What is Your Favorite Christmas Carol?

Recently, Cheryl Duerr, our Music Director, asked me what my favorite Christmas Carol was. I told her it was “What Child Is This? There is something about the blending of its words and the English folk melody Greensleeves that I find beautiful. I find it so easy to sing. It is described as soulful and haunting. I like that the words come from the perspective of the shepherds too.

The carol is based on the poem “The Manger Throne” by William Chatterton Dix, who wrote the lyrics in 1865 while recovering from a severe illness. This near-death experience caused him to have a religious awakening. Dix is also known for another Christmas Carol, “As With Gladness Men of Old,” and the Easter Hymn “Alleluia! Sing to Jesus!” The song was part of the 19th Century revival of Christmas Carols in England.

What is your favorite Christmas Carol? Do you know the story behind its composition? Please let me know? Send the Parish Office an email or drop us a note telling us your favorite and why you love it. I want to report back some of your responses in the bulletin.

Maybe you would like to compose your own Christmas Carol. Pope Francis is hosting a competition encouraging young people to write new carols inspired by Christmas and its values. In his statement announcing the contest, Francis quoted his predecessor Pope Paul VI, “This world in which we live needs beauty so as not to fall into despair.” We certainly do! Maybe a part of that will be a new revival for Christmas Carols.

View from the Cloister

The Cultural Center of Cape Cod is sponsoring an art exhibit, View from the Cloister: Art from the Trappist Monks of St. Joseph’s Abbey, Spencer, MA, at the Cultural Center of Cape Cod 307 Old Main Street, S. Yarmouth, MA. The exhibit is running through December 18, 2021. There is no admission fee. Those not yet vaccinated for COVID 19 are required to wear masks. For more information, call the center at 508-394-7100 or visit their website www.culturalcenter.org.

Janet Holden Marian Medal Recipient

Each year the Diocese of Fall River awards its service award, the Marian Medal, to a worthy parishioner from each parish. This year’s recipient for Holy Redeemer Parish is Janet Holden. Janet serves the parish as a member of the Pastoral Council and Eucharistic Minister. She is a past President of the Holy Redeemer Woman’s Club. Janet is the kind of parishioner that is always ready to help serve the parish. She was the joyful greeter confirming reservations for attendees of the 8 AM Mass when pandemic restrictions limited the church’s seating capacity.

Janet will receive the award from Bishop Edgar Da Cunha Sunday afternoon at St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral during a Vespers and Benediction Service. Thank you for your generosity, Janet. Would you please congratulate Janet when you see her.

2022 Catholic Calendars

Catholic Calendars for 2022 are available on the table at the back of the church. They include all the Catholic holidays, liturgical seasons, and the feasts of the saints. The Catholic Extension Service publishes the calendars, and they include information about the work of Catholic Extension in mission diocese around the country. It is good to have a Catholic Calendar in the home as a tool to teach about the liturgical calendar and as a sign that yours is a Catholic home. Would you please help yourself to a couple of them and share them with your family and neighbors. The Nickerson Funeral Home sponsors the calendars for the parish.

Advent Word Among Us

Advent began last Sunday. To help parishioners celebrate the season, we are giving copies of the Advent issue of the magazine The Word Among Us. This magazine includes a reflection on the daily Mass readings and several spiritual articles. Help yourself to a copy, and take one to share with a family member or friend. It isn’t too late to make this Advent a season of prayer. The books are on the table at the back of the church.

Prayers for the Supreme Court

Join Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant Christians across the country coming together to pray for wisdom for the U.S. Supreme Court as they consider the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization case. This case could overturn Roe v. Wade—the Supreme Court decision that made abortion legal in all 50 states. Together, we pray for a just outcome that protects millions of preborn babies and their mothers. Jesus says, “where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them” (Mt 18:20). Bombard heaven on behalf of the vulnerable unborn.

Respect for Life Ministry
The parish is reactivating its Respect for Life Ministry. If you would like to learn more about this ministry and/or wish to become involved, please get in touch with Rosemary O’Reilly by phone (508)269-0031 or by email at oreillyrosemary54@gmail.com.

“When human life under any circumstances is not held as sacred in a society, all human life in that society is threatened.”   Cardinal Joseph Bernardin

Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of Mary

Holy Day of Obligation

Mass Schedule

Tuesday, December 7, Vigil Mass 4:00 PM

Wednesday, December 8, 8:00 AM, 12:05 PM, 7:00 PM

The Virgin Mary, under the title of her Immaculate Conception, is the patroness of the United States. Be sure to satisfy your Mass obligation and pray for the many needs and concerns of our country. Proceeds from the Holy Day collection are donated to the parish St. Vincent de Paul Society to aid the poor of the parish.

Chatham Children’s Fund Donation

This November, the parish compiled a Book of the Dead with the names of our deceased loved ones. We asked parishioners offering names for the Book of the Dead to make a modest contribution, and the parish would donate those funds to the Chatham Children’s Fund for gifts for the upcoming holiday season. Those donations amounted to $1,600. We sent a check to the fund last week. Thank you for your contributions.