St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church

Transcription

1 St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church November 18, 2018

2 Be Prepared! In the past few weeks we have noticed a change in the seasons. The mornings and evenings have turned chilly. We have pulled out the blankets, coats and sweaters from the closets and have turned the heat on. The days have grown shorter and it is dark as we come home from work. These are signs for us that winter is not far off and the end of the year is near. Today we notice a drastic change in our liturgy. The readings have an apocalyptic tone to them. Jesus speaks about the end of the world and the last judgment. The reason that these readings come to the fore is that we are nearing the end of the Church year. Next Sunday is the Feast of Christ the King, the final Sunday of the year. On December 2nd we will begin a new Church year as we celebrate the first Sunday of Advent and look for the coming of Christ at Christmas. Our Mother, the Church, is saying to us, Be prepared for that day when Jesus comes again. To be honest, it is hard to motivate us to think about such a dramatic event as the Second Coming. Probably most of us, deep down, think, It has almost 2,000 years since Christ ascended into heaven, He probably will not come in my lifetime. We have seen the generations before us walk this earth and we think we will live out our days and then one day be called home. This may or may not be true. Each of us in this church may live out our allotted days; however we also must remember that Jesus promised that He would return again and that no one would know the day or the hour. The fact is that Jesus may return this very evening. But today I would like to go in another direction, with an idea we may more easily grasp and perhaps allow us to grasp Jesus exhortation to remain vigilant. SHAKEN TO OUR CORE I believe the essence of Jesus message is to build our spiritual house on the rock sure foundation of the Gospel because a day will come when the foundations we have built will be tested. That may be at the Second Coming but I believe that some of us do not have to wait that long. What are some ways that our foundations may be tested? Perhaps we have experienced a great financial loss or were hurt by a friend, someone who we knew and trusted but who in some way betrayed us. Maybe we are going through a divorce. A person that we pledged our life to has split paths and our very soul feels torn. Or perhaps our job hasn t worked out the way we envisioned. We made a change and had great hopes but now we seem in a rut. Perhaps we lost our job and it felt like it came out of the blue. Maybe we encountered a health crisis. We received a serious prognosis from the doctor and it shocked us. Or perhaps we have simply encountered old age. Our bodies are weakened. We cannot do the things we once did before. We are aware of our mortality. All these are events that can shake us to the core. We feel that life will never be the same again. These are but a few examples of losses people in our community encounter every week. Perhaps you have encountered one or more of these. If we have we may understand Jesus words, In those days after that tribulation the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from the sky, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. We do not have to wait for the Second Coming for our foundation to be tested. WHAT IS OUR FOUNDATION? The Church says to us today, What are you building on? If my life is built on my relationship with God, daily prayer, Sunday Mass, God s Word, and my family then I will have a solid wall to lean against. If I stay close to the Sacraments of the Eucharist and Confession, and if I have solid friends who call me on in my relationship with God I will be strong to face the tribulations of this world. It does not mean that I will not face trials but rather I will have the means to deal with them. That day will come one day, either in the form of our death or when we hear the last trumpet sound and see Jesus the King return to judge the living and the dead. For us that day may come tonight, or it may come fifty years hence. The good news is that, if my life is built on Christ I can be certain that neither life, nor death, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, not height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8:38, 39.) If we live in such a manner the end of life will not be a time to fear but a time to look forward to, a time to realize our deepest desire: to see God. The return of Jesus should be a time of joy for us. It is not something to fear. It will be a homecoming. We were created by God to be with God forever. In heaven we will be perfectly happy. There will be no fears or desires because we will be in the presence of perfect love. There will be no sadness, crying, pain or anxiety only God. Let us use these final two weeks of ordinary time to examine the past year and reflect on how we have done. Examinations are not always fun but they reveal what is healthy and what is unhealthy. Today the Church offers us a quiz to prepare us for our final examination that one day we will take. As we reflect on our lives may we be able to say, You are my inheritance, O Lord! -Fr. Tim McKeown

