Let us rejoice in the Lord, for our Savior has been born in the world. Today true peace has come down to us from heaven.

Transcription

1 Let us rejoice in the Lord, for our Savior has been born in the world. Today true peace has come down to us from heaven.

2 The Roman Catholic Church of Saint Ignatius of Antioch Page 2 December 25, 2016 Divine Starlight Merry Christmas, everyone. This is a beautiful time of the year. It is a time to celebrate family and friends, it is a time of warmth, a time of peace. Like most of you, I like driving at night through the subdivisions looking at Christmas lights. Although many people are trying to eliminate the religious significance of Christmas, the very existence of all the lights points to Jesus Christ. He is the Light of the World. The Christmas colors of green and red point to the hope in the Lord attained through the sacrifice of His life. Both the ancient Jews of the East and the pagan Romans of the West celebrated light at this time of year. The Jews celebrated the restoration of the Temple from the Syrians by lighting a candle on the Menorah for each day of the celebration now called Hanukkah. The pagan Romans celebrated the sun-god Apollo s conquest of night on the Winter solstice. Christians outdid these feasts by celebrating the Nativity of the Lord. We are people of light, but we are also people who find light in a world of darkness. John Shea tells the wonderful story of how he took a group of children on a camping trip when he was a young man. I did the same thing many times when I was a Salesian of St. John Bosco. Being with children in the woods at night is always an experience to remember, or try to forget. In Shea s account, the children woke up in the middle of the night when the fire went out. It was a cloudy, moonless night. The total darkness evidently scared those who were used to some sort of light, perhaps a nightlight, when they went to sleep. Shea was awakened by one of the children crying and then the rest calling for help. He told them all to be still, stay where they were and just wait for a little while. As if on cue, the clouds must have been blown away, because the stars came out. With their eyes adjusted to being in pitch black, the stars absolutely lit up the campsite. The children ran around the campsite and to the nearby stream. They laughed as only children at play laugh. They laughed at the experience of seeing a world lit up by starlight. This is the light that we, People of Light, experience. Jesus Christ, the Light of the World, has come, but the world is still in darkness. Those who are attuned to the Light of the Lord, though, those who are capable of being guided by His light, we, are people of Starlight. We need to adjust our eyes to the Lord s starlight. This is all poetic, but how do we attain the focus we need in a world of chaos and confusion, in a world of darkness? The answer is Jesus. For a Christian, the answer to all questions about life is Jesus. We look at His life. Born in poverty. Hunted as an infant. Mocked as an adult and crucified for loving others, He brought kindness and peace to those who allowed Him into their lives. He would not allow darkness to overcome Him. He would not become cynical. He would not succumb to hatred. He would not let selfishness determine His choices. He lived to love. He would not give up on love or give up on anyone for that matter. His love turned the darkness of the Good Thief crucified next to Him into light. The former criminal was attuned to the presence of God s love, his eyes were adjusted to Divine Starlight. Many people will be visiting each of us during the Christmas celebrations. Let s be frank, we really do not want to see some of these people. They will conveniently forget their nastiness over the years and walk into our homes saying Merry Christmas. They will act as though nothing negative has transpired. We are upset, not just because we were hurt, but because they have hurt someone we love. We have a golden opportunity here, though. We can turn the typical Christmas phoniness into an experience of the Lord if we make the determination right now to love them, to be kind to them and not to be concerned with whether or not we will be hurt once more. If we are sincere, they just might catch a glimpse of starlight in the muddle of Christmas sentimentality. That is how the Tremendous Lover would act. That is how we act as people of Divine Starlight. To be people of Divine Starlight our focus must be on Jesus. This is deeper than the old WWJD, What Would Jesus Do? Instead of WWJD, I want to give you new letters, a new thought. Instead of WWJD, what would Jesus do? we should be concerned with WWJBL. What Would Jesus be Like? When He sacrificed so much of

3 The Nativity of the Lord Christmas Himself for others, when He dropped everything to heal a man s dying servant, to raise a widow s son, to restore dignity to a prostitute and integrity to a thieving tax collector, when He gave and gave until He had no more life to give, He did all in a loving way, a kind way. There is no evidence of Him ever being mean, cold or nasty. That is what Jesus was like. That s how we who call ourselves Christians must be. In fact, the greatest compliment that anyone could ever say to any of us is When I am with you, I know what Jesus must be like. When we try to be like the Lord, we will see the Divine Starlight in the middle of the darkness. When we are like the Lord, we will be the Divine Starlight in the middle of a dark world. For many, Christmas is a time of sadness, a time of more intense darkness. Some of us have lost loved ones and miss them intensely during the holidays. What would Jesus be like if He was there, with the grieving spouse, the stricken parent? Would He say, Get over it, move on with life. I don t think so. What would Jesus be like? Well, He wept at Lazarus tomb, didn t He. He would cry, and hug, and love and not be concerned with the words He said, just with being present supporting and loving those whose grief is intensified at Christmas. If we can be loving in this way, if we can be like the Lord in this way, then we will be Divine starlight in the middle of a dark world. For some, Christmas is a time of deep sadness because their lives have not followed the plan they set out for themselves and their children. Marriages have failed, careers have been disrupted by sickness or sudden unemployment, families have been wounded by addictions, and good people have suffered. What would Jesus be like if He were to spend time with these people, in their families? Would He be prying, What really happened? accusatory, Couldn t you have done more? or would He be supportive of the new direction taken, marveling at the sacrifices made, happy for the strength of love that has withstood unforeseen changes in life. When we are loving instead of judgmental, we are being like the Lord. We will be Divine Starlight in the middle of a dark world. Some are convinced that the darkness they feel at Christmas or throughout the year for that matter is self-inflicted. How many girls suffer at Christmastime because they were persuaded by those older than them or supposedly wiser than them to terminate a pregnancy? Absolution might remove the sin, but it does nothing for the pain. Some of these girls are in your families. Some of these girls are here right now. What would Jesus be like for these victims of an immoral society? He would be warm, loving, and He would become a baby for them to hold and rock. And in fact, He did. He did become a baby not just for these suffering girls, but for all of us, and particularly for all who hurt. He became a baby for us to hold and rock and love and gaze at and wonder at and realize that, perhaps, after all, all is well in this dark old world of ours. When we hold Him, when we treasure the Presence of God as one of us, the Gift of Christmas, we begin to see clearly. And the Divine Starlight shines through the darkness. Yours in Christ, Msgr. Joseph A. Pellegrino, Pastor 715 E Orange Street Tarpon Springs, Florida Mass Schedule: Saturday.4:00 and 6:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Spanish Mass in Chapel (Fulfills Sunday Obligation) Sunday...7:30, 9:00, 11:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Life Teen Weekdays..7:30 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. Saturday.9:00 a.m. Schedule of Confessions: Saturday.3:00 3:45 p.m. and after the 6:30 p.m. Mass PARISH OFFICE Main Office ext. 201 Msgr. Joseph A. Pellegrino, Pastor ext. 209 Rev. Brian Fabiszewski, Parochial Vicar ext.207 Rev. Kevin Molloy, in Residence ext. 208 Deacon Samuel Moschetto ext. 210 Deacon John Edgerton ext. 222 Ron Appel, Parish Manager ext. 215 Katherine Creamer, Office Manager ext. 201 Lorna Moffitt, Parish Mgr. Assistant ext. 203 Eldean Jenkins, Facilities Manager ext. 201 Anne Harman, Music Director ext. 206 FAITH FORMATION Rev. Brian Fabiszewski, - Director ext. 207 Fran Morin, Pre-K 8th Grade ext. 220 Joshua Strope, Evangelization ext. 224 Laura Margarella, Caritas ext. 221 YOUTH MINISTRY Bart Kovacic, Life Teen ext. 246 High School Ministry Jen McIlveen, Edge ext. 210 Middle School Ministry EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER Sharon Stokely, Director ext. 225 GUARDIAN ANGELS SCHOOL Mrs. Mary Stalzer, Principal UPPER PINELLAS PREGNANCY CENTER Mary Caesar PARISH OFFICE FAX OFFICE kcreamer@ignatius.net PARISH WEBSITE SPANISH PHONE LINE Miraculous Medal Devotion: Before 9 a.m. Mass each Wednesday Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament: Thursdays after 9 a.m. Mass until 10:15 a.m. First Friday of the Month 9:30 a.m. until 9 p.m. Baptism: Please call the Parish Office Marriage: Please call the Parish Office at least 6 months in advance. Holy Orders: Please call Rev. Carl Melchior at

4 Page 4 PARISH EVENTS MASSES FOR THE CELEBRATION OF THE SOLEMNITY OF MARY Dec. 31 Saturday: 4:00 p.m. & 6:30 p.m. & 7:00 p.m. Spanish Mass in Chapel Jan. 1 Sunday: 7:30 a.m., 9:00 a.m., & 11:30 a.m & 6 p.m. Life Teen Mass Congratulations to Joyce Jablonski our 2016 St. Jude the Apostle Medal Recipient. Joyce Jablonski is added to a list of wonderful volunteers in recognition for their generosity and loyal service to their parish and community. Our previous recipients include Vincent Chiarello, John Consolino, Charles Lawson, Gloria Hope, Edgar Bud Bradley, Mary Caesar, John & Regina Mulvihill, Paul Didas, Melissa Kruschwitz, Ronald & Jennifer Barello, Ronald & Jennifer McIlveen, Rita Witeck, Paul & Angeline Bosco, Ann Swital, James & Christine Grieco and Dave Cuffe Our Music Ministry will present A Festival of Lessons & Carols Friday, January 6th at 7:30 p.m. The Festival of Lessons and Carols began formally in 1880 at the Cathedral of Truro in Cornwall and has continued as the tradition for Christmas Eve worship of that community since that date. The Festival has since been adapted and used worldwide to celebrate, in Scripture and Song, the birth of Jesus. The best known of these services is the broadcast world wide from King s College each year on Christmas Eve. At St. Ignatius we honor our wider faith community by celebrating our Festival on January 6th, the day our Orthodox brothers and sisters celebrate Epiphany. We hope you will join us for this special evening of Prayer, Word and Song. The program is free and ALL ARE WELCOME! Bishop Gregory L. Parkes will be installed as the fifth bishop of St. Petersburg on January 4, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle. Vespers will take will take place on Tuesday, January 3rd at 7:00 p.m. at St. Timothy Parish, in Lutz. Tickets are not required. The attendance of the Installation Mass is by invitation only due to limited seating. We invite you to watch the live video stream of the Installation Mass on the diocesan website ( The Mass will also be broadcast live on diocesan radio station WBVM Spirit FM 90.5 (listen online No Faith Formation Classes or Life Night this week.

5 PARISH EVENTS Page 5 First Friday Adoration and Benediction New Years Resolution to The Sacred Heart of Jesus Devotion to the Sacred Heart, as we know it, began around On repeated occasions, Jesus appeared to Saint Margaret Mary, a Visitation nun, in France. During these apparitions He explained to her the devotion to His Sacred Heart as He wanted people to practice it. He asked to be honored in the symbol of His Heart of Flesh, by acts of reparation, by receiving Holy Communion on the First Friday of each month, for nine months and for keeping the Holy Hour of Adoration. The Church did not just base it on her approval, not just on the words of St. Margaret but on the reality that there is only one Person in Jesus, and that Person is at the same time God and Man. His heart too, is divine. It is the Heart of God. From the writing of St. Margaret Mary: Jesus said; I promise you in the excessive mercy of my Heart that its all powerful love will grant to those who receive Holy Communion on the First Fridays of consecutive months the grace of final repentance, they will not die under my displeasure or without receiving the Sacraments, my divine Heart making itself their assured refuge at the last moment. Our divine Lord does not say that those who make the Nine First Fridays will be dispensed from any of their obligations necessary for living a life of grace in Word, in Sacrament and good works. Rather He implicitly promises abundant graces, sharing in His abiding Presence within us to help us live in friendship and selfless love. January 6 th, is the First Friday of the month and the New Year. An excellent suggestion is to make a resolution to honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus and to pray for our families, for inactive Catholics, for peace in this world of tragic violence, the peace that only Christ can give. Please sign the Adoration Commitment Book in the front of the Church to spend time with the Living Eucharist in our Chapel from 9:30 a.m. closing with Benediction (Christ s Blessing) at 9 p.m. Calling all Photographers Wanted: Christmas pictures of our Church and/or Altar. We are looking for photographs of our Church decorated this year for next year s parish Christmas Card. Please photo attachments to kcreamer@ignatius.net Please include name of photographer and a contact number/ . Bloodmobile in January The Bloodmobile will be here Sunday, January 8th from 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. Please Share A Pint! PLEASE NOTE: All our Parish Offices will be closed through Monday, January 2nd. Have a Safe & Blessed New Year! If you wish to have a Mass said for special intentions or for deceased family members or friends please stop by the parish office between 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. weekdays.

