St. Roch Parish

Sister Parish — St. Anne of Chardonnieres, Haiti

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The Church of Saint Roch, Oxford, MA THE FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT November 29, 2020

SCRIPTURE READINGS FOR THE WEEK

Nov 29—Is 63:16b-17, 19b; 64:2-7, 1Cor 1:3-9, Mk 13:33-37

Nov 30— Rom 10:9-18, Mt 4:18-22

Dec 1—Is 11:1-10, Lk 10:21-24

Dec 2—Is 25:6-10a, Mt 15:29-37

Dec 3—-Is 26:1-6, Mt 7:21, 24-27

Dec 4—Is 29:17-24, Mt 9:27-31

Dec 5—Is 30:19-21, 23-26, Mt 9:35-10:1, 5a, 6-8

Dec 6—Is 40:1-5, 9-11, 2 Pt 3:8-14, Mk 1:1-8

PARISH DIRECTORY

334 Main St., Oxford, MA 01540 Rectory Office ………………………..………(508) 987-8987 Fax ……………………………...……..……. (508) 987-8938 Religious Education Office……………..…….(508) 987-2382

Pastor Rev. Michael J. Roy Deacon Rev. Mr. Paul Connolly Director of Religious Education Mrs. Terry Ann Renaud Administrative Assistant (M-TH 9-4) Mrs. Teri Rawson Director of Music Ms. Anna Pizzolato St. Vincent de Paul Society.…..………Arlene (508) 987-2813

Cemetery ……..…………..Contact rectory at (508) 987-8987

Mass Schedule

Sat 4:00 PM Sun 8:30 & 11:00 AM M-W-TH-F 8:30 AM

The Sunday 11:00 Mass will also be LIVE-Streamed on the parish website.

Office Hours

During this time, please make every effort to communi-cate with the staff by phone or email. Thank you for your cooperation.

WEBSITE: strochoxford.com

EMAILS:

Teri Rawson—Rectory Office: strochrectory@gmail.com Terry Renaud—Rel. Ed. Office: strochoxford@gmail.com

ST. ROCH NOVENA

Let us all continue to recite the Novena to St. Roch, the patron saint of those afflicted with infectious diseases, daily at home with the following prayers ~

In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Our Father... Hail Mary... Glory be...

Litany in Honor of St. Roch

God our Father, Creator of Heaven and Earth...Have mercy on us

Jesus Christ, Lord and Savior… Have mercy on us

Most Holy Spirit of God… Have mercy on us

Holy Mary, Mother of God… Pray for us

Holy Mary, Mother of the Church… Pray for us

Holy Mary and all the Saints… Pray for us

Holy Mary, Queen of Heaven… Pray for us

Holy Mary, Patroness of those in danger… Pray for us

Holy Mary, Protectress of our seas and land… Pray for us

Holy Mary, Comfort of the dying and sorrowing… Pray for us

St. Roch devoted servant of God… Pray for us

St. Roch, Patron of those afflicted with

infectious diseases… Pray for us

St. Roch, Patron of the poor and hungry… Pray for us

St. Roch, our brother in Christ… Pray for us

St. Roch, Healer and caregiver… Pray for us

St. Roch, our brother in suffering and illness… Pray for us

St. Roch, our advocate in time of pain and

human misery… Pray for us

St. Roch, Patron of the addicted… Pray for us

St. Roch, Patron of the terminally ill… Pray for us

St. Roch, Patron of those in jails and prisons… Pray for us

St. Roch, Intercessor for the homeless… Pray for us

St. Roch, Patron of the afflicted… Pray for us

St. Roch, Patron of our parish community… Pray for us

St Roch, faithful witness to the healing

power of God… Pray for us

Lord God, make me an instrument of your healing; when I am weak and in pain, help me to rest; when I am anxious, help me to wait; when I am fearful, help me to trust; when I am lonely, help me to love; when I place you apart from me, help me to know you are near. Healing God, grant me not so much to demand every thing from myself as to let others help me; nor to expect others to cure me as to do my own part toward getting better. Grant me not so much to seek escape, as to face my self and learn the depths of your love. For it is in being uncertain and not in control that we find true faith; in knowing the limits of mind and body that we find wholeness of spirit; and in passing through death that we find life that lasts forever. We ask this, through the intercession of our patron, St. Roch and your Son, Jesus Christ, Our Lord. Amen.

