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CHURCH OF SAINT PETER CLAVER WEST HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT January 11, 2015

Saturday, January 10 4:30 PM Memorial: Mr. & Mrs. George Dubois

Sunday, January 11 8:30 AM Memorial: Harold Sedlik

10:30 AM Memorial: Jack Buczek

Monday, January 12 6:30 AM 2nd Anniversary: Thomas Fahy Tuesday, January 13 6:30 AM For the Parishioners of St. Peter Claver

Wednesday, January 14 6:30 AM Mass Thursday, January 15 6:30 AM Mass Saturday, January 17 4:30 PM Memorial: John Facey, Sr. & William Murphy

Sunday, January 18 8:30 AM Memorial: Harold Sedlik

10:30 AM Memorial: Robert Vaughan

THE WEEK AHEAD AT ST PETER CLAVER

Tuesday, January 13 7:00 PM Parish Council Mtg ~ Choir Room Sunday, January 18 8:30 & 10:30 AM Coffee Hour ~ Hall (after Mass)

MINISTRY TO THE HOMEBOUND St. Peter Claver Parish offers Ministry to the homebound and shut-ins. Do you have a FAMILY MEMBER who has been hospitalized? Is someone homebound or in an area nursing home? PLEASE call the Parish Office and let us know (860) 561-4235, Opt 3 or via e-mail, st.peterclaver@sbcglobal.net.

UPCOMING MEN’S RETREAT RESOLVE TO RETREAT!

All men of St. Peter Claver are invited to attend a Men's Retreat at Holy Family on January 30 - February 1st. This year's Retreat theme is Know Greater Joy. Explore how we can discover deep and enduring joy in God’s presence no matter

the situation. Please join us and revive your body, soul and mind. Join men from St. Peter Claver and other West Hartford parishes to re-charge through conferences, workshops, prayer services, delicious home cooking and plenty of free time. Cost is $295, more if you can; less if you can’t. Register at www.holyfamilyretreat.org or by calling 860-760-9705. For more information, please call the Retreat Center or contact Tony Torsiello (Parish Promoter) at torsiello88@sbcglobal.net or 860-561-1877.

BAPTISM OF THE LORD

First Reading: Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7 Isaiah tells of the Lord’s Servant, who will be inconspicuous, but will not rest until justice is established. The Lord then tells his servant that he was formed to be “a light for the nations.” Second Reading: Acts 10:34-38 Peter speaks to a group of pagans for the first time. He explains to them that any person who follows God’s will is acceptable to God, regardless of nationality. Gospel: Mark 1:7-11 John the Baptist had claimed one would come far more powerful than himself, one who would baptize with the Holy Spirit rather than water. When Jesus came to John and was baptized, the Spirit descended on him and a voice said, “You are my beloved Son. On you my favor rests.”

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READINGS FOR THE WEEKND JANUARY 18

First Reading: 1 Samuel 3:3b-10, 19 Second Reading: 1Corinthians 6:13c-15a, 17-20

Gospel: John 1:35-42

NATIONAL VOCATION AWARENESS WEEK This is National Vocation Awareness Week. Revel in the gift of your baptism; pray for and with those who are called to fulfill their baptismal promises as priests, sisters, and brothers. Encourage someone you know to consider a life of service in the church and have them call Fr. Anthony Smith Director of Vocations and St. Thomas Seminary, 860-242-5573 or email vocations@aohct.org.

SUMMER MISSION TRIP FOR TEENS The Catholic Heart Work Camp will run a Mission to the City of Hartford July 12-18, 2015. St. Peter Claver is organizing a group! Applications can be found in the Parish Hall. Visit heartworkcamp.com for detailed information. An $85 non-refundable deposit is due with your application. First come first served as these camps fill up quickly so do not hesitate! This will be a life changing week for Teens currently in Grades 8-12. Call Anne Carroll with questions 860-561-4912.

THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD

2014 ANNUAL COLLECTION We are very grateful to those who have made a pledge to our Annual Collection. We are pleased to report that to date 380 families have pledged $166,059 to assist us in meeting our budget requirements. Thank you for your care and concern for our parish.

Congratulation to the

Newly Baptized

Maeve Elizabeth Janangelo Daughter of John and Elizabeth Taranto

December 7, 2014

Arianna Jean Pantano Daughter of Paolo and Heather Pantano

December 14, 2014

Perry Elizabeth Dyke Daughter of Cornelius and Sarah Dyke

December 20, 2014

Merilyn Rose Protzko Daughter of John and Laura Protzko

December 28, 2014

NORTHWEST CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL… will administer its Entrance Exam to incoming 9th and 10th graders on January 24th. For more information or to apply/register, go to NorthwestCatholic.org/Apply. Information Session for prospective students will be held on February 4th at 7:00 pm.

