SATURDAY December 21 4:00 PM Mrs. Laurette Bessette By Mr. & Mrs. Charles Bessette SUNDAY December 22 *4th Sunday Advent 8:00 AM Albert & Rose Mucciarone By Son, Albert 10:00 AM For all Kaleta & Slabey grandparents By Granddaughter, Michelle
MONDAY December 23 NO MASS TUESDAY December 24 *Christmas Eve 4:00pm Ernest Martinelli By Wife, Cil 12 Midnight William Cook By Toni Harvey
WEDNESDAY December 25 *Christmas Day 10:00 AM St. Theresa’s Parishioners
THURSDAY December 26 7:30 AM Denise MacNamara & Jack Moore By Elaine & Jim MacNamara
FRIDAY December 27 6:30PM Lionel Chamberlain By Denise Vose
SATURDAY December 28 4:00 PM Joesph F DiPietro-for good health By Joe DiPietro SUNDAY December 29 8:00 AM All Souls In Purgatory 10:00 AM Aline Arsenault By Husband
Saturday, December 28, 2019 | 4 PM Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion Murielle Aubin Carol Brillon Joe Brillon
Lector Rose Turcotte
Altar Servers Clara Cardone Daniel Cardone Jacob Cardone Elizabeth Deziel
Ministers of Hospitality Hubert Arsenault Carmen LaCasse
Sunday, December 29 2019 | 10 AM Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion Joe DiPietro Toni Harvey
Gerry Marchand Denise Vose
Lector Toni Harvey
Altar Servers Anthony, Andrew Cardarelli Madelyn and Alexis Amitrano
Ministers of Hospitality Sandy Castiglioni Georgette Lavoie
It is a Catholic tradition to have Masses offered for deceased relatives and friends. To make Arrangements, please contact the parish office at 508-883-7206 or stop by the office.
To light a candle for a special intention at Mary’s Vigil Light, please contact the parish office.
This week Mary’s Vigil Lights burn for:
For all those in need
Members of the family requesting the Mass are asked to bring the gifts of bread and wine to the altar.
St. Michael’s Vigil Lights burn in honor of All Our Military Members in Harms Way.
December 10th Collections Corrections Stewardship 2,066.50 Share in Care 427.00 Immaculate Con. 421.00 Donations 30.00 Flowers 429.00 *due to holiday early submission, Dec 15th collection to be posted next week’s bulletin
DAILY Mon-Sat Noon 12 Golden Steps Meeting Father Lamothe Center
Sunday Dec. 22 8:30 a.m.—9:45 a.m.
After 10:00 am Mass
Happy Birthday Jesus Celebration
Coffee and …
Father Lamothe Center
Father Lamothe Center
Monday Dec. 23 NO MASS
Wednesday Dec. 25 10:00 a.m. Christmas Mass Church
Thursday Dec. 26 9:30 a.m. Prayer Shawl Group Father Lamothe Center
Please contact the parish office to notify us of someone who is home-bound, hospitalized, or recovering
from an illness and would like to receive Communion.
have a bit of time to share… why not stop by the Fr. Lamothe Center after Sunday 10:00am Mass for Coffee and...
THE THRIFT SHOP is now closed for the winter. We will
reopen and see everyone in the spring!
THE FOOD PANTRY is located in the parish hall’s thrift shop.
The parish Prayer Intensions Book is available to those who wish to make a prayer request. It is located beside the choir’s pews. Simply write your intentions so they may be offered up.
What’s Happening Around Our Diocese:
Fourth Sunday of Advent December 22, 2019 They shall name him Emmanuel, which means
“God is with us.” — Matthew 1:23
Christmas Flower & Liturgical Supplies Included in stewardship offering packets is an envelop to help support Christmas Flowers & Liturgical Supplies for the church. Envelops can be placed in the offertory basket during Mass each week. Thank you for your generosity!
What was the name of the Angel who revealed to Mary that she would be the mother of Jesus? A.) Michael B.) Gabriel C.) John D.) Joelah B. Gabriel
We Need Your Help at Mass Would you like to become more involved in the St. Theresa’s community? Consider serving as a Eucharistic Minister, Lector, Greeter, Choir, or for children an Altar Server. We are in need of volunteers at all Masses. We are happy to train you! For more information, please contact the parish office to be directed to the appropriate coordinator.
