Corpus Christi Catholic Church

Transcription

1 December 30, 2018 The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph Eternal God, we want to live as Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, in peace with you and with one another. Corpus Christi Catholic Church 6300 McKenna Drive, Mobile, Alabama Website: TELEPHONE NUMBERS Parish Office: Fax School Office: , ext. 1 Fax Rel. Ed. Office: , ext. 7 Fax Full-Day Care: Fax Youth Ministry: Fax PARISH OFFICE HOURS Monday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. PASTORAL STAFF Very Reverend James F. Zoghby, V.F. Reverend John S. Boudreaux Deacon Arthur W. Robbins Mrs. Kristy F. Martin, School Principal Mrs. Diane M. Stoyka, Parish Catechetical Leader Mrs. Judi B. Ankiewicz, R.C.I.A. Coordinator Mr. Peter J. Stoyka, Youth Ministry Director TO REGISTER AS A MEMBER OF THE PARISH Please fill out a Census Form. Census Forms are available in the church vestibule and parish office. COMMUNITY CENTER RENTALS & SERVICES For rental information and kitchen services, please call the parish office at or SUNDAY MASSES Vigil: 5:30 p.m. Saturday Morning: 7:00, 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. WEEKDAY MASSES 6:30 a.m.: Monday through Friday 8:15 a.m.: Monday through Saturday SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION Saturday: 5:00 p.m. and by request, particularly after the 6:30 & 8:15 a.m. weekday Masses. BAPTISM, MARRIAGE, ANOINTING OF SICK Please call the parish office ( ) for information and scheduling baptism, marriage, anointing of sick. ADULT RELIGIOUS EDUCATION (R.C.I.A.) Please see published schedule for specific dates and times, or call the parish office ( ). SUNDAY SCHOOL (C.C.D.) Grades K 12, Sundays during school year, 10:05-10:55 a.m. in school bldgs. SCHOOL, SACS-accredited for Grades PreK3 through 8. To register, or for information, please call the school office, , ext. 1, or send an to kmartin@corpuschristiparish.com.

2 THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH The Octave Day of the Nativity of the Lord: Mary, Holy Mother of God Holy Day Mass Schedule Mon., Dec. 31: 5:30 p.m. Vigil Mass Tues., Jan. 1: 8:15 a.m. Mass The Parish Office will be closed Dec. 31 & Jan. 1. Regular Office Hours are Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ADULT RELIGIOUS EDUCATION (R.C.I.A.) Presented by Fr. James F. Zoghby Continuing education for Catholic and other adults interested in learning more about and/or joining the Catholic Church. Meetings are in the Adult Ed. Room in the Community Center Classes will resume on Wednesday, January 9 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. in the Adult Religious Education Room Further Information: Call to speak to one of the priests or Church@CorpusChristiParish.com. Once a month 3 rd Sunday 5:30 p.m. Mass Celebrated by Fr. Mark Mossa, S.J. Director of Campus Ministry at Spring Hill College During the school year (Sept. to April), we have an extra Sunday Mass the 3 rd Sunday of each month. High School students serve. Society of St. Vincent de Paul Meetings: 1 st & 3 rd Mon. of the month, at 6:30 p.m., The Parish House. Poor Box, Food, Clothing donations and In-Need Drop Box at the SVDP table in the vestibule. To seek help, call A Christmas Baby Shower for newborn babies through 2B Choices for Women Place donations of new or gently-used clothing & items for newborn babies in the designated box in the vestibule by Friday, Dec. 14. Sing with the Choir at the 11 a.m. Sunday Mass Practice in the church on 2 nd & 4 th Wednesday of the month at 7 p.m. Instrumentalist? Check with director, Stephanie Callan. CORPUS CHRISTI SCHOOL Op e n Ho use Join us at our Open House! Sunday, Jan. 27, p.m. to 4 p.m. Interested parents are invited to tour our school and meet with students, teachers and current parents while learning about our many excellent academic programs for students. Starting in Fall 2019, we will have a K2 preschool program. Get information about the new program at the Open House. Tours of our school are always available by request. Contact the school office for more information , ext. 1 kmartin@corpuschristiparish.com McKenna Drive, Mobile, AL Calling all alumni of Corpus Christi Catholic School As part of the celebration of our 60 th anniversary, we would love to hear from our alumni! If you are a CCS graduate, please send us your updated contact info and any news you would like to share (marriages, children, job promotions, etc. Contact us at alumni@corpuschristiparish.com or go to and click on the 60 th Anniversary Celebration which is found under Quick Links on the homepage. Men of St. Joseph Tuesdays, 7 to 8 a.m. in the Family Room Also Wednesdays, 7-8 p.m. in the Parish House All men are welcome to meet for prayer, reading the Gospel, and discussion. Info: Damian Bell, or or Damian@rockbwm.com. Wed Evening Info: Walter Bracewell, or walter.bracewell@gmail.com Thursday Women s Bible Study 9:15-10:45 a.m..,com Ctr Conference Rm. Info:Joanne Donaghey, or joannekd@alo.com. Nursery is available. KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS Next Meeting: 4 th Monday, Jan. 28, 7 p.m., The Parish House. Click on Join Us. Corpus Christi Council Info: Chad Pugh, Grand Knight, or chad.pugh34@gmail.com. Widowed Persons Support Group For information call parishioner Glen Porter at

3 CORPUS CHRISTI CHURCH, MOBILE, ALABAMA DECEMBER 30, 2018 We extend a special welcome to all who wish to join the Catholic Church We also extend a special Welcome Home to Catholics who have been away from the Church because of sacramental marital status or any other reason. Call, or Come Call and leave your name & phone number. Church@CorpusChristiParish.com. Come to our class on Wednesdays, 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. in the Adult Education Room of the Corpus Christi Community Center. AA Alanon OA CODA AA: Sun., 7 p.m., and Wed., 7 p.m., Cougar Den. Alanon: Sun., 7 p.m., and Wed., 7 p.m., Arts & Sciences Bldg. OA: Sat., 9 a.m., Arts & Sciences Bldg. CODA: Tues., 6:45 p.m., Arts & Sciences Bldg Sacramental Dates for 2 nd Graders Mon, Feb 18, 2019: 1 st Eucharist Parent Mtg, 6:30pm Adult Ed Rm. Sun, Feb 24, 2019: 1 st Euch Enrollment Mass,9am & 10am-12pm. Sat, May 4, 2019: First Eucharist Practice, 10 am, Church. Sun, May 5, 2019: First Eucharist Mass, 1 pm Sacramental Dates for H.S. Confirmation 2020 Class: Jan. 20, Luncheon, 12-2pm Class: Jan. 20, Practice 2-3pm 2020 Class: Jan. 22, Confirmation Mass, 6pm Class: Nov 18, Spirit Day, 2-6:30pm 2021 Class: Jan 26, Visitation Monastery Retreat,10am-5pm, Lessons 2/ Class: Feb 17, 2019, Spirit Day, 2-6:30pm, Lessons 5 & 7. Info: DianeStoyka@yahoo.com or , ext 7 Superstar Basketball Eligibility: K5 and 1 st Grade Cost: $30 Registration is now open!! Visit this Link: General Info Superstars is a developmental intramural league over six short weeks! Uniform shirts provided! Practices/games on Sunday afternoons! 1 st Grade can play Superstars and/or CYO. Need Coaches Need 1-2 coaches per team. Will be supplied with manual for drills, rules, basketball & cones. Contact: Mike DeLeon, Superstar Coordinator at superstars@ccsboosterclub.com Basketball Season Jan. 13 Feb. 17. Help keep YOUR CHURCH neat! When leaving your pew at the end of Mass, please take the song sheets, bulletins, and other materials with you! This will be very helpful to those who tidy up the church after Mass. Thank You! WARNING! After parking in the parish parking lots, do not leave any loose items where they are visible to prospective thieves. Take the items (purses, packages, bags, backpacks, cell phones, lap tops, coats, etc.) with you, or place them in the trunk of your vehicle. And be sure to lock your car! First Friday Adoration 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the chapel. Visit briefly or sign up for an hour on sign-up sheet in the chapel. FIRST COLLECTION TODAY: Tithing Offerings. SECOND COLLECTION TODAY: Corpus Christi Building Fund. COLLECTIONS TOTALS WILL BE IN NEXT SUNDAY BULLETIN Thank You and God Bless You God bless all for tithing, contributions, bequests, remembrances in wills in support of God s work here at Corpus Christi Parish. To make a donation of stock, ask your financial manager, or contact Sadee Snedigar at or at Sadee.Snedigar@MorganStanley.com. Receive a detail listing of your contributions by mail, or fax at any time: Call or Church@CorpusChristiParish.com Tax-Saving Tip: A direct donation of appreciated shares of stock will benefit not only the church but also the donor: The church receives the shares, and the donor saves by not having to pay the capital gains tax, and by being able to deduct the full amount of the value of the stock to reduce his/her income tax. For info, or to transfer shares of stock to Corpus Christi Church, contact your stockbroker, or Sadee Snedigar at or at Sadee.Snedigar@MorganStanley.com. Annual reports of contributions for 2018 will be mailed out in early January Offering Envelopes If you wish to use Offering Envelopes, just notify the parish office ( ). An initial set will be sent to you right away, and then, every two months, you will receive a two-month s supply of envelopes. Online Giving With Online Giving you can either make a one-time contribution or set up a recurring automatic withdrawal from a checking or saving or credit card account: Go to then click the green Online Giving icon on the left side of the church s homepage. Follow the instructions to contribute to the tithing, building or school annual fund or special collections. For assistance, call , ext 1, or the parish office,

4 Why Is Mary Called Mother of God? Q. Calling Mary the Mother of God seems wrong and unacceptable. How can anyone be God s mother? A. Your misgivings are understandable. On the face of it, without knowing the historical background of the title ( Mother of God ), such a title for Mary might sound ridiculous and even blasphemous. However, when we speak of Mary as the mother of God, we, of course, do not mean that she was the mother of God the Father. We do not mean that she was God s parent from eternity, but that she was the mother of Jesus when he took on our human nature. Jesus, the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity (One God, Three Divine Persons), was truly divine, truly God, from the first moment of his coming in the womb of Mary. Here is the historical background for the title: In the early centuries of the Church, ways of presenting and speaking about the mystery of the Trinity and the divinity and humanity of Christ led to controversies that were settled at the early Councils of the Church just as the first major controversy (over whether or not Gentile Christians had to keep all the requirements of the Mosaic law) was settled at the Council of Jerusalem around 50 A.D. The Council of Nicaea I, in 325 A.D., (from which we get the tile of our Nicene Creed) was the first council to deal with the Trinitarian and Christological controversies. That council was followed by the Council of Constantinople I in 381 A.D. But it was the next council, the Council of Ephesus, in 431 A.D., that dealt with the teaching of the bishop Nestorius, which was seen as denying the unity of the divine and human natures in the Person of Christ. It was at that Council of Ephesus that the Church gave Mary the title (in Greek) of Theotokos (God-bearer) to proclaim that the child she gave birth to was not only human but also truly divine. She carried in her womb, and gave birth to, the divine Son of God, the divine Word of God who did not consider his divinity a thing to be clung to, but who emptied himself, taking on the nature of a servant (Philippians 2:6-7). The title Mother of God was used to proclaim Mary as the Mother of the divine Son of God made Man. The Council of Ephesus thus decided that the shortest and most direct way to pinpoint the basic belief that Jesus is truly God is to say simply: Mary is the mother of God not from eternity, of course, but as he comes into this world in his human nature, in the womb of Mary. No one can accept that brief statement without believing that Jesus is both divine and human. He had a mother as we did, and therefore he is one of us. And yet, the child of that mother was God, not by some later fiction, but as he came from her womb. The Greek title Theotokos (God-bearer), which the Council chose, was already commonly applied to Mary in Christian worship and devotion long before the Council of Ephesus. The title Mother of God came into official Christian doctrine as a vital part of belief about Jesus himself, not primarily as a way to honor Mary. It does, of course, reflect honor on her to have had such an intimate share in God s plan of salvation. In Luke s Gospel, Mary is greeted by Elizabeth as mother of my Lord. Mary is the Mother of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is God (John 20:28). Therefore, Mary is Mother of God. My being proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit finds joy in God my savior, For he has looked upon his servant in her lowliness; all ages to come shall call me blessed. God who is mighty has done great things for me, holy is his name... Luke 1:46-49

