Introduction to the Liturgy of the Day During the Advent season we have contemplated the three “comings” of Christ: in history, at the end-times, and into our hearts.

Today we celebrate the Nativity of the Lord-his coming in history-as fully as we can. In celebrating the Nativity, we fervently pray that our dear Lord will also be born in our hearts. Then we, like the Blessed Mother, can share his presence with the world around us.

SAINT JOSEPH CHURCH POQUONOCK

TODAY IS THE SOLEMNITY OF THE NATIVITY OF THE LORD

SATURDAY December 24 (The Vigil of the Nativity of the Lord) 4:00 PM A SPECIAL INTENTION FOR SAINT JOSEPH RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CATECHISTS req. by Cyndie Glick 5:30 PM +FRANK DIMAIO req. by His Daughter, Carol Brown 10:00 PM A SPECIAL INTENTION

SUNDAY December 25 (The Nativity of the Lord) 8:00 AM +JOHN, DOROTHY, & DUNCAN MCCALL req. by Darlene & Pat Kennedy 10:00 AM +CARL OUELLETTE (Anniversary Remembrance) req. by His Sister, Lee-Ann Pelletier

MONDAY December 26 (St. Stephen) 7:30 AM +BRENDAN REILLY req. by Priscilla Zawasky

TUESDAY December 27 (St. John, apostle & evangelist) 7:30 AM +JANE ST. DENIS req. by Her Sister, Mary, & Jim Sciarrino

WEDNESDAY December 28 (The Holy Innocents) 7:30 AM +EDWARD BROOKS req. by Gayle & Mark Brick

THURSDAY December 29 (St. Thomas Becket) 7:30 AM +THOMAS HOWARD req. by Jane Morris

FRIDAY December 30 (The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph) 7:30 AM A SPECIAL INTENTION FOR PRISCILLA KURTZ req. by Her Daughters, Judy & Catherine

SATURDAY December 31 (The Vigil of the Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God) 5:00 PM +LOU ADAME (Birthday Remembrance) req. by Bob & Dina Adame

SUNDAY January 1 (The Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God) 8:00 AM +CARMEN JULIAN req. by Peter Arend & Family 10:00 AM A SPECIAL INTENTION req. by Tom, Michelle, & Quincy Harris

December 18th

Weekly Collection…….$4,649.00

Fuel Collection………………………......$1,660.00

Saint Joseph Parish 2016 Annual Collection Update Amount Received to Date…………….$38,290.00

Thank you for your generosity to and support of Saint Joseph Parish

The Second Collection next week is the

Monthly Collection

Saint Joseph Parish 1747 Poquonock Avenue—P. O. Box 253

Poquonock, CT 06064-0253 (860) 688-9566

Fax (860) 683-2225 www.windsorcatholic.org

Administrator: Reverend John P. Melnick Parochial Vicar: Reverend Tuan Anh Dinh Mai Pastor Emeritus: Reverend Robert T. Russo Deacons: Mr. Ronald M. Biamonte Mr. R. Carl Lickwar

Office Hours: Monday through Friday 8:00 am to 3:00 pm

Please remember those who have gone before us marked with the sign of faith especially, +Gerald Arsenault, +Margaret Niemann, +Nancy McKiernan, and +Michele Joly. Please remember the members, loved ones, and

friends of our Parish Family who are ill, aged, troubled, or grieving. Pray for their physical, emotional, and mental well-being. Please pray especially for: Patricia Chatey, Madeline Rose McCall, Diane Boggio, Betsy Boggio, Richard Massa, and Peggy Nolan.

The Sanctuary Lamp will burn the week of December 25

th, for the greater glory of God and for

+Lena Witkowski

Requested by Her Children

THE SOLEMNITY OF THE NATIVITY OF THE LORD

Social Action Corner

The Social Action Committee would like to take this opportunity to THANK YOU for your continued support of our many projects and collections. During this past year, you have generously donated food, toiletries, cleaning supplies, and diapers for those in need. You have supported fundraisers for mission children, Saint Agnes and Saint Gerard’s Homes, Tabor House, Troop Packages, The Windsor Fuel Bank, and purchased 400 Christmas Gifts for those that would otherwise go without this holiday season. Your generosity and kindness are overwhelming and so gratefully appreciated.

