This devotion grew popular after Our Lady of Fatima spoke of it during her appearances to the shepherd children in that small Portuguese town in 1917. The Blessed Mother asked us to perform these devotions as reparation for sins against her Immaculate Heart and for the conversion of Russia: go to Confession within eight days before the First Saturday; attend Mass and receive Holy Communion; pray five decades of the Rosary; meditate on the Mysteries of the Rosary for 15 minutes. The Mother of God promised her help at the penitent’s death if these promises were kept.

In the seventeenth century, Our Lord asked French nun, now Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque, to honor His Sacred Heart on nine consecutive first Fridays, by attending Holy Mass and receiving Holy Communion. Jesus said, “I promise you in the excessive mercy of my Heart that its all-powerful love will grant to all those who receive Holy Communion on nine first Fridays of consecutive months the grace of final repentance; they will not die under my displeasure or without receiving their sacraments, my divine Heart making itself their assured refuge at the last moment."

St. John could use a hand keeping the sanctuary neat and clean - dusting, vacuuming, arranging items. If you would like to help, please call the parish office at 802-748-8129.

The Corpus Christi Conference of Vincentians will be at the church doors after Masses Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 12 to collect money donations for their charitable programs. Please be generous, and fill those soup pots.

St. Elizabeth’s first coffee hour will be Sunday, February 5 after the 9:35 AM Mass. St. John and St. Elizabeth need volunteers, including parish ministry groups (lectors, etc.) to be hosts, to bake refreshments, and to serve food and coffee. If you can help, please call Peter or Jocelyn at 626-9256. Corpus Christi Coffee Hours • Sunday, Feb. 5 – after the 9:35 AM Mass – St. Elizabeth • Sunday, Feb. 12 – after the 11:30 AM Mass – St. John • Sunday, Feb. 12 – 9:00 AM – after the 8:00 AM Mass - Queen of Peace

Sunday Feb. 5 at 3 PM at St. John the Evangelist Church Fr. Harlow will conduct a Eucharistic healing service in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament which will include the laying on of hands for individual needs. It is open to the public.

The 2023 World Marriage Day will be celebrated in February. In Vermont, married couples who will be celebrating a milestone anniversary this year and were married in the Catholic Church are invited to the 10 a.m. Mass at The Cathedral of St. Joseph on Feb. 5. Recognition of couples married 5, 10, 15, 20 … 50-plus years will follow the Mass. There will be a reception in the parish hall after Mass. Please contact Nicole Hamilton at 802-658-6110, ext. 1131 or nhamilton@vermontcatholic.org by Jan. 27 to register. Include the couple’s names, anniversary year (5, 10, 15, 20 … 50, 51 or more), Catholic parish married in and name of priest/deacon who officiated. Requests will be accepted through Jan. 27. Congratulations to all married couples. Let their love bear witness to God’s faithful love and a little bit of heaven on Earth through their marriage covenant. — Terri McCormack, Diocesan Coordinator of Marriage & Family Life

Looking for a way to get ready for Lent? Hungry for deeper understanding of the Scriptures? Seeking for fellowship and a chance to discuss God's Word with others? Starting on February 5th and continuing for two more weeks, Deacon Tom will be offering a Sunday afternoon Bible Study focusing on the parables in the Gospel of Matthew. In his account of Jesus' last three sermons, Matthew presents some of Jesus' most provocative parables that teach about topics like the Kingdom, Mercy, and Preparing for the Lord's Return. This Bible Study will explore the context and purpose of these stories and the teaching that the Lord intended His followers to take from them. Each week will focus on one of the three themes mentioned above. Stay tuned for more details on the specific time and place, and please tell your friends!

Vermont Right to Life invites everyone to its last January Rally for Life and related events on Saturday, January 28. VRLC will no longer hold these same events to mark the anniversary of the approval of abortion in the United States by the Supreme Court, January 22, 1973, but may schedule events to celebrate the June, 2022 overturning of this decision. This year's events begin with a Rosary for Life at St. Augustine Church in Montpelier at 9:00 AM, followed by a Mass for Life at St. Augustine's at 9:30 AM. The Rally begins at 10:45 AM from the City Hall Parking Lot behind St. Augustine. From this point, the marchers proceed to the State House steps for a brief ceremony remembering the 63 million people aborted since the 1973 decision. Participants then are invited to a Deli Sandwich Buffet at the Capitol Plaza Hotel, where there will be a featured speaker. The cost for the buffet is $20 (scholarships are available for students). Reservations are required for the luncheon. Please call VRLC at 802-229-4885 or email vrlc@vrlc.net for reservations. The Rally for Life is sponsored by the Vermont Right to Life Educational Trust Fund. A novena for the protection of human life begins Thursday, January 19 . Each day’s intention is accompanied by a short reflection and suggested actions to help build a culture of life. This link includes a signup to receive daily prayers by email or text, and leader resources (pdf of full novena, graphics and flyers for advertising, and bulletin and pulpit announcements): https://www.respectlife.org/9-days-forlife. The annual March for Life parades in Washington, D.C. Friday, January 20.

Please click on the title above to read how to bless your home for the New Year. This item is in the January 8 parish bulletin.

Our religious education classes will perform a five-minute Christmas play just before the 4:00 PM Mass Saturday, January 7 at St. John's Church. Please arrive early for this special treat by our students.

Season 1 of the Chosen, the new television series on the life of Jesus, will air in St. Elizabeth's hall Friday evenings in January. Two episodes will run each Friday from 6:00 - 8:00 PM. No need to sign up, simply show up.

Here is the Mass schedule: Saturday, December 31 - 4:00 PM at St John; Sunday, January 1 - 8:00 AM at Our Lady Queen of Peace; 9:35 AM at St. Elizabeth; 11:30 AM at St. John. Confessions Saturday are at St. John at 3:00 PM. There is no 8:30 AM Mass Saturday at St. John.

On Sunday the 18th, parishioners helped Fr. Harlow decorate the rectory. John, Anna, Laura, Joe, Chase, Paige and Eydie setting up the tree,, hanging the garland on the stairs and stringing lights on the Christmas tee and around the stairs. See the photos under the media title on the banner..

Christmas Eve the 24th: 4:00 PM at St John the Evangelist. 7:00 PM at Our Lady Queen of Peace. Midnight Mass at St Elizabeth. Christmas Day 10;00 AM at St Elizabeth.

From the day after Christmas to New Years day there will NOT be any weekday Masses. there will NOT be a healing service in January. since it would fall on New Years Day.

St John the Evangelist church has the Christmas giving tree set up with 40 gift tags available for your donation to someone in need. Please drop off the gift with the tag no later than December 10th at Mayo's Furniture on Railroad St. Thank you so much.

if you would like to make a contribution for the Christmas flowers in the memory of your loved ones, the envelopes can be found in the back of each church. Thank you for your help.

Click the title above to view the list.

The insert in today's bulletin is designed to help you find ways to grow in your Catholic faith. We offer many faith filled opportunities at our own parish and there are many more resources you can utilize in your every day life. Take a look at these resources and choose one to explore for you and someone else. Click here above to go directly to the google document.