St. Bridget Catholic Church

Transcription

1 St. Bridget Catholic Church 100 Highway 311 Schriever, Louisiana Very Rev. Simon Peter Engurait, VG, Pastor Deacon Stephen Brunet Church Office : or CCD Office: Fax Line: address: stbridgetchurch@htdiocese.org Daily Masses: Monday Friday 8:00 am Saturday Vigil Mass: 4:00 pm Sunday Masses: 8:30 am & 10:30 am Confessions: Saturday: 3:00-3:50 pm Sunday: 7:30-8:25 am and 10:00-10:25 am For Adoration Chapel information call facebook.com/stbridget ww.stbridget-htdiocese.org To report suspected abuse call

2 Fourth Sunday of Advent December 23, 2018 Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. Luke 1:42 DA=Death Anniv. B= Birthday WA=Wedding Anniversary December 22 4:00 pm Parishioners of St. Bridget December 23 8:30 am Robert Crochet by Crochet family Warren Stevens & Mitch Bonnette by Sharon, Rachel, Owen, Tanya, Maggie & Max December 23 10:30 am Keith Babin (DA) by Mom, Dad and family Diane Levron by Medrick and family December 24 8 :00 am Katie Ann Boudreaux, Theriot, Boudreaux and Ordoneaux families by Aline and Craig Boudreaux Christmas Masses will be distributed Christmas Day by insert December 29 4:00 pm Parishioners of St. Bridget December 30 8:30 am Belle Brunet (DA) by Brunet family Robert Crochet by Crochet family December 30 10:30 am Diane Levron by Medrick and family Keith Babin by Mom, Dad and family Robert Use by Use family TODAY S READINGS First Reading From Bethlehem-Ephrathah shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel (Micah 5:1-4a). Psalm Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved (Psalm 80). Second Reading We have been consecrated through the offering of the body of Christ once for all (Hebrews 10:5-10). Gospel Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken by the Lord would be fulfilled (Luke 1:39-45). The English translation of the Psalm Responses from Lectionary for Mass 1969, 1981, 1997, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corpora- The Sanctuary Light burns in memory of: December Brandon Filardo by Mom and Dad Laurie Hebert by Mom and Dad December 30-January 5, 2019 Alicia Weimer by Cindy Poiencot Belle Brunet (DA) by Brunet family Brandon Filardo by Mom and Dad December 24, :00 pm 6:00 pm 11:00 pm December 25, :00 am Christmas READINGS FOR THE WEEK Monday: 2 Sm 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16; Ps 89:2-5, 27, 29; Lk 1:67-79 Tuesday: Vigil: Is 62:1-5; Ps 89:4-5, 16-17, 27, 29; Acts 13:16-17, 22-25; Mt 1:1-25 [18-25] Night: Is 9:1-6; Ps 96:1-3, 11-13; Ti 2:11-14; Lk 2:1-14 Dawn: Is 62:11-12; Ps 97:1, 6, 11-12; Ti 3:4-7; Lk 2:15-20 Day: Is 52:7-10; Ps 98:1-6; Heb 1:1-6; Jn 1:1-18 [1-5, 9-14] Wednesday: Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59; Ps 31:3cd-4, 6, 8ab, 16bc, 17; Mt 10:17-22 Thursday: 1 Jn 1:1-4; Ps 97:1-2, 5-6, 11-12; Jn 20:1a, 2-8 Friday: 1 Jn 1:5 2:2; Ps 124:2-5, 7b-8; Mt 2:13-18 Saturday: 1 Jn 2:3-11; Ps 96:1-3, 5b-6; Lk 2:22-35 Sunday: Sir 3:2-6, or 1 Sm 1:20-22, 24-28; Ps 128:1-5 or Ps 84:2-3, 5-6, 9-10; Col 3:12-21 [12-17] or 1 Jn 3:1-2, 21-24; Lk 2:41-52 For Church Support Envelopes Call

3 INSPIRATIONAL STORY FOR THE WEEK It was just before Christmas, and Simon was travelling on the London underground. It was cold. It was raining. And it was evening rush hour. The platforms were crammed with damp, irritable people. He entered a packed carriage, and joined a group of grim and silent strangers. Like most others, he kept himself apart, carefully avoiding eye contact with his fellow passengers by examining the ads for mobile phones, foreign holidays and so on. At Euston Station, more people got on the train. Among them was a black family with twin sons aged about ten. Over the heads of the two boys, floated two large balloons, one red and the other blue. They weren t just any old balloons. They were special Christmas balloons, on polished wooden sticks with gold knobs at the top. The boys were clearly delighted with their trophies. The mood of the carriage lightened ever so slightly. At the next stop, the silence was shattered by the arrival right next to him, of a fair haired little girl of about seven. She was screaming as she clutched her father s jacket. She was a Down s Syndrome child. Her presence made people feel uncomfortable. Everyone was trying to pretend she wasn t there. Everyone except the boy with the red balloon. He stood on tiptoe, and looked around to see where the crying was coming from. Having found out, he set off through the crown in the direction of