Fourth Sunday of Advent Forever I will sing the goodness of the Lord. (Psalm 89:2)

Transcription

1 Volume 63, Number 52 Address 225 Eighth Avenue P.O. Box 425 Krotz Springs, LA Tel.: (337) Fax: Website: Parish Office Hours Mon. - Wed. 8 am - 3 pm Thursday 8 am - 2 pm Friday 9 am - Noon Closed Holidays New Parishioners: Please call or come by the Parish Office for registration. Rev. Fr. Michael DeBlanc Pastor Rachel Sanders Office Manager Sabrina Ardoin/Carolyn Conway DRE/Assistant John Kaiser Pastoral Council Shaun Dupré Finance Council Monita Reed Cemetery Committee Nichole Hatten Altar Server Coordinator Norma Moran Homebound Com. Coordinator Sidney Bennett Come! Lord Jesus! (men) The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass Saturday (Anticipated): 4 pm Sunday: 9 am Monday & Wednesday: 5:30 pm Tuesday & Thursday: 12:05 pm Friday: 7 am Saturday: 8 am Sacrament of Reconciliation Saturday: 2:45-3:45 30 min. before all other Masses or by request Baptism, Marriage, Anointing of the Sick, and Funeral/Burial Arrangements Please contact the Parish Office Fourth Sunday of Advent Forever I will sing the goodness of the Lord. (Psalm 89:2)

2 Volume 63, Number 52, Page 2 Sat., Sun., Mon., Tues., Wed., Thurs., Fri., Monday 4:00 pm 9:00 am 4:00 pm 12:00 am 9:00 am 12:05 pm 5:30 pm 12:05 pm 7:00 am Embrace the Calm of Christmas Many people feel an underlying anxiety due to world events and the challenges of getting along in a complicated world. Christmas allows a break from that gray depression, an inner darkness reflected in the winter sky. Solstice offers symbolic hope that there may be a turn in the weather. The turn could take us to more genuine peace, justice, and community - key values in the Jesus teachings and qualities we expect in a renewed life turning more toward the light than the dark. Tuesday Reach Out to Others O Key of David, O Royal power of Israel, controlling at your will the gate of heaven: Come break down the prison walls of death for those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death. At this festive time of year, when all our attention seems focused on gathering with loved ones, Mass Schedule and Intentions Halphen & Lacassin families (living & deceased) Also remembered in prayer: Johnny & Robert David & Barry LeBlanc, Alice Ortis, Gus LeGros, Willie LeGros, Ronnie Andrus, Eula Andrus, Clovis & Gayle Meche, Bryan Belleau, Sr., Gale Rabalais, Jr., and Alisha Valin Pro Populo Also remembered in prayer: Steven Halphen, Joseph Stelly, Belva Plaisance, Ray Muse, Debbie Wiley and Breaux & Kaiser families (living & deceased) David Nall & John LeBlanc Family, Johnny David, Robert David & Barry LeBlanc, John & Mable Soileau, Gale Rabalais, Jr., Gerald Jeansonne, Mr. & Mrs. Themus Jeansonne, Sr., Mr. & Mrs. Adolph Rabalais, Wilbert Bordelon Pro Populo Ray Muse, Verna Clause, Belva Plaisance Jo Ed LeBlanc Wednesday Reach Out to Others Those who are grieving face a most difficult challenge. They may feel locked out of the brightness around them. Be the key that releases those who are grieving, while still respecting their own journey. Reach out to those who have lost special people in their lives. Be creative. Daily Reflection Thursday Light in the Darkness Christmas makes sense only if you know the experience of darkness the experience of not knowing what is going on, not knowing your way, not seeing life for what it is, failing, losing, and suffering. Then the turn toward light has a real impact. The more you know the dark, the more you will appreciate the light. "Let us go with confidence to the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and find grace," Friday The Greatest Gift Money Can t Buy God chose to become one of us, letting his human life be shaped by the time and place in which he was born. In the same way our lives are shaped by the world around us. But because of the incarnation, the changes are wrapped in an awareness of eternity, of something beyond us and greater than us, - (Heb. 4:16) Saturday The Greatest Gift Money Can t Buy But still intimately part of us. In the midst of all the stress and busyness of the season, this truth reminds us that the true gift of Christmas is something money can t buy. Sunday The Lights of Christmas Pope Francis writes, In our personal history too, there are both bright and dark moments, lights and shadows. As you watch the light of Christmas twinkling tree lights, the soft glow of candlelight, the tasteful (or garish!) house displays let your heart recall the lights and shadows of your life and the ways in which God s love and mercy have been present in both light and darkness. Schedule of Liturgical Ministers for this Weekend (December 23rd & December 24th) Saturday, December 23rd, :00 pm Mass EMHC: Reader: Donna Bordelon Altar Servers: Hunter Ray & Cierra Collins Sunday, December 24th, :00 am Mass EMHC: Jim Soileau Reader: Verna Melancon Altar Servers: Evan Kaiser, Nolan Savoy, Zachary Kaiser & Evan Hatten Schedule of Liturgical Ministers for next Weekend (December 30th & December 31st) Saturday, December 30th, :00 pm Mass EMHC: Reader: Betty Artigue Altar Servers: Hunter Ray & Cierra Collins Sunday, December 31st, :00 am Mass EMHC: Jim Soileau Reader: Jenni Trussell Altar Servers: Evan Kaiser, Nolan Savoy, Zachary Kaiser & Evan Hatten

