MOST HOLY TRINITY  CHURCH

SATURDAY EVENING (Sunday Vigil)
4:00H      Claire Dreissen and Comenico Carabetta  (Brzozowski and Dreissen Families)

SUNDAY     (The Third Sunday of Advent)
7:30H      Donald LaRose (The Buno and Verde Families)
9:00H      Domingos & Germana Garcia and Laura Monteiro (Maria Cruz)
10:30H      TricIa Coyle, Avery Frank, and Victims of Pan Am Flight #103 (Family)
12:00H      Marion Donovan (Barbara Shortell and  family)
 1:30H      Mass in Spanish

MONDAY   
8:30M      Anne Posluszny (Family)  

TUESDAY
8:30M      Frank, MildreD and Ralph Santillo
6:00M      Mass in Spanish

WEDNESDAY
8:30M      Joseph & Silverio Balzano (The Bruno and Verde Families)

THURSDAY
8:30M      Joao Crespo, Jr. (Tiffany Monteiro)  

FRIDAY
 8:30M      Laura Monteiro (Arthur Monteiro)

SATURDAY
 8:30M      Henriqueta Ferreira & Jose Ferreira (Family)

SATURDAY EVENING (Sunday Vigil)
4:00H      Elizabeth and Ray Drinkwine (Family)

SUNDAY     (The Fourth Sunday of Advent)
 7:30H      John & Claire Pikor (Sharon & Bob Cassello,  Daughter and Son-in-law)
 9:00H      Sallyann Greco (Mom, Dad, Brother, Sister and Families)
10:30H      Nicola Pititto and Gaetano Pititto, Sr. (Family)

PLEASE NOTE: THERE IS NO NOON MASS IN ENGLISH

 12:00H      Mass in Spanish

SUNDAY   (Christmas Eve-Vigil Mass of Christmas)
4:00H      (In the Church) For our Parish Family
4:00H      (In the Hall) For our Parish Family
5:30H      Mass for Children (CCD Christmas Pageant)  For the Intentions of our Parish Family
7:00H      The Vigil of Christmas in Spanish
9:30        Music of Christmas
10:00H      The Solemn Mass of Christmas For the Intentions of our Parish Family 

MONDAY    (Christmas Day-The Nativity of the Lord)
9:30H      For the Intentions of our Parish Family
11:30H    For the Intentions of our Parish Family

FOR THE GREATER HONOR AND GLORY OF GOD

The SANCTUARY LAMP burns this week in memory of James and Rose Laden at the request of their family.

 - FAITHFULLY DEPARTED – OUR SYMPATHY TO THE FAMILIES OF

Rose Anna Henninger, Ann B. Angelo, and Julia Boda

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord; Let Your perpetual light shine upon them forever. 

MASS AT REGENCY HOUSE will be celebrated on Monday, December 18, 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. 

SPECIAL EDUCATION CHRISTMAS PARTY will take place in the church hall on Monday, December 18, 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 great our guests. Anyone having any questions is asked to please call Ann Votto, coordinator, 265-6061. 

SUNDAY BIBLE SCHOOL will NOT be in session on Sunday, December 24 and Sunday, December 31^st.

II- Thomas Lee Sarno, Jr. and Cristina Maria Potvin

II- John Sienko, Jr. and Amy Beth Czerniewski 

YOUTH GROUP CHRISTMAS ROAD TRIP –DEADLINE TO SIGN-UP IS DECEMBER 18-All high school students (and their families) are welcome to join the parish youth group members for a special Christmas field trip to Massachusetts . The trip will be on Friday, December 29^th from 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM. The bus will depart form the church parking lot for Boston at 7:00 AM. After celebrating the daily Mass together at St. Clement’s Eucharistic Shrine near Fenway Park , you will be able to go out in different groups to enjoy the city of Boston . You can ice skate at Frog Pond in the Commons, shop ‘til you drop on Newberry Street, tour the historic sites on the Freedom Trail, enjoy a nice Italian meal in the North end, see the animals at the New England Aquarium, or any other number of interesting possibilities. At 4:30 PM, after spending the day in the city, we will board the bus to travel to the Shrine of Our Lady of LaSalette in Attleboro , MA where we will enjoy the beautiful lights on display and a Christmas concert. The bus will return to the church parking lot at 11:00 PM. Thanks to a subsidy from the youth group funds, the cost for the bus and Shrine admission is only $10 per person. Please note: this does not include food, admission to destinations in Boston , or entertainment options in the city. If you would like to attend, your permission slip and fee are due by December 18. Space is limited and will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Contact Fr. Jeff for more information at 269-8791. 

MANY THANKS ! We extend our sincere appreciation to the members of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Society for their generous gift to Holy Trinity. We thank the ladies for their continued support of our parish.

May God bless you! – Father Gary

“PREPARE THE WAY OF THE LORD” Peace on earth begins within our hearts. Reconciliation helps us to make room in our hearts to welcome the peace of the Newborn King, Jesus Christ. We welcome and encourage you to receive the SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION (Confession): MONDAY, DECEMBER 18
either AFTER 8:30 AM Mass or at 7:00 PM
NOTE: THIS WILL BE YOUR LAST OPPORTUNITY BEFORE CHRISTMAS !

