Sunday,

December 13, 2015

3rd Sunday of Advent

Rev.MonsignorFrancisV.StrahanPastor Rev.GeorgeBrownRev.FrankCampoRev.MemoOchoaRev.PeterShenPart-Time Assistants

WEEKEND MASS SCHEDULE

Saturday Vigil Mass 4:00PM

Sunday Masses ALL MASSES IN THE

UPPER CHURCH 7:30AM9:30AMFamilyMass11:30AM

Daily Masses Monday thru Friday 9:00AM

Sacrament of

Reconciliation Saturday2:00 - 3:00PM

ST. BRIDGET PARISH

Roman Catholic Church Route 9 East

Framingham Centre, Massachusetts (508) 875-5959

CELEBRATE ThisSunday,Godrejoicesandsingsbecauseofus.Wereadin Zephaniah today that God “will sing joyfully because ofyou, / as one sings at festivals” (Zephaniah 3:18). We knowplentyaboutsingingat festivals.AlreadyourearsareringingwiththesongsandcarolsthatanticipatetheChristmasseason. Paulremindsusofthesourceofourowndoublerejoicing:God is themighty saviorwho is inourmidst (inZephaniah’swords).Becausethisisso,saysPaul,wecanrejoiceandbeatease.Wedon’thavetoworry,forGod’speacewillstandguardoverourheartsandminds. AmedievalcaroldepictsChristmasas“mydancingday”andurges us to enter into the dance.Why all themerrymaking?Because “the Lord is near,” as Paul reminds us (Philippians4:5). He then points to another reason for the dancing: thedawn of the promise of peace, the peace beyond allunderstanding,thatisnowwithinourgrasp.

Mass Intentions & Feast Days Saturday, December 19, 2015 9:00AM-12:00PM Christmas Confessions 4:00PM Karl Finkemeyer

Sunday, December 20, 2015 7:30AM Thomas F. McDermott III 9:30AM Rahul Patrick Shenoy

Financial News !

From the Business Office October Offertory

Actual Budgeted Difference $39,712.39 $40,000.00 ($287.61)

RoCC—Phase II

We are almost at $85,000.00! If you have not made your donation yet or if you are ready to send your next pledge payment, do so by December 31, 2015 for a tax deduction.

Christmas Collection This Christmas, the collection will support the health and well-being of our priests. Our priests have dedicated their lives to serving the Catholic faithful. Now, it is our turn to help fulfill the promises made to care for them in their time of need. Please give generously to the Christmas collection, which will directly benefit the 614 active and senior diocesan priests who are cared for through the Clergy Health and Retirement Trust. All are welcome to make a gift online at clergyfunds.org, use the in-pew envelopes that will be provided, or simply text the word PRIEST to 56512. Thank you in advance for your prayers and generous support of this critical effort.

Lectors and Eucharistic Ministers…

Christmas and New Years will be here in no time! The sign up sheets for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day Masses have been posted in the Upper Church Sacristy.

Please sign up as soon as possible.

The Sanctuary Lamp

is with Special Intention for Brendan O’Neill & his classmates at

Loyola Univeristy Given by

Herminda DeSabogal

Vocation Chalice

The Vocation Chalice this week will be hosted by

Caroll & Chris Walden

Breakfast with Santa

Santa came to visit St. Bridget Parish last

Sunday and was very

impressed with our

youngsters and their

parents. We all enjoyed

delicious doughnuts and

coffee as Santa took pictures with the children.

Thank you so much to everyone who helped or

contributed to the breakfast in any way!

Our parishioners were extremely generous in

giving $1,400.00 to our Christmas Outreach

Program. Your generosity will help to make so

many little children's Christmas that much

more special !

Year of Mercy Let us practice one of the below each week!

Feeding the hungry/ giving drink to the thirsty/clothing the naked/ harboring strangers/ visiting the sick/ visiting the imprisoned and burying the dead

Admonishing the sinner/ instructing the ignorant/ advising the doubtful/ comforting the afflicted/ burying wrongs patiently/ forgiving injuries and praying for the living and dead

Corporal works of mercy Spiritual works of mercy

An extended period of time has been set aside for Christmas Confessions. On Saturday, December 19th, from 9:00-12:00 or as long as we are needed. In addition to Monsignor Strahan, Fr. Brown & Fr. Owens there will be two additional Xaverian priests. What a better way to prepare for the celebration of Jesus’ birth than by receiving the healing grace of the Sacrament of Penance.

Christmas Mass Schedule The Vigil of Christmas Christmas Day Thursday, December 24th Friday, December 25th Upper Church 8:00 AM 4:00 PM 10:30 AM Lower Church 6:00 PM Family Mass 12:00 AM Midnight Mass CHRISTMAS MUSIC: St. Bridget’s Adult Choir will give a half-hour concert of Christmas Carols and Choir Motets before the Midnight Mass—beginning at 11:30 PM.

