This is “Kick-Off Weekend” for the 2012 Archbishop’s Annual Appeal. Brochures and pledge envelopes are in the pews. Please make a pledge and be as generous as possible. Thank you for supporting the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal.

As you hopefully heard at Mass this weekend, the ‘Mission of the Archdiocese’ is vast. It is an opportunity for all of us in some way, shape, or form, to reach out to our sisters and brothers in the four counties of Northern New Jersey. We as a parish have directly benefited from the monies raised from the AAA, with having our seminarians (Alex, Emmanuel, Ronaldo, Fr. Michael, and Carlos) here at our parish. They are just one of the arms the AAA supports. There are many others; take some time and pray and reflect what you can give to this worthy appeal.

Our goal this year for Nativity is $59,797. And our stretch goal
is $65,777. If we reach our stretch goal then we get money back from your pledges to put in our budget. Thank you to all who help us continue the mission of our Archdiocese.

Reflections on the parts of the Mass:

Role of the responsorial psalm:

One of the functions of the responsorial psalm is to act as a bridge from the first reading to an encounter with Christ in the gospel. This Sunday’s psalm easily exemplifies this role. The first reading ends with disease and alienation. The gospel takes us to the healing and reconciling response of Jesus to the leper who seeks his help. In between stands the psalm that already sings of the salvation God grants those who ask for it.

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 Thoughts on the scripture: (Taken from Living Liturgy)

By touching the leper, Jesus takes on the leper’s ritual uncleanness. Consequently, he must remain an outcast, living in “deserted places.” But this does not stop the people from “coming to him from everywhere.” In Jesus they recognize someone who freely and fearlessly touches everything that is human. They cannot stay away from someone who draws close to them. Can we?

“Outcasts” are not just those of long ago who have broken a legal taboo. Today there are those we have cast out: they may be members of the other political party, another religion, a foreign culture, even members of our own families, etc.

Peace,

Fr. Peter