St. Margaret of Scotland Parish and St. Mary Star of the Sea Mission

Saint Margaret of Scotland Parish
Mission Statement and
Weekend Mass Schedule

"We, the people of God, welcome all to experience the nourishment and healing spirit of Jesus Christ. Drawing life from the word of God and the sacraments, we are empowered to assist in meeting the spiritual and human needs of our families, our parish, and larger community. We proclaim the Kingdom of God with compassion, mercy and understanding."

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Weekend Mass Schedule
(Regular)

St. Margaret's Church

o MASS Sunday 7:30AM | 11:00AM

o MASS Saturday 4:00PM (Sunday Vigil)

†

St. Mary's Church

o MASS Sunday 9:00AM

†

Directions

Grand Annual 2024 - Parish Appeal
Our “Grand Annual Parish Appeal” continues. We are so grateful to the many parishioners who have already shown their support of our parish! If you have not yet made your donation, there is still time to do so. Please drop off your card and donation at Mass, return it in the mail, or make a secure gift online (above) on this webpage. Every gift, no matter the size, will help us to continue the good works of our parish. If you need a card, please contact the office. Pledge above by clicking on our Grand Annual 2024 link. Let us pray for the success of this year’s campaign! You may also click HERE to view Fr. George's letter about our annual collection drive. Thank You!.

Welcome Father
Shiju (George) Chittattukara!

The parish community of St. Margaret’s and St. Mary’s welcomes Father George as our new Parish Administrator. Father comes to us from his previous assignment in Mount Dora, Florida. Please join us in welcoming him to our parish and take a moment to introduce yourself.

Click "Read More" (below) to view and read
Father George's Letter to our Parish.

A letter from Father George
It has been one month since I have come to St. Margaret and St. Mary parish/mission. Change is always difficult, but it is necessary and beneficial for our growth. ‘Jesus transforms all who believe in Him and makes them holy.’ 2 Cor 4:16
Fall is a beautiful time of year. As the vibrant leaves of Summer begin to change colors and then fall to the ground, a transformation is taking place. As I come to you, I am part of that change, of that transformation to new beginnings. I pray that you will accept me, encourage me and support me in the efforts we make as a team towards a common goal.
I am Father George (Baptismal name). I was born in the south of India. My Indian name is Shiju. Growing up, I was one of eight children, four boys and four girls. Both my parents are deceased. My Mom died a peaceful death two months ago with all her children by her side.
I was ordained in India on December 28, 2007 as a Vocationist priest to the order of Society of Divine Vocations, soon after coming to America I settled in Vermont which was quite a shock after living in hot and humid India all my life. I was quite unprepared for the snow and cold winters. I spent two years at Mary Star of the Sea Church Newport, VT. Then I was transferred as pastor to Brooklyn to Mary Our Lady of Solace, where I spent eight years, helping to rebuild and refurbish the church after hurricane Sandy completely destroyed the structure.
After completing that assignment, I went to the Sanctuary of Mary in Branchville, New Jersey while simultaneously serving in the Vocationist Motherhouse in Florham Park, New Jersey. Finally, I assumed a position at St. Patrick ‘s Catholic Church in Mt. Dora, Florida.
Now I am appointed to St. Margaret of Scotland and St. Mary of the Star of the Sea churches in Buzzards Bay and Onset, Massachusetts. I come to you with gratitude, joy and hope, preparing to serve you and to guide you in participating more fully in the sacramental life of the church. You may contact me at any time, using my email address or phone. I will make myself available for your needs. I am happy not only to visit you and your families in your homes, but also to visit any home-bound parishioners. Please do not hesitate to inform me.
We give thanks to all the priests who served through the years at these parishes. May we be blessings to each other in the coming months and years.
Yours in Christ,
Fr. George C (shiju)
[email protected]

Welcome December 2024:

Advent and Christmas
- Fr. George C

In December we begin the season of Advent. The word ‘Advent’ is derived from the Latin word Adventus, which translates to ‘coming’, a time of joyful anticipation of the coming Christ in history over two thousand years ago; and at the end of time at the second coming which only God will determine. This month we also enter the season of Christmas when we with grateful hearts, remember that Jesus was born in Bethlehem.
Advent heralds the new liturgical year of the church. It is about time- the season before Christmas signifies a time of preparing ourselves to celebrate the birth of Our Lord Jesus Christ on Christmas Day. Advent encourages us to slow down despite the pressures of the secular culture so that we can prayerfully and gratefully await the joyous Christmas celebration.

