OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL PARISH

WEBSITE: www.olmcmiddletown.org

90 EUCLID AVENUE, MIDDLETOWN, NEW YORK 10940

OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL PARISH: Fr. Paul A.M. Denault, O.Carm……………… Pastor

Fr. Anthony Trung Nguyen, O.Carm…………Parochial Vicar

Fr. Joseph Phuong Ngo, O.Carm…………..…In Residence

Fr. Justin Cinnante, O.Carm……………….…In Residence

Deacon Edward Woods

Mrs. Maureen Waterman ......................... …Parish Secretary

Phone ................................................................. 845-343-4121 Office Hours: Monday - Friday 8:30 am -1:00 pm and 2:00 pm - 4:30pm (closed 1:00-2:00pm for lunch)

Gail Johnson ..................................... Organist - 845-386-5817 Dottie Lanos ................................................... Parish Trustee Greg Sillen ...................................................... Parish Trustee

Sunday, December 3rd

First Sunday of Advent

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION OFFICE: Mrs. Nancy Miller .............. Director of Religious Education Phone: ............................................................... 845-342-1510 Email: .................................................. olmcre90@gmail.com Hours: ................................................... Mon. 8:30am -3:00pm .................. Tues. 12:00pm - 3:00pm (3:30pm-8pm in classes) …………..Wed. 8:30am - 3:00pm (3:30pn-5:45pm in classes) ........................................................... Thurs. 8:30am - 3:00pm .............................................................. Fri. 8:30am - 12:00pm

RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) Call Fr. Paul Denault, Pastor for initial interview at the Priory Office: .................................................... 845-343-4121

ADULT FAITH Mr. Ken Searle ............................... Adult Faith Coordinator Phone: ............................................................... 845-978-8375

Email: ....................................... AF-OLMC@Outlook.com

MT. CARMEL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Ms. Jennifer Langford .............................................. Principal Phone: ............................................................... 845-343-8836

MASSES: Weekend Masses: Saturday - 5:00 pm Sunday- 8:00 am, 10:00 am, 11:30 am and 4:30 pm Weekday Mass: Monday - Friday 7:00am (Priory Chapel) Holy Days: As Announced

CONFESSION: Saturday 4:00-4:30 pm or by appointment.

BAPTISM: Call Religious Education Office for information.

THE ANOINTING OF THE SICK: The Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick and the Eucharist are meant for the healing and comfort of those who are ill. Please notify us about any parishioner confined to their home, hospital or nursing facility so that a priest may visit.

MARRIAGE: Please call the Priory Office for an appointment.

BEREAVEMENT GROUP: The group meets on Wednesdays from 1:00pm to 2:30pm in OLMC’s Parish Center, 90 Euclid Ave, in Middletown. Facilitated by Frank Gawors, MS, LCSW. For more information contact: Frank Gawors at 845-342-4703 or fhgawors@gmail.com

NEW PARISHIONERS: Welcome to Mt. Carmel! Please pick up a Registration Form in the Gathering Space or at the Priory Office or visit: www.olmcmiddletown.org

Registration and evidence of participation is required at least eight (8) months before scheduling of marriage or Baptism.

December 3, 2017 First Sunday of Advent

Saturday, December 2nd 5:00 Bernard Petak

Sunday, December 3rd 8:00 William F. Imholz 10:00 Josephine Nowicki 11:30 Eelco Visser 4:30 Kevin McNally Monday, December 4th 7:00 Owen & Eleanor Beach Tuesday, December 5th 7:00 Patrick, Josephine & Thomas Darcy

Wednesday, December 6th 7:00 John Bell

Thursday, December 7th 9:00 Flo Roy

Vigil of the Immaculate Conception

7:00pm People of the Parish Friday, December 8th - IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

7:00 People of the Parish 9:000 People of the Parish 7:00pm People of the Parish

Saturday, December 9th 5:00 Charly Botti

Sunday, December 10th 8:00 Pete DiMilta 10:00 James & Catherine Haley & Fred Weissinger 11:30 Barbara Amelio & Jacob Galencamp 4:30 James Kellett

November 25th & November 26th totaled: $6,984

Collection $6,009 and Online Giving $975

Building Fund totaled: $1,645

Collection $1,560 and Online Giving $85

Thank You for your generosity!

Mass attendance for the weekend of November 25th and November 26th was 918.

MASS CELEBRANTS

December 9th & December 10th

12/9 ~ 5:00 pm ~ Fr. Mike Kissane

12/10 ~ 8:00 am ~ Fr. Gus

10:00am ~ Fr. Anthony

11:30am ~ Fr. Anthony

4:30pm ~ Fr. Tim

Please note celebrants are subject to change.

