JANUARY 8, 2017 THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD PARISH LAY LEADERSHIP

Finance Council Chairs….Kimberly Schoolcraft, Matthew BarnesParish Pastoral Council Chair..………………Kathleen HarringtonRel Ed Advisory Committee ...Melissa Moriarty, Suzanne HarlowRCIA ……………………………Ray Breton, Rosemary ThresherBible Study………………………………………..........Sue Fratini Adult Education………………………..Mary Federici, Bob Stack

PARISH ORGANIZATIONS/PROGRAMSRosary Sodality……………..………Nancy Garen/Ursula TuoheySocial Justice………………….…………….Andrea Cook-HewittJust Faith…………………………………Pat Mack, Karen ScahillSt. Joseph’s Workers………………………………………Fr. DanMen’s Ministry Group………………………...Deacon Paul BriereWomen’s Ministry Group..……………………..…..Mary FedericiYouth Group (JPII Crew)………………….………Lisa Laferriere

AFFILIATED ORGANIZATIONSCursillo Movement ……………………….………...Karen ScahillSchoenstatt Movement .……………..……….…Diane CzerwieckiBoy Scout Troop 821 …………………..………………..Joe MutoGirl Scout Troops…………………….……..……....Pat O’ConnorKnights of Columbus………………………………Greg Perreault

PARISH MINISTRIESAltar Server Scheduling……………………..……… Cindy MontiAltar Server Training……………………………….Jim O’ConnorBaptismal Prep……………………………..…… Lou MastroianniChildren’s Liturgy of the Word……………….……….Sue FratiniEucharistic Ministers/Readers, Scheduling ......……Beth ModlishHomebound/Pastoral Care Ministry…………..........Mary FedericiMusic Ministry – Adult & Youth Choir……………Melanie PeetzContemporary Music Group (Psalm 33).………………Tom FucciSacristans.…………………..……..Irene King, Phyllis Chlastawa, Jim O’Connor, Irene Breton, Karen ScahillSoup Kitchen……………… …..... Marcia Daly, Sandy O’ConnorTake & Eat Ministry……..…………………………Cheryl WoodWedding Coordinator………………………….…..Donna Whelan Wedding Team……...…Kathy Harrington, Gina Broderick, Christina Straney, Tina BroderickPrayer Line………………..Pauline, 862-3885 or Diane, 568-9754

OFFICE HOURSThe Parish Office is located at the Parish Center. Entrance is across from the Mary Garden. Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00AM-2:00PM. Sue is available to greet and assist you.

NEW PARISHIONERSWe warmly welcome new members to join our parish. Please fill out a registration card on the tables in the church and place in the collection basket. Registration and active participation is necessary for Religious Education and letters of eligibility for godparents and sponsors, as well as Catholic School Parish Subsidy.

SACRAMENT OF BAPTISMThe Sacrament is celebrated monthly. Please call the Office to arrange. At least one Godparent must be a Confirmed, active parishioner in their parish, attending Mass weekly.

SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGEThe Sacrament of Marriage is planned by an initial meeting with a priest or deacon, at least 6 months in advance. Be sure to contact the church BEFORE committing to date or venue with a deposit.

SACRAMENT OF THE SICK

The Sacrament of the Sick is administered by a priest, when requested. Pastoral care to the hospitalized sick and homebound is provided by the pastoral staff, and trained parishioners.

SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATIONThe Sacrament with Confession is celebrated each Saturday after the 8:00 am Mass, and from 3:15- 3:45 pm, as well as by appointment.

HOSPITAL VISITSIf anyone has a hospital stay, please have a family member call the parish and indicate whether the parishioner would like to have a visit, or if they would like their name mentioned at Mass during the Prayers of the Faithful.

HEARING ASSISTED DEVICESHearing Assisted Devices are located near the American Flag at the back of the church.

