Our
LadytheofEvangelist
the Assumption
St John
Roman Catholic Parish
Mission ~ St. John the Evangelist, Keene, Ontario
1830 Keene Rd., Otonabee, ON, K9J 6X7
Phone: (705) 741-1018
email: assumptaest@sympatico.ca
web: www.assumption-stjohns.ca
Pastor: Monsignor Michael Heffernan C.H.H.
Weekend Holy Mass Schedule:
OUR LADY OF THE ASSUMPTION
Saturday
Sunday
5:00 p.m.
9:00 a.m.
ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST
Keene, Ontario
Sunday
10:30 a.m.
Weekday Holy Mass Schedule:
OUR LADY OF THE ASSUMPTION
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday 8:00 a.m.
Tuesday
6:30 p.m.
(Fourth and (Fifth) Tuesdays of the Month at 8:00 a.m.)
Friday
.
7:00 p.m.
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
with Benediction:
Every Friday from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Followed by Holy Mass at 7:00 p.m.
NEW PARISHIONERS—
Have you registered in our Parish?
“Parish Census” Forms can be found
at the back of the Churches. Please introduce
yourselves to Fr. Michael and welcome!!
Second Sunday of Advent
December 6, 2015
Parish Office: Phone: (705) 741-1018
Secretary: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and
Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Catholic Women’s League:
► President:
Joanne Bolton
(705)743-6562
Knights of Columbus:
► Grand Knight: Peter Clancy
(705)748-3075
Marriage: Registered Parishioners must
contact the Parish Office twelve months
before the proposed Wedding date. No
date for a Wedding can be set before a
couple has met with the Priest.
Baptism: Registered Parishioners must
contact the Parish Office one month before
the desired Baptism date.
Reconciliation:
Saturday: 7:30 – 8:00 a.m. & 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Sunday: 8:00 – 9:00 a.m.
You may also ask Father at ANYTIME
MOVING? ~~ Please let the office know of
your move from this parish. Also address
change is necessary for sending out the year’s
tax receipts. Call 705-741-1018.
second Sunday of advent
Mass Intentions
December 7– December 13
MONDAY, December 7
Saint Ambrose
8:00 a.m. ~ Special Intention
TUESDAY, December 8
Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Jubilee of Mercy
6:30 p.m. + Rose Leonard
(Helen Vozza & Family)
WEDNESDAY, December 9
Saint Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin
8:00 a.m. ~ Special Intention
(Parishioner)
11:30 a.m. C.W.L. Mass
THURSDAY, December 10
8:00 a.m. ~ Special Intention
FRIDAY, December 11
Saint Damasus I
9:00 a.m. Mass for St. Patrick School at Church
7:00 p.m. + Patricia Gleeson
(Anne Sheridan)
6:00 p.m. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
"Jesus waits for us in this Sacrament of Love."
SATURDAY, December 12
Our Lady of Guadalupe
8:00 a.m. ~ For the respect and sanctity of all human
life from conception to natural death.
Third Sunday of Advent, December 13
5:00 p.m. ~ Louise Heffernan-Dyck
(Geraldine Heffernan)
9:00 a.m. ~ Thanksgiving Mass
(Frank & Teresa Harrington)
10:30 a.m. ~ Pro Populo
Third Sunday of Advent
LAY MINISTRY
Eucharistic
Saturday 5:00 p.m.
Joanne Bolton
Sunday 9:00 a.m. Mary Pat Goodridge
10:30 a.m.
Bud Monahan
Our Lady Queen of Peace Community
Rosary
St. John the Baptist Catholic Church
Tuesday December 8 - Rosary: 6:30pm.
Please join us for coffee/tea & treats after
the rosary. Everyone welcome.
December 6
Jubilee of Mercy in the Diocese of Peterborough
The Jubilee of Mercy was announced by Pope Francis as a
year to be lived intensely in each local Church
throughout the world, allowing every person to
encounter the mercy of God. The most evident sign of
this pastoral care is the chance to open a Door of Mercy
in every diocese. These doors, analogous to the Holy
Doors of the Papal Basilicas in Rome, will allow people
who cannot travel to Rome to make a Jubilee pilgrimage.
After the solemn inauguration of the Holy Year –
marked by the opening of the Holy Door of St. Peter’ s
th
Basilica on December 8 – all locally-designated
Churches throughout the world will open their own
Doors of Mercy in communion with the Church of Rome on
th
December 13 as part of the Eucharistic celebration of
the Third Sunday of Advent or Gaudete Sunday. The Holy
Father has asked that special indulgences be available
for the Faithful throughout the Year of Mercy (Dec. 8,
2015 – Nov. 20, 2016).