The 3 Ts: Time, Talent, and Treasure

A Call to Stewardship Spirituality

“Give and it will be given to you. A good measure,
pressed down, shaken together, running over,
will be put into your lap; for the measure you give
will be the measure you get back” Luke 6/38

Christ asks of us to do His works in our community and his Church. We need to rejuvenate ourselves through service. Reaching out with love to others, while sometimes difficult, is nonetheless spiritually enriching. It is a necessary part of Catholic life. It is the personal responsibility of each one of us as of the Church. All of us have been blessed with special talents and gifts from God, whether we are aware of them or not or whether we have developed our talents or not. These talents and gifts are not given to us just for our own use but are given to us for the enrichment of the lives of others in order for us to serve God better. "The practice of stewardship is important for the mission of the Church and for the spiritual well-being of each individual Christian. Everyone benefits from the sacrificial gift one makes of his time, talent and treasure." -Pope Benedict XVI

At our Parish and Mission (Onset), there are different ministries that help serve our community and His Church. No matter how big or small your contribution, our parish is not the same without you. When we serve together, we not only form friendships with one another, but we also deepen our relationship with God. So, I ask each of you to search your hearts for the time, treasure or talent that God has given to you. In gratitude for these gifts, I appeal to you to join a ministry where you can be of service to our church community. You are welcome to consider volunteering for more than one of the groups listed below. Then we at St. Margaret’s will give Glory to God as we use our time, treasure or talent in our journey of faith. (Click HERE to help consider more about sharing your time and talents.)

Thank you,
Fr. George C

FAITH FORMATION COMMUNITY PROJECT 2024

My Brother’s Keeper is a Christian non-profit that delivers Christmas to families in need. Their mission is: “To Bring the Love and Hope of Jesus Christ to those we serve.” Please consider donating to the Faith Formation Community Project to support My Brothers Keeper Christmas Program. They need, socks, gloves, mittens, hats, scarves, pajama sets, bathrobes, sheets, towels & toiletries or gift cards. All donations must be new. Bins will be at the back of St. Margaret Church on both sides to collect donations. Students will participate in sorting and organizing donations. All will be invited to visit My Brother’s Keeper to make the donation and learn more about the spirit of volunteerism!
For more information:
visit: https://www.mybrotherskeeper.org.
If interested in volunteering, please call 508-238-2562. If you are in need of support, please call 508-238-4416.

MASS TIME CHANGE
PRAY THE ROSARY WITH US UPDATE

Starting Monday, December 2nd, Weekday Mass begins at 8:30AM and Rosary will be at 08:10AM at St. Margaret Church.

† ROSARY at St. Margaret's Church

→ (Monday - Friday) at 08:10 AM
before the 08:30 AM Mass

→ (Sunday) at 7:00 AM
before the 7:30AM Mass

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Rosary - WPLM Radio 99.1 FM
Daily broadcast at 5AM

PARISH PRAYER LIST

Marguerite Burnes
Marie Mazzarelli
Madelyn Alexander
Lenny Fontes
Dorothy LeBlanc
Oscar Huerta
Maura Hathaway
Sandy Guerra
Joan Behan
Jennifer Rose
Elaine Fabrizio
Selah Mei Tierney
Hailey Manduca
Dennis Decker

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If you would like to have someone listed on our Parish Prayer List, please contact the office to add your loved one's name. Be sure to request the name(s) you would like listed with the correct spelling.

REST IN PEACE

DECEASED MEMBERS OF NOVEMBER
Joanne E. Doucette

Joseph Sheehy
Jane A. Gelson

William Gorczyca
William Gosselin

Rosemary Makara

THE MASS BOOK FOR 2025

The Mass Book for 2025 is now available. Please call the Parish office to schedule Masses and memorials for the year. Hymnals are also available for dedication. If you would like to book a Mass in memory of a loved one, birthdays, anniversaries or for any other intentions please call the rectory at (508) 759-7777. The suggested stipend for a Mass is $10.00 weekdays, $20.00 for Sundays.

