The Catholic Communities of Bowlus, Holdingford and St. Anna

Transcription

1 The Catholic Communities of Bowlus, Holdingford and St. Anna St. Stanislaus Kostka, Bowlus All Saints, Holdingford Immaculate Conception, St. Anna The Fourth Sunday of Advent December 23, 2018 Central Office in Holdingford Hours: Mon.-Wed. 10 to 3, Thurs. 1 to 5 Website: tworiverscatholic.com Office: (320) Father: (320) In case of emergency or a death, call Father at the Rectory Parish Pastoral Team Father Gregory Mastey, Pastor Kristin Molitor, New Evangelization Coordinator evangelist@tworiverscatholic.com Shirley Willoughby, Business Manager Office hours: Wed. 10 to 3 p.m. businessmanager@tworiverscatholic.com Jessie Johnson, Secretary secretary@tworiverscatholic.com Confession Times: Before weekday Masses at 7:30 a.m. Saturday: 7:30 p.m. St. Anna Marriage: Couples are to begin preparation 6-12 months in advance and must call the Central Office to meet with Father Gregory before setting a date. Diocesan Marriage Preparation Classes are required. Baptism: Call to schedule Baptism. A baptism class is offered quarterly. Shut-Ins: Please call us. New Parishioners: Please introduce yourself to Father after Mass and call the Central Office. If you are leaving our parishes please call the central office so we can update our census. Thank you. P.O. Box 308, Holdingford, MN No room at the Inn The Greek word for Inn (kataluma) has a different meaning than what we think of today. It actually means guest room. Because Joseph and Mary were traveling back home for the census, they found relatives houses already full with no guest rooms available. Bethlehem was overcrowded. Often the lower level of a home housed animals which may have been the only place left for Mary and Joseph and may have been the kind of manger where Jesus was born. answeringgenesis.org While they were there, the time came for her Child to be born. And she gave birth to her first born, a Son. She wrapped Him in swaddling cloths and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2:7 The lack of room for Jesus is an age-old problem. There still is severe overcrowding. Our minds are overcrowded with news and information, our hearts are overcrowded with innumerable concerns, our schedules are overcrowded with things to do With so much overcrowding, we run the risk of not having enough room in our personal inn to receive Jesus this Christmas. rediscover.arch spm.org This Christmas, let us not only make room for our relatives but the whole of our community because in making room for others we receive Jesus. Come to the Christmas Pageant on December 26th, 7 p.m. All Saints-St. Hedwig s!

2 New Evangelization Corner When the angels announced the birth of the Redeemer to the shepherds, they did so with these words: This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger (Lk 2:12). The sign is, in fact, the humility of God, the humility of God taken to the extreme; it is the love with which, that night, he assumed our frailty, our suffering, our anxieties, our desires, and our limitations. The message that everyone was expecting, that everyone was searching for in the depths of their souls, was none other than the tenderness of God: God who looks upon us with eyes full of love, who accepts our poverty, God who is in love with our smallness. while we contemplate the Infant Jesus just born and placed in the manger, we are invited to reflect. How do we welcome the tenderness of God? Do I allow myself to be taken up by God, to be embraced by him, or do I prevent him from drawing close? But I am searching for the Lord' we could respond. Nevertheless, what is most important is not seeking him, but rather allowing him to seek me, find me and caress me with tenderness. The question put to us simply by the Infant s presence is: do I allow God to love me? When we realize that God is in love with our smallness, that he made himself small in order to better encounter us, we cannot help but open our hearts to him, and beseech him: Lord, help me to be like you, give me the grace of tenderness in the most difficult circumstances of life, give me the grace of closeness in the face of every need, of meekness in every conflict. Excerpt from Pope Francis 2014 Christmas Homily - ~Kristin Molitor The Healing Power of God Teckla Scegura Donald Wenderski Jerry Kapsner Lee Bieniek Marcie Selinski Kieran Kloss Jim Czech Katie Yurczyk Judy Schehr Cheryl Barnes Donnie Maciej Reagan Zierdan LeRoy Johannes Nancy Bieniek Evelyn Trettel Cayden Van Norman Jerome Ebnet Brenda Dobis Arlene Beniek Louise Bieniek Connie Young Florence Voss Arnold Voss If you are in the Hospital, please let Fr. Gregory know. He cannot visit or even pray for you if he does not know. He tries to get to St. Cloud once a week for visits. In Bowlus, let the Social Justice Committee know and all three parishes should let the prayer line people know. Let us pray for you! Eucaristic Adoration Every Monday All Saints-St. Mary s 8:00 a.m. 10:00 p.m. Every Saturday St. Stanislaus Kostka 6:00 a.m. 6:00 p.m. Daily Mass Eucharistic Adoration is also held for one hour following daily Mass on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. No Adoration if there is a funeral on that day. Confession and the Rosary begin 1/2 hour before Mass. All Saints-St. Mary s Adoration Please note Changes: No Adoration on December 24th. December 31st will be 8:00 a.m. to 5:20 p.m. This Week s Events Sun. December 23 Mon. December 24 No Adoration Tues. December 25 The Nativity of the Lord Wed. December 26 All Saints-St. Hedwig s 7:00 p.m. Christmas Pageant Thur. December 27 Fri. December 28 Sat. December 29 St. Stanislaus Adoration All Saints-St. Mary s 8:00 a.m. Men s Prayer Group Sun. December 30 Watch on formed.org: The first feature film ever on the story of Joseph.

