CARMEL OUR LADY OF THE VALLEY ST. PETER CHANEL

Transcription

1 St. John of the Cross Catholic Cluster NOTRE DAME du MONT CARMEL OUR LADY OF THE VALLEY ST. PETER CHANEL St. David St. Agatha St. Bruno - St. Remi St. Gerard-Mt. Carmel St. Luce St. Joseph (Hamlin) St. Thomas Aquinas St. Joseph (Sinclair) St. Michael (Summer Months) December 23, 2018 Pastor Fr. James Plourde james.plourde@portlanddiocese.org Parochial Vicars Fr. Antony Alexander Maria Doss, HGN antony.mariadoss@portlanddiocese.org Fr. Selvaraj Kasi, HGN selvaraj.kasi@portlanddiocese.org Deacons Rev. Mr. Donald R. Clavette donald.clavette@portlanddiocese.org Rev. Mr. Rodney Deschaine rodney.deschaine@portlanddiocese.org Cluster 2 Business Coordinator Greg Cyr greg.cyr@portlanddiocese.org Bulletin Editor janice.dufour@portlanddiocese.org Sacramental & Pastoral Care SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM Please call your parish office for appointment. SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION Saturday before 4pm Mass or appointment. SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGE Please call your parish office at least 6 months prior to date. SACRAMENT OF THE ANOINTING OF THE SICK Please call your parish office. FUNERALS Please contact the Cluster 2 business office. New Parishioners If you are new to the parish or have an address or phone number change, please contact your parish office. NOTRE DAME DU MONT CARMEL 309 St. Thomas Street, Suite 103 Madawaska, ME Parish Office / Cluster 2 Business Office notredamedumontcarmel@portlanddiocese.org Faith Formation Office OUR LADY OF THE VALLEY 379 Main St./PO Box 10, St. Agatha, ME Parish Office Faith Formation Office ST. PETER CHANEL 174 Main St., Van Buren, ME Parish Office StPeterChanelParish@portlanddiocese.org

2 Fourth Sunday of Advent December 23, 2018 Notre Dame du Mont Carmel Mass Schedule Saturday, December 22 4:00pm ST: Fernand Bosse Dora & Family 6:00pm SG: Memorial Lights Intentions Sunday, December 23 Fourth Sunday of Advent 8:30am ST: Winette Michaud (1st Anniv.) Michaud Family 11:00am SD: Wayne Pelletier Family Monday, December 24 Christmas Eve 4:00pm ST: Parishioners Pastor 6:00pm SD: Parishioners Pastor (Children s Mass) 6:00pm SG: Parishioners Pastor Tuesday, December 25 The Nativity of the Lord No Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament! 9:00am SD: Parishioners Pastor Wednesday, December 26 8:30am SD: Julie Albert Family Thursday, December 27 No Mass Friday, December 28 2:00pm RDG: Aline Bosse Jeanne Chartier 2:00pm CVE: Valier Dumais Wife, Florence Saturday, December 29 4:00pm ST: Brian Hebert Family 6:00pm SG: Michael Picard Brothers & Sisters Sunday, December 30 The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary & Jos. 8:30am ST: Reginald Ouellette Gallant Raymond 11:00am SD: Edwina Levesque Lorraine Talbot Saturday, December 22 4:00pm SA: Clarence Sirois Jason & Maureen Carlone Sunday, December 23 Fourth Sunday of Advent 10:30am SL: Jean Paul Ouellette Odette Ouellette 4:00pm SJ: Bernard Bosse Roland & Rose Gendreau Monday, December 24 Christmas Eve 4:00pm SL: Jacqueline Gendreau Family 7:00pm SJ: Jeannette Ouellette Family Tuesday, December 25 The Nativity of the Lord 9:00am SA: Msgr. Joseph Arsenault Constance Cote Wednesday, December 26 No Mass Saturday, December 22 4:00pm SB/SR: Normand Lajoie Maxine & Family Sunday, December 23 Fourth Sunday of Advent 8:00am SJ: Claudette Roy Clayton Roy & Family 9:15am SB/SR: Alphy & Cecile Castonguay Jim & Jackie Duplessis Monday, December 24 Christmas Eve 4:00pm SB/SR: Parishioners of St. Peter Chanel (Children s Mass) the Pastor 6:00pm SJ: Parishioners of St. Peter Chanel the Pastor