OUR LADY OF THE CROSS PARISH HOLYOKE, MASSACHUSETTS DECEMBER 17, 2017
Page 2 Pastor Our Lady of the Cross Parish, Holyoke, Massachusetts PARISH STAFF OFFICE INFORMATION Phone Number Fr. Albert Scherer, OFM Conv. pastor@ourladyofthecross.com (413) 532-5661 Fax Line Parochial Vicar (413) 532-7889 Fr. Andrzej Brzezinski, OFM Conv. pvicar@ourladyofthecross.com Website www.ourladyofthecross.com Secretary Linnea Williamson parish@ourladyofthecross.com Parish Office Address 15 Maple St. Holyoke, MA 01040 Bookkeeper Sr. Christine Mumbi, FMSA bookkeeper@ourladyofthecross.com OFFICE HOURS Monday - Thursday 8:00 am - 1:30 pm 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 CHRISTMAS MASS SCHEDULE Theresa Szumski (413) 532-7889 Sunday, December 24 4:00 pm Midnight Monday, December 25 7:30 am 9:00 am (POLISH) 10:30 am Mater Dolorosa School Principal Linda Rex mrs.rex@materdolorosaschool.org (413) 532-2831 Maintenance Robert Maziarz & Mike Rodgers December 23 & 24 Parish Child Advocate Marybeth Kass (413) 313-6118 Lectors Eucharistic Ministers 4:00 Janice Lepine 7:30 Michael McKenna 10:30 Jason George Stan Czerwiec, Joyce Lepine, Pauline Bacon, Choir: Judy Pratt Dorothy Skibel, Muriel Gubala, Beth Szymonik, Choir: Terry Keeler Ed Cote, Anne Cote, Dan O Driscoll, Sr. Clare, Choir: Maxine Stawasz Altar Servers 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 4:00 7:30 10:30 Ann Bouthiette, Brian Chamberlain Emma Skibel, Kaily Godek, Vanessa Antil Madelyn McArdle, Kate McArdle MUSIC FOR WEEKEND MASSES (All selections found in Seasonal Missalette) Processional: Kyrie: Offertory: Holy, Holy: Acclamation B: Amen: Lamb of God: Communion: Recessional: 317 - The King Shall Come When Morning Dawns If sung, 2, page 7 224 - Jesus Christ the Long Awaited People s Mass: 152, page 157 154 156 Chant: 183, page 172 210 - Psalm 25: I Lift My Soul to You 198 - O Come Divine Messiah
December 17, 2017 Page 3 Dear Good People of Our Lady of the Cross, Rejoice: Today we celebrate the Third Sunday of Advent, also known as Gaudate Sunday. The Introit for Gaudete Sunday is taken from Philippians 4:4,5: "Gaudete in Domino semper" - "Rejoice in the Lord always. Advent is a penitential season and the priest normally wears purple vestments for Mass. But on Gaudete Sunday, having passed the midpoint of Advent, the Church lightens the mood a little, and the priest wears a rose colored vestment. The change in color gives us encouragement to continue our spiritual preparation for Christmas. For this same reason, the third candle of the Advent wreath is traditionally rose (or pink). Mass Question: I was asked the other day if attending Mass on Christmas Eve counts for a person s Sunday s obligation. The short answer is: It does not! On December 23/24 we celebrate the Fourth Sunday of Advent. The Masses that we celebrate on the evening of December 24 are Christmas Masses. Because January 1 st falls on a Monday, it is not a holy day of obligation. We will have two Masses that day, 8:30 am & 6:00 pm (POLISH). Since many people were not at Mass last weekend because of the snow, I will repeat part of my bulletin column 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 this book is helping you as you prepare for the birth of Christ. Please let me know what you think of this publication. 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 confessions, 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. Midnight Mass: For the past couple of years we have chosen to have a 10 pm Mass instead of a 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. Peace, FR. ALBERT Quotable Quotes "So shines a good deed in a weary world. ~ from the movie Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory
Page 4 Our Lady of the Cross Parish, Holyoke, Massachusetts In Word & Deed Over the last year or more, interest and speculation about the presidential election headlined the news almost every day. As candidates debated the issues and frontrunners emerged, people s excitement grew. They waited for the announcements of running mates, winners, new appointments and big changes. The anticipation of big ideas and new leaders got everyone s attention and interest. Out of the depths of oppression and slavery was born the hope and longing for a Savior. The Israelites looked for the day that God s promise of salvation would restore their status as the Chosen People. When John the Baptist arrived, there was much speculation that he might be the One. He created a lot of interest and excitement that prepared the way of the Lord. We ve heard the Advent message so often that it might seem old to us and Advent may become just another time of year. Perhaps we are not sure what it means to prepare the way of the Lord. But preparing for the Lord is like spring-cleaning. We need to take a good look at ourselves, change the bad habits of the past, and renew ourselves with grace, hope and the promise of life and peace. We announce His coming by our words and deeds. Live the message of the Gospel and you will generate some interest of your own. ~James Gaffney, 2008 Karides Lic. to St. George Publishing 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. Inclement Weather When it snows, please do not attempt to come to Mass too early. It takes the crew several hours to remove the snow. Since the friars only live across the street, we never have to cancel Mass. But if the weather is bad, please use common sense in determining whether or not you should come for Mass either during the week or on the weekend. Let s pray for a mild winter! This Week at Our Lady of the Cross December 17: 10:30 am Mass with St. Nick December 18: 4:00 pm Religious Education 6:30 pm Confirmation Class 7:00 pm Penance Service December 19: 6:30 pm MD School Board Mtg. December 20: 9:30 am MD School Concert December 21: 7:00 pm Choir Rehearsal Christmas Wafer The sharing of the Christmas wafer (in Polish: opłatek or plural opłatki) is a beautiful custom that has become popular among individuals/families of all cultures. If you have never shared the Christmas wafer, consider doing so this year. Oplatek will be available in the parish office during office hours and also after all Masses this weekend. There is no charge but an offering will be gratefully accepted to help defray the cost of the wafers. Marian & Halina Oko Mater Dolorosa School Stop & Shop ID #05109 Mater Dolorosa School is participating in the Stop & Shop A+ School Rewards Program, a great school fundraising program that runs through March 15. This is an easy way for you to help our school earn cash each time family members and friends shop at any Stop & Shop store. Please help our school and register your Stop & Shop card to our school ID # 05109. Visit https://stopandshop.com/member-benefits/. Follow the prompts to create your online account. You ll need your 13 digit Stop & Shop card number and school ID #05109. If you do not know your Stop & Shop card number call 1-877366-2668 OPTION #1. You must re-register our school with your Stop & Shop card. IT DOES NOT AUTOMATICALLY RE-REGISTER.
