ST. AGNES CHURCH. Fourth Sunday of Advent. December 24, 2017

Transcription

1 ST. AGNES CHURCH Fourth Sunday of Advent December 24, 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 24, 2017 Saint Agnes Catholic Church Today s Readings 2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16 Psalm 81 Romans 16:25-27 Luke 1:26-38 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 Fourth Sunday of Advent M any years ago a few zealous Christians decided to place a creche in the lobby of the Capitol building in Tallahassee, Florida. When the American Civil Liberties Union got wind of the creche in the building, they immediately protested. To preserve harmony, peace and the respect of all religions, the officials removed the creche. A reporter from the Tallahassee Democrat Newspaper contacted one of the State Representatives for her opinion. She said, I am very disappointed that the creche had to be removed. It was the first time we had three wise men in the Capitol building. It is believed that St. Francis of Assissi introduced the creche to the Christmas season. Francis wanted the people of Assisi to deepen their devotion to the Christ Child. In 1223 Francis had a local farmer build a miniature manger. He filled it with straw. Wood carvers created the figures of Jesus, Mary, an ox, an ass, the shepherds and the three kings. The creche became an annual custom. The custom spread through Europe. Then, the Germans brought the custom to the U.S. Christmas is a time when memories return. We remember the loved ones of Christmas past. We remember those who were with us last Christmas but will not be with us this Christmas. We remember the good times. With the loss of loved ones, in death, in separation or in divorce, a heavy weight hangs from our hearts. Sadness has replaced that joy. But Christmas was made for such times as these. For a Child is born unto us. God has come to live with us. Christ has become a human like us. He has taken on the pain and suffering of humanity. He has also filled our hearts with hope and happiness. Through Christ the blind see, the deaf hear, the crippled walk, dead people rise and the Good News is preached to them. Christ has reached deep into our hearts to lift us from the depths of sorrow to the heights of eternal joy. Monday, Dec 25, 2017 Christmas Mass (9:00am) Intention: Felix Koenig by Family Tuesday, Dec 26, 2017 Daily Mass (7am) Intention: Robert Canseco Jr. by Mark & Sandy Butcher Tuesday Discussion Group (8-9 am) Liturgy of the Hours (5:30pm) Wednesday, Dec 27, 2017 Daily Mass (7:00am) Intention: Fr. Andrew Augustyn Liturgy of the Hours (5:30pm) Contemplative Prayer Group (6:00pm) Thursday, Dec 28, 2017 Mass at Heritage (9:30am) Liturgy of the Hours (5:30pm) Friday, Dec 29, 2017 Daily Mass (7am) Mass Schedule Friday continued... Intention: Keelin, Ryliegh, & Rowan by Bill Connelly Liturgy of the Hours (5:30pm) Saturday, Dec 30, 2017 Weekend Mass (4:00pm) Intention: For the Parish Sunday, Dec 31, 2017 Weekend Mass (8:00am) Intention: Harold Pieper by Michael & Beth Esselstein Family Weekend Mass (10:30am) Intention: Tom Montague by Lynda Montague Sunday, Dec 31, 2017 New Year s Eve Mass (4:00pm) Intention: For the Parish Monday, Jan 1, 2018 New Year s Day Mass (9am) Fr. Vince & the Parish by Sr. Vera Meis