6 Page 6 PARISH BIBLE STUDIES & CLASSES Word on Fire Join us as we examine six figures from the Bible who changed in response to God s Call. Bishop Robert Barron s DVD explores conversion. By exploring these six stories, we will come to a deeper understanding of conversion in our own lives, how to discern God s call to us, how to overcome the obstacles we face in answering the call and the fruit of joy in saying yes to God. Sr. Lila Dempsey, O.S.C. will facilitate these classes on Monday s, beginning January 23rd at 9:45 a.m. in classrooms 2 & 3. Please bring your bible. No registration required Catechism for Adults! Join in a series of discussions, led by Christine Grieco to explore the U.S. Catholic Catechism for Adults on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month from 6:45 p.m. to 8 p.m. in classroom 7. Jump in Anytime! Catechisms available. Contribution requested. For more information Christine at stigcatechism@gmail.com or call Christian Initiation Do you know someone who would like to know more about the Catholic faith? Do you want to become Catholic? Join our Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults Sessions Monday evenings at 7 p.m. in the hall. For information contact Joshua at ext. 224 WORD IN ACTION BIBLE STUDY Adventures in Acts The Spread of the Kingdom Video Presented by Jeff Cavins Facilitated by: Deacon Sam Moschetto Interested in how our Church developed from the earliest days of the Apostles? The Acts of the Apostles is a book of the Bible that tells the story of how the power and authority given to Peter and the Apostles and the coming of the Holy Spirit guided the early church through the persecutions and trauma of those days. The book of the Acts shows how Christ s Kingdom on earth is empowered to carry out Christ s work in the world. This two-part program uses powerful video presentations in combination with a student work book to impart the various insights to the working of the Holy Spirit in the lives of those early Christians. Our first semester begins on January 12th and ends on March 30th. Classes are held on Thursday mornings beginning at 10:20 a.m. and repeated evenings from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. in classrooms 2 and 3. Deacon Sam is recommending registration for the session to be done early so that the student materials can be ordered on time for the first class. The student guide contains explanations of the scriptures with questions and answers to the study materials. A one-time cost of $30.00 for the student guide book will be required. The guide book covers the entire two semesters. Please consider joining the Word in Action community for this informative study by signing and returning the registration form below. WIA Registration Form Name: Date: Telephone Number: Student Materials: $30.00 Note: Please make checks payable to St. Ignatius of Antioch Parish. Forms may be left at the Office.

7 PARISH INFORMATION Page 7 Lord, grant eternal rest to the souls of our dearly departed, especially for INGRID ENTOMA and for all those we hold in our hearts who have died, may they rest in the arms of God. Caritas Corner Flowers distributed this week at Florida Hospital North Pinellas by Caritas Volunteers were donated by Jean Boehne in appreciation of the priests and people of our parish and wishing everyone a blessed Christmas. New Beginnings The next meeting of our parish bereavement support group will be held on Saturday, January 7th at 10 a.m. in the parish hall. Brenda Covini, a grief counselor from St. Timothy s parish in Lutz, will be the speaker. All are welcome! Please Note: There is no Care Mass this Week! Our Care Club will resume January 3rd. St. Ignatius will send you a donation statement for your contributions to the Church for the year 2016 if requested. Please fill out this form and place it in the collection basket, drop off at the Parish Office or your request to kcreamer@ignatius.net. Thank You. Name: Address: Come Join Theology on Tap Welcome All Young Adults Ages Got questions? Our next meeting is is November January 19th 10th Contact at at 6:30 p.m. NorthPinellasTOT@gmail.com Questions? NorthPinellasTOT@gmail.com NorthPinellasTOT@gmail.com We We will meet meet at at Sea Dog near Yard of Ale Countryside Mall in Clearwater. Different Topics & Spread the News Get the Word about our Spanish Mass on Saturday evenings in our Chapel at 7 p.m. Misa en español todos los sábados a las 7 p.m. en la Fr. John La Tondress Chapel. Para información Teléfono: Correo electrónico: espanol@ignatius.net Our Recipients wish to Thank All of You who gave so very generously to our Advent Giving Tree. City: Zip Envelope #

