SAINT JOSEPH CHURCH POQUONOCK Saint Joseph Parish 1747 Poquonock Avenue P. O. Box 253 Poquonock, CT 06064-0253 (860) 688-9566 Fax (860) 683-2225 www.windsorcatholic.org Administrator: Reverend John P. Melnick Parochial Vicar: Reverend Tuan Anh Dinh Mai Pastor Emeritus: Reverend Robert T. Russo Deacons: Mr. Ronald M. Biamonte Mr. R. Carl Lickwar Office Hours: Monday through Friday 8:00 am to 3:00 pm TODAY IS THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT Introduction to the Liturgy of the Day Christmas is only a week away! On this Fourth Sunday of Advent, the readings turn to the immediate preparations for the birth of our Lord. We, too, are finalizing our preparations for his birth into our hearts once again. Let us pray today for the courage of Joseph to bear whatever burdens may be necessary, so that our world, too, may be saved from its sinful ways. December 8 th Holy Day Collection. $1,189.00 December 11 th Weekly Collection.. $5,168.00 Retirement Fund for Religious Collection..$1,952.00 Saint Joseph Parish 2016 Annual Collection Update Amount Received to Date.....$35,410.00 Thank you for your generosity to and support of Saint Joseph Parish The Second Collection next week is the Christmas Collection Please remember those who have gone before us marked with the sign of faith especially, +Martha Adams Nolan. Please remember the members, loved ones, and friends of our Parish Family who are ill, aged, troubled, or grieving. Pray for their physical, emotional, and mental well-being. Please pray especially for: Patricia Chatey, Madeline Rose McCall, Diane Boggio, Betsy Boggio, Richard Massa, Peggy Nolan, and Michele Joly. Confession Schedule December 31, 2016 Saint Joseph Church 4:30 p.m. SATURDAY December 17 (The Vigil of the Fourth Sunday of Advent) 5:00 PM +FRANCIS, ROSE, & LOUIS LUPO (Christmas Remembrance) req. by Their Daughter, Marie, & George Dixon SUNDAY December 18 (The Fourth Sunday of Advent) 8:00 AM +DOROTHY LAGRANGE & +THE WHALEN FAMILY req. by Her Husband, Albert, & Family 10:00 AM +ANTHONY VALLANDINGHAM req. by Greg & Eileen Murphy Daily 7:30 AM Masses for Monday, December 19 th, through Friday, December 23 rd, will be celebrated at Saint Gabriel Church. Parishioners wishing to participate are invited and encouraged to attend. SATURDAY December 24 (The Vigil of the Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord) 4:00 PM A SPECIAL INTENTION FOR SAINT JOSEPH RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CATECHISTS req. by Cyndie Glick 5:30 PM +FRANK DIMAIO req. by His Daughter, Carol Brown 10:00 PM A SPECIAL INTENTION SUNDAY December 25 (The Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord) 8:00 AM +JOHN, DOROTHY, & DUNCAN MCCALL req. by Darlene & Pat Kennedy 10:00 AM +CARL OUELLETTE (Anniversary Remembrance) req. by His Sister, Lee-Ann Pelletier The Sanctuary Lamp will burn the week of December 18 th, for the greater glory of God and for +Francis, Rose, and Louis Lupo Requested by Daughter, Marie, and George Dixon Stop asking for a sign and become one. Consider becoming a priest or religious. Call Father Jeffrey Gubbiotti, the Director of Vocations, Archdiocesan Center at Saint Thomas Seminary, via phone 860-242-5573, email at vocations@aohct.org or visit the web at www.vocationshartford.org.
THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT Christmas 2016 This time of year is always special; always unique. We are also mindful of the many gifts that God has given to us throughout our lives. What better way to thank God than to renew our commitment to weekly worship? We invite each of you to celebrate with us. The Saint Joseph Church Schedule of Masses for the Feast of Christmas follows: Christmas Eve Christmas Day (Saturday, Dec 24 th ) (Sunday, Dec 25 th ) 3:30 PM Children s Pageant 8:00 AM 4:00 PM 10:00 AM 5:30 PM 10:00 PM Thank you for your continued support throughout the year. May the newborn Christ come into your hearts anew during this holy season. Father John P. Melnick Christmas Flower Offering Memorial donations for Christmas flowers and decorations for the Church may be returned in the regular collection on any Sunday throughout the Advent Season. Those who are memorialized will be listed in the bulletin after Christmas. Saint Gabriel Church Schedule of Masses for the Feast of Christmas follows: Christmas Eve Christmas Day (Saturday, Dec 24 th ) (Sunday, Dec 25 th ) 4:00 PM 8:00 AM 5:30 PM 10:30 AM 10:00 PM Holy Hours for Vocations to the Priesthood The Vocation Office of the Archdiocese of Hartford invites everyone to come and pray for an increase of vocations to the priesthood in our Archdiocese tomorrow, Monday, December 19 th, at Saint Rita Church, 1620 Whitney Avenue in Hamden. Father Jeff Gubbiotti, Vocation Director for the Archdiocese, will be the celebrant. Each Holy Hour begins at 7:00 PM and will be followed by a light reception, so we have the chance to meet one another. Thank You! A special Thank You to all of the volunteers, Altar Ministry Members, who helped beautify our Church Sanctuary for the holiday! You attention to the details have made our Church even more welcoming for the all to worship. Thank You! Collection for the Retirement Fund for Religious Thank You Thank you for supporting senior religious. A sister from Indiana writes, Because of your kindness, our elderly sisters will have the comfort, security, and joy of living out their remaining years here in their home. You truly honor them and their many years of service by your generosity. Religious across the United States offer sincere thanks for your generosity to last week s collection for the Retirement Fund for Religious. Advent Discernment Night for Young Men Ages 16 35 Have you figured out yet what you want to be when you grow up? More importantly, have you figured out why? We invite you to join us for an informational gathering on Tuesday, December 20 th, from 6:00 p.m. 8:00 p.m. at Saint Thomas Seminary. There will be a short talk with practical suggestions for discerning the call that God has in store for you, some time for prayer before the Blessed Sacrament, and a chance to hear the story of the vocation journey from a few of our seminarians and ask them questions about their experience. There s even free pizza, so why not swing by? To reserve your spot, please call or e-mail the Vocation Office at www.hartfordpriest.com Social Action Corner Monthly Food Collection Today is the monthly food collection. Please bring your donations directly to Father Doherty Hall. Annual Giving Tree On behalf of Social Action, THANK YOU for your participation in this year s Giving Tree. Because of your generosity, 400 children will have a Christmas gift this holy season. Your kindness is very much appreciated. Collection for our Troops Thank you to those who took a troop collection envelope to benefit the monthly care packages that are shipped to our deployed soldiers. You may place your envelope in any collection basket through the end of the year. The funds will be used to buy snacks, socks, toiletries, etc., and to cover postage expenses. The packages mean so much to our soldiers, and we very much appreciate your continued support. Social Action is currently sponsoring eight deployed soldiers. Next Meeting The next Social Action Meeting is Monday, February 13 th, at 6 PM in Father Doherty Hall. All are welcome. For more information, please contact Lisa Andersen at 860-688-3474 or Landers403@comcast.net or Sue Claughsey at 860-298-0550 or rnsue51@yahoo.com.
