HOLY COMFORTER CATHOLIC CHURCH NOVEMBER 16, 2014

SAINTS TO REMEMBER

NOVEMBER 15 – St. Albert the Great 16 – St. Margaret of Scotland

17 – St. Elizabeth of Hungary 18 – Sts. Peter & Paul 19 – St. Agnes of Assisi 20 – St. Rose Philippine Duchsne 21 – Presentation of Mary 22 – St. Cecilia 23 – Blessed Miguel Agustin Pro

MASS INTENTIONS

Saturday, November 15 5 PM – Members of the Parish

Sunday, November 16 8:30 AM – Pete Colo (Marlene Wood) 11 AM - Rita MacGinley (Ed Murray)

Saturday, November 22 5 PM – Members of the Parish

Sunday, November 23 8:30 AM – Bob Arnett (Petroni + Conaway Family) 11 AM – Rev & Mrs. Goris, M/M Nelson Whetzel, Ruth Davis & Bill Davis, Ada Jane Dellinger, Velma & Ted Hockman, Bernard Keener, and Grandfather Beard (Brian & Darlene Beard)

THIS WEEK’S CALENDAR

SUNDAY (11/16) 7 - 7:45 AM Reconciliation 8:30 AM –MASS 9:45 – 10:45 AM: Christian Formation Classes 11 AM –MASS

MONDAY (11/17) NOON – MASS

TUESDAY (11/18) 10 AM – NOON: Food Pantry NOON – MASS

WEDNESDAY (11/19) 10 AM – NOON: Food Pantry NOON – MASS NOON - AA Meeting 6 PM - Medjugorie Rosary Prayer Group 7 – 8:30 PM: Choir Practice

THURSDAY (11/20) 8 AM– MASS NOON - 1 PM: Soup Kitchen

FRIDAY (11/21) 8 AM– MASS 10 AM – NOON: Food Pantry NOON - AA Meeting

SATURDAY (11/22) 8 AM– MASS 10 AM - 5 PM: Advent Retreat with Fr. Suarez 3:30 - 4:30 PM: Reconciliation 5 PM – Vigil MASS

SUNDAY (11/23) 7 - 7:45 AM Reconciliation 8:30 AM –MASS 9:45 – 10:45 AM: Christian Formation Classes 11 AM –MASS

PARISHIONERS: PLEASE SEND THE DATE OF YOUR WEDDING ANNIVERSARY (COMPLETE WITH THE YEAR OF YOUR MARRIAGE) TO THE PARISH OFFICE AT office@holycomfortrparish.org .

PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR _____________

PARISHIONERS: Winifred Smith, Frank Pologruto, Al Bracuti, Norman Bednarcyk, Nicholas Sisman, Mary Ann Williams, Rose Bowker, Tom O’Rourke, Hermann Ortmann, and Les Berlin.

FRIENDS AND RELATIVES: Josephine Nampijja, Gloria Aberg, Grace Dawn Wicke, Melyssa Dove, Nicole Carpenter, Beth Mauk, Evan Dotas, Dave Halley, Cullen McQuhae, Bill & Marie Jones, Christine Bentéjac, David Rumpf, Mrs. Jessica Viglietta, Pam D. Goines, Charlie Previtali, Jessica Viglietta, Nicole Shaw, Jean Clayton, Rich Hawkins, Grace R. Salvetti, Kimberly Hasenfus Hulick, Kristin Fagan, Merrilee Kubart, June Atherton, Natalie Potter, Harper Grace, J. Sloan, Paul Hillard, Dale Evans, Michael Reisinger, Marie Johnston, Suzanne Lank, Stanley Lank, Diane Schmidt, Earl Scheetz, Shirley O’Rourke, Bob Spann, Deborah Bryant, Xavier Van Bastelaer, Mary Griffin, Makala Thomas, Sibylle Llewellyn, Duncan Nixon, Michele Gavigan, John Patrick Dennison, Christine Russo Carpenter, Lisa Light, Isabel Perry, Claire Hagan, Elaine Roberti, Benedict Pax, Steve Naimey, and Jerry Colgate.

MILITARY: Brian Fagan, Jamie Torbet, Mike Eiermann, David Alvey, Charles G. Ellison, Eric Emmott, and Matthew Mickiewicz.

