December 17, 2017 Holy Family Church 129 Winthrop Street, Watertown, NY 13601 Phone: (315) 782-2468 E-Mail: hfchurch@twcny.rr.com Website: www.holyfamilywatertown.org PASTOR: PASTOR EMERITUS: IN RESIDENCE: DEACONS: TRUSTEES: SCHOOL BOARD: PARISH STAFF Pastoral Associates: Rev. Steven M. Murray Rev. Msgr. Robert J. McCarthy Rev. Leo A. Wiley Rev. Msgr. Paul E. Whitmore Deacon Edward R. Miller Deacon Michael J. Allan Mrs. Rita Brancheau Mr. Daniel Charlebois Mr. Michael Ledoux Sr. Angelica Rebello, SCC Patrick Bates Christian Formation Director: Sr. Angelica Rebello, SCC 782-6750 R.C.I.A. Director: Kathy Allan 785-8576 Business Administrator: Carol Brown 782-6086 Secretary: Organist: Judy Geng Edward Kemp IMMACULATE HEART CENTRAL SCHOOLS School Pastor: Rev. Msgr. Robert H. Aucoin 782-1190 High School (Grades 7-12) 788-4670 Interim Principal: Mr. Joseph Orobona Elementary School (Grades K-6) Vice Principal (K-3): Mrs. Kari Conklin 788-7011 Vice Principal (4-6): Mrs. Annette Connolly 788-3935 BAPTISM: Baptisms are generally scheduled on Sunday. Parents must attend a class held on the second Monday of the month at 7:00 PM. WEDDINGS: Arrangements should be made six months In advance by calling for an appointment with a priest or deacon. SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION: Confession/Penance - Saturday 4-5 P.M. SACRAMENT OF THE SICK: Upon Request - Please call Fr. Murray if you are planning on having any surgery and he will be happy to anoint you. Holy Family Church Welcomes Everyone No matter what your present status is in the Catholic Church; no matter your family or marital status; no matter where you are in the practice of faith; no matter what your self image may be; you are invited, welcomed and loved at Holy Family Church.
RECTORY OFFICE HOURS Monday, 12:30PM- 4:00PM; Tuesday Thursday, 9:00AM-4:00PM, closed for lunch noon-12:30pm; Friday, 9:00AM-1:00PM. BAPTISMAL PREPARATION CLASS The next class will be Monday, January 8th, at 7PM in McGivney Hall. Please call the Rectory at 315-782-2468 during business hours to sign up if you are planning on attending this required class. Thank you. Sunday December 17, 2017 THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT 9:00 Kevin Shepard by Beverly Shepard 11:00 Joseph Carr by Donna 5:15 People of the Parish Monday December 18, 2017 Late Advent 9:00 Frances McGowan and Deceased Members of the McGowan Family by the Estate of Frances McGowan Tuesday December 19, 2017 Late Advent 9:00 For the Deceased Members of the Afonso and Rebello Families by the Sisters of the Cross 10:00 All Souls (Mass at the Summit) Wednesday December 20, 2017 Late Advent 9:00 Margaret and Patrick Phillips Thursday December 21, 2017...Late Advent Saint Peter Canisius, Priest and Doctor of the Church 9:00 Steve D Costa by Vinnie and Mona Paragon Friday December 22, 2017...Late Advent 9:00 Beulah Fernandes by Betty Gifford Saturday December 23, 2017 Fourth Sunday of Advent 5:15 Rosemary Brett by the Estate of James E. Brett Sunday December 24, 2017...FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT 9:00 Garry T. McGivney Sunday December 24, 2017 THE NATIVITY OF THE LORD (CHRISTMAS) 4:00PM People of the Parish 7:00PM People of the Parish 11:00PM People of the Parish THIS WEEK IN OUR PARISH Sunday: December 17th Pennies From Heaven Collection: after Masses 10:00AM Religious Education (Greystone Building) 11:00AM Bishops LaValley and Chbeir of Latakia 12:00 noon-2:00pm Religious Education Christmas Party (Greystone Building) 12:00 noon Coffee Hour (Gathering Area) 2:00PM Confirmation Year II Basket Spirit! (Greystone Building) 7:15PM Immaculate Heart Central Advent Mystery Play (Church) Monday: December 18th 7:00PM The Light Is On For You: Confessions will be heard at Holy Family Church and St. Anthony s Church at 7:00PM, and St. Patrick s Church at 5:00PM Tuesday: December 19th 9:30AM Catholic MOM Group (Greystone Building) 10:00AM Mass (Samaritan Summit Village) Wednesday: December 20th 10:00AM Legion of Mary (McGivney Hall) Thursday: December 21st Friday: December 22nd Rectory Closed INQUIRY If you are interested in the Catholic Faith or know of someone who is, please contact Kathy Allan at 315-785-8576 for an appointment. Third Sunday of Advent -- December 17, 2017 The One who calls you is faithful. Will you be faithful to His call? If God may be inviting you to be a priest, deacon or consecrated religious, talk to Fr. Steve Murray at 315-782-2468 or Fr. Doug Lucia at 315-386-2543/ dlucia@rcdony.org or Cathy Russell, the Diocesan Vocation Coordinator at 315-393-2920, ext. 1450/crussell@rcdony.org. See us also on Facebook or at www.myvocation.net.
