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

Parish Safety Advisory Committee………………………..Fr. Dan

RCIA …………….Ray Breton, Rosemary Thresher, Don Mercure

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

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

PARISH ORGANIZATIONS/PROGRAMS

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

Parish Outreach……….…….Mary Federici, Andrea Cook-Hewitt

Pat Mack, Karen Scahill

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

Men’s Ministry Group………………………......................Fr. Dan

Youth Ministry (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……………………………………Ken Malo

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. The office is closed on civil holidays.

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.

HOSPITAL VISITS

If anyone has a hospital stay, have a family member call the parish and indicate whether the parishioner would like to have a visit.

MONTHLY HEALING MASS

Monthly Healing Mass – 4th Sunday of Every Month at 2:00PM - St. George Church, 202 E. Main St. Chicopee, MA. 413-331-5656

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

PRAYER LINE

For prayers call Pauline – 862-3885 or Diane 568-9754.

Saturday December 21

4:00 PM +Rita Hall, 23rd Anniversary Remembrance

requested by Family

Sunday December 22

7:00 AM +Dorothy Guerci, Anniversary Remembrance

requested by Steve & Sue Murphy

8:30 AM +Catherine Boucher

requested by Family

11:00 AM +Gary Mirek, 2nd Anniversary Remembrance

requested by Family

Monday December 23

7:00 AM +Susan Sarro, 16th Anniversary Remembrance

requested by Maureen, Wayne and Stephanie

Tuesday December 24 CHRISTMAS EVE

4:00PM +Jean Blair, Birthday Remembrance

requested by daughter Suzanne Harlow and Family

10:00PM +Dario & +Alan Masciadrelli

requested by Family

Wednesday December 25 CHRISTMAS DAY

10:00 AM +Frances Colson, Anniversary Remembrance

requested by aunt Loretta Lavin

Thursday December 26 and Friday December 27

7:00 AM Communion Services

Saturday December 28

8:00 AM +Marlene Fondakowski, Birthday Remembrance

requested by her Sons and Daughters

MIRACULOUS MEDAL NOVENA

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

3:45 PM CHAPLET OF DIVINE MERCY (Chapel)

4:00 PM +Theresa Forcier, Anniversary Remembrance

requested by Roger Beaudoin

Sunday December 29

7:00 AM +MacTavish Family

requested by Therese Trottier

8:30 AM +Aurora Labrie, 23rd Anniversary Remembrance

requested by Ron & Eileen Blais

11:00 AM +Kevin Regan,5th Anniversary Remembrance

requested by Family

FROM FR. DAN’S DESK…

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

On behalf of Fr. Shea, Deacon Paul, and Deacon Andrew and Our Parish Staff, I want to wish all of you, many blessings this Christmas week and in the weeks ahead! I hope that whether you are travelling, or hosting family and friends here, that your time is filled with the cherishing of good times shared with those you love!

I thank our Pastoral Team and Parish Staff and the many Volunteers, who have worked hard in these weeks leading up to Christmas, to make our Parish events and celebrations, beautiful! “It takes a village” – and we have a wonderful “village” here at our Parish!

My thanks to Lisa Stawasz, Marie Gilberti. Sheila Conroy and Kathy Sitler for their work with our children in presenting our “Christmas Pageant” again this year at the 11:00am Mass this weekend. And thanks to Our Children who do a great job telling the story of the birth of Jesus. Thank you, Parents and Grandparents, for supporting your children in this effort! I also appreciate all the Families who today will help Decorate the Church for Christmas after the 11:00 Mass – we could not do it without you!

I know it’s easy for me to say, but I really think we have a wonderful parish here at OLBS! People in and outside the parish always tell me how impressed they are at how much we have going on in the parish, and how good that is to see! In October, we celebrated 10 years in our New Church, and I think we have been using our gifts and blessings of the church and our facilities, very well as a parish, to create a place for seniors, children, those who are single, married or families with children, to find a place of faith and community!

We are already planning all the activities for the coming year. Most of you know that a major effort of our parish, and one that has been recognized and anticipated by people all over our Diocese – is our Annual Lenten Speaker Series. Last year we decided to confront – head on - the challenges and issues our Catholic Church has faced in recent years, by asking the question: “Why Are You Catholic?” Last year’s Lenten speakers who all were accomplished Catholics in their careers and endeavors, spoke about how their Catholic Faith has, and continues to shape their lives. This year we want to further the question of “What Makes Us Catholic?” with the affirmative answer being: “THE EUCHARIST” – THE BODY OF CHRIST! One great gift that no earthly corruption or power can take away, is the gift of Christ’s Body given for us as food for our journey of life! How blessed are we to not just symbolically break bread, but to actually have Jesus Himself present on the Altar at every Mass. My friends, none of us can truly contemplate the magnitude of that, but we are called to realize and begin to appreciate the gift of life we have been given. Our Speaker Series this year will begin with Fr. Warren Savage who will speak on March 4 and give us the roots in ancient times of the Eucharist, and how it was always part of God’s plan for the Salvation of the world. Other speakers will help us to grow in our knowledge of the Eucharist as well. I think all of us what to understand what we believe, and that is possible! Join us on the Wednesdays of Lent: March 4 – April 8, for our Speaker Series! You will be enriched beyond measure! Also, check out in this bulletin, the listing of events in our parish in the New Year, and join us, as we continue the journey of life and faith here at OLBS!

