December 6, 2015 - Our Lady of the Lake

DECEMBER 5, 2015
Kevin Christopher Barbara
Kevin Christopher Barbara
Mariah A pollonia Batallas
Mariah A pollonia Batallas
Anthony Francis Bellafiore
Anthony Francis Bellafiore
Evan Francis Benham
Evan Francis Benham
Parker Sebastian Bigelow
Sabrina Odile Bonetti
Sabrina Odile Bonetti
Nicholas Owen Bunner
Nicholas Owen Bunner
Taylor James Cameron
Taylor James Cameron
Gabriella Rose Chartrand
Gabriella Rose Chartrand
Kaylynn Christina Chiarenz
Kaylynn Christina Chiarenz
Isaiah Zachary Constant
Isaiah Zachary Constant
Kyle Michael Cuddahy
Kyle Michael Cuddahy
Gianna Mary DelleChiaie
Gianna Mary DelleChiaie
Shelagh Bridget Fluharty
Shelagh Bridget Fluharty
Miguel Michael Gomez-Gaudet
Miguel Michael Gomez-Gaudet
Bridget Philip Hadorn
Bridget Philip Hadorn
Evan Maximilian Hanson
Evan Maximilian Hanson
Thomas Francis Hastings
Thomas Francis Hastings
Samuel Thomas Hayes
Samuel Thomas Hayes
Jennifer Teresa Healy
Jennifer Teresa Healy
Julia Louise Hebert
Steven Sebastian Hoffmann
Catherine Mary Jokela
Thomas James Joyce, Jr.
Chad Oswald LeBlanc
Faith Camillus LeBlanc
Derrick Francis X avier Leger
Cohen Sebastian Mabie
Annika Theresa Maki
Nathaniel A nthony Mansour
Matthew A nthony O'Donnell
Danielle A ngela Richard
Cameron John Sicard
Joseph Lawrence Souza
Judith Rosalia Swift
Brendan Pius Tobin
Matthew Matthew Wheeler
OUR LADY OF THE LAKE
LEOMINSTER, MA
Second Sunday of Advent
DECEMBER 05th - DECEMBER 13th
05th SATURDAY
11:00 PM Confirmation with Bishop McManus
5:00 PM J ulie Maillet, Fir st Anniver sar y
Thomas E. Nutting, First Anniversary
06th SUNDAY Second Sunday of Advent
8:00 AM Thomas Nutting, Fir st Anniver sar y
Sam Bolognese
9:45 AM Dennis Raspuzzi, 14th Anniversary
Robert S. Gulick, 16th Anniversary
11:45 AM People of the Par ish
5:00 PM Paul Hur tubise, Birthday Remembrance
07th MONDAY
Saint Ambrose
8:00 AM Char les Shor es, J r .
Raymond & Catherine Ethier
6:45 PM J r . High Teaching Mass
08th TUESDAY Immaculate Conception of the BVM
8:00 AM Ruth Dufresne, Birthday Remembrance
Klye Wilson, 2nd Anniversary
7:00 PM Fr . Paul Sullivan
Mario & Margaret Gada
09th WEDNESDAY Saint Juan Diego
8:00 AM Gene & Lillian Decato
Eileen Mancino
10th THURSDAY
8:00 AM Communion Service
6:00 PM Rosary for the Unborn
11th FRIDAY Saint Damasus
8:00 AM
12th SATURDAY Our Lady of Guadalupe
5:00 PM Phillip Ragusa, 35th Anniversary
Ruth Medeiros, 11th Anniversary
13th SUNDAY Third Sunday of Advent
8:00 AM People of the Par ish
Jeanne Leblanc
9:45 AM Ar thur Mor r is, 2nd Anniversary
Madeline & Harry Dooley
11:45 AM Ir ene Lantr y, Fir st Anniver sar y
Dora Wood, First Anniversary
5:00 PM Louise Dion, 13th Anniversary
Vernon Holman, Sr., Birthday Remembrance
The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception is
Tuesday, DEC 8th. Masses will be held at 8AM
and 7PM in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Holy Year of Mercy
On Sunday, December 13th, at 4PM, Bishop McManus will
inaugurate the Jubilee Year of Mercy in the Diocese of
Worcester with the celebration of Solemn Vespers at Saint
Paul’s Cathedral. The Bishop has asked
that representatives from all of the parishes
in the Diocese be present for this ceremony.
Each parish will receive a Jubilee Cross
from the Bishop. Father Dennis will be
attending and is willing to drive if anyone
from the parish would like to attend.
