st. john of the cross catholic cluster · eucharist adoration will resume on tuesday, january 8th....
TRANSCRIPT
St. John of the Cross Catholic Cluster
NOTRE DAME du MONT CARMEL OUR LADY OF THE VALLEY ST. PETER CHANEL St. David St. Agatha St. Bruno - St. Remi St. Gerard-Mt. Carmel St. Luce St. Joseph (Hamlin) St. Thomas Aquinas St. Joseph (Sinclair) St. Michael (Summer Months)
NOTRE DAME DU MONT CARMEL
309 St. Thomas Street, Suite 103 Madawaska, ME 04756
Parish Office / Cluster 2 Business Office - 728-7531 [email protected]
Faith Formation Office - 728-7135
OUR LADY OF THE VALLEY 379 Main St./PO Box 10, St. Agatha, ME 04772
Parish Office - 543-7447 Faith Formation Office - 543-6119
ST. PETER CHANEL 174 Main St., Van Buren, ME 04785
Parish Office - 868-2718 [email protected]
December 23, 2018
Pastor
Fr. James Plourde
Parochial Vicars
Fr. Antony Alexander Maria Doss, HGN
Fr. Selvaraj Kasi, HGN
Deacons
Rev. Mr. Donald R. Clavette
Rev. Mr. Rodney Deschaine
Cluster 2 Business Coordinator
Greg Cyr
Bulletin Editor E-mail
Sacramental & Pastoral Care
SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM Please call your parish office for appointment. SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION
Saturday before 4pm Mass or by appointment. SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGE Please call your parish office at least 6 months prior to date. SACRAMENT OF THE ANOINTING OF THE SICK Please call your parish office. FUNERALS Please contact the Cluster 2 business office.
New Parishioners
If you are new to the parish or have an address or phone number change, please contact your parish office.
Fourth Sunday of Advent December 23, 2018
Notre Dame du Mont Carmel Mass Schedule
St. Peter Chanel Mass Schedule
Our Lady of the Valley Mass Schedule
Saturday, December 22 4:00pm SB/SR: Normand Lajoie by Maxine & Family
Sunday, December 23 Fourth Sunday of Advent 8:00am SJ: Claudette Roy by Clayton Roy & Family 9:15am SB/SR: Alphy & Cecile Castonguay by Jim & Jackie
Duplessis
Monday, December 24 Christmas Eve 4:00pm SB/SR: Parishioners of St. Peter Chanel (Children’s Mass) by the Pastor 6:00pm SJ: Parishioners of St. Peter Chanel by the Pastor
Tuesday, December 25 The Nativity of the Lord 9:15amSB/SR: Parishioners of St. Peter Chanel by the Pastor
Wednesday, December 26
6:00pm SB/SR: Roland Laverdiere by Matilda & John 6:30-7:00pm SB/SR: Eucharistic Adoration & Reconciliation
Thursday, December 27 No Mass
Friday, December 28 10:00am BVM: Rev. Raymond Framboise by Joseph Cote
Saturday, December 29 4:00pm SB/SR: Kenneth Bouchard by Rena, Rose & Family
Sunday, December 30 The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary & Jos. 8:00am SJ: Wayne Martin by Mark & Donna McCrossin 9:15am SB/SR: Kim Beaulieu by Del & Val Duplessis
Saturday, December 22 4:00pm SA: Clarence Sirois by Jason & Maureen Carlone
Sunday, December 23 Fourth Sunday of Advent 10:30am SL: Jean Paul Ouellette by Odette Ouellette 4:00pm SJ: Bernard Bosse by Roland & Rose Gendreau
Monday, December 24 Christmas Eve 4:00pm SL: Jacqueline Gendreau by Family 7:00pm SJ: Jeannette Ouellette by Family
Tuesday, December 25 The Nativity of the Lord
9:00am SA: Msgr. Joseph Arsenault by Constance Cote
Wednesday, December 26 No Mass
Thursday, December 27 6:00pm SL: Yvette Guerrette by Frenchville Ladies of St. Anne
