Parish Lay Leadership s8

DECEMBER 17, 2017 THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT PARISH LAY LEADERSHIP Finance Council Chairs….Kimberly Schoolcraft, Matthew Barnes SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION Parish Pastoral Council Chair..………………Kathleen Harrington The Sacrament with Confession is celebrated each Saturday after Rel Ed Advisory Committee ...Melissa Moriarty, Suzanne Harlow the 8:00 am Mass, and from 3:15- 3:45 pm, as well as by RCIA ……………………………Ray Breton, Rosemary Thresher appointment. Bible Study………………………………………...... Sue Fratini CHAPLET OF DIVINE MERCY Adult Education………………………..Mary Federici, Bob Stack The Chaplet is prayed as a group on Saturday afternoons at 3:45 PARISH ORGANIZATIONS/PROGRAMS in the Chapel. Rosary Sodality……………..………Nancy Garen/Ursula Tuohey MIRACULOUS MEDAL NOVENA Social Justice………………….…………….Andrea Cook-Hewitt The Novena is prayed every Saturday morning at the 8:00AM Just Faith…………………………………Pat Mack, Karen Scahill Mass in the Chapel. St. Joseph’s Workers………………………………………Fr. Dan HOSPITAL VISITS Men’s Ministry Group………………………...... Fr. Dan If anyone has a hospital stay, please have a family member call Youth Group (JPII Crew)………………….………Lisa Laferriere the parish and indicate whether the parishioner would like to have AFFILIATED ORGANIZATIONS a visit, or if they would like their name mentioned at Mass during Cursillo Movement ……………………….………...Karen Scahill the Prayers of the Faithful. MONTHLY HEALING MASS Schoenstatt Movement .……………..……….…Diane Czerwiecki th Boy Scout Troop 821 …………………..…………Chris Muldrew Monthly Healing Mass – 4 Sunday of Every Month at 2:00PM - Girl Scout Troops…………………….……..……....Pat O’Connor St. George Church, 202 E. Main St. Chicopee, MA. 413-331-5656 Knights of Columbus………………………………Greg Perreault HEARING ASSISTED DEVICES Hearing Assisted Devices are located near the American Flag at PARISH MINISTRIES the back of the church. Altar Server Scheduling……………………..……… Cindy Monti Altar Server Training……………………………….Jim O’Connor Baptismal Prep……………………………..…… Lou Mastroianni MASS SCHEDULE Children’s Liturgy of the Word……………….……….Sue Fratini Sat 12/16 4:00PM +Ned Caron Eucharistic Ministers/Readers, Scheduling ...... ……Beth Modlish r/b +John & Ursula Tuohey Homebound/Pastoral Care Ministry…………...... Mary Federici Sun 12/17 7:00AM +Tiburcio & Sixta Romero Music Ministry – Adult & Youth Choir……………Melanie Peetz r/b Margarita Gonzalez Contemporary Music Group (Psalm 33).………………Tom Fucci Sacristans.…………………..……..Irene King, Phyllis Chlastawa, 8:30AM +Norman & Jerry Gallant Jim O’Connor, Irene Breton, Karen Scahill +Bernice & Richard Bovat Soup Kitchen……………… …..... Marcia Daly, Sandy O’Connor and Deceased Family Members Take & Eat Ministry……..…………………………Cheryl Wood r/b Gallant & Bovat Family Wedding Coordinator………………………….…..Donna Whelan 11:00AM + Raymond W. & Rita Broderick Wedding Team……...…Kathy Harrington, Gina Broderick, +William & Linda Scribner Christina Straney, Tina Broderick r/b Ray & Tina Broderick Prayer Line………………..Pauline, 862-3885 or Diane, 568-9754 Mon 12/18 7:00AM +Lillian & Robert May OFFICE HOURS The Parish Office is located at the Parish Center. Entrance is r/b Family across from the Mary Garden. Hours: Monday-Thursday, 9am- Tue 12/19 7:00AM +Joseph C. LaPlante 2pm; Friday 9am-noon. Sue is available to greet and assist you. Birthday Remembrance NEW PARISHIONERS r/b Frances LaPlante We warmly welcome new members to join our parish. Please fill Wed 12/20 7:00AM +Jean Blair out a registration card on the tables in the church and place in the r/b Kathleen Harrington collection basket. Registration and active participation is Thu 12/21 7:00AM Communion Service necessary for Religious Education and letters of eligibility for Fri 12/22 7:00AM Communion Service godparents and sponsors, as well as Catholic School Parish Sat 12/23 8:00AM +Frances Colson Subsidy. Anniversary Remembrance SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM r/b Aunt Loretta Lavin The Sacrament is celebrated monthly. Please call the Office to arrange. At least one Godparent must be a Confirmed, active MIRACULOUS MEDAL NOVENA parishioner in their parish, attending Mass weekly. 