St. Damien of Molokai Parish

MISSION STATEMENT To serve Christ by Loving God and each other, to spread the Good News and to make new disciples in our community.

VISION STATEMENT To unify, awaken and energize the faithful and make our celebration of the Eucharist an irresistible expression of welcome, faith and love.

Reverend John P. Melnick Pastor

Reverend Dairo Diaz Parochial Vicar

Deacon Albert Cala Deacon R. Carl Lickwar

SCHEDULE OF MASSES Monday - Friday Daily Mass: 7:30am St. & St. Joseph Churches alternate weeks Saint Gabriel Church Church

379 Broad Street Saturday Vigil: 4:00pm (St. Gabriel), 5:00pm (St. Joseph) 1747 Poquonock Avenue

Windsor, CT 06095 Sunday: 8:00 & 10:30am (St. Gabriel) Poquonock, CT 06064 8:00 & 10:00am (St. Joseph)

RECTORY OFFICE Mrs. Martha Erickson Mr. Jonathan Wyse Ms. Lori Possum Parish Secretary Communications Coordinator Bookkeeper E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected]

Office Hours: Monday-Thursday 8:00am - 3:00pm 379 Broad Street, Windsor, CT Telephone: 860-688-4905/ 860-688-9566 Website: www.windsorcatholic.org FAX: 860-688-2638

CEMETERY SEXTON RELIGIOUS EDUCATION OFFICE MUSIC MINISTRY Ms. Lori Possum Mrs. Cynthia Glick Mr. Michael Rheault St. Gabriel Telephone: 860-285-0696 Coordinator of Faith Formation Mr. Scott P. Rioux St. Joseph Directors of Music Office Hours: Monday - Thursday 8:00am - 3:00pm CHURCH SEXTON Telephone: 860-683-0366 Mrs. Charlene Stosonis FAX: 860-688-2638 E-mail: [email protected]

ST. GABRIEL SCHOOL Mrs. Patricia Martin Mrs. Karla Neville Principal Associate Principal

77 Bloomfield Avenue, Windsor, CT Website: www.stgabrielschool.org Tel: 860-688-6401 FAX: 860-298-8668

GROW YOUR FAITH IN CHRIST - ONE MORE MEMBER Accessible by side entrance THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY & JOSEPH DECEMBER 30, 2018

The Following Weekend

Mass Intentions

- Saturday December 29 The Vigil of The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary & Joseph - Saturday January 5 The Vigil of The of The Lord 4:00 PM Richard Trzcinski req. by His Sister

(SGC) 4:00 PM Bogusia Piasecka req. by Niece, Elizabeth (SGC) Paklos 5:00 PM Ed Dube req. by The Adult Choir

(SJC)

5:00 PM Charles Pranaitis req. by The Kuhlberg Sunday December 30 - The Holy Family of Jesus, (SJC) Family Mary & Joseph Sunday January 6 - The Epiphany of The Lord

8:00 AM Patrick & Anna Kane 8:00 AM Ted Nieman req. by Family (SGC) Patrick Canning req. by Family (SGC)

8:00 AM 1st Ann. - Ana Rodriquez req. by 8:00 AM In Loving Memory of Kathy, Ty & Tanya (SJC) Daughter & Family (SJC) Cheverier req. by The Cheverier & Possum

Families 10:00 AM Dot Claughsey req. by Lisa Andersen (SJC) 10:00 AM Leo Stacy req. by Cynthia & Norman

(SJC) Bosse 10:30 AM Birthday Remembrance - Catherine (SGC) Collins req. by Family 10:30 AM Pippy” Margaret Busch req. by The (SGC) Collins Family

Masses for New Year’s Day

Monday December 31 - The Vigil of The Solemnity of Offertory: December 22 & 23 Mary, The Holy Mother of God (Holy Day) Will be announced January 6, 2019 4:00 PM Louis Gentile req. by St. Damien of (SGC) Molokai Parish Forward with Faith: $ 371,800

5:00 PM Harry & Ann Clark req. by Janette Brovold Next Weekend, the Second Collection is for the School (SJC) Monthly Offering.

Tuesday January 1 - The Solemnity of Mary, The Your generosity to St. Damien of Molokai Parish, St. Gabriel Holy Mother of God (Holy Day) School and the Archdiocese is greatly appreciated.

