The Mass is an important and beautiful

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1 DE C E M B E R contents 2 Who Is First on Your Christmas List? 3 He is Coming! Are You Prepared? 4 Christmas Doesn t End on Dec. 25 Feast of the Holy Family 5 Youth Events at St. Joseph 6 Our Family in the Armed Forces 7 Dinner and Listening Session Kick Off Appreciative Inquiry Process at St. Joseph Bringing the Mass to You The Videographers Ministry The Mass is an important and beautiful part of our Catholic faith, full of powerful prayers, rich ceremonies and reverent music. Unfortunately, there are people in our community whose circumstances keep them from experiencing all that the Mass has to offer. That is why we have the members of the Videographers Ministry, who record the Mass each week to be shown via local cable television. The purpose is to provide an opportunity for those unable to attend Mass, for whatever reason, to view their local parish church s celebration of the Eucharist, to hear the music, to listen to the homily, and to see fellow residents of Avon Lake worshiping, says Darrel Bilancini, who facilitates this ministry. By downloading the sermon to YouTube, we have been able to preserve nearly five years of the weekly homilies and other talks and events like the school Christmas Pageant, which are available worldwide on the Internet. When our church building was constructed in 1999, our former pastor included as part of the design wiring for the sound system that would allow recording from the choir loft, with the thought that at some point the Mass could be recorded. However, it wasn t until 2007, when Darrel volunteered to Paying careful attention to the sound and video feeds, John Guzik records Mass. follow through with this idea, that it came to fruition. I had been playing around with a video camera and some editing software for a few years, Darrel says. I found that I enjoyed it and recruited Tom Selders, who knew a lot more than me. The ministry team currently includes not only Tom and Darrel, but also Heidi Dankers, Gene Fox, Pam Wells, Bob Quinlan, and John and Noah Guzik. These volunteers work together to record the Mass each week usually the 11 a.m. Sunday Mass. Avon Lake Community Television provides the public with the opportunity to produce programming that is broadcast on the local access channels channel 97 on Time Warner Cable, channel 22 on WOW! Cable. The videographers use two continued on page 6

2 Who Is First on Your Christmas List? The Christmas season is fast approaching. We have already made our gift lists, and perhaps even checked them twice. First on the list is family, followed by friends, our children s teachers and coaches, and maybe even the mailman. Christmas inspires us to give our family and friends gifts of love and appreciation, in gratitude towards all they do for us during the year. The very idea of holiday gift giving a display of love and gratefulness to those who have touched our lives is parallel to the concept of stewardship. When we give to God, we are effectively saying thanks for all He has done for us. Think of all God has done for you this year. How have His loving arms embraced you? Maybe He has answered a special prayer intention. Maybe He has created a job opportunity for an unemployed loved one. He may have helped safely bring a new baby into the family, or instilled peace during a particularly difficult time. God s blessings are countless, and the abundant gifts He bestows upon us are given freely out of incomprehensible love despite our unworthiness. Think of the ways you respond to God s bountiful blessings. How do you choose to show Him your thankfulness? As we prepare for the coming of Christ during Advent, will we remember to add Jesus name to our list? Uncle John wants a new drill, and Grandpa definitely needs a new cardigan but what does Jesus want? It is His birthday we are celebrating, after all. The very first name on the list above our spouse, children, relatives and friends should be God s name. As disciples of Christ, we are called to give God our first fruits, not our leftovers. We should joyfully place God first on our gift-giving lists, not out of guilt or as an afterthought, but out of love and appreciation. Stewardship allows us to tangibly give a Christmas gift to God through our time, talent and treasure. We give God gifts of time through prayer, such as spending time before the Blessed Sacrament or praying the Rosary. We can give our talents to God by way of simple charitable actions, such as bringing a meal to a hardpressed neighbor, or watching a young mother s children so that she is able to prepare for her own family s Christmas celebration. And as for treasure, we can give God a portion of our income this Christmas by dropping an extra dollar in the collection basket. Whatever choices you make this season, make the decision to be a good Christmas steward. As we prepare for the coming of Christ during Advent, will we remember to add Jesus name to our list? Uncle John wants a new drill, and Grandpa definitely needs a new cardigan but what does Jesus want? It is His birthday we are celebrating, after all. 2

