Sunday, December 21, 2014
“To Preserve The Flame”
SAINT JOHN’S CHURCH
44 Temple St. Worcester, MA 01604
Phone: 508-756-7165
Ascension Campus Phone: 774-243-6351
MASS SCHEDULE
Lord’s Day Masses
Saturday Vigil: 4:15 & 7:15
pm
Sunday: 8 am, 10:15 am,
12:15 pm & 7:15 pm
Weekdays
Monday-Friday 6:15 pm
SUNDAY’S READINGS
2 Sm 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16
Rom 16:25-27
Lk 1:26-38
Worship Hymnal #1011
Mass Intentions
Saturday, December 20, 2014
4:15 PM Peter and Raminta Molis, req. by Danute Miner; Eileen
DesRosiers, r eq. by Dan and Mar y O’Connor
7:15 PM Joseph P. O’Coin, req. by Family
Sunday, December 21, 2014
8 AM Al Johnson, Sr., req. by Family; Deceased Members of the
Eisner and Caola Families, r eq. by J ohn Eisner and Chr istine
Caola
10:15 AM Marianne Minns, req. by Family; Adele Zemaitis, req.
by Granddaughter
12:15 PM Ronald “Bud”, Catherine and Brian Tormey, Raymond
and Rita Berthiaume, r eq. by Family
7:15 PM Scott Gow, req. by Family
Monday, December 22. 2014
6:15 PM Victor Rivera, req. by Family; Thomas Delphine, Roger
and Peter Gauvin, r eq. by Family
Tuesday, December 23, 2014
6:15 PM Donald Mahoney, req. by Barbara Bernier; John F.
Healy, r eq. by Sister
Wednesday, December 24, 2014 - Christmas Eve
4:15 PM FOR THE PEOPLE OF ST. JOHN’S
10:15 PM FOR THE PEOPLE OF ST. JOHN’S
Thursday, December 25, 2014 - Christmas Day
8:00 AM FOR THE PEOPLE OF ST. JOHN’S
10:15 AM FOR THE PEOPLE OF ST. JOHN’S
12:15 PM FOR THE PEOPLE OF ST. JOHN’S
Friday, December 26, 2014
6:15 PM Joseph and Benedicta Myefsky, req. by Family; Ruth
Shepard, r eq. by Pat Healy
Saturday, December 27, 2014
4:15 PM Mary and Joseph Paskavitz, req. by Family; Casimir and
Adele Zemaitis, r eq. by gr anddaughter Danute Miner
7:15 PM Susan Marie Brigham, req. by Alex and Alexis
Montalvo; Paul Barry (1st Anniv.), req. by Family
Sunday, December 28, 2014
8 AM Edith Boudas (6th Anniv.), req. by Family; Deceased
Members of the Quinlivan Family, r eq. by Family
10:15 AM Judith Patnod, req. by Family; Dale Adamiak (6th
Aninv.), r eq. by Family
12:15 PM Carmela Rose Luca and Richard Burgio, req. by
Family; Deceased Members of the Uffelmann and Boucher
Families
7:15 PM L. Frank DesRosiers and M. Ruth Shea (3rd Anniv’s),
req. by Family
The Rosary is prayed each weekday beginning with the Angelus
at 5:50 p.m.
My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
During this season of joy, our hearts are stirred by
the beauty, depth and constancy of God’s love for each
one of us. Truly, God so loved the world that He sent His
Son as our Savior (Jn 3: 16).
As we celebrate the birth of Jesus, our Christmas
Mass, together with our family gatherings and customs,
draws us together in the renewal of that comforting realization. Whether it be the words of the Christmas Gospel,
the sight of a lowly manger, the sounds of a cherished
carol or, above all, our receiving in Holy Communion the
same Savior who was born at Bethlehem, we are deeply
moved by the wonder, awe and reassurance that our good
God has drawn close to us.
In that spirit, families gather to share their joy and
love for God and one another. Pope Francis reminds us
that the family is a “‘center of love’ where the law of respect and communion reigns and …no one is set
apart” and that “the family continues to be a school unparalleled in humanity, an indispensible contribution to a
just and supportive society.”
