BAPTISMS: Contact Deacon Ryan at pryan@namartyrsauburn.org to learn about our Call to Celebrate: Baptism

Program.

MARRIAGE: Contact the parish office at least 1 year in advance of the wedding date to make arrangements.

ANOINTING OF THE SICK: If you have family members who are ill, anticipating surgery or weakened because of

prolonged illness or advanced age, contact the parish office for assistance.

CONFESSIONS: Saturday 3 - 3:45PM or by appointment in the parish hall. Please knock before entering the hall.

Masks must be worn.

COMMUNION CALLS: Parishioners who are sick or disabled may call the parish office to arrange for the Holy

Eucharist to be brought to them at home. COVID safety protocols are in place.

North American Martyrs Church

OFFICE STAFF

Susan Zammarelli, Secretary

Lisa Burkitt, Religious Ed. Director &

Safety Environment Coordinator

8 Wyoma Dr. Auburn, MA 01501 | 508-798-8779 | www.namartyrsauburn.org

December 13, 2020 | Gaudete SundayRECTORY OFFICE HOURS: Tuesday & Wednesday 12:30PM-4:30PM | Thursday 8AM - 12PM

MASS SCHEDULE: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 7AM | Saturday 8AM & 4:30PM (Vigil) | Sunday 8:30AM & 10:30AM

PASTORRev. Frederick D. Fraini, III

PASTOR EMERITUSin residence

Rev. John F. Gee

DEACONPeter Ryan

Saturday, December 12th

8:00 a.m. Edward Hanlon by Mary Hanlon-Stepanski

4:30 p.m. Deceased Members of the Maurello Family by

their family

Sunday, December 13th

8:30 a.m. Judy Michalowski by Maureen & Peter Morse

10:30 a.m. Yvonne & John Stasaitis by Kathy & Paul

Stasaitis

Monday, December 14th

7:00 a.m. Robert Saudelli by Father Fraini

Tuesday, December 15th

7:00 a.m. Jeannette Masciangioli by Father Fraini

Wednesday, December 16th

7:00 a.m. Helen Graham by David Sweeney

Friday, December 18th

7:00 a.m. Mary Boucher by Father Fraini

Saturday, December 19th

8:00 a.m. Father Richard Labonte by Father Fraini

4:30 p.m. Anne Moody 1st Anniversary by Orman Moody

Sunday, December 20th

8:30 a.m. Sister Mary Virginia by Maureen and Peter Morse

10:30 a.m. Mr. and Mrs. Michael Shea by Jane Shea

Let us pray for: Pauline Andrade, Kathryn Arsenault,

Mark Beckwith, Paul Beckwith, Janie Bouges, Michele

Burke-Pellegrini, Louie Costagna, Dean Michael Collins,

Shirley Connor, Christine Cote, Gail Craig, Patricia Darrah,

Kevin Dobson, Elaine Doherty, Joan Fouhy, Bob Fuller,

Lori Girouard, Ed Handlin, Mary Hannon, Elijah Johnson,

Kim Johnson, Margaret Kehoe, Maureen Jones, Edward

Laconto, Jean Laconto, Donna and Michel Langevin,

Lorretta LaFleur, Ralph Lanigan Alice Leduc, Joyce

Lessard, Peter Letourneau, Richard Levansavich, Sr.,

Michael McGrail, Max Mullen, Michael O’Connell, Mary

Lou Paulli, Peggy Patenaude, John Power, Theresa Power,

Anthony Real, Edward J. Rutkowski, Raymond Scanlon,

Kathy Stasiatis, Scott Staruk, David Tatro, Bonnie Turner

For all the men and women serving in our country’s

military. For all the diocesan seminarians.

Collections: Week End 12/6

Congratulations to our twenty seven young adults

who were confirmed on Sunday, December 6th. We

express our gratitude to the parents, sponsors and

catechists who have helped prepare them to receive the

Gifts of the Holy Spirit (wisdom, understanding,

knowledge, counsel, fortitude, piety, and fear of the

Lord) which will help them to make good choices to

serve God and others.

Patrick Bruso, Rebecca Dawson, Emma Donahue,

Owen Fitzgerald, Mia Giorgio, John Gowaski,

Zachary Handfield, Ryan Horne, Nicholas Hunter,

Alexia Ikonya, Katherine Jajliardo, Nathan Jette,

Reese Levansavich, Jeremy Mahoney, Michael Nadeau,

Paul Noel, Kathryn O'Reilly, Benjamin Paluk,

Alexa Reheuser, Briana Reidy, Courtney Robertson,

Daniel Sibert, Kyrie Sullivan, Aaron Swank,

Hannah Swenson, Paige Veideman, Keith Jace Wetzel

Sunday Collection $ 3,341.00

Kateri's Kitchen $ 150.00

Funeral $ 300.00

Immaculate Conception / Christmas $ 166.00

Online Donations $ 495.11

Total: $4,452.11

Congratulations

Thank you to all who have selected tags from our

online giving tree! We have a few tags left! Visit

tinyurl.com/namgivingtree to select one. Please leave

your donations at the front vestibule of the Church by

the statue of St. Issac Jogues. All gifts must be

received by this Sunday, December 13th. Thank you!

