Saint Joseph Parish- Needham, MA December 8— Second Sunday of Advent

PASTORAL STAFF

Peter L. Stamm, Reverend Mr. Robert P. Horne, Deacon

LITURGICAL (MASS) SCHEDULE

Saturday Vigil 4:00 pm

Sunday 8:00 am, 9:30 am ( Mass) 11:00 am (Solemn Choir Mass) 12:30 pm (September through June)

Daily Masses 6:50 & 9:00 am (Monday through Friday) 8:30 am (Saturday)

RECONCILIATION (CONFESSION) : 3 pm to 4 pm in the Penance Room at the lowe c c or by appointment

CONTACT INFORMATION

Parish Office………….. 781-444-0245 …………………………… Fax: 781-444-7713 Mailing A ess……… 1382 Highland Ave e Saint Joseph Elementary Sc ool …………………………... Needham, MA 02492 Charlotte Kelly, Principal Grades: Pre-school through 5 Parish Website-www.stjosephparishneedham.com Religious 781-449-3744 Monsignor Haddad Middle School James MacDonald, Principal Schools…………………...….. 781-444-4459 6 through 8 Schools’ Website:………….. www.saintjoes.com ………. 781-444-4459 X114 Catholic identity and academic excellence are e pillars of Catholic education. The month of December is dedicated to The Immaculate Conception SAINT JOSEPH PARISH - PASTOR’S CORNER

Dear Parishioners,

The gives us the season of Advent each year as an annual opportunity to learn or relearn the art of how to deeply listen. Think back to the summons we heard from the prophet Isaiah last weekend : “Come, let us climb the Lord’s mountain, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may instruct us in his ways, and we may walk in His paths.” A mountain is a place set apart, traditionally a place of divine encounter, silent, usually a bit rugged and uncomfortable. A place without distractions. No wonder that it is there that God has historically chosen to speak heart to heart with his people. It was upon Mount Sinai that God gave the Ten Commandments to Moses. It was on Mount Tabor that was transfigured in the sight of the apostles. It was on the Mount of Olives that he was in agony, and it was there that He ascended into heaven.

Would that we could go up to a mountain for the next month together and devote ourselves entirely to listening to God’s word, to prepare ourselves for Christmas. But for us, it’s more likely that our situation is along these lines of our blessed Lord’s prophecy. “They were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day that Noah entered the ark…So it will be in the day of the Son of Man.” Sometimes we get down on ourselves for being so busy and distracted, but people have been busy since the beginning of time. For us, we’ll be going to work and school, shopping, and going back and forth, until the day of Christmas is upon us.

Instead of getting away, we must find the mountain of God right in our midst. Our Lord says to us, “Stay awake. Be vigilant.” This Advent, how can you climb the mountain of God and listen deeply, to plumb the depths hidden beneath the surface of our faith? Can you carve out a space of silence? A time where the TV goes quiet, the cell phone goes on Airplane mode for fifteen minutes, and you’re face to face with the Lord, able to encounter Him without distraction? Is it coming to a daily Mass during the week, where it’s more quiet and intimate? Is it stopping in for a visit to the Blessed Sacrament? Is it spiritual reading? The Rosary? How might our Lord be calling you to draw closer to Him concretely in this season of grace which we’ve just begun?

It isn’t easy; Advent is a penitential season. Growth is often painful. But it’s worth it to be surprised by the joy of a God who is so much greater than we imagined, a Mass which truly brings us into the mystery of the divine, and to be united to throughout the world who are doing the same thing as us - who are looking forward to welcoming Jesus, God-Incarnate at Christmastime.

If Advent is our time of deep listening, God then comes to the aid of our weakness by sending voices to speak to us clearly and persuasively, in ways that we can understand. The two main voices that come to us throughout the Advent liturgy are the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. John the Baptist. They speak to us, sometimes in words but more often in deeds, of how to welcome Jesus. They model for us the way of disposing oneself to receive Jesus. And their undying witness in the Church shows us how we can proclaim Jesus today. This weekend, let us listen to the preaching of John the Baptist and offer to God a heart ready to receive Him!

