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Parish of the Precious Blood

November 29, 2020

www.theppb.org

Sacramental and Pastoral Care

Sacrament of Baptism

Please call the Parish Office to register by the first Friday of the month.

Sacrament of Marriage

Please call the Parish Office six months to one year in advance of the

desired date of your wedding.

Sacrament of Penance

Reconciliation is available 45 mins before Mass or by appointment.

Pastoral Ministry to the Sick and Homebound

Please call the Parish Office with the name, address and telephone number

of the person who is in need.

PARISH OF THE PRECIOUS BLOOD OFFICE HOURS

Caribou Office: Presque Isle Office:

31 Thomas Ave. 6 Roberts St.

P.O. Box 625 Presque Isle, ME 04769

Caribou, ME 04736 768-3671 or 764-8644

498-2536 or 498-2537 *Hours: Mon.-Thurs.

*Hours: Mon. -Thurs. 9 AM - 3:30 PM

9 AM - 3:30 PM. Closed 12-1 PM for Lunch.

PASTOR

Rev. David R. Raymond ‘Fr. Dave’

david.raymond@portlanddiocese.org

PAROCHIAL VICAR

Rev. Selvaraj Kasi ‘Fr. Raj’

selvaraj.kasi@portlanddiocese.org

DEACON

Rev. Mr. Carl Joseph Gallagher ‘Deacon Carl’

carl.gallagher@portlanddiocese.org

First Sunday of Advent

“What could happen next?”

How many times have you asked

yourself that question in the past

year? Though we most often use that

expression when things don’t seem to be going our way, this year

it has been an expression of the constant changes to our world

which the COVID-19 pandemic has wrought. But we might use

the same expression to explain our feelings of being over-

whelmed by blessings and good things, when the stars seem to

align just right.

No matter what, we can say with certainty that tomorrow will not

go exactly as we envisioned. Our lives are influenced by so many

factors and the world around us is increasingly complex. Rather

than be surprised by the unexpected, maybe we should expect

the unexpected.

Living in this manner causes us to cherish more deeply the gifts

we have been given. It helps us to live in the present and become

mindful of those around us. Our relationships deepen. Our sense

of responsibility builds. Our stewardship way of life finds new

meaning and purpose.

This Advent will not be the same experience as last Advent. It

remains to be seen what the coming days and weeks have in

store for each of us. However, no matter what happens, Jesus

Christ is there to welcome us to the unexpected. He will celebrate

with us in joy and he will even feel our pain. You can count on the

unexpected, but you can also count on Him to be there with you.

He is now and forever, Emmanuel, “God with us.” He is the ex-

pected in all things unexpected.

Blessings!

Fr. Dave

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SANCTUARY LAMP

St. Denis Church

In Prayerful Memory of

Dick Levesque

by his Family

St. Mark Church

In honor of St. Anthony

for finding a lost special

item for me

by Thelma Saucier

OUR LADY LAMPS

If you wish to have a lamp

burned in memory of a loved

one or for a special request,

please call the rectory during

normal business hours;

Mon.-Thurs.

9 AM—3:30 PM.

The offering is $5.

BULLETIN MEMORIALS

In Loving Memory of

DALE CORBIN & MICHAEL POISSON

by Sharon Corbin & Families

In Loving Memory of

CONRAD CARON

by His Wife & Children

In Loving Memory of

SHAWN BERNARD

by His Dad

In Loving Memory of

KENNETH G. MURCHISON, SR.

by the Murchison Family

In Loving Memory of

REGINALD OUILLETTE

by His Loving Wife Teresa

In Loving Memory of

LOUIS BARON

by his children Linda,

Freddie & Keith

In Loving Memory of

GILBERT GUERRETTE

by his Loving Wife & Family

In Loving Memory of

RICHARD TAYLOR

by his sweetheart, Rena

In Loving Memory of

LINDA PAGE

by Norman & Family

In Loving Memory of

LIONEL, DORIS & RAYMOND

BLANCHETTE

by Their Children

In Loving Memory of

LAWRENCE, HILDA &

PATRICIA BOSSE

By Jim & Nancy Chandler

In Loving Memory of

GLO & CLIFF MARTIN

by Their Children &

Their Families

In Loving Memory of

SANDRA BEAUPRE

by her Loving Husband

Gordon & Family

Maurice and Anita

Soucy and

Loved Ones

By Their Loving Family

Memorial Ad Donation:

$20 for 1 month

$50 for 3 months

$100 for 6 months

$200 for 1 year

If you would like to place a

memorial ad in memory of a

loved one please call the

rectory office during normal

business hours at 498-2536.

