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St Joseph’s of Stratford Parish
National Catholic Church
Since 1907
Weekly Bulletin
cath 4th Sunday of Advent, Year B
PARISH
CONTACTS
PASTOR
Fr Michal Gitner
PARISH CHAIRPERSON
Jean Macionus
FINANCE SECRETARY
Ed Slonina
December 21st, 2014
Prayer for the lightening of the Advent wreath candles
Priest: Last Sunday we lit the candle of joy. We light it and the candles of hope and
peace again as we remember that Christ will come again and bring us everlasting
peace and joy. The fourth candle of Advent is the Candle of Love. It's light is meant to
remind us of the love that God has for us.
All: Jesus shows us God's perfect love. He is God's love in human form. The bible
says that "God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that whoever believes
in him should not perish, but have eternal life." Love is patient, love is kind and envies
no one. Love is never boastful or conceited, rude or selfish. Love is not quick to take
offense, it keeps no records of wrongs, it does not gloat over other people's troubles,
but rejoices in the right, the good, and the true. There is nothing that love cannot face,
there is no limit to its faith, to its hope, to its endurance. Love never ends.
Priest: We light this candle today to remind us of how God's perfect love is found in
Jesus. Loving God, we thank you for your gift of love - shown to us perfectly in Jesus
Christ our Lord. Help us prepare our hearts to receive Him. Bless our worship. Help us
to hear and do your word. We ask it in the name of the one born in Bethlehem
All: Amen.
MASS SCHEDULE
Saturday: 5:00 pm - Sunday Vigil
Sunday: 8:00 am
9:30 am
Wednesday: 9:00 am Mass for health
SOCL (religious instructions for children) - 9:00 am
1300 Stratford
Road, Stratford
CT 06615-7639
Tel: 203 377-9901 (office), 203 923-2424 (rectory), Fax: 203 375-6439
www.stjosephsofstratford.org
Dear Parishioners,
Today’s liturgy of the fourth Sunday of Advent tells us the waiting time is almost over. What does it mean?
Well, the Gospel’s scene of the Annunciation teaches us something about it. Mary was greeted as ‘full of
grace’, an indication that she was ready for the coming of the Lord. I think we all would like to be ‘full of grace’.
It implies certain tranquility, a sense of peace and contentment, a recognition that, come what way, we will
prevail. Grace is amazing like that: it reminds us that we are not the sum of our circumstances nor our
individual traits and habits. In that sense perhaps, our Parish Penitential service on Friday, December 12th,
was so special. There were 20 adults in attendance and 3 teenagers. Thank you to Marilyn, Emily and Sarah
Discepola for feeding our bodies on that day. Even if for a few hours, or couple of days, we were ‘full of grace’.
Thank you to those who responded to the lectors appeal at our Christmas Masses. However, there is still one
reader’s spot to be filled and that is Midnight Mass. If you are planning to attend and are comfortable to read in
public, please let me know.
Wishing each and everyone, as well as your families, peace, joy and every blessing of Christmas. For those of
you who travel at this time, travel safe.
Thank you for all your cards and good wishes. Your kindness is very much appreciated. Merry and blessed
Christmas.
Fr Michal
GOSPEL CHALLENGE
Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.”
Then the angel departed from her. (Luke 1:37-38)
Mary accepted, even proclaimed, God's will in her life. She placed her future in the hands of the Father. Her
example should inspire us to stand firm as Christians in today's ever-changing fads and fancies. Does it mean
fulfilled life? Perhaps.