3 Volume 63, Number 52, Page 3 ~ From the Pastor ~ Therefore, the Lord himself will give you this sign: the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall name him Emmanuel. Isaiah 7:14 Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, Christmas is almost here! This Advent has been a shorter one this year, but I pray it has been a fruitful one for you. We usually focus on gifts and presents, but let us not forget the greatest gift of this season: Jesus Himself. God giving Himself entirely to us. For now, the Savior is about to be born to us; God has become man so that, through Him, we can become like God. With Christmas coming up, I decided to give you all a break and not do a section of the Catechism. I will continue that next week. Instead, I want to take this time to thank you all for a good first 6 months as pastor of this parish. You have all been welcoming and very supportive. I am truly grateful for that, and I hope I can continue to serve you all well into the new year. I wish all of you, and to all of your families, a very heartfelt and blessed Christmas. This is the time of Emmanuel God is truly with us! Let us rejoice and be glad! I will leave you with some reflective words on Christmas, delivered last year by Pope Francis: On this day of joy, we are called to contemplate the Child Jesus, who gives hope once again to every person in the face of the earth. By his grace, let us with our voices and our actions give witness to solidarity and peace. Merry Christmas to all! Let us praise the Lord, and give Him thanks! In Christ the Lord, Fr. DeBlanc * Parish Anniversary Celebration * The Diocese of Lafayette is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2018, and it has asked all parishes to participate in a unique way. Primarily, the diocese has asked that each parish find out the date of its founding and have a special celebration. Ours is coming up soon, for we were founded on January 4, Below is the tentative schedule of events on that day, with more details soon to come: Wednesday, December 27, 2017 We will begin a parish-wide novena to our patron, St. Anthony. This novena will be prayed after each mass each day until January 4. The novena will be made available to you shortly. Thursday, January 4, 2018 The celebration itself. The tentative schedule is as follows: 5:00pm Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament 6:00pm Final Prayer of St. Anthony Novena 6:10pm Vespers (Evening Prayer) with Benediction 7:00pm Reception in Parish Hall Again, more information will be made available as we get closer to the day. If you have any questions or suggestions about this celebration, please let us know! Stewardship of Finances Offertory (Dec 16& Dec 17) $ 2, Candles sales $ Cemetery upkeep $ Christmas flowers $ Children gift cards $ Religious Retirement $ Total $ 2, Please remember to put St. Anthony Church in your will. Intention of Pope Francis for the month of December That the elderly, sustained by families and Christian communities, may apply their wisdom and experience to spreading the faith and forming the new generations. Advertiser of the Week Thanks to our Bulletin Sponsors! Please visit our sponsors for your needs.

