Mass Schedule: Saturday Vigil 4 p.m. 6 p.m. Portuguese Mass (Chapel) Sunday 7:30, 9 & 10:30 a.m. 12:10 p.m. Spanish Mass

Monday - Friday 7 a.m. (Chapel) & 6 p.m. Saturday 8 a.m.

Holy Day Vigil 6 p.m. Holy Day Mass 7 a.m.,12:10 p.m. & 7 p.m.

Confessions: Each Saturday – 2:45 to 3:45 p.m.

Sacrament of Marriage: Arrangements should be made at least 1 year in advance by calling the Rectory Office.

Sacrament of Baptism: Baptismal instruction for parents takes place on the first Sunday of each month at 12 p.m. in the Parish Center.

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament: 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday-Friday in the Chapel - For more information about Adoration call: 508-869-0508.

Miraculous Medal Novena Devotion: Mondays following the 6 p.m. Mass

St. John the Guardian of Our Lady Parish at St. John the Evangelist Church - 80 Union St, Clinton, MA 01510

Rev. James S. Mazzone, Pastor Rev. Henry Ramirez, Associate Pastor

Rev. Raymond M. Goodwin, In Residence William Griffin, OFS, Deacon

George O’Connor, Deacon

Rectory Office:

149 Chestnut St, Clinton, MA 01510 Hours: Monday-Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Phone: 978-368-0366 Fax: 978-368-4359 Email: stjohnclintonma@gmail.com Web Site: www.stjohnsclinton.org Facebook: St. John the Guardian of Our Lady Parish Text: stjohnclinton to 84576 to join!

Staff: Marc DeMille - Music Director—978-368-0366 George DiLorenzo – Superintendent, St. John’s Cemetery /Facilities Manager 978-368-8816 Ann Dziokonski – Director of Religious Education - 978-368-0052 & Elder & Homebound Ministry - 978-368-0366 Matthew Kobus – Director of St. John’s Gym – 978-365-9085 Rev. Jim Mazzone – Pastor - 508-340-5788 fatherjamesmazzone@gmail.com John O’Malley - Co-Director of Religious Education- 978-368-0052 Ellen Turini – Safe Environment Coordinator – 978-368-0366 Tammy Van Buren – Office Manager – 978-368-0366

St. John’s Cemetery

Parker Rd, Lancaster Phone: 978-368-8816

CARE Food Pantry

St. John’s Gym - 149 Chestnut St Open Thursday’s: 4-6 p.m.

St. John’s Gym

149 Chestnut St, Clinton Phone: 978-365-9085

Email: stjohnsgymorg@gmail.com

St. Vincent de Paul Society

Parish Center 80 Union St

Tuesday’s: 7 p.m.

St. John the Guardian of Our Lady

We are in great need of Adorers to fill the fol-lowing time slots: Mon-days at 3pm, Tuesdays at 4pm, Wednesdays at 7am, 3pm, 4pm & 6pm and Thursdays at 2pm. Please call Sue Belfield at 508-869-0508.

Dear Friends, Advent begins the Church's liturgical year. It en-compasses the four Sundays (and weekdays) leading up to the celebration of Christmas. The Advent season is a time of preparation that directs our hearts and minds to Christ’s second com-ing at the end of time and also to the anniversary of the Lord’s birth on Christmas. The final days of Advent, from December 17 to December 24, focus particularly on our preparation for the celebrations of the Nativity of our Lord. Traditionally, Advent wreaths are constructed of a circle of evergreen branches into which four candles are inserted, representing the four weeks of Advent. Three candles are purple and one is rose. The purple candles in particular symbolize the prayer, penance, and preparatory sacrifices and goods works undertaken at this time. The rose candle is lit on the third Sunday, Gaudete Sunday, when the priest also wears rose vestments at Mass. Gaudete Sunday is the Sunday of rejoicing, be-cause the faithful have arrived at the midpoint of Ad-vent, when their preparation is now half over and they are close to Christmas. The progressive lighting of the candles symbolizes the expectation and hope surrounding our Lord’s first coming into the world and the anticipation of his sec-ond coming to judge the living and the dead. The link below to the website of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) offers texts for blessings, LectioDivina and an Advent Calendar. May the Good Lord bless us with a special time of prayer and spiritual growth this Advent! In Christ, Fr. Jim http://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/liturgical-year/advent/ Blessing of an Advent Wreath Blessing of a Christmas Tree Blessing of a Christmas Manger LectioDivina for Advent Advent 2019 Calendar

