Welcome to The Historic Roman Catholic Basilica-Cathedral of St. John the Baptist

Transcription

1 Welcome to The Historic Roman Catholic Basilica-Cathedral of St. John the Baptist 200 Military Road, St. John s, Newfoundland A1C 2E8 Archbishop of St. John s: Most Reverend Martin W. Currie Parish Priest: Father Charles Kelly Associate Parish Priest: Father John Costello Secretary: Anne Carew Parish Office: Tel Fax: open Monday through Friday 9 am. - 4:30 pm. basilica@nf.aibn.com Website: SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT - DECEMBER 9 TH, 2012 Weekend Masses: Saturday at 5:00 p.m.; Sunday at 8:30 a.m. & 11:00 a.m. Weekday Mass: Monday through Friday at 12:10 p.m. (Basilica) Midday Prayer: Monday through Friday 11:45 a.m. (Marian Chapel) Reconciliation: Saturday 3:30 to 4:15 p.m. Exposition of Blessed Sacrament: Wednesday 12:40 pm. for one hour (Marian Chapel) Music Ministry: Wednesdays, 7:30 to 9:30 pm. New singers & instrumentalists welcome. Sacrament of Baptism: 2 ND Saturday and last Sunday each month, except Lent & Advent. Sacrament of Marriage: At least six months notice must be given. Mass at Margaret s Manor: Third Thursday of each month. Eucharist (Mass) at Her Majesty s Penitentiary: First Sunday of each month. DURING ADVENT... Our WEEKDAY MASS will be celebrated at 12:10 pm. in the Basilica. Midday Prayer will be celebrated at 11:45 am. in the Marian Chapel. This schedule will continue until Friday, December 21 st. Funeral Masses will be celebrated at 9:30 am. Prayer... We ask that you remember the sick of our parish... Gerard Carey, Sarah Kelly, Bill Carroll, Anna Nolan, Michael McHugh, Ray Rice, Eileen Coady, Diane Cahill, Roxanne Levesque. Lord comfort them in their time of sickness and bless those who care for them. If you would like to have a friend or a family member named in the Bulletin & remembered at our Eucharistic celebrations please call the Office ( ) by Wednesday noon. Funeral... We extend our heartfelt sympathy and prayers to the families and friends of the late SISTER PASCHAL CARROLL, PBVM, WILLIAM J. MACDONALD May the Lord console you and grant eternal rest to the soul of your loved ones. PENITENTIAL CELEBRATIONS DURING ADVENT TUESDAY, DECEMBER 11 TH : St. Pius X Church, Smithville Crescent, 7:00 pm. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12 TH : St. Patrick s Church, Patrick Street, 7:00 pm. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18 TH : Corpus Christi Church, Waterford Bridge Road, 7:00 pm. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19 TH : Basilica of St. John the Baptist, Military Road, 7:00 pm. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 20 TH : St. Teresa s Church, 120 Mundy Pond Road, 7:00 pm.... Knights of Columbus will hold a Vigil on Wed., Dec. 12, 11 pm., at the Kof C Monument on Harvey Rd. This is in memory of the 99 members of Armed Forces and Civilians lost in the K of C. Fire, December 12,