Tuesday, December 25 The Nativity of the Lord 9:15amSB/SR: Parishioners of St. Peter Chanel the Pastor Our Lady of the Valley Mass Schedule St. Peter Chanel Mass Schedule Thursday, December 27 6:00pm SL: Yvette Guerrette Frenchville Ladies of St. Anne Friday, December 28 No Mass Saturday, December 29 4:00pm SA: Raoul, Gladys, Richard & Patrick Collin Roland & Phyllis Paradis Sunday, December 30 The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary & Jos. 10:30am SL: Richard Mitch Michaud Florence Michaud & Family 4:00pm SJ: Jeannette Ouellette Phil & Glenna Guerrette Wednesday, December 26 6:00pm SB/SR: Roland Laverdiere Matilda & John 6:30-7:00pm SB/SR: Eucharistic Adoration & Reconciliation Thursday, December 27 No Mass Friday, December 28 10:00am BVM: Rev. Raymond Framboise Joseph Cote Saturday, December 29 4:00pm SB/SR: Kenneth Bouchard Rena, Rose & Family Sunday, December 30 The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary & Jos. 8:00am SJ: Wayne Martin Mark & Donna McCrossin 9:15am SB/SR: Kim Beaulieu Del & Val Duplessis Abbreviations for Cluster Church Sites and Facilities NOTRE DAME DU CARMEL OUR LADY OF THE VALLEY ST. PETER CHANEL SD - St. David SA - St. Agatha SB/SR - St. Bruno/St. Remi SG - St. Gerard SL - St. Luce SJ - St. Joseph (Hamlin) ST - St. Thomas Aquinas SJ - St. Joseph (Sinclair) BVM - Borderview Manor CV - Country Village SM - St. Michael s Chapel RDG - Ridgewood SJMC - St. Joseph Memory Care HVM - High View MH - Montfort Heights

3 Notre Dame du Mont Carmel Parish Corner St. David, St. Gerard-Mt. Carmel/Grand Isle, St. Thomas Aquinas/Madawaska Worship & Spirituality PRAY FOR OUR SICK Anne B.C. Deschaine, Rosanne Chasse, Roger Ayotte, Lorette Chasse, Louise Gendreau, Joe Ouellette, Randy Dufour, George Dionne, Carlene Martin, Gene Lavoie, Gordon Soucy, Bernice Martin, Mike Rossignol, Joel Albert, Donna Neill, Edwina Sirois, Odette Pelletier, Brenda Levesque, Aline Bouchard and James Lavoie. FMI call LAMP FOR THE UNBORN BURNS FOR: St. David - for the unborn a Parishioner St. Gerard - for Children Realdine Hebert ST. GERARD SANCTUARY LAMP BURNS IN DECEMBER FOR: Addis, Norma & John Beaupre Helen; Adeline Lavertue Claude; Paul Cloutier Wife, Rolande & Family ST. THOMAS AQUINAS SANCTUARY LAMP BURNS IN DECEMBER FOR: Parents Defunt of M/M Albert Pelletier Finance & Administration Notre Dame du Mont Carmel Financial Update Offertory: July 1, 2018 to December 9, 2018 Budget: $173,077 Actual: $169,571 Under Anticipated: -$3,506 Amount given Weekly goal St. David $1,791 $1,849 St. Gerard $1,337 $908 St. Thomas Aquinas $4,392 $4,454 Weekly Totals $7,520 $7,212 Immaculate Conception: $1,134 Christmas Flowers: $65 Retired Religious: $2, SPECIAL COLLECTIONS December 24/25 - Christmas EUCHARISTIC ADORATION There will be NO Eucharistic Adoration on Tuesday, December 25th & Tuesday, January 1st Eucharist Adoration will resume On Tuesday, January 8th. REST IN PEACE Please pray for those who have died and for their families: Gladys Desjardins, 87, who passed away on December 11th. She was the mother of Sandra Cyr of our parish. CHRISTMAS MASS SCHEDULE December 24th - Christmas Eve 4:00pm St. Thomas Aquinas 6:00pm St. David (Children s Mass) 6:00pm St. Gerard December 25th - Christmas Day 9:00am St. David NEW YEAR S DAY MASS December 31st - Mass of Anticipation 6:00pm St. Thomas Aquinas 9:00pm St. David Parish Life DAUGHTERS OF ISABELLA PRAYER LINE: If you are in need of prayers for you or a loved one, the Daughters of Isabella can help through the Prayer Line. To add a name to the prayer line, contact Lorraine Talbot, BUSINESS OFFICE & FAITH FORMATION OFFICE Will be closed on December 24th & 25th.

