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Fatima Focus
Our Lady of Fatima Parish Community
6 Cottonwood Road - Manorhaven, New York 11050
ourladyoffatimapw.org
www.facebook.com/ourladyoffatimapw
ourladyoffatima.wordpress.com
Parish Mission Statement
Firmly rooted in our Roman Catholic tradition,
we, the Parish of Our Lady of Fatima are a
welcoming, caring and inclusive community of
believers. We seek to bear witness to Christ’s love
for all in our lives, in our community and in our
world.
We strive to continue the mission of Jesus through
worship and in our educational, spiritual and
social justice programs and in our commitment to
stewardship.
We are a collaborative, diverse, multi-cultural
parish dedicated to reaching out to all God’s
people, especially those in need.
All are welcome in this parish.
Mass at Our Lady of Fatima Parish
Sundays
Weekdays
Sat.: 5:00 PM, 7:00 PM (Spanish)
Mon. - Fri: 8:00 AM
Sun.: 8:00 AM, 10:00 AM (Family Liturgy),
Holydays
11:30 A.M.
Eve: 7:30 PM - Day: 8:00 AM
Rectory Office: Mon. - Fri.: 9 AM - 12 Noon & 1 - 5 PM;
Sat.: 9AM - 5PM Sun.: 9 AM - 1PM
Rectory Phone: 767-0781
Rectory Fax: 767-2981
Religious Education: 944-8322
Convent: 883-1762
Parish Outreach: 883-3903
(See page 2 for further Parish information.)
December 13th, 2015
Monday, December 14th
8:00 a.m. The People of the Parish
Tuesday, December 15th
8:00 a.m. Antonia Mezic
Wednesday, December 16th
8:00 a.m. Walter & Loretta Malek
Thursday, December 17th
8:00 a.m. Michael J. Katz
Page |1
Today’s Gospel provides a blueprint for
good stewardship. “Let the man who
has two coats give to him who has none.
The man who has food should do the
same.”
SUNDAY COLLECTION
Friday, December 18th
8:00 a.m. Justin Simeons
December 6th: $
th
Saturday, December 19
5:00 p.m. John McSweeney
7:00 p.m. Nuestra Comunidad Hispana
Sunday, December 20th
8:00 a.m. Frank Tarone
10:00 a.m. Robert McSweeney
11:30 a.m. Mario & Filomena D’Aversa
Thank you for your generous sacrificial giving!
Your faithful sacrificial giving each week helps
Our Lady of Fatima to continue our Pastoral
Ministries and care for our parish buildings.
Thanks,
Fr. Steve
Mass Schedule
Your prayers are requested for:
Rick Atkinson, Ryan Armstrong,
Bree Bellavita, Rose Bennett, Michele Bischoff, Baby:
Darian James Bogin, Virginia Cantino, Anthony
Carpinelli, Mary St. John Clark, Baby: Maya Contreras,
Charlie Crum, Gerri De Feo, Michael DiLeo, Judy
Falco, Kyle Faticone, Patrick Finnegan, Rose Galli,
Kathryn Giulitti, Florence Gramarossa, Josie Johnson,
Rylia Laber, Kathleen Lewis, Rita Marchese, Norma
Mazzeo, Baby Joseph Michael McCroarw, Catherine
McEneaney, Elaina McLoughin, Don Mochwart,
Charles Murphy, Mary Nagle, Carol Nesbit, Jesse
Nesbit, George O’Krepkie, Seraphina O’Brien, Terry
Olivo, John Orr, Dean Peterson, Glenn Petersons,
Theresa Pontillo, Harold Poole, Ana Romero, Baby:
Esme Schaeffer, Diana Schmeltzer, Jim Simonsen,
Eileen Smith, Angela Starchich, Annie Tolentino, Jim
Tomlison, Carlos Torres, Margaret Marie Trinko, Carla
Vario, Marilyn Zahn-Veritzan, Darlene Vignec, Vincent
Vutarelli, Mary Whol, Andrew Wykowski and all who
are homebound or have special needs.
December 19th
&
December 20th
Saturday:
Sunday:
5:00 PM ~ Fr. Steve
7:00 PM ~ Misa Hispana
8:00 AM ~ Fr. Steve
10:00 AM ~ Fr. Steve
11:30 AM ~ Fr. Steve
The Reflection Question for the week is:
The crowds ask John what to do to change their
lives.
