december 8th - wordpress.com · alice & frank karvajszky ... my dear friends, ... pna christmas...
TRANSCRIPT
1st Sunday of Advent
December 8th
4:00pm St. Peter
Chuck Mubarek by Mr. and Mrs. Emil Gianni
5:30pm St. Francis James and Mary Kucera by family
7:30am St. Francis
Katherine (Curtiss) McCue by Mary and Joe O’Brien
8:30am St. Peter Birthday Remembrance for Rosina Silano
& Giovanni Silano & Joseph Paganini by family
10:00am St. Francis
Gene Gisselbrecht by family
11:15am St. Peter
Mary and Peter Murelli by the Paige family
12:30pm St. Francis Mass in Spanish
Keith Perryman Joines by wife Agnes
5:00pm St. Peter
Barbara Ohotnicky
by Marlene Carrier and Donna Puzacke
Saturday Vigil, December 9th 2017
Saturday Vigil, December 2nd 2017
Weekday Masses
Sunday, December 3rd 2017
December 3, 2017 2| First Sunday of Advent
Saint John Paul the Great Parish
SACRED HEART CANDLES Saint Ann: Agnes Nardine Lipinski
Saint Theresa: Lestinsky and Dudley Families If you would like a ride to Mass, Northwestern CT Transit offers
a Dial-A-Ride service. Please call 860-489-2535 for more info.
Sanctuary Candle is being burned
at St. Francis in memory of
Richard Carbone
and at St. Peter in memory of
Rosina Silano
4:00pm St. Peter
Aldo Ferrari 20th Anniversary by wife and daughters
5:30pm St. Francis Richard Carbone by family
7:30am St. Francis
Tom Ashe by Csehak family
8:30am St. Peter
10:00am St. Francis
Alice & Frank Karvajszky Elizabeth & Charles Muik by family
11:15am St. Peter
Luigi Binelli by wife and family
12:30pm St. Francis Mass in Spanish
Teresa Lopez, Rodolfo Espinoza, Maria Espinoza and Luis Tapia by family
5:00pm St. Peter
St. Francis Xavier by Giovaniana & Francesco Nania
Monday 12/4 8:00am St. Francis Marge DeMichiel Fedorich by husband Jim & daughter Susan
Tuesday 12/5 7:00am St. Peter James Roy by Bob and Nancy Rakyta
Wednesday 12/6 8:00am St. Francis
Germaine & Henry Descoteaux and Richard Descoteaux by Janet DeAngelo
Thursday 12/7 7:00am St. Peter
of the Blessed Virgin Mary vigil Thursday 12/7
5:30pm St. Francis Deceased members of the Legion of Mary Friday 12/8
7:00am St. Peter Intentions of Parishioners
9:00am St. Francis Mark Main and daughter Michelle Main
12:10pm St. Francis John Salamacha by Nancy Salamacha
5:30pm St. Peter Terri Reichen by husband Fred and daughters Jenna & Tracey
7:00pm St. Francis (Spanish)
Intentions of Parishioners
Weekday Masses continued… Saturday 12/9 8:00am St. Peter
Rose LoBrutto by LoBrutto family
Sunday, December 10th 2017
Our Worship Sites St. Francis of Assisi - 160 Main St.
St. Peter - 107 East Main St.
Sacred Heart - 116 Grove St.
St. Mary - 85 Pulaski St.
Offices Pope Saint John Paul II
Pastoral Center
160 Main Street
Torrington, CT 06790
Office Hours Monday thru Friday
9am - 4pm
Phone: 860-482-4433
Fax: 860-489-4070
JohnPaulGreatParish.com View our bulletin online: JohnPaulGreatParish.com 3| Saint John Paul the Great Parish
My Dear Friends,
A Catholic priest in Ireland has been encouraging people to stop saying Merry Christmas. His argument is that Christians
have lost the war on Christmas. It has become a totally secular holiday for Christians and non-Christians. He says, of
course, that we should celebrate the holy day, but this ongoing battle between religious and secular sentiments during
this time of the year has been lost on the religious side. I don’t agree with him. I understand his point, though. As soon as
Halloween was over, stores were putting up Christmas displays (some even before Halloween), and they started playing
Christmas music on the radio. Christmas has become highly commercialized. The day after Thanksgiving, known as
Black Friday, is an exercise in who can become the most boorish and rude while shopping for gifts. And lest we forget,
one December 26th arrives, Christmas is over. Christmas trees start making their appearance on the streets a day or two
after the holiday.
