December 11, 2016 Third Sunday of Advent

Daily Mass: Mon - Fri: 9am Morning Prayer 8:45am

St. Athanasius Church 300 Haverhill St, Reading, 01867 Monday - Friday 9am-4pm www.StAthanasiusReading.org [email protected] Facebook:

Eucharistic Adoration Thursdays 6:30 - 7:30pm Confessions Available

Twitter: twitter.com/StAsReading Phone: 781-944-0330 Fax: 781-944-1266

Sunday Mass: Vigil 4pm; 9am, 11am

facebook.com/StAthanasiusReading

First Saturday Mass: 9am

Reconciliation: Saturdays 3:153:45pm and during Eucharistic Adoration. Baptism: Celebrated the 3rd Sunday at 1pm. Call to register for Baptism Prep. Anointing of the Sick: Notify the office when a person is seriously ill. Extraordinary Ministers are available to bring the Eucharist to the homebound. Marriage: Call at least 6 months in advance of your wedding.

St. Athanasius Parish, Reading, MA

December 11, 2016

Please pray for our military and civilians who defend our freedom, especially: The 26th “Yankee” Brigade, and 1st Lts. Ryan & Nolan Johnson, US Army, Patrick Cavanaugh, PFC Christopher Lewis, Lcpl Brenden Amico, Cpl. 3rd Class Christopher Donohue, Justin Whitmarsh, Pvt Michael Goddard, Chaplain Tom Whiteman

Saturday, December 10 4pm Katie Knee Sunday, December 11 9am Follo & Rubbico Family 11am Mass for the People of St Athanasius Monday, December 12 9am Edna Pomerleau Tuesday, December 13 9am Talia Ronga Wednesday, December 14 9am Fr. John F X Fallon Thursday, December 15 9am Leo Champoux Friday, December 16 9am Mass Saturday, December 17 4pm Lucy Bertoncini Birthday Memorial Sunday, December 18 9am Vincent Connors Memorial Mass 11am Mass for the People of St Athanasius

S CRIPTURE

FOR THE WEEK OF

Remember those in need of prayers, especially: Maryann Lucerto, Margaret Sumner, John Cadigan, Mary Lou, Dianne, Bill, Scott , Dan Hallidy, David S Attachi Family, Olga Calautti, Paula, Joanne Curran, Jimmy, Charles Morrison, Frank F, Frank DelGreco, Barbara Coffin, Ruthie, Richard Rossi, Robert D, Thomas D, Andrew D, Richard D, Phil T, Jen M, Fran P, Bryan M, Marion M, Anna Windels, Mary McNerney, Larry Y, Denise S, John, Mary G, Shirley N, Carol & Frank, Deborah, Patricia Maines, Justin L, Jay, Paula, Mike, David, Bubba Toussaint, Joan D, Nana K, Sue, Remo, Katie Willenborg, Denise, Josephine, Sammy, Bill, Guarino Family, Joan B, Kevin G, Brian, Joe O, Dennis Jancsy, Cathy M, Cynthia L, Jill, Marianne G, Dillon R, Mr. Blunt, Denise B, Ann Swift, Molly, Rob, Guy, Denis Hebert, Babies Max and Nate, Mike P, Paula P, Jeff M, Andrew R, Justin L, Marge Q, Jen M, Norma M, Julie, Pat K & Family, Marie Brown, JDF & Family, Patrick & Brianna, Rick Q, Trudy, Sean T, Dianne, Bob L, Flora T, Danny, Dina Luongo, Tim I, Beth O, Anne Bernadette, Caroline, Steve R, The Nowicki Family, Scott, Jon S, Trudy, Carla, Patrick M, Matthew, Paula, Marie M, Julius L, Barbara, Gil, Sheila S, Brian, Sue, Bob C, Kaitlyn, Rose, Dom, Daniel, Ron R

D ECEMBER 11

11 SUN Is 35:1-6a, 10/Jas 5:7-10/Mt 11:2-11 12 Mon Zec 2:14-17 or Rv 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab/Lk 1:26-38 or Lk 1:39-47 (690A) 13 Tue Zep 3:1-2, 9-13/Mt 21:28-32 14 Wed Is 45:6b-8, 18, 21b-25/Lk 7:18b-23 15 Thu Is 54:1-10/Lk 7:24-30 16 Fri Is 56:1-3a, 6-8/Jn 5:33-36 17 Sat Gn 49:2, 8-10/Mt 1:1-17 18 SUN Is 7:10-14/Rom 1:1-7/Mt 1:18-24

These names will stay in the Prayer Corner until Sunday, January 4th. Call the office or email [email protected] to add or renew your loved ones on the list.

