Advent
We Pray Advent
We immerse ourselves with hope filled colors—blues, rose, purple. We know we are in need of conver- sion. Our Advent wreath is in our midst, as a sign of growing hope and promise in our community. We gather quietly in prayer; O Come Emmanuel, free us from despair as we are assured of grace flowing freely. We pray in fervent hope of our transformation. Our response to the Hebrew Scriptures is Psalm 103: “As vast as Heaven, deep as the ocean, so strong Your Love for all who follow on Your Way.” Our Gospel acclamation happily shouts: “soon and very soon” God’s reign is among us today!
The wreath candles are lit. Christ lights the way through the darkness. We join together in our ancient Creed living the faith this day. When we gather at the Lord’s Table, we celebrate Christ’s life-giving presence among us. We sing of this mystery: “We proclaim your Death O Lord, and profess your Resur- rection until you come again.” We await fulfillment while we live as Christ right now. The mystery (sacrament) of God is enfleshed in us. We are stilled with awe and wonder. We are then sent out this Advent...day by day...prayerfully asking God to bless us with vision, love, and joyful discipleship. With Christ as our Foundation we sing, “Come, let’s build the Holy City. Come, let’s build a family.
Come, let’s build a new tomorrow where our children will be free. We can be a holy people living in the Light of God, come, let’s build the Holy City, build it out of love.”
We celebrate Christ of all Creation - Born among us in Jesus - Leading us to our fulfillment in Christ’s Love
LITURGY SCHEDULE Masses are celebrated at
First United Church
Saturday, December 21
4:00 PM Mass Rolland Girdeen (Req. Comfort & Hope Group)
Sunday, December 22 9:00 AM Mass Linda Marmillo (Req. Comfort & Hope Group)
Suzan Coleman (Req. Comfort & Hope Group)
11:00 AM Mass - St. Patrick’s Monday, December 23
No 12:00 Noon Mass Tuesday, December 24 2:00 PM Mass - Hoosick Falls Cen-
tral School Auditorium 5:00 PM - St. Patrick’s, Cambridge
Wednesday, December 25 12:00 AM Midnight Mass - First
United Church, Hoosick Falls 10:00 AM - St. Patrick’s,
Cambridge Friday, December 27
No 12:00 Noon Mass Saturday, December 28
4:00 PM Mass John & Jennie Zelker (Req. Frank Rotundo)
Gene Vogt
(Req. James & Velma Brown)
Sunday, December 29 9:00 AM Mass Mary Jones Merriam (Req. Barbara Zelker) Sharon Davendonis
(Req. Family) 11:00 AM Mass - St. Patrick’s
Sanctuary Lamp 12/22/19 - 12/29/19 In Honor of the Risen Christ We Remember: Deceased Members
of the Kelly & Clarke Families
We need you to serve at Mass!
Fourth Sunday of Advent December 22, 2019
Faith Formation News Mass is Class
As part of our new Family based focus, we will list today’s readings here for your reference. If your family needs a bible there will be a sign up sheet after Mass.
1st Reading: Isaiah 7:10-14 2nd Reading: Romans 1:1-7 Gospel: Matthew 1:18-24
We will also list a short YouTube video that you can share and discuss with your family. Go to YouTube and search for the following:
Bishop Hying’s Advent Reflections 2016 (Fourth Sunday) Each week there will be activity pages at the back of the church for students.
Please bring some non– perishable foods for the food bank to our next workshop at the school.
Join in our celebration of Christmas Mass
Tuesday December, 24
2:00 PM - at Hoosick Falls Central School Auditorium 5:00 PM - at St. Patrick’s Church, Cambridge
Wednesday December, 25 12:00 AM (midnight) - at First United Church,
Hoosick Falls 10:00 AM - at St. Patrick’s Church, Cambridge
Please sign up for any Mass ministries by calling the parish office at 686-5064.
Handicap Parking is available at the upper lot (to the right of the school).