3 Mass Schedule Saturday 5:00 p.m. SFX 7:00 p.m. (on Jekyll) Sunday (SFX) 8:30 a.m. 11:00 a.m. 6:00 p.m. in Spanish Weekday Masses Mon. - Noon (Chapel) Tues., Wed. & Thurs. 7:00 a.m. (Chapel) Wed. 7:00 p.m. (Church) Fri. 8 a.m. (Church) Reconciliation: Church Saturdays 4:00-4:30 p.m. Sunday 7:45-8:15 a.m. (Or by appointment) St. Joseph Chapel (Please go to the main office for code) Monday - Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. St Joseph Chapel First Friday Adoration 2:00-7:00 p.m. Holy Hour 7:00-8:00 p.m. First Saturday 8:45 a.m. 10:00 a.m. Mass on Thanksgiving day. (no 7:00 a.m. Mass that day). As we come to the end of the calendar year here is a Stewardship checklist. Have you given to each this year to support our Catholic work in Coastal Georgia? There are envelopes on the tables or you can contact Ann at the office for more information: -Forward With Faith Campaign to renovate our church and school! -Bishop s Annual Appeal to assist with the Bishop s needs especially the education and training of seminarians from which we greatly benefit! -Southern Cross pay and support our diocesan Catholic newspaper. Bishop s Annual Appeal 2018 results to date Parish Valdosta-Brunswick Deanery Paid on Targets Pledged Pledge Pledge One Balance Time Total Given Alma % % of Target Baxley 5, % Brunswick 57,285 14, , % Darien 8,793 1, % Douglas 22,726 1, % Fitzgerald 3, % Folkston 2,851 2, % Hazelhurst 3, % Hinesville 22,413 7, % Jesup 6, % Lakes Park 1, % Ray City 11,808 1, % St Marys 34,666 10, ,477 27,347 36, % St Simons Island 70,423 13, % Valdosta 88,170 14, % Waycross 21,881 4, % Willacoochee 2, %

4 Join our parish for BEST ADVENT EVER, a free program from Dynamic Catholic that will help you slow down and focus on what matters most during the busy holiday season. Each day of Advent, you ll receive an with... Short inspirational videos from Allen Hunt, Matthew Kelly, and the Dynamic Catholic team. Practical tips for your everyday life Real-life stories to encourage you in your faith journey Sign up, visit BestAdventEver.com/Christmas18 Mass to celebrate our 150 th anniversary as a parish: Sunday December 2 at 11:00 a.m. Bishop Hartmayer will preside. Reception to follow in Xavier Hall. We will be joined by Fr. John Beckley S.M. and Fr. Wilfred Logsdon OFM. The Most Reverend Gregory Hartmayer, OFM Conv., Bishop of Savannah Invites all couples celebrating their Silver or Gold (25 th or 50 th ) Wedding Anniversaries in 2019 to join him in celebrating the Gold & Silver Wedding Jubilee Anniversary Mass in your honor at the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist in Savannah, Georgia on Sunday: February 10, Those wishing to attend should register online at by December 20, 2018 in order to receive a formal invitation with the detailed information. Questions?: Contact the Diocesan Office of Family Life, Bishop Gartland Awards: Bishop Gregory J. Hartmayer, OFM Conv. will confer the Award during the 11:30 AM Mass at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist on Christ the King Sunday, November 25, honorees from throughout the Diocese will be recognized for their distinguished service to their parish and the Church of the Diocese of Savannah. We are honored that Rose Mary Jones and Susan Layman from SFX will be honored. The Council of Catholic Women will meet on Monday, December 3, 6 to 7:30 pm in Xavier hall for their regular monthly gathering. Ladies of the parish are also cordially invited to join us for our annual Christmas Party on Sunday, December 9, 4 to 6 pm in Xavier hall. Please call Marisol extension 12 for details. Monsignor Marvin J. LeFrois, 94, a retired priest of the Diocese of Savannah died Nov. 9 at a Hospice in Valdosta after a long illness. Please pray for the happy repose of his soul. Thank You Parish family for supporting both the Blood drive where we collected 26 pints of blood a little off our mark but understandable considering the construction and road conditions. Our yard sale was a huge successful due to support of all who brought items or asked for pick up of large items to include lots of home furnishings and an upright piano! Our next Yard sale will be in the spring again in March with pickups beginning in February. The proceeds will help one day purchase another Ultra sound machine supporting our pro-life initiative. Knights of Columbus Thanks You. Collections for: November 17 & 18 $ 8,551.09

