CHURCH OF SAINT PETER CLAVER

WEST HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT December 21, 2014

Saturday, December 20

4:30 PM Anniversary: Harriet Kwasniak

Sunday, December 21

8:30 AM Anniversary: Turhan Ergin and

Dr. Michael Ergin

10:30 AM Anniversary: Mary Moran Boyle

Monday, December 22

6:30 AM For the Parishioners of St. Peter Claver

Tuesday, December 23

6:30 AM Memorial: Mary McNeil

Wednesday, December 24

3:30 PM Christmas Eve Vigil

5:30 PM Family Liturgy

10:00 PM Solemn Christmas Eve (Choir)

Thursday, December 25

8:30 AM Mass

10:30 AM Mass

Saturday, December 27

4:30 PM Memorial: David Gibbons Walsh

Sunday, December 28

8:30 AM Memorial: Leo, Madalena &

Aldo Ricciardiello

10:30 AM Memorial: Jean Paul Berard

Dear Parishioners,

One of the phrases Christmas brings to mind is “Peace on Earth.” What a beautiful vision. It is at Christmas that this vision almost seems to be a possibility. We are kinder to one another. We think of others and give more than we do any other time of

the year. We carry with us a spirit of peace. In the midst of the shopping, cooking, and wrapping, take some time to find even a little bit of peace and share it with others. May the Peace of Christ be with you this Christmas and throughout the coming year.

Sincerely,

Fr. Leary, Deacon Hickey And Parish Staff

FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT

First Reading: 2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16

King David plans to build a temple to honor God. But God

tells Nathan the Prophet that instead he will give David rest

from his enemies, and ensure that both his house and

community will be protected forever.

Second Reading: Romans 16:25-27

In this letter of Paul to the Romans, he explains that the gospel

reveals the mystery that had been hidden for many ages. Now

it has been made known to all, so that they may believe, obey,

and give glory through Jesus Christ forever.

Gospel: Luke 1:26-38

The Virgin Mary is approached by the angel Gabriel, who tells

her that she has been chosen to bear the Son of God. Mary is

first afraid, yet shows her unquestioning faith when she simply

says, “Let it be done to me as you say.”

©1999 Bon Venture Services, Inc.

READINGS FOR THE WEEKND DECEMBER 28

First Reading: Gn 15:1-6, 21: 1-3

Second Reading: Hebrews 11:8, 11-12, 17-19

Gospel: Luke 2:22-40

Thank You! “We can certainly call

you friends because of the way you care

for our retired members,” writes a

religious brother. Your gift to last

week’s collection for the Retirement

Fund for Religious benefits some 35,000

senior sisters, brothers, and religious

order priests. May God bless you for your generosity!

A FAMILY PERSPECTIVE

QUESTION: What do you call a family which began with an

unmarried pregnant teen and had a twelve year old son who

ran away from home and was eventually executed as a

criminal?

ANSWER: HOLY! Two lessons in today’s gospel: 1) No

matter what is happening in your family, “The Lord is with

you.” 2) “Do not be afraid” for “nothing is impossible with

God.”

FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT

CHRISTMAS MASSES Christmas Eve

Wednesday, December 24th

3:30 pm Vigil

5:30 pm Family Liturgy

10:00 pm Solemn Christmas Eve (Choir)

Christmas Day

Thursday, December 25th

8:30 am and 10:30 am

NEW YEAR’S MASS SCHEDULE Wednesday, December 31

st

5:30 pm Vigil

Thursday, January 1st

10:00 am

2015 MEN’S RETREAT RESOLVE TO RETREAT!

All men of St. Peter Claver are invited to attend the Men's

Retreat at Holy Family on January

30 - February 1st. This year's

Retreat theme is Know Greater Joy. Explore how we can discover deep

and enduring joy in God’s presence

no matter the situation. Please join us

and revive your body, soul and mind.

Join men from St. Peter Claver and

other West Hartford parishes to re-charge through

conferences, workshops, prayer services, delicious home

cooking and plenty of free time. Cost is $295, more if you can;

less if you can’t. Register at www.holyfamilyretreat.org or call

860-760-9705. Holy Family Retreat Center - 303 Tunxis Rd -

West Hartford, CT. For more information, please call the

Retreat Center or contact Tony Torsiello (Parish Promoter) at

torsiello88@sbcglobal.net or 860-561-1877.

Closed ~ December 24th

, 25th

and 26th

Office hours will resume on

Monday, December 29th

Please leave a voice message on Opt 4 if there is an emergency.

Your call will be returned as soon as possible.

A FRESH PERSPECTIVE ON THE SUNDAY

READINGS

HIS WORD TODAY by Rev. William J. Reilly

Fourth Sunday of Advent

December 21, 2014

“The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the

Most High will overshadow you; hence, the holy offspring

to be born will be called Son of God…To him who is able

to strengthen you in the gospel which I proclaim when I

preach Jesus Christ, the gospel which reveals the mystery

hidden for many ages…to him, the God who alone is wise,

may glory be given through Jesus Christ unto endless ages.

Amen.”

Gabriel’s response to Mary’s question of how this can

happen reveals the power and presence of the Holy Spirit

in her life and in the lives of believers. We sometimes

forget the existence of this gift and power in our lives. As

we bring the season of advent to its climax with the birth

of Christ, we ask that He be born anew, with new power in

our lives. We not only recall the Bethlehem event, but live

the Bethlehem experience today. The concluding words of

praise, the doxology or hymn of glory taken from the letter

to the Romans, becomes a Christmas gift and greeting for

all of us, as we are called to preach the Good News, glad

tidings, the gospel, no longer hidden but made manifest in

the Child of Bethlehem and in enthusiastic believers today.

