Wednesday, December 9 8:15 a.m. Rita Morber (Ivan Morber)

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1 Second Sunday of Advent December 6, 2015 Monday, December 7, St. Ambrose 8:15 a.m. Mary Holtz (Eve Luksic) 7:15 p.m. Mike & Pearl Mitchin (Mitchin Family) Tuesday, December 8, The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary 7:30 a.m. Ed McGraw (Wife) 9:00 a.m. John Kritzell (Don & Fran Schindewolf) 6:30 p.m. Ralph Gillig (Family) Month s Mind Dolores Locke Anniversary Joe Hinkle Wednesday, December 9 8:15 a.m. Rita Morber (Ivan Morber) Thursday, December 10 8:15 a.m. Kay & Albert Feltrup, Sr. (Family) 6:30 p.m. Tom Mayberry (Wife) Month s Mind Mary Horvath and Carol Obermeier Friday, December 11 8:15 a.m. Claire Altomare (Michael Altomare) 6:30 p.m. Jean Marchetta (Anna Fana) Saturday, December 12, Our Lady of Guadalupe 8:15 a.m. Gerald Bline (Mellody Family) 5:00 p.m. Gary Mesko (Jim & Pat Mesko) Anniversary Velma Jean Heald Scripture Readings for the Week: Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Like many growing up in the sixties my family knew how to celebrate Christmas with all the holiest of Catholic traditions. Much to the chagrin of my father's wishes, my mother ditched those nastyneedled-natural evergreen trees for the beauty of an almost-lifelike aluminum tree WITH a rotating color wheel (that's right, red-yellow-green-blue). We were able to keep an eye on the changing colors while watching our annual favorite claymation Christmas specials (which we had to make sure to be in front of our TV console at the exact time and day since it was long before DVD/DVR/Streaming days.) In spite of all this obvious appeal, it was never quite Christmas time for my father until the Goodyear-Great Songs of Christmas albums were played...and then ending it all with Frank Sinatra's rendition of "I'll Be Home For Christmas." For my family, so many memories of my father seem to surround his beloved Mr. Sinatra's music. Even though we try to hold on to Advent's hope and promise, we join so many other families this year who know how things are very different this Advent. (The playing of "I'll Be Home For Christmas" leaves more than a lump in the throat.) This weekend's Scripture readings for Mass bring us all something to hold on to that is greater than any nostalgia: "Jerusalem, take off your robe of mourning and misery; put on the splendor of glory from God forever." (Bar 5:1) Yes I realize how hard it can be to feel the splendor, but our faith isn't asking us to always feel it only to believe His promise is always true to us. If you are journeying through the book I recommended, 33 Days To Morning Glory, you see how having the heart of Mary will prepare our hearts for joy even when we feel that we are at the foot of the Cross. This week we gather together for the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception (check the Mass schedule to fulfill your holy-day responsibility) and Our Lady of Guadalupe so we remember that even a life conceived without sin doesn't mean it won't know sadness, but it will always know the splendor of having Jesus within us. This week take a moment to reach out to those whose lives are different this year due to the loss of a beloved. Remind them there is still reason to rejoice. I know our family will be celebrating Advent a little differently this week. This week's glorious feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe (12/12) also marks a minor remembrance, the 100th birthday of Francis Albert Sinatra. Somehow I think that my family will find a way to squeeze in "I'll Be Home For Christmas" for our Dad, and another prayer for the soul of The Chairman of the Board. Maranatha, Fr. Bline

