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………………………......................Fr. Dan

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

AFFILIATED ORGANIZATIONS

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

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

Boy Scout Troop 821 …………………..…………Chris Muldrew

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-Thursday, 9am-2pm; Friday 9am-noon. 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.

CHAPLET OF DIVINE MERCY

The Chaplet is prayed as a group on Saturday afternoons at 3:45 in the Chapel.

MIRACULOUS MEDAL NOVENA

The Novena is prayed every Saturday morning at the 8:00AM Mass in the Chapel.

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.

MASS SCHEDULE

Sat 12/2 4:00PM +Art & Susan Campbell

r/b Family

Sun 12/3 7:00AM +In Memory of Jessica Sarrasin

and the Poor Souls

r/b Phyllis & Peter Chlastawa

8:30AM +Doris Mucha

Birthday & Anniversary Remembrance

r/b husband Joseph Mucha

11:00AM +Deacon Raymond Roderique

3rd Anniversary Remembrance

r/b sister +Doris Dolat

Mon 12/4 7:00AM +Louisa Bandera

Anniversary Remembrance

r/b Check and Bandera Families

Tue 12/5 7:00AM +Florence Annino

r/b Carol Murphy

Wed 12/6 7:00AM +Thomas M. Kane

Birthday Remembrance

r/b Family

Thu 12/7 7:00AM Communion Service

IMMACULATE CONCEPTION - Holy Day of Obligation

Fri 12/8 7:00AM +Dillon, Tobias, Cullinan Families

r/b Joanne Hebert

9:00AM +Stephen Golas

r/b Wife and Son

7:00PM +Charles & Rita Hague

r/b Family

Sat 12/9 8:00AM +Martina Federici

1st Anniversary Remembrance

r/b Federici Family

MIRACULOUS MEDAL NOVENA

3:15-3:45PM CONFESSIONS (Chapel)

3:45PM CHAPLET OF DIVINE MERCY (Chapel)

4:00PM +Mary Tuohey

Birthday Remembrance

r/b John & Ursula Tuohey

Sun 12/10 7:00AM +Alfred Tremblay

r/b Irene Tremblay Exware

8:30AM +Frank & Lelia Quinn

Anniversary Remembrance

r/b daughter Jeanette Fletcher

11:00AM +Paul Winkler

5th Anniversary Remembrance

r/b Bourbeau Family

5:00PM +Jean Blair

r/b daughter Suzanne Harlow and Family

FROM FR. DAN’S DESK…

Well we have certainly escalated things as we enter this weekend the Season of Advent! This will be the shortest Advent we have every 7 years – only 3 full weeks - as the 4th Sunday of Advent is Christmas Eve! I’ll talk more at the end of this column on what the Masses will be that weekend, and answer any anticipated questions you may have!

Thanksgiving came and went last weekend, but not without plenty of activity! We collected a total of almost 30 turkeys donated by all of you, which were used for a Dinner by the Social Justice Team at the Samaratan Inn, for 19 Thanksgiving Food Baskets that were given to some of our parishioners in need, as well as to the Salvation Army and Boys and Girls Club here in Westfield, and a number of turkeys were used for our Take and Eat meal to the homebound last Sunday. I moved, shuffled, and transported frozen turkeys a lot last week to try to find enough freezer space, but it all worked out! Thank you to all those who donated a turkey!

Congratulations to two of our Youth who appeared in the Westfield High School production of “Here Comes the Brides”! I heard it was very funny – congratulations to Erin Harlow and Kristen Stawasz!

Last week we got a wonderful offer to see the “Face of Christ” in our brothers and sisters affected by Hurricane Maria! St. Mary’s Parish called and asked if we would help them to assist 11 families – about 39 people who came from Puerto Rico after having lost almost everything in the hurricane! St. Mary’s asked if we would open our doors at the Parish Center just two days a week for the next 4 weeks, and allow them to cook and serve a hot meal to these families who are temporarily staying at the Quality Inn. If you’ve ever lived in a small economy hotel room – you probably haven’t done so for almost 5 weeks, but you can imagine it is not the height of luxury! No refrigerators or places to cook food - living off snacks and fast food in the midst of the Holiday Season when the rest of us are decorating our homes or shopping! We were happy to do the simple thing of opening our doors, putting on the lights – putting out tables and chairs and some racks for donated clothing, and welcoming these families – and what a gift and blessing it was! To see families with young children so happy to have a place where the children can run around and let off some steam, and for parents to just sit, meet some new friends, share a hot meal, and contemplate just how much their lives have changed and what they will do in the future! We will do so for the next 4 weeks or so and God bless the people of St. Mary’s for providing the home-cooked food and donated items for these families. We may think it’s not till we die that we will see the Face of Christ – but we have such an opportunity to see Him face-to-face this Advent!