5 What Do Catholics Believe About Mary? Q. How can the Church urge that we pray to Mary? I don t believe there is any place in the Bible that says she is divine? A. We do not believe that Mary is divine. She is a human being who needed the saving graces of her Son just as we do. While the Church has always reserved a special dignity and honor for our Blessed Mother, we pray to her as we pray to the other saints, asking her, asking them to pray for us, in much the same way as we pray to any other Christians when we ask them to pray for us. We simply follow a basic human and Christian instinct that there is a bond between us that even transcends death. The Lord commands us to love one another in order to enter more deeply into his divine love for us all. Our love for one another goes beyond death. Since the earliest decades, Christian people have honored the Virgin Mary as the greatest of the saints because of her pre-eminent fidelity to God and her Son, attested to so often in the New Testament, and because of her intimate relationship with Jesus, who took his human flesh from her. For us there is, if possible, an even more personal reason. Since he received his life from her as the incarnate Son of God, and since Jesus shares this very life with those who believe in him, she is also our mother. The Church has, in fact, always recognized those words to John from the cross, Behold your mother, as addressed to the whole Body of Christ on earth, whom she loves, cares for and prays for as her own child. This is the reason for one of the loveliest titles we have for Mary, calling her our Blessed Mother. Pope John Paul II echoed this tradition in his 1987 encyclical, Mother of the Redeemer. The Church, says the Holy Father, sees Mary maternally present and sharing in the many complicated problems which today beset the lives of individuals, families and nations; the Church sees her helping the Christian people in the constant struggles between good and evil, to ensure that it does not fall, or, if it has fallen, to rise again. Unfortunately, some religious devotees in their over-enthusiasm, or sometimes serious lack of knowledge of Christian beliefs, lose this Catholic balance. They occasionally use terminology or express ideas at serious odds with Catholic belief. Some go so far as to suggest that if Jesus is threatening us or is reluctant to help, we need only go to Mary and she will obtain what he will not. Jesus is Mary s savior as much as he is ours (see Luke 1:47), and as God he is the source and infinite exemplar of whatever saving love she or any of the rest of us may have. To even imply that she outshines him in mercy or compassion and that if we re really in trouble she will do for us what he will not, only dishonors the Mother of Christ. As long as we keep this perspective, the prayer and honor that we give to Mary can be nothing but a source of joy and pleasure to her Son. Beginning with the Gospels themselves, she has never been in any competition with him, nor has he been with her. From The New Question Box by Rev. John Dietzen Christ is the Only Mediator Pope John Paul II said the crucified Christ is the only mediator between God and humanity and should serve as a divine model for all those who suffer. In his humanity joined with divinity, and through abundant charity and obedience that enabled Him to reconcile man with God, Christ is established as the only mediator between God and humanity, the Pope said. Christ s role as mediator is at a much higher level than those of the saints in the Old or New Testament, and even the most Holy Virgin Mary, when one speaks of their mediation or invokes their help, he said. For there is one God and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all. (1 st Tim 2:5-6) From The Catholic Week, Mobile, Alabama

6 Does the Bible say we should not drink alcohol? There are hundreds, perhaps thousands of references to alcohol (primarily wine) in the Bible. The references fall into three categories, having one of the following connotations: neutral, positive or negative. Countless examples are neutral in the sense that they indicate the commonality of drinking wine at mealtimes with no moral judgment being given for the practice. Many positive references use wine as a symbol of abundance and blessing, such as Isaiah 25:6: On this mountain the Lord of hosts will provide for all peoples a feast of rich food and choice wines, juicy, rich food and pure, choice wines. Psalm 104 praises God for producing bread from the earth, and wine to gladden men s hearts. And Proverbs 31: Give strong drink to one who is perishing, and wine to the sorely depressed. When they drink, they will forget their misery and think no more of their burdens. The Apostle Paul tells Timothy to drink wine for its health benefits: Stop drinking water only. Take a little wine