FROM FATHER RICK
DEAR FRIENDS,
JANUARY 1
Tuesday is The Solemnity
of Mary the Mother of God–a holy day of obligation.
What better way to start the New Year than in
joining in the celebration of the Eucharist. Masses
for this Feast will be celebrated on Monday evening
(December 31) at 5:30 pm and on Tuesday morning
(January 1) at 10:00 am.
CHRISTMAS FLOWERS
Thanks to all who
contributed to the Christmas Memorial Flowers. The
list of Memorial names will be published as an
insert in the Epiphany Bulletin on the weekend of
January 5/6.
MASS SCHEDULE CHANGE
REMINDER
Next weekend (January
5/6) we begin our new Sunday morning Mass schedule.
Weekend Masses will be celebrated on Saturday
afternoon at 4:00 pm and on Sunday morning at 9:00
am & 11:00 am.
SAINT ELIZABETH ANN
SETON
Friday of this week
(January 4) is the Feast of Saint Elizabeth Ann
Seton, after whom one of our meeting rooms is named.
In the Battery Park
area of Manhattan, near New York Harbor, sits a
historic house. From its colonnaded front porch a
contented young married woman, Elizabeth Bayley
Seton, could enjoy the bustle of the city. Elizabeth
had grown up in New York; she was a toddler when the
Revolutionary War broke out. Her father was a
surgeon and anatomy professor at what is now
Columbia University. Her mother was from a prominent
Episcopalian family.
Elizabeth’s husband
William represented his father’s ship‑merchant
business. They had five children: Anna, William,
Richard, Catherine and Rebecca. In the midst of this
busy life, she found time to work with the poor. She
even established a charity, the Society for the
Relief of Poor Widows with Small Children.
Then William
developed health problems, complicated by worry
about business reversals. Seeking a cure for him,
the couple traveled to Italy, where he died.
Throughout their difficult stay, they had been
treated with great kindness by a Catholic family.
Elizabeth was deeply touched by this and found
herself drawn to Catholicism. She was received into
the Catholic faith on her return to the United
States. However, this was a time of strong
anti‑Catholic feeling. As a result of her decision
her wealthy family (and many of her friends) cut all
ties with her. Now she herself was a poor widow with
small children.
Fortunately, a priest
invited her to begin a school for girls in
Baltimore. This was the first Catholic school in the
United States. In 1809, with a small group of other
dedicated women, she established a house in
Emmitsburg, Maryland. There she formed a religious
community, the Sisters of Charity. It was the first
congregation founded in the United States. The order
grew rapidly, serving hospitals and orphanages, but
was most involved with building the Catholic
educational system. Elizabeth herself trained
teachers and wrote textbooks. She also worked with
the poor, nursed the sick and composed hymns and
spiritual reflections. She died while still in her
forties, having accomplished an extraordinary amount
in her short lifetime (1774–1821). She was wife,
mother, widow, educator and founder.
Elizabeth is the
first native‑born American saint. She is buried in
the Basilica of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton at
Emmitsburg. The Roman Catholic church remembers her
each year on January 4.
Copyright © 2001
Archdiocese of Chicago: Liturgy Training
Publications, 1800 North Hermitage Avenue, Chicago
IL 60622‑1101; 1‑800‑933‑1800; www.ltp.org. Text by
Mary Ellen Hynes. 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, January 2, 7:30 PM in Driscoll Hall.
Knights of Columbus
Family Breakfast
NEXT Sunday, January
6
Stop by Driscoll Hall
anytime from 8:00-11:00 am to warm up and catch up
with fellow parishioners!
Stewardship
Reflection
“And be thankful.’
Colossians 3:15
This short phrase can be
the key to a life of great peace and joy. When you
take time to be thankful you realize that you have
been abundantly blessed. When you take time to be
thankful you are more open to enjoying and sharing
the many blessings in your life. As the old year
ends and a new year begins resolve to be thankful.
This is the first step to living as a good and
faithful steward of all God’s blessings.
Solemnity of Mary the
Mother of God
Holy Day Mass Times
Monday–December 31–5:30
pm
Tuesday–January 1–10:00
am
Welcome…
We extend a hearty
welcome to those parishioners
who have recently joined
our parish. Please do not take for granted that you
are registered just because you attend Mass here. To
register, please call the Parish Office at
978-683-8922 to fill out a registration form. The
office is open daily from 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM. Online
registration is also available at our parish
website:
www.saintroberts.net.
Reminder: the Parish
Office will be closed on Monday, December 31, and
Tuesday, January 1. Happy New Year!
