Roman Missal Resources, Changes

Here are two web-sites, www.usccb.org/romanmissal and www.ltp.org, that can help you learn of the new changes. These changes went into effect on the first Sunday of Advent, November 27, 2011.

Rosary before Mass

All are invited and encouraged to  arrive early before Mass on Saturday, January 7 to pray the rosary. St. Mary’s Carmelite group will lead us in the rosary beginning at 4:00 p.m. on this Saturday and every first Saturday of the month.

Great Catholic Families

Listen for Holy Moments

 

    The prophet Elijah expects to hear the voice of God in the roaring storm raging outside his cave, but he is surprised when God’s voice is not in the wind, or the earthquake, or the fire. Rather, God’s voice comes to Elijah in the silence after the storm, in a mere whisper (see 1 Kings 19:11-13). It seems that this is how God talks to us today in the middle of our busy family life. It is important to pause and notice the holy moments, perhaps at bedtime or in the car, when we share our true selves with one another and genuinely enjoy each other’s presence. Turn down life’s noise, and give moments of grace the chance to break through.

 

Faith Builder: Make room for silence in your household. Turn off electronics for a time. Read, pray, meditate, or daydream. Give God the chance to speak!

Family Prayer

Lord God, Creator and Sustainer of life, watch over our family gathered in Jesus’ name. Guide and guard us, keep us united in love for one another. Let your grace be our support in whatever emergencies may lie ahead.

Show us, Father, how to put the past behind us, give you our best today, and place our tomorrows in your hands. Bless our laughter and tears, ease our sorrows and fears. Teach us to appreciate every good gift from your paternal heart. Amen.

Did You Know...

Feast of the Presentation (Candlemas)

 

Every year on February 2nd, we celebrate the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, the fourth joyful mystery of the rosary.  It is called Candlemas as it is often observed with a candle-lit, solemn procession, signifying the entry of Jesus, the Light of the World, into the temple of Jerusalem. 

 

The Feast commemorates the purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the presentation of Christ in the temple, which took place 40 days after His birth in accordance with Mosaic Law.  At the Temple, the family is approached by a man named Simeon, who has been told by the Holy Spirit that he will not die until he has seen the messiah.  Anna, the prophetess, is also there in the temple.    

 

Both Simeon and Anna recognize the infant Jesus as Israel’s promised Messiah. [Lk 2:21-40] 

 

Simeon, upon seeing Jesus, gave thanks to the Lord, singing a hymn now called Nunc Dimittis (Latin for “now dismiss.”)  In this Song of Simeon, he says he is ready to die because he has seen what he was waiting for, the promised Messiah:

 

Now, master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word,
for my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you prepared in sight of all the  peoples;
a light for revelation to  the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel. [Lk 2:29-32]

Judy Pearson

Electronic Giving: Secure & Easy!

INTENTIONAL GIVING . . . An electronic giving solution that provides an accurate way for you to donate to St. Mary’s or St. John’s Churches. Those who use electronic giving have peace of mind because their offering always reaches their parish! To learn more about this program, complete the information below and place in the collection basket. You can call the parish office to enroll.

“FUNDING THE MINISTRIES OF CHRIST IS TOO

IMPORTANT TO LEAVE TO CHANCE”

PARISH TEL. 315-686-3398

NAME______________________________________

PHONE_____________________________________

The Act of Giving our treasure is a form of worship—a “giving back” to the Lord for all He has given to us. Intentional giving is the act of giving an intended gift to our parish with consistency. When parishioners decide how much to give in their offering, their intent is to give that amount on a regular basis without interruption. However, all parishioners miss at least a few weekend Masses each year due to poor weather, health or travel. Those who use Electronic Giving experience peace of mind because they know that, regardless of what happens, their offerings always reach the parish. For more information or to sign up, contact the parish office or visit the parish website and click on the “Give Online” button.

2012 Vocation Calendars

2012 Vocation Calendars are available at the entrances of St. Mary’s and St. John’s Churches. These calendars are thoughtfully provided to us by Cummings Funeral Services. Be sure to take one for your use. A special thank you to the Cummings family for their generosity in providing these calendars.

Leaving Your Affairs in Order

The following are suggestions to make sure your life is in order before God calls you:

1. -Draft a will
   

2. -Leave enough liquid cash in an obvious location to sustain your survivors to pay the expenses of your estate
   

3. -Plan your own funeral and burial
   

4. -Leave no financial debt
   

5. -Write your own obituary
   

6. -Organize your records
   

7. -Choose a time to openly discuss these plans with loved ones
   

Estate Planning

Please consider our parish through

1. -Your Will or Trust
   

2. -Retirement Assets
   

3. -Life Insurance Policies
   

4. -A Life Income Gift which will provide you with payments for life and ultimately will benefit our parish.
   

For more information, call Janice Shoen, Diocese of Ogdensburg at 315-393-2920 or jshoen@dioogdensburg.org.

Memorare Legacy Society

Have you remembered our parish in your will or other estate plans? Did you know that there is a Memorare Legacy Society in the Diocese that you can become a member of if you have remembered the church in your estate plans? By simply filling out a Membership Form, you are a member and recognized by Bishop LaValley. For more information, call Janice Shoen from the Diocese at 315-393-2920.

Leaving a Legacy A young man was surprised to find his sick and elderly grandfather planting a small peach tree in his backyard.  When the young man asked his grandfather why he was planting the tree the old man replied, “Son, all my life I have eaten the fruit from trees that other people have planted.  I figure I have an obligation to make sure there is some around for others to enjoy.”  Are you leaving a legacy?  By setting up an endowment in The Foundation with the Diocese you can!  For more information contact The Foundation at 315-393-2920 or Email foundation@dioogdensburg.org.

Pastoral Care of the Sick

Please notify Fr. LaBaff or the parish office when a parishioner who is in the hospital, nursing home or confined to home wishes to receive a visit or any of the Sacraments.

Prayer is not a “spare wheel” that we pull out when in trouble; it is a “steering wheel” that directs us in the right path throughout life.

stmarysclayton.org web site created and updated weekly by Diane Hayes, St. Mary’s parishioner

The Sanctuary Lamp

at St. Mary’s Church

is in Loving Memory of

Molly Bogenschutz Foti

by the Bogenschutz Family

World Day of Consecrated Life

Sunday, February 5th. We are blessed with 13 Congregations of Women Religious with a membership of 102 religious and 3 Congregations of Religious Men with a membership of 11 religious in our Diocese. We are grateful for their lives and service. Please pray for them and for an increase in vocations.

The Bishop’s Fund

St. Mary’s reached 105% of their goal by giving $17,040.82. St. John’s is at 78% of their goal by giving $3,351.00. Your support is appreciated.

Saturday:5:00 p.m. at St. Mary’s, Clayton

Sunday:9:00 a.m. at St. Mary’s, Clayton

11:00 a.m. at St. John’s, LaFargeville