Oplatki. . . a Polish/Slovak Christmas Tradition

On the Third Sunday of Advent (Gaudete Sunday) we distributed Oplatki to each family in our parish. A part of the Polish/Slovak family Christmas Tradition is the breaking the Christmas Wafer (Oplatek in Polish pronounced oh-pwah-tek) during the Christmas Eve Vigil Feast of Wigilia, the holiest of all the nights of the year in the Polish home, as their ancestors before them have done during the Christmas Celebration uniting the past with the present….heaven with earth.

The Sacred white wafer, much like those used for Holy Communion (unleavened wafers baked from pure wheat flour and water), are shared with each person present. The wafers are embossed with elegant Christmas related religious images. Family members and friends break off a piece of oplatek and give it to one another to eat. During the exchange best wishes and blessings are expressed as well as forgiveness. The breaking and exchanging part of oplatek is intended to remind participants of the importance of Christmas, God, and family. This is the most emotional time of the holiday for the Polish family – the sharing expression of love and forgiveness in celebration and tradition.

The Vigil revolves around the importance of the Christmas Wafer. It literally unites family wherever they are on the Earth. Christmas Wafers have been mailed to each other during the holy season to solidify family unity. Send a package of oplatki to a loved one today to continue sharing this yearly ritual and rich heritage.

The Sacrament of Reconciliation

Remaining times for individual confessions during the Advent season are as follows:

Saturday, December 19, from 4:15 - 5:00

Monday, December 21, from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Open Call for Assumption's Live Reenactment of the Nativity Story on Christmas Eve

Children of the parish: Join us on Thursday, December 24th at 3:00 p.m. at Assumption Church as we reenact the nativity story just prior to the 3:30 p.m. children’s Christmas Eve Liturgy. Children are needed to volunteer for the various parts for this special parish-wide event. General sign-ups will be held in the community room after all of the masses during the weekend of November 14th & 15th. For more information look for the red flyer at the doors of the church.

Popcorn Theology for Middle Schoolers

On Friday, November 13th middle school youth from the parish are invited to come together to view “Spiderman 3.” Together we will view this popular movie and interpret it in light of the Gospel. Every modern film has a message, even if it seems totally inane. Because the Scriptures have something to say to us about almost every aspect of life, it is possible to relate Scripture to the message of almost any film. Popcorn and drinks provided. To register for this free event and to request a permission form, send us an email at MSYM@assumptionparish.org.

Fr. John's Installation

Mark your calendars!

On Saturday, November 5, during the 5:30 p.m. Mass, Bishop Serratelli will officially install Msgr. John E. Hart as the 16th Pastor of Assumption Parish.

All are invited to attend the Mass and brief reception following in the Community Room.

Beneft Concert for Africa Surgery, Inc.

An exciting performance by the Full Count Big Band will be held on Saturday evening, October 17, at 8:00 p.m. at Assumption Church, 91 Maple Avenue in Morristown, featuring a great mix of classic swing music of the 1940’s with the contemporary sounds of today’s popular big bands, as well as arrangements of familiar popular music, and jazz standards, website: http://www.westfieldnj.com/fullcount/

All this plus great refreshments for only a $10 suggested donation for adults, children free. All proceeds will go toward Tommy Johnson’s work with Africa Surgery, Inc. providing medical care and surgical treatment to needy people in Sierra Leone, West Africa, (website: africasurgery.org (no www. in front)). For directions or for more information, call the office at Assumption: 973-539-2141. Anyone wishing to help Tommy by providing baked goods or beverages for refreshments, can contact him at 973-292-3320 or email: tomandtomjr@msn.com.

Blessing of Animals

“God is indeed deep,” Old Turtle said to the fish in the sea; “and much higher than high,” she told the mountains. “God is swift and free as the wind, and still and solid as a great rock,” she said to the breezes and stones. “God is the life of the world,” Turtle said to the willow. “Always close by, yet beyond the farthest twinkling light,” she told the ant and the star. “God is gentle and powerful. Above all things and within all things. God is all that we dream of, and all that we seek,” said Old Turtle, “all that we come from and all that we can find. God IS.”

(from Old Turtle, by Douglas Wood, 1992)

In honor of the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi, next Saturday, October 3rd, we will have a Blessing of Animals by the statue of St. Francis located behind the rectory. All are invited to gather around the statue with your family pets (on leashes or in pet carriers) at 9:30 a.m. for a brief blessing upon your animals and some pet-friendly refreshments in the parking lot.