Our Second Collection each week is for the ongoing maintenance of our Grounds and

Buildings.

ABOUT THE LITURGY: What Matters Most

This First Sunday of Advent, which marks the beginning of a new liturgical year, is anything but quiet. Missalettes have to be switched around. The décor of the Church has to be changed. Lectors have to search for the right places in the Lectionary. There is so much to do! Yet, in all these concerns, we might miss the point of today’s readings. In the busyness of all our preparations, are we missing God’s presence?

While we must work to prepare the liturgy well, we cannot let the work be what matters most. The work is there to train our eyes so that we will see God, who will surprise us when we least expect. As good servants, we continue to do our work well so that when God arrives unannounced, we will be ready. Here is a good new liturgical year resolution: that we try to pay attention to what matters most — God present in the most unplanned of situations and in the most unlikely of persons we will meet this year.

THE FEAST DAY OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION is this Friday, December 8th, it is a holy day of obligation.

Masses for the holy day are as follows:

Thursday, December 7th - Vigil at 7:00pm Friday, December 8th - 7:00am, 9:00am, 7:00pm.

PRIORY OFFICE HOURS

The following is the schedule of abbreviated Office Hours for the Priory Office on the following days:

Monday, December 4th 8:30-9:30am & 12:30-4:30pm Tuesday, December 5th 8:30- 9:30am & 12:30-4:30pm

Wednesday, December 6th - CLOSED Thursday, December 7th 8:30-9:30am & 12:30-4:30pm Friday, December 8th 8:30-9:30am & 12:30-4:30pm

Messages will be checked periodically throughout the day. Follow-up will be done as the schedule allows.

The regular Office Hours will resume once again on Monday, December 11th.

RECONCILIATION MONDAY

Cardinal Dolan had designated Monday, December 18th as our Advent Reconciliation Monday.

On that Monday, every Church of the Archdiocese will have priests available to hear confessions from 4:00 – 8:00 pm.

While the theme of Advent is more about preparing for the coming of the Lord, and is not as penitential as Lent, it is still good for one to be prepared for the great season of Christmas by going to confession. You can say it is part of house-cleaning: one’s inner house.

OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAM

SACRAMENTAL PROGRAMS ADVENT PRAYER AND SCRIPTURE

WITH FR. ANTHONY

Do you feel overwhelmed by consumerism or upset by the world's expectations for Christmas? Do you feel it is time for you to make a change in your life and be better prepared for Christmas. It’s not too late to join in. Come and begin Advent with Fr. Anthony for three weeks of Advent Prayer, Scripture, and discussion. The next meet is this Wednesday evening December 6th at 7PM in the Parish Center. Be part of the culture for Christ.

THE GIVING TREE Thank you for your response to our Giving Tree Program! A portion of the gifts have been handed in but we are still waiting on some gifts. If you still need to return your gift, please be sure to bring it to the Church no later than Sunday, December 10th by the end of the 4:30pm Mass. Don’t forget to firmly attach the tag to the outside of the package(s). The gifts will picked up during the week of December 11th and we don’t want to disappoint any of the children. Thank you so much! Any questions please contact Nancy Miller at 342-1510 or olmcre90@gmail.com Thank you again for your generosity.

CHRISTMAS FOOD DRIVE The Christmas Food Drive is ongoing until Friday, December 15th. We once again have MEAL TAGS if you would like to buy non-perishables to help complete a meal for a family of four. Once you’ve purchased the items please be sure to attach the tag to your bag/box and return to the Church. See the display in the Gathering Area for a tag and more information or contact Nancy Miller at 342-1510 or olmcre90@gmail.com Thank you for your participation!

NEW TOY DRIVE We are collecting new toys for our families in need here in Middletown. The toys are coming in but more are needed, so please consider donating a toy or two! New toys are for boys and girls ages 1yr. to 12yrs. Collection Boxes are in the Gathering Space. For more information on our local families in need program contact Nancy Miller at 342-1510 or olmcre90@gmail.com .

“DRIFTING THROUGH ADVENT”

Thursday, December 7 - 12:00noon in the Edith Stein Conference Room of

The National Shrine of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel

Join Fr. Gus Graap, O.Carm

For a reflection talk

on the season of Advent and his

original Driftwood Nativity Scene

If you plan to attend please Call Carol Bezak, Shrine Director – 845-343-1879.

