Saint John the Evangelist Parish

Saint John the Evangelist Parish December 20, 2015: Fourth Sunday in Advent 115 Middlesex Street, North Chelmsford, Massachusetts 978-251-8571 978-293-0303 www.saintjohnchelmsford.org Rev. Brian E. Mahoney, Pastor Rev. Thomas B. Corcoran, Parochial Vicar Rev. Laurence Ren Tocci, Parochial Vicar Rev. Arnold Colletti, Senior Priest in Residence Deacon Francis X. Burke, Permanent Deacon Deacon Robert Dzuris, Senior Deacon Assisting Called by Christ to unity in our Roman Catholic Faith, we bring together and welcome the faithful from diverse walks of life and ethnic backgrounds. We stand for the sanctity of life and the dignity of every person. We dedicate ourselves to formation in faith, pastoral care and service to all generations. Parish Office Hours Monday, Tuesday & Thursday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Wednesday: 9:30 AM 5:00 PM Friday: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM Weekend Liturgy Saturday: 4:00 PM Sunday: 8:30 AM, 10:30 AM & 5:00 PM Weekday Liturgy Monday - Saturday: 9:00 AM preceded by The Rosary at 8:30 AM Sacrament of Reconciliation Saturday: 3:00-3:45 PM

The Parish Family of Saint John the Evangelist, North Chelmsford, Massachusetts page 2 Advent Confession Schedule Effective Monday, November 30th - December 23rd Monday, December 21st 7:00-8:00 pm at St. John Church Monday, December 23rd 7:00-8:00 pm at St. John Church Today is... the Fourth Sunday of Advent Mary is moved to action by the news about her cousin Elizabeth. There are many beautiful and evocative depictions in art of the meeting of Mary and Elizabeth the Visitation but the words of the Gospel carry a power of their own. She travelled to the hill country in haste. It wasn't an easy trip she trekked over rough terrain, and there is no mention of a travelling companion. She couldn't get there fast enough! This young woman who has just given her life-changing yes to God, gives us an example of love, service and courage. Is there someone you should visit before Christmas? Faith formation Fran Anderson: ext 212 or fran@chelmsfordcatholic.org CLASSES RESUME, and GRADE 7 & 8 WINTER SESSION BEGINS SUNDAY, JANUARY 10th! Merry Christmas! Epiphany Pageant! Sunday, January 3rd, 2016 following 8:30 am Mass Rehearsal Schedule All rehearsals run from 10:00 11:30 unless otherwise noted. Tuesday, December 29th Wednesday, December 30th Saturday, January 2nd: 9:30-11:30: Hall (dress rehearsal) If you are a baptized Roman Catholic who received First Communion, but was never Confirmed, we are offering Confirmation Preparation classes that will begin the last week in January. Contact Fran for details and/or to register. OLLABORATIVE ~ 2015 C CHELMSFORD CATHOLIC COLLABORATIVE ST. MARY CHURCH Eve 4:00 pm (Church & hall), 6:00 pm & Midnight Day. 7:00, 9:00 and 11:00 am 2015 CHRISTMAS SEASON LITURGY SCHEDULE S o l e m n I t y o f t h e N a t I v I t y o f o u r L o r d ST. MARY CHURCH Thursday, December 31st at 4:00 pm Friday, January 1st at 12 noon & 6:00 pm ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST CHURCH Eve 4:00 pm (Church & hall) and 10:00 pm Day. 8:30 and 10:30 am S o l e m n I t y o f M A R Y, H O L Y M O T H E R O F G O D * holy day of obligation ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST CHURCH Thursday, December 31st at 6:00 pm Friday, January 1st at 9:00 am E P I P H A N Y O F O U R L O R D *Sunday, January 3rd Regular Mass Schedule at both St. John and St. Mary Churches Children s Epiphany Pageant & Parish Breakfast following the 8:30 am Mass at St. John s

December 20th, 2015: Fourth Sunday of Advent page 3 Children s Choir to lead the music at the 4 pm Christmas Eve Mass Final Rehearsal Dates are as follows: Wednesday, December 23rd 6:30-7:30 PM Thursday, December 24th 3:00-4:00 PM Boys please wear a white shirt, a Christmas tie and dress pants. Girls... please wear Christmas colors. No sneakers or jeans please! 