december 9, 2012 advent penance service … · 09.12.2012 · † sophie farr by eileen &...

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DECEMBER 9, 2012 SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT Masses and IntentionsSat Dec 8, 8:00 a.m. Immaculate Conception at St. Philip Sat Confession prior to Sat 4:30 Mass Sat Dec 8, 4:30 p.m. Mass at St. Philip John Doughty, Jr. by John & Caroline Doughty Sophie Farr by Eileen & Debbie Molnar Sun Dec 9, 9:00 a.m. Mass at St. Jude Pray for all the sick of our parish Sun Dec 9, 11:00 a.m. Mass at St. Philip Mary Belanger, 9 th Anniversary by Paul Belanger Mon Dec 10, 8:00 a.m. Mass at St. Jude Mon Dec 10, 6:00 p.m. Mass at St. Philip Tue Dec 11, No morning Mass at St. Jude Tue Dec 11, 6:00 p.m. Mass at St. Philip Wed Dec 12, 8:00 a.m. Mass at St. Jude Wed Dec 12, 7:00 p.m. Our Lady of Guadalupe at St. Patrick’s Cathedral Thur Dec 13, 7 p.m. Penance Service St. Philip Fri Dec 14, 8:00 a.m. Mass at St. Philip Catherine & Steve Muska by Memorial Mass Fund Adoration following Mass till 5:50 p.m. 5:50p.m. Divine Mercy Chaplet & Benediction Sat Confession prior to Sat 4:30 Mass Sat Dec 15, 4:30 p.m. Mass at St. Philip Rose & John Hnath, Sr. and Mary & John Hnath, Jr. by the Family Sun Dec 16, 9:00 a.m. Mass at St. Jude John Hlobik by the Hlobik Family Sun Dec 16, 11:00 a.m. Mass at St. Philip Chris Procacchini by Angelo dos Santos Br. Kenneth Molchen by Ralph & Ruth Yulo OUR OFFERING OF THANKS TO GOD LAST WEEK St. Philip Weekly Offering $3,802.00 St. Philip Christmas Flowers $1,205.00 St. Jude Weekly Offering $1,363.00 St. Jude Christmas Flowers $ 60.00 ATTENDANCE LAST WEEKEND Saturday 4:30 pm St. Philip 12/01/12 93 Sunday 9:00 am St. Jude 12/02/12 128 Sunday 11:00 am St. Philip 12/02/12 146 Total: 367 STEWARDSHIP “And this is my prayer: that your love may increase ever more and more in knowledge and every kind of perception, to discern what is of value…” (Philippians 1:9-10). Glittery holiday ads can blind us to our stewardship values and distort our needs and wants. It is important that during this season of endless buying we remember that each of us also has the need to give back to God. ADVENT PENANCE SERVICE: Thurs, Dec 13 th , 7pm at St. Philip. St. Philip Choir rehearses Mon, Dec 10 th and Mon, Dec 17 th at 6:30pm at St. Philip. Blessed Mother Candle is lit in memory of John Doughty, Jr. by John & Caroline Doughty Flowers for Mary’s chapel this week are in memory of Jules and Colleen Giradet. PRAYER LIST: Linda Drake, Caroline Doughty, Billy Grylls, Noah Dionne, Dom & Carol Palombo, Anne Crouse, Bruce & Denise Beaudoin, Bill Hewett, Del Eckenberger, Millie & Gus Aiello, Ed Kominski, Bob Mullarkey, Sandy Mullarkey, Jim Wanger, Gifty Quarm. PARISH MEETINGS Knights of Columbus: Tue, Dec 11, 7pm, St. Philip Ctr. Prayer Shawl: Tues, Dec 11, 6:30pm Rectory. Women’s Bible Study: Tues, Dec 18-6:30pm Rectory. Ladies Group: Tue, Dec 18, 7pm St. Philip Ctr. Party Finance Committee: To be Announced. Parish Council: Tues, Feb 19, 7pm Rectory. RELIGIOUS EDUCATION NEWS St. Philip: CCD, Next Class Sunday, Dec 9. St. Jude: CCD, Class Wednesday, Dec 12. St. Jude & St. Philip CCD party Dec 16 th . Confirmation Classes (open for Adult Ed also) Sunday, Next Class Dec 9, 6:00 p.m.at St. Philip. Wed, Next Class Dec 19, 7:00 p.m. at St. Jude. (no class Dec 12). Adults: Wed, Dec 12, 10-12 St. Philip Center. Adult Ed with Ed Conlin: Fri, Dec 14, 7pm St. Jude Church. St. Mark: Ch. 7 Pharisees; Healings. Congratulations to Polly Borysevicz who joined the Catholic Church on Dec 13 th . Birthright of Windham ADVENT BABY SHOWER: The 4-Week 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. Week 2: Wash cloths, towels, baby wash, lotion, shampoo, pampers size 1-4 and wipes Week 3: Receiving blankets, newborn gowns Week 4: Snowsuits & hats size newborn to 2T

