Studies confirm that people who put up their Christmas decorations earlier are happier people. Page 3

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1 INSIDE: The Spiritual Life Committee will offer a presentation on the O Antiphons by Sr. Elisse, of the Cross and Passion. Page 2 Advent recalls God s first coming in Christ s birth and looks toward his return at the end of time, while we prepare to celebrate that first coming on Christmas. Page 2 Studies confirm that people who put up their Christmas decorations earlier are happier people. Page 3 During the season of Advent, the bulletin will feature reflections that will emphasize our understanding of the angel s words: all the people. Page 3 If you were away last weekend, you may still pick up tags from the Giving Tree in the hallway for needy kids in Providence. Page 5 Fair Trade chocolate, coffee, olive oil, and Advent calendars from Catholic Relief Services and delicious, locally handcrafted, gourmet Beautiful Day Granola, and spiced nuts for sale in the Parish Hall next weekend. Page 5

2 Mass Intentions Saturday, December 1 5:00 p.m. Vincent Costanza Saturday, December 2 8:00 a.m. Eric Osterhoff Gerry DiSchino Suzanne Carcieri 9:15 a.m. Maureen Hodgkinson 11:30 a.m. Deceased members of SK Police Dept. Tuesday, December 4 12:00 p.m. Maureen Hodgkinson Friday, December 7 12:00 p.m. Cecilia Trubiano Saturday, December 8 5:00 p.m. Matthew Siravo Ali Dunn Packer Kimberly Barbera Sunday, December 9 8:00 a.m. Thomas Hogan Dr. Charles Farrell Nadia Reynolds 9:15 a.m. Gina Marie Dalton Chad O Brien Brigid Kelley 11:30 a.m. Mimi Keefe ********************************************* Feast of Immaculate Conception Masses in Church Friday, December 7: 7:00 p.m. Saturday, December 8: 9:00 a.m. RETIREMENT FUND FOR RELIGIOUS December 8/9 Your gift to this collection will help provide medications, nursing care, and support for the many older sisters, brothers, and religious order priests of our diocese. It also ensures that younger members can continue the work of their elders. SPIRITUAL LIFE ADVENT DAY OF REFLECTION Saturday, December 8, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Spiritual Life Committee will offer a presentation on the O Antiphons by Sr. Elisse, of the Cross and Passion. The O Antiphons are a century old series of prayers used during Advent, which herald the coming of the Messiah. Coffee and pastry will be provided. Please contact Heather Signorelli at heathersig0@gmail.com to preregister. LITURGY CORNER Advenire, the Latin from which Advent is derived, translates to arrive or come to. Advent recalls God s first coming in Christ s birth and looks toward his return at the end of time, while we prepare to celebrate that first coming on Christmas. Universal Norms on the Liturgical Year and the Calendar (UNLY), 39 notes that: Advent has a twofold character, for it is a time of preparation for Christmas, in which the First Coming of the Son of God to humanity is remembered, and likewise a time when, by remembrance of this, minds and hearts are led to look forward to Christ s Second Coming at the end of time. For these two reasons, Advent is a period of devout and expectant delight. In a season where listeners are preoccupied with preparing for Christmas, the readings draw us in to look at life as it is happening right now we see that the themes of love, hope, peace, and joy are present, but so are themes of destruction and restoration, exile and freedom, promise and fulfillment. We are reminded by the psalms that to wield power (whether as king or as any sort of leader, be that parent, coach, teacher, or worker) is a responsibility that should be exercised in accordance with God s will. Wherever we are, whatever we are doing, we are to be God s agents-particularly to the poor and vulnerable (LTP Sourcebook 2019) As we wait in joyful hope, and prepare and celebrate with enthusiasm and gratitude, may we graciously and generously assist and share with those less fortunate. December 2 - Classes for grades K-5 and grade 7. Grade 7 The students in grade 7 will be making No Tie Fleece Blankets in the Parish Hall on Sunday from 10:15-11:15 a.m. These blankets will go to various organizations for distribution to those who need a little bit of warmth this season. Attention Scouts: The Girls Scouts and Boy Scouts of America stress duty to God as well as country. All levels of scouting offer the opportunity to earn a religious emblem. For more information, contact your local Troop, Pack, or visit under Religious Education tab / drop down box Information/Registration - scroll down. Call the Religious Formation office for more information at

