PARISH FAMILY OF OUR LADY OF THE LAKE�1400 Main Street ~ Leominster, MA 01453

Parish Office Hours 9AM - 3PM

Monday through Thursday

Parish Office: (978) 342-2978

Religious Ed. Office: (978) 345-7469

Fax: (978) 342-8738

Parish E-Mail Information@ourladylake.org

Religious Ed. E-mail Religiouseducation@ourladylake.org

Parish Web Address

www.ourladylake.org

Parish Staff

Pastor: Father Dennis J. O’Brien

Associate Pastor: Father Carlos Ruiz

Weekend Assistant: Msgr. James Mongelluzzo

Deacon: Timothy Cross

Pastoral Minister: Joan Burns

Religious Ed. Director: Lisa Sciacca

Religious Ed. Grade Coordinators: Elizabeth Rawlinson & Michelle Lutter

Religious Ed. Secretary: Debbie Bronchuk

Parish Office Manager : Tracy Kennedy

Parish Secretary: Kathryn Gravel Administrative Assistant : Wendy Mullin

Facility Manager: Frank Ricardo, Jr. Director of Music: Regie Pineda

Liturgical Celebrations

Lord’s Day Masses: Saturday: 5PM

Sunday: 8AM, 9:45AM, 11:45AM, & 5PM

Daily Mass: 8AM (M, T, W, F)

Communion Service: 8AM (Thursday)

Sacrament of Reconciliation Every Saturday at 4PM and by appointment anytime.

Safe Environment Notice Our parish follows the guidelines of the national charter for the

protection of children and young people approved by the US Bishops

and Dioceses of Worcester policies. Contact Frances Nugent, Victim

Services, at a direct and confidential telephone line: 508-929-4363. Lisa Sciacca is our parish’s Safety Environment Coordinator.

HOLY FAMILY SUNDAY

Brothers and sisters: Put on, as God’s chosen ones,

holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion,

kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another

and forgiving one another, if one has a grievance

against another; as the Lord has forgiven you,

so must you also do. And overall these put on love.

~ Colossians 3: 12-14

The Jubilee of Mercy is a time to rediscover the presence of God

and His fatherly tenderness.

God does not love rigidity.

He is a loving father, He is tender;

Everything He does is done with tenderness.

~ Pope Francis

OUR LADY OF THE LAKE LEOMINSTER, MA

DECEMBER 26th - JANUARY 3RD

26th SATURDAY Saint Stephen

5:00 PM Maurice Thibeault Mark Harney

27th SUNDAY Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, & Joseph 8:00 AM Deceased members of the Meyers and Perkins Families Ruth Defresne 9:45 AM Lillian Smith 11:45 AM Norman Brodeur , Fir st Anniversary

Lorraine Nunn

01:00 PM Baptism: Dylan Pat Kelly

5:00 PM Mark DiSessa

Katelyn DiSessa.

28TH MONDAY The Holy Innocents

8:00 AM Michael Fr itsche Father Joseph Szwach

29TH TUESDAY 8:00 AM Shirley, David, Scott Anderson

30TH WEDNESDAY

8:00 AM

31ST THURSDAY 8:00 AM Communion Service

1ST FRIDAY Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God

10:00 AM Amato & Chr istina Mongelluzzo

Christine Ferrucci 2ND SATURDAY Saints Basil and Gregory

5:00 PM Eileen Mancino

Elena Pignato, 2nd Anniversary

3RD SUNDAY The Epiphany of the Lord 8:00 AM Norman & Alexina Needham 9:45 AM Rita Filiau, Month’s Mind Joseph Canney, 15th Anniversary 11:45 AM Claire Trainque (Month’s Mind) 5:00 PM

Please remember in your prayers: Florence Rakip, mother of parishioner, Ellen McCann, and Father Joseph Szwach, priest of the Diocese of Worcester. May they rest in peace and may their families find comfort from their faith in Jesus Christ.

On behalf of our entire parish family, we would like to

thank everyone who helped to make our Christmas

Liturgies so inspiring. To the choir, the various music

groups, lectors, Eucharistic ministers, altar servers,

ushers, greeters, maintenance staff, decorating team,

altar guild, and countless other behind-the-scenes

people, we thank you for generously fulfilling your

ministries with dedication and dignity.

As we begin the New Year, perhaps these words of

Minnie Haskins will prepare us well for the year

2016: “I said to the man who stood at the gate of the

New Year: “Give me a light that I may tread safely

into the unknown.” And, he replied: “Go out into

the darkness and put your hand into the hand of

God. That shall be to you better than light and safer

than any known way.” (Minnie Haskins’ poem “The

Gate of the Year”, 1908)

Happy New Year everyone!

Father Dennis Father Carlos

Msgr. Jim

SOLEMNITY OF MARY,

HOLY MOTHER OF GOD

In this Sunday’s Gospel we heard,

“Jesus went down with them to

Nazareth and was obedient to them;

and His mother kept all these things in

her heart. And Jesus advanced in wisdom, and age,

and favor.” ~ Luke 2:51

How lightly Mary held Jesus. She did not clutch Him to her but held Him out for the world to know. She knew that He did not belong to her alone. From the moment of His birth she was called upon to share Him with strangers who flocked to see Him. In the same way, we are also called to hold our blessings lightly, being willing to share what God has given to us with those whom God may lead to us. As this New Year begins, let us look to Mary as a grace-filled model of sharing all that God might ask of us.