OUR TITHING PARISH MONTH OF NOVEMBER This Year $ 38,646.00 Last Year $ 39,216.00 THE FOSTER GRANDPARENT PROGRAM OF CATHOLIC CHARITIES If you are interested, there are pamphlets on this program in the racks by the front doors of the Church. ADOPT-A-PLATOON With the recommendation of Fr. Steve, the Evangelization Team has agreed to represent the parishioners of Holy Family Church in adopting the 1st Platoon, Bravo Company 1-87 Infantry (Fort Drum) which is deployed to Afghanistan. The goal is to dispatch monthly packages to the 33 members in the platoon. A list of suggested items requested by the members is posted in the gathering area of the church as well as on our web site. Please pray for our platoon s safety. They are already thanking God (and us) for your kindness, your support, and your generosity. Any questions contact Pat Fanning at 315-788-1101 or pfanning5010@twcny.rr.com. PLANNED GIVING: Benefits of Giving Wisely Did you know there are creative ways to support our Parish? Ways in which our Parish, you and your love ones all benefit at the same time? Such giving techniques are called planned gifts, because with thoughtful planning, you create win-win solutions for you and the Parish. For further information, contact Scott Lalone, Executive Director of Development/Foundation at the Diocese of Ogdensburg at 315-393-2920 or slalone@rcdony.org. NEXT SUNDAY S READINGS 2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16 Psalm 89: 2-5, 27, 29 Romans 16: 25-27 Luke 1: 26-38 David s posterity shall endure forever (1, Ps). His kingship finds its fulfillment in the son of Mary (3), Jesus the Christ. To him be glory and praise forever (2). CHRSTMAS EVE AND CHRISTMAS DAY MASSES Holy Family Church December 24th 4:00, 7:00 and 11:00PM December 25th 9:00AM Sacred Heart Church December 24th 4:00 and 7:00PM December 25th 10:30AM St. Patrick s Church December 24th 4:00 and 8:00PM St. Anthony s Church December 24th 4:00 and 6:00PM December 25th 10:00AM
Note from the Pope, Pope Francis' most important messages from Myanmar and Bangladesh In the wake of Pope Francis' meticulously planned diplomatic trip to Myanmar and Bangladesh, he sent many messages to political and religious leaders to make an impression on these two majority Buddhist countries. His messages for political leaders revolved around protecting the Rohingya minority. After Cardinal Charles Maung Bo asked the pope not to say the word Rohingya in Myanmar, Pope Francis used it once in a very powerful way in Bangladesh. Let's keep doing good for them, helping them. Let's keep mobilizing ourselves so their rights are recognized. Let's keep our hearts open. Let's not look away. The presence of God today is also called 'Rohingya. He put his words into action when he listened to the stories of 16 Rohingya refugees and asked for forgiveness for the indifference they have felt from the world. He also called on the world to assist Bangladesh who has welcomed one million Rohingya fleeing from Myanmar. In the name of everyone, of those who have persecuted you, hurt you; above all, for the indifference of the world, I ask for your forgiveness. I'm sorry. It is imperative that the international community take decisive measures to address this grave crisis. In addition to assisting the Rohingya, his message for the Church involved helping all those who suffer physical and emotional wounds from violence. Myanmar especially understands as they faced oppressive military rule from 1962 to 2011. We think that healing can come from anger and revenge. Yet the way of revenge is not the way of Jesus." He sent a message pleading for unity and dialogue to all religious leaders, despite differences in beliefs. He delivered that message to Sangha, the Supreme Council of Buddhist monks in the country, and also quoted Buddha when addressing them. Overcome the angry with non-anger; overcome the wicked with goodness; overcome the greedy by generosity; overcome the liar by truth. May that wisdom continue to inspire every effort to foster patience and understanding, and to heal the wounds of conflict that through the years have divided people of different cultures, ethnicities and religious