Saint Anthony Church 15 Church Street

White River Jct. Vermont 05001

The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph – December 29, 2019

Father Charles R. Danielson, Pastor Deacon John P. Guarino

Bishop of Burlington: Most Rev. Christopher J. Coyne

Parish Office

Hours Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday

11:00 AM – 4:30 PM Closed on Wednesday

Secretary: Ms. Joanne Collins Telephone: 802-295-2225, ext. 3 Office e-mail: Info@SaintAnthonyChurchWRJ.org Website: www.stanthonysvt.org

Mass Schedule Weekend: Saturday 4:00 PM Sunday 8:30 AM Weekday: Monday & Friday 9:00 AM Holy Days: Consult the parish bulletin

Rectory Chapel

Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Religious Education

Coordinator: Mrs. Julie Hamilton, 295-3989, juliehamilton130@comcast.net

Sacraments

Reconciliation: Saturday from 3:15 – 3:45 PM

Baptism: Parents must come to the rectory to get the necessary forms at least one month in advance. Marriage: Couples must contact the parish at least six months in advance.

LowGlutenAltarBread:Ifyourequirealowglutenhostforcommunion,cometothealtarwiththeExtraordinaryMinistersofHolyCommunion.Thecelebrantwillgiveyoutheconsecratedlowglutenhostfromaseparatepaten.

Mass Intentions

Saturday, December 28 4:00 P.M. The People of Saint Anthony Parish Sunday, December 29 8:30 A.M. Jeannette Albanese birthday remembrance by Pauline Monday, December 30 9:00 A.M. Penny Cross by Evelyn & Rick Jaros Solemnity of Mary Tuesday, December 31 5:00 P.M. Connie Cole by her friend Friday, January 3 9:00 A.M. Mary, Fonzo & Helen Orizzonto by friends Saturday, January 4 4:00 P.M. Ruth Guarino 56th anniversary by family Sunday, January 5 8:30 A.M. The People of Saint Anthony Parish

LorraineDroletMaxLoperMarthaBrock

CatherineMcKenneyPatrickKendallTheresaLundLizWheelerFrankKlymn

Pleasealsorememberotherswhoareinneedofourprayers.

Nameswillbepublishedinourbulletinforonemonth.Ifyouwouldliketorenewyourprayerrequestafteronemonth,pleasecontacttheparishoffice.

Sanctuary Lamps will burn for:

Saint Anthony Parishioners

& friends

Sacrificial Giving Report To meet our expenses we need: $ 3,700.00 Offertory collection December 21-22: $ 4,319.00 Christmas: $ 5,981.50 Christmas flowers: $ 1,838.00

Thank You for Your Support

of Saint Anthony Church!

Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God: Wednesday, January 1, 2020 is the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, a holy day of obligation. Mass will be celebrated at St. Anthony Church Tuesday, December 31 at 5:00 p.m. There will also be a Mass at St. Francis of Assisi in Windsor on Wednesday, January 1 at 9:00 a.m. Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults: Our R.C.I.A. program continues. Please keep those involved in the program, candidates and leaders, in your prayers. Knights Rosary: A Rosary will be prayed for The Blessing of the Holy Family for our Homes in the coming New Year. The Knights of Columbus invite you to join them in praying the rosary before the Saturday and Sunday Masses. Please meet forty-five minutes before each Mass in the pews nearest the tabernacle at the front of the church. The Rosary will be prayed at 3:15 p.m. Saturday, December 28 and 7:45 a.m. Sunday, December 29. We hope to end the Rosary so participants will have 15 minutes to reflect on the mysteries before Mass.”

Message from Fr. Rick: Christmas // Holy Family

“The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham, Abraham became the Father of Jesus, Isaac the Father of Jacob, Jacob the Father of Judah and his brothers .... So begins what can seem a tedious reading of names. Before our minds and our eyes glaze over we can find ourselves wondering .... What’s the point .... Fair question. Here is the point. St. Matthew includes this genealogy to make clear a central fact about Christmas .... Jesus Christ our Lord is both truly God and truly man. As man he is, like all of us a member of an extended family, with both famous and infamous members. Hence the pious and devout Ruth is listed right alongside the wicked King Manasseh. As God He is truly called Wonder Counselor, God Here ... Father Forever, Prince of Peace and, above all, Savior!

Each year Christmas invites us to enter into more fully the mystery of the Incarnation, the startling paradox of the Eternal God who assumed a mortal human body and entered this world of time and space to redeem us all!

Merry Christmas!

