FROM FATHER STEVE
We begin our new Church year today with
the season of Advent. Advent is a time to be prepared for the
Lord’s coming (Matthew 24). Advent is a time of expectation and waiting.
Advent is also a time for action. The prophet Isaiah invites us to go up
to the mountain of the Lord that we may be instructed in his ways and
walk in his paths (Isaiah 2). In particular, he calls us to “beat our
swords into plowshares.” Our world sorely needs to do this at this
present hour. I also suggest that one of the actions we might take this
season is to look at the “swords” (angry outbursts, cutting tongue?) we
might turn into tools for peace.
Throughout this new year we
will be using readings drawn from the Gospel of Matthew. Jesus’
fulfillment of Jewish scripture has a special prominence. We read that
something Jesus does, or something happening to him, fulfills scripture.
Jesus is many things in Matthew. But perhaps, above all, Jesus is
Emmanuel, “God with us.” In Matthew, Jesus’ birth fulfills Isaiah 7:14.
And Jesus remains present and incarnate in the Church until the end of
time.
The Solemnity of the
Immaculate Conception of Mary, a holyday of obligation, is this
Saturday, December 8. Mass will be celebrated at 9:00 a.m. Please come!
Our Advent Penance Service
is slated for Wednesday, December 12, at 7:00 p.m. Please take
advantage of this opportunity to “make peace” with God and others.
The Retirement Fund for
Religious collection will be taken up next weekend, December 8-9.
More than 37,000 religious are now past the age of 70. More than 5,000
requires skilled nursing care. Their social security benefits are only
one-third of the average U.S. beneficiary. So the need is there.
Once more I want to thank all
of you who have returned your commitment cards for our Legacy
for Our Mission Capital Stewardship Campaign. We will be able to
reach our $425,000 goal only with the help of each parish household.
Remember: It’s not equal gifts, but equal sacrifice. Even if you cannot
make a commitment at this time, please sign your card and return it. We
will be receiving cards through next weekend, Celebration Weekend.
Please continue to keep the campaign in your prayers.
Advent Quote: “Advent
is a call to live wide awake so that we can be alert to God working in
us. It is a call to tend again whatever lights may be dying in our own
hearts and to wait for them to be enkindled however they can.”
Father Steve |
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Prayers for Priests
This week
please pray for: Mons. Mark Svarczkopf, Fr. Kenneth Taylor,
Fr. Richard Terrill, Fr. Henry Tully, Fr. William Turner, Fr.
Joseph Villa, and Fr. Stephen Jarrell and for the following
seminarians; AaronThomas, Kristen Casey, Martin Rodriguiz,
Daniel Bedel, Andrew Cope, Benjamin Syberg, and Tim Wyciskalla
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 WE
WILL BE FORMING A SPECIAL ADULT and HIGH SCHOOL CHOIR to
sing for the Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve. Rehearsals will be on
consecutive Mondays beginning December 3rd, 10th
and 17th from 7:00 – 8:15 p.m. in the choir loft. All voices are
welcome. Call Jill Dombrowski at 653-9411 for more information.
CHILDREN CHOIR We will be putting together a children
choir for 1st – 6th grade who are interested in
sharing special music for the Vigil Mass on Christmas Eve. Rehearsals
will begin on December 2, 9, 16 and 23 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. in the choir
loft. We will have a caroling party at 3:30 pm on December 16th
with dinner and rehearsal to follow. Please call Jill Dombrowski at
653-9411 for more information
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Knights of Columbus
Meetings are
on the 2nd & 4th
THURSDAYs of every month at 7:00 p.m. Meetings are held in one
of the downstairs classrooms of the Parish Center.
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Dates to remember:
- December
13 7:00 p.m.
- December
27 7:00 p.m.
If you are
interest in becoming a Knight of Columbus or just have
questions, please feel free to fill out an intention card
located in back of church near the baptismal font or call Andrew
Miller at 765.795.6484. |
An additional video
operator is needed for the 11:00 a.m. Mass. If you could make this your
ministry, please contact Marvin Peters or Beth Fajt.
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Readings for the week of:
December 03, 2007
03rd Is
4:2-6;Ps122:1-2,30-4b,4cd-5,6-7,8-9;Mt8:5-11
04th Is
11:1-10;Ps72:1-2,7-8,12-13,17;Lk10:21-24
05th
Is25:6-10a;Ps23:1-3a,3b-4,5,6;Mt15:29-37
06th Is
26:1-6;Ps118:1&8-9,19-21,25-27a;Mt7:21,24-27
07th Is
29:17-24;Ps27:1,4,13-14;Mt9:27-31
08th HOLY
DAY OF OBLIGATION Gen 3:9-15,20;Ps 98:1,2-3ab,3cd-4;Eph
1:3-6,11-12;Lk1:26-38
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