Third Sunday of Advent December 14, 2014

Transcription

1 Third Sunday of Advent December 14, 2014 Holy Ghost Parish Third Sunday of Advent December 14, 2014

2 Holy Ghost Parish Whitman, MA Holy Ghost Parish Whitman, Massachusetts Tel: Fax: Rectory mailing address: 518 Washington Street, Whitman, MA The address where you can contact the Joint Parish Council is: PARISH STAFF Pastor: Rev. James Mahoney Parochial Vicars Rev. Stephen Healy Rev. Mark Riley Senior Priest in Residence Rev. Joseph Arsenault Deacons: Joseph Nickley Robert Balzarini James McLaughlin Finance and Operations Manager Dennis Leonard Director of Music William Healey Children s Choir Margaret Healey Organist Lynn Bartlett Cantor: Dennis Leonard Director of Religious Education Ann T. Lawrence Superintendent, Saint James Cemetery Vincent Tonello Parish Secretary Janice Guillemette Cemetery Office Kathy MacGilvray Facilities Managers: Howard King James Lewis Bulletin Editor: Elaine Melisi Bulletin items may be sent by to emelisi@comcast.net or dropped at the rectory by 11AM on Mondays to be included in the next week s bulletin. Rectory Entrance and Office Hours: The main office entrance is the front door of the rectory on Washington Street. Parish Office Hours Monday through Friday 9AM to 5PM Saturday Closed DAILY LITURGIES Monday-Wednesday-Friday Mass at 9AM At Holy Ghost Masses on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with Communion Service on Saturdays at St. Bridget WEEKEND MASS SCHEDULES AT HOLY GHOST Saturday at 4PM Sunday Masses at 7:30AM and 10:30AM AT SAINT BRIDGET Saturday at 4PM Sundays at 9AM and 12 Noon HOLY DAY MASS SCHEDULE As Announced DIVINE MERCY DEVOTION Tuesdays at 7PM in the lower chapel (confession available) PERPETUAL ADORATION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT In Divine Mercy Chapel (lower church) CONFESSION Saturdays at 3PM or anytime by appointment BAPTISM Second and Fourth Sundays of each month at 12Noon (Please arrive 15 minutes early). Call the rectory ( ) to arrange for the sacrament. MARRIAGE Please contact the rectory one year in advance. Couples meet with the priest before a date is set. Participation in a marriage program is required.

3 Holy Ghost Parish Whitman, MA For the Week of December 13th through December 21, 2014 Saturday, December AM 4PM (No Mass at Holy Ghost) (Communion Service at St. Bridget) Donald MacKenzie Sunday, December 14, :30AM Frank Ortega (2nd anniv) 10:30AM Mary Thompson (birthday rememb) Monday, December 15, AM John Morgan (memorial) Tuesday, December 16, 2014 (No Mass at Holy Ghost) 9AM Mass at Saint Bridget Wednesday, December 17, AM Holy Souls in Purgatory Thursday, December 18, 2014 (No Mass at Holy Ghost) 9AM Mass at St. Bridget Friday, December 19, AM Stacia Franciosi (birthday rememb) Saturday, December 20, AM 4PM (No Mass at Holy Ghost) Communion Service at Saint Bridget Raymond and Catherine Barry and family (memorial) Sunday, December 21, :30AM 10:30AM MASS INTENTIONS Rosina Venditti (memorial) Fran McKenna, Rita Morrison and Patrick Paddy Flanagan The Sanctuary Lamp will burn in the upper church this week in memory of Brianna Walsh WITNESS TO HEALING : SOPHIE COSTANTINO All are invited to come and listen to Sophie Costantino give witness to the healing love of Jesus Christ, for being healed of cancer. She will speak at the Divine Mercy Holy Hour in the lower chapel at Holy Ghost on Tuesday, December 16th at 7PM. The second collection this weekend is for the Fuel Fund PRAYERS FOR OUR RELATIVES & FRIENDS SERVING IN THE MILITARY Holy Ghost Parish lists in the bulletin the names of friends and family members from our parish who are serving in the military, so that all of us can keep them in our prayers daily, that they may return home safely. If you would like to add someone to the list, please call the rectory ( ) or us with the information. We ll add names as they are received. Please keep the following service members in your prayers. Capt. Matthew Johnson Lt.. Joe Sturges 2 nd Lt. Andrew Maio Pat Torney PFC Andrew Smith Sgt. Nick Lavery SO2 Ryan C. Flaherty Sgt. Matthew McCann Sgt. Seamus Murray Lance Corp. Nicholas Rizzo Staff Sgt. Jonathan P. Martins Steve Gaudet LCpl M Ryan O Flaherty Lt. Christopher C. Regan Lt.Col. Kevin Hanrahan Capt. Joseph J. Lucas SPC Anthony Gulino Peter E. Columbo Sgt. Jason Race Sgt. Nicholas Voci PFC Ryan Cronin Spec. James R. Furtado Senior Airman Sara Furtado PFC Zachary Samya Staff Sgt. Marie Ketchen Capt. Joseph E. Beard LanceCorp. Johnathan Jaskolka Sgt. Andrew McAleer Lance Cpl. Sean Concannon Sgt. Patrick Donaher PV2 Christina Malloy LanceCorp. Thomas M. Malloy, Jr. (USMC) Cpl. Joshua Pacheco Cpl. John J. Feeney,USMC LCpl Derek Corkery, USMC LanceCpl Joseph Von George, USMC Pvt. Jordon McIntyre Just a Reminder We have received a supply of the Advent issue of Word Among Us, which contains Mass readings, inspirational stories and commentaries for Advent. Please take one to help you with your Advent devotions. YOUR WEEKLY OFFERINGS December 7, 2014 $6444 Christmas Flowers $2758 Thank you for your support for your parish!

