For More Information Or to Reply, Please Contact Sister Marian Batho, CSJ 2 617-746-5637 Or

ARCHDIOCESE OF BOSTON Bulletin Announcement

LIFT’s God of This City Night: A Special Advent!

An awesome night of praise & worship for all ages with Confession, Eucharistic Adoration and national speaker Jackie Francois! Also featuring the Jon Niven Band! Friday, December 4th, 7pm-10pm at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross, 1400 Washington St., Boston. For more information contact [email protected] (Mike Drahos) or go to www.liftedhigher.com

An Afternoon of Reflection for Women Discerning Religious Life

You are cordially invited to an Afternoon of Reflection for Women discerning Religious Life on Sunday, December 13th from 1:00 – 6:00 p.m. at Mount Saint Vincent, 125 Oakland Street, Wellesley, MA. For more information or to reply, please contact Sister Marian Batho, CSJ 2 617-746- 5637 or [email protected]

Jesus in Boston - Young Adult Event

All Young Adults and College Students are invited to join us on Friday, December 11th @ 7:30pm for our monthly “Jesus in Boston” event. This month, we will be at St. Leonard’s in the North End. It’s a great way to meet new people and strengthen your interior life through the sacraments and fellowship with other Catholic young adults. For more information please email Mike Drahos at [email protected].

For bulletin announcements related to the Special Collection, please see BostonCatholic.org > Search for “Special Collection” ARCHDIOCESE OF BOSTON Bulletin Announcement

National March for Life - Witness to Life

On January 21, 2016, young people from the Archdiocese of Boston will depart to join hundreds of thousands of their peers in Washington, DC, at the 43rd annual March for Life on January 22nd, 2016. This powerful event began as a small demonstration on anniversary of the historic Roe v. Wade decision. Today, the March for Life is the largest pro-life event in the world and is a great opportunity to witness to the dignity of all human life, especially the most vulnerable in our society - the unborn. We are happy to once again invite you to join Cardinal Sean O’Malley and the Archdiocese of Boston on this life changing pilgrimage to rise up and witness to life in 2016! We have four distinct tracks to best serve all those interested, including a middle school, high school, young adult, and family track. Please visit www.bostoncatholic.org/witnesstolife or contact us at [email protected]; 617-746-5766 for more information.

Pastoral Planning

November 29 – First Sunday in Advent Advent is a time of waiting, but as we wait, “Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy…. Be vigilant at all times.” Pray for strength to follow Jesus, to pray always, and to be strong in the face of the incessant commercialism of the season. And pray for courage to introduce Jesus to others.

December 6 – Second Sunday of Advent Quoting the prophet Isaiah, Luke instructs us: “Prepare ye the way of the Lord.” This is what Advent is about but it is sometimes hard to keep this focus, when there are such great sales and free shipping and promises of the lowest prices of the season. But, as always, we are not left on our own. Paul’s letter to the Philippians reminds us that God, “who began a good work in you will continue to complete it until the day of Christ Jesus.” We can do it. We can prepare our hearts and minds to receive Him – our greatest Gift.

December 13 – Third Sunday of Advent (Gaudete Sunday) Advent readings are so wonderful! First of all, Zephania tells us to shout, sing joyfully with all our hearts. Why? “The LORD, your God, is in your midst,…he will … renew you in his love..” Paul echoes this in his letter to the Philippians; “Rejoice in the Lord always”. And then, Paul’s words jump off the page, speaking to us now, Advent, 2015: “Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Feeling frazzled? Overwhelmed? Anxious about many things? Keep Paul’s words before you – tape them to the fridge, the bathroom mirror, your computer monitor: “Have no anxiety at all.”

December 20 –Fourth Sunday of Advent Mary is moved to action by the news about her cousin Elizabeth. There are many beautiful and evocative depictions in art of the meeting of Mary and Elizabeth – the Visitation, but the words of the Gospel carry a power of their own. She “traveled to the hill country in haste.” It wasn’t an easy trip, she trekked over rough terrain, and there is no mention of a travelling companion. She couldn’t get there fast enough. This young woman who has just given her life-changing yes to God, gives us an example of love, service, and courage. Is there someone you should visit before Christmas?

December 27 – The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph Every parent of a teenager can relate to this Gospel. The worry, the relief, the admonishment. The 12 year-old Jesus seems a bit cavalier about his parents’ concern but when they returned home, he “was obedient to them; and his mother kept all these things in her heart. And Jesus advanced in wisdom and age and favor.” We do not hear from him again for 18 years. The vocation of parent is not always easy. Pray in a special way today for all parents, grandparents, and caregivers.

For bulletin announcements related to the Special Collection, please see BostonCatholic.org > Search for “Special Collection”