convictions. However, when the pope was on the flight back to Rome from Dhaka, he shared a secret emotional moment during his non-negotiable visit with the Rohingya during the trip. After listening to them one-by-one, with the interpreter speaking their language, I began to feel something inside: 'But I cannot leave them without saying a word,' and I asked for the microphone. I started talking... I do not remember what I said. I know that at a certain point I asked for forgiveness. I believe twice, but I do not remember. But your question was 'what did I feel at that moment...' I was crying. I made sure they couldn't see it. They were crying, too. Pope Francis concluded his 21st visit outside of Italy after visiting Myanmar from Nov. 27-30, and then traveling to neighboring Bangladesh from Nov. 30-Dec 2. His messages were powerful, and he made sure to address all religious and political leaders, and include the people throughout each day of his trip. 2017 BISHOP S FUND APPEAL UPDATE 239 families in our parish have made a gift or pledge to the 2017 Bishop s Fund Appeal totaling $47,197.00 towards our goal of $50,000. Our parish goal is to have 400 or more families participate in this important Appeal. If you have not already made a gift or pledge, please prayerfully consider supporting the 2017 Bishop s Fund Appeal. Convenient four payment plans are available. You can make your gift online as well by visiting www.rcdony.org/bishop-s-fundappeal and click on the Donate Now tab (found on the tool bar on the left..) The Bishop s Fund Appeal supports ministries, activities and programs that serve people throughout the Diocese in ways that we as an individual parish could never do alone. Any gifts received after the Appeal reaches its goal will be used to further supplement the Bishop s Good Samaritan Fund which assists families in need in our community and throughout the Diocese. Note From the Pastor, Great people of the parish, I was first going to address this to the good people of the parish. Then I thought about it and good didn't sound right because your are really great. So now you are all thinking what do I want now. I must be up to something. Well not really. Its that your generosity really overwhelms me all the time, but most especially at this time of the year. Sometimes it seems like I never stop asking, but the reality is you never stop giving, especially for those in need. If you have any ideas about naming the new parish that will be created from the three existing parishes, please express your opinion. Remember the names of the three churches cannot change. Some have questioned why Holy Family lost two masses and the others did not. When St. Patrick s and St. Anthony's linked they both lost masses. So the current suggestion for the mass schedule gives each church two masses on the weekends. The merger of the three parishes provides the new parish with a tremendous opportunity to reach out and serve the people of the greater Watertown area in new ways. Fr. Steve December 17: THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT Is 61:1-2a, 10-11/1 Thes 5:16-24/Jn 1:6-8, 19-28 Rejoice always, St. Paul exhorts us in today's second reading. This is not some artificial joy, a grin and bear it type of sentiment. Despite all the suffering and sorrow, the hardships and the struggles of life, we are called to be a joy -filled people. Our joy comes because we trust the word of the Lord. Like the prophet Isaiah and John the Baptist, we trust that the Lord will come. We rejoice because we know that the Almighty has done great things for us. And while we wait for his return, we are encouraged by the Holy Spirit to share this joy and bring glad tidings to the poor. Let us be bearers of light by sharing our faith, by inviting others who may lack hope or who are lonely, and by reaching out.
ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP: When planning your Christmas decorations, it is best to use LED bulbs, rather than ones that have filament, as the LED decorations use substantially less electrical energy.
John and Christine Palumbo Marcie Barbato and Carmen Daniel, Maggie and Sammie Johnson Deborah Hallsworth