ST. THOMAS BECKET PARISH center of unbroken praise 435 North Brooksvale Rd., Cheshire, CT 06410 Rev. Eugene J. Charman, Pastor, frgene@snet.net Rectory address: 511 Sharon Dr. Rectory Phone: (203) 272-3324 Parish Office: (203) 272-5777 Parish Fax: (203) 271-9210 Parish E-Mail : stboffice1@snet.net

Parish Secretary, Mrs. Margaret Irving, 203-272-5777; e-mail: stboffice1@snet.net
Coordinator of Religious Formation, Phyllis Provost McNeil, 203-272-5777 ; e-mail: stb-dre@snet.net
Web Site: http://www.stthomasbecket.org
Masses: Saturday Vigil - 4:00 P.M. (EST) Sunday - 8:00, 9:30, 11:00AM
Weekdays: 9:00 AM (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday); Holy Days: as announced.
Confessions: Saturday, 3:00 – 3:30 PM (EST)
Rosary - Monday at 7:00 PM, daily after the 9:00 AM Mass, and before the Saturday Vigil Mass.

Holy Family, December 28, 2008

Announced Masses:

AREA MASS SCHEDULE
St. Bridget - Daily (M-F) 7:00 AM, Sat. 9:00 AM, Sat. Vigil 4:30 PM, Sun. 7:30, 9:00 & 11:00 AM
Epiphany - Daily (M,T,W,F) 8:30 AM, Sat. Vigil 4:00 PM, Sun. 8:30 & 10:30 AM
O.L. Mt. Carmel - (M-F) 7:30 & 9:00 AM, Sat. 8:00 AM, Sat. Vigil 5:00 PM, Sun. 8:00, 10:00 , 11:30 AM
O.L. Fatima, Yalesville (M,T, W) 8:00 AM, Sat. Vigil 4:00 PM, Sun. 8:30 & 10:30 AM

Financial Report. Offertory: $5,034 Christmas Donation: $200 Christmas Food Drive: Over $1200 plus much food. Memorial Donations (i.m.o. Vin Cronan & Carmel Antinolfi): $2,135. This donation will be used for an emergency defibrillator for the parish. More on that after New Year's. Thank you for your generosity to our parish and its good works.

Religious Formation . No Classes this week – classes resume the week of January 5^th. Special thanks this week go to the 6^th graders for teaching the students in the Saturday Program all about the Jesse Tree.

Holyday / New Years Thursday, January 1, 2009. Vigil Mass at 4:00 PM Wednesday and Mass on Thursday at 9:00 AM.

Thank You. Much effort went into our Christmas celebrations. We have many people to be proud of who work behind the scenes. The music ministry and decorating committees were exceptional. A special thanks also to Michael Arisco for all our beautiful poinsettias.

Envelopes in Vestibule. Envelopes for 2009 are now available in the vestibule. They are in alphabetical order by last name. If you have not already picked up your envelopes please do so before you leave church today.

Golden Age Social . Because of the snow storm last weekend the Christmas social has been combined with the New Year's social on Jan. 4^th in the Parish Center from 12:30 to 2:30 PM.

Pilgrimage for Life in Washington, D. C. Come join members of St. Thomas Becket Church and the Archdiocese of Hartford in the 36^th Annual March for Life: January 21-22, 2009. For questions contact Ron & Noreen Pearsall 272-8661.

Prayer Shawl Ministry will meet on Friday, Jan. 4^th at 10:00 AM in the Parish Center.

St. Bridget School Open House. St. Bridget Catholic Elementary School offers students a faith-based, challenging curriculum designed to promote academic excellence in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. In addition to a challenging curriculum, they offer many extracurricular activities and a before and after school care program. St. Bridget School is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. They invite you to join them for an Open House on January 25, 2009 in their Parish Center following the 9:00 AM Mass. For additional information, contact the Admissions Director at 203-272-5860.

Thank You Note. We have received the following thank you note from St.Rose Women's Guild in Meriden; “St. Rose Women's Guild cannot thank you and your parishioners enough for the overwhelming amount of gifts and toys you provided to us. These gifts have been divided among Battered Women, Birth Right, and the children of St. Rose Parish. Our heartfelt Thank you all! for your generosity”.

Epiphany. Next Sunday, January 4^th is the Feast of the Epiphany, the appearance of Jesus to the Gentiles represented by the Magi. It is also the traditional time for gift-giving. Make sure you close the Christmas season with one more gift to someone in memory of the gold, frankincense and myrrh given to Jesus. It is also the time for blessing of homes. Envelopes with chalk, incense and prayer of blessing will be available at all Masses next weekend.

Family Perspective. Holy Family Sunday is not just about Jesus, Mary and Joseph. Your family too is called to be a “sign” to the world of a way of life modeled after the Holy Family. Like Mary and Joseph, you will be “a sign opposed” by others. For being different a “sword will pierce your heart”. If we are doing it right, pain and Christianity go together!

"May the Peace of the Christ Child be with you this New Year and always.”