december 2, 2018—1st sunday of advent—hope · 12/2/2018 · remainder trusts, gift annuities,...
TRANSCRIPT
2110 Main Street, Stratford, CT 06615
Office 203-375-5887
Fax 203-378-1562
www.stjamesstratford.com
Office & Chapel Hours
Monday-Friday 9:00am-5:00pm
Pastor: Rev. Arthur C. Mollenhauer
203-522-7696 - [email protected]
Associate Pastor: Rev. Rogerio Perri
Deacon Joe Koletar
Deacon John Piatak
Finance Council Chair: Dan Caron -
December 2, 2018—1st Sunday of Advent—Hope
Monday, December 3, 2018
8:00 a.m . +Denise Ostrowksi and + Nicholas
Depoto
Tuesday, December 4, 2018
5:30 p.m. - Gisele Alicea Moto—Special
Intention
Wednesday, December 5, 2018
8:00 a.m. - Alisha Excellent
Thursday, December 6, 2018
5:30 p.m. - Nell & Jerimiah Shea
Friday, December 7 , 2018
8:00 a.m. Matthew Corcoran
Saturday, December 8 , 2018
The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed
Virgin Mary 8:00 a.m. St. James parishioners
4:30 p.m. Raymond E. Mclhoney, Jr.
Sunday, December 9 , 2018
7:30 a.m.- Stella Russo
9:15 a.m.– William Mortimer, Sr.
11:15 .a.m. - +Debbie Diaz—24th anniversary
6:00 p.m. - St. James parishioners
Dear Friends,
This Sunday is the First Sunday of Advent. Advent comes
from the Latin word “Adventus,” which means arrival or
coming. What is coming? Or rather, Who is coming? The
Lord is coming.
Advent is a joyous season, a season of preparation. It is in-
tended to be a period like Lent. Prayer, penance and fasting
are appropriate during this season as we prepare our hearts for
the coming of our Lord. The purple color associated with Ad-
vent is the color of penance. We are invited to focus our atten-
tion on the liturgy and, if possible, receive the Sacrament of
Reconciliation to prepare our inner manger where Baby Jesus
will be laid to rest come Christmas Day.
A symbol of our preparation is the Advent Wreath adorned
with four candles, three purple ones and one rose colored one.
In the center of the wreath is a fifth candle (traditionally
white), the Christ Candle, which is customarily lit on Christ-
mas Day.
Each of the 4 candles represents 1,000 years. Added together,
they symbolize the 4,000 years that humanity waited for the
world’s Savior—from Adam and Eve to Jesus, whose birth
was foretold in the Old Testament. As Christmas draws near-
er, another candle is lit, with each candle dispelling the dark-
ness a little more. The rose candle is lit on the Third Sunday
of Advent symbolizing the ever-closeness of Jesus.
My prayers are with you as you joyously await and prepare
for the birth of Christ.
Fr. Art Mollenhauer, Pastor
Advent and Christmas Schedule The Immaculate Conception of the
Blessed Virgin Mary Holy Day of Obligation —8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
Advent Communal Penance Service Tuesday, December 18—7:00 p.m.
Christmas Eve Monday, December 24 - 4:00 p.m., 6:00 p.m.,
and 11:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 25
7:00 a.m. , 9:00 a.m., and 11:00 a.m.
MINISTRY WITH SICK AND SHUT-IN Pat Stockdale - Please have a family member or
care-giver contact the Parish Center if you have a
loved one who is in the hospital or nursing home and
they would like a visit from a member of
our ministry or would like the Sacraments from one
of our Priests.
• Do you know a parishioner who is homebound
and unable to make it to mass? Please call the
Parish Center and we can mail them a bulletin so
they can be in the know on the happenings at St.
James.