LOW-GLUTEN HOSTSLow-Gluten Hosts are available at Communion time in the Chapel

MASS SCHEDULE Sat 1/7 4:00PM +Howard R. Baird Birthday Remembrance r/b his daughter Susan Baird & son Christopher DoreSun 1/8 7:00AM +Elizabeth Laudato 3rd Anniversary Remembrance r/b her Family 8:30AM +Alfonso Zecca Birthday Remembrance r/b Catherine Zecca 11:00AM +Sylvia Chistolini Anniversary Remembrance r/b her Family 6:00PM +Phil & Mary Layman r/b their son Tom LaymanMon 1/9 7:00AM +Stephanie Pacholec r/b Lorraine Couture Tue 1/10 7:00AM + Georges Breton 7th Anniversary Remembrance r/b Ray Breton and FamilyWed 1/11 7:00AM Alfredo Lopez del Castillo for health r/b Carlo & Kharmen SarucaThu 1/12 7:00AM Communion ServiceFri 1/13 7:00AM Communion ServiceSat 1/14 8:00AM Fr. James Longe r/b Lee Reynolds and Marie-Ann Buffam 4:00PM +Justin M. Giles 2nd AnniversaryRemembrance r/b his mother Carol ChouinardSun 1/15 7:00AM +Ed Kantor r/b John & Rebecca Perazella 8:30AM +Olive James r/b the Adult Choir 11:00AM +Robert Leavitt 2nd Anniversary Remembrance

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JANUARY 8, 2017 THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD r/b his Family

PRAYER-LINE

To request prayers for yourself or a loved one, please call Pauline at 862-3885 or Diane at 568-9754.

FROM FR. DAN’S DESK… It was certainly a great sadness that so many of us in our parish felt, at hearing the news on Christmas Eve that our beloved Former Pastor – Fr. Francis X. Sullivan – had passed away that afternoon. To those who knew Fr. Sullivan it was not surprising that he died on Christmas Eve. He loved Christmas and surely wanted to spend Christmas this year in heaven. Many of you knew that Fr. Sullivan loved to decorate our former rectory for Christmas. It was like a wonderland inside. Fr. Sullivan was assigned to our parish twice – once as an Associate from 1965-1970, and then later as Pastor from 1991-1999. He had served a total of 68 years as a priest in our Diocese and he was the longest serving living priest. Fr. Sullivan had many other assignments throughout the Diocese over the years and he was greatly beloved wherever he was assigned!

Those of you who detected a “Boston accent” in him would not be wrong - he was a native of Worcester, or as it would come out - “Woos-tah”. He was a graduate of Holy Cross College and studied for the priesthood at the Grand Seminary in Montreal. He was ordained a priest December 18, 1948. Those of you that knew Fr. Sullivan, knew he was a great priest and a great pastor/administrator. You might say that he was of “Irish Descent”, and he was quite proud of that fact. Years ago he was named Chaplain of the Holyoke St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee, and if ever there was a job made for him it was that one! He loved being part of the Parade Committee, attending their meetings and functions, and especially attending the Bishop’s Mass each year. He got to meet every one of the Kennedy Award Winners – from Maureen O’Hara and Pat O’Brien, to Dan Devine – football coach at Notre Dame and Tom Clancy – award winning author.

He knew everyone in Holyoke, and was given the name “The Bishop of Holyoke”. In fact he took up residence there in a house on Allyn Street, just a few doors down from his sister Jane after his retirement. He set up a small chapel in the house where he would invite over friends and former parishioners to celebrate an intimate daily Mass. He attended many wakes and funerals over the years of people he had known. After a fall a couple of years ago that resulted in a broken hip, he took up residence at the Marian Center in Holyoke staffed by the Daughters of the Heart of Mary. He missed the independence of being home, even though his eyesight had gotten progressively worse and he was limited in how much he could go out. It was his sister Jane who was his “guardian angel” and the most patient person I have ever met. Jane would drive Fr. Sullivan to wakes, funerals, prayer services, etc. and be content to wait until he greeted the last person. It was devastating for him when she died very suddenly a few years ago.

