SATURDAY MASS First Saturday of the month St. Joseph Chapel: 8:00 am (English)

SATURDAY VIGIL St. Benedict / OLOM: 4:00 pm (English); 5:30 pm (Spanish) St. Mary Church: 5:30 pm (English)

SUNDAY MASSES St. Benedict / OLOM: 8:00 am (Spanish); 10:00 am (English) & 12:00 pm (Spanish)

ST. MARY CHURCH

566 ELM ST. • STAMFORD • CONNECTICUT 06902

St. Mary Church: 8:30 am (English); 10:30 am (English); 1:00 pm (Spanish) & 7:00 pm (Spanish)

Pastor Rev. Gustavo Falla

WEEKDAY MASSES Monday - Friday

Parochial Vicars Rev. José Jesús Montoya Rev. Andris Alexis Moronta

St. Joseph Chapel: 9:00 am (English); 5:30 pm (English) St. Benedict / OLOM: 7:00 pm (Spanish)

CCD/RCIC Leslie Hernandez

HOLY DAY MASSES Vigil: 5:30 pm (Church)

Finance Council Chairwoman Ms. Karen Cingari

Daytime: 5:30 pm (Church); 7:00 pm (Spanish)

CIVIL HOLIDAYS Chapel: St. Joseph Chapel 9:00 am

Lay Corp. Members Mr. Louis Volpintesta, Jr. Mr. Joseph J. Aulenti

MARIAN NOVENA St. Joseph Chapel: Monday at 5:50 pm (English)

CONFESSION Saturday: 4:00 - 5:00 pm (St. Mary) Sunday: 3:30 - 4:30 pm (St. Joseph Chapel) during Eucharistic Adoration

FOUNDED AUGUST 17, 1907

Administrative Assistant Stefania Canneto

Welcome! A warm welcome to all visitors and new parishioners!

BAPTISM Second Saturday of the month: St. Mary (English) Fourth Saturday of the month: St. Mary (Spanish) Call office to arrange an appointment with one of the priests.

MATRIMONY Contact one of the priests at least 6 months in advance. EUCHARISTIC ADORATION Sunday: 3:00 - 6:00 pm St. Mary

Office Hours Monday - Friday ----------------------------------------------------9:00 am - 3:00 pm -------------------------------------------------12:00—1:00 pm CLOSED FOR LUNCH CCD Hours Monday, Wednesday & Friday -------------------------------------- 1:00 - 4:00 pm Contact Informati0n Office---------------------203-324-7321 Fax --------------------- 203-323-9407 CCD/RCIC ----------------203-348-5196 Web ---------- www.stmarystfd.org Email---------------------------------------------------- [email protected]

Solemnity of Mary, Holy Mother of God

January 1, 2017

St. Mary Mass Intentions

Saturday 8:00 am 5:30 pm 8:00 pm Sunday 8:30 am 10:30 am 1:00 pm

7:00 pm Monday 9:00 am 5:30 pm Tuesday 9:00 am 5:30 pm Wednesday 9:00 am 5:30 pm Thursday 9:00 am 5:30 pm Friday 9:00 am 5:30 pm Saturday 8:00 am 5:30 pm Sunday 8:30 am 10:30 am 1:00 pm 7:00 pm

December 31, 2016 No Mass +Maria M. DeRitis, Int. George & Terri Schiff Por la Comunidad Parroquial (Spanish Mass) January 1, 2017 For the people of the parish +Delia Truglia, Int. Family Todos los Adoradores del Santísimo, int. Familia Obregón Sagrado Corazón de Jesús No Mass January 2, 2017 Paul Karl, Int. Carmela Cagginello + Louis Moavero, int. Knights of Columbus January 3, 2017 for the people of the parish +Michael McQuilla, Int. Michael & Diane January 4, 2017 In Thanksgiving, for the Forte Family +Christopher Mennillo, Int. Family January 5, 2017 +For the repose of the soul of Migliazza Family, Int. Family For the people of the parish January 6, 2017 Thanksgiving to St. Joseph Thankgiving to Barbara Scheurger, Int. Friend January 7, 2017 For the people of the parish +Marie Walsh, Int. Karen Cingari January 8, 2017 Deceased Members of the Rosary Society For the people of the parish Por La Comunidad Tatiana Pardo. Int. family St. Benedict / OLOM Mass Intentions

