Parish Lay Leadership



PARISH LAY LEADERSHIP

Finance Council Chairs….Kimberly Schoolcraft, Matthew Barnes

Parish Pastoral Council Chair..………………Kathleen Harrington

Rel Ed Advisory Committee ...Melissa Moriarty, Suzanne Harlow

RCIA ……………………………Ray Breton, Rosemary Thresher

Bible Study………………………………………..........Sue Fratini

Adult Education………………………..Mary Federici, Bob Stack

PARISH ORGANIZATIONS/PROGRAMS

Rosary Sodality……………..………Nancy Garen/Ursula Tuohey

Social Justice………………….…………….Andrea Cook-Hewitt

Just Faith…………………………………Pat Mack, Karen Scahill

St. Joseph’s Workers………………………………………Fr. Dan

Men’s Ministry Group………………………...Deacon Paul Briere

Women’s Ministry Group..……………………..…..Mary Federici

Youth Group (JPII Crew)………………….………Lisa Laferriere

AFFILIATED ORGANIZATIONS

Cursillo Movement ……………………….………...Karen Scahill

Schoenstatt Movement .……………..……….…Diane Czerwiecki

Boy Scout Troop 821 …………………..………………..Joe Muto

Girl Scout Troops…………………….……..……....Pat O’Connor

Knights of Columbus………………………………Greg Perreault

PARISH MINISTRIES

Altar Server Scheduling……………………..……… Cindy Monti

Altar Server Training……………………………….Jim O’Connor

Baptismal Prep……………………………..…… Lou Mastroianni

Children’s Liturgy of the Word……………….……….Sue Fratini

Eucharistic Ministers/Readers, Scheduling ......……Beth Modlish

Homebound/Pastoral Care Ministry…………..........Mary Federici

Music Ministry – Adult & Youth Choir……………Melanie Peetz

Contemporary Music Group (Psalm 33).………………Tom Fucci

Sacristans.…………………..……..Irene King, Phyllis Chlastawa,

Jim O’Connor, Irene Breton, Karen Scahill

Soup Kitchen……………… …..... Marcia Daly, Sandy O’Connor

Take & Eat Ministry……..…………………………Cheryl Wood

Wedding Coordinator………………………….…..Donna Whelan

Wedding Team……...…Kathy Harrington, Gina Broderick,

Christina Straney, Tina Broderick

Prayer Line………………..Pauline, 862-3885 or Diane, 568-9754

OFFICE HOURS

The Parish Office is located at the Parish Center. Entrance is across from the Mary Garden. Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00AM-2:00PM. Sue is available to greet and assist you.

NEW PARISHIONERS

We warmly welcome new members to join our parish. Please fill out a registration card on the tables in the church and place in the collection basket. Registration and active participation is necessary for Religious Education and letters of eligibility for godparents and sponsors, as well as Catholic School Parish Subsidy.

SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM

The Sacrament is celebrated monthly. Please call the Office to arrange. At least one Godparent must be a Confirmed, active parishioner in their parish, attending Mass weekly.

SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGE

The Sacrament of Marriage is planned by an initial meeting with a priest or deacon, at least 6 months in advance. Be sure to contact the church BEFORE committing to date or venue with a deposit.

SACRAMENT OF THE SICK

The Sacrament of the Sick is administered by a priest, when requested. Pastoral care to the hospitalized sick and homebound is provided by the pastoral staff, and trained parishioners.

SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION

The Sacrament with Confession is celebrated each Saturday after the 8:00 am Mass, and from 3:15- 3:45 pm, as well as by appointment.

HOSPITAL VISITS

If anyone has a hospital stay, please have a family member call the parish and indicate whether the parishioner would like to have a visit, or if they would like their name mentioned at Mass during the Prayers of the Faithful.

HEARING ASSISTED DEVICES

Hearing Assisted Devices are located near the American Flag at the back of the church.

