The Church of the Incarnation

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2 The Church of the Incarnation 544 Prospect Street Wethersfield, CT Rev. James M. Moran Pastor Mrs. Noranne Wamester Pastoral Associate Director of Faith Formation Mrs. Audrey Saharek Pastoral Assistant Mass Schedule Confessions on Saturdays from 3:45-4:30p.m. Vigil Mass: Saturday at 5:00p.m. Sunday Masses: 8:30 & 10:30 a.m. Daily Mass: (Mon. - Fri.) 9:00 a.m. Recitation of the Rosary before 9:00 a.m. daily Mass Mrs. Maggie Seaver Coordinator of Middle School Faith Formation Gr Youth Minister Mrs. Filomena Marinelli Coordinator of Elementary Faith Formation Gr. K-6 Sacrament of Baptism By previous appointment by calling the rectory. Sundays at 12:30 p.m. Celebrated in the Baptistry of the Blessed Sacrament Chapel. Mrs. Teri Aiudi Rectory Office Assistant Faith Formation Secretary Weddings Please contact a priest 6-10 months prior. Mrs. Theodora Niver Director of Music Vanessa Crowley Lorissa Heath Rosanne Sweeney Gowdy Andrew Russo Heather Picard Gianna Bielenda Cantors Marguerite Heinimann Rectory Assistant Toni Munoz Sacristan Rectory (860) Fax (860) Church cincarnation@sbcglobal.net New Parishioners and Faith Formation Registration The Church of the Incarnation welcomes new parishioners. All forms are available at the main entrance of the church. Please mail or place in the collection basket. You may also visit our website for printable forms at: Rectory Hours 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Faith Formation Office (860) gotellit15@gmail.com Website address:

3 Page Three Second Sunday of Advent..December 9, 2018 SATURDAY, DECEMBER 8TH 5:00pm Lino & Elena Giammarco, Filomena Giammarco and Michael Sessa SUNDAY, DECEMBER 9TH 8:30am Arthur Boudreau and Arthur & Yvonne Breton 10:30am Marge & Jim Amodio MONDAY, DECEMBER 10TH 9:00am Josephine DiPrato TUESDAY, DECEMBER 11TH 9:00am Mary & Richard Collins & Catherine Collins Vaughan WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12TH 9:00am For all our parishioners THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13TH 9:00am John A. Vignone A Sr. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 14TH 9:00am A. T. Gregoire SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15TH 5:00pm Alberto D Antonio & the Deceased members of the D Antonio Family SUNDAY, DECEMBER 16TH 8:30am Pasqualino D Appollonio & Maria D Appollonio 10:30am Pietro G. Cieri & Salvatore Santilli The Sanctuary Candle will burn from 12/10/ /16/2018 in memory of Thomas, Mary & Vincent Scully. The Blessed Virgin Mary Candle will burn from 12/10/18 12/16/2018 in memory of Anthony & Emilia Camilliere. Thank you for your Annual Collection donations! Donations will be gratefully received through We are at $92,600 of $100,000 goal. The second collection this weekend is the Retired Fund for Religious collection. The Second collection next weekend will be the monthly. Prayer Shawl Ministry: Wednesday, December 12th at 9:30am in Fr. Crawford Hall. House of Bread collection next wkd, Dec., 15/16th. Coffee & sugar are requested. Thank you to the Men s Club for sponsoring the 17th Annual Incarnation Church Children s Christmas Party last Sunday. It was enjoyed by all who attended! A special thanks to John Ewaski & his team for planning it so well! Thank you to the Incarnation Women s Club for sponsoring their Christmas Party. It is a wonderful tradition. Any interest in joining our Incarnation Parish Council? Call Audrey at (860) There are 3 mtgs. per year, usually held in the Chapel at 7pm on Sunday eves. EVENING OF REFLECTION FOR ADULTS The Evening of Reflection for Parents and All Adults entitled, Finding Peace Amidst the Chaos has been rescheduled for Thursday, January 10, 2019 from 7:00-8:30 p.m. in Father Crawford Hall followed by refreshments. Presenter is Kelly Henderschedt, Director of Catechetical Education, Archdiocese of Hartford. Amidst the chaos, gift yourself with time and the opportunity to slow down the speed of life and breathe in the grace of the God who loves us.

