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200 MONMOUTH ROAD, ELIZABETH, NJ 07208 + 908-351-4444
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS
The Knights of Columbus is a fraternal organization for Catholic men. All men of the parish are invited to join. For information please contact : Council 253 at (908) 355-2253 or Chris at (908) 351-4444.
CHRISTMAS SCHEDULE
- Saturday, Dec 14—Outdoor Crib Blessing / After 5:30pm Mass (weather permitting)
- Wednesday, Dec 18—Christmas Confessions 7pm / (until all are heard)
- Saturday, Dec 21—1pm Final Christmas Confessions
- Tuesday, Dec 24—(Morning) 8am Mass
- Tuesday, Dec 24—Christmas Eve—4pm Vigil,
- Wednesday, Dec 25—7:30, 9, 10:30, 12 Noon
- Thursday, Dec 26—8am Mass only
- Tuesday, Dec 31—(Morning 8am Mass)
- Tuesday, Dec 31—(New Year’s Eve) - 5:30pm Mass
- Wednesday, January 1—8am, 10:30 (No Evening Mass)
GIVING TREE
Dear Parishioners,
We will be participating in providing gifts for our clients during this Holiday Season for St. Joseph’s in Elizabeth. If you can take a tag and purchase a gift of a warm top and bottom for the children and a $25 gift card (Visa, American Express or Walmart preferred) for adults. Children’s gifts should be placed unwrapped, price tags attached, in large Christmas gift bags with our labels stapled to the upper right corner. Gift cards should be placed in envelopes with our labels affixed to the front.
We also welcome any other donations of extra Christmas gift bags, tissue paper, and smaller items such as toiletries, socks, and winter accessories that we will add to the gifts you provide. Please return your gift to Church by Sunday, December 15th. Thank you for making someone’s Christmas a little brighter.
Dear Parishioner,
Like a trusted friend who shows up precisely on time whenever you need them, the Second Sunday of Advent always brings forth the person of John the Baptist. At this time of year, he becomes one of the central figures in the Gospel and his call to repentance and preparation rings forth in our ears like the clarion call of a trumpet.
These are two vitally important words and I call your attention to the fact that they are closely associated with each other. The best way we can prepare for the coming of the Lord, both past and future, is to repent of our sins, celebrate sacramental reconciliation and rebuild our relationship with God and each other. In the madness of the next few weeks, when we spend so
much time and money getting ready to celebrate a day, how much time will we spend getting ready for eternity? In case you forget, we celebrate Reconciliation each Saturday at 1:00 p.m. here in church. Also, on Wednesday evening, December 18 we will have a special time at 7:00 p.m. for anyone who wishes to
unburden their hearts of sin. See you soon!
Please remember that next weekend we will again host the Little Bethlehem Christian woodcarvers who will have a spectacular selection of hand carved olive wood items for sale. Their proceeds go to assist our Christian brothers and sisters in the Holy Land who are so dependent upon tourism for their livelihoods. With the ongoing strife in the area, tourism and pilgrimages have evaporated and they are in dire need. Even if you have no intention of buying anything, please visit them and admire the artistry and beauty of their products. They will make great Christmas presents.
Lastly, thank you to the Helping Hands Group for sponsoring this Sunday’s wonderful cookie stroll. It takes a lot of work for this to happen, and I know how much everyone will enjoy it please be sure to stop downstairs!
Fr. Armand
CAFÉ GEN’S IS BACK!
The communal experience of Mass is continued downstairs in the church hall at Café Genevieve. Please come down after the 9:00 and 10:30 Masses to enjoy coffee, tea or juice and a bagel, roll or pastry with your family, friends, and future friends.
Children of all ages are invited to enjoy games, puzzles, coloring pages, craft projects and other activities during Café Genevieve in Karen’s Corner. These supervised activities are provided after the 10:30 Mass until noon each week. Please join us!
If any organization, family or group of friends would like to host Café Genevieve two or three times each year, please contact Dan Bernier at 908-451-1948 and he will fit you into the schedule.
BECOMING CATHOLIC
If you or someone you know is interested in joining the Catholic church, or was baptized Catholic but never received Confirmation or First Communion and would like to find out how, please contact the Rectory at (908)351-4444. Thank you.
WE’RE SCOUTING FOR UNIFORMS
Do you have a Cub Scout or Boy Scout uniform hanging in your closet that is not used anymore? Please consider donating it to the uniform exchange. Through this uniform exchange, the Scouting program at St. Gen’s helps to ease that burden for its member families. Scouts are often able to find a shirt, pants, belt,
hat, neckerchief or neckerchief slide that has been donated by a former member, or by a current member who has outgrown the uniform. Donations can be placed at any time in the American flag retirement box next to Webby’s Wood Shed, behind the church Rectory. For more details please contact Dan Bernier, Scoutmaster at (908)451-1948 or webfoottroop@gmail.com
Webby’s Wood Shed is back! You can stock up on firewood now for your Chimenea in your backyard or for roasting marshmallows for S’mores while you relax after a cool Fall day. You can get well-seasoned split hardwood logs right here at St. Gen’s for half of what you pay in the supermarket. And at the same time, you will be supporting the camping program of Boy Scout Troop 23. Help yourself from Webby’s Wood Shed, located behind the Rectory near the garages that face Livingston Road.
BOY SCOUTS TO SELL WREATHS
The Boy Scouts of St. Genevieve’s Troop 23 are again selling Christmas wreaths and grave blankets. The items will be on sale in the church parking lot after all Sunday Masses until Dec 15.
CANDLELIGHT CAROL SING
The 53rd annual Candlelight Carol Sing will be held at the Cathedral Basilica on Wednesday, December 18th and Thursday, December 19th at 8pm (two performances). Doors open at 7pm both nights. Christmas music in several languages will be sung by the Cathedral Choir with the assembly, and will be accompanied by the great Cathedral organs and brass ensemble. Free-will donation. For more info call 973-484-2400 , or visit: www.cathedralbasilica.org.
SUMMER VACATION!
If you are already actively preparing your plans for summer 2025, or just open to ideas, I have a great suggestion for you! After last summers wonderful trip to Greece and Turkey, this year we are offering something somewhat closer to home, a bit less expensive and a lot cooler: The Wonders of Alaska! From July 9-21, 2025 why not join some of your fellow parishioners and new friends on a wonderful 11 day cruise to the awesome beauty that is our 49th state, Alaska.
Departing from Seattle, Washington, you will visit Ketchikan, Juneau, Sitka, Haines and Victoria B.C. as well as the natural wonders of Glacier Bay, Tracy Arm and Misty Fjords National Monument. It is truly an unforgettable experience and a life-changing opportunity.
Full color brochures containing all the information and prices (air, cruise, hotel and all transfers) are available at the parish office, or simply speak to Fr. Armand for more details. Space is already filling, so please do not delay. I hope to hear from you!