December 11, 2011

THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT

Is 61:1-2a. 10-11 1Thes 5: 16-24 Jn 1: 6-8, 19-28 (8)

The spirit of the Lord is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me; He has sent me to bring glad tidings to the lowly, to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to captives and release to prisoners, to announce a year of favor from the Lord and a day of vindication by our God”... “May the God of peace make you perfect in holiness.”

Although the prophet wrote these words six centuries before the Christian era, they seem so, so appropriate for us today. We need not look far to discover the people for whom the Messiah was to come. The lowly, the poor of the Old Testament, referred to by Jesus in the beatitudes. The brokenhearted, the victims of war, family division, domestic abuse.

The captives are those caught in addictions of every sort, unable to break the bonds which hold them. The prisoners are all who are deprived of freedom, freedom from hunger, poverty, unemployment, the immigrant and ill, those addressed by the works of mercy in our church.

We too are called to announce the presence of Christ in our lives and make His presence known to our world. Sometimes it is difficult, but God’s fidelity is the example we follow. During these advent weeks, we might consider ways to do the work of Christ for someone who falls into the categories listed above, as we become the Christ presence for others. May the spirit of the Lord be upon us too.

HIS WORD TODAY by Rev. William J. Reilly

December 11th, 2011

Today’s first reading from Isaiah tells us God has anointed us to bring good tidings to the afflicted, to bind up the brokenhearted, to comfort all who mourn, in short to serve those who are most in need and, at least some of the time, those who are most abhorrent to us. Recently, the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace issued a “note” on reforming the international financial and monetary systems. Its message is not far from Isaiah’s. It speaks of the primacy of the common good in determining economic priorities. It acknowledges the challenge this presents, but asserts that this is our call. God has anointed us. How can we not be up to the task?

~~Pax Christi Metro New York

The collection for Dec. 4thwas $5843.
Thank you.
We encourage you to enroll via the ParishPay website and click on the St JosephWestVillage link. Use the paperless way to help our ministry.

St. Patrick’s Cathedral Young Adults (for young adults in their 20s and 30s) present: Festival of Lessons and Carols: On December 17, 2011, young adults are invited to sing on the main altar of St Patrick's Cathedral for all the visitors to the Cathedral during this time of Advent/Christmas. If you wish to be a part of this event, please meet us at 630pm at the Cathedral Parish House, 14 East 51st Street, on this date. We will then sing on the altar from 7pm-8pm, and there will be readings as well during our singing. Song books will be given out. Please rsvp to .

PLEASE REMEMBER OUR PARISH IN YOUR WILL

No matter what the size of your estate, if you want to provide for relatives, friends and our Parish you will need a WILL. If you die without one, you lose control of the disposition of your assets. The state law in which you reside will tell your family where your money and property goes.

Naming our Parish as a charitable beneficiary in your Will is simple. Through careful review of this alternative you may save further income and estate taxes. For further information, you and/or your attorney may contact

Director, Planned Gifts

The Archdiocese of New York

1011 First Avenue, SI400

New York, NY10022

Telephone: 212-371-1000, E3317

Beginning Tuesday November 29 and for 10 weeks after, we will be sharing this 60 minute DVD series on Catholicism by Fr. Bob Barron. Series will be shown in the rectory living room, 2nd floor, at 7:30 pm every Tuesday.

“‘Catholicism’ could well become one of the most significant efforts ever to advance what Pope John Paul II called ‘The New Evangelization,’” writes George Weigel, biographer of Pope John Paul II.

Musical Concerts

Manhattan Choral Ensemble

Sunday, December 11, 2011 at 3:00 PM, Church
Greenwich Village Singers

Friday, December 16, 2011 at 8 PM Church

Tickets $20 on web. For further info go to

December 11th, 2011
Baptism of
Joseph Michael Crotty
Son of Joseph & Margaret Crotty

ParishPay enables parishioners to make their regular donations to the parish electronically, via automatic deductions to checking or savings accounts, or via credit card. Some opt to give monthly while others also take the opportunity to use ParishPay for special occasions like Christmas and Easter. In whatever manner they have chosen to use ParishPay they have found the system to be very facilitating.