ALTAR SERVERS NEEDED

We are in need of Altar Servers to assist at Mass. Anyone who has received their First Communion is able to serve. Please consider becoming a part of this beautiful ministry serving God in a special way. Please contact the office for more information. (508) 759-7777

LECTORS

The Parish is in need of Lectors throughout the Liturgical year. If you are interested in being a part this ministry, please contact the Parish Office. Thank you

EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS

ATTENTION EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS ..... Please feel free to assist at Mass when there is a shortage of Eucharistic Ministers for that Mass. We truly appreciate your dedication to this ministry. God bless you and thank you.
Read More

EUCHARISTIC MINISTER TRAINING ..... Eucharistic Minister Training takes place on a pre-appointmet basis at St. Margaret Church. If you are interested, please call the Rectory Office and leave your name and phone number. Thank you.

SANCTUARY LAMPS

For the Week of December 15th Sanctuary Lamp at St. Margaret's Church will be For David Alexander

For the Week of December 22nd the Sanctuary Lamp at St. Margaret's Church will be For Barbara & Vincent Fitzpatrick

For the Week of December 15th and December 22nd the Sanctuary Lamp at St. Mary's Church will be For Our Parishioners

OFFERTORY WINE, ALTAR BREAD

For the Week of December 15th, the Offertory Wine/Altar Bread at St. Margaret's and St. Mary's will be For David Alexander

For the Week of December 22nd, the Offertory Wine/Altar Bread at St. Margaret's and St. Mary's will be For Our Parishioners

MEMORIALS

The Memorials available are: Sanctuary Lamp, Offertory Wine and Altar Bread. Cost is $25 per item per week, except for the Sanctuary Lamp ($15 per week).

If you would like to have a Memorial devoted to a loved one for the week, please call the Office and we will be glad to assist you in this special remembrance.

CHRISTMAS FAIR

Proceeds to the Parish $5,497.26

PARISH REGISTRATION

We are currently in the process of updating our parish records. If you are not registered with the parish and would like to be, registration forms can be found in the back of our churches or you may contact the Parish Office.

THIS WEEKEND'S SECOND COLLECTION

The Weekend of December 21st and December 22nd is for "Assessment". Please give what you can. Thank you and God bless you.

ATTIC TREASURES NEEDS VOLUNTEERS

Thrift Shop Volunteers Needed!
If you are able to donate any time please call the office. 3-hour shifts.
Thank you!

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS
COUNCIL 2911

Regular Monthly Meetings are held on the 2nd & 4th Tuesday - 7PM in the Parish Hall. ^{__________________________}

The next Knights' Breakfast will be held on Sunday, January 19th, 2025 in the Parish Hall following the 7:30 and 9:00AM Masses.

SVdP SHOP urgently
needs Non-Perishables

Please note that the SVdP THRIFT STORE IS NOW OPEN!! The store is in urgent need of Non-Perishables such as Canned Vegetables, Pasta, etc. of non-perishable food items to stock its food pantry. Donations can be brought to their thrift shop at 5 Armory Rd Buzzards Bay or in the bins located at the doors to the church. Any help that you can provide is greatly appreciated. Thank You. The SVdP Store also needs volunteers to organize dishware, knickknacks and toys for children or just be there to help customers. When you can, please stop by the thrift store and take a look! The SVdP Thrift Store is located at the K of C Hall on 5 Armory Rd. in Buzzards Bay. For more info, please visit our Ministries Page.

HOME VISITS
with the Blessed Mother

In the past Mary V. Rose and her brother would bring a statue of the Blessed Mother to homes throughout the area for prayer. This ministry has begun again with a smaller lightweight statue. If you or someone you know would like to receive the statue for a week, please contact Marian Rose at 508-295-8614. Forms will also be located at the entrances to both churches.

WALKING WITH PURPOSE!!
Women's Bible Study

Most of us live as if our hearts aren’t a priority. We tend to put other people’s hearts before our own, believing that’s what a good woman is supposed to do. But guess what? We matter to God. Join us Mondays 6-8PM in the Parish Center. For more information please email: [email protected]

ROSARY MAKING GROUP
at St. Mary's & for all in the Parish

St. Margaret Parish is now offering the opportunity for parishioners to learn how to make Mission Cord Rosaries. Beginners’ kits are free for those who want to come to St. Mary’s Church at 10:00 AM on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of the month. Marian Rose will teach you how to make the rosaries and give you information on how to order additional kits and where to send the Rosaries once they are completed. Completing a handmade Rosary is like giving the Blessed Mother a beautiful Rose.

