The Church of the Incarnation

Transcription

1 The Church of the Incarnation 544 Prospect Street Wethersfield, CT Rev. James M. Moran Pastor Mrs. Noranne Wamester Pastoral Associate Mrs. Audrey Saharek Pastoral Assistant Mrs. Maggie Seaver Coordinator of Middle School Faith Formation Youth Minister Mrs. Teri Aiudi Rectory Office Assistant Faith Formation Secretary Mrs. Theodora Niver Director of Music Vanessa Crowley Lorissa Heath Rosanne Sweeney Gowdy Andrew Russo Heather Picard Gianna Bielenda Cantors Marguerite Heinimann Rectory Assistant Toni Munoz Sacristan Mass Schedule Confessions on Saturdays from 3:45-4:30p.m. Vigil Mass: Saturday at 5:00p.m. Sunday Masses: 8:30 & 10:30 a.m. Daily Mass: (Mon. - Fri.) 9:00 a.m. Recitation of the Rosary before 9:00 a.m. daily Mass Sacrament of Baptism By previous appointment Sundays at 12:30 p.m. in the Baptistry of the Chapel. Weddings Please contact a priest 6-10 months prior. New Parishioners and Faith Formation Registration The Church of the Incarnation welcomes new parishioners. All forms are available at the main entrance of the church. Please mail or place in the collection basket. You may also visit our website for printable forms at: Rectory Hours 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Rectory Fax Church Faith Formation Website address: (860) (860) cincarnation@sbcglobal.net (860) gotellit@aol.com

2 Page Two The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas).December 25, 2016 SATURDAY, DECEMBER 24TH CHRISTMAS EVE 5:00pm For all our parishioners 12 Midnight For all our parishioners SUN., DEC., 25TH CHRISTMAS DAY 8:30am For all our parishioners 10:30am For all our parishioners MONDAY, DECEMBER 26TH 9:00am Sarah Ann Marie Privitera, Myles Connolly Sr., Mark Rioux and Nicholas Damato Jr. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 27TH 9:00am John Robinson & Baby Sienna WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 28TH 9:00am Nancy Cavallaro, Loreto DiMattia, Vincenzo & Maria Frederica DiMattia & Alessandra DiMattia. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 29TH 9:00am For all our parishioners FRIDAY, DECEMBER 30TH 9:00am Deceased members of the Men s Club & Women s Club SATURDAY, DECEMBER 31ST 5:00pm David Dolge SUNDAY, JANUARY 1ST :30am For all our parishioners 10:30am Anthony W. Melillo The Sanctuary Candle will burn from 12/26/2016 1/1/2017 in memory of John Robinson & Baby Sienna. The Blessed Virgin Mary Candle will burn from 12/26/2016-1/1/2017 in memory of Mary Sposato. Because Christmas falls on a Sunday this year, the first collection as usual will be for our parish. There will be a second collection to give all an opportunity to contribute for Christmas Flowers. Our Christmas Environment Through the kind generosity of two of our parishioners we have added to our Christmas Nativity: the camel and the seated ox. They have now become part of our permanent Fontanini statuary. The ornaments that adorn the trees on the altar, the wreaths, the swags at the windows, and wall hangings in the narthex are all handmade by one of our flower ministers. They are made with all natural materials gathered locally: stems, leaves, berries, pinecones and flowers. Through these endeavors we celebrate creation and life and we honor God the Father, Creator of heaven and earth. We are grateful to our flower ministers, men and women of our parish, who creatively work to design a prayerful Christmas environment for all of us. Also you will see the Messenger Angel at the Saint Joseph altar. This statue has also been donated to the parish. The scripture related to Saint Joseph and the angels is framed and accompanies the display. We are humbled by the outpouring of time, talent and treasure among our parishioners to make our Christmas decorating beautiful and a source of prayer for all who look upon it. We invite you to visit our new statue The Messenger Angel located at the St. Joseph Altar.

