First Sunday of Advent, Year C

The habit of prayer

Reading I: Jeremiah 33:14–16 (restoration of Jerusalem)
Reading II: 1 Thessalonians 3:12—4:2 (plea for growth in holiness)
Gospel: Luke 21:25–28, 34–36 (coming of the Son of Man)

Key Passage: Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man. (Luke 21:36)

Adult: What have been the strengths of your prayer life? What habit of prayer could you strengthen during this Advent season?
Child: What prayers will you say each day and each week during Advent?
(from PastoralPlanning.com)

ST. OLAF GIVING TREE

The leaves are dropping from the trees; the mornings have a briskness; the air has a crispness and freshness that we feel as we inhale its life giving oxygen into our lungs – it leaves us feeling short of breath, yet filled with life. The wondrous part of living in
Wisconsin – we are graced to live the four seasons and to experience the cycles of life. We are exhilarated at this time of the year, we live in a sense of anticipation of all that this time of the year ushers forth – winter is around the corner, and we look forward to the joy and to the season that it brings. What so many of us look forward to in anticipation, many render themselves to in apprehension. Heat is more than a setting on the thermostat for many of our brother and sisters who live in this community of the Chippewa Valley that we all call home. Some cannot turn up the thermostat because they do not have the resources to pay the
increased cost. Many cannot go to the local department store and buy a new coat for themselves or their children. Many do not even have an old coat that can last just one more season. To steal a phrase from Alfred Lord Tennyson, “Ours is not to wonder why…” To steal a phrase from Matthew 26:35-36 “for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, naked and you clothed me, …” Yes, there are agencies and organizations, of which the church is one, that exist to help the less fortunate than we.

WE ARE THESE ORGANIZATIONS & AGENCIES – WE ARE THE CHURCH.

On November 14th the “Charlie Brown” giving tree will again appear in the gathering space. The familiar ornaments for “Spirit of Christmas” will hang in hopes of being “picked” and the ornaments for Catholic Charities (Scrip requests that may be purchased after each mass or from the office) are hanging loosely and can be easily “plucked” from the branches. The “Spirit of
Christmas” and Catholic Charities are our way of being able to reach out, with others, to be the “Light Brigade” that responds to the Gospel – simply because it is the Gospel Message. Please return the ornament, with your gift of life, hope and love and place it beneath the “Giving Tree” on or before Dec 6th, which will allow
distribution of gifts to the “Spirit of Christmas” and make Scrip available to Catholic Charities so that both may reach out to those in need in our name.

May God’s grace abound in your lives – Deacon Bob

Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B

Giving from our need

Reading I: 1 Kings 17:10–16 (Elijah and the widow)
Reading II: Hebrews 9:24–28 (the sacrifice of Jesus)
Gospel: Mark 12:38–44 (hypocrisy of the scribes, and the widow’s mite)

Key Passage: Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. For all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.” (Mark 12:43–44)

Adult: What are you willing to give out of love for God that would be a hardship for you?
Child: What would you be willing to give up for someone else?
(from PastoralPlanning.com)

Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B

Giving from our need

Reading I: 1 Kings 17:10–16 (Elijah and the widow)
Reading II: Hebrews 9:24–28 (the sacrifice of Jesus)
Gospel: Mark 12:38–44 (hypocrisy of the scribes, and the widow’s mite)

Key Passage: Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. For all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.” (Mark 12:43–44)

Adult: What are you willing to give out of love for God that would be a hardship for you?
Child: What would you be willing to give up for someone else?
(fromPastoralPlanning.com)

Pope Francis' Prayer Intentions for November

•Universal: That we may be open to personal encounter and dialogue with all, even those whose convictions differ from our own.
•Evangelization: That pastors of the Church, with profound love for their flocks, may accompany them and enliven their hope