Friday, December 28 No Mass
Saturday, December 29 4:00pm SA: Raoul, Gladys, Richard & Patrick Collin by Roland & Phyllis Paradis
Sunday, December 30 The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary & Jos. 10:30am SL: Richard ‘Mitch’ Michaud by Florence Michaud & Family 4:00pm SJ: Jeannette Ouellette by Phil & Glenna Guerrette
Saturday, December 22 4:00pm ST: Fernand Bosse by Dora & Family 6:00pm SG: Memorial Lights Intentions
Sunday, December 23 Fourth Sunday of Advent 8:30am ST: Winette Michaud (1st Anniv.) by Michaud Family 11:00am SD: Wayne Pelletier by Family
Monday, December 24 Christmas Eve 4:00pm ST: Parishioners by Pastor 6:00pm SD: Parishioners by Pastor (Children’s Mass) 6:00pm SG: Parishioners by Pastor
Tuesday, December 25 The Nativity of the Lord No Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament! 9:00am SD: Parishioners by Pastor
Wednesday, December 26 8:30am SD: Julie Albert by Family
Thursday, December 27 No Mass
Friday, December 28 2:00pm RDG: Aline Bosse by Jeanne Chartier 2:00pm CVE: Valier Dumais by Wife, Florence
Saturday, December 29 4:00pm ST: Brian Hebert by Family 6:00pm SG: Michael Picard by Brothers & Sisters
Sunday, December 30 The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary & Jos. 8:30am ST: Reginald Ouellette by Gallant Raymond 11:00am SD: Edwina Levesque by Lorraine Talbot
Abbreviations for Cluster Church Sites and Facilities
NOTRE DAME DU CARMEL OUR LADY OF THE VALLEY ST. PETER CHANEL
SD - St. David SA - St. Agatha SB/SR - St. Bruno/St. Remi SG - St. Gerard SL - St. Luce SJ - St. Joseph (Hamlin) ST - St. Thomas Aquinas SJ - St. Joseph (Sinclair) BVM - Borderview Manor CV - Country Village SM - St. Michael’s Chapel RDG - Ridgewood SJMC - St. Joseph Memory Care HVM - High View MH - Montfort Heights
BUSINESS OFFICE & FAITH FORMATION OFFICE Will be closed on December 24th & 25th.
Notre Dame du Mont Carmel Parish Corner St. David, St. Gerard-Mt. Carmel/Grand Isle, St. Thomas Aquinas/Madawaska
LAMP FOR THE UNBORN BURNS FOR: St. David - for the unborn by a Parishioner St. Gerard - for Children by Realdine Hebert
ST. GERARD SANCTUARY LAMP BURNS IN DECEMBER FOR: Addis, Norma & John Beaupre by Helen; Adeline Lavertue by Claude; Paul Cloutier by Wife, Rolande & Family
ST. THOMAS AQUINAS SANCTUARY LAMP BURNS IN DECEMBER FOR: Parents Defunt of M/M Albert Pelletier by
Worship & Spirituality
Parish Life
Finance & Administration
Notre Dame du Mont Carmel Financial Update Offertory: July 1, 2018 to December 9, 2018
Budget: $173,077 Actual: $169,571 Under Anticipated: -$3,506
Amount given Weekly goal St. David $1,791 $1,849 St. Gerard $1,337 $908 St. Thomas Aquinas $4,392 $4,454 Weekly Totals $7,520 $7,212
Immaculate Conception: $1,134 Christmas Flowers: $65 Retired Religious: $2,498.75
PRAY FOR OUR SICK Anne B.C. Deschaine, Rosanne Chasse, Roger Ayotte, Lorette Chasse, Louise Gendreau, Joe Ouellette, Randy Dufour, George Dionne, Carlene Martin, Gene Lavoie, Gordon Soucy, Bernice Martin, Mike Rossignol, Joel Albert, Donna Neill, Edwina Sirois, Odette Pelletier, Brenda Levesque, Aline Bouchard and James Lavoie. FMI call 728-7135.
DAUGHTERS OF ISABELLA PRAYER LINE: If you are in need of prayers for you or a loved one, the Daughters of Isabella can help through the Prayer Line. To add a name to the prayer line, contact Lorraine Talbot, 316-7035.
††REST IN PEACE Please pray for those who have died and for their families:
† Gladys Desjardins, 87, who passed away on December 11th. She was the mother of Sandra Cyr of our parish.
SPECIAL COLLECTIONS December 24/25 - Christmas
January 1, 2019 - Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God
EUCHARISTIC ADORATION
There will be NO Eucharistic Adoration on
Tuesday, December 25th & Tuesday, January 1st
Eucharist Adoration will resume On Tuesday, January 8th.
CHRISTMAS MASS SCHEDULE
December 24th - Christmas Eve 4:00pm St. Thomas Aquinas 6:00pm St. David (Children’s Mass) 6:00pm St. Gerard
December 25th - Christmas Day 9:00am St. David
NEW YEAR’S DAY MASS December 31st - Mass of Anticipation 6:00pm St. Thomas Aquinas
January 1, 2019 - Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God 9:00pm St. David
Prayer Line Contacts St. Joseph: Cecile Ouellette 543-6073
Worship & Spirituality Finance & Administration
ADORATION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT Monday’s after 6:00 p.m. Mass until 7:30 p.m. at St. Agatha Thursday’s after 6:00 pm. Mass until 7:30 p.m. at St. Luce
Our Lady Of The Valley Parish Corner St. Agatha, St. Joseph/Sinclair, St. Luce/Frenchville, St. Michael Chapel
Our Lady of the Valley Financial Updates
Offertory: July 1, 2018 to December 9, 2018
Budget: $92,308 Actual: $93,262 Over Anticipated: $954
Amount Given Weekly Goal St. Agatha $1,324 $1,876 St. Joseph $773 $629 St. Luce $2,040 $1,174 St. Michael (13 weeks) $ $791
Weekly Totals $4,137 $4,470
Christmas Flowers: $224 Immaculate Conception: $488 Retired Religious: $697.15
Community Events
SENIOR LUNCH Sinclair: Monday, January 21st at 11:30 a.m.
Menu: Meat Loaf
Sacramental Life
SACRAMENT of RECONCILIATION / CONFESSIONS Mondays at St. Agatha: After 6pm Mass Thursdays at St. Luce: After 6pm Mass
WELCOME TO OUR FAITH COMMUNITY
Ensley Hope Beaulieu Daughter of Jeremy & Shania Beaulieu
Nathan Lee Jones Son of Travis & Melina Jones
GIVING OF THE HEART Students at Wisdom Middle/High School in St. Agatha
have been participating in a pilot program called “The Giving of the Heart” to provide assistance to our local community.
High school juniors and seniors go out on Friday morning into the community and help those who are still in their homes
but may be unable to do manual labor like yard work or moving furniture. If you know anyone who would benefit from this assistance,
please contact Denise Thibeault at Wisdom Middle/High School at 543-7717 or email her at [email protected].
SPECIAL COLLECTIONS December 24/25– Christmas
January 1, 2019 - Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God
CHRISTMAS MASS SCHEDULE
December 24th - Christmas Eve 4:00pm St. Luce - Children’s Mass 7:00pm St. Joseph
December 25th - Christmas Day 9:00am St. Agatha
NEW YEAR’S DAY MASS January 1, 2019 - Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God 9:00am St. Agatha
St. Peter Chanel Parish Corner St. Bruno-St. Remi Church/Van Buren, St. Joseph Church/Hamlin & Borderview Nursing Home
Parish Life
Bulletin Memorials In Memory of:
Finance & Administration
Community Events
Youth Ministry News
Prayers for our Nation & World
by Glen Madore
Rachel Michaud Loth by
Frank, Chris & Dan
Edmond Doucette by
Don, Mike & Alan
Deceased Members of the Lajoie & Sirois Families by Mike & Marie Lajoie
Patrick Thibodeau by Yolande &
Family
Ernest, Tina, & Jim Marquis
by Rita, Marge & Family
Tardif & Parent Families by
Ron & June & Family
Leo & Jane Ayotte by
Fred & Colette Ayotte
Wilfred & Yvonne Cyr by
Colette & Fred Ayotte
Deceased Members of the Lajoie & Madore Families
by Steve & Marilyn
Roland Laverdiere by
Matilda & John
Pelletier & Charette Families
by John & Noreen
Antoine Levesque by the Pelletier Grandchildren,
Leslie, Monica & Brian
Levesque & Morrow Families
by John & Noreen
Jerome Bell by
Percy & Tina Cormier
50/50 KC & Columbiettes Weekly Drawing
(drop off at KC mailbox or mail: 284 Main St, VB) Name: _____________________________________ Address_____________________________________ Phone #____________ Amount Enclosed $_________
$10 = 5wks, $26=13wks, $52=26wks, $104=52wks
CATHOLIC APPEAL 2018: Goal:$14,190 Pledges to date: $6,772 47% of goal, 44 households participating.
