FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT - DECEMBER 22, 2019

ALTAR SERVERS Mon & Tues @ 7AM - A. DiDonato, I. Isherwood

Wed - Fri @ 7AM - J. Benitez, H. Rhodes

Wed & Fri @ 5:30 PM - S. Benevides, A. Mendes Saturday @ 8 AM - A. Manion, A. Manion

Mon @ 5:30 PM - S. Buco, A. Groves

December 15, 2019 collec on is as follows: Sunday Collec on ………………………………. $ ……....9,642.18 Electronic Giving ………………………………… $ ………..1,536.00 TOTAL $ ……...11,178.18 Poor Box December 8 & 15 ………………... $ ………..1,054.00 Annual Collec on ……………………………….. $...........1,725.00

Dear Parishioners

As Christmas fast approaches, we carry on the joyful tradi on of se ng up the Na vity scene in our homes, in the workplace, in schools, hospitals and town squares.

On December 1, 2019, Pope Francis released his new apostolic le er Admirabile Signum in Greccio, Italy where almost 800 years ago St. Francis of Assisi had the idea to reenact the scene of Christ’s birth in Bethlehem - the first Na vity scene. In this new apostolic le er, Pope Francis offers the faithful a medita on on the meaning and importance of the Na vity scene. Among the highlights of this short, but poignant reflec on are the following thoughts of Pope Francis as wri en in Admirabile Signum: “The Na vity scene shows God as he came into our world, but it also makes us reflect on how our life is part of God’s own life. It invites us to become his disciples if we want to a ain ul mate meaning in life.” “Se ng up the Christmas creche in our homes helps us to relive the history of what took place in Bethlehem. Naturally, the Gospels remain our source for understanding and reflec on on the event. At the same me, its portrayal in the creche helps us to imagine the scene. It touches our hearts and makes us enter into salva on history as contemporaries of an event that is living and real in a broad gamut of historical and cultural contexts.” “Be like the shepherds who visited the Holy Family on that first Christmas. Go to the cave, to see and recognize the sign that God has given us… May his smile that lights up the night dispel indifference and open hearts to the joy of those who feel loved by our Heavenly Father.” May the beau ful words of Pope Francis serve as a reminder this Advent and Christmas to reflect gratefully on our own Na vity scenes and see the INCREDIBLE gi God has given us.

Father Forcier

Vigil - Fourth Sunday of Advent 5:00 PM - Christmas Memorial - Charles DiBenede o Sunday, December 22 - Fourth Sunday of Advent 7:00 AM - 5th Anniversary - Eugene Gilligan 9:30 AM - 38th Anniversary - Ralph Fargnoli 11:30 AM - Christmas Rembrance - Gregory Sperdu 5:30 PM - 6 Month Anniversary - Blanche Hunt

2nd Anniversary - Cornelius Hunt 7th Anniversary - Timothy Hunt

Monday, December 23 - Late Advent Weekday 7:00 AM - 18th Anniversary - Andrew Berardo 5:30 PM - Memorial - William McCarthy Tuesday, December 24 - Late Advent Weekday 7:00 AM - Vigil - The Na vity of the Lord 5:00 PM - Inten ons of the Parishioners of St. Augus ne’s Wednesday, December 25 - The Na vity of the Lord Midnight - 7:00 AM - 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM-

INTENTIONS OF THE PARISHIONERS OF

SAINT AUGUSTINE CHURCH

Thursday, December 26 - Saint Stephen 7:00 AM - 46th Anniversary - Hollis E. Forcier Friday, December 27 - Saint John, Apostle & Evangelist 7:00 AM - 5:30 PM - Christmas Remembrance - Americo & Anna

Procaccini Saturday, December 28- The Holy Innocents 8:00 AM - Birthday Memorial - Philip Cedrone Vigil - The Holy Family 5:00 PM - Christmas Memorial - Fay & Frank Spinard Sunday, December 29 - The Holy Family 7:00 AM - Christmas Memorial - Lillian Conca 9:30 AM - 5th Anniversary - Stella DiManna

Birthday Memorial - Natalie Petrucci 11:30 AM - Christmas Birthday Memorial - Elvira Cambio 5:30 PM -

ALL Religious Educa on, Bible and RCIA Classes will resume on January 5th.

BLESSED AND MERRY CHRISTMAS From Sr. Dorothy and all the Religious Educa on teachers.

