TODAY’S LITURGY is for the Second Sunday of Advent. Christ will bring peace to our hearts is today’s focus. As we await the coming of Christ, we are encouraged to repent. We are warned to be sincere, lest we be swept away with the chaff. As we prepare our homes for the celebration of Christmas, we also prepare our hearts to receive Christ.

FIRST READING (Isaiah 11:1-10) - The prophet announces the birth of a new king. Isaiah envisions this king will come and will rule with justice and introduce a time of peace.

SECOND READING (Romans 15:4-9) - Paul tells the Roman Christians that they can have hope because God provides them with endurance and encouragement. Through Christ Jewish Christians receive the benefit of God’s promises; through Christ Gentile Christians experience God’s mercy.

GOSPEL (Matthew 3:1-12) - John the Baptist prepares the way for the advent of the Messiah by admonishing the people to repent and change their lives. John himself is unworthy even to untie the sandals of the One Who is to come.

(From Celebration, Mount Morris, IL; St. Anthony Press, Cincinnati, OH; Commentaries, Diocese of Lansing, MI)

5:00 For the People of the Parish

5:00 Mary and Jack D’Agostino (requested by the D’Agostino family)

6:30 Pietrina Castelli (by Jay & Rosemarie Ballance)

8:00 Francis Mitchell (requested by Devenney family)

8:00 George Lauer (requested by Stacey McIntyre)

9:30 Angelina Edwards (requested by loving husband)

9:30 Jimmy Kilanowski (requested by loving family)

11:00 Brian McGee (requested by D’Agostino family)

11:00 Edmund Stefanski (requested by loving family)

12:30 Thomas Bannon (requested by Bob and Louise DeGaro)

12:30 Deceased members of Midura and Margas families)

5:00 Ann Gregory (requested by Les)

5:00 Louise Levy (requested by Patti Perri)

7:00 Matthew Schifano (requested by Rachel Stolfa & family)

7:00 Carlo Verardi (requested by Margaret Long)

8:00 Sam Saieva (requested by Ron Lee and Rachel Camarda)

8:00 Maria Cedrola (requested by Conti family)

9:00 Anthony Zeccardi (requested by the Bertone family)

9:00 Joseph B. Andreassi (by Ralph, Sharlini, Ashvin, & Adrian Krueger)

In Pius Thomas V. Kelly (by the Kelly Family)

7:00 Alessandro Cornello (by Salvatore and Anna Lo Brutto)

7:00 Durrell Pearsall Jr (requested by Suzanne and Bob Kohn)

8:00 Elizabeth Diamond (by Dominick and Adrienne Mignano)

8:00 Eileen Mazany (requested by Peter Diangelo)

9:00 Ellen Browne (requested by Ruth Price)

9:00 Lucy Giametta (requested by Ellen and Edward Legg

7:00 Charles Rubino, Jr. (requested by loving wife)

7:00 William Mahoney (requested by M/M Joseph Koenig)

8:00 Evelyn Valdura (requested by G Owens)

8:00 Sam Potente (requested by Elizabeth and Troy Nestervelt)

9:00 Frank Bruni (requested by the Romano family)

9:00 Anna Neubert (requested by Agnes Ludwigson)

7:00 Matthew Warkala (living)(requested by Bob Kline)

7:00 Dennis Pierce (requested by Mr. & Mrs. Donald Timpone)

8:00 Sam Potente (requested by Alice and Joe Jerszynski)

8:00 William Mahoney (requested by Lillian Amato)

9:00 Reiner Fehrenbach (requested by Anselm family)

9:00 John Pavel (requested by Joseph & Marie Califano)

7:00 Charles O’Dierno (requested by the Paduano family)

7:00 Jerry Barracca (requested by the Medaglia family)

8:00 Angelo Canegallo (requested by Peter Diangelo)

8:00 Sam Potente (requested by Charles and Amy Knapp)

9:00 Eileen Mazany (requested by Ann Ventura & Bella Como)

9:00 Eileen Mazany (requested by Robert Kammerdener)

8:00 Gino Tenaglia (requested by Robert Tenaglia & family)

8:00 Julio Cardona (requested by Eileen Sterling)

5:00 Brian McGee (requested by D’Agostino family)

5:00 Joseph Miller (requested by Catholic Daughters)

6:30 Mary Wilson

6:30 Patrick McGuire (by Patricia Schmitt)

8:00 For the People of the Parish

8:00 Mary Serio (requested by Chester & Marta Irvin)

9:30 Joseph Stock (requested by Sal Scimeca)

9:30 Robert Erdman (requested by Anna Somma)

11:00 Matthew Schifano (requested by Mr. & Mrs. Donald Timpone)

11:00 Francis Mitchell (requested by St Joe’s Catholic Seniors)

12:30 James Redmond (requested by Frank and Joan Tiripicchio)

12:30 Harold E. Hughes (requested by the Karotseris family)

5:00 Paul E. Schadlich, Jr. (requested by loving family)

5:00 Peter Bonanno (by Kenneth, Diane, and K.R. Brundage)

IF ANYONE WOULD LIKE TO BRING UP THE GIFTS AT THE 5PM MASSES ON SATURDAY AND SUNDAY, PLEASE CONTACT ONE OF THE USHERS WHEN YOU ARRIVE FOR MASS.

