Nativity of the Lord - Our Lady of Lourdes

Luke 2:11
Nativity of the Lord
December 25, 2013
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©2005 John Patrick Publishing
Our Lady of Lourdes
455 Hunter Avenue
West Islip, NY 11795
631-661-3224
Website: ollchurch.org
Msgr. Brian McNamara, Pastor
Rev. Robert Scheckenback, Associate Pastor
Solemnity of Mary
The Parish Family of Our Lady of Lourdes will gather
on Tuesday, December 31 and Wednesday, January 1
to celebrate the Solemnity of Mary.
We will celebrate the Solemnity of Mary on...
Tuesday, December 31 at 5 PM (vigil)
Wednesday, January 1 at 8 AM, and 12:10 PM.
Please come and pray with us!
Welcome...
to Our Lady of Lourdes!
Christmas is a time for family. We are glad you decided to celebrate with our Parish Family during this
Holy Season. We hope you will return often. If you would like to become a registered member of our Parish,
please fill in the information below and place this form in the collection basket or send it to the Parish Office.
Family Name________________________________________
First Names: Head of Household_________________________ Spouse________________________
Children (please include ages, grades, and sacraments received)
______________________________________
__________________________________________
______________________________________
__________________________________________
Address__________________________________ City_____________________ Zip_______________
Phone_________________________________ E-Mail Address_________________________________
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Treasures from our Tradition
The Seven Fishes
Many of our treasured traditions link the liturgy of the church
with the hearth of the home. The food on the table at certain
feasts and fasts helps to extend the mystery of God into everyday
life.
On Christmas Eve, for example, many families of Italian heritage, especially with links to
southern Italy, will celebrate “La Vigilia” (the Vigil), the “Feast of the Seven Fishes”. An
old Italian saying states: “Natale con I tuui; Pasqua conchi vuoi”: “Christmas with your
family; Easter with whomever you wish”. Seven different fish are served, some say one for
each day of Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem; others say one for each sacrament;
still others, one or each day of creation. Whatever the reason, mangia bene!
The First Nativity Scene
The origin of the display of the Nativity dates back to the time of
St. Francis of Assisi. St. Francis was concerned that people did
not appreciate the gift of Christ’s birth. St. Francis wanted to
celebrate the Incarnation (God becoming a man) in a special way.
He wanted to do something that would help people to remember
the Christ Child and how Jesus was born in Bethlehem.
On Christmas Eve, in the year 1223A.D., at the proper time,
St. Francis and his Franciscan brothers created a new Bethlehem.
People, young and old, came to see this new sight. They carried torches to light up the
sky as they approached the manger. Once again, shepherds came from the fields to come
and adore the King. All were filled with joy over the mystery of the Incarnation. And a
beautiful tradition was started.
As you look upon your own family Nativity set, may you remember and celebrate again
God’s love for His creation. In order to show His abundant love, mercy, and forgiveness
for us, God became one like us. That is what the crèche ultimately symbolizes.
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Did You Know…
In 1895, President Cleveland displayed the first lit
Christmas tree in the White House. In the early
1900’s lighted trees were very expensive—upward
of $300, which in today’s economy translates to
more than $2000! General Electric sold lights for
at-home trees in 1903, still expensive at $12 a
strand—equivalent to about $80 today.
In an effort to raise money to pay for a charity Christmas dinner, a large crabpot was set down on a San
Francisco street, becoming the first Salvation Army
collection kettle.
The pointsettia originated in Mexico where it was
called the “Flower of the Holy Night”. It was first
brought to America by Joel Poinsett in 1829.
In his efforts to gain our independence from England,
George Washington spent Christmas night of 1776
crossing the Delaware River in dreadful weather. He
didn’t do much better in 1777 when he spent Christmas at Valley Forge, celebrating with a dinner of fowl
cooked in a broth of turnips, cabbage and potatoes.
In 1836, Alabama was the first state to declare
Christmas a legal holiday. Oklahoma was the last
state to do so making Christmas a legal holiday in
the state in 1907.
Animal Crackers are cookies imported from England
in the late 1800’s. The circus-like boxes were designed with a string handle so they could be hung on a
Christmas tree.
The popular Christmas Carol, Jingle Bells, was
originally written for Thanksgiving. It was
composed by James Pierpont in 1857 and was
originally called One Horse Open Sleigh.
Wreaths were used from the earliest time as a symbol
of victory. In the 17th century, wreaths with holly, red
berries and other decorations appeared. Holly, with its
sharply pointed leaves, symbolized the thorns in
Christ’ s crown-of-thorns. Red berries symbolized the
drops of Christ’s blood. A wreath of Christmas
marked a home that celebrated the birth of Jesus.
About 37 million fresh Christmas trees are sold
every year.
THE FLIGHT INTO EGYPT
The Gospel according to St. Matthew (Mt 2:13-15) tells us that on their
journey, the Wise Men stopped at the palace of King Herod to ask after the
new-born King. Herod asked the Magi to let him know the child’s whereabouts
that he too might worship him. In reality, the news of a new king born within his
domain infuriated Herod. When the Magi failed to return to him, Herod ordered
his army to slay every male child in Bethlehem under the age of two. The Gospel
tells us that an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream and warned him to take Mary
and Jesus and flee to Egypt until the danger passed.
And so, Joseph took Mary and the Child and embarked on the long, hard
journey to Egypt. The journey was an extremely difficult one across the Sinai desert, a triangular stretch of
sun-baked land, full of rocky mountains and barren plateaus with high sand dunes. It is estimated that they
would have traveled an average of 20 miles per day and would have reached Egypt in about 10 days.
Egypt was a place of refuge in those days. Whenever there was a famine, thousands would leave Israel
and seek the life-giving banks of the Nile River. And so Mary and Joseph would have found welcome among
the large Jewish community living in Egypt.
All the Gospels tell us about this time is that the Holy Family lived in Egypt until told by an angel to
return to Israel after the death of Herod. They returned to Galilee, to the town of Nazareth, rather that to
Judea which was in the control of Herod’s son, Archelaus, also a power-hungry ruler.
We can only guess at the rest of the story of the time the Holy Family spent in Egypt. There’s a
Greek Orthodox church in present-day Cairo that houses a cave where it is said Jesus, Mary and Joseph
lived during their Egyptian exile.
On Sunday, December 29, we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family.
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Christmas Around the World

