Bulletin for Sunday, December 25

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CHRISTMAS BLESSINGS

            The blessings of Christmas and any other time of the year is knowing that we are loved by God.  The coming of Jesus into the world as Savior is a sign of that love.  “God so loved the world that He sent His only Son…”  The caring and kindness that we show each other are likewise signs that God loves us.  Perhaps this Christmas Season you can share your Faith in God’s love.  Invite someone who doesn’t worship to pray with us at Mass.  It would be a great way to experience and share God’s blessings!
On behalf of St. John’s Parish Staff, we wish you a joyous and prayerful Christmas Season.  Together may we rejoice in God’s love for us manifested in the birth of Jesus.

Fr. Bourke, Fr. Graziano, Sr. Jane and Deacon Jim

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CHRISTMAS MASS SCHEDULE

Saturday, December 24^th – Christmas Eve Vigil

4:00pm – 6:00pm – 8pm (Swahili Mass)

Sunday, December 25^th – Christmas Day

8:00am – 10:00am – 12noon (Children’s Pageant)

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A word about RCIA:  RCIA is the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, a process by which adults “after hearing the mystery of Christ proclaimed, consciously and freely seek the living God…..By God’s help they will be strengthened spiritually during their preparation and…..will receive the sacraments fruitfully”.  The RCIA program includes: people who were never baptized; those baptized in another faith; and those who were baptized Catholic but have never received the sacraments of Eucharist or Confirmation.
If you are interested in the Catholic Faith, or have a friend or relative who may be interested in making this journey of faith, please invite the person to contact Sister Jane at the rectory.

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            Sister Jane’s next Faith Sharing Group will meet on Tuesday January 3^rd, 2012 at 11am in the rectory.  All are welcome!

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            Sister Jane is available to anyone who is interested in spiritual direction.  For more information or if you have questions, please contact her at 617 846-7400.

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ADULT CONFIRMATION

            Any adult who has been baptized Catholic and has received First Communion but has not been confirmed and would like to be, please contact Sister Jane at the rectory, 617 847-7400 or j_iannaccone320@hotmail.com
 
            THANK YOU to everyone who supported the 2011 Breakfast with Santa.  It was a HUGE success.  With our cooks, local businesses, and lots of helping hands, everyone pitched in to make it a very memorable morning.  We send our love and gratitude to the following:
Andiamos                                 Lizzy Anderson
Balloon City                            Billy Hetherton
Black Strap BBQ                      Billy Mulvaney
Cumberland Farms                    Frost T. Snowman
CVS (East Boston)                   James Gill
Governors Garden                    Michael St. Jean
Hot Diggitty                            Tyler Chasten
“Irish Eyes” Pushcart               Rudolph Reindeer
McDonalds (East Boston)        Rob DiBattista
Meat Market                            Michael Melanson
Melyssa Foley                          Christian Navarro
Michael’s Hallmark                  Charlie Gosselin
Move Fitness                           Cassandra Harris
Muffin Town                           Jessica Parker
Mutual Beef                             Marcy & Terry Delehanty
Natalie Bayersdorfer                Diane Canavan
Paesan’s                                   Jodee Harris & Family
Paul W. Marks                         Jen Alioto & Family
W.C.A.T.                                 Liz & Tim Donovan
Winthrop Transcript               Sylvia & Barbara Donavan
Winthrop Marketplace                        Sheryl Howard & Family
Erin & Karen Flaherty             Kathleen Capuccio
Gerry Butters                           Beth Butler
Shirley Guthro                          Ann Carver
Emily & Rich Dean                  Carla Vitale
Ella Palkogho                          Caitlin Hogan
Rose Mazzuchelli & Family      John Rich
Grace Maiolino                                    Santa Claus
Judi Carey                                Jim Gallagher
Dennis Prew                             The Huberts
Martucci Family                       The Baxters
Katherine Teixeira                   The Teixeiras
Briana Mulvaney                      Marybeth Hetherton
The Clean Up Crew
Merry Christmas and may God continue His blessings to us in the New Year.
Amy Gallagher
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Third:  Alyssa Ofilos and Kevin Sweeney

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Through the waters of Baptism, we welcome into St. John’s Parish:
Lucia Avery Fitzpatrick and Anthony Paul Ciarcia-Duggan.
Please keep these little ones, their parents and godparents in your prayers as they begin their faith journeys.
 

