Blood Pressure Clinic
will be held November 22 & 23 after all the masses in the reconciliation room of the chapel.

parish bulletin board

St. Vincent de Paul meeting
St. Vincent de Paul Conference will meet on Monday, November 24 at 7:00 pm in the Parish Center.

Community Thanksgiving Service
There will be a Scituate Community Thanksgiving Service this Sunday, November 23 at 6:00 pm at the Harbor United Methodist Church. Rev. Rick McKinley will be the Homilist. We hope you will be able to attend!

RCIA
(Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults)
RCIA will meet Sunday, November 23 at their regular time of 7:30 pm in the Parish Center. This week will be focused on tthe Liturgical Calendar and Advent...all are welcome to join us. RCIA will not meet on Sunday, November 30 due to the Thanksgiving Holiday weekend.

Paula Carroll, Music Director
Due to health reasons, Paula Carroll, our Music Director for many, many years has relocated to Florida to stay with her daughter. If anyone would like to send her a note, her address is: 3429 SE Fifth Ave., Cape Coral, FL 33904.
Please remember Paula in your prayers. Posted 110208

CHRISTMAS GIVING TREE
November 29 - December 16
Help make a child’s Christmas special and take an ornament from our “Giving Tree” which will be up for all the masses on the November 29/30 weekend. Please purchase a gift for the child described on the ornament and attach the ornament to the outside of the gift. Please write on the back of the ornament what is wrapped in the package. Most organizations would prefer the gift UNWRAPPED. If possible, please bring your gift to Mass the following Sunday and place it under the tree where it will be collected and delivered to the child’s parish and received by that child on Christmas morning. Thank you
so much for your kindness and for sharing your “Christmas Spirit” with those who are less fortunate. ALL PRESENTS MUST BE RETURNED BY DECEMBER 16 TO ENSURE DELIVERY TO THE FAMILIES IN NEED!

If you are donating a gift card please deposit the gift card in the gift card box or deliver it during the week to Jane in the Parish Center. If you have questions or would like to help…Please call Jane Kuklis at 781-545-3335 ext. 212. St

Peter’s Parish in Dorchester Giving Tree presents:
All St. Peter’s presents must be returned to the Parish Center by DECEMBER 14. Sister Glenna will be picking up all packages on this date. Please do NOT wrap St. Peter’s presents. Questions? Call Jane.

Giving Tree Help
I am in need of some helpers to keep the giving tree ornaments full on the tree! I need a person to refill the tree after each mass the weekends of November 29/30 and December 6/7. If you can take a Mass (perhaps the mass you are attending) either or both weekends, I would be forever grateful! Please call Jane at 781-545-3335 ext 212.

get well soon, Mary
Mary Wattendorf, who has been a member of St. Mary’s Altar Society for over 30 years, is one of the many women who are responsible for making our church so beautiful. Unfortunately, Mary is recovering from a broken bone in her leg. If you would like to send her your well wishes, her address is: The Clark House, 30 Longwood Dr., Westwood, MA 02090. Our thoughts and prayers are with Mary for a quick and full recovery. Posted 102608

book club suspended
St. Mary’s Book Club has suspended for the year so that the members can be actively involved in our ARISE Program.  Posted 102608

Teen Choir
Fall rehearsals for the Teen Choir will take place on Mondays at 6pm in the parish center, and at 10:30 am on Sundays before mass. New members are always welcome, and young people who can sing or play an instrument are asked to volunteer. The Teen Choir is currently scheduled to sing at the 11:30 mass on the 1st, 3rd, (and 5th) Sundays of the month. This is a great way to participate at mass and have an impact on the faith of others through music. Please pray for the continued success of this group. For more information, please call Len Palmer, 781-534-3687. Posted 110908

help wanted

SCITUATE FOOD PANTRY
St. Mary’s is responsible for volunteers at the Food Pantry on Tuesdays (2, 9, 16, 23 & 30) in December from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. One person per week is sufficient. Please call Betty Crowley at 781-545-4143 to sign up. Thanks in advance!

ALTAR SERVER TRAINING
Any boy or girl in grade 4 or above is invited to join our team of altar servers. Join us for our next two-part training sessions on Monday, November 24 at 3:30 pm and Thursday, December 4 at 1:30 pm (an early release day) in the main church. Any questions, call Stephanie at 781-545-3335 ext. 220.