3 As if we needed to be told, studies confirm that people who put up their Christmas decorations earlier are happier people. According to a recent study published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology, people who get into the festive spirit sooner rather than later are generally more excited by life. A main effect for the decorated factor indicated that raters used Christmas decorations as a cue that the residents were friendly and cohesive. The study also found that early celebrators of the Christmas season were known to be more fun-loving and comfortable in social situations. Science Direct is the agency that was responsible for publishing these findings. Psychoanalysts including Steve McKeown and Deborah Serani explain that decorating early creates a neurological shift that can produce happiness. People who indulge in early Christmas decoration tasks tend to be grounded in family and friendship. These are people who understand the significance of holiday celebrations to establishing deep and close family ties. So, people who have happy upbringings and memorable childhoods tend to be very excited about the Christmas season even when they grow older in life. Also, according to the study, people who decorate the outside of their homes are viewed as friendlier and more approachable than those who don t. This confirms what most of us have experienced and known all along: the memories, feelings, hopes, and joy are all gifts from God, and they are meant to be enjoyed freely and fully! They are centered in the event of Christmas, but they are not restricted to the date of Christmas. So deck your halls and be happy! If you re looking for a decorating soundtrack, try Sirius XM channels 3, 4, 70, 777, 778, 779, 780, 781, 782, 783, 784, 785, and 786. So far this year, I ve heard several tracks by artists who had been unknown to me, and the songs have already become favorites (you can search for them on YouTube): Come Thou Long Expected Jesus and He Has Come For Us (God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen) by Meredith Andrews; Joy to the World (Unspeakable Joy) by Chris Tomlin; and O Come, O Come Emmanuel by Francesca Battistelli. ******************************************************** The angel said to them, Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. This passage (Luke 2:10) will be proclaimed at our Christmas Masses in a few short weeks. During the season of Advent, the bulletin will feature reflections that will emphasize our understanding of the angel s words: all the people. The Sundays of Advent will feature excerpts from the new document: Open Wide Our Hearts: The Enduring Call to Love - A Pastoral Letter Against Racism. It was developed by the Committee on Cultural Diversity in the Church of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). It was approved by the full body of bishops at the November 2018 General Meeting and has been authorized for publication. The Savior we welcome at Christmas comes for all the people. All people are created equally in the image and likeness of our Creator. There is no partiality with God (Romans 2:11). May our Advent reflection on this great mystery help us to embrace Jesus with arms open wider than ever this Christmas. ***************************** Racism comes in many forms. It can be seen in deliberate, sinful acts. In recent times, we have seen bold expressions of racism by groups as well as individuals. The re-appearance of symbols of hatred, such as nooses and swastikas in public spaces, is a tragic indicator of rising racial and ethnic animus. All too often, Hispanics and African Americans, for example, face discrimination in hiring, housing, educational opportunities, and incarceration. Racial profiling frequently targets Hispanics for selective immigration enforcement practices, and African Americans, for suspected criminal activity. There is also the growing fear and harassment of persons from majority Muslim countries. Extreme nationalist ideologies are feeding the American public discourse with xenophobic rhetoric that instigates fear against foreigners, immigrants, and refugees. Finally, too often racism comes in the form of the sin of omission, when individuals, communities, and even churches remain silent and fail to act against racial injustice when it is encountered. Racism can often be found in our hearts in many cases placed there unwillingly or unknowingly by our upbringing and culture. As such, it can lead to thoughts and actions that we do not even see as racist, but nonetheless flow from the same prejudicial root. Consciously or subconsciously, this attitude of superiority can be seen in how certain groups of people are vilified, called criminals, or are perceived as being unable to contribute to society, even unworthy of its benefits. Racism can also be institutional, when practices or traditions are upheld that treat certain groups of people unjustly. The cumulative effects of personal sins of racism have led to social structures of injustice and violence that makes us all accomplices in racism. Institutional forms of racial injustice evident in the economic imbalances found in our society.