When he first moved to the Marian Center it was like a celebrity had moved in. Friends and former parishioners wanted to come and visit at all hours, and so a “list” was set up by Fr. Sullivan and you hoped your name was on the list of approved visitors! I had the opportunity of visiting him on several occasions over the years – often with our parishioners - Mike and Mary Zyra. In fact, we just visited him the Wednesday before his death and had a great visit! Our parishioner - Dominic Grimaldi was also a faithful visitor, as were our parishioners - Gordon and Flo Snyder.

Fr. Sullivan made many contributions to our parish during his time as Pastor. He purchased the Allen Organ 20 years ago that we use in the new church to this day! He also gave us the beautiful Nativity Set that is displayed at the Baptismal Font in the Gathering Space this year. Most of all, he gave our Parish his love and devotion. We wanted to return that love and devotion by celebrating with him his 90th birthday just a year ago in November. He enjoyed that day and seeing many familiar faces! Many of you have sent him cards over the years and I know he was always grateful for that. As a parish, we will continue to pray for Fr. Sullivan now and in the years ahead, we thank him for

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JANUARY 8, 2017 THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD the gift of his priestly service here in the parish as well as throughout our Diocese, and we wish him God’s eternal peace!

God Bless, Fr. Dan

SANCTUARY CANDLEIs burning this week in loving memory of

+KEVIN J. REGAN2 ND ANNIVERSARY REMEMBRANCE requested by Lynda and Family Members

SPECIAL INTENTION CANDLEIs burning this week in loving memory of

+JUSTIN M. GILESrequested by his mother Carol Chouinard

Any of the above memorial candles can be requested through our parish office. The Special Intention and Mary Garden Candles burn for 1 week (requested donation $10). The Sanctuary Candle burns for 2 weeks (requested donation $20).

CHILDREN’S LITURGY PROGRAMPlease note that Our Children’s Liturgy of the Word Program will start back up again on next Sunday January 15 at the 11:00 AM Mass. Your children, age pre-K to grade 4, are encouraged to come forward for the blessing when Fr. Dan calls them, and to go with adult leaders to the multipurpose room off the gathering space for a celebration of the Mass readings, prayers and a song. Parents are always welcome to accompany their children! This is a wonderful way they can participate at Mass and release some energy, before returning for the Liturgy of the Eucharist.

CHILDREN’S OFFERTORY ENVELOPESPlease be sure to take a box of Children’s Offertory Envelopes from the baskets near the bulletins. The children’s envelopes provide parents the opportunity to teach children about sharing their resources, sacrificial giving, and importance of support of their church. Last year, monies raised in the Children’s Envelopes allowed us to install High Def TV Screens and a Projection System in the church for use at the Youth Masses each month.

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS MEMBERSHIP DRIVE

This weekend representatives of the Knights of Columbus Westfield Council #100 will be available at

all the Masses to speak to men in the Parish about the benefits of joining the Knights of Columbus. The Knights are an international Catholic fraternal organization which does much good within the parish and the community. If interested in more information, please stop by the table in the Gathering Space.

FROM BISHOP MITCHELLDear Monsignor/Father/Deacon: There are many institutions in our Diocese which make it a special place. One of those is the College of Our Lady of the Elms. Both a blessing and a resource, the College serves the people of the Diocese in many ways, the education of our youth foremost among them. And, like all private institutions of higher education, Elms is dependent on private support to fulfill its mission. For more than 20 years, the generosity of the parishes of the Diocese has provided assistance, helping to educate a number of students, many of whom have remained in the Diocese and have served this area of the Church in education, healthcare, human services and business. This academic year, the weekend of January 7 and 8, 2017, is scheduled for a special collection in all diocesan parishes to support the Elms College Founder’s Fund for Excellence, which supports student financial aid. As a result of the generous efforts of your parishioners and yourselves last year over $40,000 in aid was given to the College of Our Lady of the Elms. I trust this year that help will continue and with God’s blessings, be exceeded. With every best wish,In Christ,Most Reverend Mitchell T. RozanskiBishop of Springfield

POOR BOX DEC 2016 / JAN 2017:SAMARITAN INN

Poor Box Envelopes are located in the Gathering Space on the table with the bulletins. Please take one, make your donation, and return it in the collection basket at Mass.