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DECEMBER 9, 2012 SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT

†Masses and Intentions†

Sat Dec 8, 8:00 a.m. Immaculate Conception at St. Philip Sat Confession prior to Sat 4:30 Mass Sat Dec 8, 4:30 p.m. Mass at St. Philip † John Doughty, Jr. by John & Caroline Doughty † Sophie Farr by Eileen & Debbie Molnar

Sun Dec 9, 9:00 a.m. Mass at St. Jude Pray for all the sick of our parish Sun Dec 9, 11:00 a.m. Mass at St. Philip † Mary Belanger, 9th Anniversary by Paul Belanger

Mon Dec 10, 8:00 a.m. Mass at St. Jude Mon Dec 10, 6:00 p.m. Mass at St. Philip Tue Dec 11, No morning Mass at St. Jude Tue Dec 11, 6:00 p.m. Mass at St. Philip Wed Dec 12, 8:00 a.m. Mass at St. Jude Wed Dec 12, 7:00 p.m. Our Lady of Guadalupe at St. Patrick’s Cathedral Thur Dec 13, 7 p.m. Penance Service St. Philip Fri Dec 14, 8:00 a.m. Mass at St. Philip † Catherine & Steve Muska by Memorial Mass Fund

Adoration following Mass till 5:50 p.m. 5:50p.m. Divine Mercy Chaplet & Benediction

Sat Confession prior to Sat 4:30 Mass Sat Dec 15, 4:30 p.m. Mass at St. Philip † Rose & John Hnath, Sr. and Mary & John Hnath, Jr. by the Family

Sun Dec 16, 9:00 a.m. Mass at St. Jude † John Hlobik by the Hlobik Family Sun Dec 16, 11:00 a.m. Mass at St. Philip † Chris Procacchini by Angelo dos Santos † Br. Kenneth Molchen by Ralph & Ruth Yulo

OUR OFFERING OF THANKS TO GOD LAST WEEK

St. Philip Weekly Offering $3,802.00 St. Philip Christmas Flowers $1,205.00 St. Jude Weekly Offering $1,363.00 St. Jude Christmas Flowers $ 60.00

ATTENDANCE LAST WEEKEND

Saturday 4:30 pm St. Philip 12/01/12 93 Sunday 9:00 am St. Jude 12/02/12 128 Sunday 11:00 am St. Philip 12/02/12 146 Total: 367

STEWARDSHIP “And this is my prayer: that your love may increase ever more and more in knowledge and every kind of perception, to discern what is of value…” (Philippians 1:9-10). Glittery holiday ads can blind us to our stewardship values and distort our needs and wants. It is important that during this season of endless buying we remember that each of us also has the need to give back to God.

ADVENT PENANCE SERVICE: Thurs, Dec 13th, 7pm at St. Philip.

St. Philip Choir rehearses Mon, Dec 10th

and Mon, Dec 17th at 6:30pm at St. Philip.

Blessed Mother Candle is lit in memory of

John Doughty, Jr. by John & Caroline Doughty

Flowers for Mary’s chapel this week are in memory of Jules and Colleen Giradet.

PRAYER LIST: Linda Drake, Caroline Doughty, Billy Grylls, Noah Dionne, Dom & Carol Palombo, Anne Crouse, Bruce & Denise Beaudoin, Bill Hewett, Del Eckenberger, Millie & Gus Aiello, Ed Kominski, Bob Mullarkey, Sandy Mullarkey, Jim Wanger, Gifty Quarm.

PARISH MEETINGS Knights of Columbus: Tue, Dec 11, 7pm, St. Philip Ctr. Prayer Shawl: Tues, Dec 11, 6:30pm Rectory. Women’s Bible Study: Tues, Dec 18-6:30pm Rectory. Ladies Group: Tue, Dec 18, 7pm St. Philip Ctr. Party Finance Committee: To be Announced. Parish Council: Tues, Feb 19, 7pm Rectory.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION NEWS

St. Philip: CCD, Next Class Sunday, Dec 9. St. Jude: CCD, Class Wednesday, Dec 12.

St. Jude & St. Philip CCD party Dec 16th.

Confirmation Classes (open for Adult Ed also) Sunday, Next Class Dec 9, 6:00 p.m.at St. Philip. Wed, Next Class Dec 19, 7:00 p.m. at St. Jude.

(no class Dec 12).

Adults: Wed, Dec 12, 10-12 St. Philip Center. Adult Ed with Ed Conlin: Fri, Dec 14, 7pm St. Jude Church. St. Mark: Ch. 7 Pharisees; Healings.

Congratulations to Polly Borysevicz who joined the Catholic Church on Dec 13th.

