ST. AGNES CHURCH. Third Sunday of Advent. December 17, 2017

Transcription

1 ST. AGNES CHURCH Third Sunday of Advent December 17, 2017 Rev. Vincent L. Parsons Pastor Rev. Michael E. Wetovick Associate Pastor Sr. Vera Meis, C.S.J. Pastoral Minister Mass Schedule: (October - May) Saturday: 4:00 pm Sunday: 8:00 & 10:30 am (June - September) Saturday 6:00 pm Sunday: 8:00 & 10:00 am Monday, Tues, Wed, Friday 7 am Sacrament of Reconciliation Saturdays one hour prior to evening Mass or by appointment ( ) Sacrament of Baptism Please call the Parish Office 2314 Third Avenue, Scottsbluff, Nebraska (308) Mailing address: PO Box 349, Scottsbluff, NE Fax: Website: Parish Office Hours: Tuesday-Friday, 9am - Noon & 1pm - 4pm

2 Page 2 Year B December 17, 2017 Saint Agnes Catholic Church Today s Readings Isaiah 61:1-2a, Psalm: Luke 1:46-50, Thessalonians 5:16-24 John 1:6-8, Parish Administration (308) / (308) (Fax) office@st-agnes-church.com Pastor Rev. Vincent L. Parsons (ext. 2) pastor@st-agnes-church.com Pastoral Minister Sr. Vera Meis (ext. 4) srvera@st-agnes-church.com Director of Religious Education Mrs. Terri Calvert (ext.5) dre@st-agnes-church.com Church Office Manager Mrs. Danni Koeteman (ext. 3) office@st-agnes-church.com School Head Teacher Mrs. Julie Brown ( ) office@stagnesonline.org School Office Manager Kristie Neilan ( ) office@stagnesonline.org Third Sunday of Advent Years ago a Mom, Dad and the two boys decided to visit grandpa and grandma for Christmas. It was a 200 mile trip across the state to get to their grandparents house. So, early in the morning dad roused the kids from bed. They loaded up the car and away they went. About ten miles into the trip the boys began to tangle. They teased, pinched, poked, wrestled, and screamed. Finally, their folks could take it no longer. Dad shouted at the boys in the backseat: Ever since we left home you boys have been picking on each other, yelling names and tearing up the back seat. I am putting an end to this right now. He pulled the car onto the shoulder, slammed on the brakes, jumped out, opened the back door and jerked his sons out. He spanked both of them soundly. (This happened back in the dear old golden rule days when there was readin and ritin and rithmetic, taught to the tune of a hick ry stick.) I don t want to hear one word out of either of you for 30 minutes. Is that clear? Not one word. Thirty minutes. Do you hear me!? Not one word! The two boys were terrified. They froze in their seats. They didn t dare utter a word. When the 30 minutes were up Dad said, O.K. boys, You can talk now. The youngest boy modestly said, Daddy. Yes son. What is it? Daddy, do you remember when you stopped the car and spanked me? Yes, son, about 40 miles back. What about it? Well. One of my shoes fell off. And the boy sang, All I want for Christmas is a new pair of shoes. During this third week of Advent we can take a moment to look deep into our hearts. Is there a sin down there? Is that sin deep inside of you making you uncomfortable? Does it stick its ugly head into your consciousness? Do you drive it back hoping that you will never think about it again? Well, we all know that the sins we commit can be forgiven. And when we receive that forgiveness the sin is wiped away, never to be thought of again. It disappears from our soul. Sometimes we wonder if God really forgives the sins we have committed. We hear the Lord telling us that there is no sin which he will not forgive. God forgives all sins. This Sunday at 3:30pm, we have a penance service. We now call this service reconciliation. We reconcile ourselves with God. A number of priests available for confession. So take this opportunity to cleanse your soul. Advent Communal Reconciliation Services December 17-3:30pm St. Agnes Church December 17-6pm Christ the King Church Individual Reconciliation Friday, December Noon Saturday, December 23-3pm Holiday Schedule Holiday Mass Schedule Christmas Eve 4pm, 8pm* & 11pm Christmas Day 9am New Year s Eve 4pm New Year s Day 9am *choir sings 30 minutes prior to Mass

