December 24, 2017 Holy Family Church 129 Winthrop Street, Watertown, NY 13601 Phone: (315) 782-2468 E-Mail: hfchurch@twcny.rr.com Website: www.holyfamilywatertown.org PASTOR: PASTOR EMERITUS: IN RESIDENCE: DEACONS: TRUSTEES: SCHOOL BOARD: PARISH STAFF Pastoral Associates: Rev. Steven M. Murray Rev. Msgr. Robert J. McCarthy Rev. Leo A. Wiley Rev. Msgr. Paul E. Whitmore Deacon Edward R. Miller Deacon Michael J. Allan Mrs. Rita Brancheau Mr. Daniel Charlebois Mr. Michael Ledoux Sr. Angelica Rebello, SCC Patrick Bates Christian Formation Director: Sr. Angelica Rebello, SCC 782-6750 R.C.I.A. Director: Kathy Allan 785-8576 Business Administrator: Carol Brown 782-6086 Secretary: Organist: Judy Geng Edward Kemp IMMACULATE HEART CENTRAL SCHOOLS School Pastor: Rev. Msgr. Robert H. Aucoin 782-1190 High School (Grades 7-12) 788-4670 Interim Principal: Mr. Joseph Orobona Elementary School (Grades K-6) Vice Principal (K-3): Mrs. Kari Conklin 788-7011 Vice Principal (4-6): Mrs. Annette Connolly 788-3935 BAPTISM: Baptisms are generally scheduled on Sunday. Parents must attend a class held on the second Monday of the month at 7:00 PM. WEDDINGS: Arrangements should be made six months In advance by calling for an appointment with a priest or deacon. SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION: Confession/Penance - Saturday 4-5 P.M. SACRAMENT OF THE SICK: Upon Request - Please call Fr. Murray if you are planning on having any surgery and he will be happy to anoint you. Holy Family Church Welcomes Everyone No matter what your present status is in the Catholic Church; no matter your family or marital status; no matter where you are in the practice of faith; no matter what your self image may be; you are invited, welcomed and loved at Holy Family Church.
RECTORY OFFICE HOURS Monday, 12:30PM- 4:00PM; Tuesday Thursday, 9:00AM-4:00PM, closed for lunch noon-12:30pm; Friday, 9:00AM-1:00PM. Sunday December 24, 2017 FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT 9:00 Garry T. McGivney Sunday 4:00PM 7:00PM 11:00PM December 24, 2017 THE NATIVITY OF THE LORD (CHRISTMAS) People of the Parish People of the Parish People of the Parish Monday December 25, 2017 THE NATIVITY OF THE LORD (Christmas) 9:00 People of the Parish Tuesday December 26, 2017 Saint Stephen, The First Martyr 9:00 For the Intentions of Bill and Florence Heldt on their 53rd Wedding Anniversary by Sr. Angelica and Judy 10:00 Frances McGowan and Deceased Members of the McGowan Family by the Estate of Frances McGowan (Mass at the Summit) Wednesday December 27, 2017 Saint John, Apostle and Evangelist 9:00 In Thanksgiving by Bill and Florence Heldt Thursday December 28, 2017...The Holy Innocents, Martyrs 9:00 Orson Bulluck by Jim and Connie Leana Friday December 29, 2017...Fifth Day within the Octave of the Nativity of the Lord Saint Thomas Becket, Bishop and Martyr 9:00 Ginny Osborn by Sue and Tom Chellis Saturday December 30, 2017 The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph 5:15 Jim Williams by Mike and Judy Geng Sunday December 31, 2017...THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH 9:00 Jacqueline Brett by The Estate of James E. Brett 11:00 For the Intentions of Kim Tyler by Her Son John 5:15 People of the Parish BAPTISMAL PREPARATION CLASS The next class will be Monday, January 8th, at 7PM in McGivney Hall. Please call the Rectory at 315-782-2468 during business hours to sign up if you are planning on attending this required class. Thank you. THIS WEEK IN OUR PARISH Sunday: December 24th 10:00AM Coffee Hour (Gathering Area) Monday: December 25th Merry Christmas Tuesday: December 26th 10:00AM Mass (Samaritan Summit Village) Wednesday: December 27th 10:00AM Legion of Mary (McGivney Hall) Thursday: December 28th Friday: December 29th INQUIRY If you are interested in the Catholic Faith or know of someone who is, please contact Kathy Allan at 315-785-8576 for an appointment. Fourth Sunday of Advent - December 24, 2017 Be it done unto me according to your word. Docile obedience to the Lord s will is the fruit of humble prayer. If God is inviting you to a deeper consecration as a priest, deacon, brother or sister, talk to Fr. Steve Murray at 315-782-2468 or Fr. Doug Lucia at 315-386-2543/ dlucia@rcdony.org or Cathy Russell, the Diocesan Vocation Coordinator at 315-393-2920, ext. 1450/crussell@rcdony.org. See us also on Facebook or at www.myvocation.net Christmas -- December 25, 2017 A child is born for us; a son is given to us! Such good news deserves to be heard. Who will proclaim the tidings of great joy in the world? If God is calling you, talk to Fr. Steve Murray at 315-782-2468 or Fr. Doug Lucia at 315-386-2543/ dlucia@rcdony.org or Cathy Russell, the Diocesan Vocation Coordinator at 315-393-2920, ext. 1450/crussell@rcdony.org. See us also on Facebook or at www.myvocation.net.
