Bulletin Announcement
Evangelizing Friends and Relatives at Christmas:
Some Practical Suggestions
We all have family members, friends and neighbors who have become distant from Jesus Christ and the Church. We want to invite them to return but often don’t feel comfortable doing so, or fear offending them. Here are some simple suggestions to use during the seasons of Advent and Christmas:
Bulletin Entries:
Evangelizing Friends and Relatives at Christmas:
During Final Days of Advent: Pray and Invite
Pray! Pray! Pray! Start praying now for those you hope will return to Christ and the Church. Ask the Holy Spirit to give you the courage to invite family or friends to attend Mass with you. Many people are simply waiting for such an invitation! When you do invite, be sensitive to the way you extend the invitation–extend it as one that genuinely cares for them and longs for them to become full members of the community. For example, say, “Our family is planning to attend the 4:00 o’clock vigil Mass at St. Mary’s; would you [and your family] like to join us?”
Evangelizing Friends and Relatives at Christmas:
At Christmas Mass: Smile and Move In
Christmas is the celebration of the great mystery of the Incarnation–the gift of God becoming man! When you encounter those who may not be “regulars,” smile – be a model of joy! Another sign of welcoming is to move to the center of the pew so that others may easily find a place to sit down for the celebration of Mass. Go even further by inviting people searching for seats to join you in the pew!
Evangelizing Friends and Relatives at Christmas: After Christmas:
Gather and Celebrate
Many people find themselves away from home or perhaps struggling through difficult family situations during Christmas. Invite them to join you for your traditional Christmas celebrations where appropriate. Continue celebrating throughout the Christmas season by sharing in family and parish gatherings! It is a common custom to keep Christmas lights on until the celebration of the Magi’s arrival before the Infant Lord on January 6th–called the “Epiphany,” or “Little Christmas.” This is also a way of observing the “Twelve Days of Christmas.” Remember that your witness may well inspire a deepening sense of God’s love and invitation.
Samuel Circles for Men Discerning Religious LifeA coalition of Men’s Religious Communities serving in the Archdiocese of Boston will host The Samuel Circles, evening gatherings each month for young single men who are looking into the possibility of joining a Religious Community. The next Samuel Circle will take place at The Assumptionist Center, 330 Market Street, Brighton on December 23rd from 7:00pm to 9:00. The name for these gatherings is takenfrom the story of the call of the prophet Samuel who heard his name called from God as a young man and was aided by the prophet Eli. For more information go to or call Fr. Rocco at 508 429 2144. Don’t come alone. Bring a friend. The next Samuel Circle will be January 27, 2015. This initiative is one way to celebrate year of Consecrated Life!!
New Year’s Eve Prayer Vigil with Cardinal SeánJoin Cardinal Seán in ringing in the New Year with a candle lit prayer vigil featuring reflections on the luminous mysteries of the rosary from Fr. Peter Grover, holy Mass celebrated by Cardinal Seán, and a New Year’s party after! On December 31st at St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine in Boston. The prayer vigil will begin at 10:00pm, Mass will begin at 11:30pm, the party will follow the conclusion of Mass. For more information please contact Mike Drahos at .
National March for LifeJoin Cardinal Seán and the Archdiocesan contingent on the annual March for Life. This powerful pilgrimage experience now offers four distinct tracks: Middle School, High School, College/Young Adult and Family. For more information please visit: or contact Ann Gennaro at
Clergy Health and Retirement Trust Christmas Collection 2014December 20/21, 2014
Every Christmas, Catholics across the Archdiocese of Boston join together to honor and thank our priests. Your gift to the Clergy Health and Retirement Trust helps to ensure the highest quality of care and quality of life programs that provide for the health and well-being of our 628 active and senior priests. Remember priests such as [INSERT YOUR PASTOR/ SENIOR PRIEST NAME(S) HERE] who have made a meaningful difference in your life, and consider honoring him/them with a generous gift to the Christmas collection. Our priests have been there for us in our times of need. Now it is our turn to care for them when they need us. All are welcome to make a gift online at or use the in-pew envelopes that will be provided. Thank you in advance for your prayers and generous support of our priests.