Fr. Rick

Thanks for Asking but ... : Christmas Bazaar results will be published in the bulletin as soon as we have a final accounting. In order to determine ‘how we did’ we first need to be sure that all Silent Auction receipts and donations are in. Then

we need to wait to receive invoices for expenses such as advertising, wreaths, etc. We know that so many of you have given your time, talent and treasure to make our Christmas Bazaar a success, and are anxious to learn how well we did. We are, too! We’re doing our very best to keep you informed, and appreciate your patience! Christmas Flower Offerings: Our Christmas Masses are offered for all those in whose memory Christmas Flower Offerings have been made. A listing appears in this bulletin. Thank you for your generosity. Christmas Festival of Lights: Visit the display of Christmas Lights at La Salette Shrine, Route 4A, Enfield every evening through December 31st starting at 5:00 PM until 9 PM. Free admission; offerings gratefully accepted. Reconciliation opportunities Saturdays, 5:45-6:15 PM or upon request. Mass Saturdays at 6:30 PM. Religious Articles & Book Store open until 8:30 PM each night that the lights are on. Refreshments available in the cafeteria nightly until 8:30 PM. Nativity display, over 450 creches, open daily 10:00 AM -

9:00 PM. The Cog Railroad is sponsoring a model train display for children and adults alike, set up on the upper level of the cafeteria by The Connecticut Valley Model Railroad Club.

3rd Annual Catholic Men’s Conference: This event will be held here at St. Anthony Church in White River Junction on Saturday, March 28, 2020. The Keynote speaker is retired Air Force Captain, Guy Gruters. Guy is a decorated Vietnam War veteran who spent 5-1/2 years as a POW in Vietnam, and a lifetime Catholic. Other speakers will include Msgr. John McDermott and Paul Kendall. There will also be opportunities for confession, Eucharistic Adoration, lunch, fellowship, and Mass with Bishop Coyne. Please go to www.vermontcatholic.org/men for more information or to register. Respect Life: “Like Our Blessed Mother welcomed Jesus, we are called to cherish and protect the gift of human life, at every stage and in every circumstance.” USCCB Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities, “Living Out Christmas in the New Year” Haven: Needed items this week are soup, fresh milk and shelf-stable milk, cheese, cream cheese, tuna, canned vegetables and canned fruit. Other needs include long under and sweatpants, both in Adult sizes Medium - XXL, gently-used pots & pans, with lids if possible, and grocery bags. Non-perishable items may be left in the basket at the top of the stairs. Thank you!

St. Anthony Parish would like to welcome all those who are visiting with us this weekend.

Christmas Flower Offerings have been made in memory of:

Gladys B. White Allen W. White Martin, Aher, LaPoint, Cross, Aldrich Family Mr. & Mrs. Albert Klotz Polly Poor Gail Peck Nan Daniels Alfred, Sr., Ruth & Fredo Guarino Jerry Holm David Lee Duke & Ruth Pascal Paul & Jean Sherman Richard W. Scelza Thurlow Ferguson Ralph E. Funari Michael Kendall Linda O’Banion Mary Diana David Bell My dear departed family members Duke & Irene DuCharme Nanette DuCharme Andrews Ashley Durand Debbie Audette Louis & Marjorie Audette Deceased members of the Zapolski family

Deceased members of the Tankiewicz family Donald Phair Charlie Phair Melody Allen My parents, Tom & Bernadette Hickey Philip G. Turgeon Deceased parishioners & friends of

Saint Anthony Parish

Christmasflowernames

REPLACEW/NEW

Sunday, Dec 29, 2019FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY, AND JOSEPH

A change in plansDreamers can’t explain themselves. People ask: “How could you?

Why did you?” And dreamers shrug and smile. They make the

sacrifice, they take the risk, they think differently, they become

someone unimaginable. Ask any artist or composer, star athlete

or entrepreneur, priest or monk or missionary: How did you

become what you are? They shrug and smile, because it’s hard to

tell someone who hasn’t heard the voice themselves: I talk to

angels, I listen to the universe, I close my eyes so I can see more

clearly. Sit and pay attention to the holy silence.TODAY'S READINGS: Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14; Colossians 3:12-21 or 3:12-17; Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23 (17). “Rise, take the child and hismother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you.”

Monday, Dec 30, 2019SIXTH DAY WITHIN THE OCTAVE OF THE NATIVITY OF THE LORD

Generation to generationThe gospel anticipates the New Year with a child’s potential.

After Simeon’s harsh prediction of a sword piercing Mary’s soul,

Anna comforts. She directs the conversation back to thanking

God. She has had time to prepare for her moment, so when it

comes, she rises to the occasion. Pope Francis linked Anna and

Simeon to grandparents. In a society that too often dismisses the

elderly, grandparents still offer time and presence, just what

children need most. Pray for and honor the elders in your own

family and community. They carry a consoling message!TODAY'S READINGS: 1 John 2:12-17; Luke 2:36-40 (203). “The childgrew and became strong, filled with wisdom.”

