SOCIAL CONCERNS GIVING TREE:
Accepting only NEW CLOTHING, TOYS, ETC – Please DO NOT WRAP GIFTS! Thank you for your generosity during this Holiday season for those in the parish who are less fortunate. See bulletin for suggestion of items.
Week 1 (Nov. 23/24) – Gifts for Men
Week 2 (Nov 30/Dec 1) – Gifts for Women
Week 3 (Dec 7/8) – Gifts for Teenagers
Week 4 (Dec 14/15) – Gifts for Children/Toddlers/Infants
THANKSGIVING FOOD COLLECTION:
The Social Concerns Committee would like to thank all of the many volunteers who so unselfishly donated money, food, resources and especially their time to help make this year’s Thanksgiving Food Basket program another success. Everyone should be especially proud of not only what we have been able to share with those in need, but also that you have shown by example, what can be accomplished in the true spirit of Christian giving.
SIMBANG GABI “MISA DE GALLO OR ROOSTER MASS:
Hosted by the Filipino Ministry. Mass will begin on Dec. 15th and end Dec. 23rd. Mass each morning is at 5:30am and on the last day, they will have a breakfast in Marian Hall immediately following Mass.
Pancake Breakfast w/Santa & His Friends:
Saturday, December 7th from 9am-12noon (Doors will not open before 9am) held in Assumption Hall of St Mary’s School Gym. Proceeds help support the Youth & Young Adult Ministies here at OLOPP. $6 for children (ages 2-13yrs old) Infants 1 and under are FREE! $10 for adults (14yrs and over). See Bulletin for form to fill out and return to get tickets. Tickets will also be sold at the door that day.
FAMILY HOLY HOUR –
Saturday, Dec 14th 2-4pm. Bring the whole family to spend time with the Lord and pray the Rosary as a community. Meet in the Church at 2pm. Join us afterward in Marian Hall for socializing and a craft for the kids. Feel free to bring a snack to share. Questions, please contact Allegra Viola (allegra.m.viola@gmail.com). RSVP helpful but not necessary.
MOTHER’S RETREAT – SATURDAY JANUARY 18, 2020 8AM-1PM:
Please join us to spend time with the Lord in a day of prayerful reflection. The retreat led by Fr Mazz will begin with Mass in the Church along with Adoration, Confession, spiritual talks and time for discussion. Lunch will be provided. Nursing/lap babies are welcome. Cost: $30 if registration is received by Dec. 18th – after that date, cost will be $35. See bulletin for registration form.
PADRE PIO PRAYER GROUP
The next meeting will be on Monday, January 6th, 2020 – 6-8 pm – We will be praying the Rosary in the Church. There will also be a 1st Class Relic of Padre Pio for veneration for healing.
OLOPP – Senior Social Club
On Monday, December 9th at 1 pm Monalisia for their Annual Christmas Luncheon.
CATHOLIC VETERANS MINISTRY
A New Ministry forming at the Parish. Open to men, women and families of those practicing Catholics honorably discharged from any of the military services or reserve units. The purpose of the Catholic Veterans Ministry is to recognize and give honor to those who have served God, Church and Country by providing a Catholic presence at community activities, and by being a resource and consolation when needed to veterans and their families. Contact Ed Duckworth 856-589-3140
“Come and pray the rosary with our veterans for world peace and a return of God. We will pray the rosary on every 2nd Saturday of the month after the 8 am Mass in Marian Hall.
Come pray with us!”
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Intercessor Prayer Group
Please join them the 1st Friday of each month from 6-7 pm in the Church. Following this will be our Holy Hour with Exposition and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament from 7-8 pm.
OFFERTORY PROCESSION DURING MASS
We would like parishioners to be involved in the Offertory Procession. If the Mass you are attending is for a loved one and would like to be in the Offertory Procession, please sign up in the back of the Church (on the Ushers’s bulletin board near the bathrooms) – the week and time of the Mass you have for a loved one. If it is a Mass you have signed up for – once you arrive at the Church, please let one of the Ushers know you are there and have signed up for that Mass. They will not go and search you out. If you do not let them know, they will pick another family from the congregation.