WHAT CAN I DO THIS WEEK TO CHANGE
MY LIFE TO BE MORE LIKE WHAT JESUS
WANTS?
December 13th, 2015
WORSHIP

CHRISTMAS PAGEANT: For many years it
has been a tradition in Our Lady of Fatima Parish to
have a Christmas Pageant before the 4:00 PM
Mass on Christmas Eve. It has been open to all the
children in the parish who might want to participate.
We would like to continue this tradition for 2015.
We need the children to participate and a number
of adults to help organize the pageant. There is one
practice scheduled for SUNDAY, DECEMBER 20th,
at 1:30 PM. Please contact Leonor at the Parish
Office if you want to have your child participate or
volunteer to help.
 THE SACRAMENT OF PENANCE will be
celebrated on the Saturdays of Advent from 4:00
PM until 4:45 PM. The sacrament of Penance will
also be celebrated on TUESDAY, DECEMBER
23rd, from 4:00 PM until 5:00 PM and again from
7:00 PM until 8:00 PM. There will be a
COMMUNAL CELEBRATION of PENANCE on
DECEMBER 21st, starting at 7:30 PM in the
CHURCH.

CHRISTMAS MASS SCHEDULE: On
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24th (CHRISTMAS
EVE), Mass will be celebrated at 4:00 PM (Bilingual
Mass) and again at 11:00 PM. On FRIDAY,
DECEMBER 25th (CHRISTMAS DAY), Mass will be
celebrated at 8:00 AM, 10:00 AM, and 11:30 AM.
The Christmas season begins with the celebration
of Mass on Christmas Eve and continues until
January 10th, 2016 (the Feast of the Baptism of the
Lord).

ATTENTION ALL COLLEGE STUDENTS
& YOUNG ADULTS: You are invited to gather with
your friends and family for our 11:00 PM Mass on
CHRISTMAS EVE for the celebration of the birth of
the savior.

The SACRAMENT OF THE ANOINTING
OF THE SICK will be celebrated on SUNDAY,
DECEMBER 27th, at the 11:30 AM Mass. All are
welcome to celebrate this sacrament of healing and
forgiveness.
 NEW YEAR’S EVE will be THURSDAY,
DECEMBER 31st, there will be an afternoon of
prayer starting at 3:00 PM and conclude at 4:30
Page |2
PM. All are welcome! This time of prayer will take
place in the CHURCH.

NEW YEAR’S DAY will be FRIDAY,
JANUARY 1st, is the Feast of the Solemnity of
MARY, THE MOTHER OF GOD. It is a holy day of
obligation. Mass will be celebrated on DECEMBER
31st, at 5:00 PM and on JANUARY 1st, at 8:00 AM,
10:00 AM and 11:30 AM. It is also a day of prayer
for Peace in the World.
 HOLY HOUR FOR PEACE will be held
SUNDAY, JANUARY 3rd, the Feast of the
EPIPHANY, from 1:00 PM until 2:00 PM in the
CHURCH. All are welcome to come and pray at the
start of a New Year for peace in our trouble world.
 The LITURGY COMMITTEE will not meet in
December. Our next meeting will be on TUESDAY,
JANUARY 5th, at 7:30 PM in the SACRISTY.
ADMINISTRATION

FAITH DIRECT: As the Season of Advent
continues, enrolling in Faith Direct is a great way to
ensure your gifts of treasure to Our Lady of Fatima
Parish are received even if you may be out of town.
Please pick up an enrollment form at the Parish
Office today or enroll online at: www.faithdirect.net.
Our church code is NY303. Already using Faith
Direct? Don’t forget to add your Christmas or End
of Year contribution to your account this fall. Thank
you for your support and for using Faith Direct.
 THE PARISH OFFICE CLOSED
CHRISTMAS & NEW YEAR’S: The PARISH
OFFICES will close at noon on THURSDAY,
DECEMBER 23rd, for the celebration of Christmas
and re-open on MONDAY, DECEMBER 28th, at
9:00 AM. For NEW YEAR’S WEEK, the PARISH
OFFICES will close at noon on THURSDAY,
DECEMBER 30th, and re-open on MONDAY,
JANUARY 4th, at 9:00 AM.