4 Third Sunday of Advent December 14, 2014 Christmas Mass Schedule for Holy Ghost and St. Bridget Holy Ghost Parish: Masses will be celebrated at 4:00 P.M., 6:00 P.M., and 12:00 Midnight on Christmas Eve, and 9:00 A.M. and 11:00 A.M. on Christmas morning. St. Bridget Parish: Masses will be celebrated at 4:00 P.M., 6:00 P.M. and 9:00 P.M. on Christmas Eve, and 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. on Christmas morning. Masses for January 1, 2015-A Holy Day of Obligation -The Solemnity of Mary the Mother of God. Masses are on December 31st (Vigil) at St. Bridget at 4PM and at Holy Ghost at 7PM; Masses at both churches are at 9AM on New Year s Day. As you are well aware there are many hundreds who visit our Parishes on Christmas. Most of our fellow Catholics who do not worship with us regularly will come to the 4:00 p.m. Mass on Christmas Eve. Being the welcoming communities that we are, and with all Christian Charity, may we suggest that as many as possible worship at one of the many other Christmas Masses being offered to accommodate our many guests. Disciples in Mission calls us to radical hospitality. Pray about it, and come to the Mass of your choice. CUNNIFF PINE STREET INN FOOD GROUP The Pine Street Inn Food Group will be serving a Christmas meal at the Inn on Saturday, December 20th. They will also be continuing their long-standing practice of bringing Christmas gifts to the homeless. The Inn is in need of warm clothing for both men and women. Long thermal underwear, thermal shirts, hats, socks and gloves are among the items needed. Unwrapped gifts may be left at the CCD office in the Spellman center any time up to and through the morning of December 20th. For those unable to get to the CCD Center, gifts may be left at the Giving Trees at the rear of the church (both upstairs and in the lower chapel)-they will be delivered to the Center for wrapping by volunteers. Please contact Carol Kryzanek with any questions ( ). Our heartfelt thanks to all for their help for those without a home during this Christmas season. The following children received the Sacrament of Baptism at Holy Ghost Parish during the month of November Elianna Kathleen Bamberg Nolan Mark Bolster Declan Joseph Candito Avery Marie Connolly Gianna Marie Dunne Owen Patrick Henry Hunter William Kenn William Edward O Hearn Keegan Gavin Shaw Steven Michael Silva III John Brady Skinner Dylan Ray Staples Congratulations to the children, their parents, and their godparents! BE A WITNESS FOR LIFE The Annual March for Life in Washington, DC will be held on January 22, A bus will be leaving from Immaculate Conception Church in East Weymouth on January 21st, 2015 at 9PM, and will make the return trip after the March on January 22nd. The cost is $50 for adults and $10 for students. For reservations and information, please call Sally Healy at Please join us every Saturday at 8:30AM to 9AM in the lower church to pray the Rosary for priests and vocations to the priesthood FIRST SATURDAY -FAMILY HEALING FROM ADDICTIONS Are you or your loved one suffering from addiction? Addiction hurts the body, mind and spirit of both the individual and those who love them. Come experience the healing power of prayer and forgiveness through the Divine Mercy of Jesus Christ. Join us in the Divine Mercy Chapel (lower church) on January 3d, 2015 from 12noon to 1PM for intercessory rosary/prayer and a faith witness talk by a guest speaker. A light lunch and fellowship will follow from 1-2PM in Father Glennon Hall. For more information, call the Family Healing Ministry/Karen McWilliams ( ) Karen.mcwilliams@ad.com

