HOLY TRINITY PARISH. December 3, Hudson and Germantown, New York. REV. WINSTON BATH Pastor Emeritus. DEACON RICHARD WASHBURN Deacon

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1 HOLY TRINITY PARISH Hudson and Germantown, New York 429 E. Allen St. P. O. Box 323 Hudson, NY December 3, 2017 PHONE: (518) WEBSITE: REV. ANTHONY BARRATT Pastor DEACON RICHARD WASHBURN Deacon REV. WINSTON BATH Pastor Emeritus

2 ADVENT IS HERE AND SO WE WAIT IN JOYFUL HOPE FOR THE COMING OF OUR SAVIOR This weekend we begin our short season of Advent, as we prepare for the advent or the coming of our Lord. We prepare, of course, for Jesus coming to us at Christmas; what is usually called the first coming of Christ. We can also think of His second or final coming at the end of time or, as we say in the Creed at Mass, He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead. Many spiritual writers such as St. Bernard also reflect that in between this first coming at Christmas and last coming at the end of time, Jesus in fact comes to us in many ways each and every day: in prayer, in people and events, in the Sacred Scriptures and, of course, in the Eucharist. Advent then, is very much a time when we focus on Jesus coming to us in all these ways and, of course, His presence among us at every time and in every moment of our lives. An image that may help us is to see Advent as very much like a journey. As with any good journey, we not only have a final destination in mind (the coming of Jesus and our encounter with him); but we also use a map (or even a GPS!) to guide us on our way there. Advent does indeed follow a route or a plan and so it has a structure for each Sunday to help us to journey well. To help us to journey through the season and to prepare for Christmas, the usual Word Among Us booklets will be available to guide our prayer and reflection each day during this holy season. We also have other parish events such as the Reconciliation Service on Tuesday, December 12 at 6.30 pm. Our focus during this Advent might be that of discipleship: of seeing what God asks of us and having the courage to follow this. So, what is the structure or theme for each of our Sundays during Advent that can help us with all this? The theme or guide for the first Sunday of Advent is to watch and wait for the Lord. For many of us, it is a timely reminder that as Christians, we need to be like Mary as well as Martha in the Gospels (cf. Luke 10: 38-42). Martha was so busy with things that she did not have time to listen to Jesus, whereas Mary sat at the Lord s feet and listened to him. We, too, often need to slow down and listen to the Lord, to sit at his feet for a while, even if it is just for five minutes a day! So, perhaps during Advent, even though it is such a busy time, or maybe because it is such a busy time, we can try and spend an extra few minutes in prayer each day. In the second week of Advent we think again of John the Baptist and his mission to prepare a way for the Lord. John decreased as the Lord increased: we are called to do the same; that is to let the Lord grow in our life. Our third week places before us the great and important attitude that every Christian is called to adopt, namely an attitude of joy. We rejoice for the Lord is coming, he is near to us. We can recall that this joy is not something superficial, or as Bernard Bassett called it contingent (on things going well or on others); but rather is a gift and an inner peace and strength that is there regardless of life and its ups and downs. In our fourth and final week, we celebrate the annunciation of the good news that God is indeed with us. This is true not just at Christmas, but for every moment of our life. This time of year is so very busy at school, at home and at work and all those shopping days to Christmas are disappearing rapidly! The Church wisely gives us this special season of Advent to help us in all this busyness to prepare for the coming of our Saviour, Jesus Christ. So, let us use this time well: let us journey through Advent well and let us prepare well so that as the Lord comes to us, we may have hearts and minds open and ready to welcome him. Let our prayer be the same one as the very first Christians: Come, Lord Jesus!

