Please Pray For. TODAY IS THE SOLEMNITY MARY, THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD

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2 SAINT JOSEPH CHURCH POQUONOCK Saint Joseph Parish 1747 Poquonock Avenue P. O. Box 253 Poquonock, CT (860) Fax (860) Administrator: Reverend John P. Melnick Parochial Vicar: Reverend Tuan Anh Dinh Mai Pastor Emeritus: Reverend Robert T. Russo Deacons: Mr. Ronald M. Biamonte Mr. R. Carl Lickwar Office Hours: Monday through Friday 8:00 am to 3:00 pm TODAY IS THE SOLEMNITY MARY, THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD Introduction to the Liturgy of the Day Today is the Church s oldest celebration of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is also designated as the World Day of Prayer for Peace. There can be no better way to start the New Year than to honor our Blessed Mother and pray with her for peace in our world. As we pray together today at God s invitation, let us be mindful of how the Holy Mother of God cares for the Church and the world that her Son died to save. Due to the Christmas holiday s early bulletin publishing deadline, the weekend collection figures for December 25 th will be reported in next week s bulletin. Thank you for your generosity to and support of Saint Joseph Parish The Second Collection next week is the Fuel Collection Please Pray For. SATURDAY December 31 (The Vigil of the Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God) 5:00 PM +LOU ADAME (Birthday Remembrance) req. by Bob & Dina Adame SUNDAY January 1 (The Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God) 8:00 AM +CARMEN JULIAN req. by Peter Arend & Family 10:00 AM A SPECIAL INTENTION req. by Tom, Michelle, & Quincy Harris Daily 7:30 AM Masses for Monday, January 2 nd, through Friday, January 6 th, will be celebrated at Saint Gabriel Church. Parishioners wishing to participate are invited and encouraged to attend. FRIDAY January 6 (St. Andre Bessette, Religious/FIRST FRIDAY) 7:00 PM EXPOSITION AND BENEDICTION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT SATURDAY January 7 (The Vigil of the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord) 5:00 PM +FLORENCE LAPATO (Birthday Remembrance) req. by her Daughter, Joan O Neil SUNDAY January 8 (The Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord) 8:00 AM A SPECIAL BIRTHDAY INTENTION FOR ELAINE HURST req. by Her Daughter, Lori, & Family 10:00 AM A SPECIAL INTENTION FOR THE LIVING & DECEASED MEMBER OF OUR FAMILY req. by Cyndie & Sean Glick Please remember all those who have gone before us marked with the sign of faith, especially +Rev. Thomas Baylis. Please remember the members, loved ones, and friends of our Parish Family who are ill, aged, troubled, or grieving. Pray for their physical, emotional, and mental well-being. Please pray especially for: Richard Massa, and Peggy Nolan. January 7, 2017 January 14, 2017 January 21, 2017 January 28, 2017 Confession Schedule Saint Joseph Church 4:30 p.m. Saint Joseph Church 4:30 p.m. Saint Gabriel Church 3:15 p.m. Saint Gabriel Church 3:15 p.m.

3 THE SOLEMNITY OF MARY, THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD Thank You! I wish to thank all of you who made this Christmas a wonderful celebration of church. We are truly blessed to have such a dedicated staff and volunteers who bring so many facets together. I received many positive comments on the decorations, the music, the various participants in the liturgies, the generosity in giving and the general positive tone. All of you bring this and other celebrations to a higher level. Whether our participation is great or small, we all make a difference. We come together with renewed spirit as we begin a New Year together. Father John Melnick Alive in Christ All high school students are invited to an exciting one-day Catholic Youth Rally with engaging worship, music, speakers, and faith-filled fellowship with teens from around the Archdiocese! The Rally will be held on Sunday, April 30 th, from 1:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Cathedral of Saint Joseph in Hartford. Please contact the Religious Education Office for registration forms. Don t miss this awesome opportunity to grow in faith and celebrate the new Easter life we have in Jesus Christ! On Thursday, December 29 th, we welcomed into our parish Family of Faith through the saving waters of Baptism: Sierra Marie Kilcomons (Daughter of Kyle and Jennifer Kilcomons and Granddaughter of Maria Boyle) A Family Perspective Today s gospel says Joseph made his home in Nazareth. A home is built on the foundation of love, commitment and a shared history and is decorated with forgiveness, acceptance, rituals, discipline and mutual support. The Holy Family challenges us today; Don t live anyplace, live at HOME! ~Bud Ozar 11 Day Pilgrimage of Prayer in Spain and Marian Shrines The Saint John Vianney Vocation Prayer Society of the Archdiocese of Hartford and Fr. Jeffrey Gubbiotti, Vocation Director, will host a pilgrimage in celebration of the 100 th anniversary of the Apparitions at Fatima by visiting Fatima, Avila, Salamanca, Madrid, Lourdes, Montserrat, and Barcelona on November 6 th 16 th. This trip includes roundtrip air from New York, First Class/Select Hotels, Most Meals, Services of a Professional Tour Director, Comprehensive Sightseeing, Hotel Service Charges, Porterage, Entrance Fees and much more for $2899 per person (air/land tour price is $2219 plus $680 govt. taxes/airline surcharges). For a brochure and more information, please contact Fr. Jeff at or him at fr.gubbiotti@aohct.org. Holy Hour So that at Jesus name, every knee must bend in the heavens, on the earth, and under the earth, and every tongue proclaim to the glory of God the Father: JESUS CHRIST IS LORD. (Philippians 2: 10-11) As the new calendar year begins, all are invited to deepen their relationship with Jesus by spending quiet time in prayer with him. On Friday January 6 th, there will be exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and benediction from 7:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at St. Joseph Church. During this time the Litany of the Most Holy Name of Jesus will be prayed. Northwest Catholic Class of 2021 Northwest Catholic will offer its Entrance Exam to 8 th and 9th Graders on Monday, January 23 rd at 8:30 a.m. An application will serve as your registration for the exam. There will be an Information Session for prospective families, who were unable to attend the November Open House, on Thursday, February 2 nd, at 7 p.m. at Northwest Catholic. For more information or to apply online, go to NorthwestCatholic.org/Admissions. Social Action Corner The Social Action Committee would like to take this opportunity to THANK YOU for your continued support of our many projects and collections. During this past year, you have generously donated food, toiletries, cleaning supplies, and diapers for those in need. You have supported fundraisers for mission children, Saint Agnes and Saint Gerard s Homes, Tabor House, Troop Packages, The Windsor Fuel Bank, and purchased 400 Christmas Gifts for those that would otherwise go without this holiday season. Your generosity and kindness are overwhelming and so gratefully appreciated. May the blessings and holiday spirit of the holy season surround you always. Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New you to you all. Lisa Andersen and Susan Claughsey Social Action Co-Chairs We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love. Mother Teresa