A Prayer in Time of Pandemic

O God, whose Only Begotten Son bore the weight of human suf-fering for our salvation, hear the prayers of your Church for our sick brothers and sisters and deliver us from this time of trial. Open our ears and our hearts to the voice of your Son:

Be not afraid, for I am with you always.

Bless all doctors and nurses, researchers and public servants; give us the wisdom to do what is right and the faith to endure this hour, that we might gather once again to praise your name in the heart of your Church, delivered from all distress and confident in your mercy.

Through Christ our Lord. Amen

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The Church of Saint Roch, Oxford, MA THE FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT November 29, 2020

Mass Intentions for the Week:

Saturday, November 28 4:00 pm Monica Laverdure by Paul Miner & Ken Mills

Sunday, November 29 8:30 am Marion Quitadamo (31st Anniversary) by Marianne & John Gradione

11:00 am James Dwyer by Jim & Marlene Gondek

Monday, November 30 8:30 am Jaroslaw Rybski by Tomasz Palkon

Tuesday, December 1 8:30 am No Mass

Wednesday, December 2 8:30 am Mary R. Mills by Paula Miner & Ken Mills

Thursday, December 3 8:30 am Elsie Dickhaut by the family

Friday, December 4 8:30 am Anthony Particiauone by Terry & Ed Renaud

Saturday, December 5 4:00 pm Kathy Curry by Patty & Bob Bombard

Sunday, December 6 8:30 am Jim Dwyer by Friends of St. Roch

11:00 am Richard Ferreira by Reneé & David Ondrasek

NOV 22 & 23

Offertory Envelopes 3,550.00 Online Giving 355.00 Other sources of income 1,033.00 Total 4,938.00 Weekly Goal 5,872.00 Result - 934.00

Thank You!!!

Online Giving Available on our website

www.strochoxford.com

Donations may be made through this safe & easy online method for one-time or recurring payments.

Second collection donations may also be made online.

We truly appreciate your continued support of our parish especially during this difficult time as we need

to continue to pay insurance, payroll, utilities, and other important expenses. Thank you.

Your Sacrificial Offering

Kathy Perry, Owen Benway,

Al Sinkis, Andrew Rivers,

Raymond Joseph, Craig Ladd,

Chloe Barbara Jones, Roseanne Ferlito, John Barton, Carol

Violette, John & Bev Makowski, Dale Mahota, Liz Iandolli,

Stephen Rice, Maddy Desrosier, Phyllis Day, John Hickman,

Timothy Bowes, Anita Prunier, Roger St. George, Ed Carpen-

ter, James Sumerlin, Bob St. George, Julie Guertin, Francis

DeSimone, Robert & Beverly Burns, Judy Rodier, Dawn

Hoeg, Sean Bushey, Richard Fleming, Noelle Silverstein,

Edward Wissell, Eric Lambert, James Quaiel, Yvonne

Mathurin, Deborah Mancini, Susan Gallant, Doris Prouty,

Maureen Germain, Dave Boucher, Daniel Ivascyn, Barbara

Quaiel, Pamela Rossley, Fr. Gerard Walsh, Gary Ryan,

Kathy B., Anne Englehard, Maurice Erwin, Tony Mazzone,

and Marie Daige.

This Advent join us for a journey on The Road to Bethle-hem, an opt-in digital discipleship program designed to guide you through this important season of preparation.

The Road to Bethlehem includes:

Daily Advent reflections by Dr. Tim Gray. Weekly videos, audio talks, and book excerpts on

FORMED related to the weekly theme. Email reminders every morning. Brother Francis Advent reflections for kids; and A weekly action item to help you put the Advent

message into practice.

Advent starts November 29.

