Click here to download a PDF of this week’s bulletin
Mass Intentions: Week of December 6th
| Day | Time | Intention | Requested By | Living or Deceased |
| Saturday | 5:00 p.m. | Karen Brophy Felix Mercadante | The Haase Family The Mercadante Family | Deceased Deceased |
| Sunday | 9:00 a.m. | Eileen Mitchell Fitzpatrick Marisa Sisca | Susan Conte Elvira H. Sisca | Deceased Deceased |
| 11:00 a.m. | Catherine Arceri Robert F. and Helena Guastella | The Hornby, Hulst and Wood Families George Guastella | Deceased Deceased | |
| Monday | 8:00 a.m. | Mikaela Ferraro | John and Lisa Griffin | Living |
| 6:30 p.m. | Msgr. Bob Trainor | The Scott Family | Deceased | |
| Tuesday | 8:00 a.m. | Dr. Stephen Kelly Anthony J. Orsini | Father Tim Kay Dolan | Living Deceased |
| Wednesday | 8:00 a.m. | Marion Lepre (100th Birthday) | Father Tim | Living |
| Thursday | 8:00 a.m. | Joanne Coza Anthony J. Orsini (1st Year Anniversary) | The Family The Scott Family | Deceased Deceased |
| Friday | 8:00 a.m. | Carolyn Watral | Joan and Matt Coffey | Deceased |
| Saturday | 5:00 p.m. | Johnny Grippo James Dumser | John and Lisa Griffin The Amodio Family | Deceased Deceased |
| Sunday | 9:00 a.m. | Robert Tighe Grace Williams | Kevin Tighe The Wynn Family | Deceased Deceased |
| 11:00 a.m. | Cecelia Ellen Wiggins Antonio Lopes | Father Tim Paula and Jack Pereira | Deceased Deceased |
Week of December 6th
An Advent Reflection
Those of us of “a certain age” became educated by a process called “Rote Learning.” You’ll recognize it as I define it here: “a memorization method that relies on repetition and drilling to commit information to memory without necessarily understanding the underlying concepts.” It is a technique for retaining specific facts, like the times table, historical dates, and vocabulary, and that allows for quick recall, but it does not foster critical thinking, or deep comprehension of the subject matter. In addition, with the passage of time, we have learned that rote learning does not prepare youngsters for higher education and does not usually build knowledge. Yet, for all that last critique, I can quickly recall 9×6=54 when I need it, without turning to my smart phone.
All of this brings us to consider how the ancient Hebrews in Our Lord’s audience had no choice but rote learning. This was underscored by the twin facts that there was no printed matter to refer to, and for the common folk at least, no way to read if there had been.
No wonder, then, that Our Lord, as the Master Teacher, would tell stories to bolster their knowledge of truth, with what we would call today “meaningful learning.” For example: How to be a good neighbor? Consider the classic parable of “The Good Samaritan.”
Even we moderns can learn from John the Baptist’s living example and his preaching, what the short season of Advent is all about. He doesn’t tell stories, like his cousin does. But watching him and listening to him is enough. He tells us to “Repent, because the Kingdom of heaven is near.” That kingdom was afterward personified by the Infant in the manger.
In practical terms, observing Advent could mean some deliberate fasting before the coming feasting. Or scheduling some quiet time away from the hustle and bustle of these weeks to pray. Certainly, the making of a good confession in Advent is a good idea, because it clears away the debris from the “stable” of our souls to welcome Jesus. Of course, there are other ways to learn besides the two I have mentioned. Not necessarily all pleasant. We have this story of a man who wanted to train his mule. The first thing he did was to pick up a big stick and hit the mule with a resounding wallop between the ears. As the mule staggered about, someone said to him “What’s the matter with you? Why did you do that awful thing? The man said. “Listen, to teach a mule, you must first get his attention.” Poor mule! Yet anybody who has taught knows you need the attention first. Let the Advent season get our attention for authentic prep for Christmas.
God love you and have a good Advent week.
Leonard N. Peterson
The Word of God
Reading I: Isaiah 11: 1-10 This is the clearest of Isaiah’s messianic visions: The coming of an ideal Davidic king, who brings justice and peace to the world.
Reading II: Romans 15: 4-9 Paul counts himself among the strong Christians set free from Mosaic rules. Christ followed His Father’s will. Israel’s Scriptures (the Old Testament) remain essential to the life and liturgy of the Church.
The Gospel: Matthew 3: 1-12 John the Baptist is the forerunner of the Messiah, and here, in verse 2, is the overarching theme of Matthew’s whole gospel: “Repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand.” The words appear 32 times in the gospel