Pope’s Intentions for January

GENERAL INTENTION: That in this Year of Faith Christians may deepen their knowledge of the mystery of Christ and witness joyfully to the gift of faith in him

MISSION INTENTION: That the Christian communities of the Middle East, often discriminated against, may receive from the Holy Spirit the strength of fidelity and perseverance.

December 31-January 6

Mary Mother of God Masses (Holy Day): Monday December 31, 5:00 PM; January 1, 9:00 AM; Wednesday, January 2: Women's Faith Sharing Group, 6:30 AM to 7:30 AM; Religious Education Classes for grades 1-7, 6:15 PM to 7:30 PM; grade 8, 6:00 PM to 7:15 PM; NO High School Youth MInistry;Thursday, January 3: Men's Faith Sharing Group, 6:00 AM to 7:00 AM in the Gathering Space; Friday, January 4: Adoration, 9:00 AM to Noon with Benediction at noon; Saturday, January 5: Soup Supper following the 5:00 PM Mass, (bring a soup, bread or dessert to share); Sunday, January 6: Sunday School 10:15 AM to 11:30 AM

Feast of St. Stephen

     After the death and resurrection of Jesus, the apostles went about preaching the good news. As Christian communities grew, there arose a need to care for widows and the poor in the name of the community. The apostles, being busy with preaching, asked the communities to recommend seven men to serve the poor. Stephen was one of those seven; the apostles laid hands on them and ordained them as the first deacons.
     Stephen spoke about the faith with great wisdom and eloquence, and he was successful in winning many to Christianity. Enemies of the Church were angry that he was converting others and they tried to argue with him, but it didn’t work. They then found someone to lie and charge him with blasphemy.
     He was taken to face a great assembly, and he remained calm and collected and defended his faith, claiming that Jesus is Son of God and fulfillment of God’s promises. He even scolded his opponents for their refusal to see the truth.
     At that, they all became incensed and they dragged him out of the city and stoned him to death. Stephen remained faithful to the end, crying out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” He knelt and begged God to forgive those who were killing him.
     St. Paul was among the crowd who opposed Stephen and witnessed his martyrdom. A number of Stephen’s relics rest in the reliquary chapel in the Basilica. His relics also rest in the main altar of the Basilica.
     St. Stephen, first to die for his faith in Jesus, pray for us!

(From FaithND

http://faith.nd.edu/s/1210/faith/interior.aspx?sid=1210&gid=609&pgid=10813)

Fourth Sunday of Advent, Year C

First reading: Micah 5:1-4a; Second reading: Hebrews 10:5-10; Gospel: Luke 1:39-45
Adults: When was it hardest for you to trust in God’s plan, as Mary did? What can help you at such times?
Children: When is it hardest for you to obey a parent or teacher? What can help you obey with more trust?

http://rclblectionary.com/?p=223

O Antiphons

December 21st: O Rising Sun, you are the splendor of eternal light and the sun of justice. O come and enlighten those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death. 
December 22nd: O King whom all the peoples desire, you are the cornerstone which makes all one. O come and save man whom you made from clay.
December 23rd: O Emmanuel, you are our king and judge, the One whom the peoples await and their Savior. O come and save us, Lord, our God.

O Antiphon for December 20th

O key of David and scepter of Israel, what you open no one else can close again; what you close no one can open. O come to lead the captive from prison; free those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death.

O Antiphon for December 19th

O stock of Jesse, you stand as a signal for the nations; kings fall silent before you whom the peoples acclaim. O come to deliver us, and do not delay.

O Antiphons, December 18th:

O Adonai and leader of Israel, you appeared to Moses in a burning bush and you gave him the Law on Sinai. O come and save us with your mighty power.

O Antiphons

December 17th: O Wisdom, you come forth from the mouth of the Most High. You fill the universe and hold all things together in a strong yet gentle manner. O come to teach us the way of truth.