4 With the positive changes that arose from the civil rights movement and related civil rights legislation, some may believe that racism is no longer a major affliction of our society that it is only found in the hearts of individuals who can be dismissed as ignorant or unenlightened. But racism still profoundly affects our culture, and it has no place in the Christian heart. This evil causes great harm to its victims, and it corrupts the souls of those who harbor racist or prejudicial thoughts. The persistence of the evil of racism is why we are writing this letter now. People are still being harmed, so action is still needed. What is needed, and what we are calling for, is a genuine conversion of heart, a conversion that will compel change, and the reform of our institutions and society. Conversion is a long road to travel for the individual. Moving our nation to a full realization of the promise of liberty, equality, and justice for all is even more challenging. However, in Christ we can find the strength and the grace necessary to make that journey. In this regard, each of us should adopt the words of Pope Francis as our own: let no one think that this invitation is not meant for him or her. All of us are in need of personal, ongoing conversion. Our churches and our civic and social institutions are in need of ongoing reform. If racism is confronted by addressing its causes and the injustice it produces, then healing can occur. In that transformed reality, the headlines we see all too often today will become lessons from the past. Consistently, African Americans have been branded, by individuals, society, and even, at times, by members of the Church, with the message that they are inferior. Likewise, this message has been imprinted into the U.S. social subconscious. African Americans continue to struggle against perceptions that they do not fully bear the image of God, that they embody less intelligence, beauty, and goodness. This reality represents more than a few isolated stories; it was the lived experience of the vast majority of African Americans for most of our national history. Quotes of the Week The victim of a sexually abusive priest scoffed when I told him over the phone that I go to Mass at a parish not far from the one where he was molested. You re still Catholic? he asked. I had to pause. My answer yes felt almost like an insult. I wonder how many more ordinary Catholics now find it hard, when similarly pressed, to say the same. And the thought haunts me. Still there is a path forward, but it branches only after the point of pain. One path the path of confession, accountability, repentance and healing, the path of full disclosure, willing self-sacrifice on behalf of Catholic leaders leads to a damaged ground from which the church can nonetheless rebuild. The other route the path of continued omissions, lies, recalcitrance and cowardice, hiding behind nondisclosure agreements, and meting out reluctant, highly curated admissions leads only further into a mire of mistrust and doubt. Only the truth can set them free. - Elizabeth Bruenig, Even as the Catholic Church claims to come clean, something is not right, Washington Post, November 23, 2018 Saying that the Catholic Church did not protect children is... wrong. It was the bishops. It was the hierarchy. We should not blame the people of God for the sins of the hierarchy. In many other churches, the people have some say in selecting their leadership and therefore have some responsibility for their hierarchy s actions. Not so in the Catholic Church, where new leaders are chosen by current leaders. - Rev. Thomas J. Reese, Religion News Service, November 26, 2018 FRIENDLY VISITOR MESSAGE Feeling lonely? Is it hard for you to get out and see friends? Are you recovering from a medical problem that makes it hard for you to get out? A Friendly Visitor would love to visit you. Call Bonnie Feeney at , and a visitor can be on the way to help lighten the long day. STEPHEN MINISTRY MESSAGE Holiday time is upon us, ready or not. This can be a very trying time for people. So many of us have difficult memories or emotions surrounding the holidays; reminders of family difficulties, missing loved ones, stress revolving around the culture of spend, spend, spend. The need to have someone to talk to about these feelings is hard to fill with family or neighbors. Stephen Ministers are here to provide the support that can help make this holiday season less painful and help to heal your spirit. Call Carol Hartley at CTK_StephenMinistry@verizon.net), Larry Bartley at ( LJBJR@cox.net) or call the office at

