December 11, 2016 The Third Sunday of Advent

†Mass Schedule and Intentions†

Sat Confession: 3:30 – 4:00 pm Sat Dec 10, 4:30 pm Mass at St. Philip † Lenore C. Garvais by R. Tamsin † Blanche Ducharme by Mr. & Mrs. Oscar Guilbault † Dana Husereau, 1st Anniversary by Carolann & Carl Hernberg

Sun Dec 11, 9:00 am Mass at St. Jude For the Sick of Both of Our Parishes

Sun Dec 11, 11:00 am Mass at St. Philip † Br. Kenneth Molchen by Ruth & Ralph Yulo

Mon & Tues No Masses Wed Dec 14, 8:00 am Mass at St. Jude

Thu No Morning Mass Thu Dec 15, 6-7 pm Holy Hour for Vocations

at St. Jude

Fri Dec 16, 8:00 am Mass at St. Philip † Catherine & Steve Muska by Memorial Mass Fund † Lillian Segar by Peter & Jean Piecyk

Adoration following Mass; Divine Mercy Chaplet at 1:50 pm; Benediction 2:00 pm

Sat Confession: 3:30 – 4:00 pm Sat Dec 17, 4:30 pm Mass at St. Philip † Blanche Ducharme by Mr. & Mrs. Oscar Guilbault † Bill Guiles by Debbi & Eileen Molnar † Mary Lirot by Family and Friends † Murland Bradley by the Family

Sun Dec 18, 9:00 am Mass at St. Jude Sun Dec 18, 11:00 am Mass at St. Philip † Bill Guiles by St. Philip & St. Jude Choir

OUR OFFERING OF THANKS TO GOD LAST WEEK

St. Philip Weekly Offering $3,620.00

St. Philip Christmas Flowers $1,152.00

St. Jude Weekly Offering $1,229.00

St. Jude Christmas Flowers $ 421.00

ATTENDANCE LAST WEEKEND

Saturday 4:30 pm St. Philip 12/03/16 100

Sunday 9:00 am St. Jude 12/04/16 110

Sunday 11:00 am St. Philip 12/04/16 160 Total: 370

STEWARDSHIP: “You too must be patient. Make you hearts firm, because the coming of the Lord is at hand.” JAMES 5:8. Patience is another one of those things many of us struggle with. Through daily prayer we better align ourselves with God’s will and His plan, which is far better than anything we can come up with on our own.

PENANCE SERVICES: Monday, Dec 19th 7 pm at St. Jude. Tuesday, Dec 20th 7 pm at St. Philip.

Attention Eucharistic Ministers and Readers Please return your Jan Avail. sheet by Dec 15th.

ST. PHILIP AND ST. JUDE CHOIR REHEARSALS

Monday, Dec. 12th at 6:30 PM at St.

Philip's. Then Sunday, Dec. 18th at 6:30 PM at St. Philip's.

PRAYER LIST: Gus Aiello, Joe Allevo, Lynne Allevo, Lewis Bassett, Robert Blain, Kenny Botting, Roland Cloutier, Carol Davidge, Henry Delisle, Raymond DeLorme, Elaine

Fisher, Rita Fogarty, Vivian G., Jackie Goble, Lisa Gorman, Gina H., James H., Jimmy Harrison, Michael King, Judd Kosakowski, Pat Lockey, Ken M., Mary Manning, Deborah McCready, Charlotte Grace McCutcheon, Sandy and Bob Mullarkey, Pauline Mumford, George Nagy, Vincent Ouellette, Leo Passardi, Tammy Poehler, Normand Ravenelle, Kris Rybicki, Victoria & Richard Santi, Marge Servedio, Carolyn Tanajes, George Tomecko, Linda Torsiello, Luke and Carrie Warren, Tom Woodcock. Please help keep our list up-to-date.

