SAINTPETERCLAVERWelcome to our Parish Family!

SCHEDULEOFMASSES

Saturday Vigil ..................................................................................... 4:30 p.m. Sunday............................................................................. 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. Weekdays, Monday through Thursday .................................. 6:30 a.m. SACRAMENTOFRECONCILIATIONSaturday ...................................... 3:15 to 4:00 p.m. or by appointment SACRAMENTOFBAPTISMFamilies preparing for Bap sm must a end a pre-bap smal class. Classes are held the third Sunday every other month. Please call the parish office to make arrangements.

Bap sms are celebrated on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month at 12:00 noon. SACRAMENTOFMATRIMONYThose preparing for the Sacrament of Marriage should schedule an appointment with Fr. Leary and Music Director Tim Stella.

Pastor ...................... Reverend James F. Leary

Deacon ............................... James E. Hickey, Jr.

Pastoral Associate ......................... Gigi Frailey

Religious Educa on Office

DRE ............................................. Angela Clement 860-521-2904

RE Assistant ....................................... Marie Carr spcreled@sbcglobal.net

Office Staff ............................. Joanne Therrien Debbie Walgren

Music Director.................................... Tim Stella

Cantor ............................................ Amanda Kohl

“Speaktothemwithyourhandsbeforeyouspeaktothemwithyourlips.”

St. Peter Claver

PARISHMEMBERSHIPThrough bap sm we become God’s sons and daughters, and brother and sisters of each other in Christ. Every family in the parish should be properly registered and each family should receive a set of envelopes. New parishioners should register at the Parish Office. Single adults over 21 years of age should register separately from parents. This registra on is our only means of cer fying anyone as a member of our parish family.

Office 47 Pleasant Street, West Har ord, CT 06107

Phone 860-561-4235

Fax 860-561-0552

E-mail st.peterclaver@sbcglobal.net

Parish Website www.stpeterclaver.parishlink.com

CHURCH OF SAINT PETER CLAVER WEST HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT December 14, 2014

Saturday, December 13 4:30 PM Memorial: Robert & Jean Honold

Sunday, December 14 8:30 AM Memorial: Mary Ann LaFleur 10:30 AM Memorial: Angelo & Mary Giardini and Brian O’Meara Monday, December 15 6:30 AM Memorial: George McKenna Tuesday, December 16 6:30 AM Memorial: Phyllis Nigro

Wednesday, December 17 6:30 AM Anniversary: Kathryn Noone Thursday, December 18 6:30 AM Memorial: Aldo Gaspardi Saturday, December 20 4:30 PM Anniversary: Harriet Kwasniak

Sunday, December 21 8:30 AM Anniversary: Turhan Ergin and

Dr. Michael Ergin 10:30 AM Anniversary: Mary Moran Boyle

Wednesday, December 17 10:00 AM Playgroup ~ Hall 4:00 PM Confession ~ Church 7:00 PM Confession ~ Church Thursday, December 18 7:30 PM MATH ~ Classroom Saturday, December 20 12:00 noon Food Basket Drop Off ~ Hall 7:30 PM Christmas Concert ~ Church

HOLIDAY BULLETIN DEADLINES Due to our publisher’s holiday deadlines, all bulletin inserts should be forwarded via email to the parish office as soon as possible (st.peterclaver@sbcglobal.net) in order that your information is included on the weekend requested.

A FAMILY PERSPECTIVE

Today’s gospel reports “there is one among you whom you do not recognize.” It is hard to believe Christ is present in a family with crazy schedules, suppers that start too late and end too early, cars that don’t start, misunderstandings, frustrations, piles of laundry, unmatched socks and stretched food budgets. The list is endless. The words spoken as mass, “The Lord is with you,” are not a hope, they are a fact.

THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT

First Reading: Isaiah 61:1-2a, 10-11 Isaiah describes the joy and salvation which will accompany the coming of Christ. He compares the plants which spring from a garden to the justice that will spring from all nations. Second Reading: I Thessalonians 5:16-24 Paul reminds the Thessalonians to constantly ready themselves for Christ’s arrival. He tells them to “avoid any semblance of evil” so that they may be found irreproachable when Jesus does arrive. Gospel: John 1:6-8, 19-28 John explains that he is only a messenger to the people for one more powerful than himself. John stresses to them that they must make a path for the one so powerful that he is not fit to unfasten the strap of his sandal.