5 Third Sunday of Advent December 14, 2014 SAINT BRIDGET QUILTING MINISTRY The next meeting of the Quilting Ministry will be Friday, December 19, from 9:45 am to 2:00 pm. Everyone from the Collaborative is invited to join us. We are making small, simple lap quilts for the residents of the Colony Center for Health & Rehabilitation in Abington. We meet on the second floor of the Friary Building, which is located next to St. Bridget's School. Help make someone s Christmas a little brighter. Hope to see you there. K OF C HOLIDAY RAFFLE WINNERS- WEEK 2 12/1/14 Katie Leonard $25 12/2/14 Julene Crowell $25 12/3/14 Gail MacKinnon $25 12/5/14 Rosemary Sullivan $25 12/6/14 Karen Balerna $25 12/7/14 Kary Dilgard $75 PERPETUAL ADORATION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT Will be suspended for Christmas on Wednesday, December 24th after the 9AM Mass and For New Year s on Wednesday, December 31st after the 9AM Mass and will resume on Friday, January 2nd after the 9AM Mass. A NOTE ABOUT THE CHRISTMAS COLLECTION The one collection taken at the Christmas Masses is for the Clergy Fund, as Catholics across the Archdiocese join together to honor and thank our priests. This collection helps provide for the health and well-being and retirement needs of our 638 active and senior priests of the Archdiocese. Our priests have been there for us in our time of need; please consider honoring them with your gift to the Christmas collection. Thank you in advance for your generous and prayerful support of our priests. ALL ARE WELCOME AT HOLY GHOST AND SAINT BRIDGET PARISHES No matter what you present status in the Catholic Church, no matter what your current family and marital situation, no matter what your personal history, age, background, race etc., no matter what your own selfimage: you are invited, welcomed, accepted, loved and respected here. Come and join us. PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY The ladies of the Prayer Shawl Ministry have a supply of beautiful prayer shawls available at the rectory. Each one has been blessed and comes with a special prayer. If you have a family member or know someone who is ill or in need of special prayers, please come to the rectory to take a shawl for the individual, as a special gift from the parish of our concern and prayers. A Mass and Healing Service will be held at the Church of the Blessed Sacrament, 10 Diamond Street, Walpole, MA on Sunday, December 28th, 2014 with Father Joseph P. McDermott. All are welcome CAN YOU HELP ST. VINCENT DE PAUL? It s that time of year again! All year long, Holy Ghost parishioners provide great support to the Whitman Food Pantry with their weekly food offerings. Now we are turning our attention to the young children of families struggling to make ends meet every day. Our Giving Trees have been put up with gift tags for boys and girls up to age 16 who need our help so much this Christmas. Will you please take a tag, buy a gift for that age and sex and leave it (unwrapped) under the tree so that we can help those families bring a smile to their youngsters this Christmas? If you d like to provide gift cards from Walmart, Target or any other store, you can leave the cards under the tree, or (for security reasons) drop them in the St. Vincent offering boxes at the rear of the church. We are very grateful for all you do to help us fulfill our mission to the needy, and all of us at Saint Vincent will keep you in our prayers during this holiday season. Thank you!! WOMEN S RETREAT: ON THE WAY will be held January 16-18, 2015 at Miramar Retreat Center in Duxbury, MA For more information, please contact Peggy Patenaude of Taking Time Out at or timeoutretreats@comcast.net EMMAUS MINISTRY Serving the Spiritual Needs of Grieving Parents One-Day and Weekend Spiritual Retreats for Parents Whose Children have Died For more information call or A special thank you to those CCD students and parishioners who help our custodians to put up the crèche last Sunday. Many hands helped the work go quickly!

