ST. JOAN OF ARC CATHOLIC CHURCH Spring Hill Drive Spring Hill Florida ~ Telephone: (352) Fax: (352)

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1 December 24, 2017 (View this bulletin on-line at Page 1 ST. JOAN OF ARC CATHOLIC CHURCH Spring Hill Drive Spring Hill Florida ~ Telephone: (352) Fax: (352) Fourth Sunday of Advent And Christmas Eve December 24, 2017 Eucharistic Liturgies Saturday Vigil: 4:00 p.m. Sunday: 7:30 a.m., 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m. and Spanish Mass: 1:00 p.m. Daily Mass: 9:00 a.m. Monday through Saturday Please call the Parish Office at (352) for information regarding any of the following: Baptism for Children: Parent preparation. Matrimony: If you are contemplating marriage at St. Joan of Arc Church, please be mindful that there is a six month prior notice request required. RCIA/RCIC: Rite of Initiation into the Catholic faith. Ministers of the Eucharist: Please notify the Parish Office if you, or someone you know is sick, in the hospital, homebound or shut-in. Martha s Helpers: Services for our homebound. In His Footsteps Soup & Sandwich Lunch: Served on the second Thursday of each month from Noon - 2:00 p.m. in our Parish Hall and on the fourth Thursday of each month for the homebound only. Parishioners in need of assistance: St. Vincent de Paul Society (352) Mary & Martha s Gift Shop: Wednesday: 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Saturday: 3:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. Sunday: 7:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Closed during all Masses & Wednesdays in August Emergencies Only: (352) Priests Mass Schedule for Dec 30/31 (subject to Change) 4:00 pm Fr. Rojas 7:30 am Fr. Ed 9:00 Fr. Pat 11:00 Fr. Pat 1:00 pm Fr. Rojas Sacrament of Reconciliation Saturday: 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. & by appointment Pastoral Team Rev. Patrick Rebel, Pastor Rev. Jerry Murphy, Assisting Rev. Edward Reiter, Assisting Rev. Michael Kouts, Assisting Rev. Paul Coughlin, Assisting Deacon Lee Hinderscheid Deacon Fred LaPiana Deacon José Cruz Anne Cofone, Business Manager/Secretary Mary Jo Waggoner, Director of Faith Formation Joyce Thorpe, Director of Music Nancy Lovelock, Youth Minister Parish Office Hours Monday - Thursday: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Friday: 9:00 a.m. - Noon (Closed daily 12:00 p.m.-1:00 p.m.) Phone: (352) jchrchca@tampabay.rr.com Website: Religious Education/Faith Formation For information on all programs of: Rel. Ed. & Youth Ministry: (352) Rel. Ed. StJoanRelEd@gmail.com Youth Group: SJOA-Youth@TampaBay.rr.com Notre Dame Catholic School Phone: (352) Website:

2 Page 2 (View this bulletin on-line at December 24, 2017 Notes from the Pastor The Third Annual State Of The Church Message We have many things for which to be thankful. Our Church had another successful Ethnic Festival. The weather cooperated. We had many volunteers who gave so much of their time. The food booths were outstanding. Besides the Greek, Italian, Irish, Polish and American booths and this year we added a Hispanic Booth. The entertainment was superb. More than anything, we were blessed to have the community come out to support this event. We were also fortunate to add a weekly Spanish Mass, which was first celebrated on Sunday April 30, The attendance has averaged parishioners at each Mass. Our Mass participation, as well as the preaching by Deacon Jose Cruz, has been wonderful. It has been very rewarding to celebrate Mass with another culture. We are trying to Catholic in the trustiest sense of the world. Catholic means universal. The Hispanic Community has added so much vitality to our faith community. We were also fortunate that, compared to other areas, Hurricane Irma did minimal damage to our Church, hall, garage and rectory. The only damage we had were water leaks in the Church, hall and garage roofs and a large tree came down on our garage at the Church. We were blessed that more damage did not occur. We need to count our blessings. Unfortunately, we had some large repairs this year, as everything is getting older. The Church roof replacement cost is $47,000 (partially from the hurricane damage and since it s over 20 years old, it s too old to continue repairing) plus the cost of the other hurricane repairs. Thanks to Anne Cofone, our business manager, we were able to get a good price to replace our Church roof and repair the other hurricane damage. She is a good negotiator. Due to the large hurricane deductible, the roof replacement is not covered by insurance. We also had problems with our air conditioning systems. That project cost another $25,000. If you had some financial gains with the stock market or came into money and would like to help, that would be very much appreciated. Remember, it is all tax deductible. Besides all the ministries and countless volunteers who make St. Joan of Arc such a dynamic and spiritual place to worship, I would like to thank the priests and deacons who help us with our liturgical services. Please keep Deacon Lee Hinderscheid and his family in prayers. He has been sick for about six months. He has had a difficult time with his illness. In addition to thanking Deacon Jose Cruz and Deacon Fred LaPiana for their many countless hours and dedication, I would also like to thank Fr. Ed Reiter, Fr. Jerry Murphy, Fr. Mike Kouts and Fr. Paul Coughlin who go beyond the call of duty to bring outstanding service and ministry to our St. Joan of Arc community. Thanks to Our Lord Jesus Christ, whose birthday we celebrate today, we had another blessed year. The best gift I have received this year by God the Father God the Son and God the Holy Spirit is each of you, our parishioners. I could not have accomplished anything without your prayers and support. Your gifts of time, talent and treasure are immeasurable. Without you and the Lord we could not do a thing. You have helped make St. Joan of Arc a spiritual and welcoming community. I pray that the Lord blesses you this next year as you have blessed me and this parish. May you have a Blessed Christmas and New Year. Sincerely Yours in Christ, Fr. Patrick M. Rebel Patrick M. Rebel Pastor

3 December 24, 2017 (View this bulletin on-line at Page 3 Notitas del Diácono El Adviento es un tiempo para prepararnos a celebrar la venida de Cristo, que viene a este mundo igual que cualquiera de nosotros, esto es, como un niño nacido de mujer. También éste es un tiempo para de nuevo prepararle a Cristo un lugar en nuestro corazón y en nuestro mundo. María aceptó ser el lugar donde habitara el Hijo de Dios. También nosotros somos llamados a preparar un lugar en nuestro corazón para que habite Cristo y así pueda manifestarse de nuevo al mundo de hoy, un mundo que tanto necesita de su presencia. El Señor está contigo. Esta frase la escuchamos dos veces en las lecturas de hoy. El profeta Natán se lo dice a David cuando éste está perturbado debido a que el arca de la alianza está en una tienda humilde. También Gabriel se lo dice a María como un saludo. Pero en realidad hemos escuchado esta frase en otros momentos y no solamente hoy, sino también en cada Misa. Cuando el sacerdote o el diácono dice: El Señor esté con ustedes, nos está diciendo a todos los reunidos aquí que el Señor está en nosotros y entre nosotros en esta acción de gracia y alabanza. Cuando tenemos una actitud de servicio y de aceptación de la voluntad de Dios, el Señor está con nosotros. En san Pablo tenemos tal vez a la persona más responsable por llevar la buena nueva de Jesucristo al mundo entero. El cristianismo pudo haberse quedado como una secta del judaísmo. Hubo algunos, entre los primeros cristianos, que valoraron la exclusividad que sentían al mantener en secreto su fe. Pero Pablo no aceptaba eso de ninguna manera; más bien insistió en que, así como Dios envió a Jesús al mundo, los cristianos están llamados a proclamar a Jesús ante el mundo entero. Por tanto, Pablo termina la mejor desarrollada de sus cartas, la que dirige a los romanos, alabando a Dios en Jesús, que es la revelación plena de Dios manifestado a todas las naciones. Pregunta de la Semana Cómo puedo aceptar el donde Jesús que se me ha dado y compartirlo con los demás? Notes from Deacon Lee on Stewardship Today we celebrate the feast of the Christmas. Clearly Mary and Joseph were gifted with a wonderful child, Jesus, the Son of God. They realized how important Jesus was as He was to become the Savior of the world. They were blessed with Jesus even knowing that they would have to give Him back to the Lord. How willing are we to give a portion of our precious belongings back to the Lord? Now is the time to reflect on the greatest gift we, too, have ever received: Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Let us take the time to sit quietly in prayer with the Lord and thank Him for Jesus, Our Savior and Redeemer. Let us also thank God for the precious gifts of: life, health, family and friends, financial security, a loving Parish community and the freedom to pursue our dreams. While we are thankful to God for sending us Jesus, we also must recognize what a gift Mary and Joseph were when they answered God s call to become the parents of Jesus. They were a wonderful example for us to emulate. Let us openly listen for God s call to us. He has a special purpose for each of us and it is up to us to determine what it is. Sometimes God will call us to do things we had not planned to do. Will we answer the call as willingly as Mary and Joseph did? Giving to our Parish should have a high priority among those charities we choose to help. This is true especially at Christmas time when we recognize the value and gifts of service we receive for the many ministries available to us at St. Joan s. After all, St. Joan s is where we gather as a Faith Community and where we come together in Prayer and Eucharist with one another. It is in giving that we receive. St. Francis.

4 Page 4 (View this bulletin on-line at December 24, 2017 T M S. J A P J,,,. 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. Copyright J. S. Paluch Co., Inc. 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 96:1-3, 11-13; 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 20:1a, 2-8 Thursday: 1 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 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 or Hb 11:8, 11-12, 17-19; Lk 2:22-40 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 TREASURES FROM OUR TRADITION 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. Rev. James Field, Copyright J. S. Paluch Co.

