Mission Statement. MARCH 8, 2015 Third Sunday of Lent

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1 Mission Statement Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Community welcomes all searching for God while growing together in faith by God s grace through prayer, service and sharing S. Oneida Street w w w. n a t i v Green Bay, Wisconsin i t y p a r i s h. c o m MARCH 8, 2015 Third Sunday of Lent Pastoral Team Pastor Fr. John H. Harper Social Concerns Directors Deacon Michael Schmidt Deacon Kevin DeCleene Family Life Commission Directors Laurie Johnson Deacon John Bundra Stephen Ministry Director Laurie Johnson Worship Director Wayne Efferson Faith Formation Director Jamie Whalen Faith Formation /Youth Ministry Coordinator Stephanie Rottier Parish Staff Business Administrator Steve Wery Parish Secretary Cindy Kapla Volunteer Coordinator Deb Langenhuizen Accountant/IT Specialist Vicki Matuszak Housekeeper Mary Greene Maintenance Supervisor Mike Wightman Faith Formation Staff Secretary Charmaine Berchmans Early Childhood Coordinator Heidi Stubb Parish Office Hours Monday - Friday 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM Phone (920) Fax (920) natscene@nativityparish.com Faith Formation Office Phone (920) Mass Schedule Monday & Thursday 9:00 AM (Communion Prayer Service) Tuesday & Friday 9:00 AM Wednesday 8:00 AM Weekend - Saturday 5:00 PM Sunday 8:30 AM & 10:15 AM Holy Day Eve 6:30 PM, Day 9:00 AM Sacrament of Reconciliation Saturday 4:00 PM or by appointment Eucharistic Adoration Mondays 9:30 AM - 1:00 PM Holy Hour Service Second Mondays 12:05 PM - 1:00 PM (Benediction when a Deacon leads)

2 PARISH STEWARDSHIP UPDATE FEBRUARY 28 - MARCH 1, 2015 Sacrificial Offering.....$12, Loose Offertory.....$ On-Line Giving $3, Total..$17, To meet our budget, we need an average of $16, each week Easter Flowers... $ Maintenance & Improvement....$ Invest in our Youth....$ CONGRATULATIONS CALENDAR RAFFLE WINNERS FOR FEBRUARY/MARCH 25th Nick Bretl...$ st Joy Herman... $ th Brian Jansen...$ nd Brad Nelson...$ th William Harper.....$ rd Marilyn Loomis...$ th Jean Paye...$25.00 Please allow 2-3 weeks for processing payment. LOST AND FOUND TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 24TH DURING THE MORNING MASS A HEARING AID WAS FOUND AND BROUGHT INTO THE OFFICE. IF YOU LOST ONE PLEASE CALL THE PARISH OFFICE. Our Bishop s Appeal goal is $ 84, parishioners have donated.... $ 46, Amount needed to reach our goal.... $ 37, DEACONS DISCIPLES OF CHRIST There are many disciples of Christ who live in our world today. A disciple of Jesus is someone who is a good friend of His, who spends quiet time with him every day, and sees the face of Jesus in those around Him. Deacons are living disciples of Christ! They assist at Mass, and proclaim the Gospel of Christ to people in prisons, hospitals, shelters, youth programs, and the homebound. Did you know in 2014, 15% of the distributions from the Bishop s Appeal went to support Ministry Formation? Please make a gift today to help train and form deacons and lay ministers who serve in parishes throughout the Diocese. Thank you for your support of the Bishop s Appeal. SOUP AND SUBSTANCE! ARE YOU CONFUSED BY SOUP AND SUBSTANCE ANNOUNCEMENTS?! Here s some clarification: The dates are 3/12, 3/19, and 3/26. The time is 6:00-7:00 p.m. (NOT 6:30-7:30). Please call the Parish Office, to reserve your spot. We apologize for the confusion! $CRIP PROGRAM Before you leave Church today please stop and pick up $crip to do your weekly shopping. Dedicated volunteers are in the Narthex before and after all Masses. $crip can also be purchased in the Parish Office during the week from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM. The week of February 23- March 1 $crip sold $5, Profit - $ Thank you! 2