“God Jul!” In Sweden , the feast of St. Lucy on December 13 marks the beginning of the celebration of
Christmas. The theme of St. Lucia Day is light. The eldest daughter, dressed in a long white gown with
a red sash and wearing a crown made of twigs with nine lighted candles, wakes her family and serves
them a special breakfast.
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“Merry Christmas!” In Australia, Christmas comes at the height of summer and is often celebrated with
barbecues with family at the beach. Australian Christmas carols include “Six White Boomers” and
“Santa Never Made it into Darwin.” Schools close the week before Christmas for summer vacation
which lasts until the end of January.
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“Kurisumasu Omedeto!” While less than 1% of the Japanese are Christians, they decorate stores and
homes with evergreens during Christmas. In Japan, the Christmas cake is key to the celebration of
Christmas. Also essential to the Christmas celebration is the daiku of “Great Nine.” It refers to Beethoven’s ninth symphony which is sung by huge choruses singing what American sing as “Joyful, Joyful,
We Adore Thee.” For the Japanese, Christmas is a day to do nice things for others.

“Boze Narodzenie!” In Poland, a traditional Christmas food is Oplatek-a piece of bread pressed with a
holy picture on it. They share it with family and friends to wish them good things in the coming year and
to forgive any hurts from the past year.

“Joyeaux Noel!” In France, the crèche or Nativity scene is central in each home. The crèche includes
little clay figures called santons which often times bear a strong resemblance to local dignitaries and
characters. The main Christmas meal is called Le Revillion—the awakening– and is eaten after midnight Mass.

