Saint John the Evangelist-Saint Rocco Roman Catholic Parish Parish Office 250 21st Street Brooklyn, New York 11215 Phone: 718-768-3751 Fax: 718-768-4689 Website: www.stjohnstrocco-brooklyn.org Office Hours Monday - Thursday 9:30am-12pm & 1pm-6:30pm Friday 9:00am-3:00pm Rev. Kenneth J. Grande, Pastor Rev. Angel Luis Medrano - Matos, C. M. Mass Schedule Saturday Vigil Mass

English

5:30 p.m.

Sunday Masses

English Spanish English

8:45 a.m. 10:00 a.m. 11:45 a.m.

St. John the Evangelist St. John the Evangelist St. John the Evangelist St. Rocco (27th Street, between 4th and 5th Avenues)

Mon.-Fri. Masses

English

8:30 a.m.

St. John the Evangelist

Friday Mass

Spanish

7:30 p.m.

St. John the Evangelist

Confessions/Confesiónes Saturdays 4:30pm - 5:00pm Sábado a las 4:30pm - 5:00pm

No matter who you are, or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here. No importa quién eres, o donde está usted en el viaje de la vida, usted es bienvenido aquí.

Happy New Year

Feliz Año Nuevo

Mass Intentions Saturday 5:30pm

December 31 Mass (Eng/Sp) All the Members of Our Parish Family

Sunday 8:45am 10:00am 11:45am

January 1 All Members of Our Parish Family Todos Los Miembros de la Parroquia All Members of Our Parish Family

Monday 8:30am

January 2 All Members of Our Parish Family

Tuesday 8:30am

January 3 The Children of Our Parish Family

Wednesday January 4 8:30am Julia Carbone Requested by Olga Orlando & Family

Thursday 8:30am

January 5 Increase in Religious Vocations

Friday 8:30am 7:30pm

January 6 Purgatorial Society Hugo Diaz Candia De parte de Comunidad de San Juan-San Rocco

Saturday 5:30pm

January 7 Theresa Nicole Potter (NIB) Requested by Sean, Ryan & Emma Campbell

Please pray for the homebound, the elderly, those who are alone, the sick and especially for the sick of our parish: Liza & Lisette Ferreiro, Amanda Lara, Teresa Zapata, Ramon Gonzalez, Victoria Dubitsky, Alfredo Rivas, Joe Rutyna, Virginia Carril, Peggy Kelly, Ana & Estela Polanco, Dolly DiBrienza, Jeanette DePinto & Elias Lanegra Purgatorial Society for the Month of December: Pasquale & Angelina Ferraro, Mr. & Mrs. William Zucker, Mr. & Mrs. Frank Pramuk, Francis Pramuk, Bernadette Mercuri, Elizabeth T. Zucker, Edward Zucker, Raul Perez, Anna & Joseph Pinto, Josephine & Aniello Pinto, Perrotta Family, Tarno Family, Rev. Carlos D. Valencia & Julia Monaco Please pray for the repose of the soul of: Neal Pentangelo Generations of Faith Campaign Thank you so much for your financial commitment to the Generations of Faith Campaign. Your financial promise over the next 5 years is truly appreciated. Help us continue the work we need to do for Christ and His people by donating each month toward fulfilling your commitment. Donating each month will be a tremendous help to what we must accomplish in our parish and our Diocese. Thank you for your support.

Confessions/Confesiónes: Saturdays 4:30pm - 5:00pm Sábado a las 4:30pm - 5:00pm Baptisms/Bautismos Please call the parish office for more information. Por favor, llame la oficina de la Parroquia por más información. Weddings: Scheduling of the ceremony is to be done at least 6 months in advance (and prior to all other arrangements being made). Please call the parish office to arrange an appointment. Please log on to www.precana.org for complete information about marriage preparation in the Diocese. Bodas: Favor fijar la fecha de la ceremonia en la Iglesia por lo menos 6 meses antes de la boda (y antes de los otros arreglos). Llame a la rectoria para una cita. Favor de usar el Internet en www.precana.org para información completa para la preparación de matrimonio en la diócesis. Mass Intentions The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is the greatest and most perfect prayer we can offer because it is the prayer of Jesus Christ to the Father. The Mass is the most beautiful gift we can give to others. Masses may be offered not only for the deceased, but also for the sick, in thanksgiving for favors received, birthdays, anniversaries, and for any special intention you may have. The donation for each Mass is $15.00. Come to the parish office on 21st Street to reserve your Masses. Intenciones De Las Misas El Santo Sacrificio de la Misa es la oración más grande y más perfecto que podemos ofrecer, porque es la oración de Jesucristo al Padre. La Misa es el don más hermoso que podemos dar a los demás. Las Misas se pueden ofrecer no sólo por los difuntos, sino también por lose enfermos, en acción de gracias por los favores recibidos, cumpleaños, aniversarios, y por cualquier intención especial. La donación por cada Misa es de $15.00. Pasar por la oficina de la parroquia (calle de 21st) para reservar sus Misas. Take Care Of Yourself Dr. Vincent Adamo, a member of our parish family, would like to help us live and remain healthy. He is a very caring and friendly holistic doctor and puts his faith into action by helping anyone who is suffering or in pain. He is helping many people in our diocese to live a better life. His office is located at 446 Bay Ridge Parkway in Brooklyn and is phone number is 718-9215483. You can find more info at www.liveholistic.net or www.youtube.com/vincentadamo. Call him today to schedule your appointment.

