MASS SCHEDULE

Mon., Jan. 8 8:30 am	Baptism of the Lord Michael Novello req The Hedin Family
Tues., Jan. 9 8:30 am	Weekday Chester DeStefano req Lorraine and George Krizenawski
*Wed., Jan. 10 8:30 am	Weekday Robert Briski req Ruth Wood
Thurs., Jan. 11 12:10 pm	Weekday Frank Pellek req Florence Britto
Fri., Jan. 12 8:30 am	Weekday Bee Sutt req Madeline Fisher
Sat., Jan. 13 8:30 am 5:30 pm (Vigil)	St. Hilary, Bishop, Doctor Earl Wilson req Lou and Hazel Sullivan Mary Rohrs req Joe and Irene Stevens
Sun., Jan. 14 8:00 am 9:30 am 11:00 am	2^nd Sunday in Ordinary Time The People of the Parish Jody Waldhart req Pam Cook’s Small Church Group Edwin Zuczek req Beth Ann and Glenn Coffman

* Rosary for Peace – After the Wednesday 8:30 a.m.

FROM THE DESK OF FR. LEN

Today we conclude the Christmas season with the visit of the Magi. A significant part of this feast is the gifts presented by the Three Wise Men. Though worthy of a King, these gifts have an even deeper meaning when it comes to our God. Gold/money will play an important part in Jesus’ life from the coin offered as temple tax to the thirty pieces paid for His betrayal. Frankincense is indicative of the role He would play in the life of the Temple – from His meeting with the scholars when he was twelve to His first words proclaiming a year of favor from the Lord. Myrrh, an oil used to anoint kings, can also be seen in Mary’s anointing of Jesus’ feet and its use at His burial. Signs and symbols that may seem simple or inconsequential are always important in the larger picture of our faith history. As we put away our gifts this week given to us by family and friends, take some time to reflect on why they were given to you. Will they have a purpose in your life during 2007?

THIS WEEK AT OLL

Monday, Jan. 8 4:30-5:45 pm 6:30-8:00 pm 7:00 pm 7:30 pm	Religious Education Religious Education Rosary Altar Society Mtg. (CH) PPC (OCH)
Tuesday, Jan. 9 10:00 am-Noon 7:00 pm 7:30 pm	Beyond Sunday (Rms. 9 and 10) PARISH TRIP MEETING (CH) Prayer Group
Wednesday, Jan. 10 4:30-5:45 pm 5:30 pm 6:30 pm 6:30-8:00 pm	Religious Education Youth Bells Advanced Bells Religious Education
Thursday, Jan. 11 4:30 pm 7:00 pm 7:30 pm 7:30 pm	Children’s Choir Cantors Adult Choir Pre-Baptism Class (CH)
Saturday, Jan. 13 4:00 pm	Youth Choir
Sunday, Jan. 14 8 – 11 am 9:30 Mass	K of C Breakfast Buffet CLOW

GOD’S PLAN FOR GIVING

Sacrificial Giving

Weekend of December 23/24 $11,321.77

Identifiable donors (439) $10,424.00

Loose cash $ 897.77

Our 5% tithe of $566.00 will be sent to The Children’s Inn.

Weekend of December 30/31 $12,165.92

Identifiable donors (482) $11,232.95

Loose cash $ 932.97

Our 5% tithe of $608.00 will be sent to Habitat for Humanity.

The collection on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception amounted to $2,370.00, and the second collection for the Retirement Fund for the Religious amounted to $7,001.73.

TITHING FOR JANUARY 14th

The 5% tithe of next weekend’s collection will be sent to the Whitehouse Rescue Squad.

STEWARDSHIP RECOGNITION CORNER

Special recognition and gratitude is given this week to all who gave so generously last weekend to Starfish. Your donations will be matched by an anonymous donor.

UNDECORATING THE CHURCH

We will be taking down the Christmas decorations in the Church on Sunday afternoon, January 7^th, at 12:00 p.m. We need people to carry decorations to the basement, and someone who can climb a ladder. Anyone wishing to help, please call Lee Dolan at 534-0747.

LITURGICAL SYMBOLISM

This week’s liturgical symbol is mistletoe. Mistletoe magically roots itself in tree branches and so seems suspended between earth and sky. No wonder that it, like the olive borne by Noah’s dove, has become an emblem of the reconciliation of heaven and earth!

THE BLESSED SACRAMENT IS RESERVED AT OUR LADY OF LOURDES AND ALL ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCHES. WE RESPECTFULLY ASK THAT ALL OBSERVE A REVERENT SILENCE AND APPROPRIATE DRESS.

BEYOND SUNDAY Adult Faith Enrichment

As you begin the New Year, consider enriching your faith by joining our Tuesday morning class. Our study of “Growing Our Images of God” will continue on Tuesday, January 9th, from 10:00 a.m. to noon, in Classrooms 9 and 10. This week, we will continue our discussions of the Hebrew images of God found in scripture. If you were unable to attend the first segment, please plan to join us for this gathering. If you would like more information, please call Joline at 534-2319, ext. 12.

PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR SERVICE MEN AND WOMEN WHO ARE SERVING ALL OVER THE WORLD. GOD BLESS THEM AND BRING THEM HOME SAFELY TO THEIR LOVING FAMILIES.

A VERY SPECIAL GIFT

The Fr. Gall Memorial Garden of Life has finally begun to take shape. Now is the perfect time to order your paver (or pavers) as there is an Initial Phase Close-Out date of January 15, 2007. Due to the overwhelming demand, we are offering three more benches for purchase, as well as fourteen 2’ x 2’ pavers. The current prices are guaranteed until January 15^th; after that, they may go up due to the increase in the cost of granite. If you wish to make a purchase, please fill out the order forms available in the narthex. Attach your check to the order and bring or mail it to the Church office by January 15^th. If you have any questions, you can contact one of the members of the committee listed on the front of the order form.

Sponsor of the Week

CALIFORNIA GRILL

Thank you for placing an ad in our bulletin.

PARISH-SPONSORED TRIP

Our Lady of Lourdes will be presenting another parish trip, Exploring Upper and Lower Canada, from September 7^th to September 15^th, 2007. Globus Vacations will provide the transportation and the Tour Directors. We will travel to Toronto, Niagara Falls, “The Maid of the Mist” boat ride at the Falls, Thousand Islands National Park in Ottowa (where there will be another cruise), Ottowa, Quebec City, and Montreal. Much more is included in this trip, and there will be an information meeting this Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. in Community Hall, for those who are interested. For further information, please call the parish office.

NEW PARISH DIRECTORY

As you are aware, the parish will be publishing a new directory in the Spring. For your convenience, on-line scheduling is now available either through the parish website, www.ollwhs.org, or going directly to the company’s website, www.appointment-plus3.com/ap/churchofourladylourdesrcc/index.php?page=10, or you may contact Madeline Fisher at 534-4868 or Dottie Dargis at 788-2972 to schedule an appointment.

RITES OF ACCEPTANCE AND WELCOME

This Sunday, January 7^th, at the 9:30 a.m. Mass, Olivia Franklin, Tyler Kaziska, Travis Morrell, and Victoria Sparrow are celebrating the “Rite of Acceptance into the Order of Catechumens.” They are preparing for baptism, confirmation and eucharist. Joley Tetreault and Joseph Konya already share our Christian faith through baptism. We will celebrate the “Rite of Welcome” for these candidates next Sunday, January 14^th, as they continue their preparation for confirmation and eucharist. Please give all of them your prayerful support as they continue their journey.

YOUTH GROUP SPAGHETTI SUPPER

The Youth Group will be sponsoring a spaghetti supper to benefit Starfish on Saturday, January 27^th, between 4:00 and 8:00 p.m. in Community Hall. The cost is $7.00 for adults, $5.00 for children (5-12), $6.00 for senior citizens, and $25.00 for a family.

Parent and youth volunteers are needed from 3:00-8:00 p.m. on January 27^th. If you can help, contact Debbie McKenna at 534-2319, ext. 20.

YOUTH GROUP ACTIVITIES

The Youth Ministry Mass will be on Saturday, January 20^th, at 5:30 p.m. Any 6^th through 12^th grade students who would like to help usher, bring up gifts, or lector, please contact Debbie McKenna at 534-2319, ext. 20. If you are interested in becoming a lector, training will be available. The youth meeting will follow Mass (7-8:30 p.m.) in the youth room.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS! March 3^rd is the date of the Diocesan Youth Day for high school-age teens.

MARTIN HOUSE COMPUTERS

Many computers were received during the furniture collection for Martin House. A volunteer is needed to check out these computers and see if they are in good working order. If anyone can help with this project, please contact Norm Diegnan at 832-7638. Thank you!

TOGETHER IN CHARITY

Bishop Bootkoski has recently instituted an annual collection entitled “Together in Charity” to aid in the funding of social service agencies supported by Catholic Charities in the Diocese of Metuchen. Toward that end, there will be an alms box in the narthex on January 14^th for your donations. Once again, please be as generous as possible.

FOSTER FAMILIES NEEDED

What is your New Year’s Resolution this year? How would you like to make a difference in your life and the life of a child? There are over 11,200 children in foster care in New Jersey. These children do not have the comfort of their mother to laugh over triumphs and cry over hurts; children who do not have their father to teach them to ride a bike. These children are in need of loving, stable homes. Many of them are innocent victims of abuse and neglect. Make a difference in the life of a child and become a resource parent. It’s all about families. For more information call 1-866-247-HOME.

NATIONAL VOCATIONS AWARENESS WEEK

The week of January 8-12, 2007, is National Vocations Awareness Week. In 1997, this celebration was moved to coincide with the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, which celebrates the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry. Jesus is consecrated as the servant of God through baptism. How appropriate that this feast of the Baptism of the Lord is the beginning of National Vocation Awareness Week. As we renew our baptismal vows, we strengthen our covenant with God. We ask for the Spirit to guide us as we respond to God’s call to service.

NEXT SUNDAY’S READINGS

Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

Isaiah 62:1-5: All shall behold your vindication.

1 Corinthians 12:4-11: The Spirit distributes gifts to each person.

John 2:1-11: Jesus transforms water into wine.