ACTIVITIES AHEAD IN OUR PARISH CAPITAL CAMPAIGN will be the second collection at all Masses the weekend of January 6th and January 7th. Please use the envelope in your envelope packet. There are extra envelopes by the doors of the Church. Thank you for your continued support. BLOOD PRESSURE SCREENING Our Parish Nurses will be in the Gathering Area of the Church checking blood pressures after the Masses the first weekend in January. Please stop by and have yours checked and also thank them for this very important service that they provide for us. IMPACT Youth Group s next meeting is scheduled for Saturday, January 6th, 3:30PM-5:00PM at the Greystone Building. PRAYING THE ROSARY The Legion of Mary will pray the Rosary Saturday, January 13th beginning at 4:45PM. Everyone is invited to this prayer gathering before the 5:15PM Mass. PENNIES FROM HEAVEN Start saving your loose change now. The Knights of Columbus will be at the doors of the Church after the Masses the weekend of January 13th and January 14th collecting for our Seminarians. Thank you for your continued generosity. RELIGIOUS EDUCATION The next session is Sunday, January 7th, 10:00AM-10:50AM in the Greystone Building. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! CONFIRMATION YEAR I is scheduled for Sunday, January 14th and CONFIRMATION YEAR II will be Sunday, January 21st. Both sessions are in the Greystone Building at 11:00AM-2:00PM (11:00AM Mass followed by the session in Greystone Building) Please note new timing! December 24: FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT 2 Sm 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16/Rom 16:25-27/Lk 1:26-38 Mary said YES!. She didn't have to. She could have said 'thanks but no.' She could have said 'when it is more convenient.' We can learn a lot from Mary's yes. How do we respond to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Are we even open to listen? How often do we say things like: someone should do something about that? Maybe that someone is you! Or perhaps we have an inspired idea for something, but out of fear or false modesty, we keep it to ourselves. Mary's yes was courageous. She trusted God's will for her. Perhaps today we can find a quiet place, and ask Mary for help to know and say yes to God's will in our own lives. Have a joy-filled and blessed Christmas season! EVANGELIZATION AND FAITH FORMATION IN THE DIGITAL AGE: THE NEW ROMAN ROADS The Current Culture Has Your Parishioners Attention 24/7 Six times as many leave as enter the Church Over 43% drop in Catholic Marriages since 2000 79% of those who leave the Church do so by age 23 How Does FORMED Address These Issues? Just as St. Paul used the Roman roads to spread the Gospel in the first century, we must use technology in this digital age to share our faith in the twenty-first century. FORMED empowers parishes with life-changing tools for sacramental prep, youth ministry, adult faith formation, RCIA, marriage and family life and more! What is FORMED? FORMED is a website that provides essential resources your parishioners need to understand, live and share the Catholic Faith. 24/7 unlimited online access to 300 +episodes of transformational video-based study programs include ing accompanying study guides essential for disciple ship; 48 life-changing audio presentations (Lighthouse Talks) for evangelization made easy; 40 captivating full length feature films bringing families together and dozens of inspiring ebooks to enliven the faith of both individuals and groups. FORMED provides Catholics of all ages access to excellent Catholic resources. In a parish, school or home setting, utilizing the best in current technology, FORMED becomes a powerful evangelization for the modern world. 1. Go to: Formed.org 2. Scroll down FORMED page and where it says Enter Parish Access Code Here, enter 21a561 3. Create your Personal Profile: Name, Address, email, Personal Password 4. You are now up and running on FORMED. You have access to Feature Films, Sacramental instruction, programs for various age groups, videos, books and audios on all aspects of the Catholic Faith! NEXT SUNDAY S READINGS Genesis 15: 1-6; 21: 1-3 Psalm 105: 1-6, 8-9 Hebrews 11: 8, 11-12, 17-19 Luke 2: 22-40 or 2: 22, 39-40 Mindful of his covenant (Ps), God blesses the faith of Abraham and Sarah (2) in their son, Isaac (1). The child Jesus and his parents are blessed by Simeon (3).