May the blessings and holiday spirit of the holy season surround you always. Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New you to you all.

Lisa Andersen and Susan Claughsey Social Action Co-Chairs

Next Meeting The next Social Action Meeting is Monday, February 13

th,

at 6 PM in Father Doherty Hall. All are welcome.

“We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love.” Mother Teresa

Confession Schedule

December 31, 2016 Saint Joseph Church 4:30 p.m.

January 7, 2017 Saint Joseph Church 4:30 p.m.

January 14, 2017 Saint Joseph Church 4:30 p.m.

January 21, 2017 Saint Gabriel Church 3:15 p.m.

January 28, 2017 Saint Gabriel Church 3:15 p.m.

Christmas Concert

Thank you to Mr. Scott Rioux, our Director of Music here at Saint Joseph Parish, and the Wethersfield High School Choralaires, who visited and sang at our parish on Monday, December 19

th. Truly it was a “treat” for

all of us, and we are so very grateful to the young men and women who share their time and beautiful gifts of song with us! We are also most appreciative to the Saint Joseph Auxiliary for hosting such a festive celebration after the concert for all to enjoy.

A Family Perspective Today’s gospel reminds us God chose to enter human history in a family. By Divine design the salvation of the world began in a family. Family was the best God the Creator could do for his

Beloved Son. Jesus was our first Christmas gift. ~Bud Ozar

Vocations

A child is born for us; a son is given to us. Such good news deserves to be heard. Are you willing to proclaim the tidings of great joy to the world as a priest or religious?

If you are, call Father Jeffrey Gubbiotti, the Director of Vocations, Archdiocesan Center at Saint Thomas Seminary, via phone 860-242-5573, email at vocations@aohct.org or visit the web at www.vocationshartford.org.

Alive in Christ All high school students are invited to an exciting one-day Catholic Youth Rally with engaging

worship, music, speakers, and faith-filled fellowship with teens from around the Archdiocese! The Rally will be held on Sunday, April 30

th, from 1:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the

Cathedral of Saint Joseph in Hartford. Please contact the Religious Education Office for registration forms. Don’t miss this awesome opportunity to grow in faith and celebrate the new Easter life we have in Jesus Christ!

Saint Joseph Remembrance Fund

We are grateful to the following who has donated to the Remembrance Fund in honor of:

George and Marie Dixon Joseph and Maren Mayo Robert and Susan Mayo

Northwest Catholic Class of 2021 Northwest Catholic will offer its Entrance Exam to 8

th and 9th Graders on Monday, January

23rd

at 8:30 a.m. An application will serve as your registration for the exam.

There will be an Information Session for prospective families, who were unable to attend the November Open House, on Thursday, February 2

nd, at 7 p.m. at

Northwest Catholic. For more information or to apply online, go to NorthwestCatholic.org/Admissions.

A Christmas Gift for You Copies of the book Resisting Happiness by Matthew Kelly are at the entrances of the

Church. Matthew Kelly is a motivational speaker, author, business consultant, and founder of Dynamic Catholic. Resisting Happiness is a true story about why we sabotage ourselves, feel overwhelmed, set aside our dreams, and lack the courage to simply be ourselves....and how to start choosing happiness again. A generous parishioner from Saint Joseph Parish has purchased these books for you! Each household is invited to take a copy to share (and then pass on to a friend). What a meaningful way to celebrate Christmas and welcome in the New Year as a parish community!

DECEMBER 25, 2016

Religious Education Reminder: In the event of inclement weather, please watch Channel 3 (WFSB) or Channel 30 (WVIT) for the cancellation of Religious Education Classes; you can also check their cancellation list online. You may also call the Religious Education Office to hear the status of Classes for that day/evening.