ATTENTION: NEW PARISHIONERS New families who have moved into our parish recently and have not yet registered are welcome to pick up a Census Form in the back of the Church following Mass, or call the Rectory Office at 860-561-4235, Option 2. This form will officially register you and your family with St. Peter Claver. Please compete and return to the Rectory Office or drop in the collection basket. In addition, families who have recently have had a change of address, e-mail or phone # are asked to please let us know in order that we can update our database. We thank you for keeping our records current.

A FRESH PERSPECTIVE ON THE SUNDAY READINGS HIS WORD TODAY by Rev. William J. Reilly

The Baptism of the Lord January 11, 2015

“Thus says the Lord! Here is my servant whom I uphold, my chosen one with whom I am pleased, upon whom I have put my spirit; he shall bring forth justice to the nations, not crying out, not shouting, not making his voice heard in the street… you know what happened… after the baptism that John preached, how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power. He went about doing good…”

Reading the Old Testament prophet and listening to the exciting sermon of Peter, we focus on the person of Jesus Christ. Whether we place ourselves on the bank of the Jordan and listen intently as part of Peter’s audience, we are able to recount the events in detail. Maybe today we can use the scripture words and ask who mirrors them for us. Pope Francis, or his recently proclaimed saint predecessors come to mind. A local priest, or outstanding lay person might well reflect the words as they go about doing good. We cannot stop looking at others. Turn the mirror to yourself and admit that you have been chosen, anointed and sent to do good. As we begin a new year, it is the right time to stop and ask to live the spirit of our baptism. There is a lot of room for doing good.

MARRIAGE ENRICHMENT EVENING The Archdiocesan Family Life Office will hold its 8th annual Marriage Enrichment Evening on Saturday, February 7 from 5:00-9:00 p.m. at Mary Our Queen Church, Plantsville, CT. This year's program will begin with Mass, include dinner, prayer, reflection, fun and a keynote address "How to be Married and Stay Engaged" by Dr. Jim Healy, nationally renowned author, speaker and Director of the Center for Family Ministry for the Diocese of Joliet, IL. The cost is $25.00 per couple/includes dinner (scholarships are available.) To register or obtain more information, contact Tom and Donna Finn at 860-621-7858 or email to dfinnmspt@sbcglobal.net. Please R.S.V.P. by Feb. 4.

Defending Our Religious Liberty #150 Last month, the Little Sisters of the Poor appeared before an appeals court, asking the court to protect them from the federal health care mandate, because the mandate threatens their 175 years of service to the poor and dying. Let’s pray for a decision that will honor our First Amendment right to religious freedom. If you haven’t done so already, please voice your opposition to the mandate by calling President Obama at the White House at 202-456-1111 or U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Sylvia Mathews Burwell at 202-205-5445. Let them know that the mandate is in violation of our First Amendment right to religious freedom.

Today is the last day of the Liturgical Season of Christmas. It may come as a surprise that our Gos-pel for today doesn't tell us a story about Jesus' childhood. Instead we learn how Jesus was bap-tized by John the Baptist when Jesus was a grown man. When Jesus was baptized, something amazing happened - the sky opened, the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus, and a voice from heaven announced that Jesus was God's Son! John baptized with water; but all who are baptized in Jesus' name will be baptized with the Holy Spirit. We receive the Gift of the Holy Spirit when we are baptized and the Gifts of the Holy Spirit are strengthened in us through the Sacrament of Confirma-tion. Jesus began the work of his ministry filled with the Holy Spirit. Jesus continues to send His Holy Spirit to strengthen us so that we might be witnesses of His love in our world!

Contact the Faith Formation Office with any questions at 860-521-2904 or email at spcreled@sbcglobal.net.

"You are my beloved Son; with whom I am well pleased.” Mark 1:11

SCHEDULE OF UPCOMING CLASSES

GRADES 3 - 6

Sunday Students: Sunday, January 11, 9:30-10:30am There are No Classes on Sunday, January 18th in observance of the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday. Weekday Students meet as follows: Tuesday, January 13, 3:45-4:45pm Wednesday, January 14, 2:15-3:15pm

GRADE 7 Students meet Sunday, January 11, 11:45am - 12:45pm

GRADE 8 Sunday Students: January 25, 11:45am-12:45pm Tuesday Students: January 27 at 6:30-7:30pm.

ADAPTIVE PROGRAM We begin our Sacramental Preparation for Special Needs Students on Tuesday, January 20th at 6:30pm. All registered families will receive details and program kits. Please call the Faith Formation Office or email Craig Lomma at clomma@comcast.net with any questions.

