DECEMBER 31, 2017 THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH
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DECEMBER 31, 2017 THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH
PARISH LAY LEADERSHIP
Finance Council Chairs….Kimberly Schoolcraft, Matthew Barnes
Parish Pastoral Council Chair..………………Kathleen Harrington
Rel Ed Advisory Committee ...Melissa Moriarty, Suzanne Harlow
Parish Safety Advisory Committee………………………..Fr. Dan
RCIA ……………………………Ray Breton, Rosemary Thresher
Bible Study………………………………………...... Sue Fratini
Adult Education………………………..Mary Federici, Bob Stack
PARISH ORGANIZATIONS/PROGRAMS
Rosary Sodality……………..………Nancy Garen/Ursula Tuohey
Social Justice………………….…………….Andrea Cook-Hewitt
Just Faith…………………………………Pat Mack, Karen Scahill
St. Joseph’s Workers………………………………………Fr. Dan
Men’s Ministry Group………………………...... Fr. Dan
Youth Group (JPII Crew)………………….………Lisa Laferriere
AFFILIATED ORGANIZATIONS
Cursillo Movement ……………………….………...Karen Scahill
Schoenstatt Movement .……………..……….…Diane Czerwiecki
Boy Scout Troop 821 …………………..…………Chris Muldrew
Girl Scout Troops…………………….……..……....Pat O’Connor
Knights of Columbus………………………………Greg Perreault
PARISH MINISTRIES
Altar Server Scheduling……………………..……… Cindy Monti
Altar Server Training……………………………….Jim O’Connor
Baptismal Prep……………………………..…… Lou Mastroianni
Children’s Liturgy of the Word……………….……….Sue Fratini
Eucharistic Ministers/Readers, Scheduling ...... ……Beth Modlish
Homebound/Pastoral Care Ministry…………...... Mary Federici
Music Ministry – Adult & Youth Choir……………Melanie Peetz
Contemporary Music Group (Psalm 33).………………Tom Fucci
Sacristans.…………………..……..Irene King, Phyllis Chlastawa,
Jim O’Connor, Irene Breton, Karen Scahill
Soup Kitchen……………… …..... Marcia Daly, Sandy O’Connor
Take & Eat Ministry……..…………………………Cheryl Wood
Wedding Coordinator………………………….…..Donna Whelan
Wedding Team……...…Kathy Harrington, Gina Broderick,
Christina Straney, Tina Broderick
Prayer Line………………..Pauline, 862-3885 or Diane, 568-9754
OFFICE HOURS
The Parish Office is located at the Parish Center. Entrance is across from the Mary Garden. Hours: Monday-Thursday, 9am-2pm; Friday 9am-noon. Sue is available to greet and assist you.
NEW PARISHIONERS
We warmly welcome new members to join our parish. Please fill out a registration card on the tables in the church and place in the collection basket. Registration and active participation is necessary for Religious Education and letters of eligibility for godparents and sponsors, as well as Catholic School Parish Subsidy.
SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM
The Sacrament is celebrated monthly. Please call the Office to arrange. At least one Godparent must be a Confirmed, active parishioner in their parish, attending Mass weekly.
SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGE
The Sacrament of Marriage is planned by an initial meeting with a priest or deacon, at least 6 months in advance. Be sure to contact the church BEFORE committing to date or venue with a deposit.
SACRAMENT OF THE SICK
The Sacrament of the Sick is administered by a priest, when requested. Pastoral care to the hospitalized sick and homebound is provided by the pastoral staff, and trained parishioners.
SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION
The Sacrament with Confession is celebrated each Saturday after the 8:00 am Mass, and from 3:15- 3:45 pm, as well as by appointment.
CHAPLET OF DIVINE MERCY
The Chaplet is prayed as a group on Saturday afternoons at 3:45 in the Chapel.
MIRACULOUS MEDAL NOVENA
The Novena is prayed every Saturday morning at the 8:00AM Mass in the Chapel.
HOSPITAL VISITS
If anyone has a hospital stay, please have a family member call the parish and indicate whether the parishioner would like to have a visit, or if they would like their name mentioned at Mass during the Prayers of the Faithful.
MONTHLY HEALING MASS
Monthly Healing Mass – 4th Sunday of Every Month at 2:00PM - St. George Church, 202 E. Main St. Chicopee, MA. 413-331-5656
HEARING ASSISTED DEVICES
Hearing Assisted Devices are located near the American Flag at the back of the church.
