Holy Family Parish, East Taunton, MA 02718

Phone Numbers Rectory 508-824-5707 Rectory Fax 508-822-2915 Religious Education Office 508-824-3578

Parish Center Address 438 Middleboro Ave. East Taunton, MA 02718

[ARCHIVE] JANUARY 4, 2009
THE FEAST OF THE EPIPHANY
(LITTLE CHRISTMAS)

"Building Together Our Family of Faith"
                             MASS INTENTIONS
SATURDAY, January 3
 4:00 p.m.   George Phillips - 1st Anniversary

SUNDAY, January 4
 7:30 a.m.   Manuel DeMoura & Mary Areias
 9:00 a.m.   David Mumford
10:30 a.m.   Stanley Moniz & Andrade Family
11:45 a.m.   Louis Capozzi

MONDAY, January 5
 8:00 a.m.   Delfin deSousa

TUESDAY, January 6
 8:00 a.m.   For the People of the Parish

WEDNESDAY, January 7
 8:00 a.m.   Fr. James E. Lyons

THURSDAY, January 8
10:00 a.m.   Jim & Angie Larner

FRIDAY, January 9
 8:30 a.m.   Daniel Nunes

SATURDAY, January 10
 4:00 p.m.   Marion Newhall

SUNDAY, January 11
 7:30 a.m.   Jose S. Brasil & Adelaide Candida
 9:00 a.m.   Ilda DaCamara - 1st Anniversary
10:30 a.m.   Carol Ann Browning - 1st Anniversary
11:45 a.m.   Jose & Gloria Oliveira

OUR SECOND COLLECTION THIS WEEKEND is to assist with our FUEL & UTILITIES bills.  THANKS.

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HELP OUT OUR PARISH by bringing your GROCERY RECEIPTS FROM SHAW'S to Church with you each weekend and putting them in the boxes at the entrances of Church marked "SHAW'S".  THANKS for your generosity.

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RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CLASSES Grades 1 - 6 resume classes this Sun., Jan. 4, from 10:15 - 11:15 a.m. at Martin Middle School.  Grade 8 will have class this Sun., Jan 4, from 5:45 - 8:00 p.m. in the Church Hall.  Grade 7 will have class on Mon., Jan. 5, from 6:15 - 8:00 p.m. in the Church Hall and Grade 9 will resume classes on Sun., Jan. 11 from 5:45 - 8:00 p.m. in the Church Hall.

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PARENTS OF OUR 2ND GRADE STUDENTS are reminded they need to attend the next Parents Meeting on EITHER this Wed., Jan 7 at 7:00 p.m. or Wed., Jan. 14 at 10:00 a.m. BOTH MEETINGS WILL BE IN THE CHURCH. THIS IS FOR PARENTS OF CHILDREN PREPARING TO RECEIVE FIRST RECONCILIATION AND FIRST COMMUNION.

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STOP BY OUR OUTDOOR MANGER SCENE: Please recall that it was through the generosity of many of you that we have this beautiful reminder of the birth of Jesus.  Stop and say a prayer.  We hope these beautiful figures will remind us of the true reason for celebrating Christmas.  DO YOU HAVE A MANGER IN YOUR HOME?  If not, please consider having one.  It should be the CENTRAL FOCUS OF OUR CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS.

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ARE YOU AN ADULT (OVER 17) WHO HAS NOT RECEIVED EITHER BAPTISM, EUCHARIST AND/OR CONFIRMATION?  WOULD YOU LIKE TO RECEIVE THESE SACRAMENTS?  There will be classes for this purpose starting Sat., Feb. 7 and running 5 consecutive Saturdays through March 7.  The classes will be here at Holy Family Church Hall from 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. on those Saturdays.  If you wish to attend, or at least find out more information about these classes, please contact Fr. Jay as soon as possible.

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MEMBERS OF THE DECORATING COMMITTEE AND ANY OTHER VOLUNTEERS are reminded that we will meet THIS SAT., JAN. 10 AT 9:00 A.M. to take down the Christmas decorations.  Anyone willing to assist in this task is encouraged to join us.  It is important to do this together so we will know where everything is next year.