Birthright of Windham ADVENT BABY SHOWER: The 4-Week 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. Week 2: Wash cloths, towels, baby wash, lotion, shampoo, pampers size 1-4 and wipes Week 3: Receiving blankets, newborn gowns Week 4: Snowsuits & hats size newborn to 2T

ST. PHILIP GIVI NG TREE This year the Giving Tree gifts will be given to Birthright of Windham families. Please take a tag and bring back the wrapped gift with the tag attached. Due date for Birthright Giving Tree Gifts is Sunday, December 16th.

SEMINARIAN GIFT TAGS ON GIVING TREE There are 9 pre-addressed envelopes on the St. Philip Giving Tree. Each is addressed to a Seminarian from the Norwich Diocese with a request to purchase a particular gift card and mail it in the envelope. Please take an envelope if you'd like to help a Seminarian this Christmas. Thank You! ST. JUDE'S GIVING TREE Donations will go to the following charities: Dec 2nd - Catholic Charities Dec 9th - Human Services in Willington Dec. 16 - Willimantic Soup Kitchen Thank you for your donations to help others this Christmas Season.

SCOUTING FOR FOOD - the weekends of December 8th and 15th to benefit the Ashford Food Bank. Boy

Scout Troop 92 and Cub Scout Pack 92 of Ashford are working with United Baptist Church who coordinates the food bank. On Saturday, December 8th yellow SCOUTING FOR FOOD bags will be left on mailboxes in town. Please leave your bag of food by your mailbox for pickup on Saturday, December 15. Thank you, Keith Lipker, Scoutmaster, Troop 92

Austin and Joshua Kozicki would like to thank the parishioners of St Jude and St Philip for the support

they received throughout their scouting career, especially the support around their Eagle Scout project and their trip to the Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico last summer. Both young men recently achieved the rank of Eagle Scout.

ATTN: WOMEN Christmas Party for all women of St. Philip and St. Jude on Tuesday, Dec 18th at 7pm at St. Philip Center. $5 Yankee Swap. Please bring a dessert to share.

CONFIRMATION for all candidates will be on Tuesday, May 14, 2013 at 7:00pm in St. Philip’s Church. Father Les Janik, Vicar General, will be celebrating the Sacrament with us.

LIGHTHOUSE CATHOLIC CDs Please consider the CDs in the back of the Church to give to family and friends

this Christmas. They would make great stocking stuffers or gifts under the Christmas tree. There have been many positive comments about how these CDs have been helpful in learning more about our Catholic faith. A $3.00 donation is to help with the replacement for new CDs. Keep the Christ in Christmas!

Dear Parishioners of St. Jude & St. Philip,

This is the last week for buying Raffle Tickets for Our Lady of Guadalupe celebrated on Wed, Dec 12th at 7pm at St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

Father Kennedy

We welcome

Hunter Doyle Urban baptized December 1st at St.

Philip’s.

CHRISTMAS CRAFT FAIR REPORT A big thank you to ALL the workers that made our 27th Annual Christmas Craft Fair a huge success. The profit after all expenses was $4,300.14. We appreciate all the hard work that was put into making this the best ever!! Thank you to all who helped, Rose Bergeron and Peter Piecyk, Co-Chairs.

CHRISTMAS SKIT CHRISTMAS EVE 4:00 p.m. St. Jude

MUSIC PROGRAM 11:30 p.m. at St. Philip

MASS 12:00 Midnight at St. Philip

CHRISTMAS DAY 8:30 a.m. St. Jude

CHRISTMAS DAY 10:00 a.m. St. Philip

Please note: Sign-up sheet for children from St. Philip and St. Jude to be in the Christmas skit.

We would like to keep GIFT CARDS on hand for people who come to us for assistance: Gas cards, grocery store cards, Walmart, etc., $20-$50 amount.

SHARE YOUR JOY! If you or a loved one are celebrating a special event let us know so we can celebrate with you.

HOLY FAMILY PASSIONIST RETREAT CENTER 303 Tunxis Rd., West Hartford, CT 06107

Sun, Dec 16 – Advent Vespers and Christmas Concert: Our concert features an adult choir, chamber choir, instrumentalists, handbell choir, soloists, children's choir and liturgical dance. A reception prepared by our Executive Chef, Joe Ethier, follows after the concert. Concerts are at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Offering $35.

Feb 8-10, 2013 - College Weekend Retreat Calling all college students! Please join us on a weekend retreat for college students at Holy Family Passionist Retreat Center. We understand that the hectic pace of college can often leave college students with the need to rest and reflect in a sacred space. The retreat is centered on the liturgy of the Church and enhancing the experience of community among college students. Retreat begins on Friday with a buffet dinner and ends around Noon on Sunday. Offering $75.

