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HOLY CHILD CHURCH

We wish our Parishioners, their guests and all visitors a happy and healthy 2016.

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FIRST TIME: Francesco Mazzaferro and Laura Hare

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Mildred Paragallo

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Scripture/Faith Sharing Sessions

Mondays in the FORUM after the 9 A.M. Mass

SATURDAY VIGIL, DECEMBER 26, 2015 5:00 PM Jean and Anthony Cacace 7:00 PM John McGoorty SUNDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2015 6:30 AM People of Holy Child 8:00 AM Margaret Povall 9:30 AM Margaret and Michael Omerza 11:00 AM Antonio Lorenzo 12:30 PM William S. Marco 5:30 PM Joseph Otero MONDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2015 6:30 AM Salvatore Ferraco 9:00 AM Catherine and Frances Muro TUESDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2015 6:30 AM Poor Souls in Purgatory 9:00 AM Jennifer Marie Parisi WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2015 6:30 AM Victoria Freitag 9:00 AM Michael Loeffler THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2015 6:30 AM Wivina Feliciano 9:00 AM Pino Faggiano

SATURDAY, JANUARY 2, 2016 9:00 AM Thomas Horan

SATURDAY VIGIL, JANUARY 2, 2016 5:00 PM Felicia Delragiona and Rosetta Peddi 7:00 PM Salvatore and Marian DeGrado

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CHRISTMAS OCTAVE

www.divineoffice.org

Mrs. Laccadito ministers to your bereavement needs. Call upon her to make an appointment at your convenience – 718-227-0449.

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...Or join….Ladies in Bereavement …

… to weekly gatherings in the Fellowship Room on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 1:30 pm for shared con-

versation about the widowed experience.

“Friendship doubles our joy and divides our grief.”

University Hospice

University Hospice Bereavement Support Groups 2nd and 4th Mondays at 1pm and 7 pm (year round)

at the Church of St. Andrew, Church Hall, 4 Arthur Kill Road, Richmondtown, SI

Children’s Group coinciding with the adult group 7pm - 8 pm Pre-Registration Required

Contact: Karen Goldman, LMHC, BCPC at 718-226-6451

In observance of New Year’s Day, the rectory office will be closed on Friday, January 1st. The office will re-open on Monday, January 4

th at 9 a.m.

5:00 PM NEW YEAR’S EVE VIGIL MASS SOLEMNITY OF MARY, THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD

FRIDAY, JANUARY 1, 2016

NO 6:30 AM MASS

8:00 AM Immaculata Tani Dodo 9:30 AM Helen Barbieri 11:00 AM Anthony Saporito 12:30 PM Lillian Carbonaro

NO 5:30 PM MASS

Next Sunday, January 3, 2016 Bell Choir at 9:30 a.m. mass

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STATEN ISLAND, NY

WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR THIS WEEK’S DONATIONS:

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NAMES ON THIS LIST WILL BE ON UNTIL THIS SUNDAY AND THEN WILL BE REMOVED UNLESS WE HEAR FROM THE

FAMILY TO CONTINUE.

Bread & Wine In Memory of Jennifer Marie Parisi

Offered by Mom and Dad

Sanctuary Lamp In Memory of Jennifer Marie Parisi

Offered by Mom and Dad

Adoration Chapel Candles

In Memory of The Celenza, Rosselli and Bannon Families

Offered by Mr. & Mrs. Robert Celenza and Family

Jillian Cannon Michael Capolongo Colleen Cerzosie Lenny Cerzosie Louise Cesarano Theresa Cuchel Anthony Dimesa Diane Dipilato James F. Dwyer Baby Giuliana Geller Robert Imparato Rosaria Incantalupo

Michael Lavanco Richard Leone Veronica Mangieri Tom O’Donnell Sebastian Rao Lisa Romano Billy Sherwood Michael Spezio, Sr. Theresa Spezio Dawn Verdi Joseph Zaza Joseph Zissel

The Ave Maria Gift Shop

The Gift Shop is open Saturday: 4 pm - 7 pm Sunday: 8 am - 2 pm

1st Sunday of the month: 5 pm - 6:30 pm

The Gift Shop is offering 10% off crucifixes for the month of December.