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JOIN US THIS SUNDAY, JAN. 4 for COFFEE, JUICE & DONUTS right after the 9:00 a.m. Mass. This monthly get together is sponsored by our Women's Guild and we thank them for their efforts to bring parishioners together this way.

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HOLY FAMILY CENTURY CLUB will have its monthly drawing this Sunday, Jan. 4.  Monthly dues are payable at that time.

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THE HOLY FAMILY VOCATION PRAYER CROSS is being taken home this weekend by Barbara Rutherford and next weekend by Merle Coughlin.  Please join them in praying for vocations to the priesthood, diaconate and religious life.

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THOUGHT FOR TODAY: The Magi brought gold, frankincense, and myrrh.  What gifts do you have to give?  Is God calling you to be a priest, deacon, religious sister or brother?

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WILL YOU HELP ENCOURAGE VOCATIONS BY PRAYING FOR THEM??  The opportunity is here this weekend for individuals and families to sign up to take home the vocation prayer cross for one week and offer prayers each day (prayer book is provided) for vocations.  SIGN-UP SHEET is on the table near the stairs to the choir loft.  If you have any questions see  Kathy or Bob Craig.

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A GIFT FOR THE NEW YEAR: At the entrances of Church, you will find a pocket calendar for the new year.  Each family is invited to take one.

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HOLY FAMILY KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS will have their monthly meeting this WED., JAN. 7 at 7:30 p.m. in the Church Hall.  All Knights are encouraged to attend.

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PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY: Now that the cold weather is here, it's a good time to pull out those knitting needles/crochet hooks & yarn.  Our Holy Family Parish has been most successful in reaching out to the homebound, those in nursing facilities and those suffering from illnesses.  As we continue this ministry, we welcome new participants.  Call Peggy O'Neill at 508-880-2571 for more information.

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THIS WEEKEND is the opportunity to replenish our Food Pantry. (It is quite bare after Thanksgiving and Christmas).  We invite you to bring a non-perishable food item with you to Mass next weekend and place it in one of the green baskets at the entrances to Church.  We are in particular need of mac & cheese, pasta sauce, canned veggies, especially corn, cereal, rice (boxed), soups, peanut butter and jams.  THANKS for all your support.

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EXCHANGING THE "SIGN OF PEACE" DURING "FLU SEASON".  Remember, this can be done verbally if you wish.  Simply say to the person(s) nearby, "the peace of Christ be with you" without the usual handshake.

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ELEMENTARY, MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS are invited to take a box of their own Budget Envelopes home for use in supporting our parish this year.  The amount of money donated is not the important thing: the concept of supporting our parish is what counts.  This is strictly voluntary.  The small boxes are for the elementary students; the larger ones for middle & high school students.  They are available at the table near the stairs to the choir loft and at the side entrance of Church.

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WELCOME to a new member of our Church.  Owen J. Viera received the Sacrament of Baptism here last week.  Congratulations to his parents, Godparents and family.

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BOSTON MEN'S CONFERENCE will be on Sat., April 18 and the WOMEN'S CONFERENCE on Sun., April 19.  Both will be from 9 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. with Cardinal O'Malley celebrating Mass at 4:30 p.m. each day.  The cost for the Conference is $44.00 (includes lunch)  To order tickets go to www.CatholicBoston.com

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THE TAUNTON AREA ST. VINCENT DE PAUL CENTER, 141 Washington St., Taunton, is open Mon - Sat. from 9:00 a.m. - Noon giving out winter coats and other clothing in conjunction with their partner, Dermody Cleaners.

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A PRAYER FOR THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY MATRIMONY;  "Heavenly Father, through the intercession of the Holy Family, help us treasure the gift of marriage that reflects the love of Christ for the Church, where the self-giving love of husband and wife unites them more perfectly in your plan for new life created in your image.  Help us support men and women in their vocation of marriage, especially in difficult times when they join their sufferings to the Cross.  Help us uphold the institution of marriage in our society as the place where love is nurtured and family life begins.  Help us acknowledge that our future depends on this life and on your providential care for us.  Amen"

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CAN YOU HELP? One of our families, whose both parents are in the military, are looking for someone to provide live-in home childcare for three children (ages 5, 7 & 9).  One parent is currently stationed in Afghanistan and the other is scheduled for a month's training. The person interested should possess drivers license, enjoy animals, and be available from Jan. 9 - Feb. 9, 2009). If interested call Elizabeth at 508-828-2389.