LAST MINUTE SHOPPING ??? Don’t wait on saving time and money ! Entertainment Books can be conveniently purchased at the rectory during office hours, and can save you money throughout the year on restaurants, personal services, and entertainment. Books are being sold for the benefit of our parish school. Sponsored by the Holy Trinity Home and School Association, these books offer savings from local and national merchants. Cost for the New Haven book is $25 and the Hartford book is $30. Get yours while supplies last !- And thank you for your support!!!

HELP THROUGH THE HOLIDAYS FOR THE BEREAVED Our parish Bereavement Support Group meets on the Second and Fourth Wednesdays of each month at the Parish Center at 7:00 PM. The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, December 27. Anyone who feels they need help – especially during the holidays is encouraged to attend. Call Eva Colon, 294-9398, or Chick Kelman, 265-4546, our Support Group Coordinators, to introduce yourself and get more information about the Group. 

CHRISTMAS GREETINGS have been sent to everyone on our parish 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 this week. 

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.

 OUR SINCERE APPRECIATION is extended for the 2007 calendars annually presented to members of our parish family through the generosity of the Yalesville and Wallingford Funeral Homes. All parishioners are invited to pick one up after Mass.

CANDLELIGHT FESTIVAL OF LESSONS AND CAROLS
THIS SUNDAY, DECEMBER 17 5:00 PM
This year we will again have as our special guests members of the Branford Choir under the direction of our Tenor Soloist Kevin Buno, Jr. Last year they were received with much acclaim that we have invited them to join with our Adult Choir to sing again this year in our annual service of Lessons and Carols. Do plan to join us for this moving candlelight festival. The lessons and the music trace the story of God’s redemption from the prophecy of the Messiah to His birth as told in the familiar Gospel reading from John. Following the concert, the parish Hospitality Committee cordially invites you to enjoy some Christmas cheer and fellowship the Church Hall, as they treat you to coffee and their delicious holiday specialties from our Christmas kitchen. Please plan on attending with your family and friends and enjoy a relaxing hour of music, scripture, and festivity. 

MOUNT 2000: YOUTH RETREAT SCHEDULED FOR FEBRUARY 2007 –DEADLINE IS APPROACHING- The youth of the parish are invited to participate in our annual parish youth trip to Mount St. Mary’s Seminary and College in Emmitsburg , Maryland for “Mount 2007-Do Whatever He Tells You”. This inspirational, educational and popular retreat is designed especially for Grades 9 through 12 and up to those who are 33 years of age. The cost is $95 (non-refundable), which includes coach bus transportation to and from Maryland . We’ll be leaving from the Most Holy Trinity Church parking lot on February 2^nd and will return on February 4^th. Registration forms can be picked up at the rectory, and returned there with the $95 fee and signed permission slip. Spaces are filling up fast (spaces are limited because of the popularity of this retreat); there are only 55 passenger spaces available… don’t miss out!!! The due date is December 20.

NO PRE-BAPTISM CLASS IN THE MONTH OF DECEMBER – The next pre-baptism class for parents will be held on Tuesday, January 30 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. 

HOLY TRINITY SCHOOL FULL-DAY KINDERGARTEN for the 2007 -2008 school year. Our kindergarten program runs from 8:10 AM to 2:25 PM. Select openings also exist in Grades 1-7. Holy Trinity School offers children a quality, faith-filled education for a lifetime. For an application or to speak to the principal, kindly contact Sister Kathleen Kelly, RSM at 203-269-4476 or via e-mail at holy.trinity.school@snet.net. 

RETROUVAILLE OF CONNECTICUT – If your marriage has become troubled and stressed, unloving or uncaring, or cold and distant, even if you are divorced or separated but you want to try again, then the Retrouvaille program can help you. The next Retrouvaille Weekend will take place January 19 through 21, 2007. For more information please call our confidential number 1-800-470-2230 or email us at 3001@retrouvaille.org. 

WOMEN OF THE PARISH! COME AWAY FOR THE WEEKEND- Sign up now for our parish retreat at Our Lady of Calvary Retreat in Farmington , Connecticut on the weekend of February 9-11, 2007. “We Walk By Faith” is this year’s theme; ‘Come Away to the Quiet’. For information call parish member, Joan Morico at 269-0517.

A CHRISTMAS GIFT FOR MARRIED COUPLES- Couples… want to give each other something really special this Christmas? How about a gift filled with Romance and Excitement? That’s just the beginning of what you will receive on a Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend. The next weekend will be January 26-28, 2007. For more information about WME or to register for an upcoming weekend, please contact John & Bev Maley at 203-364-0836 or bikmaley@aol.com or visit www.wwme.org. 

NO BINGO FOR TWO WEEKS! – We thank you for your patronage and hope to see you again on Friday, January 5 ! Merry Christmas and have a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year !

There will be a Holy Trinity School Christmas Liturgy on Tuesday, December 19^th at 9:30 AM at the Church, immediately followed by the Future Musicians Concert. 

The first graders will hold a family prayer celebration on Wednesday, December 20^th at 8:30 AM. 

Thursday, December 21^st will be a free casual day for wearing red and/or green.3

Christmas Vacation begins Thursday,December 21^st at 2:25 PM. School will resume on Tuesday, January 2^nd.

“IN MEMORY OF”, ”IN HONOR OF” 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 s 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. Donation are accepted right up through Christmas.

THANK YOU! – I extend a sincere note of appreciation to the Trinity Ladies Club for their very generous donation to Most Holy Trinity Church . We thank the ladies for all their work in putting together the Annual Christmas Craft Fair. Thank you again ladies for all that you do Most Holy Trinity Parish.

- Father Gary