Second Sunday of Advent
Candle Name: Bethlehem Candle
Candle Symbolizes: Peace
Reminds us: Joseph and Mary's journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem\
"St. John the Baptist Preaching" (Mattia Preti, 1665)
Dear Friends in Christ,
Being accountable to other people is not something most of us enjoy, but there is zero possibility of living a life of authentic Christian discipleship apart from such accountability – both of our beliefs and of our behaviours. One essential component of being a faithful Catholic is attending Mass each Sunday, and except for times of travel away from home, this should ordinarily be done at one’s own parish church. Claiming to be a parishioner of one parish while regularly attending another parish or not attending Sunday Mass at all is an impossible contradiction, and from time to time, a parish priest has the uncomfortable duty of pointing this out.
Being a member of any family automatically brings with it both privileges and duties, and expecting the privileges without fulfilling the duties is the mark of an adolescent. Being a mature disciple of the Lord Jesus also requires us to be accountable members of a parish family, and that in turn entails both worshipping with the parish family and helping the parish family pay its bills, each household according to its means.
Please remember that no matter how often you come to Mass, you are not considered an active member of the parish unless you are registered here, attending Mass here each Sunday, and using the offertory envelopes to fulfill two separate purposes: a) making your offertory contributions and other gifts, and b) establishing an attendance record.
How seldom can I come to Mass and how little can I give to receive what I want? That is minimalism, and it is the death of the soul. The Lord Jesus asks of us a total gift of self and a willingness to follow him in the Way of the Cross, and responding to his call with generosity is what frees us from the tyranny of our own disordered self-love. Let us resolve to surrender everything to Christ in the obedience of faith and in so doing to find the freedom of the children of God.
Fr. Justin
SHJ Parishioners - please be generous in your use of the blue Restoration Fund offertory envelope found in your boxes this weekend, Dec 5-6.
- Every bit helps and we need to maintain momentum to meet our goal to raise $110K. Thank you for your commitment to Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish.
- SHJ also thanks Brenda Poirier for donating all the proceeds from the winter headstone saddles and wreaths - $575 - to the Restoration Fund as well. God bless you!
Fr. Price accepting a cheque for $2200 on behalf of the parish from the treasurer of the Knights of Columbus Council 7301, Bob Murphy - money raised from the Spaghetti Dinner fundraiser. Thanks to all those who attended and contributed by supporting the silent auction, etc. This money will be put into our Restoration Fund. No wonder the Knights are referred to as the strong right arm of the Church!
Thank you to those who have dropped off your pledge forms in the collection basket. We should have an update of where we stand next weekend, the 3rd Sunday of Advent. As a reminder, we're asking every SHJ parishioner to pledge $800 in addition to your usual weekly offertory contribution. Many of you have been pledging and additional $60/week or more, which we know is a most generous sacrificial committment.
** IMPORANT
Mass Schedule Update **
At the request of some parishioners who find it difficult to get to the usual 7pm Tuesday Mass when it's so dark out, from this upcoming week forward, during these winter months we'll celebrate Holy Mass at 9am on Tuesdays at SHJ instead of the usual 7pm.
Sacred Heart of Jesus
Weekly Schedule
Sat, Dec 3 @ 5pm
Pro Populo
Sun, Dec 4 @ 11am
The Price & Woodacre Family
(req. Fr. Price)
Lectors this Weekend
5pm: Susan McCauley
11am: Anne Marie McGregor
Sun, Dec 4 Afternoon
1pm: Polar Plunge at Booster Park on Crowe Lake featuring Jimmy Woof
2pm: "Chily Chili" at SHJ Hall
Mon, Dec 5 @ 9am
Lawrence McCauly †
(req. Cathy Tilley)
Mon, Dec 5 @ 9:30-10:30am
** Holy Hour! **
St. Nicholas, Bishop (OM)
Tues, Dec 6 @ 9am**
Steve Davis
(req. FMM Associates)
