ST. THOMAS AQUINAS PARISH - The Pilot€¦ · ST. THOMAS AQUINAS PARISH. December 25, 2019. Oh come let us adore Him... O come let us adore Him! ... There’s an excitement and joy

ST. THOMAS AQUINAS PARISH December 25, 2019

Oh come let us adore Him...

O come let us adore Him! O come let us adore Him!

O come let us adore Him!

The Year in Pictures This Christmas bulletin gives snapshots of some of our parish activities and accomplishments. Our parish has over 400 volunteers supporting 35 different ministries. Our parish is strong, vibrant and faith-filled. Our hope is that we will continue to grow and increase our ability to celebrate our faith, help those in need and bring others to a deeper appreciation of Jesus Christ. I thank those who support our parish by their presence and contributions each week. My hope for this and every Christmas is that all who have come to pray during Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Mass will continue to pray with us throughout the year. In Jesus Christ we find our reason to believe, to hope and to love.

THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD DECEMBER 25, 2019

There’s something “magical” about Christmas. There are weeks of anticipation, shopping, planning, decorating and baking. Families come together, students return home from college, meals are shared and presents are opened. Almost everyone seems to be in a good mood and spirits are up. The elf that’s been watching children throughout Advent disappears and children wait to see what presents Santa Claus brought them. There’s an excitement and joy in the air. Many will come to Mass hoping to recall and celebrate the real meaning of Christmas. This can also be a challenging time for those who celebrate their first or subsequent Christmas without a loved one, for those who are separated physically or emotionally from their families and those who suffer from chronic illness, loneliness or personal challenges. The “magic” of Christmas is that no matter where we are or what’s

going on in our life, God is with us (“Emmanuel”). Two thousand years ago God, wanting people to believe in him and know his love for us took on our humanity, our form and came into the world, not with glory, but as a small child in a manger. The greatest event in human history is not the invention of the printing press or the internet, it is that God became man to remove any mystery or doubt of his existence and in doing so he revealed the depth of his love for us. We are not alone, God continues to be with us, loving us in ways we can’t even begin to imagine and often his love goes unnoticed or underappreciated………..yet he continues to be with us and love us. One of the many ways that the Lord’s love reaches out to us is through the Church, the Body of Christ. Jesus Christ, in and through the Church, welcomes and reaches out to us not only tonight/today but throughout the year. Our faith grows when we regularly celebrate the Lord’s presence and love demonstrated at Mass allowing the love of Jesus Christ to flow into us, nourish and strengthen us. The pictures in this bulletin reflect the joy, the faith and the community that is created and brought together by Christ’s love for us and our love for others. God is indeed alive and working in and through our parish whenever we come together to pray and reach out to others. Whether this season is a joyful or difficult time for you, no matter what challenges you or others face, our parish and our staff are here to encourage you and support you. Please take this bulletin home and let us know what we can do to bring Jesus’ love to you and your family. On behalf of Fr. Giombetti, Deacon Leo Donoghue and our dedicated staff we wish you and your family a faith filled and joyful Christmas Season.

- Fr. Bill

St. Thomas Aquinas Church Rev. Bill Devine, Administrator [email protected] Rev. Jason Giombetti, Parochial Vicar

[email protected] Deacon Leo Donoghue [email protected]

Parish Office 103 Center St, Bridgewater MA 02324 Hours | Monday - Friday | 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Phone | 508.697.9528 Fax | 508.279.1859 Website | www.stthomasaquinas.com

Parish Office Staff Peter Vitagliano, Business Manager [email protected] Tina Larson, Administrative Assistant [email protected]

Pastoral Associate Aaron Durocher, Pastoral Associate 508.531.1346 [email protected]

Faith Formation Office Staff Phone | 508.697.3652

Marie Masaitis, Faith Formation Director, Grades 1-6 [email protected]

Caitlin Mack, Faith Formation/Confirmation Director, Grades 7-10 [email protected]

Kristine Smith, Administrative Assistant [email protected]

St. Basil, The Catholic Center 122 Park Ave., Bridgewater MA 02324 Rev. Jason Giombetti, Campus Chaplain [email protected]

Parish Information

SUNDAY MASS St. Thomas Aquinas Church

Saturday Vigil | 4:00 p.m. Sunday | 7:45 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m.

St. Basil Chapel Sunday | 10:00 a.m., 5:00 p.m.

DAILY MASS St. Thomas Aquinas Church

Monday - Saturday | 9:00 a.m.

