Collaborative of Saint Francis of Assisi & Saint Joseph Parishes Medford, MA December 24 - December 3o, 2017
Page 2 Collaborative of Parish & Parish, Medford, MA Collaborative of Parish & Parish Daily Mass: Monday-Thursday at 9am Weekend Masses: Saturday at 4pm Sunday at 9am & 11am medfordcollaborative.org Collaborative Mass Schedule Pastor: Parochial Vicar: Deacon: Collaborative Staff December 24 - December 30, 2017 Fr. Paul V. Sullivan Fr. John T. Swencki Deacon Bob Breen Director of Finance and Operations: Laura Powers Phone: 781-396-0423 x113 Director of Faith Formation & Youth Ministry: Doreen Breen Phone: 781-396-0423 x126 Faith Formation Coordinator: Ann Carroll Phone: 781-396-0423 x114 Middle School Youth Ministry: medfordyouthgroup@gmail.com High School Youth Minsitry: faithonfire@gmail.com Religious Education Email: mccfaithformation@gmail.com Parish Staff Music Director: Betsy Pesce Phone: 781-396-0423 x125 Cell: 617-335-8155 StJosephMusic@msn.com Office Manager: Betty Guerra Business Manager: Karen Sturniolo Parish Staff Music Director: Jonathan Cote Parish Secretary: Marie Van Campen Business Manager: Alisa O Dowd Collaborative Parish Office 114 High Street, Medford, MA 02155 Phone: 781-396-0423 Fax: 781-391-2919 School Daily Mass: Monday-Saturday at 8am Weekend Masses: Saturday at 4pm Sunday at 8am, 10am & 12 noon Email: StJosephParishMedfordMA@msn.com Email: saintfrancischurch@comcast.net Main Office: 781-396-3636 Tuition Office: 781-396-0423 x117 Website: stjosephschoolmedford.com Principal: Dr. Robert Murphy Early Childhood Learning Center Director: Linda Iacabone 781-395-7780
Collaborative of Parish & Parish, Medford, MA Page 3 "Joy to the world, the Lord is come!" Welcome to New Parishioners No matter what your present status in the Catholic Church, No matter what your current family or marital situation, No matter what your current personal history, age, background, race, etc., No matter what your own self-image; you are invited, welcomed, accepted, loved and respected here at The Collaborative of Saint Francis of Assisi Parish and Saint Joseph Parish. If you are new to the parish, please introduce yourself to a member of the Parish Staff after Mass or at your convenience. May you and your family experience anew the joy of Christ's presence in your lives. May the Christ Child draw you close to Himself and give you grace and peace during this Christmas Season. And may God bless us and guide us all in the new year 2018. We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Father Paul, Father John, Deacon Bob, and Staff O Come Let Us Adore Him! Sacrament of Matrimony Couples should make arrangements with one of our priests or deacon at least six months before the wedding. Pastoral Care of the Sick and Elderly Please contact the Parish Center Office to make arrangements, if you are going into the hospital, or have a family member who is homebound and would like to receive the Sacrament of the Sick. If a family member cannot come to church and would like to receive Communion at home, please notify us. Remembering Our Parishes Please consider remembering Parish, Parish or School when drafting your estate plans. For more information, please call Laura Powers at 781-396-0423 Ext 113. Thank you. Collaborative Christmas Mass Schedule Christmas Eve - 4pm & Midnight Christmas Day - 11am Christmas Eve - 4pm Christmas Day - 10am & Noon
Page 4 Collaborative of Parish & Parish, Medford, MA Loved Ones In Service Presently on active duty serving our country: LCPL Gerald Byrnes, US Marine Corps. PFC Ryan Barry, US Army Keith Conway Cameron Howard Nicholas C. Lavery 2LT Richard Neil Matta, US Army Christopher Silva Daniel Silva Our prayers go out to all men and women who are serving our country. May God protect them. Please remember the following people who are in need of prayers: Theresa O Brien Carew, Sr. Waltrude Dennis CSJ, Pasqualina DeSimone, Jack Foley, Jeffrey Morgan, Torbert Prior, Joel Rivera, Donald & Ronald Sisson, Rob Stengel, Donna Trabucco, Pauline Vojtas & Denise Zero Weekly Scripture Readings 24 SUN 2 Sm 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16/Rom 16:25-27/Lk 1:26-38 25 Mon Vigil: Is 62:1-5/Acts 13:16-17, 22-25/Mt 1:1-25 Day: Is 52:7-10/Heb 1:1-6/Jn 1:1-18 or 1:1-5, 9-14 26 Tue Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59/Mt 10:17-22 27 Wed 1 Jn 1:1-4/Jn 20:1a, 2-8 28 Thu 1 Jn 1:5 2:2/Mt 2:13-18 29 Fri 1 Jn 2:3-11/Lk 2:22-35 30 Sat 1 Jn 2:12-17/Lk 2:36-40 31 SUN Sir 3:2-6, 12-14 or Gn 15:1-6; 21:1-3/Col 3:12-21 or 3:12-17 or Hb 11:8, 11-12, 17-19/ Lk 2:22-40 or 2:22, 39-40 Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults RCIA Are you an adult who has not yet been baptized and would like to explore the possibility of being baptized? Are you an adult who was baptized in a non- Catholic Christian community and would be interested in entering into full communion with the Catholic Church? Are you an adult who was baptized in the Catholic Church as a child, never received further faith formation, and would like