DECEMBER 2, 2018 ǀ FIRST WEEK OF ADVENT

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1 God s love knows no barriers. St. Pascal s...where all people matter. Welcome! We hope you enjoy your time with us. Whether you are just visiting or looking for a parish home, it s great to have you with us. Whatever your life circumstances, wherever you have been or whatever has happened in your life, you are welcome here. Please join us in Brioschi Hall after Mass for hospitality and to find out more. DECEMBER 2, 2018 ǀ FIRST WEEK OF ADVENT PARISH OFFICE Pastor Fr. John Mitchell I john.mitchell@stpascals.org Deacon Rev. Mr. Richard Moore I richard.moore@stpascals.org Business Administrator Theresa Ruttger I theresa.ruttger@stpascals.org Pastoral Associate for Liturgy Keri Mader I keri.mader@stpascals.org Pastoral Associate for Music Sharon Balcom I sharon.balcom@stpascals.org Pastoral Care Minister Bonnie Steele I bonnie.steele@stpascals.org Pastoral Associate for Faith Formation Kim Roering I kim.roering@stpascals.org Communications & Office Manager Thea Munoz I thea.munoz@stpascals.org Administrative Assistant Marla Eberhardt I marla.eberhardt@stpascals.org Welcome Desk Karri Creamer I karri.creamer@stpascals.org Facilities Supervisor Jerry Klaas I jerry.klaas@stpascals.org EARLY LEARNING CENTER Director Laurie Jennrich I mslaurie.jennrich@stpascals.org Administrative Assistant Andrea Mathison I msandrea.mathison@stpascals.org PARISH SCHOOL Principal Inna Collier I inna.collier@stpascals.org Advancement Director Leah Eviston I leah.eviston@stpascals.org Administrative Assistant Kaitlyn Baker I kaitlyn.baker@stpascals.org Mass Times Saturday 4:30 PM I Sunday 8:45 & 10:30 AM (ASL) I Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 7:30 AM I Wednesday 9:30 AM 1757 Conway Street I Saint Paul, Minnesota I website: I church@stpascals.org

2 The Church of Saint Pascal Baylon l 1757 Conway Street l Saint Paul, Minnesota FROM THE PASTOR S DESK The Season of Advent begins this weekend. Advent has a twofold character: as a season to prepare for Christmas when Christ s first coming to us is remembered and as a season when that remembrance directs the mind and heart to await Christ s Second Coming at the end of time. Advent is thus a period for devout and joyful expectation (General Norms for the Liturgical Year, paragraph 39). The four weeks of Advent help us to focus our lives on Jesus and fill up our hearts with joyful expectation of His return at the end of time. None of us knows when Christ s Second Coming will happen, but we do not fear the Second Coming because Jesus said: Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me. In my Father s house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am, you also may be (John 14:1-3). Therefore, the Season of Advent is a wonderful gift which gives us time to prepare our hearts to celebrate the birth of Jesus at Christmas and to joyfully expect His return. Christmas Wish List Item: Programmable door system for our gym entrance. Total cost: $ We would like to install a programmable door system for our gym entrance on the south side of our building. The gym entrance is used by our athletic teams and visiting teams and spectators to enter our building for games, practice and tournaments. The Boy Scouts can also use the gym entrance for their meetings and activities. Having a programmable door will also make our building more secure and easier for our Staff members to use throughout the workday. The programmable system can be preset to open and lock at certain times on specific days. We will also be able to check out small plastic fobs to pre-approved people (staff and volunteers) so they can access the building through the gym entrance. If you would like to donate towards the purchase of the programmable door system, please fill out the form below and return it with your gift to our parish office or place it in the collection basket at weekend Mass. Any size gift is welcome and appreciated. Thank you! God Bless You, Donation for Programmable Door System Christmas 2018 $ Amt. Encl. Name: Father John Mitchell I wish to remain anonymous Please return this form with your gift to the parish office or place it in the collection basket at Mass. Thank you for your generosity! Advent Evening of Reflection with Archbishop Bernard Hebda Monday, December 17 from 6:30-8:30 PM in Brioschi Hall Take some time away from the hustle and bustle of the season to be with us as