3:15-3:45PM CONFESSIONS (Chapel) SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGE 3:45PM CHAPLET OF DIVINE MERCY The Sacrament of Marriage is planned by an initial meeting with a (Chapel) priest or deacon, at least 6 months in advance. Be sure to contact 4:00PM +Ray & Cecile Leger the church BEFORE committing to date or venue with a deposit. r/b Lisa & Gary Gauthier Sun 12/24 7:00AM People of the Parish SACRAMENT OF THE SICK 8:30AM +Dorothy Guerci The Sacrament of the Sick is administered by a priest, when 18th Anniversary Remembrance requested. Pastoral care to the hospitalized sick and homebound r/b Steve & Sue Murphy is provided by the pastoral staff, and trained parishioners. 0914 2 DECEMBER 17, 2017 THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT 11:00AM + Rita M. Hall 21st Anniversary Remembrance PLEASE SEE THE CHRISTMAS MASS SCHEDULE r/b Hall Family ELSEWHERE IN THIS BULLETIN FROM FR. DAN’S DESK… I want to begin this weekend by acknowledging our 17 Confirmation Students who did a wonderful job last Sunday serving the “Senior Dinner” to over 80 people in our parish! In addition to serving 80 people here at the Center, the students then Delivered 40 Meals to our “Homebound Parishioners”. I hear from many of you who appreciate the Youth serving the meal here, and I hear from many of our homebound how touched they are when they get a delivery from a young person at their door with this meal! We began involving the Confirmation Students in the Senior Dinner and the home deliveries several years ago, as part of their requirement of “service”. Though they have many experiences of service our in the community, this gives them an experience of working together in an opportunity to serve their parish! They had a very busy Sunday last week as their Confirmation Inscription Ceremony was held at the 5:00pm Youth Mass later that afternoon! May God bless our Confirmation Class as they prepare to receive a special and important Sacrament in the Church! I also want to thank Fr. John Tuohey for speaking at the Senior Dinner, Celebrating the 5:00pm Youth Mass last Sunday with the Inscription Ceremony, and doing a presentation for our Middle and High School Youth afterward, on the topic of “Medical Ethics” which is his specialty! Fr. John had a long and busy day last Sunday too!!! We continue to support St. Mary’s Parish in their efforts to settle and relocate several families from Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria. They have been doing an absolutely outstanding job of helping these families in so many ways! We have been doing the things that they have asked us to do in support of these families, and I have to say that it’s been a wonderful experience of two parishes working cooperatively on a project together! A special “Christmas Celebration” for the families will be held on Thursday December 21 with special food, music, and fun for the children! These families have been paired by St. Mary’s with families who will host them for Christmas itself, but this will be a special celebration for all of them to be together! May God bless them and assure them of His guidance in this period of major transition and change in their lives! I mentioned several weeks ago that the shooting that happened in Southerland Springs, Texas has brought the issue of “safety” in all churches to the forefront. Recently the Massachusetts States Attorney’s Office held a special “training and information” opportunity in our area specifically designed with information for “Places of Worship” in mind. I asked several people from our parish with military experience, law enforcement experience, or public safety experience to attend this information session. It was an entire day program and was extremely helpful in alleviating fears and helping all churches to realize that there are some very simple things we can do to assure the safety of all people who come to church! I have formed a 7 Member “Parish Safety Advisory Team”. We are blessed as a parish to have so many law enforcement, and individuals with public safety training in our midst. As the seminar we attended suggested, we will be developing a “Parish Safety Plan” that will cover a variety of events that could come up – from loss of electricity and power due to storms (we all remember the October Ice Storm of a few years ago and how crippling that was!), to the possibility of our Parish Center serving our parish and the community as a shelter if ever needed. We have already had two meetings of this Advisory Team and I greatly appreciate their time and willingness to help all of us feel safe and secure here in our parish! Please see the Insert in this weekend’s bulletin with an article written by Springfield Republican contributing columnist Barbara Bernard, who