For the week of December 15 to 23

5:00PM CANDLELIGHT CONCERT OF LESSONS AND CAROLS (with refreshments afterward)

10:30H Salvatore Greco and daughter, Sally Ann Greco (Wife, Mom, Sal, Doreen and families)

“NEW DAY” / OUR PARISH BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT GROUP meets in December on Wednesday, December 19. The meeting begins at 7:00 PM at the Parish Center . If you are experiencing the loss of a loved one, who has passed away recently, or even years ago, please join us in prayer and consolation. Call Eva Colon 294-9398, Chick Kelman, 265-4546 or Lise Clavette, 238-7288 for more information about the group.

MASS AT REGENCY HOUSE will be celebrated on Monday, December 17, 10:00 AM. Volunteers who assist the residents to and from Mass are asked to please be at the home no later than 9:45 AM.

REMINDER REGARDING TAX LAW CHANGES THAT WERE MADE FOR 2007 – Beginning with contributions made in 2007, parishioners (those who itemize their tax returns) will no longer be able to deduct contributions to the parish unless they maintain a bank record or written contribution statement from the parish. If you wish to ensure deductibility of your contributions to the parish, please use a check, direct deposit from your bank account, or use your parish envelopes. The parish will track contributions made using parish envelopes, and will produce a written statement of contributions made during 2007 by the end of January 2008. Canceled checks and other bank records are also sufficient documentation. The parish cannot track cash contributions not in parish envelopes. Thank you for using your envelopes or checks.

IF YOU HAVE MOVED, PLEASE NOTIFY THE RECTORY SO WE CAN UPDATE OUR RECORDS! THANK YOU!

RETIREMENT FUND FOR RELIGIOUS The Second Collection this weekend will be for the Retirement Fund for Religious as part of the Archdiocesan-wide campaign to assist elderly women and men religious. More than 19,000 religious have less than 20 percent of the amount needed for projected costs of living and health care. The average Catholic sister, brother, or order priest remains in active ministry well past the age of 70. Your generosity is asked in helping the Retirement Fund for Religious campaign this year.

SPECIAL EDUCATION CHRISTMAS PARTY will be held in the church hall on Monday, December 17, 7:00-8:30 PM. Volunteers and students are reminded to please be in the hall no later than 6:30 PM to help set-up and to greet our guests. Anyone having any questions is asked to please call Ann Votto, coordinator, 265-6061.

NO BINGO – Due to the upcoming holiday season, bingo will not be played until next year… Friday, January 4, 2008. Thank you for supporting the Holy Trinity Home & School Association by playing bingo here. Have a blessed Christmas and Happy New Year with your parish, family, and friends! God bless you!

Give the gift of a great night out to someone you care for this holiday! Gift certificates available at the rectory for the…

Reminder: If paying monthly, having your payment in each month helps keep our records accurate, and keeps you eligible to be the monthly “Lucky-1” ! ! !

MOUNT 2000 RETREAT FOR YOUTH: “SEEK THE FACE OF CHRIST” FEBRUARY 8-10, 2008 Mount 2008 is a Eucharist-centered annual retreat hosted by Mount St. Mary’s Seminary, designed for high school and college-age Catholics. With the theme “Seek the Face of Christ, Mount 2008 will encourage participants to come to know Jesus as a friend, and to encounter His love and mercy in prayer, the Word of God, and the Holy Sacraments of the Catholic Church. The speakers for this year’s retreat include Father Peter Mitchell and Todd Lemieux. The cost is $99 (checks payable to Most Holy Trinity Church ), and the deadline to register is Friday, December 21. Registration and permission forms are available at the rectory office during office hours, Monday through Friday, 9AM to 4 PM. For more information on the retreat, please contact Father Jeff at 269-8791.

