God s Hidden Presence in ME Psalm 33:2-22 Weekend of December 13, 2015

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1 ST. BERNARD OF CLAIRVAUX ROMAN CATHOLIC PARISH N. 124th Street,Scottsdale, Arizona God s Hidden Presence in ME Our soul waits for the LORD; he is our help and shield. Our Heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name. Let your steadfast love, O LORD, be upon us, even as we hope in you. Psalm 33:2-22 Weekend of December 13, 2015

2 Page 2 Welcome to St. Bernard of Clairvaux Scottsdale, Arizona

3 December 13, 2015 Dear Parishioners, Fr. Brian Bell, Pastor During this joyous season and as we celebrate the birth of the Christ child, I would like to offer each family a gift-- a booklet entitled, Rediscover Jesus. Since our beloved Pope Francis has declared this to be the Year of Mercy, what an opportune time to rediscover Jesus! Even though this booklet is easy to read and understand, it still presents stimulating thoughts about our everyday life. Each short chapter ends with a point to ponder, a brief gospel verse, questions to consider, and a one line prayer. This power packed book has something for each one of us! Appropriately, chapter one is entitled New Beginnings. To quote the author Matthew Kelly* our God is a God of second chances, fresh starts, and new beginnings. In other words, our God is a God of mercy. Some other chapters are Purity of Heart, Making Sense of Suffering, Do Not Judge, Blind Spots, What If? An Hour of Power. Each can be taken individually as you have time and need. There is truly something for every one of us. We are all at different places on our spiritual journeys--some of us have clear paths, others are at crossroads, and still others have taken detours. What better time to consider where we are on our journey at this joyous time of the year. A time to reflect to strengthen, renew, or rejoin our Catholic faith. Our gift to you this Christmas is to Rediscover Jesus. The book will be distributed following each of our Christmas liturgies. May the Lord bless and keep you and all those you know and love. Yours in Christ Fr. Brian *Matthew Kelly is the Founder and President of the Dynamic Catholic Institute. To learn more go to: "I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals." So said John the Baptist in reference to Jesus. Tax collectors, soldiers, and countless other people gathered to hear John preach. There was an excitement in the air as they were all "filled with expectation." For generations upon generations they had been waiting for the coming of the promised Messiah--the Christ. And now, John the Baptist had appeared with such a striking message and such a powerful presence that "all were asking in their hearts whether John might be the Christ." But he wasn't. John's mission was to prepare the way for Jesus Christ. In the process, however, people began to think that John was the main attraction. He set the record straight though, when he emphasized that "one mightier than I is coming." And then he made the remark about not being worthy to do even the most humble act of service--loosening sandal straps--for the Lord. Imagine what the people must have been thinking. They all found John to be such a remarkable man, and yet he declared that he wasn't worthy? If this great prophet was so humble, how much more should they humble themselves in preparation for the coming of the Messiah? And shouldn't we do the same? As we mediate upon the coming of Christ this Advent season, we would do well to make our approach towards Christmas with humble hearts. What have we done to deserve this incredible gift of a Savior? Are we worthy of his incarnation and his saving death? The fact is that nothing we could ever do would possibly earn our redemption. May we be humble enough to acknowledge that our salvation is the greatest gift we could ever receive. Faith Formation