Second Sunday of Advent December 8, 2019

The Church of Saint Paul the Apostle Mother Church of the Paulist Fathers Second Sunday of Advent December 8, 2019

Mass Schedule

Saturday ··········· Sunday ·············· 8:30am, 5:15pm (Vigil) 8:00am, 10:00am (Choir) Weekdays ········· 12:30pm (Spanish) 5:15pm (Young Adult) Reconciliation Hours7:30am, 12:10pm Tuesdays & Thursdays···· Saturdays ························· Following 12:10pm Mass Exposition of Blessed Sacrament4:00 - 4:45pm Fridays ···························· Benediction ····················· Following 7:30am Mass 12:00 Noon Parish Information

Parish Center Hours

Monday - Thursday ················································· 9am - 9pm Friday ······································································ 9am - 5pm Saturday ································································· 9am - 5pm ContactSunday ···································································· 9am - 3pm

Parish Center ····················································· (212) 265-3495 Bookstore ·························································· (212) 315-0918 Fax ···································································· (212) 262-9239 ReligiousEmail ············································ Education [email protected]

Parents should contact Hernán Sanchez at (212) 265-3495, ext. 341 to register their children for Religious Education. Visit us at: Visit us at our mailing address

Find us on Facebook: www.stpaultheapostle.org 405 W 59th St, New York, NY 10019

Church of Saint Paul Reach us at: 212-265-3495

the Apostle, NYC Father Isaac Thomas Hecker, CSP

Visit the Tomb of Servant of God, , founder of the Paulist Fathers located in the northeast corner of the Church. DB@BJ?BO 8, 2019

Dear Friends,

Advent is a season of hope. It is a time for us to look to the future coming of Christ Jesus in his glorified body and to bring us out of our chronological time into God’s own timeless existence. I had the opportunity to sit down for a few minutes with Cardinal Dolan last week as I accepted an invitation from Paulist Father Dave Dwyer to appear on Catholic TV’s program that he hosts called “Conversation with Cardinal Dolan”.

While waiting for my 10 minutes of air time, I heard the Cardinal speaking with my brother Pau- list of the Church’s belief in Christ’s three comings; first in the past, second in our present time and a final third coming will happen in the future. To paraphrase His Eminence, he said that Christ came in history, Christ comes today in mystery, and Christ will come again in majesty. As I have mentioned in homilies, I don’t spend a whole lot of time pondering the future coming of Christ the King of the Universe. I find the concept so powerful and awesome, that I feel silly trying to imagine what that experience will actually be like. I am of course presuming I’ll be alert to that amazing event when it occurs, likely long after I’m dead.

But it is the Christ among us now, in Christ’s Mystical Body that gives me God’s own virtue of hope. When I reflect on the numerous ways I have witnessed Christ around me I know in my bones that God has not left us but remains with us.

It is similar to the prayer that is attributed to Patrick, the Apostle to Ireland; Christ before me, Christ behind me, and so on with numerous other directional prepositions. I sense Christ’s presence in so many ways, in so many areas of my life.

But the truth is, I can get so busy, that I forget to be intentional about my awareness this truth of Christ’s presence. This is what the scripture means about being alert to the signs of the times. Christ is here among us and we need to avail ourselves of this amazing grace as it does offer us hope when the ways of the world around us do not.

A key to “having a good Advent” then is to make the time to grow in awareness of how God’s presence is all around us. I hope each of us can carve out the time to just sit and ponder the numerous ways Christ has come into our life.

One of my better spiritual practices happens as I prepare to go to sleep. I go back over the day to reflect on what I am grateful for. I could just as easily look back over the day and ponder how Christ was there in those thankful moments but also in those moments when at the time, I could not see God’s hand, Christ’s presence in the midst of it all.

I can be just like some of those folks who lived at the time the historical Jesus walked among us. I can get so busy or so self-centered that I do not recognize Christ when He is right there. I’m not at all perfect in this practice of being alert, but I know my effort to be more so draws me closer to God. And that will have to be enough.