OUR STEWARDSHIP

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JANUARY 8, 2017 THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD December 25, 2016 Regular and Development (gold) $ 16,536Budget Requirement per Week 9,600 6,936

December Mortgage $ collected $ 5,112Mortgage due for month 4,182

930

Christmas Collection $ 9,911

2 nd Collection – Mortgage $ 3,137

THANK YOU!

KOC ALTAR SERVER BREAKFASTThe Knights of Columbus are hosting an Altar Servers breakfast on January 14th at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament parish center at 8:30AM.  Altar Servers and their families are invited to attend the event.  Servers are to contact your church office January 8th to indicate the number of persons participating.  Snow date is January 21st.

CONTRIBUTION STATEMENTS2016 Parish Contribution Statements will be mailed out to all parishioners before the end of this month. Thank you!

GIRLS WANTED FOR NEW TROOPThere is interest in starting a new Brownie Girl Scout troop in our parish. If you know a girl in grade 2 or 3 interested in joining scouts, contact Pat O'Connor at oconnorp1749@comcast.net or call 413-563-7286.

REGISTER IN THE PARISHIf anyone is joining us this weekend and would like to make our Parish your home, we would love to have you – please pick up a Parish Registration Card at the entrance tables in the church, fill it out, and drop it into the collection basket.

 SHOPPING ON AMAZON?DON’T FORGET TO SUPPORT OUR PARISH!

Our Parish can earn money on purchases you make through AmazonSmile. AmazonSmile is the same Amazon you know. Same products, same prices, same service. Support Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament by starting your shopping at smile.amazon.com. Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament (Westfield MA) is a registered charity with AmazonSmile, so we hope you will select us and help us raise needed funds while you make your purchases! Please register at

www.smile.amazon.com today to help support Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament. Thank you!

KOC FREE THROW CHAMPIONSHIPThe Knights of Columbus are hosting a youth basketball Free Throw Championship competition open to boys and girls age 9 to 14 at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament parish center at 10AM on January 14th.  Each competitor is allowed 15 attempts.  High scorers may compete again at district, regional, and state wide events later this winter.  For questions, contact Grand Knight Greg Perreault at 427-6804.

THANK YOU - BULLETIN ADVERTISERSAt this time of year we want to thank all those businesses who advertise in our bulletin throughout the year. We appreciate your support of our Parish in this way. Our bulletin company provides this bulletin – free of charge - to our Parish each week, but they depend on local business advertising for the bulletin, as a source of revenue. Thank You to all those who advertise in our bulletin! For any businesses or parishioners that might be interested in placing an ad, please call John Patrick Publishing at 1-800-333-3166.

Become a member of our Parish’s Facebook page – it’s a wonderful way to view pictures of our recent

activities and hear about upcoming events!

ONGOING COLLECTIONS

Parish Center Lobby -

Hope Phones makes phones available for medical personnel in Third World Countries. Donate used cell phones (working or not) in the Hope Phones suitcase.192 phones have been collected to date!

Bethlehem House, Inc. is a non-profit organization located in Easthampton which offers free pregnancy resources for women/families in crisis. They are always in need of baby blankets, diapers, wipes, baby shampoo, clothing, bottles, etc.

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JANUARY 8, 2017 THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD Westfield Soup Kitchen gratefully accepts the non-perishable food items collected here each weekend - cash donations may be sent to: Westfield Soup Kitchen, P.O. Box 2017, Westfield MA 01086.

Green Shed -

Bottles & Cans can be placed in the green shed by the ball field. As an ongoing fundraiser, our parishioners Ron Gerlip, Carol Conroy, and Joanne Fucci take care of redeeming these for us. Since 2007 we have raised a total of $23,825.90!