5 December 24, 2017 (View this bulletin on-line at Page 5 To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under Heaven. - Ecclesiastes 3:1 SATURDAY Dec 23 4:00 p.m. Helen Jasinski (D) req by Family SUNDAY Dec 24 7:30 a.m. Nancy Bednarski (D) req by Mom and Dad 9:00 a.m. Our Parish Community 11:00 a.m. Roland Brassard (D) req by Jeane and Sam DeMoura 1:00 p.m. Por las Mujeres Embarazadas - - Christmas Eve Masses 4:00 p.m. Fr. Ray O Neill (D) req by Herb and Marie Duphiney 10:00 p.m. Annamae Bautz (D) req by Val and Ralph Johnson MONDAY Dec 25 Christmas Day 10:00 a.m. Ted Hartman (D) req by Wife Pat 11:30 a.m. Para las intenciones de nuestras familias 9:00 a.m. TUESDAY Dec 26 Joseph Saldiveri (D) req by Frank and Pam Olivieri 9:00 a.m. WEDNESDAY Dec 27 Josephine and Edward Golonka (D) req by Ken and Jean Shubinski 9:00 a.m. THURSDAY Dec 28 Anne Whitlock (D) req by Family 9:00 a.m. FRIDAY Dec 29 Brittany Copeland (D) req by Grandparents SATURDAY Dec 30 9:00 a.m. Armelde and Alex Pitre (D) req by Peter and Gisele Buehler 4:00 p.m. Theodore A. Statuto (D) req by The Family SUNDAY Dec 31 7:30 a.m. Louis Gustin (D) req by Herb and Marie Duphiney 9:00 a.m. The Parish Community 11:00 a.m. Jimmy Wilson (D) req by Mom and Dad 1:00 p.m. David R. Bounds (D) req by Kathy Szczesiak Monday Jan 1 Solemnity of Mary 10:00 a.m. Sally Whited (D) req by Sherri and Roger Collinsworth a time to die Please pray for the deceased of our parish, who recently passed away. Especially Phyllis Mondsini, Josephine Anzalone, Anna Welshoff and Joseph Edward Morrow. Altar flowers.. are given in memory of a loved one or in honor of a special day. Each week the Altar Flower Memorial is announced in our Parish Bulletin. To request your flowers, please come to the Parish Office during the week. Donation is $30. MASS INTENTION REQUESTS Offering Mass for a special intention has been a long standing tradition in the Catholic Church. It is usually considered that special graces are received by the person who the intention is for. Masses are said for many reasons; for a deceased person, for a living person, in honor of someone s birthday, in honor of someone's anniversary, etc. The name of the person or persons we are praying for is mentioned in the general intercessions, by the priest at Mass and in our weekly bulletin. If you would like to have a Mass said for someone, living or deceased, please go to the Parish Office. A Mass Card will be given to you as a reminder of the time and date you requested. Stewardship Report for Nov 26, 2017 A endance: 934 Envelopes Used: 281 Envelopes : $ Offertory Cash $ Second Collec on: $ Total: $ Thanksgiving: $ Priests Mass Schedule for Dec 30/31 (subject to Change) 4:00 pm Fr. Rojas 7:30 am Fr. Ed 9:00 Fr. Pat 11:00 Fr. Pat 1:00 pm Fr. Rojas

6 Page 6 (View this bulletin on-line at December 24, 2017 St Vincent de Paul Society at St. Joan of Arc "Come, you whom my Father has blessed, take as your heritage the kingdom prepared for you since the foundation of the world, lacking clothes and you clothed me, sick and you visited me in prison and you came to see me." Matthew Here at St. Joan of Arc, the St. Vincent de Paul Society has helped many people throughout the year who reside within our parish boundaries. With your financial support and the efforts of our volunteers, we assisted families with rental payments, electric and water bills, prescriptions and other health Our prison ministry continues to be active in the community. In the New Testament, James tells us of the relationship between faith and works. He says, "Be doers of the word and not hearers only, deluding yourselves." Works are a necessary part of faith. If you want to increase your faith, we have a great opportunity for you. Please consider joining us as we help our neighbors. Dear St. Joan s Staff and Parishioners, We would like to thank all of the wonderful people who have sent cards with well wishes, healing prayers and beautiful Masses. We are overwhelmed with your thoughtfulness and generosity. The St. Joan's Family has been so special all these 17 years and it has become a wonderful spiritual home for us both. We can't thank you enough and appreciate your thoughts and concerns. We both wish you all a Blessed Christmas Season and a Special New Year to come. God bless you all, Ann and Deacon Lee Speak to any Vincentian, stop by the parish office or call Jim Humphrey at You and our neighbors will both be better if you do. As we all finish wrapping gifts and spending time with family, let us remember the reason for celebration. It is the Nativity of our Lord and Savior Jesus. God bless you all on this Blessed Christmas from the St. Vincent de Paul Society. Our Lady of Guadalupe image will be present at our parish on December 30! We will have a parish procession beginning at 11:00 a.m. and we would like as many parishioners, especially children, to participate. This is open to the entire parish community. Please come experience your faith.