Please call the parish office this week if
you are interested in going.
Pope Francis invites us to focus on mercy throughout this
jubilee year as a way to celebrate the seasons of the Church’s
liturgical year. The following quote from Pope Francis helps
us on our Advent Journey.
Advent – Waiting to Encounter Mercy Incarnate
“In the life of every Christian there is an experience of a
personal encounter with Jesus Christ who called us to follow
Him and share in His mission. We must learn to treasure in
our hearts the living memory of that call, when Jesus passed
my way, gazed at me with mercy and asked me to follow Him.
Try to revive the memory of that moment when His eyes met
yours, the moment when He made you realize that He loved
YOU! But do I remember it? Have I forgotten it? Have I
gone off on paths that made me forget it? Lord, help me, for
You know that I want to encounter You and to let myself be
embraced by Your mercy.
Mary sustains us on our journey toward Christmas, for she
teaches us how to live this Advent season in expectation of
her Son. For Advent is indeed the time of waiting for
Jesus, who will visit us all on the feast of Christmas, but
also, each one, in our own hearts. The merciful Lord is
coming! Let us wait for Him!”
Ordination Ceremony
Seminarian WILMAR RAMOS will be ordained to the
Order of Deacon by Bishop Robert J. McManus on
Saturday, December 19th, at Saint Paul’s Cathedral in
Worcester. Everyone is welcome to attend. Car-pooling
will be available for anyone who wishes to attend. Please
call the parish office if you need a ride by Wednesday,
December 16th.
Wilmar will serve as a Deacon at the 5PM Mass on
Saturday, December 19th, and he will preach the homily,
his first as an ordained deacon. We will have light
refreshments in the parish family center after the Mass for
those who wish to congratulate Wilmar and wish him a
Merry Christmas before he leaves for Columbia on
Monday, December 21st to visit his family.
SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT
MINISTRIES IN ACTION
Food Pantry News
Thanks to the donations from our
Religious Education children, parish
family, and our pie bakers we were
able to feed over 464 families
through our “Thanksgiving For A ll” program this year!
A special thanks also to Hollis Hills Farm and Sholan Farms
for apple donations, the Davis Family for apple and carrot
donations, Cumberland Farms for the bread donations, and a
gift card donations that were received from Walmart,
Hannaford’s and Market Basket.
Greeting Ministry needs your
help to coordinate the scheduling of
greeters. We need someone to head
up this ministry.
If you are
interested is taking on this ministry,
please contact Fr. Dennis.
Thank you to Boy Scout Troop 12 for getting
our church all clean and ready for the
Christmas season. We appreciate their
service and commitment to our parish.
Open Finance Meeting with members
of the Finance Committee on Monday,
December 14th, 7PM. Please forward
any of your questions in advance to Fr.
Dennis or Tracy Kennedy so that we
are prepared to answer them for you. All are welcome.
BROWN BAG MINISTRY
The next BBM meal prep is DEC 12th for the Days Inn
in St. Joseph’s Hall and our parish Kitchen at 3PM.
Days Inn: DEC 12, JAN 09, FEB 13.
Our Father’s House: DEC 19, J AN 30, APR 23,
MAY 21, JUN 25.
OLL Feast of St. Joseph: MAR 19
Sign up to help through Sign Up Genius. The link is
on our website now: www.ourladylake.org.
We will begin to prepare the church for
Christmas at 1PM, Sunday, DEC 20th. We
need a lot of helping hands for about 45
minutes to get everything out of the attic.
We need other people who would be willing
to help decorate the trees in the lobby,
Family Room, St. Joseph’s Hall, and the Church.
ENRICHMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Advent Series at St. Boniface
Contemplative (Centering) Prayer is being offered at St.
Boniface. Presented by Nancy Cieri with Fr. William
Meninger, OCSO, formally from St Joseph’s Abbey in
Spencer. All are welcome!
December 7th, 14th, and 21st, following the 6:30PM Mass.
Contact Nancy for more information:
nancycieri@comcaset.net or 978-582-6983.
The Women’s Bible Study will meet this Monday,
DEC 07th, 7PM, at an off site location. For
information, please contact: Lorraine Mendoza,
978-582-4020, or Nancy Maciel, 603-892-0763.
DISCOVERING OUR FAITH
Join us Wednesday, DEC 09th, 7-8:30 PM in the
Sts. Joachim and Anna Room, (Family Rm), as
we look at four of the documents from the
USCCB.
Contact David LaLiberty for more information at 978-537-1134
or email David@HomesJustForYou.com.