Graduate theology courses at Anna Maria College

Anna Maria College is offering three graduate theology courses in the spring and early summer of 2020. Fr. David Cotter is teaching a 3-credit course on Old Testament Pen-tateuch and Historical Books on Thursday evenings from January 9 to March 26. Fr. Cotter is also teaching a 3-credit course on Old Testament Prophets, again on Thursday eve-nings, from April 16 to June 25. Dr. Lisa Gulino is teaching a 3-credit course on Theology of Pastoral Ministry on Tues-day evenings from April 14 to June 23. Tuition (with dioce-san discount) is $1170 per course (diocesan school employ-ees are eligible for an additional discount). Audit fees are $345 per course. For more information, please email mtumeinski@annamaria.edu.

Eucharistic Pro-Life Adoration Prayer Cenacle

Join us in the Chapel each Thursday from 7 to 8 p.m. to pray to end abortion and stop the Infanticide Law pending in Massachusetts. The Holy Mass will be celebrated on the first Thursday of each month. On the remaining Thursday

evenings we will hold a Prayer Cenacle including prayer petitions, Holy Rosary, Litany for Life and private prayer. For more information email jane_jacobs1@comcast.net

Join us for 1st Friday Mass and Devotion to the Sacred Heart on Friday, December 6 at 7 a.m. in the

Chapel and 1st Saturday Mass, Devotion and Rosary on Saturday, December 7 at 8 a.m. in the

Upper Church.

Confessions Just a reminder that the Sacrament of Reconciliation is offered every Saturday afternoon from 2:45pm to 3:45pm in the Our Lady of Guadalupe Chapel. This Sacrament is offered after all 7am weekday Masses in this same chapel. Further, we are pleased to hear your confession by request before or after any week-day evening Mass or any weekend Mass as well. Sim-ply approach Fr. Goodwin, Fr. Ramirez, or myself any-time. -Fr. Mazzone

~ Mass Intentions ~

First Sunday of Advent December 1, 2019

MONDAY – December 2, 2019 7:00 AM † Poor Souls in Purgatory 6:00 PM † Helen & Peter Belauskas Req. by their Son

TUESDAY – December 3, 2019 7:00 AM † Diane Lagor Req. by Mr. & Mrs. Alfred Lagor 6:00 PM † James P. Kilcoyne Req. by Tim

Weekly Collection November 23 & 24, 2019

Collection totals unavailable due to the early publication of the bulletin.

WEDNESDAY – December 4, 2019 7:00 AM † Mary E. McIntyre 6:00 PM † Poor Souls in Purgatory

THURSDAY – December 5, 2019 7:00 AM † Margie & Robert Vaghini Req. by daughter, Lois 6:00 PM † Thomas Jernberg Req. by the Jernberg Family

FRIDAY – December 6, 2019 7:00 AM † Nancy (Nicholas) McElheney Req. by sisters, Betty & Mary Lou 6:00 PM † Poor Souls in Purgatory

SATURDAY – December 7, 2019 8:00 AM For Our Families 4:00 PM † William & Kathleen Grady Req. by their Family 6:00 PM (Portuguese) For the People

SUNDAY – December 8, 2019 7:30 AM For the People 9:00 AM † Keith D. Price Req. by his Family 10:30 AM † Milly & Perley Lowe Req. by Paul 12:10 PM (Spanish) For the People

If you wish to light a vigil light candle for a loved one, please contact the Parish Office. Cost: $10 You may also light a candle at the shrines for Our Lady of Jasna Gora & Our Lady of the Rosary in the upper church. Donation is $1, however, any donation is accepted.