Your servant, Reverend Peter L. Stamm

To better ensure the safety of our parishioners, our custodian, and visiting priests, we announce our new parish snow policy: Whenever Needham Public Schools are closed due to snow, the 6:50 and 9:00 weekday Masses will be cancelled. If there is a delayed opening, the Masses will still be celebrated at their usual times. All weekend Masses will always be celebrated at their respective times, regardless of the weather. We encourage you to use your best judgement in deciding whether or not the conditions are safe for you. SAINT JOSEPH PARISH

Second Sunday of Advent, Cycle A Sunday, December 8, 2019 Gospel Reading Matthew 3:1-12 781-449-3744 John the Baptist appears in Judea preaching a Grades K, 1 and 2 message of repentance. If your child was not baptized at Saint Joseph Parish and if you haven’t yet given a Baptismal Certificate for Background on the Gospel Reading your child to Melissa or Debbie in the Religious Education Office, please provide them a copy. In this week's Gospel Reading and next week's, our Advent preparation for Christmas invites us to consider John the Baptist and his relationship to Sunday, December 8, Youth Mass and Class Jesus. In this week's Gospel, Matthew describes the Our next Youth Mass will be at 5 p.m. on Dec. 8.All work and preaching of John the Baptist. high school students are invited, but grades 9 & 10 Religious Education students are expected to be John the Baptist appears in the tradition of the great present. Pizza and class will follow. prophets of Israel, preaching repentance and reform to the people of Israel. In fact, the description of John The Mass is open to all. found in this reading is reminiscent of the description of the prophet Elijah (2 Kings 1:8). In this reading, Final Classes for First Semester: December 8,9,and John directs a particularly pointed call to repentance to 11. Classes resume Sunday, January 5. the Pharisees and Sadducees, parties within the Jewish community of the first century.

St Joseph Parish Family Ministry John marks the conversion of those who seek him out with a of repentance. Other groups in this Bambini Blessing period are thought to have practiced ritual washings for similar purposes, and John's baptism may have been related to the practices of the Essenes, a Jewish Bambini Blessing by Fr. Peter on Dec.14 @ 4pm sect of the first century. John's baptism can be Mass and Dec.15 @ 9:30 Mass. understood as an anticipation of Christian baptism. In During the pontificate of Pope John Paul II, the custom this passage, John himself alludes to the difference arose in Rome of children presenting the bambino between his baptism and the one yet to come: “I am ( figure) from their family nativity set to be baptizing you with water, for repentance . . . He will blessed on the Third Sunday of Advent. This beautiful baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” (Matthew tradition is here now. 3:11). Get ready for Christmas by bringing your bambino. All children will be invited to come for- In this reading, John makes very clear that his ward for a special blessing of the Christ figure. relationship to the Messiah yet to come (Jesus) is one After Mass, go home and spend some time together of service and subservience: “. . . the one who is as a family, setting up your Nativity scene. coming after me is mightier than I. I am not worthy to Traditionally, the Christ Child is then set apart until carry his sandals” (Matthew 3:11). In the context of being placed in the manger on Christmas Eve. Matthew's Gospel, today's passage is followed by Jesus' baptism by John, an event that is attested to in all four of the Gospels and appears to have been the start of Jesus' public ministry. John's preaching of the coming of the Lord is a key FOOD DRIVE theme of the Advent season. As John's message prepared the way for Jesus in the first century, we, Making a list and checking it twice? too, are called to prepare ourselves for Jesus' coming. Please add a can of beans, a box of pasta, or some We respond to John's message by our repentance and item for the Needham Community Council Food reform of our lives. We are also called to be prophets Pantry to that list. It won't take much time or much of Christ, who announce by our lives, as John did, the money, but it will be very much appreciated. coming of the Lord. Thank you. ANNOUNCEMENTS AND NEWS

