NATIONAL SHRINE OF ST. GERARD

118 7th Avenue, Newark  NJ  07104

Parish Announcements

June 15, 2009 - June 21, 2009

A MESSAGE FROM THE PASTOR: Dear Parishioners & Friends, I hoped and prayed that the day would never come when I would have to make this announcement. But it has come, so here goes.

     I wrote to the Archbishop in early December and respectfully requested that my assignment at St. Lucy’s be renewed for another year. I mentioned that my health was excellent. I even listed the results of my last check-up in October which was excellent.

     I have received the Archbishop’s response. He was happy that my health was good. But since I’m going to turn 80 in 2009, the Archbishop will renew me only until this coming June. At which time he expects me to retire and resign the parish. I do not know the exact date yet, but I will keep you informed. I have no idea who the new Pastor will be. I implore you not to take any action. This letter had a tone of no if’s, and’s or but’s about it. So please do not try anything.

     I know full well that it was you and you alone who bought me three extra years. So we don’t want to start a mess now. I am most grateful to you for 54 years of a most fruitful, happy and productive priestly life at St. Lucy’s. I would not change it for the world. For some I’ve been a son, for some I’ve been a brother or an uncle, for some I’ve been a father. But for all of you, I hope in spite of my faults, feelings and sins, I have been a worthy parish priest, confidante and friend.

     -Fr. Joe

PERPETUAL EUCHARISTIC ADORATION: We are in need of Adorers for the following hours: Thursday: 10:00AM; Friday: 4:00PM. We are also looking for back-up Adorers for the late night hours of 1:00AM—5:00AM. If anyone is interested, please call Agnes (973) 759-8533 or Maria (973) 697-3872.

     If you have only one adorer on your hour, please list the day you will be away on the Substitute List outside the chapel and call your Division Leader or Hour Coordinator to notify them to monitor coverage and/or help you find a substitute.

     "This Perpetual Adoration truly is a work of grace.  By means of Perpetual Adoration of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, families, parishes and neighborhoods will grow in love of God and one another and will help bring peace on earth."     (Bl. Teresa of Calcutta)

ATTENTION ADORERS: It is absolutely necessary that the Blessed Sacrament not be left unattended. If for any reason you have to leave, please call the rectory and one of the priests or sisters will come.

NOTICE: It has been brought to our attention that a number of people are parking their cars on the pavers. The cars may damage or drop oil stains on the memorial inscriptions on the blue stones. We respectfully request that everyone refrain from doing so out of respect for the families who have the names of their loved ones engraved on this Hallowed Plaza.

ARCHBISHOP’S ANNUAL APPEAL: The difficult economy has slowed giving and increased number of people who need help. If you have not already made a gift to the 2009 Archbishop’s Annual appeal, there is still time. Now more than ever, you can make a difference in the lives of many in the Archdiocese of Newark.

ST. MICHAEL’S SOCIETY: The Society of St. Michael will meet Tuesday, June 16, 2009 at 7:00PM in the Church for the rosary. Meeting will follow in the rectory basement. Coffee “and” will be served. Meeting are always held on the 3rd Tuesday of the month. New members are welcome.

THE TENTS ARE COMING!!: Good News Ministry will hold its 13th annual Tent Revival on June 21st, 22nd and 23rd, (Sunday, Monday, Tuesday), Howell, New Jersey. Beginning at 6:30PM dynamic speakers, uplifting music, booths, affordable food and clowns for the kids. Speakers include: Dr. Ray Guarendi, Clinical Family Psychologist, Living the Faith in Your Family. Jim Murphy, internationally known teacher and longtime leader in the Charismatic Renewal and Fr. Bill Halbing, Pastor, St. Antoninus, Newark, New Jersey. Closing Mass celebrated by Bishop John Smith. Bring your family and your appetite. Admission is free. For additional information please call 732-364-6158.

UNION CATHOLIC: Union Catholic High School’s Performing Arts Company presents Love (Awkwardly) on June 25, 26 and 27 at 8:00PM. The play is a comedy that focuses on the wonderful. painful, exhilarating and awkward moments of high school relationships including the first kiss, flirting, dating, breaking up and going to college. Tickets are $5.00 for student/senior citizen, $10.00 standard. For information please call 908-889-1600, ext. 318 for tickets.