CCD CLASSES St. Philip: Sundays at 9:30 am. St. Jude: Wednesday afternoons. Confirmation Dec 15th Holy Hour for Vocations with Bishop Cote at St. Jude Church in Willington 6-7pm. All Confirmation students should be present. Invite your parents to join you. Classes resume Jan 26th.

PARISH MEETINGS: Knights of Columbus: Tue, Dec 13, 7 pm, Parish Ctr. Prayer Shawl: Tue, Dec 13, 6:30 pm, Rectory. Finance Committee: Wed, Dec 14, 7 pm, Rectory. Women’s Bible Study: Tue, Jan 3, 10 am, Rectory. Parish Council: To be Announced.

PARISH ADULT EDUCATION WITH ED CONLAN WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY 10 am St. Philip Parish Center. Studying the Book of Isaiah.

ADULT EDUCATION RELIGION CLASSES Sat, 11 am, St. Jude Church. Topic: The book of Revelation. Dec 17: Chapter 10 The Little Scroll. All are welcome.

HOLY HOUR FOR VOCATIONS Thursday, Dec 15th, 6-7 pm at St Jude Church, Willington. Come join Bishop Cote in praying a Eucharistic Holy Hour for Vocations. Pray for those called to priestly or consecrated religious life. Pray for our seminarians and those applying to the Diocese. Join our Diocesan Prayer Team for Vocations by emailing the vocation office for more information at Vocations@NorwichDiocese.net and check out our website at God-Calls.com.

The Ladies Group Christmas Party/Yankee Swap Dec 14 at 6:00 p.m. in the Parish Center. Please bring a $5-10 gift to swap. All ladies from St. Philip and St. Jude are invited and

we ask that you please bring a dessert to share.

Christmas Eve Children’s Pageant at St. Jude Sign up if your child wishes to participate. Practice is Sunday Dec 18th after 9am Mass, about 10am at St. Jude.

Why A Jesse Tree? Isaiah 11:1 says, "A shoot shall come out of the stock of Jesse and a branch shall grow out of his roots." Jesse was the father of

King David. The Jesse tree ornaments represent the people, prophesies and events leading up to the birth of Jesus and tell the story of God in the Old Testament connecting the Advent Season with the faithfulness of God across 4,000 years of history. (As explained by Loyola Press)

Jesse Tree Ornaments for Week 3 The Shepherd’s Crook: David shepherds the people Stone Altar: Elijah fights the false gods Fire Tongs & Hot Coals: Isaiah & the call to holiness Tears: Jeremiah the Prophet City Wall & Nehemiah: reform and revival

RELIGIOUS CALENDARS are in the back of the church for those who would like to have one.

A very grateful parishioner thanks everyone who contributed to make her Thanksgiving Dinner extra special this year. Also an apple pie was

purchased from the Bake Sale this past weekend and had a flaky crust and was very delicious! Thank you and you are all in her prayers!

The ST. JUDE GIVING TREE helps the needy in our community. Please pick up a slip from the basket in the vestibule and return your gift the following week. Please wrap items for the Willington Human Services Dept & tape the slip to the gift. Soup Kitchen items don’t need wrapping. Week 2 (Return on the 11th) = Willington Human Services Week 3 (Return on the 18th) = Willimantic Soup Kitchen Thank you for your generosity!

During Advent the St. Philip GIVING TREE will benefit Birthright and a local family. Please wrap gifts & attach the gift tag. Gift Certificates (unwrapped, please) with tags can be placed in an envelope marked “office” in the weekly offering. Please turn in all giving tree gifts by Dec 18th. This will ensure enough time to dispense the gifts to the families! Thank you.

Birthright of Windham ADVENT BABY SHOWER: provides for the needs of women and babies in our area. Your donations provide a witness to our Catholic faith and our commitment to life. Suggested donation ideas: Week 3: Receiving blankets, newborn gowns Week 4: Snowsuits & hats size newborn to 2T

Thank you to Carolann Hernberg and Rick and Claire Mackowiak for

distributing Thanksgiving Dinners, and to all those who contributed food, turkeys and money for a successful Thanksgiving food campaign.