PARISH NEWS

NEW PARISHIONERS: Joseph Kuhn, Melanie & Jeff Henderson, Geoffrey & Brandy Garbaccio, Daniel & Mary Ann Kosut, Matthew Semanik, Diana & Daniel George, Linh Hoang Vu & Kim Hoang, Sarah Schubert, Mike & Denise James, and Carole Wernstrom

BAPTISMS: November 1, 2014: Gabriella Elizabeth Hernandez UPCOMING BAPTISMS:

December 6, 2014: William Henry Schulz December 6, 2014: Joseph Davis Cox December 27, 2014: David Prescott Stadnisky WEDDINGS: October 11, 2014: Tona Boyd & Michael Cartwright October 19, 2014: Alessandra Saucino & Jonathan Keephart October 25, 2014: Casey Kramer & Mark Shaw

UPCOMING WEDDINGS: November 30, 2014: Kim Hoang & Linh Vu December 20, 2014: Grace Rinehart & Matthew Semanik

NEXT WEEK'S READINGS OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST THE KING

First Reading: Ezekiel 34:11-12, 15-17 This passage beautifully describes how the Lord God, as shepherd, will tend his flock. He will rescue those who are lost, bring back those who stray, heal the sick, and “pasture” all.

Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:20-26, 28 Paul once again stresses the significance of Christ’s resurrection in the total divine plan, emphasizing that Christ’s rising means that those who believe in him will also rise after death. Christianity, he argues, is meaningless if it concerns only this life on earth. In the end, even death will be destroyed, and “God will be all in all.”

Gospel: Matthew 25:31-46 With words both poetic and vivid, Jesus tells the disciples that since he is present in all people, whatever they do to “one of my least brothers” they do to him; and whatever they fail to do to his “least,” they fail to do to him.

Gifts for God Offertory – November 8/9: $5,904 Campaign for Human Development - $15 Catholic Charities - $15 Justice & Peace - $305 Outreach - $1587 Haiti - $175

HOLY COMFORTER CATHOLIC CHURCH NOVEMBER 16, 2014

THANKSGIVING WEEKEND

BULLETIN DEADLINE

SUBMISSION DEADLINE FOR THE

NOVEMBER 30TH BULLETIN IS THURSDAY MORNING,

NOVEMBER 20TH AT 10 AM

BRING ANY NON-PERISHABLE FOOD FOR A BLESSING

THANKSGIVING MORNING AT THE 9 PM MASS.

MUSIC MINISTRY

Bill Polhill, Minister of Music: gwpolh3@gmail.com

CANTORS NEEDED: The Music Ministry at Holy Comforter is actively seeking additional singers to serve as cantors for both the 8:30 AM and the 5 PM Masses. Please consider participating in this vital ministry. For more information, contact Bill Polhill.

SINGERS NEEDED: The Holy Comforter Choir is seeking additional singers as we prepare for the Advent & Christmas season. We are in particular need of male voices (tenor and bass). The choir rehearses on Wednesday evenings from 7-9 PM. Interested singers should contact Bill Polhill.

CHRISTIAN FORMATION

Dawn Aberg: dawnaberg@gmail.com (434)295-6559

ST. NICHOLAS NIGHT: Our annual celebration of St. Nicholas Night takes place on December 5th this year. In this event, children arrive in their pajamas (with shoes and socks) to listen to stories about this 3rd century saint. Music, a special visitor, downstairs refreshments, and special surprises are involved. More to come about this special event that has been such a success in the past.

CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS MASS: This year, Holy Comforter will host a special Children’s Christmas Mass with a celebration for children and their families on December 24th at 2:30 PM. Children are invited to participate as angels, shepherds, Magi, animals, and of course the Holy Family. “Roles” will be chosen closer to time by lottery. Children will also participate as lectors, gift bearers (I’m thinking these should be the Magi -frankincense, myrrh and gold contributions welcome), ushers and greeters. And, this year we organize a Choir of Angels, a kick-off to our Children’s Choir (see below). If your children are interested in participating, please contact Dawn Aberg in the Formation office. The ten weeks between now and then are going to pass before we know it!

HOLY COMFORTER CHILDREN’S CHOIR: Parishioners have expressed a lot of interest in a Children’s Choir here at Holy Comforter. As always, trying to agree on practice times (and choirs DO need to practice) is the hardest part. To start off slowly, we have decided to begin this year with a “Choir of Angels” (and perhaps some sheep and shepherds and a camel and king or two) to sing at our Children’s Christmas Mass this year on December 24th at 2:30 PM. Christmas songs seem a good way to start, and we will only need a couple of rehearsals that we can schedule closer to time. If your children are interested in participating, please let Dawn know, and we will start making a list. No musical knowledge or training is required. Just a willingness and eagerness to sing out to make a joyful noise. (Quiet voices are very welcome, too.)

