Parish Trustees John Costigan Maddie Josephs

Finance Council Arthur DeBlois, III John Josephs Michael Kirwan Laura Loffredo Patricia Pita David Tente

Parish Accountant Leroux, Garceau & Massa

Pastoral Council Anthony DeMoura Patricia Flatley David Larsen Sue Leonard Sister Perpetua Lester Joseph Moniz Kathleen Moniz Deacon John Needham Jack Paiva Patricia Pita Ronald Procopio John Rezendes Erin Roche Daniel Seseske Jessica Walters

St. Margaret School Mr. John P. Rezendes, Principal jrezendes@stmargaretsch.org

Phone: 401-434-2338 www.stmargaretsch.org

Schedule for Mass and Sacraments

Saturday Vigil: 5:00 p.m. Sunday: 8:00 a.m. 10:00 a.m. 12:00 noon Monday-Friday: 8:00 a.m.

Baptism: Call the parish office to register for sacramental preparation and monthly baptism. Reconciliation: Saturday, 4:15-4:45 or by appointment. Marriage: See a parish priest at least 8-12 months prior to the date of marriage. Anointing the Sick: Please notify the parish office. Holy Orders: Please see a parish priest or go to www.catholicpriest.com Parish Registration: Every family in the parish should be registered. New families (including newly married) should register by completing a parish registration form available at church or online.

Our parish vitality depends on all Catholics registering as parish members.

Reverend Msgr. John J. Darcy, Pastor Reverend Msgr. William J. McCaffrey, Pastor Emeritus

Reverend Thomas L. Keenan, Pastor Emeritus Rev. Carl B. Fisette, Priest in Residence

Mr. John F. Needham, Deacon Rev. Mr. Stephen Battey, Deacon

Mrs. Patricia Pita, Administrative Assistant Mrs. Laura Loffredo, Part-time Secretary/Bulletin Editor

Mr. Ronald Procopio, Minister of Music, 434-6304; 529-2250 Sister Perpetua Lester, R.S.M., Pastoral Assistant

Ms. Jessica Walters, Religious Education, Gr. 1-6, jwalters.ore@gmail.com Mr. Daniel Seseske, Religious Education, Gr. 7-11, dseseske.ore@gmail.com

Mrs. Erin Roche, Youth Activities, Erinroche@cox.net Cell: 401-419-7828

St. Margaret Church 1098 Pawtucket Avenue Rumford, RI 02916 Phone: 401-438-3230 Fax: 401-438-4221

Email: office-stmargaretchurch@cox.net www.stmargaretchurch.org

Office Hours: Weekdays 9 a.m.—3 p.m. (closed Wed.)

December 10—16

SATURDAY 5:00 P.M. 10th Anniversary Mass for Mark Allen, by his wife SUNDAY 8:00 A.M. Memorial Mass for John & Alice Corcoran & family, by grandchildren 10:00 A.M. Memorial Mass for Dr. Joseph Karas, by family 12:00 Noon Memorial Mass for Alessio & Josephine Pisano, by the Capraro family MONDAY 8:00 A.M. 7th Anniversary Mass for Rosalinda Bagaglia, by the Heywood Family TUESDAY 8:00 A.M. Memorial Mass for the Healey Family WEDNESDAY 8:00 A.M. Mass for an Increase in Vocations THURSDAY 8:00 A.M. Mass for all parishioners of St. Margaret’s FRIDAY 8:00 A.M. Memorial Mass for the Fi patrick Family

December 17—18 SATURDAY 5:00 P.M. Memorial Mass for Anthony More i, by his daughter SUNDAY 8:00 A.M. Mass of Remembrance for all those interred at Mount Saint Mary Cemetary 10:00 A.M. 2nd Anniversary Mass for Brian Charles Richard, by family 12:00 Noon Memorial Mass for the DeGoes and Kurowski Families, by family

St. Margaret Church Rumford, RI

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Announcements

i� The annual St. Margaret Parish Christmas Concert and Nativity pageant will be held on Sunday, December 18, at 4:00 p.m. in the church. Proceeds from a collection will benefit the Bread of Life Food pantry. This annual concert has become a holiday tradition for many, so plan to arrive early.

i� Mass will be celebrated at Rumford Towers on Friday, December 16 at 1:30 p.m.

i� Over the years, many members of St. Margaret Parish have contributed to The Haitian Project (THP), which runs the Louverture Cleary School. THP is proud to report the establishment of two foundations in Haiti, the first responsible for the school’s operation and oversight, and the second for managing the school’s property. Both foundations are comprised of Haitians from the private sector who are dedicated to the mission of the school. This is an important step in the development of LCS, as it reflects the organizational shift toward strong and permanent local leadership for the school. THP is grateful to the members of St. Margaret Parish whose donations have helped it to grow to this point. For more information, visit www.haitianproject.org

i� Providence Ballet Theatre will present their performance of “Twas the Night Before Christmas” on Friday, Dec. 16, at 7 p.m., in the diocese’s McVinney Auditorium, 43 Dave Gavi Way. The newly renovated McVinney stage is the perfect spot to be transformed by visions of Sugar Plums, swirling snow, and a magical appearance by jolly Saint Nick. Tickets are on sale now at mcvinneyauditorium.org.

Please remember in your prayers Peter Cataldo, whose funeral Mass was held recently.

The St. Margaret Parish community warmly welcomes new parishioners Julmar and Elizabeth deBarros and their children. We look forward to meeting you. Welcome!

Third Sunday of Advent

The Next Baptism Preparation Session will be held on Mon., Feb. 6, at 7 p.m. in the Community Room. Parents should be registered parish members and commi ed to sharing their Catholic faith and its practices with their growing family.