3 All Masses celebrated at Nativity of Our Lord Parish are offered for the living and deceased members of our parish. Up to five special intentions can be remembered at each Mass. SAT: 5:00 PM Mass Song Leader/Organist Saturday, March 7 5:00 Ralph Schneider Special Intention Mike Bersie Sunday, March 8 8:30 Donald, Mary and Marilyn Zipper Richard Ladwig John Strenski Deceased members of Przewrocki and Pichette Families 10:15 Jerome Van Sistine Terrance Coleman Kim Monahan SUN: MON: TUES: 8:15 AM 8:30 AM 10:00 AM 10:15 AM 9:30 AM 10:00 AM 12:05 PM 6:30 PM 9:00 AM 6:30 PM 6:30 PM Hospitality after all Masses RCIA - Lounge Mass Song Leader/Organist Childcare - Nursery Mass - Nativity Choir/Organist Church Time/RE Grades 1 & 2 Eucharistic Adoration - Chapel Quilting Group - Lounge Benediction - Church Stations of the Cross - Church Pray and Play - Lounge RE Grades 3-5 St Vincent de Paul Meeting - Lison Monday, March 9 9:00 Communion Prayer Service Tuesday, March 10 9:00 Don Koeppen Joyce Bloomer Thaddeus Gajewski Wednesday, March 11 8:00 Conrad & Donna Weis Wendy Strainis Carol Grams 2:00 Loddie Mleziva (Woodside) Thursday, March 12 9:00 Communion Prayer Service 2:00 George Lentz (Maple Ridge) Friday, March 13 9:00 Vern & Harriet Moran Zigmond & Elizabeth Shesky Mildred Kaiser Saturday, March 14 5:00 Ralph Schneider Special Intention Patsy & Lillian Witt & Family Sunday, March 15 8:30 Cleora Gillis Eugene Golonka Stephen Bouche 10:15 Dorothy, Donna & Susan Vogel Rebecca Ross Patricia Williquette WED: THUR: FRI: SAT: SUN: 6:30 PM 6:30 PM 7:30 PM 6:30 AM 6:00 PM 6:00 PM 7:00 PM 7:30 PM RE Grades 6-10/Confirmation Knights of Columbus - Lounge Youth Group - St. JP2 Room Prayer Group - Chapel Soup and Substance - Bona Hall All Council Meetings Nativity Choir Practice - Church PPC Meeting -Lounge 9:00 AM 2nd Friday for Seniors - Bona Hall 5:00 PM Mass - Song Leader/Organist 8:15 AM 8:30 AM 10:00 AM 10:15 AM Hospitality after all Masses RCIA - Lounge Mass - Song Leader/Organist Childcare - Nursery Mass - Song Leader/Organist Church Time/RE Grades 1 & 2 Readings for the week of March 8 Monday: 2 Kgs 5:1-15b; Ps 42:2, 3; 43:3, 4; Lk 4:24-30 Tuesday: Dn 3:25, 34-43; Ps 25:4-5ab, 6-7bc, 8-9; Mt. 18:21-35 Wednesday:Dt 4:1, 5-9; Ps 147:12-13, 15-16, 19-20; Mt 5:17-19 Thursday: Jer 7:23-28; Ps 95:1-2, 6-9; Lk 11:14-23 Friday: Hos 14:2-10; Ps 81:6c-11ab, 14, 17; Mk 12:28-34 Saturday: Hos 6:1-6; Ps 51:3-4, 18-21ab; Lk 18:9-14 Sunday: 2 Chr 36:14-16, 19-23; Ps 137:1-6; Eph 2:4-10; Jn 3:

4 WORSHIP NEWS NEW LIFE CHOIR-(7TH - 12TH GRADES) For the past year we have been looking for a Choir Director to lead the New Life Choir; however, up to this point we have not been successful. Many of the members, especially the seniors, approached Ms. Teresa Schroepfer, AHS Choral Director, asking if she would lead them for a limited number of Masses. After some consideration, Teresa said yes and offered these tentative Mass Dates (5:00 PM): March 28, April 3 (Good Friday-7:00 PM) and May 9 Confirmation-7:00 PM). If you wish to join the group, please contact Ms. Schroepfer at Taschroep@new.rr.com or Wayne Efferson, Director of Worship, natwe@nativityparish.com, ext LUMEN CHRISTI - CHRIST OUR LIGHT Once again, the WC will be ordering a blank Paschal (Easter) Candle (3 x 48 ) and six Altar Candles (2 x17 ) so that they can be decorated by Steve Barnes (Decorator for over 10 years). The Paschal Candle is blessed at the Easter Vigil (8 PM) and remains lit during the 50 days of Easter (Sundays) and on Baptisms, Funerals, Confirmation, First Eucharist, etc. If you are interested in purchasing one or both of these candles, please contact Wayne Efferson, Director of Worship, at ext. 206 and natwe@nativityparish.com. DO YOU SEE WHAT I SEE? MULTI-MEDIA VIDEO PROJECTION AT NATIVITY! Over the years the Worship Commission (WC) has been looking into ways to better communicate all aspects of celebrating the Eucharist. This desire comes from one of the mandates of the Second Vatican Council s on the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy that the ecclesial assembly enters into the liturgy with full, conscious, and active participation. That s where the idea of a Multi-Media Video Projection System comes into play. Over the past 20 years, the thought of utilizing state of the art video projection has always been on our agenda. So why now? What is pushing the envelope? Three main factors: today s culture communication is very visual; the advancement in multi-media video projection technology; and a generous donor who will fund the entire project. Many of you have experienced these video projections at other churches, conferences, concerts and other venues. What will be projected onto the screens, Prayers, Songs, Icons (Images) etc? Of