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 Wednesday, December 23rd at 10:00 am. Contact Paul Ciotti at ciotti@chelmsfordcatholic.org. Tuesday Morning Coffee Group Meets the 2nd & 4th Tuesday of the Month in the Church Hall, following the 9:00 AM Mass Join us THIS Tuesday, December 22 Rose for Life Rest in Peace Timothy McGowan, From Joan M. To book a Rose for Life, call Eileen; ext 229 Rose Donated by Blossoms Florist Monthly African Liturgy NEXT Sunday, December 27th at 12:30 PM As always, ALL are invited... St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry Monthly Collection THIS Weekend: December 19/20 Although THIS weekend is designated Food Collection Weekend, please don't hesitate to drop off your donations during any weekend. You can drop them off in the entrance way to the right of the stage in the church hall. You will notice our pantry located in there. Please remember to pay attention to expiration dates. Thank you for helping us to help others!. Poverty is NEVER on Holiday In addition to helping with groceries, St. Vincent de Paul uses your monetary donations to help our less fortunate neighbors with emergency assistance, such as: utility payments, rent and vouchers for clothing at the SVdP store in downtown Lowell. Your continuing generosity allows our parish to fulfill the Lord s command to help the least of my brothers and sisters. Please pick up an SVdP envelope at the back of the church and drop your donation in the collection basket next weekend; we especially need your donations at this time. Thank you, in advance, for your generosity! In honor of the upcoming holiday season, the parish office hours have been adjusted as follows: Thursday, December, 24th: Close at 12 NOON Friday, December 25th: Closed Monday, December 28th: Closed Thursday, December 31st: Close at 12 NOON Friday, January 1st: Closed.

The Parish Family of Saint John the Evangelist, North Chelmsford, Massachusetts page 4 Parish Calendar Catholic saints are holy people and human people who lived extraordinary lives. Each saint the Church honors responded to God's invitation to use his or her unique gifts. God calls each one of us to be a saint. St. Stephen, Martyr Feast Day: December 27th All we know of Stephen is found in Acts of the Apostles, chapters Six and Seven. It is enough to tell us what kind of man he was: At that time, as the number of disciples continued to grow, the Hellenist (Greek-speaking) Christians complained about the Hebrewspeaking Christians, saying that their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. So the Twelve called together the community of the disciples and said, It is not right for us to neglect the word of God to serve at table. Brothers, select from among you seven reputable men, filled with the Spirit and wisdom, whom we shall appoint to this task, whereas we shall devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word. The proposal was acceptable to the whole community, so they chose Stephen, a man filled with faith and the Holy Spirit... (Acts 6:1-5). Acts says that Stephen was a man filled with grace and power, who worked great wonders among the people. Certain Jews, members of the Synagogue of Roman Freedmen, debated with Stephen, but proved no match for the wisdom and spirit with which he spoke. They persuaded others to make the charge of blasphemy against him. He was seized and carried before the Sanhedrin. In his speech, Stephen recalled God s guidance through Israel s history, as well as Israel s idolatry and disobedience. He then claimed that his persecutors were showing this same spirit. You always oppose the holy Spirit; you are just like your ancestors (Acts 7:51b). His speech brought anger from the crowd. But [Stephen], filled with the holy Spirit, looked up intently to heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, and he said, Behold, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God... They threw him out of the city, and began to stone him... As they were stoning Stephen, he called out, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit... Lord, do not hold this sin against them (Acts 7:55-56, 58a, 59, 60b). http://www.americancatholic.org/ SUNDAY, DECEMBER 20TH Coffee & Donuts following 8:30 AM Mass 11:00 AM- 1:30 PM: African Liturgy Committee: OPC Youth Ministry Auction Finale, following 8:30 am Mass: Hall MONDAY, DECEMBER 21ST 6:30-9:30 PM: Men s ACTS: OPC 7:00-8:00 PM: Confession: Church TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22ND Tuesday Morning Coffee, following 9:00 Mass: Hall WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23RD 6:30-7:30 PM: Children s Choir Rehearsal: Church 7:00-8:00 PM: Confession: Church THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24TH 3:00-4:00 PM: Children s Choir Rehearsal: Church FRIDAY, DECEMBER 25TH ~ Merry Christmas! Christ the Savior is Born ~ SATURDAY, DECEMBER 26TH 3:00-3:45 PM: Confession: Church SUNDAY, DECEMBER 27TH Coffee & Donuts following 8:30 AM Mass 12:30 PM: African Liturgy: Church 2:00 PM: African Community Christmas Celebration: Hall 2015 Clergy Fund Collection December 25, 2015 A word from our very own Fr. Colletti The age for the retirement of priests in the Archdiocese of Boston and the entire Catholic