Third Sunday of Advent

December 16, 2018

Home from Sabbatical! I am so blessed and happy to be home! I have returned from the Holy Land. The last week of my pilgrimage was packed with a pilgrimage group from St. Luke Barrington including some St. Thomas More parishioners. It was also the first anniversary of the death of my two day-old godson Symeon Safar, who passed away while I was there last year with a parish pilgrimage. One year ago, I confirmed him and gave him Anointing of the Sick. His family and I were blessed to celebrate Mass in the tomb of Christ’s

resurrection on Friday, November 30th. I will share more about their amazing faith and story in next week’s bulletin.

I spent a great deal of my time in Jerusalem living among the Salesian community at the Ratisbonne Monastery. This is a major seminary with 48 men from 28 countries from five continents. As you can imagine, this was a unique experience of international fraternity and brotherhood. The Salesians are the same community to which we are wed by the war in Syria. I’ve included some pictures of my goodbye soiree where I provided some pizza from an outside restaurant – a first ever treat for them. The Salesians follow the life of St. John Bosco who worked with underprivileged youth as they do throughout the world. The men I stayed with became the cornerstone of my sabbatical, praying with them daily and sharing a common life.

I came to experience the real challenges of those who live in the Middle East have every day. The holy land is holy, but it is also a place of deep tensions and problems. Christians make up only 1% of Israelis.

I made it to the Sea of Galilea a couple of times and was able to participate in archeological tours with the seminary to remote places that I would have otherwise never been able to.

My favorite grace was being able to walk to the Holy Sepulcher Church, Golgotha and the Anointing Stone about 15 minutes from my Salesian home.

I prayed for you daily and relied on your prayers. I came home and celebrated Immaculate Conception Mass and I cannot tell you how wonderful to be back among you, my spiritual family and to offer Eucharist with those we know and love.

I am especially looking forward to Christmas this year and so happy to be back! Let our Advent be a time of longing and waiting for the Solemnity of the Birth of Our Lord.

Shalom! God Bless!

Fr. Taillon

Salesian Seminary Chapel

Pray the Rosary The rosary is prayed each weekday after the 9:00AM Mass at St Thomas More and for the special intention of peace in the world and on Saturday mornings at 8:30AM before Mass. Please join us.

Prayer Chain Ministry If you know someone who would like extra needed prayers , please call Jean at 783-3403 and express your request. Volunteers are needed for this important ministry. Please call Jean, if you can volunteer.

Please note: There is no Knitting Ministry meeting in December. Next meeting is on Wednesday, January 16th at 12:30.

Mass Intentions for the Week

Saturday, December 15th: 5:00 PM: For the Souls of Salvatore & Mary Rossi

Sunday, December 16th: 8:00 AM: Pro Populo 10:00AM: For the Soul of Sheril Ann Murphy

Monday, December 17th: 9:00 AM: Special Intention ~ The Kwetkowski Family (living)

Tuesday, December 18th: 9:00AM: For the Souls of Edward Sullivan & Family

Wednesday, December 19th: 9:00 AM: Special Intention ~ Mary Buchanan

Thursday, December 20th: 9:00 AM: For the Soul of Brian Gillcrist

Friday, December 21st: 9:00 AM: for the Soul of Bob Winward

Saturday, December 22nd: 9:00 AM: For the Soul of Ray Lydon 5:00 PM: For the Soul of Davies W. Bisset, Jr.

Sunday, December 23rd: 8:00 AM: For the Souls of the Bova Family 10:00AM: Anniversary ~ Carl Cottle

St. Veronica Chapel

Saturday, December 15th: 4:00 PM: For the Soul of Elizabeth Kearney

Sunday, December 16th: 9:00 AM: 5th Anniversary ~ Matthew Gagne 11:00 AM: 8th Anniversary ~ Eugene Remington Saturday, December 22nd: 4:00 PM: For the Soul of John Seddon

Sunday, December 23rd: 9:00 AM: For the Soul of Marie Piscitelli 11:00 AM: 20th Anniversary ~ Frank Gesmondi

Third Sunday of Advent

December 16, 2018 The King of Israel, the LORD,

is in your midst, you have no further misfortune to fear.

-- Zephaniah 3:15b

Men’s Bible Study Our parish has a very active group of men, who for more than 16 years, have met each Saturday at 7:30AM in a "round table" format to discuss the Sunday scripture readings. It is very informal and attended by some scholarly and not-so-scholarly folks. It’s rewarding and even some fun. Bring your coffee and come on over to St. Thomas More parish hall!

Thursday, December 20th

Thank you to the Knights of Columbus for setting up the mangers at St. Veronica Chapel and St. Thomas More Church.

Check out our bookracks located at the Church parking lot entrance at St. Thomas More and in the main entrance at St. Veronica Chapel. There are lots of new cd’s and pamphlets. Great gift ideas!

Religious Education Schedule ~ December 2018

Conf. I: Dec. 16th Grade 9: 7:00PM ~ 8:15PM ~ St. Veronica

Conf. II: Dec. 16th* Grade10: 7:00PM ~ 8:15PM ~ St. Veronica

What better way to spend the Christmas season then to bring joy to those in need and take a trip to see the amazing La Salette Christmas lights! Don't miss your chance to join us on Sunday the 23rd for an entire day of Christmas activities: 11:00am-12:00pm Mass at Veronicas Chapel 12:00pm-2:00pm Lunch, Christmas cards, and music run through 2:00pm-3:00pm Caroling at Elderwood Nursing Home 3:00pm-10:00pm La Salette Trip More info and details to come! Please email Youth Minister Emily Cuellar to reserve a spot at youthministrystmsfa@gmail.com or stop by the parish office. Permission slip and $10.00 fee is due on Friday, December 21st

Rejoice Today has traditionally been called Gaudete Sunday. The Latin tag is derived from Paul ’s appeal in the second reading to rejoice always in the Lord, and the Latin Mass text based on that reading. The irony and paradox of this Christian joy is underlined by the fact that Paul wrote those words in prison. But from there he could see the progress of God ’s work. Is it obvious to us? We feel that this is not the time for joy when there is so much suffering and moral evil. It is interesting, then, that the first reading is from the prophet Zephaniah, who is almost exclusively concerned with gloomy visions of Judgment Day. Today the Church selects the only optimistic text in Zephaniah, in which the prophet has been touched by the spirit of joy. This, we are assured on all sides, is the season of joy. Let us recapture that feeling of joy in our lives and reflect it to those who are joyless.

Please join us for the 6th Annual Nativity Lighting at the Rhode Island Statehouse (in the Rotunda area) on Wednesday, December 19th from 3 to 4 pm! We'll light our beautiful Nativity Scene, celebrating the coming birth of Christ who is the Light of the World! We'll sing holy Christmas carols and eat delicious Christmas cookies donated by Buono's Bakery! This event is presented by the Joy to the World Nativity Committee, and is sponsored by The Thomas More Society and Media sponsors Relevant Radio and The Rhode Island Catholic! As always, this event is free and open to the public!

St. Thomas More Knights of Columbus Pope Pius XII Helping out at Mother of Life Center in Providence

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