ST. BRUNO-ST. REMI CHURCH SPONSORS BREAD & WINE SPONSOR / IN LOVING MEMORY OF: Martine Pelletier (Anniversary) by John & Noreen
SANCTUARY LAMP SPONSOR / IN LOVING MEMORY OF: Kim Beaulieu by Mom, Dad & Family
CHRISTMAS MASS DATES AND TIMES: DECEMBER 24TH: 4pm Monday, St. B/R Children’s Christmas Mass DECEMBER 24TH: 6pm Monday, St. Joseph/Hamlin DECEMBER 25TH: 9:15am Tuesday, St. B/R Christmas Day Mass All the Readings will be from the Midnight Mass at all Liturgies. Note: The Gloria is sung Christmas until the Baptism of the Lord (1/7). Holy day of Obligation: Feast of Mary the Mother of God is January 1st. The Mass of anticipation is on Monday, Dec. 31st at 6pm.
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION NEEDS DONATION / IN LOVING MEMORY OF: Phil Dufour by Lucien & Rachel Ouellette
Christmas Flower Donations: Donations are being accepted to help offset the cost of the Christmas Flowers. If you are interested in donating in memory of a loved one, there are envelopes available to in the pews. Any help is greatly appreciated. Merry Christmas!
Wanted: Bread & Wine / Sanctuary Lamp Sponsors : There are currently available dates for the 2019 year for Bread & Wine and Sanctuary Lamp sponsors. Sponsorship for Bread & Wine is $25 and Sanctuary Lamp is $15. Please consider coming into the office to re-serve your dates and memorialize a family member while helping to defer costs. Thank you for your consideration. God Bless.
COMMUNITY MEETING DATES AND TIMES: LADIES AUXILIARY SUPPER/MEETING: 1st Wed., Jan. 2nd, 5:30pm KC 3RD DEGREE MEETING: 1st Thurs., Jan. 3rd , 5:30pm DAUGHTERS OF ISABELLA MEETING: 2nd Wed., Jan. 9th, 5:30pm KC 4TH DEGREE MEETING: 2nd Thurs., Jan.10th, 5:30pm COLUMBIETTES SUPPER/MEETING: 3rd Wed., Jan. 16th, 5:00pm AMERICAN LEGION SUPPER/MEETING: 3rd Thurs., Jan. 17th, 5:30pm
American Legion Post #49 Charlemagne Card Parties: The Card Parties will be held on Sunday’s, at 1:00pm. The entry fee is $6. The schedule is as follows: January 13th; February 10th; March 10th & April 14th. All are welcome to come enjoy an afternoon of fun and socializing.
Youth Ministry Meetings SPC Parish Hall: Dec.23 - No Meeting
St. Peter Chanel Parish Financial Updates Offertory: July 1, 2018 to December 9, 2018
Budget: $62,769 Actual: $64,289 Over Anticipated: $1,520 Amt. Given $2,490 Wkly Goal $2,525 Average Collection: This yr. $2,679 Last yr. $2,699 2nd Collection: Retired Religious $ 1,301.30 Immaculate Conception: 372.85
ST. JOHN OF THE CROSS CATHOLIC CLUSTER / DIOCESAN CORNER
ST. THOMAS GIFT SHOP St. Thomas Aquinas Church Basement
Hours: Mon. to Thurs. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Fri. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!!