Archbishop Hebda joins us for this special evening. Can You Help? We are in need of people to provide cookies and bars for the Advent Reflection. Volunteers are also needed to help with set up, serving, and clean up. If you are able to assist with any of this, please contact Kim Roering in the parish office. Immaculate Conception Saturday, December 8, is the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, a holy day of obligation. Mass will be celebrated at 9:00 AM in the church. St. Pascal s Women's Book Salon Holiday Gathering Monday, December 10 at 7:00 PM The ladies will share some Christmas goodies and a discussion of Christmas Bells by Jennifer Chiaverini. All parish women are invited to join the group for its monthly discussions. We meet on the 2nd Monday of each month in the Staff Lounge. Contact Toni Baker at or toni@bakers.us for a list of the 2019 selections or for more information. Make a New Year's resolution to join the group on January 14 and get yourself reading or start early by coming this month! Listening House St. Pascal s supports the Eastside-Listening House dubbed the living room of the homeless by donating socks, underwear & coffee cups. Please place these items in the marked boxes in the donation closet. This is an ongoing ministry of St. Pascal s Women s Club. Grateful Farewell I take leave of you with a grateful heart: Grateful for your welcoming spirit, the gift of being part of your parish life for many years, as well as your offering space to continue our spiritual ministry for these past four years. Thank you for your thoughtful farewell social and sending me forth with your blessing. I will hold you in prayer as I participate in our 24/7 hours of prayer in our chapel of Perpetual Adoration. My new address is: Gratefully, Sr. Marcie Anibas 701 Franciscan Way - Rm. 354 La Crosse, WI Baptized in Christ We welcome into our community of faith Porter Joseph Kocak child of Jacob & Allison who was recently Baptized in our church. May God bless this household of faith. In Christ We Live Forever Please remember in your prayers Walter Guck who was recently buried from our church. We extend our sincere sympathy to his family and friends, and pray for his soul s eternal peace.

3 December 2, 2018 ǀ 1st Sunday of Advent OUR SCHOOL FAITH FORMATION CONTACT US Volunteer Opportunities School Office Seeking a volunteer with an accounting background to assist the school for the remaining school year. Time commitment under 5 hrs a week, with a flexible schedule. If this is a gift that you can bless the school with in the near future, please connect with Leah Eviston at leah.eviston@stpascals.org or The Santa Shop Is Coming Soon Tuesday-Thursday, December 4-6. At the Santa Shop, students have the opportunity to do their Christmas shopping for their families. This gives them the chance to surprise family members with gifts they have selected on their own. Gifts are wrapped and sent home with the students ready to go under the tree. They love the fun of having a secret gift to share! We need volunteers to help students shop, and check out and volunteers to wrap all the presents the students buy. Any amount of time you can help is greatly appreciated. Santa Shop Hours Tuesday, December 4: 9:30 AM - 3:30 PM Wednesday, December 5: 9:30 AM - 3:30 PM Thursday, December 6: 9:30 AM - 4:30 PM For more information or help signing up contact Barb Odhiambo, 1st Grade teacher, barb.odhiambo@stpascals.org. Culver s Night! Monday, December 10 from 5:00-7:00 PM at the Sun Ray Culver s St. Pascal School receives 10% of all sales between 5:00-7:00 PM. Take a night off cooking and support our 7/8 Grade trip to Washington D.C. Confirmation I 9th Grade Families Recently a mailing was sent to families of 9th graders regarding registration for confirmation. If you have a 9th grader and did not receive the mailing, please contact Kim Roering in the parish office. Youth in 9th grade and older whose families are registered in the parish and who wish to prepare for the sacrament are welcome to be a part of the process. Registration forms are due Monday, December 17. Living Faith Devotional Booklets January-March 2019 Now available for $1.25 each. They can be picked up in the parish office or on the usher s stand outside of the worship space. Community Volunteer Opportunities Ramsey Family Service Center it s time to make 2019 schedules Starting in March of 1983, St. Pascal volunteers have served meals to those who