As we reflect on the beauty and meaning of
Christmas and as the Church prepares for next Fall’s Synod on the Family, the Holy Family is an inspiration and
example for us. However, we cannot forget that the Holy
Family knew their trials, crises, disappointments and disruptions. From the news of an unplanned pregnancy, to
Joseph’s initial thought of quietly divorcing Mary, to their
separation from family and friends to travel to Bethlehem,
to their escape from Herod and flight into Egypt, the Holy
Family faced severe challenges. But through it all, they
knew that Jesus was with them, and that, by doing God’s
will as best they could, all would be well.
Like Mary, we face our personal challenges. Like
the Holy Family, we face family challenges. We too, at
times, may be greatly troubled and ask, “How can this
be?” In those times, let us remember the enduring meaning of Christmas. God is with us. He loves us. His grace
will sustain us if we, like Mary and Joseph, strive to do
God’s will in our lives for “nothing is impossible for
God.”
May the peace of Christmas always be your blessing and may the consolation of God’s presence to you be
your strength in times of trial.
With every prayerful best wish I remain,
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Most Reverend Robert J. McManus
Bishop of Worcester
FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT
THIS WEEKEND’S HYMNS
Op.: # 876 Praise We the Lord this Day
Prep: # 875 The Angel Gabriel from Heaven Came
Eucharistic Accs.: # 304, 306, 307, 311
Comm.: # 438 Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming
Cl.: # 447 The God Whom Earth and Sea and Sky
Dec. 24 – 25 Christmas
Op.: # 426 O Come, All Ye Faithful
Prep: # 417 Angels We Have Heard on High
Eucharistic Accs.: TBD
Comm.: # 415 Of the Father’s Love Begotten, # 413 Silent
Night
Cl.: # 4114 Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
THE SEASON OF ADVENT
Sunday, December 21, Lessons and Carols at 4
PM in the church. Leave the hustle and bustle and
join us for an afternoon of seasonal readings, beloved Christmas Carols, and choral works by Howells, Ord, Parsons, Manz, Sweelinck, Rutter, and
others. This traditional Christmas program will be
presented by our Music Ministry. All are invited to
attend.
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CLASSES
Grades 1-8– Sunday, December 21, 9 AM in the
Church Hall.
Confirmation I and II - Sunday, December 21, 11
AM in the Church Hall
ONGOING EVENTS AT ST. JOHN’S
December 23– Bible Study, 7 PM in the r ector y.
January 8– Separated and Divorced Support Group from 7 8:30 PM . All are welcome. Those interested may contact
Diane at [email protected] and place "Peer Ministry" in
the subject line.
January 17- Chr istian Coffee House, 7 PM, Ascension
Campus.
CHRISTMAS MASS SCHEDULE
Wednesday, December 24– Christmas Eve
4:15 PM– Filipino Choir
10:15 PM– Schola Cantorum
Thursday, December 25– Christmas Day
8:00 AM Cantor
10:15 AM– Lithuanian Choir– Pre-Mass Hymns at 10 AM
12:15 PM– Parish Choir
NEW YEAR’S MASS SCHEDULE
Wednesday, December 31– New Year’s Eve
6:15 PM
Thursday, January 1– New Year’s Day
12:15 and 6:15 PM
There will be NO 7:15 PM Mass on Christmas Day
THE THREE PRIESTS will give a per for mance to benefit our Food for the Poor at the Hanover Theatre on Friday,
March 27 at 7 pm. If you would like to help promote this
event, please call the rectory. For tickets, please contact the
Hanover. Thank you.
FIRST RECONCILIATION AND FIRST EUCHARIST CLASSES will begin Sunday, January 4
at 9:00 AM in the St. Francis Xavier Center. Registration forms and class schedules are in the back of
the church, and are available for download on the
parish website. Any questions, please contact Donna at [email protected].
THE ANNUAL CHRISTMAS PAGENT will be
held on Sunday, December 28 at 9:30 AM in the
church. A pot-luck lunch will follow the 10:15 AM
Mass in the church hall. All are welcome. Please
bring a dish.
RCIA - The next meeting will be held Monday, January 12 at 7 PM in the rectory. Anyone interested in
joining the RCIA program can call the rectory.
EVERYONE NEEDS A 2015 CALENDAR!
Please consider buying yours here and support St.
