ST. MICHAEL CATHOLIC CHURCH December 24, 2017

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1 ST. MICHAEL CATHOLIC CHURCH December 24, 2017 Inside This Week Fourth Sunday of Advent Faith and Tradition Liturgical Schedule Daily Readings Coming Events Ministry & Organization News Financial Update Ministry Schedule Our Parish in Action Our Mission We are the body of Christ at St. Michael s Parish Called to Gather for Worship, Celebrate the Paschal Mysteries Preach the Gospel Minister to Others And be Witnesses to the World. 505 Broome Street Fernandina Beach, FL Office (904) Emergency (904) Fr. Jose Kallukalam, Pastor

2 FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT DECEMBER 24, 2017 GOD S PROMISE The lengthy passage from Samuel is a wonderful exposition of God s promise to the house of David: that his throne would forever be gloriously occupied by his descendants. Hidden in the mystery of the prophecy is the promise of the Savior, the Messiah, Son of God and Son of David. The prophet Nathan, speaking in God s name, poetically turns around David s plan to build a house for God, and announces God s plan to build a house, that is, a dynasty for David. From this house of David will come the Messiah, the Christ, not in kingly splendor as David ruled, but as a humble man, destined to rule forever and over all. When God gives a gift, it s amazing what we are given so different from what we ever could have imagined. Faith and Traditions TREASURES FROM OUR TRADITION FR. JOSE AND THE ST. MICHAEL STAFF WISH YOU A VERY HAPPY AND BLESSED CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR Children of the parish are somewhat focused on Santa Claus these days, who is keeping an eye on who s naughty and who s nice. Santa Claus, with his heavenly patron Saint Nicholas, has been more or less in charge of gift-giving to American children for a hundred years or so. In other places, perhaps more attentive to our Christian tradition, there are different gift-bearers. In Greece, Saint Basil delivers the presents on his feast day, December 31, and makes sure everyone is sprinkled with holy water. The Baby Jesus is in charge elsewhere, called the Christkind in Austria and Belgium, El Niño Jesús in Columbia, and Le Petit Jesus in France, where he shares his duties with Père Noël. In the Czech Republic almost everyone is atheist, but Ježíšek, the infant Jesus, brings gifts to one and all. In Poland the Star Man is said to bring the gifts, although often he turns out to be the village priest in disguise. Saint Nicholas, not his Americanized cousin, is the giver in Holland, where he wears a bishop s miter, and in Russia, where he wears a bishop s crown. Soviet Russia tried to dethrone Saint Nicholas and promote Grandfather Frost, but no one was much fooled by this attempt to squeeze religion out of Christ s birth. One country has a saintly woman in charge of the gifts, Saint Lucy, honored in Sweden on December 13, when children serve their parents breakfast in bed, and others awake to news that they have been nominated for a Nobel Prize. Some children have a second round of gifts on Epiphany, when the magi assume the gift-giving duties. In general, the gifts of Christmas are simple pleasures, not great heaps of treasures. Once upon a time, a new pair of socks or an orange was enough for us. No matter what gifts we receive, all of them are to point us to the true gift, and the true giver. 2

