walk'?
But that you may know
that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins"–
he said to the one who was paralyzed,
"I say to you, rise, pick up your stretcher, and go home."

He stood up immediately before them,
picked up what he had been lying on,
and went home, glorifying God.
Then astonishment seized them all and they glorified God,
and, struck with awe, they said,
"We have seen incredible things today."

Tuesday

St. Damasus I

Listen to Tuesday's Reading

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Reading 1
Isaiah 40:1-11
Comfort, give comfort to my people,
says your God.
Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her
that her service is at an end,
her guilt is expiated;
Indeed, she has received from the hand of the LORD
double for all her sins.

A voice cries out:
In the desert prepare the way of the LORD!
Make straight in the wasteland a highway for our God!
Every valley shall be filled in,
every mountain and hill shall be made low;
The rugged land shall be made a plain,
the rough country, a broad valley.
Then the glory of the LORD shall be revealed,
and all people shall see it together;
for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.

A voice says, "Cry out!"
I answer, "What shall I cry out?"
"All flesh is grass,
and all their glory like the flower of the field.
The grass withers, the flower wilts,
when the breath of the LORD blows upon it.
So then, the people is the grass.
Though the grass withers and the flower wilts,
the word of our God stands forever."

Go up onto a high mountain,
Zion, herald of glad tidings;
Cry out at the top of your voice,
Jerusalem, herald of good news!
Fear not to cry out
and say to the cities of Judah:
Here is your God!
Here comes with power
the Lord GOD,
who rules by his strong arm;
Here is his reward with him,
his recompense before him.
Like a shepherd he feeds his flock;
in his arms he gathers the lambs,
Carrying them in his bosom,
and leading the ewes with care.

Responsorial Psalm
Psalms 96:1-2, 3 AND 10AC, 11-12, 13
R. (see Isaiah 40:10ab) The Lord our God comes with power.
Sing to the LORD a new song;
sing to the LORD, all you lands.
Sing to the LORD; bless his name;
announce his salvation, day after day.
R. The Lord our God comes with power.
Tell his glory among the nations;
among all peoples, his wondrous deeds.
Say among the nations: The LORD is king;
he governs the peoples with equity.
R. The Lord our God comes with power.
Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice;
let the sea and what fills it resound;
let the plains be joyful and all that is in them!
Then let all the trees of the forest rejoice.
R. The Lord our God comes with power.
They shall exult before the LORD, for he comes;
for he comes to rule the earth.
He shall rule the world with justice
and the peoples with his constancy.
R. The Lord our God comes with power.

Alleluia
R.Alleluia, alleluia
The day of the Lord is near:
Behold, he comes to save us.
R.Alleluia, alleluia

Gospel
Matthew 18:12-14
Jesus said to his disciples:
"What is your opinion?
If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray,
will he not leave the ninety-nine in the hills
and go in search of the stray?
And if he finds it, amen, I say to you, he rejoices more over it
than over the ninety-nine that did not stray.
In just the same way, it is not the will of your heavenly Father
that one of these little ones be lost."

Wednesday

Our Lady of Guadalupe

Listen to Wednesday's Reading

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Reading 1
Zechariah 2:14-17
Sing and rejoice, O daughter Zion!
See, I am coming to dwell among you, says the LORD.
Many nations shall join themselves to the LORD on that day,
and they shall be his people,
and he will dwell among you,
and you shall know that the LORD of hosts has sent me to you.
The LORD will possess Judah as his portion in the holy land,
and he will again choose Jerusalem.
Silence, all mankind, in the presence of the LORD!
For he stirs forth from his holy dwelling.

Or

Revelation 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab
God's temple in heaven was opened,
and the ark of his covenant could be seen in the temple.

A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with the sun,
with the moon under her feet,
and on her head a crown of twelve stars.
She was with child and wailed aloud in pain as she labored to give birth.
Then another sign appeared in the sky;
it was a huge red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns,
and on its heads were seven diadems.
Its tail swept away a third of the stars in the sky
and hurled them down to the earth.
Then the dragon stood before the woman about to give birth,
to devour her child when she gave birth.
She gave birth to a son, a male child,
destined to rule all the nations with an iron rod.
Her child was caught up to God and his throne.
The woman herself fled into the desert
where she had a place prepared by God.

Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say:
"Now have salvation and power come,
and the Kingdom of our God
and the authority of his Anointed."

Responsorial Psalm
Judith 13:18BCDE, 19
R. (15:9d) You are the highest honor of our race.
Blessed are you, daughter, by the Most High God,
above all the women on earth;
and blessed be the LORD God,
the creator of heaven and earth.
R. You are the highest honor of our race.
Your deed of hope will never be forgotten
by those who tell of the might of God.
R. You are the highest honor of our race.

Alleluia
R.Alleluia, alleluia
Blessed are you, holy Virgin Mary, deserving of all praise;
from you rose the sun of justice, Christ our God.
R.Alleluia, alleluia

Gospel
Luke 1:26-38
The angel Gabriel was sent from God
to a town of Galilee called Nazareth,
to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph,
of the house of David,
and the virgin's name was Mary.
And coming to her, he said,
"Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you."
But she was greatly troubled at what was said
and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.
Then the angel said to her,
"Do not be afraid, Mary,
for you have found favor with God.
Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son,
and you shall name him Jesus.
He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High,
and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father,
and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever,
and of his Kingdom there will be no end."
But Mary said to the angel,
"How can this be,
since I have no relations with a man?"
And the angel said to her in reply,
"The Holy Spirit will come upon you,
and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.
Therefore the child to be born
will be called holy, the Son of God.
And behold, Elizabeth, your relative,
has also conceived a son in her old age,
and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren;
for nothing will be impossible for God."
Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.
May it be done to me according to your word."
Then the angel departed from her.

or

Luke 1:39-47
Mary set out
and traveled to the hill country in haste
to a town of Judah,
where she entered the house of Zechariah
and greeted Elizabeth.
When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting,
the infant leaped in her womb,
and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit,
cried out in a loud voice and said,
"Most blessed are you among women,
and blessed is the fruit of your womb.
And how does this happen to me,
that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears,
the infant in my womb leaped for joy.
Blessed are you who believed
that what was spoken to you by the Lord
would be fulfilled."

And Mary said:

"My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;
my spirit rejoices in God my savior."

Thursday

St. Lucy

Listen to Thursday's Reading

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Reading 1
Isaiah 41:13-20
I am the LORD, your God,
who grasp your right hand;
It is I who say to you, "Fear not,
I will help you."
Fear not, O worm Jacob,
O maggot Israel;
I will help you, says the LORD;
your redeemer is the Holy One of Israel.
I will make of you a threshing sledge,
sharp, new, and double-edged,
To thresh the mountains and crush them,
to make the hills like chaff.
When you winnow them, the wind shall carry them off
and the storm shall scatter them.
But you shall rejoice in the LORD,
and glory in the Holy One of Israel.

The afflicted and the needy seek water in vain,
their tongues are parched with thirst.
I, the LORD, will answer them;
I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them.
I will open up rivers on the bare heights,
and fountains in the broad valleys;
I will turn the desert into a marshland,
and the dry ground into springs of water.
I will plant in the desert the cedar,
acacia, myrtle, and olive;
I will set in the wasteland the cypress,
together with the plane tree and the pine,
That all may see and know,
observe and understand,
That the hand of the LORD has done this,
the Holy One of Israel has created it.

Responsorial Psalm
Psalms 145:1 AND 9, 10-11, 12-13AB
R. (8) The Lord is gracious and merciful; slow to anger, and of great kindness.
I will extol you, O my God and King,
and I will bless your name forever and ever.
The LORD is good to all
and compassionate toward all his works.
R. The Lord is gracious and merciful; slow to anger, and of great kindness.
Let all your works give you thanks, O LORD,
and let your faithful ones bless you.
Let them discourse of the glory of your Kingdom
and speak of your might.
R. The Lord is gracious and merciful; slow to anger, and of great kindness.
Let them make known to men your might
and the glorious splendor of your Kingdom.
Your Kingdom is a Kingdom for all ages,
and your dominion endures through all generations.
R. The Lord is gracious and merciful; slow to anger, and of great kindness.