For more info, please visit our website: www.holyfamilyretreat.org or contact Liza Peters at [email protected] or 860-760-9712. Register online or send name, address and offering to: Holy Family Passionist Retreat Center, 303 Tunxis Rd., West Hartford, CT 06107

VOCATION OFFICE PRAYER CAMPAIGN Join in praying for our seminarians. Take a post card for any or all of our seminarians. Write a brief note if you choose and drop it in the mail. Let your future priests know you are supporting them and ask them to pray for you. May God continue to send us shepherds after his own Heart! Eucharistic Adoration: two adorers are needed

each hour after Mass on Fridays at St. Philip 9am to 5:50pm. Please call Sandra Mullarkey: 860-429-0322. We need people who can commit to one hour, as well as

people able to substitute when necessary. All parishioners from St. Philip and St. Jude are invited.

Where are our shut-ins? Please call the rectory if

you have a loved one in the hospital

or in a nursing home so we can visit,

bring the Eucharist and keep in touch.

A Parent’s Guide: Teaching the Truth and Meaning of Human Sexuality. A DVD is available for you to purchase from www.catholicparents.org it has been featured on EWTN and is based on the 1995 document by the Pontifical Council for the Family ‘The Truth and Meaning of Human Sexuality”. This entire document can be read on the EWTN website on libraries. The document and DVD is on target for our present time and age appropriate on when, how and what to say to your children. For info call Family Life Office at 860-889-8346 ext. 283.

WORLDWIDE MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER By offering Married Couples the beautiful experience of a Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend, the Catholic Church is affirming and supporting you in your

chosen vocation – Marriage. Take advantage of this great gift to enhance your relationship and enjoy a love-filled weekend away together. To register for the weekend in Groton on Nov 16-18 or for info call 860-376-0440. For info or to register for a weekend, call Joe and Jane Staszowski at (860) 644-7260 or [email protected] or visit www.wwme.org.

ENGAGED ENCOUNTER WEEKEND ~ One of the most important parts of your wedding planning is

your marriage preparation program. Engaged Encounter is a weekend-long program and meets all the aspects of marriage preparation required by the Diocese. Visit www.engagedencounter.org.

ATTENTION CATHOLIC SINGLES

The Catholic Alumni Club Int’l is looking to expand into the Norwich diocese. We provide a group dedicated to social, cultural, civic and spiritual relationships in a Catholic setting. For more info, please check out the following site or contact Steve at [email protected] or www.caci.org.

MARRIAGE PREP CLASS FOR ENGAGED COUPLES

“God’s Plan for a Joy-filled Marriage” offered by the Office of Family Life. To register for the 4-session class call 860-889-8346 ext. 283. $50.00/couple. St. Joseph Church, Occum: Jan. 26, & Feb. 2, 9, 16, 2013 9:30am-11:45am. St. Francis Church, Middletown: Feb. 22, Mar. 1, 8, 15, 2013 6:30pm-8:45pm. St Matthew Church, Tolland: Mar. 2, 9, 16, 23, 2013 9:30am-11:45am. Our Lady of Lourdes, Gales Ferry: Apr. 5, 12, 19, 26, 2013 6:30pm-8:45pm. Our Lady of Lourdes, Gales Ferry: June 28, July 12, 19, 26, 2013 6:30pm-8:45pm. St Joseph Church, Occum: Oct. 4,11,18,25, 2013 6:30pm-8:45pm.

NATURAL FAMILY PLANNING CLASSES ~ (NFP) is scientifically sound, helps with fertility problems, is easily learned and 99% effective for conceiving or responsibly postponing a baby. NFP is your loving and safe alternative to dangerous chemicals, devices, synthetic hormones and side-effects of contraception and birth control. Find out why NFP couples have very successful marriages. NFP class for married and engaged couples is 3- part monthly. To register for a NFP class go to www.ccli.org. For info: Susan Williams, Office of Family Life, at 860-889-8346 ext. 283.

RACHEL’S VINEYARD RETREAT WEEKENDS If you are silently grieving after an abortion; healing, forgiveness and peace can begin with a Rachel’s Vineyard Retreat. Spanish Retreat: Jan. 11-13 in Providence, RI. Retreat: Oct. 26-28 in Westerly, RI. Call Carol at 401-421-7833 ext.118. Website: www.rachelsvineyard.org. “Project Rachel” is also a Diocesan outreach for anyone in need of healing. Priests in “Project Rachel” can help you through healing and forgiveness. Call 860-889-8346 ext. 283 or 800-554-5173. All inquiries are confidential.

INTERESTED IN LEARNING ABOUT ADOPTION? Catholic Charities provides services for all members of the adoption triad: infant adoption placements, domestic and international home studies and adoption searches. Contact our Adoption Coordinator at: 860-889-8346 ext.282 or [email protected] for more info.