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THANKS TO ONE AND ALL from Fr. Jay, Deacon and Mrs. John Fitzpatrick, Karen Coughlin, Mary Anderson and Douglas Medeiros for all your cards, messages, gifts and prayers at Christmas. We wish all in our parish the best of happiness, health and blessings for the year 2009.

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TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE THIS WEEKEND AFTER ALL MASSES for the "Calendar Dinner" scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 17, right after the 4:00 p.m. Mass.  Each table will have a theme from a different month of the year.  Great Raffles and lots of fun for people of all ages. PLAN TO JOIN US. Sponsored by our Women's Guild.

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THE FUTURE DEPENDS ON LOVE: "Man and woman were made for each other - not that God left them half-made and incomplete: He created them to be a communion of persons, in which each can be a "helpmate" to the other, for they are equal as persons and complementary as masculine and feminine.  In marriage, God unites them in such a way that, by forming "one flesh", they can transmit human life.  "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth."  From the Catechism of the Catholic Church, #372.

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WOULD YOU LIKE TO DONATE FLOWERS IN MEMORY OF OR IN HONOR OF A FAMILY MEMBER OR FRIEND?  Between now and Lent, we would like to have fresh flowers in our Sanctuary for Masses.  If you would like to donate flowers, please see Fr. Jay as soon as possible or call the Rectory at 508-824-5707.  First come, first served.  The flowers remain for two weekends.  THANKS.

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ARE YOU NEW TO OUR PARISH?  We would love to have you register and join our parish family.  Just call Fr. Jay and set up a time to meet.  It only takes a few minutes.

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DO YOU HAVE TO LEAVE?  If you are leaving our area and joining another parish, please be kind enough to call the rectory and let us know.

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WE ARE GRATEFUL to all who advertise in our bulletin each week and encourage parishioners to patronize these businesses.

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"CAN YOU NOT STAY AND PRAY WITH ME FOR AWHILE?"  Those words of Jesus to His disciples the night before He was crucified for us will hopefully be a gentle reminder to us if we are tempted to leave Mass before the Final Blessing.  We ask everyone to consider this request.

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OUR SECOND COLLECTION is to help pay for our NEW PARISH LAND which will be about $3,700.00.  You may remember that our parish council, finance council and parish staff decided not to have a major fundraiser for this purpose but to rely on regularly scheduled collections for this effort.  Your generosity helps provide for the present and future needs of our parish.  THANKS.

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PLEASE PRAY for peace in our world, for our men and women serving in the military, law enforcement, fire protection and emergency services; for our President and President-elect, and all who lead our government; for our parishioners who are sick at home, in hospitals and nursing homes, for our friend and Architect of our new Parish Center, Dick Jones, as he recovers from brain surgery and prepares for chemotherapy and radiation.  Please pray that the year 2009 will bring many blessings to all in our parish family.  Pray for all who are trying to decide on the vocation to which God is calling them.  In particular, please pray for the seminarians of our own Diocese.  Please pray too for those preparing to receive the Sacrament of Matrimony.  In these days when matrimony as we know it is being threatened from many quarters, we need to pray for those contemplating entering into this great vocation as their lifetime commitment.  Pray for those who have discerned that the Single Life is the one to which God is calling them.  Pray they will have the wisdom and strength to accept such a call and serve God through it.  Pray too for all our faithful departed, especially Rita Holgerson, a member of our parish whose funeral Mass was celebrated here this past week.  THANKS.

Go to the current bulletin: September 5, 2010

Go to a recent bulletin:
August 29, 2010
August 22, 2010
August 15, 2010

Go to list of all archived bulletins.


370 Middleboro Avenue	East Taunton
P.O. Box 619	Massachusetts 02718