LOW-GLUTEN HOSTS

Low-Gluten Hosts are available at Communion time in the Chapel

MASS SCHEDULE & DEVOTIONS

CHRISTMAS EVE

Sat 12/24 4:00PM +Collette Valois Kimmel

r/b her mother Lilian Valois

9:30PM Christmas Concert Choir

10:00PM +Catherine Boucher

Birthday Remembrance

r/b Peter Ciszewski and Family

CHRISTMAS

Sun 12/25 7:00AM +Dorothy Guerci

Anniversary Remembrance

r/b her Family

8:30AM +Stephen Golas

r/b his wife Margaret Golas

11:00AM +Philias & Beatrice Phaneuf

Wedding Anniversary Remembrance

r/b their son Tony Phaneuf

Mon 12/26 7:00AM +Celina Pighetti

r/b Doris Dolat

Tue 12/27 7:00AM + Kevin Regan

2nd Anniversary Remembrance

r/b Lynda & Family Members

Wed 12/28 7:00AM +Ellen Kennedy

40th Anniversary Remembrance

r/b Sheila Conroy

Thu 12/29 7:00AM Communion Service

Fri 12/30 7:00AM Communion Service

Sat 12/31 8:00AM +Theresa Forcier

5th Anniversary Remembrance

r/b Roger Beaudoin

SOLEMNITY OF MARY - VIGIL

4:00PM +Susan Sarro

13th Anniversary Remembrance

r/b Maureen, Wayne & Stephanie

SOLEMNITY OF MARY

Sun 1/1 7:00AM +Howard Murphy

25th Anniversary Remembrance

r/b Steve & Sue Murphy

8:30AM +Jackie Lebrecque

1st Anniversary Remembrance

r/b the Parish

11:00AM +Rita M. Hall

Birthday Remembrance

r/b the Hall Family

FROM FR. DAN’S DESK…

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

It only happens every few years that we celebrate Christmas on a Sunday, and because of that, this year we have a full schedule of Masses this Sunday, Christmas Day! I hope that this Christmas and the wonderful “Season” of Christmas – which extends through Epiphany on January 8, will be filled with many BLESSINGS for all of you!

I love this time of year when our college students are home, and so many of you have extended family visiting, and of course celebrating with us here at the Parish! The love that we certainly experience at Christmastime among our family members and friends, finds its origin in the love of God for us – so much so - that He sent His Son to be born into our world, to live among us, and to teach us of HIS LOVE FOR US! The warmth we feel in spending time with family and friends, is, I believe, the security we know and feel deep in our hearts, that no matter what happens in our world or in our own “personal worlds” – all will be well because we believe that all is in the hands of our Lord Jesus – the child born this day!

I know sometimes depending on the year and our circumstances, Christmas is not always so happy for us. Some years we experience the recent grief of loss in our lives, the separation of couples or of families, the living with and through illness with its uncertain outcome – in all of these experiences as well, the same is true – we believe that “ALL WILL BE WELL” because again, all is safely held in the loving hands of Christ Our Lord!

Whatever your experience of life is THIS CHRISTMAS, whatever uncertainty we may face in our country or in the world, or in our own future, we know that as Catholic Christians we are blessed to believe that this singular event which we celebrate this weekend, and each week when we come together to celebrate Mass, has changed the world for ever – for the better!

On behalf of our entire Parish Staff, I want to wish you all the PEACE, LOVE and SECURITY that this Christmas Season offers to all of us!

GOD BLESS YOU ALWAYS! FR. DAN

FEAST OF MARY, MOTHER OF GOD MASSES

(New Year’s Eve & Day)

Saturday, December 31 Vigil Mass at 4:00 PM

Sunday, January 1

Masses at 7:00, 8:30 & 11:00 AM

SANCTUARY CANDLE

Is burning this week in loving memory of

+RAYMOND, KATHERINE & ROBERT AYERS,

+HARRY “BUTCH” GRISWOLD

requested by Nancy, Joan & Families

SPECIAL INTENTION CANDLE

Is burning this week in loving memory of

+KEVIN J. REGAN

2ND ANNIVERSARY REMEMBRANCE

requested by Lynda & Family Members

MARY GARDEN CANDLE

Is burning this week in loving memory of

+EMILY SZWEDZINSKI

requested by the Cipriani Family

Any of the above memorial candles can be requested through our parish office. The Special Intention and Mary Garden Candles burn for 1 week (requested donation $10). The Sanctuary Candle burns for 2 weeks (requested donation $20).

JANUARY CALENDAR RAFFLE

TO BENEFIT ST MARY’S SCHOOLS

Calendar raffle tickets to benefit St. Mary’s Schools in Westfield are available for purchase in the parish office. The tickets are $5 and offer a chance to win money each day of the month of January. See Sue in the parish office between 9am and 2pm Monday through Friday to purchase your ticket, support St. Mary’s Schools, and have a chance to win!

REGISTER IN THE PARISH

If anyone is joining us this weekend and would like to make our Parish your home, we would love to have you – please pick up a Parish Registration Card at the entrance tables in the church, fill it out, and drop it into the collection basket.

PRAYER-LINE

To request prayers for yourself or a loved one, please call Pauline at 862-3885 or Diane at 568-9754.