Thank you! We want to express a

large thank you to all the workers who helped to make this year’s Craft Fair such a success: The Kitchen, Bake Sale and

Raffle workers, all the Bakers, and volunteer clean-up crew. A special thank you goes to The Wooden Spoon Restaurant here in Ashford who prepared our corn chowder, chicken soup and sandwiches. Michael Metsack for donating the pierogies and soup cups in memory of his mother, Rose Metsack. We also thank Fonicello Farm of Stafford Springs for providing us with fifteen pounds of onions. A special thank you to George Nagy for doing the hard part, dicing those onions! Profit was $4,489.05. Thanks to all who made the event a success, Father Greg,

Rose Bergeron, Peter Piecyk, Co-Chairpersons

CHRISTMAS EVE December 24 CHRISTMAS SKIT 4:00 p.m. St. Jude MASS Following the skit at St. Jude ~ 4:30 MUSIC PROGRAM 11:30 p.m. at St. Philip MASS 12:00 Midnight at St. Philip

CHRISTMAS DAY December 25 MASS 9:00 a.m. St. Jude MASS 11:00 a.m. St. Philip

NEW YEAR’S EVE December 31 MASS 4:00 p.m. St. Philip

NEW YEAR’S DAY January 1 MASS 9:00 a.m. St. Jude MASS 11:00 a.m. St. Philip

THE MARCH FOR LIFE BUS TRIP On Thurs, Jan 26th at 9 PM, buses will leave from the Norwich Parking Lot (Exit 11, I-395) traveling to Wash, D.C. for the March For Life on Jan 27th. Cost: $67/person. For info, call Margaret Becotte 860-822-1362.

LADIES RETREAT Jan 27-29, 2017. Theme: “The Light of Simplicity." Discover how simplicity can shine a light on what is really essential and important in our lives. The retreat at Holy Family in W. Hartford is a time for quiet, rest, and spiritual growth, meaningful discussions, inspiring music, powerful presentations, Mass and Sacraments, and thought-provoking workshops. Also there is time to get to know the ladies from our parishes and enjoy, relax, and laugh. Please register early because the retreat weekend fills up quickly; there are usually over 100 ladies. For info call Marsha Peters 860-429-4926 or Caroline Doughty 860-377-3642.

Retrouvaille of Connecticut If your marriage has become troubled and stressed, unloving or uncaring; even if you are divorced or separated but want to try again, the Retrouvaille program can help. Retrouvaille provides tools to communicate better, resolve conflicts fairly, and re-discover why you fell in love. The next Retrouvaille weekend is January 20-22, 2017. For information, call confidentially 1-800-470-2230, email 3001@retrouvaille.org or go to our website www.helpourmarriage.com for info and registration.

Eucharistic Adoration: Please consider volunteering for an adoration hour after Mass on Fridays at St. Philip 9am to 2pm or to be a substitute when necessary. Sign-up sheet in vestibule.

WHEN PLANNING YOUR ESTATE: Please consider putting St. Philip or St. Jude in your will as a way to be remembered while supporting the ongoing needs of the parish. Memorial Donation forms are on the parish website.

REMEMBER THE NEEDY IN OUR COMMUNITY. Food is collected all year, not just at the holidays. Please bring non-perishable foods to the church or office. No opened or out-of-date food, please.

The ASHFORD FOOD BANK distribution is usually the 4th Friday, from 7-9 am at the Living Proof Church of Ashford.

The WILLINGTON FOOD PANTRY is open weekly: Mon, 4-6 pm, Wed & Fri, 10-Noon. Patrons must be Willington residents and be screened by the social worker. Folks can come once monthly (on the day of their choice) to select shelf-stable food for their household. Office hours: Mon 12-7:30 pm; Tues-Fri 9 am – 2 pm. To apply, contact: Dir, Youth, Family & Social Serv., Town of Willington, 40 Old Farms Rd. Willington, CT 06279. Phone: 860-487-3118; FAX: 860-487-3125 Email: wyfss@willingtonct.org.