5 YOUTH MINISTRY MOVIE & CRAFT NIGHT Saturday, Dec. 15 6:00-9:00 p.m. in the parish hall Parents night out! Drop off your children PreK - 6 graders for a fun evening with our youth group for a movie and fun snacks. Sign up by Thursday, Dec. 7 by to Miss Eva at emancuso@ctkri.org. FAMILY CHRISTMAS TREE Bring an ornament of your choice for our Christmas tree in the box next to the tree in the Narthex by December 17. Our Youth Ministry will be decorating the tree on Thursday, December 21 at 7:00 p.m. Hot Chocolate and cookies for all! BREADLINE MINISTRIES The event was a tremendous experience again this year for our 8 th graders. Special thanks to chaperones Megan Brock, Celeste Capizzo, Karen & Rob Donnellan, Meredith Gibbons, Vin Grasso, Kim Kay, Mike Mitchell, and Kristen Riley. Our candidates were a proud example of Christian stewardship as they distributed food, supplies, and clothing to the homeless. URI BASKETBALL GAME Treat your family with an afternoon of fun on Saturday, February 16, at 2 p.m. with our Rhody Rams. Makes a great Christmas gift! Discounted tickets ($20) will be available after all Masses on December 8/9. GIVING TREE If you were away last weekend, you may still pick up tags from the Giving Tree in the hallway for needy kids in Providence. Each tag has a child s Christmas wish, with his/her first name, age, size (if applicable). Suggested price range is $25-$35. On the back of each tag are directions. All gifts should be returned by December 9. If you know of a family who needs assistance, please call Lynda Tisdell as soon as possible at with their name and phone number. ADVENT FOOD COLLECTION Dec. 15/16 During Advent the Social Action Committee will again coordinate a food drive for the families who use our Emergency Food Pantry and other local families who need our assistance. Collection boxes will be in the parish hall to place non-perishable items. Any canned meat, vegetable, cereal, pasta, sauce, peanut butter, jelly, coffee, soup, etc. We invite all parishioners to help sort and/or deliver the food baskets on Monday, December 17 at 9 a.m. in the Parish Hall. Thank you for your generosity. MSGR. CLARKE HOLIDAY FESTIVAL Sunday, December 2: 9 a.m. 3 p.m. Bring your walking shoes; there is a lot to see while you support the PTO s biggest fundraiser of the year! Gift Basket Sale, Book Fair, Raffles including Themed baskets, Food, Lots of Vendors, Visits with Santa and Kids Games and Activities. PEACE AND JUSTICE NEWS The Peace & Justice Committee invites you to a lecture on The Role of Mary and Jesus in the Quran. The talk will be held on Tuesday, December 4, at 7 p.m., in the parish hall. Katrin Jomaa, Ph.D., Professor of Islam and Middle Eastern Politics at URI, will highlight the significant role of Mary and Jesus among a series of prophets starting with Adam and ending with Prophet Mohammad. December 8/9: Fair Trade chocolate, coffee, olive oil, and Advent calendars from Catholic Relief Services and delicious, locally handcrafted, gourmet Beautiful Day Granola,and spiced nuts in the Parish Hall after all Masses (as long as supplies last). Proceeds from the sale will go to Catholic Relief Services Fair Trade programs and to the Providence based Beautiful Day refugee employment training program. We will have many delicious and unusual flavors to choose from of both the granola and chocolate. They all make great gifts. Ruth Rousseau, an eighth grader from Msgr. Clarke School, will have a display and poster describing her community service project to support an organization called Restavek Freedom. Restavek Freedom is a nonprofit based in Haiti dedicated to providing relief for the Restavek children, who are given to families and then used as slaves. Its mission is to offer a safe, stable, family centered environment for these children. Be sure to stop by Ruth s table to learn more about this mission and project. GRATEFUL FOR GOD S PROVIDENCE The Campaign Committee would like to thank all the families who have contributed to this campaign and have made it a great success. If you have not made your pledge yet, we ask you to please do so. Campaign Update Total Goal: $1,038,305 Total Pledges to Date: $405,898 Percentage of Goal: 39% Payments Received to Date: $85,732 Total Number of Donors: 182 Average Gift: $2,230 Thank you for your ongoing support!

