Praying for our Families

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2 The Roman Catholic Church of Saint Ignatius of Antioch Page 2 December 31, 2017 Praying for our Families A few weeks ago I was chatting with one our young ladies who has been teaching for a few years. She told me that there are children in her class that have little to no support at home. She said that she does her best to work with them, but she is limited to what she can do during the class day. Then she said, All I can do is pray for them. I was thinking that she was doing a lot. She might be the only person in the world who is praying for each of these children, and that is sad, but she is praying for her children. There is power in prayer. I was thinking about this and about how important it is for all of us to pray for our children and for our families. Today we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family. This celebration reminds us of our responsibility to be a holy family, as well as our obligation to pray for our families. In today s Gospel, Mary and Joseph present Jesus in the Temple. It is a wonderful scene with numerous characters. You parents can remember when your children were infants. You couldn t wait to show them off to family and friends. You celebrated their lives on a very special day when you presented them to the Lord to receive His life. They left the Church the day of their baptism still your children but also the Lord s. Mary and Joseph must have loved showing Jesus off just as you loved showing your babies off. They must have enjoyed the fuss that people made about Him, just as you enjoyed people stopping to look at your babies and say a kind word to you. One of the people making a fuss over Jesus was a man named Simeon. The Gospel of Luke says that he was inspired by the Holy Spirit to come to the Temple that day. He was certain that he would not die until he had seen the Messiah, the anointed of the Lord. He prophesied that this child is the glory of Israel and a revealing light to the gentiles. Eighty-four year old Anna joined in the celebration. It would have been a marvelous day if it weren t for something that Simeon said to Mary. He told her, This child is destined to be the downfall and the rise of many in Israel, a sign that will be opposed -- and you yourself shall be pierced with a sword -- so that the thoughts of many hearts may be laid bare. What a horrible way to destroy a beautiful day. Here Mary and Joseph are doing everything right, and this man tells Mary that the child s life will result in her suffering. They were good parents, the best parents, why should either of them have to suffer because of the child? In this, Mary and Joseph were no different than all parents. Because parents love their children, everything that happens to their children has an impact upon their lives. If Jesus was going to suffer from the chaos of the world, then His parents also would suffer. In the same way, when any child suffers, whether the child is sick, or is treated poorly by others, the parents suffer. The Gospels present Mary and Joseph as calmly meeting each challenge the baby s life brought. In Matthew this included Joseph s considering whether or not he should send Mary away when he found she was pregnant, the journey with his pregnant wife to Bethlehem, the visit of the Magi and the flight with Mary and the child to Egypt to protect Him from Herod. In Luke s Gospel, the challenges included the poverty of the stable, the prophecy of Simeon and, twelve years later, the loss of the boy Jesus in the Temple. Later on, when Jesus begins His ministry or public life, Joseph is missing, probably he has passed away, but Mary is present, calmly telling Jesus that the bridegroom has run out of wine, calmly calling Him to her while people were crowding about Him, and calmly standing beneath the cross. Check the gospels. Mary stood beneath the cross. She did not collapse. She was not crumpled up in hysteria. The tranquility of the Holy Family is the result of their union with God. The peace that Jesus brings is not the absence of war or external turmoil. The peace the Lord brings is internal, spiritual. United with God, our families can calmly deal with the challenges of life. We need to pray for them. We need to pray for our families. Our families are little churches. Their homes are where Jesus, Mary and Joseph dwell. Many of our families are still growing. There are many pregnant women in our parish. We need to be praying for them. We need to pray that they have a safe delivery and a healthy baby. We need to support these women and their husbands in their determination to raise children for Christ. Many of our Moms and

3 Feast of the Holy Family Dads are in their twenties or early thirties. We need to give them the support of our prayers as well as the encouragement of our words that they are good Christian parents. They must be. They are here aren t they? That takes a lot of work, but they value bringing their children to the Lord. When you see a pregnant woman in Church, don t be shy. Tell her that you are praying for her, and then do it. Say a decade for her and the baby that is coming. When you see a young family trying their best to control their little children, give them a good word. Let them know that it is wonderful that they have made coming to Church a priority even though it is often a challenge. Our young families should know that when they walk into Church, they are walking into their home where they are welcome, wanted and needed. When they realize that they are surrounded by people praying for them, it will be so much