ST. JOSEPH CHURCH WATERBURY Readings for the Week of December 8, 2019

Sunday: Is 11:1-10/ Ps 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 19 [cf. 7]/Rom 15:4-9/Mt 3:1-12 Monday: Gn 3:9-15, 20/Ps 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4 [1] SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8 Eph 1:3-6, 11-12/Lk 1:26-38 9:00 A.M. Kazimieras Paliulis Tuesday: Is 40:1-11/Ps 96:1-2, 3 and 10ac, 11-12, 13/Mt 18:12-14 Birthday Remembrance, Wednesday: Is 40:25-31/Ps 103:1-2, 3-4, 8 and 10/Mt By Albina Paliulis and the Healey family 11:28-30 Thursday: Jgs 13:2-7, 24-25a/Ps 71:3-4a, 5-6ab, 16-17 SUNDAY, DECEMBER 15 [cf. 8]/Lk 1:5-25 9:00 A.M. Danute Uogintas, Friday: Is 48:17-19/Ps 1:1-2, 3, 4 and 6/Mt 11:16- By daughter and family 19 Saturday: Sir 48:1-4, 9-11/Ps 80:2ac and 3b, 15-16, 18-19/Mt 17:9a, 10-13 Next Sunday: Is 35:1-6a, 10/ Ps 146:6-7, 8-9, 9-10 GOSPEL MEDITATION—2ND SUNDAY [Is 35:4]/Jas 5:7-10/Mt 11:2-11 OF —What does it mean to be worthy?

There are a few different ways to approach this question. Today’s Gospel highlights two: the way of the Pharisees MORNING MASS- and the way of John the Baptist. Our faith values good I am pleased to offer a 9:00 a.m. Mass on Christmas works and discipleship. Perhaps, then, we “earn” our Morning in celebration of our Parish and look forward worth by adhering to the right doctrines and following the to seeing you all. Fr. Aniello right pious practice. The Pharisees thought they were worthy. Due to their religious pedigree and proper CHRISTMAS FLOWER ENVELOPES–We procedures, they were self-satisfied. John the Baptist’s will have an insert of Christmas flowers given in words to them are strong. “Do not resume to say to yourselves, memory of your loved ones with the December 22nd ‘We have Abraham as our father.’” Of course, (and bulletin. If you would like your acknowledgement John) don’t omit the responsibility for moral behavior. John gives the Pharisees quite a strong warning in that included, please send in your envelopes now. Thank regard. “Produce good fruit as evidence of your repentance … every you. Mary Yuftczak, Parish Secretary tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.” It’s a question of attitude. Of disposition. It’s a A NOTE OF THANKS...I wish to express many matter of the heart. If anyone would be worthy in this thanks to all who helped in any way to make the St. Joseph scenario, it’s John the Baptist. Jesus himself will name him 125th Anniversary Dinner a huge success! Special the greatest of prophets and a great man. John, however, recognition to Peter Gervickas for his hours of work recognizes his own lowly place in the grand scheme of preparing the excellent kugelis, to Bob Stephonaitis for things. “The one who is coming after me is mightier than I. I am donating all the roses for both the table decorations and the not worthy to carry his sandals.” The Pharisees take pride in Church on that day as well as to Bob Orintas for handling being “better” than others. John embraces humility in all the ticket sales. The catered food was from Santopietro Christ being “better” than him. We don’t self-generate our Deli who prepared the squash and apples dish specifically own worthiness. We receive it as a gift from God. In a for our celebration! What a special day! Marlene Shea, few short weeks, we’ll celebrate the birth of Christ. Bishop Chairperson Ven. Fulton Sheen wrote about the Nativity in his “Life of Christ”: “Because [Jesus] was born in a cave, all who wish CHURCH OFFERTORY to see Him must stoop. To stoop is the mark of humility. NOVEMBER 24, 2019 The proud refuse to stoop and, therefore, they miss Weekly: $1,290.00 divinity.” God invites us to prepare our hearts this Advent. Add’l Capital Campaign for Human Development: When you consider your own life, where are you looking for your worth? This Christmas, are you prepared to $187.00 stoop? Thanksgiving Collection: $111.00 The sacrificial offering you provide to our Parish is your expression of loyalty, love and support. For the intercession of St. Joseph, I thank you for your generosity. Fr. Aniello SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT

Healing Prayer Requests THE BROOKLYN NEIGHBORHOOD Bruno Kolakauskas, Jim Damasks, ASSOCIATION will hold its annual Brooklyn Joseph Z. Kazlauskas, Anna Pakalnis, Lighting on Thursday, December 12th at James Vaicaitis and George Valaitis 6:00 p.m. in front of our Church.