course, its appropriate use will be based on the Audio Visual Ministry Team s (sub-committee of the WC) recommendations. Of course this committee needs to be formed so we are looking for individuals who have an interest in designing and running the system. We are hoping that this new system will be ready to use this Easter. Watch for more information and updates in the coming weeks. For information, concerns, questions and interest please contact Wayne Efferson, Director of Worship, natwe@nativityparish.com, ext DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME BEGINS Sunday, March 8 Don t forget to set your clocks forward an hour! OUR LENTEN JOURNEY On Ash Wednesday (February 18) we were marked with an ashen cross on our foreheads and heard the words, Repent and believe in the gospel. This is a reminder of our dying and rising with the Lord through the waters of Baptism. Lent is a time to look within our hearts to find why we chose and continue to be a follower of Jesus. During Lent you will notice the water remaining in our Baptismal Font and in the holy water bowls at the entrances; it will serve as a reminder of our call to live our baptismal commitments. We invite you to bless yourself with the sign of the cross as you enter/leave each liturgy. With this Water of Life, all other seasonal decorations remain simple. However, our simple Cross [the Tree of Life; more than a symbol of death, but rather a place and the experience in which death is transformed into life ( beta crux, the blessed cross) is accented with a purple cloth which leads the eye to the Font. And our bare church environment conveys a sense of being emptied out and being sustained by God alone. This journey to Easter is not just for us Catholics who have received the sacraments of initiation but also for those who are in our RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults): the Catechumens (the un-baptized who will be fully initiated into our faith at the Easter Vigil through the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation & Holy Communion) and Candidates (baptized non-catholics who want to be fully initiated into our faith through the sacraments of Confirmation & Holy Communion); this year we have three Catechumens, Britt Lindley, Branden Neidl, Miranda Krueger and four Candidates, Jared Thomas, Jade Malby, Tim Williams, and Jennifer Fass. We ask that you keep them in your prayers so they will be ready to join us around the altar at Easter. Located in the Narthex you will find their photos on an easel and a basket with their names on slips of paper. We invite you to take their names so that you can keep them in prayer during their journey in becoming Catholic. It is our hope that during these 40 days each of us will be renewed in faith through the dying and rising of our Lord (the Paschal Mystery). Though the most appropriate time for Baptism is the Easter Vigil and the Easter Season until Pentecost, Baptism is also celebrated on Sundays during the year. Because the days of Holy Week, from Monday to Thursday inclusive, have precedence over all other celebrations, it is not fitting that Baptisms or Confirmations be celebrated on these days since they have their natural place in the Easter Vigil. STATIONS OF THE CROSS Mondays this Lent - 6:30 PM in Church Two Styles Offered - Traditional and Contemporary Traditional (scripture based) and Contemporary (reflections by Sr. Joan Chittisler Gateway to Resurrection). Note dates vary: Monday, March 9 (Contemporary) Monday, March 16 (Traditional) Monday, March 23 (Contemporary) Monday, March 30 (Traditional) 4

5 MORE WORSHIP NEWS BEHOLD THE WOOD OF THE CROSS We need 8-10 people to carry our large cross in procession for the Veneration of the Cross on Good Friday, at the 1:00 and 7:00 PM services. Please sign up in the Sacristy. PASCHAL TRIDUUM (HOLY WEEK) EASTER SUNDAY SIGN-UP SHEETS As we approach these most sacred days, all Liturgical Ministers are requested to assist at these liturgies: Holy Thursday 7:00 PM Good Friday 1:00 PM & 7:00 PM Easter Vigil 8:00 PM Easter Sunday 8:30 AM & 10:15 AM EASTER FLOWERS DEADLINE - MARCH 22 One great tradition we have continued each Easter is the Easter Flower decorations. They are a sign and symbol of God s re-creative spirit. Many remember loved ones through this living memorial because they believe in the Resurrected Christ. To contribute to the flowers, use your Easter flower envelope. Names of loved ones will be included in the Easter Sunday bulletin. WORLD S POOR COLLECTION MARCH (Laetare Sunday, Fourth Sunday of Lent) This Lenten almsgiving collection provides each of us with an opportunity to express our solidarity with the powerless and the poor in this country and abroad. Programs funded by this collection provide opportunity to thousands of people. The three agencies represented in this collection are official church agencies that work to help the poor help themselves out of poverty. You will have a choice to contribute to any one or all. The Campaign for Human Development was founded to end the cycle of poverty throughout America by funding organizations that help individuals help themselves. CCHD s grants go to improving education, supporting economic development and improving housing in low-income neighborhoods. 25% of this collection remains in our diocese to support local anti-poverty efforts. The Catholic Relief Services Collections funds six Catholic Agencies that work to serve our suffering brothers and sisters around the world providing humanitarian aid, resettling displaced individuals and advocating on behalf of victims. This collection allows us to see every encounter with a suffering person an opportunity to help Jesus in disguise. Peter s Pence unites us in solidarity with Pope Francis and his works of charity to those in need. Your donation enables the Holy Father to support victims of war, natural disasters, and others in need of assistance. Please be as generous as you are able! TAIZE PRAYER Taize Prayer will be celebrated Wednesday, March 18. Taize (pronounced-- Teh-ZAY) is an ecumenical, peaceful way to pray, using easy to learn musical chants, silent meditation, and scripture readings...a meditative, common prayer. Come and experience Taize Prayer as part of your Lenten Journey. STRENGTH God s foolishness and God s weakness, the Ten Commandments and the foolish wisdom of humans all lead us to the crucified Jesus, the sanctuary destroyed and raised up in three days. Prejudgments are obstacles to standing by the cross of Jesus, who ties heaven and earth and all else together. Through Jesus, we are redeemed and our life has meaning. By his glorious cross we are saved. Jesus knows what each of us has inside. He offers strength for our weakness. Text, Philip J. Sandstrom, STD 2000, OCP. All rights reserved. SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION AT WESTSIDE PARISHES Tuesday, March 10-7:00 PM - Nativity Wednesday, March 11-7:00 PM - Nativity Wednesday, March 11-6:30 PM - St. Elizabeth Seton Wednesday, March 11-7:00 PM - St. John the Baptist Wednesday, March 25-6:30 PM - St. Elizabeth Seton CRS RICE BOWL SOME FACTS ABOUT YOUR CONTRIBUTION: 75% of your contribution to Rice Bowl supports CRS humanitarian relief programs in nearly 100 countries worldwide. 25% remains in our Diocese to support the fight against local hunger and poverty. Through the Catholic Foundation World Missions department we support the outreach ministry of Catholic Relief Services. This week fast from all beverages and put the savings in your KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS Third Sunday in Lent, Year B. Illustration 1999 Erspamer A possible new Fourth Degree Assembly will be discussed in an organizational meeting at 6:30 PM, Wednesday, March 11 in the lounge at Nativity Church. Third and Fourth Degree members are encouraged to attend. 5

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7 Saturdays, 4:00 4:40 PM (Not April 4) Tuesday, March 10 7:00 PM and Wednesday, March 11 7:00 PM

8 YOUTH MINISTRY WHAT ARE YOU CALLED TO TAKE PART IN THIS LENT? We are called, to walk with justice! We are called to walk tenderly! We are called, to love one another, to walk humbly with God. This refrain, from the song We Are Called, is such an awesome way to look at our spiritual calling during Lent. How are you walking with justice? Are you walking tenderly with others? Are you loving one another and recognizing God in your life? Below are some different opportunities for the Youth and Adult Volunteers of Nativity to explore just that. Please consider taking part in the awesomeness that Nativity Parish has to offer. May God bless you always!! ~Stephanie Rottier MIDDLE SCHOOL FNL MARCH 13, 2015 AT NATIVITY All Middle School Youth are invited to take part in Reality Night here at Nativity. The event will take place from 6-9 pm and is completely free. There will be food available to munch on throughout the evening. The evening is completely FREE, and will use the theme of CBS s Reality TV show Amazing Race along with other reality shows weaved into the evening. If you are interested in a night filled with fun, competition, and food please join us! Registration is not necessary, but I ask that you enter and get picked up through doors number 6 or 7 on the Cormier Road side of Nativity. This event is hosted by West Side Youth Ministry, so there will be Middle School Youth from all over Green Bay joining us. High School Youth and Adult Volunteer Leaders are invited and encouraged to take part in the evening as well. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Stephanie by phone at (920) x 215, text (920) , or by at natsr@nativityparish.com. There is NO cost, and your help is not only wanted, but needed in order for the evening to go smoothly. Thanks in advance for your consideration of this. THE HELP FOR HOMELESS APPEAL Deacon Kevin, Linda Doro, and the Social Concerns Commission are asking for your help to ease the financial strain on Brown County shelters and crisis programs for at risk persons from our community through prayer and action by donating GARBAGE BAGS, SHAMPOO, CLEANING PRODUCTS, DIAPERS, TOOTHPASTE AND PAPER PRODUCTS. Drop off supplies in or around the white tall collection box that is in the Narthex. The box will be collected after Mass next weekend, March 15. CALLING ALL HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH NATIVITY NEEDS A DODGEBALL TEAM!!! Thursday, March 26, 2015, several youth from the Catholic Churches in Green Bay are meeting up at St. John the Baptist in Howard from 6-8 pm to take part in a Dodge ball Tournament. Each church is to pick a theme for their church and dress as part of that theme (i.e. Hawaiian, Welcome to the Jungle, etc.) If this is something that interests you and you would be willing to take part, please text Stephanie at (920) to let her know. This event is free and will include food and lots of fun. Let s show the youth of Green Bay how amazing Nativity is! High School Youth are invited to join us in the St. John Paul II Room (the Youth Room) for Youth Group on Wednesday evenings from 8-9:30 pm. Come and nourish your body and soul by enjoying some food and refreshments while discussing different ways our faith directly applies to our daily life every day. For the remainder of Lent, we will be focusing on the different challenges we face, and how these challenges sometimes impede on how we live out our faith. We will be discussing ways we can ask for and acquire help to overcome those challenges and grow closer to Christ in the process. If you have any questions about Youth Group, please feel free to call or text Stephanie at (920) or at (920) x 215. You can Stephanie at natsr@nativityparish.com. Thanks!! WOMEN S GUILD RUMMAGE SALE APRIL 10 & 11 The Nativity Women s Guild will be sponsoring their annual Rummage Sale on April Now is the time to get those closets and drawers cleaned out. We will accept children and adult clothes; (cleaned please). Bring us your books and homemade bakery. NOTE: We cannot take electronics.mark your boxes and bags Rummage Sale and leave in Bona Hall. Thanks in advance for helping to make this a success. Questions, contact Mary at or Marge at FAITH FORMATION INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY Poor winter conditions sometimes make cancellations necessary. For Religion Education Sessions, please know that if Ashwaubenon public school classes are cancelled for the day, then there will be no Religion Education Sessions that evening. Late starts will not affect evening sessions. If weather worsens during the day, notification of any cancellation will appear on the major TV stations, or call the Religion Education Office at

9 2015 NATIVITY PARISH FIRESIDE DINNER THEATRE TOURS INCLUDE: Lamers Motor Coach Transportation Excellent Noon Luncheon includes Gratuity Main Floor Seats Leave Nativity at 8:00 am (Please arrive by 7:30 am) Return between 6:30 & 7:00 pm SIGN UP NOW! - LIMITED SEATING! Nativity Fireside Bus Trip! We still have openings for All Shook Up For reservations, please call Vicki at Nativity Parish Deadline Wednesday, April 1. ALL SHOOK UP WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, $90 Join us for the Fireside premiere of this rocking, rollicking musical comedy featuring the songs of the King of rock and roll - Elvis Presley. Featuring laughs, romance, thrilling dances, and a host of your favorite Presley classics such as Jailhouse Rock, Hound Dog, Heartbreak Hotel, Don t Be Cruel, and many more! GUYS ON ICE WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17, 2015 $90 You've seen them. Little wooden shanties sitting on lake ice. Puffs of smoke rising from chimney pipes. On a quiet day, maybe the static of a tinny radio filters through plywood walls, across the frozen tundra, back to shore. In a cold world, on a cold day, on a frozen lake, these little signs of life are all most people know of a secret culture that thrives right here amongst us. Well wonder no more as we bring you Fred Alley's wildly popular tale of the secret world of ice fishermen. GUYS ON ICE spends a day in the life of Marvin and Lloyd - fishing buddies and home grown philosophers. And now this Wisconsin favorite gets the full Fireside treatment that will keep you laughing from start to finish. Don't miss this side-splitting musical comedy, guaranteed to thaw out your funny bone with songs like "The Wishing Hole," "Ode to the Snowmobile Suit," "Fish is a Miracle Food," and "The One That Got Away." PUMP BOYS AND DINETTES WEDNESDAY, JULY 29, $90 Travel with us down Highway 57 to the land of fishin' holes and homemade pie. To the Double Cupp Diner for a double helping of fast-paced, good-natured, foot-stompin' hand-clapping fun. It may not be the most famous of shows but it might just possibly be the most fun. This Broadway hit is a mixture of country, rock, western-swing and folk music. The Cupp sisters will tempt you with a second cup of coffee and a song and the Pump Boys will serenade you with hits like The Night Dolly Parton Was Almost Mine. With exciting live music, hilarious hi-jinx, down-home common sense, and featuring Steve Watts in the role that first brought him to The Fireside, PUMP BOYS AND DINETTES is sure to become one of your favorite all-time Fireside offerings! WEST SIDE STORY SEPTEMBER 16, $90 One of the most celebrated of all musicals comes to The Fireside stage - Leonard Bernstein's sumptuous, incomparable musical updating of Shakespeare's most romantic play ROMEO AND JULIET - WEST SIDE STORY. This deeply moving, dramatic, sometimes hilarious, always beautiful musical tale of star-crossed lovers was nominated for six Tony Awards and won a record ten Oscars. It will transport you with its magnificent musical score, its exquisite and exciting dancing, and its heart-warming love story. WEST SIDE STORY is an epic tale of love eternal undiminished by the dangers that surround it. It is a story with a message of hope that rings as clearly today as it ever has. A WONDERFUL LIFE CHRISTMAS SHOW THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5 TH OR WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9 & 16, $90 Remember, no man is a failure who has friends. Tens of millions wait every Christmas to see Frank Capra's classic film of dreams and the power of love. The story of George Bailey and his wonderful life in Bedford Falls has brought hope and inspiration to every heart with its celebration of the goodness in all of us. It is the perfect message for the Christmas season. The Fireside continues its long tradition of bringing you the finest in Christmas entertainment with a stunning, live stage version of this beloved film. Written by Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winning lyricist Sheldon Harnick, one of the creators of FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, and Grammy and Emmy Award winner Joe Raposo whose music from SESAME STREET and THE ELECTRIC COMPANY has inspired generations of young people, A WONDERFUL LIFE captures all the magic of the film and so much more. With humor, pathos, beautiful dancing, and a brilliant musical score this Fireside production will shine with the true spirit of Christmas. CALL: Vicki at Nativity Parish or ext 203 or Judy Van Caster ; Judy Schroeder STEWARDSHIP CORNER WITH POPE FRANCIS POPE FRANCIS IS USING TWITTER TO COMMUNICATE WITH THE CHURCH. WE WILL BE POSTING HIS TWEETS IN OUR BULLETIN FOR YOU TO FOLLOW. The Lord is knocking at the door of our hearts. Have we put a sign on our door saying: Do not disturb? (Pope Francis tweeted 1/13/14) When Jesus knocks on the door of my heart, to pray, serve or share, do I say, I will get back to you at my convenience? SUNDAY MORNING HOSPITALITY after the 8:30 AM & 10:15 AM Masses Please keep the family of Mary Schumann in your prayers. 9

10 LEARNING TO LOVE SUNDAY MASS (FROM BISHOP DAVID RICKEN) The greatest prayer of all is Mass and Sunday Mass is that special day of the week when the whole community comes together to give honor and glory and praise to God. This is Thee day of the week. It is the first day of the week and not the end of the weekend. It is a day of rest and recreation. It is the one day when we especially rejoice in the gift of the Eucharist, which is the food for our journey. Sunday is the day we go to church and come together as Church to give public witness in thanksgiving for the blessings of the week that has just passed and ask God for his blessings on the week ahead. I remember as a child that we all prepared well for Sunday. Mom and Dad dressed up for Sunday Mass and made sure we did as well. We sat in the front pew so that I would behave and we would pay attention to the actions of the Mass and come to understand it. In many ways, the seeds of my own vocation to priesthood were sown in going to Mass with my family on Sundays. The Mass was in Latin in those days. Now the Mass is in the vernacular and we are able to study and pray over the readings before going to Mass. The Sunday Mass is a time to give of the substance of our time, talent and treasure to the community and to causes of great need, an opportunity to share care and give as we move out of our own particular little world and into the communal, universal and eternal world. Sunday can and ought to become the center point to our discipleship as individuals, as families and as parishes and faith communities. As Vatican II says, the Mass is the source and the summit of the Christian life. It is the source and summit of all our prayers and meditations and Christian living throughout the week. Part of the purpose of the New Evangelization is to invite our family members and friends to return to active practice of the faith by attending Sunday Mass. The Mass is the highest form of prayer available to human beings as it is a participation in the heavenly liturgy which is filled with the abundance in comparison to our feeble attempts here on earth. The immense numbers of people who have not received the Gospel of Jesus Christ cannot leave us indifferent, says Pope Francis, especially those in our midst. Sometimes people think they are excommunicated because they are divorced. If you are divorced but not remarried and are living in a state of grace, you should receive Holy Communion. For those divorced and remarried, without yet the benefit of an annulment, I invite you to still come to Sunday Mass. While you may not receive Holy Communion, you can certainly make a spiritual communion and work with a priest or and advocate to assist you in preparing an annulment request. As your bishop, I want you to be present, to feel welcomed and to feel loved. Bishop Robert Banks reflects upon the person who might wonder, Here I am receiving Communion, year after year; Sunday after Sunday, but there seems to be no change in me. Ah, but there is a change. The person who receives Communion regularly is a person who gets used to feeling that Jesus is close. Not just someone up there, but someone very close. After the Second Vatican Council, there was a general downplaying of the devotional practices, sometimes called popular religiosity. Many of the devotional practices were seen as only auxiliary or even distracting and gradually were left behind. Now, however, there is an increase in people s desire for the return of devotional practices, especially amongst young