www.stjohnstrocco-brooklyn.org

MARY, THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD "And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart." Supernatural communication was nothing new for Mary. The angel Gabriel had already appeared and spoken to her when she agreed to bear God's Son. Her husband Joseph also had a kind of divine intervention in the dream where the angel told him to go ahead and marry her. When she was first pregnant, her cousin Elizabeth had been led by the Holy Spirit to know the secret that Mary was "the mother of my Lord" (Lk 1:43). Now, Jesus has just been born and a crew of earthy shepherds appears at her door with a message from heaven: that the Savior has been born. And Mary believed them. She did not doubt their sincerity or the authenticity of their message. She took the words to heart, and meditated upon the meaning of it all. What might strike us as peculiar in all of this is that God chose to speak to Mary in a variety of ways. This holy and immaculate woman, this Mother of God, did not always receive direct communication from on high. Sometimes, God chose to speak to her through other people. Sometimes, he revealed himself to them in order to reveal himself to her. And God does the same with us. It's easy to daydream about having our own personal revelation from God, to hear his voice loud and clear, directing, encouraging, and supporting us in our times of need and confusion. But this isn't the standard pattern of God's operation. Mary was tuned in enough to hear God's voice all around her instead of expecting it to always sound the same. We can imitate this same kind of openness by seeking to discover how God may be speaking to us through the voices of others.

MARÍA SANTÍSIMA MADRE DE DIOS ¡Buenas Noticias! Comenzamos el nuevo año con la solemnidad de María Santísima Madre de Dios. Ella nos acompaña siempre y nos ayuda a meditar cosas profundas de Dios en el corazón. Ella, también, nos enseña cómo pedir la gracia de Dios en nuestra vida. Celebramos la memoria de la Madre de Dios para recordar cosas humildes, pobres y sencillas. ¿Cómo es que ella recibió tan grande honor? ¿Qué nos dice la palabra de Dios sobre esta mujer? La lectura de San Pablo no parece ayudarnos mucho a responder a estas preguntas. Allí simplemente dice que "Al llegar la plenitud de los tiempos, envió Dios a su Hijo, nacido de una mujer, nacido bajo la ley" (Gal 4, 4). Nada especial sobre ella. Ni siquiera se menciona su nombre tampoco sabemos mucho de su familia. La única clave es que por ser pequeña y sencilla Dios manifiesta su gracia y es Madre de Dios y Madre nuestra. ¿Qué sabe Ud. de María? ¿Qué devociones y advocación a María conoce? María representa a toda la humanidad y si imitamos alguna de sus virtudes, como la fe, la esperanza, el amor, la reflexión profunda y abrimos el corazón a Dios él hará cosas maravillosas en nuestra persona. Es por eso que la liturgia de la Iglesia al comenzar el año lo hace con la esperanza de recibir su bendición como nos lo indica el Libro de los Números en la primera lectura. Ahí se pide la gracia de Dios y la paz que sólo él nos puede dar. Padres de familia bendigan a sus hijos siempre. En las buenas y en las no tan buenas. Su bendición es esencial para caminar en la vida. María, Madre de Dios, ¡bendícenos con la presencia de tu Hijo en nuestra vida!