THE COMMUNICATION COMMITTEE will
meet on THURSDAY, JANUARY 7th, at 7:15 PM in
the PARISH OFFICE.
 The PASTORAL COUNCIL will meet on
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 20th, at 7:30 PM in the
RECTORY.
December 13th, 2015
 THE PARISH LEADERSHIP
COMMUNMITY will meet on WEDNESDAY,
JANUARY 27th, at 7:30 PM in the PARISH
CENTER.
COMMUNITY
Dear Friends,
Today we celebrate the Third Sunday of Advent,
Gaudete Sunday. It is a day to rejoice and be glad for
the Feast of Christmas is quickly approaching.
“This Advent marks the beginning of the Year of
Mercy. When Pope Francis announced a Year of
Mercy he wrote these words: “Jesus Christ is the face
of the Father’s Mercy. These words might well sum up
the mystery of the Christian Faith.” With his
characteristic simplicity and directness, Pope Francis
has invited us to engage the central mystery of our
faith. It is not a concept or a commandment, but the
human face of Jesus Christ, who reveals God’s
unconditional love.
As we begin this new liturgical year, the theme of
mercy is already shaping our annual journey into the
depths of divine love. The word love is so familiar that
we need the Pope’s reminder of just how deep the
mystery that we celebrate really is. We are about to
encounter the living God. If we are open and allow
grace to complete its work in us, we will emerge full
circle at the end of this liturgical year in a very
different place.
“Merciful like the Father” is the official motto of the
holy year. It tells us that the kind of mercy Jesus is
asking us to strive for is only possible with God’s help.
Ordinary human experiences can at times rise to
extraordinary levels, as when a victim of violence
forgives the perpetrator, or someone goes beyond all
logic and social expectation to help the stranger. God’s
mercy is unconditional and infinite: the very nature of
God.
Advent is the perfect time to enter this new capacity
for mercy, for the Incarnation is what makes it
Page |3
possible. It is because God is now with us, one of us in
Jesus, that a new human nature is being revealed.
What formerly was impossible for the human heart is
now the new norm for believers in Jesus. He will
demonstrate God’s limitless mercy in his life right up
to the time of his death, when from his cross he
forgives his murderers.
In his invitation, Pope Francis invites us to explore
Jesus’ relationship with his Father and with his
disciples, who learn the ways of mercy by his example
and through his parables. The Pope urges us to
consider anew these same parables, especially the
Good Samaritan, the Unmerciful Servant, the
Vineyard Workers, the Lost Sheep, the Lost Coin, and
the Prodigal Son.
In the coming weeks I will continue to offer these
reflections on the Year of Mercy as I found them in a
newsletter from CELEBRATION. May this Year of
Mercy be a time of extraordinary for grace for all of us
and for all creation.
Peace,
Fr. Steve
 HOSPITALITY SUNDAY is today, the Third
Sunday of Advent (GAUDETE SUNDAY). All are
welcome to visit the RECTORY after our 8:00 AM,
10:00 AM and 11:30 AM Mass for refreshments
and fellowship as we prepare for the celebration of
CHRISTMAS.
 SUNDAYS OF ADVENT: This week you
are invited to bring a piece from your Nativity set to
be blest during the celebration of Mass. Next
weekend you are invited to bring a bell to announce
the coming Feast of Christmas.
LIVING STEWARDSHIP
We are grateful this week for all stewards in
our parish who prepare for the coming of
Christ by sharing what they have with those
who have less….or none!
December 13th, 2015
FAITH FORMATION
 THE OLDER CONFIRMATION GROUP will
meet on MONDAY, DECEMBER 14th, at 7:15 PM in
the PARISH OFFICE.

The READING GROUP will not meet for the
month of December. Our next meeting will be on
SUNDAY, JANUARY 24th. The book for January
will be A BRIEF HISTORY OF SEVEN KILLINGS
by Marlon James.
OUTREACH
Parish Social Ministry
FOOD PANTRY – Thank you to all those who
have donated to Our Lady of Fatima Food Pantry.
Please remember to check the expiration
dates on all your donated items.
 Toiletries are always welcome! 
CaringHands Corner
Last week’s column spoke of God speaking to us.
