Cathedral of Saint Joseph 140 Farmington Avenue, Hartford, Connecticut 06105 Phone: 860-249-8431 Fax: 860-249-5910 Email: rectory@cathedralofsaintjoseph.com Website: cathedralofsaintjoseph.com Pastoral Staff Rev. James A. Shanley Rector Rev. Michael Casey Parochial Vicar Rev. Steven C. Boguslawski, OP In Residence Rev. Charles E. Jacobs Additional Clergy Rev. Robert T. Russo Additional Clergy Dcn. Norris Taylor Deacon Sr. Ann Marie Strileckis, CND Pastoral Associate Dr. Ezequiel Menéndez Director of Music Ministry and Organist Judith A. Stonger Lay Ministry Gioia Zack Religious Education Ministry Peter Turczanik Sacristan Photo Credit: John Cosmas Mass Schedule Weekend Masses Saturday: 4 pm Vigil Sunday: 8:30 am & 11 am Daily Masses Monday-Friday: 7:30 am & 12:10 pm Saturday: 9 am Sacrament of Reconciliation Wednesday: 11:30 am-12 pm Saturday: 2:30-3:30 pm Sunday: 10-10:30 am Baptisms Please call the Rectory Office in advance for arrangements. Marriages Please call one of our parish priests at least six months in advance. Devotions Saturday: Scriptural Rosary First Saturday of the Month: Holy Hour with Exposition, Rosary, and Meditation Rectory Office Monday-Friday: 9:30 am-5:30 pm Claude-Evelyne Odiaka Secretary Are you following the Cathedral of Saint Joseph on social media? Come and Follow Me Also follow the Archdiocese of Hartford and Archbishop Blair! Facebook.com/CathedralOfSaintJoseph @HtfdCathedral @CathedralOfSaintJoseph Facebook.com/ArchdioceseOfHartford @ArchbishopBlair @ArchdioceseOfHartford
CATHEDRAL OF SAINT JOSEPH F ourth Sunday of Advent For couples longing for a child: May God strengthen and comfort them as they strive to follow his plan. We pray to the Lord. New Year s Eve Concert: Start your New Year s Eve on a spiritual note! Next Sunday, December 31st, join us for the Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God Vigil Mass at 4 pm. It will be followed by uplifting holiday music at 5:15 pm. This annual concert is presented by the Sacred Sounds Series and sponsored by the Cathedral Knights of Columbus. Sunday, December 24th Fourth Sunday of Advent Christmas Eve No RCIA, Religious Ed. or Life Teen Youth Ministry today Regular Masses 8:30 & 11 am Adult Choir Rehearsal in Lower Church 9-10:30 am Youth Choir Rehearsal in Music Room 9-11 am Confession 10-10:30 am Prelude: Cathedral Youth Choir & Orchestra Concert 3 pm The Vigil Mass of the Nativity of the Lord 4 pm Sacred Sounds Christmas Eve Concert 9 pm The Mass at Night 10 pm Monday, December 25th The Nativity of the Lord Christmas Day Rectory Office Closed Christmas Concert 9:15 am The Mass of the Day, The Nativity of the Lord 10 am - televised on WCCT Tuesday, December 26th St. Stephen Rectory Office Closed Malta House of Care Van 2-6 pm Silence phones at Masses & events at the Cathedral! Online giving is available at cathedralofsaintjoseph.com! Announcements Wednesday, December 27th St. John, Apostle and Evangelist Rosary Prayer Committee 7-7:30 am Confession 11:30 am-12 pm Malta House of Care Van 12-5 pm Bible Study Group in Lower Church 2 pm Thursday, December 28th The Holy Innocents, Martyrs Food Pantry: Bagging 9-10 am & Food Distribution 10 am-12 pm Saturday, December 29th St. Thomas Becket Saturday, December 30th Rosary Prayer Committee Confession 2:30-3:30 pm Sunday, December 31st New Year s Eve The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, & Joseph No RCIA, Religious Ed. or Life Teen Youth Ministry today Regular Masses 8:30 & 11 am Adult Choir Rehearsal in Lower Church 9-10:30 am Youth Choir Rehearsal in Music Room 9-11 am Confession 10-10:30 am Karen Community Christmas Celebration: Mass 1 pm and Reception in Bishop s Hall 2 pm The Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God Vigil Mass 4 pm New Year s Eve Concert 5:15 pm HARTFORD, CT The Sanctuary Candle is lit in prayer for Bishop Christie A. Macaluso Mass Intentions Saturday, December 23, 2017 9:00 