©1999 Bon Venture Services, Inc.

READINGS FOR THE WEEKND DECEMBER 21 First Reading: 2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16

Second Reading: Romans 16:25-27 Gospel: Luke 1:26-38

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION The Church of St Timothy offers Eucharistic Adoration every Wednesday from 8:00 am – 6:00 pm in the church. All are welcome to participate and spend some quiet time in the presence of Jesus. We encourage you to come for as long as you can… 10 minutes or an hour or whatever fits your busy schedule. Come find peace, comfort and clarity in the presence of Jesus Christ. For details visit www.sttimothywesthartford.com.

After Mass on Sunday, December 21st, please come enjoy a cup of coffee, doughnuts and some friendly chatter.

We thank the Knights of Columbus for hosting this event.

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THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT

CONFESSIONS Wednesday, December 16th 4:00 pm until all are heard 7:00 pm until all are heard Saturday, December 19th

3:15 – 4:00 pm

CHRISTMAS MASSES Christmas Eve

Thursday, December 24th 3:30 pm Vigil

5:30 pm Family Liturgy 10:00 pm Solemn Christmas Eve

Christmas Day

Friday, December 25th 8:30 am and 10:30 am

NEW YEAR’S MASS SCHEDULE Thursday, December 31st

5:30 pm Vigil Friday, January 1st

10:00 am

SOCIAL WORK VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Immaculate Conception Shelter is in need of retired social workers/people with a background in human services or interns who are able to volunteer and assist with basic case management during the time they operate the No Freeze Shelter (from December 8th - March 31st.) Expectations include: managing a case load; 8-16 hours a week over 2-5 days, M-F. Contact Director of Programs, Steve MacHattie for info: (860)724-4823 x 406 or email: SteveM@icshc.org.

ST. PETER CLAVER CHRISTMAS CONCERT

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 20TH ~ 7:30 pm

FEATURING OUR ST. PETER CLAVER CHOIR

AND SPECIAL GUEST JOHN CUDIA

Tickets are available only after weekend Masses

Suggested Donation: $20

A FRESH PERSPECTIVE ON THE SUNDAY READINGS HIS WORD TODAY by Rev. William J. Reilly

Third Sunday of Advent December 14, 2014

“The spirit of the Lord is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me; He has sent me to bring glad tidings to the lowly, to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to captives and release to prisoners, to announce a year of favor from the Lord and a day of vindication by our God…Do not stifle the spirit. Do not despise prophecies. Test everything, retain what is good. Avoid any semblance of evil.”

Isaiah’s statement written six centuries before the time of Christ, is the statement Jesus used as He revealed His mission in His hometown of Nazareth. Today, the mission of Christ the Redeemer is no different, and in the words of Saint John Paul II, has been entrusted to the church. May we make it real and relevant. By baptism we have been anointed, Christened. The name Christ means the Anointed One. I have a mission, I have been sent, to bring glad tidings to others, the ‘Joy of the Gospel ‘of Pope Francis. I can and will ease the suffering of someone else, a sick friend, a lonely neighbor, through a card this year, or better a telephone call or visit. I can assist freeing someone from an addiction or habit that weighs them down, as we find in A.A. sponsors. Prisoners, are not only the incarcerated, but refugees from war torn countries living in camps, separated from families cared for by Catholic Relief Services, Doctors without Borders, or Lamp For Haiti. In this way we announce a year of favor, we say ‘A Blessed Christmas.’ Decide today how the spirit will speak through you. Let the prophet Isaiah speak again through your actions. Test everything, but above all do something.

UPCOMING MEN’S RETREAT RESOLVE TO RETREAT!

All men of St. Peter Claver are invited to attend the Men's Retreat at Holy Family on January 30 - February 1st. This year's Retreat theme is Know Greater Joy. Explore how we can discover deep and enduring joy in God’s presence no matter the situation. Please join us and revive your body, soul and mind. Join men from St. Peter Claver and other West Hartford parishes to re-charge through conferences, workshops, prayer services, delicious home cooking and plenty of free time. Cost is $295, more if you can; less if you can’t. Register at www.holyfamilyretreat.org or call 860-760-9705. Holy Family Retreat Center - 303 Tunxis Rd - West Hartford, CT. For more information, please call the Retreat Center or contact Tony Torsiello (Parish Promoter) at torsiello88@sbcglobal.net or 860-561-1877.