easier for them to nurture the union with God they need to be a holy family. And to our young families, when you first held your children, when you brought the baby home from the hospital, when you survived the first night the baby would not get to sleep, you probably asked yourself, How will I, how will we, deal with the challenges this new life is going to bring? Perhaps you are still asking yourselves that question. Certainly there is not a parent who has not wondered, How can I be the best parent possible? Look to the Holy Family. They kept their union with God as the foundation and glue of their lives. This resulted in the tranquility that let them meet each challenge conquering the chaos instead of being destroyed by it. The effort you make to nurture and develop your prayer life, your union with God, is fundamental to the stability and tranquility of your family. Pray for your children every day. Pray for them when they are still under your roof. Pray for them when they move out to begin their careers. Pray for them when they establish their own families. Many of us do not have children by birth. But we still have children, a lot of children. Every child in this Church is a member of our family. Every child here is our child. We need to pray for our children. And, finally, to all our families whether Mom and Dad are young, middle aged, or seniors, the message for the Feast of the Holy Family is simple: Pray every day. Pray for your family every day. If your children are still home, pray together as a family every day. Whether they are at home or on their own, our children need us to nurture our union with God. When we do this, we never have to fear the challenges our children s lives will bring. Perhaps there is a sword that will pierce the hearts of all mothers and fathers. We have no reason to be afraid of the future. We have everything we need to meet each challenge calmly. We have the Lord. We can be a holy family. Yours in Christ, THE SOLEMNITY OF MARY is not a Holy Day of Obligation this year. All are invited to attend the 7:30 a.m. or 9 a.m. Mass on Monday, January 1st. Msgr. Joseph A. Pellegrino, Pastor 715 E Orange Street Tarpon Springs, Florida Mass Schedule: Saturday.4:00 and 6:30 p.m. (Fulfills Sunday Obligation) Sunday...7:30, 9:00, 11:30 a.m. 4:00 p.m. Spanish Mass, and 6:00 p.m. Life Teen Weekdays..7:30 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. Saturday.9:00 a.m. Schedule of Confessions: Saturday.3:00 3:45 p.m. and after the 6:30 p.m. Mass PARISH OFFICE Main Office ext. 201 Msgr. Joseph A. Pellegrino, Pastor ext. 209 Rev. Brian Fabiszewski, Parochial Vicar ext. 207 Rev. Vijay Polamarasetty, Ocd, Par. Vicar ext. 214 Rev. Kevin Molloy, in Residence ext. 208 Deacon Samuel Moschetto ext. 224 Deacon John Edgerton ext. 222 Seminarian Drew Woodke ext. 210 Ron Appel, Parish Manager ext. 215 Katherine Creamer, Office Manager ext. 201 Lorna Moffitt, Parish Mgr. Assistant ext. 203 Eldean Jenkins, Facilities Manager ext. 201 Anne Harman, Music Director ext. 206 FAITH FORMATION Rev. Brian Fabiszewski, - Director ext. 207 Fran Morin, Pre-K 8th Grade ext. 220 Joshua Strope, Evangelization ext. 224 Laura Margarella, Caritas ext. 221 YOUTH MINISTRY Bart Kovacic, Life Teen ext. 246 High School Ministry Jen McIlveen, Edge ext. 224 Middle School Ministry EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER Sharon Stokely, Director ext. 225 GUARDIAN ANGELS SCHOOL Mary Stalzer, Principal UPPER PINELLAS PREGNANCY CENTER Mary Caesar PARISH OFFICE FAX OFFICE kcreamer@ignatius.net PARISH WEBSITE SPANISH PHONE LINE Miraculous Medal Devotion: Before 9 a.m. Mass each Wednesday Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament: Thursdays after 9 a.m. Mass until 10:15 a.m. First Friday of the Month 9:30 a.m. until 9 p.m. Baptism: Please call the Parish Office Marriage: Please call the Parish Office at least 6 months in advance. Holy Orders: Please call Rev. Carl Melchior at

4 Page 4 Calling all Photographers Wanted: Christmas pictures of our Church and/or Altar. We are looking for photographs of our Church decorated this year for next year s parish Christmas Card. This year s Shepherd Boy was submitted by Jamla Krimmel. Please photo attachments to kcreamer@ignatius.net Please include name of photographer and a contact number/ . Faith Formation Classes will resume regular times: Tuesday classes on January 9th Wednesday classes on January 10th & Sunday classes on January 14th High School Youth Life Night: Sunday December 31st - following the Life Teen Mass- Come to the hall for food, fun, and exciting presentations and experiences. Events this Week Brothers in Christ All men of the parish are invited. Our group meets this Wednesday at 6 a.m. in the hall. Coffee & Donuts are served. For more info contact Geoff at Inactive Catholics We welcome any Catholics who have been inactive in the practice of their Faith, for any reason, to our open-end meetings. Wednesdays at 7 p.m. in Deacon John s office in the Life Center. Comparative Religions Fr. Kevin Molloy s class this fall is on Comparative Religions. Join us on Thursdays at 7 p.m. in classrooms 2 & 3. All are invited to join in. Scouts Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts meet every Friday in the classrooms of the Parish Life Center. Our Bethany Book Shoppe will re-open Sunday, January 7th at 8:30 a.m. The St. Ignatius Music Ministry presents A Festival of Lessons & Carols Friday, January 5th at 7:30 p.m. Please join our Adult and Children s Choirs for an evening of Scripture and Song as we continue our celebration of our Savior s Birth. The program is free. ALL ARE WELCOME!