** note the time change!
St. Ambrose, Bishop & Doctor (M)
Wed, Dec 7 @ 9am
Ayla Leany
(req. Ethel Wendland)
Wed, Dec 7 @ 9:30-10:30am
** Holy Hour! **
The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary (S)
Thurs, Dec 8 @ 4pm**
Special Intentions of Fr. John Gillis
(req. Jacques Lambier)
** note the time change!
St. Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin (OM)
Fri, Dec 9 @ 9am
Our Intentions
(req. Judy & Iveri)
Fri, Dec 9 @ 9:30-10:30am
** Holy Hour! **
Confession Times
this week
Mon: 8-8:45am
Tues: 8-8:45am
Wed: 8-8:45am & 9:45-10:15am (during Holy Hour)
Thurs: 3-3:45pm
Fri: 9:35-10:15am (during Holy Hour)
Sat: 4-4:45pm
Sunday: 8-8:45am & 10-10:45am
Sunday: 8-8:45am & 10-10:45am
Don't forget our
*Parish Advent Penance Celebration*
Tuesday, Dec 13th @ 7pm SHJ
Tuesday, Dec 13th @ 7pm SHJ
Christmas Flower Collection: SHJ & SHM parishioners are encouraged to participate in helping to decorate our churches for the Christmas liturgies. Contributions are now being received In memory of departed loved ones. Please print your Name & Envelope # on the Christmas Flower Envelopes, which you will find at the entrance of the church and in your pews this weekend. On the back of the envelope, please print clearly the names of your departed loved ones. The names of the faithful departed will be printed in the Christmas service leaflet on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The deadline for the Xmas flower envelopes is Sun, Dec 18th. Thank you for your generosity and support.
- Visitation of the Sick: Anyone who cannot attend Mass with us in the Church, because of illness, handicap or age, or anyone who wishes to receive the Sacraments Confession, Communion, Anointing for the Sick, please call the office (613 472.2220) to arrange with Fr. Justin.
"Prayer to the Virgin in a Ruined Church"
(Henri-Édouard Truchot, 1821)
First Saturday
St. Francis Xavier, Priest (M)
Sat, Dec 3 @ 9am
Daniel Genereaux †
(req. Debbie Wood)
Sun, Dec 4 @ 9am
Paul & Cathie Francis & Family on their Anniversary
Lector this Weekend
9am: Karen Nickle
St. Ambrose, Bishop & Doctor (M)
Wed, Dec 7 @ 9am
Living & Deceased Members SHM CWL
(req. SHM CWL)
Wed, Dec 7 @ 9:30-10:30am
** Holy Hour! **
Wed, Dec 7 @ 5pm
Combined SHJ & SHM Choir Practice
SHM
SHM
Wed, Dec 7 @ 5:30pm
SHM CWL Christma Dinner
O'Neill Parish Hall
Thur, Dec 8 @ 10:30am
Archdiocesan Mass for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
St. Mary's Cathedral, Kingston
A collection will be accepted at the entrance of the cathedral where a monetary gift, food, or toiletry item may be donated to St. Mary’s Drop-In Centre, which serves many vulnerable people each day.
Fri, Dec 9 @ 6:15am
This Man Is You
#12: A New Evangelization
SHM O'Neill Parish Hall
Sacred Heart of Mary Church, Madoc in 1910
Mass Intentions
If you'd like to schedule a Mass intention, fill out one of the envelopes at the entrance of the church or contact our secretary Pauline Davis at the parish office @ 613.472.2220 or rcmarmoramadoc@gmail.com
Season of Giving: This holiday season we thank everyone who has supported SHJ & SHM & St. Bernadette's this past year with their time, talent and financial contributions, and look forward to support from all of our parishioners in the year ahead. If you need a convenient way to make regular offerings or if you plan to make an additional gift before the end of the year, we encourage you to check out our e-transfer option. As the pace of life speeds up, especially around the holidays, you may find electronic giving a most welcome way to make contributions.
shjpayments@gmail.com (SHJ)
shmpayments@gmail.com (SHM & St. B)
7-Day Votive Candle Offerings
SHJ CHURCH
OUR BLESSED MOTHER
For Our Intentions
(req. Mark & Yvonne Leahy)
SACRED HEART OF JESUS
[empty]
ST. JOSEPH
For a struggling Priest-friend
(req. Fr. Justin Pulikunnel)
ST. ANNE & OUR LADY
For Our Intentions
(req. Mark & Yvonne Leahy)
Please contact Pauline at the parish office @ 613.472.2220 or rcmarmoramadoc@gmail.com for more information.
