November 27, 2016 The First Sunday of Advent

†Mass Schedule and Intentions†

Sat Confession: 3:30 – 4:00 pm Sat Nov 26, 4:30 pm Mass at St. Philip † Blanche Ducharme by Mr. & Mrs. Oscar Guilbault † Milton Michaud, 8th Anniv by Mary Michaud & Family † Edward J. Bora, 23rd Anniversary Remembrance † Thomas J. Heaney, Birthday Remembrance Requested by Mr. & Mrs. Ronald Bora † Larry Boisvert, 2nd Anniversary by His Wife Dottie † William Karosi, 1st Anniversary by Jeanette & Family

Sun Nov 27, 9:00 am Mass at St. Jude For the Sick of Both of Our Parishes

Sun Nov 27, 11:00 am Mass at St. Philip † Alexander Varga, Jr. by His Family

Mon, Tues, Wed No Masses Thu Dec 1, 8:00 am Mass at St. Jude For Our Parishes

Thu Dec 1, 6:00 pm Mass at St. Philip For the Sick of Both of Our Parishes

Fri Dec 2, 8:00 am Mass at St. Philip † Delima Ouellette by John and Caroline Doughty

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

Sat Confession: 3:30 – 4:00 pm Sat Dec 3, 4:30 pm Mass at St. Philip † Blanche Ducharme by Mr. & Mrs. Oscar Guilbault † Cecelia Pudelkewicz by Ann Phillips and Family Flowers in Mary’s Chapel are in memory of Jules and Coleen Girardet

Sun Dec 4, 9:00 am Mass at St. Jude Sun Dec 4, 11:00 am Mass at St. Philip † Bill Guiles by John & Caroline Doughty

OUR OFFERING OF THANKS TO GOD LAST WEEK

St. Philip Weekly Offering $2548.00

St. Philip Fuel/Maintenance $817.00

Military Collection $458.00

St. Jude Weekly Offering $862.00

St. Jude Fuel/Maintenance $440.00

Military Collection $121.00

ATTENDANCE LAST WEEKEND

Saturday 4:30 pm St. Philip 11/19/16 88

Sunday 9:00 am St. Jude 11/20/16 116

Sunday 11:00 am St. Philip 11/20/16 110 Total: 314

STEWARDSHIP: “For you do not know on which day your Lord will come.” MATTHEW 24:42. People who have had health issues or near-death experiences generally have a greater appreciation for each day being a gift from God. The rest of us usually take for granted that we will be around tomorrow. But when you start to look at each day as a gift, you realize all the little miracles that happen daily and grow in gratitude for all that we have been given.

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.

ST. PHILIP AND ST. JUDE CHOIR REHEARSAL Monday, Nov. 28 at 6:30 P.M. 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.

Our Deepest sympathies to Bonnie Flynn and her family in the loss of her sister on November 20th.

CCD CLASSES St. Philip: Sundays at 9:30 am. St. Jude: Wednesday afternoons. Confirmation Thur, 7 pm, St. Philip’s Parish Center.

PARISH MEETINGS: Knights of Columbus: Tue, Dec 13, 7 pm, Parish Ctr. Prayer Shawl: Tue, Dec 13, 6:30 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 3: Chapter 8 the Seven trumpets. All are welcome. HOLY HOUR FOR VOCATIONS-Dec 15th,6-7pm St Jude Church, Willington. Come joint Bishop Cote in praying a Eucharistic Holy Hour for Vocations. The holy hour will be at St. Jude Church. Come pray for those who are called to priestly or consecrated religious lift. Pray for our seminarians and those in the process of 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.

Why A Jesse Tree? The Jesse tree is named from Isaiah 11:1 "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. We decorate the Jesse tree with ornaments that represent the people, prophesies and events leading up to the birth of Jesus. These ornaments tell the story of God in the Old Testament connecting the Advent Season with the faithfulness of God across four thousand years of history.

(As explained by Loyola Press) Ornaments for Week 1: The apple represents Adam & Eve The rainbow- Noah and the flood. The star - Abraham & the Covenant The ladder - Jacob's dream The coat of many colors-Joseph & God's providence Attention Eucharistic Ministers and Readers The Dec schedule is on our website. Please return your Jan Availability sheet by Dec 15th.

Thank you to everyone who participated in the

Polish Dinner and the KofC Coat Drive. Some of the funds from the dinner will be donated to the Christian Refuge Fund and also FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University Students)

Clay Wright, Grand Knight

ST. JUDE GIVING TREE The Giving Tree this year will help those in need in our communities. Please pick up a slip from the basket on the table in the vestibule and return your gift the following week. Items for the Willington Human Services Dept.: Please wrap your gift and tape the slip to the gift – donated food items do not need to be wrapped. Willimantic Soup Kitchen items do not need to be wrapped. Week 1(Return of the 4th) = Willington Food Pantry Week 2(Return on the 11th) = Willington Human Services Week 3(Return on the 18th) = Willimantic Soup Kitchen Thank you for your generosity!