MARRIAGE BUILDING AND REPAIR: Retrouvaille provides tools to heal, re-establish communication, and gain new insight into your marriage. A series of 6 sessions follows the weekend phase. Couples come to Retrouvaille, which is Catholic in origin but open to all, with a sincere desire to repair and build a stable, loving marriage. For information or to sign up for the next weekend on January 18-20 in Meriden call 413-525-1634. Website www.retrouvaille.org. REGISTRATION: If you are new to our parish or your registration is not current, please fill in a form with up-to-date information. Also, your pledge and use of the parish envelopes helps us plan our budget and provides you with a tax record. MEMORIAL MASSES: To remember your loved ones in Memorial Masses please call the office or stop in. Let us know if you’d like a yearly Mass offered.

BEREAVEMENT AND GRIEF SUPPORT GROUPS Bereavement support offered at Catholic Charities offices, call 860-889-8346 ext.260 for information. For additional bereavement support in the diocese call the Family Life Office at 860-889-8346 ext. 283. www.bereavedparentsusa.org ~ A support group for parents and siblings grieving the loss of a child. Meets at St. John’s, Cromwell call 860-632-1040. At St. Anne’s, Sturbridge, MA call 508-764-6170. www.compassionatefriends.org ~ A support group for parents and siblings grieving the loss of a child. Check website for meeting locations throughout the diocese. www.marysplacect.org ~ A center in Windsor, CT supports children, teens and adults in their grieving of family members. 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. The license plate helps fund agencies such as Catholic Charities.

DIOCESE OF NORWICH VOCATION OFFICE: As of Aug 6, the Diocese collection for the Seminary fund is $99,638.94. We have 9 seminarians studying this year. Please keep them in your prayers. Divorcing and/or resolving child custody issues? Many parents are concerned about the effects of divorce, separation or family disruption on their children. Catholic Charities offers ongoing, monthly one day PARENTING EDUCATION CLASSES in Norwich, Rockville and Middletown. Catholic Charities also offers a monthly 2- part Spanish/bilingual parenting education class in Willimantic. Attendance at both sessions in the Willimantic class is required for the certificate of completion. Fees are determined by the State of CT. Please call toll free 1-866-883-1624 ext. 263 for registration and class locations and dates.

FREE ONGOING FORECLOSURE PREVENTION AND 8 HOUR HOME BUYERS EDUCATION CLASSES are being offered by Catholic Charities in Norwich, New London and Plainfield locations. Do you need help with purchasing a home or falling behind on mortgage payments? Need help with budgeting or filling out applications for EMAP? All services are provided free at Catholic Charities, a HUD approved Counseling Agency. For details call 860-889-8346 ext.271.

Emergency Mobile Psychiatric Services (EMPS) works with children from birth to age 18 and their families to help provide support when a child is in crisis. For more information about this program visit the website: www.chrhealth.org or contact: Rebecca Marcotte, MA, EMPS-NE Clinician Community Health Resources, 7B Ledgebrook Dr, Mansfield, CT 06250, 860-456-0038 x233. We would like to start a Cemetery Committee to maintain and beautify our cemetery. If you are able to help out, please call the office.

ALTAR SERVERS, LECTORS, EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS:

We are in need of servers at Mass at both St. Philip and St. Jude. If you've been wondering how you might serve the Lord, this may be your answer. If you or your

child is interested please see Father or call the office. “Donation Angel” ~ Donate any type of vehicle: cars, boats, etc. running or not. Donation Angel is a car donation program that raises funds to support our Catholic Charities of Norwich and its mission to respond to Christ’s call to care for those in need by providing services for individuals and families. Click or call now for free quick removal of your unwanted vehicle and receive a tax deduction. For info call Ray at: 866-434-1131or [email protected]. www.ccfsn.org www.donationangel.org RETREAT OPPORTUNITIES:

Immaculate Conception Spiritual Renewal Center, Putnam, CT: www.ImmaculateConceptionSite.org.

Immaculata Retreat House, Willimantic, CT: www.immaculataretreat.org.

Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend: www.wwme.org.

DIOCESE OF NORWICH OUTREACH TO HAITI is seeking applicants for two full-time positions: Development Director and Hospitality Director. The Development Director works at our Norwich office and should expect occasional travel to Haiti. Duties span event-planning, grant-writing and donor-database management. Public speaking and social media skills are needed. The Hospitality Director works at our mission house in Port-au-Prince, where we have been for 25 years. For more information, email: [email protected], or call: 860.848.2237 x206 (ask for Kyn Tolson). Learn about our work at: www.outreachtohaiti.org.

