Church of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel 627 East 187th Street, Bronx, New York 10458 | T: (718) 295-3770/ 3771 | F: (718) 367-2240

www.ourladymtcarmelbx.org | Parish E-mail: mtcarmelbx@aol.com

Sunday, January 8, 2017| Epiphany of the Lord - Year A PARISH STAFF

Pastor

Rev. Fr. Jonathan Morris

Parochial Vicar Rev. Fr. Urbano Rodrigues

Coordinator of Religious Education Sister Edna Loquias, S.M.C.

Parish Secretary Elizabeth Mannini

Music Director & Organist

Dr. Stephen Rapp

Cantor Bilen Eminov

Youth Minister School Principal

Jesus Vargas Ms. Valerie Savino

LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST Saturday: 8:30am (English) | 12:00pm ( English) Saturday Evening: 5:00pm (English) Sunday: 8:30am (English) | 9:30am (Spanish)

11:00am (Italian) | 12:15pm (English)

1:30pm (Spanish)

Weekday: 8:30am / 12:00pm / 6:30pm (All English)

RITE OF RECONCILIATION

Saturdays 4:00pm to 5:00pm or any time by calling the Parish Office. RITE OF BAPTISM

2nd Sunday of every month in Spanish at 2:30pm 3rd Sunday every other month in English at 2:30pm Attendance at Pre - Baptism Class is required. Please stop by the Parish Center to register or call for more information.

RITE OF MATRIMONY

Wedding dates may be scheduled after initial meeting with a priest.

PASTORAL VISITS TO THE SICK

If you or someone you know is in the hospital or homebound and would be served by a pastoral visit by a Priest, Religious Sister or a lay Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, please contact the Parish Center.

NEW PARISHIONERS

We invite new parishioners to register at the Parish Center. RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAM

For information please call Sr. Edna at the Parish Office at (718) 295-3770.

MOUNT CARMEL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Please contact the School Office at (718) 295-6080.

PARISH CENTER

2380 Belmont Avenue Bronx, NY 10458

Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday 9:00am to 8:00pm

Thursday & Friday 9:00am to 5:00pm

January 8, 2017 CHURCH OF OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL 2

ANNOUNCED MASSES

SUN.JANUARY8thEPIPHANYOFTHELORD 8:30am Lena & Alphonse Manna 9:30 Pro Populo 11:00 Carmela, Filomena, Francesco ed Angelo Perri 12:15pm Jane Verini 1:30 Emiliano Rodriguez

MON.JANUARY9thBAPTISMOFTHELORD 8:30am Felicina Olivo 12:00pm Ernestina, Francesco, Iginio Pianese 6:30pm Emiliano Rodriguez TUES.JANUARY10thWEEKDAY 8:30am Emmanuel Henry (living) 12:00pm Margherita Di Lizia 6:30pm Gennaro Scotti WED.JANUARY11thWEEKDAY8:30am Anna & Deda Mehilli 12:00pm Tina Messina Johnson 6:30pm Antonio Maiorino THURS.JANUARY12thWEEKDAY 8:30am Carmine Navarra 12:00pm Jane Verini 6:30pm Jose Moreno FRI.JANUARY13thWEEKDAY;ST.HILARY 8:30am Mario & Erma Borgatti 12:00pm William Borelli 6:30pm Antonio Maiorino SAT.JANUARY14thWEEKDAY;BVM 8:30am Jane Verini 12:00pm Rosaria Vitale 5:00pm John De Sisto (1st Ann) SUN.JANUARY15thSECONDSUNDAYINORD.TIME 8:30am Fr. Nicholas F. Basile 9:30 Pro Populo 11:00 Carmine Navarra (25° Ann.) 12:15pm Jane Verini 1:30 Simone Pietro Cutugnino, Maria Marino y Dorothy Frenz

From the Desk of Father Jonathan

Recently I celebrated mass for a wonderful family that was marking the anniversary of the death of a loved one. The children, grandchil-dren, and great grandchildren were present. You could see how much love they all had for their deceased relative. The very fact that they were offering this mass means that they had been taught the faith by this wonderful person who was now deceased. They knew the importance and power of the sacrifice of the mass.