THE MARCH FOR LIFE BUS TRIP. The Annual March for Life will take place this year on Friday, January 27, 2017, in Washington, D.C., as a way for people to express their opposition to abortion. This

year’s event coincides with the 44th anniversary of the Supreme Court’s decision to legalize abortion. Buses sponsored by the Southeast Chapter of Connecticut Right to Life will travel to the march leaving from the Norwich Municipal Parking Lot (Exit 11, I-395) on Thursday, January 26, 2017, at 9 P.M. Bus fare is $67 per person. For information, to reserve a seat, or, if you cannot go, to sponsor a seat, please call Margaret Becotte at 860-822-1362.

CHRISTMAS CRAFT FAIR, SAT, DEC 3rd BAKERS TAKE NOTE! PIES, BAKED GOODS, ETC. WE NEED THEM! Please

contribute your specialty to make our bake sale a success! PIE BAKERS – PLEASE PICK UP PIE TINS AND BOXES AFTER MASS! Set up and drop-off of Bake sale items for the Craft Fair is Friday, Dec 2nd 6-8 pm.

Birthright of Windham ADVENT BABY SHOWER: The 4-Week Baby Shower beginning the first week of Advent (Nov 29) 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 1: Pampers size 1-4 and wipes Week 2: Wash cloths, towels, lotion, shampoo Week 3: Receiving blankets, newborn gowns, onesies Week 4: Snowsuits & hats size newborn to 2T. During Advent our GIVING TREE will benefit Birthright and a local family. Please wrap gifts and attach the gift tag. Gift Certificates (unwrapped, please) with tags can be placed in the collection basket in an envelope marked “office.”

Christmas Eve Children’s Pageant-sign up if your

child wishes to participate. Look for the sign up sheets at the back of the church. Practice will be Sunday Dec 18th after 9am, about 10am Mass at St. Jude.

35th Annual Convocation For the Priests in the Diocese of Norwich

NEWPORT, RI.—The Annual Convocation for Priests will be held from November 28-30, 2016, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel on Goat Island in Newport, RI. It will be a time for all priests to gather with their bishop for spiritual renewal, support, education and rest. No parish, school or institutional activities will be scheduled during these days. Please pray for your priests, as they will be praying for you.

ST. PHILIP & ST. JUDE GIFT CARD FUNDRAISER Thank you to Lydia Manifold and all those who helped to make this a very successful fundraiser for our parishes.

EAST CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Entrance exam for 8th graders will be given Sat, Dec 3 at 8 a.m.at East Catholic High School. Pre-registration for the exam is advised but not required. Visit www.echs.com or call our Admissions office at 860-649-5336 x6456 for more information!

LADIES OF ST. PHILIP AND ST. JUDE please consider coming on a retreat during the weekend of January 27-29, 2017. The theme of the retreat this year is “The Light of Simplicity." Discover how simplicity can shine a light on what is really essential and important in our lives. We'll explore what it means to live a simple life so that we can discover 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 consider going and 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.

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 The Connecticut Catholic Conference notes that since 1919, the Catholic Church has been a longstanding advocate of universal, accessible and life-affirming health care. However, the Affordable Health Care Act harshly penalizes those employers, such as the Church, who do not provide abortions and other contraception coverage for their employees. 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 Charismatic Prayer Meeting: Every Tuesday at 2:00pm Prayer, Praise and Worship Spiritual Renewal Center, 11 Bath Street, Norwich, CT (860-887-0702) How Reluctant Priest was Baptized in the Holy Spirit Wed, Nov 30 at 2pm and 7pm. Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa speaks about the miracles in his life.

He is the Retreat Director for Pope Francis and Leaders of ALL Religious Communities each Advent. and Lent.

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

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 Classes ~ For Married and Engaged. (NFP) is the safe and loving alternative to the chemical and synthetic hormonal side-effects of contraception and birth control. NFP is scientific and 99% effective for conceiving or responsibly postponing your baby. Home Study and online classes in English and Spanish are available. Classes are ongoing in our diocese. www.ccli.org.

Pregnant? Need help? CATHOLIC CHARITIES Pregnancy and Adoption Programs provide concrete help & answers. Call 1-800- BABYDUE, even if you simply want to talk. RETROUVAILLE OF CT Is your marriage tearing you apart? Are you considering separation or divorce? For serious marriage building and repair: Retrouvaille is a lifeline. At Retrouvaille couples are given tools to re-establish communication, work on their issues, gain new insights and heal. The weekend is presented by three married couples and a priest. A series of 6 post sessions follow the weekend phase. Visit www.retrouvaille.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. 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.

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.

Holy Family Retreat Center, West Hartford - Advent Day or Evening Retreat: Be My Light – Mother Teresa’s Journey of Doubt and Hope, with Dr. Brandon Nappi Wednesday, Dec 7, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. or 6-9 p.m. Shortly after Mother Teresa died in 1997, her secret journals were published expressing a woman of intense paradox. Even as she lived out the Christian life in heroic radiance, she was accompanied by extreme doubt, struggle and dryness in the spiritual life. In this retreat, we’ll examine Mother Teresa’s incredible contribution to the history of spirituality and discover the constructive role doubt can play in our own Advent journey toward hope and light. $40, includes meal. 860-760-9705. www.holyfamilyretreat.org

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

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.