SHM CHURCH
SACRED HEART OF JESUS
For Our Anniversary
(req. Paul & Cathie Francis)
OUR BLESSED MOTHER
For Our Anniversary
(req. Paul & Cathie Francis)
You can put your $10 7-Day Votive Offering in a pink visitor offertory envelope. Make sure to mention...
1) For which church?
2) For which saint?
3) What's the intention?
4) What's your name?
Dear Friends,
The Church is a wise mother. She recognizes that grief is a process. Her liturgy accompanies her children in their grief and prays for the dead for a reason. There’s the blessing and reception of a body, a vigil in the presence of the body, a Funeral Mass, the Final Commendation, the burial service, Masses traditionally offered on important days after death, and the Commemoration of All Souls.
The Church wants us to deal with the reality of death so we can understand the hope that belongs to the Christian. But more and more our increasingly secularized culture is becoming detached from the reality of death, and paradoxically, more hopeless. A culture of death which turns a blind eye to abortion, euthanasia, and genocide wants to ignore death and pretend it doesn’t exist. And, so more and more families refuse to go through the Church’s way of death that leads to life. They will wait until the last minute to call the priest for Last Rites (if they call him at all). Then, they say totally bizarre things like, “We don’t want a full Mass.” What does that even mean, LOL!? They don’t want to come to church. They want what little of a funeral there is to be celebrated only at their convenience, with as little expense and bother as possible. (And then they wonder why they have mental health issues related to it all).
Friends - don’t wait to get your affairs in order. Start planning your full funeral rites, and finance their reality now. You may only see the worth of all of this for your loved ones left behind from your throne with Jesus in heaven, but trust me, you will. Don’t leave it to anyone else (especially your children if they are not practising the faith). It saddens me to see a devout Catholic laid to rest without the full complement of Catholic ritual, because that worship has an incredible ability to heal and to inspire when done right.
And remember: all the sappy sentimental stuff - for the love of God, please leave it for the reception. That’s not what Mass is about. Don’t try to force onto the worship of God anything that isn’t already a part of it. All of that stuff has a place, but it’s outside of Mass.
Fr. Justin
PS - Below is an excellent message that Fr. Raymond de Souza, who wrote to his parishioners at Holy Cross Parish in Kemptville. I fully endorse it.
Watch Eternal Rest: The Art of Dying Well
on FORMED during December
What happens when we die? What does Scripture teach about death? How do we prepare for the life to come?
Eternal Rest, a four-part film series, examines the origin of death, the afterlife, and the powerful reality around the sacrament that ushers us into eternal life.
Eternal Rest presents the Catholic Church’s teaching about death and God’s response to it with wisdom and truth, gentleness and compassion, so we can think about and prepare for death in the light of Jesus Christ, the Author of life.
Episode 1: The Story of Death
Episode 2: The Afterlife
Episode 3: The Hour of Our Death
Episode 4: The Faithful Departed
Formed is available to every member of our parish including books, movies, podcasts and more. And with Advent underway, there has never been a better time to sign up for Daily Reflections to prepare for the coming of the Messiah at Christmas.To gain access to all of FORMED’s content, follow these simple steps:
- Go to https://signup.formed.org
- Enter our parish’s postal code
(K0K 2M0)
- Enter your name and your email address
Recommendations, Random Thoughts & Links
- If you're available to help set up candles in the church on Friday December 9th to prepare for the Rorate Mass, please speak with Fr. Justin or contact the parish office 613.472.2220
- I really enjoyed celebrating the Masses for the Dead for our beloved deceased relatives and friends, and also praying for the Poor Souls in Purgatory (with the accompanying Litany) ten minutes before every weekend Mass. I look forward to doing that again next year with all of you. Let's never have those in purgatory far from our thoughts and resolve to try and obtain as many indulgences as possible for their swift release.