There will be music at all of the Christmas Vigil and Christmas Day Masses.

Director of Music Ann O’Brien

Music Ministers Ann O’Brien: Organist, Soloist & Choir Director

Marjorie Withee: Organist & Youth Choir Director Francis Jesch: Organist & Soloist

Merry Christmas from all the priests of the Archdiocese of Boston!! All of the money collected on Christmas throughout the Archdiocese of Boston, will be used for the

Clergy Benefit Trust Fund. This Christmas Collection supports the retirement, medical and financial needs of priests of the Archdiocese. Because of rising health care costs and the increased number of retiring priests, the levels needed for funding have risen dramatically and the Clergy Benefit Trust is in immediate need of replenishment. In gratitude for all that the priests have done for us, we strongly encourage you to give generously to this collection.

The Sanctuary Lamp-Sign of the Lord’s Presence †††††††††

For all those who would like to memorialize a departed loved one, or a special intention, the Sanctuary Lamp (candle) in the lower Church is available for that purpose. The Sanctuary Lamp continues to burn for 8 days. The cost of the candle is $15.00. The name of the loved one will be listed in the bulletin (if so desired) or the “special intention” request. There are weeks available for memorialization starting in February. If you are interested drop this form off at the rectory as soon as possible. Each request will be honored in the order it is received. Please return to the rectory. Donor’s Name _________________________________________________________________________________________ In Loving Memory of____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Or Special Intention____________________________________________________________________________________

Looking for Reliable Snow Shovelers!!!

Duties: Report during storms to have Church & Rectory doorways and walkways cleared by 8AM on weekdays; 6:30 AM on weekends. If interested contact: Maria Sebastian mssebastian@stbridgetparish.org 508-875-5959

Christmas Bells are Ringing! “The Sounds of Christmas”, is a CD produced by our own Christmas Festival Choir, directed by our own Msgr. Strahan and accompanied by our Parish Music Director, Ann O’Brien. The CD may be purchased at the Rectory for

$15.00 All checks should be made payable to St. Bridget Parish with this memo: Christmas CD. This will be a perfect Christmas gift for loved ones and friends. Few of any Parishes have a CD like this recorded by our own

Christmas Festival Choir. Pick yours up today!

Saint Bridget School PTO is selling Gift Cards!!!

Want to give the gift that keeps on giving? Help support Saint Bridget School by

purchasing a gift card. These are great stocking stuffers, gifts for family and friends, the

mailperson or even a gift for yourself this Christmas season! A percentage of proceeds

from each gift card sold goes straight to the school! Most retailer and restaurant gift

cards are available for purchase.

Gift cards will be available for purchase

after all Masses on December 19th & 20th.

Cards are also available for purchase at the School office during hours of operation 8AM-3PM.

Payment can be made by cash or check: please make checks out to Saint Bridget School PTO.

Reminder

for School parents:

Those families who were in

the school in 2014-15 are

grandfathered in for the in-

parish rate provided they give

at least $17 a week to the

Offertory for 2016-17. We

will be calculating in-parish

rate from 4/1/2015 through

3/31/2016. Be sure to check

with Meaghan at the rectory

to see if you are on track for

the in-parish rate. The in-

parish rate program was not

continued for new families

after 2014-15.

Upcoming Events & Programs Calling all children in grades K-5!

This year's Epiphany Christmas Pageant will

be held during the 9:30AM Family Mass on

Sunday January 3rd. In order to participate,

children are required to attend a rehearsal

during the Christmas vacation and arrive at

9AM for Mass on January 3rd. Parts will be

assigned based on prior participation, age,

and size, according to the available

costumes.

If your child is interested please contact:

Kim DeMeo at kimdemeo@verizon.net

by December 18th. Kindly include in your message:

Your name, email address & phone

number

Your child’s name, grade & whether you

would be willing to volunteer in

planning the event

Mark your calendars!!! The Parish Spaghetti Supper

sponsored by Youth Ministry is back!!!

Date: Saturday, January 16, 2016 Where: St. Bridget Parish School Hall Time: 4:30-7:00PM Dinner will include:

bread, salad, spaghetti, meatballs, desert, coffee, tea, and soda.

Adult price: $5.00 Child price: $3.00 Family maximum price: $25.00

Hope to see you there !!!

Christmas on the Air! at Stoneham Theater

Parishioners and friends enjoyed the musical comedy on Dec.

5. Many Christmas carols were sung by the cast and later along

with the audience. The nativity in Luke was read as well, amid

the theater’s usual great sets. Many thanks to Msgr. Strahan for

this day to socialize and add to the Advent season!

