SAINT PAUL ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH December 24, 2017

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1 SAINT PAUL ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH December 24, 2017

2 THE WORD OF THE LORD TODAY S READINGS First Reading I will fix a place for my people. I will plant them so that they may dwell in their place without further disturbance (2 Samuel 7:1-16). Psalm For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord (Psalm 89). Second Reading To the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, be glory forever and ever (Romans 16:25-27). Gospel Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word (Luke 1:26-38). READINGS FOR THE WEEK Monday: Is 9:1-6; Ps 96:1-13; Ti 2:11-14; Lk 2:1-14 Tuesday: Acts 6:8-7:54-59; Ps 31:3-17; Mt 10:17-22 Wednesday: 1 Jn 1:1-4; Ps 97:1-12; Jn 20:1a, 2-8 Thursday: 1 Jn 1:5-2:2; Ps 124:2-8; Mt 2:13-18 Friday: 1 Jn 2:3-11; Ps 96:1-6; Lk 2:22-35 Saturday: 1 Jn 2:12-17; Ps 96:7-10; Lk 2:36-40 GOD S WORD FOR CHILDREN DIOCESE OF RALEIGH OFFICE OF THE BISHOP Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, On my first Christmas in Raleigh, I give thanks to all of you for the gi that you are to the Church, to me and to the Diocese. In the short me I have been here, I have already begun to feel at home and am looking forward to celebra ng Christmas Mass with you. Christmas is a beau ful me to discover why God sent his Son to us. God wanted to approach his people and to speak to us in a way we would understand. Jesus began life as a baby and grew from a boy to a man. He comes to us in human nature, without sin, but to experience life. That is Christmas, giving thanks to God for sending His Son, so we may know that, through Him, God understands us. When we gather with our family members, friends and parishioners this season, let us remember to celebrate this gi and celebrate the joy of life. Let us also remember those who have passed on before us, that they will know the fullness of these gi s in the Kingdom of Heaven. Please know that I will keep all of you in my prayers at the Masses I offer on Christmas. Through the intercession of Mary, our Mother and Saint Joseph, may their Son and our Lord Jesus, help us to live as God s holy family at Christmas, throughout the New Year and all the days of our lives. Please pray for those who are sick, shut-in, or recovering from surgery, and their caregivers.

3 THIS WEEK S ACTIVITIES Sunday 12/24 8:00AM Mass Saint Paul Parish Family 10:00AM Mass Saint Paul Parish Family 4:00PM Mass Saint Paul Parish Family 8:00PM Mass (Spanish) Saint Paul Parish Family 10:00PM Mass Saint Paul Parish Family Monday 12/25 10:00AM Mass +Lawrence Schuetz Tuesday 12/26 PARISH OFFICE CLOSED 8:00AM No Mass Wednesday 12/27 PARISH OFFICE CLOSED 9:00AM No School Mass Christmas Break 6:00PM No Mass 7:00PM Hispanic Choir Prac ce Thursday 12/28 8:00AM Mass 8:35AM Adora on Church 10:45AM Reconcilia on 11:45AM Benedic on Church 12:00PM January 7 th Bulle n Items Due 7:30PM Folk Choir Prac ce - Church Friday 12/29 8:00AM Mass (OSP) +Bill Winfield Saturday 12/30 3:30PM Reconcilia on 5:00PM Spanish Bap sm Class Conf Room 5:00PM Mass +George Helbig We will con nue decora ng our church with Poinse as on Sunday, December 24th at noon. We welcome all those who wish to help to come and make our worship space fi ng for the Lord! If you have ques ons, please contact Joy Harsen at EME / LECTOR SCHEDULE 12/30: 5PM - Team #1-(3) 12/31: 8AM - Team #2 / 11AM - Team 1 NEW YEARS EVE MASS Sunday, 12/31: 6:00PM Monday, 1/1: 10:00AM The complete Parish Calendar, as well as past issues of the bulle n, are always available for viewing at our website: spccnb.org To submit bulle n ar cles, bulle n@spccnb.org The deadline is on Thursdays at noon. All requests should be sent in editable format <no PDFs or Posters please> 11 days before the bulle n issue date. Dear Friends at Saint Paul: The Bulle n of Christmas Eve! Merry Christmas to you and yours as we reach into our church treasures and see that tender vision of a young mother and her guardian husband loving every precious moment of receiving Christ. Many of the ancient writers in our Church's tradi on have meditated on Genesis 3:16 about the increase of the travails of labor pains due to original sin and Mary's freedom from original sin... we can imagine her joy and confidence in God without the fear of labor overwhelming her. She rejoiced in Christ even in labor! A surprising thought from a human point of view but a special consoling secret from a divine point of view! We also have a consoling secret of God's faithfulness to us. In all our trials and difficul es, every Chris an has already succeeded, already triumphed, when we place our hope and trust in our loving God. Our a tudes, judgments, and emo ons have to be shaped and conformed to the Christ born in us... In this way, poverty is sanc fied, loneliness is accompanied, sinfulness is forgiven. In this way, hope is restored, faith strengthened, and love made more inclusive. In this way, pain, confusion, illness, and even old age have a new purpose: in union with Christ, the labor of our days is made to serve God. God wants to bring His Son Jesus Christ to birth for our salva on. May our Christmas days be filled with that confident longing for solu ons, healings and rewards in Christ. These are the precious gi s of our Church's faith and the reason why every Catholic and every Chris an goes (or ought to go) to Church. We find new joy and a some mes overwhelming GIFTEDNESS in the ways of our faith. May our Blessed Mother inspire us with her example; may Blessed Saint Joseph help us see how we can help! May the new born Savior bring a true surge of joy and confidence into your heart! Merry Christmas! Peace,