For Christians, Christmas is the first of twelve days. In fact, many Christian nations have put more emphasis on
Epiphany than on Christmas throughout the centuries. For Catholics, the Christmas season officially ends on the feast
of the Baptism of the Lord, but many people have a custom that the Christmas season ends on February 2nd, the feast of
the Presentation. In any event, Catholics, and our brothers and sisters in Christ, only lose the battle when we give it up.
There is no reason to become upset over the commercialization of Christmas. And this is nothing new. When the Charlie
Brown Christmas special first aired in the 1960’s, Linus explained to Charlie Brown what Christmas was all about. He
recited the story of the angel telling the shepherds of the great joy that has happened, that a Savior has been born, Christ
the Lord. You can control how you prepare for Christmas by using the season of Advent as that preparation spiritually.
It is up to you to prepare the season for Christ’s birth. Getting upset at others who commercialize and do not understand
the meaning of Christmas does not help. Spend Advent in peace and joy with expectant hope and allow your spiritual
preparation to be a sign to others that Christmas does not come in packages and bows, but it comes to us in our hearts
as the Newborn King, is laid in his mother’s arms in the manger.
God bless.
Fr. John
If you could offer one particular hour
each week to sit with our Lord,
who is waiting for you in the Holy Eucharist,
Monday through Friday 5-8pm,
or one hour each month for First Friday,
please call Peg Michaud 860-307-9356
† Mondays: 5-7pm at St. Peter
† Tuesdays: 5-8pm at St. Francis
† Wednesdays: 5-8pm at St. Francis
† Thursdays: 5-8pm at St. Francis
† Fridays: 5-8pm at St. Francis
(except 1st Friday of the month) _________________________________
In the Mass and in
Eucharistic Adoration we
meet the merciful love of
God that passes through
the Heart of Jesus Christ.
- Pope Saint John Paul II
Sacraments Sacrament of Marriage: Arrangements for Marriage are made by calling the Parish Office to schedule an appointment with one of the priests at least six months in advance of desired wedding date.
Sacrament of the Sick: Anyone who is seriously ill, advanced in age or preparing for surgery may receive. Please call the Parish Office to arrange.
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults: For adults who wish to become Catholic or for Catholic Adults who have not yet received the Sacraments of First Eucharist and Confirmation. Contact the Parish Office for more details.
Sacrament of Baptism: Please call the Parish Office to arrange. Preparation class is held on the first Tuesday of the month, at 6:30 pm at the Pope Saint John Paul II Pastoral Center.
Homebound or Hospitalized? If you, or someone you know is homebound and would like to receive Holy Communion, or hospitalized and would like a
Staff Pastor: Rev. John C. Granato
Parochial Vicar: Rev. Carlos Zapata
Deacons: Roy Dungan
Peter Hyde
Richard Hamel Religious Education Grades K-5 860-482-3121
Jen Owens Cell: 860-307-2291 Call/TEXT
Office of Youth Ministry 860-489-7899
Middle School EDGE/Youth Group
Marlene Carrier: Cell 860-309-7855 Call/TEXT
High School Confirmation Program
Donna Puzacke: Cell 860-309-1900 Call/TEXT
Pastoral Minister: Peg O’Meara 860-309-1707
Music Director: Francine Gryniuk
Organist: Bill Mackstutis
Office Staff: Anita Ressel Toni Tavano, Rose McMahon
Trustees: John Janco Monica Diulio _____________________________________
St. Peter / St. Francis School Principal Jo-Anne Gauger 860-489-4177
In Need of Prayers? Please call... Cheryl at 860-618-3533 to be added to our Prayer Line.
December 3, 2017 4| First Sunday of Advent
____________________
Contributions to our parish for
the week of November 26, 2017
$14,427.30
____________________
National Collection Dates December 9-10 Help care for the elders. “Thanks to the support from
better position to care for our elders,” writes a religious sister. Your donation helps her religious community and hundreds of others provide for aging members and plan for long-term needs. Please give to next week’s Retirement Fund for Religious collection.
To the parishioners of St John Paul the Great Parish We humbly say THANK YOU
for your support of our youth in their mission to raise funds and awareness during
Because of your generosity, our teens who participated in the Cardboard Box City
collected donations totaling $4,101.33 These funds will be distributed to local organiza-tions that serve those in need in our community.
View our bulletin online: JohnPaulGreatParish.com 5| Saint John Paul the Great Parish
Please pray for
Margaret Hogan
Barbara Ohotnicky
James Rebman
recently deceased members of our parish family.
