Mass Intentions Solemnity of Mary, The Holy Mother of God Sunday, January 1 9:00 am Louis Iovieno requested by Julia 11:00am All Souls Intentions of Heidi Thomas Monday, January 2 8:30am All Souls Intentions of Janice Carlson Tuesday, January 3 8:30am All Souls Intentions of Mr & Mrs Robert Krasinskas Wednesday, January 4 8:30am All Souls Intentions of Michael LeBlanc Thursday, January 5 8:30am All Souls Intentions of Mr & Mrs Michael Thompson Saturday, January 7 4:00pm Robea Richards birthday memorial req. by the family Sunday, January 8 9:00am Louis Iovieno requested by the Cichy Family 11:00am Betty Watson requested by the family

Weekly Collection December 24 & 25 Adults & children $ 3,529.83 Maintenance $ 335.00 Christmas Offering $ 2,601.00 Total of parish support $6,465.83 Weekly support needed to meet budget expenses $ 4,348.00 SVDP $ 197.00 Poor Box $ 104.00

Adoration of the

Blessed Sacrament

First Tuesday

of the month

at 6:00pm

in the Church

Dear Friends in Christ, At the 4PM Mass on Christmas Eve, Raymond the Reindeer explained to the kids that he had heard about the thing called "Christmas" and he was wondering if they could tell him what Christmas was. The kids' answers were heartwarming. One little girl said "Christmas is about getting presents!" I shared with the kids that the most important gifts that we receive are not able to be wrapped in packages. I taught them that love is the most important gift that we can ever receive or ever give. Since God is love, Christmas is celebrating Jesus as our greatest gift. I asked the kids what they could give Jesus on His birthday, how to show Him love in return for the love He has shown us. We ended the homily by singing Happy Birthday to Jesus. Raymond's question to the kids is a question we should all consider as a new year begins. "What is this thing called Christmas?" At Christmas, we celebrate the Incarnation, God becoming Man in the Person of Jesus Christ. God became Man in order to save us from our sins. The gift of Jesus is the gift of salvation. Jesus' birth led to the possibility of eternal life for us. Christmas joy is based on the fact that in the Incarnation we see God's great mercy and love shown definitely and powerfully to the human beings He has created. Yet, if this is Christmas, how many people today really know Christmas' true meaning? For many, who live without faith in Jesus, Christmas is nothing more than a date on the calendar combined with buying and receiving material things. How can we share with others the Christmas message? December 25 is Christmas' beginning, not its end. We celebrate the birth of our Savior until His Baptism on January 9. Join us for parish open house on the Epiphany, January 8, between the Masses. As we celebrate Christmas together, let's help each other to answer Raymond's question "What is this thing called Christmas?"

Meetings

NA Sundays 7:30 pm in the hall K of C 1st Tuesday of the month 6:45pm in the hall SVDP Sunday, January 15th 9:45am Rosary Group Tuesday at 6:00pm in the church Bible Study 7:00pm in the Church Hall Please have read MT 2:1-12

https://www.facebook.com/SaintAnnParishOxfordMA

Youth Ministry Kick-Off Event

Sunday, January 8, 2017

3:30 - 7:00 PM

St. Ann's Parish Hall

Pizza & Movie and Celebrating the Epiphany

Join Us for A Fun-Filled Afternoon!

Annual Open House at the Rectory Sunday, January 8th after the

9:00 & 11:00 am Masses

Christmas Tea Social Tuesday, 1/3/2017 after the 8:30am Mass

The Mass intention to pray

for the Christmas flower

memorial requests will be

Sunday,

January 15th & 29th

There will be no Coffee Shop

Jan. 1 & 8

The Coffee Shop will resume

on Sunday, January 15th

Have you considered training to be a Lector,

Eucharistic Minister, sacristan or Altar Server?

Please see Deacon Jim or Fr. Michael after Mass.

MASS FOR THE MEMORIAL OF

ST. BROTHER ANDRE BESSETTE

On Friday, January 6, 2017 at 7PM a bilingual (French & English). Brother Andre is known as the founder of St. Joseph's Oratory in Montreal. He was a friend of the poor and the sick. Inspired by St. Joseph, his chosen patron, he worked tirelessly to bring healing and comfort to the afflicted. He was canonized in 2010. The Mass will be celebrated at St. Joseph's Church, 35 Hamilton Street, Worcester. Veneration of the relic of Brother Andre will conclude the liturgy. A reception will follow. All are welcome.

Religious Education Classes will resume on Monday,

January 9, 2017 Have a Blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Deacon Jim Reflection

Blessing before a Christmas Stable “ No one, whether shepherd or wise man can approach God here below except by kneeling before the manger at Bethlehem and adoring him hidden in the weakness of a new-born child.” (Catechism of Catholic Church 563) Lord Jesus. As I kneel before your manger in adoration, let my first Christmas word be: thank you. Thank you, gift of the Father, for coming to save me from my sins.

Without you I do not know even how to be human. The characteristics of your human body express the divine person of God’s Son. And in that wondrous expression, Lord, you reveal me to myself. Thank you for the saving revelation in your sacred humanity. As the Christian liturgy proclaims, in Christ we experience” the holy exchange that restores our life.” Thank you for coming as one like myself to save me from myself. Magnificat: Fr. Peter John Cameron.O.P