In addition to the families from Puerto Rico, we have a Catholic Family in the parish who has moved here from Sudan. Sohair Arno and her 3 children – Jennifer (11), Joshua (8) and Joel (5), have begun to acclimate to our community. Sohair is working part-time at Starbucks, and the children are at Highland Elementary School and also enrolled in our Parish Religious Education Program. My thanks to the several families from our parish who are giving the kids rides to their CCD classes as Sohair has no car. Also thanks to Linda Gerlip, Rosemary Thresher and Gail McArdle from our parish who are assisting Sohair in getting settled and acclimated! Sohair and her children are currently living with a family, but will soon be getting an apartment here in Westfield. This weekend at the Social Justice Coffee Hour following the 8:30 and 11:00AM Masses – we will have a “WELCOME” for Sohair and her children at the Parish Center. Please stop by to introduce yourself and welcome this family to our community! Once Sohair gets settled in her apartment, we will have an opportunity to collect some household “housewarming” things for her – as well as perhaps some presents for her children this Christmas - more on that in the weeks to come!

I hope you all have been looking over the Parish Calendar for Advent/Christmas in the bulletin last week. One of the special things for this year will happen after Christmas on Saturday January 6 at 6:00PM when the local group - Novo Cantori - an “a capella” singing group, will offer – “Sing, Sing , Sing – A Program of Lessons and Carols” in the church. This should be a wonderful musical experience and it’s FREE! Please note it on your calendars!

Finally – about Christmas Weekend. Because the Fourth Sunday of Advent also is Christmas Eve this year we have lots of Masses – each to accommodate both the Mass Obligation for Sunday and also for Christmas. So on December 24 – the Fourth Sunday of Advent – we will have Masses (Saturday at 4:00PM) and Sunday at 7:00, 8:30 and 11:00AM – those Masses satisfy the Mass Obligation for Sunday. Then on Sunday afternoon and evening we will have Masses at 4:00 and 10:00PM (and Christmas morning at 10:00AM) to satisfy the Christmas Obligation. SO, YES – YOU HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO GO SATURDAY NIGHT OR SUNDAY MORNING AND SUNDAY AFTERNOON OR EVENING OR CHRISTMAS MORNING!

God Bless, Fr. Dan

SANCTUARY CANDLE

Is burning this week in loving memory of

+RAYMOND, KATHERINE & ROBERT AYERS

+HARRY “BUTCH” GRISWOLD

requested by Family

SPECIAL INTENTION CANDLE

Is burning this week in loving memory of

+MARIE T. LABUN

requested by husband Stephen Labun

MARY GARDEN CANDLE

Is burning this week in loving memory of

+MARIE POWERS

+THERESE POWERS-BULL

requested by Maryalyce & Michael Morrissey

SACRED HEART CANDLE

Is burning this week in honor of

CHILDREN IN HOSPITALS

PRAYER-LINE

To request prayers for yourself or a loved one,

please call Pauline at 862-3885 or Diane at 568-9754.

GIVING TREE

This weekend, December 2 & 3, our Giving Tree with “angel” tags will be in the Gathering Space. We invite you to select an “angel” and return your wrapped gift - with the angel tag taped on – next weekend, December 9 & 10, and place it under the tree. Thanks!

CHRISTMAS WREATH &

WRAPPING PAPER SALE

Our Youth Ministry will be selling beautiful Christmas wreaths after all Masses this weekend. The cost will remain $10 per wreath or $12 with a bow. They will also be selling wrapping paper. Thank you for as always for your support.

ADVENT SENIOR DINNER

Are you a member of our parish who is 55 or over? Come enjoy a wonderful meal served by our Confirmation Students on Sunday, December 10 at 12 noon in the Parish Center. Cost is $7 per person and pre-registration is required. Flyers with further details and a registration form are near the bulletins, or send your name, phone number and payment to the Parish Office by December 6.

THE IMMACULATE COMCEPTION

OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

(Holy Day of Obligation)

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 8TH

MASSES AT 7AM, 9AM & 7PM

DECEMBER 9/10

SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT

READINGS

Old Testament: Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11

New Testament: 2 Peter 3:8-14

Gospel: Mark 1:1-8

DECEMBER ADORATION

Eucharistic Adoration will be held Thursday, December 7, commencing after the 7AM service and ending at 8PM. The month of December is dedicated to the Immaculate Conception. The Blessed Virgin Mary, in the first moment of her conception, by a singular privilege of Almighty God, and in view of the merits of Jesus Christ, our Savior and hers, was preserved from all stain of original sin. This age-old belief of the Church was defined by Pope Pius IX in 1854 as an article of revealed truth. Mary was in need of redemption and she was indeed redeemed by the Precious Blood of Jesus Christ. The manner of Mary’s redemption, however, was unique. Instead of being freed from original sin after having contracted it, she was preserved from contracting it. This was a most fitting favor for the Mother of the Redeemer.

