SEPTEMBER 11, 2016 TWENTY-FOURTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
0914 2
SEPTEMBER 11, 2016 TWENTY-FOURTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
PARISH LAY LEADERSHIP
Finance Council Chairs….Kimberly Schoolcraft, Matthew Barnes
Parish Pastoral Council Chair..………………Kathleen Harrington
Rel Ed Advisory Committee ...Melissa Moriarty, Suzanne Harlow
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………………………...Deacon Paul Briere
Women’s Ministry ……..…………………………..Mary Federici
Youth Group (JPII Crew)………………….………Lisa Laferriere
AFFILIATED ORGANIZATIONS
Cursillo Movement ……………………….………...Karen Scahill
Schoenstatt Community……………..……….…Diane Czerwiecki
Boy Scout Troop 821 …………………..………………..Joe Muto
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-Friday, 9:00AM-2:00PM. 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 a 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.
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.
JUBILEE “YEAR OF MERCY”
Pope Francis has declared the period from December 8, 2015 till November 20, 2016 as an “Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy”.
God’s Mercy can be experienced by all who come before Him. All people are invited to experience the “Gift of Mercy” in many ways throughout this year – through Prayer, Scripture Study, Acts of Kindness and Mercy, and through Devotions to Mary the Mother of God, and the Divine Mercy of Jesus.
MASS SCHEDULE & DEVOTIONS
Sat 9/10 3:15-3:45PM CONFESSIONS (Chapel)
3:45PM DIVINE MERCY CHAPLET (Chapel)
4:00PM +Charles Hague
20th Anniversary Remembrance
r/b his Family
Sun 9/11 7:00AM +Lawrence & Stella Rabideau
r/b Phyllis & Peter Chlastawa
8:30AM +Barbara Dinkel
Birthday Remembrance
r/b her daughter Anna Horkun
11:00AM +Joseph Conroy
Anniversary Remembrance
r/b the Conroy Family
Mon 9/12 7:00AM +Joseph Trant
1st Anniversary Remembrance
r/b the Parish
Tue 9/13 7:00AM Mary Barrett – for health
r/b the Shivick Family
Wed 9/14 7:00AM +Wanda Horton
r/b Frank & Jane (Snyder) Weyant
3:00PM DIVINE MERCY CHAPLET (Chapel)
Thurs 9/15 7:00AM Communion Service
Fri 9/16 7:00AM Communion Service
Sat 9/17 8:00AM +Nicoletta Grimaldi
Birthday Remembrance
r/b her Family
MIRACULOUS MEDAL NOVENA (at 8:00AM Mass)
3:15-3:45PM CONFESSIONS (Chapel)
3:45PM DIVINE MERCY CHAPLET (Chapel)
4:00PM +Francis Casey
2nd Anniversary Remembrance
r/b his Family
Sun 9/18 7:00AM +Donald Paquette
Anniversary Remembrance
r/b his Family
8:30AM +Florence Oleksak
7th Anniversary Remembrance
r/b her husband Larry and daughters
Deborah, Doreen and Donna
11:00AM +Norman & Jerry Gallant,
+Bernice & Richard Bovat and
+Deceased Family Members
r/b their loving children
0914 3
SEPTEMBER 11, 2016 TWENTY-FOURTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
FROM FR. DAN’S DESK…
My friends, it’s hard to believe it’s been 15 years this weekend, since that terrible day on September 11, 2001, when our nation was rocked by terrorism, and so many lives and families affected and changed. We remember today all those who lost their lives that day, and especially the families of the victims from Westfield - Tara Shea Creamer, Daniel Trant, and Brian Murphy. 15 years later, let us pray that Our Nation be protected from future acts of violence, war and terrorism. We also remember today all Public Safety and First Responders, and especially all Firefighters, and particularly those from our Westfield Fire Department - many of whom are our parishioners, neighbors, family members, or friends. May our prayer include one of THANKS for their service and protection for all of us!
We also remember today, as always, our Military Men and Women who protect us and our nation each day! Please see the Bulletin Insert this week with a picture of Fr. Jim Longe and some military men and women he is working with as Chaplain in San Antonio, Texas. Fr. Jim has asked for black and brown, plastic or cloth, non-metal rosaries to give to these military men and women. Ron and Linda Gerlip, who are in touch with Fr. Jim, have asked our Rosary Sodality who makes such rosaries, to make some. Thanks to Ron and Linda Gerlip and our Rosary Sodality Ladies for supporting our Troops!
I also want to thank all of your from the parish who attended the Drug Awareness Vigil in support of families struggling with drug addiction or abuse. I was really overwhelmed by the number of you who came! We were by far the largest representation of all the churches in Westfield. I expressed to someone that evening how surprised I was at the number of our parishioners who were there and the person said. “Father you asked us to come, so we came.” Wow! I thank our parishioner Kathy Sitler and the Drug Task Force Committee in Westfield for organizing the event and making one of the first efforts of this group – a faith-based effort! It’s a real example of how we can bring our faith beyond the church walls, into any work we do, or need in our community! Special thanks also to Tom Fucci and “Psalm 33” for providing the music and especially the song “Oceans” which was totally appropriate for the occasion (and my favorite song). I walked back on the Town Green that night as the song was being sung and it was beautiful to hear the voices of our young people praising God and echoing over the Town Green! And certainly I was aware of the 5 families in our parish that were affected by overdose or near overdose in the last 2 and a half years, but I was also touched by some of what I didn’t know about some of you - how many of you shared how drugs have affected members of your families – it truly is a widespread disease!