PARISH ENVELOPES: Please use parish envelopes each week if you would like to receive a tax donation report at the end of the year. We will no longer keep track of loose checks. Be sure to write your envelope number if you use an envelope from the vestibule, so we can keep track for you. Please contact the office if you’d like to receive envelopes.

GIFT CARDS ARE NEEDED Please consider donating a Cumberland Farms Gas Card or a card from Walmart or Big Y for requests that come from the needy in our community. A card from Walmart can be used for food as well as other necessities. Put them in an envelope marked "office" and place them in the collection basket. Thank you.

Philip Cemetery Sexton Volunteer position involves maintaining and coordinating records with the Town of Ashford, rules and regulations for burials, headstone and military markers, flowers and shrubs; communication with families, Funeral Homes, Monument companies and Hipsky Construction Company. There have been between 4 and 18 burials per year.

HOSPITAL AND NURSING HOME VISITS If your loved one is ill at Home, hospitalized, or in a nursing home and would like Father Greg to visit them, please call the office or Father. Please provide their name, address, phone # and room #. MASS INTENTION ENVELOPES To make it easy to order a Mass for your deceased loved ones or for any occasion like an anniversary, birthday, etc., please pick up a Mass Intention envelope in the vestibule at St. Philip's or next to the bulletins on the table at St. Jude’s. You can fill it out and place it in the collection basket. Weekend and Holy Day Masses are $20; weekdays: $15.

NEW ADDRESS OR PHONE NUMBER? If you or a loved one are moving out of the area or to a nursing home and don’t need envelopes, please let us know. If financial circumstances change and envelopes will no longer be used, please inform the office. Also, please notify the office of a new address or phone number if you are moving but will remain a parishioner here. This will allow us to keep our records accurate and up to date. Thank you!

Love one another as I have loved you. As you do unto the least of your brothers, you do unto me. Familiar words – How can we put them into action?

Ministering to the sick and elderly is a good beginning. St. Joseph’s Living

Center, The ONLY Catholic healthcare facility in the Norwich Diocese, is seeking volunteers to join our chapel team assisting during 11 am daily Mass. We also need volunteers to join our Vigil Team as we support our residents on their journey to eternal rest. If you hear God calling, please call Tracey Megson at 860-465-1107 ext. 124.

LIGHTHOUSE CATHOLIC CDS: There are CDs with orthodox Catholic teaching and some excellent testimonies of individuals and their faith walk. Thank you for all your

donations. They help to keep the program going. If you have questions or requests contact Donna Vertefeuille at 860-429-4508 or email donna@vertefeuille.org.

If you need a Gluten-free host, please request one during communion.

The candle before the image of Divine Mercy in the side shrine at St. Philip’s is available for your intentions. Contact the office.

PRAY FOR OUR PRIESTS If you would like to pray for our priests daily, please pick up a packet on the table on your way out of church.

A NOTE ABOUT PARISH REGISTRATION If you regularly worship with us, we invite you to register with St. Philip or St. Jude parish. This allows us to provide accurate census data to the diocese. Registration forms are in the vestibule. Please return them to the office. Thank you!

ALTAR SERVERS NEEDED: St. Philip needs Altar Servers for both Masses. Please consider being trained as an Altar Server.

SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR LIFE! “Choose Life” License Plates with smiling faces are promoting adoptions and traveling everywhere

as a witness to Life and Love. Give a gift that keeps on giving, it’s so easy! Go to www.fund-adoption.org for info or to download an application form. This helps fund agencies such as Catholic Charities.

RELIGIOUS FREEDOM May the leaders who were elected last month be guided by the Holy Spirit as they fulfill their positions. If you haven’t done so already, please voice your opposition to the abortion and contraception mandate by calling President Obama at the White House at 202-456-1111 or U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Sylvia Mathews Burwell at 202-205-5445. You may clarify that the mandate is in violation of our First Amendment right to religious freedom at: www.whitehouse.gov/contact.

