The Catholic Faith Communities of Saint Theresa and Saint Christopher

Transcription

1 The Catholic Faith Communities of Saint Theresa and Saint Christopher 265 Stafford Road Tiverton, Rhode Island Rectory Office: Parish Fax: Office Hours: Monday through Friday 8:30am. to 3:30pm. Mrs. Nancy Smith Parish Secretary 1554 Main Road Tiverton, Rhode Island Rectory Office: Parish Fax: Office Hours: Monday through Thursday 8:30am. to 2:00pm. Mrs. Millie Destremps Parish Secretary Visit us on the Web - Parish Staff Mass Schedules Weekend Masses Saturday Evening Rev. Przemyslaw Shemek Lepak Pastor frshemek@gmail.com 5:00pm. at Saint Theresa Deacon Timothy Flanigan Deacon Assistant tflanigan@lifespan.org Sunday Morning 8:00am. at Saint Theresa 9:30am. at Saint Christopher 11:00am. at Saint Theresa Mrs. Cindy Wesling Parish Administrative Assistant cindy@sstandctiverton.org Weekday Mornings Ms. Dawn M. Grinnell missdawng@aol.com Director of Religious Education Monday through Wednesday 8:00am. at Saint Theresa Thursday 8:00am. at St. Christopher Morning Prayer at 7:45am. Ms. Lois Scanlon Sacramental Prep Coordinator and Youth Ministry lois@sstandctiverton.org Holy Day Masses As Announced Mr. Ronald Destremps Maintenance Holy Hour As Announced Mrs. Nancy Smith Coordinator of Music Ministries Wedding Coordinator nancy@sstandctiverton.org Novena to Our Lady of Fatima Tuesdays, 6:30pm at Saint Theresa Mrs. Betty Henderson Mr. & Mrs. Steve Beaupré Miss Andrea Desilets Sacrament of Reconciliation Saturday afternoons 4:00pm. at Saint Theresa or by Appointment. Please call the rectory Organists and Music Ministry Directors Karen Cooper & John Hodgson Trustees, Saint Theresa Parish trustees@sstandctiverton.org Charles Miksis & Wayne Moran Trustees, St. Christopher Parish trustees@sstandctiverton.org FIRST FRIDAY Parish Prayer Line Doris Morin at Mass at Sakonnet Bay 9:30am with home visits to follow.

2 MASS INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK Saturday, December 12 5:00pm + Month s Mind Mass James Roy THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT &THETHTHE Sunday, December 13 8:00am + Joseph Arruda (by his Wife and Family) 9:30am + Joseph Valentino (by the Nadeau Family) 11:00am + Roger Grinnell (by his Family) Monday, December 14 8:00am + Charles F. Ladd (by his Family) Tuesday, December 15 8:00am + Raymond Lamothe Wednesday, December 16 8:00am + Robert F. Messier Thursday, December 17 8:00am + Tobey Silvia (Lee) Saturday, December 19 5:00pm For the Parishes (by his Wife) THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT First Reading: Zephaniah 3:14-18a Zephaniah urges the people of Jerusalem to rejoice because the Lord is in their midst. He conveys the message that God will love and protect those who have remained faithful to him. Second Reading: Philippians 4:4-7 Paul encourages the Philippians to be ready for Christ. He tells them not to worry about their concerns, but to instead ask God's help and allow his peace to fill their hearts and minds. Gospel: Luke 3:10-18 John the Baptist answers people who ask him what they should do, leading some to believe he was the Messiah. John clearly states that he will be followed by one so powerful that "I am not fit to loosen his sandal strap." Sunday, December 20 8:00am + Ted Piela (by his Family) 9:30am + Manuel P. and Angelina Gonsalves (by their Family) ) 11:00am + Armand Brodeur, 3 rd Anniversary (by Irene and Family) The Sanctuary Light in Saint Christopher Church burns to the Honor and Glory of God and this week for The Covill Family HOSPITAL VISITS If you have a hospital stay and would like