December 8th. 1st Sunday of Advent

Transcription

1 December 8th 1st Sunday of Advent

2 Saint John Paul the Great Parish Saturday Vigil, December 2nd :00pm St. Peter Aldo Ferrari 20th Anniversary by wife and daughters 5:30pm St. Francis Richard Carbone by family Sunday, December 3rd :30am St. Francis Tom Ashe by Csehak family 8:30am St. Peter 10:00am St. Francis Alice & Frank Karvajszky Elizabeth & Charles Muik by family 11:15am St. Peter Luigi Binelli by wife and family 12:30pm St. Francis Mass in Spanish Teresa Lopez, Rodolfo Espinoza, Maria Espinoza and Luis Tapia by family 5:00pm St. Peter St. Francis Xavier by Giovaniana & Francesco Nania Weekday Masses Monday 12/4 8:00am St. Francis Marge DeMichiel Fedorich by husband Jim & daughter Susan Tuesday 12/5 7:00am St. Peter James Roy by Bob and Nancy Rakyta Wednesday 12/6 8:00am St. Francis Germaine & Henry Descoteaux and Richard Descoteaux by Janet DeAngelo Thursday 12/7 7:00am St. Peter Sanctuary Candle is being burned at St. Francis in memory of Richard Carbone and at St. Peter in memory of Rosina Silano SACRED HEART CANDLES Saint Ann: Agnes Nardine Lipinski Saint Theresa: Lestinsky and Dudley Families December 3, First Sunday of Advent of the Blessed Virgin Mary vigil Thursday 12/7 5:30pm St. Francis Deceased members of the Legion of Mary Friday 12/8 7:00am St. Peter Intentions of Parishioners 9:00am St. Francis Mark Main and daughter Michelle Main 12:10pm St. Francis John Salamacha by Nancy Salamacha 5:30pm St. Peter Terri Reichen by husband Fred and daughters Jenna & Tracey 7:00pm St. Francis (Spanish) Intentions of Parishioners Weekday Masses continued Saturday 12/9 8:00am St. Peter Rose LoBrutto by LoBrutto family Saturday Vigil, December 9th :00pm St. Peter Chuck Mubarek by Mr. and Mrs. Emil Gianni 5:30pm St. Francis James and Mary Kucera by family Sunday, December 10th :30am St. Francis Katherine (Curtiss) McCue by Mary and Joe O Brien 8:30am St. Peter Birthday Remembrance for Rosina Silano & Giovanni Silano & Joseph Paganini by family 10:00am St. Francis Gene Gisselbrecht by family 11:15am St. Peter Mary and Peter Murelli by the Paige family 12:30pm St. Francis Mass in Spanish Keith Perryman Joines by wife Agnes 5:00pm St. Peter Barbara Ohotnicky by Marlene Carrier and Donna Puzacke If you would like a ride to Mass, Northwestern CT Transit offers a Dial-A-Ride service. Please call for more info.

