S.M.A.R.T. NEWS Saint Mary's Active Religious Teens December 2017

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Egbert Alexander
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S.M.A.R.T. NEWS Saint Mary's Active Religious Teens December 2017 Dear Friends, "Tomorrow morning," the surgeon began, "I'll open up your heart..." "You'll find Jesus there," the boy interrupted.

The surgeon looked to the parents, who sat quietly. "When I see how much damage has been done, I'll sew your heart and chest back up, and I'll plan what to do next.

"I'll tell you what I'll find in your heart. I'll find damaged muscle, low blood supply, and weakened vessels. And I'll find out if I can make you well." "You'll find Jesus there too. He lives there.

1 S.M.A.R.T. NEWS Saint Mary's Active Religious Teens December 2017 Dear Friends, "Tomorrow morning," the surgeon began, "I'll open up your heart..." "You'll find Jesus there," the boy interrupted. The surgeon looked up, annoyed. "I'll cut your heart open," he continued, to see how much damage has been done..." "But when you open up my heart, you'll find Jesus in there," said the boy. The surgeon looked to the parents, who sat quietly. "When I see how much damage has been done, I'll sew your heart and chest back up, and I'll plan what to do next." "But you'll find Jesus in my heart. The Bible says He lives there. The hymns all say He lives there. You'll find Him in my heart." The surgeon had had enough. "I'll tell you what I'll find in your heart. I'll find damaged muscle, low blood supply, and weakened vessels. And I'll find out if I can make you well." "You'll find Jesus there too. He lives there." The surgeon left. The surgeon sat in his office, recording his notes from the surgery, "...damaged aorta, damaged pulmonary vein, widespread muscle degeneration. No hope for transplant, no hope for cure. Therapy: painkillers and bed rest. Prognosis: (here he paused) "Death within one year." He stopped the recorder, but there was more to be said. "Why?" he asked aloud. "Why did You do this? You've put him here; You've put him in this pain; and You've cursed him to an early death. Why?" The Lord answered and said, "The boy, My lamb, was not meant for your flock for long, for he is a part of My flock, and will forever be. Here, in My flock, he will feel no pain, and will be comforted as you cannot imagine. His parents will one day join him here, and they will know peace, and My flock will continue to grow." The surgeon's tears were hot, but his anger was hotter. "You created that boy and You created that heart. He'll be dead in months. Why?" The Lord answered, "The boy, My lamb, shall return to My flock, for He has done his duty: I did not put My lamb with your flock to lose him, but to retrieve another lost lamb." The surgeon wept. The surgeon sat beside the boy's bed; the boy's parents sat across from him. The boy awoke and whispered, "Did you cut open my heart?" "Yes," said the surgeon. "What did you find?" asked the boy. "I found Jesus there," said the surgeon. Take the time this Christmas season to look into the hearts of others you ll find what the shepherds found in the stable long, long ago Patti McTaggart My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:26

UPCOMING EVENTS DECEMBER 3- ADVENT EVENING PRAYER 5:00PM in the church 10- ADVENT EVENING PRAYER 5:00PM 13- CONFIRMATION ADVANCE 4:30-9:00PM St.

MARY'S 10:00AM 17 - ADVENT EVENING PRAYER 5:00PM 24 - CHRISTMAS EVE MASS 4:00PM Church and parish hall 24 - CHRISTMAS MASS IN THE NIGHT 10:00PM 25 - CHRISTMAS DAY MASS

Mass in the church 14 - CONFIRMATION SESSION IN THE PARISH HALL 7:00-8:00PM COOKIE -BAKING FOR THE HOMEBOUND! SAT. DEC. 16th 8:00AM-11: 00AM ST. MARY'S PARISH HALL!

2 UPCOMING EVENTS DECEMBER 3- ADVENT EVENING PRAYER 5:00PM in the church 10- ADVENT EVENING PRAYER 5:00PM 13- CONFIRMATION ADVANCE 4:30-9:00PM St. Mary s Parish Hall 16 - COOKIE BAKING FOR THE HOMEBOUND 8:00AM-11:00AM 16- ADVENT COMMUNAL PENANCE AT ST. MARY'S 10:00AM 17 - ADVENT EVENING PRAYER 5:00PM 24 - CHRISTMAS EVE MASS 4:00PM Church and parish hall 24 - CHRISTMAS MASS IN THE NIGHT 10:00PM 25 - CHRISTMAS DAY MASS 9:30AM 31 - BLESSED VIRGIN MARY,MOTHER OF GOD MASS AT 5:30PM JANUARY 1 - BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, MOTHER OF GOD MASS AT 9:30AM 5 - HOLY HOUR for Vocations - after 12:10PM Mass in the church 14 - CONFIRMATION SESSION IN THE PARISH HALL 7:00-8:00PM COOKIE -BAKING FOR THE HOMEBOUND! SAT. DEC. 16th 8:00AM-11: 00AM ST. MARY'S PARISH HALL! Bring decorations for the cookies! SR. HIGH YOUTH AS WELL AS ADULTS: We are in need of drivers to deliver the cookies to our homebound parishioners. If you are able to help, please be at St. Mary s parish hall around 11:00AM on Sat. Dec. 16th. THANK YOU!

The casseroles created will be served the next day, Friday, December 15th, at the Free Lunch program. All youth are invited to participate!! THANK YOU! A special "thank you" to all the St.

3 DO YOU LIKE TO COOK? On the third Thursday of every month, join other youth from each high school and junior high as we collaborate in St. Mary s parish hall and make four or five casseroles for the Free Lunch program. This month s cooking class will take place on Thursday, December 14th from 3:30-4:30PM. The casseroles created will be served the next day, Friday, December 15th, at the Free Lunch program. All youth are invited to participate!! THANK YOU! A special "thank you" to all the St. Mary's Youth who helped replace the old with the new missal books in the pews as well as those youth who assisted with the Thanksgiving Dinner - both in November. God bless each of you for your acts of kindness and service to others! "...All will see the good that you do and give glory to God... Matthew 5:12 REMINDERS TO ALL

4 CONFIRMATION CANDIDATES: 1.) Our Confirmation Advance will be on WEDNESDAY, December 13th from 4:30-9:00PM in the parish hall. 2.) All Confirmation forms will be due on December 31, Please turn in all your information as soon as possible! THANK YOU! 4.) The Confirmation Advance fee was $ Please turn in as soon as possible. 5.) THE CELEBRATION OF THE SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION AT ST. MARY'S WILL BE ON SUNDAY February 11th, 2018 at 2:00PM!

It s a Ski Trip! WHEN: Sun., Feb. 3rd, 2018 WHERE: Sundown Ski Resort- Dubuque, IA. TIME: 1:00PM 9:00PM We will depart and return to the Clarion Highlander Hotel parking lot. COST: $65.

5 It s a Ski Trip! WHEN: Sun., Feb. 3rd, 2018 WHERE: Sundown Ski Resort- Dubuque, IA. TIME: 1:00PM 9:00PM We will depart and return to the Clarion Highlander Hotel parking lot. COST: $65.00 skis/pass/lift $50.00 pass/lift only $65.00 snowboard/pass/lift Please fill out the attached permission form and return to: Patti McTaggart: St. Mary s Church 302 East Jefferson Street Iowa City, Iowa Make all checks payable to: St. Mary s Youth Group THE DEADLINE IS FRIDAY, JANUARY 26 th, 2018 ACT NOW! THE SPACES FILL UP QUICKLY! THANK YOU!

6 DIOCESE OF DAVENPORT PARENT/LEGAL GUARDIAN PERMISSION SLIP Dear Parent or Legal Guardian: Your son/daughter, legal dependent, is eligible to participate in a schoolsponsored or Religious Education Program activity at a location away from the school/parish site. This activity will take place under the guidance and supervision of St. Mary s Parish Youth Program. A brief description of the activity follows: Activity: St. Mary s Sponsored Ski Trip Purpose: Annual event Destination: Sundown Ski Resort Dubuque, Iowa Designated Supervisor of Activity: Patti McTaggart Volunteer Chaperone(s): TBA (1 adult to 8 youth ratio) Place of Departure: Drop- off at the Clarion Hotel and Convention Center Date and Time of Departure: Sunday, February 4th, :00PM Place of Return: Pick-up at the Clarion Hotel and Convention Center Date and Anticipated Time of Return: Sunday February 4th, :00PM Method of Transportation: Bus Student Cost: $65.00 for Bus, Pass, & Skis $50.00 for Bus & Pass only $65.00 for Bus, Pass, Snowboard If you would like your child to participate in this event, please complete, sign and return the following statement of consent. As parent, or legal guardian, you remain fully responsible for any legal responsibility that may result from any personal actions taken by the named student. I hereby request and consent to the participation of my child, in the event described above. I understand that this event will take place away from the school/parish grounds. I further consent to the conditions stated above on participation in this event, including the method of transportation. Parent/Legal Guardian Signature Date Address Number Emergency Phone INFORMATION NEEDED BY SUNDOWN SKI RESORT Shoe/Ski Size (same) Skill Level (please circle one): Beginner Intermediate Advanced Height: Weight: Age:

Confirmation preparation

Confirmation preparation Long-Term Preparation (begins in 6 th grade and continues through 8 th grade) Four elements are necessary: 1. Sacramental Life, 2. Catechetical Instruction, 3. Prayer Life Development,