If you need wheelchair assistance before Mass, please call our office.
At both Immaculate Conception Masses, please bring a battery operated candle or tea light.
- Christmas Mass -
Sacred Heart/St. FrancisTuesday December, 24 4:00 PM 8:00 PM Wednesday December, 25
12:00 AM 9:00 AM
St. John’s - North Bennington Tuesday December, 24
4:00 PM Wednesday December, 25
10:00 AM
Christmas Caroling
Saturday, Dec. 28 immediately after the 4:00PM Mass We will walk merrily through the streets of Hoosick Falls sharing the joy of the season. Revelers of all ages and ability are welcome. We will return to the rectory for eggnog, hot chocolate, Ovaltine, and perhaps schnapps.
Envelopes
If you use the non-printed offering en- velope (the envelope where you write your name on it), your are designating your gift to support Immaculate Con- ception’s building fund. If you use the pre-printed envelope, your offering sup- ports the general parish fund. No matter what, every gift, from every person is most valuable.
New Years’ Mass
(Solemnity, Mary the Mother of God) Tuesday, December 31 - 6:00 PM at
St. Patrick’s, Cambridge Wednesday, January 1 - 10:00 AM at Immaculate Conception (First United Church)
Electronic Giving
If you notice some of your fellow parishioners are not putting their envelopes in the collection basket it could be that they are using our automatic withdraw sys- tem (ACH). This system is working well and it may be an easy way for you to support our parish. If you are interested, please contact the Parish Office for information or for an authorized form. This is a very simple and easy way to keep track of your donation.
THERE IS AN URGENT NEED FOR:
Peanut butter, cold cereal, shampoo, toothpaste and brushes, and feminine hygiene items.
Please bring these items to our donation box in church. There is always a need for old bags to be reused.
Food Pantry Volunteers...We are looking for volunteers to help. For infor- mation and training, contact Dianne Hosterman at 686-5310.
Confirmation
Sunday, May 3, 2020 at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. We’ll gather with people from around our Diocese to celebrate the gift of God’s Spirit.
Re-Igniting Our Faith
To date, we’ve raised $384,025 from 94 households. Your support is important.
Thank all of you for your gifts. Contribution forms are available.
Why do we gather so much? Why do we listen to God's Word? Isn't it the same old thing every week? Why do we break Bread and Share the Cup so much?
Some answers:
1 Because Jesus, in whom people experienced the boundless love of God, asked us to remember and resound with love for the world.
2 If you wish to belong to something bigger than yourself.
3 If you have a sense that all people are essentially good and are bonded to each other. When new insights into living purposely , compassionately, and adventurously can be shared.
4 You know you need to spread joy, embrace through tears, and find hope beyond imagining.
5 If you know that there are people being treated unfairly, homeless or hun- gry, excluded, or afraid...and you don't want to look the other way.
6 When you can't get through the day without anger, drugs or alcohol. When someone's life is in shambles and you're helpless to change him/her.
7 When you realize there is prejudice, mistrust, narrow mindedness, or hatred within others or yourself.
8 When things go wrong in life and there is no one to blame.
9 If you can find beauty in our world and smile. If you look at some people and scour, frown, or roll your eyes.
10 When you believe there is an amazing potential within you and among others. When others might need you. When we need to stand in solidarity.
When life is short and precious. And when love can abound even more.
That's why!
JOY TO THE WORLD!
THE GOSPEL TRUTH OF CHRISTMAS
Do you know what the Gospels really tell us about Jesus?
Take this test (no Cheating!), using the actual Gospel quotes given and see how well you do. This test separates the Gospel truth from fiction (as seen in movies, church manger scenes, school plays, Christmas cards, or our own preconceived or simply sentimental ideas). The Answers are in another part of this bulletin.
1. On what day was Jesus born?
2. What prophet spoke about preparing the way of the Lord? (Matthew 3:1-3) 3. How many Magi were there? (Matthew 2:1-2)
4. In the Gospel of Matthew, what leads the Magi to Jesus? (Matthew 2:1-2) 5. According to the Gospel, what are their names?