3 My Dear Friends, A Catholic priest in Ireland has been encouraging people to stop saying Merry Christmas. His argument is that Christians have lost the war on Christmas. It has become a totally secular holiday for Christians and non-christians. He says, of course, that we should celebrate the holy day, but this ongoing battle between religious and secular sentiments during this time of the year has been lost on the religious side. I don t agree with him. I understand his point, though. As soon as Halloween was over, stores were putting up Christmas displays (some even before Halloween), and they started playing Christmas music on the radio. Christmas has become highly commercialized. The day after Thanksgiving, known as Black Friday, is an exercise in who can become the most boorish and rude while shopping for gifts. And lest we forget, one December 26th arrives, Christmas is over. Christmas trees start making their appearance on the streets a day or two after the holiday. For Christians, Christmas is the first of twelve days. In fact, many Christian nations have put more emphasis on Epiphany than on Christmas throughout the centuries. For Catholics, the Christmas season officially ends on the feast of the Baptism of the Lord, but many people have a custom that the Christmas season ends on February 2nd, the feast of the Presentation. In any event, Catholics, and our brothers and sisters in Christ, only lose the battle when we give it up. There is no reason to become upset over the commercialization of Christmas. And this is nothing new. When the Charlie Brown Christmas special first aired in the 1960 s, Linus explained to Charlie Brown what Christmas was all about. He recited the story of the angel telling the shepherds of the great joy that has happened, that a Savior has been born, Christ the Lord. You can control how you prepare for Christmas by using the season of Advent as that preparation spiritually. It is up to you to prepare the season for Christ s birth. Getting upset at others who commercialize and do not understand the meaning of Christmas does not help. Spend Advent in peace and joy with expectant hope and allow your spiritual preparation to be a sign to others that Christmas does not come in packages and bows, but it comes to us in our hearts as the Newborn King, is laid in his mother s arms in the manger. God bless. Fr. John Mondays: 5-7pm at St. Peter Tuesdays: 5-8pm at St. Francis Wednesdays: 5-8pm at St. Francis Thursdays: 5-8pm at St. Francis Fridays: 5-8pm at St. Francis (except 1 st Friday of the month) In the Mass and in Eucharistic Adoration we meet the merciful love of God that passes through the Heart of Jesus Christ. - Pope Saint John Paul II If you could offer one particular hour each week to sit with our Lord, who is waiting for you in the Holy Eucharist, Monday through Friday 5-8pm, or one hour each month for First Friday, please call Peg Michaud View our bulletin online: JohnPaulGreatParish.com 3 Saint John Paul the Great Parish Our Worship Sites St. Francis of Assisi Main St. St. Peter East Main St. Sacred Heart Grove St. St. Mary - 85 Pulaski St. Offices Pope Saint John Paul II Pastoral Center 160 Main Street Torrington, CT Office Hours Monday thru Friday 9am - 4pm Phone: Fax: SaintJohnPaulTheGreatParish@gmail.com JohnPaulGreatParish.com

4 Contributions to our parish for the week of November 26, 2017 $14, Staff Pastor: Rev. John C. Granato Parochial Vicar: Rev. Carlos Zapata Deacons: Roy Dungan Peter Hyde Richard Hamel Religious Education Grades K Jen Owens Cell: Call/TEXT Office of Youth Ministry Middle School EDGE/Youth Group Marlene Carrier: Cell Call/TEXT High School Confirmation Program Donna Puzacke: Cell Call/TEXT Pastoral Minister: Peg O Meara Music Director: Francine Gryniuk Organist: Bill Mackstutis To the parishioners of St John Paul the Great Parish We humbly say THANK YOU for your support of our youth in their mission to raise funds and awareness during Because of your generosity, our teens who participated in the Cardboard Box City collected donations totaling $4, These funds will be distributed to local organizations that serve those in need in our community. National Collection Dates December 9-10 Help care for the elders. Thanks to the support from better position to care for our elders, writes a religious sister. Your donation helps her religious community and hundreds of others provide for aging members and plan for long-term needs. Please give to next week s Retirement Fund for Religious collection. 4 First Sunday of Advent December 3, 2017 Office Staff: Anita Ressel Toni Tavano, Rose McMahon Trustees: John Janco Monica Diulio St. Peter / St. Francis School Principal Jo-Anne Gauger Sacraments Sacrament of Marriage: Arrangements for Marriage are made by calling the Parish Office to schedule an appointment with one of the priests at least six months in advance of desired wedding date. Sacrament of the Sick: Anyone who is seriously ill, advanced in age or preparing for surgery may receive. Please call the Parish Office to arrange. Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults: For adults who wish to become Catholic or for Catholic Adults who have not yet received the Sacraments of First Eucharist and Confirmation. Contact the Parish Office for more details. Sacrament of Baptism: Please call the Parish Office to arrange. Preparation class is held on the first Tuesday of the month, at 6:30 pm at the Pope Saint John Paul II Pastoral Center. Homebound or Hospitalized? If you, or someone you know is homebound and would like to receive Holy Communion, or hospitalized and would like a In Need of Prayers? Please call... Cheryl at to be added to our Prayer Line.