WINTER WARNING!!! We cannot stress enough the fact that during the winter months the north side (parking lot) entrance to the church can become extremely dangerous. This is due to the fact that the sun does not shine on that side of the church. FOR EVERYONE’S SAFETY we encourage you to enter through the front three entrances… and those of you who have difficulty walking … PLEASE USE THE ELEVATOR. We do our best to keep the stairs, walks and parking lots as safe as possible. But PLEASE understand that sometimes (depending on the time and severity of the storm) it is impossible to keep up with all of the stairways. Please do not assume or expect your “usual” or “favorite” entrance will be passable. We try to concentrate on the center door and elevator entrances and the walkways leading to them. Please head for these entrances when the weather is inclement. We ask that you not only be CAUTIOUS but PATIENT as well! Thank you.

The Christians In Action Committee would like to thank everyone for their generous response of food and turkeys and gifts for our Thanksgiving baskets and Giving Tree. With your help, 53 parish needy families can now have a wonderful dinner and have their pantry restocked with food; plus gifts under the Christmas tree. Thank you for helping make their holidays special at a time when help is needed.

There will be a Christmas Music Concert by the Holy Trinity students in the instrumental program on Tuesday, December 18th at 7:00 PM in the church hall.

The first graders will hold a family prayer celebration on December 19 at 8:30 AM.

Thursday, December 21 will be a free casual day for wearing read and/or green.

Christmas vacation begins Friday December 21 at 2:25 PM. School will resume on Wednesday, January 2nd.

IT’S YOUR LAST CHANCE AND THE AVAILABILITY IS LIMITED-SO DON’T WAIT! The Home and School Association is sponsoring this annual book sale, offering up to 50% off savings from local and national merchants. The New Haven Edition is $25 and the Hartford Edition is $30. Both are available at the rectory or at Holy Trinity School . Your ENTERTAINMENT BOOK will include a certificate for a free 2 week subscription to Entertainment On Vacation online.

THE ANNUAL CHILDREN'S CHRISTMAS PAGEANT Will be presented by Religious Education students at the 5:30 PM Christmas Eve Vigil Mass.

There will not be CCD classes from Saturday, December 22 through January 1, 2008. Religious Education classes will resume on Saturday, January 5th.

THE YOUTH GROUP The Dynamic Disciples (for junior high students) will meet in the Parish Center on Sunday, December 16th from 6:30 to 8:00 PM. The Youth Group (for high school students) will meet also on Sunday, December 16 in the Parish Center from 7-8:30 PM.

CREDO CATHOLIC SINGLES looks forward to see you on Sunday, January 6th. Join them at the 10:30 AM Mass at St. Christopher Church, East Hartford and/or in the church hall afterwards to help plan events for the April to September 2008 newsletter. All are welcome. Snow date is January 13th. Deadline for event submission is January 2008.

WORLDWIDE MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER ANNOUNCES ITS CONNECTICUT 2008 SCHEDULE. The dates are as follows: January 25-27; April 25-27; July 18-20, September 19-21 and November 7-9. Worldwide Marriage Encounter offers a weekend experience designed to give married couples the opportunity to improve their relationship. The weekend provides an environment for couples to spend time together, away from the distractions and tensions of everyday life, while encouraging them to focus on each other and their relationship. For more information about Worldwide Marriage Encounter or to register for an upcoming weekend, please contact Joe and Jane Staszowski at 1-860-644-7260 or meweekend@gmail.com or visit www.wwme.org.

HOLY TRINITY PARISH WOMEN’S RETREAT Ladies, everyone relies upon you to nurture and nourish them and their needs. It’s no wonder you feel tired and drained of your resources and your spirit. It’s time for you to put yourself on top of your “TO DO” List by registering for our parish women’s retreat. Forget the Calgon bath!... Experience a weekend filled with rest, relaxation, and spiritual renewal in the natural beauty and peaceful atmosphere of Our Lady of Calvary Retreat House in Farmington , during the weekend of February 8-10, 2008. The retreat’s theme is “Who Do You Say That I Am?”. For more information or to register call Joan Morico at 269-0517.

