CHRIST THE REDEEMER PARISH E-NEWSLETTER N°27 - December 2017
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CHRIST THE REDEEMER PARISH
98 South 2nd Ave.
Manville, NJ 08835
Phone: (908) 725-0072
www.CTRmanville.com
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Holy Family, stained glass from Christ the King Church.
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Dear Parishioners and Friends,
Someone has said that Advent is the season for recovering lost dreams. I like that. This year's Advent taught us to listen to God's voice and fill our hearts and minds with God's dream for ourselves, our families, our country and the world. That dream was announced by the angels at Jesus' birth: Peace on earth to all people of goodwill.
During the last few weeks many dreams come true. The list below reflects only some, but the most important parish activities that took place since our last issue of "Redeemer's Family"
We had great Prayer Services for the deceased during the entire month of November. That prayer not only showed our love to our deceased brothers and sisters but also our faith in Jesus and the eternal life to which we aspire.
The dreams of many who came to Parish Fall Dance. They had a wonderful time with friends, family members and fellow parishioners enjoying tasty food, music and dancing all night. (see the pictures)
Like every year on the fourth Thursday in November we gather for a day of feasting, football and family. While today's Thanksgiving celebrations would likely be unrecognizable to attendees of the original 1621 harvest meal, it continues to be a day for Americans to come together around the table with the spirit of gratitude for all that we have and whom we are.
This year around Thanksgiving we conducted the first "step" in our "Take a Step" Campaign around Thanksgiving. Our goal is to increase the weekly offertory collection and participation in parish life that so our big dream about a vibrant CTR Parish can materialized. Without resources nothing can be accomplished so if you did not respond to my plea please do so, your CTR Parish needs you!
Our Ministry Dinner on December 11th, sponsored by CTR Parish gathered almost 100 active parishioners who, during the year, work hard, hand in hand, to build our parish, sacrificing their time, talent and treasure. During that time our new 2018 Parish calendar was presented with lots of information and photos of our parish activities.
Our Advent retreats once again renewed our faith and helped us to reconcile with God and each other so that our dream about Kingdom of God continues to inspire all people who await not only the Christmas celebration (Jesus' first coming) but also prepares us for His second coming on the last day.
Summary of Fr. Ciya's Advent Retreat >>
I want to encourage you to hope and dream big all the time especially during forthcoming Christmas season. During this Christmas season let's gather for worship and fill our hearts and minds with God's Word and dream God's dreams for the world. Join us on Holy Family Sunday (December 31) to celebrate milestones in the married life of our parishioners. Let's dream together and work together so that our dreams come true for the sake of God's Glory! May our Lord Jesus Christ, born in Bethlehem, bless you, your families and loved ones at this blessed time of hope and grace. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year of 2018!
With Prayer,
Fr. Stan
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Christmas Eve, Sunday (Dec. 24)
7:00 AM - Mass in Polish at SH
8:30 AM - Mass in English at CtK
10:00 AM - Mass in English at SH
11:30 AM - Mass in Polish at SH
4:00 PM - Vigil Mass in English at SH
(Children and Parents)
10:00 PM - Midnight Mass in English at CtK
12:00 AM - Midnight Mass in Polish at SH
Christmas Day, Monday (Dec. 25)
7:00 AM - Mass in Polish at SH
8:30 AM - Mass in English at CtK
10:00 AM - Mass in English at SH
11:30 AM - Mass in Polish at SH
Holy Family, Sunday (Dec. 31)
7:00 AM - Mass in Polish at SH
8:30 AM - Mass in English at CtK
8:30 AM - Mass in English at SH
10:00 AM - Mass in English at SH
10:30 AM - Mass in English at CtK
11:30 AM - Mass in Polish at SH
New Year's Day, Monday (Jan. 1)
7:00 AM - Mass in Polish at SH
8:30 AM - Mass in English at CtK
10:00 AM - Mass in English at SH
11:30 AM - Mass in Polish at SH
On December 2nd, a bus load of CTR parishioners ventured to Lancaster, PA to see the annual Christmas Story Play at the Sights and Sounds Theater. Mrs. Mary Ann Urbaniak, the organizer of the event, greeted us as we boarded the bus and helped us pass the time with a 50-50 raffle, and Bingo. Upon arrival, we entered the theater and had a few minutes to have a snack and checkout the gift shop for possible Christmas presents or souvenirs.