M EETINGS & E VENTS

W EEKLY O FFERTORY Mass Attendance: 587 First Collection: $9374 Christmas Flowers: $3099 This Week: Deficit Reduction

Monday, Dec 12

Prayer Shawl

9:30 PAC

Saturday, Dec 17

Youth Ministry/Cor Unum Meal Center

3:15-7:30

Sunday, Dec 18

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Lessons & Carols with Christmas Pageant

2:30

St. Athanasius Parish, Reading, MA

December 11, 2016

Advent Events LADIES SODALITY LADIES SODALITY WILL BE

The Little Blue Books Are Available for Advent!

MEETING SATURDAY

In the back of the Church, copies of the Little Blue Books for Advent are available for your spiritual reading during this holy season. Please feel free to take a copy. The books consist of short daily Scripture readings, reflections, and take only a few minutes a day to read. They are a wonderful way to get in the true spirit of the season!

DECEMBER 17th @ 8:00am IN THE PAC. PLEASE CONSIDER JOINING US FOR AN HOUR OF SERVICE AND PRAYER.

Giving Tree Thank you for supporting our annual Christmas giving program. Many area families are struggling to provide the necessities for themselves. Through our parish’s generosity, 50 families have been provided with Christmas gifts, reminding them of Jesus’ message of love and hope.

SAVE THE DATE! LESSONS AND CAROLS DECEMBER 18th at 2:30 pm FEATURING CHILDREN’S On Wednesday December 21 from 6:30-8:00pm St. Athanasius will be open for Confession. The Archdiocese has set up a site, www.TheLightIsOnForYou.org, to help you prepare. It has info on the Sacrament of Reconciliation, on how to make a good Confession, answers to frequently-asked questions and more. Please plan to come and spread the word of this outreach of mercy to those you know.

CHRISTMAS PAGEANT Grades 7 - 10 this is part of your group classroom requirements. It is on the schedule and is obligatory.

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St. Athanasius Parish, Reading, MA

December 11, 2016

YOUTH MINISTRY

HOLY HOUR

BRAD AGOSTINELLI - YOUTH MINISTRY

[email protected]

• Youth Night Christmas Party ο During our December Youth Night, we will be making gingerbread houses and Christmas cards for local nursing homes. We will also watch The Polar Express and enjoy desserts. Middle and high schoolers can contact Brad. ο Date: Saturday, 12/10 at 7-9pm ο Location: St. Athanasius Parish Center • Cor Unum Meal Center ο Our next visit to serve dinner at Cor Unum Meal Center in Lawrence is on Saturday 12/17. These trips are open to ages 13 and up. ο Meet at 3:15pm in the St. Athanasius Parish Center and return around 7 or 8pm. ο PLEASE RSVP TO BRAD BY FRIDAYS 12/9 respectively. SPACE IS VERY LIMITED. • New Year's Eve Countdown Party at Sanborn ο On Saturday, 12/31 at 11am-12:30pm we'll be bringing a group to Sanborn Place to spend time with our elderly brothers and sisters to celebrate the New Year. Middle and high schoolers and adult volunteers can contact Brad by Monday, 12/19 to sign up to participate. ο Date: Saturday, 12/31 at 11am-12:30pm ο Location: Sanborn Place in Reading • Remind ο We have started a group communication program using text messaging called Remind. Get youth ministry updates via texts right to your phone. Your cell phone number will not be known. ο To get started, text @stasyouth to the number 81010 and follow the instructions. • Social media ο Follow us on Instagram @saintasyouth or like us on Facebook at St. Athanasius and St. Agnes Youth Ministry. • Music ministry ο Musicians and singers are wanted! Any middle or high schoolers who sing or play an instrument are invited to participate in the Mass choir at St. Athanasius. Please contact Music Director John Donovan for more information: [email protected].

Wednesday, December 14th - 7:00 PM Saint Agnes Church

INTERESTED IN PARTICIPATING IN THE ANNUAL CHILDREN’S PAGEANT HELD ON DECEMBER 18th (as part of the Lessons and Carols program)

JOIN US DOWNSTAIRS IN THE CHURCH HALL AT 2:00 TO RECEIVE A PART AND PRACTICE EVERYONE GETS A PART (there are no speaking parts)

JOIN US FOR HOT CHOCOLATE AND COOKIES AFTER THE PROGRAM IN THE PAC. ADULT VOLUNTEERS NEEDED TO HELP KEEP THIS TRADITION GOING.