Jesse Tree Project During the second week of Advent, our barren tree is being transformed as Saturday December 14th ornaments are hung on it representing gifts from our 2—4 pm parishioners. To participate, 1351 Highland Ave— select a paper ornament from Needham the baskets at the entrances of the church. Purchase the gift indicated on the orna- ment, and place it unwrapped under the tree, marked with the type and size of the ADVENT CONCERT gift. Then hang your Today at 2pm ornament on the tree. These gifts will be shared with Most Holy Redeemer Parish Waiting With Joy: in East Boston and St. Patrick’s Parish in Roxbury. A Celebration of Advent Next weekend will be the final days of our Jesse Tree An afternoon of music, readings, and reflections collection, as this collection must be completed by featuring the St. Bart’s Adult Choir and Youth Sunday, Dec. 15. Please bring your gifts and place Choir. Refreshments to follow in Ward Hall. them unwrapped and labeled under the tree. Then hang your ornament on the tree. These gifts will be delivered to Most Holy Redeemer Parish in East Boston and St. Patrick’s in Roxbury by next weekend.

KINDERGARTEN NATIVITY February Fast Cash Calendars are back!

It’s beginning to look a lot like Calendars will be on sale after Mass the weekends Christmas in St. Joseph Elemen- of December 14 and 15, as well as December 21 tary School Kindergarten! and 22. Calendars are $10.00 each 28 Chances to win a Our students have worked very cash prize including two - $1,000 prizes. hard to learn their parts, sing their songs, and recite their lines for our upcoming performance. The show February Cash Calendars make great stocking will be held in the Kennedy Center on stuffers, secret Santa gifts and presents for family Friday, December 13th at 10:00 a.m. and friends. for parents and grandparents.

EIGHTH GRADE LIVING NATIVITY

As the Season of Advent draws near, MHMS students DRIVERS NEEDED ! are busy preparing their gift to the St. Joseph Parish We are in need of additional Community. On Friday, December 20, 2019 at 1:30 drivers and substitute drivers to provide pm in the Upper Church, eighth grade students transportation to parishioners who are physically will perform the Nativity story. The sixth and sev- mobile, but have no means of getting to Mass. Driv- enth graders will join in by singing Christmas car- ers are able to choose their volunteer frequency. You ols. All are welcome to attend this special event. need not attend the 4PM Mass to provide this valuable service. Substitute drivers are also needed. Riders are able to manage vehicles such as 4 door sedans, PERPETUAL ADORATION minivans, and mini SUV's. Drivers may need to assist with seatbelts and store a foldable walker in the trunk. St. Mary’s in Dedham has Perpetual If you would like to volunteer for this worthwhile Adoration from 6:00am to 11:00pm at Christian endeavor, please email Carol Fraini at St. Joseph Chapel located at 25 Avery [email protected] or call at 781-455-0099 for St., in Dedham. more information. Thank you. The Holy Father’s The Gospel is about John December 8th -2nd Intention for the Baptist preaching in Sunday in Advent the wilderness. December 2019 Universal – The Very Young That every country resolutely commits to taking Stewardship the necessary measures to make the future of the very young, especially those who suffer, a Offertory: Week 22 Collected Budgeted Variance priority. December 1, 2019 TOTAL for Week $13,586 $15,500 ($1,914)

