4th Sunday of Advent

    How can you live in such a way that you expect nothing and see every thing as a gift?
    In what ways can you release the child within you during the upcoming Christmas Season? 
   In what ways can you help others to give birth to that childlikeness in themselves?

(from Awakening to God, 23rd Publications, 2004)

Calendar for December 20 - January 3

    Religious Education will not be in session Wednesday December 23rd or Wednesday December 30th.  Clases will resume Wednesday January 6th. 
    Christmas Eve, Thursday December 24, Masses will be at 5:00 PM and 7:30 PM.  Christmas Day, Friday December 25, Masses will be at 8:30 AM and 10:30 AM.  Masses for the feast of Mary the Mother of God, will be on Thursday December 31 at 5:00 PM and Friday January 1 at 9:00 AM.
    Have a Blessed Christmas and a Joyous New Year!

Tonight at St. Olaf

Grades 1-6 will meet from 6:15 until 7:30; Grade 8 will meet from 6:00 until 7:30; grade 7 small faith groups are scheduled to meet this evening; High School Youth Ministry will meet from 7:00 until 8:30. 

Saint John of the Cross

St. John of the Cross is also known as Doctor of Mystical Theology
   Memorial: 14 December
   Profile: Born in poverty. Cared for the poor in the hospital in Medina. Lay Carmelite brother in 1563 at age 21, though he lived stricter than their Rule. Studied at Salamanca. Carmelite priest, ordained in 1567 at age 25. Persuaded by Saint Teresa of Avila to begin the Discalced or barefoot reform within the Carmelite Order, he took the name John of the Cross. Master of novices. Spiritual director and confessor at Saint Teresa's convent. His reforms did not set well with some of his brothers, and he was ordered to return to Medina. He refused, and was imprisoned at Toledo, Spain, escaping after nine months. Vicar-general of Andalusia. His reforms revitalized the Order. Great contemplative and spiritual writer. Proclaimed Doctor of the Church by Pope Pius XI on 24 August 1926.
   Born: 24 June 1542 at Fontiveros, Spain
   Died: 14 December 1591 at Ubeda, Andalusia, Spain; relics at Segovia
   Name Meaning: God is gracious; gift of God
   Beatified: 25 January 1675 by Pope Clement X
   Canonized: 27 December 1726 by Pope Benedict XIII
   Patron of: the contemplative life; contemplatives; mystical theology; mystics; and Spanish poets   
                                              http://saints.sqpn.com/saintj23.htm

Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe

Our Lady of Guadalupe - Patron of the Americas
   Our Lady of Guadalupe, December 12 (USA): When we reflect on the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe we learn two important lessons, one of faith and one of understanding.
   Missionaries who first came to Mexico with the conquistadors had little success in the beginning. After nearly a generation, only a few hundred Native Mexicans had converted to the Christian faith. Whether they simply did not understand what the missionaries had to offer or whether they resented these people who made them slaves, Christianity was not popular among the native people.
   Then in 1531 miracles began to happen. Jesus' own mother appeared to humble Juan Diego. The signs -- of the roses, of the uncle miraculously cured of a deadly illness, and especially of her beautiful image on Juan's mantle -- convinced the people there was something to be considered in Christianity. Within a short time, six million Native Mexicans had themselves baptized as Christians.
   The first lesson is that God has chosen Mary to lead us to Jesus. No matter what critics may say of the devotion of Mexicans (and Mexican descendants) to Our Lady of Guadalupe, they owe their Christianity to her influence. If it were not for her, they would not know her son, and so they are eternally grateful. The second lesson we take from Mary herself. Mary appeared to Juan Diego not as a European madonna but as a beautiful Aztec princess speaking to him in his own Aztec language. If we want to help someone appreciate the gospel we bring, we must appreciate the culture and the mentality in which they live their lives. By understanding them, we can help them to understand and know Christ. Our Lady of Guadalupe is patron of the Americas.

http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=456

In the Diocese of La Crosse there is a Shrine to Our Lady of Guadalupe just outside of La Crosse.  The shrine was built with donations from those in our diocese, around the country and the world who believe we need to have a place to take our sufferings and needs to receive renewal and peace.  The shrine is a place where you can go to take time away from the busyness of our world and spend time with God.  To find out more information on the Shrine check out the following web site: http://www.guadalupeshrine.org/Home/Home.asp

3rd Sunday of Advent

Questions for Reading 2: Joy is a gift of God. Sometimes we have to ask for it. Sometimes it takes an effort to set aside our worries or expectations of the future and to be happy in the present moment. Sometimes, to "get joy," we have to give joy first! How can you do this in a little way today?  Sometimes we need to stop and notice the peace and joy already in our lives. What can you notice today? The smile of a friend? A snow-covered tree? A favorite verse from Scripture?  What little thing can you do to rejoice and "give joy" unselfishly during these days before Christmas? Try to do something each day, one day at a time.
Discussion Questions for Gospel: Did you know that the name John means "gift of God"? How was John the Baptist a gift to the people of his time? What gifts did he bring to them?  Think of people who are gifts in your life. Do not forget those who, like John the Baptist, remind you to live as a just and peaceful person! Pray for those people.

Week of December 13-19

Monday December 14: City Wide Reconciliaton Service at Immaculate Conception Parish, 7:00 PM; Tuesday December 15: City Wide Reconciliaton Service at St. Olaf Parish, 7:00 PM, Faith Formation Council Meeting, 6:00 PM in meeting room 2; Wednesday December 16: Religous Education Classes for Grades 1-6, 6:15-7:30 and Grade 8, 6:00-7:30, HSYM will meet at 7:00-8:30; and City Wide Reconciliaton Service at Rock Falls, 7:00 PM; Thursday December 17: City Wide Reconciliaton Service at St. James, 7:00 PM.  Grade 7 small faith groups are scheduled to meet this week as well.