dec07.2014

Saint John the Evangelist Parish
115 Middlesex Street . North Chelmsford, Massachusetts
Tel: 978-251-8571 . Fax: 978-251-7873 . www.saintjohnchelmsford.org
Our Mission Statement
Called by Christ to unity in our Roman Catholic Faith, we bring together and welcome the faithful from
diverse walks of life and ethnic backgrounds. We stand for the sanctity of life and the dignity of every
person. We dedicate ourselves to formation in faith, pastoral care and service to all generations.
Parish Office Hours
Monday - Friday: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Worship With Us!
Weekend Mass Schedule
Saturday: 4:00 PM
Sunday: 8:30 AM
10:30 AM
5:00 PM
Weekday Mass Schedule
Monday - Saturday: 9:00 AM
preceded by The Rosary at 8:30 AM
Sacrament of Reconciliation
Saturdays: 3:15 - 3:45 PM
or by appointment.
Sacrament of Baptism
Second Sunday of the month or during
any weekend Mass. Call the Parish Office to register for baptismal prepara-
Sacrament of Marriage
Couples should contact the priest
6 months prior to their wedding date.
Sacrament of The Sick
Sunday following the 10:30 AM Mass.
Call the Parish Office when
someone is very ill.
Sacrament of Holy Orders
See a priest or visit
[email protected]
December 7, 2014
The Parish Family of Saint John the Evangelist, North Chelmsford, Massachusetts
Staff Directory
978.251.8571
Reverend Martin Dzengeleski
ADMINISTRATOR, ext 218
[email protected]
Reverend Hal Obayashi
PAROCHIAL VICAR, ext 226
[email protected]
Paul Ciotti
DIRECTOR OF W ORSHIP
ext 234; [email protected]
Fran Anderson
COORDINATOR OF RELIGIOUS ED & FAITH FORMATION
ext 212; [email protected]
Luis Nieto
page 2
Scripture Reflection
John the Baptist's life was fueled by one burning passion to point others to Jesus Christ and to the coming of his
kingdom. Who is John the Baptist and what is the
significance of his message for our lives?
Let us explore WHO he is…
$ Scripture tells us that John was filled with the Holy Spirit
even from his mother's womb (Luke 1:15, 41) by Christ
himself, whom Mary had just conceived by the Holy Spirit.
$ When Mary visited her cousin Elizabeth, John leapt in
her womb as they were filled with the Holy Spirit
(Luke 1:41). $ The fire of the Spirit dwelt in John and made
him the forerunner of the coming Messiah. $ John was led
by the Spirit into the wilderness prior to his ministry,
where he was tested and grew in the word of God.
$ John's clothing was reminiscent of the prophet Elijah
(see Kings 1:8).
YOUTH MINISTRY COORDINATOR
ext 230; [email protected]
Liliana Lucas
BUSINESS MANAGER
ext 213; [email protected]
Christine Trznadel
PARISH SECRETARY/ BULLETIN EDITOR
ext 214; [email protected]
Eileen Marcotte
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
ext 229; [email protected]
Stephen Webber
FACILITIES MANAGER, ext 231
MON, DEC 8
TUE, DEC 9
WED, DEC 10
Genesis 3:9-15, 20
Psalm 98
Ephesians 1:3-6, 11-12
Isaiah 40:1-11
Psalm 96
Matthew 18:12-14
Isaiah 40:25-31
Psalm 103
Matthew 11:28-30
This Week’s
Readings
THUR, DEC 11
FRI, DEC 12
Isaiah 41: 13-20
Psalm 145
Matthew 11:11-15
Zechariah 2:14-17
(psalm) Judith 13
Luke 1:26-38
SAT, DEC 13
SUN, DEC 14
“YOUR WORD IS A
Isaiah 61:1-2, 10-11
(psalm) Luke 1
1Thess 5:16-24
John 1:6-8,19-28
LAMP UNTO MY
FEET AND A LIGHT
UNTO MY PATH”
Sirach 48:1-4, 9-11
Psalm 80
Matthew 17:9-13
-PSALM 119:105
Let us explore HIS MESSAGE…
John broke the prophetic silence of the previous centuries
when he began to speak the word of God to the people of
Israel. His message was similar to the message of the Old
Testament prophets who chided the people of God for
their unfaithfulness and who tried to awaken true
repentance in them. Among a people unconcerned with
the things of God, it was his work to awaken their
interest, unsettle them from their complacency, and
arouse in them enough good will to recognize and receive
Christ when he came.
