Saint Patrick Parish One Cross St., Whitinsville, MA 01588 Christmas 2016
St. Patrick Parish: A Faith Community since 1870 - Rectory Phone: 508-234-5656 MASS SCHEDULE: Saturday: 4:30 PM; Sunday 8:00 AM, 10:00 AM, 5:00 PM ; Monday-Wednesday 8:30 AM Rev. Tomasz Borkowski: Pastor FrTomasz@mystpatricks.com Deacon Patrick Stewart: Deacon DeaconPat@mystpatricks.com Deacon Chris Finan: Deacon DeaconChris@mystpatricks.com OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED ON DECEMBER 26 AND JANUARY 2 Parish Staff Mrs. Christina Pichette: Pastoral Associate to Youth Ministry Christina@mystpatricks.com Mrs. Maryanne Swartz: Coordinator of Children s Ministries Maryanne@mystpatricks.com Sacrament of Reconciliation: Confessions are offered every Saturday from 3:30-4:00 PM in the Church or by calling the Parish Office for an appointment. Members of the family requesting the Mass are asked to bring the gifts of bread and wine to the altar. Please make yourselves known to the lector and sit near the gifts. Sat., 4:30 PM Sat., Midnight + MASS INTENTIONS + Christmas Weekend of Dec. 24/25: + For the People of the Parish + For the People of the Parish Sun., 10:00 AM + For the People of the Parish If school is cancelled or delayed for Northbridge Public Schools due to inclement weather then Mass is cancelled. 8:30 AM Daily Mass Intentions Dec. 26-30: Mr. Kiel Krommer: Music Director Kiel@mystpatricks.com Mrs. Jackie Trottier: Operations Manager Jackie@mystpatricks.com Mrs. Shelly Mombourquette: Administrative Assistant Shelly@mystpatricks.com Mr. Jack Jackson: Cemetery Superintendent: Jack@mystpatricks.com Mrs. Mary Contino: Wedding Coordinator Maryc@mystpatricks.com Ms. Jeanne LeBlanc: Ministry Scheduler Jleblanc@mystpatricks.com Mrs. Marylin Arrigan: Staff Support, Bulletin Marylin@mystpatricks.com Monday + Tuesday + Wednesday + Thursday - No Mass Friday - No Mass Sat., 4:30 PM Sun., 8:00 AM Weekend of Dec. 31/Jan.1: + Geraldine & Raymond Strong - by John & Mary Armstrong + All the Holy Souls in Purgatory - by Helpers of Holy Souls Sun., 10:00 AM + Nelly Vassar - by Pat Vassar Sun., 5:00 PM + Leon Dumais (3rd Anniv.) - by his Family The Mass book is open for the months of January-March. If you would like to book a mass in memory of a loved one please call the rectory at 508-234-5656. December 25, 2016 2 The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas)
Pre school Kindergarten First Grade Grades 2 & 3 Grades 4 & 5 FAITH FORMATION RELIGIOUS EDUCATION SCHEDULE Sunday 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Sunday 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Sunday 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Sunday 11:05 AM - 12:05 PM Sunday 8:50 AM - 9:50 AM Children are to attend the 10:00 am Mass and take part in the Children s Liturgy of the Word. Grades 6, 7 & 8 Monday 6:45 PM - 8:00 PM Formal High School Classes will take place September-February at varied dates. Special Sessions take place throughout the year check the weekly schedule for times. Middle School: Monday 6:45-8:00 PM High School: Sunday 5:00-7:30 PM Upcoming Faith Formation Dec. 26: No Faith Formation Classes Jan. 2: No Faith Formation Classes Jan. 3: Home School Unit #2 Meeting, Chapel Weekly Prayer Group & Bible Study: Wednesday 7:00-8:00 PM (Chapel) All Are! OUR LADY OF THE VALLEY REGIONAL SCHOOL 71 Mendon Street, Uxbridge, MA 01569 508-278-5851 www.ourladyofthevalleyregional.com Sacrament of Baptism: For information concerning our Parent and Godparent Preparation Program, please contact the Parish Office approximately three to six months before the child is born. Sacrament of Reconciliation: Confessions are offered every Saturday from 3:30-4:00 PM in the Church or by calling the Parish Office for an appointment. LIFE IN THE PARISH Office Hours: Monday-Friday 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM Rectory Phone: 508-234-5656 Rectory Fax: 508-234-6845 Religious Ed. Phone: 508-234-3511 Parish Website: www.mystpatricks.com Find us on Facebook at St Patricks Parish Whitinsville Are you new to St. Patrick Parish? Become a member by going to mystpatricks.com to register on-line. Do you have students to register for Religious Education? Go to the Religious Education tab and register on-line, or by the office. Upcoming Second Collections: Dec. 25 - Christmas Christmas Flowers - No Date Upcoming Baptism: Jan. 1 - Lucas Abel Dumican, 11:30 AM in Church Upcoming Meetings: Dec. 27: Contemporary Music Ensemble Rehearsal, 7:00 PM, Church