the (crying) girl, holding the balloon aloft as he went along. His progress could be followed by watching the balloon as it made a hesitant journey down the carriage. Finally he appeared next to Simon, and stood in front of the little girl. Then in a loud clear voice he said, Hello, this is for you. Happy Christmas. Then he disappeared back into the crowd. The effect was instantaneous and electric. Everyone heard the words and turned around to see what was happening. The little girl stopped crying. She clutched the balloon and started to show it to her father, to Simon and then to all her neighbors. Suddenly people began to talk to one another. It was as if the spell had been broken. They had ceased to be strangers and had become neighbors. People were looking at each other, making jokes about the weather and basking in the radiance of the little girl s laughter. By the time they reached Victoria Station, they were wishing each other Happy Christmas and almost exchanging addresses. It seems astonishing that one small gesture could change this grim and silent group of strangers into a community of friends. But that boy s gesture was not a small one. It may seem a small one, but when you think about it, you realize that for the boy, it was a big one. In fact, it was a heroic one. He had given away, a complete stranger, what at that moment was his most precious possession. All who witnessed it realized the greatness of what he had done. How might the world be changed if everyone acted like this? Christmas came early on the Victoria Line that evening. From The Tablet, December 2003 by Dominic Milroy, a monk of Ampleforth Baptism Prior to baptizing a child, the parents and godparents must attend a seminar. Please contact the Church office at for more information concerning baptism or other sacraments needed. There is a need for volunteers to answer the office phone in the afternoons from 12 noon until 3 pm. If you are interested please call the office at between 9 am and12 noon.

4 My Dear people of God, It is the fourth and last Sunday of Advent! Christmas is here! Therefore in many ways, the readings this Sunday anticipate and prepare us for Christmas. The readings get us ready for the imminent future, giving us glimpses into the mysteries that we shall be celebrating. The readings do this by bringing together the major themes found in the first three Sundays of Advent, namely: Promise, Repentance, Transformation and Joy. On this last Sunday, we are on the threshold of fulfilment, filled with anticipation of His coming, while we celebrate His presence in our midst. Advent is a season when we stand on the threshold of fulfilment. However, it is the fulfilment of an event that has already taken place, namely the birth of Christ. And so we remember it. We ritually enact it, so that we never take it for granted, so that we never forget that it is in and through history that the marvelous deeds of God are accomplished. Each year, we pause to celebrate these events, not because they have not yet occurred but because they have happened and are happening now and again before our eyes. The celebration of anticipation is also the celebration of fulfillment, fulfilment of the promise made, fulfilment of our redemption, fulfilment of our transformation. That fulfilment will be achieved in its fullness when He comes again in glory. The gospel reading today tells the story of the Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth. Elizabeth counted herself very blessed to be visited by Mary. On this last Sunday of Advent and in anticipation of Christmas, let us focus on the theme of visitation. Visitation is a great ministry and one that is rooted in the gospel: I was sick and you visited me, in prison and you came to see me Mt However, it is a ministry that seems to be dying out! In the old days, when life was simpler, people visited one another a lot. But today, visitation has largely been replaced by telephone and computer. Unfortunately, a telephone call or computer communication cannot take the place of a visit. Visitation is not an easy ministry, but it is a very fruitful one, not only for the one visited, but also for the visitor. When we visit someone, we see ourselves as doing good to those who we visit. And this is generally true. But the deeper reality is that, we too benefit, because we too are enriched. When we reach out to another person our heart comes alive. I experience this a lot when I visit the sick and homebound. Many times, I am so inspired