3 Sat. Liturgical Schedule (Intentions) Dec. 23 5:00 Gary Lee Watson by Chuck & Jackie Watson Dec. 24 8:00 Richard Kendel from St. Michael Women s Guild Dec :00 Pierre Le Brun by Jean & Sharleen Le Brun Dec. 24 4:00 Lily, Sarah & Grace Badger by Bill & Mary Foster (church) Dec. 24 4:00 Special Intention for Lauren by John & Moira Hegarty (hall) Dec. 24 6:00 Margarita Matagolia by family Dec :00 Harvey Sibley by Mary Berger Mon. Dec. 25 8:00 Gladys Shripka by Harry & Donna Shripka Mon. Dec :00 Parishioners of St. Michael Mon. Dec :00 Jimmy Bader by Linda Bader Tues. Dec. 26 6:00 Joseph Reamer by Sue Riegler Wed. Dec. 27 8:30 Kathleen Maley by Rita Jackson Thurs. Dec. 28 8:30 Fri. Sat. Lowell Cooper by Jim & Carol Cooper Dec. 29 8:30 Pearl Cooper by Jim & Carol Cooper Dec. 30 5:00 Major Patrick H. Wood by Bill & Patsy Flynn Dec. 31 8:00 Parishioners of St. Michael Dec :00 Col. Richard Wallace by Medra Keyser Dec :00 George Strain by the family Daily Readings TODAY S READINGS First Reading I will fix a place for my people. I will plant them so that they may dwell in their place without further disturbance (2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16). Psalm For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord (Psalm 89). Second Reading To the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, be glory forever and ever (Romans 16:25-27). Gospel Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word (Luke 1:26-38). READINGS FOR THE WEEK Monday: Vigil: Is 62:1-5; Ps 89:4-5, 16-17, 27-29; Acts 13:16-17, 22-25; Mt 1:1-25 [18-25] During the Night: Is 9:1-6; Ps 96: ; Ti 2:11-14; Lk 2:1-14 Dawn: Is 62:11-12; Ps 97:1, 6, 11-12; Ti 3:4-7; Lk 2:15-20 Day: Is 52:7-10; Ps 98:1-6; Heb 1:1-6; Jn 1:1-18 [1-5, 9-14] Tuesday: Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59; Ps 31:3cd-4, 6, 8ab, 16bc, 17; Mt 10:17-22 Wednesday: 1 Jn 1:1-4; Ps 97:1-2, 5-6, 11-12; Jn Thursday: 20:1a, Jn 1:5 2:2; Ps 124:2-5, 7cd-8; Mt 2:13-18 Friday: 1 Jn 2:3-11; Ps 96:1-3, 5b-6; Lk 2:22 35 Saturday: 1 Jn 2:12-17; Ps 96:7-10; Lk 2:36-40 Sunday: Sir 3:2-6, or Gn 15:1-6; 21:1-3; Ps 128: 1-5 or Ps 105:1-6, 8-9; Col 3:12-21 [12-17] or Hb 11:8, 11-12, 17-19; Lk 2:22-40 [22, 39-40] SAINTS AND SPECIAL OBSERVANCES Sunday: Fourth Sunday of Advent Monday: The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas) Tuesday: St. Stephen; Kwanzaa begins Wednesday: St. John Thursday: The Holy Innocents Friday: Fifth Day within the Octave of the Nativity of the Lord; St. Thomas Becket Saturday: Sixth Day within the Octave of the Nativity of the Lord 3

4 SUNDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2017 Coming Events ST. MICHAEL MENS CLUB ANNUAL RETREAT St. Michael s Men s Club is sponsoring its annual retreat for all men of the parish at Marywood Retreat Center for Spirituality and Ministry in St. Johns, FL. The retreat is from 5:00 pm on Friday, January 19, 2018 to Sunday at 12:00 noon on Sunday, January 21, Cost is $ for room and meals. In the event someone cannot afford the fee, discreet funding is available. Please contact Charlie Sciarini: or csciarini@gmail.com for more information or to reserve a room. Ministry & Organization News and Announcements SUNDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2017 THERE IS NO 12:00 NOON MASS CHRISTMAS EVE MASSES 4:00 pm Mass (church) 4:00 pm Mass (hall) 6:00 pm Mass (church) 11:00 pm Mass (church) CHRISTMAS DAY MASSES 12:00 noon Mass The music prelude before the Christmas Eve and Christmas day Masses will begin 1/2 hour prior to Mass. Please note: The church will be decorated for Christmas after the 10:00 Mass on Sunday, Dec. 24th (reminder: NO 12:00 Mass) so the church doors will not be open until after 3:00pm for the 4:00pm Christmas Eve Mass. WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THE 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS? The 12 days of Christmas are the 12 days between Christmas Day, December 25th, the birth of Jesus, and January 6th, the Feast of the Epiphany, when we celebrate the arrival of the Magi (the 3 wise men) and the revelation of Christ as the light of the world. SOLEMNITY OF MARY, MOTHER OF GOD IS ON MONDAY, JANUARY 1, 2018 THOUGH NOT A HOLY DAY OF OBLIGATION THIS YEAR. The SECOND COLLECTION next weekend, Jan. 6th and Jan. 7th will be the Catholic Relief Services Collection. The Baptism Class for parents who wish to have their child(ren) baptized will be Thursday, December 28, 2017 in the Parish Office at 6:30pm. Please call the office if you plan to attend, Both parents are expected to attend, and it is recommended that the godparents attend also. We congratulate Fr. Jose as he celebrates the anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood on December 23. We ask God s continued blessing on him. 4

