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Saint John Bosco Roman Catholic Church

Parish Center Office 215 E. County Line Road

Hatboro, PA 19040

Tel. (215) 672-7280 In emergency, call anytime 24/7.

Otherwise, please call during Office Hours.

Faith Formation Office (PREP) Tel. 267-803-0774. St. Vincent de Paul Society Tel. 215-882-2707.

Parish Staff Rev. Gary J. Kramer, Pastor

Rev. Gerald C. Ronan, Parochial Vicar Rev. James E. McVeigh, Weekend Assistant

Deacon Daniel J. Rouse, Financial Administrator Mrs. Doris Duncheskie, CRN, Parish Nurse

Mrs. Diane Falchetta, Secretary Loretta Ceniviva, Secretary

Mrs. Christine Flack, Faith Formation Coordinator Mrs. Lisa Quaranto, Music Director &

Youth Ministry Coordinator Mrs. Janet Shepherd, Bulletin Editor.

CHRISTMAS & NEW YEAR WEEKS Parish Center Office Hours, p. 5 Adoration Chapel Hours, p. 3 Religious Services, p. 5

Parish News & Coming Events, p.6-7 Year of Mercy, p. 8-9 Preparation for Sacraments, p. 10

How to Contact Priest (Emergency)

Within Parish Call Parish Center Tel. (above). Parish priest is “on-call” (24 hrs./7 days wk.) for emergencies within SJB parish territory incl. Majestic Oaks Nursing Home and Hospice Unit at Abington Health Center in Warminster.

Outside Parish Other hospitals, nursing homes, rehabs, etc. have their own local priests “on-call” “24/7”. Patients or family members at any time may ask the facility staff to contact the local Catholic parish or assigned Catholic chaplain.

PARISH BULLETIN

Fourth Week of Advent

12/20 to 12/23

Sunday Vigil Masses on Sat. Eve.(12/19/15): 4:00 pm (English); 7:00 pm (Spanish) Sun. Morning Masses: 7, 9, & 11 am Mon. 12/21 Eve. Confessions 7:00 to 8:00 pm

Mon. 12/21; Tues. 12/22; and Wed., 12/23 Morning Confessions: 8:15 to 8:35 am. Daily Mass: 8:45 am. Thurs. 12/24 No Confessions; no Morning Mass.

CHRISTMAS & NEW YEAR pp. 4-5

Come out and celebrate the true meaning of Christmas!

Our parish’s traditional Christmas Homecoming

Prayer Service & Nativity Tableau

Tues., Dec. 22 at 6 PM in Church.

Everyone is invited to place a decorated angel on the tree with their family name on it. The blank angels are available in the vestibules of the church and in the faith formation office. Simply decorate your angel, put your name on it, and bring it to the service.

Please bring a snack to share after Homecoming in the cafeteria. We provide coffee, tea, and drinks for the kids. Hope you are looking forward to singing along with carols and remembering the

Reason for the Season!

Dec. 20, 2015

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Sunday, December 20, 2015

Do you have your Christmas shopping done? As we draw closer to Christmas, shopping for gifts for family and friends is something that becomes a part of life for most of us. There are some people who are so organized that they get their shopping done long before the Christmas season arrives. However, for most of us, shopping doesn’t get done until Christmas is upon us.

Then there is the question of what to buy. When a gift is chosen and given to a person, the desire of the giver is to bring blessing to the recipient. This involves choosing a gift that the person has need of and/or would like. Easy to accomplish? Not always – in fact, it is the very reason that shopping may take several hours. Then the issue of affordability enters the picture. When the “perfect” gift is found, is it something that you can afford to buy?

For your consideration this Christmas of 2015 let me suggest some gifts that you may give to others that will outlast material gifts and will keep on giving long after Christmas is past. These are gifts that everyone can give and are suitable for every age and for every type of person.

First is the gift of forgiveness. There may be people in our lives who have wronged us, said or done hurtful things to us in the past. We may have been approached by someone who wants our forgiveness. Withholding forgiveness leaves others in a state of unresolved feelings, which may be painful so it is a gift of grace to forgive them. In fact, it is God’s will that we give this gift. In Ephesians 4:32 it is written “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

Second, is the gift of encouragement. We all need encouragement from time to time. We may find ourselves being “down" for a variety of reasons – whether responsibilities at work, family situations we are dealing with, finances or other issues. So, when someone comes along and encourages us, we are greatly blessed and uplifted. Again, it is God’s will that we give that gift. In Hebrews 10:25 it is written “…let us encourage one another….”