often go without. Some volunteers serve an evening weekday meal and others go on Mondays for lunch. All assignments are every other month (6 times a year). Contact Toni Baker at or toni@bakers.us for more information. Volunteer for Meals on Wheels Help keep seniors independent in their own homes! Deliver meals once a week or once a month, on your own timeline, on your own or with a friend! Delivery usually takes less than an hour. We accommodate your schedule for your convenience but you have to provide your own car. Interested? Contact Vanessa Zambrano or vzambrano@merrickcs.org. Young at Heart Mass and Luncheon Thursday, December 13 at 11:00 AM Cost: $10.00 donation payable on the day of the meeting Attention Young at Heart! Our gathering begins with Fr. John celebrating the Eucharist with us at 11:00. Then, following a short meeting, enjoy a Chicken Kiev dinner catered by Magnolia's and holiday music provided by The North Suburban Chorus. All Seniors 55 plus are most welcome whether you are a newcomer or one of our regulars. Please RSVP by Monday, December 10 to Betty Hensel at or bjhen@q.com or Barb Kendle at Hope to see you! Reminder: We will not meet in January! Parish Office Phone Fax church@stpascals.org For after-hours pastoral emergency (death, dying or anointing): Call the parish office. Parish Office Hours Mon-Fri 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM Holidays as announced Early Learning Center Phone Fax mslaurie.jennrich@stpascals.org Mon-Fri ELC Office Hours 8:00 AM - 3:30 PM School Office Phone Fax inna.collier@stpascals.org Mon-Fri School Office Hours 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM Parish Councils Parish Pastoral Council Meetings 1st Tuesday at 6:30 PM Ann Karner, Chair Parish Finance Council Meetings 4th Thursday at 6:30 PM Cindy Reisdorf, Chair Sacramental Information Reconciliation Saturday at 4:00 and by appointment Communal celebrations as announced Baptism Pre-baptismal classes are required. To register for classes or to schedule a celebration, call the parish office. Marriage Arrangements must be made with the pastor at least six months in advance of the desired date. Parish Prayer Line 8:00-10:00 AM Mary Butler-Levine 4:00-6:00 PM Pat Kackman Women s Club Annual Christmas Bake Sale December after all Masses in Brioschi Hall The annual Christmas bake sale is almost here! Bakers, please make some of your favorite Christmas treats and drop them off in Brioschi Hall before all Masses on December No bake sale is a success without buyers everyone please bring your sweet tooth and plan to shop the bake sale this year! Questions? Contact Sharon Scanlon at scanfam4@comcast.net or Parish Communication Bulletin Notices notices by 3:00 PM Monday to thea.munoz@stpascals.org. Mass Announcements Please direct to Keri Mader at keri.mader@stpascals.org by 3:00 PM on Wednesday.

4 Mass Times & Intentions Tuesday, December 4 07:30 AM + Eusebio Antonio Wednesday, December 5 09:30 AM + Terry Lemke Thursday, December 6 07:30 AM + Bob O Connell Friday, December 7 07:30 AM Men s Club Saturday, December 8 Immaculate Conception (Holy Day) 09:00 AM The People of the Parish Saturday, December 8 Sunday Anticipatory Mass 04:30 PM + Jim Nelson Sunday, December 9 08:45 AM + Rosemary Quayle 10:30 AM The People of the Parish First Wednesday Mass & Dessert Wednesday, December 5 at Marian Center St. Paul 200 Earl Street Mass is celebrated at 1:00 PM followed by dessert and social hour at 1:30 across from the Snack Shop. Join us for dessert every 1st Wednesday of the month to enjoy some time with a few of your parish friends. Invite anyone who would enjoy visiting folk from St. Pascal s. We hope to see you there! Readings December 2, 2018 Sunday: Jer 33:14-16 Ps 25:4-5, 8-10, 14 1 Thes 3:12 4:2 Lk 21:25-28, Monday: Is 2:1-5 Ps 122:1-9 Mt 8:5-11 Tuesday: Is 11:1-10 Ps 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17 Lk 10:21-24 Wednesday: Is 25:6-10a Ps 23:1-6 Mt 15:29-37 Thursday: Is 26:1-6 Ps 118:1, 8-9, 19-21, 25-27a Mt 7:21, Friday: Is 29:17-24 Ps 27:1, 4, Mt 9:27-31 Saturday: Gn 3:9-15, 20 Ps 98:1-4 Eph 1:3-6, Lk 1:26-38 Next Sunday: Bar 5:1-9 Ps 126:1-6 Phil 1:4-6, 8-11 Lk 3:1-6 REMEMBER SOMEONE IN A SPECIAL WAY THIS CHRISTMAS SEASON Purchase a plant or make a donation (any amount) in honor of a family member, loved one or someone who is ill or homebound. Please complete the form below and return it to the parish office or place it in the collection basket at