Spiritual Renewal Center(860-887-0702) Healing Mass: Mon, Dec 12 and 26, 2016 at 2PM Spiritual Renewal Center, 11 Bath St, Norwich, CT

Charismatic Prayer Meeting: Every Tuesday at 2:00pm Prayer, Praise and Worship

Do you or someone you know need a Prayer Shawl? Contact: Carolann Hernberg: 860- 487-0449, chernberg01@snet.net.

Pregnant? Need help? CATHOLIC CHARITIES Pregnancy and Adoption Programs provide concrete help & answers. Call 1-800- BABYDUE, even if you simply want to talk.

Marriage Preparation Classes for Engaged Couples: For info or to register, call Catholic Family Services Office at 860-848-2237, ext. 306.

Marriage Encounter Weekend ~ Fall is a beautiful season full of color and crisp fresh air. A Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend is like autumn because it’s a weekend full of fresh air, new beginnings and a time to rejoice in the beauty of your marriage. Make this autumn special by devoting one weekend to the most important relationship in your life. It’s a great time to rekindle communication and enjoy a weekend away. Visit www.wwmect.org. Email: meweekend@gmail.com.

RACHEL’S VINEYARD RETREAT WEEKENDS If you are silently grieving or suffering from an abortion, experience the healing love of Jesus Christ on a Rachel’s Vineyard Retreat. Visit the national website at www.rachelsvineyard.org. “PROJECT RACHEL” is our Diocesan ministry for anyone seeking healing and forgiveness. Priests in the Project Rachel ministry are there with God’s Grace and Mercy. Call 860-861-4439, ext 306. All inquiries are confidential.

PARENTS DIVORCING AND/OR RESOLVING CHILD CUSTODY ISSUES – participate in the court suggested Parent Education Program. Are you concerned about the effects of divorce, separation or family disruption on your children? Catholic Charities offers ongoing, monthly one day Parenting Education Classes in Norwich, Rockville and Middletown. A monthly 2- part Spanish/bilingual parenting education class is held in Willimantic. Attendance at both sessions in the Willimantic class is required for the certificate of completion. Fees apply and are determined by the State of CT. Please call 1-860-889-8346 ext. 260 for registration and monthly class locations and dates.

Natural Family Planning is scientific, safe, and is 99 percent effective for conceiving or responsibly postponing a baby. A class for married and engaged couples begins on Monday, December 19th at 6:30 P.M. at St. John’s in Old Saybrook. For more information, call Steve and Lisa Collison at 860-399-8265 or to register for a class go to www.ccli.org.

INTERESTED IN LEARNING ABOUT ADOPTION? Catholic Charities provides services infant adoption placements, domestic and international home studies and adoption searches. 860-889-8346 x 282 or susansedensky@ccfsn.org. Monthly meetings for couples waiting to adopt or to learn about adoption and weekly Birth Mother Support Group every Tues 9:30am at Catholic Charities, 331 Main St., Norwich. For info 860-889-8346 x 282.

Home Buyers and Foreclosure Prevention Classes: For help with purchasing a home, behind on mortgage payments or help budgeting or filling out applications for EMAP. All services are provided free at Catholic Charities, a HUD approved Counseling Agency. The Free ongoing Foreclosure Prevention and 8-hr. Home Buyers Education Classes are offered by Catholic Charities in Norwich, New London and Plainfield locations. Info: 860-889-8346 ext. 271.

MATTIE'S TOGS THRIFT SHOP St. Matthew Church Tolland, CT. We always have our $5 Bag Sale. There is a rack of NEW ITEMS still tagged. Specialty items like Baptismal outfits, First Communion/Flower Girl dresses, Halloween outfits, snow suits, jackets and pants can be found year 'round. Sizes range from Preemie to 16 Youth and up. We have lots of shoes for $1 each. We are on the Dunn Hill side of the Church and open Sat. 9-1. Call Billie at 860-871-0260.