Vigil Lights

December 1 - December 7, 2019

In memory of Irene Tomolo Req. by daughter, Judy

In memory of Alice Droogan Gibbons - Birthday Remembrance Req. by her Family

In memory of Maureen Bonin Bedard 9th Anniversary Req. by her Family

In memory of David & Helen Gannon Req. by their Family

In memory of Martin McNamara, III Req. by Fran, Kathy & Family

SATURDAY – November 30, 2019 8:00 AM For Our Families 4:00 PM † Theresa Borgilt - 6th Anniversary Req. by her Family 6:00 PM (Portuguese) For the People

SUNDAY – December 1, 2019 7:30 AM For the People 9:00 AM † Filomena, Giovanni & Giuseppe Carpana Req. by Lina Marioni 10:30 AM † Dominic Alessandrini Req. by the Family 12:10 PM (Spanish) For the People

March for Life Registration Information now available! Plan now to attend the 47th annual March for Life

in Washington, DC on Friday, Jan. 24, 2020!

Buses will leave from St. Paul’s Cathedral on Thursday, January 23 following the Respect Life Mass at 7:30 p.m., and will travel to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC in time for Friday morning Mass followed by the March for Life at noon. Buses will return to Worcester immedi-ately following the March, arriving back at St. Paul’s at approxi-mately 1:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 25. Cost is $80 per seat for registrations postmarked by December 31, and $95 thereafter. Registrations will be accepted on a first-come-first-served basis until all seats are full, or until Jan. 13, whichever comes first. For more details and to download registration forms, visit www.worcesterdiocese.org/respect-life or contact the Respect Life Office at 508-929-4311 or email aledoux@worcesterdiocese.org. Can’t attend this year but want to help? Consider making a dona-tion that will help defray expenses for our students who want to attend but might otherwise find it difficult to do so. Thank you!

In addition to our weekend collections, we report the following additional funds through the mail & online giving for the first three weeks of November: $3,205.00

Join us for the Novena to St. Joseph

held on Wednesday, October 2 following the 7 a.m. Mass in the Chapel

Readings for December 1

Sunday: Is 2:1-5/ Ps 122:1-2, 3-4, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9 [cf. 1]/Rom 13:11-14/Mt 24:37-4

Liturgical Schedule

$20,787

New Parish Sound System

In the past week, you donated another $3,300.00 and

surpassed our goal of $20,000. Thank you!

December 7 & 8 4 p.m. 7:30 a.m. 9 a.m. 10:30 a.m.

Lector: C. Lent P. Kerrigan M. Pulnik G. Grady

EM: M. Fazio P. Ball G. Schneck D. Philbin

J. Gaughan D. DiTullio W. Bastow E. Shibley

AS: A. Baya A. Kelly

F. Kelly

R. Kelly

II Marcy Thoman & Daniel Flaherty

Advent Prayer Program The Sisters of Ste. Anne invite you to their annual Advent Prayer Program at Marie Anne Center at St. Bernard Church, 228

Lincoln St., Worcester on Tuesdays, Decem-ber 3, 10 and 17 from 10 - 11:30 am. Pre-senters in order to appearance are Fr. Juan San-chez, Mr. Ernie Rivard and Sr. Yvette Bellerose.

