St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church

Transcription

1 St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church December 30, 2018

2 THE HOLY FAMILY In the secular world Christmas is already over. In the Church, however, we celebrate until the feast of the Baptism of our Lord on January 13. Through this extended season of celebration the Church is saying, "Christmas is too much of a mystery to celebrate in one day. We will take two weeks to ponder its meaning." As part of this celebration we ponder the mystery of the Holy Family today. Today we hold up their example and ask their intercession for our families. Whatever our living situation, we can draw strength from the Holy Family, whether we are two-parent families, singleparent families, single people, religious or anything in between, we can learn from the family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. Some people might say, "There is no way we can be like the Holy Family. They were all saints! They had it made. How can I relate them to my family? How can the Holy Family empathize with me?" At first glance this may appear true but upon further examination we can see the great difficulties in life that the Holy Family experienced. What situations do you have to deal with? A difficult situation in life? Mary was an unwed, pregnant teenager, a situation that probably led many people to talk behind her back and question her virtue. Hardships? While nine months pregnant she had to travel the hills of Palestine from Nazareth to Bethlehem, probably seated on a donkey. Doors being closed in your face? When it came time to give birth and she gave birth in a barn on straw and surrounded by field animals. Persecution? Soldiers came to kill her baby and still recovering from birth she had to flee to Egypt and later learn that dozens of young male babies had been slain in Bethlehem. Problems with adolescents? As Jesus grew there were times when Mary couldn't understand Him. We remember when Mary and Joseph could not find Jesus for three whole days because he was busy in the Temple talking to the teachers of the law. Having to face a tragic death? Mary's greatest sorrow was to view the Passion of her Son as He carried His cross up Calvary. Grave injustices? Her son had never even sinned and He was convicted and executed as a common criminal. Beneath the Cross stood the sorrowful Mother weeping. Are you called to make sacrifices? Joseph led a hard and honest life as a carpenter. Although having Mary as his wife he was called to lead a celibate life and be a foster father to Jesus. I think the Holy Family can emphasize with many of the problems families encounter today. From not understanding your children to encountering death, Mary and Joseph have been there and done that. We can confidently bring them our cares and concerns and seek to learn from their holy lives. Although their lives were holy they were filled with the trials that many families encounter today. Today we stop and thank God for the gift of family. They are the building block of society and the sanctuary of life. We thank God for our families that God has entrusted to us. We thank God for the example of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. We are thankful for our many beautiful families here at St. Francis Xavier. We ask for the grace to be silent so as to hear the voice of the Father, strong to complete the work set before us and generous to give our entire lives to God so that God may be glorified in everything. -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. This fall over 60 of our parishioners went through a program called Discovering Christ. From the outside it is a simple process: a meal together, a video and then a discussion group. On a deeper level it is a movement that can change one s life. The New Year is often focused on new commitments and new beginnings. What a better commitment than to seek to grow in one s relationship with Jesus Christ! Discovering Christ is part of a larger movement called Christ Life. It is the idea that we need to get back to the kerygma the basic Good News of Jesus. Sometimes we can take our Faith for granted and our practice becomes rote. Kerygma brings us back to the basic idea that Jesus loves us wants a relationship with us. We will begin a new session on Wed. January 9. It will consist of seven Wednesdays and one Saturday morning retreat. We will offer a daytime session from 11:00 1:00 and an evening session from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Please sign up on the clipboard by the front doors. For our alumni of the fall session we will offer level 2 (Seeking Christ) during Lent. Here is what some of our parishioners said about their experience in the fall session: I sometimes become placid in my faith and this brought me back. I know I became stronger in my faith! I loved the videos and the fellowship! It makes me appreciate my Catholic Faith so much and draws me closer to Jesus I have recommitted to make Jesus the center of my life. I know the Holy Spirit led me to this retreat and class and I am grateful. As a Catholic returning to the fold, it has reaffirmed my beliefs and strengthened my walk with Christ. It has made me re-examine my personal walk with Christ It has been quite a while since I attended anything like this. It was inspiring, thought provoking and enlightening to share with my table mates. I looked forward to every session! I feel closer to God. The Church Office will be closed from December 22 through January 2. In case of emergency, please call or Ann at or annbuebel@bellsouth.net. Leave a message and she will get back to you as soon as possible or will pass the message on to a priest.

