FINANCE COMMITTEE CORNER
Last Sunday $7,253 was received in the offertory baskets at Mass and $7,035 was received through WeShare, for a total of $14,288. Thank you for so generously giving to our regular collection.
YOUTH CHOIR FOR 5:30 CHRISTMAS EVE FAMILY MASS
Each year we organize a Youth Choir to sing for the 5:30 Christmas Eve Family Mass. Children (from grade 3 up) and Teenagers are invited to join this CHRISTMAS EVE YOUTH CHOIR. Rehearsals are on Wednesdays December 11,18 at 4-5 pm in the Church. The Parent Permission form to sign up can be picked at the rectory office, downloaded from the Religious Education webpages (https://blessedsacramentnyc.org/5-30-christmas-eve-youth-choir). Please call or email Tina Silvestro if you need more information. 212-877-3111; [email protected]
THE BLESSED SACRAMENT ANNUAL COAT DRIVE in cooperation with NEW YORK CARES WEEKEND OF DECEMBER 7th and 8th, 2019. The Social Action Committee and the many volunteers will accept GENTLY USED COAT DONATIONS , INCLUDING CLEAN BABY'S AND CHILDREN'S COATS at the entrance of the church before and after each of the Masses of December 7th and 8th.PLEASE, let us make this a HUGE SUCCESS FOR THE NEEDY IN OUR CITY!
GOSPEL MASS
We have invited some of the choir from St. Josephs in Harlem on Sunday December 8th to sing at the 5:30pm Mass. It promises to be both uplifting and a powerful expression of emotions of people who have struggled by faith to overcome the horrors of discrimination and oppression. Sister Thea Bowman spoke of the importance of incorporating African-Americas hymns into the Catholic liturgy. She said that African-American Catholics need to embrace the "expression of the spirituality of their home, community and upbringing”. All are welcome.
TOILETRY PANTRY CAMPAIGN
The women's group is creating a Toiletry Pantry Campaign that we are launching on the weekend of January 4th & 5th and we need toiletry donations, as well as monetary donations.
We will be collecting one weekend per month and would also love volunteers to help collect items before/after mass and making announcements at mass.
Anyone interested in volunteering can contact Kimberly LaMarque: [email protected] or Jackie Baligian: [email protected]
We will happily take any size, trial or full size.
We are accepting the following:
Unopened: body wash, bar soap, body lotion, shampoo and conditioner, dental products: toothpaste, toothbrushes floss, mouthwash, shaving creams/ lotions/ razors
Opened: body wash, Body lotion, shampoo and conditioner, dental products: toothpaste, floss, mouthwash, shaving products, nail polish
Please join the Blessed Sacrament's Women's Group as they lead an Advent prayer service at 6:30 pm on Monday, December 16th. All are welcome.
Únase al Grupo de Mujeres del Santísimo Sacramento mientras dirigen un servicio de oración de Adviento a las 6:30 pm el lunes 16 de diciembre. Todos son bienvenidos.
2020 PASSION PLAY IN OBERAMMEGAU
Every 10 years since the 17th century the village of Oberammegau, in thanksgiving to God for being spared the plague, has performed a play depicting the Passion of Jesus. We are planning a 10-day pilgrimage: July 3 -12, 2020 which includes not only the Passion Play but several sites in Switzerland and Germany. All inclusive package pricing including round trip airfare from New York is $4,790.00 per person, sharing a twin room. Tickets are limited. If interested please contact the rectory. Brochures are available in the rectory.
ADVENT SIMPLE SUPPERS
Please join us on the Tuesdays of Advent: December 10 and 17 for prayer and meditation followed by a light dinner of soup, salad, and bread. Prayers begin promptly at 7pm in the dining room of the Rectory. It is a wonderful and contemplative way to prepare for Christmas. The Gay Fellowship is sponsoring the Advent Simple Suppers; ALL are WELCOME to come. We hope to see you there. For more information, please call/email Chris Williams at 304-337-1252 or [email protected]
2019 Parish Annual Appeal
Blessed Sacrament is conducting an annual appeal. Our goal is to raise $350,000. 100% of the monies collected from the appeal go directly to the parish. The money will be used to cover our operating deficit of -$100,000. In addition, our old church, parish hall, and rectory are in constant need of repair, and we need to repair the church and school roofs and begin to look at repairing the church windows.
PLEASE be generous as all of the money from the Appeal will go directly to the parish. Thank you for your support.
JOY J JESSE TREE
The JoyJ Initiative's Jesse Tree will be placed on the altar in front of the Blessed Mother on Saturday, December 7th. The Tree will have ornaments on it with a request for certain items or a donation. These items include a hat, scarf, gloves, sweatshirt (Extra Large), socks and a $10 McDonald's or Subway card. All items will be used for our Homeless Outreach and added to the comfort bags distributed to our less fortunate Brothers and Sisters living on the Streets of New York. 100% of your donation will be used to buy the items to be placed in the bags. The “UNWRAPPED” items will be collected before the Masses on Saturday, December 21st and Sunday, December 22nd. After that, they can be brought to the Rectory. God bless you and have a very Merry Christmas!
PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL (PPC)
Blessed Sacrament Church relies on the commitment and dedication of parishioners to maintain an active and vibrant community of believers. The Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) through Pastoral Planning, proposes policies that further the mission of the parish. Together with the Pastor, the council consults on pastoral matters and makes conclusions and recommendations to policies for the pastor’s approval.
We are excited to share that the Parish Pastoral Council is looking for new candidates to serve on the PPC. We invite all parishioners to nominate themselves, or candidates whom they believe would be willing and able to serve the parish in this capacity.
Eligible for Candidacy:
Registered Parishioners who are seventeen (17) years of age or older. Registered with Blessed Sacrament for at least one (1) year.
Served in some capacity (committee, council, or ministry) at Blessed Sacrament.
Attributes of a Strong Candidate:
Demonstrated dedication to serving the Church - the people of God. Commitment to discipleship through participating in the sacraments most especially the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, and encouraging others to do the same. Commitment to stewardship through willingness to give gifts of time, talent, and treasure as needed. Positive attitude and energy, willingness to work as part of a team, respectful of others opinions.
The Council meets approximately ten times a year (no July or August), usually the second Wednesday of the month from 7:00pm - 8:30pm. If you still would like to explore serving, we invite you to submit your nomination form in one of two ways:
1. Submit your nomination here: bit.ly/PPCNomination
2. Pick up a paper nomination form from the rectory and once completed, scan and email to [email protected] or drop it off at the Rectory to the attention of Mark Murphy.