SAINTPETERCLAVERWelcome to our Parish Family!

SCHEDULEOFMASSES

Saturday Vigil ..................................................................................... 4:30 p.m. Sunday............................................................................. 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. Weekdays, Monday through Thursday .................................. 6:30 a.m. SACRAMENTOFRECONCILIATIONSaturday ...................................... 3:15 to 4:00 p.m. or by appointment SACRAMENTOFBAPTISMFamilies preparing for Bap sm must a end a pre-bap smal class. Classes are held the third Sunday every other month. Please call the parish office to make arrangements.

Bap sms are celebrated on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month at 12:00 noon. SACRAMENTOFMATRIMONYThose preparing for the Sacrament of Marriage should schedule an appointment with Fr. Leary and Music Director Tim Stella.

Pastor ...................... Reverend James F. Leary

Deacon ............................... James E. Hickey, Jr.

Pastoral Associate ......................... Gigi Frailey

Religious Educa on Office

DRE ............................................. Angela Clement 860-521-2904

RE Assistant ....................................... Marie Carr spcreled@sbcglobal.net

Office Staff ............................. Joanne Therrien Debbie Walgren

Music Director.................................... Tim Stella

Cantor ............................................ Amanda Kohl

“Speaktothemwithyourhandsbeforeyouspeaktothemwithyourlips.”

St. Peter Claver

PARISHMEMBERSHIPThrough bap sm we become God’s sons and daughters, and brother and sisters of each other in Christ. Every family in the parish should be properly registered and each family should receive a set of envelopes. New parishioners should register at the Parish Office. Single adults over 21 years of age should register separately from parents. This registra on is our only means of cer fying anyone as a member of our parish family.

Office 47 Pleasant Street, West Har ord, CT 06107

Phone 860-561-4235

Fax 860-561-0552

E-mail st.peterclaver@sbcglobal.net

Parish Website www.stpeterclaver.parishlink.com

CHURCH OF SAINT PETER CLAVER WEST HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT December 28, 2014

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 Monday, December 29 6:30 AM Memorial: Sandee Kush Tuesday, December 30 6:30 AM Anniversary: John J. and Petra Beatty

Wednesday, December 31 6:30 AM 8th Anniversary: Dominic Romeo 5:30 PM For the Parishioners of St. Peter Claver Thursday, January 1 – New Year’s Day 10:00 AM For the Parishioners of St. Peter Claver Saturday, January 3 4:30 PM Memorial: Lucille Dubois

Sunday, January 4 8:30 AM Memorial: John D. McNeil

10:30 AM Anniversary: Dr. Richard White Haran

NEW YEAR’S MASS SCHEDULE Wednesday, December 31st

5:30 pm Vigil Thursday, January 1st

10:00 am

OFFICE HOURS CLOSED ~ December 31 – January 2

Office Hours will resume on Monday, January 5, 2015

Please leave a voice message (Opt 4) if there is an emergency. Your call will be returned as soon as possible.

A FAMILY PERSPECTIVE

The gospel today shows Mary and Joseph weren’t “perfect” parents. If you have ever been ‘amazed’ and ‘astonished’ at what came out of your child’s mouth, then you are in good company. If there were times you ‘didn’t understand’ your children or felt ‘anxious’ about their behavior, so did Mary and Joseph. Parenting is tough but it is also the stuff of holiness.

HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH First Reading: Gn 15: 1-6, 21: 1-3 Abram shows us the Lord keeps His promises, for his offspring were indeed many, like the stars in heaven. We, too, must trust in the Lord, so like Abram, our families might prosper. Second Reading: Hebrews 11: 8, 11-12, 17-19 By faith Abraham and Sarah were blessed with Isaac, and through him, many descendants because they trusted in God’s promise and believed in what they could not see. We see that faith, trust and prayer bring forth God’s miracles in our lives. Gospel: Luke 2: 22-40 Jesus was brought to Jerusalem to be consecrated according to the law of Moses. A man named Simeon had learned he would not die until he had seen God’s anointed. Upon seeing Jesus, he immediately declared he had witnessed “the glory of your people of Israel.” The prophetess Anna also gave thanks and spoke of Jesus to all who would listen. Both recognized the power of Jesus, although he was still an infant.

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READINGS FOR THE WEEKND JANUARY 4 First Reading: Is 60:1-6

Second Reading: Ep 3:2-3a, 5-6 Gospel: Mt 2:1-12

WITH GRATITUDE FOR THE MOST RECENT GIFTS

TO OUR COMMUNITY

On the weekend of January 11th as the Christmas season comes to a close, and we celebrate the Baptism of the Lord, we will also celebrate the gift of all newly baptized babies in our community at all Masses. They are truly gifts from God to us and we are grateful for their presence with us. A tree will be located in the back of the church with ornaments representing each child baptized in our community over the past year. Parishioners are invited to take one of these ornaments home and pray for this child and their family throughout the new year. A special blessing will also be given for these children at each Mass. Parents of babies baptized within the last year are asked to forward a photo by January 6th, either via email to ggfrailey@gmail.com or drop one off at the Parish Office.

THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH

WE ARE MOST GRATEFUL TO ALL WHO HELPED PREPARE FOR

OUR HOLIDAY LITURGIES

Thank you to the following for sharing their gifts with our parish family: Renee McCarthy and Beth Ryan, Art and Environment , Nancy Byrne and John O’Gorman Christmas Basket Program Coordinators and behind the scenes volunteers, Regina Malloy, Advent Giving Tree Chair, Norma Jean Macosko and Kelly Cusson Christmas Pageant Coordinators, Pageant Participants, Youth Choir, Altar Servers, Ushers, Eucharistic Ministers, Lectors, Greeters, our Music Director Tim Stella, our Cantor Amanda Kohl, the SPC Choir and strings, Tiana and Kaila Piscitelli who added to the beauty of the liturgies. And last but not least, Fr. Leary and Deacon Hickey for their loving service to our St. Peter Claver parish community. God Bless!

FAITH FORMATION NEWS

Today we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family. For many of us, our families have played an important role in teaching us about our Catholic faith. Jesus also learned about his faith from his parents. Today's Gospel presents Jesus' family as a model for family life. Let us always remember to pray for our family and ask God to bless and strengthen each of us to live in love and peace – as Jesus taught us! There are No Classes this Sunday, December 28 and next Sunday, January 4th, due to the Christmas Break. Sunday Students return on January 11.

There are NO Weekday Classes on December 30 and 31. Tuesday Students return on January 6 and Wednesday Students return on January 7. May God Bless you and your Family as we welcome the New Year 2015 this Thursday. Remember to thank God for all His blessings when you attend Mass on this special Holyday!

A VERY SPECIAL THANK YOU to all who have honored and remembered their loved ones in a special way with memorial contributions for our Christmas

Flowers. We will remember them at Mass throughout the holiday season.

A FRESH PERSPECTIVE ON THE SUNDAY READINGS HIS WORD TODAY by Rev. William J. Reilly

The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph December 28, 2014

“…He (Simeon) took him in his arms and blessed God in these words: ‘Now, Master, you can dismiss your servant in peace; you have fulfilled your word. For my eyes have witnessed your saving deed displayed for all the people to see; a revealing light to the Gentiles, the glory of your people Israel.’ ... ‘The Lord sets a father in honor over his children; a mother’s authority he confirms over her sons.’”

At the direction of Pope Francis a synod on the family has taken place in Rome. Reflections and reactions have been sought, as the church considers the gift, the needs and the hopes of families in an age when family life has radically changed. Today we meet the Holy Family of Nazareth. Not unlike ourselves many difficulties and trials came their way. Living as refugees, itinerants, as working laborers, and finally facing trial and condemnation, we can identify with them with the challenges of today. The prayer of Simeon, part of the night prayer of the church, can be ours as well, as we recognize the presence of the Christ among us during these holidays. It was the Spirit that moved Simeon to take Him in his arms and praise God. May we, as we bring this year to a close, express, as he did, our gratitude for the Lord’s presence in so many ways during this year. May we thank God for support in time of need. May we see the light of Christ in our lives and be that light for members of our family. May we take Him in our arms too. May our fathers mirror the goodness of Joseph caring for and protecting their children. May our mothers bring the warmth, kindness and understanding of Mary, the heart of the home at Nazareth. May the Christ, born anew in our hearts allow us to live blessed by the presence of God’s grace in our lives. May all the virtues mentioned by Paul in Colossians 3, be manifest in our homes.

HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS MARY AND JOSEPH Yours may not be The Holy Family, but you are still a holy family. Share an expression of gratitude for the gift of your family today. Pray for wholeness and holiness for all members of the family of God. If a member of your family is considering becoming a priest, deacon, brother, or sister have them call Fr. Anthony Smith, Director of Vocations at St. Thomas Seminary, 860-242-5573, or visit www.vocationshartford.org.

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.

Dear Fellow Parishioners, Each year our St. Peter Claver Parish community comes together to support less fortunate families by providing Food Baskets for Christmas day. On the weekend prior to Christmas, our Parish Center was once again brimming with donations and Christmas cheer. On behalf of the Christmas Giving Committee we would like to send you our heartfelt gratitude. We were able to assist over a record number of 145 families with food and gifts. Our thanks also to the many people who helped coordinate the effort and deliver the many boxes. Most Sincerely, Nancy Byrne and John O’Gorman

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