Free-will offering for light lunch and refreshments will be accepted

CHRISTMAS FLOWER MEMORIALS We welcome parishioners to remember deceased loved one(s) with a Christmas Flower Memorial, please fill out the specially marked envelope (from your boxed set) or pick up an envelope from the table in the Gathering Area. All envelopes must be submitted no later than next Sunday, December 10th. Please make sure to print all names clearly. The usual offering for each memorial is $10 per name. The names of all those to be remembered will be acknowledged in a special booklet on Christmas Day.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR FOOD DONATIONS FOR THANKSGIVING!

We were able to give complete meals which included turkeys to 77 families. A special thank you to Tony Jaccarino and Jim Riley for providing 70 turkeys for us and a big thanks to those parishioners who donated an additional 26 turkeys. Thank you to the outreach team for organizing the food for basket making. Thanks to the 7th/8th grade Confirmation candidates who helped in the basket preparation!

ADVENT EVENT Special thanks to our Family Faith Team for a wonderful event on Saturday, November 18th. Eight families joined us for a fun afternoon of good food, prayer, song and Advent wreath making. Thank you to the 7th /8th grade Confirmation candidates who helped out at the event! Fr. Anthony was with us to bless the wreaths. Don’t miss out on this great event next year on December, 1st 2018!!

SCRIP CARDS - We will once again be selling Scrip/Gift Cards. It’s an easy way to do some Christmas Shopping, or perhaps buy a gift for a birthday or another other special occasion. You can choose from the many stores, restaurants, movie theaters, gas stations, etc. Order forms are available on the table in the Gathering Area. The next order will be placed this Monday, December 4th, so be sure to pick up a form, fill it out and drop it off at the school no later than 10:00am tomorrow morning. This really is a hassle free way to do some shopping while supporting the School. Thank you in advance for your generosity and support of our school!

SAVE THE DATES—TOURING TUESDAYS

2018 Open House Dates at Our Lady of Mount Carmel School

The following Tuesdays: January 9, January 30, February 13, March 13, and April 24 from 9-11 am Our Lady of Mount Carmel invites you to experience our Catholic school in action by visiting us on TOURING TUESDAYS. Prospective parents interested in grades Pre-K - Eighth grade are invited to visit from 9-11 am or by appointment. To make an appointment please call us at 845-343-8836. Please watch the bulletin and/or visit our website below for additional Open House dates & times for additional dates during Catholic Schools Week.

INFORMATION - For more information about any of the above, please call 845-343-8836 or visit: www.mtcarmelschoolmiddletown.org

A PRESENTATION OF A LIVE NATIVITY

Our Lady of the Assumption Church will present a Live Nativity next Saturday, December 9th

4:30pm - 5:00pm and 6:30pm - 7:00pm

Our Lady of the Assumption Church is located at 17 High St. in Bloomingburg.

Light refreshments will be served. Children’s Craft Corner.

Please Join Us in Celebrating Our 77th Anniversary

WARWICK VALLEY CHORALE

HOLIDAY CONCERTS 2017

Friday Dec. 8 at 7:00pm Grace Episcopal Church

58 North Street, Middletown, NY 10940

Friday Dec. 15 at 7:00pm Goshen United Methodist Church

115 Main Street, Goshen NY 10924

Sunday, Dec. 17 at 4:00pm

Featuring more than 80 voices performing musical treasures from 17th-21st Centuries plus many more favorite songs and carols of the season. For more information contact:

www.WarwickValleyChorale.org or (845) 47-8391

As always, admission is FREE - - Donations

gratefully accepted!

OTISVILLE BRASS CONCERT

Enjoy a Concert of Favorite Holiday & Sacred Music to benefit the Interfaith Warming Station

Sunday, December 10th at 3:00pm

St. John’s Lutheran Church 391 Mount Hope Road

Middletown, NY For more information call: 845-342-1963

A free will offering will be received to benefit the

Warming Station.

INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY With Winter approaching we would just like to remind everyone of our Inclement Weather Policy... Whenever Middletown Schools are closed or on a delayed opening due to inclement weather (snow, ice, etc.) weekday Mass is cancelled. These Mass intentions will be re-scheduled for another date. No event, including Mass, requires your attendance if you feel that weather conditions are dangerous. For your safety if you determine it is unwise to travel because road conditions may be hazardous, please stay at home. To learn about closings or delays listen to your radio (WALL 1340 AM OR K104.7 FM), you may also sign up to receive a text message just by visiting the K104.7 website at www.k104online.com and click on the Storm Center link, OR tune in to the Local Channel 6 (cable) for school closings and delays and other weather emergencies and look for Middletown Schools as they scroll across the screen.