But....none of the younger people knew the responses at the mass. After the mass I reminded them that if they don't begin to attend mass regularly with their families, their children will not be having masses said for them when they die. More importantly, if they don't live the faith in practice, the chain of faith will be bro-ken. They agreed. It's easy for us to take for granted the great faith tradition we come from.

So what do we do? Parents are the first and most important teach-ers of the faith. Nobody can take their place. But as a parish, we need to prioritize helping parents pass on the faith. I'm so proud of the work Sr. Edna does with our Religious Education Program. I'm so proud of the growing group of altar servers. And the high school youth group is very inspiring. In fact, it is growing to such a degree that we have hired another part-time youth worker, Sofia Fernandez, who will be assisting our Director of Youth Ministry, Jesus Vargas.

Let's pray for our youth. Let's pray for our families. Let's pass on the faith we have received from our parents and grandparents.

God bless, Father Jonathan

+ REST IN PEACE + Please pray for Lourdes R. Torres, Ana Tineo,

Rosaria Florence De Vivo & our fallen military.

MEMORIALS OFFERED THIS WEEK Sanctuary Lamp In Memory of Joseph Rizzi by Joanne Marano

WEEKEND MASS COLLECTION - 12/25/2016

Collection ........................................................$4,621.00 Last year’s Collection …..................................$4,159.55

WEEKEND ATTENDANCE - 12/25/2016

Adults: ……. 625 Children: ……. 111 / Total: …… 736

WEEKEND ATTENDANCE - 1/1/2017

Adults: …….555 Children: ……. 110 / Total: …… 665

WEEKEND MASS COLLECTION - 1/1/2017

Collection ........................................................$3,433.40 Last year’s Collection …..................................$4,168.00

January 8, 2017 CHURCH OF OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL 3

REFLECTING ON GOD’S WORD Sunday Gospel: (Matt 2, 1-12)

STAR GAZERS Around a thousand years ago a stonemason in Autun, France, was working on decorations for the city’s new cathedral. One of his carvings shows a charming scene. The three kings, all wearing crowns and sharing one cozy bed, are being awakened by an angel pointing to a star. The angel’s finger is gently touching the hand of one of the kings on top of the patterned coverlet. This king’s eyes have popped open in surprise, while the other two slumber on. The stonemason artistically combined two biblical stories into one. The star reminds us of the one that led the kings to Bethlehem, while the visiting angel refers to the warning they received in a dream not to return to Herod after visiting the Christ Child. For centuries tradition has held that the names of the kings were Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar, but nobody really knows for sure. Other traditions call them wise men from the East who studied the stars. They were the first non-Jews to recognize and worship the Son of God and give him kingly gifts. In the Middle Ages, houses were blessed on Epiphany, reflecting how the magi found Christ “on entering the house.” Try reviving this ancient tradition today. It can work for any family or household group. One person incenses the house while another sprinkles holy water, and a third writes in chalk over every outside doorway “20 + C + M + B + 11” (or whatever the year may be), which stands for “The three Holy Kings, Caspar, Melchior, Balthasar, in the year of Our Lord 2011.” The letters C, M, and B also stand for Christus mansionem benedicat, “May Christ bless this home.” Blessing the doorways symbolizes the family’s commitment to welcome everyone as Christ into their home throughout the year.

Copyright © 2010, World Library Publications. All rights reserved.