Eternal rest grant to them, O Lord;
and let light perpetual shine upon them. May their souls, and the souls of
all the faithful departed,
through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Defending Our Religious Liberty In a letter to the U.S. Senate, the United States Conference for Catholic Bishops (USCCB) urged the Senate to respect life when changing the health care mandate. The USCCB says no health care reform plan should compel us or others to pay for the destruction of human life, whether through government funding or mandatory coverage of abortion.
9th Annual Festival – Noveno Festival
Celebrating the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe Celebrando la Fiesta en Honor a Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe
“Porque nosotros estamos seguros, de que siempre y cuando se le reconozca como Reina y Madre, México y Estados Unidos estará a salvo.” El Papa Pío XII
Celebration begins Solemn Mass on
Sunday, December 10th 12:30 pm
St. Francis Church Immediately following mass
join the procession to St. Peter/St. Francis School 360 Prospect St. Torrington
Followed by a social gathering. Please bring a dish
or your favorite dessert for a potluck reception.
As always join us for a variety of activities, including
Raffles, Cultural Dances, Live Performers and More!
To make a donation, or to RSVP call
Jen Owens at 860-307-2291 [email protected]
“For we are certain, that as long as you are recognized as Queen and Mother, Mexico
and America will be safe." Pope Pius XII
La Celebración empieza con la Solemne Santa Misa
Domingo 10 de Diciembre a las 12:30pm
Iglesia San Francisco Inmediatamente después de Misa,
habrá una procesión a la Escuela St. Peter/St. Francis 360 Prospect St. Torrington
Seguido por un compartir y almuerzo. Les pedimos que nos colaboren con
un plato tradicional de su pais. Únase a nosotros para una variedad
de actividades, incluyendo Rifas, Danzas Culturales,
Artistas en Vivo y Mucho Más! Para hacer una donación
o para reservar su cupo favor de comunicarse con Maria Colon.
We warmly welcome Angelimar Benavides
Armando Benavides
Anthony Martin Brajevich IV
Cooper Jacob Clark
Giuliana Lovallo
Elliot William Meza
Kady Stelma
who were recently baptized at our parish!
December 3, 2017 6| First Sunday of Advent
16th LARC
Annual Festival of Trees Holiday Displays & Silent Auction
atValerie Manor
Saturday, December 2nd from 1pm to 7pm and
Sunday, December 3rd from 1pm to 5pm
(Auction Closes 5pm)
Suggested Donation: Adults $2 Children under 12 Free
Open to the Public. www.litchfieldarc.org
www.facebook.com/LARC.CT
PNA Christmas Party will be held on Sunday December 3rd
at 2pm at St. Mary Church Hall. Children have to be present to receive gift from Santa.
Holy Rosary Society of St. John Paul the Great Parish
Monthly Meeting &
Christmas Potluck Supper
Those wishing to participate in the grab bag
exchange please bring a $5 grab bag gift.
Members are encouraged to attend and
bring your favorite dish!
New members are always welcome!
St. John Paul the Great pray for us.
CHRISTMAS
GIVING
TREES St. John Paul the Great Parish
will have Christmas Giving Trees again this year. The trees will be up
It is important to return your unwrapped
gift by the weekend of
Thank you for your continued support of the projects of the St. John Paul the Great
Social Ministry
Committee
Saint Maron Church 100 Year Anniversary
BREAKFAST Sunday, December 3rd
8am - 12 NOON 613 Main Street
Donation: Adults $12 Children 10 & under $6
Torrington Council of Catholic Women
Christmas Party Mulligan's Restaurant at Eastwoods Golf Club
Thursday, December 7th @ 6:30pm We will order off the menu.
Please bring a toy to benefit Catholic Charities. For more information call Cathy at 860-489-4923.
The Angels and Ministers of St. John Paul the Great Parish
will hold a
Planning Meeting with Light Refreshments to be served
on Monday, December 4th @ 6pm @ Sacred Heart Church Hall
All members are encouraged to attend.
And new members are always welcomed!
Social Ministry Committee will meet
on Thursday, December 7th at 7pm in the Pastoral Center.
New members are always welcome.
View our bulletin online: JohnPaulGreatParish.com 7| Saint John Paul the Great Parish
Picture yourself in the peaceful setting of historic Farmington at
OUR LADY OF CALVARY RETREAT CENTER in Farmington
Join other women of the parish and from other towns
on the weekend of January 12-14, 2018 to reflect on the theme
www.OurLadyOfCalvary.net
5TH ANNUAL
to benefit
Select from a delicious assortment of
for your holiday gatherings. - Sold by the pound -
Questions, please contact Cynthia 860-618-3816 or [email protected]
Friday, December 8 from at the St. Peter lower hall.