Church is 75. I did not retire at 75, and the Cardinal allowed me to stay as pastor of Saint Brigid and Sacred Heart Parishes in Lexington. Each year I met with Cardinal Sean to present a State-of-the Parishes report, and he renewed me for another year. I had to retire six years later when Lexington went into Phase III (just as the parishes in Chelmsford have done). Going into retirement status, I could go to Regina Cleri (the retirement residence for retired priests), or I could go to my family home or do whatever I wanted to do. I decided to continue to work in a parish and came to Chelmsford at the invitation of our Pastor, Father Brian Mahoney. I am paid a monthly stipend and have health benefits paid by the Clergy Health and Retirement Trust. The Clergy Fund is supported by the Christmas and Easter Collections in each parish. On behalf of my classmates and all the retired priests, I thank you, in advance, for your generous gift to the upcoming Christmas Collection.

page 5 December 20th, 2015: Fourth Sunday of Advent Liturgical Corner MON, DEC 21 Song 2: 8-14 Psalm 33 Luke 1: 39-45 This Week s Readings SAT, DEC 26 Acts 6: 8-10; 7: 54-59 Psalm 31 Matt 10: 17-22 The Mass... -Continued from last week Christ unites us to the Paschal Mystery by making his presence known through the actions and prayers of the assembly and ministers, the proclamation of the word, and the consecration of bread and wine into his Body and Blood (SC, 7). As Christ has promised us: where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them (Matthew 8:20). In this liturgical assembly, the Church is gathered to hear God s word of salvation proclaimed in the Liturgy of the Word. In response to the Good News that has been proclaimed, we offer praise and thanksgiving to God, and then, in the Liturgy of the Eucharist, we come to experience the salvation that has been proclaimed as we receive God s gift of Christ from bread and wine. In addition, because we participate in Christ s Paschal Mystery, there is also an encounter with the Triune God. Christ acts as our mediator to the Father through the Holy Spirit, who is present in his people. In essence, Christ s self-offering in the Paschal Mystery becomes our offering to the Father as we unite ourselves to Christ, and offer ourselves with him. This encounter with the Trinity is expressed clearly in the very structure of the liturgical prayers. For example, the opening prayer, also called the collect, is generally addressed to the Father, through Christ in the Holy Spirit (GIRM, 54). An essential aspect of the Mass, then, is our participation in the Paschal Mystery, by which we come into communion with the inner life of the Trinity. TUE, DEC 22 1Sam 1: 24-28 1Sam 2 Luke 1: 46-56 THUR, DEC 24 2Sam 7: 1-5, 8-12, 14, 16 Psalm 89 Luke 1: 67-79 SUN, DEC 27 Sir 3: 2-6, 12-14 Psalm 128 Col 3: 12-21 Luke 2: 41-52 To Be Continued... WED, DEC 23 Mal 3: 1-4, 23-24 Psalm 25 Luke 1: 57-66 FRI, DEC 25 Is 52: 7-10 Psalm 98 Heb 1: 1-6 John 1: 1-18 YOUR WORD IS A LAMP UNTO MY FEET AND A LIGHT UNTO MY PATH -PSALM 119:105 SATURDAY, DECEMBER 19TH 4:00 PM: Frederick J. Pevey, Sr. (9th Anniversary) SUNDAY, DECEMBER 20TH 8:30 AM: Anne Lizotte 10:30 AM: Nicholas Denisevich 5:00 PM: For the People of the Parish TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22ND 9:00 AM: Molly Fitzpatrick WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23RD 9:00 AM: David Shipko THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24TH 4:00 PM IN CHURCH: For the People of the Parish 4:00 PM IN HALL: Louis & Priscilla Rega FRIDAY, DECEMBER 25TH 8:30 AM: Nat Serra 10:30 AM: Edward & Irene Spinelli SATURDAY, DECEMBER 26TH 4:00 PM: Richard & Margaret Murphy SUNDAY, DECEMBER 27TH 8:30 AM: Gerard Demers (4th Anniversary) 10:30 AM: Curran, Belken, Johnson & Finlay Family 12:30 PM: AFRICAN Liturgy: Sonon Agnes; The African Community; Thanking God for all of His blessings this year 5:00 PM: Deceased members of the Doyle & Jackson Families May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen. Let Us Pray For an up building of all vocations in the Church, and in a particular way, for priestly vocations to the Archdiocese of Boston from our parish. For a strengthening of all vocations, that we may all strive to follow God's call to holiness. For our young men and women whom God is calling to serve as Priests and religious, that they may have the grace of God to hear the call and the support of their family and friends to answer. For Vocations