Hearing Assistance Available
We are equipped with a hearing assistance system. They are located at the elevators you may use your own earplugs or if your hearing aids have a “T” setting you may use the lanyard. You may sit anywhere in the church including the cry room. For assistance just ask one of the ushers.
Service Hours for High School Students
Students looking for Service Hours for High School, please contact Loren in the Parish Center at 629-6142 x 19 or llaughlin@olopp.org. We have many things that we could use help with in the coming months!!
LAZARUS MINISTRY
Lazarus Ministry is designed to support families who have lost a loved one. This ministry helps families prepare for the Mass of Resurrection (Funeral Mass) with the readings and symbols that proclaim our faith in the promises of Jesus. They are looking for help!! If you feel you can help with this Ministry, please contact Sally Kingston 856-417-1702.
Children’s Choir
Looking for children that are able to read and willing to sing to join the Children’s Choir that sing 3rd Sunday of month at the 12 noon Mass. Starts in September to June. If you are willing and want to share in your talent, practices are held Wednesdays from 4-5 pm in the Church.
House of Charity – Bishop’s Annual Appeal
Our goal here at OLOPP is $222,797.87; Please remember all pledges must be paid in order for the Parish to receive back 10%. Please make your sacrificial gift to help continue the mission of the church here in the Diocese of Camden. If you have not made a donation, Pledge Cards are at the entrance of the Church. Thank You!
St. Mary School Registering
Anyone interested in registering their child for grades Kindergarten through 8th grade or for our 3 and 4 year old Preschool Program for the 2016-2017 school year. To register please contact the Advancement Director, Jackie Kern at 856-629-6190 ext. 34 or at advancementoffice@smarys.org. You may also visit our website at www.smarys.org to learn more about St. Mary School.
St. Mary School, Williamstown Open House
St. Mary School will hold an Open House on January 8th & 23rd 7-8:30 pm for anyone interested in registering their child for grades Kindergarten through 8th grade and for our 3 and 4 year old Preschool Program for the 2016-2017 school year. Registration will also take place during the Open House. To register for the Open House or for more information please contact Advancement Director, Jackie Kern at 856-629-6190 ext. 34 or at advancementoffice@smarys.org. To learn more about St. Mary School please visit our website at www.smarys.org. St. Mary School is located at 32A Carroll Avenue, Williamstown.
SMS 100 CLUB
St. Mary School would like to invite Our Lady of Peace parishioners, as well as family and friends, who are business owners to participate in our SMS 100 Club. This program enables local businesses to donate a tax-deductible gift of $100 to the St. Mary School Annual Fund. Your business’ generosity will be acknowledged on our website, in our Annual Report, and in a variety of written communication to our school families during the 2018-2019 school year. Your business name will be seen by close to 400 school families as well as hundreds of visitors to our website and recipients of our Annual Report. We welcome our local businesses to take part in this initiative which greatly supports our school. Our goal is to have at least 100 businesses participate in our program.
For more information and the required SMS 100 Club form, please visit our website at http://www.smarys.org. Forms may also be found in the information racks at the entrance of the Church. You may also mail in your payment and business name and contact to St. Mary School, SMS 100 Club, 32A Carroll Ave., Williamstown. NJ 08094. For further information, please contact Jackie Kern in the Advancement Office at advancement@smarys.org or 8560629-6190 ext 34.
CALLED TO SERVICE – AM I CALLED?
Through the Sacrament of Initiation, all Christians are called to holiness and to participate in the churches outreach to the world. Some men received a more specific call to the diaconate, through which they are specially consecrated for Christian service (diakonis).
How do I know if God is calling me to the diaconate? The gradual discovery of the vocation into the diaconate and takes place through prayer and discernment.
A vocation traces its beginnings to one’s ongoing dialogue with God. On the personal level, men considering the diaconate should ask the Holy Spirit to disclose the Father’s will for them, not only through time of personal and liturgical prayer, but also in and through daily lives dedicated to God and neighbor.