WELCOME TO THE PARISH COMMUNITY OF�

�

ST. MARY’S CHURCH, BALLSTON SPA,�& ST. MARY’S CHURCH, GALWAY�

St. Mary’s of Ballston Spa�

Parish Office: 167 Milton Ave.�Ballston Spa, NY 12020�

�

Hours: M�F, 8:30 am � 2:30 pm �Emergencies call anytime.�

St. Mary’s of Galway�

PO Box 536�

2113 East St.�

Galway, NY 12074�

Marriage Policy: If you are planning on getting marr ied at St. Mary’s, Ballston Spa, or St. Mary’s, Galway, please call the parish office at 885�7411, before you make any commitment to a reception site. We don’t want anyone to be disappointed because the date is no longer available. Weddings can be scheduled for Fridays or Saturdays. No Sunday weddings are allowed. �

Phones: Par ish Office 885�7411�� � School 885�7300�� � Religious Ed/Youth Ministry 884�8479��Website: www.rcda.org/churches/stmarysballstonspa �

�

Masses: Sat. night for Sunday obligation 4:00 pm,�Sunday 8:30 am, 10:30 am & 12 noon��Confessions: Saturday 3:00 pm � 3:45 pm.�Every Tuesday evening after Novena Devotions &�

Mass 5:30 pm (except during Lent).��Baptisms: Call the Office for confirmation of time�(2nd & 3rd Sunday after 12 noon Mass), acceptance �of sponsors & instruction for new parents.�

Email: stmarygal@nycap.r r .com ��

Religious Ed: Contact Bonnie Nicolosi @ 588�0304 or�bonnieznicolosi@gmail.com�

�

Website: www.rcda.org/churches/stmarysballstonspa �

�

Masses: Sat. night for Sunday obligation 6:00 pm (July 1st � Labor Day weekend), �Sunday 9:30 am (year�round)��

Baptisms: Please call Joe Novak at 882�5412 at least 4 weeks in advance.�

Fr. Thomas J. Kelly, Pastor ~ Fr. Francis Vivacqua, Assoc. Pastor ~ Deacon Ronald Hogan�

Mrs. Lynn Fitzgerald, Principal�Sister Nancy Schmidt, RCIA Coordinator�

Mr. Jake Stomieroski, Youth Minister� Mrs. Vicki Schuette, Dir. of Religious Ed.�

�����

MONDAY � December 11, (Advent Weekday)�7:45 AM� � � Patricia, Michael, & William Henry �� � � � � � Mary Jo Henry�� � � � Bob Quinn�� � � � � � Beverly Valenti�TUESDAY � December 12, (Our Lady of Guadalupe)�5:30 PM� � � Vocations to the Priesthood�� � � � � � Josie Uhlinger & Mary Beth Flatley�� � � � Philip Knapp�� � � � � � Beverly Valenti�WEDNESDAY� December 13, (St. Lucy)�7:45 AM� � � Philip Wolfe�� � � � � � Wolfe Family�� � � � Special Intentions of Jessica Roberts�� � � � � � Hakanson Family� � �THURSDAY� December 14, (St. John of the Cross)�7:45 AM � � � James Rizzo�� � � � � � Son, David�FRIDAY � December 15, (Advent Weekday)�7:45 AM� � � John Dower�� � � � � � Ann Van�SATURDAY�December 16, (Vigil � 3rd Sunday of Advent)�4:00 PM � � � Marie Hogan� � � � � � � �� � � � � � Pat & Rick�� � � � Ronald Rhodes�� � � � � � Wife, Dolores�SUNDAY � December 17, (3rd Sunday of Advent)�8:30 AM � � � Pro Populo�10:30 AM�� � Robert Walker�� � � � � � Caesar & Barbara Taormina�12:00 PM�� � Rose & Bertha Smith�� � � � � � Niece, Doris�� � � � Philip Knapp�� � � � � � Mr. & Mrs. Bill Mevec & Family�

ALTAR SERVERS��

SAT., December 16�4:00 PM�

Liam Miller,�Sean Rudolph�

�

SUN., December 17�8:30 AM�

Justin Layer,�Liam Manion�

�

10:30 AM�Maegan Stewart,�Matthew Stewart�

�

12 NOON�Emerson Hover, Colleen Hogan�

�����

SAT., December 16�4:00 PM, Lector: Rita Halter �E.M.: Mary Anne Starnes,�Dorothy Lexa, Larry Lexa,�

Herb Peters, Marilyn Campbell��

SUN., December 17�8:30 AM, L: Patricia Neiswender�

E.M.: Jason Buczek,�Jo Perniciaro, Renate Knapp,�

Bernadette Putnam, Bob Gomez��

10:30 AM, L: Judy Bachorz�E.M.: Mary Beth Waterstram,�

Caesar Taormina, Patti Nichols,�Joyce Yates, John Yates�

�12:00 PM, L: Marilyn Hogan�

E.M.: Ed Foy,�Terri Flaws, Frank Haskell, �

Len Smith, Ann Quinn��

Choir: 10:30 AM Sundays�Contemporary Music Group:�

12 Noon�

S�. M���’ C� ���, B������ S��, NY�

MINISTERS�

Eucharistic Adoration & Evening Prayer�You’re invited to spend a little extra time with Jesus by joining us for Eucharistic Adoration & evening prayer from 5�6 pm on Monday, Dec. 11, 18, & Jan. 15, 22, 29. There will be NO Adoration on Christmas Day � Dec. 25, New Year’s Day � Jan. 1, or Monday � �Jan. 8.�

We thank you for your sacrificial offering� of $13,127 for Sunday, Dec. 3. To cover our �

weekly expenses, we need $11,500.� Our Lady of Peace Prayer Group will

meet on Tues., 12/19, at St. Mary’s Church, 6:30 pm � 8:15 pm. All are welcome!�

Join us on Sunday, December 17th at the 12 noon Mass

with Bishop Edward Scharfenberger, to celebrate the 150th Anniversary of our beautiful church, St. Mary’s in Ballston Spa! At 1:00 pm we will meet in the school for some refreshments & cookies. All are welcome!�

For your kind thoughts, get well & birthday wishes!

They are greatly appreciated!�

~ Mary Anne Starnes �

�Thank you to all

who helped organize the coffee hour & to those who came &

enjoyed coffee, donuts, & fellowship

with their fellow parishioners!�

The Bishop is coming! Like in our own home, we want the church to be welcoming.� We have scheduled cleaning�on Tuesday, Dec. 12, after 8:30 a.m.� The more hands the faster it will be done! Call 885�4659 if any questions.�

ST. MARY’S BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT GROUP will meet on Wed., Dec. 13, at 6:00 p.m. in the school sitting area outside of the auditorium. Please note the date change due to the Christmas holiday. Please use the Thompson St. entrance as this is the door that will be open for our meeting. Our meetings are open to anyone who is struggling with their grief after the loss of a loved one. Please feel free to join us for one of these informal meetings. For more info about our group, call Josephine Perniciaro at 518�596�6886. �

S����� S ���� �� A����� � D������� 10, 2017 �

St. Mary’s School�Lynn Fitzgerald, Principal�Ongoing Registration � �

Grades PreK�5/(518)885�7300�

MEDJUGORJE PILGRIMAGE�May 10 �21, 2018�

www.pilgrimages.com/stanton�

��Under the spiritual direction of �Fr. Francis Vivacqua!�

��Pamphlets located at the entrances of church.�More info to follow ...�

Advent Penance Services will be�held on Wednesday, Dec. 13, �

� at 12 noon at St. Peter’s Church, � Saratoga Springs, and�� at 6:30 pm at St. Mary’s Church, � Ballston Spa.�

CHRISTMAS MASS SCHEDULE��

@ St. Mary’s, Ballston Spa�Christmas Eve � Sun., 12/24,�4:00 pm � Church & School�7:30 pm � Church��

Christmas Day � Mon., 12/25,�8:30 am, 10:30 am, & 12 noon � Church��

@ St. Mary’s, Galway�Christmas Eve � Sun., 12/24, 5:30 pm�

�

Christmas Day � Mon., 12/25, 9:30 am�

Love from the Children in Haiti (Bake Sale 2017) �Thank you everyone! Because of your overwhelming generosity, love, & concern for the orphans at the Cardinal Stepinac Children Center in Haiti, we raised $2,352 to help Fr. Belanich, Director, to provide food, shelter, & medical assistance for the 54 children at the orphanage. Sincere thanks to Fr. Kelly. Fr. Vivacqua, Sr. Nancy, Jake & his Youth Ministry, parishioners who baked & made donations, & vendors who supported our raffle tables. Many thanks for making this blessing happen for the children who have so little. God Bless & Merry Christmas to all!�~ Our Lady of Peace Prayer Group�

Dec. 12, 1531 � From Dec. 9�12, a humble Indian was chosen by Mary to bring her message to the local bishop.� Finally, in obedience he presented himself by opening his tilma, dropping Castilian roses (a request of the bishop) and with the image of Mary on it.� The original robe is still on display in Mexico City despite earthquakes, fires, bombs, and floods.� Copies of this tilma are often seen at abortion sites, where there are still bloody sacrifices denying the Godly blessing of life.� In a few years after 1531, 8 million natives converted from their barbaric killing.� Interestingly, around that time, 5 million people in Europe left the Church!� Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us.�

St. Mary’s Full Day Pre�K News�

It is a very busy time of year for St. Mary’s Full Day

Pre�K red birds! We have started the month of

December discussing Advent. We made Advent

candles to display in the hallway and made chain

link countdowns for the children to bring home. In

class we have been discussing how to be kind and

compassionate with our friends and family. We have

started a good deed box that we would like to fill by

our Christmas break. When a child does a good deed

for a friend, we write it and place it in our box. The

children are very excited about waiting for

Christmas and celebrating Jesus’ Birthday!�

Attention: Families with Toddlers! Masterpiece Mondays�Open to all young parishioners!�

At St. Mary’s Preschool � Room 118�Monday, December 18, 2017 1:30 pm � 2:30 pm�

Join us for Christmas stories, activities &�a teacher directed craft!�

Build early literacy skills, creativity & fellowship!�Stay when you are done for some free playtime.�

Children aged 2 � 4 years old welcome with adult accompaniment.�

Please rsvp to save your spot:�885�7300 or anorton@smsbspa.org�

S�. M���’ M##�� C� ���, G��%��, NY��

�

�

��December 10, Sun., 2nd Sunday of Advent�9:30 am� � � Matthew Hanna�� � � � � � � Hanna Family�� � � � � Joseph Abrams�� � � � � � � Joan Hoffman

��December 17, Sun., 3rd Sunday of Advent�9:30 am� � � Jane Broschart�� � � � � � � Valenza Family�� � � � � Joe Minarski�� � � � � � � Peg Minarski & Children��

Next Sunday�there will be a second collection for Christmas flowers.� Please be as generous as you can, doing your part to help decorate our Church for the Christmas season.

We thank you for�your sacrificial�

offering of $1,391 �for Sunday,�

Dec. 3. To cover�our weekly�

expenses, we�need $1,000.�

Faith Formation: Living the Faith in Advent�The Spiritual Works of Mercy Part 2�

�

Forgive Injuries�Forgiving others is difficult at times because we do not have God's limitless mercy & compassion.� But Jesus teaches us that we should forgive as God forgives, relying on him to help us show others the mercy of God Participate in the�Sacrament of Penance � Pray the�Divine Mercy Chaplet��

Bear Wrongs Patiently�Do not be bitter about wrongs done against you.� Place your hope in God so that you can endure the troubles of this world & face them with a compassionate spirit. Frustrated with someone? Step away from the situation; take a few deep breaths, pray the Our Father, asking God for patience��

Pray for the Living & the Dead�Prayer is the most powerful way we can support others. Request a mass intention for a friend or family member who is going through a tough time. Request a mass intention for a friend or family member who has passed away. �

Health Ministry:�

Seasonal Affective Disorder “SAD” �

�For thou art my lamp, O LORD, and the

LORD gives light unto my darkness. �~2 Samuel 22:29�

��� With winter in the northern hemisphere approaching, it’s not

uncommon for people to feel sluggish or moody. Those symptoms can be typical of someone experiencing Seasonal Affective Disorder “SAD”, a type of depression that typically occurs during the winter. �

�� Symptoms include sleeping too much, overeating, loss of energy, social withdrawal and difficulty concentrating. Seek professional help is your symptoms begin to affect your ability to perform at work and or begin to take a toll on your personal relationships. Seeking clinical help is particularly important if you begin to feel hopeless, or have thoughts of self�harm. �

�� What causes SAD? Sunlight enters the brain through our eyes stimulating the production of a neurotransmitter, serotonin, which supports nerve cell functioning including mood. Less light results in lower levels of serotonin. Darkness stimulates the production of melatonin, which promotes sleep. The combination of less serotonin (which helps nerve cells cooperate) and increased amounts of melatonin (which puts a body to sleep) causes SAD.�

�� There are many people who experience winter blues but some experience the more serious symptoms. Try these ideas to keep your mood and motivation steady during the winter: �

�� GET OUTSIDE. There is no substitute for natural light. If you work during the day, try to go for a walk during a break or lunch. �

�� LIGHT THERAPY BOXES (Phototherapy�that suppresses the brain’s secretion of melatonin) can help boost your mood when you’re unable to get outdoors. �

�� GET REGULAR EXERCISE � At least three times a week for 30 minutes. �

�� STAY SOCIAL � Interact with family and friends on a regular basis. ~ Mayo Clinic�

St. Mary’s Community Service Group�Next weekend is our�monthly collection for the�Galway Food Pantry.��Non�perishable food, paper and cleaning products and items for personal hygiene will be greatly appreciated. Items may be placed in the bins located at both church entrances. Thank you in advance for your donations.��

Please sign Christmas Cards�for friends and the homebound of our Parish.��They are located in the Social Hall on the table.�

Parish News��

Jack Gannon�received the Sacrament of Baptism on Sunday, Dec. 3rd. May Jack & his family receive God’s Blessing as they begin their spiritual journey together.���

Our Faith Formation students will be�selling Christmas cookie gift packages they�decorated & prepared after Mass today. Sales will benefit our church.��Please support this special project!��

Wreath to Honor Veterans � There will be a Memorial

Service for Local Fallen Veterans � Sat., Dec. 16th � 12

noon at the following locations.� Wreaths will be

placed�simultaneously�on the memorials at Galway Village

Park, Galway Town Hall, Galway School, Providence Town

Hall, Charlton Village at The Gideon Hawley Park & Scotch

Church Cemetery. The Glenville Hills Garden Club is the

sponsor of this memorial service & invites all to join in

honoring the heroes that gave their lives for our freedom by

attending the Wreath Placing at one of the above mentioned

locations. Wreaths provided by Bob’s Trees and Glenville

Hills Garden Club.�

PLEASE JOIN US AFTER OUR 9:30 am MASS IN THE SOCIAL HALL for COFFEE, DONUTS, &

FELLOWSHIP. �