The Parish Family of Saint John the Evangelist, North Chelmsford, Massachusetts page 6 This week we celebrate From our Pastor! one of the most important celebrations of the year, though not the most important that one belongs to Easter alone. But Christmas ranks on the second tier of important Church celebrations. But why do we celebrate Christmas at all? The celebration of Christmas most likely started sometime during the mid-to-late third century. And contrary to what many people believe, it was not celebrated on December 25th to trump a pagan celebration. The celebration of Christmas on this date actually has to do with the original date for Easter. It is a little complicated, but let me try to simplify how the date for Christmas was decided. The Church began celebrating Easter probably in the first century, but not necessarily on a Sunday like we do today. It was celebrated on the day that Jesus died, which in the Jewish calendar was 14 Nisan. The Roman world had many different calendars in use and so it was not really standardized. The Jewish calendar was a lunar calendar based on the cycle of the moon, and each month had 28 days. The Roman calendar was a solar calendar based on the cycle of the sun, and each month was a little different. Now the early Church determined that March 25th in the Roman calendar was the equivalent date of 14 Nisan in the Jewish calendar, and so that became the original date for the celebration of Easter. At this time there was also the idea that part of the perfection of the great patriarchs of Israel was that they died on the same date as they were born. We read that Abraham died at 175 and Moses died at 120 years old. The importance of this is not how old they were, but that their ages were recorded in years only, and not in years and so many months. They took this a step further with Christ: they believed that Christ died, not on the date of his birth but on the date of his conception, March 25th, to show even greater perfection. This date is now the Feast of the Annunciation when the angel Gabriel came to Mary to announce great tidings. It is also the feast of the incarnation of Jesus when God united His divine nature with a human nature. If Christ was conceived on March 25th,then add nine months and you get December 25th. The feast of Christmas is therefore a celebration of that incarnation coming to be manifested in the world. It is a celebration of God s self-revelation to us, bringing forth the hope of our salvation. This is part of the reason that the original Christmas Gospel was not written by Matthew or Luke: it was not about the infancy narrative. But rather, the beginning of the Gospel of John was the original Christmas Gospel. The Gospel of John begins, In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God It goes on to tell us, And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we saw his glory, the glory as of the Father s only Son, full of grace and truth. The birth of Christ is about God s fulfillment of his promise to save us from sin and death. We too often can get overly focused on the manger and the baby in Bethlehem, and do not recognize that our hope is NOT that a baby was born, but that this baby was born to die. Christmas has no meaning if Easter does not happen. The full meaning of the incarnation is only discovered through the death and resurrection of Christ. As we look at the child in the crib, we must see the cross that awaits him, to fully understand what we are called to celebrate this week. The early Church understood the connection between the birth of Christ and his death, and that is why this date was chosen. The choice of December 25th was deliberate and well thought out. It connected the incarnation, the birth, and the death and resurrection of Christ together. The great mystery of our faith comes to be understood as a unified truth, as a proclamation of salvation recognized throughout the complete unfolding of the life of Christ. As we celebrate this great gift of God, let us recognize that God has, in a sense, done the same for us. We need to seek that same kind of unified approach to the life we are living in Christ. How are we giving birth to Christ in our lives? We must understand that to truly give birth to Christ we must die to ourselves. When we do that, we become transformed and, in a sense, resurrected. Every time we reject sin, every time we seek only to do God s will, every time we empty ourselves of worldly desires, and every time we humble ourselves to the voice and will of God, we die and rise to new life in Christ. When we do that, we, in a sense, give birth to Christ in the world by becoming Christ to others. This is the true gift of Christmas, and this is the only gift that God really desires from us. He desires that we give the same gift to others that he has given to us JESUS. If you have any questions about anything please do not hesitate to ask me directly or send your questions to me at fr.brian@chelmsfordcatholic.org. Please keep me in your prayers. In Christ, Fr. Brian

