Chelmsford Catholic Collaborative Home to St. Mary and St. John the Evangelist Parish Families Parish Offices located at 115 Middlesex Street, North Chelmsford, Massachusetts, 01863 (978) 251-8571 (978) 256-2374 fax (978) 293-0303 churches@chelmsfordcatholic.org Just as our Blessed Mother Mary and the Evangelist, called John, came together at the foot of the cross to serve Christ crucified, so also do the parish families bearing their names come together to serve each other and all who make up the body of The Risen Lord. WWW.SAINTJOHNCHELMSFORD.ORG WWW.SAINT-MARY.ORG 9 Jesus said to them in reply, Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind regain their sight, the lame walk, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have the good news proclaimed to them. Matt 11:4-5 December 11, 2016: Third Sunday of Advent
The Parish Family of Saint John the Evangelist, North Chelmsford, Massachusetts page 2 Faith Formation Fran Anderson: ext 212 or fran@chelmsfordcatholic.org Faith Formation Classroom WEDNESDAY, December 14th Grade K-6. 4:15-5:30 pm OPC & NPC Grade 7 & 8 6:00-7:30 pm NPC & Hall NEXT SUNDAY, December 18th Grade K-6 9:45-11:00 am OPC & NPC Grade 7 & 8 9:30-11:30 am NPC & Hall Grade 9 11:30 am - 1:15 pm Hall DINE TO DONATE Youth Ministry Fundraiser Order in or take out from UNO s Pizzeria in Nashua THIS Thursday, December 15th and a percentage of your bill will be donated to Chelmsford Collaborative Youth Ministry! A ticket will need to be presented in order for us to receive the donation credit. Get yours today by visiting our website or stopping by the parish office. 2016 Parish Auction Sunday, December 18th following the 8:30 am Mass (credit cards are accepted), Youth Ministry Courtney Callanan: ext 227 or ccallanan@chelmsfordcatholic.org followed by HS YOUTH GROUP GATHERING La Salette Shrine Pilgrimage Friday, December 16th La Salette Shrine s Christmas Festival of Lights in Attleboro features over 300,000 lights, as well as over 300 crèches from all over the world. If interested, contact Courtney. We will leave St. John s Parking Lot at 4:30 pm House of Hope 812 Merrimack Street, Lowell LIMITED SLOTS FILL UP EARLY, so SIGN UP TODAY for the December 15th and/or future visits by contacting Laura Zatta at lkzatta@gmail.com. DO NOT WAIT until the day of the event to sign up. FUTURE DATES: January 5, 12, 26; February 9, 23; March 9, 16 Once a month, we serve meals to those less fortunate than ourselves. We leave the St. John s parking lot at 3:30 pm and return by 7:30 pm. To sign up for the December 23rd date, contact Barbara at dwsmiths@comcast.net or 978-649-6745. BRING A FRIEND!
page 3 Christmas Decorating Help is needed to decorate the Church for the arrival of the Christ Child on Christmas. If you can help, please join us on Thursday, December 22nd at 12:00 noon. Sign-up sheets can be found in the New Parish Center lobby. If you have any questions, please contact Paul at ciotti@chelmsfordcatholic.org. Rose for Life In Memory of Jon Doherty Always in our Hearts. Love You! Mom & Brothers Rose Donated St. Vincent de Paul Please bring in one or two nonperishable items to church with you NEXT weekend, December 17th/18th. You can drop them off to the pantry located in the entrance way to the right of the stage in the church hall. Thank you for helping us to help them! by Blossoms Florist December 11th, 2016: Third Sunday of Advent Children s Choir to lead the music at the 4 pm Christmas Eve Mass Rehearsal Dates are as follows: Sunday, December 11th 3:00-4:00 PM Sunday, December 18th 3:00-4:00 PM Friday, December 23rd 5:00-6:00 PM Boys please wear a white shirt, a Christmas tie and dress pants. Girls... please wear Christmas colors. St. Mary BOOK CLUB January Meeting Christmas Season 2016 Solemnity of the Nativity of our Lord Saturday, December 24th/ Sunday 25th St. Mary: 24th: 4 pm (church & hall), 6 pm & Midnight 25th: 7, 9 & 11 am (NO 6 pm Mass) St. John: 24th: 4 pm (church & hall) & 10 pm 25th: 830 &1030 am (NO 5 pm Mass) Solemnity of Mary, Holy Mother of God Sunday, January 1st St. Mary: Saturday, December 31st at 4 pm Sunday, January 1st at 7, 9, 11 am & 6 pm St. John: Saturday, December 31st at 4 pm Sunday, January 1st at 8:30, 10:30 am & 5 pm Epiphany of Our Lord Sunday January 8th St. Mary: Saturday, January 7th at 4 pm Sunday, January 8th at 7, 9, 11 am & 6 pm St. John: Saturday, January 7th at 4 pm Sunday, January 8th at 830, 1030 am & 5 pm
