St. Justin the Martyr Roman Catholic Church 975 Fischer Boulevard, Toms River, NJ 08753 SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2019 FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT PARISH OFFICE HOURS: Pastor: Reverend Mark A. Kreder Monday ~ Thursday 9:00 AM to 12:00 Noon and Parochial Vicar: Reverend Daniel Price 1:15 PM to 4:00 PM; Friday 9:00AM-12:00 Noon Deacons: James Campbell; James Gillespie Frederick C. Ebenau, Sr.; REGISTRATION: All are welcome! Sponsorship Pastoral Associate: Deacon James Gillespie letters for the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation or Religious Education: Ellen Noble Matrimony will only be issued to registered Trustees: Jean Glynn, William Anderson parishioners. Please contact the Parish Office to Director of Sacred Music: Angela Petti register and please also notify the Parish Office of a Sacristan: Carol Lewandowski change of address or if you plan to move from the parish so that we may keep our records updated The Altar Bread, which will become the Body of Christ at the Masses celebrated during the week is offered in Loving Memory of MASS INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK Hernan & Marina Arango SUNDAY, December 1 requested by Evette Arango FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT 7:30am Richard Kurtz All Souls The Sanctuary Candle 9:00am Peter Dich Nguyen Justin Peter Mai which burns near the Tabernacle 10:30am Liz Glascow in Church, the reminder of the Lord’s (choir Mass) Julie Beresky Presence in the Most Holy Eucharist, 12Noon Carmine & Mary Granato is offered in Loving Memory of Carmela & Pasquale Cennamo Barbara Pistilli MONDAY, December 2 Advent Weekday requested by Marie Paparazzo 8:30am Marie Wetzel Evette Arango (living) TUESDAY, December 3 MONTHLY FOOD COLLECTION: St. Francis Xavier, Priest 8:30am Alix Nau Every third weekend of the month. Barbara Pistilli WEDNESDAY, December 4 Advent Weekday; St. John Damascene, Priest & Doctor of PARISH OFFICE: 732-270-3980 the Church RELIGIOUS EDUCATION: 732-270-3797 8:30am Domenico Panza PARISH WEBSITE: www.stjustin.org Bobby Skrable THURSDAY, December 5 MASS SCHEDULE: Saturday Vigil: 5:00PM Advent Weekday Sunday: 7:30AM, 9:00AM, 10:30AM, 12:00Noon 8:30am Betty Serafino Monday-Friday:8:30AM; Saturday: 9:30am Mathew Matloob (living) Holy Days: Announced BAPTISM: Parents are required to attend a FRIDAY, December 6 Baptism Preparation Session. Godparents/Sponsors are Advent Weekday; St. Nicholas, Bishop; FIRST FRIDAY invited and strongly encouraged to attend. Please call the 8:30am Purgatorial Society Parish Office as early as possible to make arrangements. SATURDAY, December 7 SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION: St. Ambrose, Bishop & Doctor of the Church Saturdays: At 3:30PM 9:30am People of the Parish 5:00pm Bob Rush INTERESTED IN BECOMING A CATHOLIC? Betty Hermann Adult R.C.I.A. program: Contact Parish Office Children R.C.I.A. program: Contact Religious Ed. SUNDAY, December 8 MARRIAGE: The Sacrament of Marriage requires a SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT time of spiritual preparation. According to the 7:30am Raffaele & Giovannina Padovano Common Policy adopted by the Bishops of New Patricia Huchko Jersey, this preparation requires attendance at a 9:00am Elvira Holzherr marriage preparation program (Pre-Cana) as well as Assunta & Angelo Preziose sessions with the parish deacon or priest. Therefore, 10:30am Preziose & Najarian Families couples should make arrangements at the Parish Office one (choir Mass) Michael Graziano year before the planned wedding date and before finalizing 12Noon Nicholas Collucci any social plans. Susan Dolan MISSION STATEMENT: The goal of Saint Justin the ATTENTION ALL MINISTERS OF LITURGY Martyr Parish is that each member grow in the Grace A Sign-up sheet is posted in the Sacristy, for the 7pm Mass through Jesus Christ, and in so doing cooperate with the for the IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF THE Holy Spirit in giving glory to God, in experiencing the BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, Monday, December 9th, salvation of their soul, and in building up the Body of Christ. Please sign up if you will be attending this Mass 514 page 1 From the Pastor used as a dowry to ‘free’ his eldest daughter; he 1st Sunday of Advent - A did it two more times to ‘redeem’ the other two December 1, 2019 girls. A REALLY SMART SANTA! Bishop Nicholas went JOLLY OLD SAINT to the Council of Nicaea [May-August, 325], NICHOLAS. Santa Claus about 400 miles north of Myra, at which clerics certainly borrowed many and theologians met to debate Arianism, the attributes and practices heresy named after a Priest, Father Arian, who from Saint Nicholas of said Jesus