2 1942. REFLECTION FOR THE FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT DECEMBER 9 th, st Reading: Bar. 5: Jerusalem is told that God will level a highway for the exiles return. 2 nd Reading: Phil. 1:3-6, Paul urges his fellow Christians to prepare for the second coming of Christ by pure and blameless lives. Gospel: Luke 3: the Baptist urges us to prepare for the Saviour s coming through repentance. Salvation is one of the great themes of Advent. Today a great cry goes forth from the readings: Prepare a way for the Lord, make his paths straight. Let every valley be filled in, every mountain and hill be leveled, winding ways be straightened and rough roads made smooth, and all humanity will see the salvation of God. These are wonderful words. They are a declaration of God s love for us. But a problem can arise here. Some of us think that in order for God to love us we must be perfect. We think God would never want me with my imperfections and weaknesses. So we try to be perfect in order to win God s love. But we mustn t think that the Lord won t come to us unless we re perfect. If we were perfect God wouldn t need to come at all. Our God comes because we are wounded and in need of redemption. What we need is the humility and trust to show God our sins and our wounds. When we approach God from our weakness and need, we invite God in. It is through our imperfections that our souls become open to God s grace. Our imperfections are the wound that catches God s eye, and qualify us for mercy and healing. When we understand our own pain, it is possible for us to offer our experience as a source of healing others. Those who don t disguise their struggles, but live through them with God s help, give hope and light to others. ADVENT TEA The Basilica Parish is having an Advent Tea, following the 12:10 pm. Mass on Thursday, December 13 th and Thursday, December 20 th. All are welcome. Come and share a cup of tea/coffee and a few sweet treats, as a sign of Community and sharing in this Advent Season and Year of Faith. PARISH RETREAT MORNING OF REFLECTION The Basilica Parish will be hosting a Parish Retreat on Saturday, December 15 th from 9:30 am. to 1:00 pm. The retreat will be held in the Conference Room and facilitated by Anne Walsh. This is another opportunity to take some time for Advent preparation and quiet reflection. All are invited. If you wish to attend please call the Parish Office ( ) or (basilica@nf.aibn.com) to leave your name. We need some idea of the numbers in preparing a lunch of soup and sandwiches. December 12 th is the last day for registration. To gain access to the Conference Room you may enter through the Parish Room or through the Basilica and go up the steps to the right of the Marian Chapel. Save the Date! Extraordinary Women of the Bible through the art of storytelling, the stories of 2 women in the Old Testament and 2 women in the New Testament will be captured. Sunday, February 3 rd, 2013, 2-4 pm.; repeat session Monday, February 4 th, 2013, 7-9 pm. Both sessions will take place in the Basilica Museum. Admission is free... suggest a non-perishable food item for Emmaus House. Registration may be reserved on a first come, first served basis beginning in January Away in a Manger... an exhibit of nativity scenes from around the world. Explore the meaning of Christmas by walking through a historic old room filled with over 60 nativity sets from around the world. Visit our Christmas tree, leave a present for a needy child this Christmas under the tree. Come and see the exhibit at the Basilica Museum (next to the Basilica), December 3 - December 23, Tuesday through Sunday, 1:00-4:00 pm., and also on Wednesday evenings 7:00-9:00 pm. Also available for groups by appointment.

3 In celebration of the 50 th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council, called by Pope John XXIII, Pope Benedict XVI has announced a Year of Faith. JOHN XXIII [9/52] Vatican II - did you know? Vatican II practiced complete democracy. Each bishop voted on every issue. More than 1.5 million ballots were cast during the four sessions. CULTURAL SYMBOLS FOR YEAR OF FAITH... Our Newfoundland culture has provided a springboard and environment for our faith development over the years. In the back of the Basilica you will notice a display of some of the symbols that have played a major role in our cultural/faith life. These symbols will remain there until the Year of Faith is completed on November 24, CHRISTMAS HAMPERS Each year the Basilica Parish distributes Christmas Hampers to the less fortunate in our community. You have demonstrated, in the past, a genuine, Christmas spirit of sharing for the needy. Once again, you have an opportunity to contribute to this worthy, charitable cause by providing a monetary offering. Envelopes are provided at the entrances to the Basilica for your contribution. Thank you for your continued generosity. Lights of Love... Again this year the Basilica Parish is holding a special project during the Christmas Season called the Lights of Love. Lights adorn a tree on the Basilica grounds and will remain lit until the end of the Christmas Season. You can remember a loved one by making a donation to have a bulb lit in their memory. There will be a special prayer in the Intercessions at the Mass on Christmas Day, and we will place your loved one s name in a book, which will be on display in the Basilica, and published in the Sunday Bulletin until the end of the Christmas Season. Gift cards for Lights of Love are available in the Basilica and the Parish Office. The Faith Which We Proclaim is a small booklet, which Monsignor Francis A. Coady wrote for the Year of Faith. It s contents confirm a selection of doctrinal teachings which the Church has taught for many centuries. The Booklet is now on sale at the Front Desk of the Archdiocesan Pastoral Centre/Basilica Parish Office at a cost of $5.00 each. Anyone interested in purchasing a copy may contact Jocelyn, *** Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, Mary Queen of Peace Church, Torbay Road, every Tuesday from 1:30 to 3:00 pm. Concluding with Divine Mercy Chaplet. Please enter through the Chapel.... Monthly French Mass Sunday, December 16 th, 1:00 pm. in the Marian Chapel of the Basilica. Please note that access may be gained through the Basilica driveway (off Bonaventure Avenue - across from The Rooms) adjacent to St. Bonaventure s School parking lot or through the driveway off Mullock Street (behind St. Bon s Forum). For details please contact Celia at infomfsjnl@gmail.com or Please note that French Mass is celebrated every third Sunday of each month same time, same venue. Ministry Schedules are available in the Parish Room.