December 27 No Religious Education Classes January 3 Religious Education Classes for grades K - 8 at Saint Gabriel School 7 C2 Confirmation Retreat at Saint Gabriel Church 9:00 am to 3:00 pm - All C2 students must attend 10 Religious Education Classes for grades K - 8 at Saint Gabriel School 17 Religious Education Classes for grades K - 8 at Saint Gabriel School 24 Religious Education Classes for grades K - 8 at Saint Gabriel School 31 Religious Education Classes for grades K & 1, 3 - 8 at Saint Gabriel School 31 Practice for 1

st Reconciliation 5:30 - 6:30 pm at Saint

Joseph Church February 7 Religious Education Classes for grades K & 1, 3 - 8 at Saint Gabriel School - No class for Grade 2 students 9 Practice for 1

st Reconciliation 5:30 - 6:30 pm at Saint

Joseph Church 11 First Reconciliation 10:00 a.m. at Saint Joseph Church. Reception following downstairs in Father Doherty Hall 14 Religious Education Classes for grades K - 8 at Saint Gabriel School 21 No Religious Education Classes 28 Religious Education Classes for grades K - 8 at Saint Gabriel School

C2 Retreat – All C2 students will attend a Confirmation Retreat on Saturday, January 7

th, in the Church Hall at Saint

Gabriel Church. Please note that the time for the Retreat has changed; it will begin at 9:00 a.m. and end at 3:00 p.m. This is a mandatory meeting for all C2 students. Practice for First Reconciliation – All children preparing for the Sacrament of Reconciliation will practice on Tuesday, January 31

st, at Saint Joseph Church from 5:30 p.m. until 6:30

p.m. Second grade students will not meet for class on Tuesday, February 7

th; on Thursday, February 9

th, children

and at least one parent or guardian should accompany their child to practice at Saint Joseph Church from 5:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. Please call the Religious Education Office if you have any questions.

DECEMBER 25, 2016

Ministry Message

The Parish Rectory Office and the Religious Education Office will be closed on Monday, December 26

th.

The parish Rectory Office will reopen on Tuesday, December 27

th. The Religious Education Office will reopen on Tuesday,

January 3rd

.

We wish you and your loved ones Christmas Blessings!

Rosary Makers Ministry will meet on Monday, January 9

th, at 9:30 AM in Father Doherty Hall.

The Rosary Makers gather together regularly to make rosary beads for missionaries around the

world, men and women in our armed forces, hospitals and institutions near and far. New members are always welcome.

Helping Hands Ministry will meet on Tuesday, January 10

th, at 9 AM in Father Doherty

Hall. Volunteers are always needed to knit, crochet or sew items either at our meetings or at home.

Additional volunteers are also needed to iron, cut fabric, stuff pillows, as well as distribute items, that have been made. New members are always welcome!! Any questions please contact the Parish Rectory Office.

Saint Joseph Parish Bible Study Series will begin again on Tuesday, January 10

th, from 6:30 PM to 8

PM in Father Doherty Hall.

Adult Bible Study-facilitated by Mrs. Peg Nolan and Mrs. Diane Caron, will meet on Tuesdays through March 28

th.

The Little Rock Scripture Series will be used. Any questions please call the Parish Rectory Office.

Prayer Shawl Ministry will meet on Monday, January 9

th, at 7:00 PM in Father Doherty Hall. If you would

like to request a prayer shawl or find out more about the ministry, please contact Darlene Kennedy at 860-688-9482 or kingskid1953@comcast.net

Northeast Catholic College Offers

Half-Tuition to Early Enrollees

Northeast Catholic College (511 Kearsarge Mountain Road, Warner, NH 603.456.2656) is pleased to

announce that any student that enrolls by March 15, 2017, will automatically receive an Early Enrollment Award of $15,000, which is half of the cost of tuition, room, and board. This four-year scholarship will supplement any federal aid (Pell grants, subsidized and unsubsidized federal loans) for which a student is eligible. "Northeast Catholic College is committed to providing a faithful Catholic education that is affordable to our students and their families," said President, Dr. George Harne.

An Open House is scheduled for February 19-20, 2017. Visitors will have the opportunity to: attend and participate in classes, meet one on one with faculty and admissions representatives, attend Mass and participate in spiritual life on campus, tour our 135-acre campus, eat in our dining room and enjoy student entertainment. We are joyfully Catholic!