Mass. Suggested donation is $10. I would like to purchase a Christmas plant (circle one) In Honor of / From: In Memory of Thank you for your generosity and care! THE WEEK AHEAD Visit us at for more information on upcoming events. Sunday, December 2 First Sunday of Advent After Masses Cub Scouts Pancake Breakfast: BH, Kit 9:00am Men s Club Christmas Tree Sales: Conway Lot 12:00pm Confirmation II: OC 2:15pm Santa Shop setup: OC Monday, December 3 Friday, December 7 3:00 pm Men s Club Christmas Tree Sales: Conway Lot Monday, December 3 8:00am Scholastic Book Fair setup: FR 6:30pm Boy Scouts 294: CF, Gym, 108 6:30pm St. Pascal School Parent Meeting: BH Tuesday, December 4 9:30am Santa Shop: OC 6:30pm Parish Advent & 1st Reconciliation: CH, BH Wednesday, December 5 9:00am Rosary: CH 9:30am School Mass All are welcome! 9:30am Santa Shop: OC 1:00pm Marian Center Mass & Dessert: Marian Ctr of St Paul 6:30pm Choir: CR 6:30pm Faith Formation: LB, OC, 101, 105 Thursday, December 6 9:30am Santa Shop: OC 7:00pm Men s Club Board Meeting: CF 7:00pm SJCC: SL Friday, December 7 8:00am Santa Shop tear down 6:00pm Piano Recital: CH, BH Saturday, December 8 Immaculate Concep on Holy day of obligation 9:00am Holy Day Mass 9:00am Men s Club Christmas Tree Sales: Conway Lot 4:30pm Regular Sunday Anticipatory Mass (Not a Mass for the holy day) Sunday, December 9 Second Sunday of Advent Retirement Fund for Religious After Masses Scholastic Book Fair: FR After Masses New Member Registration 9:00am Men s Club Christmas Tree Sales: Conway Lot 11:45am Women s Club Board Meeting: SL MEETING LOCATION KEY: BH: Brioschi Hall, CF: Cafeteria, CH: Church, CR: Choir Room, FR: Founders Room, LB: Library, OC: Old Church, PC: Parish Conference Room, SL: Staff Lounge St. Pascal s Legacy Society Planned Giving Tax Efficient Options for leaving a Legacy to St. Pascal s. One particularly tax-efficient way to leave a legacy to St. Pascal's is a direct charitable contribution from your IRA. One of the key benefits of the direct charitable contribution from your IRA is that the distribution counts towards your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD). Consult with your tax adviser. Leave a legacy of faith. If you want more information on St. Pascal s Legacy Society, please call Theresa Ruttger at the parish office at or talk to a member of the Legacy Committee Ellen and Mike Aeling, Susan Hommes, Joe Sullivan, and Brigid O Malley.

5 FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT God s Justice God of justice, you surprise us with your choices of the smallest nation to bless the world, a shepherd boy to be their king, and a baby born in a stable to be the King of Kings. Give us a heart like yours that loves the least among us and values them as the greatest. Teach us your justice that will always forgive and bring forth life from death. We make our prayer through Jesus, the long-awaited Messiah, the fulfillment of the promise from all ages. Amen. Sunday, December 2, 2018 A Season of Waiting Today s Readings: Jeremiah 33:14 16; 1 Thessalonians 3:12 4:2; Luke 21:25 28, Many good things require waiting and planning: a wedding celebration, the birth or adoption of a baby, running a marathon. For such events, we enter into a mode in which much attention is focused on the preparation, even while the obligations of our daily life continue. This kind of preparation is needed to have a good Advent. It may be hard to imagine even more preparation when already there are presents to be bought and wrapped, a tree and lights to be put up, cookies to be baked, and cards to be written. Preparing for Advent is not hard work; it is a work of the heart. There are many ways to prepare our hearts attending daily Mass, reading and reflecting on each day s readings, praying Morning and Evening Prayer, praying the Rosary, and meditating in silence for fifteen minutes each day. The work of the heart we choose keeps our eyes fixed on the miracle that in God s plan, he spoke his Word and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. Jesus is the Word expressed in flesh and blood, to allow us to draw closer to the God of infinite mystery. Jesus gives his very flesh and blood to us once in history on Calvary, and for all time in the Eucharist. While we await his return, we have good reason to stand erect and raise [our] heads, as today s Gospel counsels. We cannot become too fatigued or too anxious to remember that [our] redemption is at hand.