3 Page 3 Mass Inten ons Special Requests Requesting a Mass to be said for a loved one is a special way to honor either someone still living, or one who has gone ahead of us to the next stage of life in Christ. This Christmas, wouldn t a Mass card make a great stocking stuffer? What better way to honor someone dear to you? The suggested donation for a Mass is $10. For more information, contact the parish office ( ). Married at St. Agnes October 14, 2017 Mr. Travis Farwell and Miss Emily Sandburg Monday, Dec 18, 2017 Daily Mass (7am) Intention: Jack Bussey by Family Communal Rosary (4:45pm) Liturgy of the Hours (5:05pm) Tuesday, Dec 19, 2017 Daily Mass (7am) Intention: Fr. Andrew Augustyn Discussion Group (8-9 am) Liturgy of the Hours (5:30pm) Wednesday, Dec 20, 2017 Daily Mass (8:15am) Intention: Fr. Harry Kurtenbach Liturgy of the Hours (5:30pm) Contemplative Prayer (6:00pm) Thursday, Dec 21, 2017 Mass at Sb Care & Rehab (9:30am) Liturgy of the Hours (5:30pm) Friday, Dec 22, 2017 Daily Mass (7am) Intention: Merna Connelly by Bill Connelly Liturgy of the Hours (5:30pm) Mass Schedule Coming in January During 2018 there will be an exhibit of the Dead Sea Scrolls at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. At St. Agnes, parishioners can view and discuss a DVD series on the Dead Sea Scrolls on Monday evenings at 7pm beginning January 8th. Thanks for your pledge! What is the Best Advent Ever? It s a free program that will help you slow down and focus on what matters most during this busy season. You ll experience Advent in a way you ve never experienced it before - leading to the best Christmas of your life! Sign up at Dynamic Catholic.com/SignUp Participants receive daily s with short inspirational videos, practical tips to incorporate into their everyday lives. Saturday, Dec 23, 2017 Weekend Mass (4:00pm) Intention: For the Parish Sunday, Dec 24, 2017 Weekend Mass (8:00am) Intention: Nathan Pieper by Michael & Beth Esselstein Family Weekend Mass (10:30am) Intention: Eleanor Wolf Robert Wolf Family Sunday Dec 24, 2017 Christmas Mass (4:00pm) Intention: For the Parish Sunday, Dec 24, 2017 Christmas Mass (8:00pm) Intention: Living & Deceased Family by Sr. Vera Meis Christmas Mass (11:00pm) Intention: Bishops/ Priests of Diocese Monday, Dec 25, 2017 Christmas Mass (9:00am) Intention: Felix Koenig by Family third Sunday of Advent Finance Corner Sunday Collections & ATW Giving December 10, 2017 Actual $ ATW $ Budget $ Surplus (Deficit) $ Haiti/Uganda $ December 2017 Totals Actual $ ATW $ Budget $ Surplus (Deficit) $ Valley Catholic Radio Valley Catholic Radio's annual appeal continues. In our first week, we received $1,316. This was 13% of our $10,000 goal. Most of this was received from 29 individuals who chose to use VCR's blue envelopes. $209 was received via loose collections. Thank you. VCR needs to raise $8,700 more to fully reach this year's goal. Please make a gift to VCR and help us help others outside our 4 walls to encounter Jesus this Christmas season. Advent continues to help us prepare for Jesus' arrival in our lives. VCR celebrates His arrival with 3 days of Christmas music. Tune in for Three Days of Christmas Music Dec from 7am - 6pm. CDT. We will play a mix of beautiful, traditional Christmas music, classic favorites and songs from area Catholic choirs. This Week s Readings Monday: Jer 23:5-8; Ps 72:1-2, 12-13, 18-19; Mt 1:18-25 Tuesday: Jgs 13:2-7, 24-25a; Ps 71:3-4a, 5-6ab, 16-17; Lk 1:5-25 Wednesday: Is 7:10-14; Ps 24:1-4ab, 5-6; Lk 1:26-38 Thursday: Sg 2:8-14 or Zep 3:14-18a; Ps 33:2-3, 11-12, 20-21; Lk 1:39-45 Friday: 1 Sm 1:24-28; 1 Sm 2:1, 4-8abcd; Lk 1:46-56 Saturday: Mal 3:1-4, 23-24; Ps 25:4-5ab, 8-10, 14; Lk 1:57-66 Sunday: 2 Sm 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16; Ps 89:2-5, 27, 29; Rom 16:25-27; Lk 1:26-38

4 Page 4 December 10, 2017 From the Seminary In the world today we are always told to be number one. Sports teams strive to make the top ranking the goal of the season. Companies compete with each other to receive the prestigious recognition as being the best. With the demand from every venue to rise to the top, second best is perceived to be a failure, where one gives everything toward the cause but fails to glory in the accolades of being the greatest. In the Gospel today, John the Baptist, was not seeking his glory but purposefully was pronouncing the coming of the Son of God, Jesus. John was not in competition with Jesus. He did not try to keep his followers around him when they heard of the miracles that Jesus performed. John, in his subordinate role, did not castigate himself because he was not number one. Instead, John knew where his priorities laid in service to the Lord. His purpose was to prepare the Jews and Gentiles of the coming of the Messiah, the light of the world. We too take on supporting roles to advance the recognition of those that follow us. For some, those followers are our children, where we as parents provide for their every need as they grow to adulthood. For others, they are students, where we as teachers guide them towards knowledge to enthusiastically meet the challenges of the world. Still, others of us lead our employees through the development of skills so that one day they may replace us in our workplace. In all of these circumstances, one willingly takes on the secondary role so that others may reach higher aspirations. Therefore, in some ways not being number one is more valuable, for we can glow in the knowledge that we have helped others reach a higher goal. This selfless giving is part of the family, part of the community for only by focusing on common goals do we recognize these accomplishments. Today, this type of giving is more difficult to find. For it is common to think only me first, and last. However, it was only by the selfless giving of Mary, Joseph and John that enabled Jesus to come us as our Savior. Mary could have said to the angel, Tell God, no, I am not ready to have a child. Joseph could have said, I am not taking a woman who is already pregnant into my house as my wife. John could have said, Jesus, I was here first, go somewhere else to do your preaching. However, the three said yes and welcomed God into their lives, willingly taking on a supporting role to Jesus so that the Messiah might come among us. Let us too willingly accept our role of support to Jesus so that he can act through us to bring others to greater heights of glory. Let us recognize that God will remember our efforts as he did for Mary, Joseph, and John who understood how their gift of selfless giving would change the world forever. Let us rejoice, for Jesus is coming. He will bring salvation to us through His merciful love. Rejoice for the Son of God is coming! Treasures From Our Tradition Last week, we looked at a form of nativity scene called a presipio, characterized by framing the crèche of Jesus with a vast array of personalities and a rich geographical context. The tradition was carried to the New World, and finds very rich expression in Latin America today. While in Europe the presepio was reserved mostly to the homes of wealthy nobles and great churches, in Latin America it was claimed by the poor and expressed the skills of native artisans. In Mexico, you can still find clay figures in every village market. In a way, the native people took the religion of Spanish rule and baptized it with their Indian culture by surrounding the crib of Jesus with local geography and people. In Brazil, where Christmas falls in summer, the figure of the baby Jesus is wrapped in gold and gems, and set on a hillside surrounded by flowers and animals of all kinds. Sometimes there is a double presepio, presenting both Nativity and Crucifixion. In some places in Latin America, even non-religious people take care to have a presepio in the home, sometimes dedicating one whole room in the house or apartment to the scene. Some cities have markets where people from the countryside sell plants and figurines. In Cuzco, churches and families provide hot chocolate for the children of the poor who come down to help create the nativity scenes. In Paraguay, the baby Jesus grows the small infant who arrives on Christmas Eve is replaced at New Year with a toddler Jesus who holds in one hand the globe and in the other a cross. Few Christmas traditions have the vitality and variety of presepios and crèches honoring the Nativity. Rev. James Field, Copyright J. S. Paluch Co. REJOICE Isaiah proclaims truly good news to us! God s coming brings not sadness, guilt, fear, wrath, or condemnation. No, God s coming is a source of comfort and joy. Saying it once is not enough, for today s readings are full of joy. Mary s Magnificat substitutes for our psalm today, and our second reading encourages us to rejoice, to give thanks and praise. This is the root meaning of the Greek word for eucharist. We are urged to rejoice and give thanks, because the coming of the Lord brings joy, healing, liberty, release, vindication. It makes the very earth spring up with new life! Good tidings! Copyright J. S. Paluch Co., Inc.

5 Page 5 Third Sunday of Advent Premiere 2017 What a wonderful evening filled with fun, fellowship, faith and fundraising! The Premiere Planning Committee would like to thank everyone for their support. This night was truly magical! For it is in giving that we receive. ~St. Francis of Assisi quoted by Fr. Jim Sichko Pictures by Jessica Mikoloyck of SunnyFreckles Photography

6 Page 6 December 17, dre@st-agnes-church.com Celebrating Sunday for Catholic Families Third Sunday of Advent Gospel: John 1:6-8,23-28 Religious Educa on Program Religious Education Office Meet the Catechists On the Way to Mass: Share a time when you clearly felt your actions and words were a reflection of Christ. On the Way Home From Mass: What were some of the ways the church service today reflected Christ's light in deed and symbol? Living the Word: To reflect on the ways family members can be light to each other and reflect the love of God in all they say and do, the family can create a collage of light. In these final days leading up to Christmas, dedicate a space in your home where family members can hang or place paper candles with the deeds or words of others that bring warmth and light. There is no limit to the number that the family can put up in a day. Ask your children how the candles make them feel. Celebrating Sunday for Catholic Families Find Us On Facebook Twitter: stagnes-church Instagram: st.agnescatholicchurch Parish Website Grade School (pre-school 5th grades) Formation Sessions will begin on Sunday, October 2nd from 9:15-10:15 a.m. in the school building. December Sunday Schedule: 3rd - 10th - 17th 24th & 31st (No formation sessions) Middle School Formation Sessions (grades 6th-8th) meet from 7-8:15 p.m. in the school building. December Wednesday Schedule: 6th - Adoration & Reconciliation at 7 p.m. in the Church 13th - Gift Wrapping at the KC Hall 20th - Formation sessions (school) 27th - No formation sessions High School (CYM) Formation Sessions youth gather in catechist s homes from 7-8:30 p.m. December Wednesday Schedule: 6th - Adoration & Reconciliation at 7 p.m. in the Church 13th - Gift Wrapping at the KC Hall 20th - Formation sessions (school) 27th - No formation sessions 11th CYM December Schedule: 6th - Adoration & Reconciliation at 7 p.m. in the Church 13th - Gift Wrapping at the KC Hall 20th - Confirmation (Garden Room) 27th - No formation sessions 15th - Confirmation - Garden Level 22nd - No formation sessions 29th - Confirmation - Garden Level My name is Sal Franco. My wife, Mary and I have been catechists for 14 years. We have two daughters; Lydia Hernandez and Ann Anderson. We have 5 grandchildren and 4 greatgrandchildren. I am retired. This year we catechize one of the 10th grade CYM groups. My goal for this year is to improve our kids attitudes and get them more focused on class. Meet the Confirmation Candidates My name is Oliva Albright. I have a brother and sister. My brother s name is TJ and my sister s name is Kelsey. I attend Scottsbluff High School. I am in the 11th grade. I work at KNEB. My goal for Confirmation is to grow stronger in my faith.

