Once again Christmas is here. During the Advent Season we were called by the Church to prepare a way for the Lord, to make His paths straight, to prepare ourselves to celebrate the Solemnity of the Nativity of Jesus Christ. And now it is already here. Have we heeded the call of the Church? Have we properly prepared ourselves to worthily commemorate this special day?

Each year as we celebrate Christmas, we cannot help but contemplate how Almighty God chose the wonderful event of His incarnation to happen. God chose the Blessed Virgin Mary to be the mother of Jesus. We know that Mary accepted the role for which Almighty God had chosen her and our Lord was conceived of the Holy Spirit. Do you remember how excited you were about Christmas when you were young? As adults we need to have that same spirit of excitement and anticipation that children always seen to have.

Dear brothers and sisters, at Christmas let us make time for Jesus. As you break the Christmas wafers – opłatek during the vigil supper and on Christmas Day, remember that we celebrate the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ and that we are to share the Good News and His love with each another. May the Child of Bethlehem be the center of all of our celebrations and festivities this year. May Jesus Christ bring you hope, love, joy, and peace. Have a blessed Christmas and may the New Year 2012 be a happy and healthy one for you and your families.

Rev. Gregory Młudzik and family.

Christmas Wafers/Opłatki are available in the Parish Hall.

As in the past, we will be having our Remembrance Tree. Bring an ornament with a loved one’s name on it and hang it on the tree during the Christmas Eve or Christmas morning Holy Mass.

Christmas Holy Mass schedule

Saturday, December 24, 2011. Christmas Eve.

11:00PM – Caroling by Choir
11:20PM – Blessing of Manager, etc.
11:30PM Shepherd’s Holy Mass/Pasterka for God’s blessing upon all parishioners.

Sunday, December 25, 2011 – Christmas Day.

9:30AM Nativity Holy Mass.
11:00AM Polska Msza. Boże Narodzenie.

Monday, December 26, 2011 – St. Stephen’s Day.

7:00PM Holy Mass.

Tuesday, December 27, 2011 – St. John Evangelist.

7:00PM Holy Mass. Wine will be blessed before Mass and will be distributed following communion.

Saturday, December 31, 2011. Solemnity – Holy Family (New Year’s Eve)

7:00PM Holy Mass of Thanksgiving for the closing of the Year of 2011

Sunday, January 01, 2012 – Solemnity – Circumcision of our Lord (New Year’s Day)

11:00AM Holy Mass for God’s blessing upon all parishioners in the coming New Year 2012.

Thanksgiving Food Drive: A table has been set up in the church vestibule for our annual Thanksgiving food drive. Please bring in your donation of canned and non-perishable goods by Sunday, November 20th. God bless your generosity.

PNU District Convention: The District Convention of the Polish National Union of America, “Spójnia,” will be held Saturday, November 19th at 2:30 PM in the auditorium of our Parish.

Interfaith Thanksgiving Service: On behalf of the Ecumenical Committee of Passaic, I am inviting you to this year`s annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Service which will be held at St. Anthony of Padua R.C. church, 95 Myrtle Ave. Passaic, on Sunday, November 20th at 3:30 PM.

Pierogi Sale: Our pre-Christmas pierogi sale will be held on Saturday, December 10th , 2011. You may place your orders with Linda Zulkowski after church or by calling 201-791-9272 on or before December 8th. Smacznego!!!

Members of the Parish and Wallington’s Polonia participated in prayers led by Fr. Gregory Młudzik during the wreath laying and prayer service ceremony in front of the General Kazimierz Pułaski Monument on Main Ave. in Wallington on Saturday, October 1st. In attendance were the Pułaski Parade 2011 Wallington Marshals, Ela and Dariusz Pawluczuk, the 2011 Miss Polonia Monika Jankowicz, and the 2011 Junior Miss Polonia Kristina Kowalski.

The service was led by the Most Reverend Francis A. Chullikatt, Apostolic Nuncio and Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations and was attended by members of various Churches who joined in prayer for the work of the United Nations.

Rt. Rev. John Mack of the Central Diocese of the Polish National Catholic Church, accompanied by Fr. Gregory attended the service. The Orthodox Church in America was represented by Metropolitan Jonah along with Archimandrite Christopher [Calin], Dean of Holy Virgin Protection Cathedral, New York, NY; Protodeacon Joseph Matusiak, Secretary to the Metropolitan, and Mr. Michael Zachariades, Assistant to the Metropolitan. His Eminence Mor Cyril Aphrem Karimx of the Syriac Orthodox Church of Antioch was represented by Very Rev. Fr. Shamoun Asmar and Rev Fr. Aziz Hadodo.

This year’s ceremonies were particularly special due to the presence of The UN Secretary General, His Excellency Mr. Ban Ki-moon, who addressed the audience on the solemn 10th Anniversary of the attacks on the World Trade Center.

A Halloween Party, sponsored by the S.O.C.L. will be held on Sunday, October 30th from 4 to 7 PM. There will be games, prizes, and good food. All are invited. A free will donation will be collected.

The BBQ will support recovery of items lost in our church and rectory. Our parish property and grounds were spared from the effects of the recent storms. We did, however, suffer sewage backflow in the church hall and rectory resulting in the loss of a myriad of supplies, carpets, rugs, and equipment. In no way does it compare with the losses some of our parishioners suffered in their homes! Through the help of several of our parishioners, we were able to clean some to the dirt to make the hall usable for parish functions and activities. Anyone wishing to contribute to the clean-up project can make a Christian contribution to the parish. In an act of Christian Brotherhood perhaps you might send a check to provide chicken dinners for those who suffered tremendous loss of property, clothing and furniture. A check of $16 (2 dinners) $32 (4 dinners) $64 (8 dinners), or a better idea, order the dinners–Pay for them–pick them up and deliver them yourself to those you know are in need.