3 Page Three The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas).December 25, 2016 A Christmas Blessing Last Friday, it was an honor for me to represent the Confirmation 2016 Class as I presented a check for the CCMC Family Assistance Program in the amount of $2, This was the mission of this wonderful group of teens. They wanted to honor Baby Luke Gary Dunn who passed away from Cancer at the age of 17 months old. The money raised will be placed in a special fund in his memory to help infants, toddlers, children, teens and families who are living with cancer and who are cared for at CCMC on the Pediatric Oncology floor. It is entitled " Pay it Forward" with acts of kindness, such as a gift or a gift card to bring a bit of cheer to the children and their parents. Maryjo and Shane Dunn, Luke's parents and the family assistance staff as well as two oncology nurses who cared for Baby Luke. I also wish to thank the band Fever, our parishioners and the Incarnation Men's Association for their support and generous contribution. Noranne S. Wamester, Pastoral Associate All Faith Formation communities from Grades K-8 are in recess until after the New Year. Merry Christmas to All! Children's Liturgy of the Word: Sun., January 8th - 10:30am Mass. Thank you to Faith Formation communities and Youth Ministry members on behalf of the Kids Cafe team for participating in the Goodie Bag collection. Our classes donated over 565 goodie bags to benefit Kids Cafe!! Thank you to Cathy Beers & Phyllis DiFiore for organizing this outreach!! May there be harmony in all relationships. May sharp words, envious thoughts and hostile feelings be dissolved. May you give and receive love generously. May this love echo in your heart like the joy of church bells on a clear December day. May each person who comes into your life be greeted as another Christ. May the honor given the Babe of Bethlehem be that which you extend to every guest who enters your presence. May the hope of this sacred season settle in your soul. May it be a foundation of courage for you when times of distress occupy your inner land. May the wonder and awe that fills the eyes of children be awakened within you. May it lead you to renewed awareness and appreciation of whatever you too easily take for granted. May the bonds of love for one another be strengthened as you gather with your family and friends around the table of festivity and nourishment. May you daily open the gift of your life and be grateful for the hidden treasures it contains. May the coming year be one of good health for you. May you have energy and vitality. May you care well for your body, mind and spirit. May you keep your eye on the star within you and trust this luminescent Presence to guide and direct you each day. May you go to the Bethlehem of your heart and visit the One who offers you peace. May you bring this peace to the world. Out of the Ordinary by Joyce Rupp May you have a Blessed Christmas and Peaceful New Year. Noranne S. Wamester, Pastoral Associate

4 Page Four The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas)..December 25, 2016 Solemnity of A Weekly Bible Study the Nativity of the Lord Luke 2:1-14 On this solemn feast of Christ s nativity one of the Gospel proclamations draws us to the familiar images we have come to cherish: a swaddled newborn resting in a manger, warmed by stable animals and adored by common shepherds. There is much more here than meets the eye! In his book, The Infancy Narratives: Jesus of Nazareth, Pope Benedict XVI offers us several glimpses into the mystery surrounding these touching images. He begins by telling us that the child stiffly wrapped in bandages is seen as prefiguring the hour of his death: from the outset he is the sacrificial victim and his manger a kind of altar. He goes on to iterate St. Augustine s view of the manger as a place where animals fed: But now, lying in the manger, is he who called himself the true bread come down from heaven, the true nourishment that we need to be fully ourselves. While we traditionally sing of the ox and ass keeping time, the Gospels do not refer to the animals surrounding the manger. However, reference can be made to the prophet Isaiah: The ox knows its owner and the ass its master s crib, but Israel, my people, does not understand. As Pope Benedict explains, two animals, ox and ass, representing humanity made up of Jews and Gentiles, now learns to recognize the Savior and receive the true revelation. The first witnesses of this great manifestation are the lowly shepherds whose nighttime watchfulness has prepared their hearts. These individuals represent God s first love, the poor of Israel. Jesus, the Great Shepherd of humankind, is born into poverty, born among shepherds. It is the humble, holy shepherds guarding their flocks by night, who now behold The Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Come, let us adore Him. Wishing everyone a Most Blessed Christmas!!