Recently the Combined Committee of our Parish Evangelization Team and the Parish Pastoral Council, met to discuss plans for this Fall and events and opportunities leading up to the close of the Jubilee Year of Mercy on November 20. Some of the upcoming planned events for the Fall include a Parish Bus Trip for a day to the Divine Mercy Shrine in Stockbridge. For those who have never been to the Shrine – it’s truly a wonderful place and we are so blessed that it’s just a few miles up the road. The day will include opportunity to celebrate Mass there, pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet in their Chapel, and time on the grounds to take in the beautiful life-sized Stations of the Cross or the Children’s Memorial. We would have a picnic lunch there and they also have a great Gift Shop! (you know that retail thing is always with me).We are hoping to offer the trip on a day when there is no conflict for adults with work, or youth with school. It would be great for some of our young families to introduce their children to Divine Mercy and enjoy a simple, nice day at the Shrine as a family! We also have planned to do the next Retreat in the Divine Mercy Series – “33 Days to Merciful Love”. The starting date for that will be announced soon! And we will be having a special Screening of a Divine Mercy Film on the original image of Divine Mercy and its interesting story. We will have the movie for 5 days and will schedule several screenings of it here in the parish at a variety of times. I’m happy to say that we will be the ONLY location in Western Mass that will have the rights to show the movie – really exciting and a great evangelization opportunity for us!!
My thanks to all on our Parish Facebook Page who wished My Mom a Happy 91st Birthday last week! I shared all the greetings with her and she was very grateful! Our Parish Facebook Page is an excellent way for parishioners to stay connected with all kind of events going on in the parish. If you haven’t yet joined our Parish Facebook Group, please send a “request to join the group” on Facebook, and Deacon Paul Federici who manages the Facebook Page will accept your request and get you added to our Group! We currently have over 400 people who are in our Parish Facebook Group!
Our Just Faith Group will meet for the first time this Monday evening. We have 14 people who have committed to being in this 24 Week Program this year. I know it will be a life-changing and a faith-changing experience for you all!
Please remember that our Parish Religious Education Classes for our children and youth begin for the Fall - NEXT WEEKEND - September 18 (Grades 2-12) and September 24 (GradeK-1). PLEASE REGISTER YOUR CHILD NOW and allow us to be as prepared as we can be with adequate books and teachers for our classes!
God Bless, Fr. Dan
SEPTEMBER 11, 2001 – “LET US NEVER FORGET”
Eternal Rest Grant Unto Them O Lord, and Let Perpetual Light Shine Upon Them
0914 4
SEPTEMBER 11, 2016 TWENTY-FOURTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
SANCTUARY CANDLE
Is burning this week in for a
SPECIAL INTENTION
SPECIAL INTENTION CANDLE
Is burning this week in loving memory of
+NORMAN & JERRY GALLANT,
+BERNICE & RICHARD BOVAT and
+DECEASED FAMILY MEMBERS
requested by the Bovat & Gallant Family
PRAYER-LINE
To request prayers for yourself or a loved one, please call Pauline at 862-3885 0r Diane at 568-9754.
MARRIAGE PREPARATION
Just a reminder to all couples thinking about setting a date for their marriage. If you are planning to be married in the Sacrament of Marriage in the Church, to avoid disappointment in scheduling a date, you need to contact the church BEFORE you set a date or book a venue! Families, please share this information with your future brides and grooms!
WHAT IS RCIA?
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is the process established for individuals to become Catholic and receive the sacraments of initiation – Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist.
Who is RCIA for?
· Persons in need of Baptism
· Persons baptized in another Christian tradition who desire to become Catholic.
· Persons baptized Catholic in need of First Communion and/or Confirmation
Are you interested in RCIA?
We will soon begin a new journey in faith to share the richness of the Catholic Church and our parish family. We invite you to learn what the Church teaches, and be introduced to some of our parish members. These sessions also are opportunities for you to ask those perplexing and difficult questions you may have about the Church. If you have questions or would like further information, please contact Deacon Paul Federici at .
ADULT EDUCATION AT OLBS
This fall, the parish offers the following series:
Tuesdays, 6:15-8pm, beginning Sept. 20, 8 weeks
Follow Me: Meeting Jesus in the Gospel of John
The Gospel of John is unique! This just-released series is designed to help you follow Jesus in the Gospel, not as a bystander, but as a witness of God’s merciful love for us, made real through Jesus’ life. Following Christ takes more than simply believing in Him… Jesus wants you to be his disciple and friend. In John’s Gospel, we come to know Jesus, where he beckons us to follow Him.
Tuesdays, 6:15-8pm, beginning Sept. 20, 8 weeks
Unlocking the Mystery of the Bible
Do you wish that you could get a ‘big picture’ of the Bible, to understand what it’s about? This series will help make sense of the Bible, and how it relates to your everyday life. See how the sacraments and our entire Catholic faith are rooted in Scripture.
Tuesdays, 6:30-8pm, beginning Sept. 20, 8 weeks
Catholicism: The Pivotal Players
Bishop Barron is on a new journey to unlock the truth behind the Catholic Church's most influential people. In this series, you'll discover the places where St. Thomas Aquinas lived, learned, and wrote. Visit the countryside where St. Francis gathered a group of friars and revived the Church. See the places where St. Catherine of Siena ministered and prayed. Trek through England to where Blessed John Henry Newman and G.K. Chesterton left their mark and sparked an English Catholic revival. And through unprecedented HD footage, marvel at the extraordinary art of Michelangelo, from his David statue in Florence, to the Pietà at St. Peter's, to the Sistine Chapel.
Thursdays, 10am-noon, beginning Sept. 22, 8 weeks