The play was amazing with live animals, flying angels, multi-stage performances, and super talented actors, singers, and dancers. Our day ended with a family-style dinner at an Amish restaurant. The menu was extensive and all a person could possibly eat. Many thanks to Mrs. Urbaniak, whose hard work made the day a resounding success.
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Why do priests visit our homes at Christmas time?
- To bless them in the name of Christ and pray for your families.
- To meet with you in your homes and talk about your joys and concerns.
How do we prepare for the home blessing?
1. On a clean table in the living room place a cross, candles (or a candle), a Bible and a small bowl or a plate of holy water (holy water is available in the vestibules of our churches).
2. If there are any children who attend our CCD Program, have them prepare their Progress Books.
3. With chalk, the priest writes C+M+B 2018 on the main entrance door (for the Three Kings: Caspar, Melchior, Balthazar or "Christus mansionem benedicat" – Christ blesses this home).
4. All present in the house take part in the blessing, not just one family member.
5. If no one is at home, the priest will leave a card in your mailbox. You may call the parish office and make arrangements to have the priest return. Out of town parishioners must make an appointment. Out of town visits will take place in the second half of January.
We look forward to meeting with you, blessing your home, sharing prayer and conversation, and listening to your observations of and any suggestions for our Christ the Redeemer Parish.
Your Redemptorist Parish Priests,
Fr. Stanisław Słaby – Pastor
Fr. Wojciech Kusek and
Fr. Marcin Zubik – Associate Pastors
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| THE IMPORTANCE OF STEWARDSHIP IN MAINTAINING STRENGTH FOR CTR PARISH |
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One of the ministries in our parish is stewardship. Their mission is to plan and execute social and fund raising events. Some of their many jobs include the Caritas program, summer festival, parish picnic, Mega Raffle, dances, online giving, and "Take a Step Campaign". All of these activities would not take place without the volunteers who devote much time and effort to help the needy, provide opportunities for our parish family to come together, and develop creative means of assisting with the financial support needed in our parish.
As a partner in stewardship, you increase your participation in our church and bring yourself closer to God, who has blessed you with many gifts and talents. One way to begin your stewardship, during this season of giving, is by enrolling in the "Take a Step Campaign". There are several ways to do this. If you are currently giving a certain percentage of your income in the weekly parish envelope, consider increasing it by a percentage. For example, if you donate 2%, perhaps you can afford 3%. Another possibility is to sacrifice an extra $5 each week. If every family or parishioner did this, we could eliminate the parish debt! What a relief that would be for everyone.
As the New Year approaches and we reflect on the past year, we think about how God has cared for us. We remember the joys in our lives and smile. We consider the crosses we may have had to bear. We pray for God to continue to bless us and be with us in 2018. We must also remember that our spiritual health is bolstered by CTR Parish, the devotion of our priests, deacons, office staff, and volunteers. Let's keep our parish healthy by providing the financial support necessary to continue the multitude of programs and liturgical celebrations we have enjoyed in the past.
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| HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE REDEMPTORISTS! |
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In 2017, the 285th anniversary of the founding of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer—the Redemptorists was celebrated on November 9th. Below is a short history of the founding of the Redemptorists up to the present taken from redemptorist.net. where you can go to find more information.
On this day in 1732 St. Alphonsus Liguori and his first companions professed their vows as Redemptorists and began their mission to preach the Good News of God's boundless love for all people. They took to heart the words of Isaiah "to bring glad tidings to the poor . . . to proclaim liberty to captives . . . to let the oppressed go free."
The congregation's first few years were difficult, and most of St. Alphonsus' first confreres left him within a year or two. But the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer soon took root and spread throughout the world.
By 1787 Redemptorists had crossed the Alps and established a community in Poland. By 1820 they'd made their way to France.
