12-02-07

FROM FATHER RICK

Immaculate Conception of Mary

Saturday of this week is the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is under this title that Mary is the Patroness of the United States. For this reason our bishops have determined that on whatever day this Feast falls, it will retain its Holy Day of Obligation status.

Therefore, there will be two Masses in observance of this Feast. We will celebrate Mass on Saturday morning at 10:00 am. We will also celebrate a 5:30 Mass on Friday evening, followed by our usual parish supper. If you would like to join us for the supper, please contact the Parish Office before Tuesday, December 4.

Parish Council Discernment

The Discernment Day for new parish council members will take place on Saturday, December 8, from 9:00–2:30 in Driscoll Hall. Please keep those who have been nominated in your prayers as they discern where God is calling them at this time.

Grand Annual

This week you will receive your Invitation to participate in the Parish’s Grand Annual Appeal for this year. Please prayerfully consider your participation in this necessary component of our annual operating budget. We need every household to participate to the best of their ability.

Inquiry Sessions

Inquiry sessions for those interested in exploring the Catholic Faith are continuing over the next month. 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. For more information, please give Joe Galluzzo a call at 978-682-6595 or send email to joe.galluzzo@comcast.net.

These sessions are being held on Monday, December 3, and Monday, December 10, at 7:30 pm in the Seton Room. They 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.

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.

Reminder: Advent Wreath Pickup after all Masses this weekend

Knights of Columbus Parish Family Breakfast

NEXT Sunday, December 9

Stop by Driscoll Hall anytime from 8:00-11:00 AM!

Money Matters

On the weekend of November 24/25

Weekly donations $3,023.00

Monthly donations $770.00

Stewardship Reflection

“For you do not know on which day your Lord will come” Matthew 24:42

Preparations for the Christmas season remind us how much we all want to be generous. We all want to give good gifts to one another. Yet, often when it comes to giving back to God our response is, “Not yet!” We put off sharing our time, talent and treasure for another day. We say we will give when we have more time or more money. Yet, none of us knows when God will come and ask for an accounting of how we used the gifts entrusted to our care. The start of Advent reminds us not to put off our stewardship. The Lord is coming!

Christmas Outreach

Advent Giving Tree: There was such a great response to the giving tree last weekend that all of the tags were gone even before everyone who wanted had a chance to pick one up! In response, more tags have been added to the giving tree this week. If the tags run out, gift cards to retailers like Target, Walmart, iTunes, etc. are also welcome (please make sure all the tags are gone first). Your gifts go to individuals and families supported by the following organizations: Catholic Charities of Lowell, Bread and Roses, Si Se Puede, Tewksbury State Hospital, Birthright, and St. Mary Parish. We will be making dropoffs after the 11:00 AM Mass on December 9th, so please remember to bring your wrapped gifts before then. Your generosity is greatly appreciated!

Hat & Mitten (& Book) Tree: The hat and mitten tree for St. Ann’s Home in Methuen is filling up with gifts of hats, mittens, and scarves for children ages 2 to 16 who reside at the home. This year we are also including the option of donating children’s literature to help build resources in St. Ann's library. There are three ways that you can donate for the library: 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. Please remember that most of the children residing there are between the ages of 8 and 14, and most are boys. 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: Put Your Faith Into Action in Your Christmas Gift Buying!

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. Fair trade coffee and cocoa will be available for purchase in the Gathering Space after all Masses this weekend, December 1 and 2. And this month we’ve stocked up to meet your gift buying needs!

Your purchase of Dean’s Beans products at St. Robert’s helps support disadvantaged farmers and the Catholic Relief Services Fair Trade Coffee Program. For other fair trade gift ideas, including chocolate and handcrafts, go to the CRS Fair Trade Program website at www.crsfairtrade.org.

Mass Schedule and Intentions

Saturday, December 1, Vigil, First Sunday of Advent

4:00 pm: Eugene & Kathleen Saunders, & Alice O’Brien

Sunday, December 2, First Sunday of Advent

7:30 am: Henry Chemaly

9:00 am: Ernie Picard

11:00 am: Rosemary Bernal

Tuesday, December 4, Weekday Mass

12:10 pm

Thursday, December 6, Weekday Mass

12:10 pm

Friday, December 7

Ambrose, bishop, doctor, 12:10 pm

Vigil, Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, 5:30 pm

Saturday, December 8

Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, 10:00 am

Vigil, Second Sunday of Advent, 4:00 pm: William T. Simpson

Sunday, December 9, Second Sunday of Advent

7:30 am: Robert Sullivan

9:00 am: Marcia Cerbone; **Baptism of Megan Elizabeth Maresca

11:00 am: Tom Daley

Readings for the Week of December 2, 2007

Sunday: Is 2:1-5/Rom 13:11-14/Mt 24:37-44

Monday: Is 4:2-6/Mt 8:5-11

Tuesday: Is 11:1-10/Lk 10:21-24

Wednesday: Is 25:6-10a/Mt 15:29-37

Thursday: Is 26:1-6/Mt 7:21, 24-27

Friday: Is 29:17-24/Mt 9:27-31

Saturday: Gn 3:9-15, 20/Eph 1:3-6, 11-12/Lk 1:26-38

Next Sunday: Is 11:1-10/Rom 15:4-9/Mt 3:1-12

At the Movies: The movie “The Nativity” will be shown at Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish in Methuen on Sunday, December 9, at 4:00 pm. It will be shown in Duperry Hall (underneath St. Theresa Church at the corners of Plymouth, Elm, and Dawes Streets in Methuen). This is an excellent way to prepare to celebrate the feast of the birthday of Jesus. There is no admission charge.

Question of the Week–First Sunday of Advent

Question for Adults: As you prepare to re-welcome Christ into your heart while you prepare for Christmas, what does Isaiah call you to do? What does Isaiah call us as a people to do?