Brad Agostinelli Youth Minister St. Athanasius Catholic Church - Archdiocese of Boston Office: 781-944-0330 Cell: 585-200-2831 [email protected] www.stathanasiusreading.org

Questions contact MaryAnne Cuscuna @781-944-5460

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St. Athanasius Parish, Reading, MA

December 11, 2016

Meet the Bishop Bishop Mark O’Connell, our new Regional Bishop will be conducting a specially designed meeting on: Tuesday, December 13th at 7:00 pm The meeting will be held in the St. Theresa’s Parish Hall and is designed for: • • • •

Parish Staff Pastor ………………………………. Reverend Darin V. Colarusso [email protected] Parochial Vicar………………………..Reverend Patrick Armano [email protected] Permanent Deacon………………………….Deacon Neil Sumner [email protected]

non-Catholics fallen away Catholics confused Catholics and those who would just like to be a part of the conversation

Permanent Deacon…………..….………...Deacon Matt Baltier [email protected] Administrative Office Manager………………….. Nancy Sieger [email protected]

The meeting will be a simple format of questions and answers with me. Please feel to invite your friends and family members who might want the opportunity to meet me and ask questions about our Church in an open, non-judgmental format.

Coordinator of Religious Ed……………………….. Jo-Ann Rossi [email protected] Music Director..………………………………………..John Donovan [email protected] Business Manager……………………………………...Janine Castro [email protected]

Please feel most welcome to come, Bishop Mark

Administrative Assistant ……………………….. Luann Barretto [email protected] Youth Ministry……………………………………….Brad Agostinelli [email protected]

Become a Hospice Volunteer “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” -Mahatma Gandhi All Care Hospice is currently seeking caring, compassionate people to offer comfort and support to our patients and families. As part of the care team, volunteers serve a vital role in affecting the quality of our patients’ lives. Each volunteer opportunity is unique and varies depending on the needs of the patient and family as well as the volunteer’s availability and interests. Patient care may include providing companionship through conversation, reading aloud, reminiscing, or even just holding their hand. Other duties help alleviate stress for the caregiver such as running errands like grocery shopping and trips to the pharmacy, light housekeeping or meal preparation. Administrative tasks involve assembling admission packets, assisting with mailings, photocopying, and special event preparation. All Care Hospice serves the North Shore, Merrimack Valley and Greater Boston. For more information or to enroll in a training, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Maureen Burge at 781-244-1129

Bulletin Submissions [email protected] By Monday 9 am READING FOOD PANTRY NEEDS December Microwave Popcorn, Spaghetti Sauce, Raisins (6Pack), Hot Cocoa, Canned Meats & Fish (Turkey, Ham, Spam, Tuna, Sardines, & Chopped Clams, Laundry Detergent, Soap, Toothpaste, Kleenex

Coffee Hour We need hosts for January 8 & 22 Contact Sophie at 781-944-9085 or sign up in the Parish Center. 5

St. Athanasius Parish, Reading, MA

December 11, 2016

Pilgrimage to Fatima & Santiago Celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the Apparitions - February 16-23, 2017

Ladies’ Prize Bingo! • Sunday, January 8th at 6pm in the PAC • Potluck food and drinks • $20 - ladies of all ages welcome • Only 80 tickets available so buy yours today • Available in the office or through Cindy Canavan 781-872-0042 or [email protected] • Purses, jewelry, makeup, scarves, and more! Everyone goes home with something.

Join Fr. Patrick Armano on a Spiritual Pilgrimage to the holy sites in Portugal and Spain. The highlights will include a visit to the Shrine of Fatima, Shrine of Our Lady of Nazareth in Nazare, Coimbra, Braga, and Santiago de Compostela, Spain. The cost is $2,398.00 db occupancy. A $350.00 deposit is due now with your reservation form. If you have any questions, please contact Cathy DiPirro, Group Leader at 781307-2474 or [email protected]

Worldwide Marriage Encounter “Oh house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the Lord!” As we begin the anticipation of Advent, let us walk together in the love of God by participating in a Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend. The next WWME Weekend is Jan 20-22, 2017 in Duxbury, MA. For more information, call Stephen & Michelle O'Leary at 800-710-9963 or visit us at www.WWMEMA.org.

Join us for Eucharistic Adoration at St. Athanasius Every Thursday from 6:30-7:30pm With Confession

Donation Opportunities for Special Items Heating Oil (1 week) 1 Month of Altar candles Flowers for the week Bread & Wine for the week

HELP WANTED!

$500.00 $100.00 $50.00 $40.00

We need 2 people and 2 vehicles to pick up our Christmas flowers on Thursday Dec.

Christmas Collection

nd

22 at Kane’s Flower World on Route 114 This Christmas, the collection will once again benefit the Clergy Health and Retirement Trust which cares for the needs of our priests. Our priests are always there for us; they share Christ’s good news, perform good works, and build communities of good faith. All are welcome to learn more and make a gift online at clergytrust.org. And don’t forget to find the Trust on Facebook by searching “@ClergyTrust.” Thank you in advance for your prayers and support.

in Danvers. Must have a van or SUV. If you can help, please call Sophie Beninati at 781-944-9085 or the office at 781-9440330. Thank you.

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