4 Our Lady Of The Valley Parish Corner St. Agatha, St. Joseph/Sinclair, St. Luce/Frenchville, St. Michael Chapel Worship & Spirituality CHRISTMAS MASS SCHEDULE December 24th - Christmas Eve 4:00pm St. Luce - Children s Mass 7:00pm St. Joseph December 25th - Christmas Day 9:00am St. Agatha NEW YEAR S DAY MASS 9:00am St. Agatha ADORATION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT Monday s after 6:00 p.m. Mass until 7:30 p.m. at St. Agatha Thursday s after 6:00 pm. Mass until 7:30 p.m. at St. Luce Prayer Line Contacts St. Joseph: Cecile Ouellette Finance & Administration Our Lady of the Valley Financial Updates Offertory: July 1, 2018 to December 9, 2018 Budget: $92,308 Actual: $93,262 Over Anticipated: $954 Amount Given Weekly Goal St. Agatha $1,324 $1,876 St. Joseph $773 $629 St. Luce $2,040 $1,174 St. Michael (13 weeks) $ $791 Weekly Totals $4,137 $4,470 Christmas Flowers: $224 Immaculate Conception: $488 Retired Religious: $ SPECIAL COLLECTIONS December 24/25 Christmas Sacramental Life SACRAMENT of RECONCILIATION / CONFESSIONS Mondays at St. Agatha: After 6pm Mass Thursdays at St. Luce: After 6pm Mass WELCOME TO OUR FAITH COMMUNITY Ensley Hope Beaulieu Daughter of Jeremy & Shania Beaulieu Nathan Lee Jones Son of Travis & Melina Jones Community Events GIVING OF THE HEART Students at Wisdom Middle/High School in St. Agatha have been participating in a pilot program called The Giving of the Heart to provide assistance to our local community. High school juniors and seniors go out on Friday morning into the community and help those who are still in their homes but may be unable to do manual labor like yard work or moving furniture. If you know anyone who would benefit from this assistance, please contact Denise Thibeault at Wisdom Middle/High School at or her at dthibeault@msad33.org. SENIOR LUNCH Sinclair: Monday, January 21st at 11:30 a.m. Menu: Meat Loaf

5 St. Peter Chanel Parish Corner St. Bruno-St. Remi Church/Van Buren, St. Joseph Church/Hamlin & Borderview Nursing Home ST. BRUNO-ST. REMI CHURCH SPONSORS BREAD & WINE SPONSOR / IN LOVING MEMORY OF: Martine Pelletier (Anniversary) John & Noreen SANCTUARY LAMP SPONSOR / IN LOVING MEMORY OF: Kim Beaulieu Mom, Dad & Family Bulletin Memorials In Memory of: Prayers for our Nation & World Glen Madore Rachel Michaud Loth Frank, Chris & Dan Edmond Doucette Don, Mike & Alan Parish Life CHRISTMAS MASS DATES AND TIMES: DECEMBER 24TH: 4pm Monday, St. B/R Children s Christmas Mass DECEMBER 24TH: 6pm Monday, St. Joseph/Hamlin DECEMBER 25TH: 9:15am Tuesday, St. B/R Christmas Day Mass All the Readings will be from the Midnight Mass at all Liturgies. Note: The Gloria is sung Christmas until the Baptism of the Lord (1/7). Holy day of Obligation: Feast