4 Please make a special effort to pick up your schedule. Remember that when you leave this earth you can take with you nothing that you have received only what you have given. (St. Francis of Assisi)... DIRECT DEPOSIT... If you are interested in using the pre-authorized automatic withdrawal please call the Parish Office at DID YOU KNOW?... that if you attend weekend Mass at a church other than your own Parish Church and use your parish envelope for your weekly offering, that offering will be returned to your own Parish. COLLECTIONS ACKNOWLEDGED WITH MANY THANKS... December 2, 2012 Sunday Offertory... $6,636.95; Assessment... $12.00; Dues... $1,700.00; Advent Offering... $ Bingo! Cowan Plaza corner of Topsail Road and Burgeo Street Seven nights a week Knights of Columbus - St. Clare Avenue every Wednesday and Sunday SNOW CLEARING... During the winter months when there is a heavy snowfall the east and west doors of the Basilica will be the first to be cleared. These entrances are to be used by all attending daily Mass. The main entrances will be cleared only after the east and west have been cleared. A reminder that when the schools in the city are closed because of inclement weather, the Basilica will also be closed. REMINDER... during Advent Mass will be celebrated Monday through Friday at 12:10 pm. *** St. Patrick s Parish, Patrick Street presents The Ennis Sisters It s Christmas Tour Wednesday, December 19, St. Patrick s Church. Doors open at 6:00 pm. Show starts at 7:30 pm. Tickets: $20.00 each, available at St. Patrick s Parish Office, the Archdiocesan Pastoral Centre and the Basilica Parish Office. All proceeds in aid of St. Patrick s Church Restoration Fund. Office of Evangelization and Catechesis, Archdiocese of St. John s upcoming events for more information contact MaryLou at or mlsweetapple@nf.aibn.com - Sat., Dec. 15 th,... 9:30 am. To 12 Noon Growing in Faith Series : Entering into Year C: Exploring the gospel of Luke. Presenter: Anne Walsh. Corpus Christi Parish Hall on Waterford Bridge Road. - Mon., Jan. 7 th, pm. The New Evangelization... Bishop Brian Dunn, D.D., Bishop of Antigonish, NS will offer his reflections on the Synod for the New Evangelization 2012/13. He will share his insights on the call of the Holy Father to this New Evangelization. Bishop Dunn is a Newfoundlander and was installed as Bishop for the Antigonish Diocese on January 2, We welcome Bishop Dunn to our local Church and thank him for his generosity in service to the Archdiocese of St. John s. Venue: Corpus Christi Parish Hall on Waterford Bridge Road.... Advent Spiritual Celebration and Dinner... St. Pius X Parish Catholic Women s League will be hosting this year s Advent Spirit Celebration and Dinner on Wednesday, December 12 at 6 pm., Parish Hall (Smithville Crescent). The evening will include a spiritual program, catered hot turkey dinner with all the trimmings, wine, prizes and music to follow. Cost of tickets will be $22 per person. This event is open to all parishioners, families, and friends from other parishes. As part of this Parish s 50 th Anniversary Celebrations, we are hoping that many of our present and past parishioners can attend. Tickets are available from the Parish Office or stpiusx@nl.rogers.com. No Plans for Christmas? If you find yourself alone or without family this holiday season, come share a meal with us! St. Thomas Annual Christmas Outreach dinner will be offered again this year. This will be the 11 th year of providing a Christmas Dinner, on Christmas Day, for our brothers sisters in the community. We all need the nourishment for body & soul and the warmth of human contact at this time of the year. There will be 2 seatings - 11:45 am. And 1:00 pm. The meal is free! Reservations are required. For more information or to reserve a seat, or arrange transportation, (including

