Joy vs. Happiness Happiness is a response to happenstance, contentment, good luck, prosperity, or good fortune. Happiness is also a reaction to pleasure; one can be happy when eating ice cream, reading a good book, receiving a promotion at work, or experiencing anything pleasurable. Happiness is easily taken away when the “state of well-being” ceases; in times of hardship, trial, or need, happiness seems elusive. Something more satisfying is needed than the mere pleasure or contentment associated with happiness. Joy, in contrast, is defined as an intense and especially ecstatic or exultant happiness or the expression of such feelings. The Catechism discusses the nature of joy and happiness: “true happiness is not found in riches or well-being, in human fame or power, or any human achievement…or indeed in any creature, but in God alone, the source of every good and of all love.” In other words, temporal happiness is not enough to satisfy us; we long for the “joy of the Lord” (CCC 1720). Recognizing that God is our Creator and that we rely totally on Him is a “source of wisdom and freedom, of joy and confidence” (CCC 301). Saint Mary Parish St. Mary Roman Catholic Parish 55 Catoonah Street Ridgefield, CT 06877 Phone: (203) 438-6538 Fax: (203) 438-4406 www.smcr.org That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Saviour—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!” LUKE 1:8-11
Transcript
Joy vs. Happiness
Happiness is a response
to happenstance, contentment, good
luck, prosperity, or good fortune.
Happiness is also a reaction to pleasure;
one can be happy when eating ice
cream, reading a good book, receiving a
promotion at work, or experiencing
anything pleasurable. Happiness is
easily taken away when the “state of
well-being” ceases; in times of hardship,
trial, or need, happiness seems elusive.
Something more satisfying is needed
than the mere pleasure or contentment
associated with happiness.
Joy, in contrast, is defined as an intense
and especially ecstatic or exultant
happiness or the expression of such
feelings.
The Catechism discusses the nature of
joy and happiness: “true happiness is
not found in riches or well-being, in
human fame or power, or any human
achievement…or indeed in any creature,
but in God alone, the source of every
good and of all love.” In other words,
temporal happiness is not enough to
satisfy us; we long for the “joy of the
Lord” (CCC 1720). Recognizing that
God is our Creator and that we rely
totally on Him is a “source of wisdom
and freedom, of joy and confidence”
(CCC 301).
Saint Mary Parish
St. Mary Roman Catholic Parish 55 Catoonah Street
Ridgefield, CT 06877 Phone: (203) 438-6538
Fax: (203) 438-4406 www.smcr.org
That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby,
guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord
appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory
surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them.
“Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Saviour—yes, the Messiah, the
Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!” LUKE 1:8-11
We Stand with Christ Commitment Weekend
Dear Friends in Christ,
This weekend is We Stand With Christ Commitment Weekend. As most of you are aware, our Diocese has
begun We Stand With Christ, a multi-year $75 million Capital Campaign, to meet the immediate and long-range
needs of our Church in Fairfield County.
We Stand With Christ will help to ensure the future of Catholic education, enhance our pastoral ministries, and
support so many important works of charity. At the same time, 50% of the funds collected will return to our
parishes, helping them address their own specific needs. In our case, 50% of our contributions will come back to
our Parish to help finance the future phases of our Gather & Grow plan.
A few weeks ago, you should have received materials in the mail that further explain We Stand With Christ and
all it seeks to do. If you did not, please call our Parish office.
I hope you will prayerfully consider this request to invest in the great works of the wider Church as well as our
Parish as an expression of our Catholic faith. Thank you for considering this invitation.
Yours sincerely in Christ,
Msgr. Bronkiewicz
Pastor
Third Sunday of Advent December 16, 2018
We Stand With Christ
Gather & Grow
MASS READINGS & INTENTIONS
MONDAY, December 17 Gn 49:2, 8-10/Mt 1:1-17 7:00 AM Helen Morris 12:00 PM Elizabeth Begert TUESDAY, December 18 Jer 23:5-8/Mt 1:18-25 7:00 AM Tracy Pappas 12:00 PM Danny Sullivan WEDNESDAY, December 19 Jgs 13:2-7, 24-25a/Lk 1:5-25 7:00 AM Florence Palazza 12:00 PM Maureen Molloy THURSDAY, December 20 Is 7:10-14/Lk 1:26-38 7:00 AM Robert Louis Savino 12:00 PM Nenay Schultz FRIDAY, December 21 Sg 2:8-14 or Zep 3:14-18a/Lk 1:39-45 7:00 AM Robert Pagnucco 12:00 PM Digby Barrios SATURDAY, December 22 1 Sm 1:24-28/Lk 1:46-56 8:00 AM Rocco Tamburro 4:30 PM Helen Rella & Frances Cali SUNDAY, December 23 Mi 5:1-4a/Heb 10:5-10/Lk 1:39-45 CHURCH 7:30 AM Chief John Roche 9:15 AM Diane May 11:15 AM Jeanne Ross HALL 10:30 AM Lisa Cataldo 12:00 PM Maureen Sutherland 5:00 PM Maryann Franqueira
The Holidays Can Be a Tough Time for Many
If you know of someone who is hurting, talk to one of our Stephen Ministry Leaders, Mary Ann O’Grady – 203-438-5610 or Jack Hughes – 203-665-0054, who can talk with you about connecting the person you know with one of our Stephen Ministers.