RIFLESSIONE SULLA PAROLA DI DIO Vangelo della Domenica: (Mt 2, 1-12) Una stella ha guidato i Magi fino a Betlemme perché là scoprissero “il re dei Giudei che è nato” e lo adorassero. Matteo aggiunge nel suo Vangelo: “Entrati nella casa, videro il bambino con Maria sua madre, e prostratisi lo adorarono”. Il viaggio dall’Oriente, la ricerca, la stella apparsa ai Magi, la vista del Salvatore e la sua adorazione costituiscono le tappe che i popoli e gli individui dovevano percorrere nel loro andare incontro al Salvatore del mondo. La luce e il suo richiamo non sono cose passate, poiché ad esse si richiama la storia della fede di ognuno di noi. Perché potessero provare la gioia del vedere Cristo, dell’adorarlo e dell’offrirgli i loro doni, i Magi sono passati per situazioni in cui hanno dovuto sempre chiedere, sempre seguire il segno inviato loro da Dio. La fermezza, la costanza, soprattutto nella fede, è impossibile senza sacrifici, ma è proprio da qui che nasce la gioia indicibile della contemplazione di Dio che si rivela a noi, così come la gioia di dare o di darsi a Dio. “Al vedere la stella, essi provarono una grandissima gioia”. Noi possiamo vedere la stella nella dottrina e nei sacramenti della Chiesa, nei segni dei tempi, nelle parole sagge e nei buoni consigli che, insieme, costituiscono la risposta alle nostre domande sulla salvezza e sul Salvatore. Rallegriamoci, anche noi, per il fatto che Dio, vegliando sempre, nella sua misericordia, su chi cammina guidato da una stella ci rivela in tanti modi la vera luce, il Cristo, il Re Salvatore. © la chiesa.it

Il Battesimo del Signore Gesù chiede a Giovanni di battezzarlo, ma non ha bisogno alcuno di tale battesimo di penitenza perché, dall’inizio, tutto si realizzi e perché si manifesti la Santa Trinità che egli è venuto a rivelare. Giovanni invitava il popolo a prepararsi alla venuta imminente del Messia. A lui è concesso di contemplare ciò a cui aspira ogni uomo che prega e che contempla: Giovanni percepisce e insieme accoglie il mistero di Dio, quello del Padre, del Figlio e dello Spirito Santo. Giovanni vede il Figlio, il Verbo eterno di Dio, e lo indica già come il Salvatore. Sente il Padre, che nessuno riesce a vedere, testimoniare e attestare che quello è davvero suo Figlio (Gv 5,36-37). Percepisce poi la presenza dello Spirito che si posa sulla superficie dell’acqua, madre di ogni vita (Gen 1,2). È lo Spirito che è sceso su Maria, generando in lei la vita umana e divina (Lc 1,35). È lo Spirito che scenderà un giorno sugli apostoli perché fecondino la terra e le diano vita eterna(At 2,4). E, pur avendo avuto un altro battesimo, altrimenti efficace (Mc 10,39), anche noi siamo stati battezzati “nel nome del Padre e del Figlio e dello Spirito Santo” (Mt 28,19). E, secondo la promessa, la Santa e Divina Trinità pone in noi la sua dimora (Gv 14,23). © la chiesa.it

The Baptism of the Lord

Holy Father’s Intentions

JANUARY-Christian Unity

That all Christians may be faithful to the Lord’s teaching by striving with prayer and fraternal charity to restore ecclesial communion and by collaborating to meet the challenges facing humanity.

REFLEXIONEMOS LA PALABRA DE DIOS Evangelio del Domingo: (Mt 2, 1-12)

CONTEMPLADORES DE ESTRELLAS Hace alrededor de mil años un escultor en Autun, Francia trabajaba en obras para la nueva catedral de la ciudad. Una de sus esculturas muestra una escena encantadora. Los tres reyes magos con sus coronas puestas y dormidos en una misma cama son despertados por un ángel que les señala una estrella. El dedo del ángel toca suavemente la mano de uno de los reyes que está sobre una capa de tela lujosa. Los ojos de este rey se han abierto sorpresivamente, mientras que los otros dos reyes magos aparecen soñolientos. Este escultor combinó artísticamente dos historias bíblicas en una. La estrella nos recuerda a aquella que le indicó a los reyes magos el camino hacia Belén, mientras que el ángel alegoriza la advertencia que recibieron en un sueño de que no regresaran a ver a Herodes después de visitar al Niño Jesús. Durante siglos la tradición ha mantenido que los nombres de los reyes magos eran Gaspar, Melchor y Baltasar, pero en realidad nadie lo sabe por seguro. Otras tradiciones les llaman los magos de oriente, que estudiaban las estrellas. Ellos fueron los primeros no judíos que reconocieron y adoraron al Hijo de Dios, y le ofrecieron los regalos que se le ofrecen a un rey. En la Edad Media las casas se bendecían el día de la Epifanía, reflexionando en cómo los reyes magos encontraron a Cristo cuando “entraron en la casa”. Trata de revivir hoy esta antigua tradición. Se puede hacer dentro de cualquier grupo familiar. Una persona inciensa la casa mientras otra rocía agua bendita y la tercera escribe con una tiza sobre cada una de las puertas exteriores la siguiente inscripción: “20 + G + M + B + 11” (o cualquiera que sea el año), lo cual significa “los tres reyes magos, Gaspar, Melchor y Baltasar en el año del Señor 2011”. El bendecir las puertas expresa y simboliza el compromiso de la familia durante ese año para recibir a todos en su hogar como si fueran el mismo Cristo.

