St. Roch Parish Sister Parish ~ St. Anne of Chardonnieres

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The Church of Saint Roch, Oxford, MA THE SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT December 10, 2017

Saturday, December 9, 2017 4:00 PM Daniel C. Robbins, Sr. and Keith C. Robbins by the Robbins Family Sunday, December 10, 2017 8:30 AM Henry Antkowiak by wife and family 11:00 AM Michael Robicheau by daughter Nicole Monday, December 11, 2017 8:30 AM Alfred Mathurin by Yvonne & Diane Mathurin Tuesday, December 12, 2017 8:30 AM Problem Pregnancy and Visitation House Wednesday, December 13, 2017 8:30 AM Gentile family ~ living and deceased by Paula Miner & Ken Mills Thursday, December 14, 2017 8:30 AM Regina Curtis by Olga Brault Friday, December 15, 2017 8:30 AM Irene Richardson by sister Theresa Lusignan Saturday, December 16, 2017 4:00 PM Sidney Baarda (14th Anniversary) by wife Del Sunday, December 17, 2017 8:30 AM Margarida & Manuel Tavares by daughter Connie Voas 11:00 AM Michael Dunn (4th Anniversary) by the family

Sunday, December 10 Is 40:1-5, 9-11 2 Pt 3:8-14 Mk 1:1-8 Monday, December 11 Is 35:1-10 Lk 5:17-26 Tuesday, December 12 Zec 2:14-17 Lk 1:26-38 Wednesday, December 13 Is 40:25-31 Mt 11:28-30 Thursday, December 14 Is 41:13-20, Mt 11:11-15 Friday, December 15 Is 48:17-19 Mt 11:16-19 Saturday, December 16 Sir 48:1-4, 9-11 Mt 17:9a, 10-13 Sunday, December 17 Is 61:1-2a, 10-11 1 Thes 5:16-24 Jn 1:6-8, 19-28

Scripture Readings

PARISH DIRECTORY

334 Main St., Oxford, MA 01540

Rectory Office ………………………………(508) 987-8987 Fax ……………………………...…………. (508) 987-8938 Religious Education Office………………….(508) 987-2382

Pastor Rev. Michael J. Roy Deacon Rev. Mr. Paul Connolly Director of Religious Education Mrs. Terry Ann Renaud Administrative Assistant (M-TH 9-4) Mrs. Teri Rawson Email: strochrectory@gmail.com Director of Music Ms. Anna Pizzolato St. Vincent de Paul Society.……….. Arlene (508) 987-2813

Cemetery ………………..Contact rectory at (508) 987-8987

Mass Schedule

Saturday: 4:00 PM Sunday: 8:30 & 11:00 AM

Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday 8:30 AM

(the fourth Wednesday of the month Fr. Roy has Mass at St. Paul’s

Cathedral—no Mass here)

Confessions: 3:00 PM Saturday or anytime on request. Office Hours: Monday thru Thursday 8:30-4

Pastoral Care: All the time

WEBSITE: strochoxford.com

EMAILS: Teri Rawson—Rectory Office: strochrectory@gmail.com Terry Renaud—Rel. Ed. Office: strochoxford@gmail.com

December 2 & 3

Offertory Envelopes (156) $ 4,729.00 Loose Money 393.00 Fuel 1,689.00 Other sources of income 686.00 Total 7,497.00 Weekly Goal 5,582.00 Result + 1,915.00

Thank you!

There will be a second collection this weekend December 9th & 10th for The Retirement for Religious.

We thank you for your continued generosity.

CHRISTMAS FLOWERS

Please place your Christmas Flower envelope in any collection basket or drop off to the rectory by December 18th. The names of the families will be enrolled in a special memorial listing which will be

inserted in the bulletin the weekend of December 24th.

Advent Penance Service

Tuesday, December 19th St. Roch Church

6:30 PM ~ All are invited.

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The Church of Saint Roch, Oxford, MA THE SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT December 10, 2017

