The Church of Saint Sebastian 67 Cole Ave., Providence, RI 02906

(401)751-0196 stsebastianri.org

Mass Schedule

Sunday Masses Saturday: 5:00 pm Vigil Sunday: 9:00 am, 11:00 am Daily Mass M - F: 7 am Saturday: 9am

Confession Times

Saturday 4:00 pm - 4:45 pm or by appointment

Devotions Adoration of Blessed Sacrament Mon-Thurs. 6:30 am - 6:55 am

Rosary Mon– Fri. 6:40am

Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help Tuesdays following the 7:00 AM Mass

Parish Office Hours M-F: 10:00 am—2:30 PM

Parish Contact Information (410) 751-0196

December 22, 2019

Weekly Bulletin

Fourth Sunday of Advent

Who can ascend the mountain of the LORD? or who may stand in his holy place? One whose hands are sinless, whose heart is clean, who desires not what is vain.

Psalm 24:3-4

PARISH Directory and INFORMATION Directory Parish Information: P: (401)751-0196 F: (401)273-2753 Web: https://stsebastianri.org/ Reverend Father Jordan Kelly, O.P. Pastor 401-500-2462 pastor@stsebastianri.org Elaine Ginn Receptionist/Secretary office@stsebastianri.org Carole Graves Director of Music/Organist music@stsebastianri.org Megan Morrow Cantor Robert Short Director of Faith Formation and Evangelization 401-272-6062 ssricgs@gmail.com Kristen Gold Assistant Religious Education Coordinator 401-272-6062 ssriprimaryre@gmail.com Paul Castaldi Maintenance Kathy Harrington Parish Accountant finance@stsebastianri@org Parish Trustees Charles Rogers Catherine Taylor Parish Finance Council James Daly Ann Carnevale Elisa Tabbador

Douglas Nani

Parish Council Sarah Garcia-Mata Mary Hill Jamie Hill Janice Opalenski Patricia Recupero Ellen Reinhardt

Fred Reinhardt

WELCOME to the CHURCH of SAINT SEBASTIAN In my own name and on behalf of the People of Saint Sebastian’s, welcome to our Parish! If you are visiting, coming back to the Church and Mass after some time away, or looking for a Parish, you are most welcome here at Saint Sebastian’s.

Parish Registration Registration is the official way we join a parish community, please stop in the Parish Office or register online to become a registered parishioner. To be considered an active registered member of the parish, members are asked to give of their time, talent and treasure. The parish is in need of and welcomes all three parts of your stewardship.

Sacrament of Baptism Congratulations of the birth of your child! We require all parents and godparents to attend Sacramental Preparation Classes. Once you have called the rectory to plan for the baptism of your child, we will have someone contact you to set up a special appointment for Preparation classes. These classes are usually done one on one with each family and are conducted by a couple who are well prepared to teach and assist in Baptismal Preparation.

Sacrament of Matrimony Congratulations on your engagement and decision to enter into a Catholic marriage! Saint Sebastian Parish will help you in your preparation to ensure that you make this serious and sacred step in your life a holy and happy one. The day and time of your wedding must be arranged in person by the prospective bride and groom themselves as soon as they feel called to marry. No arrangement can be made by phone or parents. All arrangements should be made nine months prior to the wedding date and done prior to scheduling the reception. The first meeting with the Pastor may be scheduled by calling the Parish Office at (401) 751-0196. Spiritual preparation is a key part of this special time. Frequent participation in the sacraments during this time is important, particularly weekly Mass attendance. It is also strongly recommended that you bring yourselves to the Sacrament of Reconciliation during this time of preparation.

Religious Education By their word and their example, parents are the first and principal teachers of their children concerning our Catholic Faith. The Religious Education of Saint Sebastian’s stands ready to assist parents in their sacred and most important responsibility. Should you have any questions about the program please contact Ms. Kristen Gold at ssriprimaryre@gmail.com or Mr. Bob Short at ssricgs@gmail.com

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Saint Sebastian’s also offers Level One, ages 3 - 6, of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, commonly referred to as CGS. CGS is a Montessori-based program of faith formation. Please contact Mr. Bob Short, Catechist, at ssricgs@gmail.com

Parish Auditors Ellen Boyle Jennifer Pizzuti

Robert Whelan Amy Thomas Karin Schrott Gerry Codola Catherine Denning Toni Dumville Robert Lough

From FATHER JORDAN, O.P. , Pastor

MY DEAR ONES,

May the Grace of Our Lord be always with us!

Hear and let it penetrate into your heart: Let nothing discourage you,

nothing depress you. Let nothing alter your heart or

your countenance. Do not fear any illness or vexation,

anxiety or pain. Am I not here who am your Mother?

Are you not under my shadow and protection? Am I not your fountain of life?

Are you not in the folds of my mantle, in the crossing of my arms?