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, On the weekend of December 8th, our parishes will be conducting the appeal for the Retirement Fund for Reli-gious. In 2019 this national collection assisted 30,151 eld-erly sisters, brothers, and religious order priests who are members of 360 religious institutes throughout the country. As Christians, we are called to “serve the Lord with gladness” (Ps 100:2). Our elderly religious offer a shining example of what it means to answer this call. During their days of active ministry, they worked tirelessly to build Catholic schools and hospitals, promote social justice, and embrace the neediest among us. In retirement, many con-tinue in volunteer ministry, and all pray for the needs of our Church and world. Inspired by love, their service, past and present, is marked by joy and a deep desire to do the will of God. As you may know, many religious communities find it increasingly difficult to provide for aging members. Most older religious worked for little or no pay. Today, their communities do not have enough retirement savings. At the same time, health-care costs continue to rise, and fewer members are able to serve in compensated ministry. Just as our annual Celebrate Priesthood event helps our diocese to care for its retired diocesan priests, this national collection assists many religious communities which strug-gle to provide for aging members. Most elder religious served for small stipends, leaving a large gap in retirement savings. Rising health-care costs and decreased income compound the struggle to provide adequate care. Your gift to the Retirement Fund for Religious provides vital funding for medications, nursing care, and more. It also helps reli-gious congregations implement long-range retirement strategies, even as they continue to serve the People of God. I recognize this is but one of numerous worthy causes in need of assistance; I ask simply that you consider giving to those who have given a lifetime. In thanksgiving for their

faithful service, please join me in supporting the Retirement Fund for Religious and in pray-ing for God’s blessing on our nation’s elderly religious women and men.

With prayerful best wishes, I remain Sincerely yours in Christ,

Most Reverend Robert J. McManus

November 30 & December 1

4 p.m. 7:30 a.m. 9 a.m. 10:30 a.m.

Lector: J. Daley S. Soldi B. Huff B. McGregor

EM: E. Cowles K. Mello C. MacGillivray W. McNally

B. Farragher P. Cherubini D. Dunn D. O’Toole

AS: N. Stocker C. Lucking V. MacGillivray A. Petracca

B. Lucking S. Smillie

W. Smillie

Pray for Priests On the bulletin tables are monthly lists of priests of our diocese. Please pray not only for them but also for our seminarians.

Every Second Sunday of the Month is designated as Food Pan-try Sunday. It is a special Sunday when we ask families to bring non-perishable foods to church. If you cannot do it on a particular Sun-day, Food Care Donation Boxes are left at entrances to the Parish. Our most needed items are: Peanut Butter, Canned Fruit, Spaghetti & Spaghetti Sauce. Thank you for your help, your donations make it possible for us to serve the less fortunate in our community. St. John’s Gym – 149 Chestnut St -

Thursdays: 4 – 6PM

PRIMER DOMINGO DE ADVIENTO

1. Se necesitan adoradores para los Lunes a las 3 pm, Martes 4 pm, Miercoles 3, 4, 6 pm y

Jueves a las 2 pm.

2. El Domingo 15 de Diciembre celebraremos la misa de nuestra Señora de Guadalupe a las 12 pm.

AVISOS IMPORTANTES

1. Preparacion pre-bautismal por favor contactar a

Karina Mendez. misa de 12pm.

2. Para colocar las intenciones de la Eucaristia cada

Domingo. Contactar a: Marita Wallace. 9787515289

3. “Sacramento de confesion” Sabados de 2:45 a

3:45 Capilla de abajo o pedir cita durante la semana

con padre Henry Ramirez al 978-3680366 extension

204.” o dejar mensaje en la contestadora.

QUERIDA COMUNIDAD DE FE Adviento es el tiempo santo en el que la Iglesia nos invita a prepararnos para la Navidad. Adviento incluye los cuatro Domingos anteri-ores a la Navidad. El Adviento es un tiempo de alegría para los cristianos, caracterizado por la preparación espiritual del nacimiento de Jesús. El Adviento comienza en el domingo más próximo del día 30 de noviembre y termina el día 24 de diciembre, convirtiéndose en el primer tiempo del año litúrgico cristiano. La duración del Adviento varía entre veintidós y veintiocho días, tiempo dedicado a la reflexión, penitencia y oración como preparación para re-cibir al Señor Jesucristo. El color usado en la liturgia de la Iglesia durante este tiempo es el morado. Feliz tiempo de Adviento. P. Henry Ramirez