Become a member of our Parish’s Facebook page – it’s a wonderful way to view pictures of our recent activities and hear about upcoming events!

TO THE LADIES OF

OUR ROSARY SODALITY

Our collection of hats, mittens and socks for the homeless, that we had at our Christmas party, was a big success.  We received many items along with monetary donations.  These will be distributed at their Christmas Eve party where they will each receive a bag with these much needed things in it.  Thank you all for your generosity, you made a lot of people happy.  Merry Christmas everyone!

SUNDAY NIGHT MASS

Did you know we have a Sunday Evening Mass once a month, on the Second Sunday of the Month? The Mass is celebrated at 6:00PM and features our wonderful Contemporary Music Group, made up of Youth from our Parish. The music is very uplifting. Please mark your calendars and join us on the following dates: Sundays - January 8, February 12, March 12, and April 9.

POOR BOX DEC 2016 / JAN 2017:

SAMARITAN INN

The Samaritan Inn, a non-profit organization, is a clean and sober shelter. It houses an average of 37 people a night during the winter and approximately 30 during the summer. The shelter also offers a transitional area for up to 10 people. Breakfast and lunch are served every day at the shelter. Funding for the Samaritan Inn is from government grant programs. The Samaritan Inn relies on the Food Bank for food donations as well as private donations.

POOR BOX DONATIONS 2016

The following are the agencies and amounts collected in our parish “Poor Box” this year:

Dec ‘15/Jan ‘16 – Rick’s Place - $127

Feb/Mar – Jericho - $119

Apr/May – FoodWorks@Kate’s Kitchen - $119

Jun/Jul – Harmony House - $144

Aug/Sep –Rachel’s Vineyard. - $107

Oct/Nov – Helping Hands - $213

Dec ’15/Jan ’16 – Samaritan Inn (ongoing)

Thank you for your support! If you would like to make a donation, envelopes for the Poor Box (located on the left side bulletin table in the gathering space) can be placed in the collection basket.

OUR STEWARDSHIP

December 11, 2016

Regular and Development (gold) $12,759

Budget Requirement per Week 9,600

3,159

THANK YOU!

THANK YOU - BULLETIN ADVERTISERS

At this time of year we want to thank all those businesses who advertise in our bulletin throughout the year. We appreciate your support of our Parish in this way. Our bulletin company provides this bulletin – free of charge - to our Parish each week, but they depend on local business advertising for the bulletin, as a source of revenue. Thank You to all those who advertise in our bulletin! For any businesses or parishioners that might be interested in placing an ad, please call John Patrick Publishing at 1-800-333-3166.

RCIA

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) program is the process established for individuals to receive the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist. The RCIA program is beginning in our parish – for more information contact Deacon Paul Federici at deaconpaulf@.

ONGOING COLLECTIONS

Parish Center Lobby

Hope Phones makes phones available for medical personnel in Third World Countries. Donate used cell phones (working or not) in the Hope Phones suitcase.

192 phones have been collected to date!

Bethlehem House, Inc. is a non-profit organization located in Easthampton which offers free pregnancy resources for women/families in crisis. They are always in need of baby blankets, diapers, wipes, baby shampoo, clothing, bottles, etc.

Westfield Soup Kitchen gratefully accepts the non-perishable food items collected here each weekend - cash donations may be sent to: Westfield Soup Kitchen, P.O. Box 2017, Westfield MA 01086.

Green Shed

Bottles & Cans can be placed in the green shed by the ball field. As an ongoing fundraiser, our parishioners Ron Gerlip, Carol Conroy, and Joanne Fucci take care of redeeming these for us. Since 2007 we have raised a total of $23,825.90!

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

SHOPPING ON AMAZON?

DON’T FORGET TO SUPPORT OUR PARISH!

Our Parish can earn money on purchases you make through AmazonSmile. AmazonSmile is the same Amazon you know. Same products, same prices, same service. Support Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament by starting your shopping at smile.. Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament (Westfield MA) is a registered charity with AmazonSmile, so we hope you will select us and help us raise needed funds while you make your purchases! Please register at smile. today to help support Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament. Thank you!

YEAR-END GIVING

As we approach the end of the year, many people consider “Year–End Giving” as a way to donate to churches, non-profits and charities, and also have the benefit of a tax deduction. Also, those who are in retirement might want to make a donation from proceeds from an IRA Distribution and also reduce their taxes in this way. If you are able to, please consider an end of the year donation to the parish that will help our parish tremendously, as well as offer a tax benefit. All contributions must be received by December 31. Please know that all your stewardship to our parish, both during the year, and at year end, is very much appreciated!

