TODAY IS THE THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT

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2 ST. JOSEPH CHURCH POQUONOCK Saint Joseph Parish 1747 Poquonock Avenue P. O. Box 253 Poquonock, CT (860) Fax (860) Pastor: Reverend Robert B. Vargo Pastor Emeritus: Reverend Robert T. Russo Deacon: Mr. Ronald M. Biamonte Deacon: Mr. R. Carl Lickwar Introduction to the Liturgy of the Day Rejoice! Today is traditionally called Gaudete or Rejoice Sunday, from the first words of the entrance antiphon, Rejoice in the Lord always, taken from today s reading from Saint Paul to the Philippians. Why should we rejoice? Because the Lord is near. More than halfway through our Advent preparations now, let us be sensitive to the nearness of the Lord. TODAY IS THE THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT Dec. 5 th /Dec. Dec. 5 th 6 th Weekly /Dec. 6 th Collection...$4, Weekly Collection...$ Monthly Collection.$2, Monthly Collection.$ Next week s second collection is the Next week s second collection is the Fuel Collection. Fuel Collection. Thank you for your generosity to Thank you for your generosity to and support of Saint Joseph Parish and support of Saint Joseph Parish Please remember the members, loved ones, and friends of our Parish Family who are ill, aged, troubled, or grieving. Pray for their physical, emotional, and mental well-being. Please pray for Madeline Rose McCall Please pray for the repose of the soul of +Michael Smith (Son of Francis and Sylvia Smith) and +Alice Bazyk (Cousin of Sharlet Wersulis) Every Christian is called to work for the common good and against the veils and injustices of their day. We all are called to witness to life in whatever job and setting God places us. Life Matters: Call to Greatness 2012 USCCB Respect Life Program SATURDAY December 12 (The Vigil of the Third Sunday of Advent) 5:15 PM +EDWARD J. PYCZ req. by John & Regina Dowling SUNDAY December 13 (The Third Sunday of Advent) 9:15 AM +ETHEL HAZELWOOD (Birthday Remembrance) req. by Niece, Darlene, & Pat Kennedy 11:45 AM +RONALD GINA (4 th Anniversary Remembrance) req. by His Wife and Family MONDAY December 14 (St. John of the Cross) 7:30 AM +ARMY SERGEANT TIMOTHY MICHALAK req. by Mike & Nancy Dudek 7:00 PM ADVENT PENANCE SERVICE TUESDAY December 15 7:30 AM +THOMAS PEDEZOLLI req. by Patricia LaFleur & Family WEDNESDAY December 16 7:30 AM +ISABELLE DAMIANO req. by Marguerite Nye, Gayle & Mark Brick THURSDAY December 17 7:30 AM A SPECIAL INTENTION FOR LUKE PETERS req. by David & Mary Lou Peters FRIDAY December 18 7:30 AM +DAVID BOROSKI (Birthday Remembrance) req. by Boroski & Possum Families SATURDAY December 19 (The Vigil of the Fourth Sunday of Advent) 5:15 PM +DAVID HABER (11 th Anniversary Remembrance) req. by Jill Levine SUNDAY December 20 (The Fourth Sunday of Advent) 9:15 AM +FRANCIS, ROSE, & LOUIS LUPO (Christmas Remembrance) req. by Daughter, Marie, & George Dixon 11:45 AM +JOHN, DOROTHY, & DUNCAN MCCALL req. by Daughter and Sister, Darlene, & Pat Kennedy Advent Penance Service at Saint Joseph Parish will take place on Monday, December 14 th, at 7:00 PM. This will be our principal opportunity for confession before Christmas. Additional priests will be available for confession.