Fr. Rick Walsh, CSP 2

DB@BJ?BO 8, 2019 St. Paul’s Announcements

The Giving Tree at Church of Saint Paul UPCOMING the Apostle Gifts are Due on December 22, 2019 at the EVENTS Parish Center Take a tag, buy the gift, bring it unwrapped at to the parish center by December 22,2019 ST. PAUL’s For several years, St. Paul's has remembered strangers through the Giving Tree. This year the gifts will go to foster care kids at 7-Dec Fordham Lessons and Carols Abbott House, Catholic Guardi- 8pm an Services, and Seniors at En- core Living. We thought you 8-Dec Apostolist Beer and Boardgames might like to know a little more 6:30pm about each of the places we give the gifts too...... thanks for car- 11-Dec Chamber in the Afternoon ing enough to share the special 1pm warmth of the Christmas season with the many hopeful foster care kids and seniors. Merry Christmas! 11-Dec OSP Book Club Giving Instructions 6pm It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3... 16-Dec Archdiocese of Brooklyn and NY, 1. Select a gift tag from the tree, register with the Giving Tree Team 4-8pm Reconciliation Monday

2. Purchase the Gift or donate on FaithDirect.net, Church 17-Dec Catholic Fiction Book Club code NY539, with the appeal name Giving Tree 6:30pm

3. Bring UNWRAPPED GIFT with the GIFT TAG to the Parish Center (405 West 59th Street) or to the church’s 18-Dec Hecker Bicentennial Mass Welcome Center by December 22, 2019. (While gifts 7:30pm need to be unwrapped, it is appreciated if you can bring either a gift box or gift bag with the gifts) Thanks for mak- ing this a Merry Christmas! May the Peace of the season 20-Dec SVDP Food Pantry Pre-Bagging fill your hearts. 5:30pm Event

Abbott House cares for boys and girls ranging fr om newbor ns to 21 years of age. They are headquartered in Irvington and have service locations throughout the metropolitan area and Hudson Valley. Each year, they provide lifechanging care for over 1,200 children and 21-Dec SVDP Food Pantry Bagging Event 3,000 of their family members. Visit www.abbotthouse.net for more information. 7:45am

Catholic Guardian Services is an affiliated agency of Catholic Charities of the Archdio- cese of New York. Guardian Services cares for over 1,000 children ranging in age from Please Pill out this form & drop it at the Welcome Center infancy to 21. Within their mission they work to protect and nurture disadvantaged children 24-Dec Christmas Eve Children’s Mass Bookstore or place it in the collection basket. You may also and individuals with disabilities, to increase their prospects for self-sufficiency, and to strengthen the family structures integral to their support. Find out more about their programs 5pm and services at www.catholicguardian.org.

Encore Community Services, a nonpr ofit dedicat- 24-Dec Christmas Eve Christmas Concert ed to giving the many elderly men and women residing in this famous midtown theater district and 11pm Followed by Midnight Mass neighboring Hell’s Kitchen/Clinton community an “encore” to life. Many of the elderly served by Encore are frail and live alone with little to no support networks of family and friends. Since its genesis in 1977, Encore has grown into a multipurpose, nonsectarian agency providing a comprehensive array of programs and servicesmore info on these senior services visit http:// encorecommu- nityservices.org 3 DB@BJ?BO 8, 2019

Great Catholic Fiction Book Club HECKER FOR EVERY DAY Tuesday Dec 17,2019 6:30-8:30 PM Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary We all think we know this classic, but do we?? Patronal Solemnity of the United States

