December 9, 2018
Second Sunday of Advent
Saturday, December, 8, the Holy Mother Church commemorates and celebrates the Church’s dogmatic teaching that the Blessed Mother was given the gift from God of being conceived without original sin. That is to say, that from the moment of her conception, Mary was given the grace not only of freedom from original sin, but of being the only human being other than her Divine Don who lived a life without sin. The Church teaches that the Blessed Mother was given this special Grace of liberation from the effects of sin in part because she would be the Mother of God, she would bear the second person of the Blessed Trinity in her womb for nine months.
As any scholar of the Old Testament could tell us, God could not dwell in the presence of sin. The Virgin Mary was an important part of God’s plan for our salvation. Isaiah, the prophet said of her,“Therefore the Lord Himself will give you this sign: the virgin will be with Child, and bear a son, and shall name him, Immanuel” (Isaiah 7:14). To prepare Mary for her special role as the mother of His Divine Son, God made her free from Original Sin from the moment she was conceived. Mary was in a perfect state of grace from the first moment when she came into being and remained free from sin throughout her life. Because of this, she was able to cooperate in God’s plan for our salvation.
Even though the dogma of the Immaculate Conception was infallibly defined in 1854 by Pope Pius IX, the Immaculate Conception is something that has been believed as a matter of reality in our faith for centuries.
In the year 1846, the Bishops of the United States unanimously chose Our Lady as the patroness of the United States under the title of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception. So, we have a lot to be thankful for.
With our parish built 1848 and named after Our Blessed Virgin Mary by the first pastor, we have a special reason to celebrate this day. Even though many still prefer calling our Church of Mary’s as though we were merged, our wish is that many will always remember the words of the intercessory prayer: “ O Mary conceived with sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.” The Church is asking us this weekend to attend Mass two times, and that is one to fulfill the holy of obligation in honor of Our Blessed Mother and the other, as our regular Sunday Mass. Endeavor to join us in celebrating God’s blessings through Our Immaculate ever-Virgin Mary for our church for 170 years here in Yonkers. As we prepare the way this Second Sunday of Advent, may our Blessed Mother intercede for us.
Pope Francis “ This Advent, make yourself small, make yourself humble, make yourself a servant of others, and the Lord will give you the ability to understand how to make peace.”
Collection: Last Sunday, December 2, 2018 our weekly collection was $3,422
2nd Collection: This Sunday the 2nd collection is for the Retirement Fund for Religious
Next Sunday the 2nd Collection will be our monthly Church Property Insurance collection.
Christmas Flowers: The Christmas Flower Collection helps to defray the cost of decorating our altars for Christmas and the names on the back of your envelopes will be placed on a Christmas plaque in the rear of the church in memory of your loved ones.
- Large Poinsettia Plants: $50.00
- Medium Poinsettia Plants: $25.00
- Small Poinsettia Plants: $20.00
Food Collection: Last Sunday was our monthly food collection for the needy in our community. We are happy to say that we were able to fill 20 bags of food for the needy. As always thank you for your generosity.
Marriages : In order to provide sufficient time for the Marriage Preparation Course, please call the parish office and ask to speak with the pastor at least six months in advance of the wedding.
Parish Membership : Every family or single adult to be considered active members of St. Mary’s must be properly registered in the parish, receiving and regularly using the weekly donation envelopes. Only in this way can the parish issue documents attesting to parish membership and Catholic practice, e.g. a letter to be a Godparent or Sponsor. Also if you have moved and still want to continue as a parishioner of St. Mary’s please stop by the office with your new address so that we may make the appropriate changes. Thank You
December 2018:
15th: Religious Education Classes 9:20 to 11:00 am
22nd: NO Religious Education Classes Christmas Recess
29th: NO Religious Education Classes Christmas Recess
Mass Schedule for the week of
December 9, 2018 to December 16, 2018
Mass are daily at 8:15 and 12:05 in English and in Spanish on Thursdays at 7:00pm
Below are the Special Intentions for this week Sunday, December 9, 2018:
7:30 am– For the Parishioners
9:00 am– Joaquim Neto
Rita Lopez
11:00 am– John Marques
Michael Rodrigues
Monday, December 10, 2018:
8:15 am– Awwad & Therese Hattar
12:05 pm– Joseph Iacovetti
Daughter Angelina
Wednesday, December 12, 2018:
12:05 pm– Charlotte Bonney
Brigid T. Grealish
Thursday, December 13, 2018:
12:05 pm– Dermot Kenny
7:00 pm– Legion of Mary
Friday, December 14, 2018:
12:05 pm– Almecida Ramirez
Sister
Saturday, December 15, 2018:
12:05 pm– The Benedette Family
Granddaughter Angela
5:00 pm– Lavona Borek
Family
7:300 pm– Julia Rodriguez
Children
Sunday, December 16, 2018:
7:30 am– For the Parishioners
9:00am– Joaquim Neto
Rida Lopez
11:00 am– Margret Mary & Anthony Felicissino
Anthony Felicissino