OUR LADY OF THE CROSS PARISH HOLYOKE, MASSACHUSETTS DECEMBER 10, 2017
Page 2 PARISH STAFF Pastor Fr. Albert Scherer, OFM Conv. pastor@ourladyofthecross.com Parochial Vicar Fr. Andrzej Brzezinski, OFM Conv. pvicar@ourladyofthecross.com Secretary Linnea Williamson parish@ourladyofthecross.com Bookkeeper Sr. Christine Mumbi, FMSA bookkeeper@ourladyofthecross.com Director of Religious Education Dorothea MacNeil dre@ourladyofthecross.com (413) 244-6546 Music Director Joe DiMarino jdimarino@ourladyofthecross.com (508) 517-2032 Mater Dolorosa Cemetery Theresa Szumski (413) 532-7889 Mater Dolorosa School Principal Linda Rex mrs.rex@materdolorosaschool.org (413) 532-2831 Maintenance Robert Maziarz & Mike Rodgers Parish Child Advocate Marybeth Kass (413) 313-6118 FRIARY 23 Sycamore St. (413) 536-8832 Br. Frank Grimaldi, OFM Conv. Ext. 209 Fr. Stanley Sobiech, OFM Conv. Ext. 212 Fr. Ben Fagone, OFM Conv. Ext. 203 Fr. Albert Scherer, OFM Conv. Ext. 207 Fr. Andrzej Brzezinski, OFM Conv. Ext. 201 Our Lady of the Cross Parish, Holyoke, Massachusetts OFFICE INFORMATION Phone Number (413) 532-5661 Fax Line (413) 532-7889 Website www.ourladyofthecross.com Parish Office Address 15 Maple St. December 16 & 17 Lectors Eucharistic Ministers 4:00 Pauline Symasko Mimi Doyle, Jane Shepard, Shelley Whelihan Choir: Rosalie Pratt 7:30 Beth Szymonik Dorothy Skibel, Terry Keeler, James Brunault, Choir: Muriel Gubala 10:30 Angelique S. Harold Brunault, Robert Forest, Aldea Forest, Sharon Flynn, Choir: Jean Collins Altar Servers 4:00 Anastasia Fedora, Marina Fedora 7:30 James Lowe 10:30 Paige Brainard, Kelsy Brainard Join the Choir for Christmas Every year at Christmas about one thousand people will pass through our church doors, many of whom come here only once per year. The good news is that we have the opportunity to make their annual visit a positive experience so that maybe some will be inspired to come back more often. The quality of the music makes a big difference in how people experience Mass. Good music can help the Mass be a joyful and uplifting celebration. Bad music can make it intolerable. Which would you prefer? If you would rather have good music, there is something you can do about it: Sing with the choir during Christmas. It's not difficult, and each additional voice in the choir makes it easier and more fun for everyone. There are just two Thursday choir rehearsals left before Christmas. They take place on December 14 and 21 at 7 PM in the church. Please consider attending the rehearsals and singing with the choir at one Mass during Christmas. You will probably enjoy it! And your participation might be just what someone else needed. MUSIC FOR WEEKEND MASSES (All selections found in Seasonal Missalette) Processional: 316 - On Jordan s Bank Kyrie: If sung, 2, page 7 Offertory: 311- Lo, How a Rose E er Blooming Holy, Holy: People s Mass: 152, page 157 Acclamation B: 154 Amen: 156 Lamb of God: Chant: 183, page 172 Communion: 220 - Proclaim the Joyful Message Recessional: 215 - People Look East
December 10, 2017 Page 3 Dear Good People of Our Lady of the Cross, Advent: As we enter the second week of Advent, the Church continues to encourage us to prepare ourselves for the coming of Christ. Despite the busyness of this time of year, we still need to find time for God. During this season of Advent, would you be willing to spend a few additional minutes in prayer every day? Would you consider attending a weekday Mass? When you receive a Christmas card from someone, could you take a moment to say a prayer for that person? Could you go to confession, especially if it has been a long time since your last confession? Try to savor these days of Advent and use this season as a time of spiritual preparation for the birth of Christ. Small, Blue Book: I was happy to see that so many of you took home a copy of the book, Daily Reflections for Advent & Christmas. And I hope that you used this book during the first week of Advent as a way to enrich your prayer life in preparation for the birth of Christ. Please let me know what you think of this publication. There are still some copies available near the doors of the church. The Mercy of God: Confession is one way to prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ. Here at Our Lady of the Cross, confessions are heard every morning (except Sunday) and on Saturday afternoon. If you are looking for alternative times for confession, consider St. Stanislaus Church in Chicopee, where confessions are heard at various times during the week. On Monday, December 18 at 7:00 pm, we will be having our Advent Penance Service at Blessed Sacrament Church. There will be many priests from the area who will be available for individual confessions. Please take advantage of this opportunity to experience the mercy of our God. Increase Offertory Campaign: Here are the responses as of December 1: 152 Parishioners increased their contributions 9 One amount furnished (NEW) 58 Contributions will remain the same 6 No amount given 1 Donation made 226 Total Responses 4 Individuals requested receiving offertory envelopes As you can see, a significant number of parishioners increased their contributions ~ which will be