THIRD Sunday of advent
Dear Parishioners,
Today is the third Sunday of Advent or Gaudete Sunday.
Our anticipation of Jesus’ birth becomes more joyful as we light the pink candle on our wreath and realize our celebration is drawing near.
May we use these last days of Advent to truly prepare a place for the Messiah in our lives.
Can we truly welcome Jesus and make him Lord of our lives? God calls each of us, with the help and guidance of the Spirit, to prepare the deepest parts of our hearts for His birth.
For me, many of you are witnesses of God’s love and care. I thank God for all of our parishioners and the wonderful presence you are in my life and the life of our communities.
This year we have been particularly blessed by Fr. Peter’s presence in our parish communities.
His many, many gifts and his priestly presence have been a wonderful blessing to us!
Let us continue to pray for each other, our communities, our nation and our world.
Advent Blessings,
Barbara Kane
CHURCHES OF EASTERN BROOME
2025 CHRISTMAS MASS SCHEDULE
VIGIL MASS
December 24th—Christmas Eve
St. Mary’s, Kirkwood- 4:00 pm
Christmas Day
December 25th—Christmas
St. Joseph’s, Sanitaria Springs - 8:30 am
Our Lady of Lourdes - 9:00 am
St. Mary’s, Kirkwood - 10:30 am
St. Joseph’s, Deposit - 11:00 am
"NOTES OF HOPE"
During this season of Advent, do you know of someone on your heart who needs a message of hope, encouragement or love, or just a little note to let them know that they are thought of and held in prayer?
You will find in the vestibule “Notes of Hope” - a postcard for you to take and write a message to anyone you want.
We ask that you write your message, address the postcard, and leave in the collection basket or drop off to the parish office, and we will pay for the postage and send your “Note of Hope.” It’s a simple, tangible and to the point way of spreading a message of Jesus’ love and compassion.
SAVE THE DATE
THIS FRIDAY - ALL ARE INVITED

ADVENT SPIRITUAL RETREAT
The Catholic Communities of Eastern Broome will be having an Advent Spiritual Retreat on
Friday, December 12th from 1:30 pm—3:30 pm
at Our Lady of Lourdes.
ALL are welcome to join Father Peter for this retreat.
There will be time for exposition, rosary, adoration and confession will also be available.

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR
IMMACULATA MEDALLION AWARD RECIPIENTS
Anne Waymire—Sanitaria Springs
Ursela Kreamer—St. Mary’s
Robert Acquisto—OLOL
Bridget Davis—Deposit
The Immaculata Medallion is an award recognizing and honoring lay people who generously and unselfishly volunteer their time and service to their parishes.
The award honors “the unsung heroes in our midst who build up our parish communities by extraordinary service in parish ministry in volunteer service.”
The Immaculata Award was instituted in 2011 in honor of the 125th anniversary of the founding of the diocese.
We thank Anne, Ursela, Robert, and Bridget for all their time and talent.