In Church & by $10,794 Saturday, December 7 Online – Weekly $1,997 8:30 Wini Doolin– Memorial Online – Monthly $795 4:00 Lucy Della Rocca– Memorial Sunday, December 8 TOTAL Year to Date $302,863 $341,000 ($38,137) 8:00 The People of Saint Joseph Parish Grand Annual 9:30 William and Irene Melville– Memorial Collected Budgeted Still to go 2019/20 11:00 Adrienne Garrido– Memorial Through $148,225 $200,000 $51,775 12:30 Jean Houghton– Memorial Dec. 2, 2019 Monday, December 9 As you know, the Offertory and Grand Annual 6:50 The Immaculate Conception collection constitute a large part in the funding for 9:00 The Immaculate Conception our life and ministry of St. Joseph Parish. Please Tuesday, December 10 prayerfully consider making your participation 6:50 Ray Dolce– Memorial intentional and sustained, especially through Online 9:00 Barry McDonough– Memorial Giving. Wednesday, December 11 Sign up through the parish website 6:50 Therese M. Gigante– Memorial www.stjosephparishneedham.com or by download- 9:00 Joan Sheehy– Memorial ing the app from the Apple or Google store. Or if you prefer, you could set up a regularly scheduled e-check Thursday, December 12 through your own bank account. 6:50 John Dowd– Memorial 9:00 Joseph Russo– Memorial The Grand Annual is not for extra or discretionary items but is a vital source of funds to meet the day-to- Friday, December 13 day expenses of the Parish not covered by the 6:50 offertory collection alone. It would be wonderful if more 9:00 Andrew and Patricia Martin– Special Intention and individuals could participate this year and Saturday, December 14 if those annual givers could increase their amount. 8:30 Laura Pachas– Memorial Thank you for your generous support! 4:00 John Stefanoni- Memorial Sunday, December 15 8:00 Paula Lawson Pearson– Memorial Catholic Symbols - 9:30 William Murphy– Special Intention - 11:00 Nancy Cice– Memorial 12:30 The People of Saint Joseph Parish  The Chi-Rho Christogram is one of the best known catholic symbols. Rose for Life  A Christogram is a or combination of let- Each week roses are placed beside ters that forms an abbreviation for the name of the tabernacles as reminders to pray Jesus Christ for the unborn.  The symbol is formed by superimposing the first two This week December 8, roses are letters Chi and Rho (ΧΡ) of the Greek word donated in memory of Mabel McGee, Barbara "ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ" which translates to Christ. Woods Cate, Frank Woods, Robert Smith and Barbara Walsh. SAINT JOSEPH PARISH - NEEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS

Parish S Parish Staff Rosanne Business Development Office Mario A. Clavell, Jr. , Administrative Assistant Mary Beth Cox, Director

Music i is y Religious John Cice, Melissa Harrigan, Director (K-6) Adult & oi Michael sc l (7-11) Daryl Bichel, Debbie Coyle, ( -11)

SA A BAPTISM: To request the Sacrament of Baptism for your child please fill out the form found on the parish website at: http://www.stjosephparishneedham.com/baptism or If you don't have online access or have a question, please contact the Rectory at 781-444-0245.

(Confession) 3 pm to 4 pm in the Penance Room in the lowe c c or by appointment.

Contact one of the parish to schedule a date. A of least six months must be allowed between initial contact and the date set. Couples are attend this e.

SCHEDULE

The Children/Family Choir rehearses at 8:45 am, just prior to singing at the 9:30 am Sunday Mass. Choir The Adult Choir rehearses from 7:30 to 9:00 pm on Tuesdays and sings at the Sunday Mass. Eucharistic Adoration is every Friday following the 9 am Mass. Adoration ends with Benediction at 5 pm. Adoration Please call Michelle Ardini at 781-449-6048 for more information.

Justice & Peace supports social outreach to inner-city schools, parishes, and shelters. Justice Yearly projects include the Lenten Haitian Mission and the Jesse Tree. For additional & Peace information, please contact Ellen Benoit at 781-444-1654 or [email protected].

Novena The Miraculous Novena is prayed Monday evenings at 7 pm in the lower church.

The rosary is recited daily after 9 am Mass and also at 9 am every Sunday to pray for a Rosary respect for life from conception until natural death. Wings is a faith-enrichment group for women. It consists of three 6-week sessions in the fall, the winter, and the spring. The sessions are held on Wednesdays from 9:45 am to Wings 11:30 am in the Linse Room. Please contact Sarah McElroy at 781-449-1928 or [email protected].