Commitment to Parish Life (CPL)

People sharing time, talent and treasure

Parish Support and Finances
Our Offertory this weekend, December 24^th/25^th, has one intention, the Clergy Benefit Trust.  We thank you for your generosity.
Prior Week Offertory:  $5,814.00 – Budgeted Goal: $6,100.00
Weekly collection funds the day to day operations of the Parish.
FYTD Off. :$141,401.00 – Budgeted Offertory: $152,500.00
Our fiscal year to date totals began as of July 1^st, 2011
Grand Annual: $79,598.00 – Grand Annual Goal: $90,000.00
CPL: November – $5,333.00 – CPL to date: $38,405.50
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            Merry Christmas from all the priests of the Archdiocese of Boston.  The Christmas Collection supports the retirement, medical and financial needs of priests of the Archdiocese of Boston.  These priests have given their lives to faithfully serve Christ, the Church and you.  Please be generous to this important collection.  For more information, please visit:  www.CareForSeniorPriests.org.
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Every Sunday – Family Liturgy – 10am Mass
Every Second Sunday of Month – Food Pantry
First & Fourth Sunday of Month – Swahili Mass – 5pm – chapel

Every Monday thru Saturday – Rosary after 9am. Mass – all are welcome

Every Monday Evening – Eucharistic Adoration 6:30-8pm with Divine Mercy Chaplet – 7-7:15pm – chapel – all are welcome

Every Wednesday Evening – Adult Choir Rehearsal – 7pm-upper

Church

Jan. 4^th – Wed. – Bldg. & Prop. Mtg. – 7pm – rectory
Jan. 6^th – Middle School Drop-In – 7:15 – gym
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Come and spend some time with our Lord.  Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is held on Monday evening from 6:30 to 8pm with Divine Mercy Chaplet from 7-7:15pm in the chapel.  All are welcome.
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The CatholicTV Network

Christmas Programming

            It’s that time of year again!  CatholicTV will intersperse Advent and Christmas programming with their regular schedule throughout December and especially from Monday, December 19^th until New Year’s Eve.  Then, all day Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and December 26^th, CatholicTV will become ChristmasTV for 72 hours of non-stop specials.

Comcast Ch. 268

Verizon Ch. 296

Or watch LIVE online at www.CatholicTV.com.

MIDDLE SCHOOL DROP-IN

St. John the Evangelist School

Ocean View Street Entrance

January 6^th – 7:15 pm – 9:30pm

Music – Games – TV – Basketball – etc.

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IS THERE ANYONE SICK AMONG YOU?

            This question found in the New Testament letter to James, gives the response that the sick should call for the priests of the church who are to pray over and anoint the sick with oil in the name of the Lord.  Never hesitate to ask for prayer and the Sacrament of the Sick prior to surgery or when diagnosed with a serious illness.  The Sacrament is not looked on as “The Last Rites” but as a powerful instrument of God’s healing presence.
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Parish Book Club Begins

            Have medical professionals told you a loved one appears near death?  Need support?  Attend the parish’s Book Club on Thursday nights for six weeks for fellowship and support beginning January 5^th, 2012 in Room 7 of the School from 7-8pm.  No registration is required to join us for some or all sessions as we read from and comment on the paperback “Final Gifts”, based on the experiences of two hospice nurses.  Books are available to borrow.  Call Parish Book Club Moderator, Marguerite Quist Paul, at 617 894-7650 should you have a question.
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Cathedral of the Holy Cross Ireland Pilgrimage

June 13-23, 2012

            Join Father Kevin O’Leary and others from the Archdiocese of Boston on a pilgrimage to Ireland and the celebration of the 50^th International Eucharist Congress where Pope Benedict XVI will celebrate the closing Mass.  Pilgrimage continues with tour of the sacred sites of Ireland including Knock, Galway, Limerick City, Ring of Kerry, Killarney, Cork and more.  Complete package cost $3,295.00 (twin occupancy).  For further details and information, please contact Sofia Syversen at 800 653-0017 or email her at: Canterbury.tours@live.com
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Prayer for Parents Before the Birth of Their Child

Gracious Father,
Your Word, spoken in love, created the human family and, in the fullness of time, Your Son, conceived in love, restored it to Your friendship.  Hear the prayers of parents awaiting the birth of a child, calm their fears when they are anxious.  Watch over and support these parents and bring their child into this world safely and in good health, so that as members of Your family they may praise You and glorify You through Your Son, our Lord, Jesus Christ, now and forever.  Amen.
 
 

Winthrop Catholic Woman’s Club

Spirit Shawls

            Our Spirit Shawl Program began in Autumn, 2007.  Since then, more than 40 shawls and lap robes had been delivered to patients in hospice, rehab or nursing homes, to frail elders and others.  A label that reads “Custom Made with Love by Winthrop Catholic Women” is affixed to each item.  If you know someone whose shoulders and spirits would be warmed with a shawl, do let us know.  Our gratitude goes to the knitters, crocheters, sewers and donors of yarn or fabric.  For more information you may contact Patricia Tacelli, 617 504-0606 pattac5@yahoo.com or Mary Page, 617 846-5648.
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“Happiness is first of all a gift of God that is received by following the unexpected paths of God’s will.  These ways are demanding, but they are also a source of deep joy.  Look at Mary; invited to take a surprising and disconcerting path her willingness makes her enter a joy that all generations will sing.”                                                    Pope Benedict XVI
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All Powerful God,

watch over all our dear ones

who serve this day in the military.

Hold them safely in the palm of Your hand.

Walk with them in your strength.

Bring comfort when they are troubled;

hope when they are weary.

Remind them of our love.

Merciful Lord,

bring a lasting peace into our midst.

Heal our hearts and help all nations

find ways to live in harmony

so that blood is shed no more.

We ask this in the name of Christ Jesus,

Prince of Peace.  Amen

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BEFORE YOU GO AND YOU ARE ON YOUR WAY

PLEASE PAUSE AND STOP TO PRAY

For all those who are ill

For all who have asked for our prayers

For all of the faithful departed

For the benefactors of St. John’s Church

For the unborn and the elderly

For peace in the troubled spots of the world

For vocations to the Priesthood,

diaconate and Religious Life

“For whoever asks, receives; whoever seeks, finds;

whoever knocks is admitted.”

                           Matthew 7:7

“For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Christ and Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.” – Lk 2:11-12

Week of Monday, December 26^th – Sunday, January 1^st.

Mon.     9:00      Beatrice Galasso – 20^th Anniversary
Tues.    9:00      The Benfactors of the Parish
Wed.     9:00      Peter Miccichi, III – 2^nd  Anniversary
Thur.    9:00      Mim and Jim Forster
Fri.       9:00      The People of the Parish
Sat        9:00      Anthony “Lefty” DeFelice
The Turner Family
4:00      Rocco, Anna and Paul Leo
and Mary and Frank Barker
Sunday  8:00      Janet Baxter – 4^th Anniversary
10:00    William Gallagher – 19^th Anniversary
12:00    Rosemary E. Burns – 7^th Anniversary
Inez Green – 1^st Anniversary
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FAMILY LITURGY

            Every Sunday, the 10am Mass will have a focus on the family with the children in mind.
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PRAY FOR WORLD PEACE – PRAY THE ROSARY