5 9th Annual Festival Noveno Festival Celebrating the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe Celebrando la Fiesta en Honor a Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe For we are certain, that as long as you are Celebration begins La Celebración empieza recognized as Queen and Mother, Mexico Solemn Mass on con la Solemne Santa Misa and America will be safe." Pope Pius XII Sunday, December 10th Domingo 10 de Diciembre 12:30 pm a las 12:30pm St. Francis Church Iglesia San Francisco Immediately following mass Inmediatamente después de Misa, join the procession to habrá una procesión a la St. Peter/St. Francis School Escuela St. Peter/St. Francis 360 Prospect St. Torrington 360 Prospect St. Torrington Followed by a social gathering. Seguido por un compartir y almuerzo. Please bring a dish Les pedimos que nos colaboren con or your favorite dessert un plato tradicional de su pais. for a potluck reception. Únase a nosotros para una variedad As always join us for a variety de actividades, incluyendo of activities, including Rifas, Danzas Culturales, Raffles, Cultural Dances, Artistas en Vivo y Mucho Más! Live Performers and More! Para hacer una donación To make a donation, o para reservar su cupo favor or to RSVP call de comunicarse con Maria Colon. Jen Owens at johnpaulgreatreligioused@gmail.com Porque nosotros estamos seguros, de que siempre y cuando se le reconozca como Reina y Madre, México y Estados Unidos estará a salvo. El Papa Pío XII Please pray for We warmly welcome Angelimar Benavides Armando Benavides Anthony Martin Brajevich IV Cooper Jacob Clark Giuliana Lovallo Elliot William Meza Kady Stelma who were recently baptized at our parish! Margaret Hogan Barbara Ohotnicky James Rebman recently deceased members of our parish family. Eternal rest grant to them, O Lord; and let light perpetual shine upon them. May their souls, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Defending Our Religious Liberty In a letter to the U.S. Senate, the United States Conference for Catholic Bishops (USCCB) urged the Senate to respect life when changing the health care mandate. The USCCB says no health care reform plan should compel us or others to pay for the destruction of human life, whether through government funding or mandatory coverage of abortion. 5 Saint John Paul the Great Parish View our bulletin online: JohnPaulGreatParish.com

6 16th LARC Annual Festival of Trees Holiday Displays & Silent Auction atvalerie Manor Saturday, December 2nd from 1pm to 7pm and Sunday, December 3rd from 1pm to 5pm (Auction Closes 5pm) Suggested Donation: Adults $2 Children under 12 Free Open to the Public. PNA Christmas Party will be held on Sunday December 3rd at 2pm at St. Mary Church Hall. Children have to be present to receive gift from Santa. The Angels and Ministers of St. John Paul the Great Parish will hold a Planning Meeting with Light Refreshments to be served on Monday, December Sacred Heart Church Hall All members are encouraged to attend. And new members are always welcomed! Holy Rosary Society CHRISTMAS GIVING TREES St. John Paul the Great Parish will have Christmas Giving Trees again this year. The trees will be up It is important to return your unwrapped gift by the weekend of Thank you for your continued support of the projects of the St. John Paul the Great Social Ministry Committee Saint Maron Church 100 Year Anniversary BREAKFAST Sunday, December 3rd 8am - 12 NOON 613 Main Street Donation: Adults $12 Children 10 & under $6 of St. John Paul the Great Parish Monthly Meeting & Christmas Potluck Supper Those wishing to participate in the grab bag exchange please bring a $5 grab bag gift. Members are encouraged to attend and bring your favorite dish! New members are always welcome! St. John Paul the Great pray for us. 6 First Sunday of Advent December 3, 2017 Social Ministry Committee will meet on Thursday, December 7th at 7pm in the Pastoral Center. New members are always welcome. Torrington Council of Catholic Women Christmas Party Mulligan's Restaurant at Eastwoods Golf Club Thursday, December 6:30pm We will order off the menu. Please bring a toy to benefit Catholic Charities. For more information call Cathy at