4 Volume 63, Number 52, Page 4 Saints of the Week Tues., December 26: SAINT STEPHEN, THE FIRST MAR- TYR: d. c. 35; one of the seven deacons of the Acts of the Apostles; first disciple to be martyred; mentioned in the Roman Canon. Wed., December 27: SAINT JOHN, APOSTLE AND EVAN- GELIST: d. c. 100 at Ephesus; son of Zebedee, brother of James: disciple whom Jesus loved ; authored three leters, the book of Revelation, and the most spiritual of the gospels; symbolized by the eagle; patron of Asiatic Turkey; mentioned in the Roman Canon. ****Change in Weekday Mass Schedule***** Starting in 2018, there will be a slight change to the weekday mass schedule. Starting January 8, there will no longer be a Monday mass. Starting January 5, the mass on Fridays will be moved to 8:00am. Exposition will still take place after mass, with Benediction also remaining at 12:00pm. Pray for a Priest each day Week of December Mon. Rev. Fr. Rodney Kissinger, SJ Tues. Rev. Fr. Clinton Labbe Wed. Rev. Fr. Donovan Labbe Thurs Rev. Fr. Keith LaBove Fri.. Rev. Fr. Paul LaFleur Sat. Rev. Fr. Keith Landry Sun. Rev. Fr. O Neil Landry Eternal Father, we lift up to You these and all the priests of the world. Sanctify them. Heal and guide them. Mold them into the likeness of Your Son, Jesus the Eternal High Priest. May their live pleasing to You in Jesus name. Amen. High School CCD: December 21st, Nursing Home Office Schedule During Christmas: In observance of Christmas, the Office will be close from Monday, December 25, 2017 to Tuesday, December 26, The Office will resume normal operations on Wednesday, December 27, Have a safe and Merry Christmas!!! 2nd Grade/First Holy Eucharist: January 7th, 9:00 till 11:00am stanthonycf.webstarts.com Come, Lord Jesus Group for Men: Join us for Studying, Praying, & Reflecting on the Holy Scripture. Meeting every Wed. at 4:00 pm in the church hall. For details, contact Sidney Bennett at Sunday, December 24, 2018: 4:00pm Monday, December 25, 2018: 12:00am (MIDNIGHT) & 9:00am ****PLEASE NOTE: Even though Christmas falls on a Monday this year, it is still a holy day of obligation, meaning you must go to mass twice during that weekend to fulfill both the obligation of Christmas and of the 4th Sunday of Advent. You can do this either by attending one of the masses for the 4th Sunday of Advent and any of the Christmas masses, or by attending Christmas Eve mass and one of the masses on Christmas Day. Essentially, one mass CANNOT count for both obligations! P.S. New Year s Day i.e. feast of Mary, Mother of God however, will NOT be a Holy Day of Obligation this year. Thus, there will only be a mass on Monday, January 1, 8:30am.

5 Volume 63, Number 52, Page 5 Prayer List Joyce Angona, Effie Ardoin, Carman B., Victoria Barron, Rosemary Batton, Tyler Bellow, Melinda Higdon Bergeaux, Makayla Ann Bergeron, Shelly Bieber, Gloria Bihm, Jayden Blumrich, Herbert Breaux, Jim Breaux, Virgil Brumley, Baby Bordelon, Judy Burleigh, Angie Carriere, Michael Champaigne, Christine Chustz, Cierra Collins, Betty Cormier, Leslie Courville, Robert Courville, Diago Dartez, Mike David, Leona Dicapo, Ashley Domingue, Francis Ducote, Johnny Dunbar, Jeremy Duplechain, Blanchard Dupre, Jessica Dupre, Velma David, Leah Dupuis, Lillian Dupre, Mayonce Dupre, Roger & Trallis Dupre, Verbal Ellis, Gene LeBlanc Family, Pory Carter Family, Jose Luis Flores, Kristan Fontenot, Stacy Fontenot, Amanda Kent Ford, Ashley Guidry, Ava Guidry, John Dean Guidry, Louise Guidry, Kathryn D. Howard, Morgan Hoyt, Casey Hughes, Ginger Johnson, Glory Johnson, Charles Jordan, Loretta & Stanley Kaiser, Jane Kaiser, Sandra Kaiser, Chad Kimble, Rodney & Lucy Krantz, Mary Ann Lacassin, Bradley Lanclos, Landry Family, Frankie LaPorte, Mark Lavoy, Sadria LeBleu, Zula LeJeune, Leonita Liu, Annette Luneau, Madeline & baby, Bertha Marks, Billy Marks, Brenda & Ferrell McGee, Patricia McGrew, Thelma Meche, Larry Mitchell, Diane Moran, Gayle Morrow, Beth Morton, Preston Muse, Anthony Ortego, Kirtly & Eloise Ortego, Sharon Ortego, Red Ortis, Diane Pecoul, Pam Pereiria, Sandra Pitre, Sharron Polotzola, Raymond Prejean, Lura Prestonback, Lynn Quick, Gale Rabalais, Reva Reed, Joshua Renard, Hudson Robinson, Paul Schexnayder, Benjamin Sheumaker, Alfred Smith, Mavis Sonnier, Edward & Mary Stelly, Daphne Spears, Fr. Gene Tremie, Gwen (Faye) Lanclos Walls, Judy Williams and Gracie Zaunbrecher Please inform us should you like your name to be taken off the list. Thanks. Christmas Flowers are in memory of: Ortego Family Coulon Family Tassin Family Eddie Johnson Andy Halphen Jeanette Boudreaux Kenny & Helen Muse Jerry Hebert & Ricky Hebert Charlie & Missie LeBlanc Nevyln Morvant Ray Muse Kimberlyn & Andrielle Artigue Harry Artigue Eno & Sadie Cormier Pierre & Marie Dartez Sullivan & Ellen Higdon Gilbert & Waverly Ortego Jessie & Renola Vidrine Gilbert & Wilma Ortego Paul & Leola Metrejean Walter & Annie Kimble Peggy Dartez Lurcy Landry Landon Reed Brynn Bergeaux Michelle Lacassin Dick Jones Mr. & Mrs. Slim Reed Claude Kaiser, Sr. Laura Bergeaux Deceased Kaiser Family Verna Mobile Wilson Mobile Ann Breaux Alice Ortis A. J. Angona Mr. & Mrs. Victor Angona Louis Perroux Mr. & Mrs. John Solar* Mr. & Mrs. Elos Solar Mrs. Judith Duggar Mr. & Mrs. J. R. Evans, Sr. Ardoin, Adams, & Mire Family Joseph, Verna, & Joe Clause Earline Buckley Moiser Theresa Apaduca Cliff & Molly Dupre Perry Pep Evans James Tot Coroy Carolyn Broussard Alex L. Wascom, Sr. Johnny & Robert David Mr. & Mrs. Paul Dicapo & son Mr. & Mrs. Cleff Darbonne Mr. & Mrs. Nickie Decapo Mr. & Mrs. W.A. Pearce Mr. & Mrs. Wilson Bourque Mr. & Mrs. Milton Matte Mr. & Mrs. Edwin Darbonne James & Norris Darbonne Seville Darbonne Ronald Guidry Barry LeBlanc Cameron & Chase Morton Fred & Lovina Wiltz Hugh & Bertha Soileau Matt & Hester Cormier Vincent & Alexzina Wiltz Mr. & Mrs. Budd Hatte Rita Halphen P. E. Arceneaux Flo Arceneaux Angie Vincent Carol Randall Tommy Hatten Plaisance & Bryson Families Mr. & Mrs. Ashton LeBlanc Joseph Lester Guidry Kourtney Rose Eddie Fontenot Lish Valin Dolorese Nolan Douglas Dartez Mr. Kirt Guidry Steven Halphen John & Aline Lacassin Webb, Jr. & John Reed Mr. & Mrs. Herman Burns Mr. & Mrs. Ray Soileau Wenzie & Matilda Soileau Richard & Harold Ray Wilbert & Mary Dupont Horace Reed & Florence Reed Mr. & Mrs. Jules Ortis Jennie & Tommy Adams James & Ralph Reed Mr. & Mrs. Horace Reed Snook & Dorothy Adams Melancon & Dupre Families Calvin & Ethel Bordelon T-Sam & Dorothy Gauthier Ducote Family Firmin Family Margaret Ray Gale Rabalais, Jr. Gerald Jeansonne, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Themus Jeansonne, Sr.Mr. & Mrs. Adolph Rabalais Wilbert Bordelon Happy Birthday! (December 23) = Morgan Guillory, Kristin Fontenot; (December 24) = Grace Bryson; (December 25) = Owen Henry ; (December 27) = Lakota Reed ; (December 28) = Doug Johnson, Hunter Ray; (December 29) = Hunter Guidry You are gifts from God to us. May the Lord bestow a special blessing upon you on your birthday.

6