3 ehold, the virgin shall con- and bear a son, and they Bceive shall name Him Emmanuel, which means God is with us. How many times have we heard those prophetic words? We ve heard them in readings from the prophet Isaiah, and we ve heard them repeated in Matthew in the readings for the last Sunday in Advent. What do we think of when we hear that Word? How close to our hearts is that proclamation? At this time of year, those words should be very close. I think in particular of the meaning of Emmanuel, God is with us. That is one of the most basic tenets of stewardship that God is with us on our stewardship missions. This month of December should be one of the high points of our annual stewardship journeys. From the first day of the month up until Christmas is our Advent journey. The word Advent comes from the Latin word adventus, which literally means coming. We must also understand that adventus was the Latin translation of the Greek word parousia, which refers specifically to the second coming. Advent, our time of expectant preparation for the first coming of Christ with His birth, is thus also a preparation for His second coming. On the first Sunday of Advent (December 1), St. Paul and Jesus both tell us we need to be awake, to get ready. However, we all know what a challenge that can be with everything else that goes on around us during this season. In our hearts, we know that this is a holy time, but the lists of things we develop to be done might often seem a long way from holy preparation. There is baking to be done; decorations to put up; lights to be hung; preparations for visitors to arrive at our homes, or for trips to visit others; gifts to be bought and wrapped. A Letter From Our Pastor He is Coming! Are You Prepared? We really do have to wake up and be alert for signs of the Christ Child and for signs of the Lord, because it is so easy for them to be lost amidst everything else that fills this time of year. Stewardship instructs us to step back and to keep in mind the reality about this Advent and Christmas for us as Catholics and Christians. Yes, this may seem like a tired theme because we people of faith articulate it so often. Nevertheless, that focus on what is vital is also a challenge to stewardship throughout the year, as well as a trial that seems most paramount right now. Christ deserves more from us than an hour and a half or so on Christmas Eve. He deserves daily prayers and devotions in preparation. Before Santa takes over, we need to ensure that Jesus is part of our preparations and our lives. Stewardship as a way of life is never easy. But at this time of year, I suggest that each of us, each family, read the Christmas Story at the beginning of Advent, not just at the end. Then, we need to go back to that story and reflect upon that message again and again during our Advent and Christmas journeys. To complete our preparations and to bring the passage to fruition, we all will long to hear those words: Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom His favor rests. God be with you during this holy time of our Church year. In Christ, Fr. Ronald Wearsch 3

4 Christmas Doesn t End on Dec. 25 Feast of the Holy Family It is Dec. 26, and we ve celebrated Christmas. We have already opened all of our gifts and practiced all of our favorite Christmas traditions. What do we do now? The Christmas season is far from over. The octave of Christmas has, in fact, just begun. The Holy Solemnity of the Nativity of our Lord, on Christmas Day, is directly followed by the Feast of the Holy Family of Nazareth on Dec. 28. Following Jesus birth in the stable, Mary and Joseph were now charged with a great responsibility. Their home would be the place where our Lord grew up! Do you ever stop and think about what it must have been like for Mary and Joseph to raise the Savior of the Universe? They changed His diapers, fed Him, and helped Him learn to walk. No doubt, Joseph taught Jesus how to safely work a saw, and Mary probably helped Him mend His clothes. This puts all of our parenting duties into perspective. Can you imagine caring for Our Lord as He was a vulnerable and helpless child? Regarding the Holy Family in this way gives us a newfound appreciation for family life with all of its trials and triumphs. Though little is known about Jesus early years, we know He grew up just like any human child, and that Mary and Joseph were chosen to parent Him. The Lord chose the family as the place for His birth and His growth, thereby sanctifying the fundamental institution of society. From then on, the family was much more than just a group of people living together. Indeed, the Holy Family is the example of how all Christian families are called to be small domestic churches. And as with the humble home of Nazareth, the family is an authentic school of the Gospel, wherein we live our faith on a daily basis. Pope John Paul II explained that recollection and prayer, mutual understanding and respect, personal discipline and community asceticism and a spirit of sacrifice, work and solidarity are typical features that make the family of Nazareth a model for every home. As Christian families, we must follow the example of the Holy Family, and be lights to shine the Truth in the midst of what is sometimes a dark world. Through their humble existence, Jesus, Mary and Joseph remained united to one another and to the Father, working always to remain close to Him and to show His love to the world. So also must we do. As Christians, we are called to show the world convincingly that it is possible to live marriage fully in keeping with God s plan and with the true good of the human person of the spouses and of the children who are more fragile (Novo Millennio Ineunte 47). Then, amidst all of the spilled milk and temper tantrums, all of the birthdays, graduations and marriages, we will serve as a sign of God Himself three persons united in love! May Jesus, Mary and Joseph bless and protect all families so that they will extol the peace, joy, justice and love that the newborn Christ has given us as a gift to all of humanity! 4

5 Youth Events at St. Joseph Our parish youth have participated in several events and activities this fall, such as the Confirmation Retreat, Youth Ministry Planning Day and more. 5

6 Videographers Ministry continued from front cover Darrel Bilancini sets up the digital editing software prior to Mass. cameras to capture the Mass, then edit the footage and provide a digital file to the cable station by the Tuesday after the Sunday Mass. The Mass will then be broadcast three times a day for one week, starting on the Wednesday following the Mass. The videographers also isolate the homily and upload it to YouTube within a couple of days, providing access to the liturgy to all within our community. It is our hope that they benefit, Darrel says. But from the video team s perspective, we feel that we are contributing to opportunities for parishioners and other Avon Lake residents to share in our Catholic worship service. This is an important service for those who are sick or unable to get to Mass each Sunday for any other Bob Quinlan, video team member, readies the camera for recording. reason, and it has not gone unnoticed. Over the years, we have received some feedback from viewers who thank us for making the Mass available, Darrel says. One homebound parishioner in particular sent a note of thanks a week before she died from cancer. In providing their talents to this ministry, the members of the video team also receive much in return for their service. Everyone who serves in our parish does so with a selfish motive to gain salvation, Darrel says. Our team hopes that those who view the videos we produce are helped to do the same. For more information about the Videographers Ministry or to get involved, please call Darrel Bilancini at Our Family in the Armed Forces When you gather your family for prayer, please remember these members of our parish family who are placing their lives on the line to protect and serve us! Michael Baker Jeff Capretto Dan Collister Christian Connors Carin Cozza Benjamin DeBottis Timothy Gaydosh Craig Goodwin Kyle Goodwin Scott Hardman Patrick Harris William Hayes Brian Hertvik Joseph Hisey Scott Hutcherson Greg Jones Brendan Mackin Kyle McDevitt Christopher McMenamy Charlie Meyer Matt Monschein Jessica Moran Sean Murello Brian M. Novotny Daniel Novotny Michael Paradis Robert Pate Michael Schumacher Ricky Scrivens Dr. Roy Seitz John Stanley Christopher Stover Daniel Urbin Larry van der Oord Tony Zelasko If you have any loved ones in the service, please let us know so we can add them to our honored list and keep them in our prayers. 6

7 Dinner and Listening Session Kick Off Appreciative Inquiry Process at St. Joseph St. Joseph s One Family in Christ Initiative took its first steps this past Sept. 14, when around 70 people attended its first joint dinner and listening session with parish leaders. Facilitated by Dr. David DeLambo, the attendees were able to reflect on their parish experience and share their ideas for the future. The evening began with Mass at 4:30 p.m., followed by a dinner in the St. Joseph Center. Following the dinner, the attendees were led through the Appreciative Inquiry via a one-on-one interview process. For the first 25 minutes, the attendees paired up, spread out throughout the church facility and interviewed each other using a predetermined set of questions. The interview questions covered the entire range of members experiences with the parish, from their beginnings, best moments, ways the parish has contributed to their lives, and their hopes for the future, says Dr. DeLambo. After these one-on-one interviews, participants reconvened for the next 35 minutes at their tables in groups of six. They then shared highlights from their interviews, including compelling stories, inspiring quotes and notable images or particular themes that stood out to them. Together, the group came up with five key topics with supporting stories, images and quotes that would reflect what is at the positive core of parish life, and that they genuinely would want to explore and see grow at the parish. Each table then reported their findings to the larger group, and for the next 20 minutes they listened to the emerging topics and themes that could be further explored through interviews and listening sessions in the future. The evening ended with a closing blessing. Over the next several weeks, the planning committee reviewed the results and prepared for a second set of listening sessions with the parish at large in October. These sessions used a similar format personal interviews, small group discussion and large group feedback, Dr. DeLambo explains. The questions, however, went more in-depth on topics raised at the initial listening session with parish leaders. All parishioners are invited to attend all One Family in Christ listening sessions and participate in this exciting next step for our parish! These sessions used a similar format personal interviews, small group discussion and large group feedback. The questions, however, went more indepth on topics raised at the initial listening session with parish leaders. Dr. David DeLambo, One Family in Christ facilitator 7

8 32929 Lake Road Avon Lake, Ohio (440) Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Avon Lake, OH Permit No. 3 Return Service Requested Save the Date! December /1 Bereavement Support (Never Alone) 1 p.m. 12/3 Adoration /4 School Christmas Pageant 7 p.m. 12/6 First Friday 24 Hour Adoration Kris Kringle Workshop 12/7 First Reconciliation 1 p.m. 12/9 Mass at Main Street 10:30 a.m. 12/10 Adoration /11 School Band Concert 7 p.m. 12/14 Breakfast with Santa!! 12/17 Adoration /24 No Adoration; Christmas Eve Masses 4, 6, 10 p.m. 12/25 Merry Christmas Mass at 8:30 & 11 a.m. 12/31 Adoration? New Year s Vigil Mass at 4:30 p.m. 1/1/2014 Happy New Year! Mass at 10 a.m. Presentation on Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy to Take Place this Winter This month marks the 50th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council s publication of the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, the document that promulgated the changes in the liturgy and made it possible for the laity to participate more fully in its celebration. In commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, Fr. Ron Wearsch will be giving a five-week presentation on this important document. The presentations will be held on Tuesdays, from Jan. 14 to Feb. 11, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., and Sundays from Jan. 19 to Feb. 16, from 9:45 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. in St. Joseph Hall. For more information, please call the parish office at Sunday, the Lord s Day, Mass Schedule Sat. 4:30 p.m. Sun. 8:30 & 11 a.m., 5 p.m. Weekday Mass Schedule Mon. 6:30 p.m. Tue., Wed., Thu. 7:30 a.m. Fri. 8:30 a.m.