From the desk of Monsignor Bride
 We celebrate today the Third Sunday of Advent, known as Gaudete Sunday or Sunday in Rose.  It is usually seen as the midpoint of Advent.  However, this year because December 25th falls on a Monday, there are only 7 days remaining in Advent. Next week is the Fourth Sunday of Advent or the final Sunday of Advent and that night is Christmas Eve. Our goal of Christmas is in sight. The time is NOW for us to prepare for Christmas. Among religious leaders there is always the fear that Christmas is being robbed of its meaning. This is because of the high level of commercialism in the season. This blocks out the internal spirit and real meaning.  This places an additional burden on us all because we must be the ones to keep the proper perspective and proper meaning to this very important event in the life of Jesus Christ and in our lives.
There is no better way to keep all this in perspective than to make a good confession in preparation for the coming of Christ.  This is truly a season of repentance. And this repentance goes beyond just making a simple confession of wrong doings.  It involves a profound change of the whole person and demands turning our backs on old self-centered habits.
 Each of us has obstacles and barriers at the door of our hearts.  There are valleys to be filled in, the many gaping sins of omission (the good we meant to do but never did), our neglect or forgetfulness of neighbors and loved ones whom we had every intention of calling, visiting, sending a card, but who just got lost in the shuffle. How many wasted opportunities there are in life for kindness to one another that we ignore, simply because we forget or are too busy with other matters or are filled with a pride that prevents these kindnesses.
A really good examination of conscience before going to confession assists us in taking a good look at ourselves and coming to grips with these matters that are so important for us and so necessary if we are to truly change our lives during this Advent season.
Monsignor Bride  

CHRISTMAS MUSICAL
THIS SUNDAY
AT 2:00 P.M.
here in Church.
This is a wonderful way to spend a few hours this Sunday afternoon before Christmas, helping to put the proper Christmas perspective on this season.
BRING  A  FRIEND!
Reception to follow in the Hall.

                                               
ADULT  ED  WILL  NOT  
MEET ON MONDAY NIGHT AT 6:30 PM.
Classes will resume on Monday, January 8, 2007

THERE WILL BE NO CRUSADE OF PRAYER ON FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22nd, OR ON
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29th.
 
Christmas Schedule
Confessions:
Saturday, December16th
   Morning    11:00 AM to 12 NOON
   Afternoon    3:45 PM to 4:15 PM
Saturday, December 23rd
  Afternoon    3:45 PM to 4:15 PM
Tuesday, December 19th
  Evening   6:30 PM to 7:30 PM
     (No Confessions Christmas Eve)

Sunday, December 24th in the Morning
8:00 A.M.  – 10:30 A.M.
  ( 4TH SUNDAY OF ADVENT   WEEKEND MASSES.)

Sunday evening, December 24th
  5:00 PM Family Christmas VIGIL Mass
10:00 PM  Midnight Mass
Monday, December 25th
9:00 AM Christmas Morning Mass
Saturday, December 30th
Feast of the Holy Family- Vigil Mass at 5:00 PM
Sunday , December 31st
8:00 and 10:30 AM

The Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, The Mother of God
(Not a Holy Day This Year)
New Year’s Day 2007
Sunday Night, December 31, 2006
New Year’s Eve Mass 5:00 P.M.

Monday Morning New Year’s Day
 January 1, 2007
8:00 A.M.

CHRISTMAS SHARING TREE IS SET UP IN BACK OF THE CHURCH.
We need to prepare for distribution the gifts we have received.
Please drop the gift off.      
         

During this Christmas season, please continue to bring your weekly gift of food. There is great need during this season and you gift of food at the door of the Church HELPS GREATLY.
Blood Supplies are Critically low
PLEASE DONATE BLOOD THIS WINTER.  Each year, as the weather gets cold and often stormy, our state’s blood supply falls to dangerously low levels.  Please call 1-800-GIVE LIFE (800-448-3543) or visit bloodct.org, and make your appointment.

Oplatek
we have available “Oplatek” (Christmas Wafers). There are four per envelope. The custom of Oplatek dates back many centuries to an obscure Polish village and has been a cherished custom by Polish People everywhere up to the present day. You may enter the sacristy and pick up your Oplatek envelope. Donation is $3.00 per envelope. (Place in money envelope.)

                                     
                 Announced Masses

Monday, December 18th         3rd  Week of  Advent
7:30 A.M. Sr. Mary Daniel Sutula   (OLPH Ladies Guild)
Tuesday,  December 19th      3rd  Week of  Advent
7:30 A.M.  William Glynn   (Monsignor Bride)
Wednesday,  December 20th    3rd  Week of  Advent
7:30 A.M.     Mary Icardi   (Alton & Eileen Button)
Thursday,  December 21st       3rd  Week of  Advent
7:30 A.M.  Parishioners of OLPH
Friday, December 22nd         3rd  Week of  Advent
7:30 A.M. Karl Alfred Schuh   (Son, Chris Schuh)