Christmas flowers offerings
Irene Beauchemin - Reggie Beauchemin, Mario Brandolini; Ed & Barbara Bednarski; Marianne
Charabowski – Frank & George Charabowski, Jakubowski family, Joyce Bresh - Charles, Susan
Zaotoczny, Edward, Margret Bresh; Stephen Chalfa - Mary Cuventaz, Jan Chernesky – Bugno &
Cegielka families,Mike & Val Chernesky - Stanley, Mary Wilk, Michael, Mary Chernesky; Lynda Desrosiers
– Mr & Mrs Arthur, Arthur Desrosiers, Rodney Desrosiers, Mary DiMenna - Fred DiMenna; Edward
Slonina, Ann Stockman - Bill Stockman; Wanda Dymkowski - Edward Dymkowski; Ann Marie Egelski –
Stanley & Celia Skibinski, William Egelski, Bertha Grabowski - Sophie and Joseph Patusky /Zapotoczny
family and their children, Jeremy & Jen Kell – David & Gertrude Kasper; Margaret Krasko – Helen&
Edmund Krasko, Margaret & William Miller, Darlene Kopka - Edward M. Stempniak; Paul Lonzenski –
Marilyn, Joseph & Frances Lonzenski, Raymon & Carol Morrison – Matthiew & Stella Czepiel, Raymond
& Estelle Morrison, Carol Murdzia – Richard Murdzia & family, Alice, John & William Geffert, Victoria
Billick, Ronald & Valerie Beach, Molly & John Miller, John & Jean Macionus; Carla Misurale; John & Carol
Misurale; Jeanine May – Marilyn Lonzenski, Robin Cadwell, Rory & Steve Nelson – Bill Thomas, Ron
Flaherety, Betty Luwkoski, Hank Carlson Sr., Gloria Carlson, Ruth Tomatore, Nick Urzle, Lorrane
Bayloo, Art & Lee Niedzielski - the Niedzielski & Stanulis families; Kristen & Sean Owens - Edward
Stempniak, Raymond Martin, Frank & Mary Owens, Edmund Kopka; Anthony & Justine Pirulli, Lilian
Slivinski – Richard Slivinski, Florence Rasmussen – William Rasmussen, Ed Slonina, Dee Smith - Gerald
Smith, Joseph & Mary Kafara; Nancy Sirois – Robert & Roberta Sirois Discenza Lee & Debbie Steele Evelyn Yakushevich, Anna Dombek;
2 lorem ipsum :: [Date] NEWS AND EVENTS
PARISH CALENDAR
Dec 21st
Ladies Society decorates the altars and church
Dec 28th
Parish Budget and Election meeting 10:45 am
Jan 4th 2015
Swearing in ceremony of the Parish Board
Parish Christmas lunch - 12 noon
EASTERN DIOCESE
CHRISTMAS MASS TIMES Christmas Eve, Dec 24th (Wednesday) 5:00 pm Midnight Christmas Day, Dec 25th 9:30 am Winter Youth Gathering
Saturday January 3rd, 2015
Holy Trinity Parish, Webster, MA
BY THE WEEK
Sundays: Mercy Tabernacle Church
12:30 - 2:30 pm
Tuesdays: Mercy Tabernacle Church
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Wednesdays:
AA meeting 12:00 pm
Irish dance classes 6:00 pm
Thursdays:
Yoga meditation 6:00 pm
AA men’s meeting 7:30 pm
For news input in the weekly bulletin, please contact
Father Michal by Wed: [email protected]
Readers roster
Dec 21st
Dec 28th
8:00am
Jan Chernesky
Jan Chernesky
9:30am
Ed Slonina
Lee Niedzielski
Next Sunday’s readings:
Jeremiah 31:10-14 Galatians 4:1-7
- Luke 2:15-20
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
‘Lord Jesus, master of both the light and the
darkness, send your Holy Spirit upon our
preparations for Christmas. We who have so much
to do, seek quiet spaces to hear your voice each
day. We who are anxious over many things, look
forward to your coming among us. We who are
blessed in so many ways, long for the complete joy
of your kingdom. We whose hearts are heavy, seek
the joy of your presence. We are your people,
walking in darkness, yet seeking the light. To you we
say, "Come Lord Jesus!" Amen.’
(Henri Nouwen)
3 ‘Oplatek’ - the traditional Christmas wafer that we
break with our family and friends during Christmas Eve
meal or Christmas lunch can be found in the basket at
the back of the church. Please place your offering in
the box provided.
