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4 Dracut Road, Hudson, NH 03051 • Tel (603) 882-7793 • Fax (603) 595-1465

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FROM THE PASTOR’S DESK

20 December 2020

God Alone! Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

On December 8, 1870 Blessed Pope Pius IX declared St. Joseph, husband of Mary, to be the Universal Patron of the Catholic Church. How fitting this is, since St. Joseph was the guardian of our Blessed Mother, so too should he be the guardian of our mother the Church. With these words, St. Joseph became the Protector and Guardian of the Church throughout the world: “As almighty God ap-pointed Joseph, son of the patriarch Jacob, over all the land of Egypt to save grain for the people, so when the fullness of time had come and He was about to send to earth His only-begotten Son, the Savior of the world, He chose another Joseph, of whom the first had been the type, and He made him the lord and chief of His house-hold and possessions, the guardian of His choicest treas-ures. Him whom countless kings and prophets had de-sired to see, Joseph not only saw but conversed with, and embraced in paternal affection, and kissed. He most dili-gently reared Him whom the faithful were to receive as the

bread that came down from heaven whereby, they might obtain eternal life. Accordingly, it has now pleased our Most Holy Sovereign, Pope Pius IX, in order to entrust himself and all the faithful to the Patriarch St. Joseph’s most powerful patron-age, has chosen to comply with the prelates’ desire and has solemnly declared him Patron of the Catholic Church” (Quemadmodum Deus). In order to commemorate the 150th anniversary of this declaration, our Holy Father Pope Francis, has established December 8, 2020 – December 8, 2021 as a Holy Year dedicated to St. Joseph. Attached to this Holy Year is the granting of a Plenary Indulgence, which may be received by offering one of the prescribed works or prayers, along with the three usual conditions of sacramental Confession, reception of the Most Holy Eucharist, and prayers for the intentions of the Holy Father. The list of the prescribed works or prayers to obtain the indulgence include: 1) meditation for at least 30 minutes on the Lord’s prayer, or 2) taking part in a spiritual retreat of at least one day which includes a meditation on St. Joseph, or 3) the performance of a spiritual or corporal work of mercy, or 4) the recitation of the Rosary in the family or by an engaged couple, or 5) the entrustment of our daily activity to the protection of St. Joseph and invoking St. Joseph so that those seeking work can find dignifying work, or 6) the recitation of the Litany of St. Joseph or any other prayer to St. Joseph, proper to the other liturgical traditions, for the persecuted Church ad intra and ad extra, and for the relief of all Christians suffering all forms of persecution. Further, “amid the ongoing Covid-19 health crisis, the gift of the plenary in-dulgence is also extended to the sick, the elderly, the dying and all those who for legitimate reasons are unable to leave their homes. They too can obtain the plenary indulgences if they are detached from any sin and have the intention of fulfilling, as soon as possible, the three usual conditions and recite an act of piety in honor of St. Joseph, offering to God the pains and hard-ships of their lives.”

Of particular note, Pope Francis has also written an apostolic letter, Patris Corde (With a Father’s Heart), to help emphasize and highlight the unassuming, hidden, but most important role which St. Joseph had in God ’s plan for our salvation and to help us realize that each of us too, by fidelity to the ordinariness of our everyday lives, offer the world hope and witness to the promise of redemption. Indeed, as we move from the beautiful season of Advent to the splen-did joy of Christmas, we gaze at the scene of Bethlehem. That scene was very ordinary. Joseph and Mary had commit-ted their lives to the infant Savior, they surrendered everything of themselves to serve the purposes of God, who chose to come into the world as one of us. Through the living of out of their day-to-day life to which God called them, they offer us an example of holiness and hope in the midst of the world. The most striking aspect of St. Joseph ’s life for me, in addi-tion to being a man of great faith, is how God never stopped leading and assisting St. Joseph in the living out of his voca-tion as guardian of the Holy Family. God did not only call St. Joseph, but assisted him every step of the way, to see His plan to completion. God provided for St. Joseph in all the circumstances of his life so that he could do all that God was asking of him. In Joseph is fulfilled that word of Scripture spoken by Paul to the Romans, “We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose” (Rom. 8:28). A blessed and joyous Christmas to all of you!