Rev. John C. Blackall Requested by the Blanchfield Family 4:00 Vivian Javier Requested by Nina Shipley Sunday, December 24, 2017 8:30 Alfred J. Tee Requested by a Friend 11:00 Ronald, William C., Carol, Helen, and Peter Melnik Requested by Joan and Mary Melnik 4:00 Special Intention 10:00 Special Intention Monday, December 25, 2017 10:00 For the People of the Parish Tuesday, December 26, 2017 7:30 Special Intention 12:10 William V. Fischetti Requested by the Fischetti Family Wednesday, December 27, 2017 7:30 Special Intention 12:10 William Barnes Requested by Michael C. Culhane Thursday, December 28, 2017 7:30 The Senior Priests of the Archdiocese of Hartford Requested by our Archdiocese 12:10 Michael Quinn Requested by our Food Pantry Friday, December 29, 2017 7:30 Deceased Members of the Folly Family Requested by Messah Folly 12:10 Ines S. Tee Requested by Alfred J. Tee Saturday, December 30, 2017 9:00 John J. Mysliwiec Requested by the Mysliwiec Family 4:00 Ethel E. Donaghue Requested by the Donaghue Family Sunday, December 31, 2017 8:30 Elaine C. Lynch Requested by our Cathedral Staff 11:00 John Mysliwiec Requested by the Mysliwiec Family 4:00 Special Intention
Readings for the Week of December 24th Sunday: 2 Sm 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16/Ps 89:2-3, 4-5, 27, 29 [2a]/Rom 16:25-27/Lk 1:26-38 Monday: Vigil- Is 62:1-5/Ps 89:4-5, 16-17, 27, 29 [2a]/Acts 13:16-17, 22-25/Mt 1:1-25 or 1:18-25; Night- Is 9:1-6/Ps 96:1-2, 2-3, 11-12, 13 [Lk 2:11]/Ti 2:11-14/Lk 2:1-14; Dawn- Is 62:11-12/Ps 97:1, 6, 11-12/Ti 3:4-7/Lk 2:15-20; Day- Is 52:7-10/Ps 98:1, 2-3, 3-4, 5-6 [3c]/Heb 1:1-6/Jn 1:1-18 or 1:1-5, 9-14 Tuesday: Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59/Ps 31:3cd-4, 6 and 8ab, 16bc and 17 [6]/Mt 10:17-22 Wednesday: 1 Jn 1:1-4/Ps 97:1-2, 5-6, 11-12 [12]/Jn 20:1a, 2-8 Thursday: 1 Jn 1:5--2:2/Ps 124:2-3, 4-5, 7b-8 [7]/Mt 2:13-18 Friday: 1 Jn 2:3-11/Ps 96:1-2a, 2b-3, 5b-6 [11a]/Lk 2:22-35 Saturday: 1 Jn 2:12-17/Ps 96:7-8a, 8b-9, 10 [11a]/Lk 2:36-40 Next Sunday: Gn 15:1-6; 21:1-3 or Sir 3:2-6, 12-14/Ps 105:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9, [7a, 8a] or Ps 128: 1-2, 3, 4-5 [cf. 1]/Heb 11:8, 11-12, 17-19 or Col 3:12-21 or 3:12-17/Lk 2:22-40 or 2:22, 39-40 Christmas Giving Tree Program Thank You: Many thanks and blessings to everyone who participated in our Giving Tree program that ended last week at the Cathedral of St. Joseph. Chelsea Place and Fernwood Manor are very grateful for the wonderful gifts you gave to their residents this year. Your generosity of spirit and kindness will truly brighten their Christmas! Malta House of Care Van Schedule Change: The Malta House of Care Van, a free mobile clinic for the uninsured in our community, comes to various sites in the greater Hartford area every week. It is at the Cathedral of St. Joseph every Tuesday from 2-6 pm. As of last Wednesday, December 20th, the Malta Care Van is also here at the Cathedral every Wednesday from 12-5 pm instead of St. Peter Church until further notice. Sorry for any inconvenience this may cause. Please keep checking our bulletin for any changes on the Malta House of Care Van s weekly schedule. Advent Reflection: On this fourth Sunday of Advent, December 24th, the liturgy shifts our attention from John the Baptist to Mary, the mother of Jesus. Both John and Mary serve as important figures for our reflection during the season of Advent; they played instrumental roles in preparing the way for Jesus. Last week, we reflected on John the Baptist s announcement that the Savior was among us, although not yet recognized. This week, we reflect upon Mary s example of faith and obedience to God, traits which permitted her to receive the angel s message that God s Son would be born as a human person, as one of us. Food Pantry Winter Coat Drive: Our Food Pantry has organized a Winter Coat Drive to help keep their clients warm this winter! You can help by donating