8 MEN OF ST. IGNATIUS. SAVE THESE DATES Men s Only Morning Florida Hospital presents: Men s Only Morning Game of Life: Stay in it to Win it! Saturday, January 28th 8:30 a.m. 12:30 p.m. in our hall. Open to Men of All Ages! Valuable health and educational information, free screenings, resources, light lunch and raffle. Space is limited and reservations required so call today! Hosted by The Knights of Columbus Page 8 Men s Conference Living the Faith Featuring: Dr. Scott Hahn, Fr. Bill Casey & Arthur Boyle Saturday, February 18th 6:30 a.m. 3 p.m. At Higgins Hall St. Lawrence Church in Tampa Join us for Rosary, Mass, Speakers, Lunch & more. Register today at Suggested Donation: $40 individual tickets Father/Son tickets $20 each $50 at the door St. Ignatius Council #7621, St. Luke Council #12196 & St. Vincent De Paul Council # 6476 Do you have a used golf cart you would like to donate to our maintenance team for a 2016 tax beak? If so, please call the Parish Office at ! MOVED? PHONE OR CHANGE Please tell the Parish Office at kcreamer@ignatius.net Name Address: Phone Envelope Number address Early Childhood Center Ages 2-5 & Free VPK Call Pick up applications in the parish office and/or schedule a tour. Stop by the school and see what makes our Early Childhood Center outstanding!

9 DATE MASS INTENTIONS EVENTS Saturday, December 24 NATIVITY OF THE LORD VIGIL Isiah 62:1-5, Acts 13:16-25 Matthew 1:1-25 Sunday, December 25 NATIVITY OF THE LORD Isiah 52:7-10 Hebrews 1:1-6 John 1:1-18 Monday, December 26 St. Stephen Acts 6:8-7:59 Matthew 10:17-22 Tuesday, December 27 St. John the Evangelist 1 John 1:1-4 John 20:1-8 Wednesday, December 28 The Holy Innocents 1 John 1:5-2:2 Matthew 2: :00 p.m. For the People of Our Parish 6:30 p.m. For the People of Our Parish 12:00 a.m. For the People of Our Parish 7:30 a.m. For the People of Our Parish 9:00 a.m.. For the People of Our Parish 11:30 a.m. For the People of Our Parish 7:30 a.m. + Krystina Horak 9:00 a.m. + John Michael Garry 7:30 a.m. + Marry Lou Jasulevich 9:00 a.m. + Norma Gomes 7:30 a.m. For Vocations to the Priesthood & Religious Life 9:00 a.m. + Mary Pergola Parish Offices Closed Offices will re-open January 3rd at 9 a.m. Thursday, December 29 St. Thomas Becket 1 John 2:3-11 Luke 2: :30 a.m. + Rachel Barbaro 9:00 a.m. + Vilma Vyniski Friday, December 30 The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary & Joseph Sirach 3:2-14 Matthew 2:13-23 Saturday, December 31 St. Sylvester 1, Pope 1 John 2:18-21 John 1:1-18 Saturday, December 31 Sunday, January 1st SOLEMNITY OF MARY, HOLY MOTHER OF GOD Numbers 6:22-27 Galatians 4:4-7 Luke 2: :30 a.m. + Fred & Joanne Sassatelli 9:00 a.m. + Joseph Galvagno 9:00 a.m. + Thomas Zarakas 4:00 p.m. + Richard & Mary Abbott 6:30 p.m. + Rosemary Brosnan 7:00 p.m. (Spanish Mass in the Chapel) Para familias de habla espanol en nuestra parroquia 7:30 a.m. + Michael & Jerome Fuscaldo 9:00 a.m.. For the People of Our Parish 11:30 a.m. + Rev. John Henry & + Rev. Michael Morris 6:00 p.m. + Donald F. Appel. 5:30 p.m. Parish Chapel & Hall Reserved