Outreach to the Sick and Homebound

If you know of a family member or neighbor whose name should be added to our list of homebound parishioners, please give the rectory a call at 438-3230. We encourage parishioners to send a card or greeting to those who are not well enough to a end church regularly. We can also arrange to visit those who are homebound and bring communion to them during this holy season. Thank you!

On Friday, December 16, students in the Confirmation 1 class will have an Advent movie night, with popcorn, drinks and an Advent/Christmas-themed movie.

Grades 7 and 8 will have an Advent Penance Service on December 19. Students will meet in the school at 6:30 p.m. and proceed to the church at 7:00 p.m. Pickup will be at 8:00 p.m. from the school.

Bread of Life Food Pantry

The Bread of Life Food Pantry continues its mission to “feed the hungry in our midst”, serving 187 households in August, 204 in September, and 206 in October. If you

would like to help, here are some ways to get involved:

Make a monetary donation: As a member of the Rhode Island Community Food Bank, the Pantry can buy food at greatly discounted prices. A $10 donation enables us to buy 100 pounds of food. Checks should be made out to “Newman Congregational Church” with “Bread of Life Food Pantry” wri en on the memo line and mailed to Newman Congregational Church, P.O. Box 4764, Rumford, RI, 02916.

Give an honorary Christmas gift card: Christmas gift cards are available for those who would like to make a special donation to the Pantry in honor of a friend or family member. The card is presented to the friend or family member and the donation goes to the Pantry. Please email the Pantry at EastProvBreadOfLife@gmail.com for more information.

Participate in St. Margaret’s food drives: Food items especially needed in November and December are cereal, chili, cookies, crackers and soup (other than chicken noodle and tomato).

The members of the Bread of Life Operations Commi ee have been encouraged and amazed by the community’s outstanding support of the Pantry. Thank you so much for ensuring the success of this ministry.

St. Margaret Parish Ministries

December is a busy month for our students!

On December 15th, middle school students will spread holiday cheer by singing Christmas carols to the residents of Waterview Villa.

On December 16th, students will enjoy a dress-down day for Gabriel’s Call, an organization that supports young mothers in need.

On December 20th, the Student Council will hold our annual Baby Shower for the Blessed Mother. Donations are being accepted for baby items such as blankets, diapers, formula, and baby clothes, which will be given to Gabriel’s Call.

Mark your calendar

Annual St. Margaret School Christmas Concert

Tuesday, December 13 - 7:00 p.m.

in the auditorium of East Providence High School.

Annual St. Margaret Parish Concert

and Nativity Pageant

Sunday, December 18— 4:00 p.m.

St. Margaret Church

December 11, 2016

Second collection this weekend will be for Retired Religious.

Thanks to all who continue regular financial support for St. Margaret Parish.

Celebrating the 2017 Diocesan Marian Year

Bishop Tobin has announced the 2017 Marian Year to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the apparitions of Our Lady to three shepherd children in Fatima, Portugal. The celebration of the year will begin with a special Mass at the Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul on New Year’s Day, the Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Here at St. Margaret’s, throughout the entire year, a sixteen-inch statue of Our Lady of Fatima will be hosted in our homes. The statue will be received on Sundays after Mass and returned to the Church between 4-6 pm on Saturdays. The rectory, and then the school will host Our Lady for the first two weeks. Fifty families will have the privilege of hosting Our Lady and asking her intercession for our world, the Church, and our families. More news about the opportunity to host the statute in the weeks ahead. Our Lady of Fatima, pray for us!

Wknd of Dec. 3/4 2016 2015 2016

# of budgets used 265 282

Checks, envelopes $5,840.00 $7,110.00

Loose 500.00 446.00

Children’s envelopes 10.00 6.00

# EFT participants 127 133

Faith Direct—EFT 2,143.90 2,556.88

TOTAL OFFERTORY $8,493.90 $10,118.88

2016 Parish “Annual Collection”

This very important collection continues thru the month of December. The participation of all parishioners is essential for the success of this effort. By your generous support, we are able to keep up with major capital improvements. Thank you for your support:

2016 Goal: $75,000 Gifts-To-Date: $48,287

December 11, 2016

The Pastor’s Page

You can see, hear, and feel the growing anticipation of the season! The candles are in the windows of the rectory on this Gaudate (Rejoice)

Sunday. The rose candle is lit on the Advent Wreath, for the day draws near. We celebrated our parish Penance Service, and for those who a ended, there was great rejoicing. One penitent asked me how I was, and I responded, “I’m clean”…after celebrating the Sacrament myself.

If I had to subtitle the Gospel for this weekend, it would be: “Well, what did you expect?” What would you expect of John the Baptist in today’s world: a man wearing designer clothes, smoking Cuban cigars, and listening to Pandora© on his iPad while living in the desert? No, I would expect more of a wild-eyed man, with long ma ed hair, and loosely clad in a ragtag camel skin. His voice (as Deacon Stephen mentioned last week) would be excited, manic, and even explosive! He was filled with the Spirit of God…and he also knew his days would be numbered! (Remember now, this passage recounts an event thirty years after Jesus’ birth!)

John the Baptist sends his own followers to ask Jesus if he is IN DEED the one we are expecting. Jesus answers with the words of the prophet, Isaiah (35:5-6). The comment about the greatness of John the Baptist is visually presented in the icons of the Orthodox Church. When the Christ figure is depicted with the prophets of the Old Testament, John is always closest to the Christ…and, most significantly, only John’s hand pierces the nimbus or halo of glory around Jesus (on the left). Yes, HE IS THE ONE WE AWAIT!

“COME, LORD JESUS!”

Celebrate the Light,

~Msgr. Darcy