Saturday 4:00 pm 5:30 pm Sunday 8:00 am 10:00 am 12:00 pm Monday 7:00 pm Tuesday 7:00 pm Wednesday 7:00 pm Thursday 7:00 pm Friday 9:30am 7:00 pm Saturday 4:00 pm 5:30 pm Sunday 8:00 am 10:00 am 12:00 pm

December 31 + Stanley Jabloski, Int. Family + Nelson Ortega, Int. Familia January 1 En Honor a la Virgen de Guadalupe, Int. Patricia Aparicio + Luigi Chiappetta, Int. Vito Chiappetta Por la Comunidad Parroquial, Intenciones Múltiples January 2 Por la Comunidad Parroquial, Intenciones Múltiples January 3 + Isabel Rivera, Int. Familia Sabillón January 4 Por la Comunidad Parroquial, Intenciones Múltiples January 5 Acción de Gracias, Int. Blanca Reyes January 6 Cofradía del Sagrado Corazón de Jesús Niño Jesús, Int. Familia Sanchez January 7 + Gene Tushaj, Int. Wife, Age + Magnolia de Falla, Int. Familia Villeda January 8 Por familia Pérez Reyes, Int. Blanca Reyes + Luigi Chiappetta, Int. Vito Chiappetta Por la Comunidad Parroquial, Intenciones Múltiples

Please pray for our sick parishioners and friends: Edmond Cellini, Michele Louis, Christopher Hart, Micke Abatemarco, Thomas Lombardi, Alice DeFrancesco, Arnold Messecar, Sandy Passero, Anne Carlucci, Valli-Ann Palagonia, Giuseppina Palaia, Rosa Hernandez, Maeve Convery, Cecilia Marroquin, Haydee Dominguez, John Mileto, Ambrocia Palencia, Dora Gugierrez, Frank Guarnieri, Anna Maria Guarnieri, Joe Tripodi, Eileen Hoyt, Lionel DeSilva, Willard Kemp, Claudia Toscano, Richard Nuzzo, Gordon Hewetson, Jorge Camacho, Iris Jurado, Janet Torres, Lynette Lyon, Tony F., Betty Vitti, Tony Zarrilli, Martha Garcia, Bozena Krepsztul, Brian Taylor, Liz Gauruder, Grace Gauruder, Michael Gauruder, Jose Marroquin, Julie Congelli, Romano, Debbie Lindstrom, Holly Melick, Nancy Cummings, Maria Rodriguez and Chris Perna

Our Sanctuary Lamp Is burning this week In Loving Memory of

Marie Walsh Requested by Karen Cingari Financial Corner – Weekly Goal: $6,600 Offertory Collection for: December 25 Sunday Christmas Collection 5:30 pm $1,105 $2,666 8:00 pm $1,504 $779 12 Midnight $1,026 $521 8:30 am $963 $1,235 10:30 am $1,163 $776 1:00 pm $1,530 $705

Coin $15 Fuel $1,055 Flowers $353

Solemnity of Mary, The Holy Mother of God Sunday Nm 6:22-27; Gal 4:4-7; Lk 2:16-21 Monday 1 Jn 2:22-28; Jn 1:19-28 Tuesday 1 Jn 2:29—3:6; Jn 1:29-34 Wednesday 1 Jn 3:7-10; Jn 1:35-42 Thursday 1 Jn 3:11-21; Jn 1:43-51 First Friday 1 Jn 5:5-13; Mk 1:7-11 or Lk 3:23-28 or 3:28, 31-34, 36, 38 First Saturday 1 Jn 5:14-21; Jn 2:1-11 ENVELOPE USERS - Please enter the amount of your donation on the envelope in the space provided. This will be a big help to us when counting the collection. Also, it is not necessary to tape or staple the envelope closed. Your help is greatly appreciated.