December 17, 2017 Page 5 Date Mass Intentions Saturday, December 16 4:00 pm +Josephine Payette Sunday, December 17 Third Sunday of Advent 7:30 am 9:00 am 10:30 am +Mary Kaplan From: Al & Terry Keeler & Family +Tomasz Rzasa From: L. Szymborn Deceased Members of the Bowler Family Monday, December 18 8:30 am +Tomasz Rzasa (1st Anniv.) +Cecylia Szczudlo From: Grandson, Marek & Granddaughter, Alicja Tuesday, December 19 8:30 am +John & Helen Lichwala Deceased Parishioners Wednesday, December 20 8:30 am +John & Joan Hogan From: Cousin, Joanne Dennis +Mary Kaplan From: Paul Dower Thursday, December 21 St. Peter Canisius 8:30 am +Sally Stawasz +Franciszek Stec From: Son, Mark & Daughter, Alicja Friday, December 22 8:30 am +Jorge Neves Saturday, December 23 St. John of Kanty Sunday, December 24 Fourth Sunday of Advent Christmas Eve 8:30 am 4:00 pm 7:30 am 9:00 am 10:30 am 4:00 pm 12:00 am All Living & Deceased Members of the Bill Kelly Family From: Kelly Family +Sklarski & Olech Family +Blessed Christmas for Our Lady of the Cross Parishioners From: Barbara Bernard +Helen Sidur From: Ann Marie & Julie All Living and Deceased Relatives From: Barbara Bakes +Rev. Francis X. Sullivan Birthday Blessings for Christine From: Mom Eucharistic Adoration ~ Fridays: 9 am 6 pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament consoles a soul far beyond what the world can offer. St. Alphonsus Ligouri SCRIPTURE READINGS 17 SUNDAY Is 61:1-2a, 10-11/1 Thes 5:16-24/Jn 1:6-8,19-28 18 Monday Jer 23:5-8/Mt 1:18-25 19 Tuesday Jgs 13:2-7, 24-25a/Lk 1:5-25 20 Wednesday Is 7:10-14/Lk 1:26-38 21 Thursday Sg 2:8-14 or Zep 3:14-18a/Lk 1:39-45 22 Friday 1 Sm 1:24-28/Lk 1:46-56 23 Saturday Mal 3:1-4, 23-24/Lk 1:57-66 MAY THEY REST IN PEACE +Claire Conway Mother of Jim, Michael & Lynn Conway +Denise Cayer +Adele Grabon Aunt of Frances Bourdon
Page 6 Our Lady of the Cross Parish, Holyoke, Massachusetts Christmas Decorating We will be decorating the church on Saturday, December 23 beginning at 9:30 am. Normally decorations are not put up in Catholic churches until after the Advent season. But because Christmas falls on a Monday this year, we do not have a choice. If you are able to help decorate, we would appreciate it! Fall Festival Signs We are still missing 15 Fall Festival signs. If you have one, please return it to the church or parish office as soon as possible. We will need them for next year. Mater Dolorosa Pews For Sale A pew from the 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. Offertory Collection December 10 First Collection: 163 Envelope Users: $4,231.00 Loose Money: $632.00 18 Envelopes Mailed: $1,495.00 TOTAL: $6,358.00 Milk Money: $66.00 Thank you for your financial support! 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!!! Coffee, Donuts & Fellowship Please join us after Mass today for a cup of coffee and a donut (or two!). This is a great opportunity to enjoy the company of other parishioners. Upcoming Trip Jesus Where: Sight & Sound Theatre, Lancaster, PA 3 days/2 nights $449.00 double occupancy When: Wednesday - Friday, May 9-11 Join us for an unforgettable journey to Lancaster in the Spring to see an incredible show Jesus. This is a journey alongside the most important person to ever walk the earth, and the everyday people whose lives he transformed forever. To reserve your seat or for more information call 467-9821. All are welcome! 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. Heartfelt Thanks! On behalf of the Mater Dolorosa School Library and Students, we would like to thank all of the Our Lady of the Cross parishioners, Mater Dolorosa School parents, grandparents, friends and family that attended and made purchases at the Barnes and Noble Book Fair that was held on Sunday, November 26. This year s Book Fair was very successful, more than twice as successful as last year. We are waiting for the exact total, but have been notified that we will be receiving more than $2,500.00! These funds are used to expand the library s collection, as well as help the classroom teachers with books for literature classes. We would also like to thank all of the parents, grandparents, students and Mrs. Rex for volunteering their time the day of the Book Fair; without their time the event would not be possible. Save the date: Next year s Book Fair is already booked for Sunday November 25, 2018. Hopefully we can beat this year s total! Thank you again and Merry Christmas! Ed Godek, Chairperson