St. Mary’s Parish Corner of Main & Summer Streets, Shrewsbury, Mass. 01545 • Website: www.stmarysparish.org
NEW PARISHIONERS: We are always happy to welcome new people into our parish family. Please contact the Pastoral Center to register or for more information. BAPTISMS: Baptisms at St. Mary are held on the first and third Sundays of the month at 12:30 PM. Parents may also schedule to have their child baptized during one of the Sunday Masses. A preparation session for parents preparing for the baptism of their first child is held on the second Monday of the month in the Pastoral Center. Call the Pastoral Center for more information. MARRIAGES: The policy for the Diocese of Worcester requires a period of one year preparation for the Sacrament of Marriage, which includes sessions with the parish priest and participation at either the precana conferences or the Engaged Encounter weekend. Contact one of the priests for arrangements. PASTORAL CARE: Arrangements for the reception of the Sacraments at home can be made by contacting the Pastoral Center. Please also notify the Pastoral Center when a parishioner is in the hospital or otherwise confined. Emergency sick calls at anytime.
Mike Nelson ........................ 508-845-9209 Silvester Norohna .............. 508-925-4581 Tim Rivard........................... 774-275-0616 Sheila Seed ........................... 508-842-6326 Robert Terry ........................ 508-798-8734 Susan Zybert ....................... 508-842-7554
Jean Campaniello .......................... 508-842-8288 Robert Doiron .............................. 978-568-3696 Jim Farrell ...................................... 508-330-6153 Lynne Grden ................................. 508-363-3636 Samer Hannoush .......................... 508-615-2760 Matthew Hastings......................... 508-845-5012
Pastoral Council
Council of Ministries Finance: Maria Lemieux .................................................................................... 508-845-8732 Respect Life: Kurt Brenner .............................................................................. 508-842-0322 Seniors Jet Set: Evelyn Baroni ......................................................................... 508-845-3511 Social Justice: Gina Kuruvilla .......................................................................... 508-925-7801 Outreach: Mary Daly.......................................................................................... 508-845-6819 Stewardship: Kelly Paulina ............................................................................... 508-845-8557
LITURGICAL SCHEDULE
Mass
Saturday Vigil: 4:30 pm.
Sunday: 7:30 a.m., 9:00 am, 11:00 am
& 5:30 pm.
Weekdays & Saturday: 8:30 am.
Holy Days: 8:30 am., 12:00 pm. & 7:00 pm
Sacrament of Reconciliation
Saturday: 3:30–4:00 pm.; anytime by
appointment
Eucharistic Adoration
Tuesday: 6:00–9:00 pm, Church
Friday: 9:00–1:00 pm, Pastoral Ctr. Chapel
PARISH STAFF
Rev. Msgr. Michael F. Rose, Pastor
Rev. Juan Escudero, Parochial Vicar
Jeannie MacDonough, Principal
Gina Kuruvilla, Director of
Religious Education & Youth Ministry
Kathy Canfield, Gr. K–4 Rel. Ed. Coord.
Laura Osborne, Gr. 5–8 Rel. Ed. Coord.
Richard Vacca, Director of Liturgical Music
Viola Jefferson, Parish Nurse
Jose Carvajal, Seminarian Intern
Christian Cortes, Seminarian Intern
CONTACT US
Pastoral Center .................... 508-845-6341
School Office ...................... 508-842-1601
Religious Ed. Office ........... 508-925-7801
Youth Ministry .................... 508-925-7801
Parish Health Ministry ........ 508-925-7647
Our Parish Mission We, the people of St. Mary’s, strive to be a community united with God, dedicated to continuing growth in knowledge and faith,
giving witness to Christ through love, worship, education, and service. So that we may fulfill
this mission and integrate spirituality with life, we shall reach out to all peoples within and
beyond our faith community.