“Nollaig Shona Dhiut!” In Ireland, lighted red candles decorated with holly are placed in windows on
Christmas Eve to guide Joseph and Mary in case they are seeking shelter. Children put out Christmas
sacks instead of stockings and to refresh a travel-weary Santa, they leave mince pies and a bottle of Guinness.

“Buon Natale!” In Italy, children receive their gifts on January 6, the Epiphany. They are brought by a
kind ugly witch called Befana. She rides a broom and is looking for the three Wise Men. It is said that
they asked her to come along with them on their journey to visit the Christ child and she refused saying
she was too busy. She regretted her decision and has been searching for the Baby ever since, leaving
gifts at every house in case He is there.

“Pozdrevlyayu s prazdnikom Rozhdestva is Novim Godom!” In Russia, Christmas is traditionally celebrated on January 6. Gifts are given by Babushka, a kindly old woman whose story is the same as Italy’s Befana. Russian Christmas dinner consists of twelve courses, one course in honor of each of the 12 apostles.

“Feliz Navidad!” Mexicans attend a midnight mass which is called la Misa Del Gallo or the rooster’s
Mass. At that Mass they sing lullabies to Jesus. In Spain, gifts are brought by the three Wise Men on the
Feast of the Epiphany, Family Christmas dinner is eaten after Midnight Mass. After dinner, they gather
around the Christmas tree and sing Christmas carols until the wee hours of the morning. In Costa Rica,
people erect huge models of the stable where Jesus was born. They are often as large as a room to insure
that the Baby Jesus is as comfortable as possible.

