OF ARC CATHOLIC CHURCH

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1 10, 2017 Page 1 ST.December JOAN OF ARC CATHOLIC CHURCH (View this bulletin on-line at Spring Hill Drive Spring Hill Florida ~ Telephone: (352) Fax: (352) Second Sunday of Advent December 10, 2017 Eucharistic Liturgies Saturday Vigil: 4:00 p.m. Sunday: 7:30 a.m., 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m. and Spanish Mass: 1:00 p.m. Daily Mass: 9:00 a.m. Monday through Saturday Sacrament of Reconciliation Saturday: 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. & by appointment Pastoral Team Please call the Parish Office at (352) for information regarding any of the following: Baptism for Children: Parent preparation. Matrimony: If you are contemplating marriage at St. Joan of Arc Church, please be mindful that there is a six month prior notice request required. RCIA/RCIC: Rite of Initiation into the Catholic faith. Ministers of the Eucharist: Please notify the Parish Office if you, or someone you know is sick, in the hospital, homebound or shut-in. Martha s Helpers: Services for our homebound. In His Footsteps Soup & Sandwich Lunch: Served on the second Thursday of each month from Noon - 2:00 p.m. in our Parish Hall and on the fourth Thursday of each month for the homebound only. Parishioners in need of assistance: St. Vincent de Paul Society (352) Mary & Martha s Gift Shop: Wednesday: 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Saturday: 3:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. Sunday: 7:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Closed during all Masses & Wednesdays in August Emergencies Only: (352) Rev. Patrick Rebel, Pastor Rev. Jerry Murphy, Assisting Rev. Edward Reiter, Assisting Rev. Michael Kouts, Assisting Deacon Lee Hinderscheid Deacon Fred LaPiana Deacon José Cruz Anne Cofone, Business Manager/Secretary Mary Jo Waggoner, Director of Faith Formation Joyce Thorpe, Director of Music Nancy Lovelock, Youth Minister Parish Office Hours Monday - Thursday: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Friday: 9:00 a.m. - Noon (Closed daily 12:00 p.m.-1:00 p.m.) Phone: (352) jchrchca@tampabay.rr.com Website: Religious Education/Faith Formation For information on all programs of: Rel. Ed. & Youth Ministry: (352) Rel. Ed. StJoanRelEd@gmail.com Youth Group: SJOA-Youth@TampaBay.rr.com Notre Dame Catholic School Phone: (352) Website:

2 Page 2 (View this bulletin on-line at December 10, 2017 T M S. J A P J,,,. NEWS OF COMFORT In a time of preparation, much of it having to do with material things, it is good to hear the words of Isaiah, Comfort, give comfort to my people, says your God (Isaiah 40:1). In a time of such stress and rush, when our usual burdens are augmented by piles of Christmas preparations, we can choose to slow down, take some time to heal and appreciate the enormous gift we are about to receive. Christ, the Son of God, has become one of us, and knows our human limitations. Yet God, even now, is freeing us from the burdens that our inattentiveness to our God and to our deepest inner longings have heaped upon us. The Lord comes, not as a king with mighty armies, but as a shepherd leading the flocks with care and tenderness. Isaiah prophesies good news: our oppression is over, our sins forgiven. The savior we have awaited is coming, not the first time, but in the end times, as our salvation. TODAY S READINGS First Reading The rugged land shall be made a plain; the rough country, a broad valley (Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11). Psalm Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation (Psalm 85). Second Reading Conduct yourselves in holiness, hastening the coming of the day of God (2 Peter 3:8-14). Gospel I have baptized you with water; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit (Mark 1:1-8). READINGS FOR THE WEEK Monday: Is 35:1-10; Ps 85:9ab, 10-14; Lk 5:17-26 Tuesday: Zec 2:14-17 or Rv 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab; Jdt 13:18bcde, 19; Lk 1:26-38 or Lk 1:39-47, or any readings from the Common of The Blessed Virgin Mary, nos Wednesday: Is 40:25-31; Ps 103:1-4, 8, 10; Mt 11:28-30 Thursday: Is 41:13-20; Ps 145:1, 9-13ab; Mt 11:11-15 Friday: Is 48:17-19; Ps 1:1-4, 6; Mt 11:16-19 Saturday: Sir 48:1-4, 9-11; Ps 80:2ac, 3b, 15-16, 18-19; Mt 17:9a, Sunday: Is 61:1-2a, 10-11; Lk 1:46-50, 53-54; 1 Thes 5:16-24; Jn 1:6-8, SAINTS AND SPECIAL OBSERVANCES Sunday: Second Sunday of