Women’s Faith
Enrichment
W.I.N.G.S. (Women In
God’s Spirit) is a faith enrichment group for women
of all ages who want to grow in their relationship
with God. Meetings consist of prayer, song,
speakers, small group discussions, and of course
hospitality! Saint Michael Parish has extended an
invitation to the women of St. Roberts and St.
Augustine parishes to join their group. The group
will meet on the following Sunday evenings from
7:00-9:00 pm in the Saint Michael Parish Hall for
the Winter Session–Scripture; a Contemporary View:
1/6, 1/20, 1/27, 2/10. The fee is just $30 for the
year. For more information or to register, please
contact the Saint Michael Parish Pastoral Center at
978-686-4050 or
st-michael@comcast.net.
Register Now for
Spring Courses at the Master of Arts in Ministry
Program for Laity
Consider deepening your
knowledge of your faith by registering for a
spring course at the Master of Arts in Ministry
Program for laity at Peterson Hall at St. John's
Seminary in Brighton. Classes begin the week of
January 14, 2008. Satellite courses will also be
offered in Weymouth at St. Jerome Parish and in
Sherborn at St. Theresa Parish.
If you are considering
the master’s degree program, the welcoming community
found at the
Master of Arts in Ministry Program for laity is
one that is supportive and reflective. Courses maybe
taken for credit or audit. For more information on
the program, contact the program office at
617-779-4104 or
aldona_lingertat@rcab.org, or visit them on the
web at
http://www.rcab.org/Education/MAM/current.html.
Mass Schedule and
Intentions
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
Monday, December 31,
Vigil, Solemnity of Mary the Mother of God
5:30 pm
Tuesday, January 1,
Solemnity of Mary the Mother of God
10:00 am
Thursday, January 3,
Christmas Weekday
12:10 pm: Charles
Randone
Friday, January 4,
Elizabeth Anne Seton, religious
12:10 pm: Ernie Picard
Saturday, January 5,
Vigil, Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord
4:00 pm: Regina Miriam
Stowe
Sunday, January 6,
Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord
9:00 am: Rosemary Bernal
11:00 am: Deceased
Members of the Caggiano Family
Readings for the Week
of December 30, 2007
Sunday: Sir
3:2-6, 12-14/Col 3:12-21 or 3:12-17/Mt 2:13-15,
19-23
Monday: 1 Jn
2:18-21/Jn 1:1-18
Tuesday: Nm
6:22-27/Gal 4:4-7/Lk 2:16-21
Wednesday: 1 Jn
2:22-28/Jn 1:19-28
Thursday: 1 Jn
2:29-3:6/Jn 1:29-34
Friday: 1
Jn 3:7-10/Jn 1:35-42
Saturday: 1 Jn
3:11-21/Jn 1:43-51
Next Sunday: Is
60:1-6/Eph 3:2-3a, 5-6/Mt 2:1-12
There will be an
American Red Cross Blood Drive at Saint Michael
Parish (in the Parish Hall)
in North Andover on
Saturday, January 12, from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm.
Please save the date and consider giving blood.
To make an appointment,
please call 1-800-448-3543.
Question of the
Week–Feast of the Holy Family
Question for Adults:
We are invited to let the word of Christ dwell
within us and direct our daily lives. Which one of
the life-style suggestions in this reading speaks
most loudly to you?
Question for Youth:
Joseph listens to the angels in his dreams to care
for and protect his family. What does your family do
together to support each other and to help each
other to become more holy?
Question for
Children: When is it the hardest for you to obey
your parents?
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 31
Parish Office Closed
5:30 PM Holy Day Vigil
Mass, Church
Tuesday, January 1
Parish Office Closed
10:00 AM Holy Day Mass,
Church
7:00 PM Scouts
Committee Meeting, Bellarmine Room
Wednesday, January 2
7:30 PM Knights of
Columbus, Driscoll Hall
Thursday, January 3
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
7:30 PM Adult Choir
Practice, Church
Friday, January 4
10:45 AM Adult
Enrichment, Bellarmine Room
12:10 PM Weekday Mass,
Church
Saturday, January 5
Fair Trade Coffee &
Cocoa Available for Sale in the Gathering Space
After 4:00 PM Mass
Sunday, January 6
Fair Trade Coffee &
Cocoa Available for Sale in the Gathering Space
After All Masses
8:00-11:00 AM K of C
Breakfast, Driscoll Hall
12:00-1:00 PM Child &
Youth Safety Program, Session I for K-8, Driscoll
Hall
Reflecting on the
Holy Family
The lovely gospel
accounts that we revel in during these days of
Christmastime hold up for us the image of Jesus,
Mary and Joseph, the Holy Family of Nazareth. And so
we celebrate the Holy Family on the Sunday after
Christmas Day. It’s easy to gaze on the images in
the Christmas crib and recognize the holiness of the
newborn Jesus, his mother and his guardian. It may
be harder to look at your own children or parents or
brothers and sisters and see reflections of that
same holiness in them. After all, living together,
you see each other’s bad sides as well as the good,
the warts as well as the dimples.