to pursue reception of the sacraments beyond baptism? Are you an adult who did not complete your Religious Education and would like to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation? If any of these descriptions applies to you, it would be good for you to consider your possible participation in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults RCIA. Please feel free to pass this notice on to a family member of friend. The RCIA is the process of spiritual and catechetical formation through which adults decide to be baptized or enter into full communion with the Catholic Church. The next meeting for the 2018 RCIA Program will be on Sunday, December 31, 2017 after the 11:00AM Mass at Saint Francis of Assisi Church. Please contact Deacon Bob at deaconbob2008@gmail.com if you are interested in participating or have questions. December 24 - December 30, 2017
Collaborative of Parish & Parish, Medford, MA Page 5 Grand Annual Campaign UPDATE Thank you to all who have generously contributed toward our Grand Annual Campaign. We are so grateful you are able to share your blessings and treasure to help our parishes grow and serve you. We are hoping to close our Grand Annual Campaign by January. If you have yet to contribute, we ask for your prayerful consideration and generosity for this vital campaign. Especially, as you consider your end of year contributions. Parish Goal $ Collected % Collected St. Francis $40,000 $26,548 67% $70,000 $44,697 64% Increased Offertory Campaign UPDATE Last weekend s offertory fell below last year s levels as we experienced a snow storm which caused attendance to fall. Consequently, we didn t see the pledged increases sustained in the offertory. This situation highlights the importance of enrolling in the electronic giving program at each parish. It s easy, convenient and safe. The program can be easily accessed from our website at www.medfordcollaborative.org. And, most importantly, it ensures your contributions are able to make a difference in the financial health and life of our parishes. Following is the report of offertory levels paid since Commitment Weekend up to last weekend, December 11 th, compared to the same period last year: Christmas Collection: Clergy Health and Retirement Trust The 590 diocesan priests in our Archdiocese are always there for us, sharing Christ s good news, performing good works, and building strong communities of faith. They stand with you during your times of joy and sorrow. They have devoted their lives to serving Christ and his family. Remember priests such as Fr. Paul Sullivan and Fr. John Swencki who have made a meaningful difference in your life, and consider honoring them with a generous gift for the Christmas Collection. You may also make your gift online at clergytrust.org or you can donate $25 through your cell phone by texting the word PRIEST25 to 20222 (msg. & data rates may apply). Thank you for your prayers and generous support for our priests. St Francis This year $31,249.00 $50,929.50 A year ago 27,406.00 47,719.00 Increase $ 3,843.00 $ 3,210.50 Increase % 14% 7% We are so grateful that our parishes have responded with great generosity and enthusiasm. May God bless you and your families for your steadfast support of St. Francis and Parishes! Stewardship Link: Deuteronomy 14:22 Each year you shall tithe all the produce that grows in the field you have sown.
Page 6 Collaborative of Parish & Parish, Medford, MA Please Join the Parish Music Ministry for Two Very Special Christmas Events! The Parish Music Ministry so hopes you will join us for either of two special events this Christmas: On Christmas Eve, Sunday, December 24th, at 3:30pm, the Messengers (our young adult music group) and the Youth Choir will be presenting a special Carol Festival - which will include a wonderful Christmas Pageant by the children of the parish -prior to the celebration of Christmas Mass at 4pm......and on Christmas Day, Monday, December 25th, at 11:30am, our Adult Choir will also be presenting our annual Christmas Carol Festival/Prelude Program prior to the Noon Mass. Please plan to come to Mass one-half hour early, and help us make a joyful noise to celebrate the Lord's birth! Hoping to see many of you on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day! December 24 - December 30, 2017