Tuesday, Dec 31, 2019MEMORIAL OF SYLVESTER I, POPE; SEVENTH DAY WITHIN THE OCTAVE OFTHE NATIVITY OF THE LORD

Guard the pearl of great priceWe know little of Sylvester I other than that his papacy lasted

from 314 until his death in 335. A legend arose around the eighth

century, however, based on a forged document known as the

Donation of Constantine, that the emperor who famously

converted to Christianity also transferred authority over Rome

and the entire Western Roman Empire to Sylvester and future

popes. While the document was later proven to be a fake, the

papacy nonetheless got ensnared in power politics, luxury, and

the corruption that comes with trying to rule an empire. As Dante

put it in his Divine Comedy, “Ah Constantine, how much evil was

born / not from your conversion, but from that donation / that the

first wealthy pope received from you!” Don’t practice your faith

for worldly gain—God grants us riches money can’t buy.TODAY'S READINGS: 1 John 2:18-21; John 1:1-18 (204). “He was inthe world . . . but the world did not know him.”

Wednesday, Jan 01, 2020OCTAVE DAY OF THE NATIVITY OF THE LORD; SOLEMNITY OF THE BLESSEDVIRGIN MARY, THE MOTHER OF GOD

Incarnation in allThe Octave of Christmas reminds us that all people everywhere

share in the mystery of Incarnation, the communion of divinity

and humanity, revealed in Jesus Christ and realized in all who are

likewise born of women. We celebrate this mystery whenever we

gather to eat and drink the sacred meal. Our task is to recognize

the divine presence in the least of those with whom we share this

mystical communion, from the baby born in Bethlehem to the

migrant standing at our wall. Resolve this New Year to lend a

helping hand.TODAY'S READINGS: Numbers 6:22-27; Galatians 4:4-7; Luke 2:16-21(18). “So they went in haste and found Mary and Joseph, and theinfant lying in the manger.”

Thursday, Jan 02, 2020MEMORIAL OF BASIL THE GREAT AND GREGORY NAZIANZEN, BISHOPS,DOCTORS OF THE CHURCH

Let’s be friends“To the Ancients, friendship seemed the happiest and most fully

human of all loves; the crown of life and the school of virtue. The

modern world, in comparison, ignores it.” When C.S. Lewis

referred to the “Ancients” he might have had today’s saints, Basil

and Gregory Nazianzen, in mind. Instrumental in the formation of

the Nicene Creed that the church recites each Sunday, these

great bishops and doctors of the church can also be remembered

simply for being two great and lasting friends. Let them remind us

that deep and warm friendships enrich life in ways that

accomplishments and honorifics, and even creeds, sublime as

they may be, cannot replace.TODAY'S READINGS: 1 John 2:22-28; John 1:19-28 (205). “All whoheard it were amazed by what had been told them by theshepherds.”

Friday, Jan 03, 2020MEMORIAL OF THE MOST HOLY NAME OF JESUS

Called by nameThe memorial of the Most Holy Name of Jesus reminds us of the

power of names. We honor not just the person Jesus, but the

name of Jesus. There is a certain intimacy in knowing a person’s

name. Think of our litanies, our prayers for people who are sick

or who have died. Think of the genealogy we heard on Christmas

Eve. When we name people, we acknowledge and see them.

Think of the people you see regularly in your school, workplace,

gym, grocery store, faith community. Remember to call them by

name.TODAY'S READINGS: 1 John 2:29—3:6; John 1:29-34 (206). “John theBaptist saw Jesus coming toward him and said, ‘Behold, the Lambof God.’ ”

Saturday, Jan 04, 2020MEMORIAL OF ELIZABETH ANN SETON, RELIGIOUS

Be a trailblazerElizabeth Ann Seton (1774-1821) was born into a wealthy

Episcopalian family. At 19, she married William Magee Seton

with whom she had five children. For a brief time, it was a

wonderful life, but soon William’s business and health failed.

Elizabeth was a poor widow and single mother by the age of 30.

Inspired by Catholic friends who helped care for her dying

husband, Elizabeth became Catholic in 1805. In the following

years this first American-born saint established many firsts: the

first religious community of women and the first Catholic school,

with several more to follow. Elizabeth Ann Seton’s deep

faithfulness reminds us that nothing is impossible with God.TODAY'S READINGS: 1 John 3:7-10; John 1:35-42 (207). “They said tohim, ‘Rabbi (which means Teacher), where do you stay?’ ‘Comeand see,’ he answered.”

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