5 School and Youth News St. Francis Xavier Catholic School is beginning the process of developing a five-year Strategic Plan to help ensure the future of the school. We will be looking at finances, academics, enrollment, leadership, and facilities to identify our strengths and areas for improvement. Whether you are a current SFX parent, past SFX parent, parishioner with school age children, parishioner without school age children, we would appreciate your input by taking a short survey at PARISH SCHOOL OF RELIGION (PSR): PSR meets Sunday Mornings during the academic school year, 9:30 10:40am, for children Pre-K - 8 th Grade. If you have not registered yet, please come over to the school and we will help you get your child registered for this new year. Call Deacon Larry-DRE , X14. Say Yes to Grace! Pre-Register For Your 2019 GRACE Scholars Tax Credit GRACE Scholars makes awards to students with demonstrated financial need to attend Catholic school in Georgia. GRACE is fueled by no-cost contributions eligible for a 100 percent tax credit against Georgia income taxes. Go towww.gracescholars.org and click on the button for the online form on the home page. A paper form is also available. Please submit your pre-registrations for GRACE by December 15, For more information, please contact: Frank Ferra via fferra28@yahoo.com Parent of a St Francis Xavier Catholic School Student ***Sponsors Needed*** St. Francis Xavier Catholic School is in need of sponsors for their annual Crusaders Bash to be held on Nov. 30th at the King and Prince Hotel. Please contact Stephanie D'Amico for information sgdamico26@gmail.com Teens in the Spirit meets every Wednesday from 5-7 p.m. with Mass to follow. O God, hear our prayer and let our cry come unto You. Bless our Diocese of Savannah with many vocations to the priesthood, diaconate, and religious life. Give the men and women You call the light to understand Your gift and the love to follow always in the footsteps of Your priestly Son. Amen.

6 PRAYER LIST Hans McCollum Timothy Tindall Jack & Jan Mistisshen Vincent Schaefer Dan Schaefer Jesse Cole Norma Ireland Joan Schwartz Jerry Ehlman Shirley Reilly Hazel Woody Betty Blouin Lidia Gorman Martha Burroughs Felicia Lima Maureen O Farrell Georgia Burgess-Erwin David & Frances Nohrden Mercedes Nadal Kathy Poliwka Lucille Nichols Sarah Ray Mass Intentions Saturday, November 17 5:00 p.m. Jack & Jan MIstisshen (60th) 7 p.m. t George Parsons (At Jekyll United Methodist Church) Sunday, November 18 8:30 a.m. t Beau Vendetti 11a.m. t November 18, 2018 Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time Attilio Tozzi/James Powell 6:00 p.m. Our Parish Family Monday, November 19 Noon t Angelina Sanchez Tuesday, November 20 7 a.m. t Richard Brunegraff Joyce McPhee Carol Papia Bradley Huffman Jacky Free Michael L. Mleko Jim Nutt Jerry Hayward Jackie Maassen Sandi Wadsworth Linda Forsyth Let us pray for all those in the military and police force both active and retired. Wednesday, November 21 7 a.m. Special Intentions 7 p.m. t R. D. Weiss Thursday, November 22 10:00 a.m. SFX Families Friday, November 23 8:00 a.m. t Charlotte Cornelius The Vocation Office will sponsor a discernment retreat Answer the Call for men ages 18 to 40 from Friday, December 28 th at noon to Saturday, December 29 th at 2pm at Little Ocmulgee State Park & Lodge in Helena, GA (south of Dublin). Please register at and click on the retreat icon. There is no cost for the retreat and registration will close Christmas day. THANK YOU! A thank you goes out to all who helped clean up the rectory yard and greenhouse. Fr. Chris, Deacon Robert, Laura and Jacks Sparks, Mike Carter, Sissy Putney and Diane Lott. What a beautiful day for a clean up. Saturday, November 24 5:00 p.m. t Emilio & Erminia Stefini 7 p.m. t Sandee Coddington (Flowers) (At Jekyll United Methodist Church) Sunday, November 25 8:30 a.m. t Jack & Jeanne O Donnell 11a.m. t Mary, Effie & Preston Blanchard 6:00 p.m. Our Parish Family The SFX Community extends their prayers and condolences to the family of Richard Brunegraff. May he rest in the peace of Christ. If you are interested in being part of a Living the Eucharist Lenten study this year please contact Deacon Larry. We will soon be ordering books for groups. If you were not in a group last year you can learn more at LivingtheEucharist.org.

7 Parish Activity Contacts Adult Bible Study, Joe & Linda Kirby Altar and Environmental Care, Diane Lott Bereavement, Ann Buebel CCW, Marisol Soler ext. 12 Culture of Life, Rose Lodise Greeters, Ginger Dorcas Knights of Columbus, Bill Schuster Religious Ed., Larry Guyer ext. 14 St. Monica Society, Peggie Cash St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store Parish Council, RoseMary Jones at Most Rev. Gregory John Hartmayer, OFM Conv. Bishop of Savannah Membership To be a registered member of the parish is to have a sense of belonging to a family. Newcomers are requested to register at the church office soon after arrival to meet the staff and learn about your new parish. In the time of family sickness, death or special need, parishioners are asked to notify the Church office. If requested, Holy Communion will e brought o anyone desiring to receive the Eucharist but are unable to attend Mass for serious reasons. Church Office 405 Howe St., Brunswick, GA