THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT

HOLY TRINITY PARISH Hudson and Germantown, New York 429 E. Allen St. P. O. Box 323 Hudson, NY 12534 December 16, 2018 PHONE: (518) 828-1334 WEBSITE: www.holytrinityhudson.org E-MAIL: holytrinityhudson@gmail.com THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT VERY REV. ANTHONY BARRATT, E.V. Pastor DEACON RICHARD WASHBURN Deacon REV. WINSTON BATH Pastor Emeritus

ADVENT SUNDAY THREE (YEAR C) WHAT SHALL WE DO? REJOICE! Our continuing journey of Advent can seem so brief and it is hard to imagine that in just over a week we will be celebrating the great feast of Christmas together. As we have seen over the first two weeks of Advent, our Scripture readings give us markers or signs to guide us through this season and so to help us prepare for the coming of Jesus. So far we have had the two spiritual guides, first of watching and waiting and then of being God s co-workers by preparing a way for the Lord. Our sign post or guide for this third week is a simple and yet potentially quite difficult message: rejoice, for the Lord is near! Today we celebrate what is sometimes called Gaudete or rejoicing Sunday, echoing the first words of the entrance antiphon for the Mass. We are asked to rejoice because the coming of our Lord and Savior is near. This theme of rejoicing is marked in our readings, as well as the prayers at Mass and in the option of having rose colored vestments and Advent Wreath candle (rose being a mix of the purple of Advent and the white of Christmas). The word joy occurs so many times in the Sacred Scriptures in both the Old and the New Testaments and yet it is not always an easy word to understand, yet alone to live. It can be hard to be joyful if we are experiencing loss, or hurt, or a crisis in our lives. We can think of all the recent natural disasters, or of acts of violence and of terrorism here in the USA (and in so many other places too), or of the ongoing abuse scandal. Joy can also seem to be something fleeting or even superficial, or frustratingly elusive. With Christmas fast approaching, perhaps we are not feeling the joy of the coming season! So, when as Christians we speak of joy (rather like other everyday words such as love, or peace, or freedom ) we need to recall that the word has a very particular meaning. As always, our Sunday Scripture readings help us The First Reading: Zephaniah 3: 14-18. As with the prophet Baruch last week, we rarely hear words from the prophet Zephaniah. Like Baruch, he was a contemporary of the prophet Jeremiah and so he was writing at a time of great tribulation for Israel. Despite this, his message is one of hope and joy, for the Lord comes to his people. Perhaps the greatest temptation we face is to be discouraged and so his message is as good for us as it was more than 2,500 years ago. Unusually, our psalm response is not a psalm at all, but rather a song from the prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 12: 2-3, 4, 5-6). It picks up this theme of joyful confidence and trust, rather than fear and despondency. Why? Because God is our courage and strength, especially in adversity, and because He is with us and walks with us (or even carries us!). We continue our reading of St. Paul s Letter to the Philippians (Philippians 4; 4-7). There can be no doubt about his message: rejoice! We should remember that St. Paul did not write this glibly or superficially. He had suffered much and is now imprisoned. Despite all this, he exhorts his readers to rejoice. Note that we rejoice not in ourselves, but rather in the Lord. Furthermore, practical as ever, he gives us attitudes and actions that can help this spirit of rejoicing: being thankful, praying and acts of kindness. Once again we meet that great Advent figure of St. John the Baptist in our Gospel (Luke 3: 10-18). There is an atmosphere of anticipation and excitement that the time of the Messiah is coming. Notice that a key and very practical question is therefore asked by various groups or characters: what must we do? Their questions could well be ours. To the crowds, the answer is act with love. To the tax collectors the answer is be just and honest in your dealings with people. To the soldiers (who we should remember were probably mercenaries) the answer is, do not abuse your power or position. We all probably have our Christmas to do list (or honey do list, or both!). Hopefully, many of the things on that list have a tick or done by them. What about the spiritual preparation list of things to do? Perhaps we could spend a little more time in prayer even though, or perhaps because, we are so busy. Perhaps we can visit someone who is lonely, or perhaps respond to an appeal for help. Whatever we do in the busy week ahead, let it be done for the Lord who is coming soon. Father Anthony

