St. Matthew Parish 19 Dora Lane, Limerick, Maine 04048-3527

Tel. 207-793-2244

website: www.stmatthewlimerick.org

Diocese of Portland Diocesan website: www.portlanddiocese.org

We welcome you to the Catholic Community of

St. Matthew and the celebration of the Eucharist.

ST. MATTHEW PARISH STAFF:

Very Rev. Philip A. Tracy, V. F. Pastor

E-mail address: philip.tracy@portlanddiocese.org

Rev. Jack Dickinson, Parochial Vicar

E-mail address: jack.dickinson@portlanddiocese.org

Deacon Paul Lissandrello, Pastoral Associate

E-mail address: paul.lissandrello@portlanddiocese.org

Heather Silva, Secretary/Bookkeeper

E-mail address: heather.silva@portlanddiocese.org

Deacon Paul Lissandrello, P.C.L.

Deacon Paul Lissandrello Altar Server Coord.

Gail Libby, Music Director, 207-423-5998

FINANCE COMMISSION:

Kevin LaFreniere Theressa Harrigan

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS:

Jon DiCentes, Grand Knight, 247-8875

BIRTHPLACE HELPLINE:

Abortion Alternatives/Project Rachel, 1-800-227-3002

WEEKEND MASSES:

Saturday at 4:00 p.m. Sunday at 8:00 and 10:30 a.m.

WEEKDAY MASSES:

9:00 a.m. - Monday*, 8:00 a.m. - Tuesday*, Thursday*, Friday* *Check weekly bulletin for possible time changes.

BAPTISMS: Parents who want to have their child(ren) baptized are

asked to please call the parish office (793-2244). WEDDINGS: Anyone planning to get married must call the parish

office at least SIX MONTHS PRIOR to the proposed wedding date.

CONFESSIONS: Saturday at 3:00 p.m., AND ANYTIME BY APPOINTMENT.

NEW PARISHIONERS: Welcome to St. Matthew Parish. Please fill out the Par-

ish Membership Form below and drop it in the collec-tion basket or mail to the parish office.

DOMESTIC ABUSE HOTLINE: 324-1802 or 1-800-239-7298

PROTECTING GOD’S CHILDREN: www.portlanddiocese.org/protecting-gods-children

We joyfully welcome back to the Church any of our brothers and

sisters who may have been away.

PARISH MEMBERSHIP:

Name ______________________________________________

Address ___________________________________________

City _______________________________________________

Zip Code ___________________________________________

Phone No.___________________________________________

Email Address________________________________________

Check

_____New Registration _____Updating Info.

_____Change of Address _____Moving out of Parish

MASS INTENTIONS THIS WEEKEND Saturday 4:00 p.m. Corbett Snyder by the Snyder & Dow Families

Sunday 8:00 a.m. For the Intentions of the Parishioners

10:30 a.m. Anita McKeown by the McKeown Family

MASSES FOR THE WEEK

Monday 9:00 a.m. Todd Roberge by Joan , Ben & Stephanie Fortier

Tuesday 8:00 a.m. All Souls in Purgatory

Wednesday

8:00 a.m. Miraculous Medal Novena &

Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament

Thursday 8:00 a.m. All Souls in Purgatory

Friday 8:00 a.m. All Souls in Purgatory

MASS INTENTIONS NEXT WEEKEND (November 24 & 25)

Saturday 4:00 p.m. Joseph and Bella Estrella by The Family

Sunday 8:00 a.m. Jeanne Purcell by Keith & Cheryl Purcell And Melissa Purcell

10:30 a.m. Robert Schneider Jr. by Mr. & Mrs. John Schneider

ST. MATTHEW CHURCH LIMERICK

TODAY IS THE 33RD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME. THE READINGS BEGIN ON PAGE 83 OF THE MISSALETTE.

