FROM FATHER RICK
CATHOLIC TV
There are still some
postcards and letters available in the vestibule in
support of the letter and card campaign being made
by Catholic TV (formerly Boston Catholic Television)
in an attempt to expand their time on the Comcast,
Verizon, and Direct TV systems. Please consider
picking up a copy of each and sending it to the
appropriate person in support of this effort.
INQUIRY SESSIONS
Inquiry sessions for
those interested in exploring the Catholic Faith are
continuing over the next month or so. If you are not
baptized, or baptized in another Christian
Community, or a baptized Catholic with no further
catechesis or sacramental life this could be for
you. Please give Joe Galluzzo a call at 978-682-6595
or email him at
joe.galluzzo@comcast.net.
These sessions are
very casual and are an opportunity without
commitment to pose “Catholic questions” and to
examine the role of God in the lives of the
participants.
ADVENT IS COMING
Next weekend we begin,
once again, the liturgical season of Advent. A piece
from LTP follows as we set the tone of the season.
The slow sailing of
the Earth around its star brings another winter. An
old hymn sings our impatience:
How long, dear
Savior, O how long,
shall this, thine
hour delay?
Fly swift around,
ye wheels of time,
and bring the
promised day.
We wait for
Christmas. Yet even more, the church looks forward
to that promised day when Christ will return and
time will end. But in all the anticipation and
preparation, let’s not overlook the present moment,
this holy time of Advent. We keep Advent now until
sunset on December 24.
The word advent is
from a Latin word for “coming.” We remember Christ’s
first coming at Bethlehem, and we “wait in joyful
hope” for Christ to return in glory. John of
Damascus (who died in the early 8th century) wrote
this prayer: “You have taken me captive with longing
for you, O Christ, and have transformed me with your
divine love. Burn up my sins with the fire of your
Spirit and count me worthy to take my fill of
delight in you, that, dancing with joy, I may
magnify your two comings.”
Copyright © 2002
Archdiocese of Chicago: Liturgy Training
Publications, 1800 North Hermitage Avenue, Chicago
IL 60622-1101; 1-800-933-1800; www.ltp.org. Text by
David Philippart. Art by Steve Erspamer, sm. All
rights reserved. Used with permission.
Have a great week,
If you want peace –
work for justice (Pope Paul VI),
Fr. Rick
Imagine being part of
an organization that fills your heart and your mind
with the joy of giving to others and the feeling
that comes with making a difference. Knights are
Catholic men, 18 years of age and older, who are
committed to making their community a better place,
while supporting their Church. Being a Knight is
more than camaraderie; it is being involved with
your community; it is supporting your local Catholic
Church, while enhancing your own faith and setting a
good faith example; it is about protecting and
enhancing your family life. You can volunteer as
much as you like or as little and on your own
schedule. If you want to find out more, contact Jim
McKain at 978-475-7931 or visit the website at
www.kofc.org.
Next Meeting:
Wednesday, December 5, 7:30 PM in Driscoll Hall.
Remember to order
your Advent Wreaths. There is a wreath signup
sheet in the back of the church, or you can contact
Jim McKain at 978-475-7931 to place an order. Wreath
payment and pickup will be after Masses on Dec. 1/2.
Money Matters
On the weekend of
November 17/18
Weekly
donations $ 3,086.00
Monthly
donations $ 2,365.00
ParishPay
November $7,470.00
Stewardship
Reflection
“Brothers and
sisters: Let us give thanks to the Father, who has
made you fit to share
in the inheritance
of the holy ones in light.” Colossians 1:12
How do you thank God
for making you an heir to the kingdom of Heaven? How
do you care for and support that kingdom that you
will inherit some day? These are the questions that
every good steward must answer both here on earth in
our daily lives and when we meet God face to face in
His eternal kingdom.
Christmas Outreach
Traditions at St. Robert’s
Advent Giving Tree
As we move into
Advent, St. Robert's has traditionally marked the
beginning of this special season with the annual
Advent Giving Tree event. This year the Outreach
Group will be coordinating with the following
charity organizations: Catholic Charities of Lowell,
Bread and Roses, Si Se Puede, Tewksbury State
Hospital, Birthright, and St. Mary Parish. The
Advent Giving Tree will be up starting on Saturday,
November 24. Please take one or more tags and return
the wrapped gift with the tag by Sunday, December 9.