6 Monday, December 3 St. Francis Xavier, Priest Prophets know that God s saving work is not just for the Jewish people. Isaiah calls his countrymen to walk in the light of the Lord, anticipating the day when all nations shall stream toward [Jerusalem]. Jesus meets a Roman centurion whose faith amazes him compared to many children of the kingdom. As Advent begins, we might ask ourselves whether we, who have had the benefit of hearing the Word of God and receiving sacraments, have weak or strong faith. Today s Readings: Isaiah 2:1 5; Psalm 122:1 2, 3 4b, 4cd 5, 6 7, 8 9; Matthew 8:5 11. Tuesday, December 4 Blessed Are We Isaiah speaks of a time when the earth will be filled with knowledge of the Lord, and there will be peace among nations and even animals. These events await the fulfillment of God s plan when Jesus returns in glory. Yet Jesus knows how blessed his disciples are to see him in the flesh and hear his words. When we take the Risen Christ into our body in the Eucharist and listen to the Word, we are blessed with a foretaste of the time when we will know him fully. Today s Readings: Isaiah 11:1 10; Psalm 72:1 2, 7 8, 12 13, 17; Luke 10: Wednesday, December 5 Making God Known For the third day, we hear Isaiah describe a mountain where all will come to know God as he provides rich, plentiful food and destroys death. In Matthew s Gospel, Jesus feeds more than four thousand people and heals all who are sick. Surely, God is making himself known in their midst! When we prepare food for others or tend them when they are sick, are we aware that we are making God known? Today s Readings: Isaiah 25:6 10a; Psalm 23:1 3a, 3b 4, 5, 6; Matthew 15: Thursday, December 6 St. Nicholas Advent is a good time to evaluate whether our religious practices are built on the rock-solid foundation of Jesus or a lack of trust. Isaiah says that peace will reign when we fully trust God. St. Nicholas, who remains a revered saint 1,800 years after he lived, is remembered for his generosity to the poor and the secrecy of his good deeds. He heard the words of Jesus and acted on them. Today s Readings: Isaiah 26:1 6; Psalm 118:1 and 8 9, 19 21, 25 27a; Matthew 7:21, Friday, December 7 St. Ambrose When Jesus heals two blind men, they tell everyone they know. In the fourth century, St. Ambrose was renowned for both his preaching and his arguments against heresy while bishop of Milan. People loved him best for his first act as bishop: selling all he had and giving to the poor. During this holy season we beg Christ to remove our blindness to our sins, open our lips to tell others about him, and open our hearts to care for the poor among us. Today s Readings: Isaiah 29:17 24; Psalm 27:1, 4, 13 14; Matthew 9: Saturday, December 8 Immaculate Conception During Advent, while the whole Church waits with Mary, we ponder her special role in salvation history and celebrate that she, the perfect vessel who would give birth to the Savior, was conceived without sin. The angel who brought her the news called her favored one. The Church echoed those words when, in 1854, it proclaimed as doctrine the Immaculate Conception. So widespread was this belief that eight years before the Vatican pronouncement, United States bishops had embraced Mary as America s patroness under the title of the Immaculate Conception. Today s Readings: Genesis 3:9 15, 20; Psalm 98:1, 2 3ab, 3cd 4; Ephesians 1:3 6, 11 12; Luke 1: Liturgy Training Publications Written by Barbara Matera. Illustrated by Tamar Messer. Scripture texts are taken from the New American Bible, revised edition 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970, Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC. All rights reserved. Used by permission. Permission to publish granted by the Archdiocese of Chicago, on March 9, 2018.