O U R L A D Y O F F A T I M A S H R I N E H O L L I S T O N

CHRISTMAS LIG H TS – 2015 Now – DECEMBER 27 T H , 2015

OPEN DAILY 5 : 00pm to 9 : 00pm

VISIT OUR GIFT SHOP OPEN DAILY 11:00 – 9:00PM

HOT CHOCOLATE AND COFFEE IN THE HALL

(5:00pm – 9:00pm)

Amen Litany to Special Saints from France:

Through the intercessions of these saints we make our prayer for

those who died and are grieving in Paris and throughout France:

St. Therese of Lisieux, Patron of France, pray for them

St. Joan of Arc, Patron of France, pray for them

St. Martin of Tours, Patron of France, pray for them

St. Remigius, Patron of France, pray for them

St. John Vianney, St. Louis, St. Jean Jugan, St. Margaret Mary

Alacoque, St. Genevieve, St. Madeline Sophie Barat, St. Denis,

St. Catherine Labore, St. Bernard of Clairvaux, St. Vincent de

Paul, St. Germain Cousin, St. Peter Julian Eymartd, St. Jean-

Baptiste de La Salle

The Hail Mary (in French)

Je vous salue, Marie pleine de grace, Le Seigneur est avec

vous. Vous etes benie entre toutes les femmes et Jesus, Le fruit

de vos entrailles, est beni Sainte Marie, Mere de Dieu, priez

pour nous pauvres pecheurs, maintenant et a l’heure de notre

mort. Amen Bere

Upcoming Events & Programs Did you know….? You can listen to Catholic radio on your cell phone while in the hospital at 1060 AM Catholic Radio Boston! You may also listen on your iPhone on the new mobile App Catholic Radio Boston, by calling 712-832-8010, on your computer at www.1060Catholic.org and through podcasts@ 6am-The Son Rise Morning Show 7am faith-based news, sports, interviews 8am-Daily Mass 9am social, political and media issues 2pm call-in show for non-Catholics 3pm Divine Mercy Chaplet & Rosary 4pm politics, social issues, family issues 5pm questions on Catholic faith and prayer requests 6pm Catholic doctrine and controversial issues 9pm Daily Mass 9:30pm Daily Rosary from Boston and beyond Foundations of Faith Community Nursing This continuing nursing education activity has been approved by the American Nurses Assoc. MA, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation. Course Dates: Feb. 13, Feb. 27, March 12, March 26, April 23, May 7 (Saturdays are make up days if needed). Free to Phase I & Phase II Collaborative nurses, otherwise

$50 deposit. To register or for information: 617-746-5842 Checks are made out to the Office of Chaplaincy Programs and sent to Office of Chaplaincy Programs, 66 Brooks Drive, Braintree, MA 02184. Karen Mallozzi, Coordinator of Parish Ministries at St. Bridget, has registration forms, 508-875-6009. Pastoral Visitors Time of Prayer for Pastoral Visitors Walk With Christ-This day will focus on the growth in faith that happens as we follow Jesus and witness the healing power of His presence. The Office of Worship and Spiritual Life and the Pastoral Visitor Project offers regional mornings and afternoons of prayer. This year’s schedule: January 31, 2016 St. Joseph Parish, Wakefield, 1-3pm February 27 St. Francis, Weymouth, 10am-noon March 5 St. John’s, Roxbury 10am-noon March 12 Our Lady’s, Newton, 10am-noon April 9 St. Francis, Dracut, 10am-noon Pastoral Visitors may attend any one. To register: Office of Spiritual Life, 617-779-3640

This Week’s Scripture Readings

Next Weekend’s Liturgical Minister’s

Aubrey Baumbach Jane Bratica

JoMarie Bucantis Linda Casella

Therese Cunningham Pierce Deane Kevin Forster Maria Longo Lisa Lamare

Robert Lew

Mary LoCicero Stephanie McComas Tommy McDermott

George Meninno Valerie Montuori

Taryn Morris Stephen Virdinlia Walter Weldon

December 19th & 20th Eucharistic Minister

Lector Altar Server Usher Celebrant

Saturday, 4:00PM

GrayceDiCenzoKristanPiselliMaryStackYolandaBarbierJoyceMcKeownChristineRoccoJeanneWalsh

RosemariePenta CatherineMatzilevichWilliamRyan PeterHsiehJohnMauritzJosephRepoleChrisRyanMsgr.Strahan

Sunday, 7:30AM MaryAvolaAliceCostaMargaretGarciaSheilaFlynnJamesScambyElenaNardizzi AlexKellyBarrettPearce PaulDonahueJosephKovalchinFrederickO’ConnellTonySuantengco

