last updated Mon, Feb 6, 2012

Father William C. Rousseau Pastor

FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK

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Upcoming Events and News

FIFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

February 5th to February 12th

New Book Pick

In a dusty corner of a basement in a rambling Victorian house in northern New Hampshire, a door has long been sealed shut with 39 six-inch-long carriage bolts. The home's new owners are Chip and Emily Linton and their twin 10-year-old daughters. Together they hope to rebuild their lives there after Chip, an airline pilot, has ditched his 70-seat regional jet in Lake Champlain due to double engine failure. The body count? Thirty-nine.
What follows is a riveting ghost story with all the hallmarks readers have come to expect from bestselling, award-winning novelist Chris Bohjalian: a palpable sense of place, meticulous research, an unerring sense of the demons that drive us, and characters we care about deeply. The difference this time? Some of those characters are dead.
Pick up your copy of The Night Strangers by Chris Bohjalian and come to the next Reading Group meeting on Monday, February 27, at 7:15 p.m.

Bible Study Resumes

The Passion and Resurrection narratives of Jesus will be highlighted on Thursdays, February 9, March 1, March 8, March 15, March 22, March 29, and Monday, April 2. All sessions will begin at 7:00 p.m. Cost of materials is $14. Call 532-7503 to register.

Welcome through the Sacrament of Baptism

Through the sacrament of Baptism we welcome into our parish family: Sophia Marie Demers and Kameron Christina English. Congratulations to the proud parents and honored godparents. We pray that they continue by word and example, to bring up their children to know, love and serve God in this life, so they may be happy with Him forever.

PROJECT: UNDERWEAR

Spiritual Life Commission will collect new underwear and socks for men, women and children - all sizes - as well as pajamas for kids. These will be distributed by the Springfield Rescue Mission to needy families. Collection boxes will be in place the weekends of February 12 and 13, 18 and 19. Thank you in advance for your generosity.

Prayer Shawl Ministry

The members of the Prayer Shawl Ministry will meet on Saturday, February 11, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon in Room 2. Bring your yarn and needles and come join us. Everyone is welcome.

Please Remember

Don't forget the People Loving Group's collection of food items and staples as well as monetary donations next weekend, February 11 and 12.

2011 Tax Statements

... will be available upon request. Please call Dianne at the parish office with your request. Be sure to have your envelope number handy.

If you would like to keep our Lord company on Friday mornings during Adoration, call Father Bill at 532-7503.

FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT NEXT SATURDAY

Family Life Commission would like to invite everyone to a Family Movie Night, next Saturday, February 11. The movie title is “Treasure Buddies.” There is free admission to the movie.
We will have food at 6:00 p.m. and the movie will start around 6:30 p.m. Hot dogs, chips, juice, soda and water, will be sold for 50 cents each. As always, popcorn is free.

Tackle Hunger with Souper Bowl of Caring!

You and your child can make a difference! Help our Youth Group and 9th grade Religious Education class take care of our neighbors in need. Our collection will take place on February 4 and 5. We will collect monetary donations (please make checks payable to Lorraine Soup Kitchen). Help us realize our goal of 100 % participation as we teach students of the power of making a difference in the lives of others. Thank you so much!

Cookbooks

... by our parishioners and friends honoring our 100th anniversary are available by calling the rectory at 532-7503. Only $10.00 for this beautifully prepared and printed keepsake.

Ministers of Next Week's Liturgies
Weekend of February 11 & 12

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion

4:00 p.m. Barbara Bergeron, Donna & Paul Brogle, Rosabell Brassard, Michael Gagnon
7:00 a.m. Jeannette Duclos, Normand & Georgette Piquette
9:00 a.m. Mary & Roland Bazinet, Deacon Pete Hebert
11:00 a.m. Dennis Dion, Laurie Dion, Annette Gibson
6:00 p.m. Lucy Morin, James Russell, Karen Walker

Ministers of the Word

4:00 p.m. Bob & Renate Lavoie
7:00 a.m. Virginia & Neil Downey
9:00 a.m. Youth Readers
11:00 a.m. Youth Readers
6:00 p.m. Anna Cruz, Kathryn Menard

Altar Servers

7:00 a.m. Chelsea & Caitlin Crochiere
9:00 a.m. Patrick & Emily Brynes
11:00 a.m. Amelia Gibson, Jason Brault

A LETTER FROM OUR BISHOP

I write to you concerning an alarming and serious matter that strikes at the fundamental right to religious liberty for all citizens of any faith. The federal government, which claims to be “of, by, and for the people,” has just dealt a heavy blow to almost a quarter of those people - the Catholic population and to the millions more who are served by the Catholic faithful.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced on January 20 that almost all employers, including Catholic hospitals, Catholic colleges and Catholic institutions, will be forced to offer their employees health coverage that includes sterilization, abortion-inducing drugs, and contraception. Almost all health insurers will be forced to include those “services” in the health policies they write. And almost all individuals will be forced to buy that coverage as a part of their policies.
In so ruling, the Administration has cast aside the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, denying to Catholics our nation's first and most fundamental freedom, that of religious liberty. And as a result, unless the rule is overturned, Catholic entities will be compelled either to violate conscience, or drop health coverage for employees (and suffer the penalties for doing so). The Administration's sole concession was to give our institutions one year to comply.
We cannot - we will not - comply with this unjust law. People of faith cannot be made second-class citizens. We are already joined by our brothers and sisters of all faiths and many others of good will in this important effort to regain our religious freedom. Our parents and grandparents did not come to these shores to help build America's cities and towns, its infrastructure and institutions, its enterprise and culture, only to have their posterity stripped of their God-given rights. In generations past, the Church has always been able to count on the faithful to stand up and protect sacred rights and duties. For the sake of future generations, I hope and trust she can count on this generation of Catholics to do the same.
And therefore, I would ask of you two things. First, as a community of faith we must commit ourselves to prayer and fasting that wisdom and justice may prevail, and religious liberty may be restored. Without God, we can do nothing; with God, nothing is impossible. Second, I would also ask you to visit www.usccb.org/conscience, to learn more about this severe assault on religious liberty, and how to contact Congress in support of legislation to reverse the Administration's decision.
You are in my prayers, keep me in yours,

Most Reverend Timothy A. McDonnell

FOR THE YOUTH OF OUR PARISH

St. Joan of Arc School, 587 Grattan Street, Chicopee, will hold an information and registration night on Wednesday, February 15, at 6:00 p.m. in the school hall. Families interested in Catholic education are invited to attend. SJA offers affordable tuition, financial aid program and convenient installment plan. Learn more about the school at www.sjachicopee.org or call 533-1475.

Catholic teens' websites to check out: www.disciplesnow.com and www.mycatholicvoice.com. Don't forget to use www.goodsearch.com whenever you search on the web and www.goodshop.com when you shop online!

Travel Plans with Father Bill

Travel to Italy Wide and Switzerland with Fr. William C. Rousseau, pastor of St. Anne Parish, Chicopee, October 6-18, 2012. The cost is $3,999 and includes airfare, hotels, fees, taxes, tips, breakfast, dinner, tour guides and all luggage handling.

For more details, contact Proximo Travel; telephone: 508-304-9370; toll free: 877-994-8259; fax: 508 8548003; e-mail: Anthony @ Proximotravel.com; website: www.proximotravel.com.