God Bless You and Merry Christmas! Fr. Dan

SANCTUARY CANDLE

Is burning this week in loving memory of

+DECEASED WESTERN MASS

HOSPITAL CO-WORKERS

requested by Nancy

SPECIAL INTENTION CANDLE

Is burning this week for

SPECIAL INTENTIONS

requested by Linda & Richard Smigielski

SACRED HEART CANDLE

Is burning this week in loving memory of

+NANCY GAREN

requested by Melanie Peetz

MARY GARDEN CANDLE

Is burning this week in loving memory of

+ANN KANE

10TH ANNIVERSARY REMEMBRANCE

requested by Family

Special thanks to Donna & Bruce Campbell

for sponsoring the Rosary Ministry

for the month of December!

CHILDREN’S LITURGY 11:00 MASS

Just a reminder that each Sunday at the 11:00 Mass our younger children have the opportunity to go to our Multipurpose Room with adult leaders for the readings, prayers and song and then return for the second half of Mass. It’s a great opportunity to get your children adjusted to coming to Mass each week!

RCIA

Our RCIA Program for those interested in receiving the Sacraments of Initiation in the Catholic Church has begun. Please remember in your prayers our parishioners Laura and Nataly who have begun the process - May God bless them!

Keep up with Parish Events – Join Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Parish Facebook Group!

PLEASE NOTE: During the week of Christmas, the Parish Office will be open only on Monday December 23 from 9am-noon. The Office will be closed December 24, 25, 26, 27. During New Year’s week, the Office will be closed December 31 and January 1.

PLEASE PRAY FOR

OUR PARISHIONERS WHO ARE ILL

Andrea Cook-Hewitt, Newton Thompson, Judy Roldan, David Stawasz, Jose & Daisy Montalvo, Anne Kelley, Cecile Demers, John Freniere, Kathy Masciotra, Wanda Folini, Nellie Bonnevie, Fr. Hector Vega, Colleen Cekovsky, Norman Smith, Sandy Fucci, Ellaine Cicierchia, Angela Bovat, Tony Phaneuf, Pat Gilberti, Matthew

DECEMBER 28/29

THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY & JOSEPH

READINGS

First Reading: Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14

Second Reading: Colossians 3:12-21

Gospel: Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23

READERS

4:00PM Lynn Nault 7:00AM Beth Modlish

8:30AM Kharmen Saruca 11:00AM Diane Czerwiecki

EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS

4:00PM Karl Weckstrom, Rochelle Benoit, Jim O’Connor,

Wayne Harju

7:00AM Pat Mack, Lee Reynolds, Dave Trotman

8:30AM Donna Whelan, Donna Bourbeau,

Bruce Campbell

11:00AM Diane Sullivan, Mikey Hebda, Lisa Stawasz,

Karen Scahill

DIOCESAN “FAMILY” CONFERENCE

Our Diocese will be hosting a first ever “Family Conference” on March 21at the Mass Mutual Center in Springfield! Special Keynote Speaker will be acclaimed Catholic Author and Speaker – Scott Hahn. There will be other speakers and activities all geared toward Catholic Family Life.

ANNUAL PARISH GIVING

In addition to weekly Offertory or Mortgage contributions, some parishioners like to make an “End-of-year” special gift to the parish. Also, the end of the year is a wonderful time to reflect on “Planned Giving” – perhaps through an Estate, Will, or Annuity. Our parish has benefitted greatly because of some parishioners from the past, who have remembered the parish in their Wills or Estates. For any questions – please call the Parish Office at 562-3450.

Thank you for your kindness and generosity in supporting our parish all throughout the year!

JPII CREW YOUTH MINISTRY

INFORMATION AND

UPCOMING EVENTS

Family Link on Website: olbs

then look for “olbsfamilies” link

Flocknote: to join our Parish texting system,

please contact Lisa Laferriere at 413-562-3450

Friday December 27th no event

OUR STEWARDSHIP

Month of November 2019

Regular / Development (gold) $ 39,438.35

Budget requirement per month 44,400.00

November Month (deficit) (4,961.65)

Mortgage collection $ 3,563.40

Mortgage due per month 4,182.00

November Month (deficit) (618.60)

The finance council has prepared the parish budget for 2019-2020, and has set the 2020 weekly budget amount at $11,100 – the same as last fiscal year. Many components are involved in the complete statement of income and expenses, and so this requested level of weekly giving, in conjunction with other income the parish receives, allows the parish to meet its obligations.

Thanks to all who regularly support Our Parish!

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 on the tables with the bulletins, fill it out and drop it into the collection basket.

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 weekly 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, contact John Patrick Publishing at 1-800-333-3166.

BAD WEATHER

If schools in Westfield are cancelled or delayed, there will be no Mass / Communion Service that morning.