Readings for the Week of November 18, 2018

Sunday: Dn 12:1-3/Ps 16:5, 8, 9-10, 11 [1]/Heb 10:11-14,

18/Mk 13:24-32

Monday: Rv 1:1-4; 2:1-5/Ps 1:1-2, 3, 4 and 6 [Rv 2:17]/Lk

18:35-43

Tuesday: Rv 3:1-6, 14-22/Ps 15:2-3a, 3bc-4ab, 5 [Rv

3:21]/Lk 19:1-10

Wednesday: Rv 4:1-11/Ps 150:1b-2, 3-4, 5-6 [1b]/Lk 19:11-

28

Thursday: Rv 5:1-10/Ps 149:1b-2, 3-4, 5-6a and 9b [Rv

5:10]/Lk 19:41-44

Friday: Rv 10:8-11/Ps 119:14, 24, 72, 103, 111, 131

[103a]/Lk 19:45-48

Saturday: Rv 11:4-12/Ps 144:1b, 2, 9-10 [1b]/Lk 20:27-40

Next Sunday: Dn 7:13-14/Ps 93:1, 1-2, 5 [1a]/Rv 1:5-8/Jn

18:33b-37

Pastor’s Ponderings

Many of us are wired to believe that extreme effort at the last minute

will pay dividends. So, we floss four times a day the week before

our visit to the dentist in expectation that will mask the fact we have

not flossed for the past five months and three weeks. We cram for

exams the evening before, starve ourselves for a few days to fit into

a formal attire, etc. With that mindset, we believe that a flurry of

prayers and good deeds will lead us to salvation. On this next to last

week of our liturgical year, Jesus offers us a warning. God is every

merciful and is present at all times and in all places. However, we

dare not presume that mercy. We rarely will have the knowledge of

when the end is near enough to begin our concerted effort. You and I

are called to read the signs of the times not to motivate us to action,

so we can stop when the danger is passed. We read them to know

that there is an urgency to our salvation. When I look back over the

liturgical year, do I have an appreciation that I have grown closer to

God? Have I done anything intentional to learn more about God, to

spend quality time in God’s presence, to serve his people? If I have

moved “further away” from God, have I noticed anything as these

moments are happening? Did I do something to avoid that shift away

from God? Have you ever needed a flashlight only to discover that

the batteries are dead? For some, this is enough to make sure that

there are always fresh batteries near the flashlight. For others, they

are confident (falsely) that the replacement batteries will be good

enough the next time the flashlight is needed. Before the craziness of

Christmas preparation becomes even more intense, I invite parish-

ioners to take a faith inventory. What, if anything, have you done to

draw closer to God this year? How did that work for you? What do

you most wish that you have done: gone on retreat, celebrated recon-

ciliation, read a good spiritual book, attended a daily mass, volun-

teered, etc? What are you willing to do this week to make sure you

are not wishing the same thing this time next year?

Our Thanksgiving Day Mass will be at 9am. The feast of the Im-

maculate Conception is on Saturday December 8th. Usually a holy

day has the obligation to attend mass lifted when it falls on Saturday,

but this is the patronal feast day of our nation and Diocese. Since the

mass at 4pm has to be for the 2nd Sunday of Advent, we will break

from our current Holy Day mass schedule. We will have a Vigil

Mass at 4pm on Friday, with Adoration concluding at 3pm. The

mass Saturday morning will be at 9am. We will have the same

schedule for the Solemnity of Mary the Mother of God on January

1st. New Year’s Eve mass will be at 4pm, and 9am on New Year’s

Day. We will need ministers for these masses.

My responsibilities at St. Therese are going to increase in the imme-

diate future as we look to hire some new staff positions. I will still

be planning to spend time in the St. Matthew office, but may not be

able to stay as long as I have been doing. Please let me know, or

contact Heather in the office, if you wish to speak with a priest. I

will certainly be available for emergencies and the unexpected, but

may need to be traveling back from Sanford to be present. There-

fore, it is best not to wait until the last moment to ask me to anoint

the sick and dying. If you know you want to talk to me on a morning

I have morning mass, please let me know before mass. If I have to

leave to go back to Sanford, we can have negotiated when to meet. I

know that the absence of a resident priest has been hard for many. I

truly appreciate the work of Deacon Paul and Heather to make the

transition easier, and the understanding that you have shown to Fr.

Jack and I.

Would you like to have the Sanctuary Lamp burn in the

church for your loved one? There is a list in the Narthex

you can sign up for the weeks you want. Donations of $10

for 7 Days and $20 for 14 Days.

Sanctuary Lamp burning:

Nov. 12th - Nov. 18th - Intentions of JohnMichael DeBartolo

Nov. 19th - Nov. 25th - Joseph W. Holliday

Nov. 26th - Dec. 2nd - Joseph W. Holliday

Dec. 3rd - Dec. 9th - STILL AVAILABLE

THE 33RD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

Parishioners of Hollis, Limington, Standish,

Steep Falls will host a Baked Bean Supper on

Sat. Nov. 17 from 4:30-6:00PM in the parish

hall. MENU: Baked Beans, Ham, Hot Dogs, Coleslaw, American Chop Suey, Assorted Casseroles, Bread, Beverage

& Desert. Price: Adults $8.00 - Children 6-12 $3.00 -

Children 5 and Under - free. Everyone Welcome

Children’s/Youth Choir: Our Fall/Winter

Session began Sunday October 21 at 6p.m. and

is continuing until December 23. John

Schneider and Maria Marchant will be returning

to direct. We look forward to seeing everyone again and hope more

children will join us and Make a Joyful Noise! Any questions please call

Gail Libby at 207-423-5998.