SAINT AUGUSTINE SCHOOL At Saint Augus ne's School, we love celebra ng Christmas in many different ways. We hope everyone remembers that the true meaning of Christmas is Jesus' birth. On Christmas, we remember Jesus' birth and the many miracles that came along with it. During this me of prepara on, we have many tradi ons at Saint Augus ne's. Throughout Advent, we prepare for the coming of Christ. During morning prayer, eighth-grade students and their prayer partners light an Advent candle to symbolize Jesus' coming. Our school holds two Christmas concerts. Pre- K through Grade Two sing, dance, and present a Christmas na vity play, reenac ng the story of Jesus' birth. We also have a Grade Three through Grade Eight Christmas concert. This year, the show will consist of performances from the Glee Club, Chorus, and the Dance Team. We had many contribu ons to good deeds during December. Pre-K through Grade Two donated toiletries and children's winter clothing to St. Edward's and Bishop McVinney School. Grade Three through Grade Eight collected similar items to fill gi bags for Mary House. We also held a dress down fundraiser for the Leukemia Society Another tradi on every year is the performance by The School House Orchestra. Every class gathers in the gymnasium to watch the orchestra perform Christmas songs. We also have a Santa's Workshop in the cafeteria. Children buy gi s for their family and maybe something for themselves. A er shopping, they have cookies and milk for a special treat. Lastly, every grade has a Christmas party with food, games, and movies to celebrate before we leave for break. On behalf of the St. Augus ne School, we hope everyone has a safe vaca on, a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year! Zennia Sam, Morgan Fontaine, Gabriella Lombari & Emma Rose

CHRISTMAS MASS SCHEDULE Christmas Eve - December 24th

5:00 PM & Midnight (Preceded by Christmas Music at 11:30 PM)

Christmas Day - December 25th

7 AM, 9:30 AM and 11:30 AM (NO 5:30 PM) SOLEMNITY OF MARY THE MOST HOLY MOTHER OF GOD

Vigil - December 31st - 5:00 PM January 1st - 9:00 AM and 12 Noon

Annual Collec on: STATUS UPDATE We are truly grateful to all who have already made their contribu on to the Annual Collec on. The total thus far is nearing $72,000 (Last year, the collec on totaled approximately $90,000). This is the single most important collec on of the year as it helps us meet the many needs we have which are not funded by the regular Sunday collec ons. Please be as GENEROUS as your means allow. Many may want to use this as an end-of-year opportunity for a tax-deduc ble charitable contribu on.

Christmas Flowers

Thank you to all those who have made or will make monetary donations to beautify our sacred church space during this holy season. Your dollars are well-spent in

marking the celebration of the birthday of the Prince of Peace. As an expression of gratitude, a Mass will be offered for the Intentions of our Christmas Flower Donors on Wednesday, January 1, 2020 at 12 Noon

GOD BLESS YOU FOR YOUR GENEROSITY.

Prelude music will begin at 11:30 PM on Christmas Eve prior to the Midnight Mass. Our parish choir, instrumentalists and guest soloists will offer Sacred Sounds of Christmastide.

PLEASE PLAN TO COME EARLY

For those who are grieving.. For those who are struggling.. For those with loved ones who are far away.. For those who are feeling burdened or troubled.. For those who prefer more reflective prayer..

A “Gentle” Christmas Mass 7:00 AM on Wednesday, December 25th

If for any reason you are not feeling “merry” this Christmas, or simply wish to par cipate in a more reflec ve celebra on, please join us for this quieter, “gentler” Christmas Mass without music.

All are most welcome to join us.

SAINT GABRIEL’S CALL St. Gabriel’s Call is a program that is commi ed to offering assistance to women and families facing an unplanned or crisis pregnancy, un l the child is 4 years of age. The goal of the ministry is to “win all hearts to Jesus Christ, to make Him known and loved by everyone; to live the charism of the Visita on of Mary to

Elizabeth in the Gospel of Luke” by reaching out in haste to greet any woman who needs help with her baby by bringing Jesus into her life and by helping in anyway we can; to seek God’s perfect model for motherhood. A St. Gabriel’s Call workshop will be held on Saturday, January 4, 2020 from 8:30am un l 12:30pm at St. Patrick Church, 244 Smith Street, Providence, RI. Although the workshop is free - pre-registra on is suggested. For more info or to RSVP call 278-2518 or 421-7070.

The St. Augus ne chapter of the Men of St Joseph will meet on Saturday , December 28 in the Sheridan Room following the 8:00 AM Mass. We always welcome new members. Please come join us and strengthen your rela onship with the Blessed Trinity through the study of the scriptures and fellowship with other Catholic men. Mee ngs end by 9:30 AM.