TIME OUT RETREATS
“A Time for Everything” Women’s Retreat Weekend
will be held at Miramar Retreat Center in Duxbury, JAN
15th-17th. For more information, contact Peggy Patenaude
(see above) or Miramar at 781-585-2460. Visit
www.timeoutretreats.com for description of both retreats.
A 40-hour position (3PM-11PM shift) for a CNA (must
be certified to pass medications) LPN or RN is open, at
the Presentation Health Care Center, 99 Church Street,
Leominster. Applications are available at the front
office or you may call for further information, 978-5377856. The Presentation Health Care Center is a
licensed rest home owned and operate by the Sisters of
the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Rosary for the Unborn
Thursday DEC 10th, 6PM
There is a Rosary group that prays the rosary every
Thursday at 3:30PM in fr ont of the Planned
Parenthood at 391 Main Street in Fitchburg.
We invite our parish family to pray for
the candidates who participated in the
recent Rite of Welcoming who are
preparing to receive the sacraments of
Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation. Please pray for them
as they continue their faith formation journey.
RCIA Candidates: Melody Batista Farrell, Kesha Brouillet,
Hilary Nolin, Jen Trevino, Norman Maxim, Scott Brissie.
Beginnings Candidate: Allison Flaherty.
DECEMBER 05/06, 2015
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
High School Peer Retreat Team will meet this Sunday,
DEC 06th, from 8:15AM-9:30AM in the St. Katherine
Drexel Room, M8. If you would like to help on the High
School I retreat, please come to this meeting or call Lisa for
more information.
Join us in celebrating: “JESUS IS THE REASON FOR
THE SEASON.” Our fir st thr ough fifth gr ade
students will present their beautiful dramatization of the
Christmas story during class times (4:15-5:15PM) on
Monday, DEC 7th, and Tuesday, DEC 8th, capped by a
birthday party celebration in the
church hall. After dropping
children off at 4:15PM, parents
and friends are invited to find a
seat in the church and await the
Gospel dramatization!
A TEACHING MASS FOR JUNIOR HIGH
STUDENTS, FAMILIES AND FRIENDS.
As a culmination of their study of the Eucharist, our 8th
grade students have planned, prepared, and will serve at
a special liturgy on Monday, DEC 7th, during their class
time. During the Mass, commentary will be provided
to help us understand and appreciate the symbols and
rituals that are used in our worship.
Please feel welcome to join us for this Mass.
ICE CREAM PARTY
Advent booklets for children were
distributed this past week at religious
education classes. If you would like a
booklet, they are located in the parish
family center.
An ice cream party will be held on Sunday, JAN 3,
after the 9:45AM Mass in St. J oseph’s Hall for all
those children who have completed their Advent work
books. Bring your book with you and come and join
us as we celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany (Little
Christmas).
Calling All High School Seniors!
Bring your appetite, your talent, and a Christmas tree
ornament to help decorate the new rectory
with Fr. Dennis and Fr. Carlos. All levels
of decorating experience will be welcomed!
Pizza and ice cream sundaes will help to
make the evening bright!!! Come and join
us!
Sunday, December 13th, after the 5PM Mass.
Please RSVP to either Fr. Dennis or Fr. Carlos.
Poinsettia/Cyclamen Sale
The High School Youth Group will be
holding its annual Christmas Plant Sale this
weekend. Plants will be available for sale
before and after all Masses. we will sell out,
so purchase early and often!
GINGERBREAD HOUSES
FOR AUCTION
Gingerbread houses created by our Jr.
High students will be on display in the
parish family center this weekend.
Please consider making a bid on these
beautiful creations so you can bring some Christmas spirit
into your home! All proceeds will go to fill the shelves of
our parish food pantry. The Gingerbread houses will go
home to the highest bidders on Sunday, DEC 13th.
Bethlehem Village Set Up
All 3rd Grade Children are invited to
help Fr. Dennis and Fr. Carlos set up
the Bethlehem Village on Saturday,
DEC 12th, 9AM-11:30AM. RSVP to
Elizabeth Rawlinson, Ext. 108, by DEC 10th. Please meet in
the parish family center and bring a bag of small stones!
Local TV stations, Channels 4, 5, & 7, will provide the
following detail for inclement weather closures:
Leominster School Closed: No mor ning Mass,
No Religious Education, No Meetings, and the Parish
Office will be closed.
Leominster School Delay: No mor ning Mass,
Parish Office will be delayed in opening.
No Religious Services: No Mass.
No Religious Classes: No Religious Education.