4 ANNOUNCEMENTS Saint Paul "Winter" Grieving Group January 9th to February 13th. Know that you are in our Hearts and Prayers as you Grieve the loss of your loved one. During Advent, you may want to Pray about coming to Saint Joseph Chapel for 6 consecu ve Tuesdays, 10:00AM to 11:30AM. Sister Monique, I.H.M.Facilitator Contact: Irene Swanteson, Third Order Dominican to Register ( ). SAINT PAUL YOUTH On Sunday, December 10 th, Monsignor James R Jones Council 3303 Knights of Columbus hosted a Christmas party for our families. A er everyone was served a delicious dinner, Saint Paul Catholic School Students, under the direc on of Megan Johnson, performed a deligh ul medley of Christmas songs. The excitement mounted as Santa and Mrs. Claus arrived and presented gi s to the children. TAG. YOU RE IT! Thank you to the Knights for an a ernoon full of fellowship and joy as we shared Christmas cheer. Saturday, January 6th - following the Vigil Mass Sunday, January 7th - following the 8AM, 11AM and 1PM Masses For informa on, contact the church office: To see the children s faces when they saw Santa was precious!!! To give them and their families the chance to come together crea ng life long memories, to smile, laugh sing, and take part in some amazing fellowship...priceless!!! OLIVE BRANCH STORE & LENDING LIBRARY Open Sun. 9 1 & Wed in the FLC We will be closed Dec. 24 and 27. We reopen Sunday, Dec. 31 and look forward to serving you in the new year. Thank you for your patronage and we hope to meet more of you in 2018 maybe you will volunteer with us! All proceeds benefit Saint Paul Catholic Church. Merry Christmas to all! Eternal Life, my favorite Thanks Jesus!

5 FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT DECEMBER 24, 2017 MYSTERY REVEALED 2 Samuel 7:1-5,8-12, 14, 16; Psalm 89:2-5, 27, 29; Romans 16:25-27; Luke 1: Today s readings invite us to ponder the mystery revealed in the birth of Christ. David wishes to build a proper house for the ark of God. The prophet Nathan reveals that God wants to establish a house for Him. God will build up the na on to prosper un l the end of me. Because of the Incarna on, we are heirs to this promise and are members of God s household. God s promise cannot be fulfilled without Mary s yes. Since the fall, all crea on has waited for Mary. God chose her to bear his Son, the Messiah who establishes the Reign of God. Mary has to give up everything and change her whole life when she says Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word. The season of Christmas challenges us to grow deeper in faith and trust. Jesus reveals the Father s love and mercy for us. When we celebrate this mystery in the Mass, we are to become what we receive The Body of Christ. FIND US READY Good and Gracious God, who sent the Angel Gabriel to announce the gi of your Son, your love for us has no limits and endures forever. As we prepare for the coming of Christ, eliminate all sin and fear, giving us pure hearts to receive him. May the Holy Spirit fill us with Your grace, just as Mary was so filled, and find us ready to stand in Your presence to serve You. Keep us faithful to the covenant You made with Your ancestors. May Your joy saturate our beings as we go forth proclaiming Your salva on, so that, on that final day, we will forever sing your goodness. Through Christ our Lord. Amen THIS WEEK AT HOME MONDAY, Dec. 25 Solemnity of the Na vity of the Lord...Today s psalm captures the importance of this feast in the life of the world. It is a song of praise for the mighty deeds that God has done. His gi to us is the Incarna on of His Son, so that we may live in and for Him. TUESDAY, Dec. 26--Feast of St. Stephen Have you ever thought what it would be like to be a martyr? Stephen teaches us to remain fervent and faithful in our commitment to Christ by his martyrdom. Prac cing a regular prayer life will help us remain faithful. Pray for those who con nue to be persecuted for their faith in the world today. WEDNESDAY, Dec. 27 St. John The word witness is a good summary for today s readings. St. John is willing to give his life for Christ. In Bap sm, each of us is in mately woven into the life of God and therefore, we must witness to our encounter with the Risen Christ. Take me to think about your encounter with Christ in your life. THURSDAY, Dec. 28 Feast of the Holy Innocents This feast commemorates the life of those children who were executed by Herod. Let us reflect on the effect of the Incarna on. Christ frees us from all bondage and saves us from death. Let us pray for all who have been executed for the sake of Christ. FRIDAY, Dec. 29 Light The birth of Christ reveals God s greatest gi to the universe. He is the Light of the World, the one who brings us out of darkness. At Bap sm, each of us received a lighted candle to remind us that Christ s light is in us, and we are called to share that light in acts of love to others. SATURDAY, Dec. 30 God s Will Do not love the world or the things in the world is a key message for today. We, unfortunately are o en en ced by the ideals of this world, and we can easily be misdirected. We must listen to the voice of love within us. We are called to share that love with others on a daily basis.

