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PARISH OF THE RESURRECTIONOF THE LORDDECEMBER 12, 2021THIRD SUNDAYOF ADVENTMASS SCHEDULEWeekday MassMonday:6:00 p.m. - St. Ann, BradleyTuesday, Wednesday, & Friday8:00 a.m. - Holy Family, Old TownTuesday8:00 p.m. - Our Lady of Wisdom,OronoWeekend MassSaturday:4:00 p.m. - Holy Family, Old Town5:30 p.m. - St. Ann, PenobscotNationSunday:8:00 a.m. - Holy Family, Old Town9:30 a.m. - St. Ann, Bradley11:00 a.m. - Our Lady of Wisdom,Orono6:15 p.m. - Our Lady of Wisdom,OronoPARISH OFFICE429 Main St. Old Town, ME 04468Phone: 207-827-4000Email: resurrectionparish@portlanddioccese.orgWebsite: www.resurrectionofthelord.orgOnline fice Hours:Mon.-Fri. 8:30a.m. - 12:30p.m. & 1:30p.m. - 3:00p.m.ClergyFr. Kyle Doustou, PastorFr. Apolinary Kavishe, Parochial VicarPARISH MISSION STATEMENT"Rooted in the teachings of Jesus Christ,guided by the Holy Spirit,, andstrengthened by the Eucharist, we arecalled to invite all people into a deeperrelationship with God and one another.

The Pastor's CornerI have to begin this week with some words of gratitude. The last several weeks have seen a lot of volunteer andministry activity in our parish, so much of which goes unseen and yet is done so joyfully and sacrificially. Thishelps us to thrive and stay on mission as a parish community. I think back throughout November up to today,and the sheer amount that has gone on is baffling. The Tootsie Roll Drive, the Red Sleigh Bazaar, the TurkeyDinner, and the Thanksgiving Pie sale all standout for starters, and then – most recently – the tremendous ShoeSale and Ladies of St. Ann Christmas Fair from this past weekend. The amount of work, care, faith, and lovethat has gone into all of this is absolutely astounding. Add to that all the regular and ongoing work of theKnights, the Daughters, and the Ladies; the massive work it takes to make the Thrift Shop, the Food Pantry,the Community Suppers, and the Funeral Luncheons possible; the tireless dedication of our staff and campus ministry team;the full and truly sacrificial involvement of our college students in the life and mission of our parish; the hours and hours of workthat happens within music ministry, faith formation, youth ministry, young adult ministry, liturgical ministry, and homeboundministry; the hard work of all of our Councils and Commissions, and Committees; and the list just keeps going on and on. I kneelbefore God in both amazement and gratitude as I look at all that is happening here. God’s grace is at work in some very concreteways!My friends, do you realize how much of a gift this parish is? Not just to me, although it is, but to you and to this community!Together – in the midst of so much hustle and bustle – we are proclaiming the glory of God, celebrating the Sacraments, caringfor the poor and the sick, lifting up the lowly, educating and forming the next generation, and living the joy of the Gospel! And weare doing so tremendously well, even with the ongoing problems of the pandemic. Just look at the fruit! Vocations are burstingup from our midst – priesthood, religious, and marriage! – and God is blessing us with the resources we need to finish ourcapital campaign and so prepare for our future. Now don’t get me wrong, there are many areas where we can continue to growand develop (and we will, believe you me!) but we need to rejoice and celebrate what we have done and what we are doing!I am grateful to you all – the workers, the pray-ers, the financial supporters, and the faithful of this community – who togethermake Holy Family, Our Lady of Wisdom, and both St. Ann’s the vibrant Parish of the Resurrection of the Lord that we are. As welook forward to Christmas, we have much to celebrate. I raise my glass to you in thanksgiving, and ask that you raise yourglasses to each other and do the same. And may we all keep our eyes focused on the glory and love of God, in which we live,move, and have our being.In other news, this is an important week of prayer for us. Please look at all of the times available for Adoration, Confession, andMass this week – every single day! Take advantage of this, and let God fill you up as you have filled up this community. God blessyou abundantly and I’ll see you this week – you’ll know where to find me!Pax,Fr. KyleGospel Meditation“From silly devotions and sour-faced saints, good Lord, deliver us!" St. Teresa of AvilaWe’ve all heard the adage, “Laughter is the best medicine.” In many ways, it really is. When was the last time you really laughed?The gift of imagination allows us to see possible things that are yet to be. Imagine a world filled with laughter. We take life tooseriously sometimes. Fear, uncertainty, pressure, negativity, disappointment, and myriad other human experiences can rob us ofthe joy needed for laughter. God never promised us an easy road, and we do have to take the course of our lives seriously. However,there is a balance to be sought and a possible joy that can be brought even to the darkest and most challenging of encounters.St. Therese of Lisieux reminds us that, “Joy is not found in the material objects surrounding us but in the inner recesses of thesoul. One can possess joy in a prison cell as well as in a palace.” Falling in love with God, who is present in all of creation, allows usto bring a depth of understanding to everything we do and experience. We can more easily see above and beyond things