No Evening Activities: No Religious Education or
Meetings.
Closed: All Chur ch Activities are Cancelled.
Our Parish Phone Line will also have information.
Sincere thanks to our OLL family for helping us
raise $6,881 for the MS Challenge Walk.
Gratefully, the Paine Power Walkers.
Next Weekend’s Celebrants
Deacon Tim Cross to preach at all Masses
DECEMBER 12th, Saturday
5:00 PM Fr . Dennis O’Br ien
DECEMBER 13th, Sunday
8:00 AM Fr . Dennis O’Br ien
9:45 AM Fr . Car los Ruiz
11:45 AM Fr . Dennis O’Br ien
5:00 PM Fr . Car los Ruiz
DECEMBER 05/06, 2015
THIS WEEK’S PARISH EVENTS
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 05th
Poinsettia Sale & Gingerbread House Auction
11:00 AM Confirmation
06:00 PM Squaw-No-Cook
07:30 PM AA Meeting
th
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 06
Poinsettia Sale & Gingerbread House Auction
08:15 AM Peer Retreat Team Meeting
08:30 AM Beginnings Class
08:40 AM Kindergarten Class
11:30 PM Teen Music Ministry Practice
03:00 PM Partners with Pilgrims on the Journey
The Women’s Guild still has
Advent candles available for
purchase. Contact the parish
office if you are interested.
Christmas Giving Tree
Our annual Christmas Giving Tree program has begun!
Gift tags outlining the name, age, and gift ideas will be
available on the bulletin boards at the church entrances
and on the windows of the parish center lobby. This
year we will be servicing a senior center as well as
those who come to our door for
assistance. If you or your family
can reach out to
purchase one
of the these gifts, your generosity
will be greatly appreciated. We
ask that all gifts be returned
“unwrapped” and with the tag
attached by Sunday, DEC 13th so
that Christmas gift pickups may be made in on time.
Parish Support
NOV 21/22 NOV 28/29
186/172 Sunday Envelopes
$ 4,889
$ 5,049
24/14 Make Up Envelopes $ 1,102
$ 1,295
03/04 Paid Ahead Envelope $ 285
$
91
Loose Cash
$ 1,554
$ 1,857
SUNDAY COLLECTION $ 7,830
$ 8,292
Monthly Maintenance $ 492
$
35
Fuel
$ 410
$ 125
PARISH TITHING
Campaign/Human Devel. $ 391
Human Services
$ 196
Food Pantry
$ 196
OLL Scholarship Fund . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
829
THIS WEEK’S PARISH EVENTS
MONDAY, DECEMBER 07th
04:15 PM Grs. 1-5 Christmas Pageant
06:45 PM Grs. 6-8 Jr. High Mass
07:00 PM Women’s Bible Study, off site
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 08th
04:15 PM Grs. 1-5 Christmas Pageant
07:00 PM Cub Scout Committee Meeting
07:00 PM Immaculate Conception Mass
07:30 PM RCIA Classes, meet after Mass
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 09th
06:00 PM Cub Scouts Pack 3 Meeting
07:00 PM 12 Steps Meeting
07:00 PM Adult Folk Group Practice
07:00 PM Discovering Our Faith
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10th
09:00 AM Dominoes
09:30 AM Raffle Meeting
06:00 PM Rosary for the Unborn
07:00 PM BSA Troop 12 Meeting
07:00 PM Adult Choir Practice
07:00 PM Mother of Multiples
07:00 PM Prayer Shawl
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11th
04:15 PM Choir of Angels Practice
06:30 PM High School Youth Group Meeting
07:30 PM Al-Anon Meeting
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 12th
08:00 AM North Leominster Little League Mtg
09:00 AM Bethlehem Village Set Up
09:00 AM Baptismal Prep.
03:00 PM Brown Bag Ministry, Days Inn
07:30 PM AA Meeting
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13th
08:15 AM Peer Retreat Team Meeting
12:30 PM Kylee’s Kids Christmas Wrap
02:30 PM Teen Music Ministry Practice
03:00 PM Partners with Pilgrims on the Journey
06:30 PM Teens Decorating Rectory.
Support Elderly Religious at Next Week’s Collection
A parishioner writes, “As a Catholic school student from
grades K-12, I was formed to be the person I am by many
religious brothers and sisters, and I am forever grateful.”
Show your appreciation for the senior Catholic sisters,
brothers, and religious order priests who made a positive
difference in so many lives. Please give generously to the
collection for the Retirement Fund for the Religious, the
basket will be passed a second time on DEC 12/13.