The First Sunday of Advent December 2, 2018

Saturday, December 1, 2018 Vigil Mass of The First Sunday in Advent

5:15 p.m. Rose and Edward Crepeau - Memorial

Requested by their Family

Sunday, December 2, 2018 The First Sunday of Advent

8:30 a.m. Loretta Erdon - Memorial Requested by her Son

11:15 a.m. Joseph J. Spicola, Jr. Requested by Jacqueline Robert

Constance LaFortune -Birthday Remembrance Requested by her Children Sadie Tager Requested by St. Ambrose Church

Monday, December 3, 2018 St. Francis Xavier, Priest

7:30 a.m. Pro Populo

Tuesday, December 4, 2018 Weekday

7:00 p.m. Mass at St. James Church

Wednesday, December 5, 2018 Weekday

7:30 a.m. Albert Smith - Memorial Requested by Roberta Smith

Thursday, December 6, 2018 Weekday

7:30 p.m. Mass at St. James Church

Friday, December 7, 2018 St. Ambrose, Bishop and Doctor of the Church

7:30 a.m. John J. Greene Requested by Roberta Smith

Saturday, December 8, 2018 The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary Vigil Mass of The Second Sunday in Advent

8:00 a.m. Mass at St. Ambrose Church 8:00 a.m. Mass at St. James Church

5:15 p.m. Edward, Beatrice and Ron Tetreault - Memorial Requested by their Family

Sunday, December 9, 2018 The Second Sunday of Advent

8:30 a.m. Pro Populo 11:15 a.m. Jerry Sansiveri - 11th Anniversary Requested by his Family

Roland Cormier - 7th Anniversary Requested by his Wife, Fern

911—St. Ambrose

About Advent (Source: DynamicCatholic.com)

Each year the Catholic Church gives us an incredible opportunity for a powerful encounter with Jesus. In her genius, the Church invites us during Advent to take a step back and look at who we are, what we are doing, and where Jesus fits into our lives. Jesus came into this world at that first Christmas for you, to bring meaning and deep satisfaction into your life, to fill you with lasting joy, and ultimately to bring you to eternal happiness with him in heaven. That’s what we celebrate at Christmas. Are you ready?

What is an Advent Wreath? Traditionally, the Advent wreath is a circle of evergreen branches. Both the evergreen branches and the circular shape symbolize the passing of time and eternal life. The shape of the wreath, with no beginning or end, reflects the complete and endless love that Jesus has for us. During the Advent season, we eagerly anticipate his coming and the promise of eternal life in heaven with him.

The Meaning of Advent Candles As a Christian tradition, the wreath holds the four Advent candles. The candles represent Jesus coming as the light in darkness. One candle is lit each Sunday until all four candles are lit, and sometimes a fifth candle is lit on Christmas. As Christmas draws nearer, each candle brings a little more light into the darkness. Each of the candles represents an aspect of preparation during the season of Advent:

The Candle of Hope (Color: Purple) Purple is the primary color associated with Advent. Within the Catholic Church it symbolizes penance, preparation,

and sacrifice. During the first week of Advent, we look forward to Jesus’ coming with hope.

The Candle of Peace (Color: Purple)

During this second week of Advent, we reflect on our lives and work on becoming better-versions-of-ourselves in

preparation for Jesus’ coming.

The Candle of Joy (Color: Pink) This third candle is pink, symbolizing anticipation and

rejoicing. During the third week of Advent, we are filled with joy for the near arrival of Jesus on Christmas day.

The Candle of Love (Color: Purple)

During this final week of Advent we rejoice in the endless love that God has for us, which is made

apparent in the birth of his Son.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one

and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

- John 3:16

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The First Sunday of Advent December 2, 2018

911—St. Ambrose

Week of November 18, 2018

Weekly Budget $ 3,329.00 EFT $ 450.00 Monthly Maintenance $ 195.00 Votive Candles $ 52.00 Mass Intentions $ 55.00 Poor Box $ 215.00 Campaign for Human Development $ 496.00 Annual Collection $ 120.00

Week of November 25, 2018 Weekly Budget $ 3,860.00 EFT $ 923.00 Monthly Maintenance $ 50.00 Poor Box $ 160.00 Votive Candles $ 61.00 Mass Intentions/Hanging Lamp $ 60.00 Campaign for Human Development $ 6.00 Annual Collection $16,731.00

As always,

Thank you for your generosity!

