A Few Words
from Father Steve
Dear Friends,
THE CHRISTMAS SEASON overflows with memories and traditions.
We save some of our best songs, stories, films, and recipes for this season
of the year. We send out cards and notes, and we do all kinds of odd things
that we would never do at any other time - like hang empty socks by the
fireplace and bring a tree into the house and put wrapped gifts under
it. We get wistful at the sound of a carol, and the ringing of a bell
can make us teary-eyed. We get, in short, very sentimental.
The sentimental side of Christmas has its value. It can
remind us to appreciate each other and to share with those who have less
than we do. But we also have to be a little wary of it because the liturgy,
our greatest catechist, teaches us that there is nothing “sentimental”
about Christmas. Indeed, if we look only at the texts of the liturgy,
we discover that Christmas is the “feast of our salvation”
(Collect, Vigil Mass), the “beginning of our redemption” (Prayer
over the Offerings, Vigil Mass). Christmas is about the restoration of
order to the universe, as God and humanity are united once more through
Jesus Christ: “by our communion with God made man, may we become
more like him who joins our lives to yours” (Prayer over the Offerings,
Mass at Midnight). Christmas is a feast of light, a light that shines
not only on us, but in us: “we are filled with the new light by
the coming of your Word among us,” (Collect, Mass at Dawn).
There is no nostalgia in these Christmas liturgies. Instead,
they are solemn, joyful, yet urgent. They make it clear that Christmas,
while it recalls the historical fact of Christ’s birth long ago
in Bethlehem, is less about then than it is about now - today! The liturgy
emphasizes our participation in the mystery of the Incarnation. The “today”
of Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds becomes our “today.”
THE OCTAVE AND SEASON OF CHRISTMAS:
Like Easter, Christmas is too big for just one day: it overflows into
a special season of its own. The octave (eight) days of Christmas are
celebrated with special solemnity. Within the octave we continue to celebrate
the reality of Christ’s Incarnation, from a different perspective,
with the feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. The octave
concludes with the solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of
God, on January 1st, the first great solemnity of Mary in the Church.
The Christmas season continues with the solemnity of the Epiphany of the
Lord. This great solemnity honors the “manifestation” of Christ.
Epiphany is traditionally celebrated on the twelfth day after Christmas
(January 6th) but in places where Epiphany is not a national holiday,
it is transferred to Sunday. This year it falls on January 5th. The Christmas
season concludes with the celebration of the feast of the Baptism of the
Lord (January 12th). With His baptism, the so-called hidden years of Jesus’
life come to an end, and his public ministry commences and we enter Ordinary
Time.
With love, Father Steve
FAMILY ROSARY ON ZOOM
Please join us in praying the Family Rosary every Sunday at 7:30
pm on Zoom. Bring God’s peace into your home by uniting
with His mother’s heart in reciting the Holy Rosary. Meeting
ID: 812 7108 4187 Passcode: 049215.
All are welcome. If you are having trouble logging on, please email Susie
at stchristinereled@aol.com
or you may call the CCD Office at 781-837-0088.
CONFESSION
Confession enables everyone to experience God’s love and forgiveness.
Father Steve will be available on Saturday afternoons from 4:00 pm to
4:45 pm for anyone who wishes to go to Confession.
Last Weekend's Offertory Collection |
Budgeted
Goal: |
$9,800 |
Received: |
$4,375 |
On-Line
Giving: |
$2,750 |
Total:
|
$7,125 |
Defecit: |
$2,675 |
|
>>
Your generosity is GREATLY appreciated!!<< |
~
Thanks to all our Online Giving subscribers.
~ |
~ Please Consider
our Online Giving Program ~ |
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
Grade 2 First Penance
In light of the rising Covid cases, the Grade 2 January Retreat
and February First Penance Service have been rescheduled for March
2021. An email with information detailing the procedure of the Family
Retreat and the First Penance Service will be sent to all Grade
2 families this week. Thank you for your understanding and patience
during these uncertain times. God bless you.
Click
on the Weekly Bulletin link above to read all CCD Announcements.
GRAND ANNUAL COLLECTION 2020
- GOAL: $120,000 | RECEIVED:
$72,270
Our Grand Annual will take place from now through February 2021. As
you may recall, we did not have a Grand Annual Collection in April due
to the pandemic. This fund is necessary to balance our church budget.