How to obtain the Jubilee Indulgence:
For those able to make a pilgrimage
to one of the Jubilee churches in
Rome, that is certainly an option.
Otherwise, Bishop McGrattan has
designated the Cathedral Church of
St. Peter in Chains to be the site of
our Holy Door of Mercy. Going
through one of these Holy Doors is
a spiritual journey that shows, as
the Holy Father said, “ the deep
desire for true conversion.” In
addition to passing through a Holy
Door, each pilgrim is to receive the Sacrament of
Reconciliation, receive the Holy Eucharist while
reflecting on God’ s great gift of mercy, make a
profession of faith (recite either the Apostles’ or
Nicene Creed), and pray for the Holy Father and for his
intentions (an Our Father and a Hail Mary are
recommended). For those who are elderly, confined and
the ill, Pope Francis said that they may obtain the
indulgence by “ living with faith and joyful hope this
moment of trial” and by receiving the Eucharist or by
attending Mass and community prayer, “ even through
the various means of communication” (for instance, a
Mass offered on television). For those in prison, they
may obtain the indulgence in their prison chapels.
Indulgences may be obtained for the dead by the
carrying out of these same acts by the Faithful with the
intention of offering the indulgence for someone who is
deceased. And finally, for all Catholics, this jubilee
indulgence may also be obtained when a member of the
Faithful personally performs a spiritual or corporal
work of mercy.
Lector
Helen Vozza
Bob Holland
Carolyn Doris
December 13, 2015
Gift Bearers
Leon & Trish Dorff
Michael & Noreen Malloy
Henrietta Duff
Offertory
Nov 29: Env. $1527.00+ Loose $219.60 = $1746.60
St. Vincent de Paul: $5.00
Thank you for your generosity
Diocesan Celebrations
Year of Mercy
"CHRISTMAS AROUND THE WORLD"
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13; 2:00 TO 4:30 P.M.SHOWPLACE
Dec 8
Feast of the Immaculate Conception
12:10 p.m. Opening Mass for the Year of Mercy
at the Cathedral of St. Peter in Chains
Everyone is welcome to join some of Peterborough's finest
musicians who love music, stories & everything about
Christmas! Tickets are $10 & can be purchased at Showplace
or at www.showplace.org.
Dec 13
3rd Sunday of Advent
2:30 p.m. Opening of the Holy Door
Cathedral Bell Ringers ADVENT RECONCILIATION:
Immaculate Conception - Thurs.
Dec. 17, - 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
St. Peter - in - Chains –
Fri. Dec. 18 - 7 pm
St. Anne’s –
Tues. Dec. 22 - 7 pm
St. Alphonsus – Wed. Dec. 23 –
9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Choir for Christmas Mass Dec. 24 at 5:00 p.m.
If anyone is interested in joining the choir that
will be singing for the Christmas Mass at
5:00 p.m., please contact Emma Ironside at
295-1551. Instruments and voices are needed.
Birthright
Ring, Cathedral Bells! Wed. Dec. 9, 7pm at the Cathedral of St Peter‐in‐Chains. High school ringers from Trinity College School will join the Cathedral Children Bells Choir with an hour of festive music celebrating the birth of our Saviour. Offering at the door for more handbells. The Carpenter's Cup!!
High School-aged young men are invited to join Fr. John
Perdue and the Vocations Office for the second Carpenter's
Cup retreat! The challenge this time - Gaming! Between
great talks and prayer together, young men will compete in
PS4, WiiU and NES games for a chance to win the
Carpenter's Cup and the cash prize! The retreat will be held
Dec 11-13 at the VEYO Centre. Register at
www.veyo.ca/carpenterscup or call Fr. John 745-4681.
♫♫ St. Martin’s Parish - Ennismore ♫♫
During Advent a box will be available for
donations to Birthright. Last Advent we collected
$1194 for this charity which “is supported by
devoted volunteers and private donations”. The
charity “provides love and support to women
facing unplanned pregnancies”.
Annual Parish Christmas Concert (in support of Brock
th
Mission & Cameron House) Sun Dec 13 ~ 2pm
Featuring local musicians! All proceeds of your freewill
offering will be given to Brock Mission. Please make
cheques payable to Brock Mission. Tax receipts available
Coffee/Tea & goodies will be served following the concert.