My dear Parishioners, As you know, I pray earnestly before writing to you every week. I often write my letters at the Chapel of Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration in the Emmaus Center on East Main St., Webster. While I am not writing this particular letter there, it was there that the theme of this letter was revealed to me. Thinking about Christmas, the great celebration of welcoming Jesus Christ, the Son of God born to be one of us, to be with us, I was forcibly reminded by the Holy Spirit that the most holy Eucharist is par excelance the way we Catholics believe that Jesus continues to be with us. Receiving Holy Communion each week is truly meant to be the spiritual high point of that week. For the last fifty years, since Vatican II, the Church has referred to the Eucharist as “the source and summit of the Christian life.” I don’t think it is an accident that the Church uses the metaphor of a summit to convey the significance of the Eucharist. The Eucharist is described as the summit, the apex and the pinnacle of the Christian life because it contains “the whole spiritual good of the Church, namely Christ himself.” And just as we have to actively climb a mountain summit, we have to make an intentional journey, properly prepared, to fully receive the inexhaustible grace to be found in eating and drinking the Body and Blood of Jesus. This is why the Catechism of the Catholic Church specifies that our public worship “must be preceded by evangeli-zation, faith and conversion” in order for us to experience the intended benefits of the Mass. The Mass is intended to nourish the spiritual lives of those who have already made the decision to follow Jesus Christ and put in the effort needed to reach the summit. Even climbing a moderate mountain like Mt. Monadnock takes some effort. The general principle at work is always that “those who want more of the Lord will receive more of the Lord.” This is why the Mass requires the conscious, active, fruitful participation of all, our minds should be attuned to our voices, that we are not passive but actively listening and make the responses aware of what we are saying. Again let me tell you that the Light of the World retreats are greatly helping me as your pastor to fulfill a grave responsibility given me by the Church which says: “The Pastor of souls has the duty to ensure that the faithful take part fully aware of what they are doing, actively engaged in the rites, and enriched by its effects.” I have seen this happening in many who have accepted the invitation to make one of the Light of the World retreats. The next one is being planned for March 9-12. Please be attentive to the prompting of the Holy Spirit and plan on making this retreat. I mean you, regardless of age or background. Through this experience many have become intentional disciples of Christ and the meaning and blessing of the sacraments become more real and powerful for us. Yes, Jesus is with us, He came and stayed.

Let us continue to love one another,

Fr. Roy

From the

Pastor’s

Desk

The Readings for next Sunday, December 17, 2017

Isaiah 61:1-2a, 10-11 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24

John 1:6-8, 19-28

Car for Sale. You may have noticed the car parked by the rectory garage. It was given to Visitation House. It ’s a 2002 Buick LeSabre with only 70,000 miles and has been well maintained and is in excellent condition. If interested please call Fr. Roy.

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The Church of Saint Roch, Oxford, MA THE SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT December 10, 2017

THANK YOU !! The last six weeks have been full of events that not only helped our financial status, but also provided opportunities for community interaction. A sincere

thanks are extended to all who helped to support (1) our highly popular Parade of Soups with a near “standing only” event; (2) our first Murder Mystery/Dinner that cleverly hid the murderer until the very end; (3) our annual Harvest Fair with great gifts and great food; and (4) our Rob Gronkowski Autographed Football raffle – congratulations to Jesse Langlois from Oxford! Also, a special thanks to all those who volunteered to make these events a success, including those who stepped in to help clean up after the events ended. The FUNdraising Committee invites new ideas and needs new members to help run these events. We hope

to see you at our next meeting. Please check the up-coming bulletins for our next meeting date.

GIVING TREE

Next weekend the Saint Vincent de Paul Society is once again sponsoring the Giving Tree for the needy children of Oxford. The Giving Tree has tags with the age and gender

of a child placed on it. Please take a tag and purchase a gift and place your wrapped gift with the original tag un-der the Giving Tree by December 11th. (Please do not drop off after this date—the presents will be delivered on the 12th) Suggested gift value $15-$20. The commu-nity of St. Roch’s always has the spirit of giving deep within its heart! Thank you in advance for this worth-while project! Your generosity truly makes a difference.

March for Life Registration Information now available!

Plan now to attend the 45th annual March for Life in Washington, DC on Friday, Jan. 19, 2018!

Buses will leave from St. Paul’s Cathedral on Thurs., Jan. 18 following the 7:30 PM Respect Life Mass and will travel to Washington, DC in time for Friday morning Mass fol-lowed by the March for Life at noon. Buses will return to Worcester at St. Paul’s Cathedral at approximately 1 a.m. on Saturday, Jan 20. Cost is $75 per seat for registrations post-marked by Dec. 31, and $90 thereafter. Registrations will be accepted on a first-come-first-served. For more details visit www.worcesterdiocese.org/respect-life or call the Respect Life Office at 508-929-4311 or email aledoux@worcesterdiocese.org.

Second Sunday of Advent Sunday, December 10th

Rectory Open House Annual Card Writing Project *

9:30—11:00 AM in the rectory dining room.

*Come visit, enjoy hot cider & donuts and sign a Christmas Card to a homebound parishioner or one

that has lost a loved one this past year. All are invited!!

Third Sunday of Advent Sunday, December 17th Children’s Christmas Party

for all ages after 9:30—10:30 AM Breakfast with Santa! Bring a camera! 10:30 AM—The Nativity Story will be

presented by the 6th grade in the church.