Grand Annual envelopes have been mailed to all our parishioners. Each
family is asked to contribute $400 dollars. However, what one gives
is your choice and no one should give beyond their means. Your envelope
may be mailed or returned to the church or to the rectory anytime. You
may also make a donation on-line either as a one time payment or over
a period of time. I am so grateful to you. Thank you for your generosity
and support of our parish. Father Steve
ALPHA IS COMING TO TOWN!!!
February 3 through April 14
Alpha Online is a series of sessions exploring the Christian faith.
A typical session involves gathering via Zoom to watch a 20 - 30 minute
Alpha video looking at a different question around faith. The video
is designed to spark conversation in an open and safe environment. Conversations
follows the video in small groups with a facilitator. The sessions will
take place from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm each week. Alpha is sponsored by
Holy Family Parish, Saint Mary/St. Joseph and Pilgrim Catholic Collaborative.
For more information, please contact Ms. Jeanne Creegan at jcregan@holyfamilyduxbury,org
or call 781-934-5055 x114.
CATHOLIC WOMEN TODAY & TOMORROW
CWTT is planning a limited ZOOM meeting on Thursday, January 28 th from
7 to 8 pm. We will all participate in learning from Audrey Colangelo
how to make a true Italian red sauce and meat balls - some for yourself
and a portion to share with the seniors at Winslow Village. A list of
needed ingredients will be provided. We are limiting participants to
20 women so reserve your place by contacting Jeanne Dominick at mjsdmed@aol.com
or call 781-267-4511. We hope to hear from you and see you virtually.
SOWING SEEDS
Sowing Seeds welcomes donations of newer winter jackets, sweaters, hats
and gloves and warm clothing for men, women and children in all sizes.
Always needed are baby wipes and diapers for babies, toddlers and adults.
The Clothing Bank located on the corner of Route 139 and School Street
is open on Thursday andSaturday mornings from 10:00 am to 12 noon to
dis tribute and receive donations. Thank you for your help.
VOCATIONS: We
pray that families will make their homes places where children can hear
God call them by name.
REFLECTIONS:
Can you recall a time when your faith transformed you?
BULLETIN SUPPORTERS:
We sincerely thank all of our advertisers who have placed ads in our
bulletin. Please support the businesses that advertise in our parish
bulletin as their ads help to defray the cost of the bulletin.
Other Catholic Activities at Local Parishes Hour
of Prayer
Our Lady of Assumption Church in Marshfield Tuesday, January 19th 3:00
to 4:00 pm We will pray for those affected by Covid 19, for the families
who have lost loved ones and for the healing of our country during these
trying times in America. We will also pray the Divine Mercy with veneration
of the relic of St. Faustina and the redemptive Mysteries of the Rosary.
Prayer booklets will be available. For additional information, please
contact Claudette at 781-834-6252.
For more information on these new mysteries, please visit www.Tell-the-World.info.
Here is a link to follow and pray The
5th Rosary prayer
online.
Saint
Christine’s now has a Facebook
page. We will use the Face Book page to post parish news, events, CCD
cancellations, photos and more but we need your help. Visit www.facebook.com/stchristinesmarshfield
and “LIKE” our
page to help spread the word. We’re new to Facebook so please bear
with us as we get up to speed with social media. You can also link to
our Facebook page whereever you see the Facebook logo on our site.
Read
the Complete Bulletin for all Parish News
IMPORTANT
PARISH NOTICES
REMINDER:
The Marshfield Fire Department has requested that our parishioners refrain
from parking in front of the church as it prevents their access in times
of emergency.
PAPER RECYCLE BIN - WE ARE NO LONGER RECYCLING
PAPER
Please do not deposit any old papers in
the recycling bin in the church parking lot. The company that emptied
the bin has gone out of business. We will no longer recycle paper.
EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS, LECTORS, ALTAR SERVERS
Please check your schedules to see if/when you are assigned. If you unable
to serve your assigned Mass, it is important that you call a substitute
to serve for you.
All children in Grades 1 through 3 must have a
parent or another adult accompany them to and from class each week. Parents
must sign children out before they are released from their class.
CCD CANCELLATIONS DUE TO WEATHER
If classes are cancelled due to weather, notification will be available
on Channels 5, and 7. Please tune into these stations or log onto their
websites. Additionally, cancellations will be announced on WATD radio
(95.9). Please note that if Marshfield Schools are closed, Saint Christine’s
CCD classes are also cancelled.
CCD & PARKING LOT REMINDER!!
Please exercise extreme caution in our church parking lot while dropping
off and picking up children from classes. Please drive slowly in the parking
lot and refrain from using cell phones. Children move quickly and your
full attention is needed. |