Deacon John Erdman, Father Edward Flynn, Herman Michael Meyer, Kathy Healy, George Harrison, William Byrnes, III, Albert Herdman, and our deceased relatives and friends

DECORATIONS—As the Advent season progresses, we will continue to enhance the decorations in our Church. We thank those who have taken on this work.

The white-lighted tree outside by the right side of the Church is in honor and loving memory of those who lost their lives on September 11. We thank those who spend the time to install the lights around the Church property.

After the Christmas season, we will plant a Douglas fir on the property in memory of these same individuals.

SAFETY—A kind reminder to everyone who has a cut tree and who has installed electric lights. Don’t overload the circuit. Keep the tree watered. If the tree no longer accepts water, it may have gone past usefulness and may become dry and pose a hazard. Please keep everything in check. We need everyone around!

TOYS FOR TOTS—We will have this parish project this year. We welcome your donation of a new and unwrapped toy for presentation to a child who might otherwise not be able to fully enjoy the Christmas season. Please bring your donation either to weekend Masses or drop it off at the Church office anytime during Office house before next Sunday, December 16. We thank you.

AL BARBARINO will visit our parish next weekend to sing at all of our Masses. Al is a Lay Apostolate Franciscan of the Padre Pio Shelter. Each week he sings at different parishes, throughout the United States and abroad, for the poor, the homeless and the war victims of Croatia and Bosnia.

At the end of each Mass, his tapes and CDs will be available. Your support will be greatly appreciated and will also help the needy of our parish., as well as families of the recent WTC tragedy.

USED PALM—We have a container in the front lobby of the Church to accept any Blessed Palm that you may have around your home from previous years. To help us process it, please place it in a bag unwrapped and untied. We will eventually convert your palm into ashes for use on Ash Wednesday.

CALENDAR CLUB 2002—We invite everyone to subscribe to our 2002 Calendar Club. Every registered household should have received a mailing inviting their participation. The cost of a calendar is $25. If you purchase FOUR, you get one FREE. Calendars also make excellent gifts for Christmas. If you did not receive a subscription application in the mail, please use the one that is found in the bulletin. Please join. Please return your subscription as soon as possible

TWENTY YEARS IN THE ARMY—This Tuesday, I will complete 20 years in the Army Reserve. While I can officially retire, no retirements are being considered in light of the events of September 11. Pension rights begin at age 60, which is only three years away! How time does fly by!

PARISH RESTORATION FUND— If you have not yet made a pledge, please consider doing so. There is a pledge form in this bulletin. We thank all those who have been making regular payments to the Fund. Monthly, quarterly and semi-annual statements were recently mailed out. If you have not received a statement, drop a note in the collection or call the Church Office.

PARISH ANNUAL REPORT—The Annual parish and school report for the fiscal year that ended on August 31 will be presented to anyone who is interested on this Wednesday evening, December 12 at 8pm in the School Gym.

DEPOSIT BOTTLES/CANS are accepted at all times. On weekends, place your cans and bottles in the blue pick-up in front of the Church. During the week, go to the rear of the rectory.

BOX TOPS from General Mills cereals can be used for cash redemption for Educational purposes. If you purchase cereals and there are coupons on the lids, please cut them out and drop them in the collection. We can use them.

A LOT OF COIN—If you have accumulated a lot of coins and don’t want to pay a surcharge to redeem them, you can put them in a ziploc bag with your parish envelope number inside and drop it one of the elevator collection boxes and tell us how you want the amount applied.

There is a story of a pastor who got up one Sunday and announced to the congregation: “I have good news and bad news. The good news is, we have enough money for our building campaign. The bad news is, it’s still out there in your pockets.”

While traveling in Pennsylvania, a family caught up to an Amish carriage. The carriage had a sign on the back saying: “energy efficient vehicle. It runs on oats and grass. Caution: do not step in exhaust.”

Someone once figured out that we have 35 million laws trying to enforce the Ten commandments.

Someone said that there were only two kinds of people in the world—those who wake up in the morning and say, “Good morning, Lord,” and those who wake up in the morning and say, “Good Lord, it’s morning.”