In Jesus and Mary, Fr. Michael

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MASS INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK Vigil (The Fourth Sunday of Advent) 4:00PM—+Thomas Malone, by his wife, Joan Sunday, December 20 (The Fourth Sunday of Advent) 8:30AM—+Jerry Migneault, by Deacon Ray 10:30AM—For the People of the Parish 6:30PM—The Rondeau and Bernier Families, by the family Monday, December 21 (Saint Peter Canisius) 8:30AM—+Roger LeBlanc (12th Anniversary), by Peter and Dorene Wednesday, December 23 (Saint John of Kanty) 8:30AM—+Jose Miro (5th Anniversary), by Bill Incera Thursday, December 24 Vigil (The Nativity of the Lord) 4:00PM—+Albert and +Claire Roy, by their family 6:30PM—+Harold and +Lena Bellows, by their family Friday, December 25 (The Nativity of the Lord) Midnight—For the People of the Parish 10:30AM-+John Bellows and +Miriam Smith, by their family Saturday, December 26 (Saint Stephen) N0 8:30AM Mass or morning confessions Vigil (The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph) 4:00PM—+Seraphine Cecile Adams, by John, Ginny, and Cecile Adams and +Pauline Lemoine, by her loving husband, Bernie, and family Sunday, December 27 (The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph) 8:30AM—+Jerry Migneault, by Deacon Ray 10:30AM—For the People of the Parish 6:30PM—+Pantaleon Yuds, by his family

DECEMBER 20, 2020

THIS WEEK AT CHURCH Sunday, December 20th

Religious Education, Group 1/Parish Hall and Rooms (10:00A-noon)

Blessing of the Bambinos/Church (during 10:30A Mass)

Wednesday, December 23rd

Adoration/Church (5:30-8:15A and 9:15A-7:00P) Staff Meeting/Parish Office (9:45-10:30A) Thursday, December 24th Parish Offices and Store Closed Sacrament of Reconciliation/Church (5:30-6:15P)

Saturday, December 26th Rosary/Church (8:00A) Sacrament of Reconciliation/Church (3:00-3:45P)

HOSPITALITY MINISTRY Volunteers needed! Do you have a knack for helping people feel welcome and at home in our church? Would you enjoy greeting parishioners as they arrive for Mass, and are you willing to assist them with following COVID-19 safety guidelines? Are you able to pitch in with disinfecting the church after Mass? We are in need of more greeters for all of our weekend Masses, especially our 10:30 a.m. Sunday Mass. If you are interested in joining the hospitality ministry, please call the parish office at 603.882.7793, or see Nancy Phaneuf.

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THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT

CHRISTMAS MASSES Holy Mass will be celebrated at 4:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, December

24th and at midnight and 10:30 a.m. on December 25th. Due to the need for social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic, those planning to attend Mass on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day must register ahead of time. Please visit our website,

stkathryns.org, to RSVP today! For those unable to attend, please join us from home by viewing the Christmas Eve 4:00 p.m. livestream on our website. Have a safe and healthy Advent and Christmas!

NO MORNING MASS DECEMBER 26TH There will be no 8:30 a.m. Mass on Saturday, December 26th. Confessions that morning are also cancelled.

VOCATIONS “Be it done unto me according to your word.” Docile obedience to the Lord’s will is the fruit of humble prayer. If God is inviting you to a deeper consecration as a priest, brother or sister, call Father Matthew Mason at 603.663.0132, or write: mmason@rcbm.org.

ADORATION We are in need of volunteers to cover the 10:00-11:00 a.m. and 2:00-3:00 p.m. weekly Wednesday adoration time slots. If you are available for one of these weekly slots, or to sign up for any hour of your choosing, please call Charlene in the parish office at 603.882.7793, ext. 10. Adoration drop-ins are always welcome and encouraged, but If you know you are going to be at adoration for a certain hour each week (or monthly on First Friday), it helps us tremendously to be able to put your name on the adoration schedule to ensure there are at least two adorers per hour. Thank you!

FORMED.ORG Merry early Christmas! We have renewed our parish subscription to formed.org. Why not take advantage of this great resource? Formed has a wealth of Bible studies, movies, and even children’s activities. Read weekly meditations and listen to audio while you’re traveling. You’ll hear top speakers like Archbishop Fulton Sheen and Dr. Scott Hahn, and also many stories and videos written for children. Simply visit formed.org and use our parish code, 748649, to enter. Enjoy!