May the Word of God, and the Word which became flesh,

take root in our lives.

CAN YOU HELP THE CHILDREN

AT CAMP HISPANIOLA

HYGIENE SUPPLIES NEEDED:

Individual kits will be made up for 300

campers and shipped by March in

order to arrive in time for summer

camp. Please place supplies in Haitian

basket located in connector.

Tooth brush, toothpaste (individual size), toothbrush

holder or cap, wide tooth comb, soap, wash cloth, nail

clipper, hand or skin cream (small or medium size),

deodorant (small size).

WE THANK FOR YOUR HELP!!

SUMMER MISSION TRIP FOR ST. PETER CLAVER TEENS

The Catholic Heart Work Camp will run a

Mission in the City of Hartford July 12-18, 2015

St. Peter Claver is organizing a group! Applications are available on the table located

by the Religious Education Office in the Parish Hall.

Visit heartworkcamp.com for detailed information. An $85 non-refundable deposit is

due with your application. First come first served as these camps fill up quickly

so do not hesitate!

This will be a life changing week for Teens currently in Grades 8-12. Call Anne Carroll with

questions 860-561-4912.

Today's Gospel offers us a beautiful example of a person of faith who made an extraordinary contribution to the world ~ Mary, the Mother of Jesus! What prepared Mary for her most amazing mission? The Gospel tells us that Mary was filled with God's grace and willingly co-operated to be a part of God's plan for salvation. It is the Holy Spirit of God working within each of us that enables us to do good and bring peace in our world. In all of our decisions, we try to follow Mary's example in making choices that reflect our faith and trust in God. We can be confident that the Holy Spirit is working in our lives to help us say “yes” to God, too!

Contact the Faith Formation Office with any questions at 860-521-2904 or email at spcreled@sbcglobal.net.

"To all generations I will make known Your faithfulness.” Psalm 89:2

Today is the 4th Sunday of Advent. We light all of the candles on our Advent wreath as a reminder that Christmas is almost here!

May God bless you and your family with the joys and blessings of the Christmas Season and may the New Year be filled with Christ’s Love, Joy and Peace!

SCHEDULE OF UPCOMING CLASSES

GRADES 3 - 6

Sunday Students: Sunday, December 21, 9:30-10:30am There are No Classes on Sunday, December 28 and January 4 as we celebrate the Christmas Season.

Weekday Students meet as follows: Tuesday, January 6, 3:45-4:45pm Wednesday, January 7, 2:15-3:15pm There are No Weekday Classes on December 23, 24, 30, 31 as we celebrate the Christmas Season.

GRADE 7 Students meet Sunday, January 11, 11:45am - 12:45pm

GRADE 8 Sunday Students: December 21 and January 25, 11:45am-12:45pm

Tuesday Students: January 27 at 6:30-7:30pm.

ADAPTIVE PROGRAM We are currently preparing our Calendar for the New Year and will begin Sacramental Lessons in January. All registered students will be contacted with more details. Please call the Faith Formation Office or email Craig Lomma at clomma@comcast.net with any questions.

CONFIRMATION PREPARATION GRADE 9: Students meet Sunday, January 11 at 11:45am-12:45pm.

GRADE 10: Students meet Sunday, January 11, 11:45-1pm. Classes will meet in the Parish Hall for a Talk by Mrs. O’Gorman.

Please be sure all YouCat Commentaries are up to date.

FAMILY & CHURCH CLASSES

GRADE 1 Sunday Students: January 11, 9:30am - 10:30am

Tuesday Students: January 13 at 3:45pm - 4:45pm

GRADE 2 Sunday Students: December 21, 9:30am- 10:30am Tuesday Students: January 27, 3:45pm- 4:45pm*

Wednesday Students: January 28, 2:15pm-3:15pm*

*Parent Meeting takes place on January class dates.

A Prayer for the 4th Sunday of Advent

Let us pray ~

Loving Father, we thank you for the gift of Your Son, Jesus. Help us to welcome Him into our hearts and into our homes. Show us how to care for Him by car-ing for all those around us. Help us to forgive one an-other and learn to live in peace. We give You thanks and praise for this holy and joyful season. We pray in the Name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

December Outreach - Gifts For Baby Jesus! Thank you for your generosity to the many outreach or-

ganizations that need our help throughout the year. We

will continue to collect Gifts for Baby Jesus until Janu-ary. Please bring your gifts to class or drop them off at

the Faith Formation Office. All baby items are donated to St. Gerard’s Center for Life in Hartford.

May God truly bless you in abundance for your caring thoughts and actions for His little children! Thank you for honoring Jesus with your gifts for babies in need!

St. Peter Claver’s Super Stewards Special Thanks to our Children for sharing these Good Deeds and Loving Actions!

I did the dishes; Helped my classmate who is in a wheel-chair; I picked up my toys; Helped Mom with groceries; Took out the trash; Made my bed; Learned my spelling words; Practiced dancing; Played the flute; Said my prayers; Vacuumed; Took part in Field Hockey Play for a Cure; Studied for test; Did my homework; Altar serving; I helped my sister get ready for bed; Knitted with Mom; Read to baby brother; Fed the fish; Took part in Christmas Pageant; Being nice to friends; Helped at barn; Practiced piano and guitar; I was great for family pictures!