In residence The Most Reverend Howard J. Hubbard, D.D. Bishop Emeritus. Religious Education and Faith Formation Dr. Thomas Fowler

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1 The Most Reverend Edward B. Scharfenberger, D.D. Bishop of Albany The Very Reverend David R. LeFort, S.T.L., V.G., Rector The Reverend John Tallman, Parochial Vicar The Reverend Paul Mijas, Parochial Vicar Timothy Kosto, II, Deacon In residence The Most Reverend Howard J. Hubbard, D.D. Bishop Emeritus Religious Education and Faith Formation Dr. Thomas Fowler Cathedral Social Services Food Pantry Mr. Mark Ciavardoni Director of Music and Organist Dr. Brian F. Gurley Development, Public Relations & Events Mr. Thomas M. Prindle Parish Secretary Ms. Pilar Dell Liturgical Coordinator Mrs. Melissa Martínez Parish Bookkeeper Mrs. Kathy Zorian Facilities Manager Mr. David Ucci, M.B.A Rectory and Cathedral Offices 125 Eagle Street Albany, New York Phone: Fax: Follow us on facebook: Religious Education Office Phone: ext. 4 FFCICa@rcda.org Church Music Office Phone: ext. 5 brian.gurley@rcda.org Social Services Food Pantry Office 93 Park Avenue (basement office) Phone: ciavardm@rcda.org CATHEDRAL OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION In the City and Diocese of Albany Established 1848 Corner of Eagle Street and Madison Avenue (at the Empire State Plaza), Albany Mission Statement We, the worshipping community of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany, rooted in the Gospel and the celebration of the Eucharist, seek to make known God s love in the world through serving one another, sharing our faith and welcoming all. Schedule of Liturgical Celebrations The Holy Eucharist (Mass) The Lord s Day: (anticipated Mass) 5:15 p.m. on Saturday 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on Sunday Weekdays: Holy Days: Monday-Wednesday-Friday 12:15 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday 7:15 a.m. Please check the bulletin and website. The Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession) Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 11:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Saturday: 4:00-5:00 p.m....and other times by appointment The Sacrament of Holy Baptism Call the church office to make arrangements for appointment and instructions. The Sacrament of Holy Matrimony Couples should contact the parish office six to eight months in advance of the proposed marriage. The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick If you are anticipating surgery, please contact the parish office. Religious Education To register, and for information, call: , ext. 4 Parish Food Pantry 93 Park Avenue; Basement, Entrance at north side of building Food and personal care items collected on the last Sunday of the month. Food distributed Monday-Friday, l0:00a.m.- 12:00p.m. Pastoral Visits At home or in the hospital, please call the parish office. Tours of the Cathedral are available by appointment; please contact the Rectory Office for information and/or to schedule a tour.

2 CATHEDRAL OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION ALBANY First Reading: Zephaniah prophesied fifty years before Isaiah, yet his message is similar. This joyous text hails the day of the Lord, which is on the horizon. Then, God as savior will be in the midst of the people. Second Reading: This exquisite passage from Philippians reminds us that the path of the disciple of Christ is one of great rejoicing. Why? Because there is nothing of concern that we cannot place in the hands of God so that we may dwell in his peace a peace that is beyond human comprehension. Gospel: THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT. The people see in John a mighty power, and ask him for direction on how to live their lives. Nothing in this would be startling news: share with each other, be fair, avoid the cruelty of extortion, practice being satisfied. However, his news that there is one even greater coming after him would have been attention getting. This will be a new baptism, not with water but with fire that would eliminate all the chaff dividing the true from the false. This message, superficially frightening, is an affirmation of the Messiah and a therefore a cause of joy. The Season of Advent "The third Sunday of Advent is traditionally known as "Gaudete Sunday" because Christians are called to rejoice at the coming of the Lord. Yes, Christian joy flows from this certainty. God is near...he is with us." Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI Advent Reconciliation Service On Tuesday, December 18 beginning at 7:00pm, the Cathedral will offer our traditional Communal Reconciliation Service. Bishop Scharfenberger will preside. There will also be several visiting priest confessors available for individual reconciliation and absolution. Solemnity of the Nativity of our Lord The solemn liturgies of the Nativity of our Lord are scheduled at the Cathedral as follows: Monday, Dec. 24, 5:15pm Family Mass with Fr. LeFort; and at 11:15pm, a Service of Lessons & Carols with our choirs. Tuesday, Dec. 25, 12:00am Midnight Mass with Bishop Scharfenberger; and 10:00am Mass with Fr. LeFort. Update: 2018 Bishop s Appeal Last Spring, we began our annual Bishop s Appeal here at the Cathedral. This year, our goal had been set at $76,511.00, a reduction of 3% from last year s goal. That sounds like a lot, because it is a lot! But as of the end of November, we have received gifts/pledges totaling $71,424.26, an astounding 93% of our goal! With only a little more than $5,000 to go, we can make our goal by mid-march, the closeout of this year s campaign. If you are already sharing in this annual appeal, thank you! If you have not yet taken the opportunity to share in support of Bishop Scharfenberger and his ministry of shepherding our entire diocese, please consider making a pledge or gift. And to all: thank you for your prayerful and generous consideration. 2