whilepursuing the only One who can truly satisfy our hearts. When we realize that God, the king of Israel, is in our midst and with us,there is no further misfortune to fear. We can celebrate the wonder and beauty of God’s gift of joy. It is no wonder that many saintsradiate joy and have no reservations expressing laughter. They are happy because they have found a pearl of great price.We celebrate with joy today with hearts filled with expectation, wonder, awe, and beauty as we ready ourselves, even moreexcitedly, for the coming of our Savior. Do not fear and do not be discouraged. If you haven’t laughed in a while, why? Something ispreventing you from expressing the magnificence of your soul and the presence of God who dwells within. God’s power andpresence within us assures us that we are loved and kept in that presence. What more is really needed? Rejoice and laugh in thepresence of God! It really is the best medicine and a most perfect way to convince others that God is really with us. “Go ahead,laugh! Live your life with joy and serve the Lord with laughter! Joy, with peace, is the sister of charity. Serve the Lord withlaughter.” (St. Padre Pio of Pietrelcina)

Light is On For You ConfessionsOur Parish will be offering six opportunities forconfession:Monday, 12/13 - 6:30-8 pm at St. Ann, BradleyTuesday, 12/14 - 6:30-8 pm at Our Lady of Wisdom, OronoWednesday, 12/15 - 8:30-10 am at Holy Family, Old TownThursday, 12/16 - 8:30-10 am at Holy Family, Old TownFriday, 12/17 - 8:30-10 am at Holy Family, Old TownSaturday, 12/18 - 2-3:45 pm at Holy Family, Old TownFamily Activity for AdventMake a homemade card and think of someone you're gratefulfor. Write them a letter of gratitude and put it in their stockingfor them to open on Christmas day. Consider donating warmclothes as well this week.Free Community SupperFriday, December 17th, 5:00 pmParish Hall, Holy Family, Old TownThe menu will be Baked Beans, Coleslaw, Ham, Biscuits, &Dessert.Christmas Mass ScheduleOur Parish will have 5 opportunities to celebrate thisHoly Day of Obligation:Friday, December 24th4 pm - Holy Family, Old Town6 pm - St. Ann, Bradley7 pm - Our Lady of Wisdom, OronoFamily Movie NightsStarting in January 2022 the Church and Family LifeCommission will be presenting a movie feature once amonth starting in January and ending in April. The moviewill be free for families and friends to attend along with freepopcorn, punch and candy. You may also bring your ownpreferred snack. The movies will be shown in the HolyFamily Hall on the second Friday of the month at 6:30 pm.All attending children need to be accompanied by an adult.Keep watch for informational posters at each church andnotices in the bulletin of what movies will be premiered. Itwill be a great way for the whole family to have a night outtogether during the cold dark winter months.Job OpeningThe Parish of the Resurrection of the Lord in Old Townseeks a part-time (19hrs) Administrative Assistant tofacilitate an atmosphere of hospitality in the parishoffice, act as the first face parishioners and guests willencounter when coming to the church, fulfill basicsecretarial functions required of the parish office, andassist their fellow employees in secretarial needs. Theywill also oversee various office functions, social mediaposts, and sacramental record keeping. M-F (withflexibility). Email resume to kyle.doustou@portlanddiocese.orgCORDA Candle Shipping DelayDue to a shipping delay, the candles should be available forpick-up after Masses this weekend (the weekend of 12/11-12).If you will be at a different Mass than when you placed yourorder by cash or check, please contactaudrey. aylmer@maine.edu.Saturday, December 25th12 am - Holy Family, Old Town9 am - St. Ann, Penobscot NationHymnal Fundraising UpdateWe are currently at 485/600 hymnals with dedications! (as ofDecember 6).This is 81% of our total goal.Per church we have:282/300 in Holy Family77/150 in Our Lady of Wisdom86/100 in St. Ann's (Bradley)34/50 in St. Ann's (Penobscot Nation)Space is filling up, so make sure to get your donations in!RCIAThis week's RCIA discussion will be onSunday 12/12 from 5-6pm at Our Lady ofWisdom Newman Center (83 College Ave.Orono). We'll talk about Catholic SocialTeaching: Rights and Responsibilities.Live the Liturgy - Inspiration for the WeekShout for joy! When was the last time you ever felt like doingthat? Fear, uncertainty, pressure, negativity, disappointment,and myriad other human experiences can rob us of joy. We cannever predict what life will bring. As unsettling as that canoften seem, life’s unpredictability is also the very thing thatallows it to be exciting and adventuresome! We know that lifecan be difficult, and it is unrealistic to expect it to beotherwise. God never promised an easy road. But, when aperson truly falls in love with God and discovers thepeacefulness and assurance of God’s presence, then a depthof understanding will be brought to everything they do andexperience. Nothing will be able to rob them of joy! When werealize that God, the King of Israel, is in our midst and with us,there is no further misfortune to fear. We celebrate the beautyand wonder of God’s gift of joy today as we ready ourselves,even more excitedly, for the coming of our Savior. Do not fearand do not be discouraged. There is a power and presencewithin us, our God, who has made us, who loves us and whowill keep us. What more do we need? Rejoice!