5 Wheelways), please call , ext. 401 or NOT INCLUDED IN OUR PUBLISHED BULLETIN... Stewardship Prayer... Creator God, At Baptism, we accepted the call to follow Jesus. Be with us as we move along on our faith journey. Send us your Holy Spirit, that we might have wisdom for the journey. Help us to develop and share our gifts as good stewards, that we may use them in love and service in your Kingdom. We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen. The Basilica of St. John the Baptist... Open Monday through Friday 8 am. - 5:00 pm.; Saturdays open at 10:00 a.m. closes following the 5:00 pm. Mass; Sundays open at 8:00 am., closes at 12:30 p.m. Parish Office : Monday to Friday (excluding holidays) 9:00 am - 4:30 pm. Religious Articles Store: ½ hour before and after all Masses. *** Second Sunday of Advent... Are you seeking knowledge and full insight to help you determine your vocation in Christ as a priest? Call Fr. Ken Walsh or vocations@nf.aibn.com. The St. John s Choir, under the direction of Maria Conkey, present Noel! Noel! Celebrating Christmas Through Song on Sunday, December 9 th, 3 pm., St. Mary s Church, Craigmillar Ave. Tickets $15 (children 12 & under free), available from Choir members or by calling , and at the door. Donations of non-perishable food items for Bridges to Hope would be gratefully appreciated. *** Tree of Joy St. Patrick s Mercy Home Auxiliary invites you to celebrate a resident, friend or loved one by having their names hand-painted on a Christmas ornament and placed on the Christ Tree of Joy during the holiday period. For details phone or speak to the receptionist at St. Patrick s Mercy Home or obtain an order form at the Reception Area on the ground floor at St. Patrick s Mercy Home. Cost is $10 and feel free to take the ornament home after the Christmas period. *** RCIA Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults *** The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is the Church s way of extending a friendly invitation to people who feel the desire to know more about Christianity in the Catholic Tradition. How can you, the parish community, become involved in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults? The parish community has an important responsibility in the process of initiation. The community of the faithful should be ready to greet and respond to those who wish to ask questions and tell their stories; understand and show by their concern that the initiation of adults is the responsibility of all the baptized; be prepared to give help to those who are searching for Jesus Christ; and be present whenever possible and take an active part in the responses, prayers, singing and acclamations. Any adults seeking to become a Catholic initiated into the community by the community. Are you interested or do you know of anyone thinking about becoming a Catholic? Please contact the Basilica Parish Office at or basilica@nf.aibn.com.... FAMILY LIFE BUREAU... Counseling Services: Individual, couple, family, sexual abuse and group counseling available upon request. For more information or to reigster: for on line registration or call Sr. Loretta Walsh, Director, at or flb@nf.aibn.com.... Holy Heart of Mary Alumnae Choir, under the direction of Dr. Valerie Long, and the Seniors Resource Centre, present a free Christmas Concert and Sing-A-Lng for Seniors and friends on Sunday, December 9, 3:00 pm. at The Kirk. Special guests, Les Ms. A donation for the food bank would be welcomed.

6 *** NATIONAL COUNCIL OF DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE... We are delighted and proud to advise our NL members and friends that Pat Kennedy was elected to the position of Prsidnt of the National Council of Development and Peace. As such, he leads a 23 person national Board of Directors of D&P. Please circulate the good news among your contact lists. We pray for Pat as he undertakes his challenging responsibilities in the servie of our Church s mission to the people of the Global South.... Saint Luke s Homes 12 th Annual Christmas Concert... Sunday, December 9 th at 7:30 pm. At the Arts & Culture Centre. Admission is $ Tickets may be purchased by calling the Centre Box Office at , artsandculturecentre.com.... CFUW Announcement... Looking for new copies of Volumes 4 and 5 of the Encyclopedia of Newfoundland and Labrador? The Canadian Federation of University Women isselliing them for $20 each (2 for $35.00). Check out our large selection of used books about Newfoundland and Labrador too. Contact us at cfuwstjohns@gmail.com Or call and leave a message. *** FINANCIAL INFORMATION HELP LINE... FREE - CONFIDENTIAL - QUICK :00 to 8:00 pm., Monday to Thursday. Call us for information and referral if you have questions of a financial or consumer nature. This service is provided by CREDIT COUNSELLING SERVICES OF NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR and is funded by SEDI s T.D. Bank Financial Literacy Grant.... SCENT FREE!... In today s society, in many public institutions, we see the sign no perfumes/scents allowed because people with allergies are often very severely affected by scents. We have recently received letters and phone calls asking that we strive to make our churches scent free. As a Church we care for the good of all so we ask your support and cooperation in our efforts to make the Basilica a scent free environment.... IRISH MESSENGER OF THE SACRED HEART... To subscribe please call ***CATHOLIC WOMEN S LEAGUE... This year the Catholic Women s League is launching a new development program, titled, Catch the Fire. This program is open to all women in your parish, whether you presently have a council or not. It is a time to learn more about the League, explore how you can grow spiritually, how you can influence government policies on health, social justice and ecological issues, and experience how you can have more fun and fulfillment as you serve and become a leader in your church and community. There is a team of members ready to come to your area to share this program. It is our dream that you will be the first to take part in the Catch the Fire training. For further information contact: Rita Janes, or ritajanes@nf.sympatico.ca.... EMMAUS HOUSE... is in need of supermarket bags and twist ties. If you have any at home you may drop them off at Emmaus House, Monday to Friday 1-3 pm. or you may bring them to the Parish Office. Your support of the needy of our Parish is greatly appreciated.... MASS IN THE EXTRAORDINARY FORM (Traditional Latin Mass) is celebrated every Sunday, 5:15 pm., in the Chapel of St. Pius X Church, Smithville Crescent. Latin-English missalettes and propers are provided. For further information call or >> The E.P. Roche 4 th Degree Assembly of the Knights of Columbus is looking for regalia in an effort to add more members to our honour guard. We are asking anyone with a cape, chapeau, sword or any other item of regalia to consider donating it to the Assembly. The items will be worn by one of our Brother Sir

