News - November 2021 RSS Feed

FEAST OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTONOF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY: Tuesday, December 7 -NO 12:05 Mass that day. The Vigil Mass for the Holy Day is at 5:30 PM. On Wednesday, December 8th Masses at 8:00 AM & 12:05 PM

We have new information regarding New Gift Distribution and a Matching Grant to support the Christ Our Hope Campaign. For the month of December only, 80% (instead of 60%) of new gifts/pledges will go back to the parishes to support our projects and 20% will be split evenly between faith formation and emergency aid. In addition, the Vermont Catholic Community Foundation has allocated a $25,000 matching grant to the campaign. On December 6th, the Foundation will match the first online gifts received of $1,000 or more with a $ 1,000 grant directly to the parish, no split. There will be only one match per parish. To make an online gift, visit: https://www.christourhopevt.org/donate-Msgr. Peter Routhier

The Staff of Joseph’s House wishes to thank all of you who were so very generous in support of our Thanksgiving Basket program. The final numbers are in. We received $6,875 in donations which allowed us to assist 103 families consisting of 304 adults and 202 children. May you be blessed for your generosity and kindness toward those within our community who are in need. With our sincerest gratitude, Deacon Dennis Moore and Diana Charbonneau.

Thank you to Deacon Dennis Moore who stepped down as Director of Joseph House on December 2nd. He will be leaving to enjoy the Florida sunshine! We are grateful for all of his contributions which supported the mission of Joseph’s House over the past several months. At the same time, we welcome Diana Charbonneau who will assume the position of Director of Joseph House. ---Msgr. Peter Routhier

Msgr. Routhier is displaying Nativity scenes in the case at the back of the lower chapel. You’ll see a five-panel embroidery of the Nativity, Monsignor’s own white Nativity set, and two Christmas globes, one of angels playing on musical instruments, the other, a manger scene. Monsignor also has lent a fine Madonna and Child painting.

At Bishop Coyne's request, Monsignor Routhier led a Holy Hour, an hour of Eucharistic Adoration, Tuesday, November 30, after the 12:05 p.m. Mass as part of a diocese-wise prayer petition for a positive verdict in the U.S. Supreme Court case "Dobbs," which addresses abortion. The Holy Hour took place from 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. with confessions available, in the lower chapel. The Dobbs case may determine whether abortion stays legal in the United States. There will be no Adoration for First Friday December 3 – that monthly Holy Hour is canceled this month.

Envelopes for your Christmas flower donations and flower remembrances are available at the entrance to the Church. Envelopes can be placed with your weekly contributions at any Mass or they can be mailed to the parish office at 113 Elmwood Avenue, Burlington, VT 05401. If at all possible, please return them by the weekend of December 18th and 19th. This year, we have purchased new Christmas trees to replace the ones we have been using for over a decade. In addition, we had to replace the bows on the pillar wreaths. We hope you will enjoy the beauty these will bring to our liturgical space throughout the Christmas season. Your requests for remembrances will be posted at the Church entrance during the Christmas season. Thank you!

Last Sunday, on the Solemnity of Christ the King, Bishop Christopher Coyne and the Community of the Cathedral of Saint Joseph welcomed Nia Prentiss and Jordan Ashe as catechumens who are preparing for Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist at the Easter Vigil. The Rite of Acceptance was the first of several ritual moments as part of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (R.C.I.A.) celebrated as they journey toward initiation into the Catholic Faith. Please keep them in your prayers. The R.C.I.A. invites all adults who have not been baptized to “Come and See” and learn how the Catholic Church, its teachings, practices and beliefs, can lead you to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and His Church through the waters of Baptism. This program is also for non-Catholics interested in becoming a member of the Catholic Church, and Catholic adults who may have not received First Communion or the Sacrament of Confirmation. If you or someone you know if interested, please call the Parish Office at 658-4333 for more information.

The Knights of Columbus will begin their Christmas card sale after Mass the weekend of November 27/28. Please stop by to support this worthy cause.

On Thursday, November 25, Thanksgiving Day, Bishop Christopher Coyne will celebrate a Mass at 9:00AM. You are invited to bring non-perishable food items which will be donated to the North End Food Pantry on North Avenue. Let’s begin Thanksgiving Day by thanking God for all of His bountiful blessings we have received!