page 7 Mary s Yes & Our Yes A Reflection Today, the Church lights the fourth and final candle of our advent season. Throughout this season of advent, we have heard a message of repentance proclaimed by John the Baptist, as the salvation of God draws nearer. Our joyous preparation for the coming of our Lord has come to an end. As we prepare to celebrate Christmas and receive the new born King into our hearts, let us reflect upon our own prepared disposition to receive these joyous celebrations with our hearts wide opened. In the first reading from the prophet Micah, we hear that the one who is to rule Israel is to come from Bethlehem, a small clan of Judah. From the smallness of Bethlehem shall sprout greatness, for He will bring peace and guide His people through the name of His God. This, once insignificant clan Bethlehem of Judah becomes a sign of hope for us all. We, though small, are capable within our hearts to be a living birth place for our Lord, not only for us to hold but to share with others. As in the Gospel, the Blessed Virgin Mary did not stay content in her own town bearing the Lord in her womb, for she traveled to the hills of Judah to visit her cousin Elizabeth who was with child. Her visit brought the presence of the Lord to Elizabeth and her family, producing tremendous joy in their hearts. How can we prepare ourselves to receive the Lord into our hearts? St. Paul in the second reading offers an answer for our preparation. St. Paul, in his letter to the Hebrews, reflects upon the word of Christ, I come to do your will, O God. God has not desired sacrifice or been pleased with burnt offerings, but the will to do His will. The will of God eclipses what is required by the Law. Our model for willing the will of God is the Blessed Virgin Mary, who responded yes unconditionally to all that was asked of her. Truly, this Sunday highlights the role of our Blessed Mother in salvation history. Her yes brought about the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. Her yes restored the harm caused by the sin of Adam and Eve. Her yes brought Jesus to us all. As we wait patiently for the birth of our Lord, let us also say yes. Yes, to the will of God; yes, to bearing Jesus in our hearts; yes, to witnessing to the world the birth of our new born King. May we follow the example of the Blessed Virgin Mary, our mother, answering yes unconditionally to the will of God in our lives. Rejoice and leap with joy for how great is it that the Son of God has come to us. Agustin Carrillo www.catholicsoncall.org December 20th, 2015: Fourth Sunday of Advent / Our Senior Priest In Residence, Fr. Colletti In today s reading from 2 Samuel we read: David said to Nathan the prophet, Here I am living in a house of cedar, while the ark of God dwells in a tent! But that night the Lord spoke to Nathan and said: Go tell my servant David, Thus says the Lord: Should you build me a house to dwell in? It seems God was always giving hints of how it would be, in long distance love letters spelled out in the sand of desert wanderings, in promises that kept creeping down through the ages of prophets and kings, all pointing to this God s having a house in our land so that all would know Him not as an itinerant preacher riding the revival circuit of our history, but as a permanent resident of our days a neighborhood that God always just next door. Solomon and David labored mightily that it should be so, and the Advent-ure took on a new drama. But the reality of God s dwelling came only later with the Hebrew tents and temples being the early warning system telling how close our God would come. Like blades of grass waiting to receive the morning dew, we wondered about all of this an un-named something stirred our suspicions about what was up down at the heart of things. And then it happened: this God dismissed our suspicions with the velvet thunder of His Spirit rolling over the holy ground of a certain Mary who was wholly His, and He spoke to our wonderings a gently, wonderful word: Jesus. As at high noon, a warmth enveloped us and we knew this exquisite truth: while we had wanted to build our God a house, He had wanted only a home, and the only home He wanted was us. And so it was, and is.