UPCOMING ADULT PROGRAMS: The Formation program works to schedule a talk on End of Life issues later this fall. We also plan a presentation on scripture study, looking to Luke Timothy Johnson’s book The New Testament: A Very Short Introduction. A former Benedictine, Dr. Johnson is the Robert W. Woodruff professor of New Testament and Christian Origins at Candler School of Theology at Emory University. We will keep you posted on dates!

JUSTICE & PEACE

PANTRY: It's time for holiday food drives. Many people make donations to the Food Bank at this time of the year. Our pantry buys food from the Food Bank. Eliminate the middle man! Donate food directly to the Holy Comforter pantry. There is a basket at the top of the stairs in the commons just waiting for your donation. Thank you.

OUTREACH STATS FOR OCTOBER

Soup Kitchen meals served in October: 1007 Food Pantry bags distributed in October: 345 households. In this

count, there were 110 children age 5 and under. St. Thomas Aquinas donated 771 pounds of food to our Food

Pantry. A heartfelt thank you, and God Bless all who support Holy Comforter’s Outreach program.

NEWS FROM HAITI

Anne Knasel (STA): anne@stagebridge.net Ginny Zeller (HC): ginnyannzeller@gmail.com

www.saltadere.org

WELCOME FATHER ILRIC: Father Ilric was gladdened by the welcome of all our parish. He is very grateful on behalf of his parish for all the help we send. This weekend he is sharing his message with us at Holy Comforter.

BI-PARISH HAITI COMMITTEE: The committee’s next meeting will soon be announced. All are welcome. To learn about the Bi-parish committee, you can e-mail Anne Knasel or Ginny Zeller.

UPCOMING HOLY DAY/HOLIDAY MASS SCHEDULE

THANKSGIVING DAY – Thursday, November 27 – 9 AM IMMACULATE CONCEPTION - Monday, December 8 – 12 PM & 7 PM CHRISTMAS EVE - Wednesday, December 24 – 2:30 PM [Children’s Mass], 4 PM, and 7 PM CHRISTMAS DAY - Thursday, December 25 – 11 AM SOLEMNITY OF MARY VIGIL/NEW YEAR’S EVE –

Wednesday, December 31 – 5 PM SOLEMNITY OF MARY/NEW YEAR’S DAY – January 1 – 11 AM

ADDITIONAL ITEMS OF INTEREST

MEDJUGORJE ROSARY PRAYER GROUP: Do you know the history of the Rosary? A few sentences of the history will be provided over the next several months. Learn about this beautiful prayer and come join us in reciting the rosary every Wednesday at 6 PM in the Chapel. Section 1: The rosary is a form of combined prayer and meditation that has been around for over 1200 years. The origin of the rosary dates back to the ninth century where Irish monks would recite and chant the 150 Psalms of the Bible as a major part of their worship. People living near the monasteries were drawn towards this beautiful and harmonious devotion, and they became very eager to join in with the monks' prayers. Our Blessed Mother’s message of October 25, 2014 “……. Pray in this time of grace and seek the intercession of all the saints who are already in the light…..Be aware that your life is short and passing. Therefore, yearn for eternity and keep preparing your hearts in prayer.”

HOLY COMFORTER CATHOLIC CHURCH NOVEMBER 16, 2014 LIGHTHOUSE MEDIA CD’S: Many new books and CD’s will be added to the display rack over the next few months. Stop by and take a look to enrich your Catholic knowledge and prayer life. Consider the books and CD’s as Christmas and Advent gifts and stocking stuffers! Coming soon: What an amazing way to start the Advent season! Consoling the Heart of Jesus – A Do It Yourself Retreat. Fr. Michael Gaitley, MIC, has given us a very special gift in his thoughtful and prayerful book. He brings together several spiritual traditions and blends them in the pattern of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. We will find inspiration in the quotations from the saints that he gathers carefully and in his deep, but humble, understanding of the principles of holiness that they proclaim. This is a good way for a soul to begin the journey in responding to the call to embrace the Divine Mercy of the Lord.

VOCATIONS CHALICE PROGRAM: There are still 2 weekends available for sign up for the Vocations Chalice Program for 2014. The signup sheet is on the credenza. Appropriate prayers are provided in the case. All you have to do is take the Chalice home and pray daily for vocations. How easy is that! The purpose of the Chalice Program is to encourage families to pray and promote vocations to the Priesthood and Religious Life. The consecrated Chalice is a tangible reminder of this special intention for the Church.