6. In this Gospel, to whom did the angel appear before Jesus' birth? (Matthew 1:18-24)
7. In what kind of dwelling did the Magi find Jesus' family? (Matthew 2:9-11) 8. Read Matthew 2:13-21; what Old Testament story does this remind you of?
Think of Moses, Pharaoh, Egypt, and unleavened bread.
9. The Magi react positively to Jesus' birth; who responds in a negative way?
(Matthew 2:13-16)
10. In the Gospel of Luke, to whom did the angel appear before Jesus' birth?
(Luke1:26-38)
11. How did this person Respond? (Luke 1:29-30 and 46-55) 12. Where did Joseph and Mary Live before Jesus' birth? (Luke 2:4) 13. What leads the shepherds to Bethlehem? (Luke 2:8-15) 14. Where did they find Jesus? (Luke 2:16)
15. How did the shepherds respond to Jesus' birth? (Luke 2:20) 16. In Mark's Gospel(1:9-13), the voice of God calls Jesus....
17. John's Gospel is very different from the other "3 synoptic" Gospels; the Word (the Christ) was where in the beginning(1:1-5) ?
18. These Gospel stories seem so different; why don't we just merge them into one easy Gospel?
19. What are the 12 days of Christmas? How come other churches seem to have one day for Christmas? Why are trees thrown out December 26 and Walmart has valentines by new year's?
(see page 4 for answers...)
A cute Barbara and adorable Tommy Zelker on Christmas morn- ing 1955. May our memories of love be of each other, our shared experiences, and the beauty of all life
Comfort and Hope Group Monday, January 6, in the Good Shepherd Room
Open Support Group at 7:00PM, Regular Monthly Business Meeting at 6:30 PM
Prison Ministry Meeting
Sunday, January 12 - 10:30AM in the Good Shepherd Room
Our Gatherings, Prayer, and Service
- 2020 Calendars, donated by Mahar Funeral Home, are available in church
- Oplatek (Eastern European Christmas Wafers) are available at church and parish office - Christmas Flower Offering Envelopes need to be returned no later than Sunday, December 22.
AN SWE RS T O T HE G OS PE L T RU TH
1. We do n't kno w th e d ate of Je sus ' b irt h. T her e w as an anc ien t p aga n f est iva l d uri ng the ag e o f th e R om an Em pir e th at c elebr ate d th e b irt h o f "Mit hra s"
, th e
sun go d o n D ece mbe r 2 5, w hen th e s un was "r ebo rn"
as the da ys got lo nge r a t th e w int er sol stic e. E arl y C hri stia ns saw th e o bvi ous ...t he bir th of the So n o f
God ...e ven th oug h o the r d ays ha d b een pr opo sed . T he act ual da te is not im por tan t.
2. J ohn th e B apt ist
3. We do n't kno w. "S om e"
is oft en the w ord us ed.
O ver th e c our se of the ce ntu rie s, i n C hri stia n tr adi tio n, t her e h ave be en two to tw elv e m agi , a str ono mer s,
mag ici ans , p rie sts , "
kin gs".
T he les son is th at t hey re pre sen t th e b est of pa gan lo re and re lig iou s u nde rst and ing . T hey ar e f ore ign ers se arc hin g f or the tr uth . T he
"3 K ing s"
com es fro m a so ng wri tte n in th e m id 180 0's .
4. T he sta r!
But th ey nee d th e r eve lat ion of Sc rip tur e to fi nd Jes us.
5. N one ar e g ive n...
man y a re mad e u p.
6. J ose ph.
We of ten fo rge t th is.
..h e w as a g rea t d rea mer .