Take a moment from all the hustle and bustle of the This morning I said Mass in St. Peter’s. Our affairs are in the hands of God. I hope no one will season and enjoy discussing this classic with us. feel discouraged, nor fear for me. All that is needed to bring the interests of God to a successful issue is grace, grace, grace, and this is obtained by prayer, and if the American Fathers will only pray, and get others to pray, and not let anyone have Written in 1831, this dark tale relates the adventures of the slightest reason to bring a word against them in our present crisis, God will be with us, and Our Lady will Vakula, the blacksmith, in his fight against the devil, take good care of us. who has stolen the moon above the village of Dikanka [From a Letter to His Brother, George V. Hecker, Rome, September 2, 1857; The and is wreaking havoc on its inhabitants, all to win the Paulist Vocation, p. 31] [The Church and the Age, p. 9] love of the most beautiful girl in town. The basis for many film and opera adap- tations, and still a story tradition- ally read aloud to children on Christmas Eve in Ukraine and Russia, The Night Before Christmas is the best holiday tale by the man whom Vladimir Nabokov called 'the greatest writer Russia has yet produced'.

ST. VINCENT de PAUL SOCIETY CONFERENCE of ST. PAUL THE APOSTLE CHURCH

[email protected] If you or someone that you know is in need, please leave us a message at (203) 493-4021 Conoces ora alguien email: que necesitas ayuda! Contáctenos! DECEMBER BOOK CLUB, December 11 6:30—8:30pm Ian has done it again! The fall/winter OSP Book Club reading list has been Si usted o alguien que conoce está en una necesidad [email protected] por favor, déjenos un set. Please join us on the following days to discuss these terrific titles: mensaje al: —December 11: Therese Desqueyroux by Francois Mauriac (203) 493-4021 o UPCOMINGenvı́e un correo SERVICEelectrónico a:EVENTS —January 8: Oranges Aren’t the Only Fruit by Jeanette Winterson —February 12: Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller DECEMBER 20TH , 5:30pm – 7pm

Food Pantry Grocery Bag - PRE-BAGGING EVENT Pray along Please bring any spare paper grocery bags that you may have at home. with Pope [email protected] Or email us to learn how to sign up or to become more involved: Francis with this new App DECEMBER 21ST, 7:45am – 10:00am from your friends at Food Pantry Grocery Bag - DISTRIBUTION DAY EVENT Paulist Press. This wonderful day involves engaging with the Guests who attend the food pantry to pick up a bag of groceries. Available in [email protected] the App Or email us to learn how to sign up, or to become more involved: 4 Store! DB@BJ?BO 8, 2019 Christmas is just 17 days away! So many gifts to buy!

The Saint Paul Welcome Center specializes in small gifts, and artful gifts of faith. Perfect tokens of gratitude and encouragement for prices you can afford. Many of our gifts are unique handicrafts made by artisians in fair trade organizations, where our purchases, Beer and Board games Christmas Party support their efforts, and your Sunday, December 8 6:30 pm-8:30 pm purchases support the parish. St. Paul the Apostle Parish Center Room 201/202 ~ Don’t let the crowds overwhelm We'll enjoy some fun and fellowship with a festive twist. Come in your best Christmas sweater, pack a six pack and/or game, and invite a friend! you, its worth the effort, all kinds of hidden treasures for everyone on your list. Wednesday, December 11 at 1pm Christiana Liberis & Michael Hey Become a Member of Saint Paul’s! Please Pill out this form & drop it at the Welcome Center Bookstore or place it in the collection basket. You may also send An acclaimed duo, Christiana Liberis and Michael an email to [email protected]. Hey perform a program of violin and piano duets for Name: ______our Chamber in the Afternoon series next week. Address: ______Apt: City: ______State: _____ Zip: ______Home/Cell #______

E-mail: ______

Please check one box:

I would like to register as a parishioner and to receive OR the weekly e-blast.

I only visit occasionally & would like to receive the week- www.stpaultheapostle.org ly e-blast.