Advent; International Human Rights Day Monday: St. Damasus I Tuesday: Our Lady of Guadalupe; Hanukkah begins at sunset Wednesday: St. Lucy Thursday: St. John of the Cross Saturday: Las Posadas begins TREASURES FROM OUR TRADITION Many people think that Saint Francis originated the Christmas crèche, but its origins go far back. The Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome has housed what is said to be relics of the cradle of Jesus since the seventh century. In time, every year during the Christmas season the reliquary (container for relics) was surrounded by an increasingly grand threedimensional scene of the place of Jesus birth. Rocks and trees, houses, streams, figurines of villagers going about their daily tasks were all included. It was a very dramatic presentation. If you ve ever seen an elaborate model train installation, you get the idea. The proper term for this depiction is presepio, from the Latin word for surround or hedge. Over the centuries, the custom spread, first to churches, and then to aristocratic homes. In Italy, whole chapels are often set aside for the presepio, and it is not unusual to have hundreds of figures. It can sometimes be a challenge to locate the Holy Family amid the crowd, almost like a Where s Waldo? children s book. The oldest surviving presepio is in St. Mary Major and dates from the thirteenth century, although many pieces have been broken or lost. Saint Francis of Assisi took a decidedly creative step in 1233 in the village of Greccio, when he directed his followers to fill a manger with hay and tether an ox and ass nearby. He then invited the villagers to attend Mass outdoors near the crib, the worshipers themselves becoming a living presepio. By the seventeenth century, the tradition was well established, particularly in Naples, and had a firm hold in Portugal, Spain and in the Provence region of France. Today, it is not unusual to find presepios with five hundred figures, a vivid reminder of Emmanuel, God-with-us! Rev. James Field, Copyright J. S. Paluch Co. Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths. Mark 1:3

3 December 10, 2017 (View this bulletin on-line at Page 3 The office will be celebrating Christmas Break from December 18 through January 1. May your Christmas season be filled with blessings and peace. SATURDAY Dec 9 9:00 a.m. Deacon Lee Hindersheid (L) req by Parish Council 4:00 p.m. Helen and Francis Collins (D) req by The Family - - SUNDAY Dec 10 7:30 a.m. Louis Gustin (D) req by Carol and Paul D Aquisto 9:00 a.m. The Parish Community 11:00 a.m. Rosalie Cleaver (D) 10th Anniversary req by Sister Anna, Paul Horvath and Family 1:00 p.m. Carmen Rivera (D) req by Katherine Acosta - - 9:00 a.m. MONDAY Dec 11 Kenneth Morris (D) req by Family - - 9:00 a.m. TUESDAY Dec 12 Mary Trojanowski (D) req by Her Family - - 9:00 a.m. WEDNESDAY Dec 13 Anne Whitlock (D) req by Family - - 9:00 a.m. THURSDAY Dec 14 Leonard Griebel (D) req by His Loving Wife Erica - - 9:00 a.m. FRIDAY Dec 15 Mary Frontiero (D) req b y Michelle and Dennis Wyllie - - SATURDAY Dec 16 9:00 a.m. In Thanksgiving for our Baptisms 4:00 p.m. Irene Perosino (D) req by Husband Dominico - - SUNDAY Dec 17 7:30 a.m. Liliane and Warren Trachtman (D) req by Mario and Yanick Tryfonos 9:00 a.m. Kathy Ruland (D) req by Sharon Barle 11:00 a.m. Russell Martocci (D) Loving Wife 1:00 p.m. Parish Community Stewardship Report for Nov A endance: 998 Envelopes Used: 305 Envelopes : $ Offertory Cash $ Second Collec on: $ Total: $ Debt Reduc on: Envelopes 106 $ MASS INTENTION REQUESTS Offering Mass for a special intention has been a long standing tradition in the Catholic Church. It is usually considered that special graces are received by the person who the intention is for. Masses are said for many reasons; for a deceased person, for a living person, in honor of someone s birthday, in honor of someone's anniversary, etc. The name of the person or persons we are praying for is mentioned in the general intercessions, by the priest at Mass and in our weekly bulletin. If you would like to have a Mass said for someone, living or deceased, please go to the Parish Office. A Mass Card will be given to you as a reminder of the time and date you requested. Priests Mass Schedule for Dec 16/17 (subject to Change) 4:00 pm Fr. Pat 7:30 am Fr. Paul 9:00 Fr. Ed 11:00 Fr. Jerry, 1:00 pm Fr. Pat

4 Page 4 (View this bulletin on-line at December 10, 2017 Notes from the Pastor How to Celebrate Advent Marking Time We mark or prepare the time leading up to Christmas in various ways. The three most popular ways include the Advent wreath, the Advent calendar, and the Jesse Tree. The origin of the Advent wreath began in Germany in the sixteenth century. The Advent wreath is a circle of evergreen symbolizing God s eternal love. The wreath holds four candles; three violet and one pink. Violet is the traditional color of Advent. The pink candle symbolizes joy. IL is lit on Gaudete (Latin for rejoice) Sunday. Gaudete Sunday is the third Sunday of Advent. In lighting the candles one by one, it reminds us of how God s light has gradually illumined the darkness of the world through history. This is because Jesus is the Light of the World and the Sun of Justice. Many times the Advent calendar starts on December 1. There is a door for each day. Behind the door there is hidden a scripture verse or a picture. Children especially enjoy the Advent calendar. The Jesse Tree helps us remember the Jewish roots of Jesus. Jesse was the father of King David. This is where the house of the Messiah, or the house of David comes. The Jesse Tree is made of paper, a real branch or even a real tree. It is decorated day by day with symbols of God s saving activity. These decorative pieces include an ark, stone tablet, a dove and many other pieces from the Old Testaments. This week of Advent we also celebrated the Immaculate Conception on December 8. This was a Holy Day of Obligation. God prepared Mary to be the mother of Jesus by preserving her from original sin. This day we celebrate God s love for Mary and for all of us. We also celebrated that He saves us from sin. Many people prepare for this day by praying a nine day novena which starts on November 30. The readings for the Second Sunday of Advent centers on John the Baptist. He stands in the desert preaching a message of power. He states The One is coming, There are other saints we celebrate during the Second Week of Advent. They include St. Nicholas on December 6, St. Juan Diego, December 9, Our Lady of Guadalupe, December 12, and St. Lucy, December 13. Adapted by Our Sunday Visitor By Amy Welborn Notitas del Diácono PRIMER DOMINGO DE ADVIENTO Puede que sea difícil valorar completamente el alcance del sufrimiento que el pueblo judío padeció durante los años de su exilio en Babilonia. El ejército de Nabucodonosor había derrotado a Judá, el templo fue destruido y el pueblo fue deportado de la tierra prometida. Hubiese sido fácil perder las esperanzas sin saber por cuánto tiempo estarían sin hogar. El autor de esta sección del libro de Isaías escribió durante estos tiempos sombríos. Hubiese sido natural escribir una diatriba o un lamento, pero este autor escribió un mensaje de esperanza, un libro de consolación, tal como es denominado a menudo. Probablemente les haya ofrecido consuelo a los fieles dándoles una visión redentora. Esa misma visión puede reanimarnos hoy a nosotros cuando sufrimos pruebas en nuestra propia vida. El autor de la segunda carta de Pedro escribió durante una era interesante. Más o menos una centena de años después de la resurrección, los cristianos esperaban que Jesús regrese glorioso cualquier día. Aún creemos esto, pero no nos sorprende cuando pasan los años y aun toda nuestra vida sin que eso suceda. Durante ese tiempo del siglo dos, los cristianos iban aceptando gradualmente que la segunda venida del Señor no se iba a realizar a la vuelta de la esquina. Esto pudo haber llevado a los fieles a la consternación y a ser víctimas de burla por parte de los no creyentes. La segunda carta de Pedro hace la salvedad de que la perspectiva de Dios en cuanto al tiempo no se parece en nada a la nuestra, o sea, que un día pueden ser mil años (2 Pedro 3:8) y después atribuye esta tardanza como signo de la paciencia de Dios, que nos da el tiempo para arrepentirnos y crecer en santidad. A fin de preparar a las personas para la venida de Jesús, Juan el Bautista las invita a arrepentirse y a recibir el perdón. Las aguas del río Jordán simbolizaban la limpieza del pecado que el bautismo le daba al creyente. También simbolizaban una vida renovada después de atravesar la sequía del desierto, tal como sucedió con Juan, con Isaías, con el pueblo exilado y aún con nosotros hoy. Pregunta de la Semana De qué maneras siento mi sequía espiritual o emocional? Cómo puede la presencia de Jesús satisfacer mi sed? Cómo puedo prepararme para la venida de Cristo?