Parish budget and election meeting - please make
every effort to attend the meeting this Sunday, Dec
28th after 9:30 am Mass at the parish hall. We all
share responsibility for the state of affairs both spiritual
and material, at St Joseph’s.
Parish Christmas Lunch - Jan 4th, 12noon. The menu
will feature roasted pork loin, mashed potatos,braised
carrots, dessert, tea/coffee/soda. Cost: adults, kids 13
and above - $10.00, children 10 and under - $5.00,
nder 5 years old – free. Reservations a ‘must’, please
use the slips in the foyer.
PARISH DUES for 2014, 2013, 2012 – please do
meet the obligation of paying the dues by the end of
the year. Contact either Ed Slonina or Fr Michal with
the payment, which is $90.00 for a single person and
$150.00 per family.
Message from PNU - Polish National Union
It is a time of the year to be thankful for all the
blessings we’ve been given. What a great time to
share the many benefits of the PNU with your family
and friends. Endowments, insurance policies, and
annuities are just some of the many offerings the PNU
can offer to help you provide for those you care about.
Contact the PNU Home Office at 1-800-724-6352 for
more information on the financial security we can help
you provide.
Eastern Diocese Winter Youth Gathering will take
place at Holy Trinity parish in Webster, MA on January
3rd. For details please see the notice board. There is no
charge for the diocesan youth. If you are thinking of
attending, please see Fr Michal.
lorem ipsum :: [Date] Sunday Readings
First Reading
2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8b, -12, 14a 16
When King David was settled in his palace,
and the LORD had given him rest from his enemies on
every side, he said to Nathan the prophet,
“Here I am living in a house of cedar,
while the ark of God dwells in a tent!”
Nathan answered the king,
“Go, do whatever you have in mind,
for the LORD is with you.”
But that night the LORD spoke to Nathan and said:
“Go, tell my servant David, ‘Thus says the LORD:
Should you build me a house to dwell in?’
“It was I who took you from the pasture
and from the care of the flock
to be commander of my people Israel.
I have been with you wherever you went,
and I have destroyed all your enemies before you.
And I will make you famous like the great ones of the earth.
I will fix a place for my people Israel;
I will plant them so that they may dwell in their place
without further disturbance.
Neither shall the wicked continue to afflict them as they did
of old, since the time I first appointed judges over my
people Israel.I will give you rest from all your enemies.
The LORD also reveals to you
that he will establish a house for you.
And when your time comes and you rest with your
ancestors, I will raise up your heir after you, sprung from
your loins, and I will make his kingdom firm.
I will be a father to him, and he shall be a son to me.
Your house and your kingdom shall endure forever before
me; your throne shall stand firm forever.”
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Response to the Psalm
For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.
Second Reading
Romans 16:25-27
Brothers and sisters:
To him who can strengthen you,
according to my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus
Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept
secret for long ages but now manifested through the
prophetic writings and,
according to the command of the eternal God,
made known to all nations to bring about the obedience
of faith, to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ
be glory forever and ever. Amen.
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia
Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.
May it be done to me according to your word
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia
Gospel
Luke1: 26-38
The angel Gabriel was sent from God
to a town of Galilee called Nazareth,
to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph,
of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary.
And coming to her, he said,
“Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.”
But she was greatly troubled at what was said
and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.
Then the angel said to her,
“Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with
God. “Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear
a son, and you shall name him Jesus.
He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High,
and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his
father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever,
and of his kingdom there will be no end.”
But Mary said to the angel,
“How can this be, since I have no relations with a
man?” And the angel said to her in reply,
“The Holy Spirit will come upon you,
and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.
Therefore the child to be born
will be called holy, the Son of God.
And behold, Elizabeth, your relative,
has also conceived a son in her old age,
and this is the sixth month for her who was called
barren; for nothing will be impossible for God.”
Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.
May it be done to me according to your word.”
Then the angel departed from her.
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
From October 19th until February 8th 2015 the bulletin is sponsored by Marianne Charabowski.
If anyone wishes to contribute to the printing cost of the bulletin, please contact Fr Michal.
Printed by Magnetic enter – 30 Ferry Blvd., Stratford, CT
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