7 Advent is a season of watchfulness and preparation. 5TH ANNUAL to benefit We seek to answer the call to be alert as we wait for the Lord with hopeful hearts. Be attentive to the ways in which God comes into your life. Be willing to be surprised. If you think God may be calling you to a vocation as a priest or religious, Select from a delicious assortment of for your holiday gatherings. Call Fr. Jeffrey Gubbiotti, Director of Vocations, Archdiocesan Center at St. Thomas Seminary, or vocations@aohct.org or visit the web at - Sold by the pound - You are invited to join Fr. John Questions, please contact Cynthia or cynthiabattistoni@hotmail.com Mondays from 12-1pm Sacred Heart for a holy hour Friday, December 8 from at the St. Peter lower hall. Praying for priests. Adoration Scriptural rosary Silence Litany to Christ the High Priest followed by Benediction The Franciscan s, St. Frances Cabrini and St. Anne s Society Christmas Social DeCapo s 625 Litchfield Rd. Litchfield Wednesday, December 1pm Meal choices will be from the menu. Family, friends and parishioners are most welcome. Deadline for reservations is December 6th by calling Picture yourself in the peaceful setting of historic Farmington at OUR LADY OF CALVARY RETREAT CENTER in Farmington Join other women of the parish and from other towns on the weekend of January 12-14, 2018 to reflect on the theme 7 Saint John Paul the Great Parish View our bulletin online: JohnPaulGreatParish.com What is BEST Advent EVER? It s a free program that will help you slow down and focus on what matters most during this busy season. You'll experience Advent in a whole new way leading to the best Christmas of your life! 1. Sign Up at DynamicCatholic.com/SignUp 2. Watch Daily Videos Starting December 3, the first Sunday of Advent, you'll receive daily s with short inspirational videos from Matthew Kelly and Dr. Allen Hunt, practical tips to incorporate into your everyday life, and personal stories from Dynamic Catholic team members. 3. Have an Incredible Christmas!

8 St. Peter/St. Francis School Annual Fund Campaign Donations 9/25 through 11/26 Thank you to the parishioners for their generosity to the Annual Fund Campaign. The current total is $34,397 Platinum Circle of Friends Mr. Santo A. LoBrutto Golden Circle of Friends Mrs. Carolyn Richtarek Silver Circle of Friends Mr. Owen V. Cummings Ms. Carolyn Dombeck Bronze Circle of Friends Anonymous Mr. Jeffrey Melaragno Mr. and Mrs. Joseph C. Minnella Dr. Lori Noto Mr. and Mrs. George Pollick St. Peter/St. Francis School 360 Club Winners Congratulations Week of 11/617 Pat Alexander and Joey Matarese 11/1317 Martha Gallagher and Olivia Matarese 11/2017 Greg Bennett and Jim Rossi 11/2717 Beth Michalec and Nellie Vestalli Not a member? Anyone may join so please spread the word! This is a fun way to support the school! The 360 Club is a fundraiser that consists of 2 weekly drawings of $25 for 50 weeks. Members join by paying $50 annually or $25 twice a year (December and June) or join anytime for a prorated amount. Checks made payable to The 360 Club should be sent to St. Peter/St. Francis School, 360 Prospect Street, Torrington, CT; may be dropped off at the school office; or dropped in the school s mail slot at the main entrance on Prospect Street. If you have any questions, please contact Kristen Harmon at or ktharmon1@yahoo.com or call the school office at Thank you for supporting Catholic education. Classes are held Sunday evenings Beginning with the Life Teen 5pm with Class immediately following 6-7:30pm Calendars can be found at JohnPaulGreatParish.com come to the Upper Room Saturday, December 2nd 1st Saturday s Middle School Volleyball/Basketball/Dodgeball Wii Just Dance/Air Hockey/Foosball Peter Hall the Upper Room Saturday, December 9th 2nd Saturday s High School Volleyball/Basketball/Dodgeball Wii Just Dance/Air Hockey/Foosball Peter Hall the Upper Room MUST RSVP by noon on day of event Marlene Carrier Cell call/text $5 Donation Pizza/Soda/Ice cream December 17th XLT 6-7:30pm at St. Peter Church Sunday, Drop any Boxtops for Education into canisters found at the entrances of St. Peter and St. Francis Churches to benefit St. Peter/St. Francis School. Teens and their parents are invited to a time of Praise/Adoration with a presentation by Catholic Speaker/Apologist Bryan Mercier Wednesday, December 20th Come spread some Christmas cheer as we sing Providing a free community meal on the 2nd Sunday of each month at 4pm St. Peter Hall, 107 E. Main St., Torrington The next meal with be provided on December 10th All donations can be made to our Parish. Please put Kevin s Place in the memo on checks and mail to 160 Main St., Torrington, CT For more info, contact: Christine Delgrande Christine.delgrande@gmail.com 8 First Sunday of Advent December 3, 2017 If you have a relative at a certain facility let us know and we will try to make a visit possible. Limited to 10 teens OR more if would like to help with carpooling :) January We invite you to join with hundreds of thousands (many of which are teens) who respectfully march for the right to life, praying for an end to abortion. Marching from the National Mall up Capitol Hill to the steps of the Supreme Court as we recall the 45th anniversary of Roe vs. Wade. See bulletin for details >>>