A father was approached by his young child who told him proudly, “I know what the Bible means!” The father said, “So, what does the Bible mean?” The child said, “that’s easy dad. It stands for Basic Information Before Leaving Earth.”

People want the front of the bus, the back of Church, and the center of attention.

The pastor parked his car in a no-parking zone because he was in a hurry and could not find a parking space. So he left a note on the windshield that read, “Circled the block 10 times and could not find a space. If I do not park here, I will miss my appointment. FORGIVE US OUR TRESPASSES.” When he returned there was ticket from the police officer on the windshield along with a note, “I’ve circled the block for 10 years. If I don’t give you a ticket, I’ll lose my job, LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION.”

Weekdays - Monday, Wednesday, Friday after the 7:00am and 9:00 am Masses.

Friday - December 21st

4:00pm to 5:00pm & 7:30pm

Saturday - December 22^nd - 4pm to 4:45pm

Anticipated Mass for the Fourth Sunday of Advent -

Saturday, December 22^nd - Mass - 5:00pm

Fourth Sunday of Advent - Sunday, December 23rd

6:30am - 8:00am - 9:30am - 11:00am - 12:30pm - 5:00pm

CHRISTMAS EVE - Monday - December 24^th

4:00pm (Upper Church & Lower Church) - 5:30pm & 10:30pm

There is no Mass at Midnight

CHRISTMAS DAY - Tuesday - December 25th

8: 00am - 9:30am - 11:00am - 12:30pm

There is no Evening Mass on Christmas Day

Anticipated Mass - Saturday - December 29^th - Mass - 5pm

Sunday - December 30th

6:30am - 8:00am - 9:30am -11:00am -12:30pm - 5pm

Monday, December 31^st

Mass - 5pm

Tuesday, January 1, 2001

8:00am - 9:30am - 11am - 12:30pm

There is no Evening Mass on New Year’s Day

SCHOOL NEWS

In an Advent Mediation pamphlet, by Andre Beauschamp, he says of Advent:

For Christmas, Advent is a time of preparation and waiting:

Yet its chief characteristic is hope. This special season

offers Christians the opportunity for active hope-

characterized by expectation and, finally, fulfilled joy.

Advent is a time to look at the world around us – to discover

the signs of God’s promise; to think about Gospel figures of

John the Baptist, Zechariah, Elizabeth and Mary; and above all

to reflect continually on the Word of God.

Let this Christmas be an echo of a never-ending promise, the

promise of our God who pitches a tent among us. Christmas, God’s

promise fulfilled- Emmanuel, God to us.

May you find some time during this season of shopping, baking, visiting,

and overall busyness, to be quiet with our God and reflect on the great

mystery of the Incarnation.

Reminder Level 5 Reconciliation will be on Monday December 10^th. Please follow the schedule which will be given out to you in class.

Level 1 Activity Day on December 19th at 4pm and 7pm. You may choose either time.

Level 1 Reminder to bring their ornaments back on either December 22^nd at the 5 pm Mass or December 23 at the 9:30am Mass.

Entertainment Books. These popular discount books for everything from food to goods and services are available by calling Kathy at 981-2517 or by ordering through the website, Entertainment.Com and then entering the account Number 00578287-5. Cost per book is $20.00

Today’s Gospel reading discusses the prophet, John the Baptist and “the voice of one crying out in the wilderness” with “Repent, for the dominion of heaven has come near”. On this second Sunday of Advent, here is another Advent story:

“The ancients tell the story of a great hearted soul who ran through the streets of the city crying ‘Power, greed and corruption! Power, greed and corruption!’ For a time, at least, the attention of the people seemed riveted on this single-minded, openhearted person for whom all life had become focused.

But then everyone went back to work, only slightly hearing, some downright annoyed. Still, however, the cries continued.

Finally, one day, a child stepped in front of the wailing figure on a cold, stony night. ‘Elder,’ the child said, ‘don’t you realize that no one is listening to you?’

‘Oh, of course I do, my child,’ the Elder answered. ‘Then why do you shout?’, the child insisted, incredulous. ‘If nothing is changing, your efforts are useless!’

‘Oh no, dear child, these efforts are never useless,’ the Elder said. ‘You see, I do not shout simply to change them. I shout so they cannot change me!’ (Author unknown)

Such is the meaning of Advent. As the season pulls us toward the

“commercialization” of Christmas, let us make a concerted effort to not let it change us or divert our attention from what is truly important...the coming of our Lord. Slow down and enjoy the “getting there” to December 25^th .

We are here to help you. Please call 948-0463 or 981-6888.