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

LOOKING AHEAD TO 2017 IN THE PARISH

Sunday Evening Masses at 6:00PMJan 8, Feb 12, Mar 12, Apr 9

Lenten Wednesday Evening Speaker SeriesMarch 1 – April 12

Knights of ColumbusRecruitment Weekend – January 7/8

Altar Server Breakfast – Jan 14

Girl ScoutsCookie Sales – Jan 14/15, Feb 11/12

Religious EducationFirst Reconciliation – Jan 28

“Souper Bowl” of Caring – Feb 5First Communion – May 21

Vacation Bible Camp Please join us this summer at Vacation Bible Camp for “Maker Fun Factory” ! Kids ages 4 through entering 5th grade will become hands-on inventors who discover they're lovingly crafted by God through music, games, crafts, and Bible stories. Helpers for this program range in age from students entering 6th grade through adults. Together we can make this the best VBC yet!

Vacation Bible Camp will take placeJuly 31- August 4, 2017.

Parish Adult EducationVarious adult education opportunities continue. On Thursday mornings from 10-noon, adults gather for varying series of faith topics. All are welcome at the Thursday sessions! Please call the Parish office for updates on topics and dates. A new Tuesday evening bible study will begin in February – look for details in future bulletins, or call the Office for information.

JPII Crew – Parish Youth Ministry Activities

As we look ahead to 2017, we are excited about the events the youth group is planning for the new year!~ Three Kings Party ~ Pilgrimage to Rome and the Vatican ~ Trips to area Shrines ~ Our 4th annual family Irish Night, with basket raffle ~ Holy Thursday 7 Churches tour ~ Living Last Supper presentation ~ XLT ~ Youth Retreat ~ Bible study ~ Service projects ~ Steubenville East Youth Conference ~ Ongoing fundraisers ~ regular events in the Outlet ~ most importantly time to learn more about our religion and deepen our relationship and Jesus Christ. All Youth in grades 6-12 are encouraged to join us, please contact Lisa at olbsccd@gmail.com or 562-3450 for more details!

RCIAThe Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) program is the process established for individuals to receive the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist. The RCIA program is beginning in our parish – for more information contact Deacon Paul Federici at deaconpaulf@comcast.net.

ST MARY LONGMEADOW EVENTSt. Mary Church in Longmeadow invites you to a talk on “One Christian Faith: Many Branches” by Dr. Joan Kelly on Saturday, January 14 from 11am-1pm. Donation $10.00 per person. A light lunch will be provided. RSVP by January 11 to Ellen McKenna at 567-1119 or mckenna1@comcast.net. Dr. Kelly will explore the people, places and events of the 16th century which led to the tragic division and splintering of Christianity into many denominations. Dr. Kelly will examine the similarities and differences among the branches and remind us that one of the major goals of the Second Vatican Council was a reunion of all Christians in accord with the mind of Christ.

MARRIAGE HELPIf your marriage has become troubled and stressed, unloving or uncaring; even if you are divorced or separated but want to try again, the Retrouvaille program can help. Retrouvaille provides tools to communicate better, resolve conflicts fairly, and re-discover why you fell in love. The next local Retrouvaille weekend is January 20-22 For information, call confidentially 1-800-470-2230, email helds4marriage@gmail.com or go to our website www.helpourmarriage.com for information & registration.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

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JANUARY 8, 2017 THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD Mercy Medical Center is looking for caring people to volunteer throughout our Health System in the Spiritual Care Department as Eucharistic Ministers, Spiritual Care Associates and giving assistance in reciting the Rosary.  Positions are also available at lobby desks, performing clerical duties, the Emergency Department, Patient Floors, Gift Shop, recreational activities and home visiting.  Volunteers must be at least 16 years old (some areas are 18) and able to give 4 hours a week of their time. (may vary according to assignment)  If you are interested, please fill out an online application at www.mercycares.com or contact the Mercy Medical Center Volunteer Department at 413-748-9074 or nancy.reilly@sphs.com

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