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THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT
DECEMBER 16, 2001 MASS INTENTIONS Saturday, December 15 4p.m. George Rodriques Sunday December 16 8 a.m. Leonard Guilbeault 9:30 a.m. Ellen Bender 11 a.m. Emma, Eugene, Dessert; Mary Dumont Mon. Dec. 17 Richard Lister, Elizabeth Peaston, Agnes Lister Tues. Dec. 18 Antonio Coelho and family Wed. Dec. 19 Robert Da Cunha Thurs. Dec. 20 Julia O. Ramos Fri. Dec. 21 Francisco Linhares and wife Saturday, December 22 4 p.m. Theresa Rodriques Sunday, December 23 8 a.m. Matthews Family 9:30 a.m. Ellen Bender 11 a.m. Katherine T. Hurley Sanctuary Lamp in Church Theresa Rodriques Sanctuary Lamp in Chapel Grace and Carmine Marinelli
Sunday, December 16 Christmas Caroling to the parish shutins. We leave the rectory at 2 p.m. We return at 3:30 p.m. for refreshments and hot chocolate in the rectory. All parishioners are invited to join us.
ADVENT PENANCE SERVICES FOR NEW BEDFORD * Monday, December 17 at St. Mary’s Church on Tarkiln Hill Road @ 7 p.m. * Tuesday, December 18 At St. Mary’s Church, South Dartmouth @ 7 p.m. The Sacrament of Penance is a very important preparation for the Feast
of Christmas. One of the Advent figures is John the Baptist. He comes in
Advent proclaiming: In the Sacrament of Penance we are able to name the certain barriers that we have in our lives that prevent the Lord from coming to us. We present them to the Lord and to the community of the Church. The Risen Lord living in his church forgives us and reconciles us to him and each other. We hear the words from the Risen Christ speaking through his Church: "You are forgiven". With raised hand the priest expresses for the Risen Christ and the Church that the forgiveness of Christ is descending upon us. Pope John Paul II constantly calls Catholics to return to this Sacrament regularly. The grace of the Sacrament helps in our process of conversion. The Church requires a Catholic to go to Penance when serious sin has been committed. However, the Pope explains that the Sacrament is also helpful when serious sin is not present. The grace of the Sacrament helps us to grow in holiness which is the call that comes from our baptism. There are times when the community aspect of the Sacrament can be emphasized such as in the Season of Advent. A Penance Service gathers people together to hear the Word of God ; to hear preaching on the Word which calls to repentance and conversion ; to pray for one another ; and to take advantage of many priests who are available to celebrate the Sacrament. The two Penance Services that are listed above for our greater City of New Bedford are intended to accomplish these goals |
