Sacrament of Matrimony: There are preparatory stages leading up to the wedding date. Arrangements should be made up to a year in advance. Contact pastor for an appointment.

Adoration: First Saturday of the month, 12:00 p.m.—3:30 p.m. Home and Hospital Visits: Deacon David oversees this ministry. Call 539-0486.

Bible Study: Tuesday’s after morning Mass in Marian Hall

Faith Formation: See inside bulletin for more details.

OTHER MINISTRIES:

Soup Kitchen Outreach:

Knights of Columbus #11178: 1st and 3rd Thursday each month in the St. Matthew room at 7:15 p.m.

Praise & Worship: 1st Tuesday of the month 6:30 p.m. in the main church.

Prayer Line: Diana at (413) 569-3718 or email intentions to: myprayerrequest555@gmail.com

Caring Calls: On going need for our homebound/ elderly. If needing calls or would like to take time to call someone, please contact Diana for details 569.-3718.

DEVOTIONS: Miraculous Medal Novena: After Tuesday 8:30 a.m. Mass St. Joseph Novena: After Wednesday 8:30 a.m. Mass St. Jude Novena: After Thursday 8:30 a.m.. Mass

MASS SCHEDULE:

Saturday Vigil 4:00 p.m.

Sunday 8:00 a.m. & 10:00 a.m.

Monday - Thursday 8:30 a.m.

See below for Reconciliation schedule and other devotions.

OUR MISSION

We, Our Lady of the Lake Roman Catholic Church, seek to have a living faith in Jesus Christ.. Nourished by the Eucharist and guided by the Holy Spirit, we share the gospel, ncourage our youth and embrace and welcome everyone in need.

224 Sheep Pasture Road: P.O. Box 1150 Southwick, MA 01077-1150

Pastor: Rev. Matthew S. P. Guidi Deacon David Przybylowski

Parish Administrative Assistant: Kimberly A. Rood Tel: 413-569-0161 Email: ParishOffice@ollsouthwick.org

Business Manager: Rosemarie Ricco Director of Faith Formation: Lynda Daniele

Tel: 413-569-0162 Email: ReligiousEducation@ollsouthwick.org

Our Lady of the Lake Southwick, MA

Today’s Scripture Readings:

First Reading: Zephaniah 3:14-18a A savior is promised to Israel.

Responsorial Psalm: Isaiah 12:2-3,4,5-6 A song of praise to God our savior.

Second Reading: Philippians 4:4-7 Rejoice always because the Lord is near.

Gospel Reading: Luke 3:10-18 John the Baptist teaches the path of repentance and announces Christ. ——————————————————————————

Summary of Scripture passages from “The Ordo”: “Rejoice in the Lord always (2)! Great in our midst is the Holy One of Israel, a mighty savior (1 Ps). It is he whom John foretold; it is he who will baptize in the Holy Spirit (3).” ——————————————————————————

Reflections on the Scriptures by Deacon Dave: Dearly Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ, We are now entering the third week of Advent; we remain in expectant preparation for the coming of the Messiah. Yet our focus shifts to joy. Indeed, this is Gaudete Sunday: the Sunday of JOY! As John the Baptist continues his ministry of the Good News in Luke’s Gospel, Paul explains in his message of rejoicing in the Lord in his letter to the Philippians, and the prophet Zephaniah urges all God’s people to shout for joy. Today’s readings exemplify how looking inside to God for guidance and outside to one another for our mission grounds us in authentic joy in this life. Writing in the seventh century BC in Jerusalem during the reign of King Josiah, Zephaniah looks ahead to the day of the Lord and living in the Kingdom of God. Once God’s people are cleansed of their wrong doings and short sighted turning away from God, they will be restored to right their relationship with God, who will live in their midst as a mighty savior. Here we can find true joy, relieved from burdens of this life, living in a relationship with God. Writing to Christians in first–century Philippi, the apostle Paul reinforces “the peace of God that surpasses all understanding” (Philippians 4:7) found in laying ourselves empty before our God in relationship with Christ Jesus. This is how we can live in the joy of our inner most selves. The works of John the Baptist teach us to turn this profoundly personal relationship to those we encounter in the world. Giving from our excess and holding ourselves to strict integrity, are required, even if others do not demonstrate this joy that radiates from us. During this upcoming week of Advent, think of how God has touched your life and how you have shared that experience with others through your words and deeds of love, mercy, compassion, and forgiveness. May the Holy Spirit enlighten you! Amen.

Sincerely your brother in Christ, Deacon Dave

Saturday, December 11 4:00 p.m. Nicholas Daniele, 10th Anniversary, req. by

His Family

Sunday, December 12 8:00 a.m. Helen Willis, req. by Richard & Robbin 10:00 a.m. Angelina & Bruno Bellame, req. by their

daughters, Janet Davilli & Gail Johnson

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Monday, December 13 8:30 a.m. The Bullman Family, req. by Ligia

Tuesday, December 14 8:30 a.m. Sr. Rafka, req. by Maureen

Wednesday, December 15 8:30 a.m. The McGarry Family, req. by Maureen Thursday, December 16 8:30 a.m. Deceased Members of the Garrant Family,

req. by the Garrant Family ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Saturday, December 18 4:00 p.m. The People of Our of the Lake Parish

Sunday, December 19 8:00 a.m. Edward & Margaret Dolan, req. by Tom &

Diane Bazyk 10:00 a.m. Mark Doiron, req. by Jean & Mike Doiron

If you would like to donate Altar

Flowers, please contact Darillyn

Patterson at 413.569.1614.

