12-23-07

FROM FATHER RICK

Christmas Mass Schedule

Christmas Eve

Monday–December 24

4:00 pm Mass–Women’s Schola

5:15 pm–Youth Choir Concert

6:00 pm Mass–Youth Choir

11:15 pm–Adult Choir Concert & Carol Sing

12:00 am Midnight Mass–Adult Choir

Christmas Day

Tuesday–December 25

10:00 am–Cantor & Organ

N.B.—The Parish Office will be closed on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of this week (December 24, 25, 26).

Feast of The Holy Family December 29/30

Masses next weekend will be celebrated at 4:00 pm on Saturday and 8:00 am & 10:30 am on Sunday morning. Please make a note.

Fair Trade Coffee & Cocoa

To respond to the desire to give these products as Christmas gifts, Fair Trade Coffee and Cocoa is available this weekend.

Rectory Open House

Thanks to those valiant souls (about 75–80) who braved the elements last Sunday and joined us for our annual “Rectory Open House.” A good time was had by all. Thanks also to all those who brought Christmas remembrances for Fr. Frank and myself.

Christmas Oplatek

Traditional Polish Oplatek (Christmas Wafer) for use during the meal on Christmas Eve are available in the vestibule this weekend. What follows is a description from Trinity Communications about this venerable Polish Custom.

Oplatek, Old Polish Custom

This Polish custom of the breaking and passing of the thin wafery Oplatek bread at the Christmas Eve meal reminds us of our daily bread and the Bread of Life who came into the world.

DIRECTIONS

We have adopted a custom from the Polish for Christmas Eve. At their Christmas Eve meal, after spreading hay under the cloth and (in times past) on the floor of the room, the Polish family stands together and the father breaks off a piece of the Oplatek (pronounced opwatek), the blessed Christmas wafer, and passes it on. This is a thin bread pressed in oblong irons in the convents, and on it in relief is the Nativity scene. Made like the host, it is a reminder of our daily bread and the Bread of Life who was born a man tonight. The father passes it to the next member of the family, who breaks a piece and passes it, until all the family has shared it. It is to remind them what this night is, who comes to us, why, and what it makes us, one to another. An extra place at table tells the little Christ and His Mother that they would be welcome in this "inn" should they knock at our door.

In the past the Oplatek was given us by our Polish friends. Now we use this holy symbolism with bread we bake ourselves—and mixing it is a beautiful meditation for a mother. It is baked as rolls in a round tin, round like the circle of eternity and like the everlastingness of God. After the Blessing of Bread, the father or an older member of the family sprinkles the bread with holy water, breaks off a roll and passes it to the person on his right, who breaks a roll from it for himself and passes it. It is our own custom, in terms significant to us. The father or ranking member of the family reads the Blessing of Bread.

A story was told us by a woman whose family is still in Poland. Every Christmas their family had Oplatek. When some migrated to America, those in Poland sent Oplatek to America and those in America sent Oplatek to Poland. Came the Russians with their persecution and espionage, and the family in Poland learned to conform, withdraw, carry their religion in their hearts and write between the lines of their letters.

When it was time to send the Oplatek, they determined to find a way. That year the family in America received a conventional card on which was pasted a red paper-like disk with a conventional greeting. The censor never suspected it was Oplatek, properly blessed, cut in a circle like a host, painted red for Divine Love not for Communism, and sent as a salute from one part of the Mystical Body to another half a world away. They were reminding each other that they share the same Body, eat the same Flesh.

Activity Source: The Year and Our Children, by Mary Reed Newland, P.J. Kenedy & Sons, New York, 1956.

I wish you a happy and holy Christmas,

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, January 2, 7:30 PM in Driscoll Hall.

Money Matters

On the weekend of December 15/16

Weekly donations $2,192.00

Monthly donations $1,595.00

ParishPay December $8,320.00

Stewardship Reflection

“The Lord’s are the earth and its fullness; the world and those who dwell in it.

For he founded it upon the sea and established it upon the rivers.” Psalm 24:1-2

How can we take credit for the good things in our lives when Psalm 24 reminds us that God created absolutely everything and everyone on the earth? Surely we all have an obligation to return a portion of our good fortune to the Lord, for without Him nothing would be possible.

Mass Schedule and Intentions

Saturday, December 22, Vigil, Fourth Sunday of Advent

4:00 pm: Ida Jadwiga Oczkus & Steven Oczkus

Sunday, December 23, Fourth Sunday of Advent

7:30 am:

9:00 am: Claire Pierro

11:00 am: Henry Pare & Yvonne Dery

Monday, December 24, Christmas Eve

4:00 pm

6:00 pm

12:00 am Midnight

Tuesday, December 25, Christmas Day

10:00 am

Thursday, December 27, Feast of John, apostle & evangelist

12:10 pm: Irene Anderson

Friday, December 28, Feast of the Holy Innocents, martyrs

12:10 pm: Cornelius Keane, Jr.

Saturday, December 29, Vigil, Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph

4:00 pm: Robert Rikeman

Sunday, December 30, Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph

8:00 am: Robert Sullivan

10:30 am: Jerry Elward; Frances & Joe Maugeri; Rita & Sam Maugeri; Louise Joncas; Eva McKain

Prayers requested for Edna Kudaroski, mother of parishioner Lisa Taylor

Readings for the Week of December 23, 2007

Sunday: Is 7:10-14/Rom 1:1-7/Mt 1:18-24

Monday: Morning: 2 Sm 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16/Lk 1:67-79

Tuesday: Vigil: Is 62:1-5/Acts 13:16-17, 22-25/Mt 1:1-25 or 1:18-25

Midnight: Is 9:1-6/Ti 2:11-14/Lk 2:1-14

Dawn: Is 62:11-12/Ti 3:4-7/Lk 2:15-20

Day: Is 52:7-10/Heb 1:1-6/Jn 1:1-18 or 1:1-5, 9-14

Wednesday: Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59/Mt 10:17-22

Thursday: 1 Jn 1:1-4/Jn 20:1a, 2-8

Friday: 1 Jn 1:5-2:2/Mt 2:13-18

Saturday: 1 Jn 2:3-11/Lk 2:22-35

Next Sunday: Sir 3:2-6, 12-14/Col 3:12-21 or 3:12-17/Mt 2:13-15, 19-23

Question of the Week–Fourth Sunday of Advent

Question for Adults: What experiences do you have of God "speaking to you" and directing your life and work? How does God speak to you in prayer?