IMMACULATA RETREAT HOUSE CHRISTMAS ON THE HILL SHOWCASE: Come and see the beautiful Christmas Illuminations in the Lobby of Immaculata Retreat House, featuring hundreds of miniature figures and villages created by our own Father Ron Meyer, OMI. The displays will be available on Sunday afternoons from Noon until 5:00 on December 9, 16, 23, 30 and January 6. Light refreshments will be available. If you have never been to Immaculata, come and see our Retreat House and its wonderful facilities. For more information, call (860) 423-8484. Admission is free, but we will accept free will offerings. “WALKING THE PATH OF FAITH”: Come and join us for our Advent Retreat for Men and Women from December 14-16. Offering is $190.00. Come prepare your hearts for Christmas pondering Faith Discovered, Lived, Celebrated and Shared. We offer much time for personal and communal prayer and the Sacrament of Reconciliation. To register, call (860) 423-8484, or our website www.immaculataretreat.org. SPIRITUAL DIRECTION AVAILABLE: Spiritual Direction is the practice of journeying with people as they attempt to deepen their relationship with God, and grow in their own personal spirituality. Immaculata has priests available for anyone who is seeking spiritual direction. Anyone who is interested is invited to call us at (860) 423-8484. Morning, afternoon and evening sessions are possible.

NATIONAL PARKS TRIP: Join Father John Hanley,

OMI on a wonderful trip to many of the natural

wonders that the western part of our nation offers

from September 12 to September 23, 2013 we will

visit Sedona, Arizona, Lake Powell, Grand Canyon,

Bryce and Zion Canyons, Grand Teton and

Yellowstone National Parks, Salt Lake City, Bighorn

Mts., Mount Rushmore and the Crazy Horse

Memorial in South Dakota. The cost of the trip is

$3549.00 per person, double occupancy. For

further information, please contact Father Hanley by

phone at (860) 423-8484, Ext. 100 or email

[email protected].

LIGHTHOUSE CATHOLIC CDS: There are new CDs with good 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 [email protected].

Our PRAYER SHAWL group makes baby blankets for BIRTHRIGHT of Windham as well as prayer

shawls. It is a very special ministry knowing that with our shawl or baby blanket goes our prayers and a Blessing to someone who truly needs a touch from God. We provide the prayers, Father provides the Blessing

and God takes care of the rest. You may join us at any time. We meet the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month at the St. Philip office/rectory from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. If you don't know how to knit or crochet we can get you started! Do you or someone you know need a Prayer Shawl? Contact: Carolann Hernberg: 860- 487-0449, [email protected].

LECTORS: You can pick up the 2013 Word and Song missal in the Sacristy.

The College of Saint Mary Magdalen in Warner, NH is pleased to offer a four-year, full-tuition Presidential Scholarship. This scholarship will be awarded to an incoming freshman who has written a compelling essay in response to one of Pope Benedict XVIth’s encyclicals, demonstrating their close reading and careful reflection upon its meaning for lay Catholics at the beginning of the twenty-first century. The student’s essay must be seven to ten pages in length, they must have scored at least 1800 on the SAT (or at least 26 on the ACT), and must submit a completed admissions application by February 1, 2013. The essay deadline is February 15, 2013. For more information, please visit our website www.magdalen.edu or contact the Admissions Office at 603-456-2656,[email protected].

Catholic Cruise to Exotic Eastern Caribbean with Father Michael Tyson, May 1-9, 2013 on the Carnival Splendor out of NY. Ports of Call: Grand Turk, Half Moon Cay (Bahamas) and Nassau. Prices begin at $1563 for two passengers. Daily Mass and Rosary offered. Contact Doug or Eileen at 860-399-1785 or [email protected]. New Study Looks at “At-Home Dads” Most full-time, “at-home Dads” interviewed for a new study were not forced into this role after a job loss. They tended to be “men who had, in concert with their spouses,” made the choice to dedicate themselves to full-time parenting. It appears too, that at-home dads are very good parents. To read the article, go to Marriage News at: www.foryourmarriage.org.

HOLY FAMILY PASSIONIST RETREAT CENTER 303 Tunxis Rd., West Hartford, CT 06107

Sunday, December 16 – Advent Vespers and Christmas Concert: Celebrate the joy and beauty of this sacred season at Holy Family. Our concert features an adult choir, chamber choir, instrumentalists, handbell choir, soloists, children's choir and liturgical dance. A reception prepared by our Executive Chef, Joe Ethier, follows the concert. Concerts are at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Offering $35.