Alleluia
SEE Isaiah 45:8
R.Alleluia, alleluia
Let the clouds rain down the Just One,
and the earth bring forth a Savior.
R.Alleluia, alleluia

Gospel
Matthew 11:11-15
us said to the crowds:
"Amen, I say to you,
among those born of women
there has been none greater than John the Baptist;
yet the least in the Kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
From the days of John the Baptist until now,
the Kingdom of heaven suffers violence,
and the violent are taking it by force.
All the prophets and the law prophesied up to the time of John.
And if you are willing to accept it,
he is Elijah, the one who is to come.
Whoever has ears ought to hear."

Friday

St. John of the Cross

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Saturday

Blessed Mary Frances Schervier

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Reading 1
Sirach 48:1-4, 9-11
In those days,
like a fire there appeared the prophet Elijah
whose words were as a flaming furnace.
Their staff of bread he shattered,
in his zeal he reduced them to straits;
By the Lord's word he shut up the heavens
and three times brought down fire.
How awesome are you, Elijah, in your wondrous deeds!
Whose glory is equal to yours?
You were taken aloft in a whirlwind of fire,
in a chariot with fiery horses.
You were destined, it is written, in time to come
to put an end to wrath before the day of the LORD,
To turn back the hearts of fathers toward their sons,
and to re-establish the tribes of Jacob.
Blessed is he who shall have seen you
and who falls asleep in your friendship.

Responsorial Psalm
Psalms 80:2AC AND 3B, 15-16 18-19
R. (4) Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.
O shepherd of Israel, hearken,
From your throne upon the cherubim, shine forth.
Rouse your power.
R. Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.
Once again, O LORD of hosts,
look down from heaven, and see;
Take care of this vine,
and protect what your right hand has planted
the son of man whom you yourself made strong.
R. Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.
May your help be with the man of your right hand,
with the son of man whom you yourself made strong.
Then we will no more withdraw from you;
give us new life, and we will call upon your name.
R. Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.

Alleluia
Luke 3:4, 6
R.Alleluia, alleluia
Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths:
All flesh shall see the salvation of God.
Alleluia, alleluia

Gospel
Matthew 17:9A, 10-13
As they were coming down from the mountain,
the disciples asked Jesus,
"Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?"
He said in reply, "Elijah will indeed come and restore all things;
but I tell you that Elijah has already come,
and they did not recognize him but did to him whatever they pleased.
So also will the Son of Man suffer at their hands."
Then the disciples understood
that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist.

Sunday

Blessed Honoratus Kozminksi

Listen to Sunday's Reading

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Reading 1
Zephaniah 3:14-18A
Shout for joy, O daughter Zion!
Sing joyfully, O Israel!
Be glad and exult with all your heart,
O daughter Jerusalem!
The LORD has removed the judgment against you
he has turned away your enemies;
the King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst,
you have no further misfortune to fear.
On that day, it shall be said to Jerusalem:
Fear not, O Zion, be not discouraged!
The LORD, your God, is in your midst,
a mighty savior;
he will rejoice over you with gladness,
and renew you in his love,
he will sing joyfully because of you,
as one sings at festivals.

Responsorial Psalm
Isaiah 12:2-3, 4, 5-6
R. (6) Cry out with joy and gladness: for among you is the great and Holy One of Israel.
God indeed is my savior;
I am confident and unafraid.
My strength and my courage is the LORD,
and he has been my savior.
With joy you will draw water
at the fountain of salvation.
R. Cry out with joy and gladness: for among you is the great and Holy One of Israel.
Give thanks to the LORD, acclaim his name;
among the nations make known his deeds,
proclaim how exalted is his name.
R. Cry out with joy and gladness: for among you is the great and Holy One of Israel.
Sing praise to the LORD for his glorious achievement;
let this be known throughout all the earth.
Shout with exultation, O city of Zion,
for great in your midst
is the Holy One of Israel!
R. Cry out with joy and gladness: for among you is the great and Holy One of Israel.