Weekly Offertory 11/18/2018 11/19/2017 In church collections $ 8,201.61 $ 7,846.36 Electronic donations $ 4,206.23 $ 4,083.24 Weekly Total $12,407.84 $11,929.60 11/25/2018 11/26/2017 In church collections $ 6,851.25 $ 7,294.86 Electronic donations $ 3,954.15 $ 4,224.91 Weekly Total $10,805.40 $11,519.77
PLEASE
PRAY FOR: - Mike Perille, Hank McLaughlin ,
Rhina and Bill Carmona, Andrew Donovan, Val
Jones, Lucas McHale, Izabel Perri, Michael Birch,
Lori Hayes-Obrien, Tommy Spitaleri, David
Gaffney, Laura Galatie, Andrew Soltis, Thai Nguyen,
Yvonne DeAngelis, Victor, Elie Hayden, Rosemarie
O’Shea, Alan Handsman, Emery Keleman, Lynn
Schack, Lisa Labella, John Peter Soares, Mary
Cousta, Patti Halioris, Frank D’Orio, Barbara Smith,
Richard, Helen Stagg, Reggie Jackson and Tracy
Brazeau, Saul Cruz, Evave, Delvon Carolan, Edmund
Ramos, Julia Stewart, Therese Lefever, Marion
Lecardo, Edward Golding, Diane Amoroso, Patricia
Leadem, Catherine Riggott, Flora Torres, Donald
Palazzo, Beverly Palazzo
Faithful Departed: Anna Gayda, Elinore Rodi,
Nancy Macisco
2018 Second Collections
December 9 Retirement Fund for Religious
• For on-line giving there will be an option with
the same title as listed above for the 2nd collec-
tion.
Stratford’s Annual Menorah Lighting
The Town of Stratford’s annual Menorah
Lighting in commemoration of Hanukkah
will be celebrated on the Town Hall Green on
Monday, December 3rd at 6:00 p.m. All are
invited to attend. For additional information, please visit
CelebrateStratford.com
Sincere thanks and deep appreciation to everyone
who donated turkeys and food for the 2018 Thanks-
giving Drive. This year were able to give out more
than 200 turkeys! Of course, none of this would be
possible without our team of very dedicated volun-
teers who worked tirelessly in the days leading up to
the drive and of course on the actual day. St. James
is very blessed to have so many who give of their
time and energy! You guys make my job easier!
~Janine
Present Moment Awareness—December 1,8, 15, & 22—Join us this Advent season in learning to practice exercises that will help us grow in present moment awareness during the busy holiday season and throughout the year. Those who wish to stay for 8:00 a.m. mass are welcome to. No RSVP is needed. Our Lady of Peace , Stratford. For additional information contact Janine Kyburz at [email protected] or 203-209-7456
Year End Giving
As the end of the year approaches, we begin to reflect
upon the many blessings bestowed upon us in 2018. The
end of the year also provides a great opportunity to thank
God for these blessings by gifting to St. James Church.
The benefits of income tax deductions, capital gains sav-
ings and other financial perks are significant advantages
that provide an incentive to gift at the year-end. A gift
can also support the Care of Our Father’s House fund for
many years.
There are many different ways of contributing a gift.
However, two of the easiest and most direct methods to
gift are donations of cash and appreciated stock or other
investments. You can also make other financially advan-
tageous gifts such as real estate, life insurance, charitable
remainder trusts, gift annuities, will/trust bequests and
IRA/retirements accounts. For more information on how
you can help make a difference by contributing a year-
end gift to St. James Parish, please contact the parish cen-
ter at 203-375-5887.
Jim Travers, Bob Carriero, Tom Gilbertie, Jeff Noccioli, Mike Curran
Beloved Sons— Join us at the next Beloved Sons men’s
ministry gathering, scheduled for this
Thursday, December 6 (7:30-8:30 PM) at the parish
center. It’s the first “December” gathering; and men
(just like you) will break open the gospel story for the
2nd Sunday in Advent (Luke 3:1-6). Can you hear the
“voice crying out in the desert”? Are you listening hard
enough?
Advent - Week 1, Hope—Dear Jesus, you are the
hope in our messy world. This Advent, help us
slow down, listen to your voice, and focus on
what’s really important. We place our hope in you
as we prepare our hearts to celebrate your birth on
Christmas. Amen.
FAITH FORMATION
2019 Sunday Missals and Prayer
Aids for Advent- available at
back of church and in Parish Cen-
ter.
Open Meetings for Sexual
Abuse Victims- December 3, 6:30-8:00, Monday,
February 25, 6:30-8:00 at The Catholic Center, Jewett
Ave., Bpt. Victims and their families are invited to
meet with victim assistance coordinators and fellow
survivors.
After the Diagnosis… A Guide for Living by Fr. Tom Lynch and Barbara Mariconda Books are available at the Parish Center.
Monday, Dec. 3—
7:00 p.m. Liturgical
Norms meeting—church
Wednesday, Dec. 5—7:00 p.m. Centering Prayer
Thursday, Dec. 6— 1:00 & 7:00 p.m.—Prayer Shawl
Thursday, Dec. 6— 7:30 p.m.—Beloved Sons
Saturday, Dec. 15—8:00 a.m.—Breaking Bread
Join us on Saturday, December 15 at 6:00p.m. n the school gym to enjoy a fun
evening of Christmas carols, hot chocolate,
appetizers, desserts, crafts for the kids (and adults too!)