We will be making dropoffs after the 11:00 AM Mass,
so please remember to bring your gifts before then.
Your generosity is greatly appreciated.
Hat & Mitten Tree
Starting on Saturday,
November 24, you'll see the Hat and Mitten tree up
in the back of the church. For the past 11 years,
the parishioners here at St. Robert's have
enthusiastically supported the need for these items
for the more than 100 children who reside at St.
Ann's Home in Methuen. This year, please help us out
by "decorating" our tree with hats, mittens, and
scarves for children ages 2 to 16. St. Ann's would
also love to have donations of good children's
literature for their library. Please remember that
most of the children residing there are between the
ages of 8 and 14, and most are boys. There are three
ways that you can donate: 1) new books, 2) "gently"
used books, or 3) a donation so that we can select
books, if you'd like to donate but don't know what
literature to pick. We will be collecting these
items until Sunday, December 9th. Don't forget to
take your candy canes when you hang your items or
leave your books, and thank you once again for your
wonderful generosity and support. Have a happy and
peaceful holiday season!
Fair trade coffee
and cocoa will be available for purchase in the
Gathering Space after all Masses next weekend,
December 1 and 2. Buying fair trade products is
a tangible way we can put the values of our faith
into action. It reminds us that there are people
behind all the things we consume. And it makes a
great gift! To learn more about our fair trade
coffee program, see the article in the Fall 2007
Parish Newsletter, which was recently mailed to
parishioners and is also available on our website.
Mass Schedule and
Intentions
Saturday, November
24, Vigil, Solemnity of Christ the King
4:00 pm: All Named in
the Parish Book of Remembrance
Sunday, November
25, Solemnity of Christ the King
7:30 am: All Named in
the Parish Book of Remembrance
9:00 am: All Named in
the Parish Book of Remembrance
11:00 am: Deceased
Members of the Conway, Tansey, & Moran Families
Tuesday, November
27, Weekday Mass
12:10 pm
Thursday, November
29
No Weekday Mass
Friday, November 30
No Weekday Mass
Saturday, December
1, Vigil, First Sunday of Advent
4:00 pm: Eugene &
Kathleen Saunders, & Alice O’Brien
Sunday, December 1,
First Sunday of Advent
7:30 am: Henry Chemaly
9:00 am: Ernie Picard
11:00 am: Rosemary
Bernal
Readings for the
Week of November 25, 2007
Sunday: 2
Sm 5:1-3/Col 1:12-20/Lk 23:35-43
Monday: Dn
1:1-6, 8-20/Lk 21:1-4
Tuesday: Dn
2:31-45/Lk 21:5-11
Wednesday: Dn
5:1-6, 13-14, 16-17, 23-28/Lk 21:12-19
Thursday: Dn
6:12-28/Lk 21:20-28
Friday:
Rom 10:9-18/Mt 4:18-22
Saturday: Dn
7:15-27/Lk 21:34-36
Next Sunday: Is
2:1-5/Rom 13:11-14/Mt 24:37-44
Advent Day of
Prayer
The Franciscan Center
in Andover welcomes you to a day of prayer on
Friday, December 7, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.
“Prophet of Advent, Woman of Hope” explores the
advent experience of listening, waiting, and new
life reflecting on Mary’s experience and our own.
The cost is $20, including lunch. For more
information or to register, call the Center at
978-851-3391.
Question of the
Week–Christ the King
Question for
Adults: As you think about Jesus on the cross,
having compassion on the "good thief," what lesson
do you draw from it for your own life?
Question for Youth:
In the end, as today's Gospel shows, Jesus never
seems to stop forgiving. In your young life, what
role does forgiveness play? How have you learned to
forgive others?
Question for
Children: Jesus is always kind to those who love
him. How do you show your love for Jesus?
Thank You!
Thank you to everyone
for your generous donations last weekend to the
Thanksgiving Drive Collection for Catholic Charities
in Lowell and for your food contributions to
Neighbors in Need!
