holy comforter catholic church december 28, 2014 · g. ellison, eric emmott, and matthew...
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HOLY COMFORTER CATHOLIC CHURCH DECEMBER 28, 2014
SAINTS TO REMEMBER
DECEMBER 27 – St. John the Apostle 28 – Feast of the Holy Innocents
29 – St. Thomas Becket 30 – St. Egwin
31 – St. Sylvester I JANUARY 1 – Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother
2 – Sts. Basil the Great & Gregory Nazianzen, Bishops 3 – Most Holy Name of Jesus 4 – St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
MASS INTENTIONS
Saturday, December 27 5 PM – Deborah Thorsell (Jolene Green)
Sunday, December 28 8:30 AM – Peter Colo (Katherine Colo) 11 AM – Members of the Parish
Saturday, January 3 5 PM – Mary L. Prufer (Betty Jane Prufer)
Sunday, January 4 8:30 AM – Peter Colo (Katherine Colo) 11 AM – Members of the Parish
THIS WEEK’S CALENDAR
SATURDAY (12/27) 8 AM– MASS 3:30 - 4:30 PM: Reconciliation 5 PM – Vigil MASS
SUNDAY (12/28) 7 - 7:45 AM - Reconciliation 8:30 AM –MASS 11 AM –MASS
MONDAY (12/29) NOON – MASS
TUESDAY (12/30) 10 AM – NOON: Food Pantry NOON – MASS
WEDNESDAY (12/31) 10 AM – NOON: Food Pantry NOON - AA Meeting 5 PM – Solemnity of Mary Vigil Mass
THURSDAY (1/1) – SOLEMNITY OF MARY – PARISH OFFICE CLOSED 11 AM– MASS
FRIDAY (1/2) 10 AM – NOON: Food Pantry NOON - AA Meeting NOON – Daily MASS followed by First Friday Adoration until 2 PM
SATURDAY (1/3) 8 AM– MASS 3:30 - 4:30 PM: Reconciliation 5 PM – Vigil MASS
SUNDAY (1/4) 7 - 7:45 AM: Reconciliation 8:30 AM –MASS 9:45 – 10:45 AM: Christian Formation Classes 11 AM –MASS
PARISHIONERS
PLEASE SEND THE DATE OF YOUR WEDDING ANNIVERSARY (complete with the year of your marriage) TO THE PARISH OFFICE AT [email protected] .
PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR _____________
PARISHIONERS: Winifred Smith, Frank Pologruto, Al Bracuti, Norman Bednarcyk, Nicholas Sisman, Mary Ann Williams, Rose Bowker, Tom O’Rourke, Hermann Ortmann, Katherine Russo, and Terry & Al Shotwell.
FRIENDS AND RELATIVES: Josephine Nampijja, Gloria Aberg, Grace Dawn Wicke, Melyssa Dove, Nicole Carpenter, Beth Mauk, Evan Dotas, Dave Halley, Cullen McQuhae, Bill & Marie Jones, Christine Bentéjac, David Rumpf, Mrs. Jessica Viglietta, Pam D. Goines, Charlie Previtali, Jessica Viglietta, Nicole Shaw, Jean Clayton, Rich Hawkins, Grace R. Salvetti, Kimberly Hasenfus Hulick, Kristin Fagan, Merrilee Kubart, June Atherton, Natalie Potter, Harper Grace, J. Sloan, Paul Hillard, Dale Evans, Michael Reisinger, Marie Johnston, Suzanne Lank, Stanley Lank, Diane Schmidt, Earl Scheetz, Shirley O’Rourke, Bob Spann, Deborah Bryant, Xavier Van Bastelaer, Mary Griffin, Makala Thomas, Sibylle Llewellyn, Duncan Nixon, Michele Gavigan, John Patrick Dennison, Christine Russo Carpenter, Lisa Light, Isabel Perry, Claire Hagan, Elaine Roberti, Benedict Pax, Steve Naimey, Jerry Colgate, Timothy Lee Smith, Gabriela Sabatino, Ned Foss & Jennifer Rinehart, Terry & Al Shotwell, Janet Dunham, and Susie Jackson.
MILITARY: Brian Fagan, Jamie Torbet, Mike Eiermann, David Alvey, Charles G. Ellison, Eric Emmott, and Matthew Mickiewicz.
PARISH NEWS
NEW PARISHIONERS: Geoffrey & Brandy Garbaccio, Daniel & Mary Ann Kosut, Matthew Semanik, Diana & Daniel George, Linh Hoang Vu & Kim Hoang, Sarah Schubert, Mike & Denise James, and Carole Wernstrom
BAPTISMS: December 6, 2014: William Henry Schulz December 6, 2014: Joseph Davis Cox UPCOMING BAPTISMS: December 27, 2014: David Prescott Stadnisky ANNIVERSARIES: November 18, 1967: Annie & Tom Tromey November 26, 1953: Margaret & Walter MvMahon December 23, 1972: Stephen & Regina Grammatico WEDDINGS: November 30, 2014: Kim Hoang & Linh Vu
HOLIDAY MASS SCHEDULE
SOLEMNITY OF MARY VIGIL/NEW YEAR’S EVE: Wednesday, December 31: 5 PM
SOLEMNITY OF MARY/NEW YEAR’S DAY: January 1: 11 AM
HOLIDAY OUTREACH HOURS
SOUP KITCHEN → CLOSED → THURSDAY, JANUARY 1
END OF LIFE PROGRAM
On January 18th and February 8th after the 11 AM Masses,
Holy Comforter will offer a two part End of Life program
dealing with reflective spiritual as well as legal/financial
issues. On January 18th, Dr. James Avery of the Hospice of
the Piedmont makes his presentation. On February 8th, Tom
Nolan, a local Wills, Trusts & Estates lawyer will talk to
specific legal and financial issues in estate planning.
Refreshments served!
HOLY COMFORTER CATHOLIC CHURCH DECEMBER 28, 2014
NEXT WEEKEND’S READINGS THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD
First Reading: Isaiah 60:1-6 Isaiah speaks poetically of the coming of the Lord. He describes how “darkness covers the earth” but light and glory appear over God’s chosen people. Second Reading: Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6 Paul tells the Ephesians that the Jews and Gentiles are now co-heirs of the promises God has made. He explains that both groups are now members of one body through Jesus Christ. Gospel: Matthew 2:1-12 After Jesus’ birth, three astrologers from the east came to Jerusalem and inquired about the newborn king of the Jews. King Herod became greatly angered, and asked the astrologers to bring him more information about the child once they had found him, so that he too could pay homage to the infant. However, Herod’s true plan was to kill Jesus. The wise men were warned in a dream not to return to him and they took a different route to return home.
JUSTICE & PEACE
Now that the Christmas season is winding down, we can rest assured that the poor in our area have had lots of food donations. Right? Well, not exactly. Unfortunately hunger is not limited to one or two seasons a year. So food donations to area sources fall off dramatically after the holidays, but Holy Comforter will continue to provide nourishing food and simple toilet articles to the poor in our area. Will you help?
NEWS FROM HAITI
Anne Knasel (STA): [email protected] Ginny Zeller (HC): [email protected]
www.saltadere.org
ST. MICHEL: Our twin parish, St. Michel, in Saltadere, Haiti is situated in a rural and agricultural region of eastern Haiti. The terrain is hilly and due to erosion, streams have cut deep gullies where they pass during the rainy season. Travel over dirt roads is slow in a car, but the most common mode of transportation is by foot. There is no electricity; and clean water is delivered by pipe to homes or to public cisterns. When the water flow is limited, the people take their water from the unclean river. Our parish twinning effort has focused on improving education for the children, several of whom are now at university. We have obtained grants to improve the delivery system for clean water. And we have supported the parish efforts to provide health care in the village. Now the Haitian government has amended its standards for the delivery of health care and it is difficult for this small village to provide government-approved personnel and facility. As we move into 2015, please continue to support our twin parish with prayer and funds so that the lives of our brothers and sisters will be enriched spiritually, educationally and health-wise. Thank you. Mesi anpil.
BI-PARISH HAITI COMMITTEE: The committee’s next meeting will be January 11TH at St. Thomas Aquinas in the Library Room. All are welcome. To learn about the Bi-parish committee, you can e-mail Anne Knasel or Ginny Zeller. Contact us to join our email update list. Also visit the website for more info.
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS FATHER LOUIS A. ROWEN COUNCIL 3670
COATS FOR KIDS: Our council is collecting donations for Coats for Kids to purchase jackets for children in need in our area. We work with Holy Comforter, Incarnation, and St. George to meet the needs of needy children in the churches and in the community. The boys and girls coats are about $20 a piece (including shipping) for brand new, high quality coats from a major manufacturer. More info is at kofc.org/un/en/service/community/coats-for-kids/index.html. Donations can be given to any Knight or mailed to Knights of Columbus Council 3670, PO Box 7251, Charlottesville, VA 22906. Please make checks out to “K of C Council 3670” with Coats for Kids in the memo line.
CHARLOTTESVILLE CATHOLIC SCHOOL
www.cvillecatholic.org (434) 964-0400
COMMONWEALTH OF VA CAMPAIGN: For the first time this year, Charlottesville Catholic School is participating in the Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign for all state employees. 100% of your gift comes to Charlottesville Catholic School when you designate us on your pledge: CVC Charity #07826. Thank you for including us in your year-end charitable giving. For questions, please contact Patty Gazewood with Charlottesville Catholic School at 434-964-0400.
HELP WANTED: CCS is seeking qualified candidates for two positions: Part Time Spanish Teacher for grades K-8, and a Full Time School Nurse. The candidate should have some experience and enjoy working with elementary and middle school children. To apply for employment at CCS, please download an application from the Diocese of Richmond at: www2.richmonddiocese.org/human/apply.htm, and submit it with your resume, three letters of reference, and letter of interest by mail to Charlottesville Catholic School, 1205 Pen Park Road, Charlottesville, VA 22901; by fax to (434) 964-1373; or by email to Mr. Mike Riley at [email protected]. Candidates for teaching positions must possess or be eligible for Virginia State Certification. For more information about the positions or the school, please visit our website at: www.cvillecatholic.org.
The faculty & staff at Charlottesville Catholic School wish you and your family many blessings in the New Year!
Greater Good Technology is a new non-profit 501c3 ministry helping to train the poor and homeless with online skills to find a job. We work with local social services to help offer peer training that provides online services for job skills and online identity needed for finding employment. Please help us raise the funding for this coming year of services - any amount is welcome catholicws.com/greater-good-technology/ or call John Clem, O.F.S. (434) 989-6164.
HOLY COMFORTER CATHOLIC CHURCH DECEMBER 28, 2014
MUSIC MINISTRY Bill Polhill, Minister of Music: [email protected]
CANTORS NEEDED: The Music Ministry at Holy Comforter is actively seeking additional singers to serve as cantors for both the 8:30 AM and the 5 PM Masses. Please consider participating in this vital ministry. For more information, contact Bill Polhill
ADDITIONAL ITEMS OF INTEREST
VOCATIONS CHALICE PROGRAM: The 2015 calendar through May is on the credenza for sign up. To continue to make this special program a success, please select a weekend that would mean something to you, and place your name on the sign-up sheet. How special it is to take home the consecrated Vocations Chalice and pray every day for a week for this special intention. Prayers are included, if needed.
MEDJUGORJE ROSARY PRAYER GROUP: The Medjugorje Rosary Prayer Group has had a beautiful Advent Season praying the rosary together and including special intentions with many of our prayers being answered. We will be taking a break for a few weeks to focus on the Christmas season and the birth of our Savior. Plan on starting the New Year by adding this special prayer group on your New Year's Resolutions. Come join us at 6 PM in the Chapel on Wednesday, January 7, 2015. The history of the Rosary (continued) - Section 4: In later years, the Irish monks traveled throughout Europe and brought this form of devotion with them. In some areas, both clergy and lay people began to recite the "Angelic Salutation" (the first part of what we now know as the Hail Mary) as part of this devotion. The popularity of this prayer led to the adoption of 50 Angelic Salutations being said for each piece of wood or know on the prayer string.
LIGHTHOUSE MEDIA CD'S: Do you have your stocking stuffers? How about a beautiful hostess gift? There is such a wide selection of CD's and books for you to choose from, give something meaningful- there is something for everyone. New arrivals have been coming in, keep checking the display. Featured - Is God on your iPod? Matt Smith discusses how we as Christians can judge between different types of music to determine whether or not they lead us closer to the Good, the True and the Beautiful...which is ultimately closer to God.
A SPECIAL TIME TO GIVE: You can support Commonwealth Catholic Charities’ programs through the Second Collection Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. In doing so you will help feed, clothe and provide hope to our neighbors in need. We greatly appreciate the ways you give to help us change people’s lives across the Commonwealth – thank you!
PILGRIMAGE: Fr. Gregory Kandt, Pastor of Church of the Incarnation, is leading a pilgrimage to Spain for the fifth centenary of the great Doctor of the Church, St. Teresa of Avila. It will be during the Easter season of 2015, April 13-22. We will be going to holy places associated with St. Teresa and St. John of the Cross, and Father Gregory will lead you on a journey into deeper prayer and love of Christ with the help of the teachings of these two great masters. Among other places, we will visit Avila, Segovia, Toledo, and Madrid. It will be a wonderful spiritual experience and a great way to ponder the risen Christ among us! For more info, please contact Father Gregory at 434–973–4381.
THE SICK & HOME BOUND: A group of dedicated Eucharistic Ministers at HC is available to take Holy Communion to those unable to attend Mass. Anyone who wishes to receive Holy Communion should contact Bob Strassheim at 589-7822 to make arrangements. Also, please let the parish office know if a visit by Fr. Joseph Mary is needed or requested.
CATHOLIC MEN’S CONFERENCE: The Center for Marriage, Family, and Life is hosting the 3rd Annual Catholic Men’s Conference in the Diocese of Richmond on Saturday, January 10 at the Greater Richmond Convention Center in Richmond. The day will feature powerful and inspiring talks and breakout sessions, an expanded expo area, Sacrament of Reconciliation, and Mass. Bishop DiLorenzo will be speaking and celebrating Mass. We are also pleased to welcome Catholic speaker, author, and podcaster, Greg Willits, as our keynote speaker. Registration is $35 for general admission, $15 for permanent deacons and college students, and free for priests and religious brothers. Learn more and register at www.cdrcmfl.org or call 804-622-5109 for details
MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER WEEKEND: “Put on, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another.” Bring God’s graces into your marriage. Learn now on an upcoming Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend on 20-22 Feb 2015 in Herndon or 17-19 Apr 2015 in Fredericksburg. For more information or to apply, visit our website at www.renewmarriage-vasouth.org or contact us at [email protected] or 757-483-3209.
WHERE IS THE LONGEST MARRIED COUPLE? This is the fifth consecutive year for the highly-acclaimed project recognizing couples for their long marriages. Sponsored by Worldwide Marriage Encounter, couples are selected from nominations submitted. In addition to the longest married couple in the entire United States, recognition will also be given to a couple from each state who has achieved that distinction. Nominations are open to all husband and wife couples regardless of religious affiliation. The contact information for sending in a nomination, which simply requires the name of the couple, their wedding date, and where they currently reside, along with a contact phone or e-mail address of the individual nominating the couple is as follows: (1) E-mail: [email protected]; (2) Dick & Diane Baumbach, 8924 Puerto Del Rio Dr. Ste 402, Cape Canaveral, FL 32920, or (3) phone: 321-613-5180. Nominations are due 10 January 2015.
VALLEY CURSILLO: Attention all Cursillistas! Valley Cursillo will be hosting its 2nd annual Day of Reflection themed “One Body in Christ” on Saturday, January 31st from 9:30–3:30pm at the Church of the Incarnation parish hall in Cville. All Cursillistas are welcome. The day will include prayer, great talks, pot luck lunch of soup/chili and salad, and most importantly, fellowship. If you have not been able to participate in Cursillo activities for a while or are new to the area, this is the perfect opportunity to reconnect and perhaps meet others who may be looking for a new 4th day reunion group. If you plan to attend, you must RSVP to: [email protected] by Tuesday, January 27th.
HOLY COMFORTER CATHOLIC CHURCH DECEMBER 28, 2014
MERRY CHRISTMAS. MERRY CHRISTMAS. MARY CHRISTMAS.
My Dearly Beloved in Christ,
“In times past, God spoke in partial and various ways … In these last days, ha has spoken to us through the Son.”(Heb. 1:1-2).
With deep joy and gratitude, I extend to you my prayerful best wishes for a holy and blessed Christmas. During this
Advent Season, it has been my prayer that each of you would at the end say; “I had a wonderful Advent”, having found
the opportunities to reflect on your own faith and relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ and His Church. Whatever it
is that our hearts and souls desire, whether we realize it or not, our ultimate desire is Jesus Himself, for this reason, we
are filled with joy and consolation at Christmas to know that all that we hoped for has been fulfilled in the person of
the Christ Child.
Two years ago I received a Christmas card with this message: “This Christmas, I wish you Jesus.” On the inside it read:
“Isn’t nice to have everything! “In the midst of all our current challenges and concerns, the love of God the Father is
made manifest to us in the wonderful gift of His Son, Jesus. Our faith moves us to sing with the angels: "Glory to God
in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased." We recognize that true peace on earth flows
from our recognition and praise of God in our lives
Christmas has a way of bringing to Church individuals and families who, for various reasons, have not been to Mass or
the Sacraments for months or years. What a wonderful and grace-filled opportunity to put aside past differences and
old habits and begin anew that prayerful relationship with the Lord and His Church community. I extend to all of you
an open, grateful heart of welcome and a deeper appreciation of the “joy of the gospel”. Together, may we grow in
strength and grace to know and celebrate together God’s presence in our lives and His dominion over all things of this
world.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! May Christ abide in your hearts always!
Yours in service of the Lord.
Fr. Joseph Mary Lukyamuzi