CRISIS AND GRIEF COUNSELING is being afforded at our Parish Outreach. A Professional Social Worker will provide FREE counseling to anyone affected by the World Trade Center tragedy. Call 516-364-8130 for an appointment in Ronkonkoma.

The Mass of the Holy Innocents -- Friday, December 28^th -- 8pm at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church, Centereach. Refreshments follow Mass. Call 585-8760.

The Long Island Coalition for Life has some suggestions for those interested in helping to spread the pro-life message throughout Long Island:

2) Subscribe to LIFE NEWS for a college student or relocated Long Islander

5) Contact Rotary about its collaboration with the pro-abortion UN Family Planning Association. If you forego an event sponsored by Rotary, let the local chapter know why!

The UCL can provide you with information on the Rotary-UNFPA connection.

6) Ask all candidates and elected officials you meet what their stand on Roe vs. Wade is. Become involved in the legislative process. You can do this by being aware of which laws your legislators are working on and passing. Read the LIFE NEWS. Write the letters and make the phone calls.

7) Participate in events listed in the LIFE NEWS calendar of events. LIFE NEWS December 2001

The new booklets include Novena to the Sacred Heart; Marian Prayers and Devotions; Novena to the Holy Spirit; The Called and Chosen series: the Priesthood, Religious Life, Single Life and Marriage; Listen to your Heart—God’s will in our life; and the Internet and the Family.

For kids: Making and Keeping Good Friends; Do I have to go to Church; and Advent Coloring Books. Most items are $1.00 and many can be used as stocking stuffers.

Fr. Devaraj will lead a Pilgrimage to Fatima, Lourdes, Rome, Assisi and Medjugorie on April 15 to April 30, 2002. For information, call Doris at 467-3477.

We must be good stewards of God’s gifts to us, receiving them gratefully and cultivating them with care lest we be the ones about whom John the Baptist speaks today: “Every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.”

12/2/01 $ 18,888

Same week last year $ 17,983

Campaign for Human Development to date $ 3,034

Same collection last year $ 2,898

We thank you for your generous support!

As of 11/2/01 the fund stands at $ 102,436

Thanks to everyone for their ongoing support!!!

Pledged to date $ 977,510

Paid to date: $ 611,211

Remaining indebtedness to the Diocese: $12,000

Dec 2nd $50 #862—Julia & Joseph Rivellese

Dec 3rd $25 #968—St. Joseph CYO

Dec 4th $25 #305—Richard & Joanne Fahey

Dec 5th $25 #113—Charles & Jeanette Bukowski

Dec 6th $25 #765—Al Nunziata

Dec 7th $25 #1081—Mary & Eugene Williams

Dec 8th $50 #909—Angela Scanella

Scrip sales last week $ 34,980

Same period last year $ 35,466

Our Parish realized a gain of $ 1,775

Every registered family received a listing of Scrip that is currently available. If you would like Scrip for specific stores, please return your order form and check this week to insure that it will be available by Christmas time.

YOU ARE GREAT— Yes, we mean you. You seem surprised. You are great because you are doing great things. They may appear to be little things, but your consistent concern, week after week, as you contribute your coins in the Poor Boxes is a great thing. Thank you.

Louis Horodyski, III—Good Shepherd

Regina Marie Seddio—St. Joseph’s

Keith Ligi—St. Joseph’s

Nicole Misiti—St. Joseph’

A Sport for all Seasons

Fall/Winter Basketball

Henry 467-6091

Spring/Fall Track

Sal 585-2103

Spring/Summer*/Fall Baseball

Gene 737-1152

Spring/Summer*/Fall Soccer

Joe 737-6299

* denotes Camp

MARY LOUIS ACADEMY is looking for lost graduates. If you are an alumna, or know someone who is, and are not receiving mailings, contact 718-297-2120 or write TMLA, 176-21 Wexford Terrace, Jamaica Estates, NY 11432 or e-mail the information to them at MARYLOUISACADEMY@aol.com

SOUP KITCHEN BENEFIT at St. Joseph’s Parish in Babylon. December 16 at 7:30pm. Includes Handel’s Messiah and Vivaldi’s Gloria. Immediately preceding the concert will be a candlelight procession.

JOB OPPORTUNITIES—The IRS office in Holtsville is now testing for full time positions as Clerks, Data Transcribers, etc., at $8.72—$11.95 per hour. Many benefits. Call for appointment at 631-447-4477.

I/we would like to join Calendar Club 2002.

NAME(s)

ADDRESS:

CITY & STATE

PHONE:

___ # of Calendars X $25 each = $ enclosed.

If you want to give a calendar as a gift, indicate:

FOR WHOM:

ADDRESS:

CITY & STATE

FROM WHOM: