December 13, 2015 JMJ. Third Sunday of Advent December 20, 2015 FIRST READING: (Micah 5:1-4a) 2 nd Reading (Hebrews 10:5-10) Gospel (Luke 1:39-45)

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1 JMJ Saint Patrick Catholic Church 301 Shamrock Trail Adamsville, Alabama Very Reverend Vernon F. Huguley, Pastor Volume 33 Number 50 Third Sunday of Advent December 13, 2015 Third Sunday of Advent December 20, 2015 FIRST READING: (Micah 5:1-4a) 2 nd Reading (Hebrews 10:5-10) Gospel (Luke 1:39-45) PRAY FOR OUR PARISHIONERS IN THE HOSPITAL OR ON HOSPICE: Jo Melton, Lena Myers, and Dr. Charles C. White. Please keep all the sick and their caregivers in your prayers. OUT OF RESPECT for the privacy of our parishioners, names of those who are in the hospital are not listed in the bulletin without prior approval by the individual or an immediate family member if the individual is unable to speak for themselves. PRAYER BOOK: The prayer book in the narthex is available for all prayer requests. Please pray daily for these requests. PRAY FOR OUR TROOPS: Especially our families, friends and loved ones who are currently in active military service: Carlos Aguirre (South Korea) Darren Armentrout (Stateside), Darryl Balcom (Stateside), Jeremy Barton (Stateside), Dane Blankenship (Jordan), Donnie Byrd (Stateside) Joseph Byrd (Egypt), Aaron M. Causey (Stateside-Severely injured), Christopher Cates (Stateside), Matthew Cavender (Stateside), Andy Easter (Afghanistan) Jaren Garton (Stateside) Brian Gibson (Iraq), Heath Gober (Iraq), Michael Anthony Grinston (Stateside), Andrew Hays (At Sea) Samantha Higgins (Stateside), Zach Higgins (Stateside), Becky Hodges (Stateside), Scott Jones (Stateside), Zack Kiggens (Stateside) Jenny Malone (Stateside), David Miller (Stateside), Richard Parvin (Qatar), Joey Serio (Iraq), Ben Perry (Qatar) Justin Richerzhagen (Stateside), and John Toombs (Afghanistan). Please keep all of our brave men and women in your prayers. If you know of anyone who should be added to or removed from this list, please contact the church office. ADVENT PENANCE SERVICE: We will have a Penance Service on Thursday December 17 th at 6:30 pm. PLEASE JOIN OUR PARISH! We would love to have you as a registered member of St. Patrick. If you would like to join our parish, please pick up a Census Card in the narthex, fill it out and put it in the collection basket. PRAY FOR OUR PARISHIONERS WHO ARE UNABLE TO LEAVE THEIR HOMES Mickey Davidson, Margaret Monoske, and Ethel Pruitt. Please keep these, all the homebound, and their caregivers in your prayers. If you know of any parishioner who should be added to or removed, please contact the office. OUR DEEPEST CONDOLENCES To our Pastor Fr. Vernon F. Huguley and all the family and friends of his Spiritual Mom, Mrs. Kathleen B. Wood, and to Monica Crocker and the family and friends of her brother Albert Duchock. May God grant them eternal rest. SANTA CLAUS IS COMING TO TOWN! Children do you know that Santa Claus is planning on making a stop in St. Joseph Hall on Sunday, December 20, immediately following the 10:00 Mass. So boys and girls, make sure you are on his good list and get ready to share your wishes with Santa. A photographer will be available and you may request a print of your photo (5X7) at no charge but Santa suggests a donation to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul be made when the photo is provided on Christmas Eve at the children s Mass. ALTAR SERVERS - All of the Cassocks and Surplus' have been professionally cleaned, starched and ironed. They have been labeled by sizes on the hangers and should be returned to their places AS YOU FOUND THEM. Please hang the Surplus evenly on the hanger and when returning the Cassock, please snap the first 2 or three snaps or Velcro so they remain on the hanger until the next time to be worn. Garments worn during the Holy Mass should be attended to with respect and we thank you for being responsible and conscious of these garments. Thank you!!!

2 3 rd Sunday of Advent: What ought we to do? Let joy and gladness show forth in you. You are called to be the presence of Jesus. (Luke 3:10-18) Let us pray for those discerning a vocation to priesthood or the consecrated life, that they may be inspired by the joyful witness of those who are already dedicating their lives to God. (Vocation View is sponsored by Serra Club) FAITH FORMATION Grades 1-12 will have classes on Dec 16 then break for Christmas until January 6th. We are learning about the Advent Season and our anticipation for the arrival of the Christ Child. How are you marking Advent in your home? Our faith practices are a very important part of daily life during this season and we encourage families to experience this beautiful season in a special way at home. Blessed Advent to all our Parish Families. Considering joining the Catholic Church? Catholic but never confirmed? Need to make your First Communion? Want to be baptized? Let us help you get it done! Check out our RCIA classes for adults considering joining the Catholic Church. Come and Learn. For more information, please call the church office. Weekly classes are each Tuesday, at 6:00 pm September May. LITURGICAL MINISTERS -Please be early! When ministers have not signed in by 15 minutes before Mass, a Substitute will be found. Please do not have hurt feelings that a replacement has been made if you arrive late. Trying to find someone last minute is difficult enough, but more confusion is caused when we try to un-do the new assignment. St. Patrick is grateful to have our volunteers and appreciate your commitment to ministry. More willing volunteers are needed especially for Saturday 4:00 pm Mass. Please share your time, talent and treasure! SERVICE DRIVE: The SPIRIT "Service Drive," is an opportunity that gives SPIRIT Youth the chance to help parishioners and other friends of SPIRIT with yard work, odd jobs, or other assistance in exchange for a donation to help offset SPIRIT functions. No work too big and no donation too small. If you have basic odd jobs you'd like help with, please contact Dale Blanchard to request help. Donations are requested at the end of the job. SPIRIT'S ANNUAL NEW YEARS LOCK-IN. We will start with evening Mass on Dec 31st followed by football, games, prayer and fellowship. All youth, grade 6-12 th, are invited to join us. Bring a snack and 2 litter drink to share. SVdP FOOD PANTRY Although we are truly grateful for the donations we receive; we have been answering many calls lately which have taken a toll on our pantry shelves. We do our best to be consistent with what we put in our grocery bags. Please see the grocery list in the Growing Thru Action section of the bulletin for the items we need most. SVdP MEETINGS: The meeting scheduled for Tues. 12/15 is cancelled. The next meeting will be Sunday 1/3, in the conference room after the 10:00 am Mass. MUSIC MATTERS: The Adult Choir will have a special Christmas Rehearsal on Monday, December 21 st at 6:00 pm to prepare for the Christmas Masses. SUNSHINE CLUB will meet this Wednesday, December 16 th. We will begin with the Celebration of the Mass at 10:00 am in the Chapel. Bingo will begin after Mass followed by lunch. Your donation of $5.00 per person for this, our Christmas meeting, will be donated to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Please RSVP to Sharon Slovensky at or the church office at

3 WINTER COATS AND GLOVES NEEDED: The Knights of Columbus will be collecting winter coats and gloves beginning this weekend and continuing through January for the Firehouse Shelter. Please help them in their effort to give warmth to those less fortunate especially during the coldest months of winter. There will be a table designated in the St. Joseph Hall to place your donations. Should you have any questions please call Clay Reece at ANGEL TREE AND PENNIES FROM HEAVEN UPDATE: Children s gifts must be returned today, Sunday, December 13. The Lavender Angels and Pennies from Heaven for monetary donations for the needy will remain in the Narthex throughout the Christmas season. Please place contributions in the collection basket and thank you, again, for your support of this ministry. We could not help others without help from you CELEBRATE December 13, 2015 This Sunday, God rejoices and sings because of us. We read in Zephaniah today that God will sing joyfully because of you, / as one sings at festivals (Zephaniah 3:18). We know plenty about singing at festivals. Already our ears are ringing with the songs and carols that anticipate the Christmas season. Paul reminds us of the source of our own double rejoicing: God is the mighty savior who is in our midst (in Zephaniah s words). Because this is so, says Paul, we can rejoice and be at ease. We don t have to worry, for God s peace will stand guard over our hearts and minds. A medieval carol depicts Christmas as my dancing day and urges us to enter into the dance. Why all the merrymaking? Because the Lord is near, as Paul reminds us (Philippians 4:5). He then points to another reason for the dancing: the dawn of the promise of peace, the peace beyond all understanding, that is now within our grasp. Copyright J. S. Paluch Co. SHAWL MINISTRY: The Prayer Shawl Ministry will not meet this Monday. Please join us on Monday December 21 st at 6:30 pm. Interested in joining? Call Mary Evans.

4 KEEP CHRIST IN CHRISTMAS: The Knights of Columbus Council is sponsoring a Keep Christ in Christmas Poster Contest. The contest is open to ages 5 thru 14. We will have prizes for winners in 3 different age groups. See Dale Blanchard for contest rules and entry form. We encourage all eligible to participate and help spread the word to Keep Christ in Christmas. WE STILL NEED YOUR HELP!! The cassock s and surpluses have been cleaned and pressed thanks to the generous help of one family. However, they will not stay clean. Therefore we are asking the Parents of Servers to wash and iron your child's size cassock and surplus on a regular basis and return them promptly. Help from anyone is welcomed to keep the robes fresh. Please contact Janet Rubino if you are willing to take a couple of the Altar Servers vestments to wash and iron. Remember that they must be returned during the week to make sure that they are available for other servers for weekend Masses. Thank you. ANNUAL SIMBANG GABI NOVENA 2015 will be held from December 15-23, 2015 at 7 pm except on Saturday at 8:30 am at St. Barnabas Catholic Church; st Ave N, Birmingham, AL The Simbang Gabi (Misa de Gallo) is a treasured Filipino tradition dating back 439 years ago when Miguel Lopez de Legaspi celebrated the first feast of the Nativity in 1565 in the Philippine archipelago. It comes from the Catholic belief of gathering for the celebration of the Eucharist in the pre-dawn hours of the nine days before Christmas. Over the generations, local Filipino faith communities have creatively adapted Simbang Gabi. The growing Catholic Filipino American community in Greater Birmingham and all over the state of Alabama hope to relive and keep this treasured tradition. We are blessed to hold the Simbang Gabi at Saint Barnabas Catholic Church. Mass will be celebrated by our beloved Priests from different Parishes and culminates with The Most Reverend Bishop Robert J Baker officiating on December 23, For enquiries please Gabriel Sapalaran (Coordinator Simbang Gabi 2015) at gsapalaran88@gmail.com NEW YEAR'S DANCE The Italian American Heritage Society will host its 2nd annual NYE party from 9-12 on Thursday December 31 st at Prince of Peace. Tickets are $25 which includes music, snacks and a light breakfast. BYOB. Get your tickets ahead of time from any board member. More information provided on the website... or contact Anthony Graffeo ANNUAL RESPECT LIFE MASS and March lead by Bishop Baker will be Saturday, January 16, Pray and Unite for Life Mass will be celebrated at the Cathedral of St. Paul at 9:00 am. Birmingham March for Life will begin at 10:45 am at Brother Bryan Park 22nd Street South at 10th Avenue, Birmingham, AL. For more information go to SVDP Grocery List Jelly Ketchup Pasta Peanut Butter Canned fruit Pasta Sauce Crackers Cereal Mustard In today s Gospel John the Baptist says, Whoever has two cloaks should share with the person who has none. And whoever has food should do likewise Christmas is a time of love and gift giving please share your abundance by giving a gift to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul so that those who do not have clothes and food can share in the blessings of Christmas.

5 Weekly Mass Schedule Saturday 12/12 4:00 pm Bob & Anita Dempsey - SI Sunday 12/13 10:00 am Mass for the People Monday 12/14 No Mass Tuesday 12/15 9:00 Stanislaus Wednesday 12/16 10:00 am Margaret Monte - Thursday 12/17 9:00 am Jo Melton & Nellie Gallagher - SI Friday 12/18 St. Stanislaus Saturday 12/19 4:00 pm Josephine Cullefer - Sunday 12/20 10:00 am Mass for the People Weekly Events and Meetings Sunday Dec. 13 The Third Sunday of Advent Mass 10:00 am Blessing of the Baby Jesus Monday Dec. 14 No Prayer Shawl Ministry Tuesday Dec. 15 RICA Wednesday Dec. 16 Mass 10:00 am Legion of Mary 9:45 am Sunshine Club after Mass Faith Formation 6:30 pm Thursday Dec. 17 Mass 9:00 am Friday Dec. 18 Saturday Dec. 19 The Vigil of The Fourth Sunday of Advent - Mass 4:00 pm SPIRIT in the St. Joseph Hall 8:00 - Noon Sunday Dec. 20 The Fourth Sunday of Advent Mass 10:00 am Santa Claus in the St. Joseph Hall after Mass VISITS TO THE SICK If you are ill and in need of the Sacraments and would like a visit from Fr. Vernon, he has asked that you (or an immediate family member if you are too ill) contact him through the church office. The surest way of getting the message to Father is by speaking to him personally during office hours or calling the church office and leaving a message either on the answering machine or with a member of the office staff. DAILY MASS-ROSARY-NOVENA PRAYER: A Rosary is prayed at 9:30 a.m. in the chapel every Sunday morning. Volunteers are requested to lead the Rosary at each occasion. The Primary Intention of the Rosary prayed is: An End to Abortion. NOTE CHANGE!! DAILY MASS MINISTRY: Volunteers are needed to be Lectors and Extraordinary Ministers during Daily Mass. If you would like to serve please check in at the office 15 minutes before Mass begins. LOST AND FOUND: There are several articles in lost and found. Please call the Church Office for assistance. NEW CENSUS CARD PLEASE: If any of your information has changed, please take the time to complete a new census card. Not sure? Fill one out anyway and don t forget to mark your choices on the privacy line. That is, let us know if we can share your address and phone information with your fellow parishioners. This line is located under the Home phone/(s) /wife s Maiden Name line. THE IMPORTANCE OF CANS! Thank you for your contribution of aluminum cans to benefit our youth programs at the church. Please remember to rinse your cans after use and do not crush them in any way so that they will fit into our can crusher properly. Finally, please deposit cans in the receptacle in the corner of the upper parking lot ensuring that they are placed in bags that are tied so that the cans do not fall out when retrieved by our volunteers. We appreciate everyone s cooperation and continue to SAVE THOSE CANS!

6 TREASURES FROM OUR TRADITION This week, our celebration of Advent makes a transition in ritual and texts. Beginning December 18, the countdown of nine days (a novena) to Christmas sees a heightened sense of expectation, and also a turning from the call of the Baptist in the wilderness to the events leading up to Jesus birth. In ancient Spain, December 18 was once celebrated as the Feast of the Expectancy, and customs grew up to heighten readiness in the homes. Some customs arise from monastic life and practice and spill over into our parish life. Beginning tonight, those who pray Vespers will sing in the opening phrase a beautiful title of Christ. These titles belong to a collection of opening phrases called the O Antiphons after the awe-inspired O sung on the first note. There s a playful code in the titles: O Wisdom, O Lord, O Flower of Jesse, O Key of David, O Dawn, O Ruler, O Emmanuel. When you take their Latin names Sapientia, Adonai, Radix, and so on the titles form an acrostic when you read them backwards: ERO CRAS. In Latin, that is translated as I will be there tomorrow! It s as if Christ were answering the prayers of the waiting people in the words of the prayers themselves. Rev. James Field, Copyright J. S. Paluch Co. ADVENT PENANCE SERVICE: Thursday December 17 th at 6:30 pm. CHRISTMAS MASS SCHEDULE St. Stanislaus December 24 th 4:00 pm St. Patrick December 24 th Vigil Mass 6:00 pm December 24 th Midnight Mass 12 Midnight December 25 th Christmas Day Mass 10:00 am Solemnity of Mary Holy Mother of God (a Holy Day of Obligation) December 31 st Vigil Mass 6:30 pm at St. Patrick January 1 st Mass 10:00am at St. Stanislaus