December 17, Third Sunday of Advent

Transcription

1 Rectory: 170 Mechanic Street Leominster, Massachusetts Telephone (978) / / Parish Office Hours are Monday thru Thursday 9 am - 5 pm and Friday 9 am - 4 pm Religious Education (C.C.D) Office Telephone (978) Bingo Telephone: (978) December 17, Third Sunday of Advent Celebration of the Eucharist Saturday Vigil Masses: 4:00 & 6:30 P.M. Sunday Masses: 7:00, 9:45, and 11:15 A.M. Weekday Masses (Monday - Saturday): 6:30 A.M. Holy Day Masses: 4:00 P.M. (Vigil) 6:30 A.M. & 5:30 P.M. Rev. Robert D. Bruso Pastor Rev. Eric K. Asante Associate Pastor Rev. Richard G. Roger Retired Deacon Ronald J. Aubuchon Deacon Robert S. Connor, Jr. Confessions: Fridays, 6:00-7:00 P.M. Saturdays, 3:00-4:00 P.M. Baptisms: Please call the rectory in advance to schedule baptismal instruction. Marriages: Couple should contact the rectory at least one year in advance. A marriage preparation program is required. Mr. David M. Lasky Music Director, Organist Mrs. Patricia A. Secino, Religious Education Director and Director of Evangelization and RCIA

2 Saturday December 16 Vigil Masses Mass on pg. 79 4:00 p.m. Raymond LeBlanc (anniv.) by his brother & family 6:30 p.m. Martha Eagle (14th anniv.) by the Daigle family Sunday December 17 Third Sunday of Advent Mass on pg. 79 7:00 a.m. David Lamkin by his wife, Susan 9:45 a.m. Danny Gould (24th anniv.) by Gerald C. McDonald & family 11:15 a.m. Alfred Bernard by Jean-Noel, Anne-Marie & family Monday December 18 Late Advent Weekday Mass on pg. 84 6:30 a.m. Laurie Hachey by Val & Lou Landry Tuesday December 19 Late Advent Weekday Mass on pg. 85 6:30 a.m. Dennis Fixx by Daniel & Deborah Nadareski Wednesday December 20 Late Advent Weekday Mass on pg. 87 6:30 a.m. Jane Sullivan (4th anniv.) by the Sullivan family Thursday December 21 St. Peter Canisius, Priest & Doctor of the Church Mass on pg. 88 6:30 a.m. Maurice & Beverly Godin by their family Friday December 22 Late Advent Weekday Mass on pg. 90 6:30 a.m. Maria Dolores Castaño by a friend 6:00-7:00 p.m. Confession Saturday December 23 St. John of Kanty, Priest Mass on pg. 91 6:30 a.m. Theresa Desilets by last will 3:00-4:00 p.m. Confession Vigil Masses Mass on pg. 93 4:00 p.m. Adelard Allain (12th anniv.) by Mariette Allain & family 6:30 p.m. Leo Thibaudeau (anniv.) by his family Sunday December 24 Fourth Sunday of Advent Mass on pg. 93 7:00 a.m. Ernest & Yvonne Belanger by their children 9:45 a.m. Joan Fontaine (1st anniv.) by Ethel Smith 11:15 a.m. Maria Dolores Castaño by the Connor family Vigil Masses (Christmas Eve) Mass on pg. 99 4:00 p.m. With the Christmas Pageant Armand & Ronald Murray by the family 6:30 p.m. Clarence Quiet (28th anniv.) by his family 12:00 a.m. Msgr. George Denomme & Msgr. Francis Goguen Monday December 25 The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas) Mass on pg :00 a.m. Parishioners of St. Cecilia Parish 9:45 a.m. Andrew F. Zephir (7th anniv.) by Janice, children & grandchildren 11:15 a.m. Thomas McDermott, III (28th anniv.) by 2 his parents