your unused or gently-used winter coats, jackets, mittens, gloves, scarves, and hats. Donations can be dropped off in the Rectory Office or you can also call the Food Pantry at 860-578-1434. Thank you! Volunteers Needed for First Night: The 29th annual First Night in downtown Hartford will be held on New Year s Eve, December 31st! The Cathedral Knights of Columbus will be selling hot chocolate and coffee from 3-9 pm at the Pump House at Bushnell Park. Please call Mike McGarry at 860-422-7937 to help serve drinks. First Night is an alcohol free, family-friendly, public celebration that marks the passage from the old year to the new one with art, fun, and festivity. For more details about this affordable, multicultural experience to ring in the New Year, please visit firstnighthartford.org. 2017-18 Cathedral of St. Joseph New Year s Mass Schedule Sunday, December 31st - New Year s Eve The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph Masses 8:30 am and 11:00 am The Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God Vigil Mass 4:00 pm New Year s Eve Concert 5:15 pm Monday, January 1st - New Year s Day The Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God The Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God Mass 10:00 am (only Mass)
Bishop Christie A. Macaluso s Retirement: On December 15th, the Holy See announced that Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of the Most Reverend Christie A. Macaluso from the Office of Auxiliary Bishop of Hartford. Our best wishes, prayers, and deep gratitude are extended to Bishop Macaluso as he makes the transition to Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus of the Archdiocese of Hartford. He continues to reside at St. Thomas Seminary in Bloomfield and will remain active in episcopal ministry to the extent that his health and circumstances permit. Ordained a priest of the Archdiocese of Hartford on May 22, 1971, Bishop Macaluso has served the Archdiocese in both parochial and administrative settings. Following his ordination as a bishop on June 10, 1997, he most notably has held the posts of Vicar General, Financial Officer, Moderator of the Curia, and President/Rector of St. Thomas Seminary. Bishop Macaluso has shared his wisdom as both chair and member of several committees and boards through the years. He has presided at celebrations across the Archdiocese, including the Sacrament of Confirmation and Ordinations to the Diaconate. Archbishop Leonard P. Blair issued the following statement: From my first days as Archbishop of Hartford, Bishop Macaluso has been of invaluable assistance thanks to his knowledge and experience of this local Church over many years. In the name of all the clergy, religious and laity of the Archdiocese, I wish him all the best and God s blessing in days to come. Tuesday, December 26th Schedule: Please note that we will have our regular daily Masses at 7:30 am & 12:10 pm on Tuesday, December 26th. However, the Rectory Office will be closed on this day after Christmas. Low-Gluten Hosts Available! The Cathedral has low-gluten hosts for parishioners, visitors, and guests who require them. We recommend that you arrive 10-15 minutes early and go to the Sacristy to let them know. Parish App: Pope Francis reminds us, Saint Paul invites us to prepare for the coming of the Lord by assuming three attitudes: constant joy, persevering prayer and continual thanksgiving Joy, prayer and gratitude are three attitudes that prepare us to live Christmas in an authentic way. Our app has prayers & prayer reminders, the daily readings, Confession reminders, parish messages, Catholic news, the parish calendar & featured events, the bulletin, access to online tithing, a reminder to silence your cell phone 20 minutes before the Mass you select, and more! Safety, Security and Access: The new entrance and elevator are now fully functional, so you may park in the Asylum avenue lot and