Please join us for Mass on New Year’s Day, FRIDAY, JANUARY 1st, 10:00 AM.

Please keep the following individuals in your prayers as we

pray for their recovery and well being.

Jillian Burke

Lindsay Burke Kelsey Burke

Billy Jr. Jose Ramon Burgos

Amanda Kidwell Teaghan Bresnahan Nancy Healy Richard Barrucci

Chris Foley Thomas Fagnant

Peggy Malo

Chris Todd Scott Bouchard

Melissa Paradis

Charles Muth Linda Heir

Susan Bartlett

Jim Normandin Nick Murphy

Rebecca Smith

Robert Joyner

Dexter Turner

Michael Larkin Geri Phillips Richard Ducharme

Rita Tedd

John Lynch

Margaret Miln

Christine White Rene Donald Withington

Stephen Seney

Owen deMars

HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY, AND JOSEPH

MINISTRIES IN ACTION

BROWN BAG MINISTRY

The next BBM meal prep is JAN 09th for the Days Inn in St. Joseph’s Hall and our parish Kitchen at 3PM.

Days Inn: JAN 09, FEB 13.

Our Father’s House: JAN 30, APR 23, MAY 21, JUN 25.

Sign up to help through Sign Up Genius. The link is

on our website now: www.ourladylake.org.

Next Weekend’s Celebrants

SATURDAY, JANUARY 2nd

5:00 PM Fr . Dennis /Deacon Tim preaching

SUNDAY, JANUARY 3rd

8:00 AM Fr . Dennis /Deacon Tim preaching

9:45 AM Fr . Dennis /Deacon Tim preaching

11:45 AM Msgr . J im

5:00 PM Msgr . J im

Saint Joseph Bereavement Support Group: If you have suffered the loss of a loved one and are feeling lost, or alone, we may be able to help. We offer a safe and welcoming place in which to discuss issues, and support each other at a very difficult time. It is a free 6-week, faith-based program with topics pertaining to loss and healing while on your journey. The next group begins Saturday, JAN 9th thru FEB 13th, 3:30PM-5:00PM at Madonna of the Holy Rosary, Fitchburg . To register please call Jerri at 978-345-5416

WELCOME TO NEW PARISHIONERS

No matter what your present status in the Catholic Church,

no matter what your current family or marital situation,

no matter what your personal history, age, background, race,

no matter what your own self-image:

You are invited, welcomed, accepted, loved,

and respected here at Our Lady of the Lake.

If you are new to our parish, please contact the Parish Office

to register as a new member of our parish family.

PASTORAL COUNCIL NEWS

The Pastoral Council serves as advisors to Father Dennis with regard to issues that affect the life of the parish. We thank all of you who participated in

last week’s election. (Over 550 ballots were cast.) We would like to thank Simone Blake, Karl Helmer, Jeanne Jekanowski, Bill Joy, and David LaLiberty, who submitted their names for consideration.

The following people were elected: Jude Arsenault, Mike Raspuzzi, and Andrea Nevard. They will join Debbie Cameron, Darcy Gendron, Tony Latino, Fran Menendez-Aponte, Joe Sciacca, Steve Simons, Chris Staal, and Henry St. John, who are currently on the council.

We remind everyone once again that the council is always interested in hearing your suggestions. Our next Pastoral Council Meeting will be on Tuesday, January 19th at 7:00 PM. We will discuss the ideas that are submitted as suggestions, and feedback will be given through the bulletin. If you have any new suggestions for the Pastoral Council, please don’t hesitate to submit them through the suggestion box in the back of the church, through the parish office at 978-342-2978, or information@ourladylake.org. All suggestions must be signed in order to be reviewed by the Pastoral Council. Please feel free to speak to any member of the council at any time.

We want to thank Elaine Hackett in a special way for serving as chairperson of the Pastoral Council for the past five years. Her successor as chair will be

announced at the January Pastoral Council meeting. Thank you, Elaine, for doing such a great job!

On January 19th at 7:00 PM, there will be a JOINT MEETING with the Pastoral Council, the Building & Grounds Committee, and the Finance Committee to discuss solar panels. All members of these committees are asked to please save the date.

2016 Catholic Stewardship Calendars

Our 2016 parish calendars are now available at the entrances of the Church. If you know of a homebound parishioner or visit someone from our parish at a local nursing home, please feel free to bring them one of our parish calendars with our love and the promise that we will remember them in our prayers.

DECEMBER 26/27, 2015

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

There are no Religious Education Classes this. Retreat

Team, Kindergarten, Beginnings and High School I will

begin again on JAN 3rd. Classes for Grs. 1-8 will resume

January 4th & 5th.

ICE CREAM PARTY

An ice cream party will be held next Sunday, January 3rd, after the 9:45AM Mass in St. Joseph’s Hall for all those children who have

completed their Advent workbooks. Bring your book with you and come and join us, as we celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany (Little Christmas) with ice cream sundaes.