5 Financial Update Sunday, December 17, 2017 Registered Families 1650 Offertory $ 22, On Line Giving $ 1, Children s Collection $ Debt Reduction $ 6, On Line Debt Reduction $ Q4 DEBT AND REPAYMENT AMOUNT (As of June 30, 2017) Existing Debt/Notes Payable $1,663, th Quarter Repayment $-181, (From Debt Reduction Donations) ===================================== Remaining Debt $1,481, Saturday, Dec. 23, 2017 Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017 Ministry Schedule 5:00 pm Mass Mackowski Bender s Anthony Balsamo, Joey Lucey, Grace Wright Sechler Miller, Moore Dalton, Ramsey Simmons Livingston, Maddox Will Robinson, Emma Venerdi Saturday, Dec. 30, :00 pm Mass MacDonell Delaney, Stoffa Ella Schoening, Tia Schoening Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017 Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017 Emma Venerdi Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017 Pulsinelli Lunt, Miller Pulsinelli, Shripka J. Quinn Holmes, Yeoman Harrison Pollack, Phillip Tia, 12:00 noon Mass Stoner Oliver, Oberholtzer Devon Coyle, Gianna Coyle, Emma Venerdi Contact Walt Edwards today in the Parish Office at (904) Fourth Sunday of Advent December 24, 2017 The child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. Luke 1:35 5

6 OUR PARISH IN ACTION MEMORIES OF CHRISTMAS, 2016 MERRY CHRISTMAS TO OUR ST. MICHAEL FAMILIES

7 Pastor Fr. Jose Kallukalam Deacon Deacon Art Treadwell Parish Directory Parish Pastoral Council Mr. Jake Gosa, Chairman Parish Finance Council Mr. Jan Smith, Chairman Parish Staff Jeanne Dean, Secretary Lori Kennedy, Director Religious Formation Walt Edwards, Business Manager Patty O Neill, Bookkeeper Denise Ziegler, Director of Music Parish Office Hours Monday 12noon 4pm Tuesday Friday 9am 4pm Parish Phone (904) Emergency Phone (904) Parish Fax (904) Parish Website Address Religious Formation Adults Sunday 9am 9:45am - Parish Hall 1st Grade 7th Grade 9:am 9:45am St. Michael Academy Children s Liturgy of he Word 3 year olds 7 year olds during 10am Mass St. Michael Academy Dr. Chris Hampton, Principal Academy Phone (904) Academy Website Address Parish Information Would You Like to Join St. Michael Parish? To join St. Michael Catholic Church and to register your address, to receive parish information and updates, please chose one of the following: Via lkennedy@stmichaelscatholic.com Register Online By Phone - (904) In Person Broome Street., Fernandina Beach, FL Ministry to Sick & Homebound Please contact the Parish Office by or by phone to arrange a visit from a Priest or Extraordinary Minister. Baptism Please contact the Parish Office by phone to arrange for a Baptism and requirements. Matrimony Couples seeking information on marriage preparation and available date should contact the Parish Office by or by phone to meet with a priest at least eight months prior to the wedding date. R.C.I.A. (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) Persons interested in learning more about the Catholic faith are encouraged to contact the Parish Office by or by phone for more information on our RCIA process. Religious Formation Persons interested in Adult, Youth or Young Adult formation programs should contact the Director of Religious Formation by phone or at lkennedy@stmichaelscatholic.com. 7