Saint Bernard Church

1 Saint Bernard Church December 19, 2021. Fourth Sunday of Advent Rev. David F. Gaffney, Pastor Baptism: Please call Angelo at the Parish Center for information about Rev. John E. Unsworth, Pastor, Emeritus scheduling and preparation. Rev. Charles Maher, Weekend Assistant Communion Please notify us of those sick and Pastoral Assistant: Angelo Giacchi to the Sick: in need of Communion at home. Business Manager: David Cote Elementary Faith Formation: Dawn Masterson Marriage: Please call 10 months in advance. Youth Faith Formation: Christina Pichette Holy Orders: Tel: 401-831-8011. Music Director: Alison Shea Mass Schedules Project Rachel: Post abortion counseling Tel: 401-421-7833, ext.

2 118. Weekends Saturday Vigil ~ 5:00 PM Sacrament of Reconciliation: Saturdays 4:00 PM. Sundays Eucharistic Adoration 7:00 AM 8:30 AM 10:30 AM. Following Tuesday's 8:00 AM Mass until 11:00 AM. Weekdays 8:00 AM Monday through Friday Family Faith Formation Program Our programs provide parishioners of all ages oppor- Address: 275 Tower Hill Road tunities for learning, growing and living our Faith North Kingstown, RI 02852 through common experiences, age-specific learning and interactive sharing. Please call the Parish Center Phone : 401-295-0387. for information regarding any of our programs or E-mail: email: Web: First Communion Grade 2: Hours: Mon - Tues: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM Wednesday 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM.

3 Thursday & Friday: Closed Confirmation Grades 8 & 9: Gospel Weeklies Grades 1, 3, 4, 5, 6 & 7: Ponderings In no way do I want to rush through the season of Advent! After all, Advent is a time to grow in patience, longing and expectation. The liturgical season of Advent has great lessons for us not only for this short period but also for the rest of our lives. I did come across an article recently, however, about Christmas that caught my attention. On the first Monday of Advent, it was revealed that the European Union was attempting to ban the use of the word Christmas in an internal dossier promoting an inclusive communication.' Now you can see why the article caught my attention!

4 The dossier recommended, among other things, to stop saying Merry Christmas' and replace it with Happy Holidays and refer to the Christmas holidays as the winter break.'. The guideline was signed by the European Commissioner for Equality, Helena Dalli of Malta. It was published by an Italian media outlet on Monday of the first week of Advent and by Tuesday the office at the European Union had to cancel it. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Secretary of State, (at the Vatican), denounced a tendency to homogenize everything, which risks annihilating' the human per- son. He told Vatican News, I believe that the concern to cancel all discrimination is just. It is a path of which we have become more aware, and which naturally must be translated into practice.

5 However, in my opinion, this not the way to achieve this goal. Because in the end we risk destroying, annihilating the person. He continued, On the one hand, the differentiation that characterizes the world is can- celed. He lamented that the tendency is to homogenize everything, not knowing how to respect even rightful differences, which naturally should not become a conflict or a source of discrimination but should be integrated in order to build a full and integral humanity.. Christianity has had a profound effect on Europe. The cardinal says, We know that Europe owes its existence and its identity to many influences, but we certainly cannot forget that one of the main influences, if not the main one, was Christianity itself.

6 He continues, Therefore, destroying the differences and destroying the roots means precisely to destroy the person.. After the uproar over the document the Commissioner for Equality, Helena Dalli, wrote, The initiatives in the directives were intended to illustrate the diversity of European culture and show the inclusive nature of the Commission. However, the published version is not functional to this end. It is not a mature document and does not meet our quality standards. I therefore withdraw it and will contin- ue to work on this document.. One has to hope that the European Commission does not forget or minimize the deep Christian roots in Europe.

7 In the pre-pandemic era Europe would have many visitors who came precisely to rev- el in its Christmas traditions. In Rome just about every Church would open its doors so that the public could enter to see the presepio'-----the nativity scene. They took such great pride in displaying their unique nativity. In Germany many would visit the Christmas markets.'. We cannot dismiss history , nor can we lose site of the rich traditions that have impacted our lives and continue to do so in the present day. At the same time, we are called to be respectful of other traditions---other faith traditions. A variety of faith traditions, in fact, have historically enriched our own country.

8 Let's not whitewash' the past----it only gives us a blank canvas. The canvas of history is rich and vibrant. Let us rejoice in our Christian, Catholic heritage, and the many traditions especially at Christmas that have and continue to help us welcome the Christ child into our lives. --Fr. Gaffney 2. Mass Christmas and New Year's Mass Schedule Intentions Christmas Eve, Friday, December 24th Mass at 4:00 Mass at 6:00 MONDAY, December 20 Christmas Day, Saturday, December 25th 8:00 AM Josephine Gaffney Mass at 7:00 Mass at 8:30 TUESDAY, December 21. Mass at 10:30 8:00 AM Natalie Montecalvo WEDNESDAY, December 22 Please Note: There is NO vigil Mass on Satur- 8:00 AM Special Intention day, December 25th (for the Sunday, December 26th Masses for the Feast of the Holy Family).

9 THURSDAY, December 23 Masses for Sunday, December 26th will be the 8:00 AM Fenwick Gardiner usual schedule (7:00 , 8:30 , 10:30 ). by his family New Year's Day, Saturday, January 1st Solemnity FRIDAY, December 24. 4:00 PM Deceased of the Parish of Mary, Mother of God Mass at 10:30 6:00 PM Deceased of the Parish Epiphany Vigil Mass 5:00 Saturday, January 1st Sunday Masses, January 2nd, 7:00 8:30 , WEEKEND MASS SCHEDULE 10:30 SATURDAY, December 25 Mass Video Schedule 7:00 AM Deceased of the Parish 8:30 AM Deceased of the Parish 12:25: 8:30 AM and 12/26: 8:30 AM. 10:30 AM Deceased of the Parish Available to view on our website by 12:00 PM. SUNDAY, December 26.

10 7:00 AM Thomas Rzemien Confession Times Added for the by his wife Week before Christmas 8:30 AM Richard F. Collier Many people are accustomed to going to confes- by his family sion' before Christmas. We have added some ad- 10:30 AM Jean Reilly ditional times for this opportunity: 14th Anniversary by her husband Monday, December 20th we have added 5:30-6:30. Tuesday, December 21st we have added 9:00- 11:00 (this is during our usual time of Eu- charistic Adoration). The Sacrament of Reconciliation is offered in the Reconciliation Room where there is a choice of going anonymously' (kneeling behind a screen). or sitting face to face'. Stormy Weather and Daily Mass If the public schools in North Kingstown are closed because of bad weather, our daily 8 AM.