good shepherd parish biddeford lyman old orchard beach …...etc); making and decorating christmas...
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Good Shepherd Parish
Biddeford Lyman Old Orchard Beach Saco Office Hours: Monday-Thursday 8:30-4:30 / Churches listed inside
Mailing Address: 271 Main Street, Saco, ME 04072 • Tel: 207-282-3321 e-mail: [email protected] • www.goodshepherdparish.us
December 15, 2013
GOOD SHEPHERD PARISH
Most Holy Trinity Church St. Joseph's Church & Ste Anne's Chapel St. Margaret's Church St. Philip's Church 271 Main St 178 Elm St (Rte 1) 6 Saco Ave 404 Goodwins Mills Rd Saco, Maine 04072 Biddeford, Maine 04005 Old Orchard Beach, Maine 04064 Lyman, Maine 04002
St. Brendan's Chapel (seasonal) St. Luke's Chapel (seasonal) 40 Lester B. Orcutt Blvd, Biddeford Pool, Maine 04006 164 Saco Ave, Old Orchard Beach, Maine 04064 Rev. Msgr. Rene T. Mathieu, Pastor Rev. P. Antonydass, HGN, Parochial Vicar Rev. Jack Dickinson, Parochial Vicar Deacon Robert Parenteau Deacon Kevin Jacques
GOOD SHEPHERD PARISH www.goodshepherdparish.us December 15, 2013
Message from Monsignor René Mathieu
(1) All gifts and donations for Toys for Tots and for the homeless as indi-
cated on our giving trees (including veterans), are due this Sunday, De-
cember 15. This will guarantee that gifts are distributed in time for
Christmas. (2) Last Saturday evening, Saint James School students, par-
ents, staff and alumni participated in Saco’s annual “Parade of Lights”.
The Knights of Columbus served a public bean supper that evening at
Most Holy Trinity Church to support “Toys for Tots” and to warm folks up before
many of them headed outdoors for the parade on a rather cold evening. I believe eve-
ryone who participated enjoyed the parade, judging from the reaction of the crowd in
front of Most Holy Trinity Church. The lights in front of the church added to the fes-
tive occasion. (3) The Light is on for You: Once again, all parishes in Maine will
offer the Sacrament of Penance on the same December weekday evenings in ob-
servance of the season of Advent and in anticipation of the great feast of Christmas.
In Good Shepherd Parish, one or more priests will be available 6:00–7:00 pm as fol-
lows: Monday, December 16, at Most Holy Trinity Church; Tuesday, December 17,
at St. Philip Church and at St. Margaret Church; Wednesday, December 18, at St.
Joseph Church. If they are needed, priests will remain beyond 7:00 pm. These times
are in addition to the regularly scheduled times on Saturday afternoons in all four
church locations. (4) St. Francis of Assisi is credited with creating the first nativity
scene in 1223―a “living” one―intending to encourage the worship of Christ. He
was inspired to do this after he visited the Holy Land where he was shown the tradi-
tional birthplace of Jesus. “It is in Germany where the earliest historical reference to
a Christmas tree first appeared. In 1561, a law was passed at Alsace that limited
each ‘burgher’ or resident to only one ‘Christmas Tree.’ The law further stipulated
that the tree could be no more than ‘eight shoes’ in height. Evidently, the custom of
bringing a live tree into the home had become so popular that deforestation was be-
coming an issue” (by Victor M. Parachin, “The Christmas Tree: An Ancient Tradi-
tion,” printed in the December 2012 issue of The Priest magazine). (5) As my father
used to say when I was growing up: “Who left the door open?” If no one is behind
you, please be sure doors are secularly closed when you enter or exit one of our par-
ish properties, especially during the winter season. (6) Again this year we plan to
provide closed circuit television in the St. Joseph church hall during the 4:00 pm
Mass on Christmas Eve. I am grateful for the two parishioners who make this possi-
ble, one a teacher and the other a student at Thornton Academy. It should provide
enough seating for everyone who wishes to attend Mass at that time and location
(1500 attended the 4 pm there last year). There will also be limited seating in the
choir loft. (7) Thank You of the Week: There were some 275 deaths in the parish
last year. Preparation for and celebration of the various liturgies, attention to mourn-
ers, and the services of cemetery personnel make this combined ministry a significant
feature of Good Shepherd Parish. Volunteers who prepare and serve funeral lunch-
eons are an important part of this pastoral care for the bereaved. Last Friday, Decem-
ber 6, members of the administrative staff served a luncheon to these volunteers who
work so hard week after week. Thank you!
Jokes Priests Can Tell, Volume 3 by Msgr. Arthur Tonne: Recently, I asked a little boy, “And what do you want for Christmas?”
His answer was, “Two Teddy bears.”
My next question, “Why two?”
His answer: “So I can share.”