7. T hey li ved in a hou se.
(n ot a s "
cut e"
as a m ang er)
8. T he Exo dus ...J esu s is th e n ew Mo ses w ho lea ds God 's peo ple fr om bo nda ge to fre edo m!
The In fan cy Nar rat ive st ori es wer e w rit ten in hi nds igh t a nd pla ced
at t he beg inn ing of L uke an d Ma tth ew as pr elu des or an ov ert ure ...l ett ing us se e a nd hea r th em es tha t w ill be pla yed ou t in the who le Gos pel . T hey ne ed not be
mes hed to get her .
9. H ero d . The G osp el o f J esu s is al way s p lac ed bef ore us so w e c an eit her ch oos e to ac cep t th e G ood N ew s o r N ot!
10. Mary T he nam e J esu s ( Yeh osh ua or Jos hua ) is a cry a mot her w oul d y ell w hen gi vin g b irt h ..
.m ean ing "
God he lp!
"
11. Fea r, d oub t, w illi ngn ess , f ait h
12. Naz are th T he sto ry of the ce nsu s g ets th em to B eth leh em .
13. The an gel . S hep her ds cou ldn 't b e le gal w itn ess es bec aus e th ey wer e th e lo wes t o f s oci ety an d w ere lo oke d a t w ith bi got ry and su spi cio n. N ow th ey are th e
new w itn ess es of Chr ist .
14. In a m ang er.
T he inn w as whe re a tr ave ler , a n a lie n, a fo rei gne r, a pa sse r-b y w oul d s tay ...a nd the n le ave . T he Mang er is the fe edi ng tro ugh ...t he new ta ble
of the L ord w her e G od' s p eop le are fe d.
15. Fea r, J oy, Fa ith . I n I sai ah, it is wri tte n th at "o x k now s it s o wne r, t he don key kn ow s th e m ang er of the L ord , b ut I sra el d oes no t k now m e a nd doe s n ot u n-
der sta nd.
N ow , th e n ew Is rae l, t he she phe rds se e, u nde rst and , a nd are ca lle d to fa ith .
16. Bel ove d. T her e is no in fan cy sto ry in Mark 's Gos pel . I t w as not a con cer n f or his co mm uni ty.
17. With G od.
..th e C hri st w as alw ays of G od.
..f rom th e v ery be gin nin g.
18. T he Fou r G osp els , f our bo oks of Fa ith (n ot w ritt en as his tor y o r s cie nce bo oks ) lo ok at J esu s in va rio us dif fer ent w ays as on e w oul d lo ok at t he fac ets of a
dia mon d...
.fr om di ffe ren t a ngl es and pe rsp ect ive s...
yet st ill a dia mon d. S o d o n ot t ry to mak e th em co inc ide , m erg e, o r b len d...
.th eir un iqu e p oin ts will th en be
mis sed ...t he dep th of mea nin g w ill be lo st..
.an d s om eth ing le ss tha n th e G osp el t rut h w ill be se ttle d f or.
T he Inf anc y N arr ati ves in L uke an d Ma tth ew ar e li ke
pre lud es for a gre at w ork of m usi c...
the y s how th e m ajo r th em es in the re st o f th e w ork . L uke 's Gos pel is co nce rne d f or the p oor a nd the ou tca st..
.Je sus is re -
vea led to th e p oor est an d lo wes t o f s oci ety ...t he she phe rds . J esu s' f am ily is fr om N aza ret h, y et jou rne yin g to B eth leh em he is n't bor n a t th e in n...
whe re tra vel ers
and st ran ger s s tay ed for a sho rt t im e a nd the n m ove d o n...
no he is bor n in a man ger to fe ed his pe opl e a nd rem ain w ith th em at t he Lor d's T abl e ( the ne w m ang er/
fee din g tr oug h) for eve r. Ma tth ew 's com mun ity is m ade up of fo rei gne rs and no n-J ew ish pe opl e. S o J esu s is re vea led as G od for al l k ind s o f p eop le.
..e ven th ose
far aw ay.
T he Magi ca me to fai th and w ent ho me tra nsf orm ed by the lo ve of God li ke the ha ted sh eph erd s w ho are no w in clu ded as pe opl e o f w ort h a nd dig nit y.