February 8-10, 2013 - College Weekend Retreat Calling all college students! Please join us on a weekend retreat for college students at Holy Family Passionist Retreat Center .We understand that the hectic pace of college can often leave college students with the need to rest and reflect in a sacred space. On this retreat, we explore the retreat season theme as well as offer a variety of workshops to strengthen the faith of college students through learning and small-group discussion. The retreat is centered on the liturgy of the Church and enhancing the experience of community among college students. Retreat begins on Friday with a buffet dinner and ends around Noon on Sunday. For more information, please visit our website: www.holyfamilyretreat.org or contact Liza Peters at [email protected] or 860-760-9712. Offering $75. Register online at www.holyfamilyretreat.org or send name, address and offering to: Holy Family Passionist Retreat Center 303 Tunxis Road West Hartford, CT 06107

Join our Diocesan family for the monthly PRO-LIFE MASS on Saturday, January 5th ~ 8:30 a.m. at St. Patrick Cathedral in Norwich. Following the Mass the Rosary will be prayed both in the Cathedral and at the Planned Parenthood. There will not be a brunch after the Rosary this month. Join us with your presence as we work

together to bring about a culture of life. HELPING THE POOR IN CUSCO, PERU If you are interested in helping the poor in Cusco, Peru, such as children in orphanages, children in clinics or hospitals, children abandoned on streets, or children in schools, or to construct new orphanages, etc., from June 30th to July 9th, 2013, please contact Fr. Michael Sequeira, a retired priest in the Diocese of Norwich, CT: [email protected] or call 860-304-4588. Cost and conditions apply. This is the 7th group going to Cusco. Act now!

Diocese of Norwich

Office of the Bishop 201 Broadway

Norwich, Connecticut 06360 (860) 887-9294

MOST REVEREND MICHAEL R. COTE, D.D.

Christmas Message-2012 Dear sisters and brothers in Christ,

In the first days of the Year of Faith (October 11, 2012 through November 24, 2013) over three

dozen pilgrims, most from the Diocese of Norwich, journeyed with me to the Holy Land. On October

15, 2012, the strains of Christmas carols filled the Church of Saint Catherine of Alexandria as I

celebrated the Mass of Christmas in the town of Bethlehem. Here Christ had appeared to Saint

Catherine. In the caves below this Church, the tomb of the infants slain by Herod the Great is located. In

these caves, Saint Jerome had translated the Bible into Latin, and following his death, Jerome was

buried there. The Church is nearby the site of Jesus’ birth. What an appropriate Church in which to

celebrate Christmas Mass!

A short time before the Mass, we had gone to the same countryside where, on that first

Christmas, shepherds had taken turns tending their flocks. There the Angel of the Lord appeared and

proclaimed to them good news of great joy, a joy to be shared by the whole people. On this beautiful

morning in Bethlehem, as we looked out over that countryside, a shepherd was tending his flock in a

scene reminiscent of that first Christmas.

A short time later, during the celebration of Mass, we heard the familiar Christmas Gospel

proclaimed. We listened to the message of God’s infinite love incarnate in His only begotten Son. My

homiletic reflection spoke of the light of that incarnate love which overcame the darkness of the world.

In the radiance of Jesus’ Nativity, and ultimately His life-giving death and resurrection, sin and death are

conquered and we are born anew.

Following Mass, we entered the Church of the Nativity where we joined hundreds of pilgrims

from around the world. With reverential silence, we inched our way along, reflecting on the purpose of

our visit to Bethlehem. After making our way down a very narrow and steep stairway, we knelt at the

place of Jesus’ Nativity and we savored the moment that has filled generation after generation with the

joy of which the Angel spoke, a joy to be shared by the whole people. “For today in the City of David, a

Savior has been born for you Who is Christ and Lord.”

While a replica of Jesus’ Nativity was only a few feet away, no imagery could substitute for the

silver star imbedded in the stone marking the place of His birth. Nothing could replace the exhilaration

that filled our hearts as we reverenced that sacred site. For, here the baby wrapped in swaddling clothes

had lain in the manger nurtured and cared for by the Blessed Mother and Saint Joseph. In that holy

space, the presence of the Infant Jesus was as real to us as He had been to the Shepherds who found

Mary and Joseph and the Infant Jesus lying in the manger on that first Christmas. Like the shepherds, we

went forth glorifying and praising God for all we had heard at Mass and seen with our own eyes. It was

exactly as we had been told.

-2-

In several references to Sacred Scripture in his letter initiating the Year of Faith, the Holy Father,

Pope Benedict XVI teaches, “Faith working through love becomes a new criterion of understanding and

action that changes the whole of man’s life.” As the first event in the Year of Faith, this pilgrimage to

the Holy Land bolstered our faith and changed our lives. It strengthened our belief in the Lord and it

gave new zeal to our commitment to the work of the Gospel and its mandate to love. Like the shepherds,

we seek to understand fully what has been told to us about this Child of Bethlehem, the Son of God and

Savior of the world! With Mary, we reflect on these events that we have relived. By doing so, we

reinvigorate our faith and we grasp the much deeper meaning of love, the true significance of Christmas.