ST. MARY’S SHREWSBURY
Date Lector Eucharistic Minister Server Sacristan
Saturday 4:30pm
L. Perkins M/M Blanchard, S. Seed, S. Goodwin, C. Engdahl M. Wackell, C. Jarry, N. Podlipec L. Nelligan
Sunday 7:30am
P. Larkin M. Blute, M/M Holland, P. Kelly, M. Gulino, W. Gooley, R. Mungovan M. Larkin, P. Hastings, S. Norohna M. Gulino
Sunday 9:00am
K. McKenna S. Landry, M. Coghlin, P. Pennucci, S. Zybert J. Mahoney, K. Duncan, L. Perkins, T. Duncan
R. St. Pierre
Sunday 11:00am
R. Murner D. Malo, E. Baroni, M//M Cote, J. Ellis, J. McDonald, K. Paulina M. Flores, J. Sweetwood, E. Arsenault
J. McAdam
Sunday 5:30pm
Liturgical Ministry Schedule December 2
Date Time Intention
Saturday, Dec. 23
8:30 pm 4:30 pm
†Kathryn Mikolinski By the family †Paul Kozakevich By the family
Sunday, Dec. 24
7:30 am 9:00 am 11:00 am
†Angelina Vecchio By the O’Leary family †Ella Brown By the O’Leary family †Eilyana Moynihan Turpin By the Turpin family
Monday, Dec. 25
8:30 am
Tuesday, Dec. 26
8:30 am †Barbara Kolosi By a the family
Wed., Dec. 27
8:30 am
Special Intention By a parishioner
Thursday, Dec 28
8:30 am †Elsa Shean By Jean Marie Carey
Friday, Dec. 29
8:30 am
†Souls in Purgatory By a parishioner
Saturday, Dec. 30
8:30 am 4:30 pm
†Mary Jordalen By a friend †Sarah Gonsalves †Jay J. Gravel By Peter and Anne-Marie Derrico
Sunday, Dec. 31
7:30 am 9:00 am 11:00 am
Paul O’Dell, Jr. 17th Anniversary By Mom and Dad †Catherine Casey Months Mind by the family †Leona M. Rose, 3rd Anniversary By the family
Evelyn Cummins, Henry Govoni, Josephine Notarangelo and Mary McCormick
Repose of the soul of Deborah, Cole Branch; and Ruby Morton, God’s peace for their families; special intention for Hank in ICU
after a heart attack; a woman with Parkinson’s disease to get the best treatment for healing and a cure; a woman being tested for cancer for a good diagnosis; Jeff to receive good test results; Bill J.; Allison to receive an accurate diagnosis and clear treatment path; a woman with a tricky lung illness to gain wellness; Neil; Kevin to gain awareness; Becky with cancer; all those with HIV-Aids to receive compassionate care; all those who are lonely, es-pecially at this time of year, to receive kindness, love and gener-osity; the improvement of a relationship; Lynn and Lynne; safe travel for all over the holiday weekend; a special intention; and a meaningful remainder of Advent for everyone. Continued prayers for: John’s research and for him to find full time employment; Vicki’s full healing after surgery; Jean’s heal-ing after surgery for a broken foot; Haley; Kelsey; Neil; ML; Bob; Patricia; AP; Ethan; Cindy; Max; Pam; Matt; Scott; Cathy; Christine; Kathy; Frances; Frank; BC; John; Becky; Paul W. after a fall; John and all those looking for employment; Wick Bean’s recovering after heart transplant; RD; DM; Jean’s ankle; Matt; Paul W.; Alexander and Victoria; Marilyn’s intention; Lisa; An-drea and her children; Forest; Brian; Joe; Rachel; Holly; AB; Bri-anna; John; Kathy; CF; CW; MW; Rick; MD; Carole; Nicole; Johanna; Ed; Lisa; David; Dorothy; Zina; Pauline’s family; Jeff; Mary Ann; Becky; Fred; Vicky; Rose; John; Bill; Chico; Maddie; Ted; Susan; Esther; Paul; John; DP; Matthew; Linda; Justin; Tim M. and Tim C.; Kristy; Wayne; Marjorie; Patrick; Betsy; Norah; Leslie; Jeff and Michael. Thanksgiving for: new employment for B; Rachel’s conciliatory action; good health; JHW’s kindnesses; Christmas lights; all those who assemble and tend our parish creche; freedom and independ-ence; everyone who participates and donates to myriad giving trees, toys programs, food banks and donation centers; PS’s aid; David; PL; F’s curiosity; safe travel for several students, safely home; and for the opportunity to freely worship Christmas and the New Year, in gratitude for all answered prayers. Prayer Line: Tracy at 508-450-0137or Susan at 508-479-4667 or [email protected]
Fourth Sunday of Advent
2018 CALENDARS
New calendars for 2018 are available this weekend in the front and side vestibules of the church. We are grateful to Shannon Henry and Britton Funeral Home for making these calendars available to us each year.
