St. Francis of Assisi

Transcription

1 St. Francis of Assisi CATHOLIC COMMUNITY 4300 Meeks Drive, Orange TX Office: Fax: Web: Office Facebook.com/St.Francis.Church.Orange Parish Office Hours: Monday-Friday 9am-3pm Religious Education Office Hours: Monday-Friday 10am-3pm Wednesday 3-7pm during RE PASTOR: Rev. Sinclair K. Oubre, J.C.L. Deacon Hector Maldonado Deacon Tommy Ewing Deacon Keith Hebert SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM Please call the Pastor to make arrangements for Infant Baptisms. Baptism class is held the third Thursday of each month at 6:00pm. This can be done at least seven (7) months before the birth in order to make proper sacramental preparations. SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGE Diocesan policy requires a minimum of six (6) months of sacramental preparations for marriage. Engaged couples are invited to call the Pastor for an appointment. HOLY COMMUNION OR ANOINTING OF THE SICK Please call the Pastor if you or any family members are ill or plan to be hospitalized to arrange the reception of the Sacraments. RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS - Catechumenate Those interested in becoming a Catholic or in completing their initiation are invited to contact Myrna Stimac ( ) to learn more about the Catechumenate Process. PARISH MEMBERSHIP Welcome to St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Community! Please register by obtaining a census form from the Parish Office or at one of the two front entrances to the Church. Please return the census form to the Parish Office or drop in the collection basket. You may also register online and From the home page, click on the registration form. We look forward to the opportunity to know and serve you and it is our prayer that you will bless St. Francis Catholic Community with your time, talent, and treasure. MASS SCHEDULE Saturday: 5pm 7pm Bilingual Sunday: 8am 10:30am DAILY MASS Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 8:30am Wednesday: 6:30pm RECONCILIATION: Saturday: 3:30-4:30pm

2 THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT GAUDETE SUNDAY DECEMBER 17, 2017 Saturday December 16 5:00 p.m. William McAllister (D) 7:00 p.m. Sunday, December 17 8:00 a.m. Nolan Guidroz Sr. 10:30 a.m. People of the Parish Monday, December 18 No Mass Tuesday, December 19 8:30 a.m. Marie Sichko (D) Wednesday, December 20 6:30 p.m. Sunny LeBlanc (D) Thursday, December 21 8:30 a.m. Al Deranger (D) Friday, December 22 8:30 a.m. Raymond & Estelle Zalewski (D) Saturday December 23 5:00 p.m. David & Kevin Wilson (D) 7:00 p.m. Sunday, December 24 8:00 a.m. Pat & Jonnie Broussard (L) 10:30 a.m. Todd Edgerly & Beverly Nunez (D) Third Sunday of Advent December 17, 2017 Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17 REJOICE Isaiah proclaims truly good news to us! God s coming brings not sadness, guilt, fear, wrath, or condemnation. No, God s coming is a source of comfort and joy. Saying it once is not enough, for today s readings are full of joy. Mary s Magnificat substitutes for our psalm today, and our second reading encourages us to rejoice, to give thanks and praise. This is the root meaning of the Greek word for eucharist. We are urged to rejoice and give thanks, because the coming of the Lord brings joy, healing, liberty, release, vindication. It makes the very earth spring up with new life! Good tidings! Copyright J. S. Paluch Co., Inc. TREASURES FROM OUR TRADITION Last week, we looked at a form of nativity scene called a presipio, characterized by framing the crèche of Jesus with a vast array of personalities and a rich geographical context. The tradition was carried to the New World, and finds very rich expression in Latin America today. While in Europe the presepio was reserved mostly to the homes of wealthy nobles and great churches, in Latin America it was claimed by the poor and expressed the skills of native artisans. In Mexico, you can still find clay figures in every village market. In a way, the native people took the religion of Spanish rule and baptized it with their Indian culture by surrounding the crib of Jesus with local geography and people. In Brazil, where Christmas falls in summer, the figure of the baby Jesus is wrapped in gold and gems, and set on a hillside surrounded by flowers and animals of all kinds. Sometimes there is a double presepio, presenting both Nativity and Crucifixion. In some places in Latin America, even non-religious people take care to have a presepio in the home, sometimes dedicating one whole room in the house or apartment to the scene. Some cities have markets where people from the countryside sell plants and figurines. In Cuzco, churches and families provide hot chocolate for the children of the poor who come down to help create the nativity scenes. In Paraguay, the baby Jesus grows the small infant who arrives on Christmas Eve is replaced at New Year with a toddler Jesus who holds in one hand the globe and in the other a cross. Few Christmas traditions have the vitality and variety of presepios and crèches honoring the Nativity. Rev. James Field, Copyright J. S. Paluch Co. READINGS FOR THE WEEK Monday: Jer 23:5-8; Ps 72:1-2, 12-13, 18-19; Mt 1:18-25 Tuesday: Jgs 13:2-7, 24-25a; Ps 71:3-4a, 5-6ab, 16-17; Lk 1:5-25 Wednesday: Is 7:10-14; Ps 24:1-4ab, 5-6; Lk 1:26-38 Thursday: Sg 2:8-14 or Zep 3:14-18a; Friday: Ps 33:2-3, 11-12, 20-21; Lk 1: Sm 1:24-28; 1 Sm 2:1, 4-8abcd; Lk 1:46-56 Saturday: Mal 3:1-4, 23-24; Ps 25:4-5ab, 8-10, 14; Lk 1:57-66 Sunday: 2 Sm 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16; Ps 89:2-5, 27, 29; Rom 16:25-27; Lk 1:26-38

3 SPIRITUAL POVERTY On this "Rejoice!" Sunday in Advent, we can pray in a particular way for an end to material poverty. Today's readings assure us that the kind of poverty God desires for us is spiritual poverty, a radical knowledge that all things come from God. Where material poverty can wound the human spirit, spiritual poverty cultivates boundless joy. John the Baptist provides a startling model for us. In all sincerity, he admits that he is not worthy to touch Jesus' sandals. John says this not to charm the crowds by being coy and self-deprecating. No, John embraces the truth that God is the source of all goodness. We are utterly dependent on God for all good things. We cannot do anything to earn God's favor; God simply provides for us because we need God. This is massively good news! No one could possibly care for us like God does. At our very best, we merely reflect God's brightness into the world. God's brilliant joy is exactly what we are called to. As Saint Paul says, "The one who calls you is faithful, and he will also accomplish it." Gaudete Sunday Church Decorating for Christmas On Thursday December 21st at 2:00 p.m. Will be Stage 1 To finish up on Sunday December 24th After 10:30 mass Volunteers are greatly appreciated Since there is a quick turn Around from Advent to Christmas Wednesday December 6, 2017 Had 40 signed up visitors And 50 youth from RE Today is Gaudete Sunday or Rejoice Sunday. Why? What is all the rejoicing about? More than two hundred years ago a man names Isaac Watts wrote the words to a Christmas carol which, no doubt, you have heard every Christmas since you were born. The first verse reads: Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her King; Let every heart prepare him room And heaven and nature sing. Do you ever wonder if that is really true? Is there joy in the world because Jesus was born? YES! There is joy and happiness, celebration and song, excitement and honest to goodness merriment. There is hardly a nook or a cranny, hardly a country on the entire earth that doesn t have at least some Christian people who join in celebrating Jesus birth. Almost as though the Liturgy can t wait to celebrate the presence of the Savior, the Word of God today tells us to rejoice. How will you put that word into practice as we enter this second half of the Advent season?

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5 St. Francis of Assisi Stewardship of Treasure Immaculate Conception $1, December 9/10 $8, Retired Religious Fund $1, Online giving $2, Thank you all for your generosity! Online Giving is an excellent way to fulfill your obligation to support St. Francis parish. Go to: stfrancisorangetx.org and click the Online giving link. Schedule for December 23/24, 2017 Eucharistic Minister 5:00 p.m. Joyce Blanchette Lloyd Blanchette Louise Claybar Mary McDuffie 8:00 a.m. Unfilled- Need servers 10:30 a.m. Joel Ardoin Mary Montgomery Charles Trahan Linda Wade Lector Deborah & Ken Marciniak Unfilled-need Lectors Mark Frey Troy Johnson Altar Servers Coy Darby Davin and Dylan Heard Unfilled-Need Altar Servers Lauren Corrao Dominic Seppi Vincent Seppi Schedule for Christmas Eve/Day 2017 Christmas Eve Mass 5:00 p.m. Christmas Day Mass 10:30 a.m. Gary Derouen Mary Derouen Jerry Ehrman Mary Henson Joel Ardoin Louise Claybar Mary McDuffie Mary Montgomery Cecilia Pillsbury Peter Theunissen Pat Belcher Lanston Fall Thomas Abshire Kennedy Abshire Aven Lathrop Cole Puckett Dominic Seppi Vincent Seppi In Our Parish Sunday, December 17 8:00 a.m. Mass 10:30 a.m Mass Monday, December 18 No Mass Tuesday, December 19 8:30 a.m. Mass Wednesday, December 20 6:30 p.m. Mass Thursday, December 21 8:30 a.m. Mass Friday, December 22 8:30 a.m. Mass Saturday, December 23 3:30-4:30 p.m. Reconciliation 5:00 p.m. Mass 7:00 p.m. Mass Sunday, December 24 8:00 a.m. Mass 10:30 a.m. Mass 5:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Mass Monday December 25 10:30 a.m. Christmas Day Mass VOTIVE CANDLES Light a 7 day candle in front of St. Francis or St. Clair for a special favor in honor or memory of a loved one, or for special occasions, etc. To purchase a candle, check with the ushers on weekend masses or call Paula Perkins at The candles are $7.00 each.

6 The story of Christ s birth has been told and retold so many times it could have lost its luster generations ago. But it hasn t not even close. If anything, in this world of war, famine and natural disasters, holding on to something as simple and as singularly important as the Nativity story is a necessity to our faith. And perhaps nowhere on earth is the Nativity story told with more flourish and faith-based exuberance than in the annual celebration of Las Posadas, a tradition held throughout Mexico and Guatemala. A holy history lesson: The roots of Las Posadas stretch deeply into Latin culture. It originated in Spain, but it s been a yearly celebration throughout Mexico for over 400 years. The tradition commemorates Mary and Joseph s difficult journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem in search of a warm place to stay the night. (Posadas is Spanish for lodgings or accommodations. ) Beginning on December 16 and ending nine days later, on December 24, Las Posadas commemorates the nine months of Mary s pregnancy. Each night, one family agrees to house the pilgrims. And so it begins: At dusk, a procession of the faithful takes to the streets with children often dressed as angels and shepherds. Religious figures, images and lighted candles are a part of the festivities. The group representing the Holy Family stands outside a series of houses, singing songs, asking for lodging. They are refused time and again until the group reaches the designated house. Finally, the travelers are permitted to enter. Prayer and song continue in the home, and festive foods are shared. The evening ends with a piñata in the shape of star. The tradition continues each evening with a different house as the chosen Posadas. The last night Christmas Eve usually features a midnight Mass. The nine days of Las Posadas is more than just a feel-good tradition: It deepens faith and strengthens ties within the community at a holy time. Just as Mary and Joseph faced the cold weather and even colder innkeepers that night participants brave the elements in bringing their love for the Christ Child to their streets. Las Posadas isn t about being somber and still during Christmas: It s about pilgrims and a pilgrimage, rousing song, prayer and deep faith all of it in motion.

7 Called Formed and Sent Day 2018 Saturday January 20 9:00 am to 4:30 pm Our Mother of Mercy, Beaumont For those working in Evangelization and Catechesis, especially catechists, parish catechetical leaders, parents, youth ministers and their teams, RCIA teams, adult faith formation teams and anyone looking to grow in their faith. Contact Cathi Sulak at to register. There is no fee for this event and lunch is provided Sponsored by the Diocese of Beaumont Of ice for Evangelization and Catechesis, OSV Curriculum Division, Twenty-Third Publications and P laum, Loyola Press, and other publishers St. Mary Catholic School WAYS TO HELP ST. MARY SCHOOL **Remember to save Box Tops for Education **Proof of Purchase squares on the Community coffee bags You may drop them off at the church office or St. Mary School. **Register your Kroger card to St. Mary s Church but the school address of 2600 Bob Hall Rd. Thank you for your continued support and prayers for our Catholic School. The Ligh ng Enhancement Project at St. Mary Catholic School is progressing very well. Thanks to all the contributors who have funded this upgrade project. All the classrooms, hallways, offices and bathrooms are complete. We s ll need to convert the library and the gym. If you thought about contribu ng and just didn't get around to it, now is a good me. If you contributed earlier and can contribute again, please do so. All previous contribu ons have gone to procure materials. All labor is volunteer. **Dona ons may be given to Jerry Ehrman or Joe Murphy, or put in an envelope marked 'Ligh ng Enhancement' and put into the collec on basket.. Thank you in advance for your generosity. St. Mary School is now part of Amazon Smile. When using this St. Mary link on Amazon Smile, the school get a por on of the proceeds. Go to the link below.

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