OFFICE OF THE VICAR GENERAL ARCHDIOCESE OF NEW YORK 1011 First Avenue, New York, NY 10022 TEL: 212-371-1000 FAX: 212-826-6020

The following is a list of special collections for the year 2016:

Communications January 3, 2016 & The Catholic University of America Collections (Combined collection in the Archdiocese of New York)

Peter’s Pence February 7, 2016

Catholic Relief Service March 6, 2016

Holy Land (Good Friday) March 25, 2016

Collection for the Archdiocese April 10, 2016 of the Military

Aid to the Church in Central and May 1, 2016 Eastern Europe

Catholic Missions Among Black June 5, 2016 and Indian People

Pastoral Solidarity for the July 3, 2016 Church in Africa

Latin America August 7, 2016 & Home Missions Collections (Combined collection in the Archdiocese of New York)

St. Joseph’s Seminary September 11, 2016

Mission Sunday October 16, 2016

Human Development November 20, 2016 (Thanksgiving)

Retired Religious December 11, 2016 The Mission Cooperative Collection is taken up at a date selected by the Pastor/Administrator, and those funds may be sent directly to the Office of the Propagation of the Faith here at the Catholic Center.

Pat Reyes

for winning the Ave Maria Gift Shop Christmas Tree Nativity.

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The School of Religion would like to congratulate Gina Napoletano

as the winner of our Christmas 50/50.

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THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH

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The Gift of a Catholic Education The 2016 Staten Island Catholic Elementary School

Open Houses are January 12, February 2, February 23, March 8,

and April 12 from 9-11 am

This Christmas, give the gift of a Catholic education. Staten Island Catholic Schools are Christ-centered, academically excellent, and welcoming communities that teach students to be life-long learners and leaders energized by fidelity to Christ, the Church, and one another. To locate a faith-based Pre-K, Kindergarten or elementary school program near you, visit www.buildboldfutures.org or call 646-794-2885. Additional Open Houses and private tours are available.

Staten Island Regional Office, 2820 Amboy Road, Staten Island, NY 10306

www.adny-si.org (718) 667-5350

HOLY CHILD BASKETBALL COUNCIL PRESENTS

“SUPERHERO VS. VILLAIN”

OUR ANNUAL 10K DINNER Date: Saturday, January 30, 2016

Place: Holy Child Forum

Time: 8:00 pm (Doors open at 7:30pm)

Price: $100.00 per ticket (Only 300 tickets sold and only two attendees per ticket)

The night starts off by giving the holder of the 1

st ticket pulled $500.00

Every 5th ticket pulled gets a stage prize

Every 10th ticket pulled gets a monetary prize

The last three tickets called for the evening are the: GRAND PRIZES

1st Prize: $10,000.00

2nd

Prize $ 1,000.00 3

rd Prize $ 500.00

*Due to Archdiocesan regulations, all monetary awards in the amount of $600.00 and over will be presented in the form of a check – 1099’s will be issued.

Music, food, soda and beer included. There will also be raffle baskets, 50/50’s, Birthday and Occasion Boards, and more surprises during the night.

Please contact Pam Molloy or Cathy McQuillen at 718-356-5890 ext. 211. Tickets are also available for purchase at the Rectory.

We are also looking for items to be donated that will help fill our Raffle Baskets.

Winner need not be present to win. No children please! Tickets sell fast!! You have to be in it to win it!!

Mark your calendars for January 23, 2016 as Our Lady Star of the Sea presents a theatrical event called:

The Class of Life

The Class of Life is a theatrical ex-perience that takes the audience on a journey which highlights one-man's

life. The story begins on the last day of his distinguished career as a police officer. This day gives way to reminiscing about his motivation to become a police officer, his proud Italian heritage, his upbringing, and married life. Utilizing a blend of humor, drama, and life experience, the actor takes his audience on an emotional roller coaster through stories relating to all. This poignant presentation will surely touch the lives of those who value family, tradition, and comedy.

