As we prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving, we cannot help but recognize the needs of the poor as part of our desire to reach out to the hungry and homeless. The generosity of so many of you has been inspiring.
Recently, Fr. John and I, along with some members of the Peace and Justice Committee, visited the Memorial Church of God in Christ on Buck Lane. This was merely a casual visit to get to know the Pastor and his associates as fellow Christians and neighbors. During our sharing about our various ministries and activities, we discovered that they have a very extensive food pantry that has been serving the neighborhood both near and far for many years. Once we witnessed this reality, it became clear to us that our efforts to also house a food pantry were dwarfed by them in both size, available goods, and services.
Beginning December 1, 2021, our parish will no longer have our food pantry but will merge our efforts to feed the poor with the Memorial Church of God in Christ. Their food pantry allows for various items, including meats, frozen food, produce, and dairy products. The proximity of this pantry and the number of food items available will better serve the needs of the few families that come to our door periodically.
As a parish and neighbor to this church community, we will continue to provide items for their pantry along with two other pantries that we have helped over the years. I encourage all of you to continue to bring in nonperishable food items as our contribution to these various food pantries as a way for us to continue responding to the Corporal Works of Mercy. Those who were coming to our pantry will be well cared for at the Memorial Church of God in Christ as we continue to provide food along with other necessities throughout the year.
As we give thanks to the Lord this year for our many blessings, let us continue to share our bounty with those in need during this holiday season. May the Lord continue to bless our parish community and all of you for your generosity. Please join us for a special Thanksgiving Mass on Thursday, November 25 at 9:00 AM, as we give praise and thanks to our God.
Father Joe
Thanksgiving Family Mass 9:00 AM
Thursday, November 25.
Let us all begin our day giving thanks to the God who created the bounty that we all share.
Blessing of the Advents Wreaths
If you have or plan to have an Advent Wreath in your home, please bring them to Mass next weekend, November 27th and 28th, and they will be blessed along with the Advent Wreath that will adorn our church for this special liturgical season.
Coming Soon – beginning January 9, 2022, we will be adding a 7:00 pm Mass to our Sunday schedule. All are welcome.
Our Christmas Mass schedule is as follows:
December 24--Christmas Eve—Morning Masses at 6:30 & 8:00 AM
6:00 PM Children’s Liturgy
9:00 PM Solemn Celebration of Christmas
December 25—Christmas Day
Masses are at 8:00 & 10:00 AM
There will be NO evening Mass at 5:00 PM
December 26—Holy Family Sunday
Masses –7:30, 9:30, 11:15 AM
ANNUAL BREAKFAST WITH SANTA!
All parishioners are invited to join us for Breakfast with Santa on Sunday, December 5, from 8 am to 11 am. Join us for pancakes, sausage, and more! Enjoy creating a Christmas Ornament for the tree at the Monastery, writing a card to a shut-in, making reindeer food, and of course, voting for your favorite Gingerbread house! Finish the morning up by attending the 11:15 Mass.
All are welcome!
THANKSGIVING AND
CHRISTMAS ASSISTANCE
Once again, our parish is reaching out to those in our parish who may find themselves in need of assistance this holiday season. We are able to help by providing Thanksgiving meals for those who may not have the means, we are also able to provide some assistance for meals and gifts at Christmas. If you find yourself in need of any of this kind of help, please contact Karen at 610-525-0147(call), 610-864-8538 (text), or kcarey@omgcparish.net (email), or Fr Joe or Fr John at the parish office. Please know that all names and information is kept confidential.
The gift givers do not ever know the giftees.
PROJECT ELF
Our parish is once again running our PROJECT ELF Program to offer assistance to our own parishioners who may need some food and gift assistance at Thanksgiving and Christmas. If you find yourself blessed to be able to give food, financial or gift giving assistance during this upcoming holiday season, please contact Karen at 610-525-0147(call), 610-864-8538 (text), or kcarey@omgcparish.net (email).
RCIA
Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults
If you know someone 16 years or older interested in becoming a Roman Catholic or completing their Christian Initiation into the Catholic Church,
please contact Roger Pisani, Pastoral Associate,
at rpisani@omgcparish.net or
call him at (610) 525-0147 x.234.
Our lessons can be virtual when necessary.
PREP SCHEDULE
November 21 - PREP Class - 8:50 am
CONFIRMATION CLASS - 2:30 -3:45 PM
November 28 - NO CLASS
December 5 - NO CLASS - BREAKFAST WITH SANTA 8 AM - 11 AM - Attend 11:15 Mass
December 12 - ALL STUDENTS CLASS (FAMILY CATECHESIS INCLUDED) 8:50 AM
CONFIRMATION CLASS 3:45 - 5:00 pm
December 19 - PREP Class 8:50 am
December 26-January 5 - Christmas Break
Youth Group Gatherings
Our Youth Group is happy to be starting up again after a long year and a half! Youth Group is open to any student in grades 6-12. Please check the following dates, times, and events! Join us when you can! Just please let us know when you are coming so we have enough food!
Wednesday, December 1, 6 pm to 7 pm - Final Preparations for Breakfast with Santa!