of Mary the Mother of God is January 1st. The Mass of anticipation is on Monday, Dec. 31st at 6pm. Deceased Members of the Lajoie & Sirois Families Mike & Marie Lajoie Tardif & Parent Families Ron & June & Family Deceased Members of the Lajoie & Madore Families Steve & Marilyn Patrick Thibodeau Yolande & Family Leo & Jane Ayotte Fred & Colette Ayotte Roland Laverdiere Matilda & John Ernest, Tina, & Jim Marquis Rita, Marge & Family Wilfred & Yvonne Cyr Colette & Fred Ayotte Pelletier & Charette Families John & Noreen RELIGIOUS EDUCATION NEEDS DONATION / IN LOVING MEMORY OF: Phil Dufour Lucien & Rachel Ouellette Antoine Levesque the Pelletier Grandchildren, Leslie, Monica & Brian Levesque & Morrow Families John & Noreen Jerome Bell Percy & Tina Cormier Community Events COMMUNITY MEETING DATES AND TIMES: LADIES AUXILIARY SUPPER/MEETING: 1st Wed., Jan. 2nd, 5:30pm KC 3RD DEGREE MEETING: 1st Thurs., Jan. 3rd, 5:30pm DAUGHTERS OF ISABELLA MEETING: 2nd Wed., Jan. 9th, 5:30pm KC 4TH DEGREE MEETING: 2nd Thurs., Jan.10th, 5:30pm COLUMBIETTES SUPPER/MEETING: 3rd Wed., Jan. 16th, 5:00pm AMERICAN LEGION SUPPER/MEETING: 3rd Thurs., Jan. 17th, 5:30pm 50/50 KC & Columbiettes Weekly Drawing (drop off at KC mailbox or mail: 284 Main St, VB) Name: Address Phone # Amount Enclosed $ $10 = 5wks, $26=13wks, $52=26wks, $104=52wks American Legion Post #49 Charlemagne Card Parties: The Card Parties will be held on Sunday s, at 1:00pm. The entry fee is $6. The schedule is as follows: January 13th; February 10th; March 10th & April 14th. All are welcome to come enjoy an afternoon of fun and socializing. Youth Ministry News Youth Ministry Meetings SPC Parish Hall: Dec.23 - No Meeting Christmas Flower Donations: Donations are being accepted to help offset the cost of the Christmas Flowers. If you are interested in donating in memory of a loved one, there are envelopes available to in the pews. Any help is greatly appreciated. Merry Christmas! Wanted: Bread & Wine / Sanctuary Lamp Sponsors : There are currently available dates for the 2019 year for Bread & Wine and Sanctuary Lamp sponsors. Sponsorship for Bread & Wine is $25 and Sanctuary Lamp is $15. Please consider coming into the office to reserve your dates and memorialize a family member while helping to defer costs. Thank you for your consideration. God Bless. Finance & Administration St. Peter Chanel Parish Financial Updates Offertory: July 1, 2018 to December 9, 2018 Budget: $62,769 Actual: $64,289 Over Anticipated: $1,520 Amt. Given $2,490 Wkly Goal $2,525 Average Collection: This yr. $2,679 Last yr. $2,699 2nd Collection: Retired Religious $ 1, Immaculate Conception: CATHOLIC APPEAL 2018: Goal:$14,190 Pledges to date: $6,772 47% of goal, 44 households participating.