It talked about opening our hearts and souls to
God. When you were a child, did your mother
ever ask you, “WHAT’S THE MATTER WITH YOU,
WHY DON’T YOU WAKE UP?” How many of us
have requested a wakeup call or said I’m not
awake yet, I haven’t had my morning coffee? As
the song we sing at Mass goes, Arise from your
Slumber, let us keep in mind how much we miss
when we are awake but our minds are
elsewhere. The following is one man’s story of
needing a wakeup call.
THE BRICK
A young and successful executive was traveling
down a neighborhood street, going a bit too fast
in his new Jaguar. He was watching for kids
darting out from between parked cars and
slowed down when he thought he saw
Page |4
something. The car passed, no children
appeared. Instead, a brick smashed into his Jag’s
side door! He slammed on his brakes and backed
the Jag back to the spot where the brick had been
thrown.
The angry driver then jumped out of the car, and
grabbed the nearest kid and pushed him up
against a parked car shouting. Now sobbing, the
boy asked the stunned executive, would you
please help me get him back into his wheel
chair? He’s hurt and he’s too heavy for me.
What was that all about and who are you? Just
what the heck are you doing? That’s my new car
and that brick you threw is going to cost a lot of
money. Why did you do it? The young boy was
apologetic.
Pleased mister….Please, I’m sorry, but I didn’t
know what else to do, he pleaded. I threw that
because no one else would stop…With tears
dripping down his face and off his chin, the youth
pointed to a spot just around a parked car. It’s
my brother, he said, He rolled off the curb and
fell out of his wheelchair and I can’t lift him up.
Moved beyond words, the driver tried to
swallow the rapidly swelling lump in his throat.
He hurriedly lifted the handicapped boy into the
wheelchair, then took out a linen handkerchief
and dabbed at the scrapes and cuts. A quick look
told him everything.
Thank you and God bless you, the young grateful
child told the stranger. Too shook up for words,
the man simply watched the boy push his
wheelchair-bound brother down the sidewalk
toward their home.
It was a long, slow walk back to the Jaguar. The
damage was very noticeable, but the driver
never bothered to repair the dented side door.
He kept the dent there to remind him of this
message: ‘Don’t go through life so fast that
someone has to throw a brick at you to get your
attention!’ God whispers in our souls and speaks
to our hearts. Sometimes when we don’t have
time to listen, He has to throw a brick at us. It’s
our choice to listen or not.
December 13th, 2015
MEALS TO the HOMEBOUND
FOR CHRISTMAS
It will soon be Christmas, but those who provide
us with the meals need to know as soon as
possible. How many meals they will need to
provide.
If anyone is homebound (or if you know of
anyone who is) and will be alone on Christmas
and would like a meal, please call Sister Kathy at
516-883-3903.
ORANGE BAGS COLLECTION
GIRLS SCOUT THANK YOU
A special thank you to our Girls Scouts for doing a
wonderful job with the Orange Bags Collection for
the support to Our Lady of Fatima Parish Social
Ministry.
Page |5
CALLING ALL CHILDREN
It’s that time of year already! If
you would like to be an angel or
a shepherd in the Christmas
Pageant this year, please call the rectory at
767-0781 and leave your name, grade and
telephone number with Leonor. There is one
practice scheduled for SUNDAY, DECEMBER
20th, at 1:30 PM.
Un Mensaje de
Nuestro Párroco
Queridos Amigos,
Hoy celebramos el tercer domingo de Adviento,
Domingo de Gaudete. Es un día para regocijarnos y
estar alegre por la fiesta de Navidad que rápidamente
se acerca.
Este Adviento marca el inicio del Año de
Misericordia. Cuando Papa Francisco anunció un
Año de Misericordia él escribió estas palabras:
"Jesucristo es el rostro de la misericordia del Padre.
Estas palabras puedan resumir el misterio de la fe
cristiana". Con su sencillez característica y su
franqueza, el Papa Francisco nos ha invitado a
participar en el misterio central de nuestra fe. No es
un concepto o un mandamiento, sino el rostro
humano de Jesucristo que revela el amor
incondicional de Dios.
Comenzando este nuevo año litúrgico, el tema de la
misericordia ya está dando forma a nuestro viaje
anual a las profundidades del amor divino. La
palabra “amor” es tan conocida que necesitamos el
recordatorio del Papa de cuán profundo es en
realidad el misterio que celebramos. Estamos a punto
de encontrarnos con el Dios vivo. Si estamos abiertos
y dejamos que la gracia cumpla su obra en nosotros,
saldremos al final de este año litúrgico en un lugar
muy diferente.