John's baptism was for repentance… turning away from
sin and taking on a new way of life according to God's
word. Our baptism in Jesus Christ by water and the Spirit
results in a new birth and entry into God's kingdom as his
beloved sons and daughters (John 3:5). Jesus is ready to
give us the fire of his Spirit so that we may radiate the joy
and truth of the gospel to a world in desperate need of
God's light and truth. His word has power to change and
transform our lives that we may be lights pointing others
to Christ. Like John the Baptist, we too are called to give
testimony to the light and truth of Jesus Christ.
Do you point others to Christ in the way you
live, work, and speak?
"Lord, let your light burn brightly in my heart that I may
know the joy and freedom of your kingdom. Fill me with
your Holy Spirit and empower me to witness the truth of
your Gospel and to point others to Jesus Christ."
(www.rc.net/wcc/readings)
December 7th, 2014: Second Sunday of Advent
page 3
Grand Annual Performance
To date, we have raised $63,705… 58% of goal
Mass Intentions
“Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon them”
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6TH
4:00 PM: Edward G. Parlee AND
Parker & Annamarie Thomas & Simone Dion
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 7TH
8:30 AM: Henry & Gertrude LaBelle
10:30 AM: Mary Louise Murray
5:00 PM: Rita McGowan
MONDAY, DECEMBER 8TH
9:00 AM: Pro Populo, for the people of the parish
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9TH
9:00 AM: John Doucette
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11TH
9:00 AM: Priscilla Rega
The Collection Report
Month Ending November 30th, 2014
Offertory Budget
$49,000
Offertory Actual *
$47,281
Variance
($1,719)
*Of the above, $5,011 is from electronic giving
2014/15 Fiscal YTD Variance
($10,234)
December 8th: A Holyday of Obligation
In order to accommodate the varying schedules of our
parishioners, we are including the Mass schedules
for our neighboring parishes:
St. John’s at 9:00 am & 7:00 pm
St. Mary’s at 7:00 am & 5:00 pm (part of mission)
St. Catherine’s, Westford, at 8:00 am
St. Anne’s, Littleton, at 7:00 pm
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 13TH
9:00 AM: Rita McGowan
4:00 PM: Barbara A. Regan AND Jon Doherty
Christmas Mass Schedule
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 14TH
8:30 AM: Ann Lizotte
10:30 AM: Rita (Letendre) Paquin
5:00 PM: Irene & Edward Spinelli
May the souls of the faithful departed,
especially Alfred Welcome, Anthony
Ciotti, Sr., and Donald Nagle, Sr.,
through the mercy of God,
rest in peace. –Amen
Rose for Life
In Loving Memory
of Priscilla Rega
from her Tuesday Morning Coffee Friends
To book a Rose for Life, call Christine; ext 214.
Rose Donated by Blossoms Florist
St.John’s
John s
Christmas Eve: Wednesday, December 24
4:00 PM (Church) w/ Children’s Choir
4:00 PM (Hall) w/ Contemporary Ensemble
& 7:00 PM
Christmas Day: Thursday, December 25
8:30 AM & 10:30 AM
St.Mary’s
Mary s
Christmas Eve: Wednesday, December 24
4:00 PM (hall & Church), 6:00 PM and Midnight
Christmas Day: Thursday, December 25
7:00 AM, 9:00 AM & 11:00 AM
The Parish Family of Saint John the Evangelist, North Chelmsford, Massachusetts
YOUTH MINISTRY
[email protected]
www.chelmsfordyouthministry.weebly.com
Youth Ministry Event
Friday, December 12th
Christmas Festival of Lights
”Jesus Light of Life”
Lasalette Shrine in Attleboro
300,000 Lights illuminating over 10 acres
International Crèche museum
The Outdoor Crèche of Bethlehem
Concerts
We will leave St. John’s parking lot at 4:00 pm and return by
9:30 pm. To sign up, please contact Luis at ext 239
or [email protected]
From the Office of
Religious Education
&
Faith Formation
Fran Anderson, ext 212
MANDATORY MEETING
for 10th Grade Students AND Parent(s)
We will have a brief meeting following the December 14th
Class to review requirements that need to be met prior to your
child receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation next fall.
A parent NEEDS to be at this meeting. Thank you.
T
DA
page 4
Children’s Liturgy of the Word
0
During our 8:30 AM Family Mass, children are invited to
join in our Children’s Liturgy of the Word (CLOW), a
parallel celebration of the Word that takes place in the
church hall during Mass. The readings are read from a
children’s lectionary, which are geared toward their age and
development. After an interactive reflection/discussion of
the Word, the profession of faith and the general
intercessions, the children rejoin the general
assembly for the preparation of the Eucharist.
CLOW acknowledges the baptismal dignity and the value
of faith formation for our youngest parishioners by
providing an interactive environment for children to learn
more about their faith through sharing in the weekly
Liturgy of the Word.