CHRISTMAS FLOWERS Envelopes to make a donation to adorn our church with flowers this Christmas can be found in the back of the church. Donations can be made in memory of a loved one. Simply return your envelope to the offertory basket. Thank you!

REFLECTING GOD’S GENEROSITY TO US Due to an early publishing deadline, the offertory for December 12-13 will be printed in the next bulletin.

Offertory, December 5-6: In Church: $ 2,459.00 Online: $ 7,101.82 Mail: $ 2,315.00 Total: $11,875.82 Our weekly parish budget is $11,900.00. Thank you for giving, whether online (sign up for automatic giving at stkathryns.org/donate), in the offertory basket, or mailed to 4 Dracut Road, Hud-son, NH 03051!

http://www.stkathryns.org/donate

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DECEMBER 20, 2020

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THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT

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SAINT KATHRYN PARISH

4 Dracut Road, Hudson, New Hampshire 03051-5006

Telephone: 603.882.7793 Fax: 603.595.1465

Website: www.stkathryns.org Facebook: Saint Kathryn’s Church Store: 603.595.4463

PARISH STAFF Rev. Michael R. Monette, Pastor fr.michael@stkathryns.org

Deacon Raymond V. Marcotte, Permanent Deacon deacon.ray@stkathryns.org

Sister Janice Rooney, SNDdeN, Director of Religious Education sr.janice@stkathryns.org

Charlene Maniotis, Parish Secretary charlene.maniotis@stkathryns.org

Tina Decoeur, Religious Education Secretary tina.decoeur@stkathryns.org

Peter Krauss, Bookkeeper book72worm@aol.com

Larry Franchitto, Music Director lfranchitto@panam.com

Rick Balboni, Religious Goods Store Manager rick.balboni@stkathryns.org

Greg Chagnon, Facilities Manager greg.chagnon@stkathryns.org

Pat Grenier, Custodial Assistant grenierpat@hotmail.com

Christopher Maynard, ANMSM, Staff Organist music.saintpatricksmilford@gmail.com

Jeanette Cassidy, Safe Environment Coordinator jnet62@comcast.net

PARISH OFFICE Monday - Thursday 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. and 1:00-4:00 p.m. Closed Friday/Weekends

SAINT KATHRYN RELIGIOUS GOODS 603.595.4463

Our religious goods store is located in the back of the parish office building and has its own parking.

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday 9:00 a.m.—Noon

Friday and Sunday Closed

SCHEDULE OF MASSES Saturday Vigil Mass: 4:00 p.m. Sunday Masses: 8:30 a.m.; 10:30 a.m. (also livestreamed on our website); 6:30 p.m.

SACRAMENT OF PENANCE Thursday: 5:30-6:15 p.m.

Saturday: 9:15-10:00 a.m. and 3:00-3:45 p.m.

SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM Catechesis takes place with the parents prior to scheduling a date for the baptism. For more information, please contact Deacon Ray in the

parish office.

SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGE Engaged couples should contact the parish office at least six months in advance of the proposed date of the wedding. Please refer to the

marriage policy as found on the parish website.

SACRAMENT OF THE ANOINTING OF THE SICK/COMMUNION TO THE HOMEBOUND Arrangements may be made for Communion to the Homebound or for the Sacrament of the Sick by calling the parish office. The

Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick should be celebrated at the outset of an illness or when there is a change in the person’s condition.

The Sacrament should also be received prior to surgery.

PROTECTION OF CHILDREN POLICIES AND PROCEDURES The diocesan policies are available by calling the parish office or by consulting the diocesan website at www.catholicnh.org.

OPEN FOR YOU! We invite you to use our church, the transept chapel, or the Emmaus Chapel (in the office building) for personal prayer. Our sacred

spaces are open daily from 7:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. (closed Saturday after the 4:00 p.m. Mass).

Welcome! If you are new to our community, we hope you have felt welcome! If you are a visitor - occasional or frequent - we’re glad you joined us! If you’re considering parish membership introduce yourself to the pastor after Holy Mass to get the process underway!

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ST. KATHRYN PARISH HUDSON, NEW HAMPSHIRE 03-0779 December 20, 2020 – Week 4