Offertory Envelopes

Each week there will only be ONE collection, however some weeks there are multiple envelopes. Please drop all envelopes into the one collection. The list below are all the upcoming offerings for those

that may not receive envelopes. Each month there is always an envelope for the

Improvement Fund and Utilities & Energy Expense Fund.

December 12th- Retired Religious Fund December 12th- Regular December 19th- Regular

December 25th- Christmas December 26th- Regular

January 1st- Solemnity of Mary

As always, THANK YOU for all you do!!!

OFFERTORY FOR WEEKEND

Total Giving for 11/29– 12/5/2021 equals $3,947.00

Weekly Collection (includes Masses and Mail-Ins) $3,615.00 and Weekly Online Giving $332.00

Thank you!!!

ONLINE GIVING available at www.ollsouthwick.org

Third Sunday of Advent December 12, 2021

~ High School Students ~ Please remember to sign in at Masses. The sign in sheet is on the

altar rail at the entrance of the church closest to St. Jude.

Our Children’s Liturgy will be ongoing through out the year thanks to Mark and Neilda Henke’s dedicated work.

Children will go to Marian Hall during the 10:00 a.m. Mass for a child friendly Gospel of the

day and reflections on the Gospel. Neilda and Mark are looking for volunteers to help with the

Children’s Liturgy. If interested, please speak to them after Mass or call the office at (413) 569 – 0162.

Your help will be greatly appreciated.

On Sunday, December 19th after the 10:00 a.m. Mass, we will have A Live Nativity with the Forest Park Zoo on the Go!! Please let Mrs. Daniele know

if you would like to make a donation towards the cost of Forest

Park Zoo on the Go.

** NO Classes December 26th or January 2nd. Enjoy your winter vacation. God Bless and Stay Safe!!**

Today is the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe

Blessing to our wonderful Faith Formation Families and Staff. What a wonderful time to celebrate Our Lady’s special feast day! May our Blessed Mother watch and protect us always! Dearest Our Lady of Guadalupe, help us to remember your special words every day!!

Mrs. Daniele, Director of Faith Formation, O.P.

Third Sunday of Advent December 12, 2021

“The Lord is at hand: come, let us adore him.”

Gaudete Week

Our week begins with “Gaudete Sunday.” Gaudete means “rejoice” in Latin. It comes from the first word

of the Entrance antiphon on Sunday. The spirit of joy that begins

this week comes from the words of Paul, “The Lord is near.” This

joyful spirit is marked by the third candle of our Advent wreath, which is rose colored, and the rose-colored

vestments often used at the Eucharist. The second part of Advent begins on December 17th each year. For the

last eight days before Christmas, the plan of the readings changes. The

first readings are still from the prophesies but now the Gospels are

from the infancy narratives of Matthew and Luke. We read the

stories of faithful women and men who prepared the way for our

salvation. We enter into the story of how Jesus’ life began. These stories are filled with hints of what His life

will mean for us. Faith and generosity overcome

impossibility. Poverty and persecution reveal glory.

Third Sunday of Advent December 12, 2021

The SOUP KITCHEN in Westfield needs our help!!!

We will be preparing/ serving TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14TH

We are looking for people to help prep the meals in the Father Shea Hall kitchen at 2:00 P.M. on

the 14TH. Please bring all food to the Fr. Shea Hall by 1:30 p.m. Dinner bags will then be transported

to the soup kitchen in Westfield.

EVERYONE MUST WEAR A MASK AND GLOVES!!! (Still needed for food preparation. Thank you for understanding.)

The MENU for DECEMBER 14th IS AS FOLLOWS: CHICKEN (cooked & cubed)

RICE (Pilaf or Chicken flavored) CRANBERRY SAUCE (in cans) APPLE SAUCE- Individual cups

BOTTLES OF WATER CHRISTMAS COOKIES (Individually wrapped, 3 per pkg.)

If you have any questions or are not able to come to Mass but would like to help, PLEASE CALL DIANA AT 569-3718.

YOUR SUPPORT OF THIS MINISTRY IS APPRECIATED!!!

Updates are on social media… Join us on Facebook & our website!

www.facebook.com/ollsouthwick www.ollsouthwick.org

DIVINE MERCY MINISTRY TO SENIORS

Volunteers are needed to spread Jesus’ message of Divine Mercy to seniors in local nursing homes

and assisted living facilities. As a volunteer you would lead a weekly Divine Mercy prayer group using a simple prepared model of readings, prayers and the Chaplet of Divine Mercy.

If you feel that the Lord is calling you to this ministry of mercy, please contact me, Mary Higgins at

(413) 552-7231 or email me at: DivineMercyMinstryToSeniors@gmail.com

Please call or send prayer requests to Diana at...

413.569.3718 or email: myprayerrequest555@gmail.com