wrote a wonderful article about our former Pastor - Fr. Francis Sullivan - at the time of his passing last Christmas. His First Anniversary is Christmas Day and I thought this article might bring Fr. Sully “back to us” as we read it! Please remember his soul in your Prayers this Christmas! NEXT WEEKEND MASS SCHEDULE - Because the Fourth Sunday of Advent also is Christmas Eve this year, I want to outline the Mass Schedule for all of next weekend: On December 24 – the Fourth Sunday of Advent – we will have Masses Saturday at 4:00PM, and Sunday at 7:00, 8:30 and 11:00AM – those Masses satisfy the Mass Obligation for Sunday. Then on Sunday afternoon and evening, we will have Masses at 4:00 and

0914 3 DECEMBER 17, 2017 THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT 10:00PM, and Christmas morning at 10:00AM to satisfy the Christmas Mass Obligation. SO YES – THERE IS AN OBLIGATION TO ATTEND MASS SATURDAY NIGHT/SUNDAY MORNING, AND SUNDAY AFTERNOON/EVENING, OR CHRISTMAS MORNING! God Bless, Fr. Dan Christmas morning at 10:00AM) to satisfy the SANCTUARY CANDLE Christmas Mass Obligation. SO YES – THERE IS AN Is burning this week in loving memory of OBLIGATION TO GO SATURDAY NIGHT OR +THERESA FORCIER SUNDAY MORNING, AND SUNDAY AFTERNOON 5 TH ANNIVERSARY REMEMBRANCE OR EVENING, OR CHRISTMAS MORNING! requested by Roger Beaudoin

DECEMBER 23/24 SPECIAL INTENTION CANDLE FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT Is burning this week in loving memory of +RITA M. HALL READINGS requested by Hall Family Old Testament: 2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16 New Testament: Romans 16:25-27 Gospel: Luke 1:26-38 MARY GARDEN CANDLE READERS Is burning this week in loving memory of 4:00PM Lynn Nault 7:00AM Steve Murphy +MARIE T. LABUN 8:30AM Joann Brooks 11:00AM Diane requested by husband Stephen Labun Czerwiecki EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS SACRED HEART CANDLE 4:00PM Diane Wright, Wayne Harju, Trish Ragone, Is burning this week in loving memory of Bob Ragone +ELAINE NOONAN 7:00AM Pat Mack, Beth Modlish, Lee Reynolds 1 ST ANNIVERSARY REMEMBRANCE 8:30AM Sue Baird-Dore, Irene Breton, Paul Lussier 11:00AM Marie Gilberti, Karl Weckstrom, Karen Scahill, r/b Friend Rosemary Thresher

PRAYER-LINE To request prayers for yourself or a loved one, CHRISTMAS READINGS please call Pauline at 862- or Diane at 568- VIGIL Old Testament: Isaiah 62:1-5 9754. New Testament: Acts 13:16-17, 22-25 Gospel: Matthew 1:1-25 NIGHT Old Testament: Isaiah 9:1-6 New Testament: Titus 2:11-14 CHOCOLATE SALE Gospel: Luke 2:1-14 TO BENEFIT HARMONY HOUSE DAY Old Testament: Isaiah 52:7-10 Members of our JustFaith group will be selling New Testament: Hebrews 1:1-6 chocolates handmade by the Trappestine nuns to Gospel: John 1:1-18 benefit Harmony House this weekend at all the masses – just in time for Christmas! SUPER BOWL RAFFLE Congratulations to our parishioner – Linda Plasse – on CHRISTMAS MASS SCHEDULE willing the November 50/50 Raffle! Linda received Because the Fourth Sunday of Advent also is $810 as the winner! During December and January we Christmas Eve this year, we have several Masses – will be running a “Super Bowl Raffle” for the each to accommodate both the Mass Obligation for opportunity to win a $750 Gift Certificate from “Best Sunday, and also for Christmas. On December 24 – the Buy” for a large screen HD TV, or an appliance or Fourth Sunday of Advent – we will have Masses computer of your choice, or a prize of a $150 Gift (Saturday at 4:00PM) and Sunday at 7:00, 8:30 and Card to Big Y for all the fixings for a Super Bowl 11:00AM – those Masses satisfy the Mass Obligation Party or for groceries! Just take an envelope from the for Sunday. Then on Sunday afternoon and evening, marked baskets near the bulletins, write your name and we will have Masses at 4:00 and 10:00PM (and number on the envelope and place $10 cash or check 0914 4 DECEMBER 17, 2017 THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT made payable to OLBS, and place it in the collection basket in December or January. The winners will be pulled on January 27. The proceeds from this raffle INTERNATIONAL PEACE LIGHT will benefit the Fund for a New Heating System for the The “International Peace Light” has arrived at our Parish Center. church. This light comes from the Grotto of the Nativity in Bethlehem and has been spread each END OF YEAR GIVING around the world through the efforts of the Boy Scouts. As we approach the end of the year, it’s