Saint Joseph Basilica Parish of the Third Millennium Mission Statement Saint Joseph Parish is committed to proclaim the gospel message of Jesus Christ as a Catholic community of faith, by promoting a sense of commitment to the Church, encouraging divine worship and prayer, fostering evangelization and nurturing the spirit of service. Within the context of our Polish - American religious and cultural heritage, we foster our tradition and aspire to personal growth in faith. We are determined to develop our vision for the future, to educate the children in Christian values and to be receptive to the creative and saving grace of God.
53 Whitcomb Street, Webster, MA 01570 Phone: 508-943-0467 • Fax: 508-943-0808 E-mail:
[email protected] Parish WebSite: www.saintjosephbasilica.com LITURGICAL CELEBRATIONS Sunday Vigil: Sunday: Holy Day Vigil: Holy Day: Weekdays:
4:00 p.m. 7:00 a.m.(Polish); 8:15 a.m.; 9:30 a.m. 11:00 a.m. (Polish) 5:00 p.m. 7:00 a.m.; 8:15 a.m.(Polish); 9:30 a.m. 7:00 p.m. (Bilingual) 6:30 a.m.; 7:00 a.m.
CONFESSIONS - SPOWIEDŹ
Saturday: ....................................... 3 p.m. Eve of Holy Days:......................... 3 p.m. Thurs. before First Friday: ........... 3 p.m First Friday: .................................. 6.30 p.m
PARISH OFFICE HOURS
Mon. - Fri.: 9 a.m. - 12 noon & 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. Wednesday - Office Is Closed! Please call ahead for an appointment with a priest.
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION/RCIA (508) 943-3572
Director ...............................................................Mary Jolda
PARISH PERSONNEL Rector .................................. Rev. Msgr. Anthony Czarnecki Adm. Secretary................................................... Terry Miller Financial Secretary............................................. Ewa Mamro Organist .......................................................... Robert Wójcik Cemetery Manager ..................................... Kevin Rekowski Sacristans ..................................... Al Richard & Joseph Ziak
RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) is a process established by the Church for individuals to become Catholic and receive the Sacraments of Initiation-Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist. If you wish to become Catholic, or are a Baptized Catholic in need of making your First Communion and/or Confirmation, please call the Religious Education Office. BAPTISM: On designated Sundays. Please call to make arrangements. Parents are required to receive orientation. MARRIAGE: Proper preparation for marriage requires one year’s notice. Please contact the rectory for appointment. MINISTRY TO THE SICK: For those of advanced age, ill or hospitalized, call the rectory to arrange visitation. PARISH MEMBERSHIP: If you would like to become part of St. Joseph Parish Family, please call the rectory. *** SAKRAMENT CHRZTU: W wyznaczone niedziele. Proszę zadzwonić na plebanię, aby ustalić datę. Rodzice zobowiązani są do krótkiej katechezy. SAKRAMENT MAŁŻEŃSTWA: Narzeczeni powinni zawiadomić kancelarię parafialną rok przed datą ślubu. SAKRAMENT CHORYCH: Po sakramentalną posługę księdza proszę dzwonić na plebanię. ZAPISY DO PARAFII: Parafia św. Józefa serdecznie zaprasza nowych członków. Zapisy przyjmujemy w kancelarii parafialnej. ***
SAINT JOSEPH SCHOOL
47 Whitcomb Street, Webster, MA 01570 Phone: 508-943-0378 Fax: 508-949-0581 www.saintjosephschool.net Principal ................................................... Mr. Donald F. Cushing Secretary.......................................................Ms. Jennifer Mahlert
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December 20, 2009 - 20 grudzien 2009 r. Masses for the week - Msze Sw. Podczas Tygodnia