PRAY FOR OUR SEMINARIANS/POSTULANTS Take a Post Card from the vestibule for any or all of our seminarians/postulants. Pray, write a brief note if you choose and drop it in the mail. Let your future priests/sisters know you are supporting them and ask them to pray for you. May God continue to send us shepherds after his own heart.

St. Mary's Haitian Ministry emersion trip to Haiti, Jan 10 -17, 2017. Experience the love, joy and faith of our brothers and sisters in Haiti who struggle in a third world country

and visit programs the Diocese of Norwich supports. Trips to an orphanage, feeding programs and twin parishes and schools are included. There will be an outing to the beautiful beaches as well. This trip will touch your heart and soul. Contact Denise Pillion: denisepillion@sbcglobal.net 860-617- 3642.

STEUBENVILLE NYC- JULY 21-23, 2017

This summer, join over 3,000 other Catholic teens at Steubenville NYC conference and experience the joy of following Christ and being ELEVATED By HIS Love. The Diocese of Norwich offers youth the opportunity to take advantage of this fun and spirit filled conference with ease. For $345, The Diocese of Norwich will provide youth and chaperones with Steubenville registration fee, sendoff mass with Bishop Cote and lunch, transportation to and from the Diocese, and 3 t-shirts for each day at the Conference. If you are interested in this life changing opportunity, get in touch with your Youth Minister or Liza Roach at (860)848-2237 ex. 305 orlroach@norwichdiocese.net

NEW WAY TO HELP OUR PARISH! Use your IRA to support our Parish, the Diocese or your favorite Diocesan Ministry! If you are 70 ½ years old, you can now make a direct transfer of up to $100,000 from your IRA to a qualified charity, such as our Parish, without having to pay income taxes on the money. The law allowing this was made permanent by President Obama when he signed the PATH Act last December. If you are interested, please contact Mary Ellen Mahoney, Development Manager- Major Gifts at memahoney@norwichdiocese.net or (860) 886-1928, ext.14 for more information.

Support Catholic Charities, Diocese of Norwich, Inc.

Donate your unwanted car, truck, RV, motorcycle, trailer, boat or camper today! All proceeds benefit children and families in need, in Connecticut. WE DO ALL THE WORK. It is fast and free and you receive a tax deduction! www.donationangel.org/ccfsn / 1-866-434-1131 LADIES OF ST. PHILIP AND ST. JUDE please consider coming on a retreat during the weekend of January 27-29, 2017. The theme is “The Light of Simplicity." Discover how simplicity can shine a light on what is really essential and important in our lives. A simple life enables true freedom and joy. Be renewed and inspired by the paradox of simplicity and the gift of faith. The retreat at Holy Family in West Hartford is a time for quiet, rest, and spiritual growth, meaningful discussions, inspiring music, powerful presentations, Mass and Sacraments, and thought-provoking workshops. Also there is time to get to know the ladies from our parishes and enjoy, relax, and laugh. Please register early because the retreat weekend fills up quickly; there are usually over 100 ladies. For info call Marsha Peters 860-429-4926 or Caroline Doughty 860-377-3642.

The Quiet Corner Chapter of the Disabled American Vets Are you a veteran who is either combat or has a service related disability, and have filed or need assistance with filing for

Veterans Administration Benefits? Are you interested in learning more? We are looking for you. Contact:

Rocky Daigle 860 – 918-0532 Barry Bernier 860 – 830-5443

Mark Rivard 860 – 933 – 6877 or mlrivard@charter.net The mission of the Disabled American Veterans is dedicated to a single purpose; empowering Veterans to led high quality lives with respect and dignity. We accomplish this by making sure Veterans and their families can access the full range of benefits

available to them; fighting for interest of Americas injured heroes on Capitol Hill and educating the public about the great sacrifices and needs of veterans back to civilian life.