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Third Sunday Ordinary Times St Andrew the Apostle January 21 , 2018 Taunton, MA

JANUARY 21, 2018 THE THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIMES ST. ANDREW THE APOSTLE, TAUNTON, MA

BAPTISM Third Sunday in Parents who are registered and practicing members of the parish should call the rectory to make Ordinary Times arrangements.

RECONCILIATION Saturday 3:00pm to 3:30pm or by appointment

†MASS INTENTIONS † WEDDINGS SATURDAY, January 20 Couples who are registered and practicing members 4:00pm – Antonio Resendes of the parish may call the rectory eight months in

SUNDAY, January 21 advance to make arrangements. 8:00am – The Reilly & Wright Families 10:30am – Neil McGrath NEW PARISHIONERS MONDAY, January 22 We welcome you to our parish! Registration forms are 8:00am – Jose F, Jose M, and The Sousa Family available at the entrances of the church. Please complete the form and return as soon as possible. TUESDAY, January 23 8:00am – Firmo Faria WOMEN OF FAITH WEDNESDAY, January 24 For more information, please contact President, 8:00am – George Botelho, Irene Carreiro, Mr & Mrs Kathy Duarte at 508-822-5455. Antonio Araujo THURSDAY, January 25 KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS #11914 8:00am – Intentions of Fr Edward A. Murphy For more information, please contact Grand Knight,

FRIDAY, January 26 Bob Crossman, at 508-823-7920.

8:00am – Jose M. Montanez, Sr.

SATURDAY, January 27 PRAYER and ADORATION

4:00pm – Month’s Mind – Margaret M. Kingsbury. Joyce Caron MONDAY

SUNDAY, January 28 Our Lady of the Novena 8:00am – Jose Moitoso is held on Monday evenings at 7:00pm with 10:30am – and Anna Dorsey - Memorial Rosary and Benediction.

TUESDAY PRAYER GROUP PARISH STAFF Meets every Tuesday at 6:30pm in the Fr. Edward A. Murphy, Pastor Church. Rosary adoration and prayer. 508-824-5577 ext. #1

Joseph Teixeira, Sexton WEDNESDAY HOLY HOUR

Nathaniel DeCastro, Music Director & Organist Wednesday evenings from 6:00pm to 7:00pm 774-328-2721 includes the Divine Mercy Chaplet for The [email protected] Sick and The Dying

Faith Formation Coordinator EUCHARISTIC ADORATION [email protected]. 774-526-2640 First Friday of the month after 8:00am Mass Nancy Roberts, Administrative Assistant until 6:00pm. 508-824-5577 ext. #2. 508-822-1401 fax [email protected] AND SPECIAL OBSERVANCES

St. Vincent DePaul Sunday: Third Sunday in Ordinary Time 508-880-1583 Monday: Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children

Tuesday: St. Vincent; Marianne Cope St Andrew the Apostle. 19 Kilmer Ave. Taunton, MA Wednesday: St. Office: 508-824-5577. Fax: 508-822-1401 Thursday: The Conversion of St. www.standrewtaunton.org Friday: Ss. Timothy and Titus Saturday: St. Angela Merici; Blessed Mary

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JANUARY 21, 2018 THE THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIMES ST. ANDREW THE APOSTLE, TAUNTON, MA

not fulfill the law, and suffer these injustices. They From feel “condemned,” and “abused,” the said, by those who are vain, proud, arrogant.” And one who Father Murphy was cast aside by these people, Pope Francis observed, was Judas.

“Judas was a traitor….He sinned forcefully. But then the says, ‘He repented, and went to POPE FRANCIS: them to return the money.’ And what did they do? Do not over-intellectualize your faith ‘But you were our associate. Be calm.… We have the power to forgive you for everything!’ No! In a recent homily, Pope Francis warned pastors of ‘Make whatever arrangement you can!’ [they said.] the dangers of becoming “intellectuals of religion.” ‘It’s your problem!’ And they left him alone, The poor and humble people who have faith in the discarded! The poor Judas, a traitor and repentant, Lord are the victims of the “intellectuals of was not welcomed by the pastors. Because these religion,” and those who are “seduced by people had forgotten what it was to be a pastor. clericalism.” They were the intellectuals of religion, those who had the power, who advanced the catechesis of the The Pope directed his attention to , who in the people with a morality composed by their own day’s Gospel turns to the chief priests and the elders intelligence and not by the revelation.” of the people, and focuses precisely on their role. “They had juridical, moral, religious authority,” he Even today, the Pope observed, this sometimes said. “They decided everything.” and happens in the church. “There is that spirit of , for example, “judged Jesus.” They clericalism,” he explained. “Clerics feel they are arrived at this state of “arrogance and tyranny superior, they are far from the people....They have towards the people,” the Pope said, by no time to hear the poor, the suffering, prisoners, instrumentalizing the law. the sick.”