We hope you will join us at our next 8:30 AM Family Mass
and experience for yourself the benefits of the Children’s
Liturgy of the Word.
Dispel Our Darkness
Saint Mary’s Advent Parish Mission
Facilitated by Fr. Bill Brown, O.M.V.
The Parish Mission is a special moment of grace for each of
us to renew our faith and love in Jesus Christ and rediscover
the beauty of our call as Catholics to put our faith in action.
Each night of the Mission we will focus on a
different symbol, theme and grace to develop in our lives. A
community dinner will begin our mission, and
hospitality will be served at the end of each
evening. Join us! Invite friends, neighbors, and reach out to
someone new and bring them too! Bibles, Advent
candles & wreaths will be available to purchase at the
community dinner on Monday evening.
Monday, December 8th: 7 - 9 PM
GE !
AN
H
EC
Saturday, January 10, 2015
First Reconciliation at 10:00 am
Grade 7 & 8 Students…
Join us for a
Teaching Mass with Fr. Matt Williams
followed by pizza & refreshments.
TODAY! Sunday, December 7th at 2:00 PM
Fr. Matt is an enthusiastic and knowledgeable speaker
who will truly have you engaged in this learning
experience! Bring your friends, neighbors, parents…
anyone who would like an experience that will further
their faith journey, or is simply ‘just wondering’. Please
NOTE that this is a MANDATORY event for our 7th/8th
graders, as it is part of their curriculum.
Theme: Bible & Salvation:
God’s plan for our happiness and our response
Grace: To know and accept God’s tremendous
love for us
Tuesday, December 9th: 9 - 10 AM & 7 - 9 PM
Theme: Crucifix & Jesus as Savior: Who is Jesus to us?
Grace: To ask for a deeper knowledge of Jesus as
Savior and to renew our personal faith in him
Wednesday, December 10th: 7 - 9 PM
Theme: Icon of Mary & Discipleship:
Baptismal call to share in the
work and mission of Christ
Grace: To follow and imitate Jesus as servant
For more information, call 978-256-3541.
December 7th, 2014: Second Sunday of Advent
page 5
U P C O M IN G
P A RI S H
EV E N TS
Help is needed to set up the “Burton Christmas Trees” at
10:00 am on Monday, December 22nd. If you can
lend a hand, email Paul at [email protected]
(schedule subject to change in the event of a funeral)
after the 9:00 AM Mass
THIS Tuesday, December
9th in the Church Hall.
Parish Calendar
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 7TH
Coffee & Donuts following the 8:30 AM Mass
9:30 - 11:00 AM: Grade K-6 Religious Education: NPC
9:30 - 11:00 AM: Grade 7-8 Religious Education: Hall
11:30 AM - 1:15 PM: Confirmation Class: Hall
11:30 PM: African Committee Meeting: OPC
2:00 PM: Teaching Mass w/ Fr. Matt Williams: Church
5:00 - 6:15 PM: God Squad Meeting: OPC Library
MONDAY, DECEMBER 8TH
Immaculate Conception: Holyday of Obligation
Masses celebrated at 9:00 am & 7:00 pm
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9TH
Tuesday Morning Coffee Group following Mass
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10TH
4:15 - 5:30 PM: Grade 1-6 Religious Education: NPC
6:00 - 7:30 PM: Grade 7-8 Religious Education: NPC
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11TH
10:00 AM: Charismatic Prayer Group: OPC
4:30 - 5:30 PM: Epiphany Pageant Rehearsal: Mariotti
6:45 PM: BINGO (doors open at 3:00 PM): Hall
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 12TH
6:30 PM: African Community Rosary: Mariotti
7:00 - 8:45 PM: YM Event: Off-Site at Lasalette Shrine
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 13TH
Youth Ministry Auction & Art Show, following 4:00 pm Mass
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 14TH
Coffee & Donuts following the 8:30 AM Mass
9:30 - 11:00 AM: Grade K-6 Religious Education: NPC
9:30 - 11:00 AM: Grade 7-8 Religious Education: Hall
11:30 AM - 1:15 PM: Confirmation Class: Hall
11:30 PM: African Committee Meeting: OPC
12:30 PM: Monthly Baptisms: Church
3:00 PM: ACTS Core Meeting: Mariotti
6:00 - 7:00 PM: Giving Tree Gift Sorting: Hall
Congratulations!
to the November 30th Capital Club Winners
$500 Winner: Dan & Bonnie O’Neill (ticket 464)
$300 Winner: Dick Nawoichik (ticket 613)
$200 Winner: Vanessa Johnson (ticket 096)
$50 Winner: Richard Aloisi (ticket 635)
Annual
Christmas
Stop by the 4:00 pm, 8:30 am or 10:30am Masses on the
weekend of December 20th/21st and choose from a variety
of goodies….for yourself, your teachers, your babysitter,
your dog, mom & dad… ANYONE on your Christmas list!