The Parish Family of Saint John the Evangelist, North Chelmsford, Massachusetts page 8 Clergy & Staff Staff Directory Reverend Brian Mahoney, PASTOR ext 215 fr.brian@chelmsfordcatholic.org Reverend Tom Corcoran. PAROCHIAL VICAR ext 218 frcorcoran@chelmsfordcatholic.org Reverend Laurence Ren Tocci, PAROCHIAL VICAR ext 225 fr.ren@chelmsfordcatholic.org Reverend Arnold Colletti, SR. PRIEST IN RESIDENCE ext 221 frcolletti@chelmsfordcatholic.org Francis X. Burke, PERMANENT DEACON ext 224 deaconfran@chelmsfordcatholic.org Fran Anderson, COOR. OF FAITH FORMATION; ST. JOHN ext 212 fran@chelmsfordcatholic.org Courtney Callanan, COOR. OF YOUTH MINISTRY ext 227 ccallanan@chelmsfordcatholic.org Paul Ciotti, DIRECTOR OF WORSHIP ext 234 ciotti@chelmsfordcatholic.org Paul Firicano, PARISH FINANCE MANAGER; ST. MARY ext 220 pfiricano@chelmsfordcatholic.org Heather Hannaway, DIR. FAITH FORMATION; ST. MARY ext 226 hhannaway@chelmsfordcatholic.org Dan Heider, PARISH CUSTODIAN; ST. MARY ext 121 dheider@chelmsfordcatholic.org Elaine Kindler, FAITH FORMATION OFFICE MANAGER ext 216 ekindler@chelmsfordcatholic.org Liliana Lucas, BUSINESS MANAGER; ST. JOHN ext 213 liliana@chelmsfordcatholic.org Eileen Marcotte ext 229 eileen@chelmsfordcatholic.org Kathy McMillan, PASTORAL ASSOCIATE ext 228 kmcmillan@chelmsfordcatholic.org Luis Nieto, COOR. OF YOUTH MINISTRY ext 230 luis@chelmsfordcatholic.org Tina Sousa ext 219 tsousa@chelmsfordcatholic.org Christine Trznadel ext 214 christine@chelmsfordcatholic.org Stephen Webber, FACILITIES MANAGER; ST. JOHN ext 231 steve@chelmsfordcatholic.org IN ORDER to promote communication and transparency throughout the Chelmsford Catholic Collaborative, you are encouraged to forward any comments and concerns you may have directly to the Parish Pastoral and Finance Councils. COLLABORATIVE PARISH COUNCIL matters can be sent to: CollaborativePPC@chelmsfordcatholic.org or 978-251-8571/ 978-256-2374, ext 145. Members of this council are... Suzanne Beebe Rachel Beechin Steve Conte Kathy Cullen Jean DiCamillo Ross Drew Frederick Fernandes Nancy Harrington Peter Lando Juliana Magbondzi Angela McMaster Clifford Mann Frances Murphy Matt Pontbriant Steve Schiefen Julie Seitter Paul Sidari Tom Souza Laura Zatta ST. JOHN S FINANCE COUNCIL matters can be sent to: SJFinanceCouncil@chelmsfordcatholic.org or 978-251-8571, ext 146. Members of this council are... Ron Bator Jeff Brown Ann Cottle Pat Defreitas Frank Peabody Keith Seitter Jerry Wright ST. MARY S FINANCE COUNCIL contact information will be provided as soon as the Chairperson is elected. Members of this council are... Armand DiLando Lauren Desforge William Donahue Gerard Jarasitis Mary Jo Metro The COLLECTION Report Due to an early submittal to the printer because of the upcoming holiday Season, the collection figures for the weekend of December 12/13 will be posted in the January 3rd bulletin. Thank you. CHRISTMAS COLLECTION 2015 This Christmas, as is every year, Catholics across the Archdiocese join together to honor and thank our priests. Your gift to the Clergy Health and Retirement Trust helps to ensure an appropriate level of care and quality of life for our 614 active and senior priests. Our priests were there for us in our time of need. Now is our turn to care for them when they need us. All are welcome to make a gift online at clergyfunds.org, use the in-pew envelopes, or text PRIEST to 56512. Thank you for your support. *Turn to page 4 to hear directly from Fr. Colletti about how he benefits from this fund.