was ONLY HUMAN, NOT DIVINE. If Myra, whose Feast Day is Jesus were not both human and divine, Sacra- December 6. However, ments would lose their grace-filled power; Jesus most children should be would be the blasphemer His critics said He VERY HAPPY that Santa was, as only God can forgive sins or change does NOT use Saint Nick’s Commandments as He did when He said, “It is criteria for giving gifts. For written, but I say...” The Council’s debates, Saint Nicholas only gave to which produced the long Nicene Creed we still children whose families were so destitute and profess, almost verbatim, were often quite heat- poor that - in order to have food and other ed. One ‘rumor,’ devoid of any historical proof, necessities - their parents had to sell them into is that Bishop Nicholas angrily slapped Arian in the face! If so, it was a sign of things to come! slavery or a life of dissipation! More on this after a brief review of Saint Nicholas’ background. HE SUFFERED FOR HIS GOOD WORKS. Until the Born on March 15, 270, in the town of Patara in Edict of Constantine in 313, the persecution of what is now present-day Turkey, where his uncle Christians was rampant. Saint Nicholas was of- served as Bishop, Saint Nicholas served as Bish- ten jailed, tortured and mocked; some say his op of Myra, a town not far from his birthplace. reddish face was caused by being struck in the The few ‘facts’ we have about him suggest he face by those seeking to silence him and stop was the only child of Greek parents who raised him from putting his Faith into action. So, he is him in the Christian faith. His parents died when the Patron Saint of the Innocent or Falsely he was a young man during an epidemic that Accused, Children, Pawnbrokers, Mariners [his ravaged that area, leaving him a sizeable inher- relics were sailed from Turkey to Italy], Repent- itance. He chose to donate his wealth to charity ant Thieves, Archers, Greece, and Russia. so he could serve the Lord and was ordained a [Nicholas was the baptismal name of the first Priest by his Bishop-uncle. After praying the Col- Russian Christian prince, Askold, who lived in lect for the optional Mass offered on his feast the 800’s; Saint Olga had a church named in day, we will tell more about Jolly Old Saint Nick. honor of Saint Nicholas built over Askold’s tomb in Kiev in the 900’s. Collect - Saint Nicholas, Bishop SAINT NICK & SANTA ARE NOT IDENTICAL. No one We humbly implore your mercy, Lord: knows what the real Santa Claus looks like [if protect us in all dangers through the prayers you stay up and peek, he may not leave any of the Bishop Saint Nicholas, that the gifts!], so Saint Nicholas became his ‘model.’ In way of salvation may lie open before us. the 1600’s, Dutch Protestants brought ‘Santa Through our Lord Jesus … for ever and ever. Claus’ to America, they made him look less epis- Amen. copal or bishop-like. His red vestments became more of a regal red robe [it eventually became a APPLES, ORANGES OR BALLS OF GOLD? Among red suit]; his miter or hat retained its form: a the symbols of Saint Nicholas are three or more long, narrow, pointed hat, but became floppy, golden balls, or a bunch of apples or oranges - rather than vertically stiff, and lost the two which all have the same source. As mentioned talens that hang off the back but gained a pom- above, destitute families had little choice but to pom; and he lost his crozier; some say red and offer their children as slaves or even prostitutes white candy canes represent a Bishop’s staff. in order to feed and care for them. It is said that Saint Nicholas, pray for us. May God grant us a Bishop Nicholas ‘bought’ the three daughters of spiritually uplifting and fulfilling Advent! a distraught man who was about to make the In Christ, horrific decision to sell them. So, he tossed 3 bags of gold through the man’s window to be 514 page 2 Readings for the Week of December 1, 2019 RELIGIOUS EDUCATION NEWS Monday: Is 4:2-6; Ps 122:1-2, 3-4b, 4cd-5, 6-7, 8-9; Mt 8:5-11 Tuesday: Is 11:1-10; Ps 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17; Lk 10:21-24 Important Dates for December/January Wednesday: Is 25:6-10a; Ps 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6; Mt 15:29-37 Thursday: Is 26:1-6; Ps 118:1, 8-9, 19-21, 25-27a; Mt 7:21, 24 December 13th Epiphany Pageant Practice – -27 4:30-6:00pm – Parish Hall Friday: Is 29:17-24; Ps 27:1, 4, 13-14; Mt 9:27-31 December 23rd – Saturday: Is 30:19-21, 23-26; Ps 147:1-2, 3-4, 5-6; Mt 9:35 — January 2nd NO CLASSES 10:1, 5a, 6-8 January 6th Classes will resume Sunday: Is 11:1-10; Ps 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17; Rom 15:4-9; Mt January 10th Epiphany Pageant Dress Rehearsal 3:1-12 4:30-6:30pm – Parish Hall January 11th Epiphany Pageant – Following St.