The G ood N ew s o f J esu s is to o im por tan t to be m ere ly a h ear tw arm ing or no sta lgi c s tor y. T he Gos pel s o f J ohn an d Ma rk do not m ent ion th e b irt h s tor ies . I n
Joh n, J esu s is th e e ter nal Wo rd tha t b eca me hum an fle sh.
..G od dw ell ing w ith in and am ong us . Ma rk' s G osp el b egi ns wit h th e b ap tism of Je sus w hen he st art s h is
min ist ry of Spi rit fi lle d w itn ess to G od.
So le t th e Wo rd.
..in al l it s r ich nes s d wel l in yo u.
19. T he Chu rch Se aso ns are li tur gic al, pra yer ful ex pre ssi ons of th e c om mun ity . E ast er is cel ebr ate d f or 50 day s...
lot s o f jo y an d li fe!
L ent is ab out 40 da ys, a
jou rne y o f p rep ara tio n f or Eas ter . A dve nt i s 4 Su nda ys of exp ect ati on and an tic ipa tio n in pr epa rat ion fo r L ivi ng in God 's fut ure an d f or Chr ist mas . O ur C hri st-
mas Se aso n b egi ns on Dec em ber 25 (or at th e e ven ing vi gil ) a nd end s a t th e c ele bra tio n o f J esu s' B apt ism ...t his ye ar on Jan uar y 1 1-1 2, 2 020 . W e n eed th ese da ys
of Chr ist mas be cau se, as on e o f o ur pr aye rs ins pir es us, "w e a re cau ght up in th e lo ve of god w hom w e c ann ot s ee yet no w is b orn in tim e a mon g u s".
We ne ed
tim e e ach ye ar to let th is sin k in an d r eve l in th e m yst ery re vea led in us . E pip han y w as usu all y o n J anu ary 6.
.he nce th e 1 2 d ays of C hri stm as.
th is dat e, t oo, ha s
cha nge d o ver ti me and pl ace ...s o th e s ong do es not "f it"
our C ath oli c S eas on any mor e. T his ne w y ear Ja nua ry 4-5 is E pip han y h ere . D o n ot b e li mite d b y m usi c
on the ra dio , c om mer cia l C hri stm as, st ore sa les da ys, or ev en whe n w e d eco rat e o ur hom es (so me tre es she d n eed les qu ick ly) . J oin in th e c ele bra tio n o f th e f ull -
nes s a nd ric hne ss of eac h C hur ch sea son
! E xpl ore th e d ept hs of the di vin e in th is won der fi lle d s eas on and le t th e b irt h o f G od' s lo ve com e e ver yda y in yo u.
Immaculate Conception Parish - December 21 & December 22
ELECTRONIC GIVING
Our automatic withdrawal system is working well. This may be an easy way for you to support our parish. Please contact our office for more information.
We ask for your prayers for the following:
Bill McAuliffe, Joseph Maloney, Felicia Martelle, Norman Scott, Pat Carknard, Cheryl McLaughlin, Hanna Stevens, Jean Shaw, Lenny Darosa, Neil Watykus, Corrine Philpott, Jeff Babson, Shirley Bissonette, Cassandra Percy, Chris Haynes, Janet Smith, Sandy McCart, Jack Ellis, Dawn Myers, Hope Kjelgaard, Dr. Marcus Martinez, Lorraine Kalinowski, Nancy Hathaway Mahoney, Sally Blinstrub, Judy Quackenbush, Jane Davis, Sally Williams, Deanna Aldrich, and all those who are ill or hurting. Those who have been on the prayer list for quite some time will still be prayed for, but will not appear in the bulletin. If you are in need of prayer for yourself or someone else, please call Margaret O’Malley at 686-7835.