We depend solely upon your weekly support to meet our weekly parish expenses.

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Religious Faith Formation News

Grades K to 4

Grades 2, 3, and 4 will meet 12/9/2018

The Family Mass at St. Ambrose is now known as

“The Young Theologians Mass”

Join us on 12/16/2018 at 11:15 a.m.

to celebrate Bambinelli Sunday

No Classes: 12/23/2018 and 12/30/2018

Grades 5 through 8

Refer to the calendar sent out to families

St. Ambrose Annual Collection

The Annual Collection

is still underway.

Envelopes for the Annual Collection can be found in your monthly budget packs

and have also been sent by mail.

Thank you for opening your hearts, minds, and spirits to the 2018 Annual Collection.

May the Lord bless you

for your generosity.

The St. Ambrose Parish Giving Tree

The St. Ambrose Giving Tree is

set-up in the Church vestibule.

The Giving Tree is decorated with gift tag

ornaments indicating the gifts needed. If you are

able to shop for the Giving Tree, please take an

ornament to purchase the gift needed and then

return the wrapped gift with the ornament gift tag

taped to the wrapping or gift bag. Wrapped and

tagged gifts may be placed in the

Church vestibule and will be collected before and

after weekend Masses. The last collection will be

the weekend of December 22/23, so that the gifts

can be transported to St. John Baptist, Pawtucket.

Volunteers are needed to help sort gifts. We

are seeking 2 volunteers after each Mass on

12/9, 12/16, and 12/23 at 9:15am and

12:00noon. If you are available, please put your

name on the sign-up sheet in the Church

vestibule or contact the parish office.

RCIA Adult Faith Formation

St. James & St. Ambrose Parish

Are you interested to become a Catholic or have not yet received the Sacrament of Confirmation?

Please contact Moira McCarthy at the

St. James Faith Formation Office to discuss this most wonderful journey of initiation into

the Catholic faith.

This week’s Second Collection is in support of the Maintenance Fund

911—St. Ambrose

The First Sunday of Advent December 2, 2018 4

The FORMED website has a powerful documentary The Story of the Nativity

This fast-paced, thought-provoking look at the true story of the Nativity clears away widespread

misunderstandings of Jesus’ origin. Explore the true story of Mary and Joseph, Jesus’s miraculous

conception, the birth of John the Baptist, the journey of Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem, the Star of Bethlehem, and the birth of Jesus. This is an

invaluable tool for believer and unbeliever alike to learn more about Jesus of Nazareth and about the

truth of Christmas.

Visit formed.org Click on Register

Enter Parish Code: VNZVG7

Enter your email, create a password, and ENJOY!

Holiday Mass Schedule

Christmas Eve - December 24

Christmas Eve Concert 3:30pm Mass at 4:00pm & Midnight—St. Ambrose

Mass at 4:00m and 10:00pm—St. James

Christmas Day—December 25 Mass at 10:00am St. Ambrose Mass at 10:00am at St. James

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New Year’s Eve—December 31 4:00pm—St. James

New Year’s Day - January 1, 2019 10:00am—St. Ambrose

Congratulations! On Sunday, November 25

Sebastian Toledo & Daniel Hasegawa,

of Troop 711, Albion, were raised to the rank of Eagle Scout in a

Court of Honor held at St. Ambrose Church.

Feast of the Immaculate Conception (Patronal feast of the United States of America)

Mass will be celebrated on

Saturday, December 8, 2018

St. Ambrose Church 8:00 a.m. St. James Church 8:00 a.m.

Gaudete Sunday - ‘Bambinelli’ Sunday December 16

St. Ambrose Parish will again celebrate the Third Sunday of Advent with more than a rose candle this year. On this day, we will again adopt the Vatican Tradition of blessing the figures of the baby Jesus (“Bambinelli” in Italian) from our Nativity scenes.

The tradition was started by Pope Paul VI in 1969 and ever since, the ‘Bambinelli’ blessing has been given by the pope during the Angelus in St. Peter’s Square

on the Third Sunday of Advent. We ask every household in our parish, young and old, to unpack your creche and bring the baby Jesus from

your family’s Nativity scene to church to be blessed at the 11:15 Sunday Mass on December 16, 2018, the

Third Sunday of Advent.

Lighting of the Advent Wreath

During the 4 weeks of Advent different

families will be invited to help light the

candles of the Advent Wreath. If your

family wishes to participate please contact

Mrs. Robin Carney at the parish office.