We wish all of our parish family a blessed Christmas and a very Happy New Year!

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1 ST. HELEN CHURCH RIVERSIDE, OHIO December 20, 2015 IN ANTICIPATION OF CHRISTMAS Reflect on the beauty of the Collect for the Mass on December 24: Come quickly, we pray, Lord Jesus, and do not delay, that those who trust in your compassion may find solace and relief in your coming. This is a collect addressed NOT to the Father, like all other collects, but to the SON. It mirrors the words of the prophet Isaiah, who cries: Oh that you would rend the heavens and come down. 63:19 READINGS FOR DECEMBER 27 1 Samuel 1: John 3: Luke 2:41-52 With heartfelt thanks for your STEWARDSHIP OF TREASURE DECEMBER 12 & 13 Adults $24, Children $7.50 NOVEMBER SVDP DONATION $4, WEDDINGS Congratulations to Julio Swindle and Renee Kalis who were united in the Sacrament of Marriage! May your lives together be blessed and strengthened by the Lord! THE RECTORY OFFICE WILL BE CLOSING AT NOON ON CHRISTMAS EVE AND REOPEN MONDAY, JANUARY 4TH. We wish all of our parish family a blessed Christmas and a very Happy New Year! RELIGIOUS GIVE THANKS We cannot begin to repay all who contribute, writes a Catholic sister. So we pray to God, who is never outdone in generosity, to reward you. Heartfelt thanks for your donation to last week s collection for the Retirement Fund for Religious. Ma God bless you for your goodness! SAVE THE DATE! THE ANNUAL ST. HELEN CHILI COOK-OFF IS COMING! JANUARY 16, 2015 IN THE SMITH BUILDING FOLLOWING 5:00 P.M. MASS! ONE FAITH, ONE HOPE, ONE LOVE With a deep sense of gratitude, I am pleased to share news that we have reached our minimum goal of $130 million in pledges for the One Faith, One Hope, One Love campaign. Be assured of my profound thanks for your prayers and sacrifices on behalf of this historic effort to help build the Church for generations to come. To those still prayerfully considering a pledge, I emphasize that the goal we ve attained is only a minimum, and that our critical ministries will continue to benefit from all further help you can provide. To those who have pledged already, I thank you in advance for honoring your generous and muchappreciated promises. To all the faithful in our archdiocese, I offer my prayers and best wishes for a fruitful Advent and joyous Christmas. Again, thank you, and God bless you always. Most Reverend Dennis M. Schnurr, Archbishop of Cincinnati

2 FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT EUCHARISTIC CELEBRATIONS SUNDAY, DECEMBER 20 8:00 a.m. Estelle Cooper Dixon (Mark & Sherma Bryan) 10:30 a.m. Regina Pierce Cretcher (Berry Family) MONDAY, DECEMBER 21 8:15 Dr. Kathleen Boyle (Martha Piker) TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22 8:15 Kay Koester (Cecilia Dunham) WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23 8:15 a.m. Richard Wible (Joanne Wible) THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24 5:00 p.m. For the Sisters of Mt. Notre Dame de Namur Midnight Tony Issenmann (Doris Issenmann) FRIDAY, DECEMBER 25 9:00 a.m. Joseph Piker (Martha Piker) SATURDAY, DECEMBER 26 5:00 p.m. Richard Strathern (Family) SUNDAY, DECEMBER 27 8:00 a.m. Gene Deis (Helen Hischak) 10:30 a.m. In Honor of Fr. Dave & Fr. Satish (Anonymous) MERCY CORNER Our featured Corporal Work of Mercy for the month of December is Shelter the homeless. Consider supporting financially or otherwise volunteering at a homeless shelter. Our Spiritual Work of Mercy for December is Forgive all injuries. Consider calling or writing someone with whom you haven t spoken in a while. Our Colossians virtue is Compassion: Compassion reflects an understanding of the suffering of others and a desire to help make things better. Bring the virtue to life: Help a family in need by cooking them a meal, bringing them groceries, giving them clothing, or giving them some of your time. Do it in a way that makes them feel good about your gift. CALENDAR OF EVENTS SUNDAY, DECEMBER 20 8:00 a.m. Mass (Rosary at 7:30 a.m.) Coffee and Conversation- HR 9:00-10:15 a.m. 10:30 a.m. Mass Secular Order of the Franciscan s-sja 12:00 p.m. Zumba-GYM 4:00 p.m. MONDAY, DECEMBER 21 Novena-CH 9:00 a.m. Legion of Mary-SJA 2:00 p.m. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22 Rosary-BSC 9:00 a.m. Leisure Club SB 1:00 p.m. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23 Centering Prayer-SJN 3:15 p.m. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24 5:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Mass 12:00 a.m. Midnight Mass FRIDAY, DECEMBER 25 9:00 a.m. Christmas Day Mass SATURDAY, DECEMBER 26 Men s Group-SJN 7:30 a.m. 5:00 p.m. Mass JOIN US FOR A CHILDREN S CHRISTMAS MOVIE! January 3rd, 12-2 p.m. in the St. Julie Center Join us for some Christmas movie fun! Kids are encouraged to change into PJs after mass and bring a pillow & sleeping bag! We will provide pizza and drinks for lunch or your child can pack something to eat we just ask no peanuts! Parents are welcome to join us! RSVP online at under the Youth tab, or in the office at

3 As we wait in joyful hope for the coming of our savior, Jesus Christ St. Helen Christmas Schedule Mass at 5:00 p.m., Christmas Eve with music beginning at 4:15 p.m. Mass at Midnight with music and carols beginning at 11:15 p.m. Mass at 9:00 a.m. Christmas Day with music beginning at 8:30 a.m. If our Mass times don t quite fit your Christmas schedule... Immaculate Conception has Masses at 4:30 p.m., Christmas Eve; Midnight, and 10:00 a.m., Christmas Day. Ascension has Masses at 3:00 p.m., 5:30 p.m., and 10:00 p.m., on Christmas Eve and 10:00 a.m. on Christmas Day May this final Sunday of Advent be a time of special inner silence that calls you to listen for the whisper of our Savior s voice, to be watchful and grateful, and to hope in joy and love.