7 ADVERTORIAL Why So Many Financial Advisors Recommend Charitable Bunching When the new tax law went into effect, the federal standard deduction doubled. For the vast majority of tax payers, this eliminates the need to itemize deductions. That is, unless you use a tax strategy called bunching. What s bunching? With bunching, you make 2-3 years worth of charitable contributions in a single tax year. The goal is to exceed the standard deduction that year and itemize instead. Then, during the years you don t give to charity, you take the standard deduction. When you bunch your giving, your tax savings adds up over time. That s why many financial advisors now recommend their clients consider bunching. How a donor advised fund makes bunching even better A gift into a donor advised fund is immediately tax deductible, because the fund is managed by a nonprofit. But you can direct the money to your favorite causes on a time frame that works best for you. This way, charities won t feel any feast or famine effects from your bunching strategy. As an added bonus, the money in your donor advised fund is invested and grows tax free, maximizing your giving. Call the Catholic Community Foundation of Minnesota today to learn more about how to bunch your giving with a donor advised fund. Our friendly, expert gift planning officers are ready to answer your questions. $25,000 $15,000 $35,000 $25,000 $15,000 WITHOUT BUNCHING Total Charitable Giving $40,000 Total Deduction $96, WITH BUNCHING Total Charitable Giving $40,000 Total Deduction $114, Additional $9,000 deduction every other year State and Local Tax $10,000 Medical Expenses $3,000 Charitable Gifts $20,000 Standard Deduction $24,000 Call us to learn more ccf-mn.org Catholic Community FOUNDATION OF MINNESOTA

8 ADVERTORIAL How to Stress Less Over Year-End Giving $ $ Tis the season for giving. Whether you surprise your Advent Angel or deliver a bag of groceries to a neighbor in need, it feels good to give. That means charitable giving too. But sending gifts to your favorite nonprofits before year-end can create stress when you ve already got a long to-do list. Giving should bring you joy, not stress. Yet tax laws pressure you to give by December 31st. This often leads people to give in haste and feel forced to make year-end deadlines. A donor advised fund puts the joy back in giving by removing the pressure of the December 31st deadline. It works like a charitable checkbook. When you make a gift into your fund, you receive an immediate tax deduction. Then, you decide at your own pace where you d like to give. While you re deciding, your fund is invested in alignment with your Catholic faith and grows tax free. $ DONOR ADVISED FUND open your fund with cash or securities TAX EFFICIENCY receive an immediate tax deduction when you make a gift into your fund $ Plus, a donor advised fund makes tax preparation easy. You won t need to hunt or dig for your charitable giving receipts, because all your gifts are recorded in one easy place online. It s just one more way that a donor advised fund takes the stress out of giving. Call the Catholic Community Foundation of Minnesota today to get started. Our friendly, expert gift planning officers are ready to answer your questions. FAITH-CONSISTENT INVESTING grow your gift tax free with screened investments Call us to get started ccf-mn.org Catholic Community FOUNDATION OF MINNESOTA

9 Reading for pleasure unlocks the power of information and imagination and helps children discover who they are. Here s what you can do to help children develop stronger reading skills and a love for reading: Set the example. Let children see you read. Have a collection of books in your home. Update this collection routinely to keep up with changing tastes and reading skills. Support our school s Book Fair. Allow your children to choose their own books to read. Our Scholastic Book Fair is a reading event that brings the books kids want to read right into our school. It s a wonderful selection of engaging and affordable books for every reading level. Please make plans to visit our Book Fair and be involved in shaping your child s reading habits. Book Fair dates: December 3rd: 5:30-8:30pm (Parent Meeting Day) December 8th: 4-6pm (Weekend Day) December 9th: 8am-11pm (Weekend Day) December 10th: 10am-3pm (During School) December 11th: 1:30-3:30pm & 5:30-7:30pm (Choir/Band Program Day) December 12th: 8am-5pm (During School) Location: The Book Fair is going to be located in the Founders Conference Room at St. Pascals. We look forward to seeing you and your family at our Book Fair! Remember, all purchases benefit our school. Permission to reproduce this item is granted by Scholastic Book Fairs Scholastic Inc. All rights reserved F