WELCOME If you are alienated or upset, we welcome you lovingly. If you are in need of forgiveness, Jesus forgives you completely—with unconditional love. If you have been hurt by the Church, we are truly sorry. If you are angry, Jesus offers you peace. If life has become burdensome, we are here to support you. We are happy you are here and want you to stay. We would like to share our lives with you. Come join us each week so we can worship God together. Parish Staff Mass Schedule Rev. Richard T. Conway–Parish Priest Saturday 4:00 pm [email protected] Sunday 9:00 & 11:00 am Amanda Roberts – Faith Formation Director [email protected] Weekdays as announced Irene Bonner – Business Manager [email protected] Parish Office Joe Galluzzo – RCIA Coordinator [email protected]; 978-682-6595 978-683-8922 Yvonne Gobis – Liturgical Music Coordinator Fax: 978-689-8878 [email protected]; 978-452-0831 Office Hours: T-F, 9:30 am to 4:30 pm Marriage Please contact the Parish Office at least six months in advance. Participation in both a parish and a dioce- san preparation is required of all couples. RCIA Adults interested in baptism or joining the Catholic Church should contact Joe Galluzzo at 978-682-6595 or [email protected]. Anointing and Pastoral Care of the Sick Please contact the Parish Office when a parishioner is seriously ill or goes into the hospital. Staff and Communion Ministers bring communion to those who are infirm. Sacrament of the Sick is celebrated com- munally in the spring and the fall. Baptism Celebrated regularly at Sunday Eucharist. Mandatory parent preparation sessions are held at church every other month. Please contact the Parish Office four months in advance of the intended Baptism date. A Stewardship Parish Building a Catholic community of commitment, passion and love Celebrating our faith through dynamic liturgy and a rich sacramental life Welcoming all into the warmth of our parish family Sharing the gifts God entrusted to us Striving to learn, live and share our faith 918 DECEMBER 16, 2012 FROM FATHER RICK Dear Friends, RECTORY OPEN HOUSE Our annual Christmas Open House will be this Sunday afternoon, December 16, from 12:00 noon (following 11:00 am Mass) to 6:00 pm. Please plan on joining us. CHRISTMAS SEASON MASS SCHEDULE As we continue the Advent season, it is time to look forward to Christmas, which this year falls on a Tuesday. The Mass schedule will be: Christmas Eve Monday, December 24 4:00 pm—Women’s Choir (4:00 pm Mass begins when Church is full) 6:00 pm—Youth Choir 12:00 am Midnight—Adult Choir Christmas Day Tuesday, December 25 10:00 am—Cantor & Organ Feast of the Holy Family Saturday, December 29—4:00 pm Sunday, December 30—10:00 am (note one Mass only on Sunday, 12/30) Solemnity of Mary the Mother of God New Years Eve: Monday, December 31—5:30 pm New Years Day: Tuesday, January 1—10:00 am Solemnity of the Epiphany Saturday, January 5—4:00 pm Sunday, January 6—9:00 & 11:00 am Feast of the Baptism of the Lord Saturday, January 12—4:00 pm Sunday, January 13—9:00 & 11:00 am End of the Christmas Season and Beginning of Ordinary Time I wish you God’s peace, Fr. Rick 2 918 ST. ROBERT BELLARMINE PARISH Stewardship Reflection Christmas Collection Clergy Benefit Trust “Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests A reminder that our only collection at all our known to God.” (Philippians 4:6-7) Christmas Masses will be to support the re- tirement, medical and financial needs of St. Paul reminds us that our God is an abundant priests of the Archdiocese of Boston. On be- God, the ultimate giver of gifts. He promises to half of all our priests, thank you in advance give us all that we need. When we trust that for your generosity. Please visit God will take care of us, it is easier for us to www.careforseniorpriests.org for more infor- share what we have been given. mation about the fund. Money Matters On the weekend of December 8/9 Weekly donations: $3,913.25 Parish Community Prayer Intentions Archdiocesan Discernment In your daily prayer this week please include these Retreats for Men people, who are either anticipating a medical proce- dure or recovering from an illness or accident Friday, February 8, to Saturday, February 9, 2013 Blessed John XXIII Seminary for men aged 40 and older The names in the Parish Community Prayer Intention list are not included in the Friday, February 8, to Sunday, February 