for the good of your stomach, and because of your frequent illnesses. (1 Tm 5:23) At the wedding at Cana Jesus changed the water into wine at the request of his mother. And, of course, at the Last Supper, Jesus commanded that we remember him and experience his presence through the sharing of bread and wine. The Bible does portray alcohol negatively when it is the cause of drunkenness, overindulgence leading to inappropriate or sinful activity, or abuse. According to Proverbs 20:1: Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise. There are times when people are advised to abstain from wine, such as pregnant mothers and particular prophets like Samuel and John the Baptist, and even kings: It is not for kings to drink wine... or else they will drink and forget what has been decreed, and will pervert the rights of all the afflicted (Prov 31:4). On the whole, though, the moral thrust of the Bible is against drunkenness, not alcohol in itself. Christians are morally obliged, of course, to respect civil law with respect to driving under the influence of alcohol and age limits to the consumption of alcohol. Water makes the earth fertile: it is the fundamental gift that makes life possible. Wine, on the other hand, expresses the excellence of creation and gives us a feast in which we go beyond the limits of our daily routine: wine, the Psalm says, gladdens the heart. So it is, that wine, and with it, the vine have also become images of the gift of love in which we can taste and savor the Divine. Pope Benedict XVI

7 John, The Beloved Disciple Feast Day: December 27 According to early tradition, St. John, Apostle and Evangelist, is the unnamed Beloved Disciple of the Gospel of John. Early renderings of the Last Supper depicted the scene described in the Gospel account John, resting his head on Jesus: Jesus, reclining with his disciples at the supper, grew troubled, and said: I tell you, one of you will betray me. The disciples looked at one another, wondering which one he meant. The disciple Jesus loved was reclining next to Jesus. Simon Peter signaled him to ask Jesus whom he meant, so leaning back on Jesus chest, he asked, Who is it, Lord? (Jn 13:21-25) It is also in the Gospel of John that Jesus gives his great command: Love one another as I have loved you. By this will everyone know that you are my disciples, that you love one another. (Jn 13:34-35) And it is in the First Letter of John that we are taught: God is love, and those who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. (1 Jn 4:16b) John is called the Apostle of Charity. Tradition says that, in his old age, when John spoke, he would always simply tell the people: Little children, love one another. When asked why he always said that same thing, he would answer, Because that s all the Teacher talked about, and That s all that really matters. When still pressed for something further, something more, he would simply say this was all there was: to love is everything. Let Us Love One Another From a homily by Saint John Henry Newman on the feast of St. John the Beloved Disciple St. John the Apostle and Evangelist is chiefly and most familiarly known to us as the disciple whom Jesus loved. He was one of the three or four who were always in the company of our Blessed Lord, and had the privilege of the most intimate friendship with Him, and was more favored than Peter, James, and Andrew. He was His bosom friend. There have been those who before now, have supposed that Christian love was so universal as not to admit of concentration upon individuals, so that we ought to love all people equally. And many consider that the love of many is something superior to the love of one or two. I maintain, in opposition to such notions of Christian love, and with our Savior s example before me, that the best preparation for loving the world at large, and loving it duly and wisely, is to cultivate intimate friendship and affection towards those who are near to us. I have suggested to you a subject of thought for today s feast and surely a very practical subject, when we consider how large a portion of our duties lies at home. Should God call upon us to preach to the world, surely we must obey His call. But at present, let us do what lies before us. Little children, let us love one another. St. John Henry Newman ( ), a convert to Catholicism, was a priest, theologian, and writer whose work like that of many other theologians, historians and biblical scholars was foundational for the Second Vatican Council.