JANUARY 3, 2016 THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD PARISH LAY LEADERSHIP with Confession is celebrated each Saturday after the 8:00 am Finance Council Chair………………….…..Kimberly Schoolcraft Mass, and from 3:15- 3:45 pm, as well as by appointment. Parish Pastoral Council Chair..………………Kathleen Harrington HOSPITAL VISITS Rel Ed Advisory Committee ...Melissa Moriarty, Suzanne Harlow If anyone has a hospital stay, please have a family member call RCIA ……………………………Ray Breton, Rosemary Thresher the parish and indicate whether the parishioner would like to have Bible Study………………………………………...... Sue Fratini a visit, or if they would like their name mentioned at Mass during Adult Education………………………..Mary Federici, Bob Stack the Prayers of the Faithful. PARISH ORGANIZATIONS JUBILEE “YEAR OF MERCY” Rosary Sodality……………..………Nancy Garen/Ursula Tuohey Pope Francis has declared the period from December 8, 2015 till Social Justice………………….…………….Andrea Cook-Hewitt November 20, 2016 as an “Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy”. St. Joseph’s Workers………………………………………Fr. Dan God’s Mercy can be experienced by all who come before Him. Men’s Ministry Group………………………...Deacon Paul Briere All people are invited to experience the “Gift of Mercy” in many Women’s Ministry ……..…………………………..Mary Federici ways throughout this year – through Prayer, Scripture Study, Acts Youth Group (JPII Crew)………………….………Lisa Laferriere of Kindness and Mercy, and through Devotions to Mary the AFFILIATED ORGANIZATIONS Mother of God, and the Divine Mercy of Jesus. Cursillo Movement ……………………….………...Karen Scahill Schoenstatt Community……………..……….…Diane Czerwiecki MASS SCHEDULE & DEVOTIONS Boy Scout Troop 821 …………………..………………..Joe Muto Sat 1/2 3:15-3:45PM CONFESSIONS (Chapel) Girl Scout Troops…………………….……..……....Pat O’Connor Knights of Columbus………………………………Greg Perreault 3:45PM DIVINE MERCY CHAPLET (Chapel) 4:00PM +Patrick Kelly PARISH MINISTRIES Altar Servers………………………………..………….Sue Fratini Birthday Remembrance Baptismal Prep……………………………..…… Lou Mastroianni r/b his Family Children’s Liturgy of the Word……………….……….Sue Fratini Sun 1/3 7:00AM +Howard Murphy Eucharistic Ministers, Readers……….………..……Beth Modlish Anniversary Remembrance Homebound/Pastoral Care Ministry…………...... Mary Federici r/b his Family Music Ministry – Adult & Youth Choir……………Melanie Peetz 8:30AM +Mark & Barbara Dinkel Contemporary Music Group (Psalm 33).………………Tom Fucci Wedding Anniversary Remembrance Sacristy.…………………..……….Irene King, Phyllis Chlastawa, Jim O’Connor, Irene Breton, Karen Scahill r/b their daughter Anna Horkun Soup Kitchen……………… …... Nancy Garen,, Sandy O’Connor 11:00AM +Alfonso Zecca Take & Eat Ministry……..…………………………Cheryl Wood r/b the Zecca Family Wedding Coordinator………………………….…..Donna Whelan Mon 1/4 7:00AM +Eilene Danner Wedding Team……...…Kathy Harrington, Gina Broderick, r/b Tom & Beverly Hall Christina Straney, Tina Broderick Tue 1/5 7:00AM +Jim Braica Prayer Line………………..Pauline, 862-3885 or Diane, 568-9754 r/b John & Rebecca Perazella OFFICE HOURS Wed 1/6 7:00AM +Norman Langlois The Parish Office is located at the Parish Center. Entrance is Anniversary Remembrance across from the Mary Garden. Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00AM- 2:00PM. Sue is available to greet and assist you. r/b his Family 3:00PM DIVINE MERCY CHAPLET (Chapel) NEW PARISHIONERS We warmly welcome new members to join our parish. Please fill Thurs 1/7 7:00AM Communion Service out a registration card on the tables in the church and place in the Fri 1/8 7:00AM Communion Service collection basket. Registration is necessary for Religious Sat 1/9 8:00AM +Daniel Falcetti Education and letters of eligibility for godparents and sponsors. 3rd Anniversary Remembrance SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM r/b the Falcetti Family The Sacrament is celebrated by appointment. Please call the MIRACULOUS MEDAL NOVENA (At 8:00AM Office to arrange. At least one Godparent must be a Confirmed, Mass) active parishioner in their parish, attending Mass weekly. 3:15-3:45PM CONFESSIONS (Chapel) SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGE 3:45PM DIVINE MERCY CHAPLET (Chapel) The Sacrament of Marriage is planned by an initial meeting with a 4:00PM +Justin Giles priest or deacon, at least one year in advance. 1st Anniversary Remembrance