10, 2013 web version of the bulletin in order to Connors Family Retreat Center in Dover, MA, and maintain the privacy of those individuals. St. John’s Seminary in Brighton, MA for men ages 18-40 years While on these retreats, led by Cardinal Sean O’Malley, the men who attend have the opportunity to experience seminary life, pray and reflect upon the priesthood, meet other men like themselves and discern God’s call in their lives. If you are interested, please pick up one of the registration forms in the Gathering Space. In Service Cpl Chris Carey, USMC, SFC John B. Nicholas, USA, Captain Jack Webb, USMC, Matthew Cibery USN, SPC Jean-Paul Fitz- patrick, USA, SPC Vincent Amasula, USA, LCDR Paul Giguere, USN, 1st Lt. Stephen Draheim, USA, Col. James Coffey, USAF, Lyle Shackelford, Pvt. Alexander Sabu, USA, Gen’l. R. Steve Whitcomb, USA, Col. Brian P. Bedell, USA, Capt. Lauren Whitcomb, USA, BG Patrick J. Donahue, USA, BG Brian P. Donahue, USA, Cpt. Michael McGaffigan, USA, Steve Comstock, Pilot, USN, Lt. Jesse Salisbury, USAF, Sgt. Maureen Galvin, USA, SpOps, Lt. Commander Kevin B. O’Brien, USN, Miko Belonia, Maj. Tony Hoffman, USA, Maj. Ross Coffman, USA, Maj. Garth Howe, USA, Chief Warrant Officer II Michael Morris, USA, Captain Matthew Mancini, USA, Sgt. Ellen Barnes O’Connor, USA, Pvt. Adam James Mazza, USA, Pvt. Joseph D. Gagnon, USM, LCDR Chris Stopyra, USN 3 918 ANDOVER/TEWKSBURY Question of the Week Third Sunday of Advent Listen to Today’s Gospel Reading (Luke 3:10-18) As you hear this reading, what words or phrases strike you? What in this reading touches your Saturday, December 15 heart? What lingers in your memory? Vigil, Third Sunday of Advent Look into Your Life 4:00 pm: Saverio and Alexander Caggiano, Question for Adults: How can you live the promise Maria and Antonio Caggiano of your Baptism each day? Sunday, December 16 Question for Youth: What do you remember from Third Sunday of Advent stories about your Baptism? What does your Bap- 9:00 am: Claire Pierro tism mean to you now? 11:00 am: Eric Begg; **Pat & Fran Palma Renewal of Question for Children: Why is it so important to keep Marriage Vows (60 years) promises which you have made? Wednesday, December 19 Late Advent Weekday “Rejoice 6:00 pm: William Kurkul, Sr. in the Lord Thursday, December 20 always. Late Advent Weekday I shall say 12:10 pm it again: rejoice!” Friday, December 21 Late Advent Weekday; St. Peter Canisius, —Luke 3:10-18 priest and doctor of the Church 12:10 pm Readings for the week of December 16, 2012 Saturday, December 22 Sunday: Zep 3:14-18a; Phil 4:4-7; Lk 3:10-18 Vigil, Fourth Sunday of Advent Monday: Gn 49:2, 8-10; Mt 1:1-17 4:00 pm: People of the Parish Tuesday: Jer 23:5-8; Mt 1:18-25 Wednesday: Jgs 13:2-7, 24-25a; Lk 1:5-25 Sunday, December 23 Thursday: Is 7:10-14; Lk 1:26-38 Fourth Sunday of Advent Friday: Sg 2:8-14 or Zep 3:14-18a; 9:00 am: Mary Correnti Lk 1:39-45 11:00 am: Carol Shwetz Saturday: 1 Sm 1:24-28; Lk 1:46-56 Next Sunday: Mi 5:1-4a; Heb 10:5-10; Lk 1:39-45 Christmas Flower Envelopes Think about taking some time with the weekly read- ings—you can find them online in audio and text at are available on the tables in www.usccb.org/bible. This link is always on the St. the vestibule. You may return Robert’s homepage, too. Print them out, download a pod- cast, listen while you walk or drive, or take a few minutes them in the collection basket to read and see how it all fits together between Sundays! or to the parish office. 4 918 DECEMBER 16, 2012 This Week in Our Parish Bread & Roses Sunday, December 16 Food Drop Off 9:00-11:00 AM Bread & Roses Food Collection, this Weekend! Driscoll Hall 12:00-6:00 PM Christmas Open House, Rectory Drop off your donations 5:00-7:00 PM Youth Group Cookie Swap, by 11:00 am on Sunday! Seton Room ‘Twas the week before Christmas at Bread & Roses Wednesday, December 19 6:00 PM Advent Weekday Mass, Church Hospitality House; 7:30 PM Women’s Schola Rehearsal, Church People were gathering—friends, family, & spouse; 7:30 PM Knights of Columbus Meeting, The plates were all set on the table with care, Driscoll Hall In hopes that St. Robert’s soon would be there. Thursday, December 20 12:10 PM Advent Weekday Mass, Church St. Robert’s is responsible for meal preparation for the 5:30 PM Youth Choir Practice, Church Bread & Roses Hospitality House in Lawrence once per 6:30 PM Scouts, Driscoll Hall month all year.