Copy
View this email in your browser

November 30th, 2022

Embrace the Grace - Weekly Reflection

One of my tasks in the weeks leading up to Christmas was to snoop around the house to find out what mom and dad were going to give me as a gift.

I shake my head in embarrassment now, but it’s true. Mom and dad didn’t make it too difficult for me, either. The main “cool” gift was always either under their bed or in their bedroom closet. “Sweet! A chemistry set.” Then I had to do my best to act all surprised when family gathered on Christmas Eve. Did I learn a lesson? Yup. My eager anticipation of what I was getting spoiled the gift.

Growing old teaches us a few things about life (or is supposed to). Our desires change. We realize purely material things don’t satisfy us anymore. We begin to address the emptiness in our hearts that can only be satiated by something – Someone – immaterial. What we “want” for Christmas morphs into what we “need” for Christmas.

What do you NEED for Christmas this year?

Allow these days of Advent to focus our attention on the primacy of God’s love and how we are best receiving this love, and sharing it with family, friends, strangers, and yes, even enemies. It’s okay to come into the church during Holy Mass or for Holy Hour and “look under the bed” for the One who is Love. True Gift! We have been sent all that we need.



Fr. Bob

Introducing our new Family Room at our St. René Goupil Church!
We are happy to announce that we have set up the day chapel at our St. René Goupil Church for families with children! Don't miss out on the Sacred Liturgy because of an active child. Families will be able to still participate in the Mass and not worry about impacting others.
We are a parish that welcomes your family to celebrate Mass!

Masses at St. René Goupil are as follows:
Saturdays - 4 PM
Sundays - 7:30 AM & 10:30 AM
Sign-up online! Once we have enough volunteers committed to any ministry, follow-up communication will be sent out. Thank you for your interest!
MASS INTENTIONS
 
It is an ancient and noble practice to pray for the living and the dead at Mass. The greatest and most powerful prayer we have is the Mass since the fruits of the Mass are the very fruits of Jesus' redemption made present to us. Therefore, many of us seek to book a Mass intention for our loved ones. In our parish, there are many requests for scheduling Mass intentions.

Guidelines for Mass Intentions
  1. A Mass intention may be requested for a Mass for the following reasons:
    1. A deceased loved one.
    2. A living person who is sick or suffering.
    3. A living person who is celebrating a birthday, anniversary, or other special moments in their life.
    4. In thanksgiving to God (including the Lord Jesus or the Holy Spirit).
    5. In thanksgiving for a prayer from a Blessed or a Saint.
    6. Or for a prayer intention (so long as the intention does not contradict Church teaching).
  2. A Mass intention may not be requested for a prayer intention that contradicts Catholic moral doctrine.
  3. There is a limit of four (4) intentions per Mass. If a given Mass has four intentions on a given day, please choose another Mass.
  4. Lengthy intention listings cannot be published in the Bulletin and must be edited for brevity. Since publishing the intention in the Bulletin is to notify the family and friends of the intention, we suggest omitting middle initials, titles, etc. Each intention is limited to either two names or one group. Please indicate if the person for whom the Mass is requested is living or deceased.
  5. A $10 donation is to accompany each Mass request. Intentions will not be recorded until the stipend is received. Canon Law requires that all stipends taken for Mass Intentions be said for the intention as designated.
  6. Please note that Mass intentions may be requested for Sundays, most holidays, and weekdays throughout the year.  Mass intentions cannot be scheduled for Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Vigil, Easter, All Saints Day, All Souls Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Years Eve, News Years Day. One Mass every Sunday and one Mass on a Holy Day of Obligation must be scheduled for the intentions of our parishioners, known as Pro Populo (For the People), as required by Canon Law.
  7. Announced Mass requests will be granted as close to the requested date and time as possible. If it is not possible to comply with the primary request, the next closest date and time will be scheduled.
**Mass intention requests to be published in the bulletin must be submitted to the parish office by Monday at 12 PM before the proceeding weekend’s liturgy.**
Attention all A&R Members:
The Altar & Rosary Society Mass is scheduled for Sunday, December 4th, at 9 AM at our St. Symphorosa Church. Members are asked to attend. Front pews at the church will be reserved for members.
We thank our generous sponsors and guests who made our annual Grateful • Thankful • Blessed Dinner a success. Minus expenses, we raised $16,249.10! Be on the lookout for our St. Symphorosa School Advisory Board Casino Night in March 2023!
The 2022-2023 Faith Formation Calendar is available here and on our website. Families should look at all upcoming events, Family Masses, and class dates. For questions, please contact the Faith Formation Coordinator, Peggy at (773) 767-1523 ext. 226.
For if we live, we live for the Lord, and if we die, we die for the Lord; so then, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s.
Romans 14:8


Patricia Biniewicz
Kathleen Calcagno
Ronald Marciniak
Two Holy Martyrs Parish - Facebook
Parish Website
Parish Email
Two Holy Martyrs - Instagram
Copyright © 2022 Two Holy Martyrs Parish, All rights reserved.


Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.