enter the Cathedral through the west entrance. This makes access to the Cathedral much easier. So that everyone who comes to the Cathedral may pray and worship in peace, we each need to do our part. Obviously we abide by the norm, If you see something, say something! As a parish located in the city and with our doors (literally) open to all, extra vigilance is needed. Should you be approached by someone asking for money, please tell one of the priests, one of the two security guards, Peter our Sacristan or one of the ushers or other liturgical ministers. We have procedures in place for assisting those in need or those who might just be panhandling. It normally is not a good idea to give cash and please do not agree to give anyone you do not know a ride in your car. Also parents are asked NOT to allow children to go the bathrooms by themselves. They must be accompanied by an adult. Now with the new and much-needed addition, containing an elevator and restrooms, it will be more difficult to know who is actually in the Cathedral at a given moment. Do not leave items unattended in the pews when you go forward to receive Holy Communion.
Cathedral Christmas Concerts: On Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, you are invited to our Sacred Sounds Christmas Concerts at the Cathedral of St. Joseph! Come enjoy spirited music with your family & friends! The Cathedral Schola Cantorum, Youth Choir, Brass Quintet, and Director of Music & Organist Dr. Ezequiel Menéndez will present Benjamin Britten s A Ceremony of Carols, Op. 28 under the direction of Ms. Meredith Neumann. The Christmas Eve Concert will be held this Sunday, December 24th at 9 pm immediately before the 10 pm Mass at Night. The Christmas Day Concert will be held this Monday, December 25th at 9:15 am immediately before the 10 am Mass of the Day, the Nativity of the Lord (televised on WCCT). Karen Community New Year Thank You: The Karen community would like to thank the Cathedral of St. Joseph parish for the accommodations given to them to celebrate the 2757 Karen New Year. Over 300 people were in attendance for this joyful celebration held last Sunday, December 17th in Bishop s Hall. Special thanks to Archbishop Leonard P. Blair, Rev. James A. Shanley, Rev. Michael Casey, and Sr. Ann Marie Strileckis. Please see the insert in today s bulletin for your invitation to the Karen community s Christmas celebration on December 31st. All are welcome! Retirement Fund for Religious Collection Thank You: 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 order priests across the country send their heartfelt thanks and prayers for your donations of $4,489 to the Retirement Fund for Religious collection on December 16th & 17th. Merry Christmas and may God bless the Cathedral of St. Joseph s parishioners! Msgr. David Q. Liptak s 90th Birthday! On January 17, 2018, Msgr. Liptak will celebrate his 90th birthday. Let us congratulate him on this great milestone and show our gratitude for 64 years of priestly service to the Archdiocese of Hartford! In his semi-retirement at St. Joseph Residence, Msgr. Liptak continues theological writing and publications. If you would like to send him a birthday note, you can mail it to him at: St. Joseph Residence, 1365 Enfield St., Enfield, CT 06082-4925. The Angel of the Lord declared to Mary: And she conceived of the Holy Spirit. Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen. Behold the handmaid of the Lord: Be it done unto me according to Thy word. Hail Mary And the Word was made Flesh: And dwelt among us. Hail Mary Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Let us pray: Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts; that we, to whom the incarnation of Christ, Thy Son, was made known by the message of an angel, may by His Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of His Resurrection, through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.