9 COMUNIDAD HISPANA EUCARISTIA DOMINICAL SERVICIOS: POSIBILIDAD DE CONFESIONES, Please join us for the March for Life in Washington, DC, January 18-19, 2018 The pilgrimage includes a bus trip to the Vigil Mass at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception on Thursday January 18th and March for Life in Washington, D.C. on the 19th. The two-day bus trip and the breakfast with Our guest speaker at the breakfast will be for the Catholic Diocese of Arlington, son of late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. You are responsible for payment of your hotel stay. A block of rooms is being held for our group at the Hilton Alexandria Old Town, in Alexandria, VA. Call Pro-Life Ministry at or for guidelines in making hotel reservations. Buses leave from the Franciscan Life Center in Meridan at approximately 5am on Thursday the 18th and return to Meridan at midnight on Friday the 19th Teens will leave from Torrington with Youth ministers at 4am The Total Cost including Bus/Hotel is $100 Office of Youth Ministry... Marlene Carrier Cell call/text JohnPaulGreatYouth@gmail.com High School CONFIRMATION Program Donna Puzacke Cell JohnPaulGreatConfirmation@gmail.com Anyone wishing to SPONSOR A TEEN please contact us. Thank you. 9 Saint John Paul the Great Parish View our bulletin online: JohnPaulGreatParish.com DIRECCION ESPIRITUAL, INSCRIPCION DE INTENCIONES PARA LA EUCARISTIA DOMINICAL, INFORMACION SOBRE LOS SACRAMENTOS DE BAUTISMO, PRIMERA COMUNION, CONFIRMACION, MATRIMONIO, QUINCEAÑERAS Y CATEQUESIS PARA ADULTOS. CHARLAS PREBAUTISMALES Requisitos: Asistir a la clase padres y padrinos. (Por favor llamar a la oficina para registrarse o al Lourdes también pueden enviar texto.) CHARLA PRE-BAUTISMAL: 3er Viernes de cada mes. Centro de Pastoral Juan Pablo II 6:00 7:00PM CEREMONIA DE BAUTISMO: 4to domingo de cada mes a la 12:30pm Saint John Paul the Great Parish GRUPOS APOSTOLICOS Y COORDINADORES PASTORAL HISPANA Servidores del Altar / Monaguillos: Elvia Orellana Legion de Maria: Jose Guambana Evangelizacion: Orlando Orellana Liturgia/Sacristia: Roberto Castillo RICA/Ministerios Musicales/Catequesis: Lourdes Rodriguez Pastoral Social: Doris Ramirez Ministros Extraordinarios de la Comunion: Carmen Fernandez Monitores y Lectores: Sonia Sanchez Ujieres/Ministros de Acogida: Honorato Nunez Pastoral Familiar: Yuneris Owens Movimiento Juan XXIII: Maria Colon Movimiento Juan XXIII 7 PM Martes. En las instalaciones de Sacred Heart Church (ubicada detrás del templo de Sacred Heart) El Movimiento Juan XXIII busca trabajar por aquellos alejados de la Iglesia y marginados de la sociedad, anunciándoles el Evangelio, mediante una espiritualidad de auténtico servicio, enmarcada en el Amor, la Entrega y el Sacrificio y expresada en esta opción de vida: Con Cristo Todo, Sin Cristo Nada.