Father to visit; you or a family member (not friends) should contact Father at (Father cannot make a visit until he hears from you or a family member.) Because of the Privacy Act, the Hospital no longer calls your parish to let the Pastor know you ve been admitted. PLEASE LOOK FOR THE PARISH CALENDAR ON OUR WEBSITE: READINGS FOR THE WEEK Sunday, December 13, 2015 Third Sunday of Advent Zep 3:14-18a; Phil 4:4-7; Lk 3:10-18 Monday, December 14, 2015 Nm 24:2-7, 15-17a; Mt 21:23-27 Tuesday, December 15, 2015 Zep 3:1-2, 9-13; Mt 21:28-32 Wednesday, December 16, 2015 Is 45:6b-8, 18, 21b-25; Lk 7:18b-23 Thursday, December 17, 2015 Gn 49:2, 8-10; Mt 1:1-17 Friday, December 18, 2015 Jer 23:5-8; Mt 1:18-25 Saturday, December 19, 2015 Jgs 13:2-7, 24-25a; Lk 1:5-25 SUNDAY

3 ST. THERESA AND ST. CHRISTOPHER PARISHES FEEDING THE SPIRIT - STRENGTHENING THE SOUL IN YOUR PRAYERS John Cox Fr. Clifford Cabral Lorraine Moniz Claire Proulx Rita Lavoie (Somerset, MA) Mary Giannini Doug Vrona Baby Stella Eileen Belisle Kim Souza John D Arpino Megan Barbara Pineault Sadie Amaral Renee Melancon Annette Leddy Francis Chase Nan O. Loren Bryan Patricia Grinnell Doris Drapeau Please remember all names in the prayer box in the sanctuary, all the sick of our parish and families, at home and in the hospitals. If you know anyone in need of prayers and they would like it announced in the bulletin, please contact Doris Morin at , 9am to 12noon, or the rectory at CHOIR REHEARSAL Adult Choir: Wed., Dec. 16 th at 6:30pm at St. Theresa Church. Youth Choir: The Youth Choir meets each Tuesday at 7pm, at St. Theresa Church. BAPTISM PREPARATION Baptism class is done on an individual basis with each family and the godparents. Please call either parish office to register for the class. ADVENT ADORATION Thursday, December 17 th, from 6-7pm at St. Theresa Church. Reconciliation: will also be available. YOUTH GROUP The Youth Group meets on Mondays at 6:30pm, at St. Theresa Church Hall. Come check us out!!! THE LIFE OF PRAYER MORNING PRAYER: 7:45am Monday thru Wednesday at St. Theresa and Thursdays at St. Christopher Church. MORNING ROSARY: Prayed each weekday morning immediately following Mass. Offered for respect of life and conversion of our own nation. OUR LADY OF GRACE MARIAN MOVEMENT OF PRIESTS: 2:00pm every Tuesday, Rosary and Prayer at St. Christopher Church. DIVINE MERCY CHAPLET: 3:00pm on Tuesdays at St. Christopher Church. OUR LADY OF FATIMA NOVENA: 6:30pm Tuesday evenings in St. Theresa Church. SPIRITUAL DIRECTION: Journeying with a person trained to help us discern God s presence and movement within the complexity of our daily lives. To find out more about whether this might be for you, contact John Hodgson ( ; jhodgson1511@gmail.com) or Jamie Medeiros ( medeirosjamie@gmail.com) The Sanctuary Light in Saint Theresa Church burns to the Honor and Glory of God and this week in Loving Memory of Robert F. Messier MANY BLESSINGS TO Jack and Ryan Clarke and Nevaeh Ponte Who were baptized in our parish. Blessings and Congratulations also to their Families. CDS and PAMPHLETS NOW AVAILABLE NEW FOR DECEMBER: Mary, the Indispensable Mother of God CD of the Month Club: We now have available to you, a new CD each month from Lighthouse Media. The CD s along with other informational pamphlets and prayer cards can be found in the stand at the back of each church. A good will offering would be appreciated BUT NOT NECESSARY. If after you have enjoyed the CD and don t want to keep it, please pass it on or return it to the CD holder for someone else s use. A great time to enjoy the CD s is during your work commute.

