St. Bernard’s Church Our Lady of Providence Parish December 25, 2019

Bishop of Worcester Most Reverend Robert J. McManus

Pastor Rev. Jonathan J. Slavinskas pastor@olpworcester.org

Assisting Priest Rev. William E. Reiser, S.J.

Deacons Myles R. Hayes

Gilberto Javier-Almonte

Religious Education | Spanish Apostolate Sister Susi Miranda, X.M.M. religioused@olpworcester.org

spanishapostolate@olpworcester.org

Special Ministry Sister Rena Mae Gagnon, P.F.M

Finance Committee Chairperson: Matt Geiger

Parish Secretary Renee Jalbert

parish@olpworcester.org

St. Bernard’s Church 228 Lincoln Street, Worcester, MA 01605

Parish Office Hours | Horas de Oficina 236 Lincoln Street, Worcester, MA 01605

Monday - Thursday | Lunes - Jueves 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

508-755-3820 (Office) | 508-755-7196 (Fax) parish@olpworcester.org | www.olpworcester.org

Food Pantry | Despensa de Alimentos Harlow Street Entrance | 2nd Floor

2nd & 4th Monday of the Month | 2º & 4º Lunes del Mes 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Marie Anne Center Director: Sister Michèle Jacques, S.S.A.

marieannecenter@mail.com www.marieannecenter.org

508-736-6986

Schedule of Masses | Horario de Misa

Lord’s Day Masses | Misas del Día del Señor Vigil: 4:00 p.m.

Sunday: 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m. (Spanish) & 5:00 p.m.

Weekday Masses | Misas de la Semana Wednesday – Friday: 8:15 a.m. Thursday: 7:00 p.m. (Spanish)

Holy Days | Días Sagrados Feast: 8:15 a.m., 5:30 p.m. & 7:00 p.m. (Spanish)

Holy Hour | Hora Sagrada Thursday: 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

1st Thursday of the Month: 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Sacraments | Sacramentos

Reconciliation | Reconciliación Saturday: 3:30 p.m.

Thursday: 6:15 p.m. – 6:45 p.m. or by appointment

Baptism | Bautismo Please call the office to schedule all baptisms.

Por favor comunicarse a la oficina para programar los bautismos.

Marriage | Matrimonio Please call the office at least 9 months prior to the

anticipated date. Por favor comunicarse a la oficina por lo menos 9 meses antes de la boda

Church Dedicated November 6th, 1921

Schedule of Masses

Lord’s Day Masses

Vigil: 4:00 p.m. Sunday: 9:00 a.m. & 11:00 a.m. (Spanish)

Weekday Masses Wednesday – Friday: 8:15 a.m.

Sacraments / Sacramentos

Reconciliation Saturday 3:30 p.m. and by appointment

Baptism / Bautismo Please call Fr. Jonathan or Sr. Susi. Favor de teléfono

Padre Jonathan o con Sr. Susi.

Marriage / Matrimonio Please call Father Jonathan or Father Bill at least 9 months prior to the anticipated date. — Favor de

comunicarse con el Padre Jonathan o con el Padre Bill por lo menos 9 meses antes de la boda.

“Do not be afraid”, these are the words that have been spoken from the voices of the Angels when they encounter the individuals for whom they prepare with the forthcoming news of the anticipated arrival of the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. The words were spoken to Zechariah, they were spoken to Joseph, they were spoken to the shepherds. “Do not be afraid” are the words that Christ himself speaks to so many in the gospel, words that St. John Paul II continually reminded the world to reflect upon and turn towards especially in times of need. We however know the reality; it is very easy to become afraid! Throughout our lives we go through times of great uncertainty. It is easy to be fearful when we are faced with mounting bills… it is easy to become fearful when we become afflicted with an unexpected illness…it is easy to become fearful when we lose a loved when expectedly or without warning…it is easy to become fearful in a time of great political turmoil…it is easy to become fearful when we see loved ones turning from the faith and the way of life in which we hope them to live… there is so much to be fearful of! Yet today we pause, for today we hear the words that were spoken from the voices of the Angels and the voice of Christ himself, we hear the words that have now been echoed to our ears, “Do not be afraid”. In the midst of the craziness of the world and our lives these words come to us with great stillness, a stillness likened to the presence of Christ entering into the world. They come to us bringing great peace and joy, they come to us bringing us hope in knowing that we are not alone, for today a savior has been born for you who is Christ the Lord! May you be blessed this Christmas season and continually look to the light of Christ, and may you reflect that light to all you encounter! Fr. Jonathan "No tengas miedo", estas son las palabras que se han salido de las voces de los Ángeles cuando se encuentran con aquellos, para quienes se han preparado para recibir por anticipado la noticia de la llegada de nuestro Salvador Jesucristo. Estas mismas palabras fueron dichas a Zacarías, a José y a los pastores. “No tengas miedo”, son las palabras que Cristo mismo le dice a tantos en el evangelio, palabras que San Juan Pablo II continuamente le recordaba al mundo en flexionar sobre estas palabras y girarse en ellas, especialmente en tiempos de necesidad. Sin embargo, conocemos la realidad; ¡Es muy fácil tener miedo! A lo largo de nuestras vidas pasamos por tiempos de gran incertidumbre. Es fácil tener miedo cuando nos enfrentamos a facturas gigantes ... es fácil tener miedo cuando nos vemos afectados por una enfermedad inesperada ... es fácil tener miedo cuando perdemos a un ser querido cuando se espera o sin previo aviso ... es fácil tener miedo en un momento de gran agitación política ... es fácil tener miedo cuando vemos a los seres queridos alejarse de la fe y la forma de vida en la que esperamos que vivan ... ¡hay tanto por qué temer! Sin embargo, hoy hacemos una pausa, porque hoy escuchamos las palabras que se pronunciaron de las voces de los Ángeles y que Cristo mismo pronunció, las cuales siguen haciendo eco en nuestros oídos, "No tengas miedo". En medio de la locura del mundo y nuestras vidas, estas palabras nos llegan con gran quietud, una quietud comparada con la presencia de Cristo entrando en el mundo. Y vienen a nosotros trayendo gran paz y alegría y esperanza, al saber que no estamos solos, ¡porque hoy ha nacido un Salvador para ti, que es Cristo el Señor! ¡Que esta Navidad esté llena de Bendiciones, y que al mirar continuamente la luz de Cristo, reflejes esa luz a todos a tu alrededor. Padre Jonathan

Readings | Lecturas

Christmas Vigil page 870 Misa de Vigilia pág. 37 Midnight Mass page 871

Christmas Day page 873 Misa de Navidad pág. 44

A Message From Fr. Jonathan

We are pleased to offer Electronic Giving. It’s quick, easy and convenient! Go to www.olpworcester.org and click on Online Giving. Feel free to use our new Online Offertory cards during the collection!

Solemnity of Mary Solemnidad María

Wednesday, January 1st 9:00am, 11:00am Spanish

St. Bernard’s 3rd Annual Meat Raffle Saturday, March 21st

1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Compass Tavern 90 Harding Street, Worc 6 Meat Tables (Plus 1 Surprise Table) Thank you to all of our musicians, lectors, deacons,

servers, decorators and volunteers who helped with making our Christmas Mass celebrations so wonderful! We are grateful for all of your support and generosity.

Welcome! Whether you’re here visiting for a brief time, looking for a new parish home, are returning to the practice of your faith or are interested in finding out more about our community, we’re happy to have you here. In the midst of the craziness of our lives we all need a sense of peace where we can go to retreat from it all and we

are glad that we are able to keep the doors here always open for you!