HOLY ROSARY, CARIBOU

Thurs:

6:30 p.m. ACTS-Women: *No Meeting

7:00 p.m. Burning Bush Group *No meeting

Fri: 9:00-10:00 a.m. Adoration

1st Friday: Mass and Adoration

5:30-6:00 p.m. Confession

6:00 p.m. Mass

6:30 p.m. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament

7:15 p.m. Prayers & Benediction

1st Saturday:

9:30 AM-12:00 PM Followers of the Cross—Parish Center

9:30-10:15 Rosary & Confession

10:15 Mass

3:00 p.m. First Saturday Devotions & Rosary

ST. MARY’S, PRESQUE ISLE

√ Confession is offered after Daily Mass.

Tues:

1:00 p.m. Prayer Group

2:30 p.m. Rosary Team

Weds: 9:00 a.m. Rosary making

√ *First Friday Adoration is now being held at St. Mary’s after the

8:30 AM Mass beginning Sept. 4th.

9:00 a.m. Cenacle of the Marian Movement of Priests.

Sat: 2:30 PM First Saturday Devotions & Rosary.

Group Prayer & Devotions Are Suspended Unless (√) Check marked.

ST. DENIS, FORT FAIRFIELD

√ Confessions Every 3rd Sunday after Mass

and after Thursday daily Mass.

Weds. 9:30 a.m.

√ Cenacle of the Marian Movement of Priests.

√ Thurs: 9:00 a.m. Faith Sharing

Fri: 3:00 p.m. Divine Mercy Chaplet

Sat: 1:00 p.m. Adoration

√ Sun: 10:15 a.m. Rosary

ST. MARK, ASHLAND

√ Tues: 8:30 A.M. Daily Mass thru Oct. 6

with Rosary before Mass.

√ Confession after 8:30 a.m. Daily Mass thru Oct. 6.

√ 2:00 Rosary beginning Oct. 6.

√ 2:30 p.m. Faith Sharing beginning Oct. 6

√ Fri: 8:30 a.m. Rosary

OUR LADY OF THE LAKE, PORTAGE

√ Sun: 8:30 a.m. Rosary before Mass

Tues: 6:30 p.m. Rosary

SACRED HEART, NORTH CARIBOU

Weds: 10:00 a.m. Rosary

√ Sat: 5:15 p.m. Rosary before Mass

If you would like to purchase your own Missal to bring to Mass you may order it online at

https://www.ocp.org/en-us/hymnals/B20/journeysongs-third-edition or call 1-800-548-8749 $19.50

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Mass Schedule First Sunday of Advent November 29, 2020

Saturday, Nov 28: First Sunday of Advent #859

4:00 PM Holy Rosary ** Sunday Celebration in the Absence of a Priest

4:00 PM St. Mary ** Soul of Marion & Dana Packard by Jackie St. Peter

4:00 PM St. Theresa ** Eric Boucher by Diane Saucier & Family

5:30 PM Sacred Heart ** Ted Thibodeau by His wife, Orillia & Family

6:00 PM St. Catherine ** Sunday Celebration in the Absence of a Priest

6:00 PM St. Joseph ** Kenneth Dickinson by Eleanor Grow

Sunday, Nov 29: First Sunday of Advent #859

9:00 AM Holy Rosary ** Sunday Celebration in the Absence of a Priest

9:00 AM Our Lady ** For the People

9:00 AM St. Mary ** Thomas Joseph Plourde by Frank & Joan McElwain

10:30 AM St. Mark ** Families of Ron & Chris Grover by Ron & Chris

11:00 AM St. Denis ** Dick Ferland by Mona Lynch & Family

11:00 AM St. Louis ** Sunday Celebration in the Absence of a Priest

Monday, Nov 30: St. Andrew, Apostle

8:30 AM Holy Rosary ** Jerry Pelletier by Daughters of Isabella

8:30 AM St. Mary ** Ernest & Lucille Boucher by Their Daughter Diane & Family

Tuesday, Dec 1:

8:30 AM St. Denis ** Souls in Purgatory by David Bernard

8:30 AM St. Mary ** Deceased Family Members of Earl & Lela by Earl & Lela Kalkbrenner

Wednesday, Dec 2:

8:30 AM Holy Rosary ** Rev. Ludger Ouellette by Gagnon Family

6:00 PM St. Mary ** Doris Blanchette by Jon & Gail Langley

Thursday, Dec 3: St. Francis Xavier, Priest

8:30 AM St. Denis ** Bob Walker by His Wife, Rose

6:00 PM Holy Rosary ** Don Winston by His Loving Wife, Peg

Friday, Dec 4:

8:30 AM Holy Rosary ** Dale Corbin (7th Anniversary) by His Wife, Sharon

8:30 AM St. Mary ** Harry McCarthy by Gene & Betty Fadrigan

Saturday, Dec 5: Second Sunday of Advent # 862

4:00 PM Holy Rosary ** Perley Chassie by His wife Leona, Jim & Michelle

4:00 PM St. Mary ** Kenneth Dickinson by Chip & Janet Beckwith & Family

4:00 PM St. Theresa ** Sunday Celebration in the Absence of a Priest

5:30 PM Sacred Heart ** Sunday Celebration in the Absence of a Priest

6:00 PM St. Catherine ** Leigh A. Devoe by Barbara Porter

6:00 PM St. Joseph ** Steven J. McDowell by His mother, Eleanor Grow

Sunday, Dec 6: Second Sunday of Advent # 862

9:00 AM Holy Rosary ** Lorraine White by Vaughn, Debbie, Susie & Family

9:00 AM Our Lady ** For the People

9:00 AM St. Mary ** Mary S. Letasz by Her Family

10:30 AM St. Mark ** Raymond Chasse by Charlene J. O'Clair

11:00 AM St. Denis ** Robert McBurnie (10th Anniversary) by His Loving Wife, Jennette

11:00 AM St. Louis ** Michael St. Pierre (3rd Anniversary) by His family

Readings for the week of November 29, 2020

Sunday: Is 63:16b-17, 19b; 64:2-7/Ps 80:2-3, 15-16, 18-19 [4]/1 Cor 1:3-9/Mk 13:33-37

Monday: Rom 10:9-18/Ps 19:8, 9, 10, 11 [10]/Mt 4:18-22

Tuesday: Is 11:1-10/ Ps 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17 [cf. 7]/Lk 10:21-24

Wednesday: Is 25:6-10a/Ps 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6 [6cd]/Mt 15:29-37

Thursday: Is 26:1-6/Ps 118:1 and 8-9, 19-21, 25-27a [26a]/Mt 7:21, 24-27

Friday: Is 29:17-24/Ps 27:1, 4, 13-14 [1a]/Mt 9:27-31

Saturday: Is 30:19-21, 23-26/Ps 147:1-2, 3-4, 5-6 [cf. Is 30:18d]/Mt 9:35—10:1, 5a, 6-8

Next Sunday: Is 40:1-5, 9-11/Ps 85:9-10, 11-12, 13-14 [8]/2 Pt 3:8-14/Mk 1:1-8

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PLEASE REGISTER FOR WEEKEND MASSES

DAILY and SUNDAY Masses

are being Livestreamed

from

St. Mary’s Church

on the Parish Facebook

Page.