Christmas Eve/Christmas Day
This Christmas, we are joined together with family and friends to honor and thank our priests. Our 628 diocesan priests celebrate our joys, comfort us in times of crisis or sorrow, and are there during the ordinary and extraordinary moments of life. Together, they represent thousands of years of dedicated service to Christ and to us—His Church. Remember priests such as [INSERT YOUR PASTOR/ SENIOR PRIEST NAME(S) HERE] who have made a meaningful difference in your life, and consider honoring him/them with a generous gift to the collection this Christmas. Our priests have dedicated their lives to serving the Catholic faithful here in the Archdiocese of Boston. Now, it is our turn to serve them in their time of need. Thank you for your prayers and generous support of our priests.
December 27/28, 2014
The Christmas collection for the Clergy Health and Retirement Trust supported our priests. Thanks to your support, our parish raised <Amount> for the Clergy Health and Retirement Trust in honor of [PASTOR NAME and] the 628 active and senior priests who serve the Catholic faithful in our Archdiocese of Boston. Our parish contribution will have a significant impact on the quality of life programs we are able to provide for our priests in the New Year and beyond. If you were out of town this Christmas or did not have the opportunity to participate and you wish to make a gift, please visit . On behalf of all Boston’s priests, thank you for your prayers and generous support of the Clergy Health and Retirement Trust.
Prayer of the Faithful
Christmas Eve/Christmas DayDecember 24/25, 2014
Prayer of the Faithful:
At Christmas, we remember the priests who make it possible for us to celebrate our Catholic faith—we pray that God will continue to guide and protect them in their daily ministry, and bestow His abundant blessings on all who care for them, we pray to the Lord.
We also remember in a special way our priests of the Archdiocese of Boston who have gone home to the Lord this past year. May our good and loving God grant them an eternal resting place in Heaven, we pray to the Lord.
Mass Announcements
December 13/14, 2014
This Christmas, we will once again be offering our collection to support the clergy of our Archdiocese. The mission of the Clergy Health and Retirement Trust is to ensure the highest quality care and quality of life for our 628 Boston priests, especially when age or health dictates. Remember the priests who have made a difference in your life, and consider honoring them with a gift that helps care for them in their time of need, just as they have cared for us when we needed them. Thank you in advance for helping to ensure the continuing care for all of our priests who give so much to our Church.
December 20/21, 2014
This Christmas, our collection will once again benefit the Clergy Health and Retirement Trust. This important fund ensures that our priests will be cared for and supported throughout their lives. Remember priests such as [INSERT YOUR PASTOR/ SENIOR PRIEST NAME(S) HERE] who have made a meaningful difference in your life, and consider honoring him/them with a generous gift to the Christmas collection. Thank you in advance for your prayers and generous support of our priests.
Christmas Eve/Christmas Day
This Christmas, we are joined together with family and friends to honor and thank our priests. Our 628 diocesan priests celebrate our joys, comfort us in times of crisis or sorrow, and are there during the ordinary and extraordinary moments of life. Together, they represent thousands of years of dedicated service to Christ and to us—His Church. Remember priests such as [INSERT YOUR PASTOR/ SENIOR PRIEST NAME(S) HERE] who have made a meaningful difference in your life, and consider honoring him/them with a generous gift to the collection this Christmas. Our priests have dedicated their lives to serving the Catholic faithful here in the Archdiocese of Boston. Now, it is our turn to fulfill the promises made to care for them in their time of need. Thank you for your prayers and generous support of our priests.
December 27/28, 2014
The Christmas collection was for the Clergy Health and Retirement Trust which supports the health and well-being of the 628 active and senior priests in our Archdiocese. Thanks to your support, our parish raised <Amount> for the Clergy Health and Retirement Trust in honor of [PASTOR NAME and] the 628 active and senior priests who serve the Catholic faithful in our Archdiocese of Boston. Our parish contribution will have a significant impact on the programs we are able
to provide for our priests in the New Year and beyond. If you were out of town this Christmas or did not have the opportunity to participate and you wish to make a gift, please visit . On behalf of the priests of our Archdiocese, thank you for your prayers and generous support of the Clergy Health and Retirement Trust.
For bulletin announcements related to the Special Collection, please see
BostonCatholic.org > Search for “Special Collection”