5 Events this Week Page 5 First Friday Adoration THE LIVING HEART OF EACH OF OUR CHURCHES In speaking of Eucharistic Adoration, Pope Paul VI states in his Apostolic Letter, Mystery of Faith, that Jesus is EMMANUEL, GOD WITH US. Day and night He is in our midst; He dwells with us full of grace and truth. He restores morality, nourishes virtues, consoles the afflicted, strengthens the weak. Jesus proposes His own example to those who come to Him that all may learn to be like Himself; meek and humble of heart and to seek not their own interests but those of God. The Pope declares that Christ is reserved in our Tabernacles in our churches as the spiritual center of the parish, the Community, the universal Church, and of all humanity, since beneath the veil of the sacred species, Christ is contained, the invisible Head of the Church, the Redeemer of the whole world, the center of all hearts, by Whom all things are and by Whom we exist. How great is the value of our conversation with Christ for there is nothing more consoling on earth, nothing more efficacious for advancing in the role to holiness. Christianity centers itself on the loving Person of Christ: His personhood and presence are found in the Blessed Sacrament. Outside of the Paschal Mystery of Holy Mass, the only place where we can experience our Risen Lord in His humanity (like ours in ever way except sin) and divinity is placing ourselves before Him in the Living Eucharist in our Tabernacles. What better way to begin another year, than by resolving to spend more visits before Jesus Real Presence, especially the First Friday, January 5 th from 9:30 a.m. in our Chapel all day long closing with His Benediction at 9 p.m. Please sign up in the Adoration Book in the front of the Church. January 1, 2018 the Diocese of St. Petersburg will begin the celebration of its 50 th Anniversary... Various events are being planned for throughout the year, in order to remember the past with gratitude, celebrate the present with joy and look to the future with hope. To help keep everyone informed of our jubilee, the Diocese has created a website with information... This website will be continually updated and expanded so please check back often. Caritas Corner Flowers distributed this week at Florida Hospital North Pinellas by Caritas volunteers were donated wishing our Priests & parishioners a holy, healthy & happy New Year. New Beginnings... our next meeting of our bereavement support group will be held on Saturday, January 6th at 10 a.m. in the classroom 2. Brenda Covini, a grief counselor from St. Timothy s in Lutz will speak on, Resolutions for the Grieving. All are welcome. Please Note: Our Care Club Masses will resume January 9th. Outreach to our Caritas Ministry Faith Formation s Sunday morning 4 th grade class hand painted Advent Prayer Rocks for our seniors to pray during the Advent Season. January - Saturday 6 th at 2:30 p.m. in rooms 2,3,4 Saturday -Easier to fit into busy schedules Tech - Technology enhances communication Time together as a community Social - Tech Social Saturdays Together, the Brothers In Christ, Life Teen, and the Knights of Columbus are sponsoring Saturday Tech Social events. These events are intended to help communication by assisting people with technology issues. This is also a time for the parish community to socialize. All are welcome! Especially those without smart phones. For more information, go to

6 Page 6 Untold Blessing! Untold Blessing: Three Paths to Holiness Want to do a retreat? Welcome to Barron s look at the journey to sanctity. The retreat is about learning, loving and living your faith. The aim is to help you study, reflect and act in obedience to the will of God in Christ. We will use Scripture and the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Bring Your Bible. The DVD s will be shown on Mondays at 10 a.m. beginning January 22nd for five weeks in classrooms 2 & 3. No class on February 19th. For questions or more information please contact Sr. Lila at ext RCIA If you're interested in becoming Catholic, in receiving any Sacraments you haven't received, in learning more about the Catholic faith, or if you know somebody who is, you are invited to our Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. Come learn more about our beautiful faith. Join us Monday evenings at 7 p.m. in Office of Evangelization in the Life Center. Please contact Joshua Strope with any questions at jstrope@ignatius.net or ext Lectio Divina Divine Word The Bible Sessions on the "Gospel of the Holy Spirit" or Acts of the Apostles returns on Wednesday mornings at 10 a.m. in rooms 2 & 3 on January 10th. Theology on Tap North Pinellas Theology on Tap is a gathering of young adults where they come together to socialize, collaborate, pray, and grow in