4 FAITH FORMATION Classes Continue Grades 1 & 2 First Eucharist Preparation: Sunday, 9:00-10:30am St. Theresa Dec. 13 th, Jan. 10 th and 31 st First Reconciliation: Saturday, December 12 th at 10am at St. Theresa Church Grades 3-6: Sunday, 9:00am-10:30am St. Theresa Dec. 20 th and Jan. 24 th Confirmation I & II: Sunday, 6:00-8:00pm Dec. 13 th, Jan. 10 th and 31 st ADULT FAITH FORMATION Join us in an advent series, to be held on December 17 (Thursday) at St. Christopher parish, from 7:15 to 8:45pm. The series will highlight Advent reflections by Fr. Larry Richards. Fr. Larry is a captivating teacher, preacher and retreat master - as well as a gifted speaker. He speaks from experience as a pastor of an inner city parish, a high school chaplain for eight years, a counselor and evangelist. His inspirational talks and presentations, which are always authentic and enthusiastic, have changed the hearts, minds and lives of thousands of listeners worldwide. His focus will be Prayer, Repentance, Gratitude and Trust. We invite you to take time out of this busy season to join us in reflecting on the meaning of Advent and what it invites in you. DECEMBER 13, 2015 EVENTS IN THE PARISHES LOOK WHAT S COMING! Advent Adoration: Thursday, Dec. 17 th at St. Theresa Church. Reconciliation will also be available. Living Nativity: Saturday, Dec. 19 th Theresa Church. CHRISTMAS MASS SCHEDULE Vigil Masses: Thurs. Dec. 24 th 4pm St. Theresa 6pm St. Christopher 10pm St. Theresa Feast Day Mass: Fri. Dec. 25 th 9am St. Christopher at 6pm at St. SOLEMNITY OF MARY SCHEDULE Vigil Mass: Thurs. Dec. 31 st 5pm St. Theresa Feast Day Mass: Fri., Jan. 1 st 9am St. Christopher Hand and Foot Warmers for the Homeless The Boy Scouts are collecting Hand Warmers and Foot Warmers for the area Homeless. If you can help, a box is available at the back of both churches where you may deposit your donations. Thank You. PARISH FINANCES St. Theresa: Dec.5/6: $5, Number of envelopes: 262 EFT: 6 $ Weekly Budgeted Expectations: $5, Maintenance Coll.: $1, St. Christopher: Dec. 5/6: $3, Number of envelopes: 115 EFT: 4 $ Weekly Budgeted Expectations: $3, Maintenance Coll.: $ RELIGIOUS RETIREMENT COLLECTION Aging Religious need your help. In the U.S. today, there are more than 33,000 senior Catholic sisters, brothers, and religious order priests. These religious worked tirelessly in Catholic schools, hospitals, and agencies, usually for little to no pay. As a result, many religious communities lack adequate savings for retirement and eldercare. Your gift to today s collection for the Retirement Fund for Religious helps provide medications, nursing care and more. Please be generous. THANK YOU!!!! Our 2 nd Annual Santa Breakfast was a great success. Thank you to the volunteers, the cooks, the youth and all of you who joined us for the morning. A special thank you to Santa for coming to visit the children. We know what a busy time of year it is for Santa and we were so happy he could make it. DECEMBER CALENDAR Final Week of Sales First drawing will be held on Dec. 13 th. As always thank you for your support of this parish fundraiser. If you have not yet joined, please consider doing so now. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU To all volunteers and those who were so generous with donations that made the Sales of Malassadas at both parishes a great success. Thank you, Thank you. The profits are to benefit our World Youth Day participants. St. Theresa Sales totaled $ including donations. St. Christopher Sales totaled $ including donations.

