Parish Staff. New Parishioners If you are new to our parish and would like more information please contact the Parish Office.

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1 Nativity of Mary Church and School E 36th Terrace Independence, MO Parish: (816) School: (816) Web: My attitude must be Christ s. - Philippians 2:5 Parish Staff Rev. Robert Stone, Pastor Mrs. Mary Parrish, Principal Melissa Clancy, Business Manager New Parishioners If you are new to our parish and would like more information please contact the Parish Office. Pastoral Care Sacraments for the Sick and Homebound and Pastoral visits to the Homebound and Hospitals. Fr. Bob Stone Mass Schedule Monday: 8:30 a.m. Communion Service Weekday: 8:30 a.m. Tuesday - Friday Saturday: 4:00 p.m. Sunday: 8:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Holy Day: 8:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Confessions Saturday: 3:00 p.m. or by Appointment Emergency Assistance Contact St. Mary s Food Pantry and Clothes Closet Youth Ministry Debbie Page, Parish Office School School, Early Childhood and Extended Care Carmen Wolfgeher, school office Sacrament Preparation Baptism, First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, Confirmation, Adult Initiation (RCIA), and Matrimony Contact the parish office for information Music Ministry Maria Milazzo, parish office Parish Ministry Council Sue Reiser - Chair Diocesan Victim s Advocate Kathleen Chastain or chastain@diocesekcsj.org Ombudsman Jenifer Valenti, or JeniferValenti@att.net

2 DECEMBER 25, CHRISTMAS MASS INTENTIONS Saturday, December 24 - Christmas Eve 3:00PM + Mary & Al Flowers & Lucille Payne + Barney Breunig & Jackie Crabtree Midnight + Jay Totta Sunday, December 25 - Christmas 10:00AM + Gary Enyart & Mayta Family Monday, December 26 - St. Stephen COMMUNION SERVICE Tuesday, December 27 - St. John the Apostle COMMUNION SERVICE Wednesday, December 28 - The Holy Innocents COMMUNION SERVICE Thursday, December 29 - St. Thomas Becket 8:300AM + Mary Haug Fri., Dec. 30 The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary & Joseph Intentions of Ken Arens Saturday, December 31 - Vigil of the Solemnity of Mary 4:00PM + Al Flowers, Basil Lesmeister & Ron Brumbaugh Sunday, January 1 - Solemnity of Mary 8:00AM + Emil Yancik 10:30AM + Rose Miller PLEASE PRAY FOR: Angela Arnone Bernadette Greufe John Routledge Vern/Margaret Ault Mike Guthrie Dan Rottinghaus Rex Bartley Phillip Heavelow Mike Rooney Helen Burkhart Matthew Johnson Barbara Sarro Jimmy Butler Cynthia/Dennis Jones Sylvia Simone Pam Casper Paula Kienberger Bernice/Norm Steffen Steve Christensen Clarence Kinney Janet Swanson John Clarke Lucas Locascio George Timko, Jr. Kelly Cook George Lambros Annette Torbert Melissa Costello Betty Mascal Margaret Trigg Catherine Danna Juan/Mary Perez Daniel Wheeler Florence Dawson Carlos/Eva Pinon Ayden Wright Willie DeJesus Gary Reese READINGS FOR THE WEEK DECEMBER 26, JANUARY 2017 Monday: Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59; Ps 31:3cd-4, 6, 8ab, 16bc, 17; Mt 10:17-22 Tuesday: 1 Jn 1:1-4; Ps 97:1-2, 5-6, 11-12; Jn 20:1a, 2-8 Wednesday: 1 Jn 1:5 -- 2:2; Ps 124:2-5, 7b-8; Mt 2:13-18 Thursday: 1 Jn 2:3-11; Ps 96:1-3, 5b-6; Lk 2:36-40 Friday: Sir 3:2-6, or Col 3:12-21 [12-17]; Ps 128:1-5; Mt 2:13-15, Saturday: 1 Jn 2:18-21; Ps 96:1-2, 11-13; Jn 1:1-18 Sunday: Nm 6:22-27; Ps 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8; Gal 4:4-7; Lk 2:16-21 TREASURES FROM OUR TRADITION An old joke asks, "What time is Midnight Mass?" The answer is not really obvious, since Christmas is unique in having several distinct celebrations. The readings and prayers vary greatly from hour to hour. The Vigil Mass hinges on the family heritage of Jesus and his origins. The concept of "midnight" predates clock time, and really has to do with a celebration in the hours of darkness. Years ago, it was not possible to receive Communion without fasting for a full day, so the late hour of this Mass made it possible for the people to receive. The first Mass after sunrise, the Mass at Dawn, was once known as "The Shepherds' Mass," and later Masses set aside stories of Jesus' birth to focus on the key to the day's celebration: John the Evangelist's majestic theology of Christ's identity as the Word made flesh, dwelling among us. One feast, four separate Masses. Only monasteries manage the whole round. Parishioners typically take just one entry point into the mystery. Yet there is much to savor and celebrate in the coming of Christ into the world. Christmas is not a day, but a season. You still have two weeks to send those Christmas cards before you're officially late! --Rev. James Field, Copyright (c) J. S. Paluch Co.