Is there anything else that you need? These consoling words of Our Lady to St. Juan Diego on Tepeyac’s Hill in Mexico fit so perfectly with our Liturgical Celebration of this fourth Sunday of Advent. The Liturgy today focuses upon Mary and her role in the great events of salvation history that we have been preparing to celebrate throughout the Advent Season. We need to hear these words that Our Lady proclaimed to Juan Diego. These consoling words sit in a framed card in my office – I look to them often. You know how I love Our Lady and it her maternal care, her protection and her intercession that are the wind beneath my wings. While there have been challenges and momentary minutes of discouragement as we strive to stabilize the budget and increase our income; continue to address the realities of our buildings; and keep smiling when the temptation is to cry, I am constantly reassured that Our Lady is doing great things for us. She is doing great things for us as we continue to gain new parishioners who are anxious to help our community; the staff is settling in; the new Parish Council continues to grow stronger “sea legs”; there have been outstanding additions to the Finance Council; the capital campaign keeps growing; and Paul Castaldi can fix anything!

But we also hear Our Lady’s say, Let nothing discourage you,

nothing depress you. Am I not here who am your Mother?

Are you not under my shadow and protection? Are you not in the folds of my mantle,

in the crossing of my arms? As marriages are challenged and end; those we love or we ourselves receive bad medical news; our job is unhappy or unstable; or we face the faithfulness that routine summons from us; it is our Mother Mary who is the Virgin most powerful who will carry our needs to her Son and from whom we will receive comfort, inspiration, and intercession. In the blink of an eye it will be Christmas Eve and the wonder of the Incarnation will once again envelope our world. We always need Christmas, but this year we need it more than ever. In a world wearied by sin and war, the tiny of Child of Bethlehem will bring light, peace, and hope! May our hearts be open to receive Him! During these wonderful days, each one of you is in all my prayers, and are constantly present with me at the altar. I pray that you will know Mary’s peace, protection and intercession in abundance. And even more, I pray that you will know the gift of unconditional love that is the gift Her Son offers us on Christmas and everyday of our lives! Hear again Mary’s words - do not be anxious or perplexed we are in her arms ! O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to Thee! In the Lord,

MASS Intentions

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 21 9:00 am: For the victims of clergy sexual abuse and the healing of the Church Vigil of the Fourth Sunday of Advent

4:00pm: Confession

5:00pm: Missa Pro Populo

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 22—Fourth Sunday of Advent 9:00am: +Thomas X. Gohl

11:00am: + Jean Schinse on the 7th anniversary of her death

MONDAY, DECEMBER 23 7:00am: The Intentions of Fr. Jordan on his birthday

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24 CHRISTMAS EVE

No Morning Mass

11:00 – 12:30: Confessions

4:30: Choral Prelude of the First Mass of Christmas

5:00: The First Mass of Christmas, Gospel Pageant

+Donald Francis Shea

9:15: Lessons and Carols- Coro di Natale di San Sebastiano

Pro Populo

10:00: Solemn Night Mass of the Lord’s Nativity

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 25—CHRISTMAS DAY SOLEMNITY OF THE LORD’S NATIVITY

10am: Choral Prelude

10:30: Christmas Mass during the day

+ William and Patricia Wilson and the living and deceased

members of the Wilson Family

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26

SAINT STEPHEN, PROTOMARTYR

9:00am: +Reverend Monsignor T. Henry Barry, 4th Pastor of Saint

Sebastian

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 27 SAINT JOHN, APOSTLE AND EVANGELIST

9:00am: + William Tracey on the 1st Anniversary of his death

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 28 -THE HOLY INNOCENTS

9:00am: For the victims of clergy sexual abuse and the healing of the

Church

VIGIL OF THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY, AND JOSEPH

4:00pm: Confessions

5:00pm: Pro Populo

JOIN us IN PRAYER

PARISH PRAYER Requests If you would like someone included in the Prayers for the Sick, please call the office at 401.751.0196 .

Ralph Dykstra, Clay Ludlum, Patricia Wardell, Nancy Moore, Betty Young, Marie Britto, Peter Hurley, Laura, Margaret Pleasants, and all the sick of our families and parish

PLEASE PRAY FOR THE REPOSE of the souls of all our recently deceased.

CHRISTMAS CONFESSION The perfect preparation for Christmas is a good Christmas Confession. Pope Francis offers us some wonderful reflection about this great Sacrament:

Acknowledging a popular objection to the sacrament, Pope Francis noted, “someone can say, ‘I confess my sins only to God.’ Yes, you can say to God, ‘forgive me,’ and say your sins. But our sins are also against our brothers, against the Church. This is why it is necessary to ask forgiveness of the Church and of our brothers, in the person of the priest. Forgiveness is not something we can give ourselves; One asks forgiveness, one asks it of another person, and in confession, we ask forgiveness from Jesus. “every time we go to confession, God embraces us.”