Parish Staff

Rev. Broderick M Walsh, CSP

Rev. Matthew Berrios, CSP Pastor They Want to Join Us Several weeks ago we asked five people why they want to become members of the Rev. Paul Rospond, CSP Associate Pastor Catholic Church. They answered that question in the ceremony of welcome into Ms. Valerie Shondel Associate Pastor our parish catechumenate process that we celebrated during the 10 am. Mass on Nov. 17. Here are the answers some of them gave to our question. Mrs. Erica Blanco Director of Music ------Deacon Waldemar Sandoval Following Christ's example, I wish to grow in humility, love, and Administrative Assistant faith. I hope that my inclusion into this body will deepen my com- Saint Vincent de Paul Society, Baptismal Preparation, Homebound mitment to be a good man, a good husband and eventually a Mr. Hernán Sanchez good father. I hope that my life will be revitalized not only by Ms. Kathy Zirnhelt Director of Religious Education Christ’s love for us, but our community’s support for one another. Pastoral Associate Rev. Robert Collins, SJ For Administration

Brett Hecksher (candidate for full communion) Mr. Javier Castro Director of Adult Initiation

Facilities Manager ------Paulist Ministries Rev. Frank Sabatté www.openingsny.com

To become closer to God; to live a more Christ-like life and to Rev. Dat Tran, CSP guide others to God. Rev. David Dwyer, CSP www.paulist.org/vocation

www.bustedhalo.com Elizabeth Raposo (Catholic candidate for confirmation) 5 DB@BJ?BO 8, 2019 Queridos amigos, Adviento es una temporada de esperanza. Es un tiempo para nosotros mirar hacia la futura venida de Cristo Jesús en su cuerpo glorificado y sacarnos de nuestro tiempo cronológico a la propia ex- istencia eterna de Dios. Tuve la oportunidad de sentarme unos minutos con el cardenal Dolan la semana pasada cuando acepté una invitación del padre paulista Dave Dwyer para aparecer en el programa de televisión católica que presenta, llamado "Conversación con el cardenal Dolan". Mientras esperaba mis 10 minutos de tiempo en el aire, escuché al Cardenal hablar con mi her- mano Paulista de la creencia de la Iglesia en las tres venidas de Cristo; primero en el pasado, se- gundo en nuestro tiempo presente y un tercio final vendrá en el futuro. Parafraseando a Su Emi- nencia, dijo que Cristo vino en la historia, Cristo viene hoy en misterio, y Cristo vendrá nue- vamente en majestad. Como he mencionado en las homilías, no paso mucho tiempo reflexionando sobre la futura venida de Cristo Rey del Universo. Encuentro el concepto tan poderoso e increíble, que me siento tonto tratando de imaginar cómo será esa experiencia. Por supuesto, supongo que estaré alerta a ese evento increíble cuando ocurra, probablemente mucho después de que esté muerto. Pero es el Cristo entre nosotros ahora, en el Cuerpo Místico de Cristo, lo que me da la virtud de la esperanza de Dios. Cuando reflexiono sobre las numerosas formas en que he sido testigo de Cris- to a mi alrededor, sé en mis huesos que Dios no nos ha dejado sino que permanece con nosotros. Es similar a la oración que se atribuye a Patrick, el Apóstol de Irlanda; Cristo delante de mí, Cristo detrás de mí, y así sucesivamente con muchas otras preposiciones direccionales. Siento la presencia de Cristo de muchas maneras, en muchas áreas de mi vida. Pero la verdad es que puedo estar tan ocupado que olvido ser intencional sobre mi conciencia de esta verdad de la presencia de Cristo. Esto es lo que significa la escritura acerca de estar alerta a los signos de los tiempos. Cristo está aquí entre nosotros y necesitamos aprovechar esta increíble gracia, ya que nos ofrece esperanza cuando los caminos del mundo que nos rodea no lo hacen. Entonces, una clave para "tener un buen Adviento" es hacer que el tiempo crezca en la conciencia de cómo la presencia de Dios nos rodea. Espero que cada uno de nosotros pueda aprovechar el tiempo para simplemente sentarse y reflexionar sobre las numerosas formas en que Cristo ha en- trado en nuestra vida. Una de mis mejores prácticas espirituales ocurre mientras me preparo para ir a dormir. Vuelvo durante el día para reflexionar sobre lo que estoy agradecido. Con la misma facilidad podría mirar hacia atrás durante el día y reflexionar sobre cómo Cristo estuvo allí en esos momentos de agradecimiento, pero también en aquellos momentos en que en ese momento, no podía ver la mano de Dios, la presencia de Cristo en medio de todo. Puedo ser como algunas de esas personas que vivieron en el momento en que el Jesús histórico caminó entre nosotros. Puedo estar tan ocupado o tan egocéntrico que no reconozco a Cristo cuando Él está allí. No soy del todo perfecto en esta práctica de estar alerta, pero sé que mi esfuerzo por ser más me acerca más a Dios. Y eso tendrá que ser suficiente. Fr. Rick Walsh, CSP