5 Page Five The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas).December 25, 2016 A Child is born for us; A Son is given to us. Such good news deserves to be heard. Are you willing to proclaim the tidings of great joy to the world! Consider becoming a priest or religious. Call Fr. Jeffrey Gubbiotti, Director of Vocations, Archdiocesan Center at St. Thomas Seminary, Tel. (860) , or contact him via at: vocations@aohct.org or visit the web at Join us at The Church of the Incarnation the First Friday of the month at 9:30am, Blessed Sacrament Chapel, for Vocations Holy Hour. world. PRAYER FOR PEACE: Join us at Incarnation Church 30 minutes prior to 9am Daily Mass to pray for peace in the troubled areas of our We will begin accepting the 2018 Masses, Sanctuary & Blessed Virgin Mary Candles on Wednesday, January 4, 2017 at 10am and not prior to that date. Please keep in mind that our parish has a large number of parishioners who remember their loved ones with Memorial Masses and we request that you limit your Masses to 2 per household. Thanks Fr. Moran. Join The Wethersfield Knights of Columbus for Dinner at Bertucci's restaurant on the Berlin Turnpike in Newington. Pick up a Flyer & Coupon at the exits of the Church to enjoy a good family meal and help raise money for the Knights of Columbus's local charities. This is an on going event on the last Tuesday of each month. SAVE THE DATE: The men's retreat for all men of the parish will be FEB 24-26, 2017 at the Holy Family Retreat Center in West Hartford. This year's theme is: The Light of Simplicity. Visit their website at LOVE Let those who never loved before, love now: Let those who always loved, love the more. Anonymous Thank you to all who recently donated to our Annual Collection Fund. We have collected $98, towards our goal of $100,000. We continue to gratefully receive donations. Fr. Moran Corpus Christi Church in Wethersfield will have a memorial Mass for Reverend Thomas B. Campion on what would have been the 64th Anniversary of his Ordination: Tuesday, Dec. 27th at 7pm at Corpus Christi Church. LEARNED AT HOME The mind of Christ is to be learned in the family. Strength of character may be acquired at work, but beauty of character is learned at home. Henry Drummond

6 Page Six The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas).December 25, 2016 Christmas Schedule of Masses: Chr istmas Eve Masses: Sat., 12/24 5pm & 12 midnight. Christmas Day Masses: Sunday, 12/25 8:30am and 10:30am. The Choir will sing 45 minutes pr ior to the 5:00pm Mass on Christmas Eve and 15 minutes prior to the Midnight Mass. Rectory closed on December 26th. Emergency calls only please. Wishing everyone a Blessed Christmas! New Year s Mass Schedule: THE SOLEMNITY OF MARY, THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD MASSES WILL BE HELD ON SATURDAY, DECEMBER 31ST AT 5PM. and SUNDAY, JANUARY 1, 2017 AT 8:30AM & 10:30AM. Rectory closed on Monday J anuar y 2, Emer gency calls only please. PLEASE ENJOY THESE PICTURES OF OUR LIVING NATIVITY, OUR YOUTH MINISTRY FILLING GOODIE BAGS FOR THE KIDS CAFÉ AT THE HOUSE OF BREAD AND CHRISTMAS CAROLING. IT S SO WONDERFUL TO SEE THE YOUTH OF OUR PARISH INVOLVED IN THEIR PARISH MINISTRIES.