Sunday Vigil-December 19 4:00 r.s. Elizabeth Szymczak (7th anniv.) -int. family Sunday-December 20 7:00 r.s. MaryJane (Wisniewski) Pakradooni -int. godmother 8:15 For the parishioners of St. Joseph Basilica 9:30 r.s. MaryAnn Marshalkowski, Roberta Brisbois and Patricia Mahan -int. parents 11:00 s.p. Spiewak rodzina -int. Leonard Jacob z rodzina Monday-December 21 6:30 r.s. Clara Kuszewski -int. Rev. Msgr. Anthony Czarnecki 2:15 pm Lanessa Nursing Home Tuesday-December 22 6:30 r.s. Jennifer Brzostek -int. Alexander Brzostek and Irene Sheehan and family 7:00 Za wypominki Wednesday-December 23 6:30 r.s. Charles and Emily Kulpan -int. Charlotte Kulpan 7:00 r.s. Richard J. Williams, Sr. (1st anniv.) -int. wife, children and grandchildren Thursday-December 24 6:30 r.s. Alexander Lebudzinski -int. family Thursday Evening i Christmas Vigil i 4 pm For the special Benefactors of Saint Joseph BasilicaRichard Nowak, Dr. John Kalinowski and John and Jane Gogolinski 12 M Shepherd’s Mass - Pasterka Za tych ktorzy w roznych formach posluguja w parafii-For those of our parish involved in various ministries -int. Msgr. Anthony Czarnecki Friday i CHRISTMAS DAY i 8:15 For our parish community to grow in faith, dedication and service to God and each other 9:30 r.s. Paula Kalinowski -int. husband and children 11:00 Za zmarlych dobrodziejow Bazyliki i szkoly-For the deceased benefactors to the Basilica and school--Bernard Kozik, Wanda Sitkowski, Walter Kolak and Jan Markiewicz -int.. Msgr. Anthony Czarnecki PLEASE NOTE: No evening Mass on Christmas Day Saturday-December 26 7:00 r.s. Anthony Czernicki -int. Natalie and Larry Welch Sunday Vigil 4:00 r.s. Edward Faber -int. children Sunday-December 27 7:00 Za wypominki 8:15 For the parishioners of St. Joseph Basilica 9:30 r.s. Joseph F. Piasta -int. Sue and Joe Yurkevicius 11:00 s.p. Anna Kurpiel, Stanislawa i Aniela Kurpiel -int. Anna i Edward Kudron Sacrificial Offerings - December 13, 2009 Weekly $5201(incl. $224 in loose money); Diocesan Obligations $244; Fuel $284; Imm. Con. $870 (incl. $89 in loose money). I am deeply humbled by the response to many parishioners who increased their Sunday offering. We need at least $6000 on a weekly basis. Stewardship Note: The Gospel today tells of the Virgin Mary, while pregnant, hurrying off to help her cousin, Elizabeth. The model of good stewardship, she who had given herself to bear the Savior, gave her time and love to others.
SANCTUARY VOTIVE CANDLES For the week of December 20 through December 26, 2009 MAIN ALTAR Candle I - With gratitude for spiritual and physical graces received throughout the year – Tony Placzek BLESSED MOTHER ALTAR Candle I - In memory of Henry Dowgiewicz and the Komorek and Dowgiewicz families - by Gladys Dowgiewicz and children Candle II - In loving memory of Felix E. Miller - given by wife, daughters and grandchildren FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT - Dec. 20, 2009 O Lord of hosts, look down from heaven and see; Take care of this vine, and protect what your right hand has planted. – Psalm 80:15-16
Memories and Dreams. There is an old saying that good gifts come in small packages. This is certainly borne out in today’s scriptures. In the first reading the Lord announces that it is from Bethlehem, described as “too small to be among the clans of Judah” (Micah 5:1), that the Messiah would spring forth. In the Gospel story of the visitation of Mary to Elizabeth, we can only imagine Mary, probably a young teenager, a small woman, bearing within herself the greatest gift the world would ever know. These scriptures have much to say to us as we look forward to opening Christmas gifts over the next few days. Nothing in any package beneath any tree can compare to the gift given to the world two thousand years ago. As we share the joy of Christmas, let us remember the greatest gift, Jesus Christ, who came into this world to save us and set us free. The second collection this weekend is to support the Retirement Fund for Religious CONFESSIONS On Monday, December 21, 2009 the traditional Christmas Reconciliation Service will be held at 6 p.m. We encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity. Priests from surrounding areas will be present to hear confessions in English, Polish, German and Italian. Since the clergy will be busy visiting the homebound on Tuesday and Wednesday, confessions will not be available after Monday evening. CHRISTMAS 2009 “In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be enrolled......And Joseph also went ....to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to be delivered. And she gave birth to her first-born son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.”– Luke 2:1-7
The Christmas celebration will begin with the vigil mass at 4 p.m. For centuries the Shepherd’s Midnight Mass highlighted the
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December 20, 2009 - 20 grudzien 2009 r.