Hope Appeal 2025
“Rooted in Faith, Growing in Hope”
Hope Appeal has begun and will conclude December 31, 2025.
It’s a time when we join with members of our Catholic family across the Diocese of Syracuse to serve others and strengthen our Church.
We ask all parishioners to prayerfully consider contributing to this year’s HOPE Appeal.
You may have already received a pledge card in the mail.
Pledge cards are also available at all entrances to the church.
You can also donate online at syracusediocese.org
2025 Hope Appeal Goals
St. Mary’s—$14,071
Our Lady of Lourdes— $6,776
St. Joseph’s Deposit—$4,780
St. Joseph’s Sanitaria Springs—$5,708
WORLD MARRIAGE DAY
For the past 43 years, our Diocese has joyfully celebrated World Marriage Day, a beautiful tradition honoring the enduring commitment of married couples.
We invite couples who will celebrate their 25th, 50th, or beyond wedding anniversaries in 2026 to join us for this special celebration.
The Word Marriage Day Mass will be celebrated on February 15, 2026 at 2 pm at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Syracuse.
The Most Reverend Douglas J. Lucia will celebrate Mass and invite all couples in attendance to renew their commitment to Holy Matrimony.
If celebrating your 25th, 50th, or 50+ anniversary in 2026, please contact the parish office at 607-775-0086 to receive a special invitation from Bishop Lucia by Friday, December 18, 2025.
WORLD MARRIAGE DAY
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2026
2:00 PM
CATHEDRAL OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION
THE CATHOLIC COMMUNITIES OF EASTERN BROOME
SOCIAL SATURDAYS Caregiver respite
St. Mary’s is part of the SOCIAL SATURDAYS RESPITE PROGRAMS hosted monthly by area church communities.
Social Saturdays is a group respite program providing small group social engagement for care recipients while providing a break for their caregivers. Participants engage in discussions, light chair exercises, arts and craft activities, games, a light lunch and so much more!
There is no cost to attend and guests do not need to be a member of the parish to participate.
St. Mary’s Respite Program is the third Saturday of each month.
The next Social Saturday Respite Program is:
3rd Saturday of the month
Next Session
December 20, 2025—11:00 am – 2:00 pm
St. Mary’s Parish Hall, Kirkwood
There is no cost. All are welcome! Registration is required.
If you would like more information, or to register, contact Barbara Kane at 607-775-0086 or bkanepld@gmail.com.
The Catholic Communities of Eastern Broome
In 2009, the Catholic Communities of Eastern Broome County were linked together as a Parish Cluster. Consisting of the four parishes of Our Lady of Lourdes in Windsor, St. Joseph's in Deposit, St. Joseph's in Sanitaria Springs and St. Mary's in Kirkwood. The parishes operate under the leadership of a Parish Life Director with sacramental needs provided by retired priests.
For more information please call the parish office at 607-775-0086.
Faith Formation News/Schedule
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
St. Mary’s
December 14th— Student Mass
OLOL
December 14th - Class
Deposit
December 14th—Class and Student Mass
If you have any questions, please call the parish office at 607-775-0086.
A NOTE ABOUT MASS INTENTIONS
Our church has the beautiful practice of accepting mass intentions. An individual may request a mass to be offered for a certain intention: or example, in thanksgiving, for the intentions of another person (such as a birthday or anniversary), or, as is most common, for the repose of the soul of someone who has died. One must never forget the great spiritual benefit andinfinite graces that flow from the Sacrifice of the Mass. It is a wonderful spiritual gift.
If you would like to request an intention for a mass, simply call the parish office and we will help you schedule a date and time good for you.
The donation is $15.00, but if need be, we can discuss that when you call the office at 775-0086.
Please join us in praying for the sick of our parish communities
Margaret Murray, Michelle Gorman, Doloros Baska, Rita Morgan, Fred Whitney, Dan Fish, Gerri McErlean, Jeff Briggs, Barbara Hagan, Julie Steele, Diane Yonchuk, The Grogan Family,
Carolyn Depaolo,George Whiting, Alana Neer, Kevin Kane, Tom Williams, Janet Brunswick, Beverly Akulis, Joan Puccio, Robert Acquisto, Wanda Chisarick, Jane Daley, Bev Gorman, Lori Decker, Jessica Griffiths, Caesar Siedlecke, Ray Vitiello, Karen Krasowsky, Bill Bennett,
Giovanni Depolfi, Jean Aswad, Mary Kramer, Joe Hauptfleisch,
Shirley Dennison, Tony Russell, JoAnne Meyer, Corky Mott,
Sarah Henry, Leo & Jan Grippen, Stephanie Davis, Kendra Decker,
Jeannie Hurlburt, John & Arlene Dubay, Juliana Widmer,
Celia Santalucia, Ralph Blodgett, Connie Cotter,
Mary Joan Bayer, Anna Drankowski
Mass Times
St. Joseph Church Sanitaria Springs:
Sunday: 8:30 AM
Our Lady of Lourdes Church Windsor:
Sunday: 9:00 AM
St. Mary's Church Kirkwood:
Saturday: 4:00 PM | Sunday: 10:30 AM
St Joseph Church Deposit:
Sunday: 11:00 AM