Meeting Christ in Prayer Starting next Monday, December 30th and running for 8 weeks, participants will meet every Monday From 7pm until 8:15pm. *If you are interested signing up for this encounter in please contact Bob Vose at 508-498-8858. Registration forms are available at entrances of the church. Completed forms can be given to either Bob Vose or Toni Harvey.
Happy Birthday Jesus Celebration is this Sunday, December 22nd from 8:30am until 9:45am in the Fr. Lamothe Center. Come celebrate by making crafts, and enjoying Happy Birthday Jesus cake. All are welcome!
Christmas Holiday Food Drive… concludes this Sunday, Dec 22nd. All donations will be given to St. Theresa’s Food Pantry
We are still in need of a permanent grade 7 Catechist for our program. Please consider joining our team and this ministry! If interested please contact Toni @ 508-254-3440.
The Fourth Week of Advent: The Week of LOVE
The whole meaning of Christmas can be explained in one four letter word… LOVE. God’s love was robed in the delicate skin of a baby wrapped in swaddling clothing. Born in a manger beneath the stars...LOVE came.
This final week of Advent is a time to recollect the first Christmas and to reflect on our Advent journey. If we have let the hustle and bustle of the season get in the way of our spiritual preparations for Christmas, may the light of the Advent candles be a symbol of Christ’s Love to each of us and help us refocus to the greatest gift of all, Jesus.
May the light of God’s Love shine in our hearts this fourth week of Advent and throughout the Christmas season!
Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord’” (Luke 2:8-11).
Christmas Caroling with St. Theresa’s children's Choir this Sunday, December 22nd— leaving the church at 6:00pm
Please Bring: warm clothes, a flashlight, and your friends & family!
Returning to church around 7:00pm for goodies and hot chocolate Please call Miss Paula with any questions 508-883-2435
Saint Theresa Parish Mission Statement Saint Theresa’s in Blackstone, MA founded in 1929 is a Catholic Community dedicated to being disciples of Jesus Christ. We strive to provide a loving environment where we can grow in our faith by worshiping God, receiving the Eucharist and giving to others using our talents and gifts. Guided by the Holy Spirit, we are committed to helping one another by serving those in need both spiritually and physically. Through these works of charity and by reaching out to all about the good news of Jesus Christ, we work to grow our community and become stronger in our faith. Adopted 5/5/16
BAPTISM: Baptisms are normally scheduled on Sundays following the 10:00am Mass. Please contact Father Thien or Deacon Gagliani for catechesis and arrangement for celebration of the sacrament. FIRST EUCHARIST AND CONFIMATION: Please contact the Religious Education office at 508-883-7206 ext. #5 to register or to inquire about sacramental preparation. MARRIAGE: Congratulations on your engagement! Marriage preparation takes about one year. Couples who wish to marry at Saint Theresa’s should see Father Thien or Deacon Gagliani as soon as possible. RECONCILIATION/PENANCE: Saturday at 3:00 to 3:40 p.m. in the confessional or by appoint-ment. ANOINTING OF THE SICK: Please call for a hospital visit or anointing of the sick.
PASTORAL STAFF AND MINISTRY LEADERS
Rev. Thien Nguyen, Administrator Deacon Anthony Gagliani
Receptionist/Secretary: Jill Castiglioni Music Ministry: Paula Ryan
Building and Grounds: Tom Petrowicz Coordinator of Religious Education: Toni Harvey
PREVENTING CHILD ABUSE IS EVERYONE’S RESPONSIBILITY
It is every adult’s moral Responsibility to protect victims of abuse by reporting suspected abuse or neglect to the responsible authorities. For assistance you may call: The Office for Healing and Prevention @ the Diocese of Worcester at 508-929-4363. Safe Environment Training for all staff & volunteers and CORI back-ground checks for all those who work with our children and youth are required at St. Theresa Parish.
TRUST IN GOD
On this final Sunday of Advent our scriptures focus on the historical birth of Jesus, who is son of David and Son of God, child and king, Jesus and Emmanuel. Isaiah the prophet begs Ahaz to ask for a sign, to allow God to offer him reassurance of the survival of the Davidic dynasty. The king hypocritically refuses to “tempt the LORD” in that way (Isaiah 7:12), but the prophet foretells the birth of a son, an heir to the throne, who will prove the Lord’s enduring protection of God’s chosen lineage on the throne of David. The child will be called Emmanuel. Matthew’s reference to this history in his description of the birth of Jesus highlights the contrast between the faithless refusal of trust shown by Ahaz, and the complete trust in God shown by Mary and Joseph in bringing about the birth of Jesus Christ.