8:00 AM For All Expectant Mothers req. by St. Damien (SJC) of Molokai Parish The Parish Rectory Office will be closed on Tuesday, 10:30 AM Sister Joan Marie Fernandes req. by January 1st, in observance of New Year’s Day. (SGC) Beverly, Helen and Leslie Let us go forth in the New Year taking note from Today’s Second Reading - And his commandment is this: we Daily 7:30 AM Masses should believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love one Wednesday through Friday at St. Gabriel Church another just as he commanded us. (1 Jn 3:23) Wednesday January 2 - Sts. Basil the Great & Gregory Nazianzen 7:30 AM Julie Pagenkopp req. by The Social Ministry SACRAMENTS Members Baptism: Sundays Thursday January 3 11:00am (St. Joseph) & 11:30am (St. Gabriel) 7:30 AM The Souls in Purgatory & In Convalescent Please call the Parish Rectory Office to schedule a date

Homes req. by Carol Brown Reconciliation: Friday January 4 - St. Elizabeth Ann Seton The 1st and 2nd Saturdays at 4:30pm (St. Joseph) 7:30 AM Birthday Celebration - Elaine Hurst req. by 3rd and 4th Saturdays at 3:15pm (St. Gabriel) Daughter & Family Marriage: Arrangements should be made by calling the 7:00 PM First Friday Holy Hour Rectory at least six months in advance (SJC) Anointing of the Sick: Please contact the Rectory DECEMBER 30, 2018

I wish to extend Christmas greetings to all our parishioners as we continue to celebrate this great season of Christmas. While th the secular world communicates to us that Christmas ends on December 25 , we know that this joyful season has just begun. I wish to thank all those involved in making the Christmas celebrations meaningful within our parish. The decorations, the music, the various participants in the liturgies, and so much more, helped make a wonderful experience of Church. Together, we look to renew our commitment to Christ and our Parish in the New Year. May it be filled with blessings of increased faith and community the whole year through. Sincerely Yours in Christ, Rev. John P. Melnick

Please remember those who have gone First Friday Holy Hour before us marked with the sign of faith, Friday, January 4, 2019 especially, Linda Bender, Annette Beal Annie Walsh, James St. Joseph Church Blozie, Wayne Nolan and Lucille Jane Shuckerow. 7 PM Remember the sick of the parish at home, in hospitals and in convalescent homes, especially, Susan Toce, Marjorie King,

Diane Contraras, Malcolm Hamilton, Jeanette Hamilton, **Next month, on January 6, during the 10:30 Jennifer Stevens, Carl Scott, John Obermeier, Liz Visone, am Family Mass at St. Gabriel Church, all Santina Silva, Kathi Esposito, Ray Caruso, Pat Flanagan, children ages 3 – 8 are invited to gather in St. Sandra Grundt, Jack Szczepanik, Catherine Lussier, Julie Gabriel Hall for a Children’s Liturgy Program Pagenkopp and Samantha Herman. for a portion of the Mass.

Readings for the week of December 30, 2018

Sunday: 1 Sm 1:20-22, 24-28/Ps 84:2-3, 5-6, 9-10 [cf. 5a]/1 Jn 3:1-2, 21-24/Lk 2:41-52 Ministry Gatherings

Monday - - - St. Joseph Church, Fr. Doherty Hall : 1 Jn 2:18 21/Ps 96: 1 2, 11 12, 13 [11a]/ Jn 1:1-18 Monday, January 7: Rosary Makers, 9:30 AM

Tuesday, January 8: Helping Hands, 9 AM - 12 PM Tuesday: Nm 6:22-27/Ps 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8 [2a]/Gal 4:4-7/ Lk 2:16-21

St. Gabriel Church Hall - - - Monday, January 14 : Prayer Shawl Meeting, 1 PM Wednesday: 1 Jn 2:22 28/Ps 98:1, 2 3ab, 3cd 4 [3cd]/ Jn 1:19-28

Thursday: 1 Jn 2:29—3:6/Ps 98:1, 3cd-4, 5-6 [3cd]/Jn 1:29-34 “Festival of Lights” Christmas Cantata, Sunday, January 6, 2019 at 2:30 PM Friday: 1 Jn 3:7-10/Ps 98:1, 7-8, 9 [3cd]/Jn 1:35-42 St. Gabriel Church Saturday: 1 Jn 3:11-21/Ps 100:1b-2, 3, 4, 5 [2a]/Jn 1:43-51

All are invited to hear the sounds of Christmas through the - - - - - wonderful musical expressions of our St. Gabriel Choir under the Next Sunday: Is 60:1 6/Ps 72:1 2, 7 8, 10 11, 12 13 [cf. 11]/ guidance of director Michael Rheault. Come and enjoy! Eph 3:2-3a, 5-6/Mt 2:1-12