4 JANUARY 1, 2017 Religious Education Reminder: In the event of inclement weather, please watch Channel 3 (WFSB) or Channel 30 (WVIT) for the cancellation of Religious Education Classes; you can also check their cancellation list online. You may also call the Religious Education Office to hear the status of classes for that day/ evening. January 3 Religious Education Classes for grades K - 8 at Saint 7 C2 Confirmation Retreat at Saint Gabriel Church 9:00 am to 3:00 pm - All C2 students must attend 10 Religious Education Classes for grades K - 8 at Saint 17 Religious Education Classes for grades K - 8 at Saint 24 Religious Education Classes for grades K - 8 at Saint 31 Religious Education Classes for grades K & 1, 3-8 at Saint 31 Practice for 1 st Reconciliation 5:30-6:30 pm at Saint Joseph Church February 7 Religious Education Classes for grades K & 1, 3-8 at Saint - No class for Grade 2 students 9 Practice for 1 st Reconciliation 5:30-6:30 pm at Saint Joseph Church 11 First Reconciliation 10:00 a.m. at Saint Joseph Church. Reception following downstairs in Father Doherty Hall 14 Religious Education Classes for grades K - 8 at Saint 21 No Religious Education Classes 28 Religious Education Classes for grades K - 8 at Saint C2 Retreat All C2 students will attend a Confirmation Retreat next Saturday, January 7 th, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the Church Hall at Saint Gabriel Church. This is a mandatory meeting for all C2 students. Practice for First Reconciliation All children preparing for the Sacrament of Reconciliation will practice on Tuesday, January 31 st, at Saint Joseph Church from 5:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. Second grade students will not meet for class on Tuesday, February 7 th ; on Thursday, February 9 th, children and at least one parent or guardian should accompany their child to practice at Saint Joseph Church from 5:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. Please call the Religious Education Office if you have any questions. Altar Servers Needed Students in 4th Grade and higher and Adults, who are interested in becoming an altar server, are asked to please call the Parish Rectory Office at Please prayerfully consider being an Altar Server.

5 JANUARY 1, 2017 Ministry Message The Parish Rectory Office and the Religious Education Office will be closed on Monday, January 2 nd. The Parish Rectory Office and the Religious Education Office will reopen on Tuesday, January 3 rd. We wish you a happy and healthy New Year! Rosary Makers Ministry will meet on Monday, January 9 th, at 9:30 AM in Father Doherty Hall. The Rosary Makers gather together regularly to make rosary beads for missionaries around the world, men and women in our armed forces, hospitals and institutions near and far. New members are always welcome. Prayer Shawl Ministry will meet on Monday, January 9 th, at 7:00 PM in Father Doherty Hall. If you would like to request a prayer shawl or find out more about the ministry, please contact Darlene Kennedy at or kingskid1953@comcast.net Helping Hands Ministry will meet on Tuesday, January 10 th, at 9 AM in Father Doherty Hall. Volunteers are always needed to knit, crochet or sew items either at our meetings or at home. Additional volunteers are also needed to iron, cut fabric, stuff pillows, as well as distribute items, that have been made. New members are always welcome!! Any questions please contact the Parish Rectory Office. Saint Joseph Parish Bible Study Series will begin again on Tuesday, January 10 th, from 6:30 PM to 8 PM in Father Doherty Hall. Adult Bible Study-facilitated by Mrs. Peg Nolan and Mrs. Diane Caron, will meet on Tuesdays through March 28 th. The Little Rock Scripture Series will be used. Any questions please call the Parish Rectory Office. Northeast Catholic College Offers Half-Tuition to Early Enrollees Northeast Catholic College (511 Kearsarge Mountain Road, Warner, NH ) is pleased to announce that any student that enrolls by March 15, 2017, will automatically receive an Early Enrollment Award of $15,000, which is half of the cost of tuition, room, and board. This four-year scholarship will supplement any federal aid (Pell grants, subsidized and unsubsidized federal loans) for which a student is eligible. "Northeast Catholic College is committed to providing a faithful Catholic education that is affordable to our students and their families," said President, Dr. George Harne. An Open House is scheduled for February 19-20, Visitors will have the opportunity to: attend and participate in classes, meet one on one with faculty and admissions representatives, attend Mass and participate in spiritual life on campus, tour our 135-acre campus, eat in our dining room and enjoy student entertainment. We are joyfully Catholic!