DECEMBER 18, 2016 Religious Education Reminder: In the event of inclement weather, please watch Channel 3 (WFSB) or Channel 30 (WVIT) for the cancellation of Religious Education Classes; you can also check their cancellation list online. You may also call the Religious Education Office to hear the status of classes for that day/ evening. December 20 Religious Education Classes for grades K - 8 at Saint 24 Christmas Pageant at 3:30 PM at the Church followed by Family Mass at 4:00 PM 27 No Religious Education Classes January 3 Religious Education Classes for grades K - 8 at Saint 7 C2 Confirmation Retreat at Saint Gabriel Church 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM - All C2 students must attend 10 Religious Education Classes for grades K - 8 at Saint 17 Religious Education Classes for grades K - 8 at Saint 24 Religious Education Classes for grades K - 8 at Saint 31 Religious Education Classes for grades K & 1, 3-8 at Saint 31 Practice for 1 st Reconciliation 5:30-6:30 PM at Saint Joseph Church Christmas Pageant The Christmas Pageant will take place at 3:30 p.m., before the 4:00 p.m. Family Mass on Saturday, December 24 th. Children taking part in the pageant and parent and student volunteers should arrive at the Church by 3:00 p.m. and gather in Father Doherty Hall. C2 Retreat All C2 students will attend a Confirmation Retreat on Saturday, January 7 th, in the Church Hall at Saint Gabriel Church. Please note that the time for the Retreat has changed; it will begin at 9:00 a.m. and end at 3:00 p.m. This is a mandatory meeting for all C2 students. Practice for First Reconciliation All children preparing for the Sacrament of Reconciliation will practice on Tuesday, January 31 st, at Saint Joseph Church from 5:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. Second grade students will not meet for class on Tuesday, February 7 th ; on Thursday, February 9 th, children and at least one parent or guardian should accompany their child to practice at Saint Joseph Church from 5:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. Please call the Religious Education Office if you have any questions. Alive in Christ - All high school students are invited to an exciting one-day Catholic Youth Rally with engaging worship, music, speakers, and faith-filled fellowship with teens from around the Archdiocese! The Rally will be held on Sunday, April 30 th, from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Cathedral of Saint Joseph in Hartford. Please contact the Religious Education Office for registration forms.
DECEMBER 18, 2016 Ministry Message The Parish Rectory Office and the Religious Education Office will be closed on Friday, December 23 rd, and on Monday, December 26 th. The Parish Rectory Office will reopen on Tuesday, December 27 th. The Religious Education Office will reopen on Tuesday, January 3 rd. We wish you and your loved ones Christmas Blessings! Pastoral Planning Pastoral Planning Prayer Cards are available at the entrances to the Church. You might consider committing to praying it daily. While change is stressful, I am confident that the results will bear great fruit. Copies of the Pastoral Planning Magazine are also available at the entrances to the Church. All registered households should have received a copy from the Archdiocese. If you have not, please help yourself to a copy as you exit Mass today and consider registering with your parish to receive future Archdiocesan mailings. You may want to read the Pastoral Planning report; it may be found at www.stewardsfortomorrow.org. Thank you for your prayers and cooperation in the Pastoral Planning process. Father Jim Shanley Vicar for Pastoral Planning Oplatki Christmas Wafers Oplatek will be on sale ($3.00 per set) during the week at the Parish Rectory Office. These are the traditional Polish wafers that are shared with family and friends on Christmas Eve. Christmas Concert Tomorrow evening, Monday, December 19 th, at 7 p.m. the Wethersfield High School Choralaires under the direction of our Music Director, Mr. Scott Rioux, will hold their Annual Christmas Concert at Saint Joseph Church. A reception to follow in Father Doherty Hall All are welcome! Finding a Church when traveling can be difficult. During the holidays when we are traveling, it is not always easy to find information or a web-site which outlines a Church s location and their Mass times. Masstimes.org makes it easy to search for a Mass by presenting all the possibilities in a geographical area on one page. Masstimes.org provides worship times, church locations, contact information, website links and maps. Wishing you healthy, safe, fun-filled travels!