Worship Guide Cover
Swap
As the new liturgical
year begins, the protective jackets on the Word &
Song worship books will need to be moved to the new
books. Drop in the Bellarmine Room Monday through
Friday, November 26 to 30, to lend a hand moving the
covers from the old books to the new ones. Thanks
for your help!
The Youth Choir
Needs You!
The Youth Choir,
ranging in age from second grade through high
school, is looking for new members to join in
singing and celebrating at the 9:00 am Mass on
Sundays. For more information, contact Kathy
Schardin at 978-475-0228 or Yvonne Gobis at
978-452-0831.
In Service
Maj. Kurt O’Rourke,
Kevin Grace, USA, Lyle Shackelford, Jaime Ray Seluk,
USN, Pvt. Alexander Sabu, USA, Lt. Col. Paul
Severance, USAF, Gen’l. R. Steve Whitcomb, USA, Lt.
Col. Brian P. Bedell, USA, Capt. Lauren Whitcomb,
USA, Col. Patrick J. Donahue, USA, Col. Brian P.
Donahue, USA, Cpt. Michael McGaffigan, USA, Steve
Comstock, Pilot, USN, Lt. Jesse Salisbury, USAF,
Sgt. Maureen Galvin, USA, SpOps, Lt.J.G. Kevin B.
O’Brien, USN, Miko Belonia, Maj. Tony Hoffman, USA,
Maj. Ross Coffman, USA, Maj. Garth Howe, USA, Chief
Warrant Officer II Michael Morris, USA, Captain
Matthew Mancini, USA, Sgt. Ellen Barnes O’Connor,
USA, Pvt. Adam James Mazza, USA, Pvt. Joseph D.
Gagnon, USM, Col. Joseph Albanese, USA, Cpt. Eric
Eckberg, USA, SFC John B. Nicholas, USA, LTCD Chris
Stopyra, USN
This Week in Our
Parish
Monday, November 26
Worship
Guide Cover Swap, Bellarmine Room
Tuesday, November
27
Worship Guide Cover
Swap, Bellarmine Room
12:10 PM
Weekday Mass, Church
Wednesday, November
28
Worship Guide Cover
Swap, Bellarmine Room
Thursday, November
29
Worship Guide Cover
Swap (as needed), Bellarmine Room
No Weekday Mass
5:00 PM
Youth Cantor Practice, Church
5:30 PM
Youth Choir Practice, Church
6:30 PM
Scouts, Driscoll Hall
2:00-3:30 PM
Bereavement Support Group, Bellarmine Room
7:30 PM
Adult Choir Practice, Church
Friday, November 30
Worship Guide Cover
Swap (as needed), Bellarmine Room
No Adult Enrichment
No Weekday Mass
Saturday, December
1
Advent
Wreath Pick Up after 4:00 PM Mass
Fair Trade Coffee and
Cocoa Available for Purchase in the Gathering Space
After 4:00 PM Mass
Sunday, December 2
10:00-11:00 AM
Reconciliation Prep, Driscoll Hall
Advent Wreath
Pick Up after all Masses
Fair Trade Coffee and
Cocoa Available for Purchase in the Gathering Space
After all Masses
Catholic High
School Entrance Exam
The second and final
date for the placement test for all Catholic High
Schools in the Archdiocese of Boston is Saturday,
December 8, 2007. For registration forms and
information on test locations, contact your local
Catholic High School, or the Catholic School Office
at 617-298-6555.
No War is Holy
James Carroll’s
Constantine’s Sword, a film by Oren Jacoby, is the
story of James Carroll, a former Catholic priest on
a journey to confront his past and uncover the roots
of religiously inspired violence and war. Presented
by the Center for the Study of Jewish-Christian
Relations, this free event will take place on
Monday, December 10, 6:30-9:00 pm, at the Rogers
Center for the Arts at Merrimack College.
Carroll will be present at this event to take
questions and autograph books after the film. For
more information, call 978-837-5428 or visit online
at
www.merrimack.edu/JCR.
17th Annual
Catholic Charities Labouré Center Christmas House
Tour
Saturday, December 1,
Twilight Tour of homes in South Boston followed by a
cocktail reception at the Winter Garden in the World
Trade Center East (tickets $75); Sunday, December 2,
Day Tour of homes, as well as afternoon tea and
holiday shopping boutique (tickets $25 purchased
ahead and $30 day of tour). For more information,
call 617-268-9670 or go online to
www.ccab.org.