7 Page 7 Third Sunday of Advent Family Advent Calendar Sunday December 17th - Light two purple candles and the pink one for joy. See which of you can sing loudest at Mass today. Monday December 18th - Put a lamp or electric candle in a window to welcome the Christ Child. Light it each night until Christmas Day. Tuesday December 19th - Set the Mary and Joseph figures of your Nativity set across the room from the rest of the scene. Wednesday December 20th - Take a drive or walk together around your home to look at he Christmas decorations or displays. Thursday December 21st - Give each family member a chance to say thank you for a blessing God has given this year. Friday December 22nd - Write letters to Jesus telling him that you look forward to his coming. Saturday December 23rd - Place Mary and Joseph in the Nativity scene. Add grass or straw to the manger to get it ready. In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be enrolled. This was the first enrollment, when Quirinius was governor of Syria. So all went to be enrolled, each to his own town. And Joseph too went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. While they were there, the time came for her to have her child, and she gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn (Luke 2:1-7) Partners in Faith - December 2017 Advent Reconciliation Communal Penance Service - Sunday, December 17th-3:30 p.m. Individual Confessions - Fri, Dec 22nd - Noon & Sat, Dec 23rd - 3 p.m. Examination of Conscience I. I am the Lord your God. You shall not have strange gods before me. Do I give time every day to God in prayer? Do I put my trust in superstitions, good luck charms, rather than God alone? II. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain. Have I used the words "God" or "Jesus" in anger or irreverently? Have I used foul or ugly language? Have I wished evil on another? III. Remember to keep holy the Lord's day. Have I missed Mass on Sunday or any holy day of obligation? Do I arrive at church late or leave early? Do I try to be reverent and pay attention during Mass? Do I avoid unnecessary work on Sunday? Do I make Sunday a day of prayer or rest? V. You shall not kill. Do I beat up others or hurt their bodies? Do I say cruel things, or make fun of others to hurt their feelings? Do I say mean things about others behind their backs? IV. Honor your father and your mother. Do I respect and obey my parents? Have I dishonored or mistreated them by word or deed? Am I willing to help around the house or must I be nagged a hundred times? Do I try to get along with my brothers and sisters? Do I give a good example, especially to younger siblings? V. You shall not kill. Do I beat up others or hurt their bodies? Do I say cruel things, or make fun of others to hurt their feelings? Do I say mean things about others behind their backs? Have I stopped speaking to anyone? VI. You shall not commit adultery. Do I treat my body and other people's bodies with purity and respect? Do I look at television shows, movies, or pictures that are bad? Am I modest in my speech and the clothes I wear? VII. You shall not steal. Have I taken things that were not mine from a store or another person? Have I destroyed or misused another person's property for fun? Do I return things that I borrow? In good condition? VIII. You shall not commit false witness against your neighbor. Am I honest in my school work? Do I tell lies to make myself look good? Do I tell lies to protect myself from punishment? Do I tell lies that make another person look bad or get them in trouble? IX. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife. Do I allow my parents to spend time with one another, or do I get jealous and want them to pay attention only to me? Do I get mad when I have to share my friends? Are there kids I will not play with or be mean to because they look different? X. You shall not covet your neighbor's goods. Am I jealous or envious of the things or abilities that others have? Am I thankful to God and my parents for what they have given me? Do I share the things I have with my family, friends and poor people? The Act of Contrition O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended You and I detest all my sins, because I dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell, but most of all because they offend you, my God, who are all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of your grace, to confess my sins, to do penance and to amend my life. Amen.

8 Page 8 December 10, 2017

9 December 17, 2017 Up Coming Events An Advent Journey Tuesday, December 19th Advent Journey St. Lucy Day 1st grade--8:15 AM in the gym Fortis Boys Choir 10:00 AM in the gym 4th grade lunch at Runza -- 11:30AM Wednesday, December 20th Mass at 8:00 AM Advent Journey-Nativity Kindergarten 10:00 AM in Church, followed by caroling Class Christmas Parties--2:30 PM Dismiss for Christmas Break--3:15 PM Merry Christmas from St. Agnes Students & Staff School Resumes January 8th at 8:00 AM St. Agnes School Office will be open 9:00AM-12:00PM through the holiday break. St. Agnes Catholic School 205 E 23rd Scottsbluff, NE Ph: Fax: St. Agnes students are on an Advent Journey in prepara on of the coming of the Lord on Christmas. Each Tues/Thurs. the students gather in the gym to travel to a country to learn about a feast day or holy day. On each adventure, they are given an advent challenge to help them grow in their own faith as well as to consider others during this season. On St. Nicholas Day, they were challenged to find ways to have a giving spirit during the advent season. On the Feast of the Immaculate Concep on, they were challenged to say yes to God s call the way Mary said yes. In mee ng each challenge, we hope the students will remember and focus on the true meaning of Christmas Christ s birth.