Pope Francis’ intentions for December: that the elderly, sustained by families and Christian communities, may apply their wisdom and experience to spreading the faith and forming the new generations.

 O Immaculate Heart of Mary, full of goodness,

show your true love toward us.

Let the flame of your Heart,

O Mary, descend on all people.

We love you so much.

Impress true love in our hearts

so that we may have a continuous desire for you.

O Mary, gentle and humble of heart,

remember us when we are in sin.

You know that all men sin.

Give us by means of your Immaculate Heart,

spiritual health.

Let us see the goodness of your motherly heart

and may we be converted

by means of the flame of your Heart.

Amen.

SUNDAY EVENING MASS

The once a month Sunday Evening Mass will be held next weekend, December 10th at 5:00pm. The Mass features our wonderful Contemporary Music Group, made up of Youth from our Parish.

ADVENT PENANCE SERVICE

WITH CONFESSIONS

St. Mary’s Parish in Westfield will be having a Communal Reconciliation Service on Tuesday, December 12th in the upstairs Church starting at 7 PM with Fr. Frank, Fr. Ryan, Fr. Dan and guest priests. Advent is a great time to examine our lives and turn again to God in His great gift of Reconciliation.

ROSARY SODALITY

The Rosary Sodality Christmas Party will be held on Wednesday December 13th at Storrowton Tavern at 12:00 noon. We will meet at the Parish Center at 11:30 so if anyone needs a ride we can carpool. Please sign the sheet in the Gathering Space if you plan on attending. We will be ordering from the regular menu. Last chance to sign up is December 10th.

CHRISTMAS PAGEANT

There are many roles to be filled for this year’s Christmas Pageant. Boys and girls in grades 1-5 who are interested in participating should contact Lisa Stawasz at 579-5475 or lisastawasz@. There will be three Rehearsals in the church:

Monday, December 4 from 6:00-8:00PM

Monday, December 11 from 6:00-8:00PM

Saturday, December 16 from 10:30AM-12:00 noon

The pageant will take place at the 11:00AM Mass on Sunday, December 17.

DECEMBER/JANUARY POOR BOX:

KATE’S KITCHEN

Providence Ministries in Holyoke was founded by the Sisters of Providence in 1980. Their mission is to feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, and clothe the needy through their many programs: Broderick House, Kate's Kitchen, Loreto House, Margaret's Pantry, Holyoke Career Closet, St. Jude's Thrift Store, foodWorks and Mother Mary's. For the next several months, the Poor Box will be dedicated to each of the programs that Providence Ministries runs to allow us a better understanding of these programs. The December/January Poor Box will be for Kate’s Kitchen, which serves lunch 365 days a year and a brown bag supper on Wednesdays.

Poor Box envelopes are on the left side table in the Gathering Space - please place in the collection basket.

OUR STEWARDSHIP

November 19, 2017

Regular and Development (gold) $ 8,468

Budget Requirement per Week 9,600

(deficit) (1,132)

THANK YOU!

HOLIDAY FAMILY WAGON RIDES

Join us December 3rd from 10am-4pm at Meadowbrook Antiques, 658 Montgomery Road, Westfield. Come for a wagon ride through the decorated meadow, stroll the story walk, make a craft and play games, while the spirit of the holiday fills the air with homemade baked goodies, piping hot beverages, family fun and music. Help grow the “Our House” Scholarship fund. “Our House” is a home for unaccompanied youth in the community. Donations to “Domus, Inc. – Our House” are welcomed.

ENRICH YOUR HOLIDAY EXPERIENCE

Saturday, January 6, 2018 at 6:00pm, here at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Church, Schola Nova will perform Still, Still, Still – a winter holiday program drawing on the tradition of Lessons and Carols begun in the 19th Century and now practiced by choirs all over the world. These concerts/services feature nine text reads complemented by choral selections sung by the audience and Schola Nova. Music will include pieces by composers from the Renaissance to modern times. The Concert is FREE but a goodwill offering will be gladly accepted.