Religious Education Classes Registration: Registration for our parish Religious Education Faith Formation Classes is now taking place in the parish office. Registration fee is $40.00 for the first child and $30.00 for each additional child of the same family. Please bring a copy of the child’s Baptismal Certificate and a copy of the Birth Certificate. Registración para las clases de Educación Religiosa: La inscripción para nuestras clases de Educación Religiosa, para la Formación de Fe, está teniendo lugar ahora en la oficina de nuestra parroquia. El costo de inscripción para un niño es de $ 40.00, y $30.00 por cada niño adicional de la misma familia. Por favor traiga una copia del Certificado de Bautismo del niño y una copia del acta de nacimiento. Christmas Flowers: Many Thanks to those who have given their contributions toward the flowers the parish will use during the Christmas Season. If you have not already made an offering, please consider a contribution to the parish for the Christmas Flowers. Thank You. Flores de Navidad: Muchas gracias a todos ustedes quienes dieron su contribución acerca de las Flores de Navidad para la parroquia que serán usadas durante la temporada de Navidad. Si usted no tiene preparada una ofrenda, por favor, concidere una contribución para la parroquia para las Flores de Navidad. Gracias.

Sharing the Gospel When something wonderful happens, we want to find out all about it, then go tell everyone we know. That's just what the shepherds did. We also want to think about it again and again. That's just what Mary did. Jesus has come to us. Let's do what the shepherds and Mary did. Mothers think their babies are pretty special, and Mary was no different. She probably kissed his nose, snuggled his little cheeks, and sang songs to him. But a lot of people thought her baby was special. Mary had more than just curious relatives showing up to visit. Angels praised God, and shepherds came running to see the baby, too. When it was time to name him Jesus, Mary knew he was the Savior.

Prayer

Dear Jesus, You give me a new year and new chances to love You. I want to tell everyone about You like the shepherds. I want to think about Your love like Mary.

Something to Draw

Draw yourself telling someone about Jesus.

Mission for the Week

Ask your parents what they enjoyed about you as a little baby. You might also want to look at some baby pictures together.

During the New Year - Listen. Think. Act.That is a mantra or slogan for many different groups. Some seek to battle prejudice and bias. Other groups hope to eliminate poverty or reduce crime. In a nutshell, it is about taking in what you have heard and then reflecting on it before you act. The most fruitful actions are those that take place after careful reflection. This is an important thing to remember for those trying to live a stewardship way of life. If we are honest with ourselves, too often most of us jump to conclusions too quickly or act in ways that cause friction because we didn't really think about the consequences of our actions. We are moving too fast in a world that seems to be moving ever faster. When the shepherds came to visit Jesus, the newborn King, they told Mary everything that the angels had told them. Luke tells us that after hearing all this, she "kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart." No response. No panic. No action. Her reflection was the appropriate response. In this New Year, remember this Gospel account of Mary, the Mother of God. Let us resolve to listen more, reflect often, and then act accordingly. We are called to use our gifts wisely, sowing them in good soil. If we just throw them out, allowing them to simply fall wherever they may, have we really used them for God's glory? We need to listen. Think. Then act. Durante el Nuevo Año - Escuche. Piense. Actúe. Muchos grupos diferentes usan esta mantra. Unos quieren combatir el prejuicio y sesgo. Otros quieren eliminar la pobreza o reducir el crimen. En pocas palabras, la mantra quiere decir que tiene que reflejar en lo que ha oído antes de actuar. Las acciones más benevolentes son las que ocurren después de una reflexión contemplativa. Para los que quieren vivir como discipulados diarios, es importante recordar esta mantra. Si nos ponemos a pensar, muchas veces hacemos prejuicios muy rápido o actuamos en maneras que causan problemas porque en realidad no pensamos en las consecuencias de nuestras acciones. Nos movemos demasiado rápido en un mundo que se mueve aún más rápido. Cuando los pastores fueron a visitar a Jesús, al Rey recién nacido, le dijeron a María todo lo que les habían dicho los ángeles. Lucas no dice que después de oír esto, ella "guardaba todas estas cosas y las meditaba en su corazón". No tuvo respuesta. No le dio pánico. No tomo ninguna acción. Su reflexión fue la respuesta apropiada. Durante este Nuevo Año, tenemos que recordar este recuento del evangelio sobre María, Madre de Dios. Resolvámonos a escuchar más, reflexionar frecuentemente, y luego a actuar de manera apropiada. Somos llamados a usar nuestros dones sabiamente, sembrándolos en tierra fértil. Si los tiramos, dejando que caigan en cualquier sitio, ¿los hemos usado para la gloria de Dios? Tenemos que escuchar, pensar, y después actuar.