SIGN UP TODAY FOR FREE!

FORMED.org/Advent

Not yet on FORMED? Visit http://signup.formed.org/

Enter our parish’s zip code or name. Enter your name and email.

ATTENTION LECTORS & READERS: The 2021 Lector Workbooks are available for pickup outside

the sacristy at the side door of the church.

Sign up for The Road to Bethlehem this Advent on FORMED.org

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The Church of Saint Roch, Oxford, MA THE FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT November 29, 2020

My Dear Parishioners,

Some of us can still remember that as we were preparing to enter this new millennium how traumatized we were by the Y2K crisis—the fear that computers would fail, causing the civilized world to come to a screeching halt! A late 1999 article from Catholic News Service documented the extend of the prob-lem for those who don’t remember how real the fears were: “If you have Internet access, enter the search term “end times” on your browser. You now have access to at least 22,000 websites eager to enlighten you about what the upcoming millennium is all about. How about “The End Times Blood Bath” or “666 Is Coming” or “Apocalypse Soon”! The basic premise is nothing new. They say the world will end or at least experience some kind of radical or apocalyptic change at the turn of the millennium.” Well, here we are twenty years later still around and facing another huge challenge that can generate a great deal of fear. I often call to mind the words spoken by Pope St. John Paul, the Great, “Be not afraid. Open wide the doors to Christ!” Which is exactly what this season of Advent invites us to. How very much we need to pay careful attention to the scriptures that this season puts before our eyes. This hope that is proposed by this grace filled time is not based on some detached, unrealistic, rose-colored view of the world, but rather on this firm foundation of the goodness of God who created us and Jesus Christ who re-deemed us. The unshakable hope that we proclaim as people of faith is found on the certainty that “Someone exists who holds in His hands the destiny of the passing world.” Nevertheless, I realize that fear is a reality. It doesn’t go away simply by saying it should. What are the fears in your life? Perhaps at this time you are fearful of economic uncertainty, unemployment. Fear for our health and the well being of our loved ones, losing independence and encountering the prospect of death. As we identify the fears and anxiety of life realize that Advent is your time, your season. As we prayerfully pay attention to the readings they focus us on the second coming of Christ at the end of time, as well as His first coming in Bethlehem. In this season we will be in the company of two of the most significant people in history: John the Baptist and our Blessed Mother. Both will have a lot to say to us, John by his powerful preaching, Mary by her example of complete trust. If you come by the rectory you will see that the Christmas crèche is prominently on display as it has been all year long. It is a visible reminder of the words we have been praying though this pandemic, “Be not afraid, for I am with you always.” Let me close with this passage I came across while getting ready for this new Liturgical Year. “Advent means future, because there is a promise made just for us. And God fulfills His promises. God makes history and fulfills it beyond our imagining. History is not an end. It will not stay this way: Something always awaits us. Perhaps we expect too little because we have come with our limited wishes.” Let us all press on together with our eyes fixed on Jesus, our fundamental reason to have hope.

Let us continue to pray for and love one another,

Fr. Roy

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The Church of Saint Roch, Oxford, MA THE FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT November 29, 2020

Website: www.strochoxford.com

E-mail: strochoxford@gmail.com.

November 29 6:45-8 pm Session

December 6, 20 Homework 13, 27 6:45-8 pm Session

January 3 Vacation No Class

10, 24 Homework 17-31 6:45-8 pm Session

February 7, 21 Homework 14 (St. Valentine’s Day) Homework 28 6:45-8 pm Session

March 7, 21 Homework 14, 28 (Palm Sunday) 6:45-8 pm Session

GRADES K-8 SCHEDULE

November 29 Homework

December 6, 20 9:40 am K-1,3,4,6 in center 5,8 online 13, 27 Homework

January 3 Vacation no class

10, 24 9:40 am K-1,3,4,6 in center 5,8 online 17-31 Homework

February 7, 21 9:40 am K-1,3,4,6 in center 5,8 online 14 (St. Valentine’s Day) Homework 28 Homework

March 7, 21 9:40 am K-1,3,4,6 in center 5,8 online 14, 28 (Palm Sunday) Homework

April 4 (Easter Sunday) no class 18 9:40 am K-1,3,4,6 in center 5,8 online 11, 25 Homework

May 2, 16 9:40 am K-1,3,4,6 in center 5,8 online 9 (Mother’s Day) no classes

Visitation House’s open doors & arms offer shelter, support, & hope for expecting mother’s & their baby’s future.