The Gift Shop will be closed from Dec. 25th to January 1st! Will reopen Jan 2nd HOWEVER, if anyone wishes to do some
DVDs ON SALE: Extreme Mercy II - The story of Fr. Donald Calloway's conversion - You will laugh & and maybe even cry, but he is very good at telling us how Mary brought him to her Son!! Was $21.95 NOW $16.95 No Turning Back - Also the story of Fr. Donald Calloway's conversion - Very interesting story! Was $19.95 NOW $16.95 God's Doorkeeper - The Story of St. Brother Andrée at the Oratoire St. Joseph in Montreal - a man many of us have heard of, and a place some of us have visited. Was $19.95 NOW $16.95 Restless Heart - The story of St. Augustine's conversion. St. Monica, his mother, prayed for years for her son and finally, her prayers were answered and he converted & became a saint in our church. The book of his story is a classic, so if you don't have time to read the book, sit and watch the DVD and get the real story of St. Augustine. Was $29.95 NOW $24.95 Crossing the Goal - Danny Abramowicz, coach for the New Orleans Saints and his crew who have their own program on EWTN, helping men to face their responsibilities towards their families. This is a most interesting and informative DVD. Funny at times - will definitely keep you interested! Was $24.95 NOW $19.95
NEW: WOOD PALLET SIGN: Divine Mercy Painting - 12"W x 15"H. $14.95
NATIVITIES: One-piece unit but a Complete Nativity! Great for people with limited space who still want to have Jesus displayed at Christmas Time! Various prices!!
Books for Kids: "St. Nicholas & Mouse Myra" Story of St. Nicholas and his good "tiny" friend, Mouse Myra. A very amusing story for your young one, all in learning the true story of St. Nicholas. Regular selling price: $18.99 Our Price $15.99
BOOKS: " The Navarre Bibles": The Navarre Bible is well known to people who want to study the Bible, because of its good notes and explanations. We have the following: Acts of the Apostles, Corinthians, Revelation, St. Luke, St. John, St. Mark & St. Matthew, all @ $16.95. Psalms and Songs of Solomon @ $34.95 and The New Testament EXPANDED on sale for $65
...Excerpt from Amoris Laetitia “Large families are a joy for the church. They are an expression of the fruitfulness of love.” N.167 In addition to the small circle of the couple and their children, there is the larger family, which cannot be overlooked. Indeed, ‘the love between husband and wife and, in a derivative and broader way, the love between members of the same family - between parents and children, brothers and sisters and relatives and members of the household - is given life and substance by an unceasing inner dynamism leading the family to ever deeper and more intense communion, which is the foundation and soul fo the community of marriage and the family. Friends and other families are part of this larger family, as well as communities of families who support one another in their difficulties, their social commitments and their faith. (n. 196)
Weekly suggestion for the faithful to consider:
December 23: Celebrate the birth of Christ by giving rebirth to a relationship. Reach out to a family member with whom you have lost contact.
Dube Travel, with support from the Office of Public Policy, is offering an adult bus to participate in the March for Life on January 17-19, 2019. FMI www.portlanddiocese.org/olff/march-for-life2019_adult-only.
Adult Bus Trip to March for Life January 17-19, 2019
Pilgrimage to Medjugorje, Rome & Assisi
April 30– May 11, 2019; Cost: $3690 Canadian funds and is all inclusive with airfare, lodging, daily breakfast & dinner,
tours and entrance fees to places of interest. A deposit of $500 guarantees you a spot. If paid in full the first 10 people get a $400
rebate. FMI contact Marie May Desjardins at 207-868-5027 or e-mail [email protected].