Third, is the gift of truth. We live in a world that is filled with deceptive messages even about Christmas. As the well-worn but ever true phrase states: Jesus is the Reason for the Season. Sharing the truth about why Jesus came to this earth as the Son of God is giving to others the gift of truth – the truth about God, the truth about Jesus, the truth about the salvation that God offers to all of us through His one and only Son!! Christmas is not about lights, presents, and parties – these are not the heart of Christmas – they are lovely and a blessing – but the central truth is Jesus Christ! What greater gift could we give then the truth about Him!!

Fourth, is the gift of love. Jesus came as God’s gift of love to everyone of us! “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son…” John 3:16. God loves us and He wants to have us share His love with all around us. “Love one another…. “(John13:34) God’s love is unconditional and when we give the gift of unconditional love we bring immeasurable blessings to them. We are to be channels of God’s love to others.

Obviously, there are many more such gifts that we, as believers, can give to others. These gifts are priceless and will keep on giving blessing upon blessing through the years. At the end of life these are the gifts that will be remembered more than any others.

On behalf of Fr. Ronan, Fr. McVeigh, Deacon Dan and our staff we would like to wish you a Blessed Christmas Season.

Peace,

Fr. Kramer

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PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR SICK AND IN-Phil Adamo, Jr.

Patricia Ambrose Rosemary Anthony

Orville Ballard Paul Barras

Edward Bauman Melissa Bauman Elizabeth Beck

William J. Brady Joseph Campbell

Linda Cunningham Skip Cunningham

Ellen Dardis Anthony Durante

Joseph Felix Carol Gallagher Rita Garafolo Siena Healy

Debbie Hipple John F. Keebler

Tim Keebler Dr. Raymond Kent

Gail Maines Florence McHugh Anthony Osimo

Joanne Osimo Joseph Reagan Rolene Rose Ann Sabina

Catherine Sarsfield Joanne Schreiber Mary Sheridan Barbara Sieber Joe Sienkiewicz Marie R. Smith

Gerald Sutliff, Jr. Brett Vivian

Frank Waltrich Jim Wyatt

How we list: We list sick persons for one month at their own or family member’s request. To place/extend a listing, please call Parish Center.

Please Pray for Our Faithful Departed Ida Pfander Eternal Rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May all the souls of the Faithful Depart-ed through the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen.

Please submit items for Bulletin issue dates (left) by 12 noon on submission dates (right):

Jan. 10…………………………….Mon., Dec. 21

Jan. 17…………...…………….….Mon., Dec. 28

Jan. 24…………………………….Mon., Jan. 4

Please send info./questions to Bulletin Editor at Parish Ctr. Email Bulletined@saintjohnbosco.org.

Adoration Chapel We wish all of SJB’s Adorers a

“Merry & Blessed Christmas”! HOLIDAY SCHEDULE Christmas & New Year Weeks:

Closed from Sat. 12/19 to Sun. 1/3/16 inclusive. Re-opens Mon., 1/4/16 as usual after 8:45 am Mass.

Intentions earlier requested for period closed will be listed in week of Jan. 3, 2016 unless otherwise directed.

Prayer Intention Candles (6) burn alongside Blessed Sacrament in the Adoration Chapel when open. We list names of those for whose intentions candles are dedicated in this space. Just send your name with intention & offering to ADORATION CANDLE c/o Parish Center. Please name one Person, Couple (engaged/married), Family, Group per request (living or deceased). Offering requested: $ 15.

MASS INTENTIONS This WEEK 12/21 MON. 8:45 AM Henry Schneider 12/22 TUES. 8:45 AM Michael Rizzo 12/23 WED. 8:45 AM Chuck Matthews, III

Christmas Vigil THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2015

4:00 PM Antonucci & Walsh Families 6:00 PM The Rachwal Family 10:00 PM Pro Populo (For the People)

Christmas Day FRIDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2015

8:00 AM Bobby Rolph 10:00 AM Carmine Ciardullo Family

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2015 9:00 AM Persons Honored by Christmas Flower Donations 4:00 PM Dominic Colangelo 7:00 PM Pro Populo (For the People) SUNDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2015 7:00 AM William Gaskill 9:00 AM Skip Meakim 11:00 AM The Kent Family (Living)

Sun-

day Amount* Difference 11/22/15 $ 12,199.80 11/24/14 10,457.00 + 1,742.80

11/29/15 $ 10,694.24 12/01/14 11,958.00 - 1,263.76 *Incl. E Giving

12/07/15 $ 12,024.50 12/08/14 12,391.00 - 366.50

Religious Retirement Fund 12/07/15 $ 2,230.00 12/08/14 2,404.00 - 174.00

Today! Sunday, 12/20, 12 noon Parishioners: Adults, Teens, Older Children immediately after 11 AM Mass.