4 Last Chance for a Year End Gift Please consider a year end gift to SFX Church. All year end gifts must be in our office by Monday, December 31st at 9 a.m. to be included in this year s giving. Please drop in the mail slot if you are waiting till Monday. -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. Come to Adoration on Friday, January 4. First Friday Adoration is scheduled for January 4 in the Church from 2 to 8 p.m. Please sign-up for a one hour slot. Sign-up sheet is located on the back table. First Saturday Mass at 8:45 a.m. January 5th in the Chapel. 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. Collections for: December Will be in the January 13th bulletin The Knights of Columbus will host a blood drive on Sunday, January 13th from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. in Xavier Hall. Please consider giving a pint of your precious gift of life to others. Your donation will remain in the local community. Scheduling an appointment will ensure your time is respected. The Knights of Columbus will provide the volunteers needed for service. For questions, please call Bill Schuster

5 School News As we end the year, we thank everyone for their support and look forward to a fun filled, prosperous May God s love light your way and lead you into a new year that shines with His special joy. Important dates for our school: January 28 to February 1 is Catholic Schools Week. We will be celebrating at school, church and throughout the community. February 1 is Grandparents and Grandfriends day. This day includes a school tour and mass. We hope you can join us. Teens in the Spirit meets every Wednesday from 5-7 p.m. with Mass to follow. Teens in the Spirit will start back on January 9th January 28 to February 1 is Catholic Schools Week. We will be celebrating at school, church and throughout the community. February 1 is Grandparents and Grandfriends day. This day includes a school tour and mass. We hope you can join us. January 27, from 2-4 P.M. and Wednesday, February 6 from 8:30-10:30 A.M. we will be holding school Open Houses. All are welcome and please help us by inviting families you know to come to SFX for our either open house event. If those dates and times don t work for your schedule, please call the school at for an appointment. 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 & Dan Schaefer Jesse Cole Norma Ireland Joan Schwartz Jerry Ehlman Joyce McPhee Carol Papia Bradley Huffman Jacky Free Michael L. Mleko Jim Nutt Shirley Reilly Hazel Woody David & Frances Nohrden Mercedes Nadal Kathy Poliwka Lucille Nichols Sarah Ray Jerry Hayward Jackie Maassen Sandi Wadsworth Linda Forsyth Willie & Peggie Cash Blanch Reed Dan Hickey Jim Layman Dianna Rutledge Derek Canas David Higbee Yvonne Lott Jacky Free Tedi Lakers Tod Donovan Denny Silva Ruthie Aspinwall December 30, 2018 Holy Family Mass Intentions Saturday, December 29 5:00 p.m. t Jack & Jeanne O Donnell 7 p.m. t Kevin Cloonan (At Jekyll United Methodist Church) Sunday, December 30 8:30 a.m. t Lew Orians 11a.m. t R.D. Weiss 6 p.m. t Jose Martinez Gonzalez Monday, December 31 (Holy Day Vigil) 7 p.m. t Beau Vendetti Tuesday, January 1 (Holy Day) 8:30 a.m. t Rose DeFranco 11 a.m. t Robert Visintainer Wednesday, January 2 7 a.m. Jacky Free (intentions) 7 p.m. Jimmy Montgomery (Intentions) Thursday, January 3 7 a.m. t Beau Vendetti Betty Blouin Lidia Gorman Martha Burroughs Felicia Lima Maureen O Farrell Georgia Burgess-Erwin Colton Wynns Jimmy Montgomery Charlie Mabry Patricia Clark Let us pray for all those in the military and police force both active and retired. New Year s Masses are December 31 at 7 p.m. and January 1 at 8:30 and 11. Friday, January 4 8:00 a.m. t Sr. Agnes Rose 2 p.m. - 8 p.m. Adoration Saturday, January 5 8:45 a.m. t Chevillard & Maris Fazio 5:00 p.m. t Antoni Raczkowski 7 p.m. Our Parish Family (At Jekyll United Methodist Church) Sunday, January 6 8:30 a.m. Monique Broz (Intentions) 11a.m. t Annie Higginbotham Timmerman 6 p.m. t Peter Phap

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