4 ST. HELEN CHURCH RIVERSIDE, OHIO DECEMBER 20, 2015 Holy Grounds: Hope and Hot Chocolate December: 20th All Students 7 th 12 th grade are invited to the Youth Office in the basement of the Church after the 10:30 am Mass. We will spend time getting to know one another and preparing for Advent. There will be snacks, doughnuts and, of course, HOT CHOCOLATE! We will meet from 11:45am 12:30pm. Feel free to bring friends! Call Cassie Schemmel ( ) with any questions. Permission slip and RSVP for this event can be found online under the Youth tab: sthelenparish.org Jesus is the Anointed One the ultimate priest, prophet and king foreshadowed throughout the Hebrew Scriptures. Join us as we deepen our relationship with Jesus Christ through Fr. Robert Barron s new DVDbased Study Program: Priest, Prophet, King. Explore the biblical archetypes of priest, prophet and king and see how Jesus is the ultimate fulfillment of each one. Throughout this experience, you will better understand who Jesus really is and also realize your own priestly, prophetic and kingly mission. Starting January 12th our parish will begin the Priest, Prophet, King study program. To find out more information, please contact Deacon Ralph O'Bleness at or stop by the parish office to sign up. The group will meet from 9:00-11:00 a.m. on Tuesdays and includes a light breakfast. There is no cost if you wish to borrow materials; to purchase your own book, it is $15 through the parish. To learn more about the study, visit

5 SHARE YOUR ACTS OF MERCY TO PREPARE FOR THE COMING OF CHRIST! Throughout the Year of Mercy, all of us will have many opportunities to focus on our own sharing of this gift. During the season of Advent, we ask that individuals and families take the time to be mindful of ways that they show mercy to others... through forgiveness or through acts of kindness to others in need. The possibilities of showing mercy are endless, really. Each time you perform an act of mercy, consider writing down what you did and place your paper in the basket near the manager scene (creche) and then take a piece of straw from the second basket and place it in the manager or on the stable floor. Think of this as a Mercy Challenge perhaps...one where no ice, no bucket, and no camera are required; just a good heart! This is also a great way to help children be mindful of mercy and how they treat one another! MY ACTS OF MERCY NO NAMES NECESSARY

6 FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT OUT OF PARISH ACTIVITIES CREDIT UNION NEWS With the holiday bustle just around the corner, we here at the St Helen Federal Credit Union know that finances can be tight. So we are pleased to announce some programs to make your holiday finances sparkle! Hopefully you ve taken advantage of our Christmas savings accounts. Should you overindulge, then ask about our Debt Consolidation Loans. Contact us for information about these and our other services at REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT: BUILDING A WELCOMING COMMUNITY The Sisters of the Precious Blood are sponsoring a program on welcoming refugees Jan. 9 from 9 a.m.-noon at Salem Heights, 4960 Salem Ave. in Dayton. Representatives from Judaism, Christianity, and Islam will share the teachings of their faith as applied to refugees. Catholic Social Services will explain the process refugees face when entering the United States and two refugees will share their personal experiences. Everyone is welcome to join us for lunch following the program. There is no cost, but free will offerings are appreciated. Doors open at 8:45 a.m. with the program beginning promptly at 9. Enter the Salem Heights grounds off of Denlinger Road. Please RSVP at (937) or Jkroeger@cppsdayton.org by Jan. 4. WEDDING COORDINATOR University of Dayton Campus Ministry is seeking a person to serve as Wedding Coordinator. This is part-time and non-benefit eligible position with an exceptional hourly wage. The position will support and attend rehearsals and weddings in the Immaculate Conception Chapel as well as 4-5 additional hours each week of administrative responsibilities. Rehearsals are held on Friday evenings, weddings on Saturday afternoons. The work schedule will fluctuate with the liturgical year and university calendar. Start date for this position is January To apply for this position and see the full posting, please visit: Deadline to apply is December 21 WOMEN'S MORNING OF REFLECTION Begin the New Year with Christ by joining us on Tuesday, January 12, 2016 for a Morning of Reflection. The topic is Healing of the Memory. We will begin with Mass at 9:30 AM in the Day Chapel at St. Charles Borromeo Church, followed by a spiritual reflection and a social time, concluding at noon. Confession will be available. To reserve Babysitting for your children please contact Karen at or for further information, Barbette at Regnum Christi women are hostessing this wonderful opportunity for all women. WALKING THE ROAD OF MERCY: AN EVENING OF PRAYER, SONG, AND REFLECTION WITH BISHOP JOE BINZER Thursday, January 14 at 7:00 pm at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Centerville. Musical prelude begins at 6:45 pm with special guest Scott Paeplow, Campus Minister for Liturgical Music at University of Dayton. All are welcome to come celebrate the Jubilee Year of Mercy and bring a friend. Co-sponsored by the South Dayton Adult Faith Formation Collaborative and the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis.

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