their spiritual understanding. Join us, Thursday, January 4th at Outback Steakhouse in Palm Harbor. We begin gathering at 6 p.m. No registering required. Fr. Kyle Smith will be our speaker this month. Upcoming Events WORD IN ACTION THE BOOK OF REVELATION: THE KINGDOM YET TO COME The Word In Action Course this Spring will study the Book of Revelation, The Kingdom Yet to Come. The program is from Ascension Press and features a video presentation given by Jeff Cavins. A Student Study Guide Book will be required that aides the student in the study of this interesting course. The program will conclude on March 15th. The Book of Revelation has been a mystery for most Christians since it was brought into the Bible Canon back in the fourth Century. We have heard many interpretations of its contents, most of which have been misleading and confusing. If you would like to get a true Catholic interpretation of this last book of the Bible, come join us this January for an in-depth study and understanding of this book. Classes begin on Thursday Morning, January 11th from 10:15 to 11:45 a.m. Thursday evening classes begin on January 11th from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. The same material will be covered in both the morning and evening sessions. The student is free to attend one or both of these sessions. All classes will be held in classrooms 2 and 3. Registration is required for all prospective students. The cost for the Student Study Guide will be $24. Checks should be made out to St. Ignatius of Antioch Church. New students are welcomed. Contact Deacon Sam at the Parish Office for registration information, if needed. Registration Form Name: Date: Telephone Number: Student Materials: $24. Cash Check Forms may be left at the Office St. Ignatius will send you a donation statement for your contributions to the Church for the year 2017 if requested. Please fill out this form and place it in the collection basket, drop off at the Parish Office or your request to kcreamer@ignatius.net. Thank You. Name: Address: City: Zip Envelope #

7 Upcoming Events Page 7 Divine Mercy Cenacle Saturday, January 13th at 10 a.m. Our Cenacle meets on the second Saturday of each month at 10 a.m. in classroom 6. We invite ALL to join in. Breakfast in the Hall Sunday, January 14th - 8 a.m. 11:30 a.m. Have Breakfast in the hall next Sunday, January 14th from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Full Breakfast or Lite. Come help your Knights support your parish ministries and have a delicious breakfast. Women s Council s Luncheon Thursday, January 18th at 11:30 a.m. The Council begins with Rosary in the Chapel at 11:30 a.m. followed by the luncheon and meeting. Our guest speaker Greg Karsa will discuss a Nursing Home Ministry. A-B: Desserts; C-D: Meat:; E-M: Pasta/Potatoes; N-R: Salad; S-T Veggies; and U-Z Desserts too. Please bring a food item for our pantry. Roe vs. Wade Mass Saturday, January 20th at 9 a.m. The vast majority of abortions are done after the fetal heart has begun beating. Roe vs Wade is the worst decision of the 20th century. The Supreme Court voted to make abortion legal for any reason! Unfortunately, according to Life Site News, there have been more than 58,586,256 abortions in America since the Roe vs Wade decision in Please join us on Saturday, January 20th at the 9 a.m. Mass and pray that mother/fathers-to-be realize that the baby they are carrying deserves to live life to the fullest. Florida Hospital Presents: Men s Only Morning Saturday, January 27th from 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. in our hall. Open to Men of All Ages! Valuable health and educational information, free screenings, resources, light lunch and raffle. Space is limited, reservations required, call ! Hosted by The Knights of Columbus St. Ignatius Council #7621, St. Luke Council #12196 & St. Vincent De Paul Council # 6476 The Bloodmobile will be here Sunday, January 28th from 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. Please Share A Pint! Diocese of St. Petersburg s 2018 Wedding Jubilee Mass The Wedding Jubilee Mass of Thanksgiving with Bishop Gregory Parkes will take place at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle on Sunday, February 11th at 3 p.m. This event honors couples throughout the diocese who will celebrate 25, 50 or more years of marriage during the 2018 calendar year. If you wish to attend, please RSVP to the parish office by Wednesday January 24th. Ushers Needed for All Masses! Come share your time & talent at Mass. Our Ministers of Hospitality serve by welcoming, seating people, taking collection, and handing out the bulletins. Children in the fourth grade or older serve at the 9 a.m. Mass. Adult Ushers serve at all other Masses. Please contact the Parish Office ext. 201.