6 ST. JOHN OF THE CROSS CATHOLIC CLUSTER / DIOCESAN CORNER ST. THOMAS GIFT SHOP St. Thomas Aquinas Church Basement Hours: Mon. to Thurs. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Fri. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!! The Gift Shop will be closed from Dec. 25th to January 1st! Will reopen Jan 2nd HOWEVER, if anyone wishes to do some Dear Parishioners, Fr. Alex, Fr. Raj, and I, wish you a Blessed Christmas! We pray that your time with family and friends will enrich your lives with the love and peace of the new Born King, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. For those of you who will be alone, or who find this time of year difficult, please know of our special prayer for you. May the Grace of God be helpful to you. We thank you for your cards, gifts and well wishes. We are especially grateful to the many parishioners who volunteer their time, talents, and treasures throughout the year for the wellbeing of the parish communities, we are amazed and Blessed your dedication and generosity. May the beginning of the New Year instill the Hope and Peace that can be found in God. May God s Spirit be our guide throughout this New Year! Sincerely yours in Christ, Fr. Plourde...Excerpt from Amoris Laetitia Large families are a joy for the church. They are an expression of the fruitfulness of love. N.167 In addition to the small circle of the couple and their children, there is the larger family, which cannot be overlooked. Indeed, the love between husband and wife and, in a derivative and broader way, the love between members of the same family - between parents and children, brothers and sisters and relatives and members of the household - is given life and substance an unceasing inner dynamism leading the family to ever deeper and more intense communion, which is the foundation and soul fo the community of marriage and the family. Friends and other families are part of this larger family, as well as communities of families who support one another in their difficulties, their social commitments and their faith. (n. 196) Weekly suggestion for the faithful to consider: December 23: Celebrate the birth of Christ giving rebirth to a relationship. Reach out to a family member with whom you have lost contact. DVDs ON SALE: Extreme Mercy II - The story of Fr. Donald Calloway's conversion - You will laugh & and maybe even cry, but he is very good at telling us how Mary brought him to her Son!! Was $21.95 NOW $16.95 No Turning Back - Also the story of Fr. Donald Calloway's conversion - Very interesting story! Was $19.95 NOW $16.95 God's Doorkeeper - The Story of St. Brother Andrée at the Oratoire St. Joseph in Montreal - a man many of us have heard of, and a place some of us have visited. Was $19.95 NOW $16.95 Restless Heart - The story of St. Augustine's conversion. St. Monica, his mother, prayed for years for her son and finally, her prayers were answered and he converted & became a saint in our church. The book of his story is a classic, so if you don't have time to read the book, sit and watch the DVD and get the real story of St. Augustine. Was $29.95 NOW $24.95 Crossing the Goal - Danny Abramowicz, coach for the New Orleans Saints and his crew who have their own program on EWTN, helping men to face their responsibilities towards their families. This is a most interesting and informative DVD. Funny at times - will definitely keep you interested! Was $24.95 NOW $19.95 NEW: WOOD PALLET SIGN: Divine Mercy Painting - 12"W x 15"H. $14.95 NATIVITIES: One-piece unit but a Complete Nativity! Great for people with limited space who still want to have Jesus displayed at Christmas Time! Various prices!! Books for Kids: "St. Nicholas & Mouse Myra" Story of St. Nicholas and his good "tiny" friend, Mouse Myra. A very amusing story for your young one, all in learning the true story of St. Nicholas. Regular selling price: $18.99 Our Price $15.99 BOOKS: " The Navarre Bibles": The Navarre Bible is well known to people who want to study the Bible, because of its good notes and explanations. We have the following: Acts of the Apostles, Corinthians, Revelation, St. Luke, St. John, St. Mark & St. Matthew, $ Psalms and Songs of $34.95 and The New Testament EXPANDED on sale for $65 Adult Bus Trip to March for Life January 17-19, 2019 Dube Travel, with support from the Office of Public Policy, is offering an adult bus to participate in the March for Life on January 17-19, FMI Pilgrimage to Medjugorje, Rome & Assisi April 30 May 11, 2019; Cost: $3690 Canadian funds and is all inclusive with airfare, lodging, daily breakfast & dinner, tours and entrance fees to places of interest. A deposit of $500 guarantees you a spot. If paid in full the first 10 people get a $400 rebate. FMI contact Marie May Desjardins at or mariedesjardins1949@gmail.com.