SACRAMENT OF THE SICK r/b his mother Carol Chouinard The Sacrament of the Sick is administered by a priest, when Sun 1/10 7:00AM +Elizabeth Laudato requested. Pastoral care to the hospitalized sick and homebound 2nd Anniversary Remembrance is provided by the pastoral staff, and trained parishioners. r/b her Family SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION 8:30AM +Georges Breton God’s Mercy can be experienced in many ways including the 6th Anniversary Remembrance Reception of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The Sacrament r/b Ray Breton & Family

0914 2 JANUARY 3, 2016 THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD 11:00AM +Robert Leavitt PRAYER-LINE 1st Anniverary Remembrance r/b his Family To request prayers for yourself or a loved one, 6:00PM +Mary & Phil Layman please call Pauline at 862-3885 or Diane at 568-9754. r/b their son Tom Layman Epiphany of the Lord Arise! Shine, for your light has come, the glory of the Lord has dawned upon you. Though darkness covers the earth, and thick clouds, the peoples, Upon you the Lord will dawn, and over you his glory will be seen. (Isaiah 60:1-2) Reflection: Each day is an Epiphany. We live in the light of God, who created us. We are redeemed in the light of Jesus who poured out his life for the sake of sinful humanity. We are empowered to be the light of God for others by the gift of the Holy Spirit. Each day is an opportunity to open our hearts to let the light of God shine through us. Our light shines brightly when we choose to celebrate life, to share goodness, compassion, peace, and love with others. Epiphany means living in the light of God and bringing the light of God to all the dark places in our families, communities, nation, and the world. Epiphany challenges every Christian to be the light of love to unloving people; the light of forgiveness in unforgiving situations; the light of kindness in a climate of incivility; and the light of understanding in the face of invincible ignorance. We are the glory of God in the world. We are the epiphanies that can make a difference in people’s lives. Prayer: Lord, your light gives us strength and shows us the way to God. Remove my blindness that I may see the light of goodness, peace, and love within myself and others. ~Excerpt from Joyful Meditations Rev. Warren J. Savage & Mary Ann McSweeny

About the Gifts of the Three Kings — In Matthew's Gospel reading today (MT 2:1-12), the birth of Jesus is heralded by the arrival of mysterious visitors from the east. Traditionally identified as three kings, because they spoke directly to king Herod, or as astrologers because they followed a star, or as wise men because they knew of Christ's birth through some hidden wisdom, the fact is we know virtually nothing about them; not even their number, although that's traditionally been fixed at three, because they brought three gifts: Gold — a symbol of wealth and power identifies the recipient as a king. Frankincense — the crystalized resinous

0914 3 JANUARY 3, 2016 THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD sap of a tree used as incense and as an offering, is symbolic of prayer. Myrrh — another resinous tree sap was used in healing liniments, and as an embalming ointment. Myrrh is an odd gift for a child, unless you know that this special child will, through his death and resurrection, redeem the world. At the beginning of Jesus' life on earth, this gift foreshadows his death. JUBILEE “YEAR OF MERCY” “A living experience of the closeness of the Father, whose tenderness is almost tangible, so that the faith of every believer may be strengthened, and thus testimony to it be ever more effective.” (Pope Francis)

“ MIRACLE OF JESUS” PARISH EVENT – NEXT WEEKEND Please join us NEXT SUNDAY for an unforgettable family experience this Christmas Season as we celebrate Jesus' miraculous birth! The Miracle of Jesus Event will be held next Sunday, January 10th after the 11am Mass until 3:00pm in the Parish Center. Families will see, hear, taste, touch, and smell the Bible-times Town of Bethlehem through hands on activities, games, stories and more. You will experience first-hand the amazing impact of the miracles of Jesus' birth and life. Some light food will be available at the Bethlehem Bakery. There is no charge for this event. Please plan to join us!

