St.

Anthony Shrine
& Ministry Center
100 Arch Street, Boston, MA 02110
Telephone: 617-542-6440 Prayer Request Line: 617-553-4100 The Good Word: 617-542-0502

VISIT US ONLINE AT: www.stanthonyshrine.org

Saturday, November 28th Friday, December 4th

Welcome to our St. Anthony Shrine Community. All are welcome here. No one is excluded. Please take this bulletin
home with you as well as the many brochures in our lobby that advertise the programs and services of the Shrine.
Information is also available on our website: www.stanthonyshrine.org
Thank you for being with us today.

The First Sunday of Advent

November 29, 2015
Greetings of peace!
This Sunday begins the new liturgical year of the Catholic Church. We begin with the liturgical season of
Advent, which directs our hearts and minds to Christs second coming at the end of time and also to the
anniversary of the Lords birth on Christmas. Lets support one another as we enter into this holy season,
being careful not to get too caught up in the accompanying commercialism that our culture seems to
highlight. Feel free to be Catholic by reminding people that this is the season of Advent! The Christmas
season in the Catholic liturgical calendar doesnt begin until the evening of December 24.
Giving Tuesday is a global day of philanthropy. This year it falls on December 1 and the Shrines goal is to
raise $50,000 in that one day. A very generous anonymous donor has come forward and promises to give us
another $50,000 if we reach our $50,000 goal on Giving Tuesday. Please help the Shrine take advantage of
this generous offer. The Shrine continues to have many financial challenges, so we friars certainly
appreciate your generosity.
Did you know that the Shrine has an app for your phone? It has a lot of helpful information such as Mass
times, confession times, presiding priest schedules, and confessor schedules. So if youre trying to avoid a
particular priest (like me, for example), its much easier to do with the app. You can also find out when your
favorite priest is presiding at Mass and hearing confessions.
We want to express a big thank-you to Nancy Nichols Kearns who is doing a terrific job with our new
Spiritual Direction Training Program. This is a two-year program, which teaches people how to be spiritual
companions to other people. The first semesters theme is Understanding our Spiritual Selves. There are
currently 13 women and 2 men enrolled in the program. Nancy has several team members (including Fr.
Barry) and outside presenters helping her to teach the class. We are thrilled that this program is successful
and running so smoothly. The next cohort begins in September of 2017, so you have plenty of time to decide
whether this might be for you. Thank you, Nancy and the team!
Lets pray for peace in the world. May you and your family have a holy season of Advent.
May God be with you during the coming week.
Fr. Thomas Conway, OFM
Executive Director
The Year of Mercy has b een proclaimed by Pope Francis and begins on
December 8, 2015, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception.

We invite you to a series of special prayer services here at the Shrine on

Fridays, beginning December 11.

Each prayer service will be in the 1 st floor church from

12:10pm to 12:30pm.

Discover the richness of God's mercy through the Corporal and Spiritual works
of mercy. This prayer service is for you, please feel free to attend.

The fifth annual CANDLELIGHT SERVICE OF REMEMBRANCE...Never to be Forgotten,

will be held on Saturday, December 12, 2015, at 6:45 pm in the Second Floor Church. This
service if for all who are mourning the loss of a family member or friend as we enter into the
Christmas season. ALL ARE WELCOME to join us in prayer for this special service.

CHRISTMAS MASS SCHEDULE 2015

Christmas Eve Vigil Masses: Thursday, December 24

4:00 PM, 4:15 PM (1st Floor Church), 5:30 PM, and 10:00 PM

Christmas Day Masses: Friday, December 25

6:00 AM, 7:30 AM, 9:00 AM, 10:00 AM, 11:15 AM and 12:30 PM

Music Masses with The Arch Street Band.

The Shrine closes at 2:00 PM on Christmas Day.

There are no confessions on Christmas Day.

Lighting of the Christmas Crche

Come to the Stable

A Meditation on the Christmas Crche

Join us for a blessing and songs as we officially

light our 1st floor Nativity Scene.

with Br. Tony LoGalbo, OFM

Saturday, December 19th

Sunday, December 6th

Time: 11:00 am
Location: 1st Floor Church

Time: 6:30 pm
Location: 1st Floor Church

Just a couple of days until #Giving Tuesday! Next Tuesday, December 1 is the big day of global
philanthropy. Won't you help us reach our $50,000 goal? Remember every gift you make will be doubled if we
reach our goal. A very generous and anonymous donor will give us (match!) $50,000 if we make it. Imagine,
$100,000 for 100 Arch Street in one day! Please give what you can and pray we reach our goal. Thank you!

Seniors at Arch Street

Annual Bus Trip to LaSalette Shrine, Attleboro, MA.

Wednesday, December 9, 2015

11:00am 6:30pm
Price: $35 per person (Bus & Lunch Included)

Tonys Travelers
A Visit to LaSalette Shrine!