MARRIAGE HELP

If your marriage has become troubled and stressed, unloving or uncaring; even if you are divorced or separated but want to try again, the Retrouvaille program can help. Retrouvaille provides tools to communicate better, resolve conflicts fairly, and re-discover why you fell in love. The next local Retrouvaille weekend is January 20-22, 2017. For information, call confidentially 1-800-470-2230, email helds4marriage@ or go to our website  for information & registration.

BEQUESTS

We have been blessed as a Parish over the years, to be named in parishioners’ Wills and Trusts, and we are always grateful for such gifts! Please consider remembering the parish in your own Will as a lasting legacy to the Parish. GOD BLESS and THANK YOU!

PURPLE HEART TRAIL

We are asking citizens and businesses of Westfield to consider donating to the Purple Heart Trail Project. This fundraiser is to honor the men and women in the Westfield area who were wounded or killed in action while serving in the Armed Forces. Anyone wishing to participate in this honor, as an induvial donor, a family member, friend, business, or organization, is welcome. Since June 2010, over 1,800,000 were honored with receiving the Purple Heart. On the Highway Route 202, between Holyoke to the Southwick line, signs will be erected a total of ten miles. Anyone donating will be recognized as a charter donor with a plaque placed in City Hall and in the Westfield News. If there are funds left over after this project, working in conjunction with the City and Water Department, a drinking water fountain will be erected at Parker Memorial Park in honor of all veterans who served their country; a project long overdue. Please make a check payable to the American Legion Post 454, Post Office Box # 367, Westfield, Massachusetts 01086, Purple Heart Project. Your donation will be tax deductible.

Thank You, Don Wielgus

This

Christmas

end a quarrel.

Seek out a forgotten

friend. Dismiss suspicion,

and replace it with trust…

Write a love letter. Share some

treasure. Give a soft answer. En-

courage youth. Manifest your loyalty in

word and deed. Keep a promise. Find the

time. Forgo a grudge. Forgive an enemy. Listen.

Apologize if you were wrong. Try to understand..

Flout envy. Examine your demands on others. Think

first of someone else. Appreciate. Be kind; be gentle.

Laugh a little. Laugh a little more. Deserve confidence.

Take up arms against malice. Decry complacency. Express your

gratitude. Go to church. Welcome a stranger. Gladden the heart

of a child. Take pleasure in the beauty and wonder of the earth. Speak

your love. Speak

it again. Speak

it still once

again.

LOOKING AHEAD TO 2017 IN THE PARISH

Sunday Evening Masses at 6:00PM

Jan 8, Feb 12, Mar 12, Apr 9

Knights of Columbus

Altar Server Breakfast – Jan 14

Girl Scouts

Cookie Sales – Jan 14/15, Feb 11/12

Religious Education

First Reconciliation – Jan 28

“Souper Bowl” of Caring – Feb 5

First Communion – May 21

Vacation Bible Camp

Please join us this summer at Vacation Bible Camp for Maker Fun Factory! Kids ages 4 through entering 5th grade will become hands-on inventors who discover they're lovingly crafted by God through music, games, crafts, and Bible stories. Helpers for this program range in age from students entering 6th grade through adults. Together we can make this the best VBC yet!

Vacation Bible Camp will take place

July 31- August 4, 2017.

Parish Adult Education

Various adult education opportunities continue. On Thursday mornings from 10-noon, adults gather for varying series of faith topics. All are welcome at the Thursday sessions! Please call the Parish office for updates on topics and dates. We plan to start a new Tuesday evening bible study in February – look for details in future bulletins, or call the parish office for information.

JPII Crew – Parish Youth Group Activities

As we look ahead to 2017, we are excited about the events the youth group is planning for the new year!

~ Three Kings Party ~ Pilgrimage to Rome and the Vatican ~ Trips to area Shrines ~ Our 4th annual family Irish Night, with basket raffle ~ Holy Thursday 7 Churches tour ~ Living Last Supper performance ~ XLT ~ Youth Retreat ~ Bible study ~ Service projects ~ Steubenville East Youth Conference ~ Ongoing fundraisers ~ regular events in the Outlet ~ most importantly time to learn more about our religion and deepen our relationship and Jesus Christ.

We are grateful for all that our Lord has blessed us with during the past years, and are excited about the new year to come! All Parish youth in grades 6-12 are encouraged to join us, please contact Lisa at olbsccd@ or 562-3450 for more details!

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