CHILDREN’S LITURGY OF THE WORD
Each week at the 8:30 am mass, a special liturgy is offered for the children. There are approximately 30 young worshipers who participate in the chapel every week. It is a wonderful way for these treasured members of our church to hear the readings and understand the message that are meaningful and appropriate. At the same time, the presiders, who are guided with instructional materials, are enriched with sharing their faith. It is a very rewarding experience!

We welcome more parishioners to help in this fulfilling ministry. This is a fantastic way to practice and administer your faith. This is also a great opportunity for Confirmation class students to earn community service hours. If you would like to become involved as a presider, a lector, or a door monitor, contact Shannon Basler (545-6033) or Debra Moxie (545-2190). Posted 111608

Giving Tree Help
I am in need of some helpers to keep the giving tree ornaments full on the tree! I need a person to refill the tree after each mass the weekends of November 29/30 and December 6/7. If you can take a Mass (perhaps the mass you are attending) either or both weekends, I would be forever grateful! Please call Jane at 781-545-3335 ext 212.

Christmas for Pine Street Inn
Every year parishioners of St. Mary’s have been very generous in giving Christmas gifts to the guests of Pine Street Inn - a homeless shelter for men and women in Boston. This year the need for these gifts is greater than ever. Please consider giving gifts of new hats, mittens, gloves, scarves, socks, knee socks, flannel shirts, sweatshirts or long winter underwear. Please leave your unwrapped gift at 55 Hazel Avenue on or before the weekend of December 13/14. For more information, please call Pat Patterson at 545-9041. May you all have a Blessed Christmas!

CALLING CARDS FOR SOLDIERS IN IRAQ
I have been collecting $10 calling cards for my son, Spc. Matthew Paulin and his unit FBtry, 109th FA from PA for the past year. Each soldier received a calling card with their name on it and a small token for the holidays so they could call home. Matthew returned home October 14, 2006. Over 400 cards were sent to his unit. Since Matthew and his unit are home safely, it’s time for me to adopt another unit and continue my mission.
If you are interested, please call Allison Voelger at 781-545-6730, or you can email me at av_mv_jv@hotmail.com. Calling Cards can be purchased at Walmart or grocery stores. Thank you for your support. Posted 112308

sacraments

MASS INTENTIONS, PRAY-FOR LIST, AND NAMES OF THE RECENTLY DEPARTED
Find these in this week's bulletin. 

More information on Sacraments:
Baptism
Marriage
Penance

Thank you!

Our first Season of ARISE has finished
We thank all of you who shared in this wonderful 6 week session. Many thanks to our small group facilitators and those of you who opened your homes...and mostly your hearts. We thank God for the 163 people who participated and hope many more will join us in Season 2 which will take place in March. We will be closing our first Season with an invitation to Encounter Christ in our Adult Penance Service. All ARISE groups are invited to join us on December 2 at 7:00 pm in the main church. A letter will be mailed to each participant next week with information on Season 2. If you have any questions, please call Jane at 781-545-3335 ext. 212. Posted 112308

A GREAT BIG THANK YOU
to all St. Mary’s Parishioners who contributed many lovely gifts of baby clothes, blankets, handmade sweaters, diapers, etc. Special thanks also for the contribution of $1,870.00 which will be used to help care for pregnant women and their babies at “Friends of the Unborn.” Thanks also to all the Religious Ed. Students and women who helped to collect the monetary donations.
Peggy Mahoney & Terry Sullivan Pro-Life Representatives.  Posted 110908

HALLOWEEN COOKIE CAPER THANK YOU
Many, many thanks to all who baked so many delicious cookies for our recent Halloween Cookie Caper. More than one hundred dozen cookies were delivered throughout the parish. A special THANK YOU to all who made the cookie deliveries. These special people were: Kelly Baumann, Kathy Cerruti, Maureen and Vin Cox, Mary Ann Fryling, Betty Gerry, Patti Koziel, Margaret Lyle, Dottie and Kevin McLaughlin, Betsy O’Brien, Liz O’Connell and Chris Reilly. THANK YOU one and all!!! Posted 110908

prayer and liturgy

Thanksgiving Mass
Thanksgiving Day morning mass is changed from 7:30 am to 8:00 am.