IMPORTANT DATES IN THE YEAR AHEAD:

XLT Adoration and Family Nights

Sundays Jan 12, Feb 9, Mar 8

Fr. Riendeau Series – “Our Catholic Faith”

Tuesdays January 7, 14, 21, 28, February 4, 11

Lenten Speaker Series

Wednesdays March 4, 11, 18, 25, April 1, 8

Men’s Retreat – Passionist Retreat Center

March 13-15

Women’s Retreat – Our Lady of Calvary

March 27-29

Irish Night

March 14

Diocesan Family Conference – Mass Mutual Center

March 21

First Communion

May 17

Vacation Bible Experience

July 27–31

THAT MAN IS YOU!

On January 18, our men’s group - That Man is You! - will start meeting again on Saturday mornings from 7:45-9:30am. For information contact Deacon Andrew; 297-5000 or deaconandrewhogan.olbs@.

OUR SOLDIERS ARE REMEMBERED

Our Military Prayer Basket is always present on our Altar and all soldiers whose names have been submitted to us are placed in that basket and prayed for at all Masses. If you know a man or woman currently serving in active duty, and would like to submit their name to be placed in the basket, call or e-mail our Parish Office, and we will be sure to place their name in the basket on the Altar. May God protect our beloved men and women who protect us!

SPECIAL PARISH ENVELOPES

Fuel and Snow Removal Envelopes are available on the tables with the bulletins. Thank you for your continued help with these winter month’s expenses.

SCHEDULING MEMORIAL CANDLES

We have a few different candles - the Sanctuary Candle in the chapel, the Special Intention Candle near the Prayer Book of Intentions, the Sacred Heart Candle at the foot of the Sacred Heart of Jesus statue, and the Outdoor Mary Garden Candle - which can be scheduled for a special intention or in memory of a loved one for 1 week ($10). Call the office for info.

POOR BOX DONATIONS 2019

The following are the agencies and the amounts you offered through our Parish “Poor Box” this year:

January – Harmony House of Western Mass - $213

February – Clearway Clinic - $206

March – Pregnancy Support Services of Berkshire

County - $187

April – New Direction Women’s Center - $281

May –Residents Encounter Christ - $90

June – Helping Hands - $176

July – Westfield Food Pantry - $403

August – Christ Child Society of Western Mass –

$110

September – Helping Hands - $131

October – Providence Ministries - $62

November –Thanksgiving Baskets - $142.72

December – Jericho (ongoing)

DECEMBER 2019 POOR BOX

“JERICHO”

The Bureau for Exceptional Children and Adults

JERICHO strives to bring dignity, respect and wholeness to the lives of people with disabilities and their families throughout Western Massachusetts. Visit, call or email to learn more!

The Poor Box is located on the wall near the glass doors at the back of the church.

THANK YOU for supporting local agencies serving those in need!

INVITATION TO JOIN

THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS

To all men 18 or older: Westfield Council 100 Knights of Columbus is recruiting men to join. For info contact Ken Malo, 413-246-5213 or kjm6667@.

MARRIAGE WORKS IN CHRIST

A Marriage Enrichment series, Marriage Works in Christ, will be held at St. Elizabeth Parish Ludlow, in the St. John the Baptist Center, from 6:30-8pm on Fridays, Jan 10, Feb 7, Mar 6, and Apr 3. Evenings are free. Couples need not attend all sessions. Childcare is offered at no charge for children age 2 and up. Call Dick & LuAnne Pasquini, 610-0509 to register.

GIFT SHOP SALE

Visit our beautiful gift shop at Mary’s House of Prayer, 202 East Main Street, Chicopee before Jan 4 and get 20% off all items! Open Mon-Fri 9:30am-2:30pm; Wed-Thurs evenings 4-7pm; Sat 10am-1pm; Sunday Dec 22 after the Healing Mass. Closed Dec 24, 25, 31 and Jan 1.

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.

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, disposable diapers, wipes, baby shampoo, 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.

ONGOING FUNDRAISERS

Bottles & Cans can be placed in the green shed by the ball field. As an ongoing fundraiser, our parishioners Ron & Linda Gerlip, Carol Conroy, and Joanne Fucci take care of redeeming these for us. Since 2007 we have raised a total of $30,197.50!

Amazon Smile Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament is a registered charity with AmazonSmile. Amazon donates 0.5% of the price of eligible AmazonSmile purchases to the charitable organizations selected by customers – so we hope you will select us and help us raise needed funds! To date, we have raised $606.96!

RETREAT FOR MEN

Father Warren Savage will lead a retreat for men at Our Lady of Calvary Retreat Center in West Hartford CT, February 8 at 9am -February 9 at 12pm. The theme of the retreat is Go in Peace, Glorifying the Lord with your life! The retreat will include an opportunity to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation and Mass. Call the retreat center at (860) 677-8519 or visit event/retreat-for-men for more information and to register.

MARRIAGE HELP AVAILABLE

New Year? Renewed Marriage? Are you disillusioned by your marriage or the lack of communication with your spouse? Has your marriage become troubled, 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 rediscover why you fell in love. The next local weekend is January 17-19. For information, call 1-800-470-2230, email helds4marriage@ or go to for information & registration.[pic][pic][pic]

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