The Third Sunday of Advent

December 16, 2012

REJOICE! THE LORD IS NEAR!

In todays Gospel, the crowds are gathered around John, seeking the baptism of repentance. They ask him a straightforward question: What should we do? His answers are practical, everyday ones, summed up in three simple instructions: Share! Be fair! Prepare! How might we follow Johns advice today? Share food and clothes, of course, the basic necessities of life; but also your time, your talents, your convictions, your friendship, your compassion, your commitment. Make a contribution to our parish, our food pantry, or whatever other charity deserves your support. Volunteer some time. Be fair in your relationships, your professional life, your work, your family life; embrace your responsibilities at home, at church, as a citizen, as a member of the global community. Prepare not just for Christmas as an event, but by creating a space for Christ in your heart and in your life, as did Mary and Joseph. Reread those Gospel stories. Find a little quiet time to pray. Examine your conscience. Take advantage of one of the opportunities offered to celebrate the sacrament of Reconciliation this week. Finally do it all with joy. Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I say rejoice! The Lord is near! We have a reason to be joyful: the coming of Jesus Emmanuel God-with-us. The week before Christmas gets so hectic and stressful that we easily lose that sense of inner peace and joy. So let us be encouraged by the words of St. Paul: Do not worry about anything; pray to God in thanksgiving; the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

NEW POLICY FOR MASS INTENTIONS

Every week, many people come to St. Monicas to request that a Mass be celebrated for a relative or friend who has died. In the Eucharist, we pray for the repose of the soul of our loved one, as we ask for the prayerful support of family, friends and parish community. Often such requests are made weeks or even months in advance. It is also common that the birthday of a loved one, or the anniversary of their death, be celebrated by offering a Mass in their memory. This can lead to a large number of requests in any given month. Previously, to accommodate the high volume of requests for Masses, we have allowed the booking of two or even three intentions per Mass. This practice is not consistent with the principle of one Mass, one intention, enshrined in canon law to prevent the abuse of multiplying Mass intentions in order to increase the stipends paid to the priest and/or parish. After much discussion, reflection and prayer, it was decided that we should follow our diocesan norms more closely. Thus, beginning January 1, 2013, we will only be accepting one official intention for each Mass. This may be in the form of an individual name, or a family grouping (e.g. George, Mary & Fred Smith or Deceased members of the Smith Family). These will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. The regular offering for these Masses remains $15, as per diocesan norms. We realize that many parishioners have dates of significant importance on (or close to which) they wish to remember a loved one. If a loved one has died recently, it may not be appropriate to have to wait several months until the next available date. Our experience also shows that there is a high demand for Sunday Masses, for this is when family and friends are more likely to be able to attend. To accommodate this, our Loving Memory program will be expanded. Every weekend, one of the three Masses will be designated a Memorial Mass, rotating between the Saturday 4 PM, and the Sunday 8:30 AM and 11 AM Masses. No set fee or amount will be requested, but a free-will offering will be gratefully accepted. For this Mass, the names of the deceased will be listed in the bulletin and announced during the Prayers of the Faithful, but not those of the requesting person or family. For more information, please see Deacon Bernie or call him at the office.

Il testo in lingua italiana disponibile presso le porte della chiesa.

CHRISTMAS SCHEDULE 2012 December 24th Family Mass with Pageant at 7:30 PM Midnight Mass at 10:00 PM Christmas Day Masses at 8:30 & 11:00 AM

Mass Intentions December 16-23, 2012

4:00 December 15, 2012 Angelo Caucci Leonardo Ricciardi Elizabeth Flynn December 16, 2012 Alba Paliotti Bernadette Boudreau Isa Mazzella Rosolino Sparapani Giacomo Fiori Fioravanti Rotiroti December 17, 2012 Ermando Giuseppe Nudo Concetta DiVincenzo & Raffaele Di Vincenzo December 18, 2012 Luigi Spinelli John Delziel December 19, 2012 Robert Di Giacomo December 20, 2012 Isa Mazzella December 21, 2012 Sr. Dorothy Lehman, CND December 22, 2012 Anna & Italo Mariani & Italo Falcone Bernadette Boudreau December 23, 2012 Antonio Bei Luigi & Antonio Onesi Paolo Ciccarelli Maria Lonardo Aiello Liberato & Maria Di Ioia Bruno Fiori Advent Saturday Teresa Caucci His Family Dolores Archer The Third Sunday of Advent The Paliotti Family & Friends Jack, Sheila & Greta Robert & Joyce Cornforth Maria & Family His Wife Berardina & Family The Rotiroti Family Monday, Advent Weekday His wife Elvira Mafalda Di Roberto Tuesday, Advent Weekday Lina & Family Gary Rooney Wednesday, Advent Weekday The Family Thursday, Advent Weekday Lillian & Bernie Glover Friday, St. Peter Canisius Rosa & Luigi Salvati Advent Saturday Luisa & Angelo Falcone Mary Maloney The Fourth Sunday of Advent His Wife Gabriella Bei Settimia Onesi & Family Beata Ricci & Family Her Husband Carmelo Their sister Anna Di Ioia The Zilli Family

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Collection Envelopes The 2013 collection envelopes are ready on the tables in the back of the church. Please take only the box with your name/number on it. If you are not sure of your number, there are two folders at the back of the church, the green folder contains a list by NAME, the yellow folder is listed by NUMBER. If you do not find your number, please speak to Deacon Bernie at the back of the church, or at the office during the week. NOTE: If you are already using envelopes and your name does not appear on the list, please talk to Deacon Bernie as soon as possible.

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Did you receive the Christmas Letter?

If you didnt, it is possible that you are not currently registered on the Parish Lists, or that you have moved and we dont have your new address. We urge you to pick up a copy of the letter on your way out of church today. We also ask that you contact the office to verify that your information is correct. ADVENTRECONCILIATIONSERVICES PLEASE JOIN US AS WE CELEBRATE THE LORDS HEALING MERCY IN THE SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION. ADVENT RECONCILIATION SERVICES FOR THE WEST END PARISHES WILL BE HELD AT: ST. IGNATIUS OF LOYOLA TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18TH FOLLOWING THE MASS AT 7:30 PM ST. RICHARDS THURSDAY, DECEMBER 20TH AT 7:30 PM ST. MONICAS SATURDAY, DECEMBER 22ND FROM 2:30 TO 3:45 P.M.

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Thank you for supporting your parish Last weeks collection was: $3,719.00 . THEIR FIRST RECONCILIATION Our grade 3 Faith First children celebrated the Sacrament of Reconciliation this weekend. Congratulations to Tony Abat, Devlin Aitken, Patrick Myles Akbaba, Bjeanx Barba-Mendiola, Michael Ciocca, Antoine Davy, Sofia Delraso, Million Fsaha, Jennifer Gagnon, Joulle Haileab, Jakob Kuhn-Olioff, Benjamin Merid-Moore, Joshua Onichino, Emma Popieraites, Leonardo Ricciardi, Jasmine Roussel and Maritza Santos