“Srozhdestvom Kristovym” In the Ukraine, Father Frost visits all the children in a sleigh pulled by only
three reindeer. His helper is a little girl named Snowflake Girl. She wears a silver blue costume
trimmed with white fur and a crown shaped like a snowflake.
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Flower Offering
Christmas
Elvera Vieni
Thomas Mingione
Edward, Kathryn and
Peter Herger
Michael Dennehy
Catherine Woodburn
Raymond Winslow
Vincent Galbo
Joseph Lehman
Mr. Walsh
Dotti Wilkinson
Carol Samawiego
All member of Mangels and
Murphy families
Florence McLoughlin
Jessie & Edward Muller
Catherine & Richard Bermingham
Charles Cognato
Anne Frers
Ken Frers
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MacArthur, Meehan, and
England Families
H. Rivera
Joe Jirau
Carmine & Josephine Barila
Anthony & Fannie Messina
Andrew L. Velten
Mrs. Melissa Rogan
Dec’d mbrs of Bono and
Amabile Families
Margaret McDevitt
Mrs. Marie Nappo
Leonard & Gertrude Parine
Kenneth Meyer
Frances Parine
Eugene & Lois Parine
Stan & Stella Armour
Martha Wills
Mary & Vincent Cannillo
Liberta Brusca
Raymond
Marion & Arthur Schwarz
Gordon & Winberry Families
Mr. Daniel Golden
Jennifer Gordon
John Cardali
Joseph Argento
Piazza, Graci, Timony and
Meehan Families
Maryjean Wilkinson
Richard M. Devlin, Sr.
Devlin & Peterson Families
M/M T. Reges
DeGuardi/Badamo family mbrs
Capitena, Hilbert, Evoskevicz and
Volpone families
Caiati & Angeloro families
Mary Harte
Matthew & Michelle Kilkelly and
Family
ILMO Virginia & Joseph Beno
Alice M. Triggs
Arthur & Christine Serdock
McGuire/Pfeiffer family
Lucille Harsch
Frank Meyer
William Knoblich
Miriam Rugino
William A. Basso
Vincent & Grace Capanzano
Chris Romanello
Joseph C. Capo II
Ms. Theresa Schnappauf
Lockett & Crowley Families
Michael Reilly
Critchley-Zucco Families
M/M John E Seylar
Jim Loretz
Thomas & Florence Brady
M//M Carmine Telesca
James McGrade
Thomas G. Brando
Rosemary Cox
Frances Schweitzer
Bunting & Hirt Family
IMO Walter & Helen Cameron
Michael & Ann Schnappauf
Michael & Edna Ryan
Bill Mace
Peter Roache
Julia & Daniel Colasuonno
Joseph Marrone
Margaret & Joseph Colasuonno
Helen & Rocco Marrone
Homann, Netska Family
McCarthy & Sabala
Our Parents
Leah & Luke MacQuade
Alice Bonacci
Carolyn Wissing
John & Elizabeth Meditz
Departed Ferguson Family mbrs
Josephine Sabella
M/M Joseph Castiglione
Salvatore Castiglione
M/M Andrew Nangano
Anthony Nangano
Edward Kelley
Daniel Flesch
Tori Cohen
Evelyn Fontaine
John Vollmer
Mildred, Anthony, Sr. and
Anthony Jr. DeVivo
Anthony Borsella
Maryann Borsella
Bill Kuhlwilm
M/M Patrick Collins
Feliney & Lauria Families
Biagio Mingoia
Catherine & Joseph Lipari
M/M Mark Grabow
Margaret, Robert Morrow
Castagna Family
Scacciaferro Family
Raffaela Martino
Dieter Wegner
M/M Thomas Livecchi
Jack Welch
Larry Krup
Frances Sitone
Vincent Sitone
Dec’d mbrs of Allocca and
D’Aponte Families
Brewster T. Gottsch
Joseph & Anne Malloy
Fr. Joe Lukaszewski
Fr. Bill Shean
Henry & Josephine Busching
William & Audrey Chartrand
Rose & Joseph Minenna
M/M Richard Maher
John McKeefery
Celina Pennacchia
DeLeon & Espina Family
Peter & Anna Mancuso
Dan & Dick Mancuso
Antonio & Josephine Paladino
Fred & John Ardolino
Joe & Marie Tufaro
Baby Christopher Flynn
Shilletto & Steffenson Families
Grandparents
M/M Joseph Walas
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Carmela & Nicola Gullusci
Mary & Matthew Zito
Gene Langan
M/M Frank Aparo
Phyllis & Matty Santini
Edwin Lucie
Eugene Langan
John Russo
Doc & Peggy Thies
John Pozsgai
M/M Kevin Murphy
Robert Olsen
Lodespoto Family
Angelone Family
M/M Michael Montesanto
M/M Robert Petersen
Brancato & Mannarino Family
Mrs. Jean Stoltenborg
M/M Robert Punzi
Guider/Heartt Family
Kim Ecker
Oliveri & DiTingo Family
Thomas & Margaret Burke
