Various end-of-the-world believers often publish their theology on bumper stickers. A favorite is: Jesus Is Coming! Look Busy! In other words, try to look like you’re doing something important. The trouble is that, while we are busy looking like we’re doing something important, we aren’t actually doing what’s important. We can feel the difference and God certainly knows the difference. Who do we think that we’re fooling by looking busy? And what IS important, anyway? A guess is that what is hardest for all of us in not being busy, but being quiet! The quiet moments of the day and of the liturgy are certainly as important as the busy moments. This final Sunday of Advent focuses our attention on Mary, the mother of the Lord. She knew what listening was about. The Gospel tells us that Mary ponders what she was told in her heart. She could never have reflected on the message that God was giving to her if she never took the time to listen. In the liturgy, 1) we listen and pray along with the priest; 2) we listen to the readings and the homily; 3) we listen to the Lord in the quiet time after the readings, after the homily and following communion. These are not times for reading the bulletin or focusing on other concerns. These are times to listen, to reflect and to understand. We should look for opportunities to be quiet and to listen. Perhaps our bumper sticker should read: Don’t just do something! Listen!

As you now know, we have begun the use of the new Roman Missal. As a parish, we purchased missals, not only for the church, but also for the members of our staff so that each one would have a missal to use for study and in their own ministries. There are two missals in the church – one large and one small. In addition, the following staff members each received a copy: Fr. Bob, Fr. Chris, Fr. Sullivan, Deacon Pat, Sister Rie, and Donald Pennell. Would you like 1) to donate one of these missals in memory of a loved one, or 2) donate one in the name of you or your family? The large missal (there is only one) would cost $105.00 and the small missals (there are seven) would each cost $75.00. A label would be placed in each missal, honoring the person to be memorialized or the family in whose name the donation was made. Thank you for considering this request.

We are looking into a cruise to New England and Canada from Oct. 10-20, 2012, aboard the Norwegian Gem. The following is the itinerary: Oct. 10 – depart from Manhattan; Oct. 11 – at sea; Oct. 12 – day at Halifax, Nova Scotia; Oct. 13 – at sea; Oct. 14 – 15 – two days in Quebec City, Quebec; Oct. 16 – at sea; Oct. 17 – day in Corner Brook, Newfoundland; Oct. 18 – day in Syndey, Nova Scotia; Oct. 19 – at sea; Oct. 20 - arrive back in Manhattan. The following costs are per person with two people sharing a cabin: 1) room with a balcony - $1424.13; 2) room with an ocean view - $1094.13; 3) room with an obstructed ocean view - $1024.13; 4) inside cabin - $939.13. A $400.00 deposit is required to hold confirmed reservetions. Insurance is available for $89.00 per person, except for a balcony room which would be $99.00 per person. Please contact Carol Coleman, the travel agent we are using, at ccoleman@travel115.com for more information and reservation.

Fr. Bob, Fr. Chris and Fr. Sullivan invite our parishioners to an Open House at the rectory on Saturday, December 31, New Year’s Eve, from 12:00noon – 4:00 PM. Come and enjoy a glass of wine and some light refreshments as we say farewell to 2011 and prepare to welcome 2012. You are welcome to stop by any time during that 4-hour period. The only request that we have is that you call the rectory and let us know that you are coming so that we can prepare enough refreshments for those coming to the Open House.

If you have not received one, envelopes for your CHRISTMAS FLOWER DONATION are available in the church vestibule. The donation is a beautiful way to remember/honor both the deceased and the living.

COLLECTION FOR RETIRED RELIGIOUS, DECEMBER 10-11. We wish to thank all those who so generously supported the collection for the Retired Religious Fund last weekend. Due to the tremendous goodness of those who gave, we collected a total of $7,067.00. This total exceeded what we received in 2010 by almost $1,400.00. This money, along with what the archdiocese will receive from other parishes, will go a long way to assist religious communities, including the Sisters of St. Joseph which is Sister Rie’s community, with the costs connected with the care of their retired sisters, brothers and priests who have served God’s people for so many years. If you did not get a chance to make a donation to the Retired Religious Fund and you would like to do so, please bring your donation to the rectory office and we will add it to what we have already received. Many thanks again for being so generous to our retired religious brothers, sisters and priests.

No meetings on December 25th and January 1st. See you again on January 8th. The Youth Group wishes you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Peace, Patty

Calling all students grades 6-8! Come and join in the fun. Junior Youth Group will meet once or twice per month from 7-8:30pm for an evening of fun activities, meaningful discussion and peer support. Let’s get together and get to know Jesus better. Upcoming Meetings: 1/19, 2/17. See you soon! For more information, contact: Danielle Ciccaglione, daniellec.5@verizon.net

We thank all of our families in advance for what they will consider as their gift to our parish at Christmas. We know that, whatever each family decides, will be their way of returning to God a portion of what he has first given to us. As we reflect upon the wonder of God’s gift to us – his very own Son – we are filled with joy and wonder as we remember the birth of the Christ Child. Since God has shown his goodness and his concern for us in the gift of his Son, we can express our gratitude for such generosity in what we offer to God through the Church.