The Knights of Columbus Museum Prayer for Families 1 State Street, New Haven Christmas Exhibit: Christmas in Loving God, during this holy season of Christmas, Event runs until February 3, 2019 we ask for your blessing on all families. Let Mary’s openness to your wondrous ways Opens 10am-5pm daily be an inspiration to place all trust in you. Free admission & parking Let Joseph’s courage provide hope The show features more than 100 items, some from the during times of anxiety and uncertainty. museum’s own collection. Highlights include: Szopki from Let Jesus’ life ignite all families with a spirit of light and love. Krakow, hand carved wooden creches and traditional Polish May the grace that encircled the Holy Family clothing. *** Display includes a tree decorated by our very own widen to embrace all families. St. Gabriel School members featuring many Polish items For this we pray. Amen. such as , candy and more! (sincerely offered by Faith Formation/ Religious Ed) DECEMBER 30, 2018 Social Action Monthly Food Collection Bags will be available next weekend for our January food collection. The Food Bank has requested coffee, tea, hot chocolate, canned pasta, and canned meat. Thank you for your continued support of our monthly collections.

Thank you on behalf of Social Action Social Action extends a huge thank you to all that participated in our many activities and collections for the giving tree, troops, children’s coats and mittens, and the food drives during this holiday season. Through your generosity, many families were helped and you made Christmas a little brighter for so many children. Thank you for your continued support of our activities. Wishing you and your families’ good health, much happiness, and many blessings in 2019. Thank you!

ImmaCare Shelter Dinner The next ImmaCare Shelter Dinner will be on Monday, January 21. We will be serving BBQ Chicken Bubble-up, vegetables, salad and dessert. Please drop off your donations at the St. Gabriel Church parking lot at 5:45 pm on January 21. All donations are greatly appreciated. Any questions, call Barbara Tanguay 860-285-8203.

The next Social Action meeting is Monday, February 4, 2019, at 6 pm in St. Joseph Church Hall. All are welcome! For more information on how you can participate in Social Action contact Lisa Andersen at 860-688-3474 or [email protected] or Sue Claughsey at 860-298-0550 or [email protected].

“We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love.” Mother Teresa

January 17-18, 2019 Please join in the March for Life in Washington, D.C. The Pilgrimage Includes: A bus trip to the Vigil Mass at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception March for Life in Washington, D.C. Breakfast with Archbishop Blair. Call Pro-Life Ministry at 203-694-4189 for more information.

NEXT SUNDAY, JANUARY 6 ALL ARE INVITED TO COFFEE HOUR AT ST. JOSEPH CHURCH, FR. DOHERTY HALL AFTER SUNDAY MASSES AND ST. GABRIEL CHURCH WILL HOST COFFEE HOUR AFTER THE 10:30 AM MASS

st St. Gabriel School News: February Fast Cash raffle tickets will be sold through January 31 . Look for families selling after Mass, stop into St. Gabriel School, call the Front Office (860-688-6401), or email our Advancement Coordinator, [email protected]. The cost is $10 for 1-ticket, $20 for 3- tickets to win $50, $75 or $150 on any particular day!

st The School is not in session from Monday, December 24th through Tuesday, January 1 and the Main Office will be closed.

Our first school Mass for the New Year will be held on January 4, 2019 at 9 am in the school gymnasium, celebrating Catholic Schools Month. All are welcome to join us.

Have a Safe & Blessed New Year!

Today is the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph

In today’s Gospel reading we hear about the Holy Family - Jesus, Mary and Joseph. We usually think about Jesus as a baby or as an adult, but in today’s Gospel, Jesus was 12 years old. He went to the Temple with Mary and Joseph, but when they left for home, Jesus stayed behind.

Jesus is God’s Son, but he was still a child and needed Mary and Joseph to keep Him safe. He needed to obey them. Sometimes we may not want to obey our family’s rules.

This Gospel reading reminds us how important it is that we respect and obey our parents. Jesus respected and obeyed His parents when He returned with them to Jerusalem. This helped make His family strong. When we obey our parents and show our love for them, we help make our families strong!

Is it always easy to remember to honor and obey our parents? Maybe not. But when we find it difficult to honor and obey our parents, we can remember that Jesus showed His parents honor and respect, and we can ask Jesus to help us!

st On January 1 the Church celebrates the Solemnity of Mary, The Holy Mother of God

This special feast day is a Holy Day of Obligation when we go to Mass and celebrate Mary, our Spiritual Mother. She is the mother of Jesus, and Jesus is God. Mary said ‘yes’ to God because she had such great faith! Do you remember the Gospel reading when Mary’s cousin Elizabeth called her “Mother of my Lord.”? When Elizabeth welcomed Mary, she recognized the great privilege God had given Mary and Mary’s great faith in accepting it.