The Parish Family of Saint John the Evangelist, North Chelmsford, Massachusetts page 4 Welcome to the Season of Parish Calendar Advent Confession Schedule November 28th - December 23rd 2016 Advent Mission Called to be Disciples in Mission Presented by Fr. Arnold Colletti Monday, December 12 ~ Wednesday, December 14 7:00-8:00 pm at St. Mary Church Night One December 12 The Coming of Christ Night Two December 13 The Call of Christ Night Three December 14 Serving Christ & Others with Your Gifts* * refreshments and fellowship following ~ Faith Formation Class Schedule on Page 2 ~ SUNDAY, DECEMBER 11 Coffee & Donuts following 8:30 AM Mass: Hall 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM: African Liturgy Committee Mtg: OPC 12:30 PM: Group Baptism: Church 5:00-8:00 PM: Giving Tree Ministry Gift Sorting: Hall 6:00 PM: Collaborative Youth Mass: SM Church 7:00 PM: High School Youth Gathering & Dinner SM Parish Hall MONDAY, DECEMBER 12 7:00-8:00 PM: Advent Confession: St. Mary Church TUESDAY, DECEMBER 13 Tuesday Morning Coffee Group, following 9:00 am Mass 6:30-9:00 PM: Men s ACTS Retreat Meeting: OPC THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15 10:00 AM: Charismatic Prayer Group: OPC 6:45 PM: BINGO (doors open at 3:00 PM): Hall YM: House of Hope: Lowell, MA FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16 4:30 PM: YM La Salette Shrine Mission Trip 6:00 PM: African Rosary Group: OPC 7:00-8:00 PM: Advent Confession: Church ~ SVdP Food Collection this weekend ~ SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17 2:00-6:00 PM: Christmas Bake Sale: Hall 3:00-3:45 PM: Confession: Church 10:30 AM - 12:00 NOON: Sibling Support Group: OPC SUNDAY, DECEMBER 18 8:00-10:30 AM: Christmas Bake Sale: Hall Coffee & Donuts following 8:30 AM Mass: Hall 12:30 PM: Monthly African Liturgy: Church 3:00-4:00 PM: Children s Choir Rehearsal: Church
page 5 MON, DEC 12 This Week s Readings SAT, DEC 17 TUES, DEC 13 THUR, DEC 15 SUN, DEC 18 WED, DEC 14 FRI, DEC 16 YOUR WORD IS A LAMP UNTO MY FEET AND A LIGHT UNTO MY PATH -PSALM 119:105 Today is Gaudete Sunday! Gaudete means "rejoice!" Our Scriptures provide us with wonderful images of healing, restoration, and justice. St. James reminds us to be patient as the coming of the Lord is at hand. But it is the prophet Isaiah who provides the encouragement we so desperately need. Our world and our country are in need of peace. We long for God's justice, which does not bring retribution but equity. Isaiah shows us that if we walk with God all of these things can be ours, not only in the future but now. Eternal Father, We lift up to you these and all priests around the world. Sanctify them. Heal and guide them. Mold them into the likeness and holiness of your Son, Jesus, the Eternal High Priest. MON, May their lives be pleasing to you. DEC 12 In Jesus name we pray. Amen., TUES, DEC 13 FRI, DEC 16 WED, DEC 14 SAT, DEC 17 THUR, DEC 15 SUN, DEC 18 December 11th, 2016: Third Sunday of Advent SATURDAY, DECEMBER 10TH 4:00 PM: Barbara A. Regan SUNDAY, DECEMBER 11TH 8:30 AM: Lawrence Burke 10:30 AM: Priscilla Rega 5:00 PM: Deceased Members of the Maiullari, Clune & Cryan Families WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 14TH 9:00 AM: Todd LaCourse SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17TH 4:00 PM: Richard Sheridan SUNDAY, DECEMBER 18TH 8:30 AM: Ann Lizotte 10:30 AM: Nicholas Denisevich (14th Anniversary) 5:00 PM: For the People of the Parish If you would like to request that a Mass be celebrated for a specific intention or person, please call the parish office and speak with Eileen or Rae. A donation of $10 per Mass intention is requested to be made at the time that you request your intention. May the souls of the faithful departed, especially Elizabeth Copp, Sheryl Lee McEnaney and Phyllis Clark, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen. As we enter the season of colds, flus and viruses, we encourage parishioners to exercise discretion in shaking hands at the Sign of Pease when they are either recovering from, have been exposed to, or are afraid that may be coming down with an illness if they have concerns about the strength of their own immune system in resisting disease. A friendly smile, wave and/or slight shake of the head is always an acceptable substitute in wintertime...