- Fr. Price informed me that a host was found in one of the pews on Monday in SHJ. This is upsetting and since there's no reason to think it wasn't a consecrated Host, he reverently consumed it. Not sure what to say except this is why I nor the Church is keen on communion on the hand (though it is permitted as an indult to be sure). Needless to say, the universal norm is to receive Holy Communion on the tongue (for obvious reasons of piety and reverence and fittingness). In any case, however you choose to receive, please consume the Sacred Host (after a sign of reverence and "Amen") immediately without walking away with Jesus. And as an act of reparation, please do some kind of reparation or penance to make up for this sacrilege committed against our Eucharist Lord, who out of love makes Himself so vulnerable to us.
- On behalf of Sacred Heart of Mary, I thank the SHM CWL for donating a new wireless headset mic system to the parish, which should produce clearer and more secure sound. (This was in addition to the new sacristy door and keypad lock the ladies also donated, the proceeds of which in part came from the very successful Fall bazaar they held in October)
- I love everything Patricia Snow writes - and I can't recommend this piece enough - "Satan Unbounded" - which just came out in the December issue of First Things.
- Also, nice to see the New York Times discovering the wonderful series many of us have streamed, Chosen: “Jesus Christ, Streaming Star” (Colleen MacAlister and I are working on a way to show the new season 3 to our parish in the coming months).
- Am in contact with a highly recommended security firm which other priests have referred me to to beef up our security at the parishes. This outfit does security for police stations, nuclear power plants, municipal buildings, so they know what they're about, and they're coming for a site visit soon to make a proposal. Obviously, we don't need to be Fort Knox, but improving lighting and having a few cameras around the churches is sadly important nowadays, as the recent acts of vandalism we've experienced testifies.
- Brilliant piece by the great historian Tom Holland that is worth reading.
- Fr. Bill Maloney called the other day to ensure that there will be plenty of chilli on Sunday afternoon (2pm) at SHJ Hall after the Polar Plunge, which is a joint effort between our Knights of Columbus #7301 and St. Mary's Parish in Campbellford to raise funds. One of our altar servers and last year's winner - Jimmy Woof - will represent SHJ in the Plunge, which garnered SHJ $700. Jimmy will dive into Crowe Lake-Booster Park this Sunday, Dec 4th @ 1pm. Please sponsor Jimmy taking the plunge. At the back of the church, there will be a box in which you can put your pledge. Thank you to the SHJ CWL ladies for preparing the "Chily Chili".
- "Why we want Christianity without tears" - a terrific thread.
- This Thursday, Dec 8th, the Church celebrates the conception of Mary in the womb of her mother Anne – the Immaculate Conception, and on September 8th the Church celebrates the birth of Mary. On March 25th, the Church celebrates the virginal conception of Jesus in the womb of His mother Mary – the Annunciation, and on December 25th the Church celebrates the birth of Jesus. The nine month intervals between these liturgical feasts remind us that God’s grace perfects our nature and that the Divine Redeemer of the world required a pure vessel of both nature and grace through which to receive his human nature and enter the world as our Saviour.
The moon gives no light of its own; it merely reflects and magnifies the glory of the sun’s radiance. In like manner, the Our Lady is merely a creature who reflects and magnifies the glory of the Creator fully revealed in the life of her divine Son. But to be “merely a creature” of the one, only, living and true God is to share in His everlasting glory through Jesus Christ – a sharing made possible only by the human nature Christ received from his Immaculate Mother. - For the past three years at the Archdiocesan level, we have not been able to celebrate our Patronal Immaculate Conception solemnity without restrictions, so if at all possible, I encourage and invite you to join Fr. Price and myself along with the other priests and Archbishop Mulhall on Thursday morning. Or if you can't make it to Kingston, resolve now to come to the Mass of the Immaculate Conception this Thursday @ 4pm at SHJ. This feast day provides the perfect opportunity for a renewal of love for our country and true devotion to our most Blessed Mother.