News High School Teens! Middle School Youth! Page 3 For all of our First Communion/Confirmation families the date of the ceremony will be Sunday, April 24, 2016 at 2:00pm with Bishop Olmsted. Please mark your calendars now with these dates for two mandatory rehearsals. First Communion rehearsal will be Monday, April 18th from 6-7:30pm in the Church and Confirmation rehearsal, with sponsor, will be on Saturday, April 23rd from 10:00-11:30am also in the Church. There are no classes for Elementary Faith Formation this week. We will be on Winter Break from December 14th through January 11th! The Catechists and I wish all of our Faith Formation families a very blessed Christmas and a wonderful New Year! Sacrament classes are now closed. Registration for all other classes is ongoing through the year. Catholic School students needing Sacrament Preparation need to register for second or third grade before classes resume on January 11th. The fee will be $ They only need to attend the second semester. As always, if you have any questions, comments or concerns about Elementary Faith Formation, Sacrament Preparation (Elementary, Middle or High School) or Adult Confirmation, please contact me at kstine@diocesephoenix.org or call me at the Parish Office, Ext God s Blessings, Kathie Come join us for the following ife Teen Events at St. Bernard's: 12/13 - "Christmas Party" (After the 11am Mass in the Teen Room) - This will be our last Life Teen event for the Fall Semester. We are going to celebrate with Christmas games and festivities! Shannon Hards, Director of Youth Ministry Phone: x310 Fax: Come and join us for the following Edge Events at St. Bernard's: 12/14 - "Light of the World" (Monday from 6pm to 7:30pm in the Parish Hall) - What is the true meaning of Christmas? Why is Jesus called the "Light of the World"? How do you say yes to Jesus with your whole heart? Shannon Hards, Director of Youth Ministry Phone: x310 Fax: ,

4 Page 4 Readings for the Week of December 13, 2015 Sunday: Zep 3:14-18a/Is 12:2-6/Phil 4:4-7/Lk 3:10-18 Monday: Nm 24:2-7, 15-17a/Ps 25:4-9/Mt 21:23-27 Tuesday: Zep 3:1-2, 9-13/Ps 34:2-3, 6-7, 17-19, 23/Mt 21:28-32 Wednesday: Is 45:6b-8, 18, 21b-25/Ps 85:9-14/Lk 7:18b-23 Thursday: Gn 49:2, 8-10/Ps 72:1-4, 7-8, 17/Mt 1:1-17 Friday: Jer 23:5-8/Ps 72:1-2, 12-13, 18-19/Mt 1:18-25 Saturday: Jgs 13:2-7, 24-25a/Ps 71:3-6, 16-17/Lk 1:5-25 Next Sunday: Mi 5:1-4a/Ps 80:2-3, 15-16, 18-19/Heb 10:5-10/ Lk 1:39-45 Liturgical Publications Inc FOLLOW US IN ROME! On behalf of all the Pueri Cantores families, I would like to give a big THANK YOU to all the parishioners of St. Bernard s for all your generosity over the past couple years as we raised money for our trip to Rome. We raised over $90,000 and this was enough to help all the families realize their goal of making this amazing trip. We couldn t have done it without you and we hope to make you proud as we represent St. Bernard s and Arizona as we sing for Pope Francis on Dec. 31 and New Year s Day at the Vatican! We will be posting pictures and videos on our FaceBook page on Dec. 26 at Sky Harbor, throughout all events and tours and culminating with His Holiness Angelus address in St. Peter s Square on Jan. 1. If you d like to see these memories as they re made, simply pull up our page on Facebook: Pueri Cantores St. Bernard of Clairvaux and like us and you ll get up-to-the-minute developments Finally, we do ask everyone for one more thing - your prayers. The events in France and Europe over the past few weeks have weighed heavily on our families. However, we are undeterred - as I told the children recently, Jesus tells us do not be afraid, and will not be afraid. At the same time, Jesus also says to be alert and keep watch. We go to Rome with a joyful spirit, but also with a prayerful one as we pray for peace with the Holy Father and New Year s Day. Thanks for being a part of our amazing experience. God bless, Kent Campbell, Director of Music Annual Mission Trip to Jamaica The fifth annual trip to the missions in Jamaica will occur January 26, 2015 to February 2, If you feel called to minister in this way to the poor and destitute or are interested in more information, please call or Cheryl Roehm roehmc@aol.com OR Cristina Dioxn: bcdixon@msn.com. More details about the missions in Jamaica through the Missionaries of the Poor at all Masses in January of Blessings, Cristina Dixon Christmas Novena Cards Beautiful Christmas Novena cards are now available in the church Narthex and side entrances. Your family or loved ones will be remembered during the 9 day novena from December 25, 2015 to January 2, 2016 An envelope is provided if you wish to make an offering. Welcome to St. Bernard of Clairvaux Scottsdale, Arizona December 12 through December Saturday 5:00 PM Irene Maguire 13 Sunday 7:30 AM Jack Creamer 9:00 AM Mr. & Mrs. M.W. Burns 11:00AM St. Bernard s Parishioners 14 Monday 8:30 AM Annie Adams 15 Tuesday 8:30 AM Rosemary Sliwa 16 Wednesday 8:30AM Jack Creamer 7:30PM Kenneth Lollar 17 Thursday 8:30AM Constance Mary Sances 18 Friday 8:30AM Aundrea Alcock 19 Saturday 5:00PM St. Bernard s Parishioners 20 Sunday 7:30AM Dolores Carrabine 9:00AM Jack Creamer 11:00AM Michael & Cecilia Frakes Intentions ARE NOT announced during Mass, however, the priest will pray for the Mass Intention while preparing in the vesting Sacristy. If you are attending a particular Mass for the intention of a loved one, and would like to take up the gifts at the Offertory, please contact a member of Hospitality prior to the beginning of Mass. SOCIETY OF ST. VINCENT DE PAUL *Christmas Angel Tree Gift Drive*** The Christmas Angel Tree is standing in the Main Entrance Hall of St. Bernard s Church Each Christmas Angel bears the name, age, gender, and gift requests of an underprivileged child. This year the children are from our own Parish; the inner city Phoenix Parishes of St. Catherine of Sienna, St. Mark, and St Martin de Porres; and the Our Lady of Guadalupe School in Aguila, AZ. Please take an Angel tag and try to match the description of the child and the gift(s) as best as you can. All gifts should be returned wrapped and with the Christmas Angel attached. We will collect the gifts at each Mass the weekend of December 19 and 20, Thank you on behalf of all the children you are helping during this Season of Sharing, Vincentians of St. Bernard of Clairvaux Conference The St. Bernard of Clairvaux Knights of Columbus support a number of charities, seminarians, food banks, shelters and more. This month the Knights are sponsoring a fund raising effort that we hope you will support. We will be distributing small empty 35mm film canisters after each mass the weekends of 12/13 12/14. You are asked to fill it with coins and bring it back on Saturday/Sunday of 12/19 & 12/20. Brown trash/coin canister collection receptacles will be at each entry to the church. We ask that you fill the canisters with your spare silver coins. We of course would love to get any checks or other amounts that might fit in the canister. Thank you for your support and for taking care of those in need in our Parish community and those mothers to be at Maggie s Place. God Bless and by the way men, we would encourage you to joint the Knights.