CHURCH MASS CONTACT NUMBER WHEN TO CALL TIME TO CALL

St. Mary 4:00 PM Sat. Theresa Fowler 227-4390 Mon. – Thurs. 6:00-9:00 PM

Leah Girardin 764-6226 Mon. – Thurs. 6:00-9:00 PM

9:00 AM Sun. Theresa Fowler 227-4390 Mon. - Thurs. 6:00-9:00 PM

Leah Girardin 764-6226 Mon. – Thurs. 6:00-9:00 PM

St. Joseph 6:00 PM Sat. Patti McCrum 227-4156 Mon.—Fri. 9 AM– 7 PM

Holy Rosary 4:00 PM Sat. Cindy Blanchette 227-0035 Mon./Wed./ Thurs. 9:00-11:00 AM

9:00 AM Sun. Mary Ellen Field 999-2378 Mon./Wed./Thurs. 9:00-11:00 AM

St. Denis 11:00 AM Sun. Ed Schupbach 498-0502 3rd Week –for Jun. 21

St. Mark 10:30 AM Sun. Chris Grover 435-2591 Using Calling Tree

Our Lady 9:00 AM Sun. Corrine Routhier 227-0819 Anytime 9 AM – 7 PM

St. Catherine 6:00 PM Sat. Barb Caron 455-4069 Using Calling Tree

St. Louis 11:00 AM Sun. Steve Brooker 551-8203 Using Calling Tree

Sacred Heart 5:30 PM Sat. Betty Thompson 498-8741 Call Anytime

St. Theresa 4:00 PM Sat. Rosemary Hede 492-2390 Call Anytime 9 AM – 9 PM

**IMPORTANT**

A ‘Face Shield’ does not

provide adequate protection

from the Corona Virus.

A ‘Face Mask’ is required at

Mass. If you have forgotten

yours, one is available at the

Sign-in table at the entrance

of the Church. Thank you.

That Man Is You ~ ‘That Man is You’ honestly addresses the

pressures and temptations that men face in our modern culture,

especially those relating to their roles as husbands and fathers.

The program harmonizes current social and medical science with

the teachings of the Church and the wisdom of the saints to

develop the vision of man fully alive! TMIY meets Saturday

mornings from

6:30-8:00 AM in the Parish Center.

FMI Contact Steve Gagnon at 768-0433 or

Bob LeBlanc at 498-2053.

The Virus Hasn’t Stopped Us!

The Holy Rosary Blanket Ministry has been busy making fleece

blankets for those in need. We recently delivered 15 blankets to the

Caribou Veteran’s Home and 15 blankets to The Aroostook House of

Comfort in Presque Isle. Our newest “Christmas Project” is to make 35

blankets for the residents at the Rising Hill Assisted Living Facility in

Limestone. In order to complete this project, we are in need of

donations to help cover the cost of the fleece material. If you are

interested in making a donation, please call Ruth Gahagan at 492-1960

or Judy Bougie at 493-1366. Donations can also be dropped off at the

Holy Rosary Office ATTN: Blanket Ministry.

We thank you for your generosity.

Gospel Reflection:

You are at the eye doctor and it’s time for the peripheral vision test. You know the one. It’s where you put your head up to a contraption and have to click

a switch every time you see a squiggly line. If you don’t concentrate and maintain optimal focus, you will miss them and skew the outcome of the test.

You can easily find yourself with a diagnosis that really isn’t accurate! Concentration and focus are key to succeeding with this evaluation. They are also

key to developing a healthy, vibrant spiritual life. If we do not bring our full consciousness to the task, concentrate with all our might, be watchful and

vigilant, we are not going to see God’s loving presence flashing before our eyes!

That’s why we need Advent. Let’s face it. We can easily get distracted, focus on nonessential and superficial things and lose touch with what really

matters. Our attentions wander. We daydream and even become a bit overwhelmed and tired. All of the stresses and demands of life consume us and

we find ourselves constantly trying to play catch up rather than relishing the moment of the now. “Now” moments are so fleeting. They flash before us

like those squiggly lines on a screen. Present moments go as quickly as they come but it is important to discover them and rest in them as often as we

can. Though gone in a flash, these now moments of encounter with God teach powerful lessons and offer a grounding in truth that can be found

nowhere else. It’s the grace of Advent to become watchful and attentive because we are never sure when God will surprise us.