Sunday, December 13, 2015

9:00am 8:00pm
Price: $50 per person (Bus & Sunday Brunch Included)

For more information please contact Fr. Barry

at 617-542-6440 ext. 241

UPCOMING EVENTS
Bible Study: 2nd & 4th Sunday, after 10am Mass in the 2nd
floor classroom. Begins on December 13.

The Advent Season: A Time of Longing & Excitement

A presentation for young adults w ith Fr. Emeric Meier on
Tuesday, December 1st. 6-7pm in the 4th floor Clare Room.

Get a special 20% Shrine discount for the 13th Annual Christmas
Celtic Sojourn, presented by WGBH on Sunday, December 13th at
1pm at the Majestic Theatre. See flier in the lobby for details.

St. Anthony Shrine & Ministry Center

REGULAR EVENTS

Mass and Confession schedules can be found online at

www.stanthonyshrine.org and on cards in the first floor lobby.

Monday
A.A. 12 Step Meeting/12 Traditions Meeting (closed) 5:45 p.m.

Tuesday
Seniors Craft Group 10:30 a.m.
A.A. Discussion Meeting (Open Meeting) Noon

Wednesday
Remembrance Day for Deceased (3rd Wed.) All Masses
Anointing of the Sick - Mass (2nd Wed.) 11:45 a.m.
Womens Spiritual Refl. Group (2nd & 4th Wed) 12:30 p.m.
Grupo Hispano de Oracion 4:00 p.m.
Mass in Spanish 5:15 p.m.
A.A. Discussion Meeting (Closed Meeting) 5:45 p.m.
Bread on The Common (2nd & 4th Wed.) 5:45 p.m.

Thursday
S.L.A.A Meeting Noon
Rosary Prayer Group 12:30 p.m.
Mens Spirituality Group (2nd and 4th Thurs.*) 5:00 p.m.

The Weekly Examen

The weekly Examen prayer group continues to meet

EVERY FRIDAY at 6:15 pm, in the second floor classroom.
The Examen is a 15-minute prayer to help you pause, reflect and
take a deeper look at your day.
For more info, please contact Br. John Aherne at ext 236.

"D o n't Be a M ess -- M a na g e Y o ur S tress!"

A presentation by Erin Murphy, LICSW
This event is being sponsored by the 20s/30s Young Adults
Group, but it is open to everyone. All ages are welcome!

*Please note: I n December the Mens Spirituality will meet on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays.

A.A Big Book Meeting 5:45 p.m.

Saturday
Secular Franciscans Formation (2nd Sat.) 10:30 a.m.
Centering Prayer Group (1st & 4th Sat.) Noon
Vietnamese Secular Franciscans (2nd Sat.) 1:00 p.m.
Secular Franciscans Fraternity Meeting (2nd Sat.) 1:00 p.m.

Sunday
Emmaus Ministry Prayer/Discussion (1st Sun.) 11:00 a.m.
Healing Service (2nd Sun.) 1:30 p.m.
Hispanic Secular Franciscans (1st Sun.) 3:00 p.m.

Preparing the Way of the Lord: An A dvent Evening of Reflection
Given by Christina Leao on Thursday, December 10th from 6-7pm
in the 4th Floor Clare Room. All are welcome to experience a quiet,
meditative evening, as we anticipate the coming of Christ.

Christmas CDs of The Arch Street Band:

Songs of Expectation & Celebration are on
sale now ($15). These make a perfect
stocking stuffer.

Also available: Our Christmas Novena of
Masses cards ($10).

These items can be purchased online or at
the Front Desk or by calling 617-542-6440
x 250. Mass Cards and CDs also can be
mailed to you.

Second Collection November 28 & 29

The 2nd collection Nov 28 & 29 will go to support

The Arch Street Band

Emmaus Ministry

Please visit Br. Sebastians hand-made leather

goods shop. Open Sundays from 9am to 1:30pm
in the 1st Floor Lobby.

Upcoming Spiritual Retreats at St. Anthony Shrine

SENIORS PROGRAM
December Calendar

One-hour Brown Bag Retreats (12:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m.)

Tuesday, February 23: How did I go on after this tragedy?
Monday, March 14: Where is my child?

One-day Retreat
Saturday, February 13

Wednesdays
10:00 am Mass
10:30 am Light exercise/stretching
11:00 am Activity or Presentation
12:00 Noon Lunch

For more information: www.emfgp.org

Dec 2nd Advent Presentation by Patricia Fazzone

Dec 9th Trip to LaSalette Shrine (return 6:30pm)
Dec 16th Christmas Craft Project
Dec 23rd Christmas Carol Sing Along
Dec 30th New Years Traditions & Resolutions

Only a Few Remain Available!

MEMORIAL CANDLES Honor your deceased
Loved One with this wonderful, loving tribute.
Your beautiful white beeswax candle at the
Shrine will burn brightly, steadfastly, and
continuously 24/7 for an entire year. For more
information, see the Front Desk or call Diane at
617-542-8057.