Reading 2
Philippians 4:4-7
Brothers and sisters:
Rejoice in the Lord always.
I shall say it again: rejoice!
Your kindness should be known to all.
The Lord is near.
Have no anxiety at all, but in everything,
by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving,
make your requests known to God.
Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding
will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Alleluia
Isaiah 61:1
R.Alleluia, alleluia
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to bring glad tidings to the poor.
R.Alleluia, alleluia

Gospel
Luke 3:10-18
The crowds asked John the Baptist,
“What should we do?”
He said to them in reply,
“Whoever has two cloaks
should share with the person who has none.
And whoever has food should do likewise.”
Even tax collectors came to be baptized and they said to him,
“Teacher, what should we do?”
He answered them,
“Stop collecting more than what is prescribed.”
Soldiers also asked him,
“And what is it that we should do?”
He told them,
“Do not practice extortion,
do not falsely accuse anyone,
and be satisfied with your wages.”

Now the people were filled with expectation,
and all were asking in their hearts
whether John might be the Christ.
John answered them all, saying,
“I am baptizing you with water,
but one mightier than I is coming.
I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals.
He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
His winnowing fan is in his hand to clear his threshing floor
and to gather the wheat into his barn,
but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”
Exhorting them in many other ways,
he preached good news to the people.

Children's Liturgy of the Word
Children's Liturgy of the Word returned December 2, 2018, First Sunday of Advent, 10 a.m. Mass and continues each Sunday.
A worship experience geared especially for children. Hear the word of God that is relevant and fitting for children.
For children grade levels K through 5.

More about Formed>>

Vespers
WHAT IS VESPERS?
Vespers is “Evening Prayer” It is prayer of thanksgiving & quiet reflection.

WHAT HAPPENS AT VESPERS?
People gather for about an hour to sing beautiful songs, pray a Psalm and reflect on the gospel.

WHAT MAKES VESPERS SPECIAL?
It is an ancient prayer. Catholics all over the world unite in praying the same prayers at the same hours.

WHEN IS VESPERS CELEBRATED AT GOOD SHEPHERD?
Three Mondays in Advent*; 12/3, 12/10 and 12/17 7:30-8:30 PM
*no Vespers on Christmas Eve!
ALL ARE WELCOME!

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
Pray in Adoration before the Blessed Sacrament, ask the Lord for mercy, ask Him for what you want or need and thank Him for all you have. Then be quiet and listen. Spend time with Our Lord in Adoration, then share that experience with others. Invite them to the gift of Jesus. It's like Christmas every day of the year.

Adoration will be held this Tuesday evening and every Tuesday evening of Advent, December 4th, 11th and 18th, at 7:30 in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel. Please take time our of your lives this holiday season and join us.

Good Shepherd Knights of Columbus
“Keep Christ in Christmas” Poster Contest
All students ages 11-14 (as of November 1) are invited to participate in the K of C poster contest "Keep Christ in Christmas"

Rules: Must be original work
Poster should be approximately 11 by 17 inches
Submitted with K of C entry form (#5205- available at parish office)
Timetable: Posters submitted by December 10th
Awards: Knights of Columbus Recognition Certificate Council 1st place entry of $25
Questions: Directed to George on 516-457-4387

Christmas Pageant
Come celebrate with the children of Good Shepherd as they present "The Christmas Story". Let our hearts be filled with Joy in preparation of Our Saviors Birth.

Friday, December 14th at 7pm in the Church

Join us for refreshments in the fellowship hall following the Pageant.

Children's Christmas Party
The Good Shepherd Knights of Columbus and Women’s Auxiliary are
Hosting a children’s Christmas Party on December 15th from 12:30pm to 4:00pm in Fellowship Hall.

Food will be Hot Dogs, Chicken Nuggets, chips, Soda, juice and water and cake.

We ask that parents to bring a small present for their child (up to $20 value) wrapped with their child’s First and Last name on the gift. Santa will give the child the present.

