BAPTISMS: Contact Deacon Ryan at deacon38@charter.net to learn about our Call to Celebrate: Baptism Program.

MARRIAGE: Contact the parish office at least 1 year in advance of the wedding date to make arrangements.

ANOINTING OF THE SICK: If you have family members who are ill, anticipating surgery or weakened because of

prolonged illness or advanced age, contact the parish office for assistance.

CONFESSIONS: Saturday 3 - 3:45PM or by appointment in the parish hall. Please knock before entering the hall.

Masks must be worn.

COMMUNION CALLS: Parishioners who are sick or disabled may call the parish office to arrange for the Holy

Eucharist to be brought to them at home. COVID safety protocols are in place.

North American Martyrs Church

OFFICE STAFF

Susan Zammarelli, Secretary

Lisa Burkitt, Religious Ed. Director &

Safety Environment Coordinator

8 Wyoma Dr. Auburn, MA 01501 | 508-798-8779 | www.namartyrsauburn.org

November 29, 2020 | First Sunday of Advent RECTORY OFFICE HOURS: Tuesday & Wednesday 12:30PM-4:30PM | Thursday 8AM - 12PM

MASS SCHEDULE: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 7AM | Saturday 8AM & 4:30PM (Vigil) | Sunday 8:30AM & 10:30AM

PASTORRev. Frederick D. Fraini, III

PASTOR EMERITUSin residence

Rev. John F. Gee

DEACONPeter Ryan

Saturday, November 28th

8:00 a.m. Frederick & Betty Fraini by Frederick D. Fraini, Jr.

4:30 p.m. Special Intention by Louise Downie

Sunday, November 29th

8:30 a.m. Lawrence Mousseau (7th Anniversary) by the

family

10:30 p.m. David Phillips (31st Anniversary) by his family

Monday, November 30th

7:00 a.m. Deceased Members of the Nadeau Family by

their family

Tuesday, December 1st

7:00 a.m. Carmen Hebert by the family

Wednesday, December 2nd

7:00 a.m. Chester Dobson by Jane Vanwinkle

Friday, December 4th

7:00 a.m. Mary Ann Rizzuto by Lisa Burkitt

Saturday, December 5th

8:00 a.m. Father Michael Bafaro by Fr. Fraini

Sunday, December 6th

8:30a.m. Gloria & Normand Marois (2nd Anniversary)

by their family

10:30 a.m. Sonia Dobson by her husband David

Let us pray for: Pauline Andrade, Kathryn Arsenault,

Jane Bangrazi, Mark Beckwith, Paul Beckwith, Janie

Bouges, Michele Burke-Pellegrini, Louie Costagna,

Dean Michael Collins, Shirley Connor, Christine Cote,

Gail Craig, Patricia Darrah, Kevin Dobson, Elaine

Doherty, Joan Fouhy, Ann Fontaine, Bob Fuller, Lori

Girouard, Ed Handlin, Mary Hannon, Kim Johnson,

Margaret Kehoe, Maureen Jones, Edward Laconto, Jean

Laconto, Donna and Michel Langevin, Lorretta LaFleur,

Ralph Lanigan Alice Leduc, Peter Letourneau, Richard

Levansavich, Sr., Michael McGrail, Max Mullen,

Michael O’Connell, Christopher Pompei, Mary Lou

Paulli, Peggy Patenaude, John Power, Theresa Power,

Anthony Real, Edward J. Rutkowski, Raymond Scanlon,

Kathy Stasiatis, Scott Staruk, David Tatro, Bonnie

Turner, Marie Valeri

For all the men and women serving in our country’s

military. For all the diocesan seminarians.

Advent Derived from the Latin word Adventus,

meaning arrival, Advent is a four week

period of preparation leading to Christmas. The Advent

wreath was created out of evergreens, symbolizing

everlasting life in the midst of winter as the evergreen is

continuously green. The circle reminds us of God’s unending

love and the eternal life He makes possible. The three purple

candles symbolize Hope, Love and Peace. The pink candle

represents Joy and white is the Candle of Christ.

The first candle, the Prophet’s Candle or Candle of Hope,

reminds us of the prophets who foretold of the coming

Messiah. In the Old Testament, Isaiah 7:14, the people

waited for the Messiah’s arrival: “Therefore, the Lord

himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive,

and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” Then,

in the Gospel of Matthew 1:21-25 "The prophecy is then

revealed to Joseph. 'And she will bring forth a Son, and you

shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from

their sins'... So all this was done that it might be fulfilled

which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying

'Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and

they shall call His name Immanuel,' which translates, God

with us.' ”

The second candle is the Bethlehem’s Candle or Candle

of Love symbolizes the fulfillment of God’s promise told in

the Old Testament, Micah 5:2 “But you, Bethlehem,

though you are small, out of you will come the one who

will be ruler over Israel.” The prophecy was fulfilled in the

Gospel of Luke 2:11 “For unto you is born this day in the

City of David, a Savior which is Christ the Lord.” The

second candle reminds us of God’s preparation for Christ

to be born in Bethlehem.

The third (pink) candle is the Shepherd’s Candle or

Candle of Joy and reminds us of the joy the world

experienced when baby Jesus arrived. Humble shepherds

were the first to hear the news of His birth. “The shepherds

said to one another, ‘Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing

that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.'" When

they had seen Him, they spread the word about the child,

and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said

to them.” Luke 2:15, 17-18. We rejoice today that God still

uses ordinary people to spread the good news of Christ.