THE SICK & HOME BOUND: A group of dedicated Eucharistic Ministers at HC is available to take Holy Communion to those unable to attend Mass. Anyone who wishes to receive Holy Communion should contact Bob Strassheim at 589-7822 to make arrangements.

MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER WEEKEND: “When one finds a worthy wife, her value is far beyond pearls. Her husband, entrusting his heart to her, has an unfailing prize.” Do we value the prize we have in our spouse enough to take time to enjoy it? Couples who attend Worldwide Marriage Encounter weekends not only rediscover the joy, intimacy & romance in their relationships, but also become more active in their parish. Together, we are making marriages, families and our Church stronger & healthier. The next Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekends are 20-22 Feb 2015 in Herndon or 17-19 Apr 2015 in Fredericksburg. For more information or to apply, visit our website at www.renewmarriage-vasouth.org or contact us at applications@renewmarriage-vasouth.org or 757-483-3209.

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS

FATHER LOUIS A. ROWEN COUNCIL 3670

MASS FOR FALLEN BROTHER KNIGHTS ON NOVEMBER 22ND: It’s an annual November tradition during the month of All Souls and All Saints Days. Knights of Columbus Council 3670 will have a Mass said in honor of the deceased members of our council on Saturday morning, November 22nd at 8 AM at Holy Comforter. Council Chaplain Fr. Joseph Mary Lukyamuzi will preside. All Knights are invited, and we’d like to invite the families and friends of the deceased members of our council to the Mass. There will be a light reception afterwards. Please plan on attending.

COATS FOR KIDS DONATIONS: For the 5th winter, we will once again collect donations for Coats for Kids to purchase jackets for needy children in our area. We work with Holy Comforter, Incarnation, and St. George to meet the needs of children both in the churches and in the community. The coats cost about $20 each for brand new, high quality coats from a major manufacturer. See www.kofc.org/un/en/service/community/coats-for-kids/index.html for more info. This year, St. Thomas Aquinas Justin Cunningham Council 11324 will also be collecting donations for Coats for Kids to assist our council’s efforts. They’ll be working with an elementary school in Albemarle County to get coats to children in need. Donations can be given to any Knight or mailed to Knights of Columbus Council 3670, P.O. Box 7251, Charlottesville, VA 22906. Please make checks out to “K of C Council 3670” with Coats for Kids in the memo line.

MEETING MONDAY NIGHT: Our next council meeting is this Monday night, November 17th at Church of the Incarnation. The rosary begins at 6:30 PM followed by the business meeting at 6:45 PM. Note the time change. The meeting will be in the church and not in the Stone Chapel. Please plan to attend.

CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL 2014 FESTIVAL DE NAVIDAD 2014 “PEACE NOW, PEACE EVERYWHERE”

HOLY ANGELS RETREAT CENTER 1307 LAKESIDE AVE.

RICHMOND, VA

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 21st 7- 9 PM

FREE ADMISSION PRAYER FOR PEACE IN THE WORLD

CRS SOLIDARITY PRAYER WALK FOLLOWED BY A GATHERING WITH LIGHT APPETIZERS AND MUSIC

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 22nd

5 - 9 PM $5 - ADULT

$1 - CHILDREN (UP TO AGE 12) CULTURAL MUSIC, DANCE, & ENTERTAINMENT

POPE FRANCIS’ “JOY OF THE GOSPEL” REFLECTIONS INTERNATIONAL NATIVITY EXHIBIT

CHILDREN’S ACTIVITIES FOOD WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE

ADVANCED TICKETS CAN BE PURCHASED AT THE

Office of Hispanic Ministry egonzalez@richmonddiocese.org or (804) 622-5241

MEALS ON WHEELS VOLUNTEER & DONATION OPPORTUNITY

Each winter we pack Blizzard Bags for our clients. The bags are filled with non-perishable foods that can sustain our clients on the days that we cannot deliver due to weather. In the past, we have purchased food for the bags. This year we hope to collect the food through donations. Do you belong to a church or civic group that’d be willing to donate canned food items? We are packing the bags on Saturday, November 15th and will need the food before then. Please let me know if you can help, and I will give you a more specific list of foods. Also, if you have a truck or van and can help us haul the bags to the Teens Give office on the 15th, please let me know. As always, thanks for the ways you support the Meals on Wheels mission! Brittany Conley [Volunteer Coordinator for Meals on Wheels in Cville/Albemarle at 434-566-9353]