CONFESSION

St. Thomas Aquinas Church Saturday | 9:30 a.m. - 10:15 a.m. Saturday | 3:00 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.

or by appointment

Mass Schedule

HOLY DAY OF OBLIGATION Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God

Wednesday, January 1, 2019

The Mass schedule is as follows:

Tuesday, December 31st 4:00 p.m. - St. Thomas Aquinas Church

Wednesday, January 1st 9:00 a.m. - St. Thomas Aquinas Church

Wednesday, January 1st 4:00 p.m. - St. Basil’s Chapel

CLERGY HEALTH AND RETIREMENT TRUST COLLECTION -

CHRISTMAS MASSES

This year’s Christmas collection supports the Clergy Health and Retirement Trust which cares for the health and wellbeing of our priests in good standing. Our priests have dedicated their lives to serving all of us and those in need, bringing the love and hope of Christ to others so that they may see Him in today’s world. Whether it is within our parish communities, or in the community at large, our priests are making a difference every day. By supporting this collection, you are helping to ensure that our priests receive the care they need to continue their important work. This collection is a primary source of funding to care for our priests. Your generosity is very much appreciated. Funds from this special collection are managed by the Clergy Health and Retirement Trust, an independently managed trust with a majority lay board of trustees. The funds are used for the sole benefit of active and senior priests in good standing.


Welcome To visitors of our Parish, and to those who have recently moved into the area, and to those comfortable and nourished here - Welcome. Regardless of your status in the Church, marital state, your ethnicity, your prior religious experience, your personal history, background, or sexual orientation, we hope that you will continue to worship with us each week.

Our Mission

Our Mission is to be a welcoming community of believers continually growing in our faith and in our love of Jesus Christ through worship, education, evangelization and service within our local and broader community.

Parish Information Mass Schedule

Our Blessings THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD DECEMBER 25, 2019

Every year, we host a Volunteer Appreciation Social to give thanks to our 400 + volunteers that make our ministries successful. We could not do what we do without you!

Our Lady of Fatima Candlelight Rosary Procession

2019 Valentine’s Dinner Dance Social


2019 Faith Formation Vacation Bible Camp

First Holy Communion Crowning of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Confirmation

Catholic Heart Work Camp Teen Mission Trip


2019 Faith Formation Christmas Pageant

This year’s Trunk or Treat turned into “Table or Treat” due to inclement weather! Thanks to all who shifted gears and made it a great event despite the weather!


A VERY SUCCESSFUL GIVING TREE!

There were many gift requests that came from families, students, and seniors during this Advent Season. We are proud to announce that, through your abundant generosity, all their needs were met!

The Giving Tree provided 253 Christmas gifts to 51 Bridgewater families, which included many middle and high school students. The campaign to support My Brother’s Keeper generated gifts for 60 children and adults. Finally, the Senior Giving Tree provided 55 seniors with much needed gift cards. This gives us a grand total of 368 gifts given to individuals in need!

Your compassion and thoughtfulness will make Christmas a lot brighter and happier for both children and adults. In addition to those who donated gifts, we’d like to thank the coordinators and numerous volunteers, some of whom personally spoke with the families requesting assistance to ensure that their needs were being met, those who reached out to our local schools to identify students in need, those who sorted and wrapped hundreds of presents, and, finally, those who distributed the gifts to the families. Once again, it has been a privilege to be able help those needing help. Thank you and Merry Christmas!

- Aaron Durocher, Pastoral Associate

Every year for several years, we have been blessed to have seminarians with us. These faith-filled young men bring knowledge, wisdom and compassion to our parishioners. This year, we were blessed to have two seminarians, David Campo and Hien Vu. They immediately developed wonderful relationships with Fr. Bill, Fr. Giombetti, the staff and parishioners. We are grateful for the impact they have had in our parish. David continues to be a part of our parish community as he teaches a Faith Formation class weekly and Hien visits periodically while he continues his studies..

David Campo Hien Vu


A Note from Faith Formation... As the year draws to a close, we would like to thank the parents of our Faith Formation students for their constant help and support. This is a time to reflect on the joyous celebrations of 2019 including First Holy Communion, Confirmation, Vacation Bible Camp and the annual Christmas Pageant. The Faith Formation staff wishes you a happy and faith-filled year to come.

- Marie, Caitlin and Kristine

Faith Formation students received a lesson about the meaning of the Advent Wreath.

Brett St. Gelais spoke to our Confirmation students at Adoration and Confession.

SUPPORTING THE TROOPS MINISTRY

We have received the following thank you message from some of the troops we assisted. Thank you again to all that made helping our servicemen, servicewomen, and veterans! From: Carla M. Hill, CSM US Army “I want to take a minute to thank each and every one of you for all the care packages sent to our unit. With your care packages we were able to make over 250 stockings to give our Soldiers for Christmas….Thank you again for thinking of our deployed Soldiers, many of whom are away from home for the first time, and sending them a little piece of home. We hope you have a wonderful holiday season and an even better New Years! Happy Holidays from Bagram Afghanistan and the Muleskinner family!”

SENIOR CITIZEN THANKSGIVING DINNER


A Gift from Us to You

This year’s Christmas book is “Rediscover the Saints.” The Saints have been providing massive inspiration to people of all ages for two millennia. They were

inspiring people and they lived inspiring lives. And their stories remain inspiring today! Perhaps it is because they demonstrate what is possible. They surrendered them-selves to God, and amazing things began to happen. Now it is your turn! Wherever you have been, whatever you have done, God is inviting you right now to a very new and special period in your life. Please take a copy of the book as you leave Mass today as our gift to you.