Collaborative of Parish & Parish, Medford, MA Page 7 Christmas Flower Remembrances In an effort to become more efficient and more lovingly honor the memory of your loved ones this Christmas, the list of names of those for whom flower donations are made will not be published in the Christmas season bulletins. Instead, we will place every Christmas Flower envelope received in a basket near the altar and all your loved ones will be prayerfully remembered as the Special Intention and in the Prayers of the Faithful at our Christmas Day Masses. We are grateful for your generosity and understanding. Medford Catholic Collaborative Faith Formation & Youth Ministry Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God Mass Schedule Sunday, December 31 st at 5pm Monday, January 1 st at 11am Monday, January 1 st at 8:30am Though not a Holy Day of Obligation this year, please join us for the Feast of the Solemnity of Mary. We Remember Them Tree of Life The Tree of Life, located by the church s baptistery, is for memorials, or to honor the living and great moments in our lives. Packets explaining the process of purchasing a leaf are available at Church on the table near The Tree. For more information, please call Marie at 781-396-0423. The true joy of Christmas is the love of Christ, shared with family and friends. May you ind His peace, love and joy in the coming New Year. Faith Formation & Youth Ministry Ofice Medford Catholic Collaborative New Weekday Mass Schedule for 2018 Beginning on January 2, the new weekday Mass schedule will be: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 8:30am Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 8:30am For your information, weekday Masses at neighboring parishes are as follows: Immaculate Conception, Malden 6:30am Monday - Friday, 8am Saturday St. Clement, Somerville 7am Monday - Saturday (also 6:30pm Thursday) St. Raphael, West Medford 8am Wednesday - Saturday
Page 8 Collaborative of Parish & Parish, Medford, MA Parish Saturday 12/23/17 4:00 pm Eleonora DeBenedetto Sunday 12/24/17 9:00 am 11:00 am 4:00 pm Midnight Monday 12/25/17 11:00 am Tuesday 12/26/17 Mesirese Compere Jane Cangiano Christmas Eve Vigil Midnight Mass Christmas Day 9:00 am Special Intention Wednesday 12/27/17 9:00 am Theresa, David & Margarget Leone Thursday 12/28/17 9:00 am Cynthia Boyle Friday 12/29/17 9:00 am No Mass Saturday 12/30/17 Mass Intentions 4:00 pm Emma Simonetti Office Hours Monday - Friday 9am - 3pm Sacrament of Reconciliation Saturdays from 3:00 pm to 3:45pm in the upper church confessional or by appointment. Sacrament of Baptism Baptisms are held on the second Sunday of the month at 12:30 pm. Instruction for first time parents and godparents is held at on the last Sunday of every month after the 11:00 am Mass in the upper church (unless there is a schedule conflict). Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament takes place every Monday at 7:00 pm in the upper church. All are welcome. Weekly Prayer Group The Prayer Group meets every Monday at 7:30 pm in the upper church to pray the Rosary. All are welcome. Secular Franciscans The Secular Franciscans, formerly Third Order, meet at on the fourth Sunday of every month at 2:00 pm in the Dining Hall. All are welcome. Sunday 12/31/17 9:00 am 11:00 am 5:00 pm For the People Carmine & Doris Matta Solemnity of Mary December 9 & 10 Collections: Offertory: $2,894 Monthly: $1,758 Holy Day: $772 This week the Sanctuary Light is lit in memory of: Salvatore Sammy Spinale The Hosts and Wine for this week s liturgies are in memory of: Arthur Prezioso The December 16 & 17 Collection amounts will be reported in next weekend s bulletin. Christmas Collection: Clergy Benefit Trust A special THANK YOU to all those who share their talent, time, presence and support with Parish. December 24 - December 30, 2017
Collaborative of Parish & Parish, Medford, MA Page 9 Parish Saturday 12/23/17 8:00 am 4:00 pm Sunday 12/24/17 8:00 am 10:00 am 12:00 pm 4:00 pm Monday 12/25/17 10:00 am 12:00 pm Tuesday 12/26/17 Delores Dietrich Jeanne L. Kane For the People Beniamino Martignetti Arthur Prezioso Christmas Eve Vigil Christmas Day 8:00 am Luciano Lunardi Wednesday 12/27/17 8:00 am Michael Mandatori Thursday 12/28/17 8:00 am Stephen Foley Friday 12/29/17 8:00 am Eric Jason Bonner Saturday 12/30/17 8:00 am 4:00 pm Sunday 12/31/17 8:00 am 10:00 am 12:00 pm Mass Intentions Francis Doherty Thomas M. Scanlon For the People Antonio Andreottola Helen Cataldo Readings: # 868 Christopher DiFiore and all our deceased parishioners and loved ones. Office Hours Monday - Friday 9am - 3pm Sacrament of Reconciliation Saturday morning after the 8:00 am Mass, Saturday afternoon from 3:00 pm to 3:45 pm in the upper church or by appointment. Sacrament of Baptism Baptisms are held on the third Sunday of the month at 1:30 pm. Instruction for first time parents and godparents is held at St. Francis of Assisi on the last Sunday of every month after the 11:00 am Mass in the upper church (unless there is a schedule conflict). Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament takes place on Wednesdays, Thursdays & Fridays from 8:30am to 8:30pm in the lower church. (Adoration will not be held on days Medford schools are closed due to weather.) Legion of Mary The Legion of Mary meets Wednesdays at 6:30 to 8pm in the back room of the lower church. All are welcome! The December 16 & 17 Collections amounts will be reported in next weekend s bulletin. Christmas Collection: Clergy Benefit Trust A special THANK YOU to all those who share their talent, time, presence and support with Parish. This week the Sanctuary Light is lit in memory of: Christopher DeBenedictis The Hosts and Wine for this week s liturgies are in memory of: Eugene Kawalski