Holy Day
The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, December 8 is a Holy Day of Obligation. Because it falls on a Monday, there will be no vigil mass on Sunday evening. The masses will be Monday, December 8 at 7:30 & 9:00 am and 7:00 pm. Attention Lay Ministers: sign-up sheets are posted in the vestibule for the 9:00 am and 7:00 pm masses. Please sign up as you leave mass if you can help Thank you.

FRIDAY, December 5 IS FIRST FRIDAY
Friday, December 5 is First Friday. Adoration & Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament will take place in  the chapel immediately following the 7:30 am Mass and will continue throughout the day ending with Evening Prayer at 4:45 pm.

First Fridays are a devotional practice honoring the Sacred Heart of Jesus in which members of the Church observe the first Friday of each month by receiving Holy Communion. According to promises, which it is claimed Jesus made to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, those who follow this practice for nine consecutive months will be granted special graces such as final perseverance in faith and the consolation of Christ’s love in their final hour. Adoration and Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament will follow the 7:30 am Mass and end with Evening Prayer and Benediction at 4:45 pm.

RECITATION OF THE ROSARY
The Rosary is said every weekday morning after the 7:30 am Mass and also on Saturday after the 8:15 am Mass. On the First Saturday of every month after the 8:15 am Mass, the rosary is said in honor of Our Lady of Fatima.

offerings of interest

CHRISTMAS GIFTS FOR FRIENDS OF THE MENTALLY ILL
The patients are looking forward to Christmas and you can make their wishes come true. A list will be posted from November 29 through December 16 in the main church and chapel for the gifts needed. Please drop them in the marked boxes by December 16. For more information, call Margaret Lyle at 781-545-2263. Thank you.

High School Entrance Examination
Sacred Heart High School (399 Bishops Highway, Kingston, MA), Grades 7 through 12, will administer the school Entrance Examination on Saturday, December 6, 2008 at 8:45 am at the school. Sacred Heart is a private, Catholic, co-educational college preparatory school located on the Kingston/Plymouth town line. To pre-register for the Entrance Examination or for further information regarding Sacred Heart High School, please contact the Admissions Office at 781-585-7511. Walk-ins are welcome on test day. Please visit our website: www.sacredheartkingston.com

Pilgrimage to the Holy Land
May 3 - 14, 2009. Join Fr. Timothy Joyce OSB of Glastonbury Abbey in a twelve day visit to the sacred sites where Jesus lived and died. Base price is $2,849.For full details, go to: www.pilgrimages.com/sevenseas or phone Glastonbury at 781-749-2155, ext. 200 and request a four page color flyer to be sent to you. Posted 110908

5-Day Advent Retreat
with Fr. Mike McNamara
“And a Child Shall Lead them…” Is 11:6
Marie Joseph Spiritual Center, Biddeford Pool, Maine. Monday, December 8 to Friday, December 12, 2008 $390 (double occupancy) Price includes transportation and 12 meals For more information, please call Servants of Christ Ministries @ 781-545-8336.

SCITUATE FOOD PANTRY
Let’s not fall behind in supporting the Food Pantry! If each family would donate even once or twice a month, it would greatly help to maintain our supplies and to assist us in meeting the needs of our 92 families.

Suggested items: canned fruit, veggies and pasta; beef stew, small canned hams; pasta sauce, Ramen noodles; hot chocolate, tea; brownie and cake mix; jello, pudding; white rice; ketchup, mayo, salt, sugar (5 or 10 lb. bags); pancake
mix, syrup; juices; tooth paste, dish detergent, shampoo, toilet tissue, paper towels & napkins, sandwich bags, small to medium sizes preferred. PLEASE, no expired food.

Try to keep us in mind, and make a habit of giving. Thank you. Questions, call Betty Crowley - 781-545-4143. Posted 110208

League of Catholic Women of the Archdiocese of Boston Upcoming Events
* Friday, December 5 ~ Christmas Bazaar at St. John Chrysostom Church

TELL US WHAT YOU THINK!
Cardinal Seán O’Malley has directed the Massachusetts Catholic Conference to present an initiative on the vocation of marriage. It is called “The Future Depends on Love.” As part of this initiative, educational material will be developed. What do you think marriage is all about? What do you want to see the Church in Massachusetts doing to educate and evangelize on this important topic? Fill out an online survey at:  www.MassCatholicMarriage.org/survey.