Come be embraced by God every Saturday at 4pm; On Sunday December 14/15 and 21/22 during any of the weekend Masses; and on Christmas Eve from 11am – 12:30pm. ACT OF LOVE BEFORE MASS O my God, I love Thee with all my heart, with all my soul, with all my strength and with no other desire than to be inseparably united to Thee. It is through Thy Divine Son that this union is about to be realized within me. In Holy Communion I long to identify myself with Him, that it will no longer be myself, but Him, who lives in me; and when I have received Jesus within myself, then I shall love and be loved by Thee in that same measure, in which I am united to Him. Hasten then, to give me Thy Divine Son, at the hands of Thy priest, that through Jesus, I may unite myself forever to Thee, O God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

COMING up at SAINT SEBASTIAN SOMETIMES OUR COLD HEART NEEDS THE WARMTH OF THE SPIRIT TO PARTICIPATE MORE FULLY IN MASS.

The Second Vatican Council encouraged the laity to embrace a “fully conscious and active participation” in the Mass. This was primarily aimed at a spiritual participation in the Mass, where those in the pews are fully present to what is happening in front of them and offering up their lives to God in union with the priest.

However, it is tempting for many of us to attend Mass and only warm the pew and not our hearts. We simply go through the motions, and are not “consciously” participating in the liturgy.

One way to light a fire in our soul is to ask the Holy Spirit to inflame our heart with a deep love of God and understanding of the Mass. We need the guidance of the Holy Spirit if we are to offer ourselves to God at Mass, preparing our hearts to receive Jesus in the Most Holy Eucharist.

Here is a short prayer from an 1876 prayer book that perfectly summarizes this desire and is a great way to get in the right spiritual mood before Mass begins.

Holy Spirit, fill my cold heart with love, that I may hear this Mass with much reverence and devotion.

Mary, my Mother, pray for me. My Guardian-angel, shield me from all vain and wandering thoughts.

PRAYER OF ST. THOMAS AQUINAS

Almighty and ever-living God, I draw near to the sacrament of your only-begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.

I come sick to the physician of life, unclean to the fountain of mercy, blind to the light of eternal brightness, poor and needy to the Lord of heaven and earth.

So I ask you, most generous Lord: graciously heal my infirmity, wash me clean, illumine my blindness, enrich my poverty, and clothe my nakedness.

May I receive the Bread of angels, the King of kings, and Lord of lords, with such reverence and humility, such contrition and devotion, such purity and faith, and such resolve and determination as may secure my soul’s salvation. Grant as I may receive not only the visible sign of the Lord’s Body and Blood, but also all the reality and the power of the sacrament.

Grant most kind God, that I may receive the Body of your only-begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, which he received from the Virgin Mary, and may receive it in such a way that I become a loving part of his Mystical Body and counted among his members.

O most loving Father, grant me your beloved Son.

While on this earthly pilgrimage, I receive him under the veil of this sacrament; so may I come at last to see him face to face for all eternity. For he lives and reigns with you for ever and ever. Amen.

AROUND the DIOCESE

THE MISSIONARY IMAGE OF OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE

The Missionary Image of Our Lady of Guadalupe will be visiting various parishes throughout the Diocese of Providence from January 10 to February 3. Schedule of participating parishes will be available January 3 on the diocesan website, www.dioceseofprovidence.org. You may also contact the Respect Life Office for the schedule at 278-2518 or by email cowens@dioceseofprovidence.org.

THE ANNUAL RESPECT FOR LIFE MASS

The Annual Respect for Life Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, January 18at 9:00 am in the Cathedral of SS. Peter & Paul in Providence. Bishop Thomas J. Tobin will be the main celebrant and Rev. Nathan J. Ricci, Assistant Chancellor, will be the homilist for the Mass. A reception with refreshments will follow the Mass in Cathedral Hall. The image of Our Lady of Guadalupe will be on the altar for veneration during Mass. Everyone is invited to attend. Please let us know if you are attending the reception following the Mass, call 278-2518 or email: cowens@dioceseofprovidence.org.

ANNUAL MARCH FOR LIFE BUS TRIP TO DC

Annual March for Life Bus Trip to DC will leave Providence on Thursday, January 23 for the March for Life Mass/Rally on Friday, January 24. For more information and to reserve a seat on the bus, contact the Respect for Life Office, 278-2518 or email: cowens@dioceseofprovidence.org.

ST. GABRIEL’S CALL AT ST. PATRICK’S

A special workshop consisting of an overview of the

diocesan outreach ministry for women during and beyond

pregnancy will be offered on Saturday, January 4, 2020

from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at St. Patrick’s, 244 Smith

Street, Providence. The agenda will include how you can

help mom and baby and enrich their lives by mentoring,

providing material needs, parenting and cooking skills.

This workshop will be offered in English and Spanish.

For more information and to RSVP please call 278-2518

or 421-7070.

DISCERNMENT RETREAT

January 10-11, 2020 Our Lady of Providence is hosting its annual overnight retreat for men who are seniors in high school and older. The retreat director this year will be Monsignor John Darcy, pastor of St. Margaret’s Church in Rumford. If you are discerning a vocation to the priesthood, or know of a man who you think would appreciate an invitation, please contact Fr. Brian Morris at the Office of Vocations by phone at (401) 331-1316, by email at rev.brian.morris@gmail.com, or visit CatholicPriest.com.