MASS SCHEDULE
Sat 12/30 4:00PM +Collette Valois Kimmel
Birthday Remembrance
r/b mother Lillian Valois
Sun 12/31 7:00AM +Fr. Francis X. Sullivan
1st Anniversary Remembrance
r/b Michael & Mary Zyra
8:30AM +Kevin Regan
3rd Anniversary Remembrance
r/b Family
11:00AM + Theresa Forcier
6th Anniversary Remembrance
r/b Roger Beaudoin
SOLEMNITY OF MARY, MOTHER OF GOD MASSES
Sun 12/31 4:00PM +George Van Heynigen r/b The Parish
Mon 1/1 10:00AM +Sal & Irene Porcello
r/b Family
Tue 1/2 7:00AM +Living & Deceased Priests
of the Diocese
r/b Parishioner
Wed 1/3 7:00AM +Theresa Baginski
5th Anniversary Remembrance
r/b nieces Carol & Marsha
Thu 1/4 7:00AM Communion Service
Fri 1/5 7:00AM Communion Service
Sat 1/6 8:00AM +Elias Yarrows
r/b His Children
MIRACULOUS MEDAL NOVENA
3:15-3:45PM CONFESSIONS (Chapel)
3:45PM CHAPLET OF DIVINE MERCY (Chapel)
4:00PM +Dan Falcetti
5th Anniversary Remembrance
r/b Family
Sun 1/7 7:00AM +Georges Breton
Anniversary Remembrance
r/b Raymond Breton & Family
8:30AM +Howard F. Murphy
r/b Susan & Steve- Murphy
11:00AM +Eleanor Funai
1st Anniversary Remembrance
r/b Family
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DECEMBER 31, 2017 THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH
HAPPY, HEALTHY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!
FROM FR. DAN’S DESK…
The celebration of a New Year is always a time for looking back over the previous year, and an opportunity to look ahead to things to come! It’s really the same in the life of a Parish. Like our lives and those of our families, each new year in a parish brings growth, change and new opportunities for us as a people of faith, as well as a community in our relationships with one another. In February of 2017 we held our second “Taste of OLBS” where I reluctantly gave up the coveted “Measuring Cup Trophy” to first place winner Chuck Laudato for his delicious Seafood Chowder - there’s always next year! Then in March we began our 2017 Lenten Speaker Series – “Hope Among Us” which featured speakers like Catholic Radio Host and Blogger Gary Zimak who spoke about moving from “Fear to Faith”, Judy Studer who spoke about the Apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima during the celebration of the 100th Anniversary of the Apparitions, to Fr. Warren Savage and Bishop Rozanski who joined us on the final night to speak about the importance of being a “welcoming people” in the face of the refugee crisis in the world. We celebrated our annual Family Irish Night in March and began the forming of our Parish Team “Wholey Spirit Team OLBS” who would run in the 2017 Run Westfield Road Race and Walk in May. As a parish we were proud to attend the Ordination to the Priesthood of parish native Fr. Barrent Pease on June 10, followed the next day by his Mass of Thanksgiving in our church. Always popular is our Vacation Bible Experience - this year titled “Maker Fun Factory”. Our Contemporary Music Group – “Psalm 33” was invited again to participate in the “Faith on Fire Rally” at Sacred Heart Church in Feeding Hills. Early September saw us take a bus trip to the first ever EWTN Family Celebration in Worcester, and September was the month we began the USO Christmas Stocking Collection in the parish. On October 21 we kicked off a Fund for a New Heating System for the Parish Center with a Parish Dinner featuring 320 golumbki painstakingly made by yours truly the prior week. November began with our Annual Candlelight Mass of Remembrance which is always very well attended. On November 11 we took another Bus Trip to the “Mercy and Mary Retreat Day” in Charlton featuring Fr. Michael Gaitley – author of “33 Days to Morning Glory”. December we were asked by members of St. Mary’s Parish to support them in their desire to help resettle over 11 families who lost their homes in Puerto Rico during Hurricane Maria. After the church shooting in Southerland Texas, I felt it was important to form a Parish Safety Committee to look at many aspects of our parish preparedness for any number of emergencies that could possibly take place. And finally in December – having heard for the first time, about the International Peace Light from Bethlehem, I learned the light was available at a church in Southampton and so brought the Light to our church where it will remain burning near the Nativity Scene in the Gathering Space till after Christmas. It was a busy year!
Just to also share a few Statistics – In 2017 as a Parish we celebrated: 31 Baptisms, 29 First Communions, 29 Confirmations, 2 Received into Full Communion through the RCIA Program, 3 Weddings, 49 Funerals, and 38 New Families who joined the Parish. In terms of our Religious Education Programs from Kindergarten through Grade 11, we had a total of 193 Youth in Religious Education (CCD). As far as Adult Education Programs – everything from Bible Study to the Just Faith Group to the Thursday Morning Adult Ed Program – 87 Adults in total. Our “Take and Eat” Program delivered 840 meals over the past year, along with a once a month meal served by our parish at the Samaritan Inn, and a once per month meal served at the Westfield Soup Kitchen. In addition, 30 Turkeys & Food Baskets were prepared and donated by the parish to the local needy, for Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Looking ahead to 2018 – we have much to look forward to – A “Parish Visitation” from Bishop Rozanski and his Parish Visitation Team at the end of January, our 2018 Parish Lenten Series: “Faith in Action – If We Are the Body…”, a new Youth Ministry Service Trip planned for Knoxville, TN in June, our Vacation Bible Experience - “Shipwrecked – Rescued by Jesus” in late July, and so much more! The Parish is our place of Worship, our place to Grow in our Faith, our place of Community, the place where we Encounter the Face of Christ in Service to Others. May this next year help us to grow in all those areas!
