Tagaste Newsletter
Christmas, 2019
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Christmas and New Year’s greetings to all of our SAR and Guild members and the Hispanic Committee!
 
SAR regional gathering. Secular Augustinian Recollects from the Tagaste and West Orange fraternities met at Tagaste on Saturday, November 30, with Fr. Alberto Fuentes, OAR, coordinator for the special convocation of SAR fraternities that will take place in Rome in 2020. Some 20 SAR members were present together with Frs. John Gruben, Jack Oldfield, and Michael Rafferty. Noemi Gonzalez, an SAR member from St. Benedict Parish in Montebello, CA, who had been elected temporary president to represent the US at preparatory meeting in Rome, Dec. 3-6, was also present and sought information from our Eastern fraternities together with any input they might have for the meeting. After the meeting a late lunch was served.
 

 
SAR Regional meeting: SARs from Suffern and West Orange meet at Tagaste on November 30 in preparation for the Order-wide meeting in Rome, Dec. 3-6. The group was accompanied by (l to r): Frs. Michael Rafferty, John Oldfield (seated), Alberto Fuentes, and John Gruben
 
*SAR Epiphany Party. Please check flyer at end of Newsletter for details about our annual SAR Epiphany party: Sunday, January 5, beginning at 2:00 PM. Hope to see you all there!!
 
Advent day of recollection. Tagaste hosted a day of recollection for the Hispanic community on Sunday, December 1. The day was directed by Fr. Antonio Astudillo from St. John Parish in the Bronx, who celebrated the 10:30 AM Mass followed by several talks and reflections on Advent themes; afterward there was a very satisfying dinner. Some 60 people were in attendance.
 
A major winter storm with freezing rain and snow hit the Suffern area that afternoon causing Sacred Heart School to close the following day and forcing the postponement of a number of parish activities.
 
The first week of December, as usual, began an intense period of activities in preparation for Christmas at both Tagaste and Sacred Heart. The friars were busy with a great many Confessions for both the school and CCD programs for our young people.
 
Guadalupe Novena (December 3-11). The chapel at Tagaste was festively decorated with the image of Our Lady along with an abundance of flowers. Each group in the Hispanic community was responsible for coordinating individual nights of the novena which included the recitation of the rosary and the reading of the story of the apparitions to Blessed Juan Diego. Afterward, chocolate and pastries were served in the Guild hall. Fr. Fidel coordinated the activities and read the Guadalupe story. On the Feast (December 12): Las mañanitas with a variety of songs honoring Our Lady was sung beginning at 5:00 AM, with the Coro Emmanuel leading the singing. At 7:00 PM Mass was celebrated with Fr. Fidel presiding and Frs. John and Michael concelebrating. Before Mass, the youth group performed a number of pre-Hispanic dances in traditional costume. Following the Mass, which was filled to overflowing, images of Guadalupe were blessed and roses were given to each family/individual who participated.
 

          Danzantes: The Tagaste dance group, directed by Gabby Andres (l), celebrating the novena
          of Guadalupe with traditional dances in the Guild hall
 
 
The SAR fraternity of Tagaste held its monthly meeting on Wednesday, December 4. The discussion centered around St. Augustine’s sermon 25, which fit in well with the Advent theme of Mary as one who prepared for the coming of the Lord by her faith and trust in God’s promises, and set an example that we are called to imitate in our lives.
Foundation Day. Friars from Tagaste joined those of St. Nicholas Monastery in Union City for our annual Day of the Order (Foundation Day) celebration. The get together began with a noon concelebrated Mass at St. Augustine Church at which Fr. Paco Legarra presided and preached. After the liturgy all gathered at the Monastery for convivencia and a delicious dinner that left everyone well satisfied!
 

 
Foundation Day, 2019 (l to r): Top row: Frs. John Gruben, Miguel Echevarria, Cristino Gutierrez, José Antonio Ciordia; Lower row: Frs. John Docherty, Jose Maria Martinez, Francisco Legarra, Charles Huse, John Oldfield, and Antonio Palos
 
Sacred Heart Activities. Friday, December 6, was a day of multiple activities, included First Friday devotions with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and evening Holy Hour; a school “Market Place” with the sale of many holiday items for the support of the school; and an evening dinner sponsored by the Ladies’ Guild of the parish.
 
Suffern Christmas Parade. Sacred Heart contributed two floats to this popular Suffern event: one portraying the Nativity; and the other decorated with traditional Christmas ornaments. Fr. Michael together with Mrs. Christine Schnabel (parish manager) braved the cold weather to ride on one of the floats on Saturday, December 7, and managed to win prize for Most Festive float.
 
Guild Communion Breakfast. The Pius X Guild held their annual Communion Breakfast on Sunday, December 8, beginning with a 10:30 AM bilingual Mass celebrated by Fr. Marlon Beof with Fr. John concelebrating. Over 200 people attended the breakfast which consisted of eggs, pancakes, sausage, home fries, rolls, juice, and beverages. There were raffle prizes, gifts, and Christmas carols. Many thanks to all of our Guild members and all of those who supported this annual event!

Annual Communion Breakfast (l to r): Frs. John Oldfield (seated with his family), Marlon Beof, John                     Gruben, and Fidel Hernández join Guild members for this traditional Tagaste pre-Christmas gathering
 
Sacred Heart Christmas Pageant. Children from Sacred Heart School presented the Christmas story as told in the Gospels of Luke and Matthew. Fr. Michael Rafferty was the narrator and various students (32 in all) played the part of Mary, Joseph, the angels, the shepherds, the wise men and even the animals at the stable. All in attendance joined the cast in singing the traditional carols surrounding the play. Christine Schnabel (parish manager) was the director assisted by a number of volunteers. Afterwards there was a reception in the school cafeteria with hot chocolate and abundant treats for all.
 

In David’s Royal City: Fr. Michael Rafferty narrates the Christmas account, while children from       Sacred Heart School reenact the story in words and song on December 13 at Sacred Heart Church
 

    Fr. Alberto Fuentes, OAR, speaks about upcoming SAR meeting in Rome and invites
   input from the fraternities. Noemi Gonzalez, SAR (l) from St. Benedict Parish in
   Montebello, CA, is interim president for vicariate of United States
 
Please pray for recovery of health for: Peggy Evans, Audrey Tarantino, and Sr. Mary John
 
Fr. John Gruben, OAR, prior
Fr. Fidel Hernández, OAR, coordinator Hispanic SAR director
Theresa Giampaglia, SAR president
Connie Montanye, Guild president
 
 

                        ‘Tis the season (l to r): Fr. Michael Rafferty, Christine Schnabel, and
Fr. John Gruben with one of floats being prepared for Suffern parade
on December 7