historical nativity of the Messiah of the World as proclaimed in the Gospel. The bilingual celebration at midnight will begin at 11:30 p.m. with a Christmas concert of St. Joseph Basilica Choir, followed by the candlelight procession with the children to the manger, the blessing of the creche, and celebration of the solemn Mass. Christmas Day will begin with the 8:15 a.m. Mass followed by the 9:30 a.m. liturgy. The last Mass on Christmas Day is at 11 a.m. in Polish. The students of St. Joseph School and the altar servers are requested to report for their respective Masses 20 minutes before the beginning of the liturgy. CHRISTMAS MESSAGE FROM THE RECTOR The highlight of the Christmas Holy Day is participation in Divine Worship in the Church. No social celebration or family reunion can replace our personal encounter of the newborn Messiah through sacramental services in the Church. As we celebrate this holiest of days, may the spirit of Christmas with the joyful carols, and simplicity of the manger sooth our minds and hearts and inspire us to become devoted participants in the mission of Jesus Christ and His Church. On behalf of the clergy, Felician Sisters, and children of St. Joseph School and the rectory staff, I wish all our parishioners, visitors and friends, a blessed and joyful Christmas. WESOLYCH SWIAT i MERRY CHRISTMAS i 1-25 Club Winner for the13th Week - #155 Charlotte Plouffe FOR YOUR INFORMATION For many years the media as well as educators advocate the need for improvement of public schools. An article in the Worcester Telegram on Saturday, December 12, 2009 indicates that some public schools should be closed and new ones built. If the same policy is going to govern the new building I do not believe there will be any improvement. Recently the TV announced that in a public school in Taunton, MA the children in Grade 2 were asked to draw a picture of anything associated with Christmas. One child who drew a picture of Jesus Christ on the cross was reprimanded and suspended from school and recommended for psychological evaluation because the teacher considered his drawing to be too graphic. Incidents such as this indicate the continuous tension between Christian values on which the western civilization is based and secular public mentality which wants to create a new society according to their own shallow vision. SCHOOL NEWS On Tuesday, December 22nd, the children of St. Joseph School will follow the tradition of a Christmas Eve dinner when they come together at 11:30 a.m. in the cafeteria. St. Joseph School children are a family of students united in common values in pursuit of advanced education which creates a strong bond and therefore it is fitting that before they leave for Christmas vacation they share a common meal, break the “oplatek” and exchange best wishes with each other and the faculty. The elaborate dinner which will be offered free of charge in a spirit of Christmas by the Zagrocki family will be lovingly prepared by our thoughtful cook Patti Zagrocki. Our students throughout the year are introduced to many Catholic