Question for Youth: The Gospel tells us we don't know when the Son of Man will return. If he were to arrive today, would you be ready for him? What is one thing you can do during Advent to prepare for his coming?

Question for Children: What can you do to be ready for God to come into your heart and your life?

Ladies’ Schola

Calling all Ladies’ Schola Members Old & New! All are invited to sing for the Advent and Christmas season. The Schola rehearses on Saturdays at 3:15 pm and then sings at the 4:00 pm Mass. Contact Nina Wolfendale at nina.wolfendale@genzyme.com or Yvonne Gobis at ygobis@comcast.net for further details. All are welcome–no experience necessary.

Special Collection for Retired Sisters Next Weekend

Say Thank You to Those Who Have Given So Much!

On the weekend of December 8/9, the Archdiocese will take up the Collection for Retired Sisters. Now in its 21st year, the Collection provides needed financial support for religious communities whose members have served the Archdiocese in the ministries of education, health care, and social service. Please give generously in recognition of the Sisters’ years of dedicated service. For more information, please contact Sister Marian Batho, CSJ, Delegate for Religious, at 617-746-5637 or Sr_Marian_Batho@rcab.org.

In Service

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, Cpt. Eric Eckberg, USA, SFC John B. Nicholas, USA, LTCD Chris Stopyra, USN

This Week in Our Parish

Monday, December 3

7:00 PM Scouts Committee Meeting, Bellarmine Room

7:30 PM RCIA Inquiry Session, Seton Room

Tuesday, December 4

12:10 PM Weekday Mass, Church

Wednesday, December 5

7:30 PM Knights of Columbus, Driscoll Hall

Thursday, December 6

12:10 PM Weekday Mass, Church

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, December 7

10:45 AM Adult Enrichment, Bellarmine Room

12:10 PM Weekday Mass, Church

5:30 PM Holy Day Vigil Mass, followed by supper in Driscoll Hall

Saturday, December 8

10:00 AM Holy Day Mass, Church

10:00-2:30 Parish Council Discernment Day, Driscoll Hall

Sunday, December 9

8:00-11:00 AM Parish Family Breakfast, Driscoll Hall

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.

Please note that Lowell Catholic High School still has limited spots available for the placement exam on December 8. To register, please visit www.lowellcatholic.org or call 978-452-1794, ext. 22.

Regis College Info Sessions

Contemplating a career change to a rewarding and giving profession? Regis College, a Catholic college in Weston, MA, offers graduate programs in the area of teacher preparation. We offer flexible class times and a special tuition rate for three credit courses. Consider learning more about licensure and the Master of Arts in Teaching Programs and attend an upcoming graduate information session on December 11 or January 7. For more information, visit Regis College online at www.regiscollege.edu.

Bread and Roses

Thanks to all who generously contributed food items to Bread and Roses last month. On Sunday, December 16th, we will prepare the meal for the Bread and Roses hospitality house in Lawrence to be served on Monday, December 17th.

We plan to prepare BEEF TACOS with a tossed salad and dessert. Food items needed are: cooked ground beef, soft tacos (large size please), packages of shredded cheese, packages of taco seasoning, jars of salsa, lettuce, tomato, cucumbers, large cans of fruit salad, cookies or brownies. Please use the sign up sheet on the clipboard in the church lobby.

Kitchen helpers meet on Sunday at 10:00 AM. All food donations should be received by 10:50 AM. Call Betty Bufano at 978-851-5682 or Lisa Lattari 978-749-3736 for further information.

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.

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.

There will be an Advent Day of Prayer at the Franciscan Center in Andover 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.

SCRIPTURE READINGS FOR NEXT WEEK–SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT

A reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah 11:1-10

On that day, a shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse, and from his roots a bud shall blossom. The spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him: a spirit of wisdom and of understanding, a spirit of counsel and of strength, a spirit of knowledge and of fear of the Lord, and his delight shall be the fear of the Lord. Not by appearance shall he judge, nor by hearsay shall he decide, but he shall judge the poor with justice, and decide aright for the land’s afflicted. He shall strike the ruthless with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall slay the wicked. Justice shall be the band around his waist, and faithfulness a belt upon his hips. Then the wolf shall be a guest of the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; the calf and the young lion shall browse together, with a little child to guide them. The cow and the bear shall be neighbors, together their young shall rest; the lion shall eat hay like the ox. The baby shall play by the cobra’s den, and the child lay his hand on the adder’s lair. There shall be no harm or ruin on all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be filled with knowledge of the Lord, as water covers the sea. On that day, the root of Jesse, set up as a signal for the nations, the Gentiles shall seek out, for his dwelling shall be glorious.

A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Romans 15:4-9

Brothers and sisters: Whatever was written previously was written for our instruction, that by endurance and by the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to think in harmony with one another, in keeping with Christ Jesus, that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Welcome one another, then, as Christ welcomed you, for the glory of God. For I say that Christ became a minister of the circumcised to show God’s truthfulness, to confirm the promises to the patriarchs, but so that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written: Therefore, I will praise you among the Gentiles and sing praises to your name.

+ A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew 3:1-12

John the Baptist appeared, preaching in the desert of Judea and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” It was of him that the prophet Isaiah had spoken when he said: A voice of one crying out in the desert, Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths. John wore clothing made of camel’s hair and had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. At that time Jerusalem, all Judea, and the whole region around the Jordan were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the Jordan River as they acknowledged their sins.

When he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce good fruit as evidence of your repentance. And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you, God can raise up children to Abraham from these stones. Even now the ax lies at the root of the trees. Therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. I am baptizing you with water, for repentance, but the one who is coming after me is mightier than I. I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fan is in his hand. He will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”

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.