“But a law that they have remade many times: so “The evil of clericalism is a very ugly thing! It is a many times, to the point that they had arrived at 500 new edition of these people. And the victim is the commandments. Everything was regulated, same: the poor and humble people who await the everything! A law scientifically constructed, Lord.... Today, too, Jesus says to all of us, and even because this people was wise, they understood well. to those who are seduced by clericalism: ‘The They made all these nuances, no? But it was a law sinners and the prostitutes will go before you into without memory: they had forgotten the First the Kingdom of Heaven.’” Commandment, which God had given to our father : “Walk in my presence and be blameless.” “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.” Peter said They did not walk: they always stopped in their to him in reply, “Lord, if it is you, command me to own convictions. They were not blameless!” come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water And so, the Pope said, they had forgotten the Ten toward Jesus. But when he saw how [strong] the Commandments of . “With the law they wind was he became frightened; and, beginning to themselves had made—intellectualistic, sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately sophisticated, casuistic—they cancelled the law the Jesus stretched out his hand and caught him, and Lord had made, they lacked the memory that said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you connects the current moment with revelation.” In doubt?” (: 27-31) the past their victim was Jesus; in a similar way, now their victim is “the humble and poor people who trust in the Lord,” “those who are discarded,” those who understand repentance even if they do

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JANUARY 21, 2018 THE THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIMES ST. ANDREW THE APOSTLE, TAUNTON, MA

FAITH FORMATION This weekend January 21st there will be Faith

Formation classes for Grade 1-8 and Confirmation I (Grade 9). KNIGHT’S CHICKEN DINNER th The Knights of Columbus will be hosting a Baked Next Sunday, January 28 , will be CLASS MASS rd for Grade 4 at 10:30 Mass. All family members Chicken Dinner on February 3 at 5:30pm in the are encouraged to attend! Parish Hall. They will be selling tickets after all the Mass. Tickets are $12 for adults and $5 for NOTE: If Faith Formation is cancelled due to children 12 and under. inclement weather, it will be posted on the top of the website. LOCAL SCHOOLS OPEN HOUSE All Confirmation candidates are required to attend Coyle & Cassidy High School Mass on Saturday/Sunday each weekend. There are Will be hosting an Open House on January 27th sign-in sheets available at all entrances from 11-1pm for students in grades 6-12. Come meet some of our faculty and students while taking 1st HOLY COMMUNION a tour of the campus. Learn about our family and PARENTS AND GUARDIANS values based teaching, smaller class sizes, award On Sunday February 11th at the 10:30am Mass, Fr winning Music & Arts program, and our successful Murphy will be speaking to all parents of the 1st Athletic teams! www.coylecassidy.com

Holy Communion classes. There will be reserved St. Mary’s Primary School seating for all parents and guardians at this Mass. 106 Washington Street, is hosting an Open House Any personal questions that parents may have, on Saturday, January 27, 2018 from 9:00am – Father Murphy will be available after the Mass. 12:00pm. School OF THE ORGAN Our Lady of Lourdes School in Taunton, MA. Thank you to all who have already Come join us at our Open House January 27, 2018 contributed toward the Organ Fund. A from 11:00am - 1:00pm. Visit our website. very special way of donating to the www.ololtaunton.com. Or call for more information Organ Fund would be in memory of a 508-822-3746 loved one. Many who have come before you and worshiped in the church and listened to the organ. PILGRIMAGE TO MEDJUGORJE Please join Fr Murphy on his annual pilgrimage to COLD & FLU SEASON Medjugorje on May 7-16, 2018. $2,575.00 from Boston. With the Cold and Flu season Over 2 million people have visited Medjugorje in 2015, upon us, it is best to exchange a and over 40,000 priests. For more information visit 206 verbal Sign of Peace rather than Tours website. www.pilgrimage.com/frmurphy shaking hands. Flyers are available for those interested.