that when I leave, I simply turn to God with gratitude and tell Him: I want some of that. That being, the grace and disposition of the person visited, especially in light of their circumstances. Indeed, one person is blessed in giving and the other is blessed receiving. With that background, we can now more directly delve into the Visitation in our gospel reading today. Mary herself had just been visited by the angel Gabriel who had brought her the good news that she was to become the mother of the Savior, Jesus Christ. However, instead of basking in the glow of that astounding piece of news, she went off immediately to visit Elizabeth who was also expecting a child in her old age. Remember, that the angel Gabriel had informed her (Mary) about the pregnancy of her cousin/kinswoman, Elizabeth. There is no doubt that Mary s visit meant a great deal to Elizabeth. It brought joy to her. But Mary too benefited from it. And she too rejoiced at the visit. As the elder and more experienced of the two women, Elizabeth must have been able to help Mary. She certainly spoke some lovely words of affirmation and confirmation: Blessed are you who believed that the that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled. My dear brothers and sisters, we can and do receive by giving. One of the ways we can give is by visiting. Christmas is a great time for visiting people we may have neglected all the year long. And of course, it is a time to open ourselves to God who comes to visit us in the person of His beloved Son, Jesus, Emmanuel, God with us. Who is God asking you to visit this season? Maranatha- Come Lord Jesus! God bless, Fr Simon Peter

5 Fourth Sunday of Advent December 23, 2018 Catholic Social Teaching: Life and Dignity of the Human Person The Catholic Church proclaims that human life is sacred and that the dignity of the human person is the founda on of a moral vision for society. Lord, let us see your face. We have come so close to the coming of Christ; it is as though we can stand the wai ng no longer. We want to see God s face. Elizabeth gets excited about Mary s pregnancy and is afraid to voice her enthusiasm. Micah is excited that from the obscure town of Bethlehem, will come a Messiah that will shepherd the people. Behind the excitement of both Micah and Elizabeth is one of the fundamental principles of Catholic Social Teaching namely, the dignity of the human person. In the Incarna on we find a special affirma on of human dignity. The child of Bethlehem is important and special and thus we are reminded that all children are special and important. God is incarnate! God is with us! We rejoice in divine life entering into the human. All people are made in the very image of God and God is incarnate in our image, therefore all people should be greeted with an exci ng Blessed are you The selec on from Micah ends with the line He shall be peace. And so we pray: Lord, fulfill your promise! Where there is conflict, give birth to peace! Where there is hatred, make love spring up! Where darkness prevails, let light shine! Make us heralds of your peace! Amen. Christmas happens. Christ comes, but in a strange ways and surprising circumstances. Many of us miss the coming of Christ because we expect him where and when he is not coming. God has to make us turn in a different direc on so that we can find Christ in poverty (Bethlehem) and in the poor and outcast (Mary and Elizabeth). Perpetual Adoration Chapel St. Bridget is privileged to have a Perpetual Adoration Chapel. All have the opportunity to experience the real presence of Jesus. Let us treasure the chapel by patronizing it. We need to develop a Catholic habit of making regular visits to the chapel. All are invited to spend time with Jesus! Parents are encouraged to stop in and visit Jesus with your children or spend some alone quiet time with Him. Poor Box Donations The St. Vincent de Paul Society uses donations from the poor box to help needy families in the community. Donation boxes are available at the entrance of the church. All donations are greatly appreciated. December 9, 2018 Envelopes $ Loose Attendance 336 Thank You For Your Generosity Please Pray for the Repose of all souls, especially the Soul of Lyn Samanie. May the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace. Amen. At 7:40 am each morning the Liturgy of the Hours is said in the Day Chapel before mass. After Wednesday morning Mass the World Rosary is said in Church.. After Friday Morning Mass the 7 Sorrows Rosary is prayed.