3 THE WEEK AHEAD W E D N E S D A Y, D e c e m b e r 6 The Gathering : 7:30 PM at St. Mary s Academy Coxsackie--Athens Community Band Concert THURSDAY, December 7 Our Lady of Grace Prayer Group will meet at 6:30 PM in Church. Bible Study: 7:00 PM St. Mary s Academy FRIDAY, December 8 Feast of the Immaculate Conception SUNDAY, December 10 Christmas Open House: 2:30-4:30 PM - St. Mary s Rectory OPLATKI The breaking and sharing of the oplatki (Christmas wafer) is a cherished Polish and eastern European Christmas tradition. Oplatki is available in the sacristy and the front vestibule after the Masses for $1.00 per envelope. SUNDAY, December 10 Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe There will be a special celebration of this Feast Day on Sunday, December 10 th, 12:00 noon at St. Joseph s Catholic Church in Stuyvesant with a Mass celebrated in Spanish and English. Anyone interested in attending this Mass is most welcome to do so. Matthew Kelly's Best Advent Ever Sign Up Now - it's FREE! Christmas is a time of hope, but during the busy holiday it's easy to get overwhelmed and lose sight of the reason for the season. This Advent, take an incredible journey to rediscover the gift of hope. Join Matthew Kelly for the Best Advent Ever! Every day during Advent you will receive a short inspirational video, practical tips, or real-life stories that will help you experience a Christmas full of hope. Are you ready for your best Advent -- and Christmas -- ever? Sign up -- it's free -- and it's life-changing! Go to to sign up! God bless! Communal Penance Service Mark your calendars for a Communal Penance Service on the evening of Tuesday, December 12th at 6:30 p.m. The service will conclude with several priests available for confession. The word among us The Word Among Us Advent December issue has something for everyone. It is available in the front vestibule for $1.00 a copy. Keep using this valuable tool to learn and experience the power of God s Holy Word Enjoy the true meaning of Christmas Southern Columbia County Community Choir Presents a Cantata 4:00 p.m. Sunday, December 10th Reformed Church of Germantown 20 Church Ave. Germantown Directed by Donna Dielhl Collection will be taken for a local Charity.

4 KEEP THE DATE. YOU ARE ALL INVITED to an Open House at the Rectory (Hudson) on Sunday, December 10, :30-4:30 P.M. Afternoon tea (and coffee, punch, etc.) will be served! Come and visit for just a few minutes or for two hours. It will be great to see you. Advent Giving Tree The deadline for bringing in Advent Giving Tree gifts is the weekend of December If you have not yet brought in your packages, please do so by next weekend. REMINDER: PLEASE ATTACH THE GIFT TAG TO YOUR GIFT! NOTE: A gift of a man s red plaid flannel shirt and black socks was left without a tag attached. If you have any information pertaining to this, please contact Carol Schmidt at If you have a child who loves to be the center of attention or who just wants to wear wings, we have a part for him or her. No memorization required - just the ability to look cute! The pageant will be after the 9 a.m. Mass on December 17th. For more information please contact Maura Nedwell at or her at rel.edu.holytrinityhudson@gmail.com BAKERS NEEDED COOKIES - COOKIES - COOKIES Cookies are needed for the Open House at the rectory on December 10. If you are able to contribute, it would be greatly appreciated. Please plan to drop your cookies off at church the weekend of December 10th either before the 4 p.m. Mass on Saturday or the 9 a.m. Mass on Sunday. Sale Christmas Cookie The time for the Twenty - Seventh Annual Christmas Cookie Sale at St. Mary s Church is quickly approaching. Make plans to bake some of your favorite cookies for this sale to be held on the weekend of December 16 and 17. Cookies, brownies, and cookie bars will be accepted. Whether contacted or not, please get ready to bake a Sacrificial Giving Spirituality of Stewardship We participate in the Kingdom of Heaven not through our accomplishments, but through our love and generosity. HUDSON Regular Offertory Last Weekend (Nov. 27)... $5, Heat and Fuel Collection..... $ Seminarian Support.. $ GERMANTOWN Regular Offertory Last Weekend (Nov. 27)... $1, Heat and Fuel Collection.... $ Seminarian Support. $ 45.00