Please Help to DECORATE CHURCH FOR CHRISTMAS.

Many Hands Make Light Work.

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Christmas Eve. and Day

Services & Sacred Music Plan at SJB

12/24 4:00 pm Vigil Mass (English) [Song Leader/Organ] 12/24 5:30 pm Christmas Carol Serenade (English) [SJB Parish Choir & Organ]. 12/24 6:00 pm Vigil Mass (English) [SJB Parish Choir & Organ] 12/24 10:00 pm Vigil Mass (Spanish) [SJB Hispanic Choir & Instrumentalists] 12/24 11:00 pm El Arullo (Spanish) [Holy Family Reenactors join SJB Hispanic Choir &Instrumentalists as Children participate in singing traditional Spanish Lullaby at the Manger. Younger Children take turns holding and rocking baby Jesus.] 12/25 8:00 am Day Mass [Song Leader/Organ.] 10:00 am Day Mass [Song Leader/Organ.]

SUNDAY AND CHRISTMAS TV MASS FOR THE HOMEBOUND

is someone you love unable to join us at church during this holy time of Advent and Christmas?

Christmas TV Mass: WMCN channel 44 at 9:00 a.m. WTVE channel 51 at 11:30 a.m.

Sunday TV Mass: WMCN channel 44 at 8:30 a.m. WTVE channel 51 at 9:00 a.m.

Mass is also online at www.HeartoftheNation.org. EWTN also

broadcasts the Mass every day on TV. For those who can get to church, the TV or online liturgy does not

fulfill the Sunday or Christmas Mass obligation.

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New Year’s Day Jan. 1, 2016

Feast of Mary, Mother of God

is a Holy Day of Obligation to attend Mass. Mass Schedule

New Year’s Eve Thurs. Dec. 31, 2015. Thurs., Vigil Mass: 4:00 pm.

New Year’s Day Fri. Jan. 1, 2016

Fri., Masses: 9:00 & 11:00 am.

Christmas will remain in our hearts, but our decorations need to be put away!

Help is needed to un-decorate our church. Christmas Decorations need to be moved back into storage. Please meet in the church Sunday,1/10 at noon. Trucks a plus !!!!

Many hands make light work. Thank you.

Nativity of Our Lord Thurs., 12/24 Christmas Eve 4:00 pm Vigil Mass (English) 5:30 pm Christmas Carol Serenade (English) 6:00 pm Vigil Mass (English) 10:00 pm Vigil Mass (Spanish) 11:00 pm El Arullo (Spanish) Children’s Lullaby.

Fri., 12/25 Christmas Day 8:00 am Day Mass 10:00 am Day Mass No afternoon or evening Mass on Christmas Day.

Saturday, 12/26 Sunday, 12/27 Feast of Holy Innocents Feast of the Holy Family Confession: 8:30-8:50 am. Sat. Eve. Vigil Masses: Rosary: 8:30 am; 4:00 pm (English); 7:00 pm (Spanish). Holy Mass: 9:00 am Sun. Morning Masses 7:00, 9:00, 11:00 am. Novena after Mass to Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception. No afternoon or eve. Mass on Sunday.

Confession: 3-3:30 pm; 6-6:30 pm.

Parish Center Office Hours Mass Cards/Mail/Messages/Documents/Facility Keys are available only during open office hours:

Sat./Sun.: Offices are closed on weekends. Week of Dec. 20, 2015 Mon. to Wed.: Open 9:00 am to 12 noon; 1:00 to 4:30 pm; 6:30 to 8:00 pm by appt. Thurs. (Christmas Eve. 12/24) & Fri. (Christmas Day 12/25): Closed both days.

Week of Dec. 27, 2015 Mon. to Thurs. (incl. New Year’s Eve 12/31/15): Open 9:00 am to 12 noon; 1:00 to 4:00 pm. Eve. Closed. Fri. (New Year’s Day is a Holy Day of Obligation 1/1/16): Closed.