2019 Holiday Bazaar 2019 Blessing of the Animals

2020 CALENDARS AVAILABLE - THANK YOU TO PROPHETT-CHAPMAN, COLE

AND GLEASON FUNERAL HOME We received a delivery of beautiful 2020 calendars from Prophett - Chapman, Cole and Gleason Funeral Homes. They are available on a first-come, first-serve basis at the entrances of the church and chapel. We offer our sincere thanks to them for thinking of us and providing these calendars for our parish!

THE EUCHARIST BIBLE STUDY

This past fall, we began a journey towards a deeper understanding of the Eucharist. Driven by a study which revealed that 69% of Catholics do not believe that Christ is truly present in the Sacrament, we led a 10-week Bible Study to help deepen our faith. It revealed that the Eucharist is not simply a symbol, but rather a way of receiving God Himself under the appearance of bread and wine, which was planned from the beginning of time. The 45 people who joined the study were left with a deeper appreciation and understanding of the Eucharist and have been asking, “When is the next bible study taking place?” Stay tuned for details!

- Aaron Durocher, Pastoral Associate

Mother Anna-Grace, Prioress General of the Dominican Sisters of St.

Cecilia, spoke to the Newman Club at BSU about her vocation.

One of our many campfires held at BSU with our

FOCUS Missionaries and students.

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Saint Thomas Aquinas, Bridgewater, MA


WEEKLY MASS INTENTIONS

THURSDAY, DEC. 26 9:00 a.m.

FRIDAY, DEC. 27 9:00 a.m.

SATURDAY, DEC. 28 4:00 p.m.

SUNDAY, DEC. 29 7:45 a.m.

10:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m.

SATURDAY, JAN. 4 4:00 p.m.

SUNDAY, JAN. 5 12:00 p.m.

Leona and Alexander Gedutis Therese, Freddie and Paul Shepard Manuel Melo and Maria Dos Anjos Manuel Moura Claude Dubord, Sr. Jane Finn - 1st Anniversary Philomena Aiello - 2nd Anniversary Joan Marie Murray

Daily Mass is held Monday-Saturday at 9:00 a.m.

unless otherwise indicated.

If you would like to bring up the Offertory Gifts of Bread

and Wine, please speak to the ushers prior to Mass.

SACRAMENT INFORMATION If you are seeking more information about the Sacraments, or wish to schedule an appointment, please call the parish to speak with a priest at 508-697-9528.

BAPTISM If you wish to have your child Baptized, or to receive the Sacrament yourself, please call the parish office to request an appointment with a priest or deacon. Baptisms are ordinarily celebrated each month on the 2nd & 4th Sunday at 1:30 p.m. or during Sunday Mass. Dates are subject to change.

Baptism Preparation Class is required.

MARRIAGE If you wish to be married in our parish, please call the parish office to request an appointment with a priest at least eight months in advance. Marriage Preparation course is required.

ANOINTING OF THE SICK If you wish to receive the sacraments at home or in the hospital due to illness, handicap or age, please contact the parish office at 508-697-9528.

NEXT BAPTISM PREPARATION CLASS Monday, January 6, 2020 - 7:00 p.m.

St. Thomas Aquinas Parish Center - Adults Only.

INTERESTED IN COMMUNITY SERVICE?

If so, visit www.stthomasaquinas.com and click on the Volunteer Opportunities button on the home page. This page will be updated often with different volunteer opportunities. For certain opportunities, if you are under 18 years old, you must be accompanied by a parent or a CORI-checked VIRTUS trained chaperone. This is a great way for students to earn required community service hours or for a family to volunteer together.

ARE YOU IN NEED OF HELP?

If your age or a medical condition is preventing you from completing your tasks, then St. Thomas Aquinas Parish is here to help. Whether it’s raking leaves, shoveling snow, moving furniture, small household jobs, etc., we will happily assemble a team to assist you free of charge. We have students and families in our parish who are more than willing to help. Please contact Aaron Durocher at 508-531-1346 or via email at [email protected].

WEEKLY DEVOTIONS

ADORATION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT Saturdays 10:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m., lower church

IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY 1st Saturday of the month 10:00 a.m., lower church

DIVINE MERCY HOLY HOUR Wednesdays 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. - lower church

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS ROSARY TO END ABORTION 1st Friday of every month - 6:30 p.m. - lower church

CHRISTMAS FLOWERS

Every Christmas, the Altar Guild group decorates the altar with flowers in celebration of the holiday for all to enjoy. In the past, we have offered envelopes for those who are interested in making a donation towards these flowers in memory of a loved one. We have placed envelopes at the entrances of the church and the chapel for those of you that are interested in making a donation. Envelopes may be placed in the collection baskets.

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APPLY TODAY Faith | Scholarship | Character | Service


��ll acce��g a��l�ca�o�s �or the 2019‐2020 school year.

Call today: 783‐585‐7511

www.sacredheartkingston.com

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ST. THOMAS AQUINAS PARISH - The Pilot€¦ · ST. THOMAS AQUINAS PARISH. December 25, 2019. Oh come let us adore Him... O come let us adore Him! ... There’s an excitement and joy