6 Parish Directory Parish Office Hours Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Phone: (401) Fax: (401) Religious Formation Office: (401) Rev. Jared Costanza (jaredjcostanza@gmail.com) Pastor Rev. Joseph Creedon (jcreedon@verizon.net) Parish Priest Emeritus Rev. Joseph Upton (fatherupton@gmail.com) Catholic Center Chaplain Jennifer Marran (jmarran@ctkri.org) Pastoral Associate Tom Kendzia (tjkendzia@gmail.com) Director of Music Ministry Heather Skidds (hskidds@gmail.com) Associate Director of Music Ministry Georgann Lardaro (glardaro@ctkri.org) Director of Religious Formation Eva Mancuso (emancuso@ctkri.org) Director of Confirmation & Youth Ministry Beth Hogan (bhogan@ctkri.org) Parish Office Manager Ron Bernier (rbernier@ctkri.org) Fiscal Manager Doug Paquin (dpaquinjr@gmail.com) Custodian Mike Mitchell Web site Administrator (ctkri.org) Trustees: Mark Noble & Phil Tracy Auditors: Richard Gervais & Carol Hartley Parish Council (parishcouncil@ctkri.org) Prayer Chain (prayerchain@ctkri.org) URI Catholic Center 90 Chapel Way, Kingston, RI Office: (401) (office@rhodycatholic.com) Liz Cotrupi-Pfunder Campus Minister Doug Carr Facilities Director MASS SCHEDULE Saturday: 5 p.m. Sunday: 8, 9:15, 11:30 a.m. 8 p.m. BAPTISM The celebration of baptism takes place either during a weekend Mass or a Sunday afternoon liturgy. Parents should speak to Jennifer Marran to make arrangements. ADULT INITIATION Adults wishing to receive the sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist, and/or Confirmation should speak to Jennifer Marran. CONFIRMATION Eighth graders receive Confirmation in the spring. Please speak to Eva Mancuso for more information. MARRIAGE Engaged couples should speak to Fr. Jared at least nine months prior to the wedding. RECONCILIATION Saturdays at 4:00 p.m. or by appointment. ANOINTING OF THE SICK Please call the parish office to make arrangements. MINISTRY TO THE SICK & HOMEBOUND If you or someone you know is unable to attend Mass and would like to receive Holy Communion regularly, please speak to Jennifer Marran to make arrangements. On the third Tuesday of each month, Mass is celebrated at South Kingstown Nursing & Rehabilitation Center at 10:30 a.m., and at Brookdale South Bay Assisted Living at 1:30 p.m. BIBLE STUDY (Fr. Jared) 1 & 7 p.m. ST. PAUL S LETTER TO THE ROMANS, December 5, 12 January 9, 23, February 6, 20 BIBLE STUDY (Shared/Group) 7:00 p.m. Spring dates to be announced. GODPARENTS & SPONSORS Please see one of the priests for a sponsor form, or visit ctkri.org/sponsor. BELONG TO CHRIST THE KING! Welcome to our growing family of faith! Call the parish office or visit ctkri.org for more information. ALL weather cancellations will be posted on our website: and on local TV/radio stations.

7 Northup s Service Center Fast - Lube 1892 Kingstown Rd., Peacedale Bring in this coupon & save $2.00 off our already low priced fast-lube oil change service! Visit Please Uncle Mike s Home Improvement & Handyman Services Need Help? Call Uncle Mike Mike Larkin, St. Mary Parishioner Licensed & Insured Michael K. Marran, Esquire General Practice of Law (401) marranlaw@cox.net 55 Cedar Street, Suite-100, Providence, RI Wills Trusts Estates Probate Elder South County Appointments Available full service mechanic shop all foreign & domestic cars Oil Changes - Tires - Brakes - Tune Up s Shocks & Struts - Computer Diagnostics Maintenance - State Inspections 30 Dean Knauss Drive - Narragansett, RI (401) Parishioner 12 Southwest Avenue, Jamestown RI Dr. Jacqueline Boisvert Clinical Director, Karen Agostinucci PT, DPT, MS, OCS Certified Clinicians Offering: Dry Needling Spinal Manipulation Orthopedic Specialist Pain Management 163 Main Street Wakefield mechanixforlife.com Evidence-based therapy from a Catholic faith-based perspective. Richard Beaupre, LICSW Tel: (401) South County Commons Way, Suite D8 richard@journeyllc.com South Kingstown, Rhode Island Celebrating 50 years of Faith Based Academic Excellence Accepting Students 18 months to 8th Grade Year Round Early Learning Program Extended Day Program - Spanish Pre-k to 8 Robust Enrichment & After School Programs Safe Nurturing Environment Call to schedule a tour Or admissions@monsignorclarkeschool.org The Genuine. The Original. Overhead Door Company of Providence, Inc. One Overhead Way, Warwick, RI Alan Mclaughlin Garden Design & Landscaping Contact Lisa Elliott to place an ad today! lelliott@4lpi.com or (800) x Main St., Wakefield, RI WOOD CORK TILE CARPET LAMINATE VINYL AREA RUGS (401) Established 1879 TALLY S Religious Gifts & Books 1150 Pontiac Ave. Cranston, RI A Better Place To Shop Perfect Produce, Fabulous Fruit, Beautiful Bakery, Magnificent Meals, Finest Prepared Foods, Delightful Deli, Freshest Fish, Fantastic Flowers, Super Sushi, Great Groceries! Kingstown Rd., Wakefield, RI ~ Since 1949 ~ Bagelz The Bagel Bakery Kingston Emporium 99 Fortin Rd., Kingston, RI (401) Bagelz of Wakefield 90 Pershing Ave., Wakefield, RI (401) Traditional Funerals to Simple Cremation Services Pre-Arrangements & Pre-Financing Available. Directors Michael F. Quinn, Patrick J. Quinn, Jerome D. Quinn, Christopher P. Quinn, Maria A. King, Stanley G. Larson Intern Michael J. Quinn Boston Neck Rd., N. Kingstown, RI Ad info Publication Support Christ the King Church, Kingston, RI

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