Fr.Shen

Sunday, 9:30AM Family Mass

RichardBishopLeslieBishopPatriciaMcCarthy MairaMcCarthy BrendanMcCarthyCharlieNolan RudyCaballeroDanielMcCarthyChristopherWaldenMsgr.Strahan

Sunday, 11:30AM NoreenBegleySera ienKhokharAnneRiderJosephCrisafulliGeneGrzywnaNatalieMullenCathyWarshofsky

RinaZarba KevinSagerLaraScaria TriciaCincottaJohnGannonEdytaKonradPauletteMurphyMsgr.Strahan

We rejoice because we know Jesus is always near and eager to be with us. So let us pray to recognize God at work in us and our world. Sunday—Philippians 3:4-6 Monday—Psalm 5:11-12 Tuesday—Psalm 96:10-13 Wednesday—1 Chronicles 16:8-12 Thursday—Psalm 35:9-10 Friday—Psalm 13:5-6 Saturday—Psalm 40:16-17

Confessions are heard this Saturday from 2-3 PM. This week confessions will be heard by Fr. Shen.

Please Pray For:

Lt. Andrew Sweeney, US Navy LCPL Lorenzo Giovanella, USMC, Fort Devens

Ryan

PARISH STAFF

Business Manager/Tui on Director of Opera ons Mrs. Maria S. Sebas an 508-875-5959 Ext. 103 mssebas an@stbridgetparish.org Coordinator of Parish Ministries Mrs. Karen M. Mallozzi 508-875-6009 M-W-F 9:30AM—3:30PM kmallozzi@stbridgetparish.org

Director Of Music/Organist Mrs. Ann O’Brien Organists Mrs. Marge Withee Mr. Francis Jesch Administra ve Assistant

Ms. Meaghan Turchi 508-875-5959 Ext. 104 mturchi@stbridgetparish.org

PARISH MAILING ADDRESS

Saint Bridget Rectory 15 Wheeler Avenue

Framingham, MA 01702

Rectory: 508 -875-5959 Rectory Fax: 508 - 875-1270 strahan@stbridgetparish.org

Office Hours:

9:00AM - 6:00 PM, M-Thur. 9:00AM-4:30PM Fridays 9:30AM—2:00PM Sat. 9:00AM— 1:00PM Sun.

Parish Home Page: www.stbridgetparish.org

Please send Bulle n Announcements to: bulle n@stbridgetparish.org

By 4:00PM on Tuesday

OFFICE OF RELIGIOUS EDUCATION Director, Grades 6-10 Mrs. Regina O’Connor 508-879-4271, ext. 2 roconnor@stbridgetparish.org Coordinator, Grades K-5 Mrs. Gail Barbato 508-879-4271, ext 1 gbarbato@stbridgetparish.org Youth Minister Samantha Ormond 508-250-5028 sormond@stbridgetparish.org

School Mailing Address:

832 Worcester Road Framingham, MA 01702

School: 508-875-0181 School Fax: 508-875-9552

School Home Page:

www.saintbridgetschool.info

SCHOOL STAFF School Principal Admission Office Mrs. Cathleen R. Chaves Mrs. Jennifer Ryan 508-875-0181 Ext. 222 508-875-0181 Ext. 229 cchaves@saintbridgetschool.info jryan@saintbridgetschool.info Advancement Director Extended Day Director Mrs. Erin Connors Mrs. Victoria Peterson 508-875-0181, ext. 226 508-572-0326 econnors@saintbridgetschool.info vpeterson@saintbridgetschool.info

Sacrament of Baptism Before an infant baptism parents must attend a baptismal catechesis class. Classes are held on the first Friday of each month at 7pm in the Rectory Meeting Room. If there is a change due to bad weather parents will be notified. Participants should park in the Rectory parking lot and enter the door on that level. *Dates for baptism are set once the class has been attended and all paperwork is received and complete. Baptisms take place once a month on a Sunday at 2pm. To register for class or to ask a question call 508-875-6009.

Sacrament of Marriage Arrangements should be made with one of the priests at least one year prior to the intended date of marriage so that all requirements can be completed. Please Note: Saturday weddings can be celebrated from 10:00am to 1:00pm at the latest. Sunday weddings can be celebrated from 1:30pm to 4:00pm at the latest.

Pastoral Ministry

Visitations to the sick and the homebound are made by Pastoral Visitors who bring the Blessed Sacrament and offer spiritual befriending on a weekly basis. If a member of your family, or friend, or neighbor is in the hospital or is home-bound, we would appreciate hearing from you. Kindly call the Pastoral Ministry Office at 508-875-6009 to request assistance.