Christmas Flowers In Memory of:

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1 Welcome to our parish! As pastor, I hope we can enrich your experience as much as you enrich ours. Fr. David Ruby Christmas Flowers In Memory of: Ed, Elaine & Terry Zahn Meyers Family Haunfelder Family Sam Reda Family Andy Bruno Family Clair, Catherine & Elizabeth Sherman Alexis Catherine Voight Vercoe, Madden & Reilly Families Adolph Schartner John & Gertrude Mosgaller Mr/Mrs F. P. Buretta Mr/Mrs D. P. Rice Jack Champeau Lance Nelson Edward Krueger Roger Kraatz Sr. Kostiuk & Bublinec Families Franz & Julianna Edlbauer Joseph & Irene, Joseph & Clara, Lloyd & Helen & Benjamin Daubner Jerome & Alice Bowe Ernst & Karin Carlsson Henry & Mildred Conlon Marcella Writt Charney, Martin, Spect Families Mary Ann Gobel Mike Logerquist Shmovel & Soria Warda Joseph & Dorothy Charnetski Nancy Bushen Ervin & Arlene Hammersmith Edward & Verona Bies Harold Bass Diane Strege Keith Bauldry Arzetta Witalison Earl Willems Mary Ellen Anscutz Rita & Jim Finly Snooky, Louis & Ole Hanson Paul V, Paul F & Irene Valuckis Swanson & Valuckis Families Evelyn, Ervin & Dan Franke Joan Schultz Thomas & Helena Crawford Edward Chaplicke Callsen s deceased parents Orthober & Smith Families Herbert Mueller Slomski & Roman Families Marge & Orin Hanson Nelda & Gibby Schorer Joseph & Mabel Sawyer Families Done & Helen Lautenbach Family Joe & Mabel Sawyer Family Herbert & Moran Families Charlotte & Hubert Vail Chris Booth Helen & Rob Robinson Pat Schultz Monday, December 26 Office Closed Today AA Meeting-8:00 pm-sb Tuesday, December 27 Scripture Class-8:30 am-sb Pray the Rosary-12 noon-bh Loaves & Fishes Dinner-5:00 pm-sb Wednesday, December 28 Cantor Practice-2:30 pm-fc For Online Giving to our parish, please go to and click on Giving to the Parish Electronically on the front page. Stella Maris Mission Statement Stella Maris Catholic Parish prayerfully unites people in the love of Jesus guided by our patron, Mary. Stella Maris Vision Statement We invite all to journey as disciples. By sharing the Gospel, responding to Jesus' love and the gifts God has given us, we welcome all to grow in faith and in our parish life. Website: The Nativity of the Lord-December 25, 2016

2 2 Welcome to Stella Maris in Baileys Harbor, Egg Harbor, Fish Creek, Jacksonport, Sister Bay & Washington Island As we celebrate Christmas today, let s reflect on the line in our advent song, bring us back. In most people s minds when we celebrate Christmas, we are celebrating a baby being born. The birth of a child seems to be a beginning and not a return or a completion of any kind. A baby brings much promise for the future without any baggage from the past. Now it is true that we celebrate the birth of a child, the most important child that was ever born on earth but we mainly celebrate the incarnation which includes so much more than just Jesus birth. We celebrate all that it means for God to become a human being in Jesus Christ. The incarnation includes every part of Jesus human life from the moment of his conception to the moment of resurrection and in some sense the continual connection that Jesus must have with us because of his earthly life. Our whole human condition is embraced and blessed because of God s fully inhabiting all that is human. It is important to ask the question, why God chose to become human and what that choice was meant to and did accomplish. One of the main interpretations has been Dear Fellow Parishioners that Jesus came to forgive our sins. We trace sin back to the very beginning of human existence and note that we were enslaved to it. Only Jesus could be like Moses and lead us out of that slavery back to the promised land of a graced existence. We especially highlight the last part of Jesus earthly life, his death and resurrection as the saving event which reconciled us with the Father again in the power of the Holy Spirit. Although that is very true and helpful theology, it is not the whole truth. From the beginning when God created us, God must have known how limited we would be. God, as all-knowing, realized that anything that is not God cannot be perfect like God. Human beings although created in the image and likeness of God would fall short of God s unconditional love. Somehow creating us would not be enough and something more would be needed to truly help us live into what we were created to be from the beginning. With that in mind, several theologians have talked about how God sent Jesus into the world to complete us as human beings. Even before we sinned or did anything wrong or separated ourselves from God in