The Bells of St. Mary’s
The Church of the Immaculate Conception
 
Second Sunday of Advent
December 8, 2019

 
From Fr. Anthony Columba Ekanem, MSP—Pastor
 
~ HOPE AND HARMONY ~
Today, December 8 is the Second Sunday of Advent, Year A. The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary is transferred from today to Monday, December 9, since the Mass of the Lord takes precedence over any given feast day. The optional memorial of Saint Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin on Monday, December 9, is omitted this year. 
            Here is one phrase, "on that day" that has occurred more than once in today's First Reading from Prophet Isaiah 11: 1-10. It expresses the vision of Isaiah's transformed world, where the weak and unjust Davidic kings will give way to a king that will act as the Lord governing the earth. Unlike earthly kings, who are concerned with appearances and make decisions based on rumor, the spirit-filled king will be making judgments based on justice: the right relationships in every dimension.
            The prophet opens and closes with a promise that new life will arise from the stump, blossoming anew from the roots, and will be a signal for all the nations. Isaiah begins with a vivid description of the ideal Davidic king, the future Davidic descendant, by announcing that the Spirit of the Lord will rest upon him. He emphasized the gifts of the Spirit bestowed on that chosen one. Three times the word, 'Spirit' is mentioned as - life-giving breath that will be the source of wisdom, understanding, counsel, strength, knowledge, and fear of the Lord, (Is 11:2) The effect of such spirit-filled endowed governance will extend beyond the people of his kingdom. When nature is made new, animals will relate ordinary with predators, and prey will live in harmony. Their new relationship will be more than avoiding conflict but will involve intimacy. Being a guest, lying down and browsing together, and being neighbor create a hopeful scenario of the future. The peace of the animals also reaches to humanity as we hear in verse 4, "Then the wolf shall be a guest of the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; the calf and the young lion shall browse together, with a little child to guide them." It continues, "the baby shall play by the cobra's den, and the child lays his hand on the adder's lair." Verse 8. This new harmony between the house of David and the Gentiles, in his dwelling, is what we expect "on that day" because it will be glorious. 
            This hopeful vision of peace and harmony is what Isaiah and St Paul are presenting to us to reflect on. Looking at the community in Rome, St Paul wrote his letter encouraging the Jews and Gentiles to strive for hoped-for unity and understanding. The rivalry between Gentiles and Jews and those who considered themselves better- than - others looked down on those they regarded as weak. Isaiah's vision remains a vision of harmony, distant hope that we look forward to experiencing. 
            We can see why St Paul instructed, prayed, urged the community to live in a state of endurance. He encouraged and inspired them with the phrase "welcome one another," implying being hospitable as Christ has welcomed them. It was also for the Gentiles who, seeing God's mercy manifest to the Jews, would also praise God's mercy on them. Let us try to ponder on the message of today in this way: 

That will lead to the praising of God's name. "... A voice of the one crying in the desert,
Prepare the way of the Lord; make straight his paths."
In today's readings, three voices are bringing the messages of hope to us this Advent Season: 

The prophecies today are telling us how the predictions will come to be: That the whole world will turn to God. That is how these prophecies of peace will come about by turning to God again. "The earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the Lord." (Isaiah 11:9). Jesus will be the one who will make the whole world will turn to Him. John the Baptist appearing and preaching in the desert of Judea and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!" (Matthew 3:1) is a powerful message for us in this season of Advent. Let us pause and imagine the description of this pretty image of Jesus by His forerunner, John the Baptist, one mightier than him coming, whom Isaiah portrays as from a "root or a shoot from the stump from Jesse" who will accomplish all Isaiah, the prophet had foretold, (Isaiah 11:1). John the Baptist's preaching on repentance and forgiveness is a clear and definitive rule of the one who is to come. It is also a call for us to prepare our hearts and minds for His coming. "He will baptize with you the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fan is in his hand. He will clear his threshing floor and gather into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire."

 
Stewardship
*Tithing - God’s Plan for Giving on Sunday, 12/1/19 our Offering was $ 3, 265.00
· Next Sunday we will have a second collection for
 Church Property Insurance.
 
Parish Family Directory:
Please see Dianne to make your appointment for your parish
family photo for December 21 & 22 and January 4 & 5. This family photo is only for the use of the parish.
 
Advent Reconciliation On Monday, December 16, 2019 from 4:00 pm– 7:00 pm
 
NEED FOR A NEW BOILER
We are in need of a new Boiler for the Rectory. The one we have now is having some problems and it has been serving for more than 22 years. ATLAS WELDING & BOILER REPAIR COMPANY who maintains the Heating—system for us, are proposing we get a new one because the parts are now obsolete and are difficulty to find or fix. A new boiler will cost us approximately $31,350 including labor.
 
Sundays Readings:
First Reading : Isaiah 11: 1-10 p. 20
“A shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse,” prophesied Isaiah. “The spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him” through wisdom, understanding, counsel, strength, knowledge, and awe in the presence of God.
Responsorial Psalm : Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17 p. 20 Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.
Second Reading: Romans 15: 4-9 p. 21 The scripture were written for our instruction, that we might draw encouragement from them and that “we might have hope.”
 