Women’s Advent Prayer Service: The Women of

WINGS invite their sister’s in Christ to join them on

Tuesday November 27th at 6pm in the Church Hall,

for an Advent Prayer Service and Potluck Supper. This

event is free, but to help with our planning, please

RSVP by email to wentworth80@verizon.net OR by phone to

Kate Howard at 207-298-0548 by Friday November 23rd if

you plan to join us. We hope to see you there.

FREE THANKSGIVING DINNER IN SACO ON NOVEMBER 22

A free Thanksgiving dinner will be held in the church hall of Most Holy Trinity Church, located on 271 Main Street, on Thursday, November 22, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. There is no charge, and all are welcome! Dinners are available for take-out, but order forms (available at the parish office, also on 271 Main Street) must be returned by Wednesday, November 21, at 4 p.m. If you can help with the dinner preparations, packing or delivering meals, working in the kitchen, or serving on the cleanup crew, please call Ray at

(207) 282-9288. Donations of turkeys are being accepted now, and donations of pies can be taken to the church hall on Wednesday, November 21.

New Location for Threads of Hope Thrift Store in Portland

The Threads of Hope Thrift Store, currently located in Union Station Plaza in Portland, will be moving to its new location on 1041 Brighton Avenue in Portland later this month. It is set to reopen in its new location on Friday, November 23. Proceeds from Threads of Hope Thrift Stores go directly to helping fight poverty in Maine. The other store locations are

Monticello (155 U.S. Route 1), Presque Isle (56 State Street) and Sanford (Shaw’s Plaza, 1364 Main Street). For more information about Threads of Hope, visit www.ccmaine.org/thrift-store.

Facebook Outreach for Young Adult Catholics in Maine

The Office of Lifelong Faith Formation is helping young adults connect through the “Young Adult Catholics in Maine” Facebook page that can be found at www.facebook.com/YoungAdultCatholicsMaine. The page features opportunities for Catholic young adults to gather as well as relevant information about faith, community, and discipleship.

PARISH FINANCES

DUE TO EARLY BULLETIN DEADLINES PARISH FINANCES WILL REPORT WEEKEND OF 11/11 FINANCES IN THE 11/25 BULLETIN.

WHAT SHALL I BRING TO THE LORD, THE GOD OF HEAVEN, WHEN I COME TO WORSHIP HIM? - Micah 6:6

THIS WEEK’S SECOND COLLECTION: Please be generous in this

week’s second collection for the Catholic Campaign for Human Develop-

ment. In the United States, one in seven people lives in poverty. With this

collection you support programs that address the causes of poverty and

provide a sustainable future for those who are struggling across the coun-

try. In addition, 25 percent of funds collected remains in our diocese to

fund local anti-poverty projects. Please prayerfully consider how you can

support this collection and work on the margins. More information about

the Catholic Campaign for Human Development can be found at

www.usccb.org/cchd/collection

THE BOTTLE RELIEF FUND, sponsored by the Knights

of Columbus, has gotten even easier. While celebrating

with family and friends this fall season, please save

your bottles and cans. For the convenience of parish-

ioners, you can drop your bottles and cans off at JD’s

Package Store & Redemption, 13 Sokokis Trail, E. Water-

boro (across from Hannaford). Let them know they are

for “St. Matthew Bottle Relief Fund”. Those who wish to

continue dropping off at the Bottle Shed here at church, may

continue to do so. Thank you for all your support.

IN CONNECTION WITH THE PROGRAM “PROTECTING GOD’S CHILDREN”

In the interest of children’s safety, we ask that children not be allowed to leave Mass to use the restrooms downstairs, unless they are accom-panied by an adult. Because we are a public building, doors are required to be unlocked, allowing entrance to all.

ST. MATTHEW CHURCH FOOD PANTRY THE PANTRY SCHEDULE IS AS FOLLOWS:

1st & 3rd Tuesday 10am-12pm 1st Monday 6-7pm

2nd Friday 10am - 12pm

**Serving residents of Limerick, Newfield, Parsonsfield or parishioners.

St. Matthew Food Pantry is always in need of a few items they have a

hard time purchasing from Good Shepherd. Would you be willing to

donate these items? A collection container can be found in the

Narthex.

Gravy Stuffing Cranberry Sauce

Pasta Spaghetti Sauce Chef Boyardee

Canned Meat Jelly & Jams Soups

THANK YOU IN ADVANCE!!