If you stop by after the Sunday morning Masses, there will
be a table set up for the kids to decorate a cookie.
D O N A T I O N S R E Q U E S T E D...
We welcome and greatly appreciate the donations of baked
items for this event! Please attach the list of ingredients to
your donated item. Donations can be dropped off to the
church hall kitchen on Saturday,
December 20th before 4:00 PM.
Annual Giving Tree Ministry
“Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the LORD, and
He will repay him for his deed” (Proverbs 19:17)
GIFT RETURN is NEXT WEEKEND!
Please remember to SECURELY attach the tag to
the wrapped gift and return it next weekend,
December 13th/14th. TIMING IS EVERYTHING,
so please do not bring in your gift(s) earlier or later than
this date as we have no place to store the early arrivals, and
face the challenge of getting late arrivals to their intended
recipient(s). Thank you for your generosity in this season of
giving. This is the true spirit of Christmas!!!
In Support
of our Community
MERRIMACK VALLEY CHORALE CONCERT
Christmas Around the World
San Damiano House of Prayer Events
333 Pawtucket Street, Lowell, MA
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 7th, 2014 at 2:00 PM
Chelmsford Center for the Arts
1A North Road, Chelmsford, MA
Advent Offering:
Twilight Advent Reflection
Wednesday, December 10th; 6:30 - 9:00 PM
A light meal followed by Prayer, Sharing
and Eucharist
Evening Advent Reflection
Wednesday, December 17th; 6:30 - 7:30 PM
Contemplative Eucharist
For more information, please contact either
Sr. Linda Greenwood at 978.441.0988 or
[email protected] OR Sr. Ann Boyle at 207-590-8099
or [email protected]
Donations welcomed.
Single Women:
Have you ever desired to know more about religious
life but didn't know where to inquire? Join us on
Sunday, December 14th from 3:00—5:00 pm
to begin the exploration of this vocation. This is not
to recruit, but simply to provide a forum in which to
explore. The start of the “Year of Consecrated
Life”, declared by Pope Francis, began last Sunday,
November 30th. As part of this year, single women
are invited to meet, pray and learn about vowed
sisters with others who are exploring. The group will
meet monthly at San Damiano House of Prayer. For
further information, contact Sister Janet Deaett,
SND at [email protected] or 978.454.2931.
The Emmaus Ministry for Grieving Parents
Sunday, January 18th from 9:00 am - 7:00 pm
Serving the Spiritual Needs of Grieving Parents who
have experienced the death of a child of any age, by
any cause, The Emmaus Ministry is offering a one-day
retreat at San Damiano House of Prayer in Lowell. To
register, call 800.919.9332 or email emfgp.org.
PAUL CIOTTI, CONDUCTOR
MARGIE PEARSE, PIANO
the Night Away!
Join us next Saturday, December 13th from
7:00 - 10:00 pm and dance to big band sound
with jazz, swing and latin mood. Dance the
cha-cha, foxtrot and waltz with inserts of a line
dance or two… or three… Refreshments are provided.
Chelmsford Senior Center . 75 Groton Road, No Chelmsford
THE YEAR OF CONSECRATED LIFE
Last Sunday, the first day of the liturgical season of Advent, the
Vatican launched the "Year of Consecrated Life," an event that will
continue through 2015 and into early 2016. This event is meant to
celebrate those who have chosen to live a consecrated life with a
religious institution.
The three focuses of the year, per a letter from Pope Francis, are
to “look to the past with gratitude," to “live the present with
passion," and to "embrace the future with hope." Pope Francis
also addressed the laity in his letter, reminding them that the
history of Christianity would be far different without the works of
consecrated persons:
The Year for Consecrated Life concerns not only consecrated
persons, but the entire Church. Consequently, I ask the whole
Christian people to be increasingly aware of the gift which is
the presence of our many consecrated men and women, heirs
of the great saints who have written the history of Christianity.
What would the Church be without Saint Benedict and Saint
Basil, without Saint Augustine and Saint Bernard, without
Saint Francis and Saint Dominic, Saint Ignatius of Loyola and
Saint Teresa of Avila, Saint Angelica Merici and Saint Vincent
de Paul. The list could go on and on, up to Saint John Bosco
and Blessed Teresa of Calcutta. As Blessed Paul VI pointed
out: “Without this concrete sign there would be a danger that
the charity which animates the entire Church would grow
cold, that the salvific paradox of the Gospel would be blunted,
and that the “salt” of faith would lose its savour in a world
undergoing secularization” (Evangelica Testificatio, 3).