Christmas Giving Program

When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of

John, do you truly love me more than these?”

“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”

Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me?”

He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”

The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?”

He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.”

– John 21:15-17

St. Peter Claver parish has a long history of showing generosity to less fortunate families. The Christmas Giving Program provided for 140 families last year and we anticipate similar demand this Christmas. The intent of the program is to provide a box of food for Christmas Day for families who truly need assistance. Unfortunately, we are only about half way to meeting our goal. This is an opportunity to make a very basic yet significant impact on the lives of our neighbors. Please take a moment after mass to sign-up to donate. Sheets are on the tables at the exit doors, or email: Nancy Byrne: Nancybyrne07@gmail.com John O’Gorman: jogorman.jog@gmail.com

In today’s Gospel, we hear someone witnessing about Jesus. His name is John the Bap-tist, and he knows that Jesus is God. John told the people that the One they were looking for was in their midst; they just had not recognized Him. We recognize Jesus' presence in our world because we have learned about Him from the Bible and from the Church. As we prepare for the coming of Jesus at Christmas, let us think about the people who are like John the Baptist for us - helping us to recognize and believe in Jesus, the Son of God. During Advent, we thank God for those who help us to know Jesus, our Lord and Savior!

Contact the Faith Formation Office with any questions at 860-521-2904 or email at spcreled@sbcglobal.net.

"Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In all circumstances give thanks.” 1 Thess. 5:16

Special Thanks to All who par-ticipated in our Annual Christ-mas Pageant this year! We sin-

cerely thank Mrs. Norma Jean Macosko for sharing her time and talent in directing our presentation, along with many wonderful parent helpers! The best part of all were the children who participated in a special way to bring the true meaning of Christmas into our hearts - by reminding us that Jesus IS the Reason for the Season!

SCHEDULE OF UPCOMING CLASSES

GRADES 3 - 6

Sunday Students meet Sunday, December 14, 9:30 - 10:30am.

Weekday Students meet as follows: Tuesday, December 16, 3:45-4:45pm

Wednesday, December 17, 2:15-3:15pm

GRADE 7 Students meet Sunday, December 14,

11:45am - 12:45pm

GRADE 8 Sunday Students: December 21 at 11:45am-12:45pm

Tuesday Students: December 16 at 6:30-7:30pm.

MONTHLY PENANCE PROGRAM

Grade 5 Sunday Students will receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation on Saturday, Dec. 13. There are NO classes on December 14 for Grade 5 Sunday Students.

ADAPTIVE PROGRAM Our next Class for Children with Special Needs meets on Tuesday, December 16, from 6:30-7:30pm for our Family Christmas Party! Contact the Faith Formation Office or email Craig Lomma at clomma@comcast.net for more details.

CONFIRMATION PREPARATION GRADE 9: Students meet Sunday, December 14 at 11:45am-12:45pm.

GRADE 10: Students meet Sunday, January 11, 11:45-1pm.

FAMILY & CHURCH CLASSES

GRADE 1 Sunday Students: January 11, 9:30am - 10:30am

Tuesday Students: January 13 at 3:45pm - 4:45pm

GRADE 2 Sunday Students: December 21, 9:30am- 10:30am Tuesday Students: December 16, 3:45pm- 4:45pm

Wednesday Students: December 17, 2:15pm-3:15pm

Time With Jesus Response Sheets at Mass

A Prayer for the 3rd Sunday of Advent

Let us pray…

Dear God, our third candle reminds us of the love and joy that surrounded the shepherds at the news of Jesus’ birth. Thank You for the gift of Jesus to our world. As the shepherds found Jesus in the manger, may we find Jesus when-ever we share His love with others. We pray in the Name of Jesus. Amen!

December Outreach - Gifts For Baby Jesus!

We wish to thank our students and their families who have been so generous to all of our outreach pro-jects. Please know how much your kindness is appreciated. Helping those in need is the best way to share the love of Christ.

Gifts for Baby Jesus will be collected this week and next week. All of the items will be given to St. Gerard’s Center for Life in Hartford. This Christian organization cares for needy mothers and babies.

Thank you for honoring Baby Jesus with your gifts!

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