6 DB@BJ?BO 8, 2019

Receipts: December 1, 2018 December 1, 2019 Parish Stewardship Saturday, December 7—St. Ambrose Collection $9,686 $9,051 8:30am V Grace Railey Faith Direct $4,349 $3,844 5:15pm V Clinton Winant Total $14,035 $12,895 Sunday, December 8– Second Sunday of Advent Christmas Flowers: $340 8:00am Special Intentions for Wence Reyes Thank you for your generosity! 10:00am V Alvin V. Loanzon 12:30pm For the People

5:15pm V Robert O’ Connor

By enrolling in eGiving through Faith Direct you can plan your Monday, December 9—The immaculate Conception of the Blessed giving through the summer so your gifts will reach St. Paul the Virgin Mary Apostle even when 7:30am V Eileen M. Lockwood you cannot, and our ministries can 12:10pm V Adela and Alejandro Valerio continue uninterrupted. Tuesday. December 10 Visit faith.direct/ NY539 or 7:30am V Mary and Al Flowers download the free 12:10pm V Erich Kollmar app and use our Wednesday, December 11– St. Damascus church code: NY539. 7:30am V Robert G. Holodak

Thank you for your continued support of our parish family! 12:10pm V Frances Echavarria Church of Saint Paul the Apostle Thursday, December 12—Our Lady of Guadalupe Fordham Lessons & Carols 7:30am V Linda Graceffo Vorbach Saturday, December 7, 8:00pm 12:10am V Faustin Texidor Ramirez Reconciliation Monday Monday, December 16, 4:00pm-8:00pm Friday, December 13—St. Lucy, Virgin and Martyr Bicentennial Mass for Servant of God Isaac Hecker Wednesday, December 18, 7:30pm Followed By a Reception 7:30am V John Patrick Atkinson

12:10am V John Patrick Hickey Christmas Eve Tuesday, December 24 Children’s Pageant Mass, 5:00pm Saturday, December 14—St. John of the Cross Christmas Concert, 11:00pm Midnight Mass, 12:00am 8:30am V Vincent Marino Christmas Day Wednesday, December 25 5:15pm V Bob Toussaint Masses at 10:00am , 12:30pm (Spanish) Candlelight Mass, 5:15pm Let Us Pray for Our Sick New Year’s Eve Fr. Joe Ciccone, Robert Elgort, Cindy Townsend, Marcia Koutellos, Jim Tuesday, December 31, 6:00pm (Vigil Mass) Gray, Pauline Rasheed, Elaine Viola , Patricia McHugh , Matt Cutshall, Joseph De Acetis, Joseph DeAcetis, Thomas Jordan Aguire

Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God Each week we ask our readers and parishioners to pray for the sick listed in our Wednesday, January 1, 10:00am bulletin. You can add a name by contacting the Parish Center at (212) 265-3495

Paulist Memorials Joseph Duffy (12/9/1917), John E. McGarrity* (12/10/1974), Walter 7 Anthony (12/11/04),George McDermot (12/11/1917), Elias Younan (12/12/1913), Lewis O’Hern (12/12/1930) Newly Renovated Cremation Services Crestwood Funeral Home Pre-Planned Arrangements Affordable Pricing 445 WEST 43RD STREET, NY, NY (212) 245-7575 Serving St. Paul the Apostle Family Owned www.crestwoodcremationfuneral.com Parish Members

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