Walk to Bethlehem Thanks to all who participated in this year’s

virtual Walk to Bethlehem. Collectively we walked over 5,779 miles!

We reached our destination in time for Christmas! Hope everyone enjoyed the time for prayer,

reflection, and meditation while “walking” to Bethlehem!

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Congratulations!!

Week 12 # 2216 $ 25.00 Tony Schwab Week 13 # 1957 $ 25.00 Mike & Sue Montgomery

We invite all women to 9AM Mass Sun., Jan. 3, 2016. Pews will be reserved on the Blessed Mother

Side of the Church for all the ladies. Please join us in Drexel Hall (cafeteria) right after Mass for

refreshments, fellowship and a brief meeting. Our meeting theme is:

WRINKLE FREE WOMAN. Have fun guessing Laundry Product Slogans and

Cleaning Products! Prizes will be awarded. It’s all about bringing everyone together.

Hope to see you there!

6th Annual Ladies Retreat

Fri., Jan. 22, 2016 5:00 to 10:00 PM

SJB Parish Center Retreat Leader:

Fr. Tom Viviano, Parish Son. Eve.

starts with potluck dinner, continues

with retreat talks and time for reflection, confession and adoration. Time for Friendship and Fun, too.

Ladies Retreat Registration Form (Please register by Jan. 17)

Name:__________________________

Phone:__________________________

Email: _________________________ Cost: $ 10.00 donation requested with registration. Plates, utensils, coffee, tea/water provided. Bring fa-vorite snack and beverage if desired. I can bring the following to share at the potluck:

__ Dinner Entrée __ Salad/Side __ Dessert Info. Faith Formation Office 267-803-0774.

We warmly welcome into the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church and our Parish Community of Faith

these recently baptized children:

Emerson Alejandro Castañada

Henry Matthew Coogan Charlotte Laine Fisher

Ian Sebastian Hernandez Ximena Maria Hernandez Josmar Miranda Luna Steven Miranda Luna Colby Ryan Nightlinger Alexis Samantha Rocci Alexis Santiago Lopez

We congratulate and offer prayerful best wishes to Randall McWilliams &

Kaitlyn Rauchut who married here on Nov. 21,

ST. VINCENT de PAUL CONFERENCE

FOOD CUPBOARD Tel. 215-882-2707. Need food or other material assistance for you or your family? Want to assist SJB’s Food Pantry? Needs include: coffee, tea, spaghetti and sauce, peanut butter, jelly, pancake mix and syrup, cereal, canned fruit, juices, laundry detergent, liquid dish soap and personal grooming items, e.g., shampoo, bath soap and toothpaste. To drop off, ring Parish Ctr. back door bell during Office Hours. Receptionist will “buzz” you in. Place items just inside the entrance area.

2016 Trip to “Sight and Sound”! Are you interested in going to see SAMSON

Fri., Oct. 7, 2016? We need a preliminary head count to gauge

interest in the trip. As many of you know, we need at least 56 participants in order to take the trip. If

enough people respond, we can confirm the trip. Complete this form and drop in any Collection Basket

along with a $ 10.00 deposit no later than 12/31/15. If we do not have enough interest by that date,

your deposit will be refunded.

YES! We are interested in the trip to Sight and Sound in 2016.

Name: __________________________________

Phone: _________________________________

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Longing for more out of life?

Struggling to see what faith has to do with everyday

life? Get energized, educated and

inspired. Learn to apply the genius of our faith

to your life – in practical, livable ways.

Pick up a FREE copy of REDISCOVER JESUS in the Parish Center Office during normal office hours

starting Monday, 1/4/16. Your life won’t be the same!

We hope you will enjoy this incredible gift from Saint John Bosco Parish.

Celebrate National Hat Day at SJB on Fri., Jan. 15, 2016!

National Hat Day is set aside to wear & enjoy a hat of your choice & style. Isn’t it great that hats come in all

shapes, sizes, colors & styles? Hats are not intended just to keep you

warm. Join us in Drexel Hall (Cafeteria) right after

morning Mass with your favorite hat! A prize will be awarded for the most unusual hat!

Spread the word! Hope to see you there!

Experience 2000 years of Vatican history at

The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia at their limited time

exhibition Vatican Splendors.