3 News & Events A question asked of Fr. Gregory: When Father is not here during the week to say Mass, why doesn t he get another priest to do daily Mass? Answer: 1.Because we are five miles from neighbors who are offering Mass. 2. It is good for us to know other places for Mass for the future when we have a shortage. 3. Trying to not put retired priests out on the road in winter or at night. 4. Each priest that comes gets a $30 stipend, Mass Stipend, mileage and food each day. It can save our parish money. 5. We have gifted priests in the area. It is good, for a break from your pastor, to hear another priest preach once in awhile and to worship with other Catholics. Blessing of the Nativity Scene All make the sign of the cross as the leader says: Our help is in the name of the Lord. R: Who made heaven and earth. L: read Luke 2:1 lines 1-8 The Gospel of the Lord. R: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ. The leader prays with hands joined: God of every nation and people, From the very beginning of creation you have made manifest your love: when our need for a Savior was great you sent your Son to be born of the Virgin Mary. To our lives he brings joy and peace, justice, mercy and love. Lord, Bless all who look upon this manger; may it remind us of the humble birth of Jesus, and raise our thoughts to him, who is God-with-us and Savior of all, and who lives and reigns forever and ever. R: Amen Christmas Vigil Monday, December 24th 5:00 p.m. All Saints-St. Hedwig s 7:00 p.m. Immaculate Conception 12 Midnight All Saints-St. Mary s Christmas Day Tuesday, December 25th 9:00 a.m. St. Stanislaus Feast of the Mother of God Monday, December 31st 6:00 p.m. All Saints-St. Mary s 8:30 p.m. Dance at St. Stanislaus 11:30 p.m. Candlelight Mass at St. Stanislaus Tuesday, January 1st 9:00 a.m. Immaculate Conception These are Holy Day of obligation and Monday night counts for Tuesday. Christmas Blessings from Father Gregory and Staff! Holy Days of Obligation In addition to Sunday, the days to be observed as holy days of obligation in the Latin Rite dioceses of the United States of America, in conformity with Canon 1246, are as follows: January 1, the solemnity of Mary, Mother of God Thursday of the Sixth Week of Easter, the solemnity of the Ascension (in our diocese it is moved to the next Sunday) August 15, the solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary November 1, the solemnity of All Saints December 8, the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception December 25, the solemnity of the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Whenever January 1, the solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, August 15, the solemnity of the Assumption, or November 1, the solemnity of All Saints, falls on a Saturday or Monday then they will not be Holy Days of Obligation. For Holy Days your obligations are: Go to Mass, don t do any unnecessary work, If you miss Mass, go to confession before receiving Holy Communion again. Weekly Readings Monday: 2 Sm 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16/Lk 1:67-79 Tuesday: Vigil: Is 62:1-5/Acts 13:16-17, 22-25/Mt 1:1-25 or 1:18-25 Night Is 9:1-6/Ti 2:11-14/Lk 2:1-14 Dawn Is 62:11-12/Ti 3:4-7/ Lk 2:15-20 Day: Is 52:7-10/Heb 1:1-6/Jn 1:18 or 1:1-5, 9-14 Wednesday: Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59/ Mt 10:17-22 Thursday: 1 Jn 1:1-4/Jn 20:1a, 2-8 Friday: 1 Jn 1:5-2:2/Mt 2:13-18 Saturday: 1 Jn 2:3-11/Lk 2:22-35 Sunday: Sir 3:2-6, 12-14/Col 3:12-21 or 3:12-17/Lk 2:41-52 or 1 Sm 1:20-22, 24-28/1 Jn 3:1-2, 21-24/ Lk 2:41-52 FORMED PICK OF THE WEEK Mary of Nazareth is an epic motion picture on the life of Mary, Mother of Christ, from her childhood through the Resurrection of Jesus. Come together as a community for Dancing and Candlelight Mass: December 31st Dancing 8:30 p.m. Mass at 11:30 p.m. Financial Contributions PARISH INCOME December 16, 2018 AS $ Not available due to IC $ early bulletin deadline. SS $ Thank you for your generosity! For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be. Luke 12: 34