Question for Youth: Christmas reminds us each year that "God is with us." What will you do within this Christmas celebration to open yourself more fully to God with us – to Emmanuel?

Question for Children: When you pray, how do you hear God's voice in response?

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

Mass Schedule Through January 5/6

Please note that the new weekend Mass schedule (Saturday at 4:00 pm; Sunday at 9:00 & 11:00 am) begins on January 5/6

Christmas Eve

Monday–December 24

4:00 pm Mass–Women’s Schola

5:15 pm–Youth Choir Concert

6:00 pm Mass–Youth Choir

11:15 pm–Adult Choir Concert & Carol Sing

12:00 am Midnight Mass–Adult Choir

Christmas Day

Tuesday–December 25

10:00 am–Cantor & Organ

Feast of the Holy Family

(Summer Mass Schedule)

Saturday–December 29–4:00 pm

Sunday–December 30–8:00 am & 10:30 am

Solemnity of Mary the Mother of God

Monday–December 31–5:30 pm

Tuesday–January 1–10:00 am

Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord

(New Weekend Mass Schedule Begins)

Saturday–January 5–4:00 pm

Sunday–January 6–9:00 am & 11:00 am

The Parish Office will be closed this week on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, December 24, 25, and 26,

and next week on Monday, December 31, and Tuesday, January 1. Have a joyous & peaceful holiday!

Traveling for the holidays? Don’t forget to check www.masstimes.org for Mass times near you. And consider signing up with ParishPay to have your donations to St. Robert’s, as well as to national collections, electronically transferred monthly from either a bank account or credit card. For more information or to enroll, follow the ParishPay link off our homepage at www.saintroberts.net or contact Irene in the Parish Office at 978-683-8922 or ibonner@comcast.net.

Advent Scripture Question & Answer

Question: What is unique about Matthew's account of the Christmas story?

Answer: Matthew's community consists of Jews who have come to accept Jesus as Messiah. They have been persecuted by other Jews who did not accept Jesus and even were ostracized as a result of this belief. This thrusts Matthew's community into an identity crisis, questioning their Jewish identity, beliefs and mission. Matthew writes to affirm their belief in Jesus by asserting that Jesus is the long awaited Messiah promised in the Jewish Scriptures, the new Moses who has come to renew and reorient God's people.

Matthew's infancy narrative, chapters 1-2, acts as an overture to the whole Gospel, alerting us to its themes and message. Matthew begins his narrative with a genealogy tracing Jesus' roots to Abraham, David and the Babylonian exile. Jesus is a Jew rooted in the best of Jewish stock, as well as one in touch with the suffering of God's people. Throughout, Matthew shows Jesus fulfilling all the messianic prophecies. Because of the Jewish patriarchal mindset, Joseph, not Mary, is portrayed as the significant player on this Christmas stage. Joseph receives the announcement of the birth of the child; Joseph names the child; Joseph receives dreams indicating God's direction and desires.

Matthew alone narrates the story of the magi from the east, which results in the conflict with Herod, Herod's command to kill children two years and under, the flight into Egypt, and the return to Judea leading to resettlement in Nazareth.

This Christmas season, pay close attention to the message that Matthew's narratives convey.

Please remember that the parish benefits from your bottle and can deposits and your paper recycling! Bottles and cans go in the bin at the end of the rectory driveway; paper (up to the weight of a cereal box; no cardboard or phone books) goes in the yellow and green bins at the back of the church parking lot. Thanks for your support!

SCRIPTURE READINGS FOR NEXT WEEK

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

A reading from the Book of Sirach 3:2-7, 12-14

God sets a father in honor over his children; a mother’s authority he confirms over her sons. Whoever honors his father atones for sins, and preserves himself from them. When he prays, he is heard; he stores up riches who reveres his mother. Whoever honors his father is gladdened by children, and, when he prays, is heard. Whoever reveres his father will live a long life; he who obeys his father brings comfort to his mother.

My son, take care of your father when he is old; grieve him not as long as he lives. Even if his mind fail, be considerate of him; revile him not all the days of his life; kindness to a father will not be forgotten, firmly planted against the debt of your sins—a house raised in justice to you.

A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Colossians 3:12-21

Brothers and sisters: Put on, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if one has a grievance against another; as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do. And over all these put on love, that is, the bond of perfection. And let the peace of Christ control your hearts, the peace into which you were also called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, as in all wisdom you teach and admonish one another, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Wives, be subordinate to your husbands, as is proper in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and avoid any bitterness toward them. Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing to the Lord. Fathers, do not provoke your children, so they may not become discouraged.

+ A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23

When the magi had departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you. Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him.” Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed for Egypt. He stayed there until the death of Herod, that what the Lord had said through the prophet might be fulfilled, Out of Egypt I called my son.

When Herod had died, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child’s life are dead.” He rose, took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus was ruling over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go back there. And because he had been warned in a dream, he departed for the region of Galilee. He went and dwelt in a town called Nazareth, so that what had been spoken through the prophets might be fulfilled, He shall be called a Nazorean.

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.