But if we truly believe
in what we are celebrating, the incarnation of God
in the flesh, and the fact that Jesus saved us by
his death and resurrection into which we are
baptized, then we must cultivate the ability to see
a reflection of the baby Jesus’ holiness in each
child in our own families, to see the holiness of
Mary and of Joseph reflected in ourselves as parents
and in our own parents.
Maybe it will help to
remember not just the gurgling baby Jesus in the
crib, but also the toddler Jesus at age two — in his
own version of the “terrible twos.” Or to meditate
on Mary and Joseph changing diapers and picking up
the ancient Palestinian version of Cheerios from the
kitchen floor — and the living room floor and the
bedroom floor and. The gospels are silent about
Jesus’ childhood, but truly human as well as truly
God, Jesus no doubt had nosebleeds and skinned
knees, tried dangerous stunts, didn’t get enough
sleep sometimes and so was cranky. Maybe there were
even battles over homework. (Jesus would have
studied Hebrew and the scriptures.)
And think of Jesus as a
teenager. We get a glimpse of him in the gospel of
Matthew at age twelve, wandering off in Jerusalem,
causing Mary and Joseph to panic. Of course he
didn’t have the opportunity to take driver’s ed or
ask for the car keys, but there were a myriad of
other but similar parent-teen encounters, to be
sure.
Some may find such
speculation to be sacrilegious. “Jesus is perfect,”
they’ll object. “Jesus is God!” How very true. And
Jesus was a baby, a teenager, a young adult, too.
True God, true man. And maybe, just maybe one of the
delights of this Christmas season is that some of
the small quirky things about us as human beings —
the terrible twos, the teenage struggle for
independence, parents’ angst about their child —
maybe all of these are holy and part of what it
means to grow toward perfection.
Glory in heaven and
peace on earth, now and forever!
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.
SCRIPTURE READINGS
FOR NEXT WEEK–SOLEMNITY OF THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD
A reading from the
Book of the Prophet Isaiah 60:1-6
Rise up in splendor,
Jerusalem! Your light has come, the glory of the
Lord shines upon you. See, darkness covers the
earth, and thick clouds cover the peoples; but upon
you the LORD shines, and over you appears his glory.
Nations shall walk by your light, and kings by your
shining radiance. Raise your eyes and look about;
they all gather and come to you: your sons come from
afar, and your daughters in the arms of their
nurses.
Then you shall be
radiant at what you see, your heart shall throb and
overflow, for the riches of the sea shall be emptied
out before you, the wealth of nations shall be
brought to you. Caravans of camels shall fill you,
dromedaries from Midian and Ephah; all from Sheba
shall come bearing gold and frankincense, and
proclaiming the praises of the LORD.
A reading from the
Letter of Saint Paul to the Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6
Brothers and sisters:
You have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace
that was given to me for your benefit, namely, that
the mystery was made known to me by revelation. It
was not made known to people in other generations as
it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and
prophets by the Spirit: that the Gentiles are
coheirs, members of the same body, and copartners in
the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.
+ A reading from the
holy Gospel according to Matthew 2:1-12
When Jesus was born in
Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod,
behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem,
saying, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We
saw his star at its rising and have come to do him
homage.” When King Herod heard this, he was greatly
troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. Assembling all
the chief priests and the scribes of the people, He
inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.
They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus
it has been written through the prophet:
And you, Bethlehem,
land of Judah,
are by no means least
among the rulers of Judah;
since from you shall
come a ruler,
who is to shepherd my
people Israel.”
Then Herod called the
magi secretly and ascertained from them the time of
the star’s appearance. He sent them to Bethlehem and
said, “Go and search diligently for the child. When
you have found him, bring me word, that I too may go
and do him homage.” After their audience with the
king they set out. And behold, the star that they
had seen at its rising preceded them, until it came
and stopped over the place where the child was. They
were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering
the house they saw the child with Mary his mother.
They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then
they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of
gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been
warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they
departed for their country by another way.
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.