- Just a reminder to try not to rest your snowy/salty shoes shoes on our pew kneelers...they get quite dirty and hard to clean.
- Very cool finding! "Archaeologists Find Entreaty to St. Peter in Early Church by Sea of Galilee"
- Room for Rent? A young Catholic man (19), a student at Algonquin College, has a co-op employment position in Tweed from January to May 2023. He is looking for a room or apartment to rent from January to May. He will be returning to school in Ottawa in May. The space could be furnished or unfurnished. He will give first and last months' rent. Preferably as close to Tweed as possible. If you know of any leads, please speak to Fr. Justin.
- All SHJ & SHM youth and children are invited to participate in the Nativity Play taking place Christmas Eve at the SHM Madoc church.
- It would be great to have as many children (5-11) involved in the pageant as possible; the more shepherds and angels we have the better! In years past I am sure that the pageant has been a real joy and delight for many parishioners and a gift to the parish as a whole, so, with the involvement of young families in particular, it would be great to begin this Christmas tradition once again.
- Practices started last Sunday after 9am Mass and will continue every Sunday of Advent @ 10am. Let’s help our children remember the birth of Jesus as “the reason for the season!” Please call Diane Smith @ 613.403.6205 for more information.
REMINDER
SHJ Cemetery Board Announcement
In keeping with our peaceful and tranquil cemetery, the SHJ Cemetery Board requests that:
- All flowers be placed on the monument
- No planting of flowers or shrubs
- All dogs must be on leash
- One solar light per monument
- All flowers must be removed on or before Nov 1st
- All winter decorations be removed on or before Apr 1st
Thank you for your cooperation!
"This is the work of the Lord; a marvel in our eyes" - Archbishop Mulhall's 175th Anniversary / Advent Reflection which he gave this past Tuesday.
Foundations is celebrating 25 years in Madoc with a free appreciation catered dinner on Tuesday, Dec 6th at the Kiwanis Centre. Everyone is invited and it's a great way to celebrate all the good work Foundations does for youth in Madoc. Fr. Price and I plan on being there
We are blessed to have the visit of the relics of a great Canadian Saint, Brother Andre, visiting our deanery on the weekend of December 10 & 11. Fr. Aidan has agreed to welcome the relics to St. Carthagh's in Tweed on Sat (10th) and the relics will at St. Michael's in Belleville on Sunday (11th). I know that there are many people from our local parishes who would love to be present for this event.
We had a great start to resuming Junior Liturgy at SHM last Sunday with many children participating. It continues this Sunday @ 9am over in O'Neill Parish Hall. Spread the word to Catholic families with young children who have been away from Mass.
Thanks to those parishioners who have added $5 to their offertory last week to help offset the cost of thew new missals.
CWL Upcoming Events
- Wed, Dec 14: SHM CWL Meeting after 9am Mass in O'Neill Parish Hall
- Thurs, Dec 15: SHM CWL we will be delivering gifts to our homebound friends. If you are able to help, please join them in the parish hall @ 10am.
** Your new offertory envelopes may now be picked up at the entrances of the churches.**
The envelopes will be sorted in numerical order and beside them there will be a printed parishioners list in alphabetical order. Just look up your name and find your corresponding envelope number. Questions? Call Pauline at 613.472.2220.
A kind offer from our friends at St. Mary of Egypt Refuge in Queensborough
Choir practice!
Dear Parents of older teens & young adults:
There's going to be a great youth event called ABLAZE at Saint Michael’s parish on Saturday, December 10, from 10am-4pm. The team delivering the talks, testimonies, music and activities is shared by some of our diocesan young people, some youth leaders from Toronto, and under the spiritual direction of Fr. Michel Quenneville. Registration is available online and by contacting anyone whose name is on the flyer. I strongly encouraged you to bring your teen and youth to this - especially those who will be confirmed next year or those who have already been confirmed and are now in high school. Lunch is available at the event.