In 1832 the first six Redemptorists arrived in North America. In 1859 the first sons of St. Alphonsus arrived in South America.
They spread to Australia in 1882, Africa in 1899, the Caribbean in 1902, and the Philippines in 1906. Redemptorists entered Vietnam in 1925 and China in 1928. In 1948, there were Redemptorists in Japan, and by 1952 they'd arrived in Lebanon.
Siberia saw its first Redemptorists in 1956, and Iraq welcomed them in 1962. Missions began in Madagascar in 1967, in Nigeria in 1987, Russia in 1993, and Ghana in 1994.
Now more than 5,500 Redemptorist priests and brothers in 82 countries worldwide continue St. Alphonsus' mission: preaching the Good News of Jesus Christ, serving the poor and most spiritually abandoned, welcoming the stranger, and—since 1866—promoting devotion to Our Mother of Perpetual Help.
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PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS TO THE REDEMPTORIST FAMILY
Provident God,
you spoke your dream of plentiful redemption in Jesus Christ.
Your Spirit ignited the heart of St. Alphonsus,
inspiring him to found a family in the Church
dedicated to proclaiming the good news
of plentiful redemption to the most abandoned.
Raise up among us
strong men and women of faith,
afire with love for you
and zeal for the mission of proclaiming your word
among those who do not know you,
or who need to hear your word proclaimed anew.
Guide men to respond with generosity
as vowed Redemptorist priests and brothers
and laywomen and men to serve in joy and hope
as partners in the Redemptorist mission.
We ask this in the name of Jesus,
your Word, who is our Life.
Amen
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| IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY |
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What is exactly is the Catholic explanation of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary?
Every year on December 8th, we celebrate the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary by attending Mass (a holy day of obligation) and honoring her, but have you ever thought or researched exactly what this feast means? The Catholic Church teaches that the Blessed Virgin Mary was conceived free from original sin. Although she was conceived through the normal human means and came from the womb of her mother, Saint Anne, God interceded and kept her soul immaculate. Many people think the Immaculate Conception refers to the birth of Jesus. That, however, is incorrect and is explained by the Doctrine of Incarnation.
The proclaimed Roman Catholic dogma states, "that the most Blessed Virgin Mary, in the first instance of her conception, by a singular grace and privilege granted by Almighty God, in view of the merits of Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the human race, was preserved free from all stain of original sin."
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| NEW YEAR'S EVE GALA |
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click here to enlarge
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You are cordially invited to a NEW YEAR'S EVE GALA sponsored by Polish Falcons Nest 946 and our Polish School on Sunday, December 31, 2017 from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. at the Polish Falcons Polanka, 140 Falcon Road in Hillsborough, NJ.
Tickets are on sale at $110 per person.
Dance music will be provided by DJ Tomsky and the gala will feature an open bar, buffet dinner, snacks, desserts, champagne at midnight, hats, noisemakers and more.
Anyone wishing to reserve tickets or tables may call Adam at 973-220-5104
Tickets:
B&L Market 221 N. 10th Ave. Manville
Lampol Travel, 312 S. Main St., Manville
European Deli, 262 S. Main St., Manville
Halinka Polish Deli, 438 Route 206 S.,
Hillsborough
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What did Adam say on the day before Christmas?
It's Christmas, Eve!
What kind of Christmas tree comes from Hawaii?
"O Tanning Palms"!
What do wild animals sing at Christmastime?
Jungle bells, jungle bells, jungle all the way!
What's the favourite Christmas Carol of new parents?
Silent Night!
Where do mistletoe go to become famous?
"Holly" wood!
What did one Christmas light say to the other Christmas light?
You light me up!
A Christmas thought:
STRESSED is just DESSERTS spelled backward.
Share your opinion with us. Please let as know what would you like to read
in our next month's newsletter.
Please email us at: RFnews@CTRmanville.com
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2018 CTR Parish Calendar (27MB)
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Created by inter-works for Christ the Redeemer Parish
PO Box 924, Manville, NJ 08835
Phone:(908) 725-0072 www.CTRmanville.com
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