Middle School Youth Ministry Game Night

On Sunday, September 27, from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. the 6th, 7th
and 8th graders of Assumption Parish are invited to “Open
Game Night” (basketball, volleyball, ping-pong, Playstation, WII, etc.) plus participate in a service opportunity by helping to make bag lunches for the Community Soup Kitchen.

Music and snacks will be provided. For information or to register for the event email us at MSYM@assumptionparish.org or call 973- 267-5638.

All youth must turn in a permission slip in order to attend.

Donations are being accepted for the items needed for the sandwiches: packages of ham, turkey and cheese (American or Swiss); bread; drinks (water, juice boxes, etc. – no soda); individually wrapped snacks (chips, pretzels, cookies, etc.); fruit (oranges, apples, pears); one gallon size clear Ziploc bags; and sandwich bags.

Monetary donations are welcome also. Email us at MSYM@assumptionparish.org or call 973-267-5638
to make a donation.

Here's the "Dish" on the Picnic

Okay, so here's all you need to know about the big parish Hello and Goodbye picnic next Sunday. . .

• Date - September 13, 2009 Rain or Shine


• Time - 1:30 - 4:30 p.m


• Where? In front of Assumption School and on the lawn of the Assumption Ministry Center. Please note - Macculloch Ave will be closed to vehicular traffic from 1:00 to 6:00 p.m.


• What if I forgot to make a reservation? Email us quickly at assumption.picnic@assumptionparish.org and we'll squeeze you in.


• Where will I park? That's the million-dollar question and can only be answered with the following. . . Anywhere you find a space! Carpool . . . carpool. . . carpool!


• Do I have to sign in? No, there will be no sign-in table. Just arrive and enjoy the picnic.

• What will there be to eat and drink? Ronnie's All American Barbecue will be providing hamburgers, hot dogs, veggie burgers, sausage and peppers, grilled chicken, side salads, watermelon, iced tea and lemonade. . . YUMMY!

• Does it cost money to attend? No, the picnic is free for all parishioners and school families. If, however, you are able to contribute extra to this weekend's collection to help defray the costs, the gesture would be greatly appreciated.

• Where will the food be served? There will be several identical food stations on the school property.

• What if iced tea and lemonade are not my beverages of choice? You are free to bring your own coolers with adult or other beverages. Please remember that Assumption is now recycling friendly. You can find a recycling containers for aluminum and glass in the school's courtyard.

• Will there be seating for everyone? Seating will be on a first come/first seated basis. We will provide some tents and seating for approximately 600 attendees in front of the school and in the school gymnasium, but we suggest that those with young children bring lawn chairs in order to set up camp close to the children's attractions.

• What attractions will there be for children? Our youth ministry will be providing face painting and tattoos on the lawn of the ministry center all afternoon. A dee-jay will be providing dance music on the school playground for the afternoon as well. We will also have an inflatable bounce house and obstacle course (height restrictions will apply) and a magician will be performing two shows on the ministry center lawn - one at 2:30 and another at 3:30.

• What about adults? There will be an old-fashioned Dixieland band playing on the lawn of the school.

• Will there be a first aid or missing child stand? Yes, we will have a rescue squad stationed by the flagpole in front of the school. First aid and information will be located there as well.

• Can I use the facilities? Our senior citizens are invited to use the bathroom facilities located down the small corridor directly off of the gym. Port-o-Johns will be available for non-seniors both behind the school and on the grounds of the ministry center.

• What can I do for Father Martin to mark this important occasion in his life? Remember, the most meaningful gift you can give to Fr. Martin to mark this important milestone in his life, is to give a gift in his name to his favorite charity: Hope House, 19-21 Belmont Ave. (P.O. Box 851) Dover, NJ 07802-0581. Please include a note stating that your donation is to honor Fr. Martin on his retirement.

So that's the dish! Have a great time and enjoy the picnic!

Parish Coordinator

Last chance to Make Your Reservation for our 'Hello and Goodbye" Picnic

Grab your beach chairs and picnic blankets and plan to attend the “Farewell and Hello” picnic – with Father Martin and Father John as the guests of honor – on Sunday, September 13, from 1:30 until 4:30 p.m. on the grounds of Assumption School and Ministry Center. In order to plan correctly, we need to receive your reservation by this Thursday, September 3rd.

If you have access to email, please email us at
assumption.picnic@assumptionparish.org and tell us three things only:
Family name,
number of adults attending,
and number of children attending.


If you don’t have access to email, call the Parish Office at 973-539-2141, extension 11, and leave a voicemail with the same information. Please note that this is the rescheduled date for the picnic.