SS. PETER AND PAUL CHURCH CCD PRESENTS LESSONS AND CAROLS for the first time on Sunday, December 23 with a Christmas Concert at 5:30 PM by The Connecticut Trio under the direction of Ms. June Ingraham. The Trio consists of two violins and a cello, played by Ms. June Ingraham violin, Ms. Beth Pierce, violin, and Ms. Kathleen Monroe, cellist. Lessons and Carols begin at 6:00 PM. It consists of Scripture readings from the Old and New Testaments interspersed with English and Polish Christmas Carols sung by the children and congregation, accompanied by the Connecticut Trio with Mr. Louis Negri at the organ. Coffee and refreshments in the parish classrooms afterwards.

PRAYERS FOR SPECIAL INTENTIONS AND PRAYER AND PRAISE MINISTRY – Anyone having a special intention they wish prayed for, privately, is asked to place it in writing (anonymously) before the statue of Blessed Mother. Those who have had their prayers “answered” and wish to share the circumstances with the ministry are also asked to place them in writing (anonymously) before the statue of Blessed Mother. This ministry wishes to “praise the Lord” for His many blessings

CHRISTMAS GREETINGS have been sent to everyone on our mailing list from Father Gary, along with a complete schedule for Christmas. Those not on our mailing list may pick up a copy in the back of the church.

“IN MEMORY OF”/”IN HONOR OF” CHRISTMAS FLORAL ENVELOPES- “Christmas Memorial decorations” have been included with the parish weekly envelopes. Those who do not use the envelope system and would like to make a donation are asked to simply use a plain envelope and write “Floral Remembrances” on it: in addition to writing out who is making the donation and in whose memory. These donations offer everyone the opportunity to contribute towards the expense of flowers that adorn our altar during Christmas and throughout the Liturgical year. Donations are accepted right up through Christmas.

NO PRE-BAPTISM CLASS IN THE MONTH OF DECEMBER – The next pre-baptism class for parents will be held on Tuesday, January 29 at 7:00 PM in the Church Hall. First-time parents or soon-to-be parents, who are REGISTERED PARISHIONERS at Holy Trinity Church , are asked to sign-up for pre-baptism classes by calling the rectory at 269-8791. You will be sent a packet containing the Baptism registration form and other important information regarding baptizing your child here at Holy Trinity parish.

MASS PAYMENTS 2007 – This is a friendly reminder for those who requested a Mass intention in 2007- if you have not as yet paid for your scheduled Mass, you are kindly asked to do so either by sending your offering in the mail (clearly indicate when the Mass has been said) or by dropping it off at the Rectory Office. We thank you for your cooperation.

John wore clothing made of camel's hair and had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. At that time Jerusalem , all Judea, and the whole region around the Jordan were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the Jordan River as they acknowledged their sins. - Mt 3:4-6

On Sunday, December 16th, the Adult Choir of Most Holy Trinity Parish will present their 10th Annual Candlelight Festival of Lessons and Carols at 5:00 PM. This beautiful service of scripture and music traces the story of our disobedience in the Garden of Eden to the beautiful Gospel account of Our Lord’s Incarnation from St. John’s Gospel.The Festival will be held in the candlelit splendor of our magnificent Gothic church and is an opportunity to come away and rest and hear the beautiful music and readings of the season. Our choir has worked hard and long to prepare this program for the parish and this is a chance for you to show your support. Please bring your friends to experience the vibrant life and quality of our parish. The parish Hospitality Committee has also prepared a festive reception following the service. We hope to see you there!

“The Nativity Story”

Wednesday, December 26 at 6:30 PM

in the Most Holy Trinity Church Hall

This 2006 New Line Cinema version of The Nativity Story depicts a two-year period in the lives of Mary and Joseph, which culminates in their leaving Nazareth and journeying 100 miles to Bethlehem for the Birth of Jesus. Admission is free but we ask that you bring any leftover Christmas cookies to share. We will provide the popcorn and beverages. Please give us friendly “jingle” at the rectory so that we have a general idea on attendance, 269-8791, please, although it’s not a requirement to attend. For parental consideration: The presentation is approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes in length and was rated PG for some violent content.