Plastic & paper bags are needed for the Food Pantry. You may leave them in the narthex.

St. Matthew Church

Saturday: 4:00 PM Sunday: 8:00 AM

10:30 AM

Monday: 9:00 AM*

Tue, Thur, Fri: 8:00 AM*

*Subject to priest availability.

St. Therese Lesieux Parish

Saturday: 4:00 PM Holy Family, Sanford

Sunday: 7:30 AM Notre Dame, Springvale

9:00 AM Holy Family, Sanford 11:00 AM Holy Family, Sanford

MWF 7:30 AM During the Winter, Daily Mass is at Holy Family. The Rest of the Year, it alternates Be-tween the two Worship Sites

mailto:wentworth80@verizon.net

NOVEMBER 18, 2018

Craft Fair and Christmas Tree and Wreath Sale

Please join us for the Cheverus Craft Fair and Christmas Tree sale. On Saturday December 1, outside the school, you can buy your fresh Maine grown Christmas tree or wreath and inside you will enjoy a warming lunch and lots of unique handmade gift items. The tree sale continues into Sunday as long as sup-plies last. All proceeds from this sale benefit Cheverus High School's immersion programs. (Among other holiday perks, Santa Clause will be joining the fun on Saturday from 10 to noon).

CHEVERUS HIGH SCHOOL 267 Ocean Ave

Portland Maine, 04103

Holiday Stocking Stuffers to benefit St. Thomas School

*Orders and payment will be taken after masses on November

24th/25th and December 1st/2nd. *Ordered certificates and BOGO

cards will be distributed after masses on December 8th & 9th or pick

up in parish office during business hours.

Option 1: Krispy Kreme Certificates $10

(1 certificate = 1 dozen ORIGINAL Glazed Doughnuts)

Customer chooses to get their doughnuts when-

ever they want, at store of their choosing.

Option 2: BOGO CARDS $20

Valid for 10 FREE dozens – a GREAT value and a

Fundraising exclusive. Value of over $80.

With Card, buyer receives one dozen FREE Original

Glazed with each purchase of any dozen.

St. Thomas School receives 50% of total sales

ST THOMAS GIFT CARD PROGRAM

We're pleased to share some exciting news about a Gift Card (Scrip)

fundraising program at St. Thomas! It's called "Scrip" and it's the

fundraising program that works while you shop. Scrip is simply a

word that means "substitute money"–– in other words, Scrip is gift

cards from national and local retailers. They're the same as gift cards

bought at your favorite stores such Kohl's, Shaw’s, Hannaford, Wal-

Mart, CVS, Applebee's, Whole Foods and many others. When pur-

chasing these gift cards through the Scrip program, a percentage of

the purchase cost goes to St. Thomas school. The beauty of the Scrip

programs is that you put your regular household shopping dollars to

work.

ALL ORDERS GIVEN TO THE PRIEST NO LATER THEN AF-

TER THE 10:30AM MASS SHOULD BE IN AND RETURNED

TO YOU BY THE FOLLOWING WEEKEND.

MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO ST. THOMAS

Any questions please feel free to call the office, 793-2244, or ask the

priests after Mass.

http://immersion.cheverus.org/

NOVEMBER 18, 2018

VOCATION VIEW “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.” How is Christ calling you to share His eternal words of salvation? Consider a vocation to the priesthood or consecrated life. Contact Father Seamus Griesbach at 207-773-6471; or email: s e a m u s . g r i e s b a c h @ p o r t l a n d d i o c e s e . o r g ; W e b s i t e :

“And then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in the clouds’

with great power and glory, and then he will send out the angels

and gather his elect from the four winds, from the end of the

earth to the end of the sky.” - Mk 13:26-27

Please include the following priests serving in our diocese in your daily prayers this week:

Nov 18 Bishop Joseph J. Gerry OSB Nov 19 Rev. James Plourde/Rev. Kingsly R. Kothakotta Y. HGN Nov 20 Rev. Joseph McKenna/Rev. Timothy Nadeau Nov 21 Rev. Robert Vaillancourt/Rev. David Cote Nov 22 Rev. Donald Gagne SM/Rev. Joseph Cahill Nov 23 Rev. Raymond Morency/Rev. Fredrick Morse Nov 24 Rev. Robert Parent/Rev. Robert Tumwekwase AJ

O, Jesus I pray for Your faithful and fervent priests; for Your priests laboring at home or abroad in distant mission fields; for the lonely and desolate priests. For Your young priests; for Your dying priests; for the souls of Your priests in Purgatory, I pray. Ven. Mother Catherine Aurelia, Foundress