traditions which provide the structure for the development of faith. Such customs create a habit and also point out the values which are inherent in these celebrations. May this Christmas dinner celebration enrich the students with the gifts of Jesus, the Redeemer of the World, who brought to us joy, kindness, love and peace. To all our students, Faculty and Principal, Merry Christmas! Robotics Competition. On Saturday, December 12, the Robotics team of St. Joseph School participated in the Agawam Qualifier for the First Lego League (FLL) Robotics competition. Under the guidance of Mr. Mike Mamro, a group of young students worked diligently every week to build a robot, program it to perform certain tasks, and also did research for the assigned project. On Saturday, this team, The Battle Droids, won first place for their Robot Performance, beating 31 other teams in completing their missions. Congratulations to Alex Gardner, Kyle Herbst, Gordon Ellis, Suzanne Ellis, and Tomasz Mamro! WELCOME - WITAMY! We welcome to St. Joseph Basilica Rev. Dr. Boguslaw Psujek who will assist me for several months. May his work at St. Joseph Basilica be beneficial and rewarding. CATHOLIC YOUTH GROUP Mark Your Calendars - Paint Bowls to Auction Off. Anyone (youths grades 6-12) interested in painting ceramic bowls to be auctioned off at a future soup dinner is invited to come to St. Louis Church Hall on Saturday, January 9th, from 2-4 p.m. A representative from “Claytime” in Shrewsbury will bring ceramic bowls for us to paint. She will take the painted bowls back to her store and heat them in her kiln and return the finished pieces to us a few weeks later. The bowls will be auctioned off at a soup dinner to be held later in January or February to raise money for the homeless. (Watch future bulletins for date and more info on the dinner.) The cost to paint a bowl is $10. I need to give “Claytime” a count of bowls needed so please let Mrs. Valcour know if you will be coming by January 5th. DONATIONS St. Joseph School. In memory of: Robert W. Kokocinski by Stasia E. Lamby and Mary Bylund, Theresa Gwozdz, Worcester Tool & Stamping Co., Inc. St. Joseph Basilica. In memory of Lonegan F. Bonczek, Sr.-$1000 by son Lon Bonczek Jr. May your generosity be rewarded with many blessings for you and your family. Friends of St. Joseph School Fund. In memory of: Michael Zalewski by Madeline Iacobucci and family; Lonegan Bonczek Sr. by Allan & Calissa Brown, Dr. & Mrs. Kermit Kenler, Dani Bolognesi and B3 Bio family, John & Anna King, Lon Bonczek, Jr. UPGRADE ON PHASE III The work on the sidewalk near the church and the rectory is completed. The stairs in front of the rectory will be addressed in the Spring as part of Phase III. The Bonfim Co. will return in the Spring to make certain adjustments once the stones settle. During the process we had to address the issues of the entry stairs into church from the rectory as well as those from Whitcomb St. to the front entry of the rectory. To date, the cost of the project including
Page 4 the columns and flashing around the windows of the rectory and the water seepage into the church, is $48,800, however, all the expenses have not as yet been recorded. Together with the pledges due of $1520, our total donations to Phase III come to $41,455.56. Although we are short of an estimated amount of $7,000, it is my hope that before the end of the year some parishioners will make additional donations to take advantage of tax benefits. I want to take this occasion to thank all the parishioners for their generous response to the appeal of the Parish Council, even though we did not reach our quota of $60,000, which enabled us to significantly improve our property. CHRISTMAS BROADCASTS FROM CATHEDRAL TV Ministry will broadcast the 11:30 p.m. concert and Midnight Mass from the Cathedral of St. Paul on Charter TV3, on WTAG 580AM and 94.9 FM as well as stream LIVE on the web at www.worcesterdiocese.org. This is a wonderful opportunity for homebound parishioners to celebrate with the local Catholic community in the Diocese of Worcester.