John’s covenant with St. Francoise d’Assise parish
in Grand Goave, Haiti. The cost is $10 each, which
is a bargain as in it you will find great pictures of Fr.
Madden, Darwens (the BLB child our parish sponsors) and our parish group’s first trip to Haiti. Calendars are available after Mass and 100% of the proceeds will go to St. Francoise. Thank you!
HAM AND BEAN SUPPER AND TALENT
SHOW will be held on Satur day, J anuar y 17 after the 4:15 PM Mass in the Xavier Center. Tickets
will be on sale after the masses this weekend.
Financial Report
In Our Catholic Community...
THE CATHOLIC BOOK CLUB’S next meeting will be on Monday, December 29 at 7 PM in
the rectory. The selection for December is “Grace
Notes” by Brian Doyle.
A MASS FOR HEALING will be held Tuesday,
January 20 at 6:15 PM. After the Mass the Sacrament of the Sick will be administered. Anyone
seeking the healing touch of God’s love and mercy
is welcome.
THE FILIPINO CHOIR will be at the 4:15 PM
Mass Saturday, December 27. A reception will follow the Mass. All are welcome to attend.
ST. MARY'S SCHOOLS OPEN HOUSE/
SHADOW DAY will be held on Wednesday, January 7th 2015 at 8:00AM for all those who are interested in St. Mary’s Schools. Students can be
dropped off at 8:00AM and parents have the option
of joining their child at 1:15 for the parent portion
of the program to be concluded at 2:00. Parents of
Pre-K, K and grade 1 students have the option of
staying for the day or a portion of the day with their
child.
THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS ALHAMBRA COUNCIL #8 will be hosting a New Year ’s
Eve celebration in honor of their 120 years of service to the community. Festivities will begin with
a cocktail hour at 7 PM followed by a roast beef
and chicken buffet with saladm potatoes, rolls,
coffe, dessert, party favors and champagne. Reservatiosn are due by December 27, tickets are $30 per
person. Contact John Miley at 508-752-2475 for
tickets. A limo service has been hired for transportation at a first come first serve basis. Contact John
Reed at 508-799-5189 for more information.
Last weekend we received $7645.22. We have also received:
Restoration- $97.00
Monthly- $210.00
Candles- $212.00
Stipends– $541.00
Parking- $35.00
After School- $250.00
Ret. Religious- $3699.00
Haitian Apostolate- $195.00
Immac. Conc.- $1430.03
Christmas Flowers- $125.00
Food for the Poor- $42,018.04
Total- $56,457.29; Unrestricted– $10,643.25; Restricted
$45,814.04
FOOD FOR THE POOR: $1000 IMO Mar y Hehir Car lin; $1500 from a friend; $100 from a friend; $25 from a
friend; $300 from a friend; $25 from a friend; $20 from a
friend; $125 from a friend; $200 from a friend; $500 from a
friend; $45 IMO Edward Connors; $175 IMO Louise Dacri;
$225 IMO Elaine Fleming; $100 IHO Joanne Josefowski;
$250 From Teamsters Local 127; $100 IMO Cirilo and Matilde Varias; $370 IMO John Frohock; $50 IMO Stephanie
Leblanc; $5000 from Mass Bankers Assoc. Charitable Foundation; $500 IMO Helen Glodas; $50 IMO Murphy and
Migliorelli Families; $50 for a favor received; $50 IMO Barry and Eileen Woodward; $50 IMO Deacon Paul Pizzarella
Expenses– $28,417.56
Church Speakers (75.00) Copier (584.51) Altar (1285.70)
Alarm (71.86) Church Electric (1306.73) Rectory Electric
(993.87) December Diocesan Budget Bill (6782.00) Funerals
(152.80) Schola (843.12) Administration (4937.51) Retired
Religious (3699.00) FFTP (7685.46)
Our Parish Community
...Offers prayers and condolences to the families of Michael
Burke, Jessica Scott, Liam Farrington, Douglas Iacovone
and Jospeh Comeau who have been born into eternal life.
...Welcomes Brendan Leong and Ethan Campanale who
have entered the Catholic Community through the waters of
Baptism.
Word of Life
“With those for whom there is no room, Christ is present in this world.
He is mysteriously present in those for whom there seems to be nothing
but the world at its worst.”
- Thomas Merton