God Bless, Fr. Dan
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DECEMBER 31, 2017 THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH
SANCTUARY CANDLE
Is burning this week in loving memory of
+EDWARD & IRENE SIENKIEWICZ
requested by their Children
SPECIAL INTENTION CANDLE
Is burning this week in loving memory of
+RITA M. HALL
requested by Hall Family
MARY GARDEN CANDLE
Is burning this week in loving memory of
+DAVID O. SANFORD
1ST ANNIVERSARY REMEMBRANCE
requested by wife Marcia Sanford
SACRED HEART CANDLE
Is burning this week in honor of
PEOPLE OF THE PARISH
PRAYER-LINE
To request prayers for yourself or a loved one,
please call Pauline at 862-3885 or Diane at 568-9754.
SUPER BOWL RAFFLE
During December and January we will be running a “Super Bowl Raffle” for the opportunity to win a $750 Gift Certificate from “Best Buy” for a large screen HD TV, or an appliance or computer of your choice, or a prize of a $150 Gift Card to Big Y for all the fixings for a Super Bowl Party or for groceries! Just take an envelope from the marked baskets near the bulletins, write your name and number on the envelope and place $10 cash or check made payable to OLBS, and place it in the collection basket in December or January. The winners will be pulled on January 27. The proceeds from this raffle will benefit the Fund for a New Heating System for the Parish Center.
ENRICH YOUR HOLIDAY EXPERIENCE
Saturday, January 6, 2018 at 6:00pm, here at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Church, Schola Nova will perform Still, Still, Still – a winter holiday program drawing on the tradition of Lessons and Carols begun in the 19th Century and now practiced by choirs all over the world. These concerts/services feature nine text reads complemented by choral selections sung by the audience and Schola Nova. Music will include pieces by composers from the Renaissance to modern times. The Concert is FREE but a goodwill offering will be gladly accepted.
JANUARY 6/7
THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD
READINGS
Old Testament: Isaiah 60:1-6
New Testament: Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6
Gospel: Matthew 2:1-12
READERS
4:00PM Ray Breton 7:00AM Alex Trzasko III
8:30AM Chris Warren 11:00AM Kathy Harrington
EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS
4:00PM Darlene Fucci, Diane Wright, Trish Ragone,
Bob Ragone
7:00AM Lee Reynolds, Pat Mack, Dave Trotman
8:30AM Donna Bourbeau, Paul Lussier, Marilyn Orszak
11:00AM Karl Weckstrom, Karen Scahill, Linda Gerlip,
Marie Gilberti
INTERNATIONAL PEACE LIGHT
The “International Peace Light” has arrived at our church. This light comes from the Grotto of the Nativity in Bethlehem and has been spread each around the world through the efforts of the Boy Scouts. You can read more about the Peace Light on the Bulletin board in the entryway to the church from the portico. The Peace Light will remain in the Church from Advent and Christmas, through the Feast of the Epiphany on January 7. Let us pray that all of us will help spread Christ’s Light in the world by being Ambassadors of Peace this Advent and Christmas Season!
THANK YOU – BULLETIN ADVERTISERS
At this time of year we want to thank all those businesses who advertise in our bulletin throughout the year. We appreciate your support of our Parish in this way. Our bulletin company provides this weekly bulletin - free of charge – to our Parish each week, but they depend on local business advertising for the bulletin, as a source of revenue. Thank you to all those who advertise in our bulletin! For any businesses or parishioners that might be interested in placing an ad, please contact John Patrick Publishing at 1-800-333-3166.
OUR STEWARDSHIP
December 17, 2017
Regular and Development (gold) $ 11,955
Budget Requirement per Week 11,100
855
THANK YOU!
LETTER FROM BISHOP ROZANSKI
Dear Monsignor/Father/Deacon:
There are many institutions in our Diocese which make it a special place. One of those is the College of Our Lady of the Elms. As the only Catholic college in western Massachusetts, Our Lady of the Elms is both a blessing and a resource. The College serves people of all ages and backgrounds within many communities and locations across the Diocese. And, like all private institutions of higher education, Elms is dependent on private support to fulfill its mission.
Chartered in 1928, Elms College is entering its 90th year of providing its students with an education rooted in faith, educated in mind, compassionate in heart, and responsive to civic and social obligations without compromising principle.
Since its inception, Elms College has granted more than 14,000 degrees to a wide range of students, many of whom have remained in the Diocese and have served this area in education, healthcare, human services and business. This continued legacy is due in large part to the generosity and support of the parishes of the Diocese.