5 December 13, 2015 Remember in Your Prayers Family and Friends who are ill. Peggy Armijo Stephen David Bell Kay Berens Marrietta Blessent Selena Marie Bohan Joan Bonfilio Bill Brown Stan Burzynski Tom Church Louise DeRogatis Gabrielle DiCarlo Palma DiFranco Rev. John Doyle Jean Fink Kathleen Florea Bee Frederick Gloria Gallegos Maude Griffith Bruno Hahl David Harman Anna Harbauer Susan Keller John B. Kendall Tracey Krueger Bob Laswick Tim Lenards Patty Loftus Terry Morrison Julia McDonough John Merrill III Carol Nilson Gordy Ortler Mary Palomino Linda Porembski Dennis Pauken In order to keep this list current, names listed more than 6 months have been removed. Please advise the parish office if any of the above names (or if any that have been deleted) need to remain on the list. Thank you for your understanding. St. Bernard of Clairvaux Catholic Church CHRISTMAS MASS Schedule 2015 Thursday, December 24* Christmas Eve 4:00 PM Church Children s Mass & Choristers Choir 4:15 PM Parish Center Family Mass 6:00 PM Church Teen Schola 11:00 PM Church Adult Choir (Pre-Mass Christmas Music begins at 10:30pm) Friday, December 25*Christmas Day There will be no 7:30am Mass 9:00 AM Church Organist Rollie Hudson 11:00 AM Church Veritas 124 Band Chris Racic Splendora Rastelli Tom Ryan Rose Maria Santos Cathy Schira Jim Shutts Joel Smith Family Stu Stewart Baby Reesa Stutzman Nina Vinnanve Stephen M Wojtasek Matthew J Wojtasek *Shuttle buses will be available to and from the High School parking lot to accommodate Church overflow parking. New Year s Eve Thursday, December 31 8:30 AM Mass New Year s Day Friday, January 1, 2016 Solemnity of Mary - Holy Day of Obligation - 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM Mass The Society of St. Vincent Page 5 You Deserve Some Credit for Helping SVdP Help Others. The Arizona Income Tax Credit for Contributions to Qualifying Charitable Organizations for the working poor (also known as the working poor credit) entitles you to reduce your Arizona income tax dollar for dollar for contributions to The Society of St. Vincent de Paul. Joint income tax filers can obtain up to $400 in reduced AZ income taxes (for single filers the amount is $200). You do not need to itemize to obtain the credit. When you make a cash donation to SVdP through this special appeal or in regular Church envelopes in 2015, you will receive a letter by next February from the Vincentians of SVdP at St. Bernard of Clairvaux Conference. This letter will serve as your receipt and verification that you have made the contribution to enable you to complete AZ form 321 to file with your 2015 AZ Income Tax Return. Your Contributions Help People The Vincentians of St. Bernard of Clairvaux Conference serve persons substantially all of whom live within the Parish boundaries. SVdP provides resources to people including helping them feed their families, obtain medicines, access transportation, avoid evictions and prevent utility shut-offs. These resources are not just financial but referrals to other agencies that also provide help with medical, legal, financial, employment and other essentials. The Vincentians also pray with the people in their time of need asking for God s blessings for them and those who support SVdP. Other Credits The working poor credit is in addition to other credits for Arizona income tax filers. For example, you can also claim credits for cash contributions for private school tuition and public school extracurricular activities. Several other charitable organizations qualify as donees for the working poor tax credit and all such contributions must be aggregated in calculating the credit. Making a Donation to The Society of St. Vincent de Paul Please make your check payable to The Society of St. Vincent de Paul and mail it to SVdP, St. Bernard of Clairvaux Conference, N 124 th St, Scottsdale AZ along with the information below. Your name: Your address: Check number: Amount: $ Information in this document must not be considered tax advice. Please consult your professional adviser for the application of the credit to your own situation. C R H P All Alumni & Spouse February 6, 2016 New Parish Center Mardi Gras (LIVE BAND) /Potluck (we provide; soda, water, ice, coffee, plates, cups, etc. decorations) Sign-up starts in January Christ Renews His Parish A Parish Spiritual Renewal Process Men s Weekend: February, 27-28, 2016 Women s Weekend: March, 5-6, 2016 New Parish Center This week the Sanctuary Light will be lit In Loving Memory for Bobby Bové Requested by Bob Bové