Pasta with the Pastor Come join us for this event which will be held on Sunday, JAN 3rd, at 6PM. Please RSVP to Jess Brown Hare by DEC 30th at jlyn.hare@gmail.com or call her at 978-855-2111. All college-aged young adults

are welcome to attend.

Year-End Giving and Tax Benefits

The holiday season is a time to express appreciation and love for family and friends. It is also a time to do your tax planning, and we hope you will consider making good use of the income tax charitable deduction. A year-end donation can provide a tax benefit to you, while providing meaningful support to Our Lady of the Lake Parish. Giving is about much more than tax savings. Your charitable gifts make an important difference in what we are able to

accomplish. Thank you.

URGENT REMINDER!!

All parishioners are reminded to park only in

allocated lined spaces. Specifically, on the

right hand side of the entrance driveway; no

cars should be parked in unmarked spaces.

The upper portion of this driveway needs to

remain clear of vehicles. National Grid has

been notified about the lights being out at

this entrance.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Gingerbread houses that were created by our Jr. High students have been successfully auctioned to the highest bidders! Through their efforts, $706 was raised to fill the shelves of our parish food pantry.

You Can Support Our Teachers! We would love to have a few more substitute teachers for our children in Grades 1-5 on Mondays and Tuesdays from 4:15-

5:15PM and for Grades 6-7-8 on Monday nights from 6:45-8PM. If you are interested in teaching but can’t commit to weekly classes, this ministry allows you the freedom to say yes or no depending on your schedule! Please call the Religious Ed office for more infor-mation at 978-342-2978, ext. 109.

COME VISIT THE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM!

Our 3rd Grade children have recreated the town of Bethlehem and the city of Jerusalem. During the Christmas season, come visit their display in the Parish Family Center.

Parish Support DEC 12/13

179 Sunday Envelopes $5,537

36 Make Up Envelopes $ 808

5 Paid Ahead Envelope $ 117

Loose Cash $1,503

SUNDAY COLLECTION $7,965

Monthly Maintenance $ 350

Fuel $ 414

PARISH TITHE

Religious Retirement $797

Congratulations to Nicholas Souders who recently became an Eagle Scout. Nick is a member of our parish troop and over the years has given a great deal of service to the parish as a member of Troop 12. In addition, Nick has also been a Religious

Education teacher and altar server. Congratulations, Nick, on this wonderful accomplishment. We wish you well in all your future endeavors.

DECEMBER 26/27, 2015

THIS WEEK’S PARISH EVENTS

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 26th

07:30 PM AA Meeting

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 27th

No Religious Education Classes

MONDAY, DECEMBER 28th

No Religious Ed Classes

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 29th

No Religious Ed Classes No RCIA Classes

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 30th

06:00 PM Cub Scouts Pack 3 Meeting

07:00 PM 12 Steps Meeting

07:00 PM Adult Folk Group Practice

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31st

FRIDAY, JANUARY 1st 07:30 PM Al-Anon Meeting

SATURDAY, JANUARY 2nd

07:30 PM AA Meeting

SUNDAY, JANUARY 3rd

8:15AM Peer Retreat Team Meeting

8:30 AM Beginnings Class 8:40 AM Kindergarten Class 11:00 AM Advent Book Ice Cream Party 1:00 PM YR1 Parent Sacrament Prep Meeting

3:30 PM BSA Patrol Leaders Council Meeting

4:30 PM BSA Troop 12 Committee Meeting

6:00 PM HS I

Holy Year of Mercy CHRISTMAS — JESUS,

THE HUMAN FACE OF GOD’S MERCY

The grace that was revealed in our world is Jesus, born of the Virgin Mary, truly human and divine. He has entered our history and shared our journey. He came to free us from darkness and grant us light. In him was revealed God’s grace, mercy and tender love. Jesus is God’s love and mercy incarnate. He is not simply a wisdom teacher or an ideal for which we strive while knowing that we are hopelessly distant from it. He is the meaning of life and history, who has pitched his tent in our midst.

Jesus has awakened great hopes, especially in the hearts of the simple, the humble, the poor, the forgotten, those who do not matter in the eyes of the world. He understands human sufferings. He has shown the face of God’s mercy and bent down to heal us, body and soul. May we feel God’s presence beside us, his mercy and also his help. ~ Pope Francis

Please join us in prayer for the Rosary

for the Unborn in the church. The Rosary will be recited at Our Lady of the Lake on the second Thursday of every month. Other Leominster parishes will also host monthly Rosaries on different days. Dates and times will be posted in the upcoming weeks. We hope you will join our parish family in prayer for this special intention.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 27

FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY

Special Performances at St. Boniface Church

10:30 AM

A Multicultural Mass featuring the African Youth Choir from St. Mary’s of Waltham

and

First Christmas Blessing of Infants

2:00 - 3:00 PM

Christmas Carols by the Ugandan Youth Choir

NEW YEAR’S EVE

Adoration 7:00 PM – Midnight Sign up for 30 minutes of quiet prayer with your family and friends before the Blessed Sacrament.