Parish Giving Tree

If you would like to receive our "Weekly

News" email by Flocknote, you may sign

up online at www.namartyrsauburn.org.

Flocknote Sign Ups

“Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in all

circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus

for you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16 - 18) This scripture

reading sums up Stewardship. “Rejoice always” means

place your trust in God; He will provide all that you

need. “Pray constantly” means prayer should be a

running conversation with God throughout the whole

day, every day. “Give thanks in all circumstances”

means even in bad situations, thank God. Suffering a

little bit helps build empathy for others in similar

situations and shows our dependence on God.

Third Sunday of Advent Reflection

CHRISTMAS MASS REGISTRATIONS 2020

Due to current restrictions on the number of people we can have in the Church, we have implemented a registration

process for Christmas Masses. Please go to HTTP://tinyurl.com/NAMChristmas to register. The 4p.m. Mass on

Christmas Eve is full.

For those who may not have access to the internet, please call the rectory and we will help you sign up. Please make

sure to enter the number of people that will be attending with you. You may only sit with members of your household.

We need to know how many per family so we can maximize the attendances at the Masses safely. Once you sign up you

will receive an email. Please save it so you can show it to our ushers for quicker entrance at Mass. We will have a list at

the door but showing them the email will move the line along quicker! Thank you!

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24TH

Masses will be celebrated at

4:00 p.m. | 6:00 p.m. | Midnight

6pm Mass will be live streamed

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 25TH

Masses will be celebrated at

8:00 a.m. | 9:30 a.m.

Safe Environment Notice: Our parish follows the guidelines of the national charter for the protection of children & young people approved by the US Bishops & Diocese of Worcester policies. If you have

been abused or victimized by someone representing the Catholic Church, please believe in the possibility for hope and help and healing. Contact Judith Audette, L.I.C.S.W., Victim Services Coordinator. A

report can be made by phone to 508-929-4363 (a 24 hour confidential voicemail is available.)

GAUDETE SUNDAY

Dear Friends,

This weekend as we celebrate the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, you'll notice that the third candle of our Advent wreath

has been lit. I'll give you a hint...it's the one that isn't violet! However, the next question becomes, what color is it?

Many people will incorrectly identify it as pink. However, any Catholic liturgist worth his salt, like our good friend in

Rome, Deacon Lucas LaRoche would correctly inform us that the color is actually rose! It's a subtle difference, but it has

a more subdued shade than pink. Deacon Lucas would tell us it signifies rejoicing, and signals a spirit of joyful hope

during Lent and now, during Advent. It breaks the somber tone of these penitential times of the year. Incidentally, did

you know that Deacon Peter and I have the option to wear rose colored vestments this weekend and on Laetare Sunday

during Lent? Why don't we? Well, first because the parish doesn't own any. Secondly, I've already explained that I'm

incredibly frugal and vestments can cost thousands of dollars. There's just something about spending thousands of

dollars on vestments that you can only wear twice a year that bothers me!

In any event, the dark color of violet in Advent harmonizes well with the diminishing sunlight late in the year. It also

points to royalty, and Christ as our King. Meanwhile rose is a softening of violet. It is violet approaching

white. In this sense, it anticipates the pure white of the Birth and Resurrection of Christ. Rose, a color that foreshadows

the miracle of God's Incarnation, the purity of Emmanuel. Rose, a color that is named for a delicate and sweet-scented

flower of Hope, a symbol of Eternal Love, the same Perfect Love that would bring into the world, in the most unexpected

humble of places, the Son of God! For all of us today, the color rose is a sign of life in the desert of human existence, the

very place that Christ came to redeem.

On the Advent wreath, one rose colored candle adds even more light as we draw closer to Christmas, closer to the

Christ child. You may also have noticed all the beautiful wreaths which have adorned our Church for some weeks now,

evergreen reminders of growth and life. In the here and now of our lives, the solemnity of Advent gives way to joy on

this Gaudete Sunday! Everything in this beautiful Church suddenly bears the color and promise of new life. This is what

we're called to cling to, and hope for, in these final days of Advent. The words of this fifteenth century carol articulate

today's celebration better than I am able, reminding us that the color we celebrate today points to a promise about to be

fulfilled.

"Lo, how a Rose e'er blooming from

tender stem hath sprung!

Of Jesse's lineage coming, as men of old

have sung.

This Flower, whose fragrance tender

with sweetness fills the air,

Dispels with glorious splendor the darkness

everywhere..."

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!

Father Fraini

Parish Sponsors We are grateful to these parishioners and businesses whose ads pay for the equipment and materials to produce our bulletin. We will be working to expand our sponsorships over the next few weeks, For information on pricing and availability, emailbulletin@namartyrsauburn.org.

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