And maybe even a special visitor
(and karaoke! )
Last name A-L– please bring an appetizer
Last name M-Z—please bring a dessert
Please RSVP to the Parish Center
203-375-5887 so we can plan accordingly.
We will also have :
Grab bag—$10 limit (please no gag gifts)
Silent Auction
We have a parishioner who is need of a ride to Bridgeport after the 6:00 p.m.
mass. If you are able to help, please call the parish center and speak with Marcy.
Our next meeting will be Thursday December 6@ 1:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. The meetings are comprised of prayer, reflection, conversation and prayer shawls. We welcome you to join us to knit/crochet and bond in prayer, friendship and compassion to help others. The blessed shawls are avail-able to anyone seeking God's embracing love during times of sickness, healing and transition. They are available at no cost through the Parish Center. Any inquires, contact Mary Perille @ 203-377-1265. Donations of yarn always grateful-ly accepted.
Personal care assistant needed for female woman. A variety of tasks including bathing, dressing, and feeding are required. Must be reliable. Long term basis. Please call Rich C. at 203-375-2931.
Readings for Sunday, Dec. 11
1st Reading: 1 KGS 17:10-16
Second Reading: HEB 9:24-28
Gospel: MK 12:38-44 or MK 12:41-44
PARISH NURSES: If you would like to meet with a Parish Nurse, please call Margie Balint at 203- 378-3081
EUCHARISTIC CELEBRATIONS Monday, Wednesday, & Friday: 8:00 a.m. Tuesday and Thursday: 5:30 p.m. Saturday: 8:00 a.m. Saturday Vigil Mass: 4:30 p.m. Sunday Masses: 7:30 a..m. 9:15 a.m., 11:15 a.m.,
ARISH CENTER CHAPEL Eucharistic Adoration: Monday—Friday—9:00 a.m. –5:00 p.m. Divine Mercy Chaplet: Friday– 3:00 p.m. Wheelchair accessible
PARISH CENTER HOURS Monday—Friday—9:00 a.m.—5:00 p.m. THE SACRAMENT OF THE SICK Mondays at the 8:00 a.m. Eucharist. Prior notice is not necessary. All those who are dealing with a serious illness and/or will be undergoing surgery during that week are invited to receive this sacrament.
THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM Please call the Parish Center
SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION: Church Saturdays: 12:15 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. , Thursday before First Friday: 4:45 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. or by appointment
LEADERSHIP TEAM
Trustees: Dan Caron, Natalia Zamachaj •Pastoral Council: Tom Kelly—[email protected]
•Finance Council: Dan Caron—[email protected]
•Pastoral Planning Team: Richard Zboray—[email protected]
•Parish Manager: Marcy Kelly—[email protected]
OUR MINISTRIES
Adult Pastoral Ministry
•Ministry with Men: Jim Travers, Bob Carriero, Tom Gilbertie, Jeff Noccioli, Mike Curran
•Ministry with Women: Angie deMello & Mary Tesla
Communal Prayer Worship
•Organist: John Masi, Jr.
•Liturgical Environment: Michele Hoekenga Pastoral Services
•Lifelong Formation: Betsy Redgate—[email protected]
•Principal St. James School: Jack Lynch
•Ministry with Teens: Bob Nagy and Karen Smith
•Ministry with Sick & Shut-Ins: Pat Stockdale—[email protected]
•Charity, Justice, and Peacemaking: Janine Walsh—[email protected]
•PATH: Debby Carroll—[email protected]
•St. James Prison Ministry: Denis Granado
•Prayer Shawl Ministry: Mary Perille
•Gratitude Ministry: Suzanne Smith, \Terry Van Dam, Ligia Masilamani, Jane Vigliotti Young Adult Network: Ruwani Williams—[email protected]
Support Services
•Pastoral Stewardship: David Zamachaj
•Business Manager: Natalia Zamachaj
•Business Office: Dolores Lathlean
•Assistant for Religious Education/Admin Assistant: Ruth Rodriguez –[email protected]
•Digital Ministry: Tonya Overby
•Parish Personnel Manager: Paul Fasold The office and chapel will be closed
from: December 24—1:00 p.m.—
Monday, January 1, 2019