Remember, if you made a reservation for the picnic which was originally scheduled in June, you need to email or call us again to make another reservation.

Here are a few pointers and reminders:

· While there will be plenty of seating for our older parishioners, we ask families with young children to bring their own chairs and picnic blankets.

· Because parking for the event will be at premium, why not consider carpooling to the picnic with friends or neighbors.

· Members of our Good Samaritan Ministry are available to give rides to our senior citizens. Please call the parish office to add your name to our list.

· Remember, the most meaningful gift you can give to Fr. Martin to mark this important milestone in his life, is to give a gift in his name to his favorite charity:

Hope House
19-21 Belmont Ave. (P.O. Box 851)
Dover, NJ 07802-0581

Please include a note stating that your donation is to honor Fr. Martin on his retirement.

Make Your Reservation for the Picnic Now!

An open-house “Farewell” and “Hello” picnic – with Father Martin and Father John as the guests of honor – will be held on Sunday, September 13, 2009 from 1:30 until 4:30 p.m. on the grounds of Assumption School and Ministry Center. Although the picnic will be free for all parishioners and school families, if you plan to attend we ask you to make a reservation so that we can plan correctly.

If you have access to email, please email us at
assumption.picnic@assumptionparish.org and tell us three things only:

Family name

Number of adults attending

Number of children attending

If you don’t have access to email, please call the parish office at 973-539-2141, ext. 11, and leave a voicemail with the same information. All reservations need to be placed by Thursday, September 3.

Please note that this is the rescheduled date for the picnic. If you made a reservation for the picnic which was originally scheduled in June, you need to email or call us again with updated information.

Our Young People Return to Appalachia

Our young people are leaving this weekend to return to the Appalachian Mountains to help repair and refurbish homes for this poor, and often forgotten, segment of our population. We are all so proud of these teens and their leaders for planning this Christian mission of hope for the people they will help. The youth group members and their leaders who will journey to West Virginia are:

Lisa Cosenza, Linda Macios, Dave Fadden, Jeff Rawding, Paul Haley, Steve Lucid, Mike Wilkey, Greg Lucid, Caitie MacCourtney, John Van Lenten, Mary Dougherty, Evan LaPointe, Kevin Macios, Matt Goldsmith, Liz Fiori, Art Flinn, Caitlin Reilly, Janeen Burke, Art Flinn Sr., Pat McGeary, Brenda LaPointe, John Brigida, Brian Rawding, Claire Lavelle, Jay Zenker, Lee Klocksin, Robert Rohr, Pat Mota, Pat Prime, Alex Bourland, Allison Langenol, Betsy Boehler, Bobby Khoury, Will Rohr, Bridget Byrne, Catherine Macios, Caitie Mota, Chris Billak, Chris Kuchera, Christina Gonzalez, Victoria Keiser, Claire Long, Colleen Crann, Courtney Downes, Deirdre Esposito, Erin O'Neill, Grace DeNoon, Jack Klocksin, Jamie Leanza, Tommy Pagano, Jenna Clemente, Katherine Bonkowski, Katie Flachsenhaar, Kendall Sarson, Kerry Prime, Kevin Rawding, Leah Wilkey, Taylor Riordan, Megan O'Keeffe, Megan Wilkey, Meghan Gilfillan, Michael Connor, Michael Longo, Paige Weller, Shannon Sweeney, and Lauren Esposito

May God go with you to keep you safe and bring some Good News to those who are less fortunate. May God Bless you, keep watch over you, and make your story a great big success story that you will remember for the rest of your life.

– Father Martin

Make New Friends and Keep the Old

We have received word from Bishop Serratelli that Msgr. John E. Hart has been named the new pastor of Assumption Parish. Msgr. Hart is currently Pastor of St. Cecilia’s Parish in Rockaway and Administrator of Sacred Heart Parish, which is in Rockaway as well. Due to prior obligations, Father Hart will not be able to take over his new responsibilities at Assumption until September 8th. Bishop Serratelli has asked Father Martin to remain at Assumption until that date, and Father Martin has agreed.

And so this announcement is good news for all. We are able to keep our beloved pastor for a few extra months, and we can now look forward to a new pastorate in the fall – knowing that our parish will be left in kind and competent hands.

The parish-wide picnic to honor Father Martin on his retirement has been rescheduled until Sunday, September 13th, when we will be able to greet Father John Hart as well. Please note that we will disregard all picnic reservations that have already been placed, and will start taking new reservations for the picnic in September as we get closer to the date.

Parish Coordinator