PRE-BAPTISM CLASS Pre-Baptism instruction is required for parents who have not had any within five years and wish to have their child baptized. Our next class will be held on Wednesday, January 9th from 7:30-8:30pm in the Barn. Please call our
Parish Office to register.
GOD’S PLAN FOR GIVING
WEEKY YEAR-TO-DATE
December 9, 2018 $20,195 1,056,779 December 10, 2017 $23,990 1,120,275 Retired Religious 2018 $4,683 2017 $5,088 Immaculate Conception 2018 $2,948 2017 $3,001
PPrayers for the Sick Please remember our sick in your prayers, especially Joseph Barone, Jacqueline Burns, Chris Carlson, Britteny Hibert, Lily Howard, Pat McManus, Margaret Michaels,
Ethan Pozholiparambil, Ann & Edward Smith, David State, and Sharon Weingard. Only immediate family members may add someone to our prayer list. Individuals will be removed monthly unless we are otherwise notified.
Marriage Banns I. Kenneth Daniel Walsh – Diana Margaret
Schumacher II. Mark Joseph Mullaney – Mary Kathleen Nevin
BULLETIN SPONSORS - Please support our bulletin sponsors. It is through the weekly support of these advertisers that our bulletin is provided at no cost to our Parish. When you visit or use one of our sponsors, let them know that you saw their ad here!
Page 3 Living Our Faith
Remember a friend or loved one with a candle lit in their name. Candle Intention options: Adoration Chapel Tabernacle Candle - $40 donation, for one week
Church Sanctuary Candle - $40 donation, for one week Church Altar Candles - $20 donation each, for one week
Hall Sanctuary Candle - $20 donation, burns at Sunday Mass All intentions will be noted in our Bulletin during the week requested and each Candle Intention purchased includes a card with envelope. Please purchase at our Parish Office.
Learning Our Faith
RCIA
RCIA is the Church’s way of helping people on the journey to full membership in the Roman Catholic Church. It offers people a deeper and fuller understanding of our
Catholic faith in preparation for reception into the Roman Catholic Community of faith. For more info contact Pat Postiglione, 203-438-7335.
RESPECT LIFE COMMITTEE It is God who gives life. Let us respect and love human life, especially vulnerable life in a mother’s womb. –Pope Francis www.smcr.org/respect-life
FREE CHRISTMAS EVE MASS TICKETS
All Free Christmas Eve Mass tickets have been distributed for the 3:30, 4:45, and 5:30 Masses. If you received tickets and no longer need them, please drop them off at the Parish Office so we can pass them along to another family. Thank you! ALL OTHER CHRISTMAS MASSES DO NOT REQUIRE TICKETS.
SMMC GIVING TREE
Thank you to all who contributed to our Giving Tree this year! It’s Christ’s love
in action! Over 650 people in need were helped this Christmas season
because of your generosity. Thank you!!!
NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION LIFELINE 1-800-273-8255, suicidepreventionlifeline.org
It’s Not Too Late Saint Mary School is once again participating in the Stop & Shop A+ Program. Until March 16, 2019, you can help SMS earn cash by simply using your Stop & Shop card every time you shop. Last year, we earned over $2,000.
To register, go to https://stopandshop.com/school-rewards. Please register your card to benefit ST MARY SCHOOL with the ID number 08386. You can track the points you earn for our school either on your grocery receipt or online. If you have any questions, please contact Dawn Lopes at [email protected]. Thank you for supporting SMS!
Saint Mary School is currently enrolling students in select grades of Preschool through Grade 8 for the 2018-2019 school year, as well as accepting applications for the 2019-2020 school year. For more information, or to set up a tour, please contact Anna O’Rourke at (203) 438-7288, or visit www.smsridgefield.org.
ST. MARY ADULT CHOIR is looking for new members! We welcome all levels. The Choir performs 9 months out of the year, singing at the 9:15am Sunday Mass in our Church. Rehearsals are Wed
evenings from 7:30-9:30PM in the Choir Loft. We are also looking for volunteer cantors and instrumentalists. Contact Darren Motise, [email protected] or 203-438-6538, x300.
FAITH FORMATION CORNER
Be Ready & Watchful
“Prepare the way of the Lord” serves as the main theme of this Advent season. As we get ready for Christmas, we should not neglect to prepare our lives for the celebration of our Lord’s Birth. Jesus came as "the light of the world." His light penetrated a dark world with the strength of hope.
And our Catholic faith teaches us that Christ will return again at some point in the future.
