The Nativity of the Lord

The Nativity of the Lord
Christmas Day -December 25, 2012
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The Parish of Our Lady of Lourdes
455 Hunter Avenue, West Islip, NY 11795
631-661-3224 Website: ollchurch.org
Msgr. Brian McNamara, Pastor
Rev. Patsy Amabile
Rev. Robert Scheckenback
Solemnity of Mary
The Parish Family of Our Lady of Lourdes will gather
on Monday, December 31 and Tuesday, January 1
to celebrate the Solemnity of Mary.
We’ll celebrate the Solemnity of Mary on...
Monday, December 31 at 5 PM (vigil)
Tuesday, January 1 at 8 AM, and 12:10 PM.
Please come and pray with us!
Christmas Carols...
We hear them everywhere we go it seems. It starts right after Halloween and continues in an ever-increasing
frenzy. They seem to be a reminder that the number of shopping days until Christmas are dwindling. But,
when Christmas arrives, they soothe us and cheer us. What would the celebration be without Christmas Carols? Carols originated in Europe thousands of years ago. The word “carol” actually means dance or a song of
praise and joy. Carols used to be written and sung during all four seasons, but only the tradition of singing
them at Christmas has really survived!
Christmas carols, as we know them, were given life by St. Francis of Assisi, when in 1223 he started his Nativity Plays in Italy. Francis was determined that ordinary people, who often couldn’t read, should understand
and love the birth of Jesus, He set up living nativities using real people and animals and told the story of the
birth of Jesus. Songs or ‘canticles’ were sung telling the miraculous story. Usually the songs were sung in a
language that the people watching the play could understand and join in. People left joyfully bringing the
songs with them. The new carols spread to France, Spain, Germany, and other European countries. And the
tradition of “caroling” began throughout Europe.
Some of the carols we sing today are very old, and many have interesting stories. The first carol heard on the
streets of London at Christmas time from the 16th century onward, was “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen.”
Interestingly enough, most people misplace the comma-thinking the opening line is “God rest ye, merry gentlemen”-distorting the meaning of the song. It’s message is not for “merry” people only-but extends the hope
and blessing that God’s grace and mercy will cause them to be merry at Christmas.
“O Holy Night (Cantique de Noel) is often said to be the most beautiful of all Christmas carols. There is a frequently repeated story that this carol figured prominently on Christmas Eve, 1870, during the Franco-Prussian
War. In a burst of Christmas fervor, a French soldier burst out of his trench and began singing this carol. So
moved by his actions, the Germans did not fire on him– and a German soldier then stood and sang a traditional
German carol. Soon both sides began singing together the well-loved “Silent Night”-and peace reigned for
that one Christmas night!
In fact, all sorts of legends surrounded the most popular carol, “Silent Night.” The traditional story is that
Rev. Josef Mohr, a young pastor in Oberndorf, Austria, wrote the words for the village children to sing as a
surprise for their parents. Upon discovering on Christmas Eve that the parish organ was broken, he prevailed
upon his friend Franz Gruber to compose a melody to be accompanied by guitar. Whatever the true story is,
this song remains the best-loved carol in the world, having been translated into hundreds of languages.
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...with a Hidden Meaning
From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly.
Someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics. It has two levels of
meaning: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church.
Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality which the children could remember.
-The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ.
-Two turtle doves were the Old and New Testaments.
-Three French hens stood for faith, hope and love.-The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke & John.
-The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament.
-The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation.
-Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit--Prophesy, Serving,
Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy.
-The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes.
-Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit--Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness,
Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control.
-The ten lords a-leaping were the ten commandments.
-The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples.
-The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostles' Creed.
This is a little history of how a strange song became a Christmas Carol...pass it on if you wish.
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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Some Christmas Goodies…
Christmas Facts &
When the phrase was coined, merry meant blessed and
peaceful, or “Blessed and Peaceful Christmas.”
Bethlehem-the birthplace of the Bread of Lifemeans “House of Bread.”
Legend of the Poinsettia-Once a boy was upset because he had nothing to offer the Christ Child on his
birthday. While the boy was praying at his village
church, a brilliant red flower with green leaves sprang
up for him to give to Jesus.
The Candy Cane represents the shepherd’s staff and
upside down, the letter “J” for Jesus. The white candy
represents purity, the three red stripes for the Trinity and
one large red stripe for Jesus’ blood later shed.
Christmas Outlawed!