Prayer to Our Lady of Guadalupe
Let us ask St. Juan Diego (feast day: Dec9), to inspire us with
a true devotion to our Mother of Heaven, for “Mary’s compassion
extends to all those who appeal to her, even when this appeal is
nothing more than a simple ‘Hail, Mary’” (Saint Alphonsus de
Liguori). Especially if we have fallen into serious sin, she who is
Mother of Mercy will obtain for us the Mercy of God. www.ewtn.com
Virgin of Guadalupe,
Patroness of unborn children,
we implore your intercession
for every child at risk of abortion.
Help expectant parents to welcome
from God the priceless gift of their
child’s life.
Console parents who have lost that gift
through abortion, and lead them to
forgiveness and healing through the
Divine Mercy of your Son.
Teach us to cherish and to care for family and friends until
God calls them home.
Help us never to see others as burdens.
Guide our public officials to defend each and every human
life through just laws. Inspire us all to bring our faith into
public life, to speak for those who have no voice.
We ask this in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, who is
Love and Mercy itself.
Amen.
Feast Day: December 12th
Sacred Heart Memorial Wish Tree
The Candlelight Memorial Mass will be on Dec19@ 5p.m.
The Celebrant will be Bishop McGrattan. If you would
like a Memorial Light placed on the Wish Tree in memory
of your loved ones kindly fill the form and forward
donations to Sacred Heart Church. For information
contact either Ed Genge @ 292-6665 or
genge@sympatico.ca, or Sister Krolowa at Sacred Heart
705-745-5549.
Christmas Mass Schedule
Christmas Eve:
Thursday, Dec. 24
Masses at Assumption at
5 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Christmas Day:
Friday, Dec. 25
Mass at Assumption at 9 a.m.
Mass at St. John’s, Keene at 10:30 a.m.
New Year’s Eve:
Thursday, Dec. 31
Mass at Assumption at 5 p.m.
New Year’s Day:
Friday, January 1, 2016
Mass at Assumption at 9 a.m.
Mass at St. John’s, Keene at 10:30 a.m.
A schedule of Christmas Masses for the city’s
churches has been posted on the bulletin board.
Holy Father’s Intentions for December
Advent Wreath
"Customarily the Advent Wreath is constructed of a
circle of evergreen branches into which are inserted
four candles (advent candles). According to tradition,
three of the candles are violet and the fourth is rose.
The rose candle is lit the third Sunday of Advent, for
this color anticipates and symbolizes the Christmas
joy announced in the first word of the Entrance
Antiphon: "Rejoice" (Latin, Gaudete). For this reason
the Third Sunday is also called Gaudete Sunday, and
rose color vestments are permitted.
The Advent Wreath represents the long time when
people lived in spiritual darkness, waiting for the
coming of the Messiah, the Light of the world. Each
year in Advent people wait once again in darkness for
the coming of the Lord, His historical coming in the
mystery of Bethlehem, His final coming at the end of
time, and His special coming in every moment of
grace.
During Advent, family and friends can gather around
the Advent Wreath lighting the appropriate candle(s),
read from the daily Advent meditation and sing songs.
The Church's official Book of Blessings also provides a
blessing ceremony for the advent wreath which can
be used in the absence of a priest. http://www.ewtn.com
Universal: That all may experience the mercy
of God, who never tires of forgiving.
Evangelization: That families, especially those
who suffer, may find in the birth of Jesus a sign
of certain hope.
Diocesan Prayer Corner
Let us pray for those in our diocese who belong to a
religious order that as members of the Holy Body of
Christ, they may give an ever more powerful witness
to the salvation Christ came to bring, we pray to the
Lord.
Latin Tridentine Mass
Mass will be celebrated on the First and
Last Sundays of the month at 1:00 pm and
Every Saturday morning At Our Lady of
Mount Carmel, Hastings at 8:30 am.
All other Sundays of the month, Mass will
be celebrated at St. Mary of the Visitation
Church, Campbellford at 12:30 pm.
You are most welcome to attend
SCRIPTURE STUDY
Every Tuesday evening from 7 pm to 8 pm, we
gather at St. Peter-in-Chains Cathedral
rectory for prayerful reading, reflection and
discussion of the readings for the following
Sunday. Everyone is welcome and no previous
study of Sacred Scripture is necessary. All
that is needed is a desire to come closer to
the Lord and to discover what it means to be
His follower. Call Tom (705 243 4133). Let us ask St. Juan Diego (feast day: Dec.9) canonized
by Pope John Paul II on July 31, 2002, to inspire us with
a true devotion to our Mother of Heaven, for “Mary’s
compassion extends to all those who appeal to her, even when
this appeal is nothing more than a simple ‘Hail, Mary’”
(Saint Alphonsus de Liguori). Especially if we have fallen
into serious sin, she who is Mother of Mercy will obtain for
us the Mercy of God. www.ewtn.com
Volunteers are needed to clean
Assumption Church
Sign the Cleaning Ministry Sheet on the table at the
back of the church. Cleaning is done once a week and
you may choose whatever time or day works for you.
Readings for next week:
3rd Sunday of Advent Gaudete Sunday
1st Reading: Zephaniah 3: 14 – 18
2nd Reading: Philippians 4: 4 – 7
Gospel: Luke 3: 10 – 18
MAKE A ‘ LIFE ' DIFFERENCE.
Prayer does have power. Join us this
Saturday morning from 10:00 am to 11:00
am across from the Peterborough hospital.
Come singly or as part of a group. We need
you to participate in our sidewalk prayer vigil for the
unborn.
Defend life and be part of this public witness against the
horror of abortion.
For information: Paul 741- 4000 or Tom 243-4133
Peterborough Communication Support Systems
A non-profit agency that provides support services to Deaf
/ non-verbal individuals living with intellectual disabilities.
They provide quality sewing, custom embroidery, printing
services and woodworking products. They are located at
192 B Hunter St. West. Phone: (705) 748 6680
31st WORLD YOUTH DAY 2016 in Krakow, Poland
The Official LOGO
The image is composed of a geographical outline of
Poland in which there is a
(yellow) Cross, symbol of
Christ who is the soul of World
Youth Day. The yellow circle
marks the position of Krakow
on the map of Poland and is also
a symbol of youth. The (red
and blue) flame of Divine
Mercy emerges from the
Cross, and its colours recall the
image “Jesus, I trust in you”.
The colours used in the logo blue, red and yellow are (also) the official colours of
Krakow and its coat of arms.
A Few Thoughts on the Rosary:
Bishop Fulton J. Sheen
It is objected that there is much repetition in the
Rosary; therefore some say it is monotonous.
That reminds me of a woman who came to see me
one evening after instructions. She said, "I would
never become a Catholic. You say the same words
in the Rosary over and over again, and anyone who
repeats the same words is never sincere."
I asked her who the man was with her. She said he
was her fiancé. I asked: "Does he love you?"
"Certainly, he does,"
"But how do you know?"
"He told me."
"What did he say?"
"He said 'I love you.'"
"When did he tell you last?"
"About an hour ago."
"Did he tell you before?"
"Yes, last night."
"What did he say?"
"I love you."
"But never before?"
"He tells me every night."
I said: "Do not believe him. He is repeating; he is
not sincere."
The beautiful truth is that there is no repetition in,
"I love you." Because there is a new moment of time,
another point inn space, the words do not mean the
same as they did at another time or space.
Love is never monotonous in the uniformity of its
expression. The mind is infinitely variable in its
language, but the heart is not. The heart of a man,
in the face of the woman he loves, is too poor to
translate the infinity of his affection into a different
word. So the heart takes one expression, "I love
you," and in saying it over and over again, it never
repeats. It is the only real news in the universe.
That is what we do when we say the Rosary, we are
saying to God, the Trinity, to the Incarnate Saviour,
to the Blessed Mother: "I love you, I love you, I love
you."
Each time it means something different because, at
each decade, our mind is moving to a new
demonstration of the Saviour's love.
The Rosary is the book of the blind, where souls see
and there enact the greatest drama of love the world
has ever known; it is the book of the simple, which
initiates them into mysteries and knowledge more
satisfying than the education of other men; it is the
book of the aged, whose eyes close upon the shadow
of this world, and open on the substance of the
next. The power of the Rosary is beyond
description."
Food Cupboard at Keene United Church
Thurs. December 10: 12 -2 p.m.,
& 4 – 6 p.m.
Donations of goods can be dropped off at
Three Roads Farm and other Keene locations.
osmfoodcupboard@nexicom.net or 295-6952
Beautiful words to live by from
St. Pope John XXIII:
"Consult not your fears but your hopes and your
dreams. Think not about your frustrations, but about
your unfulfilled potential. Concern yourself not with
what you tried and failed in, but with what it is still
possible for you to do."
"Only for Today..." THE DAILY DECALOGUE
OF POPE JOHN XXIII
1) Only for today, I will seek to live the livelong day
positively without wishing to solve the problems of
my life all at once.
2) Only for today, I will take the greatest care of my
appearance: I will dress modestly; I will not raise my
voice; I will be courteous in my behaviour; I will not
criticize anyone; I will not claim to improve or to
discipline anyone except myself.
3) Only for today, I will be happy in the certainty that
I was created to be happy, not only in the other world
but also in this one.
4) Only for today, I will adapt to circumstances,
without requiring all circumstances to be adapted to
my own wishes.
5) Only for today, I will devote 10 minutes of my
time to some good reading, remembering that just as
food is necessary to the life of the body, so good
reading is necessary to the life of the soul.
6) Only for today, I will do one good deed and not tell
anyone about it.
7) Only for today, I will do at least one thing I do not
like doing; and if my feelings are hurt, I will make
sure that no one notices.
8) Only for today, I will make a plan for myself: I
may not follow it to the letter, but I will make it. And
I will be on guard against two evils: hastiness and
indecision.
9) Only for today, I will firmly believe, despite
appearances, that the good Providence of God cares
for me as no one else who exists in this world.
10) Only for today, I will have no fears.
In particular, I will not be afraid to enjoy what is
beautiful and to believe in goodness.
Indeed, for 12 hours I can certainly do what might
cause me consternation were I to believe I had to do it
all my life.
Chalice is a ministry of the Catholic Community,
creating and nurturing relationships of life and love. To
find out how Chalice Helps go to website
http://www.ccare.ca/
Our Lady Queen of Peace Community
Rosary
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Mon. - Rosary: 6:30pm.
Everyone welcome.
VEYO Discernment Groups – Ever wonder if you could
be called to the priesthood or to religious life? Ever wish
that you could find out what God's plan for your life is? For
more details contact Fr. Craig at 705-749-0330 or
vocations@veyo.ca or Fr. John Purdue, Director of
Vocations at 705-745-4681.
EUCHARISTIC ADORATION
At St Alphonsus Oratory 7am-Midnight and NoonMidnight (Sunday) "Come to me all you who labour
and are burdened and I will give you rest." (Mt.
11:28) INFO: Bernadette 705-742-3055
Church Cleaning Ministry
Please find the church cleaning sheet on the glass
religious article case at the back of the church. Once
per week, for one month at a time, we need cleaners to
vacuum, dust mop and do general dusting/ wiping at
Assumption.
From the Pastor’s Desk
-- Fr. Michael
MAKE A ‘ LIFE ' DIFFERENCE.
Prayer does have power. Join us Saturday mornings from
10:00 am to 11:00 am at the Peterborough hospital. Come
singly or as part of a group (C.W.L., K of C, church or
school). We need you to participate in our sidewalk prayer
vigil for the unborn. Over 350 abortions occur at our
hospital each year and 50,000 in Ontario. Please consider
helping to end this holocaust.
For information: Tom -705 243 4133 or Paul -705 741 4000
Project Rachel
Every year Canadians abort one embryonic human
being for every three live births — one quarter of all
children conceived. Many people are shocked to
discover that there are absolutely no legal restrictions
on abortion in Canada. A Canadian woman can
choose to abort at any stage of pregnancy up to
delivery and for any reason. The most appalling
consequence of abortion is the squandering of
innocent human life. But for the woman who
submits to abortion there are also nearly always
profoundly negative long-term consequences and
deep emotional scars. http://www.colf.ca
Project Rachel offers accompaniment, counselling, personal
presence and support, and other services at any time they are
needed by women or men. They also offer weekend retreats
which provide opportunity for women who have suffered from an
abortion experience to find healing, forgiveness and
reconciliation.
Are you hurting as a result of an abortion? Healing is possible.
Please contact them for upcoming dates, in confidence, by
telephone at 416 629 8264 or by e-mail
projectrachel@stmarysrefuge.org.
http://www.stmarysrefuge.org
Volunteers are needed to clean
Assumption Church
The request for volunteers to clean the church has not been
successful. For the past couple of years it has been done by
approx. nine families taking turns, a month at a time. For
anyone thinking of volunteering, the current volunteers will
show you the ropes and I can assure you that it is not a big
job, but one that is rewarding as you will get to spend some
quiet time with the Lord. The work consists of attending the
church once a week at your convenience and dry mop the
floors and vacuum the carpets. This would normally take an
hour or so of your time and if enough people volunteered,
you would only have to do it once a year or so. Please
consider volunteering and do your part to keep God’s house
clean. If you are interested please call the church at 741-1018.