Vocations: "I send my messenger ahead of
you to prepare your way before you." Are you
called to be sent by Jesus as a priest, deacon,
sister or brother? Call Fr. Nathan March at
207-773-6471.
Apostolate of Prayer for Priests - December 15. Most Rev. Richard Malone ThD
16. Rev. Stephen Concannon,
Rev. Aaron Damboise
17. Msgr. Leopold Nicknair,
Rev. Ramundas Bukauskas OFM
18. Rev. Gregory Dube, Rev. Armand Neault
19. Rev. David Cote
20. Msgr. René Mathieu,
Msgr. Raymond Begin
21. Rev. Richard MacDonough SS,
Rev. David Raymond
A Prayer for Seminarians
Lord Jesus, I ask your special blessing on all
men preparing for the priesthood in our semi-
naries. I pray they will grow in faith, hope and
charity. May their hearts overflow with your
compassion, understanding and generosity, and
may their desire to serve you inspire others to
answer your call. Lord, give our seminarians
the grace to follow you more perfectly. When
they are lonely or discouraged, fill them with
your peace. Jesus, meek and humble of heart,
make the hearts of our seminarians like yours.
Amen.
The Study of the U.S. Catholic Catechism for
Adults with Deacon Bob
The study of the Catechism with Deacon Bob
will not meet again until January 9, 2014. May you enjoy the coming Holy Days with your
loved ones.
Merry Christmas! Happy New Year
Deacon Bob
BIDDEFORD, SACO, OLD ORCHARD BEACH & LYMAN
Saturday, December 14
4:00 pm St. Joseph: (Msgr. Mathieu)
Yvette Hebert (2nd Ann.) / Rita Paquet (16th Ann.)
4:00 pm Most Holy Trinity: (Fr. Ron Labarre)
Oscar Boucher (20th Ann.) / Raymond Levesque (5th Ann.)
4:00 pm St. Margaret: (Fr. Antonydass)
Madlyn McPherson / Garon Murphy
4:30 pm St. Philip: (Fr. Dickinson) Jeannine L. Charest
Sunday, December 15, Third Sunday of Advent
8:00 am St. Joseph: (French) (Fr. Ron Labarre)
Noella Perreault / Gilberte Pelletier
8:30 am St. Margaret: (Fr. Antonydass)
Germaine Lacourse / Marguerite LeBlanc
8:30 am Most Holy Trinity: (Fr. Dickinson)
Marcelle Vigue / Lorraine Corriveau
9:00 am St. Philip: (Msgr. Mathieu) Frederick Strachan /
For All People in Good Shepherd Parish
10:30 am Most Holy Trinity: (Fr. Dickinson)
Timothy Loughlin (15th Ann.) / Bert Godbout
10:30 am St. Margaret: (Fr. Antonydass)
Vivien C. & James J. Sullivan / Therese & Charles Bolduc
11:00 am St. Joseph: (Msgr. Mathieu)
Pauline Martel / Laurette Baillargeon
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Monday, December 16
9:00 am Most Holy Trinity: Irene Roy (3rd Ann.) /
Special Intentions
Tuesday, December 17 7:00 am Ste Anne: Marcel Guilbeault
9:00 am Most Holy Trinity: Mary A. Tucci / Isabelle Nadeau
Wednesday, December 18
9:00 am St. Joseph: Lucille Beaudoin / Gilberte Pelletier
9:00 am St. Philip: Jacque Morin
Thursday, December 19
8:00 am St. Margaret: Ed Cote (7th Ann.) /
Donald Auger (9th Ann.)
9:00 am St. Philip: Marie P. Petit
Friday, December 20 7:00 am Ste Anne: Claire Chevrette
9:00 am Most Holy Trinity: Robert & Roger Binette /
Real Paquette
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Saturday, December 21
4:00 pm St. Joseph: (Msgr. Mathieu)
Dorilas Roy / Joseph Drapeau
4:00 pm Most Holy Trinity: (Fr. Norman Richard)
Rose Lamb / Yvette Hebert (2nd Ann.)
4:00 pm St. Margaret: (Fr. Dickinson)
Keith Babbidge / Normand Auger (6th Ann.)