Solemnity of Mary, Holy Mother of God 2017 St. Mary Church Photo Calendars – are on sale. The cost is $20 and all proceeds go to St. Mary Church. They are on sale in the church office or after some masses. Contact Sharon at 203-3271806 or [email protected] for more information

January Calendar of Events Tues. Jan. 3 Sat. Jan. 4 Sun. Jan 8 Tues. Jan. 10 Sat. Jan. 14 Tues. Jan. 17 Sat. Jan. 21 Tues. Jan. 24 Sat. Jan. 27 Tues. Jan. 31

7:00 pm – Legion of Mary – Parish Center 7:00 pm – Legion of Mary (Spanish)– Parish Center 8:30 am – Rosary Mass – church 7:00 pm – Legion of Mary – Parish Center 7:00 pm – Legion of Mary (Spanish)– Parish Center 7:00 pm – Legion of Mary – Parish Center 7:00 pm – Legion of Mary (Spanish)– Parish Center 7:00 pm – Legion of Mary – Parish Center 7:00 pm – Legion of Mary (Spanish)– Parish Center 7:00 pm – Legion of Mary – Parish Center

January 1, 2017 Second Reading: Galatians 4:4-7 Paul describes how through Jesus’ birth, we have been delivered from the laws that exiled Gentiles from God’s community. Through Jesus, the Gentiles became God’s adopted sons and would receive the same blessings that the Jewish converts had been promised. Gospel: Luke 2:16-21 The shepherds went to Bethlehem to see Jesus and immediately understood all that they had been told about him. They praised God for what they had seen, and Jesus was given the name that the angel had chosen for him.

A FRESH PERSPECTIVE ON THE SUNDAY READINGS HIS WORD TODAY by Rev. William J. Reilly Solemnity of Mary, The Holy Mother of God January 1, 2017 “The shepherds went in haste to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger; once they saw, they understood what had been told them concerning this child. All who heard of it were astonished at the report… Mary treasured all these things and reflected on them in her heart.” Does it surprise me that the first to come and encounter Christ were lowly shepherds? They were certainly not the persons I would expect to greet a newborn baby. Obviously, they accepted the good news and then reported it to others. We who know the Bethlehem story so well, might not have even bothered to go to the cave where Christ was born. We might, like the shepherds, have just returned to the night watch guarding themselves and their flocks. Obviously their story moved others as well. At the same time Mary both treasured and reflected, sometimes the scriptures say ‘pondered’ or weighed what she knew, saw and heard. How she felt may best be known by the mother of a newborn. It might be fitting to sit quietly like Mary and reflect upon the events. Christmas comes and goes so fast that we might overlook the great outpouring of the Father in giving us a needed Savior, and the role model of Mary treasuring and reflecting. May we treasure the coming of the Lord. SOLEMNITY OF MARY, THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD First Reading: Numbers 6:22-27 The Lord told Aaron to bestow his blessings on the Israelites. God wanted them to know that by invoking his name they would be blessed by him.

Prayer for a Blessing on the New Year O sacred and adorable Trinity, hear our prayers on behalf of our holy Father the Pope, our Bishops, our clergy, and for all that are in authority over us. Bless, we beseech Thee, during the coming year, the whole Catholic Church; convert heretics and unbelievers; soften the hearts of sinners so that they may return to Thy friendship; give prosperity to our country and peace among the nations of the world; pour down Thy blessings upon our friends, relatives, and acquaintances, and upon our enemies, if we have any; assist the poor and the sick; have pity on the souls of those whom this year has taken from us; and do Thou be merciful to those who during the coming year will be summoned before Thy judgment seat. May all our actions be preceded by Thy inspirations and carried on by Thy assistance, so that all our prayers and works, having been begun in Thee, may likewise be ended through Thee. Amen. www.catholic.org