4 Page Four Second Sunday of Advent..December 9, 2018 FAITH FORMATION IN ACTION Children s Liturgy of the Word will take place on Sunday, December 16 at the 10:30 am Mass. This CLW will feature our special Na- vity Play! Don t miss out! Our presiders are Emily Provost and Melissa Doyle. Confirma on Candidate Jamie Condon and his family will be hos ng the refreshments. Please join us for juice, munchkins and fellowship at the conclusion of Mass in Father Crawford Hall. FAITH FORMATION (GRADES 1-6) All classes are held in Fr. Crawford Hall according to the me/grade level. GRADE 2 meets on Saturday, December 8 from 8:30-9:45 a.m. GRADE 1 meets on Sunday, December 9 from 9:30-10:15 a.m. GRADE 6 meets on Tuesday, December 11 from 6:30-8:00 p.m. GRADE 4 meets on Wednesday, December 12 from 5:00-6:15 p.m. GRADE 5 meets on Wednesday, December 12 from 6:30-8:00 p.m. GRADE 3 meets on Saturday, December 15 from 8:30-9:45 a.m. GRADE 2 meets on Sunday, December 16 from 9:30-10:15 a.m. followed by 10:30 a.m. Mass and Children s Liturgy of the Word. This CLW will feature our Na vity Play. Children from all grade levels are welcomed to par cipate by carrying the banner and following the entrance procession. KIDS CAFÉ CHRISTMAS COLLECTION It is time again for our traditional Goodie Bag Collection to benefit Kids Café in Hartford! During the Advent season, Faith Formation families fill goodie bags full of treats and fun items for the children who attend Kids Café. Please check your Grade-specific delivery dates and bring your treat bags to your next class no later than December 14! Thank you in advance for your generosity! CHRISTMAS MOVIE NIGHT Our first Christmas Movie Night and Social Event was a huge success with more than 50 Faith Formation Elementary students attending! The children enjoyed pizza, dessert, a craft, storytime and the animated movie, The Star. Thank you to the McKenna family for organizing the event and all the Confirmation Candidates who helped make it such a fun night! Confirmation 2019 :The next gathering for our 9th graders will be this Sunday, Dec. 9th from 3:00-6pm in Fr. Crawford Hall. Christmas Caroling/Outreach/ Celebration Sunday, Dec. 16th - All High School and College kids are welcome to join our Youth Ministry for a night of caroling, outreach, and fun. We will meet in Father Crawford Hall at 5:45 to tune up our voices. Then, after some caroling across the street in Collier Farms, we will head back to the hall to put together Christmas goodie bags for Kid's Cafe in Harford, followed by some hot cocoa and holiday treats. Please bring something to contribute to the goodie bags if you can. Join us for some fun! 7th & 8th grade Faith Formation : Our next gathering for 8th grade class is Tues. Dec. 18th, and 7th grade class will meet on Wed. Dec. 19th. Class is held from 6:30-8:00 in Fr. Crawford Hall.

5 Page Five Second Sunday of Advent..December 9, 2018 PRAYER CORNER Blessing of the Advent Wreath Leader: Lord God, we praise you for your Son, Jesus Christ: he is Emmanuel, the hope of the peoples, he is the wisdom that teaches and guides us, he is the Savior of every nation. Lord God, let your blessing come upon us as we light the candles of this wreath. May the wreath and its light be a sign of Christ s promise to bring us salvation. May he come quickly and not delay. Family members may wish to join hands and recite the following blessing: O come, desire of nations, bind in one the hearts of humankind; bid every sad division cease and be thyself our Prince of peace. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel. From the website of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops Second Sunday of Advent December 9, 2018 God has commanded that every lofty mountain be made low. Baruch 5:7 Please enjoy these pictures of our parish families gathering to decorate Advent wreaths and learn about our Advent traditions.