CHRISTMAS FLOWER MEMORIALS The Foster and Vasconcellos Families Gilbert Briggs, Jean Briggs, Brian Collins The Botelho Family, Mr. & Mrs. Manuel Faria, Mr. & Mrs. Duarte

Helen and Frank Donohue

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JANUARY 21, 2018 THE THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIMES ST. ANDREW THE APOSTLE, TAUNTON, MA

THANK YOU SNOW MUCH! Tax contribution summarys for 2017 Thank you to the Knights who will be available upon request. You can donated $500 toward the contact the rectory Monday through enormous expense of removing Thursday or email the parish office at the snow from the parking lot. [email protected]. The recent snow storm brought 17” of snow to our area. THANK YOU! Hymns ~ Third Sunday in Ordinary Time Opening– Come, Christians, Join to Sing #548

Offertory—Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven #547

Communion–Lord, Who at Thy First Eucharist #366

Recessional – Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee #543

WEEKLY PARISH SUPPORT Thank you for your gifts to our faith family. The Offertory for the weekend of January 14:

Weekend Masses $ 3829.00 Fuel & Maintenance 2099.00 Annual Collection 600.00 Diocesan Assessment 318.00 Candles 17.00

BUDGET ENVELOPES Please remember to include all your budget envelopes in the basket if inclement weather causes

you to miss Mass. Also, please remember to mark on the envelopes the 2018 WOMEN AND MEN’S CONFERENCE amount enclosed. Thank you. The 2018 Second Annual Diocese of Fall River Upcoming Second Collections Women & Men’s Conference “BE ON FIRE – January 21 – Catholic Communications SET THE WORLD ON FIRE”. It will take place January 28 – Music Maintenance Fund on Saturday March 10th at Stonehill College. To register or obtain more information, visit www. fallriverdiocese.org.

ASH WEDNESDAY RETREAT The Journey Inward led by Peggy Patenaude of Taking Time Out will be held on Wednesday, February 14th at Sacred Hearts Retreat Center in Wareham. Mass with distribution of ashes will be celebrated at 9:00 AM. Following Mass, the retreat program will run from 10:00 AM to 3:30 PM.

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Message of His Holiness Pope Francis for the 2018 World Day of Vocations

Dear and Sisters.

Next October, the Fifteenth Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of will meet to discuss the theme of young people and in particular the relationship between young people, faith and vocation. There we will have a chance to consider more deeply how, at the centre of our life, is the call to joy that God addresses to us and how this is “God’s plan for men and women in every age” (SYNOD OF BISHOPS, XV ORDINARY GENERAL ASSEMBLY, Young People, The Faith and Vocational Discernment, Introduction).

The Fifty-fifth World Day of Prayer for Vocations once again proclaims this good news to us, and in a decisive manner. We are not victims of chance or swept up in a series of unconnected events; on the contrary, our life and our presence in this world are the fruit of a divine vocation!

Even amid these troubled times, the mystery of the Incarnation reminds us that God continually comes to encounter us. He is God-with-us, who walks along the often dusty paths of our lives. He knows our anxious longing for love and he calls us to joy. In the diversity and the uniqueness of each and every vocation, personal and ecclesial, there is a need to listen, discern and live this word that calls to us from on high and, while enabling us to develop our talents, makes us instruments of salvation in the world and guides us to full happiness.

These three aspects – listening, discerning and living – were also present at beginning of Jesus’ own mission, when, after his time of prayer and struggle in the desert, he visited his synagogue of Nazareth. There, he listened to the word, discerned the content of the mission entrusted to him by the Father, and proclaimed that he came to accomplish it “today” (Lk 4:16-21).

Listening The Lord’s call – let it be said at the outset – is not as clear-cut as any of those things we can hear, see or touch in our daily experience. God comes silently and discreetly, without imposing on our freedom. Thus it can happen that his voice is drowned out by the many worries and concerns that fill our minds and hearts.