10 What s Happening at St. Agnes School... Christmas Program Toes were tapping and kids were boogieing as the Pre-K -5 th grade students presented the program A Christmas Montage on Thursday, Dec. 7 th in the school gym. A variety of fun and traditional Christmas songs were enjoyed by parents and family members followed by a cookie social provided by the Home & School Association. What a fun way to get into the Christmas spirit. Congratulations to Mrs. Franklin and the students on a great performance! Meridan Bell Choir St. Agnes students enjoyed a performance by the ESU Meridian School Bell Choir on Monday, December 11 th. It was amazing to watch how each individual bell could be joined together to create beautiful music. Singspira ons Spread Christmas Cheer St. Agnes Singspirations spread Christmas cheer by performing at a number of local nursing homes during the month of December. Students enjoyed sharing their love of music and brightening the resident s day by making a joyful noise. Monday, Dec 18th Pancakes Sausage pa Potato triangle Spinach w/red pepper Orange wedges Helpers: Veronica Ramirez, Shannon Hafner Hot Lunch Menu for December 18-December 15th, 2017 Tuesday, Dec 19th Hot dog on a bun Carrots w/ranch Pears Peaches Helpers: Betsy Vidlak, John Schmall Wednesday, Dec 20th Cheese pizza Fresh green salad Steamed broccoli Applesauce Helpers: Jennifer Cook, Heather Weitzel Thursday, Dec 21st No school Helpers: Friday, Dec 22nd No school Helpers:

11 School News... Mrs. Lori Svitak Ho, ho, ho, here we go! It is the busiest time of the year. As 2nd graders, we have already started thinking about how to make this season extra special. In preparing we have been concentrating on the true meaning of Christmas, the birth of Jesus. We know Advent is a blessed time in our church year and we are certainly enjoying our school's Advent Celebrations on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. This year we are doing a "Journey to Advent". The second grade class will be telling the story of the Immaculate Conception, saying yes to God. In Math, we have practiced trading pennies for dimes, measuring to the nearest inch, ordering two-digit numbers, writing the date with digits, and making a Venn diagram. The most fun we had learning a math skill was when we were learning about lines of symmetry. I am sure you saw the beautiful paintings that the children made using folded paper and a dab of paint. Some paintings turned out to look like animals. We have planned many fun activities for the month of December. We will be having a Grinch Day instead of the Polar Express this year. Start planning your Whoville outfit now. It will be a blast! We will be writing stories about Gingerbread men and reindeer. We will also learn about perimeter and area using food items and a gingerbread man. Yum! Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Happy Birthday to Traxton Adams, Ellie Verbeck, Charlotte Lewis, and Jesus! Mrs. Lana Payne--Library Things have busy in the Library these past weeks. The Fifth Graders performed the Readers Theater script they had been working on since early fall. They performed The Library Dragon for the first and second grade classes. The younger students really enjoyed hearing the Readers Theater. The fifth graders did an outstanding job of following their lines and using dramatic expression to entertain their audience. They can be very proud of themselves. Reading Incentive activity for November was making Smores Trail Mix. Younger students got together with their Big Buddies for the trail mix making. Trial mix choices included mini pretzels, animal crackers, mini marshmallows, and chocolate chips. Each student selected the items they wanted for their individual trail mix bag. All students received a candy cane after completing their trail mix. The Library has several Reading Incentive projects on display. Students projects are displayed along with the book read for the project. Currently there are several Shoe Box Dioramas and a Book Sandwich on display. Students enjoy looking at the finished projects and are often motivated to read the books used for those projects. FYI: All library books are due before the Christmas break. Please remind your students to return all books by December 20 th. Have a very Merry Christmas!