The Parish Family of Saint John the Evangelist, North Chelmsford, Massachusetts page 6 From our Pastor!
page 7 December 11th, 2016: Third Sunday of Advent FROM OUR DIRECTOR OF FAITH FORMATION, HEATHER HANNAWAY Itty Bitty Baby from Baltimore I was visiting with a friend back home and asked if I could take her daughter to see an a cappella group for an evening performance, and give them an opportunity for a much coveted date night. I just love a cappella music and was sure the little one would really enjoy it, and it was a venue and seating arrangement that would allow me a few quiet snuggles with little Sarah. I watched her animated face more, as she watched the performance, than I actually watched the evening s entertainment. One of her favorite songs of the evening was the song, Itty Bitty Baby from Bethlehem. When I finally got her home, she could not contain her enjoyment as she told her parents about our evening together. When her mom asked her what her favorite song was, she proudly announced, Itty Bitty Baby from Baltimore. You know, she said, the Christmas baby. Of course, we all laughed and then I explained to her the Christmas baby s name is Jesus, and he was born in Bethlehem, not Baltimore, and gave her a little background on the story and why he was and still is such an important baby to so many. She looked at her parents and very accusatorially asked them, Why haven t you told me about him before? I winked at her parents and said, You guys have a lot of work to do! Before I came home I got her a little book on the first Christmas, and had a very good conversation with her parents on faith, and beginning some latent faith formation for little Sarah. I have thought a great deal about that visit. I don t know why I was surprised she did not know about Jesus or who he was, because we have dozens of children in our Faith Formation classes with which I have shared similar conversations. Just a few weeks ago I had the privilege of teaching a group of 5th grade boys who I rarely get to spend one- on-one time with anymore. They were fantastic listeners and very earnest during the lesson, and then one of them asked me to explain the whole Church thing to him. I asked him what he meant by that and he said, You know the thing you do when you re upstairs. My heart sank. Here before me was the purest little soul who had such a desire to know what the whole Church thing was all about. The beauty of the lesson was not my teaching, but the very serious way the other boys in the group talked about their experience of going to Mass with him. They all pretty much said that they found it a little boring, but one fellow said, it s really about Jesus being with us, and us giving him some of our time to say Hi and thank you, so he will know us and we will know him, and they all agreed that pretty much summed it up. They volunteered to take him to Mass if he wanted to go and he responded That would be cool, I ll ask my Mom about it. Those boys captured my heart not only in their courage to ask questions and be honest about their experience with practicing their faith, but in the kindness and care they gave to their classmate. That is what evangelization is all about. Sharing our faith in the simplest ways with those among us who are lost and searching. During this Advent season, as we prepare our hearts to receive Jesus at Christmas, pray for all those hearts among us who are hungering to know who He is and try to make him present by your words and actions. Then Emmanuel, God with us, will truly be made known and loved this season. 0ur Senior Priest Fr. Colletti
The Parish Family of Saint John the Evangelist, North Chelmsford, Massachusetts page 8 END OF THE YEAR REPORT FISCAL YEAR 2015/16 The Financial Report for the fiscal year 2016 (June 1, 2015 June 30, 2016) is presented here for your review. We are very grateful for the financial support that we received from our parishioners during this past fiscal year. It is your support that has enabled us to actively respond to the spiritual needs of our faith community. It is also important to acknowledge that the generosity of our parish family has favorably impacted the lives of others through the support of the Archdiocesan second collections. This past fiscal year, St. John s collected a total of $62,379 from second collections. INCOME FACTORS: Despite the many revenue blessings received in the past fiscal year, we were not able to reach the offertory and Grand Annual budget, which are the main sources of income to cover our operating expenses. The combined under-budget amount was $47,852. Additional Facts: Offertory income average was $ 8,502/ week; the weekly budget was $9,185 Bingo exceeded budget by $11,550. NET performance was $48,670 $3,000 gift donated for handicap door opener Funerals/Weddings income was over budget by $6,000 Golf Tournament income was $15,625; net performance $9,014 $10,000 received from property claims payoffs EXPENSE FACTORS: The savings on various expense items were undermined by the number of necessary, but non-budgeted, incurred expenses. To list a few the upkeep of our aging buildings; the initial repairs of the front area of the church; the upgrade of office space and equipment for the collaborative office; salary for 2 additional staff members; the implementation of new techniques to improve parish communication and to promote evangelization in our community and some other factors noted in the actual report. Additional Facts: Hired 2 PT staff members [$8,000] and 1 extra bi-wkly. Payroll [$12,659] due to timing issue. New office equipment & building upgrades for Collaborative Offices [$13,167] Savings on heat, maintenance of grounds & household expenses [$4,477] Savings on WC insurance, 401K parish contribution & office equipment rental [$9,110] Evangelization outreach: printing, IT support, mailings and Formation Development [$10,270] Over $27,000 on plumbing repairs due to aging of buildings Last fiscal year, a total of $95,000 was withdrawn from our savings in order to meet operating expenses, leaving us with a total unrestricted cash balance of $82,168 by the end of June 30, 2016 (FY 2015/16) (refer to report). Although the last fiscal year was financially challenging for St. John s, we enter into a new year with renewed hope and complete trust that our Lord will inspire and refresh us, that we are so moved to maintain or increase our financial support of our parish home. The current FY 2016/17 brings its difficulties as well, but it has often been said, and proven, that it is challenging moments such as these, that one is able to focus more intently on what has most meaning in our lives in this case our Catholic Faith rooted in our Parish Family. Advent Blessings to All!! NOTE: FY 2016/17 First Quarter Report will be published in next week s bulletin... Protect your time, and your wallet, by signing up for the WeShare online giving program. You can set up one-time or recurring contributions, which can be modified AT ANY TIME: saving you the time, cost and energy of writing a check EVERY week! Join the growing number of parishioners who contribute in this way. Sign up TODAY! Call Liliana at ext 213, or visit us at www.saintjohnchelmsford.weshareonline.org.
ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST PARISH (#138) Annual Financial Report to Parishioners: Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2016 Fr. Brian E. Mahoney, Pastor Ron Bator, Chair of Finance Council Committee Members: Jeff Brown, Ann Cottle, Frank Peabody, Keith Seitter and Jerry Wright LAST YEAR S GROUND AND FACILITY IMPROVEMENTS
At the heart of the Bible are the Psalms; prayers from God that help us learn to pray. The Holy Spirit inspired them. Israel sang them. Christ himself prayed them, as did our Blessed Mother. These sacred hymns become our heartfelt response to God s loving and wondrous deeds for us. Their words captivate the imagination and draw us into a deeply personal encounter with God. Join Jeff Cavins, Tim Gray and Sarah Christmyer as they show you how to establish a deeply personal dialogue with God through the Psalms. We will meet on twelve consecutive Monday mornings (beginning January 23rd) from 10:00 11:30 am in St. Mary Parish Hall. If we consider that God is the Divine Bridegroom and the Church is his Bride, then the prophets can be seen as spiritual marriage counselors. They afflict the comfortable and comfort the afflicted, calling us to return to our covenant relationship with God. They urge us to repentance, warn us of the dangers of sin, and announce the blessings of faithfulness. Their prophetic words speak to us even today, as they draw us closer to our heavenly bridegroom. We will meet on ten consecutive Tuesday evenings (beginning January 24th) from 7:00-9:00 pm in St. Mary Parish Hall. ~ ~ ~ Today Today is the Third Sunday of Advent The letter of St. James. Four little verses packed with big meaning. Patient or patience appears four time. Do you think he s trying to tell us something? We live in an instant world. The average YouTube video is four minutes, 20 seconds and that is too long for some viewers. Advent is a time to put the brakes on slow down and breathe a little. The world will tell us that time is running out buy, buy, buy. NOW! The Church tells us that Jesus will come whether the stockings are filled or not. Patience... This week, try to build in some quiet time. Really. You can do it. Just five minutes a bit longer than a TV commercial or a YouTube video. Take the time to remember a loved one in prayer. Now, THAT s a gift.. For both the giver and the recipient. \ Join us for a witness speaker, Mass, small group faith sharing and fellowship. ALL are welcome, especially those who have NOT gone on a Cursillo Retreat and are curious to see what it is all about.