6 Page Six Second Sunday of Advent..December 9, 2018 John the Baptizer made ready the way of the Lord. It was in the desert, severe in its landscape, where John s voice could be heard. Who will make ready the way today? Do you hear the voice today? If you are being called to make ready the way as a priest, or religious call Fr. Michael Casey, Director of Vocations, Archdiocesan Pastoral Center, at phone number (860) , or vocations@aohct.org or visit the web at Please pray for an increase in vocations to the priesthood, diaconate & religious. Vocations Holy Hour: New Time/Day: Vocations Holy Hour and Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament will be at Incarnation every Tuesday from 9:30-10:30am in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel. All are welcome as we pray for an increase in vocations to the priesthood, diaconate & religious life. Prayer For Peace held at Incarnation Church 30 minutes prior to 9am Daily Mass. Come, O Holy Spirit, and Renew the Face of the Earth! Legion of Mary mtg. every Monday at 9:45am in Fr. Crawford Hall at Incarnation Church. The object of the Legion of Mary is the Glory of God through the holiness of its members developed by prayer & active co-operation in Mary s and the Church s work. Join Us! We are blessed to have a beautiful outdoor Nativity Scene. We invite parishioners to take pictures with your family in front of our lovely Nativity Scene. It is located outside in front of the main entrance of church. We continue our 20th Advent Giving Program.Angel Tree: Flyers are at the exits. Please return your UNWRAPPED gifts WITH YOUR ANGEL ATTACHED this weekend, Dec., 9th and place them under the Advent Giving Christmas Tree in the Narthex. The gifts must be returned by Dec 9th so that they can be delivered on time. God Bless you for helping those less fortunate during our most Blessed Season of Christmas! Attention all parents/guardians: During Mass we request that children would always be accompanied to the restrooms by a parent or adult. Knights of Columbus Mtgs: Due to Renovations at Christ the King Parish, mtgs. will be on the 2nd Tuesday of the month at Sacred Heart Parish Hall in Old Wethersfield until further notice. 4th Degree will meet at 7pm - 3rd Degree will meet at 7:30pm. Join The Wethersfield Knights of Columbus for Dinner at Bertucci's restaurant in Newington. Flyer/coupon at church exits. Enjoy a family meal & help raise money for the Knights charities. We are updating The Church of the Incarnation parish website. Any committee chairpersons that need to update info. on the website, please call Noranne or Audrey at (860) SAVE THE DATE: FEBRUARY 22, 23, & 24, Join us at our parish Men s Retreat at the Holy Family Passionist Retreat Center, West Hartford, CT. Theme this year is: NO ORDINARY PATH... Register at: or Call John Ewaski (860) or Bill Carroll (860) Women s Retreats also available on the website. WEDDING BANNS PAOLO CARBONE & IRMA MAGALI AMAYA MORE

7 Page Seven Second Sunday of Advent..December 9, 2018 AWAITING THE SALVATION OF GOD The world does not seem big enough to contain the jubilation of the first reading. In the Gospel reading, the Roman empire isn t big enough, either. The great powers of Rome are named and made to stand waiting for the arrival of God s salvation. And we find Paul meditating joyfully on what really matters. According to Baruch, the city of Jerusalem is like a person standing on tiptoe looking for God s salvation, which is coming from the east. Those who were led away on foot, heads down, now come back, a proud people. Why, the very way is smoothed out. The path is lined with fragrant, lush trees. It can t get any better than this, can it? Well, yes, it can. For a voice calls out in the desert. Here is the beginning of the salvation of God. READINGS FOR THE WEEK Monday: Is 35:1-10; Ps 85:9-14; Lk 5:17-26 Tuesday: Is 40:1-11; Ps 96:1-3,10ac,11-13;Mt 18:12-14 Wednesday: Zec 2:14-17 or Rv 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab; Jdt 13:18bcde, 19; Lk 1:26-38 or Lk 1:39-47, or any readings from the Common of the Blessed Virgin Mary, nos Thursday: Is 41:13-20; Ps 145:1, 9-13ab; Mt 11:11-15 Friday: Is 48:17-19; Ps 1:1-4, 6; Mt 11:16-19 Saturday: Sir 48:1-4, 9-11; Ps 80: 2ac, 3b, 15-16, 18-19; Mt 17:9a, Sunday: Zep 3:14-18a; Is 12:2-6; Phil 4:4-7; Lk 3:10-18 TREASURES FROM OUR TRADITION Look around most Catholic churches, and you will discover an image of John the Baptist, often in the old baptistery, or in a window near where the font is or was located. He has two feast days in the calendar: one commemorating his birth, and the other his death. There are only three nativities in our calendar: for Jesus, for Mary, and for the Baptist. John s birthday is reckoned according to the schedule given in Luke s Gospel of the angel s announcement to Mary. The angel tells her that her cousin Elizabeth is in the sixth month of pregnancy, and so Mary hastens to help her. Reckoning Christmas as December 25, we count backwards nine months to March 25 for the Feast of the Annunciation. Then we count forward three months to June 24 for John the Baptist s birth. Halfway to Christmas, his nativity gives ample reason for rejoicing in the summer, and his symbols of fire and water are used playfully in bonfires and dives into the sea. Even at the polar opposite of Christmas in the calendar, the energy of Christ s birth in the Incarnation provides cause for rejoicing. TODAY S READINGS First Reading Take off your robe of mourning and misery; put on the splendor of glory from God (Baruch 5:1-9). Psalm The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy (Psalm 126). Second Reading I am confident that the one who began a good work in you will continue to complete it until the day of Christ Jesus (Philippians 1:4-6, 8-11). Gospel The winding roads shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth (Luke 3:1-6). SAINTS AND SPECIAL OBSERVANCES Sunday: Second Sunday of Advent Monday: International Human Rights Day Tuesday: St. Damasus I Wednesday: Our Lady of Guadalupe Thursday: St. Lucy Friday: St. John of the Cross Christmas Eve this year is Monday, December 24th. Daily Mass will be held at 9am. Christmas Eve Monday Evening, December 24th we will offer a Christmas Eve Vigil Mass at 5pm and a Mass During The Night at 10pm. NOTE: There will be NO MIDNIGHT MASS. Tuesday, December 25th, Christmas Morning Masses will be held at 8:30 am & 10:30am. Christmas Confessions will be offered on Saturday, December 22nd from noon and from 3:45-4:30pm. Christmas Flowers: In your packet of December collection envelopes you will find an envelope to provide Christmas flowers in memory of loved ones. Kindly return it before Christmas. PLEASE NOTE: As of January 1, 2019 our Saturday Confession time will change. New time for Saturday Confessions will be 3:30-4:15pm. New Year s Mass Schedule: TUESDAY, JANUARY 1ST, 2019, THE SOLEMNITY OF MARY, THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD IS A HOLY DAY OF OBLIGATION THIS YEAR. WE WILL CELEBRATE A VIGIL MASS ON MONDAY, DECEMBER 31ST AT 5:30PM AND TUESDAY, JANUARY 1ST, 2019 OUR HOLY DAY MASSES WILL BE CELE- BRATED AT 9AM & 11AM.