4 Parish News & Events All Saints Christmas decorating Decorating for the blessed Christmas season at All Saints-St. Mary s will be Sunday, December 23rd after the 8:00 a.m. Mass. Please consider helping to prepare the church for this glorious season. Thank you. All Saints Building Committee update: If we build-is there anyone interested in donating 5 acres in the City of Holdingford limits or interested in selling it to us? Please contact Bob Pueringer or Alan Fedor by January 31st, Thank you. New Building Committee Members Are there 2 or 3 parishioners who would like to join our building committee? We are in special need of young people, young married people and women. Contact Fr. Gregory. Next meeting is in Early February. Prayer Group needed We are in need of some (about 5) people willing to sit on a committee to plan prayer times and opportunities as we move forward with the plan for the future of our church. Contact Deb Binsfeld from All Saints Parish Council if interested. No future planning and unity will happen correctly without Prayer! When will the decision be made? Hopefully, in the early part of this 2019 year. What are some facts missing before making a decision? 1. Is there any land that is neutral? 2. Can we fundraise enough? 3. How can you be part of the solution, not the problem? 4. How do we get our young generations involved in this process? 5. How do we stay proactive before the shortage of priests happens? Please write to Father and the Building Committee with your Advice! Oh, Christmas Tree! There is a long standing tradition of decorating the tree on Christmas Eve. The tree holds special meaning: The fir is a humble tree, used to build homes; let Christ be at the center of the home. The fir leaves remain green in the darkest days; let Christ be your constant light. Its boughs reach out as if in an embrace and reach up as if to the heavens; let Christ be your comfort and your guide. The decorations are also significant: A red garland, or string of red berries recalls the love Christ expressed in his Passion, the Star represents the star that led the Magi in their quest, the lights celebrate Jesus Christ as the Light of the World and represent the flame of his love. Consider adding acorns which represent death and rebirth, Angels which announce the birth of Christ to the shepherds, Candy canes which are shaped like the shepherd s staff traditionally with three small stripes representing the Trinity and one broad stripe symbolizing the Lord s Passion or Drums which recall the tale of the Little Drummer Boy to remind us to give gifts of the heart. ~Catholic and Loving It Catholic United Financial M I N I S T R E E Community service rooted in faith Look here for suggestions for our MinisTree Program. When completing a task fill out one of the MinisTree cards found in the back of church and turn it into the Central Office or collection basket. If more than one person is helping with the task, each should fill out a card. Watch on formed.org this Christmas! Celebrate the wonder and joy of Christmas with Brother Francis in this heart warming presentation of the birth of God s Son! Witness the moving submission of Mary, Joseph and others as they make way for our Savior. May your hearts be filled with Joy this Christmas! Baptism Class This class is required with the Baptism of your first child and will be held four times a year on the second Sunday of January, April, July and October at 11:30 a.m. in the Central Office. Please contact the Central Office to sign up. Liturgical Ministers We are in need of more liturgical ministers at all the churches especially Lectors and servers. Contact your Ministry schedulers if interested. Those interested in becoming a Eucharistic Minister, please call the Central Office. If you are interested in being on the schedule or have changes in availability please contact: Ministry Schedulers: All Saints: Patty Becker St. Anna: Kathy Scegura St. Stanislaus: Margie Benusa

5 Mon. Dec. 24 Tues. Dec. 25 Wed. Dec. 26 Thurs. Dec. 27 Mass Schedule 5:00 p.m. All Saints-St. Hedwig s 7:00 p.m. Immaculate Conception 12 Midnight All Saints-St. Mary s The Nativity of the Lord 9:00 a.m. St. Stanislaus Kostka Saint Stephen, The First Martyr No Mass Saint John, Apostle and Evangelist 8:00 a.m. Immaculate Conception +Andrew Solinger For the People +For couples newly married this year by Fr. Gregory Mastey +Bob Ehrlichman Jr. +Kenneth Hartung Fri. Dec. 28 Sat. Dec. 29 Sun. Dec. 30 The Holy Innocents, Martyrs No Mass Saint Thomas Becket, Bishop and Martyr 8:00 p.m. Immaculate Conception The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph 8:00 a.m. All Saints-St. Mary s +Joshua Scepaniak +Dale Hadrich Faith 10:00 Formation a.m. St. Stanislaus & GIFT (Generations In Faith Together) Youth Coordinator needed If interested in applying for this position please pick up a job description and application at the Central Office reception desk. Are you being called? In light of having no Youth Minister, we will not be going to Steubenville North this year. Any youth still wanting to go please join a neighboring parish. For the People Immaculate Conception: Kim Roth-Koning St. Stanislaus: Cindy Fussy All Saints: Katrina Kolles allsaintsff@tworiverscatholic.com Confirmation: Teresa LeBlanc All Saints Christmas Pageant When: December 26th at 7:00 p.m. Where: All Saints-St. Hedwig s All Children are invited to be a part of the 2018 Christmas pageant! We will be having practice on Sunday, December 16th at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, December 20th at 6:00 p.m. and Wednesday, December 26th at 11:00 a.m.. All practices are at All Saints-St. Hedwig s. Middle School Diocesan Youth Rally will be on Sunday, January 27th at Cathedral High School. This is for all 6th, 7th and 8th grade youth. The theme is, Dream Small and features keynote speaker Luke Spehar, a local musician and speaker from the twin cities. Cost is $20. Please contact your Faith Formation Director if interested.

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