3 Dear Friends, A Message From Our Pastor. Today is Gaudete Sunday, the Sunday to rejoice. The birth of the Savior is at hand. The long awaited promises are about to be fulfilled. The solemn purple candle on the Advent wreath is rose colored this week. Even the vestments can be rose instead of violet. In any long journey, it s good to take a break. When we undertake any difficult project, we like to step back and assess the progress we ve made so far. It s looking back on what has already been accomplished that gives us a sense of perspective. We may not be done, but we re headed in the right direction. John the Baptist, by his preaching in the desert, was getting people ready to change direction, turning away from their own selfish desires and toward the coming Messiah. His preaching was not the end of the journey and he wasn t afraid to tell that to anyone who asked. So it is with us. We are journeying toward union with Christ. We are not perfect. We are not saints and angels yet. But our goal is to join with the saints and angels in paradise one day. Right now, we are like a spiritual construction project. Sometimes we look worse now than when we began. Sometimes we worry if it was a mistake to even undertake such a daunting spiritual transformation. Yet the invitation has been extended and, through Baptism and Confirmation, we have accepted the offer. Each time we receive the Eucharist in faith we are taking a step in the right direction. Each time we confess our sins and receive absolution in the sacrament of Reconciliation, we re going in the right direction. Each time we turn our backs on our selfish instincts and reach out to help someone else, we are fulfilling in our own small way the prophecy of Isaiah, make straight the way of the Lord. Today, Gaudete Sunday, is a good time to look back over the first two weeks of Advent. Have I made any progress spiritually? Am I more aware of the needs of others or am I still focused on my own wants and desires? Has all of my energy gone into decorations, which will soon be taken down, buying gifts for people who don t need any material goods, fancy wrapping paper and bows that will go out with the garbage? Or have I tried to make this Advent a real time of spiritual renewal? John the Baptist is still out in the wilderness, calling us to think again. [That is what the word repentance means, from the Latin re + pensare, to think again.] Let us think again about our priorities in the final days of Advent, to heed the call of John. May God bless you all, Father Bob Bruso Christmas Pork Pies For all those who ordered pork pies, you may pick them up this Wednesday, December 20 from 9 A.M. to 5 P.M. at the parish center, lower hall. Enjoy! 3

4 Christmas Schedule Remember there will be two separate Mass obligations next weekend, one for the Sunday obligation (Saturday vigil or Sunday morning), and one for the Christmas Holy Day (Sunday evening or Monday morning). In other words, we will need to attend Mass twice on the Christmas weekend. Christmas Eve Vigil Masses will be celebrated Sunday, December 24, at 4:00 (with Christmas Pageant) and 6:30 P.M. and at 12:00 Midnight. Christmas Day Masses will be celebrated Monday morning, December 25, at 7:00, 9:45 and 11:15 A.M. Midnight Mass will be celebrated at 12:00 A.M. Midnight, Christmas Eve. The doors of the church will be opened approximately one hour before Mass, at 11:00 P.M. Confession Schedule - Confessions will be heard this Friday, December 22 from 6:00-7:00 P.M. and Saturday, December 23 from 3:00-4:00 P.M. Christmas Crib Donations that are collected while the crib is set up are donated to the Saint Vincent de Paul Society of our parish to help those persons who are in need of assistance. The members of Saint Vincent de Paul go about their volunteer work quietly and anonymously, and we thank them, and all of the many anonymous donors who contribute to their work throughout the year, for this beautiful witness to Christian charity. Ladies Of Saint Anne Christmas Party! What a wonderful gathering! The Ladies would like to thank all the planners, workers and those who joined them. They would also like to thank Father Bob, Fr. Asante and Fr. Roger for joining in the festivities. A delicious meal was served and Christmas carols were sung so beautifully. Fun was had by all. Any woman wishing to join this active parish group, see Anne-Marie Bernard or call and leave your name at the rectory. The Sympathies of the parish community are extended to the family and friends of Barry R. Niles and Jean M. Leger whose Funeral Services were held recently. Please remember them in your prayers. St. Cecilia s Bingo Friday Evenings at 6:30 PM Doors Open at 4 PM Come Try Your Luck! Collection Report Last Week s Stewardship $ 7, Start the year off on the right foot, join us on Sunday, January 7th at 1:30 for Bunko in the Parish Center. Never played before? No problem! Bunko is fast paced, highly sociable, and easy to learn. Just show up around 1:10 for a quick lesson or refresher on how to play. Cost to play is $6.00 per person, refreshments are served and cash prizes are awarded. Must be 18 years of age or older. Pre-registration is a must! Please call Deanne at to sign up and reserve your spot. 4

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