We need a count of the children coming, please download and fill out the form below and turn it in to the office, or fill out the online form below by Thursday, December 13th.

christmas_party.pdf
File Size:	866 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

46th Annual March for Life
Friday, January 18, 2019, Washington DC
You are invited to join Our Lady of the Snow Respect Life Ministry as we travel to Washington DC by bus to March for Life.

Everyday thousands of babies die of abortion. Come exercise your democratic right of peaceful protest and demonstration alongside parish members throughout our diocese and other dioceses from all over the country.

More details to follow.

Support Good Shepherd, Shop Amazon Smile
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Our office is reaching out to you or anyone you know in our area that is in need of assistance for food, temporary financial help, counseling, advice or referrals, or is sick, homebound, lonely, and hurting. If in need of our services, please call our office at 585-4544. All information taken is treated privately and confidentially except where disclosure is made at your request or with your permission.

Peanut Butter & Jelly Gang
During the month of December, the Peanut Butter & Jelly Gang will be meeting on December 15th. This is the only time that we will meet during December. We begin at 8:30 am.

Our mission is to serve those in need and provide an opportunity for others to serve. For our sandwiches, we need donations of jelly (our stock is very low), creamy peanut butter, paper plates, plastic spoons and knives, paper towels and sandwich-size folder over bags. You may drop them off at church (label for the PB&J Gang) or bring them with you. Please do not drop off bread; bring it with you instead.

If you come to volunteer bring a jar of jelly and/or a loaf of white or wheat bread with you. For our wash-up kits, we need donations of sample-size soap, shampoo and lotion, individually wrapped hard candy, new or gently used washcloths/towels, and sandwich-size ZipLoc bags. Please note that ALL volunteers must wear some type of head covering; a baseball cap is fine.
We look forward to having you help us to help others.

Friendship Garden
Friendship Garden is a place where women come to share love and laughter. We meet each Thursday morning at 10am in Fellowship Hall. Everyone is made to feel welcome.

Senior Group
Join us for the 9:00am mass on Tuesday mornings and stop downstairs afterwards.

Food Pantry
We are in need of kids cold cereals, plain oatmeal, kids snacks, jar sauce, cup of noodles, canned chili & canned pasta (chef-Boyardee)
Thank you.

At our May meeting we voted for, and now welcome, new council members: Bill Ayers, Peter Bulla, Eileen Polis and Jack Wrightson.
We also discussed parish social activities and parishioners’ concerns.
We value your opinions so if you have any questions or concerns you would like members to discuss please let us know.

St. Aidan Spirituality for Singles Annual Christmas Dance
Saturday, December 8th at 8:30 PM at St. Aidan School’s Msgr. Kirwin Hall, 325 Williston Avenue (north of Hillside Avenue) in Williston Park.
Admission cost of $35 includes buffet, beverage, coffee, dessert, DJ and dancing.
For more information, call Ray Kubeskie at 516-561-6994.

Eucharist Retreat Day
The Missionaries of the Most Holy Eucharist

Sunday, December 9, 2018
We welcome you to join us for a day set aside to adore, reverence, and the love of Christ in the Most Holy Eucharist. Come abide with Him on this day which includes hot breakfast and lunch, spiritual meditations, Holy Mass, confession, rosary, Divine Mercy Chaplet, Eucharistic Adoration and Benediction.

The Seminary of the Immaculate Conception
440 West Neck Road, Huntington
8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

To register, please email MostHolyEucharist@gmail.com or call Allison Ferrara at (631) 896-0870.

Include your name, email address, home address, parish and phone number. Advanced registration is required and registration by email is preferred.
A $35 Donation of cash or check made out to The Seminary of the Immaculate Conception is suggested for the day and will be collected at the door.