5 December 10, 2017 (View this bulletin on-line at Page 5 In today s Gospel, St. Mark writes about the appearance of John the Baptist who was sent by God to proclaim a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. John foretells of the coming of Jesus who will baptize with water and the Holy Spirit. As baptized Christian Catholics, we have been given new life as a gift from God. In thanksgiving, God asks that we give back a portion of our gifts of time, talent, and treasure. When we give time to God in prayer, we should seek to know His will for us. We can do this by emptying ourselves of our own worldly desires and listening for His call to us that day. We should look around to see what needs to be done and be open and willing to be a part of the solution to someone else s problems, not just our own. Let us never turn our backs on God, Who has blessed us with life, health (imperfect as it may be), family and friends, education and training, and the ability to work. There is always something to do at St. Joan of Arc, our parish. At the present time, many people in our country and many countries around the world are suffering from a lack of food and health. Let us thank God for what we have and be willing to share with those in need accordingly. It is in giving that we receive. St. Francis. THANK YOU FOR USING ENVELOPES! A special thank you to the parishioners who have been using envelopes over this last year. It has helped greatly in planning our parish budget and keeping track of income. Please remember that the parish is not able to record your donation for tax purposes unless it is in an envelope. In addition, use of envelopes determines Faith Formation/Confirmation fees as well as Catholic school subsidies for individual families. REMEMBER YOUR CHURCH IN YOUR WILL! Giving to your church through your will is a good way to con nue your support of your church beyond your Our In His Footsteps Soup and Sandwich Lunch Program provides a nourishing meal to all who partake. The sincere thank you s that we receive lets us know that we are truly following in His footsteps! Our next $1 Campaign will be next weekend: Dec. 16/17. HELP RELIGIOUS COMMUNITIES Your generous contribution helps us to care for our retired sisters and enables our younger sisters to continue in active ministry, writes a religious sister. Your gift to today s collection for the Retirement Fund for Religious helps provide medications, nursing care and more for thousands of senior sisters, brother and religious order priests. It also helps ensure younger members can continue the good works of their elders! Please be sure to purchase your Tree of Lights Memorials. They will be sold this weekend and next. They are the only fundraising we do. The trees are decorated by our St. Vincent de Paul members. We thank you for your support. Incline your ear O Lord, answer me for I am afflicted and poor. Psalm 86:1 CHRISTMAS IS COMING... Mary & Martha's wants to help you have a Blessed and Merry Christmas. Our Christmas gi s and cards are now all on display for you. Come, visit and see our lighted candles, new beau ful medals, our Na vity couch Pillow that lights, musical table top decora ons, and so much more. If you do not find what you need, just tell us and we'll do ALL we can to find it for you. Plus, we'd love to give you a Christmas Hug - and they're free!!! To all who won't be able to stop in personally we wish you a Blessed Christmas and Happy New Year. From: Cathy, Barbara, Donna, Sharon, Pat & Marbeth

6 Page 6 (View this bulletin on-line at December 10, 2017 Prepare the Way of the Lord Saint Peter shows us a characteristic of God that we normally do not think about. He tells us that for God, a day is like a thousand years and a thousand years like one day (1 Peter 3:8). Somehow, God is not restricted by time as we are. Taken literally, that seems to violate the laws of physics. Of course, God made those laws, so if anyone can ignore them, God certainly could. More likely, because early Christians sometimes complained that Jesus second coming had been delayed, Peter is trying to tell us that what seems like a long time to us is nothing to God. Like the early Christians, we may wonder how long it will take for God to answer our prayers. We may be praying for someone who is looking for a job, a sick relative, an end to abortion or world peace. Some prayers just take time to be answered, especially if a large number of people need to change their hearts to make it happen. Some prayers require us to change, and we may not be ready. What Peter means is that a thousand years is not too long for God if someone needs that long to repent. God is far more patient than we are. If someone had been fighting me for months or years, I would probably give up on them. But God can wait until we are mature enough to face our sins and be sorry for them. In the same way, God has been waiting over two thousand years for us to preach the gospel to all nations. God has been waiting for millennia for people to give up war as a means for solving our problems. God has been waiting since the beginning of the human race for us to learn how to love our neighbor. We might not be as patient as God but we can help. Saint Peter says that we are not just waiting for the Lord s return, we are hastening it. When we make a choice that is based on faith rather than selfishness, we make it a little easier for people to believe in God. Jesus is the light of the world; He asks us to let our light shine, so that people can see Jesus in us. May our light prepare the way of the Lord (Mark 1:3). Tom Schmidt The St. Joan Columbiettes are sponsoring a cruise in April, The 8 day - 7 night cruise, aboard Royal Caribbean s Rhapsody of the Sea, departs from Tampa on Sunday, April 8 th and returns on Sunday, April 15 th. Ports of Call are: Tampa, Grand Cayman, Cozumel, Belize, Costa Maya and Tampa. Cabins start at: $704 Inside; $784 Ocean View; and $1,244 Balcony (*rates include taxes and port charges) The funds raised from this Columbiettes Fundraiser are put back into our Hernando County community! For information on this cruise, contact Steve at Cruise Planners,