FINDING OUR WAY. November 29, 2015 First Sunday of Advent

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1 November 29, 2015 First Sunday of Advent "Lord, give me a sign." How many times have we spoken these words or something like them to ourselves in hopes that our prayers have been heard, or that we have chosen the right path? Such signs, perhaps, aren't hard to come by, only difficult to recognize for what they are. Jesus speaks of ominous signs preceding the coming of the Son of Man. Still, his is not a gloomy announcement. Instead, he tells us to stand tall and to raise our heads. We can almost hear the joy in his voice. FINDING OUR WAY There's a catch, though. Isn't there always? But this catch is something that we can handle. It calls us to grow in the ways of Christ, to ready ourselves in prayer and action for his coming some day as the world's judge and redeemer, and every day into our individual hearts as our own personal savior. Advent helps us to remember this. We have long been told that this is a season of preparation that can bring us to Christmas morning a changed people. As with any period of preparation, though, we will get out of it only what we put into it. Trite? Maybe. True? Definitely. Many of us have already put up our Christmas lights. So many of us have already drafted our lists and have begun our holiday shopping. Indeed, some of us have even started to wrap our purchases in preparation for the big day. But let us not forget that we have more impor - tant things for which to prepare. Jeremiah's "just shoot" is being raised up before us. Now is the time to listen to Paul's exhortations. Now is the time to live in a way pleasing to God. For in so doing, we will become our own sign to the world not one of darkness but one of hope and light, a sign that the Lord's kingdom is already upon us. Today's Readings: Jer 33:14-16; Ps 25:4-5, 8-10, 14; 1 Thes 3:12-4:2; Lk 21:25-28, Copyright 2015, J. S. Paluch Company, Inc., 3708 River Road, Suite 400, Franklin Park, IL With Ecclesiastical Approbation, St. Aiphonsus Parish St. Mary's Assumption Church National Shrine of Blessed Francis Seelos 2030 Constance Street t New Orleans, LA (504) ' Fax: (504) Sunday Masses Vigil: 4:00 PM (Church) Sunday: 9:00 AM (Chapel): 10:30 AM (Church) Weekday Masses Monday Friday: 7:00 AM (Chapel) Monday Saturday: 8:00 AM (Rectory) St. Mary's Chapel/i 516 Jackson Avenue

2 I November 29, 2015 Page 2 Our faith Communitg w0com all mzmbgrz and viitor 1ikR t. 'r11phonus Perish Mission e5tatq,,m qznt In the tradition of our immigrant founders, St. Aiphonsus Parish continues to be a welcoming and caring Roman Catholic community offaith. We are inspired by the Holy Spirit, formed by the Gospel under the mantle of Mary, Our Mother ofperpetual Help, and since 1843 served by the Redemptorists, men offaith such as Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos. We are committed to carry forward a living history that shapes us into a Eucharistic community which strives for a more just society through service to each other and to the community. Prih OffieR tiour8 Monday Friday: 8:30 AM-2:30 PM stalphonsusoffice@parishmail.com Website: stor1 e5teiff Under thir pastoral care of thiz 1dRmptorists sine 1843 Father Richard Thibodeau, C.Ss.R. rthibs@aol.com Pastor/Local Redemptorist Superior Father Ivan Dawson, C.Ss.R. Fr.ipdawson@gmail.com Parochial Vicar Sheila McDermott smcder@dcc.edu Vocalist Lillian Moran lrml254@hotmail.com Office Manager/Bulletin Editor Robert Zanca rgzuno@aol.com Music Director IN 1eeNCe Father Harry Grile, C.Ss.R. Director, Blessed Seelos Welcome Center Father Gerard LaPorte, C.Ss.R. Father Maurice Nutt, C.Ss.R. Xavier University Director, Institute of Black Catholic Studies Brother Leo Patin, C.Ss.R. Blessed Seelos Welcome Center Father Thomas Pham, C.Ss.R. U.S. Navy Chaplain Corps Perish CommittR and (hairs Finance Committee Edward Berbuesse eberbuesse@wdco.biz I Sunday Hospitality Mignon Schafer mschafer1550@att.net Human Concerns Marty Kauchak I mpkauchak@cox.net Liturgical Design Jennifer Burton I Marketing jennc76gmail.com Darlene Gaiennie sgaiennieaol.com Respect Life John Endes I johnaendres@ginail.com Social Group Grace and Mario Valtierra mario.valtierra@gmail.com * Gracee.torres.rgmail.com i Vision Group Fr. Richard rthibs@aol.com Confessions: Saturday: 3:15-3:55 p.m. (church) or by arrangement Baptisms: To arrange a baptism please contact one of the parish priests. Marriages: Please make arrangements at least six months in advance. Home Visits: Please call the parish office when someone is ill and would like to receive the Sacrament of the Sick or receive Holy Communion. Rosary: The rosary is prayed every Sunday at 10:00 a.m. in the Seelos Shrine. Phone Numbers Daily Spiritual Message Friends of St. Aiphonsus Hope House Mercy Endeavors St. Aiphonsus School Seelos Welcome Center If you would like to become a parish member of St. Aiphonsus please call the parish office or go to our parish website and register on line.

3 November 29, 2015 Page 3 Dear Parish Family, PASTOR'S CORNER Let me be among the first to wish you a very Happy New Year! No, it's not time for the funny hats and masks nor the bubbly champagne or the confetti...or even for making resolutions. Today is the First Sunday of Advent which marks the beginning of the New Liturgical Year. What's a liturgical year? It's the way the church organizes its celebration of and invites us to participate in the waiting for the coming of Christ, his birth, public ministry, suffering, death, resurrection, ascension and sending of the Holy Spirit to enrich the Church. Like any New Year we begin this process once again. The First Sunday of Advent calls us to begin our yearly preparation for the coming of the Lord, the coming of the Messiah. We might not find it that exciting since we know that the Lord has already come and will come again at the end of time. At the same time he comes again, today, to meet us where we are and to invite us to reflect on the Father's love and then live the Son's message of service to all through the power and inspiration of the Hoy Spirit. Once again we are encouraged to not rush Christmas. This is not an easy task when television, the Internet and other forms of media are shouting out Christmas even before the month of Christmas arrives. A time of waiting is sacred. Think back on your thought process whenever you are waiting for someone or something. You think about the person, you imagine what the event will be like. In effect, it's the first part of the celebration itself...the conscious waiting for the real thing. Thinking about someone or some event helps us become more appreciative of the place the person or the event has in our life. While sometimes we might like a surprise, often the conscious process we experience through waiting is a good part of the ultimate pleasure of having. The Season of Advent invites us to enter into the excitement of anticipation, of waiting for the One who can satisfy the longings in our heart like no other person or event could ever hope to do. We will know how well we prepared, how well we waited when the day arrives and we are filled with ajoy that cannot completely be explained. The Lord will be in our midst. Today we wait. Today we prepare. Today we celebrate the beginning of the journey of faith. Happy New Year! Thou2ht for the week: "After eating an entire bull a mountain lion felt so good he started roaring. He kept it up until a hunter shot him. Moral: When you're full of bull, keep your mouth shut." Have a great week ahead! Fr. Richard

November 29, 2015 Page 4 Christmas gift r'ivin' of books i Crèche Exhibit-2015 9 St. Ainhonsus Art and for the students of St. A!phonsusSchooL Cultural Center I The annual International Crèche Exhibit at St.

4 November 29, 2015 Page 4 Christmas gift r'ivin' of books i Crèche Exhibit St. Ainhonsus Art and for the students of St. A!phonsusSchooL Cultural Center I The annual International Crèche Exhibit at St. Aiphonsus Church will open Sunday, November 29, 2015, after the 10:30 AM Mass and will remain open Monday through Saturday, 10:00 AM-2:00 PM. The closing reception will be Sunday, December 6, 2015, at 4:00 PM. More than 100 Crèches will be exhibited. This is open to the public. This year, we are once again promoting the Christmas gift giving of books for the students of St. Aiphonsus School. The names and grades of each student will be on the Christmas tree in the back of St. Mary's church or in a basket in the rear of the chapel. Please support our annual Christmas project. Our goal is for each student to receive one book. Please return all books wrapped with the name tags attached by Sunday, December 13th. 1 For more information, contact Blanche Comiskey j at "Like" us on Facebook at St. Mary's Assumption Church of St. Aiphonsus Parish Photos, events and information to be included on Facebook may be ed to amacth(,gamil.com REFLECTIONS ON CONSECRATED LIFE Since its origins consecrated life has been marked by its thirst for God: quaerere Deum. May your first and supreme desire therefore be to witness to the fact that God should be listened to and loved with all your heart, with all your mind and with all your might, before any other person or thing. I Pope Benedict XVI, In a 2005 message to religious in the Diocese of Rome I The following have asked for our prayers-... I Paul Froeba, Dorothy Higson, Cathy Foulks, Andrea McLellan, Ann Maginnis, Fr. Gerard LaPorte, Carol Sanchez, Lizzie Williams, Jean & Robert Cooper, Bowen Family, Judy Michaels, Christine Gallagher, Susie Kirchner, Sammy Blankenship, Ernst Stringfellow, Narvaletta I Parker, Diana Crespo, Peggy Simmons, Brandon Isbell, Cissy Rowley, Amanda Arthur, Jerrod Lenfant, Richie Spottswood, Judy Favolora, Nick Baroni, Brittany & Shelton Baudoin, Tina Bellas, Leslie Munster, Piero Cenni, Verma Scott, Kathy Murphy, Sr. Jean Diaz, I I Courtney Releford, Miriam Bailey, Dr. A. J. Giorlando, Janice Doug- I I las, Julia Callahan, Lisa Huber, Adele Faucheux, Barrie Byrnes, Isabelle Russo, plus all other sick and infirmed. I i To place or keep a name on our sick list, please call the I rectory every 3 weeks to let us know that you or a loved one or I friend are still in need of prayers. 1 Current Parish Financial Summary I Year todate: (711115to 10/31/15)1 Total Income for October: $36, Total Expenses for October: $33, Net Income for October: +$3, Total Income Year to date: $128, Total Expenses Year to date: $149, Net Income Year to date: -$20, Your generosity is needed and appreciated! MASS INTENTIONS AND UPCOMING EVENTS Monday - November 30 7:00am Tuesday - December 1 7:00 am 8:00 am Wednesday - December am Thursday - December 3 7:00am Friday - December 4 7:00am Saturday - December 5 4:00pm Sunday December 6 9:00 am 10:30 am Mimi Heebe + Marcus & Elda Heiny + John "Bubby" Gallagher + Marie & A, J. Giorlando Justine & Joseph Williamson + Christina Fowler Have you included St. Aiphonsus Parish and/or the Redemptorists in your will?

I November 29, 2015. Page 5 I "Greece: in the Footsteps of Paul the Apostle" April2016 Featuring a 3 night Greek Islands and Turkey Cruise.

5 I November 29, Page 5 I "Greece: in the Footsteps of Paul the Apostle" April2016 Featuring a 3 night Greek Islands and Turkey Cruise. If you are interested in taking this trip, or learning more about it please call the parish office and we will send a brochure to you. Mercy Endeavors' Senior Showcase December It is better to give than receive. Mercy Endeavors' Seniors are accepting gift donations for their upcoming Senior Showcase where C/11i14t,7z.aL children buy gifts for their loved ones at Christmas. Please donate any small gift or personal items such as household accessories, scarves, jewelry, gift cards or anything that would allow a child to purchase, carry away and re-gift. No heavy items please. Donations may be delivered to Mercy Endeavors Center at 1017 St. Andrew St. from 8:30 am until 4 pm daily. Last day to drop off gently used or new gifts is Monday November 30 th God loves a cheerful Giver, and so does Mercy Endeavors! For information, contact Willie Melder at Loving God, we remember the following Virginia Boyd Barr Robert (Bobby) Beyer, Jr. Lois & Robert Beyer, Sr. CJ.S.PahichCo, Inc. Dennis Cross William & Thelma Crotty & Family Walter Palmer Diaz, M.D. Elsie Dufresne Duffel &. V. L. Duffel Claire & Walter Preston Irene Gelderman Nancy Stafford Hartson Katherine Walet Hartson Deacon Maurice John Hartson, ifi Pamela & Gerard D. Krunimel Margaret Simmons McBride William Russell & Sam Moran Families Mr. & Mrs. Felix Rousset, Jr., & Sr. and Rosemary Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Schafer Ted Sternberg Mercedes & Pete Waldron If you want to have a loved one listed for each week of the year please call Lillian at the parish office for details. I Human Concerns Corner 1. Food Drive Service Project. We ask your continued, faithful, sustained support of our efforts to feed the poor of our parish and fill the food bins at Hope House through - these Thanksgiving and Christmas i seasons. If you will not be present at Masses on the third full weekend of the month (food drive weekend), consider leaving your thoughtful donations of food in the rear of the church or chapel at the other times you join us for Mass. Interested in helping with the coordination and completion of our monthly food drive on the third full weekend of any month? Contact Marty Kauchak at <mpkauchak@cox.net >. 2. Hope House Dinner Service Project. On November 10 seven parishioners - helped Catholic Workers provide a warm, nutritious dinner to about 44 A ' individuals in need. If you can donate ( about 1.5 hours for this service pro-._ ject on the second or fourth Tuesdays I,\. of the month contact Marty Kauchak ' Tj at <mpkauchak@cox.net>. We also appreciate any donations of salad, side dishes, main entrees and desserts on these evenings! Assignments for our next night of service: Dec. 8: Lise McGrew, Sheila McDermott and Marty Kauchak 4. Tutoring. During a typical week three or four parishioners provide tutoring support to the children of our parish school enrolled in the after school program. Interested in helping prepare our young students for success? Contact Marty Kauchak at mpkauchak@cox.net >. ' & -

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6 Phor Nôi Viêt ANDERSON ENGINEERS, LLC * Registered Structural Engineer Vietnamese Food Providing Residential & Commercial Structural Design & Inspections 2005 Magazine St. Over 30 Years Experience Tues-Sun 11-9pm Mon-(Closed) (504) (800) FUNERAL HOME Since 1854 Colllpli Zell ts In Loving Memory 4747 Veterans Blvd. Of of Deacon The Metairie, LA /fbadie.paniilies Bubby Hartson (504) ' ffrniuixff ] Come Sail Away on a 7-night Catholic Exotic Cruise. Prices begin at $1045 per couple which includes all port fees and taxes. Daily Mass and Rosary offered. Deposit of only $100 per person will reserve your cabin. Space is limited. Thanks and God Bless, Brian or Sally, coordinators an Off!ciai Travel Agency \ of AOS-USA I CHIC MODERN HOTEL IN THE GARDEN DISTRICT On The hotel Streetcar Lin INDIGO. JuM,nsFromthe French Quarter (504) GOSPEL MEDITATIONS FOR DAILY LIVING Ninety days worth of Gospel verses and reflections mdcc.::: An App for Catholics. An App for your Parish.Z7 ALL IN ONE! a meditation,.1 a prayer, a simple activity Ck,i or e 'rok&n. qa y an " a related verse from the Old Tatament. Ideal for Lent New How's and Eastertime, or for any time of year! Paluch A way for you to partner with service 7am to 3pm every d providers who support your parish through 2917 MAGAZINE STREET WORLD LIBRARY PUBLICATIONS their sponsorship of the parish bulletin. [] g1ii1i Mi I wwwpaluchpartners.com < Please Cut Out This Thank You Ad and Present It The Next Time You Patronize One of Our Advertisers '0 Th81k " Thank you for advertising in our church bulletin. I am patronizing your business because of it! HOLIDAY SPECIAL Saint Margaret Sunday Missal An ideal companion for personal prayer. in Stock & Ready to Order Today. CALL OR ORDER ONLINE. $39.95 TOLL FREE: 1IU ng I % St Aiphonsus Parish For Ads: J.5. I-'aluch (SO., Inc. 1-SUO

NOT A HAIR ON YOUR HEAD WILL BE DESTROYED

NOT A HAIR ON YOUR HEAD WILL BE DESTROYED -" r,..', November 17, 2013 Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time Paul, in his letter to the Thessalonians, seems unduly harsh in his instructions that no one should