6 Holy Ghost Parish Whitman, MA A MESSAGE FROM FATHER MAHONEY DECEMBER 14, 2014 Dear Parishioners of the Collaborative, This third Sunday of Advent is also called Gaudete Sunday. Gaudete, a Latin word which means rejoice, is taken from the entrance antiphon for Sunday's Mass. This theme is echoed in today's second reading from the first Letter to the Thessalonians. It is a reminder that Advent is a season of joy because our salvation is already at hand. This Sunday's Gospel invites us to continue our reflection on the person and mission of John the Baptist. We learn about the attention that John the Baptist received from the Jewish authorities. John the Baptist clearly states that he is not the Messiah, nor is he Elijah or the Prophet. John announces that the savior they seek is already among them, but as yet unrecognized. John's response highlights for us an important Advent theme: Jesus has already come into the world as our savior. The very first line of today's Gospel got me thinking. The opening words are: "A man named John was sent from God." Those same words can be used of each of us. Try putting your name in there: "A man named was sent from God." "A woman named was sent from God." A child named was sent from God. It's true. God formed each one of us, with our own special gifts, and put us on this earth at this time and in this place for a purpose. We are made in the image and likeness of God, and God acts through us to be His Disciples in Mission. John prepared the coming of the Lord. How can I help my family, neighbor, co-worker, classmate, etc. prepare for His coming this Christmas? Take Paul's words to heart: "Rejoice always. In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you." Be that person who was sent from God to share that God News with those you see this week. A bitter/sweet change in our Collaborative. As I mentioned in last week s bulletin, David Sullivan, the business manager at Holy Ghost, has retired. We are indebted to him for his fine work in keeping the parish financially sound throughout the years. Thank you, Dave, for your service to our community! We had a nice luncheon this past week to say thank you to Dave and to welcome Dennis Leonard who has taken over Dave s responsibilities. Dennis is the current business manager of St. Bridget s and the Cantor at Holy Ghost. He just completed a twosemester, 100 credits, Finance and Operations Certificate Program offered by the Archdiocese of Boston. Please join me in thanking these two fine men for their service to our Collaborative! Pray for them, too! A simple reminder; last week I shared a letter I received from a parishioner about people leaving early from Mass and how that has become a bit of a habit for some in both of our parishes. The final blessing and dismissal send us forth as Disciples in Mission to transmit what we have received to our brothers and sisters. If we habitually leave directly after Communion or before the final blessing and recessional song, then we lose this important component of our spiritual life. Please keep this as a prayer intention. Thank you. Let us pray for each other. God bless, Father Mahoney A Name for Our Collaborative. Many of the Collaboratives already formed have given themselves a name. The naming concretizes the reality that parishes have come together under one pastor to bring about the mission of the Church. Naming something or someone gives a real sense of ownership or relationship. The Joint Parish Council Members have suggested that we Name our Collaborative and want your help in the naming. Please pray about this and submit your name to the Joint Parish Council address: HGSBParishCouncil@comcast.net. Some creative names have already been received through the address. Thank you to those who have already submitted a name or two.. If you do not have access, please feel free to contact either Parish Office and give your suggestions that way. Once a number of names have been submitted, we will ask the community to award a new name for our Collaborative which will be used on our bulletin and website and the way we answer our phones. Be creative! Feel free to submit more than one name. GRAND ANNUAL COLLECTION UPDATE As of Monday, December 2nd, 191of our 1127 families have pledged 47, to the grand Annual Collection, representing 16.95% of our families. This collection is very important to the parish, a needed addition to the weekly offertory, which does not cover ongoing operational expenses. It also provides funds for small capital and maintenance projects Thank you to those who have already given support to this collection. If you would like to help, please pick up a flyer at the rear of the church, make your pledge or gift, and return the envelope in the collection box this weekend or next. We need your help to maintain our parish buildings and grounds.for the safety and benefit of all parishioners.