8 Page Eight Second Sunday of Advent..December 9, 2018 Best Advent Ever 'Tis (almost) The Season Go to Bestadventever.com. We prepare for everything we consider important in life. And that includes Christmas. We visit family/friends, bake cookies, decorate trees & shop for gifts until we are ready to drop. This year, prepare for Christmas in a different way. Join our parish for BEST ADVENT EVER, a free program from Dynamic Catholic that will help you slow down and focus on what matters most during the busy holiday season. Each day of Advent, you'll receive an with: Short inspirational videos from Allen Hunt and Dominick Albano with guest appearances from Matthew Kelly. Practical tips for everyday life Real-life stories to encourage you in your faith journey Plus, every Sunday during the program, you'll receive a thought-provoking video reflection that will help you understand how the Gospel relates to your own life. Today is the Second Sunday in Advent Advent Wreath Lighting Families in the Light As we celebrate the beautiful season of Advent, we invite our parishioners to participate in the lighting of the Advent wreath during the four weeks of Advent. The sign-up poster for the lighting schedule can be found in the Narthex. The Advent wreath is green in color and is a sign of new life. The circle shape reminds is that God's love for us never ends. The Advent candles signify the strong contrast between darkness and light. As the coming of the Christ Child draws closer another candle is lit, each candle dispelling the darkness a little more as we wait with great expectation for the birth of the Christ Child, the Light of the World. Let us together be LIGHT to one another. Again, we welcome you to light our Advent wreath at a Mass of your choice. When it is your time to light the wreath, please tell the celebrant/sacristan prior to mass that you will light it. Become a Parish Champion for The Church of the Incarnation "Everyone wants to belong to a vibrant faith community...and re-energizing your parish can start with you. Become a Parish Champion for Incarnation Church. It's a simple yet powerful way to inspire your fellow parishioners by sharing free copies of our life-changing books, CDS and Catholic programs with them. Are you ready to share the genius of Catholicism with everyone in your faith community?" Dynamic Catholic What does a Parish Champion Do? "Every month Parish Champions distribute free Dynamic Catholic books or CDS, share our world class Catholic programs with our parish Champion team leaders, pray for their parish and interact with our Parish Champion team leader to discover new ways to breathe life into their parish community." Dynamic Catholic Noranne Wamester, Pastoral Associate is the team leader for our parish. If you would like to join her in this wonderful endeavor, please call her at (860) The free gift for Christmas is a book entitled "The Biggest Lie in the History of Christianity" written by Matthew Kelly. It is featured on Dynamiccatholic.com. It will be distributed for those who are interested at the 10:30am Mass on Sunday, December 16, 2018 (Gaudete Sunday) at all exits by our parish Champions. They will also be available at the 5:00pm Mass on Saturday, December 22nd and Sunday, December 23rd at the 8:30am Mass. God bless you all.