7 Knights with pride and reverence. Call John Walsh or Don Byrne THE CENTRE FOR LIFE recommends and for educational information on life issues challenging our society today. Some excellent resources are: The Unborn Child - a gift, a treasure and a promise from The Catholic Organization for Life and Family and Protecting People from Euthanasia & Assisted Suicide from Euthanasia Prevention Coalition. On June 15 th, 2012 a Supreme Court ruling in British Columbia overturned Canada s ban on euthanasia and assisted suicide. On July 13 th, 2012 the Honourable Rob Nicholson, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada announced that the decision made on June 15 th, will be brought before the British Columbia Court of Appeal. In order to protect the most vulnerable members in our society, it is essential to embrace them with love, compassion and mercy. *** Seniors Resource Centre... Did you know? The Seniors Resource Centre of NL has an Information Line answered by Peer Support Volunteers. Are you 50+ and interested in volunteering? Seniors who call the Information Line find it helpful to talk to someone who has had similar life experiences. As an Information Line Peer Support Volunteer you offer a unique and valuable service through friendly listening and empathy and by providing information and resources available for seniors. Is this person YOU?? For more information contact the Seniors Resource Centre, , to learn more about how to become an Information Line Peer Support Volunteer or info@seniorsresource.ca. The Centre for Life... located at 195 Freshwater Road in the heart of St. John s and operates a referral and resource centre offering support for women in unexpected pregnancies. The Centre for Life acknowledges the challenges that some women experience at this time and through a compassionate approach with advocacy to government and non-profit agencies extend support and community resource information. The Centre offers infant clothing to expectant mothers in need and welcome donations of new baby clothes. The Centre for Life recognizes the emotional pain and trauma that some women may experience from an abortion and has responded to this need by taking the initiative to implement an abortion recovery program which is currently under development, which will provide a source of support and healing for those whose lives have been touched by abortion. The Centre relies on public donations and asks for your support to assist us in our community life saving work. For any information please call or centreforlife@centreforlife.ca.... We would like to get to know you! If you would like to become a registered member of the Basilica Parish please complete a Parish Census Form. The forms are available on the tables at the entrances to the Basilica or can be picked up at the Parish Office. When completed the form can be dropped off at the Parish Office or in with the Sunday collection. Secure your vehicle while in Church Over the past number of years many incidents of vandalism to parked cars have taken place on the Basilica grounds during Church services. As of late there has been an increase in vandalism. Please ensure that when parking your vehicle that there is nothing left visible, that everything is secure. *** On the occasion of the death of a loved one, please consider a donation to our Green Heat Campaign in memory of the deceased. Keep their memory alive in the restoration of our beautiful Basilica. If you would like to make a donation, envelopes are available at the Funeral Homes and in the Basilica, or you can call the Parish Office at We still require approximately $600,000 to meet our goal. Father Charlie

8 ... HOME VISITATION... This is a program set up by the Basilica Parish to visit people who are homebound. If you would like a visit or know of some one who would like a visit please let us know, The New Evangelization: In our efforts to avail of new technologies and participate in the New Evangelization championed by the late Blessed John Paul II and now Pope Benedict, the Archdiocese has launched a new website You can also follow us on twitter, and join us on facebook from our website. Prayer For Our Parish O God, you have made us the Church of your Son. Make our parish a family of one heart and one mind in love toward you. Grant that our common life and witness may be an example to all about us. Guide our pastor and his assistants in their ministry. Listen to the prayers of John the Baptist, our patron, and keep us secure in your love. Teach us to reach out to other parishes less fortunate. Give us a great love for all the Church, for our Holy Father, for our bishop, and all those who serve. Help us to be a haven of joy and peace within the human family. Bring us all together to life eternal. Amen