THE WEEK AHEAD SUNDAY, December 16 Gingerbread House Sale - 8:30 a.m. - St. Mary s Church Christmas Open House - 2:30-4:00 p.m. - St. Mary s Church Rectory WEDNESDAY, December 19 The Friendly Kitchen - 4:30 p.m. - Salvation Army Building at 3rd and Allen St. The Gathering - 7:30 P.M. - St. Mary s Academy THURSDAY, December 20 Our Lady of Grace Prayer Group 6:30 p.m. - St. Mary s Church SUNDAY, December 23 Christmas Pageant - 10:00 a.m. St. Mary s Church Please note - Friendly Kitchen Change After 15 years of cooking for Friendly Kitchen, we are baby stepping back due to a lack of help. Sooooo, we will still be responsible for the 3rd Wednesday of each month; however, anyone interested in helping should just arrive at the Friendly Kitchen site at the corner of 3rd and Allen Streets at 4:30 pm to help set up and serve dinner. Re-igniting Our Faith is a diocesan campaign that will ensure that our parish communities, ministries and programs will continue to serve our brothers and sisters in Christ. We must act now so that we may share our rich faith with generations to come. Please join us in re-igniting our faith by participating in our local parish campaign. More information will be forthcoming. YOU ARE ALL INVITED to an Open House at the Rectory (Hudson) Sunday, December 16, 2018-2:30-4:00 P.M. Afternoon tea (and coffee, punch, etc.) will be served! Come and visit for even just a few minutes. It will be great to see you. SOS for Local Needy Families! The Mental Health s Children & Family Services has put out an urgent SOS for persons willing to adopt a child, or a whole family, for Christmas. These families are those who fall either at or just above the poverty level, thereby not qualifying for any programs. I have TONS of names, with gift suggestions for each person in need. If you would like to help, please contact Maura Nedwell, or drop in the Academy on Sunday between 9:00 am and 4:00 pm. THANK YOU! Bus Trip to Radio City Christmas Show Sponsored by Parish of St. Christopher and St. Sylvia in Red Hook on Thursday December 27, 2018 Cost of $85 per person includes show and bus transportation. For more information please call St. Christopher rectory office at 845-758-3732. God s Blessings upon Hazel Whittaker and her family on the occasion of her recent Baptism. Welcome to God s family and to the community of Holy Trinity Parish! HEAP - The State s Home Energy Assistance Program helps low income folks pay for heating costs during the winter. Peter Meyer and Susan Troy of our parish, have offered to assist those who qualify with necessary forms. He can be reached at 518-929-6505.

The following Eucharistic Moment has been shared by the perpetual Adoration Committee to promote Eucharistic adoration: Sunday, December 16 The Eucharist is the full realization of the worship which humanity owes to God, and it cannot be copared to any other religious experience... The risen Lord... calls the faithful together to give them the light of His Word and the nourishment of His Body as the perennial sacramental wellspring of redemption. The grace flowing from this wellspring renews mankind, life, and history. - Pope John Paul II, Dies Domini, Pentecost Sunday, May 31, 1998 PLEASE HELP OUR TEENS GET TO THE NATIONAL CATHOLIC YOUTH CONFERENCE! We have 12 teens who wish to attend the National Catholic Youth Conference in Indianapolis in November 2019. Families contribute a portion of the money in order for this to occur, but we rely on fundraising for the remainder of the money. Making and selling BEAUTIFUL gingerbread houses is our kick-off fundraiser of the year! Houses will be on sale the weekend of December 15th & 16th for $10 each -- Please support our teens! EUCHARISTIC ADORATION TESTIMONIAL Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament was something I d heard of but never bothered to attend. That all changed in a moment. One day I was near St. Mary s Church in Hudson and decided to stop in for solitary prayer. I went through the side door which meant I crossed in front of the altar on my way to a pew. I saw no one was in the pews but as I neared the altar I knew someone was looking at me. I spun around with a gasp feeling strongly that the priest was conducting mass and I d rudely walked before the altar. but no one was there. I saw the Monstrance on the altar with the Blessed Host enshrined.and immediately began to weep. I bowed low and stood weeping for a long time. I weep now remembering. It was Him! He was there. I felt it in my heart. It was overwhelming and humbling. I felt unworthy of this magnificent gift. I felt regret for all the missed opportunities. Now I attend Adoration whenever I am able and feel fortunate that St. Mary s is now host to Perpetual Adoration at Our Lady of Victory Chapel. B.A. at St. Mary s Hudson RESPECT LIFE Two immediate Pro Life battles face us today: NYS s intended expansion of abortion to include partial birth abortion and the fight to keep NY from being the next state to legalize euthanasia. There is much to be done, please volunteer to help raise the alarm. Contact Steve and Betsy Acciani 518-392-4699 or Dawn Meyer 518-828-8412. Cookie and Bake Sale The Christian Service Committee would like to thank everyone for their generosity and participation in the Cookie Sale last weekend, the bakers, the buyers and the workers. Sacrificial Giving HUDSON Regular Offertory Last Weekend (Dec.9)... $ 5,762.00 Utilities. 266.00 Seminarian Support.. 461.00 Christmas Flowers 886.00 Feast of the Immaculate Conception... 1,367.00 GERMANTOWN Regular Offertory Last Weekend (Dec.9)...... $1,899.00 Utilities. 100.00 Seminarian Support. 65.00