ESTATE PLANNING

Please remember
St. Margaret's - St. Mary's
in your estate plan.

Have You Considered
LIVING A CURSILLO

For more information, please contact our Parish Cursillo Ambassador: Maureen O'Rourke King at: [email protected] or call 774-313-8734. It may be the best gift you give yourself!

STORM POLICY

When we have a significant amount of snow or ice on the roads and sidewalks, we share community weather situations that need to be addressed. When Bourne public schools and town offices are closed on a weekday on account of a weather situation, our Churches and Parish Office will also be closed. We want to keep our parishioners safe. Your safety is most important to us! When you are not comfortable going outside because of a significant weather situation, please use your better judgment and stay at home!!

ATTIC TREASURES THRIFT SHOP

A huge thank you to all who have contributed to the success of our shop which benefits our parish in many ways. However, with success comes challenges and once again we are seeking volunteers. Please consider helping even if it is
for a couple of hours each week or every other week. Specifically, we need assistance on Fridays and Saturdays, but any day Tuesday through Saturday would be welcome! Also, anyone with online selling experience would be greatly welcomed. Please stop by the shop if you would like to help out or call Cheryl Legace (774) 291-2098.

Jubilee 2025

You’re Invited to Open the Jubilee Year with Bishop da Cunha On Sunday, December 29, in union with bishops throughout the world, Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., will celebrate a special Mass to open the local diocesan observance of the Jubilee Year 2025 in the Catholic Church.
The Mass will take place at 3 p.m. in St. Mary’s Cathedral, Fall River, and the faithful from the Diocese of Fall River are invited and encouraged to take part.

Read More

The Mass will follow the opening of the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome on Christmas Eve by Pope Francis to officially begin the Jubilee Year for the Universal Church. A Jubilee is a special year of prayer, reconciliation, and spiritual renewal, ordinarily taking place every 25 years. Jubilee 2025 will have as its theme, “Pilgrims
of Hope,” seeking to inspire hope around the world. Look for forthcoming information on additional opportunities to become a ‘Pilgrim of Hope’ through your own participation in Jubilee Year observances.

Feeling Anxious or Sad?

The Mental Health Ministry of Catholic Charities Diocese of Fall River in partnership with Hope Catholic Charities, USA, offers a FREE chat service that provides encouragement and strategies on how to manage every day stress and anxiety using CHATBOT TECHNOLOGY: Simply text “Hi” to Hope at 1-202-949-7249 to get instant support; or for Facebook users, https://www.Facebook.com/HopeCCUSA, Start Code: CCFR.

For more information about Hope or the Mental Health Ministry, contact Jack Weldon, ([email protected]) or Rose Mary Saraiva ([email protected]) or call 508-674-4681.

Visit our Mental Health Ministry page at https://ccfrdioc.org/mental-health-ministry/

UPCOMING DIOCESAN NEWS
1. Living on Hope Series – Pro-Life Advocacy Workshop – Session 1 – Saturday, January 11th at Corpus Christi Parish Hall in East Sandwich
2. Save the Date – Saturday, May 17th, for the Second Annual Local Diocesan Walk for Life to take place at the National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette in Attleboro
3. Plan for January – The National March for Life on Friday, January 24th
4. Worldwide Marriage Encounter, January 24-26, at the Holy Cross Retreat Center in North Easton
5. Second Annual Divorced and Separated Healing Mass, Sunday, January 26th, at St. Mary’s Cathedral. Fall River

St. Margaret Church, Buzzards Bay, MA
Sunday, October 10th at 11AM

(Click for latest live-stream & VoD Videos)

St. Mary Church, Onset, MA
Sunday, December 22nd at 9AM

(Click for latest live-stream & VoD Videos)

St. Margaret Church, Buzzards Bay, MA Sunday, October 10th at 11AM

(Click for latest live-stream & VoD Videos)

St. Mary Church, Onset, MA Sunday, December 22nd at 9AM

(Click for latest live-stream & VoD Videos)

St. Margaret Church, Buzzards Bay, MA
Sunday, October 10th at 11AM

St. Mary Church, Onset, MA
Sunday, December 22nd at 9AM