St. Mary Happenings. St. Mary Prayer Line God is Just a Prayer Away If you would like to have prayers said for yourself or a loved one, simply call The Prayer Line at 978-256-2374, ext. 223. Just spell out the first name plus the first initial of the last name of the person needing prayers, and a short 3-5 word statement of the request. That name/intention NEVER COMES OFF THE LIST, even when the prayer is answered. We believe that God distributes the merits of our continued prayers to where they are most needed. Trust that the whole St. Mary Prayer Line Team will pray for your intention(s). During the Christmas Season, discover 1060AM Catholic Radio Boston... Collaborative Corner St. Mary Church 25 North Road, Chelmsford Weekend Liturgy Saturday: 4:00 PM Sunday: 7:00 AM, 9:00 AM, 11:00 AM & 6:00 PM Weekday Liturgy Monday - Friday: 7:00 AM Saturday: 9:00 AM Saint Mary Live Stream Mass Schedule Monday Friday 7:00 AM - 4:00 PM Saturday 9:00 AM - Sunday 7:30 PM Sick or homebound can watch the Mass on their computer. Go to Saint Mary parish web site; www.saint-mary.org and click on the link at the bottom of the page Live View. Sacrament of Reconciliation Saturday: 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM or by appointment Eucharistic Adoration Thursdays 3 pm-9 pm (Family Prayer Room) Fridays 7:30-9:00 pm (Family Prayer Room) Saturdays 9:30 am - 3:00 pm (Church) -following 9:00 am Mass If you would like to submit a notice in the bulletin, please submit it no later than 12 NOON on the 2nd Friday prior to the bulletin weekend in which you want it published. Submittals should be forwarded via email to christine@chelmsfordcatholic.org. Please direct all bulletin inquires to Christine Trznadel at 978-251-8571, x 214.

In Memory/Honor Of Those who have touched us! Alcorn Family Walter Anderson Autino Family Bailey Family Barrett Family John & Claire Bator Beebe Family James Beechin Leon & Rita Belley Anthony Biondi Blakely Family Bob, Loraine, Jim, Elizabeth & Carolyn Bouchard Family Fr. Daniel P. Bowen Susan Bradley Mr. & Mrs. James F. Brosnan Al Brownstein Dan Brzezenski Larry Burke Betty Burns Cayer Family Mr. & Mrs. William Chase, Jr. Nagim & Margaret Checrallah Pat & Betty Ciampa Robert & Paul Cole Jack & Nick Colgan John & Eveline Conrad Conway Family Mr. Joseph & Mrs. Rita Conway Lorraine B. Corcoran Cormier Family Allen Curseaden Deckert Family Theresa H. Demers Nicholas Denisevich KJ Dumont Frank Durant Egan Family Eshelman Family Bill Fadden Paul Fadden Dr. Thomas Fitzpatrick Eileen Francoeur Goddard Family Louis & Helen Grimes Jane & James Haley Judy Hannafin Elizabeth T. Harrington Hannah & John Harrington Michael F. Harrington Hassett Family Joseph Herlihy Hitchcock Family Richard Holmes Lucy & John Jacobsen Dorothy & John Kelly Peter Joseph Kelts Elizabeth Lagasse Lafferty Family Landry Family Delia Lavallee Rachel Levinthol Ann Lizotte Mr. & Mrs. Edward J. Locke, Jr. Lorrey Family Christine Luther Magnifico Family Lenny Maille Stephen Marcotte Dr. Edward & Mrs. Mary McDermott McGeown Family William & Mary McGuirk Alfred D. McMullen Elizabeth Miskell Mary Miskell Nora Miskell Molleur Family Joseph P. Moran Murphy Family Muscato Family Jeanette Narbut Arlene Narkunas Greg Narkunas Mamei Ndola Dorothy Nickarch George O Brien O Connell Family William O Gara Michael & Johanna O Neill Kelly Gower Ormsby Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Palermo, Sr. Laura Parlee Eva Poirier Louis & Priscilla Rega Mrs. Barbara A. Regan Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Regan Rivard Family Ron, Eleonore & Lea Edward J. Savill Nat & Rose Serra Alvin J. Sherman Mr. & Mrs. Wincenty Skamarycz Frank & Dorothy Smith Nicole Smith-Echevarria Theresa Soucier Sheila Stewart Fr. Brendan Sullivan Sullivan Family Martha Swissler Taranto Family Tessier Family Tony, Ernie, Phil & Emilie James Urban Richard Villeneuve Kay & Ed Wilson Woelbl Family Anne & David Woodle 2015 Christmas Flower Offerings Donations received after December 18th will appear in January 3rd bulletin