 
Gospel : Matthew 3: 1-12 p. 21
John the Baptist came as a preacher in the Judean desert: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” Many people flocked to him for baptism and conversion to prepare for the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire.
 
Religious Education
December:
12/14/19 - Religious Education Classes
12/21/19 - We will have our Second Family Catechesis Celebration.
 
Last Giving Tuesday, we were reminded in our bulletin to consider contributing something towards Cardinal's Annual Appeal. This movement that began in 2012 in New York City was one opportunity to encourage everyone in our parish, especially those who have not a made pledge to make every effort to help our Church to reach our goal of $39, 500 this month. 
This time, last year, we were able to reach our Parish Goal and even went beyond it. We receive a Rebate of $4,587 from the Archdiocese. As you know, the rebate policy is that any cash collected over goal is subject to a 60/40 split, with parishes keeping 60 percent and the Appeal / retaining 40% of the money over the target. It was very encouraging to end the year on a pleasing note. We want to do the same this year. 
As of now, we are $2,235 off to reach our goal. I know we can do it! This 5% required to reach our goal is mandatory. For those who have not pledged, we need your help. We are appealing to you to do so as soon as possible. We still need your support. This effort is one way of assisting in spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ and meeting our current financial need as a parish. 
As the Archdiocese is rounding up the annual appeal in a couple of weeks, I want to also sincerely thank you, sisters and brothers, who have always contributed generously to this annual appeal. We are blessed to have people like you in our parish community. Our Parish Community that is made up of Arabic, Spanish, and English speaking, has never lacked behind in these annual efforts. Let us endeavor to include this desire in Christmas Wish List to reach our goal. Let us also come together and help achieve this goal. Thank you, and may our good Lord continue to bless your generosity.
 
Catholic Underground Central
 Annunciation Church 470 Westchester Avenue, Crestwood, NY December 14, 2019 at 7:30 PMFeaturing ALVELIS
Refreshments sponsored by the Holy Name of Society @A.OLF Adoration ~ Evening Prayer ~ Confession ~ Performance
 
Christmas Flowers: The Christmas flower collection helps to defray the cost of decorating our altars for Christmas and the names on the back of our envelopes will be placed on a Christmas plaque in the rear of the church in memory of your loved ones. Please see the rectory. Large Poinsettia Plants $50.00
Medium Poinsettia Plants $25.00 Small Poinsettia Plant: $20.00

 
Mass Intention of
December 7, to December 15, 2019

Saturday, December 7, 2019:
12:05 pm - Availabe/Disponible
6:00 pm - Rose Kunny + * Marge & Bob Esposito
6:00 pm - Legion De Maria
Sunday, December 8, 2019:
7:30 am - For the Parishioners/ Para Los Parroquianos
9:00 am - German Talero Jr. + * Lilia Talero
11:00 am - Maria & Anthony Antao * Esther & Eduardo Rodrigues
Monday, December 9, 2019:
8:15am - Fr. James Hoerter & The Lakota People * Tony Felicissimo
12:05 pm - Lucille Cosgrave + * Tony Feliccissimo
 5:00 pm— Roberto Mejia + * Tony Feliccissimo
7:00 pm—Antonio Zhuzhingo + * Angelica Arevalo
Tuesday December 10, 2019:
8:15am - Thresia Antony Chettanil + *George Vakakel & Family
12:05pm - Baby Roby Rodden Health * Winifred & John O’Flaherty
Wednesday, December 11, 2019 :
8:15am - Mary Chakkoru * Family
12:05 pm - Rosaleen Fitzpatrick (Living) * Maureen Mangan
Thursday, December 12, 2019:
8:15am - For the Protection of Unborn Children * Tony Feliccissimo
12:05 pm - Fr. James Hoerter & The Lakota People * Tony Feliccissimo
7:00 pm—Our Lady of Guadalupe
Friday, December 13, 2019:
8:15 am - Ronald Rovelo (Healing) * Sheila Rovelo    
12:05 pm - Honor L. Reid + * Catherine Reid
Saturday, December 14, 2019:
12:05 pm - Johnny Rios + * Melissa Carrion
5:00 pm - Carlo Ricchiuti + * Vincenzo & Family
7:30pm Accion De Gracias * Jessica Baculima
Sunday, December 15, 2019:
7:30 am - For the Parishioners/ Para Los Parroquianos
9:00 am - Julia Rodriguez + * Daniela Jose & Family
11:00 am - Esther & Jose Duarte * Esther & Eduardo Rodrigues
 
+Indicates deceased *Indicates the person (s) who requested the Mass.
 
BIBLE STUDY
“Ignorance of the Scripture is Ignorance of Christ!”  - St Jerome, 5th Century
 Our Bible studies have started on Monday nights at 7:00 pm in the Parish Hall.
Studies are both in Spanish and in English.
 
Color in your own Advent Wreath
The Advent Wreath represents the long time when people lived in spiritual darkness, waiting for the coming of the Messiah, the Light of the world. Traditionally, there are three violet 
candles and one rose colored candle.