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WELCOMEParish of the Visitation 192 Sandford Street | New Brunswick NJ, 08901BackForwardPauseCaption
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From the Pastor’s DeskThe readings today tell us about Baptism. Why are we baptized? Firstly because Jesus established the sacrament and sent the Apostles (Mt 28:19-29) to “make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.” John the Baptist preached: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” That was not the same baptism as the sacrament Jesus founded. John mentions the difference. “He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
In Baptism the Holy Spirit comes with his sevenfold gifts which Isaiah wrote about in the first reading this weekend. The baptized are cleansed of all sin. They are made beloved children of God. They are made members of the Church which is the Body of Christ. They put on the road to eternal life. The baptized are anointed sharing in Christ, priest, prophet and king. And we share in his victory over sin and death. These are great treasures. Do we ever think about them? How do we live these gifts out in our lives? Do we care?
These are the types of questions we should reflect on during the Season of Advent as we prepare to remember God’s coming to us as a helpless child, born in a humble stable, laid in the place where animals are fed. He emptied himself, so that he could become like one of us. He shared in our humanity with all its folly and glory in all things but sin. Why? so that we might be saved. This is the mystery of the incarnation which we recall at Christmas time.
Do not be deceived! Even though you see all sorts of Christmas decorations everywhere you go, IT’S NOT CHRISTMAS. It’s Advent. Prepare the way of the Lord so when he comes and knocks at your door you will be ready. One way to prepare for his coming is to frequent the sacrament of Penance.Las lecturas de hoy nos hablan del Bautismo. ¿Por qué somos bautizados? En primer lugar, porque Jesús estableció el sacramento y envió a los Apóstoles (Mt 28,19-29) a “hacer discípulos a todas las naciones, bautizándolos en el nombre del Padre y del Hijo y del Espíritu Santo, enseñándoles a observar todo lo que les he mandado. Y yo estaré con ustedes todos los días, hasta el fin de los tiempos.” Juan Bautista predicó: “¡Arrepiéntanse, porque el reino de los cielos esta cerca!” No se trataba del mismo bautismo que el sacramento que Jesús fundó. Juan menciona la diferencia. “Él los bautizará en Espíritu Santo y fuego”.
En el bautismo, el Espíritu Santo viene con sus siete dones, sobre los cuales Isaías escribió en la primera lectura de este Domingo. Los bautizados quedan limpios del pecado. Son hechos hijos amados de Dios. Son hechos miembros de la Iglesia que es el Cuerpo de Cristo. Se inician en el camino a la vida eterna. Los bautizados son ungidos participando en los dones de Jesucristo: sacerdote, profeta y rey. Y compartimos su victoria sobre el pecado y la muerte. Estos son grandes tesoros. ¿Pensamos alguna vez en ellos? ¿Cómo vivimos estos dones en nuestras vidas? ¿Nos importa?
Estos son los tipos de preguntas sobre las que debemos reflexionar durante el tiempo de Adviento mientras nos preparamos para recordar la venida de Dios a nosotros como un niño indefenso, nacido en un humilde establo, acostado en el lugar donde se alimenta a los animales. Se despojó de su divinidad para llegar a ser como uno de nosotros. Compartió de nuestra humanidad con toda su locura y gloria en todas las cosas menos el pecado. ¿Por qué? para que seamos salvos. Éste es el misterio de la encarnación que recordamos en el tiempo de Navidad.
¡No se dejen engañar! Aunque se vean todo tipo de adornos navideños en todo lugar, AUN NO ES NAVIDAD. Es Adviento. Preparen el camino del Señor para que cuando venga y toque a tu puerta estes preparado. Una forma de prepararse para su venida es frecuentar el sacramento de la Penitencia.
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Today's Readings / Lecturas Del Día
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Confession Times
- Saturday 3:00 PM to 3:45 PM Or by appointment @ St. Mary
Please call the Parish Office for any other questions (Favor de llamar a la oficina parroquial para cualquier inquietud) -
Weekday Masses
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Monday 12:10 PM English - St. Mary's; followed by St Jude Novena
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(M Tu W Th & F) - 12:10 PM (English) - St. Mary's
- (M, Tu, W, Th, F & Sa) - 8:00 AM (English) -St. Mary's
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Tuesday 7:00 PM (Spanish) at St. John's
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Friday 7:00 PM (Spanish) - St. Mary's; followed by Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament (Adoración al Santisimo)
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Weekend Masses
4:00 pm in English – St. Mary’s - Saturday
7:00 pm in Spanish - St. Mary’s - Saturday
5:30 pm in English - St. Theresa’s -Saturday
9:00 am in Spanish –St. John’s - Sunday
8:30 am in English - St. Mary's - Sunday
11:30 am in English -St. Mary’s - Sunday
1:00 pm in Spanish - St. Mary’s - Sunday
6:00 pm in English - St. Mary’s - Sunday
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Food for Thought
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Candle Offering
The cost of having a lamp lit is $20 for the week.
Please contact the Parish Office for availability. Thank you!
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Spreading the Word
Each talent not developed is bud that never opens to reveal its beauty and fragrance. I stand accountable for developing the talents I have been given. How do I return to the Lord the uniqueness that is me through my compassion?
My artistic gifts? My organizational ability?
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Why Give?
We don't give because we have an abundance of resources and can afford it; we give because of a desire to share what we have with others out of love and gratitude.
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