6 Catholic Charities is in need of volunteers to help prepare income tax returns for low income seniors, individuals and families. Only the simple tax forms are prepared & e- filed on IRS computer software. The income tax site is run on the second floor of the Terrebonne Main Library every Tuesday during tax season (February 5 April 9) from 9am 3pm. No prior tax experience is necessary we will train you if needed. Please contact Jennifer Gaudet at if you can help out. Thank you! MEMORIES AND DREAMS Throughout our lives, we retain the language and habits of our native region and family of origin. Should we return to our home after a long absence, we quickly revert to its familiar speech and practices. Our deep memory is reflected in old stories and words and speech patterns. This familiarity runs like an underground river and accompanies us wherever we go. Not only do we remember, we are incorporated into and made part of a greater memory. In remembering and recollecting, we are in turn gathered up and re-collected. Today we remember Mary, a small figure travelling the country roads to visit Elizabeth. All the great pronouncements and dreams of the prophets point to this time when the Lord s words to Mary would be gathered and fulfilled. The memories of her people are alive in her, and memories of her nourish our own living faith. Copyright J. S. Paluch Co. Love One Another Prayer Line If you or someone needs to be added to the prayer line, call Nina Richard at or the rectory at In the charity of your prayers, please pray for the sick, elderly, and homebound. Please pray for: Elaine Ables, Andrew Adams, Sr.,Susan Arceneaux, Heidi Ardoin, Jacob Aucoin, Sara Aucoin, Elvin Babin,Tommy Badeaux, Donald Banowetz, Chad Barrileaux, Ronnie Bednarz, Chuck Beebe, Gertrude Benoit, Judith Benoit, Fr. Paul Bergeron, Rosemary Besson, Mitzy Bettridge, Gretchen Bilello, Pat Billiot, Preston Billiot, Alvin & Gail Blanchard, Dennis Blanchard, Ronald Blanchard, Cody Bourgeois, Emile Jay Bourgeois, Patricia Bourgeois, Troy & Joan Bourgeois, Wade Bourgeois, Connie Bouterie, Beau Brassette, Dustin Brassette, Mark Brassette, Emma Del Broussard, Richard Broussard, Susan Caillouet, Randy Chiasson, Brad Clement, Bryce Comeaux, Jay & Tiffany Conner, Huey Cortez Sr., Martha Cortez, Ruben Cunningham, Randy Davis, Cary Davis, Jr., Barbara & Ronni Duhon, Alan Dunbar, Linda Ekiss, Avery Brother and Sonja Fonseca, Darin Fonz, Robin Ford, Marie Fournier, Alisa Frederick, Dante Galliano, Toby Gambarella, Leigh Ann Gardner, Carrie Gibbens Belinda Gil, Brandon Gil, George Gil, The Gil Family, Carrie Mae Givens, Austin Gros, Chad Gros, George Gros, Rosebella Gros, Vergie Gros, Kendra Guillot, Joy Hebert, Katie Hebert, Jerrell Hebert, Sr., Jessie Hoffpauir, Samara Holland, Kristen Koppel, Jackson LaFleur, Elmay Landry, Judie Landry, Joyce Landry, Craig Landry, Mark Landry, Barbara Nell Lapeyrouse, Allie LeBlanc, Chester Lecompte, Evelyn Leger, Tammy Babin Loney, Payton Martin, Rick Melancon, Asher Miller, Savannah Miller, Emma Mire, Meghan Naquin, Misty Naquin, Shannon Naquin, Annie Ordoyne, Kara Pellegrin, Sherry Pennison, Lisa Pennison, Kenneth Pitre, James Pierce, Kip Pierce, Sharon Prejean, Ed Raidl, Kerri Reynolds, Bryce Richard, Ella Richard, Lorita Rodrigue, Susan Rodrigue, Cynthia Rogers, Danielle Samanie, Lyn Samanie, Chester Sanchez, Karla Saunier, Kathy Savoie, Earline Simmoneaux, Penny Simmons, James Soileau, Louis Stevens, Melissa Tardiff, Trish Templet, Cammie Thibodaux, Rudy Thibodaux, Lacey Thibodeaux, Thibodaux Family, Ronnie Thomas, Chris Toups, Joyce Toups, Ricky Turner, Sara Day Vignes, Allison Walters, and Anna Wooten. When the Lord has answered our prayers, notify the Rectory so that the name can be removed.

