St Joseph’s of Stratford Parish National Catholic Church

Since 1907

Weekly Bulletin

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Dear Parishioners,

It does not happen often that we celebrate New Year’s Day on Sunday. We do it this year though. What a marvelous opportunity for us to begin the year 2017 in God’s name and with God.

May God bless each and everyone of us with a happy and healthy New Year and may God gives us strength, wisdom and courage to face any challenges that might come our way.

Once again, a big thank you to all Christmas flowers donors that enable us to create a truly festive atmosphere in our Church.

Thank you for all the cards, Christmas wishes and gestures of appreciation for me and my family.

Our parish Christmas brunch is taking place next Sunday, January 8th. Please write down your name if you are planning to attend.

Epiphany house blessings - please place your names in the box in the foyer.

Fr Michal

New Year’s Day/Circumcision of the Lord January 1st, 2017

MASS SCHEDULE Saturday: 5:00 pm Sunday: 9:30 am Wednesday - 9:00 am Mass for Health

PARISH CONTACTS

PASTOR Fr Michal Gitner

PARISH CHAIRPERSON Nancy Sirois

FINANCIAL SECRETARY Barbara Chernesky

1300 Stratford Road, Stratford CT 06615-7639 Tel: 203 377-9901 (office), 203 923-2424 (rectory), Fax: 203 375-6439

www.stjosephsofstratford.org

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GOSPEL CHALLENGE

When eight days were completed for his circumcision, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.’ (Luke 2:21) Isn’t Mary and Joseph’s obedience to God fascinating? Whatever they were asked to do by God, they just followed. No argument, not conditions. Even if they didn’t understand everything, humanly speaking.

FAITH MATTERS

SOME THOUGHTS ON THE READINGS The gospel reading from Luke’s Infancy Narrative is a masterpiece, an apparently simple account that weaves together several themes that are fundamental to the gospel story he is about to tell. The scene sketched by Luke all the characters are from the anawim, the poor and humble ones of God’s people to whom first and foremost the messianic blessings were promised. Luke underlines the fact that the Holy Family made the presentation in fulfilment of the Law of Moses. Until his “hour” had come, Jesus himself was a faithful observer of the Law, the God-given prelude and foreshadowing to which he would bring fulfilment. He was truly one with us in the life we lead, as the reading from Hebrews reminds as: “because he has himself been through temptation he is able to help those who are tempted”. Luke includes a moving detail, pointing to the fact that Joseph and Mary were not well off. The offering prescribed, in Leviticus 12, was a lamb; the pair of birds was the offering of those who could not afford the lamb. The meeting with Simeon introduced the dimension of prophecy; Simeon gave God thanks and praise – echoing the phrases used by the prophets of old he declared what they foretold was being fulfilled: “a light to enlighten the pagans, and the glory of your people.”

It is Mary that is at the centre of Luke’s Infancy Narrative. He closes the scene with the mysterious prophecy of Simeon pointing to Mary’s place in this work of God. Christian history was to bring a remarkable fulfilment of Simeon’s words to the humble mother of Jesus.

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PARISH CALENDAR

Jan 8th - Parish Christmas brunch and swearing in ceremony of the Parish Board

Jan 15th - Parish Board meeting

Jan 24th - Listening Session and Prayer for Peace and racial Healing

BY THE WEEK

Sundays: Mercy Tabernacle Church 12:30 - 2:30 pm

Tuesdays: Mercy Tabernacle Church 6:00 - 8:00 pm

Wednesdays: AA meeting 12:00 pm Irish dance classes 6:00 pm Thursdays: AA men’s meeting 7:30 pm News for weekly bulletin? Please contact Father Michal by Wed: mgitner@gmail.com

Readers Roster January 1st January 8th

Ed Slonina

Jean Macionus

Next Sunday’s readings: Jeremiah 31:10-14, Galatians 4:1-7, Luke 2:15-20

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

“The secret to change is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old, but on

building the new.”

Socrates

NEWS AND EVENTS

CHRISTMAS BRUNCH – Our parish Christmas celebration has been scheduled for Jan 8th, after 9:30 am Mass. Menu features: fruit salad, mimosas for adults, fruit punch for children, sliced pork roast with gravey, scalloped potatoes, kielbasa with kraut, egg bake, green beans, cucumber salad, horseradish and applesauce, rolls and rye bread, apple crumb cake with whipped cream, coffee, tea, soda and water. Reservation box in the foyer.

DISCOUNTED GIFT CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE! Help St. Joseph’s Raise Money for Smile Train! The Vazzano’s famly has generously donated a number of gift certificates to St. Joseph’s to help with our charity outreach. These certificates are sold at 20% discount. The supply of the certificates is limited. If you would like to pre-order or have any questions, please contact Jane Pelland at janepell639@aol.com or 203-377-4655.

PRAYER FOR PEACE AND RACIAL HEALING – Listening Session at St Joseph’s, January 24th, 7:00pm As a Church member of the Council of Churches of Greater Bridgeport, St Joseph was asked to host one "listening session" for people interested in understanding current racial dynamics and issues. It is open to everyone interested in and concerned about those matters. The format is very simple – prayer, discussion, simple refreshments and hopefully more prayer. The National Church called year 2017 - A YEAR OF COMMITMENT. Church body called Future Directions presents an Action Plan for all our parishes to implement during the course of this coming year. We are asked to do what we can to put the work of the General Synod 2014 and Diocesan Synods into action across all our parishes. Here are the commitments components for each month of the year: January - Our Spiritual Commitment to Christ and His Church February - Our Financial Commitment and Stewardship March - Commitment to our PNCC April - Our Commitment as Easter People May - A Commitment to guidance of the Holy Spirit June - A Commitment to Sacred Vocations July - Commitment to constant prayer August - Commitment to our Youth September - Our Commitment to Living a life of Love October - Clergy Appreciation Month - Our Commitment to Faith and Family November – Our Commitment to living Thankful lives

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First Reading Genesis 17:9-14

God said to Abraham: For your part, you and your descendants after you must keep my covenant throughout the ages. This is the covenant between me and you and your descendants after you that you must keep: every male among you shall be circumcised. Circumcise the flesh of your foreskin. That will be the sign of the covenant between me and you.Throughout the ages, every male among you, when he is eight days old, shall be circumcised, including houseborn slaves and those acquired with money from any foreigner who is not of your descendants.Yes, both the houseborn slaves and those acquired with money must be circumcised. Thus my covenant will be in your flesh as an everlasting covenant. If a male is uncircumcised, that is, if the flesh of his foreskin has not been cut away, such a one will be cut off from his people; he has broken my covenant.

The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. Response to the Psalm Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord!

Second Reading Galatians 5:3-6

Once again I declare to every man who has himself circumcised that he is bound to observe the entire law. You are separated from Christ, you who are trying to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. For through the Spirit, by faith, we await the hope of righteousness. For in Christ Jesus, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love. The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia A light of revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia

Gospel Luke 2:21-32 When eight days were completed for his circumcision, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, Mary and Joseph took Jesus up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, just as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord, and to offer the sacrifice of a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons, in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord. Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord. He came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform the custom of the law in regard to him, he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying: "Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in the sight of all the peoples: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel." The Gospel of the Lord. Praise be to you Lord Jesus Christ.

Sunday Readings

Nov 6th- Feb 12th (16 weeks) issues of the bulletin are sponsored by Marianne Charabowski.

If anyone wishes to contribute to the printing cost of the bulletin, please contact Fr Michal.