The fourth candle is the Angel’s Candle or Candle of

Peace represents the messengers who announced the Jesus'

birth. The heavenly hosts celebrated as they shared the news

“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to

those on whom his favor rests” Luke 2:14.

The white candle, placed in the center of the wreath, is

the Candle of Christ, which is lit on Christmas represents

the eternal presence of Jesus Christ and reminds us of the

light He brings to the world to guide us.

Collections: Week End 11/22Confirmation On Sunday, December 6th at 3p.m. thirty

young adults from our parish will receive

the Sacrament of Confirmation. We ask for

our entire parish to pray for God's gracious

blessing on them, their sponsors, families

and loved ones.

Sunday Collection $2,959

Kateri's Kitchen, Mass Intentions $ 95

Campaign for Human Development $ 181

Sub Total: $ 3,235

Religious Ed online $ 780

Online Donations $ 478

Total: $ 4,493

began on December 1st each year. I would arise from my slumber, venture downstairs into the kitchen and enjoy

chocolate for breakfast! Should you think my parents were to blame, I’ll have you know that their preference was

that the treat be enjoyed after school. My question became: “Why wait?”

It’s a good question! After all, no one likes to wait however, we all enjoy getting ready. Throughout my

ambitious mornings this is exactly what I was doing, I was in my own way, getting ready to celebrate Christmas!

Advent, which begins today, is often times understood as a waiting period until Christmas. This is precisely what the

prophecy in our first reading calls to mind.

Given this point of view, this waiting period between Advent and Christmas is also supposed to cause us to think

more deeply about another waiting period. Namely, the one between now and the second coming of Christ, who will

bring history to its fulfillment, judge the living and the dead, and put a definitive end to evil. This second period is

what our Blessed Lord refers to in our Gospel.

Having said all that, I beg the question: “Is Advent really just a waiting period?” Is human history just a waiting

period, an undisclosed number of centuries in which we wait for the second coming of Christ? No! They are so

much more than “waiting periods” they are “getting ready periods”.

Advent is a liturgical season, a period of time in which the Church surrounds us with reminders of the greatest

event in the whole history of the universe - the Incarnation of the Son of God, who came to earth to be our Savior!

The Church provides us with these reminders to enable us to get our souls ready to receive the special graces God

desires to give us as we celebrate that event this year, in the “right now” of our lives. Those same reminders are also

meant to spark an individual examination of conscience in each of our hearts. During this examination if we should

notice any sinful or self-centered tendencies, habits, or activities, Advent becomes the time to remove them. This is

how we get ready for our Lord’s Second Coming, which will occur either at our personal death, or at the end of

history, whichever happens first.

My friends in closing, these four weeks are not really about waiting at all. Instead, we should devote them entirely

to getting ready! “Why wait?” asked the little boy who would one day grow to be a priest. Go ahead…have some

chocolate for breakfast and get ready for Christmas!

A Blessed Advent to each and all!

Father Fraini

Chocolate for Breakfast A rather interesting title for a bulletin reflection is it not? Nevertheless, like most things,

there is always meaning attached. A fond childhood memory of mine often took place

around this time of year. During the tale end of November, my mother would always return

home after one of her long shopping excursions to unveil from the depths of her bag one of

the greatest childhood treasures a boy has ever known, the infamous Advent calendar! Now

this was no ordinary calendar you see, for inside hidden behind each and every dated square

there dwelt a heavenly morsel of milk chocolate! Many times, accompanying the delectable

treat was also a brief inscription as to the Christological significance of the particular day.

However, I must shamefully admit, at that age, I was in it for the chocolate! My routine

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24TH

Masses will be celebrated at

4:00 p.m. | 6:00 p.m. | Midnight

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 25TH

Masses will be celebrated at

8:00 a.m. | 9:30 a.m.

Safe Environment Notice: Our parish follows the guidelines of the national charter for the protection of children & young people approved by the US Bishops & Diocese of Worcester policies. If you have

been abused or victimized by someone representing the Catholic Church, please believe in the possibility for hope and help and healing. Contact Judith Audette, L.I.C.S.W., Victim Services Coordinator. A

report can be made by phone to 508-929-4363 (a 24 hour confidential voicemail is available.)

Our Parish giving tree is online this year! To choose a tag, visit tinyurl.com/namgivingtree. We

will continue to add more tags. If you’d prefer not to choose a tag online, we will accept Walmart,

Target or Visa gift cards and can purchase the gifts for you. We will designate areas in the Church to

leave donations. All gifts must be received by December 13th. Thank you!

Emmanuel Radio Christmas Concert Contest! Calling all Cantors, Choirs, Clergy, and

Christmas Carolers! Emmanuel Radio invites you to showcase your Christmas spirit by singing an

Advent/ Christmas song on Emmanuel Radio stations. You could receive a $100 donation from

Emmanuel Radio! For details, call Cindy at 774-222-2566 or visit www.1230radio.com today.

Parish Sponsors We are grateful to these parishioners and businesses whose ads pay for the equipment and materials to produce our bulletin. We will be working to expand our sponsorships over the next few weeks, For information on pricing and availability, emailbulletin@namartyrsauburn.org.

Scott McDonald Plumbing & Heating