a wonderful You can read more about the Peace Light on the time to consider an “End of Year” Gift to the Parish for Bulletin board in the entryway to the church from the tax purposes. All donors to the Parish will receive a portico. The Peace Light will remain in the Church letter of thanks and acknowledgement for tax purposes. from Advent and Christmas, through the Feast of the Epiphany on January 7. Let us pray that all of us will help spread Christ’s Light in the world by FROM THE PARISH FINANCE COUNCIL: being Ambassadors of Peace this Advent and You will notice that the “Budget Requirement per Christmas Season! Week” in the “Our Stewardship” section of the bulletin has been updated. This amount has not GOD BLESS & THANK YOU! changed in two years and after careful analysis it was We thank the following who have made donations to determined that an increase is required. As you the General Church Fund: would expect in a two year period, there are a In memory of: Richard Breton number of smaller increases. In prior bulletin Ursula Tuohey columns Fr. Dan has periodically highlighted some of the larger expense increases. In memory of: John Tuohey  Westfield Gas & Electric discovered their Dorothy Brach metering error. While they are not assessing us in arrears, it is a significant impact going WESTFIELD FOOD PANTRY/ forward. SOUP KITCHEN  Catholic school tuitions subsidized by the parish Reminder – we have an Ongoing Food Collection for  Snow removal contracts the Westfield Food Pantry and Westfield Soup Last year we participated in the Bishop-Sponsored Kitchen. There is a basket just inside the glass door Campaign and saw an increase in giving. WE ARE entrance to the Parish Center across from the Mary GRATEFUL THAT YOU MET THE Garden, where you can place your donations of non- CHALLENGE AND HOPE THAT YOU CAN perishable food items. Cash donations may be sent to: CONTINUE TO DO SO! You recognized that we Westfield Soup Kitchen, P.O. Box 2017, Westfield were working at a deficit and you responded. We MA 01086 give our heartfelt thanks for your support which allows the church to continue to provide the PARISH FACEBOOK PAGE programs that mean so much to all of us. Keep up with all that is going on in the parish – join Our Budget Subcommittee of the Council continues our OLBS Parish Facebook Page today! Also check to review the financials for ways to meet our out our Bulletin Board in the entry hall in the church! obligations and yet decrease costs as appropriate. You can find copies of the financial statements beside the bulletins. ENRICH YOUR HOLIDAY EXPERIENCE As always, thank you for your continued support! Saturday, January 6, 2018 at 6:00pm, here at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Church, Schola Nova will perform Still, Still, Still – a winter holiday OUR STEWARDSHIP program drawing on the tradition of Lessons and December 3, 2017 Carols begun in the 19th Century and now practiced by Regular and Development (gold) $ 12,013 choirs all over the world. These concerts/services Budget Requirement per Week 11,100 feature nine text reads complemented by choral 913 selections sung by the audience and Schola Nova. THANK YOU! Music will include pieces by composers from the 0914 5 DECEMBER 17, 2017 THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT Renaissance to modern times. The Concert is FREE for Praise and Worship. God promised that, “For where but a goodwill offering will be gladly accepted. two or more are gathered, I am there among them”. Everyone is welcome to join us, invite your friends and family. If you have any questions please call our RCIA Pastoral Minister Deb Briancesco at 786.8200 ext 3. The preparations for Christmas include buying or There will time for fellowship with light refreshments making gifts for those whom we love. You can give no immediately following our prayer time. better gift than the gift that God has given to us: his Son, Jesus. Invite someone who is not Catholic to attend Mass with you at Christmas. For more info BAD WEATHER about RCIA, the process for individuals to become Please note that should there be inclement weather this Catholic and receive the sacraments of Baptism, Winter and schools are cancelled or delayed in Confirmation and the Eucharist, contact Deacon Paul Westfield, there will be No Mass or Communion Federici at [email protected] or 562-3450. Service that morning. We don’t want anyone getting hurt trying to drive here in a Winter storm. Thank You!