Solemnity of Mary, Holy Mother of God 5 New Year's resolutions all Catholics should aspire to By Kenya Sinclair (CALIFORNIA NETWORK) 1/1/2016 CALIFORNIA NETWORK (https://www.youtube.com/c/californianetwork) Even if you practice one or two, all five are necessary to follow Christ's example. Each year people firmly believe that this will be the year -the year they lose weight, the year they make more of an impression at work, the year something is better than the previous. But how many of us make New Year's resolutions to follow Christ? LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - New Year resolutions are popular near the beginning and end of each year, but very few people actually dedicate themselves to following their new proposals. Though it is difficult to change habits or incorporate new ones, there are certain things all Catholics should aspire to each and every day of their lives. Here are Catholic Online's top five resolutions every Catholic should make every single year: 5. Educate yourself - Proverbs 1:5 says, "Let the wise listen and learn yet more, and a person of discernment will acquire the art of guidance." Educating yourself can mean you go back to school, delve deeper in The Holy Scriptures or simply doing a little research online to better understand what is happening around the world and why. Understanding the world, even its horrors, can help you understand what you need to pray for, and for some it can open the door to a ministry you didn't even know you were meant to enter. This year, please consider learning about the Syrian war, Yazidi slaves, displaced migrants and what being a Muslim is really about, not just what tabloids claim. 4. Learn to listen - Listening and patience go hand-inhand. Learning to listen, rather than merely being present, can make a world of difference both to you and the person or people you are talking to. Note that the art of listening is not limited to the people around you. God speaks to us every day, but how many of us can say that we have the ears to listen? Listening to God can be difficult, particularly when you are in desperate need of answers. James 1:19 helps us understand what listening means.

January 1, 2017 "Remember this, my dear brothers: everyone should be quick to listen but slow to speak and slow to human anger..." A good way to practice listening to God is to sit in a quiet place. Ask God to help you be more open to what He has to say, and ask for the patience to actively listen to those around you. Bonus: Putting down electronics and looking people in the eye helps you become a better listener. 3. Be generous - This is not limited to money! Remember, when we offer to help people pack for a move, practice for a speech, listen to their worries or feed the hungry, we are being generous and mirroring Christ's heart. Think of 1 John 3:17, "If anyone is well-off in worldly possessions and sees his brother in need but closes his heart to him, how can the love of God be remaining in him?" 2. Read the Bible - Recall Hebrews 4:12: "The word of God is something alive and active: it cuts more incisively than any two-edged sword: it can seek out the place where soul is divided from spirit, or joints from marrow; it can pass judgement on secret emotions and thoughts." Understanding the Word of God is an important part of being Catholic. The Holy Scriptures are alive, meaning they can move in and through you and can bring power greater than that of a sword. The Scriptures are there so that we can learn from them and be held accountable, even for our "secret emotions and thoughts." Remember to read your Bible, participate in Bible studies and know that as you read and understand, you can catch yourself before falling into sin. With awareness comes discernment. 1. Be more like Jesus - We are called to follow Christ's examples, all of which are clearly outlined in the Bible. Remember John 8:12, where Jesus says, "...I am the light of the world; anyone who follows me will not be walking in the dark, but will have the light of life." Note that the first three things mimic attributes Jesus Christ has. In knowing about things before we speak ill of them, learning to listen, being generous and by reading God's Word, we are not only improving our relationship with God, we are also improving our relationship with others. St. Mary’s Altar Flowers In Loving Memory Marie Walsh As requested by Karen Cingari

East Side Youth Group

Go Deeper in the Faith! Hang Out With Friends! Have a Blast!

La Vela del Santísimo se ofrece esta semana por

Marie Walsh Como es Intención de Karen Cingari

UNA FRESCA PERSPECTIVA DE LAS LECTURAS DOMINICALES SU PALABRA HOY por el Reverendo William J. Reilly Solemnidad de María, La Santísima Madre de Dios 1 de enero de 2017 “Los pastores fueron rápidamente y encontraron a María, a José, y al recién nacido acostado en el pesebre. Al verlo, contaron lo que habían oído decir sobre este niño, y todos los que los escuchaban quedaron admirados de lo que decían… María conservaba estas cosas y las meditaba en su corazón.”