7 Online Giving Simple, Secure, Sure Please consider using online giving for the new year. Online giving is for those who do and do not use weekly envelopes. The website is safe, secure, and simple to use. Online giving ensures funds to the parish in the event that envelopes, checkbooks, cash, etc. are forgotten or misplaced. Online giving can be used for weekly, monthly, one-time, donations are more. Donations for altar flowers, memorial masses, candles, and special projects can all be made through online giving. Online giving for St. Bridget can be found Contact the Youth Formation Office at for more details and for assistance. FINANCE COUNCIL: Fr. Simon Peter Engurait, Phil Schexnayder, Mike Richard, Nina Richard, Tracy Baudoin, Peggy Pitre, Deacon Stephen Brunet PASTORAL COUNCIL: Fr. Simon Peter Engurait, Amy Baudoin, Nicholas Billiot, Nina Billiot, Burnelle and Margaret Landry, Curtis Knight, Medrick Levron, Albert Rogers, Deacon Stephen Brunet STRATEGIC PLAN IMPLEMENTATION TEAM: Father Simon Peter, Amy Baudoin, Nicholas Billiot, Nina Billiot, Kellie Bishop, Claire Falgout, Mary Louviere, Bernadette Mabile, Mark Olin, Sharon Pollet, Fr. Mark Toups (Liaison). Ministry for the Homebound We are in need of Eucharist Ministers for the homebound of the parish. Any deputed minster for St. Bridget can perform this very important ministry. If interest please notify the office at Thanks Jr. High Faith Experience January 12 th Jr. High Faith Experience will be held Saturday, January 12 th at E. D. White High School. JHFE is open to youth in grades 6 8. The $50 registration fee includes conference fee, meal, and t- shirt. More details will be provided through Faith Formation classes. Parents of Catholic school students and home schooled students interested in attending should contact Miss Bernadette at for more information. Registration is due no later than Decem Help Wanted - Children s Liturgy Children s Liturgy will begin in January for children age 3 through 1 st grade. Adults and teen assistants are needed to help with the program. Please contact the Youth Formation Office ( ) to volunteer. The program will begin with the 10:30 am Mass. Please prayerfully consider being a part of this ministry. Youth Jewelry Sale Huge Success Thanks to all who participated in the youth jewelry sale. It was a huge success. Funds earned will be used for Abbey Youth Festival, National Catholic Youth Conference, and Steubenville on the Bayou. Requests for additional items can be made by contacting the Youth Formation Office at Knights of Columbus The KCS are the fraternal organization of men serving the church parish with physical and spiritual needs. The KC's meet on the 4th Wednesday of the month in the Community Life Annex. The organization is open to Catholic men aged 18 and above. The next meeting is on December 26 Contact Ricky Billiot at for more details.