5 Adoration Dates and topic MORE EVENTS JUBILEE YEAR OF MERCY Cathedrals around the world will join together with our Holy Father, Pope Francis, in opening their Holy Door. Bishop Tobin will open the Holy Door of the Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul this Sunday, December 13 th at 1:00 pm. The erecting of a Holy Door at a church of prominence during a Holy Year or Jubilee Year is a very ancient custom. The first accounts of a Holy Door in Christianity dates back to the fifteenth century as a way to mark sanctuary for those who are oppressed or in need of assistance. For our generation this door is not only the threshold into a sanctuary or safe haven, but the gateway to God s Grace. It is a reminder that during a Jubilee Year, Catholic Christians are expected to make a pilgrimage to a holy site. It s a spiritual journey to encounter the divine in the midst of the secular world in need of God s Mercy and Grace. Everyone is invited to attend. LITURGICAL MINISTERS SCHEDULES: There are extra copies in the sacristy of both churches for the Christmas and New Year schedule. LECTORS WORKBOOKS: The new Lectors Workbooks (with your name on it) are available in the sacristy. Lectors for the 5:00pm Mass from St. Christopher can get their workbooks from Millie or in the sacristy at St. Christopher Church. KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS Career Opportunity The Knights of Columbus is seeking a Field Agent for a career opportunity representing their insurance program. We offer a complete benefits package with this full-time position. In order to qualify, one must be eligible for membership in the Knights of Columbus. For more information, please contact Michael Lehman, , or Michael.lehman@kofc.org. SUPPORT GROUPS Al-Anon: Help and support are available for family and friends of alcoholics on Fridays at 7:30pm. AA: Why be alone? Alcoholics Anonymous meets on Fridays at 7:30pm, St. Theresa Rectory basement. SHOP AT CLEMENTS MARKET- PLACE AND HELP THE PARISH Clements Marketplace in Portsmouth provides donations to the church for their shopping receipts that we gather. Please save Clements receipts and put them in the baskets provided in the church. FROM THE PASTOR There is a story about a lady whose son is a state trooper. Once he stopped a woman for going 15 miles an hour over the speed limit. After he handed her a ticket, she asked him, Don t you give out warnings? Yes, ma am, he replied. They re all up and down the road. They say, Speed Limit 55. People have a tendency to disregard the warning signs, don t they? Sometimes that has dire consequences. Today s Gospel presents John the Baptist warning us of our need for repentance and conversion, and prayerfully wait for the Messiah. Let us remember that conversion is through Jesus, whom we encounter in the Sacraments. Regular monthly Confession makes us strong and enables us to receive more grace in the Eucharist. Let us read the Bible and pray the Rosary daily. We might also fast once a week all year round, rather than just in Advent and Lent; after all, we sin all year round! Let us spend some time in adoration of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. Let us forgive those who offend us and pray for them. Finally, let us share our love with others as selfless and humble service. "Do small things but with extraordinary love" (St. Teresa of Lisieux). On December 8th, we have begun the Jubilee Year of Mercy. Pope Francis announced it in the Bull Misericordiae Vultus. He began this document with the statement, Jesus Christ is the face of the Father s mercy. The Pope invites us to set our sight on the mystery of God s mercy and to renew our Christian lives. During this Jubilee Year, Pope Francis asks us to practice the corporal and spiritual works of mercy. It is my burning desire that, during this Jubilee, the Christian people may reflect on the corporal and spiritual works of mercy. It will be a way to reawaken our conscience, too often grown dull in the face of poverty. And let us enter more deeply into the heart of the Gospel where the poor have a special experience of God s mercy. Jesus introduces us to these works of mercy in his preaching so that we can know whether or not we are living as his disciples. Let us rediscover these corporal works of mercy: to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, welcome the stranger, heal the sick, visit the imprisoned, and bury the dead. And let us not forget the spiritual works of mercy: to counsel the doubtful, instruct the ignorant, admonish sinners, comfort the afflicted, forgive offences, bear patiently those who do us ill, and pray for the living and the dead. May we take these words of Pope Francis to our hearts, and may we experience God s mercy and help others in tasting it. God bless, and Go Pats Home on the Web: