Christmas Message from Fr. Bill

CORNER BRUNSWICK AND REGENT STREETS
FREDERICTON, NEW BRUNSWICK
PARISH OFFICE HOURS:
8:30 AM-4:30 PM
PARISH OFFICE PHONE:
506-444-6001
PARISH OFFICE FAX:
506-444-6006
REV. BILL BRENNAN, PASTOR
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION 444-6055
WEB SITE: www.stdunstansparish.ca
E-MAIL: [email protected]
REV. MR. KENNETH PARKER, DEACON
December 21st, 2014 ~ Fourth Sunday of Advent
and December 28th, 2014 ~ Feast of the Holy Family
Christmas Mass Schedule
5:00 pm, 7:00 pm, 9:00 pm, 12:00 Midnight
Christmas Day 10:00 am
New Year’s Day 9:00 am & 11:30 am
Christmas Eve
Christmas Message from Fr. Bill:
I was once on a street corner in downtown Toronto coming home from seminary classes and waiting for
the street light to change with about 10 other people. There was a homeless man among us and also a
young mother pushing here very young child in a stroller. I noticed the homeless man gently bend down
and look into the stroller at the child and the eyes of both the man and child met. The man then
straightened up and looked at the mother and the two of them smiled. It was a moment of a genuine
and loving gaze with not an ounce of condemnation or judgment.
One of the great gifts a child brings into the world is their gaze of love to those who have the blessing of
eye-to-eye contact with them. The ‘manger scene’ of the Christmas story presents a desire of God to
bring the gaze of divine and human love to the world and make it accessible to everyone. God brings
this gaze through an Infant who is in a manger in an open space. This ‘open space’ location of the
manger has great symbolic meaning. It points to the truth that we do not require a special pass by an Inn
Keeper to have the experience of this loving gaze. It does not require that we knock on the door of
anyone’s home and worry about not being admitted because we are not a family member or we are a
stranger. The manger of the Christ Child is open to the street and roadway for all travelers and seekers.
One of the gifts of Christmas is knowing that God’s eyes are accessible and, seeking us out to celebrate
when life is going well and to encourage, forgive, delight and welcome when life is complex. Do not be
surprised that God uses our eyes to bring this gaze of love. Let us be grateful when we are in a position
to be this instrument of God. Let us rejoice that someone else can bring that gaze to another when we
are not able to.
Merry Christmas to you all and many thanks for being Christ’s vehicle of love, joy and compassion to me
and others over the past year.
Hello St. Dunstan's Religious Education Families ~ In the event of a snow storm,
please call (506) 444- 6055 to check to see if religious education classes are taking place.
December 21st & December 28th, 2014
st
1 Reading: 2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16
✝ MASS INTENTIONS ✝
Tues
Wed
Thur
Fri
Sat
Sun
Sun
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thur
Fri
Sat
Sun
23rd
24th
24th
24th
24th
25th
26th
27th
28th
28th
28th
29th
30th
31st
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
4th
4th
2nd Reading: Romans 16:25-27
Gospel: Luke 1:26-28
12:05 pm
5:00 pm
7:00 pm
9:00 pm
Midnight
10:00 am
Brendon Oreto
Len A Kennedy
Joe Steever
Andrew Christie
Florence & Albert Maillet
John Nelson Thompson
NO MASS
5:00 pm DFM Gorman & Rideout
9:00 am Lorne & Sarah McQuade
11:30 am Ronald Francis
7:00 pm Sarah Marie Adams
NO MASS
NO MASS
NO MASS
9:00 am Medley & Edna Crossman
11:30 am George E & Isabel George
NO MASS
5:00 pm Noreen McQueen
9:00 am Mario Espejo
11:30 am Rita McKendrick
7:00 pm Cameron Munn
Lector & Eucharistic Minister Schedule
th
th
December 24 & 25
5:00
Lectors
Cassidy LaFrance
Bernardine Carter
Eucharistic Ministers
Joan Guerette (H2)
John Denning
Marg Denning
Bob Scott
Chris McAloon
Nancy MacAfee
Alice Coady
John Harper
Mary Holland (H2)
Verna Shaw
Bob Shaw
Bob Scott
Gracie Mersereau
7:00
Sue Kettela
Vicki Mizner
9:00
David Macneil
Hughena Macneil
Richard Nicki (H2)
Jayne Nicki
John Brennan
John Denning
Marg Denning
12:00
Josie Mazzuca
Carole Dilworth
Heather Maillet (H2)
Peter Maillet
Paola Marusic
Bob Scott
10 am
Carole Dilworth
Bob Scott
Paola Marusic (H2)
Tim Dilworth
Linda Roach
Sacrament of Reconciliation
Saturday’s 4:00 – 4:30 pm
Sanctuary Lamp
Week of December 21st
Andrew Christie
Week of December 28th
Zoe Morin
Offertory Collection December 14th
Offertory (Operating)
$ 10,095.59
Budgeted
7,847.00
Variance
$ 2,248.59
Other (Bldg Fund, Cemetery, Poor, etc) $ 785.50
Thank you for your continued support of our Parish.
th
December 27 & 28
5:00
Katherine Campbell
Mary Ryan
7:00
Marg Denning
John Denning
9:00
John Brennan
Doreen Cormier
12:00
Phyllis Daigle
Veronica Saliendra
Frances Briand (H2)
Bill Woods
Mary Holland
Jayne Nicki (H2)
Richard Nicki
Hughena Macneil
David Macneil
Tim Dilworth
Jeannine Cochrane (H2)
Paola Marusic
Robert Michaud
Noreen Vaillancourt
Chris McAloon
Carole Dilworth (H2)
Linda Roach
Marie Costello
January 1
th
Readings for December 28
st
1 Reading Genesis 15:1-6; 17:3b-5, 15-16; 21:1-7
nd
2 Reading Hebrews 11:8, 11-12, 17-19
Gospel
Luke 2:22-40
Readings for January 4
1 Reading Isaiah 60:1-6
nd
2 Reading Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6
Gospel
Matthew 2:1-12
st
th
9:00
Bob Scott
Mary Holland
11:30
Jennifer Flynn
Nancy MacAfee
th
st
Carole Dilworth (H2)
Tim Dilworth
Heather Maillet
Richard Nicki
Jayne Nicki
Marg Denning (H2)
John Denning
Verna Shaw
Anne Macies
Bob Michaud
Christmas Exchange – Congratulations!
NECROLOGY
Our Jesse Tree is bare! Because of your extraordinary
generosity 65 families, representing 134 people, will
celebrate a Blessed and Merry Christmas!
✝ This Week We Remember ✝
Dec 22
Dec 23
Dec 24
Dec 25
Dec 26
Dec 27
Dec 28
Dec 29
Dec 30
Dec 31
Jan 2
Jan 3
Jan 4
Mrs Helen Hill
Ann M Grannan
Joseph Gilbert Hughes
Barry John Burns
Joseph Aurelle Michaud
Joseph Arthur Steever
Rebecca Hazel Carten
Brendon Layden Oreto
Artemas Knee
Violet Evelyn Adams
Andrew Michael Christie
Eva Powers Cyr
Donald Arthur Hashey
Roger Joseph C McKay
Helen Evelyn Hughes
Alonzo J Cormier
Joseph Felix Caissie
Richard John Arseneau
Michael Arthur S MacAfee
Mary McGraw
Helen Hind Ramey
Delcina Francois Hanies
James Layton Sullivan
Charles Owen Downing
George M White
Cecil Perley Elliott
Sunvie Catherine Kelly
F Tracey Carten
Caroline Frances Graham
George Henry Tracey
Sarah Marie Adams
Raymond J Burgoyne
Marie Doris Perry
Lloyd Douglas Burke
Hanora Kathleen Hurley
Vance William Walker
John Morris Boyd
F John Flanagan
George Lorne Grant
Helen Mary Kenny
Lillian Helen McIvor
Giovanni Persello
Edward Joseph G St Onge
Dr Milena Vavra
Bernadette Timmins
Leslie DeLong
John David Smith
Luis Z. Magtibay
Arthur Edward Cale
Gonzague Richard
Mary Evelyn Grannan
Mary Noreen McQueen
Dr Joseph Arthur Melanson
Marie Catherine (Kathleen) Garrett
John William Boyne
Victor Witold Lucjan Bober
Mary Josephine Gallagher
Msgr Joseph M Gallagher
Dennis Andrew Wolstenholme
Joseph Leander Guitar
Belva Louise Keohan
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2012
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2014
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But our work isn't quite over yet. We still need TOILET
PAPER and we need it by Sunday afternoon.
The Schedule for packing boxes is:
Saturday 10 am-?
Volunteers across the day working in pairs fill boxes
with non-perishables and gifts. (When you arrive to
help, please see Jennifer at the Elves Table :)
Sunday 1:30 pm- (after the Birthday party for Jesus)
Volunteers working in pairs to COMPLETE filling boxes
with non-perishables and gifts. (When you arrive to
help, please see Jennifer at the Elves Table :)
Monday 9am- a few volunteers to help unload the truck
of perishables.
Monday 10 am- volunteers to add perishables to
boxes. (When you arrive to help, please see Jennifer)
Pick-ups and deliveries will begin shortly thereafter at
about 11 am. Please see Paola Marusic and Bev
Woznow stationed at the Parking Lot Entrance to the
Gym for delivery information.
Tuesday 10am- Any outstanding deliveries and/or
pickups. Clean up.
Thank you all!
Still time to make a donation to Christmas
Flowers – In memory of a loved one to help make our
Church beautiful for Christmas. Please write
“FLOWERS” on the front of your regular envelope
and then write the name(s) of your loved one(s)
on the back or place a special envelope in the
offering. Beautiful flowers will adorn the church and
a special display listing all those being remembered
will be placed next to the Side Altar.
Coming in January .. Dei Verbum was one of the
foundational teachings of Vatican II because it helped
move Scripture into the heart of parish life. In
recognition of the 50th anniversary of Vatican II,
there will be an opportunity to study and discuss this
document at four Tuesday morning or four Thursday
evening sessions in January. Registration forms are
available at the entrances to the church and should be
submitted to the MBFC office by Christmas because
the study materials are now available, and some
advance reading is required as preparation for the
first session January 6th or 8th You may also contact
Jayne Nicki at 453-9899 or [email protected] for
more information or to register.
More announcements on back of bulletin…
We wish to thank Fr. Bill our Pastor and St. Dunstan’s Parishioners’ for all you did in making the
presentation of the Bishop Dollard Medal and the wonderful hospitality that followed, all of which
we will be forever grateful. We are blessed to be parishioners of St. Dunstan’s Church.
Jim & Joan Daley
Great Gift Idea for the music lover in your family. Music CD’s – Seven Short of a Dozen
featuring Mary Hanson and Laura Gallivan (Halleluiah) available in the parish office $10 each
(2 selections available). Great stocking stuffer idea!
A program to focus on the International Week of Christian Unity will be held on Thursday,
January 22nd @ 2 pm in Christ Church Parish Church, presented by The Women’s Inter-Church
Council of the Fredericton region. Hosting this event is Bishop Emeritus Bill Hockin. Participants
include Fr. Bill Brennan, St. Dunstan’s, Anglican Bishop David Edwards, Rev. Doug Blakie, St.
Andrew’s Presbyterian Church and Rev. Wendy MacWilliams, as well as a rep from the United
and Baptist Churches. Fellowship to follow. Knights of Columbus will be providing the Honor
Guard. CWL members are asked to wear their scarf.
Assisted Hearing
Devices available
to sign out in the
Parish Office
Reminder to keep our church
“SCENT FREE” as some people
are sensitive and have
allergies. Thank you
Knights of
.
Columbus
170 Regent Street
455-8643
Bishop Dollard Council
1942 Grand Knight
Robert Gerard 459-8209
E-mail –
[email protected]
Rev. Dr. G Everett Grant
Assembly 0620 (4th
Degree) Claude Dery
Faithful Navigator
[email protected]
472-1872