any way, God had intended the incarnation to happen so that we could become fully what we were created to be. God knew there was no way we could be complete without His help. Jesus became human so that we could become one with God but that began with Jesus taking on our human condition and really was accomplished not just through his suffering, death and resurrection but through all that it meant for Jesus to embrace our human condition. This theology is much more positive and seemingly Christian. It does not require an angry God who needs to be appeased by the sacrifice of his only son in our place so that we are now made right with God. It involves a loving, caring God who cared so much that knowing we were doomed on our own from the very beginning he sent Jesus to embrace our condition so that we could embrace His. In Christ s love, Fr. Dave Ruby, Pastor Faith Formation Answers A question asked throughout the Old Testament was, "Who will be the Messiah and when will he come?" God answered that question over two thousand years ago in Bethlehem when our Blessed Mother, Mary, gave birth to our Savior, Jesus Christ. Since that time we have been celebrating His birth throughout the world with many customs and traditions. This past Wednesday we learned about some of these when our Faith Formation students participated in the program "Preparing for Christmas Around the World." Parishioner, Pat Dittmer is the one who gave Faith Formation many books on how countries around the world celebrate Christmas and it is to her we dedicated this year's program. Thank you, Pat, for enlightening our knowledge of Christmas customs and traditions. The questions posed in my last column on Christmas customs were answered Wednesday, but if you unfortunately missed this event, here are some of the answers. 'Nisse' are Norwegian gnomes who love rice pudding, guard farm animals and bring Christmas presents to children in Norway. The city of Copenhagen, Denmark's capital, burns more Christmas candles than any other place on earth. The Philippines is the only Asian country where 85% of its people are Roman Catholic. Santons are extra figurines in France's nativity scenes...like a butcher, a baker and a priest. Befana is the legendary good witch of Italy. Mistletoe is the Christmas decoration once believed to symbolize immortality. One of our faith formation families, the Kroll family, recently told me about one of their Christmas celebration traditions. Every Christmas Eve our family comes together for Christmas Mass to celebrate the birth of Jesus. After mass we gather together and have a special meal. After dinner we have dessert, but before we eat it, we sing Happy Birthday to Jesus! May we all rejoice in Jesus' Birthday! He gives us all the answers for eternal happiness! Christmas Blessings to all, Linda Cummer, Faith Formation Coordinator. Christian Service & Responsibility A prayer from Pope Francis: Mary, woman of action, obtain that our hands and feet move with haste toward others, to bring them the charity and love of your Son Jesus, to bring the light of the Gospel to the world, as you did. From The Joy of Advent WHERE DO YOUR DONATIONS GO? $1,000 given to Door County Secret Santa enables many Northern Door County families to be given a gift of warmth in the form of wood, propane, oil and electric during the Christmas season. A goal of the Christian Service and Responsibility (CSR) Committee is to plan, motivate and facilitate a parish response to serve those in need. Thank you to all who have participated in our various collections during the last year. Your support of the less fortunate is truly heartwarming. Thank you also to all who have contributed to the CSR Fund which allows Stella Maris to assist many in need. Nearly $20,000 is allocated each year to primarily Door County agencies and charities, but also to some national and international causes. Your steadfast support of these inspiring agencies and causes is so very much appreciated. DONATIONS ALWAYS APPRECIATED Place a check in the collection basket. noting for CSR in the memo. Or to give electronically, go to the website to make a separate donation to CSR. FOOD COLLECTIONS- Non-perishable food items are collected at all Stella Maris sites. Feed My People receives food collected at the Jacksonport and Egg Harbor sites, CARE 24/7 Food Pantry receives collections at Fish Creek and Baileys Harbor sites, Catholic Youth Expedition receives collections at the main entry in Sister Bay, Sister Bay Baptist Food Pantry receives collections from the Sister Bay kitchen entry and Washington Island food collections stays on the island.