You are invited to join Fr. John Mondays from 12-1pm
Sacred Heart for a holy hour
Praying for priests. Adoration
Scriptural rosary Silence
Litany to Christ the High Priest followed by Benediction
Advent is a season of watchfulness and preparation. We seek to answer the call to be alert as we wait for the Lord with hopeful hearts. Be attentive to the ways in which God comes into your life. Be willing to be surprised.
If you think God may be calling you to a vocation as a priest or religious, Call Fr. Jeffrey Gubbiotti, Director of Vocations,
Archdiocesan Center at St. Thomas Seminary, 860-242-5573 or email [email protected] or visit the web at www.hartfordpriest.com
The Franciscan’s, St. Frances Cabrini and St. Anne’s Society
Christmas Social DeCapo’s – 625 Litchfield Rd. – Litchfield
Wednesday, December 13th @ 1pm
Meal choices will be from the menu. Family, friends and parishioners are most welcome.
Deadline for reservations is December 6th by calling 860-489-7977
What is BEST Advent EVER? It’s a free email program that will help you slow down and focus on what matters most during this busy season.
You'll experience Advent in a whole new way -
leading to the best Christmas of your life!
1. Sign Up at
DynamicCatholic.com/SignUp
2. Watch Daily Videos Starting December 3,
the first Sunday of Advent, you'll receive daily emails
with short inspirational videos from Matthew Kelly
and Dr. Allen Hunt, practical tips to incorporate into
your everyday life, and personal stories from
Dynamic Catholic team members.
3. Have an Incredible Christmas!
Drop any Boxtops for Education into canisters found at the entrances of
St. Peter and St. Francis Churches to
benefit St. Peter/St. Francis School.
December 3, 2017 8| First Sunday of Advent
Classes are held Sunday evenings Beginning with the Life Teen Mass @ 5pm
with Class immediately following 6-7:30pm _______________________________________
Calendars can be found at JohnPaulGreatParish.com __________________________________
come to the Upper Room Saturday, December 2nd
1st Saturday’s Middle School Volleyball/Basketball/Dodgeball
Wii Just Dance/Air Hockey/Foosball
6-9pm @St. Peter Hall “the Upper Room” _______________________________________
Saturday, December 9th
2nd Saturday’s High School Volleyball/Basketball/Dodgeball
Wii Just Dance/Air Hockey/Foosball
6-10pm @St. Peter Hall “the Upper Room” _______________________________________ MUST RSVP by noon on day of event
Marlene Carrier Cell 860-309-7855 call/text
$5 Donation Pizza/Soda/Ice cream _________________
Sunday, December 17th
XLT 6-7:30pm at St. Peter Church Teens and their parents are invited to a time of
Praise/Adoration with a presentation by Catholic
Speaker/Apologist Bryan Mercier _______________________________________
Wednesday, December 20th
Come spread some Christmas cheer as we sing
If you have a relative at a certain facility let us
know and we will try to make a visit possible.
Limited to 10 teens OR more if
would like to help with carpooling :) _______________________________________
January 18-19 We invite you to join with hundreds of thousands
(many of which are teens) who respectfully march
for the right to life, praying for an end to abortion.
Marching from the National Mall up Capitol Hill
to the steps of the Supreme Court as we recall the
45th anniversary of Roe vs. Wade.
See bulletin for details >>>
Providing a free community meal on the 2nd Sunday of each month at 4pm St. Peter Hall, 107 E. Main St., Torrington
The next meal with be provided on
December 10th All donations can be made to our Parish. Please put “Kevin’s Place” in the memo on checks and mail to
160 Main St., Torrington, CT 06790
For more info, contact:
Christine Delgrande 860-307-2969 email: [email protected]
Platinum Circle of Friends Mr. Santo A. LoBrutto Golden Circle of Friends Mrs. Carolyn Richtarek Silver Circle of Friends
Mr. Owen V. Cummings Ms. Carolyn Dombeck
Bronze Circle of Friends Anonymous Mr. Jeffrey Melaragno Mr. and Mrs. Joseph C. Minnella Dr. Lori Noto
Mr. and Mrs. George Pollick
St. Peter/St. Francis School Annual Fund Campaign
Donations 9/25 through 11/26 Thank you to the parishioners for their generosity
to the Annual Fund Campaign.