6 SAINT PAUL CATHOLIC CHURCH PARISH INFORMATION 3005 Country Club Road New Bern, NC Office: M-F 8:30-4:00pm PARISH STAFF DIRECTORY PARISH OFFICE: NIGHT EMERGENCY: PASTORAL STAFF Father Thomas S Tully, Pastor: pastor@spccnb.org Father Michael Schuetz, Parochial Vicar: frschuetz@spccnb.org Deacon Rick Fisher: Deacon Mike Mahoney,ObISB: Sister Monique Dissen, IHM, Hospital: Admin Assistant, DeLesa Conway: dconway@spccnb.org Bookkeeper, Donna Simon: dsimon@spccnb.org Bulle n: bulle n@spccnb.org Cemetery: Danny Gennantonio Director Opera ons: Deacon David Kierski dkierski@spccnb.org Faith Forma on: Joy Harsen Music Ministry: Megan Johnson mjohnson@stpaulcs.org RCIA Coordinator: Marcelene McLure Catholic Chari es: Catholic Daughters: Belinda Swager Extraordinary Ministers of Eucharist: Mary Spano: Eucharis c Ministers (Home / Sick): Dennis Colbert: Finance Council: Bob Nenni: Knights Third Degree: Phil Nassef Knights Fourth Degree: David Rose Pastoral Council: pcouncil@spccnb.org Religious Community Services: Rectory: Saint Paul School Administrator: Deacon Kierski: MASS SCHEDULE Saturday :00 pm Sunday :00 am, 11:00 am, 1:00 pm (Misa en Español) Monday, Tuesday, Thursday...8:00 am Wednesday :00 am, 6:00 pm Friday :00 am at Old St. Paul First Saturday :00 am Holy Days of Obliga on per announcements WELCOME VISITORS AND GUESTS! We hope that you will find our parish community a place where your life of faith will be nourished. We also hope that you will share your special gi s within the community. Your prayers, your presence and your talents are most welcome. Please introduce yourself a er Mass. Highlights from 11/2017 Pastoral Council Mee ng Deacon Jim Hacke from Pa erson Ca. was introduced. He will be assigned by the Diocesan Deacon Office based on the needs of area churches. Mee ng focused on the Safe Environment Program with discussion about Diocesan policies and how the parish will implement them. The celebra on of the feast of Saint Paul will be held at Old Saint Paul Church on Thursday, January 25, 2018, featuring an organ concert at 7PM. Confirma on will be held on May 2, 2018, with Bishop Luis Rafael a ending. The offertory, mortgage and school collec ons are near budget, but almost 6% ahead of the same period last year. Expenses con nue under budget. School tui on is level with budget thanks in part to earlier receipt of govt. tui on assistance payments. School enrollment con nues to run above budget levels. Father Tully talked about the need to have the school endowment replenished for the future. The Ministry Fair will be held January 6 th and 7 th a er all Masses. SACRAMENT SCHEDULE Reconcilia on: Thursdays 10:45-11:45am; Saturday 3:30-4:30pm or by appointment Bap sm: First me parents must a end Bap smal Prepara on Classes. Registra on is mandatory. Contact the church office: First Communion/Confirma on: Please call Marriages: Contact Parish Office - 6 month advance no ce is required Anoin ng of the Sick: Contact the Office at Funerals: Call or funeral@spccnb.org