people who are not often familiar with such practices. In the Diocese of Green Bay, a devotion to the Divine Mercy has become very popular. This devotion, which is not new but a reminder of what the Church has always taught in Scripture and tradition, focuses on God s abundant love and mercy for each one of us no matter how great our sins. Because of God s abundant love and mercy we are called to embody that love and mercy to others. A prayer associated with the Divine Mercy devotion is Jesus, I trust in You. What a great prayer for us all to pray to increase our faith. Fr. Alfred McBride, O.Praem.; tells us that The Church at worship is the haven and mother of prayer. In communion with the faith of God s people, we see the devotion of the worshipers and the richly moving rituals of Word and Sacrament in the celebration of the Eucharist. Above all, we learn in such prayer the movement of adoration to the Father, through the Son in the Holy Spirit. The Sunday Mass is the anchor of our Christian lives, and it is a great privilege to hear the Word of God every Sunday and every day if we wish. This is a powerful nourishment of our mind, our soul and our daily activities. As we strive to follow Jesus better every day and every week, to receive Him body, blood, soul and divinity, is an unfathomable privilege. To celebrate with the Body of Christ, the Church, the People of God in our parish and in our communities is a great gift. To be united with Catholics celebrating the same Mass throughout the entire world is indeed a great privilege! As a disciple, each of us has the responsibility to reach out the way Pope Francis does, especially to the hurt, the marginalized, the broken-hearted, the rejected and the little ones. Anytime we ask someone to return to the Church, we need to be prepared by praying for that person, asking the Lord in our prayer for the right time to ask them to come back home, to provide answers to their questions and to preserver in reaching out to them when they reject our offers. Sometimes it takes many, many outreaches and prayers before a person returns. But it is certainly worth it. I encourage all of you to love the Sunday Mass and to Keep holy the Lord s Day as the Lord has commanded. For those of you who already love Sunday, deepen your love of this weekly event and invite others to join you as you share the wealth of your faith! 10

11 Reporting Sexual Abuse If you know of an incident of sexual abuse of a person who is now under the age of 18 by a priest, deacon, employee or volunteer, PLEASE IMMEDIATELY CALL THE CIVIL AUTHORITIES AND THEN THE DIOCESE. If the person was abused as a minor but is now an adult, please contact: Jayne Stefanic, Diocesan Assistance Coordinator, Diocese of Green Bay or (toll free) We also encourage you to report the incident to local civil authorities. YOU MATTER TO US THERE IS HOPE! Crisis Center Pregnancy Hotline BAPTISMS Parents may schedule their child s Baptism after they have completed a two-part preparation program. Call the Parish Office at least 60 days before Baptism for interview and preparation session. BAPTISM DATES 2015 April 19, May 10 and June 21 SACRAMENT OF ANOINTING OF THE SICK (Following 8:30 AM Mass See dates listed below) This Sacrament is offered to anyone in need of Christ s healing touch. The Anointing of the Sick is a sacrament for those who are in need of physical, emotional, or spiritual healing. Think of friends and loved ones who may want to receive this sacrament and invite them to this Mass. ANOINTING OF THE SICK DATE: May 31, 2015 RCIA RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION FOR ADULTS Do you want to know more about the Catholic faith? Are you or someone you know interested in becoming baptized or confirmed as a Catholic? For more information about this process call Wayne Efferson ( ext. 206) or natwe@nativityparish.com.

12 CHURCH NAME AND ADDRESS Nativity of Our Lord Church # South Oneida Street Green Bay, WI TELEPHONE CONTACT PERSON Cindy Kapla SOFTWARE MSPublisher 2007 Adobe Acrobat X Windows 7 PRINTER HP Laserjet P1606 TRANSMISSION TIME Wednesday at Noon SUNDAY DATE OF PUBLICATION March 8, 2015 NUMBER OF PAGES SENT 1 through 10 SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS Please perforate pages 5-6, 7-8