3 ON CARE FOR THE COMMON HOME-Buy fuel efficient vehicles and choose LED bulbs. OUR CCW LUNCHEON is to be held at the English Inn in Fish Creek on Thursday, January 12 th at 11:00 am. Our theme is: New Year, New Friends, just like last year. The menu choice will be a Chicken Sandwich with French Onion Soup or Clam Chowder, French Dip with French Onion Soup or Fish Chowder or Spinach Salad with Hot Bacon Dressing and Shrimp. Dessert and beverage is included. Price is $ Please call Beckie Hawker at (920) to RSVP with meal choice by Monday, January 9th or with questions. CANNED FRUIT is the January food item being collected for CARE 24/7 Food Pantry, a ministry of Stella Maris. Donations can be left at the Fish Creek or Baileys Harbor sites. Thank you so much! Parish Life & Upcoming Events The Nativity of the Lord December 25, NORBERTINE CENTER FOR SPIRITUALITY-Program: CHILDREN: God s Greatest Gift and Challenge Practical Advice for Parenting-Thursday, January 12, 6:30 8 pm. Parenting is a journey like no other, a journey we cannot travel alone. In the past, we used to parent as a community; the old adage it takes a village comes from someplace very real. Today family life is often one of isolation, unnecessary chaos and constant challenges such as how to connect with our children while also correcting them. Join us as Lisa Schubring, a licensed marriage and family therapist, talks about parenting in today s world, offering practical and humorous insights on how to make this crazy role work for you. Presenter: Lisa Schubring, LMFT. Cost: Free will offering (suggested donation $5) Registration appreciated. RESPECT LIFE- What came to be through him was life and this life was the light of the human race; the light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:3-4, NABRE 2010 CCD. PLEASE JOIN US in prayer of the Rosary at the Baileys Harbor site, held every Tuesday at Noon. Come when you can" If you have questions call Shirley Raasch at (920) End of Year Contributions Contributions for this year (2016) must be placed in the collection basket by Saturday, December 31st. Any money placed in the collection basket on Sunday, January 1st or later will be posted to your 2017 contributions, regardless of the date on your check. Donations that are mailed to the office must have a postmark of December 31st or earlier. Any donations postmarked January 1 or later will be posted to your 2017 donations, regardless of the date on your check. Merry Christmas The staff at Stella Maris, wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and a New Year filled with many blessings. Please be careful when you are traveling to be with loved ones this holiday season.

4 5 The Nativity of the Lord-December 25, 2016 Worship and Music Column Great Joy! A Christmas Reflection from Saint Aelred of Rievaulx ( ) Before this day the human person had no secure grounds for rejoicing except insofar as he realized or believed this day would come. But today you are told: Be not afraid, but love. Be not sad, but rejoice. Look, here is an angel from heaven, proclaiming a great joy to you. Rejoice then for yourself and rejoice also for others, because this joy is not only for you but for all people. Behold, he says, I announce to you a great joy which will be for all people. O what a joy, how great, how sweet, how desirable! Until now you were sad because you were dead, but now rejoice because life has come to you that you may live. You were sad because blindness had plunged you into darkness, but now rejoice, because today a light has arisen in the darkness for the upright of heart (Psalm 112:4). You were sad because you were wretched but now there has been born One who is compassionate and merciful, enabling you to enter into blessedness. You were sad because you were weighed down by this accumulation of your sins but now rejoice because today the Savior has been born who will save his people from their sins. This is the joy which the angel proclaims. The Savior has been born today. St. Aelred of Rievaulx, Sermon Aelred of Rievaulx, Sermon , in the December 2016 issue of Give Us This Day, (Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 2016) from Aelred of Rievaulx: The Liturgical Sermons (Advent All Saints) (Kalamazoo, MI: Cistercian Publications, 2001), 99. Used with permission. Liturgies of the Week Saturday, December 24-The Nativity of the Lord-Christmas Eve Washington Island 11:00 am-dr Members of Stella Maris Sister Bay 4:00 pm-dr James Patrick Zito Fish Creek 6:00 pm-dr Roger Charney Sunday, December 25-The Nativity of the Lord-Christmas Day Jacksonport 10:00 am-dr Adolph Schartner Monday, December 26-St. Stephen, the First Martyr Fish Creek 8:00 am No Services Today Tuesday, December 27-St. John, Apostle and Evangelist Sister Bay 8:00 am-dr Frank & Judith