The Puritans banned the celebration of Christmas
in England and its colonies in the 16th century.
Alabama was the first state to make Christmas an
official holiday in 1836. Oklahoma was the last
state to do this – in 1907.
Christmas Trivia
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Early Christmas trees had
real fruit and flowers and
candles as decorations.
German glass blowers
made glass balls to
replace the heavy
decorations.
These became
known as “bulbs.”
Roman Catholics first celebrated Christmas in 336. It was then known as the Feast of the Nativity.
Showing Christmas Spirit in Boston between 1659 and 1681 would get the offender a fine as Christmas
was outlawed.
Christmas wasn’t declared a federal holiday in the US until 1870.
Franklin Pearce was the first President to introduce the Christmas tree to the White House in 1856.
That tree was lit by candles as was the custom of the time. Lights didn’t appear on the White House
Christmas tree until 1895 when Grover Cleveland had electric lights put on it.
The earliest electric lights on the Christmas tree were very expensive, costing upwards of $300 (more
than $2000 in today’s dollars.) General Electric, the company founded by Thomas Edison, sold handblown bulbs that needed to be wired together by a “wireman” hired by the homeowner.
The first National Christmas Tree was lighted on the white House lawn in 1923 by Calvin Coolidge.
There has been a Christmas tree in Rockefeller Center since 1931 but it wasn’t lighted with electric
lights until 1956.
At the time of the Civil War, the North and South were divided over Christmas, as well as slavery. In
the North, Christmas celebrations were seen as sinful. In the south, Christmas marked the beginning of a
major part of the social season.
Abraham Lincoln asked illustrator Thomas Nast to create a drawing of Santa with some Union soldiers
in an example of Psychological warfare. The image of Santa supporting the Union was meant to demoralize the Confederate forces.
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Christmas Around the World
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“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.
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“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.
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“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.
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“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.
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“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.
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“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.
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“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 Cost 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.
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“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
Petrino & Reinbold Families
Maura N. Dukes
Nancy Caruso
M/M John Miglino
M/M Vincent Vieni
Eileen Okurowski
Mary & Lawrence Bamberger
Edward, Kathryn & Peter A. Herger
John, Richard, Robert Fitzgerald
Virginia A. Petrino
Stephen A. Petrino
Gerard J. Petrino
Buonanno & Kaminski Families
Clarence J. Billings
Raymond A. Winslow
Vincent Galbo
Joseph Lehmann
Mr. Walsh
Dec’d mbrs of Mangels &
DiGiovanna Families
Carol Samaniego
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M/M Jack Pagano
Florence McLoughlin
Ann Kelly
Anthony Cannizzaro
Joseph & Frances Cannizzaro
Jack & Yvonne Winthers
Marczak/Loehr Family
DeGuardi & Badamo Deceased
Cheryl Nap
Gordon & Winberry Families
Leonard & Gertrude Parine
Kenneth Meyer
Eugene & Lois Parine
Stan & Stella Armour
Mary & Vincent Cannillo
Gene Langan
David Hannigan, Sr.
M/M Robert Margolies
Jerry Esposito
Catherine Woodburn
MacArthur, Meehan, &
England Families
Al Beckerman
Donald A. Bolin
Dec’d mbrs of Ambrosino &
Carrano Families
Carmine & Josephine Barila
Anthony & Fannie Messina
Margaret Hanly
Florence O’Regan
Robert Elder, Sr.
Jean & Frank DeBlasi
M/M Gerard Fogarty
Mark & Robert Petito
Devlin & Peterson Families
Ken & Geraldine Bennett
Richard M. Devlin, Sr.
Francis J. Mulligan
Capitena, Hilbert, Volponet, &
Evoskevicz Families
John R. Hodgkins
Carpeneter, Cognato &
Freis Family
M/M Edwin Ramirez, Jr.
Andrew ‘Al’ Velten
Thomas E. Dowling
Carrano & Celiberti Families
Albert Firth
M/M Thomas Rao
Howard Schnappauf
Liantonio/Fernbacker Families
Jennifer Gordon
M/M Neil Weingarten
Dec’d mbrs of Meehan &
Piazza Families
Edward F. White
Virginia Cruse
Harry Hogan, Jr.
Jim Loretz, Sr.