5 S A C R A M E N T S The sacraments are wonderful gifts from God to us. Through outward, visible signs; the sacraments are channels of God s love and mercy and so they draw us in to the life of the Trinity. They therefore also continue the saving mission and ministry of Jesus Christ in and through His body, the Church. Below is some information on how to make contact regarding the celebration of the sacraments. BAPTISM: Congratulations! If you would like to arrange preparations and a date for Baptism, please contact the Parish Office. RCIA: For those enquiring about the Catholic Faith or wishing to complete their sacraments: welcome! Please contact the Parish Office and we will be very glad to help you further. RECONCILIATION: Celebrated on Saturdays pm in Hudson, before and after Masses in Germantown, or at anytime by appointment. (Note: it is best to call ahead first to check on the availability of a priest) ANOINTING OF THE SICK: Priests regularly visit the hospitals, nursing homes and the homebound. Please do contact the Parish Office if you or someone you know is in need of the anointing of sick. MARRIAGE:Congratulations! So that proper arrangements (paperwork, preparations etc.) can be made, please contact the Parish Office or Fr. Anthony at least six months before the desired date. VOCATIONS: If you are considering a vocation to the priesthood, diaconate or religious life, please contact Fr. Anthony to share thoughts and prayers further. Readings for the Week of December 3 Sunday: Is 63:16b-17, 19b; 64:2-7/Ps 80:2-3, 15-16, [4]/ 1Cor 1:3-9/Mk 13:33-37 Monday: Is 2:1-5/Ps 122:1-2, 3-4b, 4cd-5, 6-7, 8-9/Mt 8:5-11 Tuesday: Is 11:1-10/Ps 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17 [cf. 7]/ Lk 10:21-24 Wednesday: Is 25:6-10a/Ps 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6 [6cd]/Mt 15:29-37 Thursday: Is 26:1-6/Ps 118:1 and 8-9, 19-21, 25-27a [26a]/ Mt 7:21, Friday: Gn 3:9-15, 20/Ps 98:1, 2-3, 3-4 [1a]/Eph 1:3-6, 11-12/ Lk 1:26-38 Saturday: Is 30:19-21, 23-26/Ps 147:1-2, 3-4, 5-6 [cf. Is 30:18d]/ Mt 9:35-- READINGS AND HYMNS (HUDSON) Reading: p. 56 Opening Hymn: # 198 Closing: # 189 MASSES FOR THIS WEEK MONDAY: Weekday (Dec. 4) 7:15 AM John & Helen Halloran - Daughter, Dawn Julia Ruotolo - Pat & David Hart Ruth Lynch - Special Intention - 100th. Birthday TUESDAY:Weekday (Dec. 5) 7:15 AM Beverly Martin - Janice & Tom Brodowski Michael J. Keyser, Sr. & Nathanial Keyser - Pat & David Hart WEDNESDAY: Weekday (Dec. 6) 7:15 AM Ronald Hughes - Barbara Ellsworth Giulia Ruotolo - Antoinette DeLaurentis & Family THURSDAY: St. Ambrose, Bishop & Doctor of the Church (Dec. 7) 7:15 AM James Ban Sr., William Nixon, Doris Ban - Family John (Jake) Halloran - Jessica Nabozny THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY THURSDAY: (December 7) 5:30 PM Vigil Mass Germantown Marie Conte - Gloria & Frank Santacroce 7:00 PM - Vigil Mass Hudson Marie Conte - Edward & Marian Coons FRIDAY: (December 8) 7:15 AM Feast Day Mass Hudson Mary & Al Warakomski - Son, Dave Julia Ruotolo - Elizabeth Koskowski & Dolly VanDeCarr 12:15 PM Feast Day Mass Hudson Frank Tomaso- Family SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT SATURDAY VIGIL MASS: (December 9) 4:00 PM Thomas C. Quigley & Marylou Bujanow - Family (HUD) Francis Fabiano - Sarah Fabiano & Family Marjorie Tanzillo - David Dolan 5:30 PM Viola Pulcher - Family (G TWN) Robert Connolly - Gloria & Frank Santacroce For the Living and Deceased of the Parish SUNDAY MORNING MASS: (December 10) 9:00 AM Thomas C. Quigley & Marylou Bujanow - Family (HUD) Harold Hallenbeck - Rita & Harry Koeppel Ann DeSimone - Sharon Sobin 11:00 AM Alice & Edward J. Bader Sr. - Marianne Miller

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