We need, then, to learn how to listen carefully to his word and the story of his life, but also to be attentive to the details of our own daily lives, in order to learn how to view things with the eyes of faith, and to keep ourselves open to the surprises of the Spirit.

We will never discover the special, personal calling that God has in mind for us if we remain enclosed in ourselves, in our usual way of doing things, in the apathy of those who fritter away their lives in their own little world. We would lose the chance to dream big and to play our part in the unique and original story that God wants to write with us.

Jesus too, was called and sent. That is why he needed to recollect himself in silence. He listened to and read the word in the synagogue, and with the light and strength of the Holy Spirit he revealed its full meaning, with reference to his own person and the history of the people of Israel. Nowadays listening is becoming more and more difficult, immersed as we are in a society full of noise, overstimulated and bombarded by information. The outer noise that sometimes prevails in our cities and our neighbourhoods is often accompanied by our interior dispersion and confusion. This prevents us from pausing and enjoying the taste of contemplation, reflecting serenely on the events of our lives, going about our work with confidence in God’s loving plan, and making a fruitful discernment.

Yet, as we know, the kingdom of God comes quietly and unobtrusively (cf. Lk 17:21), and we can only gather its seeds when, like the prophet , we enter into the depths of our soul and are open to the imperceptible whisper of the divine breeze (cf. 1 Kg 19:11-13).

Discerning When Jesus, in the synagogue of Nazareth, reads the passage of the prophet , he discerns the content of the mission for which he was sent, and presents it to those who awaited the : “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour (Lk 4:18-19).

In the same way, each of us can discover his or her own vocation only through spiritual discernment. This is “a process by which a person makes fundamental choices, in dialogue with the Lord and listening to the voice of the Spirit, starting with the choice of one’s state in life” (SYNOD OF BISHOPS, XV ORDINARY GENERAL ASSEMBLY, Youth, Faith and Vocational Discernment, II, 2).

Thus we come to discover that Christian vocation always has a prophetic dimension. The Scriptures tell us that the prophets were sent to the people in situations of great material insecurity and of spiritual and moral crisis, in order to address in God’s name a message of conversion, hope and consolation. Like a whirlwind, the prophet unsettles the false tranquility of consciences that have forgotten the word of the Lord. He discerns events in the light of God’s promise and enables people to glimpse the signs of dawn amid the dark shadows of history.

Today too, we have great need of discernment and of prophecy. We have to resist the temptations of ideology and negativity, and to discover, in our relationship with the Lord, the places, the means and situations through which he calls us. Every Christian ought to grow in the ability to “read within” his or her life, and to understand where and to what he or she is being called by the Lord, in order to carry on his mission.

Living Lastly, Jesus announces the newness of the present hour, which will enthuse many and harden the heart of others. The fullness of time has come, and he is the Messiah proclaimed by Isaiah and anointed to liberate prisoners, to restore sight to the blind and to proclaim the merciful love of God to every creature. Indeed, Jesus says that “today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing” (Lk 4:21).

The joy of the Gospel, which makes us open to encountering God and our brothers and sisters, does not abide our slowness and our sloth. It will not fill our hearts if we keep standing by the window with the excuse of waiting for the right time, without accepting this very day the risk of making a decision. Vocation is today! The Christian mission is now! Each one of us is called – whether to the lay life in marriage, to the priestly life in the ordained ministry, or to a life of special consecration – in order to become a witness of the Lord, here and now.

This “today” that Jesus proclaimed assures us that God continues to “come down” to save our human family and to make us sharers in his mission. The Lord continues to call others to live with him and to follow him in a relationship of particular closeness. He continues to call others to serve him directly. If he lets us realize that he is calling us to consecrate ourselves totally to his kingdom, then we should have no fear! It is beautiful – and a great grace – to be completely and forever consecrated to God and the service of our brothers and sisters.

Today the Lord continues to call others to follow him. We should not wait to be perfect in order to respond with our generous “yes”, nor be fearful of our limitations and sins, but instead open our hearts to the voice of the Lord. To listen to that voice, to discern our personal mission in the Church and the world, and at last to live it in the today that God gives us.

May Mary Most Holy, who as a young woman living in obscurity heard, accepted and experienced the Word of God made flesh, protect us and accompany us always on our journey.