Week of December 17-23

Tuesday, December 18th: Women's Prayer Group, 6:30 AM - 7:30 AM in the Gathering Space; Wednesday, December 19th: Religious Education Classes for grades 1-7, 6:15 PM to 7:30 PM; grade 8, 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM; High School Youth Ministry, 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM in the Loft; Thursday, December 20th: Men's Prayer Group, 6:00 AM-7:00AM; ; Sunday, December 23rd: NO Sunday School

In Memory

Together we pray for all those who have been impacted by the shootings in Connecticut and recent acts of violence throughout the world.

Prayers for Mourners

O Lord, whose ways are beyond understanding, listen to the prayers of your faithful people: that those weighed down by grief at the loss of their children may find reassurance in your infinite goodness.  We ask this through Christ our Lord.  Amen.

*Catholic Household Blessings and Prayers

3rd Sunday of Advent, Year C (Gaudete Sunday)

First reading: Zephaniah 3:14-18; Second reading: Philippians 4:4-7; Gospel: Luke 3:10-18
Adults: To whom have your past acts of kindness brought joy? What acts of kindness could you do this week?
Children: What kind thing have you done for someone lately? Whom could you make happy by your kindness this week?

(http://rclblectionary.com/?p=223)

Becky Kelley - Where's the Line to See Jesus - OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO

Week of December 10 - 16

Tuesday, December 11th: Women's Prayer Group, 6:30 AM - 7:30 AM in the Gathering Space; Wednesday, December 12th: Religious Education Classes for grades 1-7, 6:15 PM to 7:30 PM; Grade 8 Small Faith Groups meet this week; High School Youth Ministry, 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM in the Loft; Thursday, December 13th: Men's Prayer Group, 6:00 AM-7:00AM; Friday, December 14th: St. Olaf Men's Club All You Can Eat Fish Fry serving 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM; Sunday, December 16th: Sunday School, 10:15 AM to 11:30 AM.

December Saint - St. John Neumann, C.Ss.R.

     Missionary and 4th bishop of Philadelphia. Founded the first diocesan Catholic school system in U.S.
     St. John Neumann learned pretty quickly what it meant to follow God's will with your whole heart and soul. He was certain that he was called to be a priest, but when the time came for ordination, the bishop fell ill and the ordination was cancelled. It was never rescheduled, because there was an over-abundance of priests in Europe. Knowing he was meant to be a priest, John traveled all the way from Bohemia to New York City to be ordained. He was one of only 36 priests, serving 200,000 Catholics: his 'parish' stretched from Lake Ontario throughout Pennsylvania. He became the founder of the first diocesan Catholic School system, going from only two schools to one hundred schools in his diocese.To learn more: http://www.stjohnneumann.org/life.html

(From: http://usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/how-we-teach/new-evangelization/year-of-faith/saints-for-the-year-of-faith.cfm)

Advent in Two Minutes - Busted Halo

Take a peek at this short video that explains Advent as the title says in 2 minutes.  Just click here: Advent in Two Minutes - Busted Halo

POPE BENEDICT XVI PRAYER INTENTION FOR DECEMBER

! That migrants throughout the world may be welcomed with generosity and authentic love, especially by Christian communities.
! That Christ may reveal himself to all humanity with the light that shines forth from Bethlehem and is reflected in the face of his Church.

Week of December 3-9

Tuesday, December 4th: Women's Prayer Group, 6:30 AM - 7:30 AM in the Gathering Space; Wednesday, December 5th: Religious Education Classes for grades 1-7, 6:15 PM to 7:30 PM; Grade 8, 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM; High School Youth Ministry, 5:45 PM in the Parish Confrenece Room; An Evening With St. Nicholas, for ages 2 thru grade 1 in the Parish Conference Room, 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM; Thursday, December 6th: Happy St. Nicholas Day!; Men's Prayer Group, 6:00 AM to 6:50 AM; Friday, December 7: Adoration in the chapel, 9:00 AM ending with Benediction at Noon; Saturday, December 8 : PCCW Annual Cookie Walk in the Fr. Robert Agnew Parish Center, open 10:00 AM to 12:00 Noon and 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM ; Sunday, December 9th: PCCW Annual Cookie Walk in the Fr. Robert Agnew Parish Center, 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM; Sunday School, 10:15 AM to 11:30 AM.