WORLDWIDE MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER: “...whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God.” God yearns for us to see the powerful light of His graces in our marriage. The next Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend is July 17th-19th. For more information call Sal & Sylvia 1-800-823-5683.

CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL REUNION: Central High School of Newark, Classes of January 1959, June 1959 and January 1960, 50th Class Reunion will take place on Sunday, September 13th from 2:00PM to 6:00PM at Snuffy’s Pantagis Restaurant, 250 Park Avenue in Scotch Plains. Cost is $60.00 per person which includes buffet and DJ. Contact Rich Critchley at 973-586-8489 for further information.

MAY RAFFLE: The winner of May’s 50/50 raffle was: Mary Ambrose; ticket no. 0998. The amount: $738.00. The ticket was sold by Anthony Pascucci.

INFORMATION REQUESTED: The Archdiocese has received an allegation of sexual misconduct dating from the late 1960’s. The alleged perpetrator has been described as a Latino in his early 20’s, approximately 5’4” tall, of Puerto-Rican descent, clean-shaven, with dark complexion and close-cropped curly hair. This person making the allegation also stated that he believed the alleged perpetrator to have been a seminarian. This person is unable to recall the name of the alleged perpetrator, but says that the alleged perpetrator’s family may have come from the St. Lucy’s neighborhood.

     The Archdiocese has reported all available information to the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, but has been unable to identify this alleged perpetrator. In order to proceed with any inquiry through the Archdiocesan Review Board, and to provide further information to the County Prosecutor, we would welcome any additional information from the St. Lucy parish community about the individual who matches the description. If anyone can provide further information, especially a name, please contact the Archdiocesan Victim’s Assistance Coordinator by phone at 201-407-3256. All calls will be kept confidential.

RELIGIOUS ALLIANCE AGAINST PORNOGRAPHY: The most recent news stories about teens “sexting” - using phones to send explicit sexual messages and photographs—is certainly disturbing and worrisome. How can parents meet this challenge of avoiding the misuse of technology and keep their children from becoming victims of others or even themselves?

     A national organization, the Religious Alliance Against Pornography (RAAP), located in Cincinnati, is an interfaith group that was formed more than 20 years ago to help families deal with the increasing threat of pornography. The organization’s most recent project is a booklet entitled “Sex and Cell Phones: Protect Your Children,” which provides parents with information and assistance in asking questions and making choices at the point of purchase and afterward in regard to such matters as screening devices and programs. “Sex and Cell Phones” and other resources from RAAP are available for download on the organization’s webite—www.icarecoalition.org. The booklet is available in English and Spanish.

A GIFT OF HOPE: A book filled with hope and inspiration for caregivers was released in early September, Upside Down and Back Again: Hope for the Caregiver is a unique book for caregivers written from a Christian perspective, comprised of practical tips, prayers, bible verses and inspiration by author Barbara J. Cooper. A portion of the proceeds will go to the Franciscan Poor Clare Nuns. For more information or to pre-order your signed copy, you may send a check for $13.95 to: Barbara Cooper-Schonert, P.O. Box 9077, College Station, Texas 77842.

OFFICE OF CHILD AND YOUTH PROTECTION: The Archdiocese takes very seriously any and all allegations of sexual misconduct by members of the clergy, Religious and lay staff of the Archdiocese. We encourage anyone with knowledge of an act of sexual misconduct to inform us immediately so that we may take appropriate action to protect others and provide support to victims of sexual abuse. Individuals who wish to report an allegation of sexual misconduct may do so by calling the Archdiocesan Office of Child and Youth Protection at 201-407-3256.

FIRST FRIENDS: First Friends, a ministry to people seeking asylum in the U.S. and being held at the Elizabeth Detention Center, is calling for volunteers to visit and write detainees on a regular basis. They provide training and orientation for volunteers. For more information about First Friends and its training program, contact them by phone at 908-965-9469.

EWTN: EWTN.com is a great source of Catholic information. The Daily Mass, Devotionals, Mother Angelica Life, Life on the Rock, The Journey Home and other programs can be downloaded. You can ask questions on Catholic Q&A or read Papal encyclicals form its vast library. Just visit EWTN.com and explore all the possibilities for spiritual growth.