READINGS AND HYMNS (HUDSON) Reading: p. 39 Opening Hymn: # 38 Closing: # 45 The sacraments are wonderful gifts from God to us. 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 2.30-3.45 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 16 Sunday: Zep 3:14-18a/Is 12:2-3, 4, 5-6 [6]/Phil 4:4-7/Lk 3:10-18 Monday: Gn 49:2, 8-10/Ps 72:1-2, 3-4ab, 7-8, 17 [cf. 7]/Mt 1:1-17 Tuesday: Jer 23:5-8/Ps 72:1-2, 12-13, 18-19 [cf. 7]/Mt 1:18-25 Wednesday: Jgs 13:2-7, 24-25a/Ps 71:3-4a, 5-6ab, 16-17 [cf. 8] /Lk 1:5-25 Thursday: Is 7:10-14/Ps 24:1-2, 3-4ab, 5-6 [cf. 7c and 10b] /Lk 1:26-38 Friday: Sg 2:8-14 or Zep 3:14-18a/Ps 33:2-3, 11-12, 20-21 [1a; 3a]/Lk 1:39-45 Saturday: 1 Sm 1:24-28/1 Sm 2:1, 4-5, 6-7, 8abcd [cf. 1a] /Lk 1:46-56 Next Sunday: Mi 5:1-4a/Ps 80:2-3, 15-16, 18-19 [4] /Heb 10:5-10/Lk 1:39-45 MASSES FOR THIS WEEK MONDAY: Weekday (Dec. 17) 7:15 AM Bubby Clow - Wife and Family Richard Van Deusen - Judy McDonald Ruth Lynch - Mr. & Mrs. Host Marzall TUESDAY: Weekday (Dec. 18) 7:15 AM James Walker - Family Richard Van Deusen - Mark & Cathy French Patricia Karic - Pat Hart WEDNESDAY: Weekday (Dec. 19) 7:15 AM Ruth Lynch - Regina Fritz Richard Van Deusen - Rosa Pfeil Patricia Karic - Vera & Tom Colwell THURSDAY: Weekday (Dec. 20) 7:15 AM Harry Portz - Nancy Portz Richard Van Deusen - Catholic Daughters Columbia #248 Patricia Karic - Nettie Shallo FRIDAY: Weekday (Dec. 21) 7:15 AM Edward J. Ziemba - Ed & Nancy Ziemba Steven & Margaret Molnar, Sr. - James & Kelly Schermerhorn Patricia Karic - Maryann Makas 9:00 AM Kathryn McDonald - Jane & Bill Martin (G TWN) FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT SATURDAY VIGIL MASS: (Dec. 22) 4:00 PM Francis Keeler - Family (HUD) John & Eva Pankisky - Grandaughter, Marlene & Charles Polisky Gertrude Gray - Kimberly Gray Christopher J. Groll - Family 5:30 PM Marilyn Donahue - Caragine Family (G TWN) Living and Deceased of the Parish SUNDAY MORNING MASS: (Dec. 23) 9:00 AM Martin T. McHale - Family (HUD) Patsy P. Tanzillo - David B. Dolan Help Needed! After the 9:00 Mass on Sunday, December 16 th, we will be bringing the statues and other parts of our Christmas decorations out of storage. On Monday, December 17 th at 9:00 a.m. we will be constructing the framework for our Christmas display, and later that evening at 5:30 p.m. we will be hanging the greens. We would be most grateful for the help of anyone who can pitch in for awhile.