7 MIRIAMGOODMAN ARTHUR GURIFFIN GRIFFIN CORY SILKEN Through a unique collaboration The with Cambridge Homes, a local assisted living residence and The Griffin Museum, come view remarkable and inspiring photog in a comfortable home-like setting. C M C Paving Contractors, Inc. New & Resurfaced Driveways Sealcoating Free Estimates Fully Insured Parishioner Est Pat Snow s Dance Academy IT S ALL ABOUT THE KIDS All Styles of Dance Baton Twirling Beginner to Adult Ages 2yrs + Up Bridgewater, Whitman, E. Bridgewater Space Available Mon. & Wed. 9-4 Thurs / Fri. 9-5 / Sat South Ave., Whitman Rt 27 Across from train. GetCatholicTV.com Conway Insurance agency, Inc. Auto. Home. Life Business. Health Hanover Scituate 879 Washington St. 80 Front St Preschool to Grade 12 Take a virtual tour today and see what sets Sacred Heart apart! sacredheartkingston.com whitman 715 Bedford St A sponsored ministry of the Sisters of Divine Providence 1215 Main Street, Unit 122 Tewksbury, MA (978) Rosaries from Flowers Handmade from the Flowers of your Loved One Save 30% to 50% On Most Printing Costs! If you bring your printing to a chain store or other printer, money is leaving with those print jobs. We can help save you money. Saturday, June 26 th, 2 4 pm Join us as we welcome Summer with delicious desserts and music from the Jazz Trio String Swing. Enjoy our lovely outdoor garden area, and tour our beautiful community. Kindly RSVP by June Commonwealth Avenue West Concord, MA ConcordPark.net What s Inside SUMMER 2010 Chowd Ramp up Your Game June 14th to August 27th Mondays - Fridays 1:30-5:30 pm 8 years and up FEST Please support your priests at the Christmas collection. Clergy Health and Retirement Trust Caring for the Well-Being of our Boston Priests Booklets Bookmarks Business Cards Calendars Door Hangers Flyers/Brochures Greeting Cards Magnets Newsletters Notepads Plastic Cards Postcards Posters Presentation Folders Stickers Table Tent Cards & much more Proud Printers of This Bulletin printing@pilotprinting.net ECHOES Clergy Health and Retirement Trust Caring for the Well-Being of our Boston Priests VISIT US AT A Forum of CAtholiC thought Dialogue shaped by revelation and reason Come DisCover echoes.thebostonpilot.com the NEW opinion section of thebostonpilot.com Christmas is Just Around the Corner Order your Custom Cards Today Wishing the peace, hope, wonder & joy of the Holy Family to you and your family this Christmas! For Advertising Information, Please Call Pilot Bulletins Church of the Holy Ghost, Whitman, MA

8 Buying, Selling or Renting a Home Lew McConkey-Parishioner Blanchard Funeral Chapel ROBERT A. TONELLO - DIRECTORS - STEVEN J. LEONARD 666 Plymouth St., Route 58 at the Rotary, PO Box 288, Whitman, MA Tel Fax Funeral Home Washington Street Whitman, MA Cardinal Spellman Family Owned Since 1946 Pharmaceuticals Home Health Care Items Your Local Hometown Pharmacist 571 Washington St. Whitman State Senator Tom Kennedy State House, Room 109-E Boston, MA thomas.p.kennedy@masenate.gov Hair, Nails, Waxing, Makeup Washington St. Whitman (The Former Cardinal Spellman Residence) Family Owned and Operated Personal Injury Divorce Bankruptcy Wills Trusts Estates Real Estate & Business Law Law Offices of Ronald N. Whitney rwhitlaw@live.com 549 Bedford Street Whitman Trio Cafe & Catering Council #347 New Members Welcome Function Hall Rentals BINGO Mondays 6:30 PM OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK 546 Washington Street, Whitman AMERICAN LEGION Post #22 Hall Rentals Legion Parkway Whitman J. SACCONE & SONS, INC. Backhoe Drains Septic Tanks Excavating 15 Commercial St., Whitman PARISHIONER Private and Corporate Events WE DELIVER A Boston Fish Pier, Boston, Ma 12 Temple St, Whitman, Ma We Have Space Available For You! A new option for individuals and employers looking for affordable health insurance in Massachusetts. Contact Patrick O Brien at or patrickobrien@minutemanhealth.org Director of Employer/Broker Relations Jeannie Carr, BROKER, CBR, GRI, E-PRO Accredited Home Stager, 30+ Years Experience Cell: TOP 10 Agents in the Company -AWARD Jcarr@SuccessRealEstate.com For Advertising Information, Please Call Pilot Bulletins Church of the Holy Ghost, Whitman, MA