RCIA The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults teaches the history, traditions and Sacraments of the Roman Catholic Church. Non-Catholics or Catholic Adults seeking information about full initiation into the Catholic Church, through Baptism, Eucharist or Confirmation, should contact Deacon Chris Finan at (508) 234-5656. Sacrament of Matrimony: Couples should contact a Parish Priest as soon as they decide to marry and before any other arrangements are made. The Diocesan policy requires a minimum one-year period of preparation. Sacrament of the Sick & Homebound Visits Please inform us when a family member is admitted to the hospital. Communion visits to the aged, sick, convalescing and homebound are a major concern to us. Please call the Rectory at 508-234-5656 to arrange these ministerial visits. December 25, 2016 3 The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas)
Reflections: A Christmas Story: Parable of the Birds Christmas is a time of confusion for many people in our culture today and we as Christians are challenged to demonstrate the true meaning of the season by how we live our lives. The incarnation is a stumbling block for many and challenges our understanding of who God is in our lives. A journalist by the name of Louis Cassels wrote a modern day parable attempting to explain Christmas and I wanted to share that with you today. Once upon a time there was a man who looked upon Christmas as a lot of humbug. He wasn t a Scrooge. He was a kind and decent person, generous to his family, upright in all his dealings with other men. But he didn t believe all that stuff about Incarnation which churches proclaim at Christmas. And he was too honest to pretend that he did. I am truly sorry to distress you, he told his wife, who was a faithful churchgoer. But I simply cannot understand this claim that God becomes man. It doesn t make any sense to me. On Christmas Eve his wife and children went to church for the midnight service. He declined to accompany them. I d feel like a hypocrite, he explained. I d rather stay at home. But I ll wait up for you. Shortly after his family drove away in the car, snow began to fall. He went to the window and watched the flurries getting heavier and heavier. If we must have Christmas, he thought, it s nice to have a white one. He went back to his chair by the fireside and began to read his newspaper. A few minutes later he was startled by a thudding sound. It was quickly followed by another, then another. He thought that someone must be throwing snowballs at his living room window. When he went to the front door to investigate, he found a flock of birds huddled miserably in the storm. They had been caught in the storm and in a desperate search for shelter had tried to fly through his window. I can t let these poor creatures lie there and freeze, he thought. But how can I help them? Then he remembered the barn where the children s pony was stabled. It would provide a warm shelter. He put on his coat and galoshes and tramped through the deepening snow to the barn. He opened the door wide and turned on a light. But the birds didn t come in. Food will lure them in, he thought. So he hurried back to the house for bread crumbs, which he sprinkled on the snow to make a trail into the barn. To his dismay, the birds ignored the bread crumbs and continued to flop around helplessly in the snow. He tried shooing them into the barn by walking around and waving his arms. They scattered in every direction - except into the warm lighted barn. They find me a strange and terrifying creature, he said to himself, and I can t seem to think of any way to let them know they can trust me. If only I could be a bird myself for a few minutes, perhaps I could lead them to safety.... Just at that moment the church bells began to ring. He stood silent for a while, listening to the bells pealing the glad tidings of Christmas. Then he sank to his knees in the snow. Now I do understand, he whispered. Now I see why You had to do it. God so loved us that he became man so as to save us and to bring us hope and joy forever. Merry Christmas, Deacon Chris December 25, 2016 4 The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas)