MAKE PLANS TO JOIN US
FOR CHRISTMAS AT ST. MARY’S
The Christmas Mass schedule will remain as it has been for the past several years with the additional 4:30 pm Vigil Mass at St. John’s High School where there is more handicapped park-
ing and easy accessibility.
Sunday, December 24
4:30pm Mass in Church
4:30pm Mass at St. John’s High School (Salem Commons)
7:00pm Mass with Children’s Pageant
12:00 am Midnite Mass with Adult
Christmas Choir
Monday, December 25
9:00 am Christmas Mass
11:00 am Christmas Mass
THE FOURTH WEEK OF ADVENT
BLESSING OF THE CRECHE
God our Father, bless all who gaze Upon this scene of your Son’s birth.
Fill our hearts with the song of angels,
The humility of the creatures, The eagerness of the shepherds,
The longing of the Magi, And the love of your Holy Family.
This Advent, grant us the virtue of hope,
and bless us throughout the Christmas season With the joy of your presence.
Help us to discern the signs of your Spirit,
And grant us the courage to follow wherever you lead.
Make of our home a new Bethlehem Where you are ever welcome
And all are welcome on your name.
Monday, December 25 9:00 Christmas mass 11:00 Christmas Mass Tuesday, December 26 8:00 CMSC Auto School-Gathering Space 9:30 Bible Study-Large Meeting Room 6:00 Eucharistic Adoration Wednesday, December 27 8:00 CMSC Auto School-Gathering Space 6:30 Cub Scout Den 9-St. John Thursday, December 28 8:00 CMSC Auto School-Gathering Space 9:15 Weight Training-Large Meeting Room 7:00 Boy Scouts-Hall Friday, December 29 8:00 CMSC Auto School-Gathering Space 9:00 Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament-Chapel 6:00 Girl Scouts-Gathering Space Saturday, December 30 8:00 CMSC Auto School-Gathering Space
MASS SCHEDULE FOR THE 4TH SUNDAY OF ADVENT December 23 & 24 Saturday at 4:30pm
Sunday at 7:30, 9:00, & 11:00am (no 5:30pm)
MASS SCHEDULE FOR THE FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY
December 30 & 31 Saturday at 4:30pm
Sunday at 7:30, 9:00, 11:00am (No 5:30pm)
MASS SCHEDULE OFR NEW YEAR’S- MARY, MOTHER OF GOD
Monday, January 1 at 9:00 and 11:00 am
Adult Faith Formation Movie Night! Wednesday, January 17th at 7 p.m., Large Meeting Room
Pay It Forward In this gentle drama, young Trevor McKinney (Haley Joel Os-ment) responds to a school assignment with a plan to help three people who will, in turn, help three more, and so on, in an ever-widening circle. But Trevor touches more people than he ex-pected, including his abused mother (Helen Hunt), his physically and emotionally scarred teacher (Kevin Spacey) and a journalist (Jay Mohr) who's investigating the plan.
If you have questions, or if there’s uncertainty due to weather, please call Rita St.Pierre, 508-373-2678.
December 24, 2017
Save the Dates! Saint Mary School Open House Events
2018 - 2019 School Year
Sunday, January 28, 2018 - 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm Thursday, February 1, 2018 - 8:30 am – 10:30 am
Join us during our Catholic Schools Week celebration to see how Saint Mary School is making a difference for our students, our community and our world. Come visit our Preschool, Kin-dergarten, Elementary and Middle School classrooms in session, meet our dedicated faculty, staff and students and explore our commitment to faith, academic excellence and authentic exam-ples of service. Our After-School Program is available for Kindergarten through Grade 8 students from 2:30 – 5:30 pm. Saint Mary School welcomes students and families from all faiths and ethnic backgrounds. For more information, please contact our Admissions Director, Cheryl Dolan at [email protected] or 508 842-1601. Visit our website to learn more about Saint Mary School: http://www.stmarysparish.org/school/
St. Mary’s Health Ministry invites you to participate in a
Bereavement Support Group For those who have lost a loved one
“The Lord is close to the broken hearted, saves those whose spirit is crushed.” ~ Psalm 34:19
Beginning Tuesday, January 2, 2018 from 7:00 – 8:30 PM, and 11 subsequent sessions scheduled to fit participants’ needs, meet-
ings will be held in the Pastoral Center, 20 Summer Street.
Walking this journey with you will be Viola Jefferson and Corinne Hetzler, each experienced in bereavement support and personal loss. We will establish an atmosphere in which partici-pants can share according to their own comfort level. Every per-
son’s confidentiality will always be respected.
Please email or call the Health Ministry Office at [email protected] or 508-925-7647
to confirm your participation or get more information. Space is limited, so please reserve your place now.
YEAR END GIVING Many people enjoy using Christmas and year’s end as a special time to give to their favorite Catholic institutions and also posi-tively impact their federal and state income taxes. Christmas and year end giving provides many advantages to you
•All gifts made on or before December 31 are tax deductible for the tax year in which your gift is made.
•The knowledge that your gift is assisting a favorite Catholic institution and advancing the mission of the Catholic Church.
•A last reminder to make that special gift or increased gift that you’ve wanted to
THANK-YOU FOR YOUR GENEROUS SUPPORT OF
ST. MARY’S THROUGHOUT THE YEAR
My Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, A chapel in Shepherd’s Field outside of Bethlehem commemo-rates the wondrous events of Christmas in three beautiful paint-ings. In the first painting, the shepherds, keeping watch over their flock by night, are roused from their silent vigil by the tidings of an angel, glorious streams from Heaven, and the strains of an angelic choir. In the second painting, the shepherds, having traveled to Bethlehem, bow in awe and adoration before the new born Christ child in the manger as heavenly light illumi-nates the Holy Family. In the final painting, dawn is breaking, the Heavenly streams of God’s glory are fading, and the shep-herds are again back amidst their flock. But the shepherds are changed. In the third painting, an elderly shepherd looks upward with an expression of wonder. Another shepherd pipes a tune on a sim-ple musical instrument while a shepherd boy skips with exuber-ance, joy, and uplifted arms. They have returned to the place where they were but they have not returned the way they were. They are filled with joy, wonder and awe that God has come to them. Christmas reminds us that God has come to us. The shepherds’ path to joy is also ours. At Christmas Mass and every Mass we might think of ourselves as shepherds going to Bethlehem. After hearing God’s Word, we go to Him in the communion line, bow in adoration and receive the same Divine Child born of Mary and worshiped by the shepherds at the manger. As the shepherds departed from the stable, so may we depart Christmas Mass, and every Mass, with joy, wonder and awe that God has come to us. May this Christmas change us so that as we return to our routines with a deeper appreciation of God’s love for us, we may bear witness to that love just as the shepherds did on that first Christmas morning. With every prayerful best wish for a Blessed and Merry Christ-mas, I remain, Sincerely yours in Christ, Most Reverend Robert J. McManus Bishop of Worcester
UMASS MEMORIAL HOSPITAL
Please call the Pastoral Center at 508-845-6341 if a family member or neighbor is hospi-talized at UMass Memorial Hospital. The hos-
pital just recently updated its computer software program, but unfortunately, have not included any patient information for par-ishes.
We extend our thanks to Yli & Marilyn Vallejo for coordinating the first SIMBANG GABI Mass at St. Mary’s last Saturday af-ternoon. This Filipino Christmas tradition celebrates the nine days of waiting for the coming o Christmas with the “Misa de Gallo—Mass of the Rooster each morning at 4:30 am. Thank you to our Filipino parishioners who provided the music and those who prepared and cooked for the reception following the Mass. We look forward to celebrating the Mass again next year.
Fourth Sunday of Advent