a big help to the parish. You can also see that many parishioners have not yet responded to this campaign. If you still have not returned the special blue & white envelope, I ask that you do so soon. Even if you are unable to increase your contribution at this time, we still need to hear from you. I extend my sincerest thanks to all of you who have responded to this campaign. Christmas Mass Schedule: For the past couple of years we have chosen to have a 10 pm Mass instead of a Midnight Mass. Several parishioners have asked if we could bring back the Midnight Mass. After discussing it with the members of our staff, we have decided to celebrate Midnight Mass this Christmas. But we will also take a careful look at the attendance at all of our Christmas Masses and then decide on a schedule for next year. We will also get your input. In addition to the Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve, we will have a 4:00 pm Mass. On Christmas Day, we will have Mass at 7:30, 9:00 (Polish) and 10:30. Still Missing: We are still missing at least 15 Fall Festival signs. If you have one, please return it to the church or parish office as soon as possible. We plan on using them again next year. MD Pew: A pew from Mater Dolorosa church has been placed at the back of our church to give you an idea of the size. If you would like to purchase a pew for $100.00, please call the parish office soon. Peace, FR. ALBERT Church Enhancement Projects We have not received enough money to cover the cost of the following projects. Any contribution that you could make will be appreciated. Oak base for the Pieta ~ Cost: $2,800. Received: $2,050.00 ($750.00 still needed) Gift of $100.00 from Paul Dower Remodel confessional ~ Cost: $4,950. Received: $2,525.00 ($2,425.00 still needed)
Page 4 Our Lady of the Cross Parish, Holyoke, Massachusetts In Word & Deed Admit it! We ve all faked the words to a song or hymn that everyone else seemed to know. We hum along, or make up words and try not to be noticed, but sometimes make disastrous mistakes. For example, an exchange student was listening to the radio, intent on learning a holiday song. Instead of singing giddy-up, giddy-up, giddy-up, let s go, she sang idiot, idiot, idiot, let s go! Right melody, wrong words. People listened to the prophets, teachers and preachers for years. The message was often very similar: reform, change, grow in holiness, observe the law, and live your life to please God. Sacrifice, discipline and service were necessary to the spiritual life. Somewhere along the way, the message was changed and now people hear a message of a Gospel of prosperity, financial blessings and that enough faith will make you great. There is no substitute for truth. We have to get the message right, to hear the words of the prophets, of the martyrs and saints, of the Church, indeed, the words of Jesus Himself. We cannot fake faith, nor just play along as though we know what it s all about. John the Baptist reminds us to hear the words of the Gospel and proclaim it in word and in deed. It s a melody that carried life and grace. ~James Gaffney, 2008 Karides Lic. to St. George Publishing This Week at Our Lady of the Cross December 10: 12:30 pm PNA 1220 Mtg. 3:00 pm Polish Divine Mercy December 11: 4:00 pm Religious Education 6:30 pm Parish Council Meeting December 12: 6:30 pm Finance Council Meeting December 13: 6:00 pm MD School PTO Meeting December 14: 10:00 am Radio City Bus Trip 6:30 pm Baptismal Class 7:00 pm Choir Rehearsal December 17: 10:30 am Mass with St. Nick Save the Date Mater Dolorosa School Toast to the Future Gala Derby Style A Race to the Finish Saturday May 5, 2018 The Log Cabin Live Auction, Food, Raffles, Music and a great time! Contact Nora Moreau 315.1030 or noramoreau@aol.com for any questions Christmas Wafer Sharing the Christmas wafer (in Polish: opłatek or plural opłatki) with family members and friends during the evening meatless supper (in Polish: wigilia) on Christmas Eve is a very strong Christian tradition observed in Poland and other central European countries. The unleavened wafers are baked from wheat flour and water. They are identical in composition to the hosts we use for Holy Communion during the Eucharist. The custom of breaking the Christmas wafer at the Christmas Eve meal begins with passing wafers to all the members of a family gathered around the table. Then everyone breaks the wafer with every person present, wishing him or her a Merry Christmas and asking, if necessary, for forgiveness. Very often the family members who are far from their families send them the wafer in a Christmas card. In recent years this beautiful custom has become popular among individuals/ families of all cultures. If you have never shared the Christmas wafer, consider doing so this year. Opłatek will be available in the parish office during office hours and also after all Masses this weekend and next weekend. There is no charge but an offering will be accepted to help defray the cost of the wafers. Quotable Quotes "Faith is what gets you started. Hope is what keeps you going. Love is what brings you to the end." ~Mother Angelica