DECEMBER/JANUARY POOR BOX: EASY WAYS TO SUPPORT OUR PARISH KATE’S KITCHEN DURING THE HOLIDAYS! Providence Ministries in Holyoke was founded by the Sisters of Providence in 1980. Their mission is to feed Our Parish can earn money on purchases you make the hungry, shelter the homeless, and clothe the needy through smile.amazon.com - it’s the same Amazon through their many programs: Broderick House, Kate's you know - same products, same prices, same Kitchen, Loreto House, Margaret's Pantry, Holyoke service. Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Career Closet, St. Jude's Thrift Store, FoodWorks and (Westfield, MA) is a registered charity with Mother Mary's. For the next several months, the Poor AmazonSmile. Box will be dedicated to each of the programs that Please bring your empty bottles and cans from your Providence Ministries runs. The Poor Box for holiday parties for our on-going Parish Recycling December/January will be for Kate’s Kitchen, which Bottle and Can Fundraiser (drop off in the green serves lunch 365 days a year and a brown bag supper shed by the baseball field). To date, we have raised a on Wednesdays. total of $25,850.20! Poor Box envelopes are on the left side table in the Gathering Space - please place in the collection basket. BAVARIA GERMANY TRIP SNOWCAMPS Travel to beautiful Bavaria Germany with Fr. Henry Snowcamps is a high-energy, activity-filled spiritual Dorsch, Pastor of Our Lady of the Lake Church in th th experience designed specifically for 7 and 8 graders Southwick. Visit fabulous churches, a Marian Shrine, held at Camp Brookwoods/Deer Run in Alton NH. The famous castles, historic cities, quaint villages and enjoy highly concentrated experience is jam-packed with beautiful scenery. Nine days, seven overnights, August games, discussions, singing, and lots of new and 21-29, 2018 with estimated cost of 2,500. To express different fun and crazy activities. Through it all your interest and request further information and itinerary junior highers will see, hear and sense that Christ loves call 569-0161 or write to Fr. Henry at P.O. Box 1150, them and wants them to know the joy of living life to Southwick MA 01077 or email [email protected]. the fullest! There are 2 weekends to choose from – February 23-25 or March 2-4. Cost of Snowcamps is $183, which includes meals, lodging and all activities. WHY SHOULD YOU CHOOSE Space is limited so register now at ST. MARY’S HIGH SCHOOL? www.campsministry.com or snowcampsparty.com. For St. Mary’s High School is a diverse and socially active more info, contact Nick Morganelli at 949-0165. Catholic educational community. We are focused on the individualized needs and wants of our students, so we offer a customized learning experience. Small class PRAISE AND WORSHIP! sizes and experienced and committed teachers make The Living Stones Prayer Group cordially invites you our community truly unique and inspiring. Diverse to join us in prayer every Monday evening at the. We club and athletic programs provide additional will begin at 6:30 pm with the Rosary and 7:00-8:00pm opportunities to serve and grow. 0914 6 DECEMBER 17, 2017 THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT St. Mary’s Parish School: a tradition of excellence since 1898. I welcome the opportunity to tell you more about our awesome St. Mary’s Family! Kimberlee Jaszek, Director of Admissions 413 568 5692 or [email protected]

“ CHRISTMAS SALE” AT VINE AND BRANCHES GIFT SHOP! Many of our Christmas items are on sale and some are one of a kind. Come in and check our selection and pick up a few gifts for someone special or yourself. Vine and Branches Gift Shop is located at Sacred Heart Parish Center, 1061 Springfield Street, Feeding Hills. Hours: Wednesday-Saturday 9:30am–4:00pm, Sunday 9:00am–12:30pm.

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