Dear Parishioners, Fr. Alex, Fr. Raj, and I, wish you a Blessed Christmas! We pray that your time with family and friends will enrich your lives with the love and peace of the new Born King, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. For those of you who will be alone, or who find this time of year difficult, please know of our special prayer for you. May the Grace of God be helpful to you. We thank you for your cards, gifts and well wishes. We are especially grateful to the many parishioners who volunteer their time, talents, and treasures throughout the year for the wellbeing of the parish communities, we are amazed and Blessed by your dedication and generosity. May the beginning of the New Year instill the Hope and Peace that can be found in God. May God’s Spirit be our guide throughout this New Year! Sincerely yours in Christ,
Fr. Plourde
CATHOLIC QUOTES WORDS TO INSPIRE THE FAITHFUL
"The Word became flesh and dwelt among us." –John 1:14
Children’s Corner
GOSPEL MEDITATION - ENCOURAGE DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF SCRIPTURE: December 23, 2018 4th Sunday in Advent
Here we are, mere days from Christmas, and we hear a Gospel anticipating the birth of another child. Mary has received word that her cousin Elizabeth is with child. Pregnant as she is, Mary "set out and traveled to the hill country in haste." She has recently received the greatest news of her life - that she is to be mother to the Messiah by the power of the Holy Spirit - but her concern is for her cousin in need. Through God's grace, Elizabeth turns it into an opportunity to honor the coming Christ. "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb." Yet Mary's example of selflessness should inspire us. As Christmas draws near, there is plenty of goodness to anticipate for many of us. We'll reunite with family and friends, uphold time-honored traditions, swap stories old and new, exchange gifts, and welcome Jesus at the Christmas liturgy. These are wonderful things! Of course, they probably all come with their own to-do list. Shop for last-minute gifts, pick up recipe ingredients, ready the guest room, or pack your own bags. Mary probably had things to do as well. She had a lot to consider, for one thing. How do you plan to tell your parents you're pregnant, but no man was involved? When Joseph finds out, who will care for the practical needs of you and your child? Into what may have been a chaos of questions, Mary receives news that someone is in need. She goes immediately. In these final days before Christmas, stay watchful and awake! You never know when God might invite you to welcome, hospitality, and compassion. It might be tempting to reject the opportunity for your own needs. Follow the example of Mary! If God is providing you an opportunity to love, He will provide the means to accomplish all your other tasks. This Christmas season, may you too hear, "Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled."
LIVE THE LITURGY - INSPIRATION FOR THE WEEK Life is often unfair. Sadly, life's inequity usually occurs at our hands. The world's systems - economic, political, and environmental - do not always serve the best interests of the people. We create situations that tip the scales by profiting a few and reducing the quality of life for many. We look at all of the injustices in our world, people being hurt and exploited, and wonder why God has abandoned us or why He won't fix what is happening. God did fix it. He sent his Son into the world as our just ruler and the one who will bring peace. The problem is we still turn away and think that we can do better. The Son of Justice has come into the world. We can work for change and be the voice of justice. We can dream and do things differently. Blessed are you who believe that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.
QUESTIONS OF THE WEEK:
First Reading The prophet Micah was a contemporary to the prophet Isaiah, both 8th century B.C. prophets of the southern kingdom of Judah. Micah, like Isaiah, prophesied that God would send an "anointed one" to Israel to rule His people with peace. How do you see this prophecy of peace fulfilled in the birth of Jesus Christ? Second Reading Hebrews teaches us that Christ came into the world to do God's will. How do you strive to do God's will in your life? Gospel Reading We hear today Luke's account of the visit between Elizabeth and Mary. Filled with the Holy Spirit, Elizabeth joyfully greets Mary, calling her "the mother of my Lord." How do you experience Mary as your spiritual Mother?
EVERYDAY STEWARDSHIP - Recognize God in your Ordinary Moments
When Elizabeth was visited by Mary, her joy was overwhelming. Elizabeth recognized that Mary was carrying inside her the Messiah. She was honored to receive Mary, not just because of who Mary was herself, but also because of the One she had inside her. We meet people every day in our lives. Some we know well, some are acquaintances, and others we may have never seen before. Yet all of them are made in the image of God and carry within them the person of Jesus. If we considered this more frequently, would we act more graciously toward each other? Mary gave birth to the Son of God so that we might be able to be adopted sons and daughters of God. If we thought of this more often, would we be so quick to dismiss someone or ignore him or her? This time of year is filled with gatherings and parties for many of us. We also find ourselves rushing about getting ready for Christmas. There are so many people who cross our paths. Will we allow the Jesus in us to greet with joy the Jesus in them? Will we pause to offer a greeting or kind word? Instead of looking at them with human eyes, will we try to see them through the eyes of faith like Elizabeth. If not, what is all of this celebration and preparation about anyway?
–- Tracy Earl Welliver, MTS