Seven Movies for the Christmas Holiday

David DiCerto, a Catholic movie reviewer for NET TV, hosted by the Diocese of Brooklyn feels that 2010 had a “bumper crop of quality, family-friendly films.” This year has been a different story. In fact he calls 2011 a “major disappointment.” However, “here’s some that struck this admittedly fallible Catholic film critic as particularly worth considering for holiday viewing.”
His 30-second video movie reviews will continue in January on Fathers for Good. You can check out the full reviews at http://www.fathersforgood.org/ffg/en/big_four/dont_miss.html

For the Whole Family: The Muppets
For Older Children and Up: The Adventures of Tintin; We Bought a Zoo; Hugo 
For Teens and Up: War Horse; Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close
And One for the Parents: The Artist

(from cl Weekly)

Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God

January 1, 2012 (In the Fullness of Time)
First Reading: Numbers 6:22-27 (I will Bless Them); Second Reading: Galatians 4:4-7 (God Sent); Gospel: Luke 2:16-21 (The Holy Family)

“And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart.
” What are “all these things” that Mary kept? Why do you think they want us to know that she reflected “on them in her heart”?
What things do you keep in your heart that you continue to reflect on? What happens to these things or what happens to you because of this reflecting? Does it ever cause you to glorify and praise God? What about reflection will consistently cause you to give praise and glory to God?

(from cl Weekly, 12/24)

Adults: I reflect on the God-Child, what does it say to me about the love of God for us all? 
Children: I know that God loves everyone. Is there anything I can do to become more loving this new year?

http://www.faithfirst.com/question_week.html

January is Poverty Awareness in America Month

Today, 37.3 million Americans—and 1 in 6 children (that’s 18 percent of all American children)-are living below the poverty line. They live in families who are of necessity making hard choices between food, health care, heat and rent. To bring attention to this national crisis, the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) has designated January as “Poverty in America Awareness Month.” For more information, go to: http://old.usccb.org/cchd/povertyusa/povamer.shtml

Thursday, 4th Week of Advent

O King of the Gentiles   Symbols: Crown and Scepter

Come, and deliver man, whom You formed out of the dust of the earth. 

O King of the Gentiles and their desired One, the Cornerstone that makes both one; Come, and deliver man, whom You formed out of the dust of the earth. 

The crown and scepter signify Christ's universal kingship. As we sing in the fifth O Antiphon, Christ is not only the King of the Jewish nation, but the "Desired One of all," the cornerstone which unites both Jew and Gentile. 

Recommended Readings: Apocalypse 15:1-4

http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/overviews/seasons/advent/O_6.cfm

Tuesday, 4th Week of Advent

O KEY OF DAVID

Symbols: Key

Come, and bring forth the captive from his prison. 

O Key of David, and Scepter of the House of Israel, who opens and no man shuts, who shuts and no man opens; Come and bring forth the captive from his prison, he who sits in darkness and in the shadow of death. 

The key is the emblem of authority and power. Christ is the Key of the House of David who opens to us the full meaning of the scriptural prophecies, and reopens for all mankind the gate of Heaven.  

Recommended Readings: Isaias 22:22-25

http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/overviews/seasons/advent/O_4.cfm

Weeks of December 19 - January 2

Tuesday, December 13 - Women's Spirituality Group, 6:30 AM to 7:30 AM; Wednesday, December 14 - Religious Education Classes: Grades 1-6, 6:15 PM to 7:30; Grade 7, 6:00 to 7:30; High School Youth Ministry, 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM in the Loft; Thursday, December 15 - Men's Spirituality Group, 6:00 AM to 7:00 AM; Saturday, December 24 - Masses at 5:00 PM and 8:00 PM; Sunday, December 25 - A Blessed Christmas to you!, Mass at 9:30 AM; NO Sunday School; Tuesday, December 27 - Women's Spirituality Group, 6:30 AM to 7:30 AM; Wednesday, December 28 - NO Religious Education Classes;  NO High School Youth Ministry; Thursday, December 29 - Men's Spirituality Group, 6:00 AM to 7:00 AM; Saturday, December 31 - Mass, 5:00 PM; Sunday, January 1 - Masses, 8:30 AM and 10:30 AM.

Monday 4th Week of Advent

O Root of Jesse

Symbol: Plant with Flower

Come to deliver us, and tarry not. 

O Root of Jesse, who stands for an ensign of the people, before whom kings shall keep silence and unto whom the Gentiles shall make supplication: Come to deliver us, and tarry not.

The flower which springs up from the root of Jesse is another figure of Christ. Isaiah prophesied that the Savior would be born from the root of Jesse, that He would sit upon the throne of David, and in Christ this prophecy is fulfilled. 

Recommended Readings: Isaias 11:1-12

http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/overviews/seasons/advent/O_3.cfm

4th Sunday of Advent Year B (December 18 2011)

“How can this be…?” Have you ever found yourself confused by the ways of God?

Have you ever questioned whether God could actually accomplish what someone requested? Do you pray with confidence? Do you trust that God always has your best interests in mind? Do you ever hesitate to place your complete trust in God as Mary did when she replied, “May it be done to me according to your word”? 

From cl Weekly



Saint of the Day

St. Lucy - Patron of Blindness
To find out more about St. Lucy visit: http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=75 

Saint of the Day

Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe: Patron of the Americas  To find out more about Our Lady of Guadalupe visit - http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=456 

Week of December 12 - 18

Monday, December 12 - Couples Bible Study, 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM in meeting room 2; Tuesday, December 13 - Women's Spirituality Group, 6:30 AM to 7:30 AM; Wednesday, December 14 - Religious Education Classes: Grades 1-6, 6:15 PM to 7:30; Grade 8, 6:00 to 7:30; Grade 7 Small Faith Groups meet this week; High School Youth Ministry, 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM in the Loft; Thursday, December 15 - Men's Spirituality Group, 6:00 AM to 7:00 AM; Deacon Bob's Advent Presentation, 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM; Sunday, December 18 - Sunday School, 10:15 AM to 11:30 AM.

3rd Sunday of Advent - Year B

Reading 1 - Isaiah 6:1-2a, 10-11; Reading 2 - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24; Gospel - John 1:6-8; 19-28
How is Jesus a light for you?  In what ways do you testify to the Light?
How would you describe John the Baptist's mission?: a. to introduce people to Jesus; b. to start a small community; c. to forgive sins; d. to baptize; e. other  
Who has been John the Baptist to you, that is, who has helped you to recognize Jesus?  
How would you describe your relationship with Jesus now?  What paths do you need to make straight in your life?

http://www.catholic-prayer-life.com/Scripture-Questions.html

Religious Education

RE Classes for Grades 1-6, 6:15 PM to 7:30 PM; Grade 7, 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM; High School Youth Ministry, 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM in the Loft; St. Nick Celebration 6:30 PM in the Gathering Space.

Week of December 5 - 11

Tuesday, December 6 - HAPPY ST. NICHOLAS DAY!; Women's Spirituality Group, 6:30 AM to 7:30 AM; PCCW Meeting, 7:00 PM; Wednesday, December 7 - Religious Education Classes: Grades 1-6, 6:15 PM to 7:30; Grade 7, 6:00 to 7:30; Grade 8 Small Faith Groups meet this week; High School Youth Ministry, 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM in the Loft; St. Nicholas Celebration in the Gathering Space, 6:30 PM; Thursday, December 8 - Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Masses at 7:00 AM and 6:30 PM; Saturday and Sunday, December 10 & 11 - PCCW Cookie Walk; Sunday, December 11 - Sunday School, 10:15 AM to 11:30 AM.

1st Reconciliation Quilt 2011

Second Sunday of Advent (December 4, 2011) Year B

Reading 1: Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11; Reading 2: 2 Peter 3:8-14; Gospel: Mark 1:1-8;
How hard is it to admit when you are wrong? 
When do you consider a wrong also a sin?  How do understand the sense of sin? 
Are your experiences of the sacrament of Penance moments of reconciliation for you? 
Repent means to have a change of mind. Are there things that seem to be wrong now that did not seem so bad in the past? Or just the opposite - are there things that I thought were wrong in the past are not so bad now?  
Who are some of the people who have helped you change for the better?  
John's clothing was that of a prophet. How do your clothes express who you are?  
Having been baptized by water, how do you understand being baptized “by the Holy Spirit”? 
Water cleanses. Spirit gives life. How has Jesus Christ enriched your life?  What are you doing to prepare for the celebration of Jesus' birth?

(from cl Weekly 11/28/11 & http://www.catholic-prayer-life.com/Scripture-Questions.html)