Weencourage you to enroll the ParishPay website under St JosephWestVillage link. The St. Joseph Soup Kitchen has also adopted ParishPay, we encourage you to think of the service the soup provides when giving.

ParishPay provides a steady stream of revenue for the parish, and enables funds to be collected, recorded, and deposited efficiently and effectively. Also, this revenue becomes a steady source of income, not subject to the fluctuations that our regular Sunday collections exhibit, and helps us plan and manage parish finances and activities more efficiently. It will also let the donor make and annual Parish gift and pay this gift over the entire year. It eliminates the need for writing a weekly check or making a cash gift through the offering plate each week. Parishioners may increase or decrease these gifts as their circumstances allow.

We know that many parishioners wish to give generously and regularly. ParishPay provides the vehicle for this faithful generosity

Please call the Rectory and inform us if you know of anyone who is homebound, feeling the effects of old age or is ill and not able to attend mass. We will be happy to visit them on a regular basis and provide them with the sacraments at home. Call 212 741-1274
Please note that we have a new listing Parish Activities. Please visit our website washingtonsquarecatholic.org for the latest news on the NYUCatholicCenter, St. Joseph’s Parish, and links to other Catholic organizations and interests.
Please send your announcements and events to be included in the bulletin and web:

FEAST DAYS, SCRIPTURES citations

special INTENTIONS

SATURDAY, December 10

Sir 48:1-4, 9-11 Mt 17:9a,10-13

12:10 PM Rose Blum

5:30PM Rosario Rimi

SUNDAY,December 11

Is 61:1-2a,9-10-11 1 Thes 5:16-24 Jn1: 6-8, 19-28 (8)

9:00 AM Raymond DeFilippo

11:30 AM Rose Cossu

6:00 PM

MONDAY, December 12 Our Lady of Guadalupe

Zec 2: 14-17 or Rv 11:19a; 12: 1-6a, 10ab/Lk 1:26-38 or 1:39-47

12:10 PM John, Theresa & Josephine Motto

5:30 PM MaryLou Mumford

TUESDAYDecember 13 St. Lucy

Zep 3: 1-2, 9-13 Mt 21: 28-32 (188)

12:10 PM Rita Cea

5:30 PM Camisa Family

WEDNESDAY, December14 St. John of the Cross

Is 45: 6b-8, 18, 21b-25 Lk 7: 18b-23 (189)

12:10 PM Anthony C.Sach

5:30 PM

THURSDAY,December 15

Is 54: 1-10 Lk 7: 24-30 (190)

12:10 PM Carl & Angelo Conetta

5:30 PM

FRIDAY December 16

Is 56: 1-3a, 6-8, Jn5: 33-36 (191)

12:10PM Marjorie Borden

5:30 PM

SATURDAY December 17

Gn 49:2, 8-10 Mt 1:1-17 (193)

12:10 PM

5:30PM Peg & Tom Whelan

MONTHLYPARISH ACTIVITIES

Sunday
10:00 AM / Children’s Religious Studies / Casserly
10:00 AM / Scripture Discussion / Library
2:30 PM / Roman Forum Lectures / Casserly
7:00 PM / Grad Law / Casserly/Rectory
Monday
6:30 PM / Centering Prayer / Church
7:00 PM / YACHT Club for Young Adults / Casserly/Library
Tuesday
7:00 PM / Aquinas Circle of Undergraduates / Casserly/Library
Wednesday
6:30 PM / Korean Catholic Students / Casserly/Library
7:30 PM / Lenten Confirmation Class / 1st Floor Back Parlor
Thursday
6:30 PM 1st /mo / Pax Christi Bd Mtg / PCMNY
7:00 PM / Newman Club / Casserly/Library
7:00PM / Scripture Study / 1st Floor-Back Parlor
Friday
6:00 PM 1st/mo / Novena/ Sacred Heart / Church
6:00PM / St.Egidio Prayer / Church
Saturday
10:00-3:00 PM / Soup Kitchen / Casserly
12:30 PM 1st/mo / Blessing of the Sick / Church
6:00 PM / Alcoholics Anonymous / Caserly