7 Page Seven The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas).December 25, 2016 THE GIFT OF GOD S WORD On this day of gifts and gift giving, it seems appropriate that we take a moment to reflect on the great gift of God s Word. Because it is creative, God s Word always points to its author, always calls us to respond. Because it is powerful, God s Word can link the sublime with the ridiculous, the transcendent with the immanent, the divine with the human. Because it is graceful, God s Word establishes a relationship of deep intimacy between us and God. At the heart of God s Word lies a tantalizing tension between the mysterious and the mundane. In our liturgical celebration, this unresolved tension both reveals the meaning of life for us and calls us to respond, to act upon that meaning. Once accepted and opened, the gift of God s Word is a gift that keeps on giving and keeps on calling us to give in return. It dares us to be like the gift giver and to become gifts for others, not only at Christmas, but at every moment of life. TODAY S READINGS First Reading All the ends of the earth will behold the salvation of our God (Isaiah 52:7-10). Psalm All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God (Psalm 98). Second Reading God has spoken to us through the Son, the very imprint of God s being (Hebrews 1:1-6). Gospel The Word became flesh; from his fullness we have all received grace (John 1:1-18 [1-5, 9-14]). READINGS FOR THE WEEK Monday: Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59; Ps 31:3cd-4, 6, 8ab, 16bc, 17; Mt 10:17-22 Tuesday: 1 Jn 1:1-4; Ps 97:1-2, 5-6, 11-12; Jn 20:1a, 2-8 Wednesday: 1 Jn 1:5 2:2; Ps 124:2-5, 7b-8; Mt 2:13-18 Thursday: 1 Jn 2:3-11; Ps 96:1-3, 5b-6; Lk 2:36-40 Friday: Sir 3:2-6, or Col 3:12-21 [12-17]; Ps 128:1-5; Mt 2:13-15, Saturday: 1 Jn 2:18-21; Ps 96:1-2, 11-13; Jn 1:1-18 Sunday: Nm 6:22-27; Ps 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8; Gal 4:4-7; Lk 2:16-21 SAINTS AND SPECIAL OBSERVANCES Sunday: The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas) Monday: St. Stephen; Kwanzaa begins Tuesday: St. John Wednesday: The Holy Innocents Thursday: St. Thomas Becket; Fifth Day within the Octave of the Nativity of the Lord Friday: The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph Saturday: St. Sylvester I; New Year s Eve Seventh Day within the Octave of the Nativity of the Lord TREASURES FROM OUR TRADITION An old joke asks, What time is Midnight Mass? The answer is not really obvious, since Christmas is unique in having several distinct celebrations. The readings and prayers vary greatly from hour to hour. The Vigil Mass hinges on the family heritage of Jesus and his origins. The concept of midnight predates clock time, and really has to do with a celebration in the hours of darkness. Years ago, it was not possible to receive Communion without fasting for a full day, so the late hour of this Mass made it possible for the people to receive. The first Mass after sunrise, the Mass at Dawn, was once known as The Shepherds Mass, and later Masses set aside stories of Jesus birth to focus on the key to the day s celebration: John the Evangelist s majestic theology of Christ s identity as the Word made flesh, dwelling among us. One feast, four separate Masses. Only monasteries manage the whole round. Parishioners typically take just one entry point into the mystery. Yet there is much to savor and celebrate in the coming of Christ into the world. Christmas is not a day, but a season. You still have two weeks to send those Christmas cards before you re officially late! The Nativity of the Lord December 25, 2016 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:5

8 Page Eight The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas).December 25, 2016 Saint Joseph and the Angels The Birth of Jesus Christ from the Gospel of St. Ma hew: Chapters 1 and 2 This was the way that Jesus Christ was born. His mother Mary was engaged to Joseph, but before they were married she found out that she was going to have a baby by the Holy Spirit. Joseph, to whom she was engaged, was a man who always did what was right; but he did not want to disgrace Mary publicly, so he made plans to secretly break the engagement. That night while he slept an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, Joseph, do not be afraid to take Mary to be your wife. For it is by the Holy Spirit that she has conceived. She will give birth to a son and you will name him Jesus. So when Joseph woke up he did what the angel of the Lord had told him to do and married Mary. Jesus was born in Bethlehem, in the land of Judea, during the me when Herod was King. Some men who studied the stars came from the east to Jerusalem and asked, Where is the baby born to be the King of the Jews? We saw the star when it came up in the east and we have come to worship him. When King Herod heard about this he was very upset. He asked his chief priests and teachers of the Law, Where will the Messiah be born? In the town of Bethlehem, in Judea, they answered. Herod called the visitors from the east and found out from them the exact me the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem with these instruc ons: Go and make a careful search for the child and when you find him let me know that I might also go to worship him. With this they le, and on their way they saw the star and it went ahead of them un l it came and stopped over the place where the child was. They knelt down and worshiped him. God warned these kingly men in a dream not to go back to Herod; so they went back to their country by another road. A er they had le, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph and said, Get up, take the child and his mother and run away to Egypt, and stay there un l I tell you to leave. Herod will be looking for the child to kill him. Joseph got up, took the child and his mother, and le during the night for Egypt.