3 Page 3 Fourth Sunday of Advent MERRY CHRISTMAS! As I reflect on my list of blessings this Christmas, I find your names at the top of the list as the special people whose love and prayers brought me to Life! The open -heart surgery was such a surprise to me but YOU loved me to life and I am so very grateful! I feel a special bond to those of you who had the same surgery. You are all an inspiration to me. I know each of you have carried your crosses with deep faith and courage. I thank my God for each of you. As a thank you to each of you I am having a Mass offered for you on New Years day. May your New Year be blessed in every way. Bulle n Sponsors Thank You For Your Support! Parishioners are asked to please patronize our advertisers. Let them know you appreciate their support of the parish. Solemnity of Mary Masses New Year s Eve 4pm New Year s Day 9am 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. Longtime parishioners Scott & Debbie Van Noy will celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary December 31st. The couple was married at St. Agnes Church on December 31, 1977 by Father Donald O'Brien. After a short stint in Lincoln while Scott finished dental school and Debbie worked as an RN at Bryan Memorial Hospital, they returned to Scottsbluff. Their children Jill, Jacob & Katy, Julie & Brandon (Gilbreath), and grandchildren Jackson, Josie, Hallie, and Grace congratulate them on 40 happy years together and wish them many more. Cards may be sent to them at: th Ave, Scottsbluff, NE Finance Corner Sunday Collections & ATW Giving December 17, 2017 Actual $ Budget $ Surplus (Deficit) $ Retirement Religious $ December 2017 Totals Actual $ ATW $ Budget $ Surplus (Deficit) $ Rest in Peace Carolyn Colosson, mother or Veronica (Dale) Von Lintel. December Ministers LECTORS Dec 30, 4pm Tim Madden Dec 31, 8am Margaret Rood 10:30am Cindy Nelson SERVERS Dec 30 & 31, 4pm Katie Forsstrom, Addison Peck 8am Mitch Moravec, Dalton Gass 10:30am Saphiah Montanez, Leah Polk This Week s Readings Mary and You: More in Common than You May Think Mary is our model of faith as well as our guide. She shows the power of grace working in every aspect of our life. Mary's life illustrates the blessings of a life of prayer. Believe it or not, we have more in common with Mary than not. Mary had a spouse, a child, friends. She experienced the good as well as the darkest moments of life. Yet, through it all she never lost her trust in God. She can teach us to do the same, and more! On February 3rd, St. Agnes Church is hosting a women s retreat at the Civic Center. Retreat Day consists of: Fun (low anxiety) Ice Breaker, 3 Presentations by Catholic author, blogger and former radio host, Allison Gingras. There will also be more fun with low anxiety small group discussion and hands-on activity. Monday: Is 52:7-10; Ps 98:1-6; Heb 1:1-6; Jn 1:1-18 Tuesday: Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59; Ps 31:3cd-4, 6, 8ab, 16bc, 17; Mt 10:17-22 Wednesday: 1 Jn 1:1-4; Ps 97:1-2, 5-6, 11-12; Jn 20:1a, 2-8 Thursday: 1 Jn 1:5-2:2; Ps 124:2-5, 7cd-8; Mt 2:13-18 Friday: 1 Jn 2:3-11; Ps 96:1-3, 5b-6; Lk 2:22-35 Saturday: 1 Jn 2:12-17; Ps 96:7-10; Lk 2:36-40 Sunday: Sir 3:2-6, or Gn 15:1-6; 21:1-3; Ps 128: 1-5; Col 3:12-21; Lk 2:22-40

4 Page 4 December 24, 2017 From the Seminary With the word YES, the world changed forever. For this was the answer that Mary gave to the angel Gabriel, when she said, according to Luke s Gospel Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word. Because of this YES, Mary s life dramatically changes, for Jesus, the Son of God becomes her son. She then would watch Him grow up to manhood and with anguish look on as Jesus would suffer for us to bring us salvation from sin. For once it was the woman Eve that brought sin into the world in the Garden being tempted by the devil. It was through Mary, in the birth of Jesus, that we gained forgiveness for our sins. It was Adam s sin of disobedience that caused us to endure the pain of death. It was Jesus that saved us from the fires of hell by His death. Adam and Eve, through their sin, turned us away from God. It is Mary s YES that brings us back to God. Mary does not see herself as the right one to be the mother of the Savior of the world. God, however, knows her faith, hope and love and it is only her faith that brings her to say YES. This acknowledgment of letting God direct her life is the ultimate act of faith for Mary. She could not know the joy and distress that would result from her YES, yet she does not turn away from God. Because of her display of faith in saying YES to God, we have the opportunity to display our faith in Jesus. Can we also say YES to Him? What will be the possibilities if we say YES with the same faithfulness of Mary? We will never know unless we, like Mary, recognize that He works through us to bring salvation to the world. Pope Benedict XVI said, Therefore, though it is God who takes the initiative of coming to dwell in the midst of men, and he is always the main architect of his plan, it is also true that he does not will to carry it out without our active cooperation. Christmas is, therefore, the fulfillment of the promise God made to send us the Messiah because of Mary s cooperation. If we acquire virtues of faith, hope, and love as Mary did, then we will come to know that God enables us to bring the Messiah, our Lord, and King to the world. Let us recognize faith when we look intently into the crèche to remind us of the birth of a King unlike any other. Let us consider the star that shone with hope over Bethlehem, leading the way for three earthly kings in their search for the King, who is to come. Let us remember the heavenly voices of angels celebrating on that night when the everlasting King came to us a baby to give his love to us. It is at Christmas Jesus opens our hearts to the gifts of faith, hope, and love that we may realize the glorious possibilities of what happens when we say YES. Merry Christmas God s Promise The lengthy passage from Samuel is a wonderful exposition of God s promise to the house of David: that his throne would forever be gloriously occupied by his descendants. Hidden in the mystery of the prophecy is the promise of the Savior, the Messiah, Son of God and Son of David. The prophet Nathan, speaking in God s name, poetically turns around David s plan to build a house for God, and announces God s plan to build a house, that is, a dynasty for David. From this house of David will come the Messiah, the Christ, not in kingly splendor as David ruled, but as a humble man, destined to rule forever and over all. When God gives a gift, it s amazing what we are given so different from what we ever could have imagined. Copyright J. S. Paluch Co., Inc Treasures From Our Tradition Children of the parish are somewhat focused on Santa Claus these days, who is keeping an eye on who s naughty and who s nice. Santa Claus, with his heavenly patron Saint Nicholas, has been more or less in charge of gift-giving to American children for a hundred years or so. In other places, perhaps more attentive to our Christian tradition, there are different giftbearers. In Greece, Saint Basil delivers the presents on his feast day, December 31, and makes sure everyone is sprinkled with holy water. The Baby Jesus is in charge elsewhere, called the Christkind in Austria and Belgium, El Niño Jesús in Columbia, and Le Petit Jesus in France, where he shares his duties with Père Noël. In the Czech Republic almost everyone is atheist, but Ježíšek, the infant Jesus, brings gifts to one and all. In Poland the Star Man is said to bring the gifts, although often he turns out to be the village priest in disguise. Saint Nicholas, not his Americanized cousin, is the giver in Holland, where he wears a bishop s miter, and in Russia, where he wears a bishop s crown. Soviet Russia tried to dethrone Saint Nicholas and promote Grandfather Frost, but no one was much fooled by this attempt to squeeze religion out of Christ s birth. One country has a saintly woman in charge of the gifts, Saint Lucy, honored in Sweden on December 13, when children serve their parents breakfast in bed, and others awake to news that they have been nominated for a Nobel Prize. Some children have a second round of gifts on Epiphany, when the magi assume the giftgiving duties. In general, the gifts of Christmas are simple pleasures, not great heaps of treasures. Once upon a time, a new pair of socks or an orange was enough for us. No matter what gifts we receive, all of them are to point us to the true gift, and the true giver. Rev. James Field, Copyright J. S. Paluch Co.

5 Page 5 Reflections on Today s Readings In today s first reading King David is settled in his cedar palace, no upcoming battles on the horizon, feeling quite content, glass of wine in hand, chatting with Nathan the prophet about how good life is, when he gets this inspiration: God should have a house! Certainly more than that old tent we have been dragging around. And I will build it! Nathan approves. But that night, God weighs in: Tell David, Thanks, but no thanks. I like the tent. We don t know why God said no to David. But it seems that God wanted to make clear not only who was building God s dwelling place but also who really was in charge of everything. God was the kingdom builder and God chose to work with very simple material, like a tent. But this was nothing compared to God s decision a millennium later, on the day when the angel Gabriel was sent to a town of Galilee called Nazareth. God s plan from the beginning was to take up residence among us closer than any building could be, whether it was as magnificent as Solomon s temple or as humble as the simplest parish church. What God intended was to dwell with us as one of us, taking on human flesh and blood. And in the fullness of time God came asking if one of us would be willing. We don t know how long it took for Mary to answer. We only remember the important thing: she said yes. James A. Wallace, C.Ss.R. Copyright 2014, World Library Publications. All rights reserved. St. Agnes Baptisms Top left: Gionni Galvan Top right: Ryker Hessler Middle left: Elliette Verbeck & her sister Harper Mid right: Trey Kreiling Bottom: E owyn, Luna & Pippin Merrigan Fourth Sunday of Advent Yes Lord! Of all the kings, prophets, and holy men and women of ancient Israel who had waited in faithful hope for the coming of the promised Savior, God chose to announce his coming to a young woman. The message was not proclaimed in a palace or even the temple in Jerusalem, but in a backwater village called Nazareth. Artists typically show a startled or shy Mary, usually seated and partly turning away from the heavenly messenger in confusion. In a small brightly colored painting created over a thousand years ago, the artist shows something entirely different. The angel is holding up one hand in greeting. Mary is standing up and facing him directly with both her hands extended toward him, as if to welcome him. In this encounter between the human and the divine, we see again God s capacity to confound human expectations. The words of the angelos (Greek for messenger) are rich in power and promise: you have found favor with God... [your child] will be called Son of the Most High... he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end... The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you (Luke 1:30, 32, 33, 35). Mary was no shrinking violet. Because she was pure of heart and trusted completely, she responded to God with a wholehearted yes. At this point, God broke into our world. Through the cooperation of a simple village girl, God breathed the air we breathe, walked the earth we walk, and experienced our sorrows and joys as a human like the rest of us. Everything on earth became sanctified because God became human. God became flesh in the Son, Jesus Christ, born of Mary. The world would never be the same again. The time is here to let him into our hearts and change us completely. Copyright 2011, World Library Publications. All rights reserved.

6 Wishing you a blessed Christmas From St. Agnes Parish & School staff

7 Page 7 Fourth Sunday of advent Religious Educa on Program dre@st-agnes-church.com Religious Education Office Celebrating Sunday for Catholic Families Fourth Sunday of Advent Gospel: Luke 1:26-28 On the Way to Mass: If you were Gabriel, how would you have greeted Mary? On the Way Home From Mass: What kind of message do you think your Guardian Angel has for you? Living the Word: Invite each family member to send an angel message to another family member today. Draw names and give everyone time to construct a special angel message. These messages could be placed under the Christmas tree or in a stocking. The messages may be communicated by word or picture and should have three parts: (1) a greeting (such as, Hail name full of joy, humor, love, or another description); (2) a blessing (Blessed are you for your.); and (3) a special Christmas message. These messages can be hung in a prominent place for the Christmas season. 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 Scripture Lessons: Luke 2:22-40, No ordinary child Mary and Joseph were faithful Jews and did what was required by their faith to celebrate the birth of their son. They couldn t afford the customary offering of a lamb and presented two pigeons instead to thank God for their son. To the uninformed observer, Jesus birth was unremarkable and his family quite ordinary. Yet, Simeon immediately recognized Jesus as the Messiah. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, he prophesied that Jesus was to be a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel (Luke 2:32). Simeon was not alone in recognizing the Lord in the temple. Anna was also filled with the Holy Spirit. Her faith in God s promises gave her hope. The hope God places in our hearts gives us a desire for the kingdom of Heaven. What can a parent do? Teach children to look for Jesus in the world. Encourage them to pray to him. Tell them that the Holy Spirit will reveal the presence of the Lord to those who want to know him, receive him, and to be with him forever. Partners in Faith - December 2017

8 Page 8 December 24, 2017 Color the spaces blue that have an X in them to decode the word. Then color the other spaces however you like.

9 December 24, 2017 Up Coming Events Spreading Christmas Cheer Merry Christmas from St. Agnes Students & Staff No School December 21st-- January 7th 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: Pre-K & K students played St. Nick to 6 residents of the Nebraska Veterans home. The students in each class were challenged to do a chore/chores at home to earn at least $1. The money earned was pooled together to fill the wish lists of 6 different residents of the Veterans Home. What a great way to teach these little ones the importance of giving during the Christmas season!

10 What s Happening at St. Agnes School... Building Christmas Memories Following their Target shopping trip on December 13 th, Kindergarten students enjoyed building and decorating their very own gingerbread houses. Various students brought candy, sprinkles and other supplies for building an amazing house while creating unforgettable kindergarten memories. Advent Journey Con nues The students of St. Agnes continued their advent journey during the week of Dec by taking 2 trips to Mexico. On Tuesday, Dec. 12, the students visited Mexico to learn more about the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Like Juan Diego, the students were challenged to appreciate the differences in other people and to treat each person we meet as though they are the most important person of all. On Thursday, Dec. 14, the students returned to Mexico to experience Los Posada, a traditional Mexican Christmas novena in which 9 families are selected to have their homes serve as inns. Those taking part, join in a candle-lit procession each evening where they sing about Mary and Joseph s search for lodging in Bethlehem. The message learned in this presentation is our call to have a welcoming spirit to open our hearts and invite someone in the way the innkeeper opened the stable for Mary and Joseph. Monday, Dec 25th Merry Christmas No school Helpers: Hot Lunch Menu for December 25th-December 29th, 2017 Tuesday, Dec 26th No school Helpers: Wednesday, Dec 27th No school Helpers: Thursday, Dec 28th No school Helpers: Friday, Dec 29th No school Helpers:

11 School News... Mrs. Elise Gurrola--PreK Happy Holidays! As we close out the first part of our school year and welcome the 2 nd semester, I stop and look at all the progress my little Pre-K class has made this far. They are a little but mighty group! They have learned so much since the beginning weeks. We are well on our way to learning the rest of our alphabet. The students can recognize upper and lowercase letters, sounds of those letters and all sorts of objects that those letters start with. We have even learned most of our color words. When we get back after Christmas break we will start learning some sight words and maybe even reading! What an accomplishment for these little ones to make in the beginning years of school. Among all of the academic learning, we have managed to put on our kindness hats and share the love of Jesus with others. The Pre-K and Kindergarten students have teamed up and raised money from doing chores at home to buy gifts for some elderly folks in our community. We will go shopping at Target and pick out just the right gifts for them. We are very excited about this little project we do every year. It teaches the little ones that Christmas isn t always about receiving but giving just as much. I can t wait to bein our next part of the school year after we return from our holiday break! Mrs. Liz Salazar--5th grade This past month has been a flurry of activity for the fifth graders! We worked hard for the hot dog feed, which was very successful thanks to the help of Mrs. Brown, the 4th graders, the Knights of Columbus, and the families of St. Agnes. This year we were able to fulfill the Christmas wishes of seven children! This annual event is one that all students look forward to! As our the first semester comes to a close, we continue to work very hard in the classroom. In math, we are dividing with two or more digits, and are also learning about circumference, perimeter, and place value. In English, we completed the pre-writing of a personal narrative story and will be typing them on Chromebooks as the final part of the assignment. In Science, we just finished a unit on design process and will begin a natural resources unit. We will focus on how important natural resources are and how we need to work to conserve them. In Social Studies, we are finishing up a chapter on the early settlements in the new world and will begin our next chapter on the thirteen colonies of North America. Even though, this time of year is very busy with activities; we enjoy it. We wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!