December 10, 2017 Page 5 Date Mass Intentions Saturday, December 9 4:00 pm +Doreen & Laura Stopa From: Mr. & Mrs. Skal Guidi & Family Sunday, December 10 Second Sunday of Advent Monday, December 11 St. Damasus I 7:30 am 9:00 am 10:30 am +Mary Kaplan From: Al & Terry Keeler & Family +Stanislawa & Bronislaw Beben +John & Helen Malanowski From: Bill & Charlene Mahoney 8:30 am Those Buried in Mater Dolorosa Cemetery +Stasia Krok From: Leo & Mickey Murawski Tuesday, December 12 Our Lady of Guadalupe Wednesday, December 13 St. Lucy Thursday, December 14 St. John of the Cross 8:30 am +Andrew & Katherine Makara From: Mary Ann +Aldo & Adrienne & Aldo Joe Rigali From: Joan 8:30 am Thank you God and your Holy Spirit for Blessed Healings in the name of Jesus. From: Claire +Antonio Neves (5th Anniv.) 8:30 am +Ned Sullivan & Christopher F. Murphy From: Rosemary Sullivan Friday, December 15 8:30 am +Arthur Wheeler From: Dorothea MacNeil Saturday, December 16 Sunday, December 17 Third Sunday of Advent 8:30 am 4:00 pm 7:30 am 9:00 am 10:30 am Helen Sidur From: Ann Marie & Julie +Josephine Payette +Mary Kaplan From: Al & Terry Keeler & Family +Tomasz Rzasa From: L. Szymborn Deceased Members of the Bowler Family MAY THEY REST IN PEACE +Jane Sullivan +Gail Tellier Mother of Mark Tellier SCRIPTURE READINGS 3 SUNDAY Is 63:16b-17, 19b; 64:2-7/1 Cor 1:3-9/Mk 13:33-37 4 Monday Is 2:1-5/Mt 8:5-11 5 Tuesday Is 11:1-10/Lk 10:21-24 6 Wednesday Is 25:6-10a/Mt 15:29-37 7 Thursday Is 26:1-6/Mt 7:21, 24-27 8 Friday Gn 3:9-15, 20/Eph 1:3-6, 11-12/Lk 1:26-38 9 Saturday Is 30:19-21, 23-26/Mt 9:35-10:1, 5a, 6-8 10 SUNDAY Is 40:1-5, 9-11/2 Pt 3:8-14/Mk 1:1-8 Cold & Flu Season We would like to remind you that the customary hand shake during the Sign of Peace is optional. Especially at this time of year when people are coming down with colds or the flu, please feel free to use some other gesture of offering peace. And please do not be offended if someone declines to offer you their hand. Polish Divine Mercy Devotions This Sunday we will have our Divine Mercy Devotions in Polish at 3:00 pm. Please join us!
Page 6 Angel Tree We extend our sincere thanks to all those who took an angel (or angels) from the Angel Tree. All gifts need to be returned by Monday, December 11. If you miss this deadline, please bring your gift to the parish office as soon as possible. We have an early deadline because it will take the social workers a good amount of time to distribute all the gifts to the children. Thank you for your generosity! Our Lady of the Cross Parish, Holyoke, Massachusetts Offertory Collection December 3 First Collection: 264 Envelope Users: $6,445.00 Loose Money: $377.00 20 Envelopes Mailed: $1,845.00 TOTAL: $8,667.00 Milk Money: $160.00 Thank you for your financial support! Mass with St. Nick Come celebrate Jesus in a special way this Christmas season! Bring your children & grandchildren to Mass with St. Nick. December 17 at the 10:30 am Mass Following Mass the children and their parents are invited to have donuts, hot coco, coffee and juice with St. Nick. All children will make a craft with St. Nick, hear a Christmas story read by St. Nick, and receive a gift. This event is free and will last about an hour. Please join us!!! There are sign up sheets at the doors of the church. Please sign up or call the parish office at 532-5661 by December 11 if you are plan on attending. Coffee Hour Normally our Coffee Hour takes place the 2 nd Sunday of the month, but because of our Mass with St. Nicholas, coffee and donuts will be available next Sunday, December 17 after all Masses. Please join us in the Parish Hall for a cup of coffee (or juice) and fellowship! Thank you from Land of Peace Dear Fr. Albert, Land of Peace Mission would like to express humble appreciation to you for allowing us to visit your church on the weekend of November 25 & 26. With your kindness and generosity, the sales of the olive wood carvings through Jerusalem Christian Families received $2,125.00 and the donations for the Catholic Hospital and the Poor and Sick Christians in Bethlehem is $20.00. It was really a great excitement for us to observe so many kind people at your parish, who were interested in our religious articles and some expressed their intention to visit the Holy Land when peace prevails. Please remember that you, and the members of your parish are included in our prayers. Again, thank you for your support in helping us and our brothers and sisters in Christ with compassion, dignity and respect. May you enjoy God s many glorious blessings. Peace be with You, Director, Noel Alshomali Bricks for Sale Holyoke Council of Aging Friends of the Holyoke Council on Aging will be holding a Memorial/Tribute Bricks fundraiser to benefit the Senior Center. The bricks are $100 each and are a unique way to honor family and friends. Bricks are on sale in December each Tuesday and Wednesday from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. The sale will be held in the Senior Center lobby. Bricks will be placed in the senior center patio in the spring of 2018. Don t forget wrapping paper Don t forget tree lights and tinsel Don t forget to visit Santa Don t forget last minute gifts DON T FORGET.. THE TRUE MEANING OF CHRISTMAS!!!