6 Page 6 Welcome to St. Bernard of Clairvaux Scottsdale, Arizona Parish Office Telephone: (480) Fax: (480) Website: stbofclairvaux@diocesephoenix.org Office Hours: Mon Thurs 9 AM 5 PM (Closed 12:00 PM 1:00 PM) Fri 9 AM 12 PM (NOON) (Summer Mon-Thurs 9 AM-2 PM) Pastoral Staff Pastor-Father Brian T. Bell, Pastor Parochial Vicar Father Kenneth R. Beale Assisting Priests Fr. Fred Adamson-V.G., Fr. Tom Doyle,C.S.C Fr. Stephen Sedlock, C.S.C., Fr. Oliver Mohan-O.M.I. (Ret.) Fr. Brian Fenlon, Deacon- Alan Hungate Administration Pastoral Assistant Nancy Boettcher extension 300 Administrative Assistant-Bette Brown Faith Formation Kindergarten thru Middle School Director Kathie Stine extension: 309 or 314 Youth Group Edge & Life Teen Edge (6th-8th grade) Shannon Hards extension: 310 Life Teen (High School Teens) Shannon Hards extension: 310 Music Director Kent Campbell extension: 311 Stewardship and Development Director Michael Huesman extension: 302 Facility Managers Steve Cassar (after office hours only), Hernando Cifuentes Parish Center Managers Director Art Stine , Events Coordinator Linda Wisniowski MASS SCHEDULE Weekend: Saturday Vigil 5:00 PM; Sunday 7:30, 9:00 & 11:00 AM Weekday: Monday Friday 8:30 AM SPECIAL MASSES Rosary, Divine Mercy Novena & Healing Mass: Wednesday 7:00 PM Rosary, Padre Pio Novena, Mass and Benediction: First Monday of the Month at 7:00 PM In Spanish: First Saturday of the Month at 8:30 AM SACRAMENTS Reconciliation: Wednesday 6:00-7:00 PM Baptism: Contact Parish Office 3 months in advance Weddings: Contact Parish Office 9 months in advance STEWARDSHIP CORNER December 6, 2015 Sunday Collection Envelopes: $13, Electronic giving: $ 9, (Building/Debt Reduction Fund) Envelopes: $ 5, Electronic giving: $ 0 THANK YOU FOR YOUR ON GOING GENEROSITY Adoration: Irene Hausmann Altar Servers: Richard Rutkowski Altar Society: Cheryl Roehm Linda Echsner Al-Anon: Baptism Preparation: Parish Office Blood Donation: Jaclyn Rapisarda Cancer Support Ministry Lynn Johnson Charismatic Prayer Mtg: Elena Konerko Christ Renews His Parish: Mara Collazo Renewal (Women) Christ Renews His Parish: Paul Sanger Renewal (Men) Faith Formation: Kathie Stine (Kindergarten to 5th Grade) Edge (6th to 8th Grade) Shannon Hards Life Teen (High School Teens) Shannon Hards Finance Council: Tom Kuzma, Chairman Hispanic Ministry: Carmen Sotelo Hospitality: Jerry & Yvonne Grover Knights of Columbus: Mike Kenney Lectors (Min. of Word): John Seliga Legion of Mary: Loretta Curfman Liturgy Committee: Parish Office Marian Movement of Priests Prayer Group: William & Elsie Gohl Men's Ministry: Bob Gomez bob@bcgomez.com Men s Ministry Service Project: Bob Gomez bob@bcgomez.com Ministers of Holy Communion: Tom Echsner Ministry of Care*: St. Bernard s Ministries Cristina & Bruce Dixon Bereavement: Ellen Florea Grief Support: Anne Pauly Ministry of Mothers Sharing : Stephanie Simonson Music Ministry: Kent Campbell RCIA: Dcn. Alan Hungate Padre Pio Prayer Group: Nancy Rossiello Pastoral Council: Chris & Ann Foley Prison Outreach: Parish Office Sanctity of Life Committee: Shirley Towers Senior Social Club: Eileen Schioppa St. Vincent de Paul: On-Call cell phone Stewardship/Development: Mike Huesman That Man Is You: Kent Campbell Vocations Committee: Ann Sanfilippo Women s Ministry: Sandy Muszkiewicz Women s AA: Susan Lupo *Communion to the sick, hospitalized, homebound, nursing homes Sanctity of Life Committee Monthly Gathering Please join us! Wednesday, January 6, AM - Silent Rosary in Church 8:30AM - Mass 9:15AM Meeting Parish Center Room 202. SHOWER OF LOVE January 31, 2016 For more information call Claudia at ALL YEAR END TAX STATEMENTS WILL BE SENT BEFORE JANUARY 31st THANK YOU TO ALL WHO HAVE CONTRIBUTED SO GENEROUSLY TO ST. BERNARD S PARISH.