Christmas Concert
The Church of St. Joseph presents selections from HANDEL’S MESSIAH & VIVALDI’S GLORIA with a candlelight Procession and More Featuring....St. Joseph’s Choir under the direction of....Dr. Marie Drohan and accompanied by....The Sophisticated Strings Soloists, Harpsichord & Trumpet

Sunday, December 9, 2018 at 7:00pm. Church of St. Joseph - 39N. Carll Ave - Babylon Free Admission - Free Will Offering - Donations Benefit The Mercy Inn Soup Kitchen

December 2018

The Hate U Give
Based on the NY Times best seller since 2017, Starr Carter is a 16 year-old girl who seems to be balancing living in a poor black neighborhood while attending a mostly white prep-school, until she witnesses the fatal shooting of her childhood friend by a police officer. This movie handles a very emotional and volatile topic without placing blame, instead opting to tell the story with honesty and truth. Excellent film. Well-written by Audrey Wells and skillfully directed by George Tillman with top-notch performances by the entire cast.

Indivisible
The true story of Army Chaplain Darren Turner and his wife, Heather, and the effect that his deployment to Iraq had on their solid belief in serving God, family and country. As the faith of the soldiers that Turner serves strengthens, his begins to diminish and upon his return home, he becomes a distraught man who is a stranger to his family. We have seen films about PTSD before and the difficulty these men and women have returning to everyday life. But, there are also the struggles of the spouses and children who have to deal with them being gone for long periods of time and then their challenging return home. Yes, this is one of those faith-based, low-budget, independent films, but it is truly an extraordinary movie. Well directed and co-written by David Evans with a terrific cast (many of whom you will recognize from TV shows). “I am not sure there is faith without doubt.

Bohemian Rhapsody
This is the story of the rock band Queen, their incredible music and their lead singer, Freddie Mercury. The story of who these men were, how they meet and their unbelievable talent is extremely interesting. Just watching them create their music is great fun. However, putting aside all of that; along with his homosexuality and flamboyant life-style; there is the tender but sad story of who Freddie really was. On stage, he was this great showman, but off stage, he was lost.

Hunter Killer
Director Donovan Marsh brings us this action thriller about an American submarine sent to locate a disabled one only to find itself in the mists of a Russian government take-over. Along the way, the Americans rescue a few Russian survivors including their Captain from a sunken sub. It is the relationship between the American and Russian Captains that makes this film interesting. We can only hope that if our countries are ever faced with the same climatic situation as presented in this movie, that there are men of integrity who can put aside their egos for the greater good.

The Nutcracker and the Four Realms
It’s Christmas Eve and Clara and her brother and sister receive presents from their recently deceased mother. Clara receives a musical box that can only be opened with a key which sends her on a journey into the fourth realm. Beautiful set and art decoration and costume design, this movie is visually stunning. Whether or not it can hold the attention of a younger audience, remains to be seen. Even so, its message is clear, “Everything you need is inside”.

Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald
Part 2 of this five-part movie series, begins with the escape of the dark wizard, Grindelwald, who is determined to take over the world. The only person who is strong enough to defeat Grindelwald is Dumbledore, but because of a childhood bond, Dumbledore cannot fight him and must enlist the help of his former student, Newt Scamander. Newt reconnects with Tina, Queenie and Jacob and a former classmate, Leta, who is now engaged to Newt’s brother. Sound confusing? Well, as big and epic as this film is, it is also confusing at times. There are just too many storylines all happening at the same time. The actors are all terrific with the addition of Johnny Depp as Grindelwald and Jude Law as Dumbledore. Once again, good versus evil.

Widows
The widows of three thieves killed in their last heist, join together to pull off a heist of their own to overcome the debt they inherit. Clever concept, with a number of storylines intertwined, gritty, violent, strong sexual content (not necessary and distracting) with surprising plot twists. This is not a film for everyone. Despite an excellent cast and good story, this film never takes itself seriously enough to be as good as it could be.

We Welcome

We welcome to our faith community those Children to be Baptized December 2018

Juliette Mary Brecht
Leo James-Paul Cinquemani
Ryan Thomas Flynn
Quinn Marie Nostramo-Shapiro
Aiden Mason Clarke
Jameson Patrick Ryan
Kinsley Marguerite Ryan
Aidan James Oswald
Brody William Canestro