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WELCOME TO SAINT SIMONChristmas Eve Mass (5pm - 8pm - 10pm) & Christmas Day Mass (10am) -
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From Fr. RichToday is Gaudete Sunday, the midpoint of Advent. The name means rejoice. We rejoice because the tone of advent changes from that of dwelling on the end of times to focus on the birth of the Savior. The O antiphons start on December 17th, they are the titles used for Jesus in O Come, O Come, Emmanuel. These are sung in the Liturgy of the Hours. The color of the vestment is old rose as we move away from the somber purple. The scriptures dwell on the coming of Jesus into the world. December 12th is the Feast of our Lady of Guadeloupe the patroness of the Americas, this Feast commemorates the appearance of our Lady to Juan Diego asking that a church be built in her honor. To convince the Bishop to build the church, Mary told Juan Diego to pick the roses blooming nearby and show them to the Bishop. Juan Diego carried the roses in in his cape. When he opened the cape, the roses fell to the ground and on it was a picture of a pregnant Mary dressed in Native American dress. This is the only appearance of the Blessed Mother in the Americas to date. So as we draw closer to the Feast of the Nativity of the Lord, let us prepare ourselves by going to Confession at the Parish Penance Service on December 12th from 5:00-7:00PM and praying the rosary each day to honor Mary and Jesus.
Volunteers are always needed for collection counters, lectors, choir members, ushers and hospitality; please consider one of these.
We need to realize that the parish is a community of people of all ages and talents so please step up to serve. Email [email protected] or call the rectory office at (973) 697-4699.
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