SANCTUARY CANDLE December 21, 2015 Is burning this week in loving memory of Regular and Development (Gold) $ 9,715 +ROBERT LEAVITT Budget Requirement per Week 9,600 requested by his Family THANK YOU! 115 JANUARY EUCHARISTIC ADORATION SPECIAL INTENTION CANDLE Adoration for January 2016 is on Thursday, January th Is burning this week in loving memory of 7 . The Blessed Sacrament will be exposed after the +DANIEL FALCETTI 7:00AM Service and reposed at 8:00PM. January is 2 ND ANNIVERSARY REMEMBRANCE dedicated to the Holy Name of Jesus. The name Jesus requested by the Falcetti Family was given to the Holy Child at God’s command (Luke 1:31). The Holy Name is all-powerful because of the Person who bears it; we honor it because of the command of Christ that we should pray in His Name MARY GARDEN CANDLE and because it reminds us of all the blessing we receive Is burning this week in loving memory of through our Holy Redeemer. “Blessed be the most +RITA M. HALL Holy Name of Jesus without end!” requested by the Hall Family PRAYER OF PETITION O Divine Jesus, You have promised that anything we SUNDAY NIGHT MASS ask of the Eternal Father in Your name shall be Our monthly Sunday Evening Mass will be held next granted. O Eternal Father, in the name of Jesus, for weekend – January 10. The Mass is celebrated at the love of Jesus, in fulfillment of this promise and 6:00PM and features our wonderful contemporary because Jesus has said it, grant us our petition for the music group, Psalm 33, made up of youth from our sake of Jesus, Your Divine Son. Amen. parish. The music is very uplifting. Please mark your Pope Francis intentions for January are for calendars and also join us on the following Sunday interreligious dialogue; that sincere dialogue among evenings: February 14, March 13, and April 10. men and women of different faiths may produce the fruits of peace and justice. OUR STEWARDSHIP

0914 4 JANUARY 3, 2016 THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD DIVINE MERCY DEVOTIONS Yours respectfully, As part of the “Year of Mercy” which began on Director, Noel Alshomali December 8, we will pray the Divine Mercy Devotion Land of Peace here in our Parish on Wednesday afternoons at 3:00pm in the Chapel, and Saturday afternoons at 3:45pm in the Chapel. It is hoped that the practice of Become a member of our Parish’s Facebook page – praying the Divine Mercy Chaplet will bring blessings it’s a wonderful way to view pictures of our recent to our parish and to those who will attend. Those who activities and hear about upcoming events! come to the 4:00PM Mass on Saturdays are especially invited to come early to pray the Chaplet in the Chapel. FOR THOSE IN MINISTRIES A special Diocesan gathering for those in parish GOD BLESS & THANK YOU! ministries will be held here at Our Lady of the Blessed We thank the following who have made donations to Sacrament Church from 9:30 - noon on Saturday, the General Church Fund: January 9. All those who volunteer for our parish as In memory of: Dario Masciadrelli Catechists, Eucharistic Ministers, Readers, Children’s Lorraine Masciadrelli Liturgy Members, RCIA and Baptism Class Carol & Tom Sgroi Instructors, Altar Servers, Music Ministry, etc. are Gerard Lamoureux invited for a Mass of Thanksgiving beginning at 9:30 Kathleen Harrington am to be celebrated by Bishop Rozanski. Fr. Warren Joan Czarnecki Savage will speak following the Mass. If you would David & Nancy Trotman like to attend, please call or email the parish office. John Strauss David & Marie Masciadrelli PLEASE SEND US YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS! The Adult Choir In the coming year, we hope to use email more often to Ralph Cortis send information to you about parish events, etc. We In memory of: Anne Courtney have email addresses for many parishioners, those Patrick and Agnes Courtney Jenkins involved in parish ministries, parents of religious education students, but if you are not sure that we have In memory of: Jacky Labrecque your email address, or if you have changed your email Bob & Marilyn Orszak address recently, please send it to [email protected]