Note from the Pope, Pope stresses importance of Sunday Mass during General Audience Pope Francis continued his catechesis on the Eucharist on Wednesday, speaking about the importance of the day of rest for Catholics, Sunday. He said each Sunday is a foretaste of the eternal bliss and repose to which we are called and which we share, even now, in Holy Communion. Mass, he continued, is not only about giving something to God, but to receive from him the grace and strength to remain faithful to His word, and to be witnesses to the world. SUMMARY OF POPE'S CATECHESIS Dear Brothers and Sisters, Our continuing catechesis on the Eucharist today centers on the importance of Sunday Mass. As Christians, we celebrate the Eucharist in order to encounter the Lord, to hear His word, eat at His table and, by His grace to fulfil our mission in the world as members of His Mystical Body the Church. As the day of the resurrection and the Pentecostal outpouring of the Holy Spirit, Sunday is the Christian holy day par excellence. How could we pass this day without encountering the Lord? Sadly, in many secularized societies, we have lost the sense of Sunday. The Second Vatican Council asked us to celebrate the Lord s Day as a day of joy and rest from servile work, precisely as a sign of our dignity as children of God. Each Sunday is meant to be a foretaste of the eternal bliss and repose to which we are called and which we share, even now, in Holy Communion. In the end, we go to Mass not to give something to God, but to receive from Him the grace and strength to remain faithful to His word, to follow His commandments and, through His living presence within us, to be witnesses of His goodness and love before the world. I am pleased to greet the participants in the 2017 Forum of Catholic-inspired Non-Governmental Organizations meeting in Rome during these days. I express my deep appreciation for your efforts to bring the light of the Gospel to the various peripheries of our world, in order to defend human dignity, to promote the integral development of peoples, and to meet the material and spiritual needs of so many members of our human family. I encourage you to work always in a spirit of communion and cooperation with other Catholic NGOs and with the representatives of the Holy See, as an expression of the Church s commitment to the building of a more just and fraternal world. With prayerful good wishes that these days of reflection and discussion will prove fruitful for your work, I cordially impart to all of you my Apostolic Blessing. I also greet the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors taking part in today s Audience, particularly the groups from Australia, Indonesia, India, Japan and the United States of America. Upon you and your families I invoke the joy and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ. OUR TITHING PARISH SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT This Year $ 11,199.50 Last Year $ 10,011.50 Youth $ 33.00 Religious Retirement 2017 $ 4,515.00 Religious Retirement 2016 $ 3,850.00 Thank you for your continued generosity Religious give thanks. A Religious Sister writes, When we see the generous response of so many thousands of persons in order to help us, religious men and women, we are left speechless. Senior sisters, brothers and religious older priest across the country send heartfelt thanks and prayers for your donation to the Religious Retirement collection. The Diocese of Ogdensburg s Retirement Plan for Priests has long been supported by parish contributions from its annual Christmas Collection. Currently 40 retired priests, and 8 active priests age 70 and older, are expected to receive pension benefits of $892,000 in 2017-18. Also 100% of the cost of health insurance premiums for retired priests is paid by the Plan. Your generous contribution not only supports current retirees but will also help provide for the retirement needs of priests who will retire in the future. Say thank you to your pastor and all priests of the diocese through a generous contribution to our Christmas Collection. Note From the Pastor, It is almost 2018 and I am wondering what happened to 2017. It seems to have flown by so quickly. I pray everyone has a Wonderful Joyful Christmas and a Happy New Year. Please know that the tremendous generosity you have demonstrated to those who struggle in our midst and throughout the world, has made a difference in their lives, and in turn in your own lives because you have experienced the joy of giving. I was speaking with Bishop Chbeir about generosity, and reflecting that it is my experience that the more I give the more I receive. His reply was that is because the Lord will not be out done. As we celebrate the first coming of our Savior, we also contemplate the importance of being prepared for the Lord s second coming. Please make the time daily to be with the Lord in prayer, spend some time reading scripture, and be aware that the Lord speaks specifically to you through the scriptures. Matthew Kelly says the reason most people do not read the scripture is because it will transform your lives and most of us do not want our lives transformed. We are only interested in a little tweaking and our God is really not into tweaking. He is more interested in transformation. Fr. Steve