7 GOSPEL MEDITATION - ENCOURAGE DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF SCRIPTURE: December 23, th Sunday in Advent Here we are, mere days from Christmas, and we hear a Gospel anticipating the birth of another child. Mary has received word that her cousin Elizabeth is with child. Pregnant as she is, Mary "set out and traveled to the hill country in haste." She has recently received the greatest news of her life - that she is to be mother to the Messiah the power of the Holy Spirit - but her concern is for her cousin in need. Through God's grace, Elizabeth turns it into an opportunity to honor the coming Christ. "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb." Yet Mary's example of selflessness should inspire us. As Christmas draws near, there is plenty of goodness to anticipate for many of us. We'll reunite with family and friends, uphold time-honored traditions, swap stories old and new, exchange gifts, and welcome Jesus at the Christmas liturgy. These are wonderful things! Of course, they probably all come with their own to-do list. Shop for last-minute gifts, pick up recipe ingredients, ready the guest room, or pack your own bags. Mary probably had things to do as well. She had a lot to consider, for one thing. How do you plan to tell your parents you're pregnant, but no man was involved? When Joseph finds out, who will care for the practical needs of you and your child? Into what may have been a chaos of questions, Mary receives news that someone is in need. She goes immediately. In these final days before Christmas, stay watchful and awake! You never know when God might invite you to welcome, hospitality, and compassion. It might be tempting to reject the opportunity for your own needs. Follow the example of Mary! If God is providing you an opportunity to love, He will provide the means to accomplish all your other tasks. This Christmas season, may you too hear, "Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you the Lord would be fulfilled." EVERYDAY STEWARDSHIP - Recognize God in your Ordinary Moments When Elizabeth was visited Mary, her joy was overwhelming. Elizabeth recognized that Mary was carrying inside her the Messiah. She was honored to receive Mary, not just because of who Mary was herself, but also because of the One she had inside her. We meet people every day in our lives. Some we know well, some are acquaintances, and others we may have never seen before. Yet all of them are made in the image of God and carry within them the person of Jesus. If we considered this more frequently, would we act more graciously toward each other? Mary gave birth to the Son of God so that we might be able to be adopted sons and daughters of God. If we thought of this more often, would we be so quick to dismiss someone or ignore him or her? This time of year is filled with gatherings and parties for many of us. We also find ourselves rushing about getting ready for Christmas. There are so many people who cross our paths. Will we allow the Jesus in us to greet with joy the Jesus in them? Will we pause to offer a greeting or kind word? Instead of looking at them with human eyes, will we try to see them through the eyes of faith like Elizabeth. If not, what is all of this celebration and preparation about anyway? - Tracy Earl Welliver, MTS CATHOLIC QUOTES WORDS TO INSPIRE THE FAITHFUL "The Word became flesh and dwelt among us." John 1:14 Children s Corner LIVE THE LITURGY - INSPIRATION FOR THE WEEK Life is often unfair. Sadly, life's inequity usually occurs at our hands. The world's systems - economic, political, and environmental - do not always serve the best interests of the people. We create situations that tip the scales profiting a few and reducing the quality of life for many. We look at all of the injustices in our world, people being hurt and exploited, and wonder why God has abandoned us or why He won't fix what is happening. God did fix it. He sent his Son into the world as our just ruler and the one who will bring peace. The problem is we still turn away and think that we can do better. The Son of Justice has come into the world. We can work for change and be the voice of justice. We can dream and do things differently. Blessed are you who believe that what was spoken to you the Lord would be fulfilled. QUESTIONS OF THE WEEK: First Reading The prophet Micah was a contemporary to the prophet Isaiah, both 8th century B.C. prophets of the southern kingdom of Judah. Micah, like Isaiah, prophesied that God would send an "anointed one" to Israel to rule His people with peace. How do you see this prophecy of peace fulfilled in the birth of Jesus Christ? Second Reading Hebrews teaches us that Christ came into the world to do God's will. How do you strive to do God's will in your life? Gospel Reading We hear today Luke's account of the visit between Elizabeth and Mary. Filled with the Holy Spirit, Elizabeth joyfully greets Mary, calling her "the mother of my Lord." How do you experience Mary as your spiritual Mother?