I think I mentioned this new Catholic Bible Study podcast, featuring JD Flynn and Biblical Scholar Dr. Scott Powell. It is really really good. They just dropped a new three-episode Advent miniseries with the story of Zachariah and Elizabeth, from the Gospel of Luke. Check it out - you'll learn a lot. Great to listen to while you're puttering around the house or in the car.
- Sacred Heart of Mary CWL invites all parishioners to help us support those less fortunate than ourselves. If you are able, you are encouraged to donate to our collection for Grace Inn Shelter. Grace Inn, located at 315 Church St, Belleville, offers hospitality to the homeless, based on the belief of God the Father, Jesus Christ His Son and the work of the Holy Spirit.
Travel size shampoos, conditioners, deodorant, razors, toothbrushes & toothpaste (no mouth wash please)
Socks, toques, mitts, thermal gloves
winter or summer underwear, tee-shirts, hot paws for hands or feet (hot pouches)
prepackaged snacks
Larger items: twin size sheets.
Donations may be placed in a designated box at the entrance of Sacred Heart of Mary Church.The final day for donations will be Sunday Dec. 18th. Thank you for your continued generosity!
- Junior liturgy was a hit last weekend at SHM and we hope to also do provide it at SHJ, especially with the number of children who already attend the 11am Mass. But we need a few volunteers who could organize and lead it. If you're interested, please speak to Fr. Justin.
NEXT SATURDAY MORNING
Candlelight "Rorate Caeli" Mass
A Votive Candlelight Mass of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Advent
Saturday, Dec 10th @ 6:30am
SHJ Church Marmora
Come take part in this beautiful Advent tradition of the pre-dawn Mass next Saturday, Dec 10th, where SHJ Church is illuminated only by candlelight, signifying the world in darkness earnestly awaiting the rising of the Orient.
Starting at 6:30am, come and share in this beautiful devotion and wait with Our Lady in waiting. A fitting way to prepare during Advent for the rising of her Son at Christmastime.
Saturday, Dec 10th
6:30am
SHJ Marmora
The Rorate tradition began around the 13th century during a surge of devotion to Our Lady. The white vestments honour her sinlessness and virginity, and the readings are taken from prophecies of the Saviour’s birth. Named for the first word of its entrance hymn (“Rorate, caeli, desuper…Drop down dew, ye heavens, from above…”) as the Mass proceeds and sunrise approaches, the Church becomes progressively brighter, illumined by the sun as our Faith is illumined by Christ.
Tapers will be provided.
Save these Dates!
- Sat, Dec 3rd @ 10am: Queen of Peace Franciscan Fraternity @ Foundations Youth Centre (76 Durham St., Madoc)
- Sun, Dec 4th @ 1pm: Polar Plunge at Booster Park in Marmora, followed by 2pm "Chilly Chlli" in SHJ Hall.
- Tues, Dec 6th @ 5:30: Foundations appreciation dinner at Madoc Kiwanis Centre.
- Wed, Dec 7th @ 5:30pm: SHM CWL Dinner @ O'Neill Parish Hall. (All CWL members from SHM & SHJ invited)
- Thurs, Dec 8th @ 10:30am: Immaculate Conception Mass @ St. Mary's Cathedral Kingston
- Thurs, Dec 8th @ 4pm: Immaculate Conception Mass @ SHJ
- Sat, Dec 10th @ 6:30am: Rorate Caeli Mass @ SHJ.
- Sun, Dec 11th Mass: Bambinelli Sunday blessing of the Baby Jesus figurines from Nativity Scenes that belong to your families.
- Sun, Dec 11th @ 10am: SHM Parish breakfast
- Tues, Dec 13 @ 6:30pm: SHJ School Family Mass followed by our Parish Advent Penitential Celebration.
- Wed, Dec 14 @ 9:45am: SHM CWL Meeting in O'Neill Parish Hall
- Thurs, Dec 15 @ 10am: SHW CWL wrapping gifts in O'Neill Parish Hall
- Thurs, Dec 15 @ 7pm: St. Mary's Campbellford Advent Penitential service (in case you missed ours)
"My own political philosophy is very plain and humble; I can trust the uneducated, but not the badly educated."