"Misericordioso como el Padre" es el lema oficial del
año santo. Nos dice que la clase de misericordia por
la cual Jesús nos pide luchar sólo es posible con la
ayuda de Dios. A veces experiencias humanas
December 13th, 2015
ordinarias pueden elevarse a niveles extraordinarios,
como cuando una víctima de violencia perdona al
agresor, o alguien va más allá de toda lógica y
expectativa social para ayudar al desconocido. La
misericordia de Dios es incondicional e infinita, la
misma naturaleza de Dios.
Adviento es el momento perfecto para entrar en esta
nueva capacidad de misericordia, porque la
Encarnación es lo que lo hace posible. Es porque Dios
está ahora con nosotros, uno de nosotros en Jesús,
que una nueva naturaleza humana está siendo
revelada. Lo que antes era imposible para el corazón
humano es ahora la norma nueva para los creyentes
en Jesús. Él demostrará la misericordia infinita de
Dios en su vida justamente hasta el momento de su
muerte, cuando, desde su cruz, él perdona a sus
asesinos.
En su invitación, Papa Francisco nos invita a
explorar la relación de Jesús con su Padre y con sus
discípulos, que aprenden las formas de misericordia a
través de su ejemplo y sus parábolas. El Papa nos
invita a considerar de nuevo estas mismas parábolas,
especialmente el buen Samaritano, el siervo
despiadado, los trabajadores de la viña, la oveja
perdida, la moneda perdida y el hijo pródigo.
En las próximas semanas voy a seguir ofreciendo
estas reflexiones sobre el Año de Misericordia como
las encontré en un boletín de la revista
CELEBRACIÓN. Que este Año de la Misericordia
sea tiempo de gracia extraordinaria para todos
nosotros y para toda la creación.
Paz,
Padre Steve
ASISTENCIA PARROQUIAL
Nuestra Despensa de Alimentos: Por favor,
recuerde traer comida con usted a la iglesia (incluso
una lata o dos) o puede dejar una donación (con la
etiqueta “despensa de alimentos”) en la canasta
durante la colecta para que podamos seguir
apoyando la despensa durante los próximos meses.
Les pedimos que, por favor, revise las fechas de
vencimiento de sus donaciones debido a que
hemos estado recibiendo algunos de estos elementos
expirados.
Page |6
 CLASES de INGLÉS: El JUEVES, 17 de
DICIEMBRE, regresamos al CENTRO
PARROQUIAL de NUESTRA SEÑORA de
FÁTIMA.
ASPOSTOLADO HISPANO
Parroquia de Nuestra Señora de Fátima
Declaración de Misión Parroquial
Arraigados firmemente en nuestra
tradición católica romana, nosotros, la parroquia
de Nuestra Señora de Fátima, somos una
comunidad de creyentes que acoge a todos, cuida
de todos e incluye a todos.
Intentamos dar evidencia del amor de
Cristo para todos en nuestras vidas, en nuestra
comunidad y en todo nuestro mundo.
Nos esforzamos en continuar la misión de
Jesús por medio del culto y por medio de
nuestros programas de educación, espiritualidad
y justicia social y en nuestro compromiso de
corresponsabilidad de la vida parroquial.
Somos una parroquia colaboradora,
diversa y multicultural, dedicada a extenderse a
todo el pueblo de Dios, especialmente a los más
necesitados.
¡Todos son bienvenidos a esta parroquia
PASTORELA NAVIDEÑA
para NIÑOS
Durante muchos años ha sido una
tradición en Nuestra Parroquia de
Nuestra Señora de Fátima tener una Pastorela de
Navidad antes del comienzo de nuestra Misa bilingüe
el JUEVES, 24 de DICIEMBRE, comenzando a las 4:00
PM.
Invitamos a todos los niños de nuestra parroquia a
participar. Nos gustaría continuar con esta tradición
pero para hacer todo esto posible necesitamos no
solamente que los niños participen, sino también
necesitamos un número de adultos para ayudar
organizar la celebración. Habrá una práctica el
DOMINGO, 20 de DICIEMBRE, a las 1:30 PM.
Por favor, apúntese con Doña Leonor en la Oficina
Parroquial o puede llamar al 516-767-0781.
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