MARRIAGE REFLECTION: According to David Blankenhorn, author of “The Future of Marriage,” marriage is socially approved sexual intercourse between a woman and a man, conceived both as a personal relationship and as an institution, primarily such that any children resulting from the union are - and are understood by the society to be - emotionally, morally, practically and legally affiliated with both the parents. That’s what marriage is. It’s a way of living rooted in the fundamental physiological and biochemical adaptations of our species, as developed over the course of our long prehistory. For more information, go to www.foryourmarriage.org.

WORLD YOUTH DAY GLOBAL PILGRIMAGE: Catholic Relief Services and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops invite all young people and families to participate in a year-long online World Youth Day Global Pilgrimage. A pilgrimage is a call to journey beyond the familiar and to immerse ourselves in sacred spaces. The year-long global pilgrimage web site will help you learn about the cultures of some of the people the U.S. Catholic Church serves around the world. You are invited to begin this journey with this web site http://education.crs.org/wyd.

O SACRUM CONVIVIUM (Hymn by St. Thomas Acquinas in Honor of the Holy Eucharist): How Sacred this banquet In which Christ is consumed His Passion is recalled Grace fills our hearts and we receive a pledge of future glory.

EVANGELIZATION WEBSITE: There is a new website used as a tool for Evangelization: www.rcan.org/evangelization. Join the “Evangelization Community” of the Archdiocese of Newark through its new Evangelization website. Click on the Evangelization Community link for the latest events sponsored by Archdiocesan offices, apostolates and local parishes. Site updated frequently - keep posted.

LEGAL CENTER FOR DEFENSE OF LIFE: The Legal Center for Defense of Life, Inc., located in Morristown, has been serving New Jersey citizens pro bono since 1989 in defense of their pro-life activities. If you are in need of legal services, are an attorney interested in becoming involved or would like to support our work, please contact us at 973-984-0725.

TRAVELING CATHOLICS: Free ministry to traveling Catholics. For nationwide Mass times and locations, call 1-800-Mass Times (1-800-627-7846).

OUR LADY OF FATIMA STATUE: Anyone interested in having the statue of Our Lady of Fatima visit their home for one week is asked to contact Joan Donato 201-998-3886.

GIFT SHOPPE: The St. Gerard Gift Shoppe is open on Sundays from 12:00Noon-1:30PM.  Please come and see the many religious articles.

PRAYER TO ST. GERARD FOR A SPECIAL FAVOR: I thank you, O Most Holy Trinity, for the graces granted to St. Gerard, especially for the virtues with which You adorned him in life and for the glory which You have given him in heaven.  Since these favors were granted to him for the edification of Holy Church and for his glorification before men, grant me by his merits, through the merits of Jesus and Mary the grace...And you, St. Gerard, my charity.  I place this urgent need of mine in your hands.  Prostrate yourself, therefore, before the throne of the Divine Mercy and do not depart until you have obtained for me the favor that I ask.  Amen.

HYMN TO ST. JOSEPH: O Blessed St. Joseph, how great was thy worth.  The one chosen shadow of God upon earth.  The father of Jesus, oh then will thou be.  Sweet spouse of Our Lady, a father to me.

     For thou to the pilgrim, are father and guide.  And Jesus and Mary felt safe at your side.  O Blessed St. Joseph how safe should I be.  Sweet spouse of Our Lady, if thou were with me.

PARISH E-MAIL: There are forms located at the entrances of the Church for anyone who would care to give us their e-mail address so we could communicate with our parishioners on a more efficient level.  This will enable us to establish a parish e-mail list.  You may also send a blank e-mail to receive the contents of the mailing list.

PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR MILITARY: Let us remember and pray for our military men and women who are making the sacrifice to ensure our safety and freedom. During this holiday season when we celebrate with family and friends, we should put aside some time to remember our military personnel.

PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR DECEASED PARISHIONER: Andrew Campione

(Please remember to notify us when a name should be removed from the prayer list.  Thank you.)

Please direct any and all corrections by e-mail to Web Director

Please direct any names that should be removed from the prayer list by e-mail to Web Director

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