For information, please call Anthony Langella, (917) 817-1110

Holy Child Church has received a generous contribu-

tion from the Beyond Renew Bus Trips which Bob

Mistretta organizes so very well. It goes to show that

enjoyment and consideration are not mutually exclu-

sive! The parish is pleased to endorse these outings

and gratified to receive expression of appreciation.

FRANCISCAN HANDMAIDS OF MARY ST. EDWARD FOOD PANTRY

6581 HYLAN BOULEVARD STATEN ISLAND, NY 10309

(718) 984-1625

November 30, 2015

Dear Fr. Travers: On behalf of the Sisters of the Franciscan Handmaids of Mary, the volunteers, and clients of the St. Edward Food Pantry we would like to extend our heartfelt thanks and grat-itude to the Church of the Holy Child Special Events Committee for your generous support. We want you to know how much we appreciate your donation to our pantry. You are truly filled with the Holy Spirit showing such kindness for the needy!

Generous donations such as yours help Our Pantry continue to thrive because your contributions enable us to provide much needed assistance to our clients. We are mindful of the thought that goes into every donation we receive. Thank you for keeping us in your hearts, and we wish you all a very splendid and blessed new year. Gratefully yours,

Sister Rosemary, FHM

Administrator

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DECEMBER 27, 2015

CHRISTMASTIDE … “SURF’S UP!”

Every year we hear the clarion call to “Keep Christ in Christmas” and year after year THEY just don’t do it. Einstein is credited with saying, “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again but expecting different results.” We grind this annual campaign at the risk of being so defined.

It seems to me the better way is for US to keep Christ in Christmas and let others celebrate the year-end season as they may. How might WE do this?

First of all, Christmas proper does not start until the Vigil of the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Christ-mas Eve formally opens CHRISTMAS DAY which, as THE OPENING OF THE CHRISTMAS SEASON, extends itself for eight days up until the Octave on which we hail the new year in praise of the Mother of God.

Beyond that, we come to the Epiphany – the so called Feast of the Kings – which is the last of “The Twelve Days of Christmas” , traditionally celebrated on the Sixth of January. Days after that comes THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD which is THE LAST DAY OF THE CHRISTMAS SEASON.

When Christmas arrives, WE keep Christ in it by attending the Vigil Mass, the Midnight Mass or the Mass of the Day. Decoration, salutation (“Merry Christmas”) celebration and song from that time out express Christmas joy in a timely fashion.

Sadly, Advent has faded into the popular notion of Christmas during which we suppose THEY are to keep Christ in. But how can they? How can we? His birthday is on the 25th which we celebrate with Mass … ChristMass. It seems that the contemporary definition of “The Holiday Season” is shopping which comes to a climax on 24 December. For us, that period is Advent.

Strictly speaking, the Christmas tree should be erected, as it was in years gone by, on Christmas Eve. The appearance of the Christmas tree before Christmas Eve is a premature appearance. It is not Christmas yet; it is Advent. Thus, some thirty six hours after putting up our Christmas trees which we are just beginning to enjoy, others are pitching theirs into the gutter.

Certainly in our busy world some things might be staged a bit in advance – especially outdoor lights – to be illuminated on the eve of Christmas Day (or possibly on the 17th of December – the time of proximate preparation – as Advent shifts into second gear).

WE keep Christ in Christmas by actually celebrating Christmas according to the calendar of our religious faith. Of course, the secular season of celebration may make its demands and require some adaptation on our part but we must not surrender the entirety of our own faith tradition in the face of it.

When in the darkness round about people see our merriment shining right into the first part of January, they will see that WE are keeping Christ in Christmas while their holiday celebrations are waning memo-ries. For example, the Epiphany is a day on which a few more gifts could be exchanged. Finally, the Bap-tism of the Lord reminds us all of the Christmas present of our baptism by which we are set upon the way to the kingdom of heaven. Then Christmastime expires.

So, instead of inveighing against popular culture annually, let US demonstrate by our lived tradition how Christ is properly kept in Christmas. It is a simple thing to do, really. WE need only be on time.

Father Travers

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Church: Holy Child Church City: Staten Island Account: 03-00612