“SUPPORT THE SISTERS” LAND OF PEACE THANKS YOU CAMPAIGN UPDATE Dear Rev. Daniel S. Pacholec, The Sisters of St. Joseph are very grateful for all Land of Peace Mission would like to express donations made to the campaign. Volunteer organizers, humble appreciation to you for allowing us to visit however, stress that more funds are needed to support your church on the weekend of December 12-13, 2015. retired Sisters. More than $2.7 million in cash has With your kindness and through the generosity of your been raised, along with pledges of $2.2 million. Co- parishioners, the sales of the olive wood carvings chairs Sheriff Michael J. Ashe, Jr. and W. Springfield through Jerusalem Christian families received a total native, John E. Foley, hope that with your help, the amount of $5,410.00. Springfield area goal of $5 million in cash can be It was really a great excitement for us to observe so reached by the first of the year. many kind people at your parish, who were interested in our religious articles and some expressed their CHILDREN’S LITURGY PROGRAM intention to visit the Holy Land when the peace Please note that Our Children’s Liturgy of the Word prevails. Program will start back up again on January 17 at the Please remember that you, and the members of 11:00 AM Mass. Your children, age pre-K to grade 4, your Parish, are included in our prayers. Again, thank are encouraged to come forward for the blessing when you for your support in helping us and our brothers Fr. Dan calls them, and to go with adult leaders to the and sisters in Christ with compassion, dignity and multipurpose room off the gathering space for a respect. May you enjoy God’s many glorious blessings. celebration of the Mass readings, prayers and a song. Hope to see you soon. Parents are always welcome to accompany their Peace be with you. 0914 5 JANUARY 3, 2016 THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD children! This is a wonderful way they can participate experience for you. Please contact Mary Federici, if at Mass and release some energy, before returning for interested, for dates! the Liturgy of the Eucharist. Annual Parish Men’s Retreat Our Annual Parish Men’s Retreat will be March 18- 20 at the Holy Family Passionist Retreat Center in DEC 2015/JAN 2016 POOR BOX: West Hartford, CT. For more information, call Paul RICK’S PLACE Lussier at 413-529-2326, or contact Holy Family at 860-521-0440 or at www.holyfamilyretreat.org. LOOKING AHEAD TO 2016 IN THE PARISH LOOKING AHEAD… Sunday Evening Masses at 6:00PM Vacation Bible Camp Jan 10, Feb 14, Mar 13, Apr 10 Please join us this summer at Vacation Bible Camp Miracle of Jesus Family Event for Cave Quest. Gear up for an over-the-top Jan 10 – after 11am Mass until 3pm underground adventure! Kids ages 4 through Knights of Columbus entering 5th grade will be grounded in the rock solid Altar Server Breakfast – Jan 16 foundation of God's love through music, games, Girl Scouts crafts, and Bible stories. Cave Quest Vacation Bible Cookie Sales – Jan 16/17, Feb 6/7 Camp will be AUGUST 1–5. Religious Education First Reconciliation – Jan 30 BETHLEHEM HOUSE THANKS YOU “Souper Bowl” of Caring – Feb 7 Thank you so much for the baby supplies. They will be First Communion – May 22 used in the baskets we give to the new moms. May the Lord richly bless you for your kindness! Lenten Series of Talks – dates to be announced Pam Hibbard JPII Crew – Parish Youth Group Activities Bethlehem House As we look ahead to 2016, we are excited about the events the youth group is planning for the new year! THE CATHOLIC GRANDPARENTS ~ Three Kings Party ~ Trips to area Shrines ~ Our ASSOCIATION 3rd annual family Irish Night, with basket raffle ~ How can you pray more effectively for your Holy Thursday 7 Churches tour ~ Living Last Supper grandchildren? Please come and find out and make a performance ~ ~ XLT ~ Youth Retreat ~ Bible study New Year’s resolution to join us in 2016 to pray for ~ Service projects ~ Steubenville East Youth our grandchildren and families. Group prayer is very Conference ~ Ongoing fundraisers ~ weekly events powerful with God. Our first meeting this year will be in the Outlet ~ most importantly time to learn more on Tuesday, January 5th at 11 am at St. Peter and St. about our religion and deepen our relationship and Casimir’s Church, 22 State Street, Westfield. We are a Jesus Christ. All Parish youth in grades 6-12 are group of people united by a belief in the importance of encouraged to join us; please contact Lisa the vocation of Grandparents. We assist Grandparents at [email protected] or 562-3450 for more details! in providing a crucial link in passing on the faith. Parish Adult Education Grandparents were never as important to the family, Various adult education opportunities continue - All church, and society as they are today. For more are invited to a discussion of Matthew Kelly’s book, information, call Alicia at 568-0123. Rediscover Jesus, on Monday evening, February 1, 2016. Robert Barron’s Catholicism series is offered MARCH FOR LIFE on Sunday evening during CCD sessions. On Pro-Lifers will once again journey to Washington, Thursday mornings from 10-noon, adults gather for D.C. to join hundreds of thousands in standing up and varying series of faith topics. All are welcome at the declaring that abortion destroys life. Please join us for Sunday and Thursday sessions! the March for Life on January 22, 2016. There are busses which bring youth to the youth rally and busses Annual Parish Women’s Retreat that go to other events. Limited tickets are available for Our fourth annual Women’s Weekend Retreat at Our youth so please call soon. The cost of the trip is $64 Lady of Calvary, Farmington, CT is being planned. per person, financial assistance is available. Please call The weekend – entitled ‘Encountering the the office to 413-583-5034 to register. Donations to Tenderness of God’- will be an unforgettable help defray the cost are appreciated. Please send 0914 6 JANUARY 3, 2016 THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD payment to Pioneer Valley Massachusetts Citizens for Life, PO Box 96, Ludlow MA 01056.

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