3 THE THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT Christmas Flower Offering Memorial donations for Christmas flowers and decorations for the Church may be returned in the regular collection on any Sunday throughout the Advent Season. Those who are memorialized will be listed in the bulletin after Christmas. Christmas 2015 Christmas is a special time for us a time to recognize the love and goodness of God; a time to know that Christ has come among us; a time to remember that God now shares the same joys and sorrows that we do; a time to rejoice in the hope of eternal life that Jesus brings to each of us. Saint Joseph Parish Christmas Mass Schedule: Christmas Eve Christmas Day (Thursday, Dec. 24 th ) (Friday, Dec. 25 th ) 3:30 PM Children s Pageant 9:00 AM 4:00 PM 11:00 AM 5:30 PM 10:00 PM All are Invited to the Opening of the Holy Door Beginning the Jubilee Year of Mercy The Archdiocese of Hartford will inaugurate the Jubilee Year of Mercy, proclaimed by Pope Francis, today, Sunday, December 13 th, at 3:00 PM at the Cathedral of Saint Joseph, 140 Farmington Ave., Hartford, CT. The Jubilee Year will begin with the opening of the Holy Door at the Cathedral. This special liturgy will include a procession through the door, Evening Prayer, and Exposition and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. On this Gaudete Sunday, the Archdiocese of Hartford will prayerfully rejoice as our local Church strives to become more Merciful like the Father by practicing spiritual and corporal works of mercy in our local parishes and Archdiocese throughout this Jubilee Year of Mercy. Visit archdioceseofhartford.org for more information Congratulations to the 2015/2016 Elected Officers to the Parish Council At the Parish Council Meeting held on Monday, November 23 rd, the following individuals were elected as officers of the Parish Council: President Mr. Peter Boysen Vice President Dr. Michael Stewart Secretary Miss Susan Tague We are grateful for the service of our former officers: Maureen Yuscavitch as President, Peter Boysen as the Vice President, and Annette Rosca as the Secretary. Thank you for serving Saint Joseph Parish! Wethersfield High School Choralaires Annual Christmas Concert will be held on Monday, December 21 st, at 7:00 PM in the Church, under the direction of our Music Director, Mr. Scott Rioux. All are welcome! We at Saint Joseph Parish are thrilled to host this festive event once again. A reception will be held after the concert in Father Doherty Hall. Refreshments will be served. Volunteers are needed to assist with the set-up and cleanup. If you are available to help, please contact the Parish Rectory Office. Adopt-a-Resident Program The Social Action Committee is seeking volunteers to resurrect the Adopt-a-Resident Program, which partners volunteers with elderly residents at the Kindred Care and Rehabilitation Center on Poquonock Avenue. The program is extremely flexible and interested parishioners would be assigned a resident to visit at their convenience, typically two to three times per month. The residents would love to visit and talk or maybe read together, whatever you like! These visits mean so much and are often the only visits some residents have. If you can spare a bit of time and are interested in participating, please call Ann Bramucci at or her at annbramucci@gmail.com, for more information. Social Action Corner Monthly Food Collection The monthly food collection is next weekend. The Food Bank has requested hearty soups, coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and jelly. Thank you for your much appreciated help. Annual Giving Tree Please bring your Holiday Giving Tree gifts directly to Father Doherty Hall. Thank you so much for your generosity. If you have any questions about the giving tree, please call Lisa Andersen or Sue Claughsey at the below telephone numbers. Collection for our Troops Social Action is collecting monetary donations for our monthly Troop packages. Please place your donation in an envelope marked Troops in any collection basket through the end of the year. The funds are used to buy snacks, socks, books, toiletries, etc., and to cover postage expenses. The packages mean so much to our soldiers, and we very much appreciate your continued support. Meeting Reminder The next Social Action Meeting is March 14 th, at 6 PM in Father Doherty Hall. All are welcome. For more information on how you can participate in Social Action contact Lisa Andersen at or Landers403@comcast.net or Sue Claughsey at or rnsue51@yahoo.com.

