“Therefore, every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.” (Matthew 3:10) Do you bear good fruit for Jesus? Do you spend time in prayer or do you waste it with mindless activity? Do you use your talent to help others or are you too busy? Do you use your treasure to support the Church or do you buy more things that go unused. Our time, talent and treasure are gifts from God. What we do with these gifts is our gift back to Him. What gifts are you planning to give to the Lord during this upcoming Christmas season?

“Por lo tanto, cada árbol que no de buenos frutos será cortado y tirado al fuego.” (Mateo 3:10) ¿Da bueno frutos para Jesus? ¿Pasa tiempo en oración o pierde su tiempo con actividades sin sentido? ¿Utiliza sus talentos para ayudar a los demás o está demasiado ocupado? ¿Usa sus tesoros para apoyar a la Iglesia o para comprar más cosas que no utiliza? Nuestro tiempo y nuestro talento son dones de Dios. Lo que nosotros hacemos con estos dones es nuestro regalo de vuelta a Dios. ¿Qué regalos planificas darle al Señor durante esta próxima temporada navideña?

Are you called to be “A herald’s voice in the desert” preparing the way of the Lord in the hearts of His people? If you are considering a vocation to the priesthood or consecrated life, contact the Vocation Office at (508)-630-4473 or email: dinfante@saintpaulknights.org.

¿Está llamado a ser “la voz que llame en el desierto” para preparar el camino del Señor en los corazones del mundo? ¿Está contemplando su vocación al sacerdocio o la vida consagrada? Comuníquese con la Oficina de Vocaciones al (508)-630-4473 o envíe un correo electrónico a: dinfante@saintpaulknights.org.

Join us on Saturday, Dec. 3 from 9 am to 5 pm and Sunday, Dec. 4 from 9 am to Noon for the St. Joseph's Christmas Shoppe Fair in Berlin. Features Christmas Café, Gift Baskets, Raffles, Cookies, Baked Goods, Crafts, and Christmas Past. located at 52 West Street/Route 62, Berlin.

Emmaus Ministry is having a Basket Raffle at St. George Church on 40 Brattle Street, Worcester.  All baskets will be displayed in the Church hall and tickets will be sold after Sunday Masses on Dec. 4 at 8 am and 10 am  Raffle Tickets are 3 for $5 or an Arm's Length for $10. . We have 21 fabulous baskets to choose from. Final Drawing: Sunday, Dec. 4 at Noon. If you have questions, contact JoAnn or Andrea at: emmaus.stgeorge@gmail.com or call 508-853-0183

Did you know that the early church didn’t place the emphasis on celebrating Christmas that we do today?  Join Annunciation Parish in Gardner on Wednesday, Dec. 7 at 6:30p.m. to learn why Catholics celebrate the Christmas Season as we do. Fr. Stephen Lundrigan will share with us the history and significance of the Church’s Christmas feasts and the traditions which surround them. We will begin with Evening Prayer in Holy Rosary Church, 135 Nichols St. then go downstairs to the church hall for his presentation.

Join Annunciation Parish in Gardner for a prayerful reflection on the infancy of Jesus led by Fr. Thiago Ibiapina on Thursday, Dec. 15 at 6:30 p.m. in the church hall at Holy Rosary, 135 Nichols St., Gardner.

On Saturday, Dec. 17 at 6:30 AM, a Rorate Caeli Mass will be celebrated at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, 111 Worcester St., West Boylston. The Rorate Caeli Mass is an ancient Advent devotion wherein a Votive Mass of the Blessed Virgin Mary is celebrated just before dawn. The interplay of light and darkness speaks to the meaning of Advent and the coming of the Light of the World. All are welcome. 

St. George Church, 40 Brattle St., Worcester will hold an Advent Evening of Reflection on Monday, Dec. 19 from 6:30- 8:00 pm. This is an opportunity to take time out to remember the intention of Advent season and prepare for Christmas. Please come and join in prayer and reflection.

Family Prayer Night, a gathering of people who pray for all families, occurs every Thursday at 6:00 pm at St. George Church, 40 Brattle St. Worcester. The Divine Mercy Chaplet and the Rosary are prayed during this time. This is a wonderful opportunity to learn to pray the Rosary. Eucharistic Adoration is also a part of this wonderful time of prayer on the Thursday before the first Friday of each month.

The 2023 schedule and registration form for the God’s Plan for a Joy-Filled Marriage class are now available at www.worcesterdiocese.org/marriage-preparation. Parishes may download and print the new registration forms and add them to any marriage preparation resource packets you have on hand in your parish office.  A reminder that all engaged couples preparing for marriage in the Diocese of Worcester are required to attend both the God’s Plan class and the Engaged Encounter retreat.  These two formation programs should be attended in that order, and in the early months of a couple’s year of preparation.  If you would like print copies of the registration forms sent to you by postal mail, please contact the Office of Marriage & Family at aledoux@worcesterdiocese.org.

Below please find the annual Retirement Fund for Religious (RFFR) Letter from Bishop McManus to include in your bulletins. The text is also available on the website under Bulletin Letters and Inserts.