2 Here s What s Happening Around the Parish This Week Sunday, December 6 -Confirmation Preparation 9:00 a.m. Mass-12:00 noon (Gym) -Cub Scouts 12:30-1:30 (Refectory) -Special Needs Christmas Party 3-5:00 p.m. (Gym & Refectory) Monday, December 7 -PSR Class extended to 8:15-7:15 p.m. Vigil Mass for The Immaculate Conception Tuesday, December 8 -Masses at 7:30 and 9:00 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. -RCIA 7:15 p.m. (Upper Room) Wednesday, December 9 -Senior Social Group Euchre 1:00 p.m. (Upper Room) -Choir Practice 7-9:00 p.m. -AA/Al-Anon 7:30 p.m. (Refectory) Thursday, December 10 -Thursday Scripture 12:30 p.m. (Upper Room) -Emmanuel s Song 7:15 p.m. (Church) Friday, December 11 -Youth Choir Practice 4:30-5:30 p.m. Saturday, December 12 -Men s Scripture Study 7-8:15 a.m. (Upper Room) -Santa Breakfast 8:30-11:30 a.m. (School) Sunday, December 13 -Cub Scouts Family Christmas Party 12:30 p.m. (Refectory) -Boy Scouts 5-6:30 p.m. (VHM) Banns of Matrimony (II) Gabriel Schuler and Danielle VanDevere CONFESSIONS Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 6:00-6:15 PM Wednesday 9:00-9:30 AM and 6:00-7:00 PM Saturday 3:30-4:45 PM Communal Penance, Queen of Heaven Parish, December 15, 7:00-8:00 PM Final opportunity for Advent Confessions will be December 23 from 9:00-10:00 AM and 7:00-8:00 PM EUCHARISTIC ADORATION Monday, Wednesday, Thursday - 7:00-8:00 AM and 7:00-9:15 PM Tuesday and Friday, all day from 7:00 AM to 9:15 PM (breaking for Masses) NIGHT PRAYER (COMPLINE) AND BENEDICTION Begins each night in the Church from November 29 through December 23 at 9:00 and ends at 9:15 with Benediction. MASS SCHEDULE Nativity of the Lord (Christmas) Vigil Mass December 24 at 4:00 PM (Children s Choir) and 6:00 PM Mass During the Night at Midnight (full choir, music begins at 11:30 PM) Mass during the Day 9:00 and 11:00 AM Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God Vigil Mass December 31, 5:00 PM January 1, :00 AM and 11:00 AM Collection Information November 15 $15, November 22 $15, Thanksgiving $1, (St. Vincent de Paul) November 29 $15, Our parish is blessed by your generosity!

3 Please keep in prayer the deceased, especially parishioners Adolph Brucker, Mary Lou Miller and Santi Smiroldo. Also, Bernice Richards, mother of Mary Dieringer, Michael Kulick, father of Jim Kulick, and Jim Scherer, brother of Anna Marie Ruppaner and Catherine Scherer. May perpetual light shine upon them. The St. Vincent de Paul Society from our parish would like to thank everyone for your Thanksgiving Day generosity in helping to fill our food pantry, your monetary donations, and for your overall support of our mission throughout the year. Also, a heartfelt thank you goes to Acme Fresh Markets for their annual donation of hundreds of brown paper grocery bags to help facilitate the distribution of groceries to needy families. An Adorer is needed to fill the Tuesday morning time slot from 9:00-10:00 a.m. If you are able, please call The Lord will bless you in many ways. PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY The group will meet on Tuesday, December 8 th at 10:00 a.m. at Nativity of the Lord Jesus Church. Please remember to bring your completed shawls for blessing, your current shawl to work on and any leftover yarn to share with others as we celebrate God s love and blessings. Come join us as we gather to pray, crochet and knit prayer shawls. New members are always welcome. Call Ginny at or Barb at with any questions. Jesus is the face of the Father s mercy, Pope Francis begins Misericordiae Vultus his proclamation for the Year of Mercy. During His life, Christ brought the Good News of salvation to His people all the while healing the sick, feeding the hungry, giving sight to the blind and hearing to the deaf, and raising the dead. And when the time was right, Christ entered Jerusalem to suffer and die for our sake, paying the price for our transgressions and leading us to the Father. By acting thusly, He has shown us the Father s mercy in a very real and tangible way. And the Church continues to show the Father s mercy to us as we await the glorious return of our Savior through the Sacraments of God s mercy. Through Baptism, we are first introduced to the mercy of God where we are washed clean of all sin and made a new creation, conformed to Christ, and made a member of His body. Then He nourishes us with His very Body and His Blood, His Soul and His Divinity in the Eucharist. And in Reconciliation, we experience first-hand the mercy of God as we are restored to that communion with God and the Church that we lose through sin. Where we are not just forgiven, but absolved, set free from the eternal consequence and guilt from sin. I would encourage all the faithful to seek God s mercy and compassion in Confession during this Year of Mercy. It is one of the best encounters with the mercy of God. Through the words and actions of the priest, it is Christ himself who absolves the sin. As His minister of mercy, the Priest is there to communicate love and compassion of God. The Church also announces the mercy of God. This proclamation penetrates our hearts and infuses us with that same sense of mercy so we can go forth to share and live that mercy in the world. We are encouraged to recall and act on the Corporal Works of Mercy: to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, welcome the stranger, heal the sick, visit the imprisoned, and bury the dead, and the Spiritual Works of Mercy: to counsel the doubtful, instruct the ignorant, admonish sinners, comfort the afflicted, forgive offenses, bear patiently those who do us ill, and pray for the living and the dead. Pope Francis has placed such emphasis on these Works of Mercy that he has established an indulgence for any who during the Jubilee Year of Mercy performs one of these Works of Mercy. To perform these concrete actions of mercy for the sake of another is to become a visible sign and witness to the mercy that Christ taught. Who lived and expressed that mercy in His very being, and who exhorts us to do the same. Who exhorts us to be Merciful like the Father.

4 A quote by Neal Maxwell reads: Each of us is an innkeeper who decides if there is room for Jesus and reminds us to spend this Advent season preparing our hearts for Jesus. Jesus coming into our homes is symbolic of Him coming into our hearts. It begs the question, what kind of innkeeper do I want to be? I believe that most of us would be the innkeeper that prepares each nook and cranny for His visit. Advent is a beautiful time of self-reflection in which we prepare our hearts for the coming of our Savior as well as a time in which we decide what kind of innkeeper we will be. It is my prayer that you take this time to reflect on what your role will be and how you will prepare for the birth of our Savior. Praying for the Strengthening of Your Faith During This Second Week of Advent, ~ Miss Katie Buzzelli, Principal ~ ST. FRANCIS APPAREL NOW AVAILABLE Check out the St. Francis de Sales Apparel: fleeces, polos, wind shirts, regular and hooded sweatshirts, drink carriers etc. available in many colors. Visit : Select your item and decide which St. Francis logo you would like; St. Francis de Sales Parish or St. Francis de Sales School. They are both available for these items. Orders will be fulfilled in business days. You will be notified when they are ready. When: Saturday, December 12, 2015 Time: 8:30-11:30 a.m. Cost: $5 per person / $20 per family (Includes photo with Santa) Homemade French toast in the refectory, Santa and fun activities for the kids in the gym. WILL YOU HELP THE HOMELESS? Next weekend, December 12 th and 13 th, our parish will be participating in a collection drive to provide donations of toilet paper for Springtime of Hope to distribute to the needy. We will have tote bins at the entrances of the Church for you to place the toilet paper. Any questions you may have can be directed to Karen McNeill at The Knights of Columbus are accepting orders for their Nativity Tree outdoor scenes. They are $70 and can be obtained by giving Tony Cookro a call at Keep Christ in Christmas and help the Knights of Columbus raise money for K of C Charities! SUBURBAN SOUTH SOCIAL PROGRAM FOR ADULTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS Our Christmas Party this year will be held today, Sunday, December 6, 2015 from 3-5:00 pm in our parish gymnasium. Please bring a covered dish; main course and beverages will be provided. Santa will be passing out gifts and the Green High School Ensemble will be performing. Everyone is welcome! *Participants must be accompanied by a caregiver.

5 Need a Perfect Christmas Gift? St. Francis de Sales Parish School Feast Day Dinner & Silent Auction January 30, 2016 Prime 93 Restaurant (Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and dinner at 7:30 p.m.) Call Us For More Information: This is one of the three major fundraisers of the year for our school. Number of $60 each ($70 after December 18, 2015) Names for each ticket: address and phone number: Donation for a teacher ticket: Please seat us with May we call you to find out how you are able to help with a donation or a gift basket? Sure! Not at this time

6 Next Sunday - December 13 th we re going Christmas Caroling Help us spread the joy and love of the Christmas Season 5:30 pm- SHARP, in the Upper Room We will end with Night Prayer at 9:00pm Please let us know if you are coming so we can have enough drivers! knott@stfparishschool.org LIKE our Facebook page: St. Francis de Sales Youth- Portage Lakes Attention PSR Families Tomorrow, Monday, December 7 th, all St. Francis de Sales PSR students will come together in worship to celebrate the Vigil Mass of The Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Please join us for this special Mass at 7:15 p.m. Please note: PSR is extended until 8:15 pm. Students will be dismissed from their classrooms. Please note: You should be receiving s with PSR news. If you are not, please knott@stfparishschool.org MONTHLY SAINT REVIEW DECEMBER 2015, Saint Stephen Sing with all the Saints in Glory as we live Advent 2015 striving to be holy! This Advent, this December, say yes to Christ and make a friend with a Saint! How do we narrow this month of saints with the greatest Saint, Mary The Immaculate Conception, The Nativity of Jesus Christ, St. Ambrose, St. Juan Diego, St. John of the Cross, St. Lucy, Our Lady of Guadalupe, St. Thomas Beckett, etc.? The December liturgies and feasts guide us to say yes to sainthood. All December saints, followers of Jesus, lead us to be conscious of the way we should be living for God s Kingdom. Standing firm in faith, confronting good/evil, make a friend with St. Stephen, one of the first Deacons and the first martyr of the Church. In the Acts of the Apostles, Stephen is a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit (6:5) chosen for service of widows and the poor in the first community of Jerusalem. His great oratorical powers could not be matched, evident with Divine energy. These words of truth aroused members of the Sanhedrin to call it blasphemy against Moses and God, leading to Stephen s arrest, being led out of the city, and according to custom, being stoned to death. In his final words, Stephen begged God not to punish those killing him. What an act of love! Present at the stoning was a young Jew named Saul, the future Paul. Advent brings us to the Incarnation, linking Bethlehem to Calvary through the Cross. St. Stephen s martyrdom is celebrated Dec. 26 th, in the Octave of Christmas, with his birth into heaven, wearing a Crown (His name in Greek, means crown. ) Pray that each of us may live with the ardor of faith and love that shone brightly in St. Stephen and in all of the Martyrs of the Church.

7 What a joy it to be consecrated to Jesus through Mary! During this first week the reading focused on the example and words of St. Louis de Montfort, the first great prophet of Marian consecration. As this journey progresses consider the following: You are the guide of your own journey! There is no right or wrong way to make this retreat, some days you will have many thoughts and ideas about what you read, some days, very few. Let the Holy Spirit guide you as you prayerfully ponder and reflect upon the readings. A journal is a wonderful way to record these thoughts and feelings. Try and figure out where and when the best time and place is to complete your daily reading, reflecting and journaling. Remember that it does not have to be the same place or time every day, and if you miss a day, make up the reading at your earliest convenience. An important part of Marian consecration is totally entrusting yourself to our Mother Mary and asking for her intercession in your life. This total commitment and trust allows her to bring you to Jesus. This total abandonment to Mary means that you must let go of always thinking that everything in your life and world depends upon you. As this first week comes to a close consider what apprehensions you still have about trusting yourself totally to Mary. Reflect upon the following: What is it that I need to become detached from? Can I do it? Will it be difficult and how long will it take? Do I fear the loss of control of my spiritual life? Is my self-concern interfering with my desire to draw close to Mary? How can I overcome these fears? Our second week focuses on St. Maximilian Kolbe and his devotion to our little mother. Start each day this week with the Sub Tuum Praesidium (Under Your Patronage) prayer, the oldest complete Marian prayer: We fly to Thy protection, O Holy Mother of God; do not despise our petitions in our necessities, but deliver us always from all dangers, O Glorious and Blessed Virgin. Amen. As you continue this journey consider reflecting upon the following: What do I need from God (through Mary) to make acting with purity of intention a regular virtue in my life? We must strive to die to self and live for the glory of God, what aspects of myself must die? What help from Mary and the Holy Spirit do I need? St. Maximilian states that Mary is the Immaculate Conception in the most precise and essential manner. Precisely and essentially, who am I? Who and what do I wish to become? Why do I need the help of the Holy Spirit to understand the meaning of Mary s Immaculate Conception? How might Mary intercede with the Holy Spirit about the current moral and cultural issues that I struggle with? What can I ask of Our Mother? Consider bringing each of these struggles to Mary through your prayer. How will Marian consecration change how I perceive the will of God? How will it help me to give glory to God for this great gift? How can I allow Mary to use me as her instrument? Is this important to me? If I allow Mary to take me, and all that I have, to give greater glory to God, am I afraid? What will I lay at the feet of Mary? Can I do this with courage and commitment? St. Louis de Montfort pray for us St. Maximilian Kolbe pray for us Blessed Mother Teresa pray for us Saint John Paul II pray for us Reflection questions based on 33 Days to Morning Glory Retreat Companion

8 It is time to register for the 2016 Franciscan University Youth Conference!!!!!!!!!!!!Franciscan!University,!Steubenville,!OH! July 8-10, 2016 Just before He died on the cross, Jesus said I thirst. Assuming He wanted something to drink, the soldier standing guard by the cross gave Our Lord a sponge dipped in bitter wine. But Jesus wasn t thirsting for something to drink. Instead, His statement should be interpreted as I thirst for souls! Jesus is thirsty for your soul At the 2016 Steubenville Youth Conferences, we will all have an opportunity to give our souls to Christ, who so desperately thirsts for them.! Entering(high(school(freshman1(entering(college(freshman(are(invited( ( Conference(spots(will(be(reserved(for(ONLY(those(who(complete(the(registration(form(and(return(it(with( $50(deposit(check,(payable(to(St(Francis(de(Sales.((( Registration(forms(can(be(dropped(off(to(the(St(Francis(de(Sales(rectory(or(school(office.((( Form(Deadline(is(January(20,(2016((( ( If(you(would(like(to(attend(and(are(unable(to(pay(the(approximate($200((total)(cost(of(the(retreat,(or(have( any(questions(at(all,(contact(kathy(ott((at((330)644o2225(or(knott@stfparishschool.org.(! 2016 Franciscan University Youth Conference Deposit Form Youth Name: Phone: Youth Address: Parent Address: Phone: High School Year in Fall of 2016(circle one) FR SO JR SR College FR!