Fourth Sunday of Advent Sunday, December 24th

Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall

name him Emmanuel.

CHRISTMAS VIGIL CHRISTMAS DAY Sunday, December 24 Monday, December 25

4:00 PM Mass 10:00 AM Mass & A Christmas Carol

12:00 Midnight Mass Sing-A-Long will take A music Prelude will be place before Mass presented before Mass

ADVENT SCHEDULE

A Special Pilgrimage to Italy

September 24 — October 5, 2018

Join Fr. Roy for a trip of a lifetime. Hotel stays in Venice, Florence, Assisi, Frascati and Rome. Guided

tours, both bus and walking—escorted by Frank Brown of Belmont Tours. Many sites and museums including St. Mark’s Cathedral, The Accademia, and the Vatican Mu-seum. For full itinerary, pick up an informational package found at the front entrance to the church.

We extend our Sincere Appreciation to Paradis-Givner

Funeral Home for their generous donation of Religious

Art Calendars for the par ish. These calendars will be available on the front and back pews of the church later this month. Please take one home for reference during the coming year.

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The Church of Saint Roch, Oxford, MA THE SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT December 10, 2017

Fellow Lights of the World, Planning for the Lenten retreat has be-gun. Have you prayed and asked how will the Spirit wants to use you? What Will You Do In Response?Call

Terry Ann at 508-987-2382 To talk about your role in the 2018 Lenten Journey. Or…If you haven’t made a retreat yet? Please, pencil in the date for your Light of the World Retreat MARCH 9-12, 2018, ask someone wearing the cross to tell you what they thought of their experience, or call Father Roy or Terry Ann to find out more.

REGISTER NOW! You won’t want to miss this one!!!

Call 508-987-2382 for all questions, weather cancelation notices, or to report absence.

LITURGICAL YEAR B – WEEKDAYS II DECEMBER 2017

10 SUN 2nd Sun of Advent – K-12 9:40-10:50 & Wordshare Confirmation TOB Session 6:30-8:00

17 SUN 3rd Sun of Advent – FAMILY DAY K-12 9:40-10:50 & Wordshare Confirmation TOB Session 6:30-8:00

24 No classes all grades & sacrament prep classes

Christmas Break begins Classes Resume Jan 7, 2018

Advent Family Day Dec 17 10:30 in the church everyone is welcome to come and enjoy the Nativity Story presented by the 6th grade class &

helpers.

A Special guest will join us after the 8:30 Mass…

At 8:30-11 AM the Confirmation Candidates & High School Students will be serving breakfast. These teens are trying to reduce the cost of their yearly retreat Jan. 12-14, 2018. (Donations are also accepted for scholarships to the retreat through the Office of Religious Education).

You can join the teens as part of the cooking crew, 1 hour or 2 monthly will help.

1st Sacrament Faith Formation Call 508-987-2382

for all questions, weather cancelation notices, or to report absence.

Catechists: Kerry Connolly & Hannah Caswell

DECEMBER

9 Sat The 1st Sacrament Family Mass All Parents & Candidates Attend 5:30 PM

10 Sun Class 9:40-10:50 & Wordshare at 11:00 Mass 17 Sun Class 9:40-10:50 / Breakfast with Santa 24 No classes all grades & sacrament prep classes

Christmas Break begins Classes Resume Jan 7, 2018

JANUARY 2018 1 Mon Mary, Mother of God

Holyday of Obligation 7 Sun Class 9:40-10:50, Wordshare at 11:00 Mass 21 Sun Breakfast 8-11 AM / Wordshare at 11:00 Mass

Celebration of First Reconciliation 2PM Candidates meet in the hall at 1:30 PM 28 Sun Class 9:40-10:50 /Wordshare at 11:00 Mass

Thanks for making our wishes come true this winter…Bottled water, white or pastel colored copy paper, poster

boards or newsprint sheets for the high school retreat, disinfectant wipes, plastic knives and forks, napkins, cake plates and dinner plates, plastic cups.

Cupcakes and cookies for Dec 17 classes.

Your donations help us to keep the cost of the programs down and support our kids service projects. Thanks for

your continued generosity.

Yes, we are, still looking for someone to shampoo the carpets in the center, or to paint Room 1.

Divine Mercy, The Second Greatest Story Ever Told.

January 18- March 22 for 10 sessions 10:00 AM -11:30 AM.

Other times available by request, call 508-987-2382 to register and order a book. Fr. Gaitley describes the "second greatest story ever told" - a story that encompasses Divine

Mercy, the life of St. Pope John Paul II, & the crucial role that Marian Consecration can play in your life. Fr. Michael Gaitley is a priest in the Congregation of Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception & the di-rector of formation for the Marian Missionaries of Divine Mercy.

DECEMBER 17 10:30 AM IN THE CHURCH

Everyone is Welcome!!!

Come Enjoy the Nativity Story!!!

Presented by the 6th

grade class and helpers.

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The Church of Saint Roch, Oxford, MA THE SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT December 10, 2017

ST. ROCH CEMETERY

Vigil candles must be removed for the winter. Flower baskets may now be placed for the

upcoming holidays.

Supplying the Wine for Mass

John Tagg, who serves the daily Mass, has for some time been organizing donors willing to give $20 every couple of months to pay for the sacramental wine that is used during the Eucha-

ristic celebration of the Mass. Anyone who would like to become a Vintner for the Lord is asked to call the rectory at 508-987-8987.

Bible Study

Wednesday morning Bible Study in the Parish Center 9:30 AM.

All are welcome.

Kathy Perry, Owen Benway, Jane Lewicke, Al Sinkis, Anthony Nguyen,

Andrew Rivers, Raymond Joseph, Ruth Andrzejczyk, Chloe Barbara Jones, Craig Ladd, Fr. Robert Kelley, Roseanne Ferlito, John Barton, Carol Violette, John & Bev Makowski, Dale Mahota, Maddy Desrosier, Phyllis Day, John Hickman, Stephen Rice, Timothy Bowes, Cindy Flores, Ed Carpenter, Liz Iandolli, Anita Prunier, Roger St. George, Charlene White, James Sumerlin, Jerry Coffey, Bob St. George, Julie Guertin, Francis DeSimone, Robert & Beverly Burns, Judy Rodier, Dawn Hoeg, Sean Bushey, Richard Fleming, Noelle Silverstein, Edward Wissell, Eric Lambert, Paul Murphy, Shannon Bernard, James Cadarette, James Quaiel, Irene Allain, Yvonne Mathurin, Debbie Roland, Deborah Mancini, Susan Gallant, Doris Prouty, Helen Gilman, Pat LaFontaine, and Andy McDonald.

Finance Committee will meet Tuesday, January 9th at 7:00 PM in the rectory.

St. Vincent de Paul Society will meet Monday, February 5th at 6:00 PM in the par ish center .

ALL Recent & Past Light of the World

Retreatants Are cordially invited to an

Epiphany Celebration! January 6, 2018

5:30 pm in the Parish Hall Cocktails & Hors d’oeuvres will be served.

RSVP 508-987-2382 or 508-987-8987 by Jan. 3rd.

334 CLUB WINNERS — Week 3

#562 Pat Hache #415 Bryan Givner #444 Janet Bergeron #208 Christine Lee

CONGRATULATIONS!!

2 Bridgestone winter tires (like New) for sale. Size 215/60R 16 — Price $100.00. If interested please call Joe at 508-987-5987.

A BIBLICAL WALK THROUGH THE MASS

Dr. Edward Sri

Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish 18 E. Main St. Webster

Wednesdays, Jan 3, 10, 17, 24, 31. Morning sessions, 10:00 am, Evening sessions 7:30 pm.

$20.00 includes book and workbook. Based on the revised translation of the Mass, this five-part program takes participants on an exciting tour of the Liturgy as it explores the biblical roots of the words and gestures we experience at Mass and explains their profound significance. See, perhaps for the first time, why we say what we say and do what we do every week at Mass. The words and gestures will be seen in a new light, giving new life to the liturgical experience.

REGISTRATION (Deadline, Dec 11) Email alkotkin@aol.com For additional information,

contact the Sacred Heart rectory @ 508 943-3140

Can you help St. Roch Community with our RADA knife fundraising project? If you could take a brochure and offer it to your friends, family, and co-workers, it would be of great help. Customers will enjoy the wide variety and quality of these fie

products. At the same time, you would be helping our efforts to spruce up your church inside and out, and keep the parish in tip top shape for the families who will wor-ship here for years to come. Thank you for your help. PS. Your orders are pre-paid, and delivery is usually within 4-5 business days to the parish center right here at ST Roch Church.

With sincere blessings from the FUNdraising Team.

Catalogues are in the church please return orders to Olga at the Religious Education office.

Help with Snow Removal Needed

If anyone is willing to help with shovel-ing & snow-blowing this winter we would be most appreciative. Please let us know in the office if this is something that you are able to volunteer for. 508-987-8987. Thank you!

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The Church of Saint Roch, Oxford, MA THE SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT December 10, 2017