4 DECEMBER 13, 2015 Religious Education Reminder: In the event of inclement weather, please watch Channel 3 (WFSB) for the cancellation of Religious Education Classes. If Windsor schools are closed in the morning or close early, there will be no Religious Education Classes that evening. A message will also be left on the Religious Education voic greeting when classes are cancelled. December 15 Religious Education Classes at Saint Gabriel School 19 Christmas Pageant Practice at 11:00 AM in the Church 22 No Religious Education Classes 24 Christmas Pageant at 3:30 PM at the Church followed by Family Mass at 4:00 PM 25 Merry Christmas! 29 No Religious Education Classes January 5 Religious Education Classes at Saint Gabriel School 9 C2 Confirmation Retreat at Saint Gabriel Church 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM - All C2 students must attend 12 Religious Education Classes at Saint Gabriel School 19 Religious Education Classes at Saint Gabriel School 19 Practice for First Reconciliation at the Church at 5:45 PM 26 Religious Education Classes at Saint Gabriel School 28 Practice for First Reconciliation at the Church at 5:45 PM 30 First Reconciliation 10:00 AM - Reception following downstairs in Father Doherty Hall Christmas Pageant Practice All children in the Parish are invited to participate in the Christmas Pageant. Once again this year, Ms. Vicky Ascherman will coordinate the pageant. Children taking part in the Pageant, and parent and student volunteers should plan to attend the second rehearsal on December 19 th at 11:00 AM in the Church. C2 Retreat All C2 students will attend a Confirmation Retreat on Saturday, January 9 th, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM in the Church Hall at Saint Gabriel Church. This is a mandatory meeting for all C2 students. Practice for First Reconciliation All children preparing for the Sacrament of Reconciliation will practice on Tuesday, January 19 th, in the Church from 5:45 PM until 6:45 PM. On Thursday, January 28 th, children and at least one parent or guardian should accompany their child to practice at the Church from 5:45 PM until 6:45 PM. Please call the Religious Education Office if you have any questions. C1 or C2 Student Volunteers are Needed Three volunteers are needed to help with the First Reconciliation Practices. Please contact the Religious Education Office for more information and to sign up.

5 DECEMBER 13, 2015 Ministry Message Saint Joseph Adult Choir is in Need of Additional Members The Saint Joseph Parish Adult Choir will rehearse next on Thursday, December 17 th, at 7 PM in the Church in preparation for singing at our Christmas Eve 10 PM Mass. For more information, please see Mr. Scott Rioux after any Mass or contact the Parish Rectory Office at Cleaning the Church for the Holidays Help is always needed to keep our Church Sanctuary looking clean and welcoming. At Christmas time we especially need volunteers to help with the personal touches that always make such a difference dusting, polishing, cleaning, and preparing our Church for the holidays. If you are available on Tuesday, December 15 th, at 9:30 AM, please contact the Parish Rectory Office. Advent Evening of Spirituality The Adult Education Committee of Saint Gabriel s Parish Council invites you to attend an Advent Evening of Spirituality on Wednesday, December 16 th. Deacon Carl will be leading us in a discussion concerning the week s Gospel, and helping us gain more insight into its meaning and message. The evening will run from 6 PM to 7 PM at Saint Gabriel Church, and refreshments will be offered. Come join us as we begin the Advent season. Oplatki Christmas Wafers (Oplatek) will be on sale ($3.00 per set) in the Sacristy after Mass and also during the week at the Parish Rectory Office. These are the traditional Polish wafers that are shared with family and friends on Christmas Eve. Finding a Church when traveling can be difficult. During the holidays when we are traveling, it is not always easy to find information or a web-site which outlines a Church s location and their Mass times. Masstimes.org makes it easy to search for a Mass by presenting all the possibilities in a geographical area on one page. Masstimes.org provides worship times, church locations, contact information, website links and maps. Think Green In the Morning * Brew certified coffee. A USDA Certified Organic label means it was grown using sustainable standards. * Green to go. Not brewing at home? Take a travel cup to your favorite java joint; they may fill it at a discount.