Christmas will never be the same for me and I hope for you as you joined me in reliving this

account of our visit to Bethlehem. It will be a much deeper experience of God’s love and mercy, His

goodness and His peace. Please remember at Christmas Mass and in your daily prayers the intention of

peace in our world, especially in Iraq, Afghanistan, and throughout the Middle East. May our hearts and

homes be places where Jesus is born anew; may they be mangers where Jesus lives, not only for a day

but for all days!

At Christmas, celebrate not the fantasies of a secular holiday but the Feast of the Nativity of the

Savior and the greatest gift you will ever receive, Christ the Lord! Give your heart to the Lord and He

will give you the gift of Himself.

Merry Christmas!

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Bishop of Norwich

Diocese of Norwich Office of the Bishop

201 Broadway Norwich, Connecticut 06360

(860) 887-9294 MOST REVEREND MICHAEL R. COTE, D.D.

The Year of Faith

My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

On October 11, 2011, our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, issued an Apostolic Letter entitled,

Porta Fidei, (The Door of Faith). In this letter, the Holy Father announced a Year of Faith, beginning

on October 11, 2012, the Fiftieth Anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council, and the

Twentieth Anniversary of the publication of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. The Year of Faith

will conclude on the Solemnity of Christ the King, November 24, 2013.

The Pope also noted that the theme of the General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops convoked

by the Holy Father, for October 2012, is “The New Evangelization for the Transmission of the Christian

Faith.“ The Holy Father commented that this year of grace will “usher the whole Church into a time of

reflection and rediscovery of faith. “ The door of faith is our entry into a life of communion with God

and His Church.

In the Diocese of Norwich, we join with the Church Universal in this special observance to

experience anew the joy of believing. Our first observance will be a Diocesan Pilgrimage to the Holy

Land, October 9-19, 2012. During the Year of Faith, we will also celebrate two Jubilees: on August 6,

2013, the Sixtieth Anniversary of our establishment as a Diocese by our late Holy Father, Pope Pius XII,

and, on May 14, 2013, the Tenth Anniversary of my Installation as Bishop of Norwich. Our diocesan

theme for these special observances is Sixty Years of Faith with Charity and Love.

With the Year of Faith, these Jubilees will be observed in a diocesan celebration on July 27,

2013, at 10:30 a.m., in the Cathedral of Saint Patrick. Since early spring 2012, a committee of Diocesan

Personnel has been at work on these observances. It is my hope that the various activities being planned,

will give vibrant witness to the faith we embrace and the Lord, whom we love.

Gifted by God with faith, we must witness to the joy of believing. We need to take time to

renew that joy by rediscovering the importance and centrality of our faith and by living it in the words

and deeds of our lives. To help us achieve that goal, the Holy Father calls on us to celebrate and to

profess our faith in our Cathedral and Churches and in our homes and families so all will know our faith

better and pass on this timeless gift to future generations. This special year must reawaken in us the

desire to profess the faith, and to “rediscover the content of our faith that is professed, celebrated, lived

and prayed.” This is our task! The Church provides us with so many ways to help us to fulfill it: the

recitation of the Creed, the Celebration of the Eucharist, the study of the Catechism of the Catholic

Church, and praying the Liturgy of the Hours and the World Mission Rosary.

In his Apostolic Letter, the Pope calls on us to intensify our witness to charity. “Faith without

charity bears no fruit . . . Faith and charity each requires the other in such a way that each allows the

other to set out along its respective path…. ‘as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did

it for me’.” (Mt 25:40)

“Let us entrust this time of grace to the Mother of God, proclaimed, ‘blessed because she

believed’.” (Lk 1:45) May the words of the Creed take on new meaning as our profession of all that we

believe in and all that we are as Roman Catholics, true disciples of the Lord and sons and daughters of

our Heavenly Father! The door of faith is open waiting to usher us into a deeper communion with God

and His Church. Let us open the door to our hearts to receive the gift of faith and continue the journey

of faith in a spirit of joy and thanksgiving. May our Sunday Liturgies be opportunities to cross the

threshold of this Year of Faith by renewing the joy of believing and instilling in the faithful thanksgiving

for God’s great gift of faith.

While there will be diocesan and deanery observances of this great year of grace, I urge all

parishes to hold their own celebrations of the Year of Faith and our great Jubilees. With this pastoral, a

list of activities is attached to accommodate our parishes and deaneries in planning events to observe this

great year of grace. Also, please continue to check the Vatican Website: www.annusfidei.va, the

Diocesan Website: Norwich Diocesan Website: www.norwichdiocese.org, and the Norwich Diocesan

Newspaper: Four County Catholic, for more information about the Year of Faith.

“To enter through that door (of faith) is to set out on a journey that lasts a lifetime.”

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Bishop of Norwich

N.B. Except for Sacred Scripture and a quotation from the Holy Father’s address to the Roman Curia,

December 22, 2005, all quotations are taken from the Apostolic Letter, Porta Fidei.