Prayer intentions consist in asking on behalf of another. ANNUAL KUCIOS It knows no boundaries and extends to one’s enemies. DINNER—Tickets are still available for the Christmas #2647 p636 CCC “Spiritual Works of Mercy” Eve Kucios dinner at St. Patrick Church Hall on Sunday, #7 “Prayer for the Living and the Dead” December 15th at 2:00 p.m. Tickets are $20/person

and must be purchased in advance by December 12th. Is there a family member or friend that you would like to Tickets will not be available at the door. Please contact offer a healing prayer? Please contact the OLMC Linas Balsys at (203) 241-3695, Erina Balsys at (203) 768- Rectory at 203-756-8981 or email the secretary at: 7527, or Rasa Dooling at (203) 558-0195. [email protected]. CHRISTMAS WAFERS—Christmas Wafers (Poltkekes) are available in the vestibule. The cost is $1.00 JOIN US MONDAY EVENINGS AT 6:00 P.M. for a package of 4 white wafers. They will be available OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL LOWER through December 25th or while supplies lasts. This CHURCH FOR ADORATION & program is sponsored by the Knights of Lithuania Council BENEDICTION- The renowned Doctor of the #7.

Church, St. Alphonsus Liguori, loved the devotion of daily visits to the Blessed Sacrament most ardently. He zealously practiced this devotion and strove to spread it by word and A THOUGHT FOR THE example. With the glowing love of a Saint, he recommends SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT this devout practice! “Disengage yourself from relations with men,” he says, “and henceforth spend daily at least a Listen to This Guy! half or a quarter of an hour in some church in the presence Although he’s all over our December gospel of the Blessed Sacrament. Taste and see how sweet is the readings, we don’t see many Christmas Lord. Try it, and you will learn from your own experience decorations related to John the Baptist. He doesn’t how many graces this will bring you. The time you pass seem very Christmas-y out there in the desert with devoutly before our Eucharistic Lord will prove the most meritorious for you in this life, and it will be the greatest his camel hair clothing, talking of trees getting consolation for you at the hour of death and all eternity. thrown in the fire. And what about his sobering Know also that you will probably gain more by praying message of repentance? That isn’t exactly what fifteen minutes before the Blessed Sacrament than by we’ll write in our family Christmas letters. No, all other spiritual exercises of the day.” we’d rather keep John where he belongs: in church, so we can work on getting everybody into the

Christmas spirit. But wait a second, John is doing Upcoming Church exactly what God called him to do: prepare us for Events & Activities the One who is coming. Let’s reread John’s message today and make him our true guide this

Advent season. COFFEE AND… We hope you will join us after our Sunday Mass at the School Gym for Coffee And. All are invited for refreshments John the Baptist appeared, preaching in the desert and fellowship. of Judea and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” ADVENT GIVING TREE – We hope you will participate in this year’s program through Sunday, Matthew 3:1-2 December 15th. You may choose from marked gift tags, which are color-coded for children, women and men. Take a tag, by a gift, wrap it, place the tag on it, and return to Waiting in Wonder and Love Church by Sunday, December 15th. Connie Clark ASTRO Fitzmaurice & Celebrating 155 years of inspiring all girls to be ELECTRIC INC. Ambrozaitis Strong, Smart and Bold! COMMERCIAL • INDUSTRIAL Attorneys-At-Law RESIDENTIAL Full year programs for every girl, every day! 59 Central Avenue Summer Camp 6/24 - 8/16 24 HOUR SERVICE Waterbury, CT 06702 8:30-5:30 M-F, all girls entering grades 1-8. 680 Riverside Street, Waterbury 203-574-7723 203-755-1017 Registration is open! Hearing Testing Ron Shortell, President Fax: 203-573-8991 www.girlsincswct.org (203) 755-0741 Sales • Service • Repair Sean G. FitzMaurice John Ambrozaitis, Jr 203-756-4639 In Home Service Dennis Dellaghelfa UNITED AUTO SALES PFD Tree Removal Owner/Practitioner 733 Highland Ave, & SERVICE 9 Falls Avenue, Oakville, CT Waterbury CT 06708 Over 65 Years Office: 860-274-5094 219 Congress Avenue 203-233-9246 Waterbury Fax: 860-274-4056 [email protected] Cell: 203-808-2695 www.generalhearingct.com (203) 756-8851 M-F 8-6 • Sat. 8-1

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