4:30 pm St. Philip: (Fr. Antonydass)
Marie Petit / Michael Roger
Sunday, December 22, Fourth Sunday of Advent
8:00 am St. Joseph: (French) (Fr. Ron Labarre)
Laure-Yvette Dumas / Paul E. Lambert
8:30 am St. Margaret: (Fr. Antonydass)
Joseph Garland (Ann.) / Sylvio LaCourse
8:30 am Most Holy Trinity: (Fr. Dickinson)
Jean Martel / Jean Guy Raymond
9:00 am St. Philip: (Msgr. Mathieu) George St. Amand /
For All People in Good Shepherd Parish
10:30 am Most Holy Trinity: (Fr. Dickinson)
John Mazeiko / Yvonne & Paul Guay
10:30 am St. Margaret: (Fr. Antonydass)
Robert J. McNally / Juliette Landry
11:00 am St. Joseph: (Msgr. Mathieu)
Normand Parenteau (35th Ann.) / Raymond Proulx
PARISH LITURGIES
Readings for the Week of December 15, 2013
Sunday: Is 35:1-6a, 10/ Jas 5:7-10/ Mt 11:2-11
Monday: Nm 24:2-7, 15-17a/ Mt 21:23-27
Tuesday: Gn 49:2, 8-10/ Mt 1:1-17
Wednesday: Jer 23:5-8/ Mt 1:18-25
Thursday: Jgs 13:2-7, 24-25a/ Lk 1:5-25
Friday: Is 7:10-14/ Lk 1:26-38
Saturday: Sg 2:8-14 or Zep 3:14-18a/ Lk 1:39-45
Next Sunday: Is 7:10-14/ Rom 1:1-7/ Mt 1:18-24
©Liturgical Publications Inc
Good Shepherd
Parish welcomes
Hannah Noelline,
daughter of Steven &
Melissa (Picard) Demers. May she
grow daily in the Body of Christ.
Tuesday, December 24
No Morning Masses
Christmas Vigil
4:00 pm Most Holy Trinity, St. Joseph, and
St. Margaret
4:30 pm St. Philip
6:30 pm St. Joseph, Most Holy Trinity
9:00 pm Most Holy Trinity
Midnight St. Joseph
Wednesday, December 25, Christmas Day
8:00 am St. Joseph 9:30 am St. Margaret
8:30 am Most Holy Trinity 10:30 am Most Holy Trinity
9:00 am St. Philip 11:00 am St. Joseph
Frank Michael Elwood (born 1949)
Mary Jane Cookson (born 1917)
Norman P. Ayotte (born 1958)
Phyllis Ciufo (born 1921)
Noella I. Vire (born 1939)
Richard P. Potvin (born 1930)
May their souls and the souls of all the
faithful departed through the mercy of
God rest in peace.
The Light is on for You
Confessions will be heard
6:00–7:00 pm
Monday, December 16,
at Most Holy Trinity;
Tuesday, December 17, at St. Margaret's &
St. Philip's;
Wednesday, December 18, at St. Joseph's.
DECEMBER 15, 2013
SAINT JAMES CATHOLIC SCHOOL
25 Graham Street Phone 207-282-4084
Biddeford, ME 04005 FAX 207-286-3693
E-mail [email protected]
Website www.goodshepherdschools.us
St. James School is SERVICE ACADEMICS FAITH EXCELLENCE
St. James School staff partners with parents, parishioners, and our community to provide students with opportunities to become faith-filled Catholics, creative and critical thinkers, life-long learn-ers, and confident contributors to the Church and society.
FAITH FORMATION
Youth Ministry This week in YM:
Christmas Open Mic Night!
This Sunday (12/15) will be a joint night with both Edge
and Life Teen. We will be enjoying a plethora of Christmas
goodies (hot chocolate, candy canes, baked goods, cake
etc); making and decorating Christmas cards for the home-
bound in our community; and showcasing your best talent
(or just doing something for fun!) with an open mic. Op-
tions would include anything from songs (bring special in-
struments with you, we only have a piano and guitar), danc-
es, poems, skits or scenes from a play, karaoke or just sing-
ing some good old fashioned Christmas carols with us!
Same time/place as usual…bring a friend!
Children’s
Ministry
Congratulations to our 2nd
Graders and
Sacramental Class
on celebrating their First Reconciliation!
This weekend our 2nd graders and others who will be com-
pleting their Sacraments of Initiation (First Communion and
Confirmation) made their very first confession. This marks
a great milestone on their spiritual journey, so if you know
someone who is part of this group, be sure to take the time
to congratulate them!
The blog has begun! The Faith Formation staff has
launched a new blog, with the first
post based on the Advent season.
Staff members will be posting blogs each month on a wide
range of topics related to faith and daily life as Catholics.
Check the website for a link to the blog and follow us.
www.GoodShepherdParish.us
We appreciate all the prayers and sup-
port on behalf of our catechumens, who
are preparing for the three Sacraments
of Initiation; and our Baptized candi-
dates, who are seeking full communion
in the Catholic Church. Please continue to join us in offer-
ing support, prayer and fellowship as they integrate into our
Parish!
For any questions, please contact the
Faith Formation office at 207-282-4812
St. James School took part in Saco's
Parade of Lights. A float was decorated
with a crèche and a manger. Students
dressed as Mary and Joseph and sat on
hay bales on the float. Mary is pictured
here before boarding the float.
Kindergartners
dressed up as
either shepherds or sheep and other
students were shepherds, angels and
kings. There was a large following
behind the float as these students sang
Christmas carols as they walked. Stu-
dents handed out St. James pencils to
the crowd. It culminated with a piece
of pizza and lots of smiles.
If you want to be a part of activities such as these, take a look
at St. James School. You will immediately become part of the
St. James family and have a supportive environment around
you, your children and their education. I think the saying is
that it takes a village to raise a child but here at St. James we
have a village that raises our children!
THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT
Worship & Spirituality
Advent Vespers: Scripture, reflection, prayer,
and sacred music led by fellow parishioners.
Sundays at 4:00 pm: December 15 & 22 at
Most Holy Trinity. Incense will be used.
Adoration & Benediction: Scripture, Adoration of the Blessed
Sacrament and sacred music followed by Benediction led by Fr.
Jack Dickinson. Friday at 7:00 pm: December 20 at Ste Anne’s
Chapel. Incense will be used.
Social Justice & Peace
Administration & Fund Raising
GOOD SHEPHERD PARISH &
Good Shepherd Parish is supporting the 2013 “Northern York
County Toys for Tots Campaign” for children from families in
need. Place new, unwrapped toys in the boxes provided in all
the churches. All toys are due this Sunday, December 15.
Thank you!
Second Collection This Weekend: Snow Removal
Collection Report
Offertory Week Year to Date*
November 23-24, 2013 $ 23,954 $ 638,268
November 24-25, 2012 $ 22,796 $ 645,178
Difference $ 1,158 (6,909) -1.1%
Nov. 30-Dec. 1, 2013 $ 24,807 $ 668,190
December 1-2, 2012 $ 25,502 $ 676,981
Difference (695) $ (8,791) -1.3%
Fuel and Heat $ 5,115 *includes second collections
Knights Corner
Rev. James J. Mullen Council OOB Breakfast: December 15.
Again it is donation accepted. This month's donation will go to
Knights of Columbus Charity in Old Orchard Beach.
The Rev. James J. Mullen Council is selling Christmas Trees
and Wreaths at St. Luke's Chapel, Saco Avenue, OOB, from 1 to
8 pm Monday through Friday and 10 am to 7 pm Saturday & Sun-
day until all items are sold. Wreaths are $20 and trees are $30.
We continue to collect donations for local
food pantries at all our churches. Please
make your donations of nonperishables for the
needy of our area who depend on the food
pantries. There are collection boxes in all the
churches for your donations.
Wrapped Up: God's Ten Gifts for Women
Led by Donna Caron. Join us for our last session on
December 19 at Most Holy Trinity Church, 6 to 7:30
pm, to discuss chapters 8 & 10. We will begin with a
new book in February 2014. More info to follow.
Doorways at St. Joseph's: We ask your cooperation during the
heating season to please use only the center doorway and handi-
cap entrance on Elm Street. The right side doorway should be
used in EMERGENCY situations only! Eliminating use of the
right front door will reduce heat loss and increase parishioner
safety by allowing us to focus our efforts on the other two front
walkways and the parking lot entryway. We have seen over the
past couple of weekends how the rising sun melts frost from
above the doors, which freezes as it runs over the granite steps,
leaving an icy surface. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Holy Land Pilgrimage: Join Fr. Ron Labarre on a pilgrimage to
the Holy Land, May 5-13, 2014. Celebrate and strengthen your
faith in the sites that gave birth to our beliefs. Call 207-615-1378
for more information.
St. Louis Child Development Center, 229 Pool St., Biddeford,
is now accepting applications for limited openings in classrooms
for ages 18 months to 7 years. A program of Catholic Charities,
St. Louis is fully-accredited and proud to offer a curriculum of
developmentally appropriate early learning programs tackling
both literacy and math skills in a creative, nurturing environment.
Our little ones enjoy activities such as yoga, gardening, art, and
the two age-appropriate playgrounds, while parents appreciate
knowing that their child will be well-prepared for school while
having a great time in a safe, secure place. To schedule a tour,
please contact Kimberly Novak, 282-3790, [email protected]
Online Giving System: Good Shepherd Parish now has an
online giving system called WeShare. For more information
and to set up your account, go to
www.GoodShepherdParish.us and then click Online Giving.
You can make a onetime or recurring donation using your
credit card, checking or savings account.
For Sale: Good Shepherd Parish has a condo for sale on
Garfield Street in Saco. FMI please contact our broker,
Sandra Murray, with Keller Williams, 879-9800.
Mass Times While Travelling: Go to
www.masstimes.org to find locations & times of Masses at
Catholic churches in the USA and around the world―a
service of the Catholic Communications collection and
Mass Times Trust. For the Extraordinary Form:
www.ecclesiadei.org/masses.cfm.
All gifts for the Giving Tree are due this
Sunday, December 15.
Thank you for your generosity!