8 Page 8 Mother s Morning Out St. Ignatius of Antioch Early Childhood Center, located here on our campus, offers a half day program - 9 a.m p.m. daily, with before care and after care extending the day from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. if needed. Our two, three, four, and five year olds are given opportunities to develop spiritually, physically, emotionally, and intellectually. Call the Early Childhood Center to schedule a tour (727) Our Early Childhood Center begins their new year on January 4th! Mother s Morning Out is on Wednesdays & Thursdays in room 8 from 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. of the Life Center. $10 per visit or 6 for $50 for ages 1 and walking to age 36 months. Questions? Contact the Early Childhood Center at HAPPY NEW YEARS! From our Early Childhood Center Guardian Angels School Guardian Angels Catholic School will be accepting applications for the school year in January. Interested parents may pick up applications for enrollment in the parish office during regular office hours beginning January 8th. The completed application packet must be returned to Guardian Angels for processing. We invite you to come and see your parish school! Save your Box Top Labels Please place your box tops on the courtesy desk in the back of the Church. Thank you! Lord, grant eternal rest to the souls of our dearly departed, especially for XAVIER MICHAEL GONZO, ALAN LEONARDI, RICHARD HENDERSON & KARL SIEGER and for all those we hold in our hearts who have died, may they rest in the arms of God.

9 DATE MASS INTENTIONS EVENTS Saturday, December 30 4:00 p.m. + Herb & Ruth Scheuch 6:30 p.m. + Mitchell Swaze Page Sunday, December 31 Holy Family of Jesus, Mary & Joseph Sirach 3:2-14 Colossians 3:12-21 Luke 2:22-40 Monday, January 1 Solemnity of Mary Numbers 6:22-27 Luke 2:16-21 Tuesday, January 2 St. Basil & Gregory Nazianzen 1 John 2:22-28 John 1:19-28 Wednesday, January 3 Most Holy Name of Jesus 1 John 2:29-3:6 John 1:29-34 Thursday, January 4 St. Elizabeth Ann Seton 1 John 3:7-10 John 1: :30 a.m. + Madeline Jones 9:00 a.m.. For the People of Our Parish 11:30 a.m. + Normand & Doris Perreault 4:00 p.m. For the Spanish Speaking of Our Parish 6:00 p.m. + Teddy DiGiammo 7:30 a.m. + Teddy DiGiammo 9:00 a.m. + James Schuppel 7:30 a.m. + Charles Wolff 9:00 a.m. + Tom & Hannah Chura No Care Mass 7:30 a.m. Vocations to Priesthood & Religious Life 9:00 a.m. + Ron Nickel 7:30 a.m. + Henry Horak 9:00 a.m. + Frank Orlick 6:00 p.m. Life Night after Mass Solemnity of Mary Not a holy day of obligation this year Parish Offices Closed Parish Offices Closed 6:00 a.m. Brothers in Christ in the hall 5:00 p.m. Children s Choir in Church 7:00 p.m. Inactive Catholics in Dcn John s Office 9:30 a.m. Mother s Morning Out in room 8 5:30 p.m. Girl Scouts 1142 c6 7:00 p.m. Adult Choir in the Church 7:00 p.m. Comparative Religions in rooms 2,3 Friday, January 5 St. John Neumann 1 John 23:11-21 John 1:43-51 Saturday, January 6 St. Andre Bessette 1 John 5:5-13 Mark 1:7-11 Saturday, January 6 Sunday, January 7 The Epiphany of the Lord Isaiah 60:1-6 Ephesians 3:2-6 Matthew 2:1-12 7:30 a.m. + Salvatore Penoro 9:00 a.m. + Sally Tierney 9:00 a.m. + Pascal Patti Festival of Lessons & Carols 7:30 p.m. in the Church 4:00 p.m. Special Intentions of the St. Ignatius Women s Council 6:30 p.m. + Edward D Ettore 7:30 a.m. + Ceil Dziura 9:00 a.m.. For the People of Our Parish 11:30 a.m. + Matthew & Lucy DiPietro 4:00 p.m. + Lucy Santo 6:00 p.m. + Evan Griffith Eucharistic Adoration 9:30 a.m - 9:00 p.m. in the Chapel 6:00 p.m. Girl Scouts Troop 1142 in room 7 7:00 p.m. Girl Scouts Troop 1124 in room 6 7:00 p.m. Boy Scouts in rooms 2,3,4 7:00 p.m. Cub Scouts in rooms :00 p.m. Cub Pack Meeting in the hall 7:00 p.m. Edge in the Youth House 9:00 a.m. Polish School in rooms :00 a.m. New Beginnings in room 2 12:00 p.m. Girl Scout Cupcake War in hall 2:00 p.m. Tech Social in rooms 2,3,4 6:00 p.m. Life Night after Mass If you wish to have a Mass said for special intentions or for a deceased loved one, please stop by the parish office.