Sunday, December 5, 7:30 am to 11 am - BREAKFAST WITH SANTA
Wednesday, December 15, 6 pm-7 pm - New Year’s Resolutions…. Crafting Activity.
YOUTH HELP NEEDED!!!
Our parish will be hosting our Annual Breakfast with Santa on Sunday, December 5 from 8 AM until 11 AM. We need many students grades 6th through 12 to assist us and Santa! We need help with crafts, serving food, printing pictures with Santa. Students are asked to dress as elves. Please come to a planning meeting on Thursday evening, November 18 from 6 PM to 7 PM. Dinner will be provided in the meeting! Please contact Karen at 610-525-0147 to respond yes, you will be coming!
NEEDED IMMEDIATELY
Our Parish CYO needs Boys,
Junior Varsity Boys Coaches!!
If you or someone you know would like to volunteer to help coach our
Junior Varsity Boys "B" team in CYO basketball, please contact Karen Carey at kcarey@omgcparish.net as soon as possible.
Time commitment is about one or two one-hour practices a week,
and games are held on Saturdays and Sundays.
The season starts very soon so, please consider helping us out!
*Background checks are required.
SENIOR GATHERING TOMORROW!
Join us for our next Gathering on Friday, November 19 from 12 to 2 pm!
Join us for snacks and Thanksgiving!
PRINCIPAL ACCOMPANIST NEEDED
(Part-Time)
Would you like to put your musical gifts to use serving as a central part of a growing, vibrant music ministry in a supportive Catholic community? Consider the position of Principal Accompanist here at Our Mother of Good Counsel Catholic Church.
The Accompanist contributes to the liturgy by providing high-quality organ and piano music, and by collaborating with the Director of Music Ministries in the overall music program at Our Mother of Good Counsel Catholic Church. This position reports directly to the Director of Music Ministries.
MUSICAL RESPONSIBILITIES
Weekend/Holy Day liturgies throughout the year as established by the Pastor & Director of Music Ministries
Accompanist for weekly choir rehearsals
Principal accompanist for Weddings (schedule permitting – stipend will be paid by the couple)
Availability for funerals a plus KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, and ABILITIES
Excellent organ/piano skills
Skill with electronic musical instruments (such as synthesizers) a plus
Ability to work within a music ensemble
Knowledge of the structure of Roman Catholic Liturgy, especially Sunday Eucharist and Liturgy of the Hours
Broad repertoire of Catholic liturgical music
Proficiency in working with email
Proficiency in verbal, non-verbal communication, written composition, and active listening skills
Ability and interest in working as a positive team member with colleagues and members of the church community
Ability to provide excellent pastoral presence and work effectively with staff and clergy
Ability to organize, prioritize, and utilize effective time management techniques
Ability to follow instructions furnished in verbal or written format
Please send resumé to Roger Pisani, Director of Music Ministries/Pastoral Associate, at rpisani@omgcparish.net.
OMGC PART-TIME HELP NEEDED
We are looking for help in the evenings and weekends opening and closing the gym. Duties include light cleaning and sanitizing, opening the gym for the coaches and locking up at the end of the night. Background checks will be required, and the schedule is flexible. Call Joe Carey at 610-525-0147 ext. 262, or email jcarey@omgcparish.net.
Meet Your Crèche:
A Spiritual Practice
with
John Shea.
Thursdays, December 2 & 9, 2021
7pm-8:30pm (90 minutes)
This program will be held on the Zoom platform
It’s Christmas. Time to find your crèche, dust it off, and set it up.
But, with a little effort, this might be more than just one more decorating touch.
Putting up the crèche can be a spiritual practice.
All the figures are symbolic players.
They have something to say to us, something that focuses on our experience,
and brings wisdom and beauty into our lives.
Join us in this practice.
It will bring Christmas into the place it is meant to be – your home.
On December 2, we will listen to the wisdom and beauty
of the angels, shepherds, and the Wise Men.
On December 9, we will listen to the wisdom and beauty
of Joseph, Mary, and the child.
John (Jack) Shea is a consultant with decades of experience in providing theological and formation services to parishes and faith-based organizations. He has published over twenty books of theology and spirituality, three works of fiction, and three books of poetry.
He has served as the Executive Director of Program Design and Implementation for the Ministry Leadership Center; the Advocate Healthcare Senior Scholar in Residence at the Park Ridge Center for the Study of Health, Faith and Ethics; research professor at the Institute of Pastoral Studies at Loyola University of Chicago; and Professor of Systematic Theology and Director of the Doctor of Ministry program at the University of St. Mary of the Lake. He has also taught at the University of Notre Dame and Boston College.
You must register in advance for this program.
You are invited to gather at the parish social center
to participate in the program as a group via Zoom
with people from around the country.
Suggested donation $15 per session or free-will offering.
This program is sponsored by Sacred Doorways,
part of the Institute for Liturgical and Spiritual Formation,
a 501(c)3 non-profit organization
serving the Catholic Church since 1993.
To register, send your name, preferred email address and phone number to sacreddoorwaysnj@gmail.com.