Copyright © 2010, World Library Publications. All rights reserved.

El Bautismo del Señor

Entonces aparece Jesús, que viene de Galilea al Jordán donde Juan, para ser bautizado por él.

Pero Juan trataba de impedírselo diciendo: «Soy yo el que necesita ser bautizado por ti, ¿y tú vienes a mí?»

Jesús le respondió: «Déjame ahora, pues conviene que así cumplamos toda justicia.» Entonces le dejó.

Bautizado Jesús, salió luego del agua; y en esto se abrieron los cielos y vio al Espíritu de Dios que ba-jaba en forma de paloma y venía sobre él.

Y una voz que salía de los cielos decía: «Este es mi Hijo amado, en quien me complazco.»

VERDADERA FELICIDAD

Abandónate por entero al amor de Dios, de esta manera serás genuinamente feliz. —Beato Henry Suso

Lectors for January 14th & January 15th

5:00pm S. Hernandez & V. Vera

8:30am A. Zervos & B. Rivera 9:30am I. Ramirez & M. Melendez 11:00am N. Trombetta & M. Barrett 12:15pm D. Miantsoko & M. Gerbasi 1:30pm L. Ortega & H. Paulino

Readings for the Week January 9th to January 14th

Monday: Is 42:1-4, 6-7 or Acts 10:34-38; Ps 29:1-4, 3, 9-10; Mt 3:13-17 Tuesday: Heb 2:5-12; Ps 8:2ab, 5, 6-9; Mk 1:21-28 or Heb 1:1-6 and 2:5-12; Ps 8:2ab, 5, 6-9; Mk 1:14-20 and 1:21-28 Wednesday: Heb 2:14-18; Ps 105:1-4, 6-9; Mk 1:29-39 Thursday: Heb 3:7-14; Ps 95:6-11; Mk 1:40-45 Friday: Heb 4:1-5, 11; Ps 78:3, 4bc, 6c-8; Mk 2:1-12 Saturday: Heb 4:12-16; Ps 19:8-10, 15; Mk 2:13-17 Sunday: Is 49:3, 5-6; Ps 40:2, 4, 7-10; 1 Cor 1:1-3; Jn 1:29-34

Emmaus Ministry for Grieving Parents

Retreats at St. Joseph’s Seminary February 11 and 25 9:30am to 7:30pm

Contact the Respect Life Office - 646 794 3191

Pro-life Campaign: Sunday, January 29th at 3pm in Fatima Hall

Our Youth Group, in support of LIFE CHAIN Introduces the Campaign with the Family Movie entitled “Bella” (with English subtitles)

Movie theme: A young woman’s emotional dilemma and personal struggles with an unwanted pregnancy Annually, on the first Sunday in October, LIFE CHAIN invites the churches in each city and town across North America to stand on a designated local sidewalk and pray for 90 minutes, while holding approved pro-life sign messages: Life chains are peaceful and prayerful public vigils at designated sidewalk for people to stand in prayer for an end to abortion and offer a message of mercy and healing

TRUE HAPPINESS Abandon yourself utterly for the love of God, and in this way you will become truly happy. —Blessed Henry Suso

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