D Amico Wednesday, December 28-The Holy Innocents, Martyrs Fish Creek 8:00 am-dr Helen Dannhausen Thursday, December 29 Sister Bay 8:00 am-dr D.J. Wesa Friday, December 30-The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary & Joseph Jacksonport 8:00 am-dr Nan Czerniakowski Saturday, December 31-Solemnity of Mary, The Holy Mother of God Washington Island 11:00 am-dr Bryan Ruby Fish Creek 4:00 pm-dr Mary Ambrose McNeil Sunday, January 1-Solemnity of Mary, The Holy Mother of God Jacksonport 8:00 am-dr Sally & Eugene Kiehnau Sister Bay 10:00 am-dr Members of Stella Maris DR=Fr. David Ruby Readings for the Week of December 25 Sunday: Vigil: Is 62:1-5/Ps 89/Acts 13:16-17, 22-25/ Mt 1:1-25 or 1:18-25 Night: Is 9:1-6/Ps 96/Ti 2:11-14/Lk 2:1-14 Dawn: Is 62:11-12/Ps 97/Ti 3:4-7/Lk 2:15-20 Day: Is 52:7-10/Ps 98/Heb 1:1-6/Jn 1:1-18 or 1: 1-5, 9-14 Monday: Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59/Ps 31/Mt 10:17-22 Tuesday: 1 Jn 1:1-4/Ps 97/Jn 20:1a, 2-8 Wednesday: 1 Jn 1:5-2:2/Ps 124/Mt 2:13-18 Thursday: 1 Jn 2:3-11/Ps 96/Lk 2:22-35 Friday: Sir 3:2-6, or Col 3:12-21 or 3:12-17/ Ps 128/Mt 2:13-15, Saturday: 1 Jn 2:18-21/Ps 96/Jn 1:1-18 Next Sunday: Nm 6:22-27/Ps 67/Gal 4:4-7/Lk 2:16-21 Liturgical Publications Inc

5 The Nativity of the Lord-December 25, Pastor Reverend David Ruby pastorsm@dcwis.com Egg Harbor Office (920) PO Box 49, 7710 State Hwy 42, Egg Harbor, WI churchoffice@dcwis.com Fax (920) Web site: Office hours: (Mon-Fri) 8:00-12:00 & 12:30-4:30 Pastoral Associate Becky Nash pastoralchurch@dcwis.com (920) Worship and Music Minister Kathy Sedan worshipchurch@dcwis.com Bookkeeper/LoSEC (Local Safe Environment Coordinator) Jim Slomski bkchurch@dcwis.com Receptionist/Secretary/Bulletin Editor Lorie Orthober churchoffice@dcwis.com Normal Bulletin Deadline - Tuesday, 9am Faith Formation Coordinator-Linda Cummer cummerlinda@gmail.com (920) Maintenance Coordinator-Jimmy Nowlan maintchurch@dcwis.com (920) Faith Community Nurse-Bonnie Wirkiewicz nursesm@dcwis.com (920) Wedding Coordinator-Burnie Cerra ma8cer@aol.com (920) Secretary Trustee-Sharon Brabson brabsonsharon@gmail.com Treasurer Trustee-Richard Dannhausen hrdannhausen@gmail.com Pastoral Council Chair-Michelle Piatek piatmch@aol.com Finance Council Chair-Peg Berezewski mberezewski@robertmorris.edu Deacon David Kowalski-inoiamdjk@yahoo.com Health & Wellness Committee livinghealthyisaprayer@gmail.com Please cut out this coupon and present it next time you Patronize One of our Advertisers. Thank You for advertising in the Stella Maris Parish church bulletin. I am patronizing your business because of it! Parish Membership Stella Maris Parish is delighted when new people want to join our parish and gladly welcomes them into our faith community. Contact the parish office. Infant Baptism The baptism of new babies and young children revitalizes our faith community. Please contact the parish office to make arrangements for baptism. Adult Initiation The Catholic Church is always enriched whenever any adult chooses to be Catholic. Adults wishing to be baptized, or baptized adults wishing to be confirmed, the RCIA program is available. Reconciliation God s great mercy is something to be celebrated. Ritually we Catholics experience God s unconditional love in the sacrament of reconciliation. Our pastor is available for this sacrament on the 1st Thursday of the month from 5:00-6:00 pm at our Baileys Harbor site (except holidays) and by appointment. Sacrament of Matrimony A faith-filled wedding is a joyful time for the couple and the parish. Our parish wants to have all weddings here be the best possible. The couple must meet with the pastor before a date can be reserved. Please contact the parish office at least 12 months in advance to begin preparation. Ministry to the Sick Everyone needs extra compassion and care when his or her health is not at its best. As a parish, we try to meet that need. Communal anointing Masses take place twice yearly, with individual anointing done when requested. Parishioners in the hospital, nursing home or other institution are encouraged to notify the office to arrange for visits or communion. Devotions MORNING PRAYER: Monday-8:00 am, Fish Creek SCRIPTURE CLASS: Tuesday mornings after the 8:00 am Mass in Sister Bay. Please join us for a closer look and discussion on the Gospel according to Luke. Visitors are always welcome. ROSARY: Tuesday-Noon in Baileys Harbor. Rosary for Life-2nd Tuesday of month, Noon, Baileys Harbor RECONCILIATION: 1ST Thursday of the month from 5-6 pm in Baileys Harbor or by appointment. Offertory Contributions for November, 2016 Actual Budget Stewardship Envelopes $18, ACH $ 6, WeShare $ 5, $30, $29, Offertory $ 6, $ 6, Totals $36, $35, /17 Actual YTD $305, /17 Budget YTD $326, /16 Actual YTD $311, Total Attendance last week 296