William B. Basso
Vincent & Grace Capanzano
Baby Vincent & William Lawrence
John P. Caparella
Brewster ‘Digger’ Gottsch
Stella Solis
John McKeefery
Carl & Janette Correa
Edward Bentley
M/M John Seylar
Tessie & Peter Tkachuk
William Martino
Rosemarie LaCapria
Margaret & Joseph Colasuonno
Helen & Rocco Marrone
Joseph Marrone
Bill Mace
Peter Roache
Peggy Thies
Anthony Borsella
Maryann Borsella
ILMO Virginia & Joseph Beno
Leah & Luke Macquade
Carolyn Wissing
Dec’d Ferguson Family mbrs
Michael Reilly
Thomas & Florence Brady
Marie & Ed Terribile
Edith Monaghan
Anna & Theodore Reges
John & Muriel Flynn
Walter & Helen Cameron
Michael & Ann Schnappauf
M/M Paul & Diane Munch
Wilkinson & Congera Families
Feliney & Lauria Family
Homann & Netska Family
Fr. Joe Lukaszewski
Fr. Bill Shean
M/M James Wallace
M/M Angelko Telesmanic
M/M Robert Carter
William Kuhlwilm
Amelia Kuhlwilm
Anna Estelle
Critchley-Zucco Families
Pat Curry
Dec’d mbrs of Loscalzo &
Schmitt Families
Josephine Sabella
M/M Mark Grabow
M/M Howard Lewis
M/M M. Ryan
Tricia Salegna-Maqueda
Daniel, Mike & Mickey Salegna
Ann Harnos
Lil Daly
Carl Vega
Josephine Vega
Mary Kunz
Anna Crepazdi
John Cardali
Biagio Mingoia
M/M Peter Mockler
Matthew & Michelle Kilkelly &
family
Henry & Josephine Busching
Lorenzo, Mary and Joan Siele
Robert Costanza
Castagna-Scacciaferro Family
Anne Malloy
Thomas Ferrara
Dec’d Family Members
M/M Thomas Livecchi
Evelyn Albert
Philip Seinfeld, Sr. and Jr.
Ann & John Greenhalgh
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John & Florence Stringer
Dec’d mbrs of Hamilton &
Atanasio Family
M/M Mark Florio
Angelone Family
Lodespoto Family
Robert Beck
Sepe & Mandracchia Families
Angela Ciaramella
Michael Jean Kaminiski
Margaret Morrow
Pauline Dominico
Donald Maines
M/M John J. Welch, Jr.
M/M Joseph Walas
Cecilia Schauer
M/M h. Schauer
M/M H. Epp
M/M Charles Ecker
Baby Christopher Flynn
M/M M. Furia
M/M J. Punzi
Dolores Joan DiBlasi
Dec’d mbrs of LaGiglia &
Cinelli Families
Norbert J. Kucala
9/11 Victims and Families
Sal & Rose Gaustilla
Mom & Dad
M/M Peter M. Magliocco
M/M Richard Corso
M/M Charles Waag
John Howrigan, Sr.
Dec’d mbrs of Kopitsch &
Wilson Families
M/M Raymond Mascolo
Florencia & Carlos Delfin
Keane & Foley Families
M/M Robert Petersen
Joao Mendes & Susana Lima
M/M Timothy Rogers
Jack Szulta
Danisi Family
Giovanni Andriola
Charles Tibbetts
William & Philomena Crosby
M/M Franciso Castiller
Dec’d mbrs of Colletti &
Guarino Families
Frank Harnos, Jr.
Baker & Callegari Family
Susan Aviza
Flanagan & Reilly’s
M/M Michael Montesanto
Martin & Elizabeth Lichten
Martin Klein
M/M Richard Maher
Raymond Downey
Pasquale & Clara Strocchia
Anne Catalano
Carmela, Marie, Connie &
Michael Severino
Jean Stoltenborg
Walter & Grace Okuska
Nicholas Troyano
Ray & Joan Udris
Fitzpatrick Family
Anna, Joseg, Otto &
Franz Mahler
Crescenzo Picone
Peter & Anna Mancuso
Dan & Dominick Mancuso
Antonio & Josephine Paladino
John & Fred Aubordeno
Marie Tufaro
M/M Ted Scorcia
Guider/Heartt Families
Our Deceased Parents &
Deceased Grandchildren
Stephen & Theresa Duggan
Thomas J. Ahern
Winnie Mikoljon
Francesca & Francesco
Buquicchio
Ann & John Murray
M/M M. Zito
M/M N. Gullusoi
Dec’d mbrs of Guiffré &
Pazzuti Families
Dec’s mbrs of Carola &
Franzone Families
Jane Buonaventura
M/M Richard Danowski
M/M Stephen Shelley
M/M Frank Bronkhurst
Burke/Halagarda Family
Paul Ermert
Charles & Adeline Deleo
Kaz & Stella Malaszczyk
Stan & Eva Marcin
Frank & Gene Ciotkosz
M/M Paul Ciccarello
George E. Jorgensen
Dick & Stephanie Garcia
Dominick Fiumara
William Small
M/M David Paprocky
Lazarich & Ruth Families
M/M William Davies, Jr.
Mary Hegarty
Mary Sda
Lydia Argila
Jeanette Dia
Corazon A. Smith
Carol DiMonda
M/M Dennis Murphy
M/M George Wesley
M/M Robert Mattel
Shillito & Steffenson Families
Gertrude Sullivan
Jean Obremski
M/M Kevin Kilkelly
Alan Kittner
Joseph Campisi
Jack & Laura Dawson
M/M Thomas Sterling
M/M William Pellegrino
Juliette & Styelum Perez
Ellen Finn
Dominick Sapraicone
Irene Murray
M/M William Sheehan
M/M David Velazquez
M/M Anthony Lipari
Dianne Koyl
M/M Philip Pappas
M/M Antonio Formica
Mary Randazzo
May Jean Wilkinson
Frank Harnos, Jr.
Mary & Edward Baker
Mary & Frank Harnos
M/M Anthony Malandro
Cecilia Szczecina
M/M Louis Rosati
M/M Robert Watts
Charles Brady
M/M Kenneth Sutton
James C. Totans
Mariani/Luisi Family
M/M Timothy Tamney
M/M Daniel Abraham
Veronica Kenny
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Musumeci/Cilli Family
Dec’d Dobson’s
Paul Donat
Angela Willis
Kolkmeyer & Kirwin Families
M/M Salvatore Raineri
Rosemary Wells
Mechelina Geddrie
M/M Salvatore Pepitone
Robert Govier & Susan Sol
Delphina Ferreira
Maria Rosenkranz
Joseph DiMola III
M/M Zbigniew Musial
Dennis Lato
Antoinette Ritacco
Rose Fodera Genna
Patricia Callahan
Richard Orlando
M/M James Clifford
M/M Joseph Staniszewski
M/M Steven Troiano
Catherine & Michael Maneri
Gordon E. McBrien
Lawrence & Joan Curreri
Thomas Shields
Karen Ivers
M/M James Richichi
M/M Alan Storjohann
M/M Michael Poveromo
Ralph Amodie
Irene Gries
M/M Robert Bovasso
Joan Meyer
M/M Abner Pierre-Lys
M/M Richard Finn
M/M Ragnar Sparby
M/M Eddie Shaffer
M/M James Wood
M/M William Sullivan
Nannette Proscia
M/M Nicholas Papocchia
M/M John Rickey
M/m John Piazza
M/M Howard Swicord
Antoinette Intoci
M/M Joseph Castiglione
Salvatore Castiglione
M/M Andrew Nangano
Anthony Nangano
Daniel Flesch
Edward Kelley
Tori Cohen
John Vollmer
Evelyn Fontaine
Ninfa Caleca
Walter P. Sokol, Sr.
Edward & Jessie Muller
Richard & Catherine Bermingham
Perdue & Endres Families
Alice Bonacci
Frank Meyer
John & Elizabeth Meditz
Gene Langan
Robert Boyd
Madeline Hopper
Patrick McCarthy
Allocca & D’Aponte Families
Herrera & DeLeon Families
M/M David Cinquemani
Finnegan, McNulty & Lee Family
Aniello R. Bianco
M/M Angelito Cruz
M/M Ralph Rapecis
M/M Janusz Wlodkowski
Juana Maria
Joseph Bott
Margaret Burke
Espina & DeLeon Family
Virginia Cruse
Edward White
Armand Porzio
John Sullivan
Thomas G. Brando
Jerry DiCanio
Natalie Macari
Joseph A. Macaluso
William Knoblich
Joseph Aguanno
M/M Thomas P. Fenlon, Jr.
George Prygocki
Dec’d mbrs of Pizzella &
Gagliano Families
Ponzio/Lore Family
M/M Richard Kreuzburg
M/M Walter Fernandez
Pfeiffer & McGuire Family
Robert D. Colin
Colin Family
Yankel Family