Christmas 2017 Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ: I have asked the youth of our Diocese to provide me with a cover design for this year s Christmas card. I received many fine pieces of art, many of which were captioned with verses from Scripture. One citation that surfaced on a few cards is from St. Luke s Infancy Narrative: The angel said to them, Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. (Luke 2:10) What an appropriate message for each of us to reflect upon this Christmas. We should give careful attention to this angelic proclamation that offers such hope and heavenly happiness to all people. Fear, bad news and division seem to be having their way in our world today. In the midst of such darkness, we remember that there is no reason to be afraid because God brings Good News of great joy for all of God s people through His Son, born of Mary. Do not be afraid. I need not provide a list of serious concerns that today cause so many to fear what tomorrow may bring. No matter the heartache, this is a season of hope and joy. Jesus is the One who rescues humanity from sin and delivers us from the condition of alienation from God. With His birth, the Christ Child brings an unfathomable gift that we must unwrap to enjoy. He brings salvation to all humanity. But in order to enjoy the salvation won for us, our personal encounter with Jesus must be tended to through a lifelong journey of love and service. Just a few weeks ago, I consecrated the Diocese of Ogdensburg to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, the Mother of Jesus. We know that Mary submitted humbly and totally to God s will, even without fully understanding it. By saying yes to God s mysterious will, she enabled salvation to enter the world through the birth of her Son. We must tug at her sleeve, she who desires so much to lead us, all of us, to Jesus. We want to follow Jesus. Christ-led and Christ-fed, we can be hope-filled and not weighed down by the menace of evil. As we celebrate the birth of our Savior and greet a New Year, let us unwrap the gift of salvation offered by making Mary s words our own: Let it be done to me according to thy word. May the Christ Child bring you and your loved ones the Gift of Love, the Blessing of Hope and the Promise of Peace. A blessed Christmas and joy-filled New Year! Faithfully yours in Christ, Most Reverend Terry R. LaValley Bishop of Ogdensburg ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP With the onset of cold weather, check the air pressure in the tires of your vehicles. Cold air can cause tires to become underinflated, which results in greater gas consumption and a higher carbon footprint.
The Diocesan Family Life Office is pleased to announce an exciting new ministry that will bring hope and healing to those who have experienced the pain and loneliness of a broken marriage. Surviving Divorce features twelve video presentations that cover topics such as shock and grief, anger and forgiveness, money issues, dealing with children and a former spouse, and annulment and remarriage. This program is for the newly separated and divorced and those still struggling with issues many years later. It will help them find answers to their questions, restore their hope, and begin authentic healing. The twelve-week program begins on January 25th from 6:30 to 8:30pm at St. Mary s Church in Canton and will meet weekly in the sacristy. The cost of the program for participants includes the Surviving Divorce Personal Guide and all program materials is $25. For more information or to register, please call Steve Tartaglia at 315-393-2920 or go to http://www.rcdony.org/family-life/surviving-divorcesupport-group.html ADOPT-A-PLATOON With the recommendation of Fr. Steve, the Evangelization Team has agreed to represent the parishioners of Holy Family Church in adopting the 1st Platoon, Bravo Company 1-87 Infantry (Fort Drum) which is deployed to Afghanistan. The goal is to dispatch monthly packages to the 33 members in the platoon. A list of suggested items requested by the members is posted in the gathering area of the church as well as on our web site. Please pray for our platoon s safety. They are already thanking God (and us) for your kindness, your support, and your generosity. Any questions contact Pat Fanning at 315-788-1101 or pfanning5010@twcny.rr.com. Olivia Pacific and Family Helen Mall (Deanna Smith s mother) Eva Juanita Scovel