Feliz y Próspero Año Nuevo MARÍA, MADRE DE DIOS Primera Lectura: Números 6:22-27 El Señor dijo a Aarón que bendijera a los israelitas. Dios quería que ellos supieran que al invocar su nombre ellos serían bendecidos por El. Segunda Lectura: Gálatas 4:4-7 Pablo describe cómo a través del nacimiento de Jesús hemos sido librados de las leyes que exilaban a los gentiles de la comunidad de Dios. A través de Jesús, los gentiles sse convirtieron en hijos adoptados de Dios y recibiría las mismas bendiciones que se les habían prometido a los judíos que se convirtieron. Evangelio: San Lucas 2:16-21 Los pastores fueron a Belén a ver a Jesús e inmediatamente comprendieron todo lo que se les había dicho sobre El. Alabaron a Dios por lo que vieron, y se le dió a Jesús el nombre que el ángel había escogido para El.

Me sorprende que los primeros que vinieron y encontraron a Cristo fueron los humildes pastores. Ciertamente no eran las personas que yo esperaría que saludaran a un recién nacido. Evidentemente aceptaron las buenas nuevas y se las reportaron a otros. Nosotros que conocemos tan bien la historia de Belén quizá ni nos hubiéramos molestados en ir a la cueva en donde Cristo nació. Puede que como los pastores, simplemente hubiésemos regresado a cuidar a las ovejas esa noche. Pero obviamente su historia conmovió a otros también. Mientras María conservaba y meditaba, a veces las escrituras indican que reflexionaba o pesaba lo que sabía, veía y escuchaba. Cualquier madre de un recién nacido puede entender mejor lo que ella sentiría. Sería bueno que nos sentáramos calladamente al igual que María para reflexionar sobre estos eventos. La Navidad viene y se van tan rápido que puede que ni cuenta nos demos de la generosidad del Padre de darnos a nuestro Salvador y al modelo de María que guarda y reflexiona. Que atesoremos la venida del Señor. Las Flores del Altar En Memoria de Marie Walsh Intención de Karen Cingari

Celebración del Señor de Esquipulas Estamos invitando a toda la comunidad para que nos acompañe en la celebración en Acción de Gracias al Señor de Esquipulas el día 15 de Enero de 2017 aquí en Santa María, a las 7:00pm ! Los Esperamos! MARÍA, MADRE DE DIOS Domingo Nm 6:22-27; Gal 4:4-7; Lk 2:16-21 Lunes 1 Jn 2:22-28; Jn 1:19-28 Martes 1 Jn 2:29—3:6; Jn 1:29-34 Miércoles 1 Jn 3:7-10; Jn 1:35-42 Jueves 1 Jn 3:11-21; Jn 1:43-51 Primer Viernes 1 Jn 5:5-13; Mk 1:7-11 or Lk 3:23-28 or 3:28, 31-34, 36, 38 Primer Sábado 1 Jn 5:14-21; Jn 2:1-11

MISA – FIESTA EN HONOR A LA VIRGEN DE LA ALTAGRACIA Están todos invitados a la Santa Misa que celebraremos en Honor a Nuestra Madre, la Virgen de La Altagracia (Patrona de la República Dominicana). Sábado 21 de Enero 2017, a las 5:30pm – en la Parroquia San Benito/OLOM. Después de la Santa Misa tendremos un refrigerio en el Salón Parroquial. DIRECCIÓN: 1 St. Benedict Circle Stamford, CT 06902.

Radio María – El Padre Montoya está rezando el Rosario por Radio Maria. Todos son bienvenidos. Si usteed no puede asistir puede llamar al 212-574-4357 y unirse a través del teléfono durante el rezo Rosario. Lunes 6 pm St. Mary Church – La Oficina

Rezar El Rosario – Invitamos a todos los primeros Sábados de cada mes a rezar el Rosario en Español a las 5:45 P.M. en la capilla de San José (Centro Parroquial)

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