GOOD SHEPHERD

AMERICAN NATIONAL CATHOLIC CHURCH

1890 WHITESVILLE RD, TOMS RIVER, NJ 08755
GOODSHEPHERDANCC@GMAIL.COM
732-279-6837

WWW.GOODSHEPHERDANCC.ORG
WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/GOODSHEPHERDANCC
WWW.THEANCC.ORG

DECEMBER 25, 2017

NATIVITY OF THE LORD
Mass Schedule
Saturday 5PM
Sunday 8AM & 10AM
Served by:

Fr. Drew Miller

Pastor

Sr. Donna Lombardi, FCM

Pastoral Associate
Parish Administrator

Karen Suter
Secretary

Joe Lombardi
Music Director

Mike & Fran Krol

Parish Council Leaders

An All Inclusive Independent Catholic Community,

Dedicated to Making the World a Better Place
 The Nativity of the Lord

December 25, 2017 Take a moment to contemplate the symbols

All masses:
For the people of the parish
And their families
“All the ends of the earth have
seen the saving power of God “
Psalm 98
of the season. The crèche tells us the Gospel
stories: first from Luke, which details the hu-
man birth in a lowly stable and the angels'
message to shepherds; and later from Mat-
thew, which describes the arrival of Magi
who signify that God's salvation extends to
all. The angels stand as heralds of the good
news, an emblem for each of us on this sol-
emn feast of our own duty to spread the
message that Christ is born and saves us
from our sins. The tree stands as a symbol of
life, its green branches unfading even in the
winter cold, just as God's life remains in us
even though our human form should die. The
wreath made of evergreens reminds us that
God is one, without beginning or end. The
candles recall the birth of him who is forever
the Light of the world. Today, we celebrate
the fact that God came to earth as a beauti-
ful, innocent infant who rejects no one. We
rejoice this day in the birth of Christ! And to-
night, we remember that Jesus Christ came
 FAMILY FAITH FORMATION

Sharing the Gospel

When something wonderful happens, we want to

find out all about it, then go tell everyone we
know. That's just what the shepherds did. We
also want to think about it again and again. That's
just what Mary did. Jesus has come to us. Let's
do what the shepherds and Mary did.

Prayer

Dear God, you give me a new year and new chanc-

es to love you. I want to tell everyone about you
like the shepherds. I want to think about your
love like Mary.
Christmas
Something to Draw

Today marks the end of the Advent Draw yourself telling someone about Jesus.

season and the beginning of the Christmas Mission for the Week
season. We have lighted four candles these Make a thank-you card for someone who told you
past four weeks and asked God to help us about Jesus.

be present to our neighbors and friends.

Now in the Christmas season we are
called to be Christ in the flesh to our
world. Let us pray…

God, you became human through the

obedience of a simple young woman
named Mary. Mary is our model of faith.
May we be faithful to your word
as Mary was.
Give us the courage to face each day
with the yes that Mary gave to you.
We ask this through the incarnate God,
who comes to us again during this
Christmas season.
Amen.
 Community Outreach
THANK YOU ALL for your
Giving Tree generosity! We
were able to make Christmas
a a little brighter and winter a A great time was had by all who attended our
little warmer for six families, annual Christmas Party last Sunday. The spirit
which included 7 adults was clearly with us. We had a wonderful
and 14 children, together turnout with 74 people attending.
with some residents of
Thank you to Joe Hader for donating the
bbbbbbbb Shorrock Extended
beautiful solid oak hope chest that he hand
Care Facility!
crafted. The raffle for the hope chest added
$475 to our Fundraising account.

The lucky raffle ticket for the Hope Chest was

purchased by Mike & Fran Krol who
Generously gifted the chest to Amber
Bertalan, our 5 o’clock mass acolyte!

Thank you to Mike Krol and Bob Ward for

organizing the event!
Bible Study this coming Friday,
December 29th :

Join us in a discussion about “The Shack”. If

you were not able to join us last week for the
viewing of the movie, it is currently available
on HBO and HBO GO. Or, if you prefer and WEEKLY BIBLE STUDY
are interested, you can read the book.
“Seven to nine with pizza and wine”

Come and join us for discussion,

conversation, and fellowship.

Friday evening 7pm down-

stairs!