STEWARDSHIP/MINISTRIES Let s Connect! We are very excited about our new Audio/ Visual Ministry here at St. Patrick s. We are in the testing stages of streaming one Mass a week live, for our parishioners who are unable to be present for our weekend Masses. We would like to build a team of people who are interested in audio/visual and are willing to learn more about our capabilities. We are in need of at least two people each weekend to run the audio and visual equipment. Many hands make light work so please inquire if interested. Please contact Deacon Patrick if you are interested in being a part of a dynamic team helping St. Patrick s spread the Good News. Giving Tree Thank You! Gift Certificates Available! The John 21 Community Breakfast Ministry now has gift/donation certificates available. If you would like to donate in someone s name to this valuable ministry, please call Shelly at the parish office, 508-234-5656, to ask for a certificate. Thank You! St. Patrick s John 21 Community Breakfast ministry provides a free, nutritious breakfast every Saturday morning in the spirit of community fellowship and hospitality from 8-10 AM for those in need in St. Patrick s Parish Center. Music Ministry Cantor Rehearsal: First and Third Tuesdays 7:00-8:30 PM Contemporary Music Ensemble Rehearsals: Second & Fourth Tuesday 7:00-9:00 PM New Members are Always in any Music Ministry. Prayer Shawl Ministry As a parishioner of St. Patrick s, you can request a Prayer Shawl for someone whom you feel needs comfort by calling or e-mailing Lucille at 508-234-2255 or blharper@verizon.net or call Shelly or Jackie at the rectory at 508-234-5656 SPiN--St. Patrick s in Action Contact Shelly Mombourquette to find out about this monthly service of giving back to our community at Shelly@mystpatricks.com Join us on January 15, 2017. The Knights of Columbus, Mumford Council #365 If you are not a member of the Knights of Columbus and would like to join us, please talk to any Knight or visit www.kofc365.org. Follow us on Social Media! stpatsville December 25, 2016 5 St Patricks Parish Whitinsville @stpatricks20 st.patricksparish The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas)
LET S REMEMBER: Prayer for Those in the Service Almighty God, we stand before you asking for your divine mercy and protection. Embrace with Your invincible armor our loved ones in all branches of the service. Give them courage and strength against all enemies both spiritual and physical and hasten their safe journey back to their homes and families. Amen Please remember the following service personnel in your Prayers as they serve and protect our country: Pvt. Tyler Finnigan, US Army, Ft. Devens, MA L.Cpl. Aaron Marshall, Okinawa, Eric Hoyt, Machinist 1st Class, USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, U.S. Army, L.Cpl. Troy Monteville, Afghanistan, LTJG David Mobed, US Navy, USS Mason Wednesday, 2:30-5:30pm- Beginning Jan. 4, 2017 Presbyterian Church, 51 Cottage St., Whitinsville PrimeTime after-school program, for all children ages 5 through 12 begins January 4th, 2017. PrimeTime is designed for children who have had no previous exposure to Jesus or the Bible, but children of faith will also be strengthened in their relationship to God. PrimeTime will be held on Wednesdays from 2:30 to 5:30pm during the school year. Games, music, crafts, memory verses, and Bible lessons are included each week. Please pray for us as we spread the love of Christ to the children of Northbridge. If interested contact Mary Sutton at: mary.sutton@scriptureunion.org (774) 293-0434 or call the Presbyterian church office at (508) 234-8220 for application. Giving a Weekly Gift for 2 Years: $ 2.00 = $ 208.00 (Just one cup of Coffee a week) $ 5.00 = $ 520.00 $10.00 = $ 1,040.00 $20.00 = $ 2,080.00 By extending your pledge over a longer period of time, makes your contribution easier and perhaps more affordable to you. NAC Food Pantry 508-234-4599 Open Tuesdays 10:00 AM-12:00 PM & Thursdays 1:00-3:00 PM Please remember those that are less fortunate. The NAC Food Pantry helps local area families, and will accept any nonperishable food in date. If you would like to donate please drop items off in the boxes at the entrance of the Church or drop a donation in the basket marked for the NAC Food Pantry. Congratulations to the Glendenning family for winning this year s handmade Nativity Scene! A Big Warm! The Welcoming Committee of St. Patrick s Parish will hold its 21st Annual Welcoming Committee Gathering for New Parishioners of 2016 on Sunday, January 15th from 10:30 AM to 1:00 PM in the Parish Center. Everyone is invited to join us in welcoming these new families into our parish family. Please come! December 25, 2016 6 The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas)