News - November 2017 RSS Feed

This season marks the beginning of the Church’s New Year. The Advent Wreath represents the four weekends before Christmas and the theme of the season is “be prepared”. Listen to the Scripture Readings.

A SPECIAL Christmas fund is established to assist parishioners who do not have the discretionary income to purchase gifts for their children at Christmas. Anyone who might like to contribute any amount to this fund should make out their checks payable to OLM and note “Christmas Fund”. Before Christmas, either send them or give them to Msgr. Carroll. This fund is in addition to the gifts on the giving tree and that which is collected by the ministry of the caring. Thank you.

We have purchased three new Christmas wreaths from Christmas Central, two for the Church and one for the Chapel. The old wreaths are 25 years old and they are falling apart. If anyone wishes to donate one of them, they cost $250 each.

On Nov. 2nd there was a fire at the Fr. English Center in Paterson. Thanks to help from various sources, there are temporary freezers, a food pantry and storage for clothing at the same location. On a table in the narthex, there are flyers asking for financial assistance. All donations may be sent to: Catholic Family and Community Services, Attn: Food Pantry Appeal, 24 DeGrasse St., Paterson, NJ 07505.

Once again Morrison’s Funeral Home has donated Catholic Calendars, enough for one per family. They are on a table in both the Chapel and the Church so please take one. Thank you, Lisa Morrison!

A good way to begin Thanksgiving is you and your family to attend the 9:00 am Mass in the Church. Loaves of blessed bread will be distributed for you to share with your families. We have so much to be thankful for especially our health and our family and friends. We wish you and yours a very Happy Thanksgiving. God Bless! Parish Office Holiday Hours The office will be closed on Thurs. Nov. 23rd and Fri., Nov. 24th. If you need to reach a Priest please call the house phone at 973-838-6838 then dial “0” (or call Msgr Carroll’s cell 973-713-3746).

This feast is celebrated on the weekend of Nov. 25/26th. It is a glorious feast and it marks the end of the Church’s Liturgical Year. Advent begins the next Sunday

The tree is up in the narthex this weekend for the children at the Catholic Charities Fr. English Center and Martin DePorres Center. NEW THIS YEAR – demographics have changed at the Fr. English Center with more seniors needing care, so we have included 15 tags for seniors. UNWRAPPED gifts are due back DEC. 10th. As always, your generosity is much appreciated.

The school steps are being replaced by Carl Ferrara. It is a big job but a necessary one since they are cracking and the railings needed to be replaced. We are grateful to Carl for his hard work.

Once in a while we are asked to help a parishioner who is either homebound or needs to be taken shopping or to the bank, etc. If you would be interested in helping in this way, please call the rectory. It would only be occasionally and at your convenience. Thank you.

Our custodian has finished painting the walls in the narthex of the Church. Please refrain from leaning against the newly painted walls and putting one foot against the wall. It leaves a footprint which is difficult to get out. You wouldn’t do it in your own home so please don’t do it in God’s home. Thank you!

The pantry is now in dire need of non-perishable food so we are requesting donations continuously this month. Please leave donations in the Church vestibule. This is an especially difficult time for all involved with the holidays approaching.

There will be a 2nd collection for Catholic Home Missions Appeal which provides much needed assistance to dioceses in the U.S. including evangelization, Religious Ed, ministry training for priests and the religious. Your generosity is much appreciated.

Today, we welcome Dylan Cathcart and his classmates from Kinnelon HS who will speak about the Turkeys 4U program. They are asking for our financial help. Thanks to the generosity of our parishioners last year, the students were able to purchase hundreds of turkeys for the Fr. English Center in Paterson.

On Nov. 2nd a fire at the Fr. English Center in Paterson put the entire operation on hold. Thanks to help from various sources, there are temporary freezers, a food pantry and storage for clothing at the same location. On a table in the narthex, there are flyers explaining all of this and asking for financial assistance. All donations may be sent to: Catholic Family and Community Services, Attn: Food Pantry Appeal, 24 DeGrasse St., Paterson, NJ 07505.

The Christmas Concert with the Christmas Festival Orchestra of NJ, under direction of Maestra Karen Pinoci, will be on Sun., Dec. 17, 7:30pm. Along with the orchestra, the concert will feature both the Jr. and Sr. OLM Choirs, and special guest, Willy Falk, Tony nominee for the original Broadway production of Miss Saigon. Tix are on sale in the narthex. To become a sponsor please contact John Ramsden at jramsden@hartz.com.

Once in a while we are asked to help a parishioner who is either homebound or needs to be taken shopping or to the bank, etc. Usually it is a woman. If you would be interested in helping in this way, please let us know at the rectory. Of course, it would only be occasionally and at your convenience. Thank you.

THANK YOU to all who donated warm clothing for residents at the Hope through Care Women’s Shelter. For info about donations, contact Lynn Drazin at 973-294-8097.

November 19, 2017 - This year the Thanksgiving Interfaith Service will take place at the Community Church in Smoke Rise.

In Giving, We Receive. As you plan to celebrate the joy of the Christmas season by giving gifts to your friends and loved ones, there is one gift that you can give to tens of thousands of people. It does not require ten thousand names tags or ten thousand bows. All that’s needed is a completed pledge card to the Bishop’s Annual Appeal or an on-line gift at www.2017appeal.org. Say “Merry Christmas” to so many of your brothers and sisters in the Diocese of Paterson who need some hope and joy in their lives by participating in the Bishop’s Annual Appeal today. May God bless you for your generosity!