You can join them by dropping off your items or cash donations in the special collecting boxes that will be available through Decem-ber 12 in the parish hall outside the 2nd grade class and in the parish center entrance.

This term our Religious Education students and their teachers are collecting baby items to be delivered to the residents in Advent.

November 29 Homework December 6, 20 9:40 am in Parish Hall 12 5:00 pm Family Mass 13, 27 Homework January 2021 3 Vacation no class 10, 24 9:40 am 1st Sacrament in Parish Hall 17 1pm First Reconciliation Celebration 31 Homework February 7, 21 9:40 am 1st Sacrament in Parish Hall 14 St. Valentine’s Day Homework 28 Homework March 7, 21 9:40 am 1st Sacrament in Parish Hall 14, 28 Palm Sunday Homework April 4 Easter Sunday no class 10 5 pm Family Mass 18 9:40 am 1st Sacrament in Parish Hall 11, 25 Homework May 2 9:40 am 1st Sacrament in Parish Hall 9 (Mother’s Day no classes 16 Eucharist Celebration tentative - details TBA 23 Pentecost Eucharist Rehearsals TBA

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The Church of Saint Roch, Oxford, MA THE FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT November 29, 2020

The St. Vincent de Paul Society will not meet in the months of December or January.

AMERICAN CHOP SUEY may be dropped off in the church kitchen on Monday, December 7th before 3:00 PM.

Thank you!

Nativity Set Raffle

CONGRATULATIONS TO

JOAN GERO!!!!

Thank you to the family who donated the nativity set and to all who took a chance on the raffle!!

A Thank You Letter to St. Roch Parishioners:

Dear Friends at St. Roch Parish,

On behalf of Pernet Family Health Service, I am writ-ing to thank you for your generous donation of five large bags of coats and shoes.

Your thoughtfulness at this time is greatly appreciat-ed. The last few months have been challenging to all of us with the Covid-19 crisis, and we have seen many new families turn to us for help.

There is no way to fully express our gratitude for your loyalty. We are continually inspired by the dedication and generosity of donors like yourself who answer the call to give because you believe, as we do, in the dignity and worth of each individual. We would not have been able to serve the Worcester community for over 60 years with you.

Thank you for your continued support for the work that we do.

Sincerely yours,

Sheilah Dooley

Pernet Family Health Service, Inc. is a 501 (c) (3) charity.

Since many parishes want to support Giving Trees during the Advent Season, special care must be taken during this pan-demic to avoid the transmission of the coronavirus. We don’t

want a worthy endeavor to be the cause of an out-break of COVID at St. Roch Church.

As you know, we have eliminated use of shared paper items in church to avoid spreading the virus. Tags hanging on a Giving Tree, which people will handle to review, cannot be sanitized. The tree itself becomes a place where people will congregate to find a tag, which denies social distancing.

Therefore, this year the Oxford Ecumenical Council is asking donors to purchase $20 Gift Cards anywhere toys may be purchased, such as Amazon, Walmart, Target, etc. These cards will be given to needy families of Oxford in time for Christmas. Please return the unwrapped gift cards to the rectory office or in a collection basket no later than Dec.6th. Thank you!

December 4th ~ 9 am to 12 noon

All welcome to bicycle recycle day at St. Roch parking lot. We are accepting any and all bikes to be

reused again. Please don’t throw away or scrap a bicycle when it can be put back on the road. We are looking for children’s, BMX, adult road and mountain bikes to be put back to use. Please bring any and all bikes to the church parking lot. We thank you in advance. If you would like a free home pick up email j.wood36@yahoo.com or text 508-277-6728.