Holy Family Parish

Paróquia Sagrada Família

HOLY FAMILY PARISH 4TH SUNDAY OF ADVENT

SATURDAY, December 21st

10:00 AM Brazilian Baptism 3:00 PM Choir 3:15 PM Confessions 4:00 PM Muriel Gorman

SUNDAY, December 22nd

8:00 AM Priests Intention 9:30 AM Choir 10:00 AM Priests Intention 11:30 AM Brazilian Mass 5:30 PM Brazilian Choir 6:00 PM Brazilian Mass

MONDAY, December 23rd 8:00 AM Nicholas & Margaret Bobanas

TUESDAY, CHRISTMAS EVE 3:30 PM Choir Rehearsal 4:00 PM Dorothy, Charles, Michael, and Shawn Murphy 7:30 PM Brazilian Mass 11:30 PM Chorus 12:00 Midnight Mass

WEDNESDAY, CHRISTMAS DAY 10:00 AM Christmas Flower Novena 7:00 PM Brazilian Mass

THURSDAY, December 26th 8:00 AM Christmas Flower Novena

FRIDAY, December 27th 8:00 AM Christmas Flower Novena SATURDAY December 28th 3:00 PM Choir 3:15 PM Confessions 4:00 PM Christmas Flower Novena

SUNDAY, December 29th 8:00 AM Memorial Mass 9:30 AM Choir 10:00 AM Christmas Flower Novena 11:30 AM Brazilian Mass 5:30 PM Brazilian Choir 6:00 PM Brazilian Mass

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Holy Family Parish Paróquia Sagrada Família

30 Grafton Street Lowell MA 01852

Main Phone: (978) 453-2134 Brazilian Community: (978) 934-0622

Fax: (978) 453-0933 Email: holyfamilylowell@gmail.com

Administrator Reverend Nicholas Sannella

Pastoral Staff Reverend Donald G. Lozier, OMI Reverend Gilmond Boucher, OMI Reverend Cristiano G. Barbosa,

Deacon Alvaro Soares

Business Manager David McLean

Director of Religious Education Claire Couillard

Immaculate Conception

High School of Religion Director W. Gerald Dockett

(978)808-4505

Parish Secretaries Lira De Moraes (Brazilian)

Cathy Martel (English)

Custodians John Perry

Immaculate Conception

HOLY FAMILY PARISH

OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED

DECEMBER 23RD

THROUGH DECEMBER

27TH IN OBSERVATION OF

CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY.

HOLIDAY BLESSINGS!

PARISH STAFF

HOLY FAMILY PARISH 4TH SUNDAY OF ADVENT

We pray…..

For those that are sick or recently in the hospital…

Dr. Gertrude Bailey, Lucy Balkus, Rina Bedford, Fr. Gilmond Boucher, Bob Brown, Buote Family, Loretta Caira, Bill Calhoun, Roger Chartrand, Millie Ciszek, Robert Connolly, Anne Marie Countie, Davidson Family, Debbie Demers, DeRocco Family, Jerry Dockett, Mary Dockett, Cathy Durand, Cynthia Evans, Joshua Geoffroy, Roger Geoffroy, Sr. Marilyn Gignac, Andrew Gosselin, Susan Goyette, Donna Gravelle, Karen Graham, Sr. Joan Gregoire, Ilene Hallisey, Len Hallisey, Havelka Family, Frank Holden, Pauline Jankowski, Marge Keefe, Carole King, Annette Knust, Jim Knust, Kozowyk Family, Fran & Jerry Labadini, Nora & Bob Labadini, Maryann Lanzara, Anthony Lavina, Betty LeClaire, Jeanne LeLacheur, Raymond LeLacheur, Carol Leonard, Terry Lesard, Pauline Letourneau, Rev. Robert Levesque OMI, Liz Machado, Betty Mallett, Donald Marcouillier, Steven Marks, Barbara Matyl, Hilda McBride, Sheila McCarthy, McDonagh Family, Chris McHardy, Margaret Mello, Georgette Mendonca, Manuel Mendonca, Caryn Misquita, Sr. Shirley Letourneau Morrison, Aparecida Nascimento, Francis O’Donnell, Linda Paradise, Kim Peirce, Jeanne Pinard, Mary Richardson, Mary Agnes Rivanis, Mary Rivas, Robert Rivas, Joel Rivera, Elaine Robinson, Ed Rotondi, Sr. Jeanne Rouillard, Freeman Shepherd, Donna Sherman, Bea Stamp, John Stamulonis, Marilyn Sullivan, Rose Sweeney, Lorraine Trahan, Barbara Vayo, Steven Vayo, Diane Wingfield, Collette Wooldridge.

May they experience God’s healing love and

comfort.