Be ready and watchful, for the light of the world has come and will surely come again. www.cbn.com
Page 4
Calling all graduates of
ChristLife. The next series,
Following Christ, will begin on January 14th.
Register on our website,
www.smcr.org.
Learning Our Faith
Fr o n t C o ver ex c er p ts f r om w ww . c at h o l i c e xc h a n g e . c om
CATHOLIC ACTION
DONATE: FOOD PANTRY Food collected in December goes to Dorothy Day Hospitality House. Collection bins are in the Church and Hall. Thank you for your generosity!
Our goal is to offer our members and their families an opportunity to share God’s love through service to our Priests, Parish and community. Want to enrich your faith & model strong values for your family? Learn more at www.KOFC.org or contact Phil Del Giudice, Grand Knight, [email protected].
EUCHARISTIC ADORATION
Our Adoration Chapel, the oldest one in Connecticut, is open 24/7. The entrance is near our Religious Ed Office. Stop by anytime or sign up for an hour @ www.smcr.org, or if you do not have computer access, contact Monica and Bill at 914-533-2832.
PILGRIM VIRGIN To arrange for a visit of the Pilgrim Virgin statue to your home, please call Elma Stoveken at 203-894-1341 or email at [email protected].
EVERY Thursday evening, 7-9pm, in our Adoration Chapel, the Chaplet of Mercy, 7 Sorrows of Our Blessed Mother and 15 decades of the Rosary sung and prayed. Please join us!
ST. MARY PARISH MEN’S MINISTRY TRY OUT A MEETING OR TWO DURING ADVENT!
Every Saturday morning from 6:30-8:00am, men gather in our Parish Hall to hit the ‘pause button’ on life. As one week ends and before another begins, led by Parish priests and lay members, we meet for a brief 90 minutes to pray, listen to the Word of God and discuss how it speaks to our daily lives. The 100-plus men who currently attend our meetings share and receive perspective, insight and guidance for becoming better husbands, fathers, grandfathers, sons, workers and community members. If you would like to meet other men facing the challenge of being Catholic in today’s world, come join us and see what we are all about.
Every Tuesday & Thursday from 12:30-1PM and every Saturday
from 3:30-4:30PM (Church)
Baptism Celebrated each Sunday
at 12:30 PM New parents must attend a pre-baptism class. Call Parish office
to schedule both
Marriage Call Parish Office at least 9 months prior to wedding
Anointing of Sick Call Parish Office to make
arrangements In case of serious illness or
death in the family, call Parish Office immediately.
C E M E T E R Y
203-438-3606
A D O R A T I O N Monica & Bill Brown
914-533-2832
Our Mission: LIVE the gift of our faith, ENRICH our understanding of that gift, and
PRACTICE our faith in compassionate service.
Page 5
Saint Mary Parish Welcomes You to…
Bring your family & friends to prepare in your hearts a home for Our Lord this
Christmas! This service will include seven short bible readings, interspersed with carols,
hymns, and choral music. Come hear the story of the fall of humanity, the promise of
the Messiah, and the birth of Christ, while joyously participating in the singing of
traditional carols. This event is free and open to the public. Enjoy a remarkable evening
of good tidings, prayer, reflection, and music during this season of joyful expectation!
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 16th @ 7PM
SAINT MARY PARISH
55 CATOONAH STREET
RIDGEFIELD, CONNECTICUT
Service will conclude at approximately 8:15PM
Festival of
Oh Come Let Us Adore Him! Christ, the Lord!
We extend an invitation to all to visit our Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration Chapel. Give a special gift of yourself & your heart to Jesus by spending some time with Him in prayer & adoration during this Holy Season. Please consider becoming a weekly Adorer, especially for those hours that do not have a scheduled Adorer but are covered by substitutes.
Hours needing Adorers: Sunday 9-10 pm Monday 3-4 am 7-8 am 2-3 pm 6-7 pm Tuesday 11-12 M Thursday 1-2 am 11-12 M Saturday 6-7 pm 10-11 pm
God bless you & Merry Christmas!
Join us for Bishop Robert Barron’s newest study and experience how the whole New Testament opens up once we see it through the person of David.
David’s kingship recalls that of Adam in the Garden of Eden, and also foreshad-ows that of Jesus, the son of David. Adam was the first king and steward of the rightly ordered Garden of Eden. He was called to govern the garden according to God’s mind and purposes, yet he did not fulfill his kingly responsibility. Long after Adam, David emerged as the model king who would restore order in the Garden and bring the world under the lordship of God. But like Adam, David fell, and his reign ushered in a succession of compromised kings and rejected prophets... until the coming of the King of kings and Lord of lords, Jesus Christ.
DATE, TIME, LOCATION COST / REGISTRATION CONTACT
www.WordOnFire.org DavidTheKing.com
Bishop Robert Barron’s newest study program
This 7 week study beginsMonday, January 14, 2019 from 7to 9 pm in St. Mary School, Room
224 (Art Room)
$25 for study materials, payableat the first session
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