WESTFIELD FOOD PANTRY/

SOUP KITCHEN

Reminder – we have an ongoing food collection for the Westfield Food Pantry and Westfield Soup Kitchen. There is a basket just inside the glass doors entrance to the Parish Center across from the Mary Garden where you can place your donations of non-perishable food items. Cash donations may be sent to: Westfield Soup Kitchen, P.O. Box 2017, Westfield MA 01086

RCIA

The preparations for Christmas include buying or making gifts for those whom we love. You can give no better gift than the gift that God has given to us: his Son, Jesus. Invite someone who is not Catholic to attend Mass with you at Christmas. For more info about RCIA, the process for individuals to become Catholic and receive the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and the Eucharist, contact Deacon Paul Federici at deaconpaulf@ or 562-3450.

EASY WAYS TO SUPPORT OUR PARISH DURING THE HOLIDAYS!

Our Parish can earn money on purchases you make through smile. - it’s the same Amazon you know - same products, same prices, same service. Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament (Westfield, MA) is a registered charity with AmazonSmile.

Please bring your empty bottles and cans from your holiday parties for our on-going Parish Recycling Bottle and Can Fundraiser (drop off in the green shed by the baseball field). To date, we have raised a total of $25,850.20!

A CHRISTMAS CAROL

A Dramatic Reading of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" will be performed in the church hall at Mary, Mother of Hope Parish, 840 Page Boulevard, East Springfield on Sunday, December 3 at 2pm. Tickets will be available at the door the day of the performance. Ticket prices for adults/seniors are $5 and for children $3. Refreshments will be available. For more information, call Sylvia at 594-2757.

SINGING PRIESTS TO PRESENT ADVENT/CHRISTMAS CONCERT

The popular Singing Priests of the Diocese of Springfield will return to the stage for an Advent and Christmas concert on Sunday, December 3rd at 2pm at the Boyd-Quinson Mainstage, 30 Union Street, Pittsfield. Tickets for the holiday concert are $30 and will be available through the theater box office on Union Street or by phone at 413-236-8888 as well as online at . Proceeds will be directed towards future youth ministry outreach in the Berkshires.

CALLING ALL GRANDPARENTS

Come meet St. Nick in person and help celebrate his feast day called “Little Christmas", Tuesday, December 5, 11am at St. Peter & St. Casimir Church. Place Your Christmas Wish List for your Family on our “Grandparents Christmas Prayer Tree." Bring a dish to share at our “Little Christmas” Lunch and sing-a-long. Call Alicia at 568-0123 for more information.

END OF YEAR GIVING

As we approach the end of the year, it’s a wonderful time to consider an “End of Year” Gift to the Parish for tax purposes. All donors to the Parish will receive a letter of thanks and acknowledgement for tax purposes.

WHY SHOULD YOU CHOOSE

ST. MARY’S HIGH SCHOOL?

St. Mary’s High School is a diverse and socially active Catholic educational community. We are focused on the individualized needs and wants of our students, so we offer a customized learning experience. Small class sizes and experienced and committed teachers make our community truly unique and inspiring. Diverse club and athletic programs provide additional opportunities to serve and grow.

St. Mary’s Parish School: a tradition of excellence since 1898. I welcome the opportunity to tell you more about our awesome St. Mary’s Family!

Kimberlee Jaszek, Director of Admissions

413 568 5692 or kjaszek@

LESSONS & CAROLS AT ST. MICHAEL’S

The 18th Annual Festival of Lessons & Carols will be celebrated on Saturday, December 16, 7:30 PM, at the Cathedral of St. Michael the Archangel, 260 State Street in Springfield. The Cathedral Choir of Boys & Adults will be accompanied by strings, hand bells and the mighty cathedral organ. The service consists of nine scripture readings of the season paired with congregational carols and choral anthems. The service begins in darkness and as the story of the nativity progresses the candles and lights of the cathedral are lit. For further information contact the Office of worship at worship@, or by calling (413) 452-0839.

“CHRISTMAS SALE” AT

VINE AND BRANCHES GIFT SHOP!

Christmas is coming soon so our elves have been busy getting the Christmas merchandise displayed. Many of our items are on sale and some are one of a kind. Come in and check our selection and pick up a few gifts for someone special or yourself. And don’t forget to get your advent candles! Vine and Branches Gift Shop is located at Sacred Heart Parish Center, 1061 Springfield Street, Feeding Hills. Hours: Wednesday-Saturday 9:30am–4:00pm, Sunday 9:00am–12:30pm.

BAVARIA GERMANY TRIP

Travel to beautiful Bavaria Germany with Fr. Henry Dorsch, Pastor of Our Lady of the Lake Church in Southwick. Visit fabulous churches, a Marian Shrine, famous castles, historic cities, quaint villages and enjoy beautiful scenery. Nine days, seven overnights, August 21-29, 2018 with estimated cost of 2,500. To express interest and request further information and itinerary call 569-0161 or write to Fr. Henry at P.O. Box 1150, Southwick MA 01077 or email hlpdorsch@.[pic][pic][pic]

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