PRAYER AND REFLECTION

4th Sunday of Advent December 22nd, 2019

Doubt and confusion are not unique to us, even in matters essential to our faith. People have long asked for signs from God when they are in turmoil. Joseph’s deep question about Mary is the focus of today’s Gospel. His moving forward on the strength of answers given in a dream should be a source of deep encouragement for us. Serious questions are not inappropriate; in fact, they can lead to amazing answers and events. Though life may be filled with questions, we know we are to pray and care for one another. That it may always be an open, questioning community … with waiting hearts, we pray, ™ For world leaders who are willing to ask questions on behalf of peace and justice for all … with waiting hearts, we pray, For educational systems that encourage children and youth to be challenging, questioning thinkers … with waiting hearts, we pray, For those who struggle with doubt and confusion, especially in matters of faith … with waiting hearts, we pray, For those whose parentage is in question; and for foster families and foster family programs … with waiting hearts, we pray, ™ For all awaiting the birth of a child; and for those who are in any kind of need in this community … with waiting hearts, we pray, ™ For the sick, the dying, and those who have died … with waiting hearts, we pray, PRAYER: God of the confused and doubtful, we ask you to support us when our questions overwhelm us. Show us that you are always in our midst, especially when we are weary and cannot find you. We pray in the name of your Son, Jesus, who came among us in the midst of fear and doubt.

DECEMBER 8, 2019

Offertory 1,928.00 Comm Offertory 825.00 Dizimo 770.00 Holy Days Immaculate 568.00

Our parish offers “Online Giving”, a web

based electronic contribution application.

Check us out at...

www.osvonlinegiving.com/3125

THE WORD BECOMES FLESH

HOLY FAMILY PARISH 4TH SUNDAY OF ADVENT

MONTHLY EVENING OF PRAYER

Tuesday, January 7th at 7:00 PM

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament Recitation of the Rosary

and special prayers

All are welcome!

Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel… He has raised up for us a mighty Savior, born of the house of his servant David. Luke 1:68,69

In a few short days we will relive the birth of the Christ child, the day the world changed forever. And while he is a descendant of the House of David, some down through the ages have quibbles with the notion of his being a “mighty Savior”. Expectations in his own day were that the Messiah would vanquish the enemies of Israel. But this child came with a very different message, a message of mercy and forgiveness and, contrary to the dreams and wishes of many, he preached love, even for one’s enemies. What a disappointment it must have been to some. From a humble beginning in an obscure town of Judea, this child has turned that disappointment into a mighty and powerful message of hope and redemption and life everlasting for those who believe in his word. That wait is almost over. May Christ’s message be alive in us today.

2 Samuel 7:1-5,8-12,14,16 Psalm 89:2-5,27, 29 Luke 1:67-79

Memorial Mass

Sunday, December 29th

8:00 AM Mass

In Memory of: Joyce Waterhouse

From: John & Carol Leonard

In Memory of: Patricia Jackson

From: Elaine Robinson

1/2 cup butter, softened 3/4 cup packed dark brown sugar 1/3 cup molasses 1 large egg, room temperature

2 tablespoons water

2-2/3 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt 2 teaspoons ground ginger

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon ground allspice Frosting of choice

Cream butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in molasses, egg and water. In another bowl, whisk dry ingredients minus frosting; gradually beat into creamed mixture. Divide dough in half. Shape each into a disk; cover. Refrigerate until easy to handle, about 30 minutes. Bake 350 8-10 Minutes

Gingerbread People

HOLY FAMILY PARISH 4TH SUNDAY OF ADVENT

'Alegra-te, cheia de graça, o Senhor está contigo!'

4º Dom Advento (Ano B) – 2Samuel 7,1-5 .8b-12.14a.16; Salmo 89(88); Romanos 16,25-27; Lucas 1,26-38 A anunciação do nascimento de Jesus, situada em Nazaré, uma pequena aldeia, revela o plano da salvação de Deus em favor do povo oprimido. Maria, comprometida com José mediante um contrato matrimonial que durava por volta de um ano, espera a manifestação de Deus com uma fé ativa. As palavras da saudação expressam a alegria pela realização plena das profecias messiânicas (Is 12,6; Sf 3,14-20). Jesus é o Senhor, o Emanuel, a presença viva e operante de Deus no meio do seu povo (Is 7,14; Ex 3,12- 14). O menino recebe o nome de Jesus, que significa: o Senhor é salvação e será grande, sendo chamado Filho do Altíssimo. Ele reinará para sempre, realizando a promessa de Deus à casa de Davi, representada por José. Deus, que manifesta sua presença na história através de sinais, como o da nuvem luminosa (Ex 40,35 e Nm 9,18-22), plenifica Maria com seu Espírito, cobrindo-a com o poder de sua sombra.

A 1ª leitura ressalta a gratuidade do favor divino que estabelece Davi como rei e constrói uma casa, uma dinastia perene. A promessa de um reino estável para sempre, a esperança messiânica de restauração total realiza-se plenamente em Cristo Salvador, descendente de Davi. O/a salmista canta eternamente a bondade e a fidelidade do Senhor à sua aliança. Na 2ª leitura, Deus manifesta a salvação à humanidade através da obra redentora de Cristo.

Maria de Nazaré, agraciada para ser a mãe do Messias Salvador, nos ensina a acolher a vontade de Deus com uma fé ativa. Crendo como Maria, é possível construir um mundo melhor, fazendo resplandecer a presença libertadora do Senhor no seio da humanidade.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

FELIZ NATAL

4º Domingo do Advento

HOLY FAMILY PARISH 4TH SUNDAY OF ADVENT

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Matthew 1:21And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.

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