See more than 200 works of art and historically significant objects that together form a greater mosaic of the history of the Church and its

impact on art, history, and culture. From the sights and sounds of the grand Basilica to a

touchable cast of the hand of Saint John Paul II; embark on a journey through the ages of artistic

expression and religious iconography. Many of these objects have never left the Vatican,

including a personalized note from our beloved Pope Francis.

The exhibition is presented in settings as a lesson for us all to better understand our history and

faith. Parishioners will receive $10 off each adult ticket by referencing discount code VSARCH

through one of the following methods: telephone 215-448-1200,

on-line www.fi.edu. For groups of 10 or more,

additional savings are available by calling Owen Mullin at 215-448-1207.

This special offer ends on Feb. 1, 2016.

We are bringing the Covenant of Love

Date Night from the Alexander House

to the St. John Bosco Community.

Date Night is a gift to the couples of our Parish to

help enrich and support Catholic Marriages. Attendees will rediscover God’s plan for marriage and will gain

practical tools to treat their marriage as a daily Sacrament, building a stronger and more joy-filled

marriage. Date Nights are for all married couples!

During 2016, we will meet once a month for six (6)

months; couples will explore the great adventure and mystery of marriage; and, couples will receive insights to a deeper love.

Please join us Thurs., Jan. 14 at 7 PM in Drexel Hall. Light refreshments will be served.

For planning purposes, please RSVP by Sun. Jan. 10. Complete this form

and drop in any collection basket or at the Parish Center by Jan. 10. Need info.? Ques.? Call 215-718-7841.

YES! We will attend the Date Night Series at Saint John Bosco. Names: ___________________________ Phone: ___________________________ Please return to the Parish Center c/o Janet & John Sikina by Sun., Jan. 10.

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This Bulletin Corner will appear throughout this year with info. and resources to help readers benefit from this spiritual journey. The official Jubilee Prayer (below) is in each Missalette in church pews.

Vatican Unveils Holy Year Logo The logo (left) features Jesus -- Good Shepherd -- taking upon his shoulders a lost soul, demonstrating that it is the love of Christ that brings to completion the mystery of His incarnation culminating in redemption. The image, created by Jesuit Fr. Marko Rupnik, shows one of Jesus' eyes merged with the man's to show how "Christ sees with the eyes of Adam, and Adam with the eyes of Christ." The Jubilee of Mercy has an official website in seven languages at www.im.va; a Twitter handle: @Jubilee_va; a Facebook page; and accounts on Instagram, Flickr and Google+.

Prayer of Jubilee Year of Mercy

Lord Jesus Christ, you have taught us to be merciful like the heavenly Father, and have told us that whoever sees you sees Him. Show us your face and we will be saved.

Your loving gaze freed Zacchaeus and Matthew from being enslaved by money; the adulteress and Magdalene from seeking happiness only in created things; made Peter weep after his betrayal, and assured Paradise to the

repentant thief. Let us hear, as if addressed to each one of us, the words that you spoke to the Samaritan woman:

“If you knew the gift of God!”

You are the visible face of the invisible Father, of the God who manifests his power above all by forgiveness and mercy: let the Church be your visible face in the world, its Lord risen and glorified. You willed that your

ministers would also be clothed in weakness in order that they may feel compassion for those in ignorance and error: let everyone who approaches them feel sought after, loved, and forgiven by God.

Send your Spirit and consecrate every one of us with its anointing, so that the Jubilee of Mercy may be a year of grace from the Lord, and your Church, with renewed enthusiasm, may bring good news to the poor,

proclaim liberty to captives and the oppressed, and restore sight to the blind. We ask this through the intercession of Mary, Mother of Mercy, you who live and reign with the Father and the

Holy Spirit for ever and ever. Amen.

The Archdiocese of Philadelphia invites everyone to celebrate the Jubilee Year through a special commitment to pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy each day of the Holy Year. Along with praying for your personal, family and parish intentions, please consider including in your prayer intentions for: Renewal of regular reception of the Sacrament of Confession by all Catholics of our Archdiocese;

Increase in Vocations to the Priesthood and in the Sanctity of all priests;

Conversion of those who do not yet know the love of Jesus Christ.