KRONIKA PARAFIALNA WSPOMNIENIA I MARZENIA. Stare porzekad»o mówi, óe najwspanialsze prezenty dostajemy zazwyczaj w ma»ych opakowaniach. Ta mysl, jest równieó widoczna w dzisiejszych czytaniach. W pierwszym czytaniu Bóg mówi, óe Mesjasz narodzi si“ w Betlejem. W Ewangelii czytajc o nawiedzieniu Ñw. Elóbiety, moóemy sobie wyobraziƒ Maryj“ jako ma», m»od nastolatk“, która nosi w sobie najwi“kszy dar. Czytania te przypominaj nam o tym, óe óaden prezent znaleziony pod choink nie jest tak waóny jak dar Zbawiciela, ofiarnowany nam przez Boga dwa tysiace lat temu. Przeóywajc Ðwi“ta Boóego Narodzenia pami“tajmy, óe Jezus Chrystusa jest najwi“kszym darem, który przyszed» na Ñwiat, aby nas wyzwoliƒ z jarzma grzechu. DRUGA KOLEKTA b“dzie zbierana na pomoc emerytowanym ksi“óom i siostrom zakonnym. Prosimy o ofiarnoу. SPOWIEDî ÐW. dla ca»ej parafii b“dzie w poniedzia»ek 21-go grudnia o 6 p.m. Zach“camy wszystkich do wykrzystania tej okazji by przygotowaƒ swoje serca na przyjÑcie Zbawiciela. Jak zwykle b“d ksi“óa w innych parafii s»uchajcy spowiedzi w j. polskim, angielskim i niemieckim. Od wtorku nie b“dzie juó moóliwoÑci do spowiedzi, gdyó ksi“óa b“d odwiedzaƒ chorych w szpitalach i domach. UROCZYSTOÐCI BOòEGO NARODZENIA rozpoczn si“ w czwartek, 24.XII. Msz Ñw. o godz. 4 p.m. poprzedzon krótkim koncertem kol“d. Tradycyjnie zapraszamy na Pasterk“, która juó od wieków podkreÑla»a historyczn wag“ Narodzenia Pa½skiego. Dwuj“zyczn uroczystoу Pasterki rozpoczniemy o 11:30 p.m. koncertem kol“d, po którym w procesji ze Ñwiecami przejdziemy do ó»óbka. W dzie½ Boóego Narodzenia pierwsza Msza Ñw. b“dzie o 8:15 rano. O 9:30 rano b“dzie liturgia dla uczniów Szko»y Ñw. Józefa. Ostatnia Msza Ñw. b“dzie o 11-ej. Prosimy zapoznaƒ sie ze szczegó»ami w wykazie na pocztku biuletynu. „Niebo ziemi i niebu ziemia, wszyscy wszystkim Ñl óyczenia”. Takóe my, Wasi duszpasterze oraz pracownicy parafii Ñw. Józefa w Webster, sk»adamy z okazji Ñwit Boóego Narodzenia, z serca p»ynce óyczenia. Jezus Chrystus, wcielony Syn Boóy, który narodzi» si“ z Dziewicy Maryi, niech przez sakramenty Ñwi“te spowiedzi i komunii Ñwi“tej,
Page 5 modlitwy i dobrych uczynków ponownie narodzi si“ i zamieszka w Waszych sercach przynoszc ze sob wewn“trzny i zewn“trzy pokój, zdrowie duszy i cia»a, nadziej“ na lepsze jutro, a nade wszystko mi»oу ku Bogu i bliïniemu. Ðw. Józef zaÑ, milczcy z zadziwienia Ñwiadek tajemnicy Wcielenia, niech b“dzie dla wszystkich rodzin wzorem, patronem, or“downikiem »ask na czas radosnego Ñwi“towania i codziennych trosk. B»ogos»awionych Swit Boóego Narodzenia! PRASA i telewizja przez wiele lat apeluj o naglaca potrzeb“ poprawy systemu nauczania w szko»ach publicznych. Artyku» w Worcester Telegram z soboty 12-go grudnia wspomina, óe niektóre szko»y publiczne powinny byƒ zamkni“te, a na ich miejsce wybudowane nowe. Jeóeli jednak te same regu»y b“d kierowaƒ tymi nowymi budynkami, to przecieó nie si“ nie zmieni na lepsze. Ostatnio media poinformowa»y równieó, óe w szkole publicznej w Taunton, MA, uczniowie kl. II zostali poproszeni o zrobienie rysunku kojarzcego si“ ze Ñwi“tami Boóego Narodzenia. Jedno dziecko narysowa»o Jezusa na krzyóu. Za to dosta»o nagan“ i zosta»o zawieszone w prawach ucznia i wys»ane na ewaluacje psychologiczna, gdyó jego nauczyciel uzna» rysunek za „zbyt graficzny”. Takie wypadki s dowodem cig»ej walki pomiedzy wartoÑciami chrzeÑcija½skimi na których wyros»a zachodnia cywilizacja a laickim Ñwiatem, który chce budowaƒ spo»ecze½stwo wed»ug w»asnej plytkiej wizji. ZE SZKOºY. We wtorek, 22 grudnia o 11:30 rano uczniowie Szko»y Ñw. Józefa wraz z nauczycielami zgromadza sie na tradycyjn wigilijna kolacje przygotowan i zafundowan przez rodzin“ Patti Zagrocki, która jest manadóerem kafeterii. Uczniwie szko»y s rodzin dzieci zjednoczon we wspólnym dóeniu do osigni“cia dobrego wykszta»cenia i wartoÑci moralnych dlatego tak waónym jest, aby przed Ñwi“tami zjedli wspólny posi»ek, po»amali si“ op»atkiem i wymienili óyczenia wraz z nauczycielami. Jak wiecie, uczniowie Szko»y Ñw. Józefa podczas roku szkolnego bior udzia» w wielu tradycjach chrzeÑcija½skich, które zapewniaj ich rozwój duchowy. Uczestnictwo w takich zwyczajach staje si“ przyzwyczajeniem, które póïniej b“dzie przekazane nast“pnym pokoleniom. Niech ten wspo»n posilek ubogaci uczniów darem Jezusa, Zbawiciela Ñwiata, który przyniós» nam radoу, serdecznoу, mi»oу i pokój. Dyrektorowi szko»y, nauczycielom i uczniom óyczymy b»ogos»awionych Ðwit Boóego Narodzenia! KONKURS ROBOTYKI. W sobot“ 12-go grudnia grupa studentów ze szko»y Ñw. Józefa wzi“»a udzia» w konkursie robotyki w Agawam, MA, tzw. First Lego League. Pod kierunkiem Micha»a Mamro przez wiele tygodni od pocztku roku szkolnego budowali robota z klocków lego, programowali go do wykonania zadanych misji i przygotowali prezentacj“ na tegoroczny temat transportu. Grupa, która przyj“»a nazw“ „Battle Droids” wygra»a pierwsze miejsce w kategorii budowy i dzia»ania robota pokonujc 31 innych druóyn. Gratulujemy Tomkowi Mamro, Gordonowi i Zuzi Ellis, Alexowi Gardner i Kyl’owi Herbst wspania»ego sukcesu! CHODNIKI wokó» koÑcio»a s zako½czone. Schodami przed koÑcio»em zajmiemy si“ na wiosn“. Podczas remontów zaj“liÑmy si“ srpaw wejÑcia do koÑcio»a od strony plebanii oraz chodnikiem od ulicy na plebani“. Do dzisiaj koszt tego remontu wynosi prawie $48,000, ale jeszcze nie otrzymaliÑmy wszystkich rachunków. ZebraliÑmy w sumie $41,455 ( z czego $1520 jest zadeklarowana, ale jeszcze tych pieni“dzy nie otrzymaliÑmy). Brakuje nam wi“c ok. $7000, ale mam nadziej“, óe przed ko½cem roku jeszcze znajd si“ parafianie, którzy nam pomog zebraƒ pe»n kwot“ korzystajc z moóliwoÑci odpisu od podatku i w duchu ofiarowania daru Bogu przy okazji Ðwit Boóego Narodzenia.