Boston Boy Choir
Christmas Concert
The Boston Boy Choir
of the Archdiocesan Choir School will perform its
45th Annual Christmas Concert on the Sundays of
December 9 and 16 at 3:00 pm and on Friday evening,
December 21, at 8:00 pm in St. Paul Church, Harvard
Square, Cambridge, MA. A Carol Festival will include
carols for choir, organ, handbells, and orchestra.
Reserve tickets can be purchased in advance by
phone, online at
www.bostonboychoir.org, or at the door for $15,
$20, and $25. For more information, call
617-868-8658.
The Music of
Christmas Guided Retreat
The Campion Renewal
Center in Weston, MA welcomes you to “The Music of
Christmas,” a guided weekend retreat on December
7-9, directed by Robert Doherty, S.J. This retreat
will use the music of this beautiful season to help
us experience more deeply the mystery and holiness
of this sacred time of the year. The retreat begins
with dinner at 5:45 pm on Friday and ends with Mass
and lunch on Sunday. Please note that reservations
must be made at least one week before the start of
the retreat. For more information, contact the
Center at 781-419-1337 or visit them online at
www.campioncenter.org.
Hospice of the
North Shore Tree of Lights
For those who have
lost a loved one, their absence is felt even more
profoundly during the holiday season. Each year,
Hospice of the North Shore illuminates a Tree of
Lights in Danvers, Swampscott, and Cape Ann,
honoring the lives of those lost. The trees remain
lit throughout the holiday season and the names of
the honorees are inscribed into the Tree of Lights
Honor Roll Book for viewing at a special reception
following each tree lighting ceremony. The Center
for Grief and Healing also offers free “Coping with
the Holidays” workshops. For more information, to
add a loved one to the tree, or for workshop RSVP,
call 978-223-9787.
SCRIPTURE READINGS
FOR NEXT WEEK–FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT
A reading from the
Book of the Prophet Isaiah 2:1-5
This is what Isaiah,
son of Amoz, saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. In
days to come, the mountain of the LORD’s house shall
be established as the highest mountain and raised
above the hills. All nations shall stream toward it;
many peoples shall come and say: “Come, let us climb
the LORD’s mountain, to the house of the God of
Jacob, that he may instruct us in his ways, and we
may walk in his paths.” For from Zion shall go forth
instruction, and the word of the LORD from
Jerusalem. He shall judge between the nations, and
impose terms on many peoples. They shall beat their
swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning
hooks; one nation shall not raise the sword against
another, nor shall they train for war again. O house
of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the
Lord!
A reading from the
Letter of Saint Paul to the Romans 13:11-14
Brothers and sisters:
You know the time; it is the hour now for you to
awake from sleep. For our salvation is nearer now
than when we first believed; the night is advanced,
the day is at hand. Let us then throw off the works
of darkness and put on the armor of light; let us
conduct ourselves properly as in the day, not in
orgies and drunkenness, not in promiscuity and lust,
not in rivalry and jealousy. But put on the Lord
Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the desires
of the flesh.
+ A reading from
the holy Gospel according to Matthew 24:37-44
Jesus said to his
disciples: “As it was in the days of Noah, so it
will be at the coming of the Son of Man. In those
days before the flood, they were eating and
drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the
day that Noah entered the ark. They did not know
until the flood came and carried them all away. So
will it be also at the coming of the Son of Man. Two
men will be out in the field; one will be taken, and
one will be left. Two women will be grinding at the
mill; one will be taken, and one will be left.
Therefore, stay awake! For you do not know on which
day your Lord will come. Be sure of this: if the
master of the house had known the hour of night when
the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and
not let his house be broken into. So too, you also
must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect,
the Son of Man will come.”
Copyright 1970, 1986,
1992, 1998, 2001 Confraternity of Christian
Doctrine, Inc. Washington D.C. All rights reserved.
No part of this work may be reproduced or
transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic
or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or
by an information storage and retrieval system,
without permission in writing from the copyright
owner.