This Week: December 21 & December 22 Lectors: Saturday -Team 3, Sunday - Team 4
Counters: Judy Flynn & Peg Bakaitis Next Week: Jerry McAuliffe & Linda Bennett
(You are responsible to find a substitute if you are unable to serve.)
Wednesday mornings at 10 AM: Bulletin proofreaders. Call the office.
Sunday morning: Collection Counters. Call the office.
Lectors (readers) at Mass: See Gloria Shufon, or call the office, 686-5064.
THANKS...from a parishioner.
YOUR SACRIFICIAL OFFERINGS & ATTENDANCE December 14 & December 15
Offertory ... $3,223.00 Total ... $3,223.00
ATTENDANCE:
Saturday - December 14, 4:00 PM ... 130 Sunday - December 15, 9:00 AM ... 165 Total ... 295
There is no second collection this week (Dec. 21 & 22). The next second collection is for Faith Formation (Jan. 4 & 5).
* In order for your contribution to be counted, please be sure to include your full name and/or envelope # if using a plain envelope.
Our Sponsor of the Week is…
The Potter Hill Barn
- Something for Everyone - 3864 NY Rt. 7 Hoosick Falls, NY 12090
Ike’s Service Center
1 River St. / Hoosick Falls
518.686.4309
Serving the Community for 40 Years 303 Depot Street • Bennington
802-442-3519
Immaculate Conception, Hoosick Falls, NY 04-0467
BARBER
& FRICKE Automotive Inc.
Complete Auto Care Center Sales • Service • Towing
(518) 686-4575 (518) 686-7745
129 Church St • Hoosick Falls, NY
Gordon E. Frickej . a . BRADLEY
j . a . BRADLEY
& Sons, Inc.
P.O. Box 304, 21953, NY Route 22 North Hoosick Rd., Hoosick Falls, NY
518-686-5066
Fax 518-686-4807 Since 1913 Electrical Contractors
DOUG’S OIL, INC.
For All Your Heating & Plumbing Needs
#2 OIL • KEROSENE • DIESEL FUEL P.O. Box 308 | Hoosick Falls, NY 12090
518-686-7617
e-mail [email protected]
Contact Donna Chow to place an ad today!
dchow@4LPi .com or (800) 477-4574 x6405
Ad info. 1-800-477-4574 • Publication Support 1-800-888-4574 • www.4lpi.com Immaculate Conception, Hoosick Falls, NY 04-0467 Law Offices of
Edward J. Gorman, esq., pllc
Attorney and Counselor at Law 5 Main Street, PO Box 68,
Hoosick Falls, NY 12090 46 23rd Street, Troy, NY 12180
Edward J. Gorman , Esq.
Phone (518) 686-4331 • [email protected]
THORPE’S PHARMACY
Hoosick Falls, Inc
Since 1876 Corner of Church & John
Hoosick Falls, NY
(518) 686-5711
GERTY’S
FLOWER SHOP
79 CHURCH ST.
HOOSICK FALLS, NY 12090
518-948-6997
MAHAR FUNERAL HOME
Family Owned Since 1926 Pre-Planning, Cremation Services
Monuments
686-5123
Timothy J. Smith • George E. Smith
802-442-3400
www.benningtonsubaru.com527 N. BENNINGTON RD.
MCNALLY’S INSURANCE
C.H. McNALLY & SON, INC.
Robert M. Melesky, President
(518) 686-9442
P.O. Box 96, Main St.
Eagle Bridge, NY 12057
Blue Flame
Gas Company, Inc.
Propane
plus Appliances • Repairs • Installations Residential • Commercial • Industrial800-962-6200
37 Elm Street, Hoosick Falls, NY
The Potter Hill Barn
Something for Everyone 3864 NY Rt. 7 Hoosick Falls, NY 12090 518-686-7777 Open 7 days, 10-5:30
Pizza Bella
Pizza, Subs, Wings, Calzones
Home of the 0 Sugar Dough Recipe I substitute Pure Honey instead - Mark
518-686-1900
Mon.-Sat. 11am-9pm