9 Dear Parishioners, Do you know someone who has been away from the Catholic Church? Pray for them and write their name on the line below. Then cultivate your friendship with them. Prayer, friendship and an invitation to Catholics Returning Home could make a huge difference in their life in bringing a soul home to Christ. Cut this top portion off at the dotted line below. Keep it as your reminder to pray and extend friendship. Then give the invitation to your friend An Invitation to No matter how long one has been away or for whatever reason, we invite you to consider renewing your relationship with the Catholic Church. Our faith community misses you and is incomplete without you. Please join us for informal sessions and an update of the Catholic faith. The six-session series will be conducted in a group format: Catholics Returning Home Thursdays 7:00 8:30 pm January 7 February 11, 2016 St. Francis de Sales Parish, Visitation of Holy Mary Room 4009 Manchester Road, Akron January 7 Sharing our Stories January 14 Sharing Stories of Faith January 21 Pope Francis and the Catholic Church Today January 28 All About the Mass February 3 (Wed.) Reconciliation - Why Bother? February 11 The Creed: What Catholics Really Believe Come for all or part of the Thursday evening series. Explore the way home! You will find an open door and a warm welcome! CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL NEWS n Archbishop Hoban - Placement test on Saturday, December 12 at 8:30 a.m. Students must pre-register by calling There is a $20 test fee. n St. Vincent-St. Mary Music Boosters will host their annual Holiday Bake Sale on Saturday, December 12 from 9:00 a.m. 2:00 p.m. Sale will take place in the Student Center at 15 N. Maple St. n Walsh Jesuit - Is offering one last opportunity to take their entrance exam. You must pre-register for the test that is being offered on Thursday, December 17 th from 8:30-11:30 a.m. Please call ext. 103 NATIVITY OF THE LORD JESUS CHURCH 2425 Myersville Rd. Akron OH A Noel Celebration: Sounds and Stories of Christmas, Friday, December 18, doors open at 6:30 p.m., performance at 7:00. Open to the public. This collaborative cantata looks at the Christmas Story through the eyes of first-hand witnesses who share their unique perspective on the miraculous birth of Jesus. SAVE THE DATE Evening of Prayer through Song, with David Parkes from Ireland, Sunday, January 24, 2016 at 4:00 p.m., Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish, Wadsworth, Ohio. There is a second evening of inspirational music being held at Fr. Suso s parish, St. Joseph Parish in Strongsville, on Monday, January 25 th at 7:00 p.m. These events are free of charge. A reception will follow each evening so you will have the opportunity to meet David and purchase his CD s. ST. AUGUSTINE - NEW YEARS EVE St. Augustine s in Barberton will be having a New Year s Eve Bash. Enjoy live music by Marshall Law, dinner, drinks, and fellowship. Evening begins at 8:00. Tickets are $65 a couple or $40 per individual. Call Elmer at or Bernadette at to reserve your ticket(s). HANDEL S MESSIAH Music and Art Meet Scripture Sunday, December 20 th, 7:30 p.m. St. Sebastian Parish Church Featuring the parish choir of St. Sebastian and members of Singers Companye, orchestra, soloists and art projections. Bring your messiah score and join in on the choruses. Freewill offering will be taken. MADRIGAL FEASTE Friday, December 11 and Saturday, December 12 St. Vincent de Paul Church; Corrigan Hall 17 S. Maple St. Akron OH The evening features singers, players, jesters, drama, revelry, and a four-course dinner with spirits or Wassail. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and fanfare begins at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $40 per person and can be purchased by calling , ext Advance purchase tickets only by December 9 th.

10 SCRIP GIFT CARDS AN EASY WAY TO EARN CASH FOR OUR SCHOOL WHILE GETTING A JUMP ON YOUR CHRISTMAS SHOPPING. Stop by the Rectory or School during office hours to purchase gift cards: Acme Aeropostale Amazon Applebee's Arby's Babies R Us Banana Republic Barnes&Noble Bath & Body Works Bed Bath & Beyond Best Buy Bob Evans Bonefish Grill Bravo Buehler s Burger King Carrabba Grill Chili's Bar & Grill Chipotle Cinemark Circle K Claire's Cracker Barrel CVS Dick's Sporting Goods Dillards Dunkin Donuts Fleming's Game Stop Gander Mountain The Gap GFS Giant Eagle Home Depot HomeGoods itunes JCPenney Jo-Ann Fabrics Kohl's Longhorn Steakhouse Lowe's Macaroni Grill Macy's Marathon Marshalls Michael's Old Navy Olive Garden Outback Steakhouse Panera Pat Catan's PF Chang's Pier 1 Imports Pizza Hut Red Robin Red Lobster Regal Cinema Ross Dress for Less Sam's Club Sears Sheetz Spaghetti Warehouse Speedway Starbucks Steak 'n Shake Subway Sunoco Taco Bell Target TGIFridays Tinseltown Theaters TJ Maxx Toys R Us Walgreen's Walmart Wendy's Whole Foods