Joseph Lehmann
Bill & Philomena Crosby
Charles Tibbetts
Danisi Family
Bob & Mark Petito
Mrs Carole Civile
Mr Timothy
Mr John Conzone
Mrs. A. Marotta, Jr.
M/M Joseph Yezek
Dec’d mbrs of Giuffré and
Pezzuti Families
Virginia Cruse
John Cruse
Edward White
Russo & Scorcia Families
Frank & Joseph Diamante
Norbert J. Kucala
Mrs Anne Bolin
Ciccarello/Sierra Families
Thomas J. Ahern
Stephen & Theresa Duggan
Winnie Mikoljon
Edith Monaghan
M/M Robert Yagarich
Joseph Bott
Ann Keller
Florence Borzell
Veronica Kenny
Isobel T. Davidson
Daniel G. Davidson
Ms. Rosemary Wells
M/M Kenneth McIlwaine
Alec & Olive Neilson
David F. O’Connell
Bernard Kerner
Eleanor Bruno
Angela M. Lillis
M/M Richard Flynn
Neil Haffey
Ms Mechelina Geddrie
John Howrigan, Sr.
Rose & Sal Guastella
M/M Glenn Denzler
Marie & Ed Terribile
Callegari & Baker Family
F. Harnos
Dec’d mbrs of Cinelli and
LaGiglia Families
Frank Harnos, Jr.
Mary & Edward Baker
Mary & Frank Harnos
Brian Dobrydney
Mr Charles T Waag
Lee, Finnegan, McNulty Family
Dec’d mbrs of Wilson and
Kopitsch Families
M/M Michael Kaminski
Robert Beck
Barbara Romeo
M & W Phillips
Dec’d mbrs of Colletti and
Guarino Families
Casciola Family
Leone Family
M/M William Davies, Jr.
Flanagan and Reilly Families
M/M Thomas Hamilton
Giovanni Andriola
Richard S. Proctor
Polik, Macari, Gunther and
Austin Families
Ann & John Greenhalgh
Mary Carbone
M/M Kevin Kilkelly
M/M William Sheehan
Mrs Maureen Nyholm
Delphina Ferreira
Halagarda/Burke Family
Jane Keegan
Margaret Dugan
Mrs. Corazon A Smith
Peter V. Mirabella
M/M John Giambrone
M/M Robert Watts
M/M Noel Mac Dermott
M/M Mark Spencer
Mr. Barry Caputo
Ms. Mary Hesdo
M/M Steven Diamond
Edward Filippone
O’Rourke & Muldoon Family
George Jorgensen
Michael & Catherine Maneri
M/M John Maier
M/M Thomas McLoughlin
Michele White
Richard Heithaus
Daniel Smyth
Martin Klein
Christina Grossi
Josephine Grossi
Carl Argila
Lydia Argila
M/M Steven Troiano
M/M Frank Barone
Ellen Finn
M/M Daniel Abraham
Mr Thomas Pesik
Mary & James Randazzo
M/M James Dobson
Pasquale & Clara Strocchia
Anne Catalano
Dec’d Severino Family
M/M James Clifford
Joseph DiMola III
John & Mary Cunniffe
Pat Cafferty
M/M Louis Rosati
Walter & Grace Okuska
Robert J. Bautista, Sr.
Ralph & Joey Tattaro
M/M Sal Petriaso
M/M Charles Jannace
M/M Sal DiPietro
M/M David Viola
M/M Raymond Mascolo
Patricia Salegna-Maqueda
Anthony M. Rao
M/M John Bochicchio
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M/M Peter Rooney
Lazarich & Ruth Families
M/M Michael Flaherty
Gene Langan
Dave Hannigan, Sr.
Richard Wilson
Winifred Hanrahan
Barbara PoPo
Novello Gallina Family
Juliette & Stephen
Birger Fredriksen
M/M Michael Lamb
Ms. Dolores Beckerman
Ruth Boucher
M/M Peter M Magliocco
M/M Richard Corso
M/M Dominick Nocera
Joseph Campisi
Jack & Laura Dawson
Nicholas and James Macario
Rick Munkwitz
James Totans
Dick & Steph Garcia
Dec’d mbrs of Bovasso and
Kane Family
Maria & Robert Rosenheimz
Cecil Thorton, Sr. & Jr.
Roberta Prestwood
Mylo Manno
Torre/Podhay
Beatrice Mattel
Umberto J. Anglisano
Tina Anglisano
Neil Mattel
Joanne Anglisano
Carmela & Daniel
M/M Anthony Lipari
M/M Rolando V. Razon
M/M James F. Tobin
Eppers & Sapraicone
M/M Janusz Wlodkowski
M/M Gary Siano
M/M Paul Alotta
Ponzio Family
M/M Zbigniew Musial
M/M Joseph Staniszewski
M/M Thomas P. Fenlon, Jr.
Eleanor Esposito
Rose Fodera Genna
M/M Howard Swicord
Robert Govier, Sr.
Ed & Dot Solomonik
Madeline Hopper
Ludwig Bruno
M/M Filippo Olivieri
M/M Michael Frias
M/M James Ivers
Helen & Dan McMahon
Felicia & Joe Poveromo
M/M James Wood
M/M Francesco Merollo
Oma & Opa Gries
Mrs Nannette Proscia
M/M Eddie Shaffer
M/M Nicholas Papocchia
M/M Domenic D’Achille
M/M John Rickey
M/M Rolando Castro
M/M Stephen Frias
M/M Jose F. Taveras
Mrs. Rita Dillon
Ms. Joan Meyer
Harry & Joseph Rizzo