The current total is $34,397
Week of 11/617 Pat Alexander and Joey Matarese 11/1317 Martha Gallagher and Olivia Matarese 11/2017 Greg Bennett and Jim Rossi 11/2717 Beth Michalec and Nellie Vestalli ____________________________________________________
Not a member? Anyone may join – so please spread the word! This is a fun way to support the school! The 360 Club is a fund-
raiser that consists of 2 weekly drawings of $25 for 50 weeks. Members join by paying $50 annually or $25 twice a year
(December and June) – or join anytime for a prorated amount. Checks made payable to The 360 Club should be sent to
St. Peter/St. Francis School, 360 Prospect Street, Torrington, CT; may be dropped off at the school office; or dropped in the school’s mail slot at the main entrance on Prospect Street.
If you have any questions, please contact Kristen Harmon at 860-387-3183 or [email protected]
or call the school office at 860-489-4177. Thank you for supporting Catholic education.
St. Peter/St. Francis School 360 Club Winners—Congratulations
View our bulletin online: JohnPaulGreatParish.com 9| Saint John Paul the Great Parish
COMUNIDAD HISPANA † EUCARISTIA DOMINICAL
SERVICIOS: POSIBILIDAD DE CONFESIONES, DIRECCION ESPIRITUAL, INSCRIPCION DE INTENCIONES PARA LA EUCARISTIA DOMINICAL, INFORMACION SOBRE LOS SACRAMENTOS DE BAUTISMO, PRIMERA COMUNION, CONFIRMACION, MATRIMONIO, QUINCEAÑERAS Y CATEQUESIS PARA ADULTOS.
CHARLAS PREBAUTISMALES Requisitos: Asistir a la clase padres y padrinos.
(Por favor llamar a la oficina para registrarse o al 860-307-7343 – Lourdes – también pueden enviar texto.)
CHARLA PRE-BAUTISMAL: 3er Viernes de cada mes.
Centro de Pastoral Juan Pablo II 6:00 – 7:00PM
CEREMONIA DE BAUTISMO: 4to domingo de cada mes a la 12:30pm
Servidores del Altar / Monaguillos: Elvia Orellana 860-459-1837
Legion de Maria: Jose Guambana 860-485-5473
Evangelizacion: Orlando Orellana 860-806-4522
Liturgia/Sacristia: Roberto Castillo 860-491-0200
RICA/Ministerios Musicales/Catequesis: Lourdes Rodriguez 860-307-7343
Pastoral Social: Doris Ramirez 860-459-6658
Ministros Extraordinarios de la Comunion: Carmen Fernandez 860-921- 3408
Monitores y Lectores: Sonia Sanchez 860-307- 8349
Ujieres/Ministros de Acogida: Honorato Nunez 860-459 - 0036
Pastoral Familiar: Yuneris Owens 860-307-2291
Movimiento Juan XXIII: Maria Colon 860-387-8133
Saint John Paul the Great Parish GRUPOS APOSTOLICOS
Y COORDINADORES PASTORAL HISPANA
Movimiento Juan XXIII 7 PM Martes. En las instalaciones de Sacred Heart
Church (ubicada detrás del templo de Sacred Heart) El Movimiento Juan XXIII busca trabajar por aquellos alejados de la Iglesia y marginados de la sociedad,
anunciándoles el Evangelio, mediante una espirituali-dad de auténtico servicio, enmarcada en el Amor,
la Entrega y el Sacrificio y expresada en esta opción de vida: “Con Cristo Todo, Sin Cristo Nada”.
Please join us for the March for Life
in Washington, DC, January 18-19, 2018 The pilgrimage includes a bus trip to the
Vigil Mass at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception on Thursday January 18th and
March for Life in Washington, D.C. on the 19th. The two-day bus trip and the breakfast with
Our guest speaker at the breakfast will be
for the Catholic Diocese of Arlington, son of late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia.
You are responsible for payment of your hotel stay. A block of rooms is being held for our group at the Hilton Alexandria Old Town, in Alexandria, VA. Call Pro-Life Ministry at 203-213-5079 or 203-639-0833 for guidelines in making hotel reservations. ________________________________
Buses leave from the
Franciscan Life Center in Meridan at
approximately 5am on Thursday the 18th and
return to Meridan at midnight on Friday the 19th
Teens will leave from Torrington with Youth ministers at 4am
The Total Cost including Bus/Hotel is $100
Office of Youth Ministry ... Marlene Carrier Cell 860-309-7855 call/text
[email protected] ________________________________
High School CONFIRMATION Program Donna Puzacke 860-489-7899 • Cell 860-309-1900
[email protected] ________________________________
________________________________ Anyone wishing to
SPONSOR A TEEN please contact us. Thank you.