3 THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT Just a gentle reminder If you are among our parishioners who receive collection envelopes and fly south every winter, please call or the parish office to temporarily suspend your envelopes. These envelopes are returned to the Parish Office and we must pay the postage on them. If you let us know when you plan on returning, we ll let the envelope company know when to restart sending them to you. Stewardship Treasure The collection for December 8th was $3, The collection for The Immaculate Conception was $1, Thank you for all you have given to the Cathedral. The parish family of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception extends sincere condolences to the family of those who have died, especially Christmas Tree Blessing Holy Lord, we come with joy to celebrate the birth of your Son, who rescued us from the darkness of sin by making the cross a tree of life and light. May this tree, arrayed in splendor, remind us of the life giving cross of Christ that we may always rejoice in the new life that shines in our hearts. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen Are you an Amazon shopper? Did you know that when you shop using Amazon Smile, the company will donate a half-percent of each purchase to a organization you choose? Amazon Smile is a simple and automatic way for you to support The Cathedral every time you shop and it comes at zero cost to you. It's a donation made by Amazon in your honor. You just have to select us at smile.amazon.com and use smile.amazon.com instead of Amazon.com whenever you shop. THE EVANGELIST IS SEEKING A NEW EDI- TOR: The Evangelist, the newspaper of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany, is seeking a new editor. Go to for information. 3 Peter Razanousky Grant them, O Lord, we pray, and all who sleep in Christ, a place of refreshment, light and peace. Cathedral Christmas Flowers and Decorations : A wonderful way to remember your deceased relatives and friends, as well as the living, is to place flowers in their memory or honor in the Cathedral. Please fill out one of the flower envelopes that can be found in church or in the envelope that was included in your latest set of envelopes. Please return your envelope in the collection basket or to the rectory before December 20, Please pray for our sick; Jeffrey Abraham, Robert Buell, Shirley Anderson, Lucy Apisa, Stephen Beattie, Judi Barlow, Carol Bruce, Grace Isabelle Caruso, Carmella Cervera, Mary Faith Colvin, Theresa Cooney, Sr., Gertrude Cosenke, RSCJ, Marc Daniels, John Dare, Jr., Denise Degasparis, Michael Dolan, Ann Doherty, JoAnn DeLucia, Diane Fontanelli, Janette Fusco, Bernice Girma, Karen Goral, Carol Greenshields, Jean Gutbrodt, Bryan Hanley, Sophie Hanley, Jacqueline Heisler, Kenneth Hockeson; Douglas Hoffeler, Dorothy Jordan, Reny Jose, Bill Keane, Amy Keegan, James Laung, Donald Law, Gayle Leonard, Rebecca Leno, Therese Lenz, Diane Lo Prete, Maria Marchio, Marie-Ann Melenfant, John McGrath, Mary Grace Meneses Sr., Maria Mercurio, CSJ, Stephanie Merenda, Diane Mueller, James Murphy, Mary Murphy, Shane O Donnell, Josephine Pitcherale, Marcia Pedone, Catherine Rappazzo, Mark Roman, Matthew Rosato, Megan Ruthman, Elaine Spoor, Jane Strodel, Adam Ventura, Sebastian Vicencio, Richard Warner, Raphael Warner, Rosa Maria Santos

4 December 8, 2018 Cathedral Liturgical Celebrations, Meetings and Mass Intentions for the week of December 15, 2018 December 23, 2018 Saturday, December 15, 5:15PM Mass Intention: Reverend Stephen Wirkes Sunday, December 16, 9:00AM 10:00AM Mass Faith Formation 11:00AM Mass Intention: Tom Healy 5:00PM Mass Monday, December 17, Tuesday, December 18, 7:15AM Mass 12:00PM AA meeting (rectory) 7:00PM Advent Reconciliation Service Wednesday, December 19, Thursday, December 20, 7:15AM Mass Friday December 21, Intention: Reverend Stephen Wirkes. Intention: Jennie Costaneda Saturday, December 22, 5:15PM Mass Intention: Patricia Bullis Sunday, December 23, 9:00AM Mass 10:00AM NO Faith Formation 11:00AM Mass Intention: Salvatore Alessi 5:00PM Mass Intention: Reverend Stephen Wirkes. 4A

5 From Fr. LeFort December 15, 2018 Surely over the last few months, you ve noticed that we pray the Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel at the conclusion of Masses for the Lord s Day. We are doing this at the invitation of Bishop Scharfenberger who has encouraged parishes, families and individuals to adopt this devotion. A further invitation is to encourage families and individuals to pray the Sub Tuum Praesidium prayer each day. The Sub Tuum Praesidium prayer (translated into English as Beneath Thy Protection ) is probably the oldest prayer that we have that addresses our Blessed Mother. A copy of the prayer has been found, for example, on a third century papyrus scroll from Egypt. Like most prayers, it asks for the protection of our Blessed Mother, most especially in times of difficulty or turmoil. All are encouraged to offer these prayers and devotions for our entire Universal Church and her members. Sub Tuum Praesidium Prayer: We fly to Thy protection, O Holy Mother of God. Despise not our petitions in our necessities, but deliver us always from all dangers, O Glorious and Blessed Virgin. Amen. 4B