What is the Chaplet of Divine Mercy? The Chaplet is a prayer that uses traditional Rosary beads to meditate upon and ask for God’s infinite mercy which was poured out upon the world through the passion of Jesus Christ. Chaplet prayers (next page) were given by Jesus to St. Maria Faustina Kowalska (1905-1938) with His promise of many powerful graces as a fruit of this prayer. To learn more about the Chaplet and our local Holy Year activities: visit ArchPhila.org/mercy

Random Act of Kindness...Week of Dec. 20 ~ “Sing Christmas Carols at a nursing home.” Memory Jar! Throughout 2016, write down memories that make you smile. Add them to your Memory Jar. Just jot down things you experience andwant to remember: firsts,

a funny comment by a child, accomplishments, etc. You might need a BIG jar! At the end of 2016, on the next New Year’s Eve, open & re-read all the good stuff that made the year wonderful. Reflect on all the blessing of the past year! It may remind you of the abundance of God’s mercy.

“A good memory is one that can remember the day's blessings

and forget the day's troubles”

(Irish Quote)

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DIRECTORY (cont.)

Three Sacraments of Initiation ~

BAPTISM,

FIRST COMMUNION,

CONFIRMATION

Infants/Children (birth to 6 yrs.): Parents, please call Parish Center Office (215) 672-7281 to arrange for Baptism which takes place on First (Spanish) and Last (English) Sundays each month. Before any date is con-firmed, parents must have/obtain:

Registration in SJB Parish: A family from elsewhere must obtain written permission from “home” parish for Baptism at SJB. Certificate of Eligibility to Serve as Sponsor: Each Catholic Sponsor (1 required; 2 preferred) must obtain Certificate of Eligibility from “home” parish. Parishes generally do not issue certificates to persons not registered already nor to persons who left the parish more than 6 months previously. Letter of Pastor for Christian Witness. One baptized non-Catholic may serve as Christian Witness and must present Letter of Good Standing from current Christian pastor. A Catholic not

eligible to be a Sponsor may not be Christian Witness.

Children (7 yrs.), Teens (13 yrs.): Parents, please contact Faith Formation Office Tel. 267-803-0774 to arrange for any of the Sacraments of Initiation. (Baptism, Communion, Confirmation), which require a course of preparation through parish catechetical classes for older children and adolescents.

Adults (18 yrs.): To learn more about our Catholic Faith and perhaps to discern whether one wishes to become a member of our Catholic

Church, we invite adults to en-roll in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA), a process of individualized for-mation in knowledge and prac-tice of the faith. For those who are already Catholic or wish to

enter the Catholic church the RCIA process can prepare persons for reception of one or all of the three sacraments of initiation. Adults already baptized in a Christian faith make a Profession of Faith rather than receive Baptism again. For more information and/or to enroll please contact the Faith Formation Office.

DIRECTORY (cont. from cover page)

Saint John Bosco Roman Catholic Church Tel. (215) 672-7280

In emergency, call anytime 24/7.

Parish Office Hours During Christmas and

New Year Weeks page 5.

Registration To register, just call Parish Center Office during open office hours. Why register? Parishioners often ask us to verify active parish membership and other information to third parties for a variety of reasons. Registration enables us to do so, helps us to know and serve parish families, and is essential to effective parish planning and administration.

The Sacrament of Matrimony Preparation begins with engaged couple’s meeting a parish priest here at least six (6) months before desired wedding date. Please do not make any financial commitments before confirming church date/time.

Marriage Convalidation A couple married in a civil or non-Catholic religious ceremony without Catholic Church permission is not in a valid Catholic union. They cannot receive other sacraments or serve as Sponsors at Baptism or Confirmation. This situation often is easily remedied by “convalidation” a simple ceremony popularly called “getting a marriage blessed”. If a member of the couple were previously married, a Declaration of Nullity (Annulment) of the prior marriage may be necessary.

Annulment is a formal declaration by a church court (tribunal) that the marriage in question was invalid at its inception, i.e. lacking an element which church law considers essential to be present at the time of vows. This situation may or may not have been evident to one or the other spouse at that time. A Catholic Church Annulment is not “Catholic Divorce”. In fact, before an annulment is granted, there must first be a civil divorce. For more info., please contact a parish priest.

CHRISTMAS FLOWERS Mass Sat., Dec. 26, 2015, 9:00 am will be for All Persons Honored by Christmas Flower Donations. You can both honor someone special AND help us defray Church Christmas Flower costs. Please use the Flowers envelope sent to regis-tered parishioners who use envelopes. If you don’t have this pre-printed envelope, just place a gift with your name and your Honoree’s name (living or dec’d) in an envelope marked FLOWERS. Please drop in any Sunday collection today Sun., Dec. 20. Names of Honorees will be placed upon the altar at Christmas. Names will not be published in this Bulletin.