CONFIRMATION PREPARATION GRADE 9: Students meet Sunday, January 11 at 11:45am-12:45pm.

GRADE 10: Students meet Sunday, January 11, 11:45-1pm. Classes will meet in the Parish Hall for a Talk by Mrs. O’Gorman.

The Archdiocese has recently set the date for our Confirmation Ceremony for Friday, May 15th at 7pm with Archbishop Emeritus Henry Mansell officiating.

FAMILY & CHURCH CLASSES GRADE 1

Sunday Students: January 11, 9:30am - 10:30am Tuesday Students: January 13 at 3:45pm - 4:45pm

GRADE 2 Sunday Students: January 25, 9:30am- 10:30am Tuesday Students: January 27, 3:45pm- 4:45pm

Wednesday Students: January 28, 2:15pm-3:15pm *Parent Meeting takes place on January class dates.

On this Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, On this Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, On this Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, On this Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, Let us pray ~ God our Father, You have given us new life through the waters of Baptism. Keep us faithful to our baptismal promises to follow You and help us to trust in God’s will for our lives. May our love for You show in our thoughts and actions, and may we come to You when we are need of Your peace in our hearts.

We ask this in the Name of Jesus. Amen.

There are NO CLASSES next Sunday, January 18th due to the observance of Dr. Martin Luther King Holiday Weekend. Sunday students return on January 25th.

St. Peter Claver’s Super Stewards!

Special Thanks to our Children for bringing their Offertory Envelopes to Mass and listing their Good Deeds and Lov-ing Actions!

I helped someone; I talked with parents about my lesson; Being a good sport; Studied for PSAT’s; Cleaned up the dinner table; Helped a stranger; I gave my brother and sis-ter an art class; Played piano and helped at the barn; Altar server training; Played nicely with my brother; Said my prayers each night; Invited my friends over; Obeyed Mom and Dad; Looked after my baby sister; Helped my friend; Visited Grandma at Nursing Home; Helped clean up; Played the flute; Made my bed; Helped my family.

We also wish to Thank our Students and their Families for their generous donations to our 2014 Outreach Pro-jects! The children did good deeds to raise funds for Catholic Relief Services and brought in baby items for St. Gerard’s Center for Life in Hartford. Thank you for honor-ing Jesus with your gifts. May God bless you for your car-ing thoughts and actions to His people in need!

LETTERS OF GRATITUDE Hillary Keller, LCSW Clinical Social Work Services Hartford Hospital

“Dear John and the Dedicated St. Peter Claver Elves ~

The kindness that you have offered to these folks who are both medically compromised and spiritually distressed is immeasurable. With profound appreciation ~ Hillary”

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Father Charles Jacobs, Pastor Holy Trinity Church ~ Hartford

“I wish to thank the Parish Community of St. Peter Claver for once again , this year, providing food baskets and gifts to twenty-five families in need. You helped fifteen young mothers and their children from St. Gerard’s Center for Life and ten families identified in need at the Women’s Health Center in Hartford. You made many people happy. Just the fact that someone cared was a gift in itself to them. Thank you for continuing to help us to help others. I am grateful. May God reveal His many blessings to you in this New Year, Fr. Charles Jacobs”

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Christa Chodkowski, Executive Director St. Gerard’s Center for Life “Dear Fr. Leary & St. Peter Claver Community, It is with tears in my eyes that I write this letter of utmost thanks to you all. Your Christmas Giving Program offering s to St. Gerard’s Center for Life are now filling our donation room, awaiting the needy mothers, babies, and families you’ve so graciously adopted during this Christmas season. We are overwhelmed with the generosity you have shown to us this year, and we want you to know that you are at the very top of our prayer intentions! As our Lord told us in Matthew 25:40, “Amen I say to you, as long as you did it to one of these my lest brethren, you did it to me.” May you be counted among His elect, and may you always know the significant impact you have made on so many young women and babies in need in the greater Hartford area. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! With our love and prayers, Christa Chodkowski”

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Lydia Rodriguez, Director Parkville Family Center

“Dear Rev. James Leary, Regina Molloy and Members of the Congregation, On behalf of the Board of Directors, staff and children and families that we serve, this is to thank you for your generous donation of gifts and toys this holiday season. Your support means a great deal to Family Life Education and to those whose lives you have touched. Because of your help we were able to make the holiday season, especially Christmas, a special time for our families. This year we distributed more than 400 Christmas gifts to children and parents and held a Christmas party where Santa Clause joined us too! It is through the support or organizations and individuals like you that enable Family Life Education to fulfill its mission of “building a stronger community by fostering partnerships that engage families in a participatory process leading to self-efficacy.” We thank you for your time, your thoughtfulness and your continued commitment. Sincerely, Lydia Rodriguez”

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