3 DECEMBER 25, PARISH NEWS Did You Know The will be closed Monday, December 26th. We will be closing the office at the rest of the week. The will also be closed on Monday, January 2, New Year s Masses Saturday, December 31st - 4:00 p.m. Sunday, January 1st - 8:00 a.m. & 10:30 a.m. Altar Society Raffle Winner Thanks everybody for participating in this years Altar Society Raffle. The beautiful Nativity figurine was won by Ann Murphy. Just a reminder that we are set up for Online Giving. You can make a one-time gift or an ongoing contribution. Fast, Easy and SECURE. Go to our website at and click the green Donate Now button. NATIVITY OF MARY CONTRIBUTION REPORT DECEMBER 3 & 4, 2016 Envelopes $ 11, Plate $ Worship Space $ 1, Pisces Fund $ 1, Utility Fund $ EFT $ - Credit Card $ - Online Giving $ Poor Box $ Total $ 15, Tuition & Registration Fees $ 15, Thank you for supporting our Parish Community and Catholic Education! Did you know that chopping down the Christmas Tree represents the death of Christ and putting it back up again represents the Resurrection of Christ? Did you know that the wreaths we hang are never ending circles, that represent eternity? Candy canes were made to look like shepherd hooks and the colors red, Jesus blood, white purity. The gifts represent the 3 gifts the wise men brought for Jesus. So when you are running around trying to get the perfect gift, stop yourself, take a deep breath and remember we have been given the perfect gift, Jesus Christ was given to us to remove all of our sins.. MERRY CHRISTMAS! From Good Morning Afternoon and Night New Hospitality Ministers (Ushers) If you signed up to be a Hospitality Minister (Usher) there will be an orientation on Saturday, January 17 th, following the 4:00 p.m. mass or Sunday, January 29 th, between the 8:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. masses. We ask you to attend one of the two dates. It shouldn t last longer than one hour. We will start scheduling you in February. Thank you for volunteering to help with this very important ministry. Devotional candles are kept in the kiosk. If you would like to light one just ask an usher for assistance. There is a slot and envelopes available in the kiosk to place your $5 donation. If you have a suggestion, concern, or comment you would like the Parish Ministry Council to address there are cards on the kiosk you to fill out and drop in the slot. Gluten-free hosts are available. Talk to Fr. Bob before Mass. We have 2 wheelchairs and hearing assist devices available for your use during mass. Please contact an usher.

4 CALENDAR 2016 Sunday 25 10:00AM Mass Merry Christmas Monday 26 Closed Tuesday 27 9AM - Quilters Wednesday 28 Thursday 29 Friday 30 Saturday 31 3:00PM Confession 4:00PM Mass 8:00AM Mass 10:30AM Mass 1 Closed 2 9AM - Quilters 3 4 7PM - Altar Society Meeting 5 Epiphany 9AM- Eucharistic Adoration 6 3:00PM Confession 4:00PM Mass 7 8:00AM Mass 10:30AM Mass 1PM - Youth Group 8-2:00PM 9 9AM - Quilters 10 7PM - Theology On Tap 11 7PM - Ministry Council Meeting :00PM Confession 4:00PM Mass 14 Mark your Calendars! Disney s THE LITTLE MERMAID JR. is playing at Nativity of Mary on February 24-25, The 60-minute musical, designed for young performers, is based on the 2008 Broadway production and the 1989 animated feature film. This classic Disney title contains all of the songs from the Academy Award winning animated feature film as well as three new songs from the Broadway show. THE LITTLE MERMAID JR. takes place in a magical kingdom beneath the sea, where a beautiful young mermaid named Ariel longs to leave her ocean home to live in the world above. But first, she ll have to defy her father, the king of the sea, escape the clutches of an evil sea witch and convince a prince that she s the girl with the perfect voice. The Nativity of Mary cast and crew will be made up of 50+ students, teachers, and parent volunteers under the direction of Katia and Maria Milazzo. We look forward to a fabulous production! More information about performances to come!

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6 DECEMBER 25, CHRISTMAS Today's readings are as familiar to most of us as the carols we sing and the commercials that overwhelm this holiday season. Often Christmas finds us tired, struggling with preparations and expectations. What we really want to feel is joy and peace. The stress of preparation, of waiting, is reflected in both Isaiah and Paul's letter to Titus. Luke tells us of the exhaustion that Mary and Joseph felt: a young pregnant wife and her husband, forced to travel just as she is about to give birth, unable even to find a room to stay in. It must have been miserable. They must have been afraid. In the midst of this exhaustion, misery, and fear, a child is born, a Son is given. The world is then filled with light and hope, joy and peace. In that moment they, and we, know what all the waiting has been for. WAITING IN THE DARK Isaiah writes powerfully of the darkness and the gloom, the burden and the sacrifices that the Jews have been living with for years and years. Their waiting, their misery is deep and prolonged. Yet they continue to wait. In Paul's letter to Titus, the Christian community is also waiting, not for the birth of the Savior, but for the return of that Savior. Paul reminds us of the "blessed hope" that sustains our wait. In Luke we hear the familiar story of Mary and Joseph, the pregnancy and birth, the baby, the Son. This is the one for whom all have been waiting. His coming, long awaited, much anticipated, is real. The only reaction we are told about is that of the shepherds, and they are afraid. But they are reassured with the same words spoken to Mary by the angel who announced that she would give birth to a son, "Do not be afraid." FAMILIARITY BREEDS CONTEMPLATION But how could we not be afraid? A young mother giving birth in a stable. Shepherds seeing angels. We do not need to be afraid because these stories are so familiar. Most of us could tell them almost word for word from memory. They are like the stories our children insist we read to them night after night long after they know every word by heart. They are familiar not just because we hear them repeated every year at Christmas but because they are the stories of our daily preparations, our lifelong waiting, our fear, exhaustion, misery, and our hope and joy. Their very familiarity means we don't have to wonder what the outcome will be. We already know. We know that despite the mean circumstances into which Mary's Son was born, her Son transforms the darkness into light. Her Son brings rejoicing. Her Son brings peace. We know that, despite our exhaustion and our fear, peace awaits us, too. Copyright (c) J. S. Paluch Company CHRISTMAS Amidst the beautiful readings at the Christmas Masses is a reading from a small New Testament letter from Saint Paul to his protégé, Titus, read at Midnight Mass. Saint Paul reminds Titus that God has given us a gift in the person of Jesus Christ. This gift represents God s active presence in our lives and in our world. This gift redeems us from evil and death. This gift purifies us as God s people. This is a gift that also comes with an expectation: that we receive it with thanksgiving, allow it to transform us into Christ s image; and from it, learn how to live a life eager to do what is good. Take time the next few days to reflect on the marvelous gift we celebrate at Christmas, and how we might become better stewards of this gift. Every time you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing. St. Teresa of Calcutta The Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph is committed to combating sexual abuse in the Church. If you are a victim of sexual abuse, or if you observe or suspect sexual abuse: 1. Call the Missouri Child Abuse Hotline at (if the victim is currently under the age of 18), and 2. Contact your local law enforcement agency or call 911, and 3. After reporting to these civil and law enforcement authorities, report suspected sexual abuse of a minor or vulnerable adult to the Diocesan Ombudsman, Jenifer Valenti, at or JeniferValenti@att.net, if the abuse involves a priest, deacon, employee or volunteer of the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph. The Diocese has a sincere commitment to providing care and healing resources to victims of sexual abuse and their families. Please contact Victim Advocate, Kathleen Chastain, at or chastain@diocesekcsj.org for more information.

7 January Ministry Schedule January :00 PM Mass 8:00 AM Mass 10:30 AM Mass Lectors Grace Arnone Marilyn Fellows Nancy Ronan Helen Austin Sandra Martinez Eucharistic Ministers Ushers Grace Arnone Sara Breunig John Cook *Ed Krawczyk Loretta Krawczyk Cindy Mosbauer Mike Mosbauer *Denotes Captain Pat Baker Rich Carroll Mary Healzer Bernie Schulte John Felz *Ron Galvin Mary Ann McClure Pete Quiroga Laura Rosenberg Volunteer *Denotes Captain Charlie Bellman Henry Giraldo Bridgette Kahmann Julie Kahmann Servers Naomi Gonterman Jack Ryan Beau Flickner Michelle Hix Susan Hughes Susie Kenney Larry Lamb Manny Martinez Rosa Milazzo *Madge Sutherlin *Denotes Captain Mark Bishop Chad Morales Bob Murphy Jerry Wickey Cale Johnson Luke Johnson