CATHOLIC MEN’S CONFERENCE: The Center for Marriage, Family, and Life is hosting the 3rd Annual Catholic Men’s Conference in the Diocese of Richmond on Saturday, January 10 at the Greater Richmond Convention Center in Richmond. The day will feature powerful and inspiring talks and breakout sessions, an expanded expo area, Sacrament of Reconciliation, and Mass. Bishop DiLorenzo will be speaking and celebrating Mass. We are also pleased to welcome Catholic speaker, author, and podcaster, Greg Willits, as our keynote speaker. Registration is $35 for general admission, $15 for permanent deacons and college students, and free for priests and religious brothers. Learn more and register at www.cdrcmfl.org or call 804-622-5109 for details.

HOLY COMFORTER CATHOLIC CHURCH NOVEMBER 16, 2014

FROM THE PASTORSOMETHING TO HOLD ON TO? THE ROSARY

CONTINUED

"The communion of saints goes beyond earthly life,” said Pope Francis. "It extends beyond death and lasts forever-- to find its fullest expression when all believers are "reunited in heaven." The holy father continues to say; “All the baptized here on earth, the souls in purgatory and the blessed souls in heaven form one big family, this communion between heaven and earth is expressed particularly in prayers of intercession, which are the greatest form of solidarity, and is also the basis of the liturgical celebrations of the feasts of All Saints and All Souls." Every Christian, the pope said, has an obligation to be a responsible part of the communion of saints, supporting one another according to need and grace. So by reason of the Mystical Body of Christ, the souls in purgatory are our neighbors just as truly as those in our neighborhood. And these departed souls can do nothing for themselves. They can no longer merit an increase of grace, nor gain indulgences which would remit temporal punishment due to sin, nor receive cleansing and strengthening graces of the sacraments. They can only suffer to satisfy the debt of punishment due to their sins.

We, on the other hand, can assist them by our prayer, by offering on their behalf the satisfactory value of our good works, sacrifices and trials, by almsdeeds, by gaining indulgences for them, and especially by the sacrifice of the Mass. In all these ways we help ourselves as well as the poor souls, for the charity which motivates our actions merits for ourselves an increase of grace. As regards the gaining of indulgences, we have to keep in mind that the Church has the power of "binding and loosing" only for the living, not for the dead. Consequently we can only fulfill the requisites for gaining an indulgence and entreat Our Blessed Lord to apply their fruits to the souls of the departed. And we can well believe that in the measure that we help them now in their need, when we come to that stage of our salvation we will be helped by others. And those we have helped will be grateful to us in heaven for all eternity.

It is believed that a number of Catholics have a very erroneous opinion as to the duration of purgatory. Some, perhaps reflecting on the repentant thief on Calvary, or relying on a plenary indulgence at the moment of death, or on the tradition of what is called the “sabbatine privilege”, seem confident that they will be in heaven very shortly after death. And for the same reason they believe too easily in the prompt deliverance of their loved ones, and after a period of a month or so no longer pray for them. Solid theologians discourage that kind of thinking. In this regard, Fr. Garrigou-Lagrange comments:

"To escape false imagining, let us recall that purgatory is not measured by solar time, but by . . . discontinuous time. Discontinuous time is composed of successive spiritual instants, and each of these instants may correspond to ten, twenty, sixty hours of our solar time, just as a person could remain thirty hours in ecstasy absorbed by one sole thought. Hence, there is no proportion between our solar time and the discontinued time of purgatory"

Quoting several theologians who contended that purgatory is so severe, and the suffrages of the Church are so efficacious that no soul remains in purgatory more than ten or twenty years, Fr. Garrigou-Lagrange explains: "Theologians all but unanimously reject that view. Souls converted at the last moment, after a life of grave disorder, remain in purgatory much longer than ten or twenty years. Theological opinion, in general, is that purgatorial purification is of long duration"

Yet, with all this their interior love for God transfigures their sufferings and fills their souls with a peace and surrender to God's will which we on earth cannot imagine. As someone has expressed it: "Purgatory is the waiting room for heaven." Let us then hold on to our simple but powerful prayer of the rosary, storm purgatory with that repeated prayer and allow our brothers and sisters go free to celebrated with all the saints the glories of heaven. TO BE CONTINUED