God loves surprises and love thrives on them! God’s now moments of surprises come as tender instants of intimate connection where I find profound

peace, experience joy, and rest in love. These are Advent times reflective of the now moments when Christ first was born, when God surprises us during

every time we care to watch and when the great surprise of Christ’s second coming dawns upon us all. But, to discover the grandeur and experience the

awe of these now times, we have to be ready. We have to want to be there. We have to believe. And, we have to have the desire to soak in as much as

we can in the time we have before us.

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As we enter this season of giving, our season is

different this year due to Covid-19. Many

parishioners have asked about giving to the ‘Giving

Tree’ as we have done in the past to help those less

fortunate at Christmas.

We will be unable to accept food for our baskets this

year as well as toys for our children. Please know you

can still give to both.

First our food baskets this year will be done through

Gift Cards to these families. You can go to our

PPB website at www.theppb.org and click on the

‘CHRISTMAS BASKETS’ tab. Under that tab is a

tab for donating to our HOPE Christmas Basket.

Please consider donating to help us feed many this

year that are in need. Or, you may mail in your check

designating your desire to give to the HOPE

Christmas Baskets to PO Box 625 Caribou,

Maine 04736.

Also, for our past ‘Giving Tree’ this year the

Caribou Fire Dept. will be collecting Toys for Tots.

We encourage you to please consider donating to

Toys for Tots to Caribou Fire Dept. 121 High

Street Caribou, Maine 04736 designating for Toys

for Tots.

Your generosity this season will help many that are

less fortunate. Thank you for sharing with many

families as we are in this trying pandemic time.

Star bright, lead all members of this family to Christ.

To spread goodwill through our communities during this difficult

time, we are asking all households to construct a

CHRISTMAS STAR

And to display it outside for all to see, on the door, in a window,

in the yard, or even on the roof!

Be as creative as possible and invite friends and neighbors to join

in!

We are hoping to have all stars up by the Second Sunday of

Advent—Dec. 6th.

Join us in this community-wide effort to bring light to the world!

The Christmas star symbolizes the star of Bethlehem, which

according to the Biblical story, guided the three kings, or wise

men, to the baby Jesus. The star is also the heavenly sign of a

prophecy fulfilled long ago and the shining hope for humanity.

Look at your Christmas star a little differently. Look at it as a

symbol of the fact that God has always provided travel guides to

earnest spiritual seekers. Throughout history, God has seen to it

that those who diligently seek after Christ will find Him. May

God lead each and every member of your family to Christ by the

guidance of your Christmas star.

Journeying with you,

Fr. Dave

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Parish Financial Stewardship Financial Blessings

Up Coming Second/Special Collections:

Nov. 29 Maintenance Fund

Dec. 6 Fuel Fund

Dec. 13 Retired Religious Fund

THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROSITY!

OFFERTORY Nov. 15, 2020

Collections Last Week :

First Collection $ 12,778

Second Collection - Mission Sunday $ 1,355

Total: $ 14,133

Total Collections YTD: $ 303,049

Collections Budget: $ 294,416

Total of Weekly Collections

this time last year $ 340,206

Current Weekly Average $ 15,152

Last Year Weekly Average $ 16,200

Have you signed up for our Online Giving yet? If not

just go to www.theppb.org. click on the ‘Donate

Now’ tab at the top of the page to get started.

Need help?

Call us at 498-2536.

NEW WeShare Collection for the

H.O.P.E. Christmas Basket Project

Easy, convenient and greatly appreciated!

Check it out at www.theppb.org

Lots of Good Things Happening in Our Parish!

St. Louis - Windows are completed, thanks to all who contributed!

Our Lady - New carpets are ordered and will be installed very soon!

Holy Rosary - The new ramp is installed, great work from a great team!